It turned out exactly as Luo Chen had anticipated.
With his reputation as a newly ascended Golden Core cultivator coupled with that of a master alchemist, hosting a small gathering naturally drew a crowd of followers.
Especially the latter!
Even if some people had no pressing need for pills at the moment, given the chance, they would certainly choose to forge a good relationship with him.
Led by Zeng Yilong, the ten Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Luotian Alliance carried invitations and visited each door in turn.
Before long, aside from a few Golden Core Masters secluded in meditation, most of the invited guests arrived.
A gathering of more than ten cultivators was thus convened.
To that end, Mu Yunyan had even lent a small helping hand, dispatching Murong Qinglian to assist Luo Chen in overseeing the various hosting matters.
With subordinate cultivators running errands and an old acquaintance helping out, Luo Chen managed to organize the gathering with minimal effort.
Exchanging a few words of greeting, the Golden Core cultivators—some familiar, some strangers—gradually warmed up to one another.
There was Lin Qingxuan of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, Gongye Qian of Tianfan City, Wei Wuya of Motian Cliff, Ye Xiang of the Divine Talisman Sect, Baihua Fairy of the Hehuan Sect, Fairy Fengyue of Fenghua Palace, as well as the local hosts, Mu Yunyan and Linghu Jie of the Falling Cloud Sect.
It could be said that of the nine Nascent Soul upper sects participating in this opening war, nearly all were represented, with the exception of Meng Changshou from the Medicine King Sect and Jin Buque from the Five Elements Divine Sect.
Aside from the Golden Core cultivators of the upper sects, several figures from the great sects also attended.
Fairy Jueqing of the Ice Fort, Yu Jiaolong of Mengquan Cave, Nalan Feng of Liusen Studio...
Luo Chen moved among them, conversing warmly with each.
At first, the talk was of backgrounds and names, exchanging customary pleasantries about having long admired one another's reputations.
Gradually, the conversation shifted into smaller clusters of two or three, discussing insights into cultivation.
Then, about midway through, Luo Chen took the initiative to propose an exchange of resources.
As the host, he naturally had to cast a brick to attract jade.
And this "brick" was quite straightforward.
Three types of pills: a Tier 1 supreme-grade Blood Burning Pill, a Tier 2 medium-grade Nether-Passage Pill, and a Tier 3 medium-grade Fanxing Pill.
These three varied in rank and possessed distinct effects.
One served as a life-saving trump card, another enhanced soul foundation, and the last was a conventional cultivation medicine.
Moreover, all of them were rare sights on the market.
Their market price might not be astronomical, but their effects were undeniably remarkable.
Even with a room full of Golden Core cultivators, many felt tempted and eagerly stepped forward to trade with him.
The low-tier Blood Burning Pills could be bestowed upon clan juniors or disciples for self-preservation.
As for the medium-grade Nether-Passage Pill, it sparked a fierce scramble before being personally claimed by a wide-eyed Mu Yunyan.
Luo Chen calmly presided over the proceedings, completely unfazed by revealing his mastery over these rare pills.
The reason was simple.
Times had changed!
He was now a man of status and standing; properly revealing a few pill-refining trump cards would not invite any real trouble.
On the contrary, it would solidify his image as a master alchemist in the eyes of others.
From low tier to high tier, esoteric or conventional, low grade or high grade, he could refine them all.
If that did not make a master alchemist, what did?
Furthermore, to exchange for the Mountain Moving Method earlier, he had already traded the formulas for the Blood Burning Pill and Nether-Passage Pill to Meng Changshou—though for the Nether-Passage Pill, he had only provided the Tier 1 formula.
Given the strength of the Medicine King Sect, it would likely not be long before they could mass-produce such pills.
Hiding his light beneath a bushel any longer was utterly pointless.
He might as well bring them out first to secure his own benefits.
Naturally, the transactions here were not settled with mere spirit stones, but through bartering.
By offering a steady supply of Tier 3 lower-grade Fanxing Pills, Luo Chen traded with Nalan Feng of Liusen Studio for a Fire Spirit Diamond of respectable quality!
In doing so, he not only obtained a material for refining his natal magical treasure, but also resolved the supply gap for Fanxing Pills that had arisen following Jiang Yu's death.
After Luo Chen finished casting his brick, the others were not stingy either, bringing out items they had no use for yet held solid value to trade.
Throughout the process, Luo Chen gradually noticed something.
Though he was the host, the other guests had not come solely to build ties with him.
For instance, Yu Jiaolong: Mengquan Cave had captured Seven Kings Mountain and was largely destined to settle in the Howling Moon Mountain Range, so she was here to build widespread goodwill for her sect.
Meanwhile, Baihua Fairy, palace master of Baihua Palace, was also networking with clear purpose.
Every now and then, she would send divine sense voice transmissions, leaving those she spoke with looking hesitant and uncertain.
Linghu Jie, that renowned Golden Core cultivator of the Falling Cloud Sect and interim leader of the Nine Sects Sword-Wielding Hall, also brought out specialized puppets from his sect, extolling their advantages.
Observing all this, Luo Chen could not help but chuckle internally.
*Looking at it this way, I actually have quite the knack for being a middleman!*
*With the reputation of a master alchemist, one's network is bound to be wide and mostly friendly. In the future, if disputes arise among these friends that aren't bitter enough to warrant life-and-death struggle, I could mediate between them.*
*Or perhaps others might connect with third parties through me, thereby establishing ties.*
*This way, so long as I make no major blunders in the future, the Luotian Sect and I will be like fish in water in the human cultivation world, developing in safety and stability.*
The exchanges gradually drew to a close.
Having no further trade demands, the Golden Core cultivators resumed their conversation.
Only this time, the topics mostly revolved around the opening war.
When would Mount Jihuang be captured? When would they cross Sky Drum Plain to strike into the Ao Xiao Wolf Court? When would the war come to an end...?
All in all, everyone seemed brimming with confidence, treating victory in this war as an absolute certainty.
During this time, Baihua Fairy of Baihua Palace sought out Luo Chen privately.
The content of her conversation was roughly the same as what Fairy Jueqing had hinted at before.
Baihua Palace had now aligned itself with the Cloud Crane Cultivator Couple. Once the opening war here in Howling Moon concluded, they intended to attack the Great Snow Mountain.
Representing the Cloud Crane Cultivator Couple, she invited the Luotian Alliance to take part as well.
She even offered the condition that, upon success, the Luotian Sect's pills would be permitted for sale in the Great Snow Mountain region!
Truth be told, Luo Chen was tempted.
Yet it was only temptation; he did not agree on the spot, stating merely that he needed to consider it further.
Baihua Fairy did not press him, moving on to persuade others instead.
She possessed exquisite beauty and elegant speech, and her interpersonal skills were exceptionally adept. Under her lobbying, quite a few showed signs of being swayed.
Finally, as darkness fell, this small Golden Core gathering hosted by the Supreme Elder of the Luotian Sect slowly concluded.
Streaks of escape light departed his immortal's cave, each returning to their respective quarters.
Setting aside what the others were thinking or feeling, on the Falling Cloud Sect's side, Mu Yunyan and Linghu Jie walked side by side along the mountain path, speaking in low voices.
"Dan Chenzi's attainments in alchemy may temporarily fall short of mine, but his solid foundation is terrifying. As long as he is given a suitable formula, he can figure out its secrets more often than not."
"Furthermore, his own sect lacks additional Golden Core cultivators. In the future, any surplus Tier 3 cultivation pills he refines could form the basis of a steady partnership with our sect."
"Additionally, that Nether-Passage Pill will undoubtedly be of immense use to our sect's Foundation Establishment disciples!"
"In future tasks assigned by the Sword-Wielding Hall, perhaps you could grant him a degree of preferential treatment."
Linghu Jie listened quietly, a hint of softness softening his typically grim face.
"If that is the case, your senior brother shall heed your words, Junior Sister!"
Luo Chen knew nothing of these discussions.
Even if he had, it would have been well within his expectations.
The pills he had displayed spanned from the Qi Refining stage to the Golden Core stage; someone would always have a need for them.
To receive special consideration owing to reputation and skill was only natural!
***
After the guests dispersed and the gathering drew to a close, Luo Chen sat peacefully in his quiet room, taking inventory of the materials for refining the Hunyuan Cauldron inside his storage ring.
The auxiliary materials were fully gathered, enough to guarantee at least twenty refining attempts.
As for the major primary materials, there were enough for over a dozen attempts for some, and six or seven for the scarcer ones.
Only the Fire Spirit Diamonds remained at a count of two.
*If I can gather five, I can take the gamble and enter secluded cultivation to refine my natal magical treasure.*
Such materials ought to have been plentiful in the Jade Cauldron Domain, given the abundance of fire veins there.
Yet Fire Spirit Diamonds were remarkably versatile, used in artifact crafting, puppet making, and array setups alike.
Over the years, they had been harvested to the brink of extinction instead.
It truly was a pity.
*Before then, I should still familiarize myself with basic forging knowledge and the relevant formations!*
Luo Chen opened his attribute panel and stared through the basic Five Elements formations.
Prior to setting out, he had already gained basic proficiency by copying Min Longyu's formations.
From here on, he only needed to mobilize his spiritual power, carve restrictions, combine them into formations, and trace them repeatedly.
He would grind their proficiency to Great Perfection before learning more advanced formations, ultimately mastering the specific formations required to craft the Hunyuan Cauldron.
From simple to complex, deepening step by step until preparations were complete!
***
"Dan Chenzi, it is your turn to patrol this month. This is the defensive line jade slip; take it and memorize it."
"Understood."
Luo Chen took the jade slip from Linghu Jie's hand.
Sending his divine sense into it, he swiftly committed the map inside to memory.
Before he set off, Linghu Jie called out to stop him.
"If you encounter an enemy beyond your strength, activate your identity token. I will lead reinforcements to support you shortly."
Faced with this well-meaning advice, Luo Chen smiled and nodded.
Patrol duty was considered among the safest tasks.
Moreover, as long as Demon Emperor Ao Xiao did not descend in person or a massive demon wolf raid did not break out, he was confident he could handle things with ease.
Others merely assumed he was still that newly ascended Golden Core first-layer cultivator.
Little did they know, he had long reached the second layer of Golden Core.
When Luo Chen emerged, Zeng Yilong and the nine Foundation Establishment True Cultivators of the Luotian Alliance had already been waiting for a long time.
Luo Chen gave a slight smile. "Let us depart!"
***
Patrol duties among cultivators were far lighter than those among mortals; there was no need to march back and forth constantly.
Yet at the same time, it was hardly effortless.
One had to continuously broadcast spiritual perception and divine sense, scanning in all directions.
In addition, one had to use formation tokens to monitor at all times whether any sector's formations were showing signs of assault.
Under such circumstances, it served as a modest test of a cultivator's soul foundation.
Those with shallow foundations often could not endure for long.
Because of this, patrol duties assigned by the Sword-Wielding Hall generally lasted one month.
After a month, the duty rotated to another faction.
Luo Chen led the alliance cultivators to the perimeter of the base camp and commenced patrols according to the standard routine.
As he unleashed his divine sense to sweep the surroundings, three figures had already gathered within the Falling Cloud Sect's quarters.
Linghu Jie, Mu Yunyan, and Master Cheng Yan!
"What a formidable divine sense!"
"Its coverage spans five to six hundred li. Such a soul foundation is almost comparable to a cultivator at the fifth or even sixth layer of Golden Core."
"Did I not speak the truth? Dan Chenzi must have cultivated his soul foundation to the absolute limit of the Foundation Establishment stage by consuming vast quantities of self-refined Nether-Passage Pills back then. Only thus could he possess a divine sense rivaling a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator while still at the first layer."
With the aid of the formation, the three were almost instantly astonished by the divine sense Luo Chen displayed.
After a round of marveling, Linghu Jie said in a deep voice, "No wonder he succeeded on his first try using our sect's Core Formation secret art. With such a foundation, practicing *Locking the Beaded Curtain* must have been like a fish taking to water—Minor Accomplishment within easy reach, and even Great Accomplishment not out of the question."
They did not doubt for a moment that with such a soul foundation, Luo Chen would never have chosen an inferior or even mediocre Core Formation secret art.
He had certainly cultivated the *Locking the Beaded Curtain* released by the Falling Cloud Sect all those years ago!
Of course, had they known that Luo Chen had not only cultivated the technique to Great Accomplishment but had even used it as a foundation to create a supreme Core Formation secret art of his own, their shock would have been beyond measure.
Even so, what he showed now was enough to leave them in awe.
A look of excitement surfaced on Mu Yunyan's delicate face.
"Getting him to surrender the Nether-Passage Pill formula is impossible, but if he can sell us Nether-Passage Pills in bulk, our sect's disciples will be able to practice *Locking the Beaded Curtain* on a large scale. In time, our sect might see over a hundred Golden Cores, perhaps even nurturing one or two more Nascent Soul Zhenren."
Cheng Yan frowned slightly. "Junior Sister Mu, you obtained a bottle of Nether-Passage Pills. Could you not reverse-engineer the exact formula?"
Mu Yunyan gave a wry smile. "How could reverse-engineering a formula be so simple? Moreover, I have conducted numerous experiments over this past month. Even after deducing the corresponding medicinal ingredients, no matter how I adjust the proportions, I cannot achieve the ideal state."
"Forget forming pills—the furnace exploded several times!"
*That difficult?*
Cheng Yan and Linghu Jie looked at each other in surprise.
Deducing the general medicinal ingredients for refining the Nether-Passage Pill was not actually hard.
By investigating the Luotian Sect's herb procurement records to narrow the scope, and pairing that with the Falling Cloud Sect's herbalists alongside Mu Yunyan, a master alchemist, an approximation could gradually be pieced together.
Yet failing with an explosion every single time was truly bizarre.
What they did not know was that Luo Chen's Nether-Passage Pill had originally been an incomplete formula, completed and initiated through the system.
Furthermore, the bottle of Nether-Passage Pills he had traded to Mu Yunyan was Tier 2!
And that Tier 2 formula was something Luo Chen had deduced and improved upon the original foundation.
This meant the formula was effectively locked behind three successive barriers.
The system's completion was the first lock, mastering the craft was the second, and directly deducing the Tier 2 formula was yet a third.
After a long pause, Cheng Yan stroked his beard and said in a grave voice, "If that is the case, there is no need to continue reverse-engineering it and wasting manpower and resources."
Mu Yunyan nodded.
This was the most critical juncture for the Falling Cloud Sect; the sect could not grant her the full support she had once enjoyed.
Manpower and resources had to be spent where they mattered most.
Cheng Yan continued, "Continue to maintain friendly relations with Dan Chenzi. In addition, Junior Brother Linghu."
"Please instruct me, Senior Brother."
"When we attack Mount Jihuang a year from now, the Ao Xiao Wolf Court will likely send beast forces to reinforce it. When the time comes, adjust the Sword-Wielding Hall's assignments to keep the Luotian Alliance stationed at the base camp. Do not send them to the battlefield."
Linghu Jie nodded; this was within his expectations.
Mount Jihuang was the very location of that supreme Tier 3 spirit vein that the five great Golden Core sects had previously failed to conquer.
According to careful investigations, that spirit vein was of exceptionally high quality; if properly nurtured, it might even evolve into a Tier 4 spirit vein!
For a single Howling Moon Mountain Range to have the potential to produce two Tier 4 spirit veins was truly astounding.
This was precisely why five great Golden Core sects had set their sights on the place at the same time back then.
To that end, not only had numerous experts perished, but even the Taihe Sect had been nearly annihilated there.
Linghu Jie hesitated for a moment before asking softly, "Then during the final decisive battle, how should we arrange for Dan Chenzi?"
Cheng Yan frowned, then waved his hand.
"No special arrangements are needed; let things take their course. In certain matters, we cannot be overly partial. When the time comes, I will look out for him as circumstances permit."
"Understood."
***
Luo Chen had realized long ago that once a person achieved success and renown, their environment underwent an earth-shattering transformation.
Wherever one walked, one was treated with courtesy.
Every face met was adorned with a smile.
Even now, stationed on the frontline battlefield that made so many turn pale at the mere mention, his treatment remained extraordinarily favorable.
Following that patrol duty a month ago, his side was not assigned a single genuinely perilous task for the next several months.
At most, a Foundation Establishment cultivator or two would be dispatched to deliver messages.
He himself never needed to move.
In contrast, the tasks received by cultivators from other sects within the Sword-Wielding Hall were far more dangerous.
Interception of demon beasts, scouting intelligence, mediating sect disputes...
From time to time, he would see cultivators of the Sword-Wielding Hall returning stained with blood.
Regarding this state of affairs, Luo Chen raised no objections and welcomed it with open arms.
Quietly copying formations in his immortal's cave, grinding his proficiency, meditating daily, and watching his cultivation rise steadily was thoroughly delightful.
Occasionally, he would take time to visit Mu Yunyan to exchange insights on alchemy.
After a few exchanges, he brought out the Scale Turning Hand to trade for her alchemy technique, the Burning Crane Hand, enriching his foundational repertoire.
When he grew utterly bored, he would pull out the massive stock of herbs stored in his ring to refine pills.
To that end, he refined large batches of superior and supreme-grade Jade Dew Pills for Huiniang and Caiyi, enough to last them until Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.
After sending people to deliver the pills back, Luo Chen found himself with time on his hands again, so he began collecting intact Tier 2 demon beast carcasses around the base camp.
He wanted to grind the Tier 2 pill, Emperor's Flowing Syrup, to Great Perfection as well.
Otherwise, every time he opened the attribute panel, seeing that solitary Tier 2 category hanging there felt truly an eyesore.
Time flowed slowly by.
One year later.
Luo Chen arrived once more at the headquarters of the Sword-Wielding Hall.
"Patrol duty again?"
"Indeed. Does Fellow Daoist dislike it?" Linghu Jie asked.
Luo Chen gave a faint smile. "How could I dislike it? Peace and quiet are precisely what I desire."
Linghu Jie nodded, then suddenly called out to him just as Luo Chen turned to leave.
"There may be major movements in the near future, leaving the base camp relatively hollow. You must stay vigilant on your patrol."
Luo Chen paused.
Suddenly, he realized what the "major movements" referred to.
Attacking Mount Jihuang to cut down the final gateway protecting the Ao Xiao Wolf Court.
If so, the final battle was likely not far off!
Taking a deep breath, he said, "Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist."
Linghu Jie nodded gently. It was enough that the other man understood the goodwill he had extended.
Relationships were built in just such a manner.
***
It unfolded almost exactly as Luo Chen had anticipated.
Five days after he accepted his second patrol assignment, movement stirred among the human allied forces.
Led by the great Golden Core sect Star Moon Hall, an alliance of seven large and small Golden Core sects—including the Fierce Sun Sect and the Lotus Flower Palace—launched another assault on the territory of Mount Jihuang.
Luo Chen had caught wind of the finer details.
If Mount Jihuang fell, the region would be jointly governed by two sects.
With the seven sects making their move, the Sword-Wielding Hall also stood ready.
Three days after the great battle commenced, a bell tolled within the Sword-Wielding Hall.
Over a hundred streaks of light soared forth in unison.
Standing atop a small hill, Luo Chen raised his head to watch the spectacle, knowing the Ao Xiao Wolf Court had likely deployed its forces as well.
He looked down at Zeng Yilong standing below, who wore a look of regret upon his face.
Luo Chen could not help but smile. "What, wishing you could go?"
Zeng Yilong scratched his head. "Yes, Martial Uncle. Didn't you say you brought me out this time to test my blade? Aside from sparring with peers in the camp, I haven't seen a single real battle. How does this count as testing my blade?"
Luo Chen pursed his lips in a smile. "It might sound contradictory, but I must still say: meaningless battles are unnecessary. If you wish to test your blade, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. There is no need to rush."
"Is that so?" Zeng Yilong nodded, engraving the instruction in his heart.
Seeing his receptive attitude, Luo Chen felt deeply gratified.
If Zeng Wen were still alive and saw his son grow to such a level, he would surely be overjoyed!
Yet what Luo Chen had not anticipated was that his words would become an immediate prophecy.
The chance to test the blade came far too quickly!
As night descended low and heavy, Luo Chen's expression shifted slightly, and he retrieved his identity token.
"Enemy raid!"
"Beast numbers in the tens of thousands! No fewer than twenty Tier 3 Demon King-level entities!"
His formidable divine sense had allowed him to detect the charge of ten thousand wolves hundreds of li away.
Almost the instant he sounded the alarm, beams of formation light flared to life across the base camp.
Atop Qianye Peak, monstrous puppets radiating powerful auras strode forth.
At that very moment, a beam of golden light slashed down thunderously from the highest heavens!
Beholding that golden radiance resembling a crescent moon, Luo Chen's face paled drastically.
"Tier 4 Demon Emperor!"
Atop Qianye Peak, a resonant, commanding voice rang out clearly across the land:
"Fellow Daoist Ao Xiao, arriving uninvited is hardly the way of a proper guest!"
Faster than the voice was a streak of black radiance surging up from the earth.
Gold and black collided in a flash.
In an instant, the winds and clouds roiled, and heaven and earth trembled.
Centered on Qianye Peak, the surrounding thousand li shuddered violently in unison.
The earth overturned, formations shattered, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth turned utterly chaotic, while Qianye Peak, which pierced into the clouds, was sheared down by over a hundred zhang.
A lone figure stood beneath the bright moon, looking down coldly at the Nascent Soul Zhenren upon Qianye Peak.
"You are the unwelcome guests!"
Chapter 501