Chapter 175
Chapter 175
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Alchemist Zhuang's Plea, Preparations for Foundation Establishment
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"A Tier 2 spirit core?"
Xiao Hei had already become a Tier 2 spirit beast. Consuming late-stage Tier 1 spirit cores offered him limited benefits; only by devouring Tier 2 spirit cores could he rapidly increase his cultivation.
"Asking for resources on his own initiative? It seems Maoqiu's impending breakthrough to a Tier 2 spirit beast is putting a lot of pressure on Xiao Hei," Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
"Don't worry. Once we're safe, I'll buy you a Tier 2 water-attribute spirit core."
"Will there be demonic beasts where we're going? Can Maoqiu and I still handle them?"
Xiao Hei asked curiously.
Chen Jianghe was taken aback.
North of the Tongtian River, there were no demonic beast habitats like the Youxian Mountain Range. So, Xiao Hei and Maoqiu probably wouldn't be able to do their job of dealing with demonic beasts anymore.
But Xiao Hei couldn't stay idle.
Besides, Xiao Hei wasn't the type to sit around and wait to be fed; he always worked for his resources.
Although the spirit stones earned from their work couldn't match the value of the resources, it had still earned them a considerable amount.
"We'll see when the time comes. Even if you're not handling demonic beasts, I can support you by drawing talismans," Chen Jianghe transmitted with a sense of loyalty.
Another four hours passed.
During a break in Maoqiu's cultivation, Chen Jianghe recalled it to the spirit beast space and then headed for the Yu Clan estate.
After seeing Chen Jianghe, Yu Daniu took out the Tier 2 water-attribute spirit core.
"Big Brother, Peiyao helped purchase this Tier 2 water-attribute spirit core. And I also had her help buy three Tier 2 fire-attribute spirit cores."
Yu Daniu placed the Tier 2 water-attribute spirit core into Chen Jianghe's hand, then began to tell him about the plan Zhou Miaoyun had proposed.
"The Yu Clan's income from spirit stones is quite high now, but we have very few members. Xiaoyue was wondering if we could raise a Tier 2 spirit beast for the clan."
Hearing Yu Daniu's words, Chen Jianghe nodded.
The Yu Clan certainly didn't lack spirit stones at the moment, but they lacked people. However, growing the family line would take time.
During this period, the Yu Clan could focus on cultivating top-tier combat power for the family.
A Tier 2 puppet or a Tier 2 spirit beast.
To buy a Tier 2 puppet, they would have to go to the Lu Clan, but the Lu Clan held a grudge against the Yun and Yu clans.
They would certainly not sell them a Tier 2 puppet.
That left raising a Tier 2 spirit beast as their only option.
Chen Jianghe put away the Tier 2 water-attribute spirit core and asked Yu Daniu with some curiosity, "Did you manage to buy a cub with a Grade 3 bloodline?"
"A cub with a Grade 3 bloodline?"
Yu Daniu gave a helpless, wry smile and looked at Chen Jianghe. "What are you thinking, Big Brother? Even a cub with a low-tier Grade 3 bloodline wouldn't make it to an auction. How could we possibly buy one?"
"Xiaoyue and I discussed it. We're planning to raise a cub with a high-tier Grade 2 bloodline and then provide it with Tier 2 fire-attribute spirit cores to help it break through to Tier 2."
"A high-tier Grade 2 bloodline?"
Chen Jianghe felt that raising a spirit beast with a high-tier Grade 2 bloodline was a big gamble.
A spirit beast with a high-tier Grade 2 bloodline had a thirty percent chance of successfully breaking through to Tier 2 upon reaching the peak of late-stage Tier 1.
With a compatible Tier 2 spirit core, the chance of a successful breakthrough would increase to fifty percent.
But that was still only a fifty-fifty chance.
After all, the successful breakthrough of the Yun Clan's long-armed ape, which had a high-tier Grade 2 bloodline, was a rare occurrence.
Most attempts ended in failure.
However, for a spirit or demonic beast, having a Tier 2 spirit core to aid in a breakthrough was like a cultivator having a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Even if they failed, it wouldn't cost them their life.
"That's a good plan. Have you bought the cubs with high-tier Grade 2 bloodlines yet?"
Spirit beasts with Grade 3 bloodlines were rare. The Maoqiu he had was obtained through a fortunate coincidence.
After all, who would put a cub with the potential to become a Tier 2 spirit beast up for auction?
"We've already bought them. Three fire-attribute cubs with high-tier Grade 2 bloodlines in total," Yu Daniu said, holding nothing back and revealing all his family's plans.
Evidently, the Yu Clan intended to raise three cubs with high-tier Grade 2 bloodlines simultaneously to increase their chances of obtaining a Tier 2 spirit beast.
As for why they were raising fire-attribute spirit beasts, it was because the Yu Clan's future legacy cultivation art was fire-based.
This high-grade fire-attribute art was the one the White Clan had practiced in the past.
Of course, due to the relationship between the Yun and Yu clans, their cultivation arts were interchangeable. As long as their descendants were willing, they could also practice water-attribute arts.
Furthermore, they also possessed another high-grade water-attribute cultivation art, the Myriad Waters True Scripture.
However, for the Yu Clan to raise three spirit beasts at the same time would consume a great deal of spirit stones—at least twenty thousand.
And there was a fifty percent chance that these spirit stones would go down the drain.
The probability of a breakthrough couldn't be stacked with numbers.
Even if you raised ten thousand spirit beasts with high-tier Grade 2 bloodlines simultaneously, the chance of success when breaking through to Tier 2 would still be fifty percent.
It would never be a hundred percent.
It was just that with more attempts came more opportunities.
The likelihood of possessing a Tier 2 spirit beast would thus be much greater.
Chen Jianghe felt that Zhou Miaoyun's idea was very reasonable. During a time when the Yu Clan had few direct descendants, it was better to invest in raising a Tier 2 spirit beast than to simply accumulate resources.
In the future, once the clan had more descendants, they wouldn't have the financial capacity to raise a Tier 2 spirit beast even if they wanted to.
After leaving the Yu Clan estate, Chen Jianghe returned to his own courtyard.
He didn't hang the 'In Seclusion' sign, because he wasn't sure when Alchemist Zhuang might come looking for him.
Alchemist Zhuang didn't have much time left.
He could come to discuss his final affairs at any moment.
He truly hoped Alchemist Zhuang could hold on until he successfully reached Foundation Establishment, but life was unpredictable, and anything could happen first.
Time flew by.
New Year's Eve arrived once again.
Chen Jianghe didn't go to the Yu Clan estate to join Yu Daniu's family banquet. Instead, he went next door to Alchemist Zhuang's courtyard.
He had a small New Year's Eve gathering with Alchemist Zhuang, Zhuang Xinyan, and Jiang Ruxu.
Chen Jianghe had originally intended to invite Luo Xiyue and, at the same time, retrieve his three top-tier magical artifacts.
But Luo Xiyue's courtyard gate was tightly shut.
She had apparently learned from Chen Jianghe and had also hung up a sign.
However, it didn't say 'In Seclusion,' but 'Refining in Progress.'
This pleased Chen Jianghe greatly. He certainly wouldn't disturb Luo Xiyue while she was refining artifacts for him. As for a small gathering, there would be plenty of time for that in the future.
The banquet lasted until late into the night.
Alchemist Zhuang gave Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan a meaningful look, signaling for them to return to their cultivation.
Half a month ago, both Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, and their physical bodies had reached completion.
They were now beginning to cultivate a spiritual technique.
If all went smoothly, the two women would attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment in six years.
"Fellow Daoist, you must have sensed it. My time is near. I don't know if I'll be able to see the moment you successfully achieve Foundation Establishment."
Under the night sky, Alchemist Zhuang's cloudy eyes gazed at Chen Jianghe, filled with reluctance, expectation, and a hint of pleading.
"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. I will attempt Foundation Establishment in a year at most. And I will definitely succeed, and I will protect Xinyan and Ruxu."
Chen Jianghe gave Alchemist Zhuang a firm reply.
He only spoke of protecting Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu, but he didn't specify a time limit. There was no longer a transaction between them.
Only friendship.
In his heart, Chen Jianghe already considered Alchemist Zhuang a close friend. He would certainly protect his friend's descendants.
As for telling Alchemist Zhuang the timeline for his breakthrough, it was in the hope that he would hold on a little longer.
To leave after seeing him successfully reach Foundation Establishment.
"One year?"
A look of joy appeared in Alchemist Zhuang's eyes. "This old man will definitely live to see you succeed."
Immediately after, Alchemist Zhuang took out three jade vials. His arm, like a withered branch, reached for Chen Jianghe, grabbed his hand, and pressed the three vials into his palm.
"Fellow Daoist, what is this?" Chen Jianghe frowned, asking with a hint of displeasure.
"Fellow Daoist, don't overthink it."
Alchemist Zhuang patted Chen Jianghe's arm, urging him to put the three vials away, his face wearing a kind smile.
"In the time to come, I'm afraid this old man will no longer be able to refine pills for you. These three Mountain-Suppressing Bone-Mending Pills, three Dew-Condensing Flesh-Generating Pills, and one Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill are the last things I can do to help you."
"Fellow Daoist..."
"Xinyan and Ruxu each have an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill as well. This is all I can do to help you."
Alchemist Zhuang interrupted Chen Jianghe, speaking with a hint of unwillingness. "If I could live for another twenty years, I could surely help you all go much further."
Chen Jianghe looked at Alchemist Zhuang, his expression grave. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
He looked down at the three jade vials in his hand.
Inside were three Mountain-Suppressing Bone-Mending Pills, three Dew-Condensing Flesh-Generating Pills, and one Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.
Their value was immense.
Holding them now, they felt incredibly heavy.
"Fellow Daoist, may this old man ask a favor of you?" Alchemist Zhuang suddenly looked at Chen Jianghe, his eyes filled with pleading.
"Please speak, Fellow Daoist."
Chen Jianghe had a faint guess in his heart, but his heart was set on the great path of longevity, and besides, he had his secrets.
This secret made it impossible for him to have anyone too close.
Yet he didn't know how to refuse Alchemist Zhuang.
"I wanted to ask if you could perhaps... Never mind. You must cultivate as quickly as possible, Fellow Daoist. This old man can't wait too much longer."
Having said his piece, Alchemist Zhuang sat back in his reclining chair and closed his eyes.
His faint breathing seemed very quiet in the night.
Chen Jianghe stood up, glanced at Alchemist Zhuang, bowed deeply, and then left the courtyard.
He returned home.
Chen Jianghe took out the three jade vials and slowly opened them. In an instant, a refreshing medicinal fragrance filled the entire room.
He did not revel in it.
His expression was somewhat grave; the seven pills felt too heavy in his hands.
Especially the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, a spirit pill needed to break through from the early stage to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.
Its value was immeasurable.
By giving him an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, Alchemist Zhuang was clearly treating him like a junior of his own family.
He had even told him the secret that Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan also possessed Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills.
This showed that he had completely let his guard down around him.
And because of these words, even though Alchemist Zhuang didn't voice his request in the end, Chen Jianghe could guess what it was.
However, until he had the absolute ability to protect himself, he couldn't possibly think about such messy affairs.
The next moment, he put the spirit pills into his storage pouch.
He could only take better care of the two women in the future.
He then cleared his mind of distracting thoughts and cultivated the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art.
The fifty portions of Soul-Warming Sand and Spirit-Condensing Grass he had purchased in Qinghe Market City were all used up. Chen Jianghe could only ask Yu Daniu to help him buy another thirty portions in Mirror Moon Market City.
As for the spirit stones needed for the spiritual items, Yu Daniu refused to take them.
Even for the spirit stones to purchase the Tier 2 water-attribute spirit core, Chen Jianghe had originally intended to pay with spirit talismans.
But Yu Daniu insisted on not accepting them.
Faced with Yu Daniu's stubbornness, he could only helplessly accept these resources.
However, he planned to give the other two Tier 2 talismans in his possession to Yu Daniu after he successfully reached Foundation Establishment.
Ten days later.
Chen Jianghe walked out of his courtyard and glanced at Luo Xiyue's door next door. The 'Refining in Progress' sign was still hanging there.
He didn't disturb her and returned to his own courtyard.
Another month passed.
Chen Jianghe opened his eyes from his cultivation. With a thought, he conjured a water mirror and extended his spiritual sense into it.
"Forty-nine zhang and six chi?"
Chen Jianghe was startled, feeling something was amiss.
Logically, when one's spiritual sense reached forty-nine zhang, their spiritual cultivation would have reached its peak. They would need a natural treasure that could enhance spiritual cultivation to advance further and achieve completion.
But his spiritual sense had already extended to forty-nine zhang and six chi. Logically, he should have reached the peak of spiritual cultivation, yet he felt that his spiritual sense could still grow.
Although his spiritual sense could still grow, he could clearly feel that at his current cultivation speed, he would reach the peak of spiritual cultivation in seven months at most.
Then, with the help of the Earth Core Soul-Refining Stone, he could break through to spiritual completion.
He just didn't know how far his spiritual sense would extend when he reached the peak of spiritual cultivation.
And at spiritual completion, how far would it reach then?
Afterward, he consumed the last bottle of Tier 1 Spirit-Nurturing Liquid and continued to cultivate the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art.
Four months went by.
In the middle of the fifth month.
Chen Jianghe slowly opened his eyes and took a deep breath, a look of joy on his face. He could feel a significant improvement in his soul essence.
He once again conjured a water mirror and extended his spiritual sense into it.
"Fifty-three zhang and two chi. I've broken the upper limit for spiritual completion in the Qi Refining stage."
At that moment, Chen Jianghe felt that his spiritual cultivation was about to reach its peak.
It was very likely to happen sooner than he had expected.
"My soul essence is different from ordinary people, and my spiritual sense far surpasses that of cultivators at the same level. I wonder if I have a talent for formations."
The *Qinghe Annals* recorded that those with a talent for formations mostly possessed powerful spiritual sense, and their soul essence was stronger than ordinary people.
Looking at it this way, Chen Jianghe's current situation fit the description of a so-called formation genius perfectly.
It was just that he had no inheritance of formation arts to verify it.
He was seventy-nine years old this year and had been cultivating for sixty-five years, yet he had never come into contact with a Formation Master, let alone seen one.
Formation Masters were extremely rare, to say nothing of an inheritance of formation arts.
No longer fantasizing about some supposed talent for formations, Chen Jianghe hesitated, wondering if he should go out and check on Luo Xiyue's courtyard.
She had said one year, but a year and a half had passed. Why hadn't she knocked on his door yet?
With a turn of his thoughts, Chen Jianghe walked out of his room, recalled Maoqiu from the backyard into the spirit beast space, and then left his courtyard.
Maoqiu was currently refining its second water-attribute spirit core.
As its cultivation improved, its aura grew stronger and stronger, already comparable to a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator whose body had reached completion.
When he arrived at Luo Xiyue's gate, he found that the 'Refining in Progress' sign had been taken down.
She must have finished refining. But why hadn't she delivered the items to him?
Chen Jianghe knocked on Luo Xiyue's gate.
After about fifty breaths, Luo Xiyue opened the gate and walked out. With a gentle wave of her slender, jade-like hand, three magical artifacts appeared before him.
A silver flying sword, its blade shimmering with a cold light.
A suit of pitch-black armor, simple and unadorned, looking no different from mortal armor, with nothing remarkable about it.
And a dark green mystic iron rod, thick at one end and thin at the other, inscribed with profound formation patterns.
"This Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword was forged by me using Deep Sea Cold Silver and Moonlit Stone. The blade contains yin-cold water-attribute spiritual energy."
"Even if you don't have a sword art, your attacks will carry a freezing power, slowing down others and freezing their magical artifacts."
Luo Xiyue pointed a delicate finger at the flying sword shimmering with cold light. At this moment, she didn't have her usual cold and arrogant demeanor.
She was like a child, showing off her creation and waiting for praise.
"How powerful," Chen Jianghe said appreciatively.
Luo Xiyue glanced at Chen Jianghe upon hearing his words. A flicker of joy crossed her face before it turned cold again, as if she were displeased that he had interrupted her introduction.
"This Profound Ice Armor was primarily refined from Thousand-Layer Water-Pattern Cold Iron, inlaid with a Tier 2 water-attribute spirit core. When activated, a layer of ice armor will form outside the Profound Ice Armor. Only after shattering the ice armor can the defense of the Profound Ice Armor be touched."
"As for this custom-made Tier 2 offensive magical artifact for a spirit pet, I've inscribed a gravity formation and an ice formation on it. A single blow carries an immense weight, and the ice formation on it can slow down the opponent, making the artifact's attacks even more potent."
After introducing the three magical artifacts she had refined, the light in Luo Xiyue's eyes grew cold again.
She had reverted to her former cold and arrogant demeanor.
She glanced at Chen Jianghe and said, "The karma between us is cleared."
"Many thanks, Fairy."
Chen Jianghe was overjoyed. He hadn't expected Luo Xiyue to put so much effort into refining artifacts for him.
Each artifact possessed special powers, making them far better than the top-tier magical artifacts sold at auctions.
Most importantly, the top-tier defensive magical artifact Luo Xiyue had refined for him was a suit of armor, not a shield.
This increased its value even more.
Even Maoqiu's custom-made artifact was inscribed with a gravity formation and an ice formation, which undoubtedly enhanced its offensive capabilities.
At that moment, looking at the ice-cold Luo Xiyue, Chen Jianghe found that this ice beauty was actually quite nice.
Worth deepening their friendship.
"When you attempt Foundation Establishment, will Peiyao come?"
Luo Xiyue asked faintly.
"She probably will. Fairy Peiyao mentioned before she left that she would come to stand guard when I attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment," Chen Jianghe replied truthfully.
"Where will you go after Foundation Establishment?"
"Thousand Mountains Market City," Chen Jianghe blurted out.
In the next moment, however, Chen Jianghe felt a cold killing intent, prompting him to immediately communicate with Xiao Hei to release him at a moment's notice.
"I was only repaying a favor. I have no feelings for you, and you'd better not have any for me. Otherwise... I will kill you."
After saying this, Luo Xiyue turned and entered her courtyard.
"..."
Chen Jianghe stared at the abruptly closed gate, frozen in place.
Having feelings for her?
Chen Jianghe pictured Luo Xiyue's ice-cold face and shook his head sharply, then returned to his own courtyard.
Even if he ever did think about finding a Daoist companion, he couldn't have an ice block by his side.
Back in his courtyard, Chen Jianghe released Maoqiu, telling it to continue cultivating diligently. As for the custom-made Tier 2 magical artifact, he certainly wouldn't give it to Maoqiu now.
Even if he did, Maoqiu wouldn't be able to use it. It would have to wait until it broke through to a Tier 2 spirit beast.
Chen Jianghe wouldn't refine the two top-tier magical artifacts at this time either. The most important thing now was Foundation Establishment.
Everything else would have to wait until after he succeeded.
However, with the top-tier magical artifacts refined by Luo Xiyue, Chen Jianghe felt that his combat strength wouldn't be low after he successfully reached Foundation Establishment.
The Myriad Waters True Scripture he cultivated inherently amplified his magical power and the might of his techniques.
Wielding the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword and wearing the Profound Ice Armor, he would be in no way inferior to Uncle Mu, who had fled from a single sword strike from Luo Xiyue.
As for Fifth Stronghold Master Chen Feng, he wasn't even in the same league.
The man didn't even have a top-tier defensive magical artifact.
In a battle of attrition, he could definitely wear him down.
A little over two more months passed.
Early in the eighth month.
Chen Jianghe's spiritual cultivation finally reached its peak. Next, he only needed to use the Earth Core Soul-Refining Stone to achieve spiritual completion within three months.
"Finally, the last moment of planning for Foundation Establishment."
Chen Jianghe stood up, went to the backyard, recalled Maoqiu, and then left his courtyard.
He was going to find Yu Daniu.
Attempting Foundation Establishment required a suitable location.
Qiyun Mountain was only a mid-grade Tier 2 spirit vein, not suitable for attempting Foundation Establishment. Therefore, Chen Jianghe needed to find Yu Daniu and ask for his help in borrowing the high-grade Tier 2 Spirit-Gathering Array Plate from the Yun Clan.
Both Qinghe Market City and Ferry Market City had high-grade Tier 2 spirit veins, but Qinghe Market City was currently in the midst of a beast tide.
Even with Gao Peiyao's master, Elder Lan, stationed there, Chen Jianghe didn't dare to go to Qinghe Market City.
As for Ferry Market City, although it was only three thousand li from Qiyun Mountain, Chen Jianghe had never been there and was unfamiliar with the place.
It was better to borrow the Yun Clan's high-grade Tier 2 Spirit-Gathering Array Plate.
After all, the effect was the same.
Moreover, he wouldn't have to worry about safety on Qiyun Mountain.
When Luo Xiyue asked if Gao Peiyao would come, her intention was obvious: she was planning to wait for Gao Peiyao on Qiyun Mountain.
He estimated that after Luo Xiyue saw Gao Peiyao, she would leave Qiyun Mountain and head to Thousand Mountains Market City.
Therefore, with Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue standing guard on Qiyun Mountain, he wouldn't need to worry about his safety.
"Big Brother, you're going to attempt Foundation Establishment?"
Yu Daniu looked at Chen Jianghe in surprise. In his heart, he still thought it would be better if Chen Jianghe didn't attempt it.
There were only a few months' difference in their ages.
Neither of them was young anymore. Why risk attempting Foundation Establishment?
But he couldn't bring himself to say such words.
"Just one last step. Four months at most, meaning I'll make the attempt in the first month after the new year."
Chen Jianghe said, "I need your help to borrow the high-grade Tier 2 Spirit-Gathering Array Plate from the Yun Clan."
"Don't worry about the Spirit-Gathering Array Plate, Big Brother. I'll have Siniu head to Mirror Moon Lake right away to retrieve it."
Yu Daniu's expression was grave as he looked at Chen Jianghe and said, "Big Brother, tell me the truth, what are your chances of success?"
"Forty-five percent."
Chen Jianghe said.
He wasn't intentionally deceiving Yu Daniu. He just couldn't tell him that he had a one hundred and ten percent chance of success, or even anything over fifty percent.
After the new year, he would be eighty years old.
Even though he had taken a Youth Retaining Pill and a Life Extension Pill, his vitality would have begun to decline at the age of seventy-six, halving his chances of a successful breakthrough.
If he said he had a fifty percent chance of success, it would imply he had a one hundred percent chance before the decline, which was clearly unbelievable.
That was why he said he had a forty-five percent chance of success.
"Forty-five percent?"
Yu Daniu looked puzzled.
In his view, Chen Jianghe had definitely passed the optimal age for Foundation Establishment, and his success rate should be halved.
But where did this forty-five percent chance come from?
Seeing Yu Daniu's confused expression, Chen Jianghe didn't hide it and said directly, "I have a supreme-grade Foundation Establishment Pill."