Chapter 9: Shuang Jiang’s Thoughts

【Remaining usable points: 47】

Su Jingzhen looked at the inexplicably increasing points, feeling both excited and speechless.

Shuang Jiang was indeed strong, and her foundation was also real, but these inexplicably obtained points made one feel that… she didn’t seem as cold and aloof as she appeared on the surface…

However, these points seemed to be coming in quickly, but for Su Jingzhen, they were still far from enough.

These points couldn’t directly help him repair his dantian, nor could they be exchanged for spirit stones; he still needed to rely on himself.

As for Shuang Jiang…

Originally, when she saw Su Jingzhen’s smooth and effortless operation, there was still a hint of expectation in her eyes.

She wanted to see what level of alchemy this person, who could stir up the Dao rhythm with just a few words, had reached.

But now, upon smelling the burnt smell, Shuang Jiang’s expression also froze.

Emotions were just a novice…

Shuang Jiang’s heart was indeed filled with ruthless mockery, and her interest was instantly lost.

She was still thinking about how to ask about the Dao principles she had heard that morning.

But then, she saw Su Jingzhen, expressionless, pick up another medicinal material, think for a long time, and then throw it into the alchemy furnace.

Although this attempt also ended in failure, the medicinal material managed to persist for a longer time inside the furnace.

“Do you still want to keep practicing?”

“This guy is indeed stubborn and doesn’t give up; he’s a material worth cultivating.”

Shuang Jiang muttered to herself, silently watching, without interrupting.

……

“Daoist Chen, I’ve already conveyed your message, and even spent a lot of effort persuading him.”

“But alas, Su Jingzhen is stubborn and refuses to agree, relying on Zhang Xiu’s protection.”

Flower Moon Pavilion, the largest brothel in Linjiang City.

Yes, such places were extremely common in the cultivation world.

Cultivators’ cultivation also emphasized balance, and after intense training, they would come to such places to indulge and relax, which was beneficial for their cultivation.

Some ordinary martial artists even required maintaining celibacy, and some even needed to castrate themselves, but cultivators didn’t have such restrictions.

In fact, dual cultivation was even beneficial for their cultivation.

As long as one was willing to spend spirit stones, one could even have a romantic encounter with a Qi-refining Stage female cultivator here.

Where there’s demand, there’s a market, and the cultivation world also followed this principle.

At this moment, Lin Ping was sitting in a private room with a middle-aged man wearing a black robe, who was quite imposing.

This person was Chen Chong, the person in charge of Cuiliu Alley.

Both of them had a boldly dressed woman sitting beside them, playing with their hair.

Upon hearing Lin Ping’s words, Chen Chong’s expression turned somewhat gloomy.

“Su Jingzhen, he’s just a Qi-refining beginner, and he’s courting death.”

Chen Chong picked up his wine cup and took a sip, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light.

Lin Ping looked somewhat anxious: “Daoist Chen, if he refuses to agree and hides in Peach Blossom Alley, it seems we won’t be able to do much about it. After all, Zhang Xiu still has some power.”

As soon as he said this, Chen Chong’s mouth curled up into a cold smile.

He glanced at the two wind-dust female cultivators, and they immediately understood and left the private room.

Chen Chong then spoke: “In a few days, my nephew Chen Jinshi will be leaving his seclusion, and his cultivation should be able to break through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.”

“He’ll be able to become an inner disciple of the Huayang Sect, and even the main sect will pay attention to him.”

“With his talent, the Huayang Sect will definitely give him a foundation-establishing pill, and at that time, my Chen family will have a foundation-establishing cultivator. Zhang Xiu, who’s only in the later stages of Qi Refining, is nothing to worry about.”

Saying this, Chen Chong looked rather proud: “Daoist Lin, do you think, in the eyes of the Huayang Sect, Zhang Xiu is more important or a future foundation-establishing strong cultivator?”

Lin Ping opened his mouth, but had nothing to say.

Chen Chong’s current actions indicated that Chen Jinshi’s matter was already set in stone.

It seemed that Zhang Xiu was indeed not worth worrying about.

Lin Ping’s eyes grew more excited; he was willing to be driven by Chen Chong, wasn’t it because he saw this opportunity?

In this world, everyone was driven by self-interest; if there was no special purpose, even if Chen Chong’s power was stronger than Lin Ping’s, Lin Ping wouldn’t be willing to follow him.

Now, there were some things Chen Chong didn’t want to do himself, so Lin Ping would take the lead.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Ping made up his mind: “Daoist Chen, integrating the schools in Linjiang City isn’t difficult. However, if this succeeds, my son Lin Feng’s matter…”

“Don’t worry, when Jinshi is promoted, it will be the day your son enters the Huayang Sect.” Chen Chong, of course, knew what Lin Ping wanted.

This guy’s own cultivation was hopeless, and he had already placed his hopes on his descendants.

And Lin Feng was Lin Ping’s most excellent child; although the kid hadn’t awakened yet, he had already shown remarkable talent for cultivation.

If he could receive the Huayang Sect’s guidance before awakening, his future prospects would be even higher.

For this, Lin Ping was willing to take another risk.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ping was overjoyed: “Thank you, Daoist Chen! I’ll take care of this matter; I’ll definitely get it done before Jinshi leaves his seclusion!”

After drinking a few more cups of wine, Lin Ping hastily left.

As Chen Chong looked at his back, he couldn’t help but smile coldly again.

…

It’s really great to have people like Lin Ping who can do the dirty work for him, and Chen Chong can just sit back and relax.

And Chen Chong also had ambitions, and with Lin Ping and others helping him, they were all on the same boat, like a team.

……

“Cultivation should be balanced, and alchemy is the same.”

“I can see that your alchemy talent is not bad, but you’re really stupid to do it like this.”

Su Jingzhen had wasted ten batches of medicinal materials, and Shuang Jiang couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

Although the tenth attempt had almost succeeded, it still ended in failure.

Shuang Jiang knew that even if Su Jingzhen used up all the remaining ten batches of medicinal materials, he still wouldn’t be able to succeed.

Upon hearing this, Su Jingzhen put down the medicinal materials and looked at Shuang Jiang.

“Shuang Jiang, do you also know how to refine alchemy?”

He had a hint of expectation in his eyes.

Shuang Jiang shook her head: “I don’t know, but I’ve seen a true alchemy master refine alchemy.”

She paused, then looked straight at Su Jingzhen: “I know you’re in trouble, but you’ll never succeed if you keep practicing like this.”

Shuang Jiang’s tone was still strong and cold, with a hint of hidden motives.

If she helped Su Jingzhen, she could repay the favor he had done for her, and also ask him about the Dao principles.

She had her own principles and didn’t want to owe anyone a favor; she was still angry about the time Su Jingzhen had only asked her a hundred low-grade spirit stones.

If she could repay him in this way, she could also guide a lower-level cultivator like Su Jingzhen, which would be a piece of cake for her.

And in any case, Su Jingzhen would still benefit.

Su Jingzhen smiled awkwardly: “A single coin can topple a hero, but fifty low-grade spirit stones have me feeling like an ant on a hot pot, making a fool of myself.”

“But the rent is really not negotiable; if I get kicked out of Peach Blossom Alley, my cultivation will be as good as dead.”

“I’m counting on being able to refine a Qi-reversing pill to exchange for some spirit stones to pay the rent.”

Sincerity is always the strongest killer technique.

Shuang Jiang was stunned.

She had overheard Lin Ping and Su Jingzhen’s conversation and knew that Su Jingzhen was being targeted, and his life was even in danger.

If the other party dares to come forcefully, although she is currently in a self-sealed state, her cultivation has recovered a bit, so protecting herself shouldn’t be a problem.

But Su Jingzhen, who can’t even afford rent, was temporarily helpless.

After all, she herself is the same now.

“Let’s… take a break, and I’ll organize my thoughts and tell you about the common knowledge of alchemy that I know.”

“I’m sure refining this low-grade Qi-replenishing pill won’t be a problem.”

Shuang Jiang thought for a moment before saying this.

In her eyes, foolish people did have pitiful aspects.

This was the most gentle words Shuang Jiang had spoken to Su Jingzhen since they started interacting.

Back then, her old friend would constantly chatter about alchemy knowledge in her ear, hoping to pull her into the alchemy profession.

Although she would often listen drowsily and respond perfunctorily, she still remembered some things.

Su Jingzhen was overjoyed, as his golden finger could only enhance his attributes, but actual skills still needed to be acquired through personal effort.

【Empathy +2】

Double Happiness!

His wooden spiritual roots had reached the mysterious level, and in terms of alchemy talent, he was probably one of the top in Linjiang City.

What he lacked was actual experience.

But then Shuang Jiang added, “As an exchange, I also need something from you…”