Chapter 42 Scheming Against the Enemy

Eldrin (Person Name) also revealed a faint smile upon hearing this. The Chen Family's Blazing Heaven Sword Art was renowned throughout Yu Province.

The Old Patriarch, relying solely on this divine ability, was already a match for the vast majority of Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivators—let alone now that he had obtained the even more formidable Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss.

The Li Fire Soul Incineration Banner possessed extraordinary power. Controlled by the clan leader, a second-grade, high-tier formation master, this set of formation flags alone was sufficient to contend with 1 or 2 ordinary Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators.

"With this set of formation flags, I believe we should be able to handle whatever backup plans they might have."

"So the question now is how to lure them out."

Eldrin frowned as he spoke, "This is a rather troublesome matter."

"No need for such trouble." The Old Clan Leader said with a confident smile, "Once we resume trading the 5 Elements Essence at Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), they will come seeking us out."

"Why?" Eldrin inquired, his voice laced with suspicion.

The old clan leader stroked his beard with a faint smile. "Because they would be afraid."

Eldrin chuckled wryly, finally realizing he had still underestimated the deterrence of a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivator.

As 1 of the only 3 Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators in Yu County, and having mastered the region's most formidable offensive divine ability—Blazing Heaven Sword, the Old Patriarch's strength was by no means ordinary. Otherwise, 5 years ago, he would not have managed to counter-kill 1 opponent while being besieged by 5 Foundation Establishment cultivators.

To have offended a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator, the few who participated in the battle back then must have been haunted by lingering fear for years.

At present, although the old clan leader's injuries had healed, he had sold off all his magical treasures, making this arguably the weakest he had ever been.

In a few more years, when the old clan leader acquires a set of second-tier magical instruments, they would likely either be picked off 1 by 1 or live in constant fear day and night.

Thus, only if the family resumed the trade of 5 Elements Essence at Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), and only if the old patriarch departed from the Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location)'s protective formation he had cultivated for centuries, would those people likely be forced to make their move.

"Since they are bound to make a move, this matter becomes much simpler."

"You have emerged from seclusion, so we shall send envoys tomorrow to confer with the other great families."

"Our Chen Family last went to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) to gather the 5 Elements Essence 10 years ago. Now it should finally be our turn."

Eldrin smiled faintly and said, "The trade of 5 Elements Essence from Celestial Ruins Mountain yields no small income."

The old clan leader calculated inwardly and said thoughtfully, "To venture into the business of 5 Elements Essence, I fear our clan's 10,000 spirit stones are still insufficient."

Across Yu Prefecture, over a 100 cultivation clans—both major and minor—alongside rogue cultivators, collectively comprised nearly 10 1000 low-level practitioners. Each year, they refined over 50 to 60 1000 strands of the 5 Elements' essence.

To acquire this batch of 5 Elements Essence from the rogue cultivators, based on previous years' prices, it would require approximately 8,000 spirit stones. Subsequently, selling it to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) would yield around 10,000 spirit stones.

This deal with a profit of 2,000 spirit stones was not so easily secured. Beyond requiring sufficient strength, 1 also needed to put up a capital of 8,000 spirit stones.

Eldrin did a quick calculation, then said, "Most of the spirit stones earned through the clan treasury over these years have been used to repay internal and external debts. What remains is not much."

"However, with the recent maturation of the Aura-Convergence Grass, the sale of Qi Gathering Pills (Spiritual Object) should yield approximately 2,000 spirit stones."

"Once this year's spirit peaches ripen, I'll be able to come up with over 800 spirit stones. As for this year's stipend, we'll delay distribution until after returning from Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) next year—that should save us nearly 1,000 spirit stones."

"By that calculation, if we borrow another 4,000 spirit stones from the various great families, this venture can proceed."

Chen Changxuan pondered for a moment before nodding as well. "Borrowing 4,000 spirit stones urgently would require 300 spirit stones in interest for 1 year. Though it's somewhat costly, we'd still turn a profit."

"Then it's settled." Eldrin nodded. "Tomorrow I'll have the Third Elder handle this matter. The Evergreen Pavilion in Yuyang Market can begin acquiring the 5 Elements Essence."

“…”

The news that the Chen family had taken out loans from several major Foundation Establishment clans across Yu County to begin acquiring the 5 Elements Essence quickly spread throughout the entire county.

This sent a clear signal to the outside world: Chen Changxuan had fully recovered from his injuries. Otherwise, the Chen Clan would never have possessed the capability to venture into the business of 5 Elements Essence.

Half a year later, in the neighboring Feng County, tens of thousands of miles away from Yu County, 3 figures gathered together.

Had Chen Changxuan been present, he would likely have recognized the trio at a glance—they were none other than the Chen Clan’s sworn enemies, bound by a feud of unyielding hatred.

On the left stood Zuo Mingxu and Zuo Zhouqi, the 2 Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zuo family—a Foundation Establishment immortal clan of Feng County. On the right stood Lin Taihe, a rogue cultivator from Celestial Ruins Mountain.

At this moment, Zuo Mingxu gazed at Lin Taihe with furrowed brows and inquired, "Fellow Daoist Lin, what matter brings you to seek us out across 10 1000 miles?"

"Master Zuo, there's no need to pretend ignorance," Lin Taihe sneered coldly, his expression frosty. "I presume you've also heard the news that Chen Changxuan has recovered from his injuries and emerged from seclusion."

Zuo Mingxu’s expression shifted. Gritting his teeth, he said, “What, are you still thinking of seeking revenge against him?”

"8 years ago, the 5 of us joined forces, yet not only did he escape, he even killed 1 of us in return. Now that his injuries have healed, what can we possibly do against him?"

"1 cannot put it that way." Lin Taihe also revealed a trace of helplessness. "He had already recognized all of us back then. Had we not taken action, he would have picked us off 1 by 1 sooner or later."

"Better to seize this chance to slay him now, while he's lost his second-grade artifact and his life-bound treasure—at his most vulnerable moment."

"Easier said than done," Zuo Mingxu remarked with a grave expression, a lingering fear in his voice. "Have you forgotten the might of that Blazing Sky Sword Art? How did Liu Yuyang meet his end? How were Zhang the Demonic Elder's demonic treasures utterly destroyed?"

"With just the 3 of us, I fear we won't be able to slay him, but rather end up leaving 1 or 2 lives behind."

"Bzzz—"

As the 2 were speaking, Lin Taihe unleashed his aura, causing both of them to freeze with solemn expressions, their faces hardening with caution.

Seeing the astonishment on their faces, Lin Taihe revealed a faint smile. "Now then, shall we test our mettle against him?"

"You've broken through to Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm)?" Zuo Zhouqi remarked with a hint of envy.

"After Liu Yuyang fell in that great battle years ago, I visited his cave abode once."

Lin Taihe licked his lips, a flicker of greed flashing in his eyes. "Fellow Daoist Liu's collection is truly impressive. It enabled me to purchase a pill from the Tianxu Pavilion that broke through the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm)."

"Although you have already broken through to Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm), with the strength of just the 3 of us, I'm afraid we still cannot keep him here."

Zuo Mingxu carefully pondered his proposition once more, yet ultimately shook his head in refusal. As the patriarch of his clan, he was no rootless rogue cultivator like Lin Taihe—he could not act without weighing every consequence.

Moreover, he knew full well that as long as he remained within the Zuo Family, protected by the mountain-guarding formation their clan had maintained for hundreds of years, Chen Changxuan could do nothing to him.