Chapter 67 : A Glimmer of Purple Mansion Hope

After receiving the Spirit Peach [a fruit imbued with spiritual energy that aids cultivation], Old Granduncle revealed a faint smile. "With this Spirit Peach, perhaps this old man truly has a chance to glimpse the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core] in this lifetime."

Chen Thalion had only broken through to the seventh layer of the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] a few years prior. By all accounts, advancing to the ninth layer would require at least thirty years.

After reaching the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, he would still need to temper his spiritual power and refine his meridians with his True Essence [the purified spiritual energy of a Foundation Establishment cultivator]. This would consume another twenty years before his cultivation could reach perfection and he could touch the threshold of breaking through to the Purple Mansion.

He was already over one hundred and twenty years old this year. Fifty years later, he would be at the advanced age of over one hundred and seventy. By then, he would have only one chance to attempt the Purple Mansion breakthrough, and his hopes would be exceedingly slim.

But now, with this Spirit Peach, the speed of his future cultivation and meridian tempering would be greatly accelerated. In thirty years, he might be able to attempt the Purple Mansion breakthrough, thereby gaining an additional opportunity to charge into that realm.

Breaking through to the Purple Mansion was not as perilous as the initial Foundation Establishment breakthrough. Even if one failed, they would only suffer a severe depletion of vitality and essence. After recuperating for several decades, they would actually gain a ten to twenty percent greater chance of success in their next attempt due to the accumulated experience.

With a treasure like this Spirit Peach, a glimmer of light now shone upon the Old Patriarch's path. In his heart, he felt a thirty percent certainty that he could break through to the Purple Mansion before his life force was exhausted.

After handing the Spirit Peach to the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen offered a gentle smile and turned his gaze towards Lior Chen and Chen Elara.

"To refine the Essence Gathering Pill [a pill that aids in gathering and condensing spiritual essence], I have already used twelve of this year's Spirit Peach, so I have no extras remaining."

"However, the Spirit Peach ripens once every three years. For future harvests, Old Granduncle shall take twelve, while Aunt Elara and Uncle Lior may each take six." Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel*com.

"That cannot be," Lior Chen said, his expression shifting slightly as he shook his head in refusal. "The Spirit Peach [a fruit imbued with potent spiritual energy] is exceedingly precious. There would be many willing to pay two hundred Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy] for it. It would be better to sell it directly at the Yuyang Market."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but chuckle. "Since Uncle Lior also knows how precious this Spirit Peach is, why would I sell it to outsiders instead of keeping it for our own clan's benefit?"

"Let us do this instead," he proposed. "I will convert its value into one hundred internal Clan Merit Points [points awarded for contributions, redeemable within the clan] and deposit it into the Clan Treasury."

"From now on, any clan cultivator can redeem it using their merit points. This serves both as my personal contribution to the clan and as a resource to nurture our future generations."

Lior Chen exchanged a glance with Chen Elara before finally nodding in agreement.

At this price, they too could afford to redeem one or two Spirit Peaches each year. Consuming them would significantly accelerate their cultivation progress.

For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation], refining a single Second Rank Spirit Peach could add a notable measure of cultivation depth. For an ordinary Qi Refinement Cultivator [a cultivator in the initial stage of refining their vital energy], consuming one could lead to a great leap in power, saving seven or eight years of arduous cultivation in one breath.

For the clan's junior cultivators, having these Second Rank Spirit Peaches available in the Clan Treasury would likely cause a substantial increase in the number of those reaching the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer.

After settling the matter of the Spirit Peach, the group rose to leave the Council Hall. Just as he was departing, Eldrin Chen was called back by Chen Thalion, the Old Patriarch who stopped him to speak.

"Your Spirit Isle Lake [an island at the heart of a spirit lake] now rests upon a Second Rank Spirit Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates spiritual energy of the second rank]. The Twofold Solar Dawn Formation [a defensive formation harnessing dual solar energies] alone may no longer be sufficient to ensure its complete security."

"It so happens that the Meng Clan has sent over a piece of Azure-Veined Steel [a rare metal with azure veins, excellent for crafting formations], sufficient to forge a Second Rank Formation Plate [a core component for setting up a second-rank defensive or offensive formation]. I shall accompany you to Spirit Isle Lake and help re-establish a proper Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array designed to protect a mountain or island stronghold]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "That would be for the best."

After advancing to a Second Rank Spirit Vein [a spiritual energy ley line of the second rank, significantly more potent than first-rank veins], the density of spiritual energy at Spirit Isle Lake had far surpassed its previous levels.

A First Rank High Grade spirit vein could only support the cultivation of three *mu* [a traditional Chinese unit of area, approximately six hundred sixty-seven square meters] of Spirit Farmland [land infused with spiritual energy to grow special crops], but a Second Rank Low Grade vein was potent enough to cultivate twenty *mu* of such land.

The reason the Second Rank Middle Grade Spirit Vein on Verdant Chariot Mountain only supported seventeen *mu* of Spirit Farmland was that the majority of its spiritual energy was primarily channeled to sustain the cultivation of the clan's disciples.

Furthermore, with a Second Rank Spirit Vein now in place, the population of the Azure Spirit Fish [fish that have absorbed spiritual energy, their flesh beneficial for cultivation] in the lake could expand severalfold.

Once their population stabilized, the Chen Clan's annual income from Spirit Farmland and Spirit Fish at Spirit Isle Lake would surge from three or four hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to over one thousand five hundred.

And this calculation did not even include Eldrin Chen's Purple-Striped Wild Goose [a type of spiritual goose with purple markings] or the Spirit Peach Tree [a tree that bears peaches infused with spiritual energy]. Factoring those in, the annual profits would likely double or even triple.

Moreover, in the future, as the 'Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root' [a legendary grade of spiritual root with unparalleled affinity] Spirit Peach Tree continued to advance in rank, the spiritual energy at Spirit Isle Lake would grow ever more dense, and these profits would keep increasing steadily.

In truth, after the spirit vein's promotion to the second rank, the status of Spirit Isle Lake had already become second only to the two locations with Second Rank Spirit Vein: Verdant Chariot Mountain and Pingyang City.

Verdant Chariot Mountain was the land of inheritance for the clan's cultivators and the cultivation ground for seventy percent of the Chen Immortal Clan's practitioners. Without the spirit vein of Verdant Chariot Mountain, the Chen Clan Cultivators would likely struggle to even draw enough spiritual energy [the vital force used for cultivation] to sustain their practice.

The mortals of Pingyang City were the foundation of the Chen Clan. To protect these mortal descendants, sixty to seventy percent of the spiritual energy from the Second Rank Low Grade Spirit Vein beneath Pingyang City was reserved to power the City Guardian Grand Formation, making it a paramount priority.

In the near future, this Spirit Isle Lake would become one of the clan's primary sources of revenue. Relying on the specialty of the Azure Spirit Fish, its income would even gradually surpass that of the Yuyang Market, becoming the clan's greatest financial pillar.

For the Chen Clan, this place was already one of its three most vital lifelines. Without the protection of a second-rank defensive formation, it would no longer be secure enough.

The two men did not waste time. They set off by flying sword that very day, covering over five thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day to reach Spirit Isle Lake.

Upon arriving at Spirit Isle Lake, they immediately saw the siblings Silas and Caleb. Now fourteen years old, their cultivation progress had been swift, astonishingly reaching the Qi Refinement, Mid Stage. Original publication: *audio-novel.com* - The source of this chapter.

Attaining the Qi Refinement Fourth Layer at fourteen, while not matching the astounding speed at which Eldrin Chen had reached the Qi Refinement Sixth Layer at the same age, was still considered exceptional among those with Two Spiritual Roots.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, with their talent and the careful nurturing of Eldrin Chen, they would likely reach the ninth layer of Qi Refinement before twenty-five and have their meridians fully tempered, possessing the potential to attempt a Foundation Establishment breakthrough before thirty.

It was the first time the siblings had seen their own Clan Patriarch, and they were momentarily awestruck and fearful, staying quietly to the side, not daring to speak.

"Do not be afraid. This is your ancestral elder," Chen Dorian approached, soothing the two. "You should address him as Great-Grandfather."

"You usually address me this way, do not change it now," he said.

Hearing this, the two siblings relaxed slightly. Silas Chen called out sweetly, "Ancestor."

The Old Patriarch looked at them, his face blooming like a flower, and examined them with satisfaction. "Both at the Qi Refinement Fourth Layer already. It seems your cultivation has been diligent."

"Come, your Ancestor has a little something for you."

As he spoke, he casually bestowed upon each of them a First Rank High Grade Magical Tool.

After presenting the magical tools, he patted their heads and smiled. "Cultivate well. Strive to break through to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer soon. In the future, this Ancestor will go and procure a couple of Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm] for you."

Having said that, he sent the children on their way and then pulled Chen Dorian aside to chat.

Eldrin Chen knew that although the Old Granduncle, Chen Dorian, appeared normal, he did not have many years left to live.

He was now one hundred and seventeen years old. His vital energy and physical body were nearly exhausted, sustained only by a wisp of True Qi [the refined energy cultivated by practitioners] nourishing his flesh. Thus, he seemed normal for the time being. But once that True Qi was completely depleted, his final breath would slip away. This chapter is provided by audi novel.com. Support the original.