Following the Shouyang Dao Discourse, an atmosphere of fervor swept through all of Lingtian Pass.
The decisive battle was at hand!
For that reason alone, no one dared slacken.
Powerhouses from the surviving sects in the rear led countless low-tier cultivators in a ceaseless surge toward Lingtian Pass.
Not only the Nascent Soul upper sects, but vast numbers of Golden Core sects and even unremarkable Foundation Establishment forces had all been swept into the draft.
Following the last catastrophic battle when the city was breached, the number of cultivators in Lingtian Pass and the surrounding Five Lingtian Domains had plummeted below ten million.
Yet with reinforcements arriving by the tens of thousands each day, it swelled wildly once again, like an inflated ball.
Even from the Mingyuan Sect's side, low-tier cultivators beneath the Nascent Soul realm had unwittingly reached a count of one hundred thousand!
So many cultivators were billeted across Lingtian Pass and the neighboring five domains, where they began erecting fortifications and raising array fortresses, quietly awaiting the demon army's assault.
The reason for waiting on the defensive rather than launching a proactive offensive was actually quite simple to understand.
In terms of numbers, the human side stood at an absolute disadvantage; if the front spread too wide, they would find themselves severely outnumbered, which was far too dangerous.
However, after the Mingyuan Sect joined the fray, their top-tier combat strength—specifically in the ranks of Nascent Soul True Persons—had begun to outstrip the demon side.
Combined with formidable lethal weapons like great arrays, waiting for the enemy to deliver themselves to their doorstep was undoubtedly the best choice.
***
"Crane Emperor, you are being far too polite."
"Think nothing of it. It is merely a single white feather I shed upon my transformation, containing only a single strike of Nascent Soul power. Compared to your help in enabling my complete transformation, it is of little consequence. If you refuse it, only then would you be looking down on me."
"Indeed, Master of Alchemy, please accept it! Even if you have no use for it yourself, bestowing it upon promising juniors among your disciples is also fine. There is also this *Void-Treading Steps*. I heard you have been collecting body-refining methods of this kind. Though incomplete, it may perhaps offer you some inspiration."
Faced with Master Xianhe and the Crane Emperor chiming in unison, Luo Chen smiled and graciously accepted the white feather and the fragmentary *Void-Treading Steps*.
Truth be told, ever since successfully completing his transformation, this Crane Emperor of the White Crane Sect had repeatedly expressed a desire to visit him.
Yet over all these years, the two had never found the opportunity to meet.
Only now, in the wake of the Shouyang Dao Discourse, had he come knocking of his own accord, bearing quite a valuable gift.
Viewed from this angle, it was undoubtedly spurred by Luo Chen's soaring prestige, which was nothing like before.
"With the great battle imminent, the Castellan's Estate has decided to send us back to the White Crane Domain, hoping we can unleash the full strength of the domain our sect has built up over a millennium. I fear we will not cross paths with you again anytime soon, Fellow Daoist," Master Xianhe disclosed.
Luo Chen pondered for a moment. "That stands to reason."
With massive numbers of cultivators from rear forces reinforcing Lingtian Pass, and with numerous high-tier Nascent Soul True Persons presiding over the city, Master Xianhe and the Crane Emperor were no longer so indispensable here.
Deploying them back to the White Crane Domain was undoubtedly the most sensible decision.
He then smiled and remarked, "Compared to Lingtian Pass, while the five neighboring domains are also targets, they are comparatively much safer. Going there should ease your burdens somewhat."
Master Xianhe nodded slightly and stroked his beard with a laugh. "That is indeed so. It is just that given your formidable prowess, Lingtian Pass is reluctant to let you go, making it impossible for you to retreat to the rear."
Luo Chen shrugged and said helplessly, "Even if I wished to go, I have nowhere to go. Baili Qingchuan is merely a temporary lodging; where else could my sect retreat to?"
As he spoke, his helpless expression gave way to rising fighting spirit.
"During the previous battle for Lingtian Pass, I could not be present and could only lament the news of Fellow Daoists Xiao Shiniang, Master Mu, and the others falling in battle. This time, I am here in person. If the demons wish to enter the city, they must pay a steep enough price!"
Master Xianhe and the Crane Emperor exchanged a glance, both showing approval in their eyes.
Luo Chen's reputation as the Demon-Slaying True Person was indeed resounding.
The fourth-tier demon emperors slain by his hands were the most among those of his cultivation stage. As long as he did not run into a grand demon emperor at the commander level... No, judging from how Luo Chen took a strike from Dao Child Lei head-on at Shouyang Mountain, perhaps even a grand demon emperor could not kill Luo Chen easily!
The three chatted for a while longer, and only after Luo Chen personally saw them off Mount Danluo did their private meeting draw to a close.
Luo Chen stood amidst the mountains, watching his old acquaintances recede into the distance, emotion welling within him.
Though the White Crane Domain was safer, that safety was only relative.
Whether they would meet again after the decisive battle would depend on luck.
Nevertheless, regarding this decisive battle, Luo Chen was generally quite optimistic.
With the Mingyuan Sect stepping up to bind everyone into a single cord, the strength of the Eastern Desolation had been united—far better than the loose sand of the Northern Sea cultivation world.
Several dozen Nascent Soul True Persons—on that point alone, the present Northern Sea cultivation world could not compare.
Yet despite his optimism for this battle, when comparing them to the Tianyuan Dao Sect, Luo Chen could not help shaking his head.
The Tianyuan Dao Sect had ruled the Central Plains for three thousand years, forging it into an ironclad monolith; that single continent alone could muster more than two hundred Nascent Soul True Persons, overshadowing the other four continents!
Right now, they were even dispatching elites in a roaring, sweeping campaign to conquer the Northern Sea.
Unlike here with the Mingyuan Sect, who were forced on the defensive.
"Enough. Rather than dwelling on all that, I would do better to focus on myself.
"Lately, many people have taken the initiative to visit me, steadily raising my prestige. That is a good thing. Down the road, if the Mingyuan Sect attempts to recruit me, I will have more leverage. However, this has eaten into my cultivation time."
One gained some and lost some; for now, Luo Chen could hardly complain.
He could only use his spare moments to enhance his strength as much as possible.
In cultivation, even with top-grade Hongyuan Pills to aid him, he could not cross into the fifth layer of Nascent Soul in the short term.
Thus, Luo Chen shifted his focus toward shoring up his shortcomings.
Moon Steps, previously stuck at the perfection level, was rapidly advancing toward the grandmaster level through his relentless recent practice.
If he could master a combat technique at the grandmaster level before the decisive battle, it would unquestionably be of immense help.
Not only that, but he also carved out odd moments to study and complete Wind Leg alongside Wang Yuan, attempting to master another martial body art.
This *Void-Treading Steps* had arrived at just the right time.
***
On this day.
Cultivators of the Luotian Sect gathered atop Mount Danluo, waiting for Luo Chen to appear.
Before long, Luo Chen stepped out from within.
"What is going on? Weren't you assigned to patrol the western sector of Lingtian Pass? Why have you all returned?"
Facing Luo Chen's inquiry, Zeng Yilong stepped forward.
"It was the Mingyuan cultivators who pulled us off duty."
"Hmm?" Luo Chen frowned in puzzlement.
Zeng Yilong continued, "Our duties were all taken over by the women of Divine Sound Manor. They have plenty of people, so our efforts aren't needed."
Not letting the Luotian Sect cultivators do anything—what did this mean?
Beside him, Fairy Jueqing said in a low voice, "With Lingtian Pass preparing for war, all shops have been ordered to suspend business. Pavilion Master Sima Huiniang, Elder Gu, and the others are also rushing toward Mount Danluo with the disciples."
This was not surprising. Those shops were built along main thoroughfares; once battle erupted, should demon beasts breach the city, they would make suitable defensive fortifications for intercepting the enemy.
The Luotian Treasure Pavilion had likewise been requisitioned.
Yet connecting all these developments together, Luo Chen sensed that something was amiss.
Suddenly!
His brows twitched, and he walked out of the council hall, gazing into the distant sky.
The others were puzzled, but as a colossal flying boat flew over from the direction of the Castellan's Estate, realization dawned upon them.
Someone from the Castellan's Estate had arrived!
At Luo Chen's signal, Zeng Yilong flew up proactively.
"This junior, Shalongzi, asks which senior has graced us with your presence?"
"This old man is Chongxuan of the Mingyuan Sect. Have your master come up to speak!"
Zeng Yilong froze.
Yet after a voice transmission from Luo Chen, he immediately and obediently stepped back.
A figure vaulted into the sky, stepping toward a palace at the center of the flying boat beneath the curious gazes of Mingyuan low-tier cultivators.
The moment he entered, several gazes swept over him in unison.
Six individuals in total, every one of them in the Nascent Soul realm.
Especially the one seated at the head—the powerful aura of a late Nascent Soul cultivator was laid bare without the slightest restraint.
Master Chongxuan!
Luo Chen recognized his name; he was the leader of the Mingyuan reinforcements Sovereign Jiuling's group had encountered previously.
Back then, this grand cultivator had led five Mingyuan True Persons to personally expel Bi Zheng and the other demon emperors from the Xuhuang Great Domain.
Master Chongxuan had a head of white hair, his face naturally commanding without anger. He stared at Luo Chen and asked coldly, "You are the Master of Alchemy, Luo Chen?"
Luo Chen looked calm. "I am."
Master Chongxuan's voice boomed: "I hear you took a strike from Junior Brother Zhang and came out unscathed?"
Junior Brother Zhang?
Luo Chen realized in an instant that the "Junior Brother Zhang" he spoke of was none other than Dao Child Lei.
His given name was Zhang Che. Although he possessed the most renowned reputation among the Mingyuan Sect's traveling disciples, his time on the Dao was actually not long.
Thus, despite his profound cultivation, his seniority within the Mingyuan Sect was not particularly high.
Figures like Castellan Lingtian and Master Chongxuan could both be considered his senior martial brothers.
Luo Chen said in a deep voice, "Indeed. Why, does Fellow Daoist Chongxuan wish to test my mettle as well?"
The moment those words were spoken, the curious gazes of the other five Nascent Soul True Persons turned razor-sharp.
Because of Luo Chen's audacity, the atmosphere grew tense, like drawn bows and unsheathed swords.
Master Chongxuan narrowed his eyes, staring at Luo Chen for a long moment.
Suddenly!
He shook his head. "There may be an opportunity for us to become fellow sect members in the future; fighting now would only sour our harmony. I came today merely to inform you of one matter: Mount Danluo must be yielded to us."
"Hmm?"
Luo Chen let out a heavy sound of inquiry.
Master Chongxuan explained, "As for the coming war, you surely see things clearly: not only Lingtian Pass, but the five neighboring domains are also within the demon army's strike range. The pass is packed with powerhouses now, and does not lack one or two Nascent Soul True Persons; rather, it is the other five domains that are shorthanded. Therefore, you may take the cultivators of the Luotian Sect and return to Baili Qingchuan to deploy defenses."
"Is this the will of the Castellan's Estate?"
"Correct! Harbor no ill feelings; this old man does not care for a mere Mount Danluo. On the contrary, the rear is comparatively safe, allowing you to avoid the brunt of the first wave."
Luo Chen fell silent. Not long ago, he had told others that he would hold Lingtian Pass and make those demon emperors pay dearly.
Seeing Luo Chen remain silent, Master Chongxuan softened his tone, coaxing him with reasoned persuasion.
"Master of Alchemy, perhaps you have abilities that reach the heavens, but what of the cultivators beneath you? Even if you do not consider yourself, you must think of them! This arrangement is more than generous to your Luotian Sect."
Someone nearby chimed in, "Indeed, Master of Alchemy. We hear that your Luotian Sect's disciples are few and far between, unlikely to withstand heavy turmoil. Pulling back to the rear is undoubtedly a good thing."
Confronted with this tag-team performance, Luo Chen suddenly laughed.
"Since this is the Mingyuan Sect's wish, and considering I have only been able to reside on Mount Danluo for so long through Castellan Lingtian's favor over the years—so be it, we shall yield it!
"Please grant us a little time!"
With that, Luo Chen flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.
After he left, Master Chongxuan frowned slightly.
He had not said it was the Mingyuan Sect's wish; he had earlier said it was the Castellan's Estate's intention.
Yet it hardly mattered!
***
A cloud carriage—luxurious in appearance, yet not particularly grand—rose slowly from Mount Danluo.
Soaring into the high sky, it crossed paths with the colossal Mingyuan flying boat.
Luo Chen stood poised on the cloud carriage's deck, wearing a faint smile, nodding in acknowledgment to Master Chongxuan, who had stepped out of the vessel to look down upon Mount Danluo.
From this moment on, aside from its name, Mount Danluo would have little to do with him, Luo Chen.
Once the cloud carriage and the flying boat passed each other, the smile on Luo Chen's face gradually faded.
"Martial Uncle, are we heading straight back to Baili Qingchuan now?" Zeng Yilong asked.
"First, go pick up your two martial aunts," Luo Chen instructed flatly.
Zeng Yilong nodded and promptly went down to instruct the cultivators to alter course.
Wang Yuan walked up beside Luo Chen and asked in a low voice, "Are you alright?"
Luo Chen asked in return, "What could be wrong? Isn't withdrawing to the rear a good thing for us?"
Wang Yuan shook his head. "It is a good thing for the Luotian Sect, but for you, I suspect it is not so good."
Luo Chen parted his lips, yet did not disagree.
If the great war erupted, with his abilities, as long as his luck was not abysmal, he would surely slay demons and build his fame once again.
Combined with his previously accumulated prestige, he could have taken it to an even higher level.
In particular, now that all the various forces in the Eastern Desolation besides the Mingyuan Sect had suffered great decline, he could have ridden the momentum to attain even greater prominence and standing.
At that point, even if the Mingyuan Sect wished to forcibly recruit him, they would have had to pay a substantial price.
Yet now, under the pretext of preparing for the decisive battle, they had transferred him away from the front line. In doing so, how was he supposed to accumulate battle merits, let alone elevate his renown?
He did not know whether this was a deliberate maneuver by the Mingyuan Sect or merely an unintentional oversight.
Or perhaps a deliberate pretense of carelessness?
Yet he had no way to object.
Wang Yuan sighed. "It is us dragging you down!"
Luo Chen waved a hand. "Do not speak like that. Without you all, I would not be who I am today."
Wang Yuan looked downcast. "Yet right now, we have truly become a burden to you."
Back when Luo Chen was at his weakest, banding together for mutual warmth, the Luotian Sect had shielded him as he grew step by step.
Yet as Luo Chen's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, by now they had indeed become a drag on him.
Why was Tianduzi able to negotiate with Castellan Lingtian on behalf of the various sects, and even compel the Mingyuan Sect to lend aid to them all?
Not merely because he possessed the power of a grand cultivator, but also because he had the mighty Tiandu Sect behind him!
On what basis did the Mount Shouyang Hermit launch the Shouyang Dao Discourse, lift Lingtian Pass's commercial restrictions, and reap tremendous prestige?
Was it not likewise relying on the Dongyang Sect at his back!
Yet in Luo Chen's case, when he sought to take a step further, the weak Luotian Sect held back his stride.
Seeing Wang Yuan, who had always been proud and never admitted defeat, show such a dejected expression, Luo Chen pressed his lips tight.
"No!
"That the Luotian Sect is weak is a fact, but that I am not yet strong enough is also a fact!
"If I were strong enough, I alone could stand above all cultivators!"
Wang Yuan stared blankly at Luo Chen. In this moment, on the young man's face, he saw none of the complacency of recent days—only that same insatiable hunger from years ago, back when his cultivation had been low and feeble.
"Come. Once we return, we will work together to complete Wind Leg. I have gained new insights from *Void-Treading Steps*. Combining it with the Piaomiao Sect's *Three Forms of the Wind God*, perhaps we can deduce a whole new Wind Leg!"
Luo Chen spoke in a clear, ringing voice. In his words, there was not a trace of gloom over being transferred away from Lingtian Pass; instead, he sounded ambitious, carrying the bold posture of someone ready to accomplish something grand.
Haha, it was merely completing a technique, after all.
Wang Yuan smiled. "Then let us do it together!"
Chapter 848