An Alchemist's Path to Eternity-Chapter 716: A Foundation for Ten Thousand Generations; the Seven Fundamental Restrictions (I)

Chapter 716: A Foundation for Ten Thousand Generations; the Seven Fundamental Restrictions (I)

Snow Wolf Plateau stretched out like a vast plain. A massive dragon boat rested there, and its decks were blazed with lights and flowing colors. Low-tier disciples moved about with freshly prepared dishes to each table. The main course that night was... wolf!

It was the flesh of the early-stage Snow Wolf King that Fu Jiusheng had subdued and Luo Chen had slain with the Mystic Flame Sword. A faint but lingering gamy scent drifted through the grand hall. Chen Xiuli and Fairy Ruthless lifted their sleeves to cover their noses; both of them were clearly displeased by the smell.

Luo Chen, who was seated at the head, noticed this and spoke apologetically, "Forgive me. I did not expect the chefs to leave the scent. If the two of you dislike it, I will have it removed at once."

Before any of them replied, Jin Buque's hearty voice rose. "Now, now, don't rush to blame your cooks! The flesh of a demon king is steeped in demonic energy. It cannot possibly be without a scent. But a Snow Wolf King is no ordinary demon king. They absorb the essence of the sun and moon and endure the baptism of ice and snow. This meat is greatly nourishing for Adepts. Fellow Daoists, do give it a try. Once you get used to the smell, the flavor may surprise you."

Chen Xiuli hesitated for a moment before picking up a slice of meat. After a light chew, her eyes brightened. "Oh, it is different! It's unlike any demonic beast meat I have tasted before!"

Fairy Ruthless tried a slice as well. Although she still disliked the gamey scent, the taste upon chewing was truly exceptional, and her tightly knitted brows slowly relaxed.

The others had long since begun eating. Although cultivators who reached the Foundation Establishment Realm could survive extended periods without food, that did not mean they lost their appetite entirely. Spirit meals that aided cultivation were always welcomed. That was why spirit chefs were so common across the cultivation world. And this Snow Wolf King's meat was a veritable treasure!

Fei Ming said with a cheerful smile, "We must thank our friend Dan Chenzi for being so generous. When would we ever have demon king flesh to sample under ordinary circumstances?"

Luo Chen shook his head with a smile.

Meanwhile, Song Mi of the Heavenly Blade Sect tore a large piece of meat with bold enthusiasm. He displayed none of the composure of a proper cultivator. He laughed heartily and said, "Now that the Frontier War has begun, we have a rare opportunity of eating well on the eve of battle. After so many years of bitter cultivation, how can we not enjoy it? This calls for a full cup!"

The corner of Luo Chen's mouth lifted as he slowly raised his cup. "Fellow Daoist Song, you speak nothing but facts! This indeed deserves a good drink. Everyone, cheers!"

The guests in the hall raised their cups and drank together.

Luo Chen continued, "This second cup is offered on behalf of the Luo Tian Alliance—myself and Fu Jiusheng, Diwu Qi, Jiang Yu, Cen Qiusheng, and our thousands of disciples. We thank you for helping us set the foundations of this blessed land. Allow me a toast. To your health!"

Before everyone's eyes, Luo Chen drained his cup. Diwu Qi, Jiang Yu, and the others followed his lead. After the second round, and once the attendants had refilled their wine, Luo Chen rose from his seat.

"The final cup is also mine to offer. From this day onward, the Luo Tian Sect, Stormwind Manor, and the Cen family will be settling here, upon these three mountains. You are all welcome to visit whenever you have the time. You will always be friends of the Luo Tian Alliance."

Song Mi answered generously. "Good. To count a man like you as a friend is my honor. I shall drink with you!"

Fei Ming chuckled. "If I come knocking, it will be to take your spirit stones."

Luo Chen lifted his cup and laughed as well. "By all means, come and take them! This place's foundation is still unstable and urgently needs the aid of the fellow Daoists from Ailao Mountain. I was even thinking this afternoon about how to keep you here a couple more days."

Fei Ming burst into hearty laughter. The Luo Tian Alliance's plan to build a proper blessed land was far beyond the small-scale efforts on Danxia Peak. With just a casual remark, he had secured a lucrative business opportunity for Ailao Mountain.

Chen Xiuli gazed at the spirited Luo Chen with envy. She longed for such a place to cultivate, but the Chen Family of Tianyi Market did not excel in battle. They could not possibly attempt to seize any mountains blessed with natural spirit veins in the near future.

Seated nearby, Fairy Ruthless lifted her chin slightly as she looked at Luo Chen's extraordinary bearing. She remembered their first meeting vividly. His complexion could hardly have been paler, his divine soul had been injured, his cultivation unimpressive, and he only had a few subordinates. Even his cave residence at the time had been a mere low-grade second-tier one. It was only through her assistance that he had later received a top-grade one in Tianlan.

Nearly a century had passed in a blink. He had become a renowned master alchemist, and his cultivation was now equal to hers. In status, he had risen from a nobody to the founder of a new sect. Now he had even seized a third-tier spirit land through his own strength. Such a transformation was truly breathtaking.

Amid the chatter, Fairy Ruthless heard Luo Chen call, "Everyone, let's drain our cups!"

She quietly drank her spirit wine.

***

The banquet felt somewhat rushed. It was not especially grand, and it lacked any immortal songs, dances, and other such. Even so, everyone ate and drank their fill, and their faces were flushed with warmth. Whenever the conversation grew lively, laughter rolled across the hall. By dawn, the guests finally dispersed in satisfaction.

At Snow Wolf Plateau, Luo Chen warmly saw each guest off. Whether they were true friends or merely tied by profits, every one of them counted as an ally. It was especially since the Luo Tian Alliance was not yet stable

"Fellow Daoist Song, visit whenever you have time," said Luo Chen

"Certainly, certainly," replied Song Mi.

"Elder Fei, do not stand me up."

"Stand you up?"

"It means... Do not make me wait too long."

"Haha, no need to rush. I already gave you that preliminary draft. Use it to start laying the foundations. Once I return, I will send Ailao Mountain's finest spirit architects. They will build your sect's blessed land into something magnificent, like an immortal domain."

"Then I shall await your arrival!"

Luo Chen then turned to the next person. "Fellow Daoist Chen, you truly helped me this time. When you finally hold your Core Formation Ceremony, you must send me an invitation!"

"Such formalities are not urgent given the current situation. I..."

The woman hesitated; obviously, she was struggling to find the words. Luo Chen noticed her uncertainty and waited patiently.

After a long moment, Chen Xiuli shook her head. "I had hoped to secure a third-tier spirit vein for my family and wanted your help when the time came. But with the Howling Moon Mountain Range being carved up, there will be nothing left for the Chen family."