Chapter 18

Chu He didn’t have much time to lament the fickleness of women; he had more important matters to attend to. The greatest hope before him was to upgrade the seventh-grade Lustrous Jade to a sixth-grade, which would significantly increase its value, allowing him to make a substantial profit.

In the world, medicinal herbs and minerals were divided into three major grades: high, medium, and low. Each major grade included three sub-grades. Seventh, eighth, and ninth-grade materials were considered low-grade and could be refined into [Dharma] grade pills, talismans, and artifacts. Fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade materials were medium-grade and corresponded to [Treasure] grade, while first, second, and third-grade materials were high-grade and classified as [Spirit] grade.

Sixth-grade materials were medium-grade and used for the creation of [Treasure] grade pills, talismans, and artifacts. Their value was significantly higher, incomparable to that of low-grade materials. If this Lustrous Jade could be upgraded to sixth-grade, it would fetch a good price, providing the funds needed for the pills to advance to the fifth layer of the Qi Condensation Realm, saving him the trouble of running around.

When he returned to the inn, he muttered a few words to the innkeeper, who complained about why a refined person would ruin their image by acting like a rude and uncouth person. Previously, when Chu He jumped out the window, the innkeeper thought he had left in a hurry, even without reclaiming his deposit, and was secretly pleased. However, when Chu He returned, the innkeeper was greatly disappointed, feeling frustrated by the back-and-forth. He needed to vent his frustration with a few complaints.

Seeing the innkeeper about to launch into a long lecture, Chu He quickly apologized and ran upstairs. He had heard from the inn boy that the innkeeper had a wife who was four or five times his size, known for her fierce and stingy nature. The innkeeper often got beaten. For someone like him, who was always unsatisfied, it was best to leave quickly. Once he started talking, it would be a flood of complaints.

In the room.

“Phew!” After retracting the Purifying Flame, Chu He exhaled deeply. Seventh-grade materials were indeed extraordinary. Even purifying just two percent of the impurities had almost depleted the Purifying Flame’s power, but he managed to succeed.

The Lustrous Jade, originally green with a yellow tinge and extremely lustrous, became almost entirely green after purification, with a softer glow. The change in the Flame Gold was the most noticeable. Originally a mix of gold and red, it turned almost entirely crimson after purification. Chu He could clearly see that its grade had improved. The Crystal Stone, however, showed little change, remaining as dark and opaque as before. After purification, all three materials had shrunk slightly. Whether they had upgraded in grade would be known when he sold them.

This time, Chu He was heading to the Mystic Artifact Pavilion, not the Green Spirit Hall or the Guo Family Workshop. Before leaving, he changed into ordinary clothes. As a Qi Condensation Realm cultivator, without wearing the Green Spirit Mountain disciple’s uniform, he would be like a small wave in the vast sea in the bustling Green Spirit Town, making his movements much easier.

“Sixth-grade lower-grade Lustrous Jade?!” The young manager didn’t even raise an eyebrow when Chu He presented the Flame Gold and Crystal Stone, but the third material surprised him greatly. Medium-grade materials could be used to refine high-grade Dharma artifacts and low-grade Treasure artifacts, making them far more valuable than low-grade materials. A mere fourth-layer Qi Condensation Realm cultivator owning a medium-grade material was unexpected.

However, as a manager of a large shop, he had seen many things. Whether it was sixth-grade materials or even higher, he had seen them all, so his surprise quickly faded.

“Six hundred and fifty lower-grade spirit stones in total. Due to the large number, it will be converted to six medium-grade spirit stones and fifty lower-grade spirit stones. Fellow Daoist, would you like to take a look at our Dharma artifacts? I can give you a fifteen percent discount privately.”

After receiving the spirit stones, Chu He thanked him and left, showing no interest in the Dharma artifacts. At his current fourth-layer Qi Condensation Realm, he could only勉强 drive low-grade Dharma artifacts, and using low-grade Dharma talismans was more convenient. He would consider purchasing Dharma artifacts after reaching the fifth layer of the Qi Condensation Realm.

“Rich!” Chu He was overjoyed. He never expected this method to be so profitable. With around a hundred spirit stones, he had more than sextupled his wealth in less than a day, a truly astronomical profit.

Unfortunately, this method relied on others. If it weren’t for Gu Han’s guidance and appraisal, he wouldn’t have found so many materials suitable for upgrading.

Moreover, this method had its limitations. Materials that met the upgrade criteria were rare in the market, and not every day would be so lucky. If the Purifying Flame could be upgraded to increase the purification ratio, this method would become more viable.

For now, he would focus on buying the Qi-Benefiting Pills. Once he broke through to the fifth layer of the Qi Condensation Realm and obtained the qualification of a low-grade spirit farmer, he could rely on spirit fields for a steady income. Generally, after paying the rent, he could earn about ten to twenty lower-grade spirit stones per day, stabilizing his life.

To buy the pills, Chu He didn’t go to the Green Spirit Mountain’s pharmacy but to the Guo Family Workshop. He needed to keep a low profile. If the sect found out that a spirit farmer apprentice was buying large quantities of pills and talismans, especially medium-grade ones, it might cause unnecessary trouble.

The Guo Family Workshop was a mysterious place, not only selling Dharma artifacts and pills but also talismans. A force that could establish itself in Green Spirit Town and rival Green Spirit Mountain must be quite powerful.

He bought five bottles of medium-grade Qi-Benefiting Pills, one bottle of high-grade Qi-Benefiting Pills, and dozens of various medium and low-grade Dharma talismans, spending nearly four hundred spirit stones, a significant portion of his wealth. The feeling of such a lavish purchase was excellent, even if it was only for a short while.

After a leisurely stroll, it was time to return to the sect.

When he met Gu Han, Zhao Xiaomei was by his side, pouting when she saw Chu He.

Pulling Gu Han aside, Chu He secretly handed him a medium-grade spirit stone.

When Gu Han realized it was a medium-grade spirit stone, he grinned and whispered, “Brother Chu, you’ve hit the jackpot? So generous!”

Chu He chuckled and gave him a knowing look.

Gu Han didn’t hesitate, immediately pocketing the spirit stone and returning a smile, “Pleasure doing business with you.” The deep, meaningful smiles of the two men made Zhao Xiaomei a bit annoyed. She said, “What are you two whispering about? It’s not like you’re doing something shameful. Are you talking about the courtesans at the Red Lantern House?”

Gu Han immediately left Chu He to prove his innocence.

“Let’s do this again when we have time. Earning spirit stones like this is too enjoyable.” Gu Han’s message suddenly came through the Jade Token.

Although Gu Han was an inner sect disciple and studied the Dao of pills and artifacts, he could only take on tasks and odd jobs like Chu He until he graduated, earning a few lower-grade spirit stones a day at most. Inner sect disciples received a monthly stipend, but it was tiered based on cultivation level. At the fifth layer of the Qi Condensation Realm, Gu Han’s stipend was minimal.

After deducting what he had lent to Chu He, he had almost earned a hundred lower-grade spirit stones in a day, equivalent to a medium-grade spirit stone, which was more than a month and a half’s worth of hard work. No wonder he was so delighted.

“Hehe, follow Brother Chu, and there will be plenty of benefits in the future.” Chu He replied confidently.