Chapter 133 : Recruiting Cultivators

After distributing the Divine Mirrors, Lyra (Person Name) finalized the troop deployment arrangements before dismissing everyone to commence their final preparations for the impending battle.

"Nephew, pray stay your steps."

Eldrin had just stepped out of the training grounds when a familiar voice called out to him.

He turned to find that the newcomer was none other than Meng Xinghe (Person Name). The grand-uncle gazed at him from afar, then smiled and beckoned him over.

Eldrin exchanged a glance with Third Elder, then promptly stepped forward and spoke courteously.

"Greetings, Granduncle."

"Alas, your cultivation progress is truly astonishing, dear nephew."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Meng Xinghe cut straight to the point: "I see you've broken through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), nephew. Could it be you've obtained the Qingyuan Pill (Elixir)?"

"Indeed." Eldrin did not hesitate and asked straightforwardly, "Some days ago, I acquired a Cyan Origin Mushroom and refined it into 2 Cyan Origin Pills."

Hearing him mention there were 2, Meng Xinghe’s face lit up with delight. He couldn’t help rubbing his hands together as he asked.

"I wonder if there remains even a trace of it now?"

"There is indeed 1 more."

Eldrin nodded slightly. The efficacy of the Qingyuan Elixir lasted merely a dozen or so years, and now less than 10 years remained.

Within the clan, the 2 Foundation Establishment cultivators—Lior and Chen Qingwan—had only recently broken through to the Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage. It would likely take them over 20 years to even approach the threshold of Foundation Establishment, Late Stage.

Therefore, he had no qualms about trading away this Verdant Origin Pill(Pill Name), and if it went to his granduncle Meng Xinghe(Person Name), it would be the best possible outcome.

Hearing him mention the need for a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), Meng Xinghe couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.

"Nephew, I wish to purchase a Green Origin Pill from you, if that would be possible..."

For 30 years, Meng Xinghe had procured 2 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) for his clan, adding 2 Foundation Establishment cultivators to the family's ranks.

However, the price was that the family's treasury was nearly emptied. Meng Xinghe could be considered utterly destitute, which left him stuck at the Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer (Cultivation Realm) for over 20 years.

This grand-uncle was 10 years older than Chen Changxuan, now already over 1 100 and 50 years of age. More than 50 years ago, his cultivation had been the same as the old clan leader's—both at Foundation Establishment, 5th Layer (Cultivation Realm). Yet now, he had merely reached Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer (Cultivation Realm), making the disparity between them vast indeed.

The old clan leader's innate talent was on par with this individual's. However, the Blazing Sun Soaring Void Art inherited from the Chen family's ancestors was far superior to the Meng family's cultivation method. Moreover, the spiritual vein grade at Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) was 1 tier higher.

Most crucially, back in the day, Lior (Person Name) had managed the family affairs with impeccable order, significantly improving the clan's financial situation.

Back then, he first purchased a Marrow Jade Elixir (Spiritual Pill) that saved the Old Patriarch 20 years of cultivation. Not long after, he obtained a Cyan Origin Mushroom (Heavenly Treasure) on the Spirit Mountain, enabling the Old Patriarch to break through 2 realms consecutively within just a few years and decisively widen the gap.

Now, Meng Xinghe remained stuck at the Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer (Cultivation Realm), unable to advance an inch further. Meanwhile, the old clan leader, with Eldrin's (Person Name) support, had successively obtained the spirit peach, Mysterious Jade Pill (Spiritual Object), and Li Fire Crystal (Spiritual Object). Unbeknownst to all, he had already half-stepped into the Zi Fu Realm.

"The path of cultivation, beyond innate talent, opportunity is truly the most crucial element."

A thought flashed through Eldrin’s mind, and he smiled faintly. “Since you’ve spoken openly, Uncle, this Green Origin Pill can naturally be yours.”

"Thank you so very much."

Meng Xinghe rubbed his hands excitedly, took out a handful of spirit stones, and said, "In recent years, I spent a great deal of spirit stones to buy the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) for Xingwan. Now I only have just over 3,000 spirit stones left."

"I'm aware that the Eldrin Pills are selling at a premium, likely fetching around 4,000 spirit stones. Would you permit me to owe you 1,000 spirit stones for now?"

"Great-uncle, you are too kind," Eldrin smiled faintly and promptly shook his head. "Our families are bound by marriage. Just a few years ago, my nephew Caleb married your great-granddaughter. There's no need for such formality between us."

"Then I'll give it to you at the original price of 3,000 spirit stones."

"This..." Meng Xinghe hesitated, a trace of embarrassment coloring his expression as he shook his head. "This is no small amount of spirit stones. How could I possibly take advantage of such generosity?"

Eldrin handed over the Verdant Origin Pill, smiling faintly as he said, "Great-uncle's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage would bring great fortune to our Chen Family."

"The Beast Rampage is about to begin soon. When the time comes, our Chen Family might very well need Uncle Qingmeng’s support."

In the end, Meng Xinghe could no longer decline the offer and purchased the Qingyuan Pill for 3,000 spirit stones.

After obtaining the Verdant Origin Pills, a smile bloomed on Meng Xinghe's face. Having tempered his vital energy for 20 years, he could likely break through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) within a dozen or so years even without the pills.

Now that he had obtained the Verdant Origin Pills, breaking through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) was as certain as sunrise, with virtually no chance of unexpected setbacks.

At this thought, he still solemnly pledged, "When the beast tide arrives, if the Chen Family faces danger, this old man will undoubtedly provide full support."

After bidding farewell to Meng Xinghe (Person Name), the 2 did not linger. They immediately mounted their swords and flew back to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

After returning to Yu County, the Foundation Establishment elders of the Chen family convened a meeting, followed by discussions with the heads of various prominent clans in the region. They then began mobilizing cultivators household by household to join the resistance against the beast tide.

Throughout the entire Yu Prefecture, over a 100 major and minor immortal clans were present. Each family was required to contribute 60-5 percent of their cultivators to participate in this campaign against the beast tide.

Among them, 30 percent of the cultivators—approximately 3,000 individuals—would head to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) to assist in resisting the demonic beasts.

The remaining 30-5 percent were conscripted to Yuyang Market, under the unified command of Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), tasked with defending this cultivation market and resisting the invasion of demonic beasts.

As for rogue cultivators, they had no clans to guard, and their kin seldom numbered over a 100. It was common for multiple rogue cultivators to share a single first-order spirit vein.

As the beast tide now loomed, there was no longer any reason for them to remain in those lower-grade spirit veins with pitifully sparse spiritual energy. They had essentially all been summoned to the Yuyang Market and Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location).

The 6 great immortal clans jointly conscripted the cultivators of Yu County. Naturally, the cultivators within Yu County dared not refuse. With the beast tide crisis now upon them, even if they fled beyond the border provinces, they would still be forcibly drafted into the war.

There were also a very few who fled deep into the mountains, unwilling to join the resistance against the demonic beasts. However, such cultivators would have their names recorded.

Among the itinerant cultivators in Yu County, there were only 3 to 4 1000 in total. Excluding those who participated in the suppression of the beast tide, barely over a 100 had fled. With a simple identification by acquaintances, they could be directly registered on the record.

While it wouldn't amount to settling scores after the autumn harvest, all major trading hubs across Border Province would deny them entry henceforth. Moreover, fellow cultivators would despise such conduct, with most refusing to associate with them henceforward.

Recruiting cultivators was a painstaking and time-consuming endeavor. Even with the 6 major immortal families of Yu County joining forces, it took them over a year to complete the recruitment. Only then could a portion of them be dispatched to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location).

Just a few days before this army set out, the 8 Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Chen family gathered in Pingyang City. This marked the first formal assembly of the Chen family’s 8 Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Even Chen Qingwan had withdrawn from the Yuyang Market. With thousands of Qi Refining cultivators gathered there now, it was naturally secure for the time being.

Chapter 1 The biting mountain wind whipped through the jagged peaks, carrying with it the scent of pine and decay. A lone figure sat cross-legged upon a weathered boulder, his simple grey robes fluttering around him. This was Lin Feng, an outer sect disciple of the Verdant Cloud Sect, currently in the midst of his evening cultivation session. For 3 years, he had been stuck at the 3rd level of Qi Condensation. It was a painfully common achievement, placing him firmly among the lowest rungs of the sect's disciples. As he guided the faint wisps of spiritual energy through his meridians, the familiar, frustrating resistance met him once more. The bottleneck was like an invisible, unyielding wall. He sighed, opening his eyes. The twilight painted the sky in hues of violet and orange. Reaching into his coarse cloth pouch, he carefully counted his remaining resources. "Only 1,250 spirit stones left," he murmured, a frown etching itself onto his young face. "And just a dozen or so basic Qi Gathering Pills. At this rate..." His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp, mocking voice. "Well, if it isn't Brother Lin, still trying to force his way through that bottleneck." Lin Feng looked up to see another disciple swaggering towards him. It was Zhang Hu, a burly youth who had recently broken through to the 4th level of Qi Condensation. Zhang Hu's expression was 1 of open contempt. "Some people just don't know when to give up," Zhang Hu continued, coming to a stop before the boulder. "Talent is everything in our path. Without it, even cultivating for thousands of years would be a waste of time. Don't you agree?" Lin Feng's knuckles turned white where they gripped his knees, but his voice remained calm. "My path is my own to walk, Senior Brother Zhang." Zhang Hu snorted. "Stubborn fool. I heard the sect is assigning a new mission tomorrow—hunting a Scarlet-Tailed Wolf in the Blackwood Forest. The reward is 5,000 spirit stones. But for someone of your... caliber... it would be a death sentence." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a malicious whisper. "Maybe you should just accept your lot and become a mortal farmer. Save yourself the disgrace." With a final derisive laugh, Zhang Hu turned and strode away, his footsteps crunching on the gravel path. Lin Feng watched him go, a cold fire burning in his eyes. The insult stung, but it also hardened his resolve. He would not give up. He looked down at his pouch, his fingers brushing against the cool, smooth surface of the Qi Gathering Pills and the small stack of spirit stones. "Countless disciples have walked this path before me," he whispered to the gathering darkness. "I may only have a dozen pills and a little over a 1000 stones now, but that does not define my future." He closed his eyes again, delving deep into his consciousness. There, floating in the void, was the object that had become his greatest secret and his only hope—a tarnished, ancient bronze mirror, its surface etched with mysterious, swirling patterns. It had come to him by chance during a sect excursion half a year ago, and though he had poured spiritual sense into it nearly a 1000 times, it remained inert, unresponsive. "1 100 years had passed since the founding patriarch established our sect," Lin Feng mused, recalling the legends. "He faced countless tribulations to reach the Nascent Soul stage. My current hardship is nothing in comparison." He took a deep breath, centering himself. He would attempt to commune with the mirror once more tonight. Perhaps this time... perhaps this time, it would answer. The night deepened around him, the silence broken only by the whisper of the wind and the steady rhythm of his own breathing as he prepared to delve back into his cultivation, his spirit undaunted.