Chapter 26 : A Pill and a Master's Call

Upon hearing this, Elara Lin's expression shifted subtly before she quickly regained her composure.

"A few years ago, my master did indeed refine a cauldron of Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that repairs and strengthens the body's energy channels] to treat the Seventh Junior Sister's injuries. Only two remain now."

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

Eldrin Chen's face lit up with delight; the price was five hundred Spirit Stone lower than he had budgeted. "In that case, I thank you, Senior."

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

"Wait here a moment. I shall fetch the pill."

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

The transaction was completed swiftly. After inspecting the Meridian Nourishing Pill and confirming its authenticity, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile.

"Regardless, I must still thank you for this transaction, Senior."

Elara Lin offered no further words, merely a gentle, knowing smile. "You may go."

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

Upon reaching the mountain peak, she alighted before the entrance to a cave abode and bowed respectfully.

"Your disciple pays her respects, Master!"

"Enter."

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

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

Despite her youthful appearance, this woman was the foremost Violet Sanctum expert in the State of Chu, the formidable Jiang the Daoist whose name commanded awe throughout the land.

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

She possessed a heaven-defying talent. The Hundred Arts of Cultivation—alchemy, formation-crafting, artifact-forging, talisman-making—each demanded a lifetime of dedicated study from ordinary cultivators. Yet, she had achieved remarkable mastery in every single one, making her the unrivaled paragon of these arts in the State of Chu.

Her youthful visage was no illusion. She had achieved Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, solidifying one's foundation for the path ahead] at a tender age, forever locking her appearance in the bloom of youth.

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 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 the current Yu County, the one most urgently in need of such an item is likely that individual from the Chen Family."

"The Chen Family... I recall they purchased a Foundation Establishment Pill from me over three years ago. I wonder if their Foundation Establishment attempt succeeded."

Elara Lin sighed and shook her head. "It seems it did not. Otherwise, the one coming to buy the pill this time would not have been a mere Vital Essence Refinement cultivator."

"It appears this Chen Clan has endured much hardship and tribulation," Lyra Jiang said, also releasing a sigh. "During the Beast Tide sixty years ago, for the sake of a single Purple Sun Jade, Zephyr Wei of the Green Sun Sect, then at the Violet Sanctum realm, stood by and watched them perish. This led to the demise of over a hundred Chen Family cultivators in a single night, all fallen to the maws of demonic beasts."

"Later, that Purple Sun Jade eventually found its way into my hands. When you think of it this way, your own breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum carries a thread of Karma [the principle of cause and effect] connected to the Chen Clan."

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

If Eldrin Chen had been present, he would likely have felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this. Although he had long suspected that the Chen Family's calamity during the previous Beast Tide was the result of a scheme, he never dared to imagine that it could be connected to the Green Sun Sect.

The Green Sun Sect was one of the three great sects of the State of Chu, with Golden Core True Persons [powerful cultivators at the Golden Core stage] presiding within its halls. In comparison, a mere Chen Immortal Clan was nothing but a slightly larger insect.

"Although the demise of the Chen Family 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,"

"By selling him a Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and repairs the body's energy channels] at cost price this time, you have essentially repaid that strand of Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect]."

Having spoken, Lyra Jiang revealed a gratified smile. "You have done very well."

"..."

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

Between Heavenly Ruins Mountain and Yu County lay the vast expanse of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wilderness. While this wilderness harbored no Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts at the Purple Mansion stage], lower-tier demonic beasts were virtually innumerable.

For two centuries, the major powers of the State of Chu had continuously purged this Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wilderness, yet many demonic beasts still thrived within its depths. In some hidden corners, even a small number of Foundation Establishment [the cultivation stage following Qi Refining] beasts lurked.

Eldrin Chen retraced his path, carefully avoiding territories where Second-Order [equivalent to Foundation Establishment] beasts might dwell. After several months of travel, covering seventy to eighty thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], he arrived one day before a towering mountain.

"This is the place."

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

On his return journey from Heavenly Ruins Mountain, he had taken a detour specifically to search for the ancient cultivator's cave dwelling marked on the map.

"This mountain contains a Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits spiritual energy]."

"The senior's cave dwelling on the map should be here, right?"

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

Halfway up the slope, he noticed the ambient spiritual energy growing increasingly dense. Following the source of this energy, he soon arrived before the entrance to 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 an active formation [a mystical array or defensive barrier] operating within this cave."

Observing the cave entrance, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly.

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

This thought gave him pause, and a desire to retreat took root in his heart.

"I carry the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and repairs damaged spiritual meridians], which is crucial for the clan leader's recovery. I cannot afford to take reckless risks."

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

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

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

Within the cavernous abode, three figures stared intently at Eldrin Chen, their gazes sharp with murderous intent.

Among the trio was none other than the tall, gaunt cultivator who had originally sold Eldrin Chen the half-map.

Seeing Eldrin about to leave, the man could no longer contain himself. 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 far too cautious," the leader of the men cursed under his breath. "Screw his ancestors."

As his words fell, he stepped out of the cave abode in a single stride and unleashed a Dharma Sword [a common enchanted blade used by cultivators], sending it slashing towards Eldrin Chen.

Meanwhile, the instant he heard the whistle of the blade cutting through the air, Eldrin Chen reacted with instinctive speed, channeling his spiritual energy to activate the Cyan Small Shield.

A sharp *clang* rang out as the cyan shield's light flared, successfully blocking the incoming Dharma Sword. Whirling around, he saw three figures charging towards him.

His gaze sharpened, locking onto the tall, gaunt man who had sold him the map. A chill of realization shot down his spine.

"Bait the hook, set the ambush, kill and plunder."

In that fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen pieced together the entire scheme. A wave of cold dread washed over him at how close he had come to disaster.