Chapter 74 : A Fortune in Spirit Stones

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

These eight thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] were probably pooled together by the Clan Patriarch and the other two Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation]. They must have even contributed the Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] seized from Remaining Years Zuo.

Accepting the Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], Eldrin Chen sighed with emotion, "I recall seven or eight years ago, I traveled alone to Heavenly Ruins Mountain with just over two thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. I was so fearful of being robbed and killed that I dared not sleep a wink through the nights."

"To purchase the Meridian Nourishing Pill [a pill that repairs and strengthens the body'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 Heavenly Ruins Pavilion."

"Now, holding eight thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], I feel no tension at all. It truly feels like a world away."

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

Now, Eldrin Chen had been at the Foundation Establishment [the realm where a cultivator solidifies their foundation] stage for several years. Armed with his Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword bound to its wielder's life force] and two Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts], he was likely capable of contending with a Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] cultivator. Naturally, his confidence stemmed from his formidable skills.

"..."

After the New Year celebrations concluded, Eldrin Chen did not linger. The very next day, he took to the skies on his sword, flying towards Feng County.

His cultivation had grown ever more profound, allowing him to cover over six thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] by sword flight each day. Although Feng County lay more than sixty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Yu County, the journey took him a mere ten-odd days. This chapter is provided by audio-novel .c om. Support the original.

After entering Feng County, Eldrin Chen did not rush to the Fengyang Market where the Barter Convention was held. Instead, he first rode his sword to a place known as the Liu Immortal Clan.

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

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

The Golden Thread Silkworm Silk was in high demand throughout the entire Border Province. The various Immortal Clan families, large and small, across the three commanderies had a constant need for Golden Thread Silkworm Silk to set up their defensive formations.

From the exclusive profits brought by the Golden Thread Silkworm alone, the Liu Clan earned an extra one thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] each year.

It was precisely because of this that the Liu Clan's strength could hold the second position among the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan families in Feng County. Their clan boasted five Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation], and their clan leader was a great cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer [the seventh level of the Foundation Establishment realm], making them slightly more powerful than the Mu Clan of Yu County.

After all, although the Mu Clan had seven members at the Foundation Establishment [the realm of solidifying one's spiritual foundation], several of them were within the Verdant Sun Sect and could only be considered half-cultivators of the Mu Clan.

Returning to the main point, Eldrin Chen rode his sword to the mountain gate of the Liu Clan. Without presuming to enter, he circulated his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy within a cultivator's body] and called out in a clear, resonant voice.

"I am Eldrin Chen of the Chen Clan from Green 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 to the reception pavilion at the mountain's foot to wait.

A short while later, two figures flew out on their swords. One was a man, the other a woman, both were Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

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 was at the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer, clearly skilled in the art of preserving youth [a technique to maintain 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 is truly a great fortune for us."

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

When treated with courtesy, he naturally responded in kind. Rising to his feet, he offered a respectful bow and said with a smile, "You must be the Liu Clan Patriarch. I have long heard of your extraordinary grace, and seeing you today is indeed like beholding a Celestial Being [an immortal being of higher cultivation realms]."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. I am Jade Liu. My respects." Jade Liu returned the gesture with a slight bow, her gaze fixed on Eldrin Chen with a knowing smile. "Who in the Border Province does not know of your formidable reputation, earned when you vanquished White Hope Lin with your sword at the Green Chariot Mountain dueling contest?"

After exchanging 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-nurtured silkworm]."

"Golden Thread Silkworm Silk."

The old man furrowed his brows and said helplessly, "However, the Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [a precious silk produced by a specific spirit insect] accumulated over these past three years was already reserved by Fellow Daoist Lin of the Verdant Sun Sect a full decade ago."

"Grand Elder!"

Twin Jade Liu suddenly interrupted the old man. Turning to Eldrin Chen with a smile, she said, "Since we of the Three Counties of Border Province are one community, the various Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds their spiritual foundation] clans should naturally maintain close ties."

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

"This..." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio_novel.com.

Eldrin Chen felt a surge of delight and promptly expressed his gratitude, "If that is the case, I am deeply thankful."

"My Chen Clan will take all of the Golden Thread Silkworm Silk saved over these three years."

Twin Jade Liu gave a slight smile. "Please wait a moment. This humble one will have someone fetch the silk."

After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, 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 [the precious silk produced by a specific type of spiritual silkworm], 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 refine several sets of Second Rank Low-Grade [a classification for the power level of artifacts and formations] Formation Flag [enchanted flags used as nodes to establish defensive or offensive arrays].

"It seems the protective formations of the Six Towns of Pingyang [a collective name for six strategically important towns surrounding Pingyang City] can finally be renewed," he mused.

At this thought, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a flicker of delight. Although the Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] beneath the Six Towns of Pingyang was only of the First Rank High-Grade, it could still barely power a Second Rank Low-Grade formation. Such a barrier could hold off a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation, the second major stage] for a short time.

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

The six towns were merely a few hundred Li-lengths from Pingyang County, a distance the Old Patriarch could cross in the blink of an eye. Therefore, holding the line for mere moments would be enough for reinforcements to arrive.

In time, those hundreds of Li-lengths of fertile plains could be gradually developed. If used for cultivation, the land could sustain a population of several million.

"The transaction is complete, so I shall not linger," Eldrin Chen said with a smile after storing the Golden Thread Silkworm Silk. Before leaving, he added a word of thanks, "Today, Fellow Daoist made an exception to sell this Golden Thread Silkworm Silk to our Chen Clan. We will remember this favor."

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

After Eldrin Chen had departed into the distance, the Grand Elder of Liu Clan 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 Admiring Splendor Lin of the Verdant Sun Sect! By selling it to the Chen Clan, how are we supposed to explain this to Admiring Splendor Lin?"

"He is an Elder of the Verdant Sun Sect's outer sect, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator. How could we possibly afford to offend him?"

"The Verdant Sun Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Twin Jade Liu suddenly sneered coldly. "Do you remember what happened over seventy years ago, when the Beast Tide erupted? Two of our Liu Clan elders fell in battle. What did the Verdant Sun Sect do then?"

The old man's expression froze, a flicker of resentment appearing in his eyes. "The Verdant Sun Sect acted unjustly. To this day, they still owe our Liu Clan a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]."

"Hmm." Twin Jade Liu nodded, then continued, "And do you know that Verdant Origin Chen of the Chen Clan, after taking the Verdant Sun Sect's Foundation Establishment Pill, ended up perishing in secluded meditation?"

"What?!"

The old man's face changed drastically, and he couldn't suppress a gasp of shock.

Twin Jade Liu closed his eyes and sighed. "The Green Sun Covenant [a pact of mutual defense] is as worthless as scrap paper. I fear we can no longer rely on the Verdant Sun Sect."

"They care only for the Green Sun Two Provinces. When the next Beast Tide comes in twenty-some years, it will be up to the various clans of the Three Counties of Border Province to unite our strength and aid one another." Visit audio-novel . com to enjoy the complete series.