Chapter 106: What Are These Deep Calculations For?

"Where did this insolent commoner come from, wanting to harm his Grandpa Chen?"

Chen Ci frowned slightly, pacing in the backyard, and sighed heavily: "Reputation ruined, reputation ruined!"

No wonder that man surnamed Xiao was arrogant at first and then humble, so easy to talk to; it turns out it was all thanks to this reputation. Clearly, he was suppressing demons and eliminating devils, yet it ended up being spread as killing people to refine techniques. Where was he supposed to go to reason this out?

Chen Ci felt extremely aggrieved.

If he knew who had spread it, he would definitely kill them to refine Essence Refining and sacrifice them to the white bones.

He glanced at the opened gift box on the table; inside was a set of very exquisite Seven-Trick Pastry. Taking a close sniff, it was still made from some kind of Spirit Rice. Although not very valuable, it was decent enough to be used as a gift for a first meeting.

This reputation... it actually seems quite useful?

An inexplicable thought rose in Chen Ci's mind, but he quickly shook it away. He was someone who would become Chen Heavenly Venerable in the future; he must never be called Old Demon Chen by others.

"No, this matter must be taken to Fuhu Altar to ask. This business of refining Essence Refining is something we underlings take the risk for, yet you at Fuhu Altar are stabbing us in the back. No matter where you say this, it makes no sense!"

Just as that man surnamed Xiao said, there is still human order in the Liang Kingdom; otherwise, Fuhu Altar wouldn't need to be so secretive, only mentioning the need for Essence Refining but not daring to mention the methods, and even going so far as to save some commoners when encountering disasters.

Whether the matter of killing people to refine techniques is true or false, if it's put on the scale, people will really die!

But just as Chen Ci had this thought, his heart stirred. His already furrowed brows deepened, and his expression became somewhat solemn.

The so-called cause and effect—if one were to say this matter of Essence Refining was accidentally leaked from Fuhu Altar, he would not believe it. These days, it is very difficult to pass on even legitimate information. Xishan Prefecture is so vast; for these rumors to spread among the He Shan Outer Disciples, it wouldn't be that easy.

He originally couldn't figure out why Fuhu Altar would do this. It's like having a subordinate do some gray work for you; not helping to cover it up is one thing, but to spread it far and wide—what for?

But what if this matter was actually aimed at Fuhu Altar?

Then it would make some sense.

This reputation of killing people to refine techniques suddenly spread, and it came from Fuhu Altar. Anyone would be unhappy in their heart, and the parties involved might even come to demand an explanation, leading to discord.

If Chen Ci were to encounter some disaster because of his ruined reputation, would Fuhu Altar step in for him?

To look further, among the He Shan Outer Disciples in Xishan Prefecture, whose hands are truly clean when it comes to refining Essence Refining? With this matter blown up, who wouldn't have a thorn in their heart? They might even wonder, is this Fuhu Altar preparing to discard the millstone after the donkey is used? Otherwise, that Xiao Yucheng wouldn't have said Hutou Daoren is somewhat lacking in grace; perhaps that worry is also included in there.

Chen Ci pondered for a moment and gradually had some guesses. This matter seems to be about him killing people to refine techniques, but it is likely aimed at Hutou Daoren, and there is a high probability that it was done by someone within the He Mountain Sect.

Listening to what the shopkeeper of Baibao Pavilion said, the opportunity for Golden Core on Quanshan seems to also involve the He Mountain Sect. There are so many Dao Foundation cultivators within the He Mountain Sect; if Hutou Daoren cannot attain the Dao Foundation, or cannot attain the Upper Grade Dao Foundation, and cannot become a Direct Disciple, it is hard to say who this opportunity will fall to.

"The members and disciples within the He Mountain Sect have complex backgrounds, and there is certainly no lack of interest conflicts. Don't look at Hutou Daoren as someone charging toward the Upper Grade Dao Foundation; his status is still that of a He Mountain Outer Transmission. It seems he has blocked many people's paths."

First there was that Waterway Superintendent who suddenly popped up, and then this knife stabbed from within the He Mountain Sect; these are all tribulations on the path of cultivation.

Perhaps Hutou Daoren also anticipated these things, which is why he promised him techniques and sought some helpers.

On the contrary, he himself has no foundation within the He Mountain Sect. Aside from Hutou Daoren, he can't even cling to a calf. If he shows any signs of wavering now, he imagines that Lin Qinhu won't pay him any more mind in the future.

"That year at eighteen, standing like a lackey."

Chen Ci gave a self-deprecating smile, then pondered for a moment: "If that's the case, it actually doesn't have much to do with me. It's just that siding with Hutou Daoren might offend other experts in the sect. But whoever grants me the path, I will work for them; there's nothing more to say."

Let's wait and see how Fuhu Altar responds. Such deep calculations only go to show that his cheap senior brother is the real big shot; the side that lacks strength is the one that resorts to such petty tricks.

"Sanniang, this bit of Yellow Dragon Grass is a bit scarce. Can you find more?"

Chen Ci looked at the scale-like spirit herbs in the box that looked somewhat like the aerial roots of a banyan tree and asked.

Yellow Dragon Grass is not a specific type of spirit herb. In deep mountains and great marshes, if some thousand-year-old trees happen to encounter Earth-attribute Five Elements Divine Sand while growing, their roots have a chance to symbiotically grow with certain fungi, producing this parasitic spirit herb that looks like it has snake scales. Like the Five Elements Divine Sand, if you put in more effort, you can always find them in deep mountains and old forests; it's just very troublesome.

Generally, five catties of Yellow Dragon Grass is worth one catty of Five Elements Divine Sand. The spirit herbs in this box are probably not even ten catties.

With his alchemy cultivation, he probably needs about twenty catties to gather the essence needed for one batch of Yellow Sprout Pill.

"Finding this stuff is all about luck; I really can't give you a guarantee. Great Master Chen, this concubine has already put in the effort."

Shi Sanniang feigned a complaint: "And the Earth Bright Stone you mentioned, I haven't seen it either. Perhaps some fellow daoist in the mountains has some stock, but I'll have to ask around to get results."

"Fine."

Chen Ci glanced at this beautiful woman, thought for a moment, and tossed the box of Seven-Trick Pastry made of Spirit Rice over. This woman loved these small items of luxury and enjoyment the most; it didn't cost much, but it could also mobilize her enthusiasm.

"Oh my, the sun is rising from the west today."

Shi Sanniang opened the gift box and took a look; her beautiful eyes suddenly glowed: "Caiyun Workshop's Caiyun Seven-Trick Pastry! Just this one box is worth two hundred taels of silver, and it's hard to buy outside the prefecture city. If I could eat a bite every day, I'd be happy to warm the bed for you, Master!"

Two hundred taels of silver?

Chen Ci looked at it for a few moments. The Spirit Rice used in this pastry was probably not even half a catty, and it didn't involve any alchemy changes. In terms of technique, it was just a box of ordinary pastry. In this world, it really is easiest to earn money from female cultivators.

A miscalculation. What Yellow Sprout Pill, what Longevity Pill—it's all effort with no reward.

If there's a chance, he should go ask if there are any Fixed Beauty Pills or essence waters; that would surely make money hand over fist.

"Forget it, put away your grand dreams; it's not dark yet."

Chen Ci sipped his tea: "I've never seen anyone try to take advantage twice. Just diligently collect some Spirit Materials for your master. If I refine the Yellow Sprout Pill in the future, I'll let you have a taste."

"Oh~"

Shi Sanniang was slightly disappointed; she pressed the pastry box against her chest and bounced it a few times.

For a loose cultivator of a miscellaneous sect, pills that slightly increase cultivation are really not as satisfying as the desires of the mouth and body.

He settled the payment with health-preserving pills. After sending Shi Sanniang away, Chen Ci carefully put away the Yellow Dragon Grass and sprinkled a thin layer of Earth-attribute Five Elements Divine Sand over it to maintain its vitality.

If Shi Sanniang couldn't find the Earth Bright Stone, he would probably have to make a trip to the market or have the Huang Family purchase one on his behalf. If this spirit herb is left for too long, the medicinal properties will be lost, and the extracted essence will be somewhat inferior.

"And it's been over half a month, and Fuhu Altar really hasn't had much of a reaction. Should I go to Xishan Prefecture to test the waters?"

Chen Ci tapped the tabletop, unsure for a moment if he was overthinking it, or if he had overestimated Fuhu Altar and overestimated the capability of that cheap senior brother.

The people below putting in effort and the people above being supportive—that is what you call a two-way effort.

Having inexplicably taken such a big scapegoat, he might not need an explanation, but Fuhu Altar cannot show nothing. If they do nothing, what will the people below think?

"Headache. As long as the upper levels control the pills and talisman books, the bottom-level cultivators have absolutely no chance unless they pick a side and risk their lives. They have us gripped tight."

Chen Ci sighed: "But to pick a side, you have to pick the one that can win. Unfortunately, I don't have much room for choice."

"Master, Master Ding from Fuhu Altar is outside asking to see you."

Hm?

Chen Ci's expression stirred. This fat man came at just the right time, but he didn't know if he would bring him any good news.

(End of chapter)