Chapter 159 : Threshold of the Violet Sanctum

After handling these matters, Eldrin Chen found that his Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual pills] and Artifact Forging [the art of crafting enchanted artifacts] had advanced significantly once more, even brushing against the threshold of the third rank.

This was because assisting in the refinement of a great quantity of high-rank elixirs [spiritual pills used for cultivation] and magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] had naturally propelled his Hundred Crafts of Cultivation [a comprehensive art encompassing various cultivation crafts] forward by a large stride.

On this day, as the two of them walked upon the mountain peak, Exquisite Jiang noticed his considerable progress and revealed a faint smile, saying, "The advancement is quite good."

"It seems that after your breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm, where one forms a violet palace within the dantian], your four paths of Alchemy, Formations [the art of setting up magical arrays], Artifact Forging, and Talismans [the art of creating magical seals] will all step into the third-rank realm."

"The reason for such progress is merely from observing your alchemy and artifact forging; practice makes perfect," Eldrin Chen stated calmly. After his words fell, he glanced at Exquisite Jiang once more and asked, "When will you make your move against the Heavenly Python Demon King?"

The fourth-rank [a spiritual pearl condensed from pure water essence] within the fourth-rank Water Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated water spiritual energy] at Heavenly Python Lake was crucial to the final step of Exquisite Jiang's Spiritual Root Completion [a divine ability to perfect one's spiritual roots]. This matter was of utmost importance and had to be secured by any means necessary.

Exquisite Jiang pondered for a moment before replying, "Heavenly Python Lake is its lair. Even a Golden Core Mid Stage [the middle stage of the fourth major cultivation realm] cultivator would find it difficult to slay it within that aquatic environment. I, too, am powerless against it there."

"However, I have cultivated the Great God Ability [a supreme-grade divine ability] 'Void Five Tribulations Divine Light' [a divine light technique capable of invoking five heavenly tribulations] for many years and am only one final step away from mastering it. Once this technique is successfully cultivated, the Heavenly Python Demon King will no longer be a concern."

"We must wait a little longer."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. He informed her that in a few days' time, he planned to make a journey to the Yan Kingdom to see if he could purchase a Positive Water Crystal [a crystal imbued with the harmonizing essence of water]. For more chapters, visit audio-novel-dot-com for the complete novel.

With a third-rank Immortal Sword [a sword of immense spiritual power] to refine his True Essence [the purified, foundational energy of a cultivator], he only needed to accumulate a sufficient reserve before attempting his breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical inner sanctum]. Unlike ordinary cultivators at the Foundation Establishment 9th Tier [the peak of the second major realm], who might need to temper their Vital Energy [the raw life-force energy gathered from the world] for another two or three decades, he could proceed much sooner.

This meant he would certainly attempt the Violet Sanctum Realm breakthrough within the next dozen or so years. By then, he might be able to lend Exquisite Jiang a helping hand.

Before that, however, he wished to forge the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a spiritual artifact shaped like a lotus throne, designed to store vast amounts of magical power]. With this artifact to contain and amplify his magical power, his assault on the Violet Sanctum Realm would be virtually assured, allowing him to succeed in a single, decisive attempt.

Exquisite Jiang remained silent, offering no further words. She simply stood there quietly, and the two of them stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing out at the vast, desolate Great Wasteland.

The journey to the Yan Kingdom spanned a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], requiring passage through a stretch of Demon Race Territory [lands controlled by demonic beings] three hundred thousand Li-length long. Yet, bound by her duty to guard Heavenly Ruins Mountain against the Demon Race, she could only watch as he embarked on this perilous journey alone.

A long while later, she turned to look at Eldrin Chen, then retrieved a Treasure Box and handed it to him.

Eldrin Chen opened it to find a rare Acrid Metal Crystal [a crystal containing the sharp, penetrating essence of metal].

"I obtained this from Earth Lion Ridge," she said. "It may be of use to you."

Hearing Exquisite Jiang's words, Eldrin Chen did not refuse. Together, they had previously deduced the forging method for his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact forged with a cultivator's blood and soul, growing in power alongside them].

To refine the Magnetic Essence Gold into a Lifebound Magical Treasure, it is best to combine it with Metallic Gold Essence Crystal and the Acrid Metal Crystal [a crystalline manifestation of sharp, corrosive metallic energy] during the forging process. Only then can the Polarity Primordial Magnetism Force [a supreme force of attraction and repulsion derived from the fundamental principles of magnetic polarity] be unleashed to its utmost potential.

According to their deductions, once this treasure is successfully forged and cultivated to a profound level, it would be capable of countering anything of a metallic nature—be it tangible magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] or intangible Divine Ability [a supernatural power or technique derived from profound cultivation].

"..."

Eldrin Chen spent three days accompanying Exquisite Jiang at Heavenly Ruins Mountain before finally taking to his sword and departing from the mountain.

Upon returning to Yu County, he discovered that five of the clan's eleven Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids a cultivator in solidifying their foundation and advancing to the next major realm] had already been allocated. Among the five recipients, three had succeeded in their Foundation Establishment [the critical process of solidifying one's cultivation base, marking entry into a higher realm of power]: Remembrance Seal Chen and Remembrance Truth Chen from the Nian Generation [the 'Remembrance' generation of the Chen Clan], and Worthy Cosmos Chen from the Xian Generation [the 'Worthy' generation of the Chen Clan].

The remaining six Foundation Establishment Pill [precious elixirs for Foundation Establishment] were temporarily set aside, as no other suitable candidates were immediately available. The plan was to wait until other clan cultivators of appropriate age broke through to the Foundation Establishment 9th Tier [the ninth and final minor stage within the Foundation Establishment realm] and had sufficiently tempered their True Essence [the purified and condensed spiritual energy within a cultivator's body], at which point the most optimal candidates would be selected after comprehensive consideration.

Shortly after Eldrin Chen's return, the Old Patriarch sought him out, his expression grave. "There is a matter we must discuss," he said solemnly.

"What matter warrants such gravity?"

Eldrin Chen frowned, a crease forming between his brows as he couldn't help but ask.

With a deeply serious countenance, the Old Patriarch handed him a letter.

"Take a look first."

He took the letter and glanced at it, quickly grasping the full sequence of events.

It turned out that not long ago, a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan had sent a letter expressing their desire to settle and establish a home in Yu County.

That Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan was none other than the Pan Clan, the former overlords of Scorching Sun County. During the battle at Scorching Sun Mountain, two of the Pan Immortal Clan's three Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation stage, where one opens a mystical energy center within] cultivators had perished, and over seventy percent of their clan's cultivators were lost. Only Percival Pan had managed to retreat to Boyang County with a handful of clansmen and cultivators to recuperate.

After the Beast Tide [a massive, destructive surge of demonic beasts] subsided, Percival Pan found his clan without a place to call home. Their once-great family was now reduced to merely seven or eight Foundation Establishment [the second major cultivation stage, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] cultivators, over three hundred in the Vital Essence Refinement [the first stage of cultivation, refining one's life force] stage, and more than three thousand mortal dependents.

Having lost their Spiritual Vein [a subterranean energy channel that concentrates ambient spiritual energy], and facing suspicion from the local Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan in Boyang County, the Pan Clan could only set their sights on Yu County.

Coincidentally, with the fall of the Lin Immortal Clan, the second-grade, upper-tier Spiritual Vein at Verdant Ink Mountain was left unclaimed. Since Yu County lacked any resident Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan, Percival Pan conceived a plan to establish his clan there. Find thousands of chapters at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Normally, with his status as a Violet Sanctum Patriarch, seizing the Spiritual Vein at Verdant Ink Mountain would have been a simple matter. However, the Chen Clan now possessed the combat power of two Violet Sanctum cultivators, which gave this Patriarch of the Pan Clan considerable pause.

Thus, Percival Pan sent a letter to the Chen Clan, stating his intention to join Yu County and requesting a face-to-face meeting with both Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch.

After reading the letter, Eldrin Chen folded it, his expression turning grave as he spoke.

"Although the Pan Immortal Clan has suffered grievous losses, that Percival Pan possesses a Thunder Spiritual Root and has now broken through to the Violet Sanctum 4th Tier."

"If this man relocates his clan into Yu County, it will inevitably dilute our Chen Clan's interests significantly."

Eternal Profound Chen also nodded, pondered for a moment, and added, "However, the arrival of the Pan Clan in Yu County presents both advantages and disadvantages."

"With a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan establishing its seat in Yu County, the region's strength will increase substantially, attracting more rogue cultivators to settle their families here."

"Furthermore, the Pan Clan holds considerable influence within Solar Province, which will encourage many Vital Essence Refinement and Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan cultivators from Solar Province to migrate to our Yu County. Once these people arrive, the revenue from the Sunward Market is bound to increase greatly."

After hearing the Old Patriarch's words, Eldrin Chen also wore a thoughtful expression.

While the Pan Clan's arrival in Yu County would dilute the county's existing benefits, it would also bring a large influx of cultivators to the region.

That Scorching Sun County is home to over a hundred Immortal Clan of various sizes, all now carrying their accumulated wealth and searching for a new place to establish their roots.

Upon arriving in Yu County, the first thing these clans and cultivators would do is spend their hoarded Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to cultivate numerous Second Rank Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] within the county.

In truth, it was not just the displaced clans from Scorching Sun County; many Immortal Clan from Cloud Sun County and Boyang County within Solar Province had also grown disillusioned with the Verdant Sun Sect. Numerous families were gathering their Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], preparing to nurture new Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] in the other eight prefectures of the Chu Nation.

For ordinary mortals, migration is an arduous undertaking. For these clans, Border Province [a frontier territory], situated not far from Solar Province and backed by the Heavenly Ruins Mountain [a mountain range of ancient, mystical significance], presents a most favorable choice.

It can be foreseen that in the not-too-distant future, Yu County will grow increasingly prosperous with the arrival of these clans and rogue cultivators [independent practitioners of the mystical arts]. Official source: (audio-novel.com). Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.