Chapter 9 : A Clan's Hope and Ancient Calamity

Eldrin Chen nodded. "Yes, I had some insights recently and managed to break through to the Qi Refinement, 8th Layer [the eighth stage of refining one's vital energy]." Seeing the confirmation, Sixteenth Granduncle's face lit up with excitement. "The Qi Refinement, 8th Layer at sixteen years old! Could it be that our Chen Clan is about to produce a Purple Mansion Ancestor [a supreme cultivator who has opened the Purple Mansion, the third major realm]?"

He was utterly thrilled, but after a moment, as his emotions settled, he let out a sigh.

"Alas, if this were Sixty Years Ago, during our clan's peak, we would have spared no effort to secure another Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in solidifying one's cultivation foundation] for you."

"But now... the clan truly has no means left."

Sixteenth Granduncle shook his head with a sigh, his expression full of dejection.

Eldrin Chen listened quietly. Although he was not present during the events of Sixty Years Ago, he was well aware of the Chen Clan's general history.

Sixty Years Ago marked the zenith of the Chen Clan's power. At that time, they boasted three Foundation Establishment Ancestors [venerated elders who had reached the Foundation Establishment realm]. One of these ancestors, from the Dao Generation, had cultivated to the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer [the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment realm] and even showed potential to break through into the Purple Mansion [the realm beyond Foundation Establishment].

Tragically, Sixty Years Ago, the Beast Tide Calamity [a cataclysmic invasion by monstrous beasts] erupted. Even the great sect of Chu Kingdom, the Green Sun Sect, lost two of its Purple Mansion Ancestors in the fighting. The Chen Clan could not possibly remain aloof from the conflict.

To resist the Beast Tide Calamity, a large contingent of the Chen Clan's cultivators was conscripted. Their luck, however, was abysmal. They encountered a Third Rank Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [a monstrous beast of power equivalent to a Purple Mansion cultivator]. The entire family force, including both Foundation Establishment Ancestors, was utterly annihilated. Only the Clan Patriarch at the time, Chen Thalion, who was the weakest in cultivation and had been left to guard Green Chariot Peak, survived.

The losses from that single battle were so devastating that the Chen Clan has still not recovered its vitality even after sixty years. Only in recent years have conditions begun to improve slightly. The story continues at audio novel.com.

However, after Chen Cedric's failure in Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation], the situation worsened. For the next several decades, the clan would be unable to help Eldrin Chen purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm].

Yet, this was not the only concern weighing on Eldrin Chen's mind; he had thought of another troubling matter.

The Chu Kingdom faced a Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion by hordes of demonic beasts] once every century. With less than forty years remaining until the next calamity, it was uncertain whether the Chen Clan would be able to withstand it.

"Enough. If the heavens fall, the tall will hold them up. My true path lies in diligent cultivation."

Dismissing these thoughts, Eldrin Chen led Sixteenth Granduncle and the other two back to Lake Heart Island.

Upon arriving at the Spirit Lake Isle, Sixteenth Granduncle discovered the Spirit Peach Tree [a tree bearing fruit imbued with spiritual energy] and a nest of young Purple-Striped Wild Goose [a type of spiritual avian beast], and could not help but show a look of astonishment.

Knowing full well that the Spirit Peach Tree and the Purple-Striped Wild Goose could not be concealed, Eldrin Chen made no attempt to hide them. Instead, he proactively explained the situation.

"I discovered the Spirit Peach Tree by chance and specifically transplanted it here."

"Some time ago, a migrating pair of Purple-Striped Wild Goose arrived. I slew them, found a clutch of eggs, and managed to hatch them."

As they listened to his account, and upon learning the approximate time of the geese's migration, Chen Roland and Chen Silas revealed expressions of deep regret.

They had previously stayed on Spirit Lake Isle for several years, but without dedicated inspection, they missed the chance to discover this nest of Purple-Striped Wild Goose [a type of spirit beast resembling a goose with purple markings].

"Alas, what wretched luck," they sighed.

Both men were filled with regret. Currently, this nest of Purple-Striped Wild Goose and the Spirit Peach Tree [a tree bearing peaches infused with spiritual energy] would be considered personal assets originating from outside the clan, thus belonging to Eldrin Chen.

They felt that if they had spent more time exploring the vicinity of Spirit Lake Isle, perhaps these two strokes of fortune would have been theirs.

Eldrin Chen observed their expressions and could roughly guess the source of their regret, a faint, knowing smile touching his lips.

The Spirit Peach Tree was an impossibility, but had they patrolled Spirit Lake Isle more diligently, they might indeed have secured a few Spirit Goose Egg [eggs laid by spirit geese, valuable for cultivation or raising spirit beasts]. However, with their cultivation at the Qi Refinement, Early Stage [the initial phase of gathering and refining spiritual energy within the body], they likely would have struggled to overcome the two Purple-Striped Wild Goose at the Qi Refinement, Mid Stage.

Sixteenth Granduncle stroked the Spirit Peach Tree and the small Purple-Striped Wild Goose, unable to contain his excitement. "What splendid fortune you have, Young Eldrin! With this Spirit Peach Tree and these goslings, you stand to gain several hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] in income each year."

"Wait just twenty or thirty years, and you'll have accumulated a considerable sum. By then, with some support from the clan, it may not be impossible to procure another Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids a cultivator in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] for you."

"You are still young, there is no need for haste. You have the longevity to wait."

The old man was agitated for a long while. After encouraging Eldrin Chen for some time, it took him a good while to regain his composure and finally turn his attention to the matters at hand.

The reason the three of them had come to Spirit Lake Isle this time was because the Spirit Rice [a type of grain infused with spiritual energy] they had planted had ripened and it was the season for harvest.

The spiritual stalks were exceptionally tough; only cultivators possessed the necessary strength to harvest them. The four of them toiled for the entire afternoon before finally finishing the harvest of the Spirit Rice.

The total yield was one hundred and sixty-two Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of Spirit Rice, which converted to a value of fifty-four Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. This was twelve Jin-weight more than Eldrin Chen had anticipated.

Sixteenth Granduncle also spoke with a note of delight, "It seems the water quality of this spirit lake is truly excellent. The yield per Mu-area [one Mu-area equals six hundred sixty-six point six seven square meters] is actually higher than that of the Spirit Farmland [fields nourished by spiritual energy] on Verdant Chariot Mountain."

Of the seventeen Mu-area of Spirit Farmland on Verdant Chariot Mountain, seven Mu-area were dedicated to growing Spirit Rice. The annual harvest typically amounted to just over five hundred Jin-weight, averaging about seventy-five Jin-weight per Mu-area. In contrast, Spirit Lake Isle yielded eighty-one Jin-weight per Mu-area, clearly a superior result.

After harvesting the Spirit Rice, Sixteenth Granduncle proceeded to catch the newly matured Azure Spirit Fish [fish that have absorbed spiritual energy, prized by cultivators] from the spirit lake, a total of seventeen. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel*com.

These Spirit Fish would be sent to the Chen Clan Restaurant in Yuyang Market, where they were considered a delicacy for cultivators in Yuyang County hosting feasts for friends. They would sell out completely within a mere half-month, bringing substantial profits to the restaurant.

"Focus diligently on your cultivation. Your path ahead is long."

"When the time comes, the clan will surely find a way to lend you its aid."

Sixteenth Granduncle offered some words of encouragement and did not linger. That very night, he departed for the Yuyang Market with the Spirit Rice [a type of grain infused with spiritual energy] and the Spirit Fish [fish that have absorbed spiritual energy, prized by cultivators]. These Spirit Fish and Spirit Rice were all to be sold for Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Although Spirit Fish are hardy creatures, they still require water to survive. To transport live Spirit Fish across thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to the Yuyang Market, the Chen Clan specially rented a Spirit Beast Flame Cloud Horse [a magical equine beast capable of flight and great speed] and cart from the Zhang Clan, one of the six major cultivation families in Yu County.

The Flame Cloud Horse is a First Rank Middle Grade Spirit Beast [a creature that has cultivated spiritual energy and possesses magical abilities]. This type of Spirit Beast can fly low for short distances, ignore most terrain obstacles, and even travel a thousand Li-lengths in a single day. A single horse could pull a cart full of Spirit Fish to the Yuyang Market in just over ten days.

With their stable of over a dozen Flame Cloud Horse, the Zhang Clan earned an annual income of over three hundred Spirit Stone from their freight services, a source of envy for the other great families.

Watching the majestic Flame Cloud Horse depart, Eldrin Chen felt a pang of envy, but then he shook his head with a wry smile.

The annual harvest of Spirit Peach [peaches imbued with spiritual energy] from the Spirit Peach Tree [a tree that produces spiritually potent fruit] was worth nearly three hundred Spirit Stone. Furthermore, once the Purple-Striped Wild Goose [a type of spiritually attuned goose] matured a bit more, it would periodically lay Spirit Egg [eggs containing spiritual potential], which would also become a significant source of income.

An annual income of several hundred Spirit Stone was a considerable fortune even for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation, a major milestone], enough to ensure a smooth cultivation path all the way to the Foundation Establishment realm itself.

"..."

Time flows differently on a spirit lake, where years can pass in the blink of an eye.

Eldrin Chen settled into a life of cultivation on the spirit lake. In what felt like a moment, two years had slipped by. On this particular day, he finished drawing in the morning's violet-hued Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things] and slowly exhaled a long, steady breath.

"Success."

A wave of elation washed over him. After fifteen years of diligently honing his foundation, he had finally broken through to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the ninth and penultimate stage of Qi Refinement, where one's spiritual energy is purified and condensed in preparation for Foundation Establishment].

To reach the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer at the age of eighteen was a remarkable achievement. In just a few more years, once he had solidified his foundation completely, he could attempt the monumental leap into the Foundation Establishment Realm [the realm where a cultivator forms a stable spiritual foundation, marking the true beginning of the immortal path].

His spirit lightened, he emerged from seclusion, only to find a Messenger Eagle [a spirit beast trained to carry messages over long distances] had been waiting patiently outside his bamboo hut for some time. Discover more cultivation stories at https://audio-novel.com.