Chapter 3 : A Clan's Desperate Gambit

This was an exceptionally lucrative venture. A single round trip to Heavenly 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 made 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 had suffered a cruel twist of fate, losing seven or eight cultivators at the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final stage of refining one's vital life energy] and seeing their clan leader grievously wounded. Had Verdant Bud Chen succeeded in his Foundation Establishment [the process of solidifying one's cultivation foundation to ascend to a higher realm], this profitable trade might have continued.

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

Such was the plight of minor cultivation clans. To many rogue cultivators, these families appeared prosperous and powerful, capable of pooling resources for great endeavors and securing a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in solidifying one's cultivation foundation] every few years. Yet, who truly understood their hidden struggles?

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

"Our most pressing task is to repay the loan of eight thousand Spirit Stones. If left unpaid, the compounding interest will become a dire 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. Seated in a corner, Eternal Remembrance Chen could not hold back.

"Last year, to purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill, the clan borrowed sixty Spirit Stones from me." Support the author by reading on audio—novel.com.

"My hands are currently empty as well."

Eternal Remembrance Chen was now fifty-two years old, ranking second in age among the cultivators of the Nian Generation within the clan. He was even two years older than Fifth ElderVerdant Grace Chen. Having only broken through to the Vital Essence Refinement 7th Tier last year, his future prospects were far less vast than those of Eldrin Chen.

Over the years, the Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] he had managed to save were never plentiful, and he also needed to supply his own cultivation. Truly, he did not have much spare wealth in hand. Seeing Third Elder demand a contribution, he couldn't 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 lay over three hundred Spirit Stones of various sizes.

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

"However, you all regularly enjoy the clan's stipends and resources. Now, at this moment of crisis for our family, I hope you can each do your part."

"I have already sold my own magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], the Verdant Spirit Sword. These three hundred and seventeen Spirit Stones represent my entire worldly wealth. I offer them to help the clan weather this storm."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen couldn't help but be taken aback. The Verdant Spirit Sword was a top-grade first-tier magical treasure; it was Third Elder's prized possession. To think that, in order to help the clan, he had even sold his only magical treasure.

Although he had long understood Third Elder's character—knowing him to be a man of principle who would exhaust himself for the clan's sake—Eldrin Chen still felt a surge of profound respect.

At that very moment, a streak of spiritual light flew in from outside the great hall. It soared before the assembled group, transforming into a crimson magical blade [an enchanted blade weapon] that clattered to the floor. Then, a voice followed in its wake.

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

"Patriarch, you must not..."

The group was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized it was the voice of their patriarch, Eternal Profound Chen.

The one thousand three hundred Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] were one thing, but the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade was the patriarch's Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them]. The patriarch had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the third and final phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] two years prior.

If not for the need to purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm], the patriarch could have used the clan's production of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] to elevate this artifact to the Second Rank High-Grade [the highest quality tier for second-rank magical treasures] in a few more years.

Selling a Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them] now would reduce Patriarch Eternal Profound Chen's combat power by at least thirty percent. It was a disastrously poor trade.

Eldrin Chen felt a weight settle in his heart. To buy the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] and support a clansman's Foundation Establishment [the realm where a cultivator solidifies their spiritual foundation], the patriarch had already sold two of his Second Rank Magical Artifact [magical treasures of the second rank] last year. To protect the Foundation Establishment Pill, he had also destroyed a Second Rank Low-Grade [the lowest quality tier for second-rank items] defensive artifact.

If they weren't truly destitute, who would ever be willing to sell their Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them]?

"The matter is decided. Say no more."

With Eternal Profound Chen's final words, his divine sense [a cultivator's extended spiritual awareness] vanished from the great hall, clearly having withdrawn to tend to his injuries.

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 stones. I will contribute them as well to aid the clan."

Eldrin Chen's cultivation progress had been astonishingly swift since childhood, earning him the clan's special regard. His stipend had always been allocated according to his Variant Spiritual Root aptitude.

From the age of four, he received an annual stipend of thirty spirit stones. Within the clan, this was already on par with several Elders who were at the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier.

It could truly be said that the Chen Clan had treated him with immense generosity. Many cultivators at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage toiled day and night in the outside world, and their combined earnings over several years might not even match his annual stipend.

In truth, the reason for his rapid cultivation progress was closely tied to having sufficient spirit stones to accelerate his practice. This novel is serialized on audio-novel .c om. Visit for updates.

Now, witnessing the Clan Leader even selling his Life-Bound Magical Artifact, Eldrin Chen resolved to grit his teeth and contribute the remaining one hundred and seventy-three spirit stones in his possession to support the clan.

"Eldrin…"

Third Elder's lips parted slightly, but words failed him for a long moment. Looking at Eldrin Chen's spirit stones, his heart felt a pang of distress.

In all honesty, he was reluctant to let Eldrin Chen contribute these spirit stones. Eldrin Chen was the clan's hope, and these resources were crucial for whether he could reach the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier more swiftly.

Cultivation is, by its very nature, a race against time. Achieving a breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] a single day earlier increases one's chances of eventually reaching the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm] by a fraction. This concerns the very path of Future, and he had no desire to squander Eldrin Chen's time.

Yet, he could not refuse. The clan was currently facing a dire crisis, and fairness had to be upheld for all.

In truth, the clan was unlikely to obtain another Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] for several decades. For most of those present, relying on the clan's resources to achieve Foundation Establishment was nearly impossible.

Furthermore, the clan already owed them a significant sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Now it was asking them to contribute more, while the clan's own finances were already in deficit.

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

After all, if the clan held no future promise, one could venture to Heavenly Ruins Mountain to hunt demonic beasts as a rogue cultivator. Though perilous, such a path offered a chance. With a stroke of fortune, one might even accumulate sufficient Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] to exchange with Patriarch Jiang for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Therefore, as the Third Elder presiding over clan affairs, he had to ensure absolute fairness. If the hearts of the people scattered, the Chen Clan would likely have no reason to continue its existence.

The Clan Patriarch contributed a Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a powerful enchanted artifact bound to its user's life force] worth two thousand Spirit Stone, along with an additional one thousand three hundred Spirit Stone, shouldering the largest portion of the burden.

The Third Elder offered his entire wealth of over three hundred Spirit Stone, and even the clan's most promising core disciple, Eldrin Chen, emptied his coffers.

Witnessing this, the restless hearts of those present settled. As members of the Chen Clan, they too stepped forward with generous contributions.

Verdant Destiny Chen and Verdant Grace Chen still harbored hopes of achieving Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one forms a stable spiritual foundation], yet they too each contributed two hundred Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], offering up the greater part of their life's accumulated wealth.

The others contributed amounts ranging from fifty to eighty stones, each making a significant effort. Even Eternal Remembrance Chen, who had initially opposed the plan, produced thirty Spirit Stones, effectively emptying his coffers.

With over a dozen high-ranking elders at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage [the final phase of the first cultivation realm, refining one's vital life force] working in unison, the clan ultimately pooled five thousand six hundred and seventy-three Spirit Stones.

Seeing the sum was still insufficient, they began brainstorming strategies. 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. That brings the total to roughly one thousand additional stones." Visit audio~novel.com to enjoy the complete series.