Chapter 61 : The Sunward Market's Decisive Duel

Sixty years ago, at the peak of the Chen Clan, they even secured close to thirty percent of the tax revenue share from the Sunward Market, with annual dividend Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] exceeding one thousand five hundred pieces.

One thousand five hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] per year meant fifteen thousand pieces over a decade. Such a massive share made the Chen Clan of that era immensely wealthy. Not only did they spend heavily to cultivate several upper-grade first-rank Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy], but they could also afford supreme treasures like the Purple Sun Jade.

However, ever since the Chen Clan declined and lacked the strength to station a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] at the Sunward Market, the share belonging to the Chen Clan was carved up and divided among the Six Great Clans.

"Back then, each of the Six Great Clans took a large portion of our share," said the Third Elder, frowning as he continued, "Now, getting them to spit out everything they swallowed won't be easy."

"If they refuse to give it back, then we settle it with a contest of blades."

The Old Patriarch waved his sleeve with spirited determination. "According to the old custom, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] from each major Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] shall face off. Strength will decide the tax revenue division for the Sunward Market."

"Since we are already hosting a banquet for the various clans, they need not make an extra trip. We can hold the contest right here on Green Chariot Mountain."

Eldrin Chen nodded. The major Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [clans with cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm] jointly governed the Sunward Market, and a mature system for allocating its tax shares had long been established.

According to the rules set back then, the allocation of shares from the Sunward Market was based on the number of Foundation Establishment [the realm of solidifying one's spiritual foundation] cultivators a clan possessed. If two clans had the same number, then the division was determined by the cultivators' respective levels of cultivation.

Furthermore, if any clan was dissatisfied with its allocated share, it could challenge another clan to a contest of blades. Access the full story on audio-novel.com (official site).

For the sword contest, each side would dispatch three cultivators, following a best-of-three format. The victor would claim the loser's share of resources.

The Old Patriarch's strength was now sufficient to contend for the title of the foremost cultivator in Yu County, and he held great confidence in Eldrin Chen. Thus, he resolved to secure greater benefits for the clan.

Having made his decision, he turned his gaze to Eldrin Chen. "Both Verdant Grace and Lior have only recently broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm. They should focus on consolidating their cultivation base."

"I must trouble you to make the journey and deliver the invitations to the five great Immortal Clan."

Eldrin Chen nodded with a slight smile. "That is easily managed. I shall visit the Six Great Clans tomorrow."

After all, they were inviting the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their foundational cultivation base] of each major clan, and the matter involved the sword contest at Green Chariot Mountain. Sending a mere Vital Essence Refinement [the initial stage of cultivation focused on refining one's life force] cultivator would have been discourteous.

Dispatching him, a member of the younger generation and a newly ascended Foundation Establishment Cultivator, to deliver the invitations struck the perfect balance—neither subservient nor arrogant, yet showing due respect to the great clans.

After further discussion, the assembly decided to hold the banquet three months hence.

"..."

Early the next morning, Eldrin Chen set out from Green Chariot Mountain, the invitations in hand.

Yu County [a vast territory within the cultivation world] spans tens of thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. The distances between its various great clans often exceed ten thousand Li-length. If a message were to be delivered by a Vital Essence Refinement [the initial stage of cultivation where one refines their vital energy] cultivator, a single letter could easily take over half a month to arrive.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen [a core member of the Chen Clan] was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their cultivation foundation]. Riding upon a three Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] sword radiance that cleaved through the heavens, he traversed more than fifteen thousand Li-length in merely three days, arriving at the Lin Immortal Clan [the Lin Clan, a family of cultivators].

As the foremost of the six great Immortal Clans [powerful cultivation families] within Yu County, the Lin Immortal Clan held the top position in both strength and accumulated heritage [profound legacy and foundational resources] within the county.

A century ago, the Lin Immortal Clan was still a relatively ordinary Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [a clan whose power is based on Foundation Establishment cultivators] in Yu County. Yet now, the Lin Clan astonishingly boasted seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Their clan leader, Ink Achievement Lin, had even reached the Foundation Establishment 9th Tier [the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm], making him the highest-level cultivator in all of Yu County.

This remarkable ascent was owed entirely to the Lin Clan's extraordinary fortune. Roughly a century ago, they had produced a cultivator with a Wind Spiritual Root [a rare innate affinity for wind-element spiritual energy] named Mordecai Lin.

Cultivators with a Variant Spiritual Root [an exceptionally rare and powerful type of spiritual affinity] are top-tier geniuses, one in ten thousand. The entire Verdant Sun Sect [a major orthodox cultivation sect] harbored only two or three such individuals. Therefore, while Mordecai Lin was still young, the Lin Clan sent him to the Verdant Sun Sect in exchange for three Foundation Establishment Pills [precious pills that aid in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm].

Relying on these three Foundation Establishment Pills, the Lin Clan gained two additional Foundation Establishment Cultivators in one fell swoop, dramatically increasing their family's power from that moment onward.

Furthermore, over a decade ago, Mordecai Lin successfully broke through to the Violet Sanctum [the realm following Foundation Establishment]. To sever his lingering Karma [the metaphysical bonds of cause and effect, debt and obligation] with his birth family, he personally provided the Lin Clan with another three Foundation Establishment Pills. This act propelled the Lin Clan to their current prosperous state.

However, once sent to the sect, Mordecai Lin was raised on the sect's resources and could no longer be considered a true member of the clan.

After all, the Verdant Sun Sect had not painstakingly invested its resources to nurture him into a Violet Sanctum Cultivator for the benefit of another family. Once his Karma with the Lin Clan was settled, Mordecai Lin was forbidden from having any further contact with them.

The Lin Clan sold off Mordecai Lin, losing a potential pillar of the clan who could have broken through to the Golden Core realm. Yet, from that point on, they grew and prospered. It was hard to say whether this transaction was ultimately a gain or a loss for them.

"In the end, the Lin Clan is simply too self-serving,"

mused Eldrin Chen as he gazed upon the Lin Clan's estate, this thought flashing through his mind.

In his view, trading away the potential to become a Golden Core Immortal Clan for a handful of Foundation Establishment Pill [elixirs that aid in reaching the Foundation Establishment realm] was a disastrously poor bargain.

Even if Mordecai Lin had failed to reach the Golden Core realm, with his Variant Spiritual Root [a rare and superior type of spiritual aptitude] talent, his chances of breaking through to the Violet Sanctum realm would have been at least fifty or sixty percent. The benefits and influence commanded by a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan could never be measured by a mere few Foundation Establishment Pill.

The primary benefit the clan gained from selling those pills was that the few individuals in power at the time were able to use them to reach Foundation Establishment. Discover more cultivation stories at audio—novel.com.

While this appeared to strengthen the clan in the short term, it truly only benefited those specific individuals, while severely depleting the clan's long-term potential.

"A Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan,"

he murmured. "Among the Three Counties of Border Province, it seems only our Yu County lacks a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan."

His flying sword continued its journey, arriving swiftly before the mountain gates of the Lin Clan. Eldrin Chen pushed these contemplations aside and descended, the light of his sword dissipating as he landed.

He stood before the mountain gate and called out in a clear, carrying voice, "I am Eldrin Chen of Green Chariot Mountain, here specifically to request an audience with Lin Clan Leader."

Moments later, Eldrin Chen saw a streak of sword light flying towards him from the distance.

While still several Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away, a hearty laugh preceded the visitor. "I have long heard that the Chen Clan has produced a young genius. Seeing you today, the reputation is clearly well-deserved."

The arrival was a young man at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage. He landed his sword light and smiled. "I am White Hope Lin. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Eldrin Chen clasped his hands in a formal salute. "The honor is mine."

"Truly a prodigy among the young." White Hope Lin examined Eldrin Chen carefully, his expression turning more serious. "Our Clan Leader has requested your presence. Please, follow me."

The two flew up to the main peak of the Lin Clan. The Lin Clan Patriarch, Ink Achievement Lin, was already waiting in the reception hall.

Clad in a long robe, the man smiled as he looked at Eldrin Chen. "I had heard you achieved your Foundation Establishment breakthrough, young friend. I intended to offer my congratulations, but I did not expect you would come to our Lin Clan so soon."

"Such a distinguished guest truly brings honor to our humble Lin Clan."

As his words faded, a glimmer of light flashed within Eldrin Chen's eyes.

The address "young friend" is generally used for juniors of lower cultivation realms. Since he had now reached the Foundation Establishment stage and the two were not clan relatives, Ink Achievement Lin should, by all rights, have addressed him as "fellow Daoist."

To think he would call him "young friend" now. Was this an attempt to assert superiority, to put him in his place, or simply a sign that he did not take him seriously at all?

Eldrin Chen was not one to be easily slighted. He countered without a change in expression, "You overstate the case, fellow Daoist. I, too, have pressing business that brings me here." Original publication: audio novel.com - The source of this chapter.