Chapter 404: Tianlan Immortal City Under New Rule, Lifespan Nears Its End (II)

Luo Chen paused his reading and fell into deep thought. After a while, he looked up. "It’s time we established a system of succession."

Murong Qinglian hesitated and asked, "You mean...?"

"In the Luo Tian Society, we already have four Foundation Establishment Initiates, including myself. That’s not enough to rival a Golden Core sect, but it’s enough to stand toe-to-toe with smaller, declining ones. If they can build cohesion through succession, so can we."

Luo Chen spoke with confidence; he had already made his decision.

"I’ve already taken Qu Lingjun as a disciple. Taking on another to pass on my teachings is only natural. Duan Feng has been teaching apprentices for a while now, so he can select a few with talent to pass on his artifact-forging skills or even his cultivation techniques. Min Longyu comes from a cultivation family, but the Min family is gone. Since he cannot revive them, he can only pass on his formation skills in another way. As for Wang Yuan, whether he’s serious about it or just wants to keep up appearances, I’ll talk to him about taking on a disciple too."

Murong Qinglian's heart swelled with emotion. On the surface, it all sounded simple, but she understood the deeper meaning. No matter how loyal the old members of the Luo Tian Society were, they still saw it mainly as a place to earn spirit stones and find shelter. It was like a great sect’s business hall, only with closer ties. But if a true system of succession was established, it would be entirely different. That meant the Luo Tian Society would be evolving from an ordinary rogue cultivator faction into something closer to a true sect! And the sect system was as strong as or even stronger than the family systems bound by blood.

Her own family was a prime example. Her son, Xiaohu, had joined the Falling Cloud Sect more than ten years ago. Despite the wars, he had never once come home. In his letters, he often spoke of his Senior Sisters, Senior Brothers, and Daoist Uncles in the sect, as if he had found a new family far from home.

A mature sect system could give cultivators a true sense of belonging, a feeling of home so deep they would be willing to live and die for it. If Luo Chen’s succession system was truly implemented, its impact could surpass even the merit system Sima Huiniang had put in place during her tenure.

Gulping nervously, Murong Qinglian couldn’t help but say, "President, you’re truly wise!"

"Sister-in-law, you really know how to flatter people!" Luo Chen laughed and continued, "But how to pass it on, how to take disciples, and how to continue this system are things that can’t be taken lightly. I’m only bringing it up now. The specific details will need discussion. I’ll keep reading for now, so if you’re bored, feel free to go out and stretch your legs. I’ll call you if I need you."

Murong Qinglian shook her head, choosing to remain by his side as he continued through the merit ledgers.

Time passed slowly.

Suddenly, Luo Chen’s gaze froze on a corner of one of the pages. He stared at it, lost in thought.

Murong Qinglian noticed something was off and asked curiously, "What’s the matter?"

With her understanding of the Merit Hall’s affairs, she could recall its records as if they were written on the inside of her eyelids.

It was about the Danxia Hall on Yuelu Street. The lease was nearing its end, and Gu Caiyi had negotiated with Icewave Palace multiple times to keep the rent at five thousand spirit stones per year. In the end, she had secured a rate of five thousand two hundred per year.

But Gu Caiyi had done her best. In Tianlan Immortal City, rents rose every year. Keeping the increase to such a small amount after three years was a bargain. She had contributed greatly to the negotiation and deserved her merit points. The rent increase wasn’t what had caught Luo Chen’s attention.

"Why didn’t they sign for three years again this time? Why is it only a one-year lease?" Luo Chen asked.

Murong Qinglian answered without hesitation, "That’s because the Ice Fortress’s ten-year rotation at Tianlan Immortal City is coming to an end. The city’s management will soon be handed over to the next Golden Core sect, so leases can only be renewed one year at a time. That has always been standard practice in the city."

She spoke matter-of-factly, but Luo Chen’s expression shifted, showing a rare hint of unease. The Ice Fortress’s ten-year rotation was coming to an end. This was not good news. The Ice Fortress was the Luo Tian Society’s main backer. If another sect took over the city’s administration, the society’s businesses would inevitably be impacted.

"I can’t believe I forgot about this," Luo Chen muttered. "I got so used to the Ice Fortress just... being here that I forgot I’ve already been in Tianlan Immortal City for six whole years. Come to think of it, the city is indeed about to change hands."

His eyes narrowed as he closed the merit ledger. "I need to visit Icewave Palace. Sister-in-law, please keep a close eye on things here at the Luo Tian Society."

Murong Qinglian nodded; that was her duty. Yet, as she watched Luo Chen hurry away, a heavy realization dawned on her, and a worried expression gradually spread across her face.

***

Inside Icewave Palace, Luo Chen was greeted by the familiar figure of Shi Lan. She told him some bad news. Foundation Establishment Initiates of the Ice Fortress were currently declining visits from outsiders, as they were in the process of handing things over to the Green Pill Valley cultivators.

"So the sect taking over for the next ten years is the Green Pill Valley?" Luo Chen asked.

"Yes!" Shi Lan replied. "It’s tied to the auctions they host. The next year’s rotation partner is always the one that held the last auction together."

The previous auction had been hosted by the Ice Fortress and the Green Pill Valley. The next would be held by the Green Pill Valley and the Falling Cloud Sect. In other words, the rotation order went from the Ice Fortress to the Green Pill Valley to the Falling Cloud Sect, followed by Ailao Mountain, Hundred Flowers Palace, the Flame Alliance, and finally the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, completing a seventy-year cycle.

After hearing this, Luo Chen’s expression eased slightly. He knew two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Green Pill Valley. Perhaps things would remain stable.

But cautious as always, Luo Chen wasn’t about to pin his hopes on Tao Yisheng or Xuan Yunzi. The latter might have a decent standing in the Green Pill Valley thanks to his outstanding alchemical skills, but the former didn’t hold any significant position. Besides, if the Green Pill Valley assigned someone else to oversee the city, someone Luo Chen didn’t know, then his personal connections would be completely useless.

"Little Lan, when your grandmother is free, let her know I’d like to talk to her," Luo Chen said. "And if possible, it would be great if I could meet with Fellow Daoist Tantai Jin."

Shi Lan gave him a sweet smile and said, "Alright!"

Luo Chen left Icewave Palace and headed toward the nearest Tianlan Peak.

When he passed Cave Residence Bing Six, Luo Chen paused for a moment.

I really can’t get used to these busy days! It's really tough without Huiniang...

Luo Chen let out a faint, self-deprecating laugh and continued his way home.

With Earth Summit and Wave Surge both at Perfected Mastery, Luo Chen found himself with more free time than before. His proficiency in refining Spirit Passage pills had also reached Perfected Mastery, so he only needed to refine them once a month, which freed up even more of his schedule. Since he wasn’t studying new spells, he still had plenty of free time.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Apart from refining Jade Essence pills and Jade Dew pills, he spent most of this time reading various books like the

Shang Hu Alchemy Insights

, and pondering on the Sky Roc Transformation and several other first-tier alchemical formulas he had collected previously.

The third-tier

Shang Hu Alchemy Insights

had been especially helpful to him. He had studied it on and off for the past two to three years, and with his advanced alchemical skills, the first-tier alchemical formulas seemed extremely simple. He felt confident he could master them without even using the system as a crutch. He had even thoroughly grasped the Blood Fiend pill formula from Wang Yuan. If Wang Yuan could gather the main ingredients, Luo Chen could attempt a batch right away. Unfortunately, while Wang Yuan had managed to collect plenty of cultivator essence blood and could acquire human placenta from the black market, he had yet to find the elusive Netherworld Yin Fiend. Without that, Luo Chen couldn’t personally craft the pills for him.

After a night of cultivation, Luo Chen allowed himself a short rest. At dawn, he gathered a few books and prepared to leave. But just as he stepped out of the cave residence, he halted. A middle-aged man stood outside, waiting in the morning breeze.

"How come you're here so early in the morning? Is there something I can help you with?" he asked.

The visitor was none other than Li Yingzhang.

He bowed respectfully to Luo Chen and said, "The patriarch’s lifespan is nearing its end, and before he passes, he would like to see you one last time."