Chapter 397: Three Origins Return to One, Love Me, Love My Dog

After returning to Tianlan Peak, Luo Chen's days seemed to return to their previous state, devoid of ripples or waves.

Every day, he simply closed his doors to cultivate in seclusion, rarely interacting with others.

Occasionally, Wang Yuan would pay a visit to discuss matters regarding the "Ten Thousand Daos Convergence."

But just because he did not leave his home did not mean he was not paying attention to the situation outside.

With the Luo Network operating at full capacity, a massive amount of intelligence was submitted to Luo Chen almost every interval.

After the Luo Tian Society abandoned expansion and shifted its strategy to digesting the gains from the battlefield, those enemies who had previously been at odds with or secretly harboring malice toward the Luo Tian Society suddenly emerged, caught off guard.

With backing behind them and the belief that their side was numerous and powerful, they acted with increasing lack of restraint.

Incidents targeting the Luo Tian Society occurred from time to time.

In response, Sima Huiniang changed her past style; apart from dispatching experts to strictly guard the few merchant caravans under her command, she endured everything else as much as possible.

The outside world simply assumed the Luo Tian Society had turned cowardly under the pressure of the Yan Alliance.

Even within the Luo Tian Society, some expressed dissatisfaction.

But only Sima Huiniang knew that they had to wait for an opportunity.

Although the enemies were scattered, they were powerful; if the Luo Tian Society took the initiative to attack and break them one by one, it would easily drag down their own pace.

And cause them to fall into a quagmire.

It was better to wait for the opponent to gather together and then sweep them away in one fell swoop.

Before this opportunity appeared, what the Luo Tian Society needed to do was to improve the strength of its internal cultivators as much as possible.

Under Sima Huiniang's instruction, Murong Qinglian led the Merit Hall to conduct a large-scale merit assessment and evaluation for all the late-stage Qi Refining cultivators of the Luo Tian Society.

From within, they selected suitable Foundation Establishment seeds, preparing to distribute Foundation Establishment Elixirs.

Not long after, a list was placed before Luo Chen.

【Battle Hall Law Enforcement Elder Zhou Yuanli, Battle Hall combat cultivator Liu Qiang, Gui Jiang】

【Spirit Medicine Hall Bian Zhen, Feng Xia】

【Merit Hall Audit Deacon Sima Wenjie】

【Outer Sect Elder Xu Xiaoliu.】

For each name, the list detailed the great contributions they had made to the Luo Tian Society over the years.

And the amount of merit involved, which could be exchanged for what level of Foundation Establishment resources.

But those who could appear on the list would at the very least receive one Foundation Establishment Elixir!

After browsing through it, Luo Chen felt there were no issues, except for a special note he made regarding Zhou Yuanli.

"Maximize resource allocation, grant him two Foundation Establishment Elixirs, and allow him to borrow any Foundation Establishment insights of the Luo Tian Society at will."

Regarding this extra favor, Sima Huiniang expressed no objection.

Zhou Yuanli was different from the others.

He had served as a guard since the time when Luo Chen was still weak.

Although it could not be said he had saved Luo Chen's life, he had never left Luo Chen's side during many times of danger and was deeply trusted by him.

He was relatively steady and upright in character, and decisive when encountering matters.

Over the years, the Law Enforcement Hall of the Luo Tian Society had always been under his control, which showed how much he was valued by Luo Chen.

"These people are all at the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining stage, ready to charge toward Foundation Establishment at any time."

"In addition, there is another list here of people whose merit points are sufficient, but whose cultivation base is relatively low, having only recently promoted to the ninth level of Qi Refining."

"I intend to focus on cultivating them and treat them as Foundation Establishment seeds."

Large sects selected outstanding individuals from their Foundation Establishment disciples to be listed as Core Formation seeds.

Now, the Luo Tian Society had also begun to do similar things.

It was just that they were replaced by so-called Foundation Establishment seeds.

The selected cultivators were also disciples in the late stage of Qi Refining.

As Sima Huiniang spoke, she handed a list to Luo Chen.

Luo Chen looked down, and at the very first glance, he saw his disciple's name.

【Alchemy Hall Qu Lingjun, thirty-three years old, newly entered the ninth level of Qi Refining. Merit: For many years, he has refined elixirs for the Luo Tian Society, earning spirit stones. He has made great contributions to the development of the Luo Tian Society. Under his leadership, the Alchemy Hall now has a considerable scale, with five first-grade alchemists, thirty fire workers, medicine apprentices... Evaluation: Grade A-plus!】

Seeing this name, Luo Chen could not help but feel a bit emotional.

The once ignorant youth had unknowingly reached the age of thirty.

His inferior four-element spiritual root aptitude had also reached the ninth level of Qi Refining unhurriedly under his own generous supply of resources.

Although it was much slower compared to his peer Qin Yuanjiang, for a loose cultivator, it was already extremely difficult.

"However, Hall Master Qu does not seem to be in a hurry to establish his Foundation?"

"Oh?" Luo Chen raised his head in surprise.

Sima Huiniang said with interest: "After Elder Li returned from the battlefield, he became quite close to Qu Lingjun, occasionally guiding his cultivation personally. He said that Qu Lingjun's aptitude is inferior, but his character is firm, and coupled with the fact that he is not very old, there is no need to be in a rush."

"Not only that, he also improved his family's secret technique 'Ninefold Return to Origin,' concocted a 'Three Origins Return to One Method,' and taught it to Qu Lingjun personally."

"In Elder Li's words, a four-element spiritual root is not necessarily unable to climb the Great Dao, as long as the foundation is laid solidly enough and external resources keep up..."

Li Yingzhang?

Luo Chen was thoughtful.

According to Sima Huiniang, the other party only did this after returning from the battlefield.

Especially after he himself was trapped in the Soul Transformation ruins, the care for Qu Lingjun became even deeper, and the "Three Origins Return to One Method" was also brought out at that time.

Was this returning a peach for a plum?

Because he had saved the other party, in a situation where he could not repay him, he transferred his heartfelt intentions to his disciple.

Perhaps this was what it meant to love me, love my dog!

"In addition, Qu Lingjun has been asking people to treat Mili all these years, and has visited the Divine Physician Sun many times with Mili."

"Even after Hall Master Murong rated his merit as Grade A-plus, he tried to use his merit to exchange for healing elixirs within the Luo Tian Society."

"Canghai Elixir, I bought one at the Tianlan Auction a year ago, which has the effect of reshaping the dantian and meridians."

"I suppose it was also prepared for Mili."

After hearing Sima Huiniang's words, Luo Chen could not help but shake his head.

This disciple of his was indeed a lovesick fool!

He recalled the scene of the master-disciple conversation in the Luo Tian Hall of Xiaohuan Mountain back then, and could not help but sigh.

He had almost forgotten about this matter.

He remembered that at that time, he had said he did not favor the future of Qu Lingjun and Mili, and even gave a promise, letting Qu Lingjun decide whether to become dao companions with Mili after reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining.

Unknowingly, Qu Lingjun had already stepped into the ninth level of Qi Refining.

"Fine, I cannot break my word."

Luo Chen put down the list, "Huiniang, notify Qu Lingjun secretly and let him bring Mili to Tianlan Peak!"

"You want to see him?" Sima Huiniang was surprised.

"Yes." Luo Chen gave a soft hum, a sense of emotion appearing in his mouth, "He is my only disciple after all, it is time to see him. Oh right, send that Canghai Elixir to me as well."

Sima Huiniang nodded thoughtfully.

Three days later.

A middle-aged man, carrying a beautiful woman, arrived at the foot of Tianlan Peak.

It was broad daylight, and the mountain-guarding cultivators did not pay much attention to the cultivators coming and going, as long as they had the identity jade plate for entry and exit.

However, after seeing the man, their eyes lit up.

"Little Friend Qu, long time no see!"

Qu Lingjun was startled, only then realizing that the Foundation Establishment True Person guarding the mountain was talking to him.

He let go of the hand Mili was holding and bowed respectfully to the other party.

"Greetings, Senior!"

The cultivator looked at Qu Lingjun, sized him up slightly, and an expression of appreciation appeared on his face.

"I haven't seen you for a year or two, but your cultivation hasn't fallen behind. Although you have only just entered the ninth level of Qi Refining, your foundation is incredibly solid."

Qu Lingjun was surprised in his heart.

He did not know this person.

The cultivator surnamed Wang he used to be close with was said to have died on the battlefield.

In recent years, he had also been busy with alchemy and cultivation, rarely coming to Tianlan Peak.

Yet he did not expect the other party to know him and even praise his cultivation.

He did not dare to neglect the other party, chatted a few words, and took out some fresh melons and fruits from his storage bag.

"These are spirit fruits specialty of our Danxia Peak. Although they are not worth many spirit stones, the taste is excellent, crisp and juicy."

"Senior, you can taste them when you have free time to pass the time."

The cultivator's eyes lit up, and he became even more enthusiastic toward Qu Lingjun.

After chatting for a while, Qu Lingjun took Mili up to Tianlan Peak.

"Master Qu has wide connections, even Foundation Establishment True Persons lower themselves to befriend you, it is truly moving!" Mili said with a smile on the side.

However, toward this teasing remark, Qu Lingjun shook his head.

"I don't know this cultivator surnamed He."

Mili was stunned.

"Perhaps he is a friend of Master!"

Qu Lingjun thought for a while and said softly: "In recent years, because of the war, many strong people have died in Tianlan, so the spirit caves on Tianlan Peak have become much more spacious, and even the second-grade high-level caves are quite abundant. The President has freed up a large sum of spirit stones to rent caves on Tianlan Peak. He even changed the second-grade middle-level caves originally stipulated by the welfare to second-grade high-level caves."

"In this way, the number of cultivators from our Luo Tian Society entering and leaving Tianlan Peak will only increase."

"If I can befriend this mountain-guarding cultivator, there will be much less trouble when entering and leaving in the future. After I go back, I can tell the President to let the Society prepare some things to win over this person from time to time."

Hearing her beloved think and calculate like this, Mili pursed her lips and could not help but smile.

She sighed: "After the President is gone, you have become more steady than before, and now you have started to consider the entire Luo Tian Society."

Qu Lingjun gave a wry smile, "If Master were here, it would naturally not be my turn to think about these things. Now, I naturally contribute as much as I can to let the Luo Tian Society encounter less trouble."

Mili nodded.

Looking up at the magnificent Tianlan Peak, the sound of the roaring waterfall was in her ears.

"I wonder why the President asked us to go to the President's cave?"

Qu Lingjun hesitated, "Could it be that my Master has already returned?"

The moment Qu Lingjun saw Luo Chen in the cave.

He could not control himself.

He knelt before Luo Chen with a thud, calling out softly.

"Master, you are indeed safe and sound!"

"Get up and sit down before talking!"

Luo Chen cast a strand of spiritual power to lift him up.

After chatting about some family matters, Luo Chen led the topic to the other party's cultivation and alchemy.

Just as Sima Huiniang said, under Li Yingzhang's personal guidance, Qu Lingjun's cultivation base was indeed very solid and reliable.

Although it could not be said to be outstanding, the overall highlight was the word "steady."

Not only that, the "Three Origins Return to One" secret technique the other party practiced seemed to fit Qu Lingjun's four-element spiritual root constitution very well.

It could allow Qu Lingjun to continuously refine the spiritual power in his body when he was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, achieving the effect of purification.

Just from this point, it could be seen that Li Yingzhang had indeed put in the effort.

And in alchemy, Qu Lingjun could now stably refine high-grade Jade Marrow Elixirs.

In addition, he had also dabbled in two types of first-grade elixirs, the Myriad Wonders Pill and the Foundation Cultivation Pill, and could easily refine low-grade elixirs.

Counting the age at which he came into contact with alchemy, it had only been twenty years.

To have such attainments, he could truly be considered an alchemy genius.

After all, not everyone was like Luo Chen, who possessed a proficiency system.

Putting Qu Lingjun in a large alchemy sect like the Green Alchemy Valley, he would also be a first-class alchemist.

If he could advance to the Foundation Establishment stage and refine second-grade elixirs, give him a hundred or eighty years, and it would not be impossible for him to compete for the dao title of the next generation of the Seven Sons of Green Alchemy!

After an examination, Luo Chen showed a look of satisfaction.

"It seems you have worked very hard all these years! Whether it is cultivation or alchemy, you haven't fallen behind, and Master is very happy."

Receiving Luo Chen's affirmation and praise.

Qu Lingjun was also very happy.

"Everything is due to Master's cultivation!"

Luo Chen shook his head, not taking the credit.

For Qu Lingjun, he only gave some pointers in the early stages.

More of it was the supply of resources.

That the other party could reach this point today still relied on his own efforts, as well as the constant pointers and guidance from the Foundation Establishment True Persons of the Luo Tian Society who loved him because of him.

Strictly speaking, he was not a qualified master.

"Lingjun, Master has practiced all the way here without the guidance of a master or elder, and Master himself is also being a master for the first time. So, there may be some places where I haven't taken care of you or considered your feelings, you must forgive Master a little."

Qu Lingjun was startled, then shook his head quickly.

"No, Master is very good to me, I have never had any complaints!"

Luo Chen showed a kind smile, looking at the middle-aged man in front of him who vaguely resembled Qu Hancheng from back then.

He asked pointedly: "Really no complaints?"

"Absolutely none!" Qu Lingjun said decisively.

"What about Mili?"

Qu Lingjun hesitated for a moment, but soon said firmly: "That is Master's pity for me, and you have done nothing wrong. Choosing Mili is just my own persistence."

The implication was that he knew the good intentions in Luo Chen's thoughts, but he would not follow them himself.

Luo Chen sighed, "It seems this is your choice."

Thud!

Qu Lingjun knelt down again.

"It is the disciple who is unfilial!"

"But this time, please Master agree to my choice."

Ninth level of Qi Refining, he had already reached it.

And the answer, compared to back then, was even more firm!

It could be seen that over the years, he had considered this matter more than once, which was why he could give a response so quickly.

Luo Chen looked at him seriously, and the atmosphere in the cave became quiet for a while.

If viewed from the outside, the young daoist sat on a stone chair, while Qu Lingjun, who looked more mature, knelt on the ground.

In the secular world, it might be absurd.

But in the world of immortal cultivation, there was nothing strange about it.

Many cultivators who were proficient in beauty-preserving techniques had disciples and followers who looked much older than them.

Silence always had a time to be broken.

With a soft sigh from Luo Chen.

"Fine!"

"Call Mili in!"

Qu Lingjun trembled all over, a look of joy and worry appearing on his face.

"Master..."

"Just consider it a Foundation Establishment congratulatory gift I am giving you in advance," Luo Chen smiled.

"Thank you, Master!"

Qu Lingjun stood up in ecstasy and ran toward the outside of the cave.

Before long, he walked in with Mili.

Twenty years passed in an instant.

The once young girl was now also in the state of a graceful woman.

However, after Luo Chen's spiritual sense swept over the two and noticed that the primordial yin was still there and the primordial yang was not lost, he could not help but be satisfied that although their love had deepened over the years, they had not crossed the line.

When a cultivator establishes a foundation, there are three barriers and three disasters.

The three barriers are the soul, the body, and spiritual power.

The three disasters are the disaster of the tongue root, the act of the dantian turning into a sea, and the lack of primordial yang and primordial yin.

These three disasters correspond exactly to the theory of the three divisions of spiritual roots in the classics.

Above is the Yellow Court and below is the Guan Yuan, behind is the You Que and in front is the Ming Men. Breathing into the dantian between the skull, the Jade Pool clear water irrigates the spiritual root. If one can cultivate it, one can survive for a long time!

Spiritual root, the root of the tongue!

A cultivator's spiritual root is not reflected in any single organ.

But in the dark, it is divided into the tongue root, the dantian, and the sperm house/uterus.

Therefore, there is a rumor in the world of immortal cultivation that it is best not to be overly indulgent and happy before a cultivator establishes a foundation.

Luo Chen had experienced Foundation Establishment several times, and his understanding of it was far greater than other Foundation Establishment True Persons.

At this moment, seeing that the two had known, understood, and guarded each other for many years, yet still remembered his instructions, he was naturally extremely satisfied.

"Since Lingjun has decided on you, then as a master, I will naturally not obstruct you in every way."

"But to be the dao companion of my disciple, you are naturally not a passerby of a few decades."

Looking at the confused Mili, Luo Chen said leisurely: "If I cure your innate defects, do you have the heart to seek the Dao and compete for the Foundation Establishment Great Dao?"

Mili was stunned, as if doubting she had heard wrong.

But Qu Lingjun had already pulled her, "Why don't you thank Master!"

"Thank you, President!" Mili knelt and thanked Luo Chen in a daze.

In her ears came Luo Chen's soft laughter.

"Get up, let me see your situation first."

Under Luo Chen's investigation, Mili's situation was clear at a glance!

The so-called innate defects of the other party did indeed exist.

The meridians were too thin!

The inner wall of the dantian was too thin!

These two things limited Mili from being able to study and practice diligently.

Even if the couple had earned a lot of resources over the years, they could not invest them in Mili's cultivation.

So much so that Mili was at such an age, yet she was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, unable to even cross into the late stage of Qi Refining.

For such a situation, ordinary people could not treat it at all.

Even the famous medical expert Divine Physician Sun in Tianlan Immortal City found it difficult to start.

But for Luo Chen, it was not a difficult matter.

Because he had the Canghai Elixir!

This was a third-grade spirit elixir, which had the effect of reshaping the dantian and meridians, and once sold for a sky-high price of 50, 00 spirit stones at an auction!

And even then, it was priceless.

The Medicine King Sect rarely took it out for sale.

However, this elixir was of too high a grade, and Mili's cultivation was too weak, so to make use of it, he still needed Luo Chen to guard her on the side.

"The situation is still much better than Caiyi's back then."

"With my protection, there should be no mistakes!"

While Luo Chen was thinking about the treatment plan, Mili sat opposite him respectfully.

Even though she already knew that Luo Chen was going to treat her personally, she still felt dazed as if in a dream.

Back on Xiaohuan Mountain.

Luo Chen reprimanded Qu Lingjun, and she stood alone outside the door, lonely and helpless.

Now, she was accepted by Luo Chen and entered the cave.

Comparing the two, it was truly a world of difference.

Turning her cheek, she looked affectionately at Qu Lingjun, who was full of hope.

It was this man's persistence that moved his master!

"Don't worry, Master is very powerful, omnipotent! If he says he can cure you, he definitely can!"

Luo Chen naturally saw the little couple's small actions.

He just smiled indifferently at the heartfelt worship.

Omnipotent was not the word.

But to cure the other party, he already had a rough plan.

Before long, he took out a pile of bottles and jars from his storage bag.

In addition, he took out a few aged medicinal herbs and handed them to Qu Lingjun.

"Go and boil three portions of the medicinal soup given by Divine Physician Sun first, it will be of great use later."

"In addition, Mili, go outside the cave and cast spells to consume the spiritual power in your dantian and meridians as much as possible."

The two immediately took orders and left.

After they left, Luo Chen sighed and patted his storage bag.

A lifeless humanoid puppet appeared beside him.

"Old Man Mi, back then Miao Wen cruelly slaughtered your remaining Mi family clansmen in the Yuan Magnetic Valley, and I was helpless."

"Now if I cure Mili and make her step on the path of the Great Dao again, it can be considered as repaying your kindness of cultivation back then."

The humanoid puppet stood there quietly, without any change in expression.

It would not have any anyway.

It was just a dead Foundation Establishment True Person, refined into a puppet by Tian Xingzi.

But if Mili were here, she would probably recognize the other party's identity in an instant.

It was none other than her grandfather, Mi Shuhua!

When Luo Chen killed the Blood Demon in the Soul Transformation ruins, the only trophy he took from the relics of the Luoyun Sect disciples was this puppet of Mi Shuhua.

How could the body of an old friend become someone else's puppet?

A gentleman judges by actions, not by heart!

No matter what sinister intentions Mi Shuhua had toward Luo Chen back then, at least before he died, he did not do anything too excessive to Luo Chen.

Instead, Luo Chen used the other party's thoughts to crazily fleece a lot of wool.

This principle applied to Mi Shuhua.

And it applied equally to Luo Chen.

He, Luo Chen, was treating Mili now for the sake of his disciple Qu Lingjun.

But if he really cured her, Mi Shuhua would surely be gratified if he knew about it from the underworld.