Chapter 518: Adept Moonshade, Fairy Ruthless, Fickle Loyalties (II)

He said it with casual ease. But to Tantai Jin, it came off as deeply sarcastic. She couldn't tell if he was mocking the Ruthless Lineage or mocking her. If it was the former, Tantai Jin found herself at a loss for words. Her master had once received immense benefits from Luo Chen, and even while stationed on the front lines, her cultivation progress had never slowed. With a steady supply of top-grade Jade Dew Pills, she had advanced faster than many peers in her sect. Yet when it came to Luo Tian Society, the Ruthless Lineage had failed to uphold most of its promises. What should have been a safe assignment had turned into a costly disaster.

Faced with this, she could only say helplessly, "You don't have to blame us for this."

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. Tantai Jin pretended not to notice his look and continued, "All vassal forces on the seventh mountain suffered terrible losses. The Luo Tian Society retaining even half its members is already extremely fortunate."

The words left Luo Chen unmoved. Such fortune was nothing he wished to ever taste again.

"Forget it," she said. "What's done is done. Since you're here, tell me why you provoked the Qu family?"

"I'm sorry, who provoked whom again?" he countered coldly. "They came to our door. What did you expect me to do? Sit quietly, let them insult us, and hand over our land?"

"With me and my master around, Qu Zhenbiao wouldn't have stirred up much."

"And if he had forced his way in?" Luo Chen asked coldly. "What then? How would you have explained that to the Luo Tian Society?"

"We don't owe Luo Tian Society an explanation!" Tantai Jin blurted.

The words burst from Tantai Jin's lips before she could stop herself. Luo Chen let out a furious laugh. He had always known the major sects looked down on their vassals, but to hear it said so bluntly and without shame was revolting.

Tantai Jin realized at once that she had spoken poorly, but the pride of a sect disciple bound her tongue. She could not lower her head to apologize. Instead, she shifted the subject. "The Qu family belongs to Daoist Moonshade's lineage. By nearly killing one of theirs, you've handed her leverage. She oversees much of the battlefield. If he holds a grudge..."

Luo Chen cut her off. "The encampment battle was sanctioned by Adept Moonshade herself. She told us to settle it among ourselves. I won it fair and square, before everyone's eyes. If she dares retaliate in private, will the Ice Fortress and its vassals still respect her?"

Tantai Jin sank into silence once more. On her way here, she had already reviewed every step, every detail of the events. It was clear that Luo Chen had handled the matter flawlessly, leaving not the slightest crack to exploit. Still, on Daoist Moonshade's end...

As she hesitated, a voice called from outside the chamber. "Luo Chen, President of the Luo Tian Society! Adept Moonshade summons you. Please come at once to receive her decree!"

"I will be there shortly!" Luo Chen responded.

He cast a single glance at the stunned Tantai Jin, then flicked his sleeve and walked out. Only after his departure did she register what had happened, and her expression changed dramatically. By the time she stepped outside, Luo Chen was already in the air, flying toward the Ice Palace escorted by a fellow sect member.

The two looked calm enough along the way. There was no tension between. Yet that very calmness made Tantai Jin's heart sink even further.

Master... Why do you have to be away at a time like this?!

***

In the vast emptiness of the Ice Palace, a delicate and feminine voice slowly echoed through the chamber. "Rogue cultivator Luo Chen?"

"Yes, Senior. That is me," replied Luo Chen.

"Born of humble origin, yet you founded the Luo Tian Society, reached Foundation Establishment, and now bear two Dao titles. In the past three hundred years of the Jade Cauldron Immortal Realm, you are counted among the most brilliant and peerless talents. Even compared to the prodigies of our Seven Sects, you are not the least inferior."

"You flatter me, Adept. I am unworthy of such praise," Luo Chen replied humbly.

"So modest," the voice mused, now laced with playful irony. "How very unlike the bold, dazzling display you gave just earlier. Raise your head, will you?"

In the Ice Palace filled with chilling yin qi, Luo Chen slowly lifted his gaze toward the woman seated on high. Unlike most Ice Fortress cultivators. who favored plain white robes, Adept Moonshade wore an ornate palace dress woven with elaborate, colorful patterns and adorned with exquisite jewelry. Her stunningly beautiful face resembled a crescent moon peeking through overcast skies, charming and shy. There was a vague sense of timidity to her, yet she seemed like the kind who could unleash the brilliance of a full moon at any moment.

"Quite a pretty one, aren't you?"

The words did not come from Luo Chen but from her. She smiled softly as she spoke, yet what followed was enough to make any Foundation Establishment cultivator break into a cold sweat.

"Did you not know that the Qu family is a vassal under my lineage?"

The words carried a warning sharp enough to cut. Luo Chen felt the unspoken meaning settle in his mind.

When you beat the dog, you'd better be sure to check who owns it.

Luo Chen's expression remained calm, and he replied calmly, "Before the battle, Qu Zhenbiao stated that you would not interfere in our dispute, and that we were to settle it ourselves. I merely followed your instruction."

"I said that you could negotiate freely, not to strike to kill!"

Luo Chen's expression shifted dramatically; a flash of panic clearly appeared in his eyes.

Adept Moonshade covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "Look at you, all frightened. A useless mutt like that... I was only keeping him around for barking at the gate. A little discipline from you is well deserved. Otherwise, he'll just run around and bite people under my name."

Luo Chen let his shoulders relax slightly, offering a modest bow. "Thank you, Adept, for your mercy and understanding."

She waved a hand casually. Then, with a subtle shift in tone, asked, "I've heard that you can refine Jade Dew Pills. And not just any kind, but top-grade ones?"

Though phrased as a question, her tone left no room for doubt. Luo Chen blinked. "Has Adept Ruthless not mentioned this?"

"My dear senior sister loves to hoard her treasures," Adept Moonshade said with a smile. "Especially men. Yes, especially good men like you who can refine pills."

A blush crept up Luo Chen's face as he lowered his head. "You honor me too much, Adept. My skills are modest at best."

"No, they are not," Adept Moonshade gently shook her head. "Your craftsmanship could revive an entire Golden Core sect. Luo Chen, are you interested in joining my Moonshade Lineage?"

Luo Chen hesitated, and that hesitation only piqued the woman's interest further. "Let me tell you, the Ruthless Lineage has long since declined. In my Moonshade Lineage, aside from myself, there's also a junior brother at the early stage of the Golden Core Realm. Even the Sect Leader herself sides with me! Join us, and you'll be second only to the Dao Scion! You will be lavishly provided for, with no lack of any resources! Not only that, you may even become Dao companions with my chief disciple and walk the Great Dao together! And as for forming your Golden Core, I'll personally ask the Sect Leader to aid you with everything she has!"

As the conditions piled one upon another, a trace of longing flickered in Luo Chen's eyes. He swallowed hard and said hoarsely, "Adept... isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"What's improper?"

"Adept Ruthless has treated me well," he replied. "She's supported me every step of the way. If I were to switch allegiances..."

Adept Moonshade laughed lightly. "

Hehe

, we're all family. What change of allegiance is there?"

That single phrase, "we're all family," deepened the wavering in Luo Chen's gaze.

Adept Moonshade didn't rush; she was already quite certain he would accept. First, she had invoked the incident with the Qu family to establish her authority. Next, she had charmed him subtly to cloud his judgment. Finally, she had offered generous rewards, stripping away any lingering concerns of betrayal or reputation. With so many tactics layered together, how could a little Initiate refuse her? Her lips curved ever so slightly into a satisfied smile.

I'm nowhere near as stingy as that old Fairy Ruthless. THIS is how you make an offer people can't refuse!

Just as she was inwardly brimming with anticipation, Luo Chen's voice quivered below, his face conflicted yet his words resolute. "Adept, thank you for your kindness, but I cannot make this decision on my own. I must first consult with Adept Ruthless."

"

Hm?

" Adept Moonshade froze. She nearly thought she had misheard.

"You do realize—" she began again. But before she could finish, the palace doors suddenly burst open. A violent gale roared inside, thick with yellow sand and biting snow.

Adept Moonshade's face darkened at once as she struck out with her palm. The storm dispersed instantly.

Then, through the entrance of the Ice Palace, a proud figure stepped in. A pair of cold, unyielding eyes swept across the hall with cold dominance. "You've crossed the line, Junior Sister!"