Chapter 91 : A Diminished Harvest of Essence

"I observe that your cultivation has also advanced considerably over these years, Immortal Maiden. You are likely nearing a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the third and final stage of the Foundation Establishment realm], are you not?"

Eldrin Chen offered a courteous reply, "My meager achievements pale in comparison to yours, Immortal Maiden Willow."

Hearing this, Like Dream Willow revealed a slight smile. A few years prior, she had finally advanced another step, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment 6th Tier [the sixth level within the Foundation Establishment realm]. It was indeed a gratifying progression.

After exchanging pleasantries for a short while, the tallying of the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] was completed.

Like Dream Willow glanced at the ledger, her eyes flickering with a trace of confusion. "This year's yield of Five Elements Essence seems notably less than in previous years," she remarked.

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded, stating plainly, "I have consumed a portion in cultivating my divine abilities these past years. Furthermore, our clan has several Lifebound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's personally bonded and nurtured enchanted artifact] requiring refinement. Thus, a significant amount has been expended."

"I see," Like Dream Willow nodded again, her tone carrying a hint of intrigue. "To consume such a quantity of Five Elements Essence, it appears your divine abilities have progressed remarkably, Fellow Daoist."

She then invited Eldrin Chen into an inner chamber. There, the two parties verified the accounts and finalized the transaction.

This year's shipment of Five Elements Essence was half the usual amount. The transaction amounted to just over five thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], resulting in significantly reduced profits for the Chen Clan.

After settling the accounts, Eldrin Chen did not take his leave. Instead, he remained behind. Original English translation available at audio-novel.com (official site).

"My visit to Heavenly Ruins Mountain this time is twofold: to sell the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], and also to acquire two specific items."

"Oh?" Like Dream Willow inquired with a smile. "What is it you wish to purchase? If the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion has it in stock, I have the authority to arrange it for you."

Eldrin Chen's face brightened with hope. "Might the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion possess any Divine Ability Jade Slip [a jade slip used to record and impart profound supernatural abilities] or Yuan-Breaking Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit said to aid in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks]?" he asked promptly.

Divine Abilities [profound supernatural techniques] possess immense power, enough to serve as a foundational treasure for any clan, including the He Clan. However, mastering such abilities is no simple feat.

These techniques are profoundly arcane and notoriously difficult to comprehend. They cannot be taught through words alone but must be intuited and realized through deep, personal contemplation. The most effective path to mastery lies in continuous meditation upon the ability's essence.

This process requires a medium. The Divine Ability Jade Slip serves as precisely that—a vessel that can preserve the imprint of a Divine Ability. It allows a cultivator to repeatedly observe and meditate upon its form, gradually unraveling its mysteries until mastery is achieved.

Yet, the material for crafting a Divine Ability Jade Slip is exceedingly precious, requiring Second Rank [a specific grade of] spiritual jade to bear the imprint's weight. Furthermore, the process of inscribing one is complex and demanding.

The Chen Clan lacked the means to create such slips themselves. Thus, Eldrin had come hoping to purchase a blank one. His plan was to inscribe the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder [a Divine Ability of metallic and thunderous nature] he had already mastered onto the slip, creating a tool to aid the clan patriarch and other elders in their own cultivation and comprehension of the technique.

Hearing his request, Like Dream Willow's expression shifted thoughtfully. "Blank Divine Ability Jade Slip slips... we do have a few remaining in the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion," she said with a smile. "I can authorize the sale of one to you for one thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

"However," she continued, her tone turning slightly apologetic, "as for the Yuan-Breaking Fruit, I'm afraid we currently have none in stock here at the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression fell with disappointment. If the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion didn't have it, he would have to try his luck in the Fengling Two Counties.

However, seeing his expression, Like Dream Willow gave a slight smile and continued.

"But if you seek a Barrier-Breaking Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks], it is not necessarily impossible to find."

"My master's mastery of formation arts is unparalleled within the Chu Nation. Recently, while divining the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy], she deduced that within thirty thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of Heavenly Ruins Mountain, there must be a Supple Wood Earth Vein [an Earth Vein imbued with the essence of supple, vital wood energy]."

"My master is currently calculating the precise location of this Earth Vein. Once its exact position is confirmed, she intends to secure this Supple Wood Earth Vein."

As Like Dream Willow spoke, her gaze settled on Eldrin Chen, the unspoken implication clear.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen revealed a flicker of pleasant surprise. He understood perfectly what an Earth Vein represented.

An untapped Supple Wood Earth Vein, even one of the Third Rank Lower Grade [a classification for the potency of spiritual sites], signified it would nurture a vast quantity of Spirit Herb [plants that absorb and store spiritual energy]. Among them would be no shortage of Second Rank Spirit Herb, and there would likely be more than ten stalks of Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major cultivation stage] grade Spirit Herb.

Most importantly, within an undeveloped Earth Vein, one or two Supple Wood Crystal [a crystalline essence condensed from supple wood spiritual energy] would naturally form. If its grade was high enough, there might even be Purple Sun Jade [a rare jade imbued with the essence of the purple dawn sun].

The Purple Sun Jade was different from treasures like the Solar Fire Crystal [a crystalized form of solar flame essence] or the Supple Wood Crystal. For instance, a Supple Wood Crystal could only increase a cultivator with a Wood Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for wood-element spiritual energy] by twenty percent their chance of breaking through to the Violet Sanctum.

Yet this treasure is not only beneficial to cultivators of all Spiritual Root types, but it also increases a cultivator's chance of a Violet Sanctum breakthrough by forty percent, its success rate far surpassing that of the former item.

Furthermore, using the Purple Sun Jade for a breakthrough, even if one fails, does not inflict harm upon the cultivator. After adjusting their state, they can even attempt to impact the Violet Sanctum realm again within an extremely short period.

Such a marvelous Purple Sun Jade naturally holds a value exceeding that of the Solar Fire Crystal by more than double.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "The Supple Wood Earth Vein... Senior Jiang's meaning is?"

Like Dream Willow nodded. "To develop an Earth Vein requires a significant investment of time. With the Beast Tide imminent, the time left to us is not plentiful."

"Therefore, Master intends to gather the Foundation Establishment Cultivator of Heavenly Ruins Mountain to jointly assault that Supple Wood Earth Vein, to swiftly obtain the Supple Wood Crystal and bolster our strength." Dive deeper into the Dao at (audio-novel.com).

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen revealed a look of pleasant surprise. "I wonder when Senior Jiang plans to attack the Supple Wood Earth Vein?"

"It should be soon," Like Dream Willow stated thus. "By divining the flow of the Earth Vein, Master has already narrowed the location of the Supple Wood Earth Vein down to an area spanning over three thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]."

"Barring unforeseen circumstances, the precise location should be pinpointed within two months. You will naturally be summoned to participate then."

"In that case... my thanks."

After purchasing the Divine Ability Jade Slip [a jade slip used to record and transmit divine abilities], Eldrin Chen departed from the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion and returned to his inn.

Seizing the opportunity before the Supple Wood Earth Vein [a spiritual earth vein rich in wood-element energy] was officially secured, he decided to first inscribe the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder [a divine thunder ability of the metallic gold element]. To inscribe a Divine Ability Jade Slip, one must first master the divine ability itself.

Eldrin Chen possessed extraordinary comprehension. He had already deciphered the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder several years prior and had long since cultivated it to success. Now, transferring the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder into the Divine Ability Jade Slip was merely a matter of course, like water flowing downhill.

After spending roughly five or six days, he successfully channeled his energy and completed the inscription of the Divine Ability Jade Slip.

"It is finally done," he murmured.

A gratified smile touched his lips. With this divine ability now secured, his clan would gain another layer of profound foundation for the future.

"Yet, this Verdant Sun Sect..."

Eldrin Chen frowned once more. This ability originated from the Verdant Sun Sect, which could potentially lead to complications. "It seems," he thought, "until our clan produces a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Sanctum, a higher cultivation stage], we must refrain from recklessly deploying this technique."

At that very moment, a knock sounded at his chamber door. The Second Elder, Verdant River Chen, entered.

This clan uncle shared a close relationship with Eldrin Chen. With customary courtesy, Eldrin Chen poured him a cup of tea and inquired with a warm smile.

"What brings you to my abode, Uncle?"

"Senior Like Dream Willow of the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion asked me to deliver an invitation to you. She wishes to invite you to the annual Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources]."

As he spoke, Clear River Chen handed over an ornate invitation.

Eldrin Chen accepted the invitation, opened it briefly to glance at its contents, and grasped the nature of the Barter Convention. A faint smile touched his lips as he remarked.

"The Barter Convention at Heavenly Ruins Mountain often yields treasures of genuine worth. I attended one a decade ago and managed to procure a Blood-Replenishing Ginseng [a rare spiritual herb renowned for its potent blood-restoring properties]. It was that very herb that enabled the recovery from the injuries sustained by both you and Uncle Lior." Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel dot com.