Chapter 3 : A Clan's Crushing Debt

This was an exceptionally lucrative venture. A single round trip to Celestial Ruins Mountain could yield a profit of around one thousand eight hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. The Chen Clan undertook this journey once every six years, averaging an annual income of over three hundred Spirit Stones.

However, transporting such a large quantity of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], a treasure of immense value, was akin to courting death without a sufficiently powerful escort.

The Chen Clan's fortune had turned sour. They had lost seven or eight cultivators at the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the ninth and penultimate stage of Qi Refinement], and even the Clan Patriarch had suffered grievous wounds. Had Chen Cedric succeeded in his Foundation Establishment [the crucial breakthrough after Qi Refinement], this trade might have continued.

Alas, the Chen Clan, battered by successive blows, no longer possessed the strength to sustain this enterprise.

Such was the plight of minor cultivation clans. To many rogue cultivators, they appeared prosperous and powerful, able to pool their resources for great endeavors and secure a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in the breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm] every few years. Yet, who truly understood their hidden struggles?

Having spoken his piece, the Third Elder suppressed his look of distress and continued.

"Our most pressing task is to repay the loan of eight thousand Spirit Stones. If left unpaid, the interest will compound, likely becoming a catastrophic burden."

"This is a time of crisis for our clan. I implore each of you to contribute what you can."

Upon hearing this, the faces of those present grew even paler. Chen Alaric, seated in a corner, could not hold back.

"Last year, to purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill, the clan borrowed sixty Spirit Stones from me." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel-dot-com.

"My own hands are empty as well at this moment."

Chen Alaric was fifty-two years old this year, ranking second in age among the cultivators of the family's Nian Generation, even being two years older than the Fifth Elder, Chen Elara. He had only broken through to the Qi Refinement Seventh Layer [the seventh stage of refining one's vital energy] last year, and his prospects were far less broad than those of Eldrin Chen.

Over the years, the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] he had managed to save were never plentiful to begin with, and he also needed to supply his own cultivation. Truly, he did not have much spare money left in his hands. Seeing the Third Elder demand a contribution from him, he could not help but be the first to voice his hardship.

Seeing someone raise an objection, Lior Chen had anticipated this. He produced a jade box, inside which were over three hundred Spirit Stone of various sizes.

"I know everyone faces difficulties. I do not wish to force you to contribute any specific amount."

"But you usually enjoy the family's stipends and resources. Now, at this moment of crisis for the clan, I hope you can exert some effort for its sake."

"I have already sold my own Verdant Spirit Sword [a sword imbued with verdant spiritual energy]. These three hundred and seventeen Spirit Stone represent my entire worldly wealth. I offer them to help the family weather this storm."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but be taken aback. The Verdant Spirit Sword was a First Rank High Grade [a high-quality artifact of the first rank] magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]; it was the Third Elder's prized possession. He never imagined that, to help the family through this hardship, the elder would even sell his only Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact intimately connected to its owner's life force].

Although he had long understood the Third Elder's character—knowing him to be a man of principle who would devote himself utterly to the clan—he could not help but feel a surge of respect at this moment.

And just at that moment, a streak of spiritual light flew in from outside the great hall. The light soared before the assembled group, transforming into a crimson magical blade that clattered to the floor. Then, a voice carried over.

"This old man still has one thousand three hundred Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] here. Let us also sell the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade. Every little bit we can gather counts."

"Clan Patriarch, you must not—"

The assembly was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized it was the voice of the Clan Patriarch, Chen Thalion.

The one thousand three hundred Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] were one matter, but this Crimson Flame Spirit Blade was the Clan Patriarch's Lifebound Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact bound to its wielder's life force]. The Clan Patriarch had broken through to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the second major realm of cultivation] just two years prior.

Were it not for the need to purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm], the Clan Patriarch could have used the clan's produced Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] to elevate this artifact to Second Rank High Grade [a high-quality item of the second rank] in a few more years.

Selling a Lifebound Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact bound to its wielder's life force] now would reduce Clan Patriarch Chen Thalion's combat prowess by at least thirty percent—a grievously poor bargain.

Eldrin Chen felt a weight settle in his heart. To buy the Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm] and support a clansman's breakthrough last year, the Clan Patriarch had already sold two of his own second-rank artifacts. To protect that very pill, another Second Rank Low Grade [a low-quality item of the second rank] defensive artifact had been destroyed.

If they were not truly destitute, who would ever be willing to part with their Lifebound Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact bound to its wielder's life force]?

"This matter is decided. Speak no more of it."

With Chen Thalion's final words, his divine sense [a cultivator's extended spiritual awareness] vanished from the great hall, evidently having withdrawn to tend to his wounds.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen gritted his teeth. Driven by a deep sense of loyalty to his clan, he spoke up.

"I still have one hundred and seventy-three Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. I will contribute them as well to aid the clan's cause."

Eldrin Chen's cultivation progress had been astonishingly swift. Since childhood, he had been highly regarded by the clan, and his stipend had always been allocated according to the standard for a cultivator with a rare spiritual root.

From the age of four, he received an annual stipend of thirty Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Within the clan, this was already on par with the stipends of the few elders at the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the ninth and final stage of the Qi Refinement realm].

It could truly be said that the Chen Clan had treated him exceptionally well. Many cultivators at the Qi Refinement, Late Stage [the advanced stages of the Qi Refinement realm] toiled day and night outside, and their combined earnings over several years might not even match his single year's stipend.

In truth, the reason for his rapid cultivation progress was not insignificant to having sufficient Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to accelerate his practice. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel .c om.

Now, seeing that even the Clan Patriarch was selling his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force], he resolved to grit his teeth and contribute the remaining one hundred and seventy-three Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] in his possession to support the clan.

"Eldrin…"

The Third Elder's lips parted slightly, but he remained speechless for a long moment. Gazing at Eldrin Chen's Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], his heart felt a pang of distress.

In all honesty, he was reluctant to let Eldrin Chen part with this sum. Eldrin Chen was the clan's hope, and these Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] were crucial to whether he could reach the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the ninth and final stage of the Qi Refinement realm] more swiftly.

Cultivation is inherently a race against time. Achieving a breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment Realm [the second major stage of cultivation where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] a single day earlier increases one's chances of eventually reaching the Purple Mansion [the third major stage of cultivation where one opens their spiritual core] by a fraction. This concerns the very path of his future Dao [the fundamental principle or path in cultivation], and he had no wish to squander Eldrin Chen's time.

Yet, he could not refuse. The clan was currently in a time of crisis, and fairness had to be maintained for all.

It was highly unlikely the clan would obtain another Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm] for several decades to come. For those present, relying on the clan's strength to reach Foundation Establishment had become nearly impossible.

Furthermore, the clan already owed many of them a significant number of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], and now it was asking for more contributions while its finances were already bleeding dry.

Under such circumstances, if the clan failed to act justly, many present might simply abandon their duties. They could take their remaining spirit stones and become rogue cultivators.

After all, if the clan held no future promise, one could venture to Celestial Ruins Mountain [a mountain range known for its dangers and opportunities for rogue cultivators] to hunt demonic beasts as a solitary practitioner. Though perilous, such a path offered a chance at fortune. With enough merit earned, one might even exchange it with Jiang the Ancient Ancestor for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Therefore, as the Third Elder presiding over clan affairs, he had to enforce fairness. If hearts grew cold and unity shattered, the Chen Clan might well cease to have a reason to exist.

The Clan Patriarch contributed his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact intimately connected to its owner's life force and cultivation], valued at two thousand spirit stones, along with another one thousand three hundred spirit stones, shouldering the greatest portion of the burden.

The Third Elder offered his entire wealth of over three hundred spirit stones. Even the clan's most promising core disciple, Eldrin Chen, emptied his coffers.

Witnessing such sacrifices, the restless hearts of those gathered settled. As members of the Chen Clan, they too began to contribute generously, one after another.

Fourth Elder Chen Alistair and Fifth Elder Chen Elara still held hope for reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation], yet they too had each contributed two hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], offering up the greater part of their lifelong savings.

The others contributed amounts ranging from fifty to eighty stones, each making a significant effort. Even Chen Alaric, who had initially voiced opposition, offered thirty Spirit Stones, effectively emptying his coffers.

With over a dozen senior clan members in the Qi Refinement, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the first cultivation stage] working in unison, they ultimately pooled a total of five thousand, six hundred, and seventy-three Spirit Stones.

Seeing the sum was still insufficient, they began brainstorming solutions. Third Elder was the first to speak.

"The clan's ledgers show over three hundred Spirit Stones remaining. Combined, the Grand Elder and the Second Elder should be able to contribute six or seven hundred more. Altogether, that would be around one thousand Spirit Stones." Published by audio-novel[dot]com. All rights reserved.