Chapter 114. Seeing Myself Through My Father

10 days later, Eldrin rode upon the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss and returned to Yu County.

Instead of returning to Spirit Isle Lake (Location) first, he went directly to Pingyang City and sought out the Old Patriarch who had just emerged from secluded cultivation.

At this moment, Chen Changxuan's injuries had mostly healed. The worst was behind him now—all he needed was a year of peaceful convalescence to make a full recovery.

After locating the old clan leader, Eldrin informed him about the 3 Foundation Establishment Pills and the news of the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Ark he had brought back.

The Elder Uncle stared at the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) and the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Ark, unable to suppress a look of ecstasy.

Although slaying the Purple Mansion beast was perilous, obtaining 2 third-grade magic treasures and 3 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) proved to be an unexpected windfall.

"Truly, great risks bring great rewards. Were it not so perilous, this old man would be tempted to hunt down a Zifu-level demon beast."

Eldrin also shook his head with a wry smile. Hunting a Purple Mansion demon beast was far from easy. Even joining forces with the old clan leader, they could only contend with 6 ordinary Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivators. Powerful as that might seem—

However, if they were to truly encounter a Purple Palace, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm) demonic beast at its peak strength, they might not even be able to preserve their lives.

The old clan leader suppressed his excitement and asked, "How do you intend to arrange these Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object)?"

Eldrin pondered for a moment before speaking plainly after a long pause: "Within our clan, there are only 7 cultivators at the 9th level of Qi Refining who are under 60 years of age."

"With the beast tide imminent, it would be wise to utilize these Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) sooner rather than later to enhance our strength. Nianming, Nianguo, and Nianfeng have only just broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining. They'll need at least 5 or 6 more years to consolidate their foundations."

Of those who remained suitable, there were only 4: Uncle Qingyu, Kael (Person Name), Caleb (Person Name), and Silas (Person Name).

As Eldrin recounted the tale, the old clan leader soon grasped the identities of these 4 individuals. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke.

"Both Caleb and Silas are still under 30. If they undergo Foundation Establishment now, they'll gain an additional opportunity to break through to the Purple Mansion realm later. These 2 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) shall be prioritized for them."

As for Jadeite and Kael (Person Name)...

Mentioning these 2, the old clan leader fell into deep contemplation.

Chen Qingyu was the seventeenth son of Chen Changming. In his day, Chen Changming, at the advanced age of 90-9, had still dragged his aging body to activate the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation, eliminating the clan’s great enemy—Zhang the Old Demon. His contributions were by no means insignificant.

Now, Elder Chen Changming was already 1 100 and 17 years of age, and his final wish was to witness Chen Qingyu establish his Foundation before his passing.

Kael was the youngest son of Second Elder Chen Qinghe. The contributions Second Elder had made to the clan over the years went without saying. Even on his deathbed, he couldn't bear to consume the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), instructing Eldrin (Person Name) to bring it back and leave it for the clan.

Both of these candidates gave not only Eldrin a headache, but even the old clan leader found them rather troublesome.

After a long silence, Chen Changxuan still spoke up. "Both possess Triple Spiritual Roots, their innate talents are nearly identical, and their contributions aren't drastically different either."

However, Kael (Person Name) was 40-9 this year—perhaps he could still afford to wait a little longer for fate's favor.

"But Chen Qingyu is already 50-8 years old and cannot afford to wait any longer. Let this Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) be given to Chen Qingyu."

Eldrin listened, a trace of melancholy stirring within his heart.

The opportunity to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) was exceptionally rare. Kael (Person Name) had only 12 years to wait, yet with the impending chaos of demon beasts, the clan's chances of securing a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) had grown increasingly slim.

"Alas!"

Eldrin (Person Name) let out a sigh, yet truly there was no better alternative.

He suppressed his thoughts, then suddenly recalled the past that Lyra (Person Name) had been unwilling to speak of, and so he asked.

"Eldest Uncle, have you heard the news from the shores of the Eastern Sea?"

The Shores of the Eastern Sea?

Chen Changxuan furrowed his brow and shook his head. "The shores of the Eastern Sea are separated from Eastern Wastelands (Location) by hundreds of millions of miles of mountains and rivers. They say even Nascent Soul Realm masters must rely on intercontinental teleportation arrays to reach that place."

"From such a great distance, my knowledge of the affairs over there remains scant at best."

"I see." Eldrin looked somewhat disappointed, yet still pressed on unwillingly, "Then do you know if any major events have occurred there over the past several centuries?"

"What major events have occurred in the past few centuries?"

The old clan leader pondered for a moment before speaking, "2 100 years ago, an earth-shattering event truly occurred in the Eastern Sea."

"It is said that the once-in-a-1000-years Abyssal Cataclysm has erupted, causing what appears to be an immense uproar."

"It's just that the place is far too distant from us after all. As for what exactly happened, this old man truly does not know. Perhaps the Golden Core Elders of the Chu Kingdom might be better informed and could know the general circumstances."

"The Millennial Cataclysm of the Demonic Abyss?"

Eldrin frowned upon hearing this, still having gleaned no information about Lyra.

However, this once-in-a-millennium Abyssal Cataclysm coincided closely with the time of Lyra's arrival in the Eastern Wastelands, suggesting there might be some connection between the 2.

Unable to obtain detailed information and with the old clan leader knowing little, Eldrin refrained from further inquiries. He understood that since Lyra had chosen not to inform him, it was likely to avoid placing undue pressure on him.

"Enough. For now, diligent cultivation is the true path forward."

After bidding farewell to the old clan leader, Eldrin did not linger in Pingyang City and headed for Verdant Chariot Mountain that very day.

After returning to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), he immediately summoned all clan cultivators above the 9th level of Qi Refining and announced the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) candidates previously determined through discussions with the clan leader.

Caleb and his sister Silas, along with Chen Qingyu, were naturally overjoyed. They eagerly received the Foundation Establishment Pill and the Spirit-Gathering Elixir from Eldrin.

"Who knows how many among the 3 of them will succeed in Foundation Establishment."

Watching the 3 excitedly take the elixirs to build their foundations, Eldrin felt a trace of melancholy in his heart.

The senior elders of the clan all possessed remarkable talent, particularly the Grand Elder and the Second Elder, who stood out as the finest among the Qing generation. Yet fortune did not favor them, and in the end, they all missed the optimal age for Foundation Establishment.

"What a pity."

With a soft sigh in his heart, Eldrin rose to return to Spirit Lake Isle, when just at that moment, Kael approached.

He looked at Eldrin, a trace of hesitation flickering across his face as if he wanted to speak but held back. In the end, he finally spoke.

Eldrin (Person Name), Junior Brother.

Eldrin paused mid-step and cast a glance at Kael. "Cousin, this Foundation Establishment Pill..."

"I understand." Kael cut in, his expression serene as he stated, "Uncle Qingyu indeed needs the Foundation Establishment Pill more than I do. That's not why I sought you out."

"What was that?"

"I heard you successfully refined 6 Gathering Yuan Pills last time. I wonder if any remain now?"

"You intend to attempt Foundation Establishment on your own?" Eldrin's pupils abruptly contracted, and he couldn't refrain from saying, "Without the Foundation Establishment Pill to mitigate the risks, failure means certain death. Have you truly considered this?"

Kael did not respond. He turned his head toward the flickering candlelight in the corner, a trace of resolute determination gleaming in his eyes.

"Back when my father decided to attempt the Foundation Establishment realm, he too sat down with me for an all-night conversation."

"I resemble my father greatly. Gazing at my own reflection through him, I caught a fleeting glimpse of the person I would become decades from now."

That decrepit appearance, that state of waiting for death each day, seeing no future whatsoever.

"Can you fathom that sensation?"

Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Immortal Monarch The sky tore open with a thunderous roar, crimson lightning dancing across the heavens like vengeful serpents. Amidst the raging storm, a figure stood defiantly upon the peak of Celestial Summit Mountain, his white robes stained with blood yet his posture unwavering. "Feng Mo, you traitor!" Lin Xuan's voice cut through the tempest, cold and sharp as frozen steel. "For 3 1000 years I treated you as my own brother, and this is how you repay me?" Across from him, a man in dark robes chuckled, his laughter dripping with venom. "Senior Brother, in this world of cultivation, there are no eternal allies, only eternal interests. The Divine Genesis Jade in your possession... it's too precious for you alone." Around them, dozens of elders from various sects formed an encircling formation, their magical treasures glowing with ominous light. The air crackled with gathering energy, so thick it threatened to suffocate all living beings. Lin Xuan's gaze swept across the familiar faces - people he had once saved, mentored, even fought alongside. Now they all stood against him, their eyes filled with nothing but greed. "So be it," Lin Xuan whispered, a trace of sorrow flashing in his eyes before being replaced by steely determination. "If I am to fall today, I shall take all of you with me!" His hands moved in a complex series of seals, each gesture causing the space around him to distort. The Divine Genesis Jade at his chest began to glow with ethereal light, its radiance piercing through the dark clouds. "Stop him! He's activating the Primordial Chaos Art!" someone shouted in panic. But it was too late. Lin Xuan's body began to disintegrate into countless points of starlight, each containing immense destructive power. The last thing he saw was the terrified expressions of his former comrades before everything vanished in a cataclysmic explosion. *** Consciousness returned slowly, accompanied by waves of searing pain. Lin Xuan opened his eyes to find himself in a simple wooden room, lying on a hard bed. The air carried the faint scent of medicinal herbs, mixed with something else... something familiar yet long forgotten. "This is..." He tried to sit up, but his body refused to obey. Looking down at his hands, he saw pale, slender fingers - the hands of a youth. Memories flooded his mind, both his own and those belonging to another. Lin Xuan, Eldest Young Master of the Lin Family in Qingyun City. 16 years old. Useless cultivation talent, stuck at the first level of Body Refining for 3 years. A bitter smile touched his lips. He, the revered Immortal Monarch who had dominated the cultivation world for millennia, had actually been reborn in the body of a good-for-nothing young master? Just then, the door creaked open. A girl of about 14 or 15 entered, carrying a wooden bowl filled with dark medicinal liquid. When she saw Lin Xuan awake, her eyes widened in surprise. "Young Master, you're awake!" she exclaimed, quickly setting the bowl aside and rushing to his bedside. "You've been unconscious for 3 days! The family physician said... said you might not make it." Lin Xuan searched the fragmented memories and recalled this girl - Xiao Cui, his personal maid. In this life, she was 1 of the few people who genuinely cared about him. "What happened?" Lin Xuan asked, his voice hoarse. Xiao Cui's eyes reddened. "Young Master, have you forgotten? 3 days ago, Young Master Chen Feng from the Chen Family challenged you to a duel at the martial arena. He... he beat you half to death." Chen Feng? Lin Xuan sifted through the memories and found the relevant fragments. The Chen Family was 1 of the 3 major families in Qingyun City, rivaling the Lin Family. Chen Feng, as the Chen Family's young master, had always looked down on Lin Xuan, the "useless" eldest young master of the Lin Family. This time, the pretext for the challenge was that Lin Xuan had "harassed" Chen Feng's cousin, but the truth was simply an excuse to humiliate him and by extension, the Lin Family. "Chen Feng..." Lin Xuan murmured, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. In his previous life, he had trodden upon countless so-called geniuses, never imagining that in this life he would be beaten half to death by a mere junior at the Body Refining stage. "Young Master, please don't provoke him again," Xiao Cui pleaded tearfully. "That Chen Feng has already reached the fifth level of Body Refining. Even among the younger generation in the entire Qingyun City, he's considered quite powerful. You... you're no match for him." Lin Xuan didn't respond, instead closing his eyes to assess his current condition. As expected, his meridians were narrow and clogged, his dantian dull and lifeless. No wonder he had been stuck at the first level of Body Refining for 3 years. With such poor aptitude, even the most basic cultivation would be extremely difficult. But what did it matter? He was the Immortal Monarch who had once dominated the cultivation world, possessing countless supreme techniques and mystical abilities. Rebuilding his foundation was as simple as turning his hand. "Xiao Cui, help me sit up," Lin Xuan said calmly. The maid carefully assisted him into a sitting position. Lin Xuan took the medicinal bowl from her and drank its contents in 1 gulp. A bitter taste spread through his mouth, followed by a faint warmth in his abdomen - the effect of the medicine. But this mere mortal medicine was far from sufficient for his needs. "Xiao Cui, do we have any spirit stones?" Lin Xuan asked. The maid looked at him strangely. "Young Master, you know the family rules. Only family members who have reached the third level of Body Refining are eligible to receive spirit stones. You..." Lin Xuan nodded, not surprised. In any world, resources were allocated based on strength. This was an unchangeable law. "Very well, you may leave now. I need to rest," Lin Xuan said, closing his eyes again. After Xiao Cui left, Lin Xuan began to circulate the only cultivation method he currently possessed - the Lin Family's basic "Green Cloud Art". As expected, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth entered his body at a snail's pace, most of it dissipating before even reaching his dantian. "Trash indeed," Lin Xuan murmured to himself, but a faint smile touched his lips. "However, this little problem is nothing to me." In his previous life, he had obtained an ancient secret technique called the "Heaven Swallowing Art" from an ancient ruins. It was said to be able to refine all things in the world, turning them into 1's own cultivation. Although he had never practiced it himself due to already reaching the peak of cultivation, he remembered the complete method. Now, this Heaven Swallowing Art would become his greatest support in rebuilding his cultivation. Closing his eyes, Lin Xuan began to operate the mysterious technique according to the method. The surrounding spiritual energy, previously slow and unresponsive, suddenly began to swirl violently, forming a nearly invisible vortex that poured into his body. The pain was excruciating, as if countless tiny blades were cutting through his meridians. But Lin Xuan remained unmoved, his mind as steady as a deep pool. Having experienced the pain of body reconstruction during his heavenly tribulation, this level of suffering was nothing to him. Time passed slowly. When Lin Xuan opened his eyes again, moonlight was already streaming through the window. He moved his limbs, feeling the significantly reduced pain. More importantly, he could clearly sense that the spiritual energy in his dantian had increased several times over. "First level of Body Refining, complete," Lin Xuan murmured, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes. The Body Refining stage was divided into 9 levels, with the first 3 levels focusing on tempering the skin and flesh. With the help of the Heaven Swallowing Art, he had not only completely healed his injuries but also solidified his foundation at the first level. Just then, his keen spiritual sense detected something. He turned to look at the door. "Who's there?" The door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man walked in. Dressed in a blue robe with a calm expression, it was Lin Tiannan, the current head of the Lin Family - and also Lin Xuan's father in this life. "I heard you were awake, so I came to check on you," Lin Tiannan said, his tone neither cold nor warm. Lin Xuan nodded slightly. "Thank you for your concern, Father." Lin Tiannan examined him for a moment, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Your injuries... seem to have improved significantly?" "Thanks to the family's medicinal herbs," Lin Xuan replied calmly. Lin Tiannan didn't press further, instead changing the subject. "The matter with the Chen Family... let it rest for now. Our Lin Family is currently at a critical juncture and cannot afford conflict with the Chen Family." Lin Xuan remained silent. He understood what his father meant - compared to the family's interests, the humiliation he suffered was insignificant. "Rest well," Lin Tiannan said, turning to leave. But at the door, he paused. "In 3 months, it will be the family's annual assessment. If you still cannot break through to the second level of Body Refining... you will be assigned to manage the family's businesses in the mortal world." After saying this, Lin Tiannan left without looking back. Lin Xuan watched his departing figure, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes. Manage family businesses in the mortal world? In other words, he would be abandoned by the family. It seemed that no matter which world it was, strength was the only truth. "Don't worry," Lin Xuan whispered to himself, his gaze growing increasingly determined. "I will not only pass the family assessment but also reclaim everything that belongs to me." Outside the window, the moon was bright and the stars sparse. A new journey was about to begin.