Chapter 364: Third Brother Is Dying, Breakthrough to Third Stage Of Foundation Establishment!

On Danxia Peak, while the cultivators of the Alchemy Hall busied themselves with preparing materials, Luo Chen took the opportunity to summon Sima Huiniang and inquire about the current state of affairs.

The report was much as he had expected. The Zheng family of Rolling Dragon Ridge had clearly shifted from their usual complacency to a far more aggressive stance.

The first sign was a noticeable increase in pill production, which now even included a small supply of top-grade Flame Ganoderma pills. These were no minor items; their potency surpassed that of Jade Essence pills by about thirty percent. Second, the cultivators managing the Zheng family’s pill shops had undergone obvious training. They now displayed a new level of energy and hospitality. Though they still could not compare to the Gold Hall female cultivators of the Luo Tian Society, the improvement was visible. Third, the Zheng family had opened a new pill shop between Rolling Dragon Ridge and the outskirts of Tianlan Immortal City. It was fully staffed and kept operational at all times. Lastly, they had cut prices!

The Flame Ganoderma pills were previously sold at one hundred spirit stones per bottle, and now they have been dropped to ninety per bottle. Even their rare top-grade variant was now going for only one hundred fifty spirit stones.

With such sweeping changes, it was clear the members of the Zheng family had responded with boldness and firm resolve.

"They’re not just aiming to take back what they lost. They want more than before," Luo Chen said with a light laugh.

Sima Huiniang furrowed her brows, a hint of worry in her voice. "President, won’t this affect our growth momentum?"

"It will have some effect," Luo Chen admitted.

"Should we consider a countermeasure then?"

"No need. Let’s observe for now," Luo Chen replied.

Still, Sima Huiniang looked uneasy. Seeing this, Luo Chen smiled and said, "There’s no need to overthink it. Even if our pace slows a little, we’re still progressing. You have to understand, our Jade Essence pills cost less to produce, yield more per batch, and are already priced lower than their Flame Ganoderma pills. So even if they’re cutting prices, it doesn’t pose a serious threat to us."

Realization dawned on Sima Huiniang, but another question quickly followed. "Then what’s the point of all this from their side?"

“The point?” Luo Chen’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “If they can’t beat us, then they’ll turn their efforts on everyone else.”

Sima Huiniang blinked, momentarily stunned.

Everyone else?

***

Danyuan Sect.

Two centuries ago, a Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator, desperate for resources, had leveraged his connections as an alchemist to establish the sect. He gathered a group of low-tier Qi-Refining rogue cultivators and gradually trained them to help him gather ingredients, sell pills, and secure cultivation resources.

Unfortunately, due to his poor aptitude and limited lifespan, he never managed to reach the Golden Core Realm. Yet, even after his death, the sect did not fall apart. A later disciple inherited his alchemy techniques, advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and carried on the legacy.

Today, the Danyuan Sect functioned more like a formal organization. It had its own traditions, mentor-apprentice relationships, and carefully tended spirit fields. But at its core, its primary business was still alchemy. However, their business has recently taken a hit due to the Luo Tian Society’s disruptive entry into the pill market.

“Sect Leader! Sect Leader!” A disciple came running, breathless and bright-eyed.

“Great news!” he gasped.

"What has got you so worked up?" the sect leader asked, stepping out of his cave with a curious expression.

The disciple beamed. "They’re fighting! It’s finally happening!"

"Who’s fighting? Speak clearly," the sect leader of the Danyuan Sect said with a frown.

Catching his breath, the disciple explained, "It’s the Zheng family of Rolling Dragon Ridge and that damned Luo Tian Society! They’ve gone to war!"

"Hmm?"

“They’ve slashed prices across the board,” the disciple continued. “Not only that, but they’ve copied the Luo Tian Society’s methods almost perfectly. It looks like they’re going all in, ready to fight to the bitter end!”

The sect leader’s face lit up as he paced outside the cave, clearly delighted.

He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Good! The Luo Tian Society has no regard for the rules! They deserve to be stamped out for offering such high-quality pills at such low prices!

"We at the Danyuan Sect are too weak to fight them ourselves, but the Zheng family of Rolling Dragon Ridge is different. With their deep pockets and strong backing, they can drag Luo Tian Society into the grave. This is truly excellent news!"

***

The low-tier pill market was never limited to just the Zheng family or Danyuan Sect. In Tianlan Immortal City alone, excluding the major sects, there were at least six or seven other powers active in the pill business. Among the long-standing players were the Hu and Li families. Additionally, three more cultivation families operated out of nearby market towns just beyond the city center. They too quickly caught wind of the Zheng family’s sudden movements.

For the past year, every one of them had quietly resented the Luo Tian Society. The problem was that none of them could afford to lower their prices, as the cost of their pill production remained high. Yet now the Zheng family had launched an aggressive price war, openly challenging Luo Tian Society on every front.

From their perspective, this upstart rogue cultivator faction from the outskirts could not possibly endure for long. Once the Zheng family secured total victory, the market would return to its old balance.

Everyone was looking forward to that day, and it wasn’t just alchemists and vendors paying attention to this conflict. Low-tier rogue cultivators were equally invested. After all, this was about their cultivation resources.

"See those two groups at the intersection, frantically handing out flyers?"

"Yeah, they’re from the Luo Tian Society and the Zheng family. They’re desperate to catch the attention of anyone who passes by."

"I heard the Luo Tian Society’s Jade Essence pill rivals the Medicine King Sect’s qi-nourishing pills."

"Yeah, and cheaper too. I bought a bottle before."

"Now that the Zheng family has stepped in, who knows how long the Luo Tian Society can hold out? I need to stock up before they collapse!"

"Count me in. I’ve saved up a bit too."

"What about you, Fellow Daoist Wang?"

"I’ll pass. I practice the Flame Yang Seal and need fire-attribute pills. I’ve always bought Flame Ganoderma pills, and now that they’re finally cheaper, I’ll grab a few bottles."

"Fellow Daoist Zhuo, are you heading to the Zheng family’s shop too?"

"No, no. I’m going to Danxia Hall!"

"But aren’t you already at the ninth stage of Qi-Refining? Isn’t the Jade Essence pill less effective for you?"

"They’re not just selling Jade Essence pills!"

"Huh?"

"Myriad Wonders pills... never mind. You blockheaded cultivators wouldn’t understand its marvels!"

As competition between the two factions intensified, both sides rolled out ever more promotions. News of the price war spread like wildfire among the city’s low-tier cultivators. At a time when most goods were rising in price due to the war, two powers undercutting each other with steep discounts was bound to turn heads. Even those who typically purchased different pills couldn’t resist the temptation. They were lured by the low prices, and many gave the new options a try.

And after trying them...

The Jade Essence pill was indeed large, round, potent, and brimming with spirit energy.

The Flame Ganoderma pill had also improved. Its flavor was purer, its effects more refined, and its once-volatile, heaty properties now carefully balanced. It was clear the Zheng family’s alchemists had made real progress in their craft.

As time passed, names like the Luo Tian Society, Danxia Hall, and Jade Essence pills became more and more recognized among low-tier cultivators.

They were the ones who brought pill prices down. To the cultivation world, it was a real blessing.

The Zheng family was profiting as well, though their storefronts, constantly shouting “clearance sale,” made some wonder if they were teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

Meanwhile, rogue cultivators were having the time of their lives. Those factions, who have been quietly watching from the sidelines, had begun to sense that something was wrong.

Inside the Danyuan Sect, the sect leader slammed his table, disbelief written all over his face. "Why was last month’s income only fifteen thousand spirit stones?"

One of the disciples hesitantly replied, "There are still three days left this month, but... the profits might be even lower."

"How much?"

"Right now, it’s only seven thousand."

The sect leader of the Danyuan Sect felt his vision go black. He nearly collapsed on the spot, steadying himself against the table as his body swayed.

“How did it come to this? The Luo Tian Society still hasn’t collapsed?”

It wasn’t just the Danyuan Sect. Other factions in the alchemy market had begun to notice that something was wrong. They had no idea how much longer Luo Tian Society could keep this up. What they did know was that their own monthly revenue was steadily shrinking.

By contrast, the Zheng family’s cultivators, though visibly exhausted, wore the glow of success as if they had struck gold.

As for Luo Tian Society’s cultivators, they remained as enthusiastic as ever. Even if you didn’t buy their pills, they would warmly recommend other products like milk tea, snacks, spirit fruit, and even enchanted artifacts.

Meanwhile, in the Hu family’s meeting hall, their Foundation Establishment patriarch sat grimly before the gathered elders, his face lined with conflict.

"Something’s definitely wrong here!"

***

Within Tianlan Peak, Luo Chen was in a brief seclusion in his cave residence. He received a report delivered by Sima Huiniang. It noted how even their competitors had begun mimicking the practices of the Luo Tian Society and the Zheng family.

Luo Chen smiled and set the report aside. “So they’ve finally caught on? Too bad. It’s already too late.”

With faint amusement, he recalled a meeting before his retreat, when the Zheng family's Family Head Zheng Kejian had secretly invited him for a private chat.

At that meeting, Zheng Kejian had been exceedingly warm. Their conversation had been pleasant, filled with polite flattery. Zheng Kejian praised Luo Chen’s abilities, while Luo Chen returned the compliment, admiring Zheng Kejian’s skill in producing top-grade Flame Ganoderma pills.

However, what had come from that meeting was entirely unexpected.

“Let’s keep competing. Push it to the limit. Make it as loud and dramatic as possible.”

Those had been Zheng Kejian’s exact words.

“How about we even stage a quarrel outside the city, glare at each other, trade insults, really stir up the drama?”

"Excellent idea," Luo Chen replied with a laugh. "Brother Zheng, no one in the city can match your strategies.”

"Not at all, Brother Luo, your fabricated rumor about needing to refine pills to sell enchanted artifacts truly opened my eyes!"

"

Haha

, likewise. Brother Zheng, your decision to vacate your second-tier Tianlan Peak's cave residence to fund pill production showed such admirable boldness!"

The two had exchanged a knowing smile and agreed on a continued rivalry, one that doubled as mutual promotion.

Luo Chen pulled his thoughts back to the present, and his smile slowly faded.

Such tactics weren’t anything new. It was simply Big Brother and Second Brother duking it out while Third Brother died in the crossfire!

Before he transmigrated, there had been similar cases: Meituan locked in battle with Ele.me, while Baidu Waimai quietly collapsed, or Tencent and 360 clashing like deities, while bystanders like Kingsoft and Rising Antivirus slowly faded into obscurity[1].

There were countless cases like this. As long as the market was large enough and both sides had the foundation for sustained competition, not only would they avoid serious losses, they would carve out an even greater share. As for the small factions watching from the sidelines? They would vanish without ever realizing it.

Zheng Kejian was a smart man. By the second month of their price war, he had already seen the benefits. Yet he still lacked patience. The tacit understanding between them would have been enough; there had been no need for another meeting at all.

Mutual flattery for the sake of theatrics was unnecessary. In truth, it had been an amateur move.

Luo Chen understood this well.

Thanks to the low production cost of the Jade Essence pills and his own exceptional alchemical skill, the Luo Tian Society would endure the chaos without question. The Zheng family, with centuries of heritage, three Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the backing of the Flame Alliance, would hold their ground as well.

But with time, those factions and families would no longer be able to sustain themselves. Eventually, they would fade from the low-tier pill market of Tianlan Immortal City.

In the end, only the Luo Tian Society and the Zheng family would remain!

Luo Chen muttered, "All of this is merely a small path. Cultivation is the true foundation."

Luo Chen slowly closed his eyes, letting his thoughts slip away.

His breakthrough from the second to the third stage of Foundation Establishment was close at hand. He could feel it stirring within every breath.

As gentle sandalwood incense curled through the air, his divine soul gradually drew inward. He consumed two Ascending Dragon pills. One he swallowed directly, while the other remained under his tongue, ready to be used if needed.

He activated the Grandmaster level Yi Wood Medicine King Codex and drew in spirit energy from the environment, guiding it through a full cycle of internal circulation as he refined the medicinal power within his body.

Within his sea of qi, waves of potent energy surged into the vortex of spirit power. The rotation purified the flood, condensing it into threads of radiant green qi. Above, his inner vision revealed the nine-layered heaven of his dantian, rising like a vast funnel.

The first layer was already brimming with spirit liquid. In the second layer, the spirit liquid formed from refined power was nearly at the point of overflow. It was just that tiny almost that remained. As more green brilliance surged in, the energy that would normally take time to purify was rapidly refined under the sheer internal pressure.

Time slipped by unnoticed.

Both Ascending Dragon pills had long since been digested. Yet Luo Chen pressed on. He continued to drive the Yi Wood Medicine King Codex, greedily drawing in every trace of spirit energy around him and sending it coursing through his body.

Even after seven full circulations, he refused to stop.

Until—

Drip!

Another drop of spirit liquid condensed and fell.

His sea of qi surged, finally overflowing, breaking past the barrier and spilling into the third heavenly realm[2]!

At that moment, Luo Chen’s eyes snapped open. A powerful surge of energy erupted from his body, stronger than anything he had ever released before, rippling outward in steady waves.

With a single thought, he brought the force under control, suppressing it instantly.

Whew...

"I’ve done it at last!"

Realm: Foundation Establishment Stage Three (1/100)

Through his inner sight, he saw a fresh drop of spirit liquid glowing with green light within the third heaven. Above it, faint traces of spirit energy tried to gather into a new cloud cluster. Yet with insufficient qi, they failed to condense, and a wave of hunger naturally followed.

Luo Chen chuckled softly. It was not the right time to continue cultivating. Pushing further would only cause harm. He needed rest first. The surge of energy from his breakthrough had strained his meridians, leaving behind minor damage. That, too, would need to be gently mended by the nourishing properties of the Yi Wood Medicine King Codex.

"I wonder how long I’ve been here?"

Exhausted in both soul and spirit, Luo Chen slowly drifted off to sleep.

***

"Five days?" Luo Chen echoed.

Dressed in fresh robes and brimming with vitality, Luo Chen devoured a high-quality spirit meal as Bai Meiling reported the time.

Bai Meiling nodded her small head eagerly. “Yes, Master! Your breakthrough took a full five days.”

Luo Chen fell into thoughtful silence.

As his cultivation rose, it wasn’t just the daily cultivation that took longer. Each breakthrough demanded more and more time. Even when the process was smooth and natural, pushing through a bottleneck required lengthy seclusion.

This was merely the final stage of early Foundation Establishment, yet it had taken five days. What about mid-stage and late-stage Foundation Establishment?

No wonder Huo Quan had remained in seclusion for months to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment Realm. And to break into the Golden Core Realm... would that take years?

This wasn’t about routine cultivation; it was solely about the time needed to break through a realm barrier.

Looks like I’ll need to factor breakthrough time into future estimates of lifespan and cultivation speed,

thought Luo Chen.

In the Qi-Refining Realm, breakthroughs had come as easily as eating or drinking. But in the Foundation Establishment Realm, the difference was stark.

Luo Chen shook his head and cast aside those "distant" concerns. For now, he had broken through. That alone was worth celebrating. He should allow himself a moment of joy before planning further.

“Anything happen while I was in seclusion?” he asked.

Bai Meiling raised her chin and propped her face with both hands. "Nothing much! You told Director Sima Huiniang and the others not to disturb you."

"Is that so..."

"Oh, wait, there was one thing!" Bai Meiling giggled mischievously. “Three days ago, a very beautiful Foundation Establishment female cultivator came by, asking to see you.”

Luo Chen stared at her speechless, certain she was doing this on purpose. "A very beautiful Foundation Establishment female cultivator?"

He knew quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators, but a female cultivator? A very beautiful one?

Who could it be...

"She said her name was Kang Xianqiong, from the Kang family of Taishan Market."

Luo Chen paused in surprise. He knew the Kang family, and they had even done business once before. But he had never heard of Kang Xianqiong.

It wasn’t until the following day, when Luo Chen met Kang Xianqiong atop Danxia Peak, that he finally understood.

So it was her! What a lucky one she turned out to be.

1. The sentence "放到穿越前，戏码就类似于美团饿了吗竞争，百度外卖倒了" draws an analogy to the Chinese food delivery market, where Meituan and Ele.me two chinese delivery company fiercely competed, ultimately resulting in the failure and dissolution of Baidu Waimai. It illustrates a scenario in which two dominant players fight for supremacy, while weaker competitors are quietly eliminated, a reflection on brutal market consolidation. The follow-up, "腾讯360仙打架，看热闹的金山、瑞星，却渐渐没落", compares the rivalry between Tencent and 360 (Qihoo 360) to a clash of deities (仙打架), implying overwhelming power and dominance. Meanwhile, Kingsoft (金山) and Rising Antivirus (瑞星) are portrayed as onlookers who, though once relevant, gradually declined in influence. This metaphor reflects the fate of minor players caught in the shadow of tech giants, emphasizing how industry titans can reshape entire competitive landscapes, leaving others behind. ☜

2. The phrase “第三重天” (“third heavenly realm”) reflects a cosmological concept commonly found in xianxia cultivation novels, where the universe is divided into multiple layered heavens or realms, each representing a higher order of spiritual power, cultivation, or divine authority. This hierarchical structure draws inspiration from Daoist texts such as the Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Yebao Yinyuan Jing (太上洞玄灵宝业报因缘经) and the Yunji Qiqian (云笈七签), which describe thirty-six heavens, each governed by celestial rulers. In fiction, the "Third Heaven" often marks a realm of elevated existence or a threshold to higher spiritual law. ☜