Chapter 558: Dreaming Beneath the Sky of Tianlan Peak, Myriad Path Convergence (I)

Several days later, deep into the night, a solitary figure walked through cold, empty streets. His steps were light and measured as he made his way along Tianlan Immortal City toward the base of Tianlan Peak.

"Who goes there?" a voice called out sharply from the shadows.

"Qu Lingjun of the Luo Tian Society," the man replied calmly.

"What are you doing heading up the mountain so late? Come register first," the guard barked.

Beneath the heavy curtain of night, the slender man obeyed without complaint and walked over. As he approached, he glanced at the unfamiliar Initiate guarding the gate and asked curiously, "Where's Senior Wang Pinzhi?"

The guard, clearly irritable from having his sleep disturbed, scowled at the mention of his predecessor. "Looking for his next life!

Hmph!

He could've stayed here and guarded the peak, but he just had to go off to the battlefield. I'm sorry for his poor soul."

Qu Lingjun—or rather Luo Chen—was momentarily stunned when he heard this comment. He had expected the war to claim many lives, but he hadn't imagined even someone as ordinary as Tianlan Peak's guard Wang Pinzhi would perish because of it.

Still, a new guard could also be won over. Without a word, Luo Chen discreetly slipped the guard a small pill bottle. Inside was a qi-consolidation pill from the Medicine King Sect. It wasn't especially valuable, but for an ordinary Initiate, it was quite a rare and decent offering. The guard froze for a second, clearly surprised. He studied Luo Chen for a moment, then quietly accepted the gift and tucked it away.

"Qu Lingjun from the Luo Tian Society, was it?"

"Yes, that's me," he replied with a nod.

The guard marked a few strokes on a bamboo slip. "Alright, registration's done. You can head up."

With that, he activated the Heaven's Springwater Formation. A faint shimmer rippled through the air as the formation opened. Just as Luo Chen began to step forward, the guard called after him, "Don't come and go from Tianlan Peak in the middle of the night anymore. Ever since the appearance of the Divine Transformation pocket world at Jilei Nine Mountains, many powerful outsiders have come to the Jade Cauldron Domain. Combined with all the soldiers returning from the frontlines, even Tianlan Immortal City is now teeming with danger. During the day, no one will question you if you carry a proper identity token, but at night, the checks are strict. Since you can afford to rent a cave residence on Tianlan Peak while you're not even an Initiate yet, you must have deep pockets. Be careful when you move around the city, or someone might start tailing you ."

Luo Chen listened attentively, bowed respectfully, and then flew up Tianlan Peak atop his enchanted artifact. The mountain guard watched him go and shook his head slightly. Then he pulled out the small jade bottle containing the qi consolidation pill and gave it a little toss in his hand, a broad grin spreading across his face.

"So this mountain-guarding job isn't completely without perks after all! The Luo Tian Society, huh? What a tactful bunch!" But as he muttered the name, something seemed to click in his mind.

Hold on, they're actually some of our own people! Wasn't their president a guest elder of the Ice Fortress? Hmm... Maybe I should cut them some slack. No need to be so rigid about the checks.

***

Under the heavy veil of night, Luo Chen rode his enchanted artifact slowly and steadily along the quiet skies, making his way toward the rear side of Tianlan Peak. At the Qi Refinement Realm, his flying speed was rather sluggish. Even so, no matter how sluggish the pace, the journey would eventually come to an end.

Yet if that guard had seen where he stopped, he would have been shocked. He hadn't gone to a first-tier cave residence, but a second-tier one, and not just any second-tier cave residence, but one located on a top-grade spirit land!

With a few flicks of his fingers, the defensive formation rippled, the mist parted, and he stepped inside. A startled voice came from within. "It's so late, Director... What are you doing here?"

Bai Meiling shuffled into view and showed a puzzled expression as she glanced toward the entrance. "Eh, Qu Lingjun? What are you doing here at this hour... No, wait a minute, how do you know the formation key?"

Luo Chen smiled faintly. He wiped his hand across his face, and his facial features shifted while his figure straightened. In the blink of an eye, a familiar figure stood before Bai Meiling, emanating an unmistakable Foundation Establishment aura.

Bai Meiling stood frozen for a beat. A surge of warmth and recognition rose from deep within her soul. Without another thought, she threw herself into his arms. "Master, you're back!"

Just then, the door to the cultivation chamber burst open, and another figure dashed out like a streak of light. Luo Chen laughed softly; he held Bai Meiling close with one arm and opened the other to welcome the newcomer. She didn't hesitate and flew straight into his embrace.

Soft weeping filled the air.

Luo Chen chuckled and shook his head. "What are you crying for? I'm back, aren't I?"

Gu Caiyi looked up and struck his chest lightly with her fists. Her eyes locked onto his lean face. "You were gone for more than a year without a single word! I was so worried! Especially when we heard you were being hunted by Golden Core cultivators... And now you show up just like that, like a ghost—

mmmph!

"

Her words were cut off by a deep, passionate kiss. Luo Chen chuckled to himself.

She really does talk a lot, doesn't she?

Bai Meiling had already stepped out of his arms at just the right moment. She watched the scene unfold, and a sweet and knowing smile followed.

After a long while, their lips parted. The air around them seemed to shimmer with an intimate glow, the atmosphere charged with something warm and unspoken.

"Huiniang will be coming by later. Little Ling, keep an eye on the formation," Luo Chen said casually.

Without another word, he tightened his hold on Gu Caiyi and carried her into the bedroom, his steps light and eager. Bai Meiling's big eyes blinked as she watched the two disappear inside.

So Master's just like me... a ghost. Only, he's a pervert ghost!

***

Sima Huiniang arrived late into the night, having rushed over the moment she received Luo Chen's message. As she stepped through the mist-shrouded entrance, she caught sight of Luo Chen emerging from the bedroom. He wore a loose, flowing black silk robe, with his long black hair cascading freely behind him. The usually composed and reserved man now carried an air of casual elegance, a roguish charm that seemed entirely unrestrained.

She froze for a moment, startled by the scene. "Looks like I've come at the wrong time."

"No, you've come at just the right time," Luo Chen replied with a faint, wicked smile curling on his lean face.

He gestured for her to come closer. Sima Huiniang hesitated for a moment, but the emotions stirring in her chest left her unable to refuse. Almost unconsciously, she stepped forward. When he drew her toward the bedroom, she murmured, "Can we... use another room?"

"Nope. Too much trouble," Luo Chen replied without missing a beat. His tone was more commanding than ever. And he also was far more assertive than she remembered. Not wanting to go against him, she allowed herself to be led in, half willing and half reluctant. And once more, the night exploded in a storm of passion.

Midway through, a sleeping beauty stirred awake and joined the battlefield.

Luo Chen had fought many battles among Foundation Establishment cultivators, but this was something else entirely. Fortunately, he had returned fully trained, and his battle prowess had soared. With his improved physique and endless stamina, he dominated the field with relentless might. The heavens trembled, the seas parted, and the mountains bowed.....

Meanwhile, Bai Meiling rested her cheek on one hand at the stone table in the main hall, quietly listening as she flipped through a recipe book. Now and then, she jotted down notes, planning a grand feast for her master.

The night passed in this manner until dawn's first light pierced through the morning mist.

Not long after, Sima Huiniang and Gu Caiyi emerged from the cave residence; their cheeks were flushed, and radiance was glowing from within. Yet they carried themselves as if nothing had happened; they departed Tianlan Peak to return to the Luo Tian Society, ready to resume their usual duties.

As for Luo Chen, he allowed himself a rare indulgence of a deep, uninterrupted sleep. That sleep lasted three full days and nights.

That year spent at the Divine Transformation pocket world had been a trial unlike any other. Day after day, he had drawn upon the power of lightning to temper his body. Even moments of rest had only been shallow meditations, never true sleep. As a result, while his body had grown powerful, his divine soul had been pushed to the brink of exhaustion. It felt as if he had been in seclusion for a year without pausing.

Such relentless practice was feasible for an Initiate, especially during breakthroughs. But if it was practiced on the regular, such extremes could bring about dangerous side effects. Unlike the body, the divine soul could suffer permanent damage if pushed for too long without reprieve.

The moment he woke up, his body felt powerful, and his spirit rejuvenated. He vaguely felt that his divine soul had become stronger yet again, and there was also something else.... He couldn't put the change into words, but he knew it was a positive shift, and that was enough to know for now. The rest could be explored in time.

He stepped out of the bedroom, only to find the residence empty. He spread out his spirit consciousness, and he found Bai Meiling tending the second-tier spirit field outside. The one-mu second-tier spirit field buzzed gently with life, its soil rich and humming with energy. It looked like she had already harvested one round of crops and was now tending to a new batch. The trees were lush, the flowers lively and vibrant, and even the Xuyang Tree had sprouted fresh golden leaves.

Luo Chen didn't disturb her. He turned and walked straight into the cultivation room. A dense concentration of spirit energy surged toward him the moment he stepped in. He took a deep breath and sat cross-legged, and began using the Eternal Youth Evergreen Sutra.

It had been a long time since he had last cultivated, yet his movements were fluid and unhesitant. Whether it was drawing in and cycling spirit energy or refining it, everything flowed naturally. By the time he entered the second cycle, a fresh idea had already begun to take shape in his mind.

Rather than relying solely on the Eternal Youth Evergreen Sutra, he also started using the qi absorption method from his creation—the Heavenly Lightning Physique Refinement Method and drew in a powerful surge of energy.

By using these cultivation methods in tandem, his absorption of external spiritual energy increased drastically. To his surprise, his meridians bore the influx without issue. Rather than feeling taxed, they pulsed with vitality; if anything, they almost seemed to crave even more.