Chapter 437: The Heavenly Mountain Alliance, Expansion War, Fifty Years Hence, Lianyun's Invitation

Chapter 437: The Heavenly Mountain Alliance, Expansion War, Fifty Years Hence, Lianyun's Invitation

Time passed by in a flash.

It had been three years since Luo Chen returned from the Ice Fortress.

During these three years, he had been diligently refining pills, and now he could stably supply the high-grade Jade Dew Pills needed by the Ice Fortress.

The deduction of the second-rank Spirit Penetrating Pill formula was also successfully completed.

After improving the second-rank primary ingredient and replacing eighteen auxiliary materials, Luo Chen confirmed through the System that the pill formula was passable.

Then, relying on his own pill refinement techniques, he independently entered the realm of pill refinement.

Although some raw materials were wasted, he saved precious Achievement Points.

As a result, the second-rank Spirit Penetrating Pills gradually began to be produced.

Even though each batch only yielded three pills, he could take two for himself, and the remaining one could be supplied to Chu Kui, allowing him to consume it and increase his Soul Essence to practice the Mystic Bead Curtain Secret Technique.

For Luo Chen himself, the greatest gain was not limited to this.

When the proficiency of the Blood Enhancement Pills and Dust Suppressing Pills reached Grand Completion, and he could refine them to the Supreme Grade, his cultivation speed received a tremendous boost!

On this day, within the cave abode, Luo Chen suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes were filled with joy.

"Doubled!"

"Even without the assistance of a third-rank Spirit Ground, I have still doubled my cultivation speed based on my original foundation!"

Feeling the residual surging blood energy being absorbed by his physique and the newly added pure spiritual energy in his Qi Sea, he couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.

The Supreme Grade Blood Enhancement Pills were terrifyingly potent! Even the Supreme Grade Dust Suppressing Pills couldn't completely digest them.

Often, it required two Dust Suppressing Pills to refine and transform the energy, barely managing to digest one Supreme Grade Blood Enhancement Pill.

Moreover, there was still excess Qi and blood, which his physique naturally absorbed.

This was not because the Supreme Grade Blood Enhancement Pills were too powerful.

Rather, it was because the primary ingredient used to refine this pill was the essence blood of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators!

The raw materials were incredibly precious.

In a sense, Luo Chen was now seemingly cultivating by consuming pills, but in reality, wasn't he also absorbing the essence of those Foundation Establishment True Cultivators who had died in vain?

The life's essence of hundreds of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators was fused into Luo Chen's body.

The surge in his cultivation progress was only natural!

Furthermore!

"After reaching Grand Completion in the Source Purity Pill Formula, it finally exhibited the effect mentioned at the beginning, allowing me to maximize the absorption and utilization of pills without leaving any pill toxins."

"It is precisely by relying on these two methods complementing each other that I can achieve another doubling of my cultivation speed."

In the cultivation world, who else could stably consume Supreme Grade second-rank pills to assist their cultivation? Not to mention the rarity of the primary ingredients.

Just to refine these two pill formulas, Luo Chen had to spend ten thousand out of the thirty thousand Spirit Stones he earned each year on other primary ingredients and auxiliary medicinal materials.

This was no longer about cultivating by consuming pills; it was also about absorbing the essence of those cultivators who died prematurely.

He was also madly swallowing gold!

With a thought, the attribute panel unfolded like a curtain of water.

[Lifespan: 60/170]



[Spirit Root: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth]



[Realm: Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer 12/100, Primordial Third Stage 7/100]



[Cultivation Techniques: Eternal Youth Scripture Master 950/1000, Ten Thousand Paths Confluence Proficiency 270/300, Ten Thousand Beasts Scripture 10/100]



[Spells: Third Stage: Nine Ten Thousand Li Grand Completion, Mirror Flower Water Moon Proficiency 201/300, Life-Cutting Finger Entry 1/100

Second Stage: Water Mirror Spell Grand Completion, Flower Fairy Proficiency 250/200, Mind-Hunting Spell Proficiency 281/300, Grass Saber Golden Sword Art Proficiency 260/300, Five Elements Return Viscera Technique Proficiency 175/200]



First Stage: Mind-Conquering Spell Master 820/1000, Bone Rejuvenation Spell Proficiency 239/300, Limb Reattachment Spell Entry 8/100

Grand Completion Spells (click to view details)]



[Pill Arts: Source Purity Pill Formula Grand Completion, Nourish Essence Technique Grand Completion, Scale Transformation Technique Perfect 375/500, Star Snatching Technique Master 700/1000. Grand Completion Pill Arts (click to view details)]



[Martial Arts: Cloud Probing Divine Claw Perfect 391/500, Burning Pestilence Perfect 375/500, Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers Master 771/1000, Mountain-Breaking Rock-Shattering Palm Grand Completion]



[Professions: Second-rank Alchemist, Second-rank Physician

Second-rank Pills: Blood Enhancement Pill Grand Completion, Dust Suppressing Pill Grand Completion, Spirit Penetrating Pill Entry 70/100, Imperial Stream Plasma Entry 12/100,

First-rank Pills: Spirit Nourishing Pill Grand Completion,

Grand Completion Pills (click to view details)]



[Achievement Points: 59]



Looking at the dazzling array of attributes, Luo Chen was momentarily astonished, but he quickly calmed his mind.

He scrolled through the list one by one.

Regarding his realm and lifespan, he checked them every few days, and there were no surprises.

After advancing to the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer, his lifespan limit had indeed increased by another ten years, slightly compensating for the previous insufficiency.

On the contrary, the cultivation realm he had been relying on recently, the Body Refinement Realm, was progressing too slowly.

Even the third-rank Body Refinement Cultivation Technique, Ten Thousand Paths Confluence, which he had spent a significant amount of Achievement Points to complete, showed almost no improvement in proficiency.

The reason for this situation was not complicated.

"It's the lack of external force!"

This cultivation technique was excellent in every aspect, with almost no shortcomings or drawbacks.

The only thing missing was external force!

After all, the Ten Thousand Paths Confluence was initially created to digest the vast amount of thunder power that entered his body.

In a sense, his Primordial Third Stage Body Refinement Realm was both built and hindered by the thunder power!

If there were no subsequent changes...

Fearing that his physical cultivation realm would stagnate, even the grand cultivation technique, "Ten Thousand Paths Confluence," would be shelved due to the lack of a crucial element.

However!

Luo Chen had already conceived a new idea.

"The creation of the Ten Thousand Paths Confluence was essentially about borrowing the Fire Peng to cultivate the Thunder Peng through the Heavenly Peng Transformation, and then using thunder to refine the body."

"Now, although I don't have the power of heavenly thunder, I possess the Fourth Rank Vitality Decay Flame, which is no weaker than the power of thunder."

"Can I return to the essence and borrow fire to refine my body?"

This idea was not a baseless fantasy; it had a solid foundation.

The Heavenly Peng Transformation itself is a demonic cultivation method in the realm of body refinement. If one enters with the essence blood of the Fire Demon Peng, they cultivate the true body of the Fire Peng. If they enter with the essence blood of the Thunder Peng or the Golden Peng, they cultivate those forms.

Now, Luo Chen has entered with the essence blood of the Burning Fire Peng and supplemented it with the Vitality Decay Flame.

He can retrace his original path, and it might even be more suitable.

Moreover, the Vitality Decay True Fire has been refined by him, unlike the heavenly thunder in the Thunderpile Mountain's Relics, which was harmful to his body.

This is the right path to cultivation.

In fact, this idea gradually emerged as Luo Chen studied the Vitality Decay Flame over the years.

"But there's no rush!"

"I know too little about the Vitality Decay Flame. I need to find someone who participated in the Incense Fragrance Valley battle to borrow some related books and understand it before making plans."

"Even the idea of borrowing fire for body refinement should be put on hold for now. The top priority is still Core Formation."

Although he is still young, the insufficiency of his lifespan limit remains a constant weight on Luo Chen's mind.

Core Formation is the most important!

As he scrolled down, he saw that thanks to the perfection of the Water Mirror Spell, the Flower Fairy, and the Mind-Hunting Spell, these three prerequisite spells, the Mirror Flower Water Moon, a third-stage illusion spell, had also advanced to the Proficient level.

With preparation, it could barely be used against enemies.

This spell was the second most powerful among Luo Chen's third-stage spells, second only to Nine Ten Thousand Li.

The latter had already reached Grand Completion! It was this reliance that gave him the courage to challenge the Yan Meng.

If he couldn't win with speed, he could still escape! Especially after transforming into the Heavenly Peng True Form, Luo Chen's escape speed far surpassed that of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators.

Even the escape speed of ordinary Golden Core Stage early-stage cultivators might pale in comparison.

Speaking of which, the greatest benefit Luo Chen had gained over the years was not from these spells and cultivation techniques but from his alchemy skills!

With constant practice, his foundation in alchemy had become unimaginable.

The Source Purity Pill Formula had reached Grand Completion, the Nourish Essence Technique had reached Grand Completion, the Star Snatching Technique had reached the Master level, and the Scale Transformation Technique had reached Perfection...

If you add the series of pill techniques he had already perfected earlier, such as the Wash Creek Technique and the Tranquil Heart Technique, his mastery of basic pill techniques had reached a divine level, and he could perform them effortlessly.

This was why he could easily enter the second stage of the Blood Enhancement Pill and the Spirit Penetrating Pill without relying on the system.

In just three short years, he had perfected the Blood Enhancement Pill, the Dust Suppressing Pill, and the Spirit Nourishing Pill.

He even found time to refine three portions of Imperial Stream Plasma for future needs.

Compared to these, another unexpected joy was that the physician profession he had casually cultivated had gradually made up for its shortcomings.

He learned basic healing spells, the Bone Rejuvenation Spell, and a first-stage Limb Reattachment Spell from the Blooming Youth Scripture, which Sun Sifang had placed in the Transmission Hall.

This Limb Reattachment Spell was not the famous Golden Silkworm Reattachment Technique.

It was a simple spell for reconnecting limbs. Specifically, if Luo Chen's arm were torn off at the root, he could reattach it in a short time.

A very practical medical technique.

He also learned advanced medical techniques, including the Five Viscera Repositioning Technique and the Spring Rain Transformation Art.

In terms of medical techniques, he had learned the basics.

If he mastered some more prescriptions and medicinal pill formulas, he could even open a clinic to earn spirit stones.

Finally, there were the achievement points.

Looking at the number "59," Luo Chen couldn't help but smile.

After years of grinding, he had once again accumulated a number of achievement points that made him feel secure.

This thing might seem unimportant on the surface.

But at critical moments, it could play a significant role! Whether it was the Imperial Stream Plasma used for Foundation Establishment, the Dust Suppressing Pill learned from Green Cauldron Valley's grand competition, or the creation of the Ten Thousand Paths Confluence based on insights from the Thunderpile Mountain's Relics, all demonstrated its importance!

"The more, the better!"

"This will give me the confidence to deal with complex emergencies."

After browsing through everything, Luo Chen fell into deep thought.

His daily routine would still revolve around alchemy and cultivation.

However, the system panel showed that he still had many areas where he could improve or fill in gaps.

For example, the Eternal Youth Scripture, after years of cultivation, was finally nearing completion.

It was worth anticipating whether there would be any changes after perfecting this core cultivation technique.

The idea of borrowing fire for body refinement using the Ten Thousand Paths Confluence would be put on hold for now and tested after Core Formation.

There was no need to delve deeply into spells or medical techniques for the time being.

As for pill techniques, he would use them in his daily alchemy practice, so there was no need to give them special consideration.

"The Burning Pestilence!"

"This is a decent technique, capable of rivaling Golden Core Cultivators."

"However, this spell heavily relies on the grade of the refined dark energy."

Luo Chen recalled the Incense Fragrance Valley battle.

His Burning Pestilence, although intended as a cover for the Thunder Immortal Pearl, was completely overwhelmed by Qin Tairan's Sunfire True Slaughter.

The reason for the crushing defeat was certainly not the inferiority of this technique.

Instead, it was a large amount of second and third-tier Earth Fire Wrath Qi, but the grade was inferior to the Sunfire True Wrath!

"Next, I can mobilize the power of the Luo Tian Association and my connections to massively acquire high-grade Wrath Qi to supplement this consumable method."

"Preferably, it should be Fire-attributed Wrath Qi!"

"Like the Sunfire True Wrath, that would be excellent!"

Reviewing the past, observing the present, and considering the future, this was Luo Chen's purpose for browsing his attribute panel after every realm advancement.

After some consideration.

Luo Chen closed the attribute panel, cast a cleansing spell on himself, and left the cultivation room.

His keen spirit perception had already sensed someone approaching.

...

"Leader, there's big news!"

In the cave mansion, seeing Sima Hui (daughter), who rarely showed signs of agitation, Luo Chen's eyebrows twitched.

He calmly said, "What's the matter that has you so agitated? Don't rush, take your time."

Sima Hui's daughter took a deep breath and said, word by word:

"The Heavenly Mountain Alliance has declared war!"

An unexpected yet reasonable event had occurred.

But Luo Chen's expression still trembled.

...

In Heavenly Wave Immortal City, at the Bell Cauldron Family's first floor.

As one of the few Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's businesses spanning the entire region, although the style and design didn't fit the Sword Sect, the Bell Cauldron Family was indeed the preferred dining choice for wealthy cultivators.

Many famous spirit meals, cuisine, and snacks originated from the Bell Cauldron Family.

Not only could it satisfy the appetites of pure cultivators, but it also provided cultivation benefits. Cultivators with some means would often come to enjoy a meal every few days.

And in such a place, there was naturally a class distinction.

The Bell Cauldron Family in Heavenly Wave was divided into five floors.

The first floor was often frequented by Qi Condensation cultivators.

The second floor was usually only accessible to wealthy Qi Condensation cultivators or Foundation Establishment True Cultivators.

As for the third floor, only Golden Core Seniors were allowed.

The fourth and fifth floors were always vacant.

It was said that they were reserved for Nascent Soul Masters and Divine Transformation experts.

There were Divine Transformation experts in this world!

Though unseen by ordinary people, there were many legends of them moving about.

Not to mention, the White Night Cave Mansion's ruins on Thunderpile Mountain could serve as evidence.

It was rumored that within the Five Sacred Lands, there were numerous Divine Transformation experts in seclusion, striving for their ascension!

Of course, whether the Bell Cauldron Family could prepare spirit meals that satisfied Divine Transformation experts was another matter.

At the very least, today, the Bell Cauldron Family was exceptionally lively.

On the second floor.

Rarely, over a dozen Foundation Establishment True Cultivators appeared!

Several dozen wealthy Qi Condensation cultivators also came upstairs to dine.

As for whether these people were truly here to enjoy a meal and the spirit cuisine, that was a matter of opinion.

At the very least, the man and woman by the window were definitely not there just for the food.

Luo Chen sipped his warm wine, and his powerful spirit perception spread out silently.

In fact, there was no need to eavesdrop with spirit perception.

On the second floor, the voices of people were clamoring, and discussions were rampant.

The topic of their conversations was almost entirely related to the declaration of war.

"Three years ago, the Ice Spirit Fairy's Core Formation Ceremony was held, and various parties sent their congratulations, but it was actually a discussion on the ceasefire agreement between the two major upper sects."

"It's rumored that Han Zhan Zhenren and Jade Cauldron Zhenren personally went to the Heavenly Mountain and reached a consensus."

"Is this declaration of war real or fake?"

"It's probably real. The White Night Cave Mansion's ruins have been closed. It's said that someone from the Mysterious Abyss Sect in the Eastern Wasteland has arrived."

"The White Night was a Divine Transformation ancestor of the Mysterious Abyss Sect, so it's normal for them to send someone. I estimate that they couldn't bear to see the internal strife within the Jade Cauldron Domain, wasting the strength of the human race, so they ordered the Falling Cloud Sect to initiate the declaration of war!"

"We received this news late. It's said that the upper sects from other realms had already guessed it and sent their vanguard to station in the Jade Cauldron Domain in advance, preparing for the declaration of war."

"In the last declaration of war, sixteen sects joined forces to conquer Lianxia and establish the Jade Cauldron Domain. This time, I wonder what the situation will be."

"I don't know about the lineup, but I know this is an opportunity, a great opportunity for us wandering cultivators to rise!"

...

As discussions reached Luo Chen's ears, his expression became increasingly solemn.

After a long while.

"It seems the news we received is correct."

It was more than just correct!

The message sent by the Ice Fortress was even more detailed than the discussions here.

The Eastern Wasteland's Mysterious Abyss Sect had indeed sent a Nascent Soul Stage Elder to the Jade Cauldron Domain.

The first thing they did was to reclaim the exploration rights of the Sword Sect and Falling Cloud Sect over the White Night Cave Mansion and temporarily close the cave mansion.

The second thing was to mediate and cease the civil war between the two upper sects.

The third thing was to order the Falling Cloud Sect to initiate an external war and conquer the Eastern Wasteland's million-mountain range! There were many details involved.

The main location was the Ice Fortress on the Heavenly Mountain, and the time frame was within these three years.

The involved parties were not just the two upper sects and four Golden Core sects of the Jade Cauldron Domain.

For the past three years, cultivators from other realms had been going to the Heavenly Mountain to discuss the declaration of war.

"Sima Hui's Daughter nodded and said solemnly:"

"The preliminary time set is fifty years from now!"

"Currently, the preliminary decision is to include five Nascent Soul upper sects and thirteen Golden Core major sects, spanning seven realms."

The five Nascent Soul upper sects are the Falling Cloud Sect, supported by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, Heaven Sail City, Medicine King Sect, and Harmony Sect! These are the relatively closer upper sects.

As for the thirteen Golden Core major sects, aside from the four Golden Core sects in the Jade Cauldron Domain, the other nine are not ordinary either.

This is just the initial decision to join!

With fifty years of preparation, who knows how many more Golden Core Grandmasters and Primordial Soul Masters will gradually join in.

Everyone knows that although wars bring massive casualties, the gains are also extremely rich.

The reason why the Medicine King Sect can dominate a region and have their pills sold everywhere is because they have participated in no less than five expansion wars!

Each time, they can not only force the Golden Core sects in the region to relocate but also expand their pill business into new territories.

Heaven Sail City is a rising star.

Obviously, they are also following the example of the Medicine King Sect.

It can even be said that in this Jade Cauldron Domain civil war and the subsequent expansion wars, they played the most important role as the hidden manipulator.

Only in wars is the consumption of artifacts and treasures the greatest.

Otherwise, a high-quality artifact can be used by a cultivator for a hundred years, repaired for another hundred years, passed down to future generations, and still be usable for another hundred years.

If they really did that, how would the Artificer Sects make any Spirit Stones? Would they have to live on the northwest wind?

Only in war!

Only then will artifacts and treasures be consumed crazily, and Heaven Sail City can seize enormous profits from it.

Thinking about fifty years later, when the war begins.

No one knows how many cultivators will join, and even Luo Chen feels a surge of blood and passion for a moment.

But after this brief surge of passion, he forced himself to calm down.

"During the war preparation period, the Jade Cauldron Domain will undoubtedly be the most crucial stronghold, and Heavenly Wave Immortal City is located in the eastern direction."

"In fifty years, who knows how many Foundation Establishment and even Golden Core and Primordial Soul cultivators will gather in Heavenly Wave Immortal City."

"No wonder Cang Lang Senior Apprentice Sister asked me to keep a low profile in advance."

"I'm afraid she also has this concern, fearing that I might provoke some existence that I shouldn't."

Putting himself in their shoes!

Luo Chen looked at Sima Hui's daughter.

"Let's end the expansion of our Luo Tian Association here!"

Major trends often sweep up the small characters.

Even the famous Luo Chen sometimes finds himself caught up in the currents of such times, unable to act on his own.

Looking at the Bell Cauldron Family's restaurant, the cultivators inside were discussing animatedly.

It was clear that the news of the expansion war had already spread, and it was inevitable.

Otherwise, these people wouldn't have received the news so quickly.

Shaking his head, Luo Chen stood up and walked downstairs.

The two of them were not unknown in Heavenly Wave Immortal City, and their actions caught the attention of many pairs of eyes.

After they left, there were also many whispers.

However, these had nothing to do with Luo Chen.

He was mainly concerned about the news related to the expansion war.

Just one month after the Heavenly Mountain Alliance.

More detailed news arrived.

"The Splendor Palace of the Splendor Domain has decided to join the war, and the Divine Symbol Sect of the Divine Symbol Domain has also decided to join. Additionally, three major Golden Core sects have joined the expansion war."

"During the fifty-year preparation period, no life-and-death battles above the Golden Core stage are allowed within the Jade Cauldron Domain. Violators will be pursued by the seven Primordial Soul Grandmasters!"

"The Falling Cloud Sect and the Sword Sect have joined forces to establish a law enforcement team to patrol the entire region!"

These three pieces of news completely dispelled the restless thoughts of some foreign cultivators.

Those foreign cultivators who wanted to take advantage of the turmoil in the Jade Cauldron Domain had to temporarily retreat.

Even the Robbery Cultivators had to be more cautious.

Otherwise, if they were caught by the law enforcement team, they might even lose the chance to reincarnate.

Inside the cave mansion.

Luo Chen rubbed his eyebrows as he looked at the intelligence sent by Xing Zonghan.

The Splendor Palace's participation was actually within expectations.

Currently, the former site of the Flame Alliance is occupied by a first-rate power called the Wind and Rain Manor.

One of the two Golden Core Grandmasters who formed the Wind and Rain Manor is from the Odd Wind Sect of the Splendor Domain.

This person is named Fifth Ji, rumored to be a guest elder of the Splendor Palace.

He is acting as a vanguard, coming to the Jade Cauldron Domain in advance to scout for the Splendor Palace.

"With so much wind and rain, I'm afraid that when the war begins, my Luo Tian Association will also be swept up in it."

"Under such a mighty trend, how should I position myself?"

Just as he was worrying about the future.

An invitation slip was delivered to the cave mansion.

"To Dan Chenzi:

It has been six years since we last met.

Fellow Daoist, your battle against the Flame Alliance, though I did not witness it myself, I have heard of your heroic deeds in fighting Golden Core cultivators, and they still echo in my ears as if they happened yesterday.

In that battle, your valiant deeds were truly awe-inspiring, and I regret not being able to fight alongside you...

I have long heard of your exceptional skills in pill refinement, and I have several friends who are also interested in pursuit of the Dao of Pills. They wish to exchange insights with you.

I wonder when you might be available to meet and discuss the Dao of Pills.

—He Lianyun, sincerely."

Looking at the invitation slip, Luo Chen raised his eyebrows.

He had returned three years ago and lived a secluded life, but he didn't deliberately hide his presence.

In these three years, many people wanted to visit him!

Most of them were politely declined by him under the pretext of recuperating.

However, this person was worth meeting.

He Lianyun, the founder and Great Elder of the Lianyun Business Alliance.

A cultivator at the Ninth Level of Foundation Establishment.

"But who are these friends of his who are interested in the Dao of Pills?"

Luo Chen pondered this sentence, and a meaningful expression appeared on his face.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end