Chapter 163 - 123: Alchemist Zhuang’s Conditions

Chapter 163: Chapter 123: Alchemist Zhuang’s Conditions

"Please forgive me, my friend. I was only thinking of those two," Alchemist Zhuang apologized.

"I doubt it was just for those two!" Chen Jianghe gave Alchemist Zhuang a meaningful look, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "If there’s anything else you need me to do, Alchemist Zhuang, feel free to speak your mind."

"The entire Qinghe Marketplace already knows about our profound friendship. There’s no need to hide anything."

"HAHA!" Hearing this, Alchemist Zhuang burst into loud laughter. Since Chen Jianghe could say such a thing, it meant he wasn’t angry. Moreover, he was willing to acknowledge this "profound" friendship.

"True. There’s no need to beat around the bush between us." Alchemist Zhuang smiled and said, "I would like to ask you to procure a stalk of Youthful Grass."

"Youthful Grass?" Chen Jianghe furrowed his brow. He hadn’t expected Alchemist Zhuang to ask for this particular Spirit Grass.

Having already read through *Qinghe Magazine*, he naturally knew that Youthful Grass was a Spirit Grass monopolized by the Celestial South Sect. The only other way to obtain it was to venture deep into the Youxian Mountain Range. But even Foundation Establishment Cultivators didn’t dare to venture that deep. Therefore, there was only one real way to get Youthful Grass. And that was through the Celestial South Sect.

"After all these years, your appearance hasn’t changed. You must have consumed Youthful Grass. However, its effects are quite limited; it can only maintain one’s youthful appearance for a dozen years or so.

"If you can obtain another stalk of Youthful Grass, I can refine a batch of Youthful Pills. I imagine you are well aware of the effects of a Youthful Pill, HEHE."

After saying this, Alchemist Zhuang fell silent, giving Chen Jianghe time to consider.

The Youthful Pill could allow a Cultivator to maintain their youthful appearance forever, right up until the end of their life. Moreover, it could extend one’s lifespan by ten years.

On the surface, eternal youth held a massive allure for Chen Jianghe because he needed the Youthful Pill as a cover. In reality, the ten-year lifespan extension was even more tempting. Whether it was ten more years for himself or ten more years for Little Black, it would be a great thing.

"Are you so certain I can obtain Youthful Grass, Alchemist Zhuang?" Chen Jianghe asked, staring at the older man.

"Since you were able to get one stalk of Youthful Grass, you can get a second. Furthermore, Fairy Peiyao likely hasn’t taken a Youthful Pill either. As long as we have the Youthful Grass, I am eighty percent confident I can successfully refine the Youthful Pills.

"There will be at least three pills in the batch. I only want one; the rest will be yours. How about it?"

When Alchemist Zhuang said this, Chen Jianghe found it impossible to refuse. If three pills were formed, Alchemist Zhuang would keep one, leaving one for him and one for Gao Peiyao. By only providing the Youthful Grass without needing to supply any of the other auxiliary materials, he could obtain Youthful Pills. This also gave him the confidence to go ask Gao Peiyao.

"I’m not sure if I can procure the Youthful Grass, but I can only try," Chen Jianghe said, careful not to make any absolute promises.

After all, Youthful Grass was a Spirit Grass monopolized by the Celestial South Sect. Moreover, it was still uncertain whether Gao Peiyao would even be willing to help. According to Master Qinghe’s notes in *Qinghe Magazine*, any disciple of the Celestial South Sect who reached Foundation Establishment would not lack Lifespan Extension Pills or Youthful Pills. In other words, Gao Peiyao had her own channels to obtain Youthful Pills. She wouldn’t necessarily be willing to get one from Alchemist Zhuang.

"I believe in you. Fairy Peiyao values old friendships; she will certainly secure another stalk for you," Alchemist Zhuang said.

"I can try to ask for the Youthful Grass, but you must promise me one thing in return, Alchemist Zhuang."

"Oh? Please speak."

"I need you to refine a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills for me for free. Given your skill in refining Lifespan Extension Pills and Youthful Pills, I imagine you can refine Foundation Establishment Pills as well!" Chen Jianghe said with a smile.

Alchemist Zhuang wanted to obtain the Youthful Grass from him. Although Chen Jianghe would receive two Youthful Pills once the refining was done, the actual price of a Youthful Pill wasn’t that high. It was merely because the Celestial South Sect monopolized the Youthful Grass. The auxiliary materials combined would cost no more than a hundred or so Spirit Stones. Therefore, even with Chen Jianghe getting two Youthful Pills, Alchemist Zhuang was still getting a massive bargain. Otherwise, the alchemist wouldn’t be able to get his hands on Youthful Grass at all.

Chen Jianghe wasn’t someone who would willingly take a loss. If the Foundation Establishment Pills were refined for free, it meant that the Spirit Stones originally meant as payment for Alchemist Zhuang’s services would ultimately end up in Chen Jianghe’s own pocket.

"Refine Foundation Establishment Pills?" Alchemist Zhuang was taken aback. He looked at Chen Jianghe in surprise and asked, "Have you gathered all the materials for refining Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"You could say that." Chen Jianghe nodded. "What do you think, Alchemist Zhuang?"

"I truly never expected this. I never expected this!" Alchemist Zhuang sighed in continuous amazement. The auxiliary materials for refining Foundation Establishment Pills could perhaps be bought, but there was simply no market for the three main ingredients. They basically only appeared at auctions. Whenever one appeared, its final destination was always clear to everyone.

Suddenly, Alchemist Zhuang thought of something. He looked at Chen Jianghe and said, "You must be crowdfunding the alchemy, aren’t you!"

The entire Qinghe Marketplace knew that Ji Wujin had a Purple Mist Red Fruit. Moreover, this was the only time a Purple Mist Red Fruit had been auctioned off in the past thirty years. Therefore, Alchemist Zhuang was certain that Chen Jianghe was crowdfunding the refining process. Otherwise, if Chen Jianghe had managed to acquire another Purple Mist Red Fruit on his own, his connections and power would simply be far too terrifying.

"Correct." Chen Jianghe nodded, not trying to hide it. Ji Wujin and Ruan Tieniu would be meeting with Alchemist Zhuang eventually anyway.

"If I guess correctly, your partners must be Ji Wujin and Ruan Tieniu."

That one time Ruan Tieniu had come to find him, the man had stammered and hesitated, ultimately leaving without ever saying what he wanted. It was undoubtedly about refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

"I can help you refine the Foundation Establishment Pills for free, and you can keep the Spirit Stones those two pay for the service.

"However, I only have a fifty percent certainty of refining them successfully."