Chapter 99 Mysterious Iron Vein

Eldrin adjusted his mindset and did not linger long at Celestial Ruins Mountain. He departed from Celestial Ruins Mountain just a few days later.

Before departing, he purchased the ingredients for the Spirit-Concentrating Pill (Spiritual Object) and the supplementary herbs for the Exploding Origin Pill from Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location). Unfortunately, both elixirs required a considerable number of auxiliary spiritual herbs, and several of the rarer varieties were unavailable, leaving his collection incomplete.

Left with no other choice, he could only return to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) first, preparing to mobilize his clan's resources to purchase these few spiritual herbs from the prominent families across Yu County.

The group crafted an ice coffin with their magic power and carried the remains of the Second Elder home. The journey was somber, and it took a full 3 months before they finally reached Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

Upon returning to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), news that Eldrin (Person Name) had brought back another Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) quickly spread throughout the clan. That very night, visitors arrived at his doorstep, seeking to obtain this Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object).

The newcomer was none other than Chen Nianxu, a rising star among the Nian generation. Though possessing only a Triple Spiritual Root, he descended from a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had fallen in battle for the family 80 years ago, thereby inheriting a substantial amount of Family Contribution Points.

Over the years, Chen Nianxu had relied on the wealth left by his ancestors to advance his cultivation rapidly. With the family's flourishing development in the past decade or so, he exchanged for 2 spirit peaches, and his cultivation actually reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

After all, though they were of the same generation, Eldrin's standing among the clansmen was second only to the Old Patriarch. His authority had steadily taken root in their hearts and could no longer be compared to what it once was.

Having cultivated to this day, who in all of Border Province doesn't know of Eldrin's ruthless and decisive nature? Shockingly, 7 or 8 Foundation Establishment cultivators have fallen by his hand—even 4 ancestral elders from the Lin Family met their end beneath his blade.

Including demon beasts and the Second-Wood Demon Race, he had actually slain over a dozen Foundation Establishment-level adversaries within a mere dozen or so years. Such thunderous methods struck fear even into cultivators at the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage.

At this moment, Chen Nianxu had come seeking him out, his heart set on obtaining the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object). Yet, he was somewhat intimidated by the man before him, and could only stammer hesitantly, unable to voice his request.

"I know why you've come," Eldrin frowned with evident displeasure. "But this Foundation Establishment Pill was left by your Uncle Qinghe. His body has not yet turned cold, and you already come seeking this Foundation Establishment Pill from me. This is far too hasty."

"This..."

Chen Nianxu was left speechless, his heart swelling with dread. He could only timidly reply, "I understand."

"You may return first. As for the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), I shall reconsider the candidates after Uncle Qinghe’s burial."

Watching him depart, Eldrin (Person Name) sighed inwardly. Though Chen Nian possessed ancestral blessings and fairly decent immortal aptitude, his courage was lacking. A cultivator without that driving ambition would likely never achieve greatness.

Though he thought so, he was well aware that barring any unforeseen circumstances, this Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) would likely be awarded to Chen Nianxu. After all, whether in terms of seniority or cultivation level, Chen Nianxu remained the most suitable candidate within the family.

After his foundation establishment, the family's finances improved significantly. With the aid of spiritual peaches, they successively gained 7 or 8 cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining. However, most of these individuals had insufficient foundations and required several more years of rigorous tempering.

Although Caleb (Person Name) and Silas (Person Name) had received his guidance and built a solid foundation, having just broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining, they still needed 7 or 8 years before they could advance to Foundation Establishment.

However, Chen Nianxu’s cultivation had reached perfection, and he had inherited a substantial amount of family contribution points from his ancestor, a Foundation Establishment cultivator. There was no reason to choose anyone else over him.

The funeral of Chen Qinghe was personally arranged by the Third Elder. The venerable elder held an esteemed position within the clan, and nearly all Qi Refining cultivators of the family had gathered. Even Chen Qingwan had specially taken leave from the Yuyang Market to attend this elder cousin’s funeral.

Among them were a great many children of tender years, most no older than 6 to 10. Many were still in the foundational stage of immortal cultivation, not yet having formally embarked upon the path of cultivation.

After the clan lifted birth restrictions, the number of newborns surpassed 200,000 in merely a decade, leading to a significant increase in candidates with potential for cultivation.

The Grand Elder overseeing the family heritage at Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) was utterly overwhelmed. Over the past 4 years, their clan had gained approximately 20 new cultivators annually—a tenfold increase compared to previous years—with no signs of this trend slowing for the next 2 decades.

After the funeral concluded, Eldrin gathered all clan cultivators at the seventh level of Qi Refining or above to discuss the allocation of the Foundation Establishment Pill.

The meeting had just begun when, before he could speak, a female cultivator from the clan with delicate features reported an important piece of news.

This person was named Chen Seraphina (Person Name). At 40-9 years of age, her cultivation had only reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining, barely qualifying her to enter the mid-to-upper echelons of the clan.

"Not long ago, I left my clan to travel and inadvertently discovered a vein of Xuan Iron Ore."

"What?"

Lior's (Person Name) expression shifted slightly as he rose involuntarily. "Why didn't you report this earlier?" he exclaimed in startled inquiry.

Mysterious Iron is the essence of all metals, a rare and precious material for artifact forging. Eldrin's Bell of 9 Echoes was crafted precisely from this Mysterious Iron. This material possesses immense density—a mere fist-sized piece weighs over a 1000 jin, with each portion costing more than 600 spirit stones.

And even a minor Mysterious Iron Vein, no matter how small, could smelt over a 1000 jin of Mysterious Iron annually—enough to forge a single low-grade Tier-2 Magic Treasure.

If entrusted to the clan leader for refinement into a second-tier low-grade magical instrument, this Mysterious Iron Vein could generate an annual revenue exceeding 1,000 spirit stones.

Such a precious gain, no wonder Lior couldn't sit still any longer.

Facing the Third Elder's inquiry, Chen Seraphina (Person Name) continued, "Upon discovering this, I immediately rushed back to the family without delay."

"However, with Uncle Qinghe’s recent passing, the matter was temporarily withheld and not reported immediately."

"Then take us there now." Eldrin rose to his feet, speaking decisively, "If this Mysterious Iron Vein proves genuine, the family shall grant you substantial rewards."

Seeing Eldrin about to leave, Chen Nianxu's face paled slightly before he gritted his teeth and said, "About the Foundation Establishment Pill..."

"We'll talk when I get back."

Eldrin's voice faded as he summoned the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, soaring through the skies with Chen Seraphina as they departed Verdant Chariot Mountain.

The Third Elder saw the situation with perfect clarity. He cast a glance at Chen Nianxu, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "If the Mystic Iron Vein proves genuine, this Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) rightfully belongs to Seraphina (Person Name)."

"There is no need for you to contend."

After playing the villain, the Third Elder summoned the Mingyuan Void God Sword and swiftly followed after him.

Chen Nianxu watched the departing figures, his face paling slightly. He understood all too well that if they missed out on this Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) now, the clan would not purchase another before the impending Beast Tide chaos.

During this period, the clan would accumulate spirit stones and would only resume purchasing Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) after the Beast Tide subsided, when the price dropped. By that time, however, he would have long passed his prime years of 60.

At this thought, a faint struggle crossed his face, and a trace of shadow finally flickered in his pupils.

"My Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object)!"

Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Immortal Sovereign The sky tore open with a flash of crimson lightning, illuminating the ashen clouds that swirled like primordial chaos. In that fleeting moment, Lin Xuan's consciousness returned from the abyss of eternity. He found himself lying on a simple wooden bed, the familiar scent of medicinal herbs lingering in the air. Through the window, the distant peaks of the Azure Cloud Sect pierced the heavens, their summits veiled in spiritual mist. "30-2 1000 years..." Lin Xuan murmured, his voice hoarse with disuse. His spiritual sense swept through his body, confirming the unthinkable - he had returned to his youth, to the very day his cultivation had been crippled. Memories flooded back: the betrayal by his closest disciple, the ambush at the 9 Serenities Abyss, the final glimpse of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss piercing his chest. Yet now, all that remained was the feeble body of a Qi Refinement initiate. A bitter smile touched his lips. "The Heavenly Dao has granted me a second chance." His gaze fell upon the small wooden box beside his bed. With trembling hands, he opened it to reveal 3 glistening Spirit Concentration Pills. These were his last resources, meant to help him break through to the Foundation Establishment realm. "Only 3..." Lin Xuan sighed. In his previous life as the Immortal Sovereign, such low-grade pills wouldn't even qualify as dust in his treasury. Yet now, they represented his only hope. Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached from outside. The door burst open to reveal a young disciple in blue robes, his face pale with panic. "Senior Brother Lin! Elder Minghe has ordered your immediate presence at the Discipline Hall!" Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. So it begins, just as before. The false accusation of stealing the sect's cultivation techniques, the public humiliation, the destruction of his meridians... But this time, things would be different. "Tell the Elder I will be there shortly," Lin Xuan replied calmly, his voice carrying an unexpected authority that made the young disciple stumble backward. After the messenger fled, Lin Xuan rose and walked to the window. The morning sun cast golden rays upon the training grounds where hundreds of outer sect disciples practiced their sword forms in unison. Beyond them, the majestic architecture of the main halls stood as testament to the sect's 10-1000-year legacy. He closed his eyes, drawing upon memories of the Cosmic Scripture of Creation - the supreme cultivation method he had comprehended in his previous life. Though his current body couldn't withstand its power, even the most basic exercises derived from it would be unparalleled in this realm. "Wang Tian, my beloved disciple," Lin Xuan whispered to the wind, "when we meet again, I wonder if you will still dare to look me in the eye." A cold light flashed in his pupils, carrying the weight of 30-2 millennia. The game had just begun, but the player had changed. He took 1 of the Spirit Concentration Pills and swallowed it. As the medicinal power spread through his meridians, he began circulating the simplified version of the cosmic method. Spiritual energy from heaven and earth converged toward him, forming visible vortices above his humble abode. In that moment, the destiny of all under heaven began its subtle shift.