Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Talisman Inheritance, the Treasure Named 'Thousand Illusions'
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“Hiss~”
“Boss, there are Foundation Establishment spiritual power fluctuations, more than one! Let's run!”
Just as Duan Tiande finished speaking, five waves of Foundation Establishment spiritual power erupted from Qiyun Mountain.
This made Lu Shisan's legs go weak, and he nearly collapsed onto his flying sword.
Lu Shisan looked at Duan Tiande with terror in his eyes, his voice trembling.
“Boss, let's run!”
Duan Tiande's heart also trembled. He hadn't expected Qiyun Mountain to have so many Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Moreover, he could clearly sense that among these spiritual power fluctuations was the terrifying woman who had killed Fifth Chieftain Chen Feng with a single sword strike.
“What are you panicking for? It's not like we're here to rob them.”
Duan Tiande glared at Lu Shisan and said harshly, “Look at you, so scared. You're a complete disgrace.”
Lu Shisan swallowed, forcing down the panic in his heart to stop his legs from shaking.
But the cold sweat on his forehead couldn't be stopped.
He was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, true, but even Foundation Establishment cultivators feared death!
Fifth Chieftain Chen Feng's strength was considerably greater than his. Chen Feng possessed a top-tier offensive magical artifact, while he was still using a high-grade one.
“So it's Fellow Daoist Duan and Fellow Daoist Lu. Please, come in and talk.”
Chen Jianghe's voice came out at that moment.
His aura was deep and enduring.
The Yu family estate, in the front reception hall.
Duan Tiande and Lu Shisan walked in and saw six people before them, five of whom were Foundation Establishment cultivators.
A chill shot up from the soles of their feet to the crowns of their heads, and cold sweat beaded on their backs.
Originally, only Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu were here, but upon sensing the arrival of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Gao Peiyao, Luo Xiyue, Yun Xiaoniu, and Yun Bufan had all come.
They wanted to see who would dare to cause trouble on Qiyun Mountain.
“Are Fellow Daoist Duan and Fellow Daoist Lu here looking for me?”
Chen Jianghe's eyes held a cold glint as he looked at Duan Tiande and Lu Shisan and spoke lightly.
“I, Duan, greet Fellow Daoist Chen.”
“Greetings to all fellow Daoists.”
Duan Tiande's tone was mild. He clasped his hands in salute to Chen Jianghe and the others, not looking at all like someone here to cause trouble.
Lu Shisan, standing behind Duan Tiande, also hurriedly greeted everyone.
Chen Jianghe and the others looked at the two rogue cultivators with suspicion. They had been searching for Chen Jianghe's whereabouts around Mirror Moon Lake and Qiyun Mountain.
This behavior subconsciously made one feel that they were looking for an opportunity to ambush and kill Chen Jianghe.
But from the looks of it, it seemed they had guessed wrong.
However, Chen Jianghe remained silent, his cold gaze fixed on Duan Tiande and Lu Shisan.
With his current strength, even without anyone else present, he could face Duan Tiande and Lu Shisan.
He might not be able to win, but they definitely couldn't do anything to him.
Seeing Chen Jianghe's silence, Duan Tiande and Lu Shisan grew nervous. They were not here to cause trouble.
“I, Duan, am indeed here to find Fellow Daoist Chen.”
Duan Tiande said, bowing to Chen Jianghe. “I have offended you in the past. I have come today to resolve our karmic debt and turn enmity into friendship.”
“Yes, yes, we're here to offer our apologies. Please forgive our past transgressions, Fellow Daoist Chen. It was all a misunderstanding. Our Qingfeng Stronghold, towards Fellow Daoist Chen…”
Lu Shisan was too nervous and started rambling.
Duan Tiande cut him off and said with clasped hands, “Qingfeng Stronghold has been disbanded. Shisan and I are here to atone.”
“Atone? Are you coming to atone to my uncle with empty words?” Yun Xiaoniu snorted.
“Of course not.”
Duan Tiande said quickly.
He and Lu Shisan had been searching for Chen Jianghe precisely to atone and resolve their karmic debt.
Especially after Chen Jianghe successfully reached Foundation Establishment, they became even more desperate to resolve this karmic debt.
That strike from Luo Xiyue had made even Young Master Qingming flee. It showed how terrifying her strength was, not something a rogue cultivator like him could ever hope to withstand.
How could such a powerful female cultivator not have a powerful background?
This was all part of Chen Jianghe's network. And then there was Gao Peiyao, the sect disciple, whose master was rumored to have become a Core Formation expert.
Therefore, Duan Tiande knew very well that if Chen Jianghe came for Qingfeng Stronghold after reaching Foundation Establishment, the stronghold would surely be unable to withstand his wrath.
This was true even with the secret backing of the Lu Clan.
The Lu Clan would never dare to confront the Tiannan Sect head-on for the sake of Qingfeng Stronghold. In terms of connections, Chen Jianghe completely outclassed them.
Their strength was inferior.
Their connections were no match either.
Rather than waiting in the stronghold for death, it was better to be proactive and resolve this karmic debt.
It was true they had tried to rob Chen Jianghe, but they were rogue cultivators who robbed everyone. Besides, Chen Jianghe hadn't suffered any losses.
They, on the other hand, had lost a Foundation Establishment Fifth Chieftain.
As long as they paid a high enough price, this karmic debt could be resolved.
“You jest, Fellow Daoist. Since I, Duan, wish to turn enmity into friendship with Fellow Daoist Chen, how could I come empty-handed?”
Duan Tiande said with a placating smile, producing a storage bag. He looked at Chen Jianghe and said, “There have been many misunderstandings between us in the past. I hope you can be magnanimous.”
“This is one thousand five hundred spirit stones.”
Chen Jianghe glanced indifferently at Duan Tiande, not accepting the spirit stones that were pushed toward him, wrapped in spiritual power.
One thousand five hundred spirit stones to resolve the karmic debt of attempting to kill him.
The karmic debt of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was far too cheap at that price.
Besides, it was Duan Tiande and Lu Shisan who had come begging him, not the other way around.
According to Chen Jianghe's original intentions.
He would wait until he was strong enough, then annihilate Qingfeng Stronghold.
Of course, Qingfeng Stronghold was already disbanded. In that case, if he encountered Duan Tiande and Lu Shisan in the wilderness in the future.
Once he was completely confident, he would not hesitate to act and finish the two of them.
“Fellow Daoist has successfully reached Foundation Establishment, so we brothers must naturally offer our congratulations. Here are ten Spirit Gathering Pills to congratulate you on your success.”
Duan Tiande took out a bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills and, wrapping it in spiritual power, pushed it in front of Chen Jianghe.
Spirit Gathering Pills were spiritual pills that aided the cultivation of early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. They were not cheap, valued at one hundred and twenty spirit stones each.
Ten Spirit Gathering Pills were worth one thousand two hundred spirit stones.
Added to the one thousand five hundred spirit stones, the total came to two thousand seven hundred spirit stones.
However, Chen Jianghe did not believe that the lives of two Foundation Establishment cultivators were worth only this much.
In the past, two thousand seven hundred spirit stones would have been a considerable sum to him.
Of course, it still was.
As an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, if he focused solely on creating talismans, his annual income would be around one thousand to one thousand five hundred spirit stones.
Two thousand seven hundred spirit stones was something he could earn with two years of hard work.
“It seems the value of you two fellow Daoists isn't very high!”
Yun Xiaoniu sneered.
The meaning was self-evident.
Since you've come to resolve a karmic debt, show some sincerity. Don't be so stingy.
Furthermore, two thousand seven hundred spirit stones couldn't buy the lives of two Foundation Establishment cultivators.
With Gao Peiyao and Yun Bufan here, Yun Xiaoniu was full of confidence. As for Luo Xiyue? He didn't know the details of her background, but she was a Foundation Establishment cultivator nonetheless.
In other words.
Their side had five Foundation Establishment cultivators and a Tier 2 spirit beast. They were more than capable of keeping Duan Tiande and Lu Shisan here permanently.
“I've heard that Fellow Daoist Chen is a Talisman Master. Coincidentally, my brother and I came across a Tier 2 talisman inheritance. We'll present it to you as well, hoping you can be magnanimous.”
Duan Tiande took out a jade slip and presented it to Chen Jianghe.
Hearing that it was a Tier 2 talisman inheritance, Chen Jianghe's sharp gaze softened considerably. He swept his spiritual sense over the contents of the jade slip.
It was indeed a Tier 2 talisman inheritance.
It contained three types of Tier 2 talismans: the Tier 2 low-grade offensive Meteorite Lightning Talisman, and the Tier 2 mid-grade offensive Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman.
There was also a Tier 2 mid-grade defensive talisman, the Azurewood Immortal Shield Talisman.
These three Tier 2 talismans filled a void in Chen Jianghe's Tier 2 talisman-making knowledge.
The Meteorite Lightning Talisman was a Tier 2 low-grade talisman, which he could immediately try to create, enhancing his protective measures and his ability to earn spirit stones.
With a thought, Chen Jianghe accepted the one thousand five hundred spirit stones, ten Spirit Gathering Pills, and the Tier 2 talisman inheritance.
“Who was that Uncle Mu? And who was that young master in brocade robes?” Chen Jianghe asked via voice transmission.
He used voice transmission because he didn't want to drag others into this karmic debt.
Chen Jianghe could guess that the young master in brocade robes had a significant background. He could afford to settle this score a few years later.
There was no need to involve others.
“It would be better for you not to ask, Fellow Daoist. Just assume that the ambush was entirely the work of my Qingfeng Stronghold.”
Upon hearing Chen Jianghe's voice transmission, Duan Tiande understood his intention.
He didn't want others to get involved in this karmic debt.
But without these Foundation Establishment cultivators present, Duan Tiande wouldn't have given Chen Jianghe a second thought.
The reason he had come to resolve this karmic debt was because he feared Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao.
Without their intimidating presence, he would never have lowered himself to apologize to a lucky old man who had reached Foundation Establishment at an advanced age.
One must remember, not only was he a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
He was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with profound cultivation.
“If you wish to take on the karmic debt for that young master in brocade robes, these things alone are not enough to buy your life and that of your brother.”
After sending the voice transmission, Chen Jianghe no longer looked at Duan Tiande, but closed his eyes.
He had accepted Duan Tiande's apology gifts.
This meant that his karmic debt with Duan Tiande was settled. But since Duan Tiande refused to reveal the identity of the young master in brocade robes.
It meant that he was taking on the young master's karmic debt.
If Chen Jianghe had the chance, he would still kill him.
“…”
Duan Tiande glanced at Chen Jianghe, rage flaring in his heart. But then he saw Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao, whose aura was no weaker than his own.
He took a deep breath, calming his agitated mind.
“I am merely offering a piece of well-intentioned advice, Fellow Daoist Chen. Do not think that with the protection of these two ladies, you can stand against that young master.”
In his voice transmission, Duan Tiande showed no regard for Yun Xiaoniu and Yun Bufan.
He was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with top-tier offensive and defensive magical artifacts, a cut above ordinary rogue cultivators.
It was only Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao that made him feel apprehensive.
If he had met Chen Jianghe in the wilderness, he would not have resolved their karmic debt in this manner.
Seeing that Chen Jianghe was ignoring him, Duan Tiande no longer held back, thinking to himself: good advice is lost on a man bent on his own destruction.
“That young master's name is Lu Qingming.”
After revealing the name via voice transmission, Duan Tiande clasped his hands in salute to Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao, then left with Lu Shisan.
After flying out of Qiyun Mountain.
Lu Shisan looked at Duan Tiande in confusion and asked, “Boss, what did Chen Jianghe say?”
“Our grudge with him is settled. But he insisted on involving Young Master Qingming. Between life and death, he chose a life worse than death.”
Duan Tiande said coldly.
Who was Lu Qingming?
The fourth young master of the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan.
The Puppet Immortal Clan, along with the Beast Taming Zhou Clan, the Alchemy Ji Clan, and the Artifact Refining Chen Clan, are known as the four great immortal clans of the Tiannan Region.
The clan had Core Formation experts in its ranks, and more than one at that.
Moreover, the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan also possessed Tier 3 puppets. Their power was immense, and they held absolute sway in the Eastern Territory.
Provoking the Lu Clan might not result in death.
Because it was more likely you would be turned into a puppet.
“He actually dared to initiate a karmic debt with Young Master Qingming? Boss, what should we do? Should we go and tell Young Master Qingming?”
“Fool!”
Duan Tiande snapped.
“Qingfeng Stronghold has been disbanded. We have no more ties with the Lu Clan. What does their dog-eat-dog business have to do with us?”
“We paid a heavy price to finally settle our score with him. To provoke him again would be madness.”
“We're going to the Northern Territory. Let's leave this place of trouble.”
——
After Duan Tiande and Lu Shisan left.
Chen Jianghe thanked Yun Bufan, then left the Yu family estate with Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue.
“Thank you both for backing me up just now. Otherwise, that Duan Tiande might not have been willing to part with the Tier 2 talisman inheritance.”
Chen Jianghe sincerely thanked Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue.
“You're too kind, Brother Jianghe.”
“I was just accompanying Peiyao.”
Chen Jianghe wasn't angered by Luo Xiyue's icy words; he was already used to them.
Gao Peiyao, however, spoke up at this moment, “Brother Jianghe, I heard from my sister that you're planning to go to Thousand Mountains Market City?”
“Yes, I have that in mind.”
Chen Jianghe nodded. There was no need to hide this.
They would need to stay in touch in the future, and after arriving at Thousand Mountains Market City, he would have to exchange contact information with Gao Peiyao.
“My sister happens to be going to Thousand Mountains Market City as well. You two can travel together and look out for each other on the way,” Gao Peiyao said with a cheerful smile.
Chen Jianghe glanced at Luo Xiyue. Seeing that she didn't object, he naturally had nothing to say.
He was more than happy to leave with Luo Xiyue.
The spirit vessel was not only fast but also safe.
“When are you leaving?” Luo Xiyue glanced at Chen Jianghe and asked coolly.
“Would three years be acceptable?” Chen Jianghe asked.
Luo Xiyue didn't reply, but Gao Peiyao said from the side, “Three years is good. After leaving this time, I don't know when I'll see Brother Daniu again.”
With Gao Peiyao's words, Luo Xiyue finally said slowly, “Fine.”
“There is one more thing I'd like to ask of you, Fellow Daoist Luo.”
Since Gao Peiyao was here, if he didn't seize this opportunity to ask Luo Xiyue for help with artifact refinement, finding her for help in the future would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
“What is it?” Luo Xiyue frowned slightly, glanced at Gao Peiyao beside her, and finally asked.
“Fellow Daoist Luo, can you refine the kind of mask that Ji Wujin wears on his face?”
“Thousand Illusions? I can, but I don't have the materials.”
“What materials are needed? I will find them,” Chen Jianghe said, his heart filled with joy, and he quickly asked.
“Azure Nether Stone, Hundred Refined Wood, and Illusionary Spirit Jade.”
Luo Xiyue said calmly.
“These are all Tier 2 high-grade spirit materials. They won't be easy to find.”
Gao Peiyao extended her delicate hand, and a translucent jade stone appeared in her palm. It instantly changed to a flesh tone, blending seamlessly with her hand.
“Since Brother Jianghe needs it, I'll give you this piece of Illusionary Spirit Jade.”
Chen Jianghe glanced at Gao Peiyao, nodded, and without another word, accepted the Illusionary Spirit Jade.
But to refine the 'Thousand Illusions' mask like the one Ji Wujin wore, he still needed Azure Nether Stone and Hundred Refined Wood.
“Then once I have found the other two materials, I must ask for Fellow Daoist Luo's help in refining it,” Chen Jianghe said with clasped hands.
“Alright.”
Luo Xiyue said coolly, then pulled Gao Peiyao into her courtyard.
Watching their courtyard gate close, Chen Jianghe returned to his own.
He wasn't a fool. He knew what Gao Peiyao's constant help, including giving him the valuable Illusionary Spirit Jade this time, meant.
He suspected that Gao Peiyao would ask for his help in the future.
Although their relationship wasn't yet at the level of sworn friends, they were good friends.
If the favor she asked for in the future wasn't too dangerous, he would be willing to lend a hand.
Time flew.
Two days passed.
Chen Jianghe's small Foundation Establishment celebration was held at the Yu family estate on Qiyun Mountain. Not many people came, only close friends.
The branch members of the Yu family were also there.
However, their banquet was held in a separate courtyard.
This small celebration was quite lively, as everyone present was an acquaintance with a good relationship.
Therefore, no one was overly formal at the banquet. There was much talking and laughing, and the atmosphere was very cheerful.
Chen Jianghe even saw Luo Xiyue smile a few times during the banquet, perhaps because she was with Gao Peiyao.
However, this time, when he saw Zhou Miaoyun, he noticed that the aura of death in her eyes had grown thicker.
She had reached the end of her lifespan.
She probably only had three to five years left.
As for Yu Daniu, because his physical body had reached perfection, he still looked middle-aged.
He was full of vigor, with robust qi and blood.
During the banquet, Madam Zhou mentioned something that made everyone both laugh and cry.
It was about the "blessed land" rental idea that Chen Jianghe had come up with.
With Madam Zhou's promotion and renovations, many elderly cultivators from the Eastern Territory came to rent a spot to attempt their breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
In just four months, thirteen cultivators had attempted their breakthroughs on Qiyun Mountain.
Among them were eight cultivators in their sixties and five in their seventies. Some had taken Life Extension Pills, others had taken Youth Retaining Pills.
Perhaps Qiyun Mountain truly was a blessed land, as out of these thirteen elderly cultivators, two actually succeeded.
Both were in their early seventies and had taken Life Extension Pills.
Of the other eleven cultivators, three had Foundation Establishment Pills and managed to survive their failed attempts.
But the other eight cultivators died from their bodies exploding after their attempts failed.
One shouldn't think that with only two successes, the success rate was low. It must be remembered that they were all past the optimal age for breakthrough.
To succeed despite the greatly reduced chances already proved that Qiyun Mountain was a blessed land.
Coupled with the wave of elderly cultivators attempting breakthroughs inspired by Chen Jianghe's success at an advanced age.
The blessed land on Qiyun Mountain had already switched to a reservation model.
If you wanted to attempt a breakthrough on Qiyun Mountain's blessed land, you had to book in advance, or you might not get a spot.
Qiyun Mountain was a Tier 2 mid-grade spirit meridian. Even with a Tier 2 high-grade Spirit Gathering Array, it couldn't be used continuously.
A Tier 2 mid-grade spirit meridian was just that; it couldn't become a true Tier 2 high-grade spirit meridian just because of a Spirit Gathering Array.
Therefore, after one cultivator's attempt, it took three days for the spiritual energy tide to stabilize before it could support the next person's breakthrough.
In the first four months, most of the cultivators were from the Eastern Territory. Now, of the seventy-plus cultivators who had made reservations, they came from all over.
There were cultivators from south of the Skyreach River and from north of it.
For elderly cultivators attempting to reach Foundation Establishment.
Since they had to make the attempt anyway, gambling on that twenty to thirty percent chance of success, why not spend two hundred spirit stones to come to Qiyun Mountain?
It would strengthen their conviction for the breakthrough.
Hearing Madam Zhou's words, Chen Jianghe sighed inwardly: to think that even cultivators were superstitious about metaphysics.
For him, of course, the more cultivators who came to Qiyun Mountain to attempt their breakthroughs, the better.
Each cultivator meant two hundred spirit stones.
The thirteen cultivators who had already made their attempts, plus the seventy-plus who had made reservations, meant nearly ninety cultivators would bring eighteen thousand spirit stones to Qiyun Mountain.
However, this situation would not last long.
As the hype surrounding Chen Jianghe's success at an advanced age faded, those elderly cultivators preparing for their breakthroughs would become more rational.
After the small celebration ended.
Gao Peiyao left Qiyun Mountain and headed for Qinghe Market City, where the beast tide had expanded in scale.
Knowing that Gao Peiyao was heading to Qinghe Market City.
Chen Jianghe secretly marveled at her skill and daring. If it were him, he wouldn't dare go, even if he had a Core Formation expert as a master in Qinghe Market City.
There was more than one Tier 3 demonic beast in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range. What good would a single Core Formation expert be?
It wasn't safe.
Chen Jianghe asked Yu Daniu to help him find Azure Nether Stone and Hundred Refined Wood, and Yu Daniu readily agreed.
Furthermore, he insisted that Chen Jianghe didn't need to pay with spirit stones.
According to Yu Daniu, half of the rent collected from the numerous cultivators who came to Qiyun Mountain for their breakthroughs should rightfully go to Chen Jianghe.
But he knew Chen Jianghe wouldn't accept it, and he was worrying about how to convert the spirit stones into resources for him.
After all, Tier 2 water-type spirit cores weren't always available; it depended on the situation with the sect disciples' training over at Qinghe Market City.
Now that Chen Jianghe had asked him to find Azure Nether Stone and Hundred Refined Wood, it gave him a perfect way to give Chen Jianghe his share of the spirit stones.
Faced with Yu Daniu's stubbornness, Chen Jianghe felt helpless and could only let him handle it.
Afterward.
Chen Jianghe returned to his courtyard and hung up the 'In Seclusion' sign.
He went to the backyard, let Maoqiu out, and had it continue to devour Tier 2 water-type spirit cores to cultivate.
Then he returned to the front hall and began to create talismans.
He still had over one hundred and seventy sets of materials for high-grade talismans. He planned to use them all up.
Then he would try to create Tier 2 talismans.
This would also allow him to continue consolidating his talisman-making skills.
He currently lacked the subsequent cultivation method for the Myriad Waters True Scripture, as well as spirit-forging and body-tempering techniques for the Foundation Establishment stage.
He could only focus on improving his talisman skills for now.
As for alchemy, he would have to wait until he reached Thousand Mountains Market City.
Time flew by like a fleeting shadow.
In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.
It was the Mid-Autumn Festival once again.
In the front hall, as Chen Jianghe's Azure Feather Talisman Brush came to a rest, it skillfully drew a profound rune on the spirit fox hide.
A flash of spiritual light.
A Greater Strength Talisman was successfully created.
At that very moment, the Azure Feather Talisman Brush snapped.
The luster of the feather at the end of the brush dimmed, and it shattered.
In an instant, the Azure Feather Talisman Brush was reduced to a bare, black, and cracked shaft.