Chapter 260
Chapter 260
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 260
Chapter Title: The Profound Yin Flower and a Favorable Connection
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Chen Jianghe let out a faint smile. He had long grown accustomed to these rumors mixed with praise.
They left you with no reason to even argue.
After all, ninety percent of what they said was praise.
"Has word of the unknown mystic realm spread throughout the Tiannan Sect?" Chen Jianghe asked.
While strolling through the Exchange Hall, he got down to business.
Jiang Ruxu had mentioned that more and more Foundation Establishment disciples in the Tiannan Sect were exchanging for high-grade second-order talisman materials. This was clearly in preparation for entering a mystic realm.
He just didn’t know which one.
If it was the regular mystic realm, it was still twenty-four years away from opening. To start preparing twenty-four years in advance, accumulating trump cards…
One could only commend these Core Formation prospects for their foresight and cautious prudence.
The events of the Wind and Snow Valley Mystic Realm had truly frightened the Foundation Establishment disciples of the Tiannan Sect.
Twenty-three sect disciples had entered, but only three came out. Anyone would be terrified by such a casualty rate.
"Only a few highly regarded Core Formation prospects know about it," Gao Peiyao replied via voice transmission.
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe understood.
It was likely those Core Formation prospects destined for the regular mystic realm, making preparations in advance, all fearing they might perish inside.
They had indeed been terrified by the Wind and Snow Valley Mystic Realm.
Chen Jianghe browsed with Gao Peiyao for a while before they parted ways. Their needs were different, and staying together would only waste time.
Chen Jianghe needed talisman-crafting materials and top-grade second-order absorbable spirit items.
As for what Gao Peiyao needed?
He had no idea.
Perhaps she needed top-grade second-order spirit materials, or even quasi-third-order ones.
After all, Gao Peiyao still had a damaged Spirit Serpent Ship, something she had bought for three hundred and forty thousand spirit stones.
If it couldn't be fully repaired.
The Spirit Serpent Ship wouldn't be worth that price.
But if it was repaired, its value would far exceed three hundred and forty thousand spirit stones.
"Profound Yin Flower petals?"
Chen Jianghe stopped in his tracks, pausing before the trade plaque of a sturdy, middle-aged man, and read the information on it.
Three Profound Yin Flower petals for one Icy Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.
Chen Jianghe sensed the fluctuations of spiritual power from the cultivator before him. Even though Foundation Establishment cultivators could conceal their aura.
Under the probe of a peer's divine sense, faint fluctuations of spiritual power could still be detected.
An aura so concealed it resembled a mortal's.
This was how Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared to Qi Refining cultivators, whose divine sense was too weak to perceive the restrained spiritual power fluctuations.
Among peers, one needed a special art to completely conceal their aura.
The *Chronicles of Tiannan* recorded that some powerful aura-concealing arts could allow a Foundation Establishment cultivator to completely hide their cultivation aura.
Even a Core Formation mighty figure would be unable to discern their specific cultivation level.
But they could still sense they were in the Foundation Establishment stage.
"A mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. He's probably trading for the Icy Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill for a family member."
Chen Jianghe guessed internally.
Immediately, he initiated a trade with the other party via voice transmission.
One Icy Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill for three Profound Yin Flower petals.
There were no other conditions. The trade went smoothly, and Chen Jianghe successfully exchanged one pill for three petals.
He could now craft three more high-grade second-order talismans.
Chen Jianghe continued his search for the spirit items he needed.
The second floor of the Exchange Hall was vast, with four rows of white jade tables displaying over a hundred trade plaques.
After a few steps, Chen Jianghe saw a trade plaque listing the exchange conditions for Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice.
The Profound Ice Lotus Seed in his dantian had already produced a new source of ice, now the size of a fist.
Chen Jianghe had also inscribed the 'Thousand-Mile Ice Seal' onto it six months ago.
Although the other party only wanted a Foundation Establishment Pill and two mid-grade second-order attack talismans, Chen Jianghe no longer needed the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice.
He browsed a few more trade plaques.
Suddenly, his gaze landed on one plaque, a look of surprise on his face.
A Profound Yin Flower in exchange for a quasi-third-order soul-healing spirit item.
The Profound Yin Flower was a quasi-third-order spirit item. Its petals could be used to make high-grade second-order talismans, and the entire flower could be refined into a Dharma Treasure embryo.
It could also be used to craft a Spirit-Nurturing Defensive Magical Artifact.
Its value was very high.
But a quasi-third-order soul-healing spirit item was even more valuable, usually exchanged for a third-order spirit item of equal worth.
The difference in value between it and the Profound Yin Flower was too great.
"Could it be that he wants to trade for a quasi-third-order soul-healing spirit item to then trade with Lady Jinghong for a Core Formation spirit item?"
Chen Jianghe shook his head. If someone had a quasi-third-order soul-healing spirit item, they would surely trade directly with Lady Jinghong.
Still, the Profound Yin Flower was of great use to him.
Chen Jianghe decided to try his luck and sent a voice transmission: "I have a mid-grade second-order soul-healing spirit pill, and I can add some other spirit items. Would that be enough to trade for the Profound Yin Flower in your possession, fellow Daoist?"
"A mid-grade second-order soul-healing spirit pill?"
The handsome and spirited young cultivator pondered for a moment before replying, "A mid-grade second-order soul-healing spirit pill won't do. If it's high-grade, we can negotiate."
Chen Jianghe was delighted to hear this.
He still had four exquisite-grade Spirit-Calming and Soul-Stabilizing Pills. Although they were technically mid-grade, their effects were nearly on par with high-grade pills.
"You may not know, fellow Daoist, but while the spirit pill I have is mid-grade. It is an exquisite-grade pill, its effects not much worse than a high-grade one."
"Two exquisite-grade pills, plus... one hundred thousand spirit stones."
"I only have one exquisite-grade Spirit-Calming and Soul-Stabilizing Pill and one standard-grade one. As for spirit stones, I can add another ten thousand, but it will have to be in items of equivalent value."
Chen Jianghe transmitted.
Inwardly, he mocked himself for overthinking.
The other party wasn't trying to trade with Lady Jinghong for a Core Formation spirit item; he simply wanted a soul-healing spirit item or pill.
Chen Jianghe observed his stable demeanor and vigorous spirit. He didn't look like someone with a damaged soul. It was likely he was trading for family or friends.
"Alright, but I don't need any mid- or low-grade second-order spirit items," the young cultivator replied coolly.
Mid- and low-grade second-order items weren't rare; many could be bought at the Hall of Hundred Treasures and didn't hold much trade value.
"How about a high-grade second-order escape talisman?"
"A high-grade second-order escape talisman!"
"Good. Four of them will be enough, fellow Daoist."
The young cultivator said joyfully.
One hundred and ten thousand spirit stones for four high-grade second-order escape talismans didn't mean that one such talisman was worth nearly thirty thousand spirit stones.
Rather, it was because high-grade second-order escape talismans were difficult to purchase.
Their value couldn't simply be measured in spirit stones.
If all Talisman Grandmasters sold high-grade second-order escape talismans freely, their value would be around twenty thousand spirit stones each.
Not only were they impossible to buy with spirit stones, but with the current turmoil, talismans were also being sold at a significant premium.
Four high-grade second-order escape talismans in place of one hundred and ten thousand spirit stones was a very good deal.
"Three high-grade second-order escape talismans and ten thousand spirit stones."
Chen Jianghe couldn't possibly offer four of them. Where was the logic in buying high-grade second-order talismans with low-grade spirit stones?
Therefore, high-grade second-order talismans had no fixed price in the Tiannan Domain.
It all depended on how many spirit stones each Talisman Grandmaster was willing to sell for, and how much the buyer was willing to pay.
As long as someone was willing, even one hundred thousand spirit stones for a single talisman was their prerogative.
Of course, there weren't many fools, especially in the cultivation world.
"Don't think you're getting a bad deal, fellow Daoist. These high-grade second-order talismans of mine are lightning-attribute escape talismans."
"Fine, it's a deal!"
The moment Chen Jianghe mentioned they were lightning-attribute, the young cultivator immediately agreed to the deal via voice transmission.
One exquisite-grade Spirit-Calming and Soul-Stabilizing Pill, one standard-grade one, three Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans, and ten thousand spirit stones, in exchange for one Profound Yin Flower.
For Chen Jianghe, it was well worth it.
If he didn't refine the entire Profound Yin Flower into a Dharma Treasure embryo, he could break it down.
One Profound Yin Flower had twelve petals, which meant he could craft twelve Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans.
The remaining parts could be used as the main material to craft a Spirit-Nurturing Defensive Magical Artifact.
It was just a pity that the whole Profound Yin Flower couldn't be used as a vessel for nurturing a Talisman Treasure; otherwise, it would have been even more valuable to him.
Of course, the young cultivator didn't lose out either. Soul-healing spirit pills were incredibly hard to come by, and he had just obtained two.
And three Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans on top of that.
After the transaction was complete.
Chen Jianghe saw the young man leave quickly, heading straight for Lady Jinghong.
When the young man reached Lady Jinghong and exchanged a few words, he was seen handing her a jade box.
It was the same dark green jade box that had contained the exquisite-grade Spirit-Calming and Soul-Stabilizing Pill.
Then, the young man gave Lady Jinghong a storage pouch and left excitedly.
Immediately after, Chen Jianghe saw Lady Jinghong look his way. There was no displeasure in her gaze, only goodwill and sympathy.
Then, he saw Lady Jinghong gracefully walk toward him.
"Fellow Daoist, do you know what that man traded with me using your exquisite-grade Spirit-Calming and Soul-Stabilizing Pill?"
Lady Jinghong looked at Chen Jianghe with a gentle gaze, her face full of mature charm, and a faint smile on her lips.
"Greetings, Senior. Since our transaction is complete, the exquisite-grade pill belongs to that fellow Daoist. Any further trades he makes have nothing to do with me."
Chen Jianghe said calmly.
"For one exquisite-grade Spirit-Calming and Soul-Stabilizing Pill, I agreed to craft a Spirit-Nurturing Defensive Magical Artifact for him."
"He has pleaded with me many times, even offering a quasi-third-order spirit item, the Profound Yin Flower, as payment."
Lady Jinghong sent a voice transmission to Chen Jianghe.
"There's no need to call me Senior, fellow Daoist. My original name is Wang Cuihua, and my husband's name is Zhao Tiezhu. You can call me fellow Daoist, or Mrs. Zhao."
"I think I will continue to call you Lady Jinghong."
Chen Jianghe didn't know why Lady Jinghong was speaking to him like this, even revealing her mortal name.
Zhao Tiezhu, Wang Cuihua. It seemed the rumors were true; Lady Jinghong and her husband had come from a farming family.
He didn't know why Lady Jinghong had suddenly shown such a desire to befriend him.
But he didn't dare to be arrogant.
Lady Jinghong was a False Core rogue cultivator who practiced a sword art, an extremely powerful existence even among her peers.
Furthermore, she was also an Artifact Refining Grandmaster.
She was worthy of even greater respect.
Call her Daoist Wang?
As a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, he'd better not.
And he certainly couldn't call her Mrs. Zhao.
It would have been one thing if he hadn't known.
But he had heard from Gao Peiyao that a Peak Lord from the Tiannan Sect had taken a fancy to Lady Jinghong. If he were to casually call her Mrs. Zhao.
If that Peak Lord didn't mind, it would be fine. But if he did, it would surely lead to trouble.
"If you have any more Spirit-Calming and Soul-Stabilizing Pills, you can trade with me. I can help you refine... oh, I forgot. Your wife is also an Artifact Refining Grandmaster. I imagine you don't lack Spirit-Nurturing Magical Artifacts."
Chen Jianghe could clearly feel the sympathy in Lady Jinghong's eyes intensify when she mentioned Luo Xiyue.
'Does she see me as a kindred spirit?'
Chen Jianghe was speechless.
"Lady Jinghong is correct. I do indeed have Spirit-Nurturing Magical Artifacts, and I also have one more exquisite-grade Spirit-Calming and Soul-Stabilizing Pill."
As he spoke, Chen Jianghe took out a jade box containing an exquisite-grade Spirit-Calming and Soul-Stabilizing Pill.
"You can take this to treat your husband first, my lady. As for what to exchange for it? I am not in need of anything at the moment. Perhaps in the future, I will need to ask for your help in artifact refining."
A woman as devoted to love as Lady Jinghong was a rarity in the cultivation world, and he deeply admired her for it.
Besides, using one exquisite-grade pill to forge a favorable connection with Lady Jinghong was a very worthwhile endeavor.
In the future, he might very well need her help.
"Thank you, fellow Daoist Chen."
Lady Jinghong gave a graceful bow and then left the Exchange Hall.
She had already made a round and found nothing she needed, so there was no point in staying longer. Besides, the conditions she had set were very high.
If others managed to trade for a quasi-third-order soul-healing spirit item, they would also seek her out to exchange for a Core Formation spirit item.
Watching Lady Jinghong's departing figure, Chen Jianghe pondered something. Would anyone really use a quasi-third-order soul-healing spirit item to trade with her for a Core Formation spirit item?
If they did, it would be tantamount to saving her husband's life.
That Peak Lord from the Tiannan Sect would probably be furious.
A Peak Lord in a rage was likely someone even the heads of top immortal clans would fear.
Of course, the trade could be done in secret.
But what if word got out?
Unless, after the exchange, one could successfully form their core and venture deep into the Star Luo Sea before the Peak Lord found out.
Then they would have no reason to fear the Tiannan Sect's Peak Lord.
As long as Lady Jinghong's husband wasn't awakened, one wouldn't offend that Peak Lord. After all, that Daoist Zhao didn't have much time left.
A mortal couple cultivating, even with great opportunities, might take thirty years to reach Foundation Establishment and another forty to reach the late stage.
Adding the twenty years they spent as mortals, that was ninety years.
And he had been unconscious for over seventy years, bringing the total to more than one hundred and sixty years.
The lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was only two hundred and twenty years. Even with Beauty-Preserving Pills and Life Extension Pills, it wouldn't exceed two hundred and fifty.
But this Daoist Zhao had suffered soul damage, so his lifespan was surely greatly reduced. It was questionable if he could even live to two hundred.
He was currently relying entirely on second-order soul-healing and injury-treating pills to sustain his life.
In other words.
He had twenty years at most.
If Lady Jinghong couldn't find a way to save her husband, then Daoist Zhao was destined to pass away.
Chen Jianghe stopped thinking about Lady Jinghong's affairs.
He continued to wander through the exchange meet.
Searching for treasures useful to himself.
Three hours later.
Chen Jianghe used one Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman to trade with someone for two pieces of Supreme Clarity Jade and five thousand spirit stones.
Of course, Chen Jianghe saw other spirit items that were useful to him, but either the conditions were too high.
Or he didn't have the specific items the other party wanted.
Chen Jianghe even saw a third-order spirit item.
On the second floor of the Exchange Hall, a cultivator had actually put up a piece of Wind Malevolence Profound Iron the size of a human head for trade.
This was an auxiliary material for refining Dharma Treasures.
And it was a sufficient amount for refining a Dharma Treasure.
The exchange conditions weren't outrageous.
Eight top-grade second-order absorbable spirit items.
Chen Jianghe only made one more round, and when he came back to look, he found the Wind Malevolence Profound Iron had already been traded away.
It was clear that with reasonable conditions, even a third-order spirit item could be traded away in a short time.
Chen Jianghe left the Exchange Hall and headed toward the Hall of Hundred Treasures.
He wanted to see if the spirit beast section had any new spirit turtle cubs.
Forty-three spirit turtles were too few for him.
This might be enough to reach the sixth level of his *Soul Sea Origin-Solidifying Scripture*, but not enough to reach the peak of the sixth level.
Chen Jianghe calculated that to reach the peak of the sixth level, he would need the soul carapaces of at least one hundred and twenty late-stage first-order spirit turtles.
In other words, he was still far short.
Entering the Hall of Hundred Treasures, he went directly to the spirit beast section and asked the manager there, who was on good terms with Chen Ping.
"You still need spirit turtle cubs, fellow Daoist?!"
"Second-grade bloodline spirit turtle cubs don't sell well in the Immortal Gate Market City. No one is really willing to raise spirit turtles."
"Therefore, the spirit beast section has no new stock of them."
"If you really want spirit turtle cubs, you could try the Duobao Market City. A new spirit beast market just opened there; they should have plenty."
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe thanked him.
Then he left.
As for going to the spirit beast market in Duobao Market City?
There was no need.
Although the situation outside had gradually stabilized, there was still conflict. Furthermore, the Feng Kingdom was making moves. Once it was established, war would surely break out again.
So, before the Feng Kingdom emerged.
Or rather, before the situation of one sect and three kingdoms was settled, he would not leave the territory of the Immortal Gate Market City.
Returning to Clearwater Bay.
Chen Jianghe once again began a life of secluded cultivation.
It was still three hours of cultivating the *Myriad Waters True Scripture*, three hours of the *Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art*, and six hours of crafting talismans.
He squeezed in time for pill refining.
With his schedule so full, time seemed to fly by.
Before he knew it, eight months had passed.
It was now the second month, when the dragon raises its head.
Chen Jianghe had four more Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans in his possession.
He now had ten of them in total.
The spiritual power in his dantian had condensed into one hundred and six drops. Barring any surprises, he could reach the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment in two more years at most.
He had attended last year's New Year's Eve auction, but unfortunately, there were still no Second-Revolution Spirit-Nourishing Pills.
The spirit beast section of the Hall of Hundred Treasures still had no spirit turtle cubs.
This left him feeling quite helpless.
Five water-attribute essence pills could help his *Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art* reach the sixth level.
Only the cultivation resources for the *Soul Sea Origin-Solidifying Scripture* were lacking.
"Sigh, even if this year's New Year's Eve auction has the Second-Revolution Spirit-Nourishing Pill, I'll need to get some spirit stones."
Chen Jianghe didn't have many spirit stones left.
At the Exchange Hall, he had used ten thousand spirit stones in a trade and later received five thousand.
This year, he spent fifteen thousand spirit stones on giant python spirit blood.
Adding what Maoqiu earned and what he made from pill refining.
He now had only eleven thousand, eight hundred and sixty spirit stones left.
It seemed like a lot, but for him now, it wasn't even enough to meet the additional conditions of a single trade.
"I'll have to sell a high-grade second-order talisman first."
Chen Jianghe knew that Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan definitely had plenty of spirit stones, but he didn't want to ask them for any.
He left Clearwater Bay.
Chen Jianghe arrived at the Yu family estate.
"Grand Ancestor?!"
"The Grand Ancestor is here! Quick, go inform the Ancestor and the Family Head."
Seeing Chen Jianghe arrive, some of the younger generation of the Yu family instantly swarmed around him, vying to pay their respects.
They all hailed him as 'Grand Ancestor'.
They had all grown up hearing the legends of Chen Jianghe.
In the Yu family, Chen Jianghe, like Yu Daniu, was a role model.
Surrounded by this group of youngsters, Chen Jianghe wasn't annoyed. Looking at this group of youths and teenagers, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's generation, full of vitality and vigor, made him very happy.
"Grand Ancestor."
Just then, a four or five-year-old child ran toward Chen Jianghe, also calling out "Grand Ancestor."
"Little Guangzhu, you've grown so tall."
Chen Jianghe had seen Yu Guangzhu once when he was less than a year old, and again when he was over two.
Now he was five, and though he had changed a bit.
His aura hadn't changed.
Perhaps because he was the one who had named the child, he felt a special affection. He picked up Yu Guangzhu and walked inside.
Before long, Yu Daniu came out.
Following him were Madam Zhou, Yu Qirui, and surprisingly, Zhou Xiaoxuan was also there.
"Big Brother."
Yu Daniu called out happily.
Madam Zhou and Yu Qirui also paid their respects.
"Great Uncle."
"Grand Uncle."
Zhou Xiaoxuan also came before Chen Jianghe at this time, gave a graceful bow, and said softly, "Uncle Chen."
"Alright, you can all go about your business. I'm here to see Daniu."
Chen Jianghe handed Yu Guangzhu to Madam Zhou and said to Yu Daniu, "Daniu, come on, let's go have some tea, just the two of us."
"You got it."
Yu Daniu led the way, taking Chen Jianghe to the tea room in the front hall.
Madam Zhou gave a look to a nearby servant.
The servant served the spirit tea and respectfully withdrew.
"Big Brother, what brings you here all of a sudden?"
Yu Daniu asked, puzzled.
He knew Chen Jianghe's personality well. He loved the dull and tedious life of cultivation. If nothing was the matter, it was hard to see him even if they lived just a dozen miles apart.
"Can't I just come over for a cup of tea?"
Chen Jianghe scolded with a laugh.
"Haha... I wish you'd come for tea and wine every day, Big Brother," Yu Daniu laughed heartily.
"Is Siniu not home?"
Chen Jianghe asked. He hadn't seen Siniu just now, which he found strange. During these times, he advised those close to him not to leave the Immortal Gate Market City.
"Old Fifth is getting old and nostalgic. He's in the ancestral hall reminiscing with the ancestor and Huizhen. I sent him to look after Old Fifth."
As Yu Daniu spoke, he glanced at Chen Jianghe, worried he might be angry.
He and Yun Wu had known each other for a long time. Back in the Yun Clan, Yun Wu had taken over as the manager of his Mirror Moon Tavern.
Later, he was in charge of the Spirit-Gathering Formation on Qiyun Mountain.
And after that, when the Yun Clan was destroyed in the war, Yun Wu became the head steward of the Yu family.
Furthermore, Yun Wu was old, over one hundred and ten, and the aura of death already clung to him. He didn't have two years left.
He really couldn't bring himself to do it.
So he had Yun Siniu stay with Yun Wu in the ancestral hall.
Chen Jianghe nodded upon hearing this.
He didn't say more on the matter. Since Yun Siniu was watching over him, nothing should go wrong.
"Why is Zhou Xiaoxuan here?"
Chen Jianghe asked again.
When the Yu family moved to the Immortal Gate Market City, they had also brought a few members of the Zhou family, providing them with a way out so their bloodline would not be severed no matter what happened.
Two years ago, through Zhou Xiaoxuan's efforts, a cultivation spot within the market city was secured for the Zhou family members.
And so, the Zhou family members had all moved there.
"Speaking of Zhou Xiaoxuan coming to the Yu family, it actually has something to do with you, Big Brother."
As he got older, Yu Daniu no longer gulped down his tea like he used to, but took a slow, deliberate sip.
He said with a smile, "She came to ask me to get your help."