Chapter 299
Chapter 299
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 299
Chapter Title: Seeing Ji Wujin Again, the Treasure-Hunting Rat Goes Crazy
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With a thought, the letters flew into his hand.
There were four letters, one of which was from Ji Wujin.
He wasn't surprised that Ji Wujin knew his mailing address; he hadn't hidden his tracks after arriving at Muyun Market City.
Besides, for Ji Wujin to have obtained a spot for the unknown mystic realm through the Feng Kingdom, his relationship with them must be significant.
He would naturally be able to find out about his immortal's abode through the Feng Kingdom as well.
"Ji Wujin isn't an immortal official of the Feng Kingdom, yet he could make the Beast Taming Zhou Clan give up a spot. It seems he either possesses something the Feng Kingdom needs, or his background is enough to intimidate the Beast Taming Zhou Clan."
Chen Jianghe didn't know much about Ji Wujin.
They had only interacted for a short time in Qinghe Market City and had two friendly trades.
This was a ruthless man who enjoyed fishing.
He had all sorts of trump cards up his sleeve.
Even back in the Qi Refining stage, he possessed a second-tier puppet and a second-tier treasure-hunting rat with an extremely pure bloodline.
Later, he learned from some information Luo Xiyue had shared that Ji Wujin was not a cultivator from the Tiannan Region, but rather seemed to be an orthodox cultivator from the greater Tiannan Cultivation World.
His background was considerable.
"The Beast Taming Zhou Clan must know that the Tiannan Region is just a corner of the Tiannan Cultivation World. They likely know of Ji Wujin's background as well. Thinking of it that way, it makes sense that Ji Wujin could get a spot for the unknown mystic realm from them."
Chen Jianghe opened Ji Wujin's letter first.
The contents of the letter left him a bit stunned. Ji Wujin was very satisfied with his cultivation level.
That a cultivator with five-element miscellaneous spiritual roots could reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment and become a Talisman Grandmaster pleased him greatly.
Most importantly, Chen Jianghe hadn't used the pill formula he had left behind for profit.
This point satisfied him even more.
Chen Jianghe had actually wanted to use the Five-Element Spirit Sealing Pill formula Ji Wujin had given him. This spirit pill was only a low-to-mid second-tier pill.
However, it could temporarily grant a cultivator true three-element spiritual roots, increasing their chances of successful Foundation Establishment by twenty percent.
But the Tiannan Region didn't have any Spirit Sealing Fruit, so he had no way of refining the Five-Element Spirit Sealing Pill.
"Break through to the perfected stage of Foundation Establishment within ten years?"
"This Ji Wujin really thinks highly of me."
Chen Jianghe put the letter away. This would be his proof to demand spiritual items from Ji Wujin in the future.
The letter stated that.
As long as he reached the perfected stage of Foundation Establishment within ten years, Ji Wujin would help him acquire a Core Formation spiritual item.
But in return, if Chen Jianghe truly managed to form his core in the future, he would have to repay Ji Wujin with three third-tier treasure talismans.
Chen Jianghe naturally knew that treasure talismans were precious.
But whether he could even form his core was an unknown. Why worry about treasure talismans? That was a matter for the future.
He would focus on forming his core first.
Chen Jianghe was quite confident he could reach the perfected stage of Foundation Establishment in ten years.
He had no shortage of Dustfall Pills and could absolutely reach the perfected stage of Foundation Establishment within a decade. He could even cultivate his spiritual art to the perfected sixth level.
As for this Ji Wujin, Chen Jianghe couldn't quite figure out what he was planning.
If he hadn't reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, Ji Wujin would have killed him without hesitation.
Now that he had reached the late stage, Ji Wujin had sent an opportunity his way.
Although it was just an empty promise for now.
It still showed the other party's intention to befriend him.
Chen Jianghe didn't dwell on it. Though he had his doubts, he could ask in person when the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.
Ji Wujin had mentioned in the letter that he would come to Muyun Market City to meet him during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Then, Chen Jianghe looked at the other three letters.
They were signed by Gao Peiyao, Ruan Tieniu, and Zhou Xiaoxuan.
Chen Jianghe opened Zhou Xiaoxuan's letter first, which warned him to be careful in the unknown mystic realm.
The unknown mystic realm conservatively held at least two third-tier demonic beasts.
Moreover, Zhou Xiaoxuan had received reliable news that this unknown mystic realm only required a passage to be opened for entry.
Leaving did not.
In other words.
The restrictive spells on this mystic realm were about to fade away, and it would fully manifest within the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
Therefore, Chen Jianghe didn't need to worry about being unable to bring out any spiritual items he obtained inside.
After entering this unknown mystic realm, one would have to wait for time to wear away the restrictive spells to get out.
Afterward, he could appear anywhere in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
There was no need to worry about running into people from the Zhou Clan or the Tiannan Sect.
"As short as half a year, as long as three years. That's quite a long time."
Chen Jianghe muttered to himself.
The information from Zhou Xiaoxuan was very useful. It turned out he would have to stay in this unknown mystic realm for over half a year.
He might even have to cultivate in the unknown mystic realm for the next three years.
Cultivating was fine.
He had Dustfall Pills and Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pills, so he didn't need the mystic realm's spiritual energy to cultivate.
As for recovering spiritual power?
The spiritual energy in the mystic realm was anchored by spiritual items, making the energy elsewhere incredibly thin, completely unusable for recovering spiritual power.
One could only rely on second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills or other spiritual items that restored spiritual power.
Chen Jianghe wasn't worried. He had fifty-eight second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills on him. As long as he didn't fight, surviving in there for ten years wouldn't be a problem.
"It seems Zhou Xiaoxuan still wants the legacy of my Wood-Entwining Soul Talisman."
Zhou Xiaoxuan's words in the letter were tactful, but her meaning was clear. She was still thinking about her previous request.
Wasn't the previous matter about asking for the Wood-Entwining Soul Talisman's legacy?
"Besides its soul attack property, the Wood-Entwining Soul Talisman is just a very ordinary five-element attack talisman. What she needs must be the soul attack property."
Chen Jianghe felt something was off.
The Wood-Entwining Soul Talisman did have a soul attack effect, but the soul attack property of a high-grade second-tier talisman could at most harm a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Take Chen Jianghe, for example.
If a single Wood-Entwining Soul Talisman were to attack him, its soul attack property wouldn't even be able to breach the barrier of his soul sea.
It would take three or more to have any impact on his soul sea.
Chen Jianghe shook his head, no longer thinking about Zhou Xiaoxuan. After he left the mystic realm, she would surely seek him out again.
He opened Ruan Tieniu's letter.
"Ji Wujin invited Ruan Tieniu too?!"
Chen Jianghe saw from the letter's contents that Ruan Tieniu would also be coming to Muyun Market City for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
He said he had received an invitation from Ji Wujin.
Ruan Tieniu was very wary of Ji Wujin.
He had returned to the capital city a few years ago. At that time, he wasn't yet the Right Prime Minister. During the Heaven-Worshipping Ancestral Rite, he could only stand far behind the direct descendants of the Zhou Clan.
But at that time, he saw Ji Wujin on the viewing platform.
After the Heaven-Worshipping Ancestral Rite, the prodigy of the Beast Taming Zhou Clan personally received Ji Wujin and invited him into the imperial city.
Their attitude toward Ji Wujin could no longer be described as just polite.
There was even a hint of flattery.
In Ruan Tieniu's eyes, Ji Wujin was a rogue cultivator just like him, albeit one with some skills.
He never expected Ji Wujin to have such a background.
A background that even the Beast Taming Zhou Clan had to treat with caution.
"It seems the Ji Immortal Clan that Ji Wujin belongs to is no small matter. They must have Nascent Soul True Lords in their clan, and more than one at that."
Chen Jianghe guessed internally.
If it were only one, the Beast Taming Zhou Clan certainly wouldn't act this way. They had a fourth-tier spirit beast, after all.
And they had a close relationship with Kui, the fourth-tier great demon of the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range.
How could they fear an immortal clan with only a single Nascent Soul True Lord?
For the Mid-Autumn Festival gathering, Ji Wujin had actually included Ruan Tieniu. This made Chen Jianghe a little expectant.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe opened Gao Peiyao's letter.
It also conveyed some new information about the unknown mystic realm to Chen Jianghe.
It happened to corroborate Zhou Xiaoxuan's news.
However, the information Gao Peiyao had was more in-depth than Zhou Xiaoxuan's. Xiao Chen had gotten reliable news from Perfected Being Chengtian.
The unknown mystic realm contained many perfected second-tier demonic beasts, as well as the auras of no fewer than three third-tier demonic beasts.
In other words, there were at least three third-tier demonic beasts in the unknown mystic realm.
And even more perfected second-tier demonic beasts.
Therefore, for this entry into the unknown mystic realm, the Tiannan Sect and the Beast Taming Zhou Clan had reached an agreement: cultivators from both sides were forbidden from fighting each other.
The meaning was clear: work together to survive first.
"Disciples of the Tiannan Sect and the Beast Taming Zhou Clan are not to fight, but there's no such restriction on other cultivators. It's obvious they don't take the disciples of top immortal clans and rogue cultivators seriously!"
Chen Jianghe didn't take this so-called agreement seriously.
It was merely an agreement on the surface.
Once inside the unknown mystic realm, those sect disciples and Zhou Clan disciples wouldn't pay it any mind. They would fight as they pleased.
"I still need to prepare some more Spirit Recovery Pills, just in case."
Gao Peiyao reminded him in the letter to prepare more second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills, as this trip into the unknown mystic realm would be a long one.
Even if he didn't fight with other cultivators, he would still fight with second-tier demonic beasts.
His spiritual power would be consumed very quickly. Without enough second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills, he wouldn't be able to last until the end.
Chen Jianghe had a question in his mind.
He had Jiang Ruxu to help him refine second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills, but other cultivators didn't have a dedicated Alchemist Grandmaster to help them.
If they wanted to buy them.
Where on the market could one even find second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills now?
Even the Tiannan Sect itself had run out.
So, how were those perfected Foundation Establishment cultivators entering the unknown mystic realm supposed to get second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills?
Seven or eight pills might be manageable.
There was a chance of getting that many.
But buying more than twenty second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills was likely impossible.
There were only so many Alchemist Grandmasters in the entire Tiannan Region.
They couldn't possibly refine enough in time, and even if they did, they wouldn't choose to sell them.
Take the Alchemy Ji Clan, for example. They would surely save them for their own disciples to use in the unknown mystic realm.
Besides the Alchemy Ji Clan, the Tiannan Sect probably had fewer than fifty Alchemist Grandmasters capable of refining mid-grade second-tier spirit pills.
As for Alchemist Grandmasters who could refine high-grade second-tier spirit pills, you could count them on one hand.
He didn't care about others. As long as he had enough Spirit Recovery Pills, that was all that mattered.
Chen Jianghe found Jiang Ruxu and asked her to help him refine two more batches of Spirit Recovery Pills.
If fifty-eight pills weren't enough, then he'd have sixty-eight!
In the blink of an eye, more than four months passed.
It was the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Chen Jianghe put away the unfinished Wood-Entwining Soul Talisman.
He still had six sets of high-grade second-tier talisman materials. The mystic realm would open in two months, giving him enough time to draw one more Wood-Entwining Soul Talisman.
Preparing over thirty Wood-Entwining Soul Talismans should be enough.
If he was pushed, he would unleash all thirty Wood-Entwining Soul Talismans at once. The resulting soul attack property, as long as the opponent had no soul-defending magical artifact.
Even a False Core Rogue Cultivator would meet their end.
He put Xiao Hei, Maoqiu, and Latiao into the second-tier spirit beast pouch, then walked out of the isolation formation and left the Sunset Glow Immortal's Abode.
The day of his meeting with Ji Wujin and Ruan Tieniu had arrived.
Meeting Ruan Tieniu was no big deal.
But meeting Ji Wujin again after sixty-seven years required Chen Jianghe to be prepared for anything.
Thus, he brought Xiao Hei, Maoqiu, and Latiao with him.
He was still very wary of Ji Wujin. The trump cards that fellow had hidden back in the Qi Refining stage were better than his.
Now, they were likely even more formidable.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, you've really chosen a fine immortal's abode."
Just as Chen Jianghe stepped out of the Sunset Glow Immortal's Abode, he came face to face with Ji Yanfeng, who was accompanied by Ji Ziyan.
"Fellow Daoist Ji, I trust you've been well."
Chen Jianghe nodded, then greeted Ji Ziyan.
"Fairy Ji."
"Fellow Daoist Chen."
Chen Jianghe hadn't expected to run into this pair of siblings right after leaving his abode. He didn't have much of an impression of Ji Ziyan, having only met her once.
But his impression of Ji Yanfeng was much deeper.
The man held a strong grudge against him.
In their previous encounters, he had even wanted to attack him. Things only started to improve after their last meeting.
Back in the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm, the two of them and Chen Chengping had been in a race, and he had come out slightly ahead, running at the very front.
Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping had borne the brunt of the newly advanced third-tier demonic beast's attacks behind him.
"A fine immortal's abode? How could my humble dwelling possibly catch Fellow Daoist Ji's eye?" Chen Jianghe chuckled.
"Fellow Daoist Chen may not know, but this Sunset Glow Immortal's Abode was once my brother's residence."
"Oh?! Fellow Daoist Ji truly has a discerning eye. This grotto-heaven is indeed an auspicious and blessed residence, brimming with prosperous energy."
"Heh heh..."
Ji Yanfeng gave a dry laugh.
He was a bit taken aback by how quickly Chen Jianghe changed his tune.
However, he hadn't sought out Chen Jianghe for idle chat.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, might I trade for some of your Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans?" Ji Yanfeng got straight to the point.
"I can offer second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills in exchange. You must have heard the news, Fellow Daoist. Those of us entering the unknown mystic realm this time will have to stay inside for at least a year, perhaps even three."
Chen Jianghe understood that Ji Yanfeng had come specifically to find him to trade for Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans.
He understood.
But he had no desire to trade with Ji Yanfeng.
Second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills were good things, useful for restoring spiritual power in the mystic realm, but he wasn't short on them.
Besides, Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans were even better.
The news that there were three third-tier demonic beasts in the unknown mystic realm had probably already spread, along with the fact that there were many perfected second-tier demonic beasts.
Entering the unknown mystic realm would inevitably involve a chase.
Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans had undoubtedly become the scarcest resource.
For perfected Foundation Establishment cultivators, high-grade second-tier attack and defense talismans weren't of much use.
But high-grade second-tier escape talismans were a different story.
Especially a lightning-attribute escape talisman, which came with a lightning attack while fleeing. This was a rare treasure in a mystic realm.
When everyone is fleeing together, the lightning attack from your Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman can slow down the cultivator next to you.
Making them take the fall for you.
The reason Chen Jianghe had been able to outrun Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping in the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm was precisely because of the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman's lightning attack.
"I'm afraid you've made this trip for nothing, Fellow Daoist Ji. I only have a few Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans myself," Chen Jianghe said, shaking his head.
"Five second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills for one Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman," Ji Yanfeng offered.
Chen Jianghe smiled faintly.
Normally, a second-tier Spirit Recovery Pill sold for about four thousand spirit stones. Now, with the latest news about the unknown mystic realm spreading.
The price of a second-tier Spirit Recovery Pill had skyrocketed to eight thousand spirit stones.
Five second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills would be forty thousand spirit stones.
But the price of high-grade second-tier escape talismans was also soaring. After all, the unknown mystic realm had third-tier demonic beasts and many perfected second-tier ones.
Forget five second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills; Chen Jianghe wouldn't trade a single Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman even for ten.
He only had twenty-seven Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans in total. Trading one away meant having one less, and a corresponding decrease in his safety.
"Can two Dustfall Pills be exchanged for one Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman?" Ji Yanfeng asked, not giving up.
"I truly don't have many Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans on hand. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Fellow Daoist Ji," Chen Jianghe said apologetically.
"Very well. Take these five second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills, Fellow Daoist Chen. I hope this can resolve the misunderstanding from the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm."
"You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Ji. What misunderstanding is there between us?"
Though Chen Jianghe's words were polite, his hand moved quickly, taking the jade bottle Ji Yanfeng offered.
In the Wind-Snow Valley Mystic Realm, it was actually Chen Jianghe who had been leading those two third-tier demonic beasts and had accidentally run into Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping.
But later, both Ji Yanfeng and Chen Chengping had developed killing intent toward Chen Jianghe.
That was how the misunderstanding arose.
Ji Yanfeng was resolving the misunderstanding now because he was worried Chen Jianghe might think of him when diverting trouble in the unknown mystic realm.
Only a few Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talismans?
Ji Yanfeng wouldn't believe that nonsense even if it killed him.
After the misunderstanding was cleared up.
Ji Yanfeng and Ji Ziyan left the Sunset Glow Valley and flew toward the Heaven-Reaching River.
"Brother, why did you give him five second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills? Those five pills are worth forty thousand spirit stones right now."
"Besides, he was the one who led the third-tier demonic beast to you and Chen Chengping. Even if you're resolving the misunderstanding, he should be the one compensating you with a high-grade second-tier escape talisman."
Ji Ziyan said, looking at Ji Yanfeng with confusion.
"You've used the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman in a regular mystic realm before. You should know its power."
Ji Yanfeng said calmly, "An escape talisman with a lightning attack is very precious. Even if we can't get one, we can't afford to offend him, especially inside a mystic realm."
If they were outside, without the threat of demonic beasts, Ji Yanfeng naturally wouldn't fear Chen Jianghe.
But inside a mystic realm.
If Chen Jianghe were to have malicious thoughts and use the demonic beasts against you, leading a pack of perfected second-tier demonic beasts your way, what would you do?
His escape talisman even has an attack.
He can run and interfere with your running at the same time.
And there's nothing you can do about it.
To prevent such a thing from happening, even knowing he was taking a loss, he had to bite the bullet and accept it.
The main purpose of coming to find Chen Jianghe was to resolve the misunderstanding.
Trading second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills for a Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman was just a secondary goal. It would be best if it succeeded, but it didn't matter if it failed.
As a direct descendant of the Ji Clan, a genius second only to the clan's prodigy, how could he not know that Chen Jianghe had an Alchemist Grandmaster with him?
He even suspected that Chen Jianghe had no fewer second-tier Spirit Recovery Pills than he did.
...
Muyun Restaurant.
Ruan Tieniu had already booked a private room and was waiting for Ji Wujin and Chen Jianghe.
He had been in Muyun Market City this whole time, so naturally, he arrived a bit earlier.
Not long after.
There was a knock on the door of the private room, and an attendant led in a cultivator wearing a half-mask that covered his face, revealing only his eyes.
His attire was the same as it had been over sixty years ago.
"Fellow Daoist Ji, it's been a long time. Your cultivation has deepened!"
Ruan Tieniu stood up, looked at the entering Ji Wujin, and clasped his hands in greeting.
Sensing the fluctuations of aura from Ji Wujin, he found them even stronger than his own as a perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator.
He had clearly reached a critical point.
As long as he had sufficient opportunity for Core Formation, he could enter seclusion to form his core.
"Fellow Daoist Ruan, you truly have great fortune. After so many years, you've not only reached the perfected stage of Foundation Establishment, but your physical body has also reached a state of perfection, gathering some momentum for Core Formation."
Ji Wujin's lazy gaze swept over Ruan Tieniu, seemingly seeing through him in an instant.
He spoke casually as he sat down.
"If only our friendship had been a bit deeper back then." Ji Wujin's words held a hint of complaint.
He seemed to be blaming Chen Jianghe for not living up to expectations.
So many years had passed, yet he was still in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, not even at the perfected stage. He was worse than a demon hunter of humble status.
"Haha... It's not too late to build a friendship with you now, Fellow Daoist Ji," Ruan Tieniu laughed heartily.
Ji Wujin gave a helpless, bitter smile and shook his head inwardly.
It was already too late, unless Chen Jianghe died. But Chen Jianghe had just barely met his passing grade.
Not only could he not act against Chen Jianghe, but he also had to help him.
This left Ji Wujin feeling very helpless.
If he hadn't looked down on demon hunters back then, he wouldn't have missed out on a person of great fortune like Ruan Tieniu.
"Baby, what treasures does he have?"
Just then, the voice of the treasure-hunting rat echoed in Ji Wujin's sea of consciousness.
"A third-tier treasure, a Core Formation spiritual item! We can rob him!"
The treasure-hunting rat's voice was urgent.
It urged Ji Wujin to make a move on Ruan Tieniu.
"A Core Formation spiritual item? For a man from a demon hunter background to become the Right Prime Minister of the Feng Kingdom is already incredible. Did he really manage to get a Core Formation spiritual item too?!"
Ji Wujin was inwardly astonished.
He could sense Ruan Tieniu's cultivation aura. Not only was he at the perfected stage of Foundation Establishment, but his physical body had also reached perfection.
This wasn't just cultivating a body tempering art to the perfected sixth level.
It was the state of a perfected Foundation Establishment body, tempered by worldly spiritual items.
Even without a Core Formation spiritual item, Ruan Tieniu already had a twenty percent chance of success.
This far surpassed that of many perfected Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators.
"Baby, can you tell how many Core Formation spiritual items he has on him?" Ji Wujin sent a telepathic message to the treasure-hunting rat.
"The storage pouch is blocking the aura. I can only sense that he has a Core Formation spiritual item and other third-tier treasures. I can't sense the quantity."
"A person of great fortune indeed. What a pity he can't become my close daoist friend. That Chen Jianghe is so annoying. He has no great opportunities, so why does he act so steady and composed? As if he's the one with great fortune!"
Ji Wujin complained internally.
Suddenly.
Ji Wujin felt his spirit beast pouch tremble, and then he heard the treasure-hunting rat's shocked voice.
"Trea... A great treasure! The aura of a great treasure!"
"A Core Formation spiritual item, didn't you already say that?"
"Not him! It's that person! A third-tier treasure, a Core Formation spiritual item, a great treasure... No, not a great treasure, it's..."
Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open, and the attendant led Chen Jianghe inside.