Chapter 297: Ghost Mill Spirit Ling, Who Will Reign Supreme? (II)

Atop Xiao Huan Mountain, Luo Chen reclined on a lounge chair, a storage pouch in hand.

His gaze drifted lazily toward Bai Meiling, who danced like a child through the mountain mist, flitting in and out of the clouds, her translucent figure glowing faintly in the fading light.

A smile touched his lips.

"Enough playing," he said.

Hehe...

"How's your study of the

Soul-Refining True Art

coming along?"

Bai Meiling floated over to him and hovered in front of his chair. Her fingers twisted together nervously, like a child caught sneaking sweets, her face a perfect picture of sheepish innocence.

Yiyi...

She let out a tiny whimper that clearly meant,

It's too hard, I don't want to.

Luo Chen's expression turned stern.

"You have to learn it. And you have to take it seriously," he said, voice low but firm. "Without it, you'll never recover your memories. And you'll never be able to walk the path of a ghost cultivator."

Yiyi.

Bai Meiling pouted, then floated off into the nearby thatched hut.

A moment later, she came drifting back out, dragging behind her a block of blackened wood.

She squatted beside Luo Chen, staring at the block with a mournful expression.

Seeing this, Luo Chen felt reassured.

The wood block was naturally one of Gao Tingyuan's relics, inscribed with the

Soul-Refining True Art

. Luo Chen's Soul-Intimidation and Soul-Stabilizing Oath had both come from it.

As for the

Soul-Refining True Art

itself, he hadn't cultivated it. After all, it was incomplete. Cultivating it would risk turning him into neither man nor ghost.

Even if it helped him reach Foundation Establishment, the aftermath of fusing a thousand souls would be disastrous. But these concerns didn't apply to Bai Meiling, who was already a ghost, there was no humanity left to lose.

Once she reached Perfected Mastery of the Ghost Soldier stage, she could use the methods in the

Soul-Refining True Art

to attempt her own Foundation Establishment.

Side effects? She didn't fear them.

Her symbiotic artifact was a ghost mill capable of crushing other spirits. With it, she could grind down other ghosts to extract soul essence, and directly absorb the result.

"If you make some progress soon, I'll head back to the ghost city and capture some spirits to help you train."

Bai Meiling, who had been half-heartedly mimicking cultivation, clearly understood that sentence.

Immediately, she became seriously focused.

Luo Chen chuckled and turned his attention back to the storage pouch before him.

"What a piece of work, Duan Qiankun!

"No wonder he came from a lineage of artifact forgers, he had profound mastery of formations. Even the layered spirit imprint on this is astoundingly refined."

The pouch, of course, was Duan Qiankun's legacy item.

It had once been in Wang Yuan's hands. But as Wang Yuan had yet to reach Foundation Establishment, he couldn't break the spirit seal, so he gave it to Luo Chen.

Since his breakthrough, Luo Chen had made several attempts to open it.

Each attempt had ended in failure. There was simply no way around it, Duan Qiankun's mastery over spirit consciousness was on par with his own.

When it came to restriction seals alone, the man was leagues ahead.

Which brought up the topic of arrays and restriction techniques.

Restrictions, they were barriers crafted from spirit energy and bound by spirit consciousness.

Formations, on the other hand, were the unification of many restrictions, forming greater patterns that harness objects to execute specific effects.

In essence, anyone studying formations had to first master the art of restrictions.

Even in the early stages, when one's spirit consciousness couldn't yet extend outward, it was still possible to cast restrictions using blood essence or enchanted artifacts as substitutes. Only by learning and mastering enough of these restrictive techniques could one begin weaving them together into full-fledged formations, both great and small.

It could be said that every grand formation was, at its core, a composite of countless individual restriction seals woven together. Then, utilizing terrain, natural energy, enchanted artifacts, and even living beings, the formation would take shape.

Without mastering restrictions, forming arrays was a near-impossible task.

To put it in perspective: if a formation were a vast net, then restrictions would be the knots and mesh points that hold it together, each one crucial to the structure's integrity. Hence, If the loops were too loose, no fish would ever be caught.

Wang Yuan was a living example. He hadn't studied restrictions, yet he tried to adapt the Heavenly Spirit Seizing Array and fuse it with blood-path secret techniques to form the Blood Fiend Seizing Array.

It looked elegant, even miraculous, capable of seizing another's foundation,

But in truth, when it came to the final step, it all fell apart.

He had nearly thrown his own life into the mix. It was only after his failure that he came to a rude awakening.

Over the past few years, while hiding away in the lakeside cave residence, he had focused on cultivating the

Soul-Stabilizing Oath

to cleanse the hidden dangers from his body, and had also thrown himself into the study of restrictions and formations.

In this endeavor, it was fortunate that Duan Feng had lent his support, or he might not have even gotten started.

After several visits, Duan Feng noticed the poor conditions of his cave dwelling. So he helped organize and refurbish the cave; otherwise, Luo Chen wouldn't have seen it so clean and tidy when he returned.

After several years of study, Wang Yuan had made some progress and had even begun modifying the Blood Fiend Seizing Array.

But that was a tangent.

Back to the main point. As the patriarch of the Duan family, Duan Qiankun had been trained in artifact forging since childhood. He was naturally well-versed in the foundational formations that comprised enchanted artifacts.

Even though his divine soul wasn't strong enough to form arrays through sheer will, he could still construct simple spirit consciousness based restrictions.

Yet even such "simple" restrictions proved to be significant obstacles for Luo Chen.

"In the short term, there's no way I can study all the various restriction techniques from scratch. I'll have to rely on brute force, grinding it down bit by bit.

"Luckily, after all these years, the spirit seal has nearly worn away."

Luo Chen was eager to see what treasures might lie inside the storage pouch of someone who'd been a Foundation Establishment cultivator for many years.

"And perhaps that very item Xu Ji from Luoyun Sect demanded... might be in here?"

Something coveted by Xu Ji, and even Tian Xingzi himself, Was bound to be of considerable value!

This was the driving force behind Luo Chen's tireless effort to wear down Duan Qiankun's lingering spirit imprint after all these years.

***

The news that Luo Tian Society was preparing to leave, could not be concealed! Even the rogue cultivators began to notice something from the day-to-day changes, so how could the major Foundation Establishment factions, with their vast numbers and countless informants, not notice as well?

It wasn't long before change stirred once more.

Beyond the borders of Xiao Huan Mountain, three figures descended one after another, rode on clouds, Foundation Establishment cultivators, arriving in swift succession.

Once more, the doors of the Grand Universe Hall were shut tight.

Inside the hall, Luo Chen had just stepped out from the alchemy room, calm and composed, quietly savoring a cup of hot tea.

As for the three figures before him, each showing signs of growing impatience, he acted as though they weren't even there.

Until finally, one of them could no longer hold back.

Nangong Jin spoke, "Dan Chenzi, is it true that your Luo Tian Society is leaving?"

Setting his cup down, Luo Chen gave a calm nod. There was no hiding in this kind of thing. They had started preparing a full month in advance. Just being able to sell off their assets and territories at normal market rates was already a win.

As for how much of it had quietly ended up in the hands of the three major factions... that was no longer his concern.

Seeing him confirm it, Nangong Jin grew visibly flustered. "Why go to such lengths?

"You built this foundation with such effort. We four have finally allied. And now that the major sects have stepped back, This place is rich in resources. Hundred years from now, wouldn't we all be reaping immense profits?"

Indeed.

With the sects no longer meddling, the resources of Dahe Market were more than abundant, enough to be called inexhaustible.

Supporting four Foundation Establishment cultivators? It was more than enough.

Especially with Wang Haichao's Dajiang Gang handling affairs, maintaining the flow between internal and external markets.

Even the specialized resources needed for Foundation Establishment could be sourced from outside, if needed.

"Perhaps... this has something to do with the anomaly in ghost city?" Li Yixian spoke up.

Hearing that, Nangong Jin froze. Then a look of deep unease crept across his face.

Back then, that explosive surge of Ghost King energy, even from a great distance, he had felt it.

Still, he hadn't given up hope, after all, he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.

So now, he needed confirmation.

"Dan Chenzi... is it true?"

"Yes. Fellow Daoist Li is absolutely correct," Luo Chen said, scanning the room. "A Ghost King is about to emerge from the ghost city. In half a year at the earliest, or within a year, no later.

"More importantly, this Ghost King is no ordinary evolved wraith.

"He was once Pang Renxiong, an elder of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, a man of unmatched prowess. Even now, as a Ghost King, his strength is far beyond anything we Foundation Establishment cultivators can contend with."

The moment he said that,

Even if they had mentally prepared for it,

The three Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't help but pale. They all knew the ghost city had been evolving daily.

From a single Ghost General to nine, within just a few years.

Yet for so long, the ghost city had remained eerily calm. Rarely did vengeful spirits venture beyond its walls. Eventually, everyone had grown used to living beside it, as though it were a quiet neighbor.

But now someone told them that a supremely powerful cultivator had turned into a Ghost King? No one could sit still after that.

Nangong Jin, clinging to hope, asked, "But... is he a sane ghost cultivator? One who retained his spirit and walked the ghostly path?"

Ghost cultivators and ordinary ghosts were worlds apart. With "cultivator" in the name, at least they were still walking the Great Dao, even if through strange means.

In other words, they could still be reasoned with.

But his hopes were dashed by Li Yixian on the spot.

"How could that possibly be a proper ghost cultivator?"

Li Yixian said softly, "Back then, Pang Renxiong was besieged by three Ghost Kings and a mysterious Golden Core Adept. He died a violent, bitter death beneath Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

"The hatred, the unwillingness, the wrath, it would drown the skies.

"When such an existence rises again, it won't be to talk peace. It will destroy everything in its path."

Nangong Jin looked as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, his expression dim and gray.

He kept murmuring under his breath, "How could this be... how could this be..."

It was no wonder he had lost composure. The Nangong family's situation was vastly different from that of the Dajiang Gang or the Li family.

They had originally migrated from Snow Lotus Market and had expended tremendous effort just to establish themselves here. Dozens of their family cultivators had died in the process.

Now that they had finally found peace, built relationships with neighboring forces, and begun to recover,

And now, someone was telling him,

They had to move again? Who could possibly accept that?

In truth, Nangong Jin wasn't the only one struggling to accept this.

Since entering the hall, Wang Haichao had remained silent, but now even his expression had turned grim.

For a blood-bound faction, relocation was difficult but still manageable. With ties of blood, the family shared glory and hardship alike, no matter where they went.

But for his Dajiang Gang, it wasn't that simple.

It was built on a foundation of rogue cultivators. The bonds that held them together were forged not by blood, but by profit. And that profit came from waterway business, from exploiting the price differences between regions and moving goods across vast networks.

If he suddenly relocated, there was no guarantee his people would follow, and even if they did, whether he could gain a foothold elsewhere was another matter entirely.

If he failed to establish control...

Then the once-mighty Dajiang Gang wouldn't support his cultivation, it might even become a burden dragging him down.

Though he remained quiet on the outside, a war was raging within his mind.

For a long moment, the Grand Hall was filled only with the sound of Luo Chen sipping tea and Nangong Jin muttering, wrapped in a heavy silence.

The suffocating atmosphere was finally broken by Li Yixian's gentle voice.

"Dan Chenzi, since you decided to leave so early, I assume you already have a destination in mind?"

This time, Luo Chen's interest was piqued.

Granny Yuan had asked him the same question long ago.

Now, it was finally time to answer.

He nodded slightly. "I have a general direction."

Then added uncertainty, "But I am still a junior in the grand scheme of the cultivation world, my knowledge of the wider realm is far less than yours.

"So, as to where we go next, I believe it's something we should all decide together."

"Everyone?" Li Yixian blinked in surprise. "You're suggesting... we all leave together?"

Nangong Jin lifted his head abruptly, hope sparking in his eyes.

Wang Haichao furrowed his brows and also looked over, intrigued.

The implication was,

Was the Luo Tian Society proposing to rise and fall together with all three major factions?

Luo Chen smiled faintly and, meeting their gazes, spoke confidently.

"When arriving in unfamiliar territory, even a mighty river dragon will face fierce resistance from the local forces.

"This sort of thing is all too common.

"For instance, Fellow Daoist Nangong's family, or the Fu family I eliminated, both serve as cautionary tales.

"My Luo Tian Society is merely a fledgling force, lacking in experts and unity..."

Now that was a stretch...

All three cultivators silently cursed in their hearts.

Luo Tian Society lacks experts?

Then what does that make the rest of us?!

And as for "lacking cohesion"? Among rogue cultivator factions, Luo Tian Society was undoubtedly one of the most tightly knit.

This Luo Chen was speaking utter nonsense with a straight face.

But Luo Chen ignored their unspoken grumbles and continued, "In such a scenario, moving to a new place, who's to say Luo Tian Society won't be swept away by the winds and rain?

"So then, why not face this together, all four factions, and share both fortune and hardship?

"We can support one another, share resources, and fight to establish ourselves in the new land.

"Say no more, four Foundation Establishment cultivators acting in unison? There aren't many markets nearby that could withstand such force."

That last line struck directly at the root of their concerns.

All three in the hall found themselves nodding inwardly.

Nangong Jin's face even lit up with delight. If it happened like this, the Nangong family's next move would go far more smoothly than their arduous migration from Snow Lotus Market.

Li Yixian looked contemplative, turning the proposal over in her mind.

Only Wang Haichao, though he nodded in approval, showed a faint flicker of hesitation in his expression.

That momentary shift did not escape Luo Chen's sharp perception.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, may I ask, what are your thoughts?"

Ahem...

Wang Haichao gave a small cough and said, "I wouldn't presume to offer insights, but I do have one question: if the four factions are to leave Dahe Market together, who will lead us?"