Chapter 267
Chapter 267
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 267
Chapter Title: A Promise Kept, A Treasure Gained
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Chen Jianghe didn’t answer Zhuang Xinyan. His spiritual sense swept into the storage bag once more, looking at the washbasin-sized Blood Fiend Gold Crystal and the Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Ginseng.
The Blood Fiend Gold Crystal was a quasi-Tier 3 spirit item, suitable for refining either a Spirit-Infused offensive artifact or a Spirit-Infused defensive artifact.
Moreover, it was a gold-attribute spirit item.
A piece the size of a human head would be enough to serve as the main material for a Spirit-Infused defensive artifact.
However, this piece of Blood Fiend Gold Crystal was as large as a washbasin, clearly a third larger than necessary.
In other words.
This extra third could be considered payment for Chen Jianghe’s trouble.
If Chen Jianghe needed it, this extra third of the Blood Fiend Gold Crystal, paired with a Second-Tier Perfect gold-attribute spirit core, could be used to refine a gold-attribute Spirit-Infused flying sword.
“The main material for a Spirit-Infused flying sword and a Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Ginseng. It seems Ruan Tieniu has reached a point where he has no other choice.”
Chen Jianghe had some understanding of Ruan Tieniu's character.
Cunning, frugal, bold, and strategic.
If he hadn't reached a point of desperation, Ruan Tieniu would never have paid such a high price to ask him to find someone to refine a Spirit-Infused defensive artifact.
Seeing Chen Jianghe's hesitant expression, Zhuang Xinyan’s eyes flickered with worry. She didn't want Chen Jianghe to get too involved with Ruan Tieniu.
Once discovered by the Tiannan Sect, it would bring him danger.
“Brother Chen, I can work hard on my puppet arts, and Junior Sister’s alchemy skills are also progressing rapidly. We don’t need to be so concerned about this one Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Ginseng.”
Zhuang Xinyan walked over to Chen Jianghe, reached out a delicate hand to grasp the corner of his sleeve, and spoke softly.
Jiang Ruxu was an Alchemy Grandmaster, and her speed of earning cultivation resources was much faster than Chen Jianghe's.
Furthermore, Jiang Ruxu was a Guest Alchemist for the Tiannan Sect and could earn contribution points by concocting pills for them.
With enough contribution points, she could even exchange them for priceless Core Formation spirit items from the Tiannan Sect.
Zhuang Xinyan was no slouch either.
She was extremely talented in the art of puppetry. Given time, she was certain to become a Puppet Grandmaster capable of creating high-grade Second-Tier puppets.
In the future, she could also apply to become a guest of the Tiannan Sect. With the sect as her backer, Zhuang Xinyan could bring her puppet skills out into the open.
A Puppet Grandmaster earned resources even faster than a Talisman Grandmaster.
Moreover, the resources a Puppet Grandmaster exchanged for were all high-tier spirit items; ordinary mid- to high-grade Second-Tier spirit items were not qualified to be traded for puppets of mid-grade Second-Tier or above.
Therefore, in Zhuang Xinyan’s view, they only needed to develop slowly and accumulate resources over time; they would not lack for cultivation resources in the future.
“It’s not as simple as you think.”
Chen Jianghe knew what Zhuang Xinyan meant and felt a little touched. He had promised Alchemist Zhuang to take care of Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu.
He never expected both women to grow to this extent.
They could both provide him with immense help on his immortal path.
But Zhuang Xinyan had oversimplified the matter of Ruan Tieniu personally delivering the spirit materials.
“Ruan Tieniu took a huge risk to come and deliver these materials. This shows he has no other choice and can only obtain a channel to refine a Spirit-Infused defensive artifact through me.”
“He came to Clearwater Bay but didn’t meet with me. Besides not wanting to involve me in the affairs of the Feng Kingdom, it also means he can enter the Immortal Gate Market City at any time and expose our relationship.”
“Furthermore, I promised him before that I would help him find someone to refine a Spirit-Infused defensive artifact.”
Chen Jianghe said helplessly.
The initiative seemed to be in Chen Jianghe's hands, but in reality, it was in Ruan Tieniu's.
The materials for refining a Spirit-Infused defensive artifact, plus a Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Ginseng—if this matter were to be exposed.
Chen Jianghe would have no way to defend himself.
Besides, why would the Tiannan Sect listen to his explanation?
He didn't yet have the standing to explain himself to the Tiannan Sect.
Although the Tiannan Sect prided itself on being righteous, as long as there was a reasonable excuse, someone would move against Chen Jianghe.
The wealth of a Talisman Grandmaster.
It was very tempting.
Of course, this was just Chen Jianghe's speculation. Perhaps Ruan Tieniu was genuinely sincere?
Even if he didn't help, Ruan Tieniu might not expose the matter. After all, Chen Jianghe had helped him a great deal.
He had even saved Ruan Tieniu's life twice.
But Chen Jianghe would not gamble on human nature. He would never gamble on human nature at any time. Therefore, he could only find a way to help Ruan Tieniu.
He had also promised Ruan Tieniu before that he would help him refine a Spirit-Infused defensive artifact.
A man must not go back on his word.
In his hundred years of cultivation, Chen Jianghe had always done his best to fulfill any promise he made or matter he agreed to.
“In that case, let’s have Junior Sister find an Artifact Refining Grandmaster to help refine the Spirit-Infused defensive artifact.”
Hearing this, Zhuang Xinyan no longer tried to stop Chen Jianghe from dealing with Ruan Tieniu and instead offered a suggestion.
She had known Chen Jianghe for over fifty years.
Having been by his side for thirty-five years, she understood his character very well. He always kept his word.
“That won’t be necessary. I have connections in the Immortal Gate Market City who can refine Spirit-Infused artifacts. Although I have to help Ruan Tieniu, I can't just do it so casually.”
Chen Jianghe already had a plan in mind.
If he couldn't get out of it, then he had to help.
But he couldn't just find anyone to refine the Spirit-Infused defensive artifact.
He needed to find an Artifact Refining Grandmaster with whom he shared a common interest.
Otherwise, once Ruan Tieniu obtained the Spirit-Infused defensive artifact and used it outside, word might spread back to the Immortal Gate Market City, and the grandmaster who refined it would recognize it.
The fact that Chen Jianghe helped Ruan Tieniu find an Artifact Refining Grandmaster would be exposed.
He needed to find a reliable Artifact Refining Grandmaster.
And there had to be a conflict of interest involved, otherwise, the moment Ruan Tieniu used the Spirit-Infused defensive artifact, that person might sell him out!
“Ruan Tieniu’s letter says he’ll come to retrieve the Spirit-Infused defensive artifact in a year. Then we’ll talk about refining it in a year. A single Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Ginseng isn't worth me taking such a risk for him. I still need to find something useful for Lady Jinghong.”
With this thought.
Chen Jianghe stopped thinking about Ruan Tieniu's matter, took Zhuang Xinyan, and left Clearwater Bay for the Immortal Gate Market City.
Upon arriving at the Immortal Gate Market City.
Chen Jianghe and Zhuang Xinyan parted ways.
Zhuang Xinyan went to the Barter Tower, while Chen Jianghe went to Number 42 Fushou Street to find Gao Peiyao.
Arriving at Number 42 Fushou Street.
Seeing there was no sign hanging, Chen Jianghe knocked on the courtyard door.
A short while later, Gao Peiyao came out.
After trading the Giant Python Spirit Blood with Gao Peiyao, Chen Jianghe was left with only 9,156 spirit stones.
“Uncle Chen, Senior Sister Gao.”
Just then, Zhou Xiaoxuan walked over from the end of the street.
Previously, Zhou Xiaoxuan had called Gao Peiyao "Auntie Yao," then later "Fairy." But as her cultivation and status in the sect rose, her form of address changed to "Senior Sister."
The main reason was that Gao Peiyao couldn't help her much within the sect.
Similarly, Zhou Xiaoxuan couldn't help Gao Peiyao much within the sect either.
“Xiaoxuan.”
Chen Jianghe smiled and nodded.
Gao Peiyao also smiled lightly and gave a slight nod.
“Uncle Chen, the matter with the two clans of Qinghe has been resolved. The Immortal Gate Market City rejected the Qing Kingdom's request and sternly reprimanded the Qing Kingdom's envoy.”
“Thank you for your help, Xiaoxuan.”
Chen Jianghe cupped his hands in thanks.
Previously, Chen Jianghe had guessed that the Immortal Gate Market City wouldn't tarnish its own reputation over the Qing Kingdom.
But there was always a chance of an unexpected outcome.
With Zhou Xiaoxuan's help, it was a sure thing.
As for reprimanding the Qing Kingdom's envoy, that was certainly because the Qing Kingdom had nearly damaged the reputation of the Immortal Gate Market City; it had nothing to do with him.
To the Tiannan Sect.
The Qing Kingdom was just a puppet state supported by their top subordinate immortal clans.
But the Immortal Gate Market City was a legitimate industry of the Tiannan Sect.
They could still distinguish which was more important.
Compared to the reputation of the Immortal Gate Market City, the Qing Kingdom was truly insignificant.
“Uncle Chen, there’s no need for that. The Immortal Gate Market City is the gateway of the Tiannan Sect. They would never expel a fortunate person like you just because of the Qing Kingdom. That would greatly damage the market city's reputation.”
Zhou Xiaoxuan said with a charming smile.
Though she said that, thanks were still in order. After all, she did help.
After a brief chat.
Zhou Xiaoxuan was also heading to the auction, so they went to the Hundred Treasures Tower together.
But when they reached the entrance of the Hundred Treasures Tower, Chen Jianghe had Gao Peiyao and Zhou Xiaoxuan go inside first.
He still needed to find Zhuang Xinyan.
And he also had a trade to make with Xu Feng.
Before even reaching the Hundred Treasures Tower, Chen Jianghe saw Xu Feng from a distance, looking at him with a joyful expression.
Chen Jianghe walked towards Xu Feng with a faint smile on his face.
“Fellow Daoist Xu, you’re beaming with joy. It seems you had a bountiful harvest in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range!”
“A small harvest, a small harvest, haha…”
Xu Feng laughed heartily, took out a storage bag, and handed it directly to Chen Jianghe, transmitting his voice, “Grandmaster Chen, I’ve brought the Blood Coagulation Grass you needed. Hehe, I also obtained an Ice Heart Grass. I truly have Grandmaster Chen to thank for this fortune. I must give you this Blood Coagulation Grass!”
“Ice Heart Grass? Fellow Daoist Xu, your luck is truly good.”
Chen Jianghe didn't mention the 'Blood Coagulation Grass,' but instead praised Xu Feng for the Ice Heart Grass.
Xu Feng was no longer young.
Back in Qinghe Market City, when Ruan Tieniu was breaking through to Foundation Establishment, he had mentioned that the Xu brothers had reached Foundation Establishment over twenty years before him.
If the Xu brothers also reached Foundation Establishment in their fifties, then they were over twenty years older than Ruan Tieniu.
They would be over one hundred and forty years old by now.
And still only at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, which meant he had no hope of reaching Core Formation.
Reaching late-stage Foundation Establishment was already his limit.
In Thousand Mountains Market City, Ruan Tieniu had said Xu Feng had some luck. His younger brother, Xu Hong, had perished, but in exchange, he had obtained a significant opportunity.
He could cultivate to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
“Grandmaster Chen, can this Ice Heart Grass also be exchanged for your talismans?” Xu Feng asked cautiously.
Chen Jianghe didn't answer directly.
His spiritual sense swept into the storage bag, and sure enough, he saw a Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Grass.
With this Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Grass, he could elevate either Maoqiu or Latiao to a Fourth-Grade High-tier bloodline.
This would give them a great chance of condensing a demon core.
Whichever one became a Fourth-Grade High-tier bloodline would receive Chen Jianghe's focused cultivation from now on.
Once they had the potential.
They needed to become Third-Tier spirit beasts as soon as possible to protect him on his path to Core Formation.
He placed the Three-Leaf Blood Lotus Grass into his own storage bag.
Only then did Chen Jianghe say, “Since Fellow Daoist Xu has put it that way, then I will be so bold as to accept this ‘Blood Coagulation Grass’.”
“It’s only right, only right.”
Xu Feng was overjoyed upon hearing this.
Chen Jianghe accepting the 'Blood Coagulation Grass' meant he could now buy talismans from him.
The Ice Heart Grass could also be exchanged for Second-Tier talismans.
He was a demon hunter now and often had to enter the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range. Second-Tier talismans were the most useful treasures for him.
“This Ice Heart Grass is quite good. Considering the current inflated prices of spirit pills, how about I trade two mid-grade Second-Tier Rushing Thunder Talismans with you?”
“Two mid-grade Second-Tier thunder-attribute escape talismans? Thank you, Grandmaster Chen, thank you, Grandmaster Chen.” Xu Feng was immensely grateful.
Spirit pills were inflated in price.
Naturally, talismans were too.
All in all, the value of two mid-grade Second-Tier Rushing Thunder Talismans was slightly higher than that of one Ice Heart Grass.
Clearly, the good karma from gifting the 'Blood Coagulation Grass' had arrived.
“May I purchase some mid-grade Second-Tier talismans from Grandmaster Chen?” Xu Feng continued.
“You may.”
Chen Jianghe nodded and said, “I can sell you one more mid-grade Second-Tier Rushing Thunder Talisman, one mid-grade Second-Tier Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talisman, and two mid-grade Second-Tier Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans.”
Listening to Chen Jianghe's words, Xu Feng swallowed hard, his face filled with delight.
Then, an embarrassed look appeared on his face.
“Well, I… this humble one… doesn’t have that many spirit stones.” Xu Feng said, somewhat helplessly.
He did have some valuable spirit items, but they were fundamental to his cultivation to the late stage of Foundation Establishment and absolutely could not be touched.
But his low-tier spirit items and spirit stones were not enough to trade for the mid-grade Second-Tier talismans Chen Jianghe had.
Chen Jianghe was speechless.
He had thought that six mid-grade Second-Tier talismans would be the limit of what Xu Feng could afford, but he hadn't expected that even four would be beyond his purchasing power.
After a moment's thought, Chen Jianghe understood.
Xu Feng was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. He had been a demon hunter in Qinghe Market City, a spirit thief in Thousand Mountains Market City, and now he was a demon hunter again in the Immortal Gate Market City.
He was a rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator through and through.
It was almost impossible for him to have saved up any spirit items or spirit stones.
Even if he could accumulate some, it certainly wouldn't be much.
“Alas, having interacted with so many cultivators of status, I’ve forgotten the hardships of low-level rogue cultivators.”
A rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator was, in the end, still a low-level cultivator.
Just an upper-tier one among the low-level cultivators.
Chen Jianghe could sense that Xu Feng's cultivation was a notch stronger than his own, likely at the peak of the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment.
Perhaps because his spirit or body had not reached the fifth level, he was stuck at the peak of the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
Furthermore, Xu Feng probably didn't even have a single Spirit-Infused offensive artifact.
This was why the direct descendants of Core Formation immortal clans looked down on rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Their cultivation levels were the same, but their combat power was too weak.
The cultivation arts practiced by rogue cultivators at most amplified their magic power by ten percent, or twenty percent at the very most.
Some didn't even provide a five percent amplification.
Therefore, the cultivation arts of rogue cultivators lacked special characteristics. Although they could comprehend powerful ultimate spells.
They usually only had one, and its power wasn't that great.
Talismans, artifacts, spirit pets, ultimate spells, and sword arts—these were all factors that determined combat power.
Chen Jianghe's current resources were in no way inferior to those of the direct disciples of top immortal clans.
He might even be a notch above.
But compared to sect disciples, they were about evenly matched.
If compared to the prodigies of the sects, he was still far behind. They had sword arts and powerful attacks that he couldn't compare to.
Looking at the embarrassed Xu Feng, Chen Jianghe showed no sign of mockery. He had been through the same thing himself.
He remembered back when he would go to the Qingping Teahouse to drink spirit tea worth fifty spirit sand, and he would even take the leftovers with him when he left.
He had also faced the same predicament of lacking spirit stones as Xu Feng.
Even now, he was still short on spirit stones.
“Fellow Daoist Xu, how many spirit stones do you have?” Chen Jianghe asked via voice transmission.
In the past, a mid-grade Second-Tier offensive talisman cost two thousand spirit stones, and a mid-grade Second-Tier defensive talisman cost two thousand five hundred.
A mid-grade Second-Tier escape talisman cost three thousand five hundred spirit stones.
Now, with the unstable situation and frequent wars between the Feng, Qing, and Qi Kingdoms, both spirit pills and talismans had inflated prices.
Mid-grade Second-Tier talismans had all increased in price by about five hundred spirit stones.
“I only have nine thousand three hundred spirit stones on me,” Xu Feng replied helplessly via voice transmission.
The two Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talismans Chen Jianghe offered were worth five thousand spirit stones, and the one Azure Wood Immortal Shield Talisman was worth three thousand.
Of the three Rushing Thunder Talismans, two were exchanged for the Ice Heart Grass, and the other one, even if calculated as a normal escape talisman, would be four thousand spirit stones.
That added up to twelve thousand spirit stones.
There was a shortfall of two thousand seven hundred spirit stones.
“Fellow Daoist, give me the Ice Heart Grass and the spirit stones. You take these six mid-grade Second-Tier talismans. As for the remaining two thousand seven hundred spirit stones, you can owe them to me for now.”
“When you have the spirit stones, just come find me at Clearwater Bay in Qingyun Town.”
Chen Jianghe said with a smile.
Xu Feng's potential was too low, and he was already over one hundred and forty years old.
He wasn't worth a large investment, but a small investment of two thousand seven hundred spirit stones was acceptable.
“Thank you, Grandmaster Chen. I will definitely deliver the spirit stones to your residence in the future.”
Overjoyed, Xu Feng quickly handed the nine thousand three hundred spirit stones and the Ice Heart Grass to Chen Jianghe and took the six mid-grade Second-Tier talismans.
He felt a sense of satisfaction, now having more confidence to venture deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
“I shall take my leave first.”
Chen Jianghe accepted the spirit stones and the Ice Heart Grass and said his farewell.
“Safe travels, Grandmaster Chen.”
…
Chen Jianghe walked into the Barter Tower. Before he even reached the second floor, he saw Zhuang Xinyan coming down from above.
Her eyes were filled with joy.
“Brother Chen.”
“What is it? Did you trade for a spirit item you desired?”
Seeing Zhuang Xinyan’s expression, Chen Jianghe asked with a smile.
“I traded for Thousand-Year Pearwood, the main material for making Second-Tier puppets. It’s a huge piece, enough to make three Second-Tier puppets, hehe…”
“Uh… good.”
Chen Jianghe was taken aback for a moment, then managed to say the word "good."
He then took Zhuang Xinyan to the third floor of the Hundred Treasures Tower, where they met up with Gao Peiyao and Zhou Xiaoxuan to attend the Hundred Treasures Tower auction together.
However, the moment she saw Zhou Xiaoxuan, Zhuang Xinyan's eyes immediately showed a hint of vigilance.
She and Jiang Ruxu deeply remembered what Luo Xiyue had said.
Zhou Xiaoxuan was a vixen; if Chen Jianghe fell for her tricks, he would be sucked dry.
“Sister Xinyan.”
“Sister Peiyao.”
Zhuang Xinyan and Gao Peiyao greeted each other, then sat down in the private room.
As for Zhou Xiaoxuan, she simply nodded at Zhuang Xinyan, which counted as a greeting.
The two of them had no real connection and had only met once or twice. It was only because of Chen Jianghe that they were brought together.
“Brother Chen, the Second-Tier Spirit Recovery Pills, Heart-Cleansing Detoxification Pills, and Flesh-Regrowing Bone-Mending Pills you asked Junior Sister to refine were for her, weren't they?”
Zhuang Xinyan sent a voice transmission.
“Who?”
“That vixen.”
“Uh… you mean Zhou Xiaoxuan! Yes, she is entering a secret realm, and I wanted her to help me find some spirit items from within.”
Chen Jianghe replied via voice transmission.
“Hmph, Brother Chen, don’t be charmed by her. Fairy Luo said she would suck you dry.”
Zhuang Xinyan glanced at Chen Jianghe and pouted.
“What are you thinking about all day in that little head of yours?”
Chen Jianghe was speechless.
His relationship with Zhou Xiaoxuan was purely one of mutual benefit.
He was using Zhou Xiaoxuan to obtain resources from the secret realm, and in return, Zhou Xiaoxuan was using the talismans and spirit pills provided by Chen Jianghe to increase her chances of survival in the secret realm.
While Chen Jianghe and Zhuang Xinyan were communicating via voice transmission.
Gao Peiyao was also having a voice transmission conversation with Zhou Xiaoxuan.
“Senior Sister Gao, is this the granddaughter that Uncle Chen promised that old alchemist he would take care of? She has no redeeming qualities and can only stay by Uncle Chen’s side as a decorative concubine.”
“Xiaoxuan, you shouldn’t say that. That Fairy Jiang is an Alchemy Grandmaster. To balance things out, this Fairy Zhuang is not entirely useless.”
“Heh, Senior Sister Gao, you entered the sect earlier than I did. How long can such an unequal relationship last?”
Zhou Xiaoxuan’s face remained impassive, but a flash of doubt crossed her eyes as she transmitted to Gao Peiyao, “She has been by Uncle Chen’s side for so long, why does she still possess her Primordial Yin?”
“Huh?!”
Gao Peiyao was startled by her words.
The cultivation art she practiced couldn't sense Primordial Yin. In her eyes, both Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu were Chen Jianghe's women.
Now, hearing that Zhuang Xinyan was still a virgin, she couldn't help but look at Chen Jianghe with a strange expression.
“What’s wrong, Peiyao?”
Seeing Gao Peiyao's odd look, Chen Jianghe thought something was amiss and asked via voice transmission.
“It’s nothing, I was just curious why Sister Ruxu didn’t come,” Gao Peiyao said evasively.
“Ruxu is in seclusion.”
Chen Jianghe replied.
But he could tell that Gao Peiyao was deliberately being evasive.
The four of them fell silent.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the auctioneer walked onto the stage, officially kicking off the annual New Year's Eve auction.
Chen Jianghe could see through the crystal window that the main hall outside was also filled with Foundation Establishment cultivators.
In the past, there were rarely any Foundation Establishment cultivators in the main hall.
Because there were many private rooms, no one would choose to sit in the main hall if they could get a room.
But with the appearance of the Barter Tower, the treasures at the New Year's Eve auction became increasingly precious, attracting more and more Foundation Establishment cultivators.
This led to a situation where one couldn't get into a private room without a certain status.
The seats in the main hall were full.
Similarly, every private room was also occupied by cultivators who held a certain status in the Immortal Gate Market City.
Even if Chen Jianghe hadn't come with Gao Peiyao and Zhou Xiaoxuan.
With his status as a Talisman Grandmaster, he would also be qualified to enter a private room.
“Welcome, fellow Daoists, to this year's New Year's Eve auction. There will be a total of thirty-nine rare items up for auction this time.”
“All are Second-Tier rare items, as well as quasi-Tier 3 treasures.”
“Without further ado, let the New Year's Eve auction officially begin.”
“First up for auction is the Life Extension Pill, a set of three. The starting price is one thousand five hundred spirit stones, with each bid increase no less than twenty spirit stones…”
Chen Jianghe looked at the auctioneer on the stage. When he heard there were thirty-nine rare items, he couldn't help but think to himself: The number of rare items has increased again!
“Brother Chen, if there are any useful spirit items, you can bid on them. I have spirit stones.”
(End of this chapter)