Chapter 1110: Surprised Alchemists

Chapter 1110: The Surprised Lian Dan Shi

Search! Keep searching for me!

In Youdu Ba Chong Tian, such cold reprimands echoed frequently.

Ku Yue, those under Ku Yue like Yue Shan, and the eight princes were all furious like thunder. They had dispatched so many people, all in the Huang Jing realm, and searched all night, yet they couldn't find a trace of Ye Chen.

As a result, more and more cultivators flew out of Youdu, including those at the peak of the Huang Jing realm, and there were also strong ones guarding the Youdu city gates. As soon as Ye Chen appeared, he would be captured immediately.

How utterly reckless!

In Youdu Jiu Chong Tian, Ruo Tian Zhuque was also furious. The Huang Jing peak experts were only mobilized during wars, yet Ku Yue and his group were frequently using them to chase a Tian Jing cultivator, blatantly ignoring the Youdu laws.

Withdrawing his gaze, Ruo Tian Zhuque turned his attention to Youdu San Chong Tian.

Ku Yue and his group's actions were quite noisy, but the Dan Fu established by Ye Chen was also bustling.

Looking from afar, the Dan Fu Ling Mountain still had incredibly long lines. Some carried Shou Huo, some carried Di Huo, and some carried Zhen Huo. What they all had in common was that they were without exception Lian Dan Shi, and upon closer count, there were nearly ten thousand of them, ranging from first-tier to fifth-tier.

Naturally, different tiers meant different treatments.

Ye Chen had made very detailed divisions, splitting the Dan Fu Ling Mountain into three layers: the outer gate Dan Fu, the middle gate Dan Fu, and the inner gate Dan Fu. Those with Shou Huo were in the outer gate, those with Di Huo in the middle gate, and those with Zhen Huo in the inner gate. Their annual salaries were also divided into upper, middle, and lower tiers.

I have property now!

I have property now!

In the Dan Fu Ling Mountain, the most commonly heard words were these. They were mostly low-tier Lian Dan Shi, excitedly holding their property tokens, with many already gathering in groups of three or five to check out their new homes.

As for the properties, they were naturally within the Dan Fu Ling Mountain.

This Dan Fu Ling Mountain was comparable to half of the Hengyue Zong, with a sizable area that included many small spatial worlds, capable of accommodating thirty to fifty thousand people without issue.

Outside the Dan Fu Ling Mountain, groups of three or five kept arriving, all fifth-tier Lian Dan Shi from the Youdu Ling Dan Ge, coming after hearing the rumors to take a look.

"The Dan Fu is sincerely recruiting Lian Dan Shi, whether low-tier or high-tier. All are welcome, with properties provided and annual salaries guaranteed."

The words imprinted on the memory crystals continued to echo endlessly throughout the Dan Fu Ling Mountain.

"What on earth is this?"

The Lian Dan Shi from Ling Dan Ge looked a bit strange, and listening to those words left a sour feeling in their hearts.

It wasn't surprising they felt this way, as getting into Ling Dan Ge required passing through layers of Lian Dan selections, involving immense hardship and tears, before enjoying treatments that ordinary people couldn't.

Now, the Dan Fu's treatments were no weaker than Ling Dan Ge's, and they were available to any Lian Dan Shi. Compared to the hard-earned benefits they had fought for, the Dan Fu was giving them away for free, so how could they feel balanced?

"A bunch of wastes, how can they compare to us?"

As they thought about it, many of them spoke out in resentment.

"Truly, birds of a feather flock together."

"Free handouts won't last forever."

"What if we also get a property from the Dan Fu?" someone asked, stroking their chin. "After all, it's free."

"Do you think the Dan Fu owner is a fool? Would they let you take property and salaries for nothing?" someone snorted coldly. "Unless you don't work for them, no one gives benefits without expecting something in return. You'd have to leave Ling Dan Ge and join the Dan Fu."

"Leave Ling Dan Ge? That's a joke. Working with a bunch of wastes, what future is there? It's much more secure following Ku Yue Zhen Ren."

"But I don't think that way." Someone spoke weakly. "I've been in Ling Dan Ge for thirty years and have never even seen Ku Yue Zhen Ren, let alone his disciples. They're all high and mighty, just exploiting and oppressing us for Lian Dan work. If we make the slightest mistake, they deduct our salaries. They've never truly looked at us or taught us Lian Dan techniques. They only treat us as tools for refining pills. I see no future in that."

As soon as these words were spoken, they resonated with many present, and for a moment, the crowd fell silent.

To outsiders, they appeared glamorous, but only they knew their true situation: refining pills day and night like puppets, constantly exploited, treated worse than animals.

"Let's wait and see first." After a while, someone spoke up. "If the Dan Fu truly treats Lian Dan Shi well, it's not impossible for us to switch allegiance."

"That makes sense." Someone else stroked his chin. "Honestly, I have a feeling that this Dan Fu might have more potential than Ling Dan Ge. Buying such a massive Ling Mountain, giving away properties, and providing annual salaries—if you think about it, the owner must be extraordinary."

"Alright, let's decide on that. We'll observe for now, and if the Dan Fu is fair, we'll come together."

With that, the crowd glanced at the Dan Fu Ling Mountain one last time before turning and leaving.

At the top of the mountain peak, Ye Chen took in the entire scene and could easily guess the Lian Dan Shi's concerns.

"It seems Ling Dan Ge is even more corrupt than I imagined."

"For us, this should be a good thing."

Nian Wei smiled lightly.

"Treating Lian Dan Shi as mere tools for refining pills, Ling Dan Ge will eventually incite widespread resentment." Mu Wanqing sneered. "It won't be long before people abandon Ling Dan Ge and join the Dan Fu. Once the Dan Fu has the capital to confront Ling Dan Ge directly, the Zhuque family's troubles will be resolved."

"In that case, it's all about winning hearts."

Ye Chen chuckled.

"Hearts aligned, the will of the people—right, Sheng Zhu?"

Nian Wei turned her head with a charming smile, looking at Ye Chen, her beautiful eyes misty and entranced. In the past, Ye Chen had unified Yanhuang, Nanchu, and Dachu, not just with strength, but with the support of the people's will.

Ye Chen smiled but didn't speak.

Seeing Nian Wei and Ye Chen like this, Mu Wanqing scratched her head, decided not to ask, and turned to go down the mountain to guard Xie Yun in the small world.

Not long after, Nian Wei also descended the mountain, heading to Youdu Jiu Chong Tian to find Ruo Tian Zhuque. Whether there was business or not, she'd give the old ancestor a shoulder massage or back rub, and maybe borrow some money along the way to ease Ye Chen's burdens.

Ye Chen remained standing at the peak, overlooking the entire Dan Fu Ling Mountain.

The Dan Fu Ling Mountain was extraordinarily lively, with the Lian Dan Shi who had joined the Dan Fu wandering in groups, all being Lian Dan Shi, so they had plenty to discuss, and many gathered to exchange Lian Dan insights.

Meanwhile, Nian Wei's personal guards began their actions, activating all the hidden formations and mountain-protecting barriers, blocking any outside scrutiny and completely isolating the Dan Fu Ling Mountain from the outside world.

Until nightfall, the Lian Dan Shi who had joined the Dan Fu were collectively summoned to a great hall, standing in neat rows.

Ye Chen, cloaked in black robes, appeared and stepped onto the high platform.

His arrival drew the gaze of nearly ten thousand Lian Dan Shi. They had always been curious about the Dan Fu owner's identity. They didn't know who Ye Chen was, but they were grateful to him.

"Welcome to the Dan Fu. From today onward, the Dan Fu is your home, and everyone here is family."

Under the watchful eyes of all, Ye Chen spoke, his words carrying a warm smile.

"Home?"

The word "home" from Ye Chen made many hearts tremble. For how many years had they been striving for a mere ten-zhang-square home? Hearing it now, they felt an inexplicable bitterness.

"If we don't meet your expectations, senior, will we be driven out of the Dan Fu?"

Someone asked weakly.

"Since we're family, how could we speak of driving anyone away?"

Ye Chen smiled.

"Then, how many pills do we have to supply to the Dan Fu every day?"

Another person asked quietly.

"The Dan Fu isn't like Ling Dan Ge, and you aren't tools for refining pills."

Ye Chen laughed.

"Then why did you recruit us, senior?"

"To cultivate you."

"Cultivate?"

Everyone was stunned.

"From this moment, the Dan Fu will be isolated from the outside world for a long time."

Ye Chen spoke leisurely. "I will impart all my Lian Dan techniques to you, and your task is to improve your own Lian Dan skills. None of you are wastes; you just lack an opportunity. The Dan Fu is a paradise for Lian Dan Shi."

"This..."

The Lian Dan Shi were dumbfounded, the happiness coming so suddenly that it made their heads spin. They didn't have to toil daily refining pills, and on top of that, they would be taught Lian Dan techniques. Everyone found it hard to believe such a good thing existed.

"These are the first gifts I give to you all."

While everyone was still in shock, Ye Chen's voice rang out again.

"Gifts?"

The Lian Dan Shi all looked up at Ye Chen, seeing a cluster of purple flames floating in his palm, incredibly pure, making the flames within everyone's bodies tremble.

"What pure Zhen Huo."

The Lian Dan Shi's eyes shone with amazement, further confirming that Ye Chen was also a Lian Dan Shi.

"Go!"

Ye Chen smiled slightly and waved his hand, sending the purple flames out to hover above the nearly ten thousand Lian Dan Shi. The purple flames burst like fireworks, transforming into thousands of strands.

Then, each strand of purple flame chose a Lian Dan Shi and flew into their Dantian Sea.

Immediately, all the Lian Dan Shi's bodies shuddered, and they hurriedly looked inward at their Dantian Seas.

They saw that the strand of purple flame merging into their Dantian Sea had fused with their own flames.

Consequently, the Lian Dan Shi with Di Huo or Shou Huo saw their flames transform into Zhen Huo after merging with the purple flame. As for those already with Zhen Huo, their flames had advanced in grade.

This...!

Everyone was stunned, staring in disbelief at their own flames, their mouths hanging open for a long time.

Ye Chen had anticipated this scene.

The purple flames he had thrown out were illusions of the golden Xian Huo, merely changed in color. As an immortal flame, how overbearing it was—even a single strand could create Zhen Huo.

Thank you, senior!

After three or five seconds, the Lian Dan Shi snapped out of it and knelt on one knee in unison, their eyes filled with surprise and reverence.

Since we're family, no need for such formalities!

Ye Chen waved his hand, releasing a gentle force that lifted everyone up.

"Rest well today. Tomorrow, I will teach you Lian Dan techniques."