Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: News of the Mystic Realm, Broadening Horizons
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On the first floor of the tavern, within a private booth set behind a screen, Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao were enjoying tea and conversation. They would occasionally cover their mouths and chuckle softly, their stunning beauty drawing the attention of others.
Even in the world of cultivation, the two women were peerless beauties of extraordinary looks and refined temperament.
Their skin was like jade, warm and flawless.
Their features were exquisite, perfectly proportioned, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Luo Xiyue wore a pale green and white gauze dress, exuding a cold and proud air, like a plum blossom in the snow—beautiful, yet unapproachable.
Gao Peiyao, on the other hand, was dressed in a snow-white long dress. A smile graced her face, her eyes curving like crescent moons, giving her a generous, easygoing, and approachable demeanor.
Just then, Chen Jianghe came downstairs, and his eyes met Gao Peiyao's.
"Brother Jianghe!"
She called out in a clear and affectionate voice.
A smile appeared on Chen Jianghe's face as he walked over to Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue.
"Fellow cultivator Chen?"
To the east of the screened booth, Cen Linchuan saw Chen Jianghe walk past and greeted him.
"Fellow cultivator Cen?"
Hearing the voice, Chen Jianghe turned and saw Cen Linchuan sitting nearby. He offered an apology, "I've just reunited with some friends. Please excuse me for now."
"Please, go ahead, fellow cultivator Chen."
Cen Linchuan smiled and nodded.
But when he saw Chen Jianghe walk toward Gao Peiyao's table, a look of astonishment crossed his face.
The old man sitting opposite Cen Linchuan also witnessed this scene, his expression shifting with emotion.
Just a moment ago, he had been using voice transmission to tell Cen Linchuan about the backgrounds of Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue.
"Linchuan, you know that man?"
"Replying to Third Grand-uncle, that fellow cultivator is named Chen Jianghe. He joined our Talisman Master Alliance five years ago. Just today, I invited him to join our Cen Clan, but he refused."
"Chen Jianghe?"
Cen Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then said, "If I'm not mistaken, he must be the Chen Jianghe who achieved Foundation Establishment at an advanced age."
"Elder Lan's prized disciple comes from a humble background. In her youth, she made a few friends, one of whom was named Chen Jianghe. Furthermore, this Chen Jianghe successfully reached Foundation Establishment at an old age, a feat that caused a sensation throughout the entire Tiannan region ten years ago."
"What?!"
Cen Linchuan was stunned. He couldn't help but look toward Gao Peiyao's booth. By now, Chen Jianghe had already sat down, and Cen Linchuan could just see his back.
"He's that Chen Jianghe who reached Foundation Establishment at an advanced age?"
Many cultivators had become desensitized to the name Chen Jianghe, and Cen Linchuan was no exception.
There were many cultivators in Thousand Mountains Market City named Chen Jianghe.
Indeed, many of the cultivators who had changed their names had successfully reached Foundation Establishment.
Thus, there was a running joke in Thousand Mountains Market City.
Changing your name to Chen Jianghe increases your chances of reaching Foundation Establishment by ten percent.
"According to our intelligence, Fairy Peiyao's childhood friend Chen Jianghe is a Talisman Master. The fellow cultivator Chen before us is also a Talisman Master. You even invited him to join the clan, which suggests he's already capable of creating mid-grade second-tier talismans."
"He is undoubtedly the Chen Jianghe who reached Foundation Establishment at an advanced age."
Cen Qingfeng said via voice transmission.
He was an elder of the Cen Clan, the younger brother of the current clan head, and Cen Linchuan's third grand-uncle.
He was in charge of the intelligence organizations for both the Talisman Master Alliance and the Cen Clan.
"To think he's the famous Chen Jianghe who reached Foundation Establishment at an old age. No wonder he's so close to Fairy Peiyao!"
Cen Linchuan thought to himself.
His opinion of Chen Jianghe had changed. He could no longer treat him as an ordinary rogue Talisman Master.
Cen Linchuan asked, "Third Grand-uncle, is that other fairy a disciple of the Tiannan Sect as well?"
"She is not a disciple of the Tiannan Sect. Her origins are mysterious, her cultivation is no less than yours, and she is a master artifact refiner."
Cen Qingfeng transmitted, "She is likely the reinforcement Fairy Peiyao has invited for the trial in the mystic realm."
These days, Thousand Mountains Market City was bustling with activity.
Many sect disciples and direct descendants of top immortal clans had arrived.
The reason they came to Thousand Mountains Market City was naturally because the mystic realm controlled by the Tiannan Sect was about to open.
This time, the entrance to the mystic realm would be within the Arctic Snow Forest.
Therefore, all the sect disciples qualified to enter the mystic realm trial had gathered in Thousand Mountains Market City.
As for why the direct descendants of the top immortal clans had come?
Naturally, they also wanted to enter the mystic realm for the trial.
They hoped to become reinforcements for the sect disciples, thereby gaining entry into the mystic realm to seek opportunities for Core Formation.
The mystic realm was controlled by the Tiannan Sect.
The four major immortal clans had no direct entry quotas, so if they wanted to enter, they needed the help of sect disciples.
"Linchuan, you can try to befriend Chen Jianghe and see if he can introduce you to Fairy Peiyao."
Cen Qingfeng suggested via voice transmission.
Hearing this, Cen Linchuan secretly shook his head. A spot for the mystic realm trial was incredibly precious.
It couldn't be bought even for a hundred thousand spirit stones.
He wasn't well-acquainted with Chen Jianghe, so why would the man make an introduction for him?
Besides, he didn't believe Chen Jianghe held that much weight in Gao Peiyao's eyes.
Their relationship was likely just that of old friends.
"When fellow cultivator Chen was creating the Falling Star Lightning Talisman at the Talisman Master Alliance, it took him over a month to complete. His cultivation should only be at the early Foundation Establishment stage."
"In that case, Fairy Peiyao certainly won't choose him as a reinforcement. Perhaps I can build a good relationship with him in the near future, offer some small benefits, and in return, gain a slightly better chance of entering the mystic realm."
Cen Linchuan's target wasn't just Gao Peiyao; all the sect disciples who had come to Thousand Mountains Market City were his targets.
As a local power in Thousand Mountains Market City, he had a good chance of entering the mystic realm.
And he had to enter.
Obtaining a Core Formation opportunity in the mystic realm was far simpler than finding one in the Arctic Snow Forest or the Boundless Sea.
At this moment.
Through his conversation with Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue, Chen Jianghe also learned some specific details about the mystic realm.
This time, the mystic realm would open in the Arctic Snow Forest, at a specific location three thousand miles directly north of Thousand Mountains Market City.
In other words, they would have to venture three thousand miles deep into the Arctic Snow Forest.
That was already the territory of third-tier demonic beasts.
However, to ensure the safe arrival of its disciples, the Tiannan Sect would dispatch three Core Formation elders.
The four major immortal clans would also each send a Core Formation mighty figure to Thousand Mountains Market City to escort these sect disciples.
Although the four major immortal clans had no fixed spots for the mystic realm trial, at least ten of their disciples would enter each time.
Therefore, it was only right that they contribute to the escort.
At the same time, Chen Jianghe learned just how precious the entry spots for this mystic realm trial were. Even the disciples of the top immortal clans were fighting desperately to get in.
Even if they couldn't obtain Core Formation resources.
They could still acquire cultivation resources needed for the Foundation Establishment stage.
In short, it was a rare opportunity.
There had been instances where disciples of top immortal clans offered a price of one hundred thousand spirit stones, yet no one was willing to transfer their spot.
This showed just how valuable it was.
Chen Jianghe couldn't help but laugh inwardly at his earlier thought.
He had actually considered giving his spot to Ruan Tieniu. If the disciples of the top immortal clans knew about this, they would probably be falling over themselves to become his sworn brother.
"My horizons are still too narrow, my understanding too shallow."
Chen Jianghe mocked himself inwardly.
"There are still thirteen years. That's enough time for me to cultivate to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and start planning for high-grade second-tier talismans."
"Xiao Hei can also break through to the mid-second tier, and even Maoqiu has a good chance."
"I currently have one second-tier water-attribute spirit core. If I can get three more, I'm confident I can get Maoqiu to the mid-second tier within these thirteen years."
From Gao Peiyao, he had learned the exact time of entry into the mystic realm.
Thirteen years wasn't a long time, but it gave him enough time to strengthen his life-saving trump cards.
He wasn't even thinking about obtaining a Core Formation opportunity in the mystic realm.
Just getting Foundation Establishment cultivation resources would be enough.
His demands were not high.
But the prerequisite was that his own safety had to be guaranteed.
"In the coming period, more and more young talents will be arriving in Thousand Mountains Market City. The spirit items at the auctions will become increasingly valuable."
"The treasures appearing at the trade fairs will also become more precious."
Gao Peiyao sent a voice transmission to Chen Jianghe and Luo Xiyue, advising them to plan their time carefully to enhance their life-saving measures as much as possible.
Once inside the mystic realm, life and death were in the hands of fate, and fortune was up to heaven.
As long as one was discreet, even a sect disciple could be killed.
Therefore, ample preparations were necessary before entering the mystic realm.
"After the mystic realm opens, how long will we be inside?" Luo Xiyue asked via voice transmission at this moment.
"I'm not sure about that. We will only know the specific duration after the mystic realm opens."
Gao Peiyao looked at Luo Xiyue and explained, "I heard from my master that the mystic realm is usually open for a period of three to six months."
Chen Jianghe was stunned upon hearing this.
He had thought they would be out in ten days at most after entering the mystic realm.
He hadn't expected the minimum duration to be three months.
This meant that after obtaining a treasure, one would have to hide in constant fear for three to six months.
Only after leaving the mystic realm and returning safely to the market city could the treasure truly be considered yours.
This was far too dangerous.
"If Xiao Hei can become a late-stage second-tier spirit beast, with his abnormal defensive divine ability, I won't have to worry about a thing."
"After I reach the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, I must focus on raising Xiao Hei's cultivation as much as possible."
Even with sufficient resources, he couldn't reach the late Foundation Establishment stage in thirteen years.
After all, his spirit root talent was a limitation.
No matter how many worldly spirit items he had, he still needed time to absorb and refine them. As someone with a five-element miscellaneous spirit root, his speed of refining spiritual energy was not fast.
It would take him five years just to refine the Spirit Spring Pearl.
Cultivating from the mid-Foundation Establishment stage to the late stage would require more than just one Spirit Spring Pearl.
But Xiao Hei was different.
As long as there were enough worldly spirit items and resources, Xiao Hei could rapidly increase his cultivation.
After chatting for a while longer.
Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao left Thousand Mountains Market City and returned to Golden Ao Mountain.
Chen Jianghe didn't go back; he was thinking about whether he could find any desirable treasures at the auction.
The auctions in Thousand Mountains Market City only started at a specific time, 7:15 in the evening, regardless of how precious the items were.
It was always at this time.
When 7:15 arrived.
Chen Jianghe followed a crowd of cultivators to the fifth-floor auction hall. The environment here was similar to the auction houses in Mirror Moon Market City and Ferry Market City.
They were all circular auction halls.
However, the auction in Thousand Mountains Market City was more like the one in Mirror Moon Market City, as the main hall was spacious and there weren't many private rooms.
The cultivators attending the auction were mostly at the Foundation Establishment stage, and they all sat in the main hall without distinction.
As for the dozen or so private rooms, they were reserved for the elders of the Tiannan Sect and the Core Formation mighty figures of the top immortal clans.
After entering the auction hall.
Chen Jianghe glanced around at the private rooms but saw that not a single one had its glass lamp lit.
Evidently, the quality of this auction was too low, and the Core Formation mighty figures didn't deign to attend.
"It's back to the situation in Mirror Moon Market City, where you have to raise your hand to bid."
Chen Jianghe sat down in a corner at the back. There was no bidding formation on his seat, which clearly meant they were back to the primitive bidding method.
It was far less advanced than in Ferry Market City.
There, they had bidding formations and a large gilded screen displaying the bid amounts.
However, on second thought, it made sense. Thousand Mountains Market City was different from Ferry Market City; fighting was not allowed here.
Incidents of robbery and murder were even less likely to occur.
As long as you won a treasure and didn't leave the territory of Thousand Mountains Market City, you didn't have to worry about being robbed.
Ferry Market City was a different story.
The moment you stepped out of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, you could be robbed of your treasure and left dead on the spot.
"Fellow cultivator Chen."
Cen Linchuan walked into the auction hall, noticed Chen Jianghe, and strode over to sit down beside him.
"Fellow cultivator Cen."
Chen Jianghe nodded in greeting and said no more, waiting for the auction to begin.
As for Cen Linchuan coming to sit next to him.
He wasn't an idiot; he could naturally guess the reason.
Gao Peiyao's identity as a sect disciple was no secret to the top-tier Core Formation immortal clans.
Now that the mystic realm was about to open, all the qualified sect disciples had gathered in Thousand Mountains Market City.
And he happened to have an excellent relationship with Gao Peiyao.
Back at the tavern, Gao Peiyao had even disregarded the presence of others and affectionately called him 'Brother Jianghe'.
This must have caught the eye of a direct descendant from a major clan like Cen Linchuan.
If things went as expected.
Cen Linchuan would try to befriend him next, and then ask him to act as a go-between to get acquainted with Gao Peiyao.
Chen Jianghe's friendship with Gao Peiyao wasn't just a year or two old.
He had some understanding of her personality.
Towards friends, she was generous and easygoing.
Towards strangers, she was indifferent and cold.
She might grant you a favor, but you couldn't go around using her name to conduct your affairs.
Cen Linchuan didn't deliberately try to get close to Chen Jianghe either. He let things take their natural course, hoping to improve their relationship if possible.
Even if they couldn't become friends, he couldn't afford to make an enemy of him.
From Cen Qingfeng, he had learned that Chen Jianghe's connections weren't limited to just the sect disciple Gao Peiyao.
He also had a close personal relationship with the master artifact refiner, Fairy Luo, and they had even rented Golden Ao Mountain together.
In his eyes, a Foundation Establishment disciple from the sect didn't carry much weight.
The Tiannan Sect had many Foundation Establishment disciples, but among dozens of them, it was rare for even one to become a Core Formation elder.
But a master artifact refiner was a different matter.
There were only three in all of Thousand Mountains Market City; including Luo Xiyue, that made four.
The artifact-refining Chen Clan had no more than a handful.
Befriending a master artifact refiner meant the possibility of obtaining a Spirit-Nurturing Dharma Tool in the future.
Cen Linchuan was a direct descendant of the Cen Clan, one of the three immortal clans backing Thousand Mountains Market City, and he was also a master of the talisman dao.
Yet, he only possessed a single Spirit-Nurturing offensive Dharma tool.
He didn't even have a Spirit-Nurturing defensive Dharma tool.
A quarter of an hour later.
The auction officially began.
"A female auctioneer?"
Chen Jianghe saw that the auctioneer who walked onto the stage was a female cultivator, with no fluctuations of magical power emanating from her.
Evidently, she was a Foundation Establishment female cultivator.
"Welcome, fellow cultivators, to this auction... This auction will feature a total of thirteen precious items."
"Let the auction begin."
"The first precious item is..."
When Chen Jianghe heard that there were only thirteen items, he was a bit puzzled. That was too few.
Even in Mirror Moon Market City, there were more than thirteen items at auction.
Ferry Market City had over forty.
Why did Thousand Mountains Market City, as the second-largest market city in the Tiannan region, have only thirteen items at its auction?
This seemed inconsistent with the city's status!
But when he heard that the very first item was a top-tier offensive Dharma tool, Chen Jianghe understood.
No wonder he hadn't seen a single Qi Refining cultivator at this auction.
It turned out that in Thousand Mountains Market City, only cultivation resources needed by Foundation Establishment cultivators could make it to the auction.
Unless it was a Foundation Establishment Pill, cultivation resources for Qi Refining cultivators would never appear at the auction.
Chen Jianghe wasn't interested in top-tier offensive Dharma tools.
The Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword in his hand was a Spirit-Nurturing offensive Dharma tool.
The second and third items were also top-tier offensive Dharma tools, selling for one thousand five hundred and twenty, one thousand five hundred and eighty, and one thousand seven hundred spirit stones, respectively.
Relatively speaking.
The selling price for top-tier Dharma tools in Thousand Mountains Market City was higher.
Perhaps it was because there were many Foundation Establishment cultivators in Thousand Mountains Market City, and it was bordered by the Arctic Snow Forest to the north and the Boundless Sea to the east.
The fourth to seventh items were top-tier defensive Dharma tools.
Their selling prices were also not low.
They sold for two thousand nine hundred and fifty, three thousand two hundred, three thousand two hundred and fifty, and four thousand one hundred spirit stones.
The top-tier defensive Dharma tool that sold for four thousand one hundred spirit stones was a full-body suit of battle armor.
The selling price for top-tier defensive Dharma tools was also higher than in Qinghe Market City.
It made sense when you thought about it.
With a top-tier defensive Dharma tool, one's chances of survival when venturing deep into the Arctic Snow Forest or the Boundless Sea would be much higher.
As long as you were alive, anything was possible.
Seeing that Chen Jianghe was completely unmoved by those top-tier defensive Dharma tools, Cen Linchuan couldn't help but speculate.
"It seems fellow cultivator Chen's relationship with Fairy Luo is profound; he is not lacking in top-tier defensive Dharma tools."
"I just don't know how close their relationship is. If they are dao companions, perhaps I could exchange some resources for an opportunity to have Fairy Luo refine an artifact."
Chen Jianghe was unaware of Cen Linchuan's thoughts. His gaze was fixed intently on the eighth item on the auction stage.
"Next, we will auction the eighth precious item. This is a piece of Azure Nether Stone, a spirit material for refining Spirit-Nurturing Dharma Tools. It is a rare find. Fortunate are the fellow cultivators who plan to refine a Spirit-Nurturing Dharma Tool."
"You must seize this opportunity. Once missed, it is equivalent to missing out on a Spirit-Nurturing Dharma Tool."
"The auction begins now. The starting price is five thousand spirit stones, and each bid must be at least one hundred spirit stones higher."
Listening to the female auctioneer's words, Chen Jianghe couldn't help but purse his lips. Although Azure Nether Stone was rare, it wasn't that precious.
It was true that Azure Nether Stone was a spirit material for refining Spirit-Nurturing Dharma Tools.
But it was only an auxiliary material.
However, with the female auctioneer's spiel, the selling price of the Azure Nether Stone was bound to rise a bit more.
"I have fifteen thousand, four hundred and sixty-five spirit stones. That should be enough."
No matter how high the value of the Azure Nether Stone, it couldn't possibly exceed ten thousand spirit stones.
Chen Jianghe didn't bid immediately, waiting for the other Foundation Establishment cultivators to start.
"Five thousand three hundred spirit stones."
"..."
"Five thousand seven hundred spirit stones~"
"Six thousand three hundred spirit stones."
"Six thousand four hundred spirit stones."
"..."
When the bidding reached six thousand three hundred spirit stones, it started to lose momentum, and the price struggled to climb higher.
No one was a fool; how could they be so easily swayed?
When the price reached six thousand seven hundred spirit stones, Chen Jianghe didn't wait any longer and directly bid seven thousand spirit stones.
He had raised the bid by three hundred spirit stones.
And no one else competed with him.
After all, spending seven thousand spirit stones on a material that wasn't even the main component for refining a Spirit-Nurturing Dharma Tool was indeed a bit of a waste.
"Illusory Spirit Jade, Hundred-Refined Wood, and Azure Nether Stone are all in hand. When I get back, I can ask Luo Xiyue to help me refine the special Dharma tool, 'Thousand Illusions'."
With Thousand Illusions, he could freely enter and exit the trade fairs.
Even if he traded for a treasure, his identity wouldn't be discovered.
Without Thousand Illusions, if a precious treasure in his possession were to be exposed, he wouldn't have to worry about his safety within the territory of Thousand Mountains Market City.
But what about after entering the mystic realm?
He would surely become a target.
Having spent seven thousand spirit stones, he was left with eight thousand four hundred and sixty-five spirit stones and twenty grains of spirit sand.
If he encountered high-grade second-tier spirit plant hide or the pelt of a late-stage second-tier demonic beast, he still had the capital to make a move.
When Cen Linchuan saw Chen Jianghe bid for the Azure Nether Stone.
His first thought was that Chen Jianghe was bidding for Fairy Luo.
Azure Nether Stone was an artifact refining material, and Fairy Luo was a master artifact refiner who would need it.
This further convinced him that the relationship between Chen Jianghe and Fairy Luo was anything but ordinary.
The ninth precious item was unexpectedly an Iceheart Herb. This was somewhat surprising to Chen Jianghe; he hadn't expected someone to auction such a treasure.
The starting price was absurdly high, shocking Chen Jianghe.
Three thousand spirit stones.
The starting price for a single Iceheart Herb was actually three thousand spirit stones.
He remembered that back in Qinghe Market City, Xu Feng and Xu Hong had valued the Iceheart Herb at two thousand spirit stones when they gave it to him.
Even the Iceheart Herb in Ruan Tieniu's possession was valued at two thousand spirit stones.
"Three thousand seven hundred spirit stones."
"Three thousand seven hundred and forty spirit stones."
"..."
"Four thousand two hundred spirit stones."
As Chen Jianghe listened to the price climb, he was both shocked and puzzled.
At the auction in Ferry Market City, an Iceheart Barrier-Breaking Pill had appeared, and its selling price was only seven thousand spirit stones.
There was no reason for an Iceheart Herb to reach four thousand spirit stones!
After another hundred breaths.
The price of the Iceheart Herb had actually climbed to five thousand spirit stones, leaving Chen Jianghe dumbfounded.
"Wait, how many spirit stones did Yun Xiaoniu actually spend to buy that Iceheart Herb back then?"
Chen Jianghe had originally thought that an Iceheart Herb was worth at most around two thousand five hundred spirit stones, but the bidding for the one before him had already surpassed five thousand.
"No, I can't calculate its value based on that Iceheart Barrier-Breaking Pill from Ferry Market City. That was bait to catch a fish."
"Anyone with discerning eyes could see that, so they wouldn't bid."
"Seven thousand spirit stones was not the true value of the Iceheart Barrier-Breaking Pill."
"The true price of an Iceheart Barrier-Breaking Pill should be over ten thousand spirit stones."
Once Chen Jianghe sorted out his thoughts, he also became interested in the Iceheart Herb being auctioned.
He had one stalk, and Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan had another.
If he could obtain one more, that would make three Iceheart Herbs.
If all of them were successfully refined, he would have nine Iceheart Barrier-Breaking Pills, worth over one hundred thousand spirit stones.
Even if only two batches were successful, or even just one, it would still be a profit.
Most importantly, he had his own master alchemist resource. He didn't need to beg others, nor did he need to share the Iceheart Barrier-Breaking Pills or pay a fee in spirit stones.
Of course.
If he refined nine... or six Iceheart Barrier-Breaking Pills, he wouldn't mind splitting them evenly with Jiang Ruxu.
That way, he could also help the two women earn some spirit stones.