[1] Tao Wan had departed. As the leader of a sect, her responsibilities were endless. Green Pill Valley had provided her with a spirit land, aided her Core Formation, and even prepared a life-bound enchanted treasure for her in advance. Of course, all of that did not come without a price.1

Handling countless affairs on behalf of the sect was the cost she had to bear. Naturally, it consumed much of the time she could have devoted to her own cultivation. Still, gains and losses always came in balance.0

She couldn't help but envy Dan Yangzi, who now cultivated in peace and focused solely on the Dao of Alchemy. She also felt a certain sympathy for Luo Chen, who spent his days bargaining and running about to forge alliances. Without power, backing, or the protection of elders, some people were simply destined for a life of toil.1

Compared to him, her own days were far more comfortable, and perhaps that was why she occasionally looked at him with quiet admiration. Even with a sect behind her, she found the world troublesome enough. It was hard to think how much harder it must have been for Luo Chen, once a mere rogue cultivator, to reach his current heights.0

However, Luo Chen himself harbored no self-pity....0