Chapter 456: A Generation

Once it was decided that they would become Dao companions at the Core Formation Ceremony, the many preparations required increased accordingly.

Although the two women would likely be even busier, their state of mind was surprisingly good!

Over these years, there had been much discussion within the Luo Tian Association, as well as around Tianlan Immortal City, regarding their relationship with Luo Chen.

The rogue cultivators, in particular, delighted in this, frequently bringing it up as fodder for conversation.

There were even busybodies who claimed that the former Head of the Merit Hall of the Luo Tian Association, Murong Qinglian, had moved away immediately after her husband's passing to deliberately avoid suspicion.

Naturally, no one paid any mind to such idle gossip.

Luo Chen's reputation was so great that having one or two beauties by his side was merely icing on the cake; what was there to be jealous of?

It was nothing more than envy.

Now that the two women could be acknowledged in name, while it was of no consequence to others, to them, it was the most important event of their lives.

Especially for Sima Huiniang.

In earlier years, because of her intimate relationship with Luo Chen, she had been questioned behind her back more than once while managing the Luo Tian Association.

Although she had later suppressed these doubts with the capabilities she displayed.

It was still not an ideal situation.

Now that Luo Chen was a dignified Jin Dan True Person, no one would speak of nepotism when acknowledging Sima Huiniang's status.

They would only think that Luo Chen had handed over sect affairs to a capable and intimate Dao companion so that he could focus on cultivation.

This was a very common occurrence in the world of immortal cultivation.

The two women were busy, but their busyness was actually limited.

The Luo Tian Association had grown much larger over the years, but it had also produced quite a few talents.

Not to mention others, the two women had their own trusted subordinates they had cultivated.

Sima Huiniang had taken in three disciples; her eldest, Yao Mingyue, had already successfully reached Foundation Establishment and was usually helping her handle trivial management matters.

Gu Caiyi was on good terms with Yuan Xiaoyue.

Back when she failed her Foundation Establishment, it was Yuan Xiaoyue who, at the ninth level of Qi Refining, had managed the Golden Hall on her behalf.

Later, after Gu Caiyi successfully reached Foundation Establishment, she spent a large amount of resources to forcefully elevate Yuan Xiaoyue to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Naturally, Yuan Xiaoyue was grateful.

Over these years, Gu Caiyi had gone out less and less, and for matters involving external business, she mostly let Yuan Xiaoyue handle them under the protection of the merchant caravans.

With people assisting, the preparations for the Core Formation Ceremony were proceeding in an orderly fashion.

The relevant invitations had also begun to be sent out one after another as early as a year ago.

Luo Chen was not idle either.

After leaving the Luo Tian Main Hall, he did not leave Danxia Peak.

Instead, he turned and headed to the Merit Transmission Hall.

……

"You've come."

"Mm."

"Congratulations on your successful Core Formation."

"Hehe, didn't Brother Wang already congratulate me once before?"

Even though he didn't care much about such things, Wang Yuan still felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing Luo Chen address him as "Brother Wang" in private, just as he always had.

He shook his head gently, "Congratulating you in public is still somewhat different from doing so in private."

Luo Chen smiled.

Afterward, accompanied by Wang Yuan, he entered the Scripture Library.

He did not go directly to the higher floors.

Luo Chen's footsteps began from the first floor, slowly moving upward bit by bit.

As he walked, he would occasionally take out book after book from his Lei Ting Treasure Ring.

Some were secret manuals of cultivation techniques, others were accounts of the cultivation world, and there were also corresponding secret arts.

Most were paper books, with bamboo slips and jade slips being in the minority, and there was no lack of records on animal hides and silk.

First floor: *Roaming Free*, *Mountain-Splitting Tablet-Breaking Palm*, *Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers*, *Hundred Years of Observations in Lianxia Jade Cauldron*, *Detailed Explanation of the Thirty-Six Domains of the Eastern Wasteland*……

Second floor: *Everlasting Spring Technique*, *Blazing Flame Decision*, *Earth-Sovereign Technique*, *Flying Fire Flowing Fireflies*, *Binding Art*, *Black Prison Suppressing Flame Technique*……

Third floor: *Wood Sovereign Scripture* (a pseudonym for the complete Foundation Establishment chapter of the Yi Wood Medicine Sovereign Scripture), *Ding Fire One Qi Method*, *Green Yang Art*, *Near Water Pavilion*, *Blazing Sun Art*, *Mountain Collapse*, *Flower Fairy*……

When Luo Chen walked to the fourth floor, he looked at the sparse bookshelves.

He sighed faintly.

Wang Yuan had already understood his intention from the moment Luo Chen began taking out one cultivation technique and secret art after another.

Now that he had achieved success in his realm, the low-level techniques he had accumulated in the past were of no use to him.

Keeping them on his person was merely a burden.

It was better to contribute them all to enrich the Luo Tian Sect's Scripture Library.

The sect establishment would take place in the near future.

Before that, establishing the relevant heritage of the Luo Tian Association was also a major event!

One could even say that this matter was far above many other items.

The only book Luo Chen took back was *Records of the Six Domains*, which he had given to the other party for free back then.

It wasn't of much use, but it still held a bit of commemorative significance.

At this moment.

Hearing Luo Chen sigh, Wang Yuan also understood what he was thinking.

"Although you are very powerful, and everyone has worked very hard."

"But the Luo Tian Association has been established for less than a hundred years, so it is only natural that its foundation is shallow."

"You don't need to sigh for this."

Luo Chen nodded, his gaze resting on the few incomplete third-tier cultivation techniques above, and then his line of sight paused.

Meeting Wang Yuan's curious gaze, he once again took out cultivation techniques from his storage ring.

"From now on, the Luo Tian Association will no longer lack third-tier cultivation techniques and secret arts."

*Huaqing One Heart Technique*

*Blazing Sun True Scripture*

He did not take out the *Burning Wood True Technique* that he primarily cultivated.

This technique was still incomplete, and currently, he had only barely reached the proficiency level; taking it out for others to practice would instead harm them.

Moreover, he had to guard against someone finding his flaws from the technique and using them to target him.

After taking out two complete third-tier cultivation techniques, Luo Chen's actions did not stop.

Instead, he successively placed the two complete water-type and wood-type third-tier cultivation techniques from Helian Yun's legacy onto the bookshelf.

In this way, among the Five Elements, apart from the metal-type technique, the Luo Tian Sect now had corresponding complete third-tier cultivation techniques for the wood, water, fire, and earth types.

From now on, whether it was the older generation of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators like Duan Feng switching to third-tier techniques after successfully forming their cores, or the younger generation of cultivators choosing their life-bound techniques after reaching Foundation Establishment, they would all have a heritage to rely on.

Especially the younger generation of cultivators!

They would no longer need to waste time and energy at every stage to switch their life-bound techniques like Luo Chen, Duan Feng, and the others.

Instead, at the time of Foundation Establishment, or even during the Qi Refining stage, they could directly practice the Qi Refining chapters and Foundation Establishment chapters corresponding to the complete third-tier cultivation techniques.

Perhaps these techniques could not be considered profound or deep, and could not be compared to those heritage techniques of the Nascent Soul sects.

But at the very least, they were taken by a Jin Dan sect as heritage.

The mysteries within were still worth discussing.

Seeing Luo Chen complete the four types of third-tier cultivation techniques, Wang Yuan couldn't help but nod in approval.

Over these years, Luo Chen had not only soared in realm, moving ahead of him, but even his personal wealth and gains were far beyond what he had imagined.

Seeing Luo Chen still digging into his storage ring.

Wang Yuan was a bit stunned, "There's more?"

However, this time.

The things Luo Chen took out were not placed on the bookshelf.

"I heard that your son, Ceng Yilong, has inherited your mantle, and just like you in the past, he reached Foundation Establishment first, and then focused on body refinement?"

Wang Yuan nodded.

This was a path he considered feasible in an environment where body refiners were in decline.

"Then, Brother Wang, what is your realm now?"

Wang Yuan did not hide it and said truthfully: "Thirty years ago, I had already reached the Great Completion of Internal Strength. After the battle of the Flame Alliance, I grasped a few mysteries of Dan Strength. After thirty years of diligent study and cultivation, I have now begun to attempt the method of Embracing the Dan."

The path of body refinement seems simple and clear, as if it is studying the essence of the human body.

In reality, it is broad and profound; those without talent are often trapped in one realm.

Even Wang Yuan, with such outstanding talent and aptitude, had acted like a grandmaster of a school, creating his own techniques at every realm.

But now, his lifespan had long since exceeded the 120-year limit of Qi Refining cultivators.

If he hadn't chosen to reach Foundation Establishment first back then, he would likely have already passed away from old age.

According to what Luo Chen knew, the first few stages of the second realm of body refinement were fine.

But the last four small realms—Ming, An, Hua, and Dan—were harder than the last, and unlike Luo Chen's immortal cultivation, there was no technique to rely on.

Now, Wang Yuan had relied on himself to reach the final step, the Great Perfection of Dan Jing, and was even seeking the method of Embracing the Dan.

It was truly admirable!

Luo Chen handed the jade slip he had recorded to Wang Yuan.

"This is... *Ten Thousand Daos Converging*? Didn't you already give me a copy before?" Wang Yuan was puzzled.

Luo Chen smiled.

"This copy is different; it is the *Ten Thousand Daos Converging* that I perfected while in seclusion. Although it is relatively shallow in its use of Qi and blood, it has a lot to say about external physical tempering. Perhaps it can provide you with the effect of 'stones from other hills'."

Wang Yuan was startled.

The earlier copy of *Ten Thousand Daos Converging* was already extraordinary; could it still be perfected?

Wang Yuan's spiritual sense probed into it, skimming through it hastily, and he discovered several major areas that had been perfected.

They were the Blood Exchange Chapter, the Bone Forging Chapter, and the Armor Transformation Chapter.

Additionally, in the Meridian Clearing Chapter and the Aperture Opening Chapter, he had supplemented one or two methods beyond the set he had proposed before.

While Wang Yuan was browsing, Luo Chen explained earnestly:

"My physique reached an alternative third tier of body refinement long ago, but I have been unable to continue advancing; you should know the reason for that."

"Now that I have perfected this technique, I can have a method to rely on."

"As long as I reach the Great Perfection of Blood Exchange, the Great Perfection of Bone Forging, and transform my life-bound scales, perhaps my body refinement realm can advance to a level comparable to an ancient fourth-tier desolate beast."

Wang Yuan listened quietly to these words.

He did not express opposition, but instead nodded in approval, comparing it to the cultivation methods recorded on the jade slip.

Indeed!

If one reached the Great Perfection of nine blood exchanges and then tempered the entire body's bones, one could return to simplicity and step onto the cultivation system of ancient desolate beasts.

And transforming life-bound scales?

This was borrowing from the methods of the Roc's life-bound true feathers and the reverse scales of snakes, pythons, and dragons.

However!

He shook his head, "Perhaps physical tempering can be borrowed from, but it has no great effect on my current Embracing the Great Dan and Generating True Gang."

After realizing all the changes in Qi and blood, the third realm of a body refiner must take the path of Gang Qi.

Once Gang Qi is achieved, its power is no less than the magic power of a Jin Dan cultivator.

And this is also the reason why body refiners can see a surge in lifespan once they step into the third realm.

Wang Yuan only thought that Luo Chen did not understand the principles behind it.

But he didn't expect that Luo Chen had long been prepared.

"This copy of *Ten Thousand Daos Converging* is only for your reference; I mainly want you to take it, improve and prune it, and teach Ceng Yilong well."

Wang Yuan was stunned.

Afterward, Luo Chen continued: "And as for your martial arts path of Embracing the Dan and deriving Gang Qi, in my view, it has the same effect as a cultivator forming a Jin Dan."

Martial arts Embracing the Dan emphasizes the fusion of Qi and blood power with willpower to give birth to indestructible Gang Qi.

Immortal path Core Formation speaks of the fusion of spiritual energy and divine soul to derive infinite magic power.

The essence of the two is different, but they are somewhat similar in form.

Therefore!

Another jade slip was stuffed into Wang Yuan's hand.

"This is?"

"A supreme method of Core Formation I created—*Micro-Dust Origin Art*."

In an instant, the usually calm Wang Yuan's eyes widened.

His round eyes stared fixedly at the jade slip in his hand.

He swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his face full of disbelief.

"This... a supreme Core Formation secret art?"

One must know that in the world of immortal cultivation, an ordinary low-level Core Formation secret art requires a high price to be auctioned.

If it were a high-level Core Formation secret art, it would require rogue cultivators to risk their lives to fight, compete, and snatch!

Now, Luo Chen had actually created a supreme Core Formation secret art himself?

If this were to spread, wouldn't it cause a huge uproar in the entire world of immortal cultivation?

"With my aptitude, ordinary Core Formation secret arts cannot elevate my realm."

"Therefore, I took the strengths of a hundred schools, imitated the experience of *Ten Thousand Daos Converging*, and created this supreme secret art. And using it as the foundation, I successfully formed my core."

"Its effect is beyond doubt!"

When saying this, Luo Chen exuded strong self-confidence.

And from Wang Yuan's perspective, he felt this self-confidence was so familiar!

In the past, and even now, he himself possessed a similar temperament.

Holding two jade slips in his hand, which were the two cultivation technique secret arts created by Luo Chen, plus the miscellaneous third-tier cultivation techniques on the bookshelf.

At this moment, Wang Yuan realized what that temperament was.

The demeanor of a grandmaster!

Integrating everything one has learned, creating a method, opening a mountain, and establishing a sect—this is to be a grandmaster of a school!

Unknowingly, that little rogue cultivator who used to set up a street stall selling aphrodisiacs had already reached the level of a grandmaster, and had even left his big brother behind.

Worldly affairs are unpredictable, truly catching one off guard.

Of course, Luo Chen had no intention of showing off in front of his friend.

He quickly said: "However, this secret art is mainly tailored for myself. The requirements and restrictions to practice this art are simply too many."

Wang Yuan couldn't help but nod.

He had just glanced at it and discovered those terrifying cultivation conditions.

Those whose physique is not strong, may not practice.

Those whose divine soul is not strong, may not practice.

Those without a third-tier Great Dan, may not practice.

Those whose foundation is unstable, may not...

It was a mess, simply not prepared for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Apart from Jin Dan cultivators, how many satisfy these complete conditions?

And for Jin Dan cultivators who have already formed their cores, what use is this thing?

Therefore, although *Micro-Dust Origin Art* is a supreme method, it is extremely tasteless.

Of course, he hadn't had time to look at it in detail yet.

Perhaps there was knowledge in it that he could absorb.

In fact, this was also Luo Chen's intention.

*Micro-Dust Origin Art* was summarized from the fusion of five Core Formation secret arts, among which *Escaping the Cage*, *Hun Yuan Method*, and *Settling the Wind and Waves* all borrowed from the path of body refinement.

Especially *Settling the Wind and Waves*, which was also a secret art for tempering willpower.

If Wang Yuan could grasp the essence within, he would surely gain a lot!

After Luo Chen explained these principles to Wang Yuan, Wang Yuan also had a few more expectations for this secret art.

"Of course, if Brother Wang has time, you can simplify this secret art. Even if the grade is lowered to the high-level or middle-level, it would still be a joyous event for the Luo Tian Sect."

Wang Yuan nodded.

This supreme method was simply not something ordinary people could use.

But if it were simplified and optimized to the high-level or middle-level, it could be popularized among the normal Foundation Establishment True Cultivators of the Luo Tian Sect.

In that way, the Luo Tian Sect could also possess its own unique Core Formation secret art!

Perhaps in one or two hundred years, the Luo Tian Sect could naturally give birth to Jin Dan cultivators.

Practicing one's own methods, learning one's own arts.

This scene seemed to flow in the hearts of the two.

Suddenly.

Wang Yuan shook his head violently, as if to shake something out of his brain.

Under Luo Chen's puzzled gaze, he asked soberly: "Luo Chen, it seems you have fallen into it?"

Luo Chen was stunned.

He didn't know what he meant by this.

Fallen into it?

However, when he looked at the scenery from the fourth floor to the first floor along with Wang Yuan's burning gaze, he suddenly understood.

Fallen into the desire for power?

When he first left Dahe Workshop, Wang Yuan had warned him about this.

Establishing a force is fine, and using it to collect cultivation resources is also normal, but one must never be addicted to it.

Cultivators of our generation pursue longevity.

Everything else is just a delusion!

But, times have changed!

Luo Chen gave a bitter smile, "It is not that I have fallen into it, but that people always change. These people have fought alongside me all the way, giving everything; do you expect me to ignore them?"

Wang Yuan could understand, but he dared not agree.

"Ties and bonds, friends and family... within the scope of my ability, I must always do something and leave something behind."

Wang Yuan frowned.

He disliked this kind of thing the most.

It was precisely because of ties and bonds that Luo Chen had killed his way into the Burning Incense Valley with thoughts of revenge back then.

If not for these, even if the Flame Alliance was powerful, he could have fled to a place, found a spot to cultivate, and after hundreds of years, when his realm was achieved, it wouldn't be too late to take revenge.

"Actually, it is not that I have changed, but that everyone will change."

Suddenly, Luo Chen stared at Wang Yuan.

"If I were surrounded by a great enemy and were to die in front of you, what would you do?"

"If your disciple Ceng Yilong were trapped in prison, would you ignore him?"

Wang Yuan was speechless.

After a moment, he said hesitantly: "Within the scope of my ability, I would take action."

Luo Chen smiled and waved his hand.

"You thought, you hesitated, you wavered."

"It can be seen that if such a thing really happened, you would follow your instinct to choose, and based on my understanding of you, your choice would be to help us."

The man opposite him was a bit lost.

Had he changed too?

Luo Chen's words continued.

Perhaps it was because of many years of seclusion, the long-sealed chatterbox was opened all at once.

"We pursue longevity, hoping to become immortals."

"What is an immortal? It is nothing more than one person and one mountain."

"Sect disciples have spiritual mountains and great rivers to rely on, but what about us rogue cultivators?"

"In this cruel world of immortal cultivation, a rogue cultivator is nothing more than duckweed and ants, drifting with the tide. Don't talk about spiritual mountains; even a place to stand is hard to find."

"Huddling together for warmth and being each other's teachers is the orthodox method."

"Of course, this is just my one-sided view; after all, I have poured a lot of effort into the Luo Tian Association, and now I cannot easily give it up."

Wang Yuan gave an 'mm' sound and no longer insisted on correcting Luo Chen's thoughts.

Everyone's pursuit is different, and even with the same pursuit, the methods of chasing longevity will be vastly different.

Hadn't he himself enjoyed the convenience brought by the Luo Tian Association all these years?

Using his old philosophy to demand Luo Chen was actually his own mistake.

In his ear came the sound of Luo Chen changing the subject.

"These two cultivation technique secret arts, although they are recorded versions, are also extremely important."

"I have placed corresponding divine sense restrictions on them; later, I will intercept the spiritual sense of you and Sima Huiniang, so that in the future, only you, the Head of the Merit Transmission Hall, and she, as the Sect Master, can open them."

"If you encounter suitable sect members or disciples, and I am not around, it will be up to you to decide whether to let them practice these two arts."

"If there is an external enemy snatching them, then destroy them!"

Wang Yuan gave an 'mm' sound and noted this matter down.

This was also his duty as the Head of the Merit Transmission Hall.

After discussing these matters, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

Before long, Min Longyu's figure appeared in front of the two.

"Apologies, I came a bit late."

"No matter."

Luo Chen smiled and patted his shoulder, knowing that the other party was busy with the Core Formation Ceremony three months later.

He pointed to the bookshelves behind him.

"Next, I will have to trouble you."

Min Longyu's eyes lit up, saying it was no trouble at all.

As one of the most important places for the Luo Tian Sect in the future, the Scripture Library naturally could not be left without any protection.

At the very least, every cultivation technique that had reached a grade had to be set up with corresponding formation restrictions to prevent them from being stolen.

Luo Chen had taken out a large batch of books this time; Min Longyu would likely be busy for a while.

Leaving the two to discuss how to set up the restrictions, Luo Chen turned and went downstairs.

As he walked down floor by floor from the fourth floor, his footsteps became increasingly light.

Those cultivation techniques and classics were either memorized by him or cultivated to the Great Perfection.

Now, shelving them away.

It was not abandonment, but rather a different kind of inexplicable realization.

"Having ascended the high tower, one can travel light and climb the next peak!"