Chapter 264
Chapter 264
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 264
Chapter Title: A Small Move and Duan Tiande Again
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Looking at Lady Jinghong’s delighted gaze, Chen Jianghe sighed inwardly.
In her desperation to awaken her comatose husband, Lady Jinghong had already developed an inner demon. This was the second time she had asked Chen Jianghe such a question.
Quasi-third-grade soul-type spiritual items and third-grade soul-healing spiritual pills were both incredibly precious.
If Chen Jianghe were to obtain one, he wouldn't easily trade it away, even if that peak lord from the Tiannan Sect didn't mind.
It was a treasure that could save his life at a critical moment.
Keeping it on his person was like having an extra life. How could he possibly trade it away?
Unless he was offered a treasure he couldn't possibly refuse.
"I'm afraid I must disappoint you, my lady. I no longer possess any soul-type treasures," Chen Jianghe said with a helpless smile.
"Oh."
The light in Lady Jinghong’s eyes dimmed, and a hint of disappointment showed on her face.
"My apologies for my forwardness, Fellow Daoist Chen."
"Not at all, my lady. Your unwavering love and loyalty to your husband are truly admirable."
"Has Fellow Daoist Chen come seeking that Core Formation Seed from the Tiannan Sect, Gao Peiyao? She usually only comes to the Immortal Gate Market City for a short stay around the New Year."
Seeing that Chen Jianghe hadn't come for her, Lady Jinghong gave it a moment's thought and guessed his purpose.
It didn't take a detailed investigation to learn about Chen Jianghe; a simple inquiry would reveal his general background.
The Old Man of Many Fortunes, who reached Foundation Establishment at eighty.
Chen Jianghe was quite famous in the Tiannan Domain.
At the height of his fame, all the ninth-level Qi Refining grand cultivators in Thousand Mountains Market City who were preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment had once changed their names to Chen Jianghe.
"Thank you for the information, my lady. I have already sent someone to find her," Chen Jianghe nodded.
"Has Fellow Daoist Chen encountered some trouble? Perhaps I can be of some assistance," Lady Jinghong offered.
She felt a great deal of sympathy for Chen Jianghe.
Moreover, she was not one to enjoy being indebted to others.
Chen Jianghe had given her a high-quality Soul-Calming and Spirit-Settling Pill. If possible, she wanted to repay this favor.
As long as it was a matter related to artifact refinement, she could handle most things.
Thinking of artifact refinement made Lady Jinghong feel an even greater sense of empathy for Chen Jianghe, because his 'wife', Luo Xiyue, was a Master Artificer just like her.
"It is not a major issue. I believe I can handle it. If I truly find it difficult to manage, I will certainly come to seek your assistance, my lady."
Chen Jianghe said, then took his leave.
He didn't want to get too involved with Lady Jinghong. It was better to keep his distance from such a stunningly talented and beautiful woman.
It was best to avoid attracting trouble.
It would be bad if he incurred the displeasure of that peak lord from the Tiannan Sect.
As for asking Lady Jinghong for help, to pressure the Immortal Gate Market City into directly cutting off negotiations with the Qing Kingdom...
If Lady Jinghong stepped in, there would certainly be no problem.
She was not an ordinary False Core Rogue Cultivator, nor was she just a Master Artificer. She had the backing of a powerful figure from the upper echelons of the Tiannan Sect.
If she intervened, the Qing Kingdom would indeed have to back down.
But if that happened, Chen Jianghe would be exposed under the watchful eyes of the powerful figures of the Tiannan Sect.
That was not what he wanted.
Before he had a certain level of strength, he needed to maintain a low profile. Prudent management was the wisest path.
Chen Jianghe stayed in the Immortal Gate Market City for a day.
The next day, he went to Fortune and Longevity Lane and continued to wait for Zhou Xiaoxuan and Gao Peiyao.
But he didn't see them.
It was not until the fourth day.
Gao Peiyao and Zhou Xiaoxuan finally appeared at the entrance of Fortune and Longevity Street.
Chen Jianghe walked over to greet them.
"Brother Jianghe, what happened? Why were you looking for me so urgently?!"
Gao Peiyao asked immediately upon seeing Chen Jianghe. Knowing his personality, she was certain something major must have occurred.
Otherwise, he would never have sought her out with such urgency.
"Let's go to the Immortal Gate Tavern to talk."
Chen Jianghe said. When asking for a favor, one couldn't just have a casual chat on the street.
"Xiaoxuan, you should come too."
"Mm."
Although Zhou Xiaoxuan's cultivation was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, the same as Chen Jianghe's, her status was anything but ordinary.
She was a disciple of the peak lord of Sunset Glow Peak, one of the twelve main peaks of the Tiannan Sect, and a Core Formation Seed.
Her future was limitless.
She also had a certain background that could help him.
They arrived at the Immortal Gate Tavern.
Chen Jianghe splurged eighty spirit stones on a table of fine spirit cuisine, though there were only a few dishes.
However, the ingredients were all of high value.
They were all made from parts of early-stage second-grade demonic beasts, which were not only beneficial to the physical body but also incredibly delicious.
He also ordered three pots of top-grade Immortal Spirit Wine.
Seeing Chen Jianghe act like this, Gao Peiyao grew even more curious.
She was well aware of Chen Jianghe's frugal nature. This time, he had spent so many spirit stones on a spread of delicious dishes, which truly surprised her.
However, she wasn't in a hurry, waiting for Chen Jianghe to speak first.
Zhou Xiaoxuan also said little, savoring the spirit cuisine on the table and quietly waiting for Chen Jianghe to begin.
"Someone has framed me for killing Lu Qingming and He Lingchuan. You two should both be aware of this matter, right?"
"I am aware of that. The two Qinghe clans have even issued an execution order for you, Brother Jianghe."
"I have also heard of this matter, niece."
"Now, the two Qinghe clans have prompted the Qing Kingdom to approach the Immortal Gate Market City, intending to have me expelled from the Immortal Gate's territory."
Hearing Chen Jianghe's words, Gao Peiyao's expression changed slightly, a flash of anger in her eyes.
Chen Jianghe still had to craft second-grade high-rank talismans for her, which was crucial for her safety in the uncharted secret realm.
How could they, at the instigation of the two Qinghe clans, drive Chen Jianghe out of the Immortal Gate Market City?
If something happened to Chen Jianghe, who would make the second-grade high-rank talismans for her?
There were still twenty second-grade high-rank talismans.
Besides Chen Jianghe, she would have a hard time finding another Master Talismanist.
There were only a handful of Master Talismanists in the Immortal Gate Market City, and several of them had already been claimed by other Core Formation Seeds from the Tiannan Sect.
Where would that leave her?
As for asking Xiao Chen for help?
It was possible.
But Gao Peiyao also knew what Xiao Chen wanted from her. If she owed him a favor, she would lose her reason to refuse him.
Even so.
After she reached Core Formation, it would be very difficult for her to remain in the Tiannan Sect.
Her initial reason for rejecting Xiao Chen was that her cultivation was still shallow, combined with reasons related to her cultivation art and her master's orders. She had used various excuses to postpone consideration of a Daoist companion until after she reached Core Formation.
At this moment, there was no way she would go to Xiao Chen.
Zhou Xiaoxuan also showed a look of annoyance.
She was counting on the resources from Chen Jianghe to survive in the secret realm!
If Chen Jianghe ran off, who would craft her fifteen second-grade high-rank talismans?
Who would give her six second-grade Spirit Recovery Pills?
Who would give her six Muscle-Regrowing and Bone-Mending Pills and three Jade Dew Pills?
"Hmph! A mere Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan thinks they can act so wantonly just because they've latched onto the Qing Kingdom and have the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan at their back?"
"Uncle Chen, you can rest assured. With me here, the Immortal Gate Market City will definitely not expel you."
Zhou Xiaoxuan said angrily.
Gao Peiyao glanced at Zhou Xiaoxuan, then looked back at Chen Jianghe and said, "Brother Jianghe, Xiaoxuan is right. Even if the Qing Kingdom intervenes, they can't make the Immortal Gate Market City expel you."
"Brother Jianghe, you may not know this, but the Immortal Gate Market City is actually an enterprise of the Tiannan Sect's Sunset Glow Peak."
"Huh?!"
Chen Jianghe was stunned and couldn't help but look at Zhou Xiaoxuan. He hadn't expected that the one who could help him would be Zhou Xiaoxuan.
The Immortal Gate Market City was actually an enterprise of Sunset Glow Peak.
Didn't that mean Zhou Xiaoxuan's master was the true ruler of the Immortal Gate Market City?
That peak lord who was the only one among the twelve main peaks of the Tiannan Sect who had not yet reached Core Formation!
No, wait.
Chen Jianghe thought of something. The peak lord of Sunset Glow Peak hadn't reached Core Formation, but that didn't mean Sunset Glow Peak had no Core Formation elders.
As one of the twelve main branches, how could Sunset Glow Peak not have any Core Formation elders?
Seeing Chen Jianghe's confusion, Gao Peiyao explained the ownership of some of the Tiannan Sect's public enterprises.
The Immortal Gate Market City was managed by Sunset Glow Peak.
Jade Cloud Peak, where Yuan Chenyu was from, was in charge of the flying vessels that traveled to and from the market city, as well as the treasure ships that crossed the Heaven-Reaching River.
Gao Peiyao's Silver Moon Peak was in charge of the flying courier stations throughout the Tiannan Domain.
The late Qian Zhengdao, who had fallen in the secret realm, was from Qianyuan Peak, also one of the twelve main peaks.
It was in charge of all the Hundred Treasures Pavilions in the Tiannan Domain.
As for the Heaven's Gate Market City north of the Heaven-Reaching River, it was managed by the three main branches of the Northern Gate.
Xiao Chen's Heaven Bearing Peak was in charge of rewards and punishments for the disciples of the Tiannan Sect.
This showed just how much influence Xiao Chen had within the Tiannan Sect.
It also showed that Perfected Being Chengtian was one of the top figures in the entire Tiannan Domain.
He was definitely a figure who could rank in the top five.
"Uncle Chen, you don't need to worry. I will report this matter to my master. Let alone the two minor Qinghe clans, even the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan has no right to make the Immortal Gate Market City ruin its own reputation for them!"
Zhou Xiaoxuan said in a serious tone.
At this moment, the charming look on Zhou Xiaoxuan's face was gone, replaced by a heroic spirit that could be seen in her eyes.
"Then thank you for your help, Xiaoxuan."
"There's no need for thanks, Uncle Chen. Even if I didn't mention this to my master, the Immortal Gate Market City would not tarnish its own reputation by expelling a person of great fortune like you!"
"I must still thank you. When you enter the secret realm, I will help you procure six Cleansing and Detoxifying Pills."
"Ah?! Thank you, Uncle Chen."
Zhou Xiaoxuan was overjoyed.
It was true that Sunset Glow Peak managed the Immortal Gate Market City, but that had little to do with her.
Before she became a Core Formation elder of Sunset Glow Peak, the affairs of the Immortal Gate Market City had nothing to do with the disciples of Sunset Glow Peak.
Just as Gao Peiyao couldn't order the flying courier stations to do anything before reaching Core Formation, this was a rule established by the Tiannan Sect.
Therefore, if Zhou Xiaoxuan wanted to obtain resources, she had to spend contribution points or buy them outside with spirit stones.
Or exchange them for precious items.
Six Cleansing and Detoxifying Pills. These were second-grade detoxification spiritual pills that could reduce the dangers she faced in the secret realm.
Immediately, Zhou Xiaoxuan left the Immortal Gate Tavern and returned to the sect to seek justice for Chen Jianghe.
"The Tiannan Sect is a righteous sect. As long as you don't leave the Immortal Gate Market City, Brother Jianghe, you won't be in any danger."
Gao Peiyao said with a light laugh.
"Oh, right, the prerequisite is that you must not have any dealings with demonic cultivators. Otherwise, people in the sect will have a reason to act against you."
"That Ruan Tieniu has repeatedly tarnished my reputation in Thousand Mountains Market City. Could this be used against me?"
Chen Jianghe asked.
Back in Thousand Mountains Market City, Ruan Tieniu had told everyone on more than one occasion that he and Chen Jianghe were sworn brothers who had been through life and death together, closer than actual kin.
"Brother Jianghe, you don't need to worry about that. At that time, Ruan Tieniu was just a Spirit Looter, not a demonic cultivator."
"He only became a demonic cultivator after entering the Wind and Snow Valley secret realm. After all, I also cooperated with him in the Arctic Snow Forest back then."
"And Senior Sister Liu even invited him to participate in the secret realm trial."
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe breathed a sigh of relief.
It made sense when he thought about it.
Back in Thousand Mountains Market City, if Ruan Tieniu had been considered a demonic cultivator, then far too many cultivators had associated with him.
First and foremost would be the disciples of the Tiannan Sect.
However, the letter Ruan Tieniu had sent him was a ticking time bomb. Once discovered, he would have no choice but to leave the Immortal Gate Market City.
For now, these two letters were not a problem.
But what if Ruan Tieniu sent another letter?
Things were different now. Many Treasures Market City had become the territory of the Feng Kingdom. Going directly to Many Treasures Market City would be seen as colluding with the Feng Kingdom, and it would be very difficult to return to the Immortal Gate Market City.
Besides, Chen Jianghe had no desire to go to Many Treasures Market City.
After chatting for a while longer.
The two left the Immortal Gate Tavern.
Gao Peiyao returned to the Tiannan Sect.
Chen Jianghe, on the other hand, entered the Exchange Pavilion.
Now, whenever he had free time, he would come to the Exchange Pavilion in the Immortal Gate Market City to look for spiritual items useful to him.
The appearance of the Exchange Pavilion not only allowed the circulation of spiritual items that cultivators had treasured away, but it also raised the quality of items at auctions by several notches.
In the past, the auctions in the Immortal Gate Market City would only feature damaged spirit-nurturing magical artifacts. But now, they had started auctioning intact spirit-nurturing offensive magical artifacts.
Of course, they weren't available every time.
Even when they were, the prices would be driven to astronomical heights, far beyond what a rogue cultivator could participate in.
Chen Jianghe went to the second floor of the Exchange Pavilion and began to browse, his eyes scanning the exchange plaques one by one, looking for information on spiritual items that would be useful to him.
Second-grade high-rank talisman materials.
Carrier objects for nurturing talisman treasures.
And second-grade top-tier absorbable spiritual items that could be used to refine Origin Spirit Pills.
These were all resources Chen Jianghe needed.
However, he didn't have many resources left on him to trade.
He only had two authentic Foundation Establishment Pills left, and only two Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills.
He did have quite a few Jade Dew Pills.
But these spiritual pills, condensed using the [Jade Dew Muscle Growth Incantation], could only heal flesh wounds.
They couldn't regenerate bones.
As for the hundred-year Snow Lotus and the thousand-year Fo-Ti, he didn't want to trade them away. They were themselves second-grade top-tier absorbable spiritual items.
The reason he didn't refine them into Origin Spirit Pills.
Was that he planned to wait until he reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment and refine them into Dustfall Pills.
The spiritual items needed to refine Dustfall Pills were even harder to find.
Generally speaking, second-grade top-tier absorbable spiritual items used to refine Dustfall Pills could also be refined into medium-grade Origin Spirit Pills.
However, many second-grade top-tier absorbable spiritual items that could be refined into medium-grade Origin Spirit Pills could not be used to refine Dustfall Pills.
"I'm always in seclusion and never go treasure hunting in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, and I can't exchange my second-grade high-rank talismans for resources. Ai, I'm stuck in a vicious cycle."
Chen Jianghe felt a bit helpless.
Until his alchemy skills improved to the second grade, he would find it difficult to break this cycle.
"A Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill?"
Chen Jianghe stopped in his tracks and looked at an exchange plaque on a white jade table. It clearly stated: exchanging a Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill for a second-grade high-rank escape talisman.
The Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill was also something Chen Jianghe needed.
But one Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill was definitely not worth a second-grade high-rank talisman.
Even three of them wouldn't be enough for one.
"Fellow Daoist Duan?"
Chen Jianghe recognized the person who wanted to trade a Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill for a second-grade high-rank talisman. It was Duan Tiande, the leader of Qingfeng Stronghold who had tried to ambush him back then.
However, that had been a misunderstanding.
Duan Tiande had already resolved it by giving him the inheritances for the Meteorite Thunderfall Talisman, the Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman, and the Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talisman.
"Fellow Daoist Chen? No, Master Chen!"
Duan Tiande was also surprised to see Chen Jianghe. He hadn't expected to run into his 'old friend' from decades ago in the Immortal Gate Market City.
Half a year ago, he had come from the Qi Kingdom, north of the Heaven-Reaching River, passed through the Immortal Gate Market City, and his final destination was Many Treasures Market City in the Feng Kingdom.
He had heard that the Feng Kingdom was a gathering place for bandit cultivators.
This filled him with longing, and he was eager to go there and try his luck.
He was getting old, yet he was still only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. If he didn't go out and make a name for himself now, he would never get the chance.
He would venture into the Feng Kingdom for a few years, earn some assets, and then return to the Immortal Gate Market City to marry a wife and raise a family.
Reaching Core Formation was a fool's dream for him.
Let alone Core Formation, even reaching the late stage of Foundation Establishment was an incredibly difficult task.
He and Lu Shisan had adventured in Thousand Mountains Market City for two years. In the third year, Lu Shisan had perished in the Arctic Snow Forest.
This made him realize something.
Since he was a bandit cultivator, he should do what bandit cultivators do.
Trying to steal the livelihood of Spirit Looters, wasn't that just courting death?
Bandit cultivators fought against other cultivators.
Spirit Looters and Beast Hunters, on the other hand, fought against demonic beasts. Which was more dangerous? The answer was obvious.
After that, Duan Tiande went to the Yue Kingdom to resume his old trade, but the good times didn't last. The Yue Kingdom was eliminated by the Tiannan Sect.
The Qing Kingdom took over the Yue Kingdom's territory and began to crack down on bandit cultivators.
Left with no choice, Duan Tiande went to the Nan Kingdom, but the following year, the Nan Kingdom was conquered by the Qi Kingdom.
So he had to get by in the Qi Kingdom.
But the Qi Kingdom also severely suppressed bandit cultivators, leaving a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him, with no particular skills, unable to do anything.
Hearing that the Feng Kingdom had been established and was lax in its management of bandit cultivators, he was tempted. While he was still in his prime, he prepared to make his move.
But before heading to the Feng Kingdom, he needed to prepare some life-saving trump cards.
A second-grade high-rank escape talisman was an indispensable life-saving item.
In his effort to exchange for a life-saving trump card, he had even entered the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range twice after arriving at the Immortal Gate Market City.
Unfortunately, his gains were minimal.
"Fellow Daoist Duan, how many Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pills are you planning to trade for a second-grade high-rank escape talisman?" Chen Jianghe asked with a smile.
"How many?"
Duan Tiande gave an embarrassed smile.
He had found this single Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill in the storage bag of a deceased fellow Daoist.
Although he knew that one Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill couldn't be exchanged for a second-grade high-rank talisman.
He still wanted to try his luck. What if some cultivator urgently needed a Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill to break through?
"To be honest, I only have this one Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill," Duan Tiande said helplessly.
"Farewell."
Chen Jianghe said, then turned to leave.
His grudge with Duan Tiande was settled. If Duan Tiande had three Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pills plus two thousand spirit stones, he might have considered the trade.
But with only one Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill, he would let someone else be the sucker.
"Master Chen, please wait."
Duan Tiande sent a voice transmission.
He had heard of Chen Jianghe's fame in recent years and was truly shocked that the Qi Refining ant from back then had grown to such a level.
A Master Talismanist was an existence he could only look up to.
"I know that Master Chen's talisman skills are superb, and you must have second-grade high-rank talismans. I implore you, Master Chen, in consideration of the inheritance I gave you back then..."
"Gave me an inheritance? Are you trying to establish a karmic debt of attempted murder with me, Fellow Daoist?"
"No, no, Master Chen, please don't misunderstand. That's not what I meant at all."
Duan Tiande quickly explained, "I just hoped that Master Chen, for old times' sake, would be willing to trade a second-grade high-rank escape talisman."
"I can trade with you, Fellow Daoist Duan, but this single Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill truly puts me in a difficult position."
Chen Jianghe said with a faint smile.
He was not a saint, nor was he a pushover.
He wouldn't just give away a second-grade talisman for no reason, especially not a second-grade high-rank escape talisman. That was even more impossible.
"Feel free to take any treasure you like from this storage bag, Fellow Daoist." Duan Tiande said, taking out a storage bag.
Chen Jianghe took the storage bag and swept his divine sense over it.
He rolled his eyes.
He looked at Duan Tiande, and just as he was about to speak, he once again carefully examined the spiritual items in the storage bag with his divine sense.
A second-grade fire-attribute spirit core, a few changes of clothes, and three damaged high-grade flying swords.
There was also a high-grade defensive magical artifact, which was already in tatters.
There was also an Ice Heart Grass and over one thousand three hundred spirit stones.
This was clearly a storage bag that Duan Tiande had found, inheriting the belongings of some unknown Daoist.
Including the storage bag, the total value was no more than eleven thousand spirit stones. Even with the Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill added in.
It was far from enough to trade for a second-grade high-rank escape talisman.
But right beside the pile of spirit stones, Chen Jianghe saw a small, blood-red grass. It had three leaves arranged in the shape of a lotus.
"Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Grass?!"
Chen Jianghe was overjoyed. He never expected to find such a wondrous and mysterious treasure in this storage bag.
If it weren't for Xiao Hei, he wouldn't have known what this Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Grass was.
It had almost no spiritual energy.
It wasn't a first-grade medicinal herb, nor was it a second-grade one.
Apart from its strange shape, it was useless.
And in the cultivation world, there was no shortage of strangely shaped things.
"Fellow Daoist Duan, your calculations are a bit too optimistic, aren't they!"
"An Ice Heart Grass, a second-grade fire-attribute spirit core, one thousand three hundred-odd spirit stones, plus one Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill, and you want to trade for a second-grade high-rank talisman?"
Chen Jianghe made a gesture to return the storage bag.
"Master Chen, you don't know the hardships I've faced these years! I've been thwarted at every turn, and Shisan is even dead."
"How about this, I'll add five thousand spirit stones. Do you think that's enough to trade for a second-grade high-rank talisman?"
"Eight thousand spirit stones."
"Five thousand five hundred spirit stones."
"Eight thousand spirit stones."
"Six thousand spirit stones." Duan Tiande gritted his teeth and raised the price again.
"Eight thousand spirit stones."
"Seven thousand spirit stones should be enough, right? Master Chen, you can't be completely unaccommodating! Back then, I gave you three talis..."
"Eight thousand spirit stones it is. I've already taken our past into account and given you a discount of three thousand spirit stones. If you don't want to trade, take your storage bag and find someone else."
"Deal, deal, I'll take it."
Duan Tiande took out another storage bag containing eight thousand spirit stones and handed it to Chen Jianghe along with the Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill.
Chen Jianghe, in turn, took out a Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman and gave it to Duan Tiande.
His face was calm, but inside, a storm was raging.
Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Grass, a supreme treasure that could increase the purity of a spirit beast's bloodline.
Let alone one second-grade high-rank escape talisman.
He would have willingly traded even five Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans for it.