Chapter 357: A War Without Smoke and Flames

In the frigid desolate cave, Luo Chen sat upright on an ice chair, breath held and posture flawless. There was a reason for his composed demeanor. Sitting directly across from him was no ordinary cultivator but a late stage Foundation Establishment grand cultivator.

I didn't expect it would be this person coming to discuss business with me!

Luo Chen's heart stirred with a quiet storm of tension and anticipation. How could he not feel pressure? The woman before him was none other than Tantai Jin, a Foundation Establishment True Inheritor of the Ice Fortress and also the leader of Tianlan Immortal City's enforcement team. Her cultivation radiated from her body unrestrained, like a silent tempest, pressing down on the surroundings with the weight of a mountain.

The beautiful female cultivator, her sharply defined features carrying an almost masculine edge, fixed her icy gaze on Luo Chen.

"You refined this Jade Dew pill?" she asked.

Luo Chen exhaled and gave a small nod. "Yes, I did."

Tantai Jin toyed with the jade bottle in her hand. "You're not just trying to do the Jade Dew pill business, are you?"

Luo Chen's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm. "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist?"

Tantai Jin stared at him. Her expression was cold and unmoving, as if carved from ice.

"If all you wanted was to sell Jade Dew pills, Tianlan Immortal City could handle the market easily," she said. "You came to Ice Fortress because you’ve only just stepped into Foundation Establishment. Your alchemy is still unstable, and your production is limited. Instead of trading small batches for spirit stones to cover costs, you’re trying to raise their value. That's why you've chosen to borrow the name of Ice Fortress. I'm right, aren't I, Dan Chenzi?"

Luo Chen was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected her to read his intentions so clearly. That final mention of his Dao title made one thing clear. She had investigated him in advance. It seemed she had indeed given this matter some thought over the past three months. Since that was the case, there was no need to hide it.

"As Fellow Daoist Tantai said, that is indeed my intention," replied Luo Chen.

Tantai Jin hadn't expected him to remain so composed after being exposed. Still, since everything was now on the table, there was no need to beat around the bush anymore.

"Using the Ice Fortress name isn't going to be that easy," she said.

Luo Chen smiled slightly. "I understand. That's why I've come with sincerity."

Tantai Jin's gaze didn't waver. "Then let's hear it."

Luo Chen responded without hesitation. "For the next ten years, all Jade Dew pills will be supplied exclusively to Ice Fortress, and they will be registered under your name, Fellow Daoist Tantai. After that, during the one hundred years that follow, I'll retain the right to sell to other parties. However, Ice Fortress will always receive priority for all bulk purchases."

"As for the price," he added, "I promise it will never increase. A bottle of low-grade Jade Dew pills will always cost only five hundred spirit stones for Ice Fortress."

Currently, second-tier cultivation pills on the market often cost over five hundred, sometimes even six hundred. Prices were still on the rise. Most importantly, the Jade Dew pill was no ordinary cultivation pill. For female cultivators in the Ice Fortress, especially those with water- and ice-spirit-roots, its value far exceeded any other second-tier pill. In a sect where such cultivators formed the overwhelming majority, demand was constant. If Luo Chen could supply in bulk, Ice Fortress would not only buy but would pay handsomely for it.

Six hundred spirit stones per bottle? No. They might even be willing to pay seven or eight hundred!

Yet now Luo Chen was proposing a permanent fixed price of five hundred. That sincerity was evident!

What made the offer even more enticing was his decision to follow the Taibai Market’s model of exclusive spirit wine supply to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. He did the same by offering Jade Dew pills solely to Ice Fortress. One must know that, in the Jade Cauldron Domain, sects dominated by female cultivators weren't limited to Ice Fortress alone. The Hundred Flowers Palace was claimed to house three thousand female cultivators! With such sincerity, surely the other party would be satisfied?

But unexpectedly.

"Not enough!" Tantai Jin barked.

Hmm?

Luo Chen frowned slightly.

"I don't want ten years," Tantai Jin said coolly. "I want one hundred. For a hundred years, Jade Dew pills must be supplied exclusively to Ice Fortress. If I find they've sold elsewhere—"

"A hundred years it is," Luo Chen interrupted, agreeing without the slightest hesitation.

Tantai Jin studied him for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "Elder Sister, see the guest out."

Shi Boying, who had remained silent until now, rose to her feet.

Luo Chen cupped his hands respectfully to Tantai Jin before following the old woman out. Only after leaving the cave residence did the bone-chilling aura eased from his body.

"Fellow Daoist Shi, I’ve troubled you this time," Luo Chen said, handing her a jade bottle as he spoke.

Shi Boying paused in surprise before accepting it instinctively. She had meant to refuse, but when she saw it was a Jade Dew pill, she fell silent and tucked it away. A faint smile softened her aged face. "It’s hardly trouble. This benefits the sect. I’m only carrying out my duty."

She reached into her sleeve and produced a snowflake-shaped enchanted artifact and handed it to Luo Chen.

"This is now yours," she said simply.

Luo Chen caught the enchanted artifact and examined it. Though its grade wasn’t particularly high, it carried a chilling energy. Even touching it made his skin feel as if it had been brushed with frost.

"This is Ice Fortress’s official badge," Shi Boying explained. "You may imprint it on the signage of any shop under your name. It marks you publicly as a vassal of Ice Fortress. The future is uncertain, but so long as Ice Fortress holds the rotating governance of Tianlan Immortal City, none will dare lay a finger on you. And even should another sect took over, I expect they would still extend you courtesy."

For someone rarely talkative, Shi Boying had spoken at length.

Hearing her words, Luo Chen finally felt the heavy weight in his chest begin to lift.

With this, the Luo Tian Society had truly put down roots in Tianlan Immortal City. They had their own business, and their forces included two to three Foundation Establishment cultivators. And now, they had backing. None of these could be missing!

From here on out, he could begin conducting business boldly, earning spirit stones to support cultivation.

He bowed in gratitude. "Thank you."

Afterward, Luo Chen and Shi Boying discussed the annual supply of Jade Dew Pills, payment schedules, and other minor details. Only once everything was finalized did Luo Chen rise.

"Then I shall take my leave," Luo Chen said.

"Take care, Fellow Daoist. This old woman won’t be seeing you off," Shi Boying replied, her tone returning to its usual cold neutrality.

"Alright. Farewell!"

Shi Boying watched as Luo Chen rode his cloud into the distance, disappearing with effortless grace. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the jade bottle in her sleeve, leaving her with an odd sense of unease.

She had lived in Ice Fortress for many years. Only because of her age and a shortage of manpower during Ice Fortress’s current term of governance in Tianlan Immortal City, had she been sent out to handle miscellaneous affairs. In all that time, she had never encountered something like this... a bribe.

Truth be told, it felt rather strange. After carefully stowing the jade bottle, she composed herself and returned to the cave residence.

"Is everything settled?" a cold voice rang out.

Shi Boying's heart tightened involuntarily. She respectfully replied, "It is. Luo Chen is indeed not yet proficient in refining the Jade Dew pill. So, in the next few years, the supply is likely to be unstable, with a maximum of five bottles per year."

If outsiders had heard this, they would likely have laughed. "Was a mere five-pill deal worth such solemn formality?"

But only the two parties involved understood the true implications. If five could be produced yearly even without proficiency, what about when he becomes proficient? Ten bottles? A hundred? Or perhaps... even more!

That was why Tantai Jin had extended the exclusive supply agreement to a full century. Such a length of time was enough for Luo Chen to refine his skills, and enough for her to reap significant benefits from it.

Only after stepping outside did Shi Boying fully grasp what had happened. Despite her age, she had not thought as far ahead as Tantai Jin had.

"Five bottles, hm? That’s about what I expected," Tantai Jin said coolly. She cast Shi Boying a sidelong glance. "Don’t report this to the sect. The quantity is too small. Trying to claim credit would only stir up trouble."

Shi Boying was surprised, but she immediately understood. Tantai Jin intended to keep the pills for herself. Even low-grade Jade Dew pills offered female cultivators effects far superior to the mid-grade qi-consolidation pills of the Medicine King Sect. With such support, it was likely she would soon advance to the eighth stage of Foundation Establishment.

After their discussion, Shi Boying hesitated before asking, "Why not recruit this person into Ice Fortress?"

Ice Fortress was a major sect, its ranks dominated by female cultivators in the Golden Core Realm. Still, it wasn’t entirely without men. Those whose constitutions suited the sect’s techniques were accepted, though most were later stationed outside to manage industries. And, of course, many powerful female cultivators found Dao companions and resided permanently within Ice Fortress.

By all logic, Luo Chen should have been recruited. His Jade Dew pills provided immense benefit to Ice Fortress’s female disciples.

But when Shi Boying met Tantai Jin’s cold gaze, the realization struck her. If Luo Chen were brought in now, he would no longer be hers to control. He would become a resource shared with the entire sect.

As though sensing her thoughts, Tantai Jin said icily, "Times have changed. Under the current circumstances, our sect will not casually recruit rogue cultivators. Especially not someone like Luo Chen, who hails from Dahe Market and has ambiguous ties to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect."

Shi Boying nodded. She caught the meaning behind those words.

"The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect? Could it be... Ice Fortress has allied with the Luoyun Sect?"

"Watch your words," Tantai Jin snapped, then said flatly, "Senior Sister, some matters are best left unspoken. Silence is also a form of understanding."

Shi Boying took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. Indeed, such matters were not to be spoken of lightly.

The Jade Cauldron Domain was already in turmoil. The Luoyun Sect had joined hands with Ailao Mountain and the Green Pill Valley to oppose the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and the Flame Alliance. The former had great momentum; the latter had profound foundations.

If Ice Fortress declared its stance too hastily, it could invite immense trouble. That was why it would be best to proceed quietly for now.

Still, with Ice Fortress joining them, the Luoyun Sect would command the strength of three allied sects. Their chances of victory suddenly looked far brighter.

If Luoyun Sect succeeds... would Ice Fortress finally break free from that bitter, frozen land?

thought Shi Boying.

***

Luo Chen had no idea why Ice Fortress, once fiercely courted by the Sword Sect, had quietly shifted allegiance to the Luoyun Sect. What he did know was that ever since arriving in Tianlan Immortal City, a persistent unease had weighed on his heart. Now, with the Ice Fortress badge in his hand, that weight finally lifted.

Hehe! Now I've got backing too.

Without delay, Luo Chen left the city and returned straight to the Luo Tian Society. A meeting was convened the moment he arrived.

"The Jade Essence pills can now be sold on a large scale!"

It was just one simple sentence, but it stirred the emotions of everyone present.

Sima Huiniang asked curiously, "President, have you already dealt with the pressure from above?"

Luo Chen didn’t bother with words. He simply raised his hand, and a snowflake-shaped enchanted artifact appeared in the center of the hall. With a pulse of spirit power, the enchanted artifact began to spin slowly in the air.

Exclamations burst from the mouths of several cultivators in the Grand Hall.

"Ice Fortress!"

"Ice Fortress!"

With a flick of his hand, Luo Chen sent the artifact floating into Sima Huiniang's hands.

"Stamp this emblem onto the Luo Tian Society's banners. From now on, we won't run into any trouble doing business."

Everyone looked at each other in astonishment. None of them had expected that Luo Chen would truly resolve this greatest of obstacles in such a short time.

The Ice Fortress badge! Didn't this mean the Luo Tian Society had now secured ties with Ice Fortress, becoming one of its vassals? Perhaps not in any official capacity, but at the very least, it would spare the Luo Tian Society from many of the troubles and obstructions that came with doing business.

Sima Huiniang took a deep breath and said firmly, "I'll make it happen right away."

She wouldn't be the only one getting busy. The cultivators of the Gold Hall and Battle Hall would also need to move at once. If the Alchemy and Medicine Halls were busiest during pill refinement, then it fell to the Gold and Battle Halls to oversee sales and protection when the time came to move pills on a large scale.

Now, only one matter remained to be decided.

"President, how are we pricing the Jade Essence pills?" Gu Caiyi asked.

Luo Chen didn't hesitate. "Mid-grade Jade Essence pills will be sold at forty spirit stones per bottle. Top-grade ones at eighty-five per bottle."

Gu Caiyi nearly cried out. "That low?"

She wasn't the only one. The rest of the hall looked equally stunned. Ordinarily, Jade Essence pills went for fifty spirit stones for mid-grade and ninety for top-grade. With the war driving raw material costs ever higher, lowering prices instead of raising them seemed unthinkable.

"This..."

Facing their confusion, Luo Chen said calmly, "We need low prices to break into the market, to squeeze out all other low-tier cultivation pills except the qi-nourishing pill and the Yellow Dragon pill. Once we break in and seize market share, then we can slowly raise the price. This is a war, and only those who survive it get to earn spirit stones. Do you understand?"

A price war!

A basic business tactic, but for cultivators who worshipped profit, sacrificing earnings was more painful than death. Many understood the logic, yet still balked at the thought.

Luo Chen didn't want to either, but he knew that only by capturing enough of the market would the profits be worth it. Besides, would the Luo Tian Society lose money at forty and eighty-five?

Not necessarily! With his pill formation rate and cost control, he already outclassed other alchemists of his tier. So, a price war was the last thing he feared.

Luo Chen declared, "The Luo Tian Society needs this war! Only by occupying the low-tier pill markets of the small families and minor powers can we talk about the future. This war is no less significant than the battle of Xiaohuan Mountain back then. Everyone, brace yourselves! Win this war, and everyone's future cultivation resources will be secure!"

Each word struck like a devil's whisper, yet they stirred everyone with anticipation. Perhaps there had been doubts in the beginning, but Luo Chen had never misjudged. Every decision he made proved right in the end. That was why, now, they trusted him without reservation.

After his explanation, their hearts brimmed with purpose.

"We’re not just selling pills, we’re fighting a war without smoke and flames. Only by winning will we secure our future and the resources needed to climb further on the path of cultivation."