Chapter 24 : A Secret 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 gratification. "Your cultivation has advanced swiftly this past year," he remarked. "So swiftly that even I find it 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 progress, hardly comparable to the profound cultivation of my esteemed clan 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 great importance."

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 you must undertake—to Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

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A moment later, Eldrin Chen understood Lior Chen's intention.

The reason for sending him to Heavenly Ruins Mountain was that Second Elder had finished selling last year's batch of Energy Absorption Pill and brought back the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Coupled with this year's various revenues, the Clan Treasury now held over two thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

As early as a year ago, Third Elder had proposed going to Heavenly Ruins Mountain to purchase a Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that repairs and strengthens the body's energy channels] to heal the Clan Leader. Now that the clan had the funds, they were finally prepared to accomplish this task.

This matter was of great importance. The most suitable person to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that repairs and strengthens the body's energy channels] would have been Sixth Elder, but after Sixth Elder's passing, Eldrin Chen was ironically the most suitable candidate left.

"I will have someone take over your duties for the spring planting," Lior Chen said.

"Although Patriarch Jiang is a rogue cultivator, he is fair and upright. If the price is right, he will likely sell us the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that repairs and strengthens the body's energy channels]."

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

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

Eldrin Chen nodded, storing the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. "I will not fail in this mission to Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

A few days after the Lunar New Year celebrations concluded, Eldrin Chen departed from Green Chariot Mountain alone.

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

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

"So this is the 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 Chu Nation, bordering the Vast and Misty Marsh. It served as the first line of defense for the Chu Nation against the incursions of the Demon Race.

It was said that in years past, Heavenly Ruins Mountain had been the domain of demonic beasts. The 'Azure Sky Roc' clan had once ruled here, even boasting a Violet Sanctum Great Monster [a powerful demonic beast equivalent to a human Violet Sanctum realm cultivator] among their ranks, a thorn in the side of the great Chu Nation sect, the Verdant Sun Sect.

Two centuries ago, the rogue cultivator Path Master Jiang arrived from the Eastern Sea Coast. He slew the Violet Sanctum Great Monster that dominated the mountain, claimed the Third-order Spiritual Vein [a ley line of concentrated spiritual energy, ranked third order in potency] for himself, and renamed it Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Because of its proximity to the demon-infested Vast and Misty Marsh, Heavenly Ruins Mountain attracted a great multitude of rogue cultivators. Over time, it evolved into a renowned sanctuary for such individuals within the Chu Nation.

Once inside the mountain's domain, Eldrin Chen straightened his robes, adopting a more mature and seasoned appearance. Only then did he proceed to enter the bustling Heavenly Ruins Mountain Market.

This was a purely cultivator-run market town, with scarcely any ordinary mortals present.

The environment of Heavenly Ruins Mountain was simply too harsh, teeming with venomous insects and ferocious beasts that emerged endlessly, making it difficult for mortals to thrive and multiply here.

Precisely because of this, although Path Master Jiang had occupied Heavenly Ruins Mountain for two centuries, he had never established a cultivation clan. Instead, he remained a rogue cultivator, merely taking on a few disciples and followers.

Upon arriving at the Heavenly Ruins Mountain Market, Eldrin Chen did not rush to seek out Path Master Jiang to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill. After all, Path Master Jiang was the foremost Violet Sanctum expert in the Chu Nation, not someone one could simply meet on a whim.

This was his first time truly leaving the Chen Clan. Carrying over two thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], he naturally exercised 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 Heavenly Ruins Mountain. Join our community of readers at audio-novel dot com.

The Heavenly Ruins Mountain Range stretched for over eight thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Besides the Third Rank Superior Grade Spiritual Vein at the main peak, there were over a dozen Second Rank Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that naturally gathers and emits spiritual energy].

These Spiritual Vein were all assets under the command of Path Master Jiang. Over the past two centuries, numerous cultivation caves and Spiritual Field [fields nourished by spiritual energy for growing spiritual plants] had been developed there.

Some of these Spiritual Field and caves were reserved for Path Master Jiang's disciples and their descendants, but the majority were rented out to rogue cultivators who resided there long-term.

Furthermore, within the Sunward Market, the largest establishment, the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion, was also an enterprise under Path Master Jiang's banner.

Path Master Jiang possessed a heaven-defying talent, mastering the Hundred Crafts of Cultivation [a comprehensive set of cultivation arts encompassing alchemy, formation, artifact forging, and talisman crafting] with proficiency in alchemy, formations, artifact forging, and talismans, each reaching at least the third rank.

Although her direct disciples were not her equal, they each inherited one of her specialized arts, effectively controlling ninety percent of the material supply for Heavenly Ruins Mountain. People even traveled from various commanderies of the Chu Nation [a powerful nation in the cultivation world], journeying thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to purchase elixirs and magical artifacts from them.

"Heavenly Ruins Pavilion."

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

Since he could not meet Path Master Jiang, the only path to purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and strengthens a cultivator's spiritual meridians] was through the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion.

However, as the saying goes, wealth should not be flaunted. Two thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] was enough to buy a Second Rank Mid-Grade [a classification for the quality and power of magical artifacts] magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. Carrying such a vast sum, he would appear as a tempting piece of meat to many. If discovered, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation, a significant milestone] might be tempted.

Even if Path Master Jiang was known for his upright character, and the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion had built an impeccable reputation over two centuries of operation, making it unlikely they would covet his modest fortune, 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.

A few years prior, even the clan patriarch Eternal Profound Chen, 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 Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final stage of refining one's vital life essence] cultivator?

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

"Let's go see the gathering first."

This thought flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind, and he stepped out of the inn.

The so-called gathering was the cultivator market held at the Heavenly Ruins Mountain Market. It was essentially held once every month and lasted only for a single day.

Although Heavenly Ruins Mountain was home to several thousand rogue cultivators, these practitioners usually spent their time either secluded in cultivation within their cave abodes or hunting demonic beasts deep within the Great Wasteland, a place Desolation of human habitation. Consequently, the cultivator market often appeared rather desolate and lacking in 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 Heavenly Ruins Pavilion, the busiest establishment on Heavenly Ruins Mountain, typically saw no more than a dozen or so customers in a day, a state that could truly be described as quiet and deserted.

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 needed.

When Eldrin Chen arrived at the market, he found several hundred participating cultivators. Many had set up stalls on the ground, offering a wide array of goods including demonic beast materials, elixirs [cultivation-enhancing pills], 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. Access the full story on audio-novel . com.