Chapter 170 - 126: Foundation Establishment Pill Obtained

Chapter 170: Chapter 126: Foundation Establishment Pill Obtained

Ruan Tieniu and Ji Wujin exchanged a glance. With over an eighty percent chance of successful Alchemy and a guarantee to refine at least one Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, Alchemist Zhuang’s Alchemy Skills had clearly reached Tier Two Lower Grade. Furthermore, among Tier Two Lower-Grade Alchemists, her skills were considered quite exceptional. If she could guarantee one Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, there was always the hope she could produce two.

Ji Wujin did not hesitate. He immediately took out four hundred Spirit Stones and handed them to Alchemist Zhuang, making him the first to secure a Foundation Establishment Pill. As long as one Genuine Foundation Establishment Pill was produced, it would be his. Therefore, there was no reason to agonize over paying the Spirit Stones.

Ruan Tieniu only hesitated for a moment before taking out his own four hundred Spirit Stones. He knew very well that if he sought out a true Tier Two Lower-Grade Alchemist, the price would not be a mere four hundred. It would likely cost them eight hundred Spirit Stones each. Alchemist Zhuang’s Alchemy Skills were not inferior to a Tier Two Lower-Grade Alchemist, yet she was only charging them half price. This was undoubtedly out of respect for Chen Jianghe. This much was obvious from the attitude Alchemist Zhuang displayed toward Chen Jianghe upon walking out of the courtyard. Moreover, Alchemist Zhuang made no mention of Chen Jianghe’s Alchemy fees at all. Clearly, their friendship had reached a point where four hundred Spirit Stones could simply be ignored. At that moment, Ruan Tieniu looked at Chen Jianghe with gratitude in his eyes, realizing he had just saved a substantial amount of Spirit Stones.

Noticing Ruan Tieniu’s grateful gaze, Chen Jianghe pondered for a moment and figured out the reason. He suddenly felt a bit envious of the Pill Master profession. They could hike up prices on the spot, and people still had to thank them for it.

Alchemist Zhuang put away the Spirit Stones, glanced at Chen Jianghe, and said with a smile, "Then please return tomorrow at 3:00 PM to collect the pills, Fellow Daoist!"

"Alright, sorry for the trouble, Alchemist Zhuang," Chen Jianghe nodded in reply.

Alchemist Zhuang turned around, entered the courtyard, and tightly shut the gate behind her.

"You two, should we..."

"I will wait right here." Ruan Tieniu had no intention of leaving. He stood motionless outside Blessed Residence number 136.

"Since Fellow Daoist Ruan is keeping watch, I will go enjoy some peace and quiet." Ji Wujin looked at Chen Jianghe with a smile and raised an eyebrow. "Would you like to come over to my place and sit for a while, Fellow Daoist?"

"Thank you, but I will stay here with Brother Ruan." Chen Jianghe was unsure of Ji Wujin’s true identity, and he was not about to enter a Puppet Master’s courtyard. Even with Little Black and Fur Ball, he still felt it was somewhat unsafe.

"Coward," Ji Wujin thought to himself before returning to his own courtyard, not the least bit worried about Alchemist Zhuang absconding with the funds.

"Brother Chen, thank you," Ruan Tieniu said, looking at Chen Jianghe and solemnly cupping his fists.

"Uh, haha, you are too polite, Brother Ruan." Chen Jianghe was already calculating that he needed to settle accounts with Alchemist Zhuang afterward. Thirty Body Refining Spiritual Pills were only worth six hundred Spirit Stones. How could that possibly offset an eight hundred Spirit Stone Alchemy fee?

"If it weren’t for your standing, Brother Chen, Alchemist Zhuang would never have given me so many Spirit Stones to buy the Pill Formula. And she certainly wouldn’t have only charged four hundred Spirit Stones for this Refining. Saying too many words of gratitude would feel insincere. I will keep this favor in my heart, Brother Chen, and I will naturally repay you generously in the future."

Ruan Tieniu used voice transmission this time. Since this concerned the Pill Formula, he couldn’t let it slip out. Because of his trade with Alchemist Zhuang, an oath was involved. Coupled with the fact that he was about to attempt Foundation Establishment, if he violated the oath, his Foundation Establishment would fail with absolute certainty. Even with Illusion Heart Grass, he would not be able to withstand the torment of a Dao Heart suffering from a broken oath.

"You exaggerate, Brother Ruan. I merely acted as a middleman. The main thing is that both you and Alchemist Zhuang are satisfied with this trade." Chen Jianghe did not claim credit; in reality, he hadn’t played that big of a role anyway.

Ruan Tieniu said no more. Instead, he stood there, staring intently at the courtyard gate of Blessed Residence number 136. He could hardly wait to become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. This was his ultimate pursuit, and now, it was on the verge of becoming a reality. Thanks to the trade involving the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula, as long as his attempt was successful, his combat prowess wouldn’t be at the bottom among Foundation Establishment Cultivators. At the very least, the Spirit Stones currently in his possession were enough to buy a Top-Level Flying Sword.

In the blink of an eye, night fell. As it approached 7:15 PM, Chen Jianghe glanced at the motionless Ruan Tieniu and said, "Brother Ruan, let’s go to the Qinghe Tavern."

"Alright, my treat, Brother Chen," Ruan Tieniu did not refuse. Qing Street was about to be cleared, so they could no longer linger at Alchemist Zhuang’s door. Going home was out of the question. That left only two places where they could keep an eye on Fushou Lane: one was the Hundred Treasures Tower, and the other was the Qinghe Tavern.

"You don’t need to be so nervous, Brother Ruan. Fellow Daoist Ji is here too," Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.

"With you here, Brother Chen, I am at ease with Alchemist Zhuang. It’s just that I am about to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, and I find it hard to calm my emotions," Ruan Tieniu smiled bitterly, sending a voice transmission to Chen Jianghe. Following that, the two of them headed to the Qinghe Tavern.

From his second-floor terrace, Ji Wujin watched Chen Jianghe and Ruan Tieniu leave and faintly spat out a few words.

"A coward, and a grunt."

***

"Master, are you Refining a Foundation Establishment Pill?" Jiang Ruxu stood in the Alchemy Room, watching a busy Alchemist Zhuang perform tedious preparatory tasks one by one.

"Mhm. Watch closely later; in the future, it will be you Refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

"You must remember, aside from your Master and senior sister, no one can be relied upon. Only when your Alchemy Skills are strong will you be able to gain a firm foothold in the Qinghe Marketplace."

"What about Elder Chen?"

"Him? Bound by our transaction, he can protect you for a time, but he will not protect you for a lifetime.

"However, as long as Fellow Daoist Chen brings the Youthful Grass, your Master will be able to cling to life for a while longer. By then, you should just about be a High-Grade Alchemist."