Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Foundation Establishment Pill Secured
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Ruan Tieniu and Ji Wujin exchanged a glance.
An over eighty percent chance of success, with a guarantee of refining at least one standard-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.
Alchemist Zhuang's alchemy skills had already reached the lower tier of the second rank.
Furthermore, he was among the more skilled alchemists of that tier.
A guarantee of one standard-grade pill meant there was a chance for two.
Without hesitation, Ji Wujin took out four hundred spirit stones and handed them to Alchemist Zhuang. He was the first to choose a Foundation Establishment Pill.
As long as there was one standard-grade pill, it would be his.
Therefore, there was no need to hesitate in paying the spirit stones.
Ruan Tieniu paused only for a moment before also producing four hundred spirit stones. He knew very well that if they had sought out a true lower-tier second-rank alchemist, the cost would not have been a mere four hundred spirit stones.
It would likely have been eight hundred spirit stones each.
Alchemist Zhuang's skills were on par with a lower-tier second-rank alchemist, yet he only charged them four hundred spirit stones each.
This was surely due to Chen Jianghe's influence.
It was evident from the way Alchemist Zhuang had treated Chen Jianghe when he came out of his courtyard.
Moreover, Alchemist Zhuang made no mention of Chen Jianghe's refining fee, which clearly indicated their relationship had reached a point where four hundred spirit stones were negligible.
At that moment, a look of gratitude appeared in Ruan Tieniu's eyes as he looked at Chen Jianghe. He had saved a considerable sum of spirit stones again.
Chen Jianghe caught Ruan Tieniu's grateful gaze and, after a moment's thought, understood the reason.
He suddenly felt a twinge of envy for the alchemist profession.
They could name their price, and people would still be grateful.
Alchemist Zhuang put away the spirit stones, glanced at Chen Jianghe, and said with a smile, "Then please come back to retrieve the pills tomorrow afternoon."
"Alright. Thank you for your trouble, Alchemist Zhuang."
Chen Jianghe nodded in reply.
Alchemist Zhuang turned, entered his courtyard, and shut the gate firmly.
"Gentlemen, shall we..."
"I'll wait here."
Ruan Tieniu showed no intention of leaving, standing motionless outside Residence 136.
"Since Fellow Daoist Ruan is standing guard, I'll take my leave and relax."
Ji Wujin smiled at Chen Jianghe and raised an eyebrow. "Would you care to come over for a visit, Fellow Daoist?"
"Thank you, but I'll stay here with Brother Ruan." Chen Jianghe was unsure of Ji Wujin's identity.
He would not enter the courtyard of a puppet master.
Even with Xiao Hei and Maoqiu, he felt it wasn't entirely safe.
"Coward," Ji Wujin muttered to himself before returning to his own courtyard.
He wasn't the least bit worried that Alchemist Zhuang would abscond with the payment.
"Brother Chen, thank you."
Ruan Tieniu looked at Chen Jianghe and spoke with a solemn fist-clasp salute.
"Ah... hehe, you're too kind, Brother Ruan." Chen Jianghe was already calculating that he would have to settle the accounts with Alchemist Zhuang later.
Thirty body-refining spirit pills were only worth six hundred spirit stones.
How could that offset a refining fee of eight hundred spirit stones?
"If it weren't for your standing, Brother Chen, Alchemist Zhuang would never have paid me so many spirit stones for the pill formula."
"And he certainly wouldn't have charged only four hundred spirit stones for this refinement."
"Too many words of thanks are empty. I will remember this favor, Brother Chen, and I will repay you generously in the future."
This time, Ruan Tieniu used voice transmission.
The matter concerned a pill formula, so he wouldn't let it leak.
His deal with Alchemist Zhuang was bound by an oath. Since he was about to attempt his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, breaking the oath would guarantee failure.
Even with Illusion Heart Grass, he wouldn't be able to withstand the torment of a violated Dao heart.
"You overstate things, Brother Ruan. I merely acted as a middleman. What matters most is that both you and Alchemist Zhuang were satisfied with the transaction."
Chen Jianghe didn't take the credit; he hadn't played a major role anyway.
Ruan Tieniu said no more, simply standing there and staring intently at the gate of Residence 136.
He was eager to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This was his ambition.
And now, it was on the verge of being realized.
Thanks to the pill formula transaction, as long as he succeeded in his breakthrough, his combat strength would not be at the bottom among Foundation Establishment cultivators.
At the very least, the spirit stones he now possessed were enough to buy a top-tier flying sword.
In the blink of an eye, night fell.
It was almost a quarter past seven in the evening.
Chen Jianghe glanced at the unmoving Ruan Tieniu and said, "Brother Ruan, let's go to Qinghe Restaurant."
"Alright. My treat, Brother Chen."
Ruan Tieniu did not refuse.
The streets were about to be cleared for the night, so they couldn't continue waiting at Alchemist Zhuang's gate.
Going home was out of the question.
There were only two places from which they could keep an eye on Longevity Lane: the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and Qinghe Restaurant.
"Brother Ruan, no need to be so tense. We have Fellow Daoist Ji nearby."
Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.
"With Brother Chen here, I trust Alchemist Zhuang. It's just that I'm about to get the Foundation Establishment Pill, and I can't seem to calm my heart," Ruan Tieniu transmitted to Chen Jianghe with a wry smile.
With that, the two of them headed to Qinghe Restaurant.
From the second-floor balcony, Ji Wujin watched Chen Jianghe and Ruan Tieniu depart, faintly uttering a few words.
"One coward, one grunt."
—
"Master, are you refining Foundation Establishment Pills?"
Jiang Ruxu stood in the alchemy room, watching the busy Alchemist Zhuang make a series of tedious preparations.
"Yes. You must watch carefully. In the future, you will be the one refining them."
"You must remember, besides your master and senior sister, no one can be trusted. Only by strengthening your alchemy skills can you establish a firm footing in Qinghe Market City."
"What about Senior Chen?"
"Him? Bound by our transaction, he may protect you for a time, but not for a lifetime."
"However, as long as Fellow Daoist Chen brings the Youth Retaining Grass, I can cling to life for a while longer. By then, you should be close to becoming a high-grade alchemist."
Alchemist Zhuang instructed Jiang Ruxu.
"I understand, Master. I will study alchemy diligently and protect Senior Sister."
A moment later.
At a silencing gesture from Alchemist Zhuang, a brief quiet fell over the alchemy room. After about a hundred breaths, a flicker of fire appeared.
This was followed by the rumbling sound of earthfire.
Alchemist Zhuang circled the pill furnace, forming hand seals to control the intensity of the earthfire.
Following the refining steps from the special Foundation Establishment Pill formula, he first added the Violet Glow Vermilion Fruit and three fire-attribute supplementary ingredients—Li Fire Cinnabar, Crimson Sun Stamen, and Heaven Burning Vine Ash—while the fire was gentle.
Two hours later, when the spiritual ingredients in the furnace had melted into a greenish-blue paste.
Alchemist Zhuang's hand seals abruptly changed, causing the earthfire to become exceptionally fierce.
The martial fire surged!
He instantly tossed in the second-rank ice-attribute spiritual core that was substituting for the Profound Ice Jade Marrow. He then inscribed ice and fire seals onto the furnace, repeatedly tempering the medicinal liquid in the alternating extremes of ice and fire.
A quarter of an hour later, he added the other five-element supplementary ingredients.
At the same time, he activated the spirit-gathering formation on the furnace, condensing spiritual energy and injecting it into the thick medicinal liquid.
The martial fire subsided, and the gentle fire simmered on.
Five hours later.
Beads of sweat had formed on Alchemist Zhuang's forehead, and his clothes were soaked through. He took out a high-grade spirit recovery pill and consumed it.
His expression was tense as he switched his hand seals.
He had reached the final step of cooling the fire. He balanced the gentle and martial fires while simultaneously adding the Illusion Heart Grass, the Five Elements Spirit Sand, the Liquid Condensing Powder, a Spirit Gathering Pill, and a Cinnabar Catalyst.
With his spiritual sense, he outlined the spirit-gathering formation patterns and sealed the furnace!
Alchemist Zhuang's every move was incredibly fluid, even though this was his first time refining a Foundation Establishment Pill.
But the refining steps on this special formula were remarkably simple.
It was even easier than refining a Youth Retaining Pill.
It was just somewhat draining on his spiritual energy and mental focus.
But with the aid of pills, it was not a problem.
The medicinal liquid was now sealed within the furnace. All that remained was to wait for seven hours before opening it to retrieve the pills.
As time ticked by.
Seven hours passed.
Alchemist Zhuang opened the furnace and tossed in a purification talisman to clear the impure energies within.
Instantly.
A brilliant golden light erupted from the furnace.
Three gold-flecked spirit pills flew out from the furnace, slowly landing in the jade box in Alchemist Zhuang's hand.
"Master, is it done?"
"Yes."
At this moment, Alchemist Zhuang's heart was a tempest of shock. He had never imagined that Ruan Tieniu's Foundation Establishment Pill formula could be so miraculous.
The steps were simple.
Not only was it easy to refine, but the success rate was also incredibly high.
"One standard-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. This is enough to deliver."
He looked at the three pills in the jade box. One had two patterns of shattered gold, while the other two had only one.
These were the unique pill patterns of a Foundation Establishment Pill.
A single pattern signified an inferior-grade pill, which only increased the success rate by ten percent.
Two patterns signified a standard-grade pill, which increased the success rate by twenty percent.
Three patterns signified a superior-grade pill, which could increase the success rate by thirty percent.
Refining a standard-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was a test of an alchemist's skill.
As for a superior-grade pill, that was purely a matter of luck.
It was possible for a lower-tier second-rank alchemist to refine a superior-grade pill, while a higher-tier second-rank alchemist might fail to do so.
At this time.
Outside Residence 136.
Chen Jianghe and Ruan Tieniu had come here from Qinghe Restaurant at dawn.
It was now approaching the afternoon.
Ruan Tieniu's expression grew even more tense. He looked at Chen Jianghe and asked worriedly, "Brother Chen, Alchemist Zhuang still hasn't come out. Could something have gone wrong?"
Chen Jianghe smiled calmly and offered a reassuring word.
"Don't worry. Alchemist Zhuang said he was over eighty percent confident, so there shouldn't be any problems. Let's just wait patiently."
About half an hour later.
Ji Wujin emerged from his home and walked over to Chen Jianghe's side.
He said nothing, but his brow, visible above his mask, was furrowed.
Evidently, Ji Wujin had also become nervous.
A Violet Glow Vermilion Fruit and four hundred spirit stones was a significant sum, even for him.
More importantly, he didn't have many spirit stones left.
Without a Foundation Establishment Pill, he wouldn't dare to attempt a breakthrough.
But if he didn't reach Foundation Establishment, he couldn't go back.
At this point, the breathing of both Ji Wujin and Ruan Tieniu began to grow heavy.
Chen Jianghe's heart was also pounding with some anxiety.
Although his pill was ninety percent likely to be of inferior grade, it was still a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Any Foundation Establishment Pill could save one's life during the breakthrough attempt.
But if Alchemist Zhuang failed...
Then he wouldn't even have an inferior-grade pill.
Without that guarantee of survival, how could he attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment?
*Creak~*
The courtyard gate opened.
Alchemist Zhuang walked out, looking somewhat weak.
The three of them subconsciously took a step forward, their eyes fixed on Alchemist Zhuang, waiting to hear the answer they desperately wanted.
"I am pleased to report that the refinement was a success."
Alchemist Zhuang produced three jade boxes, then continued, "However, my skills were lacking, and I only produced one standard-grade Foundation Establishment Pill."
"Alchemist Zhuang, you're truly skilled!" Ji Wujin immediately praised him.
In truth, Alchemist Zhuang's skills were indeed impressive. Another lower-tier second-rank alchemist might not necessarily have been able to refine two standard-grade pills.
When refining Foundation Establishment Pills, a batch of three typically yielded one standard-grade pill. Two was rare, and all three being standard-grade was almost unheard of.
However, it was quite common for all three to be of inferior grade.
Therefore, Alchemist Zhuang's skills truly deserved Ji Wujin's praise.
A flash of disappointment crossed Ruan Tieniu's eyes. He had naturally hoped that Alchemist Zhuang could refine two standard-grade pills.
That way, he could have gotten one.
Upon hearing the news, Chen Jianghe's expression remained unchanged.
Whether one or two standard-grade pills were produced, it had nothing to do with him.
Unless all three were standard-grade.
But that was clearly impossible.
"This jade box contains the standard-grade pill, and these two contain the inferior-grade ones. Please, take them."
Alchemist Zhuang pushed the three jade boxes toward them.
Ji Wujin acted instantly, pulling the standard-grade pill into his hand. After a word of thanks, he turned and returned to his courtyard.
Ruan Tieniu also took a jade box, offered his thanks, and left quickly.
However, he was not heading towards Qingping Lane, but in the direction of the southeastern district.
Evidently, Ruan Tieniu was going to begin his attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment.
"Fellow Daoist, please come in for a chat." Alchemist Zhuang opened both panels of his gate.
Chen Jianghe placed the jade box with the Foundation Establishment Pill into his storage pouch, nodded to Alchemist Zhuang, and walked inside.
When Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan saw Chen Jianghe enter, they both bowed respectfully before excusing themselves.
"Fellow Daoist, here are twelve body-refining spirit pills."
Alchemist Zhuang took out three jade vials and handed them to Chen Jianghe.
"Alchemist Zhuang, what is the meaning of this?"
Chen Jianghe asked, but his hand moved quickly, naturally accepting the vials from Alchemist Zhuang.
He swept his spiritual sense over them.
Four Meridian Unblocking Pills, four Qi and Blood Pills, and four Body Forging Pills.
Worth two hundred and forty spirit stones.
"Hehe~" Alchemist Zhuang chuckled lightly without answering Chen Jianghe's question.
Everything was understood without words.
"Has Alchemist Zhuang prepared the supplementary ingredients for the Youth Retaining Pill?" Chen Jianghe asked with a smile.
Alchemist Zhuang's face lit up with joy. His wrinkled features trembled slightly as he nodded emphatically.
"I'm just waiting for you to bring the Youth Retaining Grass, Fellow Daoist."
"I will bring the Youth Retaining Grass in a few days. I'll have to trouble Alchemist Zhuang to refine it then."
Chen Jianghe put the jade vials into his storage pouch and then said, "In that case, I won't disturb your rest any longer, Alchemist Zhuang."
"Yes, I will await your return, Fellow Daoist."
Chen Jianghe left the residence and headed toward Qingping Lane.
"Grandfather, why did you give Senior Chen another twelve body-refining spirit pills?" Zhuang Xinyan came out and asked, looking puzzled.
"Ruxu, do you understand my reasoning?" Alchemist Zhuang looked kindly at Jiang Ruxu and asked.
"Master, you received eight hundred spirit stones from those two seniors. The thirty spirit pills you gave earlier were worth six hundred spirit stones. There was no need to let Senior Chen harbor any resentment over two hundred spirit stones."
Jiang Ruxu looked at Alchemist Zhuang with her large, watery eyes. She knew this was to pave the way for her and her senior sister.
"Master, I will definitely work hard on my alchemy, become a second-rank alchemist, and protect Senior Sister."