Chapter 226
Chapter 226
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: The Tyranny of a False Core, A Karmic Debt Incurred
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"It's not about refining a spirit-nurturing magical tool?"
Chen Jianghe read Cen Linchuan's message. It didn't mention anything about artifact refinement, but rather that the Talisman Master Alliance was holding a Talisman Grandmaster exchange conference.
Any Talisman Grandmaster from the Talisman Master Alliance currently within the Thousand Mountains Market City's territory had to attend this exchange conference at the alliance headquarters.
Because this exchange conference was initiated and organized by the Cen Clan.
Chen Jianghe crumpled the message, a look of displeasure on his face.
Six hours after the message was sent.
If there was no response, another message would be sent in.
If there was still no response after the third message, the Cen Clan would use their market city privileges to break through his formation and "invite" him.
In other words.
Even if you were in seclusion, you had to attend this Talisman Grandmaster exchange conference. Otherwise, the Cen Clan would resort to force.
The Cen Clan was one of the three great clans behind the Thousand Mountains Market City.
They possessed certain privileges.
Which they generally didn't use.
Because once some rules were broken, more and more people would start to disregard them.
This time, the Cen Clan had urgently convened the Talisman Grandmaster exchange conference.
They had even explicitly stated in the message that refusal for any reason was not permitted.
This perfectly showcased the arrogance of a Core Formation Immortal Clan.
Chen Jianghe was displeased, but he was helpless. The other party was a Core Formation Immortal Clan and also one of the behind-the-scenes controllers of the Thousand Mountains Market City.
If he wanted to stay in the Thousand Mountains Market City, he couldn't go against the Cen Clan.
He didn't have the strength to do so yet.
Chen Jianghe glanced at Xiao Hei, who was still cultivating by the spirit spring. He sent a telepathic message to Maoqiu, telling them to guard the home well.
Then, he flew out of the mountain-protecting formation.
He saw Cen Linchuan standing on a cliff.
"Fellow Daoist Cen, what has happened? Why the rush to convene a Talisman Grandmaster exchange conference?"
"I am also..."
Chen Jianghe flew before Cen Linchuan and asked quizzically, planning to use the excuse that he wasn't a Talisman Grandmaster of the Talisman Master Alliance to refuse going.
But Cen Linchuan's next action blocked this excuse.
"The clan elders have given an order. I am also unaware of what has happened."
Cen Linchuan took out a Talisman Master's writ and handed it to Chen Jianghe, smiling. "Fellow Daoist's reputation as a Talisman Grandmaster resonates throughout the Thousand Mountains Market City. This Talisman Grandmaster's writ has been specially approved by the Talisman Master Alliance, no examination required, issued directly to you."
"..."
Chen Jianghe was speechless. He reluctantly accepted the Talisman Grandmaster's writ.
With this writ, he could purchase Tier 2 high-grade spirit hides from the Talisman Master Alliance, but he would have to wait in line.
They called it waiting in line, but in reality, his turn would never come.
Unless you joined the Cen Clan as a guest Talisman Master.
"To disturb Fellow Daoist Chen's peaceful cultivation is truly a transgression. On behalf of the alliance, I apologize."
Cen Linchuan cupped his fists in apology.
"Fellow Daoist Cen, there is no need for that. I am a Talisman Master of the Talisman Master Alliance. Now that an exchange conference is being held, it is only natural that I attend."
Chen Jianghe showed no sign of complaint. He wore a smile, revealing no dissatisfaction whatsoever.
He even showed a hint of curiosity about the exchange conference.
The Cen Clan's will could not be defied.
Since that was the case, why show dissatisfaction and create enmity?
Even if he was unhappy, there was no need to show it. He could simply remember it in his heart.
Besides, for someone like Cen Linchuan, a direct descendant of a Core Formation Immortal Clan, to come and invite him personally was already giving him immense face.
Moreover, he wasn't the only Talisman Grandmaster to be invited in such a manner.
Chen Jianghe knew the reason why Cen Linchuan had come personally.
If he had only displayed his talisman crafting skills, even as a Talisman Grandmaster, he wouldn't have been worthy of a personal invitation from Cen Linchuan.
First, Cen Linchuan was a direct descendant of the Cen Clan.
Second, Cen Linchuan himself was a Talisman Grandmaster and was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
The reason he came in person...
...was because Chen Jianghe had deep connections.
The sect disciple Gao Peiyao was Chen Jianghe's childhood friend. She was no ordinary Core Formation prospect. Her master, Perfected Lan, had already reached Core Formation and was now an elder of the Tiannan Sect.
Artifact Refinement Grandmaster Luo Xiyue was Chen Jianghe's 'Dao companion'.
Previously, Cen Linchuan had thought this was just a rumor. How could an Artifact Refinement Grandmaster possibly fall for a rogue cultivator?
Even a Talisman Grandmaster wouldn't catch the eye of an Artifact Refinement Grandmaster.
But during the New Year's Eve gathering at the Thousand Mountains Restaurant, Luo Xiyue had traded with Xiao Chen for Chen Jianghe's sake and had stayed close by his side the entire time.
Once a rumor is confirmed, it's no longer a rumor.
Alchemy Grandmaster Jiang Ruxu was also Chen Jianghe's close friend.
This forced the Cen Clan to take him seriously.
An incense stick's time later, Chen Jianghe followed Cen Linchuan to the Talisman Master Alliance and saw four other Talisman Grandmasters.
He had met these grandmasters at the New Year's Eve gathering in the Thousand Mountains Restaurant.
"Fellow Daoist Cen, your esteemed father had us come. What is this all about?"
Seeing Cen Linchuan arrive, the four Talisman Grandmasters gathered around, their expressions showing their displeasure.
"Indeed. This old man was in secluded cultivation and was forcibly summoned. Isn't this a bit too tyrannical?"
"Hmph, I was also forcibly summoned. Luckily, I was only crafting a Tier 2 mid-grade talisman. If I had been crafting a Tier 2 high-grade talisman and you broke my formation to send a message, who would be responsible for the failure?"
"Fellow Daoist Cen, we are all here now. You owe us an explanation!"
"..."
Cen Linchuan looked at the surrounding Talisman Grandmasters and didn't get angry at their complaints.
He smiled and explained that he also didn't know what was going on.
But he invited them all into the conference hall.
And had a maidservant serve top-grade spirit tea.
"Fellow Daoists, please wait a moment. There are two more on their way. Once everyone has arrived, my father will come and explain everything to you."
Cen Linchuan said gently, a smile on his face.
Inwardly, however, he was a little angry. In the past, how would these rogue talisman masters dare to say so much?
Even Talisman Grandmasters had to be obedient in the Talisman Master Alliance.
Thinking this, he developed a favorable impression of Chen Jianghe.
From the moment they met at Golden Ao Island, Chen Jianghe had shown no dissatisfaction with the Talisman Master Alliance.
Nor had he complained in the slightest.
The Talisman Master Alliance asked him to attend the exchange conference, and he came directly, without all this nonsensical chatter.
An hour passed.
Chen Jianghe saw the other two Talisman Grandmasters arrive.
It could be said that all the Talisman Grandmasters in the Thousand Mountains Market City were now present. Including Chen Jianghe, there were seven in total.
Don't think that having only seven Talisman Grandmasters in the vast Thousand Mountains Market City is a small number.
In fact, it was quite a lot.
Back then, Qinghe Market City didn't even have a single Talisman Grandmaster.
"Fellow Daoist Cen, can you tell us now why you've summoned us here?"
As this question was asked.
Cen Linchuan was about to respond with a placating smile.
Suddenly, a powerful pressure descended upon the conference hall, and a dignified middle-aged man walked in.
He was dressed in fine robes, with a square face, a three-finger-wide beard, and deep, imposing eyes.
"Greetings, Senior Cen."
Immediately, all the Talisman Grandmasters, including Chen Jianghe, bowed to the newcomer.
"Father."
Cen Linchuan walked up to the man and greeted him respectfully.
The newcomer was none other than Cen Linchuan's father, Cen Xiangbei, the eldest son of the Cen Clan's patriarch.
He was also the Cen Clan's False Core cultivator.
"Mm."
Cen Xiangbei nodded at Cen Linchuan, then his gaze swept over the Talisman Grandmasters. He said in a deep voice, "I am the one who convened today's Talisman Grandmaster exchange conference. If any of you have urgent matters, you may leave first."
Although a False Core Adept couldn't compare to a Core Formation Venerable, their strength far surpassed that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Moreover, a False Core Adept's lifespan was much longer than a Foundation Establishment cultivator's, reaching three hundred and sixty years.
If they took some life-extending pills, they could live for nearly four hundred years.
Most importantly, a False Core Adept could barely use Dharma Treasures, though they couldn't unleash much of their power.
But even if they could only unleash thirty percent of it...
...it was equivalent to the strength of a Talisman Treasure.
One could imagine how much stronger a False Core cultivator was compared to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Hearing Cen Xiangbei's words, not a single Talisman Grandmaster stood up to leave.
They dared to grumble in front of Cen Linchuan, but before Cen Xiangbei, they didn't dare show even a hint of dissatisfaction.
Cen Xiangbei was not only a False Core cultivator but also a Talisman Grandmaster.
Chen Jianghe sat in his seat, glanced at Cen Xiangbei, and then withdrew his gaze.
He sat there calmly, unhurried.
Everyone was already here. What else could be done?
Naturally, he had to hear what the other party had to say.
"Since all of you have the time, let this exchange begin."
Cen Xiangbei glanced at the crowd, took out seven sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide, and said calmly, "You are all Talisman Grandmasters of the Talisman Master Alliance, the pillars that allow our alliance to stand firm north of the Heaven-Reaching River."
"The alliance does its utmost to acquire the resources you all need."
"These seven sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide are a gift to you."
With that, he circulated his spiritual power, and the sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide floated down before each person.
Chen Jianghe looked at the Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide in front of him. He didn't reach for it, nor did he look at the others.
He just sat there quietly, as if in a daze.
The other Talisman Grandmasters did the same.
A gift of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide?
In the past, one had to wait in line to buy a single sheet of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide from the Talisman Master Alliance, and it was hard to get one even in ten years.
And now they were giving it away for free?
There was no such thing as a free lunch.
Cen Xiangbei took out another seven sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide and distributed them to everyone once more.
"I must ask for your assistance in crafting seven Tier 2 high-grade talismans for the Talisman Master Alliance."
As his voice fell.
All the talisman masters revealed looks of understanding.
They knew the Cen Clan wasn't being kind-hearted; there was indeed a scheme.
Normally, even three sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide would be insufficient to trade for a single Tier 2 high-grade talisman.
But the Cen Clan wanted to use two sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide to exchange for one Tier 2 high-grade talisman.
What a clever calculation.
And they did it under the guise of giving them an opportunity—it was blatant extortion.
Chen Jianghe's eyes were lowered, looking at the two sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide before him. He didn't take them immediately.
Instead, he watched the others.
He would definitely take them, but he couldn't be the first to do so, nor the last.
A False Core senior was asking for a favor. How could you dare to refuse?
Unless you no longer wanted to make a living in the Thousand Mountains Market City.
Compared to other market cities, the Thousand Mountains Market City was already quite good.
It was safe and had abundant resources.
If you went to another market city, setting aside whether it was as safe or had as many resources as Thousand Mountains...
...could you guarantee that other market cities didn't have their own hegemons?
Obviously not.
As long as there was a difference in strength among cultivators, hegemony was inevitable.
Everyone understood this principle, so they didn't hesitate and directly accepted the two sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide.
Two sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide in exchange for one Tier 2 high-grade talisman.
For a Talisman Grandmaster, this was a huge loss.
But even if it was a loss, they had to pinch their noses and do it.
Cen Xiangbei seemed to know these Talisman Grandmasters very well, assigning each of them a specific type of Tier 2 high-grade talisman to craft.
Some were offensive talismans, others were defensive.
However, not a single Tier 2 high-grade escape talisman was assigned.
It was unclear whether it was because these Talisman Grandmasters didn't have the legacy for Tier 2 high-grade escape talismans, or for some other reason.
But when it came to Chen Jianghe, Cen Xiangbei made no arrangements.
"Fellow Daoists, please deliver the Tier 2 high-grade talismans to the Talisman Master Alliance within two years. I thank you."
"Senior Cen is too polite. It is our duty to do things for the Talisman Master Alliance."
Faced with Cen Xiangbei's polite words, the group of Talisman Grandmasters became even more polite.
When a False Core senior gives you face, you naturally have to accept it.
After a few more polite exchanges.
The so-called Talisman Grandmaster exchange conference came to an end.
Chen Jianghe didn't get up. He watched the Talisman Grandmasters leave one by one, waiting for Cen Xiangbei to speak.
Just as he had expected.
"Talisman Master Chen, please stay."
Cen Xiangbei's stern expression softened considerably when he looked at Chen Jianghe, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Senior Cen."
Chen Jianghe stood up, cupped his fists towards Cen Xiangbei, and responded.
"I wonder what kind of Tier 2 high-grade talisman Talisman Master Chen can craft?" Cen Xiangbei asked with a smile.
He was well aware of Chen Jianghe's connections.
He didn't care about Luo Xiyue and Jiang Ruxu.
He didn't even care about Gao Peiyao.
After all, Perfected Lan had more disciples than just Gao Peiyao. Besides, a Core Formation prospect was just a prospect.
Reaching Core Formation was easier said than done.
Out of fifty Core Formation prospects, not even one might successfully become a Core Formation mighty figure.
But Xiao Chen, who was always by Gao Peiyao's side, made him wary.
Xiao Chen's father was a peak master in the Tiannan Sect. Xiao Chen himself was exceptionally talented and had been praised by the Tiannan Sect's Sect Master as having the aptitude for Core Formation.
"This junior is but a rogue cultivator. Fortunately, a friend gifted me the legacy for a Tier 2 high-grade wood-element defensive talisman. Therefore, this junior can craft the Tier 2 high-grade Verdantwood Vine Shield Talisman."
Chen Jianghe's words were ambiguous.
He didn't specify who the friend was or who had gifted him the Verdantwood Vine Shield Talisman legacy.
But it would lead people to assume it was a gift from Gao Peiyao.
"Then I shall have to trouble Talisman Master Chen."
"Senior Cen is too polite. Since this junior has joined the Talisman Master Alliance, it is only right that I do something for the alliance."
Chen Jianghe said respectfully, "If Senior Cen has no other matters, this junior will take his leave."
"Please, Talisman Master Chen."
Chen Jianghe left the Talisman Master Alliance, didn't linger in the market city, and quickly returned to Golden Ao Island.
"Father, your attitude towards Talisman Master Chen..."
Cen Linchuan looked at his usually stern father with a puzzled expression, but he swallowed his words halfway through.
"Do you think I was being too polite to that lucky rogue cultivator?"
Cen Xiangbei smiled at his son.
Seeing Cen Linchuan speak to him so hesitantly, as if he were afraid of him.
This caused Cen Xiangbei to feel a pang of self-reproach.
Because he had been too lenient with his eldest son, leading to his arrogant and conceited nature, he had been very strict with his younger son.
This resulted in Cen Linchuan being extremely cautious when speaking to him, afraid of misspeaking and offending his strict father.
"Yes."
Cen Linchuan nodded.
"Although Chen Jianghe is a rogue cultivator, he has significant connections, especially his childhood friend, Gao Peiyao."
"Among the Core Formation prospects, her aptitude isn't the best, but she has Xiao Chen, the son of Perfected Chengtian, by her side."
"With the words of the Tiannan Sect's Sect Master, Xiao Chen has an eighty percent chance of reaching Core Formation."
"As long as Gao Peiyao and Xiao Chen become Dao companions, her own chances of reaching Core Formation in the future will be very high."
Cen Xiangbei said calmly.
Hearing his father's words, Cen Linchuan nodded slightly.
With Chen Jianghe's relationship with Gao Peiyao, he might have two Core Formation elders from the sect as connections in the future.
One of them might even be the next Peak Master of Chengtian Peak.
One must know that within the Tiannan Sect, the status of a Peak Master is above that of a Core Formation elder.
A Peak Master is a Core Formation elder.
But a Core Formation elder is not necessarily a Peak Master.
Most importantly, Chengtian Peak is one of the twelve main peaks, not one of the thirty-six branch peaks.
"Truly a lucky and blessed rogue cultivator..."
Cen Linchuan muttered to himself.
Golden Ao Island.
Chen Jianghe returned to his Spirit Spring Cottage.
"Although a False Core cultivator is one who failed at Core Formation, their strength far surpasses that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator."
"The pressure Cen Xiangbei gave me couldn't compare to Perfected Chengtian, but it still gave me a heart-pounding sense of mortal danger."
He didn't want to face either Perfected Chengtian or Cen Xiangbei.
That feeling of his life and death not being in his own hands made him very uncomfortable.
Even with Xiao Hei, it was the same.
A False Core Adept was too powerful, let alone Perfected Chengtian, who stood at the apex of the Tiannan Region.
"But for the Cen Clan to take advantage of me like this, I will have to repay this debt in the future."
"Cen Xiangbei and Cen Linchuan were reasonably polite to me. After I reach Core Formation, I'll just collect ten times the interest."
Two sheets of Tier 2 high-grade spirit hide for one Tier 2 high-grade talisman.
This was bullying of the highest order.
If he were at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, it would be one thing.
But he was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Crafting a single Tier 2 high-grade talisman was incredibly difficult.
He might not even be able to craft four Tier 2 high-grade talismans in a year.
And this was only because he cultivated the Myriad Waters True Scripture, which gave him thirty percent more spiritual power than cultivators of the same level.
And because of the uniqueness of the Soul-Suppressing and Spirit-Forging Art, his soul was different from ordinary people, and his mental strength was powerful.
Otherwise, crafting two Tier 2 high-grade talismans in a year would already be considered good.
Chen Jianghe could also guess the reason why the Talisman Master Alliance was having its grandmasters craft Tier 2 high-grade talismans.
It must be in preparation for Cen Linchuan.
Cen Linchuan was going to participate in the mystic realm trial, so he would naturally prepare more Tier 2 high-grade talismans.
"The Tier 2 high-grade talismans Cen Linchuan crafts himself, plus the seven crafted by us coerced Talisman Grandmasters."
"This time, when he enters the mystic realm, he will be carrying at least twenty Tier 2 high-grade talismans."
"If I encounter him in the mystic realm, I will need to be careful."
The reason Chen Jianghe offered to craft the more valuable Verdantwood Vine Shield Talisman for the Cen Clan was that he only had legacies for three types of Tier 2 high-grade talismans.
Besides the Verdantwood Vine Shield Talisman, there were the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman and the Verdantwood Soul-Entangling Talisman.
The value of the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman was definitely higher than the Verdantwood Vine Shield Talisman.
As for the Verdantwood Soul-Entangling Talisman, with its unique soul attack, it was better for him to keep it for his own use.
He stopped thinking about these miscellaneous matters.
Chen Jianghe continued to cultivate the Tidal Body Tempering Art, then crafted talismans, cultivated Absolute Zero, and condensed the 'Thousand Mile Freezing Seal'.
He squeezed out time from his cultivation to refine spirit pills and improve his alchemy skills.
For now, crafting talismans was the most beneficial for him.
As for delving into the Dao of Alchemy?
It would be more cost-effective to study it deeply after his talisman skills reached a bottleneck.
Four months passed.
Chen Jianghe was charging a Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman when he sensed a stir from his message box. An hour later, the charging was complete.
Taking advantage of the break to rest and recuperate.
He retrieved the letter from the message box and began to read it.
It was a message from Ruan Tieniu.
"Going to the Boundless Sea?"
"The mystic realm opens in less than five years. Going to the Boundless Sea at this time, is he mad?"
It wasn't that there wasn't enough time.
Rather, the Boundless Sea was too dangerous. A single misstep could mean never returning.
The opportunities in the mystic realm were more plentiful. He could just wait to enter the realm to hunt for treasures; there was no need to put himself in danger again.
Before, he had no choice, but now with better options available, venturing deep into the Boundless Sea was unwise.
Halfway through, Chen Jianghe understood.
It wasn't Ruan Tieniu who wanted to go deep into the Boundless Sea, but Liu Zhining, who needed to go there to complete her sect trial.
Venturing into the Boundless Sea for a trial was something every sect disciple had to do.
Gao Peiyao was no exception.
In her third year at the Thousand Mountains Market City, she had gone to the Boundless Sea, obtained a spirit item from within, and submitted it to the northern gate of the Tiannan Sect.
Thus completing her Boundless Sea trial mission.
Since Liu Zhining wanted to complete her sect trial mission, she naturally thought of inviting a cultivator who frequently ventured deep into the Boundless Sea and returned safely to accompany her.
Ruan Tieniu fit this description perfectly.
That was why he was chosen by Liu Zhining to be an external aide for the sect disciple entering the mystic realm.
The price was to accompany Liu Zhining deep into the Boundless Sea and retrieve a Tier 2 high-grade spirit item.
Not only did Ruan Tieniu have to go.
Even Yan Ling'er had to go with them.
Chen Jianghe stood up, left his Spirit Spring Cottage, and flew outside the mountain-protecting formation, where he saw Ruan Tieniu in their usual spot.
A crooked tree growing on the cliff face.
Ruan Tieniu was sitting cross-legged on it.
"Brother Ruan."
Chen Jianghe flew on his Qi to Ruan Tieniu and directly took out two Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans and two Green Wood Immortal Shield Talismans.
This was part of Chen Jianghe's earlier trade with Ruan Tieniu; these were the talismans he owed him.
After giving him these four Tier 2 mid-grade talismans, he still owed Ruan Tieniu two Tier 2 high-grade talismans.
One Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman and one Tier 2 high-grade defensive talisman.
He now had the legacy for a Tier 2 high-grade defensive talisman, so he could just give Ruan Tieniu the Verdantwood Vine Shield Talisman when the time came.
"Many thanks, Brother Chen."
Ruan Tieniu accepted the four Tier 2 mid-grade talismans and cupped his fists in thanks.
"These were meant for you, Brother Ruan. No need for thanks."
Chen Jianghe gave Ruan Tieniu a serious look.
Although he had never been to the Boundless Sea, or even to the seaside, he knew that the demonic beasts in the Boundless Sea were numerous and even more terrifying.
Furthermore, the demonic beasts of the sea were different from those on land, with complex and unpredictable abilities.
"Brother Ruan, take this Rushing Thunder Talisman as a gift from me. You must be careful."