Chapter 60 Dual Foundation Establishment, Double Celebration

Eldrin then rode his sword, carrying the Third Elder back to Spirit Isle Lake. This decision was made considering that if both of them underwent closed-door cultivation for Foundation Establishment simultaneously, it might lead to insufficient spiritual energy. Thus, they chose to establish their foundations separately.

The Third Elder entered seclusion within the spiritual spring of Spirit Isle Lake (Location), while Eldrin (Person Name) stationed himself outside the spring to stand guard.

While safeguarding the ritual, he took the opportunity to refine a second-order spirit peach. The spiritual essence of this second-order peach was astonishing—both the quality and concentration of its spiritual energy far surpassed that of first-order spirit peaches.

Eldrin slowly refined the spirit peach, realizing that with his current cultivation level, it would take approximately 3 months to fully digest a single spirit peach.

To his delight, refining each spirit peach yielded effects nearly equivalent to a full year of arduous cultivation.

"This Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) is truly extraordinary."

"From now on, I can refine 4 spirit peaches each year. 1 year of refinement will equal 4 years of cultivation. In roughly 5 or 6 years, I should be able to break through to the next minor realm."

Sensing the profound mysteries within this spirit peach, Eldrin contemplated for a moment before revealing a faint smile.

A cultivator with a 5 spiritual root constitution like his, even after refining the Primordial Purple Qi to enhance his innate aptitude, could only achieve a foundation comparable to that of a 3 spiritual root talent.

To cultivate swiftly without spirit peaches, 1 could only rely on arduous time or the consumption of vast resources to possibly match the progress of a dual-spiritual root practitioner.

But now, with the aid of the spirit peaches, his cultivation speed likely rivaled even that of a prodigy blessed with a Heavenly Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root).

“…”

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, 2 months had passed.

1 day, Eldrin was refining spirit peaches when he abruptly sensed the spiritual energy between heaven and earth surging wildly into the spirit spring.

A moment later, a powerful aura radiated forth, followed by a figure pushing open the door and emerging.

"Congratulations, Uncle Lior, you've finally broken through to Foundation Establishment."

A flicker of delight shone in Eldrin's eyes as he gazed excitedly at Lior. He promptly rose to his feet and offered his congratulations.

The Third Elder, his face glowing with elation, directly offered a ceremonial bow to Eldrin (Person Name).

"Absolutely not." Eldrin swiftly steadied the Third Elder. "You are my elder—how could you possibly bow to me?"

Lior (Person Name), having managed mundane affairs for the family for years, understood the ways of the world all too well. He spoke with solemn sincerity, "Though I may barely qualify as your elder within the clan, the standing I hold today was ultimately shaped by your accomplishments."

As the saying goes, hindering 1's path to enlightenment is akin to murdering their parents.

"In my eyes, this grace of attaining the Dao is akin to rebirth. You assisted me in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm, and for that, you deserve this bow."

After speaking, he bowed deeply to Eldrin.

Hearing this, Eldrin said no more and calmly accepted the bow.

After Lior (Person Name) achieved his Foundation Establishment breakthrough, the 2 did not linger at Spirit Isle Lake (Location). They immediately summoned their flying swords and soared toward Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), eager to bring the joyous news to their clan.

As soon as the 2 arrived at Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), they noticed an exceptionally lively atmosphere enveloping the mountain. Each clansman appeared radiant, their faces lit with unmistakable joy.

No sooner had they alighted from their flying swords than the old clan leader strode forward to greet them. His gaze swept over Lior (Person Name), and he could not help but let out 3 booming laughs.

"Excellent, excellent! Today is truly a doubly joyous occasion for our Chen Immortal Clan."

"Aunt Qingwan has also made a breakthrough?"

Eldrin exchanged a glance with Lior, unable to suppress a hint of exhilaration as he inquired.

The old clan leader stroked his beard and laughed heartily, nodding repeatedly with satisfaction. "Your Aunt Qingwan has just broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm today and is currently consolidating her cultivation base."

He grabbed the 2 of them and strode into the family hall.

Upon hearing that the 2 of them had returned, Chen Qingwan didn’t even take the time to consolidate her cultivation base and made a point of leaving seclusion to come to the main hall.

The 4 of them took their seats within the great hall. The old clan leader, Man Rongguang, beamed with pride as he declared, "In just 3 short years, our Chen Family has produced 3 Foundation Establishment cultivators in succession."

"Even I find it somewhat hard to believe to this day."

The Third Elder promptly bowed and said earnestly, "The 2 of us owe all we have achieved today to the support of the Old Patriarch and Eldrin."

"If not for your life-and-death struggle at the Demon Wolf Mountain, how could we have obtained this incomparably precious Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object)?"

Chen Qingwan also bowed solemnly and said earnestly, for she knew full well that the family's acquisition of 2 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) was entirely due to the Old Patriarch and Eldrin (Person Name) having fought tooth and nail to obtain them.

If not for their great merit in the Demon Wolf Mountains, how could Patriarch Jiang have bestowed upon them the invaluable Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object)? Even the 1 they purchased could never have been acquired at the bargain price of 10,000 spirit stones.

"These 2 elders have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the family all these years, and are undoubtedly the most suitable candidates." Eldrin smiled faintly. "Now that our family possesses the Foundation Establishment Pill, it is only fitting that you 2 should be the first to obtain it."

In truth, those who had truly rendered meritorious service for the clan and devoted themselves wholeheartedly were far more than just these 2 individuals.

In terms of seniority and contributions, they were far surpassed by the likes of Grand Elder Chen Qingxu and Second Elder Chen Qinghe. Even the Fourth Elder’s qualifications and merits were not far behind. However, all 3 had already celebrated their sixtieth birthdays, and even with the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), their chances of achieving a breakthrough were now slim.

Especially the Fourth Elder, Chen Qingyuan (Person Name), who had just passed 60 by 2 years. Upon learning that the family had obtained 2 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object), he secluded himself in the family’s spirit herb garden for a full month. When he emerged, his hair and beard had turned snow-white, his face gaunt and haggard as withered wood.

"Very well, let's get down to business."

The old clan leader’s smile faded, a gleam lighting up his eyes. "The 3 of you breaking through to Foundation Establishment in succession is a joyous occasion. I intend to host a banquet and invite fellow cultivators from across Yu County to celebrate together."

Eldrin's expression shifted subtly upon hearing this, a faint smile gracing his features. "As it should be."

Unlike previous years, with all 3 having successively broken through to Foundation Establishment, the Chen family was no longer the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) of old.

In previous years, only the old clan leader of the Chen Family stood guard. While their strength was sufficient for self-preservation, it fell short for expansion, forcing them to relinquish certain interests within Yu County.

The most lucrative business in Yu County was none other than the Yuyang Market. The annual tax revenue from this market alone exceeded 5,000 spirit stones.

This market was nominally governed by the 6 great families, with each Immortal Clan receiving an average share of 8 to 9 100 spirit stones in profit.

Now that the Chen family had gained strength, it was only natural to make a high-profile announcement to the outside world and seize the opportunity to reclaim their share of the spirit stone revenue.

Now that the Chen family had gained 3 Foundation Establishment cultivators, their combined annual stipends alone increased by over 900 spirit stones. If they couldn't reclaim the Chen family's rightful share of spirit stones from the Yuyang Market, it would be nearly impossible to resolve the clan's financial deficit.

"It should be straightforward to reclaim our share of the Yuyang Market," the Third Elder stroked his beard and said with a furrowed brow. "The real question is how much we can actually recover."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qingwan frowned slightly. "With our current strength, having Uncle Changxuan and Eldrin (Person Name) on our side, we should be qualified to claim a top-2 share."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly. He understood that the tax distribution in Yuyang Market was not divided equally among the clans, but allocated according to their strength.