Chapter 41 : A New Pillar for the Clan

After his cultivation base had fully consolidated, he finally pushed open the door of the secluded cultivation chamber and stepped out.

Old Granduncle had already been waiting outside the chamber for several months. The moment he saw Eldrin Chen, tears of profound emotion welled up in his aged eyes.

"Sixty-seven years... sixty-seven years of hardship and tribulation," he whispered, his voice thick with feeling.

"Heaven has finally shown us mercy! Our Chen Clan has produced another Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation, marking a major leap in power and longevity] at long last!"

A gentle smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips as he stepped forward to steady the Old Granduncle.

Gazing upon the deeply lined and weathered face of Chen Dorian, a pang of sorrow struck his heart, yet his voice emerged firm and resolute.

"Old Granduncle, you need worry no more," he declared.

"From this day forward, the Chen Clan... has me!"

"..."

After resting for three days at Spirit Isle Lake, Eldrin Chen decided it was time to return to Verdant Chariot Mountain. This chapter is provided by audi novel.com. Support the original.

This time, he traveled by riding a magical tool, piloting the second-rank magical weapon Crimson Iron Blade Embryo, capable of covering three to four thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. In less than two days, he arrived at the Clear Origin Mountain Range [a mountain range known for its spiritual energy].

During this journey, he tested his own strength and discovered that, likely because he had not used a Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm], his True Essence [the refined energy cultivated by a practitioner] was notably more potent and fierce than that of cultivators at the same realm.

Any offensive spell or magical tool wielded by his hand exhibited power at least thirty percent greater than that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Coupled with the greater depth and volume of his True Essence, the combat prowess he could unleash was likely far superior to that of a typical cultivator at the Foundation Establishment, Early Stage.

"No wonder it is said that cultivators who achieve Foundation Establishment without the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill often possess greater latent potential,"

"The reason lies precisely here."

Eldrin Chen contemplated this as he sensed the True Essence flowing within him.

Although a Foundation Establishment Pill can temper the True Essence, making it more docile and increasing the certainty of a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, it also strips the transformed True Essence of a measure of its innate fierceness.

Without that fierceness, the efficacy of the True Essence in tempering the meridians is reduced by thirty percent, and combat effectiveness is similarly diminished by thirty percent.

If one breaks through without using a Foundation Establishment Pill, the resulting True Essence is thirty percent fiercer. This enhances its meridian-tempering effect, making the cultivator's meridians and physical body significantly more resilient. In the future, when attempting to break through to the Purple Mansion [the realm following Foundation Establishment], this can provide an additional ten to twenty percent chance of success.

"A pity, for the average person, the probability of breaking through without a Foundation Establishment Pill is far too slim."

"And it is far too perilous."

Eldrin Chen quelled the thought in his heart and descended with his sword radiance a hundred Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away from Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Having just broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, his family's adversaries remained unaware. He decided to conceal this fact, intending to discuss future plans with the Clan Patriarch first.

Upon returning to Verdant Chariot Mountain, he went directly to the entrance of the Clan Patriarch's secluded cultivation chamber.

Although Chen Thalion had not yet emerged, it had been five years since he received the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and repairs a cultivator's energy channels]. By all reasoning, he should emerge within the next month or two.

Eldrin Chen waited for over ten days. Finally, the formation within the Spirit Spring [a spring imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] deactivated. The old Clan Patriarch saw Eldrin Chen.

The moment he laid eyes on Eldrin Chen, Chen Thalion's face lit up with joyous surprise, and he promptly pulled him inside.

"Come in, quickly."

Once inside the Back Mountain Spirit Spring, the old Clan Patriarch scrutinized Eldrin Chen carefully, a surge of excitement rising within him.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent."

"When did you achieve your breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation where one solidifies their spiritual foundation]?"

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. "I only emerged from seclusion half a month ago."

"Excellent." A look of solemnity crossed Chen Thalion's face. "For now, tell no one of your breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment realm."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile. "Aside from the Old Granduncle, you are the only one who knows of my advancement."

Upon hearing this, the old Clan Patriarch broke into a hearty grin, stroking his long beard. "It seems our thoughts have converged on the same path."

Seven years prior, for the sake of a single Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm], the Chen Clan had been besieged by several rival forces. The assault had nearly wiped out the clan's elders of the Chang Generation, and even the Clan Patriarch had been grievously wounded. Support the author by reading on www . audio-novel.com.

Such deep-seated enmity was not forgotten. Now that Eldrin Chen had reached Foundation Establishment, the two of them began to scheme, contemplating whether they could exact vengeance for the past.

The Old Granduncle discussed plans excitedly with Eldrin Chen, then inquired about the clan's major affairs over the past few years.

Eldrin Chen held nothing back. He recounted his experiences during those years and shared the sorrowful news of Chen Corin's failed attempt at Foundation Establishment with the old Clan Patriarch.

After listening, Chen Thalion's expression shifted repeatedly, a profound and mournful light flickering in his eyes.

"For these sixty years, in pursuit of that single Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm], this old man has sent five talented clansmen to the Green Sun Sect. Alas, most perished on sect missions before ever reaching the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the ninth and penultimate stage of Qi Refinement]."

"I even sent your father, Qingming, and Chen Corin, the two most gifted of the Qing Generation [the 'Qing' character generation within the Chen Clan], to the Green Sun Sect. I never imagined it would lead to their doom."

Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart. Born with memories of a past life, he recalled with stark clarity the moment at three years old when his father, drenched in blood and gravely wounded, dragged himself back to Verdant Chariot Mountain. His father had delivered him into the hands of the Seventh Granduncle before drawing his final breath.

The clan believed him too young to remember that tragedy, but the memory had always been a weight upon his soul, buried deep because the forces behind it were too formidable, too terrifying to confront.

"It seems the Green Sun Sect can no longer be trusted."

The old Clan Patriarch spoke, a sudden, icy glint flashing in his eyes.

He grasped Eldrin Chen's hand, his gaze solemn and heavy with intent.

"Eldrin, this old man's path forward is likely shrouded in mist."

"But you broke through to Foundation Establishment [the realm of solidifying one's cultivation foundation] on your own. Your future prospects are far broader than mine. If one day you ascend to the Purple Mansion [the realm where one's spiritual consciousness resides in a 'Purple Mansion' within the dantian] or even the Golden Core realm, I hope you will settle this karmic debt."

Eldrin Chen's eyes reflected the image of the old Clan Patriarch. Holding the patriarch's hand, he gave a calm, resolute nod.

At times, a promise held within a single glance carries more weight than a thousand words. Some things need not be spoken aloud; a shared understanding between hearts is enough.

Having received the answer he sought, the old Clan Patriarch withdrew his hand and returned to their previous topic of conversation.

"Of the five who besieged this old man seven years ago, aside from Zhang Vorgath, there were four others. Two were the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Feng County's Zuo Clan, and the other two were Rogue Cultivators from Celestial Ruins Mountain—one named Liu Yuyang and the other named Lin Taihe."

"That Liu Yuyang was lacking in cultivation and was slain by this old man using the Blazing Heaven Sword divine ability. The remaining few, however, still live."

As the old Clan Patriarch recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen began to analyze the situation.

Among those who besieged the Chen Clan back then, Zhang Vorgath's cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage. However, the old Clan Patriarch had destroyed his Demonic Treasures, and the blade embryo of the Blood-Transmuting Demon Blade had fallen into Eldrin's own hands. Now, with his capabilities diminished by five or six tenths, he was likely no longer a serious concern.

The Zuo Clan was one of the seven great Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans of Feng County, with two Foundation Establishment Cultivators in their ranks.

Their Clan Patriarch, Zuo Mingxu, was a Foundation Establishment fifth-layer cultivator. His Life-Bound Magical Treasure, the Mingxu Sword, was quite extraordinary, not inferior to Chen Thalion's former Crimson Flame Spirit Blade. He would be a formidable opponent.

The other was named Zuo Zhouqi. He had broken through to Foundation Establishment less than twenty years ago, and his cultivation had only just reached the second layer of Foundation Establishment seven years prior. His strength was mediocre; setting aside magical tools, he was likely far inferior to Eldrin himself.

Lin Taihe's cultivation was slightly superior to Zuo Zhouqi's, but he had been stuck at the third layer of Foundation Establishment for over thirty years. He, too, was likely not a significant threat.

"My True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner] is sharp and profound, potent enough to rival a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Foundation Establishment realm]. Even if my magical tools are slightly lacking, I believe it should be sufficient to contend with that Zhang Vorgath."

"That Zuo Zhouqi is of ordinary strength. The Third Elder and the others, once they deploy the Blazing Solar Skyfire Formation Flags [a set of enchanted banners that channel solar and fiery energies into a powerful defensive-offensive array], should be more than capable of handling him."

Eldrin Chen said, his gaze turning to the old Clan Patriarch. "As for the other two, given the Clan Patriarch's cultivation base, their defeat should be assured."

Chen Thalion nodded, stroking his long beard. "Although this old man has lost the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade [a spirit-imbued blade that channels crimson flames], I can still unleash the Blazing Heaven Sword [a divine ability that manifests a sword of scorching heavenly fire]."

"Moreover, now that I have obtained this set of Separated Flame Soul-Burning Banner [banners that form an array capable of separating and burning an opponent's soul with mystical flames], I fear an ordinary Foundation Establishment, Late Stage [the late phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] cultivator is no longer a match for me. Dealing with those two will be a simple matter." This chapter appears courtesy of audio‑novel.com.