Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Improvement in the Dao of Talismans
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"Senior Chen, here to see Manager Gao again? Allow me to show you the way."
Chen Ping was standing by the railing on the second floor of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, planning his future, when he caught sight of Chen Jianghe entering the building. He quickly went downstairs.
"Thank you, fellow Daoist," Chen Jianghe said.
He knew the other party was being attentive to impress Gao Peiyao, but he couldn't refuse. Every cultivator has their own path.
As long as it didn't affect him, he shouldn't block another's path.
Besides, Gao Peiyao was leaving soon, and Chen Ping was a manager on the second floor of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. It was good to foster some goodwill.
"You're too kind, Senior."
Chen Ping smiled honestly. He wasn't old, and climbing to his current position had given him a glimmer of hope for Foundation Establishment.
This made him firmly believe that the path of building good relationships was the right one.
As a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator and a manager at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, there was no need to be arrogant and look down on everyone.
One should be modest, polite, and treat others with kindness.
"Senior, the fifth floor is Manager Gao's private residence. This is as far as I can take you."
When they reached the fourth floor, Chen Ping stopped and cupped his hands.
"Mm, thank you."
Chen Jianghe nodded and went up alone.
After the female cultivator guarding the door announced his arrival, he entered Gao Peiyao's cultivation chamber on the fifth floor.
"Brother Jianghe, for you to come at this time, it seems Alchemist Zhuang's skills are indeed impressive. He must have succeeded in refining the Youth Retaining Pills."
Gao Peiyao was dressed in loose, white casual robes, sitting cross-legged in the cultivation room. Her black hair cascaded down like a graceful waterfall.
Her phoenix-like eyes glanced over, her voice crisp, but there was a hint of coldness in her expression.
It wasn't intentional, but an inadvertent display of nobility.
Chen Jianghe nodded and said, "Fairy, you guessed correctly. Alchemist Zhuang succeeded in refining the Youth Retaining Pills. There are three in total, exactly one for each of us."
With that, he took out a jade box.
Gao Peiyao flicked a slender, jade-like finger. The jade box flew before her and slowly opened, revealing the Youth Retaining Pills inside. A refreshing fragrance filled the air.
"The color is vibrant, and the spiritual energy is uniform. He truly possesses the skill of a Tier 2 low-grade Alchemist."
Gao Peiyao said lightly, pushing the jade box back toward Chen Jianghe.
"I gave you the Youth Retaining Grass, Brother Jianghe, so the pills refined from it belong to you as well. There's no need to give one to me."
"As a disciple of the Tiannan Sect, I can receive a Youth Retaining Pill after reaching Foundation Establishment, at the age of sixty."
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe felt a pang of envy.
Sect disciples had more resources than clan disciples; they even distributed miraculous pills like the Youth Retaining Pill.
Although it was only for Foundation Establishment disciples, it was still incredibly rare.
A single Youth Retaining Pill was worth six hundred spirit stones. If handled well at an auction, it could fetch the astronomical price of two thousand spirit stones.
Just like last time, with no reserve price and no bidding restrictions, the price of the Youth Retaining Pill skyrocketed to two thousand spirit stones.
"Thank you, Fairy."
Chen Jianghe didn't refuse and accepted the Youth Retaining Pill directly.
Gao Peiyao didn't lack resources, but he did!
Spirit stones for cultivating his spiritual art, spirit stones for buying artifacts, spirit stones for purchasing the legacy of a Tier 1 high-grade talisman.
He had yet to secure any of them!
After expressing his thanks, Chen Jianghe didn't disturb Gao Peiyao's cultivation any further and took his leave from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
He headed towards Green Duckweed Lane.
Returning to his courtyard, he hung up the 'In Seclusion' sign.
Then he let out Xiao Hei and Maoqiu.
"Squeak squeak~"
Maoqiu was startled by the sight of the twelve demon beast carcasses and felt a chill run up its paws.
It couldn't help but lean closer to Xiao Hei, feeling a great sense of security.
Xiao Hei, however, merely glanced at the carcasses, his beady eyes narrowing slightly as his large mouth split into a grin.
"There's work to be done."
"Now this is what I call living!"
Xiao Hei was filled with emotion. He loved a fulfilling life and disliked lazing around every day. In his eyes, that was wrong.
It was a waste of time.
He was born with a defect, his lifespan only a third of his kind's, so he cherished every moment.
He didn't dare waste a single second.
Even when he wasn't cultivating, he was thinking about how to earn cultivation resources.
This was a habit he had developed since he was young, being with Chen Jianghe.
Only cultivation could increase his lifespan, so he was now a venerable one hundred and twenty years old, which made him very happy.
"Xiao Hei, I'm leaving these to you. These ten Tier 1 mid-stage demon beasts cost a hundred and sixty spirit stones. You have to handle them with care."
"A hundred and sixty spirit stones? Weren't they eight spirit stones each?" Xiao Hei was taken aback and quickly asked.
"Didn't you see these are all demon beasts with Grade 2 high-grade bloodlines? But their parts are also expensive. As long as you process them well, we can earn at least three spirit stones per beast, hehe~"
"Uh~ making such a big investment? You have more faith in me than I do!"
"Of course. I trust you the most."
"Mm, don't worry. Maoqiu and I will definitely handle it well."
Xiao Hei said resolutely.
He patted Maoqiu's head, prompting it to also state its position.
"Squeak squeak~"
"Maoqiu also wants you to rest assured."
At this moment, Xiao Hei felt the excitement that came with being trusted. Although something felt a little off, it could be ignored.
A fulfilling life was the right way to live.
"Alright, once we have spirit stones, I'll give you Tier 2 spirit cores to eat like candy..."
Chen Jianghe said, but seeing the disdainful look from Xiao Hei, he coughed lightly. "I was talking to Maoqiu."
After speaking, he immediately walked into his room.
"Squeak squeak~" (Lord Turtle, is what Master said true? Eating Tier 2 spirit cores like candy.)
"..."
Xiao Hei rolled his eyes at Maoqiu. Looking into Maoqiu's clear eyes, he felt as if he were seeing his younger self.
Back then, he too had been so naive and ridiculous.
"Stop overthinking it. Let's get to work!"
---
Chen Jianghe circulated the Myriad Waters True Scripture, purifying the spiritual power in his dantian's sea of qi. Under the inspection of his divine sense, the mass of spiritual power was jet-black and translucent, like an eyeball.
"In five years, I should be able to bring my cultivation to the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining. But my physical cultivation... that will be a bit tough."
He was confident he could raise his cultivation to the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining within five years, but he wasn't confident about reaching the peak of body tempering.
Reaching the late stage of body tempering was easy, but reaching the peak was rather difficult.
However, he had plenty of time to grind it out.
The same went for his spiritual cultivation; he could also grind it to the peak.
Just as he had told Ji Wujin.
In thirty years, he could surely grind his body and spirit to their peaks.
Of course, thirty years was if things didn't go smoothly. He was still confident he could achieve it in twenty-five years.
Then, he followed his original cultivation plan and went into seclusion: three shichen for cultivating the Myriad Waters True Scripture, two shichen for the Tidal Body Tempering Art, and seven shichen for drawing talismans.
No matter what, the time spent drawing talismans could not be reduced any further.
Otherwise, his annual profit from spirit stones really wouldn't be enough to cover his cultivation expenses.
As his cultivation level increased, he would need more and more spirit stones. If possible, he didn't want to waste even a single grain of spirit sand.
Time flew by.
In mid-April, Chen Jianghe received a message from Ruan Tieniu.
The message asked if he knew a rogue cultivator named Duan Ming.
Reading the message, Chen Jianghe looked puzzled. He had always been amicable and avoided trouble, so how could he possibly know a rogue cultivator?
This confused him. Why was this rogue cultivator asking about him?
It seemed he was asking about his relationship with Ruan Tieniu.
This made Chen Jianghe feel like he was being targeted by a rogue cultivator.
But he had nothing of value that would attract a rogue cultivator's attention!
Only Alchemist Zhuang, his apprentice, and Gao Peiyao knew about the Youth Retaining Pills, and they wouldn't spread the word.
As for the Foundation Establishment Pill, that was even less likely to be leaked.
Ruan Tieniu still hoped Chen Jianghe would ask Alchemist Zhuang to refine pills for him again, so he wouldn't dare to offend Chen Jianghe.
Ji Wujin also had a Foundation Establishment Pill, a genuine one at that, so he certainly wouldn't leak the news either.
Alchemist Zhuang and Gao Peiyao had a deep relationship with him and wouldn't betray him at a time like this.
So, the other party couldn't possibly be after the Youth Retaining Pills or the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Chen Jianghe shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He figured he might get some clues when he saw Ruan Tieniu again and could ask for details.
In any case, as long as he didn't leave Qinghe Market City, he wasn't afraid of being targeted.
Even if someone dared to make a move within Qinghe Market City, as long as it wasn't a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had no fear.
With Xiao Hei and Maoqiu, even ten ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators couldn't do anything to him.
He could still escape with ease.
Fleeing along the Qinghe River, a single water escape art could cover twelve li. What cultivator of the same realm could possibly catch him?
At the end of May, he received letters from Yu Daniu and Zhou Miaoyun respectively.
Both mentioned that Gao Peiyao had sent them a message about a small gathering for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
From the letters, it was clear that both Yu Daniu and Zhou Miaoyun understood Gao Peiyao's intention. After this Mid-Autumn Festival gathering...
...the four of them would probably find it difficult to meet again.
Even if such a day did come...
...it was unlikely all of them would be there.
"A Tier 2 low-grade spirit mine was discovered at Yunmen Mountain!"
Yu Daniu's letter mentioned a newly discovered spirit mine by the Yun Clan, located at Yunmen Mountain.
This was the former territory of the White Clan of Qiyun Mountain.
However, the White Clan of Qiyun Mountain's territory had been divided among five Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans, including the Yun Clan.
Thus, Yunmen Mountain was situated at the border of three Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans.
Originally, the Yun Clan, with two Foundation Establishment cultivators and a Tier 2 spirit beast, had a significant advantage and could have monopolized half of the spirit mine.
The other two Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans would have split the remaining half.
But the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan intervened, secretly supporting the other two clans and encouraging them to contend with the Yun Clan for the mining rights of the Yunmen Spirit Mine.
"They actually sent Yun Youniu and Yun Sanniu to Yunmen Mountain. Is the main branch of the Yun Clan starting to suppress Yun Huizhen's line?"
In Yu Daniu's letter, it was mentioned that Yun Youniu and Yun Sanniu had both been promoted to clan deacons and were sent to Yunmen Mountain by the clan head, Yun Xiaotian.
This was right after the discovery of the Yunmen Spirit Mine, a time when the conflict was at its most intense.
Sending the Yun Youniu brothers there—what could it be but a move to suppress Yun Huizhen's branch of the family?
Although Yu Daniu and Yun Huizhen didn't want Yun Youniu and Yun Sanniu to go, as clan disciples, they had to be ready to step forward for the clan's interests at any time.
Therefore, they couldn't refuse the arrangements made by the clan head, Yun Xiaotian.
Otherwise, it would be disloyalty to the clan, and they would lose their standing within it.
Chen Jianghe wrote back to Yu Daniu, telling him not to be stingy with spirit stones and to buy a high-grade flying sword for both Yun Youniu and Yun Sanniu.
It would be best to buy each of them a high-grade defensive artifact as well.
If he was short on spirit stones, he just had to say the word; Chen Jianghe had some savings.
As long as they could endure this period, once the dust settled over the Yunmen Spirit Mine, Yun Youniu and Yun Sanniu could return to Mirror Moon Lake with great merit.
As for Zhou Miaoyun, he also sent a reply.
See you at the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Simple and clear.
When early August arrived, Chen Jianghe stepped out of his room and took down the 'In Seclusion' sign hanging on his courtyard gate.
He wasn't sure if Yu Daniu would arrive early.
If he did, he would definitely come looking for him first.
So, it was better to take the sign down.
Afterwards, he took the demon beast parts that Xiao Hei and Maoqiu had processed to the Demon Beast Workshop to sell.
It had to be said, Xiao Hei and Maoqiu were getting more and more skilled at the business of processing demon beasts.
In nearly eight months, they had already properly processed all twelve demon beasts.
All of them met the purchasing requirements of the Demon Beast Workshop.
The useful parts from the ten Tier 1 late-stage demon beasts sold for a total of one hundred and ninety-two spirit stones.
On average, they earned three spirit stones and twenty grains of spirit sand per demon beast.
As for the two Tier 1 late-stage demon beasts, their spirit cores were eaten by Xiao Hei, and their heart marrow, organs, and flesh were eaten by Maoqiu.
The remaining parts sold for a total of twenty-one spirit stones.
The initial purchase of these twelve demon beasts had cost a total of two hundred and twenty-eight spirit stones.
After being sold as parts, they brought in a total of two hundred and thirteen spirit stones.
His two spirit beasts, through their labor, had nearly covered their own cultivation costs.
This made Chen Jianghe feel it was incredible. He was greatly gratified and even a little touched.
After selling the parts, Chen Jianghe let Xiao Hei and Maoqiu out again to continue their cultivation.
If someone came to visit, he would put them back into the spirit beast space.
He felt helpless about this life of hiding, but with his low cultivation, he had no other choice.
Neither Xiao Hei nor Maoqiu could be revealed.
Otherwise, it would bring about a fatal disaster.
Besides, they were his trump cards. If they were exposed, they would no longer be trump cards.
He returned to his room.
He cast aside distracting thoughts, focused his mind, and continued to draw talismans.
In these seven-plus months, he had drawn thirty-three mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans. The improvement in his cultivation offset the reduced time he spent drawing them.
His spiritual power was purer, making it more stable and easier to control when drawing talismans.
This had indeed increased his success rate.
His success rate for drawing mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans had risen to nearly fifty percent.
If he had the legacy for Tier 1 high-grade talismans, he could already start trying to draw them.
Of course, his foundation wasn't solid enough yet.
After stabilizing his success rate for mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans at fifty percent, his foundation would be much more solid for drawing high-grade talismans.
He would then naturally become a high-grade Talisman Master.
However, many Talisman Masters were eager for quick success and would start trying to draw high-grade talismans when their success rate for mid-grade ones was only forty percent.
Although they could also succeed...
...their success rate would be extremely low.
Chen Jianghe didn't want the title of a high-grade Talisman Master; he wanted the profit from drawing talismans.
Earning spirit stones was the goal.
*Knock~ knock knock.*
Just then, someone knocked on the door ring.