Chapter 99 : A Pill's Return and a Clan's Stir

Eldrin Chen adjusted his state of mind and did not linger at Celestial Ruins Mountain. A few days later, he departed from Celestial Ruins Mountain.

Before leaving, he purchased the supplementary herbs for the Spirit-Concentrating Pill and the Essence Burst Pill from Celestial Ruins Mountain. Unfortunately, both these pills required a considerable number of auxiliary Spirit Medicine [spiritual herbs used in cultivation], and several of these supplementary herbs were relatively rare, so he was unable to procure a complete set.

With no other choice, he could only return to Verdant Chariot Mountain first, intending to mobilize the clan's resources to purchase these few types of Spirit Medicine from the various great families of Yu County.

Using their mana, the group crafted an ice coffin to carry the remains of the Second Elder home. The journey's atmosphere was somber, and it took a full three months before they finally reached Verdant Chariot Mountain.

No sooner had they returned to Verdant Chariot Mountain than news that Eldrin Chen had once again brought back a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] swiftly spread throughout the clan. That very night, someone came knocking, seeking to obtain this pill.

The visitor was none other than Chen Silvan, a rising star of the Nian Generation. Although he possessed only Three Spiritual Roots [a mid-tier innate talent for absorbing spiritual energy], his ancestor was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had fallen in battle for the clan eighty years prior, leaving him with a not insignificant inheritance of Clan Merit Points [points earned for contributions, redeemable for clan resources].

Over the years, Chen Silvan, relying on the wealth passed down by his forebears, had progressed rapidly in his cultivation. Furthermore, with the clan's vigorous development over the past decade, he had exchanged for two Spirit Peach [spiritual fruit that enhances cultivation]. Astonishingly, his cultivation had already reached Qi Refinement Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Qi Refinement stage].

Although they were of the same generation, Eldrin Chen's standing within the clan was second only to the Old Patriarch. His authority had become deeply ingrained in the hearts of the clansmen, a far cry from what it once was.

Having cultivated to this day, who in all of Bianzhou did not know of Eldrin Chen's decisive and fierce temperament? The number of Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had fallen by his hand was seven or eight, and he had even slain four of the Lin Clan's Foundation Establishment Ancestor.

If one were to add demonic beasts and members of the Second-Wood Demon Race [a tribe of wood-aligned demonic beings] to the tally, in the short span of a dozen or so years, he had slain over ten Foundation Establishment-level adversaries. Such thunderous and awe-inspiring methods could instill fear even in Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators. This chapter is provided by audio-novel .c om. Support the original.

At this moment, Chen Silvan came seeking him out, his heart set on the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]. Yet, he was somewhat afraid of him, stammering and unable to bring himself to speak his request.

"I know your purpose for coming," Eldrin Chen said with a hint of displeasure, his brow furrowing. "But this Foundation Establishment Pill was left by your Uncle Riverius. Now, with Uncle Riverius's body not yet cold in the grave, for you to come asking me for the Foundation Establishment Pill is far too hasty."

"This..."

Chen Silvan was left speechless, his heart filling with even greater trepidation. He could only murmur meekly, "I understand."

"Go back for now. The matter of the Foundation Establishment Pill will be reconsidered after Uncle Riverius has been laid to rest."

Watching him depart, Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly. This Chen Silvan had inherited a legacy from his ancestors; his cultivation fortune was not bad. Yet, his courage and spirit were somewhat lacking. A cultivator who lacks that vital spark of ambition will likely find it difficult to achieve greatness.

Though he thought this, he also knew that, barring unforeseen circumstances, this Foundation Establishment Pill would likely still have to go to Chen Silvan. After all, whether judged by seniority or cultivation level, he was the most suitable candidate within the clan.

Since his own Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their foundation], the clan's finances had improved. Aided by the Spirit Peach [a spiritual fruit that enhances cultivation], they had successively added seven or eight cultivators at the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the peak of the first major realm, just before Foundation Establishment]. However, most of these individuals had insufficiently solid foundations and still needed several more years of tempering.

Although Caleb and Silas had received his personal guidance and their foundations were very solid, they had only recently broken through to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer. They, too, would need to wait seven or eight years before attempting their Foundation Establishment breakthrough.

In contrast, Chen Silvan's cultivation was complete and perfected. Furthermore, he had inherited a large amount of Clan Merit Points [a points-based credit system used within the clan to reward contributions] from his Foundation Establishment Cultivator ancestor. There was no reason to choose anyone else over him.

The funeral of Riverius Chen's Funeral was personally overseen by Third Elder. The elder held a very high status within the clan, and nearly all of the clan's Qi Refinement Cultivators [cultivators at the initial stage of absorbing spiritual energy] had gathered. Even Chen Elara had specially requested leave from Yuyang Market to attend the funeral of this senior clansman.

Among them were also a great number of young children, most no older than six to ten years. Many were still in the foundational stage of cultivation enlightenment and had not yet formally embarked on the path of cultivation.

Since the clan had relaxed its policies on childbirth, within a mere ten years, the number of newborns had exceeded two hundred thousand. This had also led to a significant increase in the number of potential cultivator seeds within the clan.

The Grand Elder responsible for the clan's legacy at Verdant Chariot Mountain was overwhelmed with duties. For the past four years, the clan had been adding roughly twenty new cultivators annually—a tenfold increase from previous years—and this trend showed no signs of abating for the next twenty years.

After the funeral concluded, Eldrin Chen summoned all clan cultivators at Qi Refinement Seventh Layer [the seventh stage of Qi Refinement] and above to discuss the allocation of the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm].

As the meeting began, before he could speak, a comely female cultivator of the clan stepped forward to report an important discovery.

Her name was Chen Seraphina. At forty-nine years of age, her cultivation had only reached Qi Refinement Seventh Layer, barely placing her within the clan's mid-to-upper echelons.

"Not long ago, while traveling away from the clan, I inadvertently discovered a vein of Mysterious Iron Vein [a rare, spiritually conductive metal ore]," she announced.

"What?"

Lior Chen's expression shifted slightly. He could not help but rise to his feet, exclaiming in surprise, "Why did you not report this sooner?"

Mysterious Iron [a rare and dense metal, the essence of ten thousand irons, prized for crafting magical treasures] is the essence of ten thousand irons, a rare and precious material for artifice. Eldrin Chen's Bell of Nine Echoes was forged precisely from Mysterious Iron. This material possesses immense density; a fist-sized portion weighs a thousand Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms], and the price for each such portion exceeds six hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

As for a Mysterious Iron Vein [a mineral deposit rich in Mysterious Iron ore], even a minor one can be smelted to yield a thousand Jin-weight of Mysterious Iron annually, sufficient to craft a single Second Rank Low Grade Magical Tool [a low-grade enchanted artifact of the second rank].

If entrusted to the Clan Patriarch to be refined into Second Rank Low Grade Magical Tool, this Mysterious Iron Vein could generate an annual profit exceeding one thousand Spirit Stone.

Such a precious source of income—it was no wonder Lior Chen could no longer remain seated.

Facing the inquiry from the Third Elder, Chen Seraphina continued, "Upon discovering it, I returned to the clan at once."

"Then take us there now," Eldrin Chen declared, rising decisively. "If the Mysterious Iron Vein proves genuine, the clan will naturally bestow a substantial reward."

As Eldrin Chen prepared to depart, Chen Silvan paled slightly but gritted his teeth and pressed, "The matter of the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm]..."

"We will discuss it upon my return."

With those words, Eldrin Chen summoned his Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a flying sword imbued with the power of Separated Flame] and, taking Chen Seraphina with him, soared away from Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Third Elder understood the situation perfectly. He glanced at Chen Silvan, patted his shoulder, and said, "If the Mysterious Iron Vein proves genuine, this Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm] rightfully belongs to Seraphina."

"There is no need for you to contend for it."

Having played the role of the enforcer, Third Elder summoned his Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword and swiftly followed after the others.

Chen Silvan watched the departing figures, his face turning pale. He understood all too well that missing this chance at the Foundation Establishment Pill meant the clan would not purchase another before the impending Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion by monstrous beasts].

The clan would hoard its Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] during this time. Only after the Beast Tide Calamity had passed, when the price of Foundation Establishment Pill plummeted, would they resume their purchases. By then, he would have long passed the prime age of sixty, his cultivation potential greatly diminished.

At this thought, his expression twisted with internal struggle, and a shadow of resentment finally darkened his eyes.

"My Foundation Establishment Pill!"

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