[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent":3,"chapter-devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-chapter-306":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Devouring the Starry Sky 2: The Origin Continent",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2332934,4561,"Chapter 306: Book Eight: The Battle of Lancheng — Luo Feng","devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-chapter-306",306,"\u003Cp>Luo Feng received twelve invitations, and among them, the Lord of the Abyssal Elephant Palace required a personal visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other eleven were all Elder-level beings, most of whom were weaker than Luo Feng; after sending their invitation tablets, they all came one by one to visit Luo Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, Brother Luo Feng, your single battle effortlessly crushed Elder Tianhe—your name now reverberates throughout Lancheng!” chuckled a purple-robed, eerie man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deputy Lord Zhaoyu, please sit.” Luo Feng had already prepared some fruits and fine wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Originally, I joined the Thousand Treasures Palace at the invitation of Brother Qianbao,” the eerie man sighed. “It’s already been hundreds of millions of cycles!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Thousand Treasures Palace is quite renowned among Lancheng’s merchants,” Luo Feng nodded in praise. “In terms of weapon and artifact quality, it should rank among the top three in Lancheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Feng was merely saying something pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the Thousand Treasures Palace barely ranked third in Lancheng’s weapon and artifact industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s already impressive,” the eerie man said. “Within Lancheng, Lord Gaibao dominates the weapon and artifact industry absolutely—he alone holds over fifty percent of the market. All others struggle to survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Feng listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The core strength of the Thousand Treasures Palace lies in its master alchemist, Lord Qianbao, who devotes himself entirely to crafting and avoids mundane affairs. Deputy Lord Zhaoyu handles sales and all other operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two Elder-level beings govern the Thousand Treasures Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Security is vital in the weapon and artifact industry,” the eerie man remarked. “When weapons and artifacts accumulate in quantity, their value becomes immense! Both cultivators and lurking low-level Hunyuan lifeforms are always ready to seize them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Feng nodded. For a top-tier merchant like this, a single robbery could mean losses measured in ‘hundreds of millions of Hunyuan Crystals’—a devastating blow even to Lord Qianbao and his kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Valuable artifacts can reach tens of millions of Hunyuan Crystals. Just a hundred of them would be a colossal fortune,” Luo Feng mused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Decades ago, we lost over two billion Hunyuan Crystals in a single theft,” the eerie man self-deprecatingly said. “They stole nearly everything we had on display. That incident crippled us—we still haven’t identified the thief’s true identity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s the point of stealing from weak cultivators?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lancheng, true plundering targets only the great merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With me and Brother Qianbao—two Elder-level beings—plus our palace’s fixed array, we were still robbed, and we couldn’t even identify the attacker!” the eerie man sighed. “From another perspective, we can deduce… the plunderer must be one of the top twenty beings in the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only overwhelming power could accomplish this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why we’ve come to invite you, Brother Luo Feng,” the eerie man looked at Luo Feng. “Brother Luo Feng, you effortlessly crushed Elder Tianhe. In terms of strength, you must rank among the top hundred in Lancheng. With me, Brother Qianbao, and our fixed array, no one in Lancheng could raid us—unless all three Palace Lords act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Feng’s displayed power far surpassed ordinary Elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you join our Thousand Treasures Palace, you’ll naturally become Deputy Palace Lord, with status equal to mine and Brother Qianbao’s,” the eerie man said. “And each cycle, we’ll give you ten thousand Hunyuan Crystals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten thousand Hunyuan Crystals per cycle—if accumulated over tens of millions of cycles—that’s one billion Hunyuan Crystals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a typical income for Elder-level beings—they need not risk venturing outside the city to earn steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though less than hunting, it’s safe and sustainable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course…” the eerie man added, “joining any faction comes with a signing bonus. We can offer you two hundred million Hunyuan Crystals. You know, after our last robbery, we suffered heavy losses. So this two-hundred-million sum will be paid in two installments: one upon your joining, the other after ten million cycles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two hundred million Hunyuan Crystals? Paid in two installments?” Luo Feng looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary Elder-level beings typically received around two hundred million as a signing bonus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I’m not ordinary! If I were weaker than Elder Tianhe, the Thousand Treasures Palace wouldn’t have invited me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It might be a bit low,” the eerie man chuckled. “But Brother Luo Feng, you have countless avatars—you can join several factions. Also, my Thousand Treasures Palace is under Lord Wei Yang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know, Lord Yuanxiang is severely wounded and rarely acts now. From now on, Lancheng will be ruled by Lord Wei Yang!” the eerie man said. “By joining us, you naturally become part of Lord Wei Yang’s faction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Feng nodded: “I understand your terms. Frankly, compared to other offers, they’re a bit low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eerie man’s expression shifted slightly: “Yes, Brother Luo Feng, you have many avatars—please help us out. Our Thousand Treasures Palace will remember this favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll think about it,” Luo Feng rose, signaling the end of the visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eerie man could only rise and leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just sending an avatar—and still complaining!” he grumbled, but had no recourse; the Thousand Treasures Palace was simply poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the Elder-level beings came to visit, and Luo Feng met them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before meeting Lord Yuanxiang, Luo Feng had indeed planned to assign avatars to several factions to secure enough income for his early cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after receiving Lord Yuanxiang’s gift—five billion Hunyuan Crystals—Luo Feng’s thoughts changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Diqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Feng met with Diqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over the past couple of days, many Elder-level beings have come to visit you, Brother Luo Feng,” Diqing chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eleven have invited me. Help me decide which is best,” Luo Feng waved his hand, and in midair, a flood of information appeared—the detailed offers from the eleven factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diqing glanced at the information and memorized it instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Luo Feng, how many factions do you plan to join?” Diqing asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just one,” Luo Feng said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One? You have so many avatars… why not earn more?” Diqing couldn’t help asking. Eleven offers, each with bonuses measured in hundreds of millions. If it were him, he’d join several.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Feng shook his head: “Just one. I’ll choose either a neutral faction or Lord Yuanxiang’s side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Yuanxiang’s faction is currently weak,” Diqing said. “Of these eleven, four are neutral, two are aligned with Lord Yuanxiang. Among them, the Alchemy Tower offers the best terms, and its Master Changqing has an excellent reputation. But joining the Alchemy Tower… brings trouble. They’ve long been in conflict with the Insect Nest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No trouble, no such generous benefits,” Luo Feng nodded. “I lean toward the Alchemy Tower. I’ll choose them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the eleven offers, Luo Feng chose only one—the Alchemy Tower!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Diming, Difu!” Luo Feng called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Diming and Difu arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Luo Feng,” Diming said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the occasion? Good news?” Difu grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Feng looked at the three before him. “Multiple factions in Lancheng have invited me. I’ve decided to join the Alchemy Tower as Deputy Tower Master. As Master Changqing proposed, he also invites all three of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a faction, the Alchemy Tower could easily assign three positions to Diqing, Diming, and Difu—this would better bind them to Luo Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All three of you—will you join together?” Luo Feng asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course we will!” Difu said immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’d be honored,” Diming said without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No risk, steady resources—who would refuse?” Diqing was also pleased. As a mid-stage Divine Emperor cultivator, joining a faction usually meant a high or mid-level position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such positions are scarce; no one would invite him unless they trusted him deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of Luo Feng, the Alchemy Tower invited all three of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diqing only needed to assign one avatar to the position to gain continuous income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you all agree, I’ll contact Master Changqing,” Luo Feng nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the weapon and artifact industry, within Lancheng, Lord Gaibao’s family was the absolute dominant force, holding over half the market share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the alchemy industry, competition was fierce, with no single faction holding a particularly large share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alchemy Tower was one of the top forces in Lancheng’s alchemy industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Luo Feng! Brother Luo Feng! I've finally waited for you!\" an elderly silver-haired man greeted him with excitement, overflowing with warmth. \"So many came to visit you yesterday—I was anxious. My humble Alchemy Tower feared we couldn't attract you. When I received your message today, I've been thrilled ever since!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Feng was no ordinary Elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conservatively, he ranked among the top hundred in Lancheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many in Lancheng believed Luo Feng, the Divine Emperor, might even rank among the top fifty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a being—guarding a faction—would bring immense stability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, I’m a member of the Alchemy Tower!” Luo Feng smiled. “Luo Feng, at your service, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Luo Feng, you’re too courteous,” the silver-haired man beamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver-haired man sighed: “To be honest, I’m among the oldest Elders who helped Lord Yuanxiang found this city. But Lord Yuanxiang has been tainted by a high-level Hunyuan lifeform and rarely acts now. Our old ones struggle—especially since the Master of the Insect Nest arrived in Lancheng and has targeted me relentlessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Luo Feng was surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Master of the Insect Nest is also skilled in alchemy,” the silver-haired man sneered. “He extracts essence from living beings to create drugs. But his school is bloody and evil—I despise it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver-haired man sighed. “Unfortunately, the Master of the Insect Nest is powerful and ruthless. He can’t compete fairly, so he resorts to underhanded tactics.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that you’re here, Brother Luo Feng, everything changes,” the silver-haired man looked at Luo Feng. “Brother Luo Feng, study our Alchemy Tower’s arrays! Tell me what kind of array you need—I’ll buy the right one for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, here is the agreed-upon bonus: five hundred million Hunyuan Crystals.” The silver-haired man flipped his hand, producing a sack. His one-time bonus was clearly on the higher end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Elder, who helped found the city with Lord Yuanxiang, had accumulated considerable wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, please take back the five hundred million Hunyuan Crystals,” Luo Feng smiled. “I intend to exchange them all within the Alchemy Tower for auxiliary elixirs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” The silver-haired man’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spending it all on elixirs would help slightly replenish their stock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even the Three Palace Lords pay only seventy percent when buying elixirs,” the silver-haired man looked at Luo Feng. “As Deputy Tower Master of our Alchemy Tower, you pay the lowest rate—sixty percent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Master Changqing himself had to pay sixty percent when taking elixirs—this price yielded almost no profit. But at least it converted accumulated elixirs into five hundred million Hunyuan Crystals in revenue, which delighted Master Changqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sixty percent? Thank you, Master,” Luo Feng said gratefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s only right,” the silver-haired man laughed heartily. “By the way, Brother Luo Feng—will your three fellow cultivators from your origin world come to our Alchemy Tower?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re all willing,” Luo Feng said. “As for their roles, Master, assign them according to their abilities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent,” the silver-haired man’s smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivators from the same origin world naturally shared a special bond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winning over those three also helped bind them closer to Luo Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, resources alone weren’t enough to ensure lasting loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With Divine Emperor Luo Feng here, the Alchemy Tower’s business can now run smoothly,” the silver-haired man thought. His past days had been too oppressive—no Elder-level being had been willing to join the Alchemy Tower, knowing of its conflict with the Insect Nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until today, Luo Feng has finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1911,"2026-06-20T20:45:00.697Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5fbe39c33e5300f4c61f419b3aea0d35186a1bce107fbe0943639977e42da941","devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-chapter-307","devouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-chapter-305",340,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-the-starry-sky-2-the-origin-continent-cover.jpg"]