bookbashuk Chapter 308 Conversation
Chapter 308 Conversation
"So that's what happened..."
After returning to Zhang Yuanhua's cave, the grandfather and grandson recounted all the events of the past ten years.
Actually, the Zhang family didn't experience any major setbacks; their only crisis was the attack on the mountain by the demonic cultivators.
The elderly are different. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator to carry a Core Formation spiritual item is like a child carrying gold and swaggering around in the city. They must be extremely cautious at every step.
Fortunately, he managed to obtain a spiritual item suitable for his breakthrough without any major incidents.
The next step was to choose a suitable place for seclusion. Zhang Yuanhua originally chose the outer sea because there were still some unclaimed third-order spiritual veins in some places.
However, due to the presence of numerous monstrous beasts in the outer sea, they had no choice but to abandon the idea.
It wasn't that he was afraid of those low-level demonic beasts, but rather that the thunder tribulation was a massive event, and he couldn't stand alone. It would easily attract demon kings and treacherous Golden Core cultivators. If he were even slightly affected, he would perish completely under the thunder tribulation.
Therefore, he could only visit the four major powers in Lin Yuan City to find a place for seclusion.
"You know what happened later. It was the Chen family of Yongjia who provided me with a place for seclusion. Actually, they didn't intend to agree at first. It was Fellow Daoist Muyang who made the decision. As for the reason..." Zhang Yuanhua smiled self-deprecatingly.
"You are an alchemist," Zhang Lingyu replied without hesitation.
"That's right. It was precisely because I was an alchemist that, although they didn't want to provide me with a place to cultivate in seclusion, they still tried their best to keep me as a guest alchemist in their home."
Zhang Yuanhua continued:
"I told you back then that as long as you provided me with a place for secluded cultivation, I would definitely agree to refine pills for your family for thirty years after I reached the Core Formation stage. But who dared to agree at the time?"
"Even disciples from major sects can't be guaranteed to form their core, let alone a mere rogue cultivator?"
Later, Chen had no choice but to report the news to Chen Muyang. Unexpectedly, this Golden Core cultivator slapped his thigh and actually agreed.
According to this person, since the Core Formation Spiritual Objects don't come from their own family, they're just providing a venue. Besides, the Chen family doesn't only have one third-order spiritual vein.
If they succeed, they will gain a Golden Core guest elder, who will also be an alchemist!
Even if they fail, the spiritual energy within the cultivator's body returns to heaven and earth, nourishing the spiritual energy of the region, so the Chen family will not lose out.
Rather than doing that, we might as well take a gamble.
Thus, the two parties signed a Netherworld Blood Pact, with the Chen family providing Zhang Yuanhua with a place for seclusion and guaranteeing his safety during his breakthrough. If Zhang Yuanhua successfully formed his core, he would be required to serve as a guest elder in their household for thirty years.
In retrospect, the Chen family won their gamble.
Moreover, it wasn't just about gaining a Golden Core guest elder; their influence in Lin Yuan City also expanded further.
"After I achieved the Golden Core, I should have returned to my clan to suppress the clan's fortune, but due to the contract, I can only return to the clan in thirty years." Thinking of this, Zhang Yuanhua felt guilty again.
Fortunately, the blood pact did not forbid him from going back to visit, but he absolutely could not stay for long.
"Lingyu, after a while I will have Chen reveal his identity to the outside world, so that the outside world will know that the Zhang family has an additional Golden Core cultivator, which will prevent villains from spying on us."
"In my humble opinion, it would be best not to make a fuss about this for the time being."
Zhang Lingyu considered the idea for a moment and then directly rejected it, explaining:
"Grandpa, the Golden Core Immortal Clan is called the Golden Core Immortal Clan because someone in the clan has successfully formed a Golden Core and is stationed in the clan. However, your current status is that of a guest elder of the Chen family, and you cannot stay in Qingya Mountain for long."
"Even for a Golden Core cultivator, traveling from Linhai County to Yingchuan County would take at least a day. Although their identity might deter petty thieves, it's still inevitable that they'd be targeted by those with ulterior motives..."
The Zhang family has no enemies now, and he is only at the late Foundation Establishment stage. With the time needed to improve his cultivation and form his core, it will be at least twenty years before another Golden Core cultivator appears.
If the news of the old man's Core Formation were to spread, it would attract countless eyes; he understood the principle that the taller the tree, the more the wind would blow against it.
"Alright, I'll listen to you." Zhang Yuanhua agreed without hesitation.
He continued, "Lingyu, in the next ten years, you can also begin preparing for Core Formation. Don't worry, with my current status, I'm confident I can obtain a Core Formation artifact for you."
"This... I already have the spiritual object needed for Core Formation..."
"Um?"
The old man stared at Zhang Lingyu in disbelief, and the latter then recounted the events of his trip to the Spirit Puppet Sect in a condensed form.
It turns out that what I obtained was not a Core Formation spiritual object.
Instead, there are two!
This left Zhang Yuanhua speechless with shock. He could only utter a word of praise for good fortune, but such fortune couldn't be obtained without strength. He continued, "..."
"And where is the place for seclusion?"
"I chose Qingya Mountain, and I'll take this opportunity to upgrade my spiritual vein to the third level. I've almost got the spirit stones I need."
Upon hearing that everything had been arranged, the old man felt somewhat powerless. He couldn't just do nothing, could he? After thinking about it, he realized there were indeed things he needed to do.
"Is that so? Alright then, I'll take the time to purchase a fifth-tier mountain-protecting formation for the family in the next few years."
"Is that so? Alright then, I'll take the time to purchase a fifth-tier mountain-protecting formation for the family in the next few years."
A fifth-order mountain-protecting array is not cheap, but fortunately he is an alchemist and receives a generous salary as a guest elder. In addition, he takes on some private jobs, so he should be able to buy one within a few years.
If there aren't enough spirit stones, I can just borrow some from the Chen family and serve as a guest elder for a few more years.
There's no way around it, alchemists are just that sought-after.
In the following half hour, the grandfather and grandson also discussed many matters. Zhang Yuanhua was responsible for purchasing the mountain-protecting formation, and then asked Chen to secretly go to Qingya Mountain to set it up.
Then every year the Zhang family would send over spiritual herbs and resources, which would be refined into elixirs and then transported back.
In particular, with the old man achieving the Golden Core stage, the Zhang family no longer needs to compete with other forces at auctions for Foundation Establishment Pills and other elixirs needed for daily cultivation.
As for business dealings with the Chen family, with the old man serving as a guest advisor, it's not a problem. Even if he no longer serves in that role after thirty years, the Chen family will still have another staunch ally thanks to this favor.
"By the way, Grandfather, I've come to see you on this occasion to ask you to refine a pill for me."
"Whether I invite them or not, it's all something I should do."
Zhang Yuanhua took the jade slip, glanced at it, and was immediately speechless with shock.
It is none other than the formula for the Water Moon Bright Divine Pill!
"Lingyu, where did you get this pill formula? Is this pill really that effective, increasing the success rate of overcoming the inner demon tribulation by 30% to 40%?!"
He had experienced firsthand the horror of inner demons, and even though several days had passed, he still broke out in a cold sweat whenever he thought about it.
What happened in the outside world was but a moment, while he stayed in the illusion for nearly ten years, even with the help of elixirs!
"This was given to me by Master Xuanhao."
Zhang Lingyu spoke calmly, realizing at the time that the other party would not entrust such a precious pill formula to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, as they probably already knew that the Water Curtain Heavenly Essence was on them.
As for why they didn't just rob it but instead gave away the elixir formula, it seems they genuinely wanted to forge a good relationship.
"This pill is quite difficult for me to make since I haven't broken through yet, but now I don't have to worry about anything. I will definitely be able to make the pill within a month."
Zhang Yuanhua put away the jade slip, stroked his beard, and smiled, "I will keep a close eye on the materials for such a fine item. By the way, have you prepared all the materials?"
"They are all here."
"Alright, then, are you going to wait for the pills to mature, or will I send someone to deliver them back to the clan later?"
"I'll wait here. It'll only be a month or so. I can relax and experience the local customs and culture of Linhai County."
"Hey, I bet you're trying to find some treasures."
The old man, as if he had seen through everything, smiled and said:
"Auctions are held in Lin Yuan City every now and then. Most of the items are from the cultivation world of the East Sea, and there are also some novel items from the sea demon race. You can take a look."
"Of course, you can also go into the sea to take a look, but remember not to go too deep. Right now, those demon kings and their clans are being devoured by us little by little, and they are full of resentment. Once they discover the figure of a cultivator, they may personally show themselves."
"Yes, Lingyu understands."
Zhang Lingyu responded, and then the grandfather and grandson chatted for a while. Because the old man had been worried about his family since he came out of seclusion, he had not been able to stabilize his cultivation in the past few days.
With that in mind, he withdrew early and then found the Chen clan cultivator waiting outside the cave. He said that he needed to stay there for a while longer and asked if he could prepare a cave for himself.
"The clan chief has already given instructions, please follow me."
Whether Zhang Lingyu wanted to stay a few more days or not, hospitality was still essential. Chen Jiahe not only prepared a fine cave dwelling for him, but also specially hosted a welcome banquet.
Apart from Jin Dan not being present, only a few high-ranking members of the Chen family were there.
During the banquet, the two sides did not discuss business matters, but instead talked about some interesting things in the Zhao Kingdom and the cultivation world of the East Sea. After learning that Zhang Lingyu had never married, Chen Jiahe's eyes lit up.
However, it's not appropriate to discuss this matter directly; we'll have to go through Zhang Yuanhua.
After several rounds of drinks, Zhang Lingyu returned to the cave dwelling that had been prepared in advance.
It must be said that the Chen family's sincerity was very good. This cave dwelling was only below the cave dwellings of Golden Core cultivators, and only high-level cultivators could enjoy it.
Zhang Lingyu had never cultivated on a third-order spiritual vein before, and now, after taking a breath, he felt incredibly refreshed.
"Since we're already here, why not explore the opportunities this place holds?"
Although there was no information about Linhai County in today's updated intelligence, there was quite a bit of information in the past. The clansmen only obtained a portion of it through his transmission, and had to give up many others because they were not strong enough.
Perhaps a lot of it has been taken away over time, but we should always try our luck, right?
Because he was carrying the Spirit Puppet Transformation Box, he couldn't directly open the intelligence system. Although only he could see it, how could his unusual movements not attract attention?
[Level 5 Intelligence: There is a subterranean Fire Chamber left behind by a cultivator on Chixia Island in Linhai County, Zhao State. Because its owner has been gone for a long time, the restrictions have been broken. Inside, there is a Three Yang Bone Forging Pill and a Lung Fire Essence. You can go there to obtain them.]
[Level 4 Intelligence: A Louxia Stone is being sold on the first floor of the Tianbao Pavilion in Linyuan City, Linhai County, Zhao State. Inside is a Louxia Jade. This is a rare opportunity; you may go there to obtain it.]
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[Level 4 Intelligence: ......]
"Crimson Cloud Island, Three Yang Bone-Forging Pill and Earth Lung Fire Essence."
Zhang Lingyu knew this: Chixia Island was located more than 300 li southeast of Linhai County. It was named after the red glow that appeared on the rocks at sunset. There was a volcano on the island that erupted once every 60 years with a fiery tide.
The restrictions on the Dan Fire Chamber were mostly broken due to the influence of the earth fire tide.
As for the Three Yang Bone Forging Pill, it is only a low-grade third-tier pill. Its effects are the same as the Marrow Cleansing Pill. It is a rare and valuable item for cultivators preparing to establish their foundation, especially for fire-element cultivators, who can achieve twice the result with half the effort.
The only thing that concerned him was the Earth Lung Fire Essence, which was mentioned in the "Burning Primordial Fire Scripture." Besides being used to cultivate the spiritual fire of heaven and earth, it could also be consumed and refined by cultivators.
It doesn't increase cultivation level, but rather improves the quality of the flames that the cultivator refines.
The Burning Yuan Heart Flame was of great help to Zhang Lingyu, but its power would not change much until he broke through to the Golden Core stage. It was just right to refine and cultivate it with the Earth Lung Fire.
If others knew this, they would probably scold him for wasting the precious resources of heaven and earth. But the spiritual fire of heaven and earth is rare and even more difficult to subdue. Moreover, the Burning Yuan Heart Flame will not be much worse than those in the future.
This intelligence came out a month ago. Considering the environment of Crimson Cloud Island, almost no cultivators go there.
He still has a chance to get it.
As for danger, with the Spirit Puppet Transformation Box by his side, he should be fine as long as he doesn't provoke the demon kings in their territory. Besides, he also carries the two fifth-tier talismans that Song Siyu gave to his family.
As for that Louxia Jade, it's a good material for refining weapons; I'll take it along tomorrow.
"Elder Kui, let's go out to sea tomorrow and see if we can find a good physical body for Sect Master Yue." Zhang Lingyu had not forgotten the contents of the blood pact, but a physical body with good aptitude was really hard to find.
The Zhao Kingdom is not the Chu Kingdom. There are not many demonic cultivators there, and the bandit cultivators are not easily subdued by ordinary people. Moreover, they are generally ruthless and would rather self-destruct than leave anything behind.
In the end, I still have to do it myself.
Most of the bandit cultivators who can survive overseas are skilled, and their physical aptitude meets Yue Yi's requirements.
As for which physical body to use, that can be decided by the Spirit Puppet Transformation Box, as long as it's not at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Of course, given Yue Yi's current state, he can only target the early stage of Foundation Establishment at most.
"Thank you, Lingyu. If you encounter any danger on this voyage, I will definitely protect you." The old man's voice echoed in my mind, his tone relaxed.
Although it had been guiding the Zhang family cultivators in crafting puppets and fighting techniques at Qingya Mountain for the past few years, it had always been very anxious about this.
Yue Yi had wasted hundreds of years in the spatial turbulence, and his lifespan could not be made up for.
The sooner you seize possession, the more time you'll have to cultivate.
Of course, it didn't believe the other party could cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage. Even with his aptitude in his previous life, he couldn't have achieved that, let alone with a makeshift physical body.
Returning to the peak of the Golden Core stage is already a blessing; the most important thing at this stage is to help the Spirit Puppet Sect regain its footing as soon as possible.
Zhang Lingyu smiled and simply said:
"Elder Kui, there's no need to be so polite. You've helped my family a lot. In the future, our two families will need to help each other out more."
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