Chapter 212: A blazing sun presses upon the heart, a single word of parting bids the world farewell

Powerful! Scorching!

That massive fireball, truly like a rising sun, was constantly expanding, constantly growing stronger.

Fear, shrinking away.

It instantly shrouded the female cultivator's head.

Yu Rou stopped immediately, her eyes looking with shock and uncertainty at that figure beneath the blazing sun.

"Dan Chenzi?"

As she stopped, the blazing sun also slowly dissipated.

A cold, sharp gaze looked straight over.

Looking directly into this person's eyes was like staring into a cold, deep abyss—bottomless and incomparably frigid.

Yu Rou said in a strained voice, "Huo Hu cannot die. You cannot kill him."

She glanced at the unconscious body inside the vine prison.

Luo Chen gave a cold, mocking laugh. "In this world, where is the logic that one can only be killed and never resist? Fellow Daoist Yu, am I wrong?"

"But, the Huo family... Huo Quan!"

Mentioning the name Huo Quan seemed to give Yu Rou confidence.

She gradually regained her composure. "If you dare to kill Huo Hu, the Huo family will certainly not let it go. Huo Quan has been at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment for many years; this seclusion was specifically to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Once he emerges..."

"He is not standing before us." Luo Chen interrupted her. "The one standing before us is you."

That's right!

It is me!

The flat, ripple-less words made Yu Rou tremble all over.

Her gaze wandered; nearby was the murderous Dan Chenzi.

In the distance, standing upon a stone pillar like a Shura tiger, was Wang Yuan.

Behind her, there was also Li Yixian holding a long sword.

Just now, she had seen clearly that Li Yixian truly had the intention to stop her.

In other words, she had already decided to stand on Dan Chenzi's side!

In normal times, she would have had the confidence to rely on the extreme speed of the Emerald Feather White Eagle to escape this place.

However, the Dan Chenzi before her, with that aura of slaughter, was truly terrifying.

He had returned alive.

This meant that two great Foundation Establishment cultivators could not take him down, and were even killed by him in return!

Under such an encirclement, she did not have the slightest shred of certainty that she could snatch Huo Hu and escape calmly.

"Enough! Enough!"

She gave a bitter smile and slowly retreated.

"As for today's events, you had best look after yourselves. You cannot withstand the wrath of Huo Quan."

Watching her retreating figure.

Luo Chen suddenly spoke.

"Wait!"

Yu Rou's expression changed; the bitterness was gone, replaced by a fierce look.

"What?"

"Fellow Daoist, do you still wish to keep me here as well?"

As she said this, her spiritual light surged, ready to erupt, and a feather fan fell into her hand.

This scene.

Was exactly like a ruffled hawk.

However, Luo Chen only shook his head.

He said indifferently, "I can let you go. But, after returning, you must not mention the details of the battle here to Huo Quan. If he asks, just say Huo Hu is in my, Dan Chenzi's, hands. If he dares to act rashly, he should prepare for the Huo family to have no successors!"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward two different places.

One was deep beneath the stone forest, the other was the figure standing atop the stone pillar.

Yu Rou naturally understood what he meant.

But these threatening words still made her, who had always been high and mighty, feel uncomfortable.

Perhaps sensing her dissatisfaction, Luo Chen gave a light smile and spat out a single sentence.

This sentence made her heart leap wildly, and she had no choice but to agree.

"To me, the Luo Tian Society is merely a means to collect cultivation resources, but the Yu family is your lifeblood."

Yu Rou looked at him deeply.

"I will remember this!"

Afterward, the white eagle flapped its emerald feathers and flew into the distance.

Li Yixian watched this scene, feeling that the pent-up frustration that had been accumulating in her chest all night finally dissipated.

That friend with whom she had once had a good relationship, calling each other sisters.

Had been using the "Li family" to manipulate her all night.

Truly holding her in a tight grip.

That feeling—family, who understands?

Unexpectedly, Luo Chen understood!

The final mention of the "Yu family" would likely make Yu Rou tremble, leaving her hands and feet cold!

Luo Chen was no kind soul.

Fighting two great Foundation Establishment cultivators alone, returning safely, and intimidating one person and one demon.

He even dared to threaten the late-stage Foundation Establishment Huo Quan.

Such a ruthless person, if truly pushed to the limit, would at worst abandon this Luo Tian Society, cast aside his face, and focus on slaughtering the Yu family.

When that time came, how would the Yu family's clansmen go out for training? How would they do business?

It could be said that family cultivators are strong because of their family, but also weak because of their family.

*Hoo!

Exhaling a breath of turbid air, Li Yixian felt refreshed.

She looked at the unconscious Huo Hu in the green cage.

"Is he not dead?"

Luo Chen nodded, his gaze falling on Wang Yuan, who was approaching.

The other party's condition was not good; a palm-sized piece of flesh on his lower abdomen was gone, and his overall state appeared somewhat withered.

It was evident that this battle had not been as easy for him as Li Yixian and the others had said.

Wang Yuan said in a muffled voice, "He took a hit from my Blood God Tribulation Finger; even if he didn't die, he's severely injured."

Blood God Tribulation Finger!

That was the attack method for the second stage of body refinement that Wang Yuan had once told Luo Chen he had finally researched after years of study.

The attack area was not vast.

But the speed was fast, the power was highly concentrated, and it could be released from a distance.

Especially that last point, which was exceptionally important.

The reason second-stage body refiners were no match for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Was that their methods were mostly close-range, and even relying on the release of Qi and blood, it was only a distance of a dozen or so *zhang*.

It was difficult to threaten Foundation Establishment cultivators who relied on flying swords to attack from distances of several dozen *zhang* at will.

Back then, Duan Qiankun had relied on maneuvering in flight and long-range attacks to torture Wang Yuan to the point of wanting to die.

Now, he had barely managed to make up for his lack of long-range methods.

Luo Chen shook his head. "He cannot die!"

Neither Wang Yuan nor Li Yixian argued; instead, they quite agreed.

Having offended the Huo family, if Huo Hu were to die, the Huo family ancestor would surely be furious upon emerging from seclusion.

That was a sixth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator—perhaps even a late-stage Foundation Establishment great cultivator upon emerging!

A living Huo Hu could better restrain him!

"If Huo Quan fails his seclusion and instead suffers *qi* deviation, that would be great." Li Yixian smiled.

The heavenly laughter came from an ordinary-looking face.

Luo Chen glanced at her and said indifferently, "One cannot pin one's hopes on such ethereal luck."

As he spoke.

He removed the cage and tossed the unconscious Huo Hu to Wang Yuan.

"This person is your spoils of war, so I leave him to your custody."

"Rest assured, I have a hundred ways to imprison him," Wang Yuan said in a muffled voice.

Without delay, he grabbed Huo Hu and descended into the group of Luo Tian Society cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist, I will return first, and later..."

Facing Li Yixian's eager gaze, Luo Chen nodded.

"We will wait for you a little while; be quick!"

Li Yixian looked at Luo Chen with gratitude and hurriedly flew back to the Li family camp.

This place was not to be stayed in for long.

That Luo Chen was willing to wait for them to travel together was already very friendly.

This also proved that her choice of side was correct.

In this world of cultivation filled with deceit, people like Wang Haichao and Huo Hu were everywhere.

Conversely, people like Luo Chen, who were both powerful and maintained a set of principles, were few and far between.

She would rather trust Luo Chen than believe that Huo Hu and the others would show mercy to her Li family in the end.

Watching her departing back.

Luo Chen nodded imperceptibly.

He had actually returned long ago, but had not been in a hurry to strike.

After surveying the battlefield, he determined that the overall advantage was on his side.

The only variables were Yu Rou and Li Yixian.

That Yu Rou tried to act at the end was within his expectations.

And Li Yixian's attempt to intercept was a pleasant surprise.

If Li Yixian had turned against him, relying on himself after a great battle and the injured Wang Yuan.

It would have been difficult to take down the two women.

After all, there was still a second-stage Emerald Feather White Eagle coming and going at will.

If that scene had truly occurred, he would not have been stingy about unleashing a long-prepared Blazing Sun Technique from the shadows, which could at least severely injure one of them.

Now, since Li Yixian had shown goodwill.

He did not mind having a closer relationship with the other party.

After Li Yixian left.

Only then did Luo Chen have time to pay attention to the battlefield.

In reality, there was nothing left to pay attention to.

When Huo Hu fell to the earth and Luo Chen returned, the battlefield had already become one-sided.

The Dajiang Gang cultivators were trying their best to shake off their enemies, fleeing frantically toward the surrounding wild mountains and ridges.

Those without ability were all put to death under the encirclement of Sima Huiniang and her people.

At this moment.

Below Gaoling Plain, corpses littered the field, and blood flowed like a river.

Releasing his spiritual sense, Luo Chen surveyed the entire battlefield.

Afterward, a large handful of colorful little beads appeared in his hand.

Jade Marrow Waste Beads!

He let out a cold snort and threw them in all directions.

With the overall situation settled, the Luo Tian Society cultivators were under the leadership of Murong Qinglian, looting spoils, counting casualties, and handling the remains of their own fallen cultivators.

Just as a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator wanted to lower his head to pick up a magic tool clutched in the hand of a corpse.

*Puff!

A soft sound.

A flower of blood bloomed on the forehead of that corpse.

A pair of eyes widened in shock, then died with lingering resentment.

The Luo Tian Society cultivator was greatly startled and hurriedly retreated.

In his ear, Luo Chen's cold voice came.

"Watch out for those feigning death; do not let your guard down."

Before the words fell.

In all directions, *puff-puff* sounds rang out one after another.

Many Dajiang Gang cultivators who were feigning death had nowhere to hide after his spiritual sense swept over them.

Having received his reminder, the subordinates cleaning the battlefield also became cautious.

Before collecting spoils, they would first poke the enemy's head with a magic tool.

Suddenly.

A figure rose up, turning into a stream of light and fleeing.

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. "There are capable people even among low-level cultivators; they actually managed to evade my spiritual sense detection."

Flicking his finger.

A spark of fire streaked across like a meteor.

That figure constantly changed shape in the air, shifting left and right, trying to dodge.

However...

*Puff!

Luo Chen reached out and summoned, and a dusty storage bag flew over from afar, landing in his hand.

Not caring about the worshipful and respectful gazes of the Luo Tian Society cultivators.

Luo Chen landed gracefully.

"How is the situation?"

Sima Huiniang said excitedly, "A great victory! Hundreds of enemies killed, countless spoils captured!"

After this battle, the foundation of the Luo Tian Society was considered completely solidified.

The relics of the Qin family, the Duan family, and the hundreds of Dajiang Gang cultivators.

Were enough to arm the Luo Tian Society cultivators to the teeth.

They even found more than a dozen complete defensive magic tools.

Looking at her excitement, Luo Chen shook his head.

"What are our casualties?"

Sima Huiniang was startled, and facing Luo Chen's deep gaze, she couldn't help but shiver.

She hurriedly said, "Hall Master Murong is still counting; there are simply too many injured. As for the confirmed dead, there are already 157, and this number is still rising. Granny Yuan is leading the female cultivators of the Medicine Hall and the Gold Hall, doing their best to treat their companions, striving to reduce the number of deaths due to severe injuries."

"What is the ratio of realms among the dead cultivators?"

"Mostly early and mid-stage cultivators, but late-stage cultivators also suffered heavy casualties. Even three great experts at the ninth level of Qi Refining were killed in battle."

Three!

Luo Chen frowned, looking at her.

"Which three?"

"Xiang Yan, Peng Yuanyu..."

Luo Chen knew these two; they were rogue cultivators from Dahe Workshop who had joined the Luo Tian Society along with Bian Zhen during his three years of seclusion.

In reality, they were formerly the second and third leaders of Panshan Fortress.

It was just that because the leader, Fang Chengshan, had tried to be a hero during the Battle of Xiaohuan Mountain and was beheaded by Luo Chen, leading to the disintegration of Panshan Fortress.

After struggling for a few years, the two of them finally chose to join the Luo Tian Society.

In terms of strength, they were considered quite capable.

Unexpectedly, they died in...

"Zeng Wen."

"Hmm?"

"There is also Zeng Wen."

"Who did you say?" Luo Chen's calm expression fluctuated.

How could Zeng Wen possibly die?

Even if all the Qi Refining cultivators of the Luo Tian Society died, it would never be his turn.

Luo Chen knew this fatty fellow Daoist, who had been the first to buy Zhongmiao Pills from him, better than anyone.

High strength, varied methods.

Even when Luo Chen's realm was low, he had asked him for advice on many earth-type spell techniques.

Moreover, Zeng Wen's personality was a bit cautious.

To put it bluntly, he was greedy for life and afraid of death.

He would often see that the situation was not right and immediately retreat.

Even when the Poshan Gang was destroyed and Wang Yuan was severely injured, he remained unscathed.

How could such a person die in this kind of chaotic battle?

He should be living better than anyone!

Under Luo Chen's disbelieving gaze.

Sima Huiniang swallowed and said with immense regret, "Fellow Daoist Zeng Wen suffered multiple wounds to protect his wife and child. After Hall Master Gu broke out of Gaoling Plain, he could no longer hold on and fell..."

"Take me to see him!"

"Forget it, you go busy yourself."

Luo Chen waved his large sleeve and walked toward the rear.

Sima Huiniang bit her lip, watching Luo Chen's back, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

No one knew what she was thinking.

Sighing, Sima Huiniang threw herself into the busy post-battle work.

"The President is here!"

"It's the President!"

"The President is mighty, invincible among his peers!"

"Greetings, President!"

Luo Chen passed through the crowd in silence; those flatteries and praises were like passing clouds.

Soon, he arrived at the camp where the wounded were concentrated.

On the left side, there was an area covered by white cloth.

Faintly, the sound of sobbing could be heard incessantly.

His gaze shifted slightly, and Luo Chen entered the crowd.

At first glance, he saw a little one.

Lying beside a bloody, chubby corpse.

"Daddy..."

"Daddy..."

"Xiao Long, Daddy is just sleeping."

The little one looked at his mother in confusion, then tremblingly lay down beside the corpse, muttering with a giggle.

"I... also... want to sleep..."

"Yes, sleep, sleep."

Watching this scene, Luo Chen took a deep breath.

Slowly approaching.

Pairs of sorrowful and mournful eyes all fell upon him.

Luo Chen bent down and gently picked up the little one, Zeng Yilong, into his broad embrace.

No resistance, no crying, he just fell asleep quietly like that.

Lowering his head.

Looking at the corpse whose face was almost unrecognizable, he opened his mouth, wanting to speak but stopping.

Finally, he said softly, "Fellow Daoist Zeng, do you have any last words?"

At this moment, he familiarly said those words, "Fellow Daoist Zeng," just like when they first met.

No difference in realm, no difference in rank.

There was only a farewell between friends.

Xiugu slumped on the ground, wiped away her tears, and sobbed, "No last words, he only had time to say, 'Live on.'"

"Live on..."

Luo Chen pursed his lips, smiling bitterly inside.

"As expected of you, Fellow Daoist Zeng! Before dying, you even passed down the family motto."

He held Zeng Yilong, gently patting the child's back.

His lips parted slightly.

Softly, but with ironclad certainty, he said:

"His son will live on!"