Chapter 259
Chapter 259
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 259
Chapter Title: Puppet Master Fairy Zhuang, the Sect Market's Barter House
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Chen Jianghe shook his head and smiled.
How could he possibly become the chief state preceptor of the Feng Kingdom?
Just as Yu Daniu had said, the Tiannan Sect allowed the Feng Kingdom to exist because they wanted to turn it into the new Yue Kingdom.
Once the fruit was ripe, they would find an excuse to pluck it.
If he became the chief state preceptor of the Feng Kingdom, wouldn't he become the fruit in the Tiannan Sect's eyes?
But this letter couldn't be disposed of casually.
Although it was unsigned, from the contents and handwriting, Chen Jianghe was certain it was from Ruan Tieniu.
If the people from the Tiannan Sect found out about this, it would surely lead to trouble.
Hiding the letter was not an option.
If word got out without the actual letter, the rumored contents could be far more extensive, going beyond a mere introduction to the situation and an invitation to join the Feng Kingdom.
As for handing it over to the Tiannan Sect?
That would be tantamount to placing his life in the hands of the Tiannan Sect.
He would be betting on whether the Tiannan Sect would listen to reason, and even if they did, he would be trapped in the predicament of proving his own innocence.
Most importantly, would the elders of those fallen Foundation Establishment disciples from the Tiannan Sect discuss things with him calmly and reasonably?
His relationship with Gao Peiyao was good.
But Gao Peiyao was merely a Core Formation prospect in the Tiannan Sect, without much status.
Would Venerable Lan help him for Gao Peiyao's sake, or would she help her fellow Core Formation elder?
The answer was obvious.
“Ruan Tieniu has given me quite a problem!”
Chen Jianghe felt a little helpless.
He could only hope that the Feng Kingdom would gain the Tiannan Sect's approval and be established quickly. That way, Ruan Tieniu could step into the open.
Then, their correspondence would no longer matter.
Chen Jianghe put the letter into his storage pouch, preserving it carefully. In the future, he would surely need this letter to demand an explanation from Ruan Tieniu.
Time flowed on.
It was the third month, welcoming the summer.
Chen Jianghe finished sealing the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman after charging it with spiritual energy.
A Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman was complete.
In two years and three months, he had drawn twelve Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans. As his cultivation improved, his speed at drawing second-rank high-grade talismans had also increased.
This was mainly because his spiritual cultivation had progressed.
A single Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill had extended his spiritual sense to a range of three hundred forty-two zhang and six chi.
An increase of nineteen zhang, which was a considerable breakthrough.
This nineteen-zhang increase was not to be underestimated. After all, he had not yet cultivated the Soul Sea Solidifying Origin Scripture to the sixth level.
His spiritual cultivation was still at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
Yet his spiritual sense had already reached the level of a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator. Such a significant improvement was already excellent.
His telekinesis had also reached one hundred thirty-two jun.
With the pressure of his spiritual sense alone, he could shatter the soul of an early Qi Refining cultivator, meaning he had barely acquired the most rudimentary form of spiritual sense attack.
“If only I had three more Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pills, I could cultivate my Soul Sea Solidifying Origin Scripture to the sixth level.”
Chen Jianghe had attended the auctions over the past two years, prepared to spend a great number of spirit stones to acquire a Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill.
Unfortunately, the pill wasn't available at every auction.
As for the recipe for the Spirit Nurturing Pill?
Only the Tiannan Sect possessed it; it wasn't circulated outside.
Even if he wanted Jiang Ruxu, who could refine second-rank high-grade spirit pills, to make it, she couldn't produce the Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill without the recipe.
Even with the recipe, it was extremely difficult to obtain the worldly treasures needed to nourish the essence soul.
To cultivate the Soul Sea Solidifying Origin Scripture, he still had to start with the spirit turtles.
Fortunately, he had the foresight to raise forty-three second-grade bloodline spirit turtles, all of which were now first-rank early-stage spirit beasts.
In a few more years, they would all become first-rank mid-stage spirit beasts.
Then he could use the mystic turtle soul carapaces for his cultivation.
As for his physical cultivation, the improvement over the past two years hadn't been significant, as he had been focusing on the Soul Sea Solidifying Origin Scripture.
“I have five Essence Soul Pills. Within fifteen years, I should be able to cultivate the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art to the sixth level.”
Once the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art reached the sixth level, his physical strength would undergo a qualitative change.
He would be able to resist over eighty percent of water-attribute offensive spells below the Foundation Establishment level.
Even against ordinary second-rank water-attribute spells, he would have thirty to fifty percent resistance.
His resistance to spells of other attributes would be slightly lower.
After cultivating the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art for six hours, Chen Jianghe left his cultivation chamber and went to the west courtyard.
In the past two-plus years, Jiang Ruxu had helped him refine the Spirit Pool Pearls, Water Spirit Jades, and water-attribute Essence Soul Pills into spirit pills.
He gave four of the ten low-grade Origin Spirit Pills to Jiang Ruxu.
He gave two of the five mid-grade Origin Spirit Pills to Jiang Ruxu.
As for the five water-attribute Essence Soul Pills, he kept them all for himself to cultivate the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art.
Chen Jianghe gave five of the six low-grade Origin Spirit Pills to Maoqiu and one to Xiao Hei. He then gave one of the three mid-grade Origin Spirit Pills to Xiao Hei.
As for the one hundred Water Spirit Pills, he had given them to Xiao Hei long ago.
For the past two-plus years, Xiao Hei had mostly used Water Spirit Pills for his cultivation.
With the Six Revolutions Great Demon Art, Xiao Hei's speed at devouring spiritual energy was faster than Chen Jianghe, Maoqiu, and Latiao combined.
Naturally, Xiao Hei's cultivation speed was also fast.
With sufficient resources, Xiao Hei could break through to the late second rank and reach the peak of the second rank within five years.
However, resources were never sufficient.
Unless he, Maoqiu, and Latiao all stopped cultivating and funneled all their resources to him, there was no way to get Xiao Hei to the peak of the second rank quickly.
It was still a long time before they had to enter the secret realm, so there was no rush to get Xiao Hei to the peak of the second rank.
Currently, with the fall of the Zhou Clan, whose clan head and a small number of direct descendants had been driven deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, the external situation was stabilizing.
The entire Tiannan Domain was slowly returning to order.
Therefore, steady progress, with everyone cultivating together to improve their strength, was the proper path.
Chen Jianghe still had two mid-grade Origin Spirit Pills left, enough for his cultivation needs for the next few years.
Maoqiu had five low-grade Origin Spirit Pills, which were also enough for five years of cultivation.
As for Xiao Hei, he had thirty-six Water Spirit Pills and one mid-grade Origin Spirit Pill, which could sustain him for two years.
As for that one low-grade Origin Spirit Pill, Xiao Hei had already consumed and refined it several months ago.
Latiao had yet to finish absorbing and refining the Ice Soul Pearl, which would likely take another half a year.
At that time, Chen Jianghe could give the ice-attribute spirit core to Latiao, which would sustain him for another year.
In comparison, it was clear how many resources Xiao Hei required.
But Xiao Hei was also the most helpful to Chen Jianghe.
“Brother Chen, Senior Sister can now make second-rank puppets!”
Upon seeing Chen Jianghe, Jiang Ruxu immediately shared the happy news.
“Xinyan, you can make second-rank puppets now?”
Chen Jianghe looked at Zhuang Xinyan, his face filled with pleasant surprise, asking for confirmation.
“Yes.”
Zhuang Xinyan nodded gently, her phoenix-like eyes shimmering as she gazed at Chen Jianghe, her expression also filled with joy.
“Wonderful!”
Chen Jianghe was overjoyed.
Zhuang Xinyan's puppetry skill advancing to the second rank was a great help to him.
Especially since he needed to enter that unknown secret realm, puppets were extremely necessary.
He had learned the importance of puppets during his first time in a secret realm.
Unfortunately, first-rank high-grade puppets were too fragile. They would be damaged upon encountering a restrictive formation, making them useless no matter how many he had, and he couldn't obtain many spirit items with them.
But things would be different with second-rank puppets.
The durability of a second-rank puppet was comparable to the body of a second-rank demonic beast. Although it was difficult to unleash its true power when driven by low-grade spirit stones,
it was more than enough for treasure hunting.
Lu Qingming, with his mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, had managed to obtain that piece of thousand-year-old Snow Jade Marrow. The three damaged second-rank puppets from his storage pouch made it clear how he had done it.
“Xinyan, I'll figure out a way to get the materials for the second-rank puppets. After you make them, don't sell them to outsiders.”
“Okay, I'll only make second-rank puppets for you, Brother Chen.” Zhuang Xinyan nodded obediently.
“Er… yes, good.”
Chen Jianghe felt that Zhuang Xinyan had misunderstood him.
It wasn't that he wanted her to make second-rank puppets exclusively for him, but that the news of her ability to do so could not be spread.
Puppetry legacies were very rare.
Especially second-rank puppetry legacies. Aside from the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan, Chen Jianghe had never seen any other puppet masters.
In other words, within the Tiannan Domain, only the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan possessed a second-rank puppetry legacy.
Once the news that Zhuang Xinyan could create second-rank puppets got out,
the rumors of him killing Lu Qingming would be confirmed.
At that point, the Puppet Lu Clan would surely come after him. Facing a top-tier immortal clan, he feared he would find it difficult to survive in the Tiannan Domain.
“Actually, the materials you gave me, Brother Chen, are enough for me to make two more second-rank puppets.”
As Zhuang Xinyan spoke, she took out a second-rank puppet from her storage pouch. This was the one she had made.
Chen Jianghe took the second-rank puppet, imprinted his spiritual sense on it, and after a brief refinement, with a thought, the three-inch lion puppet instantly grew to two zhang in size, flames radiating from its body.
This was a second-rank offensive puppet modeled after a second-rank demonic beast, the Blazing Lion.
“Three won't be enough. I'll help you find materials. I'll have to trouble you to make a few more second-rank puppets then.”
After sensing the strength of the second-rank offensive puppet, Chen Jianghe was very satisfied. This Blazing Lion puppet might not be able to defeat an early-Foundation Establishment cultivator,
but it could at least hold one off for an hour.
And that was only because it was powered by low-grade spirit stones. If he used mid-grade spirit stones, this Blazing Lion puppet would be enough to tie down an early-Foundation Establishment cultivator for a long time.
Zhuang Xinyan had only been studying puppetry for twenty years, yet she had already achieved second-rank skill.
This showed her talent in the path of puppetry.
Back then, Alchemist Zhuang had wanted her to pursue the path of alchemy, but her talent in that area was too poor.
Exploding six out of ten cauldrons had set a new record for failed refinements.
Who would have thought she possessed such incredible talent in the path of puppetry.
“Being able to help you, Brother Chen, is no trouble at all.”
Zhuang Xinyan was happy, but she thought about how she had only just reached the second rank in puppetry.
“Brother Chen, I've only just become a second-rank puppet master. It takes a very long time to make one second-rank puppet…”
“It's fine. I don't need that many. Just take your time.”
For Chen Jianghe, the more second-rank puppets, the better. It would determine how many spirit items he could obtain in the secret realm.
But he would not pressure Zhuang Xinyan or Jiang Ruxu.
“By the way, Xinyan, when you're making the puppets, try to model them after primate-type demonic beasts, or just use cultivators as a model.”
Chen Jianghe didn't need offensive puppets; he needed treasure-hunting puppets. Primate-type demonic beasts would be easier to control for exploration and treasure hunting.
Zhuang Xinyan nodded obediently.
“Oh, right, the Immortal Sect Market City is preparing to open a barter and exchange hall in a month. If you need anything, Brother Chen, you can go take a look.”
As Jiang Ruxu spoke, she took out three pieces of High Clarity Jade and said, “These are the talisman materials I exchanged for in the Tiannan Sect. I don't know what's happening, but suddenly, many disciples in the sect are using their contribution points to exchange for talisman materials.”
Chen Jianghe took the three pieces of High Clarity Jade and put them into his storage pouch.
“Every thirty years, the Tiannan Sect opens a secret realm and sends some Core Formation prospects with great potential inside. I suppose those prospects who are about to enter are making preparations in advance!”
Chen Jianghe remarked.
In truth, Chen Jianghe had another guess: news of the unknown secret realm had already spread within the Tiannan Sect.
Many Core Formation prospects at the peak or late stage of Foundation Establishment had begun to prepare.
Even False Core Adepts could enter.
This showed how dangerous it was, forcing them to prepare ahead of time.
With enough second-rank high-grade talismans, they would have the means to protect themselves when facing False Core Adepts.
Of course, it would be best if they had Talisman Treasures.
Chen Jianghe was very interested in what Jiang Ruxu had said about the Immortal Sect Market City opening a barter and exchange hall.
Three days later.
Chen Jianghe received a letter from Gao Peiyao.
It also mentioned the opening of the barter and exchange hall in the Immortal Sect Market City, suggesting that Chen Jianghe should go take a look if he needed anything.
She also explained the nature of the event.
As the flagship market city of the Tiannan Sect,
the barter and exchange hall in the Immortal Sect Market City was bound to be of a much higher standard than the one in Thousand Mountains Market City.
Therefore, there would be many unimaginable treasures.
As time went on.
The day of the inaugural opening of the Immortal Sect Market City's barter and exchange hall arrived.
Chen Jianghe also stepped out of his cultivation chamber.
He saw Maoqiu under the pavilion, diligently drawing a Water Arrow Talisman. With his mid-second-rank cultivation, both his spiritual power and magical power far surpassed those of a Qi Refining cultivator.
Thus, through tireless effort, Maoqiu had also become a low-grade Talisman Master.
He could draw five or six types of low-grade spirit talismans, such as the low-grade Water Arrow Talisman, Fireball Talisman, and Protective Talisman.
This made Chen Jianghe feel that Maoqiu might not be a spirit beast at all, but a mutated human. A spirit beast Talisman Master was something unheard of, not even recorded in the *Chronicles of Tiannan*.
As for the spirit talismans Maoqiu drew, they were traded to the Yu Clan along with the high-grade spirit pills Chen Jianghe refined, on the day before the new year.
This brought Maoqiu an additional income of nearly a hundred spirit stones per year.
Now, Maoqiu could earn nearly four hundred spirit stones a year. Although this was less than a tenth of what he made on Golden Ao Mountain,
it was still quite good.
After all, the circumstances were different. When the world became peaceful again, they could rent an immortal mountain for cultivation.
At that time, Maoqiu and Latiao could both put their skills to use.
He walked under the Dragon Pattern Red Pine, feeling the fluctuations of spiritual energy it emitted.
He hadn't taken any of its spiritual bark in all these years.
He had even fed it with the spirit blood of a giant python, which he had Gao Peiyao exchange for in the Tiannan Sect. This was the spirit blood of a peak second-rank demonic beast.
One hundred jin was worth five thousand spirit stones. Three hundred jin a year cost fifteen thousand spirit stones.
Over the past two years, Chen Jianghe had spent thirty thousand spirit stones.
But when he thought about how the Dragon Pattern Red Pine would become a quasi-third-rank spirit plant, allowing him to use its bark to draw second-rank high-grade talismans,
he was still very happy.
In just a few years, his initial investment would be fully returned.
However, he was running low on spirit stones now.
In two years, he had spent thirty thousand spirit stones on the giant python's spirit blood and had also bought a Peach Wood Heart-Clearing Talisman Brush.
It used to cost one thousand six hundred spirit stones, but now, due to the turbulent times, the price had inflated to three thousand.
The second-rank high-grade talismans he drew were all for his own use.
Although he also practiced alchemy, it was only in his spare time, and he only refined high-grade spirit pills.
Adding Maoqiu's annual income of nearly four hundred spirit stones,
Chen Jianghe was currently still in a state where his expenses exceeded his income.
He originally had fifty-seven thousand four hundred ninety-four spirit stones, but now only thirty-one thousand two hundred fifty remained.
“It's still enough for the next two years. If it really comes to it, I'll have to sell two second-rank high-grade talismans.”
For him, low-grade spirit stones couldn't buy any valuable items.
But he couldn't do without them either.
He glanced at Latiao, coiled around the Dragon Pattern Red Pine. Its aura was stable, as if it were in a deep sleep.
It had been absorbing and refining that Ice Soul Pearl for nearly five years.
Latiao's cultivation had also risen to the peak of the early second rank. Although this Ice Soul Pearl couldn't push its cultivation to the mid-second rank, it was close.
As for Xiao Hei, who was cultivating in the lotus pond,
ever since Chen Jianghe had last asked him if he had any secret offensive techniques, Xiao Hei had become much more diligent.
He spent a long time cultivating every day.
Basically, after feeding the Stone Rock Turtles, Flame Turtles, and Mystic Water Turtles, he would begin his cultivation.
This was also why Xiao Hei consumed resources so quickly.
He had never seen Xiao Hei cultivate so hard before.
Seeing Xiao Hei's diligence, Chen Jianghe naturally didn't dare to slack off. In the past two-plus years, he had already condensed his ninety-eighth drop of magical power.
If the Foundation Establishment realm were to be subdivided, he had already reached the fifth layer and would soon break through to the sixth.
Chen Jianghe left Clear Water Bay, choosing not to fly on his sword.
Clear Water Bay was not far from the Immortal Sect Market City, and he could reach it quickly by flying on his qi.
Upon entering the Immortal Sect Market City, the familiar probing of spiritual sense washed over him, making him uncomfortable, but there was nothing he could do.
If he were a Core Formation mighty figure, he naturally wouldn't face such a predicament.
Arriving before the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, he saw that a two-story building had been erected next door. The plaque read: Barter.
Chen Jianghe walked inside.
Just as he had thought, none of the cultivators who entered here had their faces covered. It seemed that one needed great courage to disguise oneself in the Immortal Sect Market City.
Covering one's face would attract the attention of the Core Formation mighty figures.
In these special times, even if you were completely innocent, disguising yourself in the Immortal Sect Market City would get you labeled as having ill intentions by the Tiannan Sect.
The Immortal Sect Market City guaranteed your safety. If you still felt the need to disguise yourself, it meant you were the problem.
The Tiannan Sect didn't need to investigate the truth; they only needed an excuse to eliminate you.
“Lady Jinghong?!”
Chen Jianghe had only paused at the entrance of the barter and exchange hall when he saw Lady Jinghong walk in.
“Senior.”
“Mm.”
Lady Jinghong nodded and then gracefully walked inside, carefully searching for a spirit item to save her husband or a third-rank soul-healing spirit pill.
Chen Jianghe also stepped into the barter and exchange hall.
The barter and exchange hall of the Immortal Sect Market City was vast, divided into two floors. The first floor was for the exchange of resources needed by Qi Refining, early-Foundation Establishment, and mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The second floor was for the exchange of resources for cultivators at the late-Foundation Establishment stage and above.
Chen Jianghe first took a lap around the first floor. Finding no suitable items, he went straight to the second floor.
Rows of jade tables were filled with barter plaques.
Written on them were the spirit items sought in exchange, along with descriptions of the treasures being offered.
There were many barter plaques, and even more cultivators.
There were also many Qi Refining cultivators. It was obvious that most of them weren't here to trade.
They were all taking the opportunity to watch the excitement.
It was a rare opportunity to see so many Foundation Establishment cultivators, False Core Adepts, and even Core Formation mighty figures all at once.
The chance was hard to come by.
Chen Jianghe didn't expect to hear people gossiping about him even after reaching the second floor.
Some cultivators, upon seeing him, began to discuss things like 'revered elder at Foundation Establishment,' 'Old Man of Many Fortunes,' 'late bloomer,' and 'Talisman Grandmaster.'
Of course, they also talked about him and Luo Xiyue.
A Talisman Grandmaster and a Smithing Grandmaster—a perfect match, a couple made in heaven.
But who would have thought that heaven would be jealous of such beauty? The Smithing Grandmaster, Fairy Luo, fell in a secret realm, leaving behind a lonely Old Man of Many Fortunes.
There was also talk of how the Old Man of Many Fortunes, for the sake of his fallen wife, had rejected the Alchemy Grandmaster, Fairy Jiang.
They spoke with such genuine emotion, as if they themselves were the Old Man of Many Fortunes, painting Chen Jianghe as a deeply devoted man.
Hearing this gossip, Chen Jianghe felt utterly helpless.
Although it was mostly Qi Refining cultivators gossiping, he couldn't go up and scold them. After all, most of what they said was praise.
As the saying goes, you don't slap a smiling face.
You can't just go up and give them a couple of slaps when they're complimenting you, can you?
Lady Jinghong saw the Qi Refining cultivators looking at Chen Jianghe and gossiping, and she couldn't help but glance at him a couple more times.
A trace of sympathy appeared in her phoenix-like eyes.
Her husband had not opened his eyes in seventy years. Without a quasi-third-rank soul-type spirit item or a third-rank soul-healing spirit pill, he would not live much longer.
This made her empathize with Chen Jianghe, feeling a sense of shared misfortune.
She even pitied Chen Jianghe a little.
Her comatose husband could still be saved.
But Chen Jianghe's wife had already fallen, with no possibility of returning to life.
Chen Jianghe saw Lady Jinghong look his way and sigh with a sympathetic gaze.
“...”
A wave of helplessness washed over him.
“Brother Jianghe, did you really reject Sister Ruxu and Sister Xinyan?”
Just then, Gao Peiyao also arrived on the second floor of the Barter House and happened to overhear the gossip and praise from the Qi Refining cultivators.
She sent a spiritual message, asking curiously.
“...”
Chen Jianghe was speechless.
These low-level cultivators really shouldn't be allowed on the second floor of the Barter House. Otherwise, rumors would spread like wildfire, and it would be impossible to defend oneself.
As Gao Peiyao appeared by Chen Jianghe's side,
the gossip from the Qi Refining cultivators shifted to include her, starting with high praise.
Words about how she came from a small place like Mirror Moon Lake, joining the Tiannan Sect as a mere Fishery Farmer, how her beauty was unparalleled, more divine than a celestial fairy, blessed with great fortune, and constantly encountering opportunities.
It made others endlessly envious.
Even Gao Peiyao herself couldn't help but smile, feeling secretly pleased.
But immediately after, she was linked to Chen Jianghe.
At first, it was fine, just childhood friends. But then it turned into Chen Jianghe rejecting Gao Peiyao for the sake of the Smithing Grandmaster, Luo Xiyue.
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe smiled and sent back a spiritual message, “Did I reject you for Luo Xiyue's sake too?”
“Hmph, the second floor of the Barter House is no place for Qi Refining cultivators!”