Chapter 397

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

Every day, he simply stayed behind closed doors to cultivate, rarely interacting with others.

Occasionally, Wang Yuan would pay a visit to chat with him about matters concerning the "Ten Thousand Dao Convergence."

But just because he didn't go out didn't mean he wasn't paying attention to the situation in the outside world.

With the Luo Network operating at full capacity, a massive amount of intelligence was submitted to Luo Chen's hands almost every little while.

After the Luo Tian Society gave up on expansion and shifted its strategy to digesting the gains from the battlefield, those enemies who had previously been at odds with the Luo Tian Society, or who had been hiding needles in their smiles, were caught off guard and suddenly reared their heads.

They had backing behind them and felt that their side was numerous and powerful, so they acted with increasing lack of restraint.

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

Regarding this, Sima Hui Niang completely 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 that the Luo Tian Society had turned cowardly under the pressure of the Yan Alliance.

Even within the Luo Tian Society, there were people expressing dissatisfaction.

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

Although the enemies were scattered, they were powerful; if the Luo Tian Society were to take the initiative to attack and defeat them one by one, it would instead 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 Hui Niang's instruction, Murong Qinglian led the Merit Hall to conduct a large-scale merit assessment and evaluation for the Luo Tian Society's group of late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

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

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

【Law Enforcement Elder of the Battle Hall Zhou Yuanli, Battle Cultivator of the Battle Hall Liu Qiang, Gui Jiang】

【Bian Zhen and Feng Xia of the Spirit Medicine Hall】

【Audit Deacon of the Merit Hall Sima Wenjie】

【Outer Sect Elder Xu Xiaoliu.】

……

For every single name, the list also detailed the great contributions they had made to the Luo Tian Society over these years.

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

But being able to appear on the list meant that, at the very least, one could obtain one Foundation Establishment Pill!

After a browse, Luo Chen felt there were no problems, except that he specifically added a few notes regarding Zhou Yuanli.

"Maximize the resource allocation, give him two Foundation Establishment Pills, and allow him to borrow any of the Luo Tian Society's Foundation Establishment insights at will."

Regarding this extra favor, Sima Hui Niang expressed no objections.

Zhou Yuanli was different from the others.

He had been serving as a bodyguard since Luo Chen's weak period.

Although it couldn't be said that he had saved Luo Chen's life, he had never left Luo Chen's side during many times of danger, and he had gained Luo Chen's deep trust.

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

Over these years, the Luo Tian Society's Law Enforcement Hall 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, and are individuals who can sprint toward Foundation Establishment at any time."

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

"I intend to focus on cultivating one or two of them, treating them as Foundation Establishment seeds to nurture."

Large sects select outstanding individuals from their Foundation Establishment disciples and list them as Golden Core seeds.

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

It was just that it had been changed to so-called Foundation Establishment seeds.

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

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

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

【Qu Lingjun of the Alchemy Hall, thirty-three years old, newly entered the ninth level of Qi Refining. Merit: For many years, he has refined pills 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-rank alchemists, thirty fire workers, and medicine apprentices... Evaluation: Grade A-Superior!】

Seeing this name, Luo Chen couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.

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

His inferior four-spirit-root aptitude had also reached the ninth level of Qi Refining at a steady pace under his own generous supply of resources.

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

"However, it seems Hall Master Qu is not in a hurry to establish his Foundation?"

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

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

"Not only that, he also improved his family's 'Nine-Fold Origin-Returning' secret technique, concocted a 'Three-Origin-Into-One Method,' and personally taught it to Qu Lingjun."

"In Elder Li's words, four spirit roots are not necessarily unable to climb the Great Dao, as long as the foundation is laid solidly enough and external resources keep up..."

Li Yingzhang, is it?

Luo Chen was lost in thought.

According to what Sima Hui Niang indicated, 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-Origin-Into-One Method" was also brought out at that time.

Is this returning a peach for a plum?

Because he had saved the other party, and being unable to repay him, he transferred his heartfelt intentions to his disciple.

Perhaps this is what they call "love me, love my dog"!

"In addition, Qu Lingjun has been asking people to treat Sister Mi Li for these years, and has brought Sister Mi Li to visit Master Sun the Divine Physician many times."

"Even after Hall Master Murong rated him with Grade A-Superior merit, he also tried to use his merit to exchange for healing pills within the Luo Tian Society."

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

"I imagine it is also prepared for Sister Mi Li."

After hearing these words from Sima Hui Niang, Luo Chen couldn't help but shake his head.

This disciple of his is quite the romantic!

He remembered the scene of the master-disciple conversation in the Luo Tian Hall on Mount Xiaohuan back then, and couldn't help but sigh.

He had almost forgotten about this matter.

He remembered that at that time he had said that he did not favor the future of Qu Lingjun and Sister Mi Li, and even gave a promise, letting Qu Lingjun decide whether to form a Daoist partnership with Sister Mi Li after reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining.

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

"Fine, I cannot go back on my word."

Luo Chen put down the list, "Sima Hui Niang, secretly notify Qu Lingjun and let him bring Sister Mi Li to Tianlan Peak for a visit!"

"You want to see him?" Sima Hui Niang was surprised.

"Hmm." Luo Chen gave a soft hum, a sense of emotion appearing in his mouth, "At any rate, he is my only disciple, so it is time to see him. Oh right, send that Canghai Pill to me as well."

Sima Hui Niang nodded thoughtfully.

……

Three days later.

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

It was broad daylight, and the mountain-guarding cultivators didn't pay much attention to the cultivators coming in and out; as long as they had an identity jade plate, it was enough.

However, after seeing this 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 Sister Mi Li was holding, and respectfully bowed to the other party.

"Greetings, Senior!"

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

"Haven't seen you for a year or two, but your cultivation hasn't fallen behind; although you are only newly entered into the ninth level of Qi Refining, your foundation is incomparably solid."

Qu Lingjun was surprised in his heart.

He didn't know this person.

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

In these few years, he had also been busy with alchemy and cultivation, and rarely came to this side of Tianlan Peak.

But he didn't expect that the other party actually knew him and even praised his cultivation.

He didn't dare to neglect the other party, chatted a little, and took out some fresh melons and fruits from his storage bag.

"These are spirit fruits specialty of our Danxia Peak; although they aren't worth many spirit stones, the taste is excellent—crispy, refreshing, and juicy."

"When Senior has free time, you can taste them to pass the time."

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

After chatting for a while, Qu Lingjun brought Sister Mi Li up to Tianlan Peak.

"Master Qu has broad social connections; even a Foundation Establishment True Person lowers himself to befriend you—it's truly moving!" Sister Mi Li smiled from the side.

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

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

Sister Mi Li 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 land cave dwellings on Tianlan Peak have become much looser, and even the second-rank high-grade cave dwellings are quite abundant. The President's side has freed up a large sum of spirit stones to rent cave dwellings on Tianlan Peak. They even changed the second-rank mid-grade cave dwellings originally stipulated by welfare into second-rank high-grade cave dwellings."

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

"If we 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 his beloved think and calculate like this, Sister Mi Li pursed her lips and couldn't help but smile.

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

Qu Lingjun gave a bitter smile, "If Master were here, naturally it wouldn't be my turn to think about these things. Now, naturally, I will contribute as much as I can to make the Luo Tian Society encounter as little trouble as possible."

Sister Mi Li nodded.

She looked up at the magnificent Tianlan Peak, and in her ears was the rumbling sound of the waterfall.

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

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

……

The moment Qu Lingjun saw Luo Chen in the cave dwelling.

He couldn't control himself at all.

With a thud, he knelt before Luo Chen, calling out softly.

"Master, you are indeed safe and sound!"

"Get up and sit down before we talk!"

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 Hui Niang said, under Li Yingzhang's personal guidance, Qu Lingjun's realm was indeed very solid and reliable.

Although it couldn't be called outstanding, overall it stood out for the word "steady."

Not only that, the "Three-Origin-Into-One" secret technique he practiced seemed to fit Qu Lingjun's four-spirit-root constitution very well.

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

Just this point showed that Li Yingzhang had indeed put in the effort.

And in alchemy, the current Qu Lingjun could already stably refine high-grade Jade Marrow Pills.

In addition, he had also dabbled in two types of first-rank pills, the Zhongmiao Pill and the Peiyuan Pill, and could easily refine low-grade pills.

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, possessing a proficiency system.

If Qu Lingjun were placed in a large alchemy sect like the Green Alchemy Valley, he would also be a top-notch alchemist.

If he could advance to the Foundation Establishment stage and refine second-rank pills, give him a hundred or eighty years, and he might not be unable to compete for the Dao title of the next generation of the Seven Sons of Green Alchemy!

After a round of examination, Luo Chen revealed an expression of satisfaction.

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

Receiving Luo Chen's affirmation and praise.

Qu Lingjun was also very happy.

"Everything is the result of Master's cultivation!"

Luo Chen shook his head, not taking the credit.

Regarding Qu Lingjun, he had only given 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 group of Foundation Establishment True Persons of the Luo Tian Society who loved him for his master's sake.

Strictly speaking, he was not a qualified master.

"Lingjun, Master has cultivated 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 are some places where I might not have taken care of you or considered your feelings; you must forgive Master a little."

Qu Lingjun was startled, then hurriedly shook his head.

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

Luo Chen revealed a kind smile, looking at the middle-aged man before him who vaguely resembled Qu Hancheng from back then.

He asked pointedly: "Really no complaints?"

"Absolutely none!" Qu Lingjun said decisively.

"Then what about Sister Mi Li?"

Qu Lingjun hesitated for a moment, but soon said firmly: "That was Master's compassion for me; you were absolutely not wrong. Choosing Sister Mi Li is just the disciple's personal persistence."

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

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 these 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 dwelling quieted down.

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 immortality, there was nothing strange about it.

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

Silence always had a time to be broken.

Following a soft sigh from Luo Chen.

"Fine!"

"Call Sister Mi Li in!"

Qu Lingjun trembled all over, his face showing a mix of joy and worry.

"Master……"

"Just take it as me giving you a Foundation Establishment congratulatory gift in advance," Luo Chen smiled.

"Thank you, Master!"

Qu Lingjun stood up in ecstasy and immediately ran outside the cave dwelling.

Not long after, he walked in with Sister Mi Li.

Twenty years passed in an instant.

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

However, when Luo Chen swept his spiritual sense over the two and noticed that the primordial yin was still there and the primordial yang was not lost, he couldn't help but be satisfied that although their love had deepened over these years, they had not overstepped any boundaries.

For a cultivator to establish a Foundation, there are three barriers and three disasters.

The three barriers are soul, physique, 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 spirit roots in the classics.

Above is the Yellow Court, below is the Guan Yuan; behind is the You Que, in front is the Ming Men. Breathing enters the dantian between the skull, and clear water from the Jade Pool irrigates the spirit root. If one can cultivate this, one can live long!

The spirit root is the root of the tongue!

A cultivator's spirit root is not manifested in any single organ.

Rather, it is in the dark, differentiated into the tongue root, dantian, and the sperm house/womb.

Therefore, there is a rumor in the world of immortality that it is best for cultivators not to indulge excessively in pleasure before establishing a Foundation.

Luo Chen had experienced establishing a Foundation 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 exhortations, he was naturally incomparably satisfied.

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

"But to be the Daoist partner of my disciple, naturally you cannot be a passerby of a few decades."

Looking at the puzzled Sister Mi Li, Luo Chen said leisurely: "If I cure your innate deficiency, do you have the heart for the Dao to compete for the Foundation Establishment Great Dao?"

Sister Mi Li was stunned, as if suspecting she had heard wrong.

But Qu Lingjun was already pulling her, "Thank Master!"

"Thank you, President!" Sister Mi Li knelt and thanked Luo Chen in a daze.

In her ears came Luo Chen's light laughter.

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

……

Under Luo Chen's investigation, Sister Mi Li's situation was clear at a glance!

The so-called innate deficiency of the other party indeed existed.

The meridians were too thin!

The inner wall of the dantian was too thin!

These two things limited Sister Mi Li from being unable to study and practice diligently.

Even if the couple had earned a lot of resources over these years, they couldn't invest them into Sister Mi Li's cultivation.

So much so that Sister Mi Li was already at this age, yet she was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, unable to even step into the late stage of Qi Refining.

For such a situation, ordinary people simply couldn't treat it.

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

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

Because he had the Canghai Pill!

This was a third-rank spirit pill with the effect of reshaping the dantian and meridians, which once sold for the sky-high price of fifty thousand spirit stones at an auction!

And even then, it was priceless.

The Yaowang Sect rarely took it out to sell.

However, this pill was of too high a grade, and Sister Mi Li's cultivation was too weak; if she wanted to utilize it, she still needed Luo Chen to protect her from the side.

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

"With my protection, there shouldn't be any mistakes!"

While Luo Chen was thinking about the treatment plan, Sister Mi Li sat respectfully opposite him.

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 Mount Xiaohuan.

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

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

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 little actions.

He just smiled indifferently at that heartfelt worship.

Omnipotent was not the word.

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

Not long after, he took out a pile of bottles and jars from his storage bag.

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

"First go and boil three portions of the medicinal soup given by Master Sun; it will be of great use later."

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

The two immediately took the order 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 Sister Mi Li and make her step onto the path of the Great Dao again, it can be considered as repaying your cultivation grace back then."

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

It wouldn't have any anyway.

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

But if Sister Mi Li 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 be reduced to someone else's puppet?

A gentleman judges by actions, not by heart!

Regardless of what sinister intentions Mi Shuhua had toward Luo Chen back then, at least before he died, he didn't 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.

Luo Chen was treating Sister Mi Li now for the sake of his disciple Qu Lingjun.

But if she were truly cured, Mi Shuhua would surely be gratified if he knew from beyond the grave.

(End of chapter)