Mount Daqing.
On the square before the Luotian Grand Hall.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Luo Chen gazed into the distance toward Lingtian Pass.
Lingfengzi and Di Tu stood to his left and right.
Li Yingzhang, Wang Yuan, and a host of Core Formation cultivators stood behind them.
Following Luo Chen's gaze, the crowd also looked toward Lingtian Pass, though bewilderment showed on every face.
What on earth had happened?
Not knowing, they could only wait for Luo Chen to speak.
After gazing for a long time, Luo Chen finally broke the silence in a measured tone.
"Black King, did you sense it?"
As a desolate beast, Black King possessed the innate gift of spirit-ingestion, allowing him to absorb heaven-and-earth spiritual qi even in slumber.
Over time, he had grown sensitive to origin qi—an energy of a higher tier than spiritual qi.
Back when that old scoundrel Shen Yuan came to Baili Qingchuan to spy on Mount Daqing, it was Black King who had detected him first!
At Luo Chen's query, Black King said with a hint of dread, "Yes, I did sense it. Just moments ago, the origin qi across the entire Fenghua Domain was thrown into turmoil. Even the spiritual qi of Baili Qingchuan was drawn away in great amounts."
To manipulate the heaven-and-earth origin qi of an entire domain from such a distance—such a feat could only be performed by a Soul Formation mighty figure!
And for a Soul Formation mighty figure to resort to such means, whoever they were battling had to be an existence of the same tier!
Over at Lingtian Pass, had Soul Formation mighty figures begun exchanging blows?
Black King was rather curious; his master had always been formidable, but he had never previously possessed such a sharp perception of heaven-and-earth origin qi!
Furthermore, this place had just undergone a fierce battle and the spiritual qi was exceedingly volatile. Masked by such surroundings, the others were completely oblivious.
Yet his master had detected the turmoil in the origin qi almost simultaneously with him.
On this point, Luo Chen offered no explanation.
For it was only three days ago that he himself had vaguely grasped this ability to perceive origin qi.
Yet there was no need to explain anything to Black King. Without looking back, he asked, "Di Tu, your expression shifted just now. You must have realized something. Why not tell everyone?"
Di Tu started, subconsciously reluctant to speak.
Yet facing Luo Chen's back—unguarded, yet looming like an insurmountable mountain—he hesitated for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
"It should be... my father who took action."
Luo Chen nodded. As someone close to Ancient Demon Di Tian, Di Tu was unlikely to be mistaken.
Thus, his own perception and conjecture were indeed correct.
The others were still in the dark. Who was the father of the Supreme Elder's newly subjugated spirit pet?
"Ancient Demon Di Tian!" Lingfengzi sucked in a sharp breath, providing the answer.
Di Tu's expression soured.
Inferiors ought to maintain respect for superiors; how could one speak his name directly?
The honorable title of Lord Pingshan was what Lingfengzi and the rest should have used.
Who called a father by his full name right to his son's face?
The others paid no heed to such etiquette. Upon hearing this answer and seeing that Di Tu did not deny it, their faces paled in sheer terror.
They might not know the Dao titles and honorifics of the Mingyuan Sect's three patriarchs, but throughout the Eastern Desolation, who had not heard the name of Ancient Demon Di Tian?
That was an existence on par with a Soul Formation mighty figure!
He was the chief villain who had plunged the entire Eastern Desolation cultivation world into the flames of war!
The once-thriving Luotian Sect had been forced to flee their homeland and end up here because of that very demon!
If such an existence had personally intervened, then Lingtian Pass...
A look of relief crossed Lingfengzi's face. Fortunately, he had joined the Luotian Sect and hadn't remained on that grand battlefield.
When an entity like that struck, not even the aftershocks could be endured by Nascent Soul True Persons!
"He has stopped!"
"Eh?"
Without looking back, Luo Chen reiterated, "Lord Pingshan has ceased his attack!"
Perched on Luo Chen's shoulder, Black King also nodded. "Indeed, he has stopped. The heaven-and-earth origin qi here in the Fenghua Domain is no longer turbulent. Clearly, a true battle didn't break out over there."
Lingfengzi asked hesitantly, "Senior Brother, what should we do now?"
Luo Chen waved his sleeve. "Do nothing, and do not send anyone to get involved over at Lingtian Pass. Simply guard the mountain gate well. Di Tu, come with me!"
Only after Luo Chen departed with the sullen Di Tu did the others seem to breathe a sigh of relief.
Yet some still felt confused by Luo Chen's decision.
Sima Huiniang stepped forward. "Simply follow the Supreme Elder's decision. Do you doubt him?"
Li Yingzhang whispered, "It isn't that I doubt the Supreme Elder, but rather that the Luotian Sect is too small. If we don't gather intelligence from the front lines in advance, it will be hard to decide whether to fight or flee when the time comes. Is doing nothing really wise?"
Looking at this third-generation sect master, Sima Huiniang countered, "Then what would you have us do?"
Li Yingzhang hesitated briefly before speaking with resolve: "Dispatch one or two disciples to risk venturing to Lingtian Pass to investigate. Even if their lives are endangered, it would be a sacrifice for the sect."
"Send whom?" Sima Huiniang retorted bluntly. "On that battlefield, even Nascent Soul True Persons might fail to preserve their lives. Who among our Luotian Sect could go? Do you wish for the Supreme Elder to put himself in peril?"
Li Yingzhang opened his mouth and subconsciously glanced toward Lingfengzi.
This man had only just announced his joining of the Luotian Sect earlier.
Moreover, the Supreme Elder had granted him generous terms, allowing him to establish a separate hall to continue the legacy of the Piaomiao Sect.
The others subconsciously looked over as well.
Faced with pair after pair of eyes—even though they belonged to cultivators of lower realms than himself—Lingfengzi's expression grew unnatural.
"Ahem!"
"Do not look at this old man. Surviving against Great Demon Emperor Qi Xi exhausted all my magical power, and I have yet to recover.
"Still, do not worry. I have close friends over at Lingtian Pass. I shall send word and inquire shortly!"
Sima Huiniang and Li Yingzhang exchanged a glance and nodded in unspoken agreement.
"Then we shall await Second Elder's good news!"
Lingfengzi's mouth twitched, both amused and exasperated inside.
Earlier, he had praised the Luotian Sect's cultivators to Luo Chen as dragons and phoenixes among men; now, this flock of dragons and phoenixes had turned their coordinated act upon him.
Ah well!
Since he had joined the Luotian Sect, he ought to do his part.
...
Inside the grand hall.
Luo Chen looked down upon Di Tu standing below.
"Did you know Lord Pingshan would make a move?"
"I did."
"Was it for that chang ghost transformed from the Yuan-Devouring Beast?"
"Yes."
"Does Lord Pingshan truly place such great value on a single chang ghost?"
"Gao Chang is different from ordinary chang ghosts. His origin is that of a desolate beast, an ancient primordial breed. From birth, he seemed specifically tailored to counter Qi Refiners, with an insatiable appetite for devouring cultivators' Dao fruits. Father once said that this world abhors the insatiable greed of demon cultivators and human cultivators alike, which is why it spawned such an entity to destroy all things. If Father can advance this chang ghost to the Soul Formation realm, he might be able to run rampant across the Five Continents and unify the Mountain Sea Realm!"
Luo Chen lost his composure for an instant.
He had heard similar remarks from Lei Daozi before, but that man had held back after all.
Yet now, hearing Di Tu's account, he finally learned what a terrifying origin that chang ghost named Gao Chang possessed.
With burning eyes, he stared directly at Di Tu, his vast divine soul within his sea of consciousness bearing down on the wisp of soul blood.
Under his piercing gaze, Di Tu's body trembled slightly, feeling as though his life and death hung entirely on the other's whim.
"Master, not a single word was false!"
Luo Chen slowly lifted the pressure and sank into deep thought.
Di Tu let out a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Only then did he realize his back was drenched in cold sweat.
Having one's life and death held in another's hands was truly horrifying.
Suddenly!
A voice rang out in the hall.
"Tell me... if Lord Pingshan learns you have been enslaved by me, will he come to kill me?"
"He will! Father is very—"
"You are lying!"
Luo Chen barked in a low voice.
With a shift of Luo Chen's thought, Di Tu felt his mind shudder as an excruciating agony struck.
Unable to control himself, he clutched his head and collapsed to the floor.
Golden fur even sprouted across his body, as though he would lose control and manifest his true form at any moment.
Luo Chen watched this coldly. Although he had ostensibly relaxed the soul pressure earlier, he had actually been observing the other's reactions all along.
When he sprang that question without warning, Di Tu had hesitated for an instant, his divine soul fluctuating violently before offering the reply.
That was not an instinctive reaction!
Therefore, he had lied!
Moments later, soaked in sweat and pale as a sheet, Di Tu knelt obsequiously on the ground.
"Master... he probably will not come to rescue me."
"Explain," Luo Chen demanded, adding coldly, "I trust you will not deceive me again. You must have seen that soul banner planted over Baili Qingchuan; this master possesses no small degree of skill when it comes to tormenting souls."
Di Tu swallowed hard; he had already felt a taste of it.
"I dare not, I would never dare again!"
"Then explain yourself!"
Di Tu smiled bitterly and slowly recounted the past.
"My father's true form is a White Tiger of supreme bloodlust, fighting his way up from youth amidst the Million Mountains..."
Ancient Demon Di Tian's true form was indeed a White Tiger, inherently bloodthirsty.
With no one to aid him, he had carved out a dominion bit by bit from the Eastern Desolation's Million Mountains, attaining the venerable stature of an Ancient Demon.
In the process, his bloodlust had gradually been tempered by the threat posed by the human race, shifting toward grand strategy and ambition until he eventually unified the demon race of the Eastern Desolation.
During that time, three children were born to him over the years.
The eldest was none other than Huang Man, one of the Nine Commanders.
Though of mixed bloodline and lacking Di Tian's innate talents, this demon had inherited Di Tian's early bloodlust, and thus was held in high regard by Di Tian.
Di Tian had even declared before a host of demon powerhouses: "This child resembles me!"
The third was born after Di Tian attained the Soul Formation realm, sired with his favored concubine, Jinxiuxian.
That one was female!
Di Tu referred to her as his younger sister.
Wonders accompanied her birth; not only was her White Tiger bloodline exceptionally pure, but she was also born with twin wings on her back, extraordinary from inception!
Ancient Demon Di Tian doted on her immensely, showering her with every care, even forbidding outsiders from seeing her and raising her secretly in a grotto-heaven.
By comparison, Di Tu was far less fortunate.
As the second son, he had neither his father's high regard nor his father's favoritism. Moreover, having been born later, he was suppressed thoroughly by his elder brother and had been unable to amass a faction of his own.
Naturally, relying on the status of "my father, the Ancient Demon," Di Tu's days among the demon race were still comfortable enough, with few daring to provoke him.
Unfortunately, that was among the demons.
In this great war between humans and demons, he had wanted to make a name for himself and volunteered to capture Luo Chen.
Who could have guessed he would run into such a fiend!
Having heard this story, Luo Chen finally understood why the dignified son of an Ancient Demon had been so pathetic in combat.
Neither valued like the eldest nor doted upon like the youngest daughter, yet sheltered from all storms by an exalted, powerful father. Perhaps his cultivation realm could be raised with the vast resources his Ancient Demon father provided, but his temperament and mettle lagged far behind.
As for actual strength?
With such a wretched temperament, no matter how high his realm was, how much strength could he truly display?
Moreover, Luo Chen was originally in the same realm as him, and in equal-realm combat, Luo Chen had never feared anyone!
"Father stopped his attack likely because he encountered a mighty figure from the Mingyuan Sect. With the war effort impeded, he must be overwhelmed. How could he spare a thought for a good-for-nothing like me?"
Di Tu knelt on the ground crestfallen, his face filled with grievance.
"He surely won't come to rescue me."
Luo Chen showed a thoughtful look.
After a long while, Luo Chen pondered before saying, "You shall guard Mount Daqing for me!"
Di Tu was stunned, not understanding what he meant.
...
The next day.
Outside the blood-stained mountain gate of Fenghua Palace, a large contingent of guests arrived.
Before the mountain-guarding disciples could react, they caught sight of a familiar face.
"Senior Sister Meng, you're back!"
Seeing the mountain-guarding disciple, Meng Qin'er could not help but smile warmly, taking the girl's hand in hers.
"Xiao Ke, seeing you safe and sound sets my heart at ease."
Junior Sister Xiao Ke nodded excitedly. "I am so glad you're alive as well."
After a brief reunion, Junior Sister Xiao Ke looked toward the crowd outside the mountain in confusion.
"Are those cultivators of the Luotian Sect? Why have they all come here?"
Meng Qin'er turned solemn. "The earth veins at Baili Qingchuan were wrecked, leaving the spiritual qi in turmoil. It is unfit for habitation in the short term. Therefore, they wish to borrow Fenghua Palace to stay for a while."
"This..." Junior Sister Xiao Ke looked conflicted.
Meng Qin'er patted the back of Xiao Ke's hand, which bore a claw mark. "Worry not. You cannot make this decision. I will report to Grandmaster, and she will decide."
Junior Sister Xiao Ke finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then go up the mountain first, Senior Sister. I will attend to our fellow cultivators from the Luotian Sect."
Meng Qin'er hummed in agreement, rode her escape light, and entered the mountain gate.
Before long, Fairy Fenghua's figure appeared at the gate.
Coming in person to welcome them!
From afar, Luo Chen presented a gift.
Thud!
A massive headless deer carcass landed upon the ground.
"The cultivators of the Luotian Sect hope to borrow your noble sanctuary to rest for a time. A humble gift, merely a token of our esteem."
Fairy Fenghua raised an eyebrow. "Brother Luo, isn't this far too courteous?"
Luo Chen smiled. "After all, we are imposing on you. Moreover, our sect previously borrowed Baili Qingchuan to dwell in for so many years; a single Demon Emperor's carcass is truly of little consequence."
"I truly cannot accept this gift!" Fairy Fenghua's expression turned serious. "Brother Luo's kindness in lending your two spirit pets to help me quell the disaster at Fenghua far exceeds the minor favor I showed you."
Seeing Luo Chen still insist on offering the gift, Fairy Fenghua waved her hand.
"Xiao Ke, Qin'er, what are you standing there for? Quickly welcome our guests from the Luotian Sect inside!"
This meant she had agreed!
She then turned to Luo Chen, extending a graceful hand in invitation.
"Brother Luo, please come inside!"
Luo Chen smiled wryly and ceased arguing, following Fairy Fenghua into the sacred grounds of Fenghua Palace.
Though the paths they walked were likewise strewn with devastation, female cultivators could be seen tidying up everywhere; vitality would surely be restored before long.
Such was the advantage of a great sect!
Vast spiritual lands and numerous disciples.
Even after enduring several tribulations, their foundation remained.
Luo Chen had carefully considered this before seeking refuge at Fenghua Palace.
Although Fenghua Palace's spiritual veins had suffered collapses over multiple battles, its primary vein remained intact, and the number of its disciples had dwindled significantly.
Vacating an area to house merely two hundred-odd people of the Luotian Sect would pose no difficulty!
All that was needed was for Li Yingzhang to restrain his disciples and ensure they did not overly disturb the female cultivators of Fenghua Palace.
The man and woman followed the rugged mountainside toward a peak that remained well-preserved.
"This great war is finally coming to an end."
Carried on the mountain breeze, the woman's voice held both solemnity and a touch of relief.
"Oh? It seems Fellow Daoist knows something about the situation over at Lingtian Pass?" the man asked out of curiosity.
"Not in detail. I only know that after nine days and nine nights of fighting, the beast tide has been steadily retreating. I dispatched several disciples to investigate the particulars, but we must await their return for detailed reports. Speaking of which, where is Fellow Daoist Lingfengzi?"
"Him? He went outside Lingtian Pass as well to contact friends and gather intelligence."
"I heard Lingfengzi has joined your noble sect? His escape arts are exquisite, surpassing even mine. The Luotian Sect has gained yet another formidable pillar!"
"Haha, it is nothing more than huddling together for warmth."
Fairy Fenghua gave Luo Chen a meaningful look as her footsteps came to a slow halt at the mountain summit.
"This is Mount Qingping, once the cultivation grounds of my junior sister. It contains a fourth-tier low-grade spiritual vein. It can serve for your cultivation, Brother Luo, and the disciples of the Luotian Sect can be settled on this mountain as well."
The cultivation grounds of the Second Palace Master?
Luo Chen vaguely recalled that the Second Palace Master's Dao title was indeed Fairy Qingping.
This Dao title originated from her refining large quantities of Green Duckweed Nether Wind, allowing her to drift like duckweed during battle, ethereal and elusive.
Pity that when Jinxiuxian led a host of Demon Emperors on their assault, the Second Palace Master had been weighed down by the sect, unable to bring her full might to bear, and ultimately perished, her Dao extinguished.
Of course, even if she had been unburdened back then, she would never have been a match for Jinxiuxian and that pack of Demon Emperors.
"Brother Luo, are you satisfied with this place?"
"Naturally, I am satisfied. As a place for Lingfengzi to cultivate, he will surely be pleased as well." Luo Chen nodded.
A smile appeared on Fairy Fenghua's face, but she quickly caught on.
"You are not staying here?"
"I have my own destination. During the days of my absence, I hope you will watch over my disciples for me, Fellow Daoist. If any concrete intelligence arrives from Lingtian Pass, please send word to me as well."
Luo Chen presented a message talisman he had personally crafted.
This was an item he had created by combining the ten-thousand-li voice transmission talisman art of Lord Lushan of the North Sea with his own formation concepts, forged through artifact-refining methods.
Attached to it was a strand of divine sense he had severed; so long as the other party inscribed a message inside, Luo Chen would receive it in an instant.
However, this kind of talisman was single-use.
Furthermore, Luo Chen did not dare give it out lightly. If someone used that strand of divine sense to harm him with secret arts, the loss would far outweigh the gain.
Having fought shoulder to shoulder with him, Fairy Fenghua was someone Luo Chen trusted relatively well.
Though somewhat puzzled, Fairy Fenghua accepted the jade talisman nonetheless.
Once the cultivators of the Luotian Sect ascended Mount Qingping, Luo Chen offered a faint smile, bowed with hands clasped in salute to Fairy Fenghua, and drifted away into the distance.
Watching his unconstrained departing figure, Fairy Fenghua knitted her delicate brows, vaguely sensing that he seemed to be on guard against something.
Yet what could possibly make an Alchemy Grandmaster capable of repelling a Great Cultivator feel afraid?
"Safe travels, then!"
Chapter 855