Chapter 24 : A Vital Mission to Heavenly Ruins

After the meeting concluded, the assembly dispersed.

"Eldrin, wait a moment."

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

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

"At this rate, you may very well touch the threshold of Foundation Establishment within three to five years."

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

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

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

"This time, I wish for you to make a journey to Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

"..."

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

The reason he was being dispatched to Heavenly Ruins Mountain was that Mordecai Chen had successfully sold all the Qi Absorption Pill [a pill that aids in absorbing ambient spiritual energy] refined the previous year and returned with the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] proceeds.

Combined with the clan's various other revenues for the current year, the Clan Treasury now held over two thousand Spirit Stone.

As early as a year ago, the Third Elder had proposed a journey to Heavenly Ruins Mountain to purchase a Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that heals and nourishes a cultivator's energy channels] to treat the Clan Leader's injuries. Now that the clan possessed the necessary funds, they were finally prepared to accomplish this vital task.

This matter was of paramount importance. The most suitable person to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill would have been the Sixth Elder, but following the Sixth Elder's passing, Eldrin Chen had become the most suitable candidate.

"I will arrange for someone to take over your duties for the spring planting," Lior Chen stated.

"Although Lyra the Ancient Ancestor is a rogue cultivator [an independent cultivator not affiliated with a major clan or sect], she is known for her fairness and integrity. If we offer a suitable price, she will likely agree to sell us the Meridian Nourishing Pill."

"However, Heavenly Ruins Mountain is a den of mixed company where all sorts congregate. You must remain cautious and vigilant at all times, lest you fall prey to someone's schemes."

As he spoke, the Third Elder's gaze grew solemn and grave.

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod, storing the allocated Spirit Stone. "I will not fail in this mission to Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

A few days after the New Year's celebrations had concluded, Eldrin Chen departed from Verdant Chariot Mountain alone.

Heavenly Ruins Mountain lay on the distant border of the State of Chu, over one hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Verdant Chariot Mountain. Eldrin Chen journeyed across mountains and rivers, a trek that consumed three full months before he finally arrived within the domain of Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

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

"So this is Heavenly Ruins Mountain?"

Gazing upon the vast mountain range before him, a flicker of envy passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. His thoughts turned to the history of this place.

Heavenly Ruins Mountain was situated on the edge of the State of Chu, bordering the Vast and Misty Marsh. It served as the first line of defense for State of Chu against the Demon Race.

It was said that in years past, Heavenly Ruins Mountain had been the territory of demonic beasts. The 'Azure Sky Roc' clan had held dominion here, with a Purple Mansion Great Demon [a demonic cultivator equivalent to the human Purple Mansion realm] presiding, a thorn in the side of even the great State of Chu 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-order Spiritual Vein [a geographical feature that naturally gathers and radiates spiritual energy, ranked by potency], and renamed it Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Because of its proximity to the demon-occupied Vast and Misty Marsh, Heavenly Ruins Mountain attracted a great multitude of wandering cultivators. It gradually became a renowned sanctuary for them within the State of Chu.

Once inside the mountain's territory, Eldrin Chen adjusted his robes, striving to appear more mature and seasoned. Only then did he proceed to enter the Celestial Ruins Mountain Market [a market town for cultivators, built around the spiritual vein].

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

This was because the environment of Heavenly Ruins Mountain 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 had occupied Heavenly Ruins Mountain for two centuries, he had never established a cultivation clan. Instead, he remained a solitary cultivator, merely taking on a few disciples and followers.

Upon arriving at Celestial Ruins Mountain Market, Eldrin Chen did not rush to seek out Jiang the Daoist to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill. After all, Jiang the Daoist was the foremost Violet Sanctum expert in the State of Chu, not someone he could simply meet on a whim.

This was his first true departure from the Chen Family, and with over two thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] tucked away, he was naturally exceptionally cautious.

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 Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

The Heavenly Ruins Mountain Range spanned over eight thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Besides the Third-Rank Superior Spiritual Vein at the main peak, there were over a dozen Second-Order Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth].

These Spirit Vein were all assets under the control of Jiang the Daoist. Over the past two centuries, he had gradually opened up numerous cultivation caves and Spiritual Field [land infused with spiritual energy, suitable for growing spiritual plants] there.

Some of these Spiritual Field 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 Yuyang Market, the largest establishment, the Celestial Ruins Pavilion, was also an enterprise under Jiang the Daoist's banner.

Jiang the Daoist possessed a heaven-defying talent, mastering the Hundred Arts of Cultivation with proficiency in alchemy, formation arrays, artifact forging, and talisman crafting, each reaching at least the third rank.

Although his disciples were not as gifted as she was, they each inherited one of her arts, effectively controlling over ninety percent of the material supply for Heavenly Ruins Mountain. People even traveled from various commanderies of the State of Chu to purchase elixirs and magical artifacts from them.

"Celestial Ruins Pavilion."

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly, a sliver of hesitation stirring within him.

Since he could not meet Jiang the Daoist, the only path to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill was through the Celestial Ruins Pavilion.

However, as the saying goes, wealth should not be flaunted. Two thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] was enough to buy a Second Rank Mid-Grade magical artifact. Carrying such a fortune, he would appear as a tempting piece of meat to many. If discovered, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their Dao foundation] might be tempted.

Even if Jiang the Daoist was known for his upright character and the Celestial Ruins Pavilion had built an impeccable reputation over two centuries, making it unlikely they would covet his modest sum, it was better to be safe than sorry.

In this world, where sufficient profit was the driving force, murder and plunder were all too common.

A few years prior, even the clan patriarch Alistair Chen, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, had nearly lost his life over a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in solidifying one's Dao foundation]. How much more vulnerable was he, a mere Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final stage of refining one's vital life force] cultivator?

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

"Let's go see the gathering first."

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

The so-called gathering was the cultivators' market held at the Celestial Ruins Mountain Market. It was held roughly once every month and lasted only for a single day.

Although Heavenly Ruins Mountain was home to several thousand rogue cultivators, these practitioners were usually either secluded in their cave abodes in cultivation or hunting demonic beasts in the Great Wasteland where Desolation reigned. Consequently, the cultivators' market often appeared rather desolate.

The bustling, perpetually crowded scenes of immortal markets depicted in tales of past lives were almost impossible to encounter in reality.

In fact, even the busiest establishment in Heavenly Ruins Mountain, the Celestial Ruins Pavilion, received no more than a dozen or so customers a day, a scene that could truly be described as quiet and deserted.

It was only during the monthly cultivators' gathering that practitioners would gather here to sell their accumulated demonic beast materials and purchase the items they needed.

When Eldrin Chen arrived at the market, he found several hundred cultivators in attendance. Many had set up stalls on the ground, offering a wide array of goods including demonic beast materials, elixirs [spiritual pills used for cultivation], magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], and Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy].

After browsing the stalls, he noticed that the prices for Spirit Herb here were somewhat lower compared to those at the Pingyang Market.