Soon, the two paid the spirit stones, signed the contract, and settled the transaction in full.
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, from now on we'll be seeing each other all the time. Do take care of me—and if you have pills, sell them to me a bit cheaper!"
Xiao Feng.
That was Chen Sanshi's alias here.
Holding the token given to him, he was personally led by Xu Youliang's disciple.
The Li family was the largest clan in this region.
The territory they actually controlled was roughly equivalent to five prefectures of the Great Han Dynasty.
However, all the spiritual veins were concentrated within the Qianling Mountain range near Daze Market.
Qianling Mountain had one main peak and several secondary peaks.
The main peak possessed a first-rank supreme-grade spiritual vein and served as the residence and cultivation ground for members of the Li family and their core affiliates. The secondary peaks varied in spiritual vein density and were divided into different areas for rent to independent cultivators.
The lowest conditions were naturally the first-rank lower-grade shanty districts.
At the top end was Small Bamboo Peak beside the main peak. This peak lay close to the main summit, was relatively low in elevation, and did not have much space.
But precisely because it was adjacent to the main peak, it too possessed a first-rank upper-grade spiritual vein, and was rented out to external offerings, guest elders, and deacons.
"Senior."
Xu Youliang's disciple, Han Ce, stopped walking. "It's right here."
Before them stood a bamboo grove. Behind the grove was a two-courtyard residence. Entry and exit required holding a token. If the restrictions were forcibly broken, enforcement deacons from the market would immediately come to investigate.
"Senior Xiao, rest assured. Whatever else may be said about Daze Market, the basic safety of cultivators is guaranteed.
"I will not disturb you further. If you need anything, you may visit the Deacon Hall at any time."
"Very well. Many thanks."
Only after seeing him off did Chen Sanshi enter the cave residence with the token. He inspected it thoroughly several times and confirmed there were no issues.
It could indeed activate a temporary second-rank grand formation.
For the foreseeable future, he would likely travel back and forth between Daze Market and the Eastern Divine Continent, using the spiritual vein here to accelerate his cultivation. Afterward, he would find a way to cooperate with the Bai family and exchange for martial resources.
Advance martial cultivation. Establish Foundation in the Immortal Path.
He reaffirmed his strategic objective for this trip. Then he used spirit stones to activate the Spirit-Gathering Grand Formation inside the cave residence, raising the spiritual energy quality to second rank, and immediately began cultivating.
Before he knew it, 7 days had passed.
The pseudo-second-rank spiritual vein was temporarily sufficient, but the consumption of the Spirit-Gathering Formation was no small amount—more than 10 spirit stones per day.
Fortunately, Chen Sanshi was financially well-off for now and could still afford it.
When he grew weary from martial training, he would sit cross-legged to cultivate the Swallowing Fire Art and nourish his spirit. Yet just as he sat down, the bronze bell above his head rang.
This indicated that someone was requesting an audience outside the cave residence.
Chen Sanshi rose and went to the entrance to check. He saw a graceful-looking female cultivator whose realm appeared to be at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Xiao. My name is Zi Nan. I am an independent cultivator residing on Small Bamboo Peak and also a second-rank weapon refiner."
Zi Nan took the initiative to speak. "I heard that a fellow Daoist alchemist has arrived on Small Bamboo Peak, so I have come specially to pay a visit."
"A pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist."
Only then did Chen Sanshi learn that aside from himself, there were four other cultivators living on Small Bamboo Peak, all at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.
As the newcomer, he ought to greet everyone and become acquainted, making it easier to exchange resources in the future.
"Fellow Daoist Xiao has yet to establish foundation, yet you are already a second-rank alchemist. Your talent in the path of alchemy must truly be extraordinary."
Zi Nan spoke directly. "May I ask which second-rank pills you specialize in refining? Might I commission some?"
Generally speaking, transactions between independent cultivators were often cheaper than purchasing from formal shops.
When Chen Sanshi stated that he could refine Nine Li Pills, she immediately expressed her desire to order some, offering to pay a small deposit first and settle the remainder after verifying the pill quality.
He had spirit stones, but he could not simply live off savings. At the same time, he needed to maintain his identity as an alchemist. Naturally, he agreed.
Chen Sanshi then asked in return, "Fellow Daoist Zi Nan mentioned being a second-rank weapon refiner. Would you be able to forge two magic artifacts for me?"
"Please describe your requirements."
"A magic artifact bow and arrows, second rank. I can compensate with pills or pay directly in spirit stones."
Chen Sanshi's golden bow had been damaged in Miaoshui. He needed a higher-grade bow to match his current strength.
Though bows were not the most common weapon in the cultivation world, they were not rare either. There was no need to worry about exposing his identity because of this.
"On Small Bamboo Peak, there is a fellow Daoist who makes a living hunting spirit beasts. His bow was also custom-made by me. I have all the materials for the bow body here, but bowstrings often require the tendons of spirit beasts, and suitable beasts for bowstrings are not many. I do not have such materials on hand."
Zi Nan paused briefly. "So I can complete everything except the bowstring. As for the bowstring, you may gather materials yourself at Red Ridge Mountain or search elsewhere to purchase them. What do you think?"
"That will do."
Chen Sanshi agreed.
Zi Nan added, "Every so often, the few of us on Small Bamboo Peak gather at the pavilion on the summit to drink. Fellow Daoist Xiao may also attend. You might be able to exchange for useful resources. Among independent cultivators, we should help one another."
After finishing their business, the two exchanged a few more pleasantries before parting.
For the next 2 months, Chen Sanshi cultivated quietly on Small Bamboo Peak.
Cultivation Method: Swallowing Fire Art · Qi Refining Seventh Layer
Progress: 751/1200
Without auxiliary pills for martial training, his progress in martial cultivation was relatively slow. However, the speed of the Swallowing Fire Art was exceptionally fast—within a few years, he would be able to begin preparing for Foundation Establishment.
Aside from that, his main focus remained on refining pills.
The second-rank pill, Nine Li Pill, involved transformations of the Great Dao far exceeding those of first-rank pills—amounting to more than 500 distinct variations.
Even for Chen Sanshi, it took wasting 7 or 8 batches of materials before he finally succeeded in refining one. After that, however, his success rate increased dramatically, and every pill he produced was of superior grade—not a single inferior one.
The Nine Li Pill was specially prepared for Foundation Establishment cultivators. It was difficult for him to digest, so he mainly consumed first-rank Azure Wave Pills instead, and used the Nine Li Pills for sale.
The cost of materials per pill was 60 spirit stones, and he sold them for 120 spirit stones each, earning exactly double the investment.
Aside from that, Chen Sanshi also refined another second-rank pill—the Face-Fixing Pill.
The material cost alone for each pill was as high as 500 spirit stones, and the selling price reached an astonishing 1,200 spirit stones.
For the vast majority of independent cultivators, such a price was extremely expensive. It was practically impossible for them to waste cultivation resources merely for appearance.
The most difficult aspect was that the quality of the Face-Fixing Pill affected the resulting effect. Moreover, before consumption, it was difficult to distinguish between good grade and superior grade, and each person could only consume one in their lifetime.
If it was good grade, it could only preserve one's youthful appearance for a limited period.
Only a superior-grade pill could ensure eternal youth.
Because of this, even cultivators from major sects would sometimes bear the appearance of old age.
Fortunately, Chen Sanshi possessed the ability that every pill he refined was superior grade, so he did not need to worry about this issue.
These 2 Face-Fixing Pills were naturally prepared for the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort.
Neither of them could cultivate.
All Chen Sanshi could do was allow them to remain forever youthful.
It was time to return.
He had been away for nearly 3 months.
After all, he was the ruler of a nation, with far too many state affairs to manage. He dared not stay away too long, or he would fail everyone.
This was also a problem that would need resolving in the future.
Setting aside his thoughts, Chen Sanshi hung a "Closed-Door Cultivation" sign at the entrance of his cave residence to refuse visitors. Then, under the cover of night, he left the cave, traveled to the border of Heavenly Water Isle, used the jade token to summon the hidden teleportation array, departed from that realm, and headed north all the way back to the Great Han Dynasty.
Qinghua Palace.
Within the Great Han Dynasty, there were three palaces: the Daming Palace, Tianyong City, and Qinghua Palace.
The Daming Palace was primarily used to handle court affairs. Tianyong City served as a cultivation ground and was being gradually transformed in the direction of a sect. Qinghua Palace was the inner palace of the capital and also the Son of Heaven's sleeping quarters.
In the inner palace, Chen Sanshi did not continue increasing the number of eunuchs. Instead, he selected some who were still young and had not yet entered the palace to serve the previous dynasty, and trained them.
More importantly, he increased the number of female officials to manage the inner palace. Women could also practice martial arts and cultivate, so there was no need to worry about safety.
Though the realm was indeed stable now,
Chen Sanshi was extremely busy and rarely had time to accompany his family.
This time, after returning, he handled state affairs for 3 consecutive days. It was not until the fourth day that he had time to return to the inner palace and gather his family for a meal together.
"Your consort greets Your Majesty!"
The Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort stood on either side and bowed respectfully.
"Lan jie'er, Senior Sister, why stand on ceremony?"
Chen Sanshi smiled. "Putting on appearances outside is to maintain the court's dignity. Why tire yourselves like this at home?
"Hurry and sit down. I have something for you."
The two women looked at the pill radiating golden light inside the box, puzzled.
"This is a Face-Fixing Pill."
Chen Sanshi explained its effects.
"Shi ge'er, this must be very expensive, right?"
The Empress was first delighted, then somewhat distressed. "Will it affect your cultivation?"
"Yes, Junior Brother," Sun Li teased, "Have you already grown tired of Senior Sister getting old? You could sell this pill instead. Tianyong City is waiting on spirit stones."
Chen Sanshi had indeed seized a considerable number of spirit stones personally, but without steady income, developing Tianyong City would inevitably require them in the future.
"My two ladies are truly virtuous."
He joked, "This is an imperial decree—you must accept it. Back then I could earn silver by hunting; now I have plenty of ways to earn spirit stones as well."
Only then did the two accept the pills.
At that moment, 2 princesses wearing flowing immortal skirts entered the side chamber.
The first was Chen Yunxi, now 13 or 14 years old, at the age of blossoming youth. She was sweet and charming, and very well-behaved.
Beside her was Xu Yuhuan, Xu Bin's daughter, now 9 years old. Back in Poyang County, Chen Sanshi had adopted her as his goddaughter. After the court stabilized, she was granted the title Princess Wuyuan.
It was worth mentioning that Princess Wuyuan possessed a spiritual root and could cultivate in the future, which made Xu Bin extremely delighted.
"Your daughters greet Father Emperor."
The two princesses bowed gracefully.
"Yunxi, Yuhuan, come sit beside Father."
Chen Sanshi beckoned with a smile. "Xixi is about to begin cultivation. Have you decided which cultivation method you want?"
Within Tianyong City, martial techniques were limited, but there were quite a number of Qi Refining immortal cultivation methods seized in spoils.
"Not yet."
Chen Yunxi gently shook her head. "Father, let Yunxi think about it a little longer."
"Very well, no rush."
Chen Sanshi glanced around the table. "Where is He'er? Where has he run off to again?"
"His Highness—"
Before Siqin and Mohua could respond, a burst of noise came from outside.
Seven-year-old Chen Duhe stepped over the threshold and strode into the room in a flurry. The first words out of his mouth were, "When are you going to name me Crown Prince?!"
He currently held the title Prince Yu, not Crown Prince.
The boy was still unruly, though for some reason he listened fairly well to Xu Wencai. In these past few years, he had not caused any major disasters.
"When you come of age, we'll discuss it."
Chen Sanshi asked, "How have your studies been lately?"
"No one can compare to me!"
Chen Duhe struck a pose as if about to recite from memory.
Chen Sanshi motioned for him to stop and had Siqin and Mohua serve the dishes.
Yet after just a couple of bites, Chen Duhe threw down his chopsticks and barked at Siqin, "Where is my Phoenix-Wing Chicken?!"
"Your Highness, please calm your anger."
Siqin quickly explained, "This exotic beast can no longer be found in the mountains around the capital. It must be transported from the Luotian Mountain Range in Northern Liang."
"I don't care!"
Chen Duhe declared indignantly, "If there's no Phoenix-Wing Chicken, I won't take a single bite."
"Little Brother…"
Chen Yunxi tugged lightly at his sleeve beneath the table, signaling him not to make a fuss, but he remained unmoved.
The Phoenix-Wing Chicken was a type of exotic beast. Not only was its flavor exquisite, but more importantly, even non-martial practitioners could consume it, and it strengthened the body.
Chen Duhe had heard from somewhere that it was beneficial for future martial training, so he demanded it every day. If he did not get it, he would make a scene.
In the past 2 years, he had rarely bullied others anymore. Instead, his pampered habits had grown worse and worse—if anything he ate, wore, or used was even slightly inferior, he would lose his temper.
Even when the Empress disciplined him, it would only work for 2 days.
"Duhe, kneel!"
Gu Xinlan gently set down her chopsticks and sternly rebuked him, already about to have someone fetch a rattan cane.
"Lan jie'er, there's no need."
Chen Sanshi was not angry. He simply asked, "Duhe, do you still want to practice martial arts?"
"Yes!"
Chen Duhe replied, "Are you going to teach me now, Father?"
"You're still too young to begin formal martial training, but you can lay the foundation."
Seeing the confusion on his face, Chen Sanshi said, "Come with me."
He told the Empress and the others to continue their meal. Then he grabbed the boy by the back of his collar and soared into the sky. Before long, they had left the capital and arrived near a mountain village outside a county near Chang'an.
It was now mid-October of the fourth year of the Tianwu era, just the autumn sowing season.
From above, one could see farmers laboring in the fields.
"Duhe, do you know why Father is a Martial Saint?"
Chen Sanshi guided him patiently. "Because Father rose from the countryside. From a young age, I experienced the myriad conditions of the human world and tempered my state of mind. When I truly began practicing martial arts, my progress was naturally swift—advancing by leaps and bounds until reaching the peak."
"You can comprehend martial arts by staying with these commoners?!"
Chen Duhe sounded disdainful.
"That's right."
Chen Sanshi said, "If you follow what I say and stay in this village from today onward—find a household, eat, live, and sleep alongside them, and do more farm work to temper your character—then once you come of age, within a few years you will be number one under heaven.
"If you're unwilling, that's fine. Your mother and I can have another son, and let your younger brother inherit instead."
Hearing this, Chen Duhe immediately panicked. "I'll learn! I'll learn!"
Thus the matter was settled.
Using "martial training" as leverage, Chen Sanshi left Prince Yu in Qingping Village. He was forbidden from revealing his identity to the villagers. Chen Sanshi simply paid a farming household to take him in. He was allowed to return to the capital only once per month.
Whether it had been bullying others before or indulging in extravagance without restraint, part of it was innate temperament—but part of it was also the result of being too pampered.
To change him fundamentally, Chen Duhe needed to experience life firsthand, to understand where the Great Han realm came from—to understand that even ordinary meat, let alone exotic beast flesh, required saving up many bronze coins to afford a single meal.
And that was under the tax rate of one-twentieth—or even one-thirtieth.
The results were obvious.
At first, Chen Duhe looked down on coarse tea and simple meals. But after going hungry for 10 days or so, he settled down and even began helping with some work.
The boy had an unusual virtue: if he truly set his mind to something, he would insist on doing it well.
Chen Sanshi had told him that staying here would benefit his future martial training. From that day forward, Chen Duhe never once asked to leave.
Over the next year,
Chen Sanshi traveled back and forth between Daze Market and the Eastern Divine Continent. Time flowed on, and by October of the fifth year of the Tianwu era, his Jing Spirit finally opened once more.
The Poor-Intestine Spirit, named Zhao Tengkang, courtesy name Daohuan, 2 cun and 4 fen in height, clad in yellow-red garments!
Cultivation Method: Swallowing Fire Art · Qi Refining Eighth Layer
Progress: 155/1200
With a second-rank spiritual vein, various pills, and his aptitude working in harmony, Chen Sanshi was only one final layer away from beginning Foundation Establishment.
During this period, he also gained a much deeper understanding of the regions surrounding Daze Market, familiarizing himself with its factions, resource flows, and the distribution of spiritual veins in preparation for what would come next.
Heavenly Water Isle was vast—far larger than the Eastern Divine Continent—and it also had a court known as the Great Song. Of course, the Great Song was not the true ruler in practice. It had once been a modest cultivation family, later chosen by a higher sect and installed as emperor to help manage the miscellaneous affairs of Heavenly Water Isle. It could govern the mortal world, but it had virtually no involvement in the matters of the great sects.
It could be regarded as a Golden Core–level sect.
Under the rule of the Great Song, the land was not divided into prefectures and provinces but into "Daos." There were 49 Daos in total. Within them were large and small sects, cultivation families, and mortal cities.
The cultivators of Heavenly Water Isle also had external enemies. It was said that these were demonic sects and the demon race.
Daze Market was located within the Beiyang Dao of the Great Song.
The Li family's ancestor was at the late Foundation Establishment realm. Among the seven major Foundation Establishment families in the entire Beiyang Dao, he was considered a figure of considerable standing.
If not for his advanced age and dwindling lifespan, he would have had a real chance of breaking through to Golden Core. At the very least, he might have reached the false core realm, and transformed the family into a sect.
If Chen Sanshi wished to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill in the future, there were only three paths: the Li family, a sect, or entering a secret realm to gather materials and refine it himself.
For now, he could only adapt as circumstances dictated.
Chen Sanshi traveled between Heavenly Water Isle and the Divine Continent. Although it was somewhat tiring, whenever he had time to rest, he was accompanied by the Empress, the imperial consorts, and his children. Life was, in its own way, warm and comforting.
If things could continue like this, it would not be a bad kind of peace.
October 25th, fifth year of the Tianwu era.
Inside the Taiji Hall of the Daming Palace.
Chen Sanshi had just declared court adjourned when a eunuch hurried into the hall.
"Your Majesty!"
"The Left Vice Minister of War, Sima Lan, requests an audience. He says he has urgent matters to report!"
Chen Sanshi responded, "All other ministers may withdraw. Let Sima Lan enter."
Already a True Force martial artist, Sima Lan jogged into the hall. After bowing, he said, "Your Majesty, something has happened at the ancestral vein of Hanshan!"
Chen Sanshi's expression shifted slightly. "Lead the way."
The two of them traveled through the air and, within a little over 10 days, arrived at the western border of the Great Sheng Dynasty. Passing over the familiar Guandu, they reached the ancestral vein of Zheng Mountain.
After the founding of the Great Han, Hanshan had been entrusted to the Sima family and Wei Xuan and his wife to guard in rotation. Five years had passed, and this was the first incident.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Sima Yao led the others in welcoming him from afar.
"No need for formalities. Speak directly."
Chen Sanshi went straight to the summit of Qiu Mountain.
"Your Majesty."
Sima Yao took out a plant from his robes. "This is Calming Heart Grass. It can help cultivators focus their minds and barely counts as a first-rank spiritual plant."
Chen Sanshi took it and examined it carefully in his hand.
The plant was not valuable—one could even call it somewhat useless.
But it was still a spiritual plant.
The appearance of a spiritual plant on Qiu Mountain meant that the ancestral vein was reviving.
"There is more."
Sima Yao added, "Above Qiu Mountain, once or twice each month there is an anomaly. It is mainly marked by thunderous booms, as if someone were attacking a barrier. According to the pattern, the next occurrence should be within the next few days."
Chen Sanshi decided to stay for several days.
On the night of the fifth day, just as Sima Yao had said, multicolored radiant light appeared directly above them, accompanied by thunderous rumbling like crashing thunder.
It felt as though someone were destroying something.
A heavenly seal.
Chen Sanshi guessed that some sect on Heavenly Water Isle was making a move. For now, the seal remained solid and showed no sign of damage.
But it still served as a warning bell in his mind.
He had to move faster.
These 5 years of stability had not been true peace; they were merely the calm before the storm. As long as the bandit sects of Heavenly Water Isle were not eradicated, they would remain a massive hidden danger.
After confirming that the ancestral vein was unharmed, Chen Sanshi finally relaxed. He immediately set off for Heavenly Water Isle. After returning briefly to his cave dwelling, he planned to head to the Bai family.
The Bai family was the only martial family in the Beiyang Dao.
It was said that at its peak, the head of the Bai family had reached True Force Perfection, only a single step away from advancing beyond True Force. However, an accident occurred while seeking the subsequent inheritance, and the Bai family gradually declined.
Seven or eight years ago, when Chen Sanshi first came into contact with the Bai family, it was at its most dangerous period, facing exclusion and pressure from many families, including the Li family.
It was not until 4 years ago, when the current Bai family ancestor broke through to True Force Perfection, that the situation stabilized somewhat.
Even so, friction with various families continued without end.
This puzzled Chen Sanshi.
If the Bai family truly possessed only a single first-rank top-grade spiritual vein, then other Foundation Establishment families had similar assets. Why would they unite to suppress it?
Was it merely because of martial arts, or were there private grudges—or some other dispute?
Chen Sanshi was curious.
He once again altered his appearance and headed toward the territory controlled by the Bai family.
Passing through nearby villages and towns, he saw notices posted in mortal markets by the Bai family—recruiting second-rank alchemists.
They still lacked alchemists.
Chen Sanshi lacked martial pills to accelerate his progress, and the other side lacked alchemists to refine pills. It was mutually beneficial. Without overthinking it, he decided to go and see for himself.