Chapter 106 : A Pill's Promise and a Sister's Ascent

"This..."

Seraphina Chen's face lit up with joy, yet a flicker of hesitation remained.

The Meridian-Tempering Pill [a pill that refines and strengthens the body's energy channels] was a Second Rank Low-Grade elixir, capable of aiding a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in tempering their meridians. Its value often exceeded a thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], enough for her to complete her meridian refinement. Yet, it was simply too precious a gift.

Seeing her hesitation, Eldrin Chen added, "Take it to break through to Foundation Establishment first. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, your stipend will increase significantly. You can repay me then."

Only after hearing this did Seraphina Chen accept the Meridian-Tempering Pill. The resolve to achieve her breakthrough solidified even further within her heart.

"Thank you, Brother Eldrin."

After expressing her gratitude to Eldrin Chen, she entered seclusion within the Spirit Spring [a spring imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] of the Hinter Peaks.

To prevent any disturbances, Eldrin Chen did not leave. He stationed himself outside the Spirit Spring to cultivate and, in doing so, personally guarded her during her critical endeavor.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, Eldrin Chen sensed a surge of aura swelling from within the Spirit Spring, which then coalesced and stabilized. He couldn't help but smile.

"Success." Read the full novel exclusively on www . audio-novel.com.

Seraphina Chen emerged from her secluded cultivation, having successfully broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation]. She became the family's fifth Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Such momentous news could not wait. That very day, Eldrin Chen took Seraphina Chen to Pingyang City to see the Old Patriarch, and even summoned Lior Chen back from his duties.

Upon seeing Seraphina Chen, the Old Patriarch laughed heartily. "It seems the fortunes of our Chen Clan are truly on the rise!"

Smiles graced everyone's faces. With five Foundation Establishment cultivators and control over four Second Rank Spiritual Veins [subterranean channels that concentrate and emit spiritual energy], the current Chen Clan could now be ranked among the top three Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans within the entire Border Province.

Having just broken through, Seraphina Chen was not only penniless but also lacked a Second Rank Magical Artifact [an enchanted weapon or tool of the second rank]. The Old Patriarch generously gifted her one: the Crimson Flame Immortal Sword.

Now that the Third Elder possessed the defensive Treasure Seal from Remaining Years Zuo, he passed his old Golden Light Shield to Seraphina Chen as a congratulatory gift.

Eldrin Chen was the most extravagant. He presented a Second Rank Mid-Grade Mystic Iron Treasure Bracelet. Over the past few years, he had smelted the Metal-Devouring Beast carcass, yielding seven thousand Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of Mystic Iron. He used this bounty to practice his Artifact Forging Art and refine his Formation Artifact techniques.

After years of repeated smelting and refining—a process with significant material loss—his Artifact Forging Art had finally advanced to the Second Rank Mid-Grade level, thanks to the ample resources at his disposal.

This Mystic Iron Treasure Bracelet was his first successfully forged Second Rank Mid-Grade magical treasure. Inscribed within it was the Diamond Formation Pattern [a defensive and reinforcing array]. When activated, the bracelet became impossibly heavy, capable of shattering a massive city wall. Even a Foundation Establishment demon beast struck by it would likely suffer shattered bones and severed tendons.

Seraphina Chen accepted the bracelet and could hardly put it down, offering her heartfelt thanks again and again.

After exchanging greetings with the several individuals and receiving their congratulatory gifts, Seraphina Chen departed for the Mystic Iron Mountain Path-Field. Lior Chen needed to remain at Green Chariot Mountain to oversee the clan's various affairs; it was more appropriate for her to hold the fort there.

Eldrin Chen did not linger either. Before leaving, he gave one Spirit-Concentrating Pill [a pill that aids in focusing and condensing one's spiritual energy] to the old patriarch and placed the remaining one into the Clan Treasury. He then returned to Spirit Isle Lake to continue his secluded cultivation.

"..."

Time flowed by like rushing water, fleeting in the blink of an eye.

Two years later, with the aid of the Spiritual Peach [a fruit imbued with spiritual energy that enhances cultivation], Eldrin Chen's cultivation broke through another layer, reaching the level of the Foundation Establishment 5th Tier.

During those two years, the grade of the Spiritual Peach Tree had risen by another rank. It now bore seventy-two Spiritual Peach every three years, aligning with the number of earthly malevolences [a mystical number in Daoist cosmology], making the cultivation resources for the clan's Foundation Establishment Cultivator somewhat more abundant once again.

Another year passed. When the clan once again prepared for the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] trade, he finally emerged from his seclusion. It was still more assured for him to personally lead the trading expedition to Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Following the established routine of previous years, the merchant caravan, led by Eldrin Chen, journeyed forth. After several months of travel, they finally arrived at Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Upon reaching Heavenly Ruins Mountain, the one responsible for receiving them was still their old acquaintance, Like Dream Willow. She greeted them warmly, saying, "Fellow Daoist Chen's [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] cultivation grows ever more profound. I can scarcely perceive its depths now."

"Immortal Maiden Willow [a respectful title for a female cultivator] flatters me," he replied. "My meager cultivation is nowhere near as lofty and profound as yours."

Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "In these years, Like Dream Willow's cultivation has also made significant progress. From the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment when we first met, she has now reached the seventh layer, becoming a rare Foundation Establishment Late Stage great cultivator."

The Chen Clan came to Heavenly Ruins Mountain once every six years for the Five Elements Essence trade. Calculating carefully, this was already Eldrin Chen's fourth time conducting this Five Elements Essence business.

He had achieved Foundation Establishment at twenty-two. That year was his first trip to Heavenly Ruins Mountain for the Five Elements Essence trade. By this reckoning, he had been at the Foundation Establishment stage for eighteen years and was now forty years old. Truly, time held no meaning in cultivation.

According to the pact established between the Ji Immortal Clan, Hegemon of the Six Kingdoms and the Demon Emperor, the next Beast Tide was now only about fifteen years away.

After concluding the Five Elements Essence transaction, Eldrin Chen stayed at Heavenly Ruins Mountain for half a month before leading the merchant caravan back to Green Chariot Mountain. However, less than three months after his return to Yu County, a shocking piece of news swept through the Three Counties of Border Province.

Eldrin Chen could not afford to focus on his cultivation. He immediately convened with the Old Patriarch and the Third Elder in Pingyang City. Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel . com.

Eternal Profound Chen looked at Lior Chen and could not help but ask, "Is this matter true?"

"I had people investigate. It is said that even Senior Lin of Violet Sanctum from Heavenly Ruins Mountain took action," the Third Elder nodded, stating with certainty.

"Then it is almost certainly true."

Eldrin Chen nodded, his expression revealing a mixture of gravity and pleasant surprise.

Not long ago, a piece of news began to circulate from the mouths of rogue cultivators in the Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Rumor had it that a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast, the Golden Lion Mastiff, for reasons unknown, had suddenly attacked the territory of the Thunderclap Great Roc and clashed with their clan.

That Golden Lion Mastiff was a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast under the command of the Earth Lion Demon King, possessing strength at the Third Rank Superior Grade level.

Although the Thunder Roc Clan had the backing of Heavenly Python Lake, their power was far inferior. Furthermore, having lost two of their Violet Sanctum experts in the battle at Dire Wolf Mountain eighteen years prior, their strength had been greatly diminished. Naturally, they could not withstand the Golden Lion Mastiff clan.

After a fierce battle, the Thunderclap Great Roc clan was nearly annihilated. Even their Third-order Spiritual Vein and Thunderclap Valley were seized by the Golden Lion Mastiff clan.

Only two Violet Sanctum Demonic Roc managed to escape. One of them, a Third Rank Lower Grade Demonic Roc, in its desperate flight from the Golden Lion Mastiff's pursuit, actually crossed over the Heavenly Ruins Mountain and fled into the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland.

With Exquisite Jiang standing guard, the Golden Lion Mastiff naturally dared not pursue beyond the Heavenly Ruins Mountain, forced to let it escape with its life.

Yet, once this news spread, it immediately caused a stir among the major Immortal Clan sects of the Border Province.

A solitary and severely wounded Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast held staggering value. Not only could its demon core [the condensed essence of a demonic beast's power] be used to refine an entire cauldron of Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm], but its bones and hide could also be crafted into Third Rank Magical Artifact [enchanted artifacts of the third rank] and talismans. For any Violet Sanctum Cultivator, this represented a considerable fortune.

Thus, not only the Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators of the Heavenly Ruins Mountain, but also the major Immortal Clan sects of the Border Province could no longer sit idle. They all sought to locate this Violet Sanctum Demonic Roc, slay it, and claim its demon core.

Lior Chen recounted the intelligence he had gathered, his voice trembling with excitement. "That Thunderclap Great Roc broke through to the Violet Sanctum realm less than ten years ago and was grievously wounded by the Golden Lion Mastiff. Right now, it is at its most vulnerable state."

"If we can track it down and slay it, the Demon Core [the crystallized essence of a demonic beast's cultivation, a core material for high-grade pills] we obtain would be enough to refine an entire cauldron of Foundation Establishment Pills."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, yet caution tempered his expression. "A Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast is immensely powerful. Even severely injured, it may be beyond our ability to subdue. Furthermore, the Old Granduncle must remain to guard Pingyang City and cannot be absent for long."

"Here is my proposal. I shall venture into the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland first, to scout and see if I can locate the hiding place of that Violet Sanctum Demonic Roc." Original publication: audio-novel[dot]com - The source of this chapter.