Chapter 30 Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root)

Chen Changxuan clutched the set of array flags with trembling excitement. Were it not for his unhealed injuries, he would have refined them without a moment's delay.

"This item is indeed useful to me."

"The market price for this set of formation flags is around 3,000 spirit stones."

"But I only have 30-7 spirit stones on me right now." The old clan leader rubbed his hands somewhat sheepishly. "How about I owe you the rest and pay you back later?"

Eldrin felt an inexplicable tremor in his heart. Over the years, to support the clan, the old patriarch had converted nearly all of his spirit stones into clan contribution points. He had sold off virtually every usable magical tool and personal artifact he possessed to subsidize the household.

Thus, to this very day, as 1 of only 3 Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators in Yu County, the entirety of his liquid assets amounted to merely a few dozen spirit stones.

For a Foundation Establishment cultivator to be this destitute, 1 would scarcely believe it if told.

His eyes slightly reddened, he turned his head away and swallowed hard before speaking.

"I will sell this set of formation flags to the clan treasury for a price of 3,000 merit points."

"Although our grand-uncle may lack sufficient spirit stones, he possesses a wealth of family merit points. There’s certainly no need for him to incur any debt."

“…”

As Eldrin emerged from the spiritual spring in the back mountains, the sky had already begun to darken. After briefly recounting the general events of his journey to the Third Elder, he departed from Verdant Chariot Mountain.

By the time he returned to Spirit Isle Lake (Location), he discovered it was already the end of July—nearly 8 months had passed since his departure.

"Little Eldrin (Person Name), you've returned."

Arriving at Spirit Isle Lake, he spotted a familiar figure—it was actually Elder Uncle Chen Changyan.

Eldrin was momentarily stunned, but quickly grasped the situation. The 1 who had been overseeing Spirit Isle Lake in his stead during this period was none other than this venerable uncle.

At this thought, he hurried over to support the elderly uncle, furrowing his brow as he spoke.

"Uncle Lior, how could he handle matters this way? To think he'd make you travel thousands of miles all the way to Spirit Isle Lake (Location)."

Chen Changyan’s face fell. "What’s the matter? Do you think this old bag of bones can’t handle things properly?"

"Not at all." Eldrin forced an ingratiating smile. "I'm just concerned about your advanced age. A journey of a 1000 miles like this could take a toll on your health."

"That's more like it."

The Elder Uncle showed a faint smile. "I'm not like your Seventh Uncle. He sustained hidden injuries in his youth, and ultimately couldn't swallow that last breath before departing."

"My health is holding up just fine. I can last a few more years and lend you youngsters a hand when needed."

Leading Eldrin into the heart of the lake island, he straightened his expression and declared, "My primary purpose in coming to Spirit Isle Lake is to guide those 2 children. Their innate talent is remarkable, and if their cultivation studies were neglected, they would likely regret it for the rest of their lives."

"As for tending to the spirit fields and medicinal herbs, those are merely incidental tasks."

Eldrin nodded. The elder uncle had guided the family’s younger generations for decades; most cultivators of the Chen family’s Qing and Nian generations had embarked on their cultivation journeys under his tutelage. He was indeed better suited than Eldrin to mentor the 2 siblings in their foundational training.

The 2 made their way forward and soon arrived at the courtyard where he resided. Before the courtyard, the spirit peach tree was now emanating a rich, intoxicating fragrance.

At this moment, the spirit peach tree was laden with fruits. With Eldrin's current cultivation level, he could tell at a single glance that this year's harvest yielded far more spirit peaches than previous years.

"This spirit peach tree..."

Observing this spirit peach tree, Eldrin remarked with some delight.

The Elder Uncle nodded. "This spirit peach tree has already broken through to the middle-grade of the first rank, yielding 1 100 and 3 spirit peaches this year."

"I fear this spirit peach tree is no longer an ordinary spiritual plant."

"This tree must have undergone a great metamorphosis, transforming into the legendary spiritual root. Its very essence has become fundamentally different."

The old man had lived for over 1 100 and 10 years, possessing vast experience and knowledge far beyond that of Eldrin. Thus, his eyes gleamed with delight as he spoke.

From his explanation, Eldrin (Person Name) came to understand the essence of spiritual roots.

Spiritual Roots are a category of special natural treasures, generally classified into Innate Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root), Acquired Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root), and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root).

The Innate Heavenly Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) goes without saying—it is truly a supreme treasure, an artifact even top-tier factions in the legendary Immortal Realm would use to anchor their destiny.

The Post-Heavenly Spiritual Root is also known as the Immortal Seed. Though it cannot compare to the Primordial Heavenly Spiritual Root, it remains a supreme treasure coveted by celestial beings beyond the heavens. Throughout the entire Ziyin Realm, only the Ziyin Divine Tree—the realm’s foundational treasure—stands as its sole embodiment.

Legend has it that the Zishin Divine Tree bears a single divine fruit every 3 1000 years. This sacred fruit can assist cultivators at the Divine Soul Realm in ascending through ethereal transformation, breaking through to the immortal realm of undying celestials.

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) was considerably inferior to the Heavenly Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root), yet within the Ziyin Realm, it remained an exceedingly rare treasure—almost invariably monopolized by major sects and powerful factions.

After the old man finished speaking, Eldrin’s face lit up with ecstasy: “Is this tree truly the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root?”

"I only learned about the Spiritual Root by chance while perusing ancient texts," Chen Changyan shook his head and spoke uncertainly. "But legend says that when a spiritual plant evolves into the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root), its growth rate remains remarkably fast until it reaches the fifth tier."

“It takes only 10 years to reach the Second Stage, and a mere 50 years to attain the Third Stage, the Violet Mansion Level. Even advancing to the Fourth Stage, the Golden Core Level, requires just 2 100 years.”

"We just need to see if he can advance to the Second Layer within 10 years."

Hearing this, Eldrin (Person Name) calmed down. "It seems we must maintain greater secrecy regarding Spirit Isle Lake (Location) going forward. We cannot allow too many clansmen to access it."

The Elder Uncle also nodded. "The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) possesses the ability to convert spiritual energy. If this truly is a spiritual root, once it breaks through to the second rank, the spirit vein of Spirit Isle Lake (Location) will gradually advance to the second rank as well."

"Once we have the clan leader set up a second-order killing array here, it should ensure this place remains secure."

The 2 chatted for a while, both wearing faint smiles of delight. Whether this spirit peach tree was truly a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) remained uncertain, but the tangible gains before their eyes were undeniable.

This year, the tree bore 1 100 and 3 spirit peaches, which translates to a value of over 5 100 spirit stones. Once the peach tree reaches the upper first-grade tier, the annual yield of spirit peaches will increase by 70 to 80 percent. By then, the yearly income is projected to reach 8 to 9 100 spirit stones.

Seeing the bountiful harvest of spirit peaches, Eldrin was in high spirits. He personally plucked several ripe spirit peaches to host Chen Changyan.

The old man was rather reluctant to part with the spirit peaches, taking only 1 for himself. He took but a small bite, then sliced the remainder for the 2 siblings, Caleb (Person Name) and Silas (Person Name).

He beamed with a smile as he handed out treats to the siblings.

It is said that rare spirit trees are all considered heavy assets, and many immortal clans can ensure lasting prosperity by possessing just 1.

"I was skeptical before, but seeing your Spirit Peach Tree made me realize the tales were true."

Eldrin said helplessly, "Great Uncle, this Spirit Isle Lake may lack many things, but we certainly don't lack spirit peaches."

"It's rare for you to visit, so please indulge a little more. Consider this my humble gratitude for your guidance in imparting the Dao."

Having spent over 19 years in this world, the 2 people Eldrin was most grateful to were Chen Changyan and Seventh Elder Chen Changqing.

Seventh Uncle Chen Changqing had always been kind to Eldrin (Person Name). The 3 treasures he left behind—the Verdant Leaf Sword, the Golden Armor Talisman, and the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) Talisman—helped Eldrin (Person Name) survive several arduous battles.