Chapter 124
Chen Jingzhai had left the mountain for an entire year. It was now his seventh month in Donglai County.
In addition to the elixirs, Chen Jingzhai also had established himself in the apparel industry. All four of his maidservants knew how to knit magic apparel. Their craftsmanship was not much different.
Thanks to the high-quality spirit silk, the quality of the magic apparel was excellent. Once they were launched, they were extremely popular.
Commander Wang Tong of the Dao Cheng Division even came to place an order in person. He intended to order a uniform style of magic apparel for all the members of the Dao Cheng Division of Donglai County.
“The silk is limited. I’m afraid it might not be delivered in time,” Chen Jingzhai said.
“Just hand over as much as you have.” Commander Wang smiled and said, “Magic apparel from the hands of alchemists are of superior quality. It’s difficult to find them even in the imperial city. I don’t want to miss out on this opportunity.”
“You have good taste.” Chen Jingzhai smiled calmly.
His magic apparel was naturally rare. Quality of the spirit silkworms aside, even the weaving technique of his four maidservants was a secret of the sect.
How could there be such a high-grade item in the mortal world?
Even if the imperial family wanted it, they had to find a sect to trade with. If not for the sake of more sea beast carcasses, he would never take them out.
“Alchemist Chen is my benefactor,” Wang Tong said with a smile. “Are you interested in participating in the Eastern Ocean Hunt? Hunting sea beasts yourself is superior to purchasing sea beasts.”
“The Eastern Ocean Hunt? Is the Eastern Ocean Ruler out of seclusion?” Chen Jingzhai asked in surprise.
“The Eastern Ocean Ruler is not coming in person.” Wang Tong shook his head. “There are three main guards of the Huaiyuan Navy. This time, the Sea Dragon Guards will be on patrol during the hunt. Other than patrolling the seas, they also have the intention to train their new recruits.”
“The Sea Dragon Guards?” Chen Jingzhai was thoughtful. “This is the foundation of the Eastern Ocean Ruler, right?”
“That’s right.” Wang Tong nodded. “After the Eastern Ocean Ruler came to the fief, the Sea Dragon Guards were the first to be established. Ordinary princes don’t dare to use the word ‘dragon’ in their name. The name of the Sea Dragon Guards was personally conferred by the emperor.”
“I’m not from the Dao Cheng Division. I’m afraid it’s not appropriate for me to board the ship.” Chen Jingzhai shook his head.
“What does that matter?” Wang Tong laughed and said, “You have a deep background. Even the Eastern Ocean Ruler will welcome you, let alone prevent you from boarding the ship and going out to sea. If you are concerned about this, you can join the Dao Cheng Division!”
“In your dreams,” Chen Jingzhai said calmly, glancing at him.
The Dao Cheng Division had the duty of guardianship. Every time anyone went out to sea, they would randomly summon people from the county’s Dao Cheng Division to follow along. They were mainly responsible for recording the matters of the navy going out to sea. There was no pressure to bring them on board.
Wang Tong said this to test Chen Jingzhai’s attitude, and Chen Jingzhai knew this very well. It had been seven whole months since he had settled in Donglai County. Such a long time was enough for Wang Tong to investigate his background.
Unlike when he first arrived, Chen Jingzhai knew more now. State capitals like Donglai County would strictly keep their eye on cultivators. One of the main duties of the Dao Cheng Division was to choose talents among the rogue cultivators. The main street, where the cultivators of Donglai County gathered, had been built for this purpose.
Wang Tong’s initial visit was to investigate Chen Jingzhai’s background. If Chen Jingzhai did not have any background, even a Grade 2 alchemist would have to join the Dao Cheng Division. There was no room for resistance.
A Grade 2 alchemist had no freedom of choice, especially when his success rate was very high. The Dao Cheng Division would only be too happy to see such an alchemist join their ranks and would never let go of him.
If it were a Grade 3 alchemist, the representative who would appear at that time was someone from the imperial family. However, things would be different if he had a background.
After knowing Chen Jingzhai’s identity, Wang Tong chose to cooperate with him. Although Chen Jingzhai’s elixirs and magic apparels were good, Wang Tong valued his identity more. Therefore, as the commander, he would come over personally to facilitate the trade every time.
He would also chat with Chen Jingzhai about the situation or discuss some cultivation problems. This was how their friendship was established.
“The beauty of the ocean is even more resplendent in person than you think.” Wang Tong chuckled. “Alchemist Chen, you came to Donglai County but you have never left your house for all the time you have been here. You can’t overlook the magnificence of the sea!”
“I’ve already ventured to the sea before I came. There’s no need to tempt me.” Chen Jingzhai looked at him. “I’m an alchemist, so I can’t leave my cauldron. You seem to be in such a hurry to let me board the ship. Is there someone who wants to see me? Let me guess, is it the son of the Eastern Ocean Ruler, that Commandery Prince?”
“You’re a smart cookie, Alchemist Chen.” Wang Tong stopped smiling. “Commandery Prince Hong Yi heard of your name and especially took this opportunity to invite you to board the ship to meet him.”
“So you’re one of Eastern Ocean Ruler’s men?” Chen Jingzhai raised his eyebrows and asked.
“The Dao Cheng Division only respects the emperor’s orders. We are all people of the kingdom,” Wang Tong said frankly. “However, the State of Qiong is indebted to the Eastern Ocean Ruler. If Commandery Prince Hong Yi asks us to pass on a message, naturally I won’t refuse.”
“I only want sea beasts,” Chen Jingzhai said indifferently. “The stronger they are, the more good elixirs you can obtain from me, such as the Foundation Establishment Elixir. The rest has nothing to do with me.”
“Understood!” Wang Tong nodded, then looked at Chen Jingzhai with a burning gaze. “How many Foundation Establishment Elixirs can be traded with Grade 2 sea beasts? How many do you have?”
“There’s not much stock. First come, first served,” Chen Jingzhai said. “A Grade 3 sea beast can be exchanged for an elixir, but the sea beast must be in perfect condition. A hundred Grade 2 sea beasts can be exchanged for an elixir.”
“A hundred?” Wang Tong’s expression turned ugly. “Isn’t that too many?”
“Foundation Establishment Elixirs are rare. Other than the lack of materials, the success rate of alchemists is not high,” Chen Jingzhai said calmly. “Moreover, it can be said that sea beasts are limitless in the Eastern Ocean, and there are even Sea Dragon Guards on patrol. What’s more, it’s not difficult to hunt Grade 2 sea beasts. A hundred sea beasts are nothing.”
“You can’t say that.” Wang Tong smiled bitterly. “Forget it, I’ll help you spread the news. Looks like this Eastern Ocean Hunt will be even more lively.”
It was certain that many rogue cultivators would rush to the sea to hunt sea beasts. Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators either joined the imperial family of the Pulao Kingdom or became the devotees of various families.
However, the Meditation Plane cultivators suffered the most. Without a Foundation Establishment Elixir, they would never be able to break through. Even if a Foundational Cultivator could not attain the Core Plane, their lifespan would still be longer than a Meditation Plane cultivator.
To any faction, Foundational Cultivators were more worth roping in than Meditation Plane cultivators. In Pulao Kingdom, there were many Meditation Plane cultivators, but there were very few Foundational Cultivators. After all, cultivators who were in the mortal world only had an ordinary aptitude. Without opportunities, it was impossible for them to break through to the Foundation Establishment Plane on their own.
Chen Jingzhai’s release of the news was equivalent to giving thousands of Meditation Plane cultivators hope. They would seize this opportunity with everything they had. Apart from rogue cultivators, the other factions would also work hard to obtain Foundation Establishment Elixirs.
After all, which family did not have a junior?
And who would not want to go further?
The importance of having another Foundational Cultivator was self-evident to some cultivation families. Even Wang Tong was a little uneasy when he heard Chen Jingzhai’s words. Although he was a Foundational Cultivator, he also needed the Foundation Establishment Elixir. Even if it was not for his own family’s younger generation, it was an excellent choice as a gift. Therefore, he did not stay long at Chen Jingzhai’s place.
After successfully bringing away a batch of elixirs, he left in a hurry. He knew that Chen Jingzhai was stubborn. He would definitely not relent without the carcasses of sea beasts.
In the past seven months, Chen Jingzhai had never made an exception. Instead of wasting his saliva, it was better to quickly contact Commandery Prince Hong Yi and prepare the sea beasts Chen Jingzhai wanted.
“Young Master.” Hong Fu came out after Wang Tong left. “According to the current interval the spirit silkworms are spitting silk, weaving 20 magic apparel a month is already the limit. There are a lot of orders from the Dao Cheng Division this time.”
“We’ll slowly weave them. We can make fifteen pieces a month.” Chen Jingzhai said indifferently, “We’ll keep five, deliver ten, and raise the price by 10%.”
“Alright!” Hong Fu chuckled and pursed her lips. “The Dao Cheng Division is large and powerful, so they don’t lack spiritual stones. Moreover, they are all bartering with other goods. They can afford it even if we raise our price.”
“They have no choice but to accept a monopoly. There is simply no competition.” Chen Jingzhai looked at her. “But if you have something to say, there’s no need to beat around the bush. You should know that I don’t like this.”
“Young Master, if you lack sea beast carcasses, why don’t you participate in this Eastern Ocean Hunt?” Hong Fu hesitated and said, “When the Sea Dragon Guards go on patrol, they must hunt Grade 4 sea beasts or water demons before they can return.”
“Grade 4 sea beasts?” Chen Jingzhai was slightly surprised. “They have such strength?”
“The Sea Dragon Guards use a Grade 3 Vine Tiger Warship made by the Mingyuan Dao Sect. There are a total of five of these warships,” Hong Fu said. “I once heard from my family that the three Vine Tiger Warships can kill Grade 4 sea beasts at sea. Even water demons that have formed intelligence and possess transformation capabilities can be killed if they are not fast enough.”
“Wow, the Sea Dragon Guards are actually so powerful!” Chen Jingzhai exclaimed.
“It is said that the Mingyuan Dao Sect controls an ancient secret zone. The warship blueprint was obtained from the secret zone. Back then, they only cooperated with the Pulao Kingdom to find materials to build the warship.”
Hong Fu spoke and told him what she had heard all those years ago. This was not a secret. Back then, when the Eastern Ocean Ruler established the Sea Dragon Guards, the emperor specially allocated five Vine Tiger Warships to them. It caused a huge commotion in the imperial court at that time.
It was also because of these five Vine Tiger Warships that the Eastern Ocean Ruler became famous in the battle that year. Even the Grade 4 sea beasts were hunted and driven away, preventing the invasion of sea beasts. The Eastern Ocean Ruler also rose to power with the help of five Vine Tiger Warships and guarded a region for the Pulao Kingdom.
From then on, the Eastern Ocean Ruler decided to conduct the Eastern Ocean Hunt every three years. The navy guards were different every time, but they were still very strong. This also caused the cultivators from the coastal states to seize the opportunity to follow the warships out to sea.
They were partly there to pick up scraps, and partly to reduce the risk. To the rogue cultivators on the coast, the Eastern Ocean Hunt was indeed a rare opportunity.
The ocean was rich in resources, and cultivators usually had to bear a risk going into the ocean. With the Vine Tiger Warships clearing the way, they naturally would not miss this opportunity, and what enticed them more was Chen Jingzhai’s news of the Foundation Establishment Elixir.
“If Commandery Prince Hong Yi wasn’t there, I could have gone to take a look! But Wang Tong came personally to extend an olive branch on behalf of Commandery Prince Hong Yi. Let’s not talk about whether a small Commandery Prince like him is qualified to recruit me, I myself am not prepared to even support the Eastern Ocean Ruler. On this trip down the mountain, my primary focus is on cultivating. There’s no need to get involved in the Battle of Dragon.” Chen Jingzhai shook his head.
Since the sect did not have any missions and the other disciples did not come looking for him, he enjoyed the time he had to himself.
For seven months, apart from refining elixirs and nourishing the divine stone space, he spent most of his time pondering his next course of action.
Currently, his cultivation technique had been replenished in the Meditation Plane, and he had some clues about the Foundation Establishment Plane.
Naturally, he was not in the mood to go out.
