Chapter 330: A Rendezvous |
Ending his conversation with Elder Mu, Jiang Chen toyed with the Cultivation Envoy token in his hand, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “So, it’s finally about to begin. I’ve been preparing for this day for a long, long time.”
Their combined investment had already reached tens of thousands of Mid-grade Spirit Stones.
He himself had spent every spare moment refining pills and forging artifacts. He’d also cultivated and purchased a massive quantity of Yang-attribute medicinal herbs. He had even commissioned Old Bai from the Rain Pavilion to create a thousand spirit talismans.
While his own finances were stable—thanks to the steady income from the Spirit Rice and spirit wine at the Loose Cultivator market—his friends were in a different boat.
Jin Fugui and Mo Yu had been bled dry.
One had sold off all his spirit beasts and even mortgaged his land. The other’s situation was even more dire; he’d been forced to go back to using his old, rudimentary fishing gear.
They had sacrificed everything for one purpose: to make a fortune when the Return to Ruins Secret Realm finally opened.
With a decisive flick of his wrist, Jiang Chen retrieved his friends’ Communication Talismans.
First things first. He had to contact Jin Fugui and Mo Yu, give them the news, and tell them to get ready.
The Return to Ruins Secret Realm was set to open next month, just after the start of autumn. But in a few days, Mystic Heart City’s centennial Thousand Sails Event would kick off. He figured he’d see if Senior Brother Chen wanted to join the festivities.
Soon, both Jin Fugui and Mo Yu had been notified.
The moment they heard the secret realm was opening, they were practically buzzing with excitement. Both said they would head over immediately to hash out the details.
Jiang Chen, of course, had no objections. While waiting for them to arrive, he infused a sliver of his wood spiritual power into Chen Bo’s Communication Talisman.
A moment later, a voice crackled through.
“The centennial Thousand Sails Event in Mystic Heart City is about to start,” Jiang Chen said directly. “We’re planning to check it out. You in?”
“I can go,” Chen Bo replied. “Can I bring someone?”
“No problem. The more, the merrier.”
“Alright. Let me know when you’re leaving.”
“One more thing,” Jiang Chen added. “The Return to Ruins Secret Realm opens next month. Are you participating, Senior Brother?”
Jiang Chen wasn’t the least bit surprised by the answer. Ever since his childhood sweetheart, Huo Ling, had lit a fire under him, Chen Bo had become incredibly driven. He’d been training relentlessly, pushing himself to grow stronger. He had even achieved a respectable result in the last formal disciple competition—at the very least, he was leagues ahead of Jin Fugui and Mo Yu. That much was certain.
With their plans settled, the two ended the call.
Jiang Chen rolled out of bed and began his daily cultivation routine.
About an hour later, Jin Fugui and Mo Yu arrived together.
The second they met, Jin Fugui’s face was alight with excitement. “Finally! We can start making money again! These last few months have been absolute hell.”
Mo Yu nodded in solemn agreement. “Without my good gear, I can’t even spot a minnow these days!”
Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui shot him a sideways glance. “As if you could catch anything with it anyway,” Jiang Chen deadpanned.
Unlike his old self, Mo Yu didn’t even flinch. He just scoffed. “You’re just jealous of my unparalleled fishing skills.”
The corner of Jiang Chen’s mouth twitched.
Jin Fugui looked his friend up and down. “Old Mo, when did your skin get so thick?”
“Is this the first day you’ve known me?” Mo Yu retorted smugly.
Jiang Chen waved a hand, cutting them off. “Let’s drop it. Mystic Heart City is holding its centennial Thousand Sails Event. I’m going. Are you two in?”
Jin Fugui and Mo Yu exchanged a look. “The buzz around that event has been getting louder,” Jin Fugui said. “Rumor has it the rewards for the top ten are insane. For first place, the prize is over fifty thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones alone!”
It was clear just how seriously Mystic Heart City was taking its centennial celebration.
Jiang Chen, however, wasn’t interested in the prize money. His main goal was to scout a location for a second Evergreen Wine Shop and, while he was there, pick up some metal- and water-attribute cultivation techniques. In that regard, Mystic Heart City’s offerings far surpassed those of the Loose Cultivator market in Green City.
Mo Yu suddenly interjected, “We’re going out, and it’s just gonna be us guys?”
Jiang Chen shook his head. “Senior Brother Chen’s cousin is coming along.”
Mo Yu pouted. “Just one?”
Jiang Chen stared at him, baffled. “How many were you hoping for?”
“Old Jiang, you’re holding out on us,” Mo Yu said with grave seriousness. “You know all these fairy cultivators, and you haven’t introduced us to a single one.”
At this, Jin Fugui nodded emphatically. “Exactly!”
To this day, neither of them had managed to find a cultivation partner. Meanwhile, this guy in front of them had Senior Sister Yu leave only to still have Wang Bing and Lin Yu in the wings. It made no sense. They were objectively more handsome, yet they were the ones striking out.
Jiang Chen sighed, exasperated. “Senior Sister Yu is in seclusion refining pills, I don’t talk to Wang Bing anymore, and the Lin sisters have left the sect. Where exactly am I supposed to find anyone for you?”
Jin Fugui crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair, and adopted a petulant tone. “I don’t care!”
Mo Yu’s eyes were wide and pleading. “Old Jiang… I want one!”
Staring at the two desperately unsatisfied men, Jiang Chen threw his hands up in surrender. “The only female cultivator I can even contact right now is Tie Xin.”
The moment they heard the name of that female drunkard, both their faces soured. Ever since meeting her, they’d never once considered Tie Xin a woman; they avoided her like the plague. The thought of bringing her to Mystic Heart City and the chaos that would inevitably ensue sent a shiver down their spines.
Jiang Chen grinned. “I gave you a chance. You’re the ones who turned it down.”
Jin Fugui’s eyes darted around before he leaned in conspiratorially. “Old Jiang, I heard that the Sea Demon Pavilion in Mystic Heart City has a fine collection of beauties…”
Jiang Chen feigned ignorance. “The Sea Demon Pavilion? What’s that?”
“Cut the crap,” Mo Yu snapped. “You spend the night at the Fragrance Pavilion every time you go to the market. You think we don’t know?”
Jin Fugui chuckled slyly. “I hear the Sea Demon Pavilion is a whole other level. They even have special vessels for… *underwater* activities.”
Mo Yu’s eyes lit up. “Right, right! I think they’re called Sea Horse Boats or something?”
Considering how much they’d been struggling lately, Jiang Chen figured they deserved a reward. He mulled it over. “Alright. If we have enough time, I can book you the VIP treatment at the Sea Demon Pavilion.”
Instantly, Jin Fugui and Mo Yu were electric with excitement, rubbing their hands together in gleeful anticipation. They hadn’t even left yet, but their souls had already soared to Mystic Heart City, their minds racing with all sorts of “wonderful” possibilities.
Just then, the sharp cry of a fire crow echoed from outside.
Jiang Chen closed his eyes, switching his senses to the crow’s shared vision. Someone was approaching.
And it was an acquaintance.