Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Maoqiu's Power, Fame in Qinghe
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"The two main ingredients for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill have been gathered, and I've even made contact with Ji Wujin!"
Chen Jianghe was somewhat surprised as he read Ruan Tieniu's message.
He really got his hands on the Illusion Heart Grass.
And he had already discussed it with Ji Wujin, who was willing to join the group effort for the pill refinement.
In other words, as soon as his supplementary materials were ready, he could find Alchemist Zhuang to refine the pill.
"Two years..."
Chen Jianghe fell into deep thought.
Ruan Tieniu had told him it would take three years to gather the two main ingredients, and at the latest, five years to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill.
In other words.
Ruan Tieniu had given him an extra two years to prepare.
However, Chen Jianghe had no intention of waiting another two years. Delays could lead to complications, especially with an opportunity for Foundation Establishment; he couldn't afford to waste time.
What if Ruan Tieniu had a change of heart?
Or if Ji Wujin found a better option, then he would miss this chance.
He was the most passive member of this group refinement effort.
The best course of action now was to strike while the iron was hot and find Alchemist Zhuang to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill.
"It's also time to deepen my relationship with Alchemist Zhuang."
Chen Jianghe prepared to go find Alchemist Zhuang.
He had been cultivating the Tidal Body Tempering Art for a year and a half, and his physical body had reached the mid-stage of body tempering.
The next stage would require the aid of spirit pills.
Previously, Alchemist Zhuang had made it clear that if he needed body tempering pills, he could come to him at any time for a significant discount.
Since he could save spirit stones, he naturally wouldn't go to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to buy them.
His original intention in befriending Alchemist Zhuang was to save spirit stones, as body tempering was extremely resource-intensive.
Chen Jianghe roughly estimated that cultivating his physical body to the perfection stage of body tempering would require at least a thousand spirit stones' worth of resources.
And that didn't even include the spirit stones for purchasing the body tempering technique.
Although it had only taken him a year and a half to reach the mid-stage, costing a mere seventy-five spirit stones.
But the further one progressed in body tempering, the greater the consumption of resources.
Especially after the mid-stage, with the addition of spirit pill assistance, the annual consumption would definitely more than double.
Of course, the benefits of body tempering were even greater.
Not only could it increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment, but it could also enhance his own combat prowess.
Back when Chen Jianghe traveled from Mirror Moon Lake to Qinghe Market City, he had encountered a group of rogue cultivators, and their leader was a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator at the perfection stage of body tempering.
And when another ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator on the boat discovered the rogue leader's body tempering cultivation, his first thought was to flee.
He didn't have a single thought of fighting.
After starting body tempering, Chen Jianghe learned that cultivating the physical body could increase one's physical strength, just like a demon beast.
As well as one's immunity to magical arts.
For instance, he was now at the mid-stage of body tempering. Although he couldn't completely negate the arts of early-stage Qi Refining cultivators.
He could nullify fifty percent of their power.
As for the arts of mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators, he could nullify twenty percent of their power.
This was the benefit of body tempering.
He cultivated the Tidal Body Tempering Art, a water-elemental body forging technique, which gave him even higher immunity to water-elemental arts.
Furthermore, after he reached the perfection stage of the Tidal Body Tempering Art, the power of his water-elemental arts would also be amplified.
By about ten percent.
Adding the amplification from the Myriad Waters True Scripture.
Among cultivators at the same ninth level of Qi Refining, Chen Jianghe could use Water Escape Art to travel thirteen li, while others could only manage ten li at most.
This was the benefit of body tempering.
His mind made up.
Chen Jianghe walked out of his room. Seeing Xiao Hei and Maoqiu working so hard, the words on the tip of his tongue just wouldn't come out.
He didn't want to miss the opportunity of the group pill refinement.
Beg others for help?
That was even less desirable.
So, he had thought about temporarily halting Xiao Hei and Maoqiu's cultivation resources, but seeing them work so diligently.
Earning spirit stones for him, no less.
Chen Jianghe hesitated.
If it were just Maoqiu, it wouldn't matter. It was just a spirit pet. He wouldn't feel any psychological burden even if he paused its resources for twenty years, let alone two.
The key was Xiao Hei.
They had been together for almost forty-eight years, accompanying each other from the very bottom of the cultivation world to this day. Although they often bickered, he had never treated Xiao Hei as a mere spirit pet.
"Two-legged beast, we need to increase the amount next year. Four demon beasts are too few."
Seeing Chen Jianghe come out, Xiao Hei stood up straight, flicked his turtle head at Chen Jianghe, and transmitted his thoughts arrogantly.
By now, Xiao Hei and Maoqiu's skill in processing demon beasts was no less than that of the cultivators at the Demon Beast Market.
"Two-legged beast, do the math. What if we buy more mid-tier first-order demon beasts, and after Maoqiu and I process them, we sell all the parts?"
"Wouldn't we be able to earn more spirit stones that way?"
Xiao Hei suggested.
Chen Jianghe pursed his lips, not saying a word.
"Is it not a good idea? We still have to think of something. Otherwise, next year Maoqiu and I will need four late-tier first-order demon beasts. That's a huge expense."
Xiao Hei tried to rest his head on his claw, but it was too short, and he came up empty. His expression, however, was extremely serious.
*Thwack~*
"Don't you agree, Maoqiu?"
"Chirp~" (Yes, yes, yes!)
Chen Jianghe couldn't help but chuckle watching Xiao Hei ponder how to earn spirit stones. He said with a smile, "Alright, stop hitting Maoqiu. You're going to make him dazed."
"The idea you just had is pretty good, but you and Maoqiu would be very tired."
Buying a mid-tier first-order demon beast, processing it, and selling all the useful parts, including the spirit core and heart marrow, could earn a profit of about two spirit stones per beast.
In other words, a beast bought for eight spirit stones could be sold for over ten spirit stones after being broken down into parts.
"Tired? I've only had a few years of leisure since I've been with you."
Xiao Hei curled his lip, seemingly dissatisfied, and slapped Maoqiu.
"Can't let this guy enjoy a life of ease right after joining."
Er~!
Chen Jianghe was taken aback. It seemed Xiao Hei had a point. Back in the outer regions of Mirror Moon Lake.
Xiao Hei did all the work while he focused solely on cultivation.
It was the same when they entered the inner waters.
He had only added the task of drawing spirit talismans, but Xiao Hei was still the one raising the fish.
"Alright. How many mid-tier first-order demon beasts can you and Maoqiu process in a year?"
Chen Jianghe asked.
"Ten, I suppose. Maoqiu and I still have to process the late-tier first-order beasts."
Before Chen Jianghe could respond, Xiao Hei added, "Next year, you only need to buy two late-tier first-order demon beasts for me and Maoqiu."
"Hmm? Why?"
Chen Jianghe was stunned. He was beginning to suspect that Xiao Hei could read his thoughts through their spiritual link.
He had wanted to cut off their resources for two years but hadn't said it out loud.
Why would Xiao Hei voluntarily ask for fewer resources?
Logically, since Maoqiu had broken through to the late-tier first order, he should be buying four late-tier first-order demon beasts next year.
That was one hundred thirty to forty spirit stones, not a small sum.
There was a reason why cultivator clans didn't raise spirit beasts; it wasn't that they didn't want a guardian beast for their clan.
It was that they simply couldn't afford it.
"Haven't you noticed how weak you are?"
Xiao Hei said with a straight face.
"Am I weak?"
Chen Jianghe looked at Xiao Hei with suspicion.
He was currently at the peak of the eighth level of Qi Refining and would definitely break through to the ninth level within a year.
Moreover, he cultivated the Myriad Waters True Scripture, possessing potent magical power and formidable arts.
On top of that, he also cultivated the Tidal Body Tempering Art, making him even stronger than an ordinary eighth-level Qi Refining cultivator.
Therefore, he didn't think he was weak.
Without using any magical artifacts, he felt he could even hold his own against a typical ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator.
"Oh, is that so?"
Xiao Hei grinned, waving a claw at Maoqiu. "Wake our master up a bit."
Maoqiu looked at Chen Jianghe, then at Xiao Hei, and took a step back. He didn't dare attack Chen Jianghe.
"It's fine. Do as Xiao Hei says."
Chen Jianghe waved his hand and said to Maoqiu.
He then cast the Water Curtain Art, and a wall of water two zhang high, three zhang wide, and three chi thick appeared before him.
It divided the already small courtyard into two sections.
An art enhanced by the Myriad Waters True Scripture couldn't be broken in a single blow even by an eighth-level Qi Refining cultivator practicing a metal-elemental technique, provided they didn't use a magical artifact.
He admitted that demon beasts were powerful.
But Maoqiu had just broken through, after all, and the technique he cultivated was no ordinary one.
"Roar~"
Maoqiu suddenly let out a great roar. A terrifying aura swept directly toward Chen Jianghe, and before any attack was even launched, Chen Jianghe subconsciously prepared to use the Water Escape Art to flee.
*Boom!*
Without the support of his magical power, the Water Curtain Art instantly collapsed.
"That works too!"
Chen Jianghe was stunned.
He hadn't expected Maoqiu to directly use its divine ability, 'Illusory Spirit.' The terrifying aura was far more powerful than that of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator.
It gave him the illusion of facing that rogue cultivator leader from before, making him subconsciously want to run.
However, if he hadn't had the thought of fleeing, Maoqiu definitely couldn't have broken his Water Curtain Art in a single strike.
He was still confident about that!
"Look, Maoqiu hasn't even made a move, and you've already lost your nerve."
Xiao Hei said in a worldly-wise tone, "So, you should spend more spirit stones to improve yourself!"
"Me???"
Chen Jianghe was dumbfounded.
Was he just lectured by Xiao Hei?
"Enough nonsense, you're wasting my time. Get into the Spirit Beast Ring, I have things to do."
"Maoqiu, see that? He's lashing out in embarrassment."
"Chirp~" (Master is still very strong.)
...
Chen Jianghe put Xiao Hei and Maoqiu into the Spirit Beast Ring, then walked out of his courtyard and hung up the 'Out' sign.
He glanced at Courtyard 514 and saw that it also had an 'Out' sign.
They must have gone to the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe headed to Fushou Alley in the northeast district. He needed to find Alchemist Zhuang to discuss the matter of refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Walking along the road, Chen Jianghe's mind was still replaying the scene from just now.
The aura that Maoqiu had suddenly unleashed was indeed comparable to the rogue cultivator leader he had encountered back then, who was a great cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining and the perfection stage of body tempering.
Maoqiu had only just broken through to the late-tier first order.
If it cultivated to the peak of the late-tier first order, wouldn't the aura it could suddenly unleash be equivalent to a second-order demon beast?
Under the pressure of a second-order demon beast, a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator would probably be scared into instantly losing their will to fight!
If he had a special magical artifact refined for Maoqiu.
Wouldn't that mean it could take out a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator with a single swing of a club?
"Why does it feel like Maoqiu's Illusory Spirit is even stronger than Xiao Hei's Petrification?"
Lost in thought, he arrived at Fu Residence, number 136 Fushou Alley, and glanced at Ji Wujin's residence next door.
A sign reading 'In Seclusion' was hanging there.
He then knocked on the door ring.
In less than ten breaths, Zhuang Xinyan opened the courtyard gate. Upon seeing it was Chen Jianghe, she respectfully invited him in.
Zhuang Xinyan's cultivation had already reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Chen Jianghe calculated the time since Alchemist Zhuang left Mirror Moon Lake, and adding in the rumors from back then, he deduced that Zhuang Xinyan should be just over thirty, no older than thirty-two.
He just didn't know about her spiritual root talent.
But with the foundation Alchemist Zhuang had left for her, it wasn't impossible for her to attempt Foundation Establishment in the future.
"Is Alchemist Zhuang not here?"
Chen Jianghe glanced at the pill refinement room; he saw no firelight and felt no aura of earthfire.
It was obvious that neither Alchemist Zhuang nor Jiang Ruxu were in the pill refinement room.
"Grandfather and my junior sister went to the Hundred Arts Exchange."
Zhuang Xinyan said, carefully stealing a glance at Chen Jianghe.
She knew her grandfather had gone to publicize his relationship with Chen Jianghe again, and to spread word of Chen Jianghe's connection with Gao Peiyao.
"Uh, then I'll come back another day."
Chen Jianghe was a bit speechless with this Zhuang Xinyan.
Alchemist Zhuang isn't home, so why did you let me in?
"Okay, I'll see you out, Senior."
Zhuang Xinyan lowered her head and started walking out, not seeming to notice that Chen Jianghe hadn't even taken a step to leave.
He smiled helplessly.
After leaving Fu Residence 136, he happened to run into Ji Wujin, who was just coming out.
They exchanged a glance and then started to walk away.
He didn't know the other man; there was nothing to talk about.
"Talisman Master Chen, wait a moment."
Ji Wujin called out to Chen Jianghe, quickly walking up to him.
"Fellow Daoist, you know me?"
Chen Jianghe asked doubtfully. He had never interacted with Ji Wujin; the only time he had seen him was at the auction.
Of course, that was him seeing Ji Wujin; the other party hadn't noticed him.
"An old acquaintance of Fairy Peiyao, a good friend of Alchemist Zhuang, and the sworn brother of Fellow Daoist Ruan. How could I dare not know you?"
Ji Wujin wore a half-mask, obscuring his face, but his smile could be felt.
"I am Ji Wujin. A pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Chen."
"A pleasure, Fellow Daoist Ji."
Chen Jianghe clasped his hands in return.
In his heart, however, he was complaining about Alchemist Zhuang.
Ji Wujin's words were very clear—an old acquaintance of Fairy Peiyao, a good friend of Alchemist Zhuang.
This was definitely all spread by Alchemist Zhuang.
If he wasn't mistaken, Alchemist Zhuang would probably be hyping up his relationship with him at this Hundred Arts Exchange as well.
And embellishing his connection to Gao Peiyao.
He felt resistant, but there was nothing he could do.
From the moment he had intentionally befriended Alchemist Zhuang, he had anticipated this scene.
But why hadn't Gao Peiyao stepped in to suppress these rumors?
"Since Fellow Daoist Ji says so, it must mean that Brother Ruan has already found you," Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.
"This is no place to talk. Would Fellow Daoist care to come to my courtyard for a discussion?"
Ji Wujin invited.
"We've only just met. I wouldn't dare impose on your esteemed residence."
Chen Jianghe politely declined with a smile.
Ji Wujin was a puppet master, and a high-grade first-order one at that.
He naturally wouldn't dare enter Ji Wujin's courtyard alone.
Fighting was forbidden in the market city, but if one didn't even have a chance to resist, who would ever find out?
"Haha, then how about we talk at the Qinghe Tavern?"
Ji Wujin chuckled lightly. He naturally saw Chen Jianghe's caution and didn't insist, instead suggesting the Qinghe Tavern.
"Let's go to the Qingping Teahouse instead."
"The Qingping Teahouse? A gathering place for demon hunters. Why would Fellow Daoist choose such a crude place?"