Chapter 628: Arrogant and Greedy; Misled by Rumors!

That was not an unfounded guess. From the moment they sent the visiting card to the presentation of the alchemical formula, every step had been deliberate and precise. When the three grand cultivators jointly released their pressure upon his arrival, it had clearly been a test of Luo Chen's strength.

Moreover, the choice of an alchemist for this pill had definitely been carefully discussed before they came to him. Among the alchemists of the major sects, there were some that undoubtedly possessed greater skill, and someone like Fu Jiusheng surely knew a few third-tier alchemists. Yet they dared not ask for help. The reason was simple—they lacked the leverage to win such experts over, and once the formula was revealed, others would surely covet it. By contrast, Luo Chen's name was already famous in the alchemical world, and he himself was not terribly far from Core Formation. He needed no other incentive; the pill alone was enough to make him take on the task.

Then there was the matter of gathering the vast number of required materials.

Luo Chen looked at the four in puzzlement. "You can truly gather all these materials?"

He pointed at the bamboo scroll and said solemnly, "The ingredients required for this Nether Origin Pill are anything but ordinary. Honestly, if I were to seek them out myself, it would likely take a hundred years to collect them all."

Yet He Lianyun appeared utterly confident and said, "Fellow Daoist Luo, I feel that you underestimate me. Though the Lianyun Trade Alliance has declined, our foundation remains solid after more than a century of commerce. Of the ingredients listed here, I can provide sixty percent right now. As for the remaining forty percent, given a few years, I can certainly gather most of them."

Luo Chen arched an eyebrow. He had indeed overlooked that point. The Lianyun Trade Alliance thrived on precisely this kind of business: transporting resources across regions. Their branch at Dahe Market alone was quite something; each year it collected countless rare treasures from the Great Million Mountains.

Still, he pressed on. "And what of the three main ingredients?"

Even if Luo Chen personally searched, he would not be able to obtain a single one of them. Unexpectedly, He Lianyun said directly, "Of the three, the rarest and most precious, the Sapphire Lightning Flower, has already fallen into our hands."

"

Oh

?"

He Lianyun gestured toward Hermit Xiao. "Fellow Daoist Xiao acquired a whole flower in that pocket world. It can serve as material for refining at least a dozen Nether Origin Pills."

Luo Chen turned to look at Hermit Xiao. Since the discussion had begun, the man had remained silent, even more reserved than Fu Jiusheng. Now, under Luo Chen's gaze, Hermit Xiao nodded solemnly.

Luo Chen pressed his lips together. "Fair enough. How do you plan to obtain the other two?"

This time, all four pairs of eyes shifted to him at once. Luo Chen frowned. "What is the meaning of this? Didn't you say you could gather them yourselves?"

He Lianyun smiled faintly. "Fellow Daoist, look at the name of the Heavenly Mountain Revitalization Liquid. Does it not sound familiar to you?"

"Of course it does. There's a first-tier spirit medicine called Revitalization Liquid... Wait..." Luo Chen paused, realization dawning on him. "Heavenly Mountain? Don't tell me this comes from the Ice Fortress?"

He Lianyun nodded, his tone tinged with age. "This is a secret unknown to the younger generation. The Ice Fortress lies in one of the most barren regions of the Jade Cauldron Domain, and it restricts its disciples to mostly female cultivators. Yet even under such conditions, it produced nine Adepts—no, now there are ten! Do you not find that rather uncanny?"

As Luo Chen pondered, He Lianyun struck his palm and declared, "Rumor has it that the Ice Fortress produces Heavenly Mountain Revitalization Liquid and uses it with its sect's Core Formation art. That is how it has managed to produce ten Adepts against all odds. Given your relationship with them, you should understand."

And indeed, Luo Chen understood. They had placed all their hopes of obtaining the Heavenly Mountain Revitalization Liquid on him! It was not a bad bet; with his ties to the Ice Fortress, securing some of that spirit liquid would not be difficult. After all, his brand new senior sister had said that if not for his incompatible physique, she would have even given him the Ice Fortress's exclusive Core Formation art.

Once that was settled in his mind, Luo Chen turned his attention to the final main ingredient.

Before he could ask, Fu Jiusheng spoke up, "I know where to find the Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruit. The problem is actually harvesting it."

As he spoke, his eyes gleamed with fervor. "Given how famous you are as an alchemy master, I imagine your mastery of Unadorned Heart must be exceptional, isn't it?"

Luo Chen swept his sleeve lightly; a faint smile colored his expression, but he said no words in reply.

Yousha let out a soft laugh. "Fellow Daoist Fu, perhaps you are unaware. During the Green Pill Dao Scion competition, Dan Chenzi proved that his alchemy was nothing short of transcendent. Even the third-tier alchemists of Green Pill Valley spoke of him with reverence. As for Unadorned Heart, within the entire Jade Cauldron Domain, if he claims second, no one would dare claim first."

A flicker of admiration appeared in Fu Jiusheng's eyes. Even though he had already known of Luo Chen's reputation, seeing such confidence with his own eyes put his heart at ease.

Between heaven and earth existed countless spirit plants, many of which possessed peculiar traits. The Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruit, for example, not only required an unusual environment to thrive but also had a very unfortunate characteristic: It became tainted the instant it was plucked and dissolved the moment it touched the ground. From harvest to refinement, no more than two hours could pass. Beyond that limit, it would turn into a deadly poison, and then... forget using it for alchemy. Even a light touch would kill an Initiate instantly. Moreover, even in its poisonous state, the fruit could not be preserved for long.

Only an alchemist who had achieved an exceptional level of mastery in Unadorned Heart could pluck and refine it immediately on the spot.

That left only one question. "Dan Chenzi, can you truly refine this pill? This is a third-tier pill. Even if it isn't the most demanding formula, we can't afford many mistakes. You need to give us your word. Otherwise, if we waste years to prepare and you fail to produce the Nether Origin Pill, all our efforts will have been for nothing."

Under the tense stares of the four, Luo Chen fell silent in thought. Yet a trace of cold amusement flickered within him.

It was no wonder these four had joined forces. Yousha had brought forth the formula; Hermit Xiao held the most vital ingredient; He Lianyun, with the trade routes of his force, could gather the auxiliary materials; finally, Fu Jiusheng had control over the last main ingredient, the Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruit. He knew where it could be found, but he did not reveal it. This way, even if Luo Chen mastered the formula, he would still be unable to refine the pill independently.

As for how these four had come together and what dealings lay behind their alliance, there were undoubtedly many twists and stories. But such matters did not concern Luo Chen, and he had no intention of investigating it.

But at this moment, his mind was not on pill refinement either. With his deeply rooted mastery of alchemy, so solid it bordered on frightening, and the substantial pool of achievement points he had managed to refill, becoming able to refine this pill would not be difficult. In truth, as long as he had ten complete sets of materials, he could guarantee the successful refinement of a full batch of Nether Origin Pills.

What occupied his mind were matters beyond the pill itself. Had the four already struck a private agreement among themselves? Naturally, they had. But once the pills were produced, would they turn on each other? Worse still, would they join forces against him? And as for the place Fu Jiusheng had mentioned, where the Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruit grew, just how dangerous could it truly be?

The longer Luo Chen remained silent, the greater the tension that mounted in the hearts of the four. He had seemed so confident before, so why hesitate now, when all they sought was a simple assurance? Could it be that he lacked the ability after all?

Just as the weight in their hearts grew heavier and heavier, Luo Chen nodded and broke the silence.

"I can refine this pill," he said evenly.

Before the four could rejoice, he immediately continued, "But how exactly are we to cooperate? What are the terms? Once the pills are refined, how will they be divided? We are neither of the same sect nor trusted friends, so how am I to ensure my own safety during the process? You owe me that much clarity."

For those three questions, the four seemed already prepared. Fu Jiusheng replied at once, "The cooperation is simple. As herbalists, we trust no outsiders. None of us may bring relatives, friends, or disciples. I will personally lead you all to the place where the Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruit grows, and only the five of us may go."

That answer came as no surprise to Luo Chen, and the others voiced no objection.

He Lianyun then took over. "As for your concern about safety, I have a proposal. Before the pills are completed, everyone here must, to the best of their ability, ensure that Dan Chenzi's life remains unharmed."

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"I do not agree," Luo Chen said suddenly.

The four froze. Luo Chen gave a faint, mocking smile. "Promises mean nothing. Am I supposed to just take your word for it?"

"Uh..."

"Since you refuse to swear upon the Great Dao, how are we supposed to trust you?"

"Simple." Luo Chen immediately drew out a jade scroll. As the four looked on curiously, he continued, "I will not swear upon the Great Dao, but we can establish a blood essence pact instead."

A blood essence pact!

At the mention of those words, all four faces flickered with unease. In the cultivation world, there were countless ways to forge vows and agreements. The most widely known were the Great Dao oaths that bound one's very soul, and the far less formal spoken promises. There were also covenants sealed through the use of enchanted treasures or artifacts. Among them, the blood essence pact was one of the better-known. Though it lacked the absolute binding force of a Great Dao oath, in practice it was often the most reliable choice.

After all, a Great Dao oath was something intangible and elusive. If a cultivator was willing to sacrifice their future cultivation and sever their Dao path, they could break the oath without dying. One party would perish instantly, while the betrayer merely lost their potential, yet could still live on for decades or even centuries. This was the true weakness of the Great Dao oath.

A blood essence pact, meanwhile, was another matter. It required each participant to offer a single drop of blood essence, condensed from spirit power and blood qi, to seal the agreement. Should one violate the pact, the backlash would strike immediately. The force of that backlash might not be fatal, yet in critical moments, even a mild backlash could alert others or grant them a decisive edge.

Lady Yousha forced a smile. "For us cultivators, blood essence is scarce, and we are all on the verge of Core Formation. Wouldn't forming such a pact damage our cultivation?"

Luo Chen cast her a sidelong glance. "Gathering the materials and allowing me to study the alchemical formula and familiarize myself with the refinement process will take several years at the very least. That should be more than enough time for you to recover a single drop of blood essence. Unless... you're harboring ill intentions toward me? Or perhaps you've lost interest in obtaining the Core Formation spirit medicine altogether? If that's the case, I may have to reconsider this entire partnership."

His earlier words had been sound and logical, but the final questions cut to the heart like a scalpel.

"Never! I would never dare!" Lady Yousha's face paled as she waved her hands frantically. "How could I ever harbor ill will toward the Fire Spirit Lord?"

"

Hmph

!" Luo Chen snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the other three.

Under the weight of his stare, He Lianyun and the others could only agree to seal the blood essence pact, binding themselves to ensure Luo Chen's safety until the Nether Origin Pill was successfully refined and forbidding any intent to harm him. With that settled, it left the final issue: the division of the pills.

"If the yield is fewer than five pills, I want one. If it exceeds five, I'll take two. If more than ten, I'll claim three," Lady Yousha declared without hesitation. "After all, the alchemical formula was bought with my husband's life."

However, Hermit Xiao sneered. "Without my Sapphire Lightning Flower, that so-called alchemical formula would be nothing but empty words."

The two immediately fell into a heated argument. He Lianyun and Fu Jiusheng, however, showed little interest in arguing. After all, a cultivator's chance to form a core might come only once or twice in a lifetime, and both of them were already well past their prime. One pill would already be enough. Their only condition was clear: if the total number of pills fell below five, they each required at least one.

Throughout the heated argument, Luo Chen merely observed in silence, his expression unreadable. Eventually, the argument subsided.

"Dan Chenzi, what do you think?" someone asked at last.

"What do I think?" Luo Chen smiled.

The smile seemed as gentle as a spring breeze brushing across their faces, warm and pleasant. Yet beneath that warmth lingered the chill of a midwinter snowstorm, enough to make their hearts tremble.

"In the cultivation world, there are countless alchemical formulas and herbs, but what use are they to you?" He pointed at himself. "Without an alchemist, all of that is nothing but waste! Since I fulfill the most essential role, I will take the largest share. Lady Yousha's proposal is acceptable, except that I will be the one taking that number of pills. As for the rest of you, discuss among yourselves."

Such an overbearing declaration left the four utterly stunned. Luo Chen couldn't be bothered to argue further. He returned to his seat, raised the teacup, and took a slow sip of the faintly bitter tea. To his surprise, the spirit tea was exceptional. Even someone like Luo Chen, unversed in the art of teamaking, could discern its quality after a mere sip.

As the liquid entered his body, his spirit power stirred restlessly, condensing into drops of pure essence that coursed through his meridians. It even seemed to quicken his cultivation by a fraction—the spirit vortex rotating clockwise within him began spinning faster and steadier.

While Luo Chen savored the tea, the other four argued so fiercely that their faces turned red, and the argument dragged on for quite some time. By the time Luo Chen felt a faint heaviness in his abdomen, the four had finally reached an agreement.

"Dan Chenzi, we've come to a decision. We'll proceed according to your terms."

"Excellent," Luo Chen replied with a calm smile.

"However, there's one small request. Regarding the Heavenly Mountain Revitalization Liquid. Could you ask for a few extra portions and share them among us? It's an excellent aid for Core Formation, after all."

Luo Chen curled his lips. "I'll do what I can."

The others exchanged helpless looks. It was clear that this was not something they could force. If Luo Chen chose to brush them off, they would have no means to object. Afterward, they sealed the blood essence pact and agreed to set out nine years later.

All in all, it took an entire day of negotiations and discussions before their cooperation was finally settled.

The reason for setting the departure so far ahead was simple. According to Fu Jiusheng's estimation, the Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruits in the place he knew would need at least nine more years to mature. At least that was considered the safest margin; better early than late.

Before leaving, Luo Chen suddenly asked, "Grand Elder He, this spirit tea of yours..."

"That would be the third-tier Bodhi[1] Tea." He Lianyun replied.

Luo Chen nodded. "Ah, I see. I have to say, the flavor is rather pleasant."

He Lianyun thought for a moment. "I still have a few boxes left. I'll have someone send one to your cave residence later."

A pleased smile crossed Luo Chen's face. "In that case, thank you, Fellow Daoist."

After that, he departed from Lianyun Tower beneath the silver glow of the moon.

Once he was gone, the room fell into silence. He Lianyun returned to the main seat that Luo Chen had occupied throughout the day, lifted the teapot to pour himself a cup, and froze when he saw it was empty.

He stared blankly.

Did... did he drink it all!?

Beside him, Yousha was pouting. She said in a low voice, "You know... I've heard of Luo Chen's deeds before and I thought he'd be easy to deal with. Who would've guessed he'd be so domineering and so utterly greedy? Where was that famed grace of a true gentleman? Those rumors have misled me completely."

Her words earned the full agreement of the other three. Luo Chen's conduct today had indeed left them uneasy. He had been their guest, yet he'd taken the host's seat, dominated the discussion, and forced through his terms without giving them the slightest chance to negotiate. Unfortunately, they were the ones who needed him.

Suddenly, Fu Jiusheng spoke up. "Hermit Xiao, were you able to discern Luo Chen's condition?"

1. "菩提" (pú tí) is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word "bodhi," meaning "awakening" and "enlightenment" in Sanskrit. The term refers to the realization of truth attained by the Buddha. Since the novel features a Buddhist sect, I will retain it in its transliterated form. ☜