"That woman Tao Wan is very strong!"
"Generally speaking, once cultivators advance to late Foundation Establishment, the gap between them isn't actually that vast without using magic treasures."
"Everyone has profound reserves of spiritual power, and the maximum power an ordinary magic tool can unleash is only so much."
"Therefore, the standard for judging the strength of late Foundation Establishment cultivators lies mostly in their degree of attunement to their magic treasures."
"The deeper the attunement, the greater the power drawn from the magic treasure, and the stronger the might displayed."
Hearing this explanation, Luo Chen couldn't help but ask, "Isn't that a bit one-sided? Surely a cultivator's battle has to account for other factors as well—talismans, spells, secret arts, formations, puppets, and so on."
Chu Kui shrugged.
"That's why I said under normal circumstances."
"As for the things you mentioned—high-tier talismans are hard to come by even if sought after, spells are easy to learn but difficult to master, secret arts are rare, and formations must be prepared in advance..."
Luo Chen held up a hand. "All right, I get what you mean."
Chu Kui chuckled. He had momentarily forgotten that Luo Chen had forged his fame in the battle at the Qinhua River through his exquisite mastery of spells.
On second thought, in the Eastern Barrens cultivation world, there was indeed the Five Elements Divine Sect, renowned specifically for its spell arts.
What he had said was indeed overly one-sided.
"Let's just speak of the impact magic treasures have on Foundation Establishment cultivators!"
"For those in the early stage, being able to command ten or twenty percent of a treasure's power is already considered decent capability."
"For middle-stage cultivators like you, if attuned to thirty or forty percent, an explosive strike would leave few opponents in the same realm able to withstand it."
Luo Chen nodded in agreement.
The might of a magic treasure truly far surpassed ordinary magic tools.
In fact, it was practically a weapon that shouldn't belong to the Foundation Establishment tier in the first place.
Take Wang Haichao back then—by forcibly activating the Profound Fire Sword, he had destroyed Luo Chen's supreme-grade magic tool, the Azure Musk Flood Dragon Gathering Banner.
If Luo Chen hadn't used the Lanke Black Chess Piece for makeshift defense, he likely would have been gravely injured, even though both were in early Foundation Establishment.
However!
Chu Kui had underestimated him.
With his powerful soul foundation and his method of refining it with spiritual consciousness restrictions, his mastery over the Profound Fire Sword was extraordinarily high.
Later, after further attuning it within the Nine Transformations Flame Dragon Array, he had already attuned the Profound Fire Sword to roughly sixty percent at his current middle Foundation Establishment stage.
In other words, he could unleash sixty percent of this magic treasure's power!
Precisely because of this, he had been able to erupt with a single sword strike back then and instantly slay Fei Changqiu of the Divine Craft Sect.
According to Chu Kui's theory, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator who attuned a magic treasure to fifty percent was considered a powerhouse among peers.
Then how should Luo Chen's current strength be evaluated?
"Tao Wan's strength lies in the fact that, since childhood, she possessed a magic treasure left behind by Ancestor Nanshan: the Flowing Cloud Flying Sleeves!"
"In the cultivation world, countless magic tools and magic treasures share the name Flowing Cloud Flying Sleeves. But the one Tao Wan holds is exceptionally formidable. It is rumored to have been personally forged in the past by a Grand Supreme Elder of Tianfan City, a treasure worthy of being refined as a natal magic treasure."
"Tao Wan has been familiar with this treasure since youth, and after reaching Foundation Establishment, she attuned it with diligent devotion. She can already wield it with superlative skill!"
"From what I can tell, she has already attuned it to seventy or perhaps even eighty percent!"
Chu Kui sighed repeatedly in admiration, his eyes brimming with respect.
One had to realize that Foundation Establishment True Cultivators could at most unleash around eighty percent of a magic treasure's power.
Any higher was impossible, restricted by the barriers of their cultivation realm.
"Back then, I fought her once on the Dao Discussion Platform."
"Though it was only a brief sparring match that didn't involve a life-and-death struggle, her magic treasure distinctly countered my fierce and overbearing Heaven-Equalizing Staff."
"That is why she ranked third while I ranked seventh, and I hold no grudges about that."
Luo Chen said in surprise, "It's rare to see you respect a fellow cultivator of the same realm this much! When you mentioned Tantai Jin before, you showed her no respect at all."
"What is there to respect about the women of the Ice Fort? Fickle and capricious."
Chu Kui curled his lip.
Only because he was far from Tianlan Immortal City would he speak ill of Ice Fort female cultivators behind their backs like this.
Back to the main point!
"In my view, across all of vast Azure Pill Valley—excluding the older generation of late Foundation Establishment cultivators—among her peers, only Danyangzi can firmly suppress Tao Wan. He Yuanqing and Fu Li are merely neck and neck with her."
Such high praise?
Luo Chen asked curiously, "Then what about Shangguan Yan?"
"Tch, an arrogant, foolish woman. In Azure Pill Valley's own immortal city, she couldn't even make the top three of the Prodigy Ranking. How could she compare to Tao Wan?"
Was Shangguan Yan rated so lowly?
Recalling their fleeting meeting at the External Affairs Hall, Luo Chen grew thoughtful.
She had resorted to poaching talents to undermine Tao Wan's competitiveness.
Evidently, her own strength was indeed not particularly formidable.
"So in other words, you think highly of Tao Wan's chances of claiming the Dao Seed position?" Luo Chen asked.
Chu Kui chuckled.
"That's hard to say."
"How so?"
Chu Kui spoke expansively, "The competition for the Dao Seed in Azure Pill Valley tests not merely personal strength, but comprehensive capability. Things like wealth, alchemy skills, connections, and so forth."
"You should have deduced this from the Grand True Disciple rankings prior to the True Disciple Sword Contest."
Luo Chen chewed over these words.
In the end, he had to admit it was just as Chu Kui had said.
Whether it was the first-round arena battles to vie for Grand True Disciple or the second-round Grand Alchemy Competition, both tested their overall capabilities.
Otherwise, relying solely on combat prowess might not even win them a seat among the nine Grand True Disciples.
Only the final round, the True Disciple Sword Contest, truly depended on individual combat strength.
Chu Kui glanced at Luo Chen involuntarily. "Speaking of which, since she invited you, you aren't going to step onto the arena to fight a few rounds, are you?"
He recognized the Fire Spirit Lord's abilities.
However, when it came to battles between late Foundation Establishment cultivators, he wasn't so optimistic.
Luo Chen gave him a half-smile.
"Have you forgotten my other Daoist title?"
Chu Kui paused.
Then he chuckled.
"I almost forgot. People originally called you Danchenzi."
***
"Danchenzi?"
"Interesting, how interesting!"
"A mere middle Foundation Establishment cultivator actually possesses two Daoist titles? Has making a name for oneself in the rogue cultivator world become that easy nowadays?"
On Mount Yuxuan.
He Yuanqing couldn't help laughing as he reviewed the intelligence his subordinates had gathered on Luo Chen.
He already knew that Luo Chen was not chosen for the arena battles, but was an alchemist Tao Wan had turned to out of desperation after Huanghezi defected on the eve of battle.
His presence was presumably for the second-round Grand Alchemy Competition.
Considering he was just an alchemist who had clawed his way up among rogue cultivators, He Yuanqing hadn't paid him much mind.
However, when he noticed in the report that He Yun of his own He clan had previously associated with Luo Chen, He Yuanqing's gaze paused.
"Someone, summon He Yun to my quarters."
"Young Clan Head, Xuan Yunzi has been devoting himself to researching alchemy lately to prepare for the Grand Alchemy Competition."
He Yuanqing's gaze turned cold.
"Do you think I don't know an alchemy competition depends on years of accumulation?"
"How much can sharpening one's spear at the eleventh hour really achieve?"
"Go fetch him at once!"
The He clan cultivator offered no further objection, bowing his head and hurrying out.
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, Xuan Yunzi He Yun, ranked among the Seven Azure Pill Prodigies, arrived outside the door with an irritated look on his face.
"Brother Yun, the Young Clan Head is waiting for you inside."
"All right, you may leave!"
Waving off the servant, Xuan Yunzi took a deep breath and forced a smile onto his face.
Pushing the door open, he entered.
"Brother Yuanqing, did you need me for something?"
He Yuanqing fixed his eyes on him, sizing him up carefully before the corners of his mouth curled slightly upward.
"He Yun, are you planning to follow Huanghezi's example—focusing solely on alchemy and not caring about your cultivation at all?"
Xuan Yunzi replied as if it were only natural, "The Path of Alchemy is vast and profound, and I have only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg. If I do not devote all my energy to it, how could I ever hope to become a grandmaster of alchemy?
"Besides, my aptitude is mediocre. Achieving Foundation Establishment was already thanks to the clan's full support; how could I dare harbor delusions of the Grand Golden Core Dao?
"It is enough for the clan to have you, Brother Yuanqing, as our pillar of white jade holding up the sky. All I need to do is apply my alchemy skills to contribute to the clan!"
His words were delivered neither rushed nor slow, smooth and articulate.
Hearing them truly felt like bathing in a spring breeze!
The smile on He Yuanqing's face was no longer concealed.
"It is wonderful that you have such resolve!"
"If I seize the Dao Seed position and take charge of Azure Pill Valley in the future, I will certainly summon you into the Grand Pill Academy!"
Hearing the words "Grand Pill Academy," Xuan Yunzi's face beamed with delight.
"This little brother will certainly spare no effort to help you win the Grand Alchemy Competition!"
"I have faith in your alchemy skills. Though you are a rising talent, aside from Danyangzi who can firmly surpass you, the other five prodigies are definitely no match for you!"
"Brother Yuanqing flatters me. I can only say I will do my utmost!"
A round of verbal exchange, exhibiting fraternal harmony.
He Yuanqing abruptly said, "Danchenzi Luo Chen—do you know him?"
Hearing Luo Chen's name, Xuan Yunzi's expression stiffened instinctively, but soon he nodded.
"I do know him. He's quite an interesting friend."
"Merely interesting?" He Yuanqing countered. Seeing Xuan Yunzi's puzzled look, he said plainly, "He is also participating in the Grand Alchemy Competition, competing on Tao Wan's behalf. Do you have any understanding of his alchemy attainment?"
So it was about this!
Xuan Yunzi breathed a sigh of relief.
Rubbing his chin, he said, "For Luo Chen to earn the name Danchenzi, his alchemy skills are certainly not poor. From what I know, he is adept at concocting a Tier 1 pill and can easily produce top-grade quality."
"Easily produce Tier 1 top-grade!"
He Yuanqing gasped, unable to conceal his astonishment.
In alchemy, concocting Tier 1 or Tier 2 pills was nothing extraordinary.
However, if one could consistently produce high-grade pills, that was rather terrifying.
It indicated not only innate talent, but also practice forged through a thousand trials.
His alchemy skills must have been polished to an extraordinarily solid foundation!
Among the Seven Azure Pill Prodigies today, most could hardly manage such a feat.
They aspired to refine higher-tier pills, and thus paid little attention to repetitive, tedious low-tier pills.
Only the senior brothers over two hundred years old in the Grand Pill Academy atop Danyang Peak, who spent all their days researching alchemy, possessed such mastery!
Xuan Yunzi casually added, "That pill is called the Jade Marrow Pill. I've tested it; the medicinal potency of a top-grade Jade Marrow Pill is merely on par with a low-grade Qi-Nourishing Pill from the Medicine King Sect."
"Phew!"
"So that's how it is!"
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
He Yuanqing visibly exhaled in relief.
A pill whose top grade was only comparable to a low-grade Qi-Nourishing Pill was undoubtedly some inferior variety circulating on the outside.
Refining it wouldn't pose any real difficulty.
With a bit of effort, many people in Azure Pill Valley could reach that level.
In that case, this Luo Chen was nothing to fear.
His so-called Daoist title of Danchenzi was probably given by rogue cultivators simply because they lacked capable people and flattered him for knowing how to brew pills.
That being so, there was nothing to worry about on Tao Wan's side either.
With his worries gone, He Yuanqing smiled and said, "I have great confidence in taking the first round, and I will ally with others to wear down Eldest Senior Brother Danyangzi as much as possible to create favorable conditions for you. When the time comes, don't disappoint me!"
Xuan Yunzi felt a wave of pressure. Bowing, he said, "This little brother will definitely do his utmost!"
"Not your utmost—you must give your absolute all!" He Yuanqing enunciated almost word by word. "I will enter the third round as the First True Disciple!"
Xuan Yunzi bent his waist even deeper.
That almost fanatical gaze falling upon him felt like needles pricking his back!
***
Returning to Mohe Garden, Luo Chen instructed the two Tao clan Qi Refinement cultivators attending him to keep an eye out for guests who might come looking for him soon.
He had posted numerous trade offers on the trading jade wall in Gaoyang Tower, and the contact address he left was the Tao clan of Mount Xiaonan.
After giving his orders, Luo Chen entered his courtyard and shut the main gate.
This familiar sight filled the two attendant Qi Refinement cultivators with deep sentiment.
Other outside cultivators invited to Azure Pill Valley were always eager to bustle about, befriending and paying visits to the valley's true disciples.
They expanded connections, gathered resources, exchanged cultivation insights, and so forth.
Only this guest invited by their Tao clan was different.
Ever since arriving, unless there was an urgent matter, he never stepped beyond the gates.
He was the very picture of an ascetic cultivator!
Perhaps that was why, despite being a mere rogue cultivator, he could achieve Foundation Establishment while also possessing such remarkable alchemy skills!
In truth, Luo Chen was indeed an ascetic cultivator, but that did not mean he never cultivated interpersonal connections.
The reason he stayed quiet without roaming about after arriving in Azure Pill Valley was simple.
The Tao clan was already the limit of connections he could cultivate at present.
Before demonstrating more exceptional value, he had already been branded with the mark of the Mount Xiaonan Tao clan from the moment he entered Azure Pill Valley.
Under these circumstances, what meaningful new connections could he possibly forge?
Nodding acquaintances? Fair-weather friends?
No!
Roistering about outside would only invite Tao Wan's suspicion.
After all, she had just experienced Huanghezi's betrayal.
When it came to reading others' minds, so long as the difference in cultivation realm wasn't too vast, Luo Chen could deduce their thoughts quite accurately.
Staying put to dutifully study alchemy and cultivating behind closed doors every day was precisely what Tao Wan wanted to see most!
Returning to the cultivation room, Luo Chen took out the Life-Returning Pill and examined it with meticulous care.
From time to time, he applied alchemy techniques to separate minute traces of powder, gauging its general medicinal potency.
What ordinary Foundation Establishment True Cultivators could not do was not so difficult for him, an alchemist on par with a grandmaster.
After a series of examinations, Luo Chen put away the Life-Returning Pill with satisfaction.
Liao Liang had exaggerated somewhat, but he hadn't lied.
Although this Life-Returning Pill did not retain more than half of its potency as boasted, it indeed still held thirty percent of its medicinal efficacy.
While it would be of little use to those at the Golden Core Revered Master realm, it was more than enough for a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator.
And was he not currently a Foundation Establishment cultivator?
"Another trump card to save my life!"
Luo Chen chuckled softly, adjusted his mindset, and began meditating to cultivate.
Although Mount Xiaonan was a Tier 2 spirit land, its spiritual energy density was fairly average.
Tao Wan had already arranged the best cultivation area for him, yet the density of spiritual energy was only on par with a middle-grade immortal cave on Tianlan Peak.
As a result, his cultivation speed slowed down by nearly half.
However, this was only temporary.
The True Disciple Sword Contest and the dispute over the Dao Seed were just around the corner, delaying him by merely a month or two.
He had already spent a month at the Tao clan of Azure Pill Valley.
Without missing a single day of cultivation, his cultivation base had been steadily progressing.
The night passed without incident.
The next day, Luo Chen awoke.
He checked the system interface.
[Realm: Foundation Establishment Level 5 (2/100)]
A whole month, and it had advanced by only a single point of progress.
At this rate, reaching Foundation Establishment Level 6 would take nearly a decade!
"I need to wrap things up here as soon as possible and return to Tianlan Immortal City to cultivate with the aid of a top-grade immortal cave."
After Foundation Establishment, the importance of spirit lands leaped to the very top priority for a cultivator!
Luo Chen had already begun to miss the dense spiritual energy of the top-grade immortal cave.
Stepping out of the cultivation room, Luo Chen was about to partake of the sumptuous breakfast prepared for him by the Tao clan when his gaze fell upon a woman in the courtyard, crouching by the pond and flicking the leaves of the black lotus.
Because she was crouching, her curves were exquisitely delineated, accentuating her waist and hips.
Smooth silk clung closely to her fair back, upon which three thousand dark strands draped, gleaming with a deep luster beneath the morning sun.
A few strands of hair dipped toward the water's surface.
The clear pond reflected a face filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
As if sensing his gaze, Tao Wan raised her head and looked toward Luo Chen, who stood by the window looking refreshed and full of vitality.
She rose gracefully and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Fellow Daoist, the battle for the Dao Seed has begun!"
Chapter 333