Chapter 261
Chapter 261
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 261
Chapter Title: One Hundred Years of Cultivation
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Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu were both old friends of Zhou Miaoyun. Zhou Xiaoxuan was Zhou Miaoyun's niece, so her relationship with both of them was the same.
However, Yu Daniu and the Zhou Clan were related by marriage. The mother of the Yu Clan's head was from the Zhou Clan, which meant Zhou Xiaoxuan was closer to Yu Daniu.
Hearing Yu Daniu's words, Chen Jianghe guessed what Zhou Xiaoxuan wanted from him.
"Let's not talk about her for now. I have a second-tier superior-grade talisman to sell. Is the Yu Clan interested in buying it?"
"A second-tier superior-grade talisman for sale?!"
Yu Daniu was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy.
Although he wasn't a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had interacted with quite a few. Even a sect disciple like Zhou Xiaoxuan treated him with respect.
He was very aware of how precious a second-tier superior-grade talisman was.
This time, Zhou Xiaoxuan had come seeking his help precisely to ask Chen Jianghe for a second-tier superior-grade talisman.
"Brother, second-tier superior-grade talismans are incredibly precious. Though I haven't reached Foundation Establishment, I know they can't be bought with mere spirit stones."
"How about thirty thousand spirit stones?"
Yu Daniu cautiously named a price.
Second-tier superior-grade talismans had no fixed value. In an environment where all talismans were sold at a premium, thirty thousand spirit stones was neither too much nor too little.
"Let's make it twenty-one thousand spirit stones, the usual seventy percent discount."
Chen Jianghe took out a Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman.
"This is a lightning-attribute second-tier superior-grade escape talisman. When used, it carries a certain degree of lightning-attribute attack that can injure a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator before turning into a streak of lightning to escape. You should keep it safe."
Yu Daniu's eyes widened in astonishment.
It was a lightning-attribute escape talisman, and it even had offensive capabilities.
"Brother, this Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman is too precious. Twenty-eight thousand spirit stones! You've given the Yu Clan a guarantee of safety!"
Yu Daniu didn't argue further with Chen Jianghe. He took the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman and sent a voice transmission to a servant, telling them to get twenty-eight thousand spirit stones from his wife.
He was no longer young. From the fact that Chen Jianghe was selling a second-tier superior-grade talisman, he could guess that his sworn brother was short on spirit stones.
That was why he was selling it.
To think of the Yu Clan first when selling such a talisman was a sign of brotherly loyalty.
But if he accepted the gift without a second thought, such a brotherhood wouldn't last.
Yu Daniu's offer of twenty-eight thousand spirit stones was a very appropriate price. It allowed Chen Jianghe to feel he was giving the Yu Clan a discount while still receiving more spirit stones.
Yu Daniu knew very well that if he simply tried to give Chen Jianghe spirit stones, the other man would definitely refuse.
This kind of transaction, based on mutual respect, was the most suitable.
And the Yu Clan would also benefit.
A moment later, a servant entered the tea room and handed a storage bag to Yu Daniu, who then passed it to Chen Jianghe.
The transaction with the Yu Clan was concluded.
Chen Jianghe then borrowed the Yu Clan's guest hall to invite Zhou Xiaoxuan over and discuss the matter of the mystic realm.
"Uncle Chen."
Zhou Xiaoxuan was as charming and alluring as ever, her eyes like silk.
Although Chen Jianghe had not lost his virgin essence, after years of seeing Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan by his side, he had developed some resistance to beautiful female cultivators.
Besides, he also saw Gao Peiyao frequently.
Then there was the ice beauty Luo Xiyue, whom he also met often and had even had some physical contact with in the mystic realm.
Looking at the coquettish Zhou Xiaoxuan now, the restlessness in his heart was no longer so strong.
"Mm, Daniu said you had something to ask me, Xiaoxuan?"
Chen Jianghe said calmly.
He had long planned to use Zhou Xiaoxuan to enter a mystic realm a second time, but he had already promised to enter an unknown mystic realm with Gao Peiyao.
Naturally, he wouldn't waste his trump cards entering a conventional mystic realm.
However, he still didn't want to give up the opportunity to acquire resources.
He was not cultivating alone.
He had Xiao Hei, Maoqiu, and Latiao by his side.
As for Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan, he didn't need to worry about them much. Jiang Ruxu, a grandmaster alchemist, was even better at earning resources than he was.
Originally, Chen Jianghe had planned to refine the Mystic Yin Flower into a spirit-infused defensive artifact and give it to one of the two women.
But when he asked last year...
He discovered that both Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan already had spirit-infused offensive artifacts.
Furthermore, Jiang Ruxu was already making plans for a spirit-infused defensive artifact.
In truth, it wasn't difficult for Jiang Ruxu to acquire spirit-infused artifacts for her and her sister. She could refine Origin Spirit Pills for others and, instead of taking one of the pills as payment...
...she would ask for the supplementary materials needed to craft a spirit-infused artifact.
Once she had accumulated enough, she could trade a furnace of Origin Spirit Pills for the main material needed to craft a spirit-infused defensive artifact.
Therefore, when it came to cultivation resources, Chen Jianghe really didn't need to worry.
Zhuang Xinyan might not seem to have much ability to earn resources, but that was because she couldn't reveal her identity as a second-tier puppet master.
On top of that, she was busy crafting second-tier puppets for Chen Jianghe.
Otherwise, Zhuang Xinyan's speed at earning spirit items would be very fast, especially in the Immortal Sect Market City during the period when sect disciples were preparing for the mystic realms.
A single second-tier puppet could help acquire many more resources in a conventional mystic realm.
Lu Qingming had used three second-tier puppets to steal a third-tier mid-grade Thousand-Year Snow Jade Marrow!
Alchemy, puppet making... when a rogue cultivator reached the level of a grandmaster, strictly speaking, they could no longer be considered a rogue cultivator in the Tiannan Region.
Their ability to earn resources surpassed that of an entire Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan.
And their network of connections was vast.
So, Chen Jianghe only needed to plan for resources for himself, Xiao Hei, Maoqiu, and Latiao.
If it was possible and safe, he didn't want to miss any opportunity to gain resources.
Contacting Zhou Xiaoxuan was essential.
Mentioning Yu Daniu was also a way to make Zhou Xiaoxuan feel indebted to the Yu Clan.
"Niece wishes to ask Uncle Chen for help in drawing second-tier superior-grade talismans, and also hopes to purchase some spirit pills from Fairy Jiang."
Zhou Xiaoxuan said softly.
"You're preparing to enter the mystic realm, aren't you?"
Chen Jianghe chuckled lightly.
"I wouldn't dare hide it from you, Uncle. Niece is indeed preparing to enter the mystic realm."
Zhou Xiaoxuan curtsied gracefully, her voice delicate.
"In the Wind Snow Valley Mystic Realm, only three of the twenty-three sect disciples who entered came out. Uncle, you were there that time as well and know the risks within. I implore you to take pity on your niece and help me find some means to protect my life."
Zhou Xiaoxuan's voice was soft and weak, her eyes misty like autumn waters, gazing at Chen Jianghe with a pitiful and touching look.
Even without actively using a charm technique, she evoked an impulse in others to hold her and protect her.
"How many second-tier superior-grade talismans do you want me to draw for you?"
Chen Jianghe's expression was calm, unmoved.
"Ten."
As Zhou Xiaoxuan spoke, she took out three pieces of Supreme Clarity Jade, two Azure Water Lotus Leaves, and five Thousand-Year Maple Leaves.
"These five Thousand-Year Maple Leaves are a gift from your niece to you, Uncle. There is also a second-tier top-grade absorbable spirit item, a Thousand-Year Sandalwood Heart."
Fifteen pieces of second-tier superior-grade talisman material to help draw ten second-tier superior-grade talismans, with a payment of five pieces of second-tier superior-grade talisman material.
This was simply impossible.
But with the addition of a Thousand-Year Sandalwood Heart, the price became reasonable.
However, Chen Jianghe didn't directly answer about the talismans. Instead, he asked, "What spirit pills do you need?"
"Niece would like three second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills and three Muscle-Growing and Bone-Mending Pills," Zhou Xiaoxuan said softly.
Chen Jianghe felt a little puzzled.
The number of spirit pills she requested seemed a bit low.
And the number of talismans wasn't high either, only ten second-tier superior-grade ones. What good would that do?
But then he recalled that during the Wind Snow Valley Mystic Realm, he himself had only nine second-tier superior-grade talismans. Thinking of it that way, Zhou Xiaoxuan's preparations seemed quite substantial.
As for the spirit pills, there really weren't many.
But the other Core Formation prospects preparing to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment were also preparing to enter the mystic realm.
Zhou Xiaoxuan was currently at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, but there were still twenty-three years until the mystic realm opened.
She could definitely cultivate to the late stage of Foundation Establishment before the mystic realm opened.
"With these fifteen second-tier superior-grade talisman materials, I will draw for you five second-tier superior-grade offensive talismans, five second-tier superior-grade defensive talismans, and five second-tier superior-grade escape talismans."
"As for the second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills, I will prepare six for you."
"I will also prepare six Muscle-Growing and Bone-Mending Pills for you, and I can give you three Jade Dew Pills, which can rapidly heal physical injuries."
Chen Jianghe placed the three pieces of Supreme Clarity Jade, two Azure Water Lotus Leaves, and five Thousand-Year Maple Leaves on the table.
He looked calmly at Zhou Xiaoxuan.
He could help Zhou Xiaoxuan by turning all her second-tier superior-grade talisman materials into second-tier superior-grade talismans.
He even doubled the number of spirit pills.
"What does Uncle want this niece to do?"
Zhou Xiaoxuan's alluring demeanor vanished, her expression turning serious as she looked at Chen Jianghe and asked solemnly.
If Chen Jianghe could truly provide her with so many resources, then combined with the trump cards given to her by the master of Sunset Glow Peak, she was highly confident she could survive the mystic realm and obtain unimaginable benefits.
"If you obtain a second Core Formation spirit item in the mystic realm, you must give it to me, and you must not speak of this to anyone."
"If you only get one Core Formation spirit item, it's yours. But any quasi-third-tier spirit items must be given to me. The third quasi-third-tier spirit item will be yours."
"As for second-tier top-grade spirit items and below, they are all yours."
After speaking, Chen Jianghe waited for Zhou Xiaoxuan to make her choice.
But as soon as he finished speaking...
...Zhou Xiaoxuan didn't hesitate for a moment, immediately making an oath to agree to Chen Jianghe's request.
For her, this was a very worthwhile deal.
Not only would her resources be doubled, but she also wouldn't have to pay any upfront cost.
As for giving Chen Jianghe a Core Formation spirit item?
It was uncertain if she could even obtain one Core Formation spirit item, let alone a second.
Besides, if she only got one, it would still be hers.
As for quasi-third-tier spirit items, giving the first and second ones to Chen Jianghe was also not a problem.
After all, Chen Jianghe was also taking a huge risk.
If Zhou Xiaoxuan were to perish in the mystic realm, he would suffer a great loss.
There was another point that satisfied Zhou Xiaoxuan the most: Chen Jianghe didn't want any second-tier top-grade spirit items or anything below that.
One had to know that the most common spirit items one could obtain in a mystic realm were basically second-tier top-grade, superior-grade, and mid-to-low-grade items.
Seeing Zhou Xiaoxuan unhesitatingly swear a heart demon oath—that if she broke it, she would never be able to form a core in this life...
...he felt relieved.
He had also proposed these terms after careful consideration.
Because only with these terms would Zhou Xiaoxuan agree.
He was betting five second-tier superior-grade talisman materials, one second-tier top-grade wood-attribute absorbable spirit item, six second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills, six Muscle-Growing and Bone-Mending Pills, and three Jade Dew Pills.
As long as Zhou Xiaoxuan came out of the mystic realm alive and obtained just one quasi-third-tier spirit item, his entire investment would be returned, with a large surplus.
If she obtained two quasi-third-tier spirit items, the return would be extraordinarily high.
As for Core Formation spirit items?
That wasn't Chen Jianghe's real goal. It was extravagant to hope for even one Core Formation spirit item, let alone two.
It required not only strength but also luck.
Chen Jianghe collected the Supreme Clarity Jade, Azure Water Lotus Leaves, and Thousand-Year Maple Leaves from the sandalwood table.
Then, he walked out of the guest hall with Zhou Xiaoxuan.
He did not linger at the Yu Clan's residence and returned to Clearwater Cove.
He began cultivating in seclusion.
His time had become tight.
Four years had passed since his agreement with Gao Peiyao. In another six years, he needed to deliver twenty second-tier superior-grade talismans to her.
After that, he would need to draw another twenty second-tier superior-grade talismans for Gao Peiyao.
And there were Zhou Xiaoxuan's fifteen second-tier superior-grade talismans.
This would require a great deal of time.
Moreover, Chen Jianghe also had to prepare for his own entry into the unknown mystic realm, which meant he needed to draw even more talismans.
He dared not waste a single moment.
Arriving at his private cultivation chamber, Chen Jianghe first cultivated the Myriad Waters True Scripture, condensing his spiritual power while also restoring his essence, qi, and spirit.
Six hours later, he began to draw talismans.
Once the runes for the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman were drawn, he began to infuse it with spiritual energy.
Twelve hours later, he would cultivate the Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art. While improving his physical cultivation, he could also recover his essence, qi, and spirit.
Although time was tight, Chen Jianghe would not over-exert his mind. He would not do things at the cost of his lifespan.
Although it wasn't *his* lifespan being consumed.
Time flew by like a fleeting shadow.
Four years passed quietly.
In the east courtyard, under the Dragon Pattern Red Pine, Chen Jianghe practiced the stances from the Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art, promoting the circulation of spiritual power throughout his body so it could be better absorbed and refined by his flesh.
Six hours later.
The spiritual power of the second water-attribute Essence Soul Pill in his Divine Gate acupoint was completely depleted.
His physical body became even more delicate and smooth, as if made of water. This left him feeling helpless, but there was nothing he could do.
This was the result of cultivating the Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art.
Chen Jianghe's body was like warm jade, glowing with a moist luster.
With a thought, spiritual power flared, condensing water-attribute spiritual energy into a rain of arrows that shot toward Chen Jianghe.
Chen Jianghe was calm and composed, remaining perfectly still with a focused gaze, allowing the water arrows to strike his body.
But the moment they made contact with his skin...
...a shield resembling water ripples appeared on the surface of his body. As the arrow rain struck, layers of ripples spread out, and the arrows dissipated.
"A water-attribute magical attack comparable to the eighth layer of Qi Refining can't even harm me in the slightest!"
Chen Jianghe summoned the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword, intending to test it on his arm, but he stopped just as he was about to act.
"I'd better use Maoqiu's claws instead."
Chen Jianghe put away the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword.
This was a spirit-infused offensive artifact, not something to be trifled with. If he didn't control the power properly, one strike could cripple his arm.
He summoned Maoqiu and had it lightly scratch his arm with its claws.
Three white marks appeared, like scratches on warm jade.
"Maoqiu, use a little more force."
"Okay~"
With a *schlick*, Chen Jianghe's fair, jade-like arm was cut open, prompting him to immediately cast the Jade Dew Muscle-Growing Incantation to heal it.
Thankfully, he cast it quickly, or blood would have spilled.
"I said a *little* more force. Why did you use so much?"
Chen Jianghe shot Maoqiu a glare.
"I didn't, Master. I only used the strength of an early-stage second-tier spirit beast."
"...Go draw your talismans."
Looking at the arm Maoqiu had cut, Chen Jianghe felt that his physical strength was still a bit weak. If he cultivated the Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art to the sixth layer, he would be able to block the force of Maoqiu's claws, which was comparable to an early-stage second-tier spirit beast.
Of course, this was also because the Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art itself was not a technique focused on physical defense.
The specialty of the Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art was magical defense.
It provided extremely high resistance to water-system spells.
It also had decent resistance to spells of other attributes. This was the true characteristic of this technique.
"I still have three Essence Soul Pills. I should be able to reach the sixth layer of the Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art before I finish refining them."
Thinking of this, Chen Jianghe was very satisfied.
His physical cultivation was progressing faster than his spiritual power cultivation.
Once the Tidal Marrow-Cleansing Art reached the sixth layer, he could shift his focus to the Soul Sea Origin-Solidifying Scripture.
Before entering the unknown mystic realm, he needed to cultivate the Soul Sea Origin-Solidifying Scripture to the sixth layer.
As for his spiritual power cultivation, it would be best if he could reach the peak of Foundation Establishment. Even if he couldn't, he had to raise it to its apex.
The spiritual power in his dantian had already condensed into one hundred and fifty-four drops, still a considerable distance from the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
However, he had ample cultivation resources. As long as he had enough time, everything would fall into place.
Two years ago, when cultivation resources were scarce...
...Chen Jianghe had removed all the petals from the Mystic Yin Flower, twelve in total, saving them to draw second-tier superior-grade talismans.
The remaining parts were exchanged for second-tier top-grade absorbable spirit items.
In total, he exchanged them for four second-tier top-grade absorbable spirit items.
After all, besides the petals, the Mystic Yin Flower was a main ingredient for crafting spirit-infused defensive artifacts and was very valuable.
He had Jiang Ruxu help him refine four furnaces of mid-grade Origin Spirit Pills.
Of the twenty mid-grade Origin Spirit Pills, he gave two to Jiang Ruxu and two to Zhuang Xinyan. It wasn't much, but it was the thought that counted.
After all, Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan also needed resources to cultivate. Not long ago, they had both broken through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
As Jiang Ruxu's alchemy skills grew more profound, the cultivation speed of the two women also increased significantly.
Of the remaining sixteen mid-grade Origin Spirit Pills, he gave four to Maoqiu, four to Latiao, two to Xiao Hei, and kept six for himself.
The reason he only gave two to Xiao Hei was that Xiao Hei was still cultivating with Water Spirit Pills and water-system spirit cores.
At the same time, this was also what Xiao Hei himself had requested.
Even without using Origin Spirit Pills, Xiao Hei could cultivate to the peak of the second tier before the unknown mystic realm opened.
Using Origin Spirit Pills to cultivate wouldn't allow him to break through to the third tier anyway.
Therefore, in Xiao Hei's opinion, it was a complete waste for him to consume Origin Spirit Pills. It was better to let Chen Jianghe use them to cultivate.
Only when Chen Jianghe's cultivation broke through would his lifespan increase significantly.
Chen Jianghe was also very clear about what Xiao Hei was thinking.
To help Xiao Hei successfully break through to the third tier, a large number of second-tier absorbable spirit items were needed.
Of course, if he gave his True Spirit Fruit to Xiao Hei, it could directly elevate Xiao Hei to a fourth-grade superior bloodline.
But that was his Core Formation spirit item; he couldn't touch it.
"After I come out of the unknown mystic realm, I'll need to focus all my efforts on improving Xiao Hei's bloodline purity. I have to help Xiao Hei break through to the third tier first to ensure my own safety."
Chen Jianghe also wanted to focus on improving Xiao Hei now, but even if he gave all his resources to Xiao Hei, it wouldn't be enough to make him a fifth-grade bloodline spirit beast.
If Xiao Hei couldn't become a fifth-grade bloodline spirit beast, then Chen Jianghe would need to find a way to obtain a third-tier demon core.
He didn't have the strength for that right now.
"I can't rush things. The more critical the moment, the less room there is for error. I should focus on balanced improvement first. After Maoqiu and Latiao's cultivation levels have risen, I'll put all my effort into helping Xiao Hei become a third-tier spirit beast."
Chen Jianghe wasn't worried about whether he could reach the peak of Foundation Establishment.
But he was worried about whether he could form a core.
With just one Core Formation spirit item, his chances of success were too low.
To obtain another Core Formation spirit item, he would need to rely on Xiao Hei's strength.
For now, his goals were still the two upcoming mystic realms.
For the conventional mystic realm, he had invested in Zhou Xiaoxuan. He wasn't hoping to get a Core Formation spirit item, but he did hope to get one quasi-third-tier spirit item.
What he was looking forward to the most was the unknown mystic realm.
With careful planning, he might be able to help Xiao Hei's bloodline purity reach the fifth grade ahead of schedule.
"Peiyao sent a letter asking me to meet at the Immortal Sect Restaurant. She's probably going to give me the second batch of talisman materials."
Calculating the time, eight years had passed since Gao Peiyao had given him the talisman materials.
During these four years of seclusion, Chen Jianghe had drawn twenty-one second-tier superior-grade talismans.
Ten Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans and eleven Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talismans.
He now had seventeen Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans, twelve Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talismans, and one Second Wood Soul-Binding Talisman.
He would have had eighteen Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans, but two years ago, he had sold another one.
This time, it wasn't to the Yu Clan.
It was sold to the young man with whom he had traded the Mystic Yin Flower, for thirty thousand spirit stones.
In the past four years, he had spent sixty thousand spirit stones buying Giant Python Spirit Blood for the Dragon Pattern Red Pine.
The spirit stones earned from alchemy, Maoqiu's talisman drawing, and farming over the years, plus what he had left over...
...he currently had twelve thousand eight hundred and sixty spirit stones left.
"When I go to the Immortal Sect Restaurant this time, I can give Gao Peiyao ten Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans and ten Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talismans first."
Chen Jianghe thought to himself.
He stretched languidly.
He looked at the tall Dragon Pattern Red Pine and Latiao, who was coiled around it, cultivating.
Latiao had already reached the mid-stage of the second tier. A small bump had appeared on its triangular head, and the green scales on its body were even more lustrous.
Once it reached the late stage of the second tier, it would be very promising.
It could provide Chen Jianghe with a powerful means of attack, one that was impossible to guard against.
"One hundred years old."
Xiao Hei poked his head out of the lotus pond. The turtle looked at Chen Jianghe and sent a mental message: "I wonder how my old man back at Mirror Moon Lake is doing."
"He probably hasn't died of old age. His lifespan is two hundred and forty years."
"When he sees me, I wonder if he'll be able to withstand my aura, hehe..."
Listening to Xiao Hei's mental message, Chen Jianghe's heart stirred.
Xiao Hei was a hundred years old.
Didn't that mean he had been cultivating for a hundred years?!
Chen Jianghe sighed inwardly. Time really flew by.
He was one hundred and fourteen years old this year.
Unknowingly, he had already cultivated for a hundred years