Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: An Invitation from Peiyao (Bonus Chapter for 1000 Monthly Votes)
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The letter from Jiang Ruxu expressed Alchemist Zhuang’s desire to befriend Chen Jianghe, asking if he would be willing to purchase Fasting Pills from her.
This had a dual meaning.
First, Alchemist Zhuang was eager to establish a clear relationship of mutual benefit with Chen Jianghe.
Second, it was to showcase Jiang Ruxu's talent in alchemy before Chen Jianghe. Having studied it for only a few years, she was already a low-grade Alchemist.
She could already refine Fasting Pills.
Chen Jianghe was indeed surprised and quite astonished by Jiang Ruxu's alchemical talent.
The profits from alchemy were immense.
Chen Jianghe had also wanted to try his hand at it, but it required a significant investment—both an alchemical legacy and the initial cost of materials for refining pills.
It wasn't like crafting spirit talismans, where the materials, plus a fairy's touch, would cost three spirit stones at most.
But alchemy was a different story.
One failed batch meant one, or even several, spirit stones down the drain.
Someone with good alchemical talent might grasp the essentials after ten or twenty attempts and succeed with a batch.
But for those with ordinary talent, it could take dozens, even hundreds of batches.
The crucial point was, how could you know if you had talent without refining dozens of batches first?
That was the biggest pitfall.
Jiang Ruxu’s talent in alchemy was impressive, and Alchemist Zhuang treated her well, teaching her with his whole heart.
Although there was a sixty-year contract, he also regarded Jiang Ruxu as the inheritor of his legacy.
The contract was to ensure his granddaughter would have support in the future.
"Jiang Ruxu's talent in alchemy is quite good; she's worth befriending. As for Alchemist Zhuang, I'm afraid he doesn't have many years left."
Chen Jianghe thought it over carefully.
Since Alchemist Zhuang was so eager to establish a beneficial relationship with him, there was no need for him to be coy.
After all, he would need to buy spirit pills for his body tempering from him in the future anyway.
As for the spirit pills that aided in cultivating the spirit-forging art, he could certainly buy those too, but Alchemist Zhuang might not be alive by then.
Having made up his mind, he rose and walked out of the room.
"Squeak squeak~~"
"Jiji~"
Upon entering the courtyard, he heard Xiao Hei scolding Maoqiu, instructing it on how to make a clean cut.
He even had Maoqiu demonstrate.
Chen Jianghe's interest was piqued. Without disturbing them, he stood aside and quietly watched Xiao Hei's demonstration.
Xiao Hei raised his short little claw, which was enveloped in pure black water-attribute magical power. He brought it down sharply, and with a flash of dark light, it sliced through the claw of a demonic beast as cleanly as a blade.
"Jiji~" Maoqiu chirped, its tone full of awe.
"Squeak squeak~~" Xiao Hei replied, sounding nonchalant.
"Jiji~" Maoqiu pleaded, as if wanting to admire his skill once more.
"Squeak squeak," Xiao Hei obliged, as if to say, "Watch closely."
Chen Jianghe didn't understand the beast language, so he didn't know what they were communicating, but he saw Xiao Hei demonstrate for Maoqiu once again.
Seeing the sharpness of Xiao Hei's claws, Chen Jianghe thought to himself that they would probably make excellent material for artifact refining.
Hmm~~
Chen Jianghe shook off the disloyal thought.
But Xiao Hei's claws were indeed formidable, making him wonder if he himself could withstand a single swipe.
It was like a high-grade flying sword, severing the claw of a late-stage first-tier demonic beast without any resistance.
One had to know that demonic beasts (spirit beasts) were different from cultivators.
As their cultivation level increased, so did the strength and power of their physical bodies.
Take Xiao Hei, for example. His shell was definitely no weaker than a high-grade defensive magical artifact.
"Even with a high-grade flying sword, I probably couldn't break through Xiao Hei's defense. Xiao Hei could probably take on five of me!"
The stronger Xiao Hei became, the happier he was.
"Huh? A letter has arrived!"
Chen Jianghe walked over to the postbox, took out the newly arrived letter, and glanced at the sender's name. It was from Yun Xiaoniu.
"A letter from Xiaoniu?"
Chen Jianghe smiled; this was the first time he had received a letter from him.
Without returning to his room, he opened it right there in the courtyard.
Whether face-to-face or in writing, Yun Xiaoniu was as respectful and polite as ever.
But the content of the letter made Chen Jianghe shake his head with a helpless sigh.
Yun Xiaoniu's letter was simple: he wanted Chen Jianghe to persuade Yu Daniu not to act recklessly and rashly.
It was mainly about Yu Daniu's attempt at Foundation Establishment.
Both Yun Huizhen and Yun Xiaoniu believed that Yu Daniu's chances of success were too low and didn't want him to take the risk.
Furthermore, as Yun Huizhen's branch of the clan grew stronger, they had come to control eleven small cultivation towns around Mirror Moon Lake.
They were second only to the main family branch.
Moreover, Yun Huizhen's father was growing old, and their branch was relying entirely on Yu Daniu to hold the line.
In other words,
the fate of eleven cultivation towns around Mirror Moon Lake rested on Yu Daniu's shoulders; he absolutely could not afford any mishaps.
Regardless of whether Yun Yixuan succeeded in his Foundation Establishment attempt,
they did not want Yu Daniu to attempt it.
"Sigh, I don't want Daniu to risk it either, but how can I be the one to say it?"
Chen Jianghe shook his head, turning the letter in his hand to dust.
No matter how close he and Yu Daniu were, he couldn't possibly try to stop him from attempting Foundation Establishment.
It had to be Yu Daniu's own decision to give up.
He couldn't impose his own thoughts on others. After all, he had a golden finger and could live for three hundred and sixty years.
Reaching Foundation Establishment at the age of one hundred would be fine for him.
But it was different for Yu Daniu. If he didn't take the chance at sixty, it would be difficult for him to get another one.
"Xiao Hei, let's go out for a bit."
Chen Jianghe sent a mental message.
"I'm busy."
"Uh... we'll be back soon, it won't take much of your time."
Chen Jianghe then noticed that Xiao Hei was still demonstrating for Maoqiu. He had a feeling that Xiao Hei had been tricked by Maoqiu.
Maoqiu was jumping and cheering, letting out "jiji" sounds.
It looked for all the world like it was flattering Xiao Hei.
With the atmosphere hyped up like this, Xiao Hei proceeded to chop off all four claws from the demonic beast's carcass.
"Maoqiu's gotten smarter? It seems a spirit beast really does take after its trainer."
Chen Jianghe didn't interfere with the battle of wits between Xiao Hei and Maoqiu.
After recalling both of them into the Spirit Beast Space,
he walked out of his courtyard.
He headed towards Fushou Lane in the northeast district.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he arrived at Fu Residence number 136 and knocked on the door ring.
Before long, Zhuang Xinyan opened the courtyard gate.
"Senior Chen."
Zhuang Xinyan invited Chen Jianghe in, then said, "Please wait a moment, Senior Chen. Grandfather and Junior Sister are still in the alchemy room."
"It's no trouble."
Zhuang Xinyan brewed a cup of tea and brought it to Chen Jianghe.
"Thank you."
"You're too kind, Senior. It is my duty."
After speaking, Zhuang Xinyan stood obediently to the side, her head bowed, fiddling with the corner of her clothes, not daring to meet Chen Jianghe's gaze.
Perhaps because she had been overprotected by Alchemist Zhuang, she had a simple and rather introverted personality. She had been very reserved during their few meetings.
"There's no need to be so formal in front of me. Please, have a seat."
Chen Jianghe was a bit exasperated.
He was a guest at Alchemist Zhuang's home, yet Zhuang Xinyan remained standing, which felt rather awkward.
"Thank you, Senior." Zhuang Xinyan sat down obediently and thanked him again.
"..."
Chen Jianghe said no more, waiting for Alchemist Zhuang and Jiang Ruxu to emerge.
Jiang Ruxu was likely refining low-grade spirit pills, a process that was very quick.
Less than an hour had passed when the fire in the alchemy room went out.
Immediately after...
With a loud boom,
thick black smoke billowed out of the alchemy room.
This gave Chen Jianghe a start, and he quickly walked out of the room.
"What's going on?"
Chen Jianghe looked at Zhuang Xinyan and asked, puzzled.
Zhuang Xinyan showed no signs of nervousness at this moment. Instead, she was quite calm and gave Chen Jianghe a lovely smile. "Senior, the cauldron exploded."
"The cauldron exploded?"
Chen Jianghe was stunned.
Cauldrons really exploded during alchemy?
But from Zhuang Xinyan's expression, it seemed that cauldron explosions were a common occurrence.
"Have you blown up a cauldron before?"
"Yes, I've blown it up several times. Grandfather said I don't have much talent and told me to focus on my cultivation. The alchemy will be left to my junior sister."
"Isn't a cauldron explosion dangerous?"
"When refining basic and low-grade spirit pills, it's not dangerous. When refining mid-grade spirit pills, there's a little danger."
"Grandfather said that when refining high-grade pills, one must be extremely cautious. If the cauldron explodes, you have to use a high-grade protective talisman immediately."
As Zhuang Xinyan was speaking, the door to the alchemy room opened, and the black smoke grew thicker, billowing out as two figures emerged from within.
Alchemist Zhuang's white hair and long beard had turned black, making him look decades younger in an instant.
Jiang Ruxu's snow-white skin was now grimy, her face covered in black soot, and her hair was a messy bird's nest.
"Ah, Senior Chen~"
Seeing Chen Jianghe, Jiang Ruxu let out a startled cry and hurriedly ran up to the second floor of the small building.
"Haha~ Please excuse the mess, fellow Daoist Chen."
Alchemist Zhuang gave an embarrassed laugh, then said, "If you'll excuse me for a moment."
"Please, go ahead, fellow Daoist."
Chen Jianghe nodded.
A moment later,
Alchemist Zhuang came out, washed and changed into a fresh set of clothes.
A little while after that, Jiang Ruxu slowly descended from the second floor, her pretty face flushed red as she stood behind Alchemist Zhuang with her head down.
"To think that I'd have a cauldron explosion at my age. I've made a fool of myself in front of you, fellow Daoist. Truly impolite."
Alchemist Zhuang said with a bow of his hands.
"It wasn't like that."
Jiang Ruxu whispered at this moment, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't tried to refine a Spirit Accumulating Pill, the cauldron wouldn't have exploded."
"Master was right. I was too impatient. I should have spent a few more years building my foundation before trying to refine mid-grade spirit pills."
"Fellow Daoist Jiang was refining mid-grade spirit pills?"
Chen Jianghe was taken aback by her words, finding it somewhat incredible. He knew Jiang Ruxu was talented in alchemy.
But wasn't this a bit too talented?
She had only been exposed to alchemy for four years and was already a low-grade Alchemist. Now, she was even attempting to refine mid-grade spirit pills.
Although she had failed,
after a few more years of building a solid foundation, she would surely become a mid-grade Alchemist.
"Alchemy is different from your talisman arts, fellow Daoist. Comprehension of medicinal principles is paramount. A single moment of enlightenment can be worth ten years of practice. The rest is just improving hand seal techniques and gaining experience in controlling the heat."
"Sigh, Ruxu's foundation is still too shallow. I'm afraid it will take her several more years to become a mid-grade Alchemist."
Alchemist Zhuang said with a hint of disappointment.
But to anyone listening, his words sounded like a humblebrag.
"..."
Chen Jianghe grumbled internally. He had already seen Jiang Ruxu's talent; there was no need for further demonstrations.
Otherwise, even with his steady mentality, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
He had practiced the art of talismans for nearly thirty years to be considered a mid-grade Talisman Master.
Jiang Ruxu had become a low-grade Alchemist in four years and was poised to become a mid-grade Alchemist within a decade, at which point her profits would directly surpass his.
After a few more pleasantries,
Alchemist Zhuang gave Jiang Ruxu a meaningful look. Understanding his cue, she respectfully asked Chen Jianghe, "Senior Chen, do you purchase your Fasting Pills from an alchemist you are familiar with?"
The meaning was obvious.
If he was buying his Fasting Pills from a spirit pill shop or the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, then he could choose to buy them from her instead.
Chen Jianghe shook his head.
"Being able to study under Master is a blessing from the heavens. For the past few years, Master has been covering the costs of my alchemy practice. Now that I am a low-grade Alchemist, I wish to help share some of Master's burden."
"If Senior doesn't mind my poor alchemy skills, would you be willing to purchase Fasting Pills from me?"
Jiang Ruxu's mischievous eyebrows raised slightly, her lively eyes filled with a pleading look.
"Yes, alright."
Chen Jianghe had come here precisely to buy Fasting Pills and to establish a beneficial relationship with Alchemist Zhuang to put him at ease.
As for what Jiang Ruxu had said, he didn't believe a single word of it.
Any shop would buy back Fasting Pills at a five percent discount from the market price.
She certainly wouldn't be selling them to him at a five percent discount.
"Thank you, Senior," Jiang Ruxu said excitedly.
"Master, Senior bought the pills I refined."
"Mm, mm, good."
Alchemist Zhuang nodded with a smile, then said, "I am on good terms with fellow Daoist Chen. Let's sell these Fasting Pills to him at an eighty percent discount off the market price. What do you think, Ruxu?"
"This disciple will follow Master's arrangements," Jiang Ruxu said with a cheerful smile.
"So then, what do you think of this arrangement, fellow Daoist?" Alchemist Zhuang looked at Chen Jianghe, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
"Many thanks, fellow Daoist Zhuang."
Chen Jianghe bowed his hands in thanks.
An eighty percent discount on spirit pills was truly the lowest possible price.
Moreover, Alchemist Zhuang's meaning was clear.
From now on, other spirit pills would also be sold to him at this discount.
"Thank you as well, fellow Daoist Jiang."
"It is I who should be thanking Senior Chen."
Following this, Jiang Ruxu took out five vials of Fasting Pills. From Alchemist Zhuang's demeanor, it seemed he wasn't in a hurry to receive the spirit stones.
But Chen Jianghe had spirit stones on hand, and with the Fasting Pills being so cheap, there was no reason for him to delay payment.
He took out thirty-two spirit stones and gave them to Jiang Ruxu.
Then he accepted the Fasting Pills and placed them in his storage bag.
For the next five years or so, he wouldn't have to worry about Fasting Pills.
Just then, a knock came from the courtyard gate's ring, causing Alchemist Zhuang to frown.
"Ruxu, go see who it is. If they're seeking pills, tell them I'm not here."
"Yes, Master."
His attitude was completely different from how he treated Chen Jianghe. Towards those seeking pills, Zhuang Yanfeng was a lofty high-grade Alchemist.
Besides, visitors often came to Alchemist Zhuang's residence.
Most of them were seeking pills.
Therefore, whenever the door ring sounded, Alchemist Zhuang assumed someone else had come for pills.
He particularly looked down on those cultivators who hunted in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
Even if the other party was a great cultivator at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, it was all the same.
"It must be an outsider seeking pills, interrupting our conversation. How vexing," Alchemist Zhuang remarked.
Chen Jianghe just smiled without saying anything.
Just then, Jiang Ruxu returned.
"Did you send them away?" Alchemist Zhuang asked.
"Master, it's someone from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion."
"The Myriad Treasures Pavilion? They have their own alchemists. What are they looking for me for?" Alchemist Zhuang asked, puzzled.
Still, he stood up, preparing to go out and greet them.
After all, they were from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion and couldn't be slighted.
"Master, they aren't here for you. They're looking for Senior Chen. They said that Fairy Peiyao invites Senior Chen to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion for a meeting."