Chapter 143, Dongling Market and Master Jiang

Translator: Raznick

 

The Wang Clan had, for generations, cultivated herbs for the Green Lotus Monastery, their clan renowned for its expertise in growing a wide variety of herbs.

 

Consequently, many alchemists and factions skilled in the art of pills maintained a cooperative relationship with them.

 

Naturally, through this network, they easily learned about various pill news, knowing where certain pills would be sold.

 

The news regarding a Meridian Protection Pill originated from the Wang Clan, received from an alchemist.

 

It was said that the alchemist’s mentor had refined a furnace of Meridian Protection Pills at the request of a high-ranking cultivator and, following alchemy regulations, received a Meridian Protection Pill as a fee.

 

Although this Meridian Protection Pill was precious, its uses were not very widespread; comparatively, it was not as useful as a Meridian Nurturing Pill.

 

Therefore, the alchemist’s mentor might have considered selling the pills he held.

 

Of course, the Wang Clan simply passed this information on to the Zhou Clan.

 

Whether Zhou Chun could buy the Meridian Protection Pill from that alchemy master would depend on his own abilities.

 

Regarding matters of his own cultivation path, after Zhou Chun learned the news, he immediately explained it to the Clan Leader, Zhou Daoyi.

 

“I am aware of this matter; let Third Elder accompany you.”

 

Zhou Daoyi considered briefly before nodding to Zhou Chun, making the arrangements.

 

Subsequently, after completing the handover, Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan, who had broken through to late Foundation Establishment, left Nine Peaks together.

 

The two emerged from the estate, and Zhou Daoquan reached out and patted his waist, summoning his spirit pet, an average second-grade demon beast, a Vermillion Flame Crane.

 

He then stepped onto the crane’s back and beckoned to Zhou Chun, saying, “Come on up. Vermillion Flame Crane can easily carry two people.”

 

“I won’t be polite then.”

 

Zhou Chun cupped his hands and also stepped onto the crane’s back.

 

With both now steady on the crane, the Vermillion Flame Crane let out a cry and beat its wings, soaring into the sky, quickly reaching a thousand zhangs in altitude.

 

At this time, Zhou Chun had already reached Foundation Establishment.

 

Even at such a great height, he and Zhou Daoquan slightly circulated their spiritual power, forming a spiritual power shield, effortlessly deflecting the icy wind blowing from above.

 

This degree of spiritual power consumption, compared to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was extremely slight, and continuous use for a day wouldn’t consume more than a few percent of their spiritual power.

 

The destination of their journey wasn’t located in Mist Province, but Ridge Province, which Zhou Chun hadn’t yet visited.

 

After ascending and flying, Zhou Daoquan pointed out the direction of flight to the Vermillion Flame Crane and let it navigate on its own.

 

Then, he looked at Zhou Chun and asked, “Speaking of which, you’ve also reached Foundation Establishment now. What are your plans for that Silver Thunder Python? When can you get it to advance to second grade?”

 

“I’m also quite troubled about this!”

 

A flicker of worry crossed Zhou Chun’s face, and he said somewhat helplessly, “The clan’s Beast Spirit Pills are no longer effective for its current growth. To let it accumulate power and break through second-grade, it’s bound to need greater pills.

 

“But the High Elder’s refined pills were all used up by the Clan Leader, and now no one in the clan can refine those pills anymore!”

 

The pills consumed by demon beasts and the pills consumed by cultivators have a very obvious difference.

 

The vast majority of enhancement pills consumed by cultivators proved largely ineffective for demon beasts.

 

Therefore, only pills specifically refined for demon beasts could accelerate their growth.

 

The pills suitable for second-grade demon beasts, known as demon pills, were also a closely guarded secret of the Zhou Clan, attainable only by alchemists with exceptional alchemy skills.

 

Now, however, none of the Zhou Clan’s alchemists possessed the ability to refine these pills.

 

The clan was left with the formula and alchemy materials, yet devoid of the pills themselves!

 

“Without demon pills, accelerating its advancement will indeed be quite difficult.”

 

Zhou Daoquan furrowed his brow, equally powerless in the situation.

 

He could only suggest, “If it’s truly unmanageable, you could purchase some century-old herbs for it to consume; those herbs are effective if ingested directly by the demon beast.”

 

Zhou Chun nodded in agreement.

 

The Vermillion Flame Crane’s flight speed was not slower than that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but it relied on physical strength, and it also had to carry two human cultivators.

 

Therefore, after flying for more than two hours, it would require a half-day’s rest to recover.

 

Of course, if it were to utilize spiritual power for flight, it could fly for a much longer time.

 

However, Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan weren’t in such a rush, so there was no need to have it do so.

 

Thus, nearly two days later, the two arrived at the location of the alchemy master who possessed a Meridian Protection Pill.

 

That alchemy master was a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, permanently residing in Eastern Hill Market in Ridge Province, and had opened a pill shop there.

 

Zhou Chun and the others entered the eastern market and didn’t have much trouble finding the shop he opened.

 

The shop wasn’t particularly large, not as grand as the Spirit Beast Pavilion that the Zhou Clan had established in the Red Cliff Market.

 

Upon entering, Zhou Chun and the others saw a middle-aged man with late Qi Refining cultivation managing the shop, reading a book behind the counter.

 

Hearing the commotion, the manager quickly looked up at the visitors.

 

Discovering that the visitors were two Foundation Establishment cultivators, the manager was startled and quickly began to lower his book to greet them with a respectful bow.

 

Zhou Chun stepped forward first, saying, “Fellow Daoist need not be so formal. We’re here specifically to visit Master Jiang; please relay our greetings.”

 

Hearing his words, the manager immediately revealed a wry smile and said, “This is rather unfortunate. Master Jiang announced his seclusion just the other day to refine a furnace of pills; he’s likely unable to receive guests at this time!”

 

Zhou Chun paused slightly, then frowned and asked, “How long will Master Jiang be in seclusion this time?”

 

Upon hearing him, the manager hesitated slightly before replying, “Based on Master Jiang’s past practices, if he doesn’t specify a duration for his seclusion, he generally emerges within half a month.”

 

“I see, I understand.”

 

Zhou Chun nodded, then secretly transmitted a message to Zhou Daoquan beside him.

 

After a brief exchange, he addressed the manager, “Then please do me a small favor. When Master Jiang emerges from seclusion, please ensure he doesn’t leave. My companion and I will visit every day for the next half-month.”

 

“Yes, I will certainly relay your words!”

 

The shopkeeper acknowledged and watched the two Zhou Chun depart.

 

Leaving the alchemy shop, the two Zhou Chun wandered through the market.

 

This Ridge Province and this eastern Ridge market, both Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan were visiting for the first time.

 

Compared to the Red Cliff Market of Mist Province, it appeared somewhat small.

 

This was because the Eastern Hill Market was not governed by the Green Lotus Monastery but was an industry of a sect in Ridge Province, the Black Gem Pavilion.

 

That Black Gem Pavilion, though currently without a Nascent Soul stage cultivator in residence, had previously produced Nascent Soul stage cultivators and maintained a good relationship with Jing Kingdom’s largest sect, Moon Cabal.

 

Therefore, the Green Lotus Monastery could only continue governing this eastern Ridge market.

 

But small as the market was, the goods in the Eastern Hill Market were not inferior.

 

After visiting several shops, Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan discovered that this place truly had some unique items not found in the Red Cliff Market.

 

For example, in the shop directly operated by the Black Gem Pavilion, Gem Pavilion, there were many treasures and jade pendants and artifacts for sale; items like the Augur Pendant that Zhou Chun possessed were commonplace within.

 

Even upon seeing the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, the shopkeeper recommended to them a second-grade artifact that served as the shop’s treasure.

 

But the two Zhou Chun were not lacking in artifacts, so they naturally did not waste spirit coins to purchase anything.

 

“Every place has its own specialties; the Black Gem Pavilion’s is due to a spirit jade vein near its estate, so they developed so many jade pearl and jade pendant artifacts.

 

“It’s a pity that the current situation is unclear; otherwise, I should be traveling far and wide, experiencing the local customs and cultivation world of various places, searching for opportunities for my own Violet Palace!”

 

Coming out of Gem Pavilion, Zhou Daoquan recalled what he had seen and heard and couldn’t help but express his feelings and talk about his future plans.

 

He knew the Zhou Clan would undoubtedly prioritize supporting Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi in opening a Violet Palace, and he harbored no objections to that.

 

Therefore, if he intended to challenge a Violet Palace, he could only venture out, travel, and seek opportunities on his own.

 

It was a common practice for cultivators at his stage, even those from a sect, to do so.

 

After all, the resources available to both a clan and a sect were limited, and they would inevitably prioritize supporting those deemed more valuable.

 

Those with slightly less potential, if they didn’t want their path to end there, could only rely on themselves to find opportunities.

 

Hearing his musings, Zhou Chun’s expression flickered slightly before he thought for a moment and said, “If Elder intends to travel far, you shouldn’t have to wait long. Once the clan leader’s cultivation breaks through to late Foundation Establishment, it should be sufficient.”

 

“Let’s hope so.”

 

Zhou Daoquan nodded but didn’t mention the matter further.

 

After the two of them strolled around the market, they temporarily lodged at an inn within the market.

 

During the following days, Zhou Chun made a trip to the pharmacy each day to see if Master Jiang had returned.

 

When he returned, he would naturally make a detour to the market stalls to see if he could find anything worthwhile.

 

On the ninth day, when Zhou Chun went to the pharmacy again, the shopkeeper finally informed him that Master Jiang had returned and had learned of their visit.

 

After the shopkeeper’s notification, Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan, who had hurried over, soon met Master Jiang in the backyard of the pharmacy.

 

This alchemy master appeared quite aged, with his head full of white hair, suggesting he was well over two hundred years old.

 

However, his complexion was quite ruddy, and he seemed in good spirits, with sharp, bright eyes.

 

Master Jiang’s face was immediately alight with curious scrutiny as he questioned the pair, “You two fellow Daoists appear unfamiliar. From whence do you hail? And what purpose brings you to see me?”

 

Zhou Chun replied, “We dare not mislead you. We hail from Mist Province and have heard that you possess Meridian Protection Pills for sale, prompting our dedicated journey to seek your esteemed presence and procure this elixir.”

 

Hearing his words, Master Jiang’s countenance shifted subtly before he lowered his voice, “Oh? From where did you learn of this?”

 

“That… please forgive me. This matter involves the privacy of others, and we are unable to elaborate.”

 

Zhou Chun shook his head, still refraining from revealing the existence of the Wang Clan.

 

Although the Wang Clan had not requested secrecy, assisting in keeping such matters confidential was simply the unspoken rule of the cultivation world.

 

From Master Jiang’s perspective, it was clearly undesirable for his every action to be known to outsiders.

 

Revealing the existence of the Wang Clan would inevitably invite his displeasure.

 

However, a clear displeasure flashed across Master Jiang’s face, and he promptly stated, “If you are unwilling to elaborate, then let it be.”

 

He lifted his teacup and drank, then continued, “However, you shall be disappointed. The Meridian Protection Pill I possess has other intended uses, and I am not prepared to sell it.”

 

This gesture of offering tea and dismissing guests left Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoquan utterly speechless.

 

It was clearly a reprisal for his earlier concealment of the source of the information.

 

But the Meridian Protection Pill held significant meaning for Zhou Chun, and he could not easily relinquish his pursuit.

 

He could only say, “Master Jiang, would you not care to hear my conditions? I sincerely desire to exchange with you the Meridian Protection Pill!”

 

“Such sincerity would compel you to disclose from whence you gleaned the news?”

 

Master Jiang’s eyebrows twitched, and he replied with a cold expression.

 

Seeing that he genuinely sent the guest away because of this matter, Zhou Chun couldn’t help but sigh, “Master, why must you be like this? Knowing about this will only add a worry to you; it’s better to remain ignorant.”

 

Master Jiang, however, continued to speak with a cold, unchanging expression, “I would rather have one more worry than risk being betrayed someday and losing my life.”

 

Hearing his words, Zhou Chun was momentarily speechless.

 

“The Red Herb Valley’s Wang Clan.”

 

Ultimately, he was forced to reveal the source of the information.

 

“The Red Herb Valley’s Wang Clan?”

 

Master Jiang’s expression flickered, revealing a thoughtful look.

 

Then he nodded slightly to Zhou Chun and said, “Tell me, what have you prepared to exchange for a Meridian Protection Pill from me? This item is no less valuable than a second-grade artifact, and artifacts and spirit coins I have in abundance; if you can’t produce something that impresses me, you can forget about obtaining it.”

 

“Yes, I understand. An alchemy master like Master Jiang certainly wouldn’t lack such things, so I’ve specially prepared items that I think you might find useful.”

 

Zhou Chun spoke and then took one jade box after another from his storage bag, opening them one by one.

 

The items inside this jade box were alchemy materials, including the hearts of variant beasts from the Heaven Spirit Trial and the Fire Vine Heart Fruit.

 

Many of these materials had originally been donated to the clan, and he had temporarily brought them over.

 

And Master Jiang was, of course, a discerning person. After examining the alchemy materials, he was somewhat tempted but still shook his head. “These herbs are rare in the outside world, but they’re not enough to exchange for a Meridian Protection Pill.”