Chapter 413: The Departure of Murong Qinglian

The departure of Murong Qinglian is a matter of great consequence for the Luo Tian Society.

She has been present since the very inception of the Luo Tian Society.

At one point, she managed various aspects for Luo Chen, including finance, personnel, resources, and merit.

Even as the Luo Tian Society later established more departments and internal responsibilities became increasingly specialized, Murong Qinglian's presence remained pivotal due to the growing number of cultivators in the society.

If she were to suddenly step down as the Hall Master of the Merit Hall, it would inevitably lead to massive chaos within the Luo Tian Society.

But at the same time!

If Murong Qinglian were to leave now, the impact would still remain within a controllable range.

Because of the passing of Qin Liangchen, she has frequently been immersed in grief over these past few years.

Therefore, the Luo Tian Society granted her an extended leave.

Over at the Merit Hall, her deputy, Sima Wenjie, has been acting in her stead.

Over the course of two years, Sima Wenjie has already become familiar with most of the Merit Hall's affairs.

Thus, if she were to leave, the Luo Tian Society would continue to operate, and no major chaos would occur.

Of course, some important matters still require time for a proper handover.

Moreover, Murong Qinglian is a very responsible person.

Before preparing to leave Tianlan and head to the Luoyun Sect, she intends to pull herself together and personally instruct Sima Wenjie.

She is determined not to leave behind a mess when she walks away.

Her son, Qin Yuanjiang, gave his support and approval for her decision.

It just so happens that this time, the Luoyun Sect disciples have also gone out on a mission and need some time to complete it.

So, they agreed on a time, and Qin Yuanjiang will personally come to pick up his mother and return to the Luoyun Sect.

In the meantime.

Luo Chen did not offer the slightest obstruction.

Not only that, he also prepared to present Murong Qinglian with a super grand gift.

A brand-new set of top-grade magic robes.

A water-element magic treasure suitable for her.

Plus enough top-grade Jade Dew Elixir to last her a hundred years!

Especially the latter!

Based on an ordinary cultivator's consumption of one pill every three to five days, this gift is worth as much as a million spirit stones!

It can certainly be called precious!

One must know that many rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot earn even a few thousand spirit stones in a year.

This is also the most generous Luo Chen has ever been in his life.

Everything is done solely to thank Murong Qinglian for her care of him over these years and for her contributions to the Luo Tian Society.

Of course, this also contains his sentiments for Brother Qin.

……

Inside the cave dwelling.

Luo Chen has temporarily stopped his activities of opening blind boxes and reading classics.

Every day, apart from cultivation and practicing spells, he only focuses on alchemy.

Not just the Blood-Increasing Elixir, Dust-Descending Elixir, and Profound-Penetrating Elixir that he needs for himself, but also the Jade Dew Elixir!

There is no other way.

The quota for the Ice Fortress can only be increased, not decreased.

If he wants to gather enough Jade Dew Elixir for Murong Qinglian to use for a hundred years, he must personally refine more of it.

In this way, it will naturally occupy a large amount of time.

Of course.

There is also good news among it.

That is, after a large number of alchemy sessions, he has become increasingly familiar with that incomplete alchemy magic treasure, the Minister Cauldron.

This is a great treasure; not only can it change size at will, but it can also be stowed and deployed with ease.

And every time he refines elixirs, it can accommodate more raw materials.

It even has the effect of improving the grade of the elixirs!

Coupled with Luo Chen's already perfect proficiency in refining Jade Dew Elixir, his success rate in refining it is now extremely high!

He has even broken the fifty-percent success rate limit several times.

Inside the alchemy room.

Luo Chen looked at the latest batch of elixirs, a look of contemplation appearing on his face.

Jade Dew Elixir is a second-tier elixir, and it is one that is extremely difficult to refine.

The maximum number of pills from one portion of materials is ten.

After reaching the master level, the success rate is fifty percent, and the grade is improved to top-grade.

And then, it got stuck there.

At most, after reaching perfection, one can refine supreme-grade Jade Dew Elixir.

He previously always thought that was the limit.

But in recent days, he has discovered that he can break the limit!

Currently, the success rate for top-grade Jade Dew Elixir has gradually stabilized at sixty percent.

Moreover, he has a feeling that with large-scale refining, it can still be improved!

"Is this breaking the system's limit, or breaking my own limit?"

"Why would it be like this? Why didn't I notice it before? Or is it that the alchemy magic treasure, the Minister Cauldron, deserves the credit?"

Question after question arose spontaneously.

If it were anything else, he would not trouble himself with such idle thoughts.

But since it involves the system, he must investigate the reason.

Only by establishing a pattern can he conduct corresponding experiments on other elixirs, or even spells and cultivation techniques, in the future.

Problems cannot be solved by mere daydreaming.

Luo Chen decided to conduct a controlled experiment.

He took out another alchemy furnace from the Thunder-Accumulating Ring.

It was a top-grade alchemy furnace he obtained from the spoils of war; there were even two supreme-grade alchemy furnaces among them.

However, most supreme-grade alchemy furnaces are troublesome to use and require tedious procedures to master.

A top-grade alchemy furnace is just right for his current experiment.

Setting up the furnace, lighting the fire, and adding various materials in order—a total of five portions of raw materials, which is the limit for a top-grade alchemy furnace.

Luo Chen began refining the Jade Dew Elixir with familiar ease.

After just two hours, a refreshing fragrance of elixirs wafted out.

Luo Chen reached out and beckoned, and pill after pill of snow-white elixir fell onto the huge ice tray in front of him.

One, two, three... twenty-eight!

After obtaining this data, Luo Chen couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart.

Five portions of raw materials, ten pills per portion; according to a fifty-percent success rate, the yield should be twenty-five pills.

If calculated according to his previously stabilizing sixty-percent success rate, the quantity should be thirty.

And currently, it is twenty-eight.

"Good alchemy equipment does indeed affect the success rate and the grade of the elixirs."

"But those extra three pills have nothing to do with the grade of the furnace; they are purely a manifestation of the improvement in my personal alchemy proficiency."

"In other words, I can indeed break the system's limit!"

"Then, how did this come about?"

Luo Chen reviewed the past.

Gradually, he had some ideas in his heart.

This should be related to his accumulation in the Dao of alchemy.

It is not just about refining the same type of elixir in large batches.

It also lies in the fact that he has begun to dabble in many other elixirs.

With this kind of accumulation, he was previously able to master second-tier elixirs like the Colorful Chrysanthemum Elixir and Blood-Increasing Elixir on his own, without even relying on the system's achievement points.

This is the perfect manifestation of an alchemy master's proficiency in the art of alchemy!

Being able to easily master elixirs of the same tier and maintain an extremely high success rate and yield rate.

Reaching this point, he is no longer just an alchemy master.

Calling him a grandmaster would not be an exaggeration at all!

And, it is not the narrow kind of "grandmaster" from before, who only specialized in the refining of one type of elixir.

But a grandmaster manifestation across the entire same tier!

Simply put, the current Luo Chen has grandmaster-level dominance in the area of second-tier elixirs.

Even without relying on the system, he can easily master them.

"Reading many alchemy classics, practicing even more, and mastering increasingly powerful alchemy techniques—only through such multiple layers of accumulation did I reach this grandmaster-level alchemy state."

"Even, given enough time, I feel I could complete or improve some first-tier and second-tier elixir formulas myself."

"Only then can one be called a generation of alchemy grandmasters who founded a sect!"

After reaching this conclusion.

Luo Chen felt a hint of more anticipation in his heart.

If he were to refine a certain type of elixir with all his might, could he reach a one-hundred-percent success rate?

To act is to succeed!

Instead of having to consider the corresponding failure rate and needing a sufficient amount of raw materials.

From the point to the whole.

If the Dao of alchemy can be like this, then other aspects should be the same.

The system does not have a limit!

The one who has a limit is actually himself.

If his own accumulation is sufficient and strong enough, then he can do better and be more perfect.

Alchemy is like this, and I imagine spells, cultivation techniques, medical skills, and so on will also be like this.

After reaching this conclusion.

Luo Chen couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

Sure enough, his decision to take time out to read various classics extensively was correct.

In the future, such things must continue.

Not to mention becoming a grandmaster in all professions, at least with enough accumulation, using the stones from other mountains to polish one's own jade, he can go further in any single path.

Of course!

It's not possible right now.

Luo Chen put away the top-grade alchemy furnace.

Next, he still has to use that Minister Cauldron to refine elixirs.

A mere top-grade alchemy furnace can only handle five portions of raw materials at a time.

Even a supreme-grade one can only handle ten.

But this magic treasure-level alchemy furnace can handle twenty portions of raw materials at once, and Luo Chen hasn't even touched its limit yet!

"Let's refine the required Jade Dew Elixir first!"

……

Time flowed slowly.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Even if Luo Chen hadn't refined enough Jade Dew Elixir, he couldn't wait any longer; at worst, he would just misappropriate a portion of the top-grade Jade Dew Elixir that was supposed to be handed over to the Ice Fortress.

The reason for such urgency was simple.

The agreed-upon time had arrived, and Murong Qinglian was about to leave.

On Danxia Peak.

Luo Chen and Sima Huiniang stood at the back, watching a crowd of cultivators take turns going up to bid farewell to Murong Qinglian.

Gu Caiyi, Feng Xia, Yuan Xiaoyue, Sima Wenjie... even Bai Meiling appeared in person, having made a special trip to see Murong Qinglian off.

Among these people, some were old-timers who had come all the way from the Dahefang era and had an excellent relationship with Murong Qinglian.

Others were her subordinates in the Merit Hall over these years and friends within the Luo Tian Society.

Especially those neighbors from the Sihe Academy in the inner city of Dahefang.

At this moment of parting, they appeared particularly reluctant to let go.

Even the usually taciturn Duan Feng presented a gift.

He had also briefly lived in that Sihe Academy for a while and had received care from Murong Qinglian.

Finally, it was Luo Chen's turn.

"Society Master..."

Luo Chen shook his head, "At a time like this, I would rather hear you call me 'Little Luo', Sister-in-law."

Murong Qinglian was startled; having changed how she addressed him for many years, asking her to switch back to the old way of calling him...

For a moment, she really wasn't quite used to it.

"This is a little token of my heart for you; you must take good care of yourself in the future, Sister-in-law."

Luo Chen handed over a storage bag.

Everyone else gave individual gifts, but only Luo Chen directly handed over a storage bag.

This made Murong Qinglian somewhat curious.

As her spiritual sense probed inside, her expression changed drastically in an instant.

"Little Luo, isn't this too precious?"

Luo Chen smiled, "Just accept it, Sister-in-law!"

Although his voice carried a smile, his words were beyond refusal.

Everything was what she deserved.

Whether it was that bowl of tiger bone soup that helped Luo Chen break through to the fifth level of Qi Refining, or the Battle of Xieyue Valley where she blocked a powerful enemy for him, attempting to let Luo Chen escape.

Luo Chen remembered these things clearly.

Not to mention that over these years, she had been conscientious and diligent, contributing so much to the Luo Tian Society and achieving countless great merits.

Luo Chen is not the kind of cold-hearted person.

Even if, in the eyes of outsiders, he helped her achieve Foundation Establishment and no longer owed her anything.

But in Luo Chen's view, a kindness received should be repaid with a gushing spring.

Within his own capabilities, these few things were nothing at all.

His only regret was that Brother Qin did not succeed in Foundation Establishment and did not live to see his son, Qin Yuanjiang, again.

Looking at Luo Chen's sincere expression, Murong Qinglian's face also softened.

Holding the light storage bag, she nodded.

"Then thank you."

Luo Chen gave a hum and transmitted his voice into her ear, urging her not to overly expose the quantity of Jade Dew Elixir.

Murong Qinglian naturally knew the stakes of such matters.

It wasn't that she was afraid of Luo Chen being coveted.

The news that Danchenzi could refine Jade Dew Elixir had already spread; after all, there were many people with loose lips at the Ice Fortress.

It was mainly because the gift he gave was too expensive.

If Murong Qinglian went to the Luoyun Sect and someone set their sights on this batch of elixirs, it would inevitably invite trouble.

Qin Yuanjiang currently seems to have the title of a true disciple.

But he is, after all, someone who has just entered Foundation Establishment, and his foundation is too shallow.

If he really encountered difficulties, he might not necessarily be able to protect his mother.

After wishing each other well, Luo Chen retreated into the crowd.

"Aren't you going up to bid her farewell?"

"Over these years, I've had the most contact with her, and I've chatted with her no less than ten times in these past few months; why would I need one more time?"

Sima Huiniang said indifferently.

Although she said that, Luo Chen still saw a trace of reluctance and regret in her eyes.

From now on, of the three golden flowers of the Luo Tian Society that the outside world loved to talk about—Sima Huiniang, Murong Qinglian, and Gu Caiyi—only two would remain.

And they happened to be two rivals who were somewhat like fire and water.

Without Murong Qinglian to mediate in the middle, who knows what kind of conflicts the two would stir up in their daily work in the future.

And just as they were waiting.

Outside Danxia, a huge flying boat came, parting the clouds and mist!

The moment they saw this flying boat, everyone in the Luo Tian Society couldn't help but exclaim in unison.

A magic treasure-level flying boat!

In the crowd, Luo Chen's expression was even more shocked!

It wasn't the size of the flying boat that seemed to cover the sky and sun that shocked him.

But at this instant, at least ten spiritual senses that made his heart and soul tremble swept across Danxia, and finally, they all fell upon him simultaneously.

Although it was just a sweep!

Although it was masked extremely well!

But at that moment, the pressure exerted by the ten powerful spiritual senses simultaneously made him involuntarily retreat several steps.

"Society Master, what's wrong with you?"

Sima Huiniang was closest to him, and at this moment, she turned her head to look at him in confusion.

Just one glance, and her expression changed.

Within her line of sight, large beads of cold sweat were dripping down Luo Chen's face.

Each of the seven steps he retreated left footprints three inches deep in the ground.

One must know that this boat-docking platform was built with high-quality materials, sufficient to withstand the takeoff and landing of large flying boats.

What happened to make the Society Master lose his composure like this!

Luo Chen raised his head with difficulty and squeezed out a smile.

"Nothing."

Just two words, yet they seemed as heavy as a mountain.

Suddenly, Luo Chen let out a long sigh of relief, and his spine straightened.

Is he really okay?

Sima Huiniang looked at him with uncertainty.

But at this time, a young man flew out from the huge flying boat.

"Mother, Mother!"

"I'm here!"

Qin Yuanjiang landed on the boat-docking platform in high spirits and couldn't help but grab his mother's hand.

Murong Qinglian smiled and shook her head, "Are you that happy?"

"Thinking that I can often be by Mother's side in the future, Little Tiger is naturally happy." Qin Yuanjiang rarely revealed a childish mindset. "Mother, have you packed your things?"

"Yes, everything is packed."

"Then let's go!"

Qin Yuanjiang grabbed Murong Qinglian's hand and prepared to leave.

However, just as he took a step, he stopped instantly.

He let go of her hand, cupped his fists with both hands, and bowed solemnly to the crowd of the Luo Tian Society.

"Over these years, thank you all for taking care of my mother."

"Uncle Luo, thank you!"

In the crowd, Luo Chen smiled reluctantly.

"Go, have a safe journey."

Qin Yuanjiang nodded repeatedly, and then took Murong Qinglian and flew impatiently toward the huge spirit boat.

Along the way, Murong Qinglian looked back from time to time.

Finally, with red-rimmed eyes, she said loudly: "Everyone, Murong is taking her leave now; I will not forget you all, nor will I forget the Luo Tian Society."

On Danxia Peak, countless cultivators also responded in kind.

"Hall Master Murong, have a safe journey."

"Take care!"

"May we meet again someday!"