Chapter 8 : The Cost of Raising Spirit Beasts

One day later.

"Sigh, slow down," he said.

He looked at the flock of fluffy, chirping little creatures before him and couldn't help but wear a bitter smile.

Twelve Violet-Striped Goose had hatched one after another, becoming this adorable gaggle of goslings, their downy fluff uncannily reminiscent of ducklings from his past life.

They appeared gentle and cute, but the sole drawback was the rather high cost of raising them.

For now, the Violet-Striped Goose were still extremely young and fragile, with a risk of perishing from the slightest mishap. To nurture them, Eldrin Chen had no choice but to feed them congee made from Spirit Rice [a grain infused with spiritual energy, essential for cultivators' diets].

However, Spirit Rice was exceedingly precious; in the market, a single Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] could only purchase three Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of it.

Previously, the Chen Family had provided Eldrin Chen with an annual subsidy of thirty Jin-weight of Spirit Rice, a stipend worth ten Spirit Stone, which, combined with his direct Spirit Stone allowance, was more than sufficient for his cultivation needs.

But now, with the Chen Family in dire straits, most of the Spirit Rice was being sold off to pay debts, naturally cutting off his Spirit Rice stipend.

If not for the ten Jin-weight of Spirit Rice that the Third Elder had firmly pressed into his hands when he came to Spirit Lake Isle, he likely wouldn't have any Spirit Rice to feed the Violet-Striped Goose now.

This Spirit Rice [a type of grain infused with spiritual energy] was Eldrin Chen's personal rations, capable of accelerating his cultivation. In the four months since arriving at Spirit Lake Isle, he had only allowed himself to consume one or two Liang-weight [one Liang-weight equals fifty grams] every Three Heavens [a period of three days], and now only six Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] remained.

He never expected to suddenly have twelve extra mouths to feed. These little creatures, unaware of the preciousness of Spirit Rice, jostled and fought around the porridge. After finishing, they turned to Eldrin Chen with hungry cries, creating a clamor that left him utterly frazzled.

"Eat, eat, eat."

"At this rate, you'll strip my family's coffers bare."

Eldrin Chen grumbled with feigned annoyance. Despite his words, he still scooped out one Liang-weight of Spirit Rice and cooked another pot of porridge for the little ones.

After feeding the dozen-odd creatures, he sat cross-legged on the ground, unable to suppress a wry smile of amusement and exasperation.

"In the tales of my previous life, cultivators were always peerless figures of transcendent grace, like banished immortals descending to the mortal realm, roaming the world with unmatched prowess."

"Who would have thought that upon truly entering the Immortal Realm [the world of cultivation], I would end up farming fields, feeding fish, and raising ducks?"

"If a story were written about cultivation like this, I doubt any author would dare publish it."

At this thought, Eldrin Chen chuckled softly. His gaze drifted to the ancient zither resting on the loft of the Bamboo Hut, and a serene smile touched his lips.

In his previous life, he had been an art student, and this ancient zither before him was perhaps the sole cherished hobby he had carried over from that existence.

"No one decreed that cultivation must solely consist of endless conflict and slaughter,"

"To occasionally strum the zither, tend a few acres of Spiritual Field [a field nourished by spiritual energy for growing special crops], raise some Spirit Fish [fish that have absorbed spiritual energy, their flesh beneficial for cultivation], and keep a few immortal birds—is this not also a form of cultivation?"

He murmured to himself with serene tranquility.

Cultivation hinges upon resources; they are of paramount importance. If no one tilled the land or cultivated renewable resources, and everyone merely plundered from one another, from where would these vital resources come?

The reason Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use cruel, sacrificial methods to advance their power, often at the expense of others] are universally reviled within the cultivation world is precisely because they produce nothing. They hunt mortals and fellow cultivators in great numbers, using the flesh, blood, and souls of the Human Race to refine their magical treasures. Such acts seek to destroy the very foundation of the Immortal Realm.

They are selfish and self-serving, adhering to the creed that 'heaven destroys those who do not look out for themselves.' They would even drain the potential of the world itself for their own advancement, with 'killing the goose that lays the golden eggs' being a common occurrence.

If the Chen Family were ever to fall, its hundreds of thousands of mortal descendants would likely become mere sustenance for Demonic Cultivator and demonic beasts, their souls finding no peace even in death. This is precisely why the Grand Elder of the Chen Family and numerous other cultivators remain stationed year-round in Pingyang County Town.

"Three Liang-weight [one Liang-weight equals fifty grams] of Spirit Rice [rice grains imbued with spiritual energy, consumed by cultivators] per day... the remaining six Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] will only last for twenty days."

"Fortunately, after those twenty days, they will have passed through their most fragile infancy."

Eldrin Chen calculated how long the remaining Spirit Rice [a type of rice infused with spiritual energy] could sustain them. Fortunately, the Violet-Striped Goose [a type of spirit beast] was, after all, a Spirit Beast [a creature that has absorbed spiritual energy and gained supernatural abilities]. When the time came, they could be fed ordinary rice or released to forage in Spirit Isle Lake [a lake imbued with spiritual energy].

Aside from the docile Azure Spirit Fish [a type of spirit fish with azure scales], Spirit Isle Lake harbored no other demonic beasts. Once the Violet-Striped Goose survived their fledgling stage, they would be more than capable of fending off ordinary wild beasts and hunting for food within the lake.

In the days that followed, Eldrin Chen once again settled into his daily cultivation routine.

During his leisure time, he would tend to the Spiritual Field [a field nourished by spiritual energy to grow special crops] every half-month, care for the precious Spirit Herb [a herb infused with spiritual energy, used in alchemy], occasionally take stock of the Azure Spirit Fish, and feed the Spirit Goose [a general term for geese that are spirit beasts]. Thus, the days slipped swiftly by.

In the blink of an eye, the end of the seventh month arrived. On this day, Eldrin Chen stood beneath the Spirit Peach Tree [a peach tree that bears spiritually infused fruit], gazing at the fifty-six Spiritual Peach [peaches brimming with spiritual energy] hanging from its branches. He could not help but reveal a look of pure delight.

Finally, the Spiritual Peach on the Spirit Peach Tree had ripened. A total of fifty-six Spiritual Peach—this represented a value of two hundred and eighty Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Overjoyed, he plucked one Spiritual Peach and took an experimental bite. He discovered that the Spiritual Peach was not only rich in spiritual power but also incredibly sweet, delicious, and utterly delectable.

"This Spiritual Peach is truly Baelon [meaning 'extraordinary' or 'peerless' in this context, used as an exclamation of quality]."

"No wonder they sell for such a high price."

A look of astonishment spread across Eldrin Chen's face. This was the most delicious peach he had ever tasted.

After consuming a single Spiritual Peach [a fruit imbued with spiritual energy], he felt as if he had refined a Precious Pill [a high-grade cultivation elixir]. A noticeable surge of True Qi [the refined vital energy cultivated within a practitioner's body] flowed within him, and he even brushed against the threshold of the Vital Essence Refinement 8th Tier [the eighth stage of body and energy purification].

It had been eight months since his breakthrough to the Vital Essence Refinement 7th Tier. Given his usual cultivation speed, he estimated it would take roughly two more years to reach the Vital Essence Refinement 8th Tier.

However, his recent hunt of two Violet-Striped Goose [a type of spiritual waterfowl] had proven immensely beneficial. Consuming the pair of these spirit-nourishing birds had significantly accelerated his progress.

Now, with the Spiritual Peach added to his gains, his cultivation had finally touched the very edge of the Vital Essence Refinement 8th Tier.

"A single Spiritual Peach is not quite enough," he murmured to himself.

Seeing the opportunity for a breakthrough materialize, Eldrin Chen consumed seven or eight more Spiritual Peach in succession. Finally amassing sufficient True Qi, he began his assault on the Vital Essence Refinement 8th Tier.

A mere half Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] later, the spiritual energy around him rippled faintly. He exhaled a wisp of white mist, then opened his eyes, a wave of joy washing over him.

"The eighth tier of Vital Essence Refinement," he announced, his voice filled with quiet triumph.

Eldrin Chen could feel his True Qi had grown denser and more potent. He could not help but let a satisfied smile grace his features.

He had just passed his sixteenth year. Achieving the Vital Essence Refinement 8th Tier at such an age was exceedingly rare. Even among the elite disciples of major immortal sects, he would be considered outstanding.

At this pace, it was highly likely he would break through to the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final stage of refining one's vital life force] before the age of twenty, and then begin making plans for Foundation Establishment [the crucial stage of solidifying one's cultivation foundation].

"Furthermore, with the aid of over fifty Spiritual Peach [a fruit imbued with spiritual energy that aids cultivation] each year, my cultivation progress will also accelerate."

"This will save a great deal of time, allowing me to break through to the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier sooner."

With this thought, Eldrin Chen gazed at the Spirit Peach Tree [a mystical tree that bears spiritually nourishing fruit], a surge of excitement stirring within his heart.

With these Spiritual Peach, he was finally not too lacking in cultivation resources. Even if he received no clan stipend for the next few years, it would not hinder his cultivation progress.

Refining the Spiritual Peach, tending to the ducks, farming the fields, feeding the fish, and cultivating—the days that followed passed in a tranquil and leisurely rhythm.

In the blink of an eye, late autumn arrived. On this day, a small boat approached from beyond the Spirit Isle Lake [a lake renowned for its spiritual aura and scenic isles], and a voice carried across the water from afar.

"Young Eldrin, I'm here!"

Eldrin Chen emerged from Lake Heart Island [the central island within Spirit Isle Lake] and saw three figures approaching.

Recognizing the visitors, he couldn't help but break into a smile.

"Sixteenth Granduncle."

The newcomer was Lucius Chen of the Chen Family's Chang Generation. Ranked sixteenth among the cultivators of his generation, he was thus Eldrin Chen's Sixteenth Granduncle.

The remaining two were his elder clansmen, Eldric and Nian Yuan. Though both were older in years than Eldrin Chen, their cultivation and status now paled in comparison to his.

Sixteenth Granduncle was now eighty-nine years old, his cultivation stalled at merely the Vital Essence Refinement 7th Tier. It was precisely this low level of cultivation that had allowed him to survive the calamity a year prior.

As he drew closer to Eldrin Chen, his first observation was the change in the young man's aura. With a note of uncertainty, he inquired,

"The eighth tier of Vital Essence Refinement?"