Chapter 99 : The Pill's Return and a Clan's Ambition

Eldrin Chen adjusted his state of mind and did not linger at Heavenly Ruins Mountain. After a few days, he departed from Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Before leaving, he purchased the supplementary herbs for the Spirit-Concentrating Pill and the Essence Burst Pill from Heavenly Ruins Mountain. Unfortunately, both of these elixirs required a relatively large number of auxiliary Spirit Herb, and several of these supplementary herbs were quite rare, so he was unable to procure a complete set.

With no other choice, he could only return to Green Chariot Mountain first, intending to mobilize the clan's resources to purchase these few Spirit Herb from the various major families within Yu County.

The group used their magic power to create an ice coffin to carry the remains of the Second Elder home. The atmosphere along the journey was somber, and it took a full three months before they finally reached Green Chariot Mountain.

As soon as they returned to Green Chariot Mountain, news that Eldrin Chen had once again brought back a Foundation Establishment Pill quickly spread throughout the clan. That very night, someone came knocking at his door, seeking to obtain this Foundation Establishment Pill.

The visitor was none other than Chen Cyrus. This individual was a rising star among the Nian Generation. Although he possessed only Three Spiritual Roots, his ancestor was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had died in battle for the clan eighty years prior, leaving him a considerable legacy of clan contribution points.

Over the years, Chen Cyrus had relied on the wealth left by his forebears to make rapid progress in his cultivation. Furthermore, with the clan's vigorous development over the past decade, he had exchanged for two Spiritual Peach. Astonishingly, his cultivation had already reached the Great Perfection stage of Vital Essence Refinement.

After all, although they were of the same generation, Eldrin Chen's standing in the hearts of the clansmen was second only to the Old Patriarch. His authority had become deeply ingrained and was no longer comparable to what it once was.

Having cultivated to this day, who in the entire Border Province did not know of Eldrin Chen's character? His Slaughter was sharp and decisive. The number of Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had fallen by his hand was actually seven or eight, including four Foundation Establishment Patriarch from the Lin Clan alone.

If one were to add demonic beasts and members of the Supple Wood Demon Race, he had slain over a dozen Foundation Establishment opponents in just over a decade. Such astonishing and thunderous methods would instill fear even in a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator. Access the full story on audio_novel.com.

At this moment, Chen Cyrus came to his door, his heart set on obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]. Yet, he was somewhat afraid of him and could only stammer, unable to voice his request.

"I know why you are here," Eldrin Chen said with a hint of displeasure, his brow furrowing. "But this Foundation Establishment Pill was left by your Uncle Verdant River. Now, with Uncle Verdant River's body not yet cold in the ground, for you to come seeking the pill from me is far too hasty."

"This..."

Chen Cyrus was left speechless, his heart filled with growing trepidation. He could only reply meekly, "I understand."

"Go back for now. The matter of the Foundation Establishment Pill will be reconsidered after Uncle Verdant River is laid to rest."

Watching him leave, Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly. This Chen Cyrus had inherited a legacy from his ancestors, and his Immortal Fate [the innate potential and fortune for pursuing the immortal path] was not bad. However, his courage was somewhat lacking. A cultivator without a driving ambition would 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 Cyrus. After all, whether judged by seniority or cultivation level, he was the most suitable candidate within the clan.

After his own Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a stable foundation for their future path], the clan's finances had improved. With the aid of the Spiritual Peach [a mystical fruit that enhances cultivation], they had successively added seven or eight cultivators at the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final stage of the first major realm, Body Tempering]. However, most of these individuals had insufficiently solid foundations and needed several more years of tempering.

Although Caleb and Silas had received his guidance and built very solid foundations, they had only recently broken through to the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier. They would still need to wait seven or eight years before attempting Foundation Establishment.

In contrast, Chen Cyrus's cultivation was complete and perfected. Furthermore, he had inherited over three thousand clan contribution points from his Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Foundation Establishment realm] ancestor. Thus, he was arguably the most suitable candidate among them all.

"..."

The funeral arrangements for Clear River Chen were personally overseen by Third Elder. The old man held a very high status within the clan, and nearly all of the clan's Vital Essence Refinement [the foundational stage of cultivation where one refines their vital life energy] cultivators attended. Even Verdant Grace Chen took special leave from Sunward Market to attend the funeral of this elder clansman.

Among the attendees were a great number of young children, most between the ages of six and ten. Many were still in the early stages of their spiritual enlightenment [the initial phase of learning about cultivation], having not yet formally embarked on the path of cultivation.

Since the clan had relaxed its policies on childbirth, in the short span of a single decade, the number of newborn clan members had exceeded two hundred thousand. This had also led to a significant increase in the number of children with the potential to become cultivators.

The Grand Elder responsible for clan heritage at Green Chariot Mountain was overwhelmed with work. For the past four years, the clan had been adding roughly twenty new cultivators annually—a tenfold increase over previous years—and this trend showed no signs of abating for the next two decades.

After the funeral concluded, Eldrin Chen summoned all clan cultivators at the Vital Essence Refinement 7th Tier [the seventh level of the foundational cultivation stage] and above to discuss the allocation of the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm].

No sooner had the meeting begun than a comely female clan cultivator stepped forward to deliver an important report, not waiting for him to speak first.

Her name was Seraphina Chen. At forty-nine years of age, her cultivation had only reached the Vital Essence Refinement 8th Tier [the eighth level of the foundational cultivation stage], barely placing her among the clan's mid-to-high ranks.

"Not long ago, while I was traveling away from the clan, I inadvertently discovered a vein of Mystic Iron Ore [a rare spiritual metal used in crafting magical treasures]."

"What?!"

Lior Chen's expression shifted slightly. He couldn't help but stand up, exclaiming in surprise, "Why didn't you report this sooner?"

Mystic Iron [the refined essence of ten thousand metals] is a rare and precious material for artifact forging. Eldrin Chen's Ninefold Resonance Bell was precisely crafted from Mystic Iron. This material is incredibly dense; a fist-sized piece weighs a thousand Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms], and the price for each such piece exceeds six hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

As for a Mystic Iron Ore Vein, even a minor one, it can smelt a thousand Jin-weight of Mystic Iron annually, sufficient to forge a single Second Rank Low-Grade magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

If the clan patriarch were to refine it into a Second Rank Low-Grade magical treasure, this Mystic Iron Ore Vein could yield an annual profit exceeding one thousand Spirit Stone.

Such a precious source of income was precisely why Lior Chen could no longer remain seated.

Facing the Third Elder's inquiry, Seraphina Chen continued, "Upon discovering it, I returned to the clan immediately." This chapter appears courtesy of audio_novel.com.

"However, it coincided with the passing of Uncle Verdant River, so I temporarily withheld the report."

"Then take us there now," Eldrin Chen declared, rising to his feet with decisive resolve. "If the Mystic Iron Ore Vein proves genuine, the clan will naturally bestow a substantial reward."

Seeing Eldrin Chen prepare to leave, Chen Cyrus paled slightly. Gritting his teeth, he pressed on, "The matter of the Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]..."

"We will discuss it upon my return."

With those words, Eldrin Chen summoned forth the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword and, taking Seraphina Chen with him, soared out from Green Chariot Mountain.

The Third Elder understood the situation perfectly. He glanced at Chen Cyrus, patted his shoulder, and sighed, "If the Mystic Iron Ore Vein proves genuine, this Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that forms the foundation for a cultivator's future path] should rightfully go to Seraphina."

"In terms of accumulated Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] and clan contributions, you cannot compare. You must prepare yourself for this outcome."

Having spoken, the Third Elder summoned his own Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword and followed closely behind them.

Chen Cyrus watched the departing figures, his face turning ashen. He understood all too well: if he missed this Foundation Establishment Pill, the clan would not purchase another before the impending Beast Tide [a periodic, massive onslaught of demonic 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 subsided and the price of Foundation Establishment Pill fell would they resume purchases. By then, he would be long past his prime cultivation years of sixty.

This thought drained the last vestiges of color from his face. A complex swirl of anguish, confusion, and bitter resentment flickered deep within his eyes. Read, share, and discuss at http://www . audio-novel.com.