That very afternoon, the Alchemy Hall poured their efforts into refining the Jade Essence pills.
The results were delightful!
Everything failed!
Luo Chen, oddly delighted, gathered up the dozens of wasted pill stones as if they were treasures. On the way home, still irritated, he began hurling the useless stones using the Heavenly Maiden Scatters Flowers combined with the Primordial Pearl.
Wherever the stones flew, flowers, grasses, insects, and moths were all caught in the crossfire. Seeing him in such a mood, Gu Caiyi and the two guards sensibly chose to stay silent and keep their distance.
Back at home, Luo Chen prepared another batch of essence nurturing liquid just as he had the night before. The materials he had bought for three hundred spirit stones were enough to produce thirty full batches.
As he sat inside the Purple Cloud Copper Furnace, Luo Chen inexplicably thought of a question.
If cultivators consume Myriad Wonders pills refined in this alchemy furnace, wouldn't they possibly carry a trace of my energy?
So when they're doing 'that' thing, would I technically be participating as well?
Bah, bah, bah!
These distracting thoughts vanished as the Long Spring Art circulated.
In truth, that scenario would never happen. Luo Chen was meticulous in cleaning the furnace after every medicinal bath. Not to mention, the intense heat during alchemy would incinerate any lingering traces of energy
With a stick of calming incense lit beside him, the Long Spring Art began its steady circulation, absorbing surrounding spirit energy and gradually transforming it into his own spirit power. The massive essence of the essence nurturing liquid, fused with medicinal materials, seeped into Luo Chen's body, transforming into streams of vital energy and blood.
Time passed by slowly in this way.
The next morning arrived with the crowing of a rooster—an oddity in the inner city.
Hm? Where's that crowing coming from?
Luo Chen's gaze shifted, quickly settling on the east wing room.
Gu Caiyi had woken up as well and was also looking over curiously.
The door creaked open, revealing a tall man with sharp brows, cold eyes, and dressed in spotless white. He cast a brief glance at Luo Chen and Gu Caiyi but said nothing. Without a word, he turned and left the courtyard.
Luo Chen gaped and pointed at his departing figure."How rude!"
"Is he the new neighbor?" Gu Caiyi asked with a frown. Just yesterday, they had mentioned that Fu Xiuxiu had moved out, leaving the east wing vacant. Apparently, someone new had moved in overnight—and from the looks of it, he didn't seem the friendly type. He hadn't even exchanged names or greeted them with basic courtesy.
"He's a tenant brought in by Senior Sun," came Qin Liangchen's voice as he stepped out of his house, stretching with a yawn. "He's from the nearby Duan family of cultivators. Name's Duan Feng."
Qin Liangchen was the most laid-back among them. Wearing the title of Elder without many responsibilities, he always seemed to know these trivial matters around the neighborhood.
"The Duan family?" Luo Chen raised a brow. "Don't they have an Ice-Fire Spirit Spring? Not quite a full spirit vein, but close enough in quality of a first-tier spirit vein. Why would someone from there come all the way to the inner city?"
"Not all cultivation families are harmonious," Qin Liangchen replied with a shrug. "Duan Feng had fallen out with the family's leader's son. He's the last one left in his branch."
"So he moved to the inner city just because of that?" Luo Chen shook his head. "That doesn't make sense!"
Qin Liangchen shrugged. "Who cares about making sense? He's here for the Debate Platform. His name is still on the Elite Prodigy Board in Dahe Market, ranked nineteenth."
With that explanation, Luo Chen immediately understood.
Indeed, there was such a group of cultivators in Dahe Market. They didn't have any particular skills and, unlike the Poshan Gang and Dajiang Gang, they didn't rely on rivers for cultivation.
Their cultivation method was participating in competitions at the Debate Platform to earn rewards. If they managed to stay in the top three by the end of the month, they would receive substantial rewards.
This Duan family outcast, Duan Feng, was clearly taking this route.
"So, is he good at fighting?"
Qin Liangchen paused to think before replying. "He's decent. A bit weaker than I was at my peak, but a little stronger than I am now."
Over time, Qin Liangchen had grown used to his newly reattached arm. His combat strength had slowly recovered, bringing him back to the ninth stage of Qi-Refining.
Luo Chen curled his lips in a dismissive sneer. "What's the use of being able to fight? Out here, it's all about influence and connections. Hmph, just a bad-mannered nobody!"
After saying that, he called Gu Caiyi and headed out the door. Despite his disdainful words, his direction betrayed a different intention—he was heading toward the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion.
Perhaps it was too early, as there were hardly any people around the Sword Pavilion or the Whitestone Plaza across from it.
Huh, Xiaoyue is already out setting up her stall this early!
Just as he was about to wave, a familiar white figure stepped into view—Duan Feng. The aloof new neighbor approached Xiao Yue's stall and casually bought a bottle of ten-year-aged pineapple wine.
Luo Chen's eyes lit up. Not a bad-mannered nobody—he's a treasured customer!
With a swift step forward, Luo Chen flashed a bright smile. "Fellow Daoist, let's get acquainted! I'm Luo Chen, your next-door neighbor. And this lovely lady here is Gu Caiyi from the main room."
Duan Feng didn't even blink. He simply replied with two words, curt and cool: "Duan Feng."
"What a great name!" Luo Chen said cheerily. "‘The sharpness of a blade comes from honing.' Fellow Daoist's edge is sharp today—you'll surely crush your opponent!"
Duan Feng gave him a slow, indifferent glance, then shook his head. "Nangong Qin is no weakling."
Luo Chen's smile twitched as a vein bulged on his forehead.
Hey, what's with that look?! Are you implying I'm a weakling?!
Hmph, if you weren't my customer, I'd rain ten or eight Fireballs down on you.
Although he thought this, a flowery smile still spread across his face.
"No worries, no worries! After drinking our wine, your battle prowess will soar," he said, gesturing grandly.
He turned toward Xiao Yue, who was standing dutifully nearby. "Xiao Yue, this is my neighbor. Give him a discount from now on—buy ten bottles of pineapple wine, and he gets a free pack of celestial beans!"