Chapter 452: Heart-Link Gu, Lands of Tenderness, Tomb of Heroes

"Fellow Daoist Luo Feng, this is the Artifact Palace of the Luo Tian Society," Sima Huiniang introduced warmly. "There are over a hundred artifact forging apprentices here, and the hall is personally overseen by Palace Leader Duan Feng. His family lineage is extraordinary, tracing all the way back to the Skysail City tradition. At present, they have achieved stable production of mid-grade flying swords, and they even occasionally produce top-grade enchanted artifacts. Now that we have acquired the Divine Craftsman Sect’s flying boat building technique, the prospects are even more promising. As for those ores you mentioned, demand would grow significantly in the future, and pricing, we could always negotiate."

***

"Fellow Daoist Chen, your technique for refining enchanted garments is truly unrivaled in Tianlan Immortal City; everyone knows it. However, the Jade Silkworm and Amber Silkworm threads you need are limited by the production capacity of the major sects. Our Luo Tian Society’s Beast Palace is actually preparing to breed these types of spirit beasts in large numbers. When time comes, the yield will surely be ample enough to supply your sect. You truly won't need to worry about it! Actually, we’ve already leased the spirit land that used to belong to the Geng family. It will be entirely dedicated to breeding various spirit beasts. We might even be able to raise Azure Golden Silkworms. You should definitely consider working with us in the future!"

***

"Indeed, it's true that our Alchemy Palace cannot produce all that many Myriad Wonders pills in one go. If we were to supply our entire output to Peach Mountain, then the variety of pills at Danxia Hall in Tianlan Immortal City would be too limited, and that would be detrimental to business. But to be honest, our president had always admired Senior Xuan Yu, and he is quite eager to collaborate with Peach Mountain. How about this: If you’re willing to provide a portion of the spirit peaches produced at Peach Mountain, I’ll personally guarantee this deal. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Qiao?"

***

"The environment at Changliu Gorge is indeed far too cold and damp. Essence-nourishing pills are absolutely necessary there to warm and nurture the cultivators’ dantians. In light of the celebration of my Foundation Establishment today, I can agree to your request. From now on, one-third of the essence-nourishing pills produced by the Luo Tian Society’s Alchemy Palace will go to the Chang family. But your side must also agree to sell us a portion of the Yin Gorge Spirit Water. As you know, Fellow Daoist Chang, Ink Mulberry cultivation is heavily reliant on that resource."

"At Jade True Temple’s price?" asked Chang Dongliu.

"No, no! That’s far too steep. Our Luo Tian Society will only accept seventy percent of that. Whether we have a deal or not depends on you, Fellow Daoist."

***

One deal after another was successfully made. Through Sima Huiniang’s steady guidance, which was sometimes diplomatic, sometimes firm, and at times sharply assertive, one cooperation agreement after another was finalized.

By the time the moon hung high and the stars glimmered across the quiet peaks, the Foundation Establishment Initiates who had remained at the Luo Tian Society gradually began to take their leave.

After sending off Qiao Xiyue, Sima Huiniang finally allowed herself a breath of relief. Beside her, Min Longyu retracted the formation, visibly pained by the number of mid-grade spirit stones consumed that day. Maintaining the rainbow bridge alone had cost over a hundred mid-grade spirit stones, which amounted to more than ten thousand low-grade spirit stones!

Seeing his distressed expression, Sima Huiniang couldn’t help but smile and shake her head. "Elder Min, don’t be so distressed. What we spent today, we’ll reclaim a hundredfold, maybe even a thousand times over."

Min Longyu gave a wry smile, but his gaze lingered on the now-silent slopes of Danxia Peak. He seemed lost in thought.

"Even though I am living through all of this myself, it still feels like a dream," he murmured. "A century ago, even at the height of the Min family’s glory here at Danxia Peak, we hadn't achieved even a tenth of what we saw today."

Sima Huiniang could not help but sigh as well. "That's why our president is brilliant. Not all the guests today were friends of the Luo Tian Society, but by borrowing strength from every side, he still managed to bring about a harmonious conclusion."

Min Longyu nodded as his heart stirred with emotion. He and Duan Feng had accompanied Sima Huiniang through every negotiation that evening. What should have been long and difficult conversations turned into swift agreements, as if guided by an unseen hand.

Yet both of them understood the truth. This was not the work of the gods, but the fruit of Luo Chen’s meticulous planning, built up day by day until it became a titanic momentum that carried the Luo Tian Society forward. Even if they tried to recreate the same circumstances, it was unlikely things would ever proceed so smoothly again.

They exchanged a glance and parted with a silent understanding.

Sima Huiniang composed herself and summoned an attendant. "Where is the president?"

"Still drinking," the attendant replied.

"With Chu Kui?"

"Yes and Palace Leader Wang joined them for a while. The Beast Palace Leader left earlier in the evening."

Sima Huiniang nodded, then dismissed the attendant and walked toward the Luo Tian Society's Grand Hall.

The nine palaces of the Luo Tian Society belonged each to a separate division. Meanwhile, the Grand Hall and Huixin Hall were private places used exclusively by Luo Chen and Sima Huiniang for official matters.

Upon arriving outside the Grand Hall, Sima Huiniang slowed her steps. She paused outside the hall and called softly, "Caiyi?"

Gu Caiyi turned around, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Director, you’re done?"

Sima Huiniang smiled and nodded. Though she should have been worn out after so many business discussions, she still appeared bright and energetic, as if her whole being overflowed with inexhaustible vigor. It seemed that the old saying that power was the greatest stimulant did not only apply to men.

She extended her spirit consciousness outward, scanning the state of the grand hall.

"They are still drinking?" she murmured.

Looking to Caiyi again, she said gently, "It’s late and cold. You should rest."

Gu Caiyi glanced inside. "But—"

"It’s fine. They’ve probably had enough. If anything comes up, I’ll have someone else handle it."

Waving her sleeve, Sima Huiniang strode directly into the Luo Tian Society’s Grand Hall.

Gu Caiyi stood outside the hall, watching that finely dressed and confident figure stride forward. A sudden sense of urgency welled up in her heart. But while Foundation Establishment Initiates gathered inside, she could only stand guard at the door, whereas Sima Huiniang could move freely within.

Sometimes, relationships alone were not enough to erase every barrier. The gap in cultivation made one hesitate before moving forward.

***

"Huiniang, you’re here! Hurry and bring out your gift!"

Luo Chen’s eyes were hazy. For once, he truly seemed drunk. He had already consumed plenty of spirit wine during the daytime and had not taken the time to refine the alcohol from his system. By evening, Chu Kui, being the scoundrel that he was, had thought that the Luo Tian Society’s spirit wine was too weak and brought out two bottles of Taibai Wine from the Du family.

Mixed with everything they had drunk before, the wine left them all thoroughly intoxicated. Unsurprisingly, only Wang Yuan seemed to be holding himself together better.

When Sima Huiniang entered, Chu Kui let out a booming laugh. "I already said I’d present it once she arrived. You’re the impatient one."

He waved a hand dismissively, then grinned. "Fine then, I’ll let you see if my gift is worthy enough!"

Before he even finished speaking, a white wax pellet about the size of a longan appeared in his palm.

"What is that?" Sima Huiniang asked with curiosity.

She stepped eagerly toward the wine table and knelt beside Luo Chen, her elegant eyes fixed on the pellet. Luo Chen and Wang Yuan also turned to look with interest.

Seeing their interest, Chu Kui chuckled with smug delight. "You don’t recognize it, do you? This is a first-tier exotic insect, the Spirit-Link Gu."[1]

"Gu?" the three of them echoed in surprise.

"That’s right." Chu Kui basked in their reactions, looking more pleased with himself by the moment. "Gu insects are especially popular in the Southern Frontier. I obtained this one years ago, after killing a rogue cultivator and finding it in his storage pouch."

Luo Chen curled his lip. "It’s only a first-tier Gu insect. What possible use could it have for Huiniang?"

"No, no!" Chu Kui shook his head vigorously and pointed to the wax pellet in his hand. "While this insect has little use in offense or defense, its function is quite profound. The Heart-Link Gu is a replica of the ancient Life-Bond Gu."

The three of them still looked puzzled, so Chu Kui sighed and resigned himself to explaining. The true Life-Bond Gu was a fifth-tier insect that came in pairs. Any pair of cultivators at the Divine Transformation Realm or below could use it. Once implanted, the two would be bound by life and death. If one perished, so would the other. If one still lived while the other faced certain death, the Gu could be triggered to preserve a portion of the dying soul’s origin. Just as the name implied, it was a bond that tied two lives into one.

And that was not its only effect. The cultivator with the lower cultivation could passively benefit from the cultivation speed of the stronger one. Even a sliver of that advantage could multiply one’s progress several times over. It was no exaggeration to call it a divine item.

Luo Chen listened intently and asked, "If a Qi Refinement cultivator uses it with a Divine Transformation Realm grand cultivator, wouldn’t their cultivation speed soar?"

Chu Kui gave him a withering look and rolled his eyes. "No Divine Transformation cultivator would ever use this Gu insect with a mere Qi Refinement cultivator. That'd make them both as fragile as the weakest of them. What do you think would happen next?"

The blunt retort left Luo Chen a little sheepish. He quickly redirected the conversation. "Then does this replica have the same effects?"

"Of course not! The Life-Bond Gu is both divine and dangerously flawed," Chu Kui retorted.

He carefully peeled away the wax layer and revealed two creamy-white insects, each as fine as a strand of hair. He then said, "The function of the Heart-Link Gu is to create a telepathic bond between two users. It can indicate the other’s location and even sense their life or death. And it gets even better: This Gu also has growth potential. If it's nourished with blood until it reaches the third tier, then when one user dies, most of their cultivation gains are absorbed by the other. Because of this, the Heart-Link Gu is also known as the Devil’s Heart Gu in the Southern Frontier."

At the mention of that name, a rare solemnity appeared on Chu Kui’s face. "Raising it to the third tier is extremely difficult. Otherwise, these things would have long since flooded the cultivation world. I mean, think about it. Once it's implanted, all you have to do is nurture it to the required level and then kill the host. The one who planted it will immediately gain most of the victim’s cultivation. During breakthroughs, when overwhelming power is crucial, this kind of convenience is nothing short of a divine pill for a devil cultivator’."

He shook his head, resealed the wax with a touch of spirit energy, and handed it to Sima Huiniang. "This Gu is still young, but even at the first or second tier, it is more than useful enough for cultivators like us. In a critical moment, it can serve as a hidden trump card."

Sima Huiniang hesitated and looked at Luo Chen. When he gave her a slight nod, she accepted the gift with both hands.

With his gift delivered, Chu Kui had met most of the Luo Tian Society’s Foundation Establishment cultivators and thoroughly enjoyed his wine. He made no plans to stay longer and took his leave at once.

That meant there were only three left in the hall. Wang Yuan soon reached into his storage pouch and drew out a gift for Sima Huiniang. It was none other than the supreme-grade enchanted artifact he had seized from Shen Gongyi of the Danyuan Sect during battle: the Net of Heaven and Earth. Its craftsmanship was exquisite, and it excelled at restraining opponents. Had Wang Yuan relied heavily on spirit energy, like most Foundation Establishment cultivators, he would likely have fallen to Shen Gongyi that very day.

After presenting his gift, Wang Yuan also excused himself.

Inside the Luo Tian Society's Grand Hall, only a man and a woman remained.

Sima Huiniang looked at the two treasures in her hands, her eyes gleaming with delight.

Luo Chen slouched against the table and chuckled. "Look how happy you are. It’s just a supreme-grade enchanted artifact and a first-tier bug."

Sima Huiniang wrinkled her nose and huffed. "It’s far more than that! I got way too many gifts today. Even without counting the business deals, just the gifts alone were worth the expense of hosting the celebration!"

Wei Bufan of Xuchen Mountain had brought a thousand-year-old ginseng with tens of thousands of root hairs, the longest more than half a zhang. That single plant alone could fetch seven or eight thousand spirit stones. Then Zuo Song had presented a chunk of refined iron that, according to Duan Feng, was a third-tier ore. It was an excellent material for forging enchanted treasures and had considerable value. Fellow Daoist Qiao Xiyue of Peach Mountain offered up a Flowing Cloud Sleeves robe, a fine item well suited for female cultivators. But the most precious gifts came from Tantai Jin; the three gifts she presented silenced everyone the moment they were revealed.

"During today’s negotiations, quite a few people tried to probe for a glimpse of that Core Formation secret art. But I told them it's a single-use item with definite restrictions and that it was specifically gifted to you, President. I wouldn’t dare take liberties. Only then did they abandon such thoughts. Of course, the other gifts were splendid as well. For example..."

The day’s celebration had been grand, the crowd overwhelming. Sima Huiniang had maintained the composure of a Foundation Establishment initiate from beginning to end. Now that no outsiders remained, she finally let down her guard. As she recounted each gift, her words tumbled out in an excited rush.

Watching her, Luo Chen could not help but feel as though he were a groom sitting with his new bride, the two of them giddily counting their wedding gifts late at night, too thrilled to sleep.

How much had this family given? How much had that one offered? What ties had been forged, and when those families hosted events of their own in the future, how much should be returned in kind?

In Luo Chen’s mind, a little abacus clattered away noisily, a vivid reflection of her image. A strange feeling stirred within him. He shook his head, lifted his cup, and drained the last bit of Taibai Wine in one long gulp. The burning sensation from the liquor seared his throat before spreading warmly through his sea of qi.

Sima Huiniang noticed his empty cup. She paused in her tallying and refilled it. As she leaned forward, the long line of her cleavage revealed a striking sliver of porcelain-white skin.

Luo Chen averted his eyes, politely avoiding a direct glance.

Sima Huiniang lifted her head and said, "There are far too many gifts for me alone to use. President, why don’t I share some with—"

"No need," Luo Chen interrupted with a shake of his head. "Since they were given to you, keep them. As the director, you can’t always rely solely on authority to lead. If you don't need them yourself, then when you encounter subordinates who excel, you’ll be able to reward them."

The true key to lasting leadership lay in the ability to balance kindness and might. In the past, Sima Huiniang’s cultivation had been too weak, and she could only lead through others' force. Now that she had the strength to hold her ground, it was better to maintain a kind image.

She blinked, as if realizing the truth of his words. Still, the staggering value of the gifts, surely more than a hundred thousand spirit stones, left her uneasy.

"But..." she began hesitantly.

Sensing her reluctance, Luo Chen deftly changed the subject. "Out of all the gifts, which one did you like best?"

This time, she did not hesitate. The answer came without thought, as natural as breathing. "This one!"

She pointed at the Daoist robe she was wearing, white as snow and fitting her form with flawless elegance.

Luo Chen found himself at a loss for words. That robe was his Foundation Establishment gift to her.

For a moment, silence hung heavy between them. The atmosphere within the hall began to shift, filled with an unspoken emotion. It lingered in the man’s wine-scented breath and the woman’s delicate fragrance, weaving softly around them both.

Luo Chen, having cultivated the Divine Breaker of Malevolence for years, possessed formidable willpower. At once, he sensed the change in mood.

He straightened at once, readying to rise. "It’s late. I should—"

But before he could finish, Sima Huiniang threw herself into his arms. Her voice trembled, low and warm against his chest. "President, don’t go."

Her breath carried only the faintest fragrance.

Luo Chen’s hands hovered uncertainly in the air. He opened his mouth to speak, then exhaled a weary sigh. "You’re drunk."

The woman raised her head from his chest, her bright eyes glittering like stars. "I did not drink."

That was true. He had been the one drinking, not her. She was indeed drunk, but not from wine. She had once been a wandering rogue cultivator, struggling day by day and never knowing if she would live to see tomorrow. Yet today, she had experienced a grand celebration like this. How could she not be drunk with happiness?

A rainbow bridge had welcomed the guests and cultivators from everywhere to come offer their blessings. All of it had been for her, and all of it had happened because of the man before her. She owed everything to him. In fact, she even owed her very life to him.

"President, I am really happy today." Her voice quivered with earnestness. "I want something even happier to end the day with."

Her pale cheeks flushed a rosy hue. The careful makeup she had worn for the celebration only made her beauty more radiant beneath the tender glow of the hall.

Gulp!

A soft sound of swallowing echoed in the quiet hall.

Luo Chen could have immediately dispelled the haze of wine, yet he allowed it to linger, choosing not to resist the warmth that dulled his senses. Satisfaction should have filled him after today’s triumph, but in truth, joy had never touched his heart. There had been no real struggle, no moment of doubt, and no reason to hesitate.

He drew a long breath and let his gaze fall upon the woman before him. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.

1. A Gu insect (蛊虫 / gu chong) is the product of a witchcraft practice originating in ancient southern China. It refers to sealing poisonous insects, snakes, or worms inside a container. These creatures were left to fight and devour one another, and the surviving creature, the Gu, was believed to harbor powerful poison. A Gu can be used to harm enemies by causing illness, madness, or even death, or it could be implanted into someone’s body to control them ☜