Chapter 297
Chapter 297
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 297
Chapter Title: Lady Jinghong's Dissolved Core, a Grotto-Heaven Mystic Realm
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"What is this?"
Chen Jianghe took the jade slip and swept it with his spiritual sense. The contents made his expression turn to one of shock, and he looked at Gao Peiyao in disbelief.
"Dead?"
"Hasn't he only been awake for two years?!"
Gao Peiyao had given him a copy of *Current Affairs*, which recorded events from two months ago.
Lady Jinghong's husband, Zhao Tiezhu, had perished.
Zhao Tiezhu had been in a coma for nearly a century. His soul was damaged and his spirit was weak. Even after waking, his lifespan would have been greatly reduced.
But he shouldn't have passed away just two years after waking.
He should have been able to hold on for eight or ten years.
*Current Affairs* didn't state the specific cause of Zhao Tiezhu's death, but it certainly wasn't the work of that peak master from the Tiannan Sect.
No one, unless they were a fool, would kill Zhao Tiezhu right under Lady Jinghong's nose.
Even if they wanted to kill him, they would have done it right after he woke up.
Not wait two years, after everything that needed to be done was done.
"Zhao Tiezhu took his own life."
Gao Peiyao said faintly.
"Took his own life?"
Chen Jianghe was even more confused.
To finally wake up, spend two intimate years with his wife, and then end his own life... it just didn't seem real.
"Yes. When Zhao Tiezhu first woke, he was overjoyed. Later, he learned that he had been in a coma for nearly a hundred years, that Lady Jinghong had spent that time searching for quasi-third-tier soul-type spiritual items and third-tier soul-healing spiritual pills for him, and that she had even failed her Core Formation because of him."
Gao Peiyao stopped there, but Chen Jianghe had already guessed the reason.
Zhao Tiezhu learned what had happened over the past century.
Lady Jinghong, a mere woman, had searched everywhere for medicine to save him, sparing no expense to extend his life.
And she had traded a 'Core Formation spiritual item' for a quasi-third-tier soul-type spiritual item to awaken him.
Not wanting to hold back Lady Jinghong's future, Zhao Tiezhu chose to end his life.
"Two years of companionship to resolve her inner demon. I suppose you could say they fulfilled each other's wishes."
Chen Jianghe looked at another piece of news in *Current Affairs*, and it wasn't hard to guess Zhao Tiezhu's reasoning.
Lady Jinghong dissolved her core.
She had dissolved her false core and, with the aid of a miraculous spiritual item, maintained her cultivation at the peak of Foundation Establishment, preparing to attempt Core Formation again.
With her inner turmoil resolved, Lady Jinghong was certain to succeed in forming her core this time.
"Lady Jinghong dissolved her core... but if she wants to attempt Core Formation again, hasn't she passed the optimal age?"
Chen Jianghe looked at Gao Peiyao, puzzled.
Even if Lady Jinghong wasn't quite two hundred, she had to be one hundred and eighty, or even one hundred and ninety years old.
She was long past the best age for Core Formation.
Generally, a Foundation Establishment cultivator's lifespan is two hundred and twenty years. After taking an elementary youth-preserving pill and an elementary life-extending pill.
Their lifespan could be increased to around two hundred and forty-eight years.
At one hundred and fifty, their vitality begins to decline, and by one hundred and eighty, the possibility of Core Formation is essentially gone.
Unless Lady Jinghong had obtained an intermediate youth-preserving pill or an intermediate life-extending pill.
"Lady Jinghong had a fortunate encounter in the Starfall Sea, west of Muyun. She consumed an intermediate youth-preserving pill and an intermediate life-extending pill. Even after dissolving her false core, her lifespan has reached three hundred years. As long as she doesn't exceed two hundred, she still has a chance at Core Formation."
Gao Peiyao explained, clearing up Chen Jianghe's confusion.
Chen Jianghe was startled.
The Starfall Sea west of Muyun again?
What kind of opportunities could be found in the Starfall Sea?
For Lady Jinghong to have obtained an intermediate youth-preserving pill and an intermediate life-extending pill from there...
An intermediate youth-preserving pill could grant a Foundation Establishment cultivator eternal youth and add twenty years to their lifespan.
An intermediate life-extending pill could extend one's life by twenty years. A maximum of three could be taken, extending one's life by thirty-five years.
After taking the full course of intermediate youth-preserving and life-extending pills, one's life could be extended by fifty-five years.
By that calculation, Lady Jinghong's lifespan reached three hundred years. As long as she didn't exceed two hundred, she still had a chance at Core Formation.
It seemed Zhao Tiezhu had also understood this, which was why he ended his life, unwilling to hold Lady Jinghong back.
His awakening allowed Lady Jinghong to resolve her inner turmoil.
His death freed Lady Jinghong from any lingering worries.
Chen Jianghe felt a sincere admiration for the pure love between Zhao Tiezhu and Lady Jinghong.
But dissolving one's core was fraught with great risk.
It required the assistance of a special third-tier spiritual item, as well as a late-stage Core Formation master to help clear the meridians and disperse the false core's spiritual power.
Generally, False Core cultivators would not choose to dissolve their core.
Not only were special third-tier spiritual items hard to come by, but seeking help from a late-stage Core Formation master was even more difficult.
However, these were not his main concerns.
The opportunities in the Starfall Sea west of Muyun—that was his focus.
Gao Peiyao was bound by sect restrictions and couldn't tell him directly about this opportunity.
Ruan Tieniu, on the other hand, was restricted by the Feng Kingdom and also couldn't tell him directly, unless he joined the kingdom.
Joining the Feng Kingdom was out of the question.
He currently had no intention of joining any power.
He would just have to explore it himself.
As he was thinking, Xiao Chen and Yuan Chenyu arrived at the private room. After the four exchanged greetings, they all took their seats.
They began to discuss the matter of the unknown mystic realm.
"In two years, the unknown mystic realm will open. I've received reliable news from my father that there are third-tier demonic beasts inside."
The Tiannan Sect possessed a secret treasure that could detect the auras of some demonic beasts within the realm, even before entering.
For instance, it could determine the cultivation level of the demonic beasts inside.
"Third-tier demonic beasts? Doesn't that make this mystic realm a grotto-heaven?!" Yuan Chenyu exclaimed in surprise.
The demonic beasts in mystic realms were usually first-tier and second-tier.
The Wind and Snow Valley Mystic Realm was a pure accident, a once-in-a-millennium event.
Only grotto-heaven mystic realms would have third-tier demonic beasts.
"It's not a grotto-heaven mystic realm, but False Core cultivators can enter it. It's a semi-grotto-heaven mystic realm."
Xiao Chen said.
Ordinary mystic realms could only be entered by cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment at most.
Grotto-heaven mystic realms could be entered by False Core cultivators and even Core Formation masters.
This unknown mystic realm in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range was a semi-grotto-heaven; False Core cultivators could enter, but Core Formation masters could not.
The presence of third-tier demonic beasts meant there were many opportunities within the realm.
While Core Formation spiritual items might not be everywhere, there were certainly plenty of quasi-third-tier and third-tier spiritual items.
It was an opportunity, but one accompanied by great danger.
Chen Jianghe remained silent. He had no background and no way of learning any information about the unknown mystic realm.
He could only listen for useful information from a sect prodigy like Xiao Chen.
"You don't need to worry too much. At most, there are only two third-tier demonic beasts in this unknown mystic realm, while over a hundred cultivators will be entering."
"As long as we aren't targeted by the third-tier demonic beasts, we'll be safe."
"After entering the unknown mystic realm, the main danger won't be the demonic beasts, but those demonic cultivators from the Feng Kingdom and the False Core cultivators."
Seeing everyone's spirits were low, frightened by the third-tier demonic beasts in the unknown mystic realm, Xiao Chen offered some words of comfort.
"Lady Jinghong has successfully dissolved her false core and returned to the peak of Foundation Establishment. I intend to invite her to join our alliance. Do the three of you have any objections?"
"Invite Lady Jinghong? I have no objection, but Senior Brother Xiao might not be able to successfully invite her."
Gao Peiyao shook her head.
It wasn't that she looked down on Xiao Chen, but Lady Jinghong's personality was very unique, much like Luo Xiyue's had been.
Only if she approved of you would she exchange a few words.
If she didn't approve of you, even a single word was a luxury.
As for traveling together in the mystic realm?
Lady Jinghong wouldn't even deign to acknowledge you.
Even though Lady Jinghong had dissolved her false core, her combat strength still made Gao Peiyao wary. She didn't believe Lady Jinghong had become weaker after dispersing her false core cultivation.
On the contrary.
Gao Peiyao suspected Lady Jinghong's strength had actually increased.
Her chances of successful Core Formation were greater.
"Inviting Lady Jinghong? That's quite a difficult task, Senior Brother Xiao," Yuan Chenyu chuckled lightly.
"I have no objection."
Chen Jianghe would be more than happy to ally with Lady Jinghong. The stronger she was, the more helpful she would be in the end.
In the early stages, they would face demonic beasts.
But when it was time to leave the mystic realm, they would face other cultivators.
"I'm not confident either, but I can only try. The person who helped Lady Jinghong dissolve her false core was none other than my father."
Xiao Chen said.
"Huh???"
Gao Peiyao, Yuan Chenyu, and Chen Jianghe were all stunned. They only knew Lady Jinghong had dissolved her false core, but they didn't know which late-stage Core Formation master had helped her.
They never imagined it would be Xiao Chen's father, Perfected One Chengtian.
If that was the case, the likelihood of Xiao Chen successfully persuading Lady Jinghong was much higher.
An hour later.
Xiao Chen was the first to leave, and Gao Peiyao left shortly after.
Only Chen Jianghe and Yuan Chenyu remained in the private room.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, I wonder if your previous words still stand?" Yuan Chenyu asked with a cupped-fist salute.
"Of course, they do. However, I only have a dozen or so second-tier, high-grade talismans on hand. At most, I can only trade two with you, Fellow Daoist Yuan."
Chen Jianghe said apologetically.
Yuan Chenyu naturally didn't believe Chen Jianghe's nonsense.
As a Talisman Master, knowing about the unknown mystic realm so many years in advance, he must have made preparations long ago.
It was difficult for a rogue cultivator to obtain materials for second-tier, high-grade talismans.
But over the years, he must have at least twenty, or even thirty, second-tier, high-grade talismans.
There was no way it was just a dozen or so.
Still, getting two was better than none. Once inside the mystic realm, who would complain about having too many second-tier, high-grade talismans?
"Alright, then let's trade for two second-tier, high-grade talismans. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen."
Yuan Chenyu first expressed his thanks, then continued, "I've heard that your specialty is the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman. In that case, I'll trade for those, Fellow Daoist Chen!"
With that, Yuan Chenyu took out a second-tier, peak-grade absorbable spiritual item.
In terms of spirit stone value, a second-tier, peak-grade absorbable spiritual item could be auctioned for around eighty thousand spirit stones.
A single Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman was worth about thirty thousand spirit stones.
But right now, second-tier, high-grade talismans were extremely scarce. Those on the market, and even those yet to be crafted by Talisman Masters, had already been traded for or reserved by cultivators planning to enter the unknown mystic realm.
At this time, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to price a Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman at forty thousand spirit stones.
Chen Jianghe looked at the second-tier, peak-grade absorbable spiritual item Yuan Chenyu had taken out but didn't reach for it.
Instead, he shook his head.
He said apologetically, "As you can see, Fellow Daoist Yuan, I've already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. I no longer have a need for spiritual items used to refine Origin Spirit Pills."
"Then what do you want, Fellow Daoist Chen?" Yuan Chenyu put away the Spirit Pool Pearl and asked Chen Jianghe.
"My physical body has yet to reach perfection. I was hoping to trade for a spiritual item that aids in body cultivation, Fellow Daoist Yuan."
"A spiritual item that aids in body cultivation?"
"Yes, and I can add another Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman to the trade."
As he spoke, Chen Jianghe took out three Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans.
Yuan Chenyu was a sect disciple who had broken through to the peak of Foundation Establishment over a decade ago. His physical body should also have reached perfection.
That's why Chen Jianghe thought of trading for a spiritual item that aided in body cultivation.
"Alright, I will trade this second-tier, peak-grade water-attribute essence pearl with you, Fellow Daoist Chen." Yuan Chenyu took out an essence pearl.
Inside the blue pearl, a flowing light shimmered.
This was indeed a second-tier, peak-grade water-attribute essence pearl. Chen Jianghe had obtained one before and refined it into five essence pills.
After the transaction was complete.
Chen Jianghe and Yuan Chenyu left the Muyun Restaurant.
One headed for the Muyun Inn, the other for the Rosy Cloud Abode.
From this small gathering, Chen Jianghe learned that Gao Peiyao, Xiao Chen, and Yuan Chenyu would all be staying in Muyun Market City until the unknown mystic realm opened.
It wasn't just the three of them.
Many other peak Foundation Establishment cultivators and False Core cultivators planning to enter the unknown mystic realm had also flocked to Muyun Market City.
Chen Jianghe guessed this might be related to the opportunities in the Starfall Sea west of Muyun.
"If only Lady Jinghong would come. I might be able to ask for an Alkaid Sword. I already have the Blood Fiend Gold Crystal, so trading for a second-tier, peak-stage spirit core should be easy."
Chen Jianghe had second-tier, high-grade talismans.
This was currently the most sought-after resource.
He could definitely trade for a second-tier, peak-stage spirit core in a short amount of time.
However, Lady Jinghong had just lost her husband. Even if she came to Muyun Market City, Chen Jianghe would feel too awkward to ask.
He returned to the Rosy Cloud Abode.
He glanced at the place where the two women were cultivating.
They were both still in seclusion, so he didn't disturb them.
He had the essence pearl now. It could be refined anytime; he just had to wait for Jiang Ruxu.
He stepped into the isolation formation.
Chen Jianghe continued to refine the mystic turtle soul armor and cultivate the *Soul Sea Fortifying Scripture*.
There were still seven spirit turtles left, enough for him to cultivate for another half a year. After that, he would have to use those five Second-Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pills.
In the third month, Chen Jianghe came out of seclusion once.
He gave the water-attribute essence pearl to Jiang Ruxu and asked her to help refine it into essence pills. There was no need to change the attribute; refining them into water-attribute essence pills would be fine.
The cultivation art Yun Bufan practiced was the *True Water Origin Condensation Scripture*, and his body tempering art was also inclined towards the water attribute.
So this water-attribute essence pearl was a perfect fit for him.
During this time, Ruan Tieniu sent a letter saying he had arrived in Muyun Market City and would be staying until the unknown mystic realm opened.
Chen Jianghe didn't even have to think; this was definitely also because of the Starfall Sea west of Muyun.
This made him very curious.
What exactly was in the Starfall Sea?
To make so many peak Foundation Establishment cultivators with powerful backgrounds gather in Muyun Market City.
He didn't ask. Even if he did, he wouldn't get any answers. He would have to go and see for himself.
However, that would have to wait until after he returned from the unknown mystic realm.
It was now the seventh month.
Chen Jianghe finished absorbing and refining the mystic turtle soul armor from the last spirit turtle. At that very moment, the strength of his spiritual sense made a major breakthrough.
With a thought, the Water Surface Refraction Mirror appeared.
Chen Jianghe's spiritual sense probed into it, extending back and forth until it reached four hundred and two zhang and three chi.
The strength of his spiritual sense was now completely comparable to that of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.
His spiritual control over objects had also reached one hundred and fifty-one jun.
However, the sixth level of his *Soul Sea Fortifying Scripture* was still far from perfection.
"The spiritual sense of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator can reach four hundred zhang, five hundred at most. I've now barely reached the spiritual sense strength of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. I still have five Second-Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pills. Before entering the mystic realm, I can make another breakthrough."
"The stronger my spiritual sense, the stronger the defense of my soul sea barrier, and the more powerful my soul thorns will be."
"I'll also be able to control second-tier puppets better."
With a powerful spiritual sense, his speed at looting treasures in the unknown mystic realm would not fall behind others.
The last time he entered the Wind and Snow Valley Mystic Realm.
Chen Jianghe's powerful spiritual sense had made him one of the fastest at gathering second-tier, low- and mid-grade spiritual items.
Not many could surpass him.
This unknown mystic realm was a semi-grotto-heaven, containing even more conventional spiritual items.
This was a great opportunity to earn spirit stones.
Chen Jianghe walked out of the isolation formation and left the Rosy Cloud Abode.
He went to the Treasure Pavilion, found the manager directly, and had him take away all the spirit turtles from the Rosy Cloud Abode.
These spirit turtles, having lost their mystic turtle soul armor, had lost all their intelligence and had no chance of further advancement. After being taken by the Treasure Pavilion, they would be made into delicacies.
Most likely, they would be boiled into soup.
For forty-six late-stage, first-tier spirit turtles, the Treasure Pavilion purchased them at the highest market price: forty spirit stones each, for a total of one thousand six hundred and ten spirit stones.
Chen Jianghe now had thirteen thousand, three hundred spirit stones on hand.
Low-grade spirit stones were of little use to him; it was hard to buy resources with them. They were mainly used for purchasing conventional second-tier, low- and mid-grade medicinal herbs, as well as Peachwood Heart-Clearing Talisman Brushes and second-tier spiritual ink.
After selling all the spirit turtles, Chen Jianghe went back into seclusion to cultivate.
When New Year's Eve arrived.
Chen Jianghe finally emerged from the isolation formation and took the five essence pills from Jiang Ruxu.
Crimson Cloud Valley.
Here, there were rows of caves, all with identical brass gates, each one eighteen feet high and over ten feet wide.
These were the terraced immortal abodes of Muyun Market City.
The areas of these abodes varied. The smallest was about a fifth of an acre, and the largest was about one and a third acres.
Abodes like Chen Jianghe's, which occupied twelve acres, were few in Muyun Market City. And because of the extremely high price, very few cultivators rented them.
It was only because he had Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan with him; otherwise, Chen Jianghe would have wanted to sublet and move to one of these terraced abodes.
The main reason was to save spirit stones. They only cost a little over two hundred spirit stones a year.
That was more than ten times cheaper than the Rosy Cloud Abode.
Arriving in front of Yun Bufan's abode, he saw there was no "out" sign hanging on the door.
He placed the message he had prepared into the message box.
With a flash of light, the message entered the abode. As long as Yun Bufan wasn't in seclusion, he would see it.
Before long, Yun Bufan walked out of his abode.
"Brother Chen."
Yun Bufan greeted him with a cupped-fist salute.
"Brother Yun, your cultivation improves by the day. A three-element true spiritual root is truly extraordinary," Chen Jianghe said, sensing the spiritual power fluctuations from Yun Bufan.
He was quite a bit stronger than himself.
But he hadn't reached the peak of Foundation Establishment; he was likely at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.
After being delayed at Mirror Moon Lake for so long, he still managed to catch up in such a short time.
Chen Jianghe couldn't help but marvel at the terrifying nature of a three-element true spiritual root.
As long as he had enough resources, Yun Bufan would still reach the peak of Foundation Establishment before him.
This was the terrifying speed at which a three-element true spiritual root could absorb spiritual energy and refine spiritual items, far beyond what a five-element miscellaneous spiritual root cultivator like him could compare to.
Yun Bufan had ten Dustfall Pills, and with the other resources he had obtained, reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment wouldn't be a problem.
But attempting Core Formation would be difficult.
Without a Core Formation spiritual item, even a three-element true spiritual root offered no bonus to the success rate.
"It's all thanks to the Dustfall Pills that you asked Fairy Jiang to refine for me, Brother Chen. Otherwise, I'm afraid I would have found it difficult to break through to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment."
Yun Bufan wasn't complacent; instead, he expressed his gratitude.
He had completely accepted reality.
Chen Jianghe was no longer the Fishery Farmer from before, and he was no longer Chen Jianghe's employer.
On the contrary, he now had to rely on Chen Jianghe's status and position to have a chance at reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment.
And even plan for Core Formation.
"Haha... you deserved it all, Brother Yun."
As he spoke, Chen Jianghe took out a jade bottle and said, "Here are five essence pills. I hope they can help your cultivation advance another step."
"Thank you."
Yun Bufan thanked him solemnly.
He knew very well that the reason Chen Jianghe was so good to him was because of that Azure Water Golden Lotus.
But he knew even better.
Without Chen Jianghe, he wouldn't have been able to bring out the Azure Water Golden Lotus. He could only have traded it to the Tiannan Sect for a quasi-third-tier absorbable spiritual item.
Finding someone to refine it into spiritual pills would have required giving one away and providing the supplementary materials himself.
But Chen Jianghe had helped him refine ten Dustfall Pills, five essence pills, and provided all sorts of other resources.
For him, this was far more tangible than the so-called Azure Water Golden Lotus.
A person's virtue lies in being content and knowing their own limits.
They talked for a while longer.
They spoke of Yun Xiaoniu, but they could no longer find the third survivor.
It made sense. If that person had learned that the other two had been forcibly soul-searched by Yun Bufan, they would have surely fled far from Muyun Market City.
They would have gone into hiding under a new name.
Yun Bufan wanted to venture deep into the Starfall Sea, to the places where sect disciples and immortal clan prodigies went.
To see if there was any news of Yun Xiaoniu there.
Chen Jianghe stopped him immediately.
Even if he was searching for Yun Xiaoniu, he had to act within his capabilities. Ruan Tieniu hadn't told Chen Jianghe what was in the Starfall Sea west of Muyun.
But he had told him that he absolutely must not venture deep inside until he could outrun a peak-stage, second-tier demonic beast.
For a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like Yun Bufan, going deep inside was tantamount to suicide.
After dissuading Yun Bufan.
Chen Jianghe returned to the Rosy Cloud Valley, but in the adjacent valley, he saw a figure that made him stop in his tracks and turn to look.
Her features were exquisite, her skin whiter than snow, her brows like crescent moons, and her eyes like bright stars. Her figure was full and well-proportioned. She wore a white topknot, a plain silver hairpin, a white silk tunic, and a fine linen skirt. Dressed in simple mourning clothes, she had a sorrowful and moving beauty.
"What a beautiful lady in mourning."
Chen Jianghe praised silently as he flew over, landing in front of the woman in the fine linen mourning clothes.
"Greetings, Madam."
This woman in mourning clothes was none other than Lady Jinghong.
Her husband had been gone for over a year, but according to the ancestral customs of farming families, when a husband dies, the wife must wear mourning clothes for three years before she can remarry.
Although Lady Jinghong and her husband had entered the path of cultivation, they came from farming families and naturally followed their ancestral customs.
To wear mourning for her husband for three years.
"Thank you for your Spirit-Nurturing Ganoderma, Fellow Daoist Chen. It was because of it that I was able to spend two years with my husband," Lady Jinghong said with a graceful bow.
Clearly, Lady Jinghong had long since realized that Chen Jianghe had traded the Spirit-Nurturing Ganoderma through Ruan Tieniu.
At this moment, Lady Jinghong was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, yet the feeling she gave Chen Jianghe was even stronger than when she was a False Core cultivator!
"The departed has ascended to the immortal realm. The living must grieve but also move on."