https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-71-The-Bell-and-Cauldron-Feast-the-Golden-Core-Approaches/12831545/
Chapter 72: Lucas Chen, Is It?
Chapter 72: Lucas Chen, Is It?
On the second floor, a large group of Qi Refinement cultivators occupied about seven or eight tables.
The tables were laden with rare delicacies, all infused with spiritual energy. If one were to calculate the cost in spirit stones, each table would easily be worth over a thousand spirit stones.
However, this time, these Qi Refinement cultivators didn't have to pay.
Lucas Chen sat at one of the central tables, having been pulled over by Grace Tsai.
Most of the people at this table were female cultivators.
Thus, Lucas Chen's presence as the only male cultivator drew many curious glances.
Lucas Chen seemed oblivious to the attention, focusing entirely on his food.
"Ten years are up, and I have to return to the Joyful Union Sect."
The speaker was Fragrant Xiang, a lady from the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, her voice tinged with both reluctance and anticipation.
Grace Tsai looked at her enviously. "This time, Fragrant Xiang, you'll be working on advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, right?"
Fragrant Xiang smiled and nodded gently.
In the ten years she had been here, her cultivation hadn't lagged. She was just one step away from achieving the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement.
More importantly, she had collected almost all the materials needed for the Foundation Establishment stage, as required by the Joyful Union Sect's cultivation techniques.
The only thing missing now was returning to the sect to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.
"Is Aunt Gong going back?" Grace Tsai suddenly asked.
"Of course, she has to. After all, the spirit vein here is only first-class and not suitable for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to reside long-term."
Fragrant Xiang answered frankly, offering a reminder to her good friend.
"The next person to take over here has two candidates. If it's Senior Sister Chi, it would be better, but if it's Senior Brother Hua, you need to be careful and not offend him."
"What do you mean?"
"Senior Brother Hua and I entered the sect in the same batch. He has a violent and cruel nature, enjoying the act of capturing and consuming. After advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, he became more restrained, but only within the sect. If he comes here, with no one to control him, it could be dangerous."
Hearing this, Grace Tsai's heart tightened.
Fragrant Xiang suddenly smiled. "But you don't need to worry too much. That late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from Mount Ailao seems to have a fancy for you. He has mentioned it twice to Aunt Gong, wanting to take you as a concubine. You might as well go with him; the Mount Ailao sect is quite wealthy."
Lucas Chen, who had been enjoying his meal, paused for a moment.
Looking up, he noticed that Grace Tsai didn't seem as joyful as he expected, instead forcing a smile.
"That man is not a good person, Caiyi, think thrice!"
Suddenly, Fiona Hsu, who had been silent, spoke up.
Grace Tsai nodded, not daring to speak ill of a Foundation Establishment cultivator behind his back.
She was different from Yu Xiang and Fiona Hsu.
Yu Xiang was a disciple of the Joyful Union Sect. Once she successfully advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, she would become an Inner Sect disciple, even with a chance to become a True Disciple.
Fiona Hsu, on the other hand, had recently become the manager of the Divine Talisman Pavilion and was about to return to the sect with the Divine Talisman Pavilion's people.
Both had the backing of the Six Great Sects, so they had nothing to fear from a mere Mount Ailao.
But Grace Tsai had to be careful about what she said.
Seeing Lucas Chen eating while paying attention to their conversation, Fiona Hsu quietly explained to him.
"Fei Baiwen, though a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, is actually an Inherited Husband (a husband married into the wife's family), with a Golden Core stage senior's granddaughter as his wife."
Lucas Chen had already known this.
"If this person had a strong will, it would be better, but he is very weak-willed. Not only is he dominated by his wife at home, but his status within the sect is also low. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been sent to this remote area to repair buildings."
Lucas Chen recalled the scene he had witnessed on the third floor.
The Elder Chu from the Myriad Treasures Tower, chatting with a well-dressed man, was Fei Baiwen.
Despite being a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Fei Baiwen didn't display the air of superiority that came with being two minor stages higher than Elder Chu, who was only a Foundation Establishment Initial stage.
Trembling and shrinking, she lacked the courage to take bold action.
If Gu Caiyi were to return with that man, she would likely end up dead at the hands of his wife, or perhaps even under the cruel grasp of Fei Baiwen.
Even Luo Chen, who was not directly involved, could see these dangers. As the one directly affected, Gu Caiyi naturally had a deeper understanding and more far-reaching concerns.
But the farther she thought ahead, the more profound her suffering became, far more than anyone could imagine.
In this world, women without great abilities often relied on powerful male cultivators for protection.
She now had such an opportunity, but she couldn't take it, she didn't dare to!
And if she stayed here?
After the grand opening of the Dao Discussion Platform, her reputation had already been established.
Business was plentiful, and she had earned a substantial amount of spirit stones.
But Gong Huiqin was gone, and the new head of the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion could be anyone, even that Brother Hua, who would likely demand her careful attention.
Unless she decided to leave the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion altogether.
But then, where would she go?
Her worries were endless, her thoughts tortuous.
Glancing sideways, she noticed that Luo Chen, the only man at the table, was stuffing his face.
Half of the delicious dishes had already found their way into his mouth.
"Eat, eat, eat, all you think about is eating!"
Luo Chen looked bewildered. Wasn't the food meant to be eaten?
This meal could sustain him for ten days of rigorous cultivation!
Whether it was his innocent expression or her misplaced anger, Gu Caiyi found herself laughing despite herself.
Why am I getting angry at this little man!
Rolling up her sleeves, she revealed her fair arms and personally poured a cup of wine for Luo Chen.
"Try to eat more. Go back and refine it well to boost your cultivation. If you were a Foundation Establishment alchemist, I wouldn't have to go to such lengths."
Luo Chen, feeling somewhat awkward, drank the wine.
Sister, if you want to use me as a backup, at least don't say it so bluntly!
I'm not that kind of person who lusts after beauty!
Yu Xiang and Fu Xiuxiu, who were sitting nearby, covered their mouths and laughed.
The banquet continued until late at night.
When they left, they didn't see the Golden Core Elder.
It was said that he had briefly appeared, accepted a toast from everyone, and then drifted away.
He would likely leave with the Jade Cauldron Sword Cult disciples in the next day or two, leaving the various enterprises, including the Dao Discussion Platform, under the charge of the previous executive, Miao Zhen.
This revealed the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's shortage of personnel.
Managing such a significant enterprise with just a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a few dozen outer sect disciples was a testament to either their boldness or their lack of choice.
After parting ways with the bustling crowd, only Uncle Mi, Qin Liangchen, and Luo Chen remained on the path back to the main headquarters.
The moon was bright, the stone path clear.
Three shadows stretched long.
Uncle Mi walked with his hands behind his back, like a wealthy man out for a stroll.
Suddenly,
"Xiao Qin, that Foundation Establishment Pill is yours, all yours. I won't keep it for myself."
Qin Liangchen was taken aback, then laughed heartily. "If others don't trust you, Master Mi, I certainly do. Talking like this is too formal."
Ahead, the wealthy man's ruddy face was half-shadowed.
Master Mi?
Before, he used to call me Old Mi!
Indeed, things have become distant!
Uncle Mi's lips twitched, and he stopped walking.
Qin Liangchen was puzzled, then noticed that the other man wasn't looking at him but at his young companion.
"Is your name Luo Chen?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
