Chapter 117 : The Scorching Sun Bastion

Among the three counties, Boyang County lies in the heartland, shielded to the west by Yu County and to the north by the counties of Scorching Sun County and Cloud Sun County. It is considered the safest of the three.

The Scorching Sun County that Eldrin Chen was heading to was quite similar to Yu County. It was the closest to Lion Ridge, serving as the first line of defense for Yang Province.

Within Scorching Sun County, besides six or seven Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan families, there was also a Third Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated spiritual energy]. This vein was the primary bulwark for Yang Province against the threats from Lion Ridge.

This Third Rank High Grade Spirit Vein had been cultivated at a cost of over a million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], a project pushed through by the previous sect master of the Green Sun Sect against considerable opposition. A fourth-rank defensive formation was established there, garrisoned by a significant force of cultivators.

For five hundred years, this formidable barrier had held. Lion Ridge had never successfully breached Yang Province, nor penetrated deep into the heartlands of the Chu Kingdom, allowing the immortal clans of Qing Province centuries of peace to recuperate and strengthen.

Eldrin Chen traversed from Yu County, crossed the Bianyang Mountain Range, passed through Boyang County, and flew a journey of one hundred thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] before finally arriving at Scorching Sun County.

"Scorching Sun Market."

Gazing at the market before him, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he recalled the intelligence he had gathered.

The Scorching Sun Market was the largest Cultivation Market [a trading hub for cultivators] in Yang Province, situated at the foot of Scorched Sun Mountain, which housed the Third Rank High Grade Spirit Vein. It was jointly managed by the Green Sun Sect and the major immortal clans of Scorching Sun County.

Fifty percent of this market's tax revenue went to the Green Sun Sect. The Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a clan led by a Purple Mansion realm cultivator] known as the Pan Clan claimed thirty percent. The remaining twenty percent was divided among the various Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan families of Scorching Sun County. This novel is serialized on http://www . audio-novel.com. Visit for updates.

Do not underestimate these shares, for you must know that the tax revenue of the Scorching Sun Market far surpasses that of the Yuyang Market. It is akin to a fusion of the Fengyang Trading Post and the Celestial Ruins Mountain.

This market has operated for over five hundred years, ranking within the top ten across the entire Chu Kingdom. Its annual tax revenue alone exceeds thirty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], a sum more than sixfold that of the Yuyang Market.

With these thoughts in mind, Eldrin Chen stepped forward and entered the bustling confines of the Scorching Sun Market.

Once inside the Scorching Sun Market, he intended to locate the Green Sun Pavilion. That establishment was a business under the banner of the Green Sun Sect, specializing in the sale of elixirs [spiritual pills used for cultivation] and magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

After inquiring and learning the location of the Green Sun Pavilion, he proceeded directly there. He was received by a steward of the Green Sun Sect.

This man was named Qin Lysander, his cultivation at the Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage. Upon seeing Eldrin, he greeted him with a genial smile.

"You seem unfamiliar, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term cultivators use to address each other]. Is this your first visit to the Scorching Sun Market?"

Eldrin Chen nodded. "I hail from the Yu County Chen Clan. I have come on account of the Yang Province Barter Convention."

"Bianzhou lies hundreds of thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Scorched Sun Mountain. Your journey must have been arduous, Fellow Daoist." Qin Lysander exchanged pleasantries before finally broaching the main subject. "Might I inquire as to what brings you to our Green Sun Pavilion? What do you seek to purchase?"

"To speak plainly, I have come to the Scorching Sun Market for the sake of the Verdant Origin Pill [a pill that nourishes and strengthens a cultivator's foundational essence]."

Upon hearing his request to purchase Green Sun Pill [a pill that aids in Foundation Establishment], Qin Lysander revealed a bitter smile and shook his head repeatedly. "To be frank with you, in the two months leading up to the Barter Convention [a large-scale cultivator trade fair], you are the sixteenth fellow Daoist to inquire about the Verdant Origin Pill [a high-grade Foundation Establishment aid pill].

"I have been out of stock for a long time. Even if someone intends to trade one at the Barter Convention, you should prepare yourself mentally."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could only shake his head in resignation and take his leave.

No sooner had he departed than Qin Lysander strode into an inner chamber. Within this private room, an unfinished game of Go was laid out.

Across from the board, a white-haired elder, holding a Go piece, was frowning in deep contemplation.

Seeing Qin Lysander approach, the elder smiled faintly. "Junior Brother, why have you returned so swiftly?"

"Another one seeking the Verdant Origin Pill," replied Qin Lysander as he picked up a piece, preparing to make his move. He added casually, "A Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] cultivator from the Chen Clan of Yu County in Bianzhou. He traveled all the way to Scorching Sun County for a single pill. I suspect his journey will be in vain."

"Enough about him. We brothers haven't played in over a decade; let us continue the game!"

"Wait a moment!"

Before he could finish, the white-haired elder's smile vanished entirely.

The old man's interest in the game of chess had vanished. He tossed down his piece, his expression turning impassive as he spoke.

"The Chen Immortal Clan of Yu County?"

"If my memory serves, my brother-in-law, Zuo Yuannian, fell by their hands, did he not?"

"Severus…"

Qin Lysander's expression shifted slightly. He rose, closed the door securely, and only then spoke in a lowered voice, offering a word of caution.

"I have heard some whispers regarding the strength of the Chen Clan." Visit audio-novel*com to enjoy the complete series.

"The one who has come is Eldrin Chen. His power is not to be underestimated."

The man named Severus furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze boring deeply into the other before finally withdrawing it. He resumed speaking with deliberate calm.

"If the visitor is indeed Eldrin Chen, then caution is indeed warranted."

"But set your mind at ease. Wei Alistair has been stationed at Scorched Sun Mountain [a mountain range known for its intense, scorching yang energy] these past years. He and Zuo Yuannian were friends for a century, as close as brothers born of the same flesh and blood."

"Now that the opportunity has arisen, Wei Alistair is unlikely to let it slip through his fingers."

Following Severus's words, Qin Lysander finally gave a nod of agreement.

Although this Severus before them was at the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, his strength was rather ordinary. However, the origins of that Wei Alistair were anything but commonplace.

That Wei Alistair, named Wei Mingyuan, was now over one hundred and seventy years old. He was the direct son of the Purple Mansion cultivator Wei Chongyang from the Green Sun Sect. With the support of his Purple Mansion father, he had already attempted to break through to the Purple Mansion realm twice.

Although both attempts had failed, wasting two Li Fire Crystal [a rare crystal containing concentrated fire-attribute spiritual energy], he had managed to open up a significant portion of his 'Purple Mansion Dao Meridian' [the primary spiritual meridian that must be opened to ascend to the Purple Mansion realm]. His power far surpassed that of ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators.

Thinking of this, Qin Lysander nodded once more, a faint smile gracing his lips as he said, "If Wei Alistair makes a move, he will surely leave that Eldrin Chen lying dead in Yang Province."

Eldrin Chen remained unaware that he had already drawn the attention of cultivators from the Green Sun Sect.

It was within the Chen Clan's expectations that Zuo Yuannian, having spent nearly two hundred years within the Green Sun Sect, would have forged some lasting friendships.

However, what Eldrin Chen could not have foreseen was that these friends would still be willing to seek vengeance for the deceased Zuo Yuannian, nor that he would coincidentally encounter them at the Scorching Sun Market.

After leaving the Green Sun Pavilion, Eldrin Chen, unwilling to give up, visited the shop of the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan Pan Clan. Unfortunately, even within the Pan Family's establishment, there were no Verdant Origin Ganoderma [a rare spirit fungus that nourishes the wood element] or Verdant Origin Pill [a pill that replenishes wood-attribute vitality] available for purchase.

With no other recourse, Eldrin Chen could only wait for the Yang Province Barter Convention to commence.

Time held little meaning in the pursuit of cultivation; a dozen or so days slipped by swiftly. On this day, the Yang Province Barter Convention finally opened its gates.

Compared to the Bianzhou Barter Convention, this Yang Province Barter Convention was noticeably more vibrant. At the previous Fengyang Trading Post, the cultivators participating in the Barter Convention were primarily from Bianzhou, numbering just over fifty individuals.

However, Yang Province and Qing Province were largely under the control of the Green Sun Sect. Therefore, besides cultivators from Yang Province, many from Qing Province also attended this gathering.

Coupled with the approaching Beast Tide Calamity, this Yang Province Barter Convention was exceptionally bustling, with a full one hundred and several dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivators in attendance.

Upon entering the convention hall, Eldrin Chen found cultivators gathered in small clusters of twos and threes. Standing alone, he felt conspicuously solitary and somewhat out of place.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, it has been a long time."

Just at that moment, a voice suddenly called out to him.

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