Chapter 262
Chapter 262
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 262
Chapter Title: Mysterious Realm Allies, the Cen Brothers
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Immortal Gate Restaurant.
Chen Jianghe arrived as invited, heading up to a private room on the second floor. There, he saw Gao Peiyao, along with Xiao Chen and Yuan Chenyu.
Last time, in the Wind Snow Valley Mystic Realm, they were the only three sect disciples to make it out.
For this unknown mystic realm, the three of them had already formed an alliance to look out for one another.
"Peiyao, Fellow Daoist Xiao, Fellow Daoist Yuan."
Chen Jianghe cupped his hands in greeting.
He wasn't the least bit surprised that Gao Peiyao had brought Xiao Chen and Yuan Chenyu, as she had mentioned it in her letter to him.
"Brother Jianghe, please, have a seat," Gao Peiyao said with a gentle smile and a warm voice.
"Fellow Daoist Chen."
Xiao Chen and Yuan Chenyu both nodded in return.
Although they looked down on Chen Jianghe, they didn't dare to underestimate him.
So many sect disciples had fallen in the Wind Snow Valley.
Yet Chen Jianghe had survived, and had even gotten ahead of Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping, which showed he must have some trump cards up his sleeve.
The reason they looked down on him was that he was a rogue cultivator.
He lacked a systematic cultivation art, let alone a sword art that complemented it, and he certainly hadn't comprehended any powerful ultimate techniques.
He could only rely on talismans in battle.
As outstanding disciples among the Foundation Establishment members of their sect, they naturally had talismans as well, and even Talisman Treasures.
"Brother Jianghe, Senior Brother Xiao and Senior Brother Yuan will also be entering the unknown mystic realm. The four of us can form a small alliance and look out for each other inside."
Gao Peiyao said, looking at Chen Jianghe.
"To be able to form an alliance with three Core Formation Seedlings from the sect is my good fortune." Chen Jianghe wasn't opposed to the idea.
An alliance with Core Formation Seedlings, in particular, would be quite beneficial for him.
These Core Formation Seedlings were knowledgeable and experienced; in the early stages of the mystic realm, they could provide him with significant help.
As for the later stages?
They couldn't possibly stick together the whole time. Otherwise, who would claim any treasures they found?
Even if Chen Jianghe didn't compete with the three of them, they would surely come to blows over any treasures.
This would be especially disadvantageous for Yuan Chenyu.
Therefore, in the middle and later stages of the mystic realm, they would definitely separate temporarily. When the realm was about to close, they would gather again for mutual support, joining forces to fend off the False Core Rogue Cultivators.
"Fellow Daoist Chen is a Talisman Grandmaster with many methods at his disposal. To form an alliance with you is my fortune as well."
Although Xiao Chen looked down on Chen Jianghe, he still maintained the necessary decorum.
Even if only for Gao Peiyao's sake, he wouldn't embarrass Chen Jianghe.
With Xiao Chen's words, Yuan Chenyu also cupped his hands and said, "Once we are inside the mystic realm, I hope Grandmaster Chen will look after us."
"It should be I who asks for your care."
Chen Jianghe said with a smile.
"My three brothers, let's dispense with the pleasantries. We can discuss business while we eat."
Gao Peiyao pursed her lips and chuckled softly.
Just then, the spiritual dishes and immortal delicacies they had ordered arrived, along with four pots of top-grade immortal spirit wine.
This banquet would cost at least a hundred spirit stones. It was clear that many of the ingredients for the spiritual dishes came from early-stage second-rank demonic beasts.
However, at their level of cultivation, a hundred or so spirit stones was of little concern.
Chen Jianghe didn't think much of it. It wasn't his spirit stones, after all. He just had to eat.
Yuan Chenyu first glanced at Xiao Chen. Seeing that Xiao Chen had no intention of speaking, he turned to Chen Jianghe and said, "I wonder if I might trade with Grandmaster Chen for some high-grade second-rank talismans?"
Although he had his own channels to acquire high-grade second-rank talismans.
But when entering an unknown mystic realm, who would complain about having too many?
"Certainly, but we'll have to wait until just before the mystic realm opens to trade." Chen Jianghe nodded in agreement.
They could trade, but how many he was willing to part with was up to him.
Even just trading one would suffice.
It would be considered giving Yuan Chenyu face.
After all, he was also entering the mystic realm, so he naturally needed to keep more high-grade second-rank talismans for himself.
Yuan Chenyu would surely understand.
Hearing Chen Jianghe's willingness to trade, Yuan Chenyu's gaze toward him softened considerably. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Grandmaster Chen. I will seek you out when the mystic realm is about to open."
Chen Jianghe nodded.
Following that, everyone began to eat, and the conversation dwindled.
Gao Peiyao's intention was simply to have everyone meet and exchange some useful resources.
To put it bluntly, this was also a way to help Chen Jianghe.
But Chen Jianghe didn't want to trade away too many of his high-grade second-rank talismans.
Yet, aside from those talismans, he couldn't reveal the other treasures he possessed.
Most importantly, while his high-grade second-rank talismans were useful to Yuan Chenyu, they held little appeal for Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen was the son of Venerable Chengtian, the peak master of Chengtian Peak. For this trip to the unknown mystic realm, he had surely prepared a vast amount of resources.
There was no need for him to trade for high-grade second-rank talismans from Chen Jianghe.
Without his father having to intervene, just on the basis of his own reputation as a sect prodigy praised by the Tiannan Sect Master for having the potential for Core Formation, he could acquire plenty of resources within the sect.
Two hours later.
Xiao Chen and Yuan Chenyu left.
Only Gao Peiyao and Chen Jianghe remained in the private room.
"Brother Jianghe, you could trade with Senior Brother Xiao for some second-rank absorbable spiritual items, or even items that can enhance one's spiritual cultivation."
Gao Peiyao said.
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe gave a wry smile. "I'm not like you sect disciples who can exchange contribution points for precious treasures. I'd like to trade with Fellow Daoist Xiao, but I have nothing of value to offer."
Gao Peiyao smiled and didn't pursue the topic.
In truth, Chen Jianghe understood Gao Peiyao's meaning, but he didn't want to trade with Xiao Chen.
Although he could use second-rank talismans to trade with Xiao Chen for spiritual items.
And the other party would certainly agree to the trade.
But it would all be because Xiao Chen was giving face to Gao Peiyao.
In other words, if Chen Jianghe were to trade with Xiao Chen, he would once again be indebted to Gao Peiyao.
He had just managed to repay her kindness; how could he fall into her debt again?
After receiving so much favor.
If he were to obtain a Core Formation spiritual item in the mystic realm in the future and Gao Peiyao asked for it, should he give it to her or not?
As for Gao Peiyao helping him acquire a Talisman Treasure.
That was something Chen Jianghe had traded forty high-grade second-rank talismans for. It didn't count as a favor from her.
He could have done without that Talisman Treasure.
But Gao Peiyao was in desperate need of those forty high-grade second-rank talismans.
As for the ten extra high-grade second-rank talisman materials, they were merely an add-on to the deal.
"Brother Jianghe, here are thirty high-grade second-rank talisman materials in total."
Gao Peiyao took out a storage pouch, looked at Chen Jianghe, and handed it over.
He swept it with his divine sense.
Seven pieces of Supreme Clarity Jade, five Verdant Water Lotus Leaves, and a section of Golden Silk Bloodwood.
Judging by the size of the Golden Silk Bloodwood, it could be cut into eighteen portions of high-grade second-rank talisman materials, making for exactly thirty portions in total.
Chen Jianghe accepted it, then took out a storage pouch of his own. Inside were ten Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans and ten Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talismans.
"These are the talismans drawn from those twenty portions of high-grade second-rank talisman materials—ten Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans and ten Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talismans."
Chen Jianghe handed the storage pouch to Gao Peiyao.
"Thank you, Brother Jianghe."
Gao Peiyao accepted it with delight.
With twenty high-grade second-rank talismans in hand, she felt her confidence soar.
This unknown mystic realm.
Even False Core Rogue Cultivators could enter it.
It was practically on par with a grotto-heaven.
Even with the great secret she possessed, she still needed to be cautious before she was fully grown.
"This is a trade between us, no thanks are necessary. In ten years, I will give you the remaining five Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans and fifteen Second Wood Soul-Entangling Talismans."
Chen Jianghe deliberately emphasized the word "trade" and specified "ten years."
"Let's make it twenty years. There's no rush for the remaining twenty high-grade second-rank talismans. Brother Jianghe can give them to me in twenty years. At that time, I will bring you an offensive Talisman Treasure."
Gao Peiyao said after some thought.
"Alright, twenty years it is."
Chen Jianghe had no objections and agreed to the timeline set by Gao Peiyao.
He had mentioned the trade and set a time precisely for that Talisman Treasure. Now, not only was the time confirmed, but he also had information about the treasure itself.
An offensive Talisman Treasure was slightly less valuable than a defensive one or an escape-art one.
But an offensive Talisman Treasure was exactly what Chen Jianghe lacked.
Once Xiao Hei became a peak second-rank spirit beast, his defensive capabilities would be complete.
As for escape arts?
He was nurturing a Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman in his dantian, which would one day reach the level of a Talisman Treasure.
Adding to that Xiao Hei's unrestricted Mystic Earth Rock-Splitting Escape and his Minor Teleportation Talismans, Chen Jianghe's means of escape were rich and varied.
If things truly became critical, he could also use the Blood River Escape Art.
By the time he entered the unknown mystic realm, his cultivation should have reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Using the Blood River Escape Art at that level.
His speed would far surpass that of the Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman.
It might not even be inferior to an escape-art Talisman Treasure.
How could a demonic secret art, a blood sacrifice art at that, be lacking in power?
Therefore, of the three Talisman Treasures he was nurturing in his dantian, only the Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman was for escape.
As for a defensive Talisman Treasure, he had chosen not to nurture one.
Using the Flood Dragon Green Bamboo as a medium, he was nurturing a Falling Star Lightning Talisman.
Using a Moon-Gazing Stone as a medium, he was nurturing a Second Wood Soul-Entangling Talisman.
These were Chen Jianghe's trump cards.
Having settled the matter of the talisman trade.
Chen Jianghe proceeded to ask Gao Peiyao about something else.
Something concerning Ruan Tieniu.
A year ago, the Feng Kingdom seemed to have gained the Tiannan Sect's approval to establish itself in the southern territories. The flames of war had quickly spread across the southern borders of the Qing and Qi Kingdoms.
In just over half a year, with the Immortal Gate Market City as the dividing line, all the land to the south became the territory of the Feng Kingdom, while the north remained the territory of the Qing and Qi Kingdoms.
"The Feng Kingdom has been established for a year now, and they've even included the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range within their borders. But looking at the Tiannan Sect's wanted list, it seems the name of a Feng Kingdom general is still on it. Did the Feng Kingdom not receive the sect's approval?"
Of the Feng Kingdom's eight generals, three were on the Tiannan Sect's wanted list, including Ruan Tieniu.
Normally, without the Tiannan Sect's approval, it would be impossible for the Feng Kingdom to seize such a large territory in such a short time.
The Qi Kingdom was backed by the Ji and Chen Clans, while the Qing Kingdom was backed by the Chen Clan.
The situation was clear.
Yet, when the Feng Kingdom was conquering the territories of the two kingdoms, not a single Core Formation mighty figure stepped in to resist.
This naturally led people to believe that the Feng Kingdom had the Tiannan Sect's approval.
That was why the Qi and Qing Kingdoms had taken a step back, ceding the territory south of the Immortal Gate Market City to the Feng Kingdom.
After all, in the vast expanse of the Tiannan Domain, only by obeying the Tiannan Sect could one endure.
"I know what you mean, Brother Jianghe, and I can guess you're asking about Ruan Tieniu."
"But I can tell you clearly, Brother Jianghe, do not contact Ruan Tieniu. The Feng Kingdom never received the Tiannan Sect's approval at all."
"As for how the Feng Kingdom was able to rise, push back the Qi and Qing Kingdoms, and make their Core Formation mighty figures afraid to act—there's another reason for that."
Gao Peiyao said with a grave expression.
She seemed very worried that Chen Jianghe might have some connection to this Feng Kingdom.
"Another reason?"
Chen Jianghe was stunned for a moment, asking in confusion, "Without the Tiannan Sect's approval, the Ji and Chen Clans behind the Qi Kingdom, and the Lu Clan behind the Qing Kingdom would tolerate such arrogance from the Feng Kingdom?"
"It involves the remnants of the Zhou Clan in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range."
Gao Peiyao's face was solemn as she looked at Chen Jianghe and said, "This is all I can tell you, Brother Jianghe."
"I see."
Chen Jianghe nodded and didn't press further.
Afterwards, the two of them left the Immortal Gate Restaurant, parting ways.
Chen Jianghe walked towards the Barter Tower.
His mind, however, was occupied with what Gao Peiyao had said.
The Feng Kingdom, currently in its prime, had apparently not received the Tiannan Sect's approval. He found it hard to believe.
"The remnants of the Zhou Clan in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range? Weren't there only the clan head and a few direct descendants left? What kind of trouble could they stir up?"
Those direct descendants were probably still only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
In other words, the Beast Taming Zhou Clan now had only one Core Formation mighty figure.
What could the rise of the Feng Kingdom possibly have to do with the Beast Taming Zhou Clan?
To the point that even the top immortal clans backing the Qi and Qing Kingdoms didn't dare to intervene.
Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Chen Jianghe's mind, and he recalled an old rumor.
The Beast Taming Zhou Clan had raised a fourth-rank spirit beast.
If that were true, then the Beast Taming Zhou Clan really would have the power to support the Feng Kingdom.
The terror of a fourth-rank spirit beast was unimaginable.
"General Ruan Tieniu... that guy really knows how to make a scene. He should be in the late stage of Foundation Establishment by now!"
Thinking of the letter Ruan Tieniu had sent him, he felt a wave of helplessness. Fortunately, only he and Daniu knew about it.
As for Yun Wu?
He had passed away peacefully three years ago at the age of one hundred and eighteen.
Ruan Tieniu must have obtained something good in the Wind Snow Valley Mystic Realm. For a sect prodigy like Xiao Chen to covet it, one could only imagine how precious the treasure was.
On top of that, Ruan Tieniu had also acquired a demonic beast egg.
It should have hatched by now.
As long as Ruan Tieniu had enough resources to raise the demonic beast, in another twenty or thirty years, he would have a powerful spirit pet as an ally.
"That fellow's foundation is getting deeper and deeper."
Thinking back, Ruan Tieniu had been just a demon hunter in Qinghe Market City. It was only by a stroke of luck that he obtained Lan Tianxiang's legacy, which led to his current achievements.
"It seems Lan Tianxiang's demonic legacy contained more than just the Blood River Escape Art. There must be even more powerful arts."
He walked into the Barter Tower.
Chen Jianghe stopped thinking about Ruan Tieniu.
He first wandered around the ground floor a couple of times, searching for spiritual items useful to him, harboring a slight hope of finding a hidden gem.
Even though he knew such opportunities didn't exist in the cultivation world.
He still held a sliver of hope in his heart.
He wasted two hours.
Only then did Chen Jianghe head up to the second floor, satisfied. To his surprise, he found there were no longer any Qi Refining cultivators on the second floor of the Barter Tower.
It seemed someone had reported the situation to the higher-ups of the Immortal Gate Market City, leading to Qi Refining cultivators being banned from the second floor.
Chen Jianghe thought those Qi Refining cultivators were quite nice.
They were all very pleasant to talk to.
Walking between the neatly arranged white jade tables and looking at the trade plaques displayed on them, his eyes swept over them, taking in all the information.
"A Thousand-Year Maple Leaf for a Foundation Establishment Pill? That's not bad."
Chen Jianghe stopped at a table, looking at the contents of the trade plaque. One Foundation Establishment Pill plus one thousand spirit stones could be exchanged for a Thousand-Year Maple Leaf.
This was quite a good deal for Chen Jianghe.
After a brief exchange via voice transmission.
Chen Jianghe traded a low-quality Foundation Establishment Pill and fifteen hundred spirit stones for a Thousand-Year Maple Leaf.
He was bolstering his reserves of high-grade second-rank talisman materials.
He now had seventy-six portions of high-grade second-rank talisman materials, meaning he could draw seventy-six high-grade second-rank talismans.
However, he needed to give twenty to Gao Peiyao, and another fifteen to Zhou Xiaoxuan.
That would leave forty-one for himself.
The reason he had so many high-grade second-rank talisman materials was that Jiang Ruxu had helped him exchange for some in the Tiannan Sect, plus he had taken all the petals from the Profound Yin Flower—a full twelve of them.
As for how Gao Peiyao had managed to find fifty portions of high-grade second-rank talisman materials, Chen Jianghe could easily guess that the prodigy Xiao Chen must have contributed.
Seventy-six portions of high-grade second-rank talisman materials were enough for him to draw talismans for fifteen or sixteen years.
Chen Jianghe continued to browse. Whenever he saw an interesting spiritual item, he would stop and talk with the seller.
He wanted to see if the trade conditions could be changed.
After all, he had limited spiritual items and found it difficult to meet some of the exchange requirements.
Two hours passed.
Chen Jianghe traded three standard-quality Foundation Establishment Pills and five Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills for eleven portions of high-grade second-rank talisman materials and a high-grade second-rank absorbable spiritual item, a Spirit Spring Pearl.
A Spirit Spring Pearl could be refined into a low-grade Origin Spirit Pill.
That was quite good.
Now, Chen Jianghe still had two Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills and two standard-quality Foundation Establishment Pills left.
"Fellow Daoist Chen."
Lady Jinghong saw Chen Jianghe and greeted him.
"Greetings, my lady."
Chen Jianghe didn't dare to be slow, cupping his hands in a salute.
"Does Fellow Daoist Chen need any spiritual items? I recently acquired a few top-tier second-rank absorbable spiritual items."
"I am not currently in need of top-tier second-rank spiritual items. When the time comes, I will seek you out, my lady."
Originally, Chen Jianghe had planned to use that high-quality Peaceful Mind Soul-Settling Pill to help Jiang Ruxu or Zhuang Xinyan refine a spirit-nurturing defensive magical tool.
But it turned out the two women had already found their own channels.
Chen Jianghe naturally wouldn't trade the opportunity to have a spirit-nurturing magical tool refined for a mere top-tier second-rank absorbable spiritual item.
The values were not equivalent.
"Very well. Whenever you need my help refining a magical tool, you can come find me on Fushou Street anytime."
After speaking, Lady Jinghong walked off to the side, looking for spiritual items useful to her.
Chen Jianghe watched her retreating back with a flicker of sympathy, but he couldn't help her.
Even if he obtained a quasi-third-rank soul-healing spiritual item, he wouldn't trade it before he was confident he could deal with a Core Formation mighty figure.
He didn't have the confidence to provoke a peak master.
"A Moon-Gazing Stone?!"
Just as Chen Jianghe was walking and deep in thought, he caught sight of a treasure's information on a trade plaque out of the corner of his eye.
It was the quasi-third-rank spiritual item, the Moon-Gazing Stone.
It could be used to refine a magic treasure embryo or directly refine a spirit-nurturing magical tool—either an offensive or defensive one would work.
Most importantly, it could be used to create a Talisman Treasure.
For Chen Jianghe, the Moon-Gazing Stone was an excellent material for nurturing a Talisman Treasure.
The Second Wood Soul-Entangling Talisman in his dantian used a Moon-Gazing Stone as its medium.
If he could obtain this Moon-Gazing Stone, he could have five Talisman Treasures before the unknown mystic realm opened.
Chen Jianghe focused his gaze on the trade information on the plaque.
"Trade a Moon-Gazing Stone for a spirit-nurturing offensive magical tool?!"
It was true that a Moon-Gazing Stone could be used to refine a spirit-nurturing magical tool, but it also required supplementary materials and the fee for a Master Refiner.
The fee for hiring a Master Refiner to create a spirit-nurturing magical tool was especially exorbitant.
Trading a single Moon-Gazing Stone for a spirit-nurturing offensive magical tool was basically a pipe dream, an impossibility.
"Fellow Daoist, are you sincerely looking to trade this Moon-Gazing Stone?"
Chen Jianghe asked first.
"Of course, I'm sincere. Why else would I have written it down?"
This was a tall young man, broad-shouldered and powerfully built, with bronze skin that gave off a strong sense of pressure.
Judging from the fluctuations of his spiritual power, he was likely at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
"Then this?" Chen Jianghe pointed at the trade plaque.
"I set the asking price, you can make a counter-offer," the young cultivator, built like Yun Xiaoniu, said calmly.
"Uh..."
Chen Jianghe was speechless. He'd seen people set high prices, but never sky-high prices like this.
With an asking price like that, who would even bother to haggle?
"Give me this Moon-Gazing Stone, you provide one more main material for a spirit-nurturing offensive magical tool, I'll provide the supplementary materials, and I'll help you hire a Master Refiner to craft it."
Chen Jianghe sent via voice transmission.
"I told you to make a counter-offer, not to rob me blind."
The burly youth rolled his eyes and replied, exasperated.
"If you really want the Moon-Gazing Stone, then I'll add the supplementary materials for the spirit-nurturing offensive magical tool. How about you give me a finished spirit-nurturing offensive magical tool in exchange?"
"That's not much of an offer. You should know better than I do what it costs to hire a Master Refiner. Otherwise, you would have already had this Moon-Gazing Stone refined into a spirit-nurturing magical tool yourself!"
Chen Jianghe replied with a faint smile.
"Then how do you propose we trade?"
The burly youth asked via voice transmission, indicating he was willing to lower his conditions further.
"For the Moon-Gazing Stone, I'll provide all the supplementary materials for a spirit-nurturing offensive magical tool, plus two top-tier second-rank absorbable spiritual items. And I will help hire a Master Refiner to craft the tool for you."
Chen Jianghe's words made the burly youth's expression turn to one of interest.
Just as Chen Jianghe had said, without connections, it was incredibly difficult to hire a Master Refiner to craft a spirit-nurturing magical tool.
"Alright, I'll agree to—"
The burly youth's voice transmission cut off abruptly.
This made Chen Jianghe's expression change. He saw two more figures arrive at the jade table.
They were currently conversing with the burly youth via voice transmission.
Seeing the youth's suddenly interrupted transmission, it wasn't hard to guess that they were also after the Moon-Gazing Stone.
"Fellow Daoist Chen?"
"Fellow Daoist Cen?!"
Chen Jianghe looked at Cen Linchuan, then at the person beside him. He bore some resemblance to Cen Linchuan but was taller, with an arrogant expression. His gaze toward Chen Jianghe was filled with contempt.
This person was likely Cen Linchuan's older brother, Cen Linfeng.
Chen Jianghe's face darkened. If he wasn't mistaken, they were here to compete with him for the Moon-Gazing Stone.