Chapter 26 : A Pill and a Promise

Upon hearing this, Elara Lin [the elegant and composed senior cultivator] showed a flicker of emotion in her expression, which settled back into calmness almost instantly.

"Several years ago, my master did indeed refine a furnace of Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that repairs and strengthens the body's energy channels] to treat my seventh junior sister's injuries," she said. "Only two pills remain now."

"However, I have the authority to sell one to you for one thousand five hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

Eldrin Chen [the young and determined scion of the Chen Clan] felt a surge of joy upon hearing this. The price was five hundred Spirit Stone lower than he had budgeted. "In that case, I offer my deepest thanks, Senior," he said, his gratitude evident.

"This is merely a business transaction," Elara Lin replied, shaking her head gently. "There is no need for thanks."

"Wait here a moment. I shall go and retrieve the pill for you."

After only a brief moment, Elara Lin returned with the Meridian Nourishing Pill.

The transaction was concluded with satisfying swiftness. After inspecting the Meridian Nourishing Pill and confirming its authenticity, Eldrin Chen could not help but let a genuine smile grace his features.

"Regardless, for this transaction, I, your junior, must still express my gratitude to you, Senior."

Elara Lin offered no further words, merely gracing him with a gentle, knowing smile. "You may go," she said softly. Join our community of readers at audio novel.com.

As Eldrin Chen departed from Heaven's Ruin Pavilion, Elara Lin watched his receding figure for a moment before turning and soaring on her sword towards the summit of Celestial Ruins Mountain.

Upon reaching the mountain peak, she alighted before a cave abode and offered a respectful bow.

"Your disciple pays her respects, Master!"

"Enter."

A voice echoed from within the cave, and the protective formation dissolved.

Elara Lin stepped inside to find a woman of breathtaking beauty, who appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen, seated in meditation.

Despite her youthful appearance, this woman was the foremost Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core] expert in all of Chu Kingdom, the renowned and awe-inspiring Jiang the Daoist.

Jiang the Daoist's true name was Lyra Jiang, and her origins were shrouded in mystery. Legends whispered that she hailed from the distant Eastern Sea Coast.

She possessed a heaven-defying talent. The Hundred Arts of Cultivation [the myriad specialized skills of the cultivation world]—alchemy, formation-crafting, artifact-forging, talisman-making—each demanded a lifetime of devotion from ordinary cultivators to master even one. Yet, she had achieved remarkable proficiency in them all, making her peerless within Chu Kingdom.

Her youthful visage was a result of achieving Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, solidifying one's foundation] at a tender age, forever preserving her bloom of youth and halting the march of time upon her features.

Lyra Jiang cast a glance at Elara Lin, her eyes holding a trace of inquiry.

"What brings you to seek me out?"

Elara Lin replied, "This disciple acted presumptuously. I sold the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and repairs a cultivator's energy channels] without first seeking your permission."

"That is no great matter," Lyra Jiang said with a gentle shake of her head and a smile. "Who purchased it?"

"Although I did not ask, I can surmise," Elara Lin answered. "Within Yu County at present, the one most urgently in need of such an item is likely that individual from the Chen Clan."

"The Chen Clan... I recall they purchased a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm] from me over three years ago. I wonder if their Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] attempt succeeded."

Elara Lin shook her head with a sigh. "It seems it did not. Otherwise, the one coming to buy the pill this time should not have been a mere Qi Refinement Cultivators [a cultivator in the first realm, focused on refining their vital energy]."

"It appears the Chen Clan has faced more than its share of hardship and tribulation," Lyra Jiang remarked, also sighing. "Sixty Years Ago, during the Beast Tide Calamity [a catastrophic event where hordes of demonic beasts rampage], for the sake of a single Purple Sun Jade [a rare spiritual jade of immense value], the Green Sun Sect's Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation] expert, Wei Chongyang, stood by and watched them perish, refusing aid. This led to the demise of over a hundred Chen Clan cultivators in a single night, all consumed by the maws of demonic beasts."

"Later, that Purple Sun Jade eventually found its way into my hands. When you think about it, your own breakthrough to the Purple Mansion realm is connected by karma to the Chen Clan."

In their conversation, the two had inadvertently revealed a staggering, long-buried secret.

If Eldrin Chen were present, he would likely feel a chill run down his spine. Though he had long suspected that the Chen Clan's fall during the Beast Tide Calamity was orchestrated, he never dared imagine the plot's threads reached as high as the Green Sun Sect.

The Green Sun Sect was one of the three great sects of the Chu Kingdom, with a Golden Core True Lord presiding within its halls. In comparison, a mere Chen Immortal Clan was but a slightly larger insect.

"Although the demise of the Chen Clan Cultivators was not your doing, and that piece of Purple Sun Jade was obtained by your master when he slew that Purple Mansion Demonic Ape,"

"Selling him a Meridian Nourishing Pill at cost this time can be considered repaying that strand of karma."

Lyra Jiang finished speaking, a faint, approving smile gracing her lips. "You have done well."

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After obtaining the Meridian Nourishing Pill, Eldrin Chen dared not linger at Celestial Ruins Mountain. He set out for Yu County that very day.

Between Celestial Ruins Mountain and Yu County lay the vast expanse of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness. While this wilderness harbored no Purple Mansion level demonic beasts, lower-tier beasts were nearly countless.

For two centuries, the major powers of the Chu Kingdom had continuously purged this Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness, yet numerous beasts still thrived within its depths. In some remote corners, even a few Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast lurked in hiding.

Eldrin Chen retraced his path homeward, carefully skirting regions potentially inhabited by Second Rank Demonic Beast. The journey took several months, covering seventy to eighty thousand Li-lengths. One day, he arrived before a towering mountain peak.

"This must be the place."

Gazing at the mountain range before him, Eldrin Chen compared it to the map in his hand and gave a slight nod of confirmation.

On his return journey from Celestial Ruins Mountain, he had deliberately taken a detour to seek out the ancient cultivator's cave dwelling marked on the map.

"There is a spirit vein within this mountain."

"The senior's cave dwelling on the map should be here, shouldn't it?"

With this thought, Eldrin Chen stored the map away and began his ascent up the mountain path.

Halfway up the slope, he noticed the ambient spiritual energy growing denser. Following the source of this energy, he soon came to a halt before the entrance of a cave dwelling.

It was an ancient-looking cave, its entrance overgrown with wild, neglected weeds, a testament to its long abandonment.

"There's still a formation operating within this cave."

Studying the entrance before him, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly.

If this formation was left behind by a senior cultivator, then its true depth was unknowable. With his current level of cultivation, rashly entering it would likely invite grave danger.

At this thought, he hesitated, and a desire to retreat took root in his heart.

"I carry the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and repairs damaged cultivation meridians], which is crucial for the Clan Patriarch's recovery. I cannot recklessly court danger."

"The nature of this formation is unclear. It would be wiser to return to Verdant Chariot Mountain and come back after I achieve a Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] breakthrough."

With this resolution, he turned and began his descent down the mountain.

Little did he know, this single moment of caution spared him from a calamitous fate.

Within the cavern abode, three pairs of eyes were fixed intently on Eldrin Chen, their gazes brimming with murderous intent.

Among these three, one was precisely the tall, gaunt cultivator who had sold Eldrin Chen the half-map.

Seeing Eldrin Chen about to leave, the man could no longer remain still. He urgently addressed the leader of their group.

"Elder Brother, are we just going to let this fattened prey slip from our jaws?"

"Damn it, this kid is too cautious," the leader of the men couldn't help but curse. "Screw his mother."

As his words fell, he stepped out of the cave abode in one stride and summoned a magical sword, slashing it towards Eldrin Chen.

On the other side, the moment he heard the sound of something cutting through the air, Eldrin Chen reflexively activated the Cyan Small Shield.

Then, with a crisp *ding*, the cyan shield light flared, blocking the magical sword. Turning his head, he saw three men charging to kill.

His gaze sharpened, landing on the tall, thin man who had sold him the map. A chill ran down his spine.

"Bait, ambush, murder for treasure."

In a mere instant, Eldrin Chen pieced together the cause and effect, a wave of belated fear washing over him. Find this and other novels at audio - novel . com.