Chapter 144 : The Ancestor's Priceless Gift

Yang the Ancient Ancestor finished speaking, then paused in contemplation before retrieving a treasure box and handing it to the two of them.

Eldrin Chen opened it and saw that within the box lay three pale violet treasure pills. These pills were translucent like glazed crystal, their mere appearance marking them as extraordinary.

"These are Purple Aura Pill [a high-grade elixir that replenishes a cultivator's spiritual energy]. They are of the Third Rank Low Grade [a classification for high-quality pills suitable for Purple Mansion realm cultivators], precious elixirs treasured by my Yang Family."

"When consumed, they can restore four-tenths of the spiritual energy [the refined power cultivated within a practitioner's body] of a Purple Mansion Initial Stage Cultivator. If you two take them, they should restore eight or nine-tenths of your True Essence [the foundational, purified energy cultivated by Foundation Establishment realm practitioners]."

Yang the Ancient Ancestor added, "Your individual strength is not lacking, but your True Essence remains your greatest weakness. In a protracted battle, you would likely find your True Essence depleted."

"With these pills, even in the midst of a grueling fight, the combat power you can unleash should be on par with that of a Purple Mansion Initial Stage Cultivator."

Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch exchanged a glance, then accepted the pills.

The density of their current True Essence had already reached eighty percent of that found in the Purple Mansion First Layer. However, True Essence ultimately lacked the profound subtlety of true spiritual energy [the more advanced and potent energy cultivated in the Purple Mansion realm and beyond].

To activate a Third Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], a Purple Mansion Cultivator expends only one unit of spiritual energy. For them to achieve the same effect required consuming double the amount of True Essence.

With these Purple Aura Pill, their reserve of True Essence would be nearly doubled. Their endurance in battle should then be scarcely different from that of a true Purple Mansion Cultivator. Discover more cultivation stories at audio‑novel.com.

And the Purple Aura Pill [a high-grade pill that enhances the cultivator's spiritual aura and power] is considered the most common Third Rank [the realm of the Purple Mansion] treasure pill, with a price of around five thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] each. For Yang the Ancient Ancestor to produce three of them at once for the two of them showed he was sparing no effort, truly determined to win this war.

"Rest assured, Senior," said the Old Patriarch, his expression grave as he accepted the treasure pills. "In this battle, we are certain to slay the formidable foe."

Yang the Ancient Ancestor nodded, his expression serious. "With your word, I am at ease."

Seizing the remaining time, everyone began to restore their True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner] and mana.

The Old Patriarch glanced at Eldrin Chen and could not help but ask, "How is your recovery after taking the Essence Burst Pill [a powerful but taxing pill that temporarily surges one's spiritual essence]?"

"It is of no consequence."

Eldrin Chen nodded calmly. "Even back in the Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage, I could recover within a single month after taking an Essence Burst Pill. Now that I have reached the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, the backlash from the pill is minimal for me."

"However, without the Essence Burst Pill, the role I can play in battle likely cannot match yours, Old Granduncle."

The Old Patriarch possessed profound True Essence, and with the Triple Treasure Crimson-Gold Formation Flags [a set of formation flags that excels in both offense and defense], that single treasure alone brought his combat power to the threshold of the Purple Mansion. Moreover, he had now also obtained the First Wood Verdant Spirit Pearl [a magical pearl imbued with the vital essence of primordial wood].

Although Eldrin Chen's True Essence was not inferior, relying solely on the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a flying sword imbued with the power of Separated Flame] and the Luofu Diamond Seal [a defensive treasure seal], their combined power could only barely match that of the exceedingly precious formation tool, the Crimson-Gold Banner of the Three Treasures [a set of three crimson-gold banners used as a formation core].

This set of Formation Flags comprises fourteen Second Rank Magical Tools. When combined into a formation, the power it unleashes is already formidable. Moreover, the Old Patriarch has now obtained the First Wood Verdant Spirit Pearl [a defensive treasure that harnesses the essence of Wood].

Unless he were to wield the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword, with two Third Rank Flying Swords in hand, coupled with a Third Rank Defensive Magical Tool, the combat prowess he could unleash should then be comparable to that of the Old Patriarch.

However, the former master of the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword was, after all, the Yang Family ancestor, Yang Roland. That Yang Roland was a generation senior even to Yang Yuanhe, making him, in terms of lineage, an uncle to Yang Zhengyuan.

Eldrin Chen did not know whether the two ancestors of the Yang Family would have any reaction upon seeing this sword, or if they would seek to reclaim the Flying Swords.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, he was unwilling to reveal this trump card before others.

"You underestimate yourself too much."

Yet the Old Patriarch did not share this view. Shaking his head, he said, "Your talent for combat is extraordinary. In terms of seizing the critical moment in a duel, even this old man is far inferior to you."

"Take two of these Purple Aura Pills [a pill that temporarily and significantly boosts a cultivator's True Essence reserves]. With double the True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a Foundation Establishment or higher realm cultivator], you might seize an opportunity to achieve a decisive victory."

As he spoke, the Old Patriarch handed two Purple Aura Pills to Eldrin Chen, keeping only one for himself, which he tucked into his robe.

Meanwhile, the two ancestors of the Yang Family were seated in meditation at a distance, recovering their expended mana.

Yang Yuanhe gazed at his clan's ancient ancestor, his expression flickering with hesitation for a moment. After a long pause, he could no longer restrain himself from speaking.

"Old Granduncle, I have heard that the Thunder Roc was slain by the hands of the Chen Clan."

"Is this matter true or false?"

"It is naturally true." Yang the Ancient Ancestor nodded calmly. "You have seen the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat yourself."

"If that is the case, do you not have anything you wish to say about it?"

As he spoke, Yang Yuanhe could not help but add, "We have long since ascertained that Uncle Yang Roland's Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword was in the possession of that Thunder Roc." The story continues at audio—novel.com.

"Now that the Thunder Roc has fallen to the Chen Clan, the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword has most likely ended up in their hands."

"Should we not seek to reclaim Uncle's legacy?"

"Why then did you give them the Purple Aura Pill [a high-grade pill that nourishes the Purple Mansion cultivation base]?"

"I understand your thoughts."

Yang the Ancient Ancestor shook his head, carefully scrutinizing Yang Yuanhe for a long moment before speaking.

"Let me ask you this: was the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword reclaimed by our Yang Family?"

"This..."

Yang Yuanhe hesitated, momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing his expression, Yang the Ancient Ancestor sighed with resignation and continued.

"You possess Metal-Water Dual Spiritual Roots, which conflict with the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword. You could never unleash its true power."

"Furthermore, to forcibly reclaim the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword would inevitably offend the two masters of the Chen Clan."

"That grandfather-grandson pair from the Chen Clan still have abundant lifespans ahead of them. I foresee they will inevitably join our ranks in time. For now, I can still hold them in check, but have you considered the future?"

"I am already over three hundred and fifty years old. Though I have consumed a Third Rank longevity-extending pill, my remaining lifespan is less than eighty years. Once I pass on and return to the Dao, can you, remaining here in Bianzhou, hope to suppress those two from the Chen Clan?"

After finishing his words, Yang the Ancient Ancestor cast a disappointed glance at Yang Yuanhe.

He sighed, still instructing his grand-nephew: "The Xu Clan has two Purple Mansion [a major cultivation stage beyond Foundation Establishment] cultivators. Xavier Xu still has over a century of lifespan left, and Xu Darius is a renowned young genius of the Purple Mansion realm within the Chu Kingdom."

"Back when the Xu Clan came seeking to purchase the Yang Fire Divine Thunder [a powerful yang-attribute thunder technique] for Xu Darius, you adamantly refused to sell it. That already counts as offending them. After I pass away, I fear your path in Bianzhou will be fraught with difficulty."

"Today, my gift of the Purple Aura Pill [a pill that aids in cultivating the Purple Mansion realm] was merely to leave behind a thread of goodwill for your sake."

After hearing this, Yang Yuanhe finally noticed that his Old Granduncle's hair had turned grey and his visage had grown far more aged compared to days past.

The Yang the Ancient Ancestor looked at him, sighed helplessly, and shook his head.

"If, a century ago during the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts], your Uncle Yonglu had not fallen, he would have broken through to the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Purple Mansion realm] by now."

"He was far more steady and reliable than you. A pity his fate was ill-starred, cut down by the Purple-Spotted Wolf King. If we can slay that beast tomorrow, it will serve as vengeance for your Uncle Yonglu."

The night passed swiftly. At dawn the next day, the group boarded the spirit boat and set off for the Fengyang Trading Post.

Meanwhile, at the Fengyang Trading Post, Xavier Xu the Ancient Ancestor acted according to plan. He led the cultivators from Feng County in a charge from the town's gates, clashing with the horde of Demonic Beasts [monstrous creatures that absorb spiritual energy]. Access the full story on (audio-novel.com).