"Senior Brother, I have received the opening decree!"
Accompanied by an agitated voice, True Person Shenhuo hurried in from outside.
Clutching a black scroll in his hand, his face was radiant with joy.
"Senior Brother, we can finally return to the Five Elements Domain!"
Yet this burst of excitement vanished without a trace the moment it collided with the chilling array.
Senior Brother Shenyuan was still in deep seclusion, refusing to see anyone.
A wave of displeasure rose within True Person Shenhuo's heart. Ever since that expedition to the Myriad Mountains all those years ago, his senior brother had been like this.
It was as though he no longer cared about anything.
He had stood by with folded arms when they were forced to leave their ancestral home; when Senior Brother Jinling's remains fell into Luo Chen's hands, he had offered empty words without taking action; and now, even with the chance to reclaim their homeland before them, he remained utterly indifferent.
Did he still care about the Five Elements Divine Sect at all?
Just as Shenhuo dwelled on past grievances and seethed with indignant resentment, a hoarse voice drifted out from the room:
"Proceed as you see fit. When the time comes, I shall take action."
Shenhuo froze for a second, then broke into immense joy.
Those words alone were enough!
Unlike other vacant great domains, the Easternmost Six Domains—including the territory once held by the Five Elements Divine Sect—remained entrenched with vast hordes of demon beasts.
Relying solely on him and the present Five Elements Divine Sect, forcibly retaking the land would be exceedingly difficult.
Yet if his senior brother was willing to step in, everything would be well!
After all, his senior brother was a late-stage Nascent Soul grand cultivator!
Shenhuo bowed respectfully and walked out with the decree in hand.
Outside, his grand-disciple Ranfeng, who had been waiting for some time, came forward to greet him.
"Grandmaster, did the Supreme Elder respond?"
True Person Shenhuo let out a hearty laugh. "Of course he responded. After all, he is the pillar upholding our Five Elements Divine Sect's sky."
After laughing, Shenhuo exhaled a breath of turbid air.
"Still, we cannot sit idle. An opening war has never been an easy affair, and it requires extensive preliminary preparations."
Ranfeng nodded. "I understand—repairing magic treasures, organizing disciples, and ideally inviting allies far and wide to campaign together!"
"As long as you understand. I shall draft a list, and you will visit them one by one." Shenhuo's thoughts churned, and a few sects with reasonably good relations with the Five Elements Divine Sect came to mind.
The first, naturally, was Motian Cliff!
Though Old Ghost Motian's strength was ordinary, his life-saving methods were truly formidable; even without a natal True Artifact, he had clung to life through several great battles.
Securing his help would save them a great deal of effort.
Moreover, before the peace talks at Mount Biyou, the demon race had deliberately vacated Motian Cliff's ancestral land, the Motian Domain, as a buffer zone.
Demon beasts there were sparse, so reclaiming his ancestral domain ought to be fairly easy.
Old Ghost Motian would likely not refuse an invitation from the Five Elements Divine Sect.
In addition, the Tiandu Sect, the Hundred Beasts Sect, Seven Caverns Mountain, White Deer Cave, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, and the Divine Talisman Sect could also be invited for mutual benefit!
Ah, no—the Divine Talisman Sect had to be excluded first and foremost. That old fellow Old Fu was far too close with Alchemy Grandmaster Luo Chen.
Apart from this, Shenhuo's thoughts raced, and he made another decision.
"Issue a Recruitment Order to invite forces large and small below the Nascent Soul upper sects to join the Five Elements Divine Sect in conquering the Five Elements Domain."
"Once the Five Elements Domain is reclaimed, spirit lands can be allocated accordingly based on their merits!"
Ranfeng was not surprised; this was standard procedure in preparing for an opening war.
Relying solely on the strength of a single sect to suppress the demon chaos would incur far too great a loss.
If they could enlist those small and medium forces to bear the brunt, they could avert many casualties.
For the Five Elements Divine Sect, whose strength had fallen sharply, this was the best possible way to borrow external power.
After gathering the disciples of the Divine Sect, True Person Shenhuo quickly assigned them their respective tasks.
Regarding the matter of visiting the Nascent Soul True Persons, he ultimately decided to go in person.
As for liaising with the small and medium forces, it was entrusted to Ranfeng, Qi Emei, and other Core Formation cultivators.
Once all arrangements large and small were settled, True Person Shenhuo hurried out of their encampment to visit the various Nascent Soul True Persons.
His first stop was the nearest one, Motian Cliff.
After half a day of negotiations, the two sides reached a series of terms for cooperation, and Shenhuo departed contentedly to head to the next destination.
About half a month later, he returned to the Divine Sect's encampment looking somewhat weary.
Walking along the narrow mountain path, Shenhuo felt a wave of bittersweet emotion as he reflected on his experiences over the past half-month.
Among the potential allies on the list he had personally drafted, some had agreed to his invitation, such as Motian Cliff, Seven Caverns Mountain, the Hundred Beasts Sect, and White Deer Cave.
Yet others had rejected him.
"The Tiandu Sect has suffered immense losses and has no heart for further battle; that is understandable."
"But how dare Lin Qingxuan of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect act so haughtily and refuse to even see me?"
"Could it be out of deference to Alchemy Grandmaster Luo Chen?"
True Person Shenhuo was utterly baffled.
In his eyes, the connection between Lin Qingxuan and Luo Chen was hardly that deep!
Furthermore, the former territory of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, the Jade Cauldron Domain, had now turned into a ghost realm teeming with spectral apparitions. Relying on the mere handful of cultivators left in the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, retaking the Jade Cauldron Domain was an utter impossibility.
Did Lin Qingxuan truly have no desire to seek external help?
For the moment, no one could answer this doubt for him.
However, upon meeting Ranfeng, another piece of news delivered by his troubled disciple left Shenhuo both shocked and furious.
"Only five Core Formation great sects are willing to follow us in retaking the Five Elements Domain?"
Ranfeng nodded, unable to stop himself from adding, "Among those five, four were originally our sect's vassals. After weathering the great war, only a few hundred cultivators remain among them; they cannot offer much assistance at all."
"How could this be? When did our Divine Sect's rallying power fall to such a state?" True Person Shenhuo was incredulous.
Beside him, the female cultivator Qi Emei hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "Could it be because of the Luotian Sect?"
"The Luotian Sect?" Shenhuo froze. "Isn't Luo Chen heading to the sacred ground of the Mingyuan Sect?"
Many people had kept their eyes on Luo Chen's movements.
He had been personally invited by the Soul Transformation grand cultivator of the Mingyuan Sect, and in the future, he might very well take charge of the Alchemy Saint Hall, vaulting to become the foremost figure beneath the three Old Ancestors.
Everyone was intensely envious.
As for the Luotian Sect he had founded with his own hands, hardly anyone paid attention to it now.
Most assumed this minor force of barely two hundred people would follow Luo Chen to join the Mingyuan Sect.
Yet now, his disciple was telling him that the Luotian Sect was also participating in the opening war?
Qi Emei relayed the gathered intelligence to True Person Shenhuo point by point.
"The Alchemy Grandmaster will enter Mingyuan, but the Luotian Sect will not accompany him. According to reliable reports, the Alchemy Grandmaster intends to open a domain to serve as the Luotian Sect's mountain gate and preserve his own legacy."
"At present, the Luotian Sect has issued a Recruitment Order in the Alchemy Grandmaster's name, and many small and medium forces have rushed to enlist under them."
"After all, those smaller forces are well aware that the Luotian Sect has few cultivators and cannot occupy much spirit land. As long as a domain is conquered, they will be able to claim a larger share of territory."
"Meanwhile, our Five Elements Divine Sect still possesses a large number of cultivators; we would never leave many leftovers for outsiders."
True Person Shenhuo opened his mouth, caught off guard by this twist.
The very strength of the Five Elements Divine Sect had become a deterrent to smaller forces seeking allegiance.
Moreover, the Alchemy Grandmaster's rallying influence genuinely eclipsed that of True Person Shenyuan.
After a moment of contemplation, True Person Shenhuo gritted his teeth.
"Forget it!"
"With the assistance of the four Nascent Soul upper sects like Motian Cliff, retaking the Five Elements Domain will be more than enough."
"Those petty forces only crave future gains, blind to the fact that the Luotian Sect has so little strength. When the opening war truly begins, those suffering death and injury will be none other than themselves. Truly foolish beyond measure!"
Qi Emei and Ranfeng could not help but nod in agreement.
The current situation was plain to see; fishing in troubled waters would not be so easy for smaller forces.
Among the fifteen lost domains, the Blade Dominance Domain had long become a land devoid of spiritual energy. Four other domains had been devastated by the Soul Transformation grand cultivators and were unfit for cultivation in the short term. Of the remaining ten domains, the Jade Cauldron Domain had been reduced to a ghost realm overrun with spectral horrors.
All told, only nine domains remained available for selection.
Within these nine domains, massive hordes of demon beasts were entrenched. For an ordinary Nascent Soul upper sect, conquering one was no simple feat.
***
Fenghua Palace.
At the foot of Mount Qingping, the past several days had been bustling with boundless activity.
Led by Sect Master Li Yingzhang, every cultivator of the Luotian Sect at or above the Foundation Establishment stage was busy receiving leaders of various factions, large and small.
Whenever hands were short, Fenghua Palace would dispatch disciples to assist.
Inside a modest palace hall, Li Yingzhang was conversing warmly with an elderly man, both wearing smiles.
"Seventy years ago, our Panshi Gang fought side by side with your esteemed sect at Ghost Head Mountain. Who would have thought we would have such an opportunity once more?"
"Hahaha, doesn't this prove our two factions share a destined affinity? Rest assured, as long as we conquer a domain, we can be neighbors once again."
"Then I shall take Sect Master Li's auspicious words to heart!"
After a pleasant exchange, Li Yingzhang agreed to the Panshi Gang's participation in the Luotian Sect's opening war.
He personally escorted the elder outside the hall, breathing a sigh of relief as he watched him depart.
Another pillar of support secured!
The Panshi Gang had once been a renowned Core Formation great sect within the Tianfan Domain. At its peak, it had boasted seven Core Formation cultivators and thirty to fifty thousand disciples.
Even now, three Core Formation cultivators survived, and their disciples numbered around four to five thousand.
With their help, clearing out those first- to third-tier demon beasts would become vastly easier.
"Senior Brother Li, seeing your smile, did matters conclude smoothly on your end?"
A crisp, capable female voice called out. Li Yingzhang turned to see Yao Mingyue approaching with a smile.
Li Yingzhang laughed heartily. "Naturally! And on your side?"
Yao Mingyue smiled. "The Tianlang Society has agreed as well! Though they are few in number, every one of their disciples excels in taming demon wolves. They will be a great help when the time comes."
Hearing this, Li Yingzhang felt his spirits lift.
In a mere half-month, no fewer than ten Core Formation factions had come to pledge their allegiance to the Luotian Sect.
The combined number of cultivators they could muster reached several tens of thousands.
A full year still remained before the deadline for the Luotian Sect to launch its opening war.
Furthermore, word had not yet arrived from the Supreme Elder's side. With the Supreme Elder's rallying power, the number of Nascent Soul upper sects he could recruit was bound to be substantial.
One could already envision that when the true campaign began, the Luotian Sect would gather an ocean of cultivators, achieving victory as naturally as water flowing into a channel!
"Junior Sister Mingyue, you have truly worked hard. After stepping down as sect master, you finally advanced to the Core Formation stage, yet before you could even consolidate your realm, you were called upon to toil like this."
Yao Mingyue waved her hand dismissively. "My foundation was laid well enough, and my realm consolidated long ago. Besides, I grew thoroughly familiar with such matters in earlier years; this hardly counts as toil."
Pausing, she revealed a look of curiosity.
"There is one matter everyone is wondering about. As our esteemed sect master, do you happen to know?"
"What matter?"
"Exactly which domain does our Luotian Sect intend to reclaim?"
Confronted with this question, Li Yingzhang could only give a wry smile.
How could he not be curious himself? Yet after inquiring with the Supreme Elder, he had never received a definitive answer.
"Junior Sister, this matter..."
Just as Li Yingzhang was searching for words, a Foundation Establishment disciple flew over in haste.
"Sect Master, Martial Aunt Yao, another Core Formation faction has arrived to seek allegiance!"
Li Yingzhang nodded. "Please invite them to the Hall of Ten Thousand Pines first!"
Yao Mingyue gave it a thought and stopped the departing disciple. "Do you know which sect it is? If it isn't anyone particularly significant, I can go dismiss them shortly."
Under the Alchemy Grandmaster's banner, small and medium forces were flocking to respond in droves.
Yet that did not mean the Luotian Sect accepted just anyone!
If a faction was too weak, with barely any disciples to command, the Luotian Sect had no interest in them.
Otherwise, when the domain was won and spirit lands were divided, having too many monks for too little porridge would only turn unsightly.
The disciple pondered for a moment before answering respectfully, "It is Azure Pill Valley. The visitor is their Sect Master, Master Tao Wan."
A trace of confusion surfaced in Yao Mingyue's eyes. "That name sounds rather familiar?"
"Junior Sister, allow me to receive this guest!" Li Yingzhang suddenly spoke up.
Yao Mingyue was taken aback. Ordinary Core Formation factions were hardly worthy of the Luotian Sect's sect master stepping forward in person; they had to be at least on the level of the Panshi Gang.
Why had Senior Brother Li volunteered himself the moment he heard this name?
As if discerning the confusion in her eyes, Li Yingzhang lowered his voice: "This sect originates from the Jade Cauldron Domain. That Master Tao Wan shares an old friendship with the Supreme Elder."
In an instant, understanding dawned on Yao Mingyue!
No wonder the name had felt familiar—it had been one of the Seven Jade Cauldron Sects of the past!
Having heard no news of them for so many years, she had assumed they were long gone.
Who would have guessed that the sect still existed, and that Master Tao Wan was still alive?
Sharing an old friendship with the Supreme Elder certainly warranted a personal reception from Senior Brother Li.
***
Atop Mount Qingping.
Within a stone chamber radiating sweltering heat, clanging metallic sounds echoed continuously.
After a long while, the noise finally ceased.
A cracked bronze mirror floated quietly in midair.
Luo Chen examined it, a look of pity flitting across his eyes.
Could it truly only be restored to this extent?
This mirror had belonged to the third brother of the Lu family, Lu Chang'an, and its grade ought to sit at the level of a True Artifact. Endowed with the powers of revealing true forms, freezing space, and suppressing foes, it was a remarkably fine treasure.
However, after two ferocious battles against him, it had suffered extreme wear and tear.
He had spent days replenishing it with copious materials, yet he had only managed to restore thirty percent of its former strength.
To the current Luo Chen, such a treasure had become little more than a chicken rib—of negligible value.
"Forget it. I shall bestow it upon the disciples below!"
A damaged True Artifact possessed its own advantage: its consumption of magic power was far lower.
Provided a Core Formation cultivator refined it properly, they could still unleash a portion of its might.
Beckoning with his hand, Luo Chen recalled the azure bronze mirror and placed it casually onto a nearby shelf.
Upon that shelf rested a dazzling array of magic treasures and True Artifacts!
The Frost Eagle Shuttle—a pristine True Artifact acquired from the Frost Eagle Demon Sovereign, the very first demon sovereign to fall by Luo Chen's hand upon his return to the Eastern Desolation.
The Shadowless Needles—a full thousand pieces, a superior magic treasure only half a step shy of becoming a True Artifact. These had belonged to Demon Sovereign Wuguang; though Luo Chen had sold Wuguang's remains, he had kept this set of flying needles for himself.
Their lethal power might not pierce Luo Chen's defenses, but if unleashed against ordinary cultivators, their effectiveness would be extraordinary.
After all, these flying needles possessed exceptional qi-piercing properties, and whether it was a spell barrier or a defensive magic treasure, both relied upon the infusion of magic power.
A compass and a set of pennants, severely damaged with less than a tenth of their might remaining, belonged to the other two brothers of the Lu family.
Next were dozens of varied magic treasures, all imbued with flesh-and-blood restrictions.
These originated from the Hundred-Footed Great Demon Sovereign!
Moreover, the vast majority had been crafted by the human race, so there was no issue of incompatible attributes.
Aside from these, a pair of silvery-white gauntlets, four golden ropes, five black awls, and a single golden flying needle lay arranged separately.
"Thunderbolt Gauntlets, Gold-Binding Ropes, Law-Suppressing Five Elements Awls, Soul-Weaving Needle!"
Luo Chen recited their names one by one, an expression of profound satisfaction showing in his eyes.
His battle against the Hundred-Footed Great Demon Sovereign had indeed been fraught with peril, but the harvest far exceeded his expectations.
Dozens of magic treasures, four True Artifacts, and the remains of a great demon sovereign!
This was not even counting the damaged materials of the mountain and sword he had conveniently retrieved. Those two items had clashed head-on against his Hunyuan Cauldron and Yuantu Blood Sword for numerous rounds, proving they were no ordinary goods.
Even as remnant materials, so long as they were properly utilized, they could perhaps be recast into one or two fine magic treasures.
Reaching out, Luo Chen stored away the Law-Suppressing Five Elements Awls and the Soul-Weaving Needle, intending to take time later to refine them into his personal armaments.
As for the rest?
Luo Chen sighed softly. These would form the foundation he left behind for the Luotian Sect!
This foundation was remarkably substantial. For an ordinary Nascent Soul sect, possessing one or two True Artifacts was already a stroke of immense fortune, yet what Luo Chen was leaving behind was far more than that.
The Frost Eagle Shuttle, the Thunderbolt Gauntlets, the Gold-Binding Ropes!
Furthermore, the Soul-Nurturing Banner given to Bai Meiling and the Hundred Thousand Wrathful Souls Banner given to Tianxuan were both at the True Artifact level.
There was also the Penglai Octagonal Pavilion seized from the disciple of the Penglai Immortal Sect; once it outlived its usefulness to him in the future, it too would be bequeathed to the Luotian Sect.
As long as he conquered a spiritual land to serve as a mountain gate where the Luotian Sect could thrive, he, Luo Chen, would have fulfilled every duty of benevolence and righteousness.
When the time came to enter the Mingyuan Sect, if all went smoothly and he achieved the Soul Transformation stage, that would naturally be ideal.
Should unforeseen complications arise, he would no longer be tethered by worldly matters and mortal entanglements!
At this thought, a sharp glint flashed through Luo Chen's eyes.
Suddenly, his expression settled, and he spoke calmly toward the door.
"Junior Brother, enter!"
Lingfengzi walked in at the summons, a look of delight on his face.
"Senior Brother, everything has been settled!"
"Oh?" Luo Chen's interest was piqued. "How many are willing to help?"
Lingfengzi chuckled. "Every single one of them!"
Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. It seemed he had conducted his interpersonal affairs rather successfully!
Those words, "every single one," did not refer to merely one or two factions.
The Divine Talisman Sect, the Nine Spirits Sect, the Taishan Sect, Fenghua Palace, the White Crane Sect, and the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect—a full six sects.
Including the Luotian Sect, that made seven Nascent Soul upper sects joining forces, more than enough to reclaim a single domain.
Once the one-year mark arrived and Li Yingzhang connected with enough Core Formation sects, this opening war could presumably be settled in no time.
"Did the other sects pose any conditions?"
Lingfengzi nodded. "They hardly count as conditions—mostly mutual pledges of vigilance and assistance. The Nine Spirits Sect's former land is ruined, so they must open a different domain. The Divine Talisman Domain remains occupied, and reclaiming it with only True Person Fu's strength falls short. They all hope you can step in to lend a hand at crucial junctures, Senior Brother!"
Luo Chen gave an affirmative hum. These were natural expectations, and he had no reason to refuse.
"What about the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect?" Luo Chen asked, curious. Had Lin Qingxuan not proposed any conditions?
After all, everyone understood the dire state of the Jade Cauldron Domain.
At this mention, Lingfengzi looked puzzled. "I do not know what method he employed, but he seems to have reached an agreement with Wan Jian Pavilion. The two great sects are merging, and the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect will be integrated into Wan Jian Pavilion. That way, he no longer needs to reclaim a domain of his own."
Hearing this, Luo Chen fell into contemplation.
Both Nascent Soul True Persons of Wan Jian Pavilion had perished, leaving its strength greatly diminished.
Even though they were granted a period of reprieve to rebuild, whether they could produce another Nascent Soul True Person remained uncertain.
Bringing in a sword dao expert like Lin Qingxuan would certainly preserve their standing.
Furthermore, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect shared deep ancestral roots with Wan Jian Pavilion, so outsiders could hardly criticize their alliance.
Yet as to who would dominate the partnership between the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and Wan Jian Pavilion in the future, that remained to be seen.
Lingfengzi suddenly asked, "By the way, Senior Brother, everyone is curious about which domain you will ultimately choose?"
Luo Chen smiled faintly. "Are you curious as well?"
Lingfengzi nodded vigorously. "Of course! I even wanted to recommend the Misty Domain, where my Misty Sect was once located."
"The Misty Domain?" Luo Chen shook his head. "That place is too small; its future potential is limited."
As he spoke, Luo Chen retrieved a black scroll from his storage ring.
It was none other than the opening decree Castellan Lingtian had bestowed upon him!
"Look for yourself!"
Curious, Lingfengzi unrolled the scroll. His gaze landed upon the blank space, and he could not help but freeze.
"There is no specific location?"
Magic power surged from the tip of Luo Chen's finger, descending slowly toward the blank parchment as he spoke measured words:
"Without a specific location, any land may become our Luotian Sect's mountain gate. Be it Dieyun or Mu Prefecture, which lack Nascent Soul True Persons to oversee them; or formerly occupied domains like Divine Talisman and Jade Cauldron; or even Motian and Five Elements—whichever I wish to claim, I shall claim!"
A crimson light flashed across the surface.
Upon the scroll, the brushstroke was already set.
Chapter 867