Chapter 580: Jiang Wuji

Refine it yourself?

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's calm tone, Jiang Xuan could not help but widen her eyes.

She knew that Wang Jianqiang had immense talent in the way of Alchemy.

But no matter how high the talent, there must be a limit, right?

Since ancient times.

Sixth-tier Array Masters and Talisman Masters at the Nascent Soul Stage might be rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, but they had indeed appeared.

However, a Sixth-Rank Alchemist or Artifact Refiner at the Nascent Soul Stage had never appeared.

Because whether it is Alchemy or artifact refining, it requires one continuous effort.

It allows for not the slightest distraction midway.

And Nascent Soul Stage cultivators have limited Spiritual Power reserves, which are simply insufficient to sustain the consumption required to refine a Sixth-tier Pill.

As for swallowing a Pill to distract oneself and recover?

It is simply impossible.

Alchemy requires absolute concentration and allows for not the slightest carelessness.

Unless one has that kind of Perfect Pill that restores Spiritual Power without needing to be refined for absorption.

Otherwise.

Once one is distracted to recover Spiritual Power, the Pill will certainly be ruined.

Perfect Pills are merely things that exist in legends.

Therefore, this possibility only exists in theory.

If one does not even have the most basic Spiritual Power reserve, how can one become a true Sixth-Rank Alchemist?

Although Jiang Xuan trusted Wang Jianqiang deeply, she still could not help but feel doubt at this moment.

She looked at Wang Jianqiang for a moment, and after a period of silence, she spoke.

"Daoist Friend Wang, are you joking with me?"

"How could a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator possibly refine a Sixth-tier Pill?"

Wang Jianqiang smiled and shook his head, "Do you think I would joke with you at a time like this?"

Jiang Xuan was startled.

Thinking of Wang Jianqiang's consistent style.

Although it was still somewhat unbelievable, she chose to believe him.

She shook her head, "I just find it hard to believe."

"Rest assured, when have I ever lied to you?" Wang Jianqiang smiled.

Jiang Xuan nodded.

Since they had known each other, Wang Jianqiang had indeed never deceived her.

And at a juncture like this.

He had no need to deceive her.

Thinking of this.

Jiang Xuan's spirits lifted, "I will go ask my uncle for the Pill Formula."

Having said that, she left in a hurry.

Not long after.

Jiang Xuan returned.

Her expression was somewhat unpleasant.

"Daoist Friend Wang, the Pill Formula is lost."

"Lost?"

Hearing this, Wang Jianqiang's expression froze, "A Sixth-tier Pill Formula can also be lost?"

A Sixth-tier Pill Formula is incomparably precious.

A large family like the Jiang Family has strict family rules.

They shouldn't make such a low-level mistake, right?

Jiang Xuan sighed, "When my uncle first bought the Pill Formula, he did indeed value it highly, but following the subsequent repeated rejections by those Seventh-Rank Alchemists, and being unable to find an Alchemist to refine it."

"The attention paid to the Pill Formula decreased."

"It wasn't until I went to ask earlier that my uncle discovered the Pill Formula had actually vanished into thin air."

Wang Jianqiang frowned, "This is troublesome; I do not have a Pill Formula of this grade for recovering foundation injuries on me."

"If there is no Pill Formula, I am afraid I cannot help either."

Jiang Xuan sighed, "After hearing me say that I found someone to help with the Alchemy, my uncle has already urgently sent people to investigate the whereabouts of the Pill Formula."

"I presume there will be results before long."

Wang Jianqiang nodded, "We can only wait for the investigation results."

Having said that, he looked at Jiang Xuan, "Time is tight for your wager with the family; you must seize every moment to cultivate."

"Your eldest brother won't be back for three days; although these few days won't have much effect on cultivation, they can be used to purify your foundation once."

Jiang Xuan was startled, her expression hesitant, "But, here... is it not very appropriate?"

"It is fine; I know a little about Arrays. Wouldn't setting up an Array to isolate the commotion suffice?"

Three days later.

Wang Jianqiang finished performing the Jade Purification Art, his internal Spiritual Power exhausted.

Silently sat cross-legged to one side to recover.

Knock, knock, knock~

Just at this moment.

A series of knocks came from the door.

Immediately following, a voice came in from outside the door.

"Young Friend Wang, are you there?"

"It's my mother."

Jiang Xuan's expression was startled.

"What are you panicking about?"

Wang Jianqiang shook his head, removed the Array in the room, and stepped forward to open the door.

Upon seeing Wang Jianqiang, Jiang Xuan's mother wore a look of confusion and spoke.

"Young Friend Wang, I don't know where Xuan'er has gone these past few days, she has been..."

"Eh?"

Just halfway through her sentence, she suddenly noticed Jiang Xuan in the room, her gaze flickering, "Xuan'er, what are you doing in Young Friend Wang's room?"

A flash of unnaturalness crossed Jiang Xuan's face, "I..."

Just as she wanted to speak, Wang Jianqiang suddenly interrupted her, "Auntie, Jiang Xuan has been cultivating here with me these past few days."

Jiang Xuan's mother was taken aback, "Cultivating?"

Wang Jianqiang smiled and nodded, "The sect I come from has a secret technique that can help both myself and others increase cultivation speed."

"Jiang Xuan has a bet with the family on her shoulders, and she has been under a lot of pressure."

"Since we are good friends, I naturally must help her."

Hearing the two words "bet," a look of guilt flashed across Jiang Xuan's mother's face.

After a moment of silence, she nodded.

Originally, she had been somewhat suspicious of Wang Jianqiang's reason.

But after hearing the words "bet" from Wang Jianqiang's mouth, she immediately stopped doubting.

She took a deep breath, and a deep sense of appreciation welled up in her gaze as she looked at Wang Jianqiang.

"So that's how it is."

"It is Xuan'er's luck to have made a friend who thinks of her so much."

Wang Jianqiang smiled and shook his head, "Auntie, you overpraise me; it is only right for friends to help each other."

Jiang Xuan's mother nodded.

She looked at Jiang Xuan, and after a moment of silence, said, "Xuan'er, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

As she spoke, she gritted her teeth, "If you truly do not wish to, even if you lose the bet with the family, Mother will definitely find a way to call off that engagement."

Jiang Xuan was silent for a moment.

Jiang Xuan's mother sighed and looked at Wang Jianqiang.

"Since you are cultivating, I will not disturb you."

Saying this, she looked at Jiang Xuan again, "Xuan'er, it is rare for Young Friend Wang to think of you like this; you must cooperate well, do you understand?"

"I understand."

Jiang Xuan lowered her head and replied.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan's mother smiled kindly at Wang Jianqiang and turned to leave.

Once Wang Jianqiang closed the door again and set up the Array, Jiang Xuan let out a long sigh of relief, "It's a good thing you reacted fast enough."

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "Today is already the third day since we arrived at the Jiang Family; the result of your eldest brother's application to the Elder Pavilion for the Moon Spirit Essence should be coming down soon, right?"

Jiang Xuan nodded, "I will ask him."

As she spoke, she took out the Sound Transmission Talisman.

Before she could send the message.

The Sound Transmission Talisman in her hand suddenly lit up.

Immediately following.

A voice appeared in her mind.

As the voice from the Sound Transmission Talisman entered her mind, Jiang Xuan's brows slowly furrowed.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing this, Wang Jianqiang couldn't help but ask.

Jiang Xuan came back to her senses and looked at Wang Jianqiang, "It's a message from my eldest brother."

Wang Jianqiang's expression stirred.

After a pause, Jiang Xuan continued, "There has been a change regarding the application for the Moon Spirit Essence."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianqiang's expression stirred, "What happened? Looking at your eldest brother's previous performance, it shouldn't be difficult to apply for a drop of Moon Spirit Essence, right?"

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"Indeed, given my eldest brother's status and his contributions to the family, it is indeed not difficult to apply for a drop of Moon Spirit Essence, and his application was originally about to be approved."

"But an accident occurred halfway through."

Wang Jianqiang's expression stirred, "Jiang Wuji?"

"That's right."

Jiang Xuan nodded, "Jiang Ling has already told Jiang Wuji the news that you and I returned to Tianyue City together."

"Although Jiang Wuji is overbearing and unreasonable, his intellect is extremely formidable."

"We had just appeared, and Big Brother returned to the family to apply for the Star Spirit Original Liquid; he must have guessed that it was what we needed."

"Therefore, he interfered and deliberately sabotaged Big Brother's application."

Wang Jianqiang was astonished upon hearing this, "Is this Jiang Wuji's status in the Jiang Family so high? Can he even influence the Elder Pavilion?"

"He naturally cannot influence the Elder Pavilion, but his grandfather can." Jiang Xuan sighed, then continued, "His grandfather is the Jiang Family Great Elder, one of the two most powerful people in the Jiang Family today, and he holds immense prestige within the Elder Pavilion."

"If the Great Elder steps in, it is not difficult for him to influence the decisions of the Elder Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianqiang's brows furrowed tightly.

Jiang Wuji's backing was actually this formidable!

If that were the case, then the Moon Spirit Essence would likely...

"Daoist Friend Wang, you need not be so worried."

Seeing the look of concern on Wang Jianqiang's face, Jiang Xuan spoke again, "Although the Great Elder is powerful, my uncle is no pushover."

"My uncle is the current Clan Head of the Jiang Family, and even the Elder Pavilion dares not go too far."

"They merely used the excuse that my brother was managing the family business poorly to temporarily shelve his application, rather than rejecting it outright."

The Jiang Family Clan Head?

Wang Jianqiang raised an eyebrow.

Since Jiang Xuan's uncle was the Jiang Family Clan Head, and the two seemed to have a good relationship, why would Jiang Xuan be forcibly betrothed to Jiang Wuji?

Furthermore.

As the son of the current Clan Head, Jiang Shan's status should have been extremely prestigious.

The Elder Pavilion actually offended him over such a "trivial matter" for the sake of Jiang Wuji and the Great Elder.

All of this seemed somewhat unreasonable.

It seems the situation in the Jiang Family is even more complex than he had imagined.

Thinking of this.

He looked at Jiang Xuan, "Are you saying that the reason the Elder Pavilion rejected your brother's application for the Moon Spirit Essence was poor management?"

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"The commercial landscape within Tianyue City is extremely complex, and all major factions have businesses within the city."

"With the strength of the Jiang Family, no one would normally dare to provoke us."

"Since its establishment, the Qian Yu Trading Firm has always been the largest commercial institution in Tianyue City, bringing in very considerable revenue for the Jiang Family every year."

"But fifty years ago, due to a certain reason, the Jiang Family's strength was greatly damaged. Although we are still powerful today, for the top factions in Tianyue City, the gap in strength is no longer insurmountable."

"Among them, the Yuan Family acted the fastest."

"The Yuan Family's business in Tianyue City is called the Piaoxue Trading Firm, and its operations happen to overlap with our Jiang Family's Qian Yu Trading Firm."

"When our Jiang Family was at its peak, the Yuan Family naturally dared not show their heads, but following the incident that caused our family's strength to suffer, they began to test us."

"At first, the Piaoxue Trading Firm only secretly plundered some insignificant business from the Qian Yu Trading Firm, but later, they became increasingly excessive."

"By thirty years ago, the competition between the Piaoxue Trading Firm and the Qian Yu Trading Firm was brought into the open; they plundered sources of goods, snatched resources, poached talent, and carried out assassinations... they stopped at nothing."

"Because of this, the Yuan Family and the Jiang Family have had no shortage of conflicts over these years."

"Ten years ago, the Piaoxue Trading Firm found a Fifth-tier High-grade Alchemist from somewhere. Relying on the Pills from this Fifth-tier High-grade Alchemist, they suppressed the Qian Yu Trading Firm, causing the Qian Yu Trading Firm's business to decline year by year."

"By now, the annual sales are not even one-third of the Piaoxue Trading Firm's, and we are being firmly suppressed."

"A Fifth-tier High-grade Alchemist, how rare are they?"

"My brother spent a huge price to barely hire a Fifth-tier Mid-grade Alchemist to sit in at the Qian Yu Trading Firm, allowing it to barely survive under the suppression of the Piaoxue Trading Firm."

"These Elders in the family only look at the results and do not see his efforts; if it weren't for him, the Qian Yu Trading Firm would have been finished long ago."

"They actually have the nerve to use this matter to suppress my brother and shelve his application."

"It is truly disheartening!"

Speaking to the end, a look of anger appeared on Jiang Xuan's face.

Hearing Jiang Xuan's account.

Wang Jianqiang finally had a rough understanding of the situation of the Jiang Family and the Qian Yu Trading Firm.

He looked at Jiang Xuan, "Since the Elder Pavilion shelved his application on the grounds of your brother's poor management, if I can help him suppress the Piaoxue Trading Firm, can the application be approved?"

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Jiang Xuan was startled, then showed a look of excitement.

She had been too busy being angry just now and had actually overlooked Wang Jianqiang's attainments in the Dao of Alchemy.

He was a master of alchemy who had the confidence to refine pills that could treat foundation injuries!

A mere Fifth-tier High-grade Alchemist would likely be like a child in front of him!

Wanting to help the Qian Yu Trading Firm surpass the Piaoxue Trading Firm would be effortless, wouldn't it?

Thinking of this, she immediately came to her senses and nodded hurriedly, "If you can help the Qian Yu Trading Firm suppress the Piaoxue Trading Firm, the Elder Pavilion will have no reason to block my brother's application for the Moon Spirit Essence."

Thinking of this, she immediately collected her thoughts and hurriedly nodded, "If you can help Qian Yu Trading Firm suppress Piaoxue Trading Firm, the Elder Pavilion will have no reason to block Eldest Brother's application for Moon Spirit Essence."

"Although my uncle considers the overall situation and has many concerns, he would absolutely not watch the Great Elder and the others suppress my brother so blatantly and without basis."

Wang Jianqiang nodded, a smile appearing on his face, "In that case, let us start by helping the Qian Yu Trading Firm suppress the Piaoxue Trading Firm."

Upon hearing this, the excitement on Jiang Xuan's face could no longer be hidden.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan could no longer hide the look of excitement on his face.

"The family once set a task for my brother, requiring him to make the Qian Yu Trading Firm suppress the Piaoxue Trading Firm again within ten years."

"Otherwise, he would have to hand over his position as the person in charge of the Qian Yu Trading Firm."

"Now, nine years have already passed for this task."

"However, the suppression from that Fifth-tier High-grade Alchemist at the Piaoxue Trading Firm is too strong. The Qian Yu Trading Firm has been firmly suppressed the entire time; let alone suppressing them back, it is already very difficult just to stabilize our existing business."

"However, the suppression from that Fifth-tier High-grade Alchemist at Piaoxue Trading Firm is too strong; Qian Yu Trading Firm has been firmly suppressed from the start. Never mind regaining the upper hand, even just stabilizing their existing business is already considered quite difficult."

"However, if we have your help, the Qian Yu Trading Firm will certainly be able to restore its past glory."

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "Since that is the case, there is no use for us to continue staying here in the Jiang Family; it would be better to return to the Qian Yu Trading Firm with your elder brother, and you can tell him my thoughts."

Jiang Xuan nodded.

She sent a message to Jiang Shan.

A moment later, the Sound Transmission Talisman in her hand lit up.

After listening for a moment, she looked at Wang Jianqiang, "My elder brother says he is waiting for us at the Transmission Square."

Wang Jianqiang nodded, "Since that is the case, let us go."

The two walked out of the room.

After Jiang Xuan said goodbye to her parents, she arrived at the Transmission Square.

She met up with Jiang Shan.

"Elder brother."

Seeing Jiang Shan waiting on the square, Jiang Xuan waved her hand.

Jiang Shan's expression stirred.

His figure flashed, appearing before the two.

He nodded to Jiang Xuan, then looked at Wang Jianqiang, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face.

"Daoist Friend Wang, I heard from Xuan'er that you are... a Sixth-Rank Alchemist?"

Previously, in the sound transmission, Jiang Xuan had specifically mentioned the matter of Wang Jianqiang being a Sixth-Rank Alchemist.

His first reaction was disbelief.

A Nascent Soul Stage Sixth-Rank Alchemist?

Are you joking?

Alchemy is a process of continuous consumption; any slight disorder in the supply of Spiritual Power during the process will lead to the failure of the Alchemy.

A Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator could not possibly refine a Sixth-tier Pill.

Lacking even the basic Spiritual Power reserves for refining, how could one possibly become a Sixth-Rank Alchemist?

This was simply nonsense.

If anyone else had said this, he would certainly have treated it as a joke.

But the person who said this was Xuan'er.

Xuan'er always spoke with reason and evidence; if she were not certain, she would never speak recklessly.

Therefore.

He was currently half-doubting and half-believing.

Reason told him that this was simply an impossible thing.

But his trust in Jiang Xuan forced him to believe it.

Hearing Jiang Shan's inquiry, Wang Jianqiang smiled and nodded.

Seeing Wang Jianqiang admit it himself.

Although Jiang Shan still found it somewhat incredible in his heart, he ultimately chose to believe.

Seeing this, Jiang Xuan smiled mysteriously, "Elder brother, Daoist Friend Wang's achievements in the Dao of Alchemy are truly astonishing; after you see the Pill he has refined, you will definitely be greatly shocked."

Jiang Shan was startled and began to laugh, "Since you put it that way, I am somewhat impatient to witness Daoist Friend Wang's attainments in the Dao of Alchemy."

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "Daoist Friend Jiang, Xuan'er overpraises me; you must not listen to her."

Jiang Shan shook his head, "For Daoist Friend Wang to have such astonishing achievements in the Dao of Alchemy at this age is unprecedented; if word of this got out, I fear it would be enough to make everyone's jaws drop."

"Any praise is not an overstatement."

Hearing this, Wang Jianqiang smiled and did not continue on this topic.

He changed the subject, "Daoist Friend Jiang, your mission time is running out, and I also wish to obtain the Moon Spirit Essence as soon as possible; let us return to Tianyue City quickly."

Jiang Shan nodded, "Good, back to Tianyue City!"

As he spoke.

He took the lead and walked toward the Transmission Array in the center of the square.

Just as the three arrived beside the Transmission Array and prepared to step onto it.

A figure suddenly intercepted them in front.

The three paused their steps and stopped simultaneously.

The person blocking the way was a tall youth with a handsome appearance.

Wang Jianqiang's mind stirred.

The youth's information appeared in his mind.

"Name: Jiang Wuji

Gender: Male

Cultivation: Spirit Transformation Stage Perfection

Age: 996/3000

Root Bone: Taiyin Spirit Body (Middle-grade Spirit Body)

Good and Evil Value: -85"

Jiang Wuji, is it?

After seeing the information in his mind, Wang Jianqiang's heart stirred.

Is this the person who made the marriage contract with Jiang Xuan?

As for why the other party's Good and Evil Value was so low.

Wang Jianqiang was not surprised at all.

From Jiang Xuan's words, he already had a certain understanding of this person's character.

Overbearing, tyrannical.

With such a personality, how could he tolerate a strange man following his fiancée?

Especially when this strange man was particularly charming and particularly handsome...

"Jiang Wuji, what do you mean by this?"

Seeing Jiang Wuji, Jiang Shan frowned.

Jiang Wuji smiled, "Don't be nervous, I'm just here to visit my fiancée."

As he spoke, he looked at Wang Jianqiang.

That gaze was as if he were looking at an ant, high and mighty.

Immediately after.

He shifted his gaze nonchalantly to look at Jiang Xuan.

"Xuan'er, why didn't you notify me when you returned to the family last time?"

"I haven't had the chance to congratulate you on successfully passing the assessment of the Great Wilderness Immortal Palace; I came specifically to congratulate you this time."

Jiang Xuan nodded with a cold expression, "Now that you have congratulated me, can you move aside?"

Jiang Wuji smiled faintly and moved his body aside.

The three of them continued walking toward the Transmission Array.

Just as the three of them had stepped onto the Transmission Array.

Jiang Wuji's voice suddenly came from behind.

"Xuan'er, joining the Great Wilderness Immortal Palace is a good thing, but you are my fiancée after all."

"You should still pay attention to certain things."

"Don't associate with some stray cats and dogs in the future, otherwise it won't be worth it if it tarnishes your reputation."

Jiang Wuji's tone was flat, and no joy or anger could be heard.

Although he did not name anyone, his gaze remained fixed on Wang Jianqiang while he spoke.

Wang Jianqiang raised an eyebrow, looked at Jiang Wuji with interest, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Jiang Xuan snorted coldly, "Jiang Wuji, whether the engagement between you and me can ultimately continue is still an unknown, and it is not your place to manage who I make friends with."

Jiang Wuji shook his head with a smile.

He looked at Wang Jianqiang and said faintly, "Kid, you have quite a lot of nerve; not only did you ignore Jiang Ling's warning, but you actually dared to step into the Jiang Family."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianqiang nodded earnestly, "I didn't expect you to have such a sharp eye, Daoist Friend; my nerve is indeed quite large."

"I could walk at half a year old, dared to catch toads at one, dared to catch snakes at two, dared to sleep alone at three, dared to peek at the widow at the end of the village bathing at four, and dared to flirt with the village chief's granddaughter at five... Back when I hadn't started cultivation, I was famous in the village for being bold."

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Jiang Shan couldn't help but grin.

Jiang Xuan also couldn't help but laugh.

Jiang Wuji's expression stiffened, and he said in a cold voice, "Are you playing with me?"

Wang Jianqiang said seriously, "I am being serious; I very much agree with your words, Daoist Friend."

Jiang Wuji stared at Wang Jianqiang for a moment and then laughed, "Good, very good, you are very interesting."

"You are too."

Wang Jianqiang also laughed.

His smile was very kind.

A moment later.

Amidst a burst of light, the three of them disappeared from the Transmission Array.

Jiang Wuji watched the empty Transmission Array silently, expressionless.

Only the cold light in his eyes grew increasingly intense.

Tianyue City.

In the center of a Square.

On the Transmission Array.

Three figures flashed into existence.

As soon as they appeared, Jiang Xuan couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Daoist Friend Wang, you are too bad; Jiang Wuji was almost angered to death by you."

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "Not at all, I didn't see him get angry."

"He was indeed quite angry."

Jiang Shan smiled, "This guy is a smiling tiger; being able to force him to lose control of his emotions means he was already very angry."

"Is that so?"

Wang Jianqiang looked at Jiang Xuan and rubbed his chin, "So he gets angry that easily; if the two of us were to get intimate in front of him, wouldn't he really be angered to death?"

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Jiang Shan's expression stiffened, and he couldn't help but look at Jiang Xuan.

Jiang Xuan's face had already turned completely red.

She glared at Wang Jianqiang reproachfully.

"Daoist Friend Wang, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"If you were to do that, I don't know if Jiang Wuji would be angered to death, but the two of us would likely not be able to walk out of the Jiang Family."

Wang Jianqiang smiled, "Just a joke."

Seeing that Jiang Xuan was not in the least bit angry at Wang Jianqiang's excessive teasing.

Jiang Shan could not help but widen his eyes.

No way, right?

Xuan'er has always valued her reputation highly.

Yet she was not angry because of Daoist Friend Wang's words.

Not to mention being angry, she did not even reveal a single trace of an instinctive, uncomfortable expression.

Her relationship with this Daoist Friend Wang seems to be even more unusual than he had anticipated!