Chapter 216
Chapter 216
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 216
Chapter Title: A Request from the Zhou Clan's Maiden, the Frost Python Hatches
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"One Thunder Rush Talisman and two Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans?"
The brothers, Xu Feng and Xu Hong, exchanged a glance, both revealing their delight. They were well aware of the value of the treasures they had brought out.
Three sheets of second-tier mid-grade spirit hide were worth around fifteen hundred spirit stones.
The second-tier five-element spirit core and the second-tier low-grade escape talisman were equal in value, which was fourteen hundred spirit stones.
The second-tier ice-element spirit core was relatively more valuable, capable of selling for eighteen hundred spirit stones in Thousand Mountains Market City.
The total value of the three spirit cores was forty-six hundred spirit stones.
The Purple Glow Vermilion Fruit was two thousand spirit stones.
That came to a total of eighty-one hundred spirit stones.
One second-tier mid-grade attack talisman was worth two thousand spirit stones.
One second-tier mid-grade escape talisman was worth thirty-five hundred spirit stones.
It seemed as though the brothers were getting the short end of the stick.
However, the Thunder Rush Talisman was a lightning-element escape talisman, worth no less than four thousand spirit stones.
In other words, Chen Jianghe was conducting a fair trade with them, not taking advantage of them.
If it were any other Talisman Master, they would have certainly demanded an extra thousand spirit stones.
It couldn't be helped; rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators lacked connections with Talisman Masters, and Chen Jianghe undoubtedly filled that gap for them.
"Thank you, Talisman Master Chen. We brothers are willing to make the exchange."
The Xu brothers, Feng and Hong, cupped their fists in gratitude toward Chen Jianghe.
Having a connection with a Talisman Master who wouldn't swindle them was a great stroke of luck.
It would allow them to save a great many spirit stones.
Their chances of survival when entering the Arctic Snow Forest and the Boundless Sea would also increase significantly.
"It is merely a trade. Why the need for thanks?"
Chen Jianghe let out a soft chuckle.
He wouldn't take advantage of the Xu brothers. They were cultivators who risked their lives venturing out for resources.
Although he wouldn't do it himself, he greatly admired these spirit plunderers.
Besides, he also needed the Xu brothers to fight for resources for him on the outside. Though he already had Ruan Tieniu, having another connection with a spirit plunderer opened up more possibilities.
If, by some chance, the Xu brothers were lucky enough to obtain a spiritual object of heaven and earth that could be absorbed and wanted to trade it, he would be the first person they thought of.
Though the probability was very small.
But no matter how small, he had to keep that possibility open. Who knew? It might bring him a pleasant surprise one day.
After the trade was complete, Xu Feng and Xu Hong didn't linger. They rose, bid their farewells, and left, returning to the market city to prepare for their trip to the Boundless Sea.
"I hope those two brothers return safely and find more spiritual objects of heaven and earth," Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
An hour later.
Chen Jianghe also left Golden Ao Mountain and headed to the market city to purchase some cultivation resources.
The Soul-Consolidating Clay and Spirit-Nourishing Grass were all used up.
He needed to buy more.
His spiritual cultivation could not be neglected. The stronger his soul essence, the more powerful his mind, and the easier it would be to draw talismans.
The time needed for spirit infusion would also be reduced.
Arriving at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
Chen Jianghe went straight to the third floor, walked up to the spiritual materials counter, and asked for fifty portions of Soul-Consolidating Clay and Spirit-Nourishing Grass.
It cost him four thousand spirit stones.
He estimated it would last him for two years of cultivation.
However, it would depend on the consumption rate for cultivating the fifth level of the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture. If constructing the soul sea barrier consumed too much...
...these fifty portions might very well be used up in just one year.
He then sold the damaged hide of the second-tier perfected demonic beast, as he had already cut out all the parts suitable for drawing talismans.
Thus, its value wasn't very high.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, my authority only allows me to add another two hundred spirit stones. What do you think? Are you willing to sell?"
Chen Ping examined the spirit fox hide. The areas over the heart, under the forelegs, and on the abdomen had all been neatly cut away.
This reduced the value of the second-tier perfected spirit fox hide to less than a tenth of its original worth.
The Hundred Treasures Pavilion had offered thirteen hundred spirit stones.
Out of a desire to befriend Chen Jianghe, Chen Ping had raised the price by two hundred spirit stones.
Hearing the price Chen Ping quoted, Chen Jianghe nodded. He knew it was already a very high offer.
He had already cut off all the valuable parts.
"Uncle Jianghe."
Just then, a soft and charming voice called out.
It was Zhou Xiaoxuan, descending from the third floor of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Seeing Chen Jianghe talking with Chen Ping on the second floor, she glided over gracefully and called out to him.
"Xiaoxuan."
Chen Jianghe looked at the captivating descendant of his old acquaintance, smiled, and nodded in greeting.
Chen Ping was momentarily dazed upon seeing Zhou Xiaoxuan, but quickly stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Greetings, Fairy Zhou."
"Manager Chen, what transaction are you discussing with my uncle?"
When Zhou Xiaoxuan looked at Chen Ping, the allure in her phoenix eyes was gone, replaced by a noble, icy detachment.
Like a fairy as cold as frost.
It was no wonder she acted this way.
Zhou Xiaoxuan was an inner sect Foundation Establishment disciple of the Tiannan Sect. She was heavily nurtured by her master and was expected to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment before the age of eighty, becoming one of the sect's Core Formation prospects.
As for Chen Ping's status?
To put it bluntly, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was one of the businesses under the Tiannan Sect, and Chen Ping was just a manager there.
He could be considered a household servant of the Tiannan Sect.
Zhou Xiaoxuan, as a Core Formation prospect, was akin to a sect's young mistress.
Though both were Foundation Establishment cultivators, their statuses were worlds apart.
Most importantly, Zhou Xiaoxuan was one of the three associate supervisors of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Thousand Mountains Market City, making her Chen Ping's direct superior.
"Fellow Daoist Chen brought a second-tier perfected demonic beast hide, and this subordinate was helping to appraise it and set a purchase price."
As Chen Ping spoke, he took out the spirit fox hide Chen Jianghe had given him for appraisal and spread it before Zhou Xiaoxuan.
It was a symbolic gesture, letting her have a look.
Zhou Xiaoxuan glanced at it and asked directly, "What price did you set?"
"Fellow Daoist Chen's second-tier perfected spirit fox hide is of rather good quality. I was prepared to add two hundred spirit stones to the acquisition price."
"Add another five hundred!"
Zhou Xiaoxuan said, then waved her hand at Chen Ping, gesturing for him to do as she instructed.
She then walked over to Chen Jianghe's side.
"Uncle Jianghe, if you have any business with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, you can come find Xuan'er." Zhou Xiaoxuan's cold tone suddenly changed, becoming soft and delicate, a stark contrast to before, as if she were a different person.
"Mm, alright."
Chen Jianghe nodded. He naturally wouldn't refuse Zhou Xiaoxuan's gesture of goodwill.
He had given Zhou Xiaoxuan a Meteor Falling Thunder Talisman back then precisely to foster a good connection, thinking it might be useful in the future.
Now, it seemed Zhou Xiaoxuan indeed had potential.
If her master wasn't a sinister character, she had a good chance of reaching the late stage of Foundation Establishment and entering a secret realm to seek an opportunity for Core Formation.
A moment later, Chen Ping returned, having handled everything, and brought Chen Jianghe two thousand spirit stones.
As he looked at Chen Jianghe, a hint of envy appeared in his eyes.
He had thought Chen Jianghe was connected to Fairy Peiyao, a sect disciple, but he never imagined he also had a connection with Fairy Zhou of Sunset Cloud Peak.
Outsiders didn't know what Sunset Cloud Peak represented.
But as a manager of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Chen Ping was aware of Sunset Cloud Peak's background.
The Tiannan Sect had twelve main peaks, representing the twelve main lineages of the sect. The Sect Master was chosen from among these twelve peaks.
Nine peaks in the Southern Gate, three peaks in the Northern Gate.
This meant the Tiannan Sect's Southern Gate, south of the Sky-Reaching River, had nine main peak lineages, while the Northern Gate, north of the river, had three.
After several thousand years of inheritance, the Tiannan Sect had disciples from forty-eight peaks: twelve main peak lineages and thirty-six branch peak lineages.
Sunset Cloud Peak was one of the twelve main peaks.
It was just that in the last millennium, Sunset Cloud Peak had suffered a talent gap. Its Peak Lords had all been perfected Foundation Establishment cultivators, without even a single False Core Adept.
Even so, Sunset Cloud Peak had a profound heritage, and its disciples received abundant resources.
Moreover, the current Peak Lord of Sunset Cloud Peak was a remarkable individual. Though only at perfected Foundation Establishment, even the Core Formation elders were wary of him.
Zhou Xiaoxuan was the Peak Lord's disciple. Her master was not a Core Formation elder, but his influence within the Tiannan Sect was even greater than that of an ordinary Core Formation elder.
"If my face weren't scarred, I might have joined the Tiannan Sect by now. Alas, such is fate."
Chen Ping sighed helplessly in his heart.
He bowed to Zhou Xiaoxuan and Chen Jianghe, then walked away, not daring to disturb their conversation.
"Uncle Jianghe, shall we go to the Thousand Mountains Restaurant for a chat? Xuan'er has a favor to ask."
Zhou Xiaoxuan moved closer to Chen Jianghe, her beautiful eyes shimmering. As her lovely face drew near, a captivating fragrance wafted into his nostrils, stirring distracting thoughts within him.
Chen Jianghe cultivated the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture. Although he hadn't fully constructed the soul sea barrier, he still had some defensive measures.
With a thought, he blocked out this alluring force.
Yet, his eyes couldn't help but linger on Zhou Xiaoxuan for a moment longer.
This kind of temptation could be resisted, but to completely ignore it was nearly impossible, unless one was a natural eunuch or some kind of ascetic cultivator.
Chen Jianghe nodded, accepting Zhou Xiaoxuan's invitation. He was also curious about what this woman wanted to ask of him.
They arrived at the Thousand Mountains Restaurant.
Zhou Xiaoxuan requested a quiet and elegant private room, ordering some pastries made from demonic beasts and a pot of top-grade immortal spirit wine.
"Xuan'er must also thank Uncle Jianghe for the Meteor Falling Thunder Talisman you gave me back then. Otherwise, during the trial before Foundation Establishment, Xuan'er would have perished in the maw of a demonic beast."
Zhou Xiaoxuan's slender fingers gently held her cup as she toasted Chen Jianghe.
"Your aunt and I were good friends. It's only right that I look after you a little. Don't take it to heart."
Chen Jianghe chuckled softly, drank the spirit wine in his cup, and said, "You are now a Foundation Establishment disciple of the Tiannan Sect. What matter could possibly require my help?"
"I heard that Uncle Jianghe is on good terms with the Alchemy Grandmaster, Fairy Jiang. Xuan'er would like to ask Uncle to make an introduction."
"You want to have a pill refined?"
"I acquired an Ice Heart Grass at an auction and wish to have an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill refined. Xuan'er has heard that Fairy Jiang once refined this pill at an Alchemist exchange."
Zhou Xiaoxuan's phoenix eyes misted over as she spoke in a soft voice, "Please help Xuan'er, Uncle Jianghe. I can pay Fairy Jiang in spirit stones. Is it possible for her not to keep one of the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills?"
Generally, when an Alchemy Grandmaster helped someone refine an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, if the refinement was successful, they would usually keep one of the pills as payment.
Even if they didn't take a pill, the fee would have to be paid with other spiritual items.
As for spirit stones?
Alchemy Grandmasters were generally not short of them. They only accepted spiritual items.
"I can ask for you, but whether or not she can refine the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill will depend on Fairy Jiang's decision."
"Thank you, Uncle Jianghe."
A smile graced Zhou Xiaoxuan's eyes and lips as she spoke sweetly.
Having understood Zhou Xiaoxuan's request, Chen Jianghe didn't linger. He had been using the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture to resist her charm the entire time.
While it didn't consume his mental energy, it was still somewhat uncomfortable.
In truth, Chen Jianghe's lack of composure couldn't entirely be blamed on him.
He was ninety-five years old this year and had been cultivating for eighty-one years without ever engaging in worldly affairs between men and women. Coupled with his long lifespan and vigorous vitality, he was like a youth in his prime.
The fact that he could refrain from deliberately sneaking glances at Zhou Xiaoxuan was already a testament to his strong self-control.
For those who were weathered and experienced...
...as long as Zhou Xiaoxuan didn't actively use her enchanting arts, they wouldn't be greatly affected.
Therefore, preserving one's primal yang had its benefits, but it also had its drawbacks.
Returning to Golden Ao Mountain.
Chen Jianghe first left a voice message for Jiang Ruxu, asking about the pill refinement on behalf of Zhou Xiaoxuan.
However, after leaving the message, he received no reply.
This led Chen Jianghe to believe that both Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan were in secluded cultivation, so he didn't disturb them further.
He was only asking on Zhou Xiaoxuan's behalf.
Whether it happened or not depended entirely on Jiang Ruxu's decision.
While Jiang Ruxu certainly respected him, he would never force her to do anything against her will.
"When Ruxu comes out of seclusion and hears the message, she'll naturally reply. We can discuss the pill refinement then."
Chen Jianghe didn't dwell on it. He took out a Spirit Gathering Pill and continued cultivating the Myriad Waters True Scripture.
Then, he infused spirit into the Green Wood Immortal Shield Talisman and cultivated the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture.
At this moment.
In the Clear Sound Pavilion, Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan listened to the voice from the messaging bamboo, both showing expressions of displeasure.
"Hmph, Fairy Luo wasn't wrong. She's a vixen, and she even followed him to Thousand Mountains Market City."
"Junior Sister, what should we do?"
Zhuang Xinyan complained, "Brother Chen is asking on her behalf. If we don't help her refine the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, will it displease him?"
"We'll definitely help with the refinement, but we can't let that vixen get all the benefits. Let's make her wait for a while."
Jiang Ruxu pouted, her face full of reluctance at the thought of refining a pill for Zhou Xiaoxuan.
If it weren't for Chen Jianghe, she would never refine a pill for Zhou Xiaoxuan. In her and Zhuang Xinyan's hearts, they held immense hostility toward her.
Even more so than their hostility toward Luo Xiyue.
"Then let's make her wait. If Brother Chen asks, we'll just say we're cultivating," Zhuang Xinyan said with a mischievous grin, winking.
"Yes, exactly! Hehe~" Jiang Ruxu also giggled playfully.
Immediately after, Jiang Ruxu entered the alchemy room to refine second-tier low-grade Heart-Clearing Detoxification Pills and second-tier mid-grade Foundation-Consolidating and Origin-Nourishing Pills.
These two types of pills were being refined for the Lin Clan, one of the three major families behind Thousand Mountains Market City.
Six cauldrons of Heart-Clearing Detoxification Pills.
Eight cauldrons of Foundation-Consolidating and Origin-Nourishing Pills.
The payment was the formulas for both pills, twenty thousand spirit stones, one medium-grade Origin Spirit Pill, and one low-grade Origin Spirit Pill.
The agreement was for eight years.
In other words, within eight years, Jiang Ruxu had to refine fourteen cauldrons of second-tier spirit pills for the Lin Clan.
The Heart-Clearing Detoxification Pill, as its name suggested, was a second-tier low-grade detoxification pill that could cure a hundred types of first-tier spirit poisons.
It even had a suppressive effect on second-tier spirit poisons.
As for the Foundation-Consolidating and Origin-Nourishing Pill, it was a second-tier mid-grade spirit pill used to treat hidden injuries, making it extremely valuable.
It could effectively heal even hidden injuries that a Foundation Establishment cultivator had sustained during their Qi Refining stage.
It was an essential spirit pill for major immortal clans.
Fourteen cauldrons of second-tier spirit pills in eight years wasn't a tight schedule, but it wasn't relaxed either. One had to remember that there was always a risk of the cauldron exploding during refinement.
One needed to be in the right state of mind for every refinement attempt.
It wasn't a matter of refining one cauldron after another.
In terms of payment.
The difference between Chen Jianghe, a Talisman Master, and Jiang Ruxu, an Alchemy Grandmaster, was not small.
The payment for eight years, if converted to spirit stones, would definitely exceed one hundred thousand.
If Jiang Ruxu didn't have to support Zhuang Xinyan, her cultivation speed would definitely surpass Chen Jianghe's.
She had a chance of reaching the late stage of Foundation Establishment by the age of eighty.
One must remember that Jiang Ruxu was a rogue cultivator.
Of course, this was only reaching the late stage of Foundation Establishment in terms of magical power. To also cultivate one's physical body and spirit to the late stage...
...would take at least until one was over a hundred years old.
Cultivating the physical body and spirit was difficult. Even with spiritual objects of heaven and earth, it took time to absorb and refine them.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Xinyan returned to her room and continued to study the art of puppetry.
In five years, she had achieved some success in the way of puppetry, reaching the skill level of a mid-grade Puppet Master.
Although she had a talent for the way of puppetry...
...it was mostly due to her high cultivation level. Starting the way of puppetry at the Foundation Establishment stage naturally made progress much faster.
After all, her spiritual strength far surpassed that of Qi Refining cultivators.
"For Brother Chen and Junior Sister, I must become a second-tier Puppet Master." A look of determination appeared in Zhuang Xinyan's eyes.
Zhuang Xinyan felt immense pressure internally.
She wanted to stay by Chen Jianghe's side, but not as someone who was protected. She wanted to be like Jiang Ruxu and Luo Xiyue, able to provide him with help.
Furthermore, she was keenly aware that she was holding Jiang Ruxu back.
If it weren't for her, Jiang Ruxu's cultivation would likely be on the verge of breaking through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
She didn't want to be a burden to anyone.
She wanted to follow Chen Jianghe, and she also wanted to alleviate the pressure of cultivation resources for her junior sister.
———
The Dragon Pattern Red Pine's fiery red leaves and branches were lush and vibrant. Its ten-zhang-tall trunk and dense foliage, spanning twenty zhang in circumference, resembled a giant umbrella.
Or perhaps a red cloud on the horizon.
Chen Jianghe sat cross-legged beside the trunk, infusing spirit into a Green Wood Immortal Shield Talisman. Under the transformation of the runes, his profound magical power turned into spiritual energy, filling every line of the runes and turning it into a powerful second-tier mid-grade talisman.
Xiao Hei lay beside Chen Jianghe, its eyes closed. It was hard to tell if it was sleeping or cultivating.
Chen Jianghe was full of curiosity about the Three Revolutions Demon Ascension Art that Xiao Hei cultivated. This demonic cultivation technique was simply too profound.
Unfortunately, whenever Xiao Hei tried to transmit it to him, the content would become blank.
It was obvious.
The technique transmitted to Xiao Hei by the Spiritual Platform Seal could not be shared; only Xiao Hei itself could cultivate it.
Maoqiu was cultivating on Chen Jianghe's right.
Its cultivation posture was very strange. Who knew how Xiao Hei had trained and guided it, but it actually had Maoqiu imitating a cultivator, sitting cross-legged in meditation.
Its short, barrel-thick legs were half-crossed, looking less like a cross-legged position and more like a squat.
However, after Xiao Hei's guidance, Maoqiu's speed of absorbing spirit cores while cultivating like this had indeed increased significantly.
This left Chen Jianghe even more speechless.
Xiao Hei seemed to be omnipotent.
It could raise animals, grow plants, and even guide spirit beasts in their cultivation.
In comparison, Chen Jianghe felt utterly useless.
But thinking about it from another perspective, why should he compare himself to his own brother?
Thinking this way, he felt much better.
*Crack~*
Suddenly, a crisp sound rang out.
This caused the "cultivating" Xiao Hei to snap its eyes open. It stood up straight and looked toward the demonic beast egg at the bottom of the spirit spring, right at the spring's eye.
A dense network of cracks had appeared, and a small piece had broken off.
It looked as if something was about to emerge.
Chen Jianghe also heard the sound and stopped infusing spirit into the Green Wood Immortal Shield Talisman.
He had been guarding the Frost Triangle Python egg all this time, wanting to personally witness it hatch.
The *Illustrated Guide to the Arctic Snow Forest* had an entry on the Frost Triangle Python.
It had a fourth-grade low-tier bloodline, with a thirty percent chance of condensing a demonic core and becoming a third-tier demonic beast.
At the moment the Frost Triangle Python hatched, the young beast would feel an affinity for the first person it saw upon opening its eyes.
Chen Jianghe planned to use a second-tier spirit beast pouch to form a contract with the Frost Triangle Python, so he naturally wanted it to have a favorable impression of him.
Otherwise, the second-tier spirit beast pouch might not be able to successfully form a contract with it.
Maoqiu, however, was oblivious to the commotion, continuing its "meditation" and cultivation, clutching a second-tier water-element spirit core in its thick paws.
With every breath, it was refining the spiritual energy within.
"Xiao Hei, let's go down into the spirit spring."
Chen Jianghe said, then cast a water-repelling spell and leaped into the spirit spring, descending to the bottom.
Xiao Hei's method was less complicated; it simply dove into the water and stood beside Chen Jianghe.
But its body, over two zhang tall, was too large, making it difficult to look down at the bipedal beast, so it had to lie down again.
"So short."
Xiao Hei grumbled.
Chen Jianghe rolled his eyes.
He was currently 1.81 meters tall, which was definitely not short among cultivators.
Of course, compared to a spirit beast (demonic beast), he was indeed a bit short. Xiao Hei stood two zhang and three chi tall.
That converted to a height of 7.5 meters, a significant difference indeed.
But what cultivator would compare their size to a spirit beast's?
*Crack~*
Another crisp sound.
Immediately after, a wave of icy energy overflowed from the demonic beast egg, instantly freezing the surrounding three feet of spring water.
As the icy energy grew stronger...
...the spring water within a five-zhang radius was frozen solid. Even the eye of the spirit spring was iced over at this moment.
"Xiao Hei, it seems very strong."
Chen Jianghe stared at the frozen scene before him, then looked at Xiao Hei in astonishment and said dazedly.
"It's a fourth-grade low-tier bloodline. Of course it's strong."
Xiao Hei retorted.
*Crack, crack~~*
The cracking sounds became more frequent. Pieces of the eggshell fell away, revealing the young Frost Triangle Python within.
There were no white scales.
More accurately, it hadn't grown scales yet, only smooth, cyan skin.
The python's triangular head pushed forward with all its might, breaking through the eggshell and fully revealing itself to Chen Jianghe.
It flicked its forked tongue, revealing four sharp fangs.
Immersed in the frozen spring water, it was unaffected by the cold, swaying its body and starting to move.
*Hiss~*
Suddenly.
The Frost Triangle Python, already three feet long just after hatching, took a sharp breath, sucking all the leaked icy energy into its mouth.
In an instant, the frozen spring water thawed.
"It's already comparable to a mid-tier first-grade spirit beast right after birth. A young beast with a fourth-grade bloodline is truly impressive."
Chen Jianghe watched the young Frost Triangle Python, amazed and delighted that it could already control icy energy.
"Xiao Hei, why isn't it opening its eyes?"
Chen Jianghe shifted his position to stand directly in front of the Frost Triangle Python, ensuring he would be the first thing it saw when it opened its eyes.
"I'm not a snake. How would I know?"
"But if I go up and give it a swipe, it'll definitely open its eyes."
Xiao Hei joked with a wide grin.
"Forget it. One swipe from you and we'll be making snake soup..."
Before Chen Jianghe could finish his sentence, the young Frost Triangle Python opened its eyes. But the moment it saw him, it showed no sign of affinity.
Instead, it opened its mouth and spat.
An ice spike shot directly toward Chen Jianghe.
"The *Illustrated Guide to the Arctic Snow Forest* is a lie..."