Chapter 78 - 77: Gao Peiyao’s Secret

Chapter 78: Chapter 77: Gao Peiyao’s Secret

At the Jingyue Treasure Pavilion, Chen Jianghe sold his twenty-seven Five Elements Escape Talismans for sixty-eight Spirit Stones and eighty-five grains of Spiritual Sand.

After setting aside the cost and Talisman Master Chu Lang’s share of the profit, he returned to the Jingyue Immortal Tower and gave thirty Spirit Stones to Gao Peiyao.

Zhou Miaoyun did the same. She exchanged her Spirit Talismans for Spirit Stones and handed them over to Gao Peiyao.

"I will definitely repay you handsomely in the future for your help, you two and Sister Miaoyun," Gao Peiyao said, thanking them once again.

Afterward, both Chen Jianghe and Zhou Miaoyun left the Jingyue Marketplace.

"Sister Peiyao, wait here. I’ll go buy the High-Grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact for you," Yu Daniu said as he took the Spirit Stones from her.

"Thank you, Brother Daniu. For your help this time, I owe you a favor," Gao Peiyao thanked him earnestly.

Yu Daniu nodded and left the Jingyue Immortal Tower.

At this time, a beautiful female cultivator approached Gao Peiyao from behind. She wore the same attire as Gao Peiyao—a light blue dress with the unique emblem of the Celestial South Sect embroidered on the chest, symbolizing their status as Outer Disciples of the sect.

In the Celestial South Sect, those below Late-Stage Qi Refining were servant disciples, while those at Late-Stage Qi Refining were Outer Disciples. Upon successfully reaching Foundation Establishment, they would become Inner Sect Disciples. Those with Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation could serve as Sect Stewards. Naturally, different statuses came with different annual salaries.

"Why go to such lengths, Junior Sister Peiyao? It’s just a mere two hundred Spirit Stones, yet you promised a favor in return. You are Steward Lan’s most valued Closed-door Disciple. She has high hopes for you, and it’s practically guaranteed that you will reach Foundation Establishment in the future.

"They are from a completely different world than you. There is absolutely no need to get too involved with them.

"Besides, Senior Brother Xiao Chen isn’t just a Core Disciple; he also possesses a Three-Element True Spirit Root. Moreover, his father is a Sect Elder. As long as you nod your head, let alone two hundred Spirit Stones, even two thousand would be easily within reach," the pretty female cultivator said, shifting the topic with a tone tinged with envy.

"Senior Sister Zhirou, you know I don’t want to find a Dao Companion. Besides, Master wouldn’t agree to it either," Gao Peiyao replied with a soft chuckle as she glanced back.

"Sigh, what a pity. Senior Brother Xiao Chen even wanted me to be a matchmaker. It looks like I won’t be getting those one hundred Spirit Stones after all," Liuu Zhirou feigned dejection, letting out a bitter smile.

"Hehe, it’s because you’re closer to me, Senior Sister," Gao Peiyao said sweetly, naturally linking her arm with Liuu Zhirou’s.

Not long after, Yu Daniu returned with a bright smile on his face, evidently having brought back the High-Grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact. As for where he had scraped together the remaining one hundred and twenty-five Spirit Stones, no one knew. Gao Peiyao naturally didn’t ask for details. Since she had already promised him a favor, there was no need to delve into the origins of the Spirit Stones.

Having obtained the High-Grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact, Gao Peiyao and Liuu Zhirou left the Jingyue Marketplace and headed to the eastern side of Huxing Island. This was the Yun’s home, where the Demon Extermination Squad was stationed.

Upon arriving at their quarters, Gao Peiyao parted ways with Liuu Zhirou and entered the courtyard she shared with her master.

"Did you get it?" a beautiful woman with a noble temperament and a graceful figure asked softly as she looked at Gao Peiyao walking in. This was Gao Peiyao’s master, the Celestial South Sect Steward Lan Yi, who had Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.

"Yes, Master," Gao Peiyao replied respectfully.

"If I weren’t scheming for an opportunity for Core Formation, how could I have let you go to such great trouble?" The beautiful woman lowered her gaze and sighed.

"Master already cares for me so much. How could I dare ask for more and provoke the dissatisfaction of my senior brother and sister?"

"Mhm." Lan Yi gave a slight nod, a look of approval in her eyes. She didn’t only have Gao Peiyao as her disciple; there were three others under her tutelage. If she were to bestow a High-Grade Flying Sword and a High-Grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact upon all of them, how would she have any resources left for her own cultivation?

"Yao’er, if you’re willing, you can accept Xiao Chen’s pursuit. With his talent of a Three-Element True Spirit Root and a Sect Elder for a father, he is more than worthy of you.

"Although I do not favor the path of Dual Cultivation, if you have feelings for him, I won’t forcefully stand in your way," Lan Yi said softly, her eyes showing a hint of helplessness.

"Master, I will not become Dao Companions with Senior Brother Xiao Chen. My heart belongs to the Great Dao. I only seek immortality and have no other distracting thoughts."

"Immortality? How difficult that is. Even if I secure the opportunity for Core Formation, my success rate is only thirty percent.

"But you have hope. Although you have a Four-Element Pseudo Spirit Root, you absorb Spiritual Qi even faster than those with Three-Element True Spirit Roots. I suspect your Four-Element Pseudo Spirit Root is just an illusion; you likely possess a Hidden Spirit Root.

"Moreover, your Soul strength is twice that of other cultivators, naturally giving you an innate twenty percent higher chance of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.

"Therefore, Yao’er, you must remember—during this siege against the Demon Cultivators, you absolutely must not rush to the front to vie for merits. Simply yield the main contributions to your senior brother and sister. Safety comes first," Lan Yi said, her phoenix eyes looking at Gao Peiyao with a gratified expression.

"Yes, I will follow your arrangements, Master."

After purchasing five sheets of High-Quality Yellow Paper and four boxes of Spiritual Ink, Chen Jianghe returned to his breeding waters.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Celestial South Sect had already arrived. He figured it wouldn’t be long before Lann Tianxiang and his nephew were brought to justice. He would be able to cultivate peacefully at Jingyue Lake until he was fifty years old.

On New Year’s Eve, Chen Jianghe took a trip to the Jingyue Marketplace. He arrived at Tingyu Pavilion as agreed upon with Talisman Master Chu Lang and handed over the thirty-one Spirit Stones in profits.

He had learned from Gao Peiyao that there was a Tier One Talisman Dao Inheritance for sale in the Immortal Sect Marketplace at the foot of the Celestial South Sect. It was priced at one thousand six hundred Spirit Stones.

A Middle-Grade Talisman Dao Inheritance, on the other hand, would cost around three hundred Spirit Stones.

Calculating it this way, splitting ten years of his talisman-painting profits to trade with Talisman Master Chu Lang for a Middle-Grade Talisman Dao Inheritance wasn’t a loss at all. But it wasn’t a gain, either.

As his Talisman Dao skills improved, the amount of Spirit Stones given to Talisman Master Chu Lang would only increase in the future. However, he had obtained the Middle-Grade Talisman Dao Inheritance early, increasing his Spirit Stone income, which made it a win-win situation.

Otherwise, his current annual income from painting talismans would only be around twenty-something Spirit Stones. It wouldn’t be as good as his current situation!

Once New Year’s Eve passed, Chen Jianghe dove to the bottom of the lake.

He was thirty-eight years old this year, and Little Black was twenty. Based on the principle of their lifespans exchanging, Little Black should be considered an adult by now. But whether he was truly an adult or not still required a bit of questioning.

"Spirit-Encompassing Flower!" Little Black blurted out excitedly when he saw Chen Jianghe coming down.

"Master, look! Those few Little Cyan Fish are very promising. They have a very high chance of becoming Spirit Beasts by the time of the harvest!" Seeing Chen Jianghe’s expression shift slightly, Little Black hurriedly changed the subject, pointing a claw at the few emaciated Cyan-Scaled Fish.

Chen Jianghe followed his gaze and noticed that these Little Cyan Fish were abundant with Spiritual Qi. They would probably be quite delicious if cooked into a medicinal cuisine. He immediately felt that these Little Cyan Fish were relatively promising as well.

"Little Black, among the Black Crystal Profound Turtle species, are you considered an adult now?" Chen Jianghe asked.

"An adult?" Little Black poked his head out, stretching his long neck to look at the top of his claws. Seeing no black spots—the hallmark of an adult Black Crystal Profound Turtle—he hurriedly shook his head. "What are you thinking? I was only born twenty years ago. I’m still a cute baby turtle!"