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

"A thousand-mile journey must eventually come to an end; everyone, stop here!"

Outside the barely-formed defensive fortifications of the Luo Tian Alliance, an old man with graying hair and beard turned around, looking at the five Core Formation 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, then you all must seriously consider what I, Qu, have said!"

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

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

"Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Qu for the advance notice; we will provide a response as soon as possible."

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

"Fair winds to you, 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 Core Formation cultivators did not utter a word.

Luo Chen's heart was also quite heavy.

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

It hadn't even been a year!

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

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

Perhaps some might be confused: wasn't the Luo Tian Alliance already participating in the opening war against the Xiaoyue Mountain Range?

Why go through the trouble of doing it again?

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 carry out 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 Core Formation 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 carried out was still the most dangerous front line.

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

Everyone was afraid of being the first to speak and then being sent out.

Facing this strange atmosphere, someone finally spoke up.

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 this way? 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, "Mengquan Cave, Yu Jiaolong?"

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

To this, Luo Chen smiled nonchalantly.

"Perhaps it is her, or perhaps it isn't; what does it matter?"

"Do you really think that with our three families sending people to the front lines to collect resources and then processing and reselling them for profit, the other large Core Formation sects—besides Mengquan Cave—wouldn't notice?"

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

"Heh, others are fighting to the death just for a foothold. We are sitting in the rear, reaping the benefits, eating until our mouths are oily. The Luo Tian Alliance is neither a Nascent Soul sect nor a long-established, powerful Core Formation sect. Bound by the alliance agreement, they cannot easily take action openly, but that does not 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 die, nor asking us to hand over our land."

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

Reasonable, well-founded, and clear in logic.

The crowd gradually understood the logic behind it.

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

"Joining the Nine Sects' Sword-Wielding Hall—how is that any different from sending us to our deaths? If our alliance's Core Formation cultivators die too many, and the number drops below three, losing our status as a major sect, how could we possibly hold onto this blessed land that we worked so hard to conquer?"

The one who said this was still Di Wuqi.

He was also the only person 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 agreement was almost non-existent.

The three families had long since begun to do their own things.

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

"In my opinion, this proposal is a conspiracy aimed at our Luo Tian Alliance!" Di Wuqi declared 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 be truly allocated to us, we must wait until the new territory is settled, and the Nascent Soul sect will then distribute 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,

all four of them showed expressions of certainty on their faces.

Of course they weren't willing!

Among those present, some were from loose cultivator backgrounds, others from small family backgrounds; 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?

"So, isn't the answer quite obvious!"

Luo Chen turned around and spread his hands.

"We must certainly send people to the Sword-Holding Hall of the Nine Sects."

"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, standing out.

Fu Jiusheng was very embarrassed; he didn't want to leave Luo Chen alone, as it would look awkward.

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

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 had to admit that Luo Chen's words made sense.

Fu Jiusheng suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

He really didn't want to go to the battlefield.

In terms of combat, he wasn't actually weak.

Coming from a background as a medicine gatherer, he had never feared combat.

But the spell battles on the battlefield were all straightforward, head-on fights, and from time to time there were various shockwaves attacking. If he really went to the front-line battlefield, with his current first-level Core Formation realm, it would be ten deaths and no life!

Luo Chen's words could be considered as having cleared him of the trouble.

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 have volunteered automatically."

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

However, this joy hadn't lasted 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 really don't want to run around outside and delay my alchemy."

"You all should also be very eager to enjoy mid-grade Star-Prosperity Pills soon, 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 didn't want to go to the front line.

And he had even brought out a reason that seemed passable.

Moreover, even if they were to force him, there was no justification for it.

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

Luo Chen had also contributed greatly to the process of conquering the spirit land.

Especially the later Mountain-Moving Plan; he had mobilized his connections to gather the five Core Formation cultivators.

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

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

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

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

This also made sense.

However, in this way, the spearhead pointed directly at the two Core Formation cultivators of the Wind and Rain Villa.

Di Wuqi's eyes narrowed.

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

The atmosphere suddenly became deadlocked.

Luo Chen frowned, shaking his head inwardly.

Hearts are not united; the team is getting hard to lead!

Flicking his sleeves, he turned and walked away.

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

"What's the point of blowing the mountain wind here?"

The deadlocked atmosphere slowly eased with his departure.

But it was clear that as long as there was no result for this matter, the alliance would not be at peace.

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 his core, ascending to the Furnace Realm.

This was a good thing!

Even, if he succeeded, he would become the key to breaking the deadlock.

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

Encountering such things, he could also assign tasks without any scruples.

It was just a pity that he didn't know how many years it would be before Wang Yuan came out of seclusion.

"It took me ten years to form my core, and another ten years to consolidate my realm."

"As a barrier where the path of body refining undergoes a qualitative change, it is impossible to achieve it in one go; 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 called the other over.

"How is your learning of the Dragon-Slaying Technique coming along?"

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

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

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

He asked again.

"And the Dust Origin Technique?"

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

Another piece of bad news.

Wang Yuan had gone into seclusion, and before doing so, he hadn't produced a simplified version of the "Dust Origin Technique."

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

Chu Kui couldn't help but ask: "Do you have something troubling you?"

Luo Chen shook his head and patted the other's 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 possibly produce Core Formation talents explosively in a short time.

The current situation had to be resolved by himself.

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

It was just some petty, profit-calculating matters.

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 Core Formation powerhouses of the nine major Nascent Soul sects, all of whom are deliberately participating in the war to temper their Dao hearts and combat methods."

"Such a department is actually not that dangerous. You have seen the casualties over the past year; there were basically no losses. Everyone doesn't need to worry so much."

"I know no one wants to go; after all, 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!"

"A three-year term; after three years, someone else will go to take over. If anyone is seriously injured, they can also return early."

"How about that?"

"In terms of Foundation Establishment cultivators, we won't let one family bear it all. Three families—no, four families!"

"Besides our three families, we will also draw a few Foundation Establishment cultivators from the batch of people from the Myriad Phenomena Sect stationed at Returning Dream Ridge."

"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 accumulated with great difficulty during my countless failed alchemy attempts recently; I couldn't even bear to use them myself, so I will give them to the first person to go to the front line!"

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

One month later.

After countless negotiations, countless 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 a crisis.

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

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

Repairing his natal magic treasure and replenishing the Dark Turbid Liquid had shrunk his net worth to the limit.

Therefore, after Luo Chen and the others brought out a large amount of compensation, he finally relented and was willing to be the first to go to the front line.

To be the first person to wade across the river.

At the expedition ceremony.

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

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

On various hilltops, 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 female Foundation Establishment cultivator named Mei Ruoqi.

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

"Fighting against spirit beasts is better than the battles we fought against cunning cultivators back then. As long as you follow the arrangements, I don't think anything major will happen."

"In that Nine Sects' Sword-Wielding Hall, there are a large number of Foundation Establishment 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 you will definitely not lack 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 any added marks from his person.

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 mastery of his were sealed into corresponding talismans, it would definitely be a top-tier killing weapon among Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Luo Chen hadn't thought about learning talismans before to utilize his spell mastery.

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

They couldn't compare to the speed of wealth accumulation from elixirs.

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

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

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

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

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

He had learned all the breath-concealing techniques and Turtle Spirit Armor techniques that Luo Chen used to be good at.

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

"Supreme Elder!"

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

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

Luo Chen said indifferently: "He has been under the protection of Wang Yuan and me since he was young, and has experienced little wind and rain. Sometimes, it is not just having strong strength that solves 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 of the Luo Tian Sect, he must experience these things."

Xing Zonghan was stunned!

Luo Tian Sect Daoist?

He knew that after Luo Tian went to build the sect, it was possible to imitate other major sects, select Core Formation Dao seeds, and establish the position of Daoist.

But shouldn't they consider Qu Lingjun, the disciple of the Supreme Elder, first?

Luo Chen did not explain too much about this.

He knew very well that although Qu Lingjun had luckily succeeded in Foundation Establishment, his four-spirit-root aptitude limited how fast and how far he could go.

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

With a dual-spirit-root aptitude no weaker than that of a major sect's true disciple, he had been taught by Wang Yuan since childhood and practiced 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, with Ceng Yilong's age and aptitude, he could fully combine the strengths of Wang Yuan and Luo Chen.

Yes, Luo Chen also planned to let Ceng Yilong practice the Dust Origin Technique and condense his Core Formation after he ascended to the Furnace Realm.

By then, his combat ability would definitely be stronger than that of an ordinary Core Formation cultivator.

The Luo Tian Sect would also possess a powerhouse who was particularly "able to fight."

Qu Lingjun would inherit Luo Chen's alchemy, and while his cultivation might be slow, it would be steady. He would become the new generation of alchemy master for the Luo Tian Sect, a golden signboard for 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 to suppress all petty villains.

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

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

It was a summary of his observations over many years.

The Falling Cloud 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 Falling Cloud Sect leaped to become a Nascent Soul sect.

The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect actually cultivated the next generation this way as well; the one with the highest combat power was Ren Pingsheng, and external affairs were basically handed over to that Yaoguang Shangren.

To speak of something closer.

Hadn't the Green Elixir Valley also realized this point, cultivating Danyangzi, 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, 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 miscellaneous affairs, and in the future, it would very likely still be handed over to Yao Mingyue, the eldest disciple of Sima Huiniang.

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

Thus, 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 not many resources.

"Doing this, I should be right, right!"

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

Zong Jiulang, the senior martial brother of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, stepped onto the Scarlet Flame Dragon Boat with a look of resignation, under the reluctant gazes of his junior martial brothers and sisters.

The Myriad Phenomena Sect 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, they were not masters of their own fate.

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

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

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