Longevity with a Turtle

Chapter 90: Chapter 86: Igniting Little Black’s Fighting Spirit

In the front hall of Jingyue Immortal Tower, Yun Wu walked toward Chen Jianghe with a face full of smiles, making no effort to hide his desire to build a good relationship.

Since Yu Daniu had become a Steward for the Yun family, he naturally stepped down from his position as Steward of Jingyue Immortal Tower. Through the connections of his older brother, Yun San, Yun Wu had taken over this lucrative post left behind by Yu Daniu earlier this year, becoming the tower’s new Steward.

Having entered the upper-middle echelons of the Yun family, Yun Wu now had a clear understanding of Yu Daniu’s status. It was far beyond anything he could compare to. Even his older brother Yun San, who was also a Steward and a former attendant of Yun Bufan, still fell short compared to Yu Daniu. Cultivators like Yun San, who were adopted into the family as children, had absolutely no chance of ever becoming an Elder. However, Yu Daniu had a chance. Although the odds were slim, the hope was still there. On that point alone, Yun San could not compete.

”Brother Chen, are you here for an appointment, or...?”

”Greetings, Steward Yun.” Chen Jianghe first cupped his hands in a polite salute before answering. ”I’m here to order a Roasted Whole Egret and a Braised Cyan-Scaled Fish to go.”

”You’re too polite, Brother Chen. If you don’t mind, just call me Fifth Brother,” Yun Wu said with a chuckle.

”Fifth Brother,” Chen Jianghe obliged. After all, Yun Wu was the Steward of Jingyue Immortal Tower. He had to give the man some face. Since the other party was taking the initiative to be friendly, rejecting him coldly would be a slap to the face and easily breed resentment. He was about to leave Jingyue Lake soon, so there was no need to complicate matters.

”A Braised Cyan-Scaled Fish costs three Spirit Stones, and a Roasted Whole Egret also costs three. I’ll give you a discount. Brother Chen, five Spirit Stones will do.” As Yun Wu spoke, he arranged for someone to prepare the food.

Chen Jianghe thanked him and handed over five Spirit Stones.

”Please have a seat first, Brother Chen. I’ll call you when it’s ready,” Yun Wu smiled, extending his hand in an inviting gesture.

Chen Jianghe nodded. He found a seat by the street in the front hall, sitting down and listening to the discussions of the Cultivators at the surrounding tables.

”I heard the Yun family is moving.”

”Qiyun Mountain belongs to the Yun family now. That’s a peak with a Tier Two Middle-Grade Spiritual Vein! It’s much better than this Huxing Island.”

”To think that the Bai family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor was actually killed by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Western Border. The various clans of the Eastern Territory really benefited from that for nothing.”

”The Yun family occupied the best forty percent of the Qiyun Mountain territory, while the remaining sixty percent was divided among the other five families. Overall, the Yun family still took the lion’s share.”

”That’s a given. A peak with a Tier Two Middle-Grade Spiritual Vein can elevate the Yun family to a whole new level.”

”I heard the Yun family’s Ninth Elder is searching for that Mountain Furred Beast that escaped. If they find it, the Yun family might gain another Tier Two Spirit Beast. By then, they could be promoted to a Top-Level Immortal Race.”

Listening to these discussions, Chen Jianghe wondered to himself. He knew about the death of the Bai family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor and how the Yun family had allied with five other Foundation Establishment Immortal Races to annex the Qiyun Mountain territory. Yu Daniu had mentioned it in his letter. The letter also stated that Yu Daniu had gone out to search for Wang Kui.

However, there had been no mention of the escape of the Mountain Furred Beast, a Spirit Beast with a Third-Grade Lower-Class Bloodline. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Western Border had bought it at an auction for two thousand one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones.

And it just ran away like that!

It sounded somewhat absurd, but it wasn’t impossible. As long as the Mountain Furred Beast hadn’t recognized a master or been stored inside a Spirit Beast Circle, it still had a chance to escape during the chaotic battle.

If it were truly found by Yu Daniu’s father-in-law, the Yun family might actually have a chance to become a Top-Level Immortal Race. Four Foundation Establishment Cultivators in one family would make them a Great Immortal Race ranked highly in the entire Celestial South Domain.

”Since the Yun family obtained Qiyun Mountain, it’s really possible they’ll relocate there and then expand Jingyue Marketplace to cover the entire Huxing Island,” Chen Jianghe thought.

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. However, the Yun family wouldn’t relocate in the short term, because Jingyue Marketplace possessed a Tier Two Large-Scale Defense Formation. At this stage, the Yun family would likely struggle to gather enough Spirit Stones to invite an Array Master from the Celestial South Sect to set up another Array Formation.

Just as Chen Jianghe was deep in thought, Yun Wu walked over carrying two hollow-carved wooden boxes.

”Brother Chen, your Spiritual Cuisine is ready.”

”Thank you for the discount, Fifth Brother. Farewell.”

”Take care. Come back often when you’re free.”

Chen Jianghe left Jingyue Immortal Tower without the slightest intention of coming back voluntarily. Unless it was absolutely necessary, he would never visit Jingyue Immortal Tower again. The expenses here were simply too high. In the blink of an eye, five Spirit Stones had been spent. He now had only four Spirit Stones left.

With a shift in thought, he stored the Roasted Whole Egret and Braised Cyan-Scaled Fish into his Storage Pouch. Leaving Jingyue Marketplace empty-handed instantly felt much more convenient.

Upon returning to the breeding water area, Chen Jianghe impatiently jumped into the lake and dove to the bottom. He summoned Little Black from deep beneath the gravel.

”Little Black, come out and try something fresh.”

The gravel at the lakebed tumbled as a large number of bubbles surged up. Soon after, Little Black’s millstone-sized body squeezed out.

”Something fresh? Is it a new type of Spirit Grass? Master is the best!” Little Black looked at Chen Jianghe excitedly, full of anticipation.

”No, we’re not eating grass today.”

”Uh? Then what are we eating?”

”Take a guess.” The corners of Chen Jianghe’s mouth quirked up. Raising an eyebrow, he smiled playfully.

”It can’t really be the Immortal Fish and the Big White Bird, right?” Little Black’s eyes widened in surprise, unable to believe it. He had previously thought Chen Jianghe was just tricking him, teasing him for fun.

Chen Jianghe circulated his Magical Power, expanding the Water Avoidance Curse to a radius of one zhang. Then, with a thought, the two hollow-carved boxes appeared. They emitted fragrant, steaming hot air that was incredibly appetizing.

With a light point of his finger, a streak of Magical Power shot out, opening the two hollow-carved boxes to reveal the Roasted Whole Egret and the Braised Cyan-Scaled Fish.

”WOO WOO!” Little Black cried out in shock.

He backed up a few steps, then stepped forward in disbelief to inspect them closely. Following that, he let out another shriek and frantically scrambled backward again.

”It really is the Cyan-Scaled Fish and the Big White Bird! How can this be? My dad said that once they successfully finished their Cultivation and became Immortal Beasts, they would enter the Immortal Island! How did this happen?” Little Black’s terrified voice echoed in the Spirit Platform of Chen Jianghe’s mind.

”What Immortal Beast, what Immortal Island? It’s all fake. Do you see it now? If you don’t undergo Cultivation and make yourself stronger, once you’re discovered, you’ll end up on the dining table. One was roasted, and the other was braised. As for you... you’ll probably be stewed into a soup. Cultivators really love turtle soup, you know.”

Chen Jianghe’s words reached Little Black’s Spirit Platform, sending a wave of sheer terror through him. Even his shell began to tremble.

”But you don’t have to be too afraid. As long as you listen to me, be a good turtle, and work hard on your Cultivation, not only will you not be stewed into soup in the future, you’ll even get to eat plenty of delicious food. Come, have a taste.”

”I’ll listen! I’ll be the most obedient! I’ll work the hardest! Please don’t boil me into soup!” Little Black shook his turtle head like a rattle-drum. When Chen Jianghe offered him the Cyan-Scaled Fish, he was so terrified that he kept backing away. He didn’t even dare to eat normal Cyan-Scaled Fish, let alone an ’Immortal Beast’ returning from the ’Immortal Island.’

”Just try it. It’s delicious and it helps with your Cultivation,” Chen Jianghe coaxed. Right in front of Little Black, he picked up a piece of the fish meat, put it in his mouth, chewed it with relish, and swallowed.

Little Black slowly crawled over. Staring at Chen Jianghe with bewildered eyes, and under his repeated temptations, Little Black carefully bit off the head of the Cyan-Scaled Fish.

”Mmm~!”

Little Black’s Doudou-like eyes instantly widened as round as saucers, as if he had just discovered a new continent. Soon after, his eyes filled with mist.

With one gulp, he swallowed the entire remaining Cyan-Scaled Fish. After wolfing it down whole, he opened his large jaws toward the Roasted Whole Egret. In a few quick bites, he devoured the entire Roasted Whole Egret into his stomach as well.

”Leave some for me! That was five Spirit Stones!”

Chen Jianghe was just wondering why Little Black was crying while eating the Cyan-Scaled Fish. Before he could react, he saw Little Black swallow the Roasted Whole Egret whole as well.

”What is wrong with you? One second you’re crying, and the next you’re eating everything on me!”

”WOO WOO~~ I’m furious! I’m so angry!” Little Black’s tearful voice echoed in Chen Jianghe’s mind. ”The legend passed down for generations was clearly that if you became an Immortal Beast, you could ascend to the Immortal Island! How did it turn into ending up on a dining table?!

”WOO WOO~ It’s too delicious! Why is it so delicious?!

”WOO WOO... Do you have any more, Master?”

Chen Jianghe glared at the fellow who had eaten everything without even spitting out the bones, and dispelled the Water Avoidance Curse with a face full of resentment. A Braised Cyan-Scaled Fish and a Roasted Whole Egret. Five Spirit Stones! He couldn’t even bear to eat them himself. He had bought them, only to take a single bite before the rest was completely polished off by this cowardly turtle.

”I really want to stew you into a soup.”

Chen Jianghe huffed in exasperation and left the lakebed.

After he left, the mist in Little Black’s eyes evaporated, replaced by a resolute gleam.

”I can’t end up on the table! I need to become strong! I want to become a true Immortal Beast, and I want to eat more Cyan-Scaled Fish and Big White Birds~!”

Returning to the surface of the lake, Chen Jianghe boarded his Upturned Boat and prepared to continue drawing Spirit Talismans.

He figured that Little Black must have finally sensed the cruelty of Cultivation. The turtle would surely work hard and prepare himself mentally for leaving Jingyue Lake. In truth, if Little Black were ever discovered, he would definitely be worshipped and fully nurtured into a Tier Two Spirit Beast by the family. By then, the one truly being tortured would be Chen Jianghe! But Little Black didn’t know that.

Putting these thoughts aside, his most pressing matters now were his Cultivation and drawing Spirit Talismans to accumulate wealth.

In May of the following year.

Chen Jianghe consumed a Qi Storage Pill and fed Little Black two stalks of Spirit-Encompassing Flowers. After Refining the medicinal power of the Qi Storage Pill, he resumed drawing Spirit Talismans.

In July, Gao Peiyao sent a letter saying she wanted to have a small gathering at Qinghe Marketplace during next year’s Mid-Autumn Festival. She had accepted a Sect mission for the coming year, which required her to work as an assistant manager at Qinghe Marketplace’s Hundred Treasures Tower for two years. This meant she would be the assistant to the Steward of the Hundred Treasures Tower there. Therefore, she invited Chen Jianghe, and also mentioned in the letter that she had invited Yu Daniu and Zhou Miaoyun.

”Travel to Qinghe Marketplace?” Chen Jianghe frowned. He really didn’t want to go.

Until he reached Late-Stage Qi Refining and accumulated enough life-saving foundation, he didn’t want to go anywhere. However, turning her down directly wouldn’t be appropriate. He decided it was best to discuss the matter with Daniu first.

Just then, a streak of sword light sliced through the horizon, flying toward the Zone A No.6 Water Area and hovering above the Upturned Boat.

”Is Fellow Daoist Chen present?”

It was the voice of Talisman Master Chu Lang.

Hearing the voice, Chen Jianghe stepped out of the cabin. He looked up at Talisman Master Chu Lang with a puzzled expression, wondering what the man was doing here. It wasn’t New Year’s Eve yet, which was when they usually split the profits. Moreover, this year was the final time they would divide the profits. Talisman Master Chu Lang, who usually never sought him out, had come calling now. But why?

”Does Talisman Master Chu need something from this junior?”