Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Each with Their Secrets, Leaving a Way Out
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“Senior Chen, please wait.”
Chen Jianghe had just left Blessed Abode 136 and was stepping out of Longevity Lane when he heard Jiang Ruxu's voice behind him.
He stopped.
Jiang Ruxu hurried up to him, her usually bright and playful eyes now tinged with a hint of embarrassment.
Chen Jianghe knew what she wanted to say, but he asked anyway, “Is something the matter, Fellow Daoist Jiang?”
“I… I left a letter for you, Senior.”
“Oh? I was in a hurry to see Alchemist Zhuang, so I didn't notice any letters in the message box,” Chen Jianghe said, feigning surprise.
“It's nothing major, really. I just wanted to ask if the Beauty Preserving Pill from the Treasure Pavilion auction a while back was put up by you, Senior?”
Knowing the importance of the Beauty Preserving Pill, Jiang Ruxu switched to a voice transmission to ask.
She was now a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator and was capable of sending private voice transmissions.
“Why do you ask?”
Chen Jianghe didn't answer, posing a question of his own.
The spirit stones from the auction of the Beauty Preserving Pill had been delivered to him by Chen Ping.
Therefore, Chen Ping knew he had sold one.
Although he wasn't sure if Chen Ping had told anyone else.
But Chen Jianghe would never voluntarily admit that he had auctioned a Beauty Preserving Pill at the Treasure Pavilion.
This way, he could trade the pills he had privately, and no one would question why his appearance never changed.
“I would like to have the Beauty Preserving Pill in your possession, Senior,” Jiang Ruxu said, mustering her courage.
“Oh? Has a mid-rank Alchemist like yourself already earned so many spirit stones?” Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.
His meaning was simple.
She could have the Beauty Preserving Pill, but she needed spirit stones.
Even a fairy was no exception.
The income of a mid-rank Alchemist might be higher than that of a mid-rank Talisman Master, but one mustn't forget that Jiang Ruxu had to give eighty percent of her annual earnings to Alchemist Zhuang.
The rest was her own.
Moreover, she still needed to cultivate and purchase resources.
It was safe to say that before becoming a high-rank Alchemist, it would be impossible for Jiang Ruxu to save any spirit stones.
Even if she managed to save some, it would hardly exceed two hundred.
“Master is very good to me. He helps me save eighty percent of my alchemy profits each year, but he provides all the resources I need for my cultivation.”
Jiang Ruxu spoke of Alchemist Zhuang's kindness without reservation, openly telling Chen Jianghe about the arrangements her master had made for her.
“So, I've been saving my twenty percent. Senior, could you possibly hold it for me for ten years? By then, my spirit stones, combined with my Senior Sister's, will be enough to buy your Beauty Preserving Pill.”
Looking at Jiang Ruxu's sincere gaze, Chen Jianghe pondered for a moment before asking, “How many spirit stones are you prepared to spend on my Beauty Preserving Pill, Fellow Daoist Jiang?”
“One thousand eight hundred spirit stones. The last one at the auction sold for over eighteen hundred. I'm sure you'll round it down for me, Senior, hehe~”
“…”
Chen Jianghe was a bit speechless.
It wasn't because of her request to round down the price.
He wouldn't mind rounding it down; he'd even be willing to knock off a hundred spirit stones.
Because this pill of his would never go to auction. If sold privately, it would fetch one thousand five hundred spirit stones at most.
It might not even reach that much.
Jiang Ruxu had offered eighteen hundred spirit stones right off the bat. This wasn't an auction; there were no handling fees.
This was a much better deal than putting it up for auction.
A final auction price of over eighteen hundred would only net him a little over seventeen hundred.
What left Chen Jianghe speechless was just how alluring the Beauty Preserving Pill truly was in the eyes of female cultivators.
Mortal women were obsessed with their appearance.
Cultivator fairies, it seemed, were even more so.
One thousand eight hundred spirit stones. If it were a male cultivator, he would be thinking of buying a magical artifact or a spirit beast to increase his combat strength.
No male cultivator would ever spend eighteen hundred spirit stones on a Beauty Preserving Pill.
“Can you save that many spirit stones in a year, Fellow Daoist Jiang?”
“No, I can only save eighty spirit stones a year, which is eight hundred in ten years. But my Senior Sister can save one hundred a year. So together, we'll have one thousand eight hundred.”
“Ah, so that's how it is.”
Chen Jianghe was curious. Didn't Zhuang Xinyan want a Beauty Preserving Pill for herself?
He wasn't surprised that Zhuang Xinyan could save spirit stones. Alchemist Zhuang probably gave her a yearly allowance, which she had likely been accumulating.
After all, she didn't need to buy resources either; Alchemist Zhuang purchased them and then bestowed them upon her and Jiang Ruxu.
“Let's make it one thousand five hundred spirit stones.”
A friendly smile appeared on Chen Jianghe's face as he sent a voice transmission, “As long as you save up one thousand five hundred spirit stones, and I still have the Beauty Preserving Pill at that time, we have a deal.”
“Ah!”
“Senior Chen, you're too kind!”
Jiang Ruxu looked at Chen Jianghe with delight, her voice filled with excitement.
She had been hoping he would round the price down.
She hadn't expected him to knock off three hundred spirit stones directly. Her heart swelled with gratitude and emotion.
“Alright, you should head back now.”
Chen Jianghe looked at Jiang Ruxu, her eyes filled with admiration. Combined with her cute and playful face and naturally bright eyes, she was indeed quite endearing.
“Thank you, Senior Chen. I'll be going now.” Jiang Ruxu gave a happy curtsy, then turned and left, her steps light with excitement and joy.
“Fellow Daoist, that's not very proper, you know. Alchemist Zhuang considers you a friend despite the age gap, yet your mind is filled with thoughts of his disciple.”
Just then, a teasing voice sounded from behind Chen Jianghe.
He turned to see Ji Wujin, who had just returned from outside.
There were bloodstains on his clothes!
“It's still better than your character, Fellow Daoist. We considered you a friend, yet you turned around and sold us out. It harmed others without even benefiting yourself.”
Chen Jianghe retorted.
His gaze towards Jiang Ruxu was purely that of an elder looking at a junior, with no other complicated thoughts.
But with Ji Wujin, he decided to probe a little.
“Fellow Daoist Ruan has already used his Foundation Establishment Pill. You haven't used yours, but you've been cooped up in the market city. What are you afraid of?”
“As for Alchemist Zhuang, I was just helping him advertise. More cultivators will patronize his business now. He should be thanking me!”
It seemed Ji Wujin didn't know the meaning of concealment, or perhaps he simply didn't see Chen Jianghe as a threat.
Thus, he wasn't afraid of offending anyone and straightforwardly admitted that he was the one who spread the news about them pooling resources to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill.
“Why did you do it? What benefit is there for you? You know you still have a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill in your hands…”
Chen Jianghe's words trailed off.
Because Xiao Hei's voice echoed in his spiritual sea.
“Master, where are you? Leave quickly, there's danger.”
“Of course there's a benefit. A trip outside can earn a lot of spirit stones. Want to come with me, Fellow Daoist? We can get even more… Hey, don't go! Let's discuss it! A thirty-seventy split? Or how about forty-sixty?”
Watching Chen Jianghe's hastily retreating back.
“Coward. All you know is hiding in the market city. No fun at all. I was going to take you along to get rich. Forget it.”
“I didn't expect the world outside the market city to have such a lucrative path. This is great, hehe~”
Ji Wujin shrugged and walked into Longevity Lane, heading towards his home.
On Qinghe Street, Chen Jianghe's pace quickened. He soon returned to Green Duckweed Lane, but he could still feel eyes on him.
This prompted him to immediately enter his courtyard and activate the defensive formation.
There was more than one gaze fixed upon him.
Chen Jianghe knew the reason for these stares. It was undoubtedly because of the inferior Foundation Establishment Pill he possessed.
But what was the danger Xiao Hei mentioned?
Letting Xiao Hei out, Chen Jianghe asked urgently, “What did you mean just now? What danger?”
“My physical instincts sensed a very heavy killing intent, and a powerful pressure, even stronger than that female two-legger you play with.”
Chen Jianghe sucked in a sharp breath.
He knew who the “female two-legger” Xiao Hei was talking about.
“Ji Wujin either has a Tier 2 puppet or a Tier 2 spirit beast on him. He's fishing!”
Chen Jianghe was now certain why Ji Wujin had exposed the news about the Foundation Establishment Pill.
The bastard was using himself as bait to lure out robbers and cultivators with ill intentions.
The bloodstains on his clothes meant he had probably just returned from outside the market city.
And he had likely earned a handsome sum of spirit stones.
“That madman. Isn't he afraid of capsizing in the gutter?”
Even if he successfully reached Foundation Establishment, Chen Jianghe wouldn't dare to fish like this.
As the saying goes, walk by the river long enough, and your shoes are bound to get wet.
One careless mistake, and it would be eternal damnation.
“Xiao Hei, can you tell if that powerful pressure belongs to a spirit beast or a puppet?”
Chen Jianghe asked.
He had long known of Xiao Hei's sharp spiritual senses.
“What's a puppet?”
Xiao Hei asked, puzzled.
“Uh… how do I explain this? Just tell me, does that powerful pressure belong to a spirit beast?”
“Yes, but not entirely. There's another pressure, but I've never encountered it before, so I don't know what it is.”
“…”
Chen Jianghe's expression froze for a moment, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
Xiao Hei's words meant that Ji Wujin didn't just have one Tier 2 spirit beast on him; he might have something else as well.
That must be the puppet.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to carry it with him.
A Tier 2 spirit beast and a Tier 2 puppet.
At this moment, Ji Wujin's identity became even more difficult for him to guess.
Tier 2 puppets mostly came from the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan, as Tier 2 Puppet Masters were extremely rare.
There were almost none among rogue cultivators.
Furthermore, the Lu Clan would never sell a Tier 2 puppet; it was equivalent in combat power to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
As for a Tier 2 spirit beast?
How could a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator possibly have a Tier 2 spirit beast?
One had to understand that a spirit beast's breakthrough to Tier 2 was restricted by its bloodline.
The most common spirit beasts on the market basically had second-grade low-tier or second-grade high-tier bloodlines.
A second-grade low-tier bloodline made it impossible to become a Tier 2 demon beast.
A second-grade high-tier bloodline required a Tier 2 spirit core of the same attribute to have a thirty percent chance of becoming a Tier 2 spirit beast.
It was just like the Yun Clan Ancestor's spirit beast, the long-armed ape, which had devoured a Tier 2 spirit core of the same attribute during its breakthrough.
Only then did it luckily become a Tier 2 spirit beast.
Third-grade bloodline spirit beasts generally only appeared at auctions.
But even a third-grade low-tier bloodline spirit beast wasn't guaranteed to become a Tier 2 spirit beast.
With a spirit core of the same attribute, it only had a seventy percent chance of a successful breakthrough.
Of course, a third-grade high-tier bloodline spirit beast had a ninety percent chance of a successful breakthrough.
Basically, as long as it didn't die prematurely, it was expected to become a Tier 2 spirit beast.
Not only that, but it even had hopes of becoming a Tier 3 spirit beast.
Because the spirit pet of Revered Qinghe, who was now the greatest protector of Qinghe Market City, that Tier 3 spirit beast, also had a third-grade high-tier bloodline.
“If the spirit beast in Ji Wujin's possession has a third-grade high-tier bloodline, then it's possible he raised it to Tier 2 himself.”
“If its bloodline is third-grade low-tier or below, then it was raised by his clan, and Ji Wujin is a clan disciple out gaining experience.”
After much thought, Chen Jianghe felt that Ji Wujin was indeed a clan disciple out gaining experience.
Ji Wujin was likely an alias.
His true identity was probably a scion of the Beast Taming Immortal Zhou Clan or the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan.
Regardless of Ji Wujin's situation.
He himself absolutely could not leave Qinghe Market City now.
It wasn't just the threat from Qingfeng Stronghold anymore; he was now a juicy prize in the eyes of many ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators.
No wonder Ji Wujin dared to go fishing.
With a Tier 2 spirit beast and a Tier 2 puppet, anyone would dare to do the same.
Except Chen Jianghe, of course.
It wasn't that he was timid, but rather he believed such actions were wrong and violated the harmony of heaven.
Two more days passed.
The knocker on Chen Jianghe's courtyard gate was struck.
He went to see who it was and found a strange cultivator, but the man's aura was profound and powerful.
Ninth-level Qi Refining, and at the peak of Body Tempering.
“Are you Fellow Daoist Chen.”
“And you are…?”
“I am Qiu Yuming of the Precious Treasures Pavilion. It's a pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Chen.”
“Precious Treasures Pavilion? What brings you here, Fellow Daoist Qiu?”
“I've heard that you have an inferior Foundation Establishment Pill. I would like to purchase it at a high price, if you are willing to part with it.”
Qiu Yuming cupped his hands and said, “Two thousand spirit stones, and in the future, you will receive a two percent discount on all purchases at the Precious Treasures Pavilion.”
Bang!
Chen Jianghe slammed the door shut.
He didn't want to waste a single word on people like this. The more you talked to them, the more they'd take advantage.
Two thousand spirit stones?
Was he taking him for a fool?
If he wanted to exchange the pill for spirit stones, he could simply auction this inferior pill at the Treasure Pavilion.
He was confident it would fetch at least two thousand four hundred spirit stones.
As for the two percent discount at the Precious Treasures Pavilion?
That was just disrespectful.
If he auctioned this pill at the Treasure Pavilion, he would receive a two percent discount on all future purchases there.
The Treasure Pavilion was a hundred times better than the Precious Treasures Pavilion.
The man not only lacked sincerity, but he also treated him like an idiot.
Another three days passed.
New Year's Eve was approaching.
After finishing his cultivation of the Tidal Body Tempering Art, Chen Jianghe sat on a lounge chair, basking in the sun. He was finally experiencing the same helplessness as Alchemist Zhuang.
In these past three days, more than a dozen ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators had come knocking on his door.
Without exception, they all wanted to acquire the inferior Foundation Establishment Pill he possessed.
The offered price had even risen to two thousand three hundred spirit stones.
But Chen Jianghe had no intention of selling.
He didn't know if he would ever be able to gather the materials for another Foundation Establishment Pill. This was his backup plan.
He couldn't bring himself to cut off his own escape route.
Knock, knock-knock!
This time, the knocking was urgent.
It didn't sound like those seeking the pill; it seemed more like someone he knew.
Because the day for his trade with Boss Wang was approaching, and demon hunters didn't have fixed return schedules.
Chen Jianghe hadn't hung a ‘In Seclusion’ sign on his gate.
He opened the gate.
“Brother Ruan?”
“Brother Chen, the news about us pooling resources to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill is out! Everyone in Qinghe Market City knows about the inferior pill you have.”
Ruan Tieniu said urgently upon seeing Chen Jianghe.
“I already know. Thank you for the warning, Brother Ruan.” Chen Jianghe nodded.
“As long as you know, as long as you know~”
Ruan Tieniu said a few words.
After speaking, he just stood there without leaving. Chen Jianghe, for his part, wouldn't invite an outsider into his courtyard.
The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.
“Is there something you wanted to talk to me about, Brother Ruan?” Chen Jianghe asked, puzzled.
“Brother Chen, shall we move this conversation to the Qingping Teahouse?”
Ruan Tieniu said with a serious expression.
“Alright.”
Chen Jianghe agreed.
Within Qinghe Market City, as long as a Foundation Establishment cultivator didn't make a move, he feared no one.
As for the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the city, they likely all knew about his relationship with Gao Peiyao and wouldn't offend a sect disciple in the Foundation Establishment realm over an inferior pill.
They arrived at the Qingping Teahouse.
Ruan Tieniu ordered a pot of spirit tea that cost two spirit stones, a clear sign he was asking for a favor. Otherwise, he would never have ordered such an expensive tea.
Demon hunters valued spirit stones as much as their own lives.
“Brother Ruan, you can just speak plainly. There's no need for all this trouble.”
Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.
Although he didn't have a deep friendship with Ruan Tieniu, the man was very useful to him.
Chen Jianghe was counting on Ruan Tieniu to brave the dangers and retrieve the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit for him!
“I want the inferior Foundation Establishment Pill you have, Brother Chen.”
Ruan Tieniu said.
But he immediately added, “However, I won't be buying it from you now.”
“What do you mean, Brother Ruan?”
Chen Jianghe had a suspicion, but he wanted to hear Ruan Tieniu say it himself to confirm his guess.
“I have three years left before I miss the optimal window for Foundation Establishment.”
“I've already failed once, which has halved my chances of success. If I also miss the optimal window, I'll have no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.”
“So, if I cannot retrieve the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit in three years, I ask that you sell me your inferior Foundation Establishment Pill.”
Hearing this.
Chen Jianghe didn't respond. He simply looked at Ruan Tieniu calmly, his meaning unspoken but clear.
“Don't worry, Brother Chen, I won't let you take a loss. Even if I can't get the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit, if it comes to buying the pill from you, I will trade an Illusion Heart Grass for it.”
“Of course, the Illusion Heart Grass is far less valuable than the pill, but I will make up the difference with spirit stones.”
Ruan Tieniu looked at Chen Jianghe with hopeful eyes, waiting for a positive response.
He only had three years left.
He had hesitated for the past two years, never daring to venture deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
His brothers wouldn't accompany him to Fusang Cliff. Facing a Tier 2 demon beast would be a suicide mission for them.
Therefore, Ruan Tieniu felt his chances of obtaining the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit within three years were very low.
He had to find a backup plan.
The fact that Chen Jianghe hadn't used the pill to attempt his breakthrough yet undoubtedly gave him hope.
“Brother Ruan, you should know that I also need a Foundation Establishment Pill, so I can't give you a definite answer.”
“However, I can promise you this: if I do decide to sell the pill, I will definitely trade it with you for the Illusion Heart Grass.”
After saying this, Chen Jianghe stood up to leave.
This was the promise he gave to Ruan Tieniu.
There were three main ingredients for refining a Foundation Establishment Pill, and Illusion Heart Grass was one of them.
He just hadn't expected Ruan Tieniu to have another stalk of Illusion Heart Grass. It seemed he really did have a safe channel to acquire it!
If he could obtain the Illusion Heart Grass, he would have two of the three main ingredients. The supplementary materials were easy to get; he could just ask Alchemist Zhuang to purchase them on his behalf.
So, if he could find a cultivator with a Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit to pool resources with, he would definitely be willing to trade with Ruan Tieniu.
Of course, the difference in value would have to be covered.
If they were to pool resources again, with two of the main ingredients, he could demand priority choice of the pills after a successful refinement.
This would guarantee him a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill.
Watching Chen Jianghe's departing figure, Ruan Tieniu's expression brightened. Although he hadn't received a definite yes.
But, as long as Chen Jianghe decided to sell the inferior pill, he would be the first in line to trade.
That was already more than he could have hoped for.
“The spirit stones from selling the pill formula have already been spent on Soul Nourishing Pills, a spiritual cultivation technique, and spirit items to enhance my soul. If I trade with Brother Chen for the pill, I'll still need to cover the difference… It seems I'll have to work with Boss Wang to set up Duan Ming that one time…”