Chapter 187

Three days later.

Little Huan Mountain, which had been quiet for a whole year, suddenly became lively.

Lanterns were hung and streamers were decorated, with people coming and going.

Amidst the pavilions and towers, flowers were clustered.

There were even cultivators casting spells to create layers of misty clouds.

Such a combination looked quite festive at first glance.

Looking closely, however, it felt incongruous.

But as a force organized by loose cultivators gathering together, no one cared about these things.

Lively was enough!

In fact, there were not many precedents for a Foundation Establishment Ceremony to follow.

Because those related to ceremonies mostly came from sect holy lands.

In such places, the number of sect members was easily in the thousands or tens of thousands.

A mere junior establishing a foundation would not make a big fuss and hold any ceremony.

Mostly, it was just relatives and friends gathering together to congratulate, and that was it.

Only after a cultivator stepped into the Nascent Soul stage would they open the sect gates wide and invite fellow Daoists from all directions to congratulate the birth of a True Person.

It was only in small places like Dahe Square and Snow Lotus Square.

Where Qi Refining loose cultivators gathered.

Any birth of a Foundation Establishment True Person was a major event.

To demonstrate their own strength, the force where the Foundation Establishment True Person was located would hold a so-called "Foundation Establishment Ceremony."

Now, the Luo Tian Society on Little Huan Mountain was the same.

Even the fellow Daoists invited were not many.

More were internal cultivators celebrating together.

Early in the morning, Luo Chen came down from the mountain.

It wasn't to show respect to the incoming Foundation Establishment fellow Daoists, but to gather with friends.

"You really established a foundation."

"Unexpected, unexpected, really unexpected!"

Three "unexpected"s in a row came from Zeng Wen's mouth.

Luo Chen said with a chuckle: "With talent as outstanding as mine, isn't this a matter of course?"

Zeng Wen rolled his eyes, taking it as Luo Chen bragging.

He knew Luo Chen better than anyone.

When he was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, this guy was still setting up a stall at the loose cultivator market in Dahe inner city.

Five years passed in a flash, the other party had established a foundation, and he was still marking time.

"Is this your son?"

"Yes, handsome, right!"

"Let me hold him."

He took a round, chubby child from Xiu Gu's arms.

"Ho, he's quite heavy; looks like he'll be a big fatty like you in the future!"

Zeng Wen's eyes widened.

Xiu Gu said with a smile: "President, Little Long is already two years old."

Looking at the quiet, chubby child in his arms, Luo Chen only felt that time passed so quickly.

But it was just one seclusion, and the once-roaming Zeng Wen had already started a family and career.

Even the child was already two years old.

"Is his name Ceng Yilong?"

"Yes, Wen brother hopes he won't be a worm like himself in the future, but a dragon among cultivators."

In that case, he had spiritual root aptitude.

That was right, both parents were late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

Zeng Wen was also considered to have decent aptitude back then, otherwise he wouldn't have cultivated to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

The probability of the child having spiritual roots was indeed very high.

Luo Chen teased the child, his gaze falling on Tang Quan, who was standing behind Zeng Wen.

"I heard from Hui Niang that you are doing quite well now."

Tang Quan nodded respectfully, "Thanks to the President's cultivation in the early years!"

Luo Chen sighed and returned Ceng Yilong to Xiu Gu.

What cultivation did he have?

The cultivation of Tang Quan was completely wrong.

After such a long time of alchemy, he still achieved nothing in the end.

Now he was doing well because he stopped alchemy and started taking over the management of the Elixir Hall.

As for the cultivation base, it reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.

In this regard, it was still gratifying.

With Luo Chen's sigh, the once harmonious atmosphere of reminiscing also sank.

Luo Chen was stunned.

Afterwards, he realized something.

He was different from before!

After Foundation Establishment, the faint pressure in his every word and action put great pressure on people.

This could be seen from the reaction of the child Ceng Yilong.

He was quiet when he was held by him before, but after returning to his mother's arms, he couldn't help but squirm.

But fortunately, this oppressive atmosphere was quickly broken.

"President, hello!"

"Congratulations to the President for establishing a foundation; this is my congratulatory gift!"

The former voice came from the gentle Mi Li.

The latter voice was a strange boy's voice.

Luo Chen looked at the boy in surprise, "Lingjun?"

The boy scratched his head embarrassedly, "It's me!"

Tsk tsk!

It had only been a few years, right!

The change was actually this big.

Not to mention growing two heads taller, his voice was different from the previous childishness, becoming more steady.

"Almost didn't recognize you."

Luo Chen took the jade bottle from the other party's hand with a chuckle.

"Let me see, what did you send me as a Foundation Establishment gift?"

Before the Foundation Establishment Ceremony was held, Luo Chen had told his friends not to send any gifts.

With their current realm, the things they sent wouldn't be of much use to Luo Chen.

A "congratulations" was enough to express their feelings.

Under Qu Lingjun's expectant gaze, Luo Chen opened the jade bottle.

In an instant, he was stunned.

A snow-white elixir fell into his hand.

The familiar medicinal scent made him incomparably certain that this was a Yusuidan.

A low-grade Yusuidan!

But it was not from Luo Chen's hand.

Luo Chen couldn't refine such "inferior" elixirs, and even the cloud patterns were intermittent.

However, it was precisely because of this that his heart was shaken!

"You refined this?"

Luo Chen couldn't help but say, a huge wave rising in his heart.

Qu Lingjun said embarrassedly: "It doesn't count as me refining it; I had the help of Mi Li sister and Tang Quan brother."

A serious gaze instantly fell on the two of them.

Tang Quan immediately said: "I didn't have much to teach; I just demonstrated some alchemy techniques you told me to him."

Mi Li was a bit nervous, but her words were unhurried.

"I have studied the Yusuidan formula for many years, and combined with your understanding, President, I just followed the map."

"I originally intended to refine it myself. However, after many failures, I still gained nothing. Little Lingjun wanted to try, so..."

Under Luo Chen's serious face, the others didn't even dare to breathe.

Even Qu Lingjun, who was full of expectation to get Luo Chen's praise, pursed his lips and stood there cautiously.

After listening to their explanation, Luo Chen suddenly realized.

That was right, in terms of the research time on the Yusuidan formula, he was indeed not as long as Mi Li.

After all, this elixir formula came from the Mi family.

Mi Li was also the earliest one cultivated as an alchemist by Hearing Mi Shuhua.

She must have long memorized the material ratios.

What was missing was just proficiency and a little talent.

In terms of technique, although Luo Chen had never taught others.

But when Tang Quan was refining Zhongmiaowan, he didn't spare teaching some.

What he didn't expect was that under such circumstances, Qu Lingjun could actually draw inferences and refine a low-grade Yusuidan.

He looked deeply at Qu Lingjun.

Luo Chen said softly: "After the ceremony ends, don't go around; I will find you then."

After speaking, he carefully put away the Yusuidan.

Before leaving, his figure paused.

"I like this gift very much."

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed.

Mi Li let out a long sigh of relief.

The boy standing side by side with her also showed a brilliant smile on his face.

"President, letting Mi Li and Qu Lingjun refine elixirs was my decision."

In the Huanyu Hall, Sima Hui Niang took the responsibility.

"At that time, you were in seclusion for too long, and our relationship with the Dajiang Gang, the Nangong family, and even the Li family and Chen family became increasingly tense."

"We didn't dare to disturb you, but the elixir business couldn't be cut off. So, we tried letting Mi Li, who had small achievements in alchemy, refine Yusuidan."

"But I didn't expect that in the end, it was Qu Lingjun, who had always been an assistant, who refined the Yusuidan."

Luo Chen's gaze was deep, "How many times did he fail?"

Sima Hui Niang took out the Elixir Hall record book, not opening it, but respectfully sending it to Luo Chen's hand.

As Luo Chen flipped through it, she reported it one by one below.

"In total, he refined Yusuidan seventy-nine times."

"In the first thirty-five times, there were three times that were close to forming elixirs."

"The first real success was after the sixtieth time. That time, seven elixirs were formed, and there were ten waste elixirs."

"The bottle of Yusuidan he sent you should have been refined five days ago. There were eleven elixirs formed, all low-grade."

Seventy-nine times.

Thirty-five, sixty, seven, eleven...

One number after another flowed through Luo Chen's mind.

After a long while, he closed the record book and returned it to Sima Hui Niang.

"I know; this time, I will focus on rewards. You, Tang Quan, and Mi Li all have rewards."

"But next time, no, there is no next time."

"Without my permission, no one in the Elixir Hall is allowed to refine elixirs other than those I specify."

He didn't say what the punishment would be if there was a next time.

But with Luo Chen's ruthless style toward the outside, if someone inside made a mistake, I fear there would be no good end.

Sima Hui Niang was shocked, and a chill spread from her back.

She hurriedly bent down and respectfully agreed.

"President, what about Qu Lingjun?"

Luo Chen glanced at her and said lightly: "I have other arrangements for him; you will know when the time comes."

"Yes!"

After handling this matter, it was still early.

Sima Hui Niang reported all kinds of things accumulated over the past year to Luo Chen one by one.

Most of them she had already made decisions on and executed.

Now, it was just letting Luo Chen browse through them; if there was anything done incorrectly, Luo Chen would naturally point it out.

Regarding some unresolved matters, it was just right for Luo Chen to handle them.

"The ghost city is becoming increasingly dangerous?"

Luo Chen frowned slightly; before he could ask Sima Hui Niang, footsteps came from outside the hall.

He stopped his movements and looked at the people entering.

First were the complex-looking Qin Liangchen couple.

"Congratulations to the President for establishing a foundation!"

"Congratulations to the President for establishing a foundation!"

No longer the little Luo from before, nor the familiar Luo Chen.

But a "President" from the heart.

Luo Chen sighed in his heart; he had long noticed this tendency before.

His expression didn't show it, and he smiled, letting the two take their seats.

Afterwards, there was the taciturn Duan Feng, the happy-faced Gu Caiyi, and Granny Yuan, who walked in tremblingly supported by her grandson Yuan Dongsheng.

In this way, the six hall masters of the Luo Tian Society were gathered together.

Everyone expressed their sincere congratulations to Luo Chen.

As for how much envy and bitterness were inside, it was unknown.

Luo Chen accepted them all calmly.

He didn't have the lively conversation he had with Zeng Wen's family in the outer hall.

He knew that the change in realm and the gap in status had imperceptibly changed the way they got along.

People like Zeng Wen, who were open-minded, were after all few.

That was someone who dared to demand compensation from the Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator Hearing Mi Shuhua under the eyes of everyone.

Luo Chen knew these things very well.

He still regarded these people as friends.

But he wouldn't show it in words, only showing his friendship in future interactions.

Soon, all the high-level members of the Luo Tian Society were seated in the Huanyu Hall.

Only four positions were empty.

Everyone knew who these were left for.

Suddenly.

Luo Chen's expression moved slightly.

"Hui Niang, take people out to welcome them."

Sima Hui Niang was stunned, then realized something and hurriedly left the hall.

Before long, the sound of shouting names came from outside.

"Foundation Establishment True Person Nangong Jin congratulates Dan Chenzi, sending a five-hundred-year-old spirit ginseng!"

After the shout, all the Qi Refining cultivators in the Huanyu Hall stood up.

Soon, Nangong Jin's figure appeared before everyone.

Following him was Nangong Qin, whom everyone knew.

"Haha, you've spent too much, fellow Daoist."

A hearty laugh came from Luo Chen's mouth.

But he sat there, motionless, only spreading his hands.

"Fellow Daoist Nangong, please take your seat!"

Nangong Jin returned the salute and then took his seat on Luo Chen's left hand under the guidance of a maid.

After Nangong Jin arrived, other Foundation Establishment cultivators also arrived one after another.

Li Yixian, the patriarch of the Li family, whose heritage in Dahe Square was second only to the Duan family, appeared before everyone for the first time.

"Foundation Establishment True Person Li Yixian congratulates Dan Chenzi, sending a second-tier cultivation method!"

As soon as these words came out, many Luo Tian Society cultivators feasting outside couldn't help but be in an uproar.

A second-tier cultivation method, any one of them was worth thousands of spirit stones.

To be given away so easily?

This was far more precious than the five-hundred-year-old spirit ginseng Nangong Jin sent.

However, Luo Chen did not show any surprise.

This was a condition already reached in private.

For this cultivation method, what he paid was not little at all!

Soon!

Luo Chen saw Li Yixian's true face for the first time.

Her figure was graceful, and her speech was like heavenly music.

But her appearance was plain, and among female cultivators, she was considered extremely ordinary.

She looked at Luo Chen and bowed gracefully.

"I have met you, fellow Daoist!"

Staring at her face, Luo Chen's gaze flickered, and he nodded gently.

Afterwards, he deliberately shifted his gaze to the young man behind her.

Li Ao.

The most outstanding person among the Li family juniors, who had recently taken over as patriarch.

Whether in realm or status, he was no weaker than Nangong Jin's son, Nangong Qin.

Being brought to such an occasion by Li Yixian showed how much this Foundation Establishment female cultivator valued him.

"Dan Chenzi, Elder Zhou Qing of the Lianyun Alliance probably can't come today."

As soon as Li Yixian sat down, she brought Luo Chen an unexpected piece of news.

"Oh?"

Li Yixian said softly: "Now the two major Nascent Soul sects outside are fighting fiercely, and the Lianyun Alliance is suspected of being a secret agent of the Falling Cloud Sect, suffering targeting from the Yuding Sword Pavilion. Elder Zhou Qing has recently been recalled to Lanxiancheng by the headquarters."

There was such a development?

Having been in seclusion for too long, Luo Chen really didn't know the surging winds and clouds outside during this period.

It seemed that the two major Nascent Soul sects had evolved from small-scale friction to targeting the enemy's affiliated forces.

As for whether the Lianyun Alliance was a secret agent of the Falling Cloud Sect, that was unknown.

But looking back at the ambush on Pang Renxiong at the Zhenlong Black Market.

The Lianyun Alliance was probably involved in it.

Just as Luo Chen was thinking, his heart moved, and he looked outside.

At the same time, Li Yixian also raised her head and looked outside.

Noticing the synchronized movements of the two, Nangong Jin was stunned.

Immediately, he also reacted.

It was just that his complexion was somewhat unnatural.

Just this split-second difference highlighted the gap in soul foundation between the three.

Li Yixian smiled gracefully, "It seems fellow Daoist Wang Haichao has arrived."

After she finished speaking, before long, a shout came from outside.

"Dajiang Gang Wang Haichao congratulates Dan Chenzi, sending a second-tier spell!"

Afterwards, two figures entered the hall.

Not Wang Haichao, but two ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators.

Min Longyu, Li Da.

Luo Chen frowned; wasn't this Min Longyu an affiliated cultivator of the Lianyun Alliance? When did he fall under Wang Haichao's command?

At this moment!

A violent spiritual power fluctuation spread, and an azure flood dragon entered the hall directly.

Its momentum was fierce, and as it shook its head and wagged its tail, the whole hall seemed to be shaking.

But the overall power was extremely condensed, showing the caster's powerful control over spiritual power.

This move was prepared!

If not handled carefully, one would be injured at worst, or end up in a sorry state of being drenched in rain at best.

This was Luo Chen's Foundation Establishment Ceremony!

If he were drenched like a drowned rat, he would lose face.

For a time, everyone's breathing became rapid.

Luo Chen's gaze flashed.

His right hand flicked slowly!

Hu...

A breeze swept past, and the huge azure flood dragon instantly turned into raindrops and dissipated without a trace.

What kind of means was this?

Wang Haichao's figure was revealed, falling before Min and Li, with a look of surprise on his face.

"Fellow Daoist is indeed extraordinary!"

End of chapter