Countless reclusive cultivators lived hidden among the Dragon Taming Mountain Range, and escaping lights rose and dipped across the peaks from time to time.
Yet on this day, wherever three escaping lights giving off gentle waves of spiritual pressure passed, the other cultivators hastily gave way.
There was no other reason.
Every one of these three was a Golden Core cultivator. In particular, the one leading them possessed a familiar countenance that compelled anyone who caught sight of him to offer a respectful greeting.
Eight-Star Demon Hunters—there were currently only three in the entire Myriad Immortals Association.
Each of them was a formidable cultivator at the ninth layer of Golden Core with boundless combat experience.
Not only were they immensely powerful, but their status was exceedingly exalted, second only to the aloof Nascent Soul True Persons.
Anyone whom Old Angler, an Eight-Star Demon Hunter, received in person was either a person of extraordinary strength or a newly joined Golden Core cultivator of the Myriad Immortals Association. Neither sort was anyone to be trifled with.
Before a low mining cavern, Duan Li hesitated.
Just as he was about to give up and proceed to the next cave dwelling, Luo Chen called out to him.
"This place is actually quite good."
Duan Li looked at Luo Chen hesitantly. "Qingyangzi, is there something special about it?"
Luo Chen smiled. "The scenery here may be ordinary, but it hides the wind and gathers qi, with clear, favorable terrain lines. From what I can see, spiritual energy has gathered beneath it for many years, held in reserve without bursting forth. Cultivating here could easily accelerate your progress by a century."
Duan Li said in surprise, "I had no idea you were also versed in spirit-seeking and vein-tracing, or geomantic divination."
Luo Chen shrugged. "You flatter me. I'm merely borrowing someone else's flowers to offer to the Buddha."
As he spoke, he pointed toward an abrupt knoll several li away, shrouded in mist that concealed its true shape.
"Fellow Daoist Xiao Buhuan's Hengyue Cave Dwelling is over there. During that half-month on Quyang Island, he talked with me quite a bit and brought up the conditions of the spirit grounds and cave dwellings around here.
"Of course, whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you.
"Who knows, maybe the next one will be even better!"
Duan Li hesitated a moment longer. Finally, meeting Luo Chen's sincere gaze, he gave a slight nod.
He then stepped out of the cave dwelling and told the thoroughly bored Old Angler of his decision to lease it.
"Are you certain you want to rent this Cangfeng Cave?"
Old Angler frowned and said, "Do you know that although this cave sits low, several subterranean wind vents lie beneath it? Short-term cultivation is fine, but residing here long-term will unsettle your form and spirit—it carries cultivation risks."
Duan Li grew hesitant once more.
Subconsciously, he glanced toward Luo Chen, but this time Luo Chen looked away.
After deliberating for a long while, he ultimately gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
"Right here will do. Being neighbors with Fellow Daoist Xiao Buhuan is also wonderful."
Old Angler gave Duan Li a measured look, then subtly cast a glance at Luo Chen.
He remembered clearly that before the man made up his mind, he had reflexively looked to Luo Chen. Most likely, Duan Li's choice of this excellent Tier 3 low-grade spirit ground had been influenced by Luo Chen.
*Could it be that Qingyangzi truly understands spirit-seeking and vein-tracing?*
With that mutter in his mind, he drew a jade slip from his storage bag, inscribed Duan Li's name onto it, and wiped away the glowing light of Cangfeng Cave from the earlier map.
"Take a look around first. Whatever arrangements you need, you can tell me later. The Demon Hunting Bureau doesn't collect rent for nothing; we provide complimentary dharma artifacts and formations suited for domestic cultivation."
"In that case, my thanks to Lord Angler."
Duan Li bowed with clasped hands in gratitude.
Feeling rather sour inside, Old Angler departed with Luo Chen.
***
Two escaping lights drifted through the sky, advancing at a leisurely pace.
Holding the map in hand, Old Angler introduced the remaining Tier 3 cave dwellings to Luo Chen. Now and then, he took care to point out several restricted areas in the Dragon Taming Mountain Range; those were the cultivation grounds of the Myriad Immortals Association's Nascent Soul True Persons. Unless one had close ties with them, loose cultivators were better off avoiding those places under ordinary circumstances.
From his introduction, Luo Chen also learned the exact number of Nascent Soul True Persons in the Myriad Immortals Association.
Seven True Persons in all.
Headed by the Three Great Loose Cultivators!
Three of the other Nascent Soul True Persons were not actually loose cultivators, but regional lords in their own right who had joined the Myriad Immortals Association under the guise of loose cultivators simply to huddle together for warmth.
Aside from them, the final True Person was the newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivator, True Person Longyuan, who had previously been the sole Nine-Star Demon Hunter in the Demon Hunting Bureau.
Upon hearing this count, Luo Chen could not help but ponder in secret.
Seven Nascent Soul True Persons indeed made the Myriad Immortals Association a colossal entity.
Yet compared to the Twelve Stream Lords of the Moluo Stream, or the two full tens of True Persons in the Canghai Alliance, it fell drastically short.
Most importantly, the combined number of Nascent Soul True Persons across all three factions was simply too low!
Yes, to Luo Chen, it seemed sparse.
As far as he knew, across the thirty-six domains of the Eastern Desolation, each domain was presided over by at least one, and often several, Nascent Soul True Persons.
Together, they easily surpassed fifty.
If one added the unknowable count of Nascent Soul True Persons within the Mingyuan Sect, that number would climb even higher.
By comparison, the Northern Sea, blessed with far more abundant resources, should not have possessed so few True Persons.
Yet a moment later, he realized the reason behind the disparity.
The Yuan Demon Sect had been destroyed!
A Soul Formation sacred ground was precisely the pinnacle power possessing the largest number of Nascent Soul True Persons.
When it was wiped out in a single stroke, countless brilliant Nascent Soul True Persons had perished with it, causing the Northern Sea's top-tier combat strength to plummet by more than half overnight.
Furthermore, due to the Northern Sea's geographic environment, formidable cultivators frequently chose seclusion to cultivate in secret, either ruling as regional overlords or living as hidden loose cultivators who ignored worldly affairs.
Figures like Fairy Feileng and True Person Langya, whom he knew of, had not been counted among the three great factions prior to the great battle of Lengguang Island.
The Myriad Immortals Association had been established for far too short a time, making it impossible to sweep up all the loose cultivators in one net.
Calculating it this way, the foundational depth of the Northern Sea's cultivation world remained terrifying.
"The cultivation grounds of the Three Great Loose Cultivators are all located in the Dragon Taming Mountain Range. True Person Longyuan oversees Longyuan Immortal City year-round, while the other three spend most of their time within their respective territories.
"Unless some monumental event occurs, they rarely ascend the Dragon Taming Mountain Range.
"As for the specifics, you can look into the Demon Hunting Bureau's archives in the future. I won't go into excessive detail with you here,"
Old Angler said leisurely, bearing an unhurried demeanor.
Observing his posture, Luo Chen's gaze fell upon the map in his hand, and he smiled inwardly.
With a flick of his wrist, a jade slip appeared, which he pushed boldly toward the old man.
"What is the meaning of this?" Old Angler asked, feigning surprise.
Luo Chen chuckled. "Earlier, I noticed Lord Angler's repeated astonishment at my body-refining physique. It seems you harbor quite an interest in physical cultivation as well. Inscribed upon this slip are Luo's insights into body refinement, along with an appended Tier 3 body refinement technique. You may take it to study and contemplate; perhaps you will gain a thing or two from it.
"During the assessment mission, I benefited greatly from your care and the many experiences you shared.
"This modest gift is a token of my regard. I hope you will not decline it."
This time, Old Angler was truly stunned!
He accepted the jade slip with hesitation. Instead of opening it immediately, he fixed a serious gaze on Luo Chen.
"Such a gift is worth a fortune. It can hardly be called a modest token!"
Luo Chen gave a slight nod.
It truly was no modest gift!
Even though he had omitted some of the core nuances of body refinement and the attached Tier 3 technique was one of the cruder varieties among his many spoils of war, their combination was easily worth over five hundred thousand spirit stones!
If someone persevered in cultivating based on the knowledge within, within a century, they might genuinely have a chance of forging an extraordinary physique.
This was especially true for late-stage Golden Core cultivators!
To ascend to the Nascent Soul realm, one had to achieve the consummate fusion of the three treasures of essence, qi, and spirit, reaching the stage of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.
Among them, "essence" referred to blood essence and physical constitution.
Without a physique sufficiently unyielding and powerful, one could never bear a Nascent Soul.
Therefore, even though Qi Refiners did not specialize in the physical body, high-ranking Qi Refiners never neglected the tempering of their flesh.
Old Angler was currently at the ninth layer of Golden Core; there was no way he had not considered these details.
Seeing Luo Chen's sincerity, Old Angler gave it some thought and tucked it into his pouch after all.
His repeated amazement at Luo Chen's physique had indeed come from the heart; he simply had not expected Luo Chen to take note of it and cater to his inclinations so perfectly.
"You certainly have a thoughtful mind. However, this gift is far too heavy, far exceeding whatever little I offered before. If you have any other requests, speak them aloud!"
Luo Chen did not stand on ceremony and pointed directly at the map.
"I want the details on the Tier 3 mid-grade, and even high-grade, cave dwellings. I hope you will not hold anything back!"
Old Angler raised an eyebrow. After scrutinizing Luo Chen closely, he slowly nodded.
He swept a hand across the surface.
Instantly, spiritual light rippled across the map, suddenly revealing over a dozen bright points of light.
Evidently, this was another batch of ownerless cave dwellings of exceptional quality, far superior to those he had presented to Duan Li earlier.
Luo Chen felt a wave of relief.
Sure enough, this old fellow was the type who would not loose the hawk until he saw the hare.
Because Duan Li had offered no gifts, Old Angler had only shared basic details and kept the finer dwellings tightly held in his grasp.
Most of the caves they had visited earlier were wretched and inferior; the Cangfeng Cave Luo Chen had recommended, despite its flaws, was already the best among them.
His judgment had been correct!
"Qingyangzi, I must give you a word of warning."
Old Angler tapped the map and said solemnly, "While this batch of cave dwellings is of fine quality, the rent is not something ordinary loose cultivators can bear."
Luo Chen smiled. "Don't we have the demon hunter star-rank discount? Besides, with you here..."
Old Angler shook his head. "Even with the discount, it's outrageously expensive. The pricing for these dwellings was established by the True Persons; I cannot grant you any further concessions. Ah, forget it, let me take you to see them first!"
Spurring his dharmic powers, the auspicious cloud surged forward at greater speed.
Old Angler did not worry in the least about whether Luo Chen could keep up.
Under his guidance, Luo Chen began to tour the truly high-grade cave dwellings of the Dragon Taming Mountain Range.
***
In the dead of night, a heavy chill hung in the air.
Above a vast, mist-shrouded lake, two figures stood side by side for a long time.
"Are you certain you want to rent this place?"
"Why not?"
"You've read the details recorded on the map. Although this Penghu Lake possesses three low-grade spirit veins and twenty-seven Tier 2 spirit veins, their trajectories are scattered and fail to form a grand trend. The reason it ranks among the top-tier cave dwellings is entirely due to its vast expanse, capable of serving as the foundation for an entire sect or clan. While loose cultivators make up the majority of the Myriad Immortals Association, loose cultivators are still human and must consider continuing their bloodlines; this territory was prepared precisely for such people. If you truly possess such wealth, why not choose the other two Tier 3 mid-grade dwellings I recommended? Not only is their spiritual energy denser, but their prices are also cheaper."
Luo Chen gazed across the eight hundred li of Penghu Lake, his eyes eventually coming to rest upon the island at its center.
This landscape was somewhat reminiscent of his former cave dwelling in the Flying Swallow Archipelago.
A ten-li tranquil lake, a small island inviting the moon.
It was simply dozens of times larger.
It truly was capable of serving as the foundation for a sect or clan!
His expression was resolute. "Right here. My mind is made up."
Seeing Old Angler's hesitation, he suddenly smiled. "I possess a method to converge veins and elevate their rank. To me, this place is worth no less than a Tier 3 high-grade spirit ground. You need not worry yourself over it."
Old Angler looked astonished. "A secret method to converge veins and raise their grade? Isn't that an art known only to Nascent Soul exalted sects?"
This time, Luo Chen merely smiled without speaking.
Old Angler could not press further; after all, having accepted the gift, prying would be impolite.
Even so, he made sure to offer a parting warning.
"You are not the only one who has taken an interest in this place; the others were simply constrained by their finances. If you truly wish to lease it, you had best pay five years of rent in a single lump sum, lest the other party seize upon that to cause trouble."
Luo Chen frowned. "Even with your backing, that wouldn't suffice?"
Old Angler replied helplessly, "I am not the only Eight-Star Demon Hunter in the Myriad Immortals Association."
The implication was clear: the person eyeing Penghu Lake had an Eight-Star Demon Hunter backing them as well.
Under the night sky, Luo Chen's expression flickered with changing thoughts.
Finally, looking out at the thin mist drifting across the lake's surface, he made up his mind.
"It is merely five years of rent. Luo still possesses a modest fortune!"
Old Angler nodded inwardly.
An ordinary loose cultivator could never muster such immense wealth!
As expected, this Qingyangzi was indeed the legendary Demonic Lord Qingyang.
Only by slaying several cultivators of the same realm, among whom were leaders of entire territories, and seizing substantial spoils could one possess such riches.
Likewise, only a demonic powerhouse of that caliber would dare disregard an enemy backed by an Eight-Star Demon Hunter.
After a brief thought, he added, "Rest assured, if someone wishes to contest you, they can only step forward themselves. As for the backer behind them, I will mediate on your behalf."
Taking a gift softened one's hand, after all.
This came as an unexpected pleasant surprise.
Luo Chen cupped his hands. "In that case, my sincere thanks, Fellow Daoist."
***
Three days later.
Above the eight hundred li of Penghu Lake in the Dragon Taming Mountain Range.
Three figures drifted in on the wind.
Her figure growing increasingly plump, Wen Xiu looked out across the boundless lake that stretched beyond the horizon. Even after her feet touched the ground, she had not recovered from her shock.
Only when several commands echoed in her ears did she slowly come back to her senses.
"Tianxuan, have you memorized everything on the list? Do not miss a single item.
"Do not be stingy with the one million spirit stones I gave you; purchase as many finished formation flags as possible.
"If the shops in the city cannot supply enough, take my demon hunter medallion to the Demon Hunting Bureau and purchase them in bulk.
"I intend to gather the spiritual energy of this place and elevate it to a Tier 3 high-grade spirit ground to aid my full-speed cultivation!"
Watching Tianxuan stand before Luo Chen with utmost deference, Wen Xiu could not help swallowing a mouthful of saliva.
Master Qingyang was truly magnanimous!
He did not act often, but when he did, he leased such an enormous tract of spiritual ground as his cultivation sanctuary.
Even though she had accompanied her husband through life and met many a Golden Core cultivator, she had never witnessed a figure with such commanding presence.
Luo Chen stepped onto the firm ground of Peng Island, his eyes filled with contemplation.
The nominal rent for the Penghu spirit ground was three million a year; even with the discount of a Four-Star Demon Hunter, it remained one million eight hundred thousand annually.
Five years amounted to nine million!
This consumed more than half of his eighteen million in liquid funds.
And this was merely for five years.
After five years, it would have to be renewed. He had to consider his subsequent income of spirit stones.
At the same time, five years was a delicate timeframe.
The frequency with which Golden Core demon hunters accepted missions was once every three to five years.
Fixing five years as the lease term ensured that if a Golden Core demon hunter were unfortunate enough to perish during a mission, they would not have wasted too much capital.
Furthermore, the exorbitant leasing rates and meager discounts compelled low-star demon hunters to take the initiative in accepting grueling missions to elevate their rank.
*These Nascent Soul True Persons are truly not benevolent figures; they have thought of every conceivable angle.*
After letting out a sigh, Luo Chen walked over to the lakeshore of Peng Island.
Opening his mouth, he spat out a round grey cauldron that spun as it flew forth, expanding with the wind until it swelled to a hundred zhang in size.
Such a colossal object instantly seized Wen Xiu's gaze.
The next instant, an ear-splitting dragon roar rang out.
A giant flood dragon, a full sixty zhang in length with a girth as broad as a mountain ridge, burst through the air, stretching its thick, powerful body in the midair.
"Old Black was about to suffocate to death!"
The black flood dragon roared in fury, then swung its head and tail, descending before the feet of the man retrieving the cauldron.
Looking down at the tiny figure before him, it lowered its head submissively. "Black King pays respects to Master!"
Luo Chen gave a calm nod. "Go. From now on, this Penghu Lake is your home. Without my permission, outsiders are forbidden to enter."
Black King looked back across the endless, mist-shrouded lake that stretched beyond sight, excitement gleaming in its eyes.
"By your command!"
With that, it took a plunge, diving deep into the great lake and kicking up countless waves.
Wen Xiu stared blankly at the scene, feeling as though her mind had been struck by yet another shockwave.
Beneath Master Qingyang's banner, besides Tianxuan, an outstandingly beautiful female Golden Core cultivator, there was actually a spirit pet at the mid-stage Tier 3 demon king rank!
Amidst her shock, a gentle voice sounded by her ear.
"Wen Xiu, earlier I heard Little Zhang mention that you two wish to establish a family and branch out your lineage, is that so?"
Wen Xiu nodded in a daze.
"I imagine establishing a cultivation family is no easy feat, especially when it requires a spirit ground of respectable quality."
Luo Chen stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze gentle.
"You and I share a bond of destiny. Why not select one of the Tier 2 spirit grounds across these eight hundred li of Penghu Lake to establish the Zhang family?"
The woman was at a complete loss.
Yet it was abundantly clear that Luo Chen's tone carried not only an inquiry, but also a command.
"Tianxuan, while you have some free time, take Wen Xiu on a tour!"
Tianxuan accepted the order and led the bewildered woman on a swift tour around the eight hundred li of Penghu Lake.
Once they had all departed, Luo Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief and drew a piece of dark wood from his robes.
"Senior, I must trouble you regarding the matter of converging the veins and elevating their rank."
Han Zhan's helpless voice drifted out from within: "You brat, knowing full well that I've been busy cultivating secret arts and modifying the Soul Nourishing Wood lately, you still insist on troubling me."
Luo Chen said in a pleasant tone, "There is no other way. Among the people I know, Senior alone possesses such ability. I've already instructed Tianxuan to prepare the necessary formation tools; what comes next will depend entirely on Senior's methods."
Ordinary sects lacked such techniques.
Yet Han Zhan was different.
His former Luoyun Sect had successfully petitioned for an opening war, earning the qualification to establish a Nascent Soul exalted sect.
Many secret arts unknown to loose cultivators had been bestowed upon them by the Mingyuan Sect.
Among them were methods for producing standardized spirit stones, elevating spirit veins, converging veins to raise their rank, and erecting grand immortal cities.
The super immortal city within the Howling Moon Mountain Range—Poyue Immortal City—stood as a glaring, living example.
Han Zhan was forbidden from passing these methods to outsiders, but laying them out in person posed no issue.
Luo Chen had certainly gained an immense advantage.
Faced with Luo Chen's shameless request, Han Zhan had already agreed previously; however, before commencing, he still demanded the Fengshen Compass from Luo Chen.
This treasure could serve as the foundation of the formation.
Watching Han Zhan steer the Soul Nourishing Wood and take the Fengshen Compass away from Peng Island to inspect the terrain's spirit vein trends, Luo Chen revealed a smile of relief.
Strolling casually across the firm ground as though taking a walk, he gazed out at his surroundings and murmured under his breath.
"Running about for years, my cultivation was neglected, causing my progress to crawl like a tortoise, leaving me stuck at the fourth layer of Golden Core to this day.
"Now, I have finally secured a temporary place of rest.
"Next, it is time for a phase of steady accumulation leading to a breakthrough."
Talking to himself, Luo Chen walked toward the depths of Peng Island.
Beneath the thin mist and water vapors, the red-robed Daoist's figure grew increasingly hazy until he vanished without a trace.
Chapter 602