20demayo Chapter 89 The Theory of Luck
Chapter 89 The Theory of Luck
Chapter 89 The Theory of Luck
Amidst another wave of astonished gazes from the two,
Chen Yi offered a brief explanation:
"Actually, I had already made preparations when I was serving as Qin Xianzi's private chef at Miaoyin Pavilion all these years."
Fairy Qin has extremely high standards for taste and the quality of spiritual food. As her personal chef, I felt a lot of pressure. Fortunately, I have some talent in cooking.
Back then, I learned and figured things out as I went, and I barely managed to handle this highly challenging job.
Of course, as you all know, when a cook prepares spiritual food, to avoid making mistakes or not properly removing the demonic poison, he will definitely taste a little bit first.
In addition, sometimes Fairy Qin doesn't have a big appetite, and I felt it would be a waste to throw away what she left over, so I would pick up and eat some of it myself.
So over time, as they consumed more high-quality second-tier spiritual food, their cultivation level naturally increased.
Despite her seemingly cold exterior, Fairy Qin is actually a very magnanimous person.
Once, I helped her taste spiritual food and discovered a deadly poison, which indirectly saved her life. To reward me, she promised to get me a Foundation Establishment Pill.
At this point, Chen Yi sighed slightly. In fact, he wasn't entirely lying; he had indeed saved Qin Chengcheng's life, but not by testing poison, but by lifting the restriction on her soul.
After a pause, Chen Yi continued:
"Fellow Daoist Hao, please don't look at me so surprised. After all, this was just a verbal promise from her, and I never thought it would come true."
Who knew that her cultivation would explode later, and she would become a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator? The Foundation Establishment Pill, which she had only promised verbally, actually became a reality.
As you all know, for a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, obtaining Foundation Establishment Pills is not as difficult as it is for us independent cultivators.
Besides, that person is Fairy Qin. You all know what she means by her connections.
But even so,
I only obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill in the last two years, so I didn't dare to tell you the truth in the previous years.
Furthermore, I had a stroke of luck and acquired a high-grade water-wood elemental cultivation technique that perfectly suited my spiritual root talent. After switching to this technique, I had a relatively high-quality foundation of magical power.
Furthermore, for the past few years, Miaoyin Pavilion has consistently occupied the only second-tier spiritual vein in the market. As the head spiritual chef, you know, I've benefited somewhat from this advantageous location.
Therefore, his magical cultivation level also grows quite quickly.
Furthermore, by a twist of fate, when I was in the Foundation Establishment stage, Vice City Lord Liu of Qingfeng City happened to pass by. Seeing that I was a rogue cultivator, he took pity on me and generously helped me a great deal by providing me with a spiritual vein for Foundation Establishment.
So, by sheer luck, I achieved a rare, high-quality Foundation Establishment during the Foundation Establishment process, reaching the upper echelon of superior Foundation Establishment and getting a glimpse of the edge of earth-grade Foundation Establishment.
Haha, overall, it was just luck plus luck, and then more luck, that brought it together.
Chen Yi gave a brief explanation in front of everyone, and also used the words of his two friends and Li Yudie to spread the story of why he had achieved Foundation Establishment.
The above accounts are basically true, and every single one is verifiable. Even if the Blood-Clad Tower were to investigate thoroughly, they would be able to find the sources for each one.
Therefore, what Chen Yi said was true.
However, these things cannot be discussed before one has established their foundation.
Cooks work for their employers, especially as the mistress of the house, supplementing their income by tasting dishes and scavenging leftovers from the dogs.
By taking advantage of someone else's second-tier cave dwelling, one can accelerate the accumulation of magical power.
It's disgraceful to talk about this anywhere, and it will be criticized by others.
but,
That was before Chen Yi established his foundation. Now, Chen Yi has established his foundation and achieved a foundation close to the Earth Rank.
So, saying it now in front of his two friends is a kind of frankness and teasing, which can both explain the reason why he has reached the Foundation Establishment stage and his quality is not low, and also bring him closer to the two of them.
Moreover, such an opportunity requires the host family to be kind, forgiving, and generous, and also requires the host family to be saved by chance—a combination of coincidences is necessary.
It is impossible to copy.
Such a solo cultivator's Foundation Establishment would only inspire awe, not covetousness, thus reducing a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Hao Youren and Lao Hu stared in disbelief for a long time.
after that,
Hao Youren let out a long sigh:
"Brother Chen, you are truly lucky! You have met such a generous and kind-hearted fairy, Qin!"
Sigh, I really can't envy Lao Hao.
Old Hu pondered for a long time before shaking his head and saying:
"Fellow Daoist Hao, you are wrong. This is not because Brother Chen is lucky."
So many strokes of luck and coincidence happened to him; it must have been inevitable.
I think Brother Chen got to where he is today not because of luck, but because of destiny!
"Luck?" Hao Youren asked, taking a sip of the spirit fruit honey wine.
"That's right. There are many influential figures in the cultivation world who started as ordinary people and gradually rose to prominence."
Every step they took seemed to be lucky, as if they had stumbled upon an opportunity.
Little did they know, even without these opportunities, they would have had other chances.
This is called being blessed with great fortune.
I believe Brother Chen is a man blessed with great fortune.
Otherwise, Brother Hao, you've been running the market for so long, venturing into the Monster Forest and exploring secret realms. You should have encountered far more humans, demons, and beasts than Fellow Daoist Chen.
Why haven't you had such a good opportunity before?
"That's really true. Why don't I have such a good opportunity?" Hao Youren asked, holding up his cup.
"Because you are not someone blessed with good fortune."
And look at Brother Chen, he only hid in the market and worked as a spirit cook for a few years, yet he didn't miss out on any benefits.
What else could this be but a stroke of good fortune?
In my opinion, Brother Chen's achievements are far more than that. You all say that he, with his Earth-grade Foundation Establishment talent, has become a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
In my opinion, Brother Chen will undoubtedly achieve the True Core stage, and reaching the Nascent Soul stage in the future is not impossible.
And this vast Qi Kingdom, in our eyes, and even the entire Great Qing cultivation world, might not be able to accommodate Brother Chen.
One day in the future, Brother Chen will surely be a great figure who commands respect and influence!
Hao Youren was dumbfounded. He didn't even dare to think about forming a core, let alone a nascent soul, leaving the Qi Kingdom, or stirring up the Great Qing.
Chen Yi quickly waved his hand at Lao Hu.
"Stop! Halt!"
Old Hu, you've had a bit too much to drink. A Nascent Soul cultivator, and someone who's supposed to be a powerful figure?
As for me, Chen, I'd be content to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator in peace and quiet, and even reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
If there's hope, I might try to achieve a false elixir in this lifetime; if there's no hope, living to around 200 years old and dying peacefully in my sleep would be enough without any regrets.
As for what you said about Core Formation and Nascent Soul, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?
Let alone Chen, how many cultivators with spiritual roots can successfully form their core?
Forget about reaching the Nascent Soul stage.
Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's drink!
Chen Yi raised his glass to stop Lao Hu's boasting. Though the speaker meant no harm, the listener took it to heart. Lao Hu might have been praising Chen Yi, but if word got out, it would ultimately cause trouble.
Things in the future haven't happened yet, so predicting them in advance won't work.
"It's my fault, I was too talkative!"
Brother Chen, I'll punish myself with a drink!
Old Hu stood up, picked up his bottle, and downed it in one gulp.
Then, he carried the wine jug to Chen Yi, filled Chen Yi's glass, and then filled his own glass as well:
"Brother Chen, please allow me to call you senior. Whether you live to be 200 years old or achieve any level of cultivation, I, Old Hu, may not live to see that day."
But given our long-standing friendship, I, Lao Hu, have a request that I'm hesitant to make, though I'm not sure if I should say it.
Chen Yi said seriously, "Don't call me Senior Chen, calling me Brother Chen makes me feel old. Old Hu, you tell me, as long as it's not too outrageous, I can consider it."
Back when Chen Yi was still a mortal martial artist, he accumulated 30 Qi and Blood Pills over a month at the market in Li Family's mortal town.
I bought the "Turtle Breathing Technique" from Lao Hu.
Although that Turtle Breathing Technique seems very rudimentary and full of flaws by today's standards,
But back then, that inner sect martial art, the Turtle Breathing Technique, had saved Chen Yi's life more than once, even though Chen Yi had bought it.
But as Lao Hu said, those with good fortune will have other opportunities even if they don't have this one.
But since this opportunity was sold to Chen Yi by Lao Hu...
So,
For Lao Hu, this was also an opportunity.
Not to mention, when Chen Yi bought that cultivation technique back then, its market price had already increased considerably. Old Hu sold it to Chen Yi at the original price, for a few dozen Qi and Blood Pills less, which is insignificant now, but it helped Chen Yi a lot back then.
Moreover, when the two encountered a horde of beasts in the lake, they escaped together, drowned together, and stood on treetops together.
These scenarios are not all coincidences.
Therefore, given Chen Yi's current abilities, it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to lend Lao Hu a hand.
Upon hearing this, Old Hu, with his gray hair, immediately knelt down and performed a deep bow:
"Old Hu, I dare to say..."
Please, Senior Chen, accept my daughter Mingyue as a maid or servant.
When the moon is a little older, if Brother Chen finds her agreeable, he may take her as a disciple or as a concubine.
If Mingyue is naughty, we can kick her out of the house, and my husband and I will never complain.
I only have one daughter who is born with special talents, and I really don't want to see her follow the same old path we took!
Waaaaah—
By the end, the 60-year-old man was in tears.
Chen Yi was deeply moved by Lao Hu's tearful plea, even feeling a sense of empathy. Being born a mortal was truly too difficult; it was already a miracle if one in tens of thousands could cultivate to the level of a Xiantian martial artist and then pursue immortality.
However, Chen Yi still refused his request to accept Mingyue.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Yi first helped Lao Hu up: "Lao Hu, there's no need for that. Get up and let's talk. We can talk things out slowly."
"cough."
Chen Yi turned to look at Li Yudie, who was enjoying her melon-eating toy.
"Rain Butterfly, are you full?"
Li Yudie was sipping her spiritual tea when she heard this, her hand fluttered, and the excited glint in her eyes quickly vanished.
She realized that this was no longer the Li family's residence, but rather the residence of Chen Yi, a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
She quickly stopped smiling, stood up, and said respectfully:
"Senior Chen, Yu Die has finished eating and will head back now."
Please enjoy your meal, fellow Daoists.
After speaking, under Chen Yi's watchful gaze, Li Yudie quickly walked away.
After hearing the reason for Foundation Establishment revealed in Chen Yi's story, Li Yudie no longer needed to stay here. Chen Yi wanted to discuss the rest behind closed doors.
After Li Yudie left, Chen Yi waved his hand to activate the isolation array in the mansion to prevent outsiders from eavesdropping.
"Old Hu, now that we're all alone, I'll be frank with you."
Chen Yi said solemnly.
"I like Mingyue very much. It would be a bit much for me to take her in as a maid or servant."
If I were to accept someone, it would be as a disciple.
This was actually Cai Hu's original intention, and Chen Yi's initiative to reveal it was a formal response.
Old Hu's expression brightened upon hearing this, but before he could speak,
Chen Yi then said:
"However, I observe that this child's spiritual root is at least a high-grade spiritual root, and his meridian foundation is also well-developed. It would be a waste for me to have such talent."
My situation is too complex to explain in just a few words, but I cannot accept disciples at the moment.
Therefore, this matter really cannot be agreed to.
At this point, Lao Hu and his wife's faces darkened. Only three-year-old Mingyue stared at Chen Yi with her pure, big eyes. When Chen Yi looked over, she showed her little white teeth and smiled sweetly.
"However, I watched Mingyue grow up, so naturally I won't just ignore her completely."
She's still young. I'll help her as much as possible with her foundational work and early stages of cultivation when she's older.
"Old Hu, you two don't need to worry too much. This girl's spiritual root aptitude is so outstanding; her future achievements will definitely far surpass yours."
Chen Yi raised his glass and clinked it against Lao Hu's. Although he said he was refusing, he actually agreed in his heart.
Old Hu's real request was for Chen Yi to help the child embark on the path of cultivation.
After drinking the wine, Lao Hu called his wife over, and together they bowed to Chen Yi.
Then, Old Hu sighed again:
"Brother Chen, I've recently inquired about a lot of resources for strengthening the foundation of young children, and I've only just realized that these things are actually much more expensive than what Qi Refining cultivators need."
Even if you throw in hundreds of spirit stones, you can't even make a splash.
"Don't laugh at me, Brother Chen, but all the savings I've accumulated over the years from running this medicinal herb shop have gone into it, and I still feel like I don't have enough spirit stones."
Chen Yi listened attentively. Old Hu had indeed spent all his spirit stones on the children and was now short of money, but he didn't seem like the type to directly ask for a loan.
"Brother Chen, now that you have successfully established your foundation, such a small residence is not suitable."
What do you think of my herbal medicine shop, including the front and back yards? This is the property I bought for 1000 spirit stones back then.
I'm a bit short on money lately, so how about I sell it to you for 1200 spirit stones?
As for my wife and me, we can just rent a shop nearby.
Ok?
Hearing this, Chen Yi understood that Old Hu wasn't borrowing money or selling the house; instead, he wanted Chen Yi to owe him a favor.
He bought this property for 1000 spirit stones back then, and because of the explosion of the secret realm in the Sea Lake, the price has more than doubled.
Chen Yi also knew that this secret realm would erupt again, because it was an external prison of an ancient Nascent Soul stage late-stage sect, and the inheritance within was likely of extremely high quality and could not be fully explored in a short time.
The price of real estate in this market will rise again.
However, considering that Chen Yi will indeed need a decent cave dwelling environment after establishing his foundation, and at least need to expand his spiritual veins to the second level, this requires a considerable amount of spiritual veins as a foundation for the renovation.
After thinking for a moment, he nodded and said:
"Alright, I'll take it. But Old Hu, I won't take advantage of you. Your courtyard is worth at least 2000 spirit stones now, you can't even get it by force. I'll buy it for 2000 spirit stones."
Don't rush to refuse.
Use these spirit stones to buy Mingyue some high-grade spiritual medicines to nourish her foundation and strengthen her vitality.
You can't skimp on this money.
After you buy the medicine, when you give it to her, come to me to refine it. After all, my cultivation is now higher than yours, and I have many years of experience in making spiritual food, so I can remove impurities from the medicine more effectively.
When Old Hu heard Chen Yi insist on paying 2000 spirit stones, unwilling to take advantage of him, he finally sighed softly.
Chen Yi didn't want to owe him a big favor, but that's also in line with Chen Yi's personality.
He was quite satisfied and smiled as he clasped his hands in agreement.
Actually, Chen Yi still owed Lao Hu a favor.
More than a decade ago, when Lao Hu sold the "Turtle Breathing Technique" to Chen Yi, its market price had already increased, but Lao Hu sold it to Chen Yi at the original price.
Chen Yi spent 2000 spirit stones to buy the courtyard, but once the news spread that the secret realm belonged to a late-stage Nascent Soul sect, the courtyard's value would likely soar to 5000 spirit stones.
In this respect, every sip and every thought is exactly the same as back then.
However, Chen Yi would not reveal the specific details. As for how to compensate Lao Hu, Chen Yi already had an idea in mind, but this matter needed to be kept even more secret, and he could not say it in front of Hao Youren.
Old Hu immediately took out the property deed and handed it to Chen Yi, who in turn gave him 20 mid-grade spirit stones.
It was essentially an inside deal.
Hao Youren witnessed this scene and offered his congratulations.
He suddenly remembered something, and then solemnly bowed to Chen Yi:
"By the way, Brother Chen, that lightning-proof wristband you gave me last time really came in very handy. In the secret realm, I encountered a 500-year-old second-tier black lotus, which was quite valuable. I got greedy..."
He was nearly struck by lightning and killed.
If it weren't for it, I might not be able to come back.
Several friends who went to the secret realm with me were very interested in my wristband, but Brother Chen didn't tell me, so I didn't dare to tell anyone.
If Brother Chen is willing to sell, I believe that at three to five hundred spirit stones per piece, there will definitely be someone willing to buy it.
Three to five hundred spirit stones is equivalent to the price of a second-tier talisman.
The cost for Chen Yi to make this is less than one hundred spirit stones, making it a good business.
However, purchasing materials is a bit troublesome.
"In that case, Brother Hao, if you're willing, I'll tell you the materials needed to make this. You can go and collect them for me, and I'll make it."
After they're made, you'll help me sell them. Each one will sell for at least 500 spirit stones. For each one sold, you'll get a 50 spirit stone commission.
how?"
Chen Yi was giving Hao Youren a boost, because he had just promised Lao Hu something, so naturally he wanted to help another friend as well.
Getting Hao Youren to sell this item wasn't just about giving him a 50 spirit stone commission;
Chen Yi knew about this item; it could withstand a strike from a mid-to-high-grade second-tier lightning bolt. In this secret realm, it must be an extremely scarce consumable.
With Chen Yi's current rudimentary crafting skills, he can only forge a disposable wristband, making it an even more precious item.
Having Hao Youren sell this item gives him control of a key resource, which is very beneficial for him to build connections or exchange for equally scarce resources (such as Foundation Establishment Pill materials).
However, Hao Youren was unaware of this point; he simply assumed that Chen Yi disliked the troublesome process of acquiring and selling materials.
He laughed heartily and patted his chest in agreement:
"Don't worry, Brother Chen. I may not be good at much else, but I've certainly built a lot of connections over the years. I can buy most materials on the market for 10-20% less than the market price."
As for selling it, that's no problem at all. 500 spirit stones is a bit pricey, but I have ways to sell it.
He thought he was helping Chen Yi, so he readily agreed, hoping to gain a favor by doing a favor for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This is something that any Qi Refining cultivator would covet, even if he had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining.
Chen Yi smiled and nodded.
The specific value of the wristband was not revealed.
When the world realizes the true benefits of this Thunderclap Bracelet, Hao Youren will naturally understand Chen Yi's intention to promote him.
Of course, Chen Yi's intention was not merely to promote Hao Youren.
He doesn't have time to sell these wristbands himself, so using Hao Youren and his social circle to help Chen Yi sell them is a time-saving and labor-saving way to make money.
After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food,
The group reminisced about the changes in the lakeside market over the past decade or so, and their own different experiences over the years—the departure of old friends and the occurrence of new developments.
All of them sighed deeply.
Before leaving, both of them left Chen Yi two hundred spirit stones as a congratulatory gift for his Foundation Establishment.
Chen Yi couldn't refuse, so he accepted it.
(End of this chapter)