Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: A Small Celebration for Foundation Establishment
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In the middle of the twelfth lunar month, Chen Jianghe put Xiao Hei and Maoqiu into his spirit beast space, just in case someone paid him a sudden visit.
As New Year's Eve approached.
Chen Jianghe left his home and went to the Treasure Pavilion to sell the talismans he had drawn over the past four months.
Nine mid-grade ice talismans sold for thirty-eight spirit stones and twenty-five grains of spirit sand.
Adding to his previous savings, he now had one hundred and fifty-two spirit stones and seventy-five grains of spirit sand.
It seemed like a lot, but in a few days, after purchasing the necessary resources for the new year, he would have little left.
Until his success rate for drawing mid-grade talismans reached forty percent, it would be difficult for him to save up spirit stones.
He had now begun drawing other types of mid-grade attack talismans. If he only drew water arrow talismans, his talisman-crafting skills would improve too slowly.
Once his success rate for mid-grade attack talismans reached forty percent, he planned to start drawing mid-grade protective talismans.
As long as his talisman-crafting skills improved, his speed of earning spirit stones was quite fast.
Regarding Chen Jianghe coming to the Treasure Pavilion to sell talismans.
Gao Peiyao, listening to the reports from her subordinates on the fifth floor, fell into thought. If he was relying solely on his talisman-crafting, she truly didn't believe Chen Jianghe could attempt Foundation Establishment.
Chen Jianghe was six years older than her and would soon reach the age of sixty. At that point, his vitality would decline, and his chances of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment would be halved.
In other words, under the condition that all other requirements for Foundation Establishment were met.
A cultivator under sixty attempting Foundation Establishment could have a one hundred percent success rate, but after sixty, the chance dropped to only fifty percent.
Of course, if one took a Life Extension Pill, the decline in vitality could be delayed by about ten years.
However, Life Extension Pills were extremely rare and usually only appeared at auctions.
From what she knew of Chen Jianghe and her recent observations, he was not involved in alchemy.
Therefore, it was impossible for him to obtain a Life Extension Pill.
“Could it really be a fortunate coincidence? If that's the case, his limit is the ninth level of Qi Refining, plus being a high-grade Talisman Master.”
Gao Peiyao murmured to herself.
A ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator could offer her little help.
As for a high-grade Talisman Master, their status was about the same as a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator in her eyes.
At her level, she was no longer lacking in high-grade talismans or low-level cultivation resources.
“In that case, Yun Xiaoniu might be of some help to me in the future.”
—
Chen Jianghe was unaware of Gao Peiyao's attention on him over the past few months, much less that in her eyes, his hopes for Foundation Establishment were diminishing.
Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
He disliked being in the spotlight and had no taste for competition.
Acting low-key and managing things steadily was his style.
Returning to Qingping Alley, he ran into Ruan Tieniu, who was also coming back from outside. They exchanged a nod and a smile before heading to their respective homes.
There were no shared interests between them now, so they naturally didn't associate closely—just a nodding acquaintance, a smile upon meeting.
Back home, Chen Jianghe did not continue drawing talismans.
New Year's Eve was only a few days away, which was when Gao Peiyao's small celebration for her Foundation Establishment would be held. He figured Yun Xiaoniu would be arriving soon.
Sure enough.
The very next day, there was a knock on Chen Jianghe's courtyard gate.
When he opened it, it was indeed Yun Xiaoniu.
He had arrived at Qinghe Market City three days early, clearly not daring to treat Gao Peiyao's celebration lightly.
“Xiaoniu, have you started body tempering?”
Chen Jianghe sensed the icy aura on Yun Xiaoniu, which was so similar to the one Yu Daniu had possessed back then.
“I wouldn't dare hide it from you, Uncle. This nephew has indeed begun cultivating the 'Cold Pool Body Quenching Art'.”
Yun Xiaoniu said respectfully, “My mother saw that I had a lot of free time while polishing my cultivation to break through the late-stage Qi Refining bottleneck, so she proposed to the clan that I begin body tempering early and be granted the necessary resources.”
“Although this doesn't follow the clan's standard training procedure, it was approved at the clan meeting.”
Chen Jianghe nodded.
Of course, it would be approved!
Two years ago, Yun Zhonghou and Yun Zhongyong had passed away one after another. The Yun Clan now had only five elders, and Yun Huizhen's branch alone had two of them.
And Yun Xiaoqian was the great elder.
Furthermore, when Yu Daniu brought Yun Xiaoniu to meet with Gao Peiyao during the Mid-Autumn Festival, he surely would have spread the word widely within the Yun Clan.
An inner disciple of the Tiannan Sect having a close personal relationship with Yu Daniu undoubtedly increased Yu Daniu's influence within the Yun Clan.
Even the Yun Clan Ancestor and Yun Bufan would have to take it seriously.
“That's good. By cultivating a body tempering art early, you can save time during the late stage of Qi Refining, which will give you enough time to cultivate a spirit-forging art.
Your father and mother have high hopes for you. You must not let them down.”
Chen Jianghe advised him in the tone of an elder.
“Rest assured, Uncle. This nephew will cultivate diligently and will not disappoint my parents,” Yun Xiaoniu said solemnly.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe booked a superior room for Yun Xiaoniu at the Qinghe Inn. He was always generous with the younger generation.
Besides, Yun Xiaoniu wouldn't be staying in Qinghe Market City for long.
He would leave after Gao Peiyao's celebration.
After all, Yun Xiaoniu was the child in whom Yu Daniu and his wife had placed all their hopes. How could they let him stay away for too long?
This time, to ensure Yun Xiaoniu's safe arrival in Qinghe Market City, Yu Daniu and his wife had dispatched three deacons from the Yun Clan, five clan members at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and twelve late-stage Qi Refining guest guards.
The day before New Year's Eve.
Yun Xiaoniu found Chen Jianghe and asked what would be a suitable congratulatory gift for Gao Peiyao.
This question left Chen Jianghe completely stumped.
He had completely forgotten about that.
For Gao Peiyao's celebration, he naturally couldn't go empty-handed.
“Uncle, how about we buy some spirit fruits or immortal wine as gifts?”
Yun Xiaoniu could see that Chen Jianghe was inexperienced in this area, so he offered a suggestion for Chen Jianghe to decide on.
“Two first-tier, mid-grade spirit fruits are worth ten spirit stones.”
“As for supreme-grade immortal spirit wine, a pot also costs ten spirit stones.”
“At my cousin-uncle Bufan's celebration back then, most of the heads of the cultivation clans around Mirror Moon Lake gave one of these two types of gifts.”
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe nodded, feeling that such gifts were quite appropriate.
After all, they were just congratulatory gifts; one couldn't possibly give away overly precious treasures.
It was merely an accessory to social etiquette, not a burdensome and deliberately extravagant treasure.
Ultimately, it was just a token.
Ten spirit stones was a lot.
But since it was to congratulate a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a gift of too little value would be embarrassing.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe and Yun Xiaoniu found a spiritual materials shop in Qinghe Market City. Each spent ten spirit stones to buy two first-tier, mid-grade spirit fruits.
They wrapped them simply and placed them in their storage bags.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve.
Before Chen Jianghe could leave, he heard the sound of the door knocker.
He opened the courtyard gate to see.
It wasn't Yun Xiaoniu, but a cultivator in the uniform of the Treasure Pavilion. Upon seeing Chen Jianghe open the gate, he cupped his hands and spoke.
“Senior Chen, I have come on Manager Gao's orders to invite you to a banquet at the Qinghe Restaurant.”
This was a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refining, yet he respectfully addressed Chen Jianghe as 'Senior'.
Normally, cultivators from the Treasure Pavilion were extremely proud.
Even a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator wouldn't call a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator 'Senior'; they usually used 'Fellow Daoist'.
Chen Jianghe knew the man called him 'Senior' not out of respect for him, but out of respect for Gao Peiyao.
“Thank you, Fellow Daoist. I will be there shortly,” Chen Jianghe replied with a cupped-hand salute.
“I must go and notify the other seniors, so I will take my leave.”
“Please, go ahead.”
After the cultivator left, Chen Jianghe tidied up, planning to first meet up with Yun Xiaoniu at the Qinghe Inn.
After closing his gate, he ran into Yun Xiaoniu, who was coming to find him, before he had even left Qingping Alley.
The two of them immediately headed to the Qinghe Restaurant together.
Upon arriving at the Qinghe Restaurant, they were greeted outside by an attendant at the third level of Qi Refining.
They were led to the third floor.
At the entrance to the third floor, a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator from the Treasure Pavilion sat behind a mahogany desk, upon which lay a gift register.
This must be the accountant Gao Peiyao had arranged to receive the gifts.
Chen Jianghe and Yun Xiaoniu took out their gifts, handed them over, and had their names recorded.
At that moment, Chen Jianghe saw that most of the gifts listed in the register were first-tier, mid-grade spirit fruits.
A few were supreme-grade immortal spirit wine.
But under one name, a very precious gift was recorded: a Youth-Retaining Herb, valued at two hundred spirit stones.
The actual price would be even higher.
But looking at the prefix before the name, it was a disciple of the Tiannan Sect.
That would be one of Gao Peiyao's fellow disciples.
“Such a lavish gift... Could this be the norm within the sect?”
Chen Jianghe grumbled inwardly.
He then walked inside with Yun Xiaoniu.
The third floor of the Qinghe Restaurant was a single, large space, decorated with many elegant landscapes, including small bridges over flowing water, flowers, and spiritual plants.
In the water, one could even see a dozen or so spirit beast koi.
It was truly a stunning sight.
“So many people?” Yun Xiaoniu said, a little surprised.
By this time, many cultivators had already gathered. The vast majority were in the late stage of Qi Refining, but there were also several Foundation Establishment cultivators.
They were gathered in groups of three and five, talking and laughing.
But Gao Peiyao was nowhere to be seen.
“Peiyao is not just a Foundation Establishment cultivator; she is now a manager at the Treasure Pavilion. It's only natural that members of some of the clans in Qinghe Market City would come to offer their congratulations.”
Chen Jianghe wasn't surprised.
A manager of the Treasure Pavilion was equivalent to a celestial envoy sent by the Tiannan Sect to Qinghe Market City. Their status was so high that even the three Foundation Establishment Ancestors backing the market city wouldn't dare to be disrespectful.
“Senior Chen?”
A clear and pleasant voice called out.
It was that young lady, Jiang Ruxu. She came before Chen Jianghe in surprise and asked, puzzled, “Senior, are you also here to congratulate Fairy Peiyao?”
“Oh? Fellow Daoist Jiang is here too?” Chen Jianghe was also quite puzzled.
“I came with my master.”
Jiang Ruxu pointed to an old man not far away who was talking with someone.
Chen Jianghe looked over and showed a surprised expression. “Alchemist Zhuang? Your master is Alchemist Zhuang?”
“That's right. Didn't I tell you last time, Senior?” Jiang Ruxu said playfully.
“Uncle, who is this fairy?” Yun Xiaoniu asked in a low voice, looking at the lively young woman talking with Chen Jianghe.
“Fellow Daoist Jiang, allow me to make an introduction.”
Chen Jianghe pointed to Yun Xiaoniu beside him and said, “This is my nephew, Yun Xiaoniu.”
Then he turned to Yun Xiaoniu and said, “This is Fellow Daoist Jiang Ruxu, an alchemist. Her master is... do you remember Guest Elder Zhuang Yanfeng?”
Yun Xiaoniu nodded and quickly cupped his hands. “So you are Alchemist Zhuang's esteemed disciple. It's a pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Jiang.”
“Hello, Fellow Daoist Yun,” Jiang Ruxu giggled.
Just then, Alchemist Zhuang walked over, followed by a graceful young woman whose looks were slightly inferior to Jiang Ruxu's.
“Ruxu, are you talking with... Fellow Daoist... Chen?”
Alchemist Zhuang said in a somewhat uncertain tone when he saw Chen Jianghe.
“Greetings, Alchemist Zhuang. I didn't expect you to still remember me,” Chen Jianghe said with a smile and a cupped-hand salute.
“Greetings, Alchemist Zhuang,” Yun Xiaoniu also greeted with a salute.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, and this is?”
Zhuang Yanfeng had some impression of Chen Jianghe, but he had no memory of Yun Xiaoniu at all and didn't think he had ever met him.
“He is Yu Daniu's eldest son, Yun Xiaoniu,” Chen Jianghe introduced.
“A member of the Yun Clan.”
Zhuang Yanfeng's expression turned slightly cold. He clearly held a grudge against the Yun Clan; after all, his Zhuang Clan had been wiped out by Lan Tianxiang on Yun Clan territory.
Furthermore, it was the feud between the Yun Clan and Lan Tianxiang that had embroiled the Zhuang Clan.
Although the Yun Clan was also a victim, Zhuang Yanfeng held no favorable feelings toward them.
After that, Zhuang Yanfeng had no desire to ask how Jiang Ruxu knew Chen Jianghe, nor did he want to introduce the young woman behind him.
He prepared to leave and mingle elsewhere.
However, at that very moment, Gao Peiyao walked over.
“Brother Jianghe, Xiaoniu, you're here.”
Gao Peiyao came before Chen Jianghe and said apologetically, “I was caught up with something just now and couldn't greet you from afar. Please forgive me, Brother Jianghe.”
“How could I dare trouble Fairy Peiyao to greet me?”
Chen Jianghe didn't address her as just 'Peiyao,' but added the title 'Fairy'.
The moment Gao Peiyao had started walking toward him and Xiaoniu, he had felt all eyes converging on them.
Gao Peiyao's warm greeting, in particular, made Chen Jianghe and Yun Xiaoniu the center of attention.
If he were to address her simply as 'Peiyao', it would likely attract even more attention.
That was not what he wanted.
If he had known it would be like this, he would have politely declined Gao Peiyao's invitation no matter what.
Yun Xiaoniu also respectfully addressed her as 'Fairy Peiyao' instead of the more intimate 'Auntie Yao'.
Such an intimate address was fine in private, but with so many seniors and experts from Qinghe Market City present,
it was better to use the respectful title of 'Fairy'.
Besides, 'Fairy' made Gao Peiyao sound younger, and after all, every woman wished to remain youthful forever.
Fairies were no exception.
Hearing Yun Xiaoniu also call her Fairy Peiyao, Chen Jianghe inwardly praised the boy's maturity, composure, and thoughtfulness.
Hearing Chen Jianghe and Yun Xiaoniu address her this way, Gao Peiyao simply smiled and said nothing more.
She understood Chen Jianghe's personality. After exchanging a few words, she turned and left to converse with the other Foundation Establishment cultivators.
“To think that Fellow Daoist Chen shares such a friendship with Fairy Peiyao... It makes this old man quite envious.”
Zhuang Yanfeng turned back around, his voice filled with envy.
The status of a high-grade Alchemist was high, but in the eyes of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was only slightly higher than that of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator.
It was far from the point where a Foundation Establishment cultivator would treat them as an equal.
“Hehe~” Chen Jianghe chuckled lightly, not elaborating on his friendship with Gao Peiyao.
He felt he had been in the spotlight more than enough for one day.
If he could, he would have left right then and there.
“This is my granddaughter, Zhuang Xinyan. She is currently a low-grade Alchemist. I hope Fellow Daoist Chen will look after her in the future.”
Zhuang Yanfeng called the young woman behind him forward and introduced her to Chen Jianghe.
Zhuang Xinyan gave Chen Jianghe a graceful curtsy.
“Greetings, Senior Chen.”