Chapter 74 Golden Threads

In recent years, though the family had grown considerably wealthier, they still carried substantial internal debts and unpaid annual stipends owed to clan members. After settling these obligations, the remaining spirit stones in the clan treasury likely numbered no more than 3,000.

These 8,000 spirit stones were likely pooled together by the clan leader and the other 2 Foundation Establishment cultivators—they must have even contributed the stones seized from Zuo Yunian's possession.

Taking the spirit stones, Eldrin sighed with emotion, "I remember 7 or 8 years ago, when I journeyed alone to Celestial Ruins Mountain with just over 2,000 spirit stones. I was so terrified of being robbed and killed for my treasures that I didn't dare sleep through the entire night."

"In order to purchase the Meridian-Nourishing Pill for you, Elder Uncle, I had to secretly investigate for over 20 days before gathering the courage to step into the Celestial Ruins Pavilion."

"Now that I'm holding 8,000 spirit stones, I no longer feel the slightest bit of tension. It truly feels like it was just yesterday."

The Old Patriarch and the Third Elder couldn't help but smile faintly upon hearing this.

Now that Eldrin had been at the Foundation Establishment stage for several years, armed with his Lifebound Immortal Sword and 2 top-grade Grade 2 magical instruments, he could likely hold his own against even a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivator. Naturally, his skill bred boldness.

“…”

After the New Year festivities concluded, Eldrin did not linger. The very next day, he rode his sword through the skies, heading straight for Fengjun County.

Now that his cultivation had grown even more profound, he could soar over 6,000 li daily on his sword. Though Feng Commandery lay more than 60,000 li from Yu Commandery, the journey took merely a dozen or so days to complete.

Upon entering Feng County, Eldrin did not rush to the Fengyang Trading Post where the exchange gathering was held. Instead, he rode his sword and first visited a Liu immortal clan.

The Liu Immortal Clan was 1 of the 7 Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans of Feng Commandery. After the Zuo Clan's demise, they became 1 of the 6 Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans.

Among the 6 great immortal clans, this clan's strength ranked in the upper echelon. The specialty of the Liu Immortal Clan was none other than the renowned Golden Thread Silkworm.

Golden Whisker Silk was highly sought-after throughout the entire Border Province. From the 3 major prefectures, all immortal clans—be they great or small—had a consistent demand for Golden Whisker Silk to set up their formations.

The Liu family earned an additional 1,000 spirit stones each year solely from the exclusive profits brought by the Golden Silkworms.

This was precisely why the Liu family ranked second among the Foundation Establishment clans in Feng County. Within their clan resided 5 Foundation Establishment cultivators, and their patriarch was a formidable cultivator at the 7th level of Foundation Establishment. Their strength even surpassed that of the Mu family from Yu County by a noticeable margin.

After all, although the Mu family had 7 Foundation Establishment cultivators, several of them were with the Green Sun Sect and could only be considered half Mu family members.

To get back to the main point, Eldrin rode his sword to the entrance of the Liu Clan's mountain gate. Without rashly entering, he merely circulated his true essence and shouted loudly.

"I am Eldrin of the Chen Family from Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), here to pay my respects."

"May the esteemed Liu family fellow cultivators grace us with their presence."

As his voice faded, he descended to the guest pavilion at the mountain's base to wait.

After a long moment, 2 figures soared out on their swords—1 man and 1 woman, both Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The man appeared elderly, his cultivation seemingly at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment. The woman looked to be in her late twenties, yet her cultivation had reached the seventh level of Foundation Establishment—clearly a testament to her mastery of youth-preserving arts.

Spotting Eldrin from afar, the woman smiled faintly and said, "The magpies have been singing since early morning. I knew today would bring an honored guest, and indeed, here you are."

"Fellow Daoist Chen, your presence here in the Liu Clan is truly our greatest fortune."

The woman's words were as soothing as a spring breeze, making Eldrin feel completely at ease.

When treated with courtesy, he would naturally respond in kind. Rising to his feet, he bowed gracefully and said with a warm smile, "You must be Patriarch Liu. I have long heard of your extraordinary presence, and now that I stand before you, I see you truly possess the bearing of a celestial."

"You flatter me, good sir. This humble 1, Liu Juanran, pays her respects." Liu Juanran offered a slight bow, her gaze fixed on Eldrin as she smiled. "In all of Bianzhou, who hasn't heard of your renowned feat at Verdant Chariot Mountain—how your blade struck down Lin Baixi during the sword contest?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Eldrin did not linger on trivial matters and promptly brought up the main affair.

"To be frank, I've come seeking to purchase some Golden Thread Silkworm fibers."

Golden Whisker Silkworm Thread.

The old man furrowed his brow and spoke helplessly, "But the Golden-Whisker Silkworm Thread accumulated over these 3 years had already been reserved by Elder Lin of the Green Sun Sect 10 years ago."

Grand Elder!

Liu Jueran abruptly cut off the old man, turning to Eldrin with a light laugh. "The 3 prefectures of Bianzhou stand as 1. It's only natural for our major Foundation Establishment families to maintain close ties."

"In that case, we can temporarily decline Fellow Daoist Lin from the Qingyang Sect for now. These Golden-Threaded Silkworm Fibers shall be sold to you first, Fellow Daoist Chen."

"This…"

Eldrin (Person Name) felt a surge of delight and promptly expressed his gratitude, "In that case, my sincerest thanks."

"My Chen Clan will take all the Golden-whisker Silkworm Threads accumulated over these 3 years."

Liu Jueran smiled faintly: "Please wait a moment. This humble 1 will have someone fetch the silkworm threads immediately."

Half an hour later, Eldrin spent 3,000 spirit stones to purchase 3 jin and 4 liang of Golden Thread Silk from the Liu Family.

With so much Golden Thread Silk, once combined with other supplementary materials and infused with the essence of the 5 Elements, it would be enough to refine several sets of second-tier, low-grade formation flags.

"It seems the formation arrays of the 6 Towns of Pingyang can finally be rearranged."

At this thought, a flicker of delight crossed Eldrin’s face. Although the spiritual veins of the Pingyang 6 Towns were only of First-Class, Upper-Grade, they could still barely unleash the power of a Second-Class, Lower-Grade formation. It would be enough to hold off Foundation Establishment cultivators for a short while.

Once the formation was successfully replaced, with the 6 towns serving as a protective early-warning barrier, the security of the area spanning hundreds of miles around Pingyang City would be enhanced by several dozen times.

The 6 towns were merely a few 100 miles from Pingyang County. With the Old Patriarch's cultivation level, he could rush to their aid in an instant. All they needed was to hold out for a brief moment before reinforcements arrived. Once secured, those hundreds of miles of fertile plains could be gradually developed for cultivation—enough to sustain a population of millions.

"The transaction is complete, so I shall take my leave now." After storing the Golden Thread Silkworm silk, Eldrin remarked with a smile. Before departing, he added gratefully, "Fellow Daoist, your exception today in selling the Golden Thread Silkworm silk to our Chen Family is a favor we will remember."

Upon hearing this, Liu Juanruo nodded and said, "Then I shall not see you off any further."

After Eldrin had gone far into the distance, the Great Elder of the Liu Family could no longer restrain himself. Rising to his feet, he could not help but ask.

"This Golden Threaded Silk was reserved by Lin Muhua of the Qingyang Sect 10 years in advance. If we sell it to the Chen Family, how are we supposed to answer to Lin Muhua?"

"He is an outer sect elder of the Verdant Sun Sect, a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator—how could we possibly afford to offend him?"

Qingyang Sect?

Liu Jueran let out a sudden cold laugh upon hearing this. "Do you remember what the Qingyang Sect did when the beast tide erupted over 70 years ago, claiming the lives of 2 of our Liu clan’s elders?"

The elder’s expression froze, a flicker of resentment surfacing in his eyes. "The Verdant Sun Sect has acted unjustly. To this day, they still owe our Liu Clan a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object)."

"Hmm." Liu Jueran gave a nod, then asked, "Are you aware that Chen Qingyuan from the Chen Clan passed away in meditation after taking the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) from the Green Sun Sect?"

"What?"

The elder's face abruptly changed color, and he couldn't help but cry out in astonishment.

Liu Jueran closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. "The Qingyang Pact is but a scrap of paper," she murmured. "It seems the Qingyang Sect cannot be relied upon."

"They are solely focused on Qing and Yang Provinces. As for the beast tide that will strike in 20-some years, it will require all the prominent families of our 3 border prefectures to unite in solidarity and support 1 another."