Chapter 232
Chapter 232
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: Abundant Resources, Ample Preparations
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“He Lingchuan… and Lu Qingming are both external support for the same Core Formation prodigy of the Tiannan Sect. In that case, He Lingchuan likely contacted the prodigy through Lu Qingming to get this opportunity to enter the secret realm.”
When he saw the specific information about He Lingchuan, it turned out he had also received an invitation from the Tiannan Sect's Core Formation prodigy, Yuan Chenyu.
Just like Lu Qingming. This made Chen Jianghe wonder about the connection between them.
The two clans of Qinghe were very close with the Lu Clan.
What kind of price did they pay?
To make the Lu Clan look after the two Qinghe clans so well, not only bringing in a direct descendant but also allowing them to expand their territory in the Eastern Region without restraint.
“Peiyao, what's the strength of this Core Formation prodigy named Yuan Chenyu?” Chen Jianghe asked, looking at Gao Peiyao.
After entering the secret realm, Chen Jianghe, Gao Peiyao, and Luo Xiyue would be the closest of allies.
Asking about the strength of a sect disciple was something he didn't need to be reserved about; he could ask Gao Peiyao anything.
Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao had asked him to come precisely to exchange information on the strength of the Tiannan Sect's Core Formation prodigies, as well as the external cultivators.
“Senior Brother Yuan is a direct disciple of a Core Formation elder from Cuiyun Peak. He has a Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifact, but no Spirit-Nurturing defensive artifact.”
“However, I heard Senior Brother Xiao Chen mention him. He's raised a Tier 2 fire-attribute spirit beast, which should also be at the late-stage of Tier 2.”
“Among those entering the secret realm this time, he's considered one of the stronger Core Formation prodigies.”
In just a few words, Gao Peiyao laid out Yuan Chenyu's details. As for why Chen Jianghe was asking about him?
She didn't know, but she could guess.
Because before Chen Jianghe arrived, after Luo Xiyue saw the list, the first sect Core Formation prodigy she asked about was also Yuan Chenyu.
This made Gao Peiyao very curious, feeling that there really might be something between Chen Jianghe and Luo Xiyue.
Could the rumors outside not be baseless after all?
Now, the two of them were on the same wavelength, both asking about Yuan Chenyu first after seeing the list.
It was too much of a coincidence.
“A Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifact and a late-stage Tier 2 fire-attribute spirit beast... his strength is indeed formidable.”
Chen Jianghe nodded.
That late-stage Tier 2 fire-attribute spirit beast alone could match three late-stage Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators.
As expected of a sect disciple. To be able to afford raising a late-stage Tier 2 demonic beast before even practicing the Hundred Arts.
“Does he have a Talisman Treasure?”
Chen Jianghe asked cautiously.
“A Talisman Treasure?”
Gao Peiyao smiled faintly, pursing her lips, and shook her head. “Brother Jianghe, you underestimate how precious Talisman Treasures are.”
“I can tell you for sure that among all the cultivators entering the secret realm this time, whether they are sect Core Formation prodigies or external Foundation Establishment cultivators, besides Sister Xiyue and me, the number of people with a Talisman Treasure can be counted on one hand.”
“Uh…”
Chen Jianghe was stunned for a moment.
He had indeed assumed Yuan Chenyu would have a Talisman Treasure.
After all, even Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao had them, so he felt that any cultivator with a strong background would possess one.
Even Cen Linchuan might have one.
He had subconsciously overlooked their rarity.
To create a Talisman Treasure, one not only needed Tier 3 talisman crafting skills but also a Core Formation cultivation base.
Furthermore, it required a Tier 3 spiritual item suitable for creating the Talisman Treasure.
If one wasn't afraid of paying a very high price, a False Core cultivator with Tier 3 talisman skills could also attempt to create one.
Of course, there were also some ancient secret arts that allowed Foundation Establishment cultivators with exquisite talisman skills to nurture a Talisman Treasure over a long period.
But such ancient secret arts were extremely rare.
It was likely that not even the talisman-crafting Cen Clan possessed such an ancient art.
Therefore, Talisman Treasures were still very difficult to obtain.
Not every Core Formation mighty figure possessed Tier 3 talisman crafting skills.
But hearing Gao Peiyao's words, among the group of cultivators entering the secret realm this time, there would be at most seven cultivators with a Talisman Treasure.
Two of them were right by his side.
As for Xiao Chen, he would definitely have one.
He wasn't considered an enemy for now.
There might be four other cultivators with Talisman Treasures, which still felt like a lot to Chen Jianghe.
Not safe enough.
He currently had no way to resist a Talisman Treasure.
As for Xiao Hei, he wasn't sure if it could block an attack from a Talisman Treasure.
Xiao Hei's defense was formidable, but it was only at the mid-stage of Tier 2, after all.
If it were at the late-stage of Tier 2, then blocking a Talisman Treasure's attack would be quite possible.
“Brother Jianghe, after we enter the secret realm, we need to seize resources quickly. Being too cautious will put us one step behind.”
Gao Peiyao was worried Chen Jianghe would be too conservative in the secret realm, so she told him everything she knew about it.
“Generally speaking, secret realms are filled with restrictions and rampant with demonic beasts. Any place with treasure will be guarded by them.”
“When the time comes, Sister Xiyue and I will handle killing the demonic beasts and guarding against sneak attacks from other cultivators. You'll be in charge of retrieving the treasures.”
Chen Jianghe felt relieved.
Gao Peiyao wanted him in the secret realm because he was reliable, someone she could trust to collect the treasures.
After saying all this, Gao Peiyao then asked Chen Jianghe, “Brother Jianghe, is there anything else you need?”
“Need?”
Chen Jianghe shook his head. He had already received too many benefits from Gao Peiyao.
Even if Gao Peiyao offered, he felt too embarrassed to ask for more.
“Not really. I've crafted some talismans that you might find useful.”
Chen Jianghe first took out two Azurewood Vine Shield Talismans and two Azurewood Soul-Binding Talismans, giving these four to Luo Xiyue.
Then, he took out two Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans and one Azurewood Soul-Binding Talisman.
He gave one Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman to Luo Xiyue, and the other, along with the Azurewood Soul-Binding Talisman, to Gao Peiyao.
Originally, Chen Jianghe had planned to only give Gao Peiyao one Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman, but considering the special nature of the Azurewood Soul-Binding Talisman…
…he decided to give her one as well. It might prove very useful inside the secret realm.
After all, the two women would be at the forefront of any battles, while he was just responsible for picking up treasures from behind.
He wouldn't have many opportunities to use talismans.
Three Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans, two Azurewood Vine Shield Talismans, and two Azurewood Soul-Binding Talismans—seven Tier 2 high-grade talismans in total—would be more than enough for him.
“A Tier 2 high-grade lightning-attribute escape talisman?”
Luo Xiyue gave Chen Jianghe a surprised look, clearly not expecting him to possess such a talisman-crafting legacy.
A Tier 2 high-grade escape talisman, and a lightning-attribute one at that. This was no ordinary Tier 2 talisman legacy.
Even she didn't have one.
Moreover, this Tier 2 high-grade lightning-attribute escape talisman was not part of her transaction with Chen Jianghe.
This caused a ripple in her heart, but when she saw that Chen Jianghe had also given Gao Peiyao a Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman and an Azurewood Soul-Binding Talisman…
…the ripple subsided, and her killing intent vanished.
“Brother Jianghe, you've really given your little sister a surprise.”
Gao Peiyao accepted the talismans from Chen Jianghe, her eyes filled with astonishment and surprise.
Legacies for special-attribute talismans were already rare.
Let alone a Tier 2 high-grade talisman legacy.
Chen Jianghe casually produced two Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans, which meant he had more. He must have obtained the legacy for this Tier 2 high-grade lightning-attribute escape talisman.
This made Gao Peiyao a little envious of Chen Jianghe's fortuitous encounters.
She had gotten this far because of her own untold secret, but she couldn't sense any similarity to her own situation in Chen Jianghe.
In other words, Chen Jianghe's secret was different from hers.
Chen Jianghe talked with Gao Peiyao and Luo Xiyue at the Waterfall Abode for four hours, and then he left.
Inside the secret realm, there was no need to be on guard against any specific person.
This was because Gao Peiyao's relationships within the Tiannan Sect were decent; she hadn't made enemies, but she didn't have many close friends either.
Therefore.
The good news was they didn't have to be on guard against any particular cultivator.
The bad news was they had to be wary of every cultivator.
From what Gao Peiyao said, outside, the disciples of the Tiannan Sect were polite and harmonious, but during trials, backstabbing and murder were commonplace.
There were still six months until the secret realm opened.
On the ninth day of the ninth month, Perfected Being Chengtian would use a great sect treasure to open the secret realm and send the trial-takers inside.
They needed to enter the Arctic Snow Forest in the eighth month.
It was already the third month, leaving five months until they had to enter the Arctic Snow Forest.
There wasn't much preparation time left for Chen Jianghe.
He first went to the market city and spent three thousand spirit stones to buy the spiritual blood of a Tier 2 demonic beast with a dragon bloodline.
He also bought five hundred spirit stones' worth of medicinal herbs.
Returning to the Spirit Spring Abode.
Chen Jianghe first watered the Dragon Pattern Red Pine with a hundred catties of Tier 2 demonic beast blood, then began crafting Tier 2 mid-grade talismans.
Two months passed.
Chen Jianghe now had three more Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans.
The Immortal Crystal Rice in his spirit field was also sold.
Because Latiao had tilled the subsoil, bringing the more spirit energy-rich soil to the surface, the yield of Immortal Crystal Rice reached four shi and two dou per mu.
It broke the previous record.
The total value reached ten thousand and eighty spirit stones.
This time, he didn't need to subtract the cost of the seeds, as the spirit field would lie fallow for a year.
Right now, he only knew the date of entry into the secret realm was the ninth of the ninth month, but how long they would be inside…
…he wouldn't know until it opened.
It would be at least three months.
It seemed short, but for growing Immortal Crystal Rice, the crystal worms could devour all the grain heads in three months.
With this income, Chen Jianghe now had twelve thousand eight hundred and fifty spirit stones.
Another month passed.
Ruan Tieniu sent a letter, once again reminding Chen Jianghe to save some Tier 2 high-grade talismans for him.
He was certain he would be entering the secret realm.
They would be meeting in two months, so Chen Jianghe didn't reply. At this time, the generals of Yue Kingdom were still guarding Ruan Tieniu's doorstep.
There was no need to cause unnecessary complications.
He wouldn't forget the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman and the Azurewood Vine Shield Talisman he was saving for Ruan Tieniu.
Time flew, and there was just over a month left before heading to the Arctic Snow Forest.
Chen Jianghe stopped crafting talismans.
He now had nine Tier 2 high-grade talismans. Subtracting the two he had prepared for Ruan Tieniu, he still had seven.
As for Tier 2 mid-grade talismans, he had twenty.
Eleven Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans, five Green Wood Immortal Shield Talismans, and four Rushing Thunder Talismans.
Gao Peiyao was right. Inside the secret realm, one couldn't be overly cautious; seizing the initiative was crucial.
If you don't make a move, treasures won't just fly into your hands.
Since he had to compete for them, his offensive means naturally had to be ample.
The Black-Armored Turtle habitat.
Chen Jianghe absorbed and refined the soul armor of the last mid-stage Tier 1 Black-Armored Turtle. Within his ten-zhang-square sea of consciousness, a gray protective barrier appeared, covered in dense patterns.
This was the sea of consciousness barrier constructed by cultivating the fifth level of the Sea of Consciousness Solidifying Origin Scripture.
Although it was only a basic construction, it gave Chen Jianghe's soul a certain degree of defensive capability.
As soon as it received a spiritual sense attack, this profound barrier would instantly generate soul thorns to attack the opponent's spiritual sense.
“My spiritual sense can extend three hundred twenty-three zhang and five chi, and I can control objects up to one hundred twenty-six jun. My spiritual sense is now comparable to a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's.”
Chen Jianghe retracted his spiritual sense.
He could now craft talismans much faster. His mental energy was robust, and the time needed for spiritual infusion was shortened.
However, he no longer had time to continue crafting talismans.
Nor did he have any Tier 2 high-grade spirit hides.
As for Tier 2 mid-grade talismans, he had twenty of them, which was enough.
“Xiao Hei, Maoqiu, Latiao.”
Chen Jianghe summoned them to him to inspect their cultivation and strength, especially Xiao Hei.
This was his main reliance for entering the secret realm.
Xiao Hei had absorbed and refined two absorbable heaven-and-earth spiritual items, and had also devoured three Tier 2 water-attribute spirit cores and twenty-six Water Spirit Pills.
Its cultivation had reached the peak of the mid-stage of Tier 2.
If defined by the meticulous cultivation realms of a cultivator, that would be the sixth level of Foundation Establishment.
With just one opportunity, Xiao Hei had a chance to break through to the late-stage of Tier 2.
As for Maoqiu.
Without Tier 2 water-attribute spirit cores to cultivate with, it could only consume Water Spirit Pills, so its cultivation progress was somewhat slow.
It had only just stabilized its mid-stage Tier 2 cultivation.
To make significant progress, it still needed heaven-and-earth spiritual items.
However, even if there were extra heaven-and-earth spiritual items, Chen Jianghe needed them for his own cultivation.
Currently, the priority for using heaven-and-earth spiritual items for cultivation was Xiao Hei first, followed by Chen Jianghe, then Latiao, and finally Maoqiu.
But once Latiao advanced to a Tier 2 spirit beast, its priority would drop, ranking after Maoqiu.
This was to maximize benefits.
Maoqiu was not just a high-level spirit farmer but was also considered a combat pet by Chen Jianghe. Increasing Maoqiu's cultivation and strengthening its combat power were directly related to his own safety.
With the Profound Iron Heavy Rod, Maoqiu's combat strength was no less than that of an ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“Latiao, what innate ability have you awakened?”
Chen Jianghe's gaze finally fell on Latiao. He had been busy all these years with no spare time.
He hadn't even paid attention to Latiao's innate talent.
After all, Latiao was only at the peak of late-stage Tier 1 and couldn't offer him much in terms of combat power.
Maoqiu could kill Latiao with a single swing of its rod and then make snake soup.
“Hiss hiss~”
Latiao sent a message to Chen Jianghe through the Tier 2 spirit beast pouch. Although its bloodline was very pure…
…before reaching Tier 2, its telepathic messages were still somewhat indistinct.
Chen Jianghe could only understand the general meaning.
But when it came to an innate ability, understanding just the gist wasn't enough.
Although Latiao was weak now and couldn't help much, what if it broke through inside the secret realm?
Therefore, Chen Jianghe needed a clear understanding of Latiao's innate ability.
He looked at Xiao Hei, who understood.
However, Xiao Hei didn't even talk to Latiao; it directly told Chen Jianghe about the innate ability Latiao had awakened.
Xiao Hei was very attentive to both Maoqiu and Latiao.
Before they became its underlings, Xiao Hei only saw them as food. Now that they were its followers…
…Xiao Hei took great care of both of them.
It taught them survival skills and shared as many cultivation resources with them as possible.
"Ice Corrosion." This was the Tier 1 innate ability Latiao had awakened.
This ability was very special. It could hardly be called an innate ability; it was more like a toxin inherent to the Icy Triangle Python.
An ice-attribute toxin.
If injured by Latiao, even if it wasn't a bite, the wound would quickly turn blue as the ice-attribute cold poison spread throughout the body from the injury.
It would freeze the bloodline and seal the dantian.
This was an ability every Icy Triangle Python would awaken, so it couldn't truly be considered an innate ability, more like an inherent cold poison.
But its power was formidable.
If Latiao broke through to Tier 2, any Foundation Establishment cultivator injured by it would have their bloodline frozen and dantian sealed if not treated promptly.
Ordinary detoxification pills were ineffective against this cold poison.
Therefore, if injured by an Icy Triangle Python—on the arm, for example—one would have to make a decisive choice to sever the limb.
The other option was to use a powerful cultivation base to suppress the cold poison.
But suppressing the poison would require diverting one's focus during a battle, which could be fatal.
Additionally, besides its offensive properties, "Ice Corrosion" also had detoxifying characteristics, capable of freezing and even dispelling fire poison.
“Latiao was at the mid-stage of Tier 1 the moment it hatched. It seems this 'Ice Corrosion' is a unique ability of the Icy Triangle Python.”
After familiarizing himself with Latiao's ability.
He felt this ability was decent enough.
But in Xiao Hei's eyes, it was a trash ability.
Latiao couldn't break through its defense, so this so-called "Ice Corrosion" was naturally useless.
According to Xiao Hei.
Any defensive-type demonic beast would have a certain resistance to "Ice Corrosion."
Chen Jianghe didn't refute Xiao Hei's words.
But in his heart, he disagreed. Not all defensive-type demonic beasts were as monstrous as Xiao Hei.
Take the Black-Armored Turtle, for example. It was also a turtle-type spirit beast, but its defense wasn't particularly strong.
A mid-stage Tier 1 Black-Armored Turtle couldn't block a high-grade flying sword. Even a mid-grade flying sword could break its defense after just a few more strikes.
One had to remember that Xiao Hei's defense was impenetrable to anything of the same tier. Maoqiu, using a Spirit-Nurturing artifact, couldn't even scratch it.
Seeing this, Chen Jianghe didn't dare to make a fool of himself by trying.
Therefore, there was simply no comparison.
Latiao was still very powerful.
Just then, Chen Jianghe's formation jade pendant vibrated, glowing faintly. Chen Jianghe returned to the Spirit Spring Abode and listened to Jiang Ruxu's voice using a sound-recording bamboo.
Then, he went to the Clear Sound Pavilion.
Zhuang Xinyan was dressed in a light-colored pleated skirt, gentle and charming.
Jiang Ruxu wore a blue and white gauze dress, making her appear even more lively, sweet, and playfully cute.
Neither of the two women had left.
Chen Jianghe was very happy. Both Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan had helped him a great deal.
Especially Jiang Ruxu, who had already started working with Tier 2 high-grade spirit pills.
She didn't have the recipe for a Tier 2 high-grade spirit pill, but by helping the Alchemist's Exchange Association refine a batch of Tier 2 mid-grade pills, she obtained the recipe for the Origin Spirit Pill.
Although the Origin Spirit Pill recipe wasn't a secret, one still had to pay a price to obtain it.
In two years at most, Jiang Ruxu would be able to refine Origin Spirit Pills.
An Alchemy Grandmaster who could refine Tier 2 high-grade spirit pills would be of even greater help to Chen Jianghe.
“Big Brother Chen, here are three Muscle-Growing and Bone-Mending Pills, three Heart-Clearing and Detoxification Pills, and nine Tier 2 Spirit-Restoring Pills.”
After finishing her transaction with the Lin Clan, Jiang Ruxu had started preparing the healing pills Chen Jianghe would need for the secret realm.
Muscle-Growing and Bone-Mending Pills, Heart-Clearing and Detoxification Pills, Spirit-Restoring Pills.
Jiang Ruxu's preparations were very thorough.
She was especially thoughtful to have refined Spirit-Restoring Pills for him.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator's magical power was abundant and difficult to deplete under normal circumstances.
But if one were to use an ultimate art, the magical power consumption would be immense.
A mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's magical power would be exhausted after using an ultimate art just a few times.
As for the forbidden art Chen Jianghe practiced, "Absolute Ice Seal," a single use would instantly drain all the magical power in his dantian.
Therefore, Spirit-Restoring Pills were indispensable.
Chen Jianghe hadn't thought of Spirit-Restoring Pills, not because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't.
Spirit-Restoring Pills were Tier 2 mid-grade spirit pills.
They could restore a Foundation Establishment cultivator's magical power. Although they were consumables, they were very precious.
The Hundred Treasures Pavilion didn't sell them at all.
Even auction houses generally didn't auction Spirit-Restoring Pills.
This type of pill was considered a strategic resource.
Chen Jianghe didn't know how Jiang Ruxu had obtained the recipe for Spirit-Restoring Pills, but he was deeply moved by her thoughtful gesture.
Zhuang Xinyan also took out nine Tier 1 high-grade puppets.
Among them were six Tier 1 high-grade support puppets and three Tier 1 high-grade attack puppets.
For someone with Zhuang Xinyan's skill, having only recently become a Tier 1 high-grade puppet master, creating nine such puppets within two years was an extremely mentally draining task.
Chen Jianghe accepted the spirit pills from Jiang Ruxu and the nine puppets from Zhuang Xinyan.
…
Back at the Spirit Spring Abode.
Chen Jianghe sat cross-legged under the Dragon Pattern Red Pine and took a deep breath. The nine Tier 1 high-grade puppets were manageable.
He could come up with eighteen hundred spirit stones for them.
But the value of those fifteen spirit pills exceeded forty thousand spirit stones.
Where was he going to get forty thousand spirit stones?
“Sigh~”
Chen Jianghe stopped thinking about these things and began to take stock of his resources for the secret realm.
Healing pills: fifteen Jade Dew Pills, three Muscle-Growing and Bone-Mending Pills, three Heart-Clearing and Detoxification Pills, and three Mind-Calming and Soul-Settling Pills.
For restoring magical power, he had nine Spirit-Restoring Pills.
Nine Tier 1 high-grade support puppets and three Tier 1 high-grade attack puppets.
Twenty Tier 2 mid-grade talismans and seven Tier 2 high-grade talismans.
“With so many resources, plus the protection of Luo Xiyue and Gao Peiyao, there shouldn't be too much danger, right?”
Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
He didn't know if his preparations were considered extensive.
After all, this was his first time entering a secret realm. He had no experience and didn't know what others were bringing.
Of course, even if he asked, no one would tell him; they would just treat him like an idiot.
“There's less than a month left. I'll stop crafting talismans for now. I should focus on cultivating the Sea of Consciousness Solidifying Origin Scripture and refining the 'Ten Thousand Li Ice Seal.' I still need to improve my protective measures as much as possible.”