A few days later, within the quiet of Luo Chen’s cave residence, Tao Yisheng arrived in person. He did not rely on a voice transmission talisman this time. He stood outside and waited in patient silence, showing genuine deference. At last, he saw Luo Chen.
"Fellow Daoist, sorry for keeping you waiting," Luo Chen said politely.
A rich medicinal energy clung to him, and his eyes shone bright. With a sweep of his crimson Daoist robe, he took a seat across from Tao Yisheng.
"What have you been up to lately? Even catching a glimpse of you has become difficult," Tao Yisheng asked.
Luo Chen smiled slightly and replied casually, "I made some breakthroughs in alchemy. I'm currently attempting to refine higher-grade pills beyond the first and second tier."
He did not specify the type, yet the intensity of his medicinal energy spoke for itself. At the very least, he had to have refined top-grade pills to accumulate such strength.
Tao Yisheng’s eyes lit up, and his anticipation deepened. He asked eagerly, "Didn’t you want to learn more about the top-grade pills of my Green Pill Valley?"
He’s finally willing to talk? Luo Chen’s lips curled as he asked, "So you’ve figured something out?"
"It is not that I just figured it out. I was not really sure before and I did not want to boast," Tao Yisheng said earnestly, shaking his head. "As I told you, Green Pill Valley has a strict limit to the number of top-grade pills people receive each year, and this applies to inner-sect disciples and True Inheritors as well. Previously, even if we had wanted to sell you some, it would not have been possible. But now, there is an opportunity."
Luo Chen’s spirit stirred. "Alright, color me intrigued. Go ahead, and let's skip the etiquette and whatnot."
"Have you heard of the Golden Core Dao Scion competition of Green Pill Valley?" asked Tao Yisheng.
"I’ve heard a little," Luo Chen replied.
"To put it simply, within Green Pill Valley, aside from the Golden Core Adepts, only the Dao Scion has access to a proper supply of top-grade pills."
Luo Chen appeared surprised as he listened to Tao Yisheng’s explanation but inwardly, he thought, Just as I expected.
The Luo Tian Society’s intelligence network was no waste of resources. He had long since deduced the Tao siblings’ situation, and now, everything was being confirmed.
Only by claiming the position of Dao Scion could Tao Wan draw on the full weight of the sect’s resources. The most visible sign would be a dramatic increase in cultivation resources. With that support, she could advance rapidly while nurturing loyal followers around her. In this way, once the Dao Scion advanced to the Golden Core Realm, they would already command a formidable group of subordinates.
Their cultivation would not fall behind, their connections would not be cut, and their management of the sect would be secure. This model was common among major sects. Rather than raising all disciples equally, it was far more efficient to select a few geniuses for focused training. Only then could a sect’s legacy avoid interruption when a generation lacked talent.
And Green Pill Valley had refined this system to its peak. Once every century, they selected one Dao Scion. This meant that every hundred years, there was a strong chance Green Pill Valley would nurture another Golden Core Adept. With that, the sect’s lineage would be secured.
Other sects did the same, but without Green Pill Valley’s wealth, their Dao Scions often fell short. The results spoke for themselves: Over centuries, Green Pill Valley had amassed far more Golden Core cultivators than other sects.
Tao Yisheng took a deep breath. "Right now, my elder sister is competing for the Dao Scion position. Once she succeeds, she’ll be heavily supported by the sect, and top-grade pills are part of that package. By then, whatever you need will be a mere drop in the ocean."
Luo Chen showed a look of sudden understanding. "Then allow me to wish Fellow Daoist Tao Wan success in seizing the Dao Scion title."
He said it simply, but Tao Yisheng looked a little awkward. "I’m afraid seizing it might not be so easy."
"Oh?" Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. "What is the trouble? Speak freely. If there is any way I can help, do not hesitate to ask."
This time, Tao Yisheng no longer held back. He explained everything he knew in detail. He described exactly how the Dao Scion competition was structured in Green Pill Valley.
It was split into three rounds. The first round required one to become one of the Nine True Inheritors. Only those who claimed such a title were eligible to proceed to the next phase of the competition. The second round was the alchemy trial, refining pills under intense scrutiny. Based on the results of the first two rounds, the Nine True Inheritors would be ranked. Only then would the third round begin. Each of the Nine True Inheritors would take turns battling to seize the sole Dao Scion position.
In the first two rounds, candidates with true ambition were advised to conceal their full strength. Revealing everything too early risked draining their reserves and exposing their trump cards. The rankings then determined the order of appearance in the final contest. The lower the ranking, the greater the disadvantage. One had to battle their way up, step by step.
The schedule was extremely tight, leaving almost no time for rest. Thus, the rankings of the Nine True Inheritors were critical. Anyone who landed in ninth place had almost no chance of victory because that rank required facing all eight other cultivators of the same realm one after another.
Tao Wan had prepared thoroughly for the first round, gathering a group of experts from both within and beyond the sect. For the second round, she had recruited three second-tier alchemists. But the most important among them, Huang Hezi, had defected at the last moment, which put her in a dire situation. That was why she traveled so far to seek out Luo Chen in person.
With that, Luo Chen finally had the whole picture. "The second round, you say?"
"Exactly! With your alchemy skill, I believe no other second-tier alchemist could match you!" Tao Yisheng looked at Luo Chen with respect and fervor. "If you represent my sister in the contest, you will surely secure her a high ranking."
"You certainly have a lot of confidence in me," Luo Chen said with a chuckle.
"You’ve earned it!" Tao Yisheng said firmly.
Luo Chen pursed his lips. "Since that’s the case, I’m willing to help. But first, I would like to meet your sister."
"My sister is in the city. You can meet her tomorrow."
"Good." Luo Chen nodded. "Then tomorrow it is."
At this point, there was no need for pretense. Everything lay in the open. What followed would be negotiation.
Not everyone was like Wang Yuan, who could ask Luo Chen to concoct pills for free. Since Tao Wan was determined to claim the title, she would have to offer something substantial. After all, recruiting a master-level second-tier alchemist was no easy feat!
***
"Is it settled?" asked Tao Wan.
"Yes. He’ll meet us tomorrow."
When she heard her younger brother’s reply, Tao Wan, who had just returned from Tantai Jin’s cave residence, gave a slight nod.
Tao Yisheng remarked, "It’s only been a few months, but Luo Chen’s alchemy skills seem to have improved again."
He couldn’t help but praise Luo Chen once more. "Big Sister, Luo Chen’s alchemy may seem a bit unconventional, like it lacks a proper system. But his fundamentals are incredibly solid, and he can draw upon all sorts of pill methods with ease. Someone like him will definitely help you secure a strong placement!"
Tao Wan gave a soft acknowledgement but said nothing more. She had heard this sort of praise many times, and she understood her younger brother’s intent. It was simply his way to contribute by introducing his friend when he himself couldn’t offer help. That, in itself, counted as a sincere effort.
If this had been earlier, she would have dismissed it without hesitation. Yet after meeting Tantai Jin, whose every word carried respect for Luo Chen, she had begun to view him differently.
It seems that you really have something remarkable about you. Well, you’ve put on airs long enough. I’m curious just how big your appetite really is, Tao Wan thought, her eyes narrowing slightly as scenes from her two prior encounters with Luo Chen replayed in her mind.
***
The next morning, only a man and a woman remained in the quiet chamber of Cave Residence Bing Five. Everyone else had been dismissed.
Tao Wan sat with perfect posture, her gaze steady on the man across from her. She felt surprised, not by his appearance but by his presence. He no longer looked wary and cautious as he had during their first meeting, nor high-spirited as he had been during their second encounter in Icewave Palace. Now, Luo Chen appeared composed, and every inch of him carried unshakable poise. That composure could only come from real confidence, and such confidence could only be born of strength.
Such a bearing seemed entirely out of place on a mere rogue cultivator. Most rogue cultivators spent their lives scrambling for resources; their faces looked weathered and spirits weary. Only those raised within powerful sects, shielded from worldly struggle, had the leisure to cultivate this calm elegance.