Chapter 269
Chapter 269
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 269
Chapter Title: The Yu Clan's Prodigy, Spicy Strip's Mutation
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The puppet inheritance was controlled by the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan. Only first-tier puppet inheritances circulated outside; it was very difficult to find a second-tier one.
Other than Zhuang Xinyan, he had never seen another second-tier puppet master out in the world.
Ji Wujin was a puppet master and might possess second-tier skills, but he was not a cultivator from the Tiannan Region.
Based on the few words Luo Xiyue had previously revealed, one could easily guess that Ji Wujin was also a disciple from a major clan, out gaining experience in the Tiannan Region.
The Ji Clan that Ji Wujin belonged to was not the Alchemist Immortal Ji Clan of the Tiannan Region.
Therefore, this Cloud Essence Stone, with its limited use, was only valuable to the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan. For other cultivators, even if they bought it, they would eventually have to trade it with the Lu Clan.
To spend such a high price on a spirit material useless to oneself…
No one would do such a thing.
Unless they were a cultivator who had obtained a second-tier puppet inheritance and had a chance of becoming a second-tier puppet master.
If Zhuang Xinyan were to bid on it, the Lu Clan would surely connect it to Chen Jianghe, and the rumor that he had killed Lu Qingming would be confirmed.
Just then.
The auction for the Cloud Essence Stone began.
Although it was a quasi-third-tier treasure, after the starting price of two hundred thousand spirit stones was announced, no cultivator made a bid.
Clearly, it was about to go unsold.
"Brother Jianghe, could you lend me some spirit stones?"
Gao Peiyao sent a mental message at that moment.
"You want to bid for the Cloud Essence Stone? This is obviously a trap set by the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan to find Lu Qingming's killer."
Chen Jianghe frowned inwardly and sent a message back.
From what he knew of Gao Peiyao, it was impossible for her not to see the Lu Clan's trap. Since she could see it, why was she walking right into it?
Back then, Gao Peiyao was also a Core Formation seedling from the mystic realm, one of those who had escaped from the outskirts of the Arctic Snow Forest. She was also a prime suspect in Lu Qingming's death.
"The second-tier core drive formation of the Spirit Serpent Ship is damaged. The Cloud Essence Stone happens to be able to stabilize the flow of spiritual energy in the formation's core, allowing me to repair it."
Gao Peiyao explained.
"Even if it is a trap set by the Lu Clan, it doesn't matter. Their Core Formation mighty figures wouldn't dare to attack me openly. They can only send cultivators below the Core Formation realm to fight me."
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe's heart stirred.
Gao Peiyao was a Core Formation seedling of the sect. According to the rules of the Tiannan Sect, Core Formation mighty figures could not act against her.
However, cultivators below the Core Formation realm could.
Late-stage and peak Foundation Establishment cultivators were allowed to fight sect disciples.
As long as they were cultivators of the same stage, even if they killed a sect disciple, the Tiannan Sect would not retaliate in any way.
The Tiannan Sect did not keep useless members.
This had been a rule passed down in the Tiannan Sect for thousands of years.
Sect disciples who could be killed by rogue cultivators or disciples of immortal clans were not worth cultivating.
"How much do you need?" Chen Jianghe asked via voice transmission.
"Two hundred thousand spirit stones."
"Huh??"
Chen Jianghe was speechless.
So you didn't have a single spirit stone on you.
But it made sense. The last time, Gao Peiyao had spent over three hundred thousand spirit stones to buy the Spirit Serpent Ship, which had exhausted her savings.
"I can help you borrow some from Xinyan."
"Okay, thank you, Brother Jianghe. I can offer three second-tier top-grade absorbable spirit objects in exchange."
"Alright."
Chen Jianghe agreed.
Second-tier top-grade absorbable spirit objects could be used to refine medium-grade Origin Spirit Pills. One such object was worth between sixty and eighty thousand spirit stones.
Three of them would be worth around two hundred thousand spirit stones.
It was a fair trade.
Chen Jianghe sent a mental message to Zhuang Xinyan, having her give Gao Peiyao two hundred thousand spirit stones.
In return, Gao Peiyao gave Zhuang Xinyan three second-tier top-grade absorbable spirit objects.
With spirit stones in hand, Gao Peiyao did not hesitate. Without raising the price, she bid the starting amount.
The item was just about to go unsold, so bidding the base price was allowed.
If no one else bid, the Cloud Essence Stone would belong to Gao Peiyao.
A hundred breaths passed.
No one else made a bid. Gao Peiyao won the Cloud Essence Stone for the base price of two hundred thousand spirit stones.
For Gao Peiyao, this was a small gain.
Her Spirit Serpent Ship could now be repaired.
As long as she had enough medium-grade spirit stones, the speed of the Spirit Serpent Ship could rival that of a False Core rogue cultivator flying on a sword.
It might even be a little faster.
And it was sustainable.
The auction ended.
Many cultivators looked toward the private room where Chen Jianghe was. They could all guess that the Cloud Essence Stone was a treasure put up by the Lu Clan.
Whoever bought it was very likely the one who killed Lu Qingming.
Meanwhile, the cultivators from the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan in the Immortal Gate Market City stared at Chen Jianghe's private room.
When they saw Gao Peiyao walk out, pay two hundred thousand spirit stones, and take the Cloud Essence Stone…
The Lu Clan cultivators' faces turned grim.
The Wind and Snow Valley Mystic Realm had been a huge loss for the Lu Clan.
Not only did they lose a direct descendant with great potential, but more importantly, Reverend Yunie had also perished in the Arctic Snow Forest.
"Gao Peiyao, disciple of Perfected Master Lan of the Tiannan Sect. Her cultivation is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, about to break through to the peak."
A young cultivator from the Lu Clan looked at the stern middle-aged man beside him and sent a mental message, "Third Uncle, what should we do?"
"So what if she's a sect disciple? Before she reaches Core Formation, she isn't considered a true member of the Tiannan Sect. Let's return first and let the Clan Head decide. If possible, we'll have Qingfeng come and execute this Gao Peiyao!"
A murderous glint flashed in the stern middle-aged man's eyes.
The Tiannan Sect permitted cultivators from outside the sect to kill its disciples, provided they were of the same cultivation stage.
"Is Eldest Brother going to act again?"
The young man's lips curled into a smile, his eyes filled with anticipation.
…
After leaving the Treasure Pavilion, Chen Jianghe and Zhuang Xinyan returned to Clearwater Bay and went into seclusion to cultivate.
However, just as Chen Jianghe was about to begin, Yun Siniu arrived.
He said he was inviting Chen Jianghe to a small gathering at the Yu Residence for New Year's Eve dinner.
Chen Jianghe didn't refuse.
It had been a long time since he had shared a meal with Yu Daniu.
Upon arriving at the Yu Residence.
He saw Yu Daniu, who seemed to be in decent shape, waiting at the entrance to greet him. Standing beside him were the direct descendants of the Yu Clan.
Ten-year-old Yu Guangzhu stood obediently in front of Yu Qirui.
Chen Jianghe was very fond of this prodigy of the Yu Clan, Yu Guangzhu. He had great talent and good manners.
Four years ago, when Yu Guangzhu's spiritual roots were tested, he was found to possess a rare three-element true spirit root.
The Yu Clan had quickly hidden this news.
Unfortunately, Yu Guangzhu was a disciple of a Foundation Establishment immortal clan; otherwise, he could have joined the Tiannan Sect through Gao Peiyao.
Even without joining the Tiannan Sect, Yu Guangzhu had immense potential.
Yun Bufan had also possessed a three-element true spirit root.
This meant that Yu Guangzhu reaching Foundation Establishment in the future was a sure thing.
The Yu Clan wouldn't have to worry about a gap in their line of Foundation Establishment cultivators or their decline for the next two hundred years.
During the New Year's Eve dinner.
Chen Jianghe asked about Yu Guangzhu's cultivation progress.
At ten years old, Yu Guangzhu had already begun cultivating—guiding qi into his body, opening his dantian, and condensing qi.
In just over half a year, Yu Guangzhu had stabilized his cultivation at the first level of Qi Refining and was preparing to break through to the second.
This made Chen Jianghe quite envious.
Back then, for a cultivator with a five-element miscellaneous spirit root like him, advancing even a minor realm was incredibly difficult and required meticulous planning.
Now, not only was Yu Guangzhu's talent exceptional, but he also had an abundance of cultivation resources.
After the New Year's Eve dinner.
Chen Jianghe didn't rush back to Clearwater Bay.
He and Yu Daniu went to the backyard and sat in a pavilion, enjoying the night view and the tranquility of a cultivator's leisure time.
Looking at the night sky, the bright moon hung high, the sky cloudless for thousands of miles, not a single star in sight, as if they were shying away from the moon's brilliance.
"Big Brother, do you think Eldest was really taken away by a mighty figure from overseas?" Yu Daniu spoke, breaking the moonlit silence.
"Don't worry, Xiaoniu is blessed. We might hear news of him soon."
Chen Jianghe offered a word of comfort.
Yu Daniu nodded. His eldest was an honest and kind-hearted child; his luck shouldn't be too bad. It was possible he had truly been taken away by a mighty figure from overseas.
Perhaps this was a fortunate encounter for him.
"Big Brother, I want Guangzhu to focus on cultivation and not get involved in clan affairs. What do you think?"
"That's exactly how it should be."
Chen Jianghe nodded and said, "Little Guangzhu's spiritual root talent is very high, a three-element true spirit root. If he's nurtured properly, he'll go very far in the future."
No matter how good one's talent was, once entangled in clan matters, it was difficult to have a promising future.
Just like Yun Bufan.
A prodigy with a three-element true spirit root who reached Foundation Establishment at thirty-six, yet because of clan affairs, he only broke through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment at the age of one hundred.
Who knew how he was doing now.
With just a few words, Yu Daniu and Chen Jianghe decided that Yu Guangzhu would never hold the position of Clan Head.
The moon gave way to the rising sun.
Chen Jianghe left the Yu Residence and returned to Clearwater Bay.
He cast a water-repelling charm, jumped into the lotus pond, and saw Xiao Hei lying at the bottom, cultivating.
Chen Jianghe didn't disturb him and began cultivating the Myriad Waters True Scripture nearby.
Six hours passed.
Chen Jianghe stopped circulating the Myriad Waters True Scripture and opened his eyes to see that Xiao Hei had already woken up.
"I have three Three-leaf Blood Lotus Herbs now. That should be enough to raise either Maoqiu or Spicy Strip to fourth-grade, high-tier, right?"
Chen Jianghe looked at Xiao Hei and asked with a smile.
"Three stalks?! Of course, that's enough to raise their bloodline to fourth-grade, high-tier." Xiao Hei exclaimed in surprise, then transmitted his voice happily.
"So, should it be Maoqiu or..."
"Mao... Spicy Strip!"
Xiao Hei interrupted Chen Jianghe. He had subconsciously wanted to choose Maoqiu, but considering what would be most beneficial to Chen Jianghe at this stage, it was better to help Spicy Strip purify his bloodline.
Spicy Strip's divine ability, [Ice Dragon's Roar], would complement Chen Jianghe's [Absolute Freeze] better.
As long as Spicy Strip cultivated to the late second-tier, the combination of [Ice Dragon's Roar] and [Absolute Freeze] would be far more powerful than a Talisman Treasure.
Even if it couldn't kill a False Core rogue cultivator, it could heavily injure one, leaving him at Xiao Hei's mercy, right?
So, although Xiao Hei's heart leaned toward improving Maoqiu's bloodline purity, for Chen Jianghe's safety, he felt it was better to enhance Spicy Strip's.
"Give the Three-leaf Blood Lotus Herb to Spicy Strip. Let his bloodline purity rise to fourth-grade, high-tier. Then he'll definitely be able to reach the late second-tier before entering the mystic realm, and he'll be of more help to you."
"I thought you would choose Maoqiu."
"Are you crazy? When it comes to your safety, I won't be so impulsive," Xiao Hei shot Chen Jianghe a look, his tone disdainful.
"Haha."
Chen Jianghe laughed.
"If your bloodline is raised to fourth-grade, high-tier, can you reach the level of that Icy Triangular Python before we enter the mystic realm?"
"No, the time is too short."
"The Icy Triangular Python we encountered last time was already at the threshold of breaking through to a third-tier demonic beast. It could break through at any moment."
Xiao Hei shook his head.
He had the Six Revolutions Great Demon Art, but even with the technique, he couldn't make such a huge breakthrough in such a short time.
"Unless my bloodline purity reaches the fifth grade, even the low-tier would be enough."
"If your bloodline purity reaches fifth-grade, low-tier, how many heaven and earth spirit objects would you need?"
Hearing Chen Jianghe's mental message, Xiao Hei fell into deep thought, seemingly calculating the required spirit objects.
After a hundred breaths.
Xiao Hei extended a short claw, his large mouth grinning as he made a 'wuwu' sound.
"One hundred Spirit Pool Pearls."
"Ugh... that should be about right."
"One hundred Spirit Pool Pearls, and you say 'that should be about right'?!"
Chen Jianghe was speechless.
Spirit Pool Pearls were second-tier top-grade absorbable spirit objects. Each one was incredibly precious. Where was he supposed to get a hundred of them?
"Actually, it's not that many. Just give me your True Spirit Fruit, Thousand-Year Snow Jade Marrow, Thousand-Year Fo-ti, Hundred-Year Snow Lotus, Thousand-Year Blood Lingzhi..."
"Stop, stop... I was just asking. I didn't ask you to clean out my inventory."
Chen Jianghe quickly interrupted Xiao Hei. If he let him continue, he wouldn't have a single spirit object left on him.
"Even if you gave them all to me, it would still not be quite enough, hehe..."
Chen Jianghe leaped out of the lotus pond. To think that all the treasures on him would still fall short for Xiao Hei.
This guy was truly a gold-devouring beast.
However, Chen Jianghe planned to raise Xiao Hei's bloodline purity to fourth-grade, high-tier before entering the mystic realm.
That way, if there was an opportunity inside the mystic realm, he could help Xiao Hei reach fifth-grade, low-tier.
Even if he couldn't break through to a third-tier spirit beast inside the mystic realm.
As long as he reached the level of the Icy Triangular Python from the Wind and Snow Valley Mystic Realm, Xiao Hei's strength would increase dramatically.
Even an ordinary False Core rogue cultivator would be no match for Xiao Hei.
However, before raising Xiao Hei's bloodline, he needed to first cultivate to the late stage of Foundation Establishment and master the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art to the peak of the sixth level.
He also needed to cultivate the Soul Sea Origin Consolidating Scripture to the sixth level to form a complete soul sea barrier.
He walked over to the Dragon Pattern Red Pine.
Chen Jianghe poured out a hundred catties of the giant python spirit blood he had purchased for the Dragon Pattern Red Pine to absorb.
Chen Jianghe had not slacked in nurturing the Dragon Pattern Red Pine.
Under his dedicated care, the Dragon Pattern Red Pine's origin was improving rapidly. In at most another twenty years, it could advance to a quasi-third-tier spirit plant.
By then, the bark of the Dragon Pattern Red Pine could be used to create second-tier high-grade talismans.
The heartwood of the Dragon Pattern Red Pine could also be used to nurture a Talisman Treasure.
Of course, to take the heartwood of the Dragon Pattern Red Pine would mean killing the spirit plant.
So, no matter what, spending a great deal to nurture the Dragon Pattern Red Pine was not a loss for Chen Jianghe.
Even if he had to cut down the tree for its heartwood, it would be profitable.
Then, Chen Jianghe glanced at Spicy Strip, who was coiled around the Dragon Pattern Red Pine cultivating, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.
Spicy Strip's cultivation was progressing quickly.
Part of it was due to Spicy Strip's already high bloodline purity.
The other reason was that Chen Jianghe never skimped on cultivation resources for Spicy Strip, whether it was Ice Soul Pearls, ice-attribute spirit cores, or Origin Spirit Pills.
Probably only Chen Jianghe would be willing to spend so many resources on nurturing a spirit beast.
"Spicy Strip, come with me."
Chen Jianghe sent a mental message through the second-tier spirit beast pouch.
"Yes, Master."
Spicy Strip slithered down from the Dragon Pattern Red Pine and followed Chen Jianghe to the small bridge beside the pavilion.
Chen Jianghe told Spicy Strip to wait.
He took out his Green Feather Talisman Brush and spirit fox hide, drawing ten sealing talismans.
Then, he formed hand seals, and a three-foot-thick water curtain rose on all four sides, enclosing him and Spicy Strip within.
He cast the ten sealing talismans, making the water curtain turbid and creating an isolating effect.
"This is a Three-leaf Blood Lotus Herb. Consume it to improve your bloodline purity."
Chen Jianghe took out the Three-leaf Blood Lotus Herb.
Spicy Strip's triangular eyes immediately glowed with green light, staring intently at one of the stalks—the one that had been activated by Xiao Hei's spirit blood.
"Xiao Hei, come here for a moment."
Chen Jianghe sent a mental message.
In the next moment, Xiao Hei tunneled out from the ground.
Looking at the two stalks of Three-leaf Blood Lotus Herb whose properties had not yet been activated, he swiped a short claw, and two drops of spirit blood shot toward them. Instantly, a bloody light flared.
The greedy look in Spicy Strip's eyes intensified.
His gaze was fixed solely on the three stalks of Three-leaf Blood Lotus Herb.
Xiao Hei's round forehead wrinkled in displeasure. He stepped forward and slapped Spicy Strip hard across the head.
The blow instantly cleared Spicy Strip's eyes.
"Lord Turtle..."
Seeing Xiao Hei, Spicy Strip quickly greeted him respectfully.
"You ill-mannered thing! Your master gives you such an opportunity, and you don't even have a word of thanks? Was my teaching all for nothing?!"
As Xiao Hei spoke, he slapped Spicy Strip's triangular head again.
"No, Lord Turtle, I... this thing is just too attractive to me. My mind was completely filled with it just now."
Spicy Strip looked at Xiao Hei aggrievedly, then turned to Chen Jianghe with pleading eyes.
"Master, I wanted to thank you, but the temptation was too great. I lost my head."
Hearing Spicy Strip's mental message, Chen Jianghe remained unmoved.
When it came to Maoqiu and Spicy Strip, he was only responsible for providing resources; everything else was left to Xiao Hei.
It was better for Xiao Hei to be the one to discipline them.
Under Xiao Hei's tutelage, Maoqiu was both well-behaved and obedient.
Spicy Strip was also very obedient, but the allure of the Three-leaf Blood Lotus Herb was probably something no demonic or spirit beast, aside from Xiao Hei, could resist.
Xiao Hei gave Spicy Strip a "thorough education" before finally letting him swallow the Three-leaf Blood Lotus Herb to enhance his bloodline.
After Spicy Strip swallowed the herb, his body, which was over twenty-three feet long and as thick as a man's thigh, coiled up.
A faint red glow emanated from his triangular head.
Soon, this red light spread throughout his entire body, sublimating Spicy Strip's flesh and bloodline.
Chen Jianghe glanced at Xiao Hei and sent a mental message, "How long will it take for Spicy Strip to enhance his bloodline purity this time?"
"Two to three months."
"Alright then. You watch him. I'm going to draw talismans."
Chen Jianghe walked out of the water curtain and went to the pavilion. He first cultivated the Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art for six hours, refining the spiritual power of the Essence Soul Pill in his Shenque acupoint.
This increased the strength and toughness of his physical body.
At the same time, he was also recuperating his spirit and restoring his magical power.
After that, he began to draw the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman.
Spicy Strip's bloodline enhancement would take two to three months. He couldn't be idle during this time.
There were less than twenty years until the regular mystic realm opened.
And only a little over twenty years until the unknown mystic realm opened.
It seemed like plenty of time.
In reality, for a cultivator, twenty-odd years would pass in a flash.
Time flew by.
More than two months passed.
Chen Jianghe had successfully drawn one Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman, and another was in the process of being charged with spiritual energy.
He paused the spirit charging of the talisman.
He walked into the water curtain.
Xiao Hei glanced at him and sent a mental message, "Master, it seems Spicy Strip's origin has gained a water attribute."
Spicy Strip's original form was an Icy Triangular Python, an ice-attribute demonic beast.
Before he hatched, Spicy Strip's origin had been draining away. It was Xiao Hei's [Turtle Breath Nurturing Origin] secret art that had replenished it.
This had given Spicy Strip a trace of earth-attribute energy.
But Xiao Hei was a water-attribute spirit beast, which might be why Spicy Strip had gained a trace of water attribute during this mutation.
It might have even directly become a dual ice-water attribute origin.
"A dual ice-water attribute spirit beast?"
Chen Jianghe recalled the records in various journals but found no mention of dual-attribute demonic or spirit beasts.
It seemed that demonic and spirit beasts were all single-attribute.
"Will this affect Spicy Strip's future?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"I don't know. Before, he only had a hint of earth-attribute aura. Now that his bloodline has been enhanced, a water attribute has appeared, and he has completely become a dual ice-water attribute spirit beast."
Xiao Hei shook his massive turtle head, also curious about Spicy Strip's mutation.
Just then.
Spicy Strip's coiled body began to straighten out, and he started rolling on the ground, unlike what had happened when Maoqiu enhanced his bloodline.
Spicy Strip seemed to be in great pain.
His cavernous mouth was wide open, his sharp, sword-like black tongue flicking out. The cyan scales on his body began to fall off rapidly.
After an incense stick's worth of time.
A large pile of cyan, fish-like scales lay on the ground. However, they were much larger than fish scales; each cyan scale was the size of a baby's palm.
Roar!
Spicy Strip let out a low roar.
The unprotected python skin quickly turned white, then shriveled and separated from the flesh.
Spicy Strip shed his old skin.
The new skin was like jade, cyan all over. Then, lines began to form on it, eventually becoming new cyan scales.
His original triangular head had changed into a longer, bumpy one, with two fleshy lumps bulging on top, as if something was about to burst out.
His tail had also become much broader.
It was nothing like the slender tail of a python.
At this moment, Spicy Strip's overall appearance was like that of a giant Cyan-Scaled Python, but his body was much more slender.
The Spirit-Devouring Poisonous Python Chen Jianghe had seen in the Wind and Snow Valley Mystic Realm had a very thick and bloated body.
Not slender like Spicy Strip.
His length and thickness were perfectly proportioned.
Roar!
Spicy Strip let out another low cry, which carried a considerable amount of pressure.
One could see four sharp canine teeth in his mouth, along with two rows of smaller, sharp teeth.
His sword-like black tongue had turned blood-red.
Another incense stick's worth of time passed.
Spicy Strip slowly opened his eyes, revealing his excitement. He could feel the terrifying power in his body and the trace of dragon's might contained within his spirit core.
"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Lord Turtle! I did it! I really did it!"
Under Xiao Hei's tutelage.
No matter how excited Spicy Strip was, he did not forget to first thank Chen Jianghe and Xiao Hei.
"Huh?!"
"My spirit core... how did it become? A water attribute origin?!"
After his bloodline was enhanced, his spirit core had mutated. His ice-attribute origin had become a dual ice and water attribute.
"Master, Lord Turtle, I think I've awakened a new divine ability."
"Awakened a divine ability?!"
Chen Jianghe's face lit up with joy, and he quickly sent a mental message, "What divine ability?"
Spicy Strip quickly coiled his body, closed his eyes, and began to comprehend the third divine ability he had awakened.