Wang Yuan was Luo Chen’s only truly reliable friend.
Even when he concocted the somewhat evil-derived Blood Ignition Pill, he let Wang Yuan be the first to find someone to test the pill’s effectiveness.
If the basis of their relationship was investigated, it could be traced back to a Fasting Elixir and a storage bag.
In a time when Wang Yuan was destitute, Luo Chen gifted him a Fasting Elixir.
And, when Luo Chen was severely injured and in possession of bountiful war spoil, Wang Yuan did not take advantage of the situation. Instead, he impulsively gave Luo Chen another Soul Breaking Nail.
The comparative worth of these two instances was clearly visible.
However, the true measure of their friendship was not something the values of these items could define.
Luo Chen had planned to run away, but he would undoubtedly need to say a few things to Wang Yuan.
Even a simple "Goodbye" would suffice!
...
After another day of pill refinement, Luo Chen sat on a cliff with the "Qingyuan Pill Explanation" in hand, drinking tea and reading.
He had prepared to quietly leave for the Jiao Hall tonight and say goodbye to Wang Yuan.
Then using the next half month, he planned to complete the refinement of the Jade Marrow Pill and build up the accumulation of Spirit Stones needed for his departure.
This way, he wouldn’t attract any attention.
When the time comes to leave, he could do so as calmly as possible.
"The only regret is that I still have a long way to go before reaching the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement. Otherwise, my self-protection would be much better."
His progress towards that breakthrough was still only at [50/100].
It would take several more months at least to reach the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement by completely purifying his Spirit Power.
Unfortunately, Luo Chen did not have that much time left.
He did not know how much time it would take for Mi Shuhua’s injuries to heal completely.
These recent days were his best chance for escape.
If he waited until Mi Shuhua recovered before escaping, the determination to recapture him would be even stronger.
Delays would lead to unpredictability!
Luo Chen sighed deeply, waiting quietly as the cultivators of the Pill Hall departed one after the other.
Suddenly, Zhou Yuanli, who had been lurking in the shadows, came forward.
"Hall Master, something’s wrong!"
Luo Chen’s heart lurched. His intentions were concealed well enough that others shouldn’t have been able to discern his desire to leave!
However, Zhou Yuanli’s next words put Luo Chen at ease.
"Something’s wrong outside!"
The stone that had just landed was once again raised in his heart.
Luo Chen looked at him with furrowed brows, "What’s wrong?"
"The two brothers who were patrolling outside are not responding."
"Hmm?"
Mi Shuhua had assigned Luo Chen five bodyguards.
On the surface, Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang, both masters at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, worked jointly to match the strength of a cultivator at the ninth level.
In private, the other three bodyguards were responsible for outpost and rearguard duties.
Normally, two of the bodyguards would patrol outside to ensure Luo Chen’s safety when he went out.
Zhou Yuanli would also keep in touch with them regularly.
Now, they had suddenly lost contact.
What did this mean?
"Not good!" Luo Chen was taken aback, "Quickly go and get Hall Master Murong and Steward Gu to come back!"
Just moments ago, the two women had left together right under his eyes.
Less than two minutes had passed since then.
What could make two good fighters at the eighth level of Qi Refinement disappear without a trace, could signify a danger that posed a threat to someone at the ninth level outside!
Zhou Yuanli hesitated, his face changing colors.
He turned around to leave, but as soon as he stepped outside, he blew a whistle.
Immediately, the many cultivators at the middle and late stages of Qi Refinement who were usually guarding Crescent Valley, emerged. There were more than twenty of them, one of whom was at the ninth level of Qi Refinement.
Luo Chen recognized this person—the only steward of the Medicine Hall, Yuan Yuejiao.
She was quite old, almost a hundred years old, usually responsible for managing the medicine field, cultivating Spirit Plants, and recently, the manufacturing of animal skin clothing.
The Spirit Plant Cultivator Yuan Dongsheng Luo Chen was familiar with, was her elder son.
Usually, she and Sikong Shou Jia took turns guarding Crescent Valley at night.
Everyone respected her and called her Granny Yuan.
"Activate the big formation!"
The solemn voice emanated from Zhou Yuanli.
"Zhou Yuanli, what are you doing?" Luo Chen squinted his eyes, staring at him intently.
"Hall Master, your safety is the top priority!"
Zhou Yuanli said modestly and assertively, and then called Dong Fangliang over with a wave of his hand.
"Go outside and check the situation. If you encounter Hall Master Murong and Steward Gu, bring them back."
Dong Fangliang looked a bit nervous. He nodded and then cautiously flew off.
Turning back, Zhou Yuanli looked at Luo Chen and Yuan Yuejiao, saying seriously: "Those two brothers are average fighters, but their concealment technique is extremely strong. The fact that we have lost contact with them most likely means that the enemy is targeting you, Hall Master."
"We must be careful in all matters!"
Luo Chen gave him a penetrating gaze and then looked at Crescent Valley.
He saw a yellowish light curtain gradually expanding and then, like an inverted bowl, slowly enveloping Crescent Valley.
This was the large-scale First Order Array, Guarding Earth Array, built on the foundation of the mountainous terrain and Earth Vein. This formation was often the primary choice for small Immortal Cultivation Clans to protect their families.
After the Pill Hall relocated to Crescent Valley, the Broken Mountain Gang set up this formation to safeguard the two main entrances. Luo Chen was fully aware of this.
Normally, the Guarding Earth Array was seldom activated as it consumed a large quantity of Spirit Stones.
To activate it once, at least a hundred Spirit Stones would be needed.
If it were to be maintained continuously, every incense stick’s worth of time would cost hundreds more Spirit Stones.
Yet, Zhou Yuanli activated it without hesitation.
This was clear evidence of Luo Chen’s high importance!
As the Array was activated, the outside world, which was already covered in the afterglow of the setting sun, appeared even more dim.
With his Spirit Vision constantly scanning the Outer World, Luo Chen waited.