Dong!
Inside a luxurious meditation chamber aboard the Scarlet Flame Dragon Boat, Luo Chen was jolted awake from his quiet cultivation.
The sound echoed in his ears—like thunder yet not thunder, like a drum yet not a drum. It did not fall from the heavens, but seemed to surge from deep underground.
With a flicker of thought, he stepped out of the chamber.
"Have we reached Sky Drum Plain?"
Xing Zonghan, well accustomed to his habits, was already waiting outside.
He bowed his head and replied, "Almost. That sound just now was likely another clash between a Golden Core Master and an equivalent Tier 3 Demon King, which set off a subtle rumbling in the earth."
Luo Chen nodded slightly.
The Ao Xiao Wolf Court was situated at the very center of the Ao Xiao Mountain Range.
The Tier 4 spirit vein it occupied was vast, spanning a full ten thousand li.
Within it, mountains stood dense as a forest, lakes were scattered like stars, and countless heavenly treasures and earthly wonders grew in abundance.
Beyond that, the most famous feature was an immense, boundless plain.
At first glance, this plain appeared ordinary. But if one ascended to an extreme altitude and looked down, one would discover its elevation was significantly higher than the surrounding land, resembling a colossal drum protruding from the depths of the mountains.
Whenever supreme experts clashed here, the churning of their magic power would induce empty reverberations throughout the bedrock.
Such subterranean rumbles were like thunder yet not thunder, like drums yet not drums, as though a celestial god were beating a drum in the heavenly realms, shaking the three worlds.
Hence, the plain had earned the name Sky Drum Plain—truly a land forged by the marvel of creation!
According to many estimates, the final decisive battle would almost certainly unfold upon Sky Drum Plain. Thus, the present situation saw the advantaged Luoyun Sect and the deeply entrenched Ao Xiao Wolf Court lined up against each other across the plain.
The human side in particular continuously mobilized experts from the far rear, methodically uprooting peripheral demon beast strongholds to exert enormous pressure on the Ao Xiao Wolf Court.
As things stood, the encirclement had faintly assumed a posture of laying siege on three sides while leaving one open.
The reason it was only faint lay chiefly in the fact that the peak-grade Tier 3 spirit vein—the very one that had caused the defeat of the five sects in the past—had yet to be taken.
That spirit vein could be considered one of the gateways to the Ao Xiao Wolf Court.
If it were not conquered, unforeseen disasters could easily strike from their flank during the climactic clash.
"Sky Drum Plain is too dangerous. Powerful wolves from the demon wolf clan patrol it day and night, so Luoyun Sect established their base camp on a large Tier 3 spirit vein just outside the plain."
"Supreme Elder, we will arrive in a few dozen breaths at most," Xing Zonghan said.
Luo Chen gave an acknowledging murmur. Rather than returning to his chamber, he stood outside, sweeping his spiritual eyes across all directions.
Aboard the flying boat, the cultivators from the other three families had also emerged one after another, gathering together.
Luo Chen glanced at them, a sneer rising in his heart.
It seemed those families were still utterly miserly, terrified of squandering their family's experts in vain upon the battlefield, so they had only sent minor figures in the early and mid stages of Foundation Establishment.
Only the Wanxiang Sect and Luotian Sect were different.
On the Wanxiang Sect's side, two great cultivators in late Foundation Establishment looked quite nervous.
They could not afford any losses.
If they died on the battlefield, the Wanxiang Sect would truly have no future left.
As for the Luotian Sect, Zeng Yilong, stepping onto the battlefield once more, wore an eager, restless expression.
Such a place was exceptionally suited for a body cultivator to temper his strength.
Last time, after enduring several battles, he had fully mastered external force and caught a faint glimpse into the path of internal force.
That might sound inferior to Wang Yuan's strength when Wang Yuan had first arrived at Tianlan Immortal City.
In truth, however, it could not be judged that way.
Back then, Wang Yuan's journey along the path of body cultivation had been quite tortuous, his practice lacking orderly structure.
He had first grasped the transformations of blood and qi, only later circling back to patch his foundation.
By contrast, Zeng Yilong had possessed a superb foundation since childhood. After advancing to the Blood River Realm, the second realm of body cultivation, he had steadily progressed step by step through transforming the tendons and cleansing the marrow, refining the organs, and opening the meridians, right up until achieving great completion in opening his acupoints, packing them with boundless blood and qi.
One could say that under the most rock-solid foundation imaginable, he had naturally and effortlessly come to comprehend the transformations of blood and qi.
This was the principle of one generation planting trees so the next could enjoy the shade.
For today's Zeng Yilong, as long as his combat experience kept pace, his combat strength would definitely exceed that of Wang Yuan when he first arrived in Tianlan by more than tenfold. Going toe-to-toe with late Foundation Establishment cultivators was well within his reach!
Moreover, returning to the front lines this time, he had already gained a tentative grasp over the Tier 3 flight spell Luo Chen had imparted to him, Ninety Thousand Li.
With that agile maneuvering, his lethality would only be greater!
One could say that as long as Zeng Yilong survived this opening war, he would undoubtedly claim a place among the top echelon of Foundation Establishment experts.
"Wang Yuan claims he doesn't care about the sect or legacy, believing such affairs would only drag down his cultivation.
"In truth, the resources and painstaking care poured into this young disciple of his over the years have been astronomical.
"Since that's the case, let this martial uncle sharpen this heavy sword until it gleams!"
Luo Chen smiled faintly.
He knew full well that top-tier powerhouses were never produced through penny-pinching, nor through cultivating behind closed doors.
Only by combining theory, cultivation, and real combat could a genuine top expert be forged.
Within the Luotian Sect, cultivators with realms higher than Zeng Yilong were not few.
Take Gu Caiyi or Sima Wenjie, for instance.
Yet Luo Chen had never considered them true combat experts, categorizing them instead as administrative talents.
Only individuals like him and Wang Yuan, who honed their combat techniques through repeated life-and-death struggles, could truly be called powerhouses, occasionally achieving the legendary feat of slaying foes of higher cultivation realms.
Zeng Yilong was meant to walk this very path!
"Supreme Elder, we've arrived!"
Following Xing Zonghan's soft murmur, Luo Chen raised his hand.
The immense Scarlet Flame Dragon Boat descended slowly into an open valley.
Nearby, Luoyun Sect disciples came up to meet them and begin the handover with Xing Zonghan.
They recorded the roster and arranged for Tianfan City cultivators to inspect and repair the flying boat, collecting a fee in the process.
All of this was standard procedure, left entirely to Xing Zonghan to handle.
It was clear they were thoroughly familiar with these protocols.
Even when faced with the arrival of a Golden Core Master like Luo Chen, there was no curiosity on their faces; they acted as though they had seen it a hundred times before.
Zeng Yilong drew close and pointed toward a towering spiritual mountain beside the valley. "That is Qianye Peak. Martial Uncle, you just need to register there and declare that our Luotian Alliance has changed its representative in the Sword-Wielding Hall."
Luo Chen nodded and looked at them. "And what about you all?"
Xing Zonghan had already completed the handover and immediately chimed in, "I will see to their arrangements."
Luo Chen murmured an assent, stirred his magic power, and drifted lightly up toward Qianye Peak.
A Luoyun Sect member who had already received notice promptly came out to welcome him.
Seeing the newcomer, Luo Chen broke into a smile.
"Fellow Daoist Qu, it has been years since we last met. I trust you've been well!"
Qu Xibai smiled as he walked over. "How could I possibly compare to you, Fellow Daoist Luo, living so leisurely in the grand rear? As for me, I don't have a single moment of peace. Come, inside please!"
He spread his right hand in an inviting gesture.
"Oh? Your noble sect is brimming with talent—could it truly be that hectic?"
Luo Chen walked alongside him, side by side.
Qu Xibai sighed ruefully. "You have no idea how much grief overseeing an opening war brings. Outsiders see only our newfound status as a Nascent Soul upper sect commanding the myriad factions with none daring to disobey, thinking it glorious, right? In truth, the internal worries and headaches are beyond counting!
"Formulating strategies, coordinating the Golden Core sects under our banner, negotiating with the eight great upper sects, and most important of all, hunting down demon beasts...
"Tsk, tsk. I hope that one day, Fellow Daoist Luo, you too might enjoy this kind of misery!"
Luo Chen was taken aback, then cupped his hands with a chuckle. "Then I shall accept your auspicious words!"
Qu Xibai waved his hand and began explaining the current situation.
Presently, the nine great upper sects and eighteen great sects were all spearheaded by the Luoyun Sect.
On the Luoyun Sect's side, the person overseeing the overall situation was Master Cheng Yan, a cultivator in late Golden Core.
Qu Xibai, the current sect master of the Luoyun Sect, Ruan Jing, and another Golden Core Master attended him at his side, placing themselves at his disposal.
These three Golden Cores each had divided responsibilities.
Qu Xibai was responsible for greeting guests, seeing them off, and mediating friction between sects.
Sect Master Ruan Jing was in charge of logistics, dispatching strategic resources and the like.
The specific duties of the other Golden Core Master were not explicitly stated, but Luo Chen had previously heard from Xing Zonghan that he handled intelligence gathering.
And that was merely at the base camp.
For commanding the Luoyun Sect's Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation disciples, several other Golden Core Masters had been assigned.
In addition, the Nine Sects Sword-Wielding Hall had Linghu Jie, a cultivator in mid Golden Core, serving as the Sword Wielder.
What Luo Chen needed to do now was first register with Master Cheng Yan, and then go meet Linghu Jie.
The process was somewhat tedious.
Yet through this sequence of formalities, he gained a broad overview of the front lines.
In the back hall of the main pavilion, Luo Chen met Master Cheng Yan for the second time.
The previous occasion had been during the Golden Core exchange gathering in Poyue Immortal City.
Meeting this time, Cheng Yan scrutinized Luo Chen carefully and thoroughly before producing an identity token.
Fingering the handled iron token, Luo Chen felt a flicker of surprise—a high-grade magic artifact!
"Leave your magic power imprint upon it, and you can temporarily claim ownership of this treasure.
"This token not only verifies your identity, but when activated, it can also send an alert to the base camp.
"Naturally, it also carries a defensive spell, though it isn't of much use to the likes of us."
Luo Chen nodded. "My thanks to Fellow Daoist Cheng for the guidance."
Cheng Yan appeared very affable. He smiled and said, "You are here to assist us; what need is there for thanks? If anyone should offer thanks, it is I."
Luo Chen offered a few humble remarks, and then, led by Qu Xibai, flew toward another mountain peak where the Nine Sects Sword-Wielding Hall was stationed.
Once he had departed, Cheng Yan's smile faded, and he looked up toward the ceiling.
A voice transmission drifted down.
He nodded slightly. "As long as he is no demon race spy, all is well."
Pausing briefly, he suddenly asked, "Junior Brother, the timing is ripe. When shall we launch the general offensive?"
From the void, a gentle voice came back: "Wait a bit longer."
Cheng Yan's brow furrowed. As of now, the combined forces of the various sects had conquered all the territory that could be taken.
Even that spirit land the five sects had failed to claim in the past was now well within their grasp.
Clearly, the powerhouses on the Ao Xiao Wolf Court's side were still steadily multiplying.
Under such circumstances, why not launch the general offensive?
What was the point of stalling?
"Waiting for someone!"
...
Stepping out of the Qianye Main Hall, Luo Chen subconsciously looked back toward the summit.
There, an aura that remained deeply awe-inspiring despite being suppressed to the absolute limit would reveal itself from time to time.
Barring any surprise, that would be the Luoyun Sect's newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivator, Zhenren Han Zhan.
Rumor had it that this man was not very old, possessing a lifespan of less than four hundred years!
Even within the Luoyun Sect, he could by no means be considered an elder in age.
People like Master Cheng Yan and Linghu Jie, whom Luo Chen had met earlier, could actually be considered Han Zhan's senior martial brothers.
Of course!
Once he formed his Nascent Soul, seniority naturally reset.
Only Master Cheng Yan, approaching his end of days and having served as both teacher and father to Han Zhan in his early years, still maintained their address as senior and junior brothers.
For such an entity to remain stationed at the base camp at all times was presumably to prevent high-tier demon beasts from the Ao Xiao Wolf Court from executing decapitation strikes!
Noticing his gaze, Qu Xibai smiled without speaking, simply leading the way forward.
Before long, the two landed on another mountain peak.
The moment their feet touched the ground, several divine senses probed toward them.
Luo Chen's expression shifted slightly.
Qu Xibai said with a smile, "They are all sect powerhouses; there is no need to take offense. It is mainly that your Luotian Alliance replaces its representative every three years, which is rather frequent, so our fellow daoists were simply curious about who had arrived."
Luo Chen understood and nodded gently.
Those divine senses withdrew promptly upon contact, pulling back in a friendly manner.
A few of them seemed hesitant, lingering for a short moment before finally retracting.
Seeing this, Qu Xibai stroked his beard. "Fellow Daoist, your reputation for participating in refining the Nascent Soul Formation Pill and being able to craft Tier 3 Starry Sky Pills has long spread among our peers. Now that you have arrived, I imagine many fellow daoists will take the initiative to pay you a visit."
"A meager reputation, nothing more; you flatter me," Luo Chen said modestly.
As they conversed, the two entered a grand hall rendered entirely in deep crimson, looking as if doused in fresh blood.
A sinister-looking old man stood quietly inside, seemingly having waited for a while.
Upon seeing him, Qu Xibai cupped his hands.
"Senior Brother Linghu, I have brought the man to you. Your junior brother shall take his leave."
Linghu Jie nodded. "Go attend to your duties, Junior Brother!"
After Qu Xibai left, Linghu Jie finally scrutinized Luo Chen with care.
Neither servile nor overbearing, Luo Chen scrutinized him in return.
Their first meeting had taken place at Dahe Mill.
Back then, Luo Chen had recognized him, but Linghu Jie likely had not known Luo Chen.
Clad in black robes, he had unsealed the market and commanded three ghost kings to besiege Pang Renxiong—truly an overwhelming, monstrous presence.
Now, although his aura of slaughter had grown even thicker, his demeanor was noticeably more settled.
It was clear his cultivation had advanced further over the years; he was likely just a single step away from late Golden Core!
To this, Luo Chen could only sigh inwardly—truly worthy of a newly risen upper sect!
Even as the older generation approached their twilight, the middle generation could step up to fill the void, perhaps even surpassing their predecessors, while the younger generation was packed with countless prodigies.
As long as the Luoyun Sect conquered the Howling Moon Mountain Range and secured a Tier 4 spirit ground, it would soar straight into the heavens.
By comparison, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, which had launched the previous opening war, possessed vastly inferior potential.
Dominance in combat power was merely a temporary display of ferocity.
Sound management was the true path to lasting continuity.
In the Eastern Barrens, a cultivation world that could already be considered orderly, martial might was the foundation for securing one's footing, but to develop properly, one still needed a touch of finesse.
Luo Chen's desire to lead the Luotian Sect out of the Jade Cauldron Domain harbored this very thought.
His alchemy could certainly generate immense profit, but the Jade Cauldron Domain already hosted the Azure Pill Valley, a great sect of alchemy; the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect was also keen to dabble in that field, and the Medicine King Sect had laid out plans there for centuries.
That was a fiercely contested red ocean; only a new domain could be a blue ocean.
Just as Qu Xibai's hidden meaning had suggested:
Several centuries from now, might there not emerge a glorious scene where the Luotian Sect, led by Luo Chen, launched an opening war of its own?
The two sized each other up for a long while.
Suddenly, Linghu Jie nodded and said, "Follow the guidance of your identity token, and you may settle into your cave abode. Henceforth, let us work with one heart and mind to overcome the demon race!"
Such a simple, perfunctory sentence made Luo Chen raise an eyebrow.
He had thought the man would have some profound discourse to offer; after holding it in for so long, this was all he had to say?
Even so, Luo Chen inquired earnestly, "May I ask about my sect's assignments?"
"The duties of the Nine Sects Sword-Wielding Hall are roughly divided into three categories: patrolling, putting out fires, and law enforcement. The regular patrol duty was already completed before your sect's Fellow Daoist Cen departed; there is still over a month before the next. Until an urgent assignment arises, you may do as you please."
That was excellent!
Since the man was unwilling to say more, Luo Chen naturally would not pester him with questions.
A month or so was plenty of time for him to familiarize himself with and adapt to life on the front lines.
After Luo Chen took his leave, Linghu Jie pondered for a moment, then sent a voice transmission to summon someone.
The moment that person stepped into the hall, he bowed to Linghu Jie. "Han Zheng greets Martial Uncle Linghu."
Han Zheng was the grandson of Zhenren Han Zhan, but his master was Master Cheng Yan.
Thus, when facing Linghu Jie, who was even older than his own grandfather, he still addressed him as martial uncle.
Seeing him, the sinister look on Linghu Jie's face softened into a genial smile.
"I summoned you to ask how much you know about Dan Chenzi, the Supreme Elder of the Luotian Sect."
Han Zheng was taken aback. "He has arrived?"
Yet he quickly recovered and explained at once, "This man is extremely formidable. Even during the Foundation Establishment stage, his combat prowess was exceptional. Even though your martial nephew is now at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment and can pilot a Tier 3 puppet, if I were to match up against him as he was back then, I fear the odds of victory would be three to seven at best—three for me, seven for him!
"He has been at the Golden Core stage for over a decade now; I imagine his strength and methods are even more extraordinary.
"Your martial nephew cannot easily gauge him."
Not receiving an exact answer, Linghu Jie did not lose his temper. Instead, he instructed Han Zheng to go to his master, Master Cheng Yan, and retrieve the intelligence dossier regarding Luo Chen.
Han Zheng seemed thoroughly familiar with such situations.
Having been instructed by his grandfather from an early age, there were matters he could see far deeper into than most, despite his modest realm.
The Nine Sects Sword-Wielding Hall was nominally a coalition formed by the nine great Nascent Soul upper sects.
In truth, it was mixed with numerous experts from various Golden Core sects.
In particular, some among them were sects that intended to settle in the Ao Xiao Mountain Range and take root there in the future.
Such sects were helpful arms right now, but once the Luoyun Sect expanded to its limits in the future, they were very likely to turn into hindrances.
Truth be told, no upper sect wished to see another Nascent Soul sect emerge within its own territory.
Especially with the cautionary tale of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and the Luoyun Sect standing right before them.
Therefore, many things had already been put into motion back during the opening war.
For instance, deliberately eroding the potential strength of certain sects!
As for how to erode it?
For the Luoyun Sect as the commanding leader, it was exceedingly simple—nothing more than adjusting the difficulty of the tasks they assigned.
Take the Luotian Alliance: with Jiang Yu falling in battle while Cen Qiusheng emerged unscathed, who could say whether there had been foul play behind it?
One had to remember that Jiang Yu's strength had been a cut above Cen Qiusheng's!
Now that Martial Uncle Linghu wanted a deep understanding of Luo Chen's strength, it was presumably so he could tailor the medicine to the ailment and arrange suitable tasks later on!
Han Zheng hurried away from the mountain peak where the Sword-Wielding Hall was situated. From his master, Cheng Yan, he obtained the intelligence dossier concerning Luo Chen.
As he was about to return, he hesitated slightly.
Luo Chen had saved his life; if possible, he still wished to look out for him.
Yet although he bore the title of a Zhenren's grandson, his words carried little weight at this critical juncture. Still less could he speak out recklessly and damage his grandfather's prestige.
"Perhaps I could ask Martial Uncle Mu to make a move?"
With that thought, he first headed over to the sect master's quarters.
"Sect Master Martial Uncle, is Junior Brother Qin here?"
Chapter 499