As Luo Chen broke free from the Golden Core spiritual pressure and lunged straight toward Zheng Xian, three faint gasps of surprise sounded one after another beneath the biting astral winds of the nine heavens above the clouds.
They had clearly never imagined that a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator could break free from the distinct spiritual pressure unique to a Golden Core expert.
In the cultivation world, challenging someone of a higher cultivation realm was rare, yet not entirely unheard of. But such feats almost exclusively occurred within the minor sub-stages of the same major realm.
Once a battle spanned across major cultivation realms, it almost inevitably became a one-sided slaughter. Those who could overcome a superior from below were exceedingly few.
When Qi Refinement fought Foundation Establishment, it involved the immense gulf between outward projection of spiritual sense and the liquefaction of spiritual power. Unless that Qi Refinement cultivator possessed a formidable soul, sufficiently profound spiritual power, and supplementary trump cards to boot, fighting across realms was impossible. Even so, the Mountain and Sea Realm was vast; instances of Qi Refinement triumphing over Foundation Establishment still cropped up from time to time.
However, a Foundation Establishment cultivator besting a Golden Core was something virtually unheard of.
What people usually heard of were merely cases where someone had traded a few blows with a Golden Core cultivator, or managed to escape with their life from a Golden Core Master. Almost never had anyone heard of a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator crossing realms to slay a Golden Core Master.
Even when Luo Chen had killed Di Wanyun just a few years earlier—a prominent example placed right before everyone's eyes—it had little persuasive power. To outsiders, Luo Chen had merely played a cunning trick, coincidentally triggering a remnant measure left behind by a Soul Transformation grandmaster. What did a Golden Core Master count for before the methods of a Soul Transformation grandmaster? Even the slightest brush against such power meant death or grievous injury!
As for a Golden Core fighting a Nascent Soul, or a Nascent Soul fighting a Soul Transformation grandmaster, that was utter nonsense.
The reason for this was that every realm brought a tremendous metamorphosis akin to the transition from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment. Between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core, the chasm that lay between them was the metamorphosis of spiritual sense and dharmic power.
The metamorphosis of these two produced a unique field:
Spiritual pressure!
Spiritual sense merged with spiritual power to form dharmic power. When unleashed, dharmic power inherently exerted a homologous, superior suppression over the liquefied spiritual power of a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator. This suppression was what the world called spiritual pressure. Within it was both an absolute suppression of spiritual power and a suppression stemming from the foundation of the soul.
Back on the battlefield of Mount Thunder Accumulation, when Luo Chen first faced Di Wanyun, he had almost no power to strike back, barely even able to flee. That was because he had unknowingly been smothered by spiritual pressure. Had Chu Kui not used the power of that Golden Core—procured from who knew where—to shatter Di Wanyun's spiritual pressure over him, Luo Chen would not even have been able to escape.
Qin Tairan was in his prime, and his cultivation was exceedingly profound. If he made a move, Luo Chen should have been captured without resistance. Who could have thought that the youth would actually break free?
He had even charged straight for Zheng Xian.
High in the sky, an unusual glint flickered in the eyes of the Mount Ailao Elder. "What a formidable physique!"
The moment those words were spoken, Elder Long beside him instantly understood his meaning. Luo Chen had not relied on spiritual power to break the superior suppression of dharmic power; he had dismantled that aspect of the suppression purely with physical might.
And yet, something was still amiss!
"Then how did he break the suppression on his soul? Has this boy's soul foundation already reached a level no weaker than that of a Golden Core cultivator?"
That was utterly impossible! Luo Chen's current cultivation was plain for all to see: he was merely at the threshold of the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment. Combined with his youth, no matter how strong his soul foundation was, just how strong could it possibly be?
*Could it be that he possesses a magic treasure for the soul?* Elder Long thought to himself.
In truth, reality was just as they suspected.
Luo Chen did indeed possess a magic treasure connected to the soul:
The Lanke Chess Piece!
Ever since he obliterated Di Wanyun on the Ninth Peak of Mount Thunder Accumulation, Luo Chen knew he had slapped the Yan Alliance fiercely in the face. If he had died, that would have been that. But since he was alive, the Yan Alliance would never let the matter rest. Even his status as a Guest Elder of the Ice Fort would not help. Unless he holed up inside the Ice Fort year-round without taking a single step outside, they would track him down sooner or later.
Yet that was out of the question. How could a real man languish under another's roof for long? He had his own foundation, his own enterprise. Thus, ever since departing from the Soul Transformation ruins, he had concealed his whereabouts and never shown his face in public. On the rare occasions he came and went, he altered his appearance and used the identities of other members of the Luotian Association as cover.
He needed time! He needed time to grow, time to cultivate sufficient strength to face a Golden Core Master. Over the years, he had studied many of a Golden Core Master's methods. Among them, the greatest threat to a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator was spiritual pressure. Once Golden Core spiritual pressure was unleashed, lower-realm cultivators had almost no ability to resist and were left entirely at the caster's mercy.
Back then, he had pondered how to confront that massive threat. Only by overcoming this hurdle could he even consider how to fight. In the end, he found a way.
He would use his Rank Three Desolate Ancient physique to break the suppression on spiritual power, and use the soul-defending nature of the Black Lanke Chess Piece to shield against a Golden Core Master's spiritual sense pressure!
His hypothesis for the latter had not been baseless. He still remembered that during the battle in Trap Air Valley, when he fell toward the entrance of the Soul Transformation cave abode, Di Wanyun had launched a spiritual sense attack in passing. Yet it had been defended against by the black halo radiating from his Black Lanke Chess Piece. In other words, that magic treasure was indeed effective against the spiritual sense attacks of Golden Core Masters.
Ever since Foundation Establishment, after obtaining this treasure from the Great River Ghost City, he had nurtured and refined it with devoted care. He had spent even more time refining it than his Profound Fire Sword! He understood this magic treasure deeply, even capable of using it to shield Gu Caiyi's soul when she entered the Ghost God Heart-Inquiring Mirror to simulate Foundation Establishment. Therefore, over the years, he had continually explored how to employ the Black Lanke Chess Piece against Golden Core spiritual pressure.
In the end, he had discovered a way!
When his proficiency in *Bright Spirit Fiend Breaking* reached the Master level, a thin defensive web had grown outside his sea of consciousness. It was derived from his willpower. That defensive layer was quite flimsy, capable of providing only slight utility against cultivators of lower realms than himself. However, that defense stemmed entirely from him. Using it as the foundation and drawing upon the power of the Black Lanke Chess Piece, years of groping in the dark had finally allowed him to perfect his technique.
At this moment, outside his sea of consciousness, a dense black halo wrapped in a faint golden rim slowly expanded. Whenever Qin Tairan's spiritual sense pressure crashed down, the black halo pushed outward like rolling waves, repelling it to the outside world.
Thus, his physical body broke the dharmic power suppression, while the Black Lanke Chess Piece broke the spiritual sense suppression. Spiritual pressure was utterly useless against him!
***
The moment Qin Tairan intervened, Zheng Xian's heart settled completely.
How mighty was a Golden Core Master? Dealing with a mere seventh-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator was like the disparity between the bright moon and a firefly; it was as effortless as turning over his hand.
He relaxed as he watched Luo Chen, his eyes brimming with venomous malice.
How despicable the man had been earlier! Hiding within the erupting earth fire, attempting to assassinate him in an instant. Had Zheng Xian not nurtured a breath of fiendish qi in his chest, he would have lost his life on the spot. Even so, one of his arms had been torn off by that terrifying physique. If he had recovered the severed arm right away, he would have had methods to reattach it. But the bastard had melted it directly into the roaring earth fire, snuffing out his hopes entirely.
This was not just about losing a single arm! For someone with a maimed body, the Great Dao was practically severed. Even if they won this battle and he could return to the Yan Alliance, his hopes of forming a core were likely dashed. What good were the best medical arts? A reattached limb would never be the original; when breaking through realms, it would become his greatest hidden peril.
*Die, die! Only your death can quench the hatred in my heart!*
Just as he was gloatingly and resentfully anticipating Luo Chen's miserable demise, he abruptly noticed something wrong!
The other man's expression was calm, his gaze icy, devoid of the slightest panic. He even flew toward him as if completely unaffected.
His speed was astonishing!
Illusory wings had even sprouted from his back. At such speed, Zheng Xian could never escape.
*How is that possible? Is he not affected by a Golden Core cultivator's spiritual pressure at all?*
In that split second, Zheng Xian had no time to hesitate. He instinctively channeled his spiritual power and swung the feather fan in his hand.
Vast sheets of fire surged forth. The scorching heat felt as though it could melt the very void. Even Chu Kui, borrowing the power of a Golden Core, had not dared to face such an attack head-on.
*As long as I hold out for a moment, Elder Qin will arrive and capture him!* Zheng Xian looked toward the sky while desperately waving his fan.
In the distance, an escaping red streak fell from the sky, hurtling toward the area.
However, a peripheral glance revealed a sight that horrified him.
Amidst the sky full of fire, Luo Chen neither dodged nor evaded. Charging straight through like a battering ram, he tore his way out by sheer force! His speed was blinding, far outstripping Zheng Xian's reflexes. In nearly the blink of an eye, he was already before him.
The Profound Fire Sword thrust forward! The fire feather fan swung again!
The two collided, unleashing a tremendous shockwave. Zheng Xian was sent flying backward against his will, yet Luo Chen seemed entirely unaffected. Spreading his arms like a roc taking flight, he leaped above Zheng Xian's head.
His five fingers curved, clawing downward from afar.
*Crack!*
*What is he grabbing?* Zheng Xian wondered dazedly.
Yet his eyes saw a headless, one-armed torso clutching a feather fan, tumbling lightly toward the earth.
*Is that... my body?*
*Whoosh!*
His silhouette flashed. Clutching Zheng Xian's severed head, Luo Chen soared above Danxia Peak in a few blinks.
Reaching the high altitude, he found Qin Tairan descending step by step from the sky directly opposite him, face thunderous with fury.
Luo Chen halted and looked at him coldly. "Qin Tairan, as a Golden Core Elder of the Yan Alliance, why did you strike against me? Do you intend to represent the Yan Alliance in declaring war against my Ice Fort?"
"Shameless junior, you dare speak of representing anything!" Qin Tairan roared in a towering rage. "Die!"
Giving Luo Chen no chance to explain, he opened his mouth and spat out a microscopic red speck. The speck expanded with the wind, swelling into a zhang-wide furnace in an instant. With a push of his hand, the furnace rumbled toward Luo Chen with unstoppable momentum.
*Since your physique is tough, I will crush you to death with this great furnace. Since you excel in fire arts, I will incinerate everything you have with the true fire within the furnace!*
Facing this irresistible strike, Luo Chen's expression shifted slightly. He moved to dodge with extreme speed, but the moment he stirred, a terrifying suppressing force radiated from the furnace. Even with his Rank Three physique comparable to a Desolate Ancient beast, his movements became excruciatingly sluggish. Though he could still move, he was far too slow. Evading was completely out of the question.
In that case, he would not dodge!
Luo Chen's face twisted into a fierce snarl. His ten fingers hooked as both palms thrust out together, two claw phantoms abruptly tearing through the void.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
The moment of impact delivered an overwhelming, titanic force. Overpowered, Luo Chen was driven back frantically.
*Boom!*
To the eyes of outsiders, the Yan Alliance Golden Core had struck once, using a colossal furnace to blast Dan Chenzi backward for hundreds of zhang, slamming him directly into Danxia Peak. Not only that, a surging torrent of flame pursued him inside, as if intending to refine Luo Chen alive.
As Luo Chen crashed into the mountain, the terrifying force even caused an entire section of the mountainside to collapse. Amidst the swirling dust, the fiery torrent drilled inward.
In the distance, Qin Tairan furrowed his brows. "No wonder he could kill Di Wanyun. He truly has some ability, surviving a strike from me. However, your luck ends here."
With a cold snort, he stepped onto the red furnace. It rumbled toward Danxia Peak—he was clearly bent on wiping him out completely!
Just as he drew near, his brows suddenly twitched.
Above Danxia, a chilling killing intent erupted! The Seven-Colored Danxia Grand Array, which should have been broken, suddenly soared into the sky.
"Hmph, an array voluntarily dismantled, retaining only a sliver of residual might? You think you can protect your Association Leader with just this? Delusional!"
In that split second, his gaze fell upon the summit of Danxia. There, a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator sat alone inside a stone hut, pressing his fingers into a sword-finger and pointing toward Qin Tairan from afar.
As he thrust his sword-finger forward with great difficulty, countless ringing sounds erupted across Danxia. At first, it sounded like ten thousand swords singing in unison, but upon closer listening, there were only twenty-one sword chimes.
In an instant, a three-foot longsword condensed above the seven-colored curtain of light.
At that moment, the morning sun leaped over the sea of clouds, splashing purple dawn across heaven and earth. A wisp of purple dawn blended into the seven colors, and the three-foot sword abruptly transformed into a three-foot purple blade!
"Go!"
Having unleashed this strike, not a single trace of spiritual energy remained in Min Longyu's body. The hundreds of thousands of spirit stones previously laid out in the room, including the three superior-grade spirit stones Luo Chen had given him, all disintegrated into powder. The seven-colored curtain of light lost every shred of its color, leaving only that three-foot purple blade shooting forth between heaven and earth.
Facing this sword strike, Qin Tairan snorted coldly and stomped a single foot!
Another torrent of flame surged from the furnace beneath his feet, rushing toward the purple blade. The two collided in an instant. The torrent dispersed, and the purple blade dissolved inch by inch, ultimately returning to nothingness.
At the summit of Danxia, Min Longyu coughed up a mouthful of blood and limply lowered his right hand. "Association Leader, Longyu has done his best."
He had pushed all his methods and array attainments to their absolute limit. He had even drawn upon the array's power to borrow a wisp of magic treasure aura from twenty-one flying sword treasures, finally condensing a single blow of Golden Core caliber. Yet before the mid Golden Core Qin Tairan, it had amounted to scratching an itch through a boot, little more than a breeze brushing past his face.
Qin Tairan curled his lip in disdain. "Paltry parlor tricks, yet you dare flaunt them?"
He resumed his paused steps. His formidable spiritual sense allowed him to perceive a scorching aura rising from within the swirling dust of Danxia Peak.
"I knew you weren't dead, but you are merely dragging out your last gasps!"
Just then, a streak of azure light descended from the nine heavens.
"Fellow Daoist, let it end here!"
A sneer hung on Qin Tairan's lips. "Longquan, you think you can stop me?"
As he spoke, a surging killing intent billowed forth.
Longquan's expression shifted slightly, and he instinctively said, "Dan Chenzi is a distinguished guest of my Azure Pill Valley and a consecrated elder of the Dao Child's clan. Give me some face."
"A mere second-layer Golden Core like you deserves face?"
Before Longquan could reply, Fei Ming of Mount Ailao sneered from high above. "He doesn't deserve it? But you do? For an exalted Golden Core Master to attack a Foundation Establishment junior is disgraceful enough. Yet you failed to kill him twice in a row—oh, three times, since you even released a wisp of sourceless fire nurtured within your natal magic treasure. Tsk, tsk... worthy of an Enforcement Elder of the Yan Alliance! If word of this gets out, the entire Jade Cauldron Domain will bow to you in awe."
"You!" Qin Tairan raged, glaring at Fei Ming. "What, does a defeated dog like you want to protect that boy as well?"
Having his sore spot prodded once more, Fei Ming's face darkened. With a false smile, he said, "I have no ties with him, so why would I protect him? However, if you wish to test your skills, I don't mind keeping you company."
Hearing this, Qin Tairan actually grew calm. Looking at the two of them, he whipped out a longsword, its tip tilting upward to point directly at Longquan standing in his way.
This movement caused Longquan's face to pale drastically.
"Come at me together, both of you! Today, I will kill that little thief!"
Treading upon the crimson furnace with sword in hand, facing two opponents alone, he held absolute superiority in momentum.
Fei Ming's brows furrowed, finding himself somewhat stuck on the back of a tiger. As he had said, he was neither kin nor friend to Luo Chen; there was no need to wade into these muddy waters. Furthermore, Qin Tairan's objective was already exposed: he had not come for the operational rights to Tianlan Immortal City, but to kill Luo Chen and reclaim face for the Yan Alliance. Fighting him under these circumstances offered zero benefit. Yet now that the man had laid down the challenge, backing down would look cowardly...
Like him, Longquan was also wavering. Protecting Luo Chen was merely a favor requested by the Dao Child, Tao Wan. He had thought Qin Tairan would give him face on account of Azure Pill Valley, but from the looks of it, Qin Tairan's determination to kill Luo Chen was unyielding. Doing this favor would not be easy.
He glanced at the hesitant Fei Ming, cursing inwardly. If Fei Ming took the lead and he provided support, they might stand a chance against Qin Tairan. But with Fei Ming lacking fighting spirit, how could Longquan possibly hold Qin Tairan off on his own?
Longquan clenched his fists. Sensing the vigorous aura rising from Danxia Peak with his spiritual sense, he muttered inwardly, *Luo Chen, oh Luo Chen, of all people to provoke, you had to offend the overbearing, violent cultivators of the Yan Alliance. What am I supposed to do now?*
Seeing their hesitation, Qin Tairan grasped their thoughts in an instant. Then, he let out a thunderous roar.
"You won't fight, and you won't retreat—what are you still lingering here for? GET LOST!"
That roar echoed across a thousand li. The surging sound waves reverberated endlessly, repeating *Get lost! Get lost! Get lost...*
Elder Longquan was forced back three full steps by the shout. Sensing his own cowardly retreat, his face flushed crimson. Was he truly going to let this man kill someone right beneath his eyes today? If word of this spread, where would he put his face?
Right at that moment, a bone-chilling voice echoed as if from the depths of the underworld.
"The one who should get lost is you!"
Accompanying it was a dazzling, biting sword light.
Qin Tairan spun around abruptly, bringing his longsword down in a heavy slash.
*Clang!*
The biting sword light dispersed in an instant, turning into countless streaks of frigid chill that enveloped him. In merely a breath, frost coated Qin Tairan's hair, eyelashes, and beard.
"Hah!" He let out a low bark, surging fire-attribute dharmic power erupting to melt the frost. Furthermore, with a kick of his foot, the furnace beneath him rumbled forth, flying straight toward the newcomer.
White light flashed, and a graceful figure pushed out her left palm with deceptive slowness. Layers of ice walls sealed the heavens and froze the earth. Amidst the endless ice, the furnace was actually frozen solid.
Qin Tairan's expression shifted slightly. He formed an incantation gesture, and torrents of flame erupted from within the furnace, melting layers of ice before rumbling back to his side.
Only then did he clearly see his opponent.
"It's you!"
Fairy Jueqing glanced down at Danxia Peak before turning her gaze onto Qin Tairan. "Two choices: get lost, or die here!"
"You!" Qin Tairan pointed at her, having never been berated like this in his entire life. Yet recalling that brief clash just now, his expression changed drastically. "You advanced to the mid Golden Core realm?"
Fairy Jueqing did not answer him, sweeping her gaze over the earth below.
Devastation met her eyes, a landscape of ruins. The blood of countless cultivators had nearly dyed Danxia crimson. Severed limbs, broken corpses, and abandoned weapons lay strewn everywhere. The battle had paused due to the intervention of the Golden Core Masters, yet the bloodshot eyes of those surviving cultivators declared just how brutal the clash had been.
She said nothing, but Qin Tairan's heart sank deeper and deeper. Fei Ming was already at the fourth layer of Golden Core. Fairy Jueqing had now advanced to the fourth layer as well, and her ice and snow techniques inherently countered his fire element. Add to that the watchful Longquan of Azure Pill Valley, and if they truly clashed, he would face certain death!
Abruptly, Fairy Jueqing raised her head, glaring fixedly at him. "It seems you have no intention of leaving. Seeing as the war between the two great sects has not yet ended, you might as well stay behind!"
As she spoke, the ice sword hovering beside her shot forth.
High in the sky, Golden Core Master Fei Ming of Mount Ailao also laughed aloud. "Capital! Back then, the Sword Sect gave no explanation for killing my son-in-law, Fei Bowen. Today, I'll take the head of this Sword Sect lackey to comfort his soul in heaven!"
As he spoke, a massive seal rumbled downward. Accompanying it was an azure ray silently unleashed by Longquan.
In an instant, all three struck together.
Qin Tairan had been on guard, yet panic still seized his mind. "A bunch of bastards! Incinerate!"
He struck the furnace before him, and endless fiery torrents erupted, deflecting all three attacks at once. Then, leaping up, he fled into the distance.
Fairy Jueqing snorted coldly and gave chase directly. Fei Ming grinned fiercely; he would never pass up an opportunity to kick a dog while it was down. Fairy Jueqing was renowned for her combat prowess within the Ice Fort, and having advanced to the mid Golden Core realm, she was bound to be even stronger. Furthermore, she heavily countered fire cultivators. With the two of them joining forces, they would definitely make Qin Tairan suffer today!
Longquan took a step forward, but paused after a moment's thought. Shaking his head, he flew back up into the nine heavens.
"Dao Child, I have returned."
Tao Wan hummed in acknowledgment, her gaze sweeping toward a distant spot where a slow light streak was struggling to fly. Longquan raised an eyebrow. "Should we kill that junior, Qin Junjie?"
Tao Wan shook her head. "Forget it. The Yan Alliance Golden Core has discarded his face, but our Azure Pill Valley still cares for its reputation. Let him go; he cannot stir up any major waves."
Longquan understood. Sweeping his spiritual sense, he detected Luo Chen's location. "Shall we go help?"
Tao Wan waved her sleeve. "No need. With his capabilities, as long as a Golden Core does not intervene, he has virtually no rivals. Let us follow them. I am curious to see what Master Jueqing intends with such ruthless resolve."
Longquan's eyes brightened. That suited him perfectly! That old bastard Qin Tairan had nearly made a fool of him today. If an opportunity arose later, he would not mind landing a blow to vent his frustration!
***
Deep within the belly of Danxia Mountain, a colossal silhouette shifted rapidly, returning to its original size in the blink of an eye. He stepped out from the dust.
Sima Huiniang and Xu Xiaoliu were waiting outside. Seeing him safe and sound, Sima Huiniang let out a long sigh of relief.
Xu Xiaoliu immediately spoke up: "Master Jueqing was in closed-door cultivation at the Ice Fort attempting a breakthrough. When I went to deliver the message, she was stabilizing her mid Golden Core cultivation, which delayed her arrival. Association Leader, please forgive my failure!"
It was indeed late. It had taken several full months to bring her out of the mountain. Yet her arrival had been impeccably timed—so coincidental that Luo Chen felt it had been deliberate.
Suppressing the agitated, gloomy frustration in his chest, Luo Chen walked outside. "What fault of yours is there? Bringing Master Jueqing here is a great merit! But for now, let us deal with those mongrels first!"
Joy flashed across Xu Xiaoliu's face. He had endured plenty of hardships over the past few months; receiving the Association Leader's praise made it all worthwhile.
Sima Huiniang followed closely behind Luo Chen, reporting the current situation. "The overall battle was brought under control once reinforcements arrived. However, with the Yan Alliance Elder driven back and Zheng Xian slain by your hand, the vassal cultivators are leaderless and all trying to flee. Association Leader, what do you think..."
Luo Chen paused, a ruthless glint flashing across his face.
"Kill them! Hunt them down! Do not let a single one escape! Even if they flee back to their ancestral homes, exterminate their clans and raze their mountain gates!"
The moment the words left his mouth, spiritual energy wings sprouted from his back, and he shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, charging straight into the scarred battlefield.
Sima Huiniang froze in place. She had never seen Luo Chen display such violent fury. Even when similar situations arose in the past, he had acted with calculated composure after weighing the benefits. Now, he was slaughtering heedless of all else.
Vaguely, she thought back to the preceding battle. Was it the feeling of powerlessness brought by that Yan Alliance Golden Core? Or was it displeasure at Fairy Jueqing's tardiness?
With the person in question no longer present, there was no answer to be had. She could only sigh softly, instruct Xu Xiaoliu to look after Min Longyu, and step onto the battlefield.
Upon arriving, what met her eyes was already a one-sided massacre.
Chu Kui, Wang Yuan, Luo Feng, Chen Xiuli, and the Grand Elder of Lianyun—five great cultivators scattered in all directions, reaping the battlefield. Furthermore, seasoned experts like Kang Dongyue, Xing Zonghan, Li Yixian, Yue Chong, and Qiu Liangyue coordinated with the Luotian Association's surviving Foundation Establishment True Cultivators to hunt down remnants.
Among them, the most eye-catching was the flashing red light. Screams rang out one after another, each heralding the fall of a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator.
Sima Huiniang frowned, beginning to rally the Luotian Association cultivators while tallying up casualties. This decisive battle had come quickly and ended just as fast. It had turned especially after Luo Chen first appeared, and once the Golden Core Master was drawn out, the battlefield had briefly fallen quiet. What was happening now was merely the aftermath.
Yet no matter how quickly it ended, the casualties were horrifying.
When Luo Chen approached, drenched in a thick stench of blood, Sima Huiniang delivered the stark casualty figures.
"Among the Foundation Establishment cultivators, Bian Zhen, Su Xiaolin, and Gui Jiang have fallen. Li Yingzhang is critically wounded, Xu Huanzhen is heavily injured and his Rank Two Feather-Snatching Eagle was blown apart, Murong Qinglian suffered magic treasure backlash and lost a hand, Gu Caiyi's ghost general was shattered, and Bai Meiling retreated into the Soul-Nurturing Banner without further response. Duan Feng and Min Longyu are unconscious."
Each name pronounced represented a loss for the Luotian Association. Those who had achieved Foundation Establishment later suffered the heaviest casualties.
Luo Chen listened, veins bulging on his forehead.
Zhou Yuanli drew close from the side and whispered, "Among the Qi Refinement cultivators, hundreds were killed or wounded. Among them, Qin Liangchen, Liu Qiang, Xiugu, Li Yingjun, Chi Junran, Hao Tianye... have fallen."
There was no list of the injured, nor a list of fallen low-tier Qi Refinement cultivators. Those mentioned were all late Qi Refinement cultivators, people Luo Chen was somewhat familiar with.
After hearing the full list, Luo Chen closed his eyes.
Releasing his spiritual sense, he saw Murong Qinglian weeping as she held Qin Liangchen's corpse with one arm; he saw Li Yingzhang and Yuan Dongsheng piecing together a body on the ground; he saw Zeng Yilong kneeling as he collected his mother's remains; and he saw the blood-soaked Xu Huanzhen desolately stroking the ruffled feathers of a young eagle...
In the distance, Feng Xia was administering pills, using self-taught medical skills to treat Duan Feng; cultivators from the Pill Hall gathered spontaneously around Bian Zhen's corpse; and the Luowang cultivators he knew were silently carrying back what was left of Su Xiaolin—a solitary severed head—toward Danxia Peak...
"How could this be? How could this be?"
Asking twice in succession, he seemed to be questioning others, yet also questioning himself.
Casualties among Foundation Establishment True Cultivators had been within expectations. Once he revealed himself, he was bound to draw the targeting of the Yan Alliance Golden Core. Thus, he had resolved from the start to assassinate threatening great cultivators as quickly as possible to anchor the battle, creating an advantageous situation for his Foundation Establishment members. And he had indeed succeeded: instantly slaying several great cultivators and crippling two, including Zheng Xian at peak Foundation Establishment!
During this process, he had prepared himself for the death of familiar friends. Who in this world was immortal? Even he had shouldered the immense pressure of confronting a mid Golden Core cultivator the moment he showed his face, ready to stake his life.
However, among Qi Refinement cultivators, the Luotian Association held an overwhelming advantage. Such casualties were impossible to accept.
Zhou Yuanli sighed. "The enemy had simply too many Foundation Establishment True Cultivators. Even a slight stray attack from one of them could inflict catastrophic casualties on Qi Refinement cultivators. Brother Qin and Liu Qiang were killed while teaming up to stall an early Foundation Establishment cultivator to support me. Hall Master Yuan Dongsheng and his wife led the Agriculture Hall cultivators to assist Li Yingzhang, but a single strike from the mid Foundation Establishment Zheng Kejian obliterated over ten people, Li Yingjun among them. Xiugu... died protecting her son from a Foundation Establishment cultivator..."
"Association Leader..."
Luo Chen raised his hand.
In a brief span, he seemed to have accepted reality.
"Zhou Yuanli, take men to clean up the battlefield."
"Gu Caiyi, lead people to light Soul-Gathering Incense and retrieve as many scattered soul fragments of our fallen cultivators as possible."
"Qu Lingjun, take my token to Tianlan Immortal City and invite Sun Shengshou and her disciples to treat the wounded. Also, Mi Li, bring out all the healing pills stockpiled by the Pill Hall over the years to treat everyone."
"Huiniang!"
The others departed to carry out their orders, leaving Sima Huiniang awaiting instructions.
"I leave everything on Danxia Peak to you. I will leave Chu Kui and Wang Yuan at your disposal as well."
Sima Huiniang asked in confusion, "What about you?"
Luo Chen turned, walking toward the group of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators gathered nearby.
"Some matters, once begun, must be brought to an end."
Sima Huiniang opened her mouth, then immediately realized what he meant. She said no more; her duty was to guard his back and handle these affairs for him.
***
"Fellow Daoist Luo, congratulations!"
The opening greeting sounded rather jarring, yet Luo Chen knew it was spoken from the bottom of their hearts. Against a formidable enemy several times their number, the Luotian Association had emerged victorious—how could that not be a joyous occasion? Even with a Golden Core Master personally intervening, the tide of battle had not been turned. Such an outcome was enough to leave onlookers dumbfounded.
Looking at the familiar faces, Luo Chen was in no mood to reminisce. He got straight to the point.
"Everyone, I would feel guilty letting you make this trip in vain. Why don't we go for a walk?"
*Go for a walk?*
Luo Feng paused, then swiftly understood. He exchanged a knowing nod with Chen Xiuli.
The others also realized what Luo Chen intended to do. When the Golden Core Masters departed earlier, the battlefield had been chaotic, allowing many enemies to escape. Now, Luo Chen wanted to cut weeds and pull roots—to slaughter them all!
"We shall gladly accompany you!"
"I have long wanted to visit the Feathering Sect and see what mysteries lie within their Feathering True Scripture."
"If they can dare to strike first, we can certainly finish it. Fellow Daoist Luo, just say the word and we will follow."
"I was just worrying that I hadn't fought to my heart's content."
Facing their agreement, Luo Chen nodded.
As he took a step forward, he suddenly paused. Turning to look at the nearby rogue cultivators who still lingered as spectators, his figure gradually rose into the air as he shouted coldly, "You have not departed yet—do you wish to be guests upon my Danxia Peak?"
His sharp voice echoed across all directions. Within a few breaths, thousands of cultivators scattered like birds and beasts, leaving not a single person behind.
What a joke! The Yan Alliance had gathered nearly forty Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, including eight great cultivators, yet had failed to take down the Luotian Association. What right did a rabble like them have to be guests on Danxia Peak? With their lives?!
Watching the streaks of light fleeing across the mountains, Luo Chen felt some relief in his heart, though it was still far from enough.
"Everyone, let us depart! Our first stop will be Gunlong Ridge!"
His tone was calm, yet the killing intent laced within sent chills down the spine.
***
On that day, the seven-day battle of Danxia concluded with victory for the Luotian Association.
Yet the chaos blanketing Tianlan Immortal City continued.
The source of the turmoil was none other than the Luotian Association's leader, Dan Chenzi!
He ascended Gunlong Ridge in person, using peerless fire arts to shatter mountains and cleave the earth, stirring up violent earth fire. The Zheng family of Gunlong Ridge, with its three-hundred-year legacy, was wiped out. The family head, Zheng Kejian, who had narrowly escaped back home, was captured alive by Dan Chenzi.
Having eradicated the Zheng family, Dan Chenzi did not halt. Leading a band of Foundation Establishment experts, he stormed Iron Sword Mountain where the Iron Sword Hall resided. Wherever they passed, not even a Qi Refinement cultivator was spared. Such brutality drew widespread shock.
Even then, it did not end.
The Wei family of Mount Xuchen was wiped out.
The grand array of the Shen family on Mount Heibao was breached; the Foundation Establishment cultivators left behind pleaded for mercy, yet were executed nonetheless.
The Feathering Sect received word early on. Having already been pillaged before, its disciples had scattered, leaving the sect existing in name only. Upon arriving, Dan Chenzi shattered the main hall of the Feathering Sect with a single palm strike.
Subsequently, the group marched to Silver Gorge and caught Xiahou Kun, who had fled back in disarray. Dan Chenzi gouged out his eyes, while the Luo clan's great cultivator Luo Feng severed his head and ransacked the Xiahou clan.
Changliu Gorge, not far from Silver Gorge, was likewise attacked. The grand array established along the gorge was obliterated in an instant under the concerted assault of three great cultivators. As for their fate, it was no better.
These upheavals shook countless rogue cultivators in Tianlan Immortal City. The turmoil even showed signs of escalating, with opportunists beginning to fish in troubled waters.
However, before they could act, everything was brought to a close.
Because Fairy Jueqing had returned!
***
Atop Tianlan Peak, inside Cave Abode Jia-One.
Luo Chen stood in the center of the great hall. Above him, three Golden Core Masters stared down at him in unison.
The atmosphere within was oppressive, yet charged with restless tension.
Chapter 409