Chapter 166 - 124: Everything Is Ready

Chapter 166: Chapter 124: Everything Is Ready

The aura of power it contained far surpassed that of a High-Grade Spirit Talisman. It was a difference like night and day.

Walking home, Chen Jianghe pondered Alchemist Zhuang’s words. The more he thought about them, the more something felt off. Eliminating Ruan Tieniu was likely the old man’s true intention, but offering his granddaughter and disciple in marriage was absolutely a test. Even if the old alchemist wanted Chen Jianghe to protect Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu, there was no need to marry them off to him. Doing so would mean handing over his entire family fortune and turning them into Chen Jianghe’s vassals—an outcome that clearly contradicted Alchemist Zhuang’s original goal.

"Is that old fogey testing me?" Chen Jianghe smiled bitterly. The Cultivation Realm was not only cruel but also incredibly complex. When dealing with a century-old fox like him, a single misstep could lead straight into a trap.

Although the negotiation had been fraught with scheming and calculation, the outcome was favorable. He didn’t have to spend a single Spirit Stone or purchase any Auxiliary Materials. Once the Foundation Establishment Pill was successfully refined, he would receive one, along with nearly six hundred Spirit Stones.

Of course, this came at the cost of a promise. After achieving Foundation Establishment in the future, he had to protect Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan for thirty years and help them obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill of their own.

It was hard to say who gained more from this transaction. Alchemist Zhuang was taking a risk, too; consuming a Foundation Establishment Pill did not guarantee success. There were countless examples in the Cultivation Realm of people failing even after taking the pill. Qinghe Magazine alone had documented several such cases.

After a Foundation Establishment Failure, a cultivator’s Magical Power would become much purer. Although it wouldn’t achieve full Liquefaction, it was still significantly stronger than Ninth-Layer Qi Refining. Cultivators who survived this failure had coined a pleasant-sounding name for this transitional realm: Tenth-Layer Qi Refining!

While it was possible to attempt Foundation Establishment again, the difficulty would double. If Chen Jianghe failed his breakthrough, the thousands of Spirit Stones’ worth of resources Alchemist Zhuang invested would be entirely wasted.

Then again, Chen Jianghe wasn’t exactly getting a free ride. Once he succeeded, he would be bound to protect Zhuang Xinyan and Jiang Ruxu for thirty years and secure them a Foundation Establishment Pill. In essence, he was simply enjoying the benefits of those Spirit Stones in advance. Protecting the two women for three decades was just the accrued interest for this early withdrawal.

By the time he returned home, it was nearing 5:00 PM. Chen Jianghe didn’t let Little Black and Fur Ball out; he had to visit Gao Peiyao early the next morning. The matter of the Youthful Pill was something he couldn’t afford to ignore.

Early the next morning.

Chen Jianghe arrived at the Hundred Treasures Tower and headed straight for the Cultivation Technique District on the third floor. He planned to find any random Hundred Treasures Tower cultivator to ask for Gao Peiyao’s whereabouts, but he happened to spot a familiar face.

"Fellow Daoist," he greeted.

"Elder Chen?"

It was the same Hundred Treasures Tower cultivator who had invited him from Fushou Lane and personally ushered him into the auction.

"How may I help you, Elder Chen?"

"Is Fairy Peiyao here? Could I trouble you to announce my arrival?" Chen Jianghe asked politely.

"So you really are here to see Steward Gao!" The man smiled and continued, "You may head up directly, Elder Chen. Steward Gao left instructions yesterday saying you would visit today. I didn’t expect you to actually show up."

"Oh?" Chen Jianghe paused, momentarily taken aback.

He wondered how Gao Peiyao had guessed he would come today. He knew perfectly well that the moment he stepped out of his courtyard, he was within the Hundred Treasures Tower’s surveillance network. But he had only gone to Fushou Lane. How did she deduce that he was looking for her?

Nevertheless, he thanked the Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator before heading up to the fifth floor.

The cultivators of the Hundred Treasures Tower only respected him because of Gao Peiyao. Otherwise, as fellow Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, why would they ever address him as an elder? Gao Peiyao’s tenure at the Qinghe Marketplace’s Hundred Treasures Tower was coming to an end. Once she left, who would give a damn about a mere Eighth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivator like him?

Upon reaching the fifth floor, he was stopped by a female cultivator. She went in to announce him and emerged ten breaths later to usher him inside.

Chen Jianghe walked into the room.

Gao Peiyao stood by the window with her back to him. Dressed in a light blue dress, she exuded an agile and casual grace.

"Brother Jianghe, you couldn’t resist coming after all."

Gao Peiyao turned around. With her Foundation Establishment success, her stunningly beautiful face was complemented by an ethereal and noble temperament. Every word and movement held an indescribable allure. Her appearance right now was undoubtedly at its absolute peak.

"Fairy Peiyao, did you already know why I’m here?" Chen Jianghe asked in astonishment.

Gao Peiyao didn’t correct his formal address. Having been at the Foundation Establishment realm for ten years, she had grown accustomed to being called elder or fairy. It wasn’t that she deliberately distanced herself from others; it was simply the inevitable barrier created by Cultivation realms. No matter how amiable she tried to be, the ambient pressure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would naturally make her old friends feel uneasy.

"If I am not mistaken, that old Alchemist Zhuang must have begged you to come." Gao Peiyao looked at Chen Jianghe with a smile. Taking in his surprised expression, she asked slowly, "Am I right?"

"Indeed." Chen Jianghe nodded with a bitter expression.

Out of everyone he interacted with, aside from Yu Daniu and Zhuang Xinyan, not a single one was a pushover. Each possessed a terrifyingly sharp intuition and could deduce the whole truth from a single clue. Whenever he conversed with them, he had to tread carefully, terrified of accidentally exposing his secrets.

"Alchemist Zhuang’s Alchemy Skills are quite good. On the surface, he’s a Tier One High-Grade Alchemist, but in reality, he is a Tier Two Lower-Grade Alchemist. It’s just a pity that he’s too old," Gao Peiyao said evenly. "Otherwise, he could have become a Guest Elder Alchemist for the Hundred Treasures Tower."

Her calm words revealed a deep-seated arrogance. Logically, even if Alchemist Zhuang was approaching the end of his lifespan, he could still generate immense value for the Hundred Treasures Tower. Yet, from her tone, the Tower clearly had little interest in a Tier Two Lower-Grade Alchemist with one foot in the grave. It was evident that as an asset of the Celestial South Sect, the Hundred Treasures Tower had no shortage of Tier Two Alchemists.

"I can acquire the Youthful Grass for you, Brother Jianghe, but it will be impossible to secure a Tier One Talisman Dao Inheritance alongside it." After speaking, Gao Peiyao turned around to look out over the entirety of the Qinghe Marketplace.

Chen Jianghe understood the underlying meaning of her words. He could choose either the Youthful Grass or the Tier One Talisman Dao Inheritance, but not both. This choice would serve to fulfill and conclude the friendship of their youth.

"Thank you for your kindness, Fairy Peiyao. I still wish to obtain the Youthful Grass," Chen Jianghe said, cupping his hands in respect.

He desperately needed a Tier One Talisman Dao Inheritance as well. Given his current Talisman Dao Skills, he would be ready to attempt drafting High-Grade Spirit Talismans in three to five years at most—provided he had the inheritance. Thus, if he wanted to become a High-Grade Talisman Master, he would eventually have to buy one.

At market value, a Tier One Talisman Dao Inheritance was worth far more than the Youthful Grass. However, the inheritance could be bought as long as one had enough Spirit Stones. The Youthful Grass was different; it was exceedingly difficult to obtain, even with deep pockets.

"Since you’ve made your decision, Brother Jianghe, I won’t say any more. You can come find me early next year to collect the Youthful Grass."

"Thank you, Fairy. I will take my leave now." Chen Jianghe bowed respectfully and departed.

For someone in his current position, expressing gratitude or talking about owing favors were empty gestures. They held no weight. He was merely an Eighth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivator, while Gao Peiyao was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. They existed on completely different levels. What use was a favor from him? It was enough to simply remember the debt in his heart. If the opportunity ever arose in the future, he would repay this kindness.

Gao Peiyao watched Chen Jianghe’s retreating figure on Qing Street and pondered. She wondered why he had chosen the Youthful Grass. Was he trying to buy himself another twenty years of time? A Youthful Pill extended one’s lifespan by ten years, and a Lifespan Extension Pill added another ten. This combination could delay a cultivator’s optimal Foundation Establishment window by twenty years. However, without a Foundation Establishment Pill and without cultivating the Physical Body to Perfection, the success rate for Foundation Establishment remained abysmal.

"At sixty-five years old, with only fifteen years of time, can he really cultivate his Physical Body and Spirit to Perfection? Without a Foundation Establishment Pill, a single failure means eternal doom, perishing in both body and Dao. Why did you suddenly change your attitude toward attempting Foundation Establishment?" Gao Peiyao shook her head gently. She couldn’t concern herself with it anymore.

Once her tenure ended, she might never return to the Qinghe Marketplace, or even Jingyue Lake.

She had secured a glimmer of hope for Foundation Establishment for Zhou Miaoyun’s descendant. She had built up Chen Jianghe’s reputation in the Qinghe Marketplace and acquired a stalk of Youthful Grass for him. As for Yu Daniu’s favor, she would repay it by giving him a generous gift before she left.

With that, she would have fully honored the friendship the four of them had shared in their youth.