Twenty days later.
Luo Chen sat alone in the quiet room, staring at the Attribute Panel, his eyes filled with contemplation.
[ Foundation Establishment Second Layer 26/100]
The progress point spanned two full progress stages.
This wasn't solely Harmony Qi Pill; for the next Nine Heavens, he switched to the Rising Dragon Pill.
"Before, without taking any pills, I relied entirely on my own cultivation, aided by the Second-Order Low-Grade Cave Mansion, and my progress bar increased by 22 points in a year."
"That's roughly equivalent to two progress points in forty days."
"Now, with the support of Tier 2 Pill, my cultivation speed has doubled."
"If nothing goes wrong, at my current cultivation speed, it will take me about a thousand years to reach the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection."
This result was obtained.
This left Luo Chen both happy and disappointed.
Fortunately, he did have a way to increase his cultivation speed.
Disappointingly, the improvement was far too small.
Double?
For those exceptionally talented individuals, this is already a significant improvement.
But for him, that's far from enough.
He sighed.
Luo Chen suppressed his disappointment and cheered himself up.
"At least, we see hope!"
A cultivation speed that's doubled is really not a small amount.
Moreover, he still has a lot of room for improvement.
Now, he is more concerned about the effects of the two kinds of pills.
" The Harmony Qi Pill truly lives up to its reputation as a specialty of the Medicine King Sect. Its medicinal properties are balanced and mild, and it contains very little Pill Poison. Its only drawback is that the Medicinal Power it provides after refinement is slightly inferior to that of the Rising Dragon Pill."
This judgment is not based on intuition.
Rather, it was a conclusion he reached by comparing the past twenty days with the present.
It took a full eleven days to advance the first stage.
They used Harmony Qi Pill.
Eleven days later, Luo Chen voluntarily switched to the Rising Dragon Pill.
This time, it only took about Nine Heavens.
Therefore, it is evident that the Harmony Qi Pill is inferior to the Rising Dragon Pill in terms of Spirit Transformation Array Medicinal Power into spiritual energy.
"As the flagship product of Azure Pill Valley's Tier 2 Pill, the advantage of the Rising Dragon Pill lies in its immense Medicinal Power."
"But its shortcomings are also extremely obvious!"
" The Medicinal Power is too great. During the transfer process, it causes significant damage to the meridians and requires a high level of self-control from the cultivator. Moreover, it seems to cause more Pill Poison."
The comparison between the two yielded this result.
To be honest, Luo Chen wasn't surprised.
The Medicine King Sect has been able to stand firm in the Cultivation World for nearly a thousand years because of its stability!
The orthodox cultivation pills that are refined are made with the primary goal of not harming the cultivator's body while maintaining their basic effects.
Azure Pill Valley has only existed for a few hundred years.
The reason why he has been able to occupy a place in the Jade Cauldron Domain is because of his courage, diligence, and unconventional approach.
Therefore, while the Shenglong Pill is highly effective, its side effects are also extremely noticeable.
Any normal cultivator would choose the Harmony Qi Pill.
In reality, those in the Cultivation World who are eager to advance or are pressured by their lifespan and impatient for quick success do not look down on the Rising Dragon Pill.
Luo Chen is the latter!
He did not intend to use the Harmony Qi Pill.
Instead, they chose to use the Rising Dragon Pill as their primary cultivation pill for the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Not for anything else, but for that extra little bit of spiritual energy.
Don't underestimate these little things; little by little, they add up to several or even dozens of cultivation progress over time!
As for the numerous side effects of the Rising Dragon Pill?
Luo Chen was not afraid.
His Divine Soul Foundation is quite profound, and his control over spiritual power is unparalleled among his peers.
It's simply a matter of differentiating and transporting the Medicinal Power.
As for Pill Poison, are there more cases?
He's so infested with lice now, he's not even itchy anymore!
Anyway, any elixir will cause Pill Poison, and in the end, it will all be resolved by the Qingyuan Wonderful Pill Method.
If that's the case, then we won't care about those extra one or two points.
Finally, he was even less concerned about the damage the Rising Dragon Pill caused to a cultivator's meridians!
He has never stopped using the Golden Jade Liquid throughout the past year.
His physique is also nearing the transformation from Golden Muscle Jade Bone.
At that time, he would be what Wang Yuan called the mere figurehead of the Body Refinement Second Realm.
What appears outwardly impressive is merely a means to embody the Dao.
Not one's own physical body!
His physique, Body Refinement Second Realm, made his meridians sufficiently wide and resilient.
The mere impact of the Medicinal Power would not cause much damage.
Even if he has some hidden injuries, he can spend Spirit Stone to buy Deficiency Replenishing Meridian Nourishing Liquid to repair them.
In short...
Problems that can be solved with Spirit Stone are not problems!
" Azure Pill Valley Rising Dragon Pill, it seems I need to prepare more."
The Rising Dragon Pill in the Storage Bag now are not many; most of them are remnants from Duan Qiankun's Storage Bag.
Luo Chen had already distributed the inheritance from that Storage Bag beforehand.
Duan Feng obtained the most needed Foundation Establishment resources, plus a Top-Grade Magic Tool, the Rattle Drum.
Wang Yuan obtained two High-Grade Magic Tool, numerous Tier 2 resources, plus 150 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone, totaling 15,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stone.
As for Luo Chen, he left behind fifty Mid-Grade Spirit Stone, one High-Grade Spirit Stone, and the Low-Grade Magic Tool scabbard.
It seems Luo Chen suffered quite a loss.
But in reality, there was a large amount of resources that he did not distribute. Instead, with the consent of the two individuals, he put them into the Luo Tian Association.
He then converted these into numerous merits and bestowed them upon the two men.
The two iron balls wrapped in Mithril were given to the Artifact Hall, and they were to be distributed separately after Duan Feng determined what they were.
The achievements of the Luo Tian Association are not meaningless.
On the contrary, it is quite precious!
Because Luo Chen could exchange for things other than the usual Cultivation Method, materials, and spells.
It also includes several books on Foundation Establishment Insights, the use of Spiritual Sense, and detailed explanations of spells.
In addition, his improved Nourishing Origin Spirit Liquid and his meticulously crafted Spirit Communication Pill were also displayed.
These things are all precious resources for Qi Refining Stage cultivators.
You can't buy it with Spirit Stone yet.
You must use merit points to redeem it!
This arrangement was made to motivate lower-level cultivators.
The more proactive they are, the better Luo Tian Association can develop and the more wealth it can accumulate.
Naturally, the wealth Luo Chen ultimately gained far exceeded what he could have acquired by directly selling these resources.
After all, selling it only earns you Spirit Stone for a single resource.
But it's displayed so that people can see it and exchange it.
What we earn is the value created through the collective efforts of everyone!
"Master, you've emerged from seclusion!"
In the quiet cave.
As Luo Chen stepped out of the quiet room, a beautiful figure flashed over and appeared beside him.
Luo Chen looked helplessly at the cute woman who was clinging to his arm.
"How many times have I told you, don't call me master?"
"But you are my master!" Bai Mei Ling said earnestly, her clear, bright eyes wide open.
Luo Chen shook his head, not intending to argue about it.
He entered the living room, reached out, and obtained three Sound Transmission Talisman.
Bai Mei Ling released Luo Chen's arm and floated leisurely in the cave.
The illusory body passed through solid buildings, only to be bounced back at the edge of the formation.
During the flight, a captivating and mesmerizing bell sound could be faintly heard.
That was a Magic Tool that Luo Chen obtained in his early years.
He named it the Soul Loss Bell.
This bell isn't of high grade; it was only used once, when we killed Dan Xiu.
Now that Luo Chen has established his foundation, a mere Mid-Grade Magic Tool is of little use to him.
If you were to sell it, it would only fetch a few hundred Spirit Stone.
So he gave it to Bai Mei Ling.
Now, Bai Mei Ling's body has been stabilized thanks to the replenishment of a large amount of the essence of evil spirits and ghosts.
In addition, there is the persistent practice of the < Soul Refining True Art >.
She has now completely embarked on the path of Ghost Cultivator.
Luo Chen didn't know much about this path and couldn't offer much advice, so he could only let him explore it on his own.
Over time, although Bai Mei Ling has not fully recovered her memory, she has gradually remembered some people and things from the past.
Luo Chen also took some time to introduce her to Feng Xia, Gu Cai Yi, and Murong Qinglian a few times.
The shock, joy, and emotion of those people upon their first meeting need not be elaborated upon.
Feng Xia, who was closest to her, even cried.
Bai Mei Ling, on the other hand, didn't feel anything special; she just thought the older women were nice people.
In comparison, she still preferred to stay by Luo Chen's side.
Ever since she became conscious, she has felt a natural affinity for Luo Chen.
It was Luo Chen who brought her out of the dark and desolate Ghost Domain realm.
It was also Luo Chen who captured a large number of Yin spirits for her, allowing them to condense into Yin Soul True Body, thus laying the foundation for her cultivation.
Furthermore, Luo Chen provided her with the < Soul Refining True Art >, leading her onto an unconventional path of cultivation.
To her, Luo Chen was the master who gave her a new life.
Has anyone been looking for me lately?
Luo Chen held the three Sound Transmission Talisman between his fingers and casually asked a question.
Over time, he stopped caring about Bai Mei Ling's natural way of addressing him.
Bai Mei Ling squatted in the corner, fiddling with the Soul Nourishing Wood and Moonlight Grass.
She raised her head and said seriously, "Senior Li Yixian has been here, President Sima has been here, and a very fierce Foundation Establishment True Cultivator has also been here."
It's not surprising that the first two came looking for him.
But... a very ferocious Foundation Establishment True Cultivator?
Who is that?
Sitting on the stone chair, Luo Chen opened the three Sound Transmission Talisman one by one.
"Fellow Daoist Luo Chen, it has been a long time since we last met, and I miss you dearly. Recently, I have encountered many things and have many troubles, with no one to confide in. If you emerge from seclusion, I hope we can meet, and with your experience and wisdom, you can resolve the confusion in my heart." -- Li Yixian
Luo Chen frowned. Had something happened to Li Yixian?
It's astonishing that such vulnerability was revealed in his words.
This doesn't seem like the demeanor of someone who has cultivated themselves diligently for decades and attained true enlightenment.
While pondering, Luo Chen opened the second Sound Transmission Talisman.
"Are you Fellow Luo Chen? I am Chu Kui. How about we have a drink sometime and make friends?" -- Chu Kui.
After hearing the Sound Transmission Talisman, Luo Chen was stunned.
Chu Kui?
Why did he contact me?
Luo Chen was familiar with this name.
As early as the first day he entered Sky Wave City, Xu Xiaoliu had mentioned the other party's illustrious reputation.
A frequent visitor to the Dao Discussion Stage.
The top ten strongest on the Sky Wave Immortal City's Heaven's Pride Ranking!
Most importantly, he is the only rogue cultivator among the top ten.
He wasn't a high-ranking disciple of any sect, nor did he establish his own sect like Luo Chen; he was a true loner.
It is said that the opponent's cultivation level is a genuine Late-Stage Foundation Establishment!
It's astonishing that someone like him would actually take the initiative to befriend him.
"This must be the fierce and ruthless person Xiao Ling was talking about!"
"If you have time, you should go and meet them to see what their intentions are."
Luo Chen didn't know much about the local Foundation Establishment cultivators in Sky Wave Immortal City.
Aside from people like Lu Rong, who want to kill you the moment they meet you.
He mostly maintained a friendly attitude towards making friends.
In reality, Danxia Peak's attack that time was not a fatal blow.
However, that Cao Wanchun wasn't very capable, but he had quite a temper.
They lost, so what? They still tried to fight back.
Just as Wang Yuan said, they had already found a way to die!
Now that a great master wants to get to know him, he naturally won't refuse.
Building a wide network of connections is essential to avoid the situation where you're engrossed in your cultivation, only to find yourself in a completely different world when you emerge from seclusion.
Finally, Luo Chen activated Sima Hui Niang's Sound Transmission Talisman.
After listening, Luo Chen's expression remained neither sad nor happy, as if he had expected it.
" Xiao Ling, I'm going to Danxia Peak. Do you want to come with me to see Feng Xia and Cai Yi?"
Bai Mei Ling squatted on the ground, manipulating spiritual energy, and watered the Soul Nourishing Wood with a watering can.
Without even looking up, she said, "No, I'm not going."
Luo Chen sighed.
I don't know if it's because he switched to the path of the demons, or because he lost some of his memories.
Bai Mei Ling's personality remained the same, but she no longer had any feelings for anyone she knew except him.
In our previous meetings, I had always acted indifferent and distant.
It seems like it's just some people and things I know.
"Very well, you've learned how to control all three formations in the cave."
"Please take care of things for me while I'm gone."
"No going out, remember!"
Bai Mei Ling kept her head down, fiddling with the tender buds of the Soul Nourishing Wood.
"Knew."
Shaking his head, Luo Chen turned and left the cave.
The three layers of formation opened and closed in sequence.
Then came the thunderous roar of the waterfall.
Luo Chen glanced subconsciously at the cave next door, where he could vaguely see figures moving about.
However, Li Yixian was not detected by his Spiritual Sense senses.
Those people should all be members of the Li Family family.
Half a year ago, Li Yixian had taken in a group of clansmen at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining to live with her in her cave.
The purpose is self-evident: to make the most of this Second-Order Low-Grade Cave Mansion.
"But this will slow down my cultivation speed!"
Luo Chen merely sighed, offering no advice.
Every family has its own problems.
Renting a Second-Order Low-Grade Cave Mansion for ten years would cost a lot of Spirit Stone.
No one else is as wealthy and powerful as him.
Enjoy an entire Second-Order Low-Grade Cave Mansion all to yourself!
As far as he knew, after recovering from his injuries, Nangong Jin, like Li Yixian, brought Nangong Qin and the two younger clansmen into his cave.
Even on this Sky Wave Peak...
Most cave dwellings are not inhabited by a single person.
They might live together as a couple, or as a family, or even as friends sharing an apartment.
Ice Wave Palace turns a blind eye to these situations, pretending not to see them.
after all.
The contract did not stipulate that a cave dwelling could only be used by one person.
Most of the above regulations prohibit destroying the basic facilities of the cave dwelling and prohibit attempting to mine the Spirit Stone Ore at the foot of Sky Wave Peak.
Any violation, especially the latter, will result in immediate execution!
That's why many people skirt the rules and find someone to share an apartment with, thus sharing the burden of the expensive rent.
Released, the Langqi Flying Boat flew away from Sky Wave Peak amidst drifting Luo Chen.
Soon, they passed through the Sky One Water Defense Array and entered the Immortal City.
At this point, the airship transforms into a land-based vessel.
It flies close to the ground and never rises to the surface.
His gaze fell upon the well-connected streets.
Looking at those shops, some simple and elegant, others magnificent and luxurious.
Luo Chen squeezed the Storage Bag.
"I don't think I can be considered wealthy and powerful anymore?"
Without taking into account Luo Tian Association's working capital.
He doesn't have much savings left.
After renting that Second-Order Low-Grade Cave Mansion, all that was left were 80,000 Spirit Stone.
This amount of money might be a lot for a rogue cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage.
But for Luo Chen, who aspired to immortality, it was extremely meager.
Let's not talk about anything else!
He had reserved Tier 2 High-Grade Cave Mansion at the Ice Wave Palace.
Once it becomes available, he will definitely rent it.
A High-Grade Cave Mansion costs 4,000 a month, which is 48,000 a year!
Luo Chen's current wealth is barely enough for a year.
For Foundation Establishment True Cultivator who frequently go into seclusion for months or even years, a year's use of the High-Grade Cave Mansion is hardly enough.
An invisible sense of urgency pressed down on Luo Chen's heart.
"Get Spirit Stone, get Spirit Stone, fucking get Spirit Stone!"