Three Golden Core Revereds.
At the fore stood Fairy Jueqing, followed by Fei Ming of Mount Ailao, who had previously spoken in Luo Chen's defense.
As for the last one, it was not Longquan of Azure Pill Valley, but an unfamiliar face.
Though he was a stranger, Luo Chen knew of his origins.
He was a cultivator from the once-prominent Golden Core sect, the Haoran Sect.
His original name was lost to time; only the Daoist title "Haoranzi" circulated among the Golden Core Revereds of the Jade Cauldron Domain.
This title had not been bestowed upon him by others.
Rather, after advancing to the Golden Core stage, he had adopted the name himself to honor and commemorate his fallen sect.
Over the years, he had been meditating in seclusion atop Tianlan Peak, drawing stipends from the Seven Sects in exchange for helping garrison Tianlan Immortal City.
He appeared middle-aged, yet the weathered depth in his eyes revealed his advanced years.
Above all, his aura was restrained to the absolute extreme. Though he looked utterly harmless, the pressure he exerted on Luo Chen surpassed even that of Fairy Jueqing and Elder Fei Ming.
Under the scrutiny of the three, Luo Chen held his head high and chest out, neither servile nor overbearing.
Even the spiritual pressure occasionally leaking from Fairy Jueqing—the result of her recent breakthrough—failed to shake his composure.
The silence was broken by Haoranzi's sigh of admiration.
"Outstanding celestial talent, clear and transcendent spirit."
"A promising seed indeed."
"A pity he calculates too much and kills too heavily, which ill suits our path of true cultivation."
Luo Chen's eyes flickered with surprise, and he cupped his fists in a Daoist salute.
"Junior Luo Chen greets Senior Haoranzi."
Haoranzi smiled faintly. "No need for such formality. As a guest elder of the Ice Fort, your status is on par with ours. Make yourself at home."
At his words, Fairy Jueqing, seated above, frowned slightly.
Fei Ming, on the other hand, slapped his forehead as if suddenly enlightened.
"I almost forgot—our young friend is an elder of a major sect. How could we treat you with neglect?"
"My fault, entirely my fault!"
As he spoke, Fei Ming flicked his hand, effortlessly conjuring a yellowish-brown stone chair behind Luo Chen.
This earth-element art was performed with effortless mastery, entirely devoid of ostentation, showing that Fei Ming's attainments in the Earth Dao had reached consummate perfection.
Luo Chen raised an eyebrow and glanced at Fairy Jueqing.
Her expression was as cold as ever.
She merely uttered a single word:
"Sit."
Luo Chen voiced his thanks and calmly took a seat on the stone chair.
Once he was seated, Haoranzi spoke up eagerly.
The question was exactly what Luo Chen had anticipated.
"In Bai Ye's cave abode, you were the first to enter. Did you discover anything?"
"Bai Ye's cave abode?" Luo Chen frowned.
Haoranzi explained, "The Soul Formation ruins at Mount Thunder Accumulation. Clues have surfaced confirming it was the temporary residence of Bai Ye, a mighty figure of the Minyuan Sect from a millennium ago. He was exceptionally skilled in lightning arts, even using them to advance to the Soul Formation stage. However, during a journey a thousand years ago, he vanished without a trace. No one ever imagined he had passed away in meditation right here in the Lianxia Mountain Range."
In ancient times, the Lianxia Mountain Range encompassed what was now the Jade Cauldron Domain.
Luo Chen asked in surprise, "Passed away? Have you seen his remains?"
Haoranzi shook his head. "Not quite, but when a Soul Formation mighty figure falls, minor celestial anomalies usually manifest. The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect has shallow roots and failed to recognize the unique environment of Mount Thunder Accumulation's Nine Peaks. Once the ruins were opened, that distinct environment was stimulated to its absolute extreme, which finally confirmed that the mighty Bai Ye had perished within."
The ancestors of the Haoran Sect had once produced Nascent Soul True Monarchs.
However, they later fell into decline and could no longer remain in their native domain, prompting them to join the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's pioneer war all those years ago.
When it came to depth of lore and heritage, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect truly fell short of the extinct Haoran Sect.
Hearing these words from Haoranzi now, even Fairy Jueqing and Fei Ming, who had already known these secrets, wore contemplative looks.
This was also the first time Luo Chen learned that celestial phenomena would manifest where a Soul Formation mighty figure fell.
No wonder Mount Thunder Accumulation's Nine Peaks were perpetually shrouded in dense thunderclouds, with violent lightning storms erupting at regular intervals.
It was actually the resting place of a mighty master of the Lightning Dao!
At first, no one had realized it, but once the cave abode's gates were opened, those anomalies drew back into the interior, intensifying to the utmost extreme.
According to Haoranzi, ordinary Nascent Soul True Monarchs avoided such places like the plague.
Only cultivators below the Nascent Soul realm, whose cultivation was weaker, could freely enter and leave.
As for why Nascent Soul True Monarchs dared not venture inside, Haoranzi offered little explanation.
His inquiry into Luo Chen's experiences inside stemmed from the fact that, having guarded Tianlan for many years on behalf of the Seven Sects with outstanding merit, the two Nascent Soul superior sects had granted him a single chance to enter and exit.
Therefore, prior to going in, he was doing everything he could to gather intelligence.
Luo Chen pondered for a moment before answering candidly.
"Junior was forced inside back then. Moreover, prior to entering, I clashed with Di Wanyun of the Yan Alliance and suffered severe injuries."
"Thus, as soon as I entered, I found an extremely remote corner to nurse my wounds."
"After a year, once my injuries healed, I quietly slipped away without participating in any exploration of the ruins."
Hearing this, Haoranzi could not help but show a look of regret.
"Is that so?"
Luo Chen thought for a moment and said hesitantly, "I heard that several True Artifacts appeared inside. I wonder if that information is of any use to Senior?"
To this news, Haoranzi could only shake his head.
"True Artifacts are fine treasures, but I have no blessing to enjoy them. Those are treasures only Nascent Soul True Monarchs can wield."
"Did you truly gain nothing at all? Even something related to a map!"
Luo Chen let out a wry smile. "Truly, I have nothing of the sort. The only thing I possess is a general impression of the area I visited. If Senior needs it, I can transcribe it onto a jade slip for you."
Haoranzi considered it and nodded.
Though it was merely a remote corner, it was better than nothing.
Once inside, if he encountered trouble, it would at least offer an extra path of retreat.
Luo Chen immediately produced a jade slip and meticulously inscribed a map for him.
The route going in and the route coming out were both paths he had personally traversed.
Certain landmarks along the way were also filled in based on his hazy memories.
Throughout the transcription, he could clearly sense that the other two were paying close attention as well.
With a stirring thought, Luo Chen produced three pale-white flowers from a storage bag.
"Actually, it wasn't an entirely empty trip. In that remote place, I gathered a few mineral specimens. I would be honored if Seniors could appraise them for me."
The moment his words fell, gasps of astonishment echoed through the cave abode.
"Thunder Essence!"
"Century-grade Thunder Essence!"
"Hiss, boy, you are blessed with tremendous fortune! To think you could run into a treasure like this!"
Luo Chen feigned realization. "So this is the renowned Thunder Essence?"
Haoranzi beckoned with his hand, and one of the pale-white thunder flowers, still dusted with sand and grit, flew into his grasp.
He examined it closely, nodding continuously.
"It is indeed century-grade Thunder Essence, several times more potent than ordinary Thunder Essence that takes ten years to form. Incorporating this into our lifebound magic treasures will not only bolster resistance against filthy, corruptive arts, but when the time comes to face the Nascent Soul lightning tribulation, it will even add a few margins of success."
"Does it truly possess such wonders?" Luo Chen could not resist asking.
Caressing the flower in his hand, Haoranzi replied as if stating the obvious, "Naturally! You have cultivated for too short a time to understand the profound transformations of higher realms. The world often speaks of shattering the core to form the nascent soul, but in truth, there is an intermediate step of fusing the divine soul. The divine soul belongs to yin and fears lightning and fire above all else—especially the breakthrough tribulation lightning! If one adds Thunder Essence into their lifebound magic treasure and refines it day after day, their soul will naturally develop a degree of resistance to lightning power. That way, when undergoing the baptism of tribulation lightning, the nascent soul will not be so fragile, and what's more..."
Mid-sentence, he suddenly paused.
Looking up, he saw Fairy Jueqing and Fei Ming staring intently at him with eager eyes, hanging on his every word.
Of course!
Neither Fairy Jueqing's Ice Fort nor Fei Ming's Mount Ailao had ever produced a Nascent Soul True Monarch. They knew nothing of the tribulation's deepest secrets.
The few words he had offhandedly shared seemed like mere common knowledge to disciples of superior sects.
Yet to them, it was nothing less than a beacon guiding their Great Dao.
Haoranzi chuckled freely and pushed the Thunder Essence forward, sending the pale-white flower gliding smoothly back toward Luo Chen.
Halfway across, however, a gentle counterforce arose.
He paused in surprise, looking at Luo Chen with confusion.
"Senior's few words have spared me many detours when I face the tribulation in the future. Please accept this century-grade Thunder Essence as a token of gratitude for pointing the way along the Dao!"
Haoranzi felt inclined to refuse.
Yet gazing at that century-old Thunder Essence, he truly could not bear to part with it.
While he hesitated, Luo Chen gave a gentle push of his hands, sending the remaining two flowers of Thunder Essence toward Fairy Jueqing and Fei Ming.
"Both Revereds have saved my life. This junior has little with which to repay your grace, so please accept these as a humble expression of my gratitude."
Fei Ming's eyes lit up. Without a shred of hesitation, he stowed it directly into his storage bag.
"You're a fine lad! No wonder the Ice Fort and Azure Pill Valley were fighting over you. I blame my junior brother for failing to recruit you back then; otherwise, you and I would be sect brothers by now."
Fairy Jueqing cradled the Thunder Essence in her palm, pressing her lips together.
She had heard that it was best to incorporate Thunder Essence into one's lifebound magic treasure.
Yet she had never known why that particular mineral was needed.
The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had occupied Mount Thunder Accumulation's Nine Peaks for centuries, and the Thunder Essence produced there was almost never allowed to flow into the inner domain, limiting their understanding of the material.
Only now, hearing Haoranzi's explanation, did she grasp the crux of it.
Mana nurtured the lifebound magic treasure, and the divine soul was influenced by it, adapting to lightning power and making it far easier to condense a nascent soul during the tribulation.
It sounded simple, but the experience and painful lessons underpinning it were unimaginably precious.
After all, who would dare test tribulation lightning with their divine soul?
At this moment, the gaze she cast at Luo Chen softened slightly.
What he had offered was no ordinary Thunder Essence.
It was century-grade Thunder Essence, several times more effective!
If she integrated it into her lifebound magic treasure, with her remaining lifespan, she might well hold out until the hurdle of forming a nascent soul.
With a flick of her wrist, the Thunder Essence—grit and all—vanished into her storage bag.
Haoranzi, on the other hand, had been the first to receive one, yet had still not stowed it away.
He looked at Luo Chen hesitantly. "Since you harbor the grand ambition of braving the tribulation and forming a nascent soul, why not keep this for your own future use?"
Luo Chen smiled sheepishly. "To tell the truth, I still have two more in my storage bag, which should be sufficient for my needs."
"Two more!" Fei Ming's eyes lit up instantly.
"Ahem!"
A soft cough dashed his fleeting thoughts.
Haoranzi shot him a glance, then nodded. "In that case, I will accept this treasure. Truth be told, I desire it greatly."
Luo Chen felt a touch of surprise.
This Golden Core Revered possessed an uncommon demeanor.
What he sought, he asked directly.
What he desired, he did not conceal.
He acted openly and magnanimously, bearing the air of a true gentleman.
He had even casually defused the sudden greed that flared in Fei Ming.
In truth, Luo Chen had already prepared himself to part with two more blooms of century-grade Thunder Essence.
To him, they were useless anyway!
Inside the storage ring he had left in his cave abode, he still had eighteen blooms of Thunder Essence.
Moreover, they were all thousand-year Thunder Essence!
In terms of mineral grade, they likely far surpassed the standard fourth rank for Thunder Essence, reaching the fifth rank!
Those would be more than enough for his needs after forming a Golden Core.
Back when he had mined them in Bai Ye's cave abode, besides the eighteen blooms of millennial Thunder Essence, there had been some scattered century-grade ones that he had casually collected.
Now, they served perfectly as gifts.
With three gifts given, the attitude of the three Golden Core Revereds toward Luo Chen visibly shifted.
Especially Fairy Jueqing.
She had not been ignorant of the Luotian Association's plight.
However, she had been on the verge of a breakthrough, her years of groundwork in Tianlan had drawn the covetous eyes of the Sect Master's faction, and lastly, Luo Chen's fate had been unknown, with no trace of him anywhere.
Under such circumstances, she naturally had no desire to waste effort on the Luotian Association.
When Xu Xiaoliu sought her out with Luo Chen's letter, she realized that Luo Chen was not dead, but had escaped unscathed from the Soul Formation ruins long ago.
Yet, after getting out, he hadn't come to see her!
Thus, she had deliberately intended to put him in his place.
That was why she timed her intervention so precisely—saving Luo Chen to incur his gratitude while giving him a subtle warning at the same time.
As for the minor losses suffered by the Luotian Association, they naturally held no weight in her eyes.
Yet now, Luo Chen had presented a resource of tremendous utility to her, putting her in an awkward position.
In an even trade, this century-grade Thunder Essence was more than enough to offset the debt of saving his life.
She was at a loss as to how to conclude the remaining disciplinary reprimand.
*No, why should I owe him an explanation?*
Sneering inwardly, Fairy Jueqing stated the purpose of summoning Luo Chen.
"For the next twenty years, the rotational authority over Tianlan Immortal City will transfer to Mount Ailao. Luo Chen, if you run into any trouble then, you may seek out Fellow Daoist Fei."
A simple sentence, yet it stirred up tumultuous waves in Luo Chen's heart.
A changing of the guard?
Did that not mean the Luotian Association's backing would be drastically weakened?
His thoughts stirred, and he began to understand why Fairy Jueqing had deliberately delayed her arrival.
In the end, she still looked down on a minor force like the Luotian Association!
Moreover, once he became a guest elder of the Ice Fort, the Ice Fort faction preferred to absorb him fully into the sect rather than leave him drifting outside.
A minor faction like the Luotian Association, which tied Luo Chen down, was an obstacle.
Fairy Jueqing's delayed intervention might well have reflected the intentions of the Ice Fort's ruling figures.
Composing himself, he looked toward Fei Ming.
"Revered, I will have to trouble you often in the future."
"Heh, there certainly will be some trouble," Fei Ming chuckled, stroking his beard.
Luo Chen froze.
Fairy Jueqing chimed in from the side, "Your recent conduct was somewhat excessive. Slaughtering people and exterminating clans is not something we care about, but shattering mountains and blasting spirit veins has already damaged the interests of the Immortal City itself."
The once-renowned Gunlong Ridge had collapsed under Luo Chen's Landslide spell, triggering eruptions of earth fire.
That large-scale Rank One spirit vein was rendered unusable in the short term.
Not just Gunlong Ridge, but Changliu Gorge as well had suffered minor topographical destruction.
Golden Core major sects did not care about the lives of cultivators from minor clans and small sects.
Kill off a batch, and another would sprout up anyway.
Rogue cultivators from other regions flocked to Tianlan Immortal City in droves to spread their roots and seek resources.
Destroying spirit veins, however, crossed a line.
Back then, the Danxia Min family's excessive extraction of Danxia Peak's earthly qi had earned the extreme displeasure of the Golden Core major sects.
It had taken a century to restore it.
What Luo Chen had done now was even more egregious than the Danxia Min family a hundred years ago.
Just as Luo Chen's heart sank, Fei Ming waved his hand.
"However, for the sake of this century-grade Thunder Essence, I won't hold it against you."
Luo Chen's eyes lit up, and he immediately gave thanks.
"My visit this time was to hand over the Immortal City's affairs to Fellow Daoist Fei on behalf of the Ice Fort. Once matters are settled in a few days, you will return with me to the Ice Fort!" Fairy Jueqing said.
"Return to the Ice Fort?" Luo Chen frowned.
Fairy Jueqing nodded. "Indeed. As a guest elder of our sect, both the Supreme Elder and my Senior Sister Sect Master wish to meet you in person."
So this moment had arrived after all!
Truth be told, Luo Chen was reluctant to go to the Ice Fort.
In this small domain of Tianlan Immortal City, he still maintained a degree of autonomy.
Once inside a major sect, however, things would not be nearly so unrestrained.
And the only thing a Golden Core sect could currently offer him was likely resources related to core formation.
Yet he already held four secret arts for core formation in his hands.
Furthermore, his cultivation was only at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment, far from the threshold of the core formation bottleneck.
There was no need to rush.
Seeing his hesitation, Fairy Jueqing said coolly, "Could it be that you are unwilling to make this journey?"
Luo Chen sighed.
"It is not that junior is unwilling."
"Rather, the Luotian Association is currently in shambles, suffering heavy casualties within while petty schemers still lurk outside."
"Those people accompanied me every step of the way. If I were to abandon them, I truly could not bear it."
At this point, he stood up from the stone chair.
He cupped his fists with both hands.
"I implore the Revered to grant me a few years. Once I restore the Luotian Association to the right track, I will certainly journey to the Ice Fort."
To such a response, Fairy Jueqing would previously have brushed it aside.
Why concern oneself over a swarm of ants?
Now, however, having accepted his gift, her hand was tied, making it difficult to press him harshly.
Yet the sect's side...
"Little friend Luo Chen is truly a man of sentiment and righteousness," Fei Ming smiled faintly. "I was present back then and saw it clearly. That array master was a mere mid Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet dared to draw his sword against that old dog Qin Tairan for his sake. Clearly, the bond among them is profound indeed."
"Fellow Daoist Jueqing, in my view, why not accommodate him a bit?"
Haoranzi chimed in as well, "We Golden Core cultivators live for hundreds of years. Waiting a mere few years is nothing. I imagine Fellow Daoist Canglong of your sect will understand as well."
With everything already said by the two of them, what else could Fairy Jueqing say?
Though her Daoist title was Jueqing—Devoid of Emotion—she was not unreasonable.
Thus, she agreed to Luo Chen's request on the spot.
The conversation had nearly reached its end.
However!
Before departing, Luo Chen suddenly raised a request:
"Now that the two superior sects have ceased hostilities, might the vacant Rank Three cave abode atop Tianlan Peak be borrowed?"
Fairy Jueqing was not surprised by this audacious ambition, but the other two were astonished.
A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, coveting a Rank Three cave abode!
Fairy Jueqing shook her head. "The Sword Sect's lingering prestige remains. Aside from the Falling Cloud Sect, who among us would dare lay a finger on their property? Furthermore, without the proper means, even we cannot unlock that Rank Three cave abode."
Hearing this answer, Luo Chen could not hide his disappointment.
Ever since experiencing a quasi-Rank-Three spirit land at Azure Pill Valley, he had never forgotten it.
Even though he could still make do with a top-grade Rank Two cave abode, having tasted something better, who could remain content with the present?
Haoranzi asked curiously, "A Foundation Establishment True Cultivator shouldn't be able to withstand the spiritual qi density of a Rank Three spirit land. What do you want it for?"
Before Luo Chen could reply, someone answered on his behalf.
"Not so, not so!"
"From what I have observed, little friend Luo Chen possesses an unprecedentedly solid foundation. With a robust physique tempered to the absolute limit, I cannot say whether he could endure a true Rank Three cave abode, but a quasi-Rank-Three spirit land would pose no issue whatsoever."
Fei Ming spoke with conviction, his eyes filled with praise as he looked at Luo Chen.
"Is that so?" Haoranzi scrutinized Luo Chen from head to toe in surprise.
His frame was sturdy and tall, no longer lean as before, yet nothing outwardly extraordinary was visible.
To think he would receive such high praise from Fei Ming.
Luo Chen had not anticipated Fei Ming's sharp vision either, discerning his depths at a glance.
Nevertheless, he had no intention of hiding it.
He promptly said, "Junior once experienced a quasi-Rank-Three spirit land for a year in Azure Pill Valley, and my cultivation efficiency multiplied seven- or eight-fold. Therefore, even after all this time, I have never forgotten it."
"A pity that the Rank Three cave abode atop Tianlan Peak is left vacant and wasted rather than put to use by me."
Regret rang clear in his words.
To his surprise, Haoranzi offered him an immense delight.
"In a little while, I will be setting out to explore Bai Ye's cave abode. My own cave abode will sit empty anyway. Why doesn't little friend borrow it to cultivate for a time?"
Luo Chen's eyes lit up, and he swallowed hard.
"Would... would that be appropriate?"
Haoranzi laughed heartily. "What's inappropriate about it? You gave me a map and gifted me Thunder Essence. I ought to repay you with fine jade in kind. Do not decline, or my conscience will not rest easy."
With words spoken to this point, declining any further would be in poor taste.
Besides, Luo Chen was no fool.
He immediately expressed heartfelt thanks and settled on an appointed date.
Then, taking his leave of the three, he hurriedly departed Tianlan Peak.
After he departed, Haoranzi let out a soft sigh, a trace of regret on his face.
Fairy Jueqing asked, puzzled, "Fellow Daoist favors Luo Chen so much—could it be you have taken an interest in his alchemy?"
The lounging Fei Ming was equally perplexed.
Although century-grade Thunder Essence was exceptionally precious and of great use to them, a Foundation Establishment cultivator offering it was nothing more than expected homage. Why did Haoranzi need to lend his own cave abode in return?
Facing their confusion, Haoranzi shook his head.
"He is merely a Rank Two alchemist. Perhaps of great use to your sects, but to a solitary man like me, that holds little appeal. The reason I sighed was that this young man is a rare, exceptional seed of cultivation, wonderfully suited to our Haoran Sect's lineage."
"Uh..." Fairy Jueqing's expression froze.
Before she could offer a polite refusal, Haoranzi waved his hand.
"Rest assured, I won't contest your Ice Fort for him. Though his foundation is extraordinary, he has drifted too long through the cultivation world. His Dao heart has turned into a calculating mind, no longer attuned to our Haoran Sect's heritage."
Most cultivation arts cared only for spiritual root aptitude.
Yet certain arts had to weigh temperament and character.
The upright and unbending were ill-suited for gentle, nimble arts.
Naturally, an art of noble, righteous energy could not be cultivated by someone riddled with intricate calculations and convoluted schemes.
Had it been when Luo Chen first transmigrated here, he might have been able to practice the Haoran Sect's heritage.
Now, however, it was utterly impossible.
His heart had long turned pragmatic through countless schemes and ploys.
Of course, every coin had two sides.
Without those calculations, he could never have built the profound foundation that even Golden Core Revereds marveled at today.
And without that foundation, how could he have caught Haoranzi's eye in the first place?
Every peck and sip is preordained by heaven!
...
Leaving Tianlan Peak, Luo Chen naturally remained unaware of their subsequent discussion.
All he knew was that the lighthearted conversation and easy laughter with the three Golden Core cultivators had been nothing more than playing along with the occasion.
What he had to face next was a scarred and battered Luotian Association.
The jarring contrast was truly difficult to swallow.
It was as though the brutal war that had just unfolded on Danxia Peak was nothing more than an illusory dream.
Yet when Luo Chen rushed back to Danxia Peak and saw the white funeral banners hanging high, he knew it was no dream.
Some people had truly and irrevocably departed from his side.
"President, the spoils from this battle are vast. The resources gathered are almost unimaginable. Take a look..."
Luo Chen raised a hand.
Zhou Yuanli paused his report on his assigned tasks in a timely manner.
"Where is the Director?"
"She is currently receiving the Foundation Establishment True Cultivators who aided us, preparing to finalize follow-up cooperation with them as soon as possible. Additionally, after this battle, many commercial markets in Tianlan Immortal City have been vacated. The Director felt that the Luotian Association alone could not swallow all of it, so she intends to reach out to our allies..."
"Mm, I understand."
"President, will you go meet those people? Some came specifically for you. For instance, Kang Dongyue of Taishan Market originally planned to leave, but stayed behind just to see you."
Luo Chen thought for a moment and slowly shook his head.
"Not for now. I'll head to the Elixir Hall first!"
Zhou Yuanli started, then recalled something.
His expression, previously buoyant from clearing the battlefield and reaping massive spoils, now turned somber.
Having endured this battle, the Luotian Association had virtually solidified its standing in the environs of Tianlan Immortal City.
Subordinate only to the superior sects and major sects.
A leader among second-tier forces, unafraid even when facing first-tier factions backed by Golden Core Revereds.
Yet for this battle, the Luotian Association had paid an immense price.
Watching Luo Chen's solitary, departing silhouette, Zhou Yuanli shook his head vigorously, his gaze regaining its resolute edge.
The immortal path was long, and some people inevitably fell behind along the way for one reason or another.
Some, like his close friend Liu Qiang, perished in battle; others, like Qin Liangchen previously, could not advance to Foundation Establishment due to a maimed body.
Perhaps in the future, even he might fall behind.
For now, the only thing he could do was carry out his duties.
Any sorrow was best kept buried in his heart.
This battle was a grand victory!
The Director oversaw the grand picture, while he handled the aftermath of the battlefield.
Then, by all rights, he ought to display the joy of triumph.
"We are the true victors!"
Chapter 410