Back then, Luo Chen, the Nangong family, and the Li family had hauled their households for over a month to travel from Taishan Market to Tianlan Immortal City.
Yet this time, departing from Danxia Peak and returning to familiar grounds, the journey took him merely a single day.
On this day, above the bustling crowds of Liuguang Market, an enormous behemoth suddenly loomed, blotting out the sun and sky.
Countless cultivators looked up in shock and horror.
A magic-treasure-grade flying boat!
In the cultivation world, aside from the Dao Children of superior sects, only Golden Core Masters could make use of such a vessel with wanton disregard.
"Which Master is that?"
"Are they just passing through?"
"Doesn't look like it—it seems to be slowing down!"
"Strange. How could tiny Liuguang Market draw the attention of two Golden Core Masters?"
"Wait! That dragon boat seems to have stopped right above Mount Youbai. Could it be that the one from the Luotian Sect has arrived?"
Under countless watching eyes, the colossal vessel—resembling a blazing fire dragon—ceased its roaring rumble. Clouds of mist billowed from its hull, gently cradling it as it hovered high above the lush, emerald mountain.
Not only that, but streaks of escaping light emerged from within as cultivator after cultivator steered flying instruments, moving in and out of Mount Youbai.
Such a scene made it abundantly clear that the newcomers were friends, not foes.
Curious onlookers flew up into the sky and caught sight of the great banner hoisted upon the Scarlet Flame Dragon Boat.
Upon the banner was embroidered an intricate emblem depicting radiant morning glow illuminating an elixir cauldron from which a scarlet pill-sun arose.
That very emblem was none other than the sect insignia of the Luotian Sect!
Once the news spread, the cultivators across Liuguang Market erupted in fervent discussion.
"As one of the markets situated along the indispensable route connecting the second-line rear territories to Tianlan, Qianye, and Daguang Immortal Cities, countless forces have long coveted this fertile land. No one expected that the humble Luotian Association of back then would beat everyone to the punch."
"Indeed. Mount Youbai in particular—thanks to the nourishment fed back by that Tier 3 you cypress tree, it has attained the grade of a Tier 2 spirit land. It truly is prime real estate."
"Plenty of people have set their sights on this territory recently. Now that its true master is here, I wonder how they plan to handle things?"
"My guess? The Luotian Sect will probably have to yield this piece of land!"
"How so?"
"Yeah, from what I know, the Luotian Sect's Supreme Elder formed an alliance with several Masters. Their faction isn't small by any means—there's no reason they'd back down!"
"Heh, you clearly don't know the half of it. The Heavenly Blade Sect has set its eyes on Mount Youbai!"
"The Heavenly Blade Sect!"
The mention of that name instantly drew gasps of surprise.
Cultivators from outside the region were baffled, wondering why an obscure small sect would provoke such a reaction.
Soon enough, local cultivators familiar with the matter began detailing the origins of the Heavenly Blade Sect.
The Heavenly Blade Sect had formerly been named Tiandao Dock.
It was an established first-rate power in the Jade Cauldron Domain, having been overseen by a Golden Core ancestor since the domain was first pioneered.
This force had always attached itself as a vassal under the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.
A century ago, it had once declined to the absolute nadir, drawing the greedy eyes of Cold Crow Pool, another vassal of the Sword Sect.
Yet no one could have anticipated that the Tiandao Dock ancestor would feign his demise on the pretext of reaching the end of his lifespan. He lured the newly ascended Golden Core Master of Cold Crow Pool to his doorstep, then resolutely dragged him to death in mutual destruction.
After that, a junior disciple of Tiandao Dock fortunately succeeded in forming a core and took charge of Tiandao Dock.
Not only that, he seized the momentum to annex the majority of Cold Crow Pool's power.
With this, Tiandao Dock's strength swelled unprecedentedly. Centered on the family heritage, that new Golden Core Master founded a sect—the Heavenly Blade Sect.
Furthermore, during the Jade Cauldron Civil War, he contributed immensely to the Sword Sect and earned their favor.
Although the sect suffered heavy casualties among its disciples during the civil war, the Heavenly Blade Sect Leader obtained some gains within the Soul Formation ruins of Mount Thunder Accumulation.
Balancing the gains and losses, while the sect itself had weakened, his personal martial prowess had grown considerably formidable.
At the Core Formation Grand Ceremony of the Sword Sect prodigy Lin Qingxuan, a foreign Golden Core expert provoked Lin Qingxuan under the guise of discussing the Dao.
The Heavenly Blade Sect Leader stepped forward in his capacity as a vassal, clashing fiercely with that foreign expert for hundreds of rounds without falling into a disadvantage in the slightest!
He not only preserved the Sword Sect's prestige, but also established his own renown!
One could say that had Luo Chen not emerged out of nowhere to found the Luotian Sect, the most prominent first-rate power in the Jade Cauldron Domain over the past fifty years would have been the Heavenly Blade Sect.
Now that the Heavenly Blade Sect had set its sights on Mount Youbai, which served as a branch of the Luotian Sect, there was bound to be quite a show.
For a time, many cultivators in Liuguang Market gathered together, eagerly awaiting the unfolding drama.
***
Aboard the Scarlet Flame Dragon Boat.
Holding a rubbings copy of the *Essentials of Yan Alliance Artifact Forging* in one hand, Luo Chen studied it while listening to Feng Xia report on the situation of the Luotian Sect's branch.
"Serving as our sect's stronghold, Mount Youbai currently deals primarily in purchasing medicinal herbs," Feng Xia said.
"Although the Pioneer War is advancing slowly, quite a few daring cultivators have already ventured deep into the Howling Moon Mountain Range to gather rare herbs."
"Our geographic position is relatively far back, so we do not compete directly with the Nascent Soul superior sects for first-hand sources."
Hearing this, Luo Chen nodded slightly.
This was the right strategy.
Those superior sects possessed renowned prestige and long-established credibility.
Rogue cultivators looking to avoid trouble would naturally consider those superior sects first if they harvested rare herbs.
If the Luotian Sect were to compete head-on with them for medicinal herbs, they would undoubtedly lose.
"However, following Hall Master Gu Caiyi's strategy, we've conducted our herb business by offering high prices and guaranteeing seller anonymity, gradually establishing a stable network of supply channels," Feng Xia explained unhurriedly.
Years ago, she had taken over the position of Hall Master of the Elixir Hall left behind by Bian Zhen.
After Duan Feng led his men to capture Mount Youbai, she had been stationed here permanently, managing the herb purchasing business directed at the Million Wilderness Mountains.
Of course, procuring herbs was their core business, supplemented by the resale of other resources.
By buying low and then reselling through the Luotian Sect to other major sects at higher prices, they could reap handsome profits.
By now, Feng Xia was thoroughly adept and knowledgeable about operations here.
The only development they hadn't anticipated was that the Luoyun Sect would slow the pace of the war, pausing to construct an immortal city.
This had turned Liuguang Market, which was supposed to be on the front line, into the second line.
Even so, such second-line areas remained lucrative.
Consequently, it had drawn the covetous eyes of several relatively weaker forces.
"Those Foundation Establishment forces were either beaten back by us or frightened off by the Luotian Alliance's reputation, so they didn't cause much trouble."
"Recently, however, the Heavenly Blade Sect took an interest in Mount Youbai. They've come knocking several times to discuss a partnership with us."
Luo Chen frowned and put down the *Essentials of Yan Alliance Artifact Forging*.
A partnership?
For Mount Youbai, the Luotian Sect already had a partner.
None other than their old friends, the Kang family!
Did the Heavenly Blade Sect want a piece of the pie as well?
That was something he could not accept!
Luo Chen kept his composure. "Tell me the specifics regarding the Heavenly Blade Sect."
Feng Xia nodded and immediately recounted the intelligence on the Heavenly Blade Sect in full detail.
"The Sect Leader of the Heavenly Blade Sect possesses formidable strength. Although he is only at the second layer of Golden Core, he has traded blows with third-layer experts without yielding an inch."
"The Heavenly Blade Sect itself, however, is comparatively weak. During the Jade Cauldron Civil War, they exerted too much effort, suffering heavy losses among their middle- and low-tier cultivators. Even after several decades, they have yet to recover."
"That is why they sought to get their hands on the business at Mount Youbai to restore their vitality."
"Furthermore, they seem well aware that our Luotian Alliance only cooperates deeply on matters concerning Tier 3 spirit veins, whereas our respective private businesses receive little mutual protection. Coupled with having the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect at their back..."
Luo Chen listened quietly, his eyes slowly narrowing.
***
The Scarlet Flame Dragon Boat had taken merely a day to travel from Tianlan to Liuguang Market.
Yet after arriving, it lingered for three full days.
It even gave onlookers the illusion that it would stay indefinitely.
Until...
A sharp, piercing aura traversed thousands of mountains and rivers, rushing back from the front line.
Pausing briefly at Liuguang Market, it boarded the colossal dragon boat without hesitation.
Inside Liuguang Market.
Countless cultivators looked up at the dragon boat, their eyes brimming with excitement to watch the drama unfold!
The Heavenly Blade Sect Leader was back!
His objective, naturally, was the spiritual land of Mount Youbai.
Now that he had boarded Danchenzi's vessel in person, a single disagreement might lead them to blows.
They were determined not to miss this show!
Yet to everyone's surprise, no sign of a clash emerged from the dragon boat.
Not only that, half a day later, two figures stepped out from the vessel. Far from being at each other's throats, they were chatting and laughing cordially, bearing the air of intimate friends reuniting.
Under curious gazes, Song Mi, the Heavenly Blade Sect Leader, cupped his hands in a salute toward the young man in red robes.
"Danchenzi, I shall await you at Taishan Market!"
The young man returned the gesture and chuckled heartily. "Fellow Daoist Song, pray go on ahead. I shall certainly arrive tomorrow!"
With that, Song Mi tarried no longer and departed directly.
Luo Chen watched his retreating back with a smile.
Ah, people!
Once a person achieved greatness, they would suddenly find that the world seemed filled with good people!
Before Core Formation, he had spent his days treading on thin ice, never knowing whether he could safely reach the opposite shore.
After Core Formation, his path was unimpeded wherever he went. Whomever he met greeted him with smiling faces.
It had been true at his Core Formation Grand Ceremony, true during his journey to Azure Pill Valley, and now true when meeting an unfamiliar Golden Core cultivator with whom he had never crossed paths before.
A clash of interests didn't require drawing blades.
One only needed to sit down, share a few courteous words, and the conflict was smoothly resolved.
Such a thing was unimaginable back during Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment.
Back then, any dispute meant annihilation of clans or bloody battles; at the very least, one had to swallow insults, bow low, and depend on others' whims for survival.
After sighing in reflection, Luo Chen returned inside the dragon boat.
A young woman waited quietly for him.
Seeing him enter, she bowed with an air of unease.
"Senior Luo..."
Luo Chen smiled and said breezily, "It is good that your grandfather saw reason. Red Toad Mountain was tainted by the monster venom of the River-Swallowing Toad; it was never a wholesome place anyway, so why cling to it?"
Kang Xianqiong asked apprehensively, "If our Kang family relocates here lock, stock, and barrel, will it interfere too much with your noble sect's cultivators?"
This woman was none other than the current head of the Taishan Market Kang family, Kang Xianqiong, as well as Kang Dongyue's granddaughter.
Having not seen her for years, her cultivation hadn't advanced much—only around the third layer of Foundation Establishment.
In conducting herself, however, she had grown quite poised and capable.
Luo Chen waved his hand. "No matter. This spirit land is only nourished by that Tier 3 you cypress tree after all, suited for three to five Foundation Establishment cultivators at most. Our Luotian Sect normally only stations three Foundation Establishment cultivators here. Having your Kang family move over can even help support us."
Mount Youbai was originally the ancestral grounds of the Bai family of Liuguang Market.
Its existing infrastructure was quite complete.
The Kang family had coveted this territory long ago.
When the Luotian Sect launched an offensive and took this ground back then, the Kang family had contributed as well.
Letting the Kang family relocate here now would not only supplement the Luotian Sect's manpower, but also allow them to build closer ties with the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.
The reason Song Mi of the Heavenly Blade Sect had held back from acting earlier was that, aside from respecting Luo Chen's reputation, he was wary of the Kang family's connections within the Sword Sect.
He knew full well that among the Kang family's younger generation, a dual-spiritual-root genius had emerged and entered the Sword Sect's ranks.
Having received Luo Chen's promise, Kang Xianqiong's expression visibly relaxed.
This peer of hers had walked ahead of her even during Qi Refinement.
Later, when she finally managed to achieve Foundation Establishment, he had pulled further and further ahead, and was now an unattainable Golden Core Master.
It was precisely for this reason that she spoke with such caution before him.
"However, we will still have to trouble your grandfather to take action tomorrow," Luo Chen said suddenly.
Kang Xianqiong hesitated. "For Mount Yihua?"
Luo Chen gave a slight nod, confirming her suspicion.
Song Mi of the Heavenly Blade Sect was not someone to be dismissed easily.
Even if he spared the Luotian Sect out of respect for Danchenzi, he still possessed genuine material demands.
So long as the Luotian Sect refused to surrender Mount Youbai, a fundamental conflict remained.
To resolve this, Luo Chen chose to divert the trouble elsewhere!
*I cannot give you Mount Youbai.*
*But I can find you another Tier 2 spirit land!*
As far as he knew, apart from Red Toad Mountain—formerly shared by the Kang and Huo families—Mount Yihua in Taishan Market was also a small Tier 2 spirit vein location.
***
Taishan Market.
Upon Mount Yihua.
Within the main hall of the Yu family, lights blazed brightly despite the late hour of the night.
Yu Rou, a young married woman dressed in courtly attire, paced the hall with an anxious expression.
From time to time, she extended her spiritual sense to search outside the hall.
Suddenly, a bright smile spread across her face.
"Fellow Daoists, you have finally arrived!"
As she spoke, two figures arrived together through the night.
Their formidable late Foundation Establishment cultivation was on full display.
Under their imposing aura, Yu Rou, who was only at the mid Foundation Establishment stage, seemed somewhat delicate, yet as the host, she possessed her own confidence.
"It is already so late. For what purpose has Fellow Daoist Yu summoned the two of us?"
"Could it be that Fellow Daoist Yu intends to renege on the cooperation we agreed upon?"
Faced with their piercing gazes, Yu Rou's expression shifted slightly.
Immediately afterward, however, she shook her head. "Our three families joining forces to conduct business using the Pioneer War is something I only rejoice in. How could I possibly renege?"
When she said this, the two great cultivators from different factions couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
The business on the front lines was currently monopolized by Nascent Soul superior sects and major Golden Core sects. They had finally settled on nearby Taishan Market after great effort; if anything went awry, it would not bode well.
Underneath their relaxed smiles, Yu Rou stated gravely, "I called you here tonight for an entirely different matter!"
"A Golden Core Master has arrived in Taishan Market!"
These words instantly made the pair's expressions change.
"Just passing through?"
"Who is it?"
Yu Rou gave no direct answer to these questions. Instead, she said worriedly, "Normally, Golden Core Masters head straight for Broken Moon Immortal City. Why would one deliberately linger in Taishan Market? Now that he has stopped here, I fear he has other designs!"
Designs on what?
Designs on the spiritual land of Mount Yihua?
One of the great cultivators hesitated. "With the Sacred Ground's prohibition in effect, a Golden Core Master shouldn't dare openly act against us, right?"
Yu Rou sighed. "Better safe than sorry! The Pioneer War has already commenced, and that prohibition was only valid during the fifty-year preparatory period. If the other party isn't on the roster of the twenty-seven sects, and discards all shame to bully the weak, then I fear for Mount Yihua..."
These words carried immense weight.
They left the two great cultivators grim and silent.
They merely hailed from two cultivation families looking to turn a profit during the Pioneer War.
Who would ever want to cross paths with a Golden Core Master?
The remaining cultivator said in a heavy voice, "Let us take it one step at a time. Perhaps they have no such intentions?"
"One can only hope," Yu Rou sighed.
***
However, matters rarely went as desired.
The next morning, someone made a move against Mount Yihua!
It was not the Golden Core Master, but rather their old neighbor, the Kang family!
During the morning hours.
Standing atop the emerald-feathered white eagle, Yu Rou looked at the aged figure outside the mountain with suspicion and shouted, "Fellow Daoist Kang, what is the meaning of surrounding my Mount Yihua with your men?"
Kang Dongyue replied flatly, "Surrender Mount Yihua! My Kang family claims this land!"
Yu Rou laughed out of sheer fury. "Your Red Toad Mountain was destroyed, so now you covet my Mount Yihua? Isn't that utterly shameless?"
Kang Dongyue remained silent.
Calming herself, Yu Rou said earnestly, "Mount Yihua no longer belongs to me alone. Besides the Yu family, two other clans with late Foundation Establishment cultivators share this ground. Kang Dongyue, you had better think twice before acting!"
As she spoke, two figures emerged from the mountain, arriving beside Yu Rou to stand shoulder to shoulder with her.
They were precisely her two business partners.
Two great cultivators!
Kang Dongyue's eyelids twitched, yet his expression remained composed and unwavering.
He waved his broad hand.
Before anyone knew it, among the hundreds of Kang family cultivators, powerful auras surged forth one after another.
At a glance, there were a full ten of them!
Two of those auras even rivaled late Foundation Establishment.
This sight made Yu Rou's eyelids twitch furiously.
Where had the Kang family found so many Foundation Establishment True Cultivators?
There were even figures rivaling late Foundation Establishment?
Inexplicably, she recalled the Golden Core Master who had arrived at Taishan Market yesterday.
*Of course!*
*It must be reinforcements provided by him.*
The Master did not want to leave an excuse for others to accuse him of bullying the weak, so he operated through a proxy, letting the local Kang Dongyue stick his neck out as the vanguard.
She pressed her lips together, feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
The two great cultivators beside her were relatively calmer, secretly sending divine sense transmissions: "Since that Master has not shown himself in person, he must have scruples. Our three sides have eight Foundation Establishment True Cultivators in total, and your emerald-feathered white eagle possesses combat prowess on par with a great cultivator. Backed by Mount Yihua's mountain-protecting grand formation, even if a conflict breaks out, the advantage is still ours!"
They were clearly unwilling to abandon Mount Yihua!
Yu Rou's throat felt dry. Were they truly going to wage battle?
Just as she hesitated, cries of astonishment suddenly rang out.
Everyone followed the sounds and looked up.
Across the horizon, an enormous flying boat glided slowly forward like a blazing fire dragon.
Though it appeared slow, its speed was astonishingly swift!
Initially a thousand li away, in mere moments it hovered suspended directly above Taishan Market.
Under the vast shadow cast over them, everyone held their breath in terror.
For everyone knew that a flying boat of this scale was at least of the low-grade magic treasure rank.
This also meant a Golden Core Master was aboard.
The crowd looked up to see cultivators lined along the vessel and banners hoisted high.
A gentle, mild voice drifted faintly down.
"Fellow Daoist Yu Rou, I trust you have been well?"
The voice sounded unfamiliar, yet inexplicably carried a hint of familiarity.
Amidst curious gazes, Yu Rou frantically combed her memories for that trace of familiarity.
Until she looked up and saw a pair of deep eyes upon the boat resting on her.
Gazing at that tall figure, she couldn't help but blurt out, "Luo Chen!"
An uproar swept through Taishan Market.
Even in such a remote backwater, they had heard the name of the most renowned figure in the Jade Cauldron Domain over the past century.
The arrival was none other than Luo Chen—reputed to possess peerless combat prowess, the foremost fighter of Foundation Establishment, whose Core Formation was congratulated by all five superior sects!
What was his purpose in suddenly arriving at Taishan Market?
Judging by his familiar tone, could he be a friend of the Yu family head, Yu Rou, here to back her up?
Everyone had heard it: the two had good ties, to the point that Yu Rou dared call him directly by name.
Yet all those speculations vanished into thin air as Yu Rou's expression shifted repeatedly before she finally spoke in a raspy, bitter tone:
"Yu Rou pays her respects to Senior Danchenzi."
Chapter 473