Chu Kui's departure was not an isolated case.
Soon, Luo Chen saw off two more Foundation Establishment True Cultivators of the Luotian Association: Li Yingzhang and Min Longyu.
Luo Chen had originally thought of rotating troops, but the fighting on Ice Fort's side was fierce. Duan Feng also had to see to the magical implement business, leaving the defense line overseen by the Luotian Association under strain as well.
Relying solely on Wang Yuan and Xu Huanzhen left their strength spread too thin.
Consequently, Li Yingzhang, their guest elder, was deployed there as well.
Min Longyu was sent only to provide formation support. Once the appropriate formations were set up, he would return.
Li Yingzhang, however, would be stationed there long-term.
***
Atop Danxia Peak, Luo Chen looked at the pair, unable to keep his expression from turning somber.
Over the past year, he had supplied Jueqing with no small number of Blood Burning Pills. He had no idea how she was using them, but they had barely improved the situation of the Jueqing lineage at all.
As a result, the Luotian Association was dragged down as well.
Now, he was forced to send off two more valued assets.
"President, you need not worry. Once I arrive, I will surely arrange sturdy formations for our brothers and ensure no one comes to harm!"
Seeing Luo Chen's grim expression, Min Longyu assumed he was worried and spoke up immediately to comfort him.
His words brimmed with the confident poise of a formation master.
Luo Chen shook his head, offering no explanation for his thoughts.
Instead, he turned his concern to the pair.
"Have you brought all your materials?"
Min Longyu patted the storage pouch at his waist. "Rest assured. I specifically studied the geography of Mount Thunder Accumulation's Nine Peaks based on the records. This time, I will be able to lay down at least two Tier 2 formations and one Tier 1 formation."
Seeing his confidence, Luo Chen felt slightly relieved.
Turning to Li Yingzhang, Luo Chen asked, "How goes the refinement of the Chilong Sword?"
After Li Yingzhang broke through to Foundation Establishment, Luo Chen had returned the magic treasure sword that had belonged to Li Jinhuang during his lifetime.
However, in only a year's time, one could hardly expect substantial results from the refinement process.
Sure enough, Li Yingzhang answered, "At full power, I can unleash the Chilong Sword Light twice."
*He can only activate the magic treasure's power twice?*
Luo Chen shook his head inwardly. Even twice was likely pushing it to the limit.
Moreover, it was merely sword light, far from the true killing moves of a magic treasure.
After a moment's thought, Luo Chen admonished, "Unless it is an absolute emergency, do not rely on the magic treasure against enemies. Fight with supreme-grade magical implements as much as possible!"
Li Yingzhang looked puzzled.
A magic treasure possessed immense might—should one not rely on it?
"On the battlefield, conditions are fickle and chaotic. You have no way of knowing how many enemies you are truly facing. The opening you leave while unleashing a magic treasure is enough for someone to kill you seven or eight times over.
"Use supreme-grade magical implements instead. That way, you will always retain ten to twenty percent of your strength for unforeseen crises."
Luo Chen explained in this manner.
Li Yingzhang looked thoughtful, then nodded to show that he had taken the advice to heart.
That was as much as Luo Chen could say.
After handing each of them three supreme-grade Blood Burning Pills as life-saving trumps, Luo Chen watched them depart aboard an airship.
When he returned with a rather grim expression, Sima Huiniang could not help but sigh. "Our Luotian Association had few Foundation Establishment cultivators to begin with, and now five have left all at once. Who knows when this war will come to an end?"
Luo Chen offered a strained word of comfort.
"It's fine. Other forces have it worse than us."
Sima Huiniang laughed self-deprecatingly. Was this finding solace in misery, comparing who had it worse?
"Besides, as old hands depart, new Foundation Establishment cultivators will emerge. Matters are always progressing in a positive direction."
Sima Huiniang paused in surprise.
Then comprehension dawned. "Has Hall Master Gu succeeded in her Foundation Establishment?"
"Though not fully completed, it is not far off." Luo Chen gazed into the distance and said serenely, "By my estimation, it should be within the next two days. Huiniang, will you come with me to welcome her out of seclusion when the time comes?"
Sima Huiniang declined without hesitation.
"Forget it. The very last thing she'll want to see when she steps out is my face."
Luo Chen felt helpless.
Perhaps that was just how women were.
Even though they had sat down to share a meal before, they still acted as though they would rather die than associate with one another.
Yet in the days ahead, they would constantly have to see each other.
"Very well, then."
"If you're not going, so be it. I'll head back first. You'll likely have to work harder here on Danxia."
Sima Huiniang's expression remained calm.
Although the Luotian Association was far larger than before, it was ultimately an organization of only about a thousand members. Over the years, its various industries had gradually gotten on track, with dedicated individuals in charge of each.
She herself did not truly consider the work that arduous.
Even so, watching Luo Chen's receding figure, she pressed her lips tight.
No one knew what passed through her mind.
A single word slipped out.
"Pointless!"
Whether she was calling someone else pointless, herself pointless, or certain matters pointless was impossible to tell.
Yet given the self-deprecating smile on her lips, she was most likely referring to herself.
With that muttered quip, the woman turned and returned to Huixin Hall, where a mountain of documents awaited her attention—along with official proposals to open up new ventures for the Luotian Association, waiting for her final decision!
***
Within a mountain ravine, a drizzle misted the air.
Holding an oiled paper umbrella, Luo Chen stood quietly in the breeze and rain.
Suddenly, his ears twitched slightly.
A deep rumbling echoed through the air.
He turned around as a massive Dragon-severing Stone slowly rose.
Beneath the rising boulder, a slender, graceful figure gradually came into view.
A smile rose unbidden to Luo Chen's lips.
The woman opposite him smiled in kind.
Before Luo Chen's eyes, she gave a slight curtsy, clasping her hands at her waist.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, this humble maiden pays her respects!"
Luo Chen smiled, cupping his hands in return. "Fellow Daoist Gu, would you care to stroll through Tianlan with me in the rain?"
That day, through the quiet, desolated streets of Tianlan Immortal City, a man and a woman walked beneath an umbrella, strolling along the long avenues and visiting the shops.
The outing lasted the entire day.
Upon their return, the man had set aside the red-cloud Daoist robe he had worn for years, changing into a gentle, brocade-white robe chosen by the woman's own hands.
On the woman's wrist, there was now an azure bracelet.
That night, the lamplight was tender, and sleeves were filled with hidden fragrance.
As wine deepened the mood and spring longings stirred, the mandarin-duck embroidered quilt tossed like red waves.
Until dawn broke!
***
Gu Caiyi's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment was undoubtedly a potent booster for the Luotian Association, where morale had grown unsettled of late.
Though no grand Foundation Establishment ceremony was held, when the association's cultivators saw Gu Caiyi—who had been gravely injured and bedridden for over a year—returning radiant and taking the reins of the Luotian Golden Hall once more, every one of them felt their spirits lifted.
Though war was terrifying, the Luotian Association still brimmed with vigorous vitality.
So long as Luo Chen remained, he was their unshakeable pillar of stability!
Without needing any slogans or ceremonies, the Luotian Association regained the vigor of its peak.
With Gu Caiyi's return, the Luotian Golden Hall began to display its immense capabilities once again.
In just two months, President Sima Huiniang and Golden Hall Master Gu Caiyi reached a unanimous decision regarding a new business venture for the Luotian Association.
The pill business, spiritual herb cultivation, and medicinal ingredient trades were unified under a single branch.
The remaining cultivators of the War Hall, led by Law Enforcement Elder Zhou Yuanli, reorganized into a new unit.
Together, the two forces advanced into the Mount Thunder Accumulation battlefield!
They would carve out a new market and reap fortunes from the war!
Throughout the entire process, Luo Chen did not make an appearance, leaving the two women to negotiate and decide between themselves.
Even when they later consulted him on their decisions, Luo Chen merely told them to act as they saw fit.
During this time, Sima Huiniang had also proposed several other measures.
For instance, conducting another large-scale recruitment of rogue cultivators to replenish the outer sect.
Or partnering with the Tianyi Workshop's Chen family to open a magical garment shop in the Quicksand Wasteland, with the Luotian Association supplying the raw materials and handling sales while the Chen family crafted the garments.
To all of these, Luo Chen raised no objections.
He poured all of his energy into practicing spells and enhancing his own strength.
***
Inside the cave abode's study, Luo Chen held an animal hide, studying it attentively.
After a long while, he set it down thoughtfully.
"I might indeed be able to cultivate this art!
"However, before cultivating it, I will need the aid of an external implement.
"I happen to have the raw materials for such an item. Unfortunately, Duan Feng isn't here..."
Luo Chen was certain that cultivating this art would significantly boost his combat prowess—and do so in a short period of time!
With that realization, he hesitated no longer.
He promptly descended Tianlan Peak and headed straight for a shop within the immortal city.
Looking up at the sign that read "Mount Bailian," Luo Chen walked straight inside.
A shop clerk came forward to welcome him.
"Senior, are you looking to purchase a magical implement?"
"Not to purchase. I wish to commission a custom magical implement. Is Fellow Daoist Gongsun present?"
The clerk blinked, then replied, "The master of our Mount Bailian has gone to the Mount Thunder Accumulation battlefield and is not accepting custom orders. As for Elder Gongsun, he..."
As he spoke, his voice trailed off.
The man before him wore an elegant brocade-white robe, exuding an air of quiet luxury.
Not only was his bearing dignified, but the aura of one long accustomed to commanding others was commanding and awe-inspiring.
Refusing such a figure was not something a mere clerk could easily do.
He asked cautiously, "May I inquire as to Senior's name?"
"Danchenzi."
The clerk froze, blurting out instinctively, "Could you be Senior Danchenzi of the Luotian Association?!"
"Yes."
The clerk swallowed hard. "Please wait a moment, Senior. I will fetch Elder Gongsun at once."
With that, he turned to leave, but halfway through, he called over a maid to serve Luo Chen spiritual tea and pastries before slipping into the back courtyard.
Seeing this attentive reception, Luo Chen nodded to himself.
Mount Bailian truly lived up to its reputation as a mainstay of Tianlan for so many years.
Even with forging powerhouses like Tianfan City and the Yan Alliance above it, and rising stars like the Geng family and the Luotian Association below, it still thrived effortlessly.
The Divine Craft Sect, once celebrated alongside Mount Bailian, had long since scattered like smoke.
Yet Mount Bailian continued to fare remarkably well.
They relied on their custom order business beyond standard magical implements.
Its three great forging masters were all Tier 2 artifact refiners.
Not only could they forge ordinary magical implements with great skill, but they had also accomplished the feat of joining forces to forge magic treasures!
Thinking about it, the backer behind Mount Bailian was likely Mount Ailao.
From what the clerk had just said about the mountain master heading to the Mount Thunder Accumulation battlefield, he was probably answering a conscription summons from Mount Ailao.
*Indeed, to survive in the Jade Cauldron Domain, one must find a powerful backer.*
*Yet once a war escalates, no one can remain aloof.*
Just as Luo Chen was reflecting in silence, hurried footsteps came from the back courtyard.
Before long, a hale and hearty elderly man arrived in a rush.
Catching sight of Luo Chen, he burst into hearty laughter.
"Fellow Daoist Luo! It has been quite a long time since we parted on Danxia Peak!"
Luo Chen smiled faintly in return. "Fellow Daoist Gongsun, I trust you have been well!"
Chapter 360