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Chapter 249: Third Brother's Imminent Death, Breakthrough, Foundation Establishment Third Stage
Chapter 249: Third Brother's Imminent Death, Breakthrough, Foundation Establishment Third Stage
At Crimson Peak.
Taking advantage of the time when the Pill Hall cultivators were preparing materials, Luo Chen summoned Sima Huiwang to inquire about the current situation.
Things were unfolding much as he had anticipated.
The Rolling Dragon Ridge Zheng Family had indeed abandoned their usual laid-back attitude.
In recent times, they had become increasingly proactive.
Firstly, their production of alchemy pills had increased compared to before, and they were now producing a small number of superior-grade Fire Ginseng Pills. This pill was no less potent, and the superior-grade version was even three times more effective than the Jade Marrow Pill.
Secondly, the cultivators at the Zheng Family's alchemy shop had undergone special training, becoming more enthusiastic and passionate.
Even though they couldn't compare to the female cultivators of the Treasure Hall in the Luo Tianhui, there was a noticeable change.
Moreover, the Zheng Family had opened another shop in Rolling Dragon Ridge and outside the Immortal City, with people stationed there at all times.
Lastly, they had reduced their prices!
They had lowered the price of the Fire Ginseng Pills, originally sold at 100 spirit stones per bottle, to 90 lower-grade spirit stones.
Even the precious superior-grade Fire Ginseng Pills were sold for only 150 spirit stones.
These actions demonstrated the Zheng Family's significant response and unwavering determination.
"They're not just trying to reclaim their original market share; they're aiming to expand it!"
Luo Chen said with a hearty laugh.
Sima Huiwang expressed some concern, "Leader, if this continues, won't our development momentum be affected?"
"Yes, it might be slightly impacted."
"Should we take some countermeasures then?"
"No need, just observe for now."
Seeing Sima Huiwang's continued worry, Luo Chen shook his head with a smile.
"Don't worry too much. Our development might slow down a little, but it's still progressing."
"You should know that our Jade Marrow Pill has a low production cost, high yield, and a selling price that's already lower than the Fire Ginseng Pill."
"Even if the Zheng Family lowers their prices, it won't pose a threat to us."
Sima Huiwang suddenly understood.
But then, she became puzzled again.
"Then, what's the point of what they're doing?"
"Point?" Luo Chen's lips curled upwards, "Since they can't defeat us, they're aiming to defeat others!"
Sima Huiwang was taken aback by his words.
Others?
...
Pill Core Sect.
Two hundred years ago, a Foundation Establishment loose cultivator struggled to gather cultivation resources.
Leveraging his connections as an alchemist, he founded this sect.
He recruited dozens of low-level Qi Condensation loose cultivators, nurturing them over time and tasking them with collecting herbs and selling pills to earn cultivation resources.
Unfortunately, he ultimately failed to achieve Core Formation due to his aptitude and lifespan.
However, after his death, the Pill Core Sect did not disband.
An apprentice he took in during his later years inherited his alchemy skills.
This apprentice successfully advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, ensuring the sect's survival.
Nowadays, this sect is becoming more like a traditional sect, with its own heritage, master-disciple relationships, and meticulously cultivated spirit fields...
Of course, their primary focus remains the alchemy pill business.
Recently, however, they have been struggling due to the impact of the Luo Tianhui.
"Sect Leader, Sect Leader!"
"Good news!"
The Pill Core Sect's leader emerged from his cave mansion, looking at his disciple with confusion.
"What news has you so excited?"
The disciple, brimming with excitement, exclaimed, "They're fighting! They're fighting!"
"What do you mean by fighting? Explain in detail," the Pill Core Sect leader frowned.
The disciple caught his breath and said, "The Rolling Dragon Ridge Zheng Family and that damn Luo Tianhui are at war!"
"Hmm?"
"The Zheng Family has reduced the prices of all their alchemy pills!"
"What?!"
"It's not just that; the Zheng Family has thoroughly studied the Luo Tianhui's methods and is now implementing them across the board. It seems they're determined to take down the Luo Tianhui and wipe them out!"
The Pill Core Sect leader's face lit up with joy.
He paced outside his cave mansion.
Clapping his hands, he exclaimed, "Good!"
"The Luo Tianhui has no regard for rules. With such high-quality pills at such low prices, they deserve to be crushed!"
"Our Pill Core Sect is weak, and we can't afford to engage in a prolonged battle with them."
"But the Rolling Dragon Ridge Zheng Family is different. They have a solid foundation and deep roots. With their strong backing, they can outlast the Luo Tianhui in a war of attrition."
"Indeed, this is excellent news!"
...
The low-level cultivation pill business involved not only the Zheng Family and the Pill Core Sect but also several other parties in the Heavenly Wave Immortal City, excluding the major sects.
There were at least six or seven other permanent forces, including the Hu and Li Families.
Three more were distant cultivator families from nearby towns.
They, too, soon became aware of the Zheng Family's actions.
Everyone had been struggling against the Luo Tianhui for the past year.
However, each family's pill production costs were high, making it challenging to lower prices easily.
Now that the Zheng Family had taken the initiative, not only were they engaging in a price war, but they were also competing head-on with the Luo Tianhui in other aspects.
In their opinion, a small, remote loose cultivator sect like the Luo Tianhui wouldn't be able to hold out for long.
After the Zheng Family's decisive victory, everything would return to normal!
Everyone was eagerly awaiting that day.
Not only were the alchemists and pill sellers paying attention to this invisible war, but the low-level loose cultivators were also highly concerned.
After all, it involved their cultivation resources!
"Do you see those people at the crossroads frantically distributing flyers?"
"Those are cultivators from the Luo Tianhui and the Zheng Family. They're eager to hand out flyers to every passerby, trying to attract customers to their respective sides."
"I heard that the Jade Marrow Pill from Luo Tianhui is just as effective as the Qi Cultivation Pill from the Medicine King Sect, if not better."
"Yes, and it's even cheaper. I bought a bottle before."
"Now that the Zheng family is making a move, I wonder how long Luo Tianhui can hold on? We must stock up on their pills before they go out of business!"
"Let's go together, I've also saved up a little recently."
"What about you, Wang Daoyou?"
"I won't be going. The Flame Sun Art I practice requires pills with a fire attribute. The Fire Ginseng Pill has always been my choice, and now that it's on sale, I want to buy a few bottles to stock up."
"Are you going to Zheng Family Shop too, Zhuo Daoyou?"
"No, no, I'm heading to Crimson Cloud Hall instead!"
"But I thought you were at the Qi Condensation ninth level, wouldn't the Jade Marrow Pill's effects be average for you?"
"They don't just sell the Jade Marrow Pill!"
"Hmm?"
"The All Wonders Pill... Never mind, you wooden cultivators don't understand the intricacies!"
As the competition between the two pill shops intensified, they offered various promotions.
Almost all low-level Qi Condensers in Heavenly Wave Immortal City knew about this.
During this time of war and rising prices, a price war was a tempting prospect.
Even some who had been taking other cultivation pills were swayed by the discounts.
After learning about the promotional prices, they were convinced to buy a few bottles to test the effects.
After trying them...
The Jade Marrow Pill was indeed large and effective, and it increased spirit energy significantly. The Fire Ginseng Pill was also good, with a pure taste and improved effects. The violent fire attribute was reduced, indicating the refinement of the Zheng family's pill refining techniques.
As time passed...
Luo Tianhui, Crimson Cloud Hall, and the Jade Marrow Pill became increasingly renowned among low-level cultivators.
They were the ones who drove down pill prices.
Zheng Family also benefited, but their daily loud discounts outside their shop made it seem like they were going bankrupt.
Loose cultivators were reaping the rewards.
However, several major pill shops who had been observing from the sidelines sensed something amiss.
At Pill Core Sect.
The sect leader slammed the table in shock.
"Why are last month's profits only 15,000 spirit stones?"
A disciple below hesitantly replied, "Although there are still three days left this month, the profits seem even lower."
"How much?"
"Currently, only 7,000 spirit stones."
The Pill Core Sect leader's vision darkened, and he nearly fainted.
He steadied himself, leaning on the table.
"Why is this happening?"
"Hasn't Luo Tianhui gone bankrupt yet?"
It wasn't just Pill Core Sect.
Other sects also sensed something amiss.
After several months, they didn't know how much longer Luo Tianhui could hold on.
All they knew was that their profits were decreasing each month.
In contrast, the Zheng family's cultivators, though tired, had radiant faces as if they had struck it rich.
Luo Tianhui's cultivators remained as enthusiastic as ever.
Even if you didn't buy their pills, they would enthusiastically recommend other products.
Milk tea, snacks, fruits, magical artifacts...
In the Hu family's meeting hall.
In front of the elders, the Foundation Establishment clan leader's expression shifted from gloomy to bright.
"Something's not right!"
...
Inside the Tianlan Peak Cave Mansion.
Luo Chen, who was in a minor closed-door cultivation, received a report from Sima Huiwang.
The report mentioned that their competitors seemed to have caught on and were mimicking Luo Tianhui and Zheng Family's strategies.
"Do they also sense something amiss?"
Luo Chen smiled and put down the report.
"It's a pity, they're too late!"
As he reminisced, Luo Chen recalled the secret meeting with Zheng Kejian, the Zheng family patriarch, before his closed-door cultivation.
During that meeting, Zheng Kejian was extremely enthusiastic.
The conversation was harmonious, and he expressed his admiration for Luo Chen.
Luo Chen, feeling flattered, praised Zheng Kejian's ability to refine Superior Fire Ginseng Pills and his exceptional pill refinement skills.
However, the outcome of their discussion was surprising.
"Let our two families continue the competition!"
"Fight to the death, the more intense, the better!"
"I think we can also put on a show outside the city, glaring at each other and exchanging insults. What do you think?"
"Brilliant, Zheng's strategy is unparalleled in Heavenly Wave!"
"Not at all, Luo's fabricated news about selling magical artifacts and refining pills is also impressive!"
"My apologies, Zheng's decision to vacate the Tianlan Second Stage Cave Mansion to raise funds for pill refinement is a bold move!"
The two men smiled at each other, agreeing to continue the competition and promotion "cooperation."
Luo Chen's thoughts returned to the present.
In the cave mansion, his smile gradually faded.
These tactics were nothing special.
It was like a fight between the first and second brothers, but the third brother was the one who suffered. Similar to the Meituan and Ele.me rivalry, where Baidu Takeout eventually shut down.
When Tencent and Qihoo 360 fought, Kingsoft and Risingstar, who were spectators, gradually declined.
There were too many such cases.
As long as the market was large enough and the competitors had deep roots, persistence would not only avoid harm but also allow them to capture more market share.
The smaller sects, who were mere bystanders, would unknowingly disappear.
Zheng Kejian was a very smart man.
Almost two months into the price war with Luo Tianhui, he began to realize the benefits of the strategy.
However, this person, in the end, couldn't help but show his impatience.
Both parties had an unspoken understanding, and there was no need for that one extra, unnecessary meeting.
There was no need for mutual flattery in business.
It was a waste of time!
Luo Chen was well aware of this.
Thanks to the low cost of Jade Marrow Pills and his superb alchemy skills, Luo Tianhui would definitely be able to hold on.
The Zheng Family, with its centuries-old heritage, three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and the backing of the Flame Alliance, would also be able to endure.
As time passed, those smaller families would not be able to keep up.
They would gradually disappear from the low-rank alchemy pill market in Heavenly Wave Immortal City.
In the end, only the Luo and Zheng families would remain!
"These are just minor paths!"
"Cultivation is the foundation!"
Luo Chen's thoughts gradually drifted, and he slowly closed his eyes.
Breaking through the second layer of Foundation Establishment and advancing to the third layer would happen within these two days.
In the midst of the faint fragrance of sandalwood, his soul spirit gradually calmed.
Two Ascending Dragon Pills were ingested.
One pill was swallowed into his stomach, and the other was held in his mouth, ready at any moment.
The Grandmaster-level Yimu Medicine King Scripture was running at full force, absorbing external spirit qi while also refining the pills within his body.
Within the Qi Sea.
Vast amounts of medicinal power entered the spirit qi vortex, and as it swirled, it was transformed into strands of Azure Radiance Spirit Qi.
The Nine Heavens above seemed like a funnel, from bottom to top.
The first heaven was already filled to the brim with spirit essence.
In the second heaven, the pure spirit energy transformed into spirit essence was almost overflowing.
The difference was in this 'almost'.
As the Azure Radiance poured in, it originally needed time to purify, but under the immense internal pressure, it began to rapidly purify and transform.
Time passed, and no one knew how long it had been.
The two Ascending Dragon Pills had already been refined.
The Yimu Medicine King Scripture continued to operate, frantically capturing stray spirit qi from the outside.
Even though it had already exceeded the seven times of operation, Luo Chen did not stop.
Until...
Drip!
Another drop of spirit essence was produced.
The Qi Sea, which had been accumulating, finally overflowed and seeped into the third heaven! At that moment...
Luo Chen suddenly opened his eyes, and a surge of energy, several times stronger than before, spread out.
With a thought, he concealed this immense aura.
"Huff..."
"It's finally done!"
【Realm: Foundation Establishment Third Stage 1/100】
As he looked within, in the third heaven, a drop of spirit essence faintly glowed with azure radiance.
Above, strands of spirit qi seemed to want to form a new spirit energy cloud cluster, but due to the limitation of insufficient spirit qi, it couldn't take shape for a long time.
A sense of "hunger" arose.
Luo Chen smiled slightly; it was not suitable to continue cultivating at this moment.
It was better to rest for a while, as too much cultivation could be counterproductive.
Especially during the breakthrough, a large amount of spirit qi was constantly transported, causing some damage to his meridians.
This also required the Yimu Medicine King Scripture to nurture and repair them.
"I wonder how much time has passed?"
Luo Chen, with his exhausted soul spirit, slowly fell asleep.
...
"Five days?"
Luo Chen, wearing a new set of cultivation robes and feeling refreshed, was eating high-quality spirit meals while listening to Bai Meiling tell him the time.
Bai Meiling nodded her head.
"Yes, it took you five whole days to break through the cultivation realm."
Luo Chen was deep in thought.
As his realm improved, not only did the cultivation time change, but the time required to break through each realm also increased.
Even for a smooth breakthrough, time was needed to gradually overcome the obstacles.
This was just the last layer of the early Foundation Establishment stage, and it had taken five days.
What about the middle and late stages?
Huo Quan had closed himself in seclusion for several months to break through the late Foundation Establishment stage.
If it took years to break through the Core Formation stage, then...
This wasn't just about secluding oneself for daily cultivation; it was solely about breaking through the realm's obstacles!
"It seems that when I calculate my lifespan and cultivation speed in the future, I'll also need to set aside time for breaking through realms."
Breaking through the Qi Condensation stage was as easy as eating and drinking, a single step process.
But the Foundation Establishment stage was clearly different, with a huge gap.
Luo Chen shook his head, not wanting to think about these 'distant' matters.
At least he had broken through the realm, and that was something to be grateful for, so he allowed himself a moment of celebration!
"Have there been any recent matters?"
Bai Meiling tilted her head, resting her chin on her hands.
"Nothing much! You said that you didn't want Sima Xian and the others to disturb you."
"Is that so..."
"Oh, there is one thing!"
Luo Chen looked at her speechlessly, suspecting that Bai Meiling was doing this on purpose.
Bai Meiling giggled.
"Three days ago, a very beautiful Foundation Establishment female cultivator came to visit you."
"A very beautiful Foundation Establishment female cultivator?"
Luo Chen furrowed his brows.
He knew many Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but a female cultivator, and a beautiful one at that?
Could it be...
"She introduced herself as Kang Xianqiong from the Kang Family of Taishan Lane."
Luo Chen was taken aback.
He knew the Kang Family, and their relationship was decent, with one business transaction between them.
But he didn't know that the Kang Family had a female cultivator named Kang Xianqiong.
It wasn't until a day later that Luo Chen met Kang Xianqiong on Crimson Peak and realized who she was.
"So it was her!"
"She's quite the lucky one."
(End of Chapter)
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