It turned out just as Luo Chen had anticipated.
Those who sincerely wished to befriend him naturally did not mind being kept waiting for a day or two. After all, everyone understood that having just formed his core and exited seclusion, he was inundated with matters to address.
Those whose intentions were superficial, merely hoping to show their faces and become familiar, left Tianlan Immortal City that very same day. Rather than wasting time in Tianlan Immortal City, they preferred to hurry to the front lines. The war of expansion had fully begun by now and was raging in full swing.
Between these two groups, there remained another faction whose motives were far more complicated.
One such person was Jin Buque, who had offered an exorbitant reward during the Core Formation Grand Ceremony!
"What have Luo Chen's movements been recently?"
"Reporting to Elder, according to our scouts, he has mostly remained on Danxia Peak receiving guests. We have also investigated the composition of those visitors. Most are Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators hoping to seize the momentum and join the Luotian Sect. There are also a few Golden Core cultivators deliberately seeking his acquaintance. For instance, Diwu Qi entered and exited Danxia Peak three times, leaving with a broad smile on the last visit. It seems they had a very pleasant discussion."
Inside an inn in Tianlan Immortal City, Jin Buque quietly listened to his subordinate disciple's report.
By the end, his brow was deeply furrowed.
Luo Chen's actions clearly showed he was using the momentum of his core formation to expand the Luotian Sect.
Those seeking to join the sect were almost certainly late Foundation Establishment cultivators aiming to form their own cores. Gathering such a group of Foundation Establishment experts would undeniably shore up the backbone of the Luotian Sect with great speed. It would even offer substantial security for the future.
Although no one had ever kept precise statistics, a cultivator breaking through realms was often one in a hundred.
Among a hundred Qi Refinement cultivators, one True Cultivator of Foundation Establishment might emerge.
Among a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, one Golden Core Master might arise.
While such figures were not strictly accurate, they held a grain of truth. Take Azure Pill Valley, for instance: with tens of thousands of disciples and over a thousand in Foundation Establishment, combined with being a grand sect of alchemy, they had managed to produce only fifteen Golden Core cultivators!
The Luotian Sect followed the same logic.
With over five thousand disciples and twenty-five Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, leaving aside an anomaly like Luo Chen, if they solidified their foundation and added several dozen more Foundation Establishment cultivators, they might very well produce a second Golden Core cultivator within a century.
"From the looks of it, Luo Chen has no intention of subservience. Instead, he aspires toward independent self-reliance."
Hearing this murmured remark, the disciple beside him added cautiously, "That should be so. Fairy Fengyue of Fenghua Palace visited Danxia Peak once and departed with a placid expression. Luo Chen presumably declined her invitation to join Fenghua Palace and serve as deputy master of the Dan Cauldron Courtyard."
Having added this, he asked in mild confusion, "Yet the Luotian Sect has no Tier 3 spiritual vein at its mountain gate—not even a Tier 2 vein. How does he plan to expand the sect?"
Jin Buque glanced at him as if looking at a fool.
The disciple froze for a moment, then gasped in sudden realization. "The war of expansion!"
"It seems you aren't hopelessly stupid after all!" Jin Buque scoffed.
He had deduced a great deal from the earlier intelligence.
Although Luo Chen had turned down the superior sects' invitations, he was building ties with individual Golden Core cultivators one by one. Someone like Diwu Qi had clearly reached an agreement to ally with him; otherwise, he would not have left Danxia Peak in such high spirits. At the same time, Luo Chen maintained friendly relations with the local Golden Core sects throughout this process.
As a result, the Luotian Sect's momentum had already taken shape!
As long as they seized a Tier 3 spiritual vein in the upcoming war of expansion, the Luotian Sect would secure a genuine opportunity to rise. Several centuries from now, a brand-new Golden Core sect would inevitably emerge in the cultivation world of the Eastern Desolation.
He thought "inevitably" rather than "possibly" precisely because Luo Chen himself was an exceptionally talented Master Alchemist. Nurturing two or three Golden Core Masters with resources was by no means difficult for him. Jin Buque had heard that Luo Chen had begun training alchemists long ago!
That was truly squeezing resources to the utmost while keeping his gaze fixed far into the future.
"Even so, my offer now looks far too abrupt—and rather meager by comparison."
Jin Buque felt a tinge of regret.
He had assumed that someone like Luo Chen, hailing from a rogue cultivator background, would possess narrow foresight and be tempted by a sudden windfall from the sky. As it turned out, Luo Chen had the ability to bake his own pies.
A Tier 3 spiritual vein could be claimed by the sword in his hand.
As for cultivation pills, plenty of people would willingly present Tier 3 pill recipes to Luo Chen.
And when it came to interpersonal connections, any person of discernment would trust a network built with their own hands far more than a foreign entity like the Five Elements Divine Sect.
"It was my oversight."
"No wonder Luo Chen sat still. Even though he knew I was waiting for him in Tianlan Immortal City, he never took the initiative to pay a visit."
Gradually, Jin Buque pieced together the underlying logic.
The disciple at his side could not help but ask, "Elder, Luo Chen is merely a Golden Core cultivator. Though called a Master Alchemist, whether he can refine Tier 3 pills remains unknown. Is there truly a need to take him so seriously?"
Jin Buque waved a hand. "You don't understand. Dismissed!"
Full of perplexity, the disciple withdrew from the room.
Jin Buque walked over to the window and looked out toward Danxia Peak, hesitation flickering across his face. After a long silence, he shook his head.
"No matter. I have already demonstrated a friendly attitude, which will make approaching him easier in the future."
"Besides, this young man has taken a crooked path!"
"Even if he possesses five-element spiritual roots, whether he meets that requirement is still uncertain."
"For now, consider it a casual pawn on the board. Once the Patriarch awakens, he will conclude the game himself."
***
Within Danxia Peak.
Inside the Grand Hall of Luotian, Luo Chen was conversing cordially with Fu Jiusheng.
"I have already reached an understanding with Fellow Daoist Diwu Qi and Fellow Daoist Cen. If you join as well, our alliance will boast five Golden Core cultivators. Our strength will rival ordinary Golden Core sects, and we are certain to reap abundant harvests in the war of expansion!"
Looking at the hesitant Fu Jiusheng, Luo Chen offered gentle enticements, painting a grand picture of the future.
The five Golden Core cultivators he spoke of were no exaggeration. Diwu Qi's side included another Golden Core cultivator named Jiang Yu. Cen Qiusheng was the founding ancestor of the Cen clan of the Divine Talisman Domain. With the addition of himself and Fu Jiusheng, they would form an alliance of five Golden Cores!
No matter where such a force stood, it could hardly be considered weak.
Fu Jiusheng hesitated. "Wind Rain Manor currently occupies the former site of the Yan Alliance's Incense Valley. Do they still intend to fight for another Tier 3 spiritual ground?"
Luo Chen had already learned the inside details regarding this matter.
He smiled and explained, "The former site of Incense Valley was actually a temporary station prepared by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect for Fenghua Palace. Wind Rain Manor merely moved in first to secure the place on their behalf. Now that the army has marched toward the Howling Moon Mountain Range, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect will naturally reclaim Incense Valley, forcing Wind Rain Manor to seek another spiritual ground elsewhere."
"So that's how it is!" Fu Jiusheng realized.
He calculated the alliance's strength: centered around Luo Chen and the Luotian Sect, it brought together Wind Rain Manor and the Cen clan of the Divine Talisman Domain. That made three Golden Core powers allied together.
If he joined them, his familiarity with the Barren Mountains would allow him to secure a distinct advantage in the war of expansion.
After contemplating for a moment, he made his decision.
"I am willing to join the Luotian Alliance!"
"Now that I have formed my core, my need for spiritual ground has become absolute. Since the opportunity presents itself, I naturally ought to stake everything on it!"
Seeing this, Luo Chen could not help but smile.
In a short time, relying on his prestigious status as an alchemist, he had assembled a respectable force. Backed by support from Ice Fort and Azure Pill Valley, he was very confident in claiming a Tier 3 spiritual vein in the Howling Moon Mountain Range!
Moreover, the main force behind this war of expansion was the Luoyun Sect. With his ties to them, even if clashes arose with other forces down the line, the Luoyun Sect would likely remain neutral if not openly biased in his favor. That eliminated any lingering worries from behind.
The terms offered by the Five Elements Divine Sect were undeniably generous! Yet after weighing them over and over, he dared not accept them in the slightest.
To take, one must first give!
If he wanted to claim the Tier 3 spiritual vein offered by the Divine Sect, he would surely have to pay an equivalent price. At best, he would refine pills for them as an exploited tool. At worst, there was no telling what he might have to sacrifice.
Over the years, he had endured more than enough subservience. If he truly relocated into the Five Elements Divine Sect's territory, under their jurisdiction, both he and the Luotian Sect would be utterly at their mercy.
"By now, whatever I desire can be seized with the sword in my own hand. There is no need to swallow humiliation!"
Luo Chen's "sword" had already been forged! His cultivation realm, his fame and prestige, and his exceptional alchemy—all of these formed the edge of his blade. If possible, he would not beg others; he would wait for others to beg him!
Having agreed upon a date for the alliance covenant with Fu Jiusheng, Luo Chen personally escorted him off Danxia Peak.
The reason the alliance was not established immediately lay with Cen Qiusheng. The Cen clan needed to relocate their entire family, which was no small undertaking. Cen Qiusheng had traveled ahead merely to survey the situation. Now that the intent to ally had been reached, he could not wait to return and bring his kin over. Once the covenant was officially sealed, the cultivators of the Cen clan, Wind Rain Manor, and the Luotian Sect would gather to enter the war of expansion together!
Although Fu Jiusheng had departed, someone was still waiting for Luo Chen on Danxia Peak.
***
Luo Chen walked step-by-step toward the summit of Danxia Peak.
Amidst the sea of clouds, a slender, graceful figure stood facing the wind, gazing out into the boundless mist.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting."
"No matter. You are different from me. After forming my core, sect elders helped manage the affairs, whereas you must personally handle relations with those Golden Core cultivators."
Tao Wan turned around. Looking at the triumphant Luo Chen, a hint of admiration showed in her eyes.
"To be honest, I never expected you to refuse both Fenghua Palace and the Five Elements Divine Sect."
Luo Chen smiled without offering an explanation.
Tao Wan did not press for details either, asking instead, "Have you considered that matter?"
At the mention of serious business, Luo Chen's expression turned solemn.
"Though I have attained the Golden Core stage, my strongest pills are still only Tier 2. Mastering Tier 3 pills is already arduous enough, let alone concocting a Tier 4 pill."
"And the Nascent Soul Formation Pill is among the most difficult of all Tier 4 pills!"
"Isn't your sect's Supreme Elder overestimating me?"
Had any external Golden Core cultivator been present, they would have been utterly shocked by what the two were discussing.
A Nascent Soul Formation Pill!
As was widely known, the refinement of Nascent Soul Formation Pills was held exclusively in the hands of the Soul Formation sacred ground, the Minyuan Sect. For a mere Azure Pill Valley to dream of concocting one was sheer lunacy.
Yet they were genuinely plotting to do so.
This also confirmed Luo Chen's suspicion that when the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had struck down Mount Yuanhua back then, they had not acted without justification—Azure Pill Valley truly did possess a recipe related to the Nascent Soul Formation Pill.
Now, Azure Pill Valley had come seeking Luo Chen's help. It made sense why other sects had merely sent elders to congratulate him on his core formation, while Azure Pill Valley had dispatched Tao Wan, their newly appointed sect leader. The matter was simply of such immense consequence that it could not be entrusted to anyone else.
Faced with Luo Chen's evasive words, Tao Wan did not seem surprised.
"As I am not a Tier 3 alchemist, I do not understand the profound mysteries of the craft. But since the Supreme Elder believes you can do it, he must have his reasons. I heard it has to do with the source true fire you possess."
"Source true fire?"
Luo Chen raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Tao Wan nodded. "Our sect has prepared for this Nascent Soul Formation Pill refinement for many years. We already have five Tier 3 alchemists assembled, and every single one of them commands a source true fire!"
Luo Chen's heart stirred, and he asked, "Is Danyangzi among them?"
"Yes."
Receiving her confirmation, Luo Chen felt even more acutely the resolute determination of Azure Pill Valley's Supreme Elder.
The Jade Cauldron Domain was renowned for its abundance of curious flames. In particular, Azure Pill Valley and the Yan Alliance, both famed for pill refining and artifact forging, each possessed several unrooted fires. Luo Chen's Wither-Bloom Fire had originated from the Yan Alliance. Though he had refined it secretly, those paying close attention could not be fooled. Danyangzi had personally led cultivators in the battle that eradicated the Yan Alliance back then, so he certainly must have noticed clues.
Now that Azure Pill Valley had come knocking, they valued Luo Chen not merely for his status as an alchemist, but because he was an alchemist wielding a source true fire!
Even so, if he entangled himself in such an affair, wouldn't it invite massive trouble down the line?
Seeing his hesitation, Tao Wan spoke in a low, persuasive tone.
"I know what you are worried about, but there is truly no need to fear. Everyone's attention is currently fixed on the war of expansion. No one will notice our Azure Pill Valley."
"Moreover, you are a consecrated elder of my Tao clan, so visiting Azure Pill Valley is only natural. On the surface, we will announce that we have invited you under the pretext of discussing alchemy and engaging in friendly Daoist exchange."
By all rights, with things stated so clearly and given the history between their two sides, Luo Chen ought to have agreed. Yet he still gave no answer.
Sensing his thoughts, Tao Wan took the initiative to raise another offer.
"Our previous agreement to halt the supply of Tier 2 high-grade Soaring Dragon Pills once you formed your core can be voided. Moving forward, my Azure Pill Valley will regularly supply the Luotian Sect with a batch of high-grade Soaring Dragon Pills."
If this deal went through, the cultivation resources for the Luotian Sect's Foundation Establishment True Cultivators would truly be guaranteed.
Outwardly, however, Luo Chen remained reserved. "Truth be told, my Luotian Sect has an alchemist or two of our own. We aren't particularly lacking in Tier 2 pills."
This was no joke.
Over the years, Luo Chen had genuinely deduced a Tier 2 cultivation pill recipe from fragmented formulas. Its potency was greater than the Colorful Chrysanthemum Pill, though weaker than the Soaring Dragon Pill. Once refined, outside sales might be tricky, but supplying their own disciples was no problem at all. Currently, Luo Chen had handed that recipe to Qi Yi for refinement.
As for Qu Lingjun, Luo Chen had passed him the refinement methods for the Tier 2 Nether-Passage Pill and Tier 2 Jade Dew Pill. During Luo Chen's years of secluded cultivation, Qu Lingjun's solid alchemy foundation had enabled him to gradually gain a basic grasp of the Jade Dew Pill. Although they were only low-grade, Ice Fort was willing to accept them. Supplemented by occasional batches of high-grade Jade Dew Pills refined by Luo Chen, the relationship between the Luotian Sect and Ice Fort remained as tight as lacquer and glue.
Once Qu Lingjun's alchemy improved enough to consistently produce mid-grade Jade Dew Pills, Luo Chen would no longer need to concern himself with such trivialities.
Of course, talk was talk—if a steady supply of high-grade Soaring Dragon Pills was on the table, Luo Chen certainly would not refuse!
Tao Wan rolled her eyes and silently cursed him.
Still, she knew that such meager conditions could never sway Luo Chen. After all, this involved the Nascent Soul Formation Pill!
"From what I've observed, Luo Chen, you don't possess a natal magic treasure yet, do you?"
*Swish!*
Luo Chen's gaze locked onto her shapely figure.
At some point, an iron slip crafted from metal sheets had appeared in her hand.
"Knowing you, you demand the finest pills, the highest methods for core formation techniques, and your preparations for the war of expansion are all aimed at securing a better Tier 3 spiritual ground. There is no reason you would emulate rogue Golden Cores or clan Golden Cores by settling for a mere mid-grade magic treasure as your natal treasure."
"I imagine you have been pondering what sort of treasure to use as your life-bound vessel!"
Tao Wan slowly lifted the iron slip. "For alchemists like you, what treasure could possibly be more suitable as a natal magic treasure than a pill cauldron?"
This was common knowledge!
A natal magic treasure was an object cultivated in tandem with one's very life. Aside from daily tempering with core fire and nurturing with magic power, frequent use naturally helped it advance in rank more quickly. Yet using a natal treasure frequently meant risking combat damage and severing spiritual connections. Should it be damaged by accident, the cultivator's progress would suffer a severe blow. This created an awkward contradiction.
For an alchemist, using an alchemy vessel as a natal treasure completely resolved this dilemma. During daily pill concoction, one could bring out the natal treasure whenever desired. It deepened their bond, aided its advancement, and eliminated worries of battle wear and tear.
Therefore, nearly every formidable alchemist sought out pill cauldrons or pill furnaces as their natal treasures whenever possible. Someone like Shang Hu, for example, had the Shangshu Cauldron—a massive vessel suited for pill refining—as his natal magic treasure!
Luo Chen swallowed hard. "What is this?"
"My Azure Pill Valley possesses the crafting methods for three great pill cauldron natal magic treasures, and this is one of them. If you agree to lend a hand, this blueprint is yours," Tao Wan said slowly, her crisp voice carrying a seductive allure that set Luo Chen's heart racing.
Seeing that clarity still lingered in his eyes, Tao Wan coaxed him further, "Do you know that our Azure Pill Valley's sect-guarding treasure, the Azure Sky Glazed Cauldron, was crafted using such methods? It is already a high-grade magic treasure! Ordinary treasures can rarely advance to high-grade. Although the blueprint I am offering is not for the Azure Sky Glazed Cauldron, it has its own unique merits."
Luo Chen already knew the merits of the Azure Sky Glazed Cauldron. Aside from the mother cauldron, it split into thirty-six subsidiary cauldrons! It could process massive quantities of medicinal ingredients simultaneously and possessed the miraculous effect of elevating pill grades. Legend had it that a forebear of Azure Pill Valley had once used that cauldron to cross realms and refine a Tier 4 pill.
Thinking of this, Luo Chen suddenly understood why Qingdanzi, a mere Tier 3 alchemist, dared attempt to refine a Nascent Soul Formation Pill. He had probably fully refined the sect-guarding treasure!
Suppressing the greed in his heart, Luo Chen asked, "If so, why not give me a finished cauldron directly? What use is a blueprint?"
He had no desire to play the game of being taught how to fish. The sooner he obtained a natal treasure, the better. Otherwise, with just a blueprint, he would still need to track down an exceptional Tier 3 artifact-forging master.
Tao Wan looked surprised. "Don't you know that a natal magic treasure is best forged with your own hands?"
Luo Chen blinked, asking instinctively, "Not everyone knows artifact forging. How can one forge it oneself?"
Tao Wan chuckled and shook her head. "For ordinary Golden Core cultivators, that is naturally impossible. But you are an alchemist commanding a source true fire! With a source true fire that obeys your every thought and operates with fluid ease, you only need to follow the blueprint step-by-step to burn and smelt the corresponding magic treasure embryo. Once that is done, find an array master to engrave the formations, and your natal magic treasure will be complete."
Luo Chen froze again.
Was it... really that simple?
He had explored the Wither-Bloom Fire far too little. Over the years, all he had discovered was its ability to plunder the vitality of demonic beasts, forgetting entirely that the Yan Alliance had relied on it as a premier tool for forging artifacts! Forging was an intrinsic function of the flame to begin with.
"In truth, if you wanted convenience, you could pick up any ordinary magic treasure and refine it with your source true fire over time to produce a decent natal treasure. But knowing your temperament, you wouldn't settle for mediocrity, which is why I brought you this blueprint."
"So, are you willing to lend your aid?"
Tao Wan looked at Luo Chen with confidence. She believed that under these conditions, he had no reason to refuse.
However...
"I want the high-grade Soaring Dragon Pills, and I want the cauldron blueprint. But as for that Nascent Soul Formation Pill..."
In an instant, the woman's gentle gaze turned sharp as a blade!
"The recipe!"
"I want that too!"
Hearing this, Tao Wan reined in her flash of anger, yet she still shook her head.
"Do you realize that you are being insatiably greedy?"
Luo Chen said solemnly, "I know I am overstepping. But among our generation of Golden Cores, who does not yearn for the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown and the Five Qi Facing the Origin? Do you not yearn for it yourself?"
"Yes, you have your sect to rely on, so you don't need to exhaust yourself searching for it."
"I am different."
"If possible, I wish to borrow that Nascent Soul Formation Pill recipe to read just once."
Borrowing it once—how was that any different from asking for it outright? Once a cultivator reached Foundation Establishment, their comprehension and memory improved noticeably. After forming a core, aided by divine sense, they possessed photographic recall. Reading it once meant memorizing every single detail.
Tao Wan understood his plight, but from the perspective of her sect...
After weighing the matter, she finally gave her response.
"I cannot make this decision. After all, not even I have seen that so-called Nascent Soul Formation Pill recipe. If you want it, you can speak directly with our Supreme Elder when the time comes!"
"Of course, I will convey your intent. For the sake of our ties, I will also put in as good a word as I can for you."
Luo Chen cupped his hands. "Then I thank you in advance."
Tao Wan sighed. This was not the first time she had dealt with Luo Chen, and his bargaining skills had grown noticeably sharper. Fortunately, aside from the recipe condition, everything else fell within the bottom line set by the Supreme Elder.
"When do we depart?"
"Give me another half month. I must hold the covenant assembly with Wind Rain Manor and the Cen clan to prepare for making our mark in the war of expansion."
*Half a month?*
Tao Wan murmured the timeframe to herself. That was still manageable.
Suddenly, a light chuckle sounded by her ear.
"I hear Azure Pill Valley will also take part in the war of expansion. If our Luotian Alliance falls into dire straits then, please lend us a helping hand."
The woman's expression froze.
She had to admit, she had still underestimated the thickness of Luo Chen's skin.
Chapter 464