Chapter 502: A Letter from Home, War Begins!

Time flowed slowly.

A month of time passed in the blink of an eye.

Accompanied by Luo Chen exhaling a long, lingering breath, specks of golden light dissipated into the void like a dream. His entire body felt as if a great mountain had been lifted from it, instantly becoming relaxed.

A sense of relief, nothing could compare to this!

"I have finally removed the Jin Langwang's demonic Qi!"

Luo Chen subconsciously stroked his chest; as his magic power circulated, there was no longer any obstruction.

That Jin Langwang was, shockingly, a rare yet extremely famous Profound Jin Langwang among the wolf race.

This type of demonic wolf was known for its intelligence.

However, the Jin Langwang he had encountered previously had focused its cultivation path on tempering its demonic body, and it had achieved remarkable results.

"It is rumored that the Proud Howling Wolf Emperor is a Profound Jin Langwang with pure bloodlines. After transforming, it awakened the Heavenly Wolf bloodline and obtained the inheritance. Its three sons, because their skin and fur were different, can be inferred to have been born from different mothers."

"The Jin Langwang excels in body tempering, the Black Wolf King excels in demonic arts, and the smallest one, although it did not inherit the Profound Jin Langwang bloodline, possesses extremely strong intelligence, combining sonic attacks with soul attacks, and is especially favored by the Proud Howling Wolf Emperor."

"Looking at it now, the information collected by the Profound Yuan Tianzong was still biased. The Jin Langwang is absolutely not as reckless and unintelligent as it appeared on the surface. Possessing a powerful body-tempering realm, its demonic power was equally fierce and peerless."

Luo Chen sighed with emotion.

Fortunately, the grade of the Withered-Prosperous True Fire he refined was high enough to suppress the demonic power injected by the Jin Langwang.

Otherwise, with internal and external troubles, he would have died on the spot!

Now, relying on the Spirit-Dissolving Liquid and the Dragon-Slaying Art, he had thoroughly removed the Golden Wolf's demonic power. Coupled with the Sea-Solidifying Pill to stabilize his turbulent Qi sea and the Meridian-Supplementing Pill to nourish his meridians, his internal troubles were finally completely resolved.

Furthermore!

In the process of continuous treatment, the proficiency of the Dragon-Slaying Art, this fourth-tier spell, had also been greatly improved.

It had now reached the mastery level, and it was not far from the perfect stage!

He had happily gained one achievement point!

This could also be considered an unexpected joy!

With the internal troubles in his body gone, he could now fully treat his external injuries.

Luo Chen felt the state of his body; compared to the beginning, it was much better, but he still could not transform into the Heavenly Peng True Body in the short term.

From this, Luo Chen had also discovered the flaws in his body-tempering technique.

The physique tempered by "Ten Thousand Daos Confluence" was very strong and very fierce.

But it was precisely because being too rigid makes one prone to breaking!

For those whose physique was not as good as his own, he could crush them.

But if they were stronger than him, it was he who would easily suffer injuries.

To solve this flaw, Luo Chen also had two methods.

One was to concurrently cultivate the body-tempering technique of Wang Yuan and comprehend the changes in Qi and blood. In this way, by cultivating both external and internal skills, combining rigidity and softness, he could buffer external immense force during extreme collisions.

The second was to rely on the Withered-Prosperous Fire to devour the vitality of a large number of demonic beasts, allowing this hard physique to possess even stronger recovery power.

It was just that these two methods were simple to say, but to actually execute them, just thinking about it made his head ache.

The former consumed time and energy and also required a certain level of comprehension.

The latter represented countless demonic beast resources, or rather, "living being" resources.

Any living being possessing powerful vitality could actually be refined and absorbed, for example, human cultivators!

"Let's not think about these for now."

"It's better to heal my injuries first!"

Luo Chen took out the black jar from his storage ring; inside, there was still more than half of the Black Emperor Paste left.

Over this long month or so, he had occasionally cast the Five Elements Organ-Returning Art, Bone-Restoring Art, Healing Art... and had already adjusted his internal organs, meridians, and bones.

Therefore, the body's absorption efficiency of the Black Emperor Paste had now greatly increased.

Presumably, it wouldn't take long for his physique to recover as before.

Luo Chen had already discovered that this secret medicine of the Profound Yuan Tianzong, the Black Emperor Paste, had an excellent effect on body tempering!

It had an unimaginable auxiliary effect!

Especially in the case of injury, the absorption effect was even better.

It gave one the illusion that if one were completely broken and then reorganized, one would reach a higher level.

"This idea is too dangerous!"

Luo Chen shook his head violently, throwing this idea out of his mind.

Rather than taking such a risk, it was better to think of a way to trade for more Black Emperor Paste from the Profound Yuan Tianzong to assist in body tempering in the future.

Slow absorption also had a very good effect!

"Xu Huanzhen, why are you here?"

"The matter regarding the night battle at Thousand Leaves Peak has already spread throughout the Broken Moon Xiancheng. Originally, I was responsible for the business regarding demonic beast resources. In that battle, the Profound Yuan Tianzong collected many demonic beast corpses, and they couldn't digest them for the time being, so it benefited us. In addition, your deeds, Supreme Elder, have spread far and wide, and the Sect Master is worried about you, so she sent me to make this trip personally."

Xu Huanzhen carefully raised his head to look at Luo Chen, "Supreme Elder, are you alright?"

Luo Chen shook his head and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, I suffered some minor injuries, but there is no major hindrance now."

Hearing this, Xu Huanzhen's expression relaxed.

"That's good, that's good."

Afterwards, he continued: "The Luo Tian Alliance is worried that you have no one to use, so they sent another batch of Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Hearing this, Luo Chen waved his hand.

"No need, when you go back, take everyone back with you!"

Xu Huanzhen was puzzled.

Luo Chen explained: "In this battle, my Luo Tian Alliance suffered heavy losses, and the Sword-Wielding Hall will not arrange tasks for me for the time being. Letting them go back and guard our spirit land is what is important."

So that was it!

Xu Huanzhen nodded in understanding.

"By the way, when you go back, take Wan Ting of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, as well as Ceng Yilong, back with you!"

When saying this, a look of sorrow appeared on Luo Chen's face.

When he came out, he brought ten people, and in the end, he only brought two back; it was his negligence.

Of course, he felt guilty, but others would not think so.

At least Xu Huanzhen felt that under those circumstances, the Supreme Elder could still achieve such a battle record, which was already a miracle; how could one demand more?

After chatting for a few more sentences, Xu Huanzhen intended to take his leave, not wanting to disturb Luo Chen's rest.

Before leaving, he presented a letter.

"It is the Sect Master's personal letter, and she instructed me to hand it to you, Supreme Elder, without fail."

"Is it from Hui Niang?"

Luo Chen muttered, taking the envelope.

"Letter to My Husband"

"Your concubine, Hui Niang, bows respectfully to inquire after my husband:

Recalling our parting at Snow Terrace, a year has passed in the blink of an eye. At the ends of the earth, I hold only the passage of time in my heart. The resentment of the long gate, I cannot count the mornings and evenings.

However, I alone manage Luo Tian, with disciples and sect members at my beck and call, and all matters are trivial, left for me to decide. You alone are outside, relying on others for plans, who is there to consult with?

When you left, the sect had a thousand threads of complexity, but a year's work has already shown results.

Fellow Daoists of Ailao Mountain have started large-scale construction, moving three mountains, dredging two rivers, and building twelve buildings, which can be used by the Nine Halls of Luo Tian, your main hall, and the two halls for mundane chores.

......"

In the first half of the letter, besides expressing her longing, she focused on mentioning the changes in the Luo Tian Sect and the situation within the alliance.

Di Wuqi had kept the promise made before Luo Chen left and had not caused any trouble.

The Cen family had changed their previous aggressive style and started to stabilize and cultivate their clansmen; presumably, it was because Cen Qiusheng had increased his lifespan by seventy years, so he was no longer panicked and had become calm regarding the operation of the family.

On the contrary, the Myriad Phenomena Sect had quite a few unusual movements.

A large number of Qi Refining disciples had already appeared, defecting or hooking up with the Luo Tian Sect, wanting to change their sect.

President Sima Hui Niang had provided countermeasures for the situation.

Luo Chen watched with satisfaction.

He knew that although he had gained some insights into sect operation and management and was no longer as lost and helpless as he was at the beginning, compared to President Sima Hui Niang, who had been tempered for many years, he was still far behind.

The other party had only used one year to sort out the internal affairs of the Luo Tian Sect in the Howling Moon Mountain Range.

By the way, she had also reached a closer cooperative relationship with several other families.

With a relaxed mood, Luo Chen continued to read.

"Suddenly hearing your great name, showing off your might at Thousand Leaves Peak, your concubine is overjoyed. Who knew that after hearing the inside story, I learned that you were seriously injured and in imminent danger.

Caiyi sent seven messages in a row, and her concern was overflowing in her words.

Your concubine thinks that when a great man is in the world, resentment should not be deeply held, and favor should not be overly sought. Regarding the Profound Yuan Tianzong matter, my husband should just do your best; why must you exhaust yourself until your heart stops?

Only by acting according to one's ability is the right path!

However, your concubine is but a woman, not at the scene, not hearing the details, and my words may be inappropriate.

I only ask my husband to cherish yourself and return safely.

The Luo Tian Sect cannot be without a master for a day, and President Sima and Gu cannot lack you to live alone.

Looking forward to your return.

——President Sima Hui Niang"

With his hands hanging down, Luo Chen was silent for a moment.

After a long while, he shook his head and smiled.

"It is indeed the demeanor of a main wife, bringing Caiyi along too."

As for the content of the letter, he only sighed with emotion and didn't think too much about it.

Or rather, before this letter, he had already thought it through thoroughly.

Hui Niang was right.

For some things, just do your best; there is no need to show off too much.

Just like that battle before, looking back, there were actually better ways to handle it.

Using his own extreme speed to lead the two third-tier early-stage wolf kings away from the main battlefield was the optimal solution!

Once in a quiet place, whether to kill or flee, the initiative was entirely in his hands; there wouldn't have been the subsequent events at all.

As for the Profound Yuan Tianzong being slaughtered by the wolf army, what did that have to do with him?

In the end, at that time, he was still thinking of the favor that Qu Xibai had shown him when he was forming his core by opening the formation of Tianlan Xiancheng to help him succeed, so he just wanted to contribute more on the battlefield.

Now, Fellow Daoist Qu Xibai had also fallen.

This favor, he could be considered to have repaid.

As for afterwards?

He must be careful and cautious, and think thrice before acting!

Carefully folding the letter and putting it into the depths of his storage ring, Luo Chen intended to go into seclusion to thoroughly heal his injuries.

However, this plan was interrupted for the time being.

Ceng Yilong came to his door.

"I'm not going back!"

Luo Chen stared at him seriously; the other party held his head high, with no intention of bowing.

Under Luo Chen's gaze, he finally couldn't withstand the pressure and said in a low voice:

"Uncle-Master is fighting on the battlefield, how can I sit comfortably in the rear?"

"And... I also want to witness the magnificent scene of the decisive battle!"

Luo Chen frowned, "Who did you hear about the decisive battle from?"

Ceng Yilong said without thinking: "It's spreading like that outside now, saying that the Profound Yuan Tianzong doesn't intend to recuperate and is preparing to make one final effort to fight the Proud Howling Wolf Court to the death on Tian Gu Plain and compete for the Howling Moon!"

"And, I also asked Aunt Murong in private, and she did reveal some wind. She said that the Profound Yuan Tianzong is gathering all its sect members and gathering strength; it really has the posture of doing something big."

"Such a magnificent scene, perhaps cultivators of our generation can only see it once in a lifetime."

"I don't want to regret it!"

Luo Chen fell into silence.

After a long while, he said softly: "Then you stay, I can still protect you alone. But when the time comes, you must listen to my orders, do you understand?"

Having received the answer, Ceng Yilong's eyes shone.

"Disciple remembers!"

After dismissing Ceng Yilong, Luo Chen turned and walked out of the cave dwelling's gate, heading to the residence where Fairy Jueqing was located.

"Is the news of the decisive battle true?"

"It's not guaranteed to be accurate, but judging from the movements of the Profound Yuan Tianzong and the speculation of various major forces, it's eight or nine out of ten."

"Did the Golden Core cultivators of those Nascent Soul sects not give an explanation?"

"How can they fathom the thoughts of the True Persons? It's not like they are the same as us, combining information and speculating in private. Alchemist Danchenzi, why are you so concerned about this?"

"Making preparations early is always good."

Fairy Jueqing said indifferently: "Actually, you don't need to worry. You made a great contribution in the previous battle, and the Luo Tian Alliance also suffered heavy losses. Even if there really is a decisive battle, the Sword-Wielding Hall cannot arrange dangerous tasks for you."

"I hope so!"

Seeing that he couldn't find out accurate news from Fairy Jueqing, Luo Chen intended to say goodbye.

Fairy Jueqing called him to stop, "Recently, there have been many private gatherings of Golden Core cultivators, and there is one tonight, do you want to go?"

Luo Chen hesitated for a moment, but still refused with the excuse that his injuries had not recovered and he needed to rest quietly.

Of course, he also entrusted the other party to help him collect some Fire Spirit Diamonds if she encountered them.

Fairy Jueqing naturally had no objections.

Seeing her like this, Luo Chen became curious.

"You usually don't seem to like joining in this kind of excitement, why are you so keen recently?"

Fairy Jueqing rolled her eyes, "Do you think I want to?"

She didn't say the specific reason.

But after Luo Chen went back, he gradually figured it out.

The Ice Fortress, now that Ancestor Canglong was seriously injured and not managing affairs, and several Golden Core cultivators had been lost, lacked figures to support the facade outside.

Fairy Jueqing was precisely doing the work of supporting the facade.

"It's also hard for her."

After returning home, Luo Chen sighed with emotion and began to continue his previous healing work.

Half a month later, Xu Huanzhen led the team back to the sect.

Luo Chen wrote two letters and entrusted him to take them back to President Sima Hui Niang and Gu Caiyi.

As for the others, he didn't say anything.

However, before leaving, Wan Ting of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, who had survived, looked at him with a look of wanting to speak but stopping, which made Luo Chen secretly pay attention.

Therefore, he secretly sent a voice transmission to Xu Huanzhen, telling him to inform President Sima Hui Niang after returning to pay more attention to the movements of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

At this moment, Luo Chen could be considered to have no worries for the time being.

Therefore, he declined many social engagements and continued to go into seclusion.

On this day, inside the cave dwelling, the sound of metal clashing against metal rang out incessantly.

It only finally ceased when the sound of a sharp weapon snapping in two echoed through the air.

Luo Chen looked at the white mark on his arm and revealed an expression of astonishment.

Not long ago, his injuries had completely healed, and he was free of both internal and external troubles.

And after his wounds had mended, he was surprised to discover that there had been a significant change in the body-refining realm on his attribute panel.

It had changed from the previous 【Desolate Ancient Third Tier 26/100】 to 【Desolate Ancient Third Tier 28/100】.

It had increased by a full two progress points!

He had anticipated some improvement, as he had been maintaining a diet of supplements all these years and using the Origin True Fire to temper his body while cultivating the "Great Expansion of Ten Thousand Daos."

But to jump two progress bars at once was completely unexpected.

As of now, even a top-grade flying sword, when driven with full force, could not harm him in the slightest!

Clearly, this sudden change stemmed from the Black Emperor Paste!

"Good stuff!"

"If I had a stable supply of Black Emperor Paste to assist my body refining, I might be able to reach Great Perfection in body refining and ascend to the Desolate Ancient Fourth Tier in at most a hundred years!"

For a moment, Luo Chen felt a burning heat in his heart, and he became twelve thousand percent invested in that Black Emperor Paste.

But after the excitement, he felt a bit dejected.

As far as he knew, the production of this secret medicine in the Falling Cloud Sect was also extremely scarce.

Ordinary puppets were not even qualified to use this paste.

Only those of the Third Tier and above were allowed to apply a small amount.

That True Person Han Zhan was willing to bestow a portion upon him was already considered extremely generous.

Coupled with the fact that rumors of the great decisive battle were spreading more and more intensely, the Falling Cloud Sect's chief alchemist, Mu Yunyan, had focused her main energy on refining other elixirs and naturally could not spare the time to refine Black Emperor Paste.

This directly extinguished Luo Chen's thought of trying to purchase it at a high price.

"If I can't get the Black Emperor Paste, what about the formula?"

Suddenly, this thought popped into Luo Chen's mind.

Sect elixir formulas were never passed on to outsiders, especially auxiliary elixir formulas related to the sect's heritage.

But clearly, the Falling Cloud Sect's heritage was not just puppet arts, but also methods for refining the spirit!

The fact that the Falling Cloud Sect had favored him so much before was clearly also because he had brought out the Second Tier Profound Nether Elixir.

It could even be said that for a cultivator, external puppets were just a means, while the internal spirit was the foundation!

"If I use the Second Tier Profound Nether Elixir formula to exchange for the Black Emperor Paste formula..."

There was a gap in the grade of the two; one was Second Tier, the other was Third Tier.

But the Profound Nether Elixir was a rare spirit elixir that increased the foundation of the spirit. The latter seemed precious, but the path of body refining had long since declined, and the Falling Cloud Sect used it for puppet refining; thus, in the current era, the value of the body-tempering formula did not match its grade.

"Perhaps it is feasible."

Luo Chen muttered to himself, and then he began to seriously consider the specific details of the transaction.

After a long while, he had a rough plan in his heart.

No need to rush for now!

If he were to go knocking on their door now, he would be the one begging, and who knew if the other party would demand an exorbitant price or open their mouth like a lion.

But if he waited until after the situation at the Roaring Moon Mountain Range was settled, the Falling Cloud Sect, having already suffered heavy losses, would inevitably be in urgent need of restoring its strength.

With his ability to refine the Second Tier Profound Nether Elixir, he would certainly fall into their sights.

By then, it would be their turn to beg him.

At that time, he could negotiate calmly, bring out the Profound Nether Elixir formula, and the Falling Cloud Sect would surely be very delighted!

After thinking this through, Luo Chen's heart settled down.

That day was not far off!

The great decisive battle was right before his eyes!

Having recovered from his injuries, Luo Chen still kept his doors closed to visitors.

As far as the present was concerned, he was not lacking in cultivation resources for the time being, and his confusion regarding cultivation had also been cleared up during the previous few small gatherings of Core Formation cultivators.

At the very least, he was ten-to-nine certain of reaching the late stage of Core Formation.

Since that was the case, socializing was a useless endeavor.

On the contrary, keeping a low profile could also help cultivate his reputation.

He was waiting, waiting for the day the great decisive battle arrived.

Or rather, it was not just him waiting; everyone was waiting!

The movements of the Falling Cloud Sect were no longer being concealed at all.

All the sect's powerhouses were returning one after another, and powerful puppets were being continuously delivered under the overtime efforts of the Falling Cloud Sect and Lin Tianfan City cultivators.

It was even said that the Falling Cloud Sect, not knowing what price they had paid, had managed to get a warship from Lin Tianfan City!

Yes, a warship!

That was a unique war magic treasure of Lin Tianfan City!

Eight hundred years ago, during the opening war of Lin Tianfan City, it had shone brilliantly.

Since that battle, Lin Tianfan City had rarely used it; other sects couldn't buy or borrow it even if they wanted to.

Luo Chen had gone out once to see it; it was hovering above the base camp, a huge flying boat that looked quite ferocious.

But it was only ferocious; he still couldn't see its full picture.

Perhaps he would only see the full power of the Lin Tianfan warship when the decisive battle broke out.

The movements of the Falling Cloud Sect did not stop there.

They summoned all the sects participating in the opening war, ordering them to send their sect cultivators to gather on the outskirts of Heavenly Drum Plain.

Countless cultivators began to gather like clouds.

Ten thousand, twenty thousand, up to one hundred thousand people!

These were all cultivators skilled in battle, not some ragtag army dragging their families along and mixed with low-tier weaklings.

Beyond the one hundred thousand cultivators, there were countless rogue cultivators.

All of them were rogue cultivators who had heard the news and wanted to get a piece of the action.

Those who dared to come were naturally rogue cultivator powerhouses who had some confidence in their own means.

The atmosphere within the camp was becoming increasingly restless.

It was like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment, waiting for someone to raise their arms and shout.

Clearly, the one to raise their arms and shout would inevitably be the Falling Cloud Sect.

When time slowly reached the tenth year of the opening war, that Nascent Soul True Person of the Falling Cloud Sect, who had quite a legendary color, finally revealed himself to the world.

On Thousand Leaf Peak.

Under the gaze of the masses.

True Person Han Zhan, dressed in green robes with a solemn expression, gave a light shout.

"Commence battle!"

The light shout, under the infusion of majestic magic power, was like a raging wolf and a wild tide, rolling forward, the sound spreading in all directions.

Responding to him, besides the rapid, hollow sounds of the earth's crust on Heavenly Drum Plain, was a single word that sounded like a mountain collapse and a sea roar.

"Battle!"

"Battle!"

"Battle!"

Thanks to Jie Xin Jie Fo Jie Dao, Kan Feng Le A, hero Ling Cang, hslhsl, and Shu Dui Xia De Shi Gu for their tips.

I haven't been writing very smoothly lately, and I haven't received any valuable tips for a long time, so I feel ashamed to accept them!

Thank you all for your support. Xiao Yu will work even harder. First, a guarantee: I will absolutely not abandon this book! Whether the ending is good or bad is another matter, but I will write it to a normal conclusion, worthy of everyone's subscription money and tips, as well as those extra monthly ticket supports!

(End of chapter)