“That’s… that’s…”
His face filled with shock, Lü Dongbin was unsure what to say just then.
Strengthening all of his thirty-six flying swords up to acquired soul-treasure grade?
One must know that his set of flying swords were of the same origin and would not lose out to superior-grade acquired soul treasure in value. Likewise, the swords would not lose out in power, and once every sword was strengthened to become acquired soul treasures… the power of the sword arrays he could cast with those swords would definitely increase exponentially, even if they turned out to be average acquired soul treasures.
Lü Dongbin was confident that he could fight against real Grand Luo when that happened.
That said, the thirty-six flying swords made a set, and Lü Dongbin was left feeling a headache at the thought of the price he had to pay.
In the end, his voice ended up becoming much fainter as he stammered quietly, “Well… Brother Jiang He, I’d actually used up all my my fortune to forge these immortal swords, and I don’t have much savings to speak of right now… if I could, I hope to trouble Mister Jiang to only strengthen three of my swords.”
“Don’t be shy, Brother Pure Yang!”
Jiang He smiled. “I feel like I’ve known you a long time even thought I only came to know you recently, and you can just pay my fee later… I’m definitely strengthening all thirty-six flying swords for you today!”
Delighted, Lü Dongbin took out three porcelain bottles with a flip of his hand and said, “I heard that you need some high-grade immortal pellets and spirit medicine, Brother Jiang He. Here—three bottles of immortal pellets, refined by the pellet refinement master of my sect. It’s called the Dao Enlightenment Pellet, which is said to be brewed based on the Dao presence of the Old Tea Tree of Enlightenment by the patriarch of the Ren Sect. The pellet recipe developed from that are rank-eight immortal items and useful even for Grand Luo.”
“What?”
A Golden Immortal behind Lü Dongbin cried out in surprise, his eyes bulging as he exclaimed, “The Dao Enlightenment Pellets… it is said that enough of those could ascend a Golden Immortal up to Grand Luo! How could you bear to part with those?’
“Nonsense!”
Lü Dongbin laughed coldly, “Dao Enlightenment Pellets only serve as a support so that Golden Immortals have an easier time to grasp Dao. Many Golden Immortals who can reach Grand Luo in the first place might have a shot at ascending with these pellets, but for those without hope… what use is there even if you ate them like rice?”
The other Golden Immortal could not help laughing at that. “Calm down, Brother Pure Yang. I was merely talking about rumors I heard, nothing more.”
Shooting him a look, Lü Dongbin continued, “Moreover, it’s extremely difficult to cook Dao Enlightenment Pellets. The ingredients could only found in the depths of the celestial battlefield, and a single pellet is worth more than a mediocre-grade immortal item, even priceless… If it could directly improve a Golden Immortal up to Grand Luo, even the Saints would be taking action to search for the ingredients and produce loads of these pellets!”
If Golden Immortals were elites in the celestial battlefield, then Grand Luo were giants.
A Grand Luo with an acquired soul treasure would be able to overwhelm an entire sector.
Indeed, there were ancient Grand Luo that resided in the celestial battlefields, wielding powerful innate soul treasures and were no weaker than Demi-Saints.
Nonetheless, Jiang He did not dwell on the matter, although he was interested in the Dao Enlightenment Pellets. Therefore, he quickly accepted the three bottles and took one pellet out.
It was the size of a glass marble and fully scarlet. It exuded a pale medicinal aroma and a curious Dao presence that resembled what Jiang He usually felt from the Old Tea Tree of Enlightenment… thought that was as far as it goes.
If one were to rate the Dao of the Old Tea Tree of Enlightenment 100, each of these pellets were merely 1.
‘These pellets are far lacking compared to the Old Tea of Enlightenment… but it would be good for planting and earning Farm Points,’ Jiang He thought to himself.
Each porcelain bottle contained ten Dao Enlightenment Pellets, so that meant thirty Dao Enlightenment Pellets in total.
Putting away the bottles, Jiang He grinned. “These pellets are not bad, just a little few in number… Brother Pure Yang, could you get more of this stuff?”
Thirty Dao Enlightenment Pellets was not low in value, and was almost equal to forty or forty-five intermediate-grade immortal items. However, it was far lacking compared to strengthening a full set of premium-grade immortal flying swords into acquired soul treasures.
Lü Dongbin certainly knew that. Musing to himself for a while, he then said, “I have only three bottles of these pellets for now. If you need them, Mister Jiang, I’ll try to obtain more after I return to the celestial battlefield.”
He did the math and soon mentioned a number. “I could offer you another hundred bottles of Dao Enlightenment Pellets as your fee for strengthening my items. How about that?”
“Deal!”
Jiang He nodded in agreement.
Still, another thought occurred to him.
He could plant the Dao Enlightenment Pellets first as a trail, and he could consider a partnership with Lü Dongbin if he could earn loads of Farm Points after leveling his farm.
The other immortals hence took out their own immortal items and mystic treasures as well.
They each had at least one premium-grade immortal item, and one even carried an inferior-grade acquired soul treasure—it was a spear that was entirely blood red and exuded a qi that smelled like blood.
Jiang He was quite surprised.
“May I ask your name?”
Not many Golden immortals had premium-grade immortal items, and those who did have were either blessed, individually superior… or had strong backing.
And just as expected, the Golden Immortal who looked absolutely ordinary—even a little meek—and stood just 1.5 meters tall offered Jiang He a fist-palm salute, saying, “Tu Xing Sun, a third-generation disciple of the Chan Sect, at your service.”
Jiang He’s eyes bulged.
What the hell!
Tu Xing Sun?
That was a famous character in folklore, and his master was Ju Liu Sun, one of the twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect. Moreover, Tu Xing Sun himself was famous even as a third-generation disciple and did not lose out to Yu Yuan of the Jie Sect in fame.
Still, he was lacking in ability since Yu Yuan was already a Grand Luo while Tu Xing Sun was merely a full-fledged Golden Immortal.
“I see… your reputation precedes you, Brother Tu Xing Sun.”
Jiang He returned his fist-palm salute, while Tu Xing Sun saluted him again, under the impression that Jiang He was being polite.
Taking the spear and giving it a closer look, Jiang He then smiled, “It is quite rare to a spear-type mystic item.”
At the same time, he was recalling the information of myths he knew… but he could not recall any tales claiming that Tu Xing Sun was good at wielding a spear.
Still, Jiang He decided he could work with Tu Xing Sun since he was a disciple of the Chan Sect, and promptly changed his tone, saying, “I could improve your spear by one grade to intermediate-grade acquired soul weapon, Brother Tu Xing Sun. However, for my fee…”
Delighted, Tu Xing Sun promptly said, “I am willing to offer two premium-grade immortal items as my fee if the strengthening is a success.”
Jiang He shook his head and said, “I have as many premium-grade immortal items as I need, not to mention that I myself am a grandmaster in item crafting, and could make one if I need it. However, I do require medicinal pellets at the grade of Dao Enlightenment Pellets… of course, you could give it to me later, since it would be much better if you gave me a large batch of them at once.
“Medicinal pellets?”
Tu Xing Sun thought about it and took out a porcelain bottle, which contained a single crystalline immortal pellet which glimmered in immortal light. “This is a rank-seven Body Honing Pellet that strengthens the immortal physique. Though it would not match the Dao Enlightenment Pellets in value, I could provide it in a large batch.”
“Oh?”
Jiang He’s face twitched slightly and he asked, “How many do you have at the moment?”
“I did not bring that many—just eighty or more. However, since these pellets were created by my fraternity, the Chan Sect…”
“Deal!”
Jiang He spread his arms, saying, “I’ll strengthen this spear for you for free today, Brother Tu Xing Sun. I’ll trade again with you when I head to the celestial battlefield in the future.”
Tu Xing Sun agreed to it despite being confused.
A trade?
Purchasing Body Honing Pellets?
This stuff might be rank-seven, but it was lower in value compared to certain rank-eight immortal pellets…
After all, body strengthening was not that outstanding an effect.
Moreover, most cultivators’ physiques were not that strong and they would not go out of their way to buy such pellets to empower their bodies. The only time they would use these would be in cases where their bodies were falling apart after combat or cultivation, and they required it to reassemble their bodies…
But why would Jiang He want this?
However, he would not ask if Jiang He would not say it.
After some small talk, Jiang He gestured for Dumbo to come and passed it all the immortal items and mystic treasures.
That stunned the immortals, but Jiang He smiled. “No need for panic, everyone… My dog has been with me for a year and knows his way around item refinement. Just leave them to it… How about you take a stroll around Lingzhou City? Your treasures will be strengthened by nightfall.”
The immortals all appeared doubtful, but surely they could not demand the return of their treasures after handing them to Jiang He, could they?
At the very least, the items would still be there if the strengthening fails. Surely Jiang He, a high and mighty Grand Luo, would not embezzle their treasures, would he?
***
Jiang He entered his Farm after seeing off the Golden Immortals to find Dumbo clutching at the large pile of treasures in silly celebration.
When it saw Jiang He enter, its eyes narrowed as it smiled. “Hehe… Master, why don’t we just take these mystic treasures for ourselves?”
“You are the big shot of Earth anyway, and who would dare to go against whatever you say?’
“I even thought of an excuse: Just say that your mystic treasures were all lost after a burglar raided our house… it’s those idiots’ own business whether they believe us.”
Jiang He was dumbstruck.
He took a long look at Dumbo as a thousand curses rushed through his mind.
Is this dog asking me to steal?
Shaking his head, Jiang He said, “I, Jiang He, am a straight and honest man. Why would I do something so underhanded?”
“Fine, wipe that dumb smile off your face. Dig those holes right now and plant every last mystic treasure… oh, right…”
At that, he nonchalantly redeemed over a dozen packs of Living Soil of the Nine Heavens and threw it to Dumbo.
The many mystic treasures were hence planted and quickly grew thanks to the Living Soil of the Nine Heavens acting as a catalyst. The entire Farm promptly shone with myriad immortal radiance, and around three hours later, Jiang He plucked the many strengthened immortal items, unable to hold back a smile…
He had earned more than thirty million Farm Points and each mystic treasure had been upgraded by one grade.
He then passed the immortal items to Dumbo and said, “Lü Dongbin and the others are probably in Lingzhou City, so hand these mystic treasures to them… remember to promote us and get a good word in. Those immortals each have their own factions and we should try to make ties ahead of time so we can have a foundation for trade when we head to the celestial battlefield in the future.
Dumbo took the mystic treasures and headed out, paws on hips and its dog head reared, unable to hold back an imposing aura from showing on its face.
That bunch of immortal fools… are they belittling me?
All these immortal items are planted by my very paws!
At the same time, Jiang He ignored Dumbo and called out to Trumbo, the Seven Bottle Gourd Brothers, and the Wise Rock Monkeys to start planting immortal crystals as well…
Soon, word that Jiang He had strengthened the immortal items and mystic treasures of Lü Dongbin as well as other immortals spread.
Most prominently, Lü Dongbin’s set of thirty-six swords were now all inferior-grade soul weapons…
The news slammed upon the heads of the Golden Immortals, who returned to reinforce Earth’s defenses like a huge torrent.
And then there was also Jin Sidao’s advocacy…
By next morning, hundreds of immortals were standing outside Jiang He’s gates.
Dumbo kept barking away relentlessly, and yet the immortals were all nodding and bowing respectfully at the dog.
Feeling reinvigorated, it flatly said, “Your turn, Trumbo.”
“Register every brother’s mystic treasures and weapons, have them submit them and I’ll personally strengthen it for them… by the way, the fee must be paid!”
“And my master has also said that he doesn’t want immortal crystals, only immortal pellets or spirit medicine. It would be most ideal if you have those in bundles!”
***
In his mansion, Jiang He was observing the outside with his immortal will, unable to hold back laughter.
He was spared much effort because he had that dog at his house.
“What a shame.”
“I have to personally harvest the items…”
Sighing lengthily inside, Jiang He kept an arm around Boa while communicating to Dumbo through acoustics, “I’ll give you more Living Soil of the Nine Heavens later. Remember to use it sparingly later.”
By the door, Sora’s adorable voice could be heard, “Master, breakfast is ready. Are you coming downstairs or should I take it up to your bedroom?”
“Bring it here.”
Jiang He said lazily, and Sora soon entered in her maid costume with a tray of milk and bread. Just as she entered, Boa, who had just gotten out of bed and dressed, said, “I’ll feed you, Master.”
Oh!
Jiang He breathed a long sigh and chuckled miserably.
The daily life of a Grand Luo…
Is so dull and uninteresting!
