Chapter 230
Chapter 230
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 230
Chapter Title: Overseas Cultivators, Lu Qingming's Gift
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"Marry and have children?"
Chen Jianghe was taken aback, looking at Jiang Ruxu's earnest face, then at Zhuang Xinyan's nervous expression.
He understood Jiang Ruxu's intentions.
He also knew what was on Zhuang Xinyan's mind.
The two women had been with him for so many years. He wasn't a fool; although he hadn't experienced the matters between men and women in this life, he could sense their feelings.
Back then, before Alchemist Zhuang passed away, when she gave him the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, she had wanted to ask him to take care of Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu.
This "taking care" didn't just mean protecting them for a short while.
It meant keeping them by his side, guarding them for a lifetime.
However, Alchemist Zhuang didn't want to use her kindness to pressure Chen Jianghe, so she never uttered those words in the end.
This made Chen Jianghe very grateful.
Alchemist Zhuang had helped him immensely during his Qi Refining stage. Her kindness was immense, even greater than Gao Peiyao's.
So great that he would have found it hard to refuse.
"Brother Chen, will you marry and have children?"
Zhuang Xinyan's gentle gaze was filled with anticipation as she looked at Chen Jianghe, her delicate hands tightly clutching the jade belt of her dress.
That Jiang Ruxu was the one to ask if he had any thoughts of marriage didn't strike Chen Jianghe as deeply.
Her personality was lively, unlike Zhuang Xinyan's gentle and quiet demeanor.
"I..."
Chen Jianghe took a deep breath, a bitter smile filling his face.
A warm home with a wife and kids.
How could he not have thought of it?
But he knew very well that, for now, it was an unattainable fantasy.
He was currently just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If he were in Mirror Moon Lake or Qiyun Mountain, he would be a revered Foundation Establishment Ancestor.
But in Thousand Mountains Market City, he was just a minor mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
He couldn't withstand even a slight tremor in the world of cultivation.
But seeing the expectant looks in Jiang Ruxu's and Zhuang Xinyan's eyes, he didn't want to, and couldn't, ruin their futures.
Jiang Ruxu was a great help to him.
Having a grandmaster alchemist by his side was of immense benefit to his cultivation.
Zhuang Xinyan had also shown extraordinary talent in the art of puppetry; keeping her by his side would be a great asset as well.
But he couldn't, for his own selfish reasons, waste their youth.
Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan were about the same age, both having reached sixty. For Foundation Establishment cultivators...
At sixty, they were in the prime of their lives.
"The cultivation world is treacherous and unpredictable. A Foundation Establishment cultivator has only just found his footing. A single misstep could lead to eternal damnation. It's not like the Core Formation magnates with their divine abilities and magic treasures. In such a situation, how could I dare to speak of marriage and children?"
Chen Jianghe's face was filled with bitterness as he looked helplessly at the two women.
Hearing this, Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan exchanged a glance and lowered their heads in deep thought.
After a moment.
Jiang Ruxu looked up at Chen Jianghe, her tone tinged with complaint, "Is it that Brother Chen fancies Fairy Luo and is just using this as an excuse to put us sisters off?"
"Luo Xiyue?"
Chen Jianghe was stunned, then couldn't help but smile. "If I were to truly look for someone, it would be you two... Don't let your minds wander. You should focus on your cultivation."
"The secret realm is about to open, and I still need to craft talismans. I won't stay any longer."
With that, Chen Jianghe quickly left the Clear Sound Pavilion.
"Junior Sister, Brother Chen wants us to leave."
A trace of loneliness flickered in Zhuang Xinyan's eyes. Her voice was dejected, tinged with a hint of sorrow. Her heart felt like a chaotic mix of emotions as she fought back the bitterness.
"Senior Sister, you're wrong."
Jiang Ruxu turned to look at Zhuang Xinyan and said, "While Brother Chen's words did imply he doesn't want to hold us back, what he said is also true."
"Until he forms his core, he doesn't dare to speak of marriage."
"But he also said afterward—though he didn't finish his sentence—that if he were to look for a Dao companion after forming his core, it would be us."
"Ultimately, we sisters have a higher priority than Fairy Luo."
Zhuang Xinyan felt that Jiang Ruxu's words made sense, but when she thought about Core Formation, she felt no confidence at all.
"Brother Chen said he'll only consider marriage after reaching Core Formation. Can we wait until he does?"
"Why not?"
Jiang Ruxu retorted, "A Foundation Establishment cultivator's vitality begins to decline at one hundred and eighty. If he hasn't formed his core by then, his chances will become slim."
"At that time, Brother Chen will surely have thoughts of marrying and having children."
"When Brother Chen's vitality declines at one hundred and eighty, we will still be in our prime. It won't be too late for anything."
"Senior Sister, we will fulfill Master's wish, give birth to heirs, and carry on the Zhuang family bloodline."
Zhuang Xinyan felt this was reasonable and nodded. "Yes, we won't leave. He speaks of Core Formation, so we'll wait until he's one hundred and eighty."
"Senior Sister, we must work harder. You strive to become a second-tier Puppet Master as soon as possible, and I'll strive to refine second-tier high-grade spirit pills. That way, Brother Chen will rely on us even more."
"I'll refine pills, you'll make puppets. We will definitely outshine Fairy Luo."
"Okay."
In their hearts, neither Jiang Ruxu nor Zhuang Xinyan truly believed Chen Jianghe could reach Core Formation. They knew very well how difficult it was.
Even sect disciples wouldn't dare speak lightly of Core Formation, let alone a rogue cultivator.
Among a hundred Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators, it would be difficult for even one to form a core.
---
Chen Jianghe returned to his Spirit Spring Abode and sat cross-legged under the Dragon Pattern Red Pine, thinking about the matter at the Clear Sound Pavilion.
He had already made his thoughts clear.
Whether they stayed or left was up to them.
If they stayed, Chen Jianghe would do his best to protect them.
If they chose to leave, he wouldn't stop them.
Until he formed his core, he dared not speak of matters between men and women.
As for having children?
Chen Jianghe dared not even think about it.
Half a year passed, and he successfully crafted two Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans.
He now had eleven second-tier high-grade talismans: three Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans, four Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talismans, and four Second Wood Soul-Entangling Talismans.
He also had fourteen second-tier mid-grade talismans: five Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans, five Green Wood Immortal Shield Talismans, and four Rushing Thunder Talismans.
"If I hadn't given a Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talisman to the Talisman Master Alliance, I would have twelve second-tier high-grade talismans."
At this thought, resentment towards the Cen Clan welled up in his heart.
However, he still needed to find a way to get some more second-tier high-grade spirit beast hides. He only had three left.
In less than a year, he could turn them all into talismans.
There was still time left. If he could obtain more second-tier high-grade spirit beast hides, he would naturally want to craft more second-tier high-grade talismans.
If he really couldn't get any, he would have to settle for crafting second-tier mid-grade talismans.
If he were to craft second-tier mid-grade talismans, he wouldn't have to worry about the hides. He had a second-tier high-grade spirit wood plant growing right at home.
...
Chen Jianghe went to the Turtle Head Waterfall Abode, wanting to ask Luo Xiyue if Gao Peiyao had returned from the Boundless Sea.
As soon as he walked into the waterfall abode, he saw Gao Peiyao talking with Luo Xiyue.
"Peiyao, did you find Fellow Daoist Liu?" Chen Jianghe asked.
Liu Zhinning's life or death was of no concern to him.
He was worried about Ruan Tieniu.
"Brother Jianghe is asking about Fellow Daoist Ruan, isn't he!"
Gao Peiyao pursed her lips and giggled. "Senior Sister Liu and Fellow Daoist Ruan were trapped in a small secret realm. Fortunately, Peak Master Chengtian was in Thousand Mountains Market City. Otherwise, with just us Foundation Establishment disciples, we would never have been able to rescue them."
"Of course, it was also fortunate that Senior Sister Liu is a disciple of Peak Master Luoxia. Otherwise..."
Gao Peiyao didn't finish, but Chen Jianghe understood the implication.
If it were an ordinary Tiannan Sect disciple trapped in the Boundless Sea, their fate would be left to the heavens.
After all, for the massive Tiannan Sect, one more or one less Foundation Establishment disciple made little difference.
It wasn't worth having a Peak Master personally intervene to save them.
But it was best not to say things that would undermine the unity of the Tiannan Sect.
"Fellow Daoist Liu and Fellow Daoist Ruan were trapped in a secret realm, but what about the princess of Yue?"
Chen Jianghe showed a look of surprise.
When Gao Peiyao spoke of the rescue, she didn't mention Princess Yan Ling'er of Yue, even though the three of them had entered the Boundless Sea together.
If they were rescuing people, all three should have been saved together.
How could one be left behind?
"According to Senior Sister Liu and Fellow Daoist Ruan, Yan Ling'er was taken away by overseas cultivators."
"Overseas cultivators?"
"Yes, a Core Formation magnate from overseas."
Chen Jianghe was somewhat stunned by this.
This was the first time he had heard of overseas cultivators, and a Core Formation magnate at that.
"Aren't there many demonic beasts in the Boundless Sea? How can there be cultivators?" Chen Jianghe asked in confusion.
"Hehe~"
Gao Peiyao giggled. "Brother Jianghe, there are immortal islands in the Boundless Sea, so naturally there are cultivators."
However, Gao Peiyao seemed reluctant to say more about the Boundless Sea.
"Although Senior Sister Liu and Fellow Daoist Ruan said so, the Yue Kingdom doesn't believe them. They want to invite Fellow Daoist Ruan to the Yue Kingdom to prove his innocence."
"Did Fellow Daoist Ruan go?"
"No."
"That's good."
Go to the Yue Kingdom to prove his innocence?
Even if the Yue sovereign's soul-searching secret art truly didn't harm the soul, once your soul was searched, all your secrets would be known to the other party.
Besides, could a rogue cultivator with no backing ever return after going to the Yue Kingdom?
"By the way, the Yue Kingdom also invited Sister Xiyue. Hehe~" Gao Peiyao's phoenix eyes flickered as she glanced at Luo Xiyue.
"Mm, I will make a trip to the Yue Kingdom when I have the chance."
"Great! Sister Xiyue, let me know when you're going. I'll take on a demon-slaying sect mission."
"Alright."
A cold glint flashed in Luo Xiyue's icy eyes. Her expression was serious, not at all like she was joking. She really was planning to find an opportunity to go to the Yue Kingdom.
Chen Jianghe knew a bit about Luo Xiyue's background.
From the way she had brazenly barged into the Secluded Valley that one time, he could guess that Luo Xiyue had the confidence to not fear a Core Formation magnate.
The Yue Kingdom thought they could treat Luo Xiyue like a pushover?
They were sorely mistaken.
It was just a bit unfortunate for Ruan Tieniu.
The Yue Kingdom didn't dare provoke the Tiannan Sect and ask Liu Zhinning to prove her innocence, but they dared to ask Ruan Tieniu to do so.
As for killing the generals of Yue?
Gao Peiyao had killed three, and the Yue Kingdom had welcomed her with smiles.
Luo Xiyue killed two, yet she received an "invitation" from the Yue Kingdom.
It was clear they were the type to bully the weak and fear the strong.
Unfortunately for them, Luo Xiyue, this ice beauty, was no pushover.
"Brother Jianghe, do you want to go to the Yue Kingdom with us?" Gao Peiyao tilted her head and looked at Chen Jianghe, her charming eyes smiling.
"I am a person who prefers quiet and dislikes movement," Chen Jianghe said seriously, his expression solemn.
At this, Luo Xiyue glanced at Chen Jianghe before turning away, her cherry-red lips moving as if she were saying something under her breath.
Leaving Turtle Head Peak.
Chen Jianghe returned to his Spirit Spring Abode.
Knowing that Ruan Tieniu was safe brought him considerable relief.
However, Ruan Tieniu would now be confined to Thousand Mountains Market City. The moment he stepped outside its borders...
He would be captured by the people of Yue for a soul-search.
Another two months passed, and he crafted another Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talisman.
His Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art had also successfully broken through to the fifth level. His body was now as tough as a mid-tier second-rank demonic beast, comparable to a primate spirit beast like Maoqiu, which wasn't known for its defense.
Perhaps it was due to the nature of the art.
After breaking through to the fifth level, his skin had become even better—fair and firm. Even his facial features had changed slightly.
His eyes were deep and bright, his eyebrows dark and thick, and the bridge of his nose had become a little more prominent, giving it a high, elegant look.
Before, his appearance was unremarkable, the kind that would disappear in a crowd without a ripple.
Now, upon closer inspection, he was actually quite handsome.
"The Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art not only strengthens my body but also makes my skin more delicate and supple, and even slightly alters my appearance."
Chen Jianghe looked at his arm. It was fair and firm, looking so supple one could almost squeeze water out of it. This made him wonder if the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art was actually a body-tempering art for female cultivators.
With a thought, he formed a hand seal. Water-attribute magical power surged from his Spirit Gate, transforming into a sword and a saber that slashed at his forearm.
Clang! Thud!
The sword and saber only left two white marks on his forearm without even breaking the skin. Chen Jianghe didn't even feel any pain.
The sword and saber, condensed from magical power, were comparable to high-grade offensive magic tools.
Now that he had cultivated the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art to the fifth level, he was already impervious to high-grade magic tools.
His resistance to water-based spells must have also increased dramatically.
With a thought, a three-foot-long black arrow materialized ten zhang away and shot rapidly toward him.
Bang!
A ripple-like barrier appeared on the surface of Chen Jianghe's body. The moment the water arrow made contact, it was instantly converted into water-attribute spiritual energy.
As of now, his physical body could withstand the water-attribute spell attacks of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.
Even against attacks of other attributes, his body had a certain resistance.
Although he couldn't nullify them as easily as water-attribute spells, they still couldn't break through his physical defense.
If it were a second-tier spell...
Chen Jianghe's current physical body also had a certain resistance. Though not high, it could still nullify ten percent of the damage.
For a second-tier water-based spell, it could nullify twenty, or even thirty percent.
Of course, this was in reference to attacks from early and mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Another month passed.
The spirit beasts on Golden Turtle Mountain grew busy again.
Maoqiu led the mountain monkeys in harvesting the Immortal Crystal Rice. Latiao was also helping on the side, using its magical power to neatly stack the rice.
Latiao was now twelve feet long, and its cultivation had reached the peak of the late first-tier.
There was a good chance it could become a second-tier spirit beast before the secret realm opened.
It had only been six years since Latiao hatched.
However, the moment it hatched, it was already at the mid first-tier. One had to marvel at the benefits of a pure bloodline.
Later, it also benefited from Chen Jianghe's cultivation of Absolute Freeze, whether it was the condensation of the ice source or the refining of the Profound Ice Lotus seeds.
These were all opportunities for Latiao.
Thus, Latiao took just over a year to break through to the late first-tier, and then it began cultivating using second-tier ice-attribute spirit cores.
This was a luxury that Xiao Hei and Maoqiu never had.
Using spirit cores to cultivate right after reaching the late first-tier greatly increased Latiao's cultivation speed.
Most importantly, Latiao didn't have a bottleneck to break through to the second tier.
This meant that once its magical power was strong enough, it would naturally condense into liquefied magical power, and it would become a second-tier spirit beast.
Chen Jianghe's cultivation level was higher now.
He had more resources on hand, allowing him to raise spirit beasts much faster and save a great deal of time.
"If I had one more second-tier ice-attribute spirit core, Latiao could definitely break through to the second tier before the secret realm opens."
Chen Jianghe had given all the second-tier ice-attribute spirit cores he had obtained from the bartering exchange to Latiao to aid its cultivation.
But now, that second-tier ice-attribute spirit core was almost completely refined by Latiao.
Latiao had already consumed two of his second-tier ice-attribute spirit cores.
One more would make it three ice-attribute spirit cores. Although it was resource-intensive, a second-tier Latiao would be extremely useful.
Its combat power would increase dramatically.
Two days later.
A cultivator from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion delivered the Immortal Crystal Rice seeds and collected the mature rice.
Another 4,800 spirit stones were earned.
Chen Jianghe now had 5,270 spirit stones on hand.
A month ago, he had purchased a batch of demonic beast blood, spending over three thousand spirit stones.
Standing outside his Spirit Spring Abode, he watched the diligent Latiao moving through the spirit field, plowing and loosening the soil.
Its massive body turned the earth, after which the earthworms would till the soil.
It had to be said...
This method made the work much easier.
The soil also became better.
The deeper soil, which contained richer spiritual energy, was brought to the surface.
One could foresee that the next year would surely be a bountiful one.
However, after the next harvest, he couldn't plant again. When he went to the secret realm, he would have to take all these spirit pets with him.
Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan didn't know how to farm and couldn't help manage the fields, so he would have to let them lie fallow for a year.
Nearly two more months passed, and he had another Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman in his hands.
After his physical body's cultivation broke through...
His speed at crafting second-tier high-grade talismans had increased. It used to take him three months to craft one.
Now, it only took about two months and twenty-five days.
He had shortened the time by a full five days.
"There's still one year and two months until the secret realm opens. I need to find a way to buy more second-tier high-grade spirit beast hides."
"I'll have to make a trip to the market city."
Now that Liu Zhinning and Ruan Tieniu had been rescued, although the Yue Kingdom didn't believe the story about Yan Ling'er being taken by an overseas magnate...
Even if they didn't believe it, they could only go after Ruan Tieniu.
They would no longer seek him out just because he was Ruan Tieniu's friend. So, it was a good time to visit the market city.
He didn't plan to use a disguise this time.
If possible, he would need to trade a second-tier high-grade talisman for second-tier high-grade spirit beast hides.
After all, he had no other treasures to trade.
He had three Soul-Calming and Spirit-Settling Pills.
But this kind of soul-healing medicinal pill was something one could only hope to encounter by chance. It was better to hold onto them; each one used was one less available.
Besides, his identity as a talisman grandmaster had been confirmed by the Talisman Master Alliance. It was impossible to keep it hidden any longer.
So, there was no need to hide when going to the bartering exchange for second-tier high-grade spirit beast hides.
He left Golden Turtle Mountain.
Arriving at the market city, he no longer saw the immortal kingdom generals reeking of bloodlust.
Evidently, once the Yue Kingdom had a target, they stopped wasting so much manpower and resources. They just needed to keep a close watch on Ruan Tieniu now.
Chen Jianghe went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and up to the fourth-floor bartering exchange.
He immediately drew many gazes.
His status was no longer that of an ordinary rogue cultivator.
The Lucky Elder who reached Foundation Establishment at eighty.
Grandmaster Chen, with his exquisite talisman skills.
The 'husband' of the weapon-refining grandmaster, Fairy Luo.
Any one of these titles would attract attention, let alone all three belonging to one person.
Chen Jianghe ignored the gazes and started walking around the bartering exchange, looking for the resources he needed.
After a lap, he saw a few items he needed.
But he didn't have the treasures the owners wanted.
"Grandmaster Chen."
Just then, a voice sounded from behind Chen Jianghe, causing him to turn around.
When he saw who had called him, he was surprised, but his expression remained unchanged, showing no ripple of emotion.
"And you are, fellow Daoist?"
"I am Lu Qingming."
The young master, dressed in fine clothes and exuding an air of elegance, clasped his hands in a salute and introduced himself.
"Grandmaster Chen may have forgotten, but we have met before. It's just that Grandmaster Chen had not yet reached Foundation Establishment at the time, and you were being ambushed by robbers."
At this point, Lu Qingming paused, looking at Chen Jianghe's unchanging expression, and then continued.
"I failed to recognize a pearl hidden in the dust and did not offer my assistance. Please forgive me, Grandmaster Chen."
Listening to Lu Qingming's words, the smile on Chen Jianghe's face did not waver as he said lightly, "You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Lu. We had no prior acquaintance. How could I dare trouble you for help?"
Regarding Lu Qingming initiating a conversation...
Chen Jianghe knew what the other party was thinking. He probably wanted to resolve their enmity and make peace.
But how could a feud over an attempt on his life be resolved?
If Luo Xiyue hadn't been there, he would have likely been killed by Duan Tiande and this Young Master Lu's servant.
But since the other party was taking the initiative to smooth things over, there was no need for him to show a sour face.
It was better to keep the grudge in his heart.
There was no need to show it on his face.
And there was certainly no need for harsh words.
That would only make the other party wary of him and plot to kill him in secret, while also being on guard against him doing the same.
"I wonder what Grandmaster Chen has come to trade for? If I have it, I can gift it to you, Fellow Daoist, as a token of my apology."
Lu Qingming said with a cheerful smile.
This surprised Chen Jianghe. Logically, Lu Qingming shouldn't be acting this way. He was just a rogue cultivator; even as a talisman grandmaster, he didn't warrant such a humble attempt to resolve their past conflict.
The Lu Clan was one of the four great immortal clans of the Tiannan Region, the true power holders of the Eastern Territory.
Their status in the Tiannan Region was second only to the Tiannan Sect. The four great immortal clans stood above all other Core Formation immortal clans.
"My skills in the Dao of talismans are decent, so I came to the bartering exchange to look for second-tier high-grade spirit beast hides."
"Grandmaster Chen must be entering the secret realm as well and ought to be crafting second-tier high-grade talismans for yourself. As it happens, I have a piece of Supreme Purity Jade that might be of help to you."
"Supreme Purity Jade?"
Chen Jianghe's face lit up with joy.
A single piece of Supreme Purity Jade could be used to craft two second-tier high-grade talismans. This was good stuff. He hadn't expected Lu Qingming to take out Supreme Purity Jade to settle their past grievance.
What a pity, though.
Lu Qingming was already on that ice beauty Luo Xiyue's death list.
He was also being targeted by Ruan Tieniu.
As long as an opportunity arose, he would surely not escape death.
If he didn't take the treasure of a man marked for death, it would just end up in someone else's hands.
"Then I thank you, Fellow Daoist Lu."
Chen Jianghe didn't stand on ceremony. He accepted the Supreme Purity Jade from Lu Qingming and said, "The one who tried to kill me was Duan Tiande. Fellow Daoist Lu was just a passerby. I am very clear on this point."