Upon the plain-like expanse of Snow Wolf Flat, a colossal dragon boat rested, ablaze with brilliant lanterns and shimmering ribbons of light.
Low-tier disciples bustled back and forth, serving freshly prepared delicacies to every table.
Today's main dish was wolf meat!
It was the flesh of the Tier 3 demon wolf king that Fu Jiusheng had subdued and Luo Chen had slain with his Profound Fire Sword.
A faint, lingering gamey scent drifted through the dragon boat's main hall.
Chen Xiuli and Fairy Jueqing, the two female cultivators, raised their sleeves to cover their noses, clearly disliking the odor.
Seeing this from the head of the hall, Luo Chen offered an apologetic smile. "My apologies. I did not expect the spiritual chefs below to fail in completely removing the musk. If the two of you find it unpalatable, I shall have them take it away at once."
Before Fairy Jueqing or Chen Xiuli could reply, Jin Buque let out a hearty laugh.
"The meat of such a demon king has been soaked in demonic qi day and night; it would be impossible for it not to smell a bit gamy. But the Snow Wolf King is different. It absorbed the essence of the sun and moon and was cleansed by ice and snow. Eating this meat is immensely nourishing, even for Golden Core cultivators like us! Fellow Daoists, why not give it a try? Once you get used to it, you might find the flavor quite exquisite!"
Chen Xiuli hesitated a moment before picking up a slice with her chopsticks, placing it in her mouth, and chewing gently.
Soon, her eyes lit up.
"It truly is extraordinary. It is entirely different from any demon beast meat I have eaten before!"
Fairy Jueqing also sampled a slice. Though she still disliked the faint musky smell, once it touched her palate, the texture and flavor possessed a distinct, captivating richness. Her tightly knit brows gradually relaxed.
The others had already dug in with their chopsticks.
Once a cultivator reached Foundation Establishment, they could abstain from mortal food for extended periods. However, that did not mean high-tier cultivators lacked an appetite for fine food.
In fact, spiritual dishes and demon beast meat that benefited cultivation were often extremely popular among high-tier cultivators. This was precisely why spiritual chefs were a common profession throughout the cultivation world.
The meat of this Snow Wolf King was an exceptionally nourishing ingredient!
Fei Ming chuckled and said, "We must thank Dan Chenzi for his generosity. Normally, where would we ever find the flesh and blood of a demon king to feast upon?"
Luo Chen smiled and shook his head.
Song Mi of the Heavenly Blade Sect, on the other hand, was boldly gnawing on a massive chunk of meat, completely devoid of the reserved demeanor expected of an enlightened True Cultivator.
He laughed boisterously. "Waging an opening war and feasting on the flesh of a wolf king—such thrilling days are truly a rare experience in the austere, bitter years of cultivation! We must drain a great goblet to that!"
The corners of Luo Chen's lips curved upward, and he slowly raised his wine cup. "Fellow Daoist Song speaks the truth. This indeed calls for a toast. Everyone, cheers!"
Everyone in the hall raised their cups and drank together.
After the first cup came a second.
"This second cup," Luo Chen said, "is on behalf of Fellow Daoist Diwu Qi, the other three Daoists of our Luotian Alliance, and the thousands of disciples and members throughout our ranks, to thank all of you for coming to aid us in moving the mountains. Allow me to drink first as a token of respect!"
Before everyone's eyes, Luo Chen drained his cup in a single draught.
Diwu Qi, Jiang Yu, and the other two also followed suit and drank their wine.
After the second cup, a maid poured more wine, and Luo Chen stood up from his seat.
"This final cup is also my toast to you all. From now on, the Luotian Sect, Wind and Rain Mountain Manor, and the Cen family will settle down in these Three Mountains. Whenever you have free time, you are welcome to visit at any moment. You will forever be friends of our Luotian Alliance!"
"Splendid! Being able to befriend someone like you, Luo Chen, is my honor, Song Mi! I will gladly share this cup with you!" Song Mi declared generously.
"If this old man comes knocking on your door, it will be to earn spirit stones!" Fei Ming said with a chuckle.
Luo Chen held his cup and smiled back. "My only worry is that you won't deign to come, Elder Fei! This new foundation is currently waiting to be built from the ground up, and we sorely need the tremendous assistance of our fellow Daoists from Mount Ailao! Just this afternoon, I was wondering how I could convince you to stay and reside here for a few more days."
Fei Ming burst into hearty laughter.
If the Luotian Alliance intended to construct a blessed land for a sect, it would not be a modest affair like the one on Danxia Peak. Luo Chen was essentially handing Mount Ailao a massive business contract!
Chen Xiuli looked at the high-spirited Luo Chen with envy. She, too, wished to possess such a cultivation ground. Unfortunately, the Chen family of Tianyi Workshop was not skilled in battle; for the foreseeable future, they dared not rashly attack famous mountains and grand rivers that possessed natural spirit veins.
Seated below, Fairy Jueqing tilted her slender neck slightly, gazing at the extraordinarily poised Luo Chen. Her thoughts drifted into a daze.
She still remembered the first time she had met him.
Back then, his complexion had been sallow, his divine soul wounded.
His cultivation realm had been negligible, and the faction under his command amounted to barely two or three stragglers.
Even his cultivation cave abode had only been Tier 2 low-grade. It was only by riding on her coattails that he had been assigned a Tier 2 top-grade cave abode in Tianlan Immortal City.
Nearly a hundred years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Now, he was a renowned master alchemist whose cultivation realm was equal to her own.
As for his status, he was an ancestral founder figure who had built a sect's heritage from scratch.
And now, relying solely on his own prowess and schemes, he had even carved out a Tier 3 spiritual land for himself!
Such a transformation truly filled one with endless emotion, rendering words inadequate.
Amidst her reverie, Fairy Jueqing heard Luo Chen announce, "Everyone, drain this cup!" She silently drank the spiritual wine in her cup.
***
The banquet had been arranged in haste. It was neither grand nor accompanied by immortal songs and graceful dances to enliven the mood.
Yet everyone ate and drank their fill, their faces flushed with warmth.
Whenever the conversation turned amusing, laughter filled the hall.
In the end, all the guests were thoroughly pleased, and the banquet only dispersed at daybreak.
Upon Snow Wolf Flat, Luo Chen warmly bid farewell to each of his departing friends.
Whether they were genuine friends or merely superficial acquaintances bound by mutual interest, so long as the Luotian Alliance had not yet solidified its footing, every one of them was his dear friend!
"Fellow Daoist Song, please visit often whenever you have time."
"Certainly, certainly!"
"Elder Fei, don't you stand me up now!"
"Stand you up?"
"I mean, don't keep me waiting too long!"
"Haha, don't worry! Didn't I leave you a rough blueprint? Lay the foundations according to that first. Once I return, I will surely recruit a group of Mount Ailao's finest spirit architects for you. When the time comes, we will craft your sect's blessed land into something magnificent, just like an immortal paradise!"
"Then I shall eagerly await your arrival!"
"Fellow Daoist Chen, I truly troubled you this time. When you hold your belated Core Formation Grand Ceremony, you must send me an invitation!"
"Such formalities are hardly urgent in times like these. I..."
The woman hesitated, as if wanting to speak but holding back.
Luo Chen noticed her hesitation and waited patiently for her to continue.
After a long pause, Chen Xiuli shook her head. "I originally wanted to claim a Tier 3 spirit vein for my family and hoped to ask for your assistance when the time came. But now, it seems the meat in the Howling Moon Mountain Range is about to be divided up completely. There won't be any left for my Chen family."
None left?
Indeed, there would not be!
Given the Chen family's strength and connections, it was impossible for them to smoothly and swiftly assemble an alliance of forces the way Luo Chen had.
However...
Luo Chen pointed toward the Great Snow Mountain. "Wait for a while. Perhaps an opportunity will present itself."
Chen Xiuli was taken aback. Mulling over Luo Chen's words, she departed with a mind full of thoughts.
Next came Jin Buque.
"In the past, I contemplated inviting you to join my Five Elements Divine Sect, offering to share a Tier 3 spiritual land with you. Looking back now, it seems I greatly underestimated you. In such a short time, you managed to conquer a Tier 3 spiritual land entirely on your own."
"It was all thanks to everyone's help!" Luo Chen said modestly.
Jin Buque nodded, looking out over the surrounding mountain scenery, which still appeared somewhat messy.
"This is a fine place. If you manage it well, it could easily serve as a foundation for a thousand years. No, a foundation for ten thousand generations!"
Luo Chen smiled. "I appreciate your auspicious words, Fellow Daoist!"
Jin Buque smiled and then took his leave.
Watching the man's receding figure, the smile on Luo Chen's face gradually faded, his brow furrowing.
This person was simply too good to him!
Ever since the Core Formation Grand Ceremony, Jin Buque had been excessively generous.
Offering spiritual pills, promising spiritual lands.
Even after being rejected, he showed no anger or resentment.
Later, somehow learning that Luo Chen required a secret art to purge foreign magic power, he had actively sought him out during the Golden Core exchange gathering in Broken Moon Immortal City.
This time, for the mountain relocation, Luo Chen had originally planned to invite another clan Golden Core cultivator he had met at the ceremony.
He had not expected Jin Buque to volunteer his assistance instead.
With all these factors combined, it was difficult for Luo Chen not to suspect that the man had an ulterior motive.
Yet, he could neither ask outright nor flatly reject the other's goodwill.
*I fear these gifts already carry a steep price tagged by destiny!*
*Once we gain a firm footing, I must have the Luo Net investigate information on the Five Elements Divine Sect thoroughly. I also need to make connections with more high-tier cultivators to discreetly find out what intentions the Five Elements Divine Sect has toward me!*
A faint, delicate fragrance reached his nose.
A woman's aloof voice sounded in his ear.
"Your foundation has been established. What could possibly cause you to wear such a troubled frown?"
Luo Chen turned to look at Fairy Jueqing as she walked up.
He relaxed his brow and chuckled, shaking his head. "It is not so serious. It is merely that everything is waiting to be rebuilt, and there are countless trifles. The thought of them just makes me dread the hassle."
"Could any hassle compare to taking the field yourself to battle a Tier 3 demon wolf?"
Fairy Jueqing curled her lips. Her gaze fell upon the two rather abrupt high mountains flanking Snow Wolf Flat, then drifted into the distance.
"What you truly need to worry about are the demon beasts that might appear. Although this spiritual land lies toward the outer perimeter, there is no guarantee that demon beasts won't wander over from the frontline battlefield. One careless mistake could bring an existential disaster upon your sect."
Ice Fort suffered from beast disasters year-round, giving her considerable authority on the matter.
Luo Chen took her words to heart.
"Furthermore, there is one more point for which you must prepare yourself mentally!"
"Please, speak."
Fairy Jueqing said quietly, "At the very least, this spiritual land of yours can sustain six Golden Core lords cultivating together. If managed properly, its future potential will not be inferior to our Ice Fort's Mount Tian spirit vein."
Wasn't that a good thing? Luo Chen failed to grasp the subtext of her words.
Fairy Jueqing took a deep breath and laid it bare.
"On the front lines, those great Golden Core sects fight to the death, and all they seek is a spiritual land like this.
"Yet you managed to obtain it through such clever maneuvers.
"You don't think they won't have any designs on it, do you?"
Luo Chen's expression instantly changed.
"I have said all I can. You... take care of yourself!"
Fairy Jueqing let out a soft sigh, summoned an ice sword, and flew away on it.
Gazing at the pale-white silhouette receding into the distance, Luo Chen's expression shifted continuously.
Their conversation had not been concealed from the others.
Therefore, Diwu Qi and the others who had come to see the guests off had heard everything clearly.
At that moment, all their gazes turned toward him, filled with anxiety and unease.
Finally, Luo Chen waved his hand.
"Do not overthink it. Whether in name or in deed, this spiritual land was conquered with our own hands. If anyone truly harbors ill intentions, the worst that could happen is taking the dispute before the Luoyun Sect!
"Let us allocate the cave abodes first, and then get to work!"
Exchanging glances, Diwu Qi and the others could only accept this arrangement.
However, beneath the worry, there was also reason to rejoice.
They were about to divide the cave abodes!
***
This time, the Luotian Alliance had secured a total of three spiritual lands.
Among the three, the naturally formed Snow Wolf Flat was by far the most abundant in spiritual qi.
It possessed a Tier 3 spirit vein of exceptional quality. Even undeveloped, it could sustain three Golden Core cultivators for long-term practice.
Tieqing Mountain was slightly inferior, capable of supporting two cultivators.
Huimeng Ridge was the weakest, but its land area was considerable.
After an intense discussion, the final allocation was decided.
Snow Wolf Flat belonged to the Luotian Sect, Tieqing Mountain went to Wind and Rain Mountain Manor, and Huimeng Ridge was granted to the Cen family.
With this distribution, the Luotian Sect undoubtedly received the lion's share.
After all, Luo Chen and Fu Jiusheng—just two Golden Core cultivators—occupied an entire small-scale Tier 3 spirit vein.
However, Luo Chen also offered a concession.
The surplus Tier 3 cave abode would be configured into a weak Tier 3 cultivation ground, to be used in rotation by cultivators from all three factions who reached the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment.
Furthermore!
Once the Trapped Dragon Formation took effect and the local spirit veins were nurtured to a certain scale, any surplus Tier 3 cave abodes suitable for Golden Core cultivation would be offered to the other two factions first.
Of course, these were merely the broad strokes.
On a finer level, many details still required careful consideration.
For instance, how to divert the spiritual qi from the spirit veins so that lower-tier disciples could also benefit.
A fine blessed land for cultivation could not cater solely to Golden Core cultivators; it also had to nourish those at the Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment stages.
It could only be said that this blessed land of the Luotian Alliance remained in a primitive state, requiring meticulous carving and patient polishing.
If they wished to achieve the flourishing grandeur of places like Azure Pill Valley or the Yan Alliance, it would require at least a century of nurturing.
Deep in the heart of Snow Wolf Flat.
Within a vast cavern the size of a football field.
Luo Chen cast the Cleansing Art repeatedly to purge the foul odors from the cave.
From time to time, he also cast the Surging Waves Art to wash the cavern walls and floor.
Only then did this primitive, rugged cave abode present its true face before him.
"It will have to do for now!"
"Later, I will have the people below arrange it properly for me."
With a faint smile, Luo Chen murmured to himself.
Streaks of light flew out from his storage ring.
Alchemy tools, bookshelves, couches, medicine cabinets, and other necessities emerged one after another.
Finally, he retrieved an Ice Silkworm Mat and placed it in the center of the cave abode.
Luo Chen sat cross-legged upon it, his mind—weary from days of ceaseless exertion—gradually unwinding.
Emptying his mind, he adjusted his state.
Soon, his natal cultivation method began to circulate unconsciously.
A profound sense of comfort welled up within him.
This was the territory he had fought for and won!
This was the very foundation upon which his future would rest!
In time, incense would burn brightly here, tens of thousands of disciples would gather, and it would embody the majestic atmosphere of an immortal sect!
And he, Luo Chen, would be remembered as a founding patriarch upon the lips of countless generations of Luotian Sect disciples.
***
After the successive battles, it was not just the five of them who were exhausted.
The numerous low-tier cultivators of the Luotian Alliance who took part in the war had also undergone a baptism of both body and mind.
The previous day, while Luo Chen and the others feasted with Fairy Jueqing and the rest, the disciples below had also enjoyed a rare moment of relaxation.
However, early the next morning, they were forced back into busyness.
Before departing, Fei Ming had left behind a simple blueprint, instructing the Luotian Alliance cultivators to lay the foundations according to it.
In a short while, he would personally bring Mount Ailao cultivators over to assist in constructing the sect's blessed land.
It might sound incredible.
Immortal cultivators possessed immense power; with a few slashes of a sword and the shaping of earth into houses, couldn't vast arrays of cave abodes and buildings be created instantly?
In truth, it was not so simple.
A sect built so haphazardly would suffer from chaotic layouts, clashing feng shui, and none of the myriad majestic forms befitting an immortal sect.
Outsiders would only laugh upon seeing it.
Moreover, the most critical issue was: how should cave abodes be constructed?
Was simply digging a hole into a spirit vein enough to make a good cave abode?
If an early Foundation Establishment cultivator were given a cave abode with Tier 3 spiritual qi density, wouldn't their body rupture and kill them mid-cultivation?
And if a Qi Refinement cultivator were placed in a Tier 2 cave abode, wouldn't that be a sheer waste?
Regarding these matters, Mount Ailao possessed a comprehensive set of established methods.
They would construct cave abodes of corresponding tiers categorized according to the flow of the spirit veins and the concentration of dissipating spiritual qi.
As for the palaces and pavilions on the mountain surface, there was an entirely different doctrine governing them.
In short, the Luotian Alliance cultivators first had to lay the foundations properly!
Early the next morning.
While the people outside bustled about, Luo Chen woke from his cultivation.
He assessed his cultivation progress slightly...
Well, he was still in the process of recovering the magic power consumed earlier.
However, regarding this Tier 3 cave abode that the demon wolf king had hastily constructed before its death, Luo Chen had also discerned a few details.
"In terms of spiritual qi density, it truly is at Tier 3, no weaker than any Tier 3 cave abode in a major immortal city.
"Furthermore, it is endlessly self-replenishing; there is no need to worry about depleting it through excessive intake of spiritual qi.
"It truly lives up to being a naturally formed Tier 3 spirit vein!"
Luo Chen was very satisfied with this spiritual land.
The only minor flaw was that it was merely at the Tier 3 low-grade level.
Yet this issue was not insurmountable!
When the Mount Ailao cultivators came to construct it properly, adjusting the flow of the earth veins' spiritual qi to converge here, they could fashion a Tier 3 mid-grade cave abode.
If nurtured for a century, it might even be elevated to Tier 3 top-grade!
The cave abode he currently occupied was the finest and largest among all those possessed by the Luotian Alliance.
Naturally, its potential was also the greatest!
By comparison, the one at Huimeng Ridge fell far short.
Tieqing Mountain had potential as well, but because its earth qi had been disturbed during the relocation process, it would require a long time to blend with the local earth veins before recovering completely.
All in all, everything was progressing in a positive direction.
Luo Chen did not continue cultivating.
With numerous matters requiring attention, he needed to make regular appearances to stabilize people's hearts.
Moreover, during the process of laying the foundations, he wished to study formations properly under Fu Jiusheng and the others.
Changing into a plain daoist robe, Luo Chen stepped out of the cave abode.
"Greetings, Supreme Elder!"
"Good morning, Supreme Elder!"
Walking along the path, many early-rising Luotian Sect disciples bowed and greeted Luo Chen.
With a faint smile on his lips, Luo Chen nodded in acknowledgment from time to time.
Ever since he formed his Golden Core, this was the first time he had appeared so approachable.
Consequently, everyone could tell that the Supreme Elder was in a splendid mood.
Or rather, who wouldn't be in high spirits right now?
From a distance, Luo Chen saw Fu Jiusheng directing a group of disciples in the morning light.
In the sky, streaks of light flew past from time to time.
Luo Chen walked over.
"Is there anything you need help with?"
Seeing Luo Chen arrive, Fu Jiusheng greeted him and then spoke frankly. "The top priority right now is to set up the Trapped Dragon Formation that Elder Meng Changshou of the Medicine King Sect gave you."
"I know that. Didn't we already establish the rough framework of the formation yesterday? Why are we stuck today? A material issue?"
Fu Jiusheng shook his head. "Materials are a minor problem; we can purchase them in Broken Moon Immortal City at any time. The main problem is the shortage of formation masters. Relying on me alone is quite troublesome."
Luo Chen looked puzzled. "Doesn't Wind and Rain Mountain Manor have two Tier 2 formation masters? Adding them together still isn't enough?"
"Not enough. A composite grand formation comparable to Tier 4 requires at least five people to set up properly." Fu Jiusheng sighed. "Only after putting it into practice did I realize how difficult it is."
Luo Chen frowned. "I will send someone to summon Min Longyu!"
"Even then, we are still short one person!"
"I'll fill the spot!" Luo Chen volunteered.
Fu Jiusheng looked at him hesitantly. Although Luo Chen had shown some acquaintance with formations yesterday, he certainly did not look like an accomplished formation master.
Would it work?
Luo Chen gave an easy smile. "I learn things very quickly. Trust me!"
Dubious, Fu Jiusheng accepted his self-recommendation.
He casually explained, "The Dao of formations originates from restrictions. And this Trapped Dragon Formation requires four of the Seven Basic Restrictions: Mountain, Water, Dark, and Light. Shortly, you will carve the simplest Mountain Restriction onto the materials..."
"Wait!"
Luo Chen hurriedly interrupted him.
"The Seven Basic Restrictions?"
Fu Jiusheng took it for granted. "Yes. Did Min Longyu never tell you? Mountain, Water, Wind, Cloud, Dark, Light, and Void—the Seven Basic Restrictions, also known as the Seven Great Schools!"
Luo Chen was dumbfounded. He truly had never heard of such things.
Could it be that Min Longyu was a fraud?
Chapter 487