Foremost Foundation Establishment Cultivator of Yuding!

Deep azure thunder drifted as vitality stirred in the nether sea! Such a phenomenon was precisely the sign that Nether Origin Pills had formed. It was only a slight phenomenon, appearing outwardly because top-grade medicinal ingredients like the Galantha Thunder Flower had merged within, leaving a fraction of lightning power unrefined. Had his mastery of the pill reached its peak, not even this minor phenomenon would have manifested. By then, the medicinal efficacy would be thoroughly reined inward to the absolute limit. From this, it was evident that the Nether Origin Pills Luo Chen had concocted reached only the low tier of the third rank. Even so! Even at only the low tier of the third rank, it was more than enough to shake the souls of everyone present. A twenty percent chance! Taking this pill when attempting a breakthrough into the Golden Core stage would raise the success rate by twenty percent. To those trapped at Foundation Establishment perfection—or even at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment—this pill was far more tempting than any rare treasure under heaven. Staring at the four round, dark pills, greed flared fiercely in their eyes. Yet before long, Fu Jiusheng suppressed the greed in his gaze. His voice strained, he rasped, "Four? Did you only produce four?" That question immediately drew everyone's attention. After all, there were five of them! Didn't four mean that one person would be left without a Nether Origin Pill? No one wanted to be that odd man out! In an instant, they all grew guarded against one another. Yet to everyone's surprise, Luo Chen shook his head with a slight smile. "Of course it wasn't just four. The actual yield was five pills. It's just that I already put mine away in advance." "These four are yours." With that, he flicked his wrist. The four Nether Origin Pills transformed into streaks of light, flying toward the four cultivators. The pills settled in their hands. Unable to hold back, the four eagerly scrutinized the Nether Origin Pills, their infatuated gazes almost liquefying with desire. "Our business here is finished!" "Fellow Daoists, let us depart!" Luo Chen offered a faint smile, a trace of fatigue showing between his brows. After all, he had refined the Nether Origin Pills without rest for five whole days and nights. Even though he had kept out of combat along the way and preserved his peak condition, the strain was undeniable. Yet! He had taken only a single step before his expression darkened. The exit was blocked by the four of them. "Fellow Daoists, what is the meaning of this?" Madam You Sha put away her Nether Origin Pill and turned a greedy eye back to Luo Chen. "Five?" "One pill per person—how could there be such a coincidence?" "Though I know nothing of alchemy, even I know that a single furnace of raw materials can yield over ten pills. To concoct these Nether Origin Pills, Fellow Daoist Helian prepared over a dozen portions of ingredients in advance." "Danchenzi, I suspect you kept more Nether Origin Pills for yourself!" Confronted with this accusation, Luo Chen was so incensed he laughed. She admitted she knew nothing of alchemy, yet dared to spew such nonsense. In this world, those who could succeed on their very first attempt at an unfamiliar pill, as he had, were few and far between. And she presumed to demand a higher yield? This time, he had truly acted with gentlemanly integrity and kept nothing extra. Five—there really were only five! Realm-breaking pills often concentrated unimaginably terrifying potency into a single core. Consequently, their properties were ferocious and domineering, entirely unsuitable for ordinary cultivation. Take the Emperor Flowing Liquid he had used to break through into Foundation Establishment: a single portion of raw ingredients yielded only three portions of liquid. Given an entry-level mastery and a one-in-ten success rate, one portion and ten portions made no practical difference. This Nether Origin Pill had been deduced by a Deity Transformation expert, and yielding five in a single batch had already exceeded his expectations. These laymen actually fantasized about an even greater haul. Yet... He had not failed to foresee such an outcome. Human greed was an abyss that could never be filled. Reining in his smile, he looked calmly at the other three. "Do you three share this view?" Faced with his unnerving calm, the three could not help but feel uneasy. Fu Jiusheng was the first to speak. Pinching the Nether Origin Pill Luo Chen had given him, he said earnestly, "I am not trying to bar your path, merely taking precautions against the unexpected." "Given my lifespan, I will have at most one chance to attempt Core Formation in this life. Now that I have a Nether Origin Pill, one is enough for me." "Whatever follows has nothing to do with me!" As he spoke, he stored the Nether Origin Pill away, then waved his hand. From the corners of the cavern, formation flags flew toward him, followed by the formation plate spinning back into his grip. Once everything was packed, he cupped his hands to Luo Chen in a salute. "My thanks to Fellow Daoist for concocting the pill!" Without waiting for Madam You Sha to dissuade him, he pulled back. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the pitch-black passage through which they had entered. No one had expected Fu Jiusheng to leave so decisively, without the slightest lingering attachment. Even on Luo Chen's calm face, a sliver of surprise surfaced. The worst-case scenario he had envisioned was being besieged by all four. And among the four, the one he guarded against most was neither Grand Elder Helian with his Soul Breaking Nails, nor Xiao Sanren with his soul attacks, nor even Madam You Sha, who was merely at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. It was Fu Jiusheng! What made Luo Chen so wary, beyond Fu Jiusheng's perfection stage of Foundation Establishment, was the mastery of grand formations he had only partially revealed. Formations were always the ultimate means for the weak to overcome the strong! Even with Luo Chen's vast arsenal of trump cards and abundant combat experience, he wouldn't be fully confident fighting Min Longyu if the latter had time to prepare. Now that Fu Jiusheng had taken his leave so freely, a major concern had been lifted from Luo Chen's shoulders. That left only the other two whose stances remained unclear. "And what about you two?" Xiao Sanren grinned, twirling the jade xiao in his hand before holding it erect before him. "My apologies, but this one is still young. One Nether Origin Pill may not be enough. If Fellow Daoist has any spares, you might as well grant me another. Once it is in my hand, I will turn and leave, never interfering in the grievances between you and Madam You Sha." At these words, Madam You Sha's face changed dramatically. With her strength alone, facing the renowned Luo Chen would almost certainly spell her doom. Yet before she could plead, Luo Chen flatly rejected the proposal. "I apologize, but five means five. There is not a single extra pill to speak of." Xiao Sanren's face fell, and he shook his head. "If so, I can only take it myself." While the two exchanged words, Helian Yun seemed to have settled on his reply. "One is, in truth, already..." "Fellow Daoist Lianyun!" Before he could finish, Madam You Sha's shrill voice cut him off. Helian Yun frowned, turning to look at her. Catching her breath, she spoke with fervent urgency, "Does Fellow Daoist truly not wish to secure an extra layer of protection for your Core Formation?" Helian Yun shook his head. "Given my remaining years, one is enough. If I had two, I fear I would only be able to take the second when my lifespan is near its end. If I failed then, I wouldn't even have time to arrange my affairs." In this expedition to the Myriad Serpent Cave on the Great Snow Mountain, Fu Jiusheng and Helian Yun were the eldest among the five. One was over two hundred and thirty years old; the other was two hundred and twenty. While it seemed they still had twenty to thirty years before reaching the two-hundred-and-fifty-year lifespan limit of a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, that window was exceedingly tight for Core Formation. If one succeeded, all was well; but if one failed, there would barely be enough time to heal one's injuries. Moreover, herb gatherers like Fu Jiusheng, who spent their years trekking deep mountains and marshes, often suffered injuries in battle, making their actual life expectancies even shorter. Under such circumstances, rather than wagering everything in a life-and-death struggle against the formidable Luo Chen, it was far better to retreat gracefully, find a third-rank spirit ground, cultivate in seclusion for a time, and then make a push for the Golden Core stage. That was Fu Jiusheng's reasoning. And it was likely how Helian Yun weighed the pros and cons as well. However! Madam You Sha abruptly interjected, "As far as I know, this Luo Chen also carries four secret techniques for Core Formation. Moreover, he never revealed how much Tianshan Yang-Reverting Water Ice Fort gave him. Given his ties to Ice Fort, it's impossible they gave him just a single portion!" "Fellow Daoist Lianyun, if the three of us join forces to force him to hand over the extra Nether Origin Pills, the Tianshan Yang-Reverting Water, and the Core Formation secret techniques, wouldn't your chances of forming a core increase by a few more points?" Increasing his Core Formation chances by a few more points... Helian Yun wavered. It had to be said that Madam You Sha's words struck right at his heart. Having run the Lianyun Merchant Alliance for ages, his merchant mindset was deeply entrenched. Weighing benefits and placing profit above all else had long been his operating principles. Faced with a far greater prize, how could he not be tempted? He gave a bitter smile and looked toward Luo Chen. "Fellow Daoist Danchenzi, you heard her as well. Why don't we part on good terms? Hand over the items, and I will stake my reputation to personally escort you away." Reputation? Heh! Luo Chen sneered inwardly. At a moment like this, had the old man deliberately chosen to forget his reputation as the Fire Spirit Lord? Seeing the cold sneer on Luo Chen's lips, the three understood that words would not bring this matter to an accord. Having successfully swayed two allies into a united front, Madam You Sha's spirits were running high. She offered a faint smile. "Danchenzi, I know you are formidable, but the three of us are hardly nameless weaklings. In particular, this terrain is completely unsuited for your blistering movement speed. Why not..." "Why not what?" Luo Chen countered. "Surrender without a fight, or stretch out my neck for the blade?" "Fellow Daoist speaks too severely!" Luo Chen shook his head. "It is not severe, merely the truth." Facing their gazes, he scoffed. "The chasm of desire can never be filled." The three dismissed his words. "You have your eyes on my Nether Origin Pills, my Tianshan Yang-Reverting Water, and my Core Formation secret techniques. Could it be you harbor no designs on the substantial wealth I am rumored to possess?" The three stirred slightly, exchanging glances. That point had indeed never slipped their minds. "You fear my martial prowess, yet do you not fear my Luotian Association? Are you not afraid of my ties to Ice Fort? Oh, and I happen to be the family consecrated elder of Azure Pill Valley's Dao Child." At these words, all three faces paled! "So why bother offering so many excuses?" "In the end, it comes down to a battle!" The moment his voice fell, a greatsword appeared in Luo Chen's grip. With its black hilt and fiery red blade, it was none other than the Profound Fire Sword! The three instantly braced themselves as though confronting a mortal enemy. Yet before they could act, a sudden change swept the cavern. A thick black mist abruptly billowed forth, engulfing the entire subterranean chamber in the blink of an eye. "Not good!" "He's playing dirty!" "Danchenzi has an accomplice—be careful!" Within the black mist, Luo Chen looked at Bai Meiling as she drifted into view. He gave her a nod without a word. Gripping the Profound Fire Sword, he charged out. Bai Meiling stood slightly nervously before a colossal banner, her hands constantly weaving incantations as billows of black mist churned and surged. It was not the Soul Refining Banner, but the Soul Nurturing Banner obtained from Ghost-God Valley! After years of cultivation, she had already condensed the body of a second-rank ghost general. After years of tempering, she was just barely able to drive the Soul Nurturing Banner. Though her combat strength was limited, in such cramped terrain, she could construct a favorable home ground for Luo Chen. Then what followed was to defeat them one by one! With geographic advantage secured, the next matter was the tactical priority... *Kill Xiao Sanren first!* With a thought, Luo Chen immediately targeted Xiao Sanren, who specialized in the path of the soul. Now that Fu Jiusheng had departed, Xiao Sanren posed the greatest threat. Inside the black mist, Luo Chen's figure flickered as he quickly located Xiao Sanren's position. In truth, little searching was required. The moment the black mist manifested, notes from the xiao had already begun echoing outwards in every direction. This was precisely why Luo Chen had forbidden Bai Meiling from engaging in combat. Soul attacks were too blunt and direct. Strength was strength; weakness was weakness. The slightest disparity would result in a crushing divide. At present, Xiao Ling lagged far behind Xiao Sanren. "Go!" Luo Chen barked softly, and the Profound Fire Sword shot forth with a whistle. Inside the black mist, Xiao Sanren remained extraordinarily vigilant. He seemed completely unsurprised by the piercing sound of breaking air. The tune of the xiao abruptly shifted. In the next instant! *Hiss!* A sharp hiss rang out as a six-ring snow python burrowed up from the ground. He had deceived everyone. The six-ring snow python under his control had not perished at all; it was still alive. Surging from the earth, the snow python threw itself fearlessly in front of him. The Profound Fire Sword struck the python's body, producing a harsh, screeching grate. "Found you!" Xiao Sanren called out softly. Though spiritual sense could not transmit voice through the black mist, the notes of his xiao swelled instantly to guide the others. Not only that, ripples of sound waves flowed toward Luo Chen like a babbling brook. The soul attacks woven into them were insidious and venomous. Yet against this assault, Luo Chen did not evade in the slightest, charging straight ahead. In a near instant, Luo Chen closed within ten feet of Xiao Sanren. Logically, the closer the distance, the greater the impact on the soul. Yet looking at Luo Chen's clear, lucid eyes, there was not the slightest sign that he had been affected. Xiao Sanren's mind reeled in shock. *How is that possible?* And right at that moment, Luo Chen fixed him with a dark, piercing gaze. Their eyes locked, and an invisible clash of spiritual sense erupted violently between them. *Boom!* A tempest seemed to tear through their seas of consciousness. Xiao Sanren relied purely on the depth of his soul cultivation to endure, whereas Luo Chen possessed the aid of the Lanke Black Chess Piece. A momentary daze welled up unbidden. When Xiao Sanren suddenly snapped awake, he saw Luo Chen's hand reaching out from his chest. Clutched within it was a crimson heart, beating with thumping vigor. *Spurt!* Coughing up a mouthful of blood, Xiao Sanren threw himself backward in madness. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth, his nostrils, his eyes, and even both ears. A shrill howl tore from his throat. "It's you!" That familiar sensation of soul collision, that identical pang of backlash... In Xiao Sanren's cultivation career, it had occurred only once. Mount Thunder Accumulation, within the half-ruined palace of the Deity Transformation ruins. That mysterious white figure! The white qi armor covering Luo Chen's right hand—wasn't that the most prominent feature of that very person? Seeing his frenzied state, Luo Chen waved a calm hand. The Profound Fire Sword, locked in combat with the six-ring snow python, broke away with a flash. It aimed straight for Xiao Sanren's head! The higher a cultivator's realm, the less reliant they became on their physical body. Setting aside the Nascent Soul and Golden Core realms, a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator had already birthed spiritual sense; even if their heart were destroyed, they could easily attempt soul possession. Weeds had to be pulled up by the roots! Seeing the Profound Fire Sword flying toward him, Xiao Sanren was scared out of his wits and tried to channel spiritual power for a counterattack. Yet with his heart torn out and several major meridians severed, his spiritual power stalled. That brief hesitation was all it took. The Profound Fire Sword bypassed the parrying jade xiao, cleanly severing his head. Luo Chen was not surprised to have slain a formidable enemy so effortlessly. Defeating an opponent head-on in the domain they excelled in and relied upon most inevitably created an enormous flaw in their mind. Next, there were still loose ends to handle. From behind, the whistle of displaced air arrived. A vermilion silk ribbon drew taut as a spear, crashing down with a roar. Luo Chen snorted coldly and struck out with a palm. Faintly, claw silhouettes proliferated. Beneath the layered claw shadows, the vermilion ribbon was instantly shattered, reverting to supple silk that flew back toward its mistress. At that exact moment— "Disperse!" A flash of white light flared. A cloud of white mist expanded, meeting the ghostly black mist stirred by Bai Meiling. Sizzling sounds crackled continuously. Before long, clarity returned to the cavern. Helian Yun looked up, only to see Luo Chen clutching a vigorously beating heart in his right hand, staring down coldly at them. Behind him stood a slender young woman holding a massive banner, upright and poised. *Hiss!* A wisp of flame rose from Luo Chen's hand, reducing the heart to ash in an instant. "Hm?" Luo Chen let out a soft exclamation of surprise, sensing a faint discomfort in his body. Yet he suppressed the feeling for the moment, his cold gaze fixed down upon Madam You Sha and Helian Yun. "Did you truly believe that just because this terrain limits my spells, I would have no means of dealing with you?" Madam You Sha and Helian Yun looked thoroughly grim. They had anticipated that this fight might prove arduous. Yet no one had expected that in their very first clash, Luo Chen would instantly execute Xiao Sanren, the most troublesome of the three. For reasons they could not explain, the title of the Foremost Foundation Establishment Cultivator of Yuding surfaced in their minds, its crushing weight pressing down until they could scarcely draw breath. For a time, thoughts of retreat and pleas for mercy flooded their hearts.