Luo Chen's single-move clash with Qu Zhenbiao had not lasted long—scarcely more than a dozen breaths. Yet the aftermath of this battle caused an immense ripple across the Four-Sect Alliance.
It was like a raging undercurrent beneath a seemingly placid lake; Luo Chen's clash was a boulder hurled into the depths, setting off unseen currents in countless corners.
Of course, calling the impact far-reaching was a slight exaggeration, but at the very least, many cultivators across the Golden Sand Floating Island were now discussing that brief engagement.
At the Luoyun Sect's encampment in the east, a young cultivator at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage quietly withdrew his gaze.
"This man is quite intriguing. To divide his attention so skillfully, and the spell he condensed was exceptionally powerful as well."
"He would be well suited to study our Luoyun Sect's puppetry arts!"
Beside him, an elder and a youth could not help but show surprise in their eyes.
Xu Ji, who looked like a youth with red lips and white teeth, parted his lips to speak, but shut his mouth at a subtle glance from the elder.
The young cultivator caught this gesture and asked with a light laugh, "Senior Brother Tianxingzi, do you two recognize this man?"
If Luo Chen were here, he might have noticed that the elder questioned by the young cultivator was none other than Tianxingzi, the Foundation Establishment True Cultivator who had presided over the Zhenlong Black Market in Dahe Market back then.
However, Tianxingzi, who had once held absolute sway over his own domain, now acted with utmost deference before this young man.
"Junior Brother Han Zheng guessed correctly. I do indeed know the boy."
"Oh?" Han Zheng grew interested. "Since we have nothing to do, tell me about him. Consider it a way to pass the time."
Han Zheng—direct grandson of Han Zhan, the Supreme Nascent Soul True Master of the Luoyun Sect!
He was also a rising star of the Luoyun Sect.
Though his realm was not high, only at mid-Foundation Establishment, his renown was even greater than that of this generation's Dao Child of the Luoyun Sect.
Everyone knew that so long as he did not fall prematurely, he would undoubtedly become the master of the Luoyun Sect in the future!
Before him, Tianxingzi did not dare put on airs in the slightest and immediately began introducing Luo Chen to him.
"Matters concerning him must start from a remote market called Dahe Market..."
As he spoke, the complexion of Xu Ji beside him flickered with uncertainty.
***
"To think Danchenzi possessed such combat prowess. We truly misjudged him back then."
"With his strength, had he participated in the first round of our Azure Pill Valley's true disciple ranking tournament, he might have even won a few matches!"
"Actually, it wasn't really misjudging him. Compared to the combat methods he just displayed, his alchemy attainments are even more formidable!"
In the Azure Pill Valley's encampment, many Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered together, discussing the battle that had just concluded.
If one were to ask who among the four sects understood Luo Chen best, the other two sects fell far behind. Even in the Ice Fort, to which the Luotian Association clung, most cultivators likely did not know Luo Chen.
Yet in the Azure Pill Valley, Luo Chen was a bona fide celebrity—known to all and sundry!
It was precisely for this reason that discussions about him were at their most fervent among the Azure Pill Valley disciples.
Just as everyone was discussing with great fervor, a senior cultivator at late Foundation Establishment furrowed his brows slightly and said, "Junior brothers, did any of you notice that Danchenzi's technique of unleashing a blazing sun from his sword seemed rather familiar?"
His words gave everyone pause.
Soon, someone blurted out:
"Ah! Isn't that our Eldest Senior Brother's specialty—weapon-guided arts?"
The rest instantly came to an understanding.
No wonder it felt so familiar.
During the contest for the Dao Seed, when Eldest Senior Brother and Eldest Senior Sister fought their final duel, he had used that exact same technique!
"When did Danchenzi secretly learn it?" someone asked indignantly.
Not everyone in the Azure Pill Valley admired Luo Chen. There were plenty who harbored resentment against him because he had suppressed the Seven Azure Pill Prodigies, seized first place three times in a row, and stolen the limelight of the alchemy tournament.
Now, as soon as the man spoke, he directly branded it as "theft."
However, the moment those words left his mouth, he realized the atmosphere had turned strange.
He looked around in confusion and found several senior brothers and sisters at late Foundation Establishment looking at him as if he were a fool.
The few cultivators who had initially been about to echo his claim also trailed off awkwardly, at a loss.
In the end, a composed, experienced senior brother explained:
"Fellow Daoist Danchenzi clearly did not secretly learn it during the battle for the Dao Seed three years ago."
"Senior Brother, what do you mean?"
"Junior Brother, perhaps you did not observe that duel closely. Danchenzi's mastery of weapon-guided arts is exceptionally refined, perhaps even surpassing Eldest Senior Brother's. It is evident that this was not something mastered overnight; he has likely immersed himself in this method for many years."
"How can that be?"
The senior brother chuckled. "There is nothing impossible about it. Just now, Danchenzi wielded his flying sword with one hand while executing a water-attribute defensive spell with the other, both at astonishing speed. If he had only performed one technique, he would likely have been even faster. Such attainments are indeed a cut above Eldest Senior Brother's."
The junior brother looked dazed.
Even after hearing the specifics, he was still reluctant to accept it.
It was one thing for Eldest Senior Brother's alchemy to fall short of Luo Chen's, but how could even his combat arts...
"No man can surpass others in every single aspect. Besides, Eldest Senior Brother's true prowess lies in his sword kinesis and the Purple Zenith Skyfire. If they were to clash directly, Danchenzi would surely be no match for him," the composed senior brother said with a smile.
The indignant junior brothers finally felt a bit better.
However, they failed to notice the gravity showing in the eyes of several late Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Luo Chen's cultivation was clearly only at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. Yet the techniques he had displayed in that short span made even late Foundation Establishment cultivators like them find him exceedingly formidable.
Could there truly be such a prodigy among rogue cultivators?
It was astonishing enough that his alchemy was profound, but his combat ability was actually this exceptional as well!
***
Compared to the chatter of those onlookers, the ones with the strongest reactions were none other than Duan Feng and Tantai Jin.
They were in the midst of handing over goods, methodically checking and tallying against the manifests, which involved treasures and materials valued at over a hundred thousand spirit stones.
A transaction of this scale could not be fulfilled solely by the Luotian Association's own production. Many of the goods had been scraped together by the Luotian Association contacting allied forces at the Foundation Establishment level.
Thus, not the slightest mistake could be tolerated.
When that battle erupted, Tantai Jin's expression had changed first.
Especially upon seeing that Luo Chen was fighting Qu Zhenbiao, she cursed under her breath:
"Damn it!"
She hurriedly transferred the handover duties to Shi Lan and dispatched a junior sister to the Sixth Mountain to inform her master, Fairy Jueqing.
As for herself, she offered a quick apology and rushed back.
Even though Duan Feng and the others felt their blood surge with excitement seeing Luo Chen overwhelmingly defeat Qu Zhenbiao under the watchful eyes of the crowd, they could only suppress their inner thrill and meticulously carry out their duties.
Nonetheless, their speed visibly quickened.
***
Inside a spacious stone room, Luo Chen looked around for a moment and revealed a satisfied expression.
The spiritual energy density indeed reached early Tier 2 upper-grade, only slightly inferior to his Cave Abode Yi-17 on Tianlan Peak.
Cultivating here would not hold him back too much.
Suddenly, his ears twitched.
"Enter!"
Just reaching the door, the ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivator Bu Junjie froze for a moment before walking in respectfully.
"President, Senior Tantai has come to visit!"
"She arrived even faster than I expected!"
A playful smile curled at the corners of Luo Chen's lips.
"Invite her in!"
Before long, the woman walked in with a cold expression.
Luo Chen gave her a glance.
That familiar demeanor seemed natural, but in truth, it was somewhat affected.
It was not born of her true nature, but rather resembled Fairy Jueqing's usual bearing.
Tantai Jin, as a disciple, was subconsciously imitating her master!
While he observed her, Tantai Jin furrowed her brow and asked, "Why did you come?"
Luo Chen chuckled.
"Why can't I come? Must I wait until every cultivator of my Luotian Association is dead before coming to collect their corpses?"
His laugh seemed casual, but in Tantai Jin's eyes, it felt quite sarcastic.
She could not tell whether he was mocking their Jueqing lineage or mocking himself.
If it was the former, Tantai Jin was truly at a loss for words.
Her master had previously gained immense benefits from Luo Chen. Consequently, even on the battlefield, Tantai Jin's cultivation progress had not lagged in the least; assisted by superior-grade Jade Dew Pills, she cultivated even faster than her fellow sect members.
Yet regarding the Luotian Association, the Jueqing lineage had barely fulfilled its promises. A seemingly safe garrison assignment had resulted in grievous losses for the Luotian Association.
In response, she could only say helplessly:
"You don't need to blame us."
Luo Chen's brow arched!
Tantai Jin acted as if she had not seen his expression and continued, "In that battle, every subordinate faction on the Seventh Mountain suffered catastrophic losses. For the Luotian Association to preserve more than half of its people is already exceedingly fortunate."
Luo Chen remained unmoved.
Such "good fortune" was something he would rather never encounter again.
"Forget it. What's done is done; there's no point dwelling on it. Let me ask you: since you've arrived, why did you have to clash with the Qu family?"
"Why shouldn't I clash with them? When someone comes bullying their way to our doorstep, am I supposed to take the blows without striking back, swallow the insults in silence, and hand over our encampment on a silver platter?"
"With me here, and with Master here, he wouldn't have been able to make any waves."
"And what if the deed had already been done? How would you have answered to the Luotian Association then?"
"We don't need to answer to the Luotian Association!"
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere froze instantly to the freezing point.
Luo Chen laughed out of sheer fury!
He knew great sects never placed much value on subordinates, but being so blatant about it was utterly disgraceful.
Tantai Jin realized her slip of the tongue.
Yet the pride of a sect disciple prevented her from humbling herself to apologize.
She could only change the subject.
"The Qu family is a subordinate of Martial Aunt Yinyue's lineage. By nearly killing him just now, you handed them leverage against you."
"Even if they have leverage, what can they do—kill me?" Luo Chen sneered.
Tantai Jin shook her head. "It won't go that far, but most battlefield deployments are overseen by Martial Aunt Yinyue. If she deliberately..."
Before she could finish, Luo Chen forcefully cut her off.
"The dispute over the encampment was tacitly permitted by Master Yinyue, leaving us to resolve it amongst ourselves."
"I won, and I won fairly and squarely in broad daylight under everyone's eyes."
"If she retaliates over personal grudges even after that, will your Ice Fort cultivators and all your subordinates still respect and trust her?"
Tantai Jin was rendered speechless once more.
On her way here, she had already learned every detail of what had transpired.
From beginning to end, down to the minutiae!
Looking at it now, Luo Chen had handled it flawlessly, leaving no opening for criticism.
However, Martial Aunt Yinyue's side...
Just as she was lost in thought, a voice came from outside!
"Luo Chen, President of the Luotian Association! Master Yinyue summons you. Come present yourself at once!"
"This junior will come right away!"
Calling back a reply, Luo Chen cast a glance at the stunned Tantai Jin and swept his sleeves as he strode out.
After he left, Tantai Jin suddenly realized something, and her expression changed drastically.
When she stepped out of the room, she saw that Luo Chen was already flying toward the high fort where the Ice Fort cultivators were stationed, led by a fellow disciple.
Along the way, there was no sign of tension between the two.
Yet this very lack of conflict caused Tantai Jin's heart to sink uncontrollably.
"Master, why did you have to be away at a time like this!"
***
Within the cavernous ice palace, a soft, delicate voice echoed slowly.
"Rogue cultivator Luo Chen?"
"It is indeed this junior."
"Rising from humble origins, founding the Luotian Association, achieving Foundation Establishment, and bearing two Daoist titles on your own. In the three centuries of the Yuding Cultivation World, you can certainly be considered a peerless genius of stunning talent, unmatched in your time. Even compared to the prodigies of our seven sects, you do not pale in the slightest."
"Master overpraises me; this junior is unworthy of such acclaim."
"Such modesty is a far cry from the high-spirited swagger and blatant boldness you displayed just now. Lift your head!"
Inside the ice palace radiating dense, chilling cold, Luo Chen slowly lifted his head to look at the woman seated above.
Unlike most Ice Fort cultivators who preferred plain white robes, this Master Yinyue wore a magnificent palace gown adorned with intricate, colorful patterns, complemented by exquisite jewelry.
Her strikingly beautiful face resembled a crescent moon faintly visible through overcast skies—coquettish and exceedingly shy.
Bashful and timid, yet capable of radiating the bright, pure brilliance unique to the moon at any moment.
"You have quite a handsome look."
These words were not spoken by Luo Chen; rather, it was the woman assessing him.
Master Yinyue gave a gentle smile, yet her next words would make most Foundation Establishment True Cultivators shudder:
"Did you not know that the Qu family is a subordinate of my lineage?"
To strike a dog, one must look at the master!
Luo Chen's expression remained calm, seemingly unmoved.
He merely said placidly, "Qu Zhenbiao stated before the battle that Master would not intervene in our dispute and that we should resolve it amongst ourselves. I was merely acting in accordance with your wishes."
"I told you to resolve it amongst yourselves, but I didn't tell you to strike to kill, you know!"
Master Yinyue's tone held a touch of playfulness.
Luo Chen's expression changed drastically!
His eyes distinctly showed terror.
Master Yinyue covered her mouth and giggled. "Look how frightened you are. A useless cur kept around only to watch the door—it's quite fine for you to teach him a lesson, lest he bark all over the place relying on my prestige."
Luo Chen's expression relaxed slightly.
With a hint of gratitude, he said, "Luo Chen thanks Master for your leniency."
Master Yinyue shook her head, then suddenly asked, "I hear you know how to refine Jade Dew Pills, and at superior grade no less?"
The words were phrased as a question, but her tone was entirely affirmative!
Luo Chen asked in apparent confusion, "Did Master Jueqing not mention this to you?"
"That senior sister of mine always likes to hoard good things," Master Yinyue said with a beaming smile. "Especially men—yes, especially fine men who know how to refine pills like you!"
A bashful look appeared on Luo Chen's face.
Looking slightly ill at ease, he said, "Master overpraises me. This humble one's meager alchemy skills are hardly worth mentioning."
"That is no overpraise!"
Master Yinyue shook her head and said gently, "Your craft can revitalize an entire Core Formation sect!"
"Luo Chen, are you interested in joining my Yinyue lineage?"
Luo Chen hesitated.
This hesitation fell into the woman's eyes, causing her interest to surge.
"Let me let you in on something: the Jueqing lineage has long since fallen into decline. But my Yinyue lineage has an early Core Formation junior brother besides myself. Even our Sect Master Senior Sister is on my side!"
"If you enter our lineage, across all seven sects, you will be second to none beneath the Dao Children!"
"Resources of every kind will never be lacking for you!"
"Not only that, you can become Dao companions with my eldest disciple and cultivate the Great Dao through dual cultivation!"
"Right, as for forming your Core, I can even plead with Sect Master Senior Sister to fully sponsor you!"
Listening to condition after condition, Luo Chen's eyes revealed a look of longing.
He swallowed hard and said in a hoarse voice, "Master, wouldn't this be improper?"
"What's improper about it?"
"Master Jueqing has treated me generously and supported me greatly along the way. If I were to switch allegiance..."
"Hehe, we are all one family. How could that be switching allegiance?"
All one family!
At those words, the wavering in Luo Chen's eyes deepened even further.
Master Yinyue was in no hurry, already supremely confident that he would agree.
First, use leverage to hold him accountable.
Next, apply simple charm arts to shake his resolve.
Finally, promise tremendous rewards while assuaging any concerns about staining his reputation.
With all these methods working in tandem, no Foundation Establishment True Cultivator could refuse her!
*The terms I, Master Yinyue, offer are not stingy like Jueqing's. He won't be able to refuse!*
Just as she was eagerly anticipating his answer, Luo Chen spoke from below in a trembling tone, his expression conflicted yet resolute:
"I thank Master for your kind intentions, but Luo cannot make this decision on his own. I must consult Master Jueqing before making a choice."
"Hm?"
Yinyue was taken aback.
She nearly thought she had misheard.
"You must..."
Just as she spoke again, the palace doors blasted wide open, and an immense surge of air swept in, churning with yellow sand, wind, and snow.
Master Yinyue's expression changed drastically, and she instantly struck out with a palm.
The yellow sand and snowstorm dissipated in an instant.
At the entrance of the ice palace, an imposing, solitary figure emerged.
A pair of cold, heartless eyes glared over domineeringly.
"Junior Sister, you have crossed the line!"
Chapter 368