Chapter 41 Clan Leader Emerges, Vengeance Burns

After consolidating his cultivation base, he finally pushed open the door of the seclusion chamber and emerged.

The Elder Uncle had been waiting outside the seclusion chamber for several months. The moment he laid eyes on Eldrin (Person Name), he could no longer hold back his aged tears.

60-7 years had passed, 60-7 years of hardship and tribulation.

"Heavens be praised! Our Chen Family has finally produced another Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

A smile graced Eldrin’s face as he swiftly steadied the elderly uncle.

Gazing at Chen Changyan's aged countenance, a sudden pang of sorrow struck his heart as he declared with unwavering resolve.

"Elder Uncle, you need not worry any longer."

From this day forth... the Chen Family has me!

“…”

After resting at Spirit Isle Lake (Location) for 3 days, Eldrin (Person Name) decided to return to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

This time, he traveled by controlling a Second-Order Magical Artifact—the Red Iron Blade Embryo. He could cover 3 to 4 1000 li in a single day, and in less than 2 days, he had already arrived at the Qingyuan Mountain Range.

During this period, he tested his own strength and discovered that—likely because he hadn't used a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object)—his spiritual energy was far more piercingly sharp compared to cultivators of the same rank.

Any offensive spell or magical artifact wielded by him would unleash at least 30 percent more power than that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. Coupled with his exceptionally profound true essence, the combat prowess he could unleash likely far surpassed that of a typical Foundation Establishment, Early Stage cultivator.

"No wonder it's said that cultivators who build their foundation without using a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) often possess far greater future potential."

"So this is the reason."

Eldrin sensed the flow of his true essence within, a thought forming in his mind.

Although the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) could temper spiritual energy and increase the likelihood of a breakthrough, it also rendered the refined energy less sharp and formidable.

Without that sharpness, the tempering effect of true essence on the meridians would diminish by 30 percent, and combat effectiveness would likewise decrease by 30 percent.

Without using the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), the breakthrough would result in spiritual energy becoming 3 parts sharper, with a more potent tempering effect on the meridians. This would make the cultivator's meridians and physical body considerably more resilient, while also increasing the likelihood of a successful Purple Mansion breakthrough by 10 to 20 percent in the future.

"Alas, for ordinary cultivators, the probability of breaking through without the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) is far too slim."

"And it's far too perilous."

Eldrin suppressed the thoughts in his heart, descending on his sword glare a 100 miles outside Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Having just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he decided to conceal this advancement for now. None of the family's rivals were yet aware of his breakthrough. He resolved to consult with the clan leader before determining their next course of action.

Upon returning to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), he immediately went to the clan leader's secluded cultivation chamber.

Although Chen Changxuan had yet to emerge from seclusion, it had already been 5 years since he obtained the Nourishing Meridian Pill. By all reasoning, he ought to be concluding his closed-door cultivation within a month or 2.

Eldrin waited for over a dozen days until the formation within the spirit spring finally opened, and the old clan leader saw Eldrin.

The moment he laid eyes on Eldrin, Chen Changxuan’s face lit up with delight, and he promptly pulled him inside.

"Hurry inside."

Entering the spiritual spring in the back mountain, the old clan leader carefully examined Eldrin, a flicker of excitement stirring within his heart.

"Very well."

"When did you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Eldrin nodded. "I only emerged from seclusion half a month ago."

"Very well." Chen Changxuan revealed a trace of solemnity. "Do not speak of your breakthrough to Foundation Establishment to anyone for now."

Eldrin smiled faintly, "Aside from Granduncle, you are the only 1 who knows about my breakthrough."

The old clan leader broke into a hearty grin upon hearing this, stroking his long beard as he remarked, "It seems we’ve both arrived at the same idea."

7 years ago, for a single Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), the Chen Family was besieged by numerous enemies, resulting in the near-total annihilation of their elder generation bearing the "Chang" character in their names. Even the clan patriarch suffered grave injuries.

With such deep-seated enmity, both had engraved it in their hearts. Now that Eldrin had built his foundation, the 2 began to scheme, wondering if they could finally settle the score from those years past.

The Grand Elder excitedly discussed with Eldrin (Person Name) for a while before inquiring about the clan's major affairs over the past few years.

Eldrin did not conceal anything, recounting his experiences over the years and the news of Chen Qingyuan’s failed Foundation Establishment to the old clan leader.

After hearing this, Chen Changxuan’s expression shifted repeatedly, a trace of sorrow flickering in his eyes.

"For 60 years, in pursuit of that Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), I have sent 5 talented clansmen to the Azure Sun Sect. Yet most perished before reaching the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, consumed by sect missions."

"Even your father Qingming and Chen Qingyuan—the 2 most talented of the Qing generation—I did not hesitate to send them to the Qingyang Sect. Yet never did I imagine this would ultimately bring about their ruin."

Eldrin’s heart shuddered. Born with memories of a past life, he vividly recalled the day when he was 3 years old—his father, drenched in blood and gravely wounded, had dragged himself back to Verdant Chariot Mountain. Only after delivering him safely into the hands of Seventh Granduncle did his father draw his last breath.

His clan members all believed he was too young at the time to remember those events, yet the memory remained eternally seared in his heart. He had buried it deep within solely because the forces intertwined with that adversary were far too formidable—so overwhelmingly powerful that he had never been willing to speak of it.

"It seems the Azure Sun Sect cannot be trusted hereafter."

The old clan leader spoke, a sudden chill flashing in his eyes.

He grasped Eldrin's hand, his gaze solemn as he spoke.

"Eldrin, I fear this old man's path forward seems bleak in this lifetime."

"But you have reached the Foundation Establishment realm on your own—your future prospects are likely far greater than this old man's. If 1 day you manage to break through to the Purple Mansion, or even the Golden Core realm, I hope you will resolve this karmic bond forged today."

Eldrin's eyes reflected the Elder Patriarch's visage. He held the old man's hand and gave a calm nod.

Sometimes, a single glance holds more weight than a 1000 words. Some things need not be spoken aloud, for they are already understood between 2 hearts.

The old clan leader, having obtained the desired response, withdrew his hand and resumed their previous conversation.

"7 years ago, aside from Zhang the Demonic Elder, there were 4 others who besieged this old man. 2 were Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zuo Clan of Feng County, while the other 2 were rogue cultivators from Celestial Ruins Mountain—1 named Liu Yuyang, the other Lin Taihe."

"That Liu Yuyang was lacking in cultivation, so I vanquished him with my Divine Art of the Blazing Heaven Sword. The rest, however, all managed to survive."

As the old clan leader recounted, Eldrin began to analyze the situation.

Among those who besieged the Chen family back then, Zhang the Demonic Elder possessed cultivation at Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage. However, the old clan leader destroyed all his demonic treasures, and the blade embryo of the Blood-Transmuting Demon Blade fell into my hands. With his capabilities now diminished by 50 or 60 percent, he likely no longer poses a concern.

The Zuo Clan was 1 of the 7 major Foundation Establishment clans in Feng County, with 2 Foundation Establishment cultivators in their ranks.

The clan leader, Zuo Mingxu (Person Name), was a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator at the fifth level. His life-bound magic treasure, the Mingxu Sword (Magic Treasure), was remarkably formidable—no less potent than Chen Changxuan (Person Name)’s Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spiritual blade. He would be a formidable adversary.

The other man, Zuo Zhouqi (Person Name), had broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage less than 20 years ago, and his cultivation had only reached the second layer of Foundation Establishment 7 years prior. His strength was thoroughly mediocre—discarding magical artifacts from the equation, he was likely far from being a match for Eldrin (Person Name).

Lin Taihe's cultivation surpassed Zuo Zhouqi's, yet he had been stuck at the third layer of Foundation Establishment for over 30 years. It seemed he posed little cause for concern.

"My spiritual power is sharp and profound, enough to rival a Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator. Even if my magical artifacts are somewhat lacking, I believe it should be sufficient to confront that Elder Zhang Demon."

"Zuo Zhouqi's cultivation is rather mediocre. The Third Elder and the others have deployed the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation Flags—that should be more than sufficient to handle him."

Eldrin spoke, his gaze shifting to the old clan leader. "As for the other 2, I trust your cultivation level is sufficient to eliminate them."

Chen Changxuan nodded, stroking his long beard. "Though this old man has lost his Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade, I can still unleash the Divine Art of the Blazing Heaven Sword."

"Moreover, with the acquisition of this set of Li Fire Soul Incinerating Banners, I'm afraid even ordinary Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators are no longer a match for this old man. Capturing those 2 will be absolutely effortless."