Chapter 497: Summary and Reckoning, An Invitation Without Sentiment! (I)

But after a fleeting moment of daze, Luo Chen pulled himself back to reality.

Within the Tianlan region, a cultivator at the sixth stage of Foundation Establishment already held considerable status. Yet after witnessing the immense heritage of Green Pill Valley, he had realized that such a level meant little. In Green Pill Valley, even the minimum qualification to enter the Dao Scion competition was to be at least at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. And even then, those were merely the disciples. Above them stood numerous Golden Core cultivators. Beyond that, there was the Nascent Soul realm, and beyond

that

, Divine Transformation.

Where did he truly stand in all of this? Without genuine strength, influence and wealth were no more than illusions. Even with beauty within his arms, what peace of mind could he really claim?

Letting the soft warmth of the hand in his grasp slip from his thoughts, Luo Chen raised his left hand and sent his spirit consciousness into the storage pouch. Inside lay stacks of rhombus-shaped spirit stones arranged in neat, gleaming rows. With a single sweep of his consciousness, he counted them.

One hundred fifty thousand!

Objectively speaking, it wasn't an extravagant figure. Compared to the earnings he had once received from refining and selling Jade Essence pills himself, it was a thirty percent drop. Yet for two full years, he had not refined a single pill. In other words, this profit had come solely from the internal operations of the Luo Tian Society, and more impressively, it was net profit, after accounting for all expenses for personnel and operations.

"The Luo Tian Society's income... has already reached this point?"

Luo Chen murmured, his eyes brightening in surprise.

At one time, his savings had amounted to several hundred thousand. But the cost of renting a top-grade cave residence and purchasing Ascending Dragon Pills had reduced him to just two hundred thousand. But that sum also accounted for a number of mid-grade stones, which absolutely could not be used as currency, and one top-grade stone, which was a tactical resource. In other words, his actual liquid capital had been running dangerously low. This windfall greatly eased the financial pressure he had been feeling.

Sima Huiniang smoothed back a strand of her hair and said gently, "This isn't much. It's only the beginning."

"Hmm?"

As she looked at Luo Chen's puzzled expression, Sima Huiniang smiled softly. "Think about it. The Luo Tian Society absorbed the wealth of several sects and rebuilt a new business network. This level of income is only natural."

With that, Luo Chen understood. Sky Eagle Peak, Jade True Temple, the Danyuan Sect, and the Divine Craftsman Sect—each had one to three Foundation Establishment cultivators and qualified as a third-rate organization. Even at their worst, each netted tens of thousands of spirit stones each year. Now, all of that had converged under the Luo Tian Society. If the Luo Tian Society earned less than the combined amount, it meant proper consolidation had yet to be done. Basically, what he had in his hands now was merely the direct result of assimilating those acquisitions, and the real growth had yet to begin. With the strength Luo Tian Society now wielded and the added support of the Ice Fortress, they had every potential to rise into prominence. One hundred fifty thousand over two years was far too little. Soon, that figure could be achieved annually.

Of course, all this depended on smooth progress and no major disruptions, and during this time, everyone in the Luo Tian Society would need to remain diligent and work together. Most importantly, it would require Sima Huiniang's steady hand in management.

A swell of gratitude stirred in Luo Chen as he looked at her, mixed with something deeper. He leaned down and kissed her hard, until she nearly lost her breath. Only then did he release her. She glared at him playfully, and he laughed aloud. "With such a virtuous wife, what more could a man ask for?"

***

That night, within the private bedchambers of Luo Tian Society, two Foundation Establishment cultivators clashed once again—not in battle, nor in politics, but in a far more intimate contest. In the end, Sima Huiniang, who by now was at the second stage of Foundation Establishment, could not endure the onslaught, and Luo Chen claimed victory.

At dawn, he departed in haste. After he was gone, Sima Huiniang slowly opened her eyes. Usually at such times, there would be a moment of tenderness, but Luo Chen had left abruptly, leaving behind only a lingering sense of masculine vigor. She blinked, already knowing why he had rushed away. It was because

someone

was waiting on Tianlan Peak.

A faint ache stirred in her chest, but she quickly smothered it and steadied her emotions. She reminded herself of a truth she had always known: Those who relied on beauty alone would fade with it, and when favor waned, affection would vanish as well. Lasting worth lay not in allure but in ability.

She understood clearly that their relationship had not yet reached the depth of eternal vows. They had not made any such grand vows, nor sworn eternal devotion. What bound them together had come from her persistence and his acceptance. If she wanted a place by his side, not just as a lover but as someone indispensable, then it would be her competence, her wisdom, and her contributions that secured the place for her.

"He is a man destined for great things," she reminded herself firmly. "I must never be the one to hold him back. Romance between men and women is only a side path. Gu Caiyi... I hope you realize that soon. Otherwise..."

She rose from the bed, where her disciple Yao Mingyue was already waiting with a basin of water and towels. After washing and carefully applying her makeup, she took a Beauty Preservation Pill Luo Chen had gifted her.

She looked at herself in the mirror and broke into a radiant smile. The reflection in the bronze mirror showed an elegant yet rather ordinary face. What made her special was not stunning looks, but the aura she carried that radiated noble confidence.

Who could connect the struggling and wandering Sima Huiniang of the past with the commanding Director of Luo Tian Society now?

***

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Mmm, nice. Ma Shoupu's essence-nurturing liquid is getting better and better!"

Standing before a large wooden tub, Luo Chen poured in the nourishing solution, then added the Golden Jade Liquid taken from Luo Tian Society's reserves. Since Kang Xianqiong's return home, business ties between the Kang family and Luo Tian Society had only become tighter. Each year, the Kang family delivered a large supply of Golden Jade Liquid, with the top-grade batches reserved for the society's internal use. And what Luo Chen received was, of course, the very best supreme-grade Golden Jade Liquid.

At that moment, under his precise control, a batch of Golden Jade Essence Nurturing Liquid took shape. Luo Chen nodded in satisfaction at the thick medicinal liquid brimming with vitality, then stepped out of the room. Not long after, he returned carrying the nearly paralyzed Gu Caiyi in his arms.

"Do I need to soak for a full two hours?" she asked softly, her gaze drifting toward the steaming wooden tub. A faint blush tinged her cheeks.

"Of course," Luo Chen replied, his voice calm and assured. "After the soak, I'll use Heal to repair your damaged meridians. Keep this up for a year, and your body will be fully tempered. By then, we can restore your dantian."

He spoke with quiet confidence, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Gu Caiyi glanced down. "Do I need to take off my clothes?"

"Naturally, yes," Luo Chen answered without hesitation. Then he noticed the flicker of unease in her expression, a subtle hesitation that betrayed her discomfort.

"Shall I bring Little Ling to help you?" he asked.

"No!" she blurted, almost instinctively. Her hand tightened around the fabric of his sleeve.

She lowered her gaze, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You... you do it. Just..."

Before her embarrassment deepened, Luo Chen had already removed her outer robe. In his early days in this world, the multi-layered ancient garments of women had baffled him. But after all the time spent with Sima Huiniang, he had become... somewhat skilled. Unfastening clothing with one hand had become second nature.

Yet when he reached her undergarments, he noticed her body visibly trembling.

"Don't worry. I won't entertain any improper thoughts."

"It's not that," Gu Caiyi whispered with her head bowed. "It's... ugly."

"Ugly?" Luo Chen repeated, somewhat baffled. But the next moment, he understood what she meant. Where he should have seen smooth skin and supple curves, there was only pale and thin skin stretched tight over bones, withered and gaunt like dry bark.

This... is wrong. This is terribly wrong. Caiyi is in the prime of youth, the perfect age to challenge Foundation Establishment. She should never have been reduced to such a state.

He slowly lowered the trembling Gu Caiyi into the steaming liquid. The Golden Jade Essence Nurturing Liquid released its medicinal potency, gently seeping into her body.

"It'll get better," he murmured in a low and steady voice.

"Mhm..."

Two hours later, Luo Chen dressed her in a thin robe and carried her back to bed. Then he started casting Heal, working from her soles to her calves, then up to her abdomen. The process was as thorough as a full-body massage. By the end, the drenched Gu Caiyi had fallen into a deep sleep.

Luo Chen waved a hand to wipe away the sweat before quietly leaving the chamber.

Outside, Bai Meiling waited in silence. When she saw him step out and exhale deeply, she hurried forward with concern. "Master, are you tired?"

"Tired?" Luo Chen laughed with ease. "Not at all. On the contrary, it's actually quite beneficial."

She tilted her head in confusion, then suddenly understood. "Oooh! Master, you're such a lecher!"

Luo Chen burst out laughing and made no effort to explain. The desire for food and intimacy is human nature, and indeed, even for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, such pleasures could help in cultivation, as long as they were enjoyed in moderation. Yet Gu Caiyi's condition was far from enticing. The benefits he spoke of had nothing to do with physical pleasure.

Back in his cultivation chamber, Luo Chen took a deep breath and swiftly entered a meditative state. His spirit consciousness swept through his sea of qi, and he nodded inwardly.

"Indeed, frequently casting minor spells is proving quite helpful in consolidating my cultivation!"

This wasn't an idle thought. Ever since his intense year of cultivation on Qingyun Peak's weakened third-tier spirit land, Luo Chen had harbored a lingering concern: That environment had pushed his cultivation from the fifth to the sixth stage in a sudden surge. Such rapid advancement came with a cost.

His cultivation foundation was unstable. His sea of qi held a surplus of unrefined spirit energy; there was so much, in fact, that it had congealed into cloud-like clusters. In comparison, refined and pure spirit power was lacking. As a result, he was... top-heavy, for lack of better words. His cultivation was unstable and hollow, yet it hung high to that stage. That was why, despite owning a top-grade cave residence and numerous Ascending Dragon Pills, Luo Chen hadn't focused much on cultivation since his return.

He needed time to refine that vast cloud of spirit energy into pure spirit essence. Only then could his cultivation truly be solidified. One of the main reasons he had left that third-tier spirit land was precisely concern over the instability that would have inevitably followed if he'd stayed for longer.

There were many ways to consolidate one's cultivation and refine spirit power—using one's core technique, consuming second-tier spirit purification pills, or casting spells frequently. Recently, his effort in healing Gu Caiyi had greatly contributed to refining his spirit power. After all, his cultivation technique was the Medicine King Sect's Eternal Youth Evergreen Sutra, and his spirit power was largely wood-element. Heal was also a wood-element technique, and that made it quite appropriate for the purpose.

Half a year at most, and I should be able to stabilize things. After that, I'll resume full-force cultivation.