Chapter 35 : A Family's Fateful Crossroads

At present, Caleb Chen is merely thirty-six years of age, yet his foundation is already solid. If he obtains this Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] and succeeds in his Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation], his future would be truly boundless. Perhaps there is even a possibility he could one day break through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens their spiritual mansion].

"It seems our Chen Family fortunes have turned in recent years."

The Fourth Elder, Kaelen Chen, laughed heartily:

"Now that our external debts are cleared and the family's deficit is gone, once the Patriarch recovers from his injuries, we can resume the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] trade at Heavenly Ruins Mountain. Then we can gradually repay the money owed to our clansmen."

"If Qingyuan succeeds in his Foundation Establishment, we will have a connection within the Green Sun Sect. Perhaps we can even find a way to secure a share of the tax revenue and profits from the Sunward Market."

As Kaelen Chen painted this bright picture of the family's Future, the Third Elder's expression remained grim.

Eldrin Chen was adept at reading people. A glance at the Third Elder's face caused his heart to sink slightly, prompting him to ask.

"Uncle Lior, it seems you have more to say?"

"Alas..."

The Third Elder sighed and handed a letter to Eldrin Chen.

"You should see for yourselves."

Eldrin Chen took the letter and scanned it quickly, his eyes growing heavy with concern.

Seeing his expression, Mordecai Chen sensed trouble. He snatched the letter, and after it had been passed around, the hot-tempered Fourth Elder erupted in fury.

"This Green Sun Sect [a major cultivation sect] goes too far! They go too far!"

"Have they truly cast all face and honor to the wind?"

The faces of all present were grim. No one blamed the Fourth Elder for his outburst, for the Green Sun Sect was indeed bullying them with its overwhelming power.

The letter sent by Caleb Chen did mention the matter of the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]. However, it revealed that the Green Sun Sect had played the Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen family of cultivators] for fools once more.

According to the Green Sun Sect's prior promise, they were to compensate the Chen Immortal Clan for half their losses. By that logic, the compensation should have been one Foundation Establishment Pill.

If distributed that way, Caleb Chen should have directly received one Foundation Establishment Pill.

But now, the Purple Mansion Elder [an elder of the Purple Mansion cultivation stage] responsible for distributing the Foundation Establishment Pill within the Green Sun Sect had changed his mind. He had converted the value of one pill into ten thousand Contribution Point [a points-based credit system within an organization or sect].

Although the founding Ancient Ancestor of the Green Sun Sect long ago established the fixed rule of exchanging ten thousand sect contribution points for a single Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm], there exists a significant nuance within this system.

That nuance is this: while one Foundation Establishment Pill is valued at ten thousand contribution points, possessing ten thousand contribution points does not guarantee one can actually obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.

A few years prior, in order to purchase a single Foundation Establishment Pill from Heavenly Ruins Mountain, the Chen Family had to pay a steep premium of over thirty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to successfully outbid numerous competitors at auction.

Yet within the Green Sun Sect, one could theoretically acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill by simply exchanging ten thousand Spirit Stone for the required contribution points.

While this internal price was far more affordable, its very affordability meant more people could meet the cost. However, the Green Sun Sect's supply of Foundation Establishment Pill was finite.

Therefore, to weed out the weaker candidates and select only those cultivators with the highest probability of successful Foundation Establishment, the Green Sun Sect attached an additional prerequisite to the pill exchange: a mission.

Specifically, anyone wishing to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill must first complete a task involving the slaying of a Foundation Establishment Stage [the cultivation realm following Qi Refining] demonic beast.

"Enough, there's no need for such anger," the Third Elder shook his head, unable to suppress a sigh. "The Green Sun Sect's actions likely mean someone has set their sights on our Chen Family's Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Do they truly have no regard for reason at all?"

Gwendolyn Chen gritted her teeth, her eyes blazing with fury. "Perhaps we should take this matter to Heavenly Ruins Mountain and seek justice from Lyra the Ancient Ancestor."

"Although Lyra the Ancient Ancestor is a person of public righteousness, she is ultimately only a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened the third major energy center, the Purple Mansion]."

Mordecai Chen wore a look of distress. "After all, we are neither kin nor friend to her. How can we let her stand up for us time and again?"

"Moreover, sixty years have passed since the incident. It's unclear how many even remember it."

"The Green Sun Sect is powerful. If we truly make a big fuss, regardless of whether anyone would intervene, how would Qingyuan live among them afterward?"

Eldrin Chen listened quietly, a sense of stifling injustice welling up in his heart.

He glanced at the gathered elders, finally suppressing the resentment in his heart, and spoke.

"They are powerful, and we lack the strength to resist. The most urgent task before us is to find a way to help Uncle Qingyuan complete his mission."

He paused, his gaze turning to the Third Elder. "Can Granduncle intervene?"

Lior Chen shook his head. "After obtaining the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that repairs and strengthens the body's energy channels], the Patriarch entered seclusion to heal his wounds. Disturbing him now would likely undo all his progress."

"Then we shall not disturb him," Eldrin Chen decided firmly. "Let us, the few of us here, devise a plan to help Uncle Qingyuan fulfill his task."

After exchanging glances, everyone ultimately nodded in agreement.

Although Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their Dao foundation] demonic beasts are powerful, their spiritual intelligence is not high, and their methods lack the sharp, domineering ferocity of a Human Race [the collective term for humanity] Foundation Establishment cultivator.

If several Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final tier of the Qi Refining stage, the first major stage of cultivation] cultivators join forces and set up a formation, it is not impossible to contend with one.

Furthermore, Eldrin Chen possesses the Crimson Iron Saber Embryo [a nascent magical weapon with the potential to inflict serious wounds]. This treasure has the power to gravely injure a Foundation Establishment demonic beast and might serve as the decisive blow at a critical moment.

Having made their decision, Third Elder stated bluntly, "Since we are resolved to act, we must plan meticulously to maximize our chances of success."

"To raise Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], I had to sell my magical weapon, the Verdant Spirit Sword, and will need to acquire a new one."

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Eldrin Chen. "I know you are the wealthiest in the clan. I'll need to borrow a bit from you."

Eldrin Chen nodded and retrieved several magical weapons from his Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for storing items]. They were the Mother-Child Flying Daggers [a set of linked flying daggers], the Crimson Glow Ruler [a ruler-shaped magical weapon emitting a crimson light], and a single azure-colored magical sword.

These three sets of magical weapons were all obtained when he explored the Ancient Cultivator's Cave Abode [the secluded dwelling of a cultivator from ages past] and slew those other cultivators. Each was a first-rank, upper-grade magical weapon.

Among these weapons, the magical sword was slightly weaker in power, but the Crimson Glow Ruler and the Mother-Child Flying Daggers were quite Baelon [exceptional; of remarkable quality].

It was a pity that Eldrin Chen had already reached his limit in controlling his current few magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators]. Manipulating any more would strain his spiritual sense and True Essence [the refined spiritual energy within a cultivator's body] beyond capacity. Thus, it was the perfect time to distribute these to the others.

Surveying the artifacts before them, Third Elder immediately claimed the Mother-Child Flying Daggers. This set of weapons possessed considerable power and aligned perfectly with his primary Metal Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for the Metal element, influencing cultivation aptitude].

Fourth Elder Kaelen Chen then took up the Crimson Glow Ruler, his expression one of utter delight, unable to put it down. The final magical sword fell into the hands of Gwendolyn Chen.

As for Mordecai Chen, he did not take one. He already possessed a magical treasure named the Red-Copper Demon-Piercing Shuttle, which was exceptionally formidable, so he lacked no offensive artifacts.

With each having received their artifacts, Third Elder said with a smile, "If we take the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation Flags and also borrow the Ninefold Resonance Bell from the Grand Elder, our chances for this venture should improve significantly."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. The Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Banner was a set of Formation Artifact [artifacts designed to work together to create a formation or array] crafted by the clan patriarch, modeled after the City Defense Grand Formation of Pingyang City.

This constituted a Second Rank Lower Grade [a classification for the power level of formations, artifacts, or techniques] killing formation, composed of six Blazing Fire Banners. If six cultivators at the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final stage of Qi Refining, the first major cultivation stage] jointly activated it, they could barely contend with an Foundation Establishment Early Stage [the first stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, the second major cultivation stage] cultivator.

In truth, the patriarch had originally expended vast resources to craft two sets of Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation Flags. However, one set was destroyed during the battle to escort the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm].

The Ninefold Resonance Bell was a Second Rank Lower Grade defensive artifact. Once activated, it was potent enough to withstand an Foundation Establishment Cultivator for a brief moment.