Chapter 133 : A Pill of Verdant Promise

After distributing the Mirror of the Verdant Emperor [a legendary magical treasure said to have been forged by the Verdant Emperor], Exquisite Jiang arranged the deployment of forces. Only then did she allow everyone to return and begin their final preparations for the impending battle.

"Worthy Nephew, a moment, please."

Eldrin Chen had just stepped out from the Path-Field [a designated area for cultivation and meditation] when, after only a few paces, he heard a familiar voice call out to him.

Turning back, he saw it was Starry River Meng. This granduncle from his mother's side was watching him from a distance, a warm smile gracing his features as he beckoned.

Exchanging a glance with the Third Elder, Eldrin Chen promptly stepped forward and spoke with respectful courtesy.

"I pay my respects to Granduncle."

"Ah, your cultivation progress is truly astonishing, Worthy Nephew," Starry River Meng said after a brief greeting, then came straight to the point. "I see you have broken through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified]. Could it be you have obtained a Verdant Origin Pill [a precious elixir that aids in consolidating one's spiritual foundation and advancing cultivation]?"

"Indeed, I have," Eldrin Chen replied without hesitation. "Some time ago, I acquired a Verdant Origin Mushroom [a rare spiritual fungus that is the primary ingredient for the Verdant Origin Pill] and successfully refined it into two Verdant Origin Pills."

Hearing him mention there were two pills, Starry River Meng could not conceal his delight. His hands unconsciously rubbed together as he asked with hopeful anticipation.

"Then... might I inquire if you still have one of those Verdant Origin Pills available?" Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel`com.

"I wonder if there are any remaining now?"

"Indeed, there is still one."

Eldrin Chen nodded. The efficacy of the Verdant Origin Pill [a pill that aids in consolidating one's cultivation foundation] lasts only a little over a dozen years, and now less than ten years remain.

Among the clan's two Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation], Lior Chen and Verdant Grace Chen had both just recently broken through to the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage. For them to even approach the threshold of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, it would likely take more than twenty years.

Therefore, he had no qualms about trading away this Verdant Origin Pill. If it went to his granduncle Starry River Meng, it would be a most fitting transaction.

Hearing that he still possessed a Verdant Origin Pill, Starry River Meng could not help but reveal a smile.

"Worthy nephew, I wish to purchase a Verdant Origin Pill from you. Would that be possible..."

Over the past thirty years, Starry River Meng had procured two Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in achieving the Foundation Establishment realm] for the clan, adding two Foundation Establishment Cultivator to their ranks.

However, the cost had nearly emptied the clan's Clan Treasury, leaving Starry River Meng himself practically penniless. This was why he had been stuck at the Foundation Establishment 6th Tier for over twenty years.

This granduncle was ten years older than Eternal Profound Chen, now over one hundred and fifty years of age. More than fifty years ago, his cultivation level was the same as the Old Patriarch's—both at the fifth tier of Foundation Establishment. Yet now, he remained merely at the Foundation Establishment 6th Tier, a gap that had grown vast indeed.

The innate talent of Old Patriarch was nearly identical to this person's. However, the Blazing Sun Dominating Void Art inherited from the Chen Clan ancestors was more profound than the cultivation art of the Meng Clan, and the grade of the Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] beneath Green Chariot Mountain was also one tier higher.

Most crucially, in those years, Lior Chen managed the family affairs with exceptional order, significantly improving the clan's financial situation.

Back then, he first purchased a Jade Marrow Pill [a pill that condenses and refines spiritual essence], saving Old Patriarch twenty years of cultivation effort. Not long after, a Verdant Origin Mushroom [a rare spiritual fungus] was found on the Spirit Mountain. This allowed Old Patriarch to break through two minor realms in rapid succession within just a few years, decisively widening the gap.

Now, this Starry River Meng remains stuck at the Foundation Establishment 6th Tier [the sixth minor stage of the Foundation Establishment realm], unable to advance a single step. Meanwhile, with the support of Eldrin Chen, Old Patriarch has successively obtained a Spiritual Peach [a fruit imbued with potent spiritual energy], a Mystic Jade Pill [an advanced cultivation pill], and a Solar Fire Crystal [a crystal containing pure solar flame essence]. Unbeknownst to all, he has already half-stepped into the threshold of the Violet Sanctum Realm [the realm following Foundation Establishment].

"On the path of cultivation, apart from innate talent, opportunity and fortune are truly paramount,"

Eldrin Chen thought to himself, then smiled gently. "Since you have spoken, Uncle, this Verdant Origin Pill [a pill that nourishes the foundational life force] shall naturally be yours."

"My deepest gratitude!"

Starry River Meng rubbed his hands together excitedly, produced a bag of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], and said, "In recent years, to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill [a crucial pill for attempting the Foundation Establishment breakthrough] for Xingwan, I spent a great many spirit stones. Now, I have only a little over three thousand left."

"I know the Verdant Origin Pill commands a high premium, likely worth over four thousand spirit stones. Would it be possible for me to owe you the remaining thousand?"

"Uncle, please, there's no need for such formality between us," Eldrin Chen replied with a light chuckle, shaking his head. "Our two families are bound by marriage. Just a few years ago, my nephew Caleb married your great-granddaughter. We are family."

"I shall sell it to you at the original price of three thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

"This..." Starry River Meng felt somewhat embarrassed and shook his head. "That is no small sum of Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. How could I take advantage of such a bargain?"

Eldrin Chen handed over the Verdant Origin Pill [a high-grade elixir that aids in consolidating one's cultivation foundation and advancing realms] with a slight smile. "For Uncle to achieve a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the third and final phase of the Foundation Establishment realm, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified] would be a great boon for our Chen Clan as well."

"The Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts from the wilderness] will soon begin. When it does, our Chen Clan may very well need to rely on Uncle Verdant Bud for support."

In the end, Starry River Meng could not refuse the offer and purchased the Verdant Origin Pill [a high-grade elixir that aids in consolidating one's cultivation foundation and advancing realms] for three thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Upon receiving the Verdant Origin Pill [a high-grade elixir that aids in consolidating one's cultivation foundation and advancing realms], Starry River Meng's face lit up with joy. He had been tempering his True Essence [the refined, pure spiritual energy within a cultivator's body] for two decades; even without the pill, he could have broken through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the third and final phase of the Foundation Establishment realm, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified] within another ten or so years. Official source: audio~novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Now, with the Verdant Origin Pill [a high-grade elixir that aids in consolidating one's cultivation foundation and advancing realms] in hand, his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the third and final phase of the Foundation Establishment realm, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified] was virtually assured, with little chance of any major mishap.

Thinking this, he still made a solemn promise: "When the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts from the wilderness] arrives, should the Chen Clan face peril, this old man will spare no effort in coming to your aid."

"..."

After bidding farewell to Starry River Meng, the two did not linger. They directly mounted their swords and flew back to Green Chariot Mountain.

After returning to Yu County, the several Foundation Establishment Elder of the Chen Clan convened briefly. They then held a meeting with the heads of the various prominent families within Yu County before commencing the mobilization of cultivators, household by household, to participate in the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts].

Across the entirety of Yu County, there were over one hundred Immortal Clan [cultivation families], both large and small. Each was required to contribute sixty-five percent of its cultivators to participate in this Beast Tide.

Of these, thirty percent—approximately three thousand cultivators—would be dispatched to Heavenly Ruins Mountain to assist in its defense against the demonic beasts.

The remaining thirty-five percent were conscripted to Sunward Market [a cultivation market]. Under the unified command of Heavenly Ruins Mountain, they were tasked with defending this market town against the encroaching beast horde.

As for the rogue cultivators [cultivators without clan affiliation], they had no families to defend. Their kin seldom numbered more than one hundred, and they often shared low-grade Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] among themselves.

With the Beast Tide upon them, there was little reason for them to remain in their pitifully weak, low-grade Spiritual Vein. Virtually all were conscripted to Sunward Market and Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

The six great Immortal Clan jointly issued the conscription order for the cultivators of Yu County. Naturally, none within the county dared to refuse. With the Beast Tide at hand, even if they fled beyond Border Province, they would still be conscripted for the war effort.

A very small number fled deep into the mountains, unwilling to join the fight. However, the names of such cultivators were recorded.

The total number of rogue cultivators in Yu County was only three to four thousand. Setting aside those who participated in the Beast Tide, the deserters numbered merely around one hundred. With a few inquiries among acquaintances, their identities could be easily confirmed and registered.

While they might not face immediate retribution, henceforth they would be barred from entering any major market towns within Border Province. Furthermore, their actions would be scorned by the cultivation community, and most would shun any association with them.

The task of conscripting cultivators was a laborious and time-consuming endeavor. Even with the combined efforts of the Yu County's Six Great Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, it took a full year and more to complete the recruitment. Only then could a portion of the assembled force be dispatched towards Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Just a few days before this army was to march, the eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Chen Clan convened in Pingyang City. This marked the first formal gathering of all eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Chen Clan.

Even Verdant Grace Chen had temporarily withdrawn from her duties at the Sunward Market. With the market now teeming with thousands of Vital Essence Refinement cultivators, it was, for the moment, secure enough to rest easy. Join our community of readers at audio-novel`com.