Chapter 198: Worship

The vixen Su Linlin had departed.

Chen Luo remained in seclusion, having entrusted the supplies she brought with Patriarch Sun to manage. He specified three types of medicinal pills, each with one hundred sets of ingredients. Additionally, he arranged for the purchase of a late Foundation Establishment stage medicinal pill and a second-order formation.

To acquire these items, Chen Luo spent more than half of Elder An’s savings, along with all the accumulations from the Coffin-Bearing Old Man and Old Demon Fang. He even overspent the spirit stones contributed by the lower-level cultivation clans.

In Chen Luo’s view, investing in these resources was entirely worthwhile.

Resources without power are useless to hold onto, he thought. Elder An amassed his wealth for a lifetime only to pass it on to me in the end. There’s no point in following that old path!

Having completed his cultivation session, Chen Luo emerged from his secret chamber.

First, he examined the second-order pill formula Su Linlin had procured for him.

Pure Origin Primordial Qi Pill.

Inside a black Pouch of Holding, Chen Luo found the desired pill formula preserved within a small black box, perfectly intact. After removing the seal, he read through the information.

The Pure Origin Primordial Qi Pill was a medicinal pill suitable for the late Foundation Establishment stage, which was more than sufficient for Chen Luo’s current cultivation realm.

After reviewing the pill formula, Chen Luo meticulously categorized and stored the spirit ingredients.

Next, he turned his attention to the second-order formation.

This time, the bulk of his expenses had been allocated to acquiring this particular formation technique. However, the potential benefits were crystal clear. By mastering this formation, he could elevate his status to that of a second-order formation master. Even as the most mediocre practitioner at this level, he would experience a significant leap in recognition and compensation. Additionally, upgrading the formation outside Gu King Peak would ensure that even a peak powerhouse at the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment stage couldn’t catch him off guard. Thus, the combat capability vacuum left after Lady Bai Gu’s departure would be effectively filled.

He opened the book on the second-order formation.

Yinmu Sword Formation!

What caught Chen Luo off guard was that Su Linlin had procured for him a rather rare sword formation. These types of formations were notoriously difficult to set up, with materials being exceptionally expensive. The power of a sword array directly correlated with the strength of the swords used in its construction. For sects and factions needing protection, sword formations were often seen as a poor investment due to their inherent limitations.

However, for Chen Luo, a sword formation was perfect.

In his possession, he had not only the brain of a formation master but also that of a first-order artificer. While only first-order, it was more than sufficient for setting up such formations.

The final pouch was filled with various materials: ingredients for refining magical artifacts, components for drawing talismans, and a scattering of miscellaneous items. Fox girl Su Linlin took note of everything Chen Luo acquired, leaving an even deeper impression on her.

This man touched upon nearly all four arts of cultivation.

Whether it was knowledge he possessed or resources he could leverage, in Su Linlin’s eyes, it all represented Chen Luo’s true depth. With such reserves, he could undoubtedly become an evil lord in the realm of demonic cultivation, or perhaps even aspire to reach Core Formation—the final gateway to true immortality!

“Peak Lord, might you be interested in accepting disciples?” Old Sun asked tentatively. Having finished helping Chen Luo with his errands, he now stood off to the side. ‘Peak Lord’ was a title the old man and others who had defected to the clan had devised to set themselves apart from outsiders.

Accept disciples?

“No interest,” Chen Luo replied without hesitation. He had no inclination to stay put and guide disciples, which would not only waste vast amounts of time but also hinder his cultivation. Perhaps one day in the future, he’d open a sect and accept disciples, but that time was not now.

“Not formal disciples, just probationary ones or perhaps gatekeeper boys. They’d help run errands and take care of small tasks day-to-day,” Old Sun hastily added.

“Many great cultivators who reside atop mountains and cultivate in seclusion often take on a few named disciples and two young attendants to maintain their facade. For example, the head of the Five Rams Temple to the east has two attendants and five named disciples. The day-to-day trivial tasks within the temple are typically handled by these attendants and named disciples. It also allows them to properly welcome any guests.”

“Named disciples and young attendants?”

This sounded worth considering. Chen Luo was indeed in seclusion for cultivation, and he needed some people around to handle various matters. He couldn’t always rely on Old Sun, as others had their own families to care for. Moreover, given the numerous tasks at hand, Old Sun might not be able to manage everything himself.

“There are some younger members of my family with decent spirit root aptitude who would be honored to study under the Mountain Lord.”

Old Sun’s ultimate goal was to provide opportunities for his descendants. At Chen Luo’s inquiry, he promptly produced a registry from within his robes. It contained detailed records of several of his grandsons’ aptitudes, temperaments, and even included their birth dates.

As Chen Luo flipped through the names, he furrowed his brow slightly. Grandpa Sun’s descendants had decent aptitude, but their strength was too weak to handle matters independently. They also lacked social experience and needed much training in dealing with people. Chen Luo had no interest whatsoever in taking on the task of nurturing them.

He skipped past these direct Sun Clan members and continued reading the rest of the list.

Beside him, disappointment flickered in Grandpa Sun’s eyes. He had already done his best to place his own descendants at the top of the list, yet Chen Luo still hadn’t spared them a glance.

Ding Zhao, the list read. Five Spirit Incarnations: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. Mid-to-low aptitude. Qi Refining 7th Layer. Age: 33.

Chen Luo’s hand paused.

The name sounded familiar. After some thought, he recalled this was the very person he’d encountered at the library when he first joined the sect. When he and Huang Ying had arrived, this man had tossed them out of the library for intruding.

Later, their paths had crossed again when Ding Zhao sought to acquire the spirit annotation technique from Chen Luo, only to be rejected. In Chen Luo’s impression, Ding Zhao held some status within the Sacred Lake Immortal Sect. However, it seemed he’d fallen on hard times and ended up here, even taking refuge under the Sun Clan.

He clicked on the boy’s name, then selected a few others. Considering how hard Grandpa Sun had worked, Chen Luo decided to reserve a spot for his granddaughter as well.

The five spots were quickly filled. When Grandpa Sun saw his granddaughter’s name on the list, a glint of joy flashed in his eyes. This trip had been worth it. Once the Mountain Lord accepted his granddaughter, the Sun Family’s relationship with him would grow even stronger. With the Mountain Lord’s lifespan, their family could expect a solid century of stability.

After selecting the five helpers, Chen Luo sent Grandpa Sun away.

It’s time for a little excursion, he thought.

With his foundation set by the Demonic Heart Art and all his resources gathered, the next step was naturally to go into secluded meditation. His goal was to fully master the late Foundation Establishment stage, potentially even reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment. However, before doing so, Chen Luo planned to make a quick trip down the mountain. It was time to upgrade his external brain; those over a hundred Qi Refining brains had served their purpose but were now ready for retirement.

Among the resources exchanged with Su Linlin recently, there was an unassuming little box. Inside, it contained records of all the Foundation Establishment cultivators who had perished in the Demon’s Land over the past century. Even the second-tier artificer brain Chen Luo had specified provided valuable clues.

To create the five elements sword formation, he needed the latest information from an artificer brain.

A figure blurred into motion, transforming into a streak of light that vanished into the horizon without telling a soul.

Sixth day of the month.

Within the valley of Chonghua Medical, situated one hundred and eighty kilometers from the Gu Demon. This mountain, known as North Gorge Mountain, was the stronghold of a small cultivation clan.

The Beiyu Clan, like many small clans, had known glory days long ago. During its prime, it had produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator—the pinnacle of power in the culturing world. At that time, the Beiyu Clan had been the dominant force in their limited sphere. They had commanded a first-class spiritual meridian, worthy of being called exalted, ensuring the clan’s prosperity.

However, no successor rose to match the patriarch. Upon his passing, the Beiyu Clan swiftly declined. Without a Foundation Establishment cultivator to protect them, others had forced them from their first-class spiritual meridian. After much tumult and narrowly escaping crises, they had finally settled in North Gorge Village.

Two generations passed since then. The Beiyu Clan’s former splendor faded away, and they became a small clan forgotten by time.

The north wind howled fiercely that day.

Beiyu Tao, the clan leader, ascended the mountain with a bottle of wine, intending to honor his ancestors. This tradition was etched into the fabric of the Beiyu Clan. Every year, on the birthday of their founding patriarch, all cultivator clan members would convene for a grand ceremony. In the clan’s heyday, these gatherings had drawn vast crowds. Now, however, only three cultivators remained in the Beiyu Clan. The two young ones, having long forgotten the clan’s glory, had ventured out to seek their fortunes elsewhere. Beiyu Tao was the sole cultivator left in the clan, and thus, this grand ceremony was inevitably a modest affair.

A jug of wine, a token of my heart.

I carry a jug of Hua Diao wine, treading up the mountain through snow and ice.

No sooner have I reached the mountain pass than Beiyu Tao’s footsteps falter. At some point, a figure has appeared before the gravestone of his ancestor. A young man in a long azure robe, Beiyu Tao strains his memory, certain he does not recognize this person.

“Who are you?”

“A descendant of Beiyu Ji?” The azure-robed man turns his head at the sound of Beiyu Tao’s voice. The pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator radiates outward, sending a shiver through Beiyu Tao.

Foundation Establishment cultivator!

“This junior is Beiyu Tao, the current head of the Beiyu Clan,” Beiyu Tao says respectfully. His composure regained, he bows deeply to the azure-robed man. The Beiyu Clan’s survival down through the ages rested on understanding the customs of the cultivation world, knowing to respect the powerful. Seeing the stranger offer no words, he musters up his courage to ask another question.

“May I inquire who this senior is?”

“I’ve come to pay respects to my old friend, Old Brother Beiyu,” the azure-robed man replies, withdrawing his gaze from Beiyu Tao and turning it back to the giant tomb before him. A look of melancholy fills his face.

Beiyu Tao’s thoughts begin to whirl. He hadn’t expected that his ancestor’s past affections would prove useful! That someone still came to pay respects after all these years. The fact that this senior had come to visit the Beiyu Clan when they were down on their luck proved that the other party still remembered the old ties of affection. This man must have been a good friend to his ancestor when he was alive!

If the Beiyu Clan could win over this eminent elder, they might just get a chance to relocate near the spiritual meridian. With a bit of luck, another Foundation Establishment cultivator could emerge, restoring the family’s former glory! At that moment, Beiyu Tao would be hailed as the “Savior of the Clan” and “Beiyu’s Liberator.”

His reverie was abruptly cut short as a sudden sound jolted him awake.

Staring blankly, Beiyu Tao watched as the elder—who had been grappling with melancholy just a moment ago—mysteriously produced a shovel from thin air. In the next instant, a loud clang echoed as the grave marker of the Beiyu Clan’s patriarch crumbled to the ground.

“Stay your hand!” Beiyu Tao cried out, panic surging through him.

He instinctively hurled the Hua Diao wine he held and made to step forward, only to be halted by an invisible barrier of spiritual energy after taking two paces.

“I’m reminiscing with my old brother Beiyu. What business do you have here, youngster?” The green-robed man impatiently waved a hand, sending a gust that swept Beiyu Tao away. His shovel moved with increasing speed, his practiced motions making many seasoned grave robbers among the assembled look on in embarrassment.

Crack.

A faint sound signaled the shovel had struck the coffin.

Backstabber! This is how you pay respects to my Beiyu ancestors?

Beiyu Tao strained to sit up, but his strength was nothing in the face of this green-robed man. Helplessly, he watched as his adversary donned a pair of deer-hide gloves, then pushed aside the coffin lid.