Chapter 205
Chapter 205
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 205
Chapter Title: Reunion with an Old Friend, Grandmaster Cen's Invitation
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After returning from the Aowei Clear Sound Pavilion, Chen Jianghe went straight to the habitat of the Black-Armored Turtles.
He looked at the more than twenty Black-Armored Turtles, each the size of a washbasin.
These were all resources for his future cultivation of the Soul Sea Origin Consolidation Scripture.
He took out ten Spirit Awakening Pills, crushed them with his spiritual power, and stirred them evenly into the nearby pool for the turtles to absorb.
“In three years at most, I’ll be able to use these Black-Armored Turtles for my cultivation.”
He had been raising these turtles for five years. Ever since he started learning alchemy, he had been feeding them Spirit Awakening Pills and Spirit Nurturing Pills.
These Black-Armored Turtles, much like the mandarin fish and sturgeon, all possessed first-rank, high-grade bloodlines, but their intelligence seemed quite low.
Even after consuming Spirit Awakening Pills multiple times, their minds opened slowly.
However, among the aquatic spirit hatchlings in Thousand Mountains Market City, the Black-Armored Turtle was the only turtle species available.
If only he were at Mirror Moon Lake. The Black Crystal Mystic Turtle's bloodline wasn't high, but its intelligence was excellent. With enough resources, it would quickly become a spirit beast for Chen Jianghe to use in his cultivation.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe went to the habitat of the new batch of Black-Armored Turtles he had just started raising. Six hundred palm-sized turtles lived densely packed in a separate water system.
This was the batch Chen Jianghe planned to cultivate over a long period, hoping to raise them all to the late first-rank before using them.
He took out another ten Spirit Awakening Pills, crushed and mixed them into the water for the young turtles to absorb.
Logically, for six hundred young turtles, he would need to use six hundred Spirit Awakening Pills.
But it was still uncertain whether all six hundred would survive.
Chen Jianghe needed to wait until they grew to the size of a washbasin before investing a large amount of resources to help them become spirit beasts.
Otherwise, if he invested too much and the turtles died, he would suffer a great loss.
Having done all this, Chen Jianghe returned to the Spirit Spring Abode.
The raising of the mandarin fish and sturgeon had already been handed over to Xiao Hei, so he no longer needed to worry about it.
Time flew by, and several months passed.
It was New Year's Eve once again.
Chen Jianghe took up his brush to inscribe a Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talisman. Half an hour later, a Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talisman was successfully created.
He had already accumulated six Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talismans.
He needed to give one to Ruan Tieniu; their ten-year deal had only been going on for five years.
Giving him this one would mark the sixth year of their trade.
“My talisman skills are improving rapidly. I can try to craft second-rank, mid-grade talismans now. However, the Dragon Pattern Red Pine has yet to advance to the second-rank, high-grade, so I still need to find a medium for crafting them.”
The medium for crafting second-rank, mid-grade talismans was also exceptionally precious.
For spirit plant hide, it required wood from a second-rank, high-grade spirit plant.
For demon beast hide, it required the hide from the heart area of a late-stage second-rank demon beast.
There were also some natural spiritual materials that could be used for talismans, which needed to be second-rank, mid-grade, but they were very hard to find.
“Perhaps I can find a way through the Talisman Master Alliance.”
“The Talisman Master Alliance must have resources for crafting second-rank, mid-grade talismans. I just don't know how to trade for them.”
Chen Jianghe made up his mind.
He prepared to leave Golden Ao Mountain and make a trip to the Talisman Master Alliance, which would also be a good opportunity to offload the Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talismans he had on hand.
Just then, Chen Jianghe felt the formation jade pendant at his waist tremble slightly. He pointed a finger of spiritual power, activating the sound-recording formation within the jade, causing the sound-recording bamboo to emit a voice.
“Peiyao has arrived at Thousand Mountains Market City. If you're not in seclusion, come out and meet us to discuss entering the secret realm.”
It was Luo Xiyue's voice.
“Peiyao has already arrived at Thousand Mountains Market City?”
He wasn't angry or puzzled to get the definite news about Gao Peiyao from Luo Xiyue.
Gao Peiyao's relationship with Luo Xiyue was better.
They both came from powerful backgrounds, were in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and possessed formidable strength. They were cut from the same cloth.
He, on the other hand, was far inferior.
He was just a rogue cultivator in the vast world of cultivation who had been reasonably lucky.
“Discuss entering the secret realm? Is it happening sooner than planned?”
With the aid of the Spirit Spring Pearl, he had managed to condense two drops of spiritual power in just a few short months.
At this moment, he had seven drops of spiritual power in his dantian.
This made him marvel at the terrifying power of a natural treasure like the Spirit Spring Pearl.
Given enough time, he was certain he could break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment within five years.
Therefore, he didn't want the time to enter the secret realm to be moved up. He would be more than happy if it were postponed.
If it were postponed by fifty years, he would be even happier.
He pushed these thoughts aside.
Chen Jianghe sent a voice transmission back to Luo Xiyue, and then they left the mountain-protecting formation together. Instead of taking a spirit boat, they flew towards the market city on their swords.
Golden Ao Mountain was not too far from the market city.
Flying at a leisurely pace, they arrived in about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
“Is Peiyao at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion?”
Chen Jianghe asked, walking side by side with Luo Xiyue. He caught the fragrance wafting from the beauty and couldn't help but steal a couple more glances.
She was devastatingly beautiful, a true feast for the eyes.
Luo Xiyue's red lips parted slightly, her cool voice carrying over, “Disciples of the Tiannan Sect always stay at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion when they come to Thousand Mountains Market City.”
“We’re meeting Peiyao at a quarter past the hour of Wei. We still have four hours. I need to go to the Artificer's Exchange.”
“Alright. I happen to be going to the Talisman Master Alliance myself.”
Chen Jianghe nodded, and he and Luo Xiyue parted ways. He flew alone towards the palace compound where the Talisman Master Alliance was located.
Thousand Mountains Market City only had a Talisman Master Alliance.
The alchemists and artificers only had exchange gatherings, which were less restrictive than the Talisman Master Alliance.
As for Luo Xiyue going to the Artificer's Exchange, it was likely related to artifact refinement. After all, she also needed to earn spirit stones.
Otherwise, how would she afford cultivation resources?
Especially the rent for Golden Ao Mountain.
That was a yearly rent of seven thousand five hundred spirit stones. Divided three ways, it was still two thousand five hundred spirit stones, which was no small sum.
Arriving at the Talisman Master Alliance, Chen Jianghe paused outside for a moment, looking at the cultivators queuing up to buy talismans at the Talisman Pavilion.
He unexpectedly saw two familiar faces.
“The brothers Xu Feng and Xu Hong?”
He remembered Yun Xiaoniu mentioning that the reinforcements hired by the Shi Clan's ancestor were supposedly these two brothers.
But after witnessing Maoqiu's power, the two had lost their nerve.
“They didn't lie to Xiaoniu. They really came to Thousand Mountains Market City. I wonder if they've met Ruan Tieniu yet?”
Chen Jianghe guessed they probably hadn't.
Otherwise, why would the two of them be buying talismans at the Talisman Pavilion?
Even if Ruan Tieniu sold his talismans at a markup, they would still be at least fifty spirit stones cheaper than at the Talisman Pavilion.
For demon hunters and spirit thieves, every spirit stone was earned with their lives. If they could save one spirit stone, they wouldn't spend an extra grain of spirit sand.
As if sensing a gaze on him, Xu Feng turned to look around. His eyes met Chen Jianghe's, and after a moment of surprise, his face lit up with joy.
“Second Brother, you stay in line. I'll be right back.”
Xu Feng said to Xu Hong before quickly leaving the queue and approaching Chen Jianghe.
“Talisman Master Chen, it's been a long time!”
Xu Feng clasped his hands in a salute.
“Fellow Daoist Xu, how long have you been in Thousand Mountains Market City?” Chen Jianghe asked with a warm smile.
“Three years now.”
Xu Feng didn't hide anything and answered directly.
He should have arrived earlier than Chen Jianghe, but after crossing the Heaven-Reaching River, he hadn't gone to Cloud Dream Marsh Market City to take the flying ship.
Instead, he had traversed the territories of the Yue and Yu kingdoms.
If not for a fortunate encounter at the Beast Taming Market City, he and his brother would have died at the hands of demonic cultivators from the Yue Kingdom.
“I have yet to congratulate Talisman Master Chen on successfully reaching Foundation Establishment. To achieve this at such an advanced age, you've broken the thousand-year record for high-age Foundation Establishment in the Tiannan Domain. Congratulations are in order.”
Xu Feng's congratulations carried a hint of flattery. He knew Chen Jianghe was a high-grade Talisman Master, and now that he had broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm, did that mean he was a second-rank Talisman Master?
If he could establish a connection with a second-rank Talisman Master, it would make life much easier for him and his brother in Thousand Mountains Market City.
“It was just a stroke of luck.”
Chen Jianghe replied with a faint smile.
“Is Talisman Master Chen heading to the Talisman Master Alliance?” Xu Feng glanced at the alliance's palace compound and asked.
“Yes.”
Chen Jianghe nodded.
“Could it be that Talisman Master Chen is already a second-rank Talisman Master?”
Xu Feng asked excitedly.
One could buy second-rank talismans at the Talisman Pavilion, but only the common five-element ones.
Talismans with special attributes were simply unavailable.
As for the bartering exchange, although Grandmaster Talisman Masters from the alliance would sometimes sell talismans there, they sold at most ten a year.
There were too many wolves and not enough meat; the supply was nowhere near enough. As newcomers, he and his brother couldn't compete with the veteran spirit thieves.
“Yes, another stroke of luck.”
“Haha, Talisman Master Chen is too modest.”
Xu Feng chuckled obsequiously, then switched to a voice transmission, “Talisman Master Chen, do you by any chance have any escape talismans on you?”
The conversation had shifted directly from open talk to voice transmission.
Chen Jianghe naturally understood what Xu Feng meant.
“I do.”
Chen Jianghe nodded, also replying via voice transmission.
“Fellow Daoist Xu escaped from the Beast Taming Market City. Do you happen to have any second-rank spirit cores?”
He had six Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talismans. After setting one aside for Ruan Tieniu, he still had five left.
These could be traded privately with friends.
Of course, if he didn't mind the Talisman Master Alliance's lowball offers, he could also sell them to the alliance.
Since he wanted to obtain a medium for crafting second-rank, mid-grade talismans from the alliance, it was better to sell to them.
“Or the corpse of a late-stage second-rank demon beast.”
“The corpse of a late-stage second-rank demon beast? How could I possibly have something like that?” Xu Feng shook his head repeatedly.
The beast tide that erupted at the Beast Taming Market City was massive.
Hundreds of Foundation Establishment cultivators perished, and over a hundred second-rank demon beasts died. However, most of those were early or mid-stage second-rank.
The number of late-stage second-rank demon beasts that fell could be counted on one hand.
As for peak second-rank demon beasts, only one had died from start to finish.
Furthermore, the corpses of the peak and late-stage second-rank demon beasts were all collected by the Tiannan Sect and the Zhou Clan.
They wouldn't be circulated outside.
“As for second-rank demon beast spirit cores, my brother and I did manage to get two.”
“What are their attributes?” Chen Jianghe's interest was piqued, and he asked calmly.
“One wood attribute, one water attribute.”
Xu Feng transmitted, “If Talisman Master Chen wants these two spirit cores, my brother and I can trade them, but we need second-rank, low-grade escape talismans.”
“Alright, that's fine.”
Chen Jianghe nodded.
Since Xu Feng and Xu Hong had escaped from the Beast Taming Market City, there was a high chance they had second-rank spirit cores.
That's why he had asked.
He hadn't expected them to actually have some, and one was even a water-attribute spirit core.
However, even if it were a wood-attribute spirit core, he would still need it. He could take it to the bartering exchange in the future and trade it for a water-attribute one.
Buying with spirit stones or trading with second-rank, low-grade escape talismans was not as effective as exchanging a second-rank spirit core for another of the same rank.
Hearing Chen Jianghe's words, Xu Feng immediately sent a voice transmission to Xu Hong, telling him to get out of the line.
Xu Hong came over, saw Chen Jianghe, and quickly paid his respects with a very deferential attitude.
The moment Xu Feng had called him over via voice transmission, he had guessed what was happening. This ‘old friend’ from Qinghe Market City must have become a second-rank Talisman Master.
They finally had a connection to a second-rank Talisman Master in Thousand Mountains Market City.
The three of them immediately made the trade.
Two second-rank spirit cores for two Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talismans.
“Talisman Master Chen, do you have any more Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talismans? My brother and I have spirit stones to buy them.”
Xu Feng asked via voice transmission.
The two of them wanted to be like Ruan Tieniu, buying second-rank talismans from Chen Jianghe to resell or to build connections with other spirit thieves.
However, Chen Jianghe had already benefited too much from Ruan Tieniu.
He was not about to abandon Ruan Tieniu at this point.
No matter what, Ruan Tieniu was his closest friend. How could he forget his good brother when there were benefits to be had?
“To be honest with you two, Fellow Daoist Ruan is also in Thousand Mountains Market City.”
With this said, no further explanation was needed. Xu Feng and Xu Hong understood completely.
“However, as long as you two have second-rank spirit cores, you can come find me to trade at any time.”
“Even if you have natural spiritual items that can be absorbed for cultivation, you can also trade with me. I will offer resources of equal value and won't let you two suffer a loss.”
Xu Feng and Xu Hong had no particular skills. To survive in Thousand Mountains Market City, their only option was to become spirit thieves.
Chen Jianghe still wanted to cultivate more connections with spirit thieves. The more such connections he had, the greater his chances of obtaining natural spiritual items to enhance his cultivation.
“Ah, if you obtain second-rank, high-grade materials for artifact refinement, or second-rank, mid- or high-grade herbs for alchemy, you can also trade with me.”
His network of resources was now quite sufficient.
Not only was he sharing a residence with a grandmaster artificer, but he also had a grandmaster alchemist nearby. Therefore, he needed both spiritual materials and herbs.
Listening to Chen Jianghe's voice transmission, Xu Feng and Xu Hong exchanged a look of helplessness. The items Chen Jianghe mentioned for trade were all priceless treasures.
They were very difficult to obtain.
But they both agreed.
This was an opportunity to befriend a second-rank Talisman Master, and they couldn't miss it.
Right now, they were trading for second-rank, low-grade escape talismans, but in the future, it could be mid-grade or even high-grade ones.
Especially second-rank, high-grade escape talismans—without connections and resources, it was simply impossible to get them.
Chen Jianghe bid farewell to the two brothers and walked into the Talisman Master Alliance's palace compound with a natural, confident air.
“Big Brother, that Ruan fellow is truly despicable. He knew Talisman Master Chen was in Thousand Mountains Market City and had become a second-rank Talisman Master, yet he never told us.”
They knew Ruan Tieniu was in Thousand Mountains Market City and had even entered the Arctic Snow Forest with him once, but Ruan Tieniu had never mentioned Chen Jianghe to them.
He hadn't even mentioned the trade of second-rank talismans in front of them.
In other words, Ruan Tieniu had never offered to sell them the second-rank talismans he bought from Chen Jianghe.
“Sigh. Connections and resources are precious. What Fellow Daoist Ruan did is understandable. If we had befriended Talisman Master Chen first, we would have done the same.”
Xu Feng sighed and led Xu Hong away from the mountain peak where the Talisman Master Alliance was located.
Chen Jianghe entered the palace compound and, following a familiar path, arrived at the internal trading hall, preparing to sell three Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talismans.
He still had four on him; he just needed to keep one for Ruan Tieniu.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, are you here to sell talismans?”
Cen Linchuan was inspecting the internal trading hall. When he saw Chen Jianghe walk in, his stern expression softened considerably.
“Fellow Daoist Cen is here as well.”
Chen Jianghe nodded. “I've crafted three Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talismans and wish to sell them.”
“Alright, good.”
Cen Linchuan said to the female cultivator standing beside him, “Handle the talisman buyback for Fellow Daoist Chen first.”
“Yes, Grandmaster Cen.”
The beautiful female cultivator at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining responded respectfully and then moved behind the counter to handle the talisman buyback for Chen Jianghe.
Cen Linchuan was a direct descendant of the Cen Clan. Normally, he would be addressed as Young Master or Sir.
But he preferred to be called Grandmaster Cen.
The three Crimson Flame Cloud-Vaulting Talismans sold for four thousand and fifty spirit stones.
Normally, it would have been four thousand two hundred, but a fee of fifty spirit stones was deducted for each second-rank spirit talisman sold.
With this income, Chen Jianghe now had sixteen thousand, two hundred and sixty-five spirit stones and twenty grains of spirit sand.
“Fellow Daoist Cen, may I ask you something?” Chen Jianghe put away his spirit stones and approached Cen Linchuan.
He inquired.
“Oh? What is it?” Cen Linchuan's face wore a smile, his voice gentle.
“Does Fellow Daoist Cen have any spiritual mediums for crafting second-rank, mid-grade talismans? I'd like to trade for some.”
“Is Fellow Daoist Chen planning to craft second-rank, mid-grade talismans already?”
Cen Linchuan's face lit up with pleasure. He said, “Come, let's talk in the tea room.”
Cen Linchuan was very pleased about Chen Jianghe crafting second-rank, mid-grade talismans. The higher the skill of the talisman masters in the alliance, the more it benefited the alliance itself.
As Cen Linchuan and Chen Jianghe left, the beautiful female cultivator at the counter let out a heavy sigh of relief.
She looked at Chen Jianghe's departing back with a grateful expression.
After they arrived at the tea room, a maidservant served them spirit tea.
Cen Linchuan began, “Has Fellow Daoist Chen considered joining the Cen Clan as a guest elder?”
“?”
Chen Jianghe was taken aback. He was asking about buying mediums for crafting second-rank, mid-grade spirit talismans. How did the conversation veer to joining the Cen Clan?
“Please don't be offended, Fellow Daoist. I'm just asking as a matter of procedure.”
Cen Linchuan said with a warm smile, “Any talisman master in the alliance who can craft second-rank, mid-grade talismans is asked this question.”
“Joining the Cen Clan comes with many benefits. For instance, you get priority in trading for spiritual mediums for crafting second-rank talismans, whether mid-grade or high-grade. You also get a certain quota for trading rare cultivation resources.”
“Of course, even if you don't join the Cen Clan, you are still a talisman master of the alliance. You can still trade for mediums for second-rank, mid-grade talismans, but you won't be able to trade for mediums for second-rank, high-grade talismans.”
After speaking, Cen Linchuan looked at Chen Jianghe with a smile, not rushing him, waiting for him to give a well-considered answer.
Chen Jianghe only pretended to be deep in thought.
He would never join the Cen Clan.
Let alone the Cen Clan, he wouldn't even be willing to join the Tiannan Sect.
Of course, the Tiannan Sect wouldn't look twice at a 'waste' like him who was unwilling to participate in trials and would only squander resources.
“Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist Cen, but I currently have no intention of joining a clan.” Chen Jianghe said with a cupped-fist salute.
“No matter.”
Cen Linchuan was not angry. He said calmly, “It just means that Fellow Daoist Chen will not be able to enjoy priority trading rights in the Talisman Master Alliance.”
“Currently, resources for crafting second-rank, mid-grade talismans are scarce, so it might be some time before you can trade for them.”
“However, Fellow Daoist Chen can first get certified as a Talisman Grandmaster. I can provide a piece of second-rank, high-grade spirit plant hide. After you successfully craft a talisman, you can sell it back to the alliance at a discounted price.”
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe nodded.
It was expected that he wouldn't have access to the alliance's scarce resources without joining the Cen Clan. There was no need to complain about it.
Moreover, Cen Linchuan was even willing to help him get certified as a Talisman Grandmaster and provide a piece of second-rank, high-grade spirit plant hide. He seemed like a decent person.
“Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist Cen, but I have other matters to attend to today. I'll have to come back in a couple of days to get my skills verified.”
Chen Jianghe said apologetically.
“Fellow Daoist Chen must be going to attend the auction.”
Cen Linchuan offered a friendly reminder, “At the auctions in Thousand Mountains Market City, mediums for crafting second-rank, mid-grade talismans sometimes appear. Even mediums for second-rank, high-grade talismans show up occasionally. Fellow Daoist Chen could try his luck there.”
Chen Jianghe did a quick calculation of the time.
Today happened to be the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's New Year's Eve auction, one of the two held annually.
Cen Linchuan had given him a good reminder.
He could indeed go to the auction to try his luck.
However, he had to meet Gao Peiyao with Luo Xiyue today. He wasn't sure if he could make it to the auction.
“Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Cen. I'll take my leave.”
Chen Jianghe left the Talisman Master Alliance. He checked the time; there was still half an hour until a quarter past the hour of Wei.
He went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and went straight to the third floor, to the regular resource area for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
There were second-rank talisman brushes, second-rank spirit ink, Spirit Gathering Pills, and some other common second-rank spiritual items.
Slightly more precious resources would not be displayed openly for sale.
Chen Jianghe looked around.
He saw Soul-Solidifying Mud and Spirit-Nurturing Grass. After some deliberation, he decided to spend eight hundred spirit stones to buy ten portions.
The twenty-odd Black-Armored Turtles still needed two to three years to all advance to spirit beasts.
During this time, as his Jade Dew Flesh-Growing Incantation gradually reached perfection, he would free up an hour in his schedule.
Then, he could start cultivating the Soul Sea Origin Consolidation Scripture.
It was true that he had a long lifespan, but he wouldn't waste a single moment.
Because he now had the Spirit Spring Pearl, he spent five hours cultivating the Myriad Waters True Scripture.
Six hours were spent crafting second-rank talismans.
One hour was for cultivating the Jade Dew Flesh-Growing Incantation.
Alchemy was practiced in the time he squeezed out each month.
His Jade Dew Flesh-Growing Incantation would likely reach the perfection realm soon. At that point, he would have an extra hour.
He could then reduce the time spent on crafting second-rank talismans by another hour.
That would give him two hours to cultivate the Soul Sea Origin Consolidation Scripture.
Fortunately, cultivating the Myriad Waters True Scripture was also a way to rest and recuperate. Otherwise, he would have had a mental breakdown long ago.
When crafting second-rank talismans, he would also close his eyes and rest his mind while recovering his mental energy.
Therefore, Chen Jianghe had arranged his cultivation life very well.
Not a single moment was wasted.
After buying the Soul-Solidifying Mud and Spirit-Nurturing Grass, he went downstairs to the first floor of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, where he happened to see Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao, who had already met up.
“Brother Jianghe.”