Looking at Li Muwan and Li Qiqing standing before him, Luo Chuan felt a little curious. According to the original story, shouldn't they have already returned to the Luohe Sect by now?
Why had they appeared here?
Could my return have changed the course of the story?
Luo Chuan swirled the teacup in his hand, raised his head slightly, and looked at Li Muwan. "What brings you here?"
Li Qiqing hurried forward, cupped his fists, and bowed toward Luo Chuan. "Reporting to Senior, my younger sister and I came to the Hengyue Sect to obtain the Daoyuan Fruit our sect needs."
Daoyuan Fruit did not grow in the Huofen Kingdom. Because of the climate, it could not be cultivated there, so only Zhao Kingdom, with its richer spiritual energy, could produce it.
Daoyuan Fruit was one of the ingredients needed to refine pills for Nascent Soul cultivators. The Luohe Sect had dealt with the Hengyue Sect before, so Luo Chuan did not make things difficult for the two before him.
Luo Chuan took a sip of tea and asked softly, "How many Daoyuan Fruits do you need?"
Li Qiqing glanced at Li Muwan beside him, then replied, "This junior came at the command of our ancestor... to exchange for ten Daoyuan Fruits."
"Ten Daoyuan Fruits?"
Elder Liu Wenju frowned and instinctively looked at Luo Chuan beside him, seeming displeased by the Luohe Sect's outrageous demand.
Daoyuan Fruit was exceedingly rare. Even the Mystic Dao Sect had possessed only a dozen or so back in the day. Naturally, the Luohe Sect could not simply be given ten.
Li Muwan seemed to realize what the Hengyue Sect's elder and sect leader were thinking. She immediately stepped forward and gave a shallow bow. "Please rest assured, Seniors. Before I left, our ancestor specifically instructed me that no matter the terms, if you name them, I will not refuse."
Elder Liu Wenju stroked his pale goatee and said softly, "In that case, let them pay one Core Formation-stage magical treasure for each Daoyuan Fruit."
"Core Formation-stage magical treasures?"
Li Qiqing's face turned ashen. He clearly hadn't expected them to demand ten Core Formation-stage magical treasures in return. It was simply unheard of...
True Person Huanglong coughed awkwardly and sent Liu Wenju a voice transmission. "Master... isn't that a little too much?"
Liu Wenju clasped one hand behind his back and replied through a voice transmission, "Daoyuan Fruit is exceedingly rare, and the Luohe Sect is a major alchemy sect. It won't be difficult for them to produce ten Core Formation-stage magical treasures."
As Li Qiqing fell silent, Luo Chuan gently set his teacup on the table and slowly rose to his feet. "Ten Daoyuan Fruits are indeed precious. But the Luohe Sect is a major alchemy sect in the Huofen Kingdom, while our Hengyue Sect has only a handful of alchemists. I've decided to give you all the Daoyuan Fruits."
At his words, even Li Muwan froze, staring at Luo Chuan in confusion. She could not understand what this Senior meant.
Was there some other condition?
Li Muwan lightly pressed her lips together, smoothed the loose strands of hair by her ear, and asked gently, "What do you want, Senior?"
Luo Chuan straightened slowly and replied, "Our Hengyue Sect will form an alliance with your Luohe Sect. From now on, we'll give the Luohe Sect the medicinal herbs from Zhao Kingdom without conditions, but in return, the Luohe Sect will refine pills for our sect."
Li Muwan's eyes brightened. She had thought the other side would make an outrageous demand, but she hadn't expected the offer to be nothing more than a simple partnership.
It was an honor for the Luohe Sect to work with the Hengyue Sect. And if they could forge a firm alliance, the Luohe Sect's future would know no bounds.
Liu Wenju stepped forward and said softly, "Ancestor, would that be wise? You're a Spirit Severing expert. Even the alchemy sects of Level 4 Cultivation Countries would agree to work with us..."
"You don't understand."
Luo Chuan cut Liu Wenju off. "Those alchemy sects in Level 4 Cultivation Countries are full of powerful experts. They may not even consider the Hengyue Sect worth their notice. We may as well form an alliance with the Luohe Sect."
Hearing their ancestor's answer, Liu Wenju nodded slightly. Since he had already made up his mind, there was no need for a junior like him to interfere.
Li Muwan pressed her lips together and cupped her fists toward Luo Chuan. "Then thank you, Senior. Once I return, I'll tell our ancestor about this."
"Mm."
Luo Chuan nodded slightly, clasped one hand behind his back, and walked over to Li Muwan. Gazing at her delicate features, he smiled meaningfully.
"Liu Wenju, go fetch all the Daoyuan Fruit our sect has. As for any other medicinal herbs they need, take Li Qiqing along with you."
"Understood!"
Liu Wenju bowed respectfully to Luo Chuan, then turned smartly and led Li Qiqing toward the sect's Treasure Pavilion.
Li Qiqing wasn't worried that his younger sister might be harmed here. After all, this was the Hengyue Sect, and Senior Luo Chuan seemed like a true gentleman. He would never bully her.
Luo Chuan turned his gaze toward Li Muwan beside him and said softly, "I've heard the Luohe Sect is exceptional at alchemy and quite knowledgeable about formations as well. Would you sit with me and talk?"
Li Muwan looked up, bewildered. "Do you want to discuss formations with me, Senior?"
Luo Chuan nodded.
For more than twenty years, he had focused solely on cultivation. He knew next to nothing about formations or alchemy.
Thinking of the Ancient God Land he would soon enter, he realized that if he didn't understand formations and restrictions, it would be difficult to pass through the Mountain of Restrictions and obtain the Memory Inheritance of the Ancient God Tusi from the original story.
Li Muwan was undoubtedly one of the finest experts in the Huofen Kingdom when it came to formations and alchemy. Even Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators might not measure up to her.
If she reached the Ascendant Realm, her achievements would know no bounds. With a wave of her sleeve, she could drive the entire Vermilion Bird Planet into a frenzy.
Unfortunately, in the original story, Li Muwan sacrificed much of her lifespan for Wang Lin. By the time she had just broken through to the Golden Core Realm, she was already at death's door. Even taking pills to prolong her life did little good.
Given enough time and the right cultivation environment, Li Muwan's achievements would certainly have been no less than Wang Lin's. After all, from beginning to end, her talent had far surpassed his.
If Wang Lin hadn't obtained the Heaven Defying Bead, he would likely still be an outer disciple of the Hengyue Sect, spending every day fetching water and chopping wood.
Li Muwan pressed her soft lips together and smiled. "Since you wish to discuss it, Senior, I'd be honored."
"Mm. Come with me."