Inside the Qin Flower River Water Mansion.
Luo Chen was looking at Li Jinhuang.
The corpulent man was sitting cross-legged, his complexion pallid and desiccated.
The wide robe that used to fit him now hung loosely on his skeletal frame, adding to his hollow appearance.
Was this the state of a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator nearing life’s end?
The ordinary cultivators may not realize it.
However, with Luo Chen’s keen eyesight and sharp spirit consciousness, he could clearly perceive the vital energy ebbing away from him.
Could not hold on anymore!
The already declining Dao foundation could no longer maintain a cultivator’s vital energy.
His body at the moment was akin to a sieve, with his essence and vigor leaking continuously.
In the face of Luo Chen’s scrutiny, Li Jinhuang seemed very calm.
He had made no attempt to conceal his current state, candidly revealing everything to Luo Chen.
It was a gesture of goodwill!
This could allow Luo Chen to fully understand the situation a Foundation Establishment Cultivator faced during the final stage of their life.
If Luo Chen found himself in a similar predicament one day, he might be able to take countermeasures in advance.
Or one could say, this gesture of goodwill had been ongoing ever since the Qin Flower River Li family and Luo Tian Creed on Danxia Peak formed an alliance.
His own granddaughter had been married into Danxia Mountain.
He offered quota for Foundation Establishment Pills!
Luo Chen resolved the issue with Tongyou Pills on his behalf.
Even when nearing the end of his life, he continued to radiate his final lingering light.
Luo Chen could understand his thoughts. It was nothing more than hoping that after his passing, Luo Chen could take good care of the Li family.
After a while, Luo Chen shifted his gaze.
"Friend, your invitation for me to come here must not be just for this, right?"
Li Jinhuang opened his mouth, his voice was hoarse and muddled.
"What I seek, you should be well aware."
"At this moment, the Li Family is at its most vulnerable. As soon as I fall, the wolves lurking around, may just pounce and tear this piece of fatty meat that is the Li family."
"It would be a disaster, and I wouldn’t be able to rest in peace!"
Luo Chen frowned slightly, "With my Luo Tian Creed’s protection, the enemies of the Li family ought not to act rashly, right?"
Li Jinhuang gave a wretched smile, "But some of them, were not enemies to begin with!"
Luo Chen was puzzled.
Soon, with Li Jinhuang’s explanation, he came to know who those non-enemies were.
Dan Yuan Sect!
Upon hearing this name, Luo Chen was a bit startled.
The Dan Yuan Sect was one of the main competitors they had faced when Luo Tian Creed first tried to break into the lower-rank elixir market in Tianlan Immortal City.
Aside from their insignificant elixirs, their Origin Nourishing Pill held a decent market share.
However, as Luo Tian Creed and the Zheng family continued to compete, the Dan Yuan Sect gradually fell behind.
Their Origin Nourishing Pill was indeed effective but its high price, and their refusal to lower it, led to decreased sales.
Only a handful of loyal customers continued to purchase.
To be honest, Luo Chen didn’t pay much attention to Dan Yuan Sect anymore.
Their elixirs had no competitive edge and they only had a middle stage Foundation Establishment old cultivator within their ranks.
Moreover!
The Qin Flower River Li family, also used to sell first order cultivation elixirs in the past.
"Aren’t they your Li family’s long-standing competitors?"
Li Jinhuang shook his head slowly, saying: "They are competitors, but also partners."
"Dan Yuan Sect’s Origin Nourishing Pill requires a main ingredient that only my Qin Flower River Li family extensively cultivates in Tianlan Immortal City. We formed a partnership before the previous sect leader of Dan Yuan Sect passed away."
"Because the main ingredient is controlled by my Li family, that’s why the price of their Origin Nourishing Pills can’t come down."
Luo Chen finally understood.
"So, you’re saying that once you’re gone, Dan Yuan Sect won’t be able to hold back their hands?"
"Yes, who would want their lifeblood grasped in someone else’s hands!"
The current sect leader of Dan Yuan Sect’s name was unattainable.
Many years ago, he was honorably given the Daoist name —— Dan Yuanzi, due to his superb Pill Technique.
It was coincidently somewhat similar to the Daoist name, Dan Chenzi, Luo Chen commonly used during the Dahefang period.
What if he wanted to deal with the Li family?
"What is his specific realm?" Luo Chen asked.
"One level below me, Fourth Level Foundation Establishment," Li Jinhuang immediately replied.
Finding out that Dan Yuanzi was of this realm, Luo Chen felt more assured.
"No problem!"
"When the time comes, I will make a move!"
"You?" Li Jinhuang seemed half-sceptical.
It was not that he distrusted Luo Chen, but rather because of the latter’s Early Stage Foundation Establishment state.
In his skepticism, Luo Chen invoked the Spiritual Secrets.
A powerful spirit power fluctuation gradually spread.
Its momentum was as sharp as Li Jinhuang at his peak!
In fact, there was a faint sign of surpassing him!
Li Jinhuang’s eyes widened, "When did you reach the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment?"
"Just in these few days."
Luo Chen spoke in a calm tone, his words imbued with immense confidence.
Protecting the Li family was not only because of Li Jinhuang’s continuous gestures of goodwill over the years.
It was also because the Li family could bring tremendous benefits to the Luo Tian Creed!
Although the Li family was known as an elixir lineage, the income generated from their elixirs was just a small part.
Their main source of wealth lay in the medicine business.
When Luo Tian Creed’s Jade Marrow Pill first entered the market, it gave a huge blow to the other competitors.
The Zheng family benefited from this.
The least affected was the Qin Flower River Li family!
For it was not the elixirs they mainly dealt in.
Their medicine business was so lucrative that even Luo Chen coveted it.
Upholding the principles and promise, Luo Chen would not seize the Li family’s medicine business after Li Jinhuang’s demise.
However, Luo Tian Creed could form a deep cooperation with the Li family to enhance and expand their medicine business, and draw a portion of the profits from it.