Chapter 257
Chapter 257
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 257
Chapter Title: Spirit Serpent Skiff, and the Deal with Gao Peiyao
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Chen Jianghe's gaze focused, a look of surprise on his face. He felt a stir of excitement, and looking at Gao Peiyao beside him, he saw she felt the same.
The old auctioneer introduced the eighteenth treasure. As the red silk on the auction stage was unveiled, it immediately captured the attention of all the cultivators.
This was a spirit skiff, two feet two inches long and four inches wide. It was azure blue all over, with an appearance like a soaring spirit serpent.
After being refined, it could be summoned to a length of thirty feet and a width of six feet.
A spirit skiff.
Chen Jianghe had only ever seen one on Luo Xiyue. As for other cultivators, he had never even seen Xiao Chen, the senior disciple of Chengtian Peak of the Tiannan Sect, piloting a spirit skiff.
Spirit skiffs were different from flying vessels.
Most Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans would apply to the Tiannan Sect to purchase a first-tier flying vessel. They were enormous and quite imposing.
They couldn't be shrunk down.
They had seven types of formations on them, but the core propulsion formation was first-tier, meaning it required low-grade spirit stones to fly.
Their speed wasn't particularly fast, only slightly quicker than a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator's sword flight, not reaching the speed of a Foundation Establishment cultivator's sword flight.
The flying vessels that traveled between market cities were also essentially first-tier flying vessels, as their core propulsion formations were all first-tier.
However, they possessed second-tier defensive formations and second-tier offensive formations.
This made them better than the flying vessels of Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans, but they were similarly massive and could not be shrunk.
The cross-domain flying vessels that traveled between Heavenly Gate Market City and Immortal Gate Market City were second-tier flying vessels. Their core propulsion formations were second-tier, and the defensive and offensive formations on them were third-tier.
Even if a False Core Adept tried to intercept it, the offensive formations on board could obliterate them.
The third-tier defensive formation could withstand the attacks of a Core Formation powerhouse, but it required mid-grade spirit stones to activate.
In terms of flight speed, they could use either low-grade or mid-grade spirit stones.
With low-grade spirit stones, the speed would be very slow.
The cross-domain flying vessel Chen Jianghe had taken from Heavenly Gate Market City was powered by low-grade spirit stones, and its speed had been excruciatingly slow.
If mid-grade spirit stones were used, the speed would be extremely fast, comparable to the sword flight of a perfect Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Spirit skiffs were different from flying vessels.
Flying vessels were large-scale flying magical artifacts.
Spirit skiffs were small, incredibly fast, and were all second-tier flying magical artifacts.
Their core propulsion formations were second-tier, allowing them to fly using either low-grade or mid-grade spirit stones.
If flown with low-grade spirit stones, their speed could match that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's sword flight.
Flown with mid-grade spirit stones, they could surpass the speed of a perfect Foundation Establishment cultivator's sword flight, barely reaching the speed of a False Core Adept's sword flight.
They were the best treasures for a cultivator to have when traveling.
However, second-tier spirit skiffs had no offensive formations, only a second-tier defensive formation that could block the fierce winds generated by breaking through the air and also withstand the attacks of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"A second-tier Spirit Serpent Skiff... If I can win it, I could trade it for some mid-grade spirit stones. It's an excellent magical artifact for escaping and saving my life!"
Chen Jianghe's heart was moved.
But as he continued listening to the old auctioneer's introduction, he found himself in a difficult position.
"A damaged spirit skiff?"
Chen Jianghe frowned, looking at the spirit skiff that resembled a small, ice-blue serpent.
"Brother Jianghe, this spirit skiff is damaged. Spirit skiffs and flying vessels are different from ordinary magical artifacts. A typical artifact refiner, even an artifact refining grandmaster, can't repair them."
"Even within the sect, it's rare to find someone capable of repairing a spirit skiff."
Gao Peiyao said from the side.
When she heard the Spirit Serpent Skiff was damaged, her interest vanished completely. The value of a spirit skiff was much higher than that of a Spirit-Nurturing magical artifact.
The cost to repair one was not something an ordinary cultivator could bear.
Chen Jianghe nodded.
Just then, the old auctioneer spoke again, pulling back many of the cultivators whose interest had waned.
"Although the core propulsion formation of this Spirit Serpent Skiff is damaged and cannot accommodate mid-grade spirit stones, it can still use low-grade spirit stones. Its flight speed is no less than that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's sword flight."
"Furthermore, the second-tier defensive formation on the Spirit Serpent Skiff is undamaged and can still block attacks from cultivators below the late-stage of Foundation Establishment."
"A magical artifact like this is essential for travel. Fellow Daoists, if you miss this opportunity, the next time you encounter one might be a hundred years from now."
"Opportunity knocks but once."
"The starting price is one hundred thousand spirit stones, with each bid increment no less than two thousand spirit stones."
As the old auctioneer announced the starting price, the auction for the eighteenth treasure, the Spirit Serpent Skiff, officially began. Within just ten breaths of time...
The price had already risen to one hundred and eighty thousand spirit stones.
The old auctioneer's final introduction had indeed pulled back many interested cultivators.
The Spirit Serpent Skiff's core propulsion formation was merely damaged; it couldn't use mid-grade spirit stones, but that didn't mean it couldn't use low-grade ones.
It could match the speed of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's sword flight and still had a second-tier defensive formation.
This was still a divine artifact for escaping and saving one's life.
If there was a chance to repair the damaged core propulsion formation in the future, its speed would rival that of a False Core Adept.
In a way, it was even more reliable than a False Core Adept's sword flight.
As long as you had spirit stones, the Spirit Serpent Skiff would not stop.
But a False Core Adept could run out of magical power.
Therefore, even a damaged Spirit Serpent Skiff was more valuable than a Spirit-Nurturing offensive magical artifact, and the bidding was still climbing.
"One hundred and eighty-eight thousand spirit stones."
"..."
"One hundred and ninety-six thousand spirit stones."
"..."
"Two hundred and fourteen thousand spirit stones."
Chen Jianghe glanced at Gao Peiyao beside him. The bid of two hundred and fourteen thousand spirit stones was hers.
She was a sect disciple who didn't practice any of the auxiliary arts. How did she have so many spirit stones?
Then.
Chen Jianghe thought of the secret realm.
He had hidden in the Wind Snow Valley secret realm for over four months, but Gao Peiyao, a sect disciple, had been gathering spiritual items the whole time.
Moreover, he was well aware that Gao Peiyao's spiritual sense was much stronger than his own.
He himself had managed to bring out conventional second-tier low- to mid-grade spiritual items worth three hundred thousand spirit stones from the Wind Snow Valley secret realm.
Gao Peiyao must have gotten even more.
He had only coincidentally "sent off" Fellow Daoist Lu and He Lingchuan. Gao Peiyao, as a sect disciple, had likely sent off a few cultivators herself.
"It seems the secret realm is also an opportunity for the Tiannan Sect to allow its disciples to accumulate wealth."
Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
A hundred breaths passed.
The value of the Spirit Serpent Skiff had already surpassed that of a Spirit-Nurturing defensive magical artifact.
The current price was two hundred and sixty-two thousand spirit stones, and the bidder was still Gao Peiyao beside him.
Chen Jianghe was speechless.
Just moments ago, Gao Peiyao had advised him that this Spirit Serpent Skiff wasn't cost-effective and not worth bidding on. Yet, the ferocity of her bidding left him in awe.
When the bidding reached two hundred and eighty thousand spirit stones, Gao Peiyao didn't continue, seemingly having run out of spirit stones.
She had brought many treasures out of the secret realm, but she couldn't have exchanged them all for spirit stones. After all, low-grade spirit stones were of little use to cultivators at the late-stage of Foundation Establishment and above.
"I have one hundred thousand spirit stones on me. I can lend them to you to win this Spirit Serpent Skiff," Chen Jianghe said, looking at Gao Peiyao.
"Alright, thank you, Brother Jianghe."
With Chen Jianghe's support, Gao Peiyao no longer haggled with others and directly raised the price by sixty thousand spirit stones.
Three hundred and forty thousand spirit stones.
This seemed to be the limit of the damaged Spirit Serpent Skiff's value, scaring off the other cultivators at once.
Gao Peiyao won the flying magical artifact for a price of three hundred and forty thousand spirit stones.
This price was considerably more expensive than a typical Spirit-Nurturing defensive magical artifact.
But it was worth the price.
If fate allowed her to repair this Spirit Serpent Skiff in the future, its value would be incomparable to that of a Spirit-Nurturing magical artifact.
After the auction ended.
It was already the seventh quarter of the You hour.
Chen Jianghe and Gao Peiyao went to the Immortal Gate Restaurant, got a private room, ordered two plates of spiritual food, and a pot of high-grade spiritual tea.
He lent Gao Peiyao sixty thousand spirit stones.
Chen Jianghe now had fifty-seven thousand, four hundred and ninety-four spirit stones left.
Counting the thirty spirit stones from before.
Gao Peiyao owed him sixty thousand and thirty spirit stones.
Uh~
However, he wasn't going to be so petty; the thirty spirit stones could be forgotten.
Just like how Zhou Miaoyun still owed him twenty spirit stones, and in the end, he never asked her to pay it back.
"Brother Jianghe, this Spirit Pool Pearl is a top-tier, second-tier absorbable spiritual item. Can it offset the spirit stones?"
Gao Peiyao took out a Spirit Pool Pearl.
Chen Jianghe was very familiar with Spirit Pool Pearls. He had obtained two in Sunset Pool, but unfortunately, Xiao Hei had used them.
One Spirit Pool Pearl could be refined into five mid-grade Origin Spirit Pills.
A single mid-grade Origin Spirit Pill was worth over thirty thousand spirit stones, so a Spirit Pool Pearl, converted to spirit stones, was worth around seventy thousand.
After all, to refine it into Origin Spirit Pills, one had to hire an alchemy grandmaster, and the first pill would go to the grandmaster as payment.
One also needed to purchase various auxiliary materials, all of which were expensive.
Therefore, the value of a top-tier, second-tier absorbable spiritual item was generally between two and three mid-grade Origin Spirit Pills.
"This is worth more than sixty thousand spirit stones."
Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.
"Then I'll have to ask Brother Jianghe to help me prepare some high-grade second-tier talismans," Gao Peiyao said with a grin.
Chen Jianghe accepted the Spirit Pool Pearl and nodded.
Calculated this way, Gao Peiyao wasn't losing out; it was Chen Jianghe who was getting the short end of the stick.
If he helped her draw one high-grade second-tier talisman, the extra ten thousand spirit stones wouldn't be a big deal.
But if it was more, that wouldn't do.
"Brother Jianghe should have made a decision by now. I wonder if you're willing to enter that unknown secret realm with me?" Gao Peiyao asked.
"When opportunity presents itself, how can one not take it?" Chen Jianghe smiled.
He had already made his decision.
Back in Clearwater Cove, he had repeatedly weighed the pros, cons, and safety concerns.
Safety, in particular, was paramount.
This time, False Core Adepts would be entering the unknown secret realm. They were simply not opponents a Foundation Establishment cultivator could fight.
Unless one was a prodigy among perfect Foundation Establishment cultivators, only then could they fight a False Core Adept.
However, he was no prodigy.
Therefore, he didn't seek to fight a False Core Adept, only to survive an encounter with one.
Xiao Hei and the Minor Teleportation Talisman were his greatest assets for entering the unknown secret realm.
As long as Xiao Hei broke through to the perfect second tier, it was highly likely his defense could withstand the attacks of a False Core Adept.
Back then, when Xiao Hei had sensed Madam Jinghong's aura, he had said that she was much stronger than a perfect second-tier demonic beast.
She was comparable to that Frigid Three-Horned Python that was in the middle of breaking through.
Of course, the strength of one's aura wasn't the only measure of combat power.
Chen Jianghe would assume Madam Jinghong's combat power was greater than that of the Frigid Three-Horned Python, but Xiao Hei's defense could already withstand the python's attacks right now.
Once he broke through to the perfect second tier, perhaps only a Core Formation powerhouse could breach Xiao Hei's defense.
This was the source of his confidence.
Even if things didn't go as he imagined, he still had the Minor Teleportation Talisman, which could instantly take him beyond a False Core Adept's sensory range.
This was his trump card, one he would not reveal to anyone.
"It's just that there will be False Core Adepts entering the secret realm this time. If a dispute over treasures arises, how do you plan to handle it, Peiyao?"
Chen Jianghe asked.
Fighting over treasures was inevitable, and it was a good opportunity to ask about Gao Peiyao's trump card for dealing with False Core Adepts.
"Brother Jianghe, you don't need to worry too much about False Core Adepts. Aside from a few exceptions, the rest are just failures who couldn't form a core."
Gao Peiyao said proudly.
Chen Jianghe's heart trembled. What did she mean by that?
Gao Peiyao was currently in the late stage of Foundation Establishment. In thirty years, she would definitely reach the perfect stage and could even attempt Core Formation.
But to enter the secret realm, she certainly wouldn't form her core beforehand.
In other words.
Gao Peiyao was implying that at the perfect stage of Foundation Establishment, she would have the ability to deal with ordinary False Core Adepts!
At the perfect stage of Foundation Establishment, the magical power in one's dantian would merge, producing a trace of worldly origin energy.
This was somewhat similar to the false core condensed in a False Core Adept's dantian, except that a False Core Adept's false core was magical power compressed to its absolute limit.
It was extremely similar to the true core in a Core Formation powerhouse's dantian.
"We only need to be careful of False Core Adepts like Madam Jinghong. The Big Dipper Sword Art she cultivates is profound, and her comprehension of the Sword Dao is extremely deep. She has already cultivated the art to the fourth level."
Gao Peiyao said calmly.
She also differentiated between False Core Adepts.
Ordinary False Core Adepts were beneath her notice, but a remarkable woman like Madam Jinghong made her feel wary.
If not for her useless husband holding her back, Madam Jinghong would have certainly formed a core, and she would have been an extremely powerful existence even among Core Formation powerhouses.
"Moreover, Talisman Treasures and high-grade second-tier talismans also pose a great threat to False Core Adepts. Even if they can't kill them, they can injure them."
Gao Peiyao looked at Chen Jianghe with a solemn expression and said, "Within these thirty years, I will find a way to provide you with fifty high-grade second-tier talisman-crafting spiritual materials, Brother Jianghe. You only need to give me fifteen high-grade second-tier escape talismans, fifteen high-grade second-tier offensive talismans, and ten high-grade second-tier defensive talismans."
"The remaining ten high-grade second-tier talisman materials will be a gift to you, Brother Jianghe. Furthermore, I will also help you acquire a Talisman Treasure for protection."
Hearing Gao Peiyao's words, Chen Jianghe didn't hesitate and agreed immediately.
If he used fifty high-grade second-tier talisman materials to create fifty talismans, giving forty to Gao Peiyao and keeping ten for himself would be a huge loss.
But Gao Peiyao added a Talisman Treasure to the deal.
Although she didn't specify what type of Talisman Treasure it would be, it turned a loss into a profit. For him, it was a gain.
He was already nurturing Talisman Treasures in his dantian.
In thirty years, the three Talisman Treasures in his dantian would be successfully nurtured. Adding the one Gao Peiyao would acquire for him, he would have four Talisman Treasures.
His means of self-protection would be enhanced once again.
"Here are seven pieces of High Clarity Jade, five thousand-year-old maple leaves, and one Profound Yin flower petal. They can be used to create twenty high-grade second-tier talismans."
Gao Peiyao took out a storage bag and handed it to Chen Jianghe.
A sweep of his spiritual sense.
The items in the storage bag matched what Gao Peiyao had said.
The seven pieces of High Clarity Jade could create fourteen high-grade second-tier talismans, the five thousand-year-old maple leaves could create five, and the one Profound Yin flower petal could create one.
These were all extremely valuable talisman materials.
Their value exceeded one hundred thousand spirit stones.
It seemed Gao Peiyao had exchanged some of the spiritual items from the secret realm for spirit stones, and the rest for sect contribution points.
Then she had used the sect contribution points to exchange for talisman materials.
Chen Jianghe took the storage bag and said to Gao Peiyao, "In ten years, I will give you the twenty high-grade second-tier talismans."
"Mm."
Gao Peiyao nodded and asked Chen Jianghe, "Is there anything you need my help with, Brother Jianghe?"
Chen Jianghe glanced at Gao Peiyao. There was indeed something he wanted her help with, but it was difficult to bring up.
Even if he did, she might not be able to help.
"Once we enter the secret realm, we'll be sharing life and death, Brother Jianghe. I will do my best to help you."
"Could you help me acquire a sword art?" Chen Jianghe asked.
He currently had more than enough defense, but his offense was lacking.
As for escaping?
He had plenty of ways to escape.
Therefore, the only thing he lacked was a sword art. He needed one to fully unleash the power of the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword.
"A sword art?"
Gao Peiyao was stunned for a moment, then a wry smile appeared on her face.
She held a great secret and only knew two sword arts. One was the legacy sword art of the Tiannan Sect's Silver Moon Peak.
The other was the Void-Shattering Sword Art she cultivated.
The Void-Shattering Sword Art was her greatest reliance and was tied to her secrets. It was absolutely impossible to pass it on to others.
As for the legacy sword art of Silver Moon Peak, although it was inferior to the Void-Shattering Sword Art, it was still Silver Moon Peak's legacy.
Even disciples from other main peaks of the Tiannan Sect were not allowed to cultivate it, let alone an unaffiliated cultivator like Chen Jianghe.
"This... I'm afraid I can't help you, Brother Jianghe. The sword arts I know are part of the Tiannan Sect's legacy. If you were to cultivate them as an unaffiliated cultivator, it would bring a fatal disaster upon you."
"No matter. Sword arts are hard to come by. I was just asking casually."
Chen Jianghe hadn't held out much hope in the first place.
For a rogue cultivator to obtain a sword art was no less difficult than for a mortal to obtain a cultivation legacy and successfully reach Foundation Establishment.
Up to this point.
He only knew of one rogue cultivator, Madam Jinghong, who cultivated a sword art.
As for Luo Xiyue cultivating the Profound Ice Sword Art, that was true, but Luo Xiyue was not a rogue cultivator.
She had a master.
And an extremely powerful background.
When Luo Xiyue left, she had said that coming to the Tiannan Domain was just a trial.
To use the entire Tiannan Domain as a trial ground showed the depth of Luo Xiyue's background.
And that Ji Wujin was likely also in the Tiannan Domain for a trial.
"I will help you look, Brother Jianghe, but I can't guarantee I'll find one," Gao Peiyao said helplessly.
"Alright, thank you."
Chen Jianghe expressed his thanks.
After chatting a bit more, Chen Jianghe left Immortal Gate Market City and returned to Clearwater Cove.
He needed to plan his time properly.
Sitting quietly in his cultivation chamber.
Chen Jianghe couldn't help but think of Madam Jinghong. If he could obtain a quasi-third-tier soul-healing spiritual item, perhaps he could trade it for the Big Dipper Sword Art from her.
Although a quasi-third-tier soul-healing spiritual item was precious, it couldn't compare to a sword art by a long shot.
Even a Core Formation spiritual item couldn't compare.
But Madam Jinghong was desperate to save her husband and would surely trade with him.
The key was, where could he find a quasi-third-tier soul-healing spiritual item?
Of course, a third-tier soul-healing spiritual pill would also work, but such a divine pill was even harder to find.
"Sword arts are hard to come by, and soul-healing spiritual items are even harder to find."
Chen Jianghe shook his head helplessly.
Wanting to trade for the sword art from Madam Jinghong was also harder than ascending to the heavens.
And it felt a bit like taking advantage of her misfortune.
In his two trades with Madam Jinghong, Chen Jianghe had come out far ahead both times.
In truth, he greatly admired a remarkable woman like Madam Jinghong.
"Forget it. If I'm fated to have a sword art, it will come to me. If not, I can look for one after I reach Core Formation someday."
Chen Jianghe stopped thinking about the sword art.
He began to plan his time for the future.
Drawing talismans was to build up his foundation for entering the secret realm. Not a moment could be wasted. He couldn't spend less than twelve hours a day drawing talismans.
He now had a total of thirty-eight high-grade second-tier talisman materials, which could be used to create thirty-eight high-grade second-tier talismans.
Two of them were prepared for Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan.
Twenty were for Gao Peiyao.
The remaining sixteen were for himself.
In the time to come, Gao Peiyao would give him another thirty high-grade second-tier talisman materials.
Ten of which would be his.
This meant that when he entered the unknown secret realm in thirty years, including the Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talisman and the Second Wood Soul-Entangling Talisman he already had...
He would have twenty-eight high-grade second-tier talismans.
"No, that's not enough. It's far too few!"
Chen Jianghe thought about how Gao Peiyao was preparing forty high-grade second-tier talismans for entering the unknown secret realm.
It was clear how dangerous the unknown secret realm was.
Gao Peiyao spoke with disdain for False Core Adepts, but she hadn't slacked off on a single preparation.
If he only had twenty-eight high-grade second-tier talismans, he would be far too complacent.
This time was different from the last time he entered a secret realm.
Back then, his cultivation was low, and his talisman-crafting skills were insufficient.
He could only prepare nine high-grade second-tier talismans.
Now, he had thirty years to prepare, had long since become a Talisman Grandmaster, and his companion was an Alchemy Grandmaster capable of refining high-grade second-tier spiritual pills.
He had sufficient resources to prepare high-grade second-tier talismans.
"Right now, other cultivators don't yet know that the Tiannan Sect has discovered an unknown secret realm, nor do they know that it will open in thirty years."
"I can totally use this time to gather all the high-grade second-tier talisman materials from the hands of rogue cultivators!"
"Eighty high-grade second-tier talismans. That is my bottom line for entering the unknown secret realm."
Four Talisman Treasures and eighty high-grade second-tier talismans.
With such preparations, Chen Jianghe felt a sliver of security.
Twelve hours for drawing high-grade second-tier talismans.
Six hours for cultivating the Myriad Waters True Scripture, and six hours for cultivating the Soul Sea Solidifying Origin Scripture.
He had a Second-Revolution Spirit-Nourishing Pill, so he could temporarily stop cultivating the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art.
Improving his spiritual cultivation would allow him to increase his talisman-drawing speed.
After he finished refining the spiritual power of the Second-Revolution Spirit-Nourishing Pill, he would resume cultivating the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art.
"Regarding the matter of high-grade second-tier talisman materials, I still need to find Ruxu. As for the top-tier, second-tier absorbable spiritual items I have, I can have them refined into Origin Spirit Pills first for the two of them to cultivate."