Chapter 177 - 129: Two Youthful Pills

Chapter 177: Chapter 129: Two Youthful Pills

Chen Jianghe said his piece.

"With your assurance, Fellow Daoist, I will naturally do my utmost in alchemy. However, I do not believe Ruan Tieniu can make it out of the Youxian Mountain Range alive."

"Why?"

"Do you know where the Purple Mist Red Fruit grows, Fellow Daoist? It’s found on Fusang Cliff, three hundred li deep into the Youxian Mountain Range. And there are Tier Two Demon Beasts there."

"The Purple Mist Red Fruits that appear at auctions almost all come from the Celestial South Sect, because they have the strength to enter Fusang Cliff."

Alchemist Zhuang spoke slowly, his words clearly showing he had little confidence in Ruan Tieniu.

Tier Two Demon Beasts are even stronger than Foundation Establishment Cultivators. It typically takes a team of three to five Foundation Establishment Cultivators to deal with a single one.

Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators only dare venture to Fusang Cliff, deep within the Youxian Mountain Range, by forming teams.

Alternatively, an Elder Ancestor from one of the Celestial South Domain’s Four Top Immortal Clans might go personally.

But why would those Foundation Establishment Cultivators travel to Fusang Cliff with a mere Tenth-Layer Qi Refining cultivator?

Even if those Foundation Establishment Cultivators were willing to bring Ruan Tieniu along, would he really dare to enter with them?

Chen Jianghe knew the risks of venturing three hundred li into the Youxian Mountain Range. He had to agree that Ruan Tieniu would likely be unable to bring back the Purple Mist Red Fruit.

Still, a part of him hoped Ruan Tieniu would manage to bring back the Purple Mist Red Fruit.

「Half an hour later.」

As the fiery glow in the Alchemy Room disappeared, Jiang Ruxu walked out, holding a jade box in her hand.

"Master, I made five Qi Storage Pills! Hee hee... Oh, Elder Chen, you’re here too!"

Jiang Ruxu greeted Chen Jianghe respectfully upon seeing him.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Jiang."

When a Middle-Grade Alchemist refines Qi Storage Pills, they usually produce a batch of four. Getting five is a rare occurrence.

Clearly, Jiang Ruxu’s Alchemy Skills were considerable, and her luck was excellent as well.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, please wait in the reception hall. I will begin the alchemy now," Alchemist Zhuang announced.

Then he turned to Jiang Ruxu and said, "Ruxu, come with me. This is a rare opportunity, so make sure you observe carefully."

The materials for refining the Youthful Pill had been ready for three months; the only missing ingredient was the Youthful Grass.

Chen Jianghe watched as the master and disciple entered the Alchemy Room.

He glanced at the sky outside. It was already past 7:45 PM, so it seemed he would have to stay the night at Alchemist Zhuang’s residence.

Instead of cultivating, he closed his eyes and meditated to restore his spirit.

「Three hours passed.」

Zhuang Xinyan, noticing the fiery glow still emanating from the Alchemy Room, stepped out of her own room, only to see Chen Jianghe sitting in the reception hall.

She instinctively took a step back.

Alchemist Zhuang had never let anyone stay in his home for more than an hour, let alone stay overnight.

Chen Jianghe, however, was an exception.

He had stayed at Alchemist Zhuang’s home for more than an hour on multiple occasions, and now the Alchemist had even insisted he stay the night.

Zhuang Xinyan retreated to her room, but stole another glance at Chen Jianghe, who was meditating with his eyes closed. His features weren’t particularly striking, but they had a pleasant, enduring quality.

A faint blush colored her cheeks as she returned to her room to continue her Cultivation.

「Before she knew it, another two hours had passed.」

The rising sun broke through the veil of night, staining the high clouds crimson.

Chen Jianghe opened his eyes and glanced toward the Alchemy Room. A faint glow was still visible, and he couldn’t help but marvel.

’Crafting Spirit Talismans is completely different from Alchemy.’

’As long as I have enough Magical Power, I can create a Spirit Talisman whenever I want.’

’But Alchemy requires a dedicated space, because before reaching the Core Formation realm, one needs the aid of Earth Fire.’

’You also need an Alchemy Furnace, and a single session can take several hours, or even days.’

With nothing else to do, he walked into the courtyard and began practicing the forms of the Tidal Body Refining Technique to pass the time.

By the time he finished practicing two sets of the forms, another hour had passed.

It was already 7:00 AM.

Around this time, the glow from the Alchemy Room began to fade, but neither Alchemist Zhuang nor Jiang Ruxu emerged.

This made Chen Jianghe wonder. ’Is refining a Youthful Pill even more complicated than refining a Foundation Establishment Pill?’

「Another three hours passed.」

It was approaching 1:00 PM.

Just then, Chen Jianghe heard a muffled THUMP. Immediately after, he saw white smoke billowing from the Alchemy Room, carrying a fragrant aroma.

’Is it... The pills are done?’

「Another hour passed.」

By afternoon, Alchemist Zhuang and Jiang Ruxu finally emerged from the Alchemy Room, smiles on their faces.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Fellow Daoist. We succeeded in making three."

Alchemist Zhuang walked up to Chen Jianghe and handed him two jade boxes. "Here are two Youthful Pills."

"Your skills are superb, Alchemist Zhuang. I’m truly impressed."

Chen Jianghe accepted the Youthful Pills. These were Divine Pills capable of driving even Foundation Establishment Female Cultivators into a frenzy; their value was immeasurable.

Moreover, they were the kind of treasure that had a price but no market—virtually impossible to find for sale.

"Heh, I’m just glad I didn’t disappoint you, Fellow Daoist. Now, if you’ll excuse me," Alchemist Zhuang said with a faint smile.

"Of course, Alchemist Zhuang."

Chen Jianghe understood the alchemist’s eagerness. ’Now that he has the Youthful Pill, he must want to take it immediately. Youthful appearance is a fleeting dream for him, but the extension of his lifespan is a very real benefit.’

Seeing Alchemist Zhuang enter his room, he turned to Jiang Ruxu and asked, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, do you have any Fasting Pills on hand?"

"Hee hee! I was starting to think you were unhappy with my work and wouldn’t be buying any more Fasting Pills from me, Elder Chen," she teased.

Jiang Ruxu teasingly took out ten vials of Fasting Pills and handed them to Chen Jianghe.

Chen Jianghe gave sixty Spirit Stones to Jiang Ruxu and accepted the ten vials of Fasting Pills.

’As long as I’m staying in Qinghe Marketplace, Fasting Pills are a necessity. No harm in buying extra.’

’Besides, I suspect other Grand Marketplaces have the same mandatory requirement to consume Fasting Pills for residency.’

’It’s probably all about maintaining an elegant, ’immortal’ atmosphere, I guess.’

Afterward, he bid farewell to Jiang Ruxu and left 136 Blessed Residence.

Alchemist Zhuang had already entered seclusion to take the Youthful Pill and begin the Refinement of its medicinal properties. With only the two women present, it would be inappropriate for him to stay any longer.

Just as he left the courtyard gate, he ran into Ji Wujin.

’Tidal Spiritual Energy!’

He sensed faint Tidal Spiritual Energy emanating from Ji Wujin. ’He’s clearly started practicing the Tidal Body Refining Technique.’

Most Cultivators who weren’t short on Spirit Stones would choose Body Refining Techniques like the Tidal Body Refining Technique.

This was because the subsequent Spiritual Materials it required weren’t demanding and could be purchased right here in Qinghe Marketplace.

A technique like the Cold Pond Body Refining Technique, for example, required the aid of a Hundred-Year Ice Soul, which was something you could almost never find for sale in a regular shop.

They typically only appeared in an Immortal Sect Marketplace or at an auction.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you’ve broken through to the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining? Looks like you’ll be attempting Foundation Establishment within the next four or five years. Allow me to congratulate you in advance on your success."

"Fellow Daoist Ji, you’ve been at the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining for a long time now. Why haven’t we seen you attempt Foundation Establishment yet? It’s a critical matter for your future; you mustn’t delay. You should break through as soon as possible. I, too, wish you success in your Foundation Establishment."

"Er? It seems Fellow Daoist Chen knows the Secret of Foundation Establishment as well, haha..." Hearing Chen Jianghe’s retort, Ji Wujin immediately guessed that he knew the true requirements for Foundation Establishment.

"For you to be cultivating your Physical Body now, Fellow Daoist Ji, it seems your Spirit has already reached Perfection."

Chen Jianghe began to grow suspicious of Ji Wujin’s identity.

’He definitely isn’t a Loose Cultivator.’

’Otherwise, he couldn’t possibly know the Secret of Foundation Establishment.’

’A descendant of a Top-Level Immortal Race?’

’But there’s no Ji clan among the Celestial South Domain’s Four Top Immortal Clans.’

’A disciple from the Celestial South Sect? Even less likely. Unless they’ve reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, they are always accompanied by their elders when they travel. They would never be allowed to wander around alone. And he’s been here for so long. Even a Foundation Establishment Disciple like Gao Peiyao was only permitted to be away for ten years.’

’As for the lesser Foundation Establishment Immortal Races beneath the top-tier ones, they couldn’t possibly know the Secret of Foundation Establishment.’

’If they did, Yun Bufan’s cousin wouldn’t have tried for Foundation Establishment with a mere thirty percent chance of success.’

’And judging by his words, Ji Wujin doesn’t even bother to hide any of this from a Loose Cultivator like me.’

’That’s the kind of arrogance ingrained from childhood—an innate disdain for bottom-tier Loose Cultivators.’

"It is as you say, Fellow Daoist Chen. I have already reached Spiritual Perfection and can attempt Foundation Establishment in five years at most. I wonder how many more years you’ll need?" Ji Wujin’s narrow eyes squinted as he spoke.

Chen Jianghe didn’t get angry. Instead, he said earnestly, "Thirty years should be about right."

Ji Wujin’s brow furrowed.

"That’s not a funny joke. Good day."

Ji Wujin assumed Chen Jianghe was mocking him.

’In thirty years, he’ll have one foot in the grave. How could he possibly attempt Foundation Establishment then?’

"Eh?"

Chen Jianghe watched Ji Wujin turn around and enter the courtyard.

’I just told the truth, and he still got upset.’