https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-262-The-Day-He-Strikes-Against-Me-I-Shall-Regain-My-Dao-Heart/12920625/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-264-Upgrading-Cultivation-Environment-Replacing-the-Cannon-with-a-Musket/12920629/
Chapter 263: The Dreamy Cauldron!
Chapter 263: The Dreamy Cauldron!
Half a month later.
At the entrance of the old cave mansion located halfway up the mountain.
Min Longyu stood at the doorway, his expression respectful.
Luo Chen looked at him in surprise, "Are you sure you don't want to change the array incantation?"
Min Longyu nodded seriously.
"I trust you. Whether you succeed or not, we'll know soon enough."
Seeing his determined expression, Luo Chen smiled slightly.
"Alright then, I wish you success!"
Min Longyu responded with an 'en' and turned to walk towards the cave mansion.
As he strolled, clouds gathered, and arrays activated one by one.
When the massive Dragonbreaker Stone descended, the cave mansion entered a locked state.
Only Luo Chen, who knew the entry incantation, and the management of Heavenly Wave Immortal City could open it.
The latter also had a one-year grace period after the rental period ended before they could forcibly break in, according to the rules.
This was one of the small ways the Immortal City managed to profit.
Cultivators in seclusion hated disturbances the most.
If one didn't want to be disturbed by the management when their rental period ended while in seclusion in a cave mansion on Celestial Wave Peak, it was best to spend more spirit stones and rent for a longer period.
This way, the Immortal City management could naturally earn more.
Looking at the Dragonbreaker Stone, Luo Chen sighed inwardly.
He still wasn't sure if Min Longyu would succeed in Foundation Establishment this time.
But at least, he had done all he could.
Even Min Longyu's clouded initial resolve had been found and restored through Luo Chen's Heart Inquiry Mirror method.
If he still hesitated at the moment of his breakthrough, then there would be no hope for him.
Turning around, Luo Chen casually summoned a massive cloud.
"Let's go!"
Behind him, Qu Lingjun, Mi Li, Qiu Ying, and Ma Shoupu immediately excitedly stepped onto the cloud.
These four were all pill refiners of Luo Tianhui.
Qu Lingjun specialized in refining Jade Marrow Pills.
Mi Li focused on refining Multifarious Pills.
Qiu Ying had been an executive in the Dan Hall for a long time and had learned many pill refinement techniques through observation.
Later, with Luo Chen's guidance and Mi Li's personal teachings, she learned to refine the Fasting Powder.
As for Ma Shoupu, he was very young, only twenty-three years old.
He was the son of a cultivator who had died in battle from Luo Tianhui.
When arranging his future, he proactively joined the Dan Hall, starting as an apprentice pharmacist.
Later, Qu Lingjun discovered his talent in recognizing medicinal ingredients, and during a pill refinement, recommended him to Luo Chen.
Believing in nurturing talent,
Luo Chen tested him and confirmed his exceptional talent in recognizing and handling medicinal ingredients.
Then, he gave him a task.
Essence Cultivation Elixir!
After using it for many years, Luo Chen slightly optimized the pill formula.
The new Essence Cultivation Elixir was three times more effective than before.
Ma Shoupu's current task was to refine the medicinal ingredients purchased by the Dan Hall into 'raw juice'.
Then, these raw juices would be distributed into small gourds and sold by the Jin Hall.
Outside cultivators who bought them would no longer need to go through the tedious process of refining like Luo Chen did in the past.
They only needed to add hot water and the raw juice to enjoy a medicinal bath.
Refining the raw juice was not difficult and required very little pill refinement skill. The main challenge was in handling the medicinal ingredients.
One had to strictly control the quantity of ingredients and accurately judge the medicinal power contained within.
Ma Shoupu indeed had a talent for this.
He had already started working on it.
After refining the raw juice in large quantities, the profits were even higher than those of Mi Li's Multifarious Pills.
The low profits from Multifarious Pills were also unavoidable.
Even when Luo Chen personally refined them in the past,
During the initial period, he could only break even, with no mention of any profits.
Mi Li was still in the stage of 'gaining proficiency'.
Today, they were moving.
Luo Chen brought these four with him because Shi Lan told him that the second-stage earth fire he needed had been directly installed in the new cave mansion.
To rely on the second-stage earth fire for pill refinement, prior preparation was essential.
These four could help at that time.
Additionally, they could observe and learn a thing or two when Luo Chen refined pills.
As the white clouds rose, the figures of the five gradually blurred.
Mi Li and Qiu Ying, being older, had more composed personalities.
Qu Lingjun, having ridden Luo Chen's cloud multiple times, was already accustomed to it.
The young Ma Shoupu, however, was very excited.
Looking down at the increasingly indistinct scenery, he happily said, "President, your spell is so powerful! You can fly with four or five people!"
"This is nothing. After you all establish your foundation, you'll also reach this level."
Luo Chen smiled slightly, speaking modestly.
But in his heart, he felt quite proud.
After all, Miao Wen couldn't even fly at high speeds with Luo Chen.
Miao Wen's cultivation was on par with Luo Chen's current level.
This showed the enormous gap between the two in terms of understanding spells and the abundance of spiritual power.
This disparity was the result of Luo Chen's diligent cultivation efforts.
The conversation didn't last long.
In no time, Luo Chen rode on Baiyun and arrived at a spacious peak.
As far as the eye could see, there was at least a full acre of Spirit Field.
It was filled with various exotic flowers and plants, emitting a rich fragrance.
"This is a Tier 2 Spirit Field, Master!" Qu Lingjun pointed at the field and exclaimed.
Luo Chen smiled faintly, this was the setup of a Superior Cave Mansion.
Aside from the most important doubling of Spirit Qi concentration, it also came with an acre of Tier 2 Spirit Field.
The interior of the cave mansion was even more spacious than the Inferior Cave Mansion.
Not to mention, if a cultivator could make good use of this acre of Spirit Field, they could earn a small fortune in Spirit Stones over ten years.
Of course.
The Heavenly Wave Immortal City wouldn't engage in a losing business.
A Superior Second Stage Cave Mansion required 48,000 Spirit Stones per year, and the lease was for a minimum of ten years!
And unlike the Inferior and Mid-grade Cave Mansions, there was no two-month discount policy.
Ordinary people couldn't afford to rent a Superior Cave Mansion at all.
The group didn't linger and descended from the clouds, heading towards the cave mansion.
However, before they even got close, they could hear arguing coming from inside.
Luo Chen stopped in his tracks.
"I'm not saying I won't rent it anymore, I just need some time. Can't you give me a two-day extension?"
"Senior Ling, I've already given you a full half-month extension!"
"How about this! I can't pay the full 480,000 Spirit Stones at once, but can I pay the rent for one year, 48,000, no, 50,000 Spirit Stones! Once I have more funds, I'll pay the remaining rent."
"Senior Ling, rules are rules, please don't make things difficult for me, a Qi Condensation Stage cultivator."
...
"Hmph!"
With a cold harrumph, the negotiation was clearly over.
A figure stormed out, filled with anger.
The first thing she noticed was Luo Chen.
"It's you!"
"Do you want to rent Cave Mansion Number 17?"
Luo Chen smiled slightly and cupped his hands, "Senior Ling Yuzhi, it's been a while."
This woman was the female cultivator who had let Luo Chen and his group inspect the cave mansion when they first arrived in Heavenly Wave Immortal City.
Ling Yuzhi, a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator at the Sixth Level.
Ling Yuzhi also recognized Luo Chen.
She had a deep impression of this person.
When renting the cave mansion, he had put on a show, acting as if he had more than he did.
At that time, she had only thought of him as a country bumpkin.
But half a month ago, at the Frostwhirl Palace banquet, this man had been summoned by the Golden Core Master of the Ice Fortress.
She had witnessed that scene herself.
Unexpectedly, it turned out to be this "country bumpkin" she looked down upon who took her cave mansion.
Ling Yuzhi's face turned pale, then flushed, and finally, she left with a flick of her sleeve.
They were both poor.
After she left, Shi Lan cautiously came out.
"Senior Luo, this is the new cave mansion token. The basic Second Stage array has been rearranged, and from now on, Cave Mansion Number 17 belongs to you."
Luo Chen took the token and weighed it in his hand.
Shi Lan explained, "This token can be divided into nine smaller tokens, allowing your friends and family to enter and exit Celestial Wave Peak. The operation method is the same as the previous Inferior Cave Mansion token."
Luo Chen nodded and handed over two Treasure Pouches.
"This is the rent for two years, you can check it."
Why was the rent for two years divided into two pouches?
Shi Lan was taken aback but saw Luo Chen wink at her.
Instantly.
She understood!
Shi Lan hesitated and secretly transferred the Spirit Stones from one of the pouches into her own Treasure Pouch.
In the process, she quickly counted them, and her eyes lit up.
A full 4,000 Spirit Stones!
This was on top of her commission, and it belonged solely to her.
Senior Luo Chen was so generous! As for the other Treasure Pouch, it contained the rent for two years, 96,000 Spirit Stones.
After some effort, Shi Lan transferred the Spirit Stones and returned the two pouches to Luo Chen.
"Senior, everything is in order."
"The Second Stage Earth Fire you requested has been brought up."
"I've already placed the Supreme Alchemy Cauldron, and you can use it to refine pills whenever you want."
"Also, do you need help cleaning? I can do it for free!"
Luo Chen smiled, "No need, I've brought people with me, so I won't trouble you."
Shi Lan glanced at the people beside Luo Chen and nodded in understanding.
"Alright!"
"Since that's the case, I'll go back and report now."
With a wave of her hand, the young girl left the cave mansion happily.
Watching her joyful figure, Qu Lingjun approached and couldn't help but ask, "Master, you're a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, why be so courteous to a Qi Condensation Stage cultivator?"
The courtesy wasn't just superficial.
It referred to Luo Chen's act of giving a bribe.
The previous conversation between the two hadn't been hidden from Qu Lingjun and the others.
Luo Chen's lips curled into a smile, and he said calmly, "Courtesy has its purpose, and after showing courtesy, there will be benefits."
Turning around, he gazed at the radiant and spacious cave mansion.
"Do you think no one else wants to rent such a high-quality Spirit Field?"
Qu Lingjun asked in confusion, "But didn't Ling Yu have no money?"
"She doesn't, but that doesn't mean others don't," Luo Chen said as he walked towards the cave mansion, with the others quickly following behind.
As he walked, Luo Chen continued, "There are plenty of people eyeing the second-stage superior cave mansions on Celestial Wave Peak."
"After all, this is a high-quality Spirit Field where the spirit qi concentration doubles, significantly enhancing cultivation speed."
"We've been in Heavenly Wave Immortal City for three years at most, and even with prior reservations, we'd still be behind others."
"As a result, I managed to rent this cave mansion first."
"Do you understand the reason?"
Hearing these words, Qu Lingjun fell into deep thought.
As for Mi Li and Qiu Ying, the more senior members, they had already understood.
However, they remained silent, as it was clear that Luo Chen was fulfilling his duty as a master by leading by example and teaching his disciples.
There was more to Luo Chen's words than met the ear.
Although renting this superior cave mansion early on was indeed due to Shi Lan's help, there was also another reason why the Heartless Immortal Fairy valued him.
Not to mention the other details, renting a superior cave mansion required a ten-year lease.
Moreover, the rent had to be paid in full upfront.
This was the very reason why Ling Yuzhi couldn't afford the enormous amount of spirit stones and was reluctantly forced to leave.
But it was evident that Luo Chen couldn't come up with that many spirit stones in a short time either.
He had only paid the rent for two years.
Why was Ling Yuzhi unable to, but he could?
This was where the Heartless Immortal Fairy's influence came into play.
And all of this stemmed from Luo Chen's pill concocting skills.
In the end, interpersonal skills were one aspect, but personal strength was another.
When Qu Lingjun was at a low cultivation level, his strength was, at best, mediocre.
Therefore, before cultivating, one must first learn to be a decent person.
Otherwise, even with increased strength in the future, one would still struggle to make progress in the cultivation world.
There was no need to delve too deeply into these matters.
When Qu Lingjun's cultivation level improved in the future, he would naturally come to understand.
Upon entering the cave mansion, a burst of warm fragrance greeted them.
Luo Chen furrowed his brows.
In front of the four of them, he waved his wide sleeves! Streams of spirit qi gushed out like a raging storm.
It penetrated each room, clearing away all the odors.
Cleansing Technique! Cleansing Technique! It was already capable of removing smells.
"Alright, I've gotten rid of the smell. You all clean up the rooms!"
"Yes, Master!"
"President, I'll go."
The four of them took out tools from their Treasure Pouches and began tidying up the various rooms.
After cleaning each room, they retrieved furniture specially arranged by Sima Huiwang for Luo Chen from their Treasure Pouches.
The furnishings included antique bookshelves, rosewood tables and chairs, incense burners, large beds, bowls and chopsticks, writing brushes, ink, and paper...
It wouldn't be long before this cave mansion would be transformed into Luo Chen's new home.
As they were busy working.
Luo Chen slowly stepped into the pill room!
The first thing that caught his eye was a massive white cauldron.
He extended his hand, gently caressing the patterns on the white pill cauldron, as if touching the soft skin of a lover.
His gaze was filled with deep affection, and his breath became scorching hot.
Supreme-grade alchemy cauldron, Ice Emperor Cauldron!
This pill cauldron was primarily crafted from the fourth-stage Spirit Material, the Ten-Thousand-Year Xuan Ice from the Ice Fortress.
It was initially intended to be refined into a magical tool-grade pill cauldron, but due to the nature of the Ten-Thousand-Year Xuan Ice material, the attempt failed.
However, even in its failed state, the Ice Emperor Cauldron was still an exceptional magical tool solely dedicated to pill concocting.
Its single-purpose design made its supporting and enhancing effects on pill refinement almost on par with those of multi-functional cauldron-type magical tools.
When compared to superior-grade magical tools below the supreme grade, it was far superior.
Take Luo Chen's Four Symbols Cauldron, for example.
It could only refine four portions of raw materials at a time, and even at its limit, it could only handle five portions.
Moreover, its manipulation was particularly complex.
The reason for this complexity was that the Four Symbols Cauldron had too many functions, and during pill refinement, the manipulation incantations often needed to be switched.
But the Ice Emperor Cauldron was different.
It could refine a full ten portions of raw materials at once.
Its manipulation was also relatively simple.
This was because the arrays engraved on its surface were all auxiliary arrays specifically designed for pill refinement.
The Second Rank Fire Transformation Array, Second Rank Splendor Wood Array, Second Rank Pill Fixation Array, and the only Third Rank Cloud Aggregation Array.
This "Cloud Aggregation" was not the same as the "Cloud Aggregation" array.
As commonly known, all superior-grade pills would form pill patterns.
The patterns of these pill patterns often resembled ethereal clouds.
Hence, pill patterns were also known as cloud patterns.
This Third Rank Cloud Aggregation Array had the unique effect of condensing cloud patterns.
If used for pill refinement, its efficiency far surpassed that of all other pill cauldrons and furnaces!
One could say that this was Luo Chen's "Dream Emotion Cauldron"!
(End of Chapter)
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