Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: The Elusive Immortal Path and the Crimson Flame Cloud Riding Talisman
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Chen Jianghe looked at the message in his hand.
His gaze drifted beyond the mountain-protecting formation. He was certain Ruan Tieniu was waiting outside Golden Ao Mountain.
From the letter's contents, it was clear Ruan Tieniu was in a hurry.
He likely wouldn't be leaving the vicinity of Golden Ao Mountain anytime soon.
Chen Jianghe also needed to see Ruan Tieniu as soon as possible to learn the true situation within the Arctic Snow Forest.
The *Illustrated Guide to the Arctic Snow Forest* could only serve as a reference.
The specific details needed to be learned from the mouth of a spirit scavenger.
Second-rank water-attribute spirit cores.
Natural spirit items that Foundation Establishment cultivators could absorb and refine.
The sale of talismans.
Ruan Tieniu would be useful for all of these matters.
However, Chen Jianghe didn't go to meet Ruan Tieniu immediately. He glanced at Xiao Hei and Maoqiu, who had just finished their hard work and were now cultivating.
Disturbing their cultivation at this moment was out of the question.
But he was also uneasy about going directly to Thousand Mountains Market City with Ruan Tieniu and leaving them behind on Golden Ao Mountain.
"I could build a courtyard at the foot of the mountain and isolate it with a formation. It could be used for receiving guests."
Chen Jianghe mulled it over.
He couldn't just travel to Thousand Mountains Market City every time an acquaintance came to talk.
That would be far too troublesome.
It would be better to build a courtyard at the foot of the mountain for receiving guests, but not for lodging them.
With this idea in mind, Chen Jianghe used his formation disk to modify the isolation, awareness-avoidance, and defensive formations around his living area.
At the "foot" of Golden Ao Mountain, he sectioned off an area twenty zhang in radius to serve as a reception area.
His construction skills, however, were sorely lacking. He could only manage to build a few extremely crude wooden huts.
"It seems that once I have some spirit stones, I'll have to hire a spirit architect to build something proper. I'm an upper-level Foundation Establishment cultivator now; such a shabby place is a bit of an embarrassment."
He wanted to find a spirit architect now, but it was too late. Ruan Tieniu was waiting outside.
Besides, he didn't have many spirit stones on hand.
After building the wooden huts.
He calculated the time; three days had already passed. He wondered if Ruan Tieniu was still waiting outside.
A jade pendant at Chen Jianghe's waist flashed, and he flew directly out of the mountain-protecting formation, only to see Ruan Tieniu still keeping watch outside.
"He actually waited outside for three days. It seems he's truly in a hurry."
Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
He flew towards Ruan Tieniu.
The moment Ruan Tieniu saw Chen Jianghe, his eyes lit up, and he immediately flew over to him.
Excitement shone in his eyes.
"Brother Chen, you're finally here!"
Ruan Tieniu said joyfully, "Congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment, Brother Chen! To achieve Foundation Establishment at such an advanced age... you must be the first in the Tiannan Domain in a thousand years!"
"Back then, when I saw the news of your Foundation Establishment in a magazine in Thousand Mountains Market City, I thought it was just someone with the same name. I never expected it was really you."
The news of Chen Jianghe's late-in-life Foundation Establishment had spread like wildfire throughout the Tiannan Domain. Even in the distant Thousand Mountains Market City, his name was being talked about for those two years.
"You might not know this, Brother Chen, but your name has become something of a public commodity these days."
"???"
Chen Jianghe was stunned, looking at Ruan Tieniu in disbelief, his mind filled with question marks.
How had his name become a "public commodity"?
"A public commodity? What do you mean?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"During those two years, your name was famous in Thousand Mountains Market City. Many ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators, hoping to increase their chances of a successful Foundation Establishment, changed their names to Chen Jianghe."
"Haha..."
Ruan Tieniu let out a loud laugh and explained.
"Er..."
Chen Jianghe was left speechless.
He never imagined something like this could happen.
As for why they dared to use the name of a Foundation Establishment senior?
It was simple. Chen Jianghe wasn't north of the Heaven-Reaching River; he was far to the south. Who would have thought he would travel sixty thousand li to reach Thousand Mountains Market City, north of the river?
Besides, the Tiannan Domain was vast and boundless.
There were plenty of cultivators named Chen Jianghe.
Just because one Foundation Establishment senior was named Chen Jianghe, did that mean everyone else had to change their names?
And that was just counting cultivators.
There were even more mortals named Chen Jianghe.
When he had introduced himself to Cen Linchuan back then, Cen Linchuan had shown no reaction upon hearing his name.
He had been puzzled at the time, thinking it shouldn't be so.
His great name had long since spread throughout the Tiannan Domain, and even the four great immortal nations north of the Heaven-Reaching River had invited him to become a state preceptor.
There was no reason for Cen Linchuan not to be surprised upon meeting the man himself.
It turned out it wasn't that Cen Linchuan wasn't surprised, but that he simply didn't know the Chen Jianghe before him was the protagonist of the late-in-life Foundation Establishment story.
From Ruan Tieniu's tone, it seemed there were quite a few cultivators in Thousand Mountains Market City named Chen Jianghe.
After this amusing anecdote concluded.
Chen Jianghe invited Ruan Tieniu into Golden Ao Mountain, leading him to the temporarily constructed wooden hut, where they sat on freshly made stone stools.
"I've only just arrived in Thousand Mountains Market City myself and haven't had time to get everything in order. I hope you don't mind the crude accommodations, Brother Ruan."
As Chen Jianghe spoke, he waved his hand, and a teapot appeared on the stone table. He then poured a cup for Ruan Tieniu and one for himself.
"Spirit tea from the Qingping Teahouse?!"
Ruan Tieniu wasn't surprised by the simple reception area, but he was stunned by the familiar teapot.
If he remembered correctly.
The pot of spirit tea Chen Jianghe had taken out should be the one from the Qingping Teahouse that cost a hefty fifty spirit sand.
He was all too familiar with this particular spirit tea.
He took a careful sip.
It was indeed the same bitter taste from back then, but the sweet aftertaste was gone. This made Ruan Tieniu sigh with emotion; after reaching Foundation Establishment, he had somehow forgotten his roots and started becoming particular.
"I knew you liked it, Brother Ruan, so I brought a pot with me when I came," Chen Jianghe said with a smile.
In truth, this pot of tea had been sitting in his storage pouch for a long time.
If Ruan Tieniu hadn't come, and he hadn't needed spirit tea to serve a guest, he would have completely forgotten about this pot.
But it worked out perfectly, allowing him to serve this pot of tea to his good friend Ruan Tieniu.
The fifty spirit sand had not been wasted.
Chen Jianghe also took a careful sip. It was bitter and hard to swallow, but seeing Ruan Tieniu savoring it with his eyes closed, as if reminiscing about his days in Qinghe Market City...
His heart sank. He tilted his head back, gulped it down, and then slowly tried to taste the sweetness that followed the bitterness of the spirit tea.
Ten breaths later.
There was only bitterness; the sweetness seemed to be gone.
"Good tea, truly good tea!"
Ruan Tieniu opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and said with gravity, "The tea is bitter, but not as bitter as the life of a rogue cultivator."
"Although I've successfully reached Foundation Establishment and become the cultivator I once looked up to, it's not as wonderful as I imagined. It's just like this spirit tea. During the Qi Refining stage, I could still savor the sweetness after the bitterness. But after Foundation Establishment, when I look at the immortal path ahead, it's filled with hardship. Where is there any sweetness left?"
"Brother Chen, do you have any more pots of this Qingping Teahouse spirit tea? Would you be willing to sell them to me?"
Chen Jianghe was slightly taken aback. Seeing Ruan Tieniu's extremely serious expression, he knew he wasn't pretending.
Unfortunately, this was the only pot of spirit tea he had forgotten about.
"Between us, why talk of selling? I only brought this one pot for you, Brother Ruan. If you like it, you can take the remaining half home to savor."
Chen Jianghe said this with a solemn face, his sincerity apparent.
"Since you're so kind, Brother Chen, it would be rude of me to refuse."
Ruan Tieniu didn't stand on ceremony and put the half-full pot of spirit tea into his storage pouch.
Seeing Ruan Tieniu act this way, Chen Jianghe began to wonder just what kind of hard life he had been living since arriving in Thousand Mountains Market City.
To be able to glean so many life insights from a pot of spirit tea that had been stored for nearly ten years...
"Previously, when I was on Qiyun Mountain, you sent me a letter, Brother Ruan, saying that Thousand Mountains Market City was full of opportunities. I wonder, what kind of opportunities were you referring to?"
Chen Jianghe asked.
He had been lured here by Ruan Tieniu's talk of "opportunities everywhere." If he didn't find out what they were, this knot in his heart wouldn't be untied.
The journey to Thousand Mountains Market City had been fraught with danger.
Now that he was here, he hadn't seen any opportunities, but he had found pitfalls everywhere—pitfalls he was powerless to resist.
Even selling second-rank talismans was restricted.
"Brother Chen, now that you're also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, you must know how difficult cultivation is at this stage. To advance even a minor realm requires decades of arduous cultivation. Even with the aid of Spirit Gathering Pills, it still takes over ten years."
Ruan Tieniu said seriously.
Chen Jianghe nodded in deep agreement with Ruan Tieniu's words.
Even if one constantly cultivated with Spirit Gathering Pills, reaching the second layer of Foundation Establishment would still take more than ten years.
Not to mention reaching the mid or late stages of Foundation Establishment.
As for Core Formation?
That was a distant, unattainable dream, a complete fantasy.
"But there are certain natural spirit items that contain dense and pure spiritual energy, which can be absorbed and refined by cultivators and spirit beasts."
"These spirit items can be absorbed directly or refined into spirit pills, which are a great help in raising one's cultivation level."
"To be honest with you, Brother Chen, I'm already at the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage, and I've only been in Thousand Mountains Market City for eight years."
Hearing that Ruan Tieniu had already cultivated to the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage—the third layer—Chen Jianghe's heart jolted.
That's right, Ruan Tieniu had only been in Thousand Mountains Market City for eight years.
How had his cultivation progressed so quickly?
One must remember that a genius like Yun Bufan had taken fifty years to barely reach the third layer of Foundation Establishment.
Ruan Tieniu's spiritual root talent was definitely inferior to Yun Bufan's, so for him to reach the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage in eight years.
He must have found some great opportunity.
"The reason I was able to reach the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage in eight years is because the Arctic Snow Forest, much like the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, holds numerous opportunities."
Ruan Tieniu looked at Chen Jianghe and said, "Brother Chen, you can come with me deep into the Arctic Snow Forest to seek opportunities. Don't worry, I'm very familiar with the place."
Chen Jianghe glanced at Ruan Tieniu.
He recalled their first meeting, when Ruan Tieniu had tried to pull him into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, but he had refused.
Later, he had learned from Wang Kun that the members of Ruan Tieniu's beast-hunting team changed very quickly, with a full turnover every five or six years.
Thinking back on how Ruan Tieniu had escaped from the Beast Taming Market City and looted a pile of bags, he understood Ruan Tieniu's character.
As long as he didn't team up with him, they could still be friends.
Of course, even if he did team up with Ruan Tieniu, Chen Jianghe was confident he could outrun him, making Ruan Tieniu a convenient meat shield for the front or rear.
"Haha, you jest, Brother Ruan. My temperament isn't suited for being a spirit scavenger. I'm better off honestly drawing talismans."
Chen Jianghe said with a wry smile, shaking his head.
Ruan Tieniu exclaimed, "Aiya!" and slapped his forehead. "I actually forgot that you're a Talisman Master, Brother Chen, and a second-rank one at that."
Chen Jianghe just smiled.
He didn't believe a word of it. How could Ruan Tieniu possibly forget he was a Talisman Master?
"It's probably for the best that you don't enter the Arctic Snow Forest, Brother Chen. Although there are many opportunities, it's also very risky. A few friends I made in Thousand Mountains Market City... alas... they all perished in the Arctic Snow Forest."
As Ruan Tieniu spoke, a look of grief appeared in his eyes, and he sighed.
"Brother Ruan, do you have any second-rank water-attribute spirit cores?" Chen Jianghe had no time to waste on idle chatter with Ruan Tieniu.
They were just friends in trade.
Not close enough to talk about everything under the sun.
"Second-rank water-attribute spirit cores? I don't have any, but I can find some for you, Brother Chen." Seeing Chen Jianghe get down to business, Ruan Tieniu also shed his sorrowful expression.
"But you can't buy them with spirit stones... unless they're mid-grade spirit stones, of course."
"Without mid-grade spirit stones, you'll need to trade second-rank spirit pills or second-rank talismans for them."
The fact that he couldn't buy them with spirit stones was something Chen Jianghe hadn't expected.
Second-rank spirit cores weren't overly precious or hard-to-get resources, so why couldn't they be bought with spirit stones?
Seemingly sensing Chen Jianghe's confusion.
Ruan Tieniu explained, "You can buy second-rank spirit cores with spirit stones, but if someone offers to trade with second-rank spirit pills or talismans, people will definitely give them priority."
"I see."
Chen Jianghe understood the reason and then asked, "So, how many second-rank water-attribute spirit cores can you get, Brother Ruan?"
"How many?"
Ruan Tieniu was startled and looked at Chen Jianghe in disbelief. He said, somewhat exasperated, "Brother Chen, you don't actually think second-rank spirit cores are easy to come by, do you?"
"In Thousand Mountains Market City, two Foundation Establishment cultivators might die before a single second-rank spirit beast is killed in the Arctic Snow Forest or the boundless sea."
"And that's not even getting into the fact that you specifically want water-attribute ones."
"..."
Chen Jianghe then remembered that obtaining water-attribute spirit cores had been too easy for him before, but he had forgotten that was south of the Heaven-Reaching River.
Furthermore, that was during the beast tide outbreaks at the Beast Taming Market City and Qinghe Market City.
A large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators had perished, and correspondingly, second-rank demonic beasts had also fallen, which was why so many second-rank spirit cores had appeared.
Later, when Yu Daniu purchased second-rank spirit cores in Qinghe Market City, it was thanks to his connection with Gao Peiyao.
Moreover, those who slew second-rank demonic beasts were sect disciples.
Their resources were beyond what rogue cultivators could compare to.
Among cultivators of the same rank, two sect Foundation Establishment cultivators could slay a second-rank demonic beast, but if two rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators faced one, it was highly likely one would die and the other would flee.
Another point was that second-rank spirit cores were the main ingredient for refining second-rank five-element spirit pills, which were specifically used to nurture second-rank spirit beasts.
Although spirit beasts would accumulate pill toxins from consuming spirit pills, just like cultivators, they could slowly expel them given enough time.
Chen Jianghe was anxious because Gao Peiyao was about to enter a secret realm for a trial, which was why he wanted both his spirit beasts to devour second-rank spirit cores for cultivation.
This way, they could cultivate continuously without worrying about accumulating pill toxins, allowing them to reach the late second rank as quickly as possible.
Besides, those second-rank Alchemists would also purchase second-rank spirit cores to refine five-element spirit pills.
With one second-rank spirit core as the main ingredient, a furnace could produce five five-element spirit pills.
A single second-rank spirit core was worth one thousand four hundred spirit stones, while five five-element spirit pills were worth two thousand five hundred.
They were also a consistently popular item.
It was precisely for this reason that it was difficult to purchase second-rank spirit cores with spirit stones; one could only trade for them with second-rank spirit pills and talismans.
"What's the exchange rate between second-rank spirit cores and second-rank talismans?"
Chen Jianghe asked.
The value of a second-rank spirit core was definitely over one thousand two hundred spirit stones. It couldn't be exchanged for a second-rank defensive talisman, much less a second-rank offensive talisman.
The values didn't match.
"For the five basic elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—a second-rank spirit core trades one-for-one with a low-grade second-rank escape talisman. For special attribute spirit cores, you'd need to add another four hundred spirit stones."
As Ruan Tieniu said this, he looked at Chen Jianghe with a hint of nervousness.
Seeing Chen Jianghe's brow furrow.
Ruan Tieniu immediately asked, "Can you draw low-grade second-rank escape talismans, Brother Chen?"
"I should be able to, but I don't have the inheritance for a low-grade second-rank escape talisman," Chen Jianghe said helplessly.
"Haha..."
Ruan Tieniu laughed heartily and said to Chen Jianghe, "Brother Chen, do you remember when I wrote to you and said I had prepared a generous gift for you?"
Chen Jianghe's eyes lit up. "Brother Ruan, could this generous gift be the inheritance for a second-rank escape talisman?"
Chen Jianghe had never taken Ruan Tieniu's "generous gift" seriously.
In his mind, a simple word of congratulations was probably the extent of Ruan Tieniu's generosity.
After all, they didn't have a deep friendship, so what kind of generous gift could there be?
Besides, what kind of magnificent gift could a rogue cultivator like Ruan Tieniu possibly offer?
But he never expected that Ruan Tieniu had actually prepared a generous gift, and it was the second-rank escape talisman inheritance that he desperately needed.
Ruan Tieniu nodded.
But he didn't take out the escape talisman inheritance.
"How many spirit stones are you asking for it, Brother Ruan?" Chen Jianghe asked.
Ruan Tieniu claimed it was a generous gift for him, but he couldn't possibly be giving it away for free. After all, this was an immeasurably valuable second-rank escape talisman inheritance.
"Spirit stones? How could we involve a spirit stone transaction between brothers like us?"
Ruan Tieniu shook his head, speaking with an air of profound righteousness.
"Er... then what do you need, Brother Ruan?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"I was wondering, did Fairy Luo come to Thousand Mountains Market City with you, Brother Chen?" Ruan Tieniu looked at Chen Jianghe with eyes full of expectation.
"Nn~"
Chen Jianghe jutted his chin towards the "head" of Golden Ao Mountain.
The meaning was self-evident.
"Impressive, my brother. I, Ruan, am in awe."
Ruan Tieniu said solemnly, "Brother Chen, you just need to ask Fairy Luo to help me modify a magical artifact, and then give me three low-grade second-rank escape talismans every year. In return, this Crimson Flame Cloud Riding Talisman inheritance is yours."
As he spoke, he took out a jade slip.
"If I'm not mistaken, the artifact you want modified, Brother Ruan, must be the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope used by the demonic cultivator Lan Tianxiang. That's a top-tier spirit-nurturing magical artifact!"
"You're truly lucky to have obtained Lan Tianxiang's complete inheritance, Brother Ruan."
A faint smile appeared on Chen Jianghe's face.
Now, the one in a hurry wasn't him, but Ruan Tieniu.
"You're right, Brother Chen. It is indeed the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope. As long as Fairy Luo is willing to help modify it, you only need to give me two Crimson Flame Cloud Riding Talismans per year."
Ruan Tieniu lowered his asking price.
"Asking Fairy Luo to modify a top-tier spirit-nurturing magical artifact... Brother Ruan, you're asking me to owe Fairy Luo a huge favor!"
Chen Jianghe's expression became troubled.
But seeing Ruan Tieniu's eager expression, his face hardened, and he said righteously, "Fine. For your sake, Brother Ruan, I will go and ask Fairy Luo."
"However, you'll need to prepare five thousand spirit stones, Brother Ruan. After all, we can't expect Fairy Luo to provide her own materials to modify the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope."
"And as for the Crimson Flame Cloud Riding Talismans, I will give you one per year for ten years. But any second-rank talismans I draw can be traded with you on a priority basis."
After hearing Chen Jianghe's terms, Ruan Tieniu didn't hesitate and agreed immediately.
Having a second-rank Talisman Master as a friend in Thousand Mountains Market City was very important, as it meant a long-term supply of second-rank talismans at a normal price.
Most importantly, he could use Chen Jianghe's talismans to build connections with other spirit scavengers.
He could even make a small profit from it.
It might not be much, but every little bit counted.
Chen Jianghe hadn't expected Ruan Tieniu to agree so readily, but he was happy with the outcome.
A win-win situation was for the best.
Only then could their transactional friendship last.
A one-sided relationship would never be sustainable.
Afterwards, Ruan Tieniu directly handed the Crimson Flame Cloud Riding Talisman inheritance to Chen Jianghe, not at all worried that he would run off with it.
They then talked for a long while more.
Six hours later.
Chen Jianghe saw Ruan Tieniu out of Golden Ao Mountain, telling him to go back and wait for a specific time for the modification of the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope.
Regarding the modification of the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope, Chen Jianghe had already spoken to Luo Xiyue about it.
That was why he could confidently agree to Ruan Tieniu's terms.
"It seems that low-grade and mid-grade second-rank talismans are completely useless for trading for cultivation-enhancing spirit items."
"From what Ruan Tieniu said, only high-grade second-rank escape talismans can be traded for them."
"As for spirit pills, it would have to be something on the level of an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill."
After his conversation with Ruan Tieniu.
Chen Jianghe now had a better understanding of trading for spirit items from spirit scavengers. Buying them with spirit stones was impossible.
Those kinds of cultivation-enhancing spirit items simply couldn't be bought with spirit stones.
Only spirit scavengers who were desperately in need of spirit stones would put such items up for auction.
Generally, the auctions in Thousand Mountains Market City would feature a cultivation-enhancing spirit item once a year.
But every time, it would fetch a sky-high price.
Even a low-grade second-rank spirit item that could raise one's cultivation would sell for an unbelievably high price.
Furthermore, spirit scavengers weren't guaranteed to find spirit items every time they entered the Arctic Snow Forest; a great deal of it came down to luck.
Many spirit scavengers returned from the Arctic Snow Forest heavily injured.
Even when they did manage to obtain second-rank spirit items, they were mostly spirit materials for artifact refining or second-rank medicinal herbs.
Or perhaps second-rank spirit plants.
Spirit items that could raise one's cultivation were few and far between.
"It seems that if I want to obtain spirit items that can raise my cultivation, I'll still have to get them from Gao Peiyao or Luo Xiyue."
Gao Peiyao was backed by the Tiannan Sect; as long as she had contribution points, she could exchange them for spirit items within the sect.
Luo Xiyue's origins were mysterious.
But to be able to cultivate to such an unfathomable realm in a short time, she clearly had spirit items that could raise her cultivation level.
"This is a good opportunity. When I confirm the time for modifying the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope with Luo Xiyue, I can also ask if she's willing to trade for any cultivation-enhancing spirit items."
Just as Chen Jianghe was about to use the sound-recording formation to ask Luo Xiyue if she was free.
The jade pendant at his waist trembled slightly.
This prompted him to fly quickly to his spirit spring residence. He looked at the sound-recording bamboo, channeled his spiritual power into the formation's jade pendant, and shot a ray of spiritual light into the bamboo.
Immediately, the voice of Jiang Ruxu sounded out.