Chapter 104 : A Clan's Perilous Secret

Eldrin Chen was acutely aware that the clan's safety was far more precarious than it appeared on the surface. If word of the Worldly Spiritual Root were to leak out, the Chen Clan would likely face immediate and utter annihilation.

Such a treasure was far too precious, coveted even by Golden Core Cultivator. The Chen Clan simply lacked the power to protect it.

Fortunately, within the clan, fewer than ten cultivators were even qualified to visit Spirit Isle Lake, and the true secret of the Worldly Spiritual Root was known only to a handful of Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

However, the day would inevitably come when Eldrin Chen elevated the Spirit Apricot Tree on Green Chariot Mountain to a Worldly Spiritual Root. The clan's cultivators would eventually notice the anomaly. If another individual like Chen Cyrus were to emerge then, it could bring catastrophic disaster upon the family.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen had to employ thunderous measures to make the clan's cultivators understand the dire cost of betrayal, serving as a stern warning for all.

"The Violet Sanctum Realm... I must at least break through to the Violet Sanctum before I can elevate the Spirit Apricot Tree again,"

Eldrin Chen gazed at the Heavenly Vault [the vast, starry sky], his thoughts settling on this resolve.

Upon the lands of the Chu Nation, the three great sects were the true overlords. Only a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan with a cultivator who has reached the Violet Sanctum realm] possessed the qualification to become a top-tier power ruling over an entire commandery.

The relationships between Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan were delicate—a blend of competition and mutual reliance for warmth. The two Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan in Border Province had joined forces, together safeguarding the Border Province Spirit Stone Mine.

Only by breaking through to the Violet Sanctum and elevating the Chen Immortal Clan to a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan could the Chen Clan stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the other two great clans of Border Province, sharing a common destiny. Only then would they possess a measure of true self-preservation strength. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel.com.

By that time, even if the Verdant Sun Sect wished to move against the Chen Clan, they would have to carefully weigh the combined influence of the several Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan families within the Border Province.

After pondering for a long while, Eldrin Chen finally suppressed his thoughts. He looked at Lior Chen and said, "Since the Wei Clan will not intervene, then this Mystic Iron Mountain should not face any significant danger."

"I will return to Spirit Isle Lake to oversee matters from there. I must also ask the Patriarch to reforge the Ninefold Resonance Bell. From now on, I will have to trouble you, Uncle Lior, to hold the fort at the Mystic Iron Mountain."

"Understood," Lior Chen nodded with a faint smile. "Rest assured. With me stationed here and the protection of this Verdant Wood Cultivable Earth Formation, no ordinary cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage could possibly threaten this Mystic Iron Mountain."

"Then my mind is at ease."

Eldrin Chen soared towards Pingyang City on his flying sword. Unencumbered this time, he covered the distance in just over a single day.

Upon arriving at Pingyang City, he reported the events at the Mystic Iron Mountain to the Old Patriarch. After listening, the Old Granduncle let out a sigh.

"You acted correctly. It is just... I never imagined that Brother Eternal Cry, who was wise and capable his entire life, would have such a disappointing grandson."

"By establishing this precedent now, I suspect that as long as you remain, the younger generation of our clan will not dare to act so recklessly again."

"Brother Eternal Cry met an untimely end, falling in battle during a Beast Tide. Most of his children also died young. The lineage of Chen Cyrus represents his only direct descendants. Sparing his life can be considered fulfilling our duty to Brother Eternal Cry's memory."

Observing the expression of the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen nodded and continued, "To deter others and make an example, I have publicly declared that his lineage is to be exiled to the Great Wasteland [a vast, desolate, and dangerous frontier region], forever barred from entry into the Clan Genealogy [the official record of the clan's bloodlines and members]."

"After they are driven into the Great Wasteland, they will be rescued and secretly settled within the mortal cities under the jurisdiction of the Meng Clan."

"Handling this matter alone would be difficult for me. I will need you, Old Granduncle, to help cover the traces."

"That is simple. With my efforts, we can conceal it from the rest of the clan. However, this matter should remain between you and me. It is best not to inform even Lior or Verdant Grace."

After speaking, the Old Patriarch revealed a smile. "Though your nature is sharp and decisive, you also possess a compassionate side. For our Chen Clan to have a descendant like you is a Fortune [a great blessing or stroke of luck] accumulated over countless lifetimes."

In one hand, he holds a flower; in the other, a sword.

For a rare moment, Eldrin Chen lowered his gaze slightly, this thought flashing through his mind.

Gentleness is reserved for the family that bore and raised me, the family I love. Severity, too, is for protecting what I hold dear—it is the sword in my hand that clears the thorns from the path.

Remembering the purpose of his visit, he produced the Ninefold Resonance Bell [a magical bell artifact capable of producing nine layers of resonant sound waves] and the Metal-Devouring Beast Inner Pill [the condensed spiritual core of a beast that consumes metal].

"My purpose in coming today is to ask you, Granduncle, to help me refine the Ninefold Resonance Bell once more."

"A fine treasure indeed."

Old Patriarch took the Demonic Beast Inner Pill [the crystallized core of a demonic beast, containing its condensed spiritual power] and the Ninefold Resonance Bell, stroking them with delight for a moment. After some thought, he added, "With my Second Rank Mid-Grade Artifact Forging Art [the esoteric art of crafting magical artifacts], the chance of successfully reforging the Ninefold Resonance Bell to Second Rank High-Grade is merely thirty percent."

"It matters not. If it's ruined, we can simply reforge it again. We obtained a considerable amount of Mystic Iron this time, and the process will also help elevate your Artifact Forging Art,"

Eldrin Chen said with a smile. The Ninefold Resonance Bell was forged from Mystic Iron, a material that could be remelted and recovered even if the forging failed. Although a portion would be lost during the remelting process, seventy to eighty percent of the material could be salvaged.

For this reforging of the Ninefold Resonance Bell, Eldrin Chen had even brought the Mystic Iron Rough Ingot Staff. The material melted from that massive staff would be enough for the Old Patriarch to attempt the reforging seven or eight times.

"Excellent." The Old Patriarch took the Mystic Iron staff, nodding in satisfaction. "With this much Mystic Iron, it will be more than enough for this old man to break through to become a Second Rank High-Grade Artifact Forger." Original publication: audio_novel.com - The source of this chapter.

Once the decision was made, the Old Patriarch began the process of refining the Mystic Iron, while Eldrin Chen observed and assisted from the side, hoping to improve his own skills in the twin arts of Formation Artifact [the art of inscribing formations onto artifacts].

The Old Patriarch first melted down the Mystic Iron Rough Ingot Staff, a process that consumed a full seven days and yielded seven fist-sized lumps of Mystic Iron. He then took one lump and began to fuse it into the Ninefold Resonance Bell.

This step did not take much effort, succeeding in merely two days. Afterwards, the Old Patriarch began the process of melting down the Demonic Beast Inner Pill.

The Metal-Devouring Beast Inner Pill [the inner pill of a beast that devours metal, rich in metallic essence] had absorbed a vast amount of Mystic Iron Essence [the refined spiritual essence of Mystic Iron], causing its material properties to undergo a startling transformation. Melting it down now posed a significant challenge.

Even with the two of them taking turns refining it with the True Flame [a pure, high-temperature flame used in cultivation forging], it still consumed a full half-month before the material was finally melted into a liquid state.

This Mystic Iron Essence [a highly refined metallic essence prized by artificers] was truly extraordinary. Just a small amount could vastly improve the quality of a magical treasure. It could even serve as a crucial auxiliary material when forging a Third-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact].

This time, Eternal Profound Chen used only one-third of the Mystic Iron Essence, infusing it into the Ninefold Resonance Bell [a bell artifact known for its layered sonic power]. Immediately, the bell's radiance surged, and its fundamental material quality was elevated by a significant degree.

Unfortunately, this attempt at forging still ended in failure. While Old Patriarch was inscribing the Second Rank High-Grade [a specific tier of power] defensive formation patterns, the Ninefold Resonance Bell could not withstand the strain and shattered, resulting in another unsuccessful creation.

"The issue wasn't the material's quality," Old Patriarch concluded, his voice tinged with frustration. "It was a lapse in controlling the flame's intensity."

Summarizing the lesson, the patriarch believed their prolonged exertion in channeling the True Flame had fatigued their spirits, leading to a momentary lapse in concentration.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen spoke. "If we add a bit more Mystic Iron Essence, it should make the Ninefold Resonance Bell sturdier, increasing our margin for error."

"You're right," the patriarch admitted with a self-deprecating shake of his head. "Years of frugality have conditioned me to hoard precious materials, always trying to use as little as possible."

Chuckling at his own habit, Old Patriarch proceeded with the second attempt. This time, he infused all of the remaining Mystic Iron Essence into the bell's frame. As anticipated, no further mishaps occurred, and the formation patterns were inscribed successfully in one seamless effort.

At this stage, the vessel's foundation was complete. The two then took Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the balanced power of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] and infused it into the bell. After another half-month of meticulous work, their efforts culminated naturally in the successful forging of the Ninefold Resonance Bell.

Having achieved a breakthrough to become a Second Rank High-Grade [the third major tier within the Foundation Establishment stage] Artificer, the Old Patriarch was in excellent spirits. He retrieved the Ninefold Resonance Bell and handed it to Eldrin Chen.

"The material of this Ninefold Resonance Bell likely approaches the quality of a Third Rank Magical Artifact [a treasure suitable for cultivators at the Violet Sanctum realm]. Its defensive capabilities rank among the very pinnacle of Second Rank Magical Artifact [treasures suitable for the Foundation Establishment stage]."

Eldrin Chen accepted the Ninefold Resonance Bell with great delight, unable to put it down. With this treasure in hand, alongside the Purple Sun Furnace and the Violet Light Mirror, his offensive, auxiliary, and defensive treasures were all of Second Rank High-Grade [the highest quality within the Foundation Establishment stage].

Once the Solar Fire Ascension Sword advanced to Second Rank High-Grade, he would truly be capable of dominating the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] realm. While perhaps not utterly invincible among all Foundation Establishment Realm [cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage] cultivators, he would undoubtedly stand among the very elite within the entire Border Province.

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