Chapter 97 : A Bountiful Harvest Before the Storm

"With the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive assault by demonic beasts] approaching, to have such a harvest now truly seems like a stroke of immense fortune."

Elara Lin leaned in for a look, her expression immediately brightening with joy as she spoke.

The resources seized from this battle were remarkably abundant. Beyond the Supple Wood Crystal [a crystalline spiritual material imbued with the essence of supple wood], there were three Third-Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts] and as many as twenty-nine Third-Rank Spirit Herbs [rare plants with potent spiritual properties], of which over thirteen were already mature.

Mature Second Rank Spirit Herb [spiritually potent plants], Second Rank Spirit Wood [trees imbued with spiritual energy], and similar materials numbered over a hundred in total. The remaining treasures, such as Supple Wood Essence [a refined spiritual essence of supple wood], were also plentiful.

There was also a grove of Azure Goldwood Grove. The Azure Goldwood [a spiritual tree with wood and metal attributes] is a spiritual plant with dual wood and metal attributes. Once these trees exceed three hundred years of age, their wood can be used to forge Second Rank Magical Artifact [enchanted artifacts]. Discovering an entire grove within this Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth spiritual energy] was a truly delightful surprise.

After reviewing the ledger, Exquisite Jiang closed it and summoned all the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] who had participated in the battle.

Once everyone had gathered, she addressed them directly. "You have all contributed significantly to this assault on the secret realm."

"The spoils have been tallied. I intend to allocate half of the Second Rank treasures to be distributed among all participating Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

"I have had your contributions assessed and converted into Merits [a metaphysical currency representing virtuous deeds and contributions], which you may use to exchange for these treasures."

Upon hearing this, the cultivators could scarcely contain their elation. The gains from this battle were staggering. Even divided among them, each person could expect to receive roughly one Second Rank Spirit Herb and one or two other Second Rank treasures of heaven and earth [rare natural treasures imbued with spiritual power]. The story continues at http://www . audio-novel.com.

Combined, these treasures were worth at least two to three thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Those who were more powerful and contributed more could even receive treasures valued at seven to eight thousand Spirit Stones.

After receiving their Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds], the cultivators departed in a state of rapturous joy, eager to select the treasures they desired.

Just as Eldrin Chen was about to leave, he was stopped by Exquisite Jiang. She glanced at him, tossed over the ledger, and said with a smile.

"Aside from my few disciples, among the participating Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the second major stage of cultivation, where one builds a solid spiritual foundation], your achievements were the greatest. You may choose your treasures first."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen hesitated for a moment but did not refuse. He accepted the ledger.

Scanning its pages, his first choice was a Yuan-Breaking Fruit [a spiritual fruit that aids in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks]. He then spotted entries for Mind-Concentrating Flower [a flower that enhances mental focus and clarity] and Fire Spirit Grass [a grass imbued with fiery spiritual essence].

The Mind-Concentrating Flower was the primary ingredient for the Spirit-Concentrating Pill [a pill that concentrates and refines one's spiritual energy], while the Fire Spirit Grass was key for the Essence Burst Pill [a pill that causes a sudden surge in spiritual essence]. The Chen Clan possessed the alchemical recipes for both these Spirit Herbs [plants that contain and radiate spiritual energy], so Eldrin Chen simply exchanged for them as well.

After the exchange, Eldrin Chen found he still had a considerable amount of Merits remaining. He continued to peruse the ledger, this time focusing on the Second Rank [refers to items or beings corresponding to the Foundation Establishment stage] treasures listed.

"Hmm?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with recognition. He discovered that the Positive Water Verdant Lotus [a spiritual lotus embodying the harmonious essence of water and wood] was actually listed among the Second Rank High-Grade treasures.

The material of this treasure was of Third Rank quality, and its defensive capabilities were at the absolute pinnacle of the Second Rank level. Among the array of Second Rank artifacts, it stood in a league of its own.

Faced with such a superior treasure, he naturally could not bear to let it slip away. Without a second thought, he spent his Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing accumulated good karma and virtuous deeds] to exchange for it.

After acquiring this item, Eldrin Chen's reserve of Merits was nearly depleted. He then exchanged for a few more First Rank treasures, finally exhausting his balance completely.

"Since you have chosen this treasure, it seems fate has destined you for that other item as well,"

Exquisite Jiang remarked, a hint of a smile touching her eyes as she watched him claim the Positive Water Verdant Lotus.

As she spoke, she retrieved an ancient scroll and handed it to Eldrin Chen, her expression turning solemn.

"Long ago, a dear friend of mine, on her deathbed, entrusted me with finding a suitable inheritor for her legacy. By obtaining this Positive Water Verdant Lotus, you have shown yourself to be that destined person."

Eldrin Chen accepted the venerable scroll. Upon opening it and glimpsing its contents, his pupils contracted sharply in astonishment.

The text contained an exceptionally profound cultivation art named the Verdant Lotus Positive Water Scripture [a dual-attribute cultivation method harmonizing the essences of water and wood]. This technique was a dual-attribute method for water and wood, capable of guiding a cultivator all the way to the Violet Sanctum 3rd Tier.

What proved even more challenging was that this cultivation art contained the method for forging a Lifebound Magical Treasure known as the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a throne-like treasure crafted from lotus and positive water essence].

The Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne was an exceptionally superior grade of Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force]. While its defensive and offensive capabilities were notably weak,

it possessed one truly remarkable and profound utility: this treasure could store the entirety of a cultivator's True Essence [the refined spiritual power cultivated within a practitioner] and allowed for its instantaneous deployment.

Consider the implications: possessing the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne was akin to having double the spiritual power at one's disposal. Would that not allow one to unleash divine abilities and magical treasures with reckless abandon?

Furthermore, the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne could aid in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks. According to the art's description, using this Lifebound Magical Treasure to safeguard one's physical form, combined with the doubled reserve of True Essence, could increase one's chances of a successful breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation] by a full twenty percent.

However, despite its formidable power, forging this treasure was an exceedingly troublesome affair. It required not only a third-rank precious lotus but also the incredibly rare Positive Water Crystal [a crystal formed from pure positive water spiritual energy]. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel.com.

The Positive Water Crystal could only be produced within a Positive Water Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein brimming with positive water energy]. It was said that the sole water-attribute Earth Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] in the entire Chu Nation was actually a Final Water Earth Vein [an earth vein of ultimate, yin-aligned water energy]. Finding a Positive Water Crystal anywhere in Chu Nation was likely impossible.

After studying this cultivation art, Eldrin Chen was filled with a mixture of exhilaration and profound unease.

A third-rank cultivation art was a treasure that could serve as a foundational heirloom for even a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan with cultivators at the Violet Sanctum realm], something that would make even a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Violet Sanctum realm] covet it.

To claim he was unmoved by such a technique laid before him would be a lie. His heart stirred with desire, yet it was also shadowed by disquiet, for the object's value was simply too immense.

"Jiang..."

Eldrin Chen began to speak, lifting his gaze to meet Exquisite Jiang's. He found her bright eyes fixed upon him, his own reflection mirrored within their depths.

Suddenly, he halted his half-spoken words. A profound calm settled in his heart. He nodded serenely and said,

"By taking this item today, I accept the Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect, action and consequence]. If that senior has any unfinished matters in the future, I shall resolve them on her behalf."

Exquisite Jiang paused for a moment, then a faint smile touched her lips. "Her Karma is not so easily repaid."

"Focus on your cultivation. When the day comes that your cultivation reaches the required level, I will naturally tell you of her past."

Eldrin Chen nodded, his heart remaining tranquil. To tread the path of cultivation is to inevitably weave threads of Karma.

To grow, one often must receive the grace of predecessors; to walk further, one often follows the trails they blazed. Yet, to accept such grace is to shoulder the accompanying Karma.

As the saying goes, how can one transcend the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of desires and attachments] without first immersing oneself within it?

Those who single-mindedly seek to evade Karma are often cowards, fearful of being entangled by trouble. Such individuals seldom accomplish anything of note.

Only those who dare to face their own Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect that binds all actions and their consequences], and are willing to resolve it with a clear conscience, can truly comprehend their own path and ultimately rise above the rest.

Having obtained the Positive Water Verdant Lotus [a rare spiritual lotus imbued with the harmonizing essence of water and wood] and secured a Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a Violet Palace core] cultivation art, Eldrin Chen departed from the Supple Wood Spirit Pool Abode [a secluded cultivation site centered around a spirit-infused pool] with a heart full of satisfaction.

Three more days later, after the group had finished distributing the treasures, they emerged from the depths of the Supple Wood Earth Vein [an underground spiritual vein rich in the essence of supple wood].

Before their departure, Exquisite Jiang sealed this Supple Wood Earth Vein with powerful formations and laid down a Third Rank Formation [a powerful defensive and concealing array of the third rank]. She then dispatched her disciple, Elara Lin, to stand guard over the site.

Upon returning to Heavenly Ruins Mountain, Eldrin Chen immediately rented an Earthfire Alchemy Chamber [a specialized chamber that harnesses subterranean fire for pill refinement] and entered seclusion to begin concocting the Barrier-Breaking Pill.

Although the Barrier-Breaking Pill [a precious elixir designed to help a cultivator break through a major cultivation bottleneck] was classified as a Second Rank Low-Grade [refers to the quality grade of pills, artifacts, or formations] pill, its nature as a Realm-Breaking Precious Pill [a special category of elixirs that aid in realm advancement] made its refinement difficulty nearly on par with ordinary Second Rank Mid-Grade pills.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen had now advanced to the level of a Second Rank Mid-Grade alchemist, his pill-refining skills having improved by leaps and bounds. Toiling day and night without rest, he spent seven full days on the process. In the end, his efforts bore fruit: three perfectly formed pills. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel dot com.