Chapter 263
Chapter 263
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 263
Chapter Title: Deepening Karma, Sudden Crisis
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"Fellow cultivator, how about this? The Moonview Stone, supplementary materials for a Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifact, and one top-tier second-grade spirit object in exchange for a fire-attribute Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifact."
The stalwart youth looked toward Chen Jianghe and sent a voice transmission.
One less top-tier second-grade absorbable spirit object?
Chen Jianghe frowned inwardly.
Just moments ago, he had offered two top-tier second-grade absorbable spirit objects, and the other party had been tempted.
But with the arrival of the Cen brothers, he had changed his mind.
Before Chen Jianghe could reply, the stalwart youth sent another voice transmission: "It seems this Moonview Stone is not fated to be yours, fellow cultivator."
"The Moonview Stone and the supplementary materials for forging a Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifact. Are you willing to trade?" Chen Jianghe glanced at the Cen brothers and sent a voice transmission to the stalwart youth.
For him, the Moonview Stone could be nurtured into a Talisman Treasure, which would greatly enhance his protective measures.
If he had five Talisman Treasures, he could instantly kill a False Core Adept in the unknown mystic realm.
With that confidence, he wouldn't have to hide and scurry about in the mystic realm.
He had already proposed such a generous offer; he couldn't believe the stalwart youth wouldn't make the right choice.
One thing puzzled him: what kind of offer had the Cen brothers made? To make him reject his own offer so decisively.
The Cen Clan didn't seem to have any channels for forging Spirit-Nurturing artifacts.
Back when Thousand Mountains Market City was still standing, the Cen Clan was at its peak, yet Cen Linchuan had still needed to ask for his help in requesting Luo Xiyue to forge a Spirit-Nurturing defensive artifact.
It was safe to say the Cen brothers were completely unable to meet the other party's trade requirements.
Unless the brothers were willing to part with their own Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifacts.
But even then, the artifact's elemental attribute would have to match the stalwart youth's cultivation art.
Hearing this, the stalwart youth looked at Chen Jianghe with an apologetic expression. If it had been before, he would have traded with Chen Jianghe.
But now, the other party's offer was simply too good.
"Brother Chen, over here."
Cen Linchuan looked toward a certain spot and called out to a handsome and dashing cultivator.
Immediately after, the handsome cultivator walked over.
"Greetings, Brother Chengping."
Cen Linfeng, who had been so arrogant in front of Chen Jianghe, now cupped his hands in a respectful salute to the approaching cultivator.
His attitude was one of reverence.
"Mm, Linchuan, Brother Linfeng."
This handsome and dashing youth was none other than Chen Chengping, a direct descendant of the Artifact Forging Immortal Chen Clan.
With the shifting landscape of the Tiannan Domain.
The four great immortal clans were no more, leaving only three. The Chen Clan still held control over the State of Qi.
No matter how arrogant Cen Linfeng was, he wouldn't dare to offend Chen Chengping.
"Fellow Cultivator Chen, it's been a long time."
Chen Chengping looked at Chen Jianghe, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. In the Wind Snow Valley Mystic Realm, he and Ji Yanfeng had nearly taken a fatal blow for Chen Jianghe, almost dying in the realm.
"We parted in the Arctic Snow Forest, and eleven years have passed since we last met. I trust you've been well, fellow cultivator," Chen Jianghe said gently, a faint smile on his face.
No wonder the Cen brothers could meet the stalwart youth's trade demands. It turned out they had gotten involved with Chen Chengping.
As a direct descendant of the Artifact Forging Immortal Chen Clan.
It was naturally within Chen Chengping's means to arrange for a Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifact.
But what did they want the Moonview Stone for?
To forge a Spirit-Nurturing defensive artifact?
But that trade was clearly a loss!
Unless the Cen brothers also possessed the ancient secret art of nurturing Talisman Treasures, trading for the Moonview Stone in this manner was utterly unwise.
"Fellow Cultivator Chen, do you require any assistance?"
Just then, Lady Jinghong looked toward Chen Jianghe and sent a voice transmission.
"Many thanks, Lady Jinghong."
Chen Jianghe was deeply grateful for Lady Jinghong's offer of help at this moment, but he had already decided against trading for the Moonview Stone.
"The Moonview Stone and the supplementary materials for forging a Spirit-Nurturing offensive artifact. That is my bottom line."
Chen Jianghe looked at the stalwart youth and stated his final offer.
For him, this trade was already a disadvantage.
If it weren't for the fact that the Moonview Stone could be nurtured into a Talisman Treasure, he would never have agreed to such a trade.
The stalwart youth shook his head, still choosing to trade with Cen Linfeng. It was obvious the Cen brothers had offered more.
"Fellow Cultivator Chen, it is not my intention to compete with you, but this Moonview Stone is of great use to me."
Cen Linchuan's demeanor was gentle and refined, his words calm. There was not a trace of arrogance in his gaze as he smiled at Chen Jianghe.
"Second Brother, he's just a talisman-drawing slave from the Talisman Master Alliance. Why waste so many words on him!" Cen Linfeng sent a voice transmission.
His gaze toward Chen Jianghe was filled with disdain.
"Big Brother, have you forgotten what Father told us?" Cen Linchuan was displeased.
"Thousand Mountains Market City has been destroyed, and our ancestor has fallen. Our Cen Clan now relies solely on Father, a False Core Adept, to support us. We must act with humility, build good relationships, and focus on reaching Core Formation. That is the proper path."
"Hmph, I'm well aware of the need to build good relationships. But what's the point of befriending a mere talisman-drawing slave?"
"A Talisman Grandmaster? Heh, our Cen Clan has four Talisman Grandmasters. Father has also agreed to pay a great price to help Chen Chengping create a Talisman Treasure, thus connecting our Cen Clan to the Chen Clan. Without the Artifact Forging Grandmaster, Fairy Luo, that Chen Jianghe is nothing."
Hearing Cen Linfeng's voice transmission, Cen Linchuan sighed inwardly. He knew his elder brother's temperament better than anyone.
Arrogant, conceited, and completely ignorant of the meaning of humility.
However, he did have the capital to be arrogant. A three-element True Spirit Root, a perfect Foundation Establishment cultivation, and possession of both Spirit-Nurturing offensive and defensive artifacts. His foundation was in no way inferior to those disciples from major sects.
Chen Jianghe had no idea what the Cen brothers were discussing privately.
But in response to Cen Linchuan's polite words, he let out a soft chuckle. "I never finalized a deal with this fellow cultivator. How can there be any talk of competition?"
"Fellow Cultivator Chen, Fellow Cultivator Cen, I shall take my leave now."
With that, Chen Jianghe turned and walked away, heading toward Lady Jinghong. Since she had offered her help via voice transmission, it was only right for him to thank her.
As for Cen Linchuan snatching the Moonview Stone, he would settle the old and new scores after reaching Core Formation.
Back in Thousand Mountains Market City, Cen Linchuan's father had forced him to create top-grade second-tier talismans.
Today, he had already agreed on the terms of a trade with the stalwart youth, only for Cen Linchuan to interfere.
This karmic debt could not be resolved with a simple smile.
With the destruction of Thousand Mountains Market City and the fall of the Cen Clan's Core Formation ancestor, the clan had indeed declined.
Even so, they were not an existence the current Chen Jianghe could afford to provoke.
Cen Linchuan's father was a False Core Adept of immense strength.
Even the condescending Cen Linfeng was a perfect Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the Cen Clan had several other perfect Foundation Establishment cultivators as well.
He could not confront them head-on; for now, he had to avoid them.
"Brother Chen, do you have a grudge with that Chen Jianghe?" Cen Linfeng asked via voice transmission.
He had just seen a sharp, murderous glint flash in Chen Chengping's eyes, which instantly reminded him of the Wind Snow Ancient Mystic Realm.
At that time, he had been tricked by Ruan Tieniu into taking the fall for him, and the lower half of his body had been swallowed by the Icy Triangle Python.
If the Cen Clan hadn't paid a great price to purchase third-grade healing spirit pills from the Alchemy Immortal Ji Clan, he would have been crippled for life.
When leaving the mystic realm, he had seen Chen Jianghe with Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping, but Chen Jianghe was in the lead.
It was obvious that Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping were covering Chen Jianghe's retreat.
"Hmph, a feud of life and death. If I ever meet him outside the market city, I will surely take his life!" Chen Chengping glanced at Cen Linchuan.
He then sent a voice transmission to both brothers.
Cen Linchuan remained silent, but Cen Linfeng, ever righteous, replied via voice transmission, "Since he has a feud with you, Fellow Cultivator Chen, he is an enemy of my Cen Clan. If I encounter him in the future, I will also lend you a hand."
"Good. Then I thank you, Brother Linfeng."
"You're too kind, Brother Chengping."
Cen Linchuan glanced at his elder brother, a flicker of annoyance in his heart. It was obvious they were being used as a weapon, so how could he just agree so readily?
All brawn and no brains.
Cen Linchuan cursed inwardly.
But he didn't say anything via voice transmission.
It was just one Chen Jianghe. If killing him could further their relationship with Chen Chengping, it would be of great benefit to the Cen Clan.
In the future, their Cen Clan might even become one of the top immortal official families in the State of Qi.
...
"Fellow Cultivator Chen, you wanted the Moonview Stone?"
Walking out of the Exchange Hall, Lady Jinghong looked at Chen Jianghe and asked.
Seeing Chen Jianghe's pained expression, Lady Jinghong couldn't help but think of his wife, Luo Xiyue.
In her view, for a Talisman Grandmaster like Chen Jianghe to want an artifact forging material like the Moonview Stone...
It was most likely to commemorate his wife, Luo Xiyue.
Of course, she also knew that a Moonview Stone could be used to create a Talisman Treasure, but that required a Core Formation cultivation level.
A False Core Adept could do it, but it would come at a certain cost.
"Yes, but it seems it was not meant to be."
Chen Jianghe shook his head in disappointment.
How could he be happy after losing out on a Talisman Treasure?
"Fellow Cultivator Chen, you are truly a devoted man."
Lady Jinghong's gaze toward Chen Jianghe softened, and she let out a soft sigh.
She then gracefully departed.
"A devoted man?"
Chen Jianghe watched Lady Jinghong's retreating back, puzzled by her words. What did a Moonview Stone have to do with being devoted?
Not dwelling on it, he quickly made his way to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
He went straight to the spirit beast section and, as was his custom, asked if any young spirit turtles had recently arrived.
Upon learning that there were three Mystic Water Turtles.
Chen Jianghe didn't hesitate, taking out three hundred spirit stones to purchase them.
He returned to Clearwater Cove and handed the three Mystic Water Turtles to Xiao Hei, then went back into seclusion to cultivate.
The forty-three young spirit turtles he had purchased earlier had, after eight years, all been raised to the peak of the initial first grade.
He estimated that in another two years, they would be able to break through to the middle first grade.
With no lack of resources, the cultivation speed of these young spirit turtles was quite fast.
However, there was little hope of them becoming second-grade spirit beasts.
Their second-grade inferior and superior bloodlines had already limited their future. Even if he found second-grade spirit cores for them.
The success rate would be less than fifty percent.
Besides, Chen Jianghe wouldn't invest so many resources into them.
He didn't need spirit pets; he needed resources to aid his cultivation of the *Soul Sea Firming Origin Scripture*.
More than four months passed.
Chen Jianghe finished creating two more Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans and was now charging the newly crafted ones with spiritual energy.
Six hours passed.
Chen Jianghe opened his eyes, stretched, and prepared to head to the alchemy room.
He had been involved in the Dao of Alchemy for a long time, nearly thirty years, yet he had struggled to advance to a second-grade Alchemist.
It wasn't that his comprehension was poor.
It was that he spent too little time on alchemy, and his skills still needed improvement.
After all, he was always squeezing in time for alchemy, rather than having a dedicated schedule for it.
Even so, Chen Jianghe had long since become a superior-grade Alchemist.
He estimated that it wouldn't be long before he could become a second-grade Alchemist. By then, his income from alchemy would take a qualitative leap.
"Jiji~"
Maoqiu hopped in front of Chen Jianghe, holding an already opened letter in its paw.
"Where did this come from?"
Chen Jianghe asked, puzzled.
This couldn't be a letter for him; otherwise, it wouldn't have been opened. Maoqiu would never open his letters without permission.
"Master, the big-eyed female two-legger sent it."
"Ruxu?"
Chen Jianghe's heart skipped a beat, thinking it was a message from Jiang Ruxu.
He hadn't left the East Courtyard for over four months since returning from the Immortal Gate Market City. It was entirely possible Jiang Ruxu had left him a message.
It was currently the harvest season for Immortal Crystal Rice.
Maoqiu, coming and going, could easily have picked up a letter for him.
"A wax seal?!"
Chen Jianghe's brows furrowed.
If Jiang Ruxu were leaving him a message, she definitely wouldn't use a wax seal.
Opening it, Chen Jianghe's expression changed instantly.
"It's that scoundrel Ruan Tieniu again!"
Chen Jianghe fumed inwardly.
Unlike Ruan Tieniu, he did not enjoy a life of walking on a knife's edge. He just wanted to cultivate in peace and stability. He wasn't aiming for immortality, just to live a little longer.
To have a higher cultivation level and more safeguards for his security.
The last time he saw Gao Peiyao, she had mentioned Ruan Tieniu, warning him never to contact him.
It was now certain that the State of Feng had connections with the remnants of the Beast Taming Zhou Clan.
This meant that the State of Feng was definitely going to be eliminated by the Tiannan Sect.
Frequently contacting a high general of the State of Feng, if discovered, would surely implicate him. He would then have to live the life of a fugitive.
"Grand Imperial Preceptor? Duobao Market City?"
Chen Jianghe's face was as dark as water.
The letter stated that Ruan Tieniu had been promoted from one of the eight high generals to the Grand Imperial Preceptor in the State of Feng.
He was in charge of Duobao Market City and its surrounding territories.
This was a proper high-ranking position in the State of Feng.
But the higher his position, the more terrified Chen Jianghe became.
If the Tiannan Sect found out about this, he would probably be immediately placed on their wanted list.
After reading Ruan Tieniu's letter.
Chen Jianghe understood his intentions.
The scoundrel first offered some words of comfort, saying that Fairy Luo's death was an injustice of the heavens and that Chen Jianghe should mourn but move on.
Secondly, he wanted Chen Jianghe to help him find someone to forge a Spirit-Nurturing defensive artifact, for which he would offer an extremely high reward.
As for the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman and Rushing Thunder Talisman inheritances from before, he would consider them gifts to Chen Jianghe.
From Ruan Tieniu's letter, it was clear he knew a great deal about Chen Jianghe's current situation.
He even knew his address at Clearwater Cove.
He must also know that Jiang Ruxu was now an Alchemy Grandmaster capable of refining top-grade second-tier spirit pills.
Therefore, Chen Jianghe's channels for finding someone to forge a Spirit-Nurturing artifact were still more numerous than his, the Grand Imperial Preceptor of the State of Feng.
The State of Feng was filled mostly with demonic cultivators and marauders.
There were almost no Artifact Forging Grandmasters. To get a Spirit-Nurturing artifact forged, one had to look outside the State of Feng.
"A section of Flood Dragon Green Bamboo and three top-tier second-grade absorbable spirit objects. The reward is indeed high, but I cannot help him."
Flood Dragon Green Bamboo was a quasi-third-grade spirit object, capable of being nurtured into a Talisman Treasure. It was a spirit object he currently lacked.
There were also three top-tier second-grade absorbable spirit objects, which were also rare cultivation resources.
For Ruan Tieniu to be able to offer so many treasures, one could only imagine how many precious items he had obtained in the Wind Snow Valley Mystic Realm.
Chen Jianghe was now certain that the legacies of Fellow Cultivator Qian, Fellow Cultivator Liang, Fellow Cultivator Liu... had all been inherited by Ruan Tieniu.
"If only the State of Feng had received the Tiannan Sect's approval, that would be wonderful."
Chen Jianghe shook his head helplessly.
However, he also knew that if the State of Feng had the Tiannan Sect's approval, Ruan Tieniu wouldn't be offering so much to ask for his help.
"Flood Dragon Green Bamboo... if I get it, it will become a Talisman Treasure in just over twenty years."
"But if the Tiannan Sect discovers me trading with Ruan Tieniu, I'm afraid I'll have to flee to the State of Feng's territory."
"Unwise. The resources in the State of Feng are all obtained through plunder, which is not my way."
Chen Jianghe stored Ruan Tieniu's letter in his storage bag.
He had to preserve the evidence of Ruan Tieniu putting him in danger. There would be a reckoning for this in the future.
He then walked out of the East Courtyard and happened to see Jiang Ruxu feeding fish in the waterside pavilion.
He walked over quickly.
"That letter was from Ruan Tieniu," Chen Jianghe said directly.
Jiang Ruxu nodded.
"The letter wasn't signed, so I opened it. I never expected that Ruan Tieniu would become the Grand Imperial Preceptor of the State of Feng."
"Big Brother Chen, we should not associate with him. I heard news in the Tiannan Sect that the State of Feng has not received the sect's approval."
"That demonic state is acting so ostentatiously; it will surely be destroyed by the Tiannan Sect. If we get too close to Ruan Tieniu, we might be implicated in the future."
Jiang Ruxu's lively eyes and fluttering lashes were filled with worry as she looked at Chen Jianghe and spoke.
"Mm, I won't associate with this Ruan Tieniu and put us in danger," Chen Jianghe said with a nod.
"By the way, Big Brother Chen, I heard something outside that concerns you."
Jiang Ruxu bit her lip and said hatefully, "Those Two Clans of Qinghe who put a bounty on you have become one of the six great immortal official families of the State of Qing."
"They preside over the eight-thousand-mile Qinghe Prefecture. This Qinghe Prefecture is the former territory of Qiyun Mountain, Mirror Moon Lake, Qinghe Market City, and the Chishui area."
"They've spread the word that as soon as you step out of the Immortal Gate Market City, they will make a move against you."
"This matter seems to have the support of the Lu Clan. The State of Qing is already negotiating with the Tiannan Sect, attempting to have the Immortal Gate Market City expel you."
Hearing this, a murderous glint flashed in Chen Jianghe's eyes.
Ever since he began cultivating, he had always adhered to the principle of being kind to others and building good relationships.
He never made enemies.
As long as others didn't push him into a corner, he would never have the heart to kill. He was even willing to reconcile with Lu Qingming when he offered spirit objects.
But these Two Clans of Qinghe were getting far too audacious.
It was one thing to put a bounty on him outside the city.
But now, they were escalating things, even instigating the State of Qing to negotiate with the Immortal Gate Market City, wanting to have him expelled.
This was an attempt to cut off his path to survival.
They weren't leaving him any chance to live.
"Big Brother Chen, I suspect the Lu Clan is behind this. They don't have evidence to move against you directly, so they're using the Two Clans of Qinghe as a front."
Jiang Ruxu pondered for a moment, then looked at Chen Jianghe and spoke softly.
Chen Jianghe naturally understood what Jiang Ruxu was saying.
He could also be one hundred percent certain that the Lu Clan was pulling the strings from behind, but they had not come out into the open.
Therefore, Chen Jianghe couldn't direct his spearhead at the Lu Clan.
Besides, he was no match for the Lu Clan.
But as for these Two Clans of Qinghe, he was not afraid.
They didn't even have a single perfect Foundation Establishment cultivator, only three at the late stage and eight at the initial stage.
Even with the addition of a late-stage second-grade spirit beast, Chen Jianghe paid them no mind.
"Don't you worry. For the sake of its reputation, the Immortal Gate Market City will not likely agree to the State of Qing's terms."
Chen Jianghe said.
"Big Brother Chen, no matter where you go, whatever dangers lie ahead, my senior sister and I will follow you."
Jiang Ruxu said with determination.
Chen Jianghe looked at the serious expression on Jiang Ruxu's face, patted her head, and chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Then.
Chen Jianghe left Clearwater Cove.
The Two Clans of Qinghe had already prompted the State of Qing to negotiate with the Immortal Gate Market City. Although the city would likely not expel him for the sake of its reputation.
But what if?
Once the matter of his expulsion became public.
Then, he would have to face not just the Two Clans of Qinghe.
There would also be the hidden hand of the Lu Clan, as well as marauders and demonic cultivators, who would all come after him.
Having walked out of the Wind Snow Ancient Mystic Realm safely, how could he not have treasures on him? Even a top-tier second-grade absorbable spirit object would be enough to make them act.
Now that things had reached this point.
Chen Jianghe could not just sit and wait for death.
He couldn't really just wait at home for disaster to strike.
Arriving at the Immortal Gate Market City.
Chen Jianghe went straight to Number 42, Fushou Street. This was Gao Peiyao's residence outside the sect.
The courtyard gate was tightly shut, with a sign indicating she was out.
Just as he had thought.
Under normal circumstances, Gao Peiyao would only come to the Immortal Gate Market City for a few days around the New Year to attend the auction.
The rest of the time, she would be cultivating in the Tiannan Sect.
Or she would be out on missions to earn contribution points.
He continued down Fushou Street and stopped when he reached Number 126.
Seeing that there was no "out" sign hanging on the gate.
Chen Jianghe took a step forward and knocked on the door ring.
Before long, a charming young woman opened the gate and walked out.
"Uncle Chen?!"
Zhou Xiaoxuan was very surprised to see Chen Jianghe, clearly not expecting him to come looking for her.
"Uncle Chen, is there something you need from me?" Zhou Xiaoxuan asked with a lovely voice.
"Indeed, there is something."
Chen Jianghe gave a wry smile. "Could I trouble you to make a trip to the sect and see if Peiyao is on Silver Moon Peak? I need to see her about an urgent matter."
"Of course. Please wait in the market city for a while, Uncle Chen. I will head to the sect right away."
Zhou Xiaoxuan still had a favor to ask of Chen Jianghe, so she naturally didn't dare to delay. She closed the courtyard gate and activated the array.
After bidding farewell to Chen Jianghe, she quickly departed.
"The Two Clans of Qinghe?!"
"Acting as a weapon for the Lu Clan... I will definitely settle this karmic debt one day!"
In truth, Chen Jianghe could go and settle this karmic debt with the Two Clans of Qinghe in ten years, but he was worried it would expose his trump cards.
For now, everything had to be centered around the unknown mystic realm, with investing in Zhou Xiaoxuan to enter the regular mystic realm as a secondary priority.
The Two Clans of Qinghe?
He would deal with them after returning from the unknown mystic realm.
After Zhou Xiaoxuan left, Chen Jianghe started walking back, planning to stay in the Immortal Gate Market City and wait for Gao Peiyao.
Just as he was about to leave the street, he saw a voluptuous, graceful figure walking toward him. It was Lady Jinghong.
"Fellow Cultivator Chen, are you here to see me?"
A look of pleasant surprise appeared in Lady Jinghong's eyes.