Chapter 212
Chapter 212
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: Mystic Realm Requirements, Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice
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“A mystic realm?”
Chen Jianghe looked surprised. He hadn't expected Ruan Tieniu to bring up the matter of a mystic realm.
When he went upstairs, he had indeed heard those spirit thieves discussing a mystic realm.
He had even heard them mention sect disciples killing spirit thieves and seizing worldly spiritual items.
“Yes, what those spirit thieves said wasn't false. The Tiannan Sect's mystic realm, which opens once every thirty years, is about to open. And this time, the entrance is in the Arctic Snow Forest, three thousand miles north of Thousand Mountains Market City.”
Ruan Tieniu’s expression was grave, and his tone grew serious as he spoke to Chen Jianghe.
“Our bond as brothers is deep, so I won’t hide some secrets from you, brother. Lately, many new Foundation Establishment cultivators have appeared in Thousand Mountains Market City, all of them here for the mystic realm.”
“Most of them are sect disciples, along with direct descendants of top-tier immortal clans. So, Brother Chen, you must not get into any disputes with unfamiliar faces when you go out recently.”
Chen Jianghe listened to Ruan Tieniu without interrupting, taking it all in.
“The mystic realms in the Tiannan Domain are all controlled by the Tiannan Sect. For the mystic realm that opens every thirty years, the Tiannan Sect will send over twenty Core Formation prospects with immense potential, thirty at most.”
“But these Foundation Establishment disciples can invite cultivators from outside the sect to enter the mystic realm with them to help them compete for the opportunity of Core Formation. However, each sect disciple can only invite two external allies.”
“Brother Chen might not know this, but the mystic realm not only contains resources for Core Formation, but also many worldly spiritual items needed by Foundation Establishment cultivators for their training.”
Chen Jianghe nodded from time to time as he listened, comparing this information with what he already knew.
He refilled Ruan Tieniu’s cup and continued to listen to him explain the matters of the mystic realm.
It seemed Ruan Tieniu was very familiar with the mystic realm.
He must have done his research and asked around.
“Brother Chen, do you know what kind of cultivators those sect disciples usually invite as allies?”
Ruan Tieniu gave a mysterious smile.
Chen Jianghe pondered for a moment before saying, “Sect disciples who want to obtain the opportunity for Core Formation in the mystic realm would probably invite descendants of top-tier immortal clans!”
Descendants of top-tier immortal clans had well-rounded cultivation, along with corresponding dharma artifacts and spirit pets.
They were all powerful allies.
They could provide more effective help to the sect disciples in competing for the opportunity of Core Formation.
“For you to say that, Brother Chen, it seems Fairy Peiyao has not yet mentioned the mystic realm to you,” Ruan Tieniu said with a smile.
“What do you mean?”
Chen Jianghe was taken aback, a look of astonishment on his face.
“When sect disciples seek external help, strength is secondary. Character and conduct are the top priorities.”
Ruan Tieniu said with a chuckle, “The mystic realm is isolated from the outside world. Even sect disciples can perish inside.”
“With the opportunity for Core Formation right before them, those powerful external allies will inevitably be overcome with greed.”
Hearing Ruan Tieniu's words, Chen Jianghe nodded thoughtfully in agreement.
The sect disciples entering the mystic realm were all at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and some possessed Spirit-Nurturing Artifacts.
But not all of them.
Some sect disciples were still using peak-grade dharma artifacts.
If a late-stage Foundation Establishment disciple obtained the opportunity for Core Formation and only had a peak-grade dharma artifact…
And he had no spirit pet, nor any Talisman Treasures.
But the ally he invited possessed a Spirit-Nurturing Artifact, a late-stage second-rank spirit pet, and a Talisman Treasure.
That late-stage Foundation Establishment sect disciple would very likely meet with an accident and trip and fall to his death.
Therefore, when sect disciples invited external help, they generally looked for Foundation Establishment cultivators who were weaker than themselves and whom they could control.
Those sect disciples who invited direct descendants of top-tier immortal clans as allies were themselves exceptionally powerful.
They could intimidate the descendants of the top-tier immortal clans.
Take Gao Peiyao inviting Luo Xiyue, for example. Chen Jianghe didn't know how strong Gao Peiyao was.
But he knew exactly how strong Luo Xiyue was!
A grandmaster artifact refiner who had given Chen Jianghe three peak-grade dharma artifacts, all of which were Spirit-Nurturing Artifacts—how could she not have a Spirit-Nurturing Artifact herself?
That Remnant Snow Sword was probably a dharma treasure embryo.
Most importantly, Luo Xiyue had personally told Chen Jianghe that both she and Gao Peiyao possessed Talisman Treasures.
Luo Xiyue's strength was already so formidable.
Gao Peiyao's strength certainly wouldn't be inferior to Luo Xiyue's. Otherwise, no matter how deep their friendship as bosom friends was, greed would surely arise in the face of the opportunity for Core Formation.
Therefore, it was highly likely that Gao Peiyao was even slightly stronger than Luo Xiyue.
“Brother Chen, you need to contact Fairy Peiyao more often in the near future and do your best to secure a chance to enter the mystic realm.”
“Brother Chen is a loyal and righteous person. Now that you know about the mystic realm, as long as you plead with Fairy Peiyao, I believe you can obtain this opportunity.”
Ruan Tieniu said earnestly.
“Thank you for telling me, Brother Ruan.”
Chen Jianghe nodded in deep agreement.
Before, he didn't know what the mystic realm meant to a cultivator and had even considered giving this opportunity to Ruan Tieniu.
Now, as his horizons broadened and his knowledge grew, he would naturally seize this chance.
It was just that this heaven-sent opportunity was about to pass Ruan Tieniu by.
However, Ruan Tieniu's next words left Chen Jianghe utterly astonished.
“I hope Brother Chen can enter the mystic realm. At that time, we might have a chance to cooperate, which would greatly increase our chances of obtaining worldly spiritual items.”
“Brother Ruan, do you mean you’ve already become an ally for a Tiannan Sect disciple?”
“Originally, I only had a hope, but now with this Ice Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill from you, Brother Chen, I have full confidence that I’ll be chosen by a sect disciple, hehe~”
“Uh… good, that’s great!”
Hearing that Ruan Tieniu had actually secured a spot to enter the mystic realm, Chen Jianghe was momentarily unsure whether to be happy or worried.
His friendship with Ruan Tieniu was decent enough.
If they were in the mystic realm together, it stood to reason that they could look out for each other, which would increase their safety.
Their two groups could even form an alliance.
But while others might not know Ruan Tieniu's history, he certainly did!
When Ruan Tieniu was the head of a demon hunting team in Qinghe Market City, his team members were replaced almost every five years.
He went deep into the Youxian Mountain Range with the Xu brothers.
They did obtain treasures, it was true, but the Xu brothers almost died in there, while Ruan Tieniu emerged unscathed.
When they fled from the Beast Taming Market City, all seven of the fellow cultivators who accompanied Ruan Tieniu died.
This made Chen Jianghe suspect that Ruan Tieniu was cursed with a solitary star.
“Ruan Tieniu has some secrets, but I also know the Blood River Escape Art he uses. Besides, Xiao Hei’s Profound Earth Rock-Splitting Escape can be used continuously and is no worse than the Blood River Escape Art.”
“Furthermore, with Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue around, Ruan Tieniu’s bit of strength won’t be enough to cause any trouble.”
“Even if we encounter danger, the three of us won't be the ones left behind.”
After weighing the situation in his mind, Chen Jianghe felt that Ruan Tieniu entering the mystic realm would be mostly beneficial to him.
There were drawbacks, but they could all be suppressed.
He chatted with Ruan Tieniu for another quarter of an hour.
Chen Jianghe gained a clearer understanding of the so-called mystic realm trial of the Tiannan Sect.
Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage were not allowed to enter this mystic realm trial that opened once every thirty years.
He wouldn't have to worry about threats from Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators.
Furthermore, second-rank perfection spirit beasts were also unable to enter the mystic realm.
After learning of these conditions, Chen Jianghe instantly felt that the mystic realm trial wasn't too dangerous after all.
He only needed to be wary of those Foundation Establishment cultivators who possessed Talisman Treasures.
But with powerful cultivators like Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue taking the lead, he didn't need to worry too much.
Besides, he still had Xiao Hei.
After bidding farewell to Ruan Tieniu, Chen Jianghe left the Spirit Thief Teahouse.
He flew towards the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
He planned to purchase another fifty portions of Soul-Fixing Clay and Spirit-Nurturing Grass.
Although half of the twenty-odd black-armored turtles had become spirit beasts, their cultivation levels were too low to withstand the needs of his training.
He still needed to supplement with Soul-Fixing Clay and Spirit-Nurturing Grass.
He needed to reach the fifth layer of the Soul Sea Origin-Consolidating Scripture as soon as possible. If he could reach the sixth layer before entering the mystic realm, that would be for the best.
It would give him an extra means of self-preservation.
Arriving at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, he purchased fifty portions of Soul-Fixing Clay and Spirit-Nurturing Grass, spending a total of four thousand spirit stones.
Now, he had thirteen thousand nine hundred and forty-one spirit stones and twenty grains of spirit sand left.
“My soul essence is stronger than cultivators of the same rank, so my consumption of Soul-Fixing Clay and Spirit-Nurturing Grass is also quite high. Fifty portions will last me three years at most.”
“If I cultivate my physical body later on, the spirit stones I'm earning now will once again be insufficient.”
“Fortunately, the Dragon Pattern Red Pine is about to advance to the second-rank, high-grade. By then, I'll be able to draw second-rank, mid-grade talismans, which will elevate my talisman income to a whole new level.”
After purchasing his cultivation resources, Chen Jianghe left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
Just as he stepped out of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, he ran into Cen Linchuan.
“Fellow Cultivator Cen.”
Coming face to face, Chen Jianghe greeted him with a smile.
“Fellow Cultivator Chen?”
A hint of joy flashed in Cen Linchuan’s eyes when he saw Chen Jianghe. He hadn’t seen Chen Jianghe in a very long time.
He wanted to befriend Chen Jianghe.
But due to his status, he wouldn't deliberately go out of his way to curry favor with Chen Jianghe.
However, with only eleven years left until the mystic realm opened, he was in dire need of a Spirit-Nurturing defensive artifact.
As for the spot to enter the mystic realm, the elders of his clan had already arranged it for him.
“Fellow Cultivator Chen, you’ve been coming to the Talisman Master Alliance less frequently lately!”
As Cen Linchuan spoke, he made a gesture of invitation towards Chen Jianghe, and they went to a private booth by a screen in the Hundred Treasures Restaurant.
He ordered a pot of top-grade Immortal Spirit Wine and two spiritual dishes.
“I’m struggling to make ends meet with spirit stones, so I dare not waste a single moment,” Chen Jianghe said with a helpless, bitter smile.
What he said was not untrue.
Working hard to draw talismans, plant Immortal Crystal Rice, and raise spirit fish—wasn't it all to earn spirit stones?
A direct descendant of a Core Formation Immortal Clan like Cen Linchuan, however, had no such worries about spirit stones.
“Fellow Cultivator, you could cooperate with the Talisman Master Alliance. With your skill in the Dao of Talismans, I imagine you can already draw second-rank, mid-grade talismans.”
“The Talisman Master Alliance will provide the materials, and you will draw the talismans. We’ll split the profits seventy-thirty, with you getting seventy percent and the Alliance thirty. How about it?”
Cen Linchuan said with a smile as he looked at Chen Jianghe.
“I’m afraid that’s not appropriate. Wouldn’t the Alliance be taking a huge loss that way?”
Chen Jianghe shook his head.
He had spent a fair amount of time at the Talisman Master Alliance and knew a thing or two about the prices of second-rank, mid-grade talismans.
A second-rank, mid-grade offensive talisman was worth two thousand spirit stones.
A second-rank, mid-grade defensive talisman was worth two thousand five hundred spirit stones.
A second-rank, mid-grade escape talisman was worth three thousand five hundred spirit stones and was hard to come by.
The materials for drawing offensive and defensive talismans were easier to find, but the materials for escape talismans were relatively rare.
However, Chen Jianghe didn't have this concern. As long as the Dragon Pattern Red Pine advanced to the second-rank, high-grade, he would have the materials to draw second-rank, mid-grade escape talismans.
As for cooperating with the Talisman Master Alliance?
A seventy-thirty split was indeed very favorable for him.
But good things don't just fall from the sky.
Why would Cen Linchuan offer him such a generous deal for no reason?
He must be asking for something.
Most likely, he wanted him to help introduce him to Gao Peiyao to obtain a spot to enter the mystic realm from her.
Not to mention that Gao Peiyao's spots were already taken by him and Luo Xiyue.
Even if he weren't going.
He wouldn't recommend Cen Linchuan, because he wasn't familiar with him.
Previously, the reason he recommended Ruan Tieniu was because he was somewhat familiar with him. As for Ruan Tieniu being a bit of a jinx?
In front of Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue, trying any tricks would be suicide.
That ice beauty Luo Xiyue didn't tolerate any nonsense!
But Cen Linchuan was different.
He was a direct descendant of a Core Formation Immortal Clan and had unfathomable trump cards, which could potentially pose a threat to Gao Peiyao.
“What’s inappropriate about it? Fellow Cultivator is also a talisman master of the Talisman Master Alliance. Offering favorable terms to you is a benefit the Alliance provides to every talisman master.”
Cen Linchuan said with a faint smile.
Chen Jianghe chuckled inwardly. The Talisman Master Alliance offering favorable terms to every talisman master? It was a good day if they weren't sucking you dry.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to provide you with any help.”
Chen Jianghe said as he stood up.
“Fellow Cultivator, please wait.”
Cen Linchuan also rose to his feet. No longer beating around the bush, he said, “To be honest with you, Fellow Cultivator, I’ve heard that you are acquainted with Fairy Luo. I would like to ask you to act as an intermediary and request that Fairy Luo refine a Spirit-Nurturing Artifact for me.”
“Refine a Spirit-Nurturing Artifact?”
Chen Jianghe was inwardly astonished. He had thought Cen Linchuan was after Gao Peiyao, but it turned out he wanted to ask Luo Xiyue to refine an artifact.
“As long as you can persuade Fairy Luo to refine the artifact, I can give you a mid-grade Origin Spirit Pill.”
Cen Linchuan took a deep breath, increasing the reward.
The Origin Spirit Pill was a second-rank, high-grade spirit pill.
The main ingredient for refining the Origin Spirit Pill was an absorbable worldly spiritual item. Because the quality of these worldly spiritual items varied…
The quality of the Origin Spirit Pills also varied.
Although they were all second-rank, high-grade, they were divided into high, mid, and low grades.
The two Origin Spirit Pills that appeared at the auction were both high-grade because their main ingredient was a quasi-third-rank spiritual item, the Thousand-Year Ice Jade Ginseng.
If the Spirit Spring Pearl in Chen Jianghe's possession were used to refine Origin Spirit Pills, they would be low-grade Origin Spirit Pills.
The quality of an Origin Spirit Pill was closely related to the spiritual item used as its main ingredient.
“I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Fellow Cultivator. I am not well-acquainted with Fairy Luo; we just happen to be co-tenants on Golden Turtle Mountain.”
Chen Jianghe offered his apologies and turned to leave the Hundred Treasures Restaurant.
He wanted him to help ask Luo Xiyue to refine an artifact for just one mid-grade Origin Spirit Pill?
Was he looking down on Spirit-Nurturing Artifacts? Or did he think he was ignorant?
To get Chen Jianghe to help ask Luo Xiyue, Ruan Tieniu had directly promised an absorbable worldly spiritual item.
Even if it was a second-rank, high-grade absorbable worldly spiritual item, on par with his Spirit Spring Pearl.
It was still worth two to three times as much as a mid-grade Origin Spirit Pill.
“It seems I can’t get too close to these so-called immortal clan descendants. They have no sincerity in their dealings. How laughable.”
Chen Jianghe left Thousand Mountains Market City.
As he neared Golden Turtle Mountain, he extended his spiritual sense into a long, narrow canyon.
With a thought.
Thousand Illusions covered his face, changing at his will.
A watery mist rose, and Chen Jianghe's attire also changed.
Looking at his reflection on the river's surface, a half-mask covered his face below the eyes, and he wore a familiar-looking blue-green brocade robe.
It was exactly Ji Wujin’s attire from Qinghe Market City.
Immediately, Chen Jianghe flew out from the other side of the canyon, turned back towards the market city, and arrived at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
He went directly to the Barter Exchange Hall on the fourth floor.
First, he walked around, looking for resources he could use.
“A medium for drawing second-rank, mid-grade talismans? A pity there’s no medium for second-rank, high-grade talismans.”
Chen Jianghe saw a sign in front of a cultivator, on which was written: one hide of a late-stage second-rank demon beast.
The cultivator wanted to trade it for a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, a Flesh-Growing Bone-Mending Pill, plus two thousand spirit stones.
It seemed like a lot to ask for.
But it was reasonable.
A complete hide of a late-stage second-rank demon beast was indeed quite valuable.
It could be used to refine dharma artifacts or to draw talismans.
If Chen Jianghe were to obtain it, the area over the heart of this late-stage second-rank demon beast hide could be cut into three portions of material for drawing second-rank, mid-grade talismans.
The rest could be cut into twenty portions of material for drawing second-rank, low-grade talismans.
“Fellow Cultivator, can the Foundation Establishment Pill be substituted with spirit stones?”
Chen Jianghe asked via voice transmission.
He had a Mountain-Suppressing Bone-Mending Pill and a Dew-Condensing Flesh-Growing Pill, which could substitute for the Flesh-Growing Bone-Mending Pill.
But he didn't have a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill.
The middle-aged cultivator said nothing, merely shaking his head.
Chen Jianghe didn't press the matter and continued to search for usable cultivation resources and talisman-drawing materials.
He noticed that many of the trade conditions included a Foundation Establishment Pill, showing that it was a hard currency even among Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Not every cultivator was a lone wolf; many had Dao companions and descendants. They sought Foundation Establishment Pills for their offspring.
Of course, some were for their disciples.
“A second-rank puppet?”
Chen Jianghe stopped in his tracks, looking at the description on the sign.
It was a second-rank, low-grade puppet, and the owner wanted to trade it for an Ice Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill.
In the past, Chen Jianghe might have made the trade, but now that he knew the value of the Ice Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill.
He certainly wouldn't trade for it.
A second-rank, low-grade puppet, at its absolute best, was worth eight to ten thousand spirit stones.
The true price of a single Ice Heart Grass was almost comparable to a second-rank, low-grade puppet, let alone the Ice Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill.
Immediately, Chen Jianghe resumed his browsing.
The Barter Exchange Hall on the fourth floor was very large. Chen Jianghe wandered around for half an hour and still hadn't seen everything.
Each sign represented a precious spiritual item.
Suddenly!
Chen Jianghe's gaze was drawn to a sign. He couldn't help but look twice, a surprised expression on his face.
“A second-rank, peak-grade spiritual item, the Spirit Gathering Fruit?!”
The Spirit Gathering Fruit was an absorbable spiritual item. It didn't grow on trees but was formed by the condensation of spiritual energy in unique locations and special environments.
It was similar to the Spirit Spring Pearl.
However, the Spirit Gathering Fruit was of a higher grade, containing more and purer spiritual energy.
If a Spirit Gathering Fruit were used to refine Origin Spirit Pills, one furnace could produce five mid-grade Origin Spirit Pills.
Its value was immeasurable.
It couldn't be measured in spirit stones.
“He actually wants to trade it for a water-attribute Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifact!”
The Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword in Chen Jianghe's hand was indeed a water-attribute Spirit-Nurturing artifact, but he wouldn't trade it.
The Spirit Gathering Fruit was certainly precious.
But compared to the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword, it was still slightly inferior.
This was a Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifact that Luo Xiyue had meticulously crafted for him, and it also possessed a powerful ice attribute.
Its value was even higher.
Without lingering, Chen Jianghe continued his search for spiritual items that suited him.
After making a full circle, Chen Jianghe found a dozen or so spiritual items he could use, many of which were materials for drawing talismans.
Either their value was too high.
Or the conditions were too demanding.
He even saw a medium for drawing second-rank, high-grade talismans: Thunder Spirit Wood.
This was a material that could be used to draw second-rank, high-grade lightning-attribute talismans and could be cut into three portions.
But the other party wanted to trade it for a mid-grade Origin Spirit Pill.
Where was Chen Jianghe supposed to find a mid-grade Origin Spirit Pill for him?
Even if he had a worldly spiritual item that could enhance his cultivation, he couldn't refine an Origin Spirit Pill.
Jiang Ruxu was currently only just able to refine second-rank, mid-grade spirit pills. To refine second-rank, high-grade spirit pills? There was still a long way to go.
If an absorbable spiritual item was refined into Origin Spirit Pills, its effects would be greatly enhanced.
For example, if the Spirit Spring Pearl were refined into Origin Spirit Pills, one furnace could produce five pills. With the addition of supplementary ingredients…
The efficacy of the Spirit Spring Pearl could be increased by thirty percent.
In other words, directly absorbing the Spirit Spring Pearl was only equivalent to consuming three and a half Origin Spirit Pills.
But he had no connections with a second-rank, high-grade grandmaster alchemist.
Even if he did, he would need to pay them one Origin Spirit Pill and purchase the supplementary ingredients himself.
When all was said and done, he wouldn't save any spirit stones.
He might as well just absorb the worldly spiritual item directly.
If Jiang Ruxu could refine Origin Spirit Pills, he would naturally have her do it. That way, Jiang Ruxu could have an extra Origin Spirit Pill for her own cultivation.
He wouldn't lose out either.
It would be a win-win situation.
“Hmm? Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice!”
Just as Chen Jianghe was about to leave the Barter Exchange Hall, he noticed a cultivator had just put up a new sign.
On it was written, in bold letters, Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice.
Chen Jianghe needed Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice as an ice source to cultivate the forbidden art, Absolute Ice Seal. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to cultivate this incredibly powerful forbidden art.
Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice sounded very impressive.
In fact, there was a lot of it in the Arctic Snow Forest. According to the records in the "Arctic Snow Forest Atlas," there was a great deal of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice in the Ancient Ice Caverns, three thousand five hundred miles deep into the Arctic Snow Forest.
However, a nest of Frosty Triangle Pythons lived there, and five of them were already adults.
Adult meant they had reached the second-rank, mid-stage.
Of course, successfully condensing a demon core also meant adulthood, so the "Arctic Snow Forest Atlas" record wasn't very clear.
Furthermore, three thousand miles deep into the Arctic Snow Forest was the territory of third-rank demon beasts, so the Frosty Triangle Pythons occupying the Ancient Ice Caverns must have some that had cultivated to the third-rank Core Condensation level.
Therefore, Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice wasn't rare, but it was very difficult to obtain.
“Fellow Cultivator, one Ice Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill plus five thousand spirit stones. Would that be an acceptable trade?”
Chen Jianghe asked via voice transmission.
The exchange requirement for this piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice was one genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, one Ice Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill, and one Youth-Preserving Pill.
He had the Ice Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill.
But he didn't have the Foundation Establishment Pill or the Youth-Preserving Pill.
However, the auction price for a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill was around three thousand five hundred spirit stones.
As for the Youth-Preserving Pill, it was about one thousand five hundred spirit stones.
His offer of five thousand spirit stones was a perfect match in value.