Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Alchemist Zhuang's Conditions
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Qingping Teahouse.
In a private room, Chen Jianghe and Ji Wujin sat facing each other, having ordered a pot of spirit tea worth fifty spirit sand.
“Fellow Daoist, you don't seem like an old acquaintance of Fairy Peiyao, nor a friend of Alchemist Zhuang.”
“But you and Fellow Daoist Ruan seem like blood brothers.”
Ji Wujin took a sip of the spirit tea and found it hard to swallow. He used his spiritual power to evaporate the tea in his mouth before making a complaint.
“What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Ji?” Chen Jianghe asked, puzzled.
“When I spoke with Fellow Daoist Ruan, he brought me to this very place. The tea is subpar, and the food is no better.”
“According to Fellow Daoist Ruan, this place is cheap and practical. I imagine you think the same.”
Chen Jianghe smiled at his words. “And you don't, Fellow Daoist?”
“You’re a craftsman, so you shouldn't be short on spirit stones. Why would you care about such trivial sums?”
Ji Wujin lifted his head, speaking with an air of pride, “Why do we cultivators strive so hard in our practice? The pursuit of eternal life is a vague and unrealistic fantasy. Enjoying the present—that is the true principle of cultivation.”
Huh???
It was the first time Chen Jianghe had heard such a view. It had a sliver of logic, but not much, and he couldn't bring himself to agree.
Because he was short on spirit stones.
However, it revealed Ji Wujin's character—likely a free and unrestrained spirit, though his face remained obscured.
Immediately after, Ji Wujin took out a flask of top-grade immortal spirit wine from his storage pouch and poured himself a cup.
Then he looked at Chen Jianghe with an inviting gaze.
Chen Jianghe shook his head.
Top-grade immortal spirit wine was very expensive, a single flask costing ten spirit stones. Although he had tasted it before and its effects were indeed excellent for cultivation, he couldn't afford it.
Furthermore, this was his first meeting with Ji Wujin; they had no real relationship. It felt improper to drink someone's expensive immortal spirit wine.
“What did you seek me out for, Fellow Daoist?” Chen Jianghe asked.
“Naturally, to discuss the matter of the Foundation Establishment Pill.”
Ji Wujin said with a cheerful smile, not mincing his words at all.
“I have the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit, and Fellow Daoist Ruan has the other two main ingredients, but he doesn't have the spirit stones to buy the supplementary materials.”
“What are you implying, Fellow Daoist Ji?” Chen Jianghe frowned slightly.
“Originally, I intended to provide the supplementary materials and also cover the alchemist's fee.”
“However, I wanted two of the Foundation Establishment Pills, with the right of first choice.”
Ji Wujin stated frankly.
He showed no regard for Chen Jianghe's feelings, directly admitting that he had initially wanted to kick Chen Jianghe out of the pill-crafting group.
And he had also aimed for two Foundation Establishment Pills, especially with the condition of first choice.
This meant that if the pill crafting was successful, there would be three pills.
Among them, there might be one standard-grade pill, or with a stroke of incredible luck, a top-grade one.
In that case, whether it was a top-grade or standard-grade pill, it would go to Ji Wujin.
Of the remaining two pills, one would go to Ruan Tieniu.
He would very likely end up with an inferior-grade pill.
As for Chen Jianghe, he would have no priority and would be the last to choose.
“And then?” Chen Jianghe wasn't angry, simply asking in a calm tone.
“Fellow Daoist Ruan disagreed. He proposed that you join and provide the supplementary materials needed for the Foundation Establishment Pill.”
“Of course, I would still have first choice, followed by Fellow Daoist Ruan, and you would choose last.”
“If that's the case, why did you seek me out?”
“Eight hundred spirit stones to buy your spot,” Ji Wujin revealed his ultimate goal.
His meaning was simple.
He would give Chen Jianghe eight hundred spirit stones to withdraw from this joint pill-crafting venture, allowing Ji Wujin to secure two spots for the pills.
Eight hundred spirit stones was no small sum.
To get eight hundred spirit stones for doing nothing.
It was a good deal.
But it also highlighted the preciousness of the Foundation Establishment Pill. Even an inferior-grade one was incredibly tempting.
“You already have the first choice. Why do you still want my spot, which is the last to choose?”
Chen Jianghe was a bit confused.
Buying his spot for eight hundred spirit stones, then spending over a thousand on supplementary materials, and then paying the alchemist's fee.
That was enough to bid for an inferior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill at an auction.
“To give as a gift, of course.”
Ji Wujin's words were so direct that Chen Jianghe was left somewhat speechless.
He was like a young master from a noble family, inexperienced in the ways of the world—his words sharp and blunt, with nothing he felt the need to be discreet about.
“I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. This is a rare opportunity for me, and I have no intention of giving it up.”
With that, Chen Jianghe rose to leave.
Ji Wujin didn't stop him, remaining where he stood, lost in thought.
“Was that too little? But I've already spent all the spirit stones I brought from Tianyuan Immortal City. Ah, forget it. One pill it is, then.”
—
Chen Jianghe first returned home. The next day, he came again to Fushou Lane in the northeast district.
As he passed by Ji Wujin's courtyard, he saw a sign hanging on the gate: 'In Seclusion'.
*Knock, knock-knock~*
He rapped the door knocker.
Soon, Jiang Ruxu opened the courtyard gate. Upon seeing Chen Jianghe, she first turned her head and called softly inside, “Master, Senior Chen is here to call you to account.”
“Hehe, please come in, Senior Chen.”
“Fellow Daoist Jiang, that's not a joke to be made. How could I dare find fault with Alchemist Zhuang? Without your master, I would still be a nobody in Qinghe Market City.”
Chen Jianghe spoke with a smile, yet his words betrayed his dissatisfaction with Alchemist Zhuang.
Just then, Alchemist Zhuang walked out. He heard Chen Jianghe's words, but his expression remained unchanged as he approached with a hearty laugh.
“Ruxu, you and Xinyan go to the Qinghe Restaurant and order a table of their finest spirit food. Oh, and get a flask of top-grade immortal spirit wine.”
Alchemist Zhuang gave his instructions.
After the two women left, Alchemist Zhuang invited Chen Jianghe into the guest hall.
“Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist. I was only thinking of those two,” Alchemist Zhuang said apologetically.
“I doubt it was just for those two!”
Chen Jianghe looked at Alchemist Zhuang with a meaningful gaze, a smile playing on his lips. “If there's anything else Alchemist Zhuang needs from me, you can say it plainly.”
“Our 'deep friendship' is known throughout Qinghe Market City. There's no need to be coy about it anymore.”
“Haha~~”
Alchemist Zhuang roared with laughter upon hearing this.
That Chen Jianghe could say such a thing meant he wasn't angry and was willing to acknowledge this "deep" friendship.
“True, there's no need for us to beat around the bush.”
Alchemist Zhuang said with a smile, “I would like to ask you to procure a Youth-Retaining Grass.”
“Youth-Retaining Grass?”
Chen Jianghe's brows furrowed. He hadn't expected Alchemist Zhuang to ask for this particular spirit herb.
He had already read through the "Qinghe Annals" and naturally knew that the Youth-Retaining Grass was a spirit herb monopolized by the Tiannan Sect.
To obtain it through other means, one would have to venture deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
But even Foundation Establishment cultivators dared not go deep into the mountains. Therefore, there was only one way to get the Youth-Retaining Grass.
The Tiannan Sect.
“After all these years, your appearance remains unchanged. You must have consumed a Youth-Retaining Grass. However, its effects are singular, barely able to maintain one's appearance for a dozen years or so.”
“If you can obtain another Youth-Retaining Grass, I can refine a batch of Youth-Retaining Pills. I'm sure you know the effects of the Youth-Retaining Pill, hehe~”
After saying this, Alchemist Zhuang fell silent, giving Chen Jianghe time to consider.
The Youth-Retaining Pill could allow a cultivator to maintain their youthful appearance until the end of their life.
And it could also extend one's lifespan by ten years.
Ostensibly, the prospect of eternal youth was extremely tempting for Chen Jianghe, as he needed the pill to conceal his identity.
In reality, the ten-year life extension was an even greater temptation.
Whether it was ten more years for him or for Xiao Hei, it was a wonderful thing.
“Is Alchemist Zhuang so certain that I can obtain a Youth-Retaining Grass?” Chen Jianghe asked, staring at the alchemist.
“Since you were able to obtain one Youth-Retaining Grass, you can surely obtain a second. Besides, Fairy Peiyao probably hasn't taken a Youth-Retaining Pill either. As long as I have the grass, I am eighty percent confident I can successfully refine the Youth-Retaining Pills.”
“At that time, there will be at least three pills. I will only take one, and the rest will be yours. How about it?”
With Alchemist Zhuang's offer on the table, Chen Jianghe found it impossible to refuse.
Three pills from a successful refinement. Alchemist Zhuang would keep one, and he and Gao Peiyao would each get one.
He only needed to provide the Youth-Retaining Grass, with no other supplementary materials required, to get the pills. This gave him the confidence to approach Gao Peiyao.
“I can't be certain if I can get the Youth-Retaining Grass. I can only try,” Chen Jianghe said, not wanting to overpromise.
After all, the Youth-Retaining Grass was monopolized by the Tiannan Sect.
And whether Gao Peiyao was willing to help was another matter entirely.
According to Master Qinghe's notes in the "Qinghe Annals," no disciple of the Tiannan Sect who reached Foundation Establishment would ever lack Life Extension Pills or Youth-Retaining Pills.
This meant Gao Peiyao had her own channels to obtain Youth-Retaining Pills.
She might not be willing to get them from Alchemist Zhuang.
“I have faith in you, Fellow Daoist. Fairy Peiyao values her old friendships; she will surely help you procure one more,” Alchemist Zhuang said.
“I can go and ask for the Youth-Retaining Grass, but you must agree to one more thing, Alchemist Zhuang.”
“Oh? Please, speak your mind, Fellow Daoist.”
“Alchemist Zhuang must refine a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills for me, free of charge. With your skill in refining Life Extension Pills and Youth-Retaining Pills, I imagine you can refine Foundation Establishment Pills, can't you?”
Chen Jianghe said with a smile.
Alchemist Zhuang wanted to obtain the Youth-Retaining Grass from him. Although he would get two Youth-Retaining Pills from a successful refinement, it was important to remember that the actual cost of these pills wasn't high.
It was only because the Tiannan Sect monopolized the Youth-Retaining Grass.
The supplementary materials only cost a little over a hundred spirit stones.
So, even with Chen Jianghe getting two pills, Alchemist Zhuang was still getting the better end of the deal. Otherwise, he would have no way of obtaining the Youth-Retaining Grass at all.
Chen Jianghe was not one to be taken advantage of.
If the Foundation Establishment Pills were refined for free, it meant the spirit stones paid to Alchemist Zhuang would end up in his own hands.
“Refine Foundation Establishment Pills?”
Alchemist Zhuang was taken aback, looking at Chen Jianghe in surprise. “Have you gathered all the materials to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill?”
“More or less.”
Chen Jianghe nodded. “What do you think, Alchemist Zhuang?”
“I never would have thought, never would have thought at all!”
Alchemist Zhuang sighed with emotion. The supplementary materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill might be purchasable, but the three main ingredients were not available on the open market.
They typically only appeared at auctions.
Whenever one appeared, its final destination was always clear.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to Alchemist Zhuang. He looked at Chen Jianghe and said, “You must be crowdfunding the pill refinement!”
The whole of Qinghe Market City knew that the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit was in Ji Wujin's possession.
And in the last thirty years, the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit had only appeared at auction this one time.
Therefore, Alchemist Zhuang was certain that Chen Jianghe must be crowdfunding the pill refinement. Otherwise, if Chen Jianghe had managed to obtain another Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit, his influence would be far too great.
“Correct.”
Chen Jianghe nodded, not hiding anything. Ji Wujin and Ruan Tieniu would meet Alchemist Zhuang eventually anyway.
“If I'm not mistaken, your partners are Ji Wujin and Ruan Tieniu.”
That time Ruan Tieniu came to see him, he had been hesitant and left without stating his purpose.
It must have been about refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.
“I can help you refine the Foundation Establishment Pills for free. Their spirit stones can all be given to you.”
“However, I am only fifty percent confident of success.”
“After all, the Foundation Establishment Pill has three main ingredients and thirty-six supplementary materials. The refining process is complex. Although it is a Tier 2 entry-level spirit pill, I still don't have much confidence.”
Alchemist Zhuang looked at Chen Jianghe with a solemn expression.
When it came to something as significant as the Foundation Establishment Pill, he dared not misrepresent his alchemical skills.
He stated his confidence level honestly.
It was better to be upfront about the risks. Otherwise, failure could damage their relationship.
And he was still counting on Chen Jianghe to get him the Youth-Retaining Grass!
At his age, he could clearly feel his life's limit approaching. He had at most four years left.
Then he would be separated from his granddaughter by death.
Therefore, within these four years, he had to obtain the Youth-Retaining Pill to extend his life by ten years.
Only then could he better plan for his granddaughter's future and guide Jiang Ruxu for a while longer.
He wanted to nurture Jiang Ruxu into a high-grade alchemist if possible.
By then, even if he died, his granddaughter would have a high-grade alchemist as a backer.
She wouldn't be bullied or have her family fortune coveted by others.
“What if there are only twenty-one supplementary materials?”
Chen Jianghe revealed that Ruan Tieniu's Foundation Establishment Pill formula only required twenty-one supplementary materials.
He had promised to keep the specific twenty-one materials secret for Ruan Tieniu, not the number of materials.
Besides, a fifty percent success rate was too low.
A fifty-fifty chance, in his view, was entirely up to luck.
“What!”
Alchemist Zhuang was shocked and shot to his feet, his eyes burning as he stared at Chen Jianghe. “Say that again, Fellow Daoist. How many supplementary materials?”
“Twenty-one.”
“This… Hiss!”
Alchemist Zhuang took a deep breath, his eyes filled with astonishment.
He wasn't being asked to use the conventional formula, but a special one.
And with only twenty-one supplementary materials.
What did that mean?
The Tiannan Sect's formula had twenty supplementary materials. This meant that this formula was second only to the Tiannan Sect's.
The most crucial part was that he was about to obtain this very formula.
If he had more years left, he could use this formula to establish a top-tier immortal clan.
Even if he died, he could pass the formula to his granddaughter. If a descendant with good alchemy talent appeared in the future, they could still use this formula to establish a top-tier immortal clan.
So, how was Chen Jianghe asking him for a favor?
This was clearly a gift, an opportunity of immeasurable value.
“The fewer the materials, the simpler the refining process. With twenty-one supplementary materials, I am eighty percent confident.”
“But I want to know, what is your role in this joint refinement?”
“Are you providing one of the three main ingredients?”
Alchemist Zhuang's expression turned serious, and his tone grew heavy.
“The supplementary materials. I'm providing them,” Chen Jianghe said.
Upon hearing this, Alchemist Zhuang's face grew grave. He sat back down, seemingly lost in thought.
Chen Jianghe did not interrupt him.
After half an incense stick's time, a sharp glint flashed in Alchemist Zhuang's cloudy eyes. He looked at Chen Jianghe and said, “The supplementary materials, I will provide them.”
“The fee for my services will go entirely to you, Fellow Daoist. If the refinement is successful, you will still receive one Foundation Establishment Pill.”
“But you must agree to two conditions!”
“Please speak, Alchemist Zhuang.”
Chen Jianghe was stunned. He hadn't expected Alchemist Zhuang to make such an offer—providing all the materials and giving him the fee.
The supplementary materials were worth a thousand spirit stones.
The fee for hiring Alchemist Zhuang would be no less than eight hundred spirit stones.
Split three ways, that was nearly three hundred spirit stones per person.
This meant Alchemist Zhuang was offering him a benefit of nearly two thousand spirit stones.
No, wait, there was also a Foundation Establishment Pill!
Even an inferior-grade one was worth no less than two thousand five hundred spirit stones.
What exactly was Alchemist Zhuang planning?
“If I'm not mistaken, the pill formula comes from Ruan Tieniu. When the time comes for refining, he will surely sell the formula to me.”
A ruthless glint flashed in Alchemist Zhuang's eyes.
“The first condition: after you successfully establish your foundation in the future, you must help me eliminate Ruan Tieniu. Furthermore, you must swear an oath never to reveal any information about this Foundation Establishment Pill formula.”