Chapter 162 - 123: Alchemist Zhuang’s Condition

Chapter 162: Chapter 123: Alchemist Zhuang’s Condition

Qingpin Tea House.

In a private booth, Chen Jianghe and Ji Wujin sat facing each other. They had ordered a pot of Spirit Tea worth fifty Spiritual Sand.

"Fellow Daoist, you don’t seem at all like an old acquaintance of Fairy Peiyao, nor do you seem like a friend of Alchemist Zhuang."

"However, you and Fellow Daoist Ruan seem as close as blood brothers."

Ji Wujin took a sip of the Spirit Tea and found it difficult to swallow. He used his Magical Power to evaporate the tea in his mouth, then immediately complained.

"What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Ji?" Chen Jianghe asked, confused.

"When I spoke with Fellow Daoist Ruan, he led me to this very place. The tea is terrible, and the food is no better."

"According to Fellow Daoist Ruan, this place is cheap and practical. I presume you think so as well."

Chen Jianghe chuckled. "And you don’t, Fellow Daoist?"

"You’re a craftsman yourself. You shouldn’t be short on Spirit Stones, so why care about a few pennies?"

Ji Wujin raised his chin and declared proudly, "Why do we Cultivators work so hard at Cultivation? Chasing eternal life is a vague and unrealistic fantasy. Enjoying the present—that is the true path of Cultivation."

Huh???

This was the first time Chen Jianghe had ever heard such an opinion. It had a kernel of truth to it, but not much more than that. He couldn’t bring himself to agree.

Because he was short on Spirit Stones.

Still, it gave him a glimpse into Ji Wujin’s character—he was clearly the free-spirited and unrestrained type. It was just a pity Chen Jianghe couldn’t see his face.

Then, Ji Wujin took a jug of Top-Grade Immortal Spirit Wine from his Storage Pouch and poured himself a cup.

He then looked at Chen Jianghe, his eyes silently offering a drink.

Chen Jianghe shook his head.

Top-Grade Immortal Spirit Wine was very expensive; one jug was worth ten Spirit Stones. He had tried it before, and its effects were indeed excellent and beneficial for Cultivation, but he couldn’t afford to indulge.

Besides, this was his first time meeting Ji Wujin. They had no established rapport, so it felt inappropriate to drink such a valuable Immortal Spirit Wine offered by a stranger.

"What did you seek me out for, Fellow Daoist?" Chen Jianghe asked.

"To discuss the matter of the Foundation Establishment Pills, of course."

Ji Wujin said with a laugh, making no attempt to be discreet.

"I have the Purple Mist Red Fruit, Fellow Daoist Ruan has the other two main ingredients, but he lacks the Spirit Stones to purchase the auxiliary materials."

"What is your point, Fellow Daoist Ji?" Chen Jianghe asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Originally, I was planning to provide the auxiliary materials and cover the Pill Master’s fee for the alchemy as well."

"In return, however, I required two of the Foundation Establishment Pills, with the right of first choice."

Ji Wujin stated bluntly.

He showed no regard for Chen Jianghe’s feelings, directly admitting that he had initially wanted to kick Chen Jianghe out of their alchemy crowdfunding group.

Moreover, he had wanted two Foundation Establishment Pills, particularly with the condition of having first pick.

In other words, once the Foundation Establishment Pills were successfully refined...

...there would be three pills. Among them, there might be one Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, or if they were incredibly lucky, one Top-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill.

In that case, whether it was the Top-Grade or the Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, it would go to Ji Wujin.

Of the two remaining pills, one would go to Ruan Tieniu.

He would most likely end up with a Low-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill.

As for Chen Jianghe, he would have no priority and could only choose last.

"And then?" Chen Jianghe asked calmly, not showing any anger.

"Fellow Daoist Ruan disagreed. He proposed that you join and provide the auxiliary materials needed to refine the Foundation Establishment Pills."

"Of course, I would still have first pick, Fellow Daoist Ruan would be second, and you would choose last."

"If that’s the arrangement, then why did you seek me out?"

"Eight hundred Spirit Stones to buy your spot," Ji Wujin revealed his true purpose.

His meaning was simple.

He was offering Chen Jianghe eight hundred Spirit Stones to back out of the crowdfunding alchemy. That way, Ji Wujin would once again have a claim to two of the Foundation Establishment Pills.

Eight hundred Spirit Stones was no small sum.

Getting eight hundred Spirit Stones for doing nothing...

...was a very good deal.

But it also highlighted just how precious Foundation Establishment Pills were. Even a Low-Quality one was incredibly alluring.

"You already have the first pick, Fellow Daoist. Why do you also want my spot, which is the very last pick?"

Chen Jianghe was somewhat puzzled.

’Eight hundred Spirit Stones to buy my spot, another thousand-some Spirit Stones for the auxiliary materials, plus the Pill Master’s fee...’

’That would be enough to buy a Low-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill at an auction.’

"To give to someone as a gift, of course."

Ji Wujin’s words were so blunt they left Chen Jianghe speechless.

He was just like a young master from a great clan, unversed in the ways of the world—his words were sharp and direct, holding nothing back.

"I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Fellow Daoist. This is a rare opportunity for me, and I don’t intend to give it up."

With that, Chen Jianghe rose and left.

Ji Wujin didn’t try to stop him, merely standing in place, lost in thought.

’Did I offer too little? But I’ve already spent all the Spirit Stones I brought from Tianyuan Immortal City... Sigh. Forget it. One pill will have to do.’

Chen Jianghe first returned home. The following day, he made his way to Fushou Lane in the Northeast District.

As he passed Ji Wujin’s small courtyard, he saw a sign hanging there that read: ’In Seclusion’.

KNOCK, KNOCK KNOCK~

He rapped the door knocker.

Soon, Jiang Ruxu opened the courtyard gate. Upon seeing Chen Jianghe, she turned her head and called softly into the house, "Master, Elder Chen is here to call you to account."

"Hee hee, please come in, Elder Chen."

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, that’s no joking matter. I wouldn’t dare find fault with Alchemist Zhuang. Without your master, I’d still be a nobody in Qinghe Marketplace."

Though Chen Jianghe spoke jokingly, his words betrayed his dissatisfaction with Alchemist Zhuang.

Just then, Alchemist Zhuang himself walked out. He had heard Chen Jianghe’s words, but his expression remained unchanged as he approached with a hearty laugh.

"Ruxu, you and Xinyan go to Qinghe Tavern and order a table of fine Spiritual Cuisine. Oh, and get a jug of Top-Grade Immortal Spirit Wine as well."

Alchemist Zhuang ordered.

After the two young women left, Alchemist Zhuang invited Chen Jianghe into the reception hall.