Chapter 214: Farewell, Dahe Market (II)

"You're back."

Mm.

"Miao Wen took you away in such a hurry. Did something happen?" Wang Yuan frowned. "I heard that a rare battle broke out a thousand li downstream from Dahe Market. It wouldn't have anything to do with you, would it?"

Luo Chen gave a bitter smile. "How could it not?"

He didn't hold anything back and recounted everything to Wang Yuan. When he finally mentioned that Pang Renxiong had taken him as a disciple and would be taking him away tomorrow afternoon, Wang Yuan—rarely—was at a loss for words.

He stood there, dazed, unable to speak for a long time.

After what felt like ages, he looked at Luo Chen with a complicated expression.

"I just remembered something you once said."

"Mm..." Luo Chen responded absentmindedly, as if his mind was drifting elsewhere.

Wang Yuan sighed, lost in reminiscence. "Back when I first brought you to Poshan Gang’s headquarters, you ended up catching Mi Shuhua’s attention, and he forced you to join Poshan Gang.

"I felt guilty back then, like I had dragged you into trouble and cost you your freedom.

"But you turned around and comforted me, saying it wasn’t my fault. You said that as long as you kept trying to earn spirit stones for cultivation, you’d be noticed sooner or later. If it wasn't the Poshan Gang, it would have been the Dajiang Gang, the Li Family, the Duan Family, or even a Golden Core sect—one of the Six Great Upper Sects.

"At the time, I didn’t take it seriously. I just agreed to humor you.

"But looking at it now, you were right all along. It turned out to be one of the Six Great Upper Sects—Jade Cauldron Sword Sect—inviting you personally through a Golden Core elder."

Wang Yuan's rambling words snapped Luo Chen out of his drifting thoughts.

He chuckled bitterly. "Who would have thought I'd hit the nail on the head?"

Stepping out from the shade of the trees, he walked toward the pond formed by the diverted mountain spring, letting the moonlight wash over him.

"First it was Mi Shuhua, then Miao Wen, and now it's Pang Renxiong of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.

"Hehe... I, Luo Chen, have unwittingly become a servant of three different masters."

Hearing the bitterness in his self-mockery, Wang Yuan shook his head. "Why see it that way? Maybe that Golden Core elder truly wants to nurture you. You yourself said he called you a 'fine disciple'—that shows he has a lot of goodwill toward you."

"Do you really think so, Brother Wang?" Luo Chen turned his head, staring blankly at Wang Yuan.

Wang Yuan frowned. He realized something was off about Luo Chen.

Luo Chen had always maintained a 'find joy in suffering' attitude, no matter how dire the circumstances. Even when Mi Shuhua died, even when he was constrained by Miao Wen, he never admitted defeat.

Instead, he had led Luo Tian Society to a stunning comeback, securing some measure of autonomy.

Yet now, he looked completely lost.

Was it confusion about the future? Or was it the overwhelming powerlessness that came from being unable to resist Golden Core cultivators?

Wang Yuan sighed and patted Luo Chen on the shoulder. "Look on the bright side—at the very least, he’s a generous elder!"

That’s true! He really was generous.

Luo Chen took out a bottle of spirit purification pills and casually handed it to Wang Yuan.

"He gave me several bottles of second-tier spirit purification pills. You should be able to use them. Consider this my last gift to you before I leave."

Wang Yuan looked at the jade bottle but didn’t reach out to take it.

"Don't worry about me. Once I enter a great sect, with my abilities, I won't be lacking a mere bottle or two of pills." Luo Chen chuckled self-mockingly. "I am a distinguished alchemist, after all!"

With that, he shoved the jade bottle into Wang Yuan's hand.

"A fine ‘distinguished’ title indeed!"

For some reason, Wang Yuan felt the jade bottle in his hand grow inexplicably heavy.

"What a shame... I had almost finished researching that second-tier Blood Fiend Pill formula. But now, I won’t get the chance to refine a few for you, Brother Wang."

The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect lay deep in the heart of the Jade Cauldron Domain, a land teeming with spirit abundance. It was thousands of li away from Dahe Market.

With this farewell, they might not see each other again for years.

Wang Yuan opened his mouth, but in the end, he found no words to say. Instead, he simply accompanied Luo Chen on a slow walk around Crescent Moon Valley.

Patiently listening as Luo Chen rambled on.

"If I leave, what will happen to Luo Tian Society?

"Brother Wang, would you take over? I know you've led a faction in the secular world before. If you put your mind to it, you could use the Luo Tian Society to gather cultivation resources for yourself.

"Not interested? You’re completely obsessed with cultivation now."

"This land... It wasn’t always like this. I remember it used to be a first-tier spirit field. In winter, Yuan Dongsheng would cast a Four Seasons Spring Array over it—it was so warm. One time, I hid inside reading, and he kicked me out for being a nuisance. I put so much effort into the Alchemy Hall. Back when Old Man Mi was still around, I leeched so many resources off him to build it up this well.

"Now, I don’t even know who’s going to benefit from it.

"Tell me, how am I supposed to face Sister Murong and Caiyi tomorrow?

Cough, cough...

"I really don’t want to leave.

"I know this journey is a double-edged sword. Perhaps the benefits outweigh the risks—I’ll have a bigger and better platform. But I’m used to navigating among low-tier cultivators. I’m really not used to sect life, nor do I have any experience with it. I don’t even know if Pang Renxiong has enemies in the sect. What if they take it out on me, a mere Qi-Refining cultivator?

"Still... if I go, they should at least give me a free Foundation Establishment Pill, right? When Sister Xiuxiu joined the Divine Talisman Sect, they promised her one. I wonder if she’s broken through yet."

Cough, cough...

"Brother Wang, what do you think—"

Wang Yuan cut him off.

"Enough. Go get some rest. Your mind is in turmoil."

Luo Chen opened his mouth, then sighed in defeat.

He went alone into the stone chamber Mi Shuhua had built for him, activated the formation, and fell into a deep sleep.

For the first time in years, he set aside his daily cultivation routine.

***

The next day, at Luo Tian Society.

In the newly built hall, which had inherited Poshan Gang’s name—Radiant Moon Hall. Luo Chen formally announced his decision to the higher-ups of the Luo Tian Society.

Everyone was utterly shocked. A mere rogue cultivator being personally recognized by a Golden Core expert?

But after the initial shock, they found it entirely reasonable. After all, Luo Chen’s alchemy talent was terrifyingly outstanding and so, well-wishes echoed throughout the hall.

Luo Chen accepted their words of praise. He could tell that most of them were genuine.

Only Zeng Wen, the Gold Hall Elder, looked reluctant.

But after Luo Chen handed him five bottles of top-grade Myriad Wonders pills, even he became sincere, even wiping away some forcibly squeezed-out tears.

Luo Chen saw it clearly—the hidden sorrow and uncertainty behind their words of congratulations. Everyone understood that once Luo Chen left, Luo Tian Society would be nothing more than an empty shell.

What would become of them?

"It’s not like everything will fall apart immediately." Luo Chen smiled. "I’ve thought of some things for you all this morning. Maybe they’ll be useful."

"Feng Xia, Xiaoyue!"

Feng Xia and Xiaoyue, who had rushed over on such short notice, were startled and immediately stood up.

Luo Chen waved his hand, signaling them to stay seated.

"Now that the devil cultivator who framed the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect has been eradicated, the Debate Platform will naturally reopen. That means small businesses can resume as well—like your milk tea and snack business.

"I also have a few things I developed in the past. If you expand production and marketing, they should bring in quite a bit of profit."

Luo Chen smiled as he took out a few secret recipes and handed them to Murong Qinglian and Gu Caiyi.

They contained small innovations he had made for the cultivation world in his free time. Things like spirit fruit ice cream, spirit fruit shaved ice, and grilled demonic beast meat. As long as they were linked to spirit energy, these products would surely sell well once the Debate Platform reopened.

"Of course, these alone won’t be enough to support the organization."

Luo Chen turned to Duan Feng, who had been informed in advance. The man nodded in acknowledgment.

"If alchemy isn’t an option, why not turn to artifact forging? Duan Feng is skilled in repairing artifacts. He can take on a few apprentices and teach them the trade.

"The main profit point should be in buying and reselling second-hand artifacts at a margin. In fact, this was always part of my plan. I just hadn’t mentioned it yet because the timing wasn’t right.

"Also, there’s still potential for business in the mountain trade."

As they listened to Luo Chen lay out his plans, sincerely thinking of their future, everyone's anxieties gradually eased.

At the same time, the way they looked at Luo Chen carried even greater respect. Even when about to embark on a greater path, their leader still had them in his thoughts.

In the indifferent world of cultivation, this truly made him an anomaly. It was precisely this difference that earned their heartfelt respect for their young leader!

"That about covers it.

"Before I leave, I’ll have a word with Steward Miao to ensure the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion keeps an eye on Luo Tian Society. With the formidable Hall Leader Wang Yuan here, you all should still be able to thrive in Dahe Market."

Luo Chen stood up and took a storage pouch from Murong Qinglian’s hands. Inside were the profits from selling Jade Essence pills over the past period.

Luo Chen only took his own share—around five thousand spirit stones. The rest would be left for Luo Tian Society's daily expenses.

As for the rest of the resources, he had no intention of taking them. Even if he stayed, those would have been used for the organization anyway.

Luo Chen rose, the entire room instinctively followed suit. Together, they walked toward the entrance of Luo Tian Societyi.

The other cultivators in the organization had yet to understand what was happening. Yet seeing this group moving together, with a sense of reluctant farewell in their eyes, they felt an uneasy premonition.

Luo Chen walked on until he stepped beyond Luo Tian Society's gates.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Turning back, he saw one familiar face after another, and his throat tightened.

Wang Yuan, Murong Qinglian, Qin Liangchen, Gu Caiyi, Duan Feng, Granny Yuan, Zeng Wen, Feng Xia, Xiaoyue, the three Sima...

Even in the corner, he caught sight of Qu Lingjun standing beside Tang Quan, along with Mi Li rushing over.

"President!"

Someone called out. But Luo Chen acted as though he hadn’t heard, merely turning away and waving his hand.

As he soared li away, he could still faintly hear their well-wishes carried on the wind.

"Goodbye, Dahe Market!"

Luo Chen flew high in the sky, gazing down at the familiar sights of the outer district below.

This was once the place where he had fought and struggled. The initial confusion of transmigrating, the yearning upon first learning that cultivation could grant longevity.

The excitement of refining his first batch of Myriad Wonders pills, the exhilaration of breaking through realms, the fear and thrill of fighting opponents of higher tiers, and the resentment of being suppressed by Mi Shuhua...

All of it would soon become past memories.

He flew slowly, as if afraid that moving too fast would make him forget every blade of grass and tree in this place.

Suddenly, Luo Chen stopped.

He turned back and looked behind him, exasperated.

"That's enough. Go back!"

Two figures awkwardly flew out from the alley below.

Liu Qiang chuckled and scratched the back of his head.

Zhou Yuanli said seriously, "As long as you haven't left Dahe Market, it's still our duty to protect you."

"Do you not realize that I'm stronger than the two of you combined?" Luo Chen sighed.

Zhou Yuanli remained silent.

"Forget it. Do as you please." Luo Chen shook his head helplessly and continued flying toward the inner city.

It was already late—almost noon. He didn't want to be late and risk displeasing his future instructor.

There was no need to return to the courtyard. Feng Xia had already brought over his less valuable belongings earlier that morning.

As he flew, Luo Chen remembered something he hadn't considered before.

"Yuanli, after I leave, please look after Lingjun for me. You know how much I value that kid. I've always wanted to train him as an alchemist so he could assist me in the future.

"Qu Hancheng probably doesn't have many years left. He was seriously injured when the furnace exploded back then.

"Once he's gone, the Qu family will have no more Qi-Refining cultivators, and Qu Lingjun will struggle to get by."

Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang flanked him on either side, as they always did. Hearing this, Zhou Yuanli only responded with a series of short grunts.

Luo Chen didn’t mind. He knew Zhou Yuanli had taken his words to heart.

By his estimates, Zhou Yuanli was close to breaking through to the ninth stage of Qi Refining. With such a steady and experienced senior watching over him, Qu Lingjun would be fine as long as he didn’t provoke any experts. Just like Tang Quan—even though Zeng Wen wasn't the most responsible, Tang Quan still lived better than most rogue cultivators.

No matter how far one escorts a friend, a farewell is inevitable!

When Luo Chen arrived at the inner city gates, the two behind him instinctively halted.

In the past, they would also stop here, marking the end of their daily escort duties.

Just like before, Luo Chen didn’t turn back and simply waved.

"I'm off!"

With that, he prepared to step into the inner city.

But just as he was about to step forward, he suddenly looked up.

Within the inner city, three terrifyingly powerful auras erupted beneath the blazing sun.

"Run!!!"