https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-174-You-Have-a-Story-Hey-I-Have-Wine-Part-2-/12920488/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-175-Nan-Wa-s-Absence-Old-Acquaintances-in-the-Snow-Part-2-/12920497/
Chapter 175: Nan Wa's Absence, Old Acquaintances in the Snow (Part 1)
Chapter 175: Nan Wa's Absence, Old Acquaintances in the Snow (Part 1)
The Luo Tianhui underwent changes, and its leader ascended to a higher position.
It was the first time he stepped into the Zhenlong Black Market.
During the chaos and escalation in Dahexian Market, the Golden Core Ruins had opened.
It was also around this time that Luo Chen auctioned the Blood-Boiling Pill, catching the attention of the Heavenly Star Master, laying a solid foundation for their future collaboration.
Therefore, Luo Chen vividly remembered the black market auction back then.
He distinctly recalled that there were three Foundation Establishment Cultivators present at the time.
Setting aside the Heavenly Star Master, the owner of the black market, the other two had suspicious backgrounds.
Within the Golden Core Ruins, there was the legacy of the Ghost Valley's Supreme Elder, not only containing rare treasures and magical treasures but also a Core Formation Opportunity closely related to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Given the circumstances, those two Foundation Establishment Cultivators didn't go to the ruins to test their luck.
Instead, they chose to attend the black market auction, making their motives highly questionable.
At that time, Luo Chen's experience was limited, and his interactions with Foundation Establishment Cultivators were brief, only catching a glimpse of them during the Jin Dan banquet hosted by the Zhong Ding family.
As such, he couldn't recognize the two individuals.
Later, after participating in several black market auctions, Luo Chen gradually became familiar with several Foundation Establishment True Cultivators who were frequently active near Dahexian Market.
Through observing their mannerisms and speech, he eventually confirmed that the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the first black market auction were Duan Qiankun and Zhou Elder from the Lianyun Business Alliance.
After all, the circle was small, and there weren't many people.
Even with disguises, Luo Chen wasn't a fool; he could distinguish between people after seeing them a few times.
Luo Chen remembered that Duan Qiankun's primary purpose for attending the black market auction was to obtain the Eight Hundred Year Celestial Root.
For this reason, he even verbally agreed to a condition set by Zhou Elder.
Later, while chatting with Miao Wen, Luo Chen vaguely learned about what had transpired the night the Po Shan Gang was annihilated.
Five Foundation Establishment Cultivators had besieged Mi Shuhua.
It even drew the intervention of the Lianyun Business Alliance's Offering, the Golden Core Elder Lu Jiu Shi.
Duan Qiankun was also involved in this incident.
Luo Chen was aware that Duan Qiankun and Mi Shuhua had both risen to prominence in Dahexian Market and were close associates.
For Duan Qiankun to turn against him, it seemed that the condition he had agreed to was the reason.
In the past, Luo Chen had found these matters confusing.
However, as his cultivation level increased and his connections expanded, he could now understand everything with just a thought.
The past was the past.
Thinking about these events again wouldn't change anything; it would only make his thoughts clearer.
What concerned Luo Chen was the Eight Hundred Year Celestial Root that Duan Qiankun had acquired.
The Celestial Root!
A wonder among medicinal ingredients, it had remarkable effects on breaking through cultivation levels!
Every three hundred years was considered a small limit, and every three thousand years was a significant limit.
For every additional three hundred years, a cultivator's chances of Foundation Establishment increased by ten percent.
The Eight Hundred Year Celestial Root could already increase a Qi Condensation Cultivator's chances of Foundation Establishment by a full twenty percent.
This was only slightly less effective than a Foundation Establishment Pill available on the market.
If a master alchemist refined it into a mid-grade or even top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, the success rate could be raised to forty or fifty percent!
Moreover, as a breakthrough elixir, the Celestial Root's advantages didn't stop there.
Typically, when attempting to break through a cultivation level, failure could result in backlash, causing damage to one's meridians.
In severe cases, it could lead to the destruction of the dantian, an explosion of spiritual power, and even instant death.
However, if one used the Celestial Root for the breakthrough, even if it was unsuccessful, the gentle medicinal power would ensure that the cultivator wouldn't suffer severe injuries.
This was the remarkable aspect of breakthrough elixirs.
Duan Qiankun had paid a hefty price for the Celestial Root, and it was evident that he didn't intend to use it for himself.
Duan Rui!
Despite failing twice, Duan Qiankun hadn't given up on him.
By acquiring the Eight Hundred Year Celestial Root, it was clear that he was still determined to help Duan Rui achieve Foundation Establishment.
From the subsequent signs, it seemed that Duan Qiankun frequently attended black market auctions not only to acquire resources for his family but also to gather more auxiliary resources for Foundation Establishment.
Revitalizing Water, Crystal Balm, Calming Incense...
These items were more or less useful for Foundation Establishment.
Many wanderers, unable to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills, used these alternatives for their breakthroughs.
Although these items combined were not as effective as a single Foundation Establishment Pill, they were better than nothing.
Duan Qiankun, unable to find a third Foundation Establishment Pill in a short time and with his limited lifespan, had already planned to use the Celestial Root as a last resort for Duan Rui.
It is said that things shouldn't be repeated more than three times!
Perhaps this time, if Duan Rui had the courage to take a desperate gamble, he would have a high chance of success.
If he succeeded, the Duan family would have two Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
In that case, how could Duan Feng possibly avenge his grudge?
"I can't tell you!"
"If I tell you today, Duan Feng might dare to come knocking on my door tomorrow."
"He's capable of such reckless actions."
"But I can't let him face such a futile endeavor."
Luo Chen looked at Duan Feng, who had emptied his wine gourd in a short time, and frowned. He snatched the gourd that Grandpa Yuan Xiao Yue had given him.
"Stop drinking. You'll finish all my wine."
"Are you being stingy? Didn't you say there was plenty of wine?"
"Tsk, you've finished your story too!"
Duan Feng was startled, then shook his head with a bitter smile.
He leaned on the table and said in a low voice, "It's true. My life has been uneventful. The only good times were when my mother took care of me. Back then, I only wanted to craft a magical bracelet for her when I achieved a higher cultivation level—something beautiful and with strong defensive capabilities..."
Luo Chen looked at him helplessly.
He stood up, pushed open the door, and a gust of cold wind blew in.
At the same time, a woman, startled like a frightened deer, jumped aside.
"You're not alone; you have us as friends."
Feng Xia, standing outside the door, gave Luo Chen a grateful glance.
Recently, Duan Feng had been in low spirits, and his impatience was barely contained.
Perhaps Luo Chen's comfort and advice could help him...
"And there's Sister Xia too!"
"It's hard to find such a wonderful woman as Sister Xia."
"I don't care about your desire for revenge, young man."
"You can accept the things from the Duan family without hesitation; it's not like you're an ingrate, as it's what you deserve."
"But if you betray Sister Xia, who has been so sincere and devoted to you, then you'd truly be an ingrate."
"If that's the case, I, Luo Chen, will be the first to..."
Before Luo Chen could finish his sentence, Feng Xia, her face flushed, covered his mouth.
She shook her head silently, her eyes welling up with tears.
Inside the room, Duan Feng remained silent, lying facedown on the table.
It was unclear if he had passed out from drunkenness or was avoiding facing the truth, pretending to be an ostrich.
Luo Chen smirked, nodded to Feng Xia, and left with long strides.
Feng Xia quietly entered the room, gathering the bone fragments and tableware and taking them to the kitchen.
He swept the shattered porcelain cup into a dustpan.
Finally, he retrieved a coat from the bedroom and draped it over Duan Feng before leaving the house.
As she closed the door, she vaguely saw Duan Feng's shoulders tremble for a moment.
...
A hundred li south of Dahexian Market, there was a small mountain covered in ice and snow.
This mountain was called Little Heavenly Mountain.
From the outside, it was a silver wonderland, with withered trees and plants.
But inside, the climate was warm, and mortals came and went frequently.
On a pavilion in the mountain, an old man gazed into the distance.
From this place, one could once see the splendor of Southern Snow Mountain.
Every winter, when heavy snow fell, the thousand-year-old snow on Southern Snow Mountain would spread out, forming a thick layer that resembled a giant roof tile, abruptly extending to cover most of the mountain, blocking out the clouds and the sun.
When the light was good, the sight was truly marvelous.
Every time the old man saw this scene, it was as if he saw himself.
He was like that giant snow tile, sheltering the entire family under his protection.
Unfortunately, Southern Snow Mountain had been destroyed by Pang Renxiong, a Golden Core cultivator.
The once-wonderful splendor was now reduced to a bare mountain peak.
This scene seemed to foreshadow the Duan family's situation as well.
After him, this giant tile that sheltered the Duan family would also silently melt away.
"Clan Leader, I'm back."
A middle-aged man stood respectfully to the side.
Duan Qiankun didn't turn his head and asked directly, "How did things go?"
"Smooth, but also not smooth."
"Hmm?"
The middle-aged man lowered his head and said, "The pill issue hasn't been going well. Elder Gu Caiyi from the Golden Hall said that they are facing a shortage of medicinal ingredients, and pill production can't be increased."
"Also, before the Nan Gong family closed their doors, they purchased a large quantity of Jade Marrow Pills, emptying their entire stock."
"Now, all the Jade Marrow Pills on the market are freshly refined and sold immediately."
After speaking, he stood there respectfully, not daring to breathe.
It was as if he expected a scolding to come at any moment.
However, this time, the Clan Leader did not reprimand him.
There was only a sigh.
"Danchenzi!"
"Initially, Mi Shuhua refused to ally with me, and I never understood why. Now it seems that he indeed had unique insight and a discerning eye."
"If I had control over this person, the Duan family would have no worries about thriving!"
The middle-aged man was startled.
Why was the Clan Leader suddenly talking about the leader of Luo Tianhui?
But that alchemist was indeed formidable.
He single-handedly supported Luo Tianhui, this emerging power.
The pill business was booming.
Now, many wanderers in Dahexian Market praised Luo Tianhui, saying that it was fortunate they had them, otherwise, with Lingyao Pavilion gone, they wouldn't have a place to buy pills.
Shaking his head, he dismissed these random thoughts.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "The items for Duan Feng, he accepted them!"
This was the smooth part.
However, after hearing this, Duan Qiankun didn't feel any joy.
He merely asked indifferently, "Did Duan Feng mention that he would return during Qingming to sweep his mother's grave?"
The middle-aged man hesitated, "It seems... he didn't say."
"Alright, you can go now!"
After he left, Duan Qiankun let out a sigh of disappointment.
Duan Feng was also his grandson!
Yet, unknowingly, he had drifted away from the family and even become enemies with them.
He wouldn't forgive me.
But what did I do wrong?
For the long-term benefit of the family, everything he did was undoubtedly correct.
The younger grandson, Duan Rui, had even better talent, and the cultivation environment within the clan was extremely suitable for him.
With dual water and fire spiritual roots, once he reached Foundation Establishment, even if his cultivation level was insufficient, he would still be a formidable fighter among his peers.
Even if I passed away, he could support the family as a pillar.
It was just a matter of enduring some hardship for Duan Feng's family.
Thirteen Niang was also being unreasonable, seeking her own death.
The Nan Gong family was eager to establish themselves, and she would surely receive favorable treatment if she married into them.
Nan Gong Qin was an exceptional talent among Foundation Establishment cultivators, and he had already been appointed as the young Clan Leader of the Nan Gong family.
It wouldn't be a pity for Thirteen Niang, a widow, to marry him.
At that time, Duan Feng could rely on his forging skills to hold a high position in the Duan family.
He could also rely on his mother, Thirteen Niang's relationship, to thrive in the Nan Gong family.
With support from both sides, it wouldn't be difficult to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill for Duan Feng in the future.
Duan Qiankun asked himself, and he was sure that in all the things he did initially, he had no personal motives.
According to his plan, the Duan family would only become more prosperous.
The prospect of having two Foundation Establishment cultivators in the family was also very likely to be realized!
So, where did things go wrong?
Duan Qiankun sighed bitterly, perhaps the mistake was in overly spoiling Duan Rui! Ever since his dual spiritual roots were detected, everything had gone astray.
The allocation of resources, the entire family's attention, all-around protection, and even granting every wish.
His cultivation progressed quickly, but unknowingly, the cultivation of his character was neglected.
"Since the fierce battle with the Bai family of Radiant Light Market, the Duan family has been peaceful for a long time."
"In terms of disciplining the clan's disciples, we are not as strict as the Nan Gong and Li families."
Among his peers, both Foundation Establishment cultivators and wanderers praised Duan Qiankun for nurturing a Qi Condensation Great Perfection talent like Duan Feng and a grandson with exceptional forging skills.
But how could he not envy talents like Nan Gong Qin and Li Ao, who could stand on their own?
Initially, he agreed to join Mysterious Unity Sect, hoping to use this power to temper the family's disciples.
Unfortunately, chaos came too quickly, and the changes were too drastic, leading to the sudden collapse of Mysterious Unity Sect.
Duan Rui didn't have the opportunity to be tempered in various conflicts due to his repeated failures in breaking through Foundation Establishment.
"I had hoped that after reaching Foundation Establishment, he would mature."
"But instead, he got stuck at this seemingly easy hurdle."
"Two Foundation Establishment Pills!"
With a sigh, his spirit sense swept out.
Soon, he found the Duan family genius who had wasted two Foundation Establishment Pills.
Lying on a warm bed, surrounded by two beauties, he was in a cozy embrace.
During this season of heavy snow and biting cold winds, he was truly carefree.
"Doesn't he know that if I pass away, how can the Duan family protect this land of spiritual abundance?"
Duan Qiankun's face flashed with a stern look, and he coldly humphed.
Not far away, on a soft couch in a nearby house, a young man who bore a three-tenths resemblance to Duan Feng suddenly turned pale.
Duan Qiankun immediately waved his hand.
"Get out, get out."
"I'm going to cultivate."
"Women, they mess with my mind!"
Pure spiritual power surged forth, and he immediately slapped the two women away.
After transforming into a rolling gourd, he embarrassingly tumbled out of the house.
Only after they left did the young man reveal a sheepish smile.
Facing the empty house, he seemed to be talking to himself, yet it was as if he was speaking to those watching him.
"Grandpa, my injury hasn't fully healed, so I rested for two days."
"I really haven't been slacking off."
There was no response.
The young man pouted, thinking to himself, I've already reached the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation, what else is there to cultivate?
It's not his fault that he can't break through his cultivation realm.
It's the fault of his weak family.
If they had sent him to a sect, with his talent, he would have already reached Foundation Establishment!
Who knows, he might have already become a true disciple of a major sect, with hopes of achieving the Golden Core Dao.
On Little Heavenly Mountain, Duan Qiankun had long stopped monitoring him.
Alone, he stepped out of the clan's territory.
Today, heavy snow was falling, and an old friend arrived amidst the snow.
"Old friend, how's the progress on that thing I asked you to refine?"
"It'll be done soon, but there's something I'd like to trouble you with."
"Oh?"
"Spirit Elixir!"
...
...
Inside the Spirit Vein Cave.
Luo Chen dismissed the Spirit Gathering Array and carefully put away the Purple Cloud Bronze Cauldron.
But he didn't leave right away.
Under the faint fragrance of the Moonlight Grass, he fell into deep thought.
It wasn't because of Duan Feng.
After confirming that Duan Feng had no intention of leaving the Luo Tianhui, this matter became insignificant.
He trusted this friend; whether he stayed or left, he would explain everything to him.
What he was thinking about now was how to arrange his time going forward.
Numerous trivial matters had begun to affect his cultivation.
Especially now, with the ability to cultivate the Eternal Spring Technique five times a day, he couldn't afford to give it up and had to squeeze out at least half an hour for it.
"In the past, with my low cultivation, I would seize any opportunity, regardless of what it was, as long as it could improve my strength. I would find a way to make it happen."
"But now, I have the luxury of choice, and I can't continue to be so haphazard in my approach."
"That way, my efficiency is far too low."
As he spoke to himself, Luo Chen's thoughts raced.
Numerous complicated and trivial matters surfaced in his mind.
He had to choose the most important and urgent tasks, eliminating the less significant ones.
First, he needed to delegate the Luo Tianhui's affairs to others.
These trivial matters weren't too important; as long as one was smart enough, even with insufficient cultivation, they could handle them.
"In the Alchemy Hall, there's Granny Yuan and the nominal Qin Liangchen above, and Qu Hancheng and Qiu Ying below."
"In the other three halls, the Merit Hall has Mengmou Qinglian, the Battle Hall has Sima Xian, and the Golden Hall has Gu Caiyi and Zeng Wen."
"In other words, the four halls have already embarked on the right path and are well-organized."
"What I lack is a deputy to manage everything on my behalf."
Luo Chen's thoughts turned, and he began to select from the many cultivators within the Luo Tianhui.
Qin Liangchen was out of the question; he never dealt with trivial matters.
Zhou Yuanli was suitable, but he was rigid and inflexible in his dealings, as evidenced by the battle at Crescent Moon Valley.
Perhaps in combat, he had the talent for leadership.
But when it came to managing a power, he lacked the necessary skills.
Feng Xia?
She was trustworthy, but her cultivation was insufficient to command respect.
Moreover, she had been preoccupied with Duan Feng recently, making her unsuitable.
(End of Chapter)
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