Chapter 3 Working Together to Overcome Difficulties

This was an exceptionally lucrative venture. A single round trip to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) could yield a profit of approximately 1,800 spirit stones. The Chen Clan made this journey once every 6 years, averaging an annual income of over 300 spirit stones.

However, due to the immense value of vast quantities of 5 Elements essence, transporting such treasures without adequate protective capabilities would be nothing short of courting death.

The Chen family’s fortunes had soured—7 or 8 ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators had perished in 1 fell swoop, and even the clan leader had suffered grave injuries. If Chen Qingmeng succeeded in building his foundation, this venture might still hold promise.

Unfortunately, the current Chen family had suffered successive blows and was no longer capable of undertaking this business.

This is the harsh reality for minor cultivation clans. While many rogue cultivators see these families as prestigious, capable of pooling resources for grand endeavors and securing a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) every few years, who truly understands their struggles?

The Third Elder finished speaking, suppressing his look of sorrow before continuing.

"The top priority is to find a way to repay the 8,000 yuan debt in spirit stones. Otherwise, with compound interest on this loan, it could become a major problem."

"The clan is now in a time of crisis, and I hope you can provide some support."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present grew increasingly pale. Chen Nian-yong (Person Name), seated in the corner, couldn't help but speak up.

"Last year, when I purchased the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), the clan borrowed 60 spirit stones from me."

"My hands are empty now as well."

Chen Nianyong was now 50-2 years old, the second eldest among the Nian-generation cultivators of the Chen family—even 2 years older than Fifth Elder Chen Qingwan. He had only broken through to the seventh layer of Qi Refinement last year, and his prospects paled in comparison to Eldrin's.

Over the years, the spirit stones he had managed to save were already meager, and with the constant drain of his own cultivation needs, he truly had little left to spare. Seeing the Third Elder demand contributions, he couldn't help but be the first to voice his grievances.

Seeing someone raise an objection, Lior (Person Name) had anticipated this. He produced a jade box containing over 3 100 spirit stones of varying sizes.

"I know everyone is struggling, and I have no intention of forcing you to contribute any specific amount."

"However, you have always enjoyed the family's stipends and resources. Now that our family faces peril, we hope you can contribute your share to the household."

"I have already sold my magic tool, the Verdant Spirit Sword. These 317 spirit stones represent my entire fortune, and I shall contribute them to help our family overcome this crisis."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin couldn't help but freeze in astonishment. The Verdant Spirit Sword was a top-grade Tier-1 magic artifact—Third Elder's most prized possession. To think that in order to help the family overcome this crisis, he had even sold his only magical treasure.

Although he had long been well-acquainted with Third Elder's character—knowing him to be a man of unwavering integrity who had dedicated his very soul to the family—he couldn't help but feel a surge of profound admiration at this moment.

Just then, a streak of spiritual light flew into the main hall. It soared before the crowd, transforming into a crimson ritual blade that landed upon the ground, followed by an echoing voice.

"I still have 1,300 spirit stones here. Let's also sell the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade—every bit helps."

"Clan Leader, you mustn't..."

Everyone was stunned for a moment before quickly realizing it was the voice of Clan Leader Chen Changxuan.

13 100 spirit stones were 1 thing, but this Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade was the clan leader's life-bound magic treasure. Moreover, the clan leader had already broken through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) 2 years prior.

If not for purchasing the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), the clan leader could have upgraded this magical instrument to the second-tier, high-grade within a few years by relying on the 5 Elements Essence produced by the clan.

At this point, selling his life-bound magic treasure would reduce Patriarch Chen Changxuan's combat power by at least 30 percent—a devastatingly poor trade.

Eldrin felt a heavy weight in his heart. To purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill and support his clansmen in building their foundations, the clan leader had already sold 2 second-grade magical instruments last year. Moreover, to protect the Foundation Establishment Pill, another low-grade second-grade defensive magical instrument had been destroyed.

If not truly destitute, who would ever consider selling their Life-Bound Artifact?

"This matter is settled. Say no more."

Chen Changxuan's voice faded, and his divine sense vanished from the great hall, evidently having withdrawn to heal his wounds.

Seeing this, Eldrin gritted his teeth. Driven by his deep-rooted allegiance to the clan, he spoke up.

"I still have 173 spirit stones on hand. Let me contribute them to the family as well."

Eldrin's cultivation progressed with astonishing speed. Since childhood, he had been recognized by his clan, and his stipend had always been allocated according to the standards of a Variant Spirit Root aptitude.

From the age of 4, he had received an annual stipend of 30 spirit stones, placing him on par with several Qi Refining ninth-layer elders within the clan.

1 could truly say the Chen family had treated him quite generously. Many Qi Refinement, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators toiled day and night out in the world, yet even if they combined several years' worth of earnings, it might not amount to as much as his annual stipend.

In truth, his rapid progress in cultivation was largely attributed to having sufficient spirit stones to accelerate his practice.

Seeing that even the clan leader was now selling his life-bound magical treasure, he gritted his teeth and took out all 173 spirit stones he had left to support the family.

“Eldrin (Person Name)…”

The Third Elder’s lips parted slightly, yet he remained speechless for a long while. Gazing at Eldrin’s 32,000 spirit stones, his heart twisted with a pang of sorrow.

To be fair, he was reluctant to let Eldrin take these 32,000 spirit stones, for Eldrin was the family's greatest hope. These stones would determine whether Eldrin could reach the ninth level of Qi Refinement more swiftly.

Cultivation is inherently a race against time. Achieving Foundation Establishment even a single day earlier would bolster his chances of breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm. This concerned the entirety of his future path, and he had no intention of wasting Eldrin's time.

But he could not refuse. At this critical juncture for the family, he had to be fair and impartial.

The clan itself was unlikely to obtain another Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) for decades to come. For those present, it was nearly impossible to rely on the clan's resources to achieve Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, the family already owed them a considerable amount of spirit stones. Now they were being asked to contribute even more, while the family’s finances were already stretched thin.

In such a situation, if the clan still failed to act justly, many present would likely abandon their duties altogether and take the remaining spirit stones to become rogue cultivators.

Since the clan holds no future prospects anyway, I might as well become a rogue cultivator at Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) and hunt demonic beasts. Though perilous, should fortune favor me, I might even achieve meritorious deeds and exchange them with Patriarch Jiang for a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object).

Thus, as the Third Elder presiding over the ancestral ceremony, he must uphold impartiality. Otherwise, should unity falter, the Chen Clan would likely lose its reason to exist.

The clan leader contributed the most by offering his life-bound magical treasure, worth 2,000 spirit stones, along with an additional 1,300 spirit stones.

The Third Elder contributed his entire fortune of over 3 100 spirit stones, and even the clan’s most core disciple, Eldrin, emptied his coffers without hesitation.

Witnessing this, the restless hearts of those present gradually settled. As members of the Chen Clan, they too began opening their coffers with generous contributions.

Elders 4 and 5, Chen Qingyuan and Chen Qingwan, still held hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment realm. Yet they too had each contributed 200 spirit stones, expending the majority of their lifelong savings.

The others contributed amounts ranging from 50 to 80, each making a significant effort. Even Chen Nianyong, who had initially opposed the idea, offered up 30 spirit stones, essentially emptying his entire savings.

The dozen or so Qi Refinement, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) elders of the clan joined forces and ultimately pooled together 5,673 spirit stones.

Seeing that the quantity was still insufficient, they began offering suggestions 1 after another. The Third Elder was the first to speak.

"The clan's ledger still shows over 3 100 spirit stones. The Grand Elder and the Second Elder combined should be able to contribute 6 to 7 100 spirit stones. Altogether, that would amount to approximately 1 1000 spirit stones."