Chapter 877: Old Fu entrusts his legacy; the descendant of an old friend

"Yes, I have come."

Amidst the hazy morning mist, a figure in white walked out like an immortal.

He was still that young, still that composed, and one might even say...

"You are still as cautious as ever?"

Old Fu felt Luo Chen's spiritual sense spreading in all directions and could not help but smile.

Confirming there were no other Nascent Soul cultivators within the Divine Talisman Sect, Luo Chen withdrew his spiritual sense and smiled with a hint of apology: "My situation is somewhat complex; I hope you will bear with me."

Old Fu nodded, "I know. A guest elder of the Central Continent Star Gate, and a Hall Master of the Mingyuan Alchemy Saint Palace, right?"

The fact that Luo Chen had connections with the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect was no secret; many people knew of it.

After all, the Luo Tian Treasure Pavilion that the Luo Tian Sect had established in the past was supported by the Heavenly Origin Merchant Alliance behind the scenes.

But the fact that he was a guest elder of the Star Gate was known to very few—only City Lord Ye Lingtian and a handful of others.

Hearing the other party say this, Luo Chen's brows furrowed slightly.

"Have Dao Sect cultivators been here to see you?"

Old Fu did not hide it and said straightforwardly: "Nowadays, among all the major powers in the Eastern Wasteland with any reputation, who hasn't been visited by Heavenly Origin Dao Sect cultivators?"

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, just about to press for more, when Old Fu changed the subject.

"However, the one who came to visit me was a woman. Her name—Fu Fu Qinglan."

"So it was her!"

Luo Chen's expression became somewhat complex; he had not expected this woman to have come to the Eastern Wasteland as well.

I fear she did not come just for me, but more for her grandfather!

Seeing that Luo Chen indeed knew the other party, Old Fu clicked his tongue in admiration, "As far as I know, that woman is a pivotal figure within the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect, and her master is even a Soul Transformation powerhouse. To have such a stunning figure travel thousands of miles to seek you out—you are truly worthy of being the Alchemy Sect's Luo Chen!"

Luo Chen smiled bitterly: "Please, stop mocking me. If we truly meet, we might even have to cross swords."

Old Fu frowned, puzzled: "I shouldn't think so. I found her attitude acceptable; she merely wanted to meet you. In fact, because of you, my Divine Talisman Sect has even received some protection."

Luo Chen suddenly asked: "Then, did you arrange this meeting with me at her behest?"

Old Fu waved his hands hurriedly, "How could I possibly expose your whereabouts? My holding onto this last breath to wait for your appearance was merely my own final wish."

As he said this, the aura of decay on his body became increasingly impossible to hide.

Old Fu himself was already quite advanced in age, and he had frequently engaged in combat.

Especially during the great battle at Ye Lingtian Pass, he had been severely wounded by a Demon Emperor; even with the help of Luo Chen's elixirs, it had inevitably affected his lifespan.

Now, his end was near, a matter of days or even hours.

In the heavy atmosphere, Old Fu managed a faint smile.

"You have traveled a long way and must be tired. Come, have a cup of warm wine!"

It was currently the height of winter; outside, heavy snow was falling, and the world was wrapped in silver.

It was beautiful, but the biting cold was unavoidable.

Most importantly, as a Nascent Soul sect, the lack of any array or barrier to alter the climate and temperature was enough to reveal the current dire straits of the Divine Talisman Sect.

Luo Chen remained silent, drinking the spirit wine Old Fu had warmed.

When he felt the warmth in his belly, he asked: "You asked to see me; it shouldn't just be to see an old friend before you depart, right?"

Old Fu sighed, "The reason for that must start with the matter I mentioned just now."

That matter?

Luo Chen was puzzled, but he reacted quickly.

The Heavenly Origin Dao Sect cultivators visiting the major sects of the Eastern Wasteland!

Seeing Luo Chen understood, Old Fu nodded.

"With Mingyuan destroyed and Heavenly Origin taking control of the Eastern Wasteland, the first thing they did was subjugate the Elder Dongyang Sect, a former vassal of the Mingyuan Sect. The second was to wantonly hunt down the remnants of the Mingyuan Sect, ensuring this hegemon that had occupied the Eastern Wasteland for three thousand years would not rise again. People like Gu Hong and Lin Lin Yonghua, whom you and I have met, are either dead or have fled. And this third thing, *cough cough*..."

Old Fu coughed twice, his decaying face flushing a deep red.

After catching his breath, he smiled bitterly: "Apologies, this old body truly cannot hold up anymore."

Luo Chen expressed his understanding, a hint of sorrow in his eyes.

Old Fu's current condition could not be cured by medicine.

It was a case of accumulated illness that could not be reversed, compounded by the fact that he had reached the limit of his lifespan.

Even if he were given some life-extending spirit herbs, it would be but a drop in the bucket, allowing him to live only a few more days or months.

Perhaps he had already tried numerous methods to extend his life, and ordinary means were no longer effective for him.

Old Fu exhaled a long, turbid breath and said slowly: "The third thing is that due to the unusual movements of the demon race in the Million Mountains, massing troops outside the six domains of the Far East, since the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect wants to take control of the Eastern Wasteland, they must take on the responsibility of dealing with the demon army."

"They have the strength, but clearly, they do not have the heart."

"They speak of it in words, but in reality, they issue directives to our major sects, attempting to use us as cannon fodder to fight the demon beasts."

"The Heavenly Origin Dao Sect cultivators who came to visit earlier had this very purpose."

"My Divine Talisman Sect is slightly better off; because of you, that Fairy Fu Qinglan only asked us to produce more talismans and not to go to the front lines. However..."

Old Fu looked up at Luo Chen, his face bitter.

"You know, once a war truly enters a quagmire, who can stay out of it?"

Luo Chen agreed with this view.

Was that not the intention of those ancient sects in the Eastern Wasteland in the past?

Yet, under the ravages of the demon army, did not all the sects and factions that sought safety in the rear eventually get caught up in it?

"However, the current situation of my Divine Talisman Sect—Luo Chen, you scanned it with your spiritual sense just now, so you know the general state, right!"

Luo Chen said bluntly: "The number of disciples is quite large; a rough scan shows over a hundred thousand. It is evident that you have not been idle all these years."

At its weakest, the Divine Talisman Sect had only been left with ten thousand people.

In just over a dozen years, the number had multiplied to this extent, showing Old Fu's efforts in his twilight years.

It is estimated that his current state is also greatly related to his exhaustion of heart and strength.

"But there are very few talents worth molding among them!" Old Fu murmured. "A long time ago, I was cultivating successors, but they either died or were injured, or—like the Ye Hua I finally managed to cultivate—they departed for the Yellow Springs before me."

"Even though I have built up the family foundation now, once I pass away, what difference is there between a grand Nascent Soul sect with no Nascent Soul True Person to sit in command and one that exists in name only?"

Luo Chen was puzzled: "Back then, I gave you a full three Core Formation Pills, right!"

Old Fu smiled bitterly: "They were all used, and the remaining two were given to others, but all failed. In the end, the foundation was insufficient."

Luo Chen said without hesitation: "If that is not enough, I have some to spare and can gift you one or two more."

"You are certainly generous!" Old Fu likely did not expect Luo Chen to be so generous, offering Core Formation Pills just like that. However, he waved his hand. "Forget it. My Divine Talisman Sect has its own methods for Core Formation, and the pills were merely an effective supplement. The biggest problem now is that there are no suitable talents to cultivate!"

What use is there in having pills?

Without suitable talent cultivation, even with more Core Formation Pills, one cannot raise a single Nascent Soul True Person.

Think of how much effort and time Luo Chen spent helping Cang Long cross her tribulation, and you will know the difficulty of it.

Old Fu had managed to cultivate one True Person Ye Hua back then, which had already exhausted everything he had.

Yet, the young True Person Ye Hua, because his strength was insufficient, had gone before Old Fu.

This left the Divine Talisman Sect facing the awkward situation of having no Nascent Soul True Person to sit in command.

And for a Nascent Soul sect, once the top-tier powerhouses are cut off, the consequences are unimaginable.

"Luo Chen, I have a request, and I hope you will agree!" Old Fu said extremely solemnly.

Luo Chen vaguely guessed what it was and hesitated: "You want me to protect the Divine Talisman Sect after you are gone?"

Old Fu nodded, then shook his head. "At first, that was indeed my thought, but your situation is very complex now, and I fear it is inconvenient for you to show yourself, so I dismissed that idea. Moreover, what is so-called protection? How long can one protect? In the end, one must rely on oneself."

"Therefore, I want to entrust some people to you."

"You don't need to worry about their future cultivation resources; from Foundation Establishment to Nascent Soul, I will arrange everything for them one by one."

"All you need to do is take them away and settle them in your Luo Tian Sect, letting them eat, live, and grow together with the Luo Tian cultivators."

"When they have achieved success in their cultivation, no matter what the Divine Talisman Sect becomes in the future, they can rely on those inheritances to rebuild the sect."

There is no greater act of entrusting one's legacy than this.

Luo Chen was somewhat familiar with this scene.

He looked at the old man, "Are you not afraid that I will swallow those resources, or forcibly keep those good seedlings you have taken a fancy to?"

Old Fu looked at Luo Chen with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Would you?"

Luo Chen shook his head; he would not.

Once he promised someone, he would usually do his best to fulfill it.

Was the Qin Li family back then not the same? Outsiders all thought Luo Chen would eat the Li family clean, but in the end, it was Li Li Yingzhang who became the Sect Master of the Luo Tian Sect.

Not only was the family able to continue, but his personal cultivation realm and status had surpassed the peak of the Li family in the past.

Clearly, Old Fu had inquired about the relevant situation.

Moreover, he believed he would not misjudge Luo Chen!

Luo Chen thought for a moment and nodded: "Since it is a request from a friend, it is merely a small effort for me, and I can agree to your request. But I must personally examine the candidates to avoid any trouble..."

Before Luo Chen could finish, Old Fu sent a spiritual sense transmission.

Three figures walked in from outside the house.

"I know your concerns, so these three I have chosen are all of clean background and have grown up in the Divine Talisman Sect. Apart from their aptitude, I have tested their character and personality, and they will not cause trouble for your Luo Tian Sect," Old Fu explained carefully.

Luo Chen gave a hum and looked at the three young people who had entered.

Two men and one woman, all at the early Foundation Establishment stage.

Their cultivation was not high, but since they could be cultivated as seeds of the Divine Talisman Sect by Old Fu, they must have their extraordinary points.

Old Fu shouted: "Why haven't you greeted the Alchemy Sect senior yet?"

The three did not hesitate, bowing respectfully to Luo Chen and reporting their names one after another.

Especially the young woman, who unexpectedly knelt down to Luo Chen and performed a great bow.

"Junior Chen Chen Dongling, greets the senior!"

Although it was a great bow, it was also a breach of etiquette.

In a cultivator's life, one only respects heaven and earth, and only bows to parents and teachers.

Although Luo Chen was a senior, he was ultimately not their master or relative, so such a great bow was not called for.

Unless they abandoned their identity as Divine Talisman Sect disciples and thoroughly joined the Luo Tian Sect, they could perform such a great bow.

Of course, if they were scared out of their wits and were being servile to a powerhouse, it was not impossible.

Old Fu was quite displeased, "Chen Dongling, why are you so lacking in etiquette?"

However, Luo Chen raised his hand, interrupting Old Fu.

His sharp eyes stared fixedly at Chen Chen Dongling, whose face was somewhat familiar.

He asked softly: "You look a bit like an old friend I once knew!"

Chen Chen Dongling said without hesitation: "My late mother, Chen Chen Shuyi, was from the Great River Market. Before she passed, she often mentioned that when she was at the market, there was a big brother who took great care of her. She rarely spoke of his name, but she often mentioned the Daoist title 'Alchemist Danchenzi'. If this junior has not guessed wrong, the Alchemy Sect senior should be the big brother my late mother spoke of!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the two accompanying Foundation Establishment cultivators looked sideways.

Even Old Fu was somewhat surprised; he had not expected this turn of events.

If this was truly the case, then the great bow Chen Chen Dongling had just performed was not a breach of etiquette.

For a moment, everyone could not help but cast their gaze toward Luo Chen, watching his reaction.

Under their gaze, Luo Chen nodded slowly, "So it is little Chen Shuyi's daughter. No wonder there is a sense of familiarity in the brows."

Subsequently, he asked: "The last time I saw your mother was on Mount Mount Danxia. Since then, we each went to the Luo Yun Sect to open up the war. I do not know what happened to your mother later?"

Speaking of the past, a hint of sadness appeared in Chen Chen Dongling's eyes.

"The opening war was still fine, but later, when a large number of demon beasts rushed out from the Million Mountains, Mother and the others were trapped in the Broken Moon Immortal City. Although they eventually broke out under the leadership of the sect elders, she was severely wounded. In the decades that followed, her injuries recurred repeatedly, and after giving birth to me, her vitality was greatly damaged. Before reaching Ye Lingtian Pass, she passed away."

After hearing this experience, even with Luo Chen's firm will, he could not help but feel a sense of trance.

The faces of old friends like Old Chen, Chen Chen Shuyi, and Fu Fu Xiuxiu constantly appeared in his mind.

Each had their own opportunities, each had their own endings, but in the end, those who could meet again were few.

In the heavy atmosphere, Luo Chen looked at Old Fu.

"I have seen the three of them; when I leave, I will take them with me."

Old Fu was overjoyed and urged the three: "Why haven't you thanked your Senior Uncle Luo yet!"

Senior Uncle Luo?

Luo Chen was stunned for a moment, and amidst the three bowing, he looked at Old Fu.

Old Fu said as a matter of course: "As the last seeds of the Divine Talisman Sect, I naturally take them as my disciples. You and I are friends, and your cultivation is higher than mine; it is normal for my disciples to call you Senior Uncle!"

What a way to climb the pole!

Luo Chen smiled helplessly, but he was not angry.

Since the man was about to die, let him be!

The next moment, Old Fu handed a storage bag to Luo Chen in front of the three.

Luo Chen's brows furrowed, "This is?"

"Do not overthink it. I know your character is noble and you look down on these worldly goods. But the resources inside are too precious for their current cultivation realm. I fear the danger of harboring a jade ring."

"Therefore, I entrust you to keep them on their behalf and distribute them according to the situation."

"The classics inside contain eight or nine-tenths of the essence of my Divine Talisman Sect's inheritance. I fear that if their cultivation realm is not high enough, reading them in advance will affect their future path, so I also hope that after you study them, you can provide some guidance."

The inheritance of the Divine Talisman Sect!

Luo Chen was surprised: "These great gifts are perhaps too precious!"

Old Fu said solemnly: "It is not a gift, but a request from this old man. I hope you will fulfill it!"

In the silence, Luo Chen took the storage bag.

"I may be a bit busy later and cannot provide constant guidance. But the cultivation of these three disciples will not be delayed; I will have someone look after them."

Old Fu did not force Luo Chen to teach the three personally, "That is enough."

One should not put all one's eggs in one basket.

Old Fu would coexist with the Divine Talisman Sect, and even if he died of old age, he would die in the Divine Talisman Sect.

But thinking of the unfathomable future, sending out three seeds and entrusting them to a friend was also necessary.

With the matter settled, there was nothing else to do.

Luo Chen intended to take the three and leave.

Old Fu naturally would not try to keep him, but there was some reluctance in his gaze.

Whether it was reluctance to part with Luo Chen, reluctance to part with the three hopes of the Divine Talisman Sect, or reluctance to part with the beautiful scenery of this world, it was indescribable.

Suddenly.

Luo Chen, who had walked to the door, turned around, a smile on his face.

"I don't know if you like quiet or lively, but I have a big event to handle here. Do you want to come and watch the show?" (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 878 =====