Chapter 159 : Threshold of the Third Rank

After handling these matters, Eldrin Chen found that his Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual pills and elixirs] and Artificing Art [the art of crafting magical tools and treasures] had advanced significantly once more, even to the point of touching the threshold of the Third Rank [the grade corresponding to the Purple Mansion Realm].

This was because assisting in the refinement of a large quantity of high-grade elixirs and magical tools had naturally propelled his mastery of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation [the various specialized skills and crafts practiced by cultivators] forward by a great stride.

One day, as the two of them walked upon the mountain peak, Lyra Jiang, noticing his considerable progress, revealed a hint of a smile and said, "Your progress is quite good."

"It seems that after your breakthrough to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a spiritual mansion within the dantian], your four paths of Alchemy, Formations, Artificing, and Talismans will all step into the realm of the Third Rank."

"The reason for such progress is merely from observing your alchemy and artificing; practice makes perfect," Eldrin Chen stated calmly. After his words fell, he glanced at Lyra Jiang once more and asked, "Regarding the Celestial Python Demon King [a powerful serpentine demon ruler], when do you plan to make your move?"

The Fourth Rank Water Essence Pearl [a condensed treasure formed from the essence of a high-grade water vein] within the Fourth Rank Water Vein [a subterranean current of potent water-attributed spiritual energy] of the Celestial Python Lake [the lake domain of the Celestial Python Demon King] was crucial to the final step for Lyra Jiang to complete her Spiritual Root [the innate channels that determine a cultivator's affinity and capacity for absorbing spiritual energy]. This matter was of utmost importance; it absolutely had to be seized, no matter what.

Lyra Jiang pondered for a moment before replying, "The Celestial Python Lake is its lair. Even a Golden Core, Mid Stage [the mid-stage of the fourth major cultivation realm] cultivator would find it difficult to slay it within that aquatic environment. I, too, am currently unable to overcome it."

"However, I have been cultivating the great divine ability 'Divine Light of the Five Void Tribulations' [a supreme technique harnessing the power of five types of void tribulations] for many years. I am only one final step away from mastering it. Once this technique is successfully cultivated, the Celestial Python Demon King will no longer be a concern."

"We must wait a little longer."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and informed her that in a few days' time, he planned to make a journey to the Yan Kingdom to see if he could purchase a Profound Water Crystal [a crystal imbued with profound water essence]. Experience the full epic at www . audio-novel.com.

With the Third Rank Immortal Sword [a powerful enchanted sword] tempering his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy within a cultivator], he only needed to accumulate a sufficient reserve before attempting his breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [a major cultivation realm]. He would not require the two or three decades of True Qi [the foundational spiritual energy] refinement typically needed by those at the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer [the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm].

This meant he was certain to attempt the breakthrough to the Purple Mansion realm within the next dozen or so years. By then, he might be able to lend Lyra Jiang a helping hand.

Before that, he wished to refine the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform [a magical treasure shaped like an azure lotus platform, capable of storing vast amounts of spiritual power]. Possessing such an artifact to store his mana would make his attempt to enter the Purple Mansion realm almost a certainty, virtually guaranteeing success on the first try.

Lyra Jiang remained silent, offering no further words. She simply stood there quietly, the two of them side by side, gazing out upon the Vast and Boundless Wilds.

The journey to the Yan Kingdom spanned a distance of ten thousand A Distance of Ten Thousand Li [a Li is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, approximately five hundred meters], requiring passage through a stretch of Demonic Tribe Territory [lands controlled by demonic tribes] spanning three hundred thousand Li. Yet, bound by her duty to guard Celestial Ruins Mountain against the Demonic Tribe [a tribe of demonic beings], she could only watch as he embarked on this journey alone.

After a long while, she turned to look at Eldrin Chen, then retrieved a treasure box and handed it to him.

Eldrin Chen opened it to find a rare Refined Gold Crystal [a crystal of purified metallic essence] inside.

"I obtained this from Earth Lion Ridge. It may be of use to you," Lyra Jiang said.

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen did not refuse. He and Lyra Jiang had previously deduced the refinement method for this Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to its owner's life force].

To refine the Magnetic Treasure Gold [a rare metal with powerful magnetic properties] into a Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force], it is best to combine it with both Geng Metal Crystal [a crystal of pure metallic essence] and Refined Gold Crystal [a crystal of purified gold essence] during the forging process. Only then can the Yin-Yang Magnetic Power [the magnetic force born from the interplay of Yin and Yang energies] be unleashed to its utmost potential.

According to their deductions, once this treasure is successfully forged and cultivated to a profound level, it would be capable of countering all things of the metal attribute—be they tangible magical treasures or intangible divine abilities.

Eldrin Chen spent three days accompanying Lyra Jiang at Celestial Ruins Mountain, but ultimately, he took to his flying sword and departed from the mountain.

Upon returning to Yu County, he discovered that five of the clan's eleven Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] had already been allocated. Among these five recipients, three had succeeded in their Foundation Establishment [the realm of solidifying one's cultivation foundation] breakthroughs. They were Chen Nianfeng and Chen Nianzhen of the Nian Generation, along with Chen Xianyu of the Xian Generation.

The remaining six Foundation Establishment Pill [pills that aid in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] were temporarily set aside, as there were no suitable candidates at the moment. The plan was to wait until other clan cultivators of appropriate age broke through to the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer [the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm] and had sufficiently tempered their True Essence [the refined spiritual energy of a cultivator], before making a comprehensive selection of the most optimal candidates.

Shortly after Eldrin Chen returned to the clan, the Old Patriarch sought him out, his expression grave. "There is a matter," he said, "that requires discussion with you."

"What matter could warrant such gravity from you?"

Eldrin Chen frowned, a crease forming between his brows, and could not help but ask.

The Old Patriarch's face remained solemn as he handed over a letter.

"Read this first."

He took the letter and glanced at it, quickly grasping the full context of the matter.

It turned out that not long ago, a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] had sent a letter expressing their desire to settle and establish their home within Yu County.

That Purple Mansion Immortal Clan was none other than the Pan Clan, the former hegemon of Scorching Sun County. In the battle at Scorched Sun Mountain [the Scorched Sun Mountain], two of the Pan Immortal Clan's three Purple Mansion [a major cultivation realm above Foundation Establishment] experts had fallen, and over seventy percent of their cultivators had been lost. Only Percival Pan had managed to retreat to Boyang County with a handful of clansmen and surviving cultivators to recuperate.

After the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion by hordes of demonic beasts] concluded, Percival Pan found his clan without a place to call home. Their once-great family was now reduced to merely seven or eight Foundation Establishment [the cultivation realm above Qi Refinement] cultivators, a little over three hundred Qi Refinement [the foundational cultivation realm] disciples, and more than three thousand mortal dependents.

Without a Spirit Vein [a natural geological formation that concentrates and emits spiritual energy essential for cultivation], and facing suspicion from the local Purple Mansion Immortal Clan in Boyang County, the Pan Family could only turn their gaze toward Yu County.

Coincidentally, with the fall of the Lin Immortal Clan, the second-rank high-grade Spirit Vein at Ink Verdant Mountain had been left vacant. Since Yu County currently lacked any Purple Mansion Immortal Clan, Percival Pan conceived a plan to establish his clan there.

Normally, with his status as a Purple Mansion Ancestor [an elder who has attained the Purple Mansion realm], seizing that Spirit Vein at Ink Verdant Mountain would have been a simple matter. However, the fact that the Chen Clan now possessed the combat power equivalent to two Purple Mansion experts gave the Pan Family's patriarch considerable pause. Continue reading this story at audio–novel.com.

Therefore, Percival Pan had sent this letter to the Chen Clan, stating his intention to join Yu County and requesting a face-to-face meeting with both Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch.

After reading the letter, Eldrin Chen folded it, his expression turning grave as he spoke.

"Although the Pan Immortal Clan has suffered grievous losses, that Percival Pan possesses a Thunder Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for lightning and thunder-based cultivation], and has now broken through to the Purple Mansion Fourth Layer [the fourth level of the Purple Mansion realm]."

"If this individual relocates his clan into Yu County, it will undoubtedly significantly dilute the interests of our Chen Clan."

Chen Thalion also nodded, pondered for a moment, and added, "However, the arrival of the Pan Family in Yu County presents both advantages and disadvantages."

"With a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] establishing its seat in Yu County, the region's overall strength will increase substantially. This will attract more Rogue Cultivator [cultivators not affiliated with any major clan or sect] to come and establish their own families within Yu County."

"Furthermore, the Pan Family holds considerable influence within Yang Province, which will likely encourage many Qi Refinement [the initial stage of cultivation] and Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [clans whose patriarchs have reached the Foundation Establishment realm] from Yang Province to migrate to our Yu County. Once these people settle in Yu County, they are bound to greatly increase the revenue generated by the Yuyang Market."

After hearing the Old Patriarch's analysis, Eldrin Chen also wore a thoughtful expression.

While the Pan Family's arrival in Yu County would indeed dilute the county's existing resources, it would also bring a significant influx of cultivators migrating to Yu County.

Those hundreds of immortal clans, both large and small, from Scorching Sun County were now adrift with their accumulated wealth, desperately seeking new lands to call home.

The first action these displaced clans and cultivators would take upon arriving in Yu County would be to spend their hoarded Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to nurture numerous Second Rank Spirit Vein [a ley line of concentrated spiritual energy of the second rank] within the county's borders.

In truth, it was not only the homeless clans from Scorching Sun County; even many immortal families from Cloud Sun County and Boyang County within Yang Province had grown disillusioned with the Green Sun Sect. Numerous clans were pooling their Spirit Stone, preparing to cultivate new Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] in the other eight provinces of the Chu Kingdom.

Relocating mortal populations was exceedingly difficult. For these clans, Bianzhou, which was not far from Yang Province and was backed by the formidable Celestial Ruins Mountain, presented an excellent choice.

It can be foreseen that in the near future, Yu County will grow increasingly prosperous due to the arrival of these clans and Rogue Cultivator [independent cultivators not affiliated with any major sect or clan]. Visit audio_novel.com to enjoy the complete series.