Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Beast Tide, Opportunity, Second-Tier Water Spirit Core
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"What good news has you in such high spirits, Brother Ruan?"
Chen Jianghe took a sip of tea and let out a soft chuckle.
"Hehe, Brother Chen, you're good friends with Alchemist Zhuang, so you must be quite close with his disciple, Alchemist Jiang, as well."
Ruan Tieniu squinted at Chen Jianghe, hoping to get the answer he wanted.
"Ruxu?"
Chen Jianghe was a little puzzled. "Brother Ruan, you might as well speak plainly. What is this joyous occasion? And how does it involve Ruxu?"
How to describe his relationship with Jiang Ruxu?
They were acquainted, and on quite good terms.
He considered her a junior he thought highly of.
"At this year's Hundred Arts Exchange, I attended with a Foundation Establishment fellow Daoist and happened to see Alchemist Jiang. She has become a high-grade Alchemist."
"Brother Chen, do you know what's happening in the Beast Taming Market City?"
Chen Jianghe listened to Ruan Tieniu without speaking. He had been in seclusion at home, so how would he know what was happening in the Beast Taming Market City.
Moreover, the Beast Taming Market City was in the Southern Territory, a large market city established by the Zhou Clan near the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
Its scale was even larger than Qinghe Market City.
There were more beast hunters there.
With more beast hunters, it naturally drove the hundred arts of cultivation. Therefore, the Beast Taming Market City was far more prosperous than Qinghe Market City.
It was one of the three major market cities south of the Heaven-Reaching River.
In terms of prosperity alone, even the Immortal Sect Market City couldn't compare to the Beast Taming Market City.
But what did events in the Beast Taming Market City have to do with Jiang Ruxu? And what did they have to do with Ruan Tieniu?
Seeing Chen Jianghe's silence, Ruan Tieniu laughed heartily and, no longer keeping him in suspense, got straight to the point.
"A Core Formation expert from the Beast Taming Zhou Clan ventured deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range and stole a Black Flame Fire Crow egg, triggering a beast tide. Two third-tier Black Flame Fire Crows are leading dozens of second-tier demonic beasts and thousands of first-tier demonic beasts in a frantic assault on the Beast Taming Market City."
"Right now, the entire Beast Taming Market City is in chaos. If not for the third-tier top-grade defensive formation, it would have been wiped out by now."
"A beast tide is a disaster for cultivators, but it's also an opportunity. The Foundation Establishment beast hunters of Qinghe Market City are already organizing teams to go and provide support."
"With that said, Brother Chen, you should understand where the good news comes from!"
The corners of Ruan Tieniu's mouth turned up, an irrepressible excitement in his heart.
Chen Jianghe heard this and fell into deep thought.
Stealing a Black Flame Fire Crow egg—one had to admit, the Beast Taming Zhou Clan was audacious, daring to target such a terrifying demonic beast.
The Black Flame Fire Crow was an extremely special lower fourth-grade bloodline, rumored to possess a trace of the Three-Legged Golden Crow's bloodline.
Upon reaching adulthood, it was a second-tier demonic beast.
After two hundred years of cultivation, it could become a third-tier demonic beast, and without any bottlenecks.
In other words.
As long as a Black Flame Fire Crow didn't die prematurely, it was a guaranteed third-tier demonic beast, and a fire-attribute one with terrifying combat power at that.
However, Black Flame Fire Crows had a very low reproductive rate, typically laying only one egg in their lifetime, and rarely two.
By stealing the Black Flame Fire Crow egg, the Beast Taming Zhou Clan had made a mortal enemy of the Black Flame Fire Crows.
However, if they could withstand the beast tide's assault, the Zhou Clan would profit immensely.
A Black Flame Fire Crow egg with a lower fourth-grade bloodline was of inestimable value; it was equivalent to adding a third-tier spirit beast to the clan.
And there was even a slight possibility of it becoming a fourth-tier spirit beast.
The reason for Ruan Tieniu's excitement was that the members of the beast hunting teams heading to the Beast Taming Market City would definitely need to purchase healing spirit pills.
Second-tier healing spirit pills were too expensive for beast hunters, but they would sell everything they owned to buy a single high-grade first-tier healing spirit pill.
So, naturally, this was related to Jiang Ruxu.
Alchemist Zhuang was a second-tier Alchemist and would certainly look down on such meager profits, but Jiang Ruxu, a high-grade Alchemist, would not.
"A beast tide attacking a market city... I've read about it in the *Qinghe Gazette*. Qinghe Market City has experienced something similar. That time, over sixty percent of the cultivators in the city were killed or injured."
"It's extremely dangerous. One would be trying to hide from it, not rushing to help the Beast Taming Market City. How could that be possible?"
Chen Jianghe narrowed his eyes and looked at Ruan Tieniu. "I wonder what kind of terms the Beast Taming Zhou Clan has offered?"
"Brother Chen, you've hit the crucial point."
Ruan Tieniu didn't hide anything and said directly, "To protect the Beast Taming Market City, the Zhou Clan has sent out aid contracts to Qinghe Market City, the Immortal Sect Market City, and the Many Treasures Market City."
"Beast hunting teams of a hundred or more will be given spirit stones directly upon arrival. Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators will each receive one hundred spirit stones, and Foundation Establishment cultivators will each receive one thousand."
"Such a grand gesture from the Zhou Clan!"
Chen Jianghe looked astonished.
Taking Qinghe Market City as an example, they could dispatch at least eight Foundation Establishment beast hunters and two hundred late-stage Qi Refining beast hunters.
That alone was twenty-eight thousand spirit stones.
The Immortal Sect Market City and the Many Treasures Market City were both larger than Qinghe Market City, so they would surely send more beast hunters, not fewer.
This meant that for this one Black Flame Fire Crow egg, the Zhou Clan was willing to spend one hundred thousand spirit stones.
But then, considering the potential of the Black Flame Fire Crow...
As long as it didn't die, it was guaranteed to become a third-tier spirit beast, which was equivalent to an additional Core Formation expert!
One hundred thousand spirit stones was truly worth it.
Although the beast tide was dangerous, it was also accompanied by opportunities.
With the demonic beasts out of their lairs, it meant they could venture deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range from the Beast Taming Market City to steal the natural treasures guarded by the beasts, as well as their cubs.
These were all spirit stones.
Furthermore, with more beast hunters, they would naturally fear the demonic beasts less, and the bodies of the slain beasts were also treasures.
"Brother Ruan wants me to buy high-grade healing spirit pills from Ruxu?"
"Not just healing spirit pills, but also high-grade spirit recovery pills."
"The Treasure Pavilion should sell these two kinds of spirit pills, right?" Chen Jianghe remarked.
"Brother Chen, you really have been living in seclusion, completely unaware of what's happening outside!"
Ruan Tieniu shook his head and explained to Chen Jianghe, "A month ago, when the beast tide broke out at the Beast Taming Market City, the Treasure Pavilion in Qinghe Market City was cleared out of all its healing and spirit recovery pills."
"..."
Chen Jianghe was taken aback; he had forgotten something.
Healing spirit pills and spirit recovery pills were strategic resources, and their prices fluctuated with the outbreak of conflict.
"What about high-grade spirit talismans?"
"High-grade protective talismans, high-grade five-element escape talismans, and high-grade special spirit talismans have all been cleared out as well."
Ruan Tieniu gave Chen Jianghe a deep look. "It's a pity Brother Chen is only a mid-grade Talisman Master. Otherwise, you could have made a fortune from this beast tide at the Beast Taming Market City."
Hearing Ruan Tieniu's words, he fell silent.
His expression was constantly changing.
"Brother Chen, you don't need to be upset. I imagine that in another half a month, mid-grade protective talismans will also be bought in large quantities. You should focus on crafting more mid-grade protective talismans and mid-grade five-element escape talismans during this time."
Seeing Chen Jianghe's silence, Ruan Tieniu thought he was lamenting his missed opportunity for the talisman price surge and offered a word of comfort.
Ruan Tieniu's words were not false.
After the high-grade protective talismans and high-grade five-element escape talismans were snatched up...
The mid-grade five-element escape talismans would also be affected, with prices likely increasing by ten to twenty percent.
"Hmm?... It's nothing."
Hearing Ruan Tieniu's words of comfort, Chen Jianghe was first stunned, then replied with a chuckle.
"By the way, when is this beast hunting team departing for the Beast Taming Market City?"
"Naturally, in two months. There are still many details to discuss with the Zhou Clan, hehe~"
"Alright then, I'll speak to Ruxu about refining high-grade healing spirit pills and high-grade spirit recovery pills."
Chen Jianghe nodded and said, "I wonder how many spirit pills Brother Ruan needs?"
"How can there be a set number? Naturally, the more, the better. If I don't use them myself, I can sell them once I get to the Beast Taming Market City."
"Right, Brother Chen should also hurry up and craft mid-grade five-element escape talismans. I'll help you sell them then. They should fetch a twenty percent premium."
Ruan Tieniu patted his chest chivalrously.
"Uh~ and the demand for spirit talismans?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"The demand for spirit talismans is naturally even greater than for spirit pills. Otherwise, the Treasure Pavilion's stock of high-grade spirit talismans wouldn't have been cleared out within just an hour on the very day the news reached Qinghe Market City."
"The demand is that high!"
Chen Jianghe grew restless, immediately standing up, ready to take his leave.
He had to find Jiang Ruxu first.
Then he would go to the Treasure Pavilion and various other shops in Qinghe Market City to inquire about the prices of spirit pills and talismans.
Previously, a high-grade spirit recovery pill was worth thirty spirit stones, and a high-grade healing spirit pill was worth forty.
A high-grade protective talisman was worth twelve spirit stones.
A high-grade five-element escape talisman was worth fifteen.
But now things were different. With the beast tide at the Beast Taming Market City, spirit pills and talismans had become strategic resources.
The prices must have skyrocketed.
He certainly couldn't ask Ruan Tieniu the price first. He would inquire about the prices outside, then let Ruan Tieniu make his own offer.
At a time like this, as long as you had the goods, you wouldn't lack buyers.
"Brother Chen, wait."
Seeing that Chen Jianghe was about to leave, Ruan Tieniu quickly stopped him, saying, "There's one more thing. You probably haven't read the message I left for you."
"A good friend of mine went with me to the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range some time ago and was severely injured. He urgently needs a Dew-Condensing Muscle-Growing Pill. Please, Brother Chen, think of a way. Otherwise, he'll miss this opportunity to go to the Beast Taming Market City."
Ruan Tieniu, a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator, clasped his hands and bowed in supplication to Chen Jianghe, his face full of loyalty and righteousness.
For the sake of this dear friend, he was willing to cast aside the pride of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Chen Jianghe stopped in his tracks.
He had thought that Ruan Tieniu's friend no longer needed the Dew-Condensing Muscle-Growing Pill!
"I do have one Dew-Condensing Muscle-Growing Pill on hand. It's one I was saving for my own use."
Chen Jianghe said, looking somewhat troubled.
"Rest assured, Brother Chen, we'll trade at the auction price," Ruan Tieniu's face lit up as he said immediately.
"This isn't a matter of price."
Chen Jianghe took a deep breath and said, "Brother Ruan, can you still find any Illusory Heart Grass?"
"Brother Chen still needs Illusory Heart Grass!"
Ruan Tieniu was stunned.
This was the third time Chen Jianghe had sought Illusory Heart Grass!
At this moment, he truly couldn't figure Chen Jianghe out. Why was he constantly searching for the main ingredient to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill?
Just how many batches of Foundation Establishment Pills did he plan to refine?
"This..."
Ruan Tieniu shook his head. "I can't find any more Illusory Heart Grass, but I can help Brother Chen ask around."
The two stalks of Illusory Heart Grass left by Senior Lan Tianxiang had both been used.
"That will do. I'll have to ask Brother Ruan to keep an eye out for me then," Chen Jianghe said with a grateful bow.
"No problem, leave it to me."
Ruan Tieniu laughed heartily, then added awkwardly, "About the Dew-Condensing Muscle-Growing Pill?"
"Since Brother Ruan has asked, I must naturally grant you this favor," Chen Jianghe replied with a smile.
"Excellent. We'll go by the auction price, one thousand two hundred and sixty spirit stones. However, he doesn't have that many spirit stones on hand and will need to trade with an item."
Ruan Tieniu pondered for a moment, then said, "How about a second-tier water-element spirit core?"
"A second-tier water-element spirit core would fetch no less than one thousand three hundred spirit stones at auction. Is Brother Chen willing to make the trade?"
"The spirit core of a second-tier water-element demonic beast?"
Chen Jianghe's mouth twitched. He thought to himself, why couldn't it be the spirit core of a second-tier ice-element demonic beast!
"Alright, we'll do as you say, Brother Ruan."
"Good brother, that's very decent of you!" Ruan Tieniu said happily.
"Just one thing, when Brother Ruan goes to the Beast Taming Market City this time, please help me keep an eye out for a second-tier ice-element demonic beast spirit core. I will purchase it at auction price," Chen Jianghe added calmly.
"A second-tier ice-element spirit core... alright, I will definitely keep an eye out for Brother Chen."
When Ruan Tieniu heard about the Illusory Heart Grass, he knew Chen Jianghe was again preparing materials to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Upon hearing about the second-tier ice-element spirit core, he was absolutely certain.
This was the main ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe he had traded with Alchemist Zhuang.
The fact that Alchemist Zhuang had told Chen Jianghe about the substitute for Profound Ice Jade Marrow made Ruan Tieniu even more convinced of the depth of Chen Jianghe's friendship with Alchemist Zhuang, just as Alchemist Zhuang had claimed to others.
They were sworn friends, sharing life and death.
The two then agreed to meet again at the Qingping Teahouse tomorrow at noon before leaving one after the other.
Chen Jianghe did not go home, but instead headed towards Longevity Lane.
Before he even reached number 136, Auspicious Residence, he saw Ji Wujin walking towards him.
"This fellow hasn't attempted Foundation Establishment yet?"
Chen Jianghe was a bit puzzled.
Ji Wujin was already at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining, and his physical body had also reached perfection. From what he had said, his spirit had long since reached perfection as well.
Logically, he should have attempted Foundation Establishment long ago. Why was he still delaying?
Could it be that he still wanted to keep fishing? Did he really not value his life?
Did he truly believe that with a second-tier spirit beast and a second-tier puppet, he could do as he pleased in Qinghe Market City?
"Fellow Daoist Chen, a rare sight."
"Fellow Daoist Ji, you certainly have a lot of patience, not attempting Foundation Establishment even now," Chen Jianghe said, intending a hint of mockery.
"Hehe, it seems fellow Daoist still knows very little about Foundation Establishment. Once your body and spirit have reached perfection, remember to find me. I have a feeling we'll be able to make a deal."
Ji Wujin seemed not to have caught the insinuation that Chen Jianghe was referring to his fishing.
Of course, it was also possible he had, but simply didn't care.
"A deal?" Chen Jianghe frowned.
Why wait until his spirit and body reached perfection to make a deal?
'This guy isn't planning to refine me into a puppet, is he!'
Chen Jianghe had traded for the demonic cultivation manual and the puppet inheritance from Ruan Tieniu, and he had glanced over the puppet inheritance.
He knew of a special type of high-grade first-tier puppet that could be refined directly from a cultivator, and with excellent results.
"Yes, but you're not qualified yet."
"Hehe, but we can make another deal first. Fellow Daoist should be a high-grade Talisman Master by now, right?"
"I can buy the high-grade spirit talismans you craft at market price. How about that? Am I not a good friend?"
Ji Wujin said seriously.
Chen Jianghe rolled his eyes at Ji Wujin, then walked past him. After ten steps, he turned back and said mockingly.
"A friend of yours, fellow Daoist, is bound to be cheated to death sooner or later."
With that, Chen Jianghe knocked on the gate of Alchemist Zhuang's courtyard. The gate opened, and he walked in.
"Hasn't this guy been in seclusion? How does he know about the talisman price increase too?"
"Whatever, I'll fleece you properly once your body and spirit reach perfection."
With this thought, Ji Wujin left Longevity Lane and headed towards the city exit, not at all worried about his Foundation Establishment Pill being exposed.
Chen Jianghe entered the courtyard and saw flames flaring in the alchemy room, then looked at Alchemist Zhuang.
"Is Ruxu refining pills?"
"Fellow Daoist must have heard about the beast tide at the Beast Taming Market City. Ruxu wants to make a profit too, so she's been refining pills non-stop for the past month."
Alchemist Zhuang looked at Chen Jianghe and said, "Fellow Daoist must also be here to discuss the spirit pill matter with Ruxu, right?"
"Indeed."
Chen Jianghe nodded. "The message Ruxu left for me said she has become a high-grade Alchemist. With the beast tide outbreak over at the Beast Taming Market City, there's indeed a great opportunity to profit."
"Yes, I've had Ruxu focus on refining spirit recovery pills and healing spirit pills during this time. I'll leave it to you to sell them."
"Certainly. I just met with Ruan Tieniu. He said the beast hunting teams will set out in two months, so Ruxu still has two months to refine pills."
"Two months will do. She can refine a good number of spirit recovery and healing pills," Alchemist Zhuang nodded in satisfaction.
If he were to refine high-grade spirit recovery and healing pills, he would be faster and earn more.
But Alchemist Zhuang looked down on such small profits.
Besides, having Jiang Ruxu refine a few more batches of spirit pills to improve her alchemy skills and comprehension was far more worthwhile than earning a few extra spirit stones.
"By the way, I've asked Ruan Tieniu to keep an eye out for a second-tier ice-element demonic beast spirit core in the Beast Taming Market City. I expect there will be some leads."
"I am indebted to you, fellow Daoist."
"There's no need for such pleasantries. It's just that there's still no lead on the Illusory Heart Grass. We'll need to inquire through various channels."
"No matter. I still have a few years left. I can wait for fellow Daoist to gather the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill," Alchemist Zhuang said with a smile, reassuring Chen Jianghe not to be too anxious.
"It is, of course, better to gather them sooner rather than later."
Chen Jianghe said, "Since Ruxu has already started refining pills, I must return to craft talismans. I will come back to collect the pills in two months."
"Alright, take care, fellow Daoist."
Chen Jianghe left Longevity Lane and went directly to the Treasure Pavilion, found Chen Ping, and inquired about the prices of spirit pills and talismans.
"Fellow Daoist is already a high-grade Talisman Master, so you should have a stock of spirit talismans. I suggest you don't sell them now; wait another month."
"Right now, high-grade spirit talismans have only seen a sixty percent price increase. They haven't reached their peak yet."
"I can guarantee that in a month, the price of high-grade protective talismans will definitely double, and the price of high-grade five-element escape talismans will increase by eighty percent."
"The price increase for Godspeed Talismans should be even more ferocious than for high-grade protective talismans."
As the second-in-command of the Treasure Pavilion, Chen Ping was naturally aware of the price inflation situation for spirit talismans throughout Qinghe Market City.
And the situation for spirit pills as well.
"What about the price increase for high-grade spirit recovery pills and high-grade healing pills?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"High-grade spirit recovery pills have seen a fifty percent increase, and high-grade healing pills a sixty percent increase, but both will eventually reach a premium of over eighty percent."
"Even mid-grade spirit recovery and healing pills have seen a twenty percent increase."
Chen Ping said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist, it would be best for you to focus on crafting high-grade protective talismans for the next two to three years, because this beast tide will not be short-lived."
"The Zhou Clan didn't just steal a Black Flame Fire Crow egg; they also took a spiritual item needed for Core Formation."
"The ones enraged are not just the two third-tier Black Flame Fire Crows, but also a third-tier Icy Triangle Python."
Hearing Chen Ping's words.
Chen Jianghe bowed and said, "Many thanks for your guidance, fellow Daoist."
"You're too kind, fellow Daoist. This is hardly a secret. I just found out about it early. In two or three months at most, the news about the Icy Triangle Python will spread."
Chen Ping said with a cheerful smile.
Chen Jianghe thanked him again. Knowing the news a few months in advance was still beneficial.
Moreover, Chen Ping had also given him an idea of the final price inflation for talismans and pills.
After leaving the Treasure Pavilion, Chen Jianghe visited more than a dozen other shops that sold spirit pills and talismans, such as Talisman's Fate, Jewel Pavilion, and Pill Marvel Workshop, to inquire about prices.
There was no harm in asking for prices at this time.
After all, even if one wanted to buy, the shops had no stock.
Especially after learning that Chen Jianghe was a Talisman Master, the shopkeepers all beamed like flowers, wanting to purchase high-grade spirit talismans from him.
They offered to buy at a seventy percent market premium.
There was even one shop selling spirit talismans that offered to buy high-grade spirit talismans from Chen Jianghe at an eighty percent premium.
It was clear that what Chen Ping said was correct.
The prices of high-grade protective talismans and high-grade five-element escape talismans would eventually double.
The price of spirit pills might also double in the end.
This brought a delighted smile to Chen Jianghe's face. He was now a high-grade Talisman Master and could craft the very protective talismans that were seeing the highest price increase.
"The first-tier talisman inheritance from Zhou Miaoyun came at just the right time!"
Chen Jianghe sighed inwardly.
After returning home, Chen Jianghe began crafting spirit talismans.
The next day, he went to the Qingping Teahouse and made a trade with a burly old man brought by Ruan Tieniu.
He traded one Dew-Condensing Muscle-Growing Pill for a second-tier water-element spirit core.
If this second-tier water-element spirit core were to be sold at auction, the final price would be around one thousand three hundred and fifty spirit stones.
After deducting the commission fee.
That would be one thousand two hundred spirit stones.
As for the Dew-Condensing Muscle-Growing Pill, even if it sold for one thousand two hundred spirit stones at auction...
A commission fee would also be deducted.
The final amount received would only be a little over one thousand spirit stones.
Therefore, this trade was very worthwhile for Chen Jianghe.
For the other party, it was also very worthwhile.
But Chen Jianghe found it a bit strange. Why was it that the Foundation Establishment cultivators who entered the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range with Ruan Tieniu always got injured?
But Ruan Tieniu himself never did?
The Blood Escape Art? Ruan Tieniu would never use it in front of others unless it was a last resort. Otherwise, he would surely be linked to Lan Tianxiang.
After the trade was completed, they agreed to trade again in two months.
Chen Jianghe immediately returned home.
He began crafting spirit talismans.
As for the spirit talismans he sold to Wang Kun, he would have to pause that for now.
Opportunities for a Talisman Master's income to skyrocket were rare, only occurring during major wars between the northern and southern factions of the Tiannan Sect, or during large-scale beast tides, which caused significant price inflation.
This was an opportunity not to be missed; he could not pass up this chance to get rich.