https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-204-Tier-Three-Demon-King-River-Devourer/12920539/
Chapter 203: Blood-Stained Great River, Falling Like Rain
Chapter 203: Blood-Stained Great River, Falling Like Rain
"Steel Body Perfection is the key to achieving the perfect first stage of Body Tempering."
"To advance to the second stage, one must achieve the Steel to Jade Transformation."
"According to Wang Yuan's explanation, it involves transforming the body's bones and muscles, reaching the level of Golden Muscle Jade Bone. At this stage, the essence of gold becomes the muscles, and the spirit of jade becomes the bones. The physical body becomes pure and flawless, directly transforming and refining itself."
"Only then can one achieve the level of the second stage of Body Tempering."
Three days after the fleet departed from Da He Fang.
Luo Chen resided in his quiet room.
Following the usual routine, after cultivating the Yi Mu Medicine King Sutra twice, he began to study other matters.
Unlike ordinary cultivators who might have free time, Luo Chen was busy.
Every day, he cultivated the Yi Mu Medicine King Sutra.
Inducing Malevolent Qi into his body, he tempered the foundation of his divine soul.
Using his spirit sense, he gradually eroded Duan Qiankun's spirit sense restriction, hoping to open the storage bag as soon as possible.
Only when he had free time would he read other leisure books.
Currently, he was reading the Wang Family Secret Technique given to him by Wang Yuan.
The name was quite cliche, but the content truly broadened Luo Chen's horizons beyond Immortal cultivation.
He realized that there were various methods for physical training.
"To break through the first stage of Body Tempering, it's actually not that difficult. You can rely on alchemy."
"Wang Yuan initially used the Golden Jade Elixir to continuously temper his muscles and bones."
"This elixir doesn't enter the dantian or the sea of qi, so there's no need to worry about residual alchemical poison."
Luo Chen wasn't particularly interested in Body Tempering.
He had already come to terms with his lack of talent, understanding that he must focus solely on Qi Cultivation.
What intrigued him was the incomplete set of cultivation techniques they had purchased together—
"Heavenly Peng Transformation"
Wang Yuan didn't hold this technique in high regard.
He merely extracted its advantages and integrated them into his own Body Tempering path.
But Luo Chen was fascinated.
When he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he had used the Inferno Technique to refine the Imperial Flow Paste using the Heavenly Peng.
The essence blood of the peng bird contained within was far from a mere drop or two.
If he were to cultivate the "Heavenly Peng Transformation," it would undoubtedly yield twice the results with half the effort!
However, this technique was a third-rank Body Tempering technique, making it extremely high-level.
To ask the system for help in crossing the threshold would require an exorbitant amount of achievement points.
Moreover, it was an incomplete version.
Luo Chen knew that aside from alchemy, he had little knowledge of Body Tempering, making it impossible for him to complete the technique.
His current focus was on laying a solid foundation.
If he had the opportunity to cultivate it in the future, he wouldn't be caught unprepared.
The cultivation of "Heavenly Peng Transformation" had strict requirements.
One must possess at least the second stage of Body Tempering.
Luo Chen had already achieved perfection in the first stage of Body Tempering.
He was just a step away from the second stage.
"Golden Jade Elixir?"
"This elixir is a specialty of the Golden Stone Pavilion in Mount Tai Market. We can buy some when we get there."
Golden Stone Pavilion! Luo Chen was very familiar with it.
The pavilion master, Kang Dongyue, was a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator.
During Luo Chen's previous visit to Da He Fang for the opening ceremony of the Discussion Platform, he had met Kang Dongyue.
Later, he had asked Liu, the manager, to convey a message to Kang Dongyue, expressing his interest in selling the Zhumiao Pellet.
Unfortunately, by then, Luo Chen had already become a pill concoctor for the Broken Mountain Gang, and they didn't establish a partnership.
This time, when they went to Mount Tai Market,
Aside from purchasing the Golden Jade Elixir,
They might also be able to sell a batch of high-grade Jade Marrow Pills through Kang Dongyue.
"We're short on spirit stones!"
Luo Chen sighed.
When they arrived at a new place, there would undoubtedly be many expenses requiring spirit stones.
This was evident from Wang Haichao's desperation to get a boat ticket and make a fortune.
Not only Wang Haichao and his companion, but the Li Clan and Nan Gong Clan had likely started using their savings as well.
As Luo Chen sighed,
He suddenly furrowed his brows.
...
"Ah!"
"What kind of demonic beast is this?"
"This is a first-rank demonic beast, the Silver Dart Fish. Its body is like an arrow, specializing in breaking through spiritual energy defensive shields, and they often appear in large groups."
"Quick, activate the array!"
"Silver Dart Fishes have flown in. Sima Xian, hurry up and deal with them. Don't let those things harm anyone."
Luo Chen stepped out of his quiet room, his gaze falling on Sima Huiwang, who was giving orders.
Seeing her calm and composed demeanor, he silently nodded in approval.
Over time, she had become more and more adept at her role as the president, handling both major and minor matters with efficiency.
With her around, he could save a lot of mental effort.
Subsequently, Luo Chen looked at the surrounding "enemies."
They were more like fish than humans.
Countless palm-sized fish shot out from the surging river like arrows.
Under the sunlight, their silver-white scales shimmered.
With sharp fangs, they would bite any cultivator they could reach.
Even with a defensive shield activated, it couldn't withstand the bites of a few Silver Dart Fishes.
And now, they faced not just a few Silver Dart Fishes!
As far as the eye could see,
At the edge of the Luo Tianhui ship, there were thousands of small silver-white fishes constantly flying and leaping.
However, these fishes were not a significant threat.
With the protection of the ship's large array and the skilled cultivators from the Battle Hall constantly killing them,
Aside from a few unlucky ones who were bitten at the start, the Luo Tianhui cultivators suffered minimal losses.
But elsewhere, the situation was dire.
Luo Chen's gaze extended into the distance, aided by his spirit sense.
He saw that over a dozen ships were enveloped in dense, white light.
The cultivators on the foremost ship were already struggling to move.
Their screams had begun to ring out frequently.
And this wasn't even the worst part!
The numerous loose cultivators who couldn't bear to buy boat tickets had been flying alongside or riding self-made bamboo rafts behind the ships.
At this moment, tens of thousands of Silver Dart Fishes attacked simultaneously.
The loose cultivators on both sides, especially those with slightly lower cultivation bases, were instantly breached by the Silver Dart Fishes, dragged into the river.
Some powerful loose cultivators took advantage of others being besieged and forcibly flew towards the riverbanks.
After landing, they watched this scene in horror.
Cultivators fell like rain.
In the river, blood bloomed amidst the churning waters.
Those riding self-made bamboo rafts and small boats suffered even more!
In an instant, they were surrounded by countless Silver Dart Fishes, not even having a chance to fly out.
"Where did such a massive swarm of Silver Dart Fishes come from?"
It was Nan Gong Jin's voice.
Luo Chen's eyebrows arched, and he focused his spirit sense on the central ship.
A conversation between Foundation Establishment cultivators began.
"As far as I know, the Lancang River doesn't have such a large swarm of Silver Dart Fishes, right?
Wang Haichao, Nan Gong Jin, and the others were still on the Lancang River.
Facing Nan Gong Jin's anxious questioning, Wang Haichao calmly said, "Usually, there wouldn't be. But this time, the number of cultivators traveling with us is over ten thousand."
"There aren't any demonic beasts that can resist such a large number of blood sacrifices, especially when they are all infused with spiritual energy."
When did human cultivators start measuring their strength by the quality of their blood sacrifices? Luo Chen fell silent.
Nan Gong Jin anxiously said, "My Nan Gong family has a small number of cultivators. If this continues, we won't be able to protect those mortals. I have to take action!"
"Fellow Daoist, you can take action, but absolutely do not use any means beyond the perfect Qi Condensation Stage."
"Hmm?"
The questioning voice came from Li Yixuan.
Wang Haichao coldly said, "With such a large number of Silver Dart Fish, there must be a 2nd-rank Silver Dart Fish King among them. This is the center of the river, and if it gets angry, it may not be able to defeat us, but it's more than capable of destroying these few Magical Artifact Ships."
"On the contrary, if we four don't make a big fuss about taking action, it will naturally be wary of us."
The logic was indeed sound.
However...
Looking around, at the countless loose cultivators falling into the Lancang River like rain, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a heart of steel would find it hard to bear.
Li Yixuan spoke with a bitter voice, "Are we not going to save those loose cultivators?"
"Why should we?" Wang Haichao instantly retorted.
Before Li Yixuan could respond, he sneered, "These loose cultivators are here to feed the fish. Moreover, there are too many of them, and they're not hiding their spiritual energy fluctuations, which will eventually attract 3rd-rank demonic beasts."
"When that time comes, Li Daoist, will you be able to withstand the might of the beast king?"
Li Yixuan fell silent.
Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, thinking that Wang Haichao was quite ruthless.
The so-called inaction of the four was just an excuse to intimidate the 2nd-rank Silver Dart Fish King.
He mainly wanted to get rid of this burden!
"I don't think any of you are such greatly benevolent people!"
Wang Haichao's voice gradually weakened.
Li Yixuan let out a bitter laugh and said no more.
Luo Chen blinked and retracted his spirit sense.
He wasn't a greatly benevolent person either.
These loose cultivators hadn't paid for their tickets, so it was natural for them to bear the corresponding risks.
For the safety of the subsequent journey, reducing the risks brought about by the loose cultivators' spiritual energy fluctuations was also necessary.
Luo Chen didn't have the ability to protect those loose cultivators.
Being able to protect his own ship was enough.
With the three Foundation Establishment cultivators not taking action and Nan Gong Jin only protecting his own ship, the slaughter by the Silver Dart Fish continued for a long time.
This entire section of the river was thoroughly dyed red with blood.
On both shores.
The surviving loose cultivators looked on in terror, still trembling with fear.
It wasn't until the fleet struggled to sail out of this river section that it finally came to an end.
Luo Chen turned back to look at the blood-stained river section, silent.
Countless fish leaped, and bones churned in the water.
Beneath the splashing waves, this journey was stained with a thick shade of blood.
"If I hadn't achieved Foundation Establishment and instead escaped into the deep mountains and marshes during the Qi Condensation Stage, would I have ended up like this?"
Luo Chen asked himself, and he had no confidence.
All the means he had during the Qi Condensation Stage now seemed extremely ridiculous.
The Lancang River was still a relatively safe river, with cultivators frequently traveling on it.
As for the Xiu Yue Mountain Range, that was a place rarely visited by humans.
In peripheral areas like Chang Yin Mountain, 2nd-rank demonic wolves were everywhere.
If he had tried to run through the mountain range, he might have died even more miserably than these loose cultivators.
As Luo Chen reflected, he suddenly felt something.
He turned his face, and in front of him, on the large ship, the female cultivator Li Yixuan was silently watching him, facing the bloody wind.
In response to Luo Chen's gaze, she nodded.
Luo Chen slightly nodded back.
Without exchanging words, they merely stared at each other, establishing a silent understanding.
Wang Haichao couldn't be trusted! If he could sacrifice these loose cultivators today, he might abandon his allies in the future.
The so-called alliance of the four families was just talk.
They hadn't sworn a Great Dao Alliance Oath! Compared to the weak Nan Gong family, the Luo Tianhui and the powerful Li family undoubtedly had the premise of advancing and retreating together.
Li Yixuan believed that Luo Chen would give her this face.
In the cabin.
Li Ao respectfully welcomed Li Yixuan in.
"Aunt, what did Dan Chenzi say?"
Li Yixuan cast a Soundproof Spell, enveloping the cabin.
She spoke softly, "He didn't say anything, but he understood what I meant."
Li Ao anxiously said, "Understanding is one thing, but whether he's willing to advance and retreat with our Li family is another matter. Aunt, you..."
"Little Ao, you can't be like this."
"Uh..."
Li Yixuan looked at him with sympathy, "You're too hasty. How can you lead the Li family to prosperity like this?"
Li Ao didn't understand her meaning, feeling that all his thoughts and considerations were for the family.
Was this considered hasty? Seeing his self-assured look, Li Yixuan sighed.
Although he wasn't that young, Li Ao's character was always restless.
Among the younger generation, not to mention Luo Chen, who was now on equal footing with her, he even fell short compared to Nan Gong Qin.
The latter had experienced both glory and downfall in recent years.
After going through many setbacks, he gradually developed the demeanor of a family head.
Li Yixuan had seen it clearly.
Nan Gong Jin's words were anxious, but in reality, the Nan Gong family wasn't in disarray.
Under the leadership of his son, Nan Gong Qin, they calmly dealt with the Silver Dart Fish.
Instead, the powerful Li family, led by Li Ao, suffered many casualties.
He got carried away with killing and almost wanted to chase after the Silver Dart Fish outside the ship.
If Li Yixuan hadn't stopped him in time, the Li family cultivators might have lost a few more.
How did Nan Gong Jin teach Nan Gong Qin? Li Yixuan shook her head and said softly, "Luo Chen isn't a cold-hearted person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gathered so many skilled cultivators around him."
"I have no grudges with him from the past, no resentments from recent days, and we have a good foundation for cooperation."
"When he achieved Foundation Establishment, I personally delivered the Yi Mu Medicine King Sutra, which he craved the most, and even explained some misconceptions in his cultivation."
"With this, even if we don't talk about reciprocity, at least advancing and retreating together is still achievable."
"Little Ao, in handling matters, you can't just consider benefits; you must also consider people."
"Do you understand?"
Li Ao suddenly understood.
But he frowned again, "But if Luo Chen secretly allies with us, isn't that also preserving the interests of Luo Tianhui?"
Li Yixuan was stunned and didn't know how to refute.
She could only wave her light silk sleeve.
"You may leave now, go and comfort our people. We still have a long journey ahead."
"Oh."
After Li Ao left, a bitter smile appeared on Li Yixuan's face.
She, who had never left the house and only knew how to cultivate, how could she understand the principles of raising children and teaching people?
Over the years, she had merely imitated others, offering a few pointers to Li Ao.
Unfortunately, she had raised a proud and arrogant son.
"Big Sister, I really don't know how to teach this son of yours!"
"Helping him reach the Foundation Establishment Stage is the last thing I can do."
...
On the Luo Tianhui's large ship.
Sima Huiwang, who was discussing with Murong Qinglian and Granny Yuan about how to treat the wounded, suddenly had a change in expression.
"Sorry, the Chairman is looking for me."
Murong Qinglian glanced at the cabin above and nodded. "You go, I'll handle things here."
Granny Yuan coughed and said with a trembling voice, "Leave the wounded to me."
Sima Huiwang thanked her and lifted her skirt, quickly running into the upper cabin.
Unlike the crowded and chaotic lower cabin, the cabin where Luo Chen resided was spacious and well-lit.
The lingering sandalwood incense filled the air.
"Chairman, what do you need from me?"
On the soft couch.
Luo Chen opened his eyes and looked at the female cultivator in front of him, dressed in a black silk skirt, both exquisite and capable.
Under his gaze, Sima Huiwang remained calm and patient, waiting for his instructions.
"It's not a big deal. Just that for the upcoming journey, when Duan Feng is steering the ship, get closer to Li Family's ship."
Sima Huiwang's eyebrows rose slightly, "Are we cooperating with them?"
Smart!
She understood with just a hint!
Luo Chen smiled faintly, "There is such an intention, but neither side has brought it up."
Sima Huiwang nodded, indicating that she understood and would follow his instructions.
However, she suddenly became curious, "Why not cooperate with the Nan Gong Family, with whom we have a better relationship?"
"This Nan Gong Jin..."
Luo Chen murmured the name.
After a moment, he slowly said, "This person values interests too much. Without a Great Dao Alliance Oath, I can't trust him!"
Sima Huiwang was taken aback, then nodded vigorously.
"Indeed!"
She wasn't like those lower-level cultivators who knew nothing.
Luo Chen had consciously kept her informed about matters related to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Nan Gong Jin had always been very profit-oriented.
Initially, he refused to cooperate with Luo Chen out of fear of offending Miao Wen. Later, upon learning that Luo Chen had some strength, he immediately agreed to cooperate.
For the sake of a magical treasure, he was willing to abandon his former allies and personally deal with Duan Qiankun.
When Luo Chen went into seclusion, Luo Tianhui almost broke their ties when they couldn't supply Jade Marrow Pills. They even went to disturb Luo Chen's Foundation Establishment breakthrough.
It could be said that when cooperating with this person, there must be sufficient benefits to bind him.
Otherwise, he is too fickle.
As for the Li Family...
"Li Yixuan's thoughts are relatively simple, merely aiming to preserve the Li Family and protect herself."
"As long as you don't cross her bottom line, she can be a friend worth having."
Listening to Luo Chen's words, Sima Huiwang seemed to be deep in thought.
She recalled the Foundation Establishment Ceremony, where Li Yixuan intentionally shared some Foundation Establishment insights, clearly offering benefits beyond their cooperation.
This woman was indeed a generous one.
"The Chairman treats people differently based on their abilities."
This thought flashed through Sima Huiwang's mind, and her doubts dissipated.
"I understand. I'll pass on the instructions, and only the Seven Hall Masters will be informed."
"Hmm, you may go now!"
Sima Huiwang bowed and quickly left the cabin.
Watching her back, Luo Chen was very satisfied.
The last sentence, "Only the Seven Hall Masters will know," was not his instruction.
But Sima Huiwang was quick to react.
Indeed, over the years, this woman had grown significantly, exhibiting a commanding presence.
She had shed her previous narrow-mindedness of working alone and now considered matters from the perspective of the entire organization.
"If her cultivation level were a bit higher, she could help me in more ways."
"Judging by her spiritual energy fluctuations, she's not far from Qi Condensation Grand Perfection."
"Perhaps, I can make some preparations for her in advance."
Regarding Sima Huiwang.
Luo Chen's attitude was very clear.
Unlike his early friends like Murong Qinglian, Gu Caiyi, and Duan Feng.
He had firmly placed Sima Huiwang in the role of a "subordinate."
There was no involvement of friendship, love, or subjective emotions.
What he valued was her abilities.
As long as she continued to strive and create value for him, Luo Chen was more than willing to reward her generously.
Foundation Establishment!
Undoubtedly, this was what she craved the most.
And for the current Luo Chen, helping a qualified person reach Foundation Establishment wasn't too difficult.
Or, it wasn't difficult for most Foundation Establishment cultivators to help a qualified person reach Foundation Establishment.
Uncle Mi Shuwa had managed to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Wang Haichao and others were the same.
Duan Qiankun was even more impressive, preparing two Foundation Establishment Pills and an 800-year-old Heaven Earth Root for Duan Rui.
However, they hadn't cultivated Foundation Establishment cultivators for various reasons.
Uncle Mi Shuwa and Wang Haichao, one was hypocritical, and the other lacked the capacity to accommodate others.
Duan Qiankun's situation was a bit sad.
It wasn't that he was incapable, but Duan Rui was.
"I hope she won't disappoint me when the time comes!"
Luo Chen sighed, then refocused his attention on himself.
Without a detox method, daily cultivation became extremely important.
After reaching Foundation Establishment, his divine soul surged, and his physique recently entered the First Stage Perfection.
Now, he cultivated the Yi Mu Medicine King Sutra more frequently.
One hour each session.
He could cultivate five times a day.
The efficiency was a bit low, even with the assistance of a small Spirit Gathering Array.
On the ship, there was no spirit vein location.
"If we can settle down, we must find a spirit vein location. Even a first-tier one won't do; my aptitude is too poor, and I need a second-tier spirit vein location."
"Otherwise, I might need to cultivate for a thousand or two years."
(End of Chapter)
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