As soon as he stepped inside, Shen Wandou felt extremely uncomfortable.
A vast, oceanic divine sense spread out unscrupulously, as if constantly spying on him every single moment.
He pursed his lips, his left hand tucked within his sleeve forming an incantation gesture.
"Huh!"
A soft exclamation of surprise sounded, and Luo Chen, clad in loose white robes with his hair hanging freely, emerged from the meditation chamber.
With an apologetic smile, he said, "Forgive me. I was cultivating a technique, which left my soul overly active and impossible to rein in on short notice."
Even as he spoke, his gaze never stopped sizing up Shen Wandou.
The man's original cultivation realm had been clear to see—roughly around the third layer of the Nascent Soul stage—and his divine sense had withdrawn the instant it made contact with Luo Chen's.
Yet in that fleeting instant, it had displayed a strength not in the least inferior to Luo Chen's own.
Furthermore, using some unknown secret technique, he had concealed every trace of his aura so thoroughly that even standing face-to-face, one could not detect the slightest hint of it.
Shen Wandou likewise revealed a look of surprise, astonished by Luo Chen's overly youthful appearance.
In the cultivation world, there was no shortage of secret arts and pills capable of preserving eternal youth; a youthful appearance was never a criterion for judging one's true age.
There were even old monsters who appeared as young boys or youths while having actually lived for hundreds of years.
Yet no matter what, such individuals always possessed an innate air of age that could not be concealed. In speech and action, they were typically world-weary and archaic, showing not a shred of genuine youth.
Yet on Luo Chen's fair-skinned, beardless face, what he sensed was a vibrant vitality.
This meant that the man was truly young; his actual years of cultivation certainly did not exceed four or five centuries.
He marveled, "For Fellow Daoist to possess such formidable divine sense at such a young age is truly rare in this world!"
Luo Chen smiled slightly. "Fellow Daoist Shen flatters me. With your abilities, your divine sense is not in the least inferior to mine. You truly live up to your reputation as the Grand Elder of the Northern Sea Tianyuan Commerce Alliance!"
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this praise, Shen Wandou let out a bitter smile.
"A position like alliance elder, which seems immensely revered to outsiders, is nothing more than a thankless chore to people like us."
Luo Chen was surprised.
Whether in the Eastern Desolation or the Northern Sea, an elder of the Tianyuan Commerce Alliance was an exceptionally exalted figure wherever they went.
Commanding countless cultivators beneath them, possessing expansive networks of contacts, and handling an endless stream of rare treasures and scarce resources—this was evident from how effortlessly Fu Chaosheng had gathered a vast cache of cultivation resources for him.
In a mortal realm, such a person would easily qualify as a viceroy overseeing an entire province!
Could that really be called a thankless chore?
Seeing Luo Chen's astonished expression, Shen Wandou shook his head and sighed. "Fellow Daoist, there is much you do not know. My Tianyuan Dao Sect possesses vast lands and abundant resources, producing prodigies generation after generation. The truly formidable figures all remain within the sect in secluded cultivation. It is only those of us with mediocre aptitude, ordinary backgrounds, and advancing age who have reached the end of our Dao journey that are exiled to the Tianyuan Commerce Alliance to handle such lowly mercantile affairs. It is fine for outsiders ignorant of the truth to revere us, but someone like Fellow Daoist, who will sooner or later become a guest elder of our Star Gate, has no need to do so."
Luo Chen grew even more astonished.
He knew the Tianyuan Dao Sect was immensely powerful, seated at the heart of the world's finest land and overlooking the four continents and the mountain-sea realms.
Still, how could Nascent Soul cultivators ever warrant the term "exiled"?
Moreover...
"How did Fellow Daoist Shen know that I am to become a guest elder of your noble sect? And what exactly is this Star Gate guest elder?"
Shen Wandou chuckled. "That is only natural. We alliance elders have an explicit duty to recommend formidable figures from across the four continents into the Tianyuan Dao Sect. And within the Dao Sect, the Star Gate is where all of you go. Presumably, Elder Fu invited you here with the intention of asking you to join our sect as well!"
"Star Gate?"
Luo Chen repeated the name, his expression turning solemn. "I must ask Fellow Daoist for guidance: what kind of place is the Star Gate?"
Previously, Fu Chaosheng had merely stated that once the matter succeeded, he would recommend Luo Chen to become a guest elder of the Tianyuan Dao Sect, but had never mentioned this specific institution called the Star Gate.
A lack of time was one factor, but the man holding back information was likely another.
At present, it was hard to say whether Shen Wandou and Fu Chaosheng were friends or foes, but if he could glean some intelligence from the man, it would make navigating future affairs much easier.
Shen Wandou scrutinized Luo Chen closely. His demeanor was composed, neither servile nor haughty, and despite being only at the first layer of the Nascent Soul stage, his divine sense was on par with his own—he was truly an extraordinary individual.
After a moment's contemplation, he broke into a warm smile:
"The Star Gate is a unique institution in our sect, headquartered at Tiandi Peak.
"Within it, there are nineteen elders in total. Of these nineteen, twelve are appointed from the Twelve Great Clans, two are chosen in rotation from the Thirty-Six Families, and the remaining five are filled by formidable figures recommended from among the external guest elders.
"Yet the overall body of the Star Gate is comprised of external experts like you. The minimum requirement for admission is the Nascent Soul realm. Once inducted, members are divided into three tiers: Ordinary Guest Elders, Tianyuan Consecrators, and Tiandi Peak Elders.
"Fellow Daoist, do you know of Alchemy Saint Chu Yan?"
Luo Chen started, nodding instinctively.
That name was legendary; he had heard of it all the way back during his Qi Refinement days.
Rumor had it he originally hailed from the Eastern Desolation's sacred ground, the Mingyuan Sect, but for reasons unknown, had traveled far to the Central Plains and joined the Tianyuan Dao Sect.
He was also rumored to be the world's only grandmaster of alchemy capable of refining Tier 5 pills while still in the Nascent Soul realm!
For Shen Wandou to mention him now, could it be...?
"He is one of the nineteen elders of Tiandi Peak's Star Gate, and he has held the position of Tiandi Peak Elder for five hundred years!"
Luo Chen's heart trembled, and he asked inquisitively, "What benefits does Tiandi Peak's Star Gate offer that could attract so many experts from across the Mountain Sea Realm?"
"Benefits?" Shen Wandou chuckled easily. "Far too many."
He then proceeded to explain in detail.
Nascent Soul Perfected Persons from the outside world could not directly join the Tianyuan Dao Sect. This taboo was largely similar to those of other sects, designed to prevent outsiders with established arts from causing chaos in the ancestral seat.
Thus, an organization like the Star Gate had been deliberately established to accommodate external experts.
Once inducted, even ordinary guest elders could enjoy the use of a Tier 4 spirit vein free of charge, without spending a single spirit stone.
If, after becoming a guest elder, one made special contributions to the Dao Sect or advanced their cultivation to the late Nascent Soul stage, they could even become a Tianyuan Consecrator.
At that point, certain internal resources of the Tianyuan Dao Sect would become available to the consecrator.
As for the five Tiandi Peak Elders, they were even entitled to participate in certain major decisions of the Tianyuan Dao Sect.
Beyond that, there were two other benefits rarely known to outsiders.
First, after completing five hundred years in the Star Gate, one could recommend their descendants or disciples to join the Tianyuan Dao Sect and formally become part of the sect.
Second, it touched upon the secrets of ascension!
Shen Wandou did not elaborate on this last point, but even what had been mentioned before was more than enough for Luo Chen to digest.
With so many benefits to becoming a Star Gate elder, no wonder experts across the realm flocked to it like carp crossing the rapids.
"Presently, the Northern Sea is in chaos, and the demon beasts are in their ascendancy, leaving many Northern Sea experts without a footing. On this occasion, I have personally recommended several Northern Sea Perfected Persons to join the Star Gate. Desolate Hermit, if you have the time, I can host a gathering to introduce you to them. It would also serve as an opportunity to exchange cultivation insights; working behind closed doors is of no benefit to people like us." Shen Wandou stroked his beard and smiled.
Luo Chen took a sip of tea and politely declined.
"I appreciate Fellow Daoist Shen's kind intentions. However, you can see my current state. With my secret art unperfected, my soul remains turbulent and dispersed, hardly suited for socializing. My apologies."
"Fair enough!"
Looking at Luo Chen, Shen Wandou felt the omnipresent divine sense, which gave him a subtle prickling sensation against his skin like needlepoints.
He knew the young man was not doing it intentionally, yet it was undeniably unpleasant to cultivators of the same realm, truly ill-suited for interaction.
"In that case, let us leave it at that."
Then, changing the subject, he said, "No wonder you are so interested in puppetry. Such formidable divine sense is indeed well suited for practicing it. It so happens that this old man has an ancient treatise on puppetry that might lend you a helping hand."
Luo Chen hesitated. "May I ask how much it is worth?"
Shen Wandou laughed heartily. "Why speak of worldly lucre? We have had a delightful conversation today, so consider it a housewarming gift to you, Fellow Daoist!"
Seeing Luo Chen still hesitant, he waved his hand magnanimously. "It is merely a rubbing, and of no use to this old man anyway. Fellow Daoist, there is no need to refuse."
Luo Chen had no choice but to accept the jade slip inscribed with the puppetry art.
After chatting a bit more about the local customs and traditions of the Central Plains, Luo Chen personally escorted Shen Wandou outside the cave abode.
Atop Mount Xiaoqiong, Luo Chen held the jade slip. Though the smile lingered on his face, a weight settled in his heart.
He had merely treated this trip to the Central Plains as an interlude, intending only to fulfill his promise to Fu Chaosheng.
Yet now it appeared that where he was heading was a colossal behemoth; even a mere tip of the iceberg felt suffocatingly oppressive.
The Star Gate, Tiandi Peak...
At the foot of Mount Xiaoqiong, Shen Wandou likewise wore an unchanging smile, the corners of his mouth curling upward.
'This visit was indeed worthwhile.
'This Desolate Hermit has remarkable potential. To attain such a realm at such a young age means his growth will only accelerate once he joins Tiandi Peak.
'Yet that belongs to the future. As things stand, with his Nascent Soul only newly formed and him incapable of freely retracting and releasing his divine sense, his combat prowess is clearly average. In the Five-Hundred-Year Grand Tournament of the Mirage Dragon Grotto-Heaven, he will pose no threat to Liu Yuan.
'By expending merely a useless rubbing of a puppetry manual, I can distract him with puppetry so his combat strength cannot grow in the short term, while simultaneously winning his gratitude. When he achieves some success in the future, he can serve as external assistance to my Shen family.
'Speaking of which, that fellow Fu Chaosheng has quite a sharp eye to dig up such a genius!'
***
Word of Shen Wandou's visit to Luo Chen could not be kept secret.
Before long, the high-ranking cultivators in Shenyuan City learned that a rogue Nascent Soul cultivator had arrived.
Many wished to pay a visit, but virtually all were turned away at the door.
Yet few held any grievances, as the explanation given by Mount Xiaoqiong was that "the Desolate Hermit has only recently formed his Nascent Soul and requires seclusion to consolidate his cultivation realm."
The high-ranking cultivators were understanding; after all, he was an independent cultivator.
Breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm was already no easy feat; now that he had temporarily secured a Tier 4 spirit vein location, seizing the time to stabilize his foundation was only natural.
Yet the true situation was entirely different!
Inside the cave abode, Luo Chen consumed one Great Soul Pill each month.
After a mere three months, his divine sense, which had previously been uncontrollable, could now be released and retracted completely at will.
For him personally, this signaled that his mastery over the Soul Splitting Art had made significant strides.
[Soul Splitting Art, Proficient: 1/100]
Luo Chen gazed at the newly updated entry on his status panel, feeling as though a heavy burden had been lifted.
At this moment, within his sea of consciousness, two soul phantoms—one primary and one secondary—stood quietly apart.
In terms of size, though the split soul was far smaller than the primary soul, its underlying foundation was already comparable to the primary soul of an ordinary first-layer Nascent Soul cultivator.
"In just three months, I have grown to this degree. These Great Soul Pills are truly wondrous!"
Even someone as calm and composed as Luo Chen could not help feeling a surge of excitement.
Even without the complete Soul Splitting Art and without secret methods to accelerate the cultivation of split souls, he had ultimately bridged that deficiency through the Alchemic Dao.
And a single furnace of Great Soul Pills produced twelve pills; succeeding just once could provide an entire year's supply.
A bottle of soul essence extracted from tens of millions of souls was enough for a thousand cauldrons.
Everything was progressing in a positive direction.
The only thing that caused Luo Chen lingering concern was that while this newly formed split soul was formidable, it was also somewhat weak.
It sounded contradictory, but it possessed its own internal logic.
It was strong in "quantity," but weak in "quality."
This split soul was not like his primary soul, which had endured the baptism of years, weathered the tempering of realm breakthroughs, and undergone the transformation from yin soul to yang spirit upon crossing the Nascent Soul lightning tribulation.
Consequently, while the split soul appeared to possess Nascent Soul-tier potency, if actually deployed to attack enemies, it would inevitably fall short.
"From the look of it, Han Zhan losing to me back then was entirely understandable,"
Luo Chen murmured to himself.
Evidently, even Han Zhan, who had practiced the complete Soul Splitting Art, had never resolved this flaw.
Thus, while he had seemed to possess nine great split souls, they were in truth bloated and of vastly uneven quality, allowing Luo Chen to shatter them one by one with the Dragon Slaying Art.
And now, that very problem had manifested in Luo Chen as well.
Pursuing mere numbers was by no means what Luo Chen desired.
However, Luo Chen had already conceived an initial premise to address this issue.
Namely, his natal magical treasure!
A small grey cauldron spun gently above Luo Chen's head.
Wisps of silvery-white electrical arcs crackled across its surface from time to time.
A flicker of apprehension showed in Luo Chen's eyes, yet alongside it lay a spark of anticipation.
'If I use the power of tribulation lightning to temper my soul, can I purge the impurities to retain the essence, thereby strengthening the soul's fundamental nature?
'Furthermore, not just the split soul—if it proves viable, could I temper my primary soul in the same manner?'
Entities of the yin soul variety feared yang-attribute power above all else.
And tribulation lightning was undoubtedly the most masculine and yang-potent force beneath the heavens!
If a split soul could withstand the power of tribulation lightning, its resilience would be unimaginable.
Luo Chen cautiously released his split soul while simultaneously directing the Hunyuan Cauldron to unleash a single wisp of silvery-white arc.
Crack!
The instant the two made contact, Luo Chen felt as if struck by lightning. Due to the link between split soul and primary soul, his eyes involuntarily rolled back, and he collapsed straight into unconsciousness.
It took a full half-day before Luo Chen groggily regained consciousness, lingering dread painted all over his pale face.
Across the world, those who dared to temper their bodies with lightning were already exceedingly rare.
To temper the soul with tribulation lightning as he had just done was completely unprecedented, perhaps never to be seen again.
It could well be called reckless and audaciously mad!
Yet upon Luo Chen's dread-stricken face, there emerged a trace of wild ecstasy.
"It works!"
"It is entirely feasible!"
"It was just that the power of that tribulation lightning was too great. If it were reduced by more than half, my split soul would be able to endure it."
The Hunyuan Cauldron was his natal magical treasure; he had already gained some experience in regulating the volume of tribulation lightning it released.
Moving forward, he only needed to experiment step by step and master the precise balance.
Even if mishandling ended up destroying this split soul, Luo Chen would feel no regret.
Having learned the Soul Splitting Art and mastered the method to refine Great Soul Pills, so long as his primary soul endured, he could simply start over from scratch.
And if he could map out such a soul-tempering method, he might surpass Han Zhan's attainments in soul cultivation, turning what had once been his greatest shortcoming into an overwhelming strength.
Once his divine soul grew mighty, he could delve into learning corresponding techniques for soul offense and defense!
"The future is bright!"
Smiling, Luo Chen recalled the Hunyuan Cauldron into his purple mansion.
One had to eat meal by meal and take things one step at a time; since the split soul was injured, he needed to take another Great Soul Pill to replenish it.
***
On this day, Luo Chen sat alone inside his cave abode.
Before him still lay the chessboard crafted from demon king leg bones, though his attention was clearly not on the shallow Weiqi endgame before him, but entirely engrossed in the jade slip in his hand.
He had been studying the puppetry art Shen Wandou gave him for some time.
Ancient puppetry differed little from contemporary methods; after all, it had always been a niche discipline, with limited evolution over the eras.
Moreover, with Han Zhan's occasional guidance over that century, Luo Chen had long possessed a solid foundation in puppetry.
Consequently, he picked it up quite rapidly.
He was not particularly interested in crafting puppets; in his eyes, creating puppets shared the same origins as artifact refinement, differing only in substituting simple weapons like sabers, spears, swords, and halberds with more intricate puppets.
What captivated him was the art of puppet manipulation.
After a long while, Luo Chen lowered the jade slip, a contemplative look crossing his features.
To show any distinction in puppetry, the most basic prerequisites were a powerful soul and, ideally, the capacity to multitask.
This was common knowledge.
Yet the cliché held truth, because manipulating puppets inherently demanded formidable divine sense.
This was especially true for powerful puppets that contained spiritual souls of their own.
The path of puppet manipulation was divided into four tiers:
Puppetry by suspended silk was unranked; spiritual power guidance was mere entry-level; transforming divine sense into threads allowed deft control; and deeply planting soul imprints yielded unfathomable variations!
'This Cangli Puppetry Art actually records the complete methods of puppet manipulation, without even omitting the technique for creating soul imprints.
'Shen Wandou truly gave me a generous gift!'
Following his exclamation, Luo Chen lapsed back into contemplation.
Could planting a soul imprint allow him to control that White Tiger Puppet comparable to the late Nascent Soul stage?
Could this method truly reach the sword spirit within that blood sword and refine it into acknowledging him as master?
His experience in such matters was simply far too scarce.
In particular, lethal instruments like the White Tiger Puppet and the blood sword were unlike his natal Hunyuan Cauldron, which he could direct as easily as his own limbs; thus, he had to tread with utmost caution, permitting not the slightest mistake.
Otherwise, if either of those two contraptions went out of control, he would end up suffering disastrous consequences.
Just as Luo Chen was deep in thought, his expression shifted slightly.
"Tianxuan, enter!"
Outside the cave abode, Tianxuan responded and entered.
The moment she stepped inside, she shook her sleeves.
"Master, the Black King has returned."
A coiled flood dragon fell to the floor, its flesh torn open with bloody gashes, and faint blue flames flickered and burned atop its body.
Luo Chen's brow rose. "Black King, how did you end up in such a sorry state?"
The Black King spat out resentfully, "Ran into an old enemy. These flesh wounds are trivial, but these flames... I need Master's help to deal with them."
Gazing at the blue flames, Luo Chen sensed a faint hint of familiarity.
Combined with the words "old enemy," a certain person instantly sprang to Luo Chen's mind.
The very next instant, his gaze turned sharp as lightning, piercing right through the cave abode.
"Black King, you've brought someone back with you!"
The Black King froze. "Master, how did you know I brought... wait, that old bastard followed me too!"
He whipped his head around, his dragon tongue hissing and eyes blazing with ferocity.
Luo Chen waved his hand and rose to his feet.
"An old friend has come to call; why be so hostile? Just stay here and rest. I will go greet our old acquaintance."
Chapter 730