"These two are honored guests of Ice Fortress," Shi Boying said, her voice steady but lacking the warmth she had shown earlier. "I will be overseeing the auction shortly and cannot attend to them myself. Liangyue, see to their needs. Make sure to explain the key items that will be presented at Snow Lotus Palace. Don’t treat them lightly.” Her tone was calm and pleasant yet far less enthusiastic than it had been with Luo Chen earlier. From this disparity in attitude, it was clear that this Foundation Establishment cultivator did not hold much weight in her eyes. Her interlocutor, however, didn’t seem offended. She accepted the arrangement with grace, as if it were only natural. She turned to Luo Chen and Wang Yuan, extending her hand in invitation. “This way, Fellow Daoists.” Luo Chen and Wang Yuan exchanged a glance and followed her without a word. Snow Lotus Palace was spacious, but still several times smaller than Binglan Palace. As they walked toward the auction hall, their conversation started to flow naturally. “May I ask your names, Fellow Daoists?” Qiu Liangyue inquired politely. "Wang Yuan," the other replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Qiu Liangyue said with a graceful smile. "I am Qiu Liangyue, disciple of the Ice Fortress and currently serving as a steward of Snow Lotus Market." After introducing herself, she took out a catalog, clearly intending to guide them through the items that would appear in the auction. Yet the moment her gaze fell upon the list, her expression shifted. A faint crease formed between her brows. "Wang Yuan?" she murmured. “Yes?” Wang Yuan looked up with quiet composure. “What is it, Fellow Daoist Qiu?” Her frown deepened as she searched her memory. The name sounded oddly familiar. After a pause, she asked in a tentative manner, "Are you perhaps... from Dahe Market?" Wang Yuan didn’t hide it and simply nodded. Seeing that Wang Yuan was about to say something more, Luo Chen quickly jumped in. “We came from Dahe Market a few years ago. In a way, you could say we’re neighbors, Fellow Daoist Qiu.” Snow Lotus Market lay just upstream from Dahe Market; they were not far from each other. In fact, the Nangong family, with whom Luo Chen was well acquainted, had once moved there from Snow Lotus Market. That "neighborly" connection seemed to warm the atmosphere at once. Meeting someone from one’s hometown in a foreign land was always comforting. Qiu Liangyue smiled. “I thought the name sounded familiar. Back in Dahe Market, there was someone reputed to be the strongest of the Qi Refinement Realm, and he too was called Wang Yuan. So I wasn’t mistaken. I never imagined that after all these years, a rogue cultivator like you would truly manage to reach Foundation Establishment." Wang Yuan cast a glance at Luo Chen but remained silent. Luo Chen perked up and said, “Isn’t that also true for you, Fellow Daoist Qiu? I remember Fairy Liangyue was one of the most renowned female rogue cultivators across several markets. Now you’ve not only reached Foundation Establishment but also joined Ice Fortress. Truly admirable!” A touch of pride flickered across her features at the mention of her current status. Yet with Luo Chen standing before her, already at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, she did not dare act superior. After exchanging a few modest words, Qiu Liangyue’s expression softened, and a trace of deep emotion surfaced in her eyes. "Foundation Establishment... it is truly a bitter struggle for rogue cultivators like us." Luo Chen nodded solemnly. “You’re absolutely right.” Qiu Liangyue brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and let out a quiet sigh. "Back then, I ran from one market to the next just to find a Foundation Establishment pill. I have attended countless auctions, yet I have never managed to obtain one. Especially in your Dahe Market. The people there were even more ruthless than those in Glowing Stream Market, which is infamous for being overrun with raiders." Luo Chen gave a dry laugh. “Well, being so close to the Great Million Mountains, always dealing with demonic beasts... it is only natural that people became a bit rough." Perhaps it was because once a cultivator reached Foundation Establishment, no one praised their perseverance or cared for their hardships, but Qiu Liangyue seemed unusually talkative now. Her words carried the weight of past bitterness. She continued, “I once bought some cultivation resources at a black market, but I hadn't even gotten far before some brutish raider ambushed me. I had to detonate a precious blood talisman I’d just won at an auction....” Luo Chen’s mouth twitched when he heard that, but he nodded compassionately. “That’s truly disgraceful behavior.” Wang Yuan, who had been silent and expressionless the entire time, suddenly stiffened. Qiu Liangyue looked at Luo Chen and suddenly remembered who he was. Luo Chen was not merely a fellow cultivator. He was the Fire Spirit Sovereign, one of the most sought-after Foundation Establishment figures in all of Tianlan Immortal City. His name alone resounded like thunder. She spoke sincerely, “I believe such raiders were a minority in Dahe Market. If you had been there back then, with your chivalrous heart, you would never have stood idly by.” Wang Yuan turned his head at just the right moment, staring at the icy wall ahead. Reflection showed his bald crown, and his clenched teeth betrayed the storm within. Luo Chen wore a look of righteous sorrow and declared, “At that time, I was too focused on cultivating and unaware of such things. If I had been there, as you said, I would’ve given that brute what he deserved and shown him that Dahe Market is no lawless land!” A cracking sound came from someone’s knuckles. Qiu Liangyue gave Wang Yuan a puzzled look. Wang Yuan forced a stiff smile. “Just loosening up my joints. No big deal.” Follow current novels on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽 She accepted the explanation with a nod before continuing, “But you know what they say, misfortune might sometimes turn into a blessing. After barely escaping that raider, I was chased by more people from Dahe Market. In desperation, I fled into a nearby mountain, and there, I accidentally stumbled upon the abandoned cave residence of an Ice Fortress Foundation Establishment cultivator. Not only did I find refuge, but I also discovered a Foundation Establishment pill inside the storage pouch. With it, I succeeded in breaking through. Later, I used his token to gain entry into the Ice Fortress." Qiu Liangyue sighed deeply, as if her hardships had finally borne fruit. “Now, I’m no longer all alone in this world.” Luo Chen cupped his hands with impeccable timing. "That is truly wonderful news. Congratulations, Fellow Daoist." Qiu Liangyue laughed lightly. "I would not go so far as to call it worth celebrating. Still, if I ever meet the brutish raider who drove me to such desperation back then, I might even feel the urge to thank him." Luo Chen raised his thumb with a grin. “What a noble character! Such magnanimity, truly admirable, Fellow Daoist!” Qiu Liangyue waved it off. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. The thanks would be for the opportunity that pushed me toward Foundation Establishment. After that, I’d kill him without hesitation. Otherwise, how could my heart ever be at peace?" Her tone still bore the casual ruthlessness she’d acquired during her days as a rogue cultivator. Gratitude and vengeance coexisted within her words, sharp and unrestrained. Luo Chen cast a glance at Wang Yuan. He cleared his throat twice before steering the conversation elsewhere. "Since you made the long journey to Tianlan Immortal City, I imagine you must have passed through Dahe Market on the way. How are things there now?" At the mention of Dahe Market, Qiu Liangyue’s expression changed. The light in her eyes dimmed, and her cheer faded into solemnity. "It is no longer a good place," she said softly. “Oh? Can you tell us more?” Luo Chen asked, his tone growing more serious. “Of course,” she said, nodding without hesitation. The auction hall of Snow Lotus Palace spread out in a wide fan shape. There were no private rooms, only rows of seats arranged in a simple, orderly fashion. After all, Snow Lotus Palace mainly sold Ice Fortress’s specialty goods and rarely hosted auctions. Only when rare resources piled up did they hold an auction to sell them off at high prices. In terms of quantity, the offerings weren’t large. Qiu Liangyue led Luo Chen and Wang Yuan to a high seat near the rear. The vantage point was excellent. From there, they could see the entire hall clearly, and their bids would not go unnoticed by the host, no matter the distance. Once they were seated, Luo Chen exchanged a glance with Wang Yuan. They watched Qiu Liangyue walk away, and only when she had vanished from sight did both men release a quiet breath of relief. Luo Chen lifted his hand and casually cast Sound Isolation, enclosing the two of them. “She didn’t figure it out, right?” “No chance,” Wang Yuan replied calmly. “I disguised myself back then. There’s no way she could’ve seen through it.” “Good, good!” Luo Chen let out a long breath, then looked at Wang Yuan and burst out laughing. “Brutish raider?” Wang Yuan stared at him blankly. “Chivalrous heart?” From the instant Qiu Liangyue appeared, both of them had recognized her. She was the unfortunate female cultivator who had blundered into the trap Luo Chen had set for the Fu family back in Dahe Market. Back then, Luo Chen had put up a fake blood talisman through the underground market, crafted by Wang Yuan himself. Later, Wang Yuan had ambushed her and forced her to use the talisman, making it seem like the Fu family had launched a secret attack. That was how the Fu family ended up accused and ruined. Luo Chen had been the mastermind and never showed his face. He was far from the chivalrous figure she now imagined. And Wang Yuan, silent beside him, was none other than the so-called "brutish raider" she still remembered with resentment. “Fate sure brings people together,” Luo Chen muttered as he gradually composed himself again. From Qiu Liangyue’s account, Dahe Market had now become a ghost abyss stretching across a thousand li! The Ghost King, Pang Renxiong, had broken free. The thousands of rogue cultivators who had died in the inner city were now enslaved under his command. The ghost abyss spread from the inner city outward, engulfing the entire surrounding region. Places like Xiaohuan Mountain and Crescent Moon Valley had also been swallowed by it. Worse still, demonic beasts that wandered into the area had been devoured and transformed. Now, aside from the Ghost King himself, over a dozen powerful Ghost Generals were haunting the abyss! It seemed the ghost abyss was still growing. One Golden Core Adept from Ice Fortress had entered to investigate, but he nearly lost his life at the hands of Pang Renxiong. Now, the entire area was considered forbidden ground. Rogue cultivators dared not enter, and even Foundation Establishment disciples of sects kept their distance. Even the Ice Fortress had no interest in cleaning up that mess. After probing the place once, they simply let it be. Since the ghost abyss was spreading downstream, Snow Lotus Market was relatively safe. At worst, travelers could just take a detour. After learning about Dahe Market’s current state, Wang Yuan felt immense relief. “Good thing we listened to you and left Dahe Market. Otherwise, we’d probably be among those ten thousand vengeful ghosts by now.” Luo Chen let out a soft sigh. “I wonder when the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect will send people to clean up the ghost abyss. Dahe Market was truly a prime location. If we could seize it, it could become a true cradle of greatness.” As a major trade market bordering the Great Million Mountains of the Eastern Wilderness, Dahe Market truly enjoyed exceptional geographical advantages. The volume of resources it could collect each year was enormous. The fact that even the six great Nascent Soul sects had once established outposts there despite the distance spoke volumes. Due to his low cultivation at the time, Luo Chen had little exposure to high-tier resources, yet even among low-tier resources, many treasures had emerged. For instance, the eight-hundred year heaven-and-earth root, something that could directly aid in Foundation Establishment. Or the Six-Leaf Heavenly Emperor Lotus, once found by Mi Shuhua in his early years. Or a supreme-grade treasure that extended a cultivator’s life by sixty years regardless of realm. Such treasures were not things one could find in a "commercial center" like Tianlan Immortal City. Wang Yuan said casually, “Even if it gets restored, it’s unlikely that we'll be the ones profiting from it. Besides, isn’t the Luo Tian Society doing quite well now anyway?” Luo Chen paused, then chuckled freely. “You’re right. I was getting greedy.” Setting the topic aside, Luo Chen pulled out the bamboo scroll Qiu Liangyue had given him. The list of treasures to be auctioned filled the parchment, but what seized his attention at once were the names of five second-tier demonic beasts. To profit, one didn’t necessarily need to control a massive market like Dahe Market. As long as one had enough talent, it was possible to generate even greater returns. And Luo Chen had the means to create such talent. As he looked over the list, he pondered on the state of his affairs. With so many resources acquired, it’s impossible to absorb them all in the short term. What we lack are capable individuals who can shoulder responsibility. It’s time for the Luo Tian Society to produce a few more Foundation Establishment Initiates. It might be tough for others, but we have something others don't...