Chapter 279
Chapter 279
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 279
Chapter Title: Fate of the Treasure Talisman and an Immortal Appointment
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“You have medium-grade spirit stones?”
Chen Jianghe was taken aback, glancing at Zhuang Xinyan with some surprise as he asked via voice transmission.
“Junior Sister helped the Tiannan Sect refine second-tier high-grade spirit pills, and the contribution points she earned can be exchanged for medium-grade spirit stones. It’s just that the number of points required is very high.”
“What does Ruxu need medium-grade spirit stones for?”
“Second-tier puppets require medium-grade spirit stones to unleash their full combat potential. We want you to return safely from the uncharted secret realm, Big Brother Chen.”
Chen Jianghe was at a loss for words, a warmth spreading through his heart. He looked at Zhuang Xinyan with a complex expression.
Puppets were powered by spirit stones.
A first-tier low-grade puppet had nine spirit stone slots. Inserting nine spirit stones would allow one to control it, and once the spiritual energy was depleted, new stones could be inserted.
A first-tier medium-grade puppet required twenty-four spirit stones.
A first-tier high-grade puppet required eighty-one.
Second-tier puppets had two types of core drives: one powered by low-grade spirit stones and another by medium-grade spirit stones.
If a second-tier low-grade puppet used low-grade spirit stones, it would need three hundred and sixty of them. With medium-grade spirit stones, it only needed nine.
When using medium-grade spirit stones as the core drive, the power of a second-tier low-grade puppet far surpassed one driven by low-grade spirit stones.
He possessed six second-tier low-grade puppets, all crafted by Zhuang Xinyan, and now Jiang Ruxu had exchanged medium-grade spirit stones for him at the Tiannan Sect.
How could he not be moved?
Just then.
The old auctioneer's voice rang out.
“Fellow Daoists, as you have all likely discerned, this is a piece of third-tier spiritual material, a Jade Clarity Stone. Furthermore, it has been crafted into a third-tier treasure talisman, its power more than thirty percent stronger than a quasi-third-tier talisman treasure.”
“Such a treasure is not just a once-in-a-century sight at an auction; it is simply unheard of. No amount of spirit stones can truly reflect its value.”
“However, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion was entrusted with this task, and we are loyal to our charge. Since that Fellow Daoist chose to consign it with us, we shall be audacious today and measure this treasure talisman’s value in spirit stones.”
“This is an escape-type treasure talisman, one of the most valuable kinds.”
“Alright, this old man will not waste any more of your time.”
“The auction for the treasure talisman officially begins.”
“The starting bid is three thousand medium-grade spirit stones, with no limit on bid increments…”
As the old auctioneer’s voice fell, a brief silence descended upon the hall. Looks of shock appeared on the faces of some cultivators.
They all knew treasure talismans were precious, but they had not expected the bidding to be conducted in medium-grade spirit stones.
More than half of the Foundation Establishment cultivators attending this auction had never even handled a medium-grade spirit stone.
Like Chen Jianghe, they had never even seen one, let alone possessed any.
The immortal officials from the Feng Kingdom looked like frost-bitten eggplants; they wilted upon hearing that the bidding required medium-grade spirit stones.
They had plenty of spirit stones on them, but none were medium-grade.
In the Tiannan Domain, over ninety percent of all medium-grade spirit stones were controlled by the top immortal clans and the Tiannan Sect.
“Three thousand and one medium-grade spirit stones.”
The price on the large gilded crystal screen above the auction stage changed, increasing by a single medium-grade spirit stone.
But no one laughed.
Many cultivators did not even have a single medium-grade spirit stone.
It wasn't that they couldn't afford to exchange for them, but that they had no means to do so.
“Peiyao, how many low-grade spirit stones does it take to get one medium-grade spirit stone?”
Chen Jianghe asked via voice transmission.
He knew Gao Peiyao must have medium-grade spirit stones; the Spirit Snake Boat required them to fly at full speed.
The *Annals of Tiannan* contained no information about medium-grade spirit stones, so Chen Jianghe naturally didn't know the exchange rate between low-grade and medium-grade ones.
“Generally, one medium-grade spirit stone can be exchanged for one hundred low-grade spirit stones. However, medium-grade spirit stones are rare in the Tiannan Domain, so it’s difficult to get even one for two hundred low-grade spirit stones.”
Gao Peiyao explained to Chen Jianghe.
This made Chen Jianghe recall what Luo Xiyue had said.
The Tiannan Domain, a barren land.
It seemed she was right. The Tiannan Domain was indeed quite barren. Normally, Foundation Establishment cultivators used medium-grade spirit stones.
Yet in the Tiannan Domain, Foundation Establishment cultivators were still using low-grade ones.
Hence, it was difficult to purchase useful resources.
“Three thousand five hundred medium-grade spirit stones.”
With the first bid placed, the auction for the third-tier treasure talisman truly began.
Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators might not have medium-grade spirit stones, but that didn't mean the direct descendants of immortal clans didn't.
There were also some powerful Core Formation prodigies from the sect who surely had medium-grade spirit stones.
After all, one could exchange contribution points for them at the Tiannan Sect.
“Three thousand seven hundred medium-grade spirit stones.”
“Three thousand seven hundred and thirty medium-grade spirit stones.”
“…”
“Six thousand two hundred medium-grade spirit stones.”
Watching the rapidly changing price on the gilded crystal screen, Chen Jianghe sighed inwardly. It really paid to have a powerful background.
These people spoke of thousands of medium-grade spirit stones—an item he had never even seen—as if it were nothing. The comparison was truly maddening.
During the bidding, Gao Peiyao also participated.
But once the price of the escape talisman surpassed four thousand spirit stones, Gao Peiyao stopped bidding.
Evidently, she didn't have many medium-grade spirit stones either.
When Chen Jianghe asked Zhuang Xinyan how many medium-grade spirit stones she had and was told it was just over three thousand.
He abandoned any thought of bidding for the treasure talisman.
A third-tier treasure talisman, and an escape-type one at that, was exceedingly precious.
Moreover, a treasure talisman had never been auctioned in the Tiannan Domain before. For the descendants of top immortal clans and the well-resourced Core Formation prodigies of the sect, this was a golden opportunity.
A hundred breaths passed.
The price of the treasure talisman had risen to twelve thousand medium-grade spirit stones, and it was still climbing.
Normally, ten thousand medium-grade spirit stones would be equivalent to one million low-grade spirit stones.
But the scarcity of medium-grade spirit stones in the Tiannan Domain made them exceptionally valuable.
“Thirteen thousand six hundred medium-grade spirit stones.”
Suddenly.
Chen Jianghe saw the bidding array in their private room light up. He couldn't help but look at Lady Jinghong and think to himself: *So wealthy!*
After the price had reached twelve thousand medium-grade spirit stones, the increments had slowed to ten or twenty at a time.
Yet Lady Jinghong had raised the bid by a thousand medium-grade spirit stones in one go.
A final, decisive blow.
It made all the other bidders throw in the towel.
With Lady Jinghong winning the third-tier escape treasure talisman, the New Year's Eve auction came to a perfect conclusion.
Chen Jianghe left the Immortal Gate Market City with Zhuang Xinyan and returned to Clearwater Bay.
There, he saw three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators waiting outside his courtyard.
The three cultivators looked very familiar.
They were the same three late-stage Foundation Establishment immortal officials he had traded talismans with on Cangyan Mountain.
Seeing Chen Jianghe return, the three immortal officials from the Feng Kingdom immediately came forward, their smiles like blooming chrysanthemums.
“Grandmaster Chen, you’ve finally returned.”
“Fellow Daoists, what brings you here?”
Chen Jianghe had already guessed their purpose; they were likely here to trade for healing pills.
The Feng Kingdom had second-tier master alchemists, but no grandmaster alchemists.
The Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pill was considered the best healing elixir. As a second-tier medium-grade pill, it required the skill of an alchemist grandmaster.
“Brother Ruan told us that Grandmaster Chen is good friends with Alchemist Grandmaster Jiang. We’ve come to ask for Grandmaster Chen’s help in purchasing some Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pills from her.”
The three immortal officials from the Feng Kingdom said, clasping their hands.
As the situation in the Tiannan Domain stabilized, the price of Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pills had returned to normal, but it was still very difficult to purchase them south of the Tongtian River.
Many alchemist grandmasters had gone north of the river.
If these immortal officials from the Feng Kingdom were to travel north of the Tongtian River, they would face great risks and could very well perish in the territories of the Qi or Qing Kingdoms.
Their only option was to find a solution south of the river.
This required connections with an alchemist grandmaster.
Or they could try to bid for Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pills at auctions.
But setting aside whether they could even win a bid, they would only get one or two pills at a time, which was hardly enough.
Besides, one could never have too many healing pills.
“Fellow Daoists, you’ve come at an inopportune time. Fairy Jiang has already entered seclusion and hasn’t refined any pills recently.”
Chen Jianghe said with regret.
“Ah? This…”
The three immortal officials were stunned, their faces falling with disappointment.
“In that case, does Grandmaster Chen have any healing pills? Would you be willing to sell some to us?”
“I do have nine Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pills, twelve Cleansing Heart Detoxification Pills, and twelve exquisite Jade Dew Muscle Regeneration Pills on hand.”
Chen Jianghe feigned a troubled expression, then his gaze firmed as he said, “Since you three are good friends with Big Brother Ruan and serve in the same court, if you need them, I am willing to exchange them with you.”
Chen Jianghe did not mention the word "sell."
He truly had no need for low-grade spirit stones.
If he needed them, he could quickly liquidate many of his resources for low-grade spirit stones.
The three immortal officials exchanged a glance.
They all understood that Chen Jianghe was intentionally seeking to trade for their spiritual items.
Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence?
There were exactly three portions of each healing pill.
“Would these three pieces of second-tier high-grade fire spirit jade be an acceptable trade for the healing pills in Grandmaster Chen’s possession?”
“They would.”
Chen Jianghe agreed.
Fire spirit jade was a second-tier high-grade absorbable spiritual item. It could be used to refine Origin Spirit Pills or to assist in cultivating fire-attribute body tempering arts. It was of little use to him.
However, Jiang Ruxu cultivated a fire-attribute art, and her body tempering art was also fire-affiliated, so she could use it.
Chen Jianghe took out nine Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pills, twelve Cleansing Heart Detoxification Pills, and twelve Jade Dew Pills.
The so-called exquisite Jade Dew Muscle Regeneration Pills were just the Jade Dew Pills he had condensed using the Jade Dew Muscle Regeneration Incantation.
This was perfect, as it had zero cost.
The transaction was complete.
One of the immortal officials asked, “Does Grandmaster Chen have any second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Chen Jianghe shook his head.
“Then could we trouble Fairy Jiang to help refine some second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills? We can exchange them for spiritual items.”
“About that… I don’t know when Fairy Jiang will emerge from her seclusion. If you three truly want second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills, you should return for now and come back some other time.”
“Very well, then we shall not disturb Grandmaster Chen any longer. Farewell.”
“Take care.”
He watched the three immortal officials depart.
Zhuang Xinyan looked at Chen Jianghe with some confusion and asked, “Big Brother Chen, are you out of second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills? I have twenty-six. You can take them for now.”
“Haha, no need. I still have some on hand.”
Chen Jianghe chuckled.
“Then why didn’t you trade with them? It looked like they were offering a high price!” Zhuang Xinyan was very puzzled.
“It’s not that I won’t trade with them. It’s that we can’t let them feel that we have no shortage of spirit pills, that we have every kind.”
“That would make some of the higher-ups in the Feng Kingdom with ill intentions covet what we have.”
Chen Jianghe knew that these immortal officials from the Feng Kingdom were wealthy and generous, but he couldn't trade recklessly.
Things were different now.
Although the Immortal Gate Market City was a safe zone, the rise of the Beast Taming Zhou Clan had shaken the authority of the Tiannan Sect.
If cultivators from the Feng Kingdom were to band together and besiege Clearwater Bay for spirit pills, they would be in grave danger.
A Talisman Grandmaster and an Alchemist Grandmaster.
It was hard to imagine just how many talismans and spirit pills they possessed.
Upon returning to the courtyard.
Chen Jianghe gave the three pieces of fire spirit jade to Zhuang Xinyan, asking her to pass them to Jiang Ruxu, before heading back to the east courtyard.
First, he watered the Dragon Pattern Red Pine with the giant python's spiritual blood.
Then, he summoned Xiao Hei, Maoqiu, and Latiao.
“These six medium-grade Origin Spirit Pills and one high-grade Origin Spirit Pill are for Latiao.”
Chen Jianghe took out all the Origin Spirit Pills he had and gave them to Latiao. Now that he had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he no longer needed them.
But Latiao was only at the middle stage of the second tier and desperately needed Origin Spirit Pills for its cultivation.
Chen Jianghe spared no effort in nurturing Latiao, hoping it could reach the late stage of the second tier and assist him in the uncharted secret realm.
It would be even better if it could break through to the peak of the second tier.
A mutated spirit beast like Latiao had combat power far exceeding other demonic beasts, coupled with its extremely pure bloodline.
One could say that as long as Latiao reached the peak of the second tier.
And Chen Jianghe also reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, he could fight Lu Qingfeng even without practicing any sword arts.
The outcome would be a toss-up.
And that was without Xiao Hei even making a move.
“Thank you, Master. I will definitely cultivate hard and break through to the late stage of the second tier as soon as possible.”
Latiao opened its great maw and swallowed the Origin Spirit Pills, jade boxes and all.
Once it finished refining one pill, it could spit out a jade box, swallow the pill inside, and continue refining.
Latiao’s stomach was like a storage pouch.
It could swallow things when not in use and spit them out when needed.
In fact, many spirit beasts and demonic beasts were like this. They had a sac formed from magical power and flesh inside their bodies that could store smaller spiritual items.
Chen Jianghe then took out four Dustfall Pills and gave two each to Xiao Hei and Maoqiu.
Although Xiao Hei could reach the peak of the second tier without Dustfall Pills, it was better to get there sooner rather than later.
Every bit of strength counted.
As for Maoqiu, Chen Jianghe was counting on it to break through to the peak of the second tier.
That way, even without revealing Xiao Hei, he would have a spirit beast at the peak of the second tier.
Among the cultivators entering the uncharted secret realm, his cultivation level wouldn't be considered at the bottom.
According to Chen Jianghe's plan.
When entering the uncharted secret realm, you couldn't let others think you were too weak, or you would be targeted.
That would invite unnecessary trouble.
Nor could you let others feel you were too strong, as you would be isolated and easily ganged up on.
Slightly below average was just right.
Entering the uncharted secret realm and being a nobody was better than anything else.
After distributing the cultivation resources, Chen Jianghe returned to his cultivation chamber and began his secluded cultivation.
The resources given to Latiao were enough for it to cultivate for eight years.
Maoqiu had two Dustfall Pills, enough to cultivate for four years.
As for Xiao Hei, with the Six Revolutions Great Demon Art, it could refine the Dustfall Pills in at most two years.
After all, Dustfall Pills didn't just refine spiritual energy to increase magical power; their primary function was to purify it.
Chen Jianghe still had four Dustfall Pills, enough for ten years of use. In a while, Jiang Ruxu would give him another ten Dustfall Pills and five Blood Essence Pills.
Therefore, he had no lack of resources to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment.
…
Time flew, and three years passed.
Chen Jianghe went to the Immortal Gate Market City as arranged.
Three months ago, Zhou Xiaoxuan had sent him a message, inviting him to the Immortal Gate Restaurant for a meeting and mentioning that an old friend of his would be there.
Chen Jianghe could guess what Zhou Xiaoxuan's invitation was about. It was most likely to inquire about talismans and spirit pills.
Because the uncharted secret realm was about to open.
Rumor had it that this uncharted secret realm was about to evolve into a grotto-heaven, filled with treasures and many great fortunes.
Consequently, the cultivators entering the uncharted secret realm had basically scoured the market clean of all second-tier high-grade talisman materials.
Second-tier high-grade talismans were even harder to come by.
Zhou Xiaoxuan was worried that Chen Jianghe would stop investing in her.
After all, Chen Jianghe was also entering the uncharted secret realm. The more second-tier high-grade talismans he had, the better his chances of survival.
As for the old friend Zhou Xiaoxuan mentioned.
Chen Jianghe didn't think much of it.
In his hundred-plus years of cultivation, he had not made many friends, and he was still in contact with all of them. He couldn't think of any old friends he had lost touch with.
So, the "old friend" Zhou Xiaoxuan spoke of was probably someone he had exchanged a few words with or had done business with a couple of times.
He didn't care much for such an "old friend."
Arriving at the Immortal Gate Restaurant.
He saw Zhou Xiaoxuan waiting for him outside from a distance, accompanied by another beautiful woman.
She was exceptionally beautiful, with skin like jade. A true beauty.
She didn't have Zhou Xiaoxuan's charming and seductive allure.
This woman's aura was more dignified and elegant.
The magical power fluctuations from her were at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, but her aura was unstable. She must have just broken through and hadn't had time to consolidate her cultivation.
Zhou Xiaoxuan’s aura was the same.
They had both just broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
However, Chen Jianghe did not recognize this woman; he couldn't even recall ever having seen her.
“Uncle Chen.”
Zhou Xiaoxuan greeted Chen Jianghe, calling out to him with a soft and alluring voice.
“Xiaoxuan.”
Chen Jianghe nodded and followed Zhou Xiaoxuan into the Immortal Gate Restaurant, up to a private room on the second floor.
“Uncle Chen, allow me to make an introduction. This is Ji Ziyan, a direct descendant of the Alchemy Ji Clan.”
“Ziyan, this is my uncle, Talisman Grandmaster Chen Jianghe.”
After Zhou Xiaoxuan made the introductions.
Ji Ziyan looked at Chen Jianghe with curiosity. She had long heard of the name "Old Man Duofu," but seeing him now, he was so young.
Like a young man in his early twenties.
He didn't look like an old man at all.
Immediately, Ji Ziyan curtsied gracefully. “Greetings, Grandmaster Chen.”
“Fairy Ji, you are too kind.”
Chen Jianghe clasped his hands in return.
Ji Ziyan was also at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, the same realm as him, so there was no need to be arrogant.
Chen Jianghe was just a bit confused as to why Zhou Xiaoxuan had brought Ji Ziyan. He didn't know her, nor had they ever crossed paths.
In fact, he had even had some unpleasant dealings with Ji Yanfeng of the Ji Clan.
And he still hadn't seen the "old friend" Zhou Xiaoxuan had mentioned.
Seemingly sensing Chen Jianghe’s confusion, Zhou Xiaoxuan sent a voice transmission, “Uncle Chen, please forgive me. That Fellow Daoist was delayed by some matters but should be here soon.”
“Ji Ziyan has come because she wishes to trade for a few second-tier high-grade talismans from you.”
Hearing Zhou Xiaoxuan’s transmission, Chen Jianghe understood.
He was quite willing to trade with Ji Ziyan.
She was from an alchemy immortal clan, so she would surely have the spirit pills he needed.
Since someone had yet to arrive, the spiritual dishes and delicacies were not served.
The three of them began to chat.
They spoke of the conventional secret realm that would open in five years.
The entrance to the Muyun Secret Realm was located in Muyun Mountain in Xichuan Prefecture of the Feng Kingdom, bordering the boundless sea to the west.
Because the secret realm was opening within the territory of the Feng Kingdom, the Beast Taming Zhou Clan also had a quota of spots for this conventional secret realm.
The Tiannan Sect had twenty spots for its Core Formation prodigies, and each prodigy could bring two external aides.
The Beast Taming Zhou Clan, on the other hand, had forty spots.
This meant that many immortal officials from the Feng Kingdom would be entering the secret realm, which could be considered a reward for their loyalty to the Beast Taming Zhou Clan.
From their conversation, he learned.
This Ji Ziyan was Ji Yanfeng's younger sister. At Zhou Xiaoxuan's invitation, she had become an external aide for this conventional secret realm.
Perhaps because the Beast Taming Zhou Clan had taken some of the spots.
The Tiannan Sect's Core Formation prodigies were now prioritizing strength above all else when looking for external aides.
Character was a secondary consideration.
The Beast Taming Zhou Clan and the Tiannan Sect did not get along. Once inside the secret realm, they would surely target the Core Formation prodigies.
One had to remember that the people the Beast Taming Zhou Clan was bringing were all immortal officials from the Feng Kingdom.
In other words.
They were all their own people.
For safety, the prodigies of the Tiannan Sect were also looking for descendants of top immortal clans closely tied to the sect's interests to be their external aides.
Powerful and with aligned interests.
Then they would find some familiar rogue cultivators with decent character.
Therefore, this conventional secret realm was also very dangerous. If the two factions were to fight inside the realm.
The number of cultivators who would make it out might be even fewer than from the Wind Snow Valley Secret Realm.
The Wind Snow Valley Secret Realm had already set a new record.
For every ten who entered, only two returned.
After chatting for a while and getting to know each other.
Ji Ziyan got to the point. She looked at Chen Jianghe and said in a gentle voice, “The secret realm is perilous. I wonder if I might be able to trade for some protective talismans from Grandmaster Chen?”
“What resources does Fairy Ji plan to trade with?”
Chen Jianghe wasn't familiar with Ji Ziyan, so his words were rather direct.
“Would spirit pills be acceptable?”
The Ji Clan was an alchemy immortal clan. As a direct descendant, Ji Ziyan had a great many spirit pills.
But Chen Jianghe had no interest in conventional spirit pills.
Healing pills, cultivation-enhancing pills—none of these could catch his eye.
It wasn't that his standards were high, but he had an alchemist grandmaster at home. He really had no shortage of conventional spirit pills.
“Spirit pills are acceptable, but I require Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pills, or other spirit pills that can aid in the cultivation of spiritual techniques.”
“Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pills?”
Ji Ziyan frowned slightly. She did have some, but she needed them for her own cultivation. How could she trade them away?
Her original intention was to trade with Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pills.
Nowadays, Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pills were a hard currency south of the Tongtian River.
“I can offer two Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pills. Can I use Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pills to trade for the rest?”
Ji Ziyan asked.
“Muscle Regeneration and Bone Mending Pills?”
Chen Jianghe shook his head, a faint smile on his face.
At this moment, Zhou Xiaoxuan spoke up.
“Sister Ziyan, you don't often leave your home, so you might not know. A confidante of my Uncle Chen is none other than the renowned Alchemist Grandmaster, Fairy Jiang.”