Chapter 72: Luo Chen, Is It?

On the second floor of Zhongding Restaurant, a large group of Qi-Refining cultivators occupied several tables, their conversations lively amidst the exquisite spread of spirit-infused delicacies.

Each table boasted dishes that easily cost over a thousand spirit stones, yet, for this occasion, none of the Qi-Refining cultivators had to pay.

Luo Chen found himself seated at a table slightly off-center, brought over by Gu Caiyi. The table was mostly occupied by female cultivators, making him the only man present—a fact that did not go unnoticed. Curious glances and piercing stares were sent his way, but Luo Chen, utterly unfazed, focused on the food in front of him, eating heartily.

Across the table, Xiangxiang from Tianxiang Tower spoke with a tone tinged with both excitement and reluctance. “When my tenth year are up, I’ll return to the Hehuan Sect.”

Gu Caiyi looked at her with envy. “When you return, you’ll probably begin preparing for Foundation Establishment, right?”

Xiangxiang smiled gently and nodded slightly. Her ten years here hadn’t hindered her cultivation, and she was only a step away from achieving Perfect Mastery in Qi-Refining. More importantly, she had nearly gathered all the materials needed for Foundation Establishment as required by the Hehuan Sect techniques. The only thing she still lacked was the sect’s allocation of a Foundation Establishment pill upon her return.

Gu Caiyi hesitated for a moment before asking, “Will Aunt Gong be returning as well?”

“She certainly will. The spirit vein here is only first-tier, hardly suitable for a long-term residence of someone at the Foundation Establishment Realm.”

Xiangxiang, always candid with her close friend, added a word of caution. "There are two potential candidates to take her place. If it’s Senior Sister Chi, all will be well. But if it’s Senior Brother Hua... Caiyi, you’d best be careful and avoid provoking him."

Gu Caiyi’s expression tightened. “What do you mean by that?”

"Senior Brother Hua and I entered the sect in the same batch. He has a violent temperament and an unhealthy obsession with exploiting others. After advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he restrained himself somewhat, but only within the sect. If he comes here, without supervision, I'm afraid..."

Gu Caiyi’s heart grew heavier with each word.

Xiangxiang suddenly smiled and said, "But you don't have to worry too much. That late stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from Ai Lao Mountain seems to like you quite a bit. He even mentioned to Aunt Gong twice about taking you as a concubine. Why not go with him? Ai Lao Mountain is a wealthy sect, after all."

Luo Chen, who was feasting heartily, paused slightly.

Looking up, he noticed that Gu Caiyi did not show the expected joy but instead wore a forced smile.

"That man is not a good match, Caiyi. Think carefully!" Abruptly, Fu Xiuxiu, who had been silent all this time, said this.

Gu Caiyi gave a faint acknowledgement, not daring to speak ill of a Foundation Establishment cultivator behind his back.

She was different from Yu Xiang and Fu Xiuxiu.

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

One was a disciple of Hehuan Sect, who, upon returning and successfully reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, would become an inner sect disciple, possibly even advancing to a true disciple.

The other had recently become a steward of the Divine Talisman Pavilion and would soon return to the sect with its members.

Both had the backing of the six major sects, so they naturally didn't fear someone like the cultivator from Ai Lao Mountain.

But she had to tread carefully to avoid trouble.

Seeing Luo Chen eating while paying attention to their conversation, Fu Xiuxiu softly explained to him. "Fei Bowen may be a late stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, but he's actually a live-in son-in-law, with a wife who is the granddaughter of a Golden Core Adept."

Luo Chen already knew this.

"If he had a strong will, it might be better. But he is excessively soft-hearted. Not only is he bossed around by his wife at home, but his status in the sect is also low. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been assigned to this remote area to repair buildings."

Luo Chen recalled the scene he had witnessed earlier on the third floor.

Old Chu from the Treasure Pavilion had been chatting with a man in elegant robes, and that man was Fei Bowen.

Even though he was a late stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and Old Chu was only an early stage one, Fei Bowen showed no demeanor of someone with two stages of superiority.

He was timid and lacked grandeur.

If Gu Caiyi were to follow this man back, she would likely end up dead at his wife’s hands or even at Fei Bowen's own hands.

Even Luo Chen could foresee this outcome, so naturally, Gu Caiyi, being directly involved, would know even more and think even further. But precisely because she thought too far ahead, the bitterness in her heart was far greater than anyone could imagine.

In this cultivation world, women who lack great abilities often rely on powerful male cultivators.

Now, she had such an opportunity, but she couldn’t take it—she didn’t dare to!

And if she stayed here?

After the grand opening of the Debate Platform, her reputation had already been established. She naturally isn't short of business and earned a decent amount of spirit stones.

But with Gong Huiqin leaving, no one knew who would take over Tianxiang Tower.

If it truly were that Senior Brother Hua, she would likely have to tread carefully and flatter him. Unless she stopped working at Tianxiang Tower.

But then another problem arose—if she didn’t work at Tianxiang Tower, where would she go?

Her mind was riddled with endless worries and uncertainties.

Turning to the side, she noticed the only man at the table, Luo Chen, gorging himself on the food. Nearly half of the delicious dishes had already gone into his stomach.

"Eat, eat, eat—that’s all you know!"

Luo Chen looked baffled. "Wasn’t the food here meant to be eaten? One meal like this could rival ten days of arduous cultivation!"

Whether it was his clueless expression or her own misplaced frustration, Gu Caiyi couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

Why am I even picking a fight with this little man?

Rolling up her sleeves to reveal her fair arms, she personally poured Luo Chen a cup of wine.

"Eat more. Go back and refine it properly to boost your cultivation. If you were a Foundation Establishment alchemist, I wouldn’t have to look so far away."

Luo Chen felt a bit awkward as he downed the wine. "Big Sister, if you want to treat me as a backup, at least don’t be so blatant about it! I’m not the type to be swayed by beauty!"

Meanwhile, Yu Xiang and Fu Xiuxiu covered their mouths, laughing quietly.

***

The feast lasted until late at night.

As they left, they didn’t see the Golden Core Adept. It was said that he made a brief appearance, accepted a toast from everyone, and then left gracefully.

In the next day or two, he would likely return to the sect with the Jade Cauldron Sword cultivators, leaving the local industries, including the Debate Platform, under the continued management of Miao Zhen.

From this, it was clear that the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect was stretched thin in terms of manpower. This operation was no small endeavor, yet it was entrusted to just one Foundation Establishment cultivator and a few dozen outer disciples.

It could only be chalked up to either boldness or a lack of other options.

After parting from the bustling crowd, only Mi Shuhua, Qin Liangchen, and Luo Chen were left on the way back to the main hall.

The moonlight was clear, and the stone-paved road stretched ahead. Their three shadows stretched long in the moonlight.

Mi Shuhua walked with his hands clasped behind his back, resembling a leisurely wealthy gentleman.

Suddenly.

"Little Qin, that Foundation Establishment pill is yours. It's yours, and I would never embezzle it."

Qin Liangchen was taken aback but then laughed heartily. "Others might not trust you, Leader Mi, but I certainly do. There's no need to say such distant words."

Ahead, the wealthy man's rosy face was half-covered in shadow.

"Leader Mi? Before, you used to call me Old Man Mi!

"Sure enough, things had become estranged!" Mi Shuhua tugged at the corners of his mouth and came to a halt.

Qin Liangchen paused, only to realize that Mi Shuhua wasn’t looking at him but rather at his little brother.

"Luo Chen, is it?"