Chapter 626: Reunion of Old Acquaintances; A Surge of Killing Intent; Bai Ye's Legacy; The Core Formation Spirit Medicine (I)

Lianyun Tower stood tall in the heart of Tianlan Immortal City. This was the busiest and most prosperous street in the city. Cultivators who could afford to open their shops here belonged to either Nascent Soul upper sects from other domains or major sects within the Jade Cauldron Domain. For the Lianyun Trade Alliance to outright own a place here spoke volumes about how powerful it had been at its height.

Three late-stage Foundation Establishment grand cultivators, along with a good dozen other Initiates, had managed its operations. Their trade had spanned over a dozen marketplaces, and resources from all directions had converged under their watchful gazes to sustain this shop.

Even so, that alone would never have been enough to maintain such a prime location. There was no way for them to do this without the support of a major player from behind the scenes. Thus, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's suspicion that the Lianyun Trade Alliance and the Falling Cloud Sect had colluded in secret was therefore not without reason.

Standing outside Lianyun Tower, Luo Chen observed quietly for some time. A shop in such a prime location must have generated profits amounting to several hundred thousand a year. The Lianyun Trade Alliance alone could hardly have absorbed such immense gains.

By comparison, even though the Luo Tian Society now held greater influence than the Lianyun Trade Alliance had in its prime, its main establishment, Danxia Hall, was located in a remote corner of the city and earned far less annually. If the Luo Tian Society could secure a shop along the central avenue, that would mark a true elevation in standing.

But while he gave an envious sigh, his internal monologue was reaching an entirely different conclusion.

The decline of the Lianyun Trade Alliance has clearly affected this place. Despite the location, the number of customers seems to be far lower than in other major sect shops. Tsk... What a waste.

With that, Luo Chen revealed himself and strode toward Lianyun Tower.

***

"Stay alert! The Grand Elder is inspecting the business today. Don't you dare slack off!"

The deputy tower master was a female cultivator who had only recently entered the Foundation Establishment Realm. She had advanced by sheer luck after obtaining and consuming a Foundation Establishment Pill from the Jilei Nine Mountains battlefield. Her cultivation had barely stabilized before the Grand Elder of the Lianyun Trade Alliance assigned her to manage the operations of Lianyun Tower. Perhaps because of that, she was particularly strict in managing the attendants.

However, most of the Qi Refinement workers had been here for years and had little regard for a newcomer like her. Who knew how long she'd even last? Many deputy tower masters had come and gone, yet the tower still stood; if she thought that she could lord over them just because of her position, she was gravely mistaken.

Though they appeared respectful and obedient on the surface, in truth, they felt nothing but indifference. Everyone there understood the situation all too well. The trade alliance had fallen to its lowest point; from more than a dozen marketplaces they used to own, only three major ones remained. Because of this decline, Lianyun Tower's stock had dwindled sharply. On most days, the number of customers barely exceeded a hundred. No matter how diligent they pretended to be, all the workers really did was sweep the floor and replace the refreshments.

Instead of scolding them, the deputy tower master would have done better to focus her efforts on opening new markets or securing additional trade routes. Once business flourished again, they would work harder than anyone else; of that, they were sure.

While the workers absentmindedly wiped the counters and polished the vases, pretending not to slack yet slacking harder than ever, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the stairway. Moments later, an elderly man with silver hair descended swiftly from the upper floor and strode straight toward the entrance.

Everyone froze in shock.

"Why is the Grand Elder coming down?"

"Is he... going to greet someone?"

"What kind of guest would make him personally receive them? Could it be a Golden Core Adept from one of the sects?"

Their curious gazes followed the Grand Elder, He Lianyun, as he disappeared outside. A moment later, bright and hearty laughter drifted in from outside the building.

"Grand Elder, there really was no need for you to come out personally. That's far too great of an honor for someone like me."

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Why, Fellow Daoist Luo, for you to spare time from your busy affairs to meet me is

my

great honor. How would I send some random subordinate to greet you? Please, this way," said He Lianyun with a warm smile.

Amid their courteous exchange, two figures stepped into the quiet interior of Lianyun Tower. All eyes immediately turned toward the man in white robes, whose clear and luminous gaze seemed to hold an unfathomable depth.

At first glance, his appearance was refined and striking. Yet the gray-white hair tied neatly behind him and the faint pallor on his face added a trace of frailty to his otherwise graceful bearing.

The two continued their amiable conversation as they ascended to the third floor. During this time, Grand Elder He Lianyun personally ordered that no tea or pastries be delivered and that no one was to disturb them.

Only after both figures had disappeared from sight did the attendants finally exhale in relief. Murmurs began to ripple quietly through the hall.

"Who was that man...?"

"I'm pretty sure that was the Fire Spirit Lord!"

"Pretty sure. The Grand Elder called him Fellow Daoist Luo. Wasn't the Fire Spirit Lord's actual name Luo Chen? But what's he doing here?"

"Exactly! The Luo Tian Society is flourishing. Besides their alchemy ventures, they've started running merchant convoys that already reach the nearby markets of Tianlan Immortal City. Give it a few decades, and their trade routes might outstrip even ours!"

Their chatter gradually faded as the newly minted deputy tower master swept a sharp gaze full of warning signals across the hall. Once everyone fell silent and went back to work, she quietly let out a sigh that no one noticed.

The Lianyun Trade Alliance had first suffered suppression from the Sword Sect, then taken heavy losses on the Jilei Nine Mountains battlefield. Even with her recent advancement, the alliance now had only five Initiates left.

In such dire circumstances, the Grand Elder should have been focused on rallying their strength. Yet he seemed more concerned with matters unrelated to the alliance's recovery. She could not help but wonder how long the trade alliance would survive, and where her own future might lie.

***

As they ascended the stairs, Luo Chen chatted casually with the Grand Elder while quietly studying his expression.

At present, his title of Fire Spirit Lord was far more renowned within the Jade Cauldron Domain. His reputation rested on the fact that he could fight. Yet the invitation he had received had deliberately addressed him by his other Dao title, Dan Chenzi.

That revealed two possibilities. It was either that the man held excessive admiration for Luo Chen's alchemical skill, or that he harbored ulterior motives regarding it.

So, you're after my pills, huh?

Luo Chen thought to himself.

Suddenly, Luo Chen halted in his steps. A wooden door stood before him. At that moment, a faint flicker of surprise crossed He Lianyun's mind.

What sharp spirit consciousness he has!

he thought, before smiling and saying aloud, "Why stop, Fellow Daoist? The room ahead is hardly a dragon's den."

Luo Chen returned his smile, calm and composed, before pushing the door open.

Even if it is, what of it?

The moment Luo Chen stepped inside, three powerful auras surged toward him at once. The enclosed space seemed to roar as winds swept through it, carrying a crushing pressure. Yet Luo Chen's expression did not change. His stance steadied, and his robe rippled softly under the force. He swept his gaze across the room, his eyes cold and commanding.

Three people stood inside. One was a middle-aged man with a ruddy complexion, another a beautiful woman, and the third a handsome young man with a flute hanging from his waist.

"Grand Elder, are you not going to introduce them?" Luo Chen asked evenly.

As he spoke, waves of spirit power spread outward from him, steady and immense. The force of a single Initiate met the combined force of three late-stage ones—and did not falter in the slightest.

Surprise flickered across all three faces. The red-faced man even let out a low sound of astonishment, and only then did He Lianyun react to this clash.

"Fellow Daoist Fu, Fellow Daoist Xiao, Lady Yousha, what are you doing?" he said sharply. "Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi is an alchemist I invited with great effort. How can you act so rudely!?"

Hearing this, the three immediately control their spirit power. The red-faced middle-aged man clasped his hands toward Luo Chen and said respectfully, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Luo. I am Fu Jiusheng. Please forgive my discourtesy."

The young man with the flute also cupped his hands. "I am Hermit Xiao. My respects, Fellow Daoist Luo."

The last was the graceful woman with striking features and an alluring figure. A smile curved her lips as her gaze met Luo Chen's. "Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi, you have surely seen grander occasions than this. I trust you won't take offense at a little test from a humble woman?"

"

Hmph

!" Luo Chen gave a cold snort and flicked his sleeve. Then he turned to He Lianyun. "Explain yourself. These three hardly seem like people who came here to discuss alchemy."

As he spoke, a quiet but overwhelming sense of authority spread from him. Even He Lianyun, who had served as Grand Elder of the Lianyun Trade Alliance for over a century and had personally met many Adepts, found his composure faltering under that pressure.

This Fire Spirit Lord was the man who led his forces through Incense Burning Valley and annihilated the Flame Alliance.... Have I been underestimating him all this time?

He drew a quiet breath and said, "We are indeed here because of our interest in the Dao of Alchemy. I will explain everything to you in detail shortly. But before that, allow me to introduce these three so that we may avoid unnecessary misunderstanding."

That response, at least, addressed Luo Chen's initial demand. Luo Chen snorted as he withdrew his aura and took the seat at the head of the room without hesitation. The unrestrained display of dominance made every person present twitch inwardly.

The Fire Spirit Lord is truly overbearing!

He Lianyun gave an awkward smile but chose not to comment on the matter. He promptly began the introductions.

"This is Xiao Yuyan, a well-known rogue cultivator from Hundred Flowers Immortal City."

The introduction referred to the handsome young man with the flute at his waist. His appearance carried a balance of gentleness and strength, his handsomeness refined to a level that even surpassed Luo Chen's own striking appearance.

The man smiled faintly. "I prefer to be called Hermit Xiao rather than by my full name."

As Luo Chen regarded him closely, a flicker of recognition stirred in his heart. He hadn't just heard of Hermit Xiao before; he had met him before. During his recuperation in the pocket world, several Initiates had broken into the ruins he was taking shelter in. Among them had been this very Hermit Xiao.

When Luo Chen tried to escape back then, the man had attempted to ensnare him with a bewitching flute melody, yet the spell had been dispelled with ease. But what made the encounter unforgettable went far beyond that moment. He remembered that during his retreat, Hermit Xiao had been surrounded by the Four Elders of Liancang and had even taken a treacherous palm strike from Mingsha. None of those five were opponents to be taken lightly. In particular, the Four Elders were only eighth-stage Initiates, yet they were masters of teamwork; even an ordinary peak Initiate would not dare face them head on. Moreover, Hermit Xiao had suffered backlash to his own divine soul at the time. Yet even so, he had still survived the four-on-one battle, and he even seemed to have made great progress in his cultivation since then!

Whether this was due to some fortuitous encounter or simply his overwhelming strength, Luo Chen could not tell. And what puzzled him even more was how, after being struck by Mingsha's treacherous palm, the man had ended up... consorting with Mingsha's wife!

While questions turned over in his mind, He Lianyun's introductions continued.

"Fu Jiusheng is a rogue cultivator from the Medicine King Domain. He is highly skilled in the art of herb gathering. Even the Medicine King Sect treats him with respect as one of the finest herbalists," He Lianyun explained.

Luo Chen found the name unfamiliar, yet he did not underestimate the man. A cultivation at Perfected Mastery of Foundation Establishment was not something that could be faked.

He was especially cautious because the man excelled in the art of gathering herbs. That was not the kind of craft one could master behind closed doors. Most rare heavenly herbs grew in perilous mountains and rivers, often beside ferocious demonic beasts. To harvest them safely required far more than brute strength. One needed courage, precision, and a keen understanding of both medicinal herbs and even the habits of demonic beasts. Even insight into cultivators' nature was essential. After all, the dangers faced by herbalists arose not only from beasts and treacherous terrain, but also from other cultivators.

Luo Chen nodded slightly toward Fu Jiusheng in a gesture of courtesy, and the man returned the gesture with equal respect. The brief exchange caught Hermit Xiao by surprise.

A moment ago, Luo Chen had shown him no such friendliness. After a short pause, however, understanding dawned. He had heard that herbalists were often valued allies of alchemists. If even the Medicine King Sect treated Fu Jiusheng with respect, then Luo Chen's attitude was hardly surprising.

He Lianyun waited a moment before pointing at the lady beside them. "She is You Ruolan. Fellow Daoist, the name may not be familiar to you, but when she once roamed the cultivation world with her husband, the two were known as the Twin Fiends of the Netherworld. Surely you've heard of them."

Luo Chen's brow had already furrowed slightly when He Lianyun introduced Hermit Xiao earlier. Now, upon hearing this title, his frown deepened.

"I have indeed heard of the Twin Fiends," Luo Chen replied evenly. "A formidable pair of rogue cultivators from Baiyun Immortal City. During the Green Pill Valley contest for the Dao Scion, they acted on behalf of He Yuanqing. Unfortunately, I was occupied studying the competition's alchemical formula at the time and never witnessed their strength firsthand."