Chapter 489: The Substance and the Facade of the Luo Tian Sect

"A thousand-mile journey must eventually come to an end; everyone, let us part ways here!"

Outside the barely-formed defensive works of the Luo Tian Alliance, an old man with graying hair and beard turned around, looking at the five Golden Core cultivators who had come to see him off.

Before the five could speak, he cast a casual glance at the crude defensive works nearby.

"If you wish to retain this territory after the dust settles on the Moon-Howling Mountains, then you must seriously consider what I, Qu, have said!"

When these words were spoken, the expressions of the five people opposite him stiffened.

Luo Chen composed his mood and cupped his hands in a salute.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Qu, for the advance notice. We will provide a response as soon as possible."

"Mm, as long as you have a plan in mind. I, Qu, shall take my leave now."

"Fair winds on your journey, Fellow Daoist Qu!"

The five, led by Luo Chen, watched the back of Qu Xibai as he departed, all of them falling into silence.

Right beneath this low city wall, the five Golden Core cultivators did not utter a word.

Luo Chen's heart was also quite heavy.

He had anticipated this day would come; after all, Fairy Jueqing had specifically warned him before, but he had not expected it to arrive so quickly!

It had not even been a year!

The purpose of Qu Xibai's visit today was, in truth, not complicated.

It was to invite the Luo Tian Alliance to participate in the opening war.

Perhaps some might be puzzled: was the Luo Tian Alliance not already participating in the opening war against the Moon-Howling Mountain Range?

Why go through the trouble of an extra step?

In reality, that was not the case!

This time, the invitation was for the high-level cultivators of the Luo Tian Alliance to join the Nine Sects' Sword-Wielding Hall and execute missions on the most dangerous front lines.

The so-called high-level cultivators here had to be at least at the Foundation Establishment stage, and preferably Golden Core cultivators.

For the Luo Tian Alliance,

this batch of cultivators was their absolute top-tier combat strength.

And the place where the missions were to be executed was still the most dangerous front line.

Therefore, the five members of the alliance fell into an eerie silence.

Everyone feared being the first to speak and then being sent out.

Facing this eerie atmosphere, someone finally spoke.

A young man with his hands behind his back paced in front.

Looking at the beautiful scenery outside the alliance's defensive works, he said leisurely, "Why must you all act like this? This turn of events was merely a matter of time."

"Ever since we took a shortcut to seize the spirit land and executed the Mountain-Moving Plan, we were bound to fall into the eyes of those with ulterior motives."

Di Wuqi said abruptly, "Dream Spring Cave, Jade Jiao Long?"

The other three were stunned, then showed expressions of indignation.

To this, Luo Chen smiled nonchalantly.

"Perhaps it is her, or perhaps it is not; what does it matter?"

"You don't think that the other major Golden Core sects, besides Dream Spring Cave, don't see us sending people to the front lines to collect resources and then reselling them for profit?"

"My Luo Tian Sect's spirit beast business, the Cen family's medicinal herb business..."

"Heh, others fight to the death just for a foothold. We sit in the rear and reap the rewards, eating until our mouths are oily. The Luotian Alliance is neither a Nascent Soul upper sect nor a long-established, powerful Golden Core great sect. Limited by the alliance agreement, they cannot openly make a move, but that doesn't mean they can accept this situation."

"A little targeting is to be expected."

"Moreover, they are only asking us to provide people now, not asking us to throw our lives away, nor asking us to hand over our land."

A series of words flowed from Luo Chen's mouth.

It was reasonable, well-founded, and clear.

The others gradually understood the logic behind it.

But understanding was one thing, and being able to accept it was another.

"Joining the Nine Sects' Sword-Wielding Hall—how is that any different from throwing our lives away? If too many of our alliance's Golden Core cultivators die and our numbers drop below three, losing our status as a major sect, could we still hold onto this blessed land that we fought so hard to conquer?"

The one who said this was still Di Wuqi.

He was also the only existence in the alliance qualified to stand on equal footing with Luo Chen.

Especially now that the blessed land had already been conquered, the binding force of that alliance treaty was nearly non-existent.

The three families had long since begun to go their own ways.

The only reason they still maintained the alliance status was merely to have the name of a major Golden Core sect for the outside world.

"In my opinion, this proposal is a conspiracy aimed at our Luo Tian Alliance!" Di Wuqi said indignantly.

To this, Luo Chen laughed in spite of himself.

"This is no different from an open plot."

"After all, this territory is nominally ours for now. But for it to truly be allocated to us, we must wait until the new territory is settled, and the Nascent Soul sects divide the rewards based on merit."

"If we don't join the Nine Sects' Sword-Wielding Hall, it means we have to give up this third-tier spirit vein right now."

"Are you... willing to do that?"

In an instant,

expressions of certainty appeared on the faces of all four people.

Of course they weren't willing!

Among those present, some were rogue cultivators, others were from small families; not a single one was from a proper, orthodox sect.

After forming their cores, none of them had ever enjoyed a free third-tier spirit vein.

Who would be willing to give up a third-tier spirit vein that belonged entirely to them now?

"So, isn't the answer obvious!"

Luo Chen turned around and spread his hands.

"We must definitely send people to the Nine Sects' Sword-Wielding Hall."

"And with Qu Xibai giving us advance notice, we have plenty of time to prepare. Next, we just need to discuss who to send."

"So, who is willing to volunteer to fight for the alliance?"

Facing Luo Chen's kind gaze, the three of them all took a step back in unison.

What a joke; the alliance wasn't their own home.

No one would have that kind of dedication.

Only Fu Jiusheng was left in place, becoming the most prominent one.

Fu Jiusheng was very embarrassed; he just didn't want to leave Luo Chen alone, which would seem abrupt.

Yet he hadn't expected to become the most conspicuous one himself.

Luo Chen shook his head, "Old Fu won't do; he still needs to preside over the follow-up arrangement of the Dragon-Trapping Array. This is a long-term endeavor; he cannot leave for at least ten years."

Di Wuqi and the other two looked at each other, but they had to admit that what Luo Chen said made sense.

Fu Jiusheng suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

He truly did not want to go to the battlefield.

In terms of combat, he was actually not weak.

Coming from a background of herb gatherers, he had never feared combat.

But the spell-casting on the battlefield was all direct, head-on combat, and from time to time there were various shockwaves invading; if he really went to the front-line battlefield, with his current first-layer Golden Core realm, it would be ten deaths and no life!

Luo Chen's words could be considered as having relieved him of his predicament.

It even guaranteed his safety for a long time to come.

Just as the heavy stone in his heart landed, Luo Chen spoke again.

"Originally, as the Alliance Leader, I should automatically volunteer."

As soon as these words were spoken, joy appeared on the faces of the three.

However, this joy did not last for a moment before they were attracted by the elixir in Luo Chen's hand.

"However!"

"I have recently had an epiphany in my alchemy, and I have faintly found the opportunity to refine mid-grade Star-Prosperity Pills. I truly do not want to run around outside and delay my alchemy."

"You all should also want to enjoy the mid-grade Star-Prosperity Pills sooner, right!"

"By the way, according to my estimation, the medicinal power of the mid-grade Star-Prosperity Pill is already completely no weaker than the Dragon-Transforming Pill produced by the Green Elixir Valley, or the Golden Azure Pill of the Medicine King Sect."

Facing Luo Chen's smiling appearance, everyone was a bit at a loss.

It was very obvious that he did not want to go to the front lines.

He even brought out a reason that seemed passable.

Moreover, if they really wanted to force him, there was no logic in it.

The alliance was established under Luo Chen's sole leadership.

In the process of conquering the spirit land, Luo Chen also contributed greatly.

Especially the later Mountain-Moving Plan, where he mobilized his connections to gather the five major Golden Core cultivators.

No matter how you look at it, it shouldn't be his turn first.

Moreover, there was no such thing as a sect battle where the head figures were sent out directly.

If the Luo Tian Alliance were viewed as an orthodox inherited sect, Luo Chen would be that head figure.

Cen Qiusheng suddenly spoke: "I am already old and don't have much time left to live, so my life is naturally not important. However, the Cen family still lacks a successor, and I cannot abandon the family. Therefore, I cannot go now!"

These words also made sense.

It was just that, in this way, the spearhead pointed directly at the two major Golden Core cultivators of the Wind and Rain Villa.

Di Wuqi narrowed his eyes.

"You two families, what is the meaning of this?"

The atmosphere suddenly turned deadlocked.

Luo Chen frowned, shaking his head inwardly.

Hearts are not united, the team is not easy to lead!

Flicking his sleeves, he turned and walked away.

"There is still a buffer time; let's talk slowly after we go back!"

"What is the point of blowing the mountain wind here?"

The stagnant atmosphere slowly eased with his departure.

But it was very clear that as long as there was no result for this matter in a day, the interior of the alliance would not be stable for a day.

Deep in the mountain belly.

Luo Chen stood outside a brand-new stone door, lingering for a long time.

After a while, he sighed and left.

Wang Yuan's injuries had already healed.

But he was still in seclusion, attempting to gather his intent and embrace the core, ascending to the Furnace Realm.

This was a good thing!

It could even be said that if he succeeded, he would become the key to breaking the deadlock.

By then, the Luo Tian Sect would have three Golden Core combat powers, forming an absolute dominant force within the alliance!

Encountering such matters, he could also assign tasks unscrupulously.

It was just a pity that he did not know how many years it would take for Wang Yuan to come out of seclusion.

"When I formed my core, it took me ten years, and consolidating the realm took another ten."

"As a hurdle where the body-refining path undergoes a qualitative change, it is impossible to achieve it in one step; it was I who was impatient."

Returning to Snow Wolf Terrace.

Luo Chen paced slowly, his thoughts flowing.

Suddenly.

His gaze stopped on Chu Kui, who had been waiting for a long time in the distance.

With a thought, he immediately summoned him over.

"How is your learning of the Dragon-Slaying Art?"

Chu Kui said frankly: "With your guidance, I have already entered the door, but currently, clearing out the foreign magic power is quite difficult, and the progress is very slow."

When he said this, a look of obvious disappointment appeared on Luo Chen's face.

As long as he did not clear out the foreign magic power in his body for a day, he would not be able to attempt core formation for a day.

He asked again.

"What about the Micro-Dust Origin Art?"

Chu Kui said helplessly: "This art is too complex; it looks like a third-tier art, but I feel that practicing it is even more difficult than the fourth-tier Dragon-Slaying Art, so I fear I cannot form my core with this."

Another piece of bad news.

Wang Yuan had gone into seclusion, and before he did, he had not produced a simplified version of the "Micro-Dust Origin Art."

Luo Chen had only practiced this art to the proficiency stage, and with his attainments, he could not simplify this core-formation secret art.

Chu Kui could not help but ask: "Do you have something troubling you?"

Luo Chen shook his head and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry about these things; just practice well."

"I hope that one day, I can hold a core-formation ceremony for you!"

Luo Chen walked away alone with his hands behind his back.

External help could not be borrowed.

The Luo Tian Sect could not explosively emerge with Golden Core talents in a short time.

In the current situation, he still had to solve it himself.

Regarding this, Luo Chen was a bit worried, but not irritable.

It was just a matter of petty schemes and benefit calculations.

He had long been accustomed to such things.

"You have all seen the intelligence on the Nine Sects' Sword-Wielding Hall."

"This is an organization established by the nine major Nascent Soul sects, with functions similar to a law enforcement team and a fire-fighting team."

"The cultivators within are the Foundation Establishment geniuses and Golden Core powerhouses of the nine major Nascent Soul sects, all of whom are deliberately participating in the war to sharpen their Dao hearts and combat methods."

"Such a department is actually not that dangerous. You have also seen the casualties over this year; there were basically no losses, so everyone doesn't need to be so worried."

"I know no one wants to go, as it is a risky matter."

"But the interests of the alliance are not just my own interests; you all have a share in them too."

"How about this, let's have a rotation system!"

"Three years as a term; after three years, change to another person to take over. If anyone is seriously injured, they can also return early."

"How about that?"

"Regarding Foundation Establishment cultivators, don't let one family provide them all. Three families, no, four families!"

"Besides our three families, the batch of people from the Myriad Phenomena Sect settled in the Returning Dream Ridge should also have a few Foundation Establishment cultivators drawn from them."

"Fellow Daoist Di Wuqi, what do you think?"

"I think that Zong Jiulang has quite a bit of strength."

"The first one to go always needs courage and has to face risks."

"The remaining people will each contribute a portion of resources as compensation. I am the Alliance Leader, so I naturally won't be stingy. This bottle of mid-grade Star-Prosperity Pills was painstakingly accumulated through countless failures in alchemy recently, and I haven't even been willing to use it myself; I'll give it to the first one to go to the front lines!"

"In addition, I will supplement it with a batch of mid-grade spirit stones!"

One month later.

After repeated negotiations, repeated consultations, and constant compromises,

the Luo Tian Alliance finally decided on the candidates for the expedition.

Jiang Yu!

In the alliance, his realm was not the strongest, his prestige was not the highest, and he had no notable cultivation skills, so he was of little use staying in the alliance.

However, this person's combat methods were relatively comprehensive, and he had a certain ability to protect himself when facing crises.

Most importantly, he had already spent too much financial resources for the opening war.

The Mountain-Moving Plan and the cultivation of the spirit land had also successively poured in large amounts of resources.

Repairing his natal magic treasure and replenishing the Nether-Turbid Liquid had shrunk his family fortune to the limit.

Therefore, after Luo Chen and the others brought out a large reward, he finally loosened his mouth and was willing to be the first to go to the front lines.

To be that first person to wade across the river.

At the expedition ceremony.

Jiang Yu stood on the Scarlet Flame Dragon Boat borrowed by Luo Chen, looking quite spirited.

It didn't look like he was going to war, but rather like he was going to the front lines for sightseeing.

On various mountain peaks, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators to be sent by each family were saying goodbye to their elders and relatives.

Over at Snow Wolf Terrace.

Luo Chen looked at the two juniors.

Ceng Yilong and a Foundation Establishment female cultivator named Mei Ruoqi.

"Going to the front lines this time is both a risk and an opportunity."

"Fighting against spirit beasts is always better than the battles we fought against cunning cultivators back then. As long as you follow the arrangements, I think nothing major will happen."

"In that Nine Sects' Sword-Wielding Hall, there are a large number of Foundation Establishment true disciples from the Nascent Soul sects. Getting on good terms with them is also a good opportunity to expand your connections and resources."

"Don't worry about cultivation matters; the treatment in the Sword-Wielding Hall is the best, and there will definitely be no lack of spirit land for cultivation."

"In addition, I have also prepared corresponding elixirs and protective treasures for you."

While speaking, Luo Chen took out two storage bags without additional imprints from his body.

One contained top-grade Blood-Increasing Pills, which were left over after he reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

The other contained top-grade Jade Dew Pills, which Luo Chen had recently refined urgently, specifically prepared for Mei Ruoqi.

Besides these, there was one top-grade defensive magic tool and one third-tier offensive talisman for each.

Seeing the excited pair, Luo Chen felt a bit of regret.

If only he were proficient in talisman making.

If this peak-level spell-casting ability of his were sealed into corresponding talismans, it would definitely be a top-tier killer weapon among the Foundation Establishment stage!

Luo Chen had not been without the thought of learning talisman making before, to utilize his spell-casting attainments.

However, the returns from talismans were actually not great for him.

They could not compare to the speed of wealth accumulation from elixirs.

In terms of combat power, he himself cast spells quickly, so talismans were merely icing on the cake for him.

After the two thanked Luo Chen, they flew onto the Scarlet Flame Dragon Boat.

Luo Chen waved his hand, and Xing Zonghan, dressed in black, walked over.

After many years, having obtained the resource supply of the Luo Tian Sect, he was already a powerhouse at the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment.

It was hard to say how much combat ability he had, but in terms of life-saving and stealth, he could already be counted as a leader among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Luo Chen's previously proficient Breath-Restraining Spirit Art and Turtle-Spirit Armor-Covering Art had all been learned by him.

Not only that, but he had also specifically configured a set of top-grade magic tools and magic treasures suitable for himself.

"Supreme Elder!"

"You must also go to the front lines; collecting intelligence is the main task. If there is an opportunity, take care of them as well."

Xing Zonghan nodded, but still said in a low voice: "Ceng Yilong's strength is not bad; he is at the sixth layer of the Blood River Realm, has realized Bright Force, and has learned the Blood God Tribulation Finger and Giant Spirit Transformation. With his third-layer Foundation Establishment realm, he shouldn't need me to take care of him, right!"

Luo Chen said indifferently: "He has been sheltered by me and Wang Yuan since he was young and has experienced little wind and rain. Sometimes, strength alone cannot solve problems."

Xing Zonghan was puzzled: "Since that is the case, why send him? There should be more suitable people in the sect!"

Luo Chen sighed.

"Can the bloody storms on the battlefield blow others, but not him?"

"If he wants to become the first-generation Daoist child of the Luo Tian Sect, he must experience these things."

Xing Zonghan was stunned!

Daoist child of the Luo Tian Sect?

He knew that after the Luo Tian Alliance went to establish a sect, it was possible they would imitate other major sects, selecting Golden Core Dao seeds and establishing the position of Daoist child.

However, shouldn't they first consider the Supreme Elder's disciple, Qu Lingjun?

Regarding this, Luo Chen did not explain too much.

He knew very well that although Qu Lingjun had luckily succeeded in Foundation Establishment, his four-spirit-root aptitude limited him from walking fast and walking far.

By comparison, Ceng Yilong was the one he pinned his high hopes on!

With a dual-spirit-root aptitude no weaker than the true disciples of major sects, he had been taught by Wang Yuan since he was young, practicing both magic and body.

And he had the full resource supply of the Luo Tian Sect!

It could be said that as long as Ceng Yilong survived, he would benefit infinitely.

Even, given Ceng Yilong's age and aptitude, he could fully combine the strengths of Wang Yuan and Luo Chen.

Yes, Luo Chen also planned to have Ceng Yilong practice the "Micro-Dust Origin Art" and condense his Golden Core after he ascended to the Furnace Realm.

By then, his combat ability would inevitably be stronger than ordinary Golden Core cultivators.

The Luo Tian Sect would also possess a powerhouse who was particularly "capable of fighting."

Qu Lingjun would inherit Luo Chen's alchemy, and his cultivation path might be slow, but it would be fine as long as it was steady. He would become the new generation of alchemy master for the Luo Tian Sect, the golden signboard to the outside world.

Ceng Yilong would inherit the combat abilities of Wang Yuan and Luo Chen; his cultivation speed would be fast, his realm would be high, and his strength would be strong! He would be a force the Luo Tian Sect could rely on in the future, a powerhouse suppressing petty people from all directions.

Simply put, Qu Lingjun would become the face of the Luo Tian Sect, and Ceng Yilong would be the substance.

This kind of twin-star cultivation model was not a sudden whim of Luo Chen.

It was a summary of his observations over many years.

The Luoyun Sect was once like this; True Person Han Zhan was the substance, and Cheng Yan was the face. Because of the transformation of the substance, the Luoyun Sect leaped to become a Nascent Soul sect.

The Yuding Sword Sect was actually also cultivating the next generation like this; the one with the number one combat power was Ren Pingsheng, and external affairs were basically handed over to that True Person Yaoguang.

Looking closer to home.

Why hadn't the Green Elixir Valley realized this point, cultivating Dan Yangzi, who wanted to be the face, into the substance, and then letting Tao Wan be that face?

Of course, specific situations require specific analysis.

For the Luo Tian Sect, the position of Daoist child, in Luo Chen's plan, was not intended to inherit the position of Sect Master, but just a status to openly and fairly obtain the full resource tilt of the sect.

As for the position of Sect Master, he planned to simplify it into a position for executing routine affairs, and in the future, it was very likely to be handed over to Sima Hui Niang's eldest disciple, Yao Mingyue.

In summary, it was that there must be substance, the face must be hung high, and specific affairs should be handed over to others to do.

In this way, the sparrow may be small, but it has all the vital organs!

It was just right for the Luo Tian Sect, which did not have a very strong foundation and did not have too many resources.

"Doing this, I should be right!"

Luo Chen murmured in his heart, his gaze looking toward the area of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

The Myriad Phenomena Sect's eldest disciple, Zong Jiulang, was stepping onto the Scarlet Flame Dragon Boat with a look of death-defying determination amidst the reluctant gazes of a group of junior brothers and sisters.

The Myriad Phenomena Sect was the one that had buried its substance and face in one breath, which was why it had fallen to its current state.

Manipulated by Luo Chen and others, unable to control its own fate.

"The cultivation of the next generation can only go this far."

"By comparison, I, who currently combine substance and face in one body, still have enough room for progress."

"The proficiency of that Hidden-As-One Array has already been brushed to the Grandmaster level; it is not far from being engraved on the body!"

(End of chapter)