Chapter 435: Fire Miasma perfected, set off!

"Guild Master, these are the seven types of unique hidden weapons you requested. It took some time, but I specifically had the guild's weapon smiths forge them."

Luo Chen nodded, his spiritual sense sweeping over them.

In the storage bag, seven types of hidden weapons commonly used in the secular martial arts world were neatly arranged.

Seven-Star Bone-Piercing Nails, Gut-Severing Silk, Five-Flower Cotton, Blood Dropper...

If one added the three hidden weapon techniques Luo Chen had mastered years ago—the Hunyuan Bead, Seven-Night Star, and Iron Caltrops—he would have the ten hidden weapons needed to practice "Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers."

Yes, Luo Chen intended to completely perfect this collection of hidden weapon techniques he had obtained decades ago.

Having "Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers" stuck at the Grandmaster level was not ideal.

He hadn't practiced it before simply because collecting ten types of hidden weapons was too troublesome, and having mastered three techniques at the time was already sufficient.

But now!

His Luo Tian Guild had many capable people; for a mere few types of ordinary hidden weapons, he only needed to give a single command, and the Weapon Forging Hall could forge them for him—as many as he wanted.

And with his profound cultivation realm, it would take him at most a month to perfect "Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers."

Perfecting this technique wasn't about how much his combat strength would increase, but about gaining an extra achievement point!

After his subordinate left.

Luo Chen dove into practicing the seven hidden weapon techniques.

Day by day, his proficiency climbed steadily.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

Looking at the entry 【Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers Great Perfection】 on his attribute panel, Luo Chen smiled nonchalantly.

He had underestimated himself.

Where would it take a month's effort?

The essence of hidden weapons lies in the weapons themselves, followed by technique, eyesight, and internal energy.

He already had the hidden weapons, his eyesight far surpassed that of ordinary martial artists by a thousandfold, and his internal energy could be replaced by higher-quality spiritual power.

With such progress, it was only natural!

After perfecting the technique, Luo Chen did not stop his efforts to enhance his combat means.

On this day.

Gu Caiyi came to his cave dwelling.

She brought good news.

"There is news regarding the high-quality Tier 3 Fire Miasma you wanted."

Hearing this, Luo Chen's eyes lit up.

Since the battle at Burning Incense Valley, after his Fire Miasma was shattered by Qin Tairan's Blazing Yang True Miasma, this means had been effectively half-crippled.

Three years in the Ice Fortress, and another three years after returning to Tianlan.

It had been so long; finding news of it was truly not easy!

"What kind of miasma is it, and where did it appear?"

Gu Caiyi smiled: "It is a special Tier 3 miasma called the River-Sinking Ghost Miasma, obtained by a trade alliance from the Lancang River, and is currently being transported to Qianye Immortal City. I estimate they intend to take it to an auction to sell to the cultivators of the Falling Cloud Sect."

Qianye Immortal City was the very immortal city belonging to the Falling Cloud Sect.

And the Falling Cloud Sect's puppet path had gradually become familiar to the public over these years.

That kind of puppet art was not simply about controlling puppets to fight, but about being able to attach other means to the puppets.

For instance, miasma was an extremely formidable means.

After all, cultivators fear miasma like tigers.

Dead, silent puppets, however, have no such concerns.

However!

Luo Chen asked doubtfully: "River-Sinking Ghost Miasma, why does it sound like it's not a fire miasma, but rather a water or ghost miasma?"

Miasma also has five-element divisions.

In fact, it is not limited to the five elements; when a certain power gathers too much in one place, it easily forms an extreme force.

This extreme force is what is called miasma.

Gu Caiyi first nodded slightly, then smiled and shook her head.

"As you thought, this miasma indeed carries the characteristics of both water and ghost miasma, but its primary attribute is fire miasma."

"River-Sinking Ghost Miasma, also known as River-Sinking Ghost Fire Miasma."

"It is a miasma specially formed over thousands of years by countless living beings dying in the Lancang River, eventually gathering in a dead volcano at the bottom of the river. Because the place of generation is in an underground volcano, its primary attribute is fire. However, it is precisely because it is contaminated with the conflicting water element, combined with the fusion of ghost fire from living beings, that this miasma's powerful might was created. I heard that once this kind of miasma touches a magic tool or treasure, it will be defiled, and a cultivator's physical body will be corroded."

Hearing Gu Caiyi's description, Luo Chen couldn't help but feel tempted.

This thing did sound like it had some unique aspects.

Although it was not as domineering and violent as a normal fire miasma, it had a bit more sinister quality.

If he used this to cultivate Fire Miasma, even a Jin Dan cultivator would suffer a great loss if they were accidentally contaminated.

"Send people to Qianye Immortal City and take the River-Sinking Ghost Fire Miasma at all costs!"

"Don't worry, I will handle this matter personally." Gu Caiyi could see that Luo Chen valued this miasma highly; otherwise, he wouldn't have had the Luo Tian Guild collecting it for so many years.

Seeing that Gu Caiyi was going, Luo Chen thought for a moment and said: "If you really can't get it, don't force it. The Yuding Domain strictly forbids conflicts with others now. If we provoke enemies and trigger a battle, it will be very troublesome. If it really doesn't work out, I can make do with purchasing a large batch of Tier 3 ordinary Earth Fire Miasma."

"Mm, don't worry, I will be careful."

Gu Caiyi nodded.

After she left, Luo Chen's days returned to the same routine of diligent cultivation and alchemy.

However, what was different from before was that he reduced his arrangements for other miscellaneous matters and put the extra time into researching the refining of Mingyuan Pills.

He had not yet used the system to master this pill formula.

Instead, he relied on the large amount of low-tier medicinal herbs collected by the Luo Tian Guild to try and research improvements.

He tried replacing Tier 3 Tianshan Returning Yang Water with the Medicine King Sect's Returning Yang Water, replaced the Jialan Thunder Flower with another Tier 2 thunder-attribute medicinal herb, and also found corresponding substitutes for the Nine-Pattern Snake Saliva Flower.

The pharmacology matched, and the temperaments were inherited from the same source.

He also sought to match the remaining auxiliary materials as much as possible.

Constantly trying, constantly improving, time slowly passed amidst repeated refining.

One year later.

Gu Caiyi returned from Qianye Immortal City, and the result she brought back was somewhat disappointing.

That portion of River-Sinking Ghost Miasma had been auctioned off by a Jin Dan Elder of the Falling Cloud Sect.

With no other choice, Gu Caiyi had to purchase a large amount of Tier 3 Earth Fire Miasma for Luo Chen, spending over a hundred thousand spirit stones.

If the quality isn't enough, make up for it with quantity.

It was still miasma, after all!

Even if it didn't pose much of a threat to Jin Dan cultivators, it could still be considered an absolute killer move within the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, Luo Chen did not let the Luo Tian Guild stop collecting high-grade fire miasma.

Once there were powerful fire miasmas similar to the River-Sinking Ghost Miasma or Blazing Yang True Miasma, as long as the price was within an acceptable range, they were to be taken.

While Gu Caiyi brought bad news, good news that Luo Chen had been looking forward to came from the Ice Fortress.

Tianshan Returning Yang Water!

As long as Luo Chen produced three hundred thousand spirit stones, the Ice Fortress was willing to sell him two portions of Tianshan Returning Yang Water.

Two portions were enough!

According to the records of the Mingyuan Pill formula, one complete portion of Tianshan Returning Yang Water could be used for ten refining attempts of the Mingyuan Pill.

The extra portion could be kept for use as auxiliary spiritual liquid during Core Formation.

And the price of three hundred thousand was actually a premium of more than half compared to the market price.

But Luo Chen did not express any dissatisfaction.

This kind of spiritual liquid that could assist in Core Formation was something that had a price but no market.

Many people had spirit stones but still couldn't buy it.

According to Luo Chen's speculation, the Ice Fortress's Tianshan Returning Yang Water, besides being used for themselves, was basically traded with the Medicine King Sect in exchange for supplies of precious pills.

Being able to squeeze out two portions for him was truly giving him face.

Since the other party gave him face, Luo Chen naturally had to return the favor.

Next.

Luo Chen went all out!

He first spent a year refining all the high-grade Jade Dew Pills required by the Ice Fortress for the next ten years.

He even added seven or eight bottles of top-grade Jade Dew Pills!

This was his sincerity.

In the past, he would never have exposed his ability to refine top-grade pills.

Even if he occasionally refined some top-grade Jade Dew Pills, he only gave them to Hui Niang and Caiyi to take in private.

It could only be said that since Cang Long was responsive to Luo Chen's every request, he certainly wouldn't be ungrateful.

Perhaps some would wonder why Luo Chen always reserved his own capabilities when Mi Shuhua, Miao Wen, and the Heartless Fairy were also responsive to his requests in the past.

But with Cang Long, he was willing to show his full learning.

Was it double standards?

No, there was an essential difference between the two.

The former often had hard requirements or conditional restrictions when dealing with Luo Chen.

While the latter had never made any specific demands of Luo Chen; instead, it was Luo Chen who often had requests of them.

You could say Master Cang Long had superb methods.

But you could also say that Luo Chen was someone who responded to soft tactics but not hard ones.

If others treated Luo Chen with sincerity, Luo Chen would naturally treat them with sincerity.

After refining the required Jade Dew Pills.

Luo Chen poured his energy into refining the Tier 2 Tongyou Pill.

This concerned Chu Kui's practice of the "Locking Pearl Curtain" secret technique.

Since he was Luo Chen's best observation subject for this technique, the logistical supply absolutely could not lag behind.

Another year passed, and Luo Chen refined all the Tier 2 Tongyou Pills needed by himself and Chu Kui.

By the way, he also took the time to teach Qu Lingjun how to refine Tier 1 Tongyou Pills.

After such a series of operations, three years passed in a flash.

There were only six years left until departure.

"Six years..."

In the cave dwelling, Luo Chen estimated the remaining six years.

"Quality over quantity; that Innate One Qi Great Handprint has barely reached the entry level, I'm afraid I won't be able to cultivate it to the Grandmaster level."

Such a powerful Tier 3 spell, if not at the Grandmaster level, is simply not suitable for facing enemies in battle.

Therefore, Luo Chen wisely chose to give it up for the time being.

By the same token, the Tier 3 spell Mirror Flower Water Moon, being a combination spell, also progressed very slowly.

"Fire Miasma can be the focus of cultivation; once this technique is unleashed, it will be invincible within the Foundation Establishment stage."

"In addition, the Soul-Awe Technique and Soul-Confusion Technique need to be taken a step further. That Xiao Sanren is proficient in soul attack methods, and now that his realm is deeper, besides the defense of the Lanke Black Chess, I must have sufficient counter-measures."

"Even if my soul foundation is not inferior to his, a mere backlash won't kill the opponent."

After some analysis, Luo Chen set the focus for his cultivation over the next six years.

Refine Tier 3 Earth Fire Miasma for Fire Miasma.

Perfect the Soul-Awe Technique and push the Soul-Confusion Technique to the Grandmaster level as much as possible.

Besides that, he would see if he could research an alternative pill formula for the Mingyuan Pill.

However, the derivation work for the Mingyuan Pill progressed extremely slowly, consuming many of Luo Chen's spirit stones, and he had only experimented with a few alternative medicinal herbs so far.

"Take it slow!"

"I am the one who is least in a hurry."

The wind startles the white sun, the scenery flows westward.

Amidst the lively yet quiet environment of the Yuding Domain welcoming fifty years of war preparations, six years passed in a flash.

On this day.

Amidst goose-feather snow, two beautiful figures arrived together.

The atmosphere between the two was not harmonious, but upon arriving at the Yi-17 cave dwelling, they maintained relative restraint.

They could throw a tantrum at any time, but not before their man was about to go on a long journey.

Inside the cave dwelling, Sima Huiniang and Gu Caiyi sat opposite each other.

Neither looked at the other, both pairs of eyes fixed on the cultivation room.

After a long time.

A violent aura suddenly spread out.

The two women's expressions changed, and before they could react, the aura was instantly retracted.

Click!

The cultivation room door opened, and a handsome, upright figure strode out.

Luo Chen, who was immersed in the joy of having his trump card, Fire Miasma, return, was startled to see the two women.

Afterwards, he smiled and shook his head: "It's just a trip out, why the need to see me off personally."

Gu Caiyi lowered her brows, worried: "Last time you went out, you said the same thing. But the result..."

Luo Chen smiled and rubbed her little head.

"Thinking too much; what I had to face last time was a Jin Dan great sect, how could the danger be compared to this time."

"With my current strength, unless I encounter a Jin Dan cultivator, I am enough to run rampant across a domain."

"Even if an early-stage Jin Dan cultivator makes a move, I have the confidence to escape calmly, don't worry too much."

Gu Caiyi puffed out her cheeks, but didn't say much more worried words.

Things decided by her man were rarely swayed by persuasion.

She subconsciously looked at Sima Huiniang, hoping the other would give some good advice.

However, Sima Huiniang only stood up and gave a graceful bow.

"Do your work with peace of mind!"

"I will manage the Luo Tian Guild well."

Luo Chen laughed, hugged them both separately, and then went straight out of the cave dwelling.

After descending Tianlan Peak, his footsteps did not stop for a moment, heading straight outside the immortal city.

A thousand miles away from Tianlan Immortal City.

In a place with barren spiritual energy, several small hilltops stood among them.

Goose-feather snow drifted down, decorating this unremarkable place, and under the silver-clad scenery, it added a bit of pleasing beauty.

On one of the small hilltops.

Four figures sat or stood, with small formation flags inserted all around.

Madam Yousha, wrapped in snow-white velvet, stood outside, occasionally looking towards the Tianlan direction.

"Why not arrange to set off together in the immortal city? Coming to this remote place, what if Luo Chen can't find us and delays the departure time?"

She was a bit anxious!

Fu Jiusheng glanced at her, clearly perceiving that the other's realm had not broken through to the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.

Perhaps that was precisely why she was so urgent!

Helian Yun smiled: "In the immortal city, there are many people and many ears. If we travel separately, no one will care. But if five people travel together, it will inevitably fall into the eyes of those with intentions."

"This concerns the great cause of Core Formation, we must be careful!"

"Moreover, with Luo Chen's ability, having my token, it's not difficult to find us."

Madam Yousha wanted to say something more, but Xiao Sanren suddenly interrupted her.

"He's here!"

As soon as the words fell, the four looked in one direction simultaneously.

Fu Jiusheng glanced at Xiao Sanren unnoticed; he had actually discovered Luo Chen's trace earlier than himself.

This didn't look like the Foundation Establishment Level 9 appearance the other was showing on the surface!

However, since the other was intentionally concealing it, there was no need to point it out; he would just be careful and guard against it when the time came.

On the contrary, if Xiao Sanren made any moves, it could catch the others off guard.

He himself could prepare in advance and wait for the opportunity.

Fu Jiusheng turned his gaze.

In the distance.

A figure was flying over on a white cloud, unhurriedly.

The heavy snow drifted onto him, and without seeing him use any shielding means, those snowflakes automatically evaporated before they could get close, turning into layers of hazy water vapor.

Amidst the hazy mist, the man with gray-white long hair flew over slowly.

His upright figure was like a green pine standing tall in the snow.

His bright, piercing eyes were like a blazing fire in the cold winter, making one dare not look directly at them.

Seeing this scene, the four couldn't help but look at each other.

This Luo Chen's cultivation seemed to have improved a lot again!

This differed from some of the details they had previously agreed upon.

A powerful Luo Chen was not suitable for future cooperation!

Just as they were surprised and uncertain.

The cloud stopped.

Luo Chen bowed in a Daoist salute:

"Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting!"

After the four greeted him one after another, Luo Chen stretched out his palm casually.

"Take it out!"

"Uh..."

This action left a few of them unable to react.

Take out what?

Luo Chen smacked his lips, "Give me the medicinal herbs for refining the Mingyuan Pill that you've collected over these years first! I need to check and see how they've been processed; don't let any mistakes happen during the refining process that require me to remedy them separately."

Helian Yun hesitated; he had been thinking of handing over the herbs when they reached the destination.

But he didn't expect Luo Chen's instructions to continue.

"Doesn't Fellow Daoist Fu know the place? He will lead the way."

"Fellow Daoist Xiao's soul foundation feels very strong, you are responsible for guarding the surroundings!"

"Finally, I'll trouble Madam Yousha to steer the flying boat. I need a relatively quiet place to count the herbs, and traveling by boat is quite good."

After giving the instructions, Luo Chen waved his hand.

A high-grade flying boat landed on the hilltop with a boom, and the other four were forced to fly up to make room for the boat.

Luo Chen stepped onto the flying boat first and reached out to invite them.

"Everyone, there is no time to lose."

"Please!"

At his invitation, the four looked at each other.

Afterwards, Helian Yun gave a bitter smile and was the first to board the flying boat.

Fu Jiusheng and Xiao Sanren looked at each other and also shrugged their shoulders and boarded.

Madam Yousha's face turned green and white; she had never been a driver for anyone in her life.

But under the gaze of the other four, she could only bite her snow-white teeth and walk into the cockpit of the high-grade flying boat.

"With a great matter at hand, what does it matter if I act as a driver for Danchenzi once!"

Standing in the unfamiliar cockpit, the female cultivator said in a low voice, gritting her teeth.

However, looking at those empty holes, she was stunned again.

Didn't he even prepare the mid-grade spirit stones to drive the high-grade flying boat in advance?

Thus, while cursing Luo Chen for being stingy in her heart, she took out spirit stones from her own pocket and embedded them into the flying boat's formation.

After a while, the flying boat started with a rumble.

Afterwards, it turned into a stream of light and flew rapidly towards the far east but slightly north direction.