Chapter 51 - 51: Calamity Cultivator? Home Cultivator!!
“Calamity Cultivator” sounds like a grandiose term.
In reality, it refers to the dirty business of robbery, murder, and looting.
Luo Chen does not fancy being a calamity cultivator. Although he has dabbled in such activities, it was only for self-preservation.
He would rather be a “Homebody Cultivator”, staying at home and steadily progressing in his cultivation.
The changes in The Great River District seem to have no effect on Luo Chen, the homebody cultivator.
He still spends his days at home, refining pills and cultivating his qi, practicing techniques.
However, the return of his neighbours, the couple Qin Liangchen, has greatly impacted his life.
In a positive way.
Perhaps because of his upcoming mortal combat, Qin Liangchen has been visiting the Broken Mountain Gang headquarters often to practice his magic tools and strengthen his abilities.
When he returns home, he is usually exhausted.
Yet, whenever he sees Luo Chen practicing his Attraction Technique or Wind Riding Technique in the courtyard, he always offers advice without hesitation.
Until now, Luo Chen has been practicing techniques purely through repetitive training.
It’s a state of knowing what is right without knowing why.
The Technique Secret Manual he bought from Wang Yuan had no annotations by experts. It was a pure copy, even the handwriting was uneven, making him wonder if the person who copied it was even educated.
Only after reaching a higher proficiency level, the situation would change.
But under the guidance of Qin Liangchen, a ninth-level qi refinement cultivator, Luo Chen often has some insights. When he applies the techniques again, it feels like he has cleared an obstacle and reached a new level.
Under these conditions, Luo Chen’s proficiency in techniques improved rapidly.
In just a few days, his beginner-level Wind Riding Technique advanced to the mastery level.
While Qin Liangchen praised him for his sharp intellect, Luo Chen felt it was indeed different to have a teacher’s guidance rather than cultivating alone.
It turns out, proficiency isn’t only improved through constant practice.
The guidance from an expert lets him learn more.
Now, half a month later, he has achieved Grandmaster Level in the Carefree Wandering technique and Mastery Level in the Wind Riding Technique.
The combination of the two gives him wings.
Luo Chen’s short-distance linear flight speed is now equal to that of a late-stage qi refinement cultivator.
If he used a flying magic tool like the Lotus Leaf Flying Disc, no one could catch up to him.
And his acrobatics in mid-air were even better!
Qin Liangchen made time to spar with him.
In situations where only magic tools were used, unless the Thunderbolt Strike was effective, subsequent attacks would not hit Luo Chen.
He’s really too “slippery”!
Like a fish in the water, a rabbit on the ground, an eagle in the sky, he couldn’t be caught.
After the spar, Qin Liangchen even jokingly said: “If it wasn’t for your low cultivation level and lack of strong attack methods, I would have asked Old Mi to let you compete.”
Strong attack methods?
Luo Chen has them!
The Soul Breaking Nail, the Jade Sword, coupled with the Beaming Fireflies derived from his Grandmaster Level Fireball Technique.
Luo Chen is confident that with this combination, the fifth or sixth level qi refinement cultivators would not be his match.
If a late-stage qi refinement cultivator didn’t have a good Defensive Magic Tool, he wouldn’t mind a fight either.
Of course, he would never be so bold as to tell all this to Qin Liangchen.
Are you kidding me? All the combatants in the Eighteen Death Duels are Ninth-Level Qi Refinement Cultivators.
Who doesn’t have a little adventure? Or a trump card?
Perhaps at that time, the magic tools flying around the arena would all be of the Ascendant Grade.
If he were to go on stage, wouldn’t that be asking for trouble?
Isn’t it good enough to refine pills in peace, earn Spirit Stones, and then buy elixirs for cultivation?
Us homebody cultivators aim for a tranquil life, away from worldly strife!
Early in the morning!
Luo Chen packed a large number of jade bottles into his storage bag and prepared to go out.
It’s the day of the monthly fair. Even if some raw materials are not used up, he can’t miss this business opportunity.
When he reached the door, he saw his neighbour Murong Qinglian lighting a furnace in her yard.
She was burning Green Steel Wood!
This stuff is rich in oil. A common earthen stove can’t handle it.
Luo Chen was also burning Green Steel Wood in a fire pit fitted with insulative bricks, a particular type of firewood specially for Pill Refinement.
Seeing this, he turned surprised, “Oh? Sister-in-law, what delicious dishes are you preparing?”
Murong Qinglian dusted off her hands, swept back her hair, and smiled, “Isn’t your Big Brother Qin about to go to battle? I have purchased two pounds of Blood Evil Qi Tiger bone known for increasing blood qi. I’m preparing to make a nourishing soup for him.”
Blood Evil Qi Tiger was a Second Order Demon Beast!
The beast’s bones could significantly enhance a cultivator’s blood qi.
For a Body Refiner, the bones could be regarded as a panacea!
Upon hearing this, Luo Chen then understood why she was cooking the soup here and not in the kitchen.
Indeed, a Second Order Spirit Material couldn’t be refined in a short time with common fire from an earthen stove.
Seeing the tender, gentle smile on Murong Qinglian’s face, Luo Chen hesitated before asking, “Sister-in-law, have you ever tried to dissuade Big Brother Qin from participating in that fatal duel?”
“He didn’t listen.”
“Ah.”
“Gang Leader Mi has not only been kind to him but has also treated him so well. Now that Gang Leader Mi is in trouble and he can help, there’s no way he will just stand by and do nothing.”
“Aren’t you worried with it?”
Murong Qinglian revealed a melancholy and bitter expression she had never shown in these past few days.
“Worried? How could I not be. But he’s stubborn. Once he decides on something, nine bulls couldn’t drag him back.”
“All I can do is silently support and have faith that he would persist.”
Hearing these words, Luo Chen fell silent.
Not until he left the courtyard, passed through the intricate narrow lanes to the bustling main street, did he manage to come to his senses.
In the dog-eat-dog world of Immortal Cultivation, could love that makes one’s heart tremble exist?
In this life, will I ever meet such a woman who would support me unconditionally?
No answers.
Luo Chen didn’t want to delve into it either.
When he came back to his senses, he noted the bustling streets and felt slightly dazed.
“Did I wake up late?”
“Not at all!”
“Why are there so many people outside even though it’s still dark?”
By the time he arrived at the south city market for rogue cultivators, an old man and a young girl were already bustling about at their green stone stall.
Upon seeing the young girl, Luo Chen couldn’t help but ask.
“Friend Chen, is this your granddaughter?”
Elder Chen was not a loner. Luo Chen had always known this.
He had been married when he was young, who passed away later before he moved to The Great River District with his son.
His son later married and had a daughter.
However, an unfortunate incident occurred when they both died while hunting for Demon Beasts in the mountains.
Since then, Elder Chen has been taking care of his granddaughter.
Elder Chen had been thrifty all these years, even for half a spirit stone, with the aim of amassing a fortune to send his granddaughter to a Sect.
Due to his granddaughter, he was always cautious in doing things. Last time when the Outer City gangs went into a turf war, he moved into the Inner City reluctantly, fearing that his granddaughter might face some accident in the Outer City.
When Luo Chen asked the question, Elder Chen hadn’t spoken yet when a beautiful young girl laughed.
“You must be Brother Luo Chen!”
“I’m Shuyi. Grandfather often talks about you, saying that you owe him fifty spirit stones and have not paid him back yet.”
Luo Chen was initially delighted to hear the sweet “Brother Luo Chen”, but the latter part left him rather embarrassed.
“The moment I earn the Spirit Stones, I’ll pay it back, definitely!”
Elder Chen next to him blew his beard and glowered, “As if anyone would believe you!”
Luo Chen merely chuckled and said nothing.
Elder Chen’s fifty spirit stones debt could really be settled at any time now.
He didn’t pay earlier only because of his habit of expanding production, trying to buy as many raw materials as possible each time, aiming to increase mastery.
Today being confronted with this matter by his granddaughter indeed made him feel a slight pinch, despite being thick-skinned.
He planned to pay off the spirit stones once he sold all the elixirs on hand.
Looking at the occupied green stone stall, Luo Chen was a bit troubled.. Where should he put his elixirs?