Longevity with a Turtle

Chapter 137: Chapter 110: Peiyao’s Invitation

”Fur Ball has actually gotten smarter? It seems a Spirit Beast really takes after whoever trains it.”

Chen Jianghe didn’t intervene in the battle of wits between Little Black and Fur Ball. After storing the two of them into the Spirit Beast Space, he walked out of his courtyard and headed toward Fushou Lane in the Northeast District.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he arrived at Blessed Residence No. 136 and knocked on the door ring.

It wasn’t long before Zhuang Xinyan opened the courtyard door.

”Elder Chen.” Zhuang Xinyan invited Chen Jianghe inside before adding, ”Elder Chen, please wait a moment. Grandpa and my junior martial sister are still in the Alchemy Room.”

”No matter.”

Zhuang Xinyan brewed a cup of tea and served it to Chen Jianghe.

”Thank you for the trouble.”

”You’re too polite, Elder. It is only proper for a junior like me,” she replied.

After saying this, Zhuang Xinyan obediently stood to the side. With her head bowed, she fiddled with the hem of her clothes, not daring to meet Chen Jianghe’s eyes. Perhaps because she had been overprotected by Alchemist Zhuang, her personality was quite simple and introverted. Every time they met, she acted extremely reserved.

”There’s no need to be so restrained around me. Just have a seat.” Chen Jianghe felt somewhat speechless. He was a guest at Alchemist Zhuang’s home, yet Zhuang Xinyan remained standing the whole time—it just didn’t seem right.

”Thank you, Elder.” Zhuang Xinyan obediently sat down, expressing her gratitude.

Chen Jianghe fell silent, waiting for Alchemist Zhuang and Jiang Ruxu to emerge.

Jiang Ruxu was likely refining a Lower-Grade Spirit Pill, which meant a single furnace would finish very quickly. Before even an hour had passed, the firelight in the Alchemy Room vanished.

Immediately after...

BOOM!

Billowing black smoke poured out of the Alchemy Room. Startled, Chen Jianghe hurriedly stepped out of the reception room.

”What happened?” Chen Jianghe looked at Zhuang Xinyan, asking in confusion.

At this moment, Zhuang Xinyan showed no signs of nervousness. Instead, she appeared very calm and offered Chen Jianghe a pretty smile. ”Elder, the furnace just exploded.”

”Exploded?” Chen Jianghe was stunned. Did furnaces actually explode during Alchemy?

However, judging from Zhuang Xinyan’s expression, furnace explosions seemed to be a common occurrence.

”Have you exploded a furnace before?”

”Yes, I have! I’ve exploded it quite a few times. Grandpa said my Talent isn’t high and told me to just focus on my Cultivation from now on. He left all the Alchemy matters to my junior sister.”

”Isn’t exploding a furnace dangerous?”

”If you’re refining Basic Spiritual Pills or Lower-Grade Spirit Pills, an explosion isn’t dangerous. But if you’re refining Middle-Grade Spirit Pills, there is a bit of danger.

”Grandpa said that one must be extremely cautious when refining a High-Grade Elixir. If the furnace explodes, you have to use a High-Grade Protection Talisman immediately.”

As Zhuang Xinyan spoke, the door to the Alchemy Room swung open. The black smoke thickened, billowing outward as two figures emerged from within.

Alchemist Zhuang’s white hair and long beard had both been dyed pitch-black by the soot, making him instantly look decades younger. Jiang Ruxu’s snow-white skin was covered in grime, her face smeared with black ash, and her hair a tangled mess like a chicken’s nest.

”Ah, Elder Chen!” Jiang Ruxu cried out in alarm upon seeing Chen Jianghe, then hastily fled to the second floor of the small building.

”Haha, I’ve let Fellow Daoist Chen see a joke.” Alchemist Zhuang chuckled awkwardly, then added, ”Please excuse me for a moment.”

”Take your time, Fellow Daoist,” Chen Jianghe nodded.

A short while later.

Alchemist Zhuang walked back out, washed clean and changed into a fresh set of clothes. After another moment, Jiang Ruxu slowly descended from the second floor. Her pretty face was bright red as she stood behind Alchemist Zhuang with her head bowed.

”To think that even at my old age, I’d still experience a furnace explosion. For letting my Fellow Daoist witness such a joke, I truly apologize for the lack of manners,” Alchemist Zhuang said, cupping his hands in greeting.

”That’s not true,” Jiang Ruxu whispered softly at this moment. ”It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t tried to refine a Qi Storage Pill, the furnace wouldn’t have exploded.

”Master is right. I was too impatient. I should solidify my foundation for a few more years before attempting to refine Middle-Grade Spirit Pills.”

”Fellow Daoist Jiang is refining Middle-Grade Spirit Pills?”

Hearing this, Chen Jianghe was taken aback, finding it somewhat unbelievable. He knew Jiang Ruxu’s Alchemy Dao Talent was good, but this was simply far too good! She had only been in contact with the Alchemy Dao for four years, yet she was already a Lower-Grade Alchemist and was now even attempting to refine Middle-Grade Spirit Pills. Even though she failed, she would only need to settle down for a few years to build her foundation, and she would definitely become a Middle-Grade Alchemist.

”The Alchemy Dao is different from your Talisman Dao. One’s comprehension of pharmacology is particularly crucial. A single moment of enlightenment can rival ten years of study. The rest is simply about improving Sealing techniques and accumulating experience in controlling the heat,” Alchemist Zhuang said, sounding a bit dejected. ”Sigh, Ruxu’s accumulation is still too shallow. I’m afraid she will need a few more years before she can become a Middle-Grade Alchemist.”

However, anyone listening could clearly sense the humblebrag in his words.

Chen Jianghe inwardly cursed. He had already witnessed Jiang Ruxu’s Talent; there was no need for Alchemist Zhuang to keep showing it off. Otherwise, despite his steady mindset, he wouldn’t be able to help feeling jealous. He had studied the Talisman Dao for nearly thirty years to barely qualify as a Middle-Grade Talisman Master. Meanwhile, Jiang Ruxu had become a Lower-Grade Alchemist in just four years and was expected to become a Middle-Grade Alchemist within ten. Her potential profits would directly surpass his.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Alchemist Zhuang gave Jiang Ruxu a meaningful look. Understanding his intent, she respectfully asked Chen Jianghe, ”Elder Chen, do you currently purchase your Fasting Pills from a familiar Pill Master?”

The implication was obvious. If he was currently buying Fasting Pills from a Spiritual Pill Shop or the Hundred Treasures Tower, he could choose to buy them from her instead.

Chen Jianghe shook his head.

”Being able to study under my Master’s wing is a Heaven-sent Fortune. Over the past few years, my Master has always subsidized my needs for Alchemy. Now that I am a Lower-Grade Alchemist, I wish to share some of his burden.

”If you do not disdain this junior’s poor Alchemy Skills, Elder, could you perhaps purchase your Fasting Pills from me?” Jiang Ruxu’s playful eyebrows twitched slightly, her large, lively eyes filled with an eager plea.

”Mm, alright.”

Chen Jianghe had come here specifically to purchase Fasting Pills and to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with Alchemist Zhuang to set the old man’s mind at ease. As for what Jiang Ruxu just said, he didn’t believe a single word of it. If she sold Fasting Pills back to any shop, she would get a five percent discount off the market price. But selling them to him, it definitely wouldn’t be just a five percent discount.

”Thank you, Elder!” Jiang Ruxu said excitedly. ”Master, the Elder is buying the Elixirs I refined!”

”Yes, yes, very good.” Alchemist Zhuang nodded with a chuckle before adding, ”I am on good terms with Fellow Daoist Chen, so we shall sell these Fasting Pills to him at a twenty percent discount off the market price. What do you think, Ruxu?”

”This disciple will completely follow Master’s arrangements,” Jiang Ruxu said with a beaming smile.

”Since this is the case, does Fellow Daoist find this acceptable?” Alchemist Zhuang asked, looking at Chen Jianghe with smiling eyes.

”Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Zhuang,” Chen Jianghe cupped his hands in gratitude.

A twenty percent discount on the market price was truly the rock-bottom rate when it came to Spirit Pills. Moreover, Alchemist Zhuang’s underlying meaning was perfectly clear: any other Spirit Pills in the future would also be sold to him at a twenty percent discount.

”Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Jiang as well.”

”It is this junior who should be thanking Elder Chen.”

Following that, Jiang Ruxu took out five gourds of Fasting Pills all at once. Judging by Alchemist Zhuang’s intentions, it seemed he wasn’t in a rush to collect the Spirit Stones. However, Chen Jianghe had Spirit Stones on hand right now, and considering how cheap these Fasting Pills were, there was no need for him to delay payment. He took out thirty-two Spirit Stones and handed them to Jiang Ruxu. Then, he accepted the Fasting Pills and placed them into his Storage Pouch. For the next five years or so, he wouldn’t have to worry about Fasting Pills anymore.

Right at this moment, a heavy KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK echoed from the courtyard door, causing Alchemist Zhuang to frown.

”Ruxu, go take a look. If it’s someone seeking pills, just tell them I’m not here.”

”Yes, Master.”

Unlike his amicable attitude toward Chen Jianghe, when it came to those Cultivators begging for pills, Zhuang Yanfeng was an aloof, High-Grade Alchemist. Furthermore, Alchemist Zhuang’s residence constantly received visitors, the vast majority of whom were seeking pills. Therefore, whenever the door knocker sounded, Alchemist Zhuang assumed it was just another person begging for his services. He especially looked down on those Cultivators who went hunting in the Youxian Mountain Range from the bottom of his heart. Even if the other party was a Ninth-Layer Qi Refining Great Cultivator, his disdain remained the same.

”It must be some outsider coming to beg for pills. Interrupting our catch-up session is truly a buzzkill,” Alchemist Zhuang commented.

Chen Jianghe smiled but said nothing.

Just then, Jiang Ruxu returned.

”Did you drive them away?” Alchemist Zhuang asked.

”Master, it’s someone from the Hundred Treasures Tower.”

”The Hundred Treasures Tower? They have their own Pill Masters. What could they want with me?” Alchemist Zhuang wondered aloud. However, he still stood up, preparing to go out and welcome them. After all, they were from the Hundred Treasures Tower, and he couldn’t afford to slight them.

”Master, they aren’t here for you; they’re here for Elder Chen. They said that Fairy Peiyao is inviting Elder Chen to the Hundred Treasures Tower for a chat.”