Chapter 90 Revisiting Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location)

The next day.

The party from the Azure Sun Sect returned to Mount Azure Sun, while Eldrin and Chen Changxuan made a special trip to Spiritual Apricot Mountain.

Gazing at the ancient spirit apricot tree before them, both felt a surge of excitement. This ancient tree had stood for centuries, remaining 1 of the rare local treasures of Yu County.

Although the spirit apricots borne from this tree could only extend 1's lifespan by a mere 3 years at most, they were still rare longevity-enhancing treasures—truly uncommon finds throughout the entire Border Province.

Thanks to this ancient tree, the Lin family had amassed immense wealth over the years—hardly surprising that Lin Baixi now possessed not 1, but 2 second-tier, high-grade magical artifacts.

"How is it?" The old clan leader gazed at the ancient tree before him, suppressing the excitement in his heart as he asked, "Are you confident about transplanting it?"

"Transplantation is indeed possible."

Eldrin furrowed his brow and said, "However, this tree has taken root for hundreds of years and is somewhat aged. Once transplanted, it will require meticulous care to survive."

"Moreover, even if the transplantation succeeds, it likely won't bear fruit for 10 years."

"As long as it can be revived, we certainly can't leave it for the Lin Family to aid our enemies."

Chen Changxuan hesitated for a brief moment before declaring with finality.

After making their decision, the 2 began to personally excavate the ancient tree. This Spiritual Apricot Tree stood over 10 feet tall and was remarkably heavy, making the transportation process an arduous and laborious endeavor for them both.

To prevent the ancient tree from withering, Eldrin and Chen Changxuan took turns channeling their true essence to transport it. After 7 full days of arduous effort, they finally returned to Verdant Chariot Mountain.

After their discussion, the 2 ultimately reached this decision. Although Spirit Isle Lake (Location) offered greater seclusion, its defensive capabilities paled in comparison to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

Just like the Lin family’s Spiritual Apricot Mountain (Location), whose defensive formations were far inferior to those of Verdant Ink Mountain (Location), it was ultimately breached by the 2 intruders, resulting in devastating losses.

Putting all your eggs in 1 basket is never wise, as it often invites the covetous eyes of enemies. Thus, the 2 decided to place the tree within Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

It is done.

Carefully planting the spirit apricot tree on Verdant Chariot Mountain, Eldrin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Gazing at the ancient Spirit Apricot Tree before him, a trace of hesitation flickered across his face. His primary reason for supporting its transplantation to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) was the prospect of enhancing the tree’s foundational roots in the future, thereby elevating the grade of the spiritual veins at Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

Now, with a single wisp of Primordial Purple Qi, he could elevate the foundation of this ancient spirit apricot tree, allowing it to ascend into a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root).

"This Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) is far too precious. The entire Chu Kingdom (Location) possesses merely 2 or 3 specimens at most. Should its existence be exposed, it would undoubtedly invite grave peril."

"Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) is too crowded with prying eyes. I shall reconsider this after breaking through to my Violet Mansion (Cultivation Realm)."

Suppressing his thoughts, Eldrin returned to Spirit Isle Lake the very next day.

Upon returning to Spirit Isle Lake (Location) this time, he resumed his life of secluded cultivation. Each day, apart from practicing his cultivation, he devoted himself to comprehending divine abilities and nurturing the immortal sword through patient tempering.

And so, in the blink of an eye, 5 years had passed.

Another autumn harvest season arrived, and Seventeenth Uncle Chen Changlu once again paddled his small boat to Spirit Isle Lake (Location).

Before he had even reached the lakeshore, the elder uncle called out from afar.

"Caleb (Person Name) Silas (Person Name), your great-grandfather has arrived. Have you missed me, boys?"

"You've already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining so quickly? You 2 little ones are advancing at a remarkable pace."

No sooner had he stepped ashore than he spotted Chen Caleb (Person Name) and Chen Silas (Person Name) waiting there, having clearly been there for some time. He couldn't suppress his delighted exclamation.

Chen Caleb (Person Name), now 20-3 years old, had grown into a handsome young man. He spoke with refined elegance.

"Thanks to the cultivation of Uncle Eldrin, I only just made a breakthrough before the new year."

"A dozen or so years old and already at the ninth level of Qi Refining. You all truly have been blessed by fate." Chen Changlu shook his head, then asked, "Where's your Uncle Eldrin (Person Name)?"

Chen Silas (Person Name) smiled faintly and led Chen Changlu to the lakeside of the island at the center of the lake, pointing toward the shimmering waters in the distance.

"There it is."

Chen Changlu gazed into the distance, where beneath the setting sun, a lone boat rested upon the lake at the horizon, as if cleaving heaven from earth.

A figure in snow-white robes sat with his back to the crowd, perched atop a lone leaf-like boat. An ancient zither rested across his knees, from which he plucked melodies that did not belong to this world.

All who listened felt the melody was like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley, evoking a profound sense of solitude, as if the strings were plucking at the very fibers of their souls.

As the final notes faded, Eldrin put away his ancient zither and strode across the rippling waters.

He glanced at Chen Changlu and said with a smile, "It's been a year, yet Seventeenth Uncle remains as vigorous as ever. Truly, age does not wither your vitality."

"What piece is this?" Chen Changlu could not help but ask.

Eldrin smiled faintly. "This melody is called A Millennium of Elegance."

"Your mastery of the musical arts grows ever more profound."

The seventeenth granduncle sighed with emotion, then remembered the matter at hand. "Before I came, Lior (Person Name) asked me to tell you that the family still hasn’t managed to purchase a Shattered Origin Fruit."

"The Mu Clan does have a few stalks, but the fastest will still take 30 years to mature."

"30 years." Eldrin shook his head. "Too long."

The Shattered Origin Fruit serves as the primary ingredient for refining Shattered Origin Pills, which assist Foundation Establishment, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators in breaking through bottlenecks, increasing their chances of advancing to Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm) by 30 percent.

After obtaining the Dan Book from the youth back then, Eldrin had instructed his clan to procure the Primordial Shattering Fruit by any means necessary. Unfortunately, this particular fruit was exceedingly rare, and within Yu County, no other families aside from the Mu Family cultivated it.

As a result, even after over a dozen years of seeking, the Chen Family had still failed to acquire this item.

6 months ago, Eldrin had broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining. Seeing that he could attempt to reach Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage in a few years, he once again increased his demands for acquiring this item.

This time, Chen Changlu still hadn't brought the item with him, demonstrating just how rare it was to find.

Seeing Eldrin’s disappointment, Chen Changlu said regretfully, "Our clan has cultivated some Spirit-Breaking Fruits over the years. Unfortunately, these fruits require 1 100 years to mature before they can be used in alchemy. At present, their medicinal age still falls far short."

"This is within my expectations. After all, like the Cyan Origin Mushroom, the Spirit-Breaking Fruit serves as a primary ingredient for crafting realm-breaking elixirs, both being exceedingly rare to obtain."

Eldrin spoke calmly, then added after a moment of thought, "As I recall, in a few months it will be our clan's turn to conduct the trade of 5 Elements Essence at the Celestial Ruins Mountain."

"In that case, I shall make a trip to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) as well, and see if I can purchase this elixir from them."

Several months later, Eldrin led the group away from Verdant Chariot Mountain, heading toward the direction of Celestial Ruins Mountain.

5 years had passed since the battle with the Lin family, during which Eldrin had carved out a formidable reputation for himself. Thus, the journey proceeded without encountering any trouble.

After a journey of 3 to 4 months, they finally arrived at the Celestial Ruins Mountain market. Once inside, Eldrin led the merchant convoy straight toward the Celestial Ruins Pavilion.

This time, it was still Liu Rumeng who received him. The moment she laid eyes on Eldrin, she warmly said,

"By my count, this year should be your Chen Clan's turn. It truly has been far too long."

"Your reputation has only grown over the years. All of Border Province whispers that you'll inevitably break through to the Violet Mansion Realm."

As she spoke, she had someone tally the 5 Elements Essence while teasing, "If you ever break through to the Violet Mansion realm someday, don’t forget about your elder sister here."