Luo Chen had emerged from seclusion! The news spread through Xiao Huan Mountain like wildfire. In an instant, every cultivator within the society was stirred with excitement. For cultivators, there was a vast difference between knowing your faction had a Foundation Establishment Initiate, and actually having one present in person. The former gave you a name to lean on. The latter meant you could walk the world openly, backed by real strength. Alongside the excitement, many mid- and high-tier cultivators began making their way to the Grand Hall to formally greet Luo Chen. Inside the Alchemy Hall, Gu Caiyi suddenly rose to her feet. "He really came out of seclusion?" Across from her, Mi Li smiled faintly. "Yes, the news is already spreading. It won't be long before the president personally returns to refining pills in the Alchemy Hall." Seeing Gu Caiyi's hesitation, Mi Li added, "Sister Caiyi, you're the Hall Leader of Golden Hall. You should definitely go greet him." "You're right!" The hesitation vanished from Gu Caiyi's eyes, and she turned at once, heading out the door without another word. Once she had gone, someone stepped out from the alchemy room. With sword-like brows, bright starry eyes, and a naturally noble bearing, he exuded the air of someone both youthful and formidable. It was none other than Qu Lingjun. "Lingjun, you're going to see your master too?" Time had changed him. Over the years, Qu Lingjun had grown taller, stronger, and more composed. Now, standing beside Mi Li, he towered a full head above her. He nodded. "Of course. Now that Master is back, I need to report on the Alchemy Hall. Besides… I've accumulated quite a few questions over the years. I need his guidance." As he finished speaking, he paused. "Sister Mi Li, come with me." Meeting his sincere gaze, Mi Li's expression grew slightly awkward. "I… think I'll stay." "No, you have to come with me!" Qu Lingjun spoke with firm resolve, his eyes locked on the now more composed and graceful woman. "After my grandfather passed, the only family I have left is Master, and you." "Our relationship… Master deserves to know about it." "No buts. Come with me." His warm, steady hand reached for hers, wrapping around her slender fingers. Without giving her a chance to refuse, he pulled her gently but resolutely toward the Grand Hall. Mi Li stumbled behind him, caught off guard by his sudden resolve. But as she looked up at the back of the young man leading her forward, her eyes softened, a dazed, affectionate light shining quietly within them. "Right now," Sima Huiniang reported, "the number of ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivators within the Luo Tian Society has increased from ten to fifteen. "Three of them are rogue cultivators from Dahe Market who joined us, while the other two were cultivated internally." "Liu Qiang and Su Xiaolin." Upon hearing these familiar names from Sima Huiniang, Luo Chen gave a slight nod. Liu Qiang's breakthrough to the ninth stage was expected. He had partnered with Zhou Yuanli for years and was well-versed in dual-attack techniques. Their cultivation levels had always been close. Zhou Yuanli had reached the ninth stage six years ago. For Liu Qiang to only now catch up was actually a bit behind schedule. It was the second name that caught Luo Chen off guard. "Yes, the same late stage Qi-Refining cultivator you personally treated after the battle at Xiao Huan Mountain." Sima Huiniang smiled. "He's been deeply grateful for your kindness, and in these past years, he's shown great diligence in the Luo Tian Society. He often takes the initiative and sets a strong example." A seed planted without intent has now grown into a shaded tree [1] . Luo Chen chuckled lightly. "Go on." Sima Huiniang nodded and continued reporting on the developments of the past three years within the Luo Tian Society. Truth be told, there hadn't been many dramatic changes. Before going into seclusion, Luo Chen had already laid out the policies. All Sima Huiniang had to do was carry them through. He had also made arrangements with Nangong Jin, Li Yixian, and others regarding the external environment. So no significant shifts were expected from outside. The real changes in the Luo Tian Society came down to three main aspects. First, the salary system. With Luo Chen's alchemy business no longer providing a steady income, Sima Huiniang had pragmatically adjusted the payroll model, reverting it to the standard commonly used among rogue cultivator organizations throughout the cultivation world. More work, more pay; no work, no pay. In simple terms, the base salary was reduced. This change significantly eased the financial strain on the Luo Tian Society. And more importantly, it pushed many idle cultivators within the group to proactively seek out tasks, hunting beasts, escorting goods, or offering services, thus keeping the society productive and sustainable. That was a good thing! Luo Chen had originally offered high wages not out of generosity, but necessity. Back then, the external threats were overwhelming, and he needed to hold the organization together with a flood of spirit stones. But the situation was different now, cutting back was the natural move. What impressed Luo Chen most was that Sima Huiniang had taken the brunt of the criticism for the change herself, shielding his reputation while carrying the burden of leadership. Later, he could step in and offer select pill rewards to key contributors, especially late stage Qi-Refining cultivators. It would win loyalty, bolster morale, and build his own image as a benevolent and generous leader. "Benevolent Luo Chen", what a perfect title. Second, the proposed establishment of a Law Enforcement Hall. The department wouldn't require many members, but they had to be top-tier cultivators! It would serve to maintain internal discipline, working alongside the Merit Hall to deal with violators. Of course, the proposal hadn't been officially enacted yet. They had been waiting for Luo Chen's decision. After brief contemplation, Luo Chen gave it his full approval. As for the position of Law Enforcement Hall Master, Zhou Yuanli was undoubtedly the ideal candidate. Luo Chen had already granted him the honorary title of Law Enforcement Elder, making his promotion a natural progression. With this final appointment, the organizational framework of all departments and halls within the Luo Tian Society was now fully established. Small as it may be, it had everything it needed. Even without Luo Chen's presence for a while, the Luo Tian Society could now operate on its own. And the third change, was actually a piece of good news. "Lingjun is now able to stably refine Jade Essence pills." "How stable?" Luo Chen's spirit perked up. "Well," she replied with a faint smile, "of course he's nowhere near your level, President. But with fifteen sets of ingredients, he can reliably refine one successful batch. The pills are currently low-grade quality." Fifteen sets of materials cost about seventy-five low-grade spirit stones. At present, Qu Lingjun couldn't consistently control the yield. Each batch produced about fifteen to sixteen pills. When sold externally, each batch fetched only about a dozen spirit stones. In other words, each round of alchemy was a net loss, there was no profit at all. And yet upon hearing it, Luo Chen was overjoyed. "I knew it. I wasn't wrong about him. His alchemy talent is truly exceptional." From memorizing the Illustrated Compendium of Hundred Herbs, to sweeping floors in the Alchemy Hall, to hands-on practice, and finally, full support from the Luo Tian Society, providing him with a wealth of ingredients to refine. All in all, it had only been six years. It might sound like a long time to the average person, but in the eyes of a high-tier cultivator, six years was nothing more than the blink of an eye. In major sects, it took at least ten years to train an alchemist who could stably craft first-tier, low-grade pills. To produce someone who could generate profit, it could take several more decades. As for Master level or Grandmaster level alchemists? They were measured in centuries. Now Qu Lingjun had completed the first-tier of alchemist development, in just six years. There was no doubt, his talent in alchemy was extraordinary. Of course, Luo Chen's own teachings and insights played a part. He had reached the pinnacle of refining the Jade Essence pill. To call him a Grandmaster of this pill was no exaggeration. With that mentorship, paired with Lingjun's own natural talent, the outcome was far beyond expectations. Seeing the subtle upward curve of Luo Chen's lips, Sima Huiniang finally breathed a little easier. She had shouldered the burden of managing the Luo Tian Society alone for three years, mentally and physically exhausted. Now, with Luo Chen's approval, she finally felt at ease. But the next topic she needed to bring up filled her with a bit of apprehension. "President… about your demonic beast…" "Mhm, I've already heard. I don't blame you." "But still… that was a second-tier battle strength!" Luo Chen shook his head, a faint look of regret on his face. Sima Huiniang was, of course, referring to the matter of Little Red's escape. Little Red, the second-tier Explosive Ape. During the beast tide battle, it had been captured alive by him and Wang Yuan. After acquiring beast-taming techniques, he had bound it under his control. During the Xiao Huan Mountain battle, it had performed admirably and contributed much to the fight. However, in the second year of Luo Chen's seclusion in the Dahe ghost city, the beast had escaped from Xiao Huan Mountain. Not only did it flee, it took with it its bloodline offspring, the young ape. "Without my suppression, there truly was no one in the society who could control it for long. "Besides, my copy of the Myriad Beast Sutra is still at the Beginner level. Even if I had stayed by its side constantly, I would've needed to repeatedly apply Spirit Enslavement just to keep it in check." Luo Chen could still faintly sense the lingering connection between himself and Little Red. Yet that link was steadily fading. Clearly, Little Red had vanished deep into the mountains, putting more and more distance between them. "Very well, let it be. Let it go where it wills." Luo Chen didn't waste time in needless worry, his gaze swept across the great hall. While Sima Huiniang had been delivering her report, many of the Luo Society's high-tier members had quietly gathered. Facing their familiar eyes, Luo Chen calmly announced a decision that caught everyone completely off guard. "Three months from now, we leave Dahe Market!"