Chapter 1033

One year later.

Within the Blessed Land of the Pill Saint.

A giant in golden robes knelt on the ground, his expression incomparably respectful.

The magnificent crown lay on the ground, as if symbolizing that his pride had also been cast down.

The great hall was deathly silent; one could hear a pin drop.

After a long while, the sound of crisp footsteps approached.

The giant in golden robes did not look up, did not speak, and just knelt there quietly until a light cough came from above.

"Di Tu, have you thought it over?"

Di Tu said without hesitation: "Master, I have thought it over!"

"Cough, cough. Perhaps you do not understand the gravity of the situation. Although your realm has greatly increased, the true meaning of the laws you grasp was not comprehended by you yourself, but was instilled into you by your father king before he fell. This kind of law true meaning not only cannot help you break through to the Soul Transformation realm, but will also greatly limit you. If you continue to follow me, after I reach Soul Transformation, perhaps I can think of a way to help you resolve this hidden danger."

These words came from the heart, without any intent to deceive.

This is the long-standing consensus of the cultivation world!

For a Nascent Soul cultivator to comprehend the true meaning of laws in advance has immense benefits for increasing strength and breaking through to the Soul Transformation stage.

But the premise is that the true meaning of the laws was comprehended by oneself, not obtained from an outsider.

Therefore, when facing secret realms left behind by some Soul Transformation great powers, Nascent Soul cultivators are actually afraid to venture deep, fearing that the law true meanings left by the great powers will affect them.

However, secret realms left by Void Refinement True Monarchs of higher realms do not affect Nascent Soul cultivators too much, because Void Refinement True Monarchs can already constrain their own power very well.

But this consensus is also frequently broken by people.

Like Lei Daozi back then, and like Di Tu now.

The reason they could break it is that Lei Daozi himself was a descendant of the great power Bai Ye's lineage, and the techniques they practiced were exactly the same. Di Tu himself is a blood descendant of the ancient demon Di Tian, so under the instillation, there were no obstacles.

Therefore, whether it was Lei Daozi or Di Tu, their strength skyrocketed after receiving the law true meanings.

But even so, it will be far more difficult for them to break through to the Soul Transformation stage in the future than for others; one could even say the end is in sight.

Di Tu naturally understood the pros and cons, and thus fell into hesitation.

On the wide seat above, Luo Chen in white robes looked weary, not urging him, letting him think.

After a while, Di Tu pressed his head heavily against the floor.

"I beg Master to grant me freedom!"

So resolute, with no room for reversal.

Luo Chen sighed, "Very well. Since you insist, and you have indeed completed the task I set, granting you freedom should be the proper thing to do. However..."

The white-robed Daoist's tone shifted, making Di Tu's heart tighten.

Could the Pill Sect be the type to go back on their word?

"Before granting you freedom, you must agree to one condition!"

Di Tu was slightly nervous, quietly waiting for the condition in Luo Chen's mouth.

"This seat knows that among the countless demon races in the Million Mountains of the Eastern Wasteland, the Tiger, Wolf, and Feather tribes are the most powerful. The Feather tribe represented by Mount Cangwu has already reached a ceasefire negotiation with our Eastern Wasteland human race, and the next thousand years will be peaceful. As for the Wolf tribe, as long as Ao Kuang does not reach the Soul Transformation realm, they pose no threat to us. But your Tiger Demon tribe..."

Luo Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.

The Tiger Demon tribe, while ignoring Mount Cangwu, once dominated the Million Mountains!

The ancient demon Di Tian even established a Demon Court, reaching into the Eastern Wasteland cultivation world, attempting to unify the Eastern Wasteland.

Even though the ancient demon Di Tian fell, the power of the Tiger Demon tribe still exists.

Di Tian's consort, Jinxiu Xian, disappeared after the great war back then, leading the remnants of the Demon Court into hiding, so that even the edicts of the Du Zhen Hall could not reach them.

Rumor has it that besides the two sons born early on, Huang Man and Di Tu, Jinxiu Xian also gave birth to a daughter for the ancient demon Di Tian, who was gifted and was the true great demon inheriting Di Tian's ancient demon bloodline.

"I can set you free, but after you return, you must restrain the Tiger Demon tribe and not actively invade human territory. Especially you, Di Tu!"

Luo Chen's gaze fell deeply on the giant in golden robes.

Only he, this master, knew Di Tu's capabilities.

Perhaps the other's upper limit had been locked, making it extremely difficult to break through to Soul Transformation, but after inheriting Di Tian's Origin of Gold, combined with the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, his combat power was terrifyingly extraordinary.

This point can be seen from the fact that Di Tu dared to intercept the reinforcements of the Tiannan Dao Palace alone with one blade.

It can be said that apart from Qing Shuang back then and himself now, there are few Nascent Soul cultivators in the world who can suppress the current Di Tu.

He could not let such a vicious tiger return to the mountains without any conditions.

Facing this condition, Di Tu was instead relieved.

He slowly raised his head, facing Luo Chen, and raised his palm to swear an oath.

"I, Di Tu, am willing to take a Great Dao oath! After returning, I will strictly restrain the Tiger Demon tribe and not actively invade human territory. Furthermore, for the rest of my life, I will not attack the human race, especially the cultivators of the Luo Tian Sect. If I violate this oath, may inner demons haunt me and heavenly lightning strike my head!"

This was a very sincere Great Dao oath.

Not limiting it to future realm breakthroughs, it seems Di Tu also knew very well that his upper limit was locked.

Inner demons haunting and heavenly lightning striking, one internal and one external, are both key factors that most affect the life of a demon cultivator.

When he took the oath, magic power fluctuated, his soul manifested, releasing the barrier between himself and the world, and faintly, an invisible shackle fell upon Di Tu.

Luo Chen nodded slightly, pointing a finger at Di Tu from across the air.

"Since that is the case, then I shall return your freedom!"

One layer of Great Dao shackles fell, and one layer of freedom shackles loosened.

Between coming and going, Di Tu's mood was complex.

He bowed to Luo Chen three times, then solemnly placed the Pingshan Crown on his head.

"Master, farewell."

"Fellow Daoist, please!"

The giant in golden robes stood up and strode towards the outside of the hall.

After he left, Luo Chen did not leave the Dan Chen Hall directly, but waited quietly.

After a moment, Tian Xuan walked in.

"Master, they have arrived."

"Come in!"

Two figures entered from outside the hall, one after the other.

One was handsome and refined, with an aura like a mountain.

The other was bald with large ears, with a solemn Buddhist appearance.

Luo Chen smiled, "Sorry to trouble you for this battle, thank you."

"It was just fulfilling an agreement, why must Fellow Daoist Luo say thank you." Deng Taiyue waved his hand, quite freely, "Moreover, if it weren't for the help of Fellow Daoist Kong Chan and another fellow daoist, it would have been difficult for me to complete the task of blocking the Libei reinforcements."

"Another one?" Luo Chen showed a look of surprise, his gaze falling on the demon monk Kong Chan.

Kong Chan put his hands together and explained: "It was the Mad Wanderer! He has already sobered up and walked out of the Yemo Heaven. I don't know why he suddenly appeared to help us at that time."

Luo Chen suddenly understood.

After thinking about it carefully, he said slowly: "As for the Mad Wanderer, after I reach Soul Transformation, I will pay a visit."

Deng Taiyue's eyes lit up, "Fellow Daoist, are you about to reach Soul Transformation?"

Luo Chen shook his head with a bitter smile, "Soul Transformation is naturally necessary, but not in this moment. The injuries I sustained in the battle with Lian Cheng are not light at all; I must recuperate well before making plans."

Hearing this, Deng Taiyue was slightly disappointed.

But he also knew how dangerous it was for Luo Chen to fight across realms; to be unscathed would be a joke.

He was just curious about what preparations Luo Chen would make to break through to Soul Transformation, so that he could learn from it in the future.

Perhaps seeing through Deng Taiyue's thoughts, Luo Chen suddenly reminded him: "Brother Deng, although you have comprehended the Origin of Earth and your realm has reached the late Nascent Soul stage, I estimate that from time to time you will have that illusion of heaven and earth communion. But breaking through to the Soul Transformation realm in that state is truly too dangerous. In my view, it is better to lay a solid foundation, and after reaching the perfection of the late Nascent Soul stage, seek the opportunity for breakthrough."

"This..." Deng Taiyue was slightly hesitant. He naturally knew the simplest truth in Luo Chen's words: foundation is the most important, and haste makes waste. But in daily cultivation, that feeling of being able to ascend to the sky in one step at any time was definitely not fake. He didn't know if he would have such an opportunity again if he missed the occasional opportunity.

Should he seize the opportunity, or plan slowly?

Luo Chen did not persuade him further, but just mentioned one point.

"You are still lacking a fifth-order spirit vein. Regarding this matter, after I achieve the Soul Transformation realm, I will give you an answer."

Deng Taiyue nodded, "Then Deng will wait for Fellow Daoist Luo's good news."

Luo Chen smiled, then his gaze fell on Kong Chan.

Facing this gaze, the demon monk felt incomparably uneasy in his heart.

He understood that Luo Chen might be fulfilling his promise to return his freedom.

This was originally what he had in mind.

But for some reason, at this moment, he actually felt a bit of regret.

Before Luo Chen could speak, the demon monk Kong Chan suddenly knelt on one knee.

"Master, this little monk is willing to serve you for another five hundred years, at your beck and call!"

Deng Taiyue on the side widened his eyes, as if he had never thought of this?

This great demon emperor from the late Nascent Soul stage of the North Sea was actually Luo Chen's spirit pet?

And, it seemed that Luo Chen had the intention to set it free, but it was reluctant to leave.

What kind of logic is this?

In this world, are there really people willing to voluntarily kneel and bow to others, to be slaves and servants?

Luo Chen looked at the other party with a half-smile, "Have you thought it over? No regrets?"

Kong Chan ignored the demeanor of a great demon emperor and bowed to Luo Chen, the skull prayer beads on his neck making a crisp clattering sound.

"This little monk will never regret it!"

"Hehe, fine then. There is no need for five hundred years; when I ascend, I will return your freedom."

Luo Chen smiled, not getting to the bottom of it.

Some choose to leave, some choose to stay; these are all personal choices.

Who will regret it in the end, who will be proud, who can say for sure.

Seeing the fatigue on Luo Chen's face, Deng Taiyue chatted with Luo Chen for a while, then bid farewell and left.

After leaving the great hall, he looked at the smiling bald monk, wanting to say something but stopping, and finally cupped his hands.

"Fellow Daoist Kong Chan, if you have time in the future, come to visit Dapan Peak of my Taishan Sect."

"Good, good, good!"

Kong Chan responded happily.

He naturally understood the meaning of the strange expression on Deng Taiyue's face.

Perhaps it was disdain for his own submission, or perhaps it was pity for the friendship of fighting side by side, but how could the other party know what was in his heart?

If Luo Chen really gave him his freedom, what would happen?

Return to the North Sea for bitter cultivation? That is too miserable.

Go to the Sinking Sea to venture? That is too dangerous.

It is better to stay by Luo Chen's side and listen to his true words and guidance!

You must know, this is an unworldly existence who reversed-slayed a great power!

Moreover, in his words, regarding the matter of breaking through to Soul Transformation next, it was even more certain, without the slightest hesitation or anxiety of ordinary late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators before breakthrough.

At worst, if he could share an Enlightenment Pill, which had been making such a huge stir earlier, that would also be a wonderful thing!

Kong Chan touched his large bald head and looked curiously at the vast Blessed Land of the Pill Saint.

"Let's go and stroll around the new home in the future!"

Not to mention the completely different choices of Di Tu and Kong Chan, nor whether Deng Taiyue would take the risk to break through.

On the side of Dan Chen Hall, Tian Xuan returned and gave Luo Chen a brief report on the subsequent situation.

The distribution of the Enlightenment Pills!

It was agreed at the beginning that as long as they were willing to help, after the war ended, each person would get one, and even if there were those who fell, Luo Chen would not be stingy and would hand them over to their descendants.

Even for the loose cultivator Bo Hanjun, who had no descendants to hand them to for the time being, Luo Chen would grant a token, allowing those close to him to hold the token and claim it from the Luo Tian Sect in the future.

But that war, which was almost a catastrophe for the Dongyuan Continent, actually did not cause much loss for the cultivators of the Eastern Wasteland.

According to post-war statistics, only five Nascent Soul True Persons fell, and most of them were newly promoted Nascent Souls.

Meng Ye of the Jiuling Sect, Bai Yunfei of the White Crane Gate, True Person Qilian of the Hundred Beasts Sect, Kong Tongzi of the White Deer Cave, and True Person Jiuxu of the Dongyang Sect.

The rest, although most were injured, ultimately survived.

This was originally a good thing, but for Luo Chen, it was slightly troublesome.

There were many survivors, but there were only a dozen Enlightenment Pills, not enough to go around!

Fortunately, Luo Chen had the terrifying record of beheading the great power Lian Cheng, and had a good reputation and credibility, so after simple distribution and promises, no major trouble occurred.

Back then, when refining the Enlightenment Pills, a total of three furnaces were refined, five pills per furnace, totaling fifteen pills.

Luo Chen took one himself, and through the Ming Water Spring Eye, comprehended the Origin of Water.

He also gave three to Deng Taiyue.

Therefore, only eleven remained.

Luo Chen took them all out and distributed them to the ten major sects and the loose cultivator Bo Hanjun.

There were also the Qingdan Valley, Qidong Mountain, and Fenghua Palace, which did not receive any for the time being.

Qingdan Valley's Tao Wan had just formed her core, and her realm was still low, so she didn't need this item for the time being.

As for Qidong Mountain, Mr. Yao did not value the Enlightenment Pill; what he cared about was how to refine the Enlightenment Pill itself, so he exchanged for Luo Chen's complete pill formula and refining experience. This was a thousand times more important than an Enlightenment Pill.

Luo Chen gave it generously.

Even if the two had some grudges in the past, after two hundred years, they had long since faded.

Moreover, as people in the pill path, he could understand the other party's mood.

Most importantly, where is the Enlightenment Pill so easy to refine?

It was Fenghua Palace that did not actively ask for it at the time, which surprised Luo Chen slightly.

Later, he realized that the other party might be continuing the good relationship with Luo Chen and even the Luo Tian Sect, so they deliberately gave Luo Chen a way out.

Luo Chen's rise was inevitable, and the Luo Tian Sect might be able to dominate the Eastern Wasteland like the Mingyuan Sect in the future. Since that was the case, why make enemies with Luo Chen because of a pill? By actively retreating, they could instead build a good relationship.

And Luo Chen had a good reputation, so he would naturally make up for it later.

Why be in such a hurry?

Luo Chen indeed did not intend to renege; he had already listed the medicinal materials for the major sects and entrusted them to help collect them.

As long as the medicinal materials were gathered, he would naturally find time to refine more Enlightenment Pills.

It is conceivable that the Eastern Wasteland, which will have no internal or external troubles in the future, with the help of Luo Chen, a grandmaster of the pill path, will inevitably enter a new era of cultivation prosperity!

But that is only the future.

The current Luo Chen really didn't have much time.

He had to recuperate, but it was not just recuperating.

After everyone left, Luo Chen returned to the cold and quiet cultivation room again.

Lifting his robes, on his chest and abdomen, a five-finger palm print, clear in every detail, still remained.

This was left by that divine ability of Lian Cheng.

Back then, in order to severely injure Lian Cheng, Luo Chen took this palm head-on.

Its terrifying power once knocked Luo Chen down to the bottom of the sea, his physical body disintegrated, and even his soul fell into a state of extinction.

You must know, that was Luo Chen's physical body which had been cultivated to nearly the fifth order!

Moreover, there was the defense of the peerless Soul Suppression Technique.

Under one palm, it truly turned the world upside down!

Fortunately, the foundation of this physical body still existed, and the withered and glorious fire spirit spared no effort to dissipate its own vitality, protecting its master in a crisis, allowing Luo Chen's physical body to recover.

Finally, the return of the life soul awakened Luo Chen, who was in a state of extinction.

Only then was there that final earth-shattering sword!

"This palm is too overbearing, even more so than the Withered and Glorious Dao Finger, but the biggest threat is when it is faced. As time wears on, with my magic power, I can always slowly remove its residual magic power."

"Although the Withered and Glorious Fire Spirit has exhausted its vitality and fallen into a state of silence, it will be enough to find someone with strong vitality to replenish it later."

"The real trouble, however, is something I didn't anticipate."

Luo Chen muttered, closing his eyes.

Within the sea of consciousness, golden waves rippled.

The eight great sub-souls stood side by side, coldly watching the black ball of light floating in the golden sea.

The main soul sat high above, emitting a grand and majestic voice.

"Zhou Fuyou, you and I are one, why persist in stubborn resistance?"