Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 280: Grudges and Encircling Wolves - Novel Cool

Chapter 280: Grudges and Encircling Wolves

Chapter 280: Grudges and Encircling Wolves

Hu Changle was taken aback.

He had already considered all possible questions to the best of his ability.

Could there still be something he had overlooked?

As he pondered, Hu Changxi's eyes grew deep with meaning, "In this world, there are no everlasting close allies. Friends from the past, with the changes of time, can also become enemies!"

Hu Changle was stunned.

"Big brother, what do you mean?"

"The relationship between Dan Yuan Sect and Li Family is maintained by interests and strength. Now that Li Jinhuang has passed away, the relationship is held together only by interests, and interests can sway people's hearts! This chain of relationships has reached its weakest point in history."

Hu Changxi spoke calmly, "So-called turning against each other can happen overnight."

"As long as we give it a little nudge!"

Hu Changle's eyes lit up. He hadn't considered this point.

He had been relying on his previous impressions to judge the future.

That was truly a mistake!

"What about Geng Family?"

"Geng Family?" Hu Changxi gave a cold laugh, and his eyes carried a hint of coldness.

"Back then, Geng Family and Li Family worked together against my Hu Family because our sandalwood incense business conflicted with theirs."

"Now, for the sake of your two Foundation Establishment, I've cut off my sandalwood incense business, and there's no longer any conflict with Geng Family."

"Of course, with past grudges, cooperation is naturally impossible."

Hu Changle was puzzled, "If we can't cooperate, what's the point?"

Hu Changxi glanced at him and said, "We can't cooperate, but we can also turn enemies into friends. Geng Family also has its own long-term and short-term concerns!"

Long-term and short-term concerns?

Hu Changle's eyebrows furrowed as he carefully considered the meaning behind these words.

The long-term concern must refer to their Hu Family. If Hu Family no longer pursues the past grudges with Geng Family, then the long-term worry would be eliminated.

But what about the short-term concern?

Hu Changxi didn't elaborate but instead issued direct orders.

"What the fourth brother said earlier also has some truth to it. Whether it's the attitude of Verdant Pill Valley, the possibility of Li Jinhuang faking his death, or the support of Celestial Assembly, we must take all of these into consideration."

"Next, fourth brother, you go and contact Dan Yuan Sect to see what their intentions are."

"Second brother, spread the news of Li Jinhuang's passing, especially to those who have grudges against Li Family or have some sort of interest-related entanglement. Also, keep a close eye on Li Family's territory to see if Li Jinhuang really faked his death."

Hu Changnu couldn't help but ask, "Can I take action?"

Hu Changxi nodded, "Killing a few low-level Li Family cultivators to test their reaction is acceptable."

A sinister smile appeared on Hu Changnu's face.

"Great, I'll collect some interest first!"

"What about you, big brother?" Hu Changle asked curiously.

Hu Changxi's eyes flickered, "I'll personally go to Geng Family to show our sincerity!"

With the decision made, the three brothers no longer hesitated and prepared to depart immediately.

However, before they could even step out, someone came to visit.

"Is it a cultivator from Dan Yuan Sect?"

Upon hearing the news, Hu Changle was momentarily stunned.

Instinctively, he turned to look at his eldest brother.

The visitor nodded slightly at him.

Indeed, everything in the world is constantly changing, and there is no such thing as an everlasting alliance!

...

On the banks of Qinhua River, countless towering mountains and rugged peaks stood tall.

On one solitary and proud peak, a man dressed in a crimson cloud Dao robe stood with his hands behind his back, his star eyes gazing into the distance at a riverbank plain a thousand miles away.

Li Family's estate was located right there.

The houses were built along the mountainside, one after another.

On the plain below, numerous medicinal fields stretched out, each with its unique fragrance.

There were also three enormous fish ponds, each cultivating three types of first-rank spirit fish.

This wealth, no matter which Foundation Establishment True Cultivator saw it, would make their eyes turn red with envy.

Even Luo Chen, who had visited multiple times, couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart at this moment.

But thinking of Li Jinhuang's past actions, he still managed to suppress the greed in his heart.

One must have a bottom line in life!

Moreover, this huge piece of fat wasn't easy to swallow.

His gaze wandered and fell upon the medicinal fields and fish ponds.

Usually, countless cultivators and mortals worked diligently to manage the family's business.

But with Li Jinhuang's passing, Li Family's estate was filled with a mix of sadness and joy, white banners hanging high, and spirit money scattered everywhere.

Luo Chen's eyes wandered.

He walked along the flowing Qinhua River and between the towering mountains and rugged peaks on both banks.

He didn't release his spiritual sense.

Doing so might alert potential enemies.

Instead, he used his well-trained eyes to carefully observe.

After several hours, Luo Chen retracted his gaze.

"It seems like quite a few people are interested in this piece of fat from Li Family."

This area, like Crimson Peak, still belonged to the jurisdiction of Heavenly Wave Immortal City.

Every ten years, they had to pay a certain rent.

However, compared to that rent, Li Family's profits were several times higher! But Heavenly Wave Immortal City had an unspoken rule.

The land is yours to rent.

How you develop and manage it is up to you.

Whether you can protect your business achievements is also your responsibility! If it were like Crimson Peak, which was in a semi-abandoned state, other sects or loose cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage wouldn't pay much attention.

But Li Family had already fully developed the potential of this land.

If someone could occupy it now,

they could effortlessly reap the rewards!

"To protect this piece of cake, I'm afraid it will take quite a bit of effort."

Luo Chen muttered as he took out a banner.

It was pitch-black in color, exuding an eerie aura.

It was the Soul Refining Banner!

"Come out!"

As he spoke the incantation, a ghost general clad in armor emerged from the Soul Refining Banner.

Even under the blazing sun, it didn't hinder him in the slightest.

After reaching the ghost general level, Yin souls no longer feared the sunlight of the mortal world.

Upon seeing Luo Chen, the ghost general immediately knelt down, his demeanor respectful, no longer showing the irritability of the past.

Looking at Xiao Hei, Luo Chen nodded inwardly.

After devouring the soul of that loose cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage from Tushan, Xiao Hei had entered a period of deep sleep.

Over the years, Luo Chen would occasionally refine this Soul Refining Banner.

Now, he had completely established an incredibly close mental connection with this Soul Refining Banner, which had been promoted to a Supreme Grade Dharmic Robe.

The only main soul within, Xiao Hei, had also completely submitted to him.

"Stay here and keep watch!"

"If any Foundation Establishment cultivators attack the Li Family, report it to me immediately."

Xiao Hei grunted in response, his half-kneeling posture even more respectful.

Luo Chen immediately unfurled the Soul Refining Banner and set up a Concealment Formation within the mountain.

This mountain had little spiritual energy and was located far away.

Those interested in the Li Family wouldn't travel this far.

Xiao Hei's hiding place here had a low chance of being discovered.

This move was for surveillance.

It was also a backup plan for Luo Chen in case his subsequent actions failed.

Consider defeat before victory.

For the sake of the Li Family, Luo Chen would do his best.

If the situation became untenable, he wouldn't risk his life.

After setting up this backup, Luo Chen left.

He took a long detour, and soon after, he arrived outside Crimson Peak.

But before even entering the mountain, his footsteps halted.

A figure was pacing back and forth outside the mountain, seemingly hesitating about something.

"Why are you here?"

Looking at the person, Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed.

...

In the quiet Celestial Hall, Xing Zonghan spoke again.

"That's how it is. I didn't expect that Eagle Soar had not only colluded with Jade Purity Monastery but also connected with Divine Craft Sect."

Above, Luo Chen's face turned solemn.

He hadn't expected that after such a long time without seeing Xing Zonghan, their reunion would bring him this news.

Patiently, he asked, "Are they collaborating with the entire Divine Craft Sect, or just Lu Rong?"

"It should just be Lu Rong!" Xing Zonghan said uncertainly.

After thinking for a moment, he nodded with absolute certainty.

"It should be a solitary collusion!"

"As far as I know, the Divine Craft Sect wants to shift its business focus to the outside. The sect leader, Fei Changqiu, feels that the forging business in Heavenly Wave Immortal City is too intense, and he's not interested in continuing the entanglement."

Luo Chen was puzzled, "Then why are you sure that their alliance is targeting our Celestial Assembly?"

"I'm not clear on the specifics, but it was indeed Lu Rong who personally reached out. As for why Celestial Eagle Peak and Jade Purity Monastery agreed, I'm not too sure."

After he finished speaking, Luo Chen fell into deep thought.

He had some entanglements with the Divine Craft Sect, but they weren't significant, not to the point of a life-and-death struggle.

This was evident from the fact that after their sect leader, Fei Changqiu, they never caused any more trouble.

If Fei Changqiu didn't make a move, the Divine Craft Sect wouldn't act either.

Lu Rong, who had lost face to Luo Chen, was on his own, and naturally, he had no one to rely on.

But unexpectedly, they had found help from outside.

A matter of pride?

Or was it for that second-rank Body Refinement cultivation technique?

Or perhaps, they were envious of Crimson Peak's wealth?

Suddenly, Xing Zonghan seemed to remember something and spoke up.

"Celestial Eagle Peak and Jade Purity Monastery might be after the Foundation Establishment Pills!"

Luo Chen was stunned.

"Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"Yes!"

Xing Zonghan nodded heavily, his expression extremely affirmative.

"Both sects have a large number of Qi Condensation cultivators, but they each have only one Foundation Establishment True Cultivator. The number of Foundation Establishment Pills released at each auction is extremely limited."

"And your Celestial Assembly, in less than six years since arriving in Heavenly Wave Immortal City, has produced three or four Foundation Establishment True Cultivators!"

"I heard that one of them failed, and now the president of your sect is also rushing to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage."

"As for you, you only obtained one Foundation Establishment Pill from the auction."

"With just one Foundation Establishment Pill, four or five people are rushing to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage."

"Word has spread outside that your Celestial Assembly might have swept away the wealth of a certain place or obtained a secret realm inheritance, possessing a large number of Foundation Establishment Pills!"

"There are many who are envious!"

Luo Chen's face changed dramatically!

This news was even more shocking to him than hearing that someone wanted to deal with the Celestial Assembly.

A commoner's crime is his jade! If it gets out that the Celestial Assembly has a large number of Foundation Establishment Pills, any force below the Golden Core Stage will be tempted to make a move.

Lu Rong and his group might just be the beginning.

There could be endless troubles to follow.

After Xing Zonghan voiced his speculation, he also realized the implications.

He looked at Luo Chen with uncertainty.

"Daoist Luo, does your Celestial Assembly really have many Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

Without any hesitation, Luo Chen immediately refused.

Xing Zonghan was half-believing, half-doubting, "I'm willing to believe you, but those outside forces..."

The unspoken meaning in his words sent chills down one's spine.

Luo Chen's face tightened, his expression as dark as water.

Xing Zonghan shook his head, "These matters have nothing to do with me. You've shown me kindness in the past, and I have a deep-seated hatred for Eagle Soar of Celestial Eagle Peak. If they dare to make a move, I will definitely help with all my strength!"

"Thank you, Daoist Xing." Luo Chen cupped his hands and said, "In the coming days, why don't you stay at Crimson Peak as a guest?"

Xing Zonghan had no objections.

He was alone, and his cultivation was already stable.

If it weren't for Eagle Soar hiding at home for a long time and always acting in collusion with Jade Purity Monastery, he would have sought revenge long ago.

Now, their coveting of the Celestial Assembly's Foundation Establishment Pills was also to help the Eagle family produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator, making it easier to deal with him.

Perfect!

This was also the best time for his revenge!

...

...

At the top of Celestial Wave Peak, facing away from the silver waterfall, the place was exceptionally quiet without the roaring sound of water.

Luo Chen stood with his hands behind his back outside a cave mansion covered in ice and snow, but the owner of the cave had not responded for a long time.

Sighing, Luo Chen had no choice but to return to his own cave mansion.

In his own cave mansion, Luo Chen reviewed the chaos that had gradually emerged during this period, and he already had a plan in mind.

The people who were envious of Crimson Peak's wealth and coveted the Celestial Assembly's Foundation Establishment Pills didn't suddenly appear during this time.

It should have been going on for a long time!

They had been suppressing their desires and biding their time.

But recently, they had become restless.

The opportunity for this should be the period of sect rotation and the change of leadership in the immortal city.

Any change in "regime" often brings temporary chaos.

The lower-level cultivators are helpless in this chaos, and they are the ones who suffer in both life and death.

The middle-level cultivators, however, are eager to take advantage of the situation to profit.

For those in power, it is a desirable situation as long as it is within their control.

After the chaos, numerous power vacuums will naturally emerge.

At that time, the Immortal City can seize wealth and plant their own forces without restraint.

Over the centuries, almost all the minor powers that have struggled in Heavenly Wave Immortal City have some connection with the major sects.

The reason lies here.

Luo Chen can foresee that if this situation continues, it will bring endless troubles!

Where would the Celestial Assembly get so many Foundation Establishment Pills?

But if he speaks out, no one will believe him! After all, in just a few short years, his family has produced a new Foundation Establishment cultivator every few days.

"This matter depends on the attitude of the Ice Fortress."

"As long as the Ice Fortress gives a hint, no one will dare to target the Celestial Assembly."

"I don't believe they're willing to give up the Jade Dew Pill and watch the Celestial Assembly decline."

Luo Chen took a deep breath, planning to visit Yi Yi Cave Mansion again tomorrow.

This matter is useless to Shi Boying.

As for Heartless Fairy, he has no connections with her.

But Dantu Jin, who resides in Yi Yi Cave Mansion, possesses the powerful cultivation of the late Foundation Establishment stage and is also the captain of the Immortal City's law enforcement team.

She herself is the representative of the Ice Fortress's interests in the Immortal City.

If she speaks, all these worries and difficulties will not be a problem!

The next day, early in the morning.

Luo Chen came to the snowy cave mansion again.

After waiting all morning, there was no response.

He was certain that the other party was inside the cave mansion and had not entered closed-door cultivation recently.

It was impossible for her to enter closed-door cultivation!

This is the time when the two sects are transferring the Immortal City's interests, so she couldn't possibly be in closed-door cultivation.

This avoidance made Luo Chen feel uneasy.

After a morning without any movement, Luo Chen left helplessly.

The third day, still in the morning.

Amidst the flying snow.

Inside the cave mansion, two female cultivators stared at the water mirror before them, which reflected Luo Chen's gloomy face.

"Dantu Jin, you really won't see Luo Chen?" Shi Boying asked.

Dantu Jin replied indifferently, "Why should I see him?"

Shi Boying couldn't help but say, "I heard that he's been causing a lot of trouble lately, and many Foundation Establishment True Cultivators have their eyes on him. We cooperate with him, and even let him use the Ice Fortress banner. Shouldn't we help him a little?"

Dantu Jin asked again, "There are many subordinates under the Ice Fortress banner. Do I have to help every time one of them gets into trouble?"

Shi Boying was speechless.

Dantu Jin gave a cold snort, "Besides, those troubles aren't aimed at Luo Chen."

"Uh..."

"Those people are eyeing Crimson Peak, concerned about the Celestial Assembly, and coveting the non-existent large number of Foundation Establishment Pills. These have nothing to do with our joint venture in the Jade Dew Pill business."

Shi Boying suddenly realized.

The Celestial Assembly, the Crimson Peak's foundation, these indeed have little connection with the Jade Dew Pill business.

As long as Luo Chen is still around, he alone can refine the Jade Dew Pill, and this business will continue.

The other party wouldn't dare to stop it!

Because, there is also the will of the Golden Core Ascendant, Heartless Fairy! Unless, Luo Chen doesn't want to live anymore.

"I've been busy lately. People from Verdant Pill Valley come every day to discuss important matters with the master, so I don't have time for these trivial matters."

"If Luo Chen continues to bother you, just send him away on my behalf!"

Dantu Jin was slightly annoyed.

Shi Boying responded with a yes.

As her senior sister, she only has the advantage of entering earlier.

Most of the time, she still acts as a subordinate.

However, before leaving, it seemed like she remembered something and couldn't help but say, "Luo Chen doesn't seem like someone who would give up the foundation he built with his own hands. If he really causes a big mess, I'm afraid his life will be in danger."

Dantu Jin's eyebrows twitched, and she stared coldly at Shi Boying.

"Did he give you benefits?"

Shi Boying's face turned red, and she stammered.

The atmosphere in the mansion became extremely awkward.

Outside the cave mansion.

Snowflakes flew, and Luo Chen's chaotic mind became clear.

He had vaguely figured it out.

The Ice Fortress was interested in him, in his pure and skilled pill refinement technique.

However, the Celestial Assembly, which was affiliated with him, was not in the eyes of the Ice Fortress.

A few hundred Qi Condensation cultivators and a few Foundation Establishment True Cultivators are nothing but worthless fools in the eyes of the Ice Fortress! The Celestial Assembly is loyal to him, and he is loyal to the Ice Fortress. Even he himself is not very enthusiastic about the Ice Fortress.

In return, the Ice Fortress will not lend a helping hand to the Celestial Assembly when it encounters difficulties.

After understanding this, Luo Chen no longer had the thought of seeking an audience with Dantu Jin.

Looking at the cave mansion hidden in the snow, Luo Chen was neither angry nor resentful.

"Some things can only be relied upon oneself."

After muttering to himself, Luo Chen turned and left.

This familiar scene didn't surprise the two female cultivators in the cave mansion.

The only strange thing was that Luo Chen didn't appear again in the following days.

This made Shi Boying, who had prepared a lot of excuses, feel like she had punched a cotton ball.

After chatting with Tao Wan from Verdant Pill Valley, Dantu Jin returned to the cave mansion.

"Has he given up?"

"I don't know, but I heard he's going to attend the funeral of the Qinhua River Li Family Patriarch tomorrow."

"Haha, in such a turbulent time, he still shows his face, he's not afraid of death!"

"Sister, aren't you going to help him?"

Dantu Jin was a little annoyed, and she was curious about how much benefit her senior sister, Shi Boying, had received from Luo Chen over the years.

Shi Boying's face was calm, "I just think he's a pretty good person. We'll still be cooperating in the future, so there's no need to make things so stiff."

"You're getting too involved!"

The atmosphere in the cave mansion became tense again.

Shi Boying lowered her head, not arguing with her powerful junior sister.

Dantu Jin looked at her, and her heart moved.

"I have my own plans for this matter, you don't need to say more."

This book has a fixed update time, with one chapter each at 00:30 and 8:00 every day. Night owls and early birds can read without waiting.

(End of Chapter)

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