"Zeng Yilong, you served with distinction in defending the sect, showing unwavering resolve. When turmoil struck, you stepped forward bravely and did not fail the hopes your father held for you in life. I bestow upon you a pair of high-grade flying magic treasures, the Poyue Wings, and an offensive magic treasure, the Myriad Jun Halberd!"
Under the gaze of the assembly, Zeng Yilong jerked his head up, staring in disbelief at the figure above.
A gentle laugh sounded.
"What are you still standing there dazed for?"
Zeng Yilong shuddered, hastily stepped forward, and bowed deeply. "This junior thanks the Supreme Elder for the bestowal!"
Two streaks of light floated lightly down before him, accompanied by Luo Chen's quiet instructions in his ear. "I personally refined the Poyue Wings over many years. Combined with the Nine Myriad Li technique I taught you in your early days, its escape speed is extraordinarily swift. Moreover, it is not merely adept at flight, but boasts formidable offensive capability as well. I have thoroughly erased all my personal imprints from it. Take it, bind it with a drop of blood, and refine it well."
Zeng Yilong's eyes gleamed as he carefully accepted the Poyue Wings.
Back then, he had watched with his own eyes as Luo Chen commissioned masters from Tianfan City to craft the Poyue Wings, and Luo Chen had casually gifted him a defective set as well.
Regrettably, that pair had accompanied him through a century of battles before finally shattering on the dueling platform.
He had never imagined that in the blink of an eye, an even finer pair would arrive in his hands!
And then there was this great halberd...
Zeng Yilong reflexively reached out to take it, and then—
*Thud!*
His grip slipped, and the great halberd crashed straight into the ground, gouging a hole in the hardened bluestone floor.
Had he not forcefully clutched the shaft with all his might, the entire weapon might have sunk right in.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, his face flushed scarlet.
Luo Chen gave a faint smile. "Channel your astral qi into it before wielding it."
Realization dawned upon Zeng Yilong, and he hurried to comply.
It was not that he was foolish, but rather that weapons crafted specifically for body cultivators were extraordinarily rare in the modern cultivation world. Magic treasures were almost invariably driven by magic power, so he had instinctively neglected to pour his vitality and blood into it.
As he channeled his astral qi, he drew the immensely heavy Myriad Jun Halberd out inch by inch.
The further it emerged, the more excited he became.
*This halberd is heavy, massive, and immensely powerful!*
*If I master it thoroughly and combine it with the Poyue Wings' blazing speed, even mid Golden Core cultivators won't be my match!*
Luo Chen glanced at Zeng Yilong. Seeing that he had grasped the trick, he paid him no further attention.
Parting with those two treasures did not pain him much.
The Poyue Wings' limit was not restricted to merely the high-grade rank, but its growth could no longer keep pace with his own advancement.
The Myriad Jun Halberd was excellent, but Luo Chen was not a pure body cultivator. In the past, he had relied purely on the peerless physical strength of his Tier 4 physique to wield it by force. It was far better to bestow it upon someone more suited, allowing its edge to shine even brighter.
As one of the two leaders of the Luotian Sect's younger generation—and someone Luo Chen had watched grow up from childhood—Zeng Yilong was worthy of possessing these treasures.
As for the other young pillar?
Luo Chen's gaze shifted toward another man of distinguished bearing whose expression bore a faint touch of melancholy.
"Qin Yuanjiang."
Qin Yuanjiang started. He had never imagined that there would be a share for him in today's distribution of rewards.
Apprehensive, he stepped forward.
Looking upon that face, which held thirty percent of Qin Liangchen's masculine vigor and several hints of Murong Qinglian's refinement, Luo Chen sighed softly.
"Adding flowers to embroidery is easy; delivering charcoal in a blizzard is hard. That you chose to join our sect during its lowest ebb and remained steadfast over all these years proves your chivalrous heart. Today, I bestow upon you three scrolls of puppet secret manuals."
"This junior thanks the Supreme Elder."
Qin Yuanjiang bowed and received the three manuals, which were evidently freshly transcribed. Just as he was about to put them away, he reflexively looked up at Luo Chen.
"Xiaohu, cultivate diligently and never grow lax!"
Qin Yuanjiang was stunned, but Luo Chen had already turned to reward the others.
Retreating to the back, Qin Yuanjiang glanced at the three manuals with confusion.
Two were indeed puppet manuals, their style antique, likely dating back to ancient times.
Yet when he looked at the remaining one, his pupils constricted, and his heart jolted violently.
*How could this soul-splitting technique be so strikingly similar to those legendary secret arts of the Luoyun Sect?*
In astonishment, he looked up at the young man above.
Paying no heed to his gaze, Luo Chen continued to announce rewards for those who had rendered meritorious service over the past century in a clear, resonant voice. The treasures he brought out left the crowd dazzled.
"Min Longyu, you poured out your heart's blood and spared no effort in defending the sect. For your distinguished merit, you are specially bestowed one Fengshen Compass, containing three major formations and eighteen minor formations. In addition, you receive one formation treatise, the *Secret Art of the Stone Chamber*!"
"Li Yingzhang, you persevered through hardships, advanced with steady patience, and turned the tide in the face of grave crisis. You are bestowed one Tier 4 water method scroll, several Tier 3 pills, and five magic treasures: the Canglan Robe, the Sea Quelling Bead, the Fire Avoidance Shroud, the Treasure Dropping Copper Coin, and the Dragon Rearing Basin."
"Yang Pingdu, loyal and devoted, you served with merit in protecting the sect. You are bestowed one Tier 4 earth method scroll, several pills, and a set of Wutu Apricot Yellow Banners!"
One treasure followed another, leaving all onlookers dizzy with wonder.
Name after name was called—some entirely expected, others slightly surprising.
Qin Yuanjiang, who had joined late, and Yang Pingdu had both received lavish rewards.
Yet a few figures still had not heard their names called.
Fu Jiusheng remained completely composed; Chu Kui shifted restlessly; and Qu Lingjun kept his head lowered, his emotions unreadable.
Suddenly, Luo Chen spoke.
"Fu Jiusheng, Chu Kui!"
The two reflexively looked up at Luo Chen. As their gazes met, the lingering anxieties in their hearts dissolved into thin air.
"My old friends, I truly did not misjudge you. Even after I departed, you remained willing to protect our sect, unlike those treacherous, ambitious characters like Diwu Qi.
"Once, we walked shoulder to shoulder. Now, I have taken a step ahead to attain the True Primordial realm. I hope you will catch up as swiftly as possible.
"Specially bestowed upon you: a set of methods for reaching the Nascent Soul realm!"
Fu Jiusheng and Chu Kui froze, their faces filled with utter disbelief.
A method for reaching the Nascent Soul realm!
Their aptitudes were mediocre, their cultivation not particularly high, and their hands lacked profound cultivation arts; the Golden Core stage was virtually the furthest limit their efforts could reach.
Yet if given a method to achieve Nascent Soul, who would willingly turn into a handful of yellow earth after five hundred years?
Two streaks of light shot from Luo Chen's fingertips, sinking into the space between their brows.
"Take them, study them well, and mend your shortcomings. Though your aptitude is poor and your years are advanced, when your lifespan's end draws near, you shall ultimately have the strength to fight for the True Primordial realm. Fellow Daoists, let us encourage each other!"
With the divine sense settling into their minds, Fu Jiusheng and Chu Kui were momentarily in a daze.
In the end, both bowed deeply toward Luo Chen.
"We thank the Supreme Elder for the bestowal!"
"We thank the Supreme Elder for the bestowal!"
Luo Chen smiled faintly, his gaze finally resting on the figure keeping his head down like a child who had made a grave mistake.
In truth, he was no longer a child; judging by the wrinkles on his face, he appeared even older and more weathered than Luo Chen.
Yet no matter the passage of time, before Luo Chen, he remained that boy reciting the *Hundred Herbs Classic* at the top of his voice amid the drifting snow of Crescent Moon Valley.
"Qu Lingjun!"
Qu Lingjun slowly lifted his head to look at Luo Chen, a hint of pleading in his eyes.
What was he pleading for?
Did he wish to receive a reward like the others before him, so as not to appear cast aside?
Or did he wish not to be rewarded, but rather to be punished, so that his conscience might find peace?
Luo Chen seemed not to notice that pleading look, stating calmly, "You are my disciple; by rights, you belong under the Luotian banner. From this day forward, sever your position as a guest elder of Fenghua, and return to the threshold of the Luotian Sect."
*Is this my punishment?*
Qu Lingjun shuddered all over and stammered, "Mas... Master, regarding Fenghua Palace..."
"I shall personally speak with the Nascent Soul Zhenren. But whatever ties you have within Fenghua Palace, you must sever them yourself—such as your remarried wife.
"Naturally, if you do not wish to return, we shall let the matter drop!"
Luo Chen's voice remained calm.
Yet woven into his words was a sternness he had never displayed before.
With a dazed expression, Qu Lingjun stepped back into the ranks.
In his life, he had been obsessed with Mi Li during his Qi Refinement days. After establishing his foundation, he had wished to emulate his master, Luo Chen, only to be caught in great upheaval. To save the sect, he had cast his lot with Fenghua, becoming entangled with another woman, Meng Qin'er.
Trapped by love, unable to free himself.
When love and duty could not both be satisfied, where was he to turn?
...
Did the rewarding of merit end here?
Unexpectedly, Luo Chen abruptly announced another piece of news.
"The second-generation sect master of the Luotian Sect, Yao Mingyue, took charge in a time of crisis, governing our threshold and anchoring the sect's lineage so that Luotian's heritage was never severed. Her great merit is beyond measure!
"Today, she steps down from the position of sect master to cultivate by my side, awaiting an auspicious day to form her core!
"Li Yingzhang!"
Amidst the clamor of the hall, Li Yingzhang, who had previously stepped back, walked forward once more.
"This disciple is here!"
As if knowing what was about to happen, he lifted his robes and knelt directly upon the floor.
"From this day forward, you are the third-generation sect master of the Luotian Sect. You must dedicate all your heart and strength, bringing no shame upon our gate, and glorifying the name of Luotian far and wide!"
Having spoken these words, Luo Chen drew a deep breath.
Then, he slowly pressed a single finger toward Li Yingzhang.
A terrifying, awe-inspiring force surged through the grand hall!
Li Yingzhang looked directly at Luo Chen, facing that finger with calm composure.
He felt only a faint heat between his brows, and then it was over.
When the crowd looked, they discovered a lifelike imprint of blue-green flame vivid upon his forehead, hovering directly between his brows like a third eye.
After delivering this finger strike, Luo Chen appeared somewhat weary.
He slowly rose to his feet, Yao Mingyue and Wang Yuan following at his side.
"Yingzhang, you may begin the task I entrusted to you."
Li Yingzhang acknowledged the order. Only after Luo Chen had completely departed did he slowly stand up.
As he rose, countless gazes followed his every movement.
No wonder Li Yingzhang had received the lion's share of the rewards earlier.
A Tier 4 cultivation method capable of reaching the Nascent Soul realm, several pills, and a staggering five magic treasures!
Five magic treasures were nearly impossible for ordinary cultivators to drive simultaneously, especially when Li Yingzhang already possessed his Chilong Sword, which he had refined for years. What reason could there be for granting him so many?
Back then, overawed by Luo Chen's might, people had merely thought the Supreme Elder was showing slight favoritism.
Now they realized it was all preparation for Li Yingzhang's succession as sect master!
The assembly looked toward Li Yingzhang, but catching sight of the blue-green flame on his forehead, they reflexively averted their eyes, no longer daring to meet his gaze directly.
Majestic without wrath, commanding deference from all—this was precisely it.
Li Yingzhang's heart was a tempest of complex emotions.
Grandfather had probably never imagined that he would reach this height!
Back then, his grandfather had constantly worried that Luotian would swallow the Li family, setting up various backup plans and negotiating conditions with Luo Chen one by one.
Yet who could have guessed that while the Li family had indeed fully merged into the Luotian Sect, he, Li Yingzhang, had become the Luotian Sect's master!
The affairs of the world were truly wondrous!
Li Yingzhang smiled faintly. "The Supreme Elder has assigned me a mission, and I must trouble our fellow sect members for your assistance."
The crowd voiced their agreement in unison. This was a task handed down by the Supreme Elder himself—it was a duty, not merely 'lending a hand,' and the new sect master was simply speaking out of courtesy.
"It is very simple: travel across the Five Domains to invite Nascent Soul Zhenren to Baili Qingchuan to attend the Nascent Soul Grand Ceremony of our sect's Supreme Elder, Zhenren Luo Chen!
"Xu Xiaoliu has already led a group into the Fenghua Domain, and the Supreme Elder has already spoken with the White Crane Domain; Elder Wang Yuan can make a trip there when the time comes. Thus, three domains remain. We shall dispatch six Golden Core cultivators, traveling in pairs, to deliver the invitations.
"This is our sect's grandest event in a hundred years. Let none among you neglect it!"
Toward the end, Li Yingzhang spoke slower and slower, but his tone grew increasingly weighty.
The cultivators straightened up and acknowledged the command with solemn reverence!
...
"Luo Chen, are you alright?"
"It's fine, just a bit draining on my spirit."
Facing Wang Yuan's inquiry, Luo Chen waved a hand.
The mark he had left between Li Yingzhang's brows was far less simple than it appeared.
It contained three things!
First was the divine ability, the Wither-Bloom Dao Finger; once unleashed, even an early Nascent Soul cultivator would be killed or gravely wounded.
Second was the Wither-Bloom Fire Seed; while it carried no offensive power, once activated, it transformed into Luo Chen's defensive spell, the Sevenfold Blazing Heaven Rings, fully capable of withstanding a strike from a Nascent Soul Zhenren.
Finally, it held a wisp of Luo Chen's own divine sense.
If the first two failed to protect Li Yingzhang, Luo Chen would have to manifest personally and negotiate with the enemy.
Condensing all three into a single mark was a severe test of skill.
Had Luo Chen not attained the proficiency of a Tier 4 formation master and completely mastered the seven fundamental restrictions, achieving such a feat would have been nearly impossible.
Moreover, he had to ensure the mark would not interfere with Li Yingzhang's cultivation, which required extra care.
Weariness was only natural!
Luo Chen turned to the woman following behind him and smiled faintly. "Mingyue, do you feel reluctant to give up the sect master's seat?"
Yao Mingyue looked up, a bright smile gracing her face. "A little reluctant, yes. But what you said was right, Martial Uncle: my lifespan is running short, and I must prioritize the Great Dao! Even if I clung stubbornly to the sect master's seat, it would amount to forty or fifty years of prominence at best. Why force it?"
Having said this, she felt completely unburdened.
Still, curiosity got the better of her.
"Martial Uncle, can you truly help me form my core? Right now, I'm only at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment."
Her master was Sima Huiniang, so she naturally addressed her dao companion Luo Chen as Martial Uncle, which sounded much closer and warmer than 'Supreme Elder.'
Luo Chen answered honestly, "Nothing in this world is entirely guaranteed. But if you have fifty years to cultivate in seclusion, supported by my pills, cultivation methods, and personal guidance, reaching the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment is only a matter of time. As for forming the core, that will depend on your own destiny."
Yao Mingyue felt a brief pang of disappointment.
Yet a moment later, she realized the truth!
The success rate of forming a core among Luotian Sect cultivators was astonishingly high; so long as one mastered the *Microdust Primordial Art*, core formation was virtually unimpeded.
This art was exceedingly difficult to cultivate, and there were precedents like Xing Zonghan who had suffered cultivation deviation.
Yet she now had the personal guidance of Martial Uncle Luo Chen. As the creator of the art, his experience was bound to be unparalleled. Far from merely reaching minor accomplishment, even major accomplishment would hardly stump her.
In other words, once she reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, core formation was practically guaranteed!
Having grasped this, Yao Mingyue exhaled in complete relief.
She could not hold onto the sect master's seat forever. In the present situation, a sect master endowed with greater ability and stronger might was required to do justice to the title of 'Superior Luotian Sect'!
Li Yingzhang—resolute in character, steady in conduct, yet exceptionally calm before major crises—was undoubtedly the premier choice!
Handing the sect over to him gave her peace of mind.
Entrusting herself to Luo Chen gave her even greater peace of mind.
Since that was so, what was there left to worry about?
Within a few casual words, the knot in Yao Mingyue's heart dissolved.
Arriving at the small stone terrace, she entered the cave abode to visit her master, Sima Huiniang.
Luo Chen and Wang Yuan remained outside.
"Brother Wang, everyone else received a reward except you. You won't blame your younger brother, will you?" Luo Chen asked with a grin.
Wang Yuan rolled his eyes. "There's never been any distance between us. And looking at your smug expression, you definitely prepared something. Hand it over already!"
"Hehe."
With a wave of Luo Chen's sleeve, a massive pile of items appeared on the stone table.
Books, bamboo slips, jade slips, iron plates—every piece was inscribed with text.
"What are these?"
"All of them are classical texts concerning body cultivation. They are my collection over the past century, spanning the North Sea and the Central Plains, from ancient times down to the present day. Several of the physical arts possess extraordinary might; I even synthesized a set called the Demonic Lord Seven Scattered Hands from them.
"However, I cannot devote myself wholeheartedly to body cultivation and cannot unearth the profound mysteries within these texts. Entrusting them to you is perhaps the best choice."
Wang Yuan nodded repeatedly as he skimmed through the manuals one by one.
"*Wind, Moon, Thunder, and Cloud Tread the Immortal Path*... Wind Leg, Moon Step, Thunder Kick, Cloud Slipper. Exquisite physical footwork, an exquisite concept! If mastered entirely, one could bridge the attack distance against Qi cultivators purely with footwork and speed. Are there three moves missing?
"*Flowing Cloud Immortal Seizing Finger*... This actually shares remarkable similarities with the Blood God Calamity Finger from my self-created Divine, Immortal, and Demonic Three Fingers, yet it excels in unleashing tyrannical, brutal might without the slightest earthly hint of effort...
"*Six Styles of the Ultimate Mountain*? Mediocre, but this accompanying Ultimate Mountain Body Tempering Technique is quite intriguing."
Watching Wang Yuan mutter to himself with eyes blazing with excitement, Luo Chen wore a helpless expression.
He had guessed it would turn out like this.
He had originally planned to give him another gift as well.
Seeing him so thoroughly engrossed, Luo Chen decided not to mention it for now, lest it distract him.
Once it was refined later on, he would give him a pleasant surprise!
Luo Chen did not disturb Wang Yuan, taking a leisurely stroll across the stone terrace while turning matters regarding the Luotian Sect over in his mind.
The sect master had already been newly appointed.
Li Yingzhang had strength, potential, and, above all, the capability to govern a sect!
Next came his own Nascent Soul Grand Ceremony.
Yet the primary objective of this ceremony was not to flaunt dominance, but to forge broad connections.
Connections for himself, and connections for the Luotian Sect.
Originally, he had intended to return to the Eastern Desolation and directly escort the members of Luotian to the Central Plains.
However, news of the Tianyuan Dao Sect launching a campaign against the North Sea had already arrived, and he had deciphered the Dao Sect's intentions.
The Central Plains was 'crowded,' with resources on the verge of proving insufficient, which was why they had launched expeditions into external continents.
Bringing the Luotian Sect there under such circumstances would only reduce them to cannon fodder for conquering foreign domains.
That being the case, Luo Chen intended to remain here for the time being and carefully manage the Luotian Sect. That way, even when the time came to lead them away, they would be an elite force possessing sufficient strength to protect themselves.
As for the third matter...
Gazing out over Baili Qingchuan, Luo Chen shook his head.
The present Luotian Sect could not withstand any further upheavals. Even if it did not expand, it needed a period of recuperation and rest.
The hearts of the low-tier disciples needed to be gathered and reassured.
The high-tier cultivators, such as Gu Caiyi and the other Golden Core cultivators, also required time to consolidate their realms.
From what Luo Chen could see at a glance, aside from Li Yingzhang and the older generation's Fu Jiusheng, the magic power of the remaining Golden Core cultivators was somewhat unstable and their realms rather precarious.
"Just as well. Since I am consolidating my own realm lately, I might as well accompany them!"
Chapter 785