Chapter 26 Past Karma

Upon hearing this, Elara's expression flickered briefly before quickly returning to normal.

"A few years ago, our master indeed refined a batch of Nourishing Meridian Pills to treat Seventh Junior Sister's injuries. Only 2 remain now."

"However, I have the authority to sell you 1 at the price of 1,500 spirit stones."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin (Person Name) revealed a delighted expression—the price was 5 100 spirit stones lower than he had budgeted for. "In that case, my sincere thanks to you, Elder."

"It was merely a business transaction." Elara shook her head. "No need to thank me."

"Wait here for a moment. I'll go fetch the elixir right away."

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

The transaction was completed with satisfying swiftness. After verifying the authenticity of the Meridian-Nourishing Pill, Eldrin couldn't suppress a blossoming smile.

"Regardless, I must express my gratitude for this transaction, Senior."

Elara (Person Name) said no more, merely offering an ethereal smile as she spoke, "Go."

As Eldrin departed from the Celestial Ruins Pavilion, Elara cast a glance at his receding figure before turning to mount her sword, soaring toward the summit of the Celestial Ruins Mountain.

After flying to the mountain peak, she landed outside a cave dwelling and bowed respectfully.

Greetings, Master!

"Enter."

A voice echoed from within the cavern abode, and the restrictive enchantment dissolved.

Elara stepped inside, only to see a stunningly beautiful woman who appeared to be merely 17 or 18 years of age seated at the far end.

The woman before him appeared youthful, yet she was the foremost expert of the Violet Manor in the Chu Kingdom, the renowned Daoist Jiang who commanded awe throughout the realm.

The Daoist known as Jiang, originally named Lyra (Person Name), hailed from origins shrouded in profound mystery. Legends whispered that she emerged from the shores of the Eastern Sea.

This individual possessed heaven-defying talent. In the myriad disciplines of cultivation—alchemy, formations, artifact forging, talismans, and more—where ordinary cultivators would exhaust a lifetime of effort to master just 1, she had achieved remarkable proficiency in every single field, making her second to none in the Chu Kingdom.

She appeared so young because she had successfully built her foundation at a very early age, preserving her youthful appearance and halting the passage of time.

Lyra cast a glance at Elara, her eyes revealing a trace of doubt.

"What brings you to seek me out?"

Elara said, "I took the liberty of selling the Meridian-Nourishing Pills without seeking your permission first, Master."

"This is no great matter." Lyra (Person Name) shook her head with a faint smile before inquiring, "Who purchased the past?"

"Although I didn't ask, I can guess that in Yu County, the only 1 urgently needing this item would probably be that person from the Chen family."

"The Chen Clan... I recall they purchased the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) from me over 3 years ago. I wonder if they succeeded in establishing their foundation."

Elara shook her head with a sigh. "It seems they didn't succeed. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a Qi Refining cultivator coming to purchase pills this time."

"It seems the Chen Clan has also endured its share of hardships," Lyra (Person Name) remarked with a soft sigh. "During the beast tide turmoil 60 years ago, the Eldrin Chongyang (Person Name) from Azure Sun Sect abandoned them to their fate over a single Purple Sun Jade. That night, over a 100 Chen Clan cultivators were devoured by the monstrous beasts."

"Later, the Purple Sun Jade fell into my hands after many twists and turns. By this reckoning, your breakthrough to the Zi Fu realm also carries the karma of the Chen Clan."

As the 2 conversed, they inadvertently revealed a world-shattering secret.

Had Eldrin been present, he would likely have felt his scalp tingling with dread. Though he had long suspected the Chen Clan's plight during the beast tide years ago was the result of a scheme, he never dared imagine it actually involved the Azure Sun Sect.

The Verdant Sun Sect was 1 of the 3 great sects of the Chu Kingdom, with a Golden Core Elder presiding over it. In comparison, the insignificant Chen Immortal Clan was nothing more than a slightly larger ant.

"Although the demise of the Chen family cultivators has no connection to you, that piece of Violet Sun Jade was obtained by your master when I slew that Zi Mansion demonic ape."

"But by selling him a Meridian-Nourishing Pill at cost price this time, you have essentially repaid that karmic debt."

Lyra's words trailed off as a faint, gratified smile graced her lips. "You've done exceptionally well."

“…”

After obtaining the Nourishing Meridian Pill, Eldrin dared not linger at Celestial Ruins Mountain any longer and set off for Yujun County that very day.

Between Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) and Yu County lay a vast wilderness spanning 1 100 1000 li. Though this expanse held no Purple Mansion realm demonic beasts, lower-tier monsters were nearly countless.

Although the major powers of the Chu Kingdom had continuously purged this 100-1000-mile wilderness over the past 2 100 years, numerous demonic beasts still thrived within its depths. In some remote corners, a small number of Foundation Establishment-level demonic beasts even lurked in concealment.

Eldrin retraced his path, avoiding territories that might harbor second-order demonic beasts. After several months of journeying across 70- to 80-1000 li, he arrived 1 day before a towering mountain.

"This is the place."

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

On his return from Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), he deliberately took a detour along the way, all for the purpose of locating the ancient cave dwelling marked on the map.

"There is a spiritual vein on this mountain."

"The ancient cultivator's cave marked on the map should be right here, shouldn't it?"

Eldrin tucked the map away with these thoughts in mind and began ascending the mountain.

Halfway up the mountain, he noticed the spiritual energy growing increasingly dense. Following its source, he soon came to a stop before a cave abode.

This was an ancient cave abode, its entrance so overgrown with wild weeds that it appeared long abandoned.

"This cave abode actually still has an operational formation."

Eldrin furrowed his brow slightly as he gazed upon the cave abode before him.

If this formation was left behind by a senior cultivator, no 1 could fathom its depths. With his current level of cultivation, rashly stepping into it would likely spell disaster.

At this thought, he hesitated, a flicker of retreat stirring in his heart.

"I carry the Meridian-Nourishing Pills, which are crucial for the Clan Leader's recovery. I cannot afford to take any risks."

"This formation's depths are unknown. It would be wiser to first return to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) and return after achieving Foundation Establishment (Cultivation Realm) breakthrough."

With this thought in mind, he turned and began descending the mountain.

Little did he know, it was precisely this moment of caution on Eldrin's part that allowed him to avert a calamitous disaster.

Within the cavern abode, 3 figures stared fixedly at Eldrin, their gazes radiating palpable killing intent.

Among the 3 individuals, 1 of them turned out to be the tall, gaunt cultivator who had previously sold Eldrin (Person Name) half of the map.

Seeing that Eldrin was about to leave, the man could no longer remain seated. He hastily addressed the leader of the group.

"Big brother, are we really going to let this plump prey that's practically in our mouths just slip away like this?"

"Damn, this kid is way too cautious," the lead man couldn't help but curse. "Goddammit."

As his words fell, he stepped out of the cave abode in a single stride and summoned a ritual sword, slashing toward Eldrin.

On the other side, the moment he heard the sharp whistle of cutting wind, Eldrin instinctively activated the small cyan shield.

Then, with a crisp *ding*, a cyan shield radiance flared to life, deflecting a magical sword. Turning his head, he saw 3 figures charging toward him.

His gaze sharpened, spotting the tall, lean man who had sold him the map, and a chill crept into his heart.

"Fishing, ambushing, killing for treasures."

In the blink of an eye, Eldrin deduced the entire chain of events, a faint tremor of lingering fear stirring within his heart.