Chapter 29 : The Legacy of Crimson Iron

After the old man finished speaking, he carefully examined the Solar Fire Path to Ruins Art that Eldrin Chen had handed over, and a look of delight also appeared on his face.

"Although this cultivation art overlaps somewhat with the clan's Blazing Sun Dominating Void Art, the recorded method for forging a Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them] is truly exceptional."

"In my view, this Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword is likely extraordinarily formidable. Within the entire Chu Nation, perhaps only Patriarch Jiang's Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword could be mentioned in the same breath. The pity is that it is exceedingly difficult to forge."

"You possess the Millennial Crimson Iron [a rare, fiery-red ore tempered for a thousand years]. After you achieve a Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] breakthrough, you could indeed attempt to forge this sword."

After hearing him out, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment, then presented the Millennial Crimson Iron blade blank.

"My cultivation is insufficient. Who knows when I will be able to make use of this material."

"Granduncle's Lifebound Magical Treasure was sold off a few years ago. Would it not be better for you to take this Millennial Crimson Iron and forge the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword?"

"If you could successfully craft a Second Rank High-Grade Lifebound Immortal Sword, I suspect our current crisis could be resolved with ease."

Upon hearing this, the Old Patriarch shook his head repeatedly with a wry smile. "Forging a Lifebound Magical Treasure is not so simple a matter."

"Given my current condition, even if I succeeded in forging the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, refining it to the Second Rank High-Grade level would likely consume many more years of effort. Furthermore, it would hinder my future cultivation progress from that point onward." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at @udio-novel.com.

"It would be better to abandon the Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them]. This would save the effort of nurturing the treasure, speeding up cultivation by a third. Perhaps then, a sliver of hope for a Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical palace within the dantian] breakthrough might be glimpsed."

Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this, stowed the sword embryo, and then inquired.

"I wonder, what exactly is this Solar Fire Crystal [a rare crystal born from subterranean fire veins, imbued with pure solar fire essence], and where can one obtain it?"

Mention of the Solar Fire Crystal caused Old Patriarch's expression to shift, revealing a tinge of regretful sigh.

"The Solar Fire Crystal is a rare spiritual treasure born within Underground Fire Vein [subterranean rivers of concentrated fire energy].

Its uses are extraordinary. It can aid in alchemy and artifact forging, and it can also assist cultivators with a Fire Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for the fire element, determining cultivation aptitude] in breaking through to the Violet Sanctum Realm."

It is far too precious and sought-after. Furthermore, it only spawns in minuscule quantities within Fire Vein of the third rank or higher. Thus, it is essentially monopolized by Immortal Clan [powerful, long-established families of cultivators] and sects at the Violet Sanctum level and above."

It is said that within the Underground Fire Vein controlled by the Verdant Sun Sect, one Solar Fire Crystal is nurtured every ten years."

There is also a Third Rank Superior Grade Fire Vein within Heavenly Ruins Mountain. Rumor has it one crystal is born there every thirty years, but they are virtually never sold."

After Old Patriarch finished speaking, disappointment washed over Eldrin Chen's face.

No wonder Celebrating Origin Yang perished beneath the demonic tribulation in the past, despite possessing such an exquisite method for forging a Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personal sword, bound to their life force and soul].

Without a doubt, Celebrating Origin Yang certainly failed to refine the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword. Both the Millennial Crimson Iron [a rare iron ore imbued with fire essence over a millennium] and the Solar Fire Crystal [a crystal containing the pure essence of solar flame] are treasures of immense rarity.

The Millennial Crimson Iron is somewhat more attainable. Though precious, the great sects with millennia of heritage can cultivate it artificially. Thus, an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] with sufficient wealth and a stroke of fortune might still acquire it.

But the Solar Fire Crystal is far too precious. As a treasure that aids in breaking through to the Violet Sanctum [the realm where one's spiritual sea turns violet, signifying profound power], without substantial backing or extraordinary luck, one shouldn't even dream of obtaining it.

"Do not lose heart," Old Patriarch consoled, seeing Eldrin Chen's discouragement. "A Lifebound Immortal Sword of such boundless power naturally has exacting conditions for its forging."

"But rest assured, if a path to procure a Solar Fire Crystal ever presents itself, our Chen Clan will spare no effort, even exhausting the clan's entire resources, to purchase it for you."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a wave of unexpected warmth and gratitude.

One had to admit that even in this world teeming with Immortal Clans [powerful families of cultivators], few clans possessed the genuine camaraderie and warmth found within the Chen Clan.

Sixty years prior, the Chen Immortal Clan had spent centuries of accumulated wealth to buy the priceless Purple Sun Jade [a mystical jade that radiates the essence of the purple sun] for the clan leader of that generation.

A few years ago, the Chen Immortal Clan had sold everything of value and journeyed a hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to purchase a single Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in solidifying one's spiritual foundation], all to nurture another Foundation Establishment Cultivator for the family.

Though the outcomes of these two endeavors had been most unfortunate, and such successive blows would likely have shattered the morale of any other clan, the Chen Immortal Clan remained unyielding and steadfast.

Gazing at the Old Patriarch before him, a surge of warmth filled Eldrin Chen's heart, and a profound sense of belonging to his clan took root once more.

Some sentiments need not be spoken aloud; they are best held within. Without further words, Eldrin Chen simply produced the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation Flags.

"The power of this Formation Flag set is Extraordinary. I wish to entrust it to the clan."

"When the time comes, we can take it to the Lin Clan to see if we can redeem your Lifebound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's personally bonded enchanted artifact], Clan Leader."

Eldrin Chen stated calmly. Three years prior, to gather enough Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to repay debts, the Chen Clan had been forced to sell the clan leader's Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a cultivator's personally bonded enchanted artifact], the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, to the Lin Clan of Yu County. This chapter is part of a larger work available at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

It had been a grievously unfavorable transaction. With the clan leader's current cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Foundation Establishment realm], had he gathered sufficient Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], it would not have taken long to elevate the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade to the Second Rank High-Grade [the highest quality tier within the Second Rank].

The value of a single Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure [a magical treasure of the highest quality tier within the Second Rank] often exceeded four thousand Spirit Stone. To have sold it for a mere two thousand was a significant loss.

The clan leader's most formidable skills, aside from the hereditary divine ability 'Blazing Heaven Sword' [a sword technique that channels blazing celestial power], revolved primarily around this very Crimson Flame Spirit Blade.

Now, deprived of the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, Eternal Profound Chen's offensive capabilities were nearly halved, his strength greatly diminished. Thus, Eldrin Chen was also intent on reclaiming the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade.

"After selling the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, I already understood they likely wouldn't let me buy it back."

Eternal Profound Chen shook his head upon hearing this.

If the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade could be retrieved, it wouldn't be long before it became a Second Rank High-Grade Lifebound Magical Treasure. At that point, Eternal Profound Chen would truly be like a tiger that had grown wings, potentially even threatening the position of the foremost expert in Yu County.

The Lin Clan, as the strongest Immortal Clan in Yu County and a half-rival to the Chen Clan, naturally wouldn't fail to see this point. It was unthinkable that they would allow him to redeem it as he wished.

As he spoke, Eternal Profound Chen glanced at the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Banners, a flicker of pleasant surprise appearing in his eyes.

"My Crimson Flame Spirit Blade is probably a lost cause, but this set of Formation Flag is truly an unexpected delight."

"Once I refine them anew, I can forge them into a set of Formation Artifact magical treasures."

"Formation Artifact magical treasures?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly, a look of inquiry crossing his features.

Seeing his expression, the Old Patriarch stroked his beard proudly and explained with a smile:

"The so-called Formation Artifact [an enchanted artifact designed to deploy a magical formation] is crafted by refining an entire Formation Artifact [an enchanted artifact designed to deploy a magical formation] into a single, unified set of magical treasures."

"Although this old man knows nothing of alchemy or talisman crafting, I am the sole Second Rank High-Grade [a high-level practitioner of the second rank] formation master in Yu County, and I dare say my mastery of formation arts surpasses that of the late senior Celebrating Origin Yang from a century ago."

"In the hands of Senior Yang, this set of Formation Flag [a type of formation that uses flags as its anchors] could only function as a stationary formation. Yet, in my hands, it can be transformed into a mobile set of magical treasures."

"The power of this Formation Flag [a type of formation that uses flags as its anchors] is Extraordinary. It can ensnare and incinerate foes. Once refined into a set of magical treasures, it will likely become a top-tier artifact capable of both offense and defense."

The Old Patriarch was in excellent spirits. In his hands, this set of Formation Flag [a type of formation that uses flags as its anchors] would likely prove far more useful than even the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade [a spirit blade imbued with crimson flame].

Eldrin Chen felt a twinge of envy. While this Formation Flag Magical Treasure [a magical treasure set based on formation flags] was undoubtedly powerful, its sole drawback was that it could only be activated by a Second Rank High-Grade [a high-level practitioner of the second rank] formation master.

If it fell into the hands of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their foundational cultivation base], they would be utterly unable to wield it, rendering it less useful than even a Second Rank Low-Grade [a low-level artifact of the second rank] magical instrument. Visit audi novel.com to enjoy the complete series.