Chapter 128 : The Forging of a Lifebound Sword

Hearing his agreement, Eldrin Chen nodded with a slight smile and said, "I do not require these Metallic Gold and Solar Fire Essence immediately; they must merely 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, the matter is settled."

Varen Wei offered a faint smile and informed Eldrin Chen that the three commanderies of Solar Province were considerably more prosperous than Yu County, each boasting a population of Vital Essence Refinement [the first major stage of cultivation] cultivators exceeding fifteen thousand.

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

With the Wei Clan's influence, accomplishing this task within five years was entirely feasible, though it would likely require paying a premium of ten to twenty percent.

Hearing Varen Wei accept the commission, Eldrin Chen inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, "The Five Elements Essence needed to advance my Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force] is finally within reach."

The true purpose behind his acquisition of Five Elements Essence was to prepare for the upcoming advancement of his Lifebound Immortal Sword.

To elevate the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, 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 Metallic Gold and Solar Fire Dual Energy.

The quantity of Metallic Gold and Solar Fire Dual Energy required was truly immense. Although the Chen Clan was the dominant power in Yu County, most of the Five Elements Essence produced in the Three Counties of Border Province was typically sent to Heavenly Ruins Mountain. Read, share, and discuss at audio–novel.com.

Over these years, refining magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], consecrating the Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword bound to its wielder's life force], and even supplementing the Five Elements Spiritual Root [a cultivator's innate affinity for the five fundamental elements] had all consumed vast quantities of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. What remained was now running perilously low.

He naturally couldn't bring himself to compete with Exquisite Jiang for her share of resources. Thus, his thoughts turned towards the Wei Clan, hoping this local power could help him procure a sufficient amount of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] from within the Solar Province.

After concluding this transaction, Eldrin Chen and Varen Wei engaged in a lengthy discussion that spanned three full shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] before he finally rose to take his leave.

"I have pressing matters to attend to and shall not impose further upon your hospitality today," he stated.

"Regarding the acquisition of the Metallic Gold and Solar Fire Dual Energy [a potent spiritual energy combining the attributes of metal and fire], I must trouble you, Fellow Daoist Wei, to exert your efforts."

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

"..."

Having bid farewell to Varen Wei, Eldrin Chen departed from Tian'e Mountain.

He did not immediately return to Spirit Isle Lake. Instead, he made his way directly to the Sunward Market. There, he summoned the leading figures from the major Immortal Clan [powerful families of cultivators] within Yu County to subtly broach the subject of the Heavenly Ruins Mountain Alliance matter, giving them an initial hint of what was to come.

After listening, the Mu Clan Patriarch smiled and remarked, "Even if you had not come to speak of this, I was already planning to seek you out for discussion."

"The thoughts in everyone's hearts are clear to us all. It is fitting that we should return to Heavenly Ruins Mountain to draft a new covenant of alliance."

Starry River Meng also nodded and said, "Your Chen Clan is now the foremost Immortal Clan in Yu County. It is fitting that you represent us in conveying our intentions to Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

"Since you all feel this way, I am reassured." Eldrin Chen felt a weight lift from his mind, then added, "We of Yu County are one body; of course, we shall advance and retreat together."

"The intention from Patriarch Jiang at Heavenly Ruins Mountain is this: if the various Immortal Clans of Border Province do not wish to be picked off one by one, they must unite as a single force. If our three counties can form an alliance, then we should go together to Heavenly Ruins Mountain to discuss the terms of this union."

The group exchanged glances. Finally, Declaring Brightness Mu spoke up: "The Yan Clan, a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan from Ling County, shares a bond of deep friendship with our Mu Clan. This old man will journey 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 Fengling Two Counties should then understand the gravity of the situation."

"Good. We entrust this matter to you."

With the conclave of the six great Immortal Clans concluded, Eldrin Chen cast a final glance at Ink Achievement Lin before departing. He noticed the man's hair had turned grey, and a shadow of twilight now lingered in his brow.

The patriarch of the Lin Clan had already reached the Foundation Establishment 9th Tier three decades prior. Now over one hundred and eighty years old, he was drawing perilously close to the end of his natural lifespan.

It was said that a decade ago, this Lin Clan patriarch had attempted a breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum Realm. Lacking treasures like the Bulwark Earth Crystal to aid him, he not only succeeded in opening merely one-tenth of his Violet Sanctum Meridian of the Path [the primary meridian channel for entering the Violet Sanctum realm], but also suffered severe damage to his foundational vitality.

At present, Ink Achievement Lin had suffered severe damage to his vital energy [the foundational life force of a cultivator] and lacked the Spirit Stones to purchase treasures that could replenish it. Continuing like this, he might not even have enough lifespan to last until the end of the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts], a truly pitiful state of affairs.

Yet, even having fallen to such a state, the gaze Ink Achievement Lin cast upon Eldrin Chen remained a bloody crimson, faintly tinged with a suppressed killing intent.

"I have slain four Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] cultivators of the Lin Clan. This Ink Achievement Lin must hate me to the bone."

"I must remain cautious."

Eldrin Chen's eyes turned slightly cold, a thread of wariness stirring within him. With a single step, he departed from the Sunward Market.

After leaving the Sunward Market, he directly rode his sword, flying towards Feng County. After a journey of roughly five or six days, he arrived at the Liu Immortal Clan. This chapter is part of a larger work available at https://audio-novel.com.

The moment he reached the mountain gates of the Liu Clan, the Liu Immortal Clan reacted. A figure flew out to meet him, led by a woman who laughed warmly from a distance.

"Nearly two decades have passed, and Fellow Daoist Chen [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], your cultivation progress has been truly astonishing."

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

Eldrin Chen offered a slight, courteous smile and performed a respectful salute.

The visitor was none other than Twin Jade Liu. Two decades had passed, yet the matriarch of the Liu Immortal Clan showed little change in her appearance.

Her cultivation had progressed significantly over the years, having reached the eighth tier of the Foundation Establishment realm. It seemed she was not far from the Foundation Establishment 9th Tier.

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 8th Tier, the Old Patriarch had already opened fifty percent of his Violet Sanctum Meridian of the Path [the primary spiritual meridian leading to the Violet Sanctum realm]. The gap between them had grown vast.

In truth, the time of their breakthroughs to the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer had been nearly identical. The Old Patriarch had even been delayed for seven or eight years due to injuries. Yet now, the difference was pronounced.

The primary reason lay in the Second Rank Spiritual Peach. Since obtaining it, the Old Patriarch's cultivation had advanced with astonishing speed, allowing him to break through to the Foundation Establishment 9th Tier in a mere dozen years.

Furthermore, the incredibly fortuitous acquisition of the Solar Fire Crystal and the Mystic Jade Pill—both exceedingly precious third-rank treasures—had enabled Patriarch Chen to open fifty percent of his Violet Sanctum Meridian of the Path, boosting his combat power by eighty percent.

Coupled with his possession of a set of Three Treasures Crimson Gold Flags, the two were now in completely different leagues. Twin Jade Liu, with her current level of cultivation, would likely be unable to withstand more than a few moves from the Old Patriarch.

Even Eldrin Chen, if he fought with his full strength, could resolve a confrontation with her within a dozen or so exchanges—and that was without resorting to trump cards like the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword.

Though aware of the current disparity, Eldrin Chen still spoke courteously, "Patriarch Liu, I have come regarding the matter of the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive onslaught of demonic beasts]."

"So that is the reason for your visit."

Twin Jade Liu adopted a grave expression before speaking earnestly, "To be perfectly honest, this is indeed a matter I wished to discuss with you."

"The various Immortal Clan of Yu County have already conferred and were planning to arrange a meeting with the representatives of Fengling Two Counties at an opportune moment." Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel dot com.