Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Ninth Level of Qi Refining
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Returning to his small courtyard.
Chen Jianghe first took the demonic beast parts processed by Xiao Hei and Maoqiu to the Demonic Beast Workshop to sell.
With no second-grade superior bloodlines, the parts from the four demonic beasts sold for a total of fifteen spirit stones.
Afterwards, he went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to purchase the resources he needed for cultivation.
Two True Spirit Pills and two Tidal Essences cost him ninety spirit stones.
He also bought five sheets of Black Porpoise hide and five boxes of spirit ink, spending sixty spirit stones.
After returning, Chen Jianghe took stock of his assets.
His rent in Qinghe Market City was paid for another five years.
He had ninety-three spirit stones and ninety grains of spirit sand on hand.
However, he also had forty-two mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans, worth three hundred and forty spirit stones and twenty grains of spirit sand.
Three high-grade Protective Talismans, and three high-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans.
He had a total of thirty-nine high-grade body tempering spirit pills left.
There were also the two newly purchased True Spirit Pills, two Tidal Essences, five sheets of Black Porpoise hide, five boxes of spirit ink, and his wolf-hair talisman brush could still be used over seven hundred more times.
He had a few Abstinence Pills left, and he would buy more from Jiang Ruxu in a few days when it was time to refine the Youth Retaining Pills.
"If I add this inferior Foundation Establishment Pill, my current assets are close to four thousand spirit stones."
Chen Jianghe felt a bit emotional.
He usually felt very poor, but after calculating everything carefully, he realized his assets were quite substantial.
Far more substantial than that of an ordinary Qi Refining family.
If he sold Maoqiu.
The spirit stones in his hands would immediately soar to nearly seven thousand.
Of course, this was just a thought. He was still counting on Maoqiu to work for spirit stones and to protect him!
However, most of what he had couldn't be liquidated, as they were resources he needed for his own cultivation.
He stopped thinking about these miscellaneous matters.
For the next few days, he didn't plan on drawing any spirit talismans.
He wanted to focus wholeheartedly on cultivation and raise his cultivation level to the ninth level of Qi Refining. By then, the purity of his spiritual power would rise to another level.
When drawing spirit talismans, his spiritual power would be more stable.
The success rate of creating talismans would also be higher.
Most importantly, the power of his spiritual arts would increase, providing him with greater security.
He consumed a True Spirit Pill.
Circulating the Myriad Waters True Scripture, the unique properties of his Shenque acupoint enveloped the pill's medicinal power, swallowing it whole. Then, as the Myriad Waters True Scripture circulated, the power slowly seeped out, accelerating the speed at which he purified his spiritual power.
Seven days later.
The mass of spiritual power in Chen Jianghe's Dantian sea of qi was as black as ink and crystal clear. As strands of impurities were stripped away, the mass of spiritual power shrank to the size of an eyeball, yet it contained terrifying energy.
Sensing the terrifying aura emanating from his spiritual power.
It was nearly thirty percent stronger than before.
"Huu~"
Chen Jianghe's eyes snapped open. He exhaled a breath of turbid air and felt the spiritual power in his Dantian sea of qi, a slight smile gracing his lips.
He had finally reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, becoming the great ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator he had once looked up to.
"My aura is far less substantial than Ruan Tieniu's. It seems there's still a significant gap between me and a cultivator at the peak of Body Tempering."
Chen Jianghe thought to himself, then extended his divine sense.
At its full extent, it actually reached sixty feet, fifty percent stronger than that of an ordinary ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator.
Typically, a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator who had not practiced any spiritual cultivation techniques could extend their divine sense to a maximum of forty feet.
Yet his indeed extended to sixty feet.
Although this might be related to drawing spirit talismans, the gap would never be this large.
This made Chen Jianghe suspect the Spiritual Altar's Mark.
"Could it be the Spiritual Altar's Mark? Did it bind my soul essence with Xiao Hei's, allowing my divine sense to reach this strength?"
The moment this thought appeared, Chen Jianghe dismissed it.
If it were because of the Spiritual Altar's Mark.
Then the increase in his soul essence wouldn't be so small. Xiao Hei was a spirit beast, and its soul essence was stronger than a cultivator's.
"Could it be because I've lived two lives?"
Chen Jianghe felt this idea was also unreliable.
How strong could a mortal's soul essence be? Even though he couldn't perform divine sense attacks, he could instantly shatter a mortal's soul with the properties of his divine sense alone.
So, that was even more impossible.
After much thought, he concluded it was likely related to the Spiritual Altar's Mark after all.
He turned his divine sense inward to observe his Spiritual Altar.
A trapezoidal Spiritual Altar sat in his sea of consciousness, emitting a tri-colored light, representing the condensation of his essence, qi, and spirit.
On the front face of the Spiritual Altar, Xiao Hei's mark was exceptionally clear. Even the gray cracks that had appeared on Xiao Hei as it grew into adulthood were visible.
But the other three faces of the Spiritual Altar were empty, a chaotic blur.
"What exactly is this Spiritual Altar's Mark?"
Chen Jianghe wanted to see the Spiritual Altar's Mark in Xiao Hei's sea of consciousness to check if it was the same as his.
But his cultivation level was insufficient.
Forcibly entering Xiao Hei's sea of consciousness with his divine sense would, at the very least, turn one of them into an idiot.
"Never mind that. The stronger my soul essence, the more solid my foundation will be when I cultivate spiritual techniques in the future."
Chen Jianghe stopped thinking about the Spiritual Altar.
He checked the time. New Year's Eve had passed, and today was the fifth day of the new year. He planned to make a trip to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
To see if Gao Peiyao had brought the Youth Retaining Grass.
Also, the time for his transaction with Ruan Tieniu was approaching, and he wanted to know if Ruan Tieniu had successfully reached Foundation Establishment.
In his opinion, Ruan Tieniu's chances of successfully breaking through to Foundation Establishment were quite high.
The cultivation grounds in Qinghe Market City had a spiritual qi concentration that could reach the level of a second-grade, high-tier spiritual vein.
In other words, Ruan Tieniu's success rate for Foundation Establishment was: second-grade high-tier spiritual vein + peak of Body Tempering + an inferior Foundation Establishment Pill.
Although he didn't know Ruan Tieniu's spiritual root talent or whether he had practiced any spiritual cultivation techniques.
Based on what was apparent, his success rate was already at fifty percent.
A fifty percent success rate for Foundation Establishment.
This was already very high.
Most ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators attempted to break through to Foundation Establishment with only a twenty percent chance of success.
Of course, out of ten such ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators, it was rare for even one to succeed.
As he stepped out of his room, he saw the post box in the courtyard flashing with light.
With a thought, Chen Jianghe drew the letter from the post box into his hand. He glanced at it and saw it was a message from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
Opening it, he saw it was sent by someone on Gao Peiyao's behalf.
It said that the Youth Retaining Grass had arrived and that Chen Jianghe could go to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to pick it up at any time.
"I'll go to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion first, get the Youth Retaining Grass, and take it to Alchemist Zhuang for refining."
Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
Alchemist Zhuang seemed very eager to take the Youth Retaining Pill. His time must be running out; otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a hurry.
Before he even reached the courtyard gate.
He heard the sound of the door knocker.
He opened the gate to find Ruan Tieniu standing outside.
His expression was somewhat dejected, his eyes filled with helplessness.
"You failed?"
Chen Jianghe sensed the aura emanating from Ruan Tieniu; it was stronger and more substantial than a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator's.
At least twice as strong as before.
However, he had never felt the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, one's aura was restrained. Unless they made a move or intentionally released their aura, it was impossible to detect any spiritual power fluctuations.
But Ruan Tieniu's body was radiating powerful fluctuations of spiritual power.
He must have failed.
But thanks to the inferior Foundation Establishment Pill, his life was saved.
And he had even reached the legendary tenth level of Qi Refining.
"Brother Chen, how about we go sit at the Qingping Teahouse?"
Ruan Tieniu forced a smile as he looked at Chen Jianghe.
"Uh, alright."
Chen Jianghe nodded.
Failing to break through to Foundation Establishment made it very difficult for Ruan Tieniu to get a second chance, even if he had sufficient financial resources.
The success rate would be halved.
At this moment, Ruan Tieniu must be feeling extremely dejected.
He and Ruan Tieniu had some sort of friendship, after all. It was better to sit with him at a time like this.
As for comforting him?
Cultivators didn't need comfort.
Arriving at the Qingping Teahouse, Ruan Tieniu actually ordered a pot of spirit tea that cost two spirit stones, which was inconsistent with his previously frugal nature.
"I was too hasty. I should have waited another five years."
Ruan Tieniu downed a cup of tea, glanced at Chen Jianghe, and then said to himself, "The spirit stones from selling the pill formula were more than enough for me to cultivate my spirit to its peak."
"But I was deluded by a stroke of luck, thinking a fifty percent chance was enough to succeed in Foundation Establishment."
"I thought I could save the spirit stones for buying a top-tier flying sword."
"Haha... How ridiculous!"
"Brother Chen, do you know? That kind of thinking is truly ridiculous. After reaching Foundation Establishment, I could have earned more spirit stones. I would have eventually saved up enough for a top-tier flying sword. Why did I have to save those spirit stones?!"
"If my spirit had reached its peak, I would have had a seventy percent chance of success. I would have definitely succeeded in Foundation Establishment!"
"I regret it so much!"
Seeing Ruan Tieniu's almost frenzied state as he spoke words of regret.
Chen Jianghe became extremely cautious. He first communicated with Xiao Hei, preparing to use the divine ability 'Petrification' at any moment.
The *Qinghe Magazine* clearly stated that a tenth-level Qi Refining cultivator who had failed to break through to Foundation Establishment could actually be considered a half-step Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This was because their spiritual power had completely liquefied, refined into the form of water droplets.
The reason for their failure was that their essence, qi, and spirit did not sublimate during the breakthrough process, and their soul essence remained at the Qi Refining stage.
Therefore, the offensive power of a tenth-level Qi Refining cultivator was extremely high, far surpassing that of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator.
Facing a cultivator who had failed at Foundation Establishment, Chen Jianghe had to be cautious.
His divine sense seeped into his storage bag. If anything went wrong, he would use a high-grade Protective Talisman immediately.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Ruan Tieniu calmed down and looked at Chen Jianghe apologetically. "Thank you, Brother Chen, for listening to me complain so much."
Although Ruan Tieniu had been complaining and regretting saving spirit stones instead of cultivating his spirit to its peak.
He did not complain about receiving an inferior Foundation Establishment Pill.
Chen Jianghe admired this point.
If it had been anyone else, they might have already started complaining about Ji Wujin and blaming Alchemist Zhuang.
If Ji Wujin hadn't been given priority, he would have received a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill.
If Alchemist Zhuang had refined two genuine Foundation Establishment Pills, he would have also received one.
At that time, his success rate would have increased to sixty percent.
Perhaps he would have succeeded!
But Ruan Tieniu only looked for reasons within himself, which was very rare.
"It's nothing," Chen Jianghe said gently.
Suddenly.
Ruan Tieniu's expression turned serious. He looked at Chen Jianghe solemnly and said, "Brother Chen, I want to ask you for a favor."
Hmm?
Chen Jianghe was taken aback, a bad premonition rising in his heart.
'Ruan Tieniu doesn't want the inferior Foundation Establishment Pill I have, does he?!'
Although Ruan Tieniu's failure had made him realize how unreliable the so-called fifty percent success rate was.
One should never trust a so-called fifty percent success rate, or even a seventy percent one.
But he would not give away the inferior Foundation Establishment Pill in his possession.
It was his safety net.
If he had no better options in the future, this Foundation Establishment Pill would be used to save his life.
"What is it?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"Five years from now, if I can gather the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill, I'd like to ask Brother Chen to help me by asking Alchemist Zhuang to waive my refining fee. I'll owe you a favor."
"If I can't gather them, then let's just forget about it!"
Ruan Tieniu said with determination.
Chen Jianghe breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he wasn't asking for his inferior Foundation Establishment Pill, anything else was negotiable.
As for asking Alchemist Zhuang to help refine a Foundation Establishment Pill.
That was naturally easy to arrange.
If Ruan Tieniu could gather the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill, Chen Jianghe would definitely contribute a share as well.
This was a good thing for him too.
What surprised him, however, was that Ruan Tieniu hadn't been defeated by his failure at Foundation Establishment.
He was actually thinking about a second attempt at Foundation Establishment!
"Alright. If Brother Ruan can gather the main ingredients, I'll provide the supplementary materials. When the time comes, I'll definitely ask Alchemist Zhuang to refine it for free."
Chen Jianghe knew why Ruan Tieniu wanted the refining done for free.
Because he had no more spirit stones.
This time, he would surely prepare more thoroughly and would definitely cultivate his spirit to its peak.
Otherwise, his success rate for a second attempt at Foundation Establishment would be less than thirty percent at best.
"Thank you, Brother Chen."
Ruan Tieniu stood up, clasped his fists, and bowed.
"Brother Ruan, there's no need for that. If we can refine the pills again, I will benefit as well," Chen Jianghe said frankly.
Ruan Tieniu nodded. "Then it's settled between us brothers. I will definitely find the main ingredients within five years."
"It's just that from now on, Brother Chen will have to go handle the spirit talisman transactions yourself."
Ruan Tieniu said apologetically.
"But I'll take Brother Chen to get familiar with the demon hunters' trading place first."
Chen Jianghe nodded.
He understood Ruan Tieniu's meaning.
To gather the main ingredients for a Foundation Establishment Pill again within five years, he would definitely have to venture deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
Even though he was already a tenth-level Qi Refining, half-step Foundation Establishment cultivator.
He might not make it out of the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range alive every time.
After leaving the Qingping Teahouse, Ruan Tieniu led Chen Jianghe to an open square in the northwest district.
Some simple landscaping had been arranged here.
Many demon hunters were gathered here.
"Brother Chen, this is the trading place for demon hunters tacitly approved by the powers behind the market city. Spirit talismans, demonic beast carcasses, second-hand spiritual artifacts—they can all be traded here," Ruan Tieniu explained.
Chen Jianghe looked around. The square, about the size of a basketball court, held several hundred demon hunters and dozens of stalls.
It was obvious that this was indeed condoned by the market city.
Otherwise, anyone setting up a stall here would surely be driven away by the market city's guard patrol.
This was his first time in such a place. It felt a bit disorderly, but he had to come.
After all, it meant an extra five percent profit.
Over a year, that amounted to a difference of several dozen spirit stones.
Just then.
In the crowd, a short, thin middle-aged man with a black mole on the left side of his face, from which two long, coarse hairs sprouted.
The moment he saw Chen Jianghe, his expression changed drastically.
He immediately tugged at the beautiful, curvaceous woman next to him and sent a voice transmission.
"Third, it's that kid!"