Chapter 154
Chapter 154
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Daniu Mourns His Wife, Tieniu Brings Good News
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Three months passed.
Chen Jianghe had created three Firebird Talismans, two Earth-Trap Talismans, two high-grade Water Arrow Talismans, four high-grade Lightning Talismans, as well as two high-grade Frost Talismans and two Gold Sword Talismans.
He had used twenty-nine pieces of spirit fox hide and successfully crafted fifteen high-grade offensive spirit talismans, with the success rate stabilizing at fifty percent.
At that moment, having crafted more than five types of high-grade spirit talismans, Chen Jianghe was successfully promoted to a high-grade Talisman Master.
This made him reflect on how solid his foundation was from crafting mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans.
He had reached a sixty percent success rate, a feat that even high-grade Talisman Masters would find hard to achieve.
It was precisely because of this solid foundation that he was able to become a high-grade Talisman Master in just three months.
Furthermore, his success rate for crafting high-grade offensive spirit talismans was not low.
It had reached fifty percent.
It was safe to say that his income from talisman crafting this year would not be affected. Unlike his promotion to a mid-grade Talisman Master, he wouldn't need a one or two-year transition period for his earnings to get back on track.
“High-grade offensive spirit talismans don't sell for much, only ten spirit stones each. To significantly increase my talisman crafting income, I'll need to make high-grade protective talismans and special-type spirit talismans.”
Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
He learned from Wang Kun that what late-stage Qi Refining demonic beast hunters desired most were not high-grade offensive spirit talismans.
Nor were they high-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans.
It was high-grade protective talismans.
As demonic beast hunters, they frequently entered the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range. They had plenty of offensive methods and were unlikely to use offensive spirit talismans.
Besides, the cost of using offensive spirit talismans was too high.
They couldn't afford it.
As for high-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans, they were even less inclined to use them.
Demonic beast hunters didn't enter the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range for a stroll, fleeing at the first sight of a demonic beast. They were there to fight them to the death.
Even if injured, they wouldn't choose to escape with a high-grade Five Elements Escape Talisman.
There was a fundamental difference between late-stage and mid-stage Qi Refining demonic beast hunters.
Late-stage Qi Refining hunters were even more desperate for spirit stones.
Furthermore, unlike mid-stage Qi Refining hunters, they didn't often encounter situations of certain death that would force them to keep a mid-grade escape talisman on hand.
Therefore, among high-grade spirit talismans, protective talismans were the most popular.
Using a high-grade protective talisman meant a harvest was secured.
Special-type spirit talismans were also quite popular.
Talismans like the Godspeed Talisman and the Giant Strength Talisman—one increased speed, allowing for the quick pursuit of heavily injured, near-death demonic beasts.
The other enhanced the power of magical arts and physical strength.
“The success rate for high-grade offensive spirit talismans has already reached fifty percent. I can try crafting high-grade protective talismans now.”
Chen Jianghe made up his mind to start crafting high-grade protective talismans.
As for special-type spirit talismans, he would have to wait a bit longer.
His current talisman crafting skills had not yet met the requirements for making special-type spirit talismans.
The value of special-type spirit talismans varied, but even the cheapest ones, like the Godspeed Talisman, were worth fifteen spirit stones.
That was comparable to a high-grade Five Elements Escape Talisman.
A Spirit Tracking Talisman, on the other hand, was worth thirty spirit stones, double the price of a high-grade Five Elements Escape Talisman.
Therefore, one needed a very high success rate with Five Elements Escape Talismans before venturing into special-type spirit talismans.
He took out a piece of spirit fox hide, dipped his Azure Feather Talisman Brush in spirit ink, and began to craft a high-grade protective talisman.
Compared to high-grade offensive spirit talismans, the inscription patterns of a protective talisman were somewhat more complex.
This meant a higher demand for control over spiritual power and a greater toll on his mental energy.
After three attempts, he finally succeeded once.
With the experience of success, crafting high-grade protective talismans became much smoother.
Time flew by.
Another four months passed.
In these four months, he used a total of forty-one pieces of spirit fox hide and successfully crafted nineteen high-grade protective talismans.
The success rate barely reached fifty percent.
For a cultivator who had just become a high-grade Talisman Master, this was an exceptionally rare success rate.
With the solid foundation he had accumulated as a mid-grade Talisman Master, Chen Jianghe felt that he could attempt to craft special-type spirit talismans in two years at most.
And he would likely achieve a decent success rate.
Thinking of this, Chen Jianghe felt more and more that his decision to spend an extra five years consolidating his skills as a mid-grade Talisman Master was the right one.
“Maoqiu, bring me the letters.”
Chen Jianghe gave the order.
Immediately, the large figure of Maoqiu walked in, carefully placing the letters in front of Chen Jianghe.
Sensing the aura from Maoqiu, it was fully comparable to a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator who had not practiced body tempering.
“It seems I really need to buy a custom-made magical artifact for Maoqiu.”
“Otherwise, raising this kind of spirit beast without a custom artifact would be a real waste.”
Primate-type spirit beasts possessed considerable combat power, and with a custom-made magical artifact, their strength would be even greater.
From casual conversations with Ruan Tieniu at the Qingping Teahouse after discussing business, Chen Jianghe had learned that there were many dangerous late first-order primate-type demonic beasts in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
Although they couldn't forge artifacts, they could use primitive methods to grind a simple, custom-made weapon.
“Train hard. Once Xiao Hei becomes a second-order spirit beast, I'll let you consume spirit cores.”
“Squeak squeak~”
Maoqiu, behaving like a human, bowed to Chen Jianghe with its hands clasped in thanks.
“Hehe~ Go on.”
Chen Jianghe chuckled and waved Maoqiu away.
Then, he looked at the four letters in his hand. To his surprise, two of them were from Ruan Tieniu!
This puzzled Chen Jianghe.
Why was Ruan Tieniu leaving him messages so frequently?
He opened both message letters at the same time. Looking at the dates, one was from the seventh month, and the other was from the ninth.
Just then.
The courier box in the courtyard flashed with light again, indicating that a new letter had arrived.
Without waiting for Chen Jianghe's command, Maoqiu retrieved the letter and brought it into the room.
Xiao Hei, who had just finished his cultivation, saw this and glanced at Maoqiu. “Stop sucking up and get back to training.”
“Squeak squeak~” (Master told me to get it.)
“Are there a thousand mountains or ten thousand rivers between you? Can't he get it himself? Why does he need you running back and forth? No more nonsense, get back to cultivating.”
“When I, the Turtle Lord, become a second-order spirit beast, if your cultivation hasn't improved, the first thing I'll do is stew your monkey brains.”
“Squeak squeak~”
Maoqiu didn't dare to talk back. It obediently began to consume the demonic beast flesh and train diligently. It was most afraid of Xiao Hei when he was in a fierce mood.
Chen Jianghe saw the scene outside through the gauze window and smiled without saying anything.
Xiao Hei was strict with Maoqiu, but also good to him.
Back in the eighth month, Xiao Hei had negotiated with him on Maoqiu's behalf, asking for an extra demonic beast's worth of flesh, heart, and organs for Maoqiu.
Now, Maoqiu's annual cultivation resources consisted of the flesh, heart, and organs of five demonic beasts, two more than when he started.
Xiao Hei had fought for all of this for him.
Of course, with the increased workload for Xiao Hei and Maoqiu, they could earn an extra sixty to seventy spirit stones a year.
Chen Jianghe was more than happy to provide Maoqiu with more resources.
Maoqiu was his spirit pet, and a combat one at that. Naturally, the stronger, the better.
As for Xiao Hei?
Timid and life-cherishing, if he tried to use him as a combat spirit pet, Xiao Hei would probably fight him first.
He withdrew his gaze and looked at the letter Maoqiu had just brought in. It was from Ruan Tieniu again. What was this guy up to?
Three message letters in five months.
Chen Jianghe quickly read through all three letters, and a playful look appeared on his face.
“A middleman... no, a third-party dealer.”
Chen Jianghe remarked.
This Ruan Tieniu must have gotten a taste of the sweet profits of being a middleman.
He actually wanted to buy a second-order healing spirit pill from him, though not a Muscle-Regenerating and Bone-Mending Pill, just a Dew Condensing Muscle-Regenerating Pill.
“It seems he made a good amount of spirit stones from the Xu Feng and Xu Hong brothers and has gotten addicted to being a third-party dealer.”
“That makes sense. Being a third-party dealer is much safer than entering the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.”
Ruan Tieniu had sent three letters in five months, all requesting a Dew Condensing Muscle-Regenerating Pill.
He still had one Dew Condensing Muscle-Regenerating Pill on hand. He could let Ruan Tieniu act as the middleman and sell it to the other party.
From Ruan Tieniu's letters, it was clear that the Foundation Establishment senior who needed the pill was truly desperate and had no other connections.
At the Mid-Autumn Festival auction, one Muscle-Regenerating and Bone-Mending Pill and one Dew Condensing Muscle-Regenerating Pill were auctioned off.
The Muscle-Regenerating and Bone-Mending Pill sold for a high price of two thousand three hundred spirit stones.
The Dew Condensing Muscle-Regenerating Pill also sold for one thousand two hundred and sixty spirit stones.
This Foundation Establishment senior probably didn't have that many spirit stones, or perhaps he had treasures but hadn't converted them to cash.
After all, converting treasures into cash also required a handling fee.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator acquainted with Ruan Tieniu was, in all likelihood, from a demonic beast hunter background. They treated spirit stones as if they were their own lives.
They treasured them dearly. How could they be willing to pay a handling fee?
“He's been injured for five months already. Even if he takes a Dew Condensing Muscle-Regenerating Pill now, the effect won't be that great.”
“Unless he reopens the already healed wound and shaves it down again.”
The next moment, Chen Jianghe pushed the thought from his mind. Just thinking about it was painful and unsettling.
He had been cultivating for nearly sixty years but had never been injured.
Nor did he fight with others.
The one time he was forced into combat, it ended in the blink of an eye.
After making up his mind.
Chen Jianghe shredded Ruan Tieniu's letters and then opened the message letter from Jiang Ruxu.
After reading it, a helpless, bitter smile appeared on his face.
It was a letter of showing off.
Jiang Ruxu had successfully refined three types of high-grade spirit pills, including a high-grade Qi Recovery Pill and a high-grade healing spirit pill.
She was now considered a true high-grade Alchemist.
So, she had written to Chen Jianghe to flaunt her achievement.
“To become a high-grade Alchemist after studying under Alchemist Zhuang for nearly seventeen years is not only due to Jiang Ruxu's talent in alchemy, but more importantly, Alchemist Zhuang's dedicated nurturing.”
“Showing off to me as soon as she becomes a high-grade Alchemist… that's in line with her personality.”
Chen Jianghe was naturally very happy for Jiang Ruxu becoming a high-grade Alchemist.
Alchemist Zhuang didn't have much time left. If Jiang Ruxu could further improve her alchemy skills during this period, it would be even better for him.
But how could it be so simple to advance from a high-grade Alchemist to a second-order Alchemy Grandmaster?
Many alchemists with extraordinary talent became high-grade Alchemists early on but failed to become second-order Alchemists in their entire lives.
One reason was the lack of inheritance.
Second was the lack of pill formulas.
Third was the lack of a financial foundation to support attempts at refining second-order spirit pills, thus being unable to accumulate experience.
Alchemist Zhuang had no clan, only a granddaughter and a disciple. The spirit stones he earned could be fully invested in attempting to refine second-order spirit pills.
The most crucial factor in becoming a second-order Alchemist was one's comprehension of the art of alchemy.
It was just as Alchemist Zhuang had once said.
The path of alchemy was different from the path of talismans; talent and comprehension were two different things.
“Jiang Ruxu has become a high-grade Alchemist. I should find some time to congratulate her.”
Chen Jianghe put down Jiang Ruxu's letter and opened the last one. It was from Yun Siniu.
After reading the letter, Chen Jianghe's expression turned grave.
A long while later.
He let out a heavy sigh.
It turned out that at the end of the ninth month, Yu Daniu's wife, Yun Huizhen, had passed away.
Yu Daniu was heartbroken and had shut himself in for two months.
Yun Xiaoniu was still in seclusion, so Yun Siniu, left with no other choice, had written to Chen Jianghe for help in persuading Yu Daniu.
Chen Jianghe knew the deep bond between Yu Daniu and Yun Huizhen, so he naturally understood how devastating her departure would be for him.
But without attaining immortality, the moment of parting through life and death was inevitable.
Even Foundation Establishment Ancestors and Core Formation experts could not avoid it.
This was also why Chen Jianghe dared not get too close to anyone. His lifespan was long, and as long as he managed things cautiously, even if he couldn't guarantee becoming an immortal in the future, he could still go further on the path of cultivation than others.
He was confident of that much.
Once Xiao Hei became a second-order spirit beast, his own lifespan might double. How could he form deep connections with others?
The deeper the bond, the greater the blow when it was time to part.
A wife, children.
Chen Jianghe wouldn't think about it.
At least not now. Not unless he had absolute means of self-preservation and a substantial foundation.
Only then, when he could help his family break through and cultivate to higher realms, might he consider the matter of a dao companion.
Chen Jianghe stood up, walked out of the room, and glanced at Xiao Hei, who had finished cultivating. The complicated look in his eyes faded.
The path to longevity was long and winding, with no end in sight.
Fortunately, he had Xiao Hei, so he wasn't completely alone in this silent life of cultivation.
“Two-legged beast, I sense something's off with you. I can see it in your eyes. You want to eat me.”
Xiao Hei took a step back, staring at Chen Jianghe as he spoke.
“Pah!”
Chen Jianghe spat.
“Hmph, you've been hanging around two-legged beasts for years. You must have picked up the nasty habit of eating demonic beasts. I advise you to drop that idea.”
“I may not be able to beat a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but I can beat you up.”
Xiao Hei said with a straight face.
“...”
Chen Jianghe rolled his eyes. “Between the two of us, who's the one with the nasty habit of eating spirit food? The last time we had spirit food, you were like a mad dog, snatching more than half of it.”
“That's different. I was carrying on the will of the deceased demonic beasts, taking them with me to charge toward higher realms,” Xiao Hei declared righteously.
*Spit!*
“I poured all my resources into raising you, selling everything I had, and in return, you want to beat me up. So ungrateful.”
“Tsk, tsk, why don't you just admit it's so I can protect you? Hmph, you're just using the excuse of 'raising me' to improve my realm. You just want me to be your shield when danger comes.”
“...”
Chen Jianghe looked at the increasingly clever Xiao Hei. This rascal was getting smarter and smarter, almost impossible to fool anymore.
“Fine, let's go back to Mirror Moon Lake right now...”
“Don't be like that, I was just kidding. Why'd you take it so seriously? Two-legged beasts are so petty. Don't worry, if we really run into danger, I'll definitely carry you and run.”
The mention of Mirror Moon Lake sent a shiver down Xiao Hei's spine.
His greatest fear was returning to Mirror Moon Lake and being caught and boiled into soup by that detestable Foundation Establishment cultivator Chen Jianghe always talked about.
“So, are you planning to run on two legs or crawl?”
“Don't mind the details. Anyway, I'll protect you,” Xiao Hei said with conviction.
At this moment, Maoqiu woke up from its cultivation.
Chen Jianghe stopped bickering with Xiao Hei, recalled them into the spirit beast space, walked out of the courtyard, and strode quickly towards Clear Water Alley.
He arrived at Yu Daniu's home.
Yun Siniu, his wife Zhou, and little Qi Rui all came out to greet him.
Chen Jianghe first went to look at Yun Huizhen's spirit tablet.
“When we go back, we will definitely give Mother a proper place of honor,” Yun Siniu said firmly.
“Mm.”
Chen Jianghe nodded. “Where's your father?”
“Uncle, it's good that you're here. Please try to talk to my father. He hasn't left the house in over two months.”
Yun Siniu pointed to the room where Yu Daniu was.
“How is your older brother?” Chen Jianghe asked.
“Big Brother has been in seclusion. He still doesn't know about Mother's passing.”
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe glanced at the place where Yun Xiaoniu was in seclusion. He held this resolute and courteous junior in high regard.
He was another one who single-mindedly sought Foundation Establishment.
Yun Xiaoniu had sufficient resources. He probably wouldn't come out of seclusion until his spirit was perfected.
When he emerged with a perfected spirit, it would be time to attempt his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
“Put your mother's spirit tablet away for now. You can set it up again after your big brother achieves Foundation Establishment,” Chen Jianghe said.
“Yes, nephew will listen to Uncle.”
Yun Siniu understood what Chen Jianghe meant.
The dead were gone and could not be brought back.
The living must be prioritized, especially in a family within the cultivation world.
Then, Chen Jianghe went to Yu Daniu's room and knocked on the door.
“Daniu, it's me.”
After a quarter of an hour, Yu Daniu opened the door. He had clearly composed himself, but the sorrow in his eyes was hard to hide.
“Big Brother, you're here.”
Yu Daniu forced a smile and looked at Chen Jianghe. “I was just quietly reminiscing about the past. I didn't expect them to call you over.”
“Mm, I'm relieved to see you're alright.”
Chen Jianghe nodded, patting Yu Daniu's arm heavily. “Let's go for a walk.”
“Alright, I'll listen to Big Brother.”
Yu Daniu followed Chen Jianghe out.
Soon, they arrived at the river view area on the first floor of the Hundred Treasures Tower and found a pavilion to sit down in.
“I had Siniu put away your wife's spirit tablet,” Chen Jianghe said.
A flash of sorrow crossed Yu Daniu's eyes, but he nodded. “I understand Big Brother's meaning. We'll deal with everything after Eldest achieves Foundation Establishment.”
“Big Brother, after Eldest achieves Foundation Establishment, we'll definitely have to return to Mirror Moon Lake. The Ancestor is still alive, and Xiaoniu is a person of deep loyalties. He can't disregard the Ancestor's feelings. It's very likely the family will split then.”
“Why don't you come back with us? The cultivation resources and living environment will be much better than in Qinghe Market City.”
Chen Jianghe shook his head upon hearing this.
He knew what Yu Daniu meant by "resources being much better."
After the family split, the newly established Yu Clan would be in dire need of spirit stones. How could he go with them and add to the younger generation's burden for no reason?
“I'll stay here in Qinghe Market City. In the future, if you need any resources, I'll be here to help.”
Chen Jianghe said.
“Alright then.”
Yu Daniu then asked, “Regarding the family split, does Big Brother have any advice?”
Yun Huizhen was gone.
Yu Daniu was not skilled in worldly affairs and could only ask Chen Jianghe for help.
“The disciples from your wife's branch of the family must not be taken with you. As for other matters, just follow Xiaoniu's arrangements,” Chen Jianghe instructed.
The disciples from Yun Huizhen's branch were the ones who most hoped for Yun Xiaoniu to succeed in Foundation Establishment, return to Mirror Moon Lake, and then prop Yun Siniu up as the clan head.
But that would only deepen the animosity, inevitably making the two factions of the Yun Clan as incompatible as fire and water.
Splitting the family was the only way.
However, even after splitting, they could not take the disciples from Yun Huizhen's branch.
Otherwise, it would leave a huge problem for Yu Qi Rui.
How could a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan have two different surnames?
This would create a natural faction.
Furthermore, in its early stages, the Yu Clan would lack a strong core, and every matter would be controlled by Yun Huizhen's branch.
This would be extremely detrimental to the establishment of the Yu Clan.
Therefore, as long as they didn't split off with the disciples from Yun Huizhen's branch, everything else would be manageable.
They talked about a few other things.
Then Chen Jianghe escorted Yu Daniu back to Clear Water Alley.
He then returned home.
Instead of continuing his seclusion, he took the demonic beast parts processed by Xiao Hei and Maoqiu to the Demonic Beast Market to sell.
Because Maoqiu's cultivation resources had been increased by one demonic beast's worth of flesh, heart, and organs, the parts from the twelve demonic beasts only sold for one hundred and twenty-two spirit stones.
The parts from the eight complete demonic beasts sold for three hundred and fifteen spirit stones, three more than the previous year.
It was clear that Wang Kun was very selective when delivering the demonic beasts, not daring to be the least bit careless.
Ruan Tieniu was one factor.
Chen Jianghe being a major client was the main reason.
He was unwilling to lose a big customer like Chen Jianghe.
Although he no longer had a chance to attempt Foundation Establishment, his son had a very good chance.
He was counting on this major client, Chen Jianghe, to provide the cultivation resources!
After selling the demonic beast parts, his spirit stones reached five hundred and eighty-eight, along with forty grains of spirit sand.
Afterward, he went to the Hundred Treasures Tower and bought thirty portions of Spirit-Focusing Grass and Spirit-Warming Sand, spending two hundred and forty spirit stones.
When he returned home, he didn't hang the 'In Seclusion' sign on his gate.
It was already the twelfth month.
If Ruan Tieniu still needed the Dew Condensing Muscle-Regenerating Pill, he would likely come again in the next few days, and he could then decide on the transaction based on the situation.
Just as he had predicted.
Less than ten days later, Ruan Tieniu once again arrived at Chen Jianghe's small courtyard. He had intended to leave a message letter.
But he saw that there was no 'In Seclusion' sign on Chen Jianghe's gate. Delighted, he immediately knocked on the door knocker.
“Brother Chen, great news!”
Upon seeing Chen Jianghe, Ruan Tieniu first let out a loud laugh.
“Huh? Good news? Let's go to the Qingping Teahouse.”
“Let's go, let's go! My treat, Brother Chen.”
Ruan Tieniu didn't ask if Chen Jianghe had seen his message letters.
In his eyes, it didn't matter whether he had seen them or not. After all, the person was right in front of him, and they could discuss anything directly.
This was far more detailed and clear than what could be conveyed in a message letter.
Arriving at the Qingping Teahouse.
Ruan Tieniu waved his hand grandly and ordered a pot of spirit tea worth two spirit stones, exuding an air of immense magnanimity.
This made Chen Jianghe curious about the "great news" Ruan Tieniu spoke of.