Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: A Bountiful Harvest and an Impoverished Foundation Establishment Senior
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Early in the year, on the fifth day.
Wang Kun, along with Pockmark, arrived at Chen Jianghe's small courtyard. He knocked on the door ring and waited outside, feeling uneasy.
After thirty breaths, Chen Jianghe opened the courtyard gate.
"Brother Chen, was what you said last time true? Are you really trading high-grade spirit talismans this year?"
Wang Kun strode forward, cupped his hands, and asked.
Last time, he had wanted to make a deal with Chen Jianghe, trading a first-tier high-grade talisman art inheritance in exchange for Chen Jianghe drawing high-grade spirit talismans for him for free for five years.
But Chen Jianghe had refused, stating that he would be able to trade high-grade spirit talismans this year.
The implication was that he already possessed a first-tier talisman art inheritance.
"High-grade spirit talismans? Of course, we can trade. But what price is Fellow Daoist Wang prepared to offer?"
Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.
As long as the price was right, he wasn't opposed to selling them to Wang Kun.
After all, in Ruan Tieniu's eyes, he was still just a mid-grade Talisman Master, capable only of drawing mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans.
The premium would be 20% at most.
"I wonder what type of high-grade spirit talismans Brother Chen draws? Have you perhaps drawn any high-grade protective talismans?"
Wang Kun's voice trembled slightly, a mix of nervousness, worry, and a hint of excitement.
"I have both offensive and protective spirit talismans."
"You have high-grade protective talismans?!"
A look of immense joy appeared on Wang Kun's face. He looked at Chen Jianghe excitedly and asked impatiently, "Brother Chen, how many protective talismans do you have? I'll take them all."
"Is Fellow Daoist Wang also heading to the Beast Taming Market City?" Chen Jianghe asked calmly, observing Wang Kun's excited expression.
"Yes, indeed. While the beast tide is risky, it also comes with great opportunities. With good luck, one year's work can equal ten," Wang Kun said with a grin.
Chen Jianghe nodded. That was true. A beast tide was erupting, and it wasn't just any ordinary beast tide.
There was also the Icy Triangle Python to consider. When it appeared, the number of demon beasts would likely surge again.
"I currently have twenty-four high-grade protective talismans, fifteen high-grade offensive spirit talismans, and seventeen mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans."
"Name your price, Fellow Daoist Wang. If it's suitable, we'll make a deal." Chen Jianghe looked at Wang Kun with a calm gaze, curious to see what price this demon beast hunter leader would offer.
"So many?"
Wang Kun's expression changed.
He was both excited and helpless.
In the past, he could have easily afforded so many spirit talismans, but things were different now. The price of high-grade spirit talismans in Qinghe Market City had skyrocketed.
At the end of the day, he was just the leader of a demon beast hunting team; he didn't have that many spirit stones.
Whatever spirit stones he managed to accumulate were all exchanged for resources to bolster his son's foundation for Foundation Establishment.
Seeing the look on Wang Kun's face, Chen Jianghe guessed his predicament and said, "You can trade with demon beast carcasses, Fellow Daoist."
More than half of the late-stage Qi Refining demon beast hunters in Qinghe Market City were likely heading to the Beast Taming Market City.
Chen Jianghe had to plan ahead and purchase the demon beast carcasses needed for the next two years. He absolutely could not let Xiao Hei's cultivation progress be delayed.
In another two years, Xiao Hei would break through to become a second-tier spirit beast.
By then, he would have officially established a firm foothold in the cultivation world and would have the means to protect himself.
"Demon beast carcasses? Yes, that's perfect! Thank you for your consideration, Brother Chen."
Wang Kun quickly cupped his hands in thanks.
Then he fell silent, deep in thought.
From time to time, he would exchange glances with Pockmark, likely discussing something via voice transmission.
If nothing unexpected happened, they were probably discussing the price of the spirit talismans.
By now, everyone in Qinghe Market City knew that the prices of spirit talismans and spirit pills were soaring. It was obviously impossible for them to buy them at a low price.
Furthermore, they didn't dare to try and fool Chen Jianghe.
Once they incurred Chen Jianghe's displeasure...
Their demon beast business would be over.
And they wouldn't be able to buy any spirit talismans.
Chen Jianghe, however, could continue to purchase demon beasts through Ruan Tieniu. Moreover, spirit talismans were scarce goods, so he had no worries about finding buyers.
After a hundred breaths.
Wang Kun looked at Chen Jianghe, his eyes filled with determination. "Brother Chen, you've supported my demon beast business many times. I certainly can't let you lose out on the spirit talismans."
"I'll buy the mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans at a 30% premium over the market price."
"The high-grade offensive spirit talismans, at a 20% premium."
"As for the high-grade protective talismans... I'll buy them at a 110% premium over the market price."
"These prices are definitely the highest in Qinghe Market City. What do you think, Brother Chen?"
"Acceptable. We'll go with what Fellow Daoist Wang has proposed." Chen Jianghe nodded in satisfaction.
A 30% premium for mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans was indeed the highest in Qinghe Market City, as they were only mid-grade talismans, after all.
Those heading to the Beast Taming Market City were all late-stage Qi Refining demon beast hunters.
Only during smaller beast tide riots would the price of mid-grade spirit talismans possibly reach a 50% premium.
But it would never exceed 50%.
As for the high-grade offensive spirit talismans, Wang Kun wasn't taking advantage by offering a 20% premium.
Offensive spirit talismans were generally not subject to high premiums.
At most, the premium would be 20%; it rarely reached 30%.
Only high-grade protective talismans, high-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans, and high-grade special-purpose spirit talismans would see their prices double.
"Seventeen mid-grade Five Elements Escape Talismans, at a 30% premium, comes to 198 spirit stones and 90 spirit sand. Let's round it up to 199 spirit stones."
"Fifteen offensive spirit talismans, at a 20% premium, comes to 180 spirit stones."
"Twenty-four high-grade protective talismans, at a 110% premium, comes to 604 spirit stones and 80 spirit sand. Let's round it up to 605 spirit stones."
"The total is 984 spirit stones."
Wang Kun took a deep breath. He definitely couldn't produce that many spirit stones, so he looked at Chen Jianghe. "Brother Chen, how many demon beasts do you want?"
"Forty or fifty will do, but they must have second-grade superior bloodlines," Chen Jianghe said with a smile.
"Alright. Thank you for your consideration, Brother Chen."
Wang Kun conferred with Pockmark, then said, "I can guarantee they'll all have second-grade superior bloodlines, but their quality will vary. I definitely won't let you lose out, Brother Chen. How about we price them all at thirty spirit stones per head?"
"Mm, that's fine." Chen Jianghe nodded.
"Please wait a moment, Brother Chen. I'll go back and gather forty demon beasts to bring over right away."
With that, Wang Kun quickly left with Pockmark.
Delays could lead to complications; he was worried someone else might buy Chen Jianghe's spirit talismans.
The price of high-grade protective talismans could at most double in Qinghe Market City, but that might not be the case in the Beast Taming Market City.
The premium could reach 130%!
About an hour later, Wang Kun and Pockmark returned, bringing with them forty late first-tier demon beasts, all with second-grade superior bloodlines.
Their quality was somewhat uneven, but there were more good ones than bad. At an average of thirty spirit stones per head, it was not a loss.
In fact, it was quite a good deal.
"Rest assured, Brother Chen. Each demon beast has an Ice Soul Pill in its mouth. There's absolutely no chance of them rotting or starting to smell due to the long storage time."
Wang Kun handed nine storage bags to Chen Jianghe, his face full of fawning flattery.
Chen Jianghe swept his spiritual sense over them, then moved all the demon beasts into his courtyard. He knew about the Ice Soul Pills Wang Kun had mentioned.
It was a type of low-grade spirit pill.
One could even say it was a non-standard spirit pill.
Much like basic spirit talismans such as the Water Purification Talisman or Dust Dispelling Talisman.
Each one was worth twenty grains of spirit sand and could ensure a demon beast's carcass wouldn't rot.
"I still owe you 216 spirit stones, Fellow Daoist Wang. By any chance, do you need any True Spirit Pills?"
Chen Jianghe asked.
He still had two True Spirit Pills he hadn't dealt with. Selling them to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion felt like a bit of a loss.
After all, four spirit stones didn't grow on trees.
"True Spirit Pills? Haha, yes, yes! My son just reached the late stage of Qi Refining and needs them. We can just offset the cost at market price," Wang Kun laughed heartily.
Chen Jianghe didn't know if Wang Kun really had a son in the late stage of Qi Refining or if he was making it up, but as long as he didn't lose any spirit stones, it didn't matter.
"Very well. Two True Spirit Pills for forty spirit stones. I'll give you another 176 spirit stones then."
After speaking, Chen Jianghe gave Wang Kun the two True Spirit Pills, 176 spirit stones, and all the spirit talismans for the trade.
"Thank you for your consideration, Brother Chen. In one year at the least, two at the most, after I return, I'll continue to supply you with demon beasts."
"Farewell!"
Wang Kun cupped his hands to bid farewell.
"Take care, Fellow Daoist Wang. I wish you a smooth journey."
Chen Jianghe watched Wang Kun leave Green Ping Alley, then entered his courtyard and hung up a "In Seclusion" sign.
The demon beast hunting teams would be setting out in just over a month.
Chen Jianghe planned to temporarily halt his cultivation of the [Tidal Body Tempering Art] for the next month or so, focusing instead on cultivating the [Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art] and drawing spirit talismans.
He would reallocate the freed-up three hours entirely to drawing spirit talismans.
With high-grade protective talismans selling for double the price, this was a rare opportunity he couldn't afford to miss.
This was especially true now, when he was in urgent need of spirit stones.
His cultivation of the [Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art] now required the aid of first-tier high-grade Spirit Nurturing Liquid.
That was two bottles a year, an added expense of over two hundred spirit stones.
In the blink of an eye.
A month and a half passed.
During this month and a half, Chen Jianghe spent nine hours a day drawing spirit talismans and three hours cultivating the [Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art], which significantly improved his talisman-drawing results.
He used twenty portions of spirit fox hide and actually managed to create nine talismans.
His success rate for drawing high-grade protective talismans was approaching 50%.
After coming out of seclusion, Chen Jianghe first went to Fushou Alley to get the spirit pills from Jiang Ruxu.
Originally, he was supposed to take the pills to trade them himself, but Jiang Ruxu insisted on coming along. Not only did Alchemist Zhuang not stop her, he even had his granddaughter, Zhuang Xinyan, join them.
After a moment's thought, Chen Jianghe understood Alchemist Zhuang's intentions.
Alchemist Zhuang didn't have much time left.
He could protect Zhuang Xinyan now, but how could he protect her after he was gone?
It was better to use this time to let her go out with Chen Jianghe, to interact with strangers, so she wouldn't be naive about the ways of the world later on.
Naturally, Chen Jianghe wouldn't refuse.
It was a good thing to let Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan get out more and gain some experience.
The world was a treacherous place; it was better for them to learn this sooner rather than later.
When it was his turn to look after them in the future, he would also have more peace of mind, knowing they wouldn't be easily deceived by outsiders.
"Senior, why aren't we going to the Qinghe Restaurant to trade?"
Upon arriving at the Qingping Teahouse, Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan watched the demon beast hunters coming and going, unable to stop themselves from wrinkling their delicate brows and covering their noses as they asked.
Most of the demon beast hunters carried the stench of blood.
Furthermore, the Qingping Teahouse was a place frequented by lower-level cultivators, so there was no shortage of cultivators who worked in the demon beast workshops.
And they smelled of more than just blood.
Chen Jianghe, however, was unbothered by it.
"What's the minimum cost for a table at Qinghe Restaurant?"
"Only five spirit stones!"
"Huh? Your treat?"
"Of course. To treat Senior at Qinghe Restaurant, it would have to be a twenty-spirit-stone table. We sisters can afford that."
As Jiang Ruxu spoke, Zhuang Xinyan, who was beside her, nodded in agreement, feeling that what Jiang Ruxu said made perfect sense.
"..."
Chen Jianghe was a bit speechless. He glanced at Jiang Ruxu and asked, "Tell me honestly, how long were you a market city guide?"
"Hee hee, half a year."
"You've forgotten the hardships of low-level cultivators!" Chen Jianghe shot Jiang Ruxu a look and walked inside.
He ordered a pot of spirit tea for fifty grains of spirit sand.
Zhuang Xinyan was naive and didn't see the difference between a few spirit stones and a few grains of spirit sand, but Jiang Ruxu should have known better.
After all, she had come from the bottom ranks of cultivators.
Perhaps this was the normal transformation one underwent after becoming an Alchemist.
It made sense when he thought about it. Alchemists were among the artisans who were least short of spirit stones; they really didn't care about a few, or even a few dozen, spirit stones.
"Senior, this tea is really awful." Zhuang Xinyan took a small sip, glanced cautiously at Chen Jianghe, and mumbled in a tiny voice.
If Chen Jianghe hadn't been a cultivator, he wouldn't have even heard the girl's voice.
"Senior Sister, now you know why Senior likes to visit Master, right? Hee hee..."
"Giggle~"
Hearing this, Zhuang Xinyan first glanced at Chen Jianghe. Seeing that he wasn't angry, she also let out a light laugh.
Just then, Ruan Tieniu walked in.
"Brother Chen, sorry to keep you waiting."
Ruan Tieniu cupped his hands and then nodded to Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan. "Alchemist Jiang, Fairy Zhuang."
"Senior Ruan."
Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan responded in kind, then stood behind Chen Jianghe.
"Brother Ruan, let's talk price!" Chen Jianghe got straight to the point. He wanted to finish the trade quickly and get back to drawing spirit talismans and cultivating the [Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art] and the [Tidal Body Tempering Art].
Especially the [Tidal Body Tempering Art]; his progress had already been delayed by a month and a half.
"Alright."
Ruan Tieniu nodded and, without any nonsense, stated the prices directly.
"High-grade healing pills are at a 90% premium, and high-grade spirit recovery pills are at an 80% premium. The prices for these two types of spirit pills are pretty much transparent in Qinghe Market City now."
Chen Jianghe nodded.
Before coming to the Qingping Teahouse, he, Jiang Ruxu, and Zhuang Xinyan had visited other spirit pill shops, and the prices were indeed as Ruan Tieniu had said.
While not double the price, a 90% and 80% premium was still quite good.
It was possible that these two types of pills were already selling for double the price in the Beast Taming Market City, but none of them were willing to take the risk of going there.
"Ruxu, how many high-grade spirit recovery pills and high-grade healing pills did you bring?" Chen Jianghe glanced at Jiang Ruxu and asked.
"Not that many. There are some that Master refined before, some that I refined, plus the ones from the last few months. Only thirty-nine high-grade healing pills and forty-eight high-grade spirit recovery pills."
Jiang Ruxu obediently took out the spirit pills and handed them to Chen Jianghe, letting him handle the transaction with Ruan Tieniu.
"Huh??"
Chen Jianghe was stunned.
Ruan Tieniu was also a bit dumbfounded.
"Brother Chen, I need to leave for a moment. I'll be back in half an hour at most." With that, Ruan Tieniu quickly left the Qingping Teahouse.
"Ruxu, you call that 'not many'?"
"Didn't you see you scared the Foundation Establishment Senior away?"
Chen Jianghe said, feeling rather speechless.
"It's really not that many. If Master were refining them, the quantity would be at least double," Jiang Ruxu said earnestly.
"That's right. Grandfather can control two pill furnaces when he refines high-grade spirit pills," Zhuang Xinyan added proudly.
"Alright, quiet down now."
Chen Jianghe shot them both a look.
He knew alchemists made a lot of money, but he never imagined it was this much.
After reaching Foundation Establishment, he had to try alchemy.
Especially after hearing that Alchemist Zhuang could control two pill furnaces to refine high-grade spirit pills, his resolve to become an alchemist grew even stronger.
He had to give the path of alchemy a try.
He didn't need to have exceptional talent in alchemy.
As long as he had a little, he would grind his way to becoming a second-tier alchemist, even if it took immense effort.
Once he reached Foundation Establishment, he would have plenty of time to hone his skills in alchemy.
The time it takes for two incense sticks to burn passed.
Ruan Tieniu returned in a hurry, followed by four Foundation Establishment cultivators, including the brothers Xu Feng and Xu Hong.
The other two Foundation Establishment cultivators were unfamiliar to Chen Jianghe; he figured they were seniors who had also come from a demon beast hunter background.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, Alchemist Jiang, Fairy Zhuang."
"Greetings, four Seniors."
After exchanging greetings, Ruan Tieniu got straight to quoting the price.
"The market price for a high-grade healing spirit pill is forty spirit stones each. For thirty-nine pills, with a 90% premium, that comes to 2,964 spirit stones."
"The price for a high-grade spirit recovery pill is thirty spirit stones each. For forty-eight pills, with an 80% premium, that's 2,592 spirit stones."
"The total comes to 5,556 spirit stones."
As Ruan Tieniu said the numbers, even he couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
Chen Jianghe's heart leaped into his throat, worried that Ruan Tieniu and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't be able to control their greed and would rob them.
"Don't worry, Senior. Senior Sister and I both have second-tier talismans that Master lent us. They won't dare to make a move."
Jiang Ruxu sent a voice transmission.
"You can borrow second-tier talismans?"
Chen Jianghe was taken aback, but he still breathed a sigh of relief and sent a voice transmission to Xiao Hei, telling him to be ready to protect his master at all times.
"My four fellow Daoists, don't just stand there stunned. Let's pool our resources!"
Ruan Tieniu looked at the four dumbstruck Foundation Establishment cultivators and coughed lightly, rousing them from their shock.
Over five thousand spirit stones.
A Foundation Establishment Ancestor from an immortal clan certainly wouldn't be shocked, but these were Foundation Establishment cultivators who had come from a demon beast hunter background.
They had never held over five thousand spirit stones in their hands before.
Not counting spiritual items or magical artifacts, they had never even possessed two thousand spirit stones. This showed just how poor Foundation Establishment cultivators from a demon beast hunter background were.
A quarter of an hour later.
The five Foundation Establishment seniors, including Ruan Tieniu, managed to scrape together 3,600 spirit stones and put up an Iceheart Herb as collateral.
"Brother Chen, this Iceheart Herb is just being temporarily deposited with you. When I return from the Beast Taming Market City, I will redeem it for two thousand spirit stones."
The Iceheart Herb was the main ingredient for refining the Iceheart Obstacle-Breaking Pill, a crucial spirit pill for Ruan Tieniu's future breakthrough to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
He naturally valued it immensely.
If not for the enormous profit to be made from the spirit pills, he would never have been willing to use the Iceheart Herb as collateral.
High-grade healing pills had a 90% premium in Qinghe Market City, but in the Beast Taming Market City, the premium would be at least 120%.
High-grade spirit recovery pills could also double in price in the Beast Taming Market City.
This was a profit of over a thousand spirit stones.
This was one of the opportunities that came with the eruption of a beast tide.
Therefore, for many cultivators willing to take risks, a beast tide was a great opportunity. They wished a beast tide would happen once every ten years.
"Alright. When Brother Ruan returns, you can redeem the Iceheart Herb for two thousand spirit stones. But please don't forget our previous agreement."
"Rest assured, Brother Chen. I will definitely keep an eye out for the resources you need," Ruan Tieniu said solemnly, cupping his fist.
"Oh, right. I still have nine high-grade protective talismans. Does Brother Ruan need them?"
"High-grade protective talismans?"
Ruan Tieniu was stunned, then he seemed to realize something and asked in surprise, "Did that scoundrel Wang Kun buy his high-grade spirit talismans from you, Brother Chen?"
"Yes."
"Brother Chen, why didn't you tell me you were a high-grade Talisman Master?!"
"You didn't ask."
"Hiss~ That scoundrel Wang Kun got to profit again." Ruan Tieniu stomped his foot in frustration.
It seemed he was more angered by Wang Kun making spirit stones than by losing them himself.
"A 110% premium. I'll take them."
As Ruan Tieniu spoke, he directly took out over 190 spirit stones and then borrowed a few dozen more from Xu Feng.
He scraped together 227 spirit stones and handed them to Chen Jianghe.
"Brother Chen, farewell."
"Take care on your journey."
The transaction was complete.
Ruan Tieniu and the other four Foundation Establishment seniors left the Qingping Teahouse.
Chen Jianghe, Jiang Ruxu, and Zhuang Xinyan also left, heading in the direction of Fushou Alley.
"Senior, are Foundation Establishment cultivators also short on spirit stones?"
Thinking back to the scene of Ruan Tieniu and the others pooling their spirit stones, Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan found it hard to believe.
In their minds, they had always believed Foundation Establishment cultivators were lofty figures, a sky looming over Qi Refining cultivators.
But for a mere five thousand-plus spirit stones, five Foundation Establishment cultivators had to pool their resources, and they still came up short!
They even had to use an Iceheart Herb as collateral.
And in the end, they still had to scrape together another two hundred-odd spirit stones.
This completely shattered their inherent impression of Foundation Establishment cultivators as unreachably high and mighty figures.
They were so poor!
"Foundation Establishment cultivators are the same as Qi Refining cultivators. As long as they want to improve their cultivation, they need resources, and that means they'll be short on spirit stones," Chen Jianghe said faintly.
"Then are you short on spirit stones, Senior?" Jiang Ruxu asked.
Zhuang Xinyan also showed a curious gaze, secretly looking at Chen Jianghe, wanting to know about this senior's financial situation.
"Of course I am. If I weren't, would I owe your master six hundred spirit stones?" Chen Jianghe shrugged helplessly.
"Then please use these spirit stones, Senior."
Zhuang Xinyan held out the storage bag containing 3,600 spirit stones to Chen Jianghe.
"And this Iceheart Herb."
Jiang Ruxu also took out the storage bag with the Iceheart Herb.
"Don't worry, Senior. Master said that all the spirit stones from selling the pills this time belong to Senior Sister and me."
Chen Jianghe stared at the two storage bags held out before him, stunned for a moment, then gave a helpless, wry smile.
Then he reached out and flicked each of them on the forehead.
"Are you two trying to anger Old Man Zhuang to death?!"
"Let's go. Home, quickly."
After escorting Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu back to Fuju Residence, Number 136, Chen Jianghe didn't linger. He was still thinking about continuing to draw spirit talismans.
According to Chen Ping, the beast tide at the Beast Taming Market City would last for a while, which meant the price of high-grade protective talismans would remain high.
Even if the premium wasn't as extreme as it was now.
It would gradually decrease later on.
But it would still be much higher than usual. For him, every moment during this period was incredibly precious.
"How did it go?"
Alchemist Zhuang watched Chen Jianghe disappear at the end of the alley, then turned and walked into the courtyard, asking Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu.
Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu took out the two storage bags.
"Senior didn't accept them. He even flicked our heads. It hurt~"