https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-493-The-Intricacies-and-Face-of-the-Rothean-Sect/12936271/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-495-Jiang-Yu-s-Demise-Luo-Chen-Emerges/12936273/
Chapter 494: Cultivation Speed, Advancing by Leaps and Bounds, Success and Failure Rely on the Body!
Chapter 494: Cultivation Speed, Advancing by Leaps and Bounds, Success and Failure Rely on the Body!
The former Luo Tian Hui.
Wang Yuan was the true strength behind the scenes, while Luo Chen was the face of the organization.
Usually, when they were out and about, others would give the Luo Tian Hui cultivators a second glance due to Luo Chen's identity as an alchemist, and even offer them some preferential treatment.
When it came to combat, Wang Yuan was the main force.
However, as Luo Chen grew stronger, the enemies they faced also became more powerful, and this situation gradually shifted.
By the late Foundation Establishment Stage, Luo Chen had already become the sole iconic figure of Luo Tian Hui.
Especially after achieving Core Formation!
With the dual identities of a Golden Core Cultivator and an alchemy master, Luo Chen's success and failure were now solely tied to the prosperity and honor of Luo Tian Sect.
Luo Chen himself didn't feel much about this.
But this situation was a significant drawback for the sect's development.
If Luo Chen were to encounter an accident, Luo Tian Sect would be left without a face or backing, and the consequences... even the Cloudy Commerce Alliance!
The consequences would be similar to the Cloudy Commerce Alliance, enduring multiple wars and losses, barely surviving only because the Cloudy Grand Elder was still alive.
But once the Cloudy Grand Elder passed away, the Cloudy Commerce Alliance would be on the brink of collapse.
Their industries would be picked clean, almost sucked dry by the surrounding powers of Tianlan Immortal City.
Luo Tian Sect was also one of them, and because Luo Chen had seized the initiative, they had obtained the most lucrative store and several mature businesses.
If Luo Tian Sect didn't want to end up like the Cloudy Commerce Alliance in the future, they must plan ahead for the cultivation of the next generation.
Among the older generation, whether it was Wang Yuan, Chu Kui, or even Sima Hui Niang and Gu Cai Yi, they were all capable of standing on their own.
But among the younger generation, aside from Qu Lingjun, who had some fame, the rest had lived too comfortably due to the protection of Luo Chen and the others over the years.
That was why he wanted to promote Zeng Yilong, the son of his friend.
If Zeng Yilong grew up well, even if Luo Chen, Wang Yuan, and Chu Kui's generation of powerful cultivators perished, he could still protect the sect.
Moreover, he had the potential.
His talent, resources, and even cultivation techniques had already been laid out by his predecessors, and he only needed to supplement his combat experience to make up for his shortcomings.
His father had asked, and his combat talent was already quite good.
With the guidance of his mentor Wang Yuan over the years, if he could exchange theory and talent through practice, it would be perfect.
Unknowingly, Luo Chen's mindset had shifted from the wandering cultivator's attitude of "Let the floods rage after my death, I don't care," to the mindset of the founder of a major sect, considering the future generations.
Or perhaps, this was the true meaning of "inheritance"!
Not being bound by the superficial form of inheritance, but rather a spiritual inheritance.
...
After Jiang Yu left with ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the Luo Tian Alliance seemed as if nothing had happened, and life continued as before.
It was only an "appearance"!
In reality, some changes had gradually begun to take place.
The remaining disciples of Wan Xiang Sect became more united and exclusive. This time, they sent out their senior brother and two capable Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Who knows who they will send out next time? People under the eaves have to bow their heads.
But if they keep bowing their heads, Wan Xiang Sect will eventually be divided up by the three major powers within the alliance.
On the other hand, Wu Diqi of Fengyu Mountain Villa secluded himself, benefiting greatly from the natural third-stage Spirit Vein, and seemed to be using this opportunity to break through to the middle stage of the Golden Core.
In contrast, Cen Qiusheng did the opposite.
He spent a fortune to invite Fu Jiusheng and Min Longyu to transform the third-stage inferior Cave Mansion on Huimeng Ridge into two weak third-stage Cave Mansions.
He himself did not enter the two weak third-stage Cave Mansions.
Instead, he arranged for two Foundation Establishment Cultivators from his family to cultivate there.
Cen Guangyi and Cen Guanghui.
In other words, he had already given up on his cultivation and placed all his hopes on the younger generation of his family.
On the surface, these things were not apparent.
But Luo Chen was no ordinary person; he sensed these changes through the information from his subordinates and his own perception.
"This is also good. Although everyone has their own agenda, at least the alliance's strength is growing."
"As long as I'm here, this alliance won't stir up any waves."
Luo Chen thought to himself.
Of course, he wasn't idle either.
Once Wu Diqi broke through to the fourth layer of the Golden Core, the leadership of the alliance was likely to change.
Therefore, he didn't slack off in his own cultivation.
One could even say that he became more diligent than before! Previously, he lacked the conditions, and after achieving Core Formation, he had been stuck at the first layer of the Golden Core.
But now, with a Spirit Vein and pills, there was no reason to idle.
Thus, aside from array practice, he devoted all his energy to cultivation.
In this situation, his cultivation progress also began to advance by leaps and bounds, constantly changing.
...
Two years later.
Inside the Cave Mansion.
Luo Chen gazed at the seemingly empty void before him, lost in thought.
【Longevity: 115/402】
【Spirit Root: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth】
【Realm: Golden Core Layer 1, 58/100; Primordial Third Stage, 25/100】
【Cultivation Techniques: Igniting Wood True Technique Perfect, 395/500; Ten Thousand Paths Convergence Grandmaster, 517/1000; Ten Thousand Beasts Scripture, 15/100】
【Spells: Fourth Stage: Dragon-Slaying Technique Proficiency 175/200
Third Stage: Grandmasters of the First Breath Great Seal 627/1000, Mirror Flower Water Moon 521/1000, Dust Essence Technique Perfect 457/500, Life Severing Finger Novice 15/100
Second Stage: Flower Fairy Grand Completion, Soul Confusion Technique Grand Completion, Grass Scythe Golden Sword Technique Grand Completion, Five Elements Return to Viscera Technique Grand Completion
First Stage: Limb Regeneration Technique Grand Completion】
【Martial Arts: Cloud Probing Divine Claws Grandmaster 590/1000, Burning Poison Grandmaster 521/1000】
Grandmaster Spells (Click to view details)
【Alchemy: Scale Turning Hand Perfect 417/500, Grand Completion Alchemy (Click to view details)】
【Profession: Tier 3 Alchemist, Tier 2 Physician
Tier 3 Pills: Starlight Pill Grand Completion, Dark Essence Pill Novice 6/100
Tier 2 Pills: Imperial Stream Plasma Novice 99/100
Grand Completion Pills (Click to view details)】
【Tier 1 Array Master: Tier 3 Array: Concealment Array Grand Completion
Tier 1 Arrays: Willful Array Novice 5/100, Sharp Metal Array Novice 1/100, Wood Array Novice 5/100, Primordial Array Novice 3/100, Fire Gathering Array Novice 5/100, Solid Armor Array Novice 1/100】
【Achievement Points: 75】
After reaching the Golden Core Stage, a cultivator's divine soul undergoes a metamorphosis, resulting in heightened senses and an almost photographic memory.
It's hard to say if their intelligence increases, but at the very least, they can process complex information much faster.
With just a quick glance, Luo Chen had a rough idea of his cultivation progress over the past few years.
A century to form a core, a decade to solidify his realm, and then a leap to the first level of the Golden Core Stage.
The following two years brought little progress.
However, as he settled in the Howling Moon Mountains and had various external support, his cultivation speed erupted like a volcano.
Three years!
In just three years, he pushed the progress of the first level of the Golden Core Stage to halfway.
He also honed his Burning Wood True Technique to perfection, not far from the Grandmaster level.
At this rate, in another three years, he would have a high chance of advancing to the second level of the Golden Core Stage.
"I wonder how the fifth eccentric's cultivation is progressing?"
"His talent is not bad, but he only has a lower-tier third-stage cave abode and only the lower-grade Starlight Pill that I provided, far inferior to my superior-grade Starlight Pill."
"Even if his talent surpasses mine, his cultivation speed is likely much slower than mine."
Of course!
This rapid cultivation speed comes at a high cost.
In just two years, he spent a staggering one million and five hundred thousand spirit stones on pills.
All the spirit stones he earned for the Rothean Sect were invested in his cultivation.
It still wasn't enough, and he had to rely on supplements from other Golden Core Cultivators.
Among Golden Core Cultivators with wealth in the millions of spirit stones, Luo Chen's investment in cultivation resources is undoubtedly one of the most extravagant.
Such a rapid cultivation progress is entirely due to resource accumulation! Luo Chen's primary focus is on his cultivation.
As for the other aspects of the system, he doesn't pay much attention to them.
The first and second-stage spells gradually reached Grand Completion, as expected.
These low-level spells, with his abundant spiritual power and no venue restrictions, naturally allowed him to swiftly max out their proficiency.
The third-stage spells are more challenging, especially Mirror Flower Water Moon, which progresses slowly despite being his primary focus.
Nevertheless, it's progressing steadily.
In terms of alchemy, he hasn't received any new pill techniques or pill scriptures in a while.
Even with pills, he's been practicing the third-stage Starlight Pill recently.
The only thing worth mentioning is probably the second-stage Foundation Establishment Pill technique, the Imperial Stream Plasma.
Amidst the opening war.
There is no shortage of demon beast flesh and blood.
Occasionally, when he comes across intact demon beast corpses, he takes them and personally refines the Imperial Stream Plasma.
At his position, it's normal to have a few secret techniques and pills for breaking through realms for personal use.
As long as they aren't sold externally, the Grandmasters of the Pill King Sect won't interfere.
Luo Chen refined dozens of Imperial Stream Plasma for the sect.
Now that the sect has a spirit ground and a chance to rise, the lack of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, the core strength, becomes apparent.
If the Rothean Sect aims to become a major sect in the future.
Apart from the three Golden Core Cultivators, they'll need at least a hundred Foundation Establishment True Cultivators.
Otherwise, they won't be able to expand their business.
Currently, the twenty-odd Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Rothean Sect struggle to support Luo Chen alone.
In the future, if the sect has to support three Golden Core Cultivators, it will be financially strained.
After browsing through these, Luo Chen's gaze fell on a newly added section.
Array Master! A first-stage one.
Surprisingly, it had a label: 【Third Stage Array: Concealment Array Grand Completion】!
"This is one of the results of my cultivation over the past few years."
Luo Chen smiled faintly.
As for why he could set up a third-stage array but was still a first-stage Array Master, he had already figured it out.
His "foundation" was unstable.
He only learned the most basic Willful Array at the first stage and the five elemental arrays for crafting his Soulbound Treasure in the future. Moreover, he only learned the basics without delving deeper.
In this situation, even with the Concealment Array at Grand Completion, he remains a first-stage Array Master of little repute.
"But this is enough."
"A Great Perfection Concealment Array, I should be able to engrave it on my body seamlessly, without any mishaps."
After glancing at the accumulation of 75 achievement points.
Luo Chen casually closed the attribute panel.
Then, he took out a large amount of materials from his storage ring.
His gaze fell upon the materials, and Luo Chen subtly nodded.
These were all prepared in advance by Min Longyu over the years.
Specifically for the purpose of setting up an array on his body!
One could even say that the quantity exceeded the standard by several times, just to allow for quick replenishment after Luo Chen's future excessive consumption.
"Setting up an array on my body!"
Luo Chen murmured, and then his loose Daoist robe fell onto the table, revealing a perfectly robust physique!
Unlike Wang Yuan's robust and vigorous body, like a giant boiling furnace.
Nor was it like Zeng Yilong, whose handsome appearance hid muscles as tough as a demon's.
In comparison, Luo Chen, who focused solely on "body refinement," had extremely smooth muscle lines.
That feeling... was like a great roc spreading its wings and soaring in the sky.
Majestic and valiant, yet not frightening.
As his muscles stretched, a series of crackling sounds echoed, as if metal and iron were clashing.
When there was nothing left on his body.
Luo Chen reached out and a batch of mineral materials fell into the Shangshu Furnace.
Under the scorching of his Primordial True Flame, they gradually turned into colorful liquids.
When the last black fourth-stage stone material merged with the rest, the colorful liquids suddenly transformed into a pitch-black mass, like ink.
Ink?
Looking at the ink, Luo Chen took a deep breath and manipulated a high-grade artifact-level Golden Bamboo Pen, dipping it in the ink.
After dipping enough ink, he began to use the pen to draw array patterns on his body.
Front and back, limbs and facial features.
Even the soles of his feet and the crown of his head were almost completely covered.
For this, Luo Chen even casually shaved off his long, shiny black hair.
The Concealment Array, composed of numerous obscure restrictions, was as high as the third stage!
Especially after Luo Chen repeatedly copied and perfected it to Great Perfection, it was almost flawless, comparable to a fourth-stage array.
Luo Chen had set it up once before and received astonished praise from Min Longyu.
He directly stated that this Concealment Array might even deceive a Nascent Soul cultivator!
To make this array function to its full potential, it was natural that no corner could be left untouched during the engraving process.
Even if not covering the entire body, the intersecting array patterns must envelop every detail, big or small.
Soon!
Luo Chen successfully drew the Concealment Array on his body.
"Next, I just need to wait for my body to absorb these array patterns."
A smile appeared on Luo Chen's face as he floated naked in mid-air, allowing his body to absorb the ink.
However.
As time slowly passed, Luo Chen's expression gradually turned as gloomy as ink.
He lowered his head to look at his palm, where the thick ink still clung, showing no signs of merging with his body.
"Can't it be absorbed?"
"What's going on?"
Between the changing moods, Luo Chen began to search for the cause.
First, he had undoubtedly mastered the array completely.
Second, the materials were correct, and even the proportions were pre-adjusted by Min Longyu.
Finally...
"Then the problem must lie in my Primordial Third Stage body!"
Luo Chen took a deep breath, and he seemed to have found the root of the issue.
The most unlikely cause might just be the most probable one!
He never expected that the beast-level physique, which was his trump card during the Foundation Establishment Stage, would become a major obstacle to engraving the array.
Especially over the years, after his successful Core Formation, he perfected the Ten Thousand Paths Convergence, occasionally tempering his body with the Primordial True Flame, making his physique stronger.
It was a good thing, but now it had turned into a problem.
Indeed, his body was both his strength and his weakness.
However, it was clear that Luo Chen was accustomed to failure but never resigned to it.
"If a high-grade artifact-level Golden Bamboo Pen doesn't work, then what about using a flying sword-level treasure?"
A fierce look flashed across Luo Chen's face, and the Mystic Flame Sword appeared before him.
This time, the sword tip was not pointed outward but inward!
When the sword tip slashed open a bloody gash on Luo Chen's chest, he couldn't help but grunt.
Being cut by someone else and cutting oneself were two different matters.
Even with mental preparation, Luo Chen still felt a twinge of pain.
"The oozing blood will interfere with the array formation."
"Burn it!"
With a thought, the Primordial True Flame enveloped Luo Chen's body, scorching away the blood that had just flowed out.
As the thick ink seeped into his flesh and bones, a piercing pain spread throughout his body.
"Go!"
"The pain of slow absorption and forceful engraving is completely different!"
Luo Chen roared, but his hands didn't stop moving.
The Mystic Flame Sword trembled continuously, pouring ink, and Luo Chen had to multitask, continuously forming hand seals to cast restrictions with his spiritual power.
Gradually, beneath the hideous wound, black lines crawled like earthworms all over Luo Chen's body.
From a distance, it was terrifying to the extreme!
(End of Chapter)
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