Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Two Second-Tier Spirit Pills, Meeting Luo Xiyue Again
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“Compared to my injuries?”
Ruan Tieniu paused for a moment. A flicker of lingering fear appeared in his eyes as he shook his head.
“Not as bad as mine were.”
If Chen Jianghe hadn't asked, he would have almost forgotten the scene of his escape from the demon beast's maw.
Demon hunters might be in a profession where they put their lives on the line.
But they were all bold yet cautious individuals. Otherwise, they would have long since become food for demon beasts.
Ruan Tieniu was bold, but that didn't mean he didn't fear death.
That time, if he had been a split second slower, his head would have been crushed by the demon beast. The beast's fangs had already pierced his skull.
One could imagine how perilous it had been.
“Xu Feng's left leg… half of the upper part was bitten off, and a section of the bone was chewed away.”
“Xu Hong is a bit better off. He only lost half an arm.”
“Fortunately, their combat strength wasn't too heavily affected. Otherwise, they never would have made it out of the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.”
Ruan Tieniu recounted Xu Feng and Xu Hong's situation, but his tone held a hint of regret.
As if it would have been better if their injuries were more severe.
Preferably to the point of losing their ability to fight.
Chen Jianghe ignored the undertones in Ruan Tieniu's voice after hearing about the two brothers' injuries.
They were severe, but not devastatingly so.
They would need second-tier spirit pills to repair their bodies.
But the injuries weren't light, either. First-tier spirit pills would be completely ineffective, especially for regrowing bone.
“A Flesh Growth and Bone Mending Pill could heal them completely, but it's difficult to acquire another one. Back then, I used up the favor Fairy Peiyao left me just to get one for you, Brother Ruan.”
Chen Jianghe sighed.
Hearing this, Ruan Tieniu immediately stood up and bowed with his hands clasped toward Chen Jianghe.
“Brother Chen, your kindness is as boundless as the heavens.”
Ruan Tieniu had witnessed the miraculous effects of the Flesh Growth and Bone Mending Pill firsthand. It had healed the fang holes in his forehead within three days.
The deep, bone-exposing claw marks on his face and his severed arm were also healed thanks to its miraculous properties.
Especially when he used a demonic cultivation secret art to regrow his arm, the pill's effects made the process twice as effective with half the effort.
“Brother Ruan, you're too kind. I didn't mean anything by it, only that the Flesh Growth and Bone Mending Pill is hard to come by. It's safe to say you can't find it in Qinghe Market City.”
“Uh… is there another healing spirit pill that can substitute for it?”
Ruan Tieniu's brow furrowed. He really didn't want to miss this chance to earn a reward from this.
“There are, but they're very hard to get,” Chen Jianghe said, shaking his head.
“Brother Chen is an old friend of Fairy Peiyao and a close friend of Alchemist Zhuang. Your network is extensive. Please, step in and help the two brothers, Xu Feng and Xu Hong.”
Ruan Tieniu pleaded earnestly with his hands clasped.
“As long as you can acquire the spirit pills, Brother, the Xu brothers are willing to offer two hundred spirit stones as a token of their gratitude.”
“Brother Ruan, what are you saying?”
Chen Jianghe shook his head, a troubled look on his face, clearly indicating the difficulty of obtaining second-tier healing pills.
“Does that alchemist have any particular interests?” Ruan Tieniu asked.
Having struggled in Qinghe Market City for so many years, he could tell from Chen Jianghe's hesitation.
That the conditions weren't right yet.
“Brother Ruan, your message mentioned you obtained two stalks of Ice Heart Grass and one Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range. How were those distributed?”
“I got one stalk of Ice Heart Grass, Xu Feng got the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit, and Xu Hong got the other Ice Heart Grass,” Ruan Tieniu said.
“How about this: one Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit and fifteen hundred spirit stones. I'll get them two Mountain Suppressing and Bone Mending Pills and two Dew Condensing and Muscle Regenerating Pills.”
Chen Jianghe thought for a moment, glanced at Ruan Tieniu, and said, “With you as the go-between, Brother Ruan, there's no need for a reward.”
“Brother Chen, you are a true friend.”
Ruan Tieniu said solemnly.
He had later looked into the price of the Flesh Growth and Bone Mending Pill. Its market price was twelve hundred spirit stones.
At auction, it would fetch two thousand.
It was essentially a priceless item with no available market. Independent cultivators could only buy it through auctions.
The Mountain Suppressing and Bone Mending Pill and Dew Condensing and Muscle Regenerating Pill could match the effects of the Flesh Growth and Bone Mending Pill, so their prices certainly wouldn't be lower than twelve hundred spirit stones.
At auction, they would likely sell for two thousand as well.
A Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit would sell for two thousand at auction. After the commission, that's eighteen hundred spirit stones.
Add another fifteen hundred, and you get thirty-three hundred spirit stones.
Two Mountain Suppressing and Bone Mending Pills and two Dew Condensing and Muscle Regenerating Pills at auction could go for four thousand spirit stones.
Independent cultivators could only calculate based on auction prices, as they had no private channels for purchasing.
So, in Ruan Tieniu's eyes, Chen Jianghe was a man of great loyalty and integrity.
Ruan Tieniu then asked Chen Jianghe to wait at the Qingping Teahouse while he went to discuss the matter with the Xu brothers.
About an hour and a half later.
Ruan Tieniu returned to the Qingping Teahouse.
He said to Chen Jianghe, “Brother Chen, the two brothers really can't come up with the fifteen hundred spirit stones. They can only substitute it with the Ice Heart Grass.”
At this, Ruan Tieniu scratched his head in embarrassment. “The Ice Heart Grass is worth more than fifteen hundred spirit stones, so Brother Chen, you'll need to add another five hundred spirit stones.”
Ice Heart Grass was the main ingredient for refining the Ice Heart Barrier Breaking Pill. At auction, it was even more valuable than the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit.
Its typical selling price was between twenty-three hundred and twenty-five hundred spirit stones.
Therefore, asking for five hundred spirit stones in return was not excessive.
“Alright.”
Chen Jianghe pondered for a moment and nodded.
“Great. When can we get the spirit pills?” Ruan Tieniu asked.
“Within half a month. I'll inform you then, Brother Ruan.”
“Alright, I'll be waiting for your news, Brother Chen.”
Ruan Tieniu watched Chen Jianghe's departing figure, his heart blooming with joy.
“Earning these hundred spirit stones was so easy and safe.”
“Looks like I need to get to know the other five Foundation Establishment cultivators who were once demon hunters. I'll get more information about the locations of spirit herbs in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range and send them there.”
——
Chen Jianghe found Alchemist Zhuang and explained the deal for the two Mountain Suppressing and Bone Mending Pills and two Dew Condensing and Muscle Regenerating Pills.
“Only four?”
Alchemist Zhuang pursed his lips. “These demon hunters are truly destitute. They only think of buying spirit pills after they're injured.”
“Don't they know to keep two or three pills on them at all times?”
Hearing Alchemist Zhuang's words, Chen Jianghe finally understood why second-tier alchemists looked down on dealing with demon hunters.
These second-tier alchemists dealt with Foundation Establishment immortal clans by the cauldron, which meant a minimum of three spirit pills per transaction.
And that was for a single type of spirit pill.
It was only because of his good relationship with Alchemist Zhuang. If he had approached any other second-tier alchemist, they wouldn't have given him the time of day.
“If demon hunters had the spirit stones to spare for pills, they would first buy magical artifacts and second-tier talismans,” Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.
“That's true enough.”
Alchemist Zhuang nodded. Demon hunters frequently entered the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, so they would naturally prioritize increasing their combat strength.
“One Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit, one stalk of Ice Heart Grass, plus five hundred spirit stones in return. The deal is quite fair.”
“It's just that you're running around for nothing, my friend.”
“How is it for nothing? Helping two juniors plan for the main ingredients to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill is just part of my duty.”
Chen Jianghe said sincerely.
Hearing this, Alchemist Zhuang was touched. He then said, “Be that as it may, I can't let you work for free.”
“I don't have many years left. In the time I have, it's better to contribute more for you, Xinyan, and Ruxu.”
“I'll take the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit and Ice Heart Grass. I'll cover the five hundred spirit stones you need to give back.”
“When refining the Mountain Suppressing and Bone Mending Pills and the Dew Condensing and Muscle Regenerating Pills, each cauldron yields three pills. The extra one of each will be yours, my friend.”
“In that case, I won't stand on ceremony,” Chen Jianghe said with a laugh.
“As it should be.”
Alchemist Zhuang nodded.
“By the way, my friend, when you have a moment, could you help me refine a cauldron of Life Extension Pills?” Chen Jianghe asked with a cupped-fist salute.
“Life Extension Pills?”
A cautious look appeared in Alchemist Zhuang's eyes. He warned, “I can refine them for you, but you must remember not to sell them to anyone you don't know or aren't close to.”
“If the Tiannan Sect finds out you've been privately selling Life Extension Pills, not even Fairy Peiyao will be able to protect you.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Chen Jianghe replied solemnly.
He knew that Beauty-Retaining Pills and Life Extension Pills were resources monopolized by the Tiannan Sect. No cultivator was allowed to trade in these two types of spirit pills.
As for second-tier alchemists, the Tiannan Sect might turn a blind eye if they refined them for their juniors, but they would never permit them to be sold.
Otherwise, they would face the thunderous wrath of the Tiannan Sect.
As the sole hegemon of the Southern Heaven Region, the Tiannan Sect's will could not be defied, not by second-tier alchemists, and not even by the rarer second-tier formation masters.
“I trust in your prudence, my friend. Come back in ten days to pick up the Mountain Suppressing and Bone Mending Pills, the Dew Condensing and Muscle Regenerating Pills, and the Life Extension Pills.”
“Alright.”
Chen Jianghe took out his storage pouch and gave Alchemist Zhuang twenty-seven hundred spirit stones. The extra two hundred were for the material costs of the Life Extension Pills.
Refining pills for free was a favor that countless Foundation Establishment cultivators would envy.
To let Alchemist Zhuang pay for the materials out of his own pocket would be taking things too far.
After leaving Fushou Lane.
Chen Jianghe first went to Clearwater Lane in the northwest district, to Yu Daniu's home, to let him know Zhou Miaoyun was coming to Qinghe Market City and that they should all get together then.
After returning home, Chen Jianghe continued to cultivate and draw talismans.
He didn't ask Alchemist Zhuang about the cost of refining the pills. There was no need.
Right now, he was acting as a friend, helping Alchemist Zhuang gather the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill.
He wasn't actually acting as a middleman.
This time was just a coincidence.
He didn't even ask for a reward from the Xu brothers.
Of course, the extra Mountain Suppressing and Bone Mending Pill and Dew Condensing and Muscle Regenerating Pill were an unexpected gain, not something he sought.
His focus was still on cultivation.
On breaking through to Foundation Establishment.
During this period, improving his talisman skills was for the best.
In a few days, Zhou Miaoyun would deliver the first-tier talisman inheritance. Then he could try drawing high-grade spirit talismans.
With his current skill, becoming a high-grade talisman master was a matter of course.
By then, his annual income from talismans would increase significantly, which was his main source of spirit stones.
There was no need to act as a middleman for others.
It would hinder his cultivation and wasn't in his nature.
In the blink of an eye.
The first five days of the month arrived.
Wang Kun came to his door, delivering twenty late-stage first-tier demon beasts, all with high-grade second-class bloodlines and in excellent condition.
Chen Jianghe took out sixty-four mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans and handed them to Wang Kun, asking him to count them.
And to check the quality of the talismans.
Friendship was friendship, but business was business.
Besides, he and Wang Kun had no friendship, only business.
“Brother Chen, your talisman skills are getting better and better. The brothers in the demon hunting team all have high praise for the talismans you draw.”
“Fellow Daoist Wang, you flatter me.”
“Brother Chen, you're too modest.”
Wang Kun didn't mention spirit stones, but asked another question: “With your skill, Brother Chen, you must be a high-grade talisman master by now, right?”
“I'm also in short supply of high-grade spirit talismans, especially high-grade protective talismans.”
Chen Jianghe drew sixty-four mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans a year. This already reached the level of a high-grade talisman master's skill.
No wonder Wang Kun asked.
Even an average high-grade talisman master couldn't draw so many mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans.
Chen Jianghe's success rate for drawing mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans had reached sixty percent.
Moreover, he cultivated the Myriad Waters True Scripture, which boosted his magical power by thirty percent.
Other high-grade talisman masters might not necessarily cultivate a superior art that boosted their power by thirty percent.
Even arts with a twenty percent boost were relatively rare at auctions.
So, whenever he thought of the Myriad Waters True Scripture, Chen Jianghe felt especially grateful to his brother, Yu Daniu.
“Hehe, almost.”
“Does Brother Chen perhaps lack a first-tier high-grade talisman inheritance?”
Wang Kun chuckled. “If you need one, Brother Chen, I happen to have one. I only ask that you help me refine high-grade protective talismans for five years, and the inheritance is yours.”
“I appreciate your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Wang.”
Chen Jianghe smiled faintly. “The spirit talismans I sell you next year might just be high-grade ones.”
The meaning was simple and clear.
Chen Jianghe already had a first-tier talisman inheritance.
In truth, Wang Kun wasn't trying to scheme against him. Trading a first-tier talisman inheritance for five years of talisman drawing…
was a relatively fair trade.
With Chen Jianghe's current skill, if he were to draw high-grade talismans, his annual profit after costs would be around five hundred spirit stones.
As his skill improved.
The profit over five years would be around thirty-two hundred spirit stones.
However, Chen Jianghe was in urgent need of spirit stones right now, so he couldn't trade five years of profit. The deal with Zhou Miaoyun was much more favorable.
“Haha, it was just a suggestion. Since you already have an inheritance, Brother Chen, that's for the best. I'm even more willing to trade for high-grade spirit talismans with you.”
In the past two years, with Ruan Tieniu's support, Wang Kun's demon hunting team had started to gradually recruit late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.
He intended to build a team of over a hundred late-stage Qi Refining demon hunters.
“Brother Chen, these sixty-four mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans are worth five hundred eighteen spirit stones and forty spirit grains.”
“Let's round it up to five hundred nineteen spirit stones.”
“The twenty demon beasts are worth six hundred sixty spirit stones, so you still owe me one hundred forty-one spirit stones, Brother Chen.”
Chen Jianghe nodded and took out one hundred forty-one spirit stones for Wang Kun.
The transaction concluded, and Chen Jianghe returned to his courtyard.
He now had one hundred eleven spirit stones and forty spirit grains left.
However, he still owed Alchemist Zhuang six hundred spirit stones.
“Sigh, thank goodness Zhou Miaoyun wants to trade for the talisman inheritance. Otherwise, I'd really have to find a way to acquire one.”
“The income of a mid-grade talisman master is simply not enough to cover my expenses.”
Chen Jianghe thought helplessly.
Another seven days passed.
Chen Jianghe left his courtyard and headed to Fushou Lane to get the spirit pills from Alchemist Zhuang: three Mountain Suppressing and Bone Mending Pills, three Dew Condensing and Muscle Regenerating Pills, and three Life Extension Pills.
With the pills in hand.
He made his way to Changsheng Lane.
Only to run into the artifact refining grandmaster Luo Xiyue, who was just about to leave her home.
“Greetings, Fairy Luo.”
Chen Jianghe bowed with his hands clasped and stepped aside to let her pass.
Luo Xiyue stopped in front of him, a hint of curiosity in her cool, phoenix-like eyes. She spoke slowly, “So you and Peiyao really are childhood friends.”
“Fairy Peiyao is too kind. We are merely acquaintances.” Chen Jianghe didn't try to ride her coattails.
“Hmph, nonsense. Peiyao has mentioned you to me and told me some stories from your youth.”
Luo Xiyue said with dissatisfaction upon hearing Chen Jianghe lie to her.
Chen Jianghe was speechless.
*If you already know about my relationship with Gao Peiyao, why bother asking?*
“I also heard from Peiyao that you want to reach Foundation Establishment. You should be seventy-two by now. Your physical body and spirit are not at their peak. I advise you to give up on that idea.”
Luo Xiyue said this and then left.
Chen Jianghe pursed his lips. He didn't know why the usually cold and proud Luo Xiyue had so much to say. But he could still hear the good intentions in her words.
It was just that this well-meaning advice, coming from her, carried a hint of contempt.
“It seems her friendship with Gao Peiyao is indeed profound. She even told her about our youth and my age.”
Back when the four of them formed their mutual aid alliance, they had all stated their ages. They were still young and naive then.
So, naturally, none of them had lied about their age.
Therefore, Gao Peiyao, Yu Daniu, and Zhou Miaoyun all knew his real age.
“Brother Chen, you and Fairy Luo…”
While Chen Jianghe was talking with Luo Xiyue, Ruan Tieniu had already stepped out of his courtyard. He was about to greet Chen Jianghe when he saw them.
But seeing Chen Jianghe talking with Luo Xiyue, he didn't dare approach.
Luo Xiyue was one of the two artifact refining grandmasters in Qinghe Market City. Her personality was as cold and aloof as the snow on a winter mountain, making people afraid to get close.
He never expected Chen Jianghe to have a connection with Fairy Luo as well.
At that moment, his perception of Chen Jianghe was refreshed once again.
Whether it was Gao Peiyao, Alchemist Zhuang, or Fairy Luo, none of them were people that an independent Foundation Establishment cultivator like him could befriend.
Yet Chen Jianghe, a Qi Refining cultivator, had deep friendships with all of them. It was truly admirable.
“We have no connection.” Seeing Ruan Tieniu's misunderstanding, Chen Jianghe stated it plainly.
“Haha~ I know, I know.”
Ruan Tieniu laughed heartily and nodded with great solemnity.
He naturally understood why Chen Jianghe was distancing himself from Luo Xiyue.
Luo Xiyue was an artifact refining grandmaster. If independent cultivators wanted to save spirit stones and not buy top-tier magical artifacts at auction…
their only option was to ask a grandmaster to forge one.
But these grandmasters were all prouder than the last.
Therefore, for an independent cultivator, being able to commission a grandmaster was a great opportunity in itself.
In Ruan Tieniu's eyes, Chen Jianghe's haste to deny any relationship was to prevent others from knowing about their connection.
Otherwise, countless cultivators would surely come knocking, asking him to put in a good word for a chance to have a top-tier artifact forged.
Chen Jianghe glanced at Ruan Tieniu. From his words, it seemed the misunderstanding had deepened.
However, he didn't try to explain further.
The more he explained, the more likely it was to be misunderstood.
In any case, he knew clearly that he had no connection with Luo Xiyue whatsoever and was not worthy of her notice.
“Brother Ruan, I have the spirit pills. We can make the trade.”
“You've already got them?”
“Alright, Brother Chen, please wait at the Qingping Teahouse. I'll go get the Xu brothers right now.”
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe went directly to the Qingping Teahouse.
It was the best place for a transaction.
He wouldn't enter Ruan Tieniu's courtyard, let alone the Xu brothers'.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Ruan Tieniu and the Xu brothers arrived at the Qingping Teahouse. Looking at their injuries, although not as severe as Ruan Tieniu's had been…
they looked even more gruesome.
This made Chen Jianghe deeply feel the risks of being a demon hunter.
Even after becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator, one couldn't escape perilous situations.
Although they could become guest elders for top-tier immortal clans, that didn't mean they did nothing.
They still had to follow the clan's Foundation Establishment cultivators to fight for resources.
If you wanted to obtain a large number of spirit stones.
And you didn't have a skill, you had to risk your life.
Don't ever expect spirit stones to fall from the sky.
Because only bait falls from the sky.
After meeting, there was no need for pleasantries. The Xu brothers took out the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit and the Ice Heart Grass.
After accepting them, Chen Jianghe took out the two Mountain Suppressing and Bone Mending Pills, the two Dew Condensing and Muscle Regenerating Pills, and the five hundred spirit stones Alchemist Zhuang had given him.
“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen, for acting as our intermediary. Otherwise, we don't know when we would have been able to acquire second-tier spirit pills.”
“You are too kind, Seniors.”
“If you ever need anything in the future, Fellow Daoist Chen, feel free to find us. We will certainly do our utmost to help.”
Chen Jianghe smiled, then bid them farewell.
He needed to deliver the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit and Ice Heart Grass to Alchemist Zhuang.
“Compared to Fellow Daoist Chen, your methods are a bit unseemly, Fellow Daoist Ruan.”
“That's right. We went through life and death together, yet you still charged us a hundred spirit stones.”
The Xu brothers looked at Ruan Tieniu and complained.
“How can I compare to Brother Chen? He's a talisman master with a deep network in Qinghe Market City. He's certainly not short on spirit stones.”
“I'm not like that. I need spirit stones!”
Ruan Tieniu chuckled. “You two didn't lose out. Didn't you still end up with four hundred spirit stones?”
“Hmph~”
The Xu brothers snorted coldly.
But they sighed helplessly.
On this trip deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, the two of them had only earned four hundred spirit stones.
Ruan Tieniu, on the other hand, got a stalk of Ice Heart Grass and a hundred spirit stones.
But there was nothing they could do. They could only blame their own lack of skill for not being as fast at escaping as Ruan Tieniu.
“In the future, when you refine the Ice Heart Barrier Breaking Pill, Fellow Daoist Ruan, please think of us. We can make an equivalent exchange then.”
“Rest assured, as long as it's at the auction price, I will definitely keep you two in mind.”