Chapter 74 : A Fortune Forged in Memory

Although the clan had prospered considerably in recent years, it had previously accumulated significant debts to its members and owed back pay. After settling these obligations, the remaining Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] within the Clan Treasury likely did not exceed three thousand pieces.

These eight thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] were probably pooled together by the Clan Patriarch and the other two Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their foundational cultivation base]. Furthermore, they must have contributed all the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] seized from Zuo Yuannian.

Accepting the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], Eldrin Chen sighed with emotion. "I recall seven or eight years ago, I journeyed alone to Celestial Ruins Mountain carrying just over two thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and cultivation]. I was so fearful of being robbed and killed that I dared not sleep a wink through the night."

"To purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and repairs a cultivator's energy channels] for you, Old Granduncle, I spent over half a month secretly gathering information before finally mustering the courage to step into the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion."

"Now, holding eight thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], I feel no tension at all. It truly feels like a lifetime has passed in a single day."

Hearing this, the Old Patriarch and the Third Elder could not help but smile wryly.

Now, Eldrin Chen had been in the Foundation Establishment [the realm of establishing one's foundational cultivation base] for several years. Possessing his Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword bound to its wielder's life force and soul] and two Second Rank High Grade Magical Tool [a high-quality enchanted artifact of the second rank], he could likely trade blows with Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators [cultivators in the advanced stage of the Foundation Establishment realm]. Naturally, great skill breeds great boldness.

"..."

After the Year's End [the traditional end-of-year celebrations] festivities concluded, Eldrin Chen did not linger. The very next day, he mounted his sword and flew towards Feng County.

His cultivation had grown ever more profound. Now, he could cover over six thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] by sword-flight each day. Although Feng County was more than sixty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Yu County, the journey took him little more than ten days. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio - novel . com.

After entering Feng County, Eldrin Chen did not rush directly to the Fengyang Trading Post where the Barter Convention was held. Instead, he first rode his sword to visit a certain Liu Immortal Clan.

The Liu Immortal Clan was one of the seven great Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan of Feng County. Since the fall of the Zuo Clan, it had been counted among the Six Great Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans.

This clan's strength ranked among the upper tier of the six great immortal clans. The specialty product of the Liu Immortal Clan was the renowned Golden Thread Silkworm.

Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [a resilient, spirit-conductive silk produced by a rare insect] was in high demand across the entire Bianzhou region. The various immortal clans of the three counties, large and small, consistently required it for setting up formations.

This Liu Clan earned an additional one thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] per year solely from the exclusive profits brought by the Golden Thread Silkworm.

Precisely because of this, the Liu Clan's strength could hold the second position among the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan of Feng County. Within their clan were five Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and their Clan Patriarch was a great cultivator at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation], his power surpassing even that of the Mu Clan from Yu County by a fair margin.

After all, although the Mu Clan had seven Foundation Establishment cultivators, several of them were within the Green Sun Sect and could only be considered half-members of the Mu Clan.

Returning to the matter at hand, Eldrin Chen flew on his sword to the mountain gate of the Liu Clan. He did not venture inside uninvited. Instead, he channeled his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner] and called out in a clear, resonant voice.

"I am Eldrin Chen of the Chen Clan from Verdant Chariot Mountain, here to pay a visit."

"I request an audience with a fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] of the Liu Clan."

With those words, he descended and waited within the guest pavilion at the mountain's foot.

A short while later, two figures flew out on their swords. One was a man, the other a woman, both being Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their foundation in the Dao, representing a significant leap in power and lifespan].

The man appeared elderly, his cultivation seemingly at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. The woman looked to be in her late twenties, yet her cultivation was at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment, clearly skilled in the art of preserving a youthful appearance.

Spotting Eldrin Chen from afar, the woman smiled warmly. "The magpies have been singing their melodies since dawn. I knew today would bring a distinguished guest, and now I see my intuition was correct."

"For Fellow Daoist Chen to grace the Liu Clan with his presence is truly a great fortune for our clan."

Her words were like a gentle spring breeze, making Eldrin Chen feel immediately at ease.

When treated with such courtesy, he naturally responded in kind. Rising to his feet, he offered a respectful bow and said with a smile, "You must be the Matriarch of the Liu Clan. I have long heard of your extraordinary grace, and seeing you today is indeed like beholding a celestial being."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. This humble one is Rosalind Liu." Rosalind Liu returned the gesture with a slight bow, her gaze fixed on Eldrin Chen as she continued with a knowing smile. "Who in all of Bianzhou does not know of your formidable reputation, earned when you vanquished Lin Lysander with your sword during the Sword Competition at Verdant Chariot Mountain?"

After exchanging the customary pleasantries, Eldrin Chen did not linger on formalities and soon broached the true purpose of his visit.

"To speak plainly, I have come seeking to purchase some Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [a precious silk produced by a rare spirit insect, prized for its resilience and affinity for channeling spiritual energy]."

"Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [a lustrous, resilient silk produced by a specific spirit insect, prized for crafting enchanted robes]."

The old man furrowed his brow and spoke with a note of helplessness. "However, the Golden Thread Silkworm Silk accumulated over these past three years was already promised to Elder Lin of the Green Sun Sect a decade ago."

"Grand Elder!"

Liu Junran suddenly interjected, cutting off the elder. She turned to Eldrin Chen with a smile. "We of the Three Counties of Bianzhou are one community. Our great Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a solid spiritual foundation] clans should naturally foster closer ties."

"Here is my proposal," she continued. "We can temporarily decline Elder Lin of the Green Sun Sect. Let us sell this batch of Golden Thread Silkworm Silk to Fellow Daoist Chen instead."

"This..." Support the author by reading on audio - novel . com.

Eldrin Chen felt a surge of delight and promptly expressed his gratitude. "If that is the case, you have my deepest thanks."

"My Chen Clan will take the entire three-year stock of Golden Thread Silkworm Silk."

Liu Junran offered a gentle smile. "Please wait a moment. This humble one will have someone fetch the silk."

After the time for half an incense stick to burn had passed, Eldrin Chen spent three thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to purchase three Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] and four Liang-weight [one Liang-weight equals fifty grams] of Golden Thread Silkworm Silk from the Liu Clan.

With this much Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [a high-quality silk produced by a specific spirit insect], simply by adding other auxiliary materials and infusing some Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], it would be sufficient to forge several sets of Second Rank Low Grade Formation Flags [enchanted banners used to deploy and power magical formations].

"It seems the protective formations for the Pingyang Six Towns can finally be renewed," he mused.

At this thought, Eldrin Chen revealed a flicker of delight. Although the spirit veins of the Pingyang Six Towns were only of First Rank High Grade quality, they could still barely unleash the power of a Second Rank Low Grade formation, enough to hold off a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] for a short time.

Once the formations were successfully replaced, using the six towns as a defensive and early-warning perimeter, the security of the several hundred Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] surrounding Pingyang City would increase by tens of times.

The six towns were merely a few hundred Li-lengths from Pingyang County, a distance the Old Patriarch could traverse in moments. Therefore, holding the line for mere moments would be enough for reinforcements to arrive. The hundreds of Li-lengths of fertile plains could then be gradually developed; if used for cultivation, it could sustain a population of several million.

"The transaction is complete, so I shall not linger," Eldrin Chen said with a smile after receiving the Golden Thread Silkworm Silk. Before leaving, he added a word of gratitude, "We will remember the favor you have done our Chen Clan by making an exception and selling us this Golden Thread Silkworm Silk today."

Liu Junran nodded upon hearing this. "Then I shall not see you off," she replied.

After Eldrin Chen had departed into the distance, the Liu Clan Grand Elder could no longer contain himself. He stood up and could not help but ask,

"But this Golden Thread Silkworm Silk was reserved a full decade in advance by Lin Muhua of the Green Sun Sect! How will we explain selling it to the Chen Clan? How do we face Lin Muhua?"

"He is an outer sect elder of the Green Sun Sect, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators! How can we afford to offend him?"

"Green Sun Sect [a major cultivation sect in the region]?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Junran sneered coldly, "Do you remember what happened over seventy years ago, when the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion of monstrous beasts] erupted? Two of my Liu Clan uncles fell in battle. What did the Green Sun Sect do then?"

The old man's expression froze, and a flicker of resentment appeared in his eyes. "The Green Sun Sect handled the matter unjustly. To this day, they still owe our Liu Clan a single Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm]."

"Hmm." Liu Junran nodded, then continued, "And do you know that after taking the Foundation Establishment Pill from the Green Sun Sect, the Chen Clan's Chen Corin ended up perishing during his secluded cultivation?"

"What?!"

The old man's face underwent a drastic change, and he could not suppress a gasp of shock.

Liu Junran closed his eyes and sighed. "The Green Sun Covenant [a pact of mutual aid between the sect and local clans] is as worthless as scrap paper. It seems we can no longer rely on the Green Sun Sect."

"They are only concerned with Qing and Yang Provinces. When the next Beast Tide Calamity descends in little more than two decades, it will be up to the great families of the Three Counties of Bianzhou to stand united, to support and aid one another." Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel-dot-com.