103: Chapter 103: Marriage Discussion

[Variety] Blood Nether Vine

[Grade] Second Order Spirit Plant

[Maturity] 0%

[Usage] Rich in vitality, the sap contained within its vines can increase the power of qi and blood. It can be extracted and refined into the Second Order healing pill, Blood Nourishing Muscle Generating Pill, which has significant effects on healing internal and external injuries and recovering from spiritual energy depletion. The tiny suction cup-like barbs on the vines contain toxins that can temporarily incapacitate enemies.

[Cultivation Plan] Conventional planting, irrigate with monster beast blood daily. Its vines can spread infinitely, and it can be harvested after three months.

“This…”

Chen Jiancang originally thought that even if the Blood Nether Vine cultivation plan wasn't as complicated as other Second Order spirit plants, it would at least be more complex than First Order spirit plants.

But what he didn't expect was that the Blood Nether Vine's cultivation plan was so simple. It only required some monster beast blood, and it could be harvested after just three months.

One must know that the Blood Nether Vine is a Second Order spirit plant. The cultivation cycle for other Second Order spirit plants starts at least at three years, but the Blood Nether Vine only requires three months. The most important thing is that it can also spread and grow infinitely.

The effects of the Blood Nether Vine are related to qi, blood, and vitality. Chen Jiancang guessed that the rewards he would receive when harvesting the Blood Nether Vine would also be related to these two aspects.

Chen Jiancang decided at this moment that he would plant the Blood Nether Vine no matter what.

“However, the source of monster beast blood is a problem.” Chen Jiancang slightly furrowed his brows. Small batches of monster beast blood could be easily obtained in the Market.

However, as the Blood Nether Vine spreads and grows, the amount of monster beast blood required will gradually increase. At that time, the blood on the Xiao Yun Mountain Market will be in short supply.

“Forget it, let's plant it first.”

Why think so much? If the Xiao Yun Mountain Market can't supply it, then buy it from other Markets. The Qingya Chen Family occupies such a large Qingya Mountain Range, how could they lack monster beast blood?

Besides, Chen Jiancang didn't know how long the Blood Nether Vine would continue to provide rewards. At that time, he would still have to eradicate all the Blood Nether Vines.

Thinking of this, Chen Jiancang couldn't help but smile wryly, finding his own deep thoughts amusing.

Chen Jiancang was deeply immersed in the planning of the Blood Nether Vine planting when he suddenly heard a rush of footsteps approaching from a distance. He looked up and saw Chen Youming walking towards him with large strides, a hint of joy on his Face.

“Jiancang, I finally found you!” Chen Youming walked closer and said with a smile, “The matter you entrusted me with has been handled. The Meng Family has sent word that tomorrow is an auspicious day. Get ready and come with me to the Small Jade Mountain Meng Family to propose marriage!”

Chen Jiancang was slightly stunned, his thoughts instantly pulled back from the Blood Nether Vine. His Face also lit up with joy.

He had previously entrusted Ninth Uncle Chen Youming to prepare for his marriage to Meng Qingwan, and he himself had been diligently refining Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill to prepare as a betrothal gift. But he hadn't expected this day to come so quickly.

Meng Qingwan was gentle and charming. The first time Chen Jiancang saw her, he felt a stirring in his heart. That pure yet gentle temperament was rare even in his previous life.

“Tomorrow? So soon?” Chen Jiancang asked subconsciously. He had originally planned to go to the Market today to purchase monster beast blood and plant the Blood Nether Vine.

“Isn't it urgent!” Chen Youming had a helpless look. “Although our Chen Family is a Golden Core sect, and you, kid, are a well-known young Alchemist, a virtuous lady is a gentleman's pursuit. I heard there's a rogue Cultivator with a three-spirit root talent who is preparing to marry into the Meng Family. If we go too late, this good marriage might be snatched away by someone else! Also, have you prepared the betrothal gift I asked you to prepare?”

“Don't lose Face when you take it out and let the Meng Family recruit that rogue Cultivator as their son-in-law.”

“What?” Chen Jiancang's mouth dropped open in shock. What kind of strange plot was this? How did a storyline about a son-in-law interfering suddenly appear?

“What what? What betrothal gifts have you prepared? Let Ninth Uncle check them for you.” Chen Youming patted Chen Jiancang on the back of the head and urged him.

“You've seen that girl from the Meng Family. She's as beautiful as a flower. Don't think that just because you're an Alchemist, you can underestimate her.”

“That kid who's preparing to marry in has a three-spirit root talent. When he cultivates to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, if he can get a foundation establishment pill, he has a great chance of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. The Meng Family might really recruit him as their son-in-law.”

“So this time, the Meng Family asking you to propose marriage is also to see your attitude.”

Chen Jiancang quickly composed himself and said with a steady mind, “Ninth Uncle, don't worry, I have already prepared the betrothal gifts. During this time, I have been refining Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill day and night, preparing a total of nine hundred and ninety-nine pills. This Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill can help Qi Refining Stage Cultivators nourish their spiritual energy, and its effect is even better than regular Qi Gathering Pill. I believe the Meng Family will be satisfied. This is my heartfelt intention towards Miss Meng Qingwan.”

Saying that, he carefully took out an exquisite jade box from his storage bag. After opening it, nine hundred and ninety-nine round, full Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill, emitting a faint pill fragrance, were densely packed before Chen Youming's eyes.

“Is this the Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill recently developed by the Chen Family?” Chen Youming's eyes lit up, and he nodded with satisfaction: “Not bad, not bad. The price of Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill is currently six spiritual stones per pill in the Market, and it's still hard to find. Taking these Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill as a betrothal gift will definitely show the sincerity of our Chen Family and your ability. However, that three-spirit root rogue Cultivator is still a variable. When you propose marriage tomorrow, you must be fully focused.”

Chen Jiancang took a deep breath, carefully put the jade box back, and said with a smile, “Ninth Uncle, don't worry. Besides the Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill, I have also prepared a total of 100 High Grade Five Elements Spirit Talismans. I think that should be enough to show my sincerity. If even this can't move the Meng Family's attitude, then it means they never intended to marry Qingwan to me.”

When Chen Youming heard that Chen Jiancang had also prepared 100 First Order High Grade Spirit Talismans, he was shocked beyond words. He couldn't describe his emotions at that moment.

The price of one First Order High Grade Spirit Talisman in the Market is about 100 spiritual stones. The price of 100 talismans is 10,000 spiritual stones! One must know that Chen Youming, as a steward in the Spirit Plant Hall, earns only a little over two hundred Family contribution points a year.

It would take him 50 years of hard work to save up 10,000 spiritual stones. Although Chen Jiancang is an Alchemist and earns spiritual stones very quickly, Chen Youming still felt that Chen Jiancang was being too generous at this time.

“Chen Jiancang, why don't you consider my daughter, your cousin Chen Chen Yin Su?” Chen Youming's eyes showed a hint of resentment. He was truly envious. If he had that many spiritual stones, he would have enough to exchange for a foundation establishment pill.

Chen Jiancang's Face twitched upon hearing this. Was this something a human would say? If he remembered correctly, cousin Chen Yin Su was only two years old!

“Chen Jiancang, this is too valuable. Take out 50 First Order High Grade Spirit Talismans, plus 999 Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill, that should be enough. First Order High Grade Spirit Talismans can be stored as the Chen Family's foundation. Although the Meng Family is on good terms with our Chen Family, giving so many First Order High Grade Spirit Talismans to outsiders at once is not a good thing for our Chen Family.” Chen Youming put away his teasing and said earnestly at this time.

“Mm-hmm.” Jiancang nodded.

“You are still young and don't understand some of the Chen Family's underlying rules. Things like First Order High Grade Spirit Talismans, Magical Artifacts above First Order High Grade, and some special spiritual pills are strictly controlled by the Chen Family. The Magical Artifacts circulated on the market are also secretly tracked to determine the strength of various forces through statistics.”

Chen Jiancang didn't understand these things and could only nod.

Indeed, any seemingly reliable Alliance will secretly guard against each other.

The Chen Family is like this, and the Meng Family is also accumulating strength. Otherwise, the Meng Family wouldn't be choosing between himself and that rogue Cultivator with three-spirit root talent.

“Speaking of which, where did you get so many First Order High Grade Spirit Talismans?” Chen Youming suddenly asked curiously.

The First Order High Grade Talisman Masters in the Qingya Mountain Range are all under the Chen Family's control, and no one dares to sell Spirit Talismans in large quantities without the Chen Family's authorization.

So where did Chen Jiancang's Spirit Talismans come from?

“Ah?” Chen Jiancang also understood the source of Chen Youming's confusion at this time, but he didn't want to expose his secret of also being a Talisman Master at this time, so he could only prevaricate, saying, “These Spirit Talismans were purchased from a rogue Cultivator.”

“Oh?” Chen Youming instructed, “It seems there is another rogue Cultivator in the Qingya Mountain Range who has become a First Order High Grade Talisman Master. Later, you will submit this person's portrait to the Law Enforcement Hall for filing.”

Chen Jiancang could only nod in agreement at this time.

“It seems I won't be able to earn spiritual stones by selling Spirit Talismans in the future.” Chen Jiancang felt a little regretful in his heart. After all, for Chen Jiancang, drawing Spirit Talismans was relatively simpler than refining pills.

Fortunately, when he contributed the Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill Pill Formula before, Hall Master Chen Yin Su rewarded him with 30,000 Family contribution points, so he is not short of spiritual stones for the time being.

Moreover, he has now been promoted to a Core Disciple of the Chen Family, and his treatment will also be correspondingly improved.

“Forget it, I'll just keep the Spirit Talismans I draw in the future for my own use.” Chen Jiancang thought to himself.

“Alright, you will go with me to the Meng Family tomorrow.” Chen Youming didn't know what Chen Jiancang was thinking at the moment and just said with a smile.

“Don't worry, if these betrothal gifts of yours still can't satisfy the Meng Family, Ninth Uncle will stand up for you. In this Qingya Mountain Range, our Chen Family still has the final say. If the Meng Family dares to be ungrateful, don't blame me for using the Chen Family to pressure them.” Chen Youming smiled leisurely, looking exactly like a villain.

Chen Jiancang thought carefully. Ninth Uncle's idea was not necessarily a bad one. After all, he had already shown enough sincerity. If he still couldn't move the Meng Family, then it meant the Meng Family was looking down on the Chen Family.

The next morning, as the first rays of dawn appeared, Chen Jiancang got up early and carefully checked the betrothal gifts he had meticulously prepared again.

After confirming everything was in order, he felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation. After all, this was the first time he had experienced such a thing in both his lives, so being nervous was inevitable.

The mountain wind brushed his Face, birds chirped melodiously, and the spiritual boat lightly crossed, instantly arriving.

At this time, the Meng Family Patriarch, Meng Changxiu, had already brought several clansmen to wait at the mountain entrance. Seeing Chen Jiancang and the other arrive, a kind smile appeared on his Face, but there was a hint of scrutiny hidden within that smile.

Chen Jiancang and Chen Youming quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed in greeting. After all, Meng Changxiu was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and personally coming to the mountain entrance to greet them already showed enough sincerity towards the Chen Family.

Meng Changxiu nodded slightly and welcomed them into the main hall.

As soon as he stepped into the main hall, Chen Jiancang noticed a tall, stern-faced young Cultivator dressed in a black robe, sitting upright in a grand chair on the right side.

Seeing Chen Jiancang and the others enter, he didn't even get up to greet them. A hint of almost imperceptible disdain flashed in his eyes as he looked at Chen Jiancang and Chen Youming. Then, this person picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and pretended to be at ease.

Meng Changxiu did not introduce this person, as if that person wasn't even in the main hall.

After a few pleasantries between the two sides, Meng Changyi, Chen Youming's friend and a Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivator, was the first to speak, “Brother Youming, today is an auspicious day for a destined match. Has virtuous nephew Jiancang prepared the betrothal gifts?”

“Hahaha, if the betrothal gifts can't satisfy us, virtuous nephew Jiancang won't be able to take our Qingwan away.”

Meng Changyi laughed heartily, as if joking, but Chen Jiancang knew that this person wasn't joking and truly meant it.

Chen Jiancang took a deep breath and composed himself. First, he took out the jade box containing nine hundred and ninety-nine Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill from his storage bag, held it steady in both hands, and sincerely said, “Uncle Meng, these are the Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill that this junior spent dozens of days of painstaking effort refining himself. This pill can greatly assist Qi Refining Stage Cultivators in nourishing their spiritual energy, and its effect is even more significant than ordinary Qi Gathering Pill. I hope Uncle will accept it with a smile. This is my heartfelt intention towards Miss Qingwan.”

Meng Changxiu took the jade box and gently opened it. Instantly, the densely packed Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill came into view, and a rich pill fragrance with the scent of qinghe rice permeated the air.

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and the several Meng Family clansmen beside him also couldn't help but nod slightly, showing expressions of admiration.

“Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill is currently hard to find in the Market. Jiancang, you were actually able to take out so many Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill at once. Did you refine all of these yourself?” Chen Changxiu asked with admiration and a hint of doubt.

After all, an average person would be exhausted after refining two furnaces of pills a day. These 999 Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill, who knows how many furnaces it would take to refine them? It's no wonder Meng Changxiu was suspicious.

“All of these Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill were refined by this junior.” Chen Jiancang did not deny it. Admitting his talent at this time would also increase his bargaining chips.

“Jiancang, your talent is indeed outstanding. This Qinghe Qi Cultivation Pill has only been released recently, and you can already refine such High Grade quality. It's truly amazing.” Meng Changxiu praised with a smile, seeing how certain Chen Jiancang was.

Immediately after, Chen Jiancang took out the brocade box containing fifty First Order High Grade Spirit Talismans and said solemnly, “These are fifty First Order High Grade Five Elements Spirit Talismans, which I obtained through a fortuitous encounter. I will also take them out as a betrothal gift. I hope Uncle will not dislike them.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the main hall was startled. The black-clothed Cultivator's Face instantly turned gloomy, his eyes filled with unwillingness and jealousy.

Just then, Meng Qingwan, accompanied by a maid, slowly walked out from the back hall with graceful steps.

Today, she was wearing a light purple silk dress with exquisite patterns embroidered on the hem. As she walked, she was like a blooming violet, exuding a gentle and moving aura.

Her skin was as fair as snow, and her eyes showed shyness and gentleness. When she slightly lowered her head to bow to everyone, her hair lightly fell, adding a touch of delicate charm.

The moment Chen Jiancang saw her, his heart suddenly sped up, as if the whole world was left with only her figure. Meng Qingwan's gaze met Chen Jiancang's, and her cheeks instantly flushed red. She quickly lowered her head.