Chapter 156: Chapter 120: The Opportunity to Crowdfund Alchemy
Qingpin Tea House, located on River Street near the West Gate, offered a quiet and elegant atmosphere. Every tea room was even equipped with an Avoidance Array.
It was a good place for Cultivators to converse and discuss the Dao.
Chen Jianghe arrived at Qingpin Tea House first. He spent fifty Spiritual Sand on a pot of Spirit Tea and waited for Ruan Tieniu in a private room.
The Spirit Tea had only ordinary effects, providing a simple mental refreshment that was a far cry from the many benefits of Immortal Spirit Wine.
He considered fifty Spiritual Sand a bit steep.
But going to Qinghe Tavern would have been far too extravagant, which in comparison made Qingpin Tea House seem more cost-effective.
「Two incense sticks’ worth of time later.」
Ruan Tieniu arrived at Qingpin Tea House and was led by an attendant into the tea room where Chen Jianghe was waiting.
"The total is four hundred and three Spirit Stones and twenty Spiritual Sand. Take a look, Brother Chen."
Ruan Tieniu handed over a Storage Pouch. This must have been one he had temporarily borrowed from a friend.
After all, his own Storage Pouch was being held by Chen Jianghe as collateral.
Chen Jianghe took the Storage Pouch and swept it with his Divine Sense. The amount was correct. He then transferred the Spirit Stones to his own Storage Pouch.
Then he returned both Storage Pouches to Ruan Tieniu.
He had already taken out the Demon Beasts’ Physical Bodies and stored them at his home.
"What’s the price for those four Demon Beasts, Brother Ruan? Go ahead and quote it," Chen Jianghe asked.
Business was business, and accounts had to be settled clearly. Not a single Spiritual Sand could be off.
"Those two Late-Stage Tier One Unicorns both have Second-Grade High-Class Bloodlines, so they’re worth a bit more. They’re thirty-four Spirit Stones each."
"Those two Mid-Stage Tier One Wind Wolves are still eight Spirit Stones each."
"Just give me eighty-four Spirit Stones, Brother Chen."
Chen Jianghe nodded. The parts from a Unicorn sold for a much higher price; both the horn and the Spirit Blood were very valuable.
The horn could be used for Artifact Refining, and the Spirit Blood could be refined into Spiritual Ink.
He then took out eighty-four Spirit Stones and gave them to Ruan Tieniu, concluding their year and a half of dealings.
He had pocketed three hundred nineteen Spirit Stones and twenty Spiritual Sand.
Well, subtracting the fifty Spiritual Sand for the tea, that came to a net gain of three hundred eighteen Spirit Stones and seventy Spiritual Sand.
He now had a total of three hundred ninety-seven Spirit Stones and forty Spiritual Sand.
This was the first time he had come so close to four hundred Spirit Stones.
As his Talisman Dao Skills improved, the speed at which he saved up Spirit Stones had also clearly accelerated.
In the next six months, he would start drawing Middle-Grade Five Elements Escape Talismans. As long as his Talisman Success Rate could reach thirty percent, he would be able to purchase a Body Refining Technique after this year and begin improving his Physical Body Cultivation.
Chen Jianghe’s heart filled with joy. Everything was proceeding according to his plan.
He then looked at Ruan Tieniu without speaking.
The transaction was over. Next was the matter of the opportunity Ruan Tieniu had mentioned. Chen Jianghe was not in a hurry.
He waited for Ruan Tieniu to speak first.
Ordinary opportunities held little attraction for him.
As long as he cultivated step-by-step and progressed gradually, breaking through to Foundation Establishment was only a matter of time.
"Brother Chen, how deep is your relationship with Alchemist Zhuang? How well do you know him?"
Ruan Tieniu pondered for a long time before asking a rather taboo question.
This was because Chen Jianghe’s relationship with Alchemist Zhuang was better than Ruan Tieniu’s. Moreover, it was through his introduction that Ruan Tieniu had even been able to connect with the alchemist.
Normally, such a question should not have been asked.
Chen Jianghe glanced at Ruan Tieniu. He didn’t answer directly. Instead, he calmly sipped his tea, waiting for the other man to continue.
Whether his relationship with Alchemist Zhuang was deep or not, it was something he could not say out loud.
"Brother Chen, don’t misunderstand. This matter is of great importance. It involves a Foundation Establishment Opportunity, so I cannot afford to be anything but cautious," Ruan Tieniu said solemnly.
The meaning behind his words was still to press Chen Jianghe on how deep his relationship with Alchemist Zhuang was.
’A Foundation Establishment Opportunity?’
’What is Ruan Tieniu up to? The only way a Foundation Establishment Opportunity could involve Alchemist Zhuang is through Alchemy. Does he want Alchemist Zhuang to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill?’
Chen Jianghe greatly admired Alchemist Zhuang’s Alchemy Skills; his speed at earning Spirit Stones was incredible.
’But the Foundation Establishment Pill is a Tier Two Spirit Pill. Even if it’s only a Tier Two Beginner Level pill, it’s still Tier Two. And Alchemist Zhuang is only a Tier One High-Grade Alchemist. How could he possibly refine a Tier Two Spirit Pill? Isn’t he afraid of a cauldron explosion? Besides, the main ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill is rare and priceless, and the Auxiliary Materials are also extremely scarce and not easy to gather.’
"Brother Ruan, you can just say whatever is on your mind," Chen Jianghe said, giving a noncommittal reply.
He would not say anything that could be offensive.
’If I say my relationship with Alchemist Zhuang is good, then in the future, when the alchemist passes on and leaves behind a granddaughter, will I be expected to look after her or not? But if I say it’s not good, and word gets back to Alchemist Zhuang, any goodwill between us will likely vanish, and our relationship might even be severed.’
Ruan Tieniu glanced at Chen Jianghe and fell into deep thought. This noncommittal response made him hesitate.
When a Foundation Establishment Opportunity was involved, he dared not be careless.
Seeing this, a small smile touched Chen Jianghe’s lips. He didn’t believe there was any real Foundation Establishment Opportunity. Otherwise, it would surely be kept a secret, so why would it be mentioned to an outsider like him?
"Brother Ruan, if it’s inconvenient to talk, that’s fine. I’ll be heading back now," Chen Jianghe said, making a move to stand up.
"Wait, Brother Chen."
Ruan Tieniu’s expression hardened, a look of resolve appearing in his eyes. He stopped Chen Jianghe and said, "This concerns a great Foundation Establishment Opportunity. I must ask that you keep it a secret, Brother Chen."
"Brother Chen, do you know of the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula?"
At the mention of the Foundation Establishment Pill, Chen Jianghe’s expression changed slightly as waves of shock crashed through his mind.
He desired the Foundation Establishment Pill more than anything.
After all, it was a life-saving item.
Regarding the success rate of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, he believed that as long as it wasn’t one hundred percent, there was always an element of luck involved.