Chapter 24 : A Mission to the Celestial Ruins

After the council meeting concluded, the assembly dispersed.

"Eldrin, wait a moment."

Just as Eldrin Chen was about to depart, he was detained by the Third Elder.

Lior Chen regarded Eldrin Chen with a gaze tinged with approval. "Your cultivation has advanced swiftly this past year," he remarked. "So swiftly that even I find it somewhat difficult to gauge your current depth."

"At this rate, you may well touch the threshold of the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] within three to five years."

"I have merely made modest progress, hardly comparable to the profound cultivation of my esteemed uncle," Eldrin Chen replied with humility. He paused briefly before continuing, "Might I inquire as to the reason for your summons?"

"I sought you out for a matter of grave importance."

The Third Elder's expression grew solemn. He cast a glance around, ensuring their privacy, before lowering his voice to speak.

"This time, the matter concerns a journey I wish for you to undertake—to Celestial Ruins Mountain."

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After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen understood the intention behind Lior Chen's words.

The reason he was being sent to Celestial Ruins Mountain was that Second Elder had successfully sold all the Qi Gathering Pill [a pill that aids in gathering and refining spiritual energy] refined the previous year and had returned with the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Combined with this year's various revenues, the Clan Treasury now held over two thousand Spirit Stone.

As early as a year ago, Third Elder had proposed a journey to Celestial Ruins Mountain to purchase a Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that heals and strengthens a cultivator's energy channels] to treat the Clan Patriarch's injuries. Now that the clan possessed the necessary Spirit Stone, they were prepared to see this task through.

This matter was of utmost importance. The most suitable person to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill would have been the Sixth Elder, but after the Sixth Elder's passing, Eldrin Chen became the most appropriate choice.

"I will have someone take over your duties for the Spring Plowing [the seasonal cultivation of spirit crops]," Lior Chen said.

"Although Jiang the Ancient Ancestor is a rogue cultivator, he is known for his fairness and integrity. If the price is right, he will likely sell us the Meridian Nourishing Pill."

"However, Celestial Ruins Mountain is a place where all sorts gather. You must remain cautious and vigilant, lest you fall prey to another's schemes."

As he spoke, a grave expression settled in Third Elder's eyes.

Eldrin Chen nodded solemnly, storing away the pouch of Spirit Stone. "I will not fail in this mission to Celestial Ruins Mountain."

A few days after the Year's End [the traditional end-of-year celebrations] had passed, Eldrin Chen departed from Verdant Chariot Mountain alone.

Celestial Ruins Mountain lay on the very border of the Chu Kingdom, a staggering distance of over one hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Verdant Chariot Mountain. Eldrin Chen journeyed across mountains and rivers, his travels consuming three full months before he finally reached the domain of the Celestial Ruins Mountain.

"Such dense spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things]," he murmured.

"So this is the Celestial Ruins Mountain?"

Gazing upon the vast mountain range before him, a flicker of envy passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes, and he recalled the history of this place.

Celestial Ruins Mountain was situated on the fringe of the Chu Kingdom, bordering the Vast and Boundless Marsh [an immense and perilous wetland realm]. It served as the kingdom's first line of defense against the demonic beast tribes.

It was said that in years long past, Celestial Ruins Mountain was territory ruled by demonic beasts. The Azure Sky Roc [a tribe of powerful avian demonic beasts] clan held dominion here, with even a Purple Mansion Great Demon [a demonic beast equivalent to a human Purple Mansion Realm cultivator] presiding over the peak, a thorn in the side of the great Chu Kingdom sect, the Green Sun Sect.

Two centuries ago, the wandering cultivator Jiang the Daoist arrived from the Eastern Sea Coast. He slew the Purple Mansion Great Demon that ruled the mountain, claimed this Third Rank Spirit Vein [a geographical location rich with third-grade spiritual energy], and renamed it Celestial Ruins Mountain.

Because of its proximity to the demon beast-infested Vast and Boundless Marsh, Celestial Ruins Mountain attracted a great multitude of wandering cultivators, gradually becoming a renowned sanctuary for them within the Chu Kingdom.

Once within the bounds of Celestial Ruins Mountain, Eldrin Chen adjusted his robes, striving to appear more mature and seasoned, before finally stepping into the bustling Heaven's Ruin Mountain Market.

This was a market purely for cultivators, with scarcely any ordinary mortals present.

This was because the environment of Celestial Ruins Mountain [a perilous mountain range] was far too harsh, with venomous insects and fierce beasts emerging endlessly, making it difficult for mortals to thrive and multiply there.

Precisely for this reason, although Jiang the Daoist [a powerful cultivator] had occupied Celestial Ruins Mountain for two hundred years, he had never established an immortal clan. Instead, he remained a solitary cultivator, merely taking on a few disciples and followers.

Upon arriving at Heaven's Ruin Mountain Market, Eldrin Chen did not rush to seek out Jiang the Daoist to purchase Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and repairs a cultivator's energy channels]. After all, Jiang the Daoist was the foremost figure within the Purple Mansion [a major cultivation stage] realm in the Chu Kingdom, not someone he could simply meet on a whim.

This was his first true departure from the Chen Clan. Carrying over two thousand Spirit Stone [minerals that store spiritual energy, used for cultivation and currency], he proceeded with extreme caution.

That very day, he found an inn to stay in and began discreetly gathering information. Within a mere four or five days, he had gained a general understanding of the situation at Celestial Ruins Mountain. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio‑novel.com.

The Celestial Ruins Mountain range spanned over eight thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Besides the Third Rank High Grade Spirit Vein on the main peak, there were over a dozen Second Rank Spirit Vein [sites where spiritual energy naturally concentrates].

These spirit veins were all assets under the command of Jiang the Daoist. Over two centuries, he had gradually opened up numerous cultivation caves and Spirit Farmland [land infused with spiritual energy for growing special crops].

Some of these Spirit Farmland and caves were reserved for Jiang the Daoist's disciples and their descendants, but the majority were rented out to solitary cultivators who resided there long-term.

Furthermore, within the Yuyang Market, the enterprise with the largest holdings, the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion, was also an establishment under Jiang the Daoist's banner.

Jiang the Daoist [the revered master of the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion] possessed a heaven-defying talent, mastering all the Hundred Arts of Cultivation—Alchemy, Formations, Artificing, and Talismans—each reaching at least the Third Rank [a high level of proficiency].

Although her direct disciples were not her equal, they each inherited one of her arts, effectively controlling ninety percent of the material supply for Celestial Ruins Mountain [a major cultivation region]. People even traveled from various commanderies across Chu Kingdom [a powerful mortal and immortal kingdom], journeying thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to purchase her elixirs and magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

"Heaven's Ruin Pavilion."

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly, a thread of hesitation winding through his heart.

Since he could not meet Jiang the Daoist in person, the only path to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that repairs and strengthens a cultivator's energy channels] was still through the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion.

However, as the saying goes, one should not flaunt one's wealth. Two thousand Spirit Stone [minerals that store spiritual energy, used as currency] was enough to buy a Second Rank Middle Grade [a mid-tier classification for artifacts and resources] magical treasure. Carrying such a vast sum, he would appear as a juicy piece of meat to many. If discovered, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] might feel a flicker of greed.

Even if Jiang the Daoist was known for her upright character, and the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion had built an impeccable reputation over two centuries, making it unlikely they would covet his modest pile of Spirit Stone, it was better to be safe than sorry.

In this world, where sufficient profit was the driving force, murder and plunder were often the most common outcomes.

Just a few years prior, even the Clan Patriarch Chen Thalion, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Foundation Establishment realm], had nearly lost his life over a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]. How much more vulnerable was he, a mere Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the ninth and penultimate stage of Qi Refinement] cultivator?

"I must proceed with caution," he murmured to himself. "I need to observe the situation further before making a move."

"Let's first go see the gathering."

With this thought flashing through his mind, Eldrin Chen stepped out of the inn.

The so-called gathering was the cultivator's market held at the Heaven's Ruin Mountain Market [a trading hub for cultivators near Heaven's Ruin Mountain]. It was essentially held once every month and lasted for only a single day.

Although Celestial Ruins Mountain was home to several thousand rogue cultivators, these practitioners usually spent their time either in secluded cultivation within their cave abodes or hunting demonic beasts in the desolate wilderness. Consequently, the cultivator's market often appeared rather quiet and devoid of bustle.

Scenes like those described in tales of his previous life—where cultivator markets were perpetually bustling and overflowing with people—were almost impossible to encounter in reality.

In fact, even the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion, which had the most business on Celestial Ruins Mountain, typically saw no more than a dozen or so customers in a day, a state that could truly be described as desolate and quiet.

It was only during the monthly cultivator gathering that practitioners would converge here to sell their accumulated demonic beast materials and purchase the items they desired.

Upon arriving at the market, Eldrin Chen found several hundred participating cultivators. Many had set up stalls on the ground, offering a nearly complete array of goods: demonic beast materials, elixirs [spiritual pills used for cultivation], magical tools [enchanted artifacts], spirit herbs, and more.

After browsing the stalls for a while, he noticed that the prices for Spirit Medicine here were somewhat lower compared to those at the Pingyang Market. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel . com.