Chapter 225
Chapter 225
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 225
Chapter Title: Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art, A Visit from Cen Linchuan
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*Whoosh~*
The first spring breeze of the new year swept past, still carrying the chill of deep winter. It rustled the dense leaves of the Dragon Pattern Red Pine, causing ice crystals to fall with a ‘shh shh’ sound.
The noise broke Chen Jianghe from his thoughts.
He opened his eyes, a sense of clarity dawning on him.
It seemed he had figured out why Gao Peiyao wanted him to enter the Mystic Realm.
The Mystic Realm was a place where sect disciples vied for opportunities to reach Core Formation; cultivators from outside the sect were merely foils.
Whether facing dangers from demonic beasts or clashing with fellow disciples in the Mystic Realm, as long as Chen Jianghe was there, Gao Peiyao would dare to go all out.
Even if she were injured, she could entrust her safety to him.
This was the only use Chen Jianghe could think of for his presence in the Mystic Realm.
His current strength was not to be underestimated.
With the aid of the Profound Ice Lotus Seed, he was confident he could cultivate Absolute Freeze to the Major Accomplishment stage within five years.
He might even approach the Perfection stage.
Under the power of this forbidden art, even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators would find it hard to escape their doom.
He also had Xiao Hei.
If they encountered danger in the Mystic Realm, Xiao Hei's existence would inevitably be revealed.
He had kept Xiao Hei hidden precisely for a critical moment. When his life was on the line, he would naturally make the right decision.
"If Xiao Hei can reach the late second-tier, then I truly won't have to worry about my own safety in the Mystic Realm."
Thinking of Xiao Hei filled Chen Jianghe with a profound sense of security.
With his current strength, he couldn't even break through Xiao Hei's defense.
And that was with Xiao Hei being only at the early second-tier, while he himself was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator armed with the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword, a spirit-nurturing offensive magical tool.
Once Xiao Hei advanced to the mid-second-tier, his defense would become even stronger.
And what about the late second-tier?
The cultivators entering the Mystic Realm would be at the late-stage Foundation Establishment at most. He feared none of them would be able to breach Xiao Hei's defenses.
The only thing that could possibly harm Xiao Hei was an offensive Talisman Treasure.
Chen Jianghe had never witnessed the power of a Talisman Treasure, so he couldn't judge whether Xiao Hei could withstand its attack.
However, he knew that when Xiao Hei broke through to the late second-tier, the Spiritual Altar would bestow another opportunity upon him.
When Xiao Hei had broken through to become a second-tier spirit beast, his shell had undergone a transformation. The profound, earth-yellow runes had more than doubled his defensive capabilities.
"There are still nearly six years until the Mystic Realm opens. I wonder if Xiao Hei can make it in time."
An idea formed in Chen Jianghe's mind.
He summoned Xiao Hei, who was in the river teaching Maoqiu and Latiao how to raise fish, and took out the Spirit Spring Pearl he had obtained from Xiao Chen.
"Xiao Hei, how long would it take you to absorb this Spirit Spring Pearl?"
"For me to cultivate with?"
Xiao Hei's eyes darted around. He desperately wanted to devour the Spirit Spring Pearl but suppressed his desire and shook his head.
"You should keep it for your own cultivation!"
"...Don't worry, I have other cultivation resources. My progress won't be delayed." Chen Jianghe rolled his eyes.
Ever since Xiao Hei learned that their lifespans were linked, he never competed with Chen Jianghe for cultivation resources, afraid that Chen Jianghe's cultivation would fall behind.
Even with the Spirit Spring Pearl, an item he greatly coveted, he could restrain himself.
The last time Chen Jianghe had taken out a Spirit Spring Pearl, Xiao Hei had reacted the same way.
"Look, I have another spiritual item of heaven and earth."
As Chen Jianghe spoke, he took out the Water Spirit Jade.
The Water Spirit Jade had effects similar to the Spirit Spring Pearl. Both were high-grade second-tier absorbable spiritual items, and both could be used to refine Origin Spirit Pills.
Unfortunately, Jiang Ruxu was currently unable to refine high-grade second-tier spirit pills. Otherwise, both of these spiritual items could be given to her for refinement.
Even if he only received three Origin Spirit Pills from a furnace, he wouldn't mind.
But having an outsider refine them would not only be troublesome but would also barely save any spirit stones.
Most importantly, he would have to deal with their attitude.
"Two spiritual items?"
Xiao Hei stretched his turtle head forward, nearly touching Chen Jianghe's. His eyes glowed with a green light before he looked at Chen Jianghe in astonishment.
He seemed to be asking where they came from.
"You're not worried now, are you?"
Chen Jianghe chuckled. "How long will it take you to devour this Spirit Spring Pearl?"
"Two years."
Xiao Hei's large mouth split into a grin as he sent a telepathic message excitedly, "If you let me devour both spiritual items, I can refine them within three years."
"If you can get me five more spiritual items like these, I can break through to the late second-tier within six years."
"Five more?"
The corner of Chen Jianghe's mouth twitched as he tossed the Spirit Spring Pearl in his hand to Xiao Hei.
"Forget about five. Just refine this one Spirit Spring Pearl for now."
Obtaining the Water Spirit Jade and the Spirit Spring Pearl was already a great stroke of fortune. To hope for five more absorbable spiritual items of heaven and earth...
Wasn't that a joke?
However, Xiao Hei's words gave Chen Jianghe something to consider.
The Spirit Spring Pearl and Water Spirit Jade were both high-grade second-tier absorbable spiritual items. Seven of them would allow Xiao Hei to reach the late second-tier in six years.
What if they were peak-grade second-tier absorbable spiritual items?
Or perhaps, quasi-third-tier absorbable spiritual items?
Would that shorten the time Xiao Hei needed to reach the late second-tier even further?
Of course, Chen Jianghe knew it was unrealistic to expect to obtain peak second-tier or quasi-third-tier absorbable spiritual items in a short time.
But he wasn't thinking about getting them now.
At present, he didn't possess any valuable or rare resources that could be traded for such spiritual items.
But there was hope of finding them in the Mystic Realm.
In other words.
As long as his luck was good enough, Xiao Hei still had a chance to break through inside the Mystic Realm.
Thinking of this, Chen Jianghe looked at the Water Spirit Jade in his hand.
This, along with a Water Essence Soul Pill, was a gift from Gao Peiyao for him to cultivate his body refinement technique.
"Xiao Hei's cultivation progress is important, but so is my physical cultivation."
"The Water Spirit Jade and the Essence Soul Pill can help my physical cultivation break through to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment within three years, allowing me to reach the fifth level of the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art."
"This will bring a huge improvement, whether I'm drawing talismans or casting spells."
Chen Jianghe pondered for a moment.
He decided to let Xiao Hei devour the Spirit Spring Pearl first.
He himself would first consume the Water Essence Soul Pill for his cultivation.
If he could obtain another spiritual item to enhance his physical cultivation later, then this Water Spirit Jade would go to Xiao Hei.
With this thought, his mind was made up.
Without further delay, he began to cultivate the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture.
Three hours later.
Chen Jianghe's spiritual sense extended out, reaching a distance of two hundred fifty-two zhang and six chi.
He turned his spiritual sense inward.
In the vast, boundless sea of consciousness, the Spiritual Altar stood at the center, suspended above.
Above the Spiritual Altar was a cluster of gray mist.
The gray mist shifted, like a turbulent ocean.
This was the Soul Sea that Chen Jianghe had opened up during the Qi Refining stage while cultivating the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art.
What was once a Soul Sea of only three chi in scope had now grown to ten zhang.
Within the Soul Sea were dense, intricate patterns. This was the Soul Sea Barrier that Chen Jianghe had constructed according to the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture.
Within the Soul Sea Barrier was Chen Jianghe's soul essence.
Looking at those faint patterns, one would be unable to perceive any trace of them without using spiritual sense.
"The Soul-Solidifying Clay and Spirit-Nurturing Grass are having too little effect on my construction of the Soul Sea Barrier. Only by using Mystic Turtle Soul Armor Fragments can I quickly build it up."
The fifth level of the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture primarily involved constructing the Soul Sea Barrier to enhance soul defense while promoting the advancement of the soul essence.
For constructing the Soul Sea Barrier, Mystic Turtle Soul Armor Fragments were most effective.
This was why Chen Jianghe was raising Black Armor Turtles; he intended to use their souls for cultivation once they reached the late first-tier.
As for buying late first-tier turtle-type spirit beasts?
The Beast Taming Pavilion only sold young beasts, which he would still have to raise himself.
Occasionally, live, mature late first-tier turtle-type spirit beasts would appear on the market, usually valued at around two hundred spirit stones.
A hundred of them would cost twenty thousand spirit stones.
It didn't seem like much.
Chen Jianghe could afford it.
But the key issue was, who would have so many mature late first-tier turtle-type spirit beasts to sell him?
He swept his spiritual sense over the area.
In the Black Armor Turtle habitat, among the more than one hundred and seventy turtles, over thirty had already become spirit beasts.
The process would only get faster from here.
The one hundred and fifty-odd Black Armor Turtles were from the same batch. Once one became a spirit beast, the others would naturally follow suit quickly.
The spirit pills Chen Jianghe was refining now were mostly Spirit Nurturing Pills and Spirit Accumulating Pills.
The medicinal power of the Spirit Accumulating Pills was too fierce for the newly advanced Black Armor Turtles to absorb, but Xiao Hei would dilute the potency of these pills.
Then he would have them absorb and refine it.
Besides, his only responsibility was refining the pills; Xiao Hei would handle the rest of the nurturing.
When it came to breeding and raising, Xiao Hei was much better than him.
"Continuing to cultivate the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture with Soul-Solidifying Clay and Spirit-Nurturing Grass is a waste of time. Once the Black Armor Turtles reach the mid-first-tier, I'll use a portion of them to complete the foundation of the Soul Sea Barrier and establish a certain level of soul defense."
After making up his mind, Chen Jianghe temporarily paused his cultivation of the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture.
He prioritized the body refinement technique, the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art.
Although the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art was not a top-tier body refinement technique, it was very suitable for Chen Jianghe.
The Tidal Body Tempering Art he had previously practiced increased his resistance to water-type spells.
Upon reaching perfection, the power of his water-type spells had also increased by nearly ten percent.
The Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art was the Foundation Establishment chapter of the Tidal Body Tempering Art.
After cultivating it to Major Accomplishment, not only would his resistance to second-tier water-type spells increase, but he would also gain some resistance to spells of all attributes.
Furthermore, when he cast second-tier spells, there would be a power bonus, also around ten percent.
Body refinement techniques were particularly important for Chen Jianghe.
His Myriad Waters True Scripture could increase the magical power in his dantian by thirty percent and the power of his spells by twenty percent.
With the addition of the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art, the power of his spells could be boosted by a total of thirty percent.
In other words.
When the moment came to use the forbidden art, Absolute Freeze, the version he cast would be even more powerful than that of other cultivators, with its might increased by thirty percent.
Chen Jianghe didn't dare to be arrogant.
If an ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator were caught in his Absolute Freeze, they probably wouldn't last even three breaths before all signs of life were extinguished.
Two hours later.
Chen Jianghe finished comprehending the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art and began to formally cultivate this water-attribute body refinement technique.
He took out a Water Essence Soul Pill.
Within this simple, unadorned spirit pill, there seemed to be a unique spiritual quality. Observing it with his spiritual sense, it was as if a small fish was swimming around inside, a truly wondrous sight.
Chen Jianghe popped it into his mouth. It instantly entered his stomach, and its powerful medicinal effects transformed into spiritual energy, spreading throughout his meridians in a flash.
At that moment, the spirituality and wonder of the Essence Soul Pill were fully displayed.
The vast spiritual energy from the Essence Soul Pill surged into every acupoint in his body, opening up small vortexes of energy.
While expanding his meridians, it also cleansed impurities from his physical body.
After three breaths, Chen Jianghe felt an itching sensation all over his body, as if a hundred claws were scratching his heart. He immediately circulated the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art, refining this spiritual energy and completely integrating it into his flesh.
Three hours passed.
The vast medicinal power of the Essence Soul Pill converged into his Spirit Nexus, where it was stored.
Chen Jianghe opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.
"What a powerful spirit pill."
In this single cultivation session, he had absorbed and refined less than one-thousandth of the pill's medicinal power.
It was even slightly stronger than the second-revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill he had used before.
The vast spiritual energy in his Spirit Nexus was enough to sustain his cultivation for three years.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe began drawing second-tier talismans and cultivating Absolute Freeze, refining the 'Thousand Miles Frozen Seal'.
He had paused his cultivation of the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture.
Chen Jianghe revised his daily cultivation schedule: five hours for the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art, two hours for refining the 'Thousand Miles Frozen Seal', and five hours for drawing talismans.
He needed to raise his physical cultivation to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment first.
While cultivating, he had to give equal attention to his spells and talismans.
These were all his means of protecting his Dao.
Time flew by.
Half a year passed.
The spirit fields on Golden Turtle Mountain were once again planted with Immortal Crystal Rice seeds.
Xiao Hei no longer managed the spirit fields. Even the raising of osmanthus fish and sturgeon had been gradually handed over to Maoqiu and Latiao.
Maoqiu was a water-attribute spirit beast and had a great talent for breeding.
Latiao's talent in spiritual farming and fishery farming wasn't high, but he was hardworking!
Coupled with the high purity of his bloodline, he was quite talented in managing the earth dragons and azure-feathered swallows.
So, the spirit fields and water systems of Golden Turtle Mountain were now managed by Maoqiu and Latiao.
This year's Immortal Crystal Rice harvest was also good.
The yield was three shi and eight dou per mu.
The total value was nine thousand one hundred and twenty spirit stones.
After subtracting the cost of the Immortal Crystal Rice seeds, the net income was four thousand three hundred and twenty spirit stones.
Chen Jianghe now had eleven thousand two hundred and thirty spirit stones on hand.
This prompted Chen Jianghe to lavish praise on Maoqiu and Latiao, not stingy with his words of encouragement in the slightest.
This made Maoqiu and Latiao work even harder.
Xiao Hei rolled his eyes at this.
He was now solely responsible for raising the Black Armor Turtles, doing everything possible to get them to the late first-tier in the shortest amount of time.
Of course, the immediate goal was to raise a batch of mid-first-tier Black Armor Turtles within five years.
Before entering the Mystic Realm, Chen Jianghe needed to complete the foundation of his Soul Sea Barrier to give himself a defensive measure.
He was just a rogue cultivator with no background.
In everything he did, he had to ensure there were no mistakes.
He needed physical defensive measures.
And he couldn't lack soul defensive measures either.
"Four Rushing Thunder Talismans should be enough for me to use in the Mystic Realm, right?"
In the past six months, Chen Jianghe had drawn four mid-grade second-tier Rushing Thunder Talismans. These were his standard means of escape.
His trump card for saving his life was the Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman.
"Starting next year, I'll need to draw high-grade second-tier talismans. For the remaining six months, I should focus on drawing Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans and Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talismans."
Chen Jianghe currently had fourteen mid-grade second-tier talismans.
Six Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans, four Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talismans, and four Rushing Thunder Talismans.
However, he needed to give Ruan Tieniu two Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans and two Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talismans.
That would leave him with only four Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans and two Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talismans, which was far from enough for use in the Mystic Realm.
According to his plan, mid-grade second-tier talismans were his standard tools.
He needed to have at least fifteen, preferably twenty.
The focus would be on offense and defense, with escape as a secondary priority.
The Mystic Realm would be teeming with Foundation Establishment cultivators. He couldn't just think about how to run and save his life; he needed offensive capabilities.
Powerful offensive measures were the true path to self-preservation.
Chen Jianghe walked into the courtyard.
He scanned the Relay Box with his spiritual sense and took out the two letters inside.
One was from Zhou Xiaoxuan, and the other from Yu Daniu.
Chen Jianghe first opened Yu Daniu's letter and read it carefully.
"Xiaoniu went to Many Treasures Market City?!"
Chen Jianghe's brow furrowed.
Yu Daniu wrote that Yun Xiaoniu had left Qiyun Mountain to venture outside, seeking opportunities to advance his cultivation.
Regarding Yun Xiaoniu's departure for training, Yu Daniu, though reluctant, did not try to hold him back.
Every generation has its own destiny.
Everyone has their own fate.
The Yu Clan had stabilized.
Having Yun Siniu, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, to watch over them was sufficient.
Besides, the Yun and Yu families were connected by blood. If one family was in trouble, the other would not stand idly by.
So, Yun Xiaoniu's decision to travel was understandable.
If he stayed at Qiyun Mountain and Mirror Moon Lake, Yun Xiaoniu might never reach the late-stage Foundation Establishment in his lifetime.
As for reaching the mid-stage Foundation Establishment?
That wouldn't be a major issue.
The last Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill Chen Jianghe had was prepared for Yun Xiaoniu.
"Yun Bufan let Xiaoniu leave Qiyun Mountain, yet he himself is stuck in the mire of Mirror Moon Lake."
The letter stated that Yun Xiaoniu had left Qiyun Mountain at Yun Bufan's suggestion. He didn't want Yun Xiaoniu to follow in his footsteps.
With him, Yun Siniu, and a second-tier spirit beast protecting Qiyun Mountain and Mirror Moon Lake, it was enough.
If even they couldn't protect it, then adding Yun Xiaoniu to the mix wouldn't change anything.
"It's good that he left."
Chen Jianghe slowly put away Yu Daniu's letter.
When a family has many sons, one is chosen as the pillar to manage things steadily, serving as the shield.
The others travel far, taking risks to pave new paths and seek opportunities, serving as the spear.
When a family develops to a certain point and wants to break through its bottleneck and find a path to advancement, this is often the way.
"Many Treasures Market City is east of the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range and south of the Black Market. Although it's somewhat dangerous, it's much better than the lands north of the Heaven-Reaching River."
"But how am I going to get this Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill to Xiaoniu?"
Chen Jianghe didn't have time to travel south of the Heaven-Reaching River.
He didn't trust anyone else to deliver it either.
The Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill was not an ordinary cultivation resource; few cultivators could resist such a temptation.
Chen Jianghe wrote a reply to Yu Daniu, telling him that when Yun Xiaoniu reached the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage, he could make a trip to Thousand Mountains Market City.
He used veiled words, indicating that he could help Yun Xiaoniu break through to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
Furthermore, he also instructed Yu Daniu.
If Yun Xiaoniu were to come, he must not act recklessly. He should take a flying ship from Cloud Dream Marsh Market City to Thousand Mountains Market City.
He must not cross the territory of the State of Yue.
The State of Yu was fine, but the State of Yue had too many demonic cultivators. Even the current Chen Jianghe wouldn't dare to set foot there easily.
Even the royal family consisted of demonic cultivators.
Only a Core Formation Master could probably travel freely through such an immortal kingdom.
After finishing his reply to Yu Daniu, Chen Jianghe opened Zhou Xiaoxuan's letter.
The content of the letter was concise and clear.
Zhou Xiaoxuan was acting as a middleman to help Liu Zhining purchase three high-grade second-tier talismans from Chen Jianghe.
"Purchase high-grade second-tier talismans with spirit stones?"
Chen Jianghe casually turned the letter to dust.
This sect disciple looked down on him too much, thinking she could buy high-grade second-tier talismans with spirit stones.
He wasn't annoyed that Zhou Xiaoxuan had written to him with a request.
It was Liu Zhining's demand for a transaction in spirit stones that displeased him.
Which cultivator in Thousand Mountains Market City didn't know that high-grade second-tier talismans couldn't be bought with spirit stones?
They were always traded for other items.
Even when trading with treasures, one needed connections.
This Liu Zhining actually wanted to buy his high-grade second-tier talismans with spirit stones.
Thanks to Ruan Tieniu's vigorous promotion, all the cultivators in Thousand Mountains Market City knew that Chen Jianghe had become a Talisman Grandmaster.
Even though he hadn't drawn a single high-grade second-tier talisman yet.
Upon hearing this news, Liu Zhining had asked Zhou Xiaoxuan to act as a go-between to buy high-grade second-tier talismans from Chen Jianghe.
After all, in Liu Zhining's eyes, Zhou Xiaoxuan and Chen Jianghe had some history.
Back then, when she brought Zhou Xiaoxuan from Qinghe Market City to the Tiannan Sect, Chen Jianghe had even seen them off at the Qinghe Tavern.
And as Liu Zhining's junior sister, who had been brought into the Tiannan Sect by her, Zhou Xiaoxuan naturally couldn't refuse Liu Zhining's request.
That was why she had sent this letter to Chen Jianghe.
"It's one thing to look down on me as a rogue cultivator, but she really thinks too highly of herself." Chen Jianghe shook his head, thinking of Liu Zhining.
At the Thousand Mountains Tavern, Ruan Tieniu had made things perfectly clear.
He wanted the six of them to form an alliance, but neither Gao Peiyao nor Liu Zhining had responded, which meant an alliance was impossible.
Selling high-grade second-tier talismans to Liu Zhining would be arming the enemy.
He wouldn't do something so foolish.
As for giving talismans to Ruan Tieniu?
That was promised beforehand. Besides, they had a friendly relationship. Increasing Ruan Tieniu's protective measures would also help ensure his survival.
Only if Ruan Tieniu stayed alive could he bring Chen Jianghe more benefits.
Moreover, Ruan Tieniu would not become his adversary.
Even if they did become opponents, Chen Jianghe was confident he could handle him.
There were still more than five years until the Mystic Realm opened. Forget trading for spirit stones, even if it were a trade of items, Chen Jianghe would not sell his talismans.
Especially high-grade second-tier talismans.
He didn't even have enough for himself.
Even if he had a surplus, he would choose to give them to Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao rather than sell them to an outsider.
Just then, the Relay Box flickered with a faint light.
Another letter had arrived.
With a thought, Chen Jianghe used his spiritual sense to retrieve the letter. He glanced at the signature on it.
It was actually from Cen Linchuan!
And it was a message letter.
This meant that Cen Linchuan was just outside Golden Turtle Mountain at this very moment.
Chen Jianghe opened the message letter, wondering what matter could possibly be so important as to make this direct descendant of the Cen Clan condescend to personally visit his Golden Turtle Mountain.