Chapter 73 : The Patriarch's Return and a Rare Spiritual Root

Upon returning to Green Chariot Mountain, he discovered that the Old Patriarch had also, for once, returned to Green Chariot Mountain.

As soon as he saw him, the Old Patriarch asked with evident delight, "When did you break through to the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment?"

"I only managed the breakthrough half a year ago,"

Eldrin Chen replied. With the aid of the Second Rank Spiritual Peach, his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy within a cultivator's body] had accumulated sufficiently long before that, making the breakthrough feel like a natural progression.

Lior Chen couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy. He sighed with emotion, "To advance to the second layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage a mere six years after first reaching Foundation Establishment... that speed could rival the prodigies born with a Heavenly Spiritual Root [the highest grade of innate talent for cultivation]."

"A Worldly Spiritual Root [a rare, sentient spiritual plant of immense value] is indeed Extraordinary. Even at merely the Second Rank, it can cause one's cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds."

"If one day this treasure were to reach its full potential, I fear even Infant Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] would covet it."

Hearing this, the Old Patriarch also smiled faintly. "All Worldly Spiritual Roots are miraculous creations of heaven and earth, born from profound Creation [the act of creation, a fundamental cosmic principle]. Their efficacy is naturally extraordinary."

"Legends say the Ji Immortal Clan, Hegemon of the Six Kingdoms possesses a Worldly Spiritual Root known as the Five Elements Fruit Tree. That Five Elements Fruit Tree has reached the Fifth Rank [a grade equivalent to the Infant Soul Realm]. Every century, it bears a batch of Five Elements Spirit Fruit [spiritual fruits imbued with the essence of the five elements], which can even assist cultivators with a Five Elements Spiritual Root [an affinity for all five elemental energies] in breaking through to the Golden Core Realm."

"There are even tales that deep within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, in the heart of the Path Lord Sacred Land, there grows a Sixth Rank Superior Grade Worldly Spiritual Root known as the 'Nirvana Immortal Apricot Tree'." For the best reading experience, visit audio~novel.com.

"It is said that the Nirvana Immortal Apricot Tree blooms once every thousand years, bears fruit once every thousand years, and then takes another thousand years to ripen, ultimately yielding three Immortal Apricots."

"Once the Immortal Apricots mature, they possess a unique divine property. A mere whiff can restore youth to a mortal, allowing them to live past two hundred years. If a cultivator consumes one, they can undergo NirvanaRebirth [a complete spiritual and physical renewal], living a second life. This makes even Primordial Spirit Path Lords [cultivators who have mastered their spiritual core] covet them."

The Old Patriarch had been at the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] for many years and was more worldly than the other two. As he recounted these rumors, he spoke with great conviction.

Listening to these tales of uncertain truth, the two men couldn't help but feel a deep sense of longing.

The Third Elder swallowed hard, saying with astonishment, "I had only heard that the divine fruit from the legendary Immortal Purple Seal Divine Tree could grant Ethereal Ascension [a state of enlightenment and transcendence]. I never imagined a Worldly Spiritual Root [a spiritual plant born from the essence of the world] could possess such profound and supreme mysteries."

"Shows what you know," the Old Patriarch chuckled, then added with excitement, "Although Eldrin's Spiritual Peach Tree is still of a low grade, its origin is also that of a Worldly Spiritual Root. This might very well be Eldrin's opportunity to achieve his Path."

He continued, adding, "Of course, the vast majority of Worldly Spiritual Roots reach their limit upon growing to the fourth rank. Whether they can advance further depends entirely on fate and opportunity."

"I imagine that Worldly Spiritual Roots like the Nirvana Immortal Apricot Tree, which border on being immortal strains, are exceedingly rare even within the boundless expanse of the Purple Seal Realm."

"The matter of the Worldly Spiritual Root is of utmost importance," the Third Elder said after a moment's thought. "From now on, regarding Spirit Isle Lake, aside from those we can trust absolutely, the fewer people who go there, the better."

Eldrin Chen listened quietly, a sudden impulse to use the Violet Aura [a rare and potent form of spiritual energy] to elevate the Spiritual Tree's foundation flashing through his mind. Yet, no sooner had the thought arisen than he firmly suppressed it.

He found it difficult to refine and absorb the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme primordial energy of violet hue, foundational for high-level cultivation]. He could only accumulate a single mouthful every ten years, and the fourth mouthful he was currently gathering had just passed the halfway mark.

The efficacy of the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura was extraordinary. Not only could it temper his meridians, but it could also forge his physical body. This was crucial for his future confidence in breaking through to the Violet Sanctum [a major cultivation realm where one opens a mystical palace within the dantian]. If he wished to successfully ascend to the Violet Sanctum Realm, he needed to preserve the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura to continuously polish his foundation.

Furthermore, he had an indistinct premonition. Once the Spiritual Peach Tree [a mystical tree bearing fruit imbued with spiritual energy] reached the fourth rank, its latent potential would likely be exhausted. To advance it further beyond that point would probably require more than just a single mouthful of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura.

He understood all too well the principle that "treasure invites disaster." Without sufficient strength, rashly cultivating more Worldly Spiritual Root [a spiritual root that enhances one's affinity with heaven and earth, accelerating cultivation] would likely only end up benefiting others.

"Enough of this topic," the Old Patriarch said, concluding the discussion.

His gaze then turned to Eldrin Chen. "The reason I specifically called you back this time is that there is a matter I wish for you to handle."

Eldrin Chen's brow twitched slightly. He remained silent, quietly awaiting further explanation.

"It is this," the Old Patriarch continued. "The decennial Barter Convention [a large-scale trade fair where cultivators exchange rare materials and treasures] of Border Province is set to commence in a few days."

"I cannot leave Pingyang City for an extended period, and Lior's cultivation level is insufficient. I am not at ease sending him."

"Therefore, I want you to go to Feng County. See if you can trade for some Essence of Final Water [a rare spiritual essence of the water element, crucial for certain alchemical and forging processes], and while you're there, purchase some Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [silk produced by a rare spiritual silkworm, prized for crafting defensive garments and talismans] as well."

After Eternal Profound Chen finished speaking, Eldrin Chen grasped the general purpose of this journey.

The forces under the banner of the Verdant Sun Sect occupy the Three Prefectures Region of the Chu Nation. These three prefectures are Qing Province, Solar Province, and Border Province.

Border Province is further divided into three counties: Yu County, Feng County, and Ling County. These three counties are geographically close to one another, leading to frequent trade and interaction.

Feng County lies at the center of the three counties and is anchored by the presence of the Shyu Immortal Clan, Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan. Therefore, it hosts a Barter Convention once every ten years.

The purpose of the Barter Convention is to allow the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation] of Border Province to exchange resources, trading precious materials they do not need for treasures they require.

Among the Three Counties of Border Province, each county has around twenty to thirty Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [cultivators from immortal clans at the Foundation Establishment realm]. Even including rogue cultivators who have reached Foundation Establishment, the total number of Foundation Establishment Cultivator in Border Province barely exceeds one hundred. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel.com.

With so few Foundation Establishment Cultivator, exchanging rare spiritual materials and treasures in daily life is naturally difficult due to a lack of channels. Consequently, most would not miss the Border Province Barter Convention.

Moreover, every ten years at the Barter Convention, even some Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Qing Province, Solar Province, and even Heavenly Ruins Mountain would attend, solely to barter for the cultivation resources they seek.

This time, the Old Patriarch wanted Eldrin Chen to go for two reasons. First, to help Lior Chen purchase the Essence of Final Water [a rare spiritual essence embodying the concept of ultimate water] needed for forging the Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword. Second, to buy some Golden Thread Silkworm Silk.

The Golden Thread Silkworm is a Second Rank [a classification for spiritual beings and objects] spiritual insect. The Golden Thread Silkworm Silk it produces is a precious Second Rank Spiritual Object [an object imbued with or containing spiritual energy]. It is not only used to craft Second Rank Robe [enchanted robes] and Treasure Banner [banner-type magical treasures] class artifacts but is also an essential material for forging Formation Flag [flags used to set up and power formations].

Having suffered a significant setback a few years prior at the hands of Remaining Years Zuo [a cultivator], which resulted in the slaughter of an entire town of mortals, the Old Patriarch [the venerable leader of the Chen Clan] felt the defensive formations protecting their several towns were still insufficiently robust.

Now, with the clan's annual surplus income exceeding one thousand two hundred Spirit Stone [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy], they finally had some spare capital. Eternal Profound Chen [a senior elder of the Chen Clan] thus intended to procure some Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [a rare, spiritually conductive silk] to refine several more sets of Formation Flag [enchanted banners used to anchor and power defensive arrays]. This would further bolster the defenses of Pingyang City [a major city under Chen Clan influence] and the surrounding townships within the prefecture.

The defensive formations for the towns around Pingyang City needed to be capable of withstanding an assault from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] for a significant period, holding out long enough for his own reinforcements to arrive. Only then could the Chen Clan's subsequent plans for population expansion proceed with true peace of mind.

"For this period, I will have Lior [a clan member, Verdant Wood Chen] hold your post at Spirit Isle Lake [a spiritually rich lake territory managed by the clan]."

"Here are eight thousand Spirit Stone." Eternal Profound Chen handed over a Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for holding items]. He continued, "On this journey to Feng County [a distant county], you may also seize the opportunity to purchase some suitable magical artifacts for Lior and Verdant Grace [another clan member]."

"Should you encounter any precious items beneficial to the clan or to us personally, do not hesitate to spend the spirit stones."

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist] accepted the spirit stones, understanding inwardly that these eight thousand stones likely represented nearly all the liquid capital the elders had on hand. Original English translation available at audio-novel.com.