Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: A Polite Refusal
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“A trade?”
Chen Jianghe sighed in relief. As long as it wasn't about him marrying into the Yun Clan, anything was negotiable.
“Please, Manager, enlighten me.”
“A complete first-tier Talisman Dao inheritance in exchange for sixty percent of your talisman-crafting profits for the next eighty years. During this time, you'll need to stay on Lakeheart Island. But rest assured, the clan will provide you with free lodging.”
Yun Wu said with a chuckle.
Exchanging sixty percent of his talisman profits for eighty years to get a systematic first-tier talisman inheritance, along with eighty years of residency on Lakeheart Island.
It had to be said, the Yun Clan was quite benevolent. For a cultivator like Chen Jianghe who had benefited from the clan's grace, this was a significant show of support.
A complete first-tier Talisman Dao inheritance included the techniques and insights for crafting low-grade, mid-grade, and high-grade spirit talismans.
Most importantly, this complete set of talisman techniques could be passed on to others.
In other words, if he accepted the Yun Clan's trade, the talisman inheritance would be entirely his.
For rogue cultivators who dreamed of establishing their own immortal clan, this was like a pie falling from the sky.
An incredibly good opportunity.
Unfortunately, Chen Jianghe had no intention of starting a clan, at least not at the moment.
Besides, he couldn't possibly stay on Lakeheart Island for eighty years.
Forget eighty years; if he stayed for another thirty, his secret of not aging would be exposed.
The Talisman Dao inheritance was very tempting.
But he couldn't trade his secret and his life for it. He had to leave Mirror Moon Lake before he turned sixty.
That was his bottom line.
As for the talisman inheritance, he would find another way later.
“What? You're not willing to accept this trade? It's extremely beneficial for you.”
“With a complete first-tier Talisman Dao inheritance, you'll have the capital to establish your own immortal clan. This can serve as the foundation of your family's legacy.”
Seeing Chen Jianghe's hesitant expression and then the shake of his head, Yun Wu was baffled. He couldn't understand.
“I don't have any grand ambitions. Initially, I just wanted to raise fish on Mirror Moon Lake for the rest of my life, just like Old Gao.”
“By a stroke of luck, I happened to get started in the Talisman Dao. Now, I just want to save up some money, travel the Tiannan Domain, and try my luck at finding my own immortal destiny.”
Chen Jianghe said sincerely, his tone tinged with apology toward the clan. "I will forever remember the Yun Clan's grace in guiding me onto the path of cultivation."
“You want to travel the Tiannan Domain!”
Yun Wu gave Chen Jianghe a surprised look, and any favorable impression he had of him vanished. He now saw him as the type who becomes restless and flighty after a little success.
He had seen many people like this—they achieve a little something and immediately start aiming too high.
The impression Chen Jianghe gave him was that of someone who, having become a low-grade Talisman Master, was already thinking about venturing out to seek immortal destiny and pursue Foundation Establishment!
“Have you thought this through?”
“I hope the Manager will grant my wish.”
“I originally thought you had some talent and could be entrusted with great responsibility, perhaps even becoming the clan's high-grade Talisman Master in the future.”
“Forget it. Give him the Little Green Fish fry.”
After speaking, Yun Wu didn't spare Chen Jianghe another glance and turned to enter the inner cabin.
Chen Jianghe gave a helpless smile. Under the gazes of several late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, he finished counting the Little Green Fish fry and placed them into Water Area C-12.
Then he leaped off the large boat.
He knew Yun Wu was displeased with him.
Any other rogue cultivator would have surely agreed. After all, a Talisman Dao inheritance was incredibly rare.
Especially a complete, systematic first-tier Talisman Dao inheritance. Its value was immeasurable, and more importantly, it was something money couldn't buy.
One must remember that the Talisman Dao inheritance Zhou Miaoyun had passed to Yu Daniu was only a fragmented version, containing only the techniques and insights for crafting low-grade and mid-grade spirit talismans.
Crucially, it couldn't be passed on to a third person.
And even for that, it cost Yu Daniu half of his talisman-crafting profits for twenty years.
Thinking about it this way, one could see how much support the Yun Clan was offering him. Thus, in the eyes of others, Chen Jianghe seemed somewhat ungrateful.
“Given the Yun Clan's way of doing things, and my relationship with Daniu, they probably won't restrict my freedom. The only problem is that my intention to leave Mirror Moon Lake has been exposed prematurely.”
Chen Jianghe stood at the bow, watching the large boat sail away. He wasn't worried that the Yun Clan would resort to any underhanded tactics.
What worried him was that the news of his departure from the Yun Clan being revealed early might give some people crooked ideas.
Having been a high-level Fishery Farmer for the Yun Clan for many years, and a Talisman Master on top of that, he gave off the impression of a wealthy rogue cultivator.
Once news of his departure leaked, it would surely attract the attention of opportunistic robbers.
After all, Lakeheart Island was going to become a market city. With more cultivators, all sorts of people would appear.
“I'm thirty-five this year. With no shortage of cultivation resources, I can definitely break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining in six or seven years at most. The remaining eight or nine years will be enough to consolidate my sixth-level cultivation and break through to the late stage of Qi Refining.”
Chen Jianghe made up his mind. He could delay leaving Mirror Moon Lake by a couple of years, as long as he didn't exceed the age of fifty-five, but he absolutely had to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining.
Only by reaching the late stage of Qi Refining could he have some ability to protect himself in this cruel world of cultivation.
“Xiao Hei must also reach the late first-tier. That way, my departure from Mirror Moon Lake will be much safer.”
Over the next decade or so, he couldn't neglect Xiao Hei's development. He had to feed him at least one Spirit Nurturing Flower per year.
With his mind made up, Chen Jianghe resumed crafting spirit talismans to improve his skills. The most important thing right now was to earn spirit stones.
To buy cultivation resources, and a storage bag.
Xiao Hei also began his work, supervising the Little Green Fish in the lake as they ate. After they were full, he would lead them on a systematic stroll to aid their digestion.
Then they would continue eating. Anyway, the Yun Clan had provided plenty of immortal spirit rice.
What he had to do was get as many Little Green Fish as possible to advance into spirit beasts during the breeding period.
Only then would he have the confidence to demand more exotic flowers and herbs from his clumsy and stingy master.
A lifespan of one hundred and twenty years was only half that of his kin.
In Xiao Hei's view, he was exceptionally talented and had already entered the immortal path. How could he lag behind his own kind in terms of lifespan?
He couldn't accept it.
Therefore, he had to cultivate diligently and strive to break through his lifespan limit again.
He was determined to become the thousand-year tortoise, the ten-thousand-year turtle his master spoke of, one step at a time!
—
Several months passed in the blink of an eye. A magnificent houseboat, distinct from the usual fishing boats, arrived at Water Area C-12.
Now, with Yun Bufan's successful Foundation Establishment, the Yun Clan had lifted the restrictions on the water areas. The high-level Fishery Farmers in the inner waters could visit each other and exchange fish-rearing experiences.
At the same time, high-level Fishery Farmers could also associate with the clan's various artisan retainers, but they were not allowed to trade items or resources privately.
Chen Jianghe was sitting at the bow of his boat, restoring his spiritual power, when he saw the boat stopped on the lake channel in front of his water area. He recognized it as a boat belonging to a Yun Clan retainer.
With a thought, he sent out a stream of spiritual power, propelling his fishing boat over.
“Fellow Daoist, may I help you?”
Chen Jianghe asked in confusion. He didn't recognize the retainer before him, who had a silver cloud embroidered on his chest.
“This old man is Chu Lang, a high-grade Talisman Master, humbly serving as a retainer for the Yun Clan. I have come to discuss a business matter with you, Fellow Daoist.”