Chapter 116 : Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer (Cultivation Realm)

Chen Silas (Person Name) had been exceptionally handsome since childhood, and after building her foundation, she grew even more radiant. She handed over a storage pouch, her voice crisp and lively as she spoke.

"Uncle Eldrin, the Cyan Origin Mushroom is far too rare. I’ve searched all over Yu County but couldn’t purchase it. All I managed to gather were these supplementary herbs."

Eldrin opened the storage pouch and glanced inside, finding it contained only supplementary herbs for the Qingyuan Elixir.

Years ago, he had already begun preparing for his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm). He had been persistently seeking to purchase Cyan Origin Mushroom in order to refine a batch of Cyan Origin Pills to achieve this breakthrough.

Especially since breaking through to the 6th Layer of Foundation Establishment (Cultivation Realm) 1 year ago, he had elevated the mission of acquiring the Green Origin Mushroom (Spiritual Herb) to the highest priority.

However, as the beast tide drew ever closer, the prices of magical treasures, talismans, and elixirs were skyrocketing. The Qingyuan Pill and Qingyuan Mushroom had become the most sought-after treasures, nearly reaching the point of being impossible to acquire.

In order to acquire this Cyan Origin Fungus, Eldrin had even traveled throughout Yu County and Bianzhou. Unfortunately, not even the Bianzhou Exchange Fair held a few years ago had this item for sale.

The Celestial Ruins Pavilion didn’t possess this item either. The last 3 Green Origin Pills in their possession had been brought out by Su Mingwei over a dozen years ago, just before the activation of the Yimu Earth Vein, during an exchange fair at Celestial Ruins Mountain.

Those 3 Qingyuan Pills were long since purchased by cultivators from Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location). Most likely, they had already been consumed to break through cultivation realms. Even if they had been preserved until now, their medicinal efficacy would have long since dissipated.

At this thought, Eldrin (Person Name) closed the storage pouch and inquired with an unreadable expression.

"What does the Mu family have to say about this?"

"That Ancestor Mu claimed the Green Origin Mushroom is far too rare, and they have none left either," Chen Silas remarked, then added, "I heard long ago that the Mu Family refined a batch of Green Origin Pills just a few years back."

"Rumor has it 2 pills were successfully refined—1 consumed by Mu Xuande himself, the other delivered to the Suncrest Sect."

"The Mu family has 3 Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Verdant Sun Sect, which comes as no surprise."

Eldrin spoke with utter calm, unlike Mordecai. "The 3 Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Mu family at the Green Sun Sect were able to reach Foundation Establishment largely due to the family's substantial support. Thus, they are still considered half Mu family cultivators."

Of course, the most crucial factor was that 1 of the 3 had gained powerful backing, becoming a true disciple under Patriarch Mo of the Violet Manor from the Green Sun Sect.

Elder Mo possessed a cultivation base at the eighth level of the Purple Mansion, making him 1 of the true power-holders of the Qingyang Sect and a key subordinate to Elder Xu. Thus, the Mu family could be considered a lineage with substantial backing.

This was also related to the choices made by the 2 great families. To cultivate 3 cultivators for the Green Sun Sect, the Mu family had expended truly staggering resources, which had stirred considerable discontent among the clan's own cultivators.

If not for the high prestige of the Mu Family's patriarch, Mu Xuanming, this matter might not have been accomplished at all. After all, it involved using the wealth earned by the family's cultivators to subsidize those who had left the clan—a decision that was bound to stir discontent among everyone.

The Mu Clan possessed over a 100 acres of spirit fields. Though they could not compare to the current Chen Clan, they had once been the wealthiest Foundation Establishment clan in Yu County. However, the clan now only had 4 Foundation Establishment cultivators—a situation largely tied to the fact that the Mu Clan had been continuously subsidizing 3 cultivators from the Qingyang Sect.

In stark contrast, the Lin family's enterprises paled in comparison to the Mu family's, yet they had managed to produce 7 Foundation Establishment cultivators within a mere century—a testament to 2 fundamentally divergent paths of choice.

"It seems I won't be able to purchase Qingyuan Mushroom and Qingyuan Pill in Bianzhou."

Eldrin shook his head and said with some helplessness.

In truth, were he in their position, he would likely have done the same—with Qingyuan Pills in hand, he would never consider selling them to outsiders.

Unless the effects of the Qingyuan Elixir were about to expire and he had no suitable candidate at hand, he would only then consider selling this pill.

Hearing this, young Chen Silas (Person Name) frowned and said, "Tempering spiritual energy is too time-consuming. Without the Green Origin Pills, I'm afraid you won't be able to break through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) before the Beast Tide arrives."

She had been by Eldrin's side since childhood and knew full well that once Eldrin broke through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, his power would undergo a staggering transformation.

Eldrin possessed a vast and razor-sharp true essence. Once he broke through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, his true essence could rival that of nearly half a Zifu-level cultivator.

By then, he would be able to unleash 70 to 80 percent of the Thunderous Blaze Sword's power, and the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) would advance to the lower-tier of Grade 3.

With these 2 trump cards, Eldrin's strength would surge by more than double, and his combat prowess would be sufficient to rival a cultivator at the Purple Palace, Early Stage.

When facing a first-level Zifu realm demon beast without a third-tier magic treasure, 1 might even hold their ground without losing advantage, or at the very least, possess the capability to put up a fight.

With the beast tide imminent, every additional measure of strength Eldrin gained would provide greater security for the clan and further increase their chances of surviving the chaos.

“Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm)。”

Eldrin (Person Name) furrowed his brow slightly. This was indeed an extremely crucial juncture.

The strength of the Violet Mansion demonic beasts was far too formidable. Last time, when they encircled and hunted a severely injured Thunder Roc, they had to exhaust every means at their disposal to barely achieve victory.

Amid the beast tide, he was almost certain to encounter a Zifu-level demonic beast—1 that might very well be at the peak of its power, far surpassing the strength of that Thunder Roc.

Unable to break through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), he would be nothing more than slightly troublesome prey before a Zi Palace beast—a single misstep would lead to his demise.

"I must break through to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) before the Beast Tide arrives."

Eldrin thought to himself for a moment before speaking again, "I've heard that a grand trading assembly will be held in Jiaoyang County of Yang Province 1 month from now. I plan to make the journey there to see if I can acquire some Qingyuan Pills and Qingyuan Spirit Fungus."

"If it's suitable, I'll pick up some magical artifacts for you while I'm at it."

Chen Nianyan had used a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) to establish her foundation. Having only achieved Foundation Establishment a few years prior, she still owed her family over 10 1000 merit points. The only second-grade flying sword in her possession had been borrowed from the clan treasury.

Upon hearing that Eldrin wanted to buy them magical artifacts, they immediately clung to his arm in excitement, coquettishly pleading.

Uncle Eldrin, I would like a defensive magical artifact.

"Got it, you little rascal."

Eldrin (Person Name) shook his head with a light chuckle, readily agreeing to it all.

Early the next morning, he took stock of his storage pouch and found he only had 3,000 spirit stones.

He then made a trip to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location). Every year, the remaining second-grade spirit peaches would be deposited into the clan treasury. Over the years, the merit points he had accumulated amounted to tens of thousands.

Although he had expended a great deal of merit points to purchase 5 Elements essence for refining his life-bound magical treasures and supernatural abilities, and had mobilized the clan's resources to advance his 4 arts of alchemy, formation, artifacts, and talismans—all of which consumed considerable reserves—he still retained over 20,000 clan merit points.

The clan treasury currently held a reserve of over 8,000 spirit stones, yet he directly withdrew 10,000 before soaring on his sword toward Yangzhou.

Under the Green Sun Sect's dominion lay 3 provinces: Qingzhou, Yangzhou, and the frontier province where Yu Prefecture was located.

Among these, both Yang Province and Bian Province bordered the demon territory in the direction of the Vast Expanse Marsh. Bian Province was adjacent to the Celestial Python Lake (Location), while Yang Province faced the Earthlion Clan of the E’shi Ridge as their primary adversaries. Whenever the Beast Tide erupted, these regions would endure immense pressure.

Only Qingzhou, located in the heart of the Chu Kingdom, had always been the most stable region, remaining untouched by the chaos of demonic beasts for 5 100 years.

This was Eldrin's first time leaving the Borderlands, arriving in the vast territory of Yang Province.

As 1 of the 9 Provinces (Location) within the Chu Kingdom (Location), Yang Province (Location) is similarly divided into 3 commanderies: Boyang (Location), Jiaoyang (Location), and Yunyang (Location).

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled across the snowy plains, whipping fine ice crystals into a shimmering haze. A lone figure trudged through the knee-deep snow, his worn robes flapping like tattered banners. This was Lin Xuan, once the proud young master of the Lin Clan, now reduced to a mere Qi Refinement Stage third layer cultivator. "Just a bit further," he muttered through chapped lips, his breath forming pale clouds in the frigid air. "The Frostfall City should be just beyond this ridge." His spiritual sense, though weakened, detected the faint energy fluctuations ahead. The city's protective formation created a subtle disturbance in the ambient spiritual energy, like ripples spreading across a still pond. Suddenly, a sharp cry pierced the wind's mournful wail. "Stop right there, cultivator!" 3 figures emerged from the swirling snow, their grey robes marked with the emblem of a coiled ice serpent - the insignia of the Frost Valley disciples. The leader, a sharp-faced man with a cruel twist to his mouth, leveled his glacial sword at Lin Xuan. "You trespass on Frost Valley territory," the man declared, his voice dripping with contempt. "Leave behind your storage pouch, and we might let you pass with your life." Lin Xuan's hand instinctively went to the simple pouch at his waist. Inside rested his entire worldly possessions: 3,200 spirit stones, a dozen or so Basic Qi Restoration Pills, and his most precious treasure - the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. "I have nothing of value to esteemed Frost Valley disciples," Lin Xuan replied, keeping his tone carefully neutral. The lead disciple sneered. "We'll be the judge of that. Kill him!" The 3 cultivators moved as 1, their movements synchronized through years of training. Ice-based techniques erupted around them, crystallizing the air itself. Shards of frozen spiritual energy shot toward Lin Xuan like a 1000 glittering needles. Centuries of combat instinct took over. Lin Xuan's hands moved through a series of complex seals, calling upon the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. The blade erupted from its scabbard, trailing crimson flames that hissed and steamed as they met the frozen air. "Flame Dragon's Roar!" Lin Xuan shouted. The sword technique transformed his spiritual energy into a coiling serpent of fire that swept toward his attackers. The lead disciple's eyes widened in shock as his ice techniques evaporated before the intense heat. "How? A third layer Qi Refinement cultivator shouldn't possess such power!" Lin Xuan didn't bother answering. His sword moved like liquid fire, parrying and striking with impossible precision. Each clash sent showers of sparks dancing across the snowfield. Within moments, 2 Frost Valley disciples lay defeated, their frozen techniques shattered. The remaining disciple scrambled backward, fear replacing his earlier arrogance. "Mercy, esteemed cultivator! We didn't know-" "Leave," Lin Xuan commanded, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss still humming with pent-up energy. "And remember this lesson." As the fleeing disciple disappeared into the snowstorm, Lin Xuan allowed himself a weary sigh. The battle had drained nearly half of his spiritual energy. He retrieved a Basic Qi Restoration Pill from his pouch and swallowed it, feeling the familiar warmth spread through his meridians. Looking toward the distant city gates, now visible through the clearing storm, he murmured, "It seems my journey to regain what was lost has already begun." The wind swallowed his words, carrying them away across the endless white expanse. Somewhere in the distance, a lone wolf howled, its cry echoing the loneliness in Lin Xuan's heart.