Chapter 116 : The Elusive Verdant Mushroom

Silas Chen had been blessed with striking features since childhood, and after reaching the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] realm, her complexion grew even more radiant and dewy. She handed over a Storage Bag [a spatial pouch that can hold many items] and spoke with a lively, crisp tone.

"Uncle Eldrin, that Verdant Origin Mushroom [a rare spiritual mushroom that is a key ingredient for the Verdant Origin Pill] is far too scarce. I searched every corner of Yu County, but couldn't purchase it. I only managed to gather all these supplementary herbs."

Eldrin Chen opened the Storage Bag and glanced inside, finding it contained all the supplementary ingredients for the Verdant Origin Pill [a potent elixir that aids in breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage].

For many years now, he had been preparing for his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the final phase of the Foundation Establishment realm]. He had been constantly seeking to purchase the Verdant Origin Mushroom in order to refine a batch of Verdant Origin Pill to facilitate that very breakthrough.

This pursuit had become especially urgent since he broke through to the Foundation Establishment 6th Tier [the sixth level within the Foundation Establishment stage] a year prior, prompting him to elevate the task of acquiring the Verdant Origin Mushroom to his highest priority.

However, as the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] drew ever nearer, the prices of magical treasures, talismans, and elixirs were skyrocketing. The Verdant Origin Pill and its key ingredient, the Verdant Origin Mushroom, had become the most sought-after treasures, nearly reaching a point where they were impossible to find for purchase.

In his quest for the Verdant Origin Mushroom, Eldrin Chen had even scoured not just Yu County but also Border Province. Regrettably, not even the Border Province Barter Convention [a major trade fair held years prior] had any for sale.

The Heavenly Ruins Pavilion [a major trading organization] also lacked the item. The last three Verdant Origin Pill they had were the ones Tea Rose Su produced over a decade ago, just before the opening of the Supple Wood Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein], at a Barter Convention [a trade fair] on Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Those three pills had long since been bought by cultivators from Heavenly Ruins Mountain. They were likely consumed long ago to aid in breakthroughs, and even if by some chance they remained, their medicinal potency would have faded entirely by now.

With these thoughts, Eldrin Chen closed the Storage Bag and asked, his expression betraying nothing. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel . com.

“And what was the Mu Clan's response?”

“The Patriarch of the Mu Clan said the Verdant Origin Mushroom [an exceedingly rare spiritual fungus essential for refining the Verdant Origin Pill] is far too scarce, and they have none left either.” Silas Chen replied, then added, “I heard long ago that the Mu Clan managed to refine a single batch of Verdant Origin Pill [a precious elixir that aids cultivators in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] just a few years back.”

“It’s said they produced two pills. One was consumed by Declaring Brightness Mu himself, and the other was sent to the Verdant Sun Sect.”

“That is hardly surprising. The Mu Clan has three Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation, the second major realm] within the Verdant Sun Sect.”

Eldrin Chen stated calmly. Unlike Mordecai Lin, the Mu Clan had provided significant support for those three clan members to achieve Foundation Establishment within the Verdant Sun Sect, so they were still considered half Mu Clan cultivators.

Of course, the primary reason was that one of the three had secured powerful backing, becoming a direct disciple under Patriarch Mo, a Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical energy center within the body] elder of the Verdant Sun Sect.

That Patriarch Mo possessed cultivation at the Violet Sanctum 8th Tier [the eighth level of the Violet Sanctum realm], making him one of the true powers within the Verdant Sun Sect and a key lieutenant to Patriarch Xu. Thus, the Mu Clan could be considered a clan with substantial connections.

This also stemmed from the differing choices of the two great clans. The resources the Mu Clan expended to nurture those three cultivators within the Verdant Sun Sect were truly immense, causing considerable discontent among its own clan members.

Had it not been for the immense prestige of the Mu Clan Patriarch, Declaring Brightness Mu, such an endeavor might never have succeeded. After all, using wealth earned by the clan to subsidize those who had left was bound to provoke dissent.

The Mu Clan possessed over a hundred Mu-area [one Mu-area equals six hundred sixty-six point six seven square meters] of Spiritual Field [fields infused with spiritual energy for growing spiritual plants]. While this could not compare to the current Chen Clan, it had once made them the wealthiest Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [a clan founded by and led by Foundation Establishment cultivators] in Yu County. Yet, the clan now had only four Foundation Establishment Cultivator, a situation greatly influenced by their continuous subsidies to those three cultivators within the Verdant Sun Sect.

In comparison, the Lin Clan's assets could not match those of the Mu Clan, yet they had managed to possess seven Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation] within a single century. This represented two entirely different strategic choices.

"It seems purchasing the Verdant Origin Mushroom [a rare spiritual mushroom that aids in foundation establishment] and the Verdant Origin Pill [a precious elixir for consolidating one's cultivation foundation] in Border Province is impossible,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a note of helplessness in his voice.

In truth, if he himself possessed a Verdant Origin Pill, he likely wouldn't sell it to an outsider either.

Only if the pill's efficacy was nearing expiration and no suitable candidate was available would he consider selling such a treasure.

Hearing this, Silas Chen frowned, her delicate features creasing with worry. "Tempering one's Vital Energy [the foundational life force energy cultivated by practitioners] is far too time-consuming. Without acquiring the Verdant Origin Pill, I fear you won't be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] before the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive onslaught of demonic beasts] arrives."

Having grown up by Eldrin Chen's side, she understood clearly that once he broke through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, his power would undergo a staggering transformation.

Eldrin Chen's True Essence [the refined and potent energy cultivated after Foundation Establishment] was exceptionally dense and sharp. Upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, the potency of his True Essence would rival nearly half that of a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, the next major realm].

At that point, he would be able to unleash seventy to eighty percent of the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword's [a magical sword imbued with thunder and fire] power, and the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a sword artifact forged with solar fire and abyssal essence] could also be elevated to the Third Rank Lower Grade [the lowest tier of the third rank for artifacts].

With these two trump cards, Eldrin Chen's combat prowess would surge by more than double, granting him offensive capabilities sufficient to contend with cultivators at the Violet Sanctum Early Stage [the initial phase of the Violet Sanctum realm].

When encountering a Violet Sanctum 1st Tier [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens their Violet Palace to store spiritual energy] demonic beast without a Third-Rank Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of the third rank], he might even hold his own without falling behind, or at the very least, possess the strength to put up a fight.

With the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] imminent, every increment of strength Eldrin Chen gained would provide greater security for the clan and further increase their chances of surviving the calamity.

"The Late Stage of Foundation Establishment [the final phase of the second major cultivation realm, where one solidifies their foundation for the next breakthrough]."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. This was indeed a critical juncture.

The power of a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [a demonic beast equivalent in power to a Violet Sanctum realm cultivator] was far too formidable. The last time they had encircled and slain a severely wounded Thunderclap Demonic Roc [a powerful avian demonic beast known for its thunderous speed], they had exhausted every means at their disposal to achieve a hard-won victory.

During the Beast Tide, he would almost certainly encounter Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast—and likely ones at the peak of their power, whose strength would far surpass that of the Thunderclap Demonic Roc. Official source: audio-novel . com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

If he could not break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, then in the eyes of a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast, he would be nothing more than slightly troublesome prey. A single misstep could lead to his demise.

"I must break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage before the Beast Tide arrives."

With this resolve firming in his heart, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "I've heard that a Barter Convention [a large-scale gathering where cultivators trade resources] will be held in Scorching Sun County within Solar Province one month from now. I plan to travel there to see if I can trade for Verdant Origin Pill [a pill that aids in consolidating one's foundation and advancing cultivation] and Verdant Origin Mushroom [a rare spiritual mushroom with properties that strengthen one's foundation]."

"If the opportunity arises, I'll also purchase some magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] for the rest of you."

Remembrance Mist Chen had used a Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in solidifying one's cultivation foundation] for her Foundation Establishment [the process of establishing a stable cultivation base]. Only a few years had passed since her breakthrough, and she still owed the family over ten thousand Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds]. The only Second Rank [a classification level for cultivators and artifacts] flying sword she possessed was borrowed from the Clan Treasury.

Upon hearing that Eldrin Chen intended to buy them magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], she immediately clung to his arm excitedly, pleading in a coquettish tone.

"Uncle Eldrin, I want a defensive magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]," she said.

"Understood, you little rascal," he replied.

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a smile, readily agreeing to her request.

Early the next morning, he checked his Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for storing items] and found he only had three thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

So, he decided to make a trip to Green Chariot Mountain. Every year, the surplus Second Rank Spiritual Peaches [spiritual fruits of the second rank that enhance cultivation] were deposited into the Clan Treasury, and over the years, the Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] he had accumulated numbered in the tens of thousands.

Although he had spent a vast amount of Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] purchasing Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] to refine his Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force] and divine abilities, and had mobilized the clan's resources to advance his skills in the four arts of Alchemy, Formations, Artifacts, Talismans [the four major cultivation arts: pill refining, formation setting, artifact forging, and talisman crafting], he still had over twenty thousand family Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] remaining.

Currently, the Clan Treasury held a reserve of over ten thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. He withdrew ten thousand of them directly and then soared on his sword towards Solar Province.

The Verdant Sun Sect governed the Three Prefectures Region, which comprised Qing Province, Solar Province, and the Border Province where Yu County was located.

Among these, both Solar Province and Border Province border the Demon Race Territory in the direction of the Vast and Misty Marsh. Border Province is adjacent to Heavenly Python Lake, while Solar Province faces the enemy forces from the Earth Lion Clan of Lion's Brow Ridge. Each time a Beast Tide erupts, they face immense pressure.

Only Qing Province, situated deep within the heartland of the Chu Nation, has always been the most secure. It has not suffered an invasion from a Beast Tide for five hundred years.

This was the first time Eldrin Chen had left the lands of Border Province and journeyed to this territory of Solar Province.

As one of the nine provinces of the Chu Nation, Solar Province is similarly divided into three commanderies. These three commanderies are Boyang County, Scorching Sun County, and Cloud Sun County. Visit (audio-novel.com) to enjoy the complete series.