Chapter 60 : A Guardian's Vigil and Spiritual Harvest

Eldrin Chen then took flight on his sword, carrying Third Elder back to Spirit Isle Lake. He had considered that if both of them secluded themselves for Foundation Establishment [the process of solidifying one's cultivation foundation] simultaneously, there might be an issue with insufficient spiritual energy. Therefore, he decided they should undergo their breakthroughs separately.

Third Elder entered seclusion within the Spirit Spring [a spring rich with concentrated spiritual energy] at Spirit Isle Lake, while Eldrin Chen stationed himself outside the spring to stand guard and protect him during this critical time.

While standing guard, he began refining a Second Rank Spiritual Peach. The spiritual potency of this peach was astonishing; both the quality and quantity of its spiritual energy far surpassed that of a First Rank Spiritual Peach.

As Eldrin Chen slowly refined the Spiritual Peach, he discovered that with his current cultivation level, it would take him approximately three months to fully digest the energy from a single peach.

To his delight, the effect of refining one peach was nearly equivalent to a full year of arduous cultivation on his own.

"This Worldly Spiritual Root [a rare, naturally occurring spiritual root that enhances cultivation] is truly extraordinary," he mused.

"From now on, I can refine four Spiritual Peaches each year. Refining for one year will be equal to cultivating for four. In roughly five or six years, I should be able to break through to the next minor realm."

Contemplating the profound mysteries contained within the Spiritual Peach, Eldrin Chen made some mental calculations and a faint smile touched his lips.

As a cultivator with Five Spiritual Roots [a common but slower cultivation aptitude], even after using Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme-grade energy that can refine one's innate potential] to enhance his foundational talent, he was only equivalent to someone with Three Spiritual Roots.

To cultivate swiftly without Spiritual Peaches, he would have no choice but to grind away with time or consume vast quantities of resources. Only then might he keep pace with the cultivation speed of someone blessed with a Dual Spiritual Root. Support the author by reading on audio~novel.com.

However, with the aid of the Spiritual Peach [a fruit brimming with potent spiritual energy], his cultivation speed now likely rivals that of a peerless prodigy blessed with a Heavenly Spiritual Root [the highest grade of innate talent for absorbing spiritual energy].

"…"

Time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, two months passed.

On this day, as Eldrin Chen was refining the energy of the Spiritual Peach, he suddenly sensed the ambient spiritual energy of heaven and earth surging wildly into the Spirit Spring [a natural spring that concentrates and emits spiritual energy].

Moments later, a powerful aura emanated forth, and a figure pushed open the door and stepped out.

"Congratulations, Uncle Lior! You have finally achieved a breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment realm [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation]!"

Eldrin Chen's eyes shone with delight, his face alight with excitement as he looked at Lior Chen. He quickly rose to offer his congratulations.

The Third Elder [a senior member of the Chen Clan council], his countenance radiant with success, directly bowed in salute to Eldrin Chen.

"This is not proper!" Eldrin Chen swiftly reached out to steady the Third Elder. "You are my elder. How can you bow to me?"

Lior Chen, having managed the clan's secular affairs for many years, understood the principles of conduct deeply. He spoke earnestly, "While within the clan, I may barely qualify as your elder, the attainment I have today is entirely your doing."

"As the saying goes, to obstruct another's path to enlightenment is akin to murdering their parents."

"In my view, the grace of enabling one's enlightenment is like the gift of a second life. You have aided my breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a stable foundation for their future path], and you are worthy of this bow."

Having spoken, he bowed deeply to Eldrin Chen.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen said no more and accepted the gesture with grace.

After Lior Chen's breakthrough into Foundation Establishment, the two did not linger at Spirit Isle Lake. They immediately summoned their flying swords and soared towards Green Chariot Mountain to bring the joyous news to their clan.

Upon their arrival at Green Chariot Mountain, they found the mountain's atmosphere unusually festive. Every clan member they saw was beaming, their faces alight with unmistakable joy.

No sooner had their swords touched the ground than the Old Patriarch came forward to greet them. His gaze fell upon Lior Chen, and he could not help but let out three hearty laughs.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent! Today, our Chen Immortal Clan is truly blessed with a double portion of good fortune!"

"Has Aunt Verdant Grace also broken through?"

Eldrin Chen and Lior Chen exchanged a glance, and Eldrin could not suppress his own surge of delighted curiosity as he asked the question.

Old Patriarch stroked his beard and laughed heartily, nodding repeatedly with unbridled joy. "Your Aunt Verdant Grace just achieved her Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] breakthrough today and is currently consolidating her cultivation base."

As he spoke, he took them both by the arm and led them into the main clan hall.

Upon hearing of their return, Verdant Grace Chen could not bear to wait, setting aside her cultivation consolidation to emerge from seclusion and come to the great hall.

The four of them took their seats within the hall. Old Patriarch, his face radiant with pride, declared, "Within the short span of three years, our Chen Clan has produced three Foundation Establishment Cultivator in succession."

"Even now, this old man finds it somewhat hard to believe."

Third Elder promptly bowed and said with utmost sincerity, "That we two have reached this day is entirely due to the support of Old Patriarch and you, Eldrin." Continue reading this story at http://www . audio-novel.com.

"Had you not fought that desperate, bloody battle at Dire Wolf Mountain, how could we have obtained those priceless Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare elixir that aids a cultivator in solidifying their spiritual foundation and advancing to the Foundation Establishment realm]?"

Verdant Grace Chen also bowed earnestly. She understood perfectly well that the clan's acquisition of two Foundation Establishment Pill was solely the result of the life-and-death struggle waged by Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen.

If not for their great merit earned at Dire Wolf Mountain, how could Patriarch Jiang have bestowed upon them such invaluable Foundation Establishment Pill? Even the one they purchased later would have been impossible to acquire for a mere ten thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]—a price as cheap as cabbage.

"You two Elder have devoted yourselves tirelessly to the clan all these years and were the most suitable candidates," Eldrin Chen said with a gentle smile. "Now that the clan possesses Foundation Establishment Pill, it is only fitting that you two should be the first to receive them."

In truth, those who have truly established Merits for the clan and toiled with dedication were not limited to just those two individuals.

For instance, in terms of seniority and contributions, Grand Elder Verdant Void Chen and Second Elder Clear River Chen far surpassed them. Even Fourth Elder was not far behind in terms of seniority and merit. However, all three had passed their sixtieth birthday; even with the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm], their hopes for a breakthrough were now exceedingly slim.

This was especially true for Fourth Elder Verdant Destiny Chen. He had just turned sixty-two. After learning the clan had obtained two Foundation Establishment Pill [rare elixirs that aid in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm], he secluded himself in the clan's Spirit Herb Garden [a garden cultivating spiritually infused plants] for a full month. When he emerged, his hair and beard had turned completely white, and his visage was gaunt and haggard, as if withered.

"Enough," the Old Patriarch said, his smile fading as a gleam lit his eyes. "Let us discuss serious matters."

"The three of you achieving Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] in succession is a momentous occasion for our clan," he declared. "I intend to host a grand banquet, inviting all our fellow cultivators in Yu County to celebrate."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly, a smile gracing his lips. "It is only fitting."

This year was different from the past. With three members consecutively breaking through to Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation], the Chen Clan was no longer the same Chen Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] it once was.

In previous years, the Chen Clan had only the Old Patriarch holding the fort. Their strength was sufficient for self-preservation but inadequate for expansion, forcing them to relinquish certain interests within Yu County.

The most lucrative venture in Yu County was undoubtedly the Sunward Market. The annual tax revenue from this trading hub exceeded five thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Nominally, this market was jointly managed by the Six Great Clans. On average, each Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] could claim a share of eight to nine hundred Spirit Stones in profit.

Now that the Chen Clan possesses formidable strength, it is only natural to make a public proclamation and reclaim the portion of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] revenue rightfully belonging to the clan.

With the clan now boasting three additional Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation], the combined annual stipends alone represent an increase of nine hundred Spirit Stones. If they cannot recover the clan's rightful share of the revenue from Sunward Market, it will be exceedingly difficult to resolve the family's fiscal deficit.

"Recovering our share from Sunward Market should be straightforward," said the Third Elder, stroking his beard with a furrowed brow. "The question is, how much can we actually reclaim?"

Upon hearing this, Verdant Grace Chen frowned slightly. "Given our current strength, with Uncle Eternal Profound and Eldrin Chen present, we should be qualified to claim one of the top two shares."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with understanding. He knew the tax distribution from Sunward Market was not divided equally among families but was allocated based on the strength each family could demonstrate. For uninterrupted reading, go to site: audio-novel.com.