Chapter 508: Flickering Lights, Lingering Fragrance

Chu Kui's departure was not an isolated case. Not long after, Luo Chen found himself sending off two more Initiates from the Luo Tian Society—Li Yingzhang and Min Longyu.

Originally, Luo Chen had planned for a rotation, but the Ice Fortress was now heavily embattled on that front, and Duan Feng had to juggle responsibilities on the enchanted artifact trade and the battle line. As a result, the Luo Tian Society's designated defense line took a hit. With only Wang Yuan and Xu Haizhen holding the line, things were far from optimal. Thus, Li Yingzhang was dispatched as well, even though he was technically a guest elder. Min Longyu, naturally, was going there to provide formation support; he was expected to return once the formations were fully set. But Li Yingzhang was expected to remain stationed there for the long haul.

Atop Danxia Peak, Luo Chen gazed at the two of them, his expression growing heavy. Over the past year, he had provided plenty of Blood-Burning Pills to the Ruthless Lineage. He didn't know how Fairy Ruthless had used them, but it seemed to have done little to improve the state of her faction. As a result, even the Luo Tian Society had become affected by their troubles. Now he was once again forced to part with two of his key generals.

"President, don't worry," Min Longyu said confidently, misreading Luo Chen's solemn face. "Once I arrive, I will make the formations airtight. Nothing will happen to our brothers."

The assurance came with the pride of a true formation master. Luo Chen didn't respond right away. He only shook his head, unwilling to speak the thoughts weighing on his heart. Instead, he turned his attention to practical matters.

"Did you bring all the materials?" he asked.

Min Longyu patted his storage pouch and said, "Don't worry. I've studied the terrain of the Jilei Nine Mountains thoroughly. I should be able to deploy two second-tier formations and one first-tier formation once I get there."

Seeing his confidence, Luo Chen finally let out a small sigh of relief. He turned to Yingzhang and asked, "How's the refinement of the Hornless Dragon Sword going?"[1]

After Li Yingzhang had reached Foundation Establishment, Luo Chen returned to him the enchanted sword once wielded by Li Jinhuang. But with just a year, it was unlikely he'd achieved much. Sure enough, Li Yingzhang answered, "At full strength, I can unleash two sword lights from the Hornless Dragon Sword."

Only two activations? That's not great...

Luo Chen shook his head. Moreover, even those two activations likely came at great strain, and it was just sword light, not a full-scale enchanted treasure attack.

After some thought, he advised Li Yingzhang, "Unless necessary, don't use your enchanted treasure in battle. Stick to using supreme-grade enchanted artifacts as much as you can."

The latter looked confused. "Shouldn't I rely on the enchanted treasure for its superior power?"

"On the battlefield, things shift rapidly. You won't even know how many enemies you're facing. The time it takes to use an enchanted treasure is more than enough of a window for someone to kill you seven or eight times. Sticking to supreme-grade enchanted artifacts is advisable in this case, because they'll help you save both time and energy."

Li Yingzhang nodded in thought, indicating he had taken the words to heart.

There was not much else Luo Chen could say. After handing each of them three supreme-grade Blood-Burning Pills as life-saving measures, Luo Chen watched as the two boarded a flying boat and departed.

When he returned, his face was visibly tense. Sima Huiniang couldn't help but sigh. "The Luo Tian Society never had many Initiates to begin with, and that's five gone already. Who knows when this war will end?"

Luo Chen forced a small smile. "We're not the worst off. Other organizations are in even rougher shape."

Sima Huiniang let out a self-deprecating chuckle

. Is this what they call finding joy in misery? Comparing who's worse off?

"Besides, as the older generation moves out, new Initiates are emerging. Things are still moving in the right direction."

Sima Huiniang paused in surprise. Then realization dawned. "Palace Leader Gu has succeeded the Foundation Establishment?"

"Not quite yet, but she's close," Luo Chen said as he gazed into the distance. "By my estimate, it should be within the next two days. Huiniang, care to join me in welcoming her out of seclusion?"

Sima Huiniang turned him down without hesitation. "Better not. I doubt she'd want me to be the first face she sees."

Maybe that's just how women are,

Luo Chen sighed helplessly. They had clearly sat down and shared a meal before, yet now it was as if they were strangers again. To think that they'd inevitably see each other often from here on....

"Well, it's fine, if you don't feel like going, then don't. I'll head back now. You have plenty to handle here at Danxia Peak anyway."

Sima Huiniang's expression didn't change. Although the Luo Tian Society had grown considerably, they were still a modest organization of a thousand or so members, and its various industries were finally running smoothly with dedicated staff. She didn't actually find it all that difficult.

Yet watching Luo Chen's retreating figure, her lips pressed into a tight line. It was hard to tell what was running through her mind. Suddenly, she muttered to herself. "Boring."

It was unclear whether she meant someone else was boring, she herself was bored, or that certain matters had simply become dull. But from the faint self-mocking smile at the corner of her lips, it seemed likely that the words were meant for herself.

With that wry comment, she turned and headed back to Huixin Hall, where a mountain of documents awaited her attention. And among them were proposals to open new lines of business for the Luo Tian Society, waiting on her decision.

***

In the depths of a misty mountain stream, a fine drizzle veiled the world in blurred gray. Luo Chen stood alone amidst the gentle rainfall, with an oil-paper umbrella resting lightly in his hand. The wind was soft, the rain even softer, yet the moment carried weight.

Suddenly, his ears twitched. A low rumble echoed in the air. He turned around to see the massive Dragon-Severing Stone at the entrance of the cave residence beginning to rise slowly, grating thunderously against its housing.

As the stone lifted, a figure emerged, graceful and radiant even in the rain's dim light. Luo Chen's lips curled into a soft, involuntary smile. The figure across from him also smiled in return. Right in front of him, the woman gave a slight bow with her hands folded at her waist.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Luo!" she said.

Luo Chen cupped his fist in return, the smile never leaving his face. "Fellow Daoist Gu, would you care to stroll through Tianlan Immortal City with me, in the rain?"

That day, the usually quiet city received an unusual pair. A man and a woman shared a single umbrella as they walked side by side through the winding streets. They paused at shopfronts and vendor stalls, exchanging lighthearted banter while wandering at ease.

Their walk lasted for most of the day. By the time they returned, the man had changed out of his long-worn crimson Daoist robe and into a soft, ivory tunic personally picked by the woman, and the woman now wore a blue bracelet on her wrist.

That night, the lights glowed tenderly, and a faint fragrance clung to her sleeves. Wine blurred the senses, spring stirred the heart, and embroidered covers rippled with passion until dawn.

***

Gu Caiyi's breakthrough into Foundation Establishment breathed new vitality into the Luo Tian Society, whose members had grown increasingly unsettled. Although no grand ceremony was held, the sight of her return stirred every cultivator's spirit. Once gravely injured and bedridden for over a year, she was now strong, radiant, and poised to preside over the Gold Palace!

War still loomed on the horizon, yet the Luo Tian Society brimmed with vigor. So long as Luo Chen remained, he held things together like the sea-calming divine needle.[2] No sonorous slogans were needed, and no grand ceremonies were required. The Luo Tian Society once again felt like it did in its prime, and with Gu Caiyi's return, the Gold Palace began to exhibit its full strength once more.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

In just two months, Sima Huiniang and Gu Caiyi reached a unanimous decision on launching a new business venture for the Luo Tian Society. The pill, spirit plant, and medicinal material trades were consolidated and centralized. Under the leadership of Law Enforcement Elder Zhou Yuanli, the cultivators remaining in the Battle Palace were reorganized into a new unit that headed toward the Jilei Nine Mountain battlefield. They opened a new market by profiting greatly from the war!

Throughout the entire process, Luo Chen never once appeared. He left the two women to handle the planning and decisions. Even when they later sought his opinion, he simply told them to proceed as they deemed best.

During this time, Sima Huiniang proposed several other initiatives. For example, launching a large-scale recruitment of rogue cultivators to bolster the Outer Palace, or a partnership with the Chen family of Tianyi Market to open a clothing shop in the Quicksand Wasteland. The Luo Tian Society would supply and sell the materials, while the Chen family would handle production. Luo Chen had no objections to any of these, either. He focused all his energy on spell practice and strengthening himself.

Inside the quiet study of his cave residence, Luo Chen sat in concentration with a piece of aged beast hide spread open in his hands. His gaze was steady, thoughtful, taking in each detail with care. For a long time, he studied in silence until finally, he set the hide down and murmured to himself, "I might be able to practice this technique.... But before I begin, I'll need something to assist me. Some external aid."

He leaned back, rubbing his chin. "I do have the raw materials... but it's a pity Duan Feng isn't around."

Luo Chen was certain that cultivating this technique would give him a tremendous boost in strength, and it would happen within a short period of time! With that thought, he no longer hesitated. He descended Tianlan Peak at once and headed straight to a shop in the Immortal City.

He glanced up at the signboard that read "Hundred Forge Mountain," and walked right in. A shop attendant immediately came up to greet him. "Senior, are you here to purchase enchanted artifacts?"

"I'm not here to buy," Luo Chen replied calmly. "I want to commission a custom piece. Is Fellow Daoist Gongsun available?"

The shop attendant paused, then said, "Our Mountain Lord is currently away at the Jilei Nine Mountain battlefield and isn't accepting custom orders. As for Elder Gongsun...."

The words faltered halfway through. The attendant suddenly noticed the man's fine ivory brocade robe, the subtle aura of power around him, and the air of unshakable authority that only came from long years of command. Such a figure was surely not someone he could easily turn away.

He asked cautiously, "May I ask your name, senior?"

"Dan Chenzi," came the reply.

The attendant froze for a moment, then blurted instinctively, "You're Dan Chenzi of the Luo Tian Society!"

Luo Chen gave a soft nod. "Yes."

The shop attendant swallowed nervously. "Please wait, senior. I'll summon Elder Gongsun right away."

Without delay, he turned and hurried away. Partway to the back, he beckoned another attendant to serve Luo Chen spirit tea and pastries before disappearing through a side door.

Faced with such attentive hospitality, Luo Chen couldn't help but nod approvingly.

No wonder Hundred Forge Mountain has stood firm in Tianlan Immortal City for so many years

.

Even with sects like Skysail City and the Flame Alliance above, and upstarts like the Geng family and the Luo Tian Society below, they still thrive with ease.

The Divine Craftsman Sect, once its equal, had long since vanished without a trace. Yet Hundred Forge Mountain still lived on, thriving as ever. Their survival relied not just on regular enchanted artifact business, but also on their custom orders. Within the shop, all three artifact forgers were second-tier artifact forgers. They could not only craft enchanted artifacts with ease, but even collaborate to forge enchanted treasures!

Judging by this foundation, Hundred Forge Mountain's real backing was most likely Ailao Mountain. From what the attendant had said, their Mountain Lord had been summoned to the battlefield at Jilei Nine Mountain, and that was most likely at Ailao Mountain's command. Once again, as Luo Chen had found through his own experience, surviving in the Jade Cauldron Domain required a powerful backer. Yet once war spread, not even those with backers could remain untouched.

As Luo Chen pondered in silence, hurried footsteps sounded from the rear chamber. Moments later, a vigorous elder appeared before him, striding forward with haste. Upon meeting Luo Chen's gaze, he broke into hearty laughter. "Fellow Daoist Luo, it has been far too long since we last parted at Danxia Peak."

Luo Chen returned a faint smile. "Fellow Daoist Gongsun, I trust you've been well."

1. This was initially translated as the Chi Dragon Sword, a weapon once owned by Li Jinhuang and now in the possession of Li Yingzhang. ☜

2. The term 定海神针 refers to the staff wielded by Monkey King Sun Wukong, usually known as Ruyi Jingu Bang. The staff was originally used by the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea to measure the depths of the ocean. It symbolizes immense power, unshakable stability, and celestial authority. Over time, this idiom has come to describe a person or force that brings calm and stability in the face of chaos. ☜