Chapter 233
Chapter 233
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: Turmoil in the Southern Domain, Karma Unfolds
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Spirit Spring Residence.
Chen Jianghe took out the spirit plant pouch and patted the Dragon Pattern Red Pine. Instantly, a slight tremor ran through the ground beneath his feet. Under his spiritual sense, he could see the roots of the Dragon Pattern Red Pine rapidly retracting.
The lush, leafy canopy also began to shrink drastically.
A quarter of an hour later, with a turn of his thoughts, golden patterns flashed on the spirit plant pouch, and the Dragon Pattern Red Pine was drawn inside.
There were still more than ten days until his departure for the Northern Extreme Snowy Forest. Maoqiu and Spicy had already been placed in a second-rank spirit beast pouch.
During this time, Chen Jianghe had been frequently entering and leaving Golden Ao Mountain. Unsure of which day he would have to leave, he thought it best to keep the two spirit beasts with him.
"Xiao Hei, are you done yet?"
Chen Jianghe walked out from the spirit spring and went upstream, watching Xiao Hei's actions and asking the question.
"Almost."
Xiao Hei didn't even turn his head, continuing to give instructions to the mountain monkeys and the green-feathered swallows.
After instructing the mountain monkeys and green-feathered swallows, he waved a paw at the white tiger not far away.
This white tiger had an inferior bloodline; reaching the late stage of the first rank was its limit.
Chen Jianghe had originally intended to sell it to the Hundred Treasures Restaurant, but considering its diligent service, even if it hadn't made any great contributions, he decided to keep it.
Even if he sold it, it would only fetch a few dozen spirit stones.
At his current level, he wasn't short of a few dozen spirit stones.
Xiao Hei muttered to the white tiger for a while, then returned to Chen Jianghe's side, his small eyes narrowing and his big mouth grinning.
He tilted his head up at Chen Jianghe.
Everything was taken care of.
He had left eight hundred Qi Nourishing Pills for the mountain monkeys and green-feathered swallows, instructing them to crush and dilute eight pills every two days and release them into the river in segments.
Three hundred Spirit Accumulating Pills were for the white tiger to dilute five pills with spirit spring water every two days to feed the black-armored turtles.
As for the rewards for the mountain monkeys, green-feathered swallows, and the white tiger...
Those would be given after Xiao Hei returned.
According to Xiao Hei, if they worked hard, they all had a chance to become immortal beasts in the future.
As for the white tiger, which was already at the mid-stage of the first rank, Xiao Hei gave it hope of reaching the late stage.
Once it reached the late stage of the first rank, it could leave Golden Ao Mountain and return to the Northern Extreme Snowy Forest. Life and death were decreed by fate; wealth and honor were determined by heaven.
Chen Jianghe placed Xiao Hei into the spirit beast space within the second-rank spirit beast pouch.
Afterward, he got up, preparing to head to the Clear Sound Pavilion.
The relay box shimmered with a faint light.
Chen Jianghe swept it with his spiritual sense and found that a letter had arrived.
He drew it into his hand, glanced at the signature, and saw it was a letter from Yu Daniu, which prompted him to open it.
"War in the Southern Domain?!"
Chen Jianghe was stunned. His expression turned serious as he read Yu Daniu's letter; it was about matters in the Southern Domain.
The Southern Domain was the territory of the Beast Taming Immortal Zhou Clan.
It had seventy-one Foundation Establishment immortal clans, even more than the Eastern Domain, yet turmoil had broken out at such a time.
Logically, with the Beast Taming Immortal Zhou Clan suppressing them, the Foundation Establishment immortal clans below shouldn't be able to engage in large-scale warfare.
To grow stronger by annexing the territories of other Foundation Establishment immortal clans...
Annexing one or two might be acceptable, but once your territory exceeded a certain limit, you would inevitably attract suppression from the top-tier immortal clan.
"How could war break out so suddenly?"
Chen Jianghe was puzzled.
Even though the Beast Taming Market City had been destroyed and the Beast Taming Zhou Clan had suffered, the foundation of a top-tier immortal clan remained. The clan had several Core Formation masters and a few third-rank spirit beasts.
Even if the three great Core Formation immortal clans behind Thousand Mountains Market City joined forces, they would still be no match for the current Zhou Clan.
"The Eastern Domain is also showing signs of chaos!"
Reading to the end, Yu Daniu's letter mentioned the current situation in the Eastern Domain, which was also rife with chaos.
In the southern regions, seven or eight Foundation Establishment immortal clans had already been drawn into the conflict.
They had begun fighting for resources and territory.
The market cities in the south had all been affected.
"Something's not right. How could chaos erupt out of nowhere?"
Chen Jianghe was confused.
For a rogue cultivator like him, and even for Foundation Establishment immortal clans like the Yu and Yun Clans, they all wished for the cultivation world to develop peacefully.
Because they were all too weak to withstand a single upheaval in the cultivation world.
Chen Jianghe pondered for a moment.
He felt that if the war in the Southern Domain wasn't controlled, it would sooner or later spread to the entire Eastern Domain, and eventually affect the whole Tiannan Domain.
As it stood, the conflict in the Southern Domain had already affected the southern regions of the Eastern Domain.
If nothing unexpected happened, the southern regions of the Western Domain would also be affected.
Chen Jianghe wrote a reply to Yu Daniu.
He told him to keep a close eye on the war in the southern regions and to immediately head to Immortal Gate Market City if the situation showed signs of spreading widely.
They shouldn't go to Secluded Market City or Many Treasures Market City.
In the event of large-scale war, only Immortal Gate Market City, located at the foot of the Tiannan Sect, was the safest place.
If they lost their territory, so be it. They could always reclaim it in the future.
Their lives were what mattered most.
If the situation changed, they must not hesitate and act decisively.
After replying to Yu Daniu, Chen Jianghe felt a strange sense of unease, but it wasn't the heart-pounding sensation from the secret realm.
It was the sudden change in the Tiannan Domain's cultivation world that made a cultivator like him, who preferred stable development, feel agitated and restless.
Arriving at the Clear Sound Pavilion.
Chen Jianghe looked at the two women who had been by his side, a sense of worry rising in his heart. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was strange about the chaos in the Southern Domain.
"Xinyan, Ruxu, after I leave, take a flying ship to Heaven's Gate Market City at the north gate of the Tiannan Sect, and then take the inter-domain flying ship from there to Immortal Gate Market City."
"Go to Immortal Gate Market City?"
Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan both looked perplexed upon hearing Chen Jianghe's words.
They were developing well in Thousand Mountains Market City, so why did they have to move?
"Brother Chen, are we moving to Immortal Gate Market City?"
Immortal Gate Market City was at the foot of the Tiannan Sect. It sounded impressive, but it wasn't very prosperous, not even a third of the size of Thousand Mountains Market City.
It was even harder to obtain resources in Immortal Gate Market City.
How could the Tiannan Sect allow rogue cultivators to obtain resources in its own territory?
Therefore, going to Immortal Gate Market City was equivalent to giving up opportunities and prospects, seeking only a peaceful life.
In their eyes, Chen Jianghe harbored ambitions of reaching Core Formation.
Going to Immortal Gate Market City was like severing his hopes of Core Formation.
"We're not moving. You are to go to Immortal Gate Market City temporarily. After I return from the secret realm, I will let you know when to come back."
Chen Jianghe didn't know if his premonition was correct, but he believed it was better to be prepared.
A wasted trip to Immortal Gate Market City was nothing; it would only cost some extra spirit stones.
The price was not high.
But if things were as he suspected, staying in Thousand Mountains Market City might not be safe.
Thousand Mountains Market City was backed by three Core Formation masters.
However, it was sandwiched between the State of Yu and the Northern Extreme Snowy Forest. If turmoil erupted, Thousand Mountains Market City would not be a safe place.
One had to remember that the State of Yue was eyeing Thousand Mountains Market City covetously.
Seeing Chen Jianghe's serious and earnest expression, the two women didn't ask any more questions and obediently nodded.
...
Seven days passed in a flash.
Chen Jianghe was at the Spirit Spring Residence, drawing first-rank, high-grade talismans.
He wasn't drawing offensive or defensive talismans, nor was he making escape talismans. Instead, he was crafting special first-rank, high-grade talismans.
Spirit-Chasing Talismans, Sealing Talismans, Barrier-Breaking Talismans, and Mind-Clearing Talismans.
He didn't know if they would be useful, but there was no harm in preparing more.
The Spirit-Chasing Talisman could imprint a spiritual power mark and track a demonic beast by following it.
The Sealing Talisman could generate a barrier, blocking sight and spiritual sense for a short time.
The Barrier-Breaking Talisman could shatter a Sealing Talisman and also break some low-level formations.
The Mind-Clearing Talisman could quickly help a person focus their mind, calm their spirit, and soothe their restlessness.
The relay box flickered with a faint light.
Chen Jianghe drew the incoming letter to him, glanced at it, then rose and flew out of the mountain's protective formation.
He saw a long-unseen figure.
"Brother Ruan, congratulations on your escape."
The one who had sent the message was none other than Ruan Tieniu.
"As the old saying goes, 'He who survives a great catastrophe is destined for good fortune.' Brother Ruan, having survived this great trial, will surely have all disasters dispelled from now on, be blessed with good fortune, have hopes of longevity, and a promising immortal path."
Chen Jianghe cupped his hands in congratulations.
He invited Ruan Tieniu into the Guest Welcome Residence on Golden Ao Mountain and brewed a pot of Starfall tea to help calm his nerves.
"Then I'll take Brother Chen's auspicious words to heart."
Ruan Tieniu laughed heartily, took a sip of the Starfall tea, and sighed. "This Starfall tea... it only tastes right when I drink it here with you, Brother Chen."
"Haha, if you like it, Brother Ruan, then have a couple more cups."
Chen Jianghe refilled Ruan Tieniu's cup.
"The tea is good, but let's not rush to enjoy it."
Ruan Tieniu put down his teacup, looked at Chen Jianghe, and said with a smile, "Brother, about those two..."
"They've long been ready."
Chen Jianghe directly took out a Cloud-Piercing Purple Lightning Talisman and a Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talisman, wrapped them in spiritual power, and pushed them toward Ruan Tieniu.
"I knew Brother Chen was a reliable man."
Ruan Tieniu joyfully accepted the two second-rank, high-grade talismans.
Immediately, Ruan Tieniu extended his hand. In his broad palm lay two spirit cores. One of them emitted powerful spiritual power fluctuations and a spiritual pressure that disturbed the mind.
"Brother Ruan, what are these?"
Chen Jianghe took a deep breath, his eyes glowing with fervor as he looked at the spirit core exuding spiritual pressure.
Ruan Tieniu didn't speak, simply pushing the two spirit cores in front of Chen Jianghe.
"This..."
Chen Jianghe didn't immediately accept the two spirit cores. He looked at Ruan Tieniu and shook his head.
"This spirit core from a peak second-rank water-attribute demonic beast is too valuable. I have nothing to exchange for it."
A peak second-rank demonic beast's spirit core would have sunk into its Dantian, already preparing to form a demonic core, which is why it possessed a trace of spiritual pressure.
The spiritual power contained within was immense.
Cultivators couldn't use it for direct cultivation, but spirit beasts could.
To Xiao Hei, this peak second-rank water-attribute spirit core was more valuable than Water Spirit Jade or Spirit Spring Pearls.
As for the other second-rank water-attribute spirit core, it was a normal second-rank, low-grade spirit core.
It was also the most common type of spirit core on the market.
In fact, a peak second-rank spirit core had another use: artifact refinement. It was a primary material for crafting spirit-imbued magical artifacts.
"These two spirit cores are a gift for you, Brother Chen. If I hadn't gotten that Rushing Thunder Talisman from you, this old brother might have lost his life in the Boundless Sea."
A trace of lingering fear appeared in Ruan Tieniu's eyes.
Then, Ruan Tieniu recounted his experience in the Boundless Sea to Chen Jianghe.
Ruan Tieniu, Liu Zhining, and Yan Ling'er had ventured eighteen hundred miles into the Boundless Sea. Logically, this was a safe zone for late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The active demonic beasts were all mid-stage second-rank sea creatures.
Liu Zhining's trial mission was to slay a mid-stage second-rank sea beast and retrieve a low-grade Heart of the Sea.
The Heart of the Sea was like a spirit stone on land.
But it was far more precious; even a low-grade Heart of the Sea was more valuable than a mid-grade spirit stone.
It could be used as the foundation for a second-rank formation.
The mission had been completed smoothly, and they were preparing to return.
But they encountered a moving sea eye and couldn't escape in time, getting swept into it.
When they emerged, they found themselves in a sea region over three thousand miles from the coast and even encountered a third-rank demonic beast.
Fortunately, at that moment, a powerful expert from overseas appeared and drove away the third-rank demonic beast.
He claimed Yan Ling'er had some kind of treasured constitution and then took her away.
As for Ruan Tieniu and Liu Zhining, they traveled quickly through the sea, hoping to return to the safe zone as soon as possible.
Chen Jianghe was puzzled. Why not fly on a sword above the Boundless Sea? Wouldn't that be faster?
After all, none of them cultivated water-type arts, so they weren't fast moving through the water.
But Ruan Tieniu told Chen Jianghe that in the Boundless Sea, the demonic beasts in the water were manageable.
The flying beasts above the sea, however, were difficult to fend off.
Flying over three thousand miles deep into the sea meant there was an eighty to ninety percent chance of encountering a third-rank flying beast, leaving no opportunity to escape.
Even so, while traveling through the sea, they were pursued by a peak second-rank demonic beast.
At a point two thousand eight hundred miles from the coast, they accidentally entered a restrictive formation and were trapped inside.
The peak second-rank demonic beast was also trapped inside.
Luckily, Ruan Tieniu had the Rushing Thunder Talisman, allowing him to dart through the water like lightning. Otherwise, he would have been the one trailing behind Liu Zhining, and would have been devoured by the demonic beast.
Inside that restrictive barrier, there was no spiritual energy, and their spiritual power couldn't be restored. This gave them an opportunity to kill the peak second-rank demonic beast.
Ruan Tieniu received the peak second-rank spirit core, while Liu Zhining took the beast's flesh and hide.
It seemed like Ruan Tieniu had gotten the better deal.
In reality, he had lost out.
The hide of a sea beast was more suitable for drawing talismans. If the hide of this peak second-rank sea beast had fallen into Chen Jianghe's hands...
...he could have cut about five second-rank, high-grade spirit hides and over twenty second-rank, mid-grade spirit hides from it.
And there was also the entire flesh of a peak second-rank sea beast.
Its value far exceeded that of a peak second-rank spirit core.
If they hadn't been trapped in the restrictive barrier, Ruan Tieniu naturally wouldn't have conceded. But trapped there, he was counting on Liu Zhining's status as a sect disciple to be rescued.
So he naturally believed that suffering a loss was a blessing in disguise.
"I'm just glad the Rushing Thunder Talisman could help you, Brother Ruan."
Chen Jianghe accepted the two spirit cores, then took out four more talismans: two Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans, one Green Wood Immortal Shield Talisman, and one Rushing Thunder Talisman.
"Brother Ruan, the value of these four talismans can't compare to that peak second-rank water-attribute spirit core, but they are a token of my sincerity. Please accept them."
"Brother Chen, look at you... I already said the spirit cores were a gift, why are you still... sigh~"
Ruan Tieniu said helplessly, but his hand moved without the slightest hesitation, taking the talismans from Chen Jianghe and quickly storing them in his storage pouch.
"By the way, Brother Chen, do you know what happened in the State of Yue? Why did my two 'guardians' leave?"
"Uh, when I passed by Elder Brother Xu's place, I noticed his 'guardian' had left as well."
Chen Jianghe shook his head.
He was also curious. The assembly date hadn't even arrived, yet Ruan Tieniu dared to come looking for him.
Wasn't he afraid of causing trouble and displeasing him?
So it was because the 'guardians' had all left.
As for whether Yan Ling'er was really taken away by a powerful overseas expert, Chen Jianghe was currently skeptical.
After all, the cultivation world was treacherous, and anything could happen.
That powerful overseas expert might have been fabricated by Ruan Tieniu and Liu Zhining, or it could be real.
To know the exact truth, he would have to perform a soul search on Ruan Tieniu and Liu Zhining.
After seeing Ruan Tieniu off.
Chen Jianghe immediately let Xiao Hei out.
He took out the two spirit cores.
"Hiss~ This... where did you get this?!"
Xiao Hei snatched the peak second-rank water-attribute spirit core, his round eyes examining it closely.
"Such pure spiritual power, and there's even a trace of pressure. What kind of demonic beast did this spirit core come from?"
Seeing Xiao Hei's delighted expression, Chen Jianghe chuckled. "Never mind where I got it. Just tell me, can this peak second-rank spirit core help you break through to the late stage of the second rank?"
"No."
"Huh?!"
Chen Jianghe frowned. Xiao Hei was already at the equivalent of the sixth level of Foundation Establishment. After consuming this peak second-rank spirit core, he should at least be able to break through to the seventh level!
"Hehe, just kidding."
Xiao Hei's eyes darted around, and he sent a grinning telepathic message.
The next moment.
Xiao Hei tossed it lightly and ate the peak second-rank water-attribute spirit core as if it were a piece of candy.
Chen Jianghe rolled his eyes.
Daring to mess with him? He really deserved a beating.
However, hearing that Xiao Hei could break through to the late stage of the second rank made Chen Jianghe overjoyed.
The higher Xiao Hei's cultivation, the safer he would be in the secret realm.
"Then how long will it take you to absorb and refine this peak second-rank water-attribute spirit core?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"About half a year."
"..."
Chen Jianghe was a bit speechless.
In half a year, he might have already come out of the secret realm.
Three days passed.
Chen Jianghe went to the Clear Sound Pavilion and had Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu leave Thousand Mountains Market City, heading for Heaven's Gate Market City to transfer to Immortal Gate Market City.
He watched as the two women boarded the flying ship to Heaven's Gate Market City.
Chen Jianghe let out a sigh of relief.
He didn't think it was troublesome; safety was the top priority.
He went to the Hundred Treasures Tower.
He sold the damaged hide of the peak second-rank demonic beast.
He found Chen Ping, and the buyback price was one thousand two hundred spirit stones.
If he had gone to Zhou Xiaoxuan, the price would have been higher, but it wasn't necessary.
Then he bought some more materials for drawing first-rank, high-grade spirit talismans.
They might not be useful.
But preparing some wouldn't cost many spirit stones.
It was better to be safe than sorry.
When he returned to Golden Ao Mountain, he felt the formation jade pendant vibrate. He knew without thinking that it was a message from Luo Xiyue.
Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu had already left.
He returned to the Spirit Spring Residence, listened to Luo Xiyue's message, and then went to the Waterfall Residence.
Gao Peiyao was also here.
It seemed the time had come. The trial participants were beginning to gather, preparing to head to the Northern Extreme Snowy Forest.
But Gao Peiyao's expression was unusual. She seemed anxious, yet also helpless.
"Peiyao, what happened?" Chen Jianghe asked, puzzled.
"Let's talk on the way."
The three of them left Golden Ao Mountain and flew together toward the Spirit Thief Teahouse in the market city, which was the assembly point.
All cultivators participating in the trial had to gather at the Spirit Thief Teahouse and wait for Perfected Master Chengtian and the other Core Formation masters.
On the way to the Spirit Thief Teahouse.
Gao Peiyao sent a telepathic message.
"Brother Jianghe, after the secret realm trial is over, come with me to Immortal Gate Market City. The Tiannan Domain is about to descend into chaos."
"Chaos?!"
Chen Jianghe immediately thought of Yu Daniu's letter—the sudden outbreak of war in the Southern Domain, with seventy-one Foundation Establishment immortal clans drawn into it.
Even a few Foundation Establishment immortal clans from the southern regions of the Eastern Domain had joined the conflict.
"Is it related to the chaotic war among the Foundation Establishment immortal clans in the Southern Domain?"
Chen Jianghe asked with some concern.
Yu Daniu's family was south of the Heaven-Reaching River. Although Qiyun Mountain was near the river and not in the southernmost region...
...as the war expanded, Qiyun Mountain would also be drawn in.
"Not just the Southern Domain. The Northern Domain has started too. The State of Yue has launched a war of annihilation against the State of Yu, and the State of Nan and State of Qi have also started a war of annihilation."
"Thousand Mountains Market City is no longer safe either."
"It was relatively peaceful just a while ago. How did war break out so suddenly?" Chen Jianghe asked.
At the same time, he felt fortunate that he had sent Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan to Immortal Gate Market City ahead of time. Otherwise, they might not have been able to enter later.
As for Yu Daniu's family...
...he had already replied. Yu Daniu should follow his advice and head to Immortal Gate Market City immediately if the situation turned sour.
"I just received a message from my Master. It seems the Sect Master wants to change the power structure of the Tiannan Domain."
"But I suspect it has something to do with the treasure the Zhou Clan obtained from the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range."
"My Master said that the Sect Master sent three waves of envoys to ask the Zhou Clan how they provoked the great demon in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range and what they obtained from its depths. But the Zhou Clan always found excuses to deflect the questions."
"A year ago, the war also started in the Southern Domain. My Master and several Core Formation elders are in the Southern Domain right now."
Hearing Gao Peiyao's words.
Chen Jianghe also thought about the destruction of the Beast Taming Market City.
Rumor had it that the beast tide at the Beast Taming Market City was because a Core Formation master from the Zhou Clan had stolen the egg of a Black Flame Fire Crow.
There were also rumors that it wasn't just the Black Flame Fire Crow's egg; they had also stolen the egg of an Icy Triangle Python.
They even stole a Thunder-Patterned Crimson Flame Leopard cub and auctioned it in Qinghe Market City, causing a beast tide there as well.
Chen Jianghe was certain.
These rumors were all true, but the Zhou Clan hadn't revealed the most important point.
The Black Flame Fire Crow, the Icy Triangle Python, and the Thunder-Patterned Crimson Flame Leopard.
The Zhou Clan had definitely offended all of them.
But the true reason for such a large-scale beast tide was definitely not just because they had offended these three third-rank demonic beasts.
Because behind the beast tide, a great demon was pulling the strings.
In other words, the one the Zhou Clan had offended was not a third-rank demonic beast, but a fourth-rank great demon from the depths of the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
"What exactly did the Zhou Clan obtain? To infuriate a great demon from the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range and make the Sect Master of the Tiannan Sect covet it so much?!"
"A Soul Formation spirit item?"
"Or some other powerful treasure?"
The Tiannan Sect Master's words about changing the power structure of the Tiannan Domain were likely part of a plan targeting the Beast Taming Immortal Zhou Clan.
The disloyalty of the Beast Taming Immortal Zhou Clan made the Tiannan Sect feel that its control over the Tiannan Domain was weak.
The Tiannan Sect was about to conduct a major purge in the Tiannan Domain.
"A righteous sect? Luo Xiyue wasn't wrong. There's no such thing as righteous or demonic. From the way the Tiannan Sect raises its disciples, you can tell it's no righteous immortal sect either!"
While Chen Jianghe was lost in thought.
The three of them arrived at the Spirit Thief Teahouse. Many cultivators had already gathered, but the bold and unrestrained spirit thieves of the past were nowhere to be seen.