Chapter 228: Imperial Nectar, Blood-Refined Sword Orb (II)

Back on the Debate Platform, Bai Qi, the rogue cultivator who had battled Qin Liangchen, had used this very method to control a sword orb despite still being in the Qi-Refining Realm.

And truthfully, most cultivators were at least somewhat familiar with this technique.

The method Luo Chen was using now came from Wang Yuan, who had obtained it from the blood cultivator Xiao Wuyan.

Unlike traditional blood refinement, Xiao Wuyan’s method was brutally efficient.

Once successful, the sword orb could be used immediately.

"The situation in Dahe Market is volatile, I need to increase my strength as soon as possible. Even if this sword orb can no longer advance in grade, it still rivals a supreme-grade enchanted artifact.

"I need to master it as soon as possible!"

Without hesitation, that drop of crystal-clear blood fell onto the golden sword orb. As soon as it made contact, Luo Chen immediately began channeling his spirit power.

At first, the sword orb resisted the essence blood, but under Luo Chen’s persistent spirit infusion, the blood slowly seeped into its core. He continued this process until dawn, only stopping when exhaustion finally caught up with him.

With a flick of his fingers, the sword orb, now tinged with an eerie crimson hue, flew back into his hand.

"So, it's finally done!"

Luo Chen could feel it, a faint, yet undeniable connection between himself and the sword orb. It wasn’t the usual spirit link between a cultivator and an enchanted artifact. Rather, it was a peculiar connection, one where a single thought could command the sword orb to move instantly.

"Activate!"

Luo Chen spread his palm open, and the sword orb radiated a dazzling glow as countless sword beams burst forth.

In the blink of an eye, a golden radiance engulfed the space before him.

Upon closer inspection, it resembled a blooming flower.

Except, this was no ordinary flower, its every petal exuded a chilling, deadly aura.

"Go!"

The sword beams converged and shot straight toward the ground.

Schh!

Like a blade slicing through tofu, the sword orb effortlessly penetrated deep into the ground.

When he called it back, Luo Chen couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction.

"No wonder sword cultivators are so powerful! I’ve barely scratched the surface, yet the speed and power are already this formidable.

"I can’t even begin to imagine the sheer might of this sword orb in the hands of Luo Tianhong or Pang Renxiong."

Or perhaps he could.

The battles at Lancang River and Fallen Phoenix Mountain were still vivid in his mind. A sword energy dragon spanning dozens of zhang, it was beyond what ordinary cultivators could achieve!

Since he did not follow the sword path, he could never hope to reach that level.

But with this sword orb, combined with his Blue Musk Gathering Serpent Banner and other techniques, Luo Chen was already at a point where no one in the Qi-Refining Realm could stand against him.

***

"President, the Duan family is pressing for their order."

"Hmm?"

Luo Chen had just finished refining this batch of Jade Essence pills. In addition to the usual mid-grade ones, he had successfully produced several top-grade pills.

The top-grade Jade Essence pills were nearly as effective as ordinary qi-nourishing pills. But at this stage, they were of little use to him.

The reason he had deliberately refined these pills was twofold. First, they were meant for internal use by the cultivators within Luo Tian Society. Second, he wanted to quickly push his Jade Essence pill refinement skills to Perfected Mastery.

He wanted to determine whether supreme-grade Jade Essence pills held any effect for him. Thus far, he had shown no signs of developing a resistance to their medicinal properties.

Luo Chen clapped his hands to shake off the water droplets and turned around, frowning as he looked at Qiu Ying, the steward responsible for pill caretakers in the Alchemy Hall.

"The Duan family agreed to fifty bottles per month, right?"

It wasn’t a question, it was a statement.

Qiu Ying nodded. "That’s correct."

"Then why do I recall that it’s only been half a month since the last delivery?"

Qiu Ying looked just as puzzled and had no answer.

Luo Chen curled his lips. "Forget it. I don’t care why they’re so desperate for pills. What matters is they’re delivering us spirit stones.

"It’s still fifty bottles, right? We’ve stocked up quite a few these past days. Just send someone to deliver them."

Receiving his confirmation, Qiu Ying prepared to head to the pill storage room.

However, just before leaving, she suddenly remembered something and turned back.

"Who should deliver them?"

Luo Chen paused. "Sima Xian, of course!"

"Elder Sima Xian took a team to deliver goods to the newly opened shop in the outer district. He hasn’t returned yet.

"And Hall Leader Wang is in seclusion again."

Hearing these two pieces of news, Luo Chen frowned.

The pills produced by the Alchemy Hall were now distributed through two channels. One was Gu Caiyi’s Merit Hall, which handled sales to rogue cultivators; this was the primary revenue stream.

The other was direct supply to the four major families and the Dajiang Gang. Though the demand in this sector was smaller, it was stable.

Deliveries had always been handled by elders from the Battle Hall, who personally led teams to deliver the goods.

Every month, these major forces made scheduled, fixed-quantity purchases. The Duan family’s request today was an exception. As a result, Luo Tian Society unexpectedly found itself short on manpower.

He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Send Elder Duan. He’s familiar with the Duan family."

"Got it," Qiu Ying responded.

She trotted away, her high black ponytail swaying with each step, looking rather lively. But she had no idea why Luo Chen had hesitated.

Duan Feng. The Duan family.

Let’s hope nothing goes wrong.

Fortunately, by evening, Duan Feng returned unharmed with his team, bringing back a payment of two thousand spirit stones.

Luo Chen stood on the cliffside, watching from a distance as Duan Feng made his way back to Luo Tian Society. Aside from looking a bit upset, Duan Feng appeared unscathed.

"As long as he’s fine!" Luo Chen let out a sigh of relief, he had been genuinely worried that Duan Feng might have clashed with the Duan family.

After all, in the past, Duan Feng had always harbored deep resentment toward the Duan family, both in words and demeanor.

Luo Chen didn’t know the full story behind it.

Currently, Luo Tian Society was experiencing rapid growth, strengthening its ties with multiple factions while steadily securing its position in Dahe Market. Many rogue cultivators had even started seeking out Murong Qinglian, Sima Wenjie, and other Merit Hall members to inquire if they were still accepting new recruits.

However, under Luo Chen’s instructions, Murong Qinglian remained firm and refused to admit outsiders so easily.

"The situation is unstable. We must be wary of ill-intentioned individuals infiltrating Luo Tian Society."

Those had been Luo Chen’s exact words, and Murong Qinglian fully agreed with them.

Given the current situation, provoking conflict with any faction prematurely would be an unwise move.

For Duan Feng to suppress his personal hatred and carry out this task properly for Luo Tian Society showed that he had matured significantly compared to before. Perhaps it was also due to his cultivation realm gradually deepening.

Duan Feng had always been passionate about honing himself through combat. Among his peers in the ninth stage of the Qi-Refining Realm, his cultivation speed surpassed that of most other members in Luo Tian Society.

The only one who could barely match his pace was Qin Liangchen, who was nominally affiliated with the Alchemy Hall but had no specific duties.

However, recently, Qin Liangchen’s cultivation progress seemed to have stagnated. He was nowhere near as aggressive in his advancement as Duan Feng.

Luo Chen figured that Duan Feng intended to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm before exacting his revenge on the Duan family.

Lifting his head, he glanced at the sky. A thought flickered through his mind.

It’s been a while. Tian Xingzi is probably getting impatient. A Foundation Establishment cultivator must still be respected.

Very well, I’ll go see him today and discuss things.