This was Luo Chen's first time setting foot inside a Tier 3 cave dwelling on Tianlan Peak.
The instant he stepped through the entrance, he was met with a concentration of spiritual energy not the least bit inferior to that of a low-grade Tier 3 spiritual ground.
And this was merely the reception parlor.
If one were in the cultivation chamber where the energy was densest, how astounding would it be?
If he cultivated inside, by how many times would his progress accelerate?
Amidst his astonishment, an indifferent voice drifted to his ears.
"You certainly know how to bide your time."
Luo Chen's heart gave a start.
He knew she was referring to how long he had delayed paying his respects after returning to Tianlan—he had even required someone to summon him.
To slight a Golden Core Master in such a manner was something an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator would never dare imagine.
He immediately clasped his hands and offered a respectful Daoist salute.
"I beg Master's forgiveness. A dear confidante of mine was gravely injured when her attempt to establish her foundation failed. Ever since I returned, I have devoted all my efforts to nursing her wounds.
"Furthermore, having heard from Fellow Daoist Tantai that you were in closed-door cultivation, I delayed my visit by a few days."
With that, he kept his head bowed in silence, assuming the posture of one asking for pardon.
Out of his line of sight, Fairy Jueqing's expression shifted slightly.
Tending to a confidante's injuries?
After a long pause, she spoke in her cool voice, "How is she doing now?"
Luo Chen lifted his head and explained the situation in detail.
At the end, he sighed with deep emotion. "Had I returned earlier with Master back then, perhaps this misfortune would never have occurred. She suffered such devastating harm on my account, so I must naturally exert every effort to heal her and help her step back onto the Dao path."
Counting the days, Gu Caiyi's attempt at Foundation Establishment had taken place during the month he had just concluded the contest for the Dao Seed.
Had he returned a little sooner, she would have had him watching over her.
Even if she had failed, she would not have been reduced to her current near-paralyzed state.
Hearing his explanation, Fairy Jueqing's face softened considerably.
Luo Chen kept a close eye on the shifts in her expression. At the moment, she did not seem to possess the heartless nature implied by her title "Jueqing" at all.
She was actually rather reasonable.
With the matter cleared up, Fairy Jueqing did not pursue Luo Chen's slight. Instead, she brought up how the various sects had scrambled to win him over back at Azure Pill Valley.
"The generous terms they offered were extended in the names of their respective sects. My Jueqing lineage naturally does not possess such wealth."
Luo Chen immediately replied, "Master need not mind. To have your protection is already the fortune of three lifetimes for me. I would never dare ask for more."
Though his words sounded polite, his eager, waiting expression made it abundantly clear he was anticipating what came next.
The corners of Fairy Jueqing's mouth twitched faintly. With a wave of her sleeve, two objects flew forth.
One was tattered and battered, resembling an old pot or cauldron.
The other was exquisite—a bracelet woven of sparkling, translucent beads.
Luo Chen caught both in surprise.
"These are?"
"The cauldron is known as the Shangshu Cauldron. It was originally the natal magic treasure of a Golden Core cultivator..."
At this point, Fairy Jueqing paused, a flicker of sorrow and nostalgia flashing through her eyes.
Yet in the blink of an eye, she reined in that unbidden emotion and continued, "Though damaged, it has only lost its combat utility. Its innate alchemical abilities remain entirely intact. You may treat it as a low-grade alchemical magic treasure without the slightest issue."
Luo Chen stared in shock at the battered bronze cauldron in his hand, which even had a broken leg. He could not link it to the idea of a high-end, majestic alchemical treasure at all.
Shouldn't such a thing look more like the Medicine King Sect's Sun and Moon in a Flask, or Azure Pill Valley's Azure Sky Glazed Cauldron?
Could this thing really brew pills?
Still, since she had spoken, she would certainly not deceive him.
"Thank you, Master, for the generous gift!"
Fairy Jueqing looked away, unwilling to gaze upon the dilapidated bronze cauldron, and explained the function of the other item.
"The Blue Flood Dragon Bracelet is a water-attribute low-grade magic treasure sealing the soul of a Tier 3 water flood dragon. When infused with spiritual power during battle, it can summon the beast. It counts as a decent treasure."
Here, she paused for a moment.
"It is not for you. It is for your confidante."
She was being this generous!
Faced with such an unexpected boon, Luo Chen could not help but remark, "Yet she has not reached Foundation Establishment. I fear she cannot wield such a treasure."
"With your capabilities, are you telling me you cannot help her reach Foundation Establishment?" Fairy Jueqing countered.
Luo Chen blinked, then chuckled.
Indeed, at his current realm, if he were willing to pour in a mountain of resources, he had immense certainty in forcefully raising a Qi Refinement cultivator into the Foundation Establishment stage.
He was no Duan Qiankun, and the wealth and network he currently commanded far surpassed anything Duan Qiankun could match.
As long as he was willing to pay the price, Gu Caiyi would undoubtedly establish her foundation!
Such was Luo Chen's confidence.
This time, he bowed again with utter sincerity.
"Many thanks, Master!"
Fairy Jueqing nodded, then continued, "Lastly, old man Chiding of Azure Pill Valley mentioned he could petition his sect to grant you use of a Tier 3 spiritual ground once every ten years, correct?"
Luo Chen's heart stirred, and he looked at Fairy Jueqing with anticipation.
Could it be?
"I can promise you the exact same terms. However..."
Her first sentence filled Luo Chen with excitement, but the moment he heard "however," he knew things would not be quite so simple.
"However, the Tier 3 spiritual vein on Tianlan Peak was artificially elevated. It can only condense enough spiritual energy to sustain three Tier 3 cave dwellings for cultivation.
"One belongs to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. Even if it sits vacant, they will never allow others to use it, nor do I possess the secret array key to unseal it."
That was only natural. Even though Tianlan Immortal City was built jointly by the seven sects, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had once been the shared sovereign of the Jade Cauldron Domain. Having special privileges was perfectly reasonable.
"Another is occupied year-round by a Golden Core Master. He hails from the fallen Haoran Sect and is now registered as a consecrated elder under Tianlan Immortal City."
Luo Chen had not expected this.
He had heard that Tianlan Immortal City had a permanently stationed Golden Core consecrated elder who guarded the city whenever the rotating sect's Golden Core cultivators were absent.
He had never imagined that cultivator was a remnant of the Haoran Sect.
According to ancient records, the Haoran Sect had been one of the sixteen sects that jointly campaigned against Lianxia back in the day.
Yet, just like the destroyed Ghost God Valley and Bright Emperor Sword Sect, the Haoran Sect had vanished into the long river of history.
To think a descendant still survived and had even cultivated to the Golden Core stage.
"Finally, there is this palatial residence where I currently reside."
Fairy Jueqing's calm tone gestured toward the colossal dwelling beneath their feet, one truly comparable to an imperial palace.
"Cave Dwelling Jia One does not belong to a single sect; it belongs to whichever sect is currently rotating duty in Tianlan.
"In other words, I use it now, but whether I will be the one using it in the future is far from certain."
Luo Chen could not help furrowing his brow.
How much longer the Ice Fort would hold sway over Tianlan was unknown.
Moreover, during their tenure, Fairy Jueqing herself naturally needed the dwelling for her own cultivation.
In that case, how could she ever spare an opening for him?
No, wait!
If that were so, why would she bring it up in the first place?
Did that mean she had a way to free up a cave dwelling for him?
Luo Chen looked at Fairy Jueqing with half-belief and half-doubt.
The stunning woman's lips curved upward slightly.
"Right now, an opportunity lies before us—one that can vacate a Tier 3 cave dwelling!
"Luo Chen, it all depends on whether you can seize it!"
Curious, Luo Chen asked, "What opportunity?"
"Very simple. Have your Luotian Association take part in the war and wipe out the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. When that time comes, that other vacant Tier 3 cave dwelling will be yours to use freely for a hundred years!"
"Absurd!"
The word slipped out of Luo Chen's mouth almost by reflex.
Yet meeting the narrow, icy gaze of the woman above, his heart shuddered violently.
He hurriedly corrected himself, "What qualifications does my little Luotian Association have to dare talk of wiping out the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect? Master, please do not tease me."
"Do you think I am joking?"
Fairy Jueqing spoke softly, her eyes narrowing as her long, slender eyelashes hung like icicles over her cold gaze.
A chill ran through Luo Chen's bones.
Indeed!
What right did he have for a Golden Core Master to joke with him?
Yet plunging the Luotian Association into a clash at that level was nothing short of smashing an egg against a boulder.
If the foundation he had painstakingly built were thrown into such a meat grinder, how much of it would survive?
Furthermore!
In a dry, raspy voice, Luo Chen said, "Hasn't the war between the two great Nascent Soul sects stabilized over the past decade or so?"
Fairy Jueqing said indifferently, "You cultivated in the Dao Child Palace on Mount Qingyun for a year, so your information is outdated. Ever since the battle for the Dao Seed concluded in Azure Pill Valley, negotiations between the two great sects broke down entirely, and they tore off all pretense. By now, both sides have dispatched their Foundation Establishment true disciples and even Golden Core elders to the front. Not only that, but their allies and subordinate vassals are rushing toward the main battlefields in droves.
"My Ice Fort is an ally of the Luoyun Sect!"
At this, she looked down, gazing at Luo Chen from on high.
"And your Luotian Association is a vassal of my Ice Fort, which naturally makes you an ally of the Luoyun Sect as well!
"Entering the war is entirely reasonable and justified!"
Luo Chen's body trembled slightly.
How could this be?
How could it come to this!
As he stood there in stricken silence, Fairy Jueqing's lips twitched, forming a smile that looked strained and forced.
"Naturally, you are the alchemist I value most, and a famed alchemical master throughout the Jade Cauldron Domain. I certainly will not mistreat you.
"You need not participate in this war. You may cultivate on Tianlan Peak in peace."
Luo Chen forced his head up, meeting those eyes that remained frigid beneath her smile.
"Then what of my Luotian Association?"
"Every member at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement and above will march to war. One Foundation Establishment cultivator may remain behind to tend Danxia Peak for you."
"Master, isn't this taking things a bit too..."
"This seat is notifying you, not negotiating with you!"
Those airy words swept over him, carrying the overwhelming, suffocating pressure of a Golden Core cultivator.
In that single instant, Luo Chen's hands and feet went icy cold.
***
Luo Chen walked out from the summit of Tianlan Peak in a daze.
Riding a white cloud, he descended aimlessly from the heights of the sky.
From "I" to "this seat"...
That shift in address revealed how much she had valued and respected him previously.
Yet... Luotian must go to war?
Luo Chen dared not picture the scene.
In a war where even true disciples of major sects routinely perished, how many rogue cultivators of the Luotian Association, who had only reached Foundation Establishment a few years ago, could hope to survive?
He had brought them out from Dahe Bazaar, fought alongside them, struggled beside them, and watched them reach Foundation Establishment one by one. Was he now supposed to send them to their deaths?
Even with Luo Chen's habit of prioritizing profit above all else, he could not bring himself to make such a resolve at a moment like this.
Or rather, there was no resolve for him to make.
Jueqing had never been consulting him. She had bluntly informed him that the Luotian Association had no choice!
If he had not attached himself to the Ice Fort, if he had not borrowed their strength back then, would none of this have happened?
No!
Without boarding the Ice Fort's ship, the Luotian Association would have ended up like the Tianying Peak or the Divine Craft Sect, stranded helplessly at the very bottom.
Crushed beneath the wheels of greater trends, their fate would have been even more miserable.
Yet after expending so much blood and tears, only to face such a predicament, what had it all been for?
What had been the point of befriending factions all across Tianlan?
What had been the point of taking first place three times in Azure Pill Valley?
Lost in his daze, Luo Chen sank to the altitude of the Tier 2 high-grade cave dwellings.
Suddenly, a long, piercing whistle rang out!
A figure burst from Cave Dwelling Yi Thirteen, shooting straight into the clouds.
The formidable aura of the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment swept outward without restraint.
Surging waves of spiritual energy proclaimed the sheer strength of the one who whistled.
The sheer joy in that cry broadcast his boundless pride and triumph.
Watching that figure from behind, Luo Chen gave a bitter, lopsided smile.
How wonderful it must be to be a rogue cultivator.
Completely alone, unburdened by ties.
Free to cry when he wished, free to laugh when he pleased.
Coming and going at will, roaming the cultivation world unfettered.
As Luo Chen watched, the figure circled around and descended before him.
"Oho! Isn't this the renowned Master Danchenzi!"
It was meant as a teasing compliment, yet right now it struck his ears with strange irony.
Luo Chen managed a smile uglier than weeping. "Congratulations, Brother Chu. Having broken through your bottleneck, Golden Core is within your reach in the days to come."
Chu Kui laughed boisterously!
During their trip to Azure Pill Valley, although He Yuanqing—the man he had aided—had failed to seize the position of Dao Seed, the promised rewards had been paid in full the moment the first round concluded.
After all, second place among the true disciples in that first round had been won largely through Chu Kui's bloody efforts.
It was precisely with those resources that he had managed to break through from the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment to the ninth upon returning.
Now, he only needed to polish this final sub-realm to perfection before he could attempt Core Formation.
He waved his hand, feigning modesty. "Ah, the road is long and arduous. Core Formation is still a long way off.
"Come on!
"I'm in high spirits today. How about a few drinks at my place?"
Luo Chen shook his head, declining the invitation, and turned away with a desolate air.
Chu Kui scratched his head, utterly baffled as to what had happened to Luo Chen.
This downcast, dispirited Luo Chen showed none of the dashing glory of the man who had swept three consecutive first-place victories and suppressed the Seven Sons of Azure Pill!
Just as Chu Kui was puzzling over it, Luo Chen suddenly looked back.
"Brother Chu, what you said back then was right!"
Leaving those words behind, he flew back toward Cave Dwelling Yi Seventeen nearby.
He left Chu Kui standing there in total confusion.
*What in the world did I say back then?*
***
That night.
Beneath a bright moon over the long street of Azure Pill Bazaar.
Chu Kui had scoffed with utter disdain:
*"What is there to respect about the women of the Ice Fort? Fickle, capricious, and unpredictable."
Now, Luo Chen could not agree more!
The women of the Ice Fort were indeed fickle and unpredictable!
In the past, he had heard that Fairy Jueqing had personally slain her own Golden Core Dao companion, earning herself the Daoist title of Jueqing—"Severed Affection."
Back then, he had assumed she was heartless, ruthless, and devoid of kinship.
Yet during their few encounters later on, though her manner was aloof, she had actually proved quite easy to deal with.
Moreover, she had given him tangible benefits at every turn.
Even just a short while ago, in front of a gathering of Golden Core cultivators from other sects, she had gifted him a Mystic Ice Talisman for protection.
Today, she had bestowed magic treasures without the slightest stinginess.
Add to that the initial insights of a Tier 3 alchemist, the Ice Emperor Cauldron, the Ice God Jade, and even her instructing Shi Lan to rearrange the order so he could secure a high-grade cave dwelling...
One could say Jueqing was the most generous high-level cultivator he had ever encountered in his life!
He had not even needed to scheme or wheedle; she had simply given things freely.
Yet today, that single line—*"This seat is notifying you, not negotiating with you"*—had made him realize with utter clarity that every gift of fate had long since been marked with a price.
The favors of those in power were merely whims; with a single word, they could just as easily decide life and death!
"It seems my realization a few days ago was spot-on.
"A mere sixth layer of Foundation Establishment is nothing at all in this cultivation world."
Inside his cave dwelling, Luo Chen drew a deep breath, his expression gradually returning to calm.
Self-pity and wallowing were utterly useless.
The urgent priority was to resolve the crisis before him.
The entire Luotian Association joining the war?
He could never accept that!
That organization was his life's blood!
It held so many of his friends!
Whether bound by profit, friendship, or gratitude, they had gathered around him, gradually growing accustomed to looking up to him with respect and admiration.
To now push them into the fiery pit with his own hands was something Luo Chen could never bring himself to do.
"The departure date is set for one month from now. Every faction in Tianlan Immortal City tied to the Ice Fort, Azure Pill Valley, Mount Ailao, and even the Luoyun Sect will be mobilized.
"One month is enough time for me to do many things.
"First, I must find out exactly what happened over this past year!"
With a flick of his mind, he retrieved a voice transmission jade token.
Chapter 352