Chapter 97 (Patreon)

He’d give Jiang Lei this: he was a far more pleasant training partner than Song Yuelin was. Chen Haoran hadn’t realized it until they started but he’d half expected Jiang Lei to make him eat dirt once they started practicing. As it turns out that wasn’t a universal practice and Song Yuelin was just being an asshole. In all honesty, he should have realized that sooner. Despite both being rather weird Liquid Meridian Realms they couldn’t be any more different. His eccentricities beside, Jiang Lei was far less infuriating to deal with.

They had fallen into a rhythm over the coming days. Jiang Lei would grab him and they’d go find a secluded place outside the city to train, switching locations every few days so as to avoid prying eyes. Chen Haoran would do his best to gut Jiang Lei with his Harmonization while Jiang Lei casually engaged in small talk while avoiding said gutting. It wasn’t the worst thing he could do all things considered although it was a bit strange to talk about the weather while sundering the earth beneath them. It beat getting slapped in the face at least.

It was during this training that he finally learned Jiang Lei stood at the First-Layer of Liquid Meridian. He had his suspicions about it before but couldn’t confirm it with his sense. Despite being used to sensing Liquid Meridians now it didn’t mean he could discern which Layer they’d cultivated to. When one stood along the coast, all oceans looked the same size.

After being reprimanded by Jiang Lei that day, Wang Xiao never brought up dueling again. He didn’t speak much or even show up beyond a few rare appearances. Chen Haoran didn’t know what he was getting up to all he knew was that whenever he came to the training sessions he watched Chen Haoran’s Harmonization like a hawk. Perhaps he was trying to figure out how to defeat it? Or learn for himself? Either way, he barely interacted with them. It honestly made Chen Haoran curious as to what sort of organization they belonged to that it could nurture two people so opposite of each other. There were things he could infer from their interactions and what he’d seen so far but those were all merely guesses.

The one thing he was no closer to figuring out was what Jiang Lei wanted from him. It really looked like he was interested in his Harmonization but Chen Haoran couldn’t— no he refused to shake the feeling that some other purpose was afoot. He just didn’t know what. He was once again mourning the loss of the White Tyrant’s sensory abilities, such an immensely useful tool for information gathering. The only downside was the personality that came with it.

He didn’t let up on his other training while practicing his Harmonization. On the days Jiang Lei didn’t show up he practiced the Scattering Petal Palm within the confines of his courtyard. He set a small goal for himself to reach Lan Yao’s level of skill before the year was over. It was cathartic practicing the Scattering Petal Palm. It was the one technique where he could see noticeable progress day by day. Far more than his Harmonization control and his cultivation.

It was depressing how futile his attempts to break through to the Liquid Meridian Realm were. In theory, it was simple. However, as Jiang Lei had so eloquently put it, simple did not equal easy. He wasn’t starting completely from scratch, at least. His Harmonization training also required him to gather and hold the surging qi of the Canyon Carving Sword steady. It was so similar to trying to create a drop of liquid qi that Chen Haoran had to wonder if this was Song Yuelin’s true purpose in introducing the skill to him. Similar was all it was however, trying to advance to the Liquid Meridian Realm was a whole order of magnitude higher. Just condensing his qi into a liquid form required him to manipulate practically all the qi in his body and hold it in an iron grip. It was an act that strained his control and ability to multitask to the limit. His limit was far short of what he required to succeed.

He needed help.

————

“Something that can help you advance to the Liquid Meridian Realm?” Jiang Lei asked. They were once again training outside the city. This time they had gone farther from the city to a picturesque gorge with trees that grew horizontal on its sheer rock walls. The sky-blue water of the Skyspear calmly flowed beneath them.

“If there’s a certain trick or technique I can use,” Chen Haoran said. “Or if there’s a pill or something.”

He doubted he was the only person who struggled to break through to the Liquid Meridian Realm. With how much power the next realm offered there had to be research done to help cultivators advance.

Jiang Lei rubbed his chin in thought. “Well, you’re already ahead of other cultivators. You’re young, and despite your issues using it, you have mastered Harmonization. Just those means you’ll have an easier time condensing your first drop.”

“Is that it then? Time.” Chen Haoran couldn’t keep the disappointment out of his voice. It made sense that was all he needed but for his safety the sooner he broke through the better.

“I’m not finished yet,” Jiang Lei said, laughing. “What you want is a Heavy Core Pill.”

“Heavy Core Pill?”

“It’s hard to condense your qi into a liquid. The Heavy Core Pill is meant to attract your qi to a single point and serve as a focus. It won’t do all the work on its own, but it at least makes it easier to gather your qi. I used a Wood-attribute Heavy Core Pill to advance.”

Relief flooded through him. So there was a way. His attention was pulled towards Jiang Lei’s last words, however. “Wood? Not water?”

“ A Heavy Core Pill is essentially dropping a super dense chunk of qi in your meridians. If you’re using the same element, then it’s no different than a stronger cultivation pill. If it’s a beneficial element, then the difference in density turns it into a qi magnet.”

So he needed a Wood or a Metal attribute Heavy Core Pill then. “Do you know anywhere I can get one?”

Jiang Lei’s smile turned sheepish. “They’re ah, controlled substances.”

Chen Haoran’s heart fell. They were illegal? “Are they harmful or addictive or something?” If they were then he’d have to give it up. He wanted to advance, but he didn’t want to hurt himself doing it.

“Not that kind.”

“Then wha—” Realization washed over him. He’d forgotten where he was. “The Empire?”

Jiang Lei nodded. “You can get still get them in Zumulu but the official channels will make you run rings and the unofficial ones are…” He considered his words. “Not so inclusive.”

“But they’re sold?” Chen Haoran asked.

“They are.” Jiang Lei raised an eyebrow. “You seem to have an idea.”

More than that. He had an invitation to a place that specialized in big-ticket smuggled goods.

“I’m gonna have to have my wallet ready.”

————

“Welcome back, sir,” Chanchu said. As soon as Chen Haoran entered the shop he rushed over with two employees and greet Chen Haoran with a bow.

Chen Haoran nodded. “I trust you’ve been well.”

“Every day is a good day when you grace our store, sir.”

That drew a laugh out of him. “I would hope so.”

Chanchu smiled. “Will it be the usual today?”

“Yeah. Phelps enjoys your product. I want to look through your catalog too.”

“Right this way then, sir. I’ll have tea brought to the room.”

Ever since his first visit to the Ever Spring Pavilion, he continued to purchase spirit herbs from them. It wasn’t the only place he did so, he made sure to buy resources from every shop he sold to. However, he made the bulk of his purchases at the Ever Spring Pavilion.

Chanchu handed over the inventory catalog and personally poured tea for him. The room was filled with a strong fruity smell from the steaming amber tea. “This tea is called River King’s Conquest, it’s said that in ancient times a warlord invaded just to control the territory this tea is grown in. Please enjoy.”

“Getting fancy now huh? You didn’t have this before.”

“It was a recent purchase. I was fortunate enough to acquire some.”

“With my money, no doubt.”

Chanchu laughed. “That’s why I’m giving you the first taste.”

Chen Haoran huffed and smiled. Perks of being a V.I.P. He was surprised to find the tea was filled with qi the flavor was practically infused into the energy. “It’s good tea,” he said, smacking his lips. “I’ll have to add to my order from you.”

Chanchu folded his hands and flashed a professional smile. “Perhaps our Ever Spring Pavilion could place an order with your instead, sir?”

Chen Haoran paused. He set the cup down and leaned back in his chair. “Oh? Has word been spreading?”

“Naturally not, sir. I’m merely friends with one of the merchants you’ve sold to.”

Chen Haoran hummed and drummed his fingers along his leg. He’d been making sure to spread out his purchases between shops, but it was inevitable someone would notice. If he hadn’t been in a rush to acquire funds then he could be more low-key with his sales. Perhaps a trip to the shops across the river was in order.

“I’m surprised you’re in a rush to give me my money back,” Chen Haoran said.

Chanchu smiled helplessly. “As you’ve perhaps noticed, my humble shop doesn’t have much in the way of higher rank materials. My Ever Spring Pavilion is willing to buy however much you’re willing to sell.”

Chen Haoran was considering his options when he felt a spike of qi from his pocket. His hand instinctively gripped the Golden Lily Token, he didn’t pull it out, however.

“Chanchu,” he said. “Turn around.”

Chanchu didn’t hesitate at all and immediately left his seat and faced the wall. Chen Haoran’s appreciation of the merchant raised several notches and he pulled out the token. Tiny golden letters burned across it.

Auction Assistant: Dreamwater

Liquid Liquor Bar

Interesting. Was it a benefit of having a Gold token? He didn’t think they’d arrange a meeting before the auction itself. He played with the token. The room was silent.

If he was going to meet an auction employee, then he should try to bring something. If Lan Fen could put something up for auction, then there was no reason he couldn’t. What though? He cast his mind through all the Rewards he’d acquired. His eyes landed on Chanchu’s back.

An idea bloomed.

“Chanchu my friend. How much are you selling that 300-year-old Moonflower for?”