Chapter 517: Adept Moonshade, Fairy Ruthless, Fickle Loyalties (I)

The duel between Luo Chen and Qu Zhenbiao had lasted no more than a few breaths; it had been brief and explosive. Yet the impact of that single clash rippled far and wide across the entire Four-Sect Alliance. It was as if a stone had been hurled into the depths of a seemingly still lake, stirring the hidden undercurrents beneath its surface. Luo Chen's decisive strike had detonated those undercurrents in multiple places, setting off waves of consequence throughout the sects.

Of course, to say the influence went down to the very bottom would be an exaggeration. But at the very least, Golden Sand Floating Island was abuzz with cultivators discussing the brief but striking duel.

Over in the eastern encampment of the Falling Cloud Sect, a mid-stage Initiate slowly looked away.

"I have to say, he is rather intriguing. There's great flow to his techniques... and the spells he cast were exceptionally powerful," he murmured. "He'd be quite suitable for studying our Falling Cloud Sect's puppet arts."

Beside him, an elder and a youth exchanged a surprised glance. The youth named Xu Ji was just about to speak when the elder beside him gave a subtle shake of his head. The boy remained silent.

The mid-stage Initiate noticed and chuckled. "Senior Brother Tian Xingzi, do you perhaps know him?"

Had Luo Chen been present, he would have instantly recognized the elder: Tian Xingzi. He was the very same Foundation Establishment cultivator who had once overseen the Precious Dragon Black Market in Dahe Market. Yet now, the once-authoritative Tian Xingzi stood humbly before this much younger man, behaving with surprising deference.

"I actually do know him."

"

Oh

?" The mid-stage Initiate grew interested. "Well, since we've got nothing better to do, tell me about him. Call it a bit of entertainment."

This mid-stage Initiate was Han Zheng, and he was the grandson of the Falling Cloud Sect's Nascent Soul Supreme Elder, Han Zhan! He was also one of the most promising rising stars of the Falling Cloud Sect. Though only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, his reputation had already surpassed that of his generation's Dao Scion. Everyone knew that unless fate took an unexpected turn, Han Zheng was destined to lead the Falling Cloud Sect one day.

Before someone like that, Tian Xingzi didn't dare act superior. He nodded and began recounting Luo Chen's story. "It all began in an unremarkable marketplace called Dahe Market..."

As he spoke, Xu Ji's face darkened with uncertainty.

***

Meanwhile, in the Green Pill Valley encampment, another group of Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered, deep in discussion.

"I can't believe Dan Chenzi has such powerful combat abilities," one exclaimed.

"We truly underestimated him. With his strength, he could've definitely won a few rounds in the first selection for True Inheritors in our Green Pill Valley."

"Actually, his alchemy is even more terrifying than his combat skills," another added. "What we saw today was nothing."

Within the Green Pill Valley encampment, a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered to discuss the earlier battle. Among the Four-Sect Alliance, no faction likely knew Luo Chen better. Even within the Ice Fortress, the very sect with which the Luo Tian Society had allied, there were probably very few who truly understood him. But in Green Pill Valley? Luo Chen's name was known to all.

No one did not know, no one was unaware![1] So naturally, the enthusiasm for discussing him was highest here. Just as the discussion reached its peak, a late-stage Initiate frowned and asked, "Brothers, did any of you notice that Dan Chenzi's blazing sun strike looked... oddly familiar?"

The question made everyone pause. Then someone blurted out, "

Ah

! Isn't that our eldest senior brother's specialty, weapon spellcasting?"

The others instantly realized the connection. No wonder it looked so familiar! Back during the Dao Scion competition, Dan Yangzi had clearly used that exact method in the duel with Tao Wan!

"When did Dan Chenzi steal that method?" someone demanded angrily.

Not everyone in Green Pill Valley admired Luo Chen. Many still harbored resentment from when he had outshone the Seven Prodigies of Green Pill Valley, claiming three consecutive alchemy crowns and stealing the spotlight. Now that there was an opportunity, resentment boiled over; someone instantly labeled it "theft." Yet as soon as the accusation was made, the speaker realized something was off.

A few senior cultivators were now staring at him like he was an idiot. Even those who had nodded in agreement moments earlier now fell silent in embarrassment. Finally, a composed senior brother broke the silence. "Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi definitely didn't learn that technique during the Dao Scion battle three years ago."

"Senior Brother, what do you mean?"

"Perhaps you didn't see the duel. Dan Chenzi's control over that style was extremely refined, even more refined than our eldest senior brother's. That kind of mastery is simply impossible to acquire overnight. He must've studied these things for years."

"How is that possible?"

The senior chuckled. "There's nothing impossible about it. Just now, Dan Chenzi controlled his sword with one hand and cast a water-element defensive spell with the other, and he did both at lightning speed. If he had used only one of them, he'd have been even faster. His mastery is indeed a notch above our eldest senior brother's."

The junior was stunned. Even knowing the truth, he found it hard to accept. "It's one thing for Senior Brother Dan Yangzi to lose in alchemy... but even in combat too...?"

"No one needs to surpass others in everything," the senior said with a smile. "Besides, our eldest senior brother's true power lies in his swordsmanship and the Violet Skyfire. In a true fight, Dan Chenzi still wouldn't stand a chance."

Those who had been resentful finally felt a little more at ease. Yet none of them noticed the troubled expressions that flickered across the faces of the late-stage Initiates present.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Luo Chen's cultivation was clearly only at the sixth stage of Foundation Establishment. Yet even at this level, his methods had proven troublesome to deal with even for late-stage Initiates like them.

Could a rogue cultivator truly be this exceptional? It's one thing for him to be a master alchemist, but to be this formidable in combat too? Unbelievable!

***

Although gossip and speculation spread across the island, and many people were wary of unexpected changes, those most unsettled were Duan Feng and Tantai Jin. The two were in the middle of overseeing a major shipment, methodically cross-checking cargo against an extensive ledger.

The goods involved were worth well over a hundred thousand spirit stones, far beyond what the Luo Tian Society could produce on its own. Much of the cargo had been gathered through allied Foundation Establishment forces with whom the Luo Tian Society had coordinated. So, there could be no room for error.

The moment that battle erupted, Tantai Jin's expression changed instantly. When she heard that Luo Chen's opponent was Qu Zhenbiao, she couldn't help but curse aloud. "Damn it!"

She immediately handed the logistics work to Shi Lan and sent a junior disciple racing toward the sixth mountain to inform her master. As for herself, she offered a quick apology before hurrying back without delay.

Duan Feng and the others, though secretly stirred with excitement at Luo Chen's resounding victory, could only suppress their emotions and continue performing their duties with meticulous precision. Even so, their efficiency had clearly risen.

***

Luo Chen took a few moments to look around the spacious stone chamber, then showed a satisfied expression. The ambient spirit energy was indeed at the level of a low-grade second-tier spirit land, just a notch below his Cave Residence Bing Seventeen. Cultivating here would not hinder his progress.

Suddenly, his ear twitched slightly. At the same time, Bu Junjie, who was guarding the threshold, froze for a moment before respectfully knocking and stepping inside. "President, Senior Tantai has come to visit."

"She came even faster than I expected," Luo Chen said, the corner of his mouth lifting into a playful smile. "Let her in."

Moments later, a woman with a frosty expression entered the chamber. Luo Chen glanced at her. Her aura seemed natural at a first glance, but closer scrutiny showed that it was something rather deliberate. It wasn't her true temperament; rather, it mimicked the demeanor of Fairy Ruthless. Basically, Tantai Jin was unconsciously imitating her master.

While he was sizing her up, Tantai Jin frowned and spoke up. "What are you doing here?"

Luo Chen chuckled. "Why shouldn't I be here? Was I supposed to wait until every Luo Tian Society cultivator died and then just come over to collect their corpses?"

1. 无人不知，无人不晓 (wu ren bu zhi, wu ren bu xiao) is a common idiom that emphasizes something or someone being extremely well-known. ☜