Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Yun Huizhen's Schemes and Refining the Foundation Establishment Pill Again
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Qinghe Market City.
At the Qingping Teahouse, Chen Jianghe enthusiastically ushered Ruan Tieniu and the other two Foundation Establishment seniors into a private tea room.
He had intended to splurge, planning to book a spirit food banquet worth five spirit stones at the Qinghe Restaurant.
After all, it wasn't just Ruan Tieniu heading to Mirror Moon Lake this time; two other Foundation Establishment seniors, both former demon hunters, were also going.
He couldn't be too stingy.
But when Ruan Tieniu sensed Chen Jianghe's intentions, he immediately suggested coming to the Qingping Teahouse instead.
He didn't even let Chen Jianghe order the spirit tea.
Instead, Ruan Tieniu took charge and ordered a pot of spirit tea worth fifty spirit sand.
According to Ruan Tieniu, giving these two brothers a pot of spirit tea worth two spirit stones would be less satisfying than drinking half and pouring out the other half himself.
"Fellow cultivator, is this appropriate?"
"Yeah, we worked hard to make this trip. If not a grand banquet at Qinghe Restaurant, we should at least get a pot of Immortal Spirit Wine. What's this fifty-spirit-sand tea supposed to be?"
Xu Feng and Xu Hong looked at Chen Jianghe with dissatisfaction, but they didn't dare to look down on this ant at the ninth level of Qi Refining.
Chen Jianghe had a very close relationship with disciples from the sect.
Furthermore, they had learned from Ruan Tieniu that Chen Jianghe was also a close friend of a second-rank alchemist.
They might need to ask for his help someday, so they certainly wouldn't dare to show him any real disrespect.
"This..." Chen Jianghe felt a bit awkward. He also thought it was too cheap, but before he could say another word.
Ruan Tieniu forcefully interjected, putting the Xu Feng and Xu Hong brothers in an embarrassing position.
"You two, don't push your luck. You didn't lift a finger and each got a hundred spirit stones for free. What more could you ask for?"
"If you want to go to Qinghe Restaurant, you two should be treating Brother Chen."
Hearing this, Xu Feng and Xu Hong weren't angry; instead, they both chuckled. They were also from demon hunter backgrounds.
They valued spirit stones more than anything and were definitely unwilling to spend money at Qinghe Restaurant.
If they really had a craving, they could just go out and hunt a couple of late-stage first-rank demonic beasts and roast them.
Although the taste was much worse, it saved spirit stones!
"Let's go, let's go. The three of us will go to my place for tea. Let's not disturb Brother Chen's meeting with fellow cultivator Yu's family."
As Ruan Tieniu spoke, he put the fifty-spirit-sand pot of tea into his storage pouch.
"Right, right, we were being thoughtless."
"Fellow cultivator Chen, we'll take our leave then. Please look after us in the future."
The Xu Feng and Xu Hong brothers both clasped their hands and smiled.
"You two seniors are too kind."
Chen Jianghe clasped his hands in return, his words filled with respect.
He was currently just borrowing power, not truly capable of facing Foundation Establishment seniors. It was better to be respectful at this time.
After watching Ruan Tieniu and the others leave, Chen Jianghe also left the Qingping Teahouse.
He had to admit, Ruan Tieniu was very considerate.
He even knew to free up time for Chen Jianghe.
At this moment, Yu Daniu's family was still waiting in Chen Jianghe's small courtyard. Xiao Hei and Maoqiu were in the spirit beast space.
The demonic beast carcasses were also in the storage room. It wouldn't matter even if they saw those beasts.
His purchasing of demonic beasts wasn't much of a secret.
After leaving the Qingping Teahouse, Chen Jianghe didn't go home. He first went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and sold the fourteen mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans he had drawn over the past three months.
They were bought back at an eighty-five percent discount, earning him one hundred and seven spirit stones and ten spirit sand.
Afterward, he went to the housing agency. He needed to arrange a place for Yu Daniu's family to live.
They would likely be staying in Qinghe Market City for a long time.
Moreover, the rent for Chen Jianghe's own courtyard, number 512, was about to expire, so he needed to renew it.
At the housing agency, Chen Jianghe first renewed the lease on his small courtyard for another ten years, spending eighty spirit stones.
Then he rented a four-room courtyard for Yu Daniu's family in the northwest district.
Courtyards with three or more rooms were quite easy to rent in the northwest district.
It cost fifteen spirit stones a year, so five years was seventy-five spirit stones.
In total, he spent one hundred and fifty-five spirit stones.
After subtracting today's expenses from the spirit stones he got from selling the talismans and his previous savings, he was left with sixty-seven spirit stones and twenty spirit sand.
After renting the courtyard, Chen Jianghe went to the Qinghe Restaurant and ordered a spirit food banquet worth five spirit stones, along with two pots of Immortal Spirit Wine worth one spirit stone each.
Then, he returned to his own small courtyard.
He took Yu Daniu's family to the newly rented courtyard, brought out the spirit food, and held a family banquet in Qinghe Market City.
"Big Brother, I've troubled you," Yun Huizhen said apologetically.
"Sister-in-law, you're being too formal."
Chen Jianghe waved his hand and replied.
"Big Brother, what do you think my family should do from now on?" Yu Daniu looked at Chen Jianghe with a bleak smile.
Over the years, Yu Daniu had been through a lot and had matured significantly.
If it were the old Yu Daniu, he would have already started asking Chen Jianghe about the three Foundation Establishment seniors.
But now, Yu Daniu's family tacitly avoided asking about Ruan Tieniu and the others.
"What does Sister-in-law think?" Chen Jianghe first glanced at Yun Huizhen. He knew very well that the true pillar of Yu Daniu's family was Yun Huizhen.
One could say that she was the pillar for their family, and even for more than half of the Yun Clan's members.
Although she was a woman, her skill in managing such a large clan was in no way inferior to Yun Xiaotian's.
"Since Big Brother has asked me, I'll share my thoughts."
Yun Huizhen's gaze was heavy, her expression firm. She looked at every family member present before her eyes finally settled on Yu Daniu.
"Daniu, today, in front of Big Brother, let's set our future plans and have Big Brother as our witness."
"From this day forward, you, Yu Daniu, are no longer married into the Yun Clan. Instead, I, Yun Huizhen, have married into your Yu Clan."
"Starting today, Daniu, Siniu, and Qirui will all take the surname Yu."
"No!"
Yu Daniu's expression changed. He stood up and interrupted Yun Huizhen, "You have shown me a kindness as high as the heavens and as deep as the earth. The Yun Clan has also treated me well. They cannot change their surname. After Xiaoniu reaches Foundation Establishment, we must return to the Yun Clan."
"Right now, we can't do anything about Yun Yifeng, but once Xiaoniu reaches Foundation Establishment, everything can be salvaged. We will still be members of the Yun Clan."
"Xiaoniu will still be a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Yun Clan."
Yun Huizhen was touched by Yu Daniu's words, but she knew that even if Yun Xiaoniu successfully reached Foundation Establishment.
Even if they returned to the Yun Clan and killed Yun Yifeng, things could never go back to the way they were.
The enmity between their family and the main lineage was growing ever larger, a rift had already formed, and their descendants would also harbor hatred for one another.
As someone who was practically a co-manager of the Yun Clan, how could Yun Huizhen not see the deeper meaning behind Yun Xiaotian's actions?
She also wanted to tear Yun Yifeng to shreds, but she couldn't.
If Yun Yifeng died, then Yun Boxu could not become the clan head.
In the future, when Yun Xiaoniu successfully reached Foundation Establishment, even if their family didn't covet the position of clan head, they would be pushed into it by the members of their own branch.
At that time, they couldn't turn their blades on their own people.
Because Yun Xiaoniu's Foundation Establishment would give their branch the confidence to compete with the main lineage.
In order to obtain more resources, the members of their branch would surely go mad trying to push Yun Siniu into the position of clan head.
Such was the helplessness of a clan.
Even Foundation Establishment cultivators sometimes couldn't control their own decisions.
Just like Yun Bufan. He wanted to kill Yun Yifeng more than anyone, but he had to consider his father.
He couldn't care less who became the clan head.
But his father, Yun Xiaotian, was determined to keep the position of clan head within their branch.
"Daniu, when our eldest reaches Foundation Establishment and we return to the Yun Clan, what will you do if the relatives from my branch risk everything to push our fourth son onto the clan head's seat?" Yun Huizhen asked, looking at Yu Daniu.
"I..."
The words were on the tip of Yu Daniu's tongue, but he couldn't say them.
"But our eldest and fourth sons cannot change their surnames. You gave birth to them, and they were heavily nurtured by the Yun Clan."
"Back then, Big Brother and I were both fishery farmers on the outskirts. Big Brother had a talent for talismans, but I had nothing. If not for the Yun Clan, I would have been a low-level fishery farmer my whole life. Let alone the ninth level of Qi Refining, even the sixth level would have been beyond my wildest dreams."
"This is a debt of gratitude. I come from a farming family, but I know the meaning of repaying kindness."
Chen Jianghe glanced at Yu Daniu, feeling both helpless and gratified.
He knew and valued gratitude.
This was Yu Daniu. Even after becoming an elder of the Yun Clan, he remained the same, never changing.
This brought Chen Jianghe great gratification.
But what Yun Huizhen said was an opportunity for Yu Daniu and the future Yu Clan.
Chen Jianghe felt Yun Huizhen's gaze upon him. He shook his head, not planning to persuade Yu Daniu.
It was precisely because he valued this quality in Yu Daniu that they had come together and become brothers.
"Our eldest and fourth sons don't have to change their surnames, but Qirui must. It's decided."
Yun Huizhen looked at Yu Daniu, her forceful gaze stunning him. He wanted to say something but didn't dare.
Firstly, Yun Huizhen managed all family affairs, major and minor, and always gave him the utmost respect, centering their development around him.
Secondly, he didn't dare to anger Yun Huizhen.
He worried that Yun Huizhen might not even be able to accompany him for three years.
"I ask Big Brother to be our witness. From this day forward, Yun Qirui shall be renamed Yu Qirui, and in the future, Yu Qirui shall be the first clan head of the Yu Clan."
Yun Huizhen looked at Chen Jianghe and bowed deeply, requesting him to be a witness.
Chen Jianghe nodded, stood up, and said solemnly, "As you wish, Sister-in-law."
At this, Lady Zhou, who was holding Yun... Yu Qirui, quickly rose and first kowtowed to Chen Jianghe.
Then, she kowtowed to Yun Huizhen and Yu Daniu.
Yu Qirui was already six years old, the same age as Yun Boxu, the grandson of the Yun Clan's head, Yun Xiaotian. They were even born on the same day.
Their spiritual roots were also tested at the same time.
Both were four-element pseudo-spiritual roots.
Therefore, Yun Huizhen establishing Yu Qirui as the first clan head of the Yu Clan was also due to this reason.
The head of a cultivation clan could not be a mortal without spiritual roots.
Furthermore, having managed the clan for many years.
Yun Huizhen knew very well that the eldest and fourth sons, who hadn't changed their surnames, could absolutely not be the head of the Yu Clan.
Otherwise, it would surely lead to disaster in the future.
Her time was short; she had to establish the future clan head for the Yu Clan.
This was also why she asked Chen Jianghe to be a witness.
The reason Lady Zhou kowtowed to Chen Jianghe first was also for this reason.
Because Yun Huizhen's words represented her and Yu Daniu's intentions, and it was also to have Chen Jianghe recognize Yu Qirui as the heir of the Yu Clan.
Although they trusted their eldest and fourth sons, who knew what their descendants would be like?
---
Chen Jianghe returned home, marveling at Yun Huizhen's shrewdness.
If she were a man, she probably would have already forced Yun Xiaotian to abdicate.
Just now, Yun Huizhen had even, in front of Chen Jianghe, decided the generational names for the next twenty-four generations of the Yu Clan.
Wisdom, Sanctity, Breadth, Depth; Clarity, Fairness, Sincerity, Faithfulness; Loyalty, Reverence, Respect, Virtue; Kindness, Mercy, Benevolence, Harmony; Culture, Nature, Principle, Way; Merit, Virtue, Tradition, Record.
One could imagine that when Yun Huizhen came to Qinghe Market City last time, she had already planned for this day.
Perhaps even Yu Daniu's refusal to let Xiaoniu and Siniu change their surnames was within her calculations.
Otherwise, how could Yun Huizhen have immediately thought of a countermeasure?
Moreover, by having him act as a witness, she had cut off any ambitions Xiaoniu and Siniu might have, ensuring they could only act as their nephew's backers in the future.
It didn't matter much to Xiaoniu.
After all, his chances of breaking through to Foundation Establishment were high, and he also had the opportunity given to him by the Yun Clan Ancestor before he left.
Just a moment ago, Xiaoniu had, without any reservation in front of Chen Jianghe, revealed the resources in his storage pouch.
Two thousand spirit stones and a stalk of Thousand-Year Yin Soul Bamboo.
Xiaoniu's physical body had already reached perfection. With this Thousand-Year Yin Soul Bamboo, his spirit would surely reach perfection as well.
Add to that a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Xiaoniu's chances of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment were a solid eighty percent.
So, Xiaoniu certainly wouldn't care about the position of clan head, because the status of a Foundation Establishment Ancestor was above that of a clan head.
As for Siniu, it was uncertain if he could reach Foundation Establishment.
Siniu's cultivation was at the eighth level of Qi Refining, and his physical body was at the mid-stage of body tempering. He might not have enough time in the future to cultivate his spirit to perfection.
Unless he had a fortuitous encounter.
Yun Huizhen making Yu Qirui the future head of the Yu Clan was also in consideration of their deceased fifth son.
And also for Lady Zhou's virtuous and filial nature.
As for the crippled second son, Yun Huizhen had also made arrangements, having him remain in Shixia Town.
This also served as a link between the Yun and Yu clans.
"Marrying Yun Huizhen is Daniu's blessing. But Daniu also proved himself worthy, which gave Yun Huizhen the opportunity to display her skills."
Chen Jianghe chuckled.
If Yu Daniu hadn't been so capable, allowing Yun Huizhen to bear so many sons, he wouldn't have received the clan's attention.
Putting these thoughts aside, he released Xiao Hei and Maoqiu and let them continue their work.
Then he went back to cultivating and drawing talismans.
Now he just had to wait for Alchemist Zhuang to return, and then he could refine the Foundation Establishment Pill. Once he had the pill, he could begin cultivating the "Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art."
The Foundation Establishment Pill. Without it, he felt uneasy, and his mind couldn't find peace.
The Foundation Establishment Pill was a divine pill for surviving the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
His lifespan was long, and he could take his time polishing his physical and spiritual cultivation, but he had to have a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Time flew by.
A month passed.
It was now the end of the fourth month.
As Chen Jianghe finished his last stroke, a spiritual light flashed on the spirit blood pigskin. A mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talisman was successfully created.
"A success rate of nearly sixty percent. It seems I need to find a way to get a high-grade first-rank talisman-making inheritance."
Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
Many newly promoted high-grade Talisman Masters couldn't achieve a nearly sixty percent success rate when drawing mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans.
Generally, once the success rate for drawing mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans reached forty percent, one could attempt to draw high-grade spirit talismans.
A nearly sixty percent success rate for mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans meant his skill was considered mid-to-high among high-grade Talisman Masters.
"Finally, a message."
Just then, he sensed a flash of light from the message box in his courtyard and immediately retrieved the letter.
He opened it.
It was indeed a message from Alchemist Zhuang.
He had returned from the Immortal Gate Market City with the supplementary ingredients for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill. They could now begin the alchemy.
Chen Jianghe's heart leaped with joy, and he immediately walked out of his courtyard.
"Don't tell me you have something to do again?"
Seeing Chen Jianghe rush out of his room, Xiao Hei glanced at him speechlessly.
"You've completely delayed my and Maoqiu's work."
"It was supposed to be finished in the eighth month, but now it'll probably be the ninth or tenth month."
Xiao Hei transmitted his dissatisfaction.
He hated it when others interfered with his work.
Back when he was raising the little green fish in the inner waters of Mirror Moon Lake, those little fish were ferocious and wild, refusing to cooperate with his post-meal walks.
He had simply bitten three of the little green fish to pieces and then spat on every single one of them, making them understand the consequences of disobedience.
"It'll be quick, real quick. I won't delay you for long."
Chen Jianghe smiled apologetically at his foreman. "All this rushing around I'm doing is so you can become a second-rank spirit beast sooner and avoid the fate of being brewed into a soup."
Hearing the words "brewed into a soup," Xiao Hei inexplicably shivered.
He obediently entered the spirit beast space with Maoqiu.
Chen Jianghe quickly tidied up the courtyard and then headed for Fu Residence, number 136 Fushou Lane.
He arrived just in time to see Alchemist Zhuang walking through the door.
He quickened his pace.
"Fellow cultivator, we can start the furnace."
"Haha, fellow cultivator, your mind is truly filled with nothing but the Foundation Establishment Pill!"
"I can't help it. I traded that inferior Foundation Establishment Pill with fellow cultivator Ruan. Without a pill in hand, I always feel uneasy. I've made a fool of myself."
Chen Jianghe laughed awkwardly.
"Rest assured, fellow cultivator. This time, I will definitely get you a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill."
Alchemist Zhuang said with great confidence.
"By the way, who are you pooling resources with for this alchemy session?" Alchemist Zhuang asked.
"A junior I hold in high regard."
"Mm, good. I will do my best to produce two genuine Foundation Establishment Pills from this batch," Alchemist Zhuang said.
Subsequently.
Chen Jianghe handed over the three main ingredients for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill—the Purple Cloud Vermilion Fruit, the Profound Ice Jade Marrow, and the Illusion Heart Grass—to Alchemist Zhuang.
Alchemist Zhuang didn't start the furnace immediately.
Instead, he rested and recuperated, waiting to return to his peak state before beginning the alchemy.
Chen Jianghe had intended to leave, but Alchemist Zhuang stopped him, telling him to wait until the refining was complete and take the Foundation Establishment Pill with him.
This made Chen Jianghe feel nervous.
Originally, he just needed to come back in two days to pick up the pill, but now he had to wait in the courtyard.
He couldn't help but overthink things.
What if Alchemist Zhuang failed?
Gathering one set of the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill was incredibly difficult, and he had even used Gao Peiyao's connections.
If he failed.
Who knew when he would be able to gather the main ingredients again.
He could wait, but he wouldn't be able to face Xiaoniu!
At the same time, he also worried, what if Alchemist Zhuang succeeded, but the furnace only yielded one genuine Foundation Establishment Pill?
He would definitely keep the genuine one for himself.
But he also wanted to get a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill for Yun Xiaoniu.
He held this junior, who was single-mindedly focused on Foundation Establishment, in very high regard.
"Isn't this old man playing with my mind?"
Chen Jianghe cursed Alchemist Zhuang inwardly for being devious.
He didn't need to think so much before, but now he was here worrying needlessly, unable to help.
This old fellow was taking advantage of their good relationship to mess with him.
On the third day.
Alchemist Zhuang walked out of his room.
Chen Jianghe could clearly feel that Alchemist Zhuang's aura was stable and his state of mind was calm.
It was as if success or failure had nothing to do with him.
Chen Jianghe said nothing, simply watching Alchemist Zhuang enter the alchemy room.
He didn't dare to pressure the alchemist at a time like this.
When the light from the fire flickered within the alchemy room, Chen Jianghe knew Alchemist Zhuang had begun. His heart was in his throat.
An hour passed.
Chen Jianghe paced around the courtyard, glancing at the alchemy room from time to time.
He could clearly feel his heart growing restless.
"My mental state is still lacking. On the path of cultivation, one must face everything with composure."
"If my mentality is still like this when I try to break through to Foundation Establishment, how can I possibly succeed?"
Chen Jianghe muttered to himself.
Immediately, he sat cross-legged in the courtyard, forcing his mind to calm down.
Another two hours passed.
Chen Jianghe's restless heart finally calmed.
Although he hoped Alchemist Zhuang would succeed, preferably producing two genuine Foundation Establishment Pills, he was no longer overly anxious.
At this moment.
Chen Jianghe felt that Alchemist Zhuang had asked him to stay for his own good.
To let him use this opportunity to temper his mental state.
To increase his foundation for breaking through to Foundation Establishment.
Another seven hours passed. Alchemist Zhuang had been in the alchemy room for ten hours now.
If things proceeded at the same pace as the last time he refined a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Alchemist Zhuang should be out in two or three hours at most.
But another three hours passed.
The firelight in the alchemy room continued to flicker incessantly.
There was no sign of it slowing down, which made Chen Jianghe's heart stir once more.
"Senior Chen?"
Jiang Ruxu came out of seclusion, her face lighting up when she saw Chen Jianghe. She walked over and greeted him.
She bowed gracefully, showing great respect.
"Fellow cultivator Jiang, have you started body tempering? Not bad, a promising future." Chen Jianghe stood up, feeling the fiery sensation emanating from Jiang Ruxu.
This must be from body tempering.
Jiang Ruxu cultivated a fire-element technique, so her body tempering method would likely also be fire-based.
"Senior, please just call me Ruxu. I wouldn't dare be called 'fellow cultivator' by you. Master has already scolded me several times for it."
Jiang Ruxu's large, lively eyes looked at Chen Jianghe pitifully, giving her a charming and vulnerable appearance.
"This... alright then."
Chen Jianghe cursed Alchemist Zhuang inwardly for being so cunning.
By not letting him call Jiang Ruxu "fellow cultivator," he was surely implying he shouldn't call Zhuang Xinyan "fellow cultivator" either.
He was forcing him to address both Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan as juniors.
This was to cut off any thoughts I had of marrying into the family.
"Senior, is Master refining pills?"
"Yes." Chen Jianghe nodded.
"What kind of pill is he refining?"
Jiang Ruxu asked curiously.
"The Foundation Establishment Pill."
Chen Jianghe didn't hide it. Jiang Ruxu was Alchemist Zhuang's disciple; there was nothing to hide.
Even if he didn't say, Alchemist Zhuang would tell her.
After all, last time when Jiang Ruxu wasn't in seclusion, Alchemist Zhuang had even brought her in to observe.
"The Foundation Establishment Pill!"
Jiang Ruxu was shocked, looking at Chen Jianghe in disbelief. She never imagined that Chen Jianghe could gather the main ingredients for a Foundation Establishment Pill again.
This made her increasingly curious about him.
Then, she looked at the alchemy room and asked doubtfully, "Senior, how long has my master been in there?"
Before Chen Jianghe could reply.
*BOOM!*
A deep, thunderous sound came from the alchemy room.
It sounded just like a furnace explosion.
"What's going on? Did the furnace explode?"
Chen Jianghe froze, his heart sinking.
Jiang Ruxu, however, had a look of pleasant surprise on her face.
"The Thunder-Guiding Alchemy Incantation!"