Chapter 229
Chapter 229
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 229
Chapter Title: Tieniu's Disappearance, Talk of Marriage
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A quarter of an hour later.
Chen Jianghe stood up and left the Spirit Thief Teahouse, feeling fortunate that he had disguised himself as Ji Wujin. Otherwise, he would have faced some trouble.
In Thousand Mountains Market City, many cultivators knew that his relationship with Ruan Tieniu was 'rock solid,' a bond forged through life and death.
Most of those immortal kingdom generals were cultivators from the State of Yue, with a smaller number from the State of Yu. The generals from Yue were here looking for someone.
The generals from Yu were on guard against any schemes Yue might be plotting.
Just as the rumors suggested, these generals from Yue, clad in armor and reeking of bloodlust, were searching for people.
They were looking for Liu Zhining and Ruan Tieniu.
Because their princess had gone missing. The last time she sent a message back to the State of Yue was two years ago.
The message stated that she had gone to the Boundless Sea with a fellow sect disciple, Liu Zhining, and the spirit thief, Ruan Tieniu.
Not only had Yan Ling'er not returned.
But Liu Zhining and Ruan Tieniu had also failed to come back.
It seemed the three of them had perished in the Boundless Sea, fallen prey to demonic beasts, and become their food.
A year ago, when the State of Yue still hadn't received any word from Yan Ling'er, they sensed something was wrong.
Even if one ventured deep into the Boundless Sea, as long as they didn't encounter life-threatening danger, they would typically return within half a year. It was impossible to go a full year without sending a message.
The ruler of Yue sent generals to search for them.
They were not only inquiring about Yan Ling'er's whereabouts but also asking about Liu Zhining and Ruan Tieniu.
This gradually attracted the attention of the entire market city, becoming a topic of idle chatter among cultivators, who discussed the whereabouts of Liu Zhining, Ruan Tieniu, and Yan Ling'er.
Xu Feng had some dealings with Ruan Tieniu. While inquiring about him in the market city, he was targeted by the cultivators from Yue.
They questioned him about whether he had been in recent contact with Ruan Tieniu.
Although they didn't use force within the market city, their attitude was extremely aggressive. Xu Feng claimed he hadn't been in contact.
However, the Yue cultivators wanted to "invite" Xu Feng to the capital of Yue to prove his innocence.
They claimed their ruler possessed a secret art that could perform a soul search without harming the soul. Naturally, Xu Feng refused to go. Now, his residence is being watched by two Yue generals.
It was predictable that as soon as Xu Feng left Thousand Mountains Market City, he would be forcibly taken to the State of Yue to undergo a soul search.
Without harming the soul?
Only a Nascent Soul True Lord could perform a soul search without causing harm.
Of course, perhaps the ruler of Yue truly did possess such a secret art, but who would willingly let someone search their soul just to prove their innocence?
"Thankfully, I suppressed my curiosity and didn't take the initiative to ask about Ruan Tieniu. Otherwise, I'm afraid I would've been taken to the State of Yue to prove my innocence as well."
Chen Jianghe felt a lingering fear.
Indeed, the cultivation world was fraught with danger at every turn. Xu Feng had merely asked a casual question and ended up being targeted by the Yue cultivators.
"Wait, it's impossible for the Yue royal family not to know about my relationship with Ruan Tieniu. Why haven't they gone to Golden Ao Mountain?"
Chen Jianghe was puzzled.
The Yue cultivators wouldn't act in the market city, but it was inconceivable that they wouldn't come to Golden Ao Mountain to question him.
At the very least, they should have sent two Foundation Establishment generals to stand guard.
"Even if they did, it would be a futile watch. If I have enough resources, I might not leave the mountain for two years."
Chen Jianghe returned to the Hundred Treasures Tower.
Originally, he had planned to leave Thousand Mountains Market City first, revert to his true appearance, and then come back to the Hundred Treasures Tower to purchase the remaining resources.
But now, it seemed...
If he changed back to his real face, he would probably become the center of attention immediately, receiving a "warm welcome" from the Yue cultivators.
Missing?
He probably perished in the Boundless Sea.
To venture deep into the Boundless Sea and not return for two years definitely meant something had happened. And if something happened in the sea, the odds of survival were slim.
Regarding Ruan Tieniu's misfortune.
Chen Jianghe felt a great sense of regret and a touch of loss. Ruan Tieniu had been a great help to him, bringing him many useful resources.
It was true in Qinghe Market City, and it remained true in Thousand Mountains Market City.
Now that Ruan Tieniu was missing, he had lost a reliable channel for exchanging resources.
The second-tier, mid-grade Rushing Thunder Talisman was likely a lost cause now.
Pushing these thoughts aside, Chen Jianghe went to the third floor of the Hundred Treasures Tower and purchased five stalks of Blood Jade Ginseng from the spirit materials counter.
This was a second-tier, low-grade spirit herb, commonly used in alchemy or to aid in body tempering.
The reason it was sold on the market was that Blood Jade Ginseng was cultivated in large quantities, making it one of the most common second-tier, low-grade spirit herbs.
However, its maturation period was quite long.
Taking the spirit fields on Golden Ao Mountain as an example, it would take a full sixty years for Blood Jade Ginseng to mature.
The time investment was very high.
It was mostly cultivated by clans, serving as a long-term source of income.
A single stalk of Blood Jade Ginseng was worth seven hundred spirit stones. Because it could be used directly to aid in body tempering, its price was slightly higher.
Five stalks cost three thousand five hundred spirit stones.
Chen Jianghe paid the spirit stones and placed the five stalks of Blood Jade Ginseng into his storage pouch.
He then left the Hundred Treasures Tower and flew towards the outskirts of the market city.
Sensing no one was watching him, Chen Jianghe found a deep spot on a mundane mountain with no spirit vein and reverted to his original appearance.
With a thought, the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword appeared beneath his feet, transforming into a streak of silver light as it flew towards Golden Ao Mountain.
He returned to the Spirit Spring Abode.
Chen Jianghe's anxious heart finally settled.
The State of Yue was searching for Ruan Tieniu, and Ruan Tieniu had proclaimed him as his best brother all over Thousand Mountains Market City.
As long as he showed his face in the market city, he would surely be "invited" by the State of Yue.
He was just a bit surprised. Why hadn't the Yue cultivators come to Golden Ao Mountain?
"Is he truly missing, or has he fallen?"
Chen Jianghe still found it hard to believe. Ruan Tieniu had an extremely strong will to survive, having turned danger into safety and escaped death multiple times.
A character like that shouldn't fall so easily.
Since he dared to venture deep into the Boundless Sea with Liu Zhining and Yan Ling'er, he must have been confident he could outrun those two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
But if he hadn't perished, why hadn't they returned to Thousand Mountains Market City?
Regardless of whether Ruan Tieniu was missing or dead.
Until there was definite news.
He would keep one Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman and one Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talisman for Ruan Tieniu.
With a thought, the formation jade pendant at Chen Jianghe's waist glimmered as he sent a voice message to Luo Xiyue, Jiang Ruxu, and Zhuang Xinyan.
He told them to avoid the market city for the time being and, more importantly, not to mention Ruan Tieniu's name.
The voice message had just been sent.
The formation jade pendant vibrated, signaling a response.
Chen Jianghe checked it and saw it was a reply from Luo Xiyue. He used a voice-recording bamboo to listen to her message.
"It was them? No wonder~"
Luo Xiyue already knew about Ruan Tieniu's disappearance.
A year ago, cultivators from Yue had come to Golden Ao Mountain to inquire, but they went to the wrong place. Their request for a visit was sent to the Ao Head.
They were looking for Luo Xiyue to ask about Ruan Tieniu.
Normally, upon seeing Luo Xiyue, they would have thought they had the wrong person, but Luo Xiyue's relationship with Chen Jianghe was also well-known in Thousand Mountains Market City.
So, these Yue cultivators questioned Luo Xiyue.
As one might expect, their method of inquiry was probably inappropriate. Two early-stage Foundation Establishment generals from Yue were "invited" into the Ao Head by Luo Xiyue and promptly slain by Gao Peiyao.
As for why it was Gao Peiyao who did the killing.
It was naturally because Gao Peiyao was living in the Waterfall Abode at the Ao Head, and she was also a Core Formation prodigy of the Tiannan Sect.
Fighting was prohibited in the market city.
Fighting was also forbidden within the territory of Thousand Mountains Market City.
But if you trespassed on someone else's dao field, you deserved to die.
Later, the Yue cultivators came again. Unsurprisingly, they were "invited" by Gao Peiyao into the Ao Head's mountain-protecting grand formation.
Luo Xiyue struck and killed them.
They came to Golden Ao Island twice and lost five Foundation Establishment generals. It was hard to say whether this had hurt the State of Yue or woken them up.
After that, no more generals from Yue came to Golden Ao Mountain.
Entering someone else's dao field? Death there would be in vain.
This was why Chen Jianghe never entered a stranger's dao field. Even if it was an acquaintance he didn't fully trust, he wouldn't step inside their domain.
Take Ruan Tieniu, for example.
Chen Jianghe went to the Waterfall Abode at the Ao Head. After speaking with Luo Xiyue, he learned that Gao Peiyao had left half a year ago.
She said she was heading to the Boundless Sea.
Chen Jianghe gained a new understanding of Gao Peiyao.
He could understand Luo Xiyue killing the Yue cultivators; she had done plenty of domineering things.
Back when they passed through Serene Valley, they were the ones who had trespassed. The Feng brothers had only issued a spiritual sense warning.
Later, Luo Xiyue seized the opportunity to extort them.
If she hadn't been completely certain of victory, and if Chen Jianghe hadn't been there to persuade her otherwise, Luo Xiyue would have wanted to attack and kill the Feng brothers.
"I never expected Peiyao to be so combative."
Chen Jianghe muttered to himself.
Then, he looked at Luo Xiyue and said, "Fellow Daoist Luo, you killed five of Yue's generals. For Peiyao to head to the Boundless Sea at a time like this, isn't that giving the State of Yue a chance for revenge?"
Gao Peiyao was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with a spirit-nurturing offensive magical tool and a spirit-nurturing defensive magical tool for protection.
Her strength was formidable.
But the State of Yue had Core Formation experts, and more than one.
No matter how powerful a Foundation Establishment cultivator was, they couldn't fight a Core Formation expert. The State of Yue could send a single False Core wandering cultivator and easily capture Gao Peiyao.
"The State of Yue won't make a move against Peiyao."
Luo Xiyue's beautiful face was like a silver platter. Dressed in a pure white lotus-leaf skirt, she exuded a cold and aloof aura. Her red lips trembled, releasing a fragrant scent.
"This trip to the Boundless Sea is to search for Liu Zhining. Nine other disciples from the Tiannan Sect are going with her, including that Xiao Chen."
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe was relieved.
True Lord Chengtian was right here in Thousand Mountains Market City. If the State of Yue dared to move against Gao Peiyao, they would have to get past Xiao Chen first.
And if the State of Yue made a move against Xiao Chen.
True Lord Chengtian would likely pay a visit to the capital of Yue.
Although the State of Yue also had Core Formation experts, Core Formation cultivators were divided into Adepts and True Lords, indicating a difference in strength.
There would be no need for the Tiannan Sect to intervene.
Chengtian Peak alone could annihilate the State of Yue.
True Lord Chengtian was a Core Formation True Lord of the Tiannan Sect and the Peak Lord of Chengtian Peak. Beneath him, Chengtian Peak also had Core Formation elders.
"Searching for Liu Zhining? How could she still be alive after going missing in the Boundless Sea?" Chen Jianghe was stunned and asked doubtfully.
"Peiyao said that True Lord Chengtian used a secret sect art and sensed that Liu Zhining is still alive. He even pinpointed her approximate location."
Seeing Chen Jianghe's confused expression, Luo Xiyue explained, "They are likely trapped within a restriction or a formation."
"Oh... so that's how it is!"
Chen Jianghe's heart leaped with joy.
Honestly, he didn't want anything to happen to Ruan Tieniu. He was a very good partner.
Even if he was a bit of a swindler.
But with him, he had been fairly decent.
---
Chen Jianghe returned to the Spirit Spring Abode and saw the faintly glowing post box. With a sweep of his spiritual sense, he retrieved the two letters inside.
One was from Yu Daniu, and the other was from Xu Feng.
He first opened Yu Daniu's letter, which spoke of the recent situation at Qiyun Mountain and Mirror Moon Lake.
Yu Daniu had written frequently over the past two years.
He had become more talkative, filling his letters with everyday matters.
Things like the Yu Clan's development, the spiritual root situations of the Yu Clan's descendants, and Yun Xiaoniu's circumstances outside.
"The two Qinghe clans, relying on Serene Valley, have occupied Dudong and Heling, renaming the six-thousand-li territory to Qinghe and gaining a commanding position over Qiyun Mountain."
"Their territory is already large enough. The Lu Clan will surely suppress their expansion."
From Yu Daniu's letter, Chen Jianghe learned about the situation of the two Qinghe clans. They had completely occupied Dudong and Heling.
They had formed a semi-encirclement around Ferry Market City.
They could completely rely on Ferry Market City for their development, change the cultivation environment there, and gradually enhance their own clan's power.
It was just a pity that the third-tier spirit beast had perished.
Otherwise, by developing around Ferry Market City, the two Qinghe clans might have even produced a Core Formation expert in the future.
Currently, the two Qinghe clans had halted their external expansion, likely due to a warning from the Puppet Lu Clan.
This allowed the Yu Clan of Qiyun Mountain and the Yun Clan of Mirror Moon Lake to breathe a sigh of relief.
Otherwise, their two clans would not have been able to withstand an attack from the two Qinghe clans.
It was just that the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine had been snatched away by the two Qinghe clans.
The Yunmen Mountain spirit mine had been confirmed as a second-tier, mid-grade spirit mine, capable of yielding at least eighty thousand spirit stones.
The Yu Clan had already mined twenty thousand, and now the two Qinghe clans had taken over.
"The two Qinghe clans have late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, and more than one. Daniu was right to give up the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine."
"Otherwise, if relations soured, they might not act openly, but there's no guarantee they wouldn't resort to secret assassinations."
The situation being what it was, they were weaker and could only retreat and yield.
Otherwise, they would face annihilation.
Chen Jianghe wanted to help, but he didn't have the ability to do so right now.
If he were a Core Formation expert, he wouldn't need to say a word. The legends of him and Yu Daniu circulating in Mirror Moon Lake and Qiyun Mountain alone...
...would make the two Qinghe clans not dare to covet the Yu Clan.
He wrote a reply to Yu Daniu.
It was the usual advice, telling Yu Daniu to act cautiously and for the Yu Clan to develop steadily.
Before they had sufficient strength, they must not antagonize the two Qinghe clans or get into any disputes with them.
In truth, Yun Xiaoniu had left Qiyun Mountain to seek development elsewhere in search of a breakthrough opportunity.
To truly support his family.
And not be bullied by outsiders.
Chen Jianghe placed the letter in the post box and opened Xu Feng's letter, which was about Ruan Tieniu.
It warned Chen Jianghe not to go to the market city anytime soon, or he would be targeted by those demonic cultivators from Yue.
Chen Jianghe wasn't surprised by Xu Feng's letter.
Xu Feng had always wanted to be on good terms with him.
How could he miss such a good opportunity?
Besides, it was just a simple warning. It didn't require any substantial effort.
With a flick of his spiritual power, he turned the letter to dust.
He didn't reply to Xu Feng and continued his secluded cultivation.
His Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art had reached the peak of the fourth level and would soon break through to the fifth.
The water-attribute Essence Soul Pills had been completely absorbed and refined.
The five stalks of Blood Jade Ginseng he just bought were enough for him to cultivate the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art to the fifth level.
It took Chen Jianghe a month to complete the half-finished Second Wood Soul-Entangling Talisman.
He then spent another three months drawing a Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman.
Compared to the Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talisman and the Second Wood Soul-Entangling Talisman, the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman wasn't too complex.
Perhaps it was because Chen Jianghe had mastered the technique of drawing second-tier, high-grade talismans.
Or perhaps it was because both the Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talisman and the Second Wood Soul-Entangling Talisman had additional properties, making them inherently more difficult to draw.
Chen Jianghe stood outside the Spirit Spring Abode, looking at the eighty acres of slightly raised spirit fields. Under the sunlight, the Immortal Crystal Rice glittered like crystals with a multicolored halo, resembling a patch of rainbow-colored clouds.
Maoqiu was leading a group of mountain monkeys to harvest the Immortal Crystal Rice. Among these monkeys, five had actually become spirit beasts.
It seemed they had not disappointed Xiao Hei's efforts in raising them.
Latiao, meanwhile, was in the washing river, herding the osmanthus fish and sturgeon into a small stream prepared for catching them.
Once Maoqiu and the mountain monkeys finished harvesting the Immortal Crystal Rice, they could help it catch the osmanthus fish and sturgeon directly.
Two days later.
A cultivator from the Hundred Treasures Tower came to Golden Ao Mountain, collected the Immortal Crystal Rice and the two types of spirit fish, and left behind Immortal Crystal Rice seeds and fish fry.
The Immortal Crystal Rice yielded four dan per mu, for a net profit of four thousand eight hundred spirit stones.
This batch of farmed spirit fish was quite good, yielding eight hundred more spirit stones than last time, for a total of six thousand eight hundred spirit stones.
Subtracting the one thousand two hundred spirit stones for the fry, the net profit was five thousand six hundred spirit stones.
The total income was ten thousand four hundred spirit stones.
Chen Jianghe now had fourteen thousand five hundred and seventy spirit stones on hand.
However, he still needed to give Zhuang Xinyan seven thousand five hundred spirit stones.
Zhuang Xinyan had paid last month's rent for Golden Ao Mountain on his behalf, and he had to pay her back.
Chen Jianghe used the formation jade pendant to send a voice message to Zhuang Xinyan.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the formation jade pendant received a reply.
Arriving at the Clear Sound Pavilion, he saw the gentle and lovely Zhuang Xinyan. After reaching Foundation Establishment, her features seemed to have blossomed, making her even more beautiful and charming.
"Brother Chen."
Zhuang Xinyan's voice was soft and melodious. She walked gracefully towards him, her gentle gaze fixed on Chen Jianghe.
"Xinyan, this is the rent for Golden Ao Mountain." Chen Jianghe took out seven thousand five hundred spirit stones and handed them to Zhuang Xinyan.
Seeing the spirit stones, a trace of disappointment flashed in Zhuang Xinyan's eyes.
"My junior sister and I both have cultivation resources; we don't need the spirit stones. Brother Chen can hold onto them for now."
Her voice was gentle and considerate.
Ever since Alchemist Zhuang passed away, Zhuang Xinyan seemed to have grown up, her words and actions becoming more measured.
She was no longer the timid girl-next-door.
She had transformed into a gentle, understanding, and lovely young woman.
"Keep them for me for now. I'll ask you for them when I need them," Chen Jianghe said with a smile.
"Alright, then I'll keep them safe for Brother Chen."
Zhuang Xinyan's face lit up with a happy smile as she put the spirit stones away.
"Xinyan, how is the production of the first-tier, high-grade support puppets coming along?"
Chen Jianghe asked.
Puppets would definitely be indispensable for entering the secret realm.
If Zhuang Xinyan couldn't make first-tier, high-grade support puppets, he would have to buy them elsewhere.
"Brother Chen, I've only made three so far, but I'll make another eight before the secret realm opens."
The opening of a secret realm in the Northern Extreme Snowy Forest was no longer a secret.
Chen Jianghe had also told Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan about his intention to enter the secret realm.
"Three? That many!"
Chen Jianghe showed a look of surprise.
Two and a half years ago, Zhuang Xinyan had started trying to make first-tier, high-grade support puppets, but the way of puppets was not so easy.
Even with Zhuang Xinyan's considerable talent.
And her Foundation Establishment cultivation base, it was still difficult to directly create a first-tier, high-grade support puppet.
From what Chen Jianghe knew, Zhuang Xinyan had failed seven times.
As of now, Zhuang Xinyan had only been involved in the way of puppets for a mere ten years. To be able to create three first-tier, high-grade support puppets was already very impressive.
"Xinyan, these three support puppets are enough. You don't need to overwork yourself." Chen Jianghe's gaze softened as he looked at Zhuang Xinyan, and he spoke in a gentle voice.
The secret realm would open in a little over two years. For Zhuang Xinyan to create eight first-tier, high-grade support puppets in such a short time would surely consume a great deal of mental energy.
After all, she had only just become a first-tier, high-grade puppet master.
Zhuang Xinyan didn't say anything upon hearing Chen Jianghe's words, but her heart was filled with joy.
It further strengthened the resolve in her heart.
Chen Jianghe put away the three first-tier, high-grade support puppets and took out another six hundred spirit stones for Zhuang Xinyan.
The price of a first-tier, high-grade puppet was two hundred spirit stones each.
The price wasn't expensive.
But they were very difficult to make.
This was also why the way of puppets ranked behind the way of talismans. During the Qi Refining stage, it was obvious that talismans were more profitable than puppets.
But once puppetry skills advanced to the second tier, the speed at which one could earn spirit stones was something the way of talismans couldn't compare to.
However, the cultivation world was still dominated by Qi Refining cultivators.
Therefore, the way of puppets was not included among the four major cultivation arts.
Just then, Jiang Ruxu emerged from her cultivation chamber. Seeing Chen Jianghe, she quickened her pace and walked over.
She said joyfully, "Brother Chen, did you come to see us?"
"Uh... haha, yes."
Chen Jianghe couldn't help but laugh.
He looked at the playful and lively Jiang Ruxu, but in her bright eyes, he saw a hint of exhaustion.
It was likely caused by excessive mental exertion.
"Ruxu, is your deal with the Lin Clan almost over?"
Chen Jianghe knew that Jiang Ruxu was refining pills for the Lin Clan. Fourteen cauldrons of spirit pills in eight years was an extremely mentally draining task.
Although the reward was handsome and it could also improve Jiang Ruxu's alchemy skills and insights.
Excessive mental exertion was detrimental to long-term cultivation and could even shorten one's lifespan, which wasn't worth the trade-off.
"Just two more cauldrons of spirit pills, and the deal will be finished." Thinking that after refining two more cauldrons, she could start a new deal, Jiang Ruxu felt very happy.
Although it was tiring, being able to obtain more cultivation resources gave her a great sense of satisfaction.
Most importantly, once this deal was over, she would have time to refine spirit pills for Chen Jianghe.
She hadn't helped Chen Jianghe refine pills in four years.
Therefore, she decided that for her next deal, she would choose a spirit pill order with a more flexible schedule.
"Mm, after you finish the deal with the Lin Clan, take a good rest for a while. Earning resources is important, but your own well-being is more important."
"You can't wear yourself out just to earn a few more resources, understand?"
Chen Jianghe instructed her sternly.
"I know." Jiang Ruxu pouted, her voice drawing out the word, as she looked at Chen Jianghe with her playful, lively eyes.
The next moment.
Jiang Ruxu's expression turned serious. She looked at Chen Jianghe and asked, "Brother Chen, have you ever thought about getting married and having children?"
Zhuang Xinyan snapped her head towards Jiang Ruxu, a flash of surprise in her eyes.
She hadn't expected her junior sister to be so blunt!
But she still looked at Chen Jianghe nervously.
