With that foundation, discussing the next steps became much easier. "The current situation is dangerous, but it’s also the greatest opportunity! Strong rogue cultivators might be able to cross the wilderness to seek survival in other markets. But the weaker ones have no choice but to stay in Dahe Market. "Besides, it’s only the inner city that’s been destroyed." Everyone agreed with this point. Though Dahe Market revolved around the inner city, years of development had given the outer district its own functioning ecosystem. In fact, because the outer district was home to so many rogue cultivators, its ecosystem was even broader. "In this situation, the departure of the Spirit Herb Pavilion has left a massive gap in the pill market. If we can seize this opportunity, Luo Tian Society will be able to make a fortune!" Gu Caiyi frowned. "But without the Hall of Hundred Herbs supplying us with medicinal ingredients, can you still consistently refine Jade Essence pills?" "We don’t need the Hall of Hundred Herbs. We still have the Lianyun Trade Alliance," Luo Chen replied coolly. Without a word, he lifted an item with spirit power, letting it hover in the center. Duan Feng raised an eyebrow. From the small sword, he could sense a sharp sword intent. It was actually a top-grade enchanted artifact! "This was given to me by Elder Pang Renxiong of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. Seeing this item is the same as seeing him in person." "But... he’s already dead!" "But the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect is still very much alive!" Luo Chen glanced around at the group, a smile playing on his lips. "The others don’t know about my relationship with the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, which means there’s a lot we can work with here." Duan Feng hesitated. "President, are you saying... we should blend in and deceive them?" "No, it's called the fox exploits the tiger's might [1]!" Murong Qinglian declared firmly, her gaze locking onto Luo Chen. Luo Chen nodded, his smile widening. He stood up, clasping his hands behind his back as he paced slowly. As he walked, he spoke, "My relationship with the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect has always been somewhat ambiguous. "First, there was Miao Wen working with me, trying to use my alchemy skills to amass wealth, even issuing warnings to several major factions. Then, there was the time when the Jade Cauldron Sect’s True Inheritor, Luo Tianhong, personally stepped in to help Big Brother Qin reattach his severed limb. "None of this went unnoticed. To those paying close attention, it would seem that my ties to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect run deep." As they listened to his measured words, the three division heads appeared contemplative. Murong Qinglian, experienced as she was, seemed to have realized something. "No wonder it’s been half a month since that battle, and none of the Foundation Establishment factions have made a move. If this were before, they would’ve already set their sights on your alchemy skills." Gu Caiyi suddenly understood. "They’re wary of your connection to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect?" "Exactly!" Luo Chen stopped walking, his gaze dark and profound. "But if we remain silent for too long, someone is bound to lose patience. "That’s why we need to take the initiative. "If we can establish strong partnerships with a few factions, then regardless of whether we have a real backer or not, they won’t easily sever their ties with us. And this token left to me by a Golden Core Adept is the perfect key to open those doors!" On the Lancang River, a massive ship spanning a hundred zhang in length, was docked by the shore. The surging river water roared and crashed against it, yet the ship remained motionless and steadfast. Luo Chen, accompanied by cultivators from the Dajiang Gang, stepped onto the deck. A lone figure stood at the bow, facing the wind without turning back. "This ship was custom-made for me by Tianfan City. Its primary structure is crafted from dragon whale bones, reinforced with various water-attribute demonic beast materials. "Luo Chen, what do you think of this vessel?" Luo Chen walked forward step by step. With his keen eyesight, he could naturally discern the ship's grade. "Its grade is merely low-tier, but its power surpasses most top-tier artifacts." Wang Haichao turned his head slightly and looked at him. "Not bad. It is precisely because of ships that my Dajiang Gang can dominate the Lancang River and the many waterways of Jade Cauldron." Luo Chen curled his lips. Isn't that obvious? Who else could own such a massive low-tier artifact? A common first-tier demonic beast wouldn’t even be able to leave a scratch on it. Perhaps realizing that such an opening remark was pointless, Wang Haichao swiftly changed the subject. "To be honest, I didn’t expect you to dare come see me alone." Back during the battle at Crescent Moon Valley, two Foundation Establishment cultivators had arrived later. They were Wang Haichao and Elder Zhou from the Lianyun Trade Alliance. Their purpose was crystal clear. To seize the resources of the pill division and, more importantly, gain control over Luo Chen. But now that Luo Chen had come to him willingly, how could Wang Haichao not be surprised? Luo Chen chuckled lightly and casually took out a small sword artifact. "What is this?" Wang Haichao frowned in confusion. "Elder Pang’s keepsake. You must have seen it before." Luo Chen smiled faintly as he looked at him. Wang Haichao's expression changed slightly, but suspicion still lingered in his eyes. Without bothering to explain further, Luo Chen put the sword artifact away into his storage pouch. Leaning against the railing, he got straight to the point. "I’m here to discuss restarting our collaboration and stabilizing the Washed Jade trade. Gang Leader Wang, what do you think?" Wang Haichao furrowed his brows, deliberately avoiding the topic of business. "It seems your relationship with the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect is rather deep. Then tell me, after such a major incident in Dahe Market, why hasn’t the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect returned yet?" Luo Chen’s expression remained unchanged as he replied evenly, "They will return when the time is right. Do you truly believe the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect would remain indifferent after losing a Golden Core Elder and two Foundation Establishment cultivators?" Hearing this, Wang Haichao raised an eyebrow. No sect would ignore the death of a Golden Core cultivator. Especially when it involved an ambush and the destruction of a major trading hub. "Gang Leader Wang, you must understand one thing—major sects operate differently from small factions like ours. They have far more considerations, so their actions take time. "Take the death of that late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from Ai Lao Mountain, for example. The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect took a full six months before taking action. Judging by how seriously they handled that case—dispatching a Golden Core cultivator—you can see that when they do act, they strike with overwhelming force. "By that same logic, the tragedy at Dahe Market is ten, no, a hundred times worse than the Fei Bowen case! When they do return, it won’t be just a single Golden Core cultivator coming." After saying this, Luo Chen paused. Gazing at the vast river where birds swooped down to catch fish, he suddenly chuckled. "Originally, I should have been accompanying Elder Pang and Steward Miao back to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. But due to unforeseen changes, I had to stay. "When the cultivators from the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect return, I will tell them everything that has happened here, big and small. "Yes, including the movements of the local factions at that time and their future plans." Wang Haichao felt a heavy weight settle in his heart and asked, "Are you threatening me?" Luo Chen quickly shook his head. "How would I dare!" "I simply wish to do business with you properly so we can both profit. Besides, you are not the only one in Dahe Market dealing in Washed Jade. Yet, I chose to come to you first, out of consideration for our past collaborations. "Gang Leader Wang, I do have great admiration for you." Wang Haichao’s expression gradually softened. Luo Chen’s words reassured him, giving him a firm sense of direction. In truth, during this period, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Dahe Market had met multiple times. They were all speculating on the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect’s response and the accountability measures they might take. With Luo Chen, someone deeply connected to the Sword Sect, Wang Haichao now had far more room to maneuver. "It's just Washed Jade business. I’ll agree to it." "So everything remains as before?" "In that case, I’ll take my leave. The details can be handled by our subordinates." Luo Chen cupped his hands in farewell and left in an unhurried manner. Standing on the deck, Wang Haichao watched his figure gradually disappear. He did not look away until Luo Chen was completely lost in the crowd. Only when he returned to Zhou Yuanli and his guards did Luo Chen let out a long breath of relief. Unknowingly, his back had been drenched in cold sweat. As expected, dealing with Foundation Establishment cultivators was far too dangerous. If not for the keepsake from Pang Renxiong, many of these matters wouldn’t have been discussable in the open. "I've settled things with the Dajiang Gang, but I still need to visit a few other factions. Once all these affairs are settled, I can finally focus on alchemy and cultivation, aiming for Perfected Mastery of the Qi-Refining Realm! "I just hope everything goes smoothly." Luo Chen sighed. He had always been someone who preferred stability, both in his past life and in this one. Yet fate had a way of disregarding human will. Initially, all he had wanted was to refine some Myriad Wonders pills for his own cultivation. Instead, Mi Shuhua had forcibly assigned him the position of Alchemy Hall Master. Later, he thought, Since I'm already here, I might as well make the best of it. Relying on the Poshan Gang to refine pills and accumulate proficiency, occasionally taking advantage of opportunities here and there, wasn't the worst way to cultivate. However, Mi Shuhua's return from a ruin expedition, gravely injured, shattered this stability. He had planned to take the money and run, gathering a sizable sum before leaving. But the five major forces besieged him, changing everything. Fine. If the Poshan Gang was gone, so be it. With Miao Wen, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from a proper sect, backing him, his stage could have been even broader. Yet, before Miao Wen could even enjoy his first month of profit-sharing, Luo Chen caught the attention of Pang Renxiong. Of course, Pang Renxiong being surrounded and brutally killed was something Luo Chen hadn't expected either. At that time, he had already packed his belongings, bid farewell to his friends, and even made all the necessary arrangements for Luo Tian Society, the small faction he had built from scratch. In the end, all his preparations had been for nothing. Luo Chen’s thoughts churned as he recalled the fates of those who had tried to use him. Although, the three people who tried to use me all met miserable ends. But I've had enough of this feeling of being powerless. I came here, yet I'm not allowed to live in peace! A cold glint flickered in his eyes. He would carve out his own path—one where no one could dictate his fate. With that, Luo Chen walked along the reconstructed Qingjiang Long Street, observing the rogue cultivators coming and going. There was no sorrow on their faces over the destruction of Dahe Market's inner city. Instead, there was hope for the future. Without the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion and the sect-run shops, things didn't seem all that bad? The local factions kept buying up resources from rogue cultivators, offering prices even higher than before. Barter flourished, the black market bustled, and transactions became more frequent than ever. "How could a stable path to cultivation ever be that easy?" Luo Chen muttered to himself. "It is only through struggle, perseverance, and battle that one can find even a sliver of hope on the Great Dao." Luo Chen no longer placed his faith in mere hope. By taking advantage of this period when sect cultivators were absent from Dahe Market, he would seize the opportunity and carve out a space for himself! 1. 狐假虎威 (hu jia hu wei), Chinese idiom describes someone who relies on another's power to intimidate others—essentially, using borrowed authority to assert dominance. It originates from a fable where a fox convinces other animals that he is powerful because he walks alongside a tiger, making them fear him. ☜