Chapter 128 : A Forge of Soul and Sword

Hearing his agreement, Eldrin Chen nodded with a faint smile. "I do not require these Metallic Essence and Separated Flame Qi immediately," he said. "They merely need to be gathered within five years."

"Furthermore, upon completion, I am willing to pay a premium of thirty percent above the market price."

"In that case, it should be quite manageable."

Varen Wei offered a slight smile and informed Eldrin Chen that the Three Counties of Yang Province were considerably more prosperous than Yu County. Each county boasted a population of Qi Refinement Cultivators exceeding fifteen thousand individuals.

The annual output of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] from these cultivators was substantial. Across the entire Yang Province, the combined annual yield surpassed three hundred thousand strands.

With the Wei Clan's influence, securing the required amount within five years was entirely feasible, though it would likely necessitate a premium of ten to twenty percent.

Upon hearing Varen Wei's commitment, Eldrin Chen felt a subtle wave of relief. A quiet thought echoed within him: "The Five Elements Essence needed to advance my Lifebound Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact bound to a cultivator's soul] is finally within reach."

Indeed, his purpose in acquiring the Five Elements Essence was to prepare for the imminent advancement of his Lifebound Immortal Sword.

To elevate the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, not only did Eldrin Chen need to break through to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, but he also required four thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine strands of Dual Metallic Essence and Separated Flame Qi.

The sheer volume of this Dual Metallic Essence and Separated Flame Qi was staggering. Although the Chen Clan reigned as the dominant power in Yu County, the majority of the Five Elements Essence produced in the Three Counties of Bianzhou was typically sent directly to Heaven's Ruin Mountain. Join our community of readers at audio-novel[dot]com.

Over these years, Lyra Jiang's crafting of magical tools, the refinement of her Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personally bound and nurtured sword], and even the mending of her Five Elements Spiritual Root [a spiritual foundation encompassing the powers of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth] had consumed vast quantities of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. What remained was now scarce indeed.

He naturally could not compete with Lyra Jiang for this share. Thus, he set his mind on the Wei Clan, hoping this local power could help him procure sufficient Five Elements Essence from Yang Province.

After concluding this transaction, Eldrin Chen and Varen Wei conversed freely for three full shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] before he rose to take his leave.

"I have pressing matters and shall not impose further today," he said.

"The matter of acquiring the Dual Metallic Essence and Separated Flame Qi [a rare spiritual energy combining the sharpness of metal and the purity of separated flame] will require your diligent efforts, Fellow Daoist Wei."

Varen Wei stood to see him off, a smile gracing his features. "Our Wei Clan stands to profit from this venture as well. There is no need for thanks."

After bidding farewell to Varen Wei, Eldrin Chen departed from Heavenly Peak Mountain.

He did not return immediately to Spirit Isle Lake. Instead, he went directly to Yuyang Market, summoning the heads of the major immortal clans within Yu County to first share a preliminary word regarding the affairs of the Heaven's Ruin Mountain Covenant.

After hearing him out, the Mu Clan Patriarch spoke with a knowing smile. "Even had you not come to speak of this, I was prepared to seek you out for discussion."

"Our mutual intentions are clear to all. It is indeed time to ascend Celestial Ruins Mountain once more and forge a new covenant."

Meng Aethelstan also nodded and said, "Your Chen Clan is now Yu County's Premier Immortal Clan. It is fitting for you to represent us in conveying our intentions to Celestial Ruins Mountain."

"Since you all feel this way, I am reassured," Eldrin Chen said, his mind settling. He continued, "We of Yu County are one body; of course, we will advance and retreat together."

"The intention from Jiang the Ancient Ancestor at Celestial Ruins Mountain is this: if the great immortal clans of Bianzhou do not wish to be picked off one by one, they must unite as one. If our Three Counties can join forces, then we should go together to Celestial Ruins Mountain to discuss forming an alliance."

The group exchanged glances. Finally, Marcus Mu spoke up, "The Yan Clan, a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan from Ling County, shares a deep bond of friendship with our Mu Clan. This old man will make a trip to the Yan Clan tomorrow."

"Then I shall make a trip to Feng County," Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. "After we have made contact, we will spread word of our intent to ally. The major immortal clans of Feng and Ling Counties will surely understand the gravity of the situation."

"Good. We entrust this matter to you."

After concluding the meeting of the Six Great Immortal Clans, Eldrin Chen cast a final glance at Lin Mordred before departing. He noticed the man's hair had turned grey, and a shadow of twilight lingered between his brows.

This Lin Clan Patriarch had already reached the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer thirty years prior. Now over one hundred and eighty years old, he was not far from the limit of his natural lifespan.

It was said that a decade ago, this Lin Clan Patriarch had attempted a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm. Unfortunately, lacking treasures like the Wu Earth Crystal [a rare crystal containing potent earth-element energy] to aid him, he had managed to open only one-tenth of his Purple Mansion Dao Meridian [the primary spiritual channel for advancing to the Purple Mansion Realm]. The attempt left him severely depleted of his vital essence.

Now, Lin Mordred remained gravely weakened, lacking the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to purchase treasures that could restore his vitality. It was a pitiful state; he might not even live to see the end of the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts].

Yet even in such a wretched state, the gaze Lin Mordred cast upon Eldrin Chen remained a bloody crimson, harboring a faint, suppressed killing intent.

"I slew four Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Lin Clan. This Lin Mordred must hate me to the very marrow of his bones."

"I must remain vigilant."

Eldrin Chen's eyes turned cold, a sliver of caution rising within him. He then took a single step, departing from the Yuyang Market.

After leaving the Yuyang Market, he directly rode his flying sword towards Feng County. After a journey of roughly five or six days, he arrived at the Liu Immortal Clan.

No sooner had he reached the outer gates of the Liu Clan's mountain stronghold than a response came. A figure flew out to meet him, a woman at the forefront who called out with a laugh from a distance. This novel is serialized on audio-novel`com. Visit for updates.

"Nearly two decades have passed, and your cultivation progress, Fellow Daoist Chen, is truly astonishingly swift."

"You flatter me, Liu Clan Matriarch. How could I compare to the profound depth of your own cultivation?"

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and a courteous bow in return.

The newcomer was indeed Liu Junran. After Twenty Long Years apart, the matriarch of the Liu Immortal Clan showed little outward change in her appearance.

In recent years, her cultivation had progressed significantly, reaching the eighth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm [the second major stage of cultivation, where one builds a solid foundation for their future path]. It seemed she was not far from the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer.

However, she was of a similar age to the Old Patriarch, being around one hundred and forty years old this year. While she remained at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer, the Old Patriarch had already opened fifty percent of his Purple Mansion Dao Meridian [the spiritual channels within the Purple Mansion realm, representing one's progress towards its peak]. The gap between them had grown vast.

In truth, the time when they both broke through to the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment was nearly identical. The Old Patriarch had even been delayed for seven or eight years due to injuries. Yet now, the difference was profound.

The primary reason lay in the Second Rank Spirit Peach [a peach imbued with spiritual energy, beneficial for cultivation]. Ever since obtaining it, the Old Patriarch's cultivation had advanced with astonishing speed, allowing him to break through to the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer in just over a decade.

And later, by obtaining the extremely rare Li Fire Crystal [a crystal containing the essence of Separated Flame] and the Mysterious Jade Pill [a mysterious pill that refines one's essence]—both precious Third Rank Treasure [items of significant power and value]—the Ancestor managed to open fifty percent of his Purple Mansion Dao Meridian, increasing his strength by eighty percent.

Coupled with the Crimson-Gold Banner of the Three Treasures [a powerful banner-type magical treasure] now in his possession, the two of them were no longer comparable. A cultivator of Liu Junran's level would likely be unable to withstand more than a few moves from the Old Patriarch.

Even Eldrin Chen, if he fought with his full power, could resolve such a threat within a dozen exchanges—and that was without resorting to trump cards like the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword [a sword imbued with thunder and flame].

Though he understood the current disparity, Eldrin Chen still spoke courteously: "Matriarch Liu Clan Matriarch, I have come regarding the matter of the impending Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion by hordes of demonic beasts]."

"So that is the reason,"

Liu Junran's expression turned serious. "To be frank," she said, "this is precisely a matter I wished to discuss with you as well."

"The major Immortal Clans of our Yu County have already deliberated and were planning to find an opportune moment to discuss matters with the clans of Feng and Ling Counties." Find thousands of chapters at audio‑novel.com.