Chapter 116 : The Elusive Verdant Ganoderma

Silas Chen had been blessed with striking features since childhood, which only grew more luminous after her Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a solid foundation for their future path]. She handed over a Storage Bag [a spatial artifact used to store items] and spoke with a lively tone.

"Uncle Eldrin, that Verdant Origin Ganoderma [a rare spirit fungus crucial for refining certain high-grade pills] is far too scarce. I searched every corner of Yu County, but couldn't purchase it. I only managed to gather all these supplementary herbs."

Eldrin Chen opened the Storage Bag and glanced inside, finding it contained all the auxiliary ingredients for the Verdant Origin Pill [a potent pill used to break through to the late Foundation Establishment realm].

For many years now, he had been preparing for his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage. He had been tirelessly seeking to purchase Verdant Origin Ganoderma in order to refine a batch of Verdant Origin Pill to facilitate that very ascent.

This pursuit had become especially urgent since his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer a year prior, prompting him to elevate the acquisition of Verdant Origin Ganoderma to his highest priority.

However, as the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic and devastating invasion by monstrous beasts] drew ever nearer, the prices of magical treasures [enchanted artifacts], Spirit Talisman [pre-written spells sealed on paper or other mediums], and pills were skyrocketing. The Verdant Origin Pill and its key ingredient, Verdant Origin Ganoderma, had become the most coveted treasures, nearly impossible to find for sale.

In his quest for the Verdant Origin Ganoderma, Eldrin Chen had even scoured both Yu County and Bianzhou. Yet, disappointingly, not even the Bianzhou Barter Convention [a major trade gathering held years prior] had offered the herb for sale.

The Heaven's Ruin Pavilion [a prominent trading pavilion] did not have it in stock either. The last three Verdant Origin Pill available at the Pavilion had been those brought out by Su Mingwei at the Celestial Ruins Mountain Barter Convention, over a decade ago, just before the opening of the First Wood Earth Vein [a mystical site rich in Wood-attributed spiritual energy].

Those three pills had long since been purchased by cultivators from Celestial Ruins Mountain. They were likely consumed to break through cultivation bottlenecks long ago, and even if by some chance they remained, their medicinal potency would have faded entirely by now.

With these thoughts, Eldrin Chen closed the Storage Bag and asked, his expression betraying nothing. Read the full novel exclusively on audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"And what did the Mu Clan say?"

"The Mu Clan Ancient Ancestor said the Verdant Origin Ganoderma [a rare spirit herb] was too scarce, and they had none left either." Silas Chen replied, then added, "I heard long ago that the Mu Clan refined a batch of Verdant Origin Pill [a pill that aids in Foundation Establishment] just a few years ago."

"It's said they succeeded in forming two pills. One was consumed by Mu Xuan De, and the other was sent to the Green Sun Sect."

"It's no surprise. The Mu Clan has three Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation] within the Green Sun Sect."

Eldrin Chen stated calmly. Unlike Mordecai Lin, the three Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Mu Clan who were in the Green Sun Sect had received significant support from their clan to achieve Foundation Establishment. Therefore, they were still considered, in part, cultivators of the Mu Clan.

Of course, the primary reason was that among those three, one had secured powerful backing, becoming a personal disciple under Mo the Ancient Ancestor, a Purple Mansion [a major realm above Foundation Establishment] elder of the Green Sun Sect.

That Mo the Ancient Ancestor possessed cultivation at the Purple Mansion Eighth Layer, making him one of the true powers within the Green Sun Sect and a key lieutenant to Xu the Ancient Ancestor. Thus, the Mu Clan could be considered a clan with substantial connections.

This also stemmed from the differing choices of the two great clans. The Mu Clan had expended truly immense resources to nurture those three cultivators within the Green Sun Sect, which had caused considerable discontent among their own clansmen.

Had it not been for the high prestige of their Clan Patriarch, Marcus Mu, this endeavor might never have succeeded. After all, using wealth earned by the clan's cultivators to subsidize those who had left was bound to stir dissent.

The Mu Clan owned over a hundred *mu* of Spirit Farmland [land infused with spiritual energy for growing spirit crops]. Though it could not compare to the present Chen Clan, they were once the wealthiest Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan in Yu County. Yet, the clan now had only four Foundation Establishment Cultivator, a situation greatly influenced by their continuous subsidies to those three cultivators in the Green Sun Sect.

In comparison, the Lin Clan's assets could not match those of the Mu Clan, yet they had managed to produce seven Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their foundation in the Dao] within a century. This represented two fundamentally different paths of development.

"It seems we won't be able to purchase Verdant Origin Ganoderma [a rare spirit fungus that aids in cultivation] or the Verdant Origin Pill [an elixir refined from the Verdant Origin Ganoderma] here in Bianzhou,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a note of helplessness in his voice.

In truth, if he himself possessed a Verdant Origin Pill, he likely wouldn't sell it to an outsider either.

Only if the pill's efficacy were nearing its expiration and no suitable candidate within his circle required it would he consider selling such a treasure.

Upon hearing this, Silas Chen frowned, his young face creased with worry. "Tempering one's True Qi [the refined vital energy within a cultivator's body] is far too time-consuming. Without acquiring the Verdant Origin Pill, I fear you won't be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] before the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic onslaught of rampaging demonic beasts] arrives."

Having grown up by Eldrin Chen's side, she understood perfectly that once he advanced to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, his power would undergo a staggering transformation.

Eldrin Chen's True Essence [a cultivator's purified and potent life-force energy] was exceptionally dense and sharp. Upon reaching the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, the potency of his True Essence would rival nearly half that of a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened the mystical Purple Mansion within their dantian].

At that point, he would be able to unleash seventy to eighty percent of the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword's [a powerful magical sword imbued with thunder and flame] true might. Furthermore, his Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a lifebound flying sword named for its abyssal flame] could also ascend to the Third Rank Low Grade [the lowest tier of power for artifacts used by Purple Mansion cultivators].

With these two trump cards, Eldrin Chen's combat prowess would surge by more than double. His offensive capabilities would be sufficient to stand toe-to-toe with cultivators at the Purple Palace, Early Stage [the initial phase of the Purple Mansion realm].

When encountering a Purple Mansion First Layer Demonic Beast without a Third Rank Magical Treasure, he might even hold his own without being at a disadvantage, possessing at least the strength to put up a fight.

With the Beast Tide Calamity imminent, every ounce of power Eldrin Chen could add would provide greater security for the clan and further increase their chances of surviving the impending calamity.

"Foundation Establishment, Late Stage."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly; this was indeed a critical juncture.

The strength of a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast was far too formidable. The last time they had encircled and slain a severely wounded Thunder Demonic Roc, they had been forced to exhaust every means at their disposal to achieve a hard-won victory.

During the Beast Tide Calamity, he was almost certain to encounter a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast—and likely one at the peak of its power, whose strength would far surpass that of the previous Thunder Demonic Roc. Join our community of readers at https://audio-novel.com.

If he could not break through to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, then in the eyes of a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast, he would be nothing more than slightly troublesome prey. A single misstep could lead to his swift demise.

"I must break through to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage before the Beast Tide Calamity arrives," he resolved.

With this thought firming in his mind, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "I've heard that one month from now, a Barter Convention will be held in Scorching Sun County within Yang Province. I intend to travel there to see if I can trade for Verdant Origin Pill or Verdant Origin Ganoderma."

"If the opportunity presents itself, I might also purchase some suitable magical tools for you all while I'm there."

Eldrin Chen had used a Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm] for her Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their foundation]. Having only achieved this breakthrough a few years prior, she still owed the clan over ten thousand Clan Merit Points [points awarded for contributions, redeemable for resources]. The sole Second Rank Flying Sword [a sword enchanted for flight and combat] she possessed had been borrowed on credit from the Clan Treasury.

Upon hearing that Eldrin Chen intended to purchase magical tools for them, she immediately grew excited, clinging to his arm and pleading coquettishly.

"Uncle Eldrin, I want a Defensive Magical Tool [an enchanted artifact designed primarily for protection]."

"Understood, you little schemer."

Eldrin Chen shook his head with an amused smile, readily agreeing to her request.

Early the next morning, he took stock of his Storage Bag [a spatial pouch that can hold items far beyond its physical size] and found he carried only three thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Thus, he decided to visit Green Chariot Mountain. The surplus Second Rank Spirit Peach [a peach imbued with spiritual energy, beneficial for cultivation] produced each year were deposited into the Clan Treasury, and over the years, the merit points he had accumulated numbered in the tens of thousands.

Although he had expended a vast sum to purchase Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] for tempering his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bonded to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them] and divine abilities, and though mobilizing the clan's resources to advance his skills in alchemy, formations, artificing, and talismans had cost a great deal, he still retained over twenty thousand Clan Merit Points.

Currently, the Clan Treasury held a reserve of over eight thousand Spirit Stone. He directly withdrew ten thousand of them, then mounted his sword and flew towards Yang Province.

The domain under the Green Sun SectThree Provinces Region [the three provinces governed by the Green Sun Sect] comprised Qing Province, Yang Province, and Bianzhou—where Yu County was located.

Among these, both Yang Province and Bianzhou share borders with the demonic territories in the direction of the Vast and Boundless Marsh. Bianzhou borders Celestial Python Lake, while Yang Province faces the threat of the Earth Lion Tribe from Lion Ridge. Whenever a Beast Tide Calamity erupts, these regions face immense pressure.

Only Qing Province, situated deep within the heartland of the Chu Kingdom, has remained the most secure. It has not suffered an invasion from a Beast Tide Calamity for five hundred years.

This was the first time Eldrin Chen had ventured beyond the lands of Bianzhou, arriving in this domain of Yang Province.

As one of the Chu Kingdom's Nine Provinces, Yang Province is likewise divided into three counties: Boyang County, Scorching Sun County, and Cloud Sun County.

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