Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: Xiao Hei's Strength, Chen Jianghe's Complaint
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“There are third-rank demonic beasts in the depths of the Arctic Snow Forest. Rumor has it that in the very deepest part, there are even great demons. It’s just that no cultivator has ever ventured more than five thousand miles into the forest, let alone seen the legendary great demons.”
“But one thing is certain: the Arctic Snow Forest is rich with spiritual items, no less than what can be found in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.”
“Brother Chen, do you know how large the Arctic Snow Forest is?”
Hearing Ruan Tieniu’s question, Chen Jianghe shook his head. How could he possibly know the size of the Arctic Snow Forest?
Although he had read the *Illustrated Guide to the Arctic Snow Forest*, it only contained descriptions of spiritual items and demonic beasts, with no mention of the forest’s area.
“Brother Chen, since you haven’t ventured deep into the Arctic Snow Forest, you probably don’t know how vast it is.”
Ruan Tieniu said with a sigh, “Back in Qinghe Market City, I thought the Arctic Snow Forest was much smaller than the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range. Only after entering did I realize its area far surpasses it.”
“Even bigger than the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range?”
Chen Jianghe was taken aback. In his mind, the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range was the largest demonic beast habitat in the Tiannan region.
It teemed with countless demonic beasts, including many second and third-rank ones.
The destruction of the Beast Taming Market City was a clear indication that fourth-rank great demons resided deep within the mountain range.
And the Arctic Snow Forest was even more expansive than that?
The Wandering Immortal Mountain Range spanned ten thousand miles from east to west and seven thousand miles from north to south. Its sheer size was greater than Mirror Moon Lake, Qiyun Mountain, Heling, Hepan, and the East Ferry Crossing combined.
“Yes. Brother Chen, you should know of the Artifact Refining Immortal Chen Clan. This top-tier immortal clan is located in the northwest of the Tiannan region, seventy thousand miles from Thousand Mountains Market City. Yet, to the north of the Artifact Refining Immortal Chen Clan is still the Arctic Snow Forest.”
Ruan Tieniu shared his knowledge of the Arctic Snow Forest with Chen Jianghe.
This left Chen Jianghe utterly astonished.
The Beast Taming Immortal Zhou Clan was in the southernmost part of the Tiannan region, bordering the boundless sea.
The Alchemy Immortal Ji Clan was in the western reaches of the Tiannan region, also near the boundless sea.
The Puppet Immortal Lu Clan was north of the East Ferry Crossing Market City, and to the east of the ferry crossing was the mouth of the Heaven-Reaching River where it met the sea.
In other words, the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan also bordered the boundless sea.
Thinking about it this way, the Arctic Snow Forest to the north of the Tiannan region was like a wall of ice, preventing anyone from knowing what lay beyond it.
After all, since no cultivator dared to venture five thousand miles into the Arctic Snow Forest, there was no way of knowing what was on the other side.
It could be a vast, boundless ocean.
Or it could be another domain entirely.
Chen Jianghe briefly entertained the thought before dismissing it. He was only in the early stage of Foundation Establishment and didn't even dare to enter the Arctic Snow Forest.
Why think so much?
But the information Ruan Tieniu gave him made one thing clear: the Arctic Snow Forest held a great many spiritual items.
However, obtaining these spiritual items required immense strength.
Time passed.
Two days went by.
Chen Jianghe asked Ruan Tieniu to wait for a moment while he entered the mountain's protective array and used the sound-recording array to send a message to Luo Xiyue.
After receiving Luo Xiyue’s consent.
Chen Jianghe walked out of the protective array and said to Ruan Tieniu, “Brother Ruan, Fairy Luo has come out of seclusion. She can modify the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope now.”
“Thank you, Brother Chen. I’ll remember this favor, brother.”
As Ruan Tieniu spoke, he took out the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope and placed it heavily in Chen Jianghe's hands.
He knew very well that he would likely not be able to enter Fairy Luo's sanctum.
“If you have other matters, Brother Ruan, you can return to the market city first. Once the artifact has been modified, I will personally deliver it to you.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Brother Chen. I’ll just wait here.”
Ruan Tieniu cupped his hands in thanks.
Then he returned to the short branch on the cliff and sat down.
Chen Jianghe glanced at him but said no more. He turned and went back to Golden Ao Mountain, heading straight for the elegant small residence in front of Ao Head Waterfall.
“Here are five thousand spirit stones and a second-rank gold-attribute spirit core. Please help Daoist Ruan modify this into a gold-attribute great saber, Daoist Luo.”
Chen Jianghe took out the five thousand spirit stones and the second-rank gold-attribute spirit core.
With a wave of her hand, Luo Xiyue collected the spirit stones and the spirit core.
“Take out the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope.”
Chen Jianghe retrieved the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope, and a violent, scorching torrent of air swept across a hundred-zhang radius.
The spirituality of this Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope was much stronger than that of his Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword.
After all, this rope had once been nurtured by a False Core Unfettered Cultivator and had later been with Lan Tianxiang for some time.
It was brimming with ferocious spirituality.
It also possessed powerful fire-attribute energy.
Luo Xiyue pointed a delicate finger, and a cold gleam shot into the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope, instantly dissipating the violent, scorching heat.
The entire rope was encased in ice.
“It is indeed a spirit-nurturing artifact once refined by my master. It has the potential to become a Dharma treasure. This Ruan Tieniu is quite fortunate.”
Luo Xiyue said calmly, “Although I never met that deceased False Core senior, the fact that he could have my master forge a Dharma treasure embryo for him suggests he had some skill. By obtaining his inheritance, with a bit of luck, he might reach the peak of Foundation Establishment.”
“A Dharma treasure embryo?”
Chen Jianghe sighed, feeling a bit envious of Ruan Tieniu’s luck in stumbling upon such an opportunity.
In truth, there was something else Luo Xiyue hadn't said.
Why would a False Core senior who could commission her master to refine an artifact appear here? And why would he perish south of the Heaven-Reaching River?
“The Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope is a Dharma treasure embryo. Normally, with my skills in artifact refinement, I wouldn't be able to modify it. But since it was made by my master, I’m familiar with the techniques, so it’s possible.”
“Changing its shape is simple, but altering its spirit-nurturing attribute is time-consuming. It will take a month.”
Luo Xiyue stated faintly.
“No problem, a month is a month.”
Chen Jianghe said with a cheerful smile.
“Mm.”
Luo Xiyue nodded, then added, “Peiyao will be coming to Thousand Mountains Market City soon. When she arrives, I will have her stay here with me.”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
Chen Jianghe nodded quickly.
The Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Thousand Mountains Market City had lodging for disciples of the Tiannan Sect, but it was naturally for the best if Luo Xiyue let Gao Peiyao stay with her.
In any case, he wouldn't let anyone stay with him.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe left the Ao Head area and returned to his own territory.
It would take Luo Xiyue a month to modify the Profound Heaven Dragon Pattern Rope; he couldn't just wait there for a month.
He might as well return to his own den to cultivate.
As for telling Ruan Tieniu he had to wait a month?
He didn't bother. Even if he did, the outcome would be the same. Ruan Tieniu would surely wait outside regardless.
Returning to the side of the spirit spring.
He walked over to the Dragon Pattern Red Pine, took out his storage treasure vase, and poured out thirty catties of Crimson-Scaled Fire Python spirit blood.
“This is the spirit blood of a demonic beast with a third-rank, high-grade bloodline. You’d better work hard and become a second-rank, high-grade spirit wood as soon as possible.”
“If you delay my talisman cultivation, the consequences will be severe.”
As Chen Jianghe spoke, he took out the three-inch Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword and began to scrape at the main trunk of the Dragon Pattern Red Pine.
He cut off a piece of spirit plant bark.
He thought to himself that it was indeed good to have a second-rank spirit wood growing beside him; he would never lack the spirit plant bark needed to draw second-rank talismans.
The only issue was that the Dragon Pattern Red Pine's current grade was too low.
If only it were second-rank, high-grade.
He could then try to draw the Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talisman right now.
But there was no rush for a year or so. With the spirit blood from a demonic beast with a third-rank, high-grade bloodline, the time it would take for the Dragon Pattern Red Pine to advance would be greatly shortened.
In about two years, it could probably become a second-rank, high-grade spirit wood.
*Rustle, rustle~*
The Dragon Pattern Red Pine swayed, its dense branches and leaves rustling as if in response to Chen Jianghe.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe began drawing the Crimson Flame Cloud-Soaring Talisman.
By the time he finished drawing the runes, two hours had passed.
Then he began to infuse it with spiritual energy while cultivating the fourth level of the *Myriad Waters True Scripture*. His time was precious; he couldn't just wait around.
That would be a waste of time.
After he finished cultivating the *Myriad Waters True Scripture*.
Chen Jianghe flew into the canyon, expertly making his way to the front of a cave and striding inside.
Immediately, a low roar echoed.
The tiger's roar was somewhat hoarse, as if a sorrowful cry, yet it was extremely piercing. If a mortal were here.
They would surely be frightened to death by this low roar.
“This little tiger can actually sense my presence?”
Hearing the roar, Chen Jianghe was a little surprised. This low growl carried a strong sense of vigilance and timidity.
It was clearly aware of his arrival.
“Don’t be alarmed. I’m here to help you.”
Chen Jianghe walked deeper into the cave and saw the white tiger lying on a stone bed suddenly stand up, its wary eyes fixed on him.
*Grrrowl~*
It let out a series of low growls.
The cave was spacious, with an opening in the ceiling that allowed sunlight to stream in, brightly illuminating the interior.
Chen Jianghe looked at the white tiger before him, which stood over a meter tall and was nearly a zhang long. It was a mortal tiger, not yet a spirit beast.
On its back was a wound so deep the bone was visible.
This wound was from when the white tiger had accidentally fallen into the valley.
Ever since Chen Jianghe had mastered the Jade Dew Life Muscle Curse, this white tiger had frequently lost its footing and fallen into the canyon, no fewer than a hundred times now.
Fortunately, Chen Jianghe was benevolent and cherished all life, healing the white tiger time and again. Otherwise, it would have long since fallen to its death.
With a thought, Chen Jianghe circulated his spiritual power, condensing a wisp of jade dew spiritual energy and sending it into the white tiger's wound.
Immediately!
A miraculous scene unfolded.
The wound, once deep enough to expose bone, began to heal rapidly. In less than ten breaths, it was fully restored.
It was as if it had never been injured.
However, the white tiger’s gaze toward Chen Jianghe held no gratitude, only vigilance and fear.
Chen Jianghe's divine sense enveloped the white tiger, checking its injuries. He found that its displaced internal organs had all returned to their proper places.
“My Jade Dew Life Muscle Curse has already reached mastery. Practicing on a mortal tiger no longer has any effect.”
“And I can’t use Xiao Hei and Maoqiu for practice.”
“So be it. You frequently fall from the cliff, and I save you each time. We must be fated. I shall guide you onto the path of immortality and help you become a spirit beast!”
Chen Jianghe looked at the white tiger that feared him, smiled gently, and took out a Spirit Awakening Pill and a Spirit Nurturing Pill.
This white tiger possessed a first-rank, high-grade bloodline.
Even without Chen Jianghe’s help, it would have successfully advanced to a spirit beast in another ten years at most.
He wrapped the Spirit Awakening Pill and the Spirit Nurturing Pill in spiritual power and sent them before the white tiger.
He didn’t linger, flying back to his small courtyard by the spirit spring to continue infusing the Crimson Flame Cloud-Soaring Talisman with spiritual energy.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed.
Chen Jianghe circulated the *Myriad Waters True Scripture* for three minor cycles. His spiritual power returned to his dantian, and the spiritual energy from the Spirit-Condensing Pill was absorbed into his Divine Gate.
He slowly opened his eyes.
He saw that Xiao Hei and Maoqiu had also just finished their cultivation. An idea immediately popped into his head.
“Xiao Hei, how is your cultivation progressing?”
Chen Jianghe sent a telepathic message.
“I’m almost at the peak of the early second rank. What? You want to test Grandpa Turtle’s skills?” Xiao Hei’s beady eyes flickered as he looked at Chen Jianghe.
Almost at the peak of the early second rank?
That should be roughly equivalent to the second level of Foundation Establishment.
“Are you sure you want me to test you?” With a thought, Chen Jianghe summoned the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword into his hand.
A terrifying tidal spiritual energy, mixed with bone-chilling cold, emanated from it.
Upon seeing the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword, Xiao Hei’s expression turned serious. He pondered for a moment.
“Wait, let me have Maoqiu try first.”
Xiao Hei had never encountered an artifact refined by a cultivator and didn't know if his defense could withstand the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword.
In truth, he just didn't know how strong his own defense was.
So, he thought of having Maoqiu attack him first to test it out.
But just as he finished speaking, Maoqiu summoned its Heavy Profound Iron Rod, its clear eyes looking at Xiao Hei.
“Grandpa Turtle, are you sure you want me to do it?”
“Put your rod away first.”
Xiao Hei was confident in his defense, but being naturally cautious, he still thought it best to have Maoqiu test it with bare hands first.
“Alright.”
Maoqiu was quite obedient and listened to Xiao Hei. It put away the Heavy Profound Iron Rod and assumed an attack stance.
“Come on, attack.”
As Xiao Hei’s voice fell, his turtle shell began to glow with a faint, earthy-yellow light, forming a shimmering shield in the shape of a shell.
Maoqiu’s spiritual power surged, channeling it through its divine gate. Its head-sized iron fist shot directly toward Xiao Hei’s back shell.
*Boom~*
The sound was deep and muffled, like a heavy stone hitting the ground.
“Huh?”
Chen Jianghe saw Maoqiu’s full-force physical strike land on Xiao Hei, yet it didn’t cause the slightest damage.
Maoqiu's cultivation was about the same as his.
But Maoqiu was a demonic beast with a powerful physical body and even more abundant spiritual power. If that punch had hit him, even with the Profound Ice Battle Armor.
He would have suffered internal injuries and been sent flying ten zhang.
Yet Xiao Hei didn't move an inch. It was as if Maoqiu was faking it—the attack looked powerful, but in reality, it was just a light tap.
“Maoqiu, did you do it yet?”
“Grandpa Turtle, I’m done.”
“Huh?”
Xiao Hei was stunned. He turned his head and glanced at Maoqiu, who was pressed against his back, its massive fist still on his shell.
It seemed Maoqiu was indeed finished.
“Try it with your rod.” Xiao Hei’s confidence grew, and he wanted to see where his limits were.
But just as Maoqiu was about to strike.
Xiao Hei raised a short claw, signaling for Maoqiu to wait.
“Master, give me a healing spirit pill.”
Maoqiu was also a second-rank spirit beast, and with the Heavy Profound Iron Rod in hand, its attack power was not to be underestimated. He decided to play it safe.
He would get the healing pill first, ready to swallow it at any moment.
If he got injured, he could avoid prolonged pain.
“…”
Chen Jianghe rolled his eyes. He wasn't even injured yet, but he was already thinking about preparing a healing pill. He was too afraid of dying.
What a cowardly turtle.
“Here~”
Chen Jianghe took out a Jade Dew Pill and gave it to Xiao Hei.
“Maoqiu, use your full strength. Don’t hold back. Don’t be afraid of hurting Xiao Hei. He has a spirit pill; he’ll be fine.”
Chen Jianghe cheered Maoqiu on from the side.
He did this for two reasons.
First, he wanted to see the effect of the Jade Dew Pill on a spirit beast. If one of them got injured, he could use the opportunity to practice his Jade Dew Life Muscle Curse.
Second, he wanted to see just how strong Xiao Hei’s defense was.
When it was a first-rank spirit beast at the mid-stage, Xiao Hei could withstand the magical attacks of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.
Now that he had become a second-rank spirit beast, was his defense still that ridiculous?
This was related to his safety when entering the secret realm.
“Grandpa Turtle?”
Maoqiu tentatively asked Xiao Hei, its survival instincts kicking in.
“Listen to the two-legs. Come on.”
After Xiao Hei spoke, he used his divine ability, Petrification. The earthy-yellow light on his shell flared, and the runes on it seemed to come alive, swimming across the shell to form a protective barrier.
With that, Xiao Hei lay flat on the ground.
He clutched the Jade Dew Pill in his short claw, ready to take it at any moment.
Then, his head and four limbs retracted into his shell. After a moment's pause, his tail also disappeared inside.
Having received Xiao Hei’s permission, Maoqiu no longer held back and entered a berserk state.
It raised the Heavy Profound Iron Rod high, pouring its abundant spiritual power into it, activating the gravity array to enhance its attack power.
*Boom!*
A dull thud echoed as Xiao Hei was smashed into the mountainside by the Heavy Profound Iron Rod. A dense network of cracks spread across a hundred-zhang radius, and dust billowed.
Seeing this, Chen Jianghe’s heart jumped.
He had a good measure of Maoqiu’s combat strength. Wielding the Heavy Profound Iron Rod, it could rival an ordinary mid-stage second-rank demonic beast.
It would be on par with a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“This strike is comparable to a full-power attack from my Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword.” Chen Jianghe immediately used the Spirit Platform Seal to check if Xiao Hei was injured.
But at that moment.
Maoqiu moved again.
It smashed the Heavy Profound Iron Rod against the ground, blasting Xiao Hei out from the mountainside. Its eyes narrowed as it flew up, rod in hand, and ruthlessly struck Xiao Hei’s belly shell.
This was Maoqiu’s strongest attack.
Finding an opponent’s weakness in the heat of battle and delivering an unreserved strike in an instant.
Chen Jianghe frowned.
He was a little displeased with Maoqiu's double attack, but then he remembered that he was the one who told Maoqiu to go all out, so he suppressed his anger.
“This? How can its defense be so strong?!”
Through his Spirit Platform Seal, Chen Jianghe sensed that Xiao Hei was not seriously injured by Maoqiu’s double blow; he wasn't even lightly injured.
“Xiao Hei, how are you?”
Seeing Xiao Hei fall from the sky, his head, limbs, and tail extending from his shell, Chen Jianghe rushed forward and asked with concern.
Xiao Hei stood up, ignoring Chen Jianghe. He looked at Maoqiu and nodded in satisfaction.
He patted Maoqiu, who was still holding the Heavy Profound Iron Rod.
“That was a strong attack. It even made Grandpa Turtle feel dizzy. The two-legs has never managed to do that.”
Xiao Hei praised Maoqiu.
Chen Jianghe stood to the side, pursing his lips. Was he praising Maoqiu’s attack power? Or was he praising his own defense?
But one thing was clear.
Xiao Hei was mocking his weak attacks.
Maoqiu could make him dizzy, but his own attacks had no effect on Xiao Hei.
“Grandpa Turtle, you’re so strong.”
Maoqiu put away its Heavy Profound Iron Rod and said with a fawning expression.
“Mm, you’re not weak either.”
Xiao Hei’s large mouth split into a grin as he spoke with satisfaction.
“Come on, it’s your turn, two-legs.” Xiao Hei turned his head, trying to raise an eyebrow but having none. He looked at Chen Jianghe provocatively.
“…”
Chen Jianghe shot Xiao Hei a look.
Now that he knew how strong his defense was, he was starting to get cocky again.
“Give me the Jade Dew Pill.”
Chen Jianghe snatched the Jade Dew Pill from Xiao Hei’s claw and put it back in its jade bottle.
“Come on, you hit me once, I hit you once. We’ll both go easy. I’ll let you go first.”
Xiao Hei tilted his head up to look at Chen Jianghe, but found he couldn't see him, so he lowered it slightly. Their eyes met, his filled with smugness.
“Stop messing around. How is your defense so strong?”
Chen Jianghe asked.
He felt it shouldn't be possible. Even if a turtle-type spirit beast’s defense was strong, it shouldn't be able to withstand two heavy blows from Maoqiu without a scratch.
“I don’t know.”
Xiao Hei shrugged and said to Chen Jianghe, “I only know that when I use my divine ability, Petrification is much stronger than when I was first-rank. Also, the runes on my shell seem to provide defense too.”
A spirit beast’s divine abilities strengthen as its cultivation advances; this was a common trait among all spirit beasts.
But Xiao Hei’s Petrification was just too strong.
When he heard about the runes on the shell, Chen Jianghe felt something was off. Xiao Hei didn't have runes on his shell before.
They only appeared after he broke through to the second rank.
The intricate patterns on his shell had also turned an earthy yellow.
Not only that, but the divine abilities Xiao Hei had awakened were all earth-attribute, the strongest for defense.
Most importantly, Chen Jianghe had seen the runes on Xiao Hei’s shell actually move when he was defending against Maoqiu’s attack.
They had formed another layer of armor on the outside of his shell.
It was as if it had become a defensive artifact for Xiao Hei.
“Is it because Xiao Hei is cultivating the *Three Revolutions Demon Ascension Art*?”
Chen Jianghe felt that the cultivation art bestowed upon Xiao Hei by the Spirit Platform Seal was too powerful. Yet, the golden finger it had given him was only longevity.
Too weak.
Sometimes, he even suspected whether this Spirit Platform Seal was his golden finger or Xiao Hei’s.
Or perhaps, the Spirit Platform Seal had helped him bind Xiao Hei.
Or had it helped Xiao Hei bind him.
It felt like a complete reversal of roles.
It was one thing to be weaker than his own spirit beast.
But for the golden finger he was given to be inferior to his spirit beast's, that was really messing with his head.
The main thing was, Xiao Hei had said that when he reached the late second rank, the Spirit Platform Seal would grant him another great opportunity.
“Something’s not right. Why don’t I have any premonition of the Spirit Platform Seal granting me an opportunity?”
“Logically, I’ve already broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm. The Spirit Platform Seal should have given me an even bigger golden finger!”
The more Chen Jianghe thought about it, the more unreasonable it seemed.
It was as if he were the subordinate, and Xiao Hei was the true host of the Spirit Platform Seal.
Chen Jianghe shook his head, pushing these vexing thoughts aside.
Regardless, the stronger Xiao Hei was, the safer he would be. Why sweat the details?
An opportunity granted to Xiao Hei by the Spirit Platform Seal was as good as an opportunity granted to him, wasn't it?
Between master and pet, there was no distinction.
“With Xiao Hei’s current cultivation, using his Petrification divine ability, he can definitely withstand a full-power attack from a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator wielding a top-tier spirit-nurturing artifact.”
“If Xiao Hei cultivates to the mid-second rank, his defense will be invincible against anything short of a Talisman Treasure.”
“I just don’t know how strong Xiao Hei’s attacks are.”
Chen Jianghe had never heard Xiao Hei mention any offensive-type spells.
Like him, Xiao Hei did not enjoy fighting.
“If the *Three Revolutions Demon Ascension Art* includes offensive spells for spirit beasts, then Xiao Hei would truly have no weaknesses.”