"Ten years of loyalty through thick and thin, with arduous and distinguished service."
"Bian Zhen, Master of the Spirit Herb Hall, has accumulated sufficient merit, and his cultivation has reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement."
"Today, he is hereby granted one Foundation Establishment Pill and one bottle of Yang Restoring Water."
Within Huixin Hall on Danxia Peak.
During the morning assembly, under the watchful eyes of many high-ranking members of Luotian, Bian Zhen received a jade box from Sima Huiniang's hands with immense excitement, treating it with the utmost care.
His cautious, reverent manner stood in stark contrast to his usual calm and collected bearing.
Yet none of the Luotian cultivators laughed in the slightest.
Instead, they looked upon the scene with boundless envy.
A Foundation Establishment Pill!
Even though everyone knew that the Luotian Association currently possessed a sizable stockpile of Foundation Establishment Pills, to truly see one bestowed by the Director-General as a reward was still astonishing.
Above all!
Bian Zhen was different from Wang Yuan, Duan Feng, and the other founding members.
He had not accompanied President Luo Chen through his early days of weakness.
Rather, he was a rogue cultivator who had joined during the Mount Xiaohuan period after Luo Chen established his foundation.
His time in the association was even shorter than Sima Huiniang's.
Under such circumstances, he had obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill purely through the accumulation of merit.
It was truly incredible!
Such a thing never occurred among factions of rogue cultivators.
Customarily, it was something that only happened within great sects with long-standing heritages.
Panting heavily, Bian Zhen bowed deeply in agitation.
"Bian Zhen thanks the Director-General for the reward!"
Sima Huiniang said mildly, "There is no need to thank me. The one you should thank is our generous President."
At this moment, Luo Chen was not present.
Yet Bian Zhen did not hesitate for a second. "Bian Zhen thanks the President for his immense kindness and virtue! Regardless of whether I succeed in establishing my foundation, I will gladly lay down my life for the President in the future, without a second thought!"
Sima Huiniang gave a slight nod.
"Currently, the Luotian Association is in a period of rapid development and desperately needs talent."
"Therefore, I will grant you only six months to sprint toward Foundation Establishment and consolidate your realm."
It was a tight schedule, but it was enough.
Bian Zhen raised no objection.
"Before entering secluded cultivation, hand over the affairs of the Spirit Herb Hall to Feng Xia for the time being."
"I do not want your seclusion to bring the Spirit Herb Hall to a standstill."
Bian Zhen nodded repeatedly. "As it should be! Rest assured, Director-General, I will certainly arrange everything properly before attempting Foundation Establishment."
With that, suppressing the excitement churning within him, he returned to his place with a spring in his step.
Sima Huiniang glanced at the others in the hall.
Afterward, she moved on to address other matters.
The morning assembly gradually drew to a close.
When the assembly was dismissed, Sima Huiniang held back three people alone.
"Are you wondering why I bestowed the Foundation Establishment Pill upon Bian Zhen first rather than you?"
Inside the hall.
Qin Liangchen and his wife exchanged glances.
Sima Xian remained completely silent.
At this moment, there was undoubtedly great doubt in their hearts.
Judging by closeness of relationship, perfection of cultivation, or the magnitude of their contributions, they should have been ranked ahead of Bian Zhen.
Moreover!
Luo Chen had even dropped hints to them before.
Could Sima Huiniang be obstructing them behind the scenes?
Yet even if she disregarded Qin Liangchen and his wife, she surely would not hinder Sima Xian from establishing his foundation!
That was her own elder brother!
Without waiting for the three of them to reply, Sima Huiniang stood up, sweeping her wide sleeve. "Come with me to Tianlan Peak!"
Puzzled, the three followed her onto a flying boat and headed straight for Tianlan Immortal City.
When they arrived at Luo Chen's cave dwelling, Bai Meiling had already received word and stepped out to welcome them.
"Sister Qinglian, you're here!"
Seeing Bai Meiling's solidified form, clad in plain white robes and appearing almost no different from an ordinary person, Murong Qinglian's face softened with warmth.
She asked with concern, "How have you been lately?"
Bai Meiling giggled. "Great! Look, I'm already at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement."
Murong Qinglian was astonished.
Channeling the Spirit Eye Art and looking closely, she found that Bai Meiling was indeed around the ninth layer of Qi Refinement.
Could a ghost cultivator advance this quickly?
What she did not know was that Bai Meiling had already absorbed that portion of Emperor Flowing Liquid infused with Profound Yin Qi.
It had taken her nearly several months of effort to finally stabilize her realm.
Not only that, but having absorbed that wisp of Profound Yin Qi, her ghostly form had undergone a subtle, marvelous transformation.
Sima Huiniang did not interrupt their catch-up.
She knew this little ghost's background.
During her mortal life, she had been a neighbor in the same courtyard as the President.
She was supposed to have perished in Dahe Ghost City, but by sheer fortune, she encountered the President and escaped with her life.
She usually stayed by the President's side, managing his cave dwelling and handling daily chores.
This was a good thing.
Sima Huiniang oversaw the Luotian Association for the President, which meant she could not attend to his daily life.
Having an attentive person manage the household allowed the President to concentrate entirely on his cultivation.
Ever since the night of the Danxia celebration, Sima Huiniang had quietly come to view herself as one of Luo Chen's intimates.
Even if she was not his formally recognized Dao companion, she felt she could do far more for him than a Dao companion ever could.
Once the others had chatted for a bit, she spoke up in an unhurried voice. "Is the President still in seclusion?"
Bai Meiling shook her head. "No, he's taking a bath, I think. He's been at it all night, so you might have to wait a little longer."
A bath?
The group blinked in confusion.
Washing up shouldn't take that long!
***
Within the milky-white liquid, a robust, muscular physique lay submerged.
Under the soak of this milky liquid, his cracked skin was slowly knitting back together.
Had Kang Xianqiong been present, she would have been dumbfounded.
This was because the liquid used for this bath was not merely Origin Cultivating Spiritual Liquid; it also contained a massive quantity of her Kang family's top-grade Golden Quality Jade Liquid.
No one knew what method Luo Chen had employed to fuse the two together, creating such a miraculous restorative effect for an external soak.
This immersion had already lasted a full night.
After a long while, Luo Chen slowly opened his eyes.
Feeling the vigor returning to his physique, he let out a long breath of relief.
"Thank goodness! Thank goodness!"
"Using the pure wood spiritual energy refined by the Ageless Evergreen Scripture as a bridge, I fused the top-grade Golden Quality Jade Liquid with the modified Origin Cultivating Spiritual Liquid, achieving the efficacy of a second-tier spiritual liquid."
"Otherwise, these injuries would have severely hindered my cultivation."
Not long ago, he had ingested a Blood Fiend Pill, utilizing the fiend qi manipulation techniques from Bright Spirit Fiend Breaking to guide that potent medicinal power in battering his meridians.
The results had been remarkable!
In a single push, he had cleared several hidden meridians.
Yet beneath this massive achievement, the backlash was equally excruciating.
When he awoke, his skin was cracked all over, blood vessels had burst, and wisps of residual Yin Fiend Qi were attempting to assault his internal organs.
Fortunately, he had consistently cultivated the Five Viscera Health-Preserving Fist, so his internal organs had remained unharmed.
Even so, these injuries were troublesome.
After all, his physique was exceptionally formidable, belonging to someone in the second realm of body refinement.
He had already completed various stages, including Vajra Body, golden flesh and jade bones, and marrow-cleansing tendon-metamorphosis.
The stronger the physique, the harder it was to damage—and naturally, the harder it was to repair.
A Great Perfection Healing Art could only provide negligible results.
Fortunately, he had forged a new path by blending a concoction comparable to a second-tier elixir to gradually mend his body through a medicinal bath.
The inspiration had come from the Fire Fusion Secret Technique.
Drawing parallels and relying on his profound alchemy foundations, Luo Chen had finally resolved the predicament.
"This Blood Fiend Pill truly lives up to its name as a demonic elixir."
"Its potency is extraordinarily overbearing, rare in this world."
"It also places extreme demands on one's physique."
"Brother Wang's suggestion nearly did me in."
Luo Chen shook his head, though he did not truly blame Wang Yuan.
This time, he really had acted too rashly.
Wang Yuan's physique was so mighty that he could even manifest Mingjin beyond his level; Luo Chen could not compare to that just yet.
Wang Yuan's experience was inherently unsuited to him.
"It seems opening meridians with the Blood Fiend Pill must be taken step by step; it cannot be accomplished all at once."
Exhaling a mouthful of turbid air, Luo Chen stepped out of the wooden tub.
He cast a Cleansing Art to strip away the lingering medicinal smell and bloody odor, then draped an outer robe over himself.
He had already sensed the arrival of Huiniang and the others.
As he stepped out of the room, several voices greeted him in unison: "President!"
Looking at the group, Luo Chen waved his hand.
"Follow me!"
Qin Liangchen and the other two instinctively followed him into a secret chamber.
Only Sima Huiniang and Bai Meiling remained in the main hall.
***
Inside the secret chamber.
Under the trio's watchful eyes, Luo Chen produced three lush green gourds.
Without beating around the bush, he got straight to the point.
"Among the three of you, Sima Xian and Brother Qin have long surpassed the sixty-year threshold, and Sister-in-law, you have previously failed Foundation Establishment once."
"If I give you a Foundation Establishment Pill with its violent medicinal nature, success is fine, but should you fail, the price will be catastrophic!"
Murong Qinglian resonated deeply with his words.
That single failed attempt had nearly claimed half her life.
Had Luo Chen not intervened in time, relentlessly casting the Healing Art, her entire cultivation would have been ruined.
Even so, it had taken a whole year of meticulous care from her husband, Qin Liangchen, for her to slowly recuperate.
If she were to attempt a breakthrough with a Foundation Establishment Pill once more, success would be fine, but if she failed, even Luo Chen would struggle to pull her back from the gates of death.
Pointing at the three green gourds before them, Luo Chen stated directly, "These are three portions of Foundation Establishment spiritual medicine. Their medicinal efficacy is slightly inferior to a Foundation Establishment Pill, but they likewise increase the chance of success."
"Most importantly, its medicinal nature is relatively gentle."
"Even if you fail, it will not critically endanger your lives."
At these words, all three were profoundly shocked.
Could such a miraculous medicine truly exist in this world?
Following the shock came an irrepressible longing.
Even Qin Liangchen, whose hopes for Foundation Establishment had long since died down, felt a stirring in his chest.
Why not give it a try?
If he failed, he would keep his life and continue enjoying familial bliss with his loved ones.
If he happened to succeed, it would be beyond wonderful.
Seeing their tempted expressions, Luo Chen continued, "However, such a treasure is bound to draw the apprehension of great sects."
"If news of it leaks, it will bring catastrophic disaster upon the Luotian Association, and upon me as well!"
Before the three could profess their loyalty, Luo Chen said solemnly, "Therefore, I must place a certain measure upon you to prevent the existence of this medicine from being revealed."
"It is not that I distrust your loyalty."
"Rather, high-level cultivators possess methods beyond your imagination."
"Torture and interrogation are merely the basics. If they employ hypnosis, illusions, or soul-searching techniques, no matter how unyielding your backbone, you will speak the truth."
"Knowing this, do you still desire this Foundation Establishment medicine?"
With that, he said no more.
The secret chamber fell dead silent.
Every flicker of emotion on their faces was captured in Luo Chen's gaze.
The first to speak was Sima Xian.
"I want it!"
By this, he meant he had no objection to Luo Chen placing measures upon him to keep the secret.
Qin Liangchen glanced at Murong Qinglian, then asked, "If we forgo this Foundation Establishment medicine, what of today's matters?"
Luo Chen said calmly, "I will cast a spell, paired with an Oblivion Pill, to erase your memories of today."
It would cause them no harm.
At this, Qin Liangchen felt entirely at ease.
Without further hesitation, he took Murong Qinglian's hand and spoke directly. "We want it too!"
Luo Chen smiled.
Three jade tallies flew out from his storage bag.
"Swear the oath first!"
***
Around late afternoon, the door to the secret chamber slowly creaked open.
Qin Liangchen, Murong Qinglian, and Sima Xian followed Luo Chen out, looking visibly exhausted.
They did not yet carry the green gourds containing Emperor Flowing Liquid.
Luo Chen had handed those over to Sima Huiniang.
At present, the Luotian Association was short-staffed and could not afford to lose multiple high-ranking members all at once.
Foundation Establishment had to be scheduled one by one.
For now, they had to wait until Bian Zhen, Master of the Spirit Herb Hall, concluded his attempt before their turns would come.
"You three head back first. I still have a few matters to discuss with the President."
Sima Huiniang and Luo Chen walked the trio out of the cave dwelling.
Without dawdling, the three descended Tianlan Peak together.
As they departed, Murong Qinglian instinctively looked back at the man and woman standing shoulder to shoulder, a peculiar expression crossing her face.
On the return journey, none of the three uttered a single word about what had happened today, burying it deep in their hearts.
However, once back home, facing the excited and eager Qin Liangchen, Murong Qinglian could not help but ask, "Are Sima Huiniang and Luo Chen together?"
Qin Liangchen, who had been ecstatic about the gentle Foundation Establishment medicine, froze upon hearing this.
"No way, right?"
"Why couldn't they be?" Murong Qinglian rolled her eyes at him. "You're such a brute. Some things, we women can spot in a single glance."
Qin Liangchen scratched his head and muttered instinctively, "Then what about Little Gu?"
In the eyes of the earliest group, Gu Caiyi was the one meant for Luo Chen.
This sudden shift was truly unexpected.
Faced with this question, Murong Qinglian could not help but sigh.
"She probably has an idea of it in her heart already!"
Qin Liangchen still found it difficult to understand. "Luo Chen doesn't seem like a fickle man. How did he end up entangled with Sima Huiniang?"
"How should I know?"
Murong Qinglian said helplessly, "Besides, both of them are Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, and Sima Huiniang is exceptionally capable, able to assist Luo Chen in many ways. It isn't unreasonable for them to be together."
"As for Caiyi... I only hope she takes it in stride!"
Qin Liangchen, however, held a different view.
With a broad wave of his hand, he declared, "Luo Chen called me 'Big Brother' just now! This little brother of mine is destined to be a dragon among men; having three wives and four concubines wouldn't even be excessive. Why tell her to accept it and move on? Better they just join together!"
The moment the words left his mouth, a slender hand pinched the flesh at his waist.
"You've taken his favors, and now you're making excuses for him!"
"Hey, Old Qin, I never realized you harbored notions of three wives and four concubines. Speak—have you been tired of me for a long time and wanted to find yourself a younger wife?"
"Don't you dare dodge, stand still!"
"I'm counting to three..."
***
Up on Tianlan Peak, Luo Chen rubbed the space between his brows.
Casting the Soul Absorption Art and Soul Anchor Oath in one breath on three people simultaneously to plant divine soul restrictions had left even someone with his late Foundation Establishment soul foundation feeling rather weary.
Still, it was good that it had succeeded!
In the past, he certainly lacked such means.
However, after studying the spiritual sense restrictions of several Foundation Establishment True Cultivators and combining that with the basic formation knowledge Min Longyu had taught him, backed by his powerful divine soul and aided by the Soul Anchor Oath, he was now truly capable of applying divine soul restrictions.
This was especially true with Qin Liangchen and the others cooperating wholeheartedly without any defensive resistance.
Beside him, Sima Huiniang recounted the ongoing developments within the Luotian Association.
The mentorship system had officially begun.
Min Longyu had taken on two disciples to pass down his formation knowledge and carry on his mantle.
Duan Feng had long been consciously nurturing apprentices in the Artifact Forging Hall, and now, he had simply selected the top three among them as his personal disciples.
Wang Yuan's case was far simpler.
He had directly snatched the disciple Luo Chen had earmarked for himself.
Zeng Yilong!
He was Zeng Wen's son, the young boy who had carried the sword for Sima Huiniang during the Foundation Establishment celebration.
The boy was now twelve years old and could begin cultivation.
During the spirit-testing ceremony, he had been found to possess dual water-earth spiritual roots, a rarity among rogue cultivators.
This was likely related to both of his parents having been Qi Refinement cultivators.
Wang Yuan's reason for snatching this disciple from Luo Chen was not because of his spiritual roots, but because he was young and receptive.
Moreover, the boy had been pampered since childhood, having consumed plenty of foundation-building spiritual substances, which had fostered a fine physique.
He was exceptionally well-suited for body refinement.
Regarding Wang Yuan taking him as a disciple, Zeng Yilong's mother, Xiugu, had raised no objections; in fact, she was quite pleased.
For one, Wang Yuan possessed extraordinary combat strength and enjoyed immense prestige within the Luotian Association.
Secondly, Xiao Long had lost his father at a young age and had been doted on by many, bordering on spoiling him.
Over the years, his temperament had grown somewhat delicate and entitled.
As his mother, Xiugu could not bear to scold or beat him.
Allowing the ruthless Wang Yuan to train him would grind down his arrogant temper and prevent him from stirring up major trouble when he grew older.
Upon hearing that Wang Yuan had snatched this disciple, Luo Chen did not object. He had taken disciples early on; by now, Qu Lingjun had barely stepped into the seventh layer of Qi Refinement, and his alchemy skills were quite impressive for his age.
Even if Luo Chen took on no more disciples this time, no one would say a thing.
On the other hand, Sima Huiniang had taken a female disciple.
"It's the young girl who held the horsetail whisk for me at the celebration."
"Her parents were logistical cultivators back in Crescent Moon Valley. Both died there, leaving behind only an infant whose name they hadn't even had the chance to choose."
"All these years, Granny Yuan had been raising her."
"After Granny Yuan passed away, she stayed with Yuan Dongsheng's family. But Yuan Dongsheng is married now, so having her stay in the house became rather inconvenient."
"After all, she's thirteen or fourteen now, a budding young lady."
Massaging his forehead, Luo Chen recalled the girl who had stood behind Sima Huiniang during the celebration.
She was indeed quite tall, a head taller than Zeng Yilong.
It was good for Sima Huiniang to take her as a disciple.
Keeping her close and teaching her things would ensure she had a future regardless.
"What is her name?"
"Yao Mingyue. The name was given to her by Granny Yuan, inspired by Crescent Moon Valley."
Luo Chen hummed in acknowledgment.
A nice name.
Simple, elegant, and straightforward.
Seeing Luo Chen continuously rubbing his forehead, Sima Huiniang paused her work report at the right moment.
Walking behind him, she gently massaged the space between his brows.
"You look tired. Have you run into trouble in your cultivation lately?"
Luo Chen closed his eyes and let out a long sigh of relief.
He replied casually, "How could there be no trouble in cultivation? With my aptitude, I started later than others from the very beginning. I rise early and work late, racking my brains just to move a little faster."
"Tired? It's merely a bit of wind and frost on the road of cultivation."
Sima Huiniang smiled softly, tenderly continuing the massage.
Such a gentle and serene demeanor was a stark contrast to her usual image as a capable, decisive woman of power.
The atmosphere in the room gradually grew peaceful.
Before long, Luo Chen took hold of her slender hand.
"It's late. Don't go back tonight."
"Mm."
Chapter 317