A Commoner Is Guiltless, Yet Bearing Jade Makes Him Culpable

Blood Nightmare Moluo! The present master of the Moluo Stream, a premier demonic faction in the Northern Sea! Even if only in name. Many high-level cultivators were well aware that the Moluo Stream was an alliance formed by twelve Nascent Soul True Monarchs, rather than an inheritance-based sect in the strict sense. Most of them were early Nascent Soul cultivators, though a grand cultivator at late Nascent Soul presided over it as well. The faction had taken Blood Nightmare Moluo's name and outwardly acknowledged him as their chieftain merely to borrow his prestige as an initiate of the Yuan Demon Sect. With that banner, this rising force that had sprung up over the past century could participate legitimately in the struggle over various cultivation resources across the Northern Sea. After all, prior to the downfall of the Yuan Demon Sect, the entire human cultivation world of the Northern Sea had been under its dominion. Of course, if ordinary folk took Blood Nightmare Moluo for a puppet, they were sorely mistaken. Who among those capable of attaining the Nascent Soul realm was not exceptionally gifted and resolute of Dao heart, having reached that stage only after braving a thousand trials and ten thousand tribulations? At the very least, Luo Chen would not look down on Blood Nightmare Moluo in the slightest merely because of those rumors. Toward Nascent Soul True Monarchs, Luo Chen had always maintained deep reverent caution. For across his entire journey, not one of the Nascent Soul True Monarchs he had known was someone to be trifled with. Even under the hand of the peerless Demon Empress Qingshuang, the five True Monarchs who had appeared so fragile each possessed their own formidable underpinnings. Heqingzi went without saying. That Perfected Yunhe had been able to subdue Heqingzi while still at the Core Formation stage—regardless of what secrets lay behind it—was proof enough of his ability. Moreover, he had even received permission from the Hehuan Sect to depart the sect and establish an independent faction. Perfected Jade Cauldron, a mighty figure of the sword Dao, had faced Empress Qingshuang at merely the early Nascent Soul realm, and she had pursued him for tens of thousands of li before finally managing to strike him down. Tianyezi was an artisan talent, yet his combat prowess was likewise not to be underestimated in the slightest. Even without a single magic treasure and facing overwhelming odds, his direct clash against the Thunder Prison Divine Peng had nearly allowed him to carve a bloody path out. Lastly, there was Han Zhan. Among the five great True Monarchs in the Howling Moon Mountain Range's opening war, he had possessed the lowest cultivation realm and the shortest time of cultivation. Yet across multiple battles, his methods had been endlessly varied, and he was by no means someone an ordinary Core Formation cultivator could take lightly. Beyond raw martial strength, the cunning calculations of these True Monarchs fully lived up to the centuries-long lifespans they had spent cultivating. During his time on Mount Cangwu, he had keenly felt the deep scheming of both Tianyezi and Han Zhan. The former had exploited his natal magic treasure to snatch a glimmer of survival, and though he ultimately failed, it still commanded awe. The latter was shrewd and calculating; his technique of faking death to extend his life had fooled even the Thunder Prison Divine Peng, an entire minor realm above him, and he had repeatedly concealed his true strength. One could say that among the five great True Monarchs of that time, aside from Heqingzi who had surrendered outright, Han Zhan—the weakest among them—had instead become the sole survivor to escape Mount Cangwu with his life intact! Even now, Luo Chen maintained a measure of vigilance toward him. And all of this was merely what Luo Chen understood on the surface. How they calculated in private and what manner of conduct they favored remained entirely unknown. Having lived through such experiences, how could Luo Chen dare indulge in wild presumptions about experts an entire realm above him, as ignorant low-level cultivators did? Therefore, upon learning that Blood Nightmare Moluo had actually paid a personal visit to his doors, Luo Chen was thoroughly astonished. He immediately pressed Cheng Haixin for the details of that encounter. Yet the woman looked rather helpless; Blood Nightmare Moluo had arrived out of the blue, and upon finding Luo Chen absent, he had departed just as cleanly. "Perhaps True Monarch Blood Nightmare crossed paths with a surviving sect brother and came calling out of sheer joy?" Cheng Haixin said in a meek, cautious whisper, watching Luo Chen carefully. A sect brother? Luo Chen frowned. Could it be because of the Yuan Demon Sect identity he had deliberately feigned? If that were truly the case, it made a modicum of sense. After Wu Qi had departed all those years ago, Luo Chen had sent people out specifically to gather intelligence on the deeds of Blood Nightmare Moluo. As a Soul Formation sacred ground, the Yuan Demon Sect's lineage had run deep and far, internally divided into three branches: the Soul Refining branch, the Blood God branch, and the Yuan Demon branch. Blood Nightmare Moluo had been a standout talent of the Blood God branch. Because he had governed an outside territory as an elder, he had managed to evade the calamity that destroyed the Yuan Demon Sect. The man was gentle in temperament and treated his subordinates exceedingly well. After the Yuan Demon Sect's destruction, he had exerted every effort to gather the sect's exiled disciples, seeking to restore its past glory. Over the years, many fleeing Yuan Demon Sect members had voluntarily cast their lots under his banner. It was precisely because of this that among the twelve Stream Masters of the Moluo Stream, his faction's strength was not weak in the least, second only to that late Nascent Soul grand cultivator behind the scenes. Talk of him being a puppet was nothing more than empty gossip in the eyes of discerning minds. Back when Luo Chen had stood before Wu Qi at early Core Formation, the combat strength he displayed was not inferior to Wu Qi's in the least, fully matching the caliber of a direct disciple from a Soul Formation sacred ground. Coupled with the Soul Refining Banner, it was no surprise that Wu Qi had taken him for a disciple of the Yuan Demon Sect's Soul Refining branch. Of course, Luo Chen had never verbally acknowledged that identity! *That is one aspect, but on the other hand, it is very likely he took an interest in my status as an alchemy master as well!* When Wu Qi had set foot on the island back then, he had caught the lingering pill fragrance from Luo Chen refining a peerless True Flame Pill. An existence capable of refining Tier 3 peerless pills was among the most exceptional talents not only in the Northern Sea, but across the five continents of the entire Mountain Sea Realm. Had Wu Qi not mentioned that a certain Nascent Soul True Monarch among the twelve Stream Masters, skilled in alchemy, had only managed to refine a high-grade Tier 3 pill by sheer luck? Seen in this light, even if Luo Chen were not a disciple of the Yuan Demon Sect, he was worth a personal trip from Blood Nightmare Moluo. *Perhaps he had done more than merely pay a visit.* With a shift of thought, a medallion appeared in his hand. It was none other than the Blood Nightmare Token! As his divine sense washed over it, he felt a streak of blood light rippling through, as though alive. Han Zhan's divine sense transmitted into his ear: "Someone indeed activated this medallion. However, before we departed, I used a secret art to mask it, so they failed to trace your location through it." Luo Chen gave a slight nod. That was good news. At the very least, he had ample breathing room before meeting Blood Nightmare Moluo. "Do you plan to meet him?" Han Zhan asked. In Cheng Haixin's account of Blood Nightmare Moluo's visit, she had mentioned the message he left behind: an invitation to meet Luo Chen in Feileng City. Counting the days, it coincided precisely with the ten-year mark Wu Qi had spoken of. Luo Chen pondered for a moment before replying in a subdued voice, "We shall see how things unfold." Han Zhan chuckled softly. "You lad, you truly have no fear of dealing with higher-realm cultivators, do you?" The corner of Luo Chen's mouth twitched. He truly did not fear it that much. Along his journey, he had never lacked companions whose cultivation surpassed his own. While such interactions were somewhat oppressive, as long as one grasped the proper balance, one would not only avoid harm, but reap endless benefits! So long as he did nothing to provoke them directly, an artisan talent like him would be welcomed with open arms wherever he went. Or rather, many artisan talents proficient in pill crafting and talisman drawing ought to rely on great factions to begin with. In contrast, hunting overseas all by his lonesome as he had done before made him the outlier. Seeing Luo Chen's nonchalant demeanor, Han Zhan suddenly warned, "Demonic experts differ from the orthodox cultivators back in the Eastern Desolation. Their tempers are mercurial, and their conduct is deceitful and unpredictable. If he harbors ill intent toward you, I may not be able to protect you." Luo Chen was taken aback. The undertone of Han Zhan's words suggested he did not want Luo Chen to make contact with Blood Nightmare Moluo! Somewhat puzzled, Luo Chen assumed the other man was merely worried for his safety. Yet from those words, Luo Chen also gleaned another piece of information. Han Zhan possessed hidden trump cards that had allowed him to casually speak of being able to "protect him." Not necessarily able meant there was still a distinct possibility! The corner of Luo Chen's mouth curved upward slightly. Rather than prying further, he drew back his attention and inquired of Cheng Haixin about the other events that had transpired in the Flying Swallow Archipelago during his absence. Cheng Haixin recounted the details thoroughly, narrating them one by one. The gathering of medicinal herbs had indeed continued. Yet evidently, the longer Luo Chen remained away, the fewer herbs were collected. This meant the other clans were growing slack. This had been well within expectations, and Luo Chen was not surprised. After all, a Core Formation secret method was far from enough to make every cultivator bankrupt themselves. Smaller clans in particular, possessing merely one or two early or mid Foundation Establishment cultivators, had not reached the point of losing their heads over Core Formation. Cheng Haixin had overstated the matter somewhat. Judging by the undertones in her words, it likely stemmed from the Cheng clan's threatened standing, which caused her to target the other clans deliberately. Seeing Luo Chen's lack of concern, Cheng Haixin felt a sinking in her heart, and the sorrow upon her face deepened. "My elder brother... failed his attempt to break through to Core Formation." Luo Chen paused. Had that ambitious man failed to form his core? This came as a bit of a surprise. Not the failure itself, but that he had truly been in such a rush to attempt Core Formation. Counting the years, it had only been a few years since he obtained the *Qingyang Pill Canon*. Having cultivated it to the minor accomplishment stage at best, rushing into Core Formation so hastily made failure all but inevitable. After all, the barrier of Core Formation was exceedingly difficult to breach. Among the Foundation Establishment peers Luo Chen had known in the past, whether it was the rogue cultivator Chu Kui who had schemed for years or the sect true disciple Tantai Jin, both had fallen short at the threshold of Core Formation. Chu Kui had suffered a regression in realm, while Tantai Jin had perished in death-seclusion. Cheng Dou's foundation was inferior to that of Chu Kui and Tantai Jin; his failure was only natural. Luo Chen merely offered softly, "My condolences." Cheng Haixin's lips twitched as she forced a bitter smile. "Life and death are decreed by fate. Perhaps my elder brother was destined never to attain the Great Dao; no one else is to blame." When a person died, their Dao was extinguished; no matter how grand the ambition or how vast the schemes, everything became a thing of the past. Luo Chen hummed in acknowledgment and casually asked who now headed the Cheng clan of Black Swan Island, receiving the answer that it was Cheng Haixin. However, the elderly Cheng Ji managed the mundane affairs, while Cheng Haixin merely bore the title of clan head. "This way, it will also be convenient for this concubine to serve you, My Lord," Cheng Haixin said with her head lowered, expressing her loyalty. Luo Chen scrutinized her with a playful look. In this atmosphere, her tall, slender figure appeared rather pitiful and delicate. Had taking charge taught her just how dear the daily necessities were? Was that why her words and deeds were far more deferential than before? She had learned to flatter him and speak pleasing words. Luo Chen chuckled softly and waved a hand. "You may withdraw for now. After traveling such a long distance, I need to rest." Cheng Haixin lifted her head, hesitated as though wanting to speak, and ultimately bowed her head to withdraw from the main hall. After she left, Han Zhan's voice echoed through the hall. "You have always been generous. Now that she has played the pity card, aren't you going to offer a few benefits?" "Heh, have I offered few benefits?" "Fair enough. Allowing her to reach the fifth level of Foundation Establishment in merely a dozen-odd years and granting her a suitable water-attribute magic treasure—even the treatment of a direct disciple in a great sect is scarcely better." "Indeed, the benefits I have given are already more than enough. If I give any more, she will not be able to digest them herself. A commoner is guiltless, yet bearing jade makes him culpable; too many benefits will only invite calamity upon her." At this point, the tone in the hall paused. After a long while, a faint, sighing breath emerged. "After all, resources in this region are far too sparse. In the end, I must leave." *** Upon returning to the Flying Swallow Archipelago, Luo Chen rested for a full half-month before recovering his bearings. During this half-month, he first slept for two days, restoring his vigor to the fullest. Then, he began to heal his wounds! Though that sudden battle with Jin'ao had inflicted only flesh wounds, the long journey had left him no time to tend to them properly, forcing him to rely entirely on his robust vitality for natural recovery. Now that he had leisure, Luo Chen brought both his medical arts and spirit pills to bear, restoring himself completely in merely half a month. Such swift recovery astonished even Han Zhan. Yet what Han Zhan did not know was that Luo Chen's physique was not merely domineering on the surface; internally, having refined numerous demon beasts with the Wither-Bloom Fire, it possessed immense vitality. Even if he could not yet regenerate from a single drop of blood or regrow severed limbs at will, he far surpassed ordinary body cultivators. The injuries inflicted by a peak Tier 3 Great Demon King amounted to little in the end. Once his wounds healed, Luo Chen resumed his regular cultivation. His advancement to the fourth level of Core Formation and his step into the middle stage had occurred barely a year ago. Yet over that year, because of gathering the Tier 3 Demon Crab Kings, he had not cultivated diligently; the circumstances had been complicated, and there had been no suitable Tier 3 spirit land. Now that he had quieted down, how could he let his time lie idle? Inside the cultivation chamber. Clad in a loose white Daoist robe, Luo Chen sat in the lotus position with his five centers facing heaven. His hands formed opposing spirit incantations, his lips parting and closing. Surges of "rushing" spiritual energy flowed from without into his body, transforming through the circulation of the *Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture* into absolutely pure fire-attribute dharmic powers. Within his Qi sea, the scarlet gold core spun merrily. A small cauldron rested beneath it, unmoving as a mountain. A pair of wings, like a bird, flew freely and joyously through the sea of Qi. Nurtured by Luo Chen's vigorous dharmic powers over more than twenty years of refining, the Poyue Wings had long shed their impurities; not only had their quality stabilized at the low grade, but they even showed faint signs of advancing in grade. If they truly managed to advance, it would be yet another boon for Luo Chen. That would mean his flight speed would experience an immense boost. Originally, flying at full power, even a late Tier 3 Great Demon King was no match for him; if his speed rose again, even human cultivators at late Core Formation would not be able to catch his tailwinds. Of course, these were merely secondary pursuits. The most essential aspect remained his personal cultivation. "Phoo..." A white dragon of breath drifted from Luo Chen's lips. Releasing his spirit seals, he slowly opened his eyes. A trace of dissatisfaction showed upon his face. For someone who had tasted a peak Tier 3 spirit vein, this vein on Yaoyue Island, which barely reached low Tier 3, was truly somewhat pitiful. What others considered a rushing concentration of spiritual energy felt to him like "difficult breathing"! Cultivators followed the four pillars: wealth, companions, methods, and land. He possessed a supreme cultivation method, had a fine teacher like Han Zhan by his side, and possessed a vast hoard of high-grade True Flame Pills he had refined himself; one could say his cultivation conditions were nearly maxed out. Yet "nearly" meant something was missing. The deficiency lay in the "land." What was the immortality sought by cultivators? Deconstructed, the character for immortal was simply a person beside a mountain. The mountain was the spirit land. Yet among the four essentials, he was lacking the most crucial: the spirit land. One had to admit it was a great regret. "Under my current conditions, cultivating to the fifth level will take at least twenty years," Luo Chen murmured. Twenty years would have been an unimaginable speed to the Luo Chen who had just formed his core. One must remember that consolidating his realm alone had consumed ten years. Yet now, Luo Chen felt dissatisfied. The *Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture* allowed him to specialize in the fire Dao, granting him cultivation speed comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root. Yet Heavenly Spirit Root cultivators were said to achieve Foundation Establishment in ten years, Core Formation in a hundred, and Nascent Soul in two hundred. If he had to spend twenty years on the fourth level of Core Formation alone, how many years would the subsequent, increasingly difficult minor realms demand? Thirty? Forty? Fifty? Or a full hundred years? If every minor realm consumed vast amounts of time, would all his efforts not be in vain? Even if he could cultivate to core completion before his lifespan expired, what of forming his nascent soul? Luo Chen had always been accustomed to preparing for a rainy day, thinking ahead before taking action. Even back at mid Foundation Establishment, he had already been scheming for resources to form his core. He had no desire to wait until core completion to scour the ends of the earth in bitter search of a method to form a nascent soul. Therefore, certain matters had to be pursued in advance. And to accomplish those tasks, he naturally had to squeeze out more time outside his cultivation. "Leaving the Flying Swallow Archipelago has become an imperative." "Not only for a better Tier 3 spirit land, but for pills as well! I have long been capable of refining peerless True Flame Pills, yet I am still restricted to taking high-grade True Flame Pills simply because the impoverished resources here constrain me." The Flying Swallow Archipelago offered an easy, peaceful cultivation environment, but it clearly failed to meet Luo Chen's needs. Even the Luotian Sect spirit land he had built with his own hands in the Howling Moon Mountain Range back then possessed a spiritual environment approaching mid Tier 3, to say nothing of the mere Flying Swallow Archipelago. Still, before leaving, certain preparations remained necessary. For an alchemist, the preparations required for a long journey naturally consisted of pills. In particular, since he would very likely be dealing with Core Formation cultivators as an alchemy master, preparing pills in advance to demonstrate his alchemy arts was exceedingly necessary. And so... After Luo Chen emerged from seclusion, Yaoyue Island, quiet for so long, once again plunged into bustling alchemy work. And this time, the pills Luo Chen refined were no longer confined to True Flame Pills alone. Emperor's Flowing Syrup, Jade Dew Pills, Nether-Passage Pills, Black Emperor Paste... and Starry Sky Pills! Even if it exhausted the full strength of the Flying Swallow Archipelago, Luo Chen intended to refine large batches of various pills to firmly cement his identity as a pinnacle alchemy master!