Chapter 4 : A Clan's United Resolve

"We are still short by over one thousand four hundred Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. The younger generation of the clan must also contribute their share."

"Those at the Vital Essence Refinement Mid Stage [the middle stage of refining one's vital life force] will contribute fifteen Spirit Stones each, and those at the Vital Essence Refinement Early Stage [the initial stage of refining one's vital life force] will contribute six. With the remaining eighty-some cultivators in the clan, we can probably gather over four hundred more Spirit Stones."

"The remaining shortfall of one thousand Spirit Stones is a gap we must find a way to fill." The Fifth Elder, Verdant Grace Chen [a First-Rank High-Grade Artificer], added, "I will take on some artifact forging commissions for others. That can bring in several dozen Spirit Stones per year, which can be used to offset the debt."

Eldrin Chen felt a surge of gratitude. Setting aside the clan stipend, earning several dozen Spirit Stones a year was no easy feat. For Verdant Grace Chen to do this, she would likely have to abandon her cultivation and devote most of her time to forging.

The Fourth Elder, Verdant Destiny Chen, also nodded. "I can help others transplant Spirit Herbs [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy], which can provide a small subsidy as well."

A Granduncle from the Chang Generation [the generation bearing the character 'Chang' (Eternal) in their names] also agreed. "Since Verdant Bud failed his Foundation Establishment [the crucial realm where a cultivator establishes their foundational cultivation base] breakthrough, he cannot remain idle. Once he recovers from his injuries, he can refine some pills each year. That will also help cover part of the shortfall."

With a few words from each person, they proposed many methods to earn Spirit Stones, enough to fill the one-thousand-Spirit Stone gap over the next few years.

However, for these few years, everyone would have to tighten their belts, and the clan stipends would also have to be temporarily withheld.

Seeing that the matter was nearly resolved, the Third Elder also breathed a sigh of relief before speaking again.

"To solve the clan's deficit, we must also find ways to increase our income, to open new sources of revenue for the family." This content originates from http://www . audio-novel.com. Please respect copyright.

"I believe the location of Spirit Lake Isle is quite suitable. We could attempt to clear several Mu-area [one Mu-area equals six hundred sixty-six point six seven square meters] of Spiritual Field on Lake Heart Island. With a few more Mu-area of Spiritual Field to cultivate Spirit Rice, our income would increase significantly."

"That is an excellent idea."

The eyes of everyone present lit up, and they couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Spirit Lake Isle is situated in a remote area and possesses a first-grade upper-tier Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates and emits spiritual energy]. However, there aren't many cultivators there to consume the spiritual energy, so the surplus energy could fully sustain several Mu-area of Spiritual Field.

Furthermore, the water quality within the Spiritual Lake is exceptional, even capable of supporting Spirit Fish [fish infused with spiritual energy]. Using it to irrigate Spirit Herb [plants that absorb and store spiritual energy] and Spirit Rice would likely yield superb results.

Thinking of this, the Fifth Elder, Verdant Grace Chen, spoke: "With the Fourteenth Uncle fallen in battle, Spirit Lake Isle currently lacks a Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage [the late stage of refining one's vital life energy] cultivator to oversee the defensive formations. We still need to dispatch a Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage cultivator to garrison the site."

"Clearing Spiritual Field also requires a Spiritual Farmer [a cultivator skilled in nurturing spirit plants]. However, the Fourth Elder must tend to the seventeen Mu-area of Spiritual Field on Green Chariot Mountain."

As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily turned towards Eldrin Chen. Was he not the perfect candidate?

Within the Chen Clan, aside from the Fourth Elder who is a first-grade upper-tier Spiritual Farmer, Eldrin Chen could barely be considered the second.

Among the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, Alchemists are the most sought-after profession, followed by Artificers, Formation Masters, and Talisman Masters. While Spiritual Farmers are not as highly prized, they are exceedingly rare.

To transplant a high-grade Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation of a cultivator, determining their cultivation aptitude], one must possess a high-grade Spiritual Farmer [a cultivator specializing in nurturing spiritual plants]. Otherwise, it is exceedingly difficult for the transplant to survive.

Eldrin Chen naturally understood the importance of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation [the various specialized skills and crafts practiced by cultivators]. In truth, what he most wished to learn was the art of Alchemy.

Unfortunately, mastering Alchemy required vast resources for training. Without Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in cultivation and pill refinement] to practice on, no matter how solid one's theoretical knowledge, it was nearly impossible to advance one's Alchemy skills.

The Chen Clan's supply of Spirit Herb was inherently scarce. Naturally, they were reluctant to let him use them for mere practice. Almost every time a harvest of Spirit Herb was gathered, it was Sixth Elder himself who would personally fire up the alchemical furnace.

Seeing no opportunity to practice Alchemy, Eldrin Chen had spent these years learning the art of Spiritual Farming from Fourth Elder instead. He hoped this would help him understand the medicinal properties of herbs, laying a foundation for potentially switching to the path of an Alchemist in the future.

Unexpectedly, he seemed to possess a certain talent for tending to Spirit Herb. By now, he had broken through to become a First-Rank Mid-Grade Spiritual Farmer, a feat that could be considered exceptionally gifted for someone his age.

With a cultivation base at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage [the final stage of the first major realm, where one refines their vital life energy] and being a Spiritual Farmer, Eldrin Chen naturally became the best candidate to go to Spirit Lake Isle and open up new Spiritual Field [a field of land infused with spiritual energy, suitable for growing spiritual plants].

Sure enough, Third Elder also turned his gaze toward Eldrin Chen and asked directly.

"Eldrin, I should not be sending you down the mountain."

"But the clan is currently short-handed, and you are capable of standing on your own. Are you willing to go to Spirit Lake Isle?"

"Spirit Lake Isle [a secluded island with a spiritual lake]."

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment. Spirit Lake Isle possessed a first-grade, upper-quality Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy], sufficient to sustain his cultivation.

Furthermore, its remote and tranquil location, devoid of crowds and protected by formation arrays, made it an ideal place for him to cultivate the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a profound and ancient energy of creation and chaos]. It seemed a most suitable destination.

Having reached this conclusion, he nodded. "It is acceptable."

"..."

With the decision for Eldrin Chen to garrison Spirit Lake Isle settled, the Clan Assembly gradually drew to a close. Discover more cultivation stories at audio - novel . com.

That very night, Eldrin Chen went to the residence of Seventh Granduncle to visit the elder.

By then, Seventh Granduncle had regained consciousness from his stupor, yet his aura was feeble, his visage gaunt and pale—clear signs he was lingering at death's door.

Seeing him, Seventh Granduncle lacked the strength to rise, but he urgently beckoned with a hand.

Eldrin Chen hurried over and grasped the elder's hand, finding it chillingly cold to the touch.

Seventh Granduncle gripped his hand tightly, his expression a mixture of reluctance to leave this world and a flicker of anticipation for what lay beyond.

"Young Eldrin, my time is nearly spent."

"Over the years, I have saved one hundred and twenty-three Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. One hundred of them I have already given to the clan. The remaining twenty-three..."

"...along with two Spirit Talisman [a paper or jade slip inscribed with a spell] and this single Verdant Leaf Sword, I leave to you."

Eternal Verdancy Chen's innate talent was, in truth, remarkably high. He was a cultivator with a Dual Spiritual Root [a rare and favorable spiritual aptitude allowing cultivation in two elemental affinities], and by the age of thirty-two, he had already reached the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the peak of the first major stage of cultivation]. Within the Chang Generation, only the clan patriarch, Eternal Profound Chen, could match his pace.

Alas, fortune did not favor him. Over sixty years ago, during the Beast Tide [a catastrophic invasion by monstrous beasts], the clan lost even two of its Foundation Establishment Cultivator [practitioners who have solidified their spiritual foundation, a significant power]. Eternal Verdancy Chen suffered grievous wounds in that conflict, causing him to miss his chance for Foundation Establishment [the critical breakthrough to the second major stage of cultivation]. His cultivation even regressed, falling back to the Vital Essence Refinement 8th Tier.

Thereafter, he essentially abandoned the path of active cultivation. He dedicated himself to crafting Spirit Talisman for the clan, steadily accumulating a not-insignificant income from his work.

Last year, when the clan pooled resources to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in the Foundation Establishment breakthrough], Eternal Verdancy Chen contributed five hundred Spirit Stone, a substantial sum that demonstrated his significant commitment.

Now, on his deathbed, with none of his own children or grandchildren possessing a Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual conduit necessary for cultivation], he intended to bequeath his remaining savings to Eldrin Chen.

"This... how could your grandson possibly accept such a gift..."

Eldrin Chen wished to decline, but Eternal Verdancy Chen stopped him and continued speaking.

"Eldrin, since childhood you have been precocious and possessed of exceptional talent."

"Perhaps one day you may even reach the realm of Ascension and Attainment of the Path [the legendary state of becoming one with the Heavenly Dao]. You might even travel farther as a rogue cultivator."

"Yet I hope you will stay with the clan and contribute your strength to it."

"If the clan cannot hold on..." The withered old man's voice trembled slightly. "The hundreds of thousands of mortal kin of the Chen Clan in Pingyang County will all become blood sustenance for Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use dark, forbidden arts] and demonic beasts. They are all our flesh and blood."

"Seventh Granduncle."

He took the jade box handed to him by Eternal Verdancy Chen, unable to hold back the tears welling in his eyes.

The old man's feelings for the Chen Clan were genuine. He saw Eldrin Chen as the clan's hope, wishing for him to carry on the legacy, to protect the Chen Clan and ensure its Immortality [the state of eternal life and enduring legacy], bestowing blessings for ten thousand generations.

Although Eldrin Chen had lived two lives, this was a true Rebirth [the process of being reborn into a new body with memories intact]. His feelings for Eternal Verdancy Chen resonated deeply—an unbreakable bond of blood and a profound sense of duty.

Watching Eldrin Chen accept the jade box, Seventh Granduncle passed from this world with a serene smile.

"Eldrin, never forget the words inscribed within our Chen Clan Clan Genealogy [the sacred ancestral record of the Chen Clan's lineage and heritage]."

"Walk the Eternal Path, honor our forebears, uphold each other, and strive as one clan toward immortal ascension." Read, share, and discuss at audio–novel.com.