Chapter 35 : A Pillar of Hope and Hidden Peril

At present, Chen Corin is merely thirty-six years of age, yet his foundation is already solid. Should he obtain this Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in solidifying one's cultivation base to break through to the next major realm] and succeed in his Foundation Establishment [the crucial second major realm of cultivation where one builds a stable foundation for their future path] attempt, his prospects would be truly boundless. In the future, he might even have the potential to break through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm, where one opens a mystical space within their dantian to store vast spiritual power].

"It seems our Chen Clan fortune has turned in recent years."

The Fourth Elder, Chen Alistair, laughed heartily and said:

"Now that our external debts are cleared and the clan's deficit is eliminated, once the Clan Patriarch recovers from his injuries, we can continue the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] trade at Celestial Ruins Mountain. Then, we can gradually repay the money owed to our clansmen."

"If Chen Corin succeeds in his Foundation Establishment, we will have a connection within the Green Sun Sect in the future. Perhaps we can even find a way to get a share of the tax dividends from the Yuyang Market."

As Chen Alistair envisioned the clan's future development, the Third Elder's expression remained grim.

Eldrin Chen was adept at reading expressions. Glancing at the Third Elder's face, his heart sank slightly, and he inquired.

"Uncle Lior, it seems you still have something to say?"

"Alas..."

The Third Elder sighed and handed a letter in his hand to Eldrin Chen. Find thousands of chapters at audio~novel.com.

"You should read it for yourselves."

Eldrin Chen took the letter and scanned it quickly, his eyes growing heavy with concern.

Seeing his expression, Second Elder sensed trouble. He snatched the letter, and after it had been passed around, the hot-tempered Fourth Elder erupted in fury.

"That Green Sun Sect [a major cultivation sect] pushes us too far, far beyond the bounds of decency!"

"Have they truly cast all face and honor to the wind?"

The faces of all present were grim. No one blamed the Fourth Elder for his outburst, for the Green Sun Sect's actions were a blatant abuse of power.

The letter from Chen Corin did indeed mention the matter of the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]. However, it revealed that the Green Sun Sect had played the Chen Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] for fools once more.

According to the Green Sun Sect's prior promise, they were to compensate the Chen Immortal Clan for half their losses, which logically translated to a single Foundation Establishment Pill.

Had that arrangement been honored, Chen Corin should have received a Foundation Establishment Pill directly.

Yet now, the Purple Mansion Elder [an elder who has reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] responsible for distributing the Foundation Establishment Pill within the Green Sun Sect had changed his tune. He had converted the promised pill into ten thousand Sect Contribution Points [a points-based credit system used within a sect].

Although the Green Sun Sect Founding Ancestor had long ago decreed that ten thousand Sect Contribution Points could be exchanged for a single Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids a cultivator in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm], a significant nuance lay within this rule.

That nuance was this: while one Foundation Establishment Pill was valued at ten thousand contribution points, possessing ten thousand Sect Contribution Points did not guarantee one could actually obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.

A few years prior, in order to purchase a single Foundation Establishment Pill from Celestial Ruins Mountain, the Chen Clan had paid a premium exceeding thirty thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to outbid numerous competitors at auction.

Within the Green Sun Sect, however, one could theoretically acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill by simply exchanging ten thousand Spirit Stones for the equivalent contribution points.

While this internal price was far more affordable, its very affordability meant more individuals could meet the cost. The Green Sun Sect's supply of Foundation Establishment Pills was, after all, finite.

Thus, to weed out the weaker candidates and select only those cultivators with the highest probability of successful Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation], the Green Sun Sect appended an additional requirement to the pill exchange: a trial.

Any aspirant wishing to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill must first complete a mission to slay a Foundation Establishment Realm Demonic Beast [a monstrous creature whose power is equivalent to a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm].

"Enough, there is no need for further anger," the Third Elder shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips. "The Green Sun Sect's actions likely stem from a covetous eye cast upon our Chen Clan's Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Do they truly hold no regard for reason?"

Chen Elara ground her teeth, her eyes blazing with fury. "Perhaps we should take our grievance to Celestial Ruins Mountain and seek judgment from Jiang the Ancient Ancestor."

"Although Jiang the Ancient Ancestor [the revered senior cultivator from Heaven's Ruin Mountain] is a man of principle and justice, in the end, he is merely a Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation] cultivator."

Second Elder [the second highest-ranking elder of the Chen Clan] wore a look of distress. "After all, we share no blood or deep ties with her. How can we ask her to stand up for us time and again?"

"Moreover, sixty years have passed since the incident. It's unclear how many even remember it now."

"The Green Sun Sect [a powerful local cultivation sect] holds immense influence. If we truly make a great fuss, who knows if anyone would intervene? And more importantly, how would Corin Chen [a member of the Chen Clan] be able to live among them afterward?"

Eldrin Chen listened in silence, a feeling of stifling frustration welling up within his heart.

He glanced at the assembled elders, finally suppressing the resentment in his heart before speaking. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio—novel.com.

"They are powerful, and we lack the strength to oppose them. The most urgent task before us now is to find a way to help Uncle Corin Chen complete his mission."

He paused, his gaze turning to Third Elder. "Can Granduncle [a respectful term for a senior male relative] intervene?"

Lior Chen shook his head. "After obtaining the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that heals and nourishes the body's energy channels], the Clan Patriarch [the leader of the Chen Clan] entered seclusion to heal his wounds, vowing not to emerge until fully recovered. Disturbing him now would likely undo all his progress."

"Then we shall not disturb him," Eldrin Chen declared, making the decision. "Let us, the few of us here, devise a plan to help Uncle Corin Chen fulfill his duty."

The group exchanged glances and finally nodded in agreement.

Although Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast [a powerful beast that has reached the Foundation Establishment stage of cultivation] are formidable, their intelligence is not high, and their methods lack the sharp, domineering edge of a human Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation where one builds a solid foundation for their Dao] cultivator.

If several Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [cultivators at the peak of the first major stage, just below Foundation Establishment] practitioners join forces and set up a formation, it is not impossible to contend with one.

Furthermore, Eldrin Chen possesses the Crimson Iron Blade Embryo [an unrefined blade forged from Crimson Iron, possessing great latent power]. This item has the power to severely injure a Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast, and at a critical moment, it might deliver the decisive, finishing blow.

Having settled on their resolve, Third Elder stated plainly, "Since we have decided to act, we must plan meticulously to maximize our chances of success."

"To raise funds for Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], I had to sell my magical tool, the Verdant Spirit Sword. I will need to acquire a new one."

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Eldrin Chen. "I know you are the wealthiest in the clan. I must borrow a little from you."

Eldrin Chen nodded and retrieved several magical tools from his Storage Bag [a spatial bag capable of holding many items]. They were a set of Mother-Child Flying Daggers [a set of linked flying daggers, one larger 'mother' blade controlling several smaller 'child' blades], a Crimson Radiance Ruler, and a Cyan Law Sword.

These three sets of tools were obtained when he explored the Ancient Cultivator's Cave and slew those cultivators. All were First Rank High Grade [the highest quality tier within the first rank of magical items] magical tools.

Among these tools, the Law Sword was slightly less potent, but the Crimson Radiance Ruler and the Mother-Child Flying Daggers were exceptionally formidable.

It was a pity that Eldrin Chen had already reached his limit in controlling his current magical treasures. To manipulate any more would strain his spiritual sense and true essence beyond capacity. Thus, it was the perfect time to distribute these to the others.

Surveying the magical treasures before them, the Third Elder immediately claimed the Mother-Child Flying Daggers. This set of weapons possessed formidable power and aligned perfectly with his primary affinity for the Metal Spiritual Root.

The Fourth Elder, Chen Alistair, then took up the Crimson Radiance Ruler, his expression one of utter delight, unable to put it down. Finally, the Law Sword fell into the hands of Chen Elara.

As for the Second Elder, he did not take one. He possessed a formidable magical treasure named the Red-Copper Demon-Piercing Shuttle, which was exceptionally powerful, leaving him in no need of an offensive weapon.

With each having received a suitable treasure, the Third Elder said with a smile, "If we take the Blazing Solar Skyfire Formation Flags and also borrow the Bell of Nine Echoes [a defensive bell that resonates with nine protective echoes] from the Grand Elder, our chances for this venture should be considerably bolstered."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. The Blazing Solar Skyfire Banner was a set of formation tools crafted by the Clan Patriarch, modeled after Pingyang City's formidable City Guardian Grand Formation.

This constituted a Second Rank Low Grade killing formation, composed of six Blazing Fire Banners. If jointly activated by six cultivators at the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer, it could tenuously hold its own against a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment, Early Stage.

In truth, the Clan Patriarch had once expended vast resources to forge two sets of these Blazing Solar Skyfire Formation Flags. However, one set was destroyed during the fierce battle to escort the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm].

The Bell of Nine Echoes was a Second Rank Low Grade defensive magical treasure. Once activated, it could withstand the assault of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator for a brief but crucial moment. Access the full story on audi0-n0vel.c0m.