Chapter 26 : A Pill and a Promise

Upon hearing this, Elara Lin showed a slight flicker of emotion in her expression, which quickly settled back into composure.

"A few years ago, my master did indeed refine a batch of Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that repairs and nourishes damaged spiritual pathways] to treat my 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, used as currency and for cultivation]."

Eldrin Chen felt a surge of delight upon hearing this; the price was five hundred Spirit Stone lower than he had budgeted. "In that case, I offer my deepest thanks, Senior."

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

"Wait here a moment. I shall go and retrieve the pill for you."

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

The transaction was concluded with satisfying swiftness. After inspecting the Meridian Nourishing Pill and confirming its authenticity, Eldrin Chen could not help but let a genuine smile grace his features.

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

Elara Lin offered no further words, merely gracing him with a gentle, knowing smile. "You may go." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel`com.

As Eldrin Chen departed from the Heavenly 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 offered a respectful bow.

"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 [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a core of spiritual power] expert in the Chu Nation, the awe-inspiring Path Master Jiang.

Path Master Jiang's true name was Exquisite Jiang. Her origins were shrouded in mystery, with tales suggesting she hailed from the Eastern Sea Coast.

She possessed a heaven-defying talent. The Hundred Crafts of Cultivation [the myriad specialized arts of cultivation, such as alchemy, formation-crafting, artifact-forging, and talisman-making]—each demanding a lifetime of dedicated study from ordinary cultivators—were all realms in which she had achieved remarkable mastery, placing her at the pinnacle within the Chu Nation.

Her youthful visage was preserved because she had successfully achieved Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, solidifying one's foundation for the path ahead] at a very young age, forever locking her appearance in the bloom of youth.

Exquisite 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 [a pill that nourishes and strengthens the body's energy channels] without first seeking your permission."

"That is no great matter," Exquisite 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 said. "Within Yu County at present, the one most urgently in need of such an item is likely that individual from the Chen Clan."

"The Chen Clan... I recall they purchased a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in solidifying one's cultivation foundation] from me over three years ago. I wonder if their Foundation Establishment [the critical stage of solidifying one's cultivation base] attempt succeeded."

Elara Lin shook her head with a sigh. "It seems it did not. Otherwise, the one who came to buy the pill this time would not have been a mere Vital Essence Refinement [the initial stage of cultivation, focusing on refining the body's vital energy] cultivator."

"It seems the Chen Clan has endured much hardship and tribulation," Exquisite Jiang remarked, also sighing. "During the Beast Tide [a catastrophic surge of demonic beasts] sixty years ago, for the sake of a single Purple Sun Jade [a rare spiritual jade imbued with solar essence], the Violet Sanctum [a mid-level cultivation realm] elder Double Sun Wei of the Verdant Sun Sect stood by and watched them perish, refusing aid. This led to the demise of over a hundred Chen Clan 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 about it, your own breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum realm is connected to the Chen Clan's Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect, action and consequence]."

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

If Eldrin Chen were present, he would likely feel a chill run down his spine upon hearing this. Although he had long suspected that the Chen Clan's past Beast Tide was the result of a scheme, he never dared to imagine that the matter would be connected to the Verdant Sun Sect.

The Verdant Sun Sect was one of the three great sects of the Chu Nation, with a Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, a major milestone] presiding over it. In comparison, a mere Chen Immortal Clan was like a slightly larger ant.

"Although the fall of the Chen Clan cultivators was not your doing, and that piece of Purple Sun Jade was obtained by your master when he slew that Violet Sanctum Demon Ape,"

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

Exquisite Jiang finished speaking, a gratified smile gracing her features. "You have done very well."

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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 Wasteland. While this Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland harbored no Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [demonic beasts of the Violet Sanctum realm], lower-tier demonic beasts were virtually innumerable.

For two centuries, the major powers of the Chu Nation had continuously purged this Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland, yet many demonic beasts still thrived within its bounds. In some remote corners, even a few Foundation Establishment [the realm of establishing one's cultivation foundation] demonic beasts lurked in secret.

Eldrin Chen retraced his path homeward, carefully avoiding territories where Second Rank [equivalent to Foundation Establishment realm] demonic 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."

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

On his return journey from Heavenly Ruins Mountain, he had deliberately taken a detour for this very purpose—to locate the ancient cultivator's cave dwelling marked on the map.

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

"The senior's cave dwelling on the map should be right here, shouldn't it?"

With this thought, Eldrin Chen stowed 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 came to a halt before the entrance to a cave dwelling.

It was an ancient-looking cave, its entrance overgrown with wild, neglected weeds, a clear sign of long abandonment.

"There's still a defensive formation operating within this cave."

Gazing at the cave entrance, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly, a hint of contemplation in his eyes.

If this formation was left behind by a senior cultivator, then its true depth was unknowable. With his current level of cultivation, rashly entering it 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 repairs and nourishes damaged spiritual pathways], which is vital for the Patriarch's recovery. I cannot afford to take reckless risks."

"The nature of this formation is unclear. It would be wiser to return to Green 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 caution—this Eldrin-like prudence—allowed him to narrowly avoid a calamitous fate.

Within the cavern 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 the half-map to Eldrin Chen.

Seeing Eldrin Chen about to leave, the man could no longer remain still. He hurriedly spoke to the leader of the group.

"Big Brother, are we really going to let such a plump piece of prey just walk away from our very jaws?"

"Damn it, this kid is too cautious," the leader of the men couldn't help but curse. "Screw his mother."

As his words fell, he stepped out of the cave abode in a single stride and unleashed a Spell Sword [a sword enchanted with magical power, used by cultivators for both melee combat and casting spells] towards Eldrin Chen.

On the other side, the instant he heard the sound of something cutting through the air, Eldrin Chen reflexively activated the Verdant Small Shield.

Then, a crisp *ding* rang out as verdant shield-light flared, blocking the incoming Spell Sword. Turning his head, he saw three figures charging towards him.

His gaze sharpened, landing on the tall, thin man who had sold him the map. A chill ran down his spine.

"Bait, ambush, murder for treasure."

In that single moment, Eldrin Chen pieced together the cause and effect, a wave of belated fear washing over him. Access the full story on (audio-novel.com).