Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 482: Deployment of Forces, Choosing a Site to Establish a Sect - Novel Cool

Chapter 482: Deployment of Forces, Choosing a Site to Establish a Sect

Chapter 482: Deployment of Forces, Choosing a Site to Establish a Sect

"Thank you!"

"Hmm?"

Luo Chen was taken aback, unsure of the other party's intention.

However, he didn't have to guess, as the other party didn't make him ponder.

Lin Qingxuan calmly said, "Thank you for enlightening me about Elder Pang."

Luo Chen hesitated, "Elder Pang Renxiong?"

"Yes."

Lin Qingxuan nodded and began to recount the past.

It turned out that when Elder Pang Renxiong was killed, he swallowed the remnants of the three Ghost Kings' essence and turned to cultivate the Ghost Path, thanks to his Sword Mind Enlightenment.

Within a few short years, he had broken through to the Third Rank Ghost King Realm.

However, such rapid progress also had its drawbacks.

After ascending to the Ghost King Realm, due to the resentment from his death and the lingering will of the three Ghost Kings, his mind became confused and his thoughts muddled.

If left unchecked, he would eventually succumb to the chaotic confusion of a ghost.

It was Luo Chen who, in the Great River Ghost City, took out the other party's relic from the past and even called out, "Master."

It was only then, at that critical moment, that the other party's deep-seated memories were awakened.

For so many years since then, the reason why the Great River Ghost Abyss had not continued to spread was because Elder Pang Renxiong had regained his sanity and deliberately restrained the spread of the ghost abyss.

"If not for your timely reminder, my Elder Pang would have surely sunk into the evil path of the underworld, never to step onto the right path again."

Lin Qingxuan sighed, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Although Elder Pang is straightforward, he has been very kind to us juniors and has greatly supported me."

"Since you are indebted to him, I should thank him personally."

Luo Chen suddenly understood.

Elder Pang Renxiong liked to mentor younger generations, and this was not just a facade; it was his genuine nature.

In the past, he had generously bestowed the Tianyue Purple Golden Wheel and the Lankeshan Black and White Chess game to Miao Wen, Luo Tianhong, and others.

Upon learning of Luo Chen's talent in alchemy, he didn't hesitate to recruit him and took him into his sect, even planning to bring him back to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.

Luo Chen had also prepared to bid farewell to his friends and follow him.

If it weren't for the subsequent war... he might have already been a registered disciple of a High-stage Nascent Soul Sect.

With Elder Pang Renxiong's protective nature and Luo Chen's efforts, he would have at least become a Foundation Establishment True Disciple.

Of course.

Luo Chen had never regretted not going to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. At that time, the future was uncertain, and who knew if he could have safely continued his cultivation in the Sword Sect.

Moreover, he was doing quite well now!

Suddenly, Luo Chen realized and asked, "How did you come to know about this secret matter, fellow Daoist?"

Lin Qingxuan smiled slightly, revealing his white teeth.

"Of course, after Elder Pang returned to the sect, he personally told us. He mentioned you, and after we informed him about your situation, he couldn't help but sigh."

Has Elder Pang Renxiong returned to the sect? Luo Chen nodded and looked around.

"Didn't he come for this war?"

"No, he still needs to seclude himself for a while to solidify his realm. Besides... heh, how could he come to the Luoyun Sect's war of expansion?" Lin Qingxuan scoffed.

Luo Chen quickly thought of the grudge between the two sects.

Despite their current alliance, the underlying grudges and affections were merely suppressed temporarily.

Moreover!

Luo Chen became curious and asked, "Speaking of which, during the battle at Great River Lane, that... mysterious black-robed man used a Sword Cauldron Resonance technique. I wonder..."

Lin Qingxuan's face turned cold.

However, he didn't get angry.

Instead, he calmly said, "That technique is the ultimate skill of our Sword Sect. Within the entire sect, only the old ancestor and the previous generation's Daoist Master know it."

The previous generation's Daoist Master of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect? A name popped into Luo Chen's mind:

Ren Pingsheng! The existence once hailed as the number one Golden Core Cultivator in the Jade Cauldron Domain.

Unlike the Daoist Masters of other Golden Core Sects, who were mostly at the Advanced Foundation Establishment Stage, the Sword Sect's Daoist Masters were selected from among Golden Core Cultivators.

For Ren Pingsheng to have such a great reputation, he must have already reached the Late Core Formation Stage, and as a Sword Cultivator, he was indeed the number one in the Jade Cauldron Domain.

"But why..."

"You want to know why Linghu Jie of the Luoyun Sect could use the Sword Cauldron Resonance technique, right?"

"Yes."

Luo Chen nodded, but then he realized that the other party already knew that the mysterious black-robed man targeting Elder Pang Renxiong in Great River Lane was Linghu Jie.

Lin Qingxuan sighed and said, "Daoist Master Ren Pingsheng is already dead. His corpse was refined into a puppet by Han Zhan of the Luoyun Sect. Linghu Jie merely borrowed that puppet to deal with Elder Pang. That's why you witnessed what you did—using our Sword Sect's techniques to kill our Sword Sect's Golden Core Cultivators."

As he spoke, a rare anger appeared on Lin Qingxuan's face.

"Daoist Master Ren was our sect's most promising cultivator with the potential to reach the Nascent Soul Stage, but he fell at the hands of Han Zhan. We will never forget this grudge."

Luo Chen listened from the side without interrupting.

He had a good relationship with the Luoyun Sect and wouldn't speak ill of them behind their backs.

Moreover, despite the mention of a deep grudge, the two Nascent Soul Stage sects had now joined forces.

In the face of the immense benefits of the war of expansion, minor grudges were insignificant.

If he were to stir up trouble between them, that would truly be playing with fire.

As his thoughts wandered, Luo Chen contemplated even more.

He recalled the time at the Great Snow Mountain when he saw Han Zhan summon five Golden Core Stage puppets and display a sword formation.

Its power was extraordinary, and even when facing the Boneless Black Snake, it didn't fall behind.

Thinking about it now, one of the puppets had a face and demeanor very similar to Elder Pang Renxiong's.

So, did that mean that among the remaining four puppets was Daoist Master Ren Pingsheng?

If so, the grudge between the two sects wasn't minor but very, very significant!

For a sect's genius to be refined into a puppet, and yet they still chose to ally?

"In this war, although our Sword Sect is participating, it's only me who is actually involved!"

"I will use this war to restore our Sword Sect's reputation and, after the Dingding Xiumo, I will retrieve the remains of our four predecessors from that person's hands."

Lin Qingxuan spoke with conviction.

His entire being exuded a sharp and awe-inspiring aura.

He's using the war to sharpen his skills!

Luo Chen understood his thoughts.

There are quite a few people like this, mainly within the top Nascent Soul Sects.

They primarily focus on business, and they also send out disciples with good aptitudes to gain experience, preventing them from being confined to theory and lacking practical skills.

"Sorry, I got a bit carried away," Lin Qingxuan retracted his aura and became calm again, smiling apologetically at Luo Chen.

Luo Chen smiled, "It's fine, I asked first anyway."

Lin Qingxuan nodded, "Actually, I mainly wanted to ask about something else."

"Go ahead!" Luo Chen waited for him to continue.

"Are you interested in joining my Jade Cauldron Sword Sect?"

It was a well-worn topic.

Without much hesitation, Luo Chen declined.

Starting his own venture might be more challenging, but it would offer independence.

However, once he joined, many things would be beyond his control.

Even powerful figures like Ren Pingsheng and Pang Renxiong had fallen victim to schemes.

Moreover, at his current cultivation level and status, as long as he didn't make any major mistakes or offend the wrong people, he could eventually rise to prominence.

Most importantly!

He had already signed a talisman alliance with Wu Diqi and the others, and it was impossible for him to back out midway.

Luo Chen's refusal didn't seem to surprise Lin Qingxuan, as his expression didn't change much.

He shook his head, "I'm not asking you to join my sect, but rather to become a guest scholar."

"A guest scholar?" Luo Chen became interested.

Lin Qingxuan nodded and continued, "Just like your cooperation with the Ice Fortress, or your relationship with Green Pill Valley. Our sect won't establish a subordinate relationship with you, and you can still do whatever you want."

Luo Chen was puzzled, "Then what do you want?"

Lin Qingxuan smiled slightly, "Of course, we value your alchemy skills."

With the matter clarified, there was no need for further ambiguity.

The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect simply admired Luo Chen's alchemy skills and held high expectations for him.

They planned to establish a long-term collaboration with him after the war.

They were even willing to provide him with corresponding pill formulas for his study and refinement.

The reason for such lenient conditions was the scarcity of alchemists in the Sword Sect.

In their entire sect, there was only one third-stage alchemist who was truly skilled.

With Luo Chen's addition, the Sword Sect would no longer be dependent on the Medicine King Sect for the cultivation resources of their Golden Core Cultivators.

"I need some time to consider," Luo Chen said.

"Take your time, there's no rush," Lin Qingxuan smiled, and then added, "If you decide to join, just bring the token my Senior Uncle Pang gave me back then, and you can go directly to Jade Emperor Mountain."

"Hmm."

At this point in the conversation, there wasn't much else to discuss.

The two returned to the main hall.

However, the atmosphere had changed drastically.

Luo Chen returned to Fei Ming and Absolute Emotionless, and after sitting down, his gaze fell on the main seat in the hall.

"Who is that?"

"Luoyun Sect's Second Elder, Cheng Yan!" Fei Ming replied.

Upon hearing this answer, information about Cheng Yan instantly surfaced in Luo Chen's memory.

Cheng Yan was a well-known Golden Core Elder of the Luoyun Sect.

At the ninth layer of the Golden Core stage, he had stood tall in the cultivation world for five hundred years without falling!

He was older than Luoyun Sect's Han Zhan Zhenren, and was even his senior brother.

However, the other party had taken a step ahead and formed the Nascent Soul earlier.

Over the years, Cheng Yan, the second elder who was already quite old and had no chance of forming a Nascent Soul, had been handling the Luoyun Sect's affairs, big and small.

Including the Opening War!

At this moment, everyone stopped talking and looked at Cheng Yan.

He showed no signs of fear, waving his hand calmly.

The next moment, twenty-six jade slips flew to each table.

Luo Chen's thoughts stirred, and he held the jade slip, probing it with his divine sense.

"A map?"

"No, it's a troop distribution map!"

He suddenly raised his head and looked at the old man.

Others made the same motion as him.

Under everyone's gaze, Cheng Yan slowly spoke, "As you can see, this is the troop distribution map of the Xiumo Wolf Clan. Although it may not be absolutely accurate, most of it can be guaranteed."

"During the construction of Moonbreaker Immortal City, our Luoyun Sect hasn't been idle."

"Our disciples have paid a great price by using puppets, gradually uncovering the distribution of the demonic race in the Howling Moon Mountain Range."

"The upcoming battle!"

"Our Luoyun Sect doesn't want to drag this out. We aim to sweep through the Howling Moon with thunderous might and establish the foundation of our human race."

Upon hearing this, everyone was both surprised and delighted.

They had thought that the Luoyun Sect was building Moonbreaker Immortal City to take a gradual approach.

Now it seemed that they had changed their usual style and wanted to capture it quickly.

Indeed, this was beyond the expectations of many, including Tianfan City!

"Fellow cultivators, I've given you the map. It includes the distribution of the demonic race's troops and the corresponding Spirit Land grades."

"Over the next month, carefully consider your options and inform our Luoyun Sect of the areas you wish to attack."

"One month later, the entire army will launch an assault!"

After saying this, Cheng Yan didn't linger and left the hall immediately.

Another Golden Core cultivator from the Luoyun Sect stepped forward, announcing the continuation of the exchange and sending disciples to offer Spirit Wine Immortal Fruits.

However, faced with such news, who would have the heart to indulge in food and drink?

A group of Golden Core cultivators, who seemed lofty and detached from the mortal world to outsiders, were now discussing and arguing like a bustling marketplace.

On Luo Chen's side, Fei Ming on the left was engrossed in reading the jade slip, while Absolute Emotionless on the right remained unmoved.

They were different; Ailao Mountain's participation in the Opening War wasn't for relocating their sect, but simply to do some business.

Not many people had come.

The same was true for the Ice Fortress, or perhaps their focus was still on the Great Snow Mountain.

Only Luo Chen was immersed in the jade slip, unable to extricate himself for a long time.

The Howling Moon Mountain Range had countless large and small Spirit Lands that had been explored.

There are primarily four locations with Fourth-Rank Spirit Veins.

There's no need to think further, this must be the target of the Luoyun Sect!

Next, it's time to discuss the main participants—the majority of Golden Core sects are eyeing the Third-Rank Spirit Veins.

"There are a total of seventeen such locations."

"However, only five are truly suitable for large sects to inhabit. The rest are only suitable for small-scale Third-Rank Spirit Veins, accommodating two or three Golden Core cultivators at most."

"Excluding the Ice Fortress, Ailao Mountain, Huanzhen Lou, and other sects not interested in the Howling Moon Mountain Range's Spirit Veins, that leaves thirteen major sects vying for these five veins."

"Too many monks, not enough rice!" Luo Chen sighed.

He had anticipated this situation, as even the Jade Cauldron Domain previously had only seven sects, and the Hundred Flowers Palace and Ailao Mountain occupied relatively small-scale Spirit Veins.

In other words, there are only five suitable locations.

Oh! The Ice Fortress is not that large either, with a maximum capacity of accommodating nine Golden Core Elders for cultivation, and they would still need to take turns.

It's not feasible for one person to occupy an entire cave mansion.

However, Luo Chen hadn't expected the Howling Moon Mountain Range to be so much larger than the Jade Cauldron Domain, with only six suitable Spirit Lands.

Subtracting the Luoyun Sect's reserved Fourth-Rank Spirit Land, thirteen sects are left to compete for five locations...

Luo Chen felt a headache coming on.

His Luo Tian Alliance wasn't particularly strong, and the highest cultivation level within the alliance was only Wu Diqi, a Third-Layer Golden Core cultivator.

With this lineup, how could they compete with others? He lifted his head and happened to see Fei Ming staring at Tianfan City, where Hu Yanzhuo, the Grand Master, stood with a gloomy expression, exuding an aura that warned strangers to stay away.

"What's going on?" Luo Chen was puzzled.

Fei Ming quietly transmitted his thoughts, "What else can we do? If the Opening War ends quickly, how will Tianfan City profit? Tsk tsk, I wonder what the Luoyun Sect is thinking, suddenly changing their minds."

Luo Chen furrowed his brows.

Unable to understand the situation, he didn't bother to think further. He still had troubles to deal with on his side.

"I'll take a month to return and discuss this with them, and see how we should proceed!"

It seemed that the exchange meeting wouldn't continue.

Luo Chen bid farewell to Fei Ming and Absolute Emotionless before leaving.

As he exited, he saw Hu Yanzhuo being invited by the Luoyun Sect's Golden Core Elder into another side hall.

...

Upon returning to his cave mansion, Luo Chen immediately sent out a telepathic talisman.

Soon, Wu Diqi and the others appeared in his cave mansion.

"Take a look!"

Luo Chen didn't waste words and directly handed them the jade slip.

He also informed them of the Luoyun Sect's decision from the exchange meeting.

After reading the contents, they couldn't help but exchange glances.

"What should we do now?"

"Should we compete with others?"

"How can we compete? Those sects planning to relocate have either a Late-Stage Golden Core Grand Master or seven to eight Golden Core Elders, their strength is formidable. As for us, we only have a mere five people."

"I had hoped to showcase our strength, but it seems our strength is still insufficient!"

"Why don't we target a smaller Third-Rank Spirit Vein instead?"

"Didn't you see the annotation above? The largest small-scale Third-Rank Spirit Vein can only support the cultivation of three Golden Core Elders simultaneously. With five of us, how will we divide it later?"

"Isn't there also the Moonbreaker Immortal City cave mansion?"

"That cave mansion only has a hundred years of usage rights."

"After a hundred years, Daoist Cen will also..."

"It's fine, I probably only have a hundred years of lifespan left. However, we do need to consider the future, after all, we're not alone, we have our families and sects. Among the younger generations, there might be one or two who can cultivate to the Golden Core stage."

"Yes, we should plan for the long term!"

Amidst the noisy discussion, they still couldn't reach a conclusion.

Luo Chen, feeling agitated, waved his hand.

"Let's wait and see, we still have a month."

Fu Jiu Sheng chimed in, "Indeed, we have plenty of time to make a decision. Moreover, not all sects will survive, and there have been casualties in previous Opening Wars. Only those who survive to the end can have the last laugh, and perhaps we can even benefit from others' misfortunes."

His words made sense, but not many people took them to heart.

This Opening War involved a larger number of cultivators than any previous edition, giving them a significant advantage.

In essence, the odds were in their favor, and with such an advantage, there was little chance of major casualties.

Many had already started planning to divide the spoils, with some even setting their sights on the Great Snow Mountain and the Ancient Plains Mountain Range.

In everyone's eyes, the Howling Moon Mountain Range was like a cooked duck, and who wouldn't want a piece of its leg?

After each person copied a jade slip and left, the cave mansion became quiet.

Unconsciously, time had slipped into the late hours of the night.

Luo Chen suppressed his agitation, adjusted his state, and began taking pills to cultivate.

As for attacking the demonic race and finding a suitable location to open a mountain, he planned to gather more information about other factions' intentions in the coming month.

Moreover, if the Yun He Immortal Couple was indeed planning to attack the Great Snow Mountain, they might divert some of their forces there.

The situation wasn't as bad as he had imagined!

...

The next day, before Luo Chen could set out to seek friends for information, someone took the initiative to visit him.

"Friend Meng!"

Luo Chen's eyes lit up.

Meng Changshou stood at the door with a hearty smile, "It seems I've come at an inopportune time, with you about to head out."

Luo Chen laughed heartily, "No, you've come at just the right time."

Where else could he get faster and more accurate information than through Meng Changshou's extensive connections? Many sought his friendship due to his renowned reputation.

If Luo Chen could improve their relationship, a simple inquiry might reveal others' intentions.

As for how to improve their relationship?

It was simple—appeal to his interests.

"Speaking of which, I've encountered some troubles in pill refinement recently. Friend Meng, would you mind entering my cave mansion to offer some guidance?"

Meng Changshou laughed heartily, "I dare not claim to guide, but we can discuss and progress together."

After speaking, he stroked his beard and, at Luo Chen's invitation, entered the cave mansion.

(End of Chapter)

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