Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Legacy in Hand, High-grade Talisman Master
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Fu Residence, Number 136, Fushou Lane.
A look of gratification appeared in Alchemist Zhuang’s kind eyes. He patted Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu on the head and smiled warmly. “Don’t worry, I haven’t reached the end of my rope just yet.”
“Go and cultivate.”
Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu looked up, their eyes misty. Meeting Alchemist Zhuang’s loving gaze, they obediently returned to their rooms.
During this period.
Alchemist Zhuang had been trading with the three Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans, tasked with refining thirteen batches of spirit pills over four years. It was already an exhausting endeavor.
Yet, he still hadn't refused to help Chen Jianghe with alchemy.
The two girls naturally understood why.
They also knew why Alchemist Zhuang had been frantically trading with those Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans.
He was doing it all to build a foundation for them.
Not just a foundation for their own cultivation, but a foundation to rebuild the Zhuang Clan.
If the Zhuang Clan hadn't been annihilated by Lan Tianxiang, then with Alchemist Zhuang's current status, they could have easily become a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan.
But now, Alchemist Zhuang could only place his hopes on Zhuang Xinyan.
As for Jiang Ruxu, Alchemist Zhuang not only saw her as a disciple but also as a granddaughter.
The affection that had grown over the years had long since replaced the transactional nature of their initial relationship.
Cultivation resources, Foundation Establishment resources.
Alchemist Zhuang had prepared a share for Jiang Ruxu as well.
*Knock, knock-knock.*
Alchemist Zhuang composed himself and walked toward the courtyard gate. He knew it was Chen Jianghe.
He opened the gate, and indeed, Chen Jianghe was standing outside.
His features were not striking, but he radiated a vibrant vitality.
“Judging by your expression, fellow Daoist, the trade must have gone smoothly,” Alchemist Zhuang said with a light laugh.
“With your spirit pills, fellow Daoist, everything naturally went well.”
Chen Jianghe stepped into the courtyard, closed the gate, and then took out the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit and the Ice Heart Grass.
“This is an excellent trade.”
Alchemist Zhuang accepted the Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit and Ice Heart Grass, then said to Chen Jianghe, “Fellow Daoist, you are familiar with those beast hunters. If we cannot find the Profound Ice Jade Marrow, you can ask them to hunt a second-tier ice-type demonic beast. I will bear the cost.”
“It would be best to gather all the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill within eight years.”
“Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I will do my best to find it,” Chen Jianghe nodded.
He understood what Alchemist Zhuang meant by eight years.
If he wasn't mistaken, Alchemist Zhuang likely had only eight years of life left.
Within these eight years, he needed to refine a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills for his disciple and granddaughter, clearing away all obstacles on their path to Foundation Establishment.
After making his promise, Chen Jianghe left Alchemist Zhuang's small courtyard.
Watching Chen Jianghe’s departing figure, a smile appeared on Alchemist Zhuang’s face. “Back when Chu Lang introduced us, I never would have imagined that we would develop such a deep friendship.”
“How unpredictable life is!”
“If I have the chance to refine the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill in the future, it will be perfect for the three of you to have one each.”
—
Chen Jianghe returned home, his mind on Alchemist Zhuang's request. He was tempted to ask Ruan Tieniu if he could get his hands on another Illusory Heart Grass.
If he had one more Illusory Heart Grass.
Then the only main ingredient left for the Foundation Establishment Pill would be the Profound Ice Jade Marrow.
Even if he couldn't obtain the Profound Ice Jade Marrow in the future, he could use the spirit core of a second-tier ice-type demonic beast as a substitute.
Therefore, the Illusory Heart Grass had become the most difficult main ingredient to find.
However, Chen Jianghe decided not to approach Ruan Tieniu about it proactively. He believed Ruan Tieniu would surely seek him out again.
At that time, he could bring up both the Profound Ice Jade Marrow and the Illusory Heart Grass.
Even if the Profound Ice Jade Marrow was hard to get, he would have Ruan Tieniu find a way to gather Foundation Establishment beast hunters to hunt a second-tier ice-type demonic beast.
As for the cost.
He was sure Alchemist Zhuang could afford it.
With his thoughts settled, he released Xiao Hei and Maoqiu, letting them get back to work.
Of course, Chen Jianghe gave Xiao Hei a heads-up.
He might have to go out again in the coming months.
This was to prevent Xiao Hei from complaining again about him delaying their work.
“Xiao Hei, do you feel any decline in your vitality?” Chen Jianghe asked.
“You’re the one with declining vitality.”
Xiao Hei shot Chen Jianghe a glare, feeling that the two-legged beast was just making small talk.
“Uh, aren’t you naturally flawed? Your lifespan is shorter than others of your kind. I was thinking that your one-hundred-and-twenty-year lifespan is similar to a Qi Refining cultivator’s, but Qi Refining cultivators experience a decline in vitality at sixty, which affects their breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.”
“So, I was wondering if you might also experience a decline in vitality at sixty, which would affect your advancement to a second-tier spirit beast.”
Chen Jianghe explained in a serious tone.
“Relax, you don’t need to worry about my lifespan.”
Xiao Hei’s large mouth split into a grin as he sent a telepathic message, “In three years at most, I’ll become a second-tier spirit beast.”
“At that time, humph humph…”
“My lifespan will definitely increase dramatically, reaching the level of my peers.”
Xiao Hei’s proud voice echoed in Chen Jianghe’s mind.
“Uh…”
Chen Jianghe was stunned.
Becoming a second-tier spirit beast, just like a cultivator successfully reaching Foundation Establishment, resulted in a great increase in lifespan.
The logic was sound.
However, when Xiao Hei became a second-tier spirit beast, the one whose lifespan would soar was not Xiao Hei, but Chen Jianghe.
But he couldn't say that out loud; it would be too crushing for the turtle.
But not saying it didn't seem right either.
Even if Xiao Hei became a second-tier spirit beast, his vitality would still decline at sixty if it was meant to.
“Even if something unexpected happens and I can’t advance to a second-tier spirit beast in three years, my vitality won’t decline.”
“After cultivating the Three Revolutions Demon Ascension Art, there is only death, no decline in vitality.”
Xiao Hei looked at Chen Jianghe with a smug glint in his eyes, the meaning perfectly clear.
*Be envious, you little two-legged beast!*
Chen Jianghe was indeed a little envious. He hadn't expected the cultivation art passed down to Xiao Hei through the spiritual platform imprint to be so miraculous.
The Three Revolutions Demon Ascension Art was probably no worse than his own Myriad Waters True Scripture.
It even had the property of locking in one's vitality.
Perhaps there were similar arts that human cultivators could practice, but Chen Jianghe had never seen or heard of one.
But the more profound the Three Revolutions Demon Ascension Art was, the better.
The stronger Xiao Hei became, the safer he would be.
“Xiao Hei’s divine ability also seems to originate from the Three Revolutions Demon Ascension Art.”
Chen Jianghe remembered that first-grade, low-tier bloodlines weren't supposed to awaken divine abilities. The reason Xiao Hei had awakened the ‘Petrification’ ability after becoming a first-tier spirit beast was due to the Three Revolutions Demon Ascension Art.
“I wonder what kind of divine ability Xiao Hei will awaken after becoming a second-tier spirit beast.”
Knowing that Xiao Hei wouldn't suffer a decline in vitality, Chen Jianghe breathed a sigh of relief. He no longer had to worry that his own breakthrough to Foundation Establishment after Xiao Hei turned sixty would affect Xiao Hei’s future.
He returned to his room.
Chen Jianghe continued to cultivate the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art to enhance his spiritual cultivation. He wanted to reach the late stage of Spirit Refining as soon as possible.
By then, as long as he had enough spirit stones.
He could purchase natural treasures to elevate his spiritual cultivation to the consummate level.
As for his physical cultivation, Chen Jianghe had a feeling that he could grind his way to the consummate physical level in five more years at most.
He cultivated the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art for three hours, then drew talismans for six hours, followed by another three hours of cultivating the Tidal Body Tempering Art.
Time flew by.
Four months passed.
Chen Jianghe opened his eyes from his cultivation, feeling his soul essence strengthen and his soul sea become more stable.
He waved his hand to conjure a water mirror for tempering his divine sense. Probing it, he found his divine sense now reached a range of twenty-seven zhang and five chi.
He could now consume first-tier, high-grade Spirit Nurturing Liquid to increase the strength of his soul essence.
However, he did not continue cultivating.
Instead, he chose to come out of seclusion.
A few days ago, Yu Daniu had left him a letter, saying that Zhou Miaoyun had arrived in Qinghe Market City.
Zhou Miaoyun had come to trade the first-tier, high-grade Talisman Art legacy, so of course, he had to meet her.
Moreover, Yun Huizhen didn't have much time left. A small gathering would also serve as a final farewell.
He walked out of his room.
Xiao Hei and Maoqiu both stopped what they were doing.
They could already tell whether Chen Jianghe was coming out to practice the Tidal Body Tempering Art or to leave the house.
“Heh heh~”
Seeing the look in Xiao Hei and Maoqiu’s eyes, Chen Jianghe chuckled and stored them in the spirit beast space.
Then, he walked out of the courtyard.
Soon, he arrived at Yu Daniu's courtyard in Qingshui Lane. He knocked on the door ring, and it was Yun Siniu who opened the gate.
“Uncle.”
Yun Siniu called out respectfully.
His eyes were filled with gratitude. It was clear he had learned about the inferior Foundation Establishment Pill from his parents.
“Mm, Siniu, where are your parents?” Chen Jianghe asked.
“Aunt Zhou is here. They’ve all gone to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Only my big brother and I are home, and he’s in seclusion.”
Yun Siniu said respectfully, “Uncle, please wait a moment. I’ll go inform my father that you’re out of seclusion.”
“Let’s go together.”
Hearing that Yun Xiaoniu was in seclusion at home, Chen Jianghe decided against gathering at Yu Daniu’s place. The Qinghe Restaurant would be better.
Xiaoniu’s attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment should be the priority.
Led by Yun Siniu, he found Yu Daniu's family and Zhou Miaoyun, and then they all went to the Qinghe Restaurant.
Chen Jianghe spent eleven spirit stones on a table full of dishes.
The last time he spent ten spirit stones to treat Yun Huizhen, no one ended up eating, and it all went to Xiao Hei and Maoqiu.
This time, it could be considered making up for it.
Furthermore, he was about to trade with Zhou Miaoyun and was arguably getting a slight advantage, so spending eleven spirit stones didn't sting.
“Granduncle is so young, even younger than Mother.”
In a private room on the second floor of the Qinghe Restaurant, Chen Jianghe walked in holding Yu Qirui’s hand, intending to have the boy sit next to him.
But a look from Yun Huizhen prompted Mrs. Zhou to take Yu Qirui and sit him aside.
“Your granduncle may look young, but he’s actually a few months older than your grandpa,” Yu Daniu laughed heartily.
At this, his eyes filled with reminiscence as he looked at Chen Jianghe. “Big Brother, we became fishery farmers for the Yun Clan less than ten days apart, right?”
“Mm, nine days,” Chen Jianghe also remembered it clearly.
“We became fishery farmers together, achieved Qi induction together, and set foot on the path of cultivation. In the blink of an eye, fifty-eight years have passed.”
“I have grown old, yet you, Big Brother, remain as dashing as ever, your complexion unchanged from all those years ago.”
Just then, Zhou Miaoyun also spoke up. “That’s right. Seeing fellow Daoist Chen reminds me of the day the four of us formed an alliance. It feels like yesterday, yet decades have passed in a flash.”
“Time is the chopping block, and we are the fish upon it.”
“No, that's not quite right. We are the fish, but fellow Daoist Chen seems unaffected by the blade of time.”
A faint smile appeared on Chen Jianghe's face. He remained silent, looking at Yu Daniu, Yun Huizhen, and Zhou Miaoyun.
Although Yu Daniu still had the appearance of a middle-aged man, his temples were completely white, and signs of old age were beginning to show.
Yun Huizhen and Zhou Miaoyun, on the other hand, looked like mortal women in their sixties or seventies.
Their faces were covered in wrinkles, long gone was the beauty and radiance of their youth.
It was just as the saying goes.
No matter how stunning you are in your youth, in the end, you are but a handful of yellow earth.
Yu Daniu and Zhou Miaoyun’s words weren’t meant to slight Chen Jianghe, but were a form of self-deprecation and a lament for how quickly time had passed.
Yu Daniu, in particular, deeply resented time.
He was keenly aware that Yun Huizhen's days were numbered, yet he couldn't bear to lose her, the wife who respected and loved him.
It was Yun Huizhen who had changed his destiny.
She had transformed him from a bottom-tier cultivator into an elder of a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan.
His descendants even had the potential to become Foundation Establishment cultivators and establish the Yu Clan as a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan.
All of this was thanks to Yun Huizhen.
Thus, during this gathering, it was mostly Yu Daniu and Zhou Miaoyun who did the talking.
Chen Jianghe would chime in from time to time.
Yun Huizhen, however, spoke as little as possible, not wanting to dampen everyone's mood because of her impending end.
As for Mrs. Zhou, she was busy coaxing Yu Qirui to eat, doing her best to keep him from crying or fussing, making him sit there quietly.
Yun Siniu was even quieter, silently listening to the stories of his elders.
After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.
They began reminiscing about their youth, and Zhou Miaoyun expressed her apologies to Yu Daniu.
She apologized for her past arrogance.
Yu Daniu, naturally, wouldn't hold a grudge over such a small matter. They were now in-laws, and Mrs. Zhou had even given birth to the first head of the Yu Clan.
Chen Jianghe hadn't expected the two of them to resolve their past grievances at this gathering.
The conversation that followed was much more lively and unrestrained, as if they had returned to their younger days.
The only one missing was Gao Peiyao.
Two hours later, the banquet concluded.
Yu Daniu, Yun Huizhen, and Yun Siniu left first with Yu Qirui.
Mrs. Zhou had already told them the reason for Zhou Miaoyun's visit to Qinghe Market City. As for the Zhou Clan trading for Life Extension Pills for Mrs. Zhou.
Yu Daniu and Yun Huizhen naturally wouldn't stand in the way.
The Zhou Clan was Mrs. Zhou’s family. In the future, when Yu Qirui became the head of the Yu Clan, it was only natural for the Zhou Clan to invest in Mrs. Zhou ahead of time.
When the Yu Clan became a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, it would be inevitable for Yu Qirui to help the Zhou Clan out of consideration for his mother.
Besides, Mrs. Zhou had been in their family for many years. She was virtuous, filial to her elders, and had cared for the crippled fifth son for years without complaint.
This was highly valued by Yu Daniu and Yun Huizhen, who treated Mrs. Zhou like their own daughter.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, this is the first-tier Talisman Art legacy. In the future, please look after Qirui. He is also the hope of our Zhou Clan.”
Zhou Miaoyun took out a jade slip and made her request with sincerity.
“Rest assured, fellow Daoist Zhou. Daniu and I are brothers. I will naturally look after his descendants,” Chen Jianghe said as he accepted the jade slip.
He then took out a jade bottle containing three Life Extension Pills.
After giving it to Zhou Miaoyun, he took his leave.
“Aunt.”
Mrs. Zhou threw herself into Zhou Miaoyun’s arms and began to cry, as if all the grievances she had suffered for years had finally found an outlet.
Yu Daniu and Yun Huizhen were very good to her.
But Yun Wuniu had hurt her deeply. Not only did he beat and curse her, but he also took the family’s resources to frequent the pleasure houses of Yanyu Pavilion.
This was why Mrs. Zhou felt not resentment but gratitude toward Yun Xiaoniu, her eldest brother-in-law, for crippling Yun Wuniu.
Yet, no matter how much she hated Yun Wuniu, she had gritted her teeth and persevered, tending to the crippled Yun Wuniu amidst daily verbal abuse.
“Child, it’s my fault. I found you a beast and pushed you into a pit of fire.”
At that moment, tears streamed down Zhou Miaoyun's face as well.
She knew Mrs. Zhou had suffered unspeakable hardships, but there was nothing she could do. For the sake of the clan, this was her fate.
“No, I should thank you, Aunt.”
Mrs. Zhou cried for a while before regaining control of her emotions.
“My parents-in-law treat me as their own daughter, and I have Qirui. My mother-in-law has named him the head of the Yu Clan, with Uncle as a witness.”
“In the future, when Qirui’s eldest uncle successfully reaches Foundation Establishment, the Yu Clan will be a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan. I am very fortunate. I should be thanking you, Aunt.”
Years of torment under Yun Wuniu had long taught Mrs. Zhou to heal herself. Wiping the tears from Zhou Miaoyun’s cheeks, she revealed a happy smile.
“Good child.”
Zhou Miaoyun nodded, her face full of relief, and handed the Life Extension Pills from Chen Jianghe to Mrs. Zhou.
Mrs. Zhou said nothing more and put the pills away.
She knew that the Zhou Clan needed her to live longer.
Only if she lived would the Yu Clan provide more help to the Zhou Clan.
The aunt and niece talked for a little longer.
Then, Zhou Miaoyun left Qinghe Market City.
Watching her aunt leave, Mrs. Zhou swept the jade bottle with her divine sense. She saw only three Life Extension Pills, but no Beauty Retaining Pill.
A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes.
It was quickly replaced by joy as she started walking toward Qingshui Lane.
A Beauty Retaining Pill was of no use to her.
She was Yu Qirui’s mother. So what if she could retain her youthful appearance forever?
As long as she could live a long life and watch her child grow, that was her greatest wish.
—
After leaving the Qinghe Restaurant, Chen Jianghe did not return home immediately but went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
He had obtained the first-tier Talisman Art legacy.
He could no longer continue drawing mid-grade talismans. With his current skill in the Talisman Dao, he might not even need an adjustment period.
He could become a high-grade Talisman Master right away.
His success rate for drawing mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans was already too high.
It had stabilized at sixty percent.
This was a rate that would put many high-grade Talisman Masters to shame.
He found Chen Ping and asked if the Hundred Treasures Pavilion would still buy back Black Dolphin hides that had been cut into Spirit Blood Pig hides.
“Fellow Daoist, you’ve already cut them all. Why are you thinking of selling them now?”
Chen Ping was a little puzzled, but then he said, “Of course we’ll buy them back, but it will still be at ninety percent of the price of a Black Dolphin hide.”
Buying the Black Dolphin hides and then having them cut for free.
The Hundred Treasures Pavilion was naturally very willing to buy them back.
Although the Hundred Treasures Pavilion didn't have its own mid-grade Talisman Master, it could sell them at a markup to those who needed them.
Chen Jianghe took out six hundred fifty-six portions of Spirit Blood Pig hide and twenty-two complete boxes of spirit ink.
Last time, thinking of his needs for a long seclusion.
He had bought six years' worth of talisman-drawing materials at once.
He hadn't expected the first-tier Talisman Art legacy to come so unexpectedly.
He could only suppress his discomfort and sell them back to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion at a loss.
The materials for drawing high-grade talismans were different from those for mid-grade ones; they couldn't be used interchangeably, so they were useless in his hands.
“Six hundred and fifty-six portions of Spirit Blood Pig hide, let’s count that as twenty-two Black Dolphin hides for you, fellow Daoist.”
“Plus the twenty-two boxes of spirit ink. With my authority, I can only buy them back at a ninety-five percent rate.”
“That’s fine. Thank you, fellow Daoist.”
The original buyback rate was ninety percent, but Chen Ping gave him ninety-five percent, which saved him a considerable loss.
Indeed, his initial decision to form a good relationship with Chen Ping had been a good one.
“Rounding it up, let’s call it two hundred and fifty-one spirit stones,” Chen Ping went to the counter, had someone record it, and then took out two hundred and fifty-one spirit stones and handed them to Chen Jianghe.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe bought another six boxes of high-grade spirit ink and six sheets of Blazing Fire Spirit Fox hide at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
High-grade spirit ink was worth five spirit stones a box.
It was the specific ink used for drawing high-grade talismans.
Azure Illusion Spirit Fox hide was the medium for drawing high-grade talisman scripts, valued at twenty spirit stones per sheet.
The Azure Illusion Spirit Fox was a second-grade, high-tier bloodline demonic beast, but it didn't live in the Youxian Mountain Range, but rather north of the Tongtian River.
Otherwise, with two demonic beast processors at home, why would he need to spend a fortune at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion for Azure Illusion Spirit Fox hides?
He could just request that Wang Kun bring him only Azure Illusion Spirit Foxes.
He then bought a high-grade Azure Feather Talisman Brush.
The Azure Bird possessed a trace of the Azure Luan’s bloodline, making it a third-grade, low-tier bloodline creature.
The Azure Feather Talisman Brush was refined from a single wing feather of an Azure Bird.
It cost sixty spirit stones.
The price wasn't high, but its durability was lower. Low-grade and mid-grade talisman brushes could be used a thousand times, while the Azure Feather Talisman Brush could only draw three hundred high-grade talismans.
After he selected his materials, Chen Ping came over to calculate the total. It came to two hundred and ten spirit stones, with a five percent discount.
That made it an even two hundred spirit stones.
After paying the spirit stones, Chen Jianghe left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
He realized that with Chen Ping's handling of the transaction, he hadn't lost much on the material exchange.
He was even left with fifty-one spirit stones.
Including what he had saved up, he now had one hundred fifty-one spirit stones and forty grains of spirit sand.
After returning home.
Chen Jianghe first took out the jade slip recording the first-tier Talisman Art legacy and began to comprehend the section on high-grade talismans.
Two days later.
He put away the jade slip, now confident and with a certain understanding of how to draw high-grade talismans.
He could begin.
He first cut the Azure Illusion Spirit Fox hide into talisman-sized pieces.
One sheet of Azure Illusion Spirit Fox hide could be cut into fifty pieces, so in the end, it wasn't much more expensive than the Black Dolphin hide.
Six sheets of Azure Illusion Spirit Fox hide were cut into three hundred pieces.
Then, he took out the high-grade spirit ink, ground it, and moistened his brush.
A quarter of an hour later.
Chen Jianghe cleared his mind of distracting thoughts, focused his spirit, and, holding the Azure Feather Talisman Brush, began to draw the high-grade talisman script on the fox hide.
His brush moved like a roaming dragon, light and ethereal.
With a flash of golden light.
A high-grade Golden Sword Talisman was successfully created.
“It takes longer than drawing a mid-grade talisman, consumes more magical power, and also drains more of my mental energy.”
“But… it seems quite simple.”
Chen Jianghe didn't stop. He went on to draw a high-grade Water Arrow Talisman, a high-grade Fire Bird Talisman, a high-grade Earth Trap Talisman…
Compared to low and mid-grade talismans, the variety of high-grade talismans was much greater.
Besides offensive, defensive, and escape talismans.
There were also special types.
For example, the Spirit Gathering Talisman, which worked like a Spirit Gathering Formation but had a time limit.
There were also the Giant Strength Talisman, Rejuvenation Talisman, Godspeed Talisman, and Spirit Tracking Talisman.
At this moment, Chen Jianghe understood how that sneaky rogue cultivator had been able to track him for so long.
It was because he had a Spirit Tracking Talisman.