Chapter 193: Returning to Luo Tian, Foundation Establishment Second Layer

Xiao Huan Mountain.

The former Duan family territory, now the base camp of the Luo Tian Society.

It lacked the quiet and inaction atmosphere of the past and had more of a noisy, worldly flavor.

With Luo Chen's Foundation Establishment.

The Luo Tian Society leaped to become the fifth largest Foundation Establishment force in Dahe Square.

It was different from cultivation families that relied on bloodlines to maintain, so many loose cultivators would choose to join.

In these few years, the Luo Tian Society had become more and more powerful, and it had gradually gained some of the momentum of the Po Shan Gang back then.

Moreover, unlike the scattered organizational mentality of the Po Shan Gang.

Because Luo Chen, an alchemist, existed in the Luo Tian Society, it attracted quite a few late Qi Refining experts.

Even ninth-level Qi Refining loose cultivators had attracted three over these years.

Such a situation was actually not strange.

Most cultivators who could advance to the late Qi Refining stage or even the ninth level before the age of sixty had some expectations for Foundation Establishment.

If it were other Foundation Establishment forces, perhaps they would still fear suppression by those in power.

But the Luo Tian Society was different.

President Dan Chenzi had quite a capacity for tolerance.

Along the way, he had been very supportive of those around him and his subordinates.

He was also an alchemist; perhaps one day, he would refine elixirs suitable for breaking through Foundation Establishment.

In this way, joining the Luo Tian Society in advance.

Wouldn't one be able to get the moon first by being near the water?

The only thing that made people uneasy was that after Dan Chenzi established his Foundation, he announced closed-door cultivation to consolidate his realm.

Now three years had passed, and he still hadn't appeared.

The Luo Tian Society's elixir business was once interrupted.

Although it restarted later, the elixirs sold were only low-grade Jade Marrow Elixirs.

Low-grade Jade Marrow Elixirs.

There was no profit to speak of!

And the output was particularly low.

Under these circumstances, the financial pressure of the Luo Tian Society gradually increased.

Under Sima Huiniang's decision, the salary policy of the Luo Tian Society also changed from before.

It was no longer fixed.

Instead, it depended on individual contribution.

The more contribution, the higher the salary.

The cultivators of the War Hall also began to take on jobs.

Going into the mountains to hunt demonic beasts, transporting goods for others, escorting darts, etc.

By comparison, the work of the Medicine Hall and the Alchemy Hall became popular.

Such work had safety guarantees, but the salary was just a little lower.

In the streets of the outer city area of Dahe Square.

Luo Chen was drinking wine and eating fresh demonic beast meat.

He nodded to the early Qi Refining loose cultivator beside him, gave the other party a low-grade spirit stone, and the young man left happily.

The above information came from this person.

"Looking at it this way, Huiniang did quite well."

Luo Chen paid the bill and turned to go out.

The specific situation certainly couldn't be inquired about just by relying on these low-tier loose cultivators.

He still had to wait until he went back to understand it carefully.

After leaving the outer city area, Luo Chen beckoned, and a cloud of condensed water formed under his feet.

After stepping on it, he only felt it was incomparably soft and not solid.

"The cloud-riding means of the Foundation Establishment stage is indeed different from when I was in the Qi Refining stage."

The wind beside him slapped his face.

Blowing Luo Chen's heart into a state of clarity.

"Perhaps I can consider taking some time to study the Great Perfection Carefree Wind-Riding and integrate it into normal cloud-riding."

"In this way, my flight speed will inevitably increase greatly."

"Of course, if I could learn a Five-Element Escape Technique, it would be even better."

The Five-Element Escape Technique is different from normal flight.

It is a mysterious means of flying quickly by borrowing external heaven and earth spiritual power.

The speed far exceeds normal flight.

Back then, Shan Xiu was able to escape Mi Sh

Among the Five Elements Evasion Techniques.

The most practical ones are Earth Evasion and Water Evasion.

Both can be used at will by utilizing the ubiquitous Earth spiritual energy and Water spiritual energy between heaven and earth.

In comparison, Wood Evasion, Fire Evasion, and Metal Evasion are restricted by the environment.

However, these three evasion techniques also have their own mysteries.

They are often of extremely high grade and cannot be mastered by ordinary people.

Amidst his faint thoughts, Luo Chen's figure soon appeared outside Mount Xiaohuan.

His figure stopped in front of the lake at the foot of the mountain.

Three years have passed, and the area of the lake has actually grown larger and larger; it is no longer just a hundred feet in radius, but has expanded to a radius of one mile.

It has almost doubled.

A boundary marker was even erected outside the lake.

On it were the two large characters "Feng Hai".

It is laughable that such a small lake dares to be called a sea.

However, in Luo Chen's heart, there was only a faint warmth.

This must have been Duan Feng's doing.

Back then, the small shop of the Feng Hai Duan family under Mount Qinghe ended without a whimper.

Now, he has really created a "sea".

Just as he paused, the surface of the lake surged.

Splash, splash, splash...

Before long, a long waterway cleared through the water appeared before him.

Following the stairs formed by the waves, Luo Chen walked into it step by step.

A bronze door appeared before him.

Click, click, click...

The bronze door swung wide open.

Inside the cave.

Wang Yuan revealed a smile, "You're back."

Luo Chen smiled slightly, "Yes, I'm back."

Looking at Luo Chen, the corners of Wang Yuan's mouth gradually revealed a hint of surprise.

The sharp, piercing aura from when he had just broken through was gone.

There was also no floating or restless fluctuation of spiritual power.

What remained was only a feeling of roundness, ease, and unadorned simplicity.

He stood there, without the slightest worldly aura, appearing increasingly like an immortal.

Such a huge difference can only mean...

He couldn't help but ask: "Has your realm been polished and stabilized?"

"Haha, exactly." Luo Chen wandered around the renovated cave dwelling, "Not only that, but I have also taken a small step forward."

It was not just that his realm had been polished and stabilized.

Luo Chen had also entered the second layer of Foundation Establishment in one go; he was now a solid early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Wang Yuan shook his head repeatedly, sighing endlessly.

"Unthinkable, truly unthinkable."

"You, who were only at the third layer of Qi Refining back then, have reached Foundation Establishment in just a few short years."

"You have even surpassed me."

If judged by realm.

Wang Yuan had only just entered the second stage of Body Refining, which was equivalent to Luo Chen.

But the current world of immortal cultivation emphasizes Daoist cultivation.

In this regard, he was far behind.

Luo Chen didn't mind, instead saying: "Brother Wang, your Qi Refining realm has also become more rounded and smooth, no longer as restless as before."

"Three years of effort have only led to this."

Luo Chen stopped his footsteps.

It was clear that this underwater cave dwelling had been specially renovated for Wang Yuan by someone.

Not only was there a boundary marker outside, but a bronze door had been erected at the entrance.

Inside the cave, blue bricks and white jade had been laid, and moonstones were dotted throughout, making the light clear and no longer dim.

"In these three years, have there been any major events in the Luo Tian Society?"

"The second-tier Explosive Ape you enslaved has escaped."

"Oh?"

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Hong was a genuine second-tier demonic beast and could not be kept in a spirit beast bag for long.

And that place, the Ghost City, was not suitable for it to fight, so before entering the city, Luo Chen had released it and handed it over to the cultivators of the Luo Tian Society to feed.

Yet he hadn't expected it to be able to escape?

"Without you, its master, continuously exerting control, its restraints became fewer and fewer. On the night of the full moon, it took its own small ape of the same bloodline and quietly escaped."

"After all, it was your spirit beast, and usually, everyone didn't dare to be too harsh on it, so..."

After hearing the explanation, Luo Chen shook his head.

He had gained a Ghost General and a defensive magic treasure, but he had also lost a second-tier spirit beast.

With this gain and loss, he didn't know how to judge it.

"Forget it, I'll find it again when I have the chance!"

The beast-taming methods of the Ten Thousand Beast Scripture were not primarily based on violent enslavement, but rather on gradual, step-by-step subjugation.

In fact, the best method of enslavement was not to cast a Spirit-Controlling Seal, but to let it identify with you through living together day and night.

"Have there been any other major events?"

"None."

"Oh, then that counts as a good thing."

"After all, with your reputation, who would dare to pull the tiger's whiskers."

Hearing this, Luo Chen couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Since when did he have such status in the world of cultivation?

Times change, it really makes one sigh!

After laughing, Luo Chen went straight to the point.

"I have already found a way to remove the remnant soul of Duan Qiankun from you."

"Really!"

Wang Yuan's eyes lit up instantly.

Under his gaze, Luo Chen took out a banner, pitch-black in color and filled with ghostly energy.

Luo Chen has come out of seclusion!

This news soon spread throughout Mount Xiaohuan.

For a time, all the cultivators were invigorated.

After all, knowing that one has a Foundation Establishment True Person in one's sect and having a Foundation Establishment True Person by one's side at all times are two completely different things.

The former can only borrow the name to do things, while the latter can completely walk outside by relying on his power.

While invigorated, some high-level cultivators of the society also successively went to the Huanyu Hall to pay their respects to Luo Chen.

Inside the Alchemy Hall.

Gu Caiyi stood up abruptly.

"Has he really come out of seclusion?"

Opposite her, Mi Li smiled slightly, "Yes, the news has already spread. It probably won't be long before the Alchemy Hall welcomes the President to refine pills in person."

Looking at the hesitant Gu Caiyi, Mi Li said: "Sister Caiyi, you are the Hall Master of the Gold Hall, you should go see him too."

"That's right!"

Gu Caiyi, who was still hesitating, left immediately.

After she left.

A person walked out of the alchemy room.

With sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, he was handsome and refined.

It was none other than Qu Lingjun.

"Lingjun, are you also going to see your Master?"

Years have passed, and the changes in Qu Lingjun have become increasingly obvious.

Standing next to Mi Li, he was even a head taller.

He nodded, "Master has come out of seclusion, so I must go see him. Firstly, to report on the situation in the Alchemy Hall, and secondly, many problems have accumulated over these years that I need to ask him for guidance on."

After speaking, he stopped his footsteps.

"Sister Mi Li, come with me!"

Facing those sincere eyes, Mi Li's expression was somewhat unnatural.

"I won't go!"

"No, you must go with me!"

Qu Lingjun's words were firm as he stared at the increasingly mature and gentle woman.

"After Grandfather passed away, I only have Master and you as my two closest people."

"Our relationship should be known to Master."

"But..."

"There are no 'buts', follow me!"

A hot, large hand grasped the woman's slender hand, pulling her towards the Huanyu Hall.

Mi Li stumbled behind him, looking at his back, her eyes filled with a touch of infatuation.

"Currently, the number of ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivators in the society has grown from the initial ten to fifteen."

"Three of them are rogue cultivators who joined from Dahe Square, and the other two were cultivated by ourselves."

"Liu Qiang, Su Xiaolin."

Hearing these two familiar names from Sima Huiniang's mouth, Luo Chen nodded gently.

Liu Qiang breaking through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining was within expectations.

He and Zhou Yuanli had been partners for many years, were proficient in combined attack techniques, and their cultivation bases were originally equivalent.

Zhou Yuanli had already broken through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining six years ago.

It was considered slow for him to break through only now.

The latter, however, surprised Luo Chen a little.

"Su Xiaolin?"

"Yes, he is the late-stage Qi Refining cultivator you personally treated after the Battle of Mount Xiaohuan."

Sima Huiniang smiled: "He is deeply grateful for your kindness, President, so he has been quite diligent in the Luo Tian Society over the years. He takes the initiative to do many things and has set a very good example."

This was an unintended success.

Luo Chen chuckled, "Continue."

Sima Huiniang said "Mm" and continued to report on the situation in the Luo Tian Society over the past three years.

In fact, there were not many major changes.

After all, before going into seclusion, Luo Chen had already formulated the corresponding policies, and Sima Huiniang just needed to execute them.

He had also discussed the external environment with Nangong Jin, Li Yixian, and others.

There would not be any major changes.

The changes in the Luo Tian Society were mainly reflected in three aspects.

Regarding the salary system, because there was no support from Luo Chen's pill business, Sima Huiniang adapted to the situation and changed it back to the standard of normal rogue cultivator organizations in the immortal cultivation world.

More work, more pay; no work, no pay.

Simply put, it reduced the basic salary.

In this way, the financial pressure on the Luo Tian Society could be well relieved.

It also forced some cultivators in the society to take the initiative to find work.

This was a good thing!

Luo Chen had given high salaries back then because the external pressure was too great.

He had to rely on a large amount of spirit stones every month to win over his subordinates.

Now the situation was different, and reducing wages was the appropriate thing to do.

Sima Huiniang took the initiative to do this, but instead bore the infamy.

Later, Luo Chen would give some pill rewards, which could both win over the late-stage Qi Refining experts and increase his own reputation.

Luo Chen the Great Philanthropist, nothing more than this!

The second change was the proposal to establish a new Law Enforcement Hall during the meeting of the six halls.

This hall did not need many people.

But they must be experts!

It would be used for internal law enforcement, cooperating with the Merit Hall to punish those who violated the rules.

Of course, this proposal had not yet been fully implemented.

It was waiting for Luo Chen to decide.

After thinking for a moment, Luo Chen approved the proposal.

As for the position of Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, Zhou Yuanli was the only candidate.

He had originally been given the nominal title of Law Enforcement Elder by Luo Chen.

In this way, the various departments and halls of the Luo Tian Society were considered fully formed.

Although the sparrow is small, it has all the internal organs.

Even if Luo Chen was not there to preside over it for a short time, it could operate freely.

And the third change was a piece of good news.

"Lingjun can now stably refine Jade Marrow Pills."

"How stable?" Luo Chen's spirit lifted.

Sima Huiniang said: "Of course, it's not as peak-level as you, President. Lingjun can refine one pill from about fifteen portions of raw materials, and the current grade is low-grade."

Fifteen portions of raw materials cost about seventy-five low-grade spirit stones.

Currently, Qu Lingjun could not control the stable number of pills produced; one furnace produced about fifteen or sixteen pills.

If sold externally, the value was only a dozen or so spirit stones.

In other words, every time he refined pills, he was losing money, with no profit to speak of.

However, upon hearing this news, Luo Chen was full of joy.

"Sure enough, I didn't misjudge him. His alchemy talent is actually so outstanding."

From initially memorizing the Hundred Herbs Atlas and doing odd jobs in the Alchemy Hall, to later starting to refine pills, and then to the Luo Tian Society fully supporting him by providing a large amount of raw materials for him to refine.

Counting the time, only six years have passed.

This time seems long.

In reality, for high-level cultivators, it is just a fleeting moment.

In a large sect, it takes at least ten years to cultivate an alchemist who can stably refine first-tier low-grade pills!

If one wants to make a profit, it takes even more decades.

As for master-level or grandmaster-level alchemists, they are not counted in "decades".

Now, Qu Lingjun has completed the first step of a large sect's alchemy seed in just six years.

His alchemy talent is undoubtedly very excellent.

Of course, this also has to do with the alchemy insights provided by Luo Chen.

He is an existence who has reached the peak in the refining of Jade Marrow Pills.

It is no exaggeration to call him a grandmaster of this pill.

With this help, combined with Qu Lingjun's own alchemy talent, such an unexpected result was achieved.

Sima Huiniang looked at the upturned corners of Luo Chen's mouth and felt relieved.

For these three years, she had been handling the affairs of the Luo Tian Society alone, which was truly laborious.

Now that she had received Luo Chen's affirmation, she was finally at ease.

However, the next thing she had to say made her a little uneasy.

"President, that demonic beast of yours..."

"Mm, I already know about this matter, I don't blame you."

"But that was a second-tier combat power after all!"

Luo Chen shook his head, a look of regret appearing on his face.

What Sima Huiniang wanted to say was about Xiao Hong's escape.

Xiao Hong, the second-tier Explosive Ape.

During the Beast Tide Battle, it was captured alive by him and Wang Yuan.

Later, after obtaining the beast-taming technique, he enslaved it.

In the Battle of Mount Xiaohuan, it also contributed a lot.

However, after Luo Chen entered the Dahe Ghost City for seclusion, the beast escaped from Mount Xiaohuan in the second year.

Not only did it escape, but it also took away its bloodline descendant, that little ape.

"Without my suppression, indeed no one in the society could control it for a long time."

"Moreover, that volume of my 'Ten Thousand Beast Scripture' was only just mastered; even if I guarded it day and night, I had to continuously cast the Spirit-Controlling Seal to control it."

Luo Chen could still feel the faint connection between him and Xiao Hong.

But this connection was slowly weakening.

It was evident that Xiao Hong had already escaped into the depths of the mountains and was constantly moving away from him.

"Forget it, let it go!"

Luo Chen did not act like a man troubled by his own worries, his gaze falling into the main hall.

While Sima Huiniang was reporting on work, many high-level members of the Luo Tian Society had gradually gathered.

Facing those familiar gazes, Luo Chen uttered a decision that caught everyone off guard.

"Three months from now, we leave Dahe Square!"

End of this chapter.