Chapter 102 : The Wei Clan's Majestic Peak

In the blink of an eye, another half a month had passed.

On this day, three thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] west of the Bianyang Mountain Range, a majestic Spirit Mountain soared a thousand Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] into the sky.

This mountain was named Tian'e Peak, and its Spiritual Vein was of the high Second Rank grade, serving as the mountain gate of the Wei Immortal Clan.

As the foremost of the five Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans in Boyang County, the Wei Clan possessed truly Extraordinary strength. Within the clan, there were not only eleven Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but even two great cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

With this level of power alone, this Wei Immortal Clan could rival half of Yu County.

Compared to Yu County, which bordered the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland, the Immortal Realm [the world of cultivators] of Boyang County was considerably more prosperous, somewhat similar to Feng County. Yet, it had only five major Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans. The primary reason was that the Wei Clan monopolized six Second Rank Spiritual Veins.

And this was only because a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan held sway over Boyang County; otherwise, this Wei Immortal Clan would likely have already seized half the territory of the entire county.

At this moment, within the main hall of the Wei Immortal Clan, several figures stood.

The lowest cultivation base among these individuals was at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage, and each exuded a profound and powerful aura. They were all renowned figures in Boyang County.

"This matter is not insignificant," said the man with a faint smile, his cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation]. "Not long ago, I received intelligence that a small Mystic Iron Ore Vein [a subterranean deposit of Mystic Iron, a metal imbued with spiritual energy] has been discovered in Yu County."

"A Mystic Iron Ore Vein in Yu County?" Someone frowned, unable to hold back. "But that is an affair for the major Immortal Clans [powerful families of cultivators] of Yu County. What does it have to do with us?"

The man smiled slightly and continued, "What if I told you that vein is actually less than seven thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from our territory?"

"Within seven thousand Li-lengths!"

Hearing this, everyone's expressions brightened with a flicker of delight.

A beautiful woman seated nearby nodded in agreement. "If it is within that range, then we certainly have grounds to contest for it."

This woman was one of the two cultivators within the Wei Clan at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the final stage of the Foundation Establishment realm], and her words carried almost the weight of a final decision.

It was at this moment that the Wei Clan Patriarch [the ruling elder and leader of the Wei Clan], who had been sitting silently with his eyes closed, finally opened them and spoke.

"Which clan currently holds this Mystic Iron Ore Vein?"

The man answered, "According to reports, it is the Green Chariot Mountain Chen Clan."

"The Chen Clan?" The Wei Clan Patriarch shook his head. "Let us speak no more of this matter. We shall relinquish this ore vein."

"Why?"

"But that is a Mystic Iron Ore Vein [a vein rich in a special iron ore prized for crafting magical treasures]."

The others were unwilling to accept this, and the man could not help but ask.

The group was perplexed. The beautiful woman also spoke. "With our strength, can we not simply take it from a mere Chen Clan?"

"If it were any other clan in Yu County, even if the Lin Clan had seized the vein, we could have taken it by force. But the Chen Clan is different."

The Wei Clan Patriarch shook his head and continued. "Our Solar Province has little contact with the Border Province, so I fear you do not truly understand this Chen Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators who have established a lineage of immortal practitioners]."

"That Eternal Profound Chen is a Second Rank High-Grade Formation Master [a master of the art of creating magical arrays]. He possesses a set of the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation [a powerful formation array that harnesses solar fire to burn the souls of intruders]. It is said that not even three Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the late stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, a significant milestone in cultivation] experts working together could withstand it."

"Then there is Eldrin Chen. He achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm through his own efforts, without external aid] before he was even twenty. In the dozen or so years since, he has slain over a dozen Foundation Establishment experts from both the human and demon races. His methods are even more thunderous and decisive than those of Eternal Profound Chen."

"Such a fierce and lethal star, if he does not meet an untimely end, likely has a fifty or sixty percent chance of breaking through to Violet Sanctum [the Violet Sanctum realm, a higher and more profound stage of cultivation]."

"We lack the certainty to slay him. To provoke such an enemy over a Mystic Iron Ore Vein [a mineral vein rich in iron infused with spiritual energy] would likely invite calamity upon ourselves."

Upon hearing his words, a sudden chill ran down the spines of the assembled cultivators. Most Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] would struggle to slay a single peer of equal realm in their entire lifetime. Individuals like Eldrin Chen, whose methods were so lethally precise, were exceedingly rare.

Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] possessed formidable means of escape. Even when besieged by two or three cultivators of the same realm, their chances of fleeing were high. Not everyone possessed Eldrin Chen's uncanny ability to seize those fleeting, decisive moments to end an opponent.

The beautiful matron fell silent for a moment, a trace of belated fear in her voice. "That Eldrin Chen dared to achieve Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [reaching the Foundation Establishment realm without external aid, a sign of exceptional talent and will] at the mere age of twenty. He must possess a ruthless and decisive character. To provoke him rashly would indeed be unwise."

Satisfied that he had dissuaded the group, the Patriarch of the Feng Clan nodded. He then turned his gaze to the man who had delivered the report.

"Is the messenger still here?" This content originates from audio-novel[dot]com. Please respect copyright.

The man wiped his brow and hurriedly replied, "He attempted to leave after delivering his message, but I have detained him."

"Excellent." The Feng Clan Patriarch turned back to the others, a faint smile gracing his lips. "We shall apprehend that individual. I will personally deliver him to the Chen Clan as a gesture of goodwill."

"We and the Chen Clan are both Immortal Clan [a clan whose lineage and power are rooted in cultivation] within the Chu Nation. Forging friendly ties could prove mutually beneficial in the days to come."

"..."

On this day, Mystic Iron Mountain.

With a sharp *clang* of sword-song, Eldrin Chen summoned forth his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword and carved a deep gash one hundred Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] long into the mountainside.

He was reshaping the terrain, using the Immortal Sword to forge a mountain path, creating a suitable living environment for the mortals who would come later.

Not only him; in order to transform the environment of Mystic Iron Mountain, clearing it of venomous insects and fierce beasts, the Chen Clan had mobilized the majority of its cultivators at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage, and even Lior Chen had come to assist.

This was unavoidable. The environment within the Eastern Barrens was harsh, especially in remote Second Rank Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] like this, occupied by demonic beasts. Nourished by the spiritual energy, many of the venomous insects and wild creatures were exceptionally fierce and aggressive.

If they were not thoroughly cleansed, even if ten thousand people were relocated here, they likely would not survive more than a few months.

Once the venomous creatures were cleared, they would then set up a Formation [a structured array of energy used for various purposes like defense, cultivation, or warding] on Mystic Iron Mountain to repel insects and regularly scatter insect-repelling powder. That would make it habitable for mortals.

In truth, the migration journey itself would not be easy. Even with the clan arranging for numerous cultivators to provide careful escort along the way, and even if the migrants were coated in insect-repelling powder, it was estimated that only seventy or eighty out of every hundred would survive to reach this place.

It was cruel, but it was reality. The clan provided shelter for its members, and these descendants of the Chen Immortal Clan also had to contribute to the clan.

"Sigh, let's relocate fewer people then," he mused. "Only three thousand. Let them settle and multiply here."

With such thoughts stirring in his heart, Eldrin Chen mused inwardly.

At that very moment, his eyes narrowed slightly as he lifted his gaze towards the distant sky.

There, a streak of light tore across the firmament, heading straight for the Mystic Iron Mountain.

"Hmph—"

Instantly, from atop the Mystic Iron Mountain, a Great Cauldron soared forth. It was none other than the Formation Artifact, the Cultivable Earth Abyssal Cauldron. The cauldron unfurled an earthen-yellow light barrier, shielding the Spirit Mountain.

Simultaneously, the Verdant Wood Divine Thunder Banner shot out once more, the faint, gathering power of the Supple Wood Divine Thunder palpable in the air.

Just as the Supple Wood Divine Thunder was about to be unleashed, the streak of light halted abruptly mid-air. The clan leader of the Feng Clan Immortal Clan called out loudly.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, hold your hand! This old man bears no ill intent."

"Oh?"

"Who might you be, and what business brings you here?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he halted the Verdant Wood Cultivable Earth Formation [a defensive formation that draws upon and nurtures the spiritual energy of the land].

Seeing him cease his actions, the cultivator from the Wei Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators bearing the surname Wei] let out a sigh of relief. His sword light descended before the Mystic Iron Mountain [a mountain rich in a special type of iron ore used in crafting], and he spoke with a kindly, benevolent smile.

"This old man is named Varen Wei, and I am the clan leader of the Wei Immortal Clan from Tian'e Mountain in Boyang County. You need not be overly concerned, esteemed one. My coming here is also borne of goodwill."

"If you doubt it, see who this is."

As he spoke, Varen Wei tossed a figure from behind him onto the ground.

Eldrin Chen focused his gaze and saw that the person thrown forward was none other than Chen Cyrus. At this moment, this elder clansman of his lay sprawled on the ground in a most wretched state, his eyes filled with shame, unable to meet the gazes of those present. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel.com (official site).