In accordance with Li Jinhuang’s final wishes, the funeral went ahead without delay. Yet within the coffin lay no body, only the robes he had so often worn in life, carefully arranged into a symbolic burial mound. It was an empty tomb for a fallen soul.1 Luo Chen stood solemnly through the ceremony, still wearing his crimson robe embroidered with drifting clouds. When the time came to pay their respects, every member of the Li family bowed before him with deep reverence.1 The truth was plain for all to see. In the family’s crisis, not a single ally had come to their aid. Not one of Li Jinhuang’s old friends had lifted a hand. Only Luo Chen had. Even when surrounded by powerful enemies like the Hu brothers, Wei Tuo, and Dan Yuanzi, the latter formidable mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, he had not backed down. Not once had he even flinched.0 Such an act of grace would be etched into the Li family’s memory for generations. Especially since, just before Li Jinhuang’s soul dissipated, he had entrusted Luo Chen with the Chi Dragon Sword, the very symbol of the patriarch’s authority. That alone showed how deeply he trusted Luo Chen. And because of that trust, Luo Chen’s position within the Li family had risen. His prestige had even momentarily surpassed that of the new patriarch, Li Yingzhang.0 At dusk, beside the gently flowing Qinhua River, Luo Chen handed over a talisman treasure to Li Yingzhang.0 “Senior… this…” Li Yingzhang hesitated, unsure.0 “Take it,” Luo Chen said with his hands behind his back. “I know you’re not short on supreme-grade enchanted artifacts, but a talisman treasure can sometimes turn the tide of battle. As for the Chi Dragon Sword, I’ll hold onto it. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, you may come and take it back.”0 Li Yingzhang clutched the talisman and nodded solemnly.0 Luo Chen’s gaze drifted toward the horizon, as though piercing mountains and rivers until it settled on the barren silhouette of Tanqiu.0 “When you cut the weeds, you must also remove the roots[1],” he said quietly. ”It's just a group of Qi Refinement scum, so it would be inappropriate for me to act in person. Take some men and deal with it.”7 Li Yingzhang’s expression turned fierce. “Of course. They struck first, but I’ll strike back twice as hard. Tonight, I’ll lead a raid on Tanqiu and wipe out the Hu family!”0 Luo Chen nodded and rose into the skies upon a drifting cloud. He had not discussed the details of future cooperation with Li Yingzhang; such matters could wait until Sima Huiniang emerged from seclusion. She would handle the arrangements. With his act of protecting the Li family, the cooperation would surely proceed smoothly.0 The preparations Li Jinhuang had left behind ensured that the Li family would offer generous returns. For Luo Chen, this was a deal that carried no loss. He had gained wealth and established dominance before countless eyes. From this day forward, Tianlan Immortal City’s list of top cultivators would have to include his name.0 He had defeated the three rogue cultivators of Danxia Peak with a single move. Then, he’d slain the Hu brothers. Even against a threat like Wei Tuo, one move had sufficed to annihilate him in body and soul. From beginning to end, he hadn’t even used a single enchanted artifact or treasure.0 Unbeknownst to him, countless rogue cultivators were already spreading his reputation. They spoke of his loyalty, protecting the descendants of an old friend for no more than the bond of a few years’ acquaintance. They praised his nature, kind to his own and merciless to his enemies. They marveled at his depth in spellcasting and his combat skill, especially when facing overwhelming numbers.1 During the battle at the Qinhua River, he had worn a crimson cloud-embroidered robe and unleashed mainly fire-element spells. In the stories told afterward, he was given many Dao titles.0 Crimson Cloud Daoist, Fire Spirit Sovereign, Danxia Adept, Qinhua Hermit…7 The list went on and on.0 On a barren mountain where spirit energy was nearly absent, Luo Chen silently unfurled the Soul-Refining Banner, and there he waited.0 It didn’t take long before a figure came riding in on swirling clouds.0 “Brother Luo!” Chu Kui called out with a broad grin as he landed. “You were nothing short of awe-inspiring today!”0 Luo Chen’s gaze flickered, and he casually matched his interlocutor's tone. “The inspiration of that awe is that I had you, Brother Chu, backing me up!”0 Chu Kui waved a hand dismissively as he descended. “It wasn’t me giving you support, it was your spirit stones giving you support!”1 When his hand remained extended after the wave, Luo Chen chuckled and tossed him a storage pouch. “The rest of the payment. Go ahead and count it.”0 “Hehe, as if I’d ever doubt you!” Chu Kui laughed, but he still spilled the stones into his palm and counted them one by one.1 Luo Chen watched without the slightest irritation. Business was like that. Checking face-to-face was natural; not checking was just courtesy.0 For this war, Luo Chen had made many preparations in advance. Back at the Luo Tian Society, he had left all Foundation Establishment Initiates at Danxia Peak. Not only that, he had also handed two hundred mid-grade spirit stones to Min Longyu to ensure the Seven-Colored Danxia Formation could be activated without concern.0 Beyond that, Luo Chen had arranged three more safeguards for the Qinhua River front. The first was Li Jinhuang’s soul-revitalizing secret spell. The second was the Soul-Refining Banner, a last resort to cover a retreat. And the third was none other than Chu Kui.0 To secure the help of this powerful rogue cultivator, Luo Chen had paid a hefty deposit of thirty thousand spirit stones. They had negotiated everything in advance. For early- and mid-stage Foundation Establishment enemies, Chu Kui didn’t need to act. If a late-stage grand cultivator appeared, he would intervene. Even if he did not lift a hand, Luo Chen would give him a tail payment of seventy thousand, bringing the total to one hundred thousand.0 That price was actually Chu Kui’s lowest rate, normally charged for early-stage opponents. Only because Luo Chen had both the wealth to pay and the potential for future cooperation had the veteran cultivator agreed to such favorable terms. It was their first time working together, and both sides were testing the waters.0 Of course, if Chu Kui had to fight a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, one hundred thousand wouldn’t cover it. Two hundred thousand spirit stones were the going rate for mid-stage opponents. Against a real grand cultivator, his opening quote started at five hundred thousand. And for someone like Huang Sha, who stood a realm higher, he would ask for seven or eight hundred thousand without hesitation.0 But Chu Kui was no battle maniac. For him, it was all about earning resources. If chasing a few extra spirit stones delayed his Golden Core breakthrough or risked serious injury, it simply wasn’t worth it. Thus, earning one hundred thousand effortlessly beat risking his life for seven or eight hundred thousand.0 In short, Chu Kui was the very reason Luo Chen had the confidence to stand alone at the Qinhua River.0 Before long, Chu Kui finished counting the spirit stones. “All good. Balance is settled. Want your storage pouch back?”0 Luo Chen laughed lightly. “A trifling matter. No need for such formality between us.”0 “How generous!” Chu Kui gave him a thumbs-up and stuffed the pouch into his robe without hesitation. With a hundred thousand secured, he could live comfortably in his top-grade cave residence for another two years.0 Noticing Luo Chen’s thoughtful expression, he tilted his head. “I take it the Luo Tian Society won’t just sit back quietly. You must be planning something big next. Need me for anything else? Just say the word, and Chu Kui, Tianlan’s Rainmaker, will be the first to show up!”0 Luo Chen rolled his eyes. “Forget it. You're way too expensive. For what’s coming, the Luo Tian Society can handle it on our own.”0 Chu Kui shrugged. He didn’t push it; there was always time. Any power that wished to rise would inevitably draw rivals. In a place like Tianlan Immortal City, who didn’t have tangled ties and hidden interests? 0 When that time came, Luo Chen would surely seek him out again. Their first collaboration had gone well. Luo Chen now carried his sound-transmission jade token, and Chu Kui’s chances of earning more spirit stones looked promising.0 Just before Chu Kui left, he suddenly spoke, “Honestly, even without me stepping in, I don’t think anything would’ve happened to you.”0 “Hm?” Luo Chen frowned slightly, puzzled.0 Chu Kui pointed toward Tianlan Immortal City. “Tantai Jin. That cold-ass bitch was here at some point.”2 Luo Chen remained silent.0 Chu Kui chuckled, then turned and left without another word.0 After he was gone, Luo Chen glanced around the desolate mountain, shook his head, and rose into the skies on his cloud.0 Follow current novels on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥 1. 斩草要除根 (zhan cao yao chu gen) is a Chinese idiom that advises that when dealing with a threat or problem, one must be thorough in eliminating it to prevent future trouble. ☜2