Chapter 173 - 127: Ninth-Layer Qi Refining

Chapter 173: Chapter 127: Ninth-Layer Qi Refining

Based on the current success rate, it had already reached fifty percent.

A fifty percent Foundation Establishment success rate.

This was already extremely high. Most Ninth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivators would attempt a breakthrough with only a twenty percent success rate. Naturally, out of ten such Ninth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivators, hardly even one would succeed.

Stepping out of his room, he saw the post box in the courtyard flashing with light. With a thought, Chen Jianghe pulled the letter from the post box into his hand. Glancing at it, he realized it was a message from the Hundred Treasures Tower.

Upon opening it, he found it had been sent by Gao Peiyao. It stated that the Youthful Grass had arrived and that he could go to the Hundred Treasures Tower to collect it at any time.

"I should go to the Hundred Treasures Tower to get the Youthful Grass and deliver it to Alchemist Zhuang for Alchemy first," Chen Jianghe thought to himself.

Alchemist Zhuang seemed exceedingly eager to consume the Youthful Pill. He must be nearing the end of his lifespan; otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such a rush.

Before he even reached the courtyard gate, he heard the sound of someone knocking on the door ring. Opening the gate, he saw Ruan Tieniu standing outside. He looked somewhat dispirited, his eyes filled with helplessness.

"You failed?" Chen Jianghe asked, sensing the aura exuding from Ruan Tieniu. It was far more powerful and profound than that of a Ninth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivator—at least twice as formidable as before.

However, he had never sensed the aura of the Foundation Establishment Stage before. Once a Cultivator reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, their aura became completely concealed. Unless they made a move or intentionally released their aura, it was impossible to detect any Magical Power fluctuations.

Yet, Ruan Tieniu’s body rippled with intense Magical Power fluctuations. He must have failed.

But thanks to the Low-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill, his life had been spared. Moreover, he had cultivated to the legendary Tenth-Layer Qi Refining.

"Brother Chen, shall we go sit at the Qingpin Tea House?" Ruan Tieniu forced a smile as he looked at Chen Jianghe.

"Uh, sure," Chen Jianghe nodded.

Experiencing Foundation Establishment Failure made it incredibly difficult for Ruan Tieniu to ever get a second chance. Even if he had sufficient financial resources, his success rate would be halved.

Ruan Tieniu’s emotions must be at rock bottom right now. Since they had some degree of friendship, it was best to sit and spend some time with him.

As for consoling him? Cultivators didn’t need consolation.

Upon arriving at the Qingpin Tea House, Ruan Tieniu surprisingly ordered a pot of Spirit Tea that cost two Spirit Stones. This was completely out of character for his usually frugal nature.

"I was too hasty. I should have waited another five years." Ruan Tieniu gulped down a cup of tea, glanced at Chen Jianghe, and muttered to himself, "The Spirit Stones from selling the Pill Formula were more than enough for me to cultivate my Spirit to Spiritual Perfection.

"However, I pushed my luck, thinking a fifty percent chance was enough to succeed in Foundation Establishment.

"I figured I could save the Spirit Stones to buy a Top-Level Flying Sword later.

"Haha... How ridiculous!

"Brother Chen, do you know? Such a thought is truly laughable! After Foundation Establishment, I could always earn more Spirit Stones and eventually save up enough for a Top-Level Flying Sword. Why did I try to save that sum!

"If I had achieved Spiritual Perfection, I would have had a seventy percent success rate and definitely succeeded in Foundation Establishment!

"I regret it so much!"

Seeing Ruan Tieniu’s near-manic state as he spewed words of remorse, Chen Jianghe grew incredibly cautious. He immediately communicated with Little Black, ready to unleash the Divine Technique ’Petrification’ at a moment’s notice.

"Qinghe Magazine" clearly recorded that a Tenth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivator who suffered Foundation Establishment Failure could actually be considered as being at Half-Step Foundation Establishment. This was because their Magical Power had undergone complete Liquefaction, becoming as pure as droplets of water.

The reason for their failure was that their Essence, Qi, and Spirit hadn’t sublimated during the breakthrough process, and their Soul Essence remained at the level of the Qi Refining Stage.

As a result, the Attack Power of a Tenth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivator was exceedingly high, far surpassing that of a Ninth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivator. Facing a Cultivator who had suffered Foundation Establishment Failure, Chen Jianghe had no choice but to tread carefully.

His Divine Sense slipped into his Storage Pouch. If anything went wrong, he would instantly activate a High-Grade Protection Talisman.

After the time it took an incense stick to burn, Ruan Tieniu calmed down and looked at Chen Jianghe apologetically. "Thank you for listening to my complaints, Brother Chen."

Although Ruan Tieniu had been complaining and regretting his decision to save Spirit Stones instead of cultivating his Spirit to Spiritual Perfection, he never once complained about receiving a Low-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill. Chen Jianghe deeply admired this.

Anyone else might have started blaming Ji Wujin or complaining about Alchemist Zhuang.

If Ji Wujin hadn’t taken priority, Ruan Tieniu would have obtained a Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill. If Alchemist Zhuang had refined two Genuine Foundation Establishment Pills, he also would have received one. In that case, his success rate would have increased to sixty percent. Perhaps he would have succeeded!

Yet, Ruan Tieniu only sought the cause of failure within himself, which was exceptionally rare.

"It’s fine," Chen Jianghe replied mildly.

Suddenly, Ruan Tieniu’s expression turned serious. He looked at Chen Jianghe earnestly and said, "Brother Chen, I have a favor to ask of you."

Hmm? Chen Jianghe was taken aback, a bad premonition rising in his heart. "Could Ruan Tieniu be after the Low-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill in my hands?" he wondered.

Witnessing Ruan Tieniu’s Foundation Establishment Failure made him realize just how unreliable a so-called fifty percent success rate was. He could never trust a fifty percent or even a seventy percent chance of success. However, he absolutely refused to part with the Low-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill in his possession.

It was his backup plan. If there were no better options in the future, this Foundation Establishment Pill would be used to save his life.

"What is it?" Chen Jianghe asked.

"In five years, if I can gather the main ingredients to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill, I’d like to ask Brother Chen for a favor. Could you ask Alchemist Zhuang to waive my Alchemy fee? I will owe you a massive favor.

"If I can’t gather the ingredients, then let’s pretend I never brought this up!" Ruan Tieniu declared firmly.

Chen Jianghe breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn’t about his Low-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill, anything was negotiable.

As for asking Alchemist Zhuang to help refine a Foundation Establishment Pill, that was naturally easy to handle. If Ruan Tieniu could gather the main ingredients, Chen Jianghe would definitely chip in again. It was a good thing for him as well.

What surprised him, however, was that Ruan Tieniu hadn’t been defeated by his Foundation Establishment Failure. He was actually planning a second attempt!

"Alright. If Brother Ruan can gather the main ingredients, I will provide the Auxiliary Materials. When the time comes, I’ll definitely ask Alchemist Zhuang to refine it for free." Chen Jianghe knew exactly why Ruan Tieniu wanted the free Alchemy.

It was because he didn’t have any spare Spirit Stones left. This time, he would undoubtedly prepare more thoroughly and cultivate his Spirit to Spiritual Perfection. Otherwise, his success rate for a second Foundation Establishment attempt would be less than thirty percent at best.

"Thank you, Brother Chen." Ruan Tieniu stood up and bowed with clasped hands.

"There is no need for this, Brother Ruan. If we can perform Alchemy again, I will also benefit," Chen Jianghe said frankly.

Ruan Tieniu nodded. "Then it’s settled between us brothers. I will definitely find the main ingredients within five years. However, for future Spirit Talisman trades, Brother Chen will have to go alone," Ruan Tieniu said apologetically. "But I’ll take you to familiarize yourself with the Demon Hunters’ trading grounds first."

Chen Jianghe nodded. He understood what Ruan Tieniu meant.

To gather the main ingredients for refining a Foundation Establishment Pill again within five years, Ruan Tieniu would definitely have to venture deep into the Youxian Mountain Range. Even though he was now a Tenth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivator at Half-Step Foundation Establishment, there was no guarantee he would walk out of the Youxian Mountain Range alive every time.

Leaving the Qingpin Tea House, Chen Jianghe was led by Ruan Tieniu to an open plaza in the Northwest District. The area was decorated with some simple landscaping, and many Demon Hunters were gathered there.

"Brother Chen, this is the trading ground for Demon Hunters that is tacitly approved by the powers behind the Marketplace. Spirit Talismans, Demon Beast Flesh Bodies, and second-hand Magical Artifacts can all be traded here," Ruan Tieniu introduced.

Chen Jianghe looked around. The plaza, roughly the size of a basketball court, held hundreds of Demon Hunters and dozens of stalls. Evidently, this was indeed permitted by the Marketplace. Otherwise, setting up stalls here would certainly draw the ire of the Marketplace’s Guard Team, and they would be chased away.

It was his first time visiting such a place. It felt a bit chaotic, but he couldn’t afford not to come. After all, the extra five percent profit margin added up. Over the course of a year, the difference amounted to dozens of Spirit Stones.

Right at that moment, amidst the crowd, a scrawny middle-aged man with a black mole on his left cheek—from which two thick, long hairs protruded—saw Chen Jianghe. His expression instantly changed drastically.

He immediately tugged at the glamorous, voluptuous woman standing beside him and sent a voice transmission. "Third Sister, it’s that kid!"