Chapter 90 : The Ancient Tree's Secret Journey

The second day.

The group from the Verdant Sun Sect returned to Green Sun Mountain, while Eldrin Chen and Eternal Profound Chen made a special trip to Spirit Apricot Mountain.

Gazing upon the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree before them, both men felt a surge of excitement. This tree had stood for centuries and was one of the rare local treasures of Yu County.

Although the Spirit Apricot it bore could only extend one's lifespan by three years at most, it was still a rare longevity-enhancing treasure, scarcely seen throughout the entire Border Province.

Thanks to this ancient tree, the Lin Clan had prospered immensely over the years. It was no wonder White Hope Lin possessed two Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts].

"Well?" The Old Patriarch looked at the ancient tree, suppressing his inner excitement as he asked, "Are you confident you can transplant it?"

"Transplanting it is possible,"

Eldrin Chen said, then frowned and continued, "But this tree has been rooted here for several hundred years; it's quite aged. Once transplanted, it will require meticulous care to survive."

"Furthermore, even if the transplant succeeds, it likely won't bear fruit for another ten years."

"As long as it can be kept alive, that's what matters. We certainly can't leave it for the Lin Clan to aid our enemies." Original publication: audio~novel.com - The source of this chapter.

Eternal Profound Chen hesitated for a fleeting moment before resolutely declaring.

Once the decision was made, the two of them personally began to excavate the ancient tree. This Spirit Apricot Tree stood over one Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] tall and was no light burden. Transporting it proved to be a laborious and meticulous task.

To prevent the tree from withering, Eldrin Chen and Eternal Profound Chen took turns channeling their True Essence [the refined foundational energy cultivated by practitioners] to carry it. It took a full seven days of effort before they finally returned to Green Chariot Mountain.

This was the final decision reached after their discussion. While Spirit Isle Lake was more secluded, its defensive capabilities paled in comparison to those of Green Chariot Mountain.

Just as the Lin Clan's Spirit Apricot Mountain had defensive formations far inferior to those of Verdant Ink Mountain, leading to its breach and devastating losses for the clan.

Putting all one's eggs in a single basket was never wise; it often invited the covetous gaze of enemies. Thus, they decided to plant the tree at Green Chariot Mountain.

"It is done."

Carefully transplanting the Spirit Apricot Tree onto Green Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen finally let out a sigh of relief.

Gazing at the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree, a flicker of hesitation crossed his features. His primary reason for supporting the transplant to Green Chariot Mountain was the future potential to elevate the tree's spiritual foundation, thereby enhancing the grade of the mountain's Spiritual Vein [a concentrated underground flow of spiritual energy that nourishes cultivation sites].

And now, he possessed a wisp of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a primordial energy of supreme quality that can elevate the nature of spiritual beings], potent enough to elevate this Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree's foundation, allowing it to ascend into a Worldly Spiritual Root [a spiritual plant of immense power that can anchor and nourish the spiritual energy of a land].

"This Worldly Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of exceptional quality that can absorb worldly spiritual energy] is far too precious. Within the entire Chu Nation, there are likely only two or three such specimens. If its existence were exposed, it would invite significant peril."

"Green Chariot Mountain is a place with many eyes and ears. It would be wiser to wait until I have broken through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a violet palace within the dantian] before making any further considerations."

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

Upon this return to Spirit Isle Lake, he once more embraced a life of secluded cultivation. Each day, beyond his regular cultivation practice, was devoted to comprehending divine abilities and mystic arts, and to the patient nurturing and tempering of his Immortal Sword [a sentient sword of immense power, a treasure for immortal cultivators].

Thus, the seasons turned, and five years slipped by in the blink of an eye.

"..."

Another autumn harvest season arrived. Seventeenth Granduncle Eternal Land Chen once again poled a small boat across the waters to Spirit Isle Lake.

Even before his boat touched the shore, the Old Granduncle called out from a distance, his voice carrying clearly over the water.

"Caleb! Silas! Your great-grandfather is here! Have you missed your old grandpa?"

"Already at the Vital Essence Refinement 7th Tier [the seventh level of the first major cultivation realm, where one refines the body's vital essence]? You two little rascals are advancing your cultivation at a truly impressive pace."

As soon as he stepped ashore, he spotted Caleb and Silas Chen waiting for him, their presence a welcome sight that drew an exclamation of joy from his lips.

Caleb, now eighteen years of age, had grown into a handsome and refined young man. He spoke with gentle courtesy.

"Thanks entirely to Uncle Eldrin's guidance, I managed to achieve a breakthrough just before the new year."

"The Vital Essence Refinement 7th Tier at eighteen... your generation truly is blessed by fate," Eternal Land Chen remarked with a shake of his head before inquiring, "And where is your Uncle Eldrin?"

Silas Chen offered a slight smile and guided Eternal Land Chen to the shore of Lake Heart Island, pointing towards the distant, shimmering expanse of the lake.

"Over there." This chapter is provided by audi novel.com. Support the original.

Eternal Land Chen followed his gaze. In the distance, bathed in the light of the setting sun, a solitary skiff seemed to hover upon the water at the very boundary where the lake met the Heavenly Vault, as if cleaving heaven from earth.

Upon that lone vessel sat a figure robed in snow-white, his back to the shore. He was seated cross-legged, an ancient zither resting upon his knees. From his fingers flowed a melody that felt alien to this world.

To those who listened, the notes resonated like orchids blooming in a secluded valley, yet they also evoked a profound sense of solitude. It was as if the very strings were plucking at the chords of their own hearts.

As the final note faded into silence, Eldrin Chen carefully stowed the zither away. Then, with effortless grace, he began walking across the rippling surface of the water towards them.

He glanced at Eternal Land Chen and said with a smile, "A year has passed, yet you, Seventeenth Uncle, remain as vigorous and spirited as ever. Truly, age has not diminished your vitality."

"What melody is this?" Eternal Land Chen could not help but ask.

Eldrin Chen offered a gentle smile. "This piece is called 'Elegance of a Thousand Years'."

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

Seventeenth Granduncle sighed with feeling, then recalled the matter at hand. "Before I came, Lior asked me to tell you that the clan has still been unable to purchase the Yuan-Breaking Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit known for its barrier-shattering properties]."

"The Mu Clan has a few plants, but the fastest will still take thirty years to mature."

"Thirty years..." Eldrin Chen shook his head. "That is too long to wait."

The Yuan-Breaking Fruit is the primary ingredient for refining the Barrier-Breaking Pill [a pill that aids cultivators in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks]. This pill can assist Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivators in overcoming their bottlenecks, increasing their chance of a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage by thirty percent.

Ever since obtaining the Alchemy Manual from the youth, Eldrin Chen had tasked the clan with finding a way to acquire this Yuan-Breaking Fruit. Unfortunately, the fruit is quite rare. Within Yu County, aside from the Mu Clan, no other family cultivates it.

Thus, even after more than a decade of seeking, the Chen Clan had still not managed to procure this item.

Half a year ago, Eldrin Chen broke through to the Foundation Establishment Third Layer. Seeing that he could attempt to advance to the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage in a few more years, he had once again increased his efforts to acquire the required materials.

This time, Eternal Land Chen's arrival still did not bring the item, highlighting its extreme rarity.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's disappointment, Eternal Land Chen said with regret, "The clan has cultivated some Yuan-Breaking Fruit over these years. Unfortunately, the Yuan-Breaking Fruit requires a full century to mature for medicinal use, and the current plants are still far from that age."

"That was within my expectations," Eldrin Chen replied calmly. "After all, the Yuan-Breaking Fruit, like the Verdant Origin Mushroom, serves as a primary ingredient for concocting realm-breaking elixirs [pills that help cultivators break through to higher cultivation stages]. Such materials are inherently difficult to obtain."

After a moment's thought, he continued, "I recall that in a few months, it will be our clan's turn to conduct the trade for Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] at Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

"Very well. I shall go to Heavenly Ruins Mountain myself and see if I can purchase the required herb there."

"..."

Several months later, Eldrin Chen led the merchant convoy away from Green Chariot Mountain and set out towards Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Since the battle with the Lin Clan five years prior, Eldrin Chen had carved out a formidable reputation for himself. Consequently, the journey passed without encountering any significant trouble.

After traveling for three or four months, they finally arrived at the Heavenly Ruins Mountain Market. Entering the market town, Eldrin Chen guided the convoy directly to the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion.

Once again, it was Like Dream Willow who received him. The moment she saw Eldrin Chen, she greeted him with warm enthusiasm.

"By my reckoning, it should be your Chen Clan's turn this year. It truly has been far too long since we last met."

"Your reputation has only grown more illustrious over the years," she continued, as attendants began tallying the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. "The entire Border Province whispers that your breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a core of spiritual power within their body] is merely a matter of time."

She teased him playfully, "If you do ascend to the Violet Sanctum one day, you mustn't forget your dear sister here." The story continues at audio-novel`com.