Chapter 377: Nine Curves Tide Generating Art!
The severe injury of Mo Sha and the death of Zhao Qianyuan sent shockwaves through the sect. The grim news caused many formal disciples, previously eager to explore the Return to Ruins Secret Realm, to second-guess their ambitions.
The Return to Ruins Secret Realm, which only opened once every 101 years, was already a notorious death trap. Now, with the sudden appearance of a mysterious, lethal faction, the danger had exponentially multiplied. Anyone with half a brain would tread carefully.
While this hesitation inevitably impacted the local vendor economy, Jiang Chen couldn’t care less.
His business model was front-loaded; the real profit was always in the first ten days. As more competitors flooded the market and buyers gained options, profit margins naturally shrank. He had already recouped his initial investment and made a killing. Whatever scraps he earned now were just a bonus.
Dusk settled over the valley. Jiang Chen was alone in his stone house, preparing dinner, when the sudden, harsh *caw* of a fire crow shattered the quiet.
Instantly tapping into his shared vision, he detected someone approaching. It was a woman, dressed in a moon-white gown. Jiang Chen looked closer, growing more familiar, and finally exclaimed in surprise, “Ruo Qunshuang?”
Soon, Ruo Qunshuang stood outside the Spirit Farm. It was her first visit, and she curiously surveyed the surroundings. Five acres of Spirit Farm, all cultivated with robust spirit plants—spirit rice, medicinal herbs, and even various fruits and vegetables—looked exceptionally abundant.
Across the way, the stone house was brightly lit, with faint shadows moving inside. The sound of clinking and clattering echoed, accompanied by the enticing aroma of cooking food. It seemed someone was preparing a meal.
As Ruo Qunshuang moved to approach, a sudden “woof woof” sound came from the other side. She looked closely and saw a dog’s head poking out from a kennel, baring its teeth at her. For a moment, she froze, staring at the dog, and the dog stared back, eyes wide.
Inside the house, Jiang Chen couldn’t stand it any longer and immediately called out, “Who’s there?”Ruo Qunshuang’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly responded, “Senior Brother Jiang, it’s Ruo Qunshuang!”
Jiang Chen walked out, carrying a pot of top-quality Spirit Wine. “What brings you here?”
“I…” Ruo Qunshuang opened her mouth, seeming hesitant.
Jiang Chen thoughtfully waved her in. “Come inside.”
Ruo Qunshuang glanced at the dog. “What about it?” It wasn’t that she feared the dog, but one must consider the owner when dealing with a pet.
Jiang Chen glared at Da Huang, and it immediately retracted its head.
Ruo Qunshuang sighed in relief, then stepped closer to the stone house, wearing an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry to disturb you so late.”
Jiang Chen brought a stool, gestured for her to sit, and asked again, “It must be something important for you to come all the way from the Rain Pavilion, right?”
Ruo Qunshuang took a deep breath. “I want…”
Jiang Chen was startled and quickly waved his hands. “I’m not that kind of person.”
“Huh!” Ruo Qunshuang paused, then continued, “I want to obtain long-term, stable cultivation resources from you.”
Jiang Chen finally relaxed. “Oh, it’s about resources.”
Ruo Qunshuang asked in surprise, “What did you think it was?”
Jiang Chen laughed awkwardly. “Haha, I thought you wanted to learn farming!”
Ruo Qunshuang seemed puzzled but didn’t dwell on it, adding, “I’ve inquired about you. You’re the only Spirit Cultivator in the entire Spirit Farm, known for being stable and reliable in both cultivating spirit plants and providing resources. Your reputation is particularly good.”
Jiang Chen crossed his arms, his gaze scrutinizing. “But why should I provide resources for you?” Although she appeared alone and pitiful, they weren’t related or close. Why help her? Even his long-time friends, Jin Fugui and Mo Yu, had never made such a request.
Ruo Qunshuang smiled bitterly. “I know you won’t help for no reason, so I’ve brought my utmost sincerity.” Then, she patted the pink peach-blossom embroidered pouch at her waist, and two jade pendants instantly appeared in her hand—one larger, one smaller, likely storing techniques and spells.
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. “What’s this?”
Ruo Qunshuang said seriously, “These two jade pendants contain the strongest water-attribute technique of my Nine Curves Sect, the Nine Curves Tide Generating Art, and the strongest water-attribute spell, the Overturning Sea Seal. Their scope is no weaker than the Cloud Sea Sect’s techniques and spells of the same level, and in some aspects, they’re even stronger.”
Jiang Chen blinked, momentarily speechless. Did he look that trustworthy? To gain her confidence so easily!
Ruo Qunshuang placed the pendants on the table, clenched her hands, and gritted her teeth. “My father is dead, my senior brother is dead. Now, I can only rely on myself. To avenge them, I must become strong enough.”
Jiang Chen understood. “So, you want to exchange these two techniques and spells for a long-term supply of resources to meet your daily cultivation needs?”
Ruo Qunshuang nodded firmly. “Yes.”
Jiang Chen rubbed his chin. “What grade are these techniques and spells?”
Ruo Qunshuang blurted out, “Earth Grade!”
Jiang Chen’s lips curled slightly. “Earth Grade, huh.”
Ruo Qunshuang said excitedly, “Whether it’s techniques or spells, once they reach Earth Grade, they’re priceless and hard to find on the market.”
Jiang Chen remained calm as ever, neither agreeing nor refusing. He pointed to the steaming food on the table. “Since we’re here, let’s eat first!”
Ruo Qunshuang looked at the food, its tempting colors and the aroma in the air making her throat unconsciously move. “Okay.”
The rice was steamed from top-quality Spirit Rice. The dishes were made from top-quality vegetables. Even the wine was of high quality. It might seem like just a simple home-cooked meal, but in reality, most people outside couldn’t afford it. This single meal made Ruo Qunshuang realize that although the man before her looked ordinary, his talent in cultivating spirit plants was undoubtedly exceptional. That’s why he was the only Spirit Cultivator in the entire Spirit Farm.
Half an hour later, both were full and satisfied. Ruo Qunshuang put down her bowl and chopsticks, sat upright, and stared intently at the man before her.
Jiang Chen also put down his bowl and chopsticks, then picked up the two jade pendants from the table, smiling lightly. “Junior Sister Ruo, as long as you haven’t deceived me, with these two pendants, I can provide you with stable cultivation resources for twenty years. Such as top-quality Spirit Rice, certain medicinal herbs, or special spirit plants.”
Ruo Qunshuang frowned. “Senior Brother Jiang, twenty years is too short!”
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. “How long do you want?”
Ruo Qunshuang pondered for a moment. “For a cultivator, twenty years is but a snap of the fingers. At most, I’d only break through from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core.”
Jiang Chen put the pendants down, saying irritably, “Not to be harsh, but you can’t expect me to provide resources all the way to Nascent Soul or beyond with just two Earth Grade techniques and spells, can you? That’s a bit excessive!”
Ruo Qunshuang hesitated. “If… if… if…”
Jiang Chen was astonished. “If what?”
Ruo Qunshuang snapped back to reality and shook her head. “Nothing. Twenty years it is.”
Jiang Chen grinned. “Then, let’s sign a blood oath contract!”