Luo Chen's excitement was well-founded.
Throughout his journey, he had created a cultivation technique and a secret art of his own.
They were *Convergence of Myriad Paths* and *Micromote Origin Art*, respectively.
Yet the former had not truly been his own accomplishment.
It had been obtained by expending a vast number of achievement points, using the system to forcibly complete the *Heavenly Roc Transformation*.
All he had provided was an extensive accumulation of material.
To make a vivid analogy, it was as if he had gathered numerous essay fragments and submitted them to an AI; after paying a fee, the AI had helped fill in the blanks and generated the latter half of the incomplete text.
Anyone else could have achieved the same with a little diligence.
One could say that creating *Convergence of Myriad Paths* was not something particularly worth boasting about for him.
Even *Micromote Origin Art* was much the same.
Although he had not used the system to deduce *Micromote Origin Art*, the five core condensation secret arts that composed it were each complete in their own right, and each offered a path to the Golden Core Great Dao.
Luo Chen had merely practiced all five secret arts to perfection through firsthand experience and then synthesized them into the *Micromote Origin Art*.
This belonged to the category of doing it first and summarizing it afterward.
Among ordinary Golden Core cultivators, he might be considered an exceptional talent, but in the end, it was merely a "minor art."
It was far from the work of a grandmaster capable of founding a sect and writing timeless scriptures.
His smug satisfaction back then seemed rather comical in hindsight.
Only now!
Only by creating a demonic cultivation technique of his own could Luo Chen truly take pride in himself!
He was not of the demon race; among the many techniques and secret arts he had studied, only one involved a demon-like transformation.
Under such circumstances, drawing upon the strengths of diverse schools, comprehending the transformation of forces, and creating a demonic cultivation technique entirely through his own intellect and insight without relying on the system in the slightest—
How could he not be proud?
Such a feat was something ordinary Golden Core cultivators could never dream of, and even some Nascent Soul Perfected Persons would likely find it beyond their reach.
One could glimpse this plainly from Han Zhan's astonished, shaken tone!
"What a pity it isn't a human cultivation technique. Otherwise, with this technique alone paired with my core condensation secret art, *Micromote Origin Art*, it would be enough to establish a lineage and pass down my heritage."
Amid his pride, Luo Chen could not help feeling a twinge of regret.
Back in the Eastern Desolation, he had also founded a sect.
Yet within the Luotian Sect, there was only the *Micromote Origin Art* he had left behind, with no core legacy cultivation technique created by his own hand.
The techniques practiced by the disciples and members had all been gathered from outside sources and could hardly be considered true secret transmissions of the sect.
Even *Convergence of Myriad Paths* was merely a body-refinement technique—and not a traditional one at that, but rather one focused purely on tempering the physical body, which even Wang Yuan had merely used for reference rather than actually cultivating.
One could say that his supposed founding of a sect had been incomplete; at best, it was merely an alternative version of the Yan Alliance.
At this moment, the noise and clamor from the outside world seemed to fade away.
Upon learning that Luo Chen had truly created a cultivation method for her, Tianxuan covered her mouth, overwhelmed with excitement.
*Thump.*
The woman knelt on the floor and cried out in agitation, "Thank you, Master! Tianxuan will never forget this as long as she lives!"
Luo Chen smiled breezily. "It is just a minor matter. No need to dwell on it."
Though he said this, the magnitude of the favor was beyond words.
After all, ordinary demon beasts generally possessed no cultivation techniques. Most relied on instinct to absorb heaven-and-earth spiritual energy, slowly accumulating their realms year after year through sheer time.
Only great demons blessed with bloodline inheritances would occasionally awaken one or two cultivation methods upon reaching a certain realm.
Of the two spirit beasts under Luo Chen's command:
After consuming vast quantities of top-grade Emperor Flowing Liquid, the Black King had been fortunate enough to receive a bloodline inheritance, yet it remained obscure.
Aside from a firmer foundation, Tianxuan had undergone virtually no changes.
Now that Luo Chen had bestowed a technique upon her, it was no different from remaking her existence—a bestowal equal to a bloodline gift.
Her cry of "Master" came straight from the heart.
Seeing master and servant playing off each other like this, Han Zhan spoke up with some resentment from the side.
"Why did you burn it so quickly? You could have at least let me look at it first!"
Luo Chen waved his hand. "The original draft was too rough; several details still require fine-tuning. Once it has been polished, Senior may certainly read it. After all, Senior contributed greatly to the creation of this technique."
Han Zhan asked curiously, "It still needs fine-tuning?"
Luo Chen nodded. "Indeed. The transformation method at the very end was adapted by drawing upon the formula of the Transformation Pill. While it can be practiced, there are still flaws."
Tianxuan stood up, puzzled. "Master, I have already taken human form. Why do I still need to cultivate a transformation method?"
Luo Chen pondered for a moment before speaking deliberately: "In my understanding, the Transformation Lightning Tribulation is both a catastrophe and a divine fortune. By braving the tribulation, a demon beast not only gains the ability to shrink and expand its body at will, but its divine soul is also tempered. This transforms the sheer advantage of long years of cultivation into pure, condensed essence, thereby bridging the divine soul gap with human immortal cultivators. Therefore, you still need to cultivate the transformation method, face the lightning tribulation of heaven and earth, and complete this final step."
Tianxuan listened, half-understanding.
Han Zhan, however, looked thoughtful.
Normal demon beasts lived and cultivated for far longer than immortal cultivators.
Reason dictated that their divine soul foundations should also be far stronger than those of immortal cultivators.
Yet in reality, below the Nascent Soul realm, the divine soul foundation of an immortal cultivator completely crushed a demon beast of the same rank.
The difference lay in the contrast between quality and quantity.
The Transformation Lightning Tribulation was the Heavenly Dao's way of rectifying this shortcoming for demon cultivators.
To think that Luo Chen had actually realized this.
He, on the other hand, had only realized it in retrospect.
Han Zhan sighed with feeling. "It seems you have gained quite a bit from creating this technique!"
A smile tugged at the corner of Luo Chen's mouth. "A modest gain, merely a modest gain."
Though his words were modest, he was already overjoyed inside.
Give him a little more time to let these insights settle, and he would be able to convert these gains into tangible, practical strength.
In this way, these seven months of effort had not been in vain!
Through the window, a thousand sails lowered as hundreds of vessels converged.
The man stretched lazily.
"Let's go. It's time to set foot on Lengguang Island and head to Feileng City."
With a casual flick of his hand, he cast a Cleansing Art, erasing all traces and aura connected to himself within the cabin. Dressed in black robes, the man wrapped the Soul Refining Banner in white cloth, slung it across his back, and calmly stepped out of the cabin.
Tianxuan followed closely behind, eyes filled with adoration, keeping step with his every stride.
...
Their footsteps halted at the edge of the deck.
Leading Tianxuan, Luo Chen concealed himself behind the crowd, quietly watching the scene unfolding on the docks.
It was Wu Qi!
Leading a group of men, he had deliberately stationed himself at the dock to welcome someone.
No one knew where he had obtained the news, but by sheer coincidence, he had staked out the Bai clan's merchant vessel.
Unfortunately, after such grand preparations, the person they met was not the one they were looking for!
He Yuan had not noticed at first.
Though initially somewhat surprised, upon seeing Wu Qi—a capable right-hand man under Blood Nightmare Moluo—leading men to welcome him, he assumed the other party had learned of his arrival.
After all, throughout the journey, he had hardly restrained his aura.
Anyone paying a little attention could have traced his movements.
He had also used this very method to signal to Blood Nightmare Moluo that he, a direct descendant of the Yuan Demon Sect's Yuan Demon Lineage, had arrived!
Such a reception was only natural.
In fact, he even felt that this welcoming lineup was not grand enough.
A mere three Golden Core cultivators and a dozen or so Foundation Establishment True Cultivators—such an entourage was truly rather shabby.
Back when the Yuan Demon Sect still stood, true disciples of the three main lineages would travel with swarms of followers. When venturing forth, they could often command multiple peers of equal rank, and those who were especially valued would even have branch-lineage Perfected Persons accompanying them as Dao Protectors.
He Yuan comforted himself in his heart: *Times have changed; I must get used to it. Once the Demonic Sect is restored in the future, such pomp and glory will be easily within reach.*
However!
When his gaze met Wu Qi's suspicious, wavering appraisal and the divine sense scanning brazenly back and forth over him, he finally realized something was amiss!
The two early Golden Core cultivators beside Wu Qi had never seen the real person's face.
They only knew they were here today to welcome an exceptionally formidable alchemist. Having good relations with Wu Qi, they had seized this opportunity to make his acquaintance beforehand and familiarize themselves with his face, making it easier to request pills in the future.
Seeing the man disembark with an overpowering aura and an arrogant, unruly look in his eyes, he truly seemed to possess the demeanor of a sacred ground's scion.
They naturally assumed they had received the right person.
Though puzzled as to why Wu Qi hesitated to step forward, they could not resist speaking up first.
"You must be Demonic Lord Qingyang!"
"Long have we heard of your renowned name! Truly an honor!"
The moment the two spoke, Wu Qi's expression shifted slightly, sensing trouble.
He hurriedly opened his mouth: "Fellow Daoists, don't—"
Yet it was already too late.
Flanked by the crowd, He Yuan's anger flared, his spiritual pressure erupting. "What Demonic Lord Qingyang! I am He Yuanzi, direct descendant of the Yuan Demon! Tell Blood Nightmare Moluo to come see me!"
The formidable spiritual pressure of a Golden Core surged forward head-on, instantly forcing the two Golden Core Masters who had hoped to curry favor into an awkward retreat.
The surrounding onlookers also showed stunned, shocked expressions.
They were stunned by his sudden outburst, but shocked that he dared to address Perfected Person Blood Nightmare so directly—and with such an imperious tone, no less.
Blood Nightmare Moluo was the master of the Moluo Stream!
A dignified Nascent Soul Perfected Person could hardly be ordered about like this.
If word of this spread, how could their Moluo Stream maintain a foothold in the Northern Sea cultivation world?
Yet before anyone else could speak, Wu Qi's pupils contracted.
Beneath the formidable spiritual pressure on He Yuan's body, he saw profound, pitch-black fluctuations of magic power.
That was demonic qi!
Pure demonic qi!
Connecting this with the intelligence he had gathered earlier, realization struck him in a flash.
Shoving his two friends aside, he braced himself against He Yuan's spiritual pressure and stepped forward.
As he walked, his lips moved, yet no sound came forth.
Hearing his voice transmission, the furious He Yuan raised an eyebrow.
Then, he gave a cold snort.
"I have pressing matters at hand and will not squabble with you lot. But this offense, this master shall remember."
"Hmph!"
With a heavy snort of displeasure, he strode forward.
Wu Qi, who stood in front, hurried to clear the way and directed the crowd to follow closely behind He Yuan.
The two slightly pale Golden Core cultivators drew near, wanting an explanation.
Wu Qi shook his head, merely signaling for them to keep up.
Before departing, Wu Qi cast a regretful glance back at the Bai clan's merchant vessel, but in the end failed to spot the figure he had hoped to see.
...
Aboard the Bai clan merchant vessel, the lively atmosphere had turned somewhat stifled following this farce.
Once the parties involved had departed, hushed buzzing broke out again, like a swarm of mosquitoes.
"Here I thought Master He Yuan was receiving a grand reception from the Moluo Stream; turns out it was all a mix-up."
"Just who is this Demonic Lord Qingyang? To think Wu Qi of Wushen Island would personally lead people to welcome him. Why have I never heard of such a figure before?"
"The name actually sounds somewhat familiar, as if I've heard it somewhere."
"Regardless of that, Master He Yuan hasn't even entered the Moluo Stream yet and has already had such an unpleasant clash with their Golden Core cultivators. I fear Fellow Daoist Chen and the others who followed him won't be having an easy time either!"
"I see it differently. Master He Yuan possesses immense strength; merely by displaying his cultivation, he left two peers of the same realm gasping for breath. In his speech, he showed no deference even toward Blood Nightmare Moluo, a Nascent Soul Perfected Person. His status must be extraordinarily noble. Fellow Daoist Chen and the others have likely latched onto a powerful backer!"
"Enough, enough, let's not talk about that for now. Take an inventory of the cargo on board and prepare to trade on the island. Also, inform the other passengers... Huh? Where did Fellow Daoist Luo Hai go?"
Bai Xiang swept his spiritual sense across the ship, but Luo Hai was nowhere to be seen.
Someone nearby remarked offhandedly, "Perhaps he slipped off the ship during the commotion earlier!"
Bai Xiang furrowed his brows. That Luo Hai was truly eccentric.
He had clearly seemed worldly-wise and adept in negotiation, yet after boarding, he had acted rather peculiar, and now, upon reaching Lengguang Island, he had departed without even saying goodbye.
After pondering for a while, Bai Xiang shook his head helplessly.
"Perhaps my judgment was off. He might just be a fledgling who learned some social graces from his family elders, which is why he handles some matters well while being reckless in others. Still, with all the tangled factions on Lengguang Island, traveling alone and without backing... if he offends someone he shouldn't, he can only pray for good fortune."
...
The "fledgling Luo Hai" in Bai Xiang's words was currently walking upon Lengguang Island.
Stepping onto solid ground, the drifting, untethered sensation from the ship instantly dissipated.
Luo Chen cast his gaze in all directions, taking in the local customs and sights.
Buildings weathered by sea winds, clothing styles vastly different from those of the Eastern Desolation, speech carrying a slight accent...
All of these were mere superficialities!
In reality, he was having a lively exchange with Han Zhan via divine sense transmission.
"Just as you thought, the Moluo Stream pays quite a bit of attention to you. Someone was already waiting before you even arrived."
"Heh, it just so happened that He Yuan served as a convenient smokescreen, saving me from immediately falling into their sights."
"It seems they value you greatly. Why go through all these twists and turns?"
"Before I thoroughly understand what kind of person Blood Nightmare Moluo is, I wouldn't dare make contact with him."
At this point, Luo Chen's footsteps slowed slightly.
"It is quite strange. On what basis does He Yuan, a mere Golden Core Perfected Person, speak so insolently toward Blood Nightmare Moluo, a Nascent Soul Perfected Person? This practically defies my prior impression that strength is revered and realm is supreme in the cultivation world."
Han Zhan gave a soft chuckle. "Does it truly defy it? Think about it carefully!"
Luo Chen furrowed his brows slightly. Thoughts swirled in his mind until an image suddenly surfaced.
It was the first time Tao Wan had come to Tianlan Immortal City after seizing the Dao Seed position and becoming the Dao Child of Azure Pill Valley.
He remembered clearly that back then, Tao Wan had merely been in the Foundation Establishment realm, yet she was accompanied by a Golden Core Perfected Person who was visibly under her command.
Luo Chen grew pensive.
Han Zhan said leisurely, "It seems you've figured it out. Though you established a Golden Core sect previously, you did not originate from a proper, orthodox sect after all, and there are aspects of major sects you do not understand."
"Within a sect, realm and strength certainly influence a cultivator's standing. But there is one type of person who can bypass both of these constraints."
"And that is a genius!"
"A genius blessed with extraordinary talent represents the hope of the sect. For the sake of this future hope, the sect is willing to pour completely disproportionate resources into them. Pills, magic treasures, cultivation techniques... even assigning higher-realm cultivators specifically to protect their Dao, ensuring they successfully fulfill their potential and become the sect's top powerhouses."
Luo Chen responded, "Are you saying He Yuan is that kind of genius?"
Han Zhan hummed in affirmation. "More or less! After all, he is an existence capable of cultivating pure demonic qi while still in the Golden Core realm, and he is a direct descendant of the Yuan Demon Sect's most exalted Yuan Demon Lineage. In a Soul Formation sacred ground like that, the number of Nascent Soul powerhouses far exceeds that of our ordinary Nascent Soul superior sects. Consequently, the status of a Nascent Soul Perfected Person in such a sect is not nearly as lofty as rogue cultivators like you might imagine."
When numbers were abundant, value plummeted.
Rarity gave value—Luo Chen certainly understood that principle.
Yet understanding it was one thing; seeing a dignified Nascent Soul Perfected Person treated with such disregard by a Golden Core cultivator was still jarringly discordant.
"A sacred ground does not care how many Nascent Soul Perfected Persons it produces; what it wants are seeds capable of reaching the Soul Formation stage. This leads to a situation where a Golden Core cultivator with prospects of reaching Soul Formation can surpass ordinary Nascent Soul Perfected Persons in status."
Luo Chen found this hard to accept. "Can anyone who achieves the Nascent Soul realm truly be called ordinary?"
"What is called 'ordinary' or 'outstanding' has never been determined by realm alone, but by horizontal comparison. Every one of us who treads the path of cultivation has been sifted like sand through waves, one chosen from a hundred. A Foundation Establishment cultivator is naturally formidable among thousands of Qi Refinement cultivators. But among a hundred peers at Foundation Establishment, there are still distinctions of superior and inferior, outstanding and ordinary. Why wouldn't the same standard apply to Nascent Soul Perfected Persons?"
Luo Chen parted his lips, then sighed dejectedly, "Perhaps it is not that I fail to understand Nascent Soul Perfected Persons, but rather that I do not understand what a Soul Formation sacred ground truly means!"
Han Zhan chuckled, but this time there was no lightness in it, only a hint of heavy bitterness.
Before a Soul Formation sacred ground, Nascent Soul Perfected Persons like them—who had risen from among millions of cultivators—truly amounted to nothing.
Even formidable figures like Perfected Shenyuan of the Five Elements Divine Sect or Ancestor Hehuan of the Hehuan Sect, both renowned great cultivators of the late Nascent Soul stage, had pleaded in vain for an opportunity to enter a sacred ground to cultivate.
Soul Formation sacred grounds were the supreme powers that truly dominated the Mountain Sea Realm!
Moving past this somber topic, Han Zhan asked, "What do you plan to do next?"
Luo Chen forced a slight smile. "Didn't I decide that earlier? Settle down in Feileng City first, then act as the situation dictates."
Han Zhan did not object.
In the fading glow of the evening twilight, the black-robed man, carrying the white-wrapped bundle on his back, walked step by step toward a magnificent, colossal city of lustrous jade-green that shimmered with a cold, ethereal hue.
Chapter 569