An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Three days later, at Xiao Huan Mountain inside the Grand Universe Hall. This hall served as the Duan family’s main gathering place for major events, meetings, and ancestral rituals. During the recent battle, much of Xiao Huan Mountain’s architecture had been severely damaged.

The second-tier Explosive Ape had been the main cause of the destruction. However, the Grand Universe Hall, the most prominent structure, remained completely intact due to its construction materials, which included various artifact-forging metal ores that made it extremely durable.

At this moment, nine ninth-stage Qi-Refining cultivators had already assembled in the hall. They were waiting for President Luo Chen to arrive before commencing the post-battle summary meeting.

Hu......

A gentle breeze swept through the hall. As the wind passed, Luo Chen landed gracefully. All eyes immediately turned to him.

As usual, Luo Chen walked toward the main seat.

Upon reaching it, he waved his hand. A surge of spirit power flowed forth, cleansing the already spotless grand seat once more. Seeing this, those gathered below were momentarily stunned.

Since when did the president become so obsessed with cleanliness?

Hadn’t they already cleaned it? Why was he casting Cleanse again?

Ignoring their curiosity, Luo Chen sat down with an imposing presence. ”Let’s begin!”

The first to report was Murong Qinglian. She oversaw the Merit Hall, which managed personnel matters. Given the heavy casualties in this battle, this was the highest priority.

”Including the President, Luo Tian Society sent a total of sixty-two members into battle.

”Elder Duan is currently unconscious, and Hall Leader Wang has disappeared without a trace. Ten late stage Qi-Refining cultivators were killed, seventeen mid-stage cultivators were killed as well, and another ten were seriously injured.

”Minor injuries are not included, as most of those affected are recovering from consuming Blood-Burning pills.”

Hearing this, Luo Chen felt his heart sink slightly. The casualties had exceeded half of their forces. This confirmed that the decision he had made earlier had been correct.

Had he not personally stepped in at the final moment to stabilize the situation, even if Luo Tian Society had defeated the Duan family, they would have been besieged by rogue cultivators. They would have suffered a pyrrhic victory, one too costly to bear.

”As for the Duan family, aside from a few cultivators stationed outside their external properties, they were nearly wiped out.

”Duan Qiankun’s body is missing, while Duan Rui’s corpse has been strung up outside as a warning. Forty-five mortals survived. Among them, five were cultivators whose cultivation was crippled by Elder Qin.”

After reading out the report, Murong Qinglian raised her head and looked at Luo Chen.

”Now, we need to address the issue of post-battle compensation and how to handle the remaining Duan family cultivators who are still at large.”

Luo Chen pondered for a moment before speaking directly: ”For compensation, follow the previous guidelines. You can discuss the details with Huiniang later.

”As for the remnants of the Duan family, just keep them imprisoned for now. There’s no need to deal with them, let Duan Feng decide when he wakes up.”

Murong Qinglian nodded. There was precedent for this, so it would not be difficult to handle.

As for the matter that followed, it could not be rushed. At present, what Luo Tian Society needed most was to recover and rebuild; it was not the time for further conflict.

Moreover, Duan Feng’s feelings had to be taken into account. Now that his great revenge had been fulfilled, whether he chose to completely eradicate the remnants of the Duan family or show mercy was a decision only he could make.

”What about Hall Leader Wang?”

Luo Chen tapped the armrest of his seat and said calmly, “He’s fine, just injured and needs time to recuperate.”

The Blood Fiend Seizing Array was built upon the core essence of the Heavenly Spirit Seizing Array. It was not something that could be mastered overnight.

Hearing that Wang Yuan was safe, everyone in the hall sighed in relief.

Wang Yuan’s combat prowess had already been proven in battle after battle, earning everyone’s respect.

Especially during the Battle of Xiao Huan Mountain facing off directly against a Foundation Establishment Initiate, he was nothing short of a battle god. His survival meant that Luo Tian Society still had a pillar of strength to rely on!

Of course, the one seated at the highest position was an even greater source of strength. Now, throughout Luo Tian Society and across Dahe Market, there was no longer anyone who dared to underestimate Luo Chen’s power.

”As for the spoils of war, they primarily consist of the wealth left behind by Duan family cultivators, various artifact-forging ores, unfinished enchanted artifacts, and a Giant Bear Puppet comparable to Perfected Mastery of Qi-Refining.

”Additionally, a library pavilion in the back mountain remains completely intact.

”Upon inventorying, we found five first-tier techniques, three transcribed second-tier techniques, seventeen spell manuals, over ten travel logs and biographies, and twenty-one books detailing insights on Qi-Refining, Foundation Establishment, and artifact forging.”

Hearing this, Luo Chen raised an eyebrow.

As expected of a family with a three-hundred-year lineage, their library was incredibly rich. Even second-tier techniques and Foundation Establishment insights were among the collection!

”Station guards at the library pavilion and integrate Luo Tian Society’s own collection into it in the future.”

Luo Chen looked at the assembled cultivators and spoke slowly: ”For this battle’s contributions, raise the reward standards. Except for second-tier techniques and Foundation Establishment insights, all other rewards will be fully available for exchange by our cultivators.

”Additionally, any loot obtained individually during the battle belongs to the one who seized it.”

”No one is allowed to demand tributes from low-tier members!”

His last statement carried a stern warning. The nine grand cultivators in the hall all nodded in agreement.

Murong Qinglian continued reporting on additional spoils of war. When it came to the number of spirit stones, the entire hall was shocked.

”A grand Foundation Establishment Family, one primarily focused on artifact forging, yet they only had thirty thousand spirit stones left?”

”That was absurdly little.”

”Unbelievable!”

Luo Chen, however, was not surprised.

From Duan Feng, he had learned that the Duan family had spent a vast amount of spirit stones refining the Zeguo Gui Diagram, a powerful enchanted treasure. Later, in their efforts to support Duan Rui’s Foundation Establishment, they had nearly drained the family’s entire fortune.

Furthermore, Duan Qiankun, knowing that his clan would be weakened after his passing, often attended black market auctions to strengthen their forces. He purchased puppets, enchanted artifacts, and other items. In fact, a large portion of their spirit stones had been spent on buying Jade Essence Pills from Luo Tian Society.

After all, cultivation and defensive measures were the foundation of everything.

Thirty thousand spirit stones seemed like a meager sum. But considering the Duan family’s deep heritage, it was impressive that they had managed to sustain themselves despite such heavy expenditures.

The real wealth left behind by the Duan family was Xiao Huan Mountain itself!

Luo Chen was not the only one who recognized this.

Soon, Sima Huiniang spoke up. ”President, we have a question. Should we relocate our headquarters to Xiao Huan Mountain?”

At this question, all eyes turned toward Luo Chen. It was no surprise that they were so concerned. Although the restrictions on Dahe Market’s spirit veins had been lifted, making the outer city rich in spirit energy, the spirit density was only comparable to what the inner city had before. This was sufficient for ordinary Qi-Refining cultivators, but for ninth-stage Qi-Refining cultivators, the effects were lacking.

However, Xiao Huan Mountain was different! This land had always been rich in spirit energy! Beneath it lay a small spirit vein, and above it, the Ice-Fire Spirit Spring—a true land of fortune.

If not for these factors, it would never have produced three Foundation Establishment cultivators in just three centuries! If they relocated headquarters here, they could all benefit from this ideal cultivation environment.

Faced with Sima Huiniang’s proposal and the expectant gazes of his senior members,

Luo Chen pondered for a moment before delivering the decision he had long prepared. ”Move!”

Everyone’s faces lit up with joy.

But Luo Chen spoke again. ”But not entirely.”

Looking at everyone, Luo Chen spoke slowly: ”We’ve operated in Crescent Moon Valley for a long time. We can’t abandon it so easily.

”The fall of Fu Family Fort already benefited the rogue cultivators of Dahe Market greatly. We must not repeat that mistake. Therefore, while our headquarters will move to Xiao Huan Mountain, we must still leave some cultivators stationed at Crescent Moon Valley.”

Sima Huiniang hesitated. “But wouldn’t the cultivators left behind be dissatisfied?”

”No!” Luo Chen waved his hand decisively and said, “Not long ago, I discovered a branch of a spirit vein beneath Crescent Moon Valley.”

At these words, the entire hall was stunned.

Was there such a fortunate find?

However, Gu Caiyi’s expression was skeptical. Did he really just discover it recently?

She recalled how Luo Chen frequently stayed overnight in Crescent Moon Valley.

”As long as we activate that branch vein and combine it with the spirit energy leaking from the inner city, Crescent Moon Valley will become a decent cultivation site.” Luo Chen spoke confidently.

He even proposed a structured plan where late stage Qi-Refining cultivators would rotate between both locations at regular intervals.

The meeting continued.

Luo Chen split the Alchemy Hall into two separate divisions.

The Alchemy Hall in Crescent Moon Valley would be fully relocated to Xiao Huan Mountain. The vacant space in Crescent Moon Valley would become the Medicine Hall, responsible for cultivating spirit plants.

Meanwhile, at Xiao Huan Mountain, a new Artifact Hall division would be established. Once Duan Feng recovered, recruitment for Artifact Hall would begin.

Moreover, Luo Chen instructed Sima Huiniang to begin an open recruitment process for rogue cultivators in Dahe Market.

”Only late stage Qi-Refining cultivators! And their backgrounds must be relatively clean.

”This is to compensate for the shortage of Battle Hall members. Any former members of the Poshan Gang will be given priority.

”The pay doesn’t need to be high just match the standard rate for late stage Qi-Refining cultivators in Dahe Market.

”A ten-year contract will be set. After ten years, they will be evaluated based on merit, peer reviews, and cultivation progress. If they qualify, they will receive higher pay.

”Veteran cultivators who survived this battle will automatically receive superior status.”

Each statement was clear and well-structured.

Not only would this strengthen Luo Tian Society, but it also laid out a path for the future.

Most importantly, it provided all cultivators with a clear path for advancement.

Sima Huiniang listened attentively. As the Director, this was precisely her responsibility. She not only had to consolidate the many miscellaneous affairs within the organization but also ensure that every instruction from Luo Chen was implemented thoroughly.

The meeting lasted a long time. It wasn’t just Sima Huiniang and Murong Qinglian who had matters to discuss. Several other high-ranking members also had reports to present.

It wasn’t until the early hours of the next day that the present and future plans of Luo Tian Society were finally settled.

By the end of the night, Granny Yuan, the oldest among them, had already left early. She was advanced in age and had sustained serious injuries during the battle at Xiao Huan Mountain.

The only reason she had endured this long was that Luo Chen had entrusted her with the newly established Medicine Hall.

From this moment onward, she was no longer the Deputy Hall Leader of Alchemy Hall but the Hall Leader of Medicine Hall. The resources she could now access were far greater than before.

As the spring sun rose, Luo Chen led his people out of the Grand Universe Hall.

This meeting was not yet over!