Chapter 66: One Inside, One Outside, Brothers Supporting Each Other

Cultivating immortality isn't just about fighting and killing.

Realm is the foundation of everything.

The original purpose of the Broken Mountain Gang was for solitary cultivators to seek cultivation resources.

The life-or-death battles on the Daoist Platform may seem glorious, but if you ask those eighteen participants again, how many would have willingly joined?

Probably not more than a handful.

Especially for the Heart-devouring Tiger Han Dang, who had reached the peak of the Qi Condensation stage, and the River-mixing Dragon Gao Tingyuan, who had a chance to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

One died, and the other was injured, forever unable to experience the more beautiful scenery on the path of cultivation.

If given another choice, they would likely refuse without hesitation.

Of course, they would have to be able to refuse.

Because above them were Uncle Mi Hua and Wang Haichao, both at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Why did these two go to such lengths, recruiting people and bestowing supreme magical treasures, to win the life-or-death battle?

Wasn't it for their own benefit?

Those benefits were, in fact, for their own cultivation.

In a sense, this life-or-death battle was also a struggle for their own path.

It's just that they valued their lives and chose to use their subordinates' hands.

Luo Chen is now officially a member of the Broken Mountain Gang.

He certainly didn't come to fight and kill.

He wanted to rely on a big tree and cultivate properly.

But relying on a big tree also means finding the right position, so as not to be used as cannon fodder.

Therefore, after inquiring about the situation of the Broken Mountain Gang, he had already made a decision.

Late at night, Wang Yuan, with a calm face, approached Luo Chen, who had just finished practicing.

Seeing Luo Chen's breath gradually stabilize after finishing his cultivation, he nodded in approval.

"Qi Condensation Fifth Layer, it seems you haven't neglected your fundamental cultivation techniques."

Luo Chen smiled slightly.

Wang Yuan sighed, and his gaze towards Luo Chen carried a hint of envy.

"Brother Wang, what's wrong?"

Luo Chen couldn't figure out what the other person was thinking. Didn't he win today?

Not only did he gain fame in front of thousands of spectators, but he also left his name on the Young Talent List.

He was sure that people on other Daoist Platforms in the Jade Tripod Domain would notice him.

Moreover, he had gained the wealth of the Blood Dao cultivator, making a fortune.

After returning, he was rewarded for his contributions, which were on par with Qin Liangchen, and he might even have obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Could it be that...

The gang leader, Uncle Mi Hua, didn't give him the Foundation Establishment Pill, but gave it to Brother Qin instead?

For a moment, Luo Chen's thoughts raced, considering many possibilities.

Wang Yuan walked out of the room and into the courtyard.

"Through this battle, the Broken Mountain Gang has gained a lot. It has solidified its position as the top gang in the Great River Market, and it has started to get involved in the business on the Lancang River. The future development of the Broken Mountain Gang will only get better."

"Hmm."

This was to be expected, and even without Wang Yuan saying it, Luo Chen understood.

"But the losses were also significant. The deaths of the Heart-devouring Tiger, the Leaping Stream Tiger, and the Wind Forest Tiger have created three power vacuums in the Seven Tigers Hall."

"The death of Xu Renke means that among those below the Foundation Establishment stage, only I remain as a protector. The top combat strength of the Broken Mountain Gang has also diminished."

Luo Chen nodded, understanding this as well.

There were losses, but for Wang Yuan personally, shouldn't his status be even higher?

His future treatment would likely be even better.

Wang Yuan said, "Tonight, the gang leader held a meeting and established new rules. Zeng Wen has returned to the Seven Tigers Hall, forming the Combat Three Halls with Downhill Tiger Luo Wudi and Dragon Coiling Tiger Yang Wei."

"Murong Qianlian will serve as the head of the Medicine Hall."

"Ke Yue Lin will serve as the head of the Beast Hall."

"The gang leader's daughter, Mi Junping, will serve as the head of the Merit Hall, responsible for personnel and merit-related matters."

"The head of the Mining Hall has yet to be determined. In the next five days, there will be internal martial arts competitions to select a new hall head."

"The position of protector has been abolished, and four elder positions have been added. I, Qin Liangchen, Luo Wudi, and a respected senior in the gang will serve as the four elders."

A series of personnel changes were announced by Wang Yuan without any reservations.

Luo Chen listened quietly, nodding from time to time.

It seemed that the biggest beneficiaries of this battle were Brother Qin and his wife.

Originally, they only had a small business within the gang, but now one is the head of the Medicine Hall, and the other is an elder.

However, this was likely their own initiative.

Now their son, Qin Xiaohu, has joined a major sect for cultivation.

It's said that competition in major sects is intense, and if the family can provide some resources, Xiaohu can gain an advantage among his peers.

Standing out and becoming an inner disciple, or even a true disciple of the Falling Cloud Sect, is not impossible.

The couple is working hard for their son!

Zeng Wen returning to the Seven Tigers Hall was something Luo Chen hadn't expected.

That guy, doesn't he only act when he's short of spirit stones?

Now, is he deciding not to slack off?

Mi Junping?

The daughter of Uncle Mi Hua?

Now getting involved in the Merit Hall, it seems that through this battle, Uncle Mi Hua's control over the Broken Mountain Gang has deepened.

As for the open position of the Mining Hall head, it's likely to appease the discontent of the gang members.

But, elder?

Luo Chen was surprised. "The position of protector has been abolished, so Brother Wang, your status has actually decreased, right?"

Wang Yuan nodded, then shook his head.

"I don't care about that. I care about something else."

"What?"

"The gang leader has asked me to form a team to take over the Lancang waterway from the Great River Gang, a waterway leading to Mount Tai Market."

Luo Chen blinked.

What does this mean?

First, reduce status, then add the title of elder, and finally give real power, leading a new team.

For a moment, Luo Chen began to doubt the gang leader Uncle Mi Hua's various appointments.

Is he really trusting Wang Yuan's strength, or does he want to move him away from the power center of the Broken Mountain Gang, so he sends him to a completely unfamiliar waterway transportation business?

Suddenly, Luo Chen thought of the key point.

"Brother Wang, who did the gang leader give the Foundation Establishment Pill to?"

"Officially, it was given to Qin Liangchen. After all, I'm at Qi Condensation Eighth Layer, and he's at Qi Condensation Ninth Layer. His contributions in this battle were no less than mine."

"What do you mean by 'officially'?"

"Qin Liangchen lost an arm in the battle. Although the Jade Tripod Sword Sect has promised to give him a new one, whether the new arm will integrate well with his body and whether it will affect his advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage is uncertain."

Wang Yuan's gaze was deep. "So the gang leader said he would give it to Qin Liangchen after he reaches the peak of Qi Condensation. For now, he's keeping it for Qin Liangchen to prevent others from having evil intentions."

Luo Chen frowned.

So the Foundation Establishment Pill hasn't been awarded yet!

And this move is hard for outsiders to criticize.

Uncle Mi Hua is just keeping it for Qin Liangchen to protect him from others' covetous eyes, and he will give it back when Qin Liangchen reaches the peak of Qi Condensation.

But with time changes, whether the new arm will affect his cultivation, and whether he will really give it back, who can say for sure?

Glancing at Wang Yuan's deep gaze, Luo Chen suddenly understood what Wang Yuan meant by "caring about something else."

Uncle Mi Hua seems different from before!

Or perhaps, he has always been the same, just very good at hiding it.

"Do you know why I let you join the Broken Mountain Gang this time?"

The topic suddenly changed.

Luo Chen was caught off guard but thought for a moment and said, "Brother Wang, you needed help? My realm is also decent? We know each other well, so you wanted me to come and help you."

"Hmm."

Wang Yuan nodded slightly and added, "There's one more thing. Gao Tingyuan's dantian was damaged, and his qi sea was broken. He has no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. He might act out of desperation to avenge his brother and target you."

"Joining the Broken Mountain Gang might make him a bit more hesitant."

Luo Chen opened his mouth, his eyes flickering.

With his initial understanding, he hadn't seen this coming.

Thinking about it, if he were in Gao Tingyuan's situation, with no hope of advancing and the only close relative's grudge, it would be a constant worry.

"Brother Wang, thank you."

He sincerely expressed his gratitude.

Wang Yuan waved his hand. "Joining the Broken Mountain Gang, except for the former protectors, everyone must join a hall to work."

"So now, you have two choices. One is to follow me and make a living on the great rivers and seas."

"The other is to stay in one of the seven halls within the gang."

Faced with these two choices, Luo Chen blinked, already making his decision.

Wang Yuan, fearing he wouldn't understand the pros and cons, explained, "If you follow me, you won't have to worry about being bullied by gang members. It might be tough at first, but once you get used to the water work, you'll definitely earn a lot."

"If you stay in one of the halls, I might not have much say. The hall heads are all more senior than me."

"Have you made your decision?"

Luo Chen nodded firmly. "I choose to stay in the Medicine Hall among the seven halls."

"I almost forgot, Qin Liangchen and his wife are your neighbors."

Wang Yuan smiled slightly and patted Luo Chen's shoulder.

"Good, staying in the gang, you can keep an eye on things for me and let me know if anything happens."

Grinning, showing his white teeth, Luo Chen laughed. "We brothers, one inside, one outside, will work together to achieve greatness and create glory!"

(End of Chapter)