https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-171-Redirecting-Troubles-Foundation-Establishment-Divine-Soul/12920478/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-173-Cloudfall-Smoke-Method-Time-is-of-the-Essence-/12920480/
Chapter 172: Heaven Sails Black Fist? Tier 3 Water Technique!
Chapter 172: Heaven Sails Black Fist? Tier 3 Water Technique!
"Luo Chen, the number of Jade Marrow Pills this month is a little low!"
At the end of the month, Gu Caiyi anxiously sought out Luo Chen.
"How many?"
Gu Caiyi reported the number, which was almost more than ten percent less than last month!
It didn't seem like much, but if they were sold, it would be two to three thousand spirit stones.
No wonder Gu Caiyi was so anxious.
Luo Chen pondered for a while, then slowly shook his head.
"It's fine, a little less profit doesn't matter."
Gu Caiyi was surprised.
Shouldn't more spirit stones be better? Previously, Luo Chen had been more concerned about income than anyone else.
Luo Chen sighed, "Earning too much will easily attract jealousy."
With this explanation, Gu Caiyi began to understand.
The current Luo Tianhui was much simpler than the Po Shan Gang during its early days.
The organization had been streamlined, and its structure simplified.
The benefit was a significant reduction in personnel costs.
The downside was that some things could be easily guessed by others.
For example, the cost of the Jade Marrow Pill!
Previously, with the cover of the nine halls of the Po Shan Gang and the self-sufficiency of the Medicine Hall, it was difficult for outsiders to guess the cost of the Jade Marrow Pill.
But now, things were different.
Most of the main and auxiliary materials were procured from the Da Jiang Gang and the Lianyun Merchant Alliance.
With a little effort, one could easily calculate the specific costs.
Furthermore, by combining the salaries of the Luo Tianhui cultivators, the selling price, and the quantity, one could easily deduce the profit of the Jade Marrow Pill.
Even with some discrepancies, it would still be close to the actual number.
As a result, a small organization like Luo Tianhui earning tens of thousands of spirit stones every month could easily attract jealousy.
"Is Luo Chen intentionally controlling the production of Jade Marrow Pills to reduce others' covetousness?"
Gu Caiyi thought to herself.
Luo Chen chatted with her for a while about the sales of the Jade Marrow Pills and then hurriedly left.
It was time for delivery.
The Zhenlong Black Market was held as scheduled.
Luo Chen, guided by Wang Yanchang, took his familiar seat.
Wang Yanchang was the Wang-surname cultivator who had given him advice during his first visit to the black market.
After several interactions, they had become familiar with each other.
"Heavenly Star Master might be a bit busy today, so please wait for a while," Wang Yanchang said as he poured a cup of hot tea for Luo Chen.
A bit busy? Luo Chen pondered.
Soon, he witnessed what 'a bit busy' meant.
A beam of light shone down, and a small, palm-sized white crane flapped its wings and flew slowly.
It wasn't fast, but it was extremely stable.
Suddenly, spiritual energy was infused into it, and in an instant, it burst into high speed, circling the entire hall.
Everyone hurried to look, but they couldn't find its trace.
Only Luo Chen's eyes shone with spiritual light, and he vaguely saw a trail.
Suddenly, the crane stopped and landed in an old man's hand.
The voice of the Heavenly Star Master slowly spread.
"Teleporting Thousand Paper Crane, a middle-grade first-stage magical tool!"
Everyone was stunned. Was that crane a paper crane? Moreover, it could transmit sound?
The Heavenly Star Master looked around and said with a smile, "As you all know, sound transmission primarily relies on sound transmission talismans and jade pendants."
"However, sound transmission talismans are limited by the power of talismans, so their range is restricted. They are often only usable within the residence of the cave mansion and cannot be used for long-distance communication."
"As for sound transmission jade pendants, they are expensive and are usually one-to-one. Most Foundation Establishment True Cultivators purchase and use them."
"The Teleporting Thousand Paper Crane in my hand is completely different."
"It incorporates the principles of talismans, integrating the concealment and extreme speed array formations, and is finally crafted using the art of forging magical tools."
"With this magical tool, one can quickly communicate with others within a certain range."
"Moreover, there's no need to worry about interception. During the demonstration, it was challenging for fellow cultivators to detect its presence!"
Listening to these words, the hall buzzed with discussion.
The effect was indeed impressive.
It could transmit sound over long distances without worrying about interception.
In the Heavenly Star Master's further explanation, he even mentioned the self-ignition of the paper crane and its role in preserving the sound transmission.
Furthermore, it wasn't a one-time-use magical tool like a sound transmission talisman; it could be used multiple times.
"When using it, in addition to recording the sound transmission, it's best to place a low-grade spirit stone as an energy source."
"One spirit stone per use, which isn't expensive."
"To send it to the destination, you need to set up a dedicated matching crane nest as a means of traction."
As he spoke, the Heavenly Star Master produced two matching crane nests.
He threw one into a corner and placed the other on the platform.
The Thousand Paper Crane was thrown into the distance and then flew to the corner.
Subsequently, without infusing spiritual energy, the Thousand Paper Crane slowly flew back to the crane nest on the platform, relying only on the spirit stone embedded in its abdomen.
With this back and forth motion, it achieved the effect of point-to-point sound transmission.
"This magical tool is the creation of the casting master Hu Yan Zhuo from Tianfan City!"
"I'm sure you've all heard of this master!"
"He is renowned for his creativity and ingenious craftsmanship, and he loves to research various unusual magical tools and artifacts. His creations are often of the highest quality."
At this point, the Heavenly Star Master looked at the hundreds of cultivators, seeing their eager expressions.
He didn't add any unnecessary words.
"I suggest purchasing at least two at once, one for personal use and one to give to another party."
"This way, it's convenient for mutual communication."
"Alright, the starting bid is still the rule for middle-grade magical tools, five hundred spirit stones. Each bid must be at least ten spirit stones higher."
As soon as he finished speaking!
Someone made a bid.
"One thousand spirit stones, I'll buy a pair!"
"One thousand and one, I want a pair too!"
...
On the chairs at the far end, Luo Chen watched with interest as the Teleporting Thousand Paper Crane was auctioned off by the crowd.
Previously, he had complained about the Po Shan Gang's inefficient means of communication.
Because of this, he had even received a cold shoulder from Mi Junping.
Unexpectedly, someone had indeed developed a sound transmission magical tool between sound transmission talismans and jade pendants.
Moreover, from the description, it had almost no drawbacks, except for a longer sound transmission time!
He was so impressed that he was tempted to buy a pair himself.
A pair, not just one! This was evident from the fact that everyone else was buying them in pairs.
This thing didn't work as well with just one.
The matching crane nests were placed on both ends, and the initiative for sound transmission could only be on one side.
If someone else also had a Thousand Paper Crane, they could initiate mutual communication.
"It's a bit like the dedicated phone lines from my previous life on Earth."
"If I buy a few pairs, communication within the Luo Tianhui will become more convenient.
Not only was it convenient for communication, but Luo Chen also recalled the time when the Po Shan Gang's various halls were individually defeated.
If they had such a magical tool back then, perhaps the situation wouldn't have been so difficult.
At the very least, when the first hall was attacked, the others would have received the news.
He also wanted to join the bidding, but as soon as he moved, he stopped.
Soon, the first pair of Teleporting Thousand Paper Cranes were auctioned off at a high price of 1,500 spirit stones.
If calculated individually, each Teleporting Thousand Paper Crane was sold for a high price of 750 spirit stones! Middle-grade magical tools started at 500 spirit stones.
Only those with exceptional offensive capabilities and defensive attributes could surpass the 700 spirit stone threshold.
In other words, this pair of cranes, with their long-distance communication ability, had reached a price comparable to defensive magical tools! As the crowd gazed with envious eyes at the cultivator who had won the bid for this pair of treasures.
Tian Xingzi flipped his wrist, and another pair of Teleporting Thousand Paper Cranes appeared on the platform.
"The starting bid is 500 spirit stones per crane!"
The crowd's expressions froze for a moment, but soon the bidding frenzy resumed.
Soon, the second pair was also auctioned off at a high price of 1,400 spirit stones.
The reason the price was lower than the first time was that everyone had a premonition that Tian Xingzi might have more than just a few pairs.
So, some people waited.
Their premonition was correct!
Subsequently, Tian Xingzi took out seven more pairs of Teleporting Thousand Paper Cranes one after another.
Every pair was sold!
Not a single one remained unsold!
Only then did he stop auctioning the cranes and began selling other items as usual.
Luo Chen watched this scene, his thoughts racing.
This magical tool was rumored to be the creation of the master craftsman Hu Yan Zhuo.
But no matter how he looked at it, it didn't seem right! He was a Golden Core master craftsman who could refine treasures! How could he have the time to refine so many middle-grade magical tools?
If we're talking about profit, it does indeed seem quite substantial.
After all, the main material for the Teleporting Thousand Paper Cranes was the white paper similar to talisman skin, which certainly wouldn't be very expensive.
Even with the addition of the formation and two crane nests, the cost wouldn't be too high.
The high price was mainly due to its special function.
If we're going to discuss it, the Teleporting Thousand Paper Cranes could also be considered an unusual magical tool.
But Hu Yan Zhuo was a master craftsman!
Such an existence should pursue powerful magical treasures or unusual magical treasures.
For example, Luo Chen's Four Symbols Cauldron was initially conceived as a treasure with five functions combined into one.
This kind of craftsmanship is what a master should strive for.
"So, these Teleporting Thousand Paper Cranes, which are all of similar quality, were definitely not personally refined by Hu Yan Zhuo."
"Perhaps he was involved in the research and creation process."
"But the refining process was most likely led by lower-level disciples of Tian Sails City... and there's one more thing!"
"Although Tian Sails City is close to the Jade Cauldron Domain, it's quite far from a remote place like Dahexian Market."
"Now that this thing has spread to this side, one can imagine how many there are in other places."
"In other words, this item has a high production rate, and it is also mass-produced within Tian Sails City!"
After reaching this conclusion, Luo Chen felt something was amiss.
Usually, for such a good item, shouldn't Tian Sails City have it sold at designated locations through their subordinate Wanbao Building shops?
Is it because the Wanbao Building in Dahexian Market has moved?
Or is there a connection between Zhenlong Black Market and Tian Sails City?
For some reason, Luo Chen recalled his past experiences at the black market.
The frequency of magical tool auctions did seem unusually high!
"Could it be that the previous ambush against Pang Renxiong was also led by Tian Sails City?"
This ambiguous conclusion startled Luo Chen.
Is Tian Sails City not afraid of being exposed, discovered by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, and then starting a war between the two Primordial Soul High Sects? How many people would die in that case!
"But that's not right!"
"With Tian Sails City's strength, targeting a Golden Core cultivator shouldn't require so much effort!"
"Moreover, considering the distance between them."
Luo Chen shook his head, unable to figure it out no matter how hard he tried.
It wasn't that he wasn't smart enough, but he lacked sufficient information, and with his limited knowledge, it was challenging to discern the truth from the fog.
He only knew that his cooperation with Tian Xingzi might require some reconsideration.
...
"It seems that my friend is quite interested in these Teleporting Thousand Paper Cranes?"
"I have one more pair left, so I'll sell it to you at the price of 500 spirit stones per crane."
Tian Xingzi took out two paper cranes with a cheerful smile.
Luo Chen thanked him and took the cranes.
Without playing with them too much, he put them away to show his trust in the other party.
According to the auction price, Luo Chen had bought a pair for 1,000 spirit stones, which was definitely a good deal.
Since he had gotten a good deal, he also wanted to return the favor.
"These are the Blood-Boiling Pills refined by my friend in one month."
"A total of twenty pills."
Twenty pills, according to the previous cooperation, would be 2,000 spirit stones.
After deducting the 1,000 spirit stones for the cranes, Tian Xingzi still had to pay Luo Chen 1,000 spirit stones.
After the transaction, Tian Xingzi expressed his regret, "Can only twenty pills be refined in a month?"
Luo Chen smiled bitterly, "I don't know much about pill refinement, but my friend said that the Blood-Boiling Pill is extremely complex, and it's difficult for him to refine more."
"Is that so?"
"That's a pity."
Is the refinement of the Blood-Boiling Pill complex?
In fact, it's not that complicated.
Especially after improving proficiency, the success rate increased to twenty percent.
Luo Chen's Divine Soul foundation surged again, and he could squeeze out a little more time for pill refinement each day.
He could definitely refine more Blood-Boiling Pills.
But time was always limited!
Aside from the Blood-Boiling Pills, he couldn't refine too few Jade Marrow Pills in a month.
Recently, he had also spent a lot of time on the Path to the Netherworld Pills.
After all these twists and turns, he had only refined twenty-eight Blood-Boiling Pills in a month.
He kept eight of them as a precaution.
Selling twenty pills to Tian Xingzi was already going above and beyond.
Because of this, when he left home today, he was scolded by Gu Caiyi for refining too few Jade Marrow Pills.
Seeing Tian Xingzi's regretful expression, Luo Chen suddenly had an idea.
"Actually, there is a way to refine more Blood-Boiling Pills!"
"Oh?"
Tian Xingzi became excited, "Please tell me!"
He seemed particularly concerned about the number of Blood-Boiling Pills!
Luo Chen accurately grasped his psychology.
Then, he pretended to recall and said, "Once, while chatting with my friend, I heard him muttering to himself, saying that the Blood-Boiling Pill is more suitable for Water Alchemy."
"But he doesn't currently have a suitable Water Alchemy technique, and the success rate of using Fire Alchemy is really too low."
"If he had a suitable Water Alchemy technique, he might be able to greatly increase the success rate!"
After hearing these words, Heavenly Star Master seemed to be deep in thought.
"Water Alchemy technique?"
He recalled the list that Luo Chen had given him.
Indeed, there were quite a few materials on it that were suitable for Water Alchemy.
It seems that this friend of Murong Yuan's, who is a pill master, is also not from a major sect.
Because the pill masters cultivated by major sects, not to mention their skills, but most of the basic pill refining techniques, are mastered by one or two.
The most common pill refining techniques in the cultivation world are Water and Fire Alchemy.
Techniques like Golden Quality Jade Liquid, Clear Liquid, and Supplementing Deficiency and Nourishing Meridians Liquid, are all products of Water Alchemy.
A wandering pill master? Heavenly Star Master thought for a moment and took out a jade slip from his storage bag.
In an instant, Luo Chen's gaze fell upon it.
"What's this?"
"A Water Alchemy technique, suitable for most first to third-tier pills."
Luo Chen was surprised. "This is incredible!"
No wonder he was so surprised.
Generally, pill refining techniques have a limited scope.
Just like the Fire Alchemy technique he currently possesses, it's only the most common first-tier technique on the market.
The pills he can refine are often first-tier pills.
If he wants to refine second-tier pills, he still needs to learn the second-tier Fire Alchemy technique from the Azure Origin Pill Explanation.
Additionally, the few pill techniques he learned from Azure Origin Master, Breaking Jade Hand is limited to mineral-based materials, and Pure Heart Hand is limited to plant-based materials.
These also have a general scope.
But the Water Alchemy technique that Heavenly Star Master took out is applicable to first to third-tier pills.
Even with the premise of "most," it is still extremely valuable.
Facing Luo Chen's surprise, Heavenly Star Master was not surprised.
He looked at Luo Chen solemnly, "I can sell you this technique, but your friend must swear a Great Path Oath, not to pass it on to anyone, either intentionally or unintentionally, by any means!"
Luo Chen's eyebrows rose, such a strict oath?
Whether intentional or unintentional, it cannot be passed on to others!
If this technique is inadvertently passed on to others from his hands, it will count as a violation of the oath.
Luo Chen was well aware of the consequences of breaking a Great Path Oath.
For lower cultivation levels, it might be fine.
But when it comes to breaking through to the Golden Core or Primordial Soul stage, there's a high chance of being backlashed by the oath.
Especially during the rumored Essence Transformation realm, it is said to be accompanied by a demonic tribulation.
If there's a backlash from a Great Path Oath, one will surely perish during the demonic tribulation.
It can be said that the Great Path Oath has a weak restraining effect on low-level cultivators.
But for anyone with the ambition of longevity, it has a strong restraining effect.
Luo Chen, of course, was the latter.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have given that Foundation Establishment Pill to Qin Liangchen in the first place.
The key lies in the fact that the Medium-Grade Jade Marrow Pill he refined for Mi Shuhua, and he didn't get to enjoy a single one.
And that Foundation Establishment Pill, in its original sense, also belonged to Qin Liangchen.
After weighing the pros and cons, Luo Chen still followed his heart and made the final choice.
It's all about having a clear mind!
Facing this request, Luo Chen solemnly agreed.
Heavenly Star Master wasn't worried about him cheating.
He immediately set up a small Spirit Sense Restriction on the jade slip.
To break this restriction, one must issue a corresponding Great Path Oath.
"Then, what's the price?"
Holding the jade slip, Luo Chen asked with a smile.
Then his smile stiffened.
Swallowing his saliva, Luo Chen looked at Heavenly Star Master's raised finger.
"Eight thousand?!"
"Why don't you..."
In the end, Luo Chen gritted his teeth and paid this amount of spirit stones.
This Water Alchemy technique is worth the price!
In a sense, the secret techniques of the Hundred Cultivation Arts are no less valuable than the orthodox cultivation techniques.
A pill refining technique applicable to first to third-tier pills is even comparable to a cultivation technique that can reach the Golden Core realm.
Eight thousand is still a bargain!
"Never mind, I'm buying it for my friend anyway. He'll have to pay me back these spirit stones later."
As he spoke, Luo Chen took out eight thousand spirit stones.
Among them, one thousand were just earned from selling the Blood-Boiling Pills, and they hadn't even cooled down yet.
After receiving the spirit stones, Heavenly Star Master's gaze deepened.
"I hope to see fifty Blood-Boiling Pills next month."
Luo Chen was stunned. Was this a hard requirement from the client?
He smiled awkwardly, "I can't guarantee that, I can only hope that my friend, after studying this technique, will be able to reap some benefits."
Heavenly Star Master sighed.
"Time is not on my side!"
After saying this, he removed the soundproof barrier.
This meant that today's transaction was over.
No, it wasn't over yet.
Luo Chen left the Black Market Hall early and came outside.
Wang Yan Chang was waiting outside, holding the storage bag that Luo Chen had given him earlier.
"Fellow Daoist, all the medicinal ingredients for this month are inside."
Luo Chen took the storage bag and a list.
He glanced at it and saw that Jade Yao Pillar, Earth Fire Slaughter, Snow Fox Demon Blood, Explosive Ape Demon Blood, and other materials were all inside, and he nodded in satisfaction.
Then, he took out one thousand five hundred spirit stones.
With these materials, there would be no shortage of raw materials for the Path to the Netherworld Pill and the Universal Elixir next month.
After paying the spirit stones, Luo Chen couldn't hold back.
Today, he had originally come to sell the Blood-Boiling Pills, but in the end, he had contributed eight thousand five hundred spirit stones to the Zhenlong Black Market.
Even with his abundant wealth, he couldn't afford to be tossed around like this!
He only had fifteen thousand spirit stones left on him.
Fortunately, if he sold all the Jade Marrow Pills he refined this month, he could make up for a few thousand more.
Moreover, today's expenditure wasn't a complete loss.
Aside from gathering the materials, the most important thing was acquiring a Water Alchemy technique.
With this, whether it's refining the Imperial Flowing Plasma Pills or other pills that require Water Alchemy, he wouldn't have to worry anymore.
Wang Yan Chang personally sent him to the entrance.
As they were about to part ways, Luo Chen suddenly remembered that sigh.
"Time is not on my side!"
His spirit shook, and he blurted out.
"Fellow Daoist Wang, wait a moment!"
(End of Chapter)
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