Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Three Top-Tier Artifacts, Second-Order Talisman Inheritance
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At the hour of You, the sun sank behind the western mountains.
The sunset painted the western sky crimson, its warm glow illuminating Luo Xiyue's exquisite face, making her appear even more radiant.
But the cold glint in her eyes made Chen Jianghe take a deep breath.
Luo Xiyue's words were spoken with great seriousness.
It also confirmed his suspicions. The reason Luo Xiyue had stayed at Qiyun Mountain for so long was likely to wait for him to make a request.
So she could fulfill it, and the debt of favor would be settled.
“Fairy, could you give me a day to think about it?”
As soon as Chen Jianghe finished speaking, Luo Xiyue turned and left, returning to her own courtyard in silent agreement to his request for a day.
Watching Luo Xiyue return to her residence, Chen Jianghe pushed open his own gate, walked into his courtyard, and sat down in the front hall's guest room.
His mind replayed Luo Xiyue's words.
“What happened at Qinghe Market City was unintentional, but since she wants to repay the favor, it's a happy occasion for me.”
Luo Xiyue was a master artifact refiner.
Her status in Qinghe Market City was very high; otherwise, she wouldn't be living at Number Seven, Longevity Lane, in the southeastern district's Blessed Abode.
For those rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators, getting Luo Xiyue to refine a top-tier artifact was next to impossible.
Even the Foundation Establishment Ancestors of cultivation clans found it difficult to get a single chance for her to refine an artifact.
Generally, the only way to obtain a top-tier artifact was through an auction house.
However, going through an auction made it difficult to find a top-tier artifact that was perfectly compatible with oneself.
Not all cultivators liked using flying swords.
Chen Jianghe, for one, disliked ostentatious artifacts like flying swords.
Furthermore, if the properties of a top-tier artifact didn't align with one's cultivation art, its full power couldn't be unleashed.
After reaching Foundation Establishment, the requirements for an artifact were not as lenient as during the Qi Refining stage; compatibility was needed in many aspects.
The properties of one's cultivation art, the properties of one's offensive arts.
“I don't have any offensive arts, so I can only ask for a top-tier defensive artifact for now. I just don't know if Fairy Luo will be willing to refine one.”
Chen Jianghe mulled it over and decided it was best to ask for a top-tier defensive artifact. He didn't possess any offensive arts that matched a top-tier artifact.
Even if he got a top-tier offensive artifact, he could only unleash sixty to seventy percent of its power.
But a top-tier defensive artifact didn't have as many requirements. He cultivated the Myriad Waters True Scripture, a water-attribute art.
Even if he obtained a top-tier earth-attribute defensive artifact, he could still unleash eighty to ninety percent of its power.
Of course, it would be best if he could get a water-attribute top-tier defensive artifact.
What worried Chen Jianghe was whether this 'favor' Luo Xiyue owed him was valuable enough to exchange for a top-tier defensive artifact.
A top-tier offensive artifact was generally valued at one thousand two hundred spirit stones, and if sold at auction, would likely fetch around one thousand five hundred.
A top-tier defensive artifact was valued at two thousand six hundred spirit stones, and at auction, would typically sell for around three thousand.
In Chen Jianghe's view, this so-called 'favor' was perhaps worth one thousand five hundred spirit stones.
It probably wasn't worth three thousand.
“If I can't get a top-tier defensive artifact, then I'll have to ask for a custom-made second-order offensive artifact for Maoqiu.”
Chen Jianghe thought to himself, “An increase in Maoqiu's combat strength is equivalent to an increase in my own.”
A custom-made second-order artifact for a primate-type second-order spirit pet generally costs around two thousand spirit stones.
Even at auction, they sold within this price range.
Once Maoqiu became a second-order spirit beast, it would awaken another divine ability, and its combat strength would undergo a heaven-and-earth-shaking transformation.
Dealing with rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators like those demon hunters, it should have no problem fighting two or even three at once.
If it were also equipped with a custom-made second-order offensive artifact that perfectly matched its attributes, Maoqiu's combat strength would soar dramatically once more.
“If Maoqiu had a custom-made second-order offensive spirit pet artifact, it should be able to break through Xiao Hei's shell, right?”
Xiao Hei's shell was comparable to a second-order defensive artifact, and one that was perfectly compatible with itself, at that.
But one shouldn't forget.
Xiao Hei also possessed the 'Petrification' divine ability. Once it used that ability, how strong would its shell's defense become?
Chen Jianghe didn't know.
After all, Xiao Hei hadn't fought since becoming a second-order spirit beast, so its exact combat strength was unclear.
However, once he successfully reached Foundation Establishment, he would be able to find out.
At that time, he would be the standard by which to measure the combat strength of both Xiao Hei and Maoqiu.
“It's settled then. If I can't get a top-tier defensive artifact, I'll ask for a custom-made second-order offensive artifact for Maoqiu.”
With his mind made up.
Chen Jianghe then began cultivating the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art. He consumed a bottle of first-order high-grade Spirit Nurturing Liquid. The gentle spiritual energy flowed into his sea of consciousness, and as he cultivated the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art, it released wisps of soul power to aid his cultivation.
Currently, Chen Jianghe's demand for Spirit Condensing Grass and Spirit Warming Sand was immense. Fifteen portions a year were no longer of much use to him.
Logically, fifteen portions a year should have been more than enough.
But for him, it wasn't, which gave Chen Jianghe the strange feeling that perhaps because his divine sense was stronger than other cultivators, his need for Spirit Condensing Grass and Spirit Warming Sand had also increased.
Last year, he had consumed twenty portions of Spirit Warming Sand and Spirit Condensing Grass. This year, he felt he would need thirty.
Fortunately, the Treasure Pavilion in Mirror Moon Market City also sold Spirit Warming Sand and Spirit Condensing Grass. He could ask the Yu Clan to help him purchase some later.
The next day.
Chen Jianghe walked out of his courtyard and knocked on Luo Xiyue's door next door.
A short while later, Luo Xiyue, her skin as white as snow and smooth as jade, emerged. The light in her eyes was cold and calm as she stared at Chen Jianghe.
She showed no intention of inviting him in.
“Fairy Luo.”
Chen Jianghe greeted her with a cupped-fist salute.
Luo Xiyue blinked, but said nothing, simply looking at Chen Jianghe with an expression that spoke for itself.
“Um, could I request a water-attribute top-tier defensive artifact?” Chen Jianghe asked, a bit awkwardly.
A top-tier defensive artifact was worth three thousand spirit stones.
And he was even specifying the attribute. If any Foundation Establishment cultivator in Qinghe Market City heard this, they would surely think Chen Jianghe was being ungrateful.
Three breaths passed after Chen Jianghe spoke.
Luo Xiyue remained silent, her gaze fixed on Chen Jianghe, which made him start to feel uneasy.
Was this 'favor' truly worth a top-tier defensive artifact?
After ten breaths.
Seeing that Luo Xiyue hadn't responded, Chen Jianghe could only resign himself to his second choice and prepare to ask for a custom-made second-order offensive artifact for Maoqiu.
Just then, Luo Xiyue spoke coolly, “Continue.”
“…”
Chen Jianghe looked at Luo Xiyue with a puzzled expression, not quite understanding the meaning of that word.
“The beast tide at Qinghe Market City, while not a mortal threat to me, would have required some effort to deal with.”
Luo Xiyue's voice was crisp, tinged with a hint of coldness and pride.
Chen Jianghe understood what she meant.
The beast tide at Qinghe Market City wouldn't have killed her, but it would have forced her to expend some of her trump cards.
Thus, the value of the 'favor' she owed Chen Jianghe was equivalent to the value of the trump cards she would have had to expend.
Luo Xiyue had a cold and arrogant personality, a stern demeanor, and treated almost everything with a degree of disdain and indifference.
“Fairy, you should be aware that I have a primate-type spirit beast. Might I ask for a custom-made second-order offensive artifact for it?”
Chen Jianghe asked.
“What kind of spirit beast?” Luo Xiyue asked faintly.
Chen Jianghe didn't hide it, stating directly, “It's a water-attribute Mountain Velvet Beast.”
If he wanted Luo Xiyue to custom-refine an artifact for Maoqiu, he naturally had to tell her what kind of spirit beast it was.
Otherwise, Luo Xiyue wouldn't be able to refine an artifact compatible with Maoqiu.
“Staff, club, or spear. Choose one.”
“A club.”
Luo Xiyue nodded upon hearing his choice, then said, “If you find me a second-order water-system spirit core, I'll refine another top-tier offensive artifact for you.”
“A second-order water-system spirit core?”
“Refining a water-attribute top-tier offensive artifact or a custom-made second-order water-attribute offensive spirit pet artifact doesn't require a second-order water-system spirit core. But a second-order water-system defensive artifact does, and I don't have any on me.”
Luo Xiyue, perhaps worried that Chen Jianghe would misunderstand and think she was diminishing the value of the favor, added, “One second-order water-system spirit core in exchange for one second-order offensive artifact.”
“A second-order water-system spirit core… as it happens, I have one on me. Please, Fairy, take it and use it. There's no need… Very well, then thank you, Fairy.”
Chen Jianghe had intended to simply contribute the second-order water-system spirit core, since Luo Xiyue was helping him refine artifacts after all.
Even though it was to repay a 'favor', he shouldn't be too demanding.
But when he met Luo Xiyue's suddenly icy gaze, he felt it was better to do as she said.
One second-order water-system spirit core in exchange for a second-order offensive artifact was an excellent deal.
Why cause trouble for himself?
And earn the ice beauty's displeasure in the process.
Luo Xiyue gave Chen Jianghe a cold look. With a thought, the second-order water-system spirit core flew into her palm.
Then, Luo Xiyue turned and entered her courtyard.
Just as the gate closed, her cool voice drifted out.
“Come for the artifacts in one year.”
“Tsk, I forgot to choose the type of offensive artifact.”
Chen Jianghe suddenly remembered something. He didn't like using flying swords, but he hadn't told Luo Xiyue what style of offensive artifact he wanted.
“Forget it. A flying sword is fine. I don't have any offensive arts anyway, so it doesn't matter what kind of second-order offensive artifact it is.”
Offensive arts were extremely rare.
Let alone Luo Xiyue's Profound Ice Sword Art, even common offensive sword arts were very rare.
Most Foundation Establishment cultivation clans didn't have any offensive arts at all.
The majority of Foundation Establishment Ancestors and rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators simply used their spiritual power to drive their top-tier offensive artifacts.
This was why the combat strength between Foundation Establishment cultivators varied so greatly.
But for someone like Luo Xiyue to kill Chen Feng, the Fifth Chieftain of Qingfeng Stronghold, with a single strike—that wasn't just due to the power of the Profound Ice Sword Art.
Chen Jianghe guessed that Luo Xiyue's cultivation had likely broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe went to find Yu Daniu and asked him to help find another second-order water-system spirit core.
For Maoqiu to become a second-order spirit beast in the short term, it needed four water-system spirit cores. He originally had enough, but he had given one to Luo Xiyue.
So now he was one short.
Chen Jianghe didn't give Yu Daniu the spirit stones to purchase the spirit core. He was short on spirit stones at the moment and could only pay for it with spirit talismans at the end of the year.
Yu Daniu wasn't lacking a thousand or so spirit stones. With the expansion of the Yu Clan's territory, they now governed thirteen small cultivation towns.
The annual rent from these thirteen cultivation clans alone amounted to more than a thousand spirit stones.
Currently, the Yu Clan's population was small, so they didn't have many expenses.
Forget buying one second-order water-system spirit core for Chen Jianghe; even if he needed to buy several more, Yu Daniu could afford it.
Having arranged for the second-order water-system spirit core.
Chen Jianghe began to cultivate in seclusion. He needed to raise his spiritual cultivation to its peak as quickly as possible, then attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment.
On New Year's Day, while dining with Alchemist Zhuang, he noticed the aura of death around the alchemist had grown stronger.
He had to succeed in his Foundation Establishment before Alchemist Zhuang passed away.
That way, his old friend could close his eyes in peace.
By becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he would have a greater ability to protect the alchemist's granddaughter and disciple, which would naturally allow Alchemist Zhuang to depart with more peace of mind.
He hung a 'In Seclusion' sign on his courtyard gate.
Chen Jianghe let Maoqiu out to cultivate in the backyard, while he cultivated in the front hall.
Although reaching the peak of his physical cultivation had saved him three hours a day, he couldn't use that time for spiritual cultivation.
Cultivating the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art for three hours was the most suitable arrangement. If he cultivated it all day long, two things would happen.
First, his soul wouldn't be able to withstand such intense cultivation pressure.
Second, his sea of consciousness wouldn't be able to absorb that many supplementary resources; they would just go to waste.
Therefore, for the next six months, he would continue to cultivate the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art for three hours and draw spirit talismans for nine.
The increased time for drawing talismans didn't mean he was drawing them constantly; it also included time to recover his spiritual power and rest his mind.
Overexerting his mind and body like Zhou Miaoyun, leading to a sharp decline in his lifespan, was something to be avoided.
In the sixth month, during the Great Heat.
Chen Jianghe was drawing a spirit talisman in the front hall. Holding the Azure Feather Talisman Brush, his hand moved like a swimming dragon across the spirit fox hide. Ten breaths later, a spiritual light flashed.
A Spirit Tracking Talisman was successfully created.
“My success rate with the Spirit Tracking Talisman has reached forty percent. It seems my talisman-crafting skills are improving quite rapidly.”
The Spirit Tracking Talisman was one of the most difficult to draw among high-grade spirit talismans.
It was much harder than the Five Elements Escape Talisman.
The consumption of spiritual power and mental energy was nearly double.
To achieve a forty percent success rate meant that he was already among the top high-grade Talisman Masters.
Generally, once the success rate for the Spirit Tracking Talisman reached fifty percent, one could attempt to refine second-order talismans.
However, he currently had no second-order talisman inheritance.
Most importantly, a second-order talisman inheritance was completely different from a first-order one.
A first-order talisman inheritance included methods for drawing various spirit talismans, as well as some insights on talisman drawing.
But a second-order talisman inheritance was not like that.
Second-order talismans were inherited individually.
For example, for a second-order Binding Talisman, one would need the specific inheritance for the second-order Binding Talisman.
If it were a second-order Contract Talisman, one would need the inheritance for the second-order Contract Talisman.
Of course, if one obtained enough second-order talisman inheritances, one could still rely on profound talisman crafting skills to comprehend and refine other second-order talismans.
There was another point.
Second-order talisman inheritances were not sold on the open market. Even the Treasure Pavilion in an immortal sect's market city didn't sell them.
Generally, such inheritances would only appear in black markets.
The Qinghe Annals contained records of black markets. South of the Tongtian River, there were three relatively famous black markets.
One was Duobao Market City, due west of the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, located in the Western Territory.
Another was at Qingfeng Mountain, southeast of Beast Taming Market City, but that black market probably wouldn't last much longer.
It would likely fade away with the destruction of Beast Taming Market City.
The last one was in Qingyou Valley, three hundred li due south of Ferry Market City.
But the price of a second-order talisman inheritance was extremely high. With his current assets, he couldn't afford one at all.
He pushed these thoughts aside.
He extended his divine sense toward his courtyard gate. Outside his gate was a mailbox, something Yun Siniu had made for him.
It was for his convenience in receiving mail.
Although the mailbox had no formation and anyone could take the letters from it, this was the Yu Clan's estate.
The Yu Clan had few members, and those from the branch families couldn't enter the area of the private courtyards.
Who would take his letters?
Besides, the envelopes bore the unique spiritual power aura of a cultivator. Once opened by someone else, the aura would dissipate.
Only the person who wrote the letter could restore it; other cultivators couldn't imitate someone else's spiritual power signature.
Perhaps there were profound arts that could mimic the fluctuations of another's spiritual power, but Chen Jianghe had never encountered one.
Moreover, the envelopes were sealed with sealing clay. If tampered with, it would be very difficult to restore it without leaving a trace.
“A letter from Ruan Tieniu and a jade slip?”
The jade slip must have been placed there by Yu Daniu.
It probably contained information related to Qinghe Market City. Since Gao Peiyao was there, he had naturally asked them to pay more attention to the situation in Qinghe Market City.
Chen Jianghe first opened Ruan Tieniu's letter. The content was extremely simple and direct.
He was asking if Chen Jianghe was still at Qiyun Mountain.
And that when he left, he must remember to send a letter informing him of his new correspondence address.
Additionally, he still hoped Chen Jianghe would go to Thousand Mountains Market City.
If Chen Jianghe went to Thousand Mountains Market City, he would give him a big surprise.
“A surprise?”
Chen Jianghe shook his head.
Ruan Tieniu, a rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator, had only been in Thousand Mountains Market City for two years. What kind of opportunity could he have found?
It was even less likely to be a big surprise for him.
That fellow was almost certainly still trying to get him to bring Luo Xiyue over so she could help him modify the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope.
The Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope was an extremely complicated top-tier offensive artifact to refine, and its value was higher than that of ordinary top-tier offensive artifacts.
Coupled with Ruan Tieniu's obsession with it, it was certain that Lan Tianxiang's inheritance contained an offensive art compatible with the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope.
So, there might be a surprise, but it wouldn't be a big one.
Then, Chen Jianghe took out the jade slip. A sweep of his divine sense revealed its contents, which included news from both Beast Taming Market City and Qinghe Market City.
The scale of the beast tide at Beast Taming Market City had expanded once again.
Two more third-order demonic beasts had flown out of the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, bringing the total number of third-order demonic beasts besieging the market city to five.
Meanwhile, in Beast Taming Market City, only three Core Formation grand cultivators and one third-order spirit beast remained.
If nothing unexpected happened.
Beast Taming Market City would not be able to withstand the beast tide's assault for much longer.
If the Zhou Clan continued to hold onto the treasure they obtained from the depths of the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, then Beast Taming Market City was doomed to destruction.
“What kind of treasure did the Zhou Clan obtain? To think they're willing to abandon Beast Taming Market City to protect it and keep it secret.”
The scale of Beast Taming Market City was far larger than that of Qinghe Market City.
The Beast Taming Zhou Clan owed at least half of its current success to Beast Taming Market City, yet now they were willing to abandon a mature, large-scale market city.
“A Core Formation spiritual item? Impossible. Compared to Beast Taming Market City, a single Core Formation spiritual item is like the difference between clouds and mud.”
“Could it be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Nascent Soul?”
“Or a cub with the potential to become a fourth-order demonic beast?”
Any of these could allow the Zhou Clan to advance further and completely break free from the Tiannan Sect's control.
If it really was one of these two opportunities, the Beast Taming Zhou Clan would indeed abandon Beast Taming Market City.
A market city could be rebuilt if lost.
But if such an opportunity was lost, they might never encounter another one again.
Compared to Beast Taming Market City, the beast tide at Qinghe Market City was under control, thanks to the presence of Elder Lan from the Tiannan Sect.
Qinghe Market City had completely become a training ground for the Tiannan Sect's Foundation Establishment disciples.
The third-order Thunder-Patterned Crimson Flame Leopard had fought a battle with Elder Lan. Although it had the upper hand, it couldn't do anything to her.
It could only watch anxiously from outside Qinghe Market City.
As for the two major immortal clans in Qinghe Market City, they were concentrating all their efforts on raising the Thunder-Patterned Crimson Flame Leopard they had won at auction.
It was estimated that in the future, they would jointly manage Qinghe Market City with the Tiannan Sect.
Although it was called joint management, in reality, the Tiannan Sect would be in control. The two major immortal clans of Qinghe would only receive a share of the profits, with no other authority.
“The second-order water-system spirit core has been found?”
As Chen Jianghe read to the end of the jade slip, he found a message from Yu Daniu.
It said that the second-order water-system spirit core had been purchased.
And it was bought from Qinghe Market City, with Gao Peiyao's help.
If Chen Jianghe came out of seclusion, he could go to the main residence to pick it up.
Since the second-order water-system spirit core had been acquired, Chen Jianghe naturally wanted to get his hands on it as soon as possible. Only when it was in his possession would there be no unexpected changes.
He got up and walked to the backyard.
Watching the diligently cultivating Maoqiu, he saw that the energy from the second-order water-system spirit core had been almost completely absorbed.
In half a month at most, it would be fully depleted.
This meant that Maoqiu really might become a second-order spirit beast within eight years. Two years had already passed.
With six years remaining, it should be able to absorb and refine three more second-order water-system spirit cores.
It might not even take six years for Maoqiu to break through to the second order. In any case, the sooner Maoqiu broke through, the better.
He could then leave Qiyun Mountain sooner.
Resources for Foundation Establishment were hard to come by, and it was nearly impossible to obtain them at Qiyun Mountain.
“Xiao Hei, what kind of divine ability will Maoqiu awaken after breaking through to the second order?”
“Judging from its awakening of Illusory Spirit, the divine ability it awakens after breaking through to the second order should also be a special type.”
Xiao Hei analyzed for a moment, then said with a very certain tone, “It could also be an offensive one, but it definitely won't be a defensive divine ability.”
“An offensive divine ability would be best.”
Chen Jianghe wasn't a warmonger, but as his combat spirit pet, it was better for Maoqiu's combat strength to be higher.
As for defense?
He had Xiao Hei, and that was enough.
“Master, um… I want to devour a second-order water-system spirit core too,” Xiao Hei transmitted, sounding a bit embarrassed.