Chapter 161 Ascending Spirit Root

The cost of advancing the spirit vein required the Pan Clan to expend a full 400,000 spirit stones. After the fall of Jiaoyang County, Percival had no choice but to abandon the fixed assets and took with him 90 percent of the Pan Immortal Clan's wealth.

Yet even so, to gather these 400,000 spirit stones, Percival (Person Name) would have to drain his family's savings, sell off his belongings at discounted prices, and even part with several precious third-order magic treasures to make up the amount.

Even so, he still needed the Chen family's approval. Otherwise, even if he managed to enter Yu County, he would completely offend the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization).

Because he intended to revitalize his clan, he was destined to intervene in the interests of Yu County. With both families residing in the same county, if relations were to completely sour, it seemed inevitable that 1 would have to fall.

For the Pan Immortal Clan, now teetering on the brink of extinction, rashly provoking this clan with such immense potential was clearly not a wise course of action.

Thus, Percival had no choice but to bring out his family’s hidden asset—the Enlightenment Tea Tree—to smooth the dealings with the Chen Immortal Clan.

Seeing that Foundation Establishment cultivator was still somewhat reluctant to part with it, Percival shook his head and said, "There's no need for you to grieve. Although we've lost the Enlightenment Tea Tree, establishing our foothold in Yu County is the best outcome we could have achieved."

Hearing this, the man's expression eased slightly.

The Pan Clan was once a mighty lineage of Purple Palace immortals at the Late Stage, their foundation far surpassing that of ordinary Purple Palace clans.

Though the clan had suffered a devastating blow, with its cultivators reduced by 90 percent, the annual stipends that needed to be distributed had also decreased by 70 to 80 percent.

They had brought out so many assets that as long as they could reestablish themselves, the tax revenue from Yuyang Market would be more than sufficient to sustain their cultivation in just a few years.

By then, we shall reclaim the spiritual fields and cultivate a second third-order spirit vein. In the end, we shall rise again from the ashes.

Meanwhile, Eldrin and the old clan leader gazed at the Way-Enlightenment Tea Tree in their hands, faint smiles gracing their expressions.

The old clan leader examined it carefully for a moment before saying with barely contained excitement, "This Enlightenment Tea is truly priceless. They say only Purple Mansion cultivators would splurge on such treasures. Never did I imagine our Chen Clan would 1 day possess something this extraordinary."

"It is indeed a precious treasure."

Eldrin nodded slightly. Priceless assets like spirit trees often held far greater value than treasures of equivalent rank. To many Purple Mansion immortal families, a second-grade, superior-quality spirit tree could serve as a cherished heirloom passed down through generations for centuries.

When the joy in his heart had subsided, Eldrin said with a solemn expression, "Let's plant this Enlightenment Tea Tree in Pingyang City."

As his words faded, he informed the old patriarch of his decision to harness the Primordial Violet Qi to elevate the Ancient Tree of Enlightenment and the spirit apricot tree of Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) into Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots (Spiritual Root).

Chen Changxuan furrowed his brow, pacing back and forth in contemplation for a moment before he could no longer suppress his concern.

"We have yet to break through to the Violet Mansion realm. Isn't this somewhat reckless?"

Eldrin shook his head and analyzed, "The Azure Sun Sect is now completely isolated with allies turning to foes. I doubt they have any energy left to pay attention to us."

Meanwhile, among the major Zi Palace families, all other clans suffered heavy losses during the beast tide. The 4 Zi Palace experts from the Xu and Yang families of Bianzhou have forged comradeship with us through fighting side by side.

"Thus I believe that now is precisely the opportune moment for us to advance to the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root)."

"As for us," he continued, his expression turning grave, "we are no longer lambs for the slaughter. With you overseeing Pingyang City, and having Lior and Aunt Qingwan take turns guarding Verdant Chariot Mountain, we should be able to conceal it for at least several decades."

"When the time comes for us to break through to the Violet Mansion realm, even if others dare covet our progress, they'll have to answer to the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) in my hand."

Hearing this, the old clan leader also breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He paced back and forth a few steps before finally saying, "Advancing to a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) is of utmost importance. Otherwise, once you and I break through to the Purple Mansion realm, without a third-order spirit vein, the family's stipend would fall into deficit."

"Very well. I shall set up a formation to conceal the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root), simultaneously containing the surging spiritual energy from its advancement. This way, our clansmen won't immediately perceive the abnormal disparity."

The 2 of them wasted no time putting their plan into action. That very day, Eldrin consumed 2 wisps of Primordial Purple Qi, elevating the Spirit Apricot Tree and the Enlightenment Tea Tree into Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots.

The old clan leader also expended a great deal of materials to set up 2 Spirit Locking Formations, concealing both stalks of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root).

After completing all this, the 2 of them finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"From now on, with this tree in our clan, the cultivators of our lineage may extend their lifespans somewhat."

Eldrin gazed at the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

After absorbing the Primordial Purple Qi, the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree advanced directly from the first-rank, upper-grade to the second-rank, lower-grade.

After the breakthrough, the Spirit Apricot Ancient Tree had become quite extraordinary. From this point onward, it would bear fruit once every 3 years, producing 3 Heaven-Earth Spirit Apricots each time.

This apricot brimmed with vitality; consuming just 1 could grant a cultivator 10 additional years of life.

However, life-extending treasures share a profound restriction under the laws of heaven and earth: regardless of their grade or variety, all living beings can only consume 3 such treasures in their entire lifetime.

Only by becoming the legendary Eldrin True Lord could 1 gain the favor of heaven and earth, obtaining 1 additional opportunity to consume life-extending treasures.

As for whether Nascent Soul Dao Lords had more opportunities to obtain life-extending treasures, that was something beyond the knowledge of someone like Eldrin.

Even with such limitations, treasures capable of extending 1's lifespan remained exceptionally rare. It was said that Patriarch Yang of Ling Province once spent 100,000 spirit stones to acquire a single third-grade Longevity Elixir that could prolong life by 30 years.

This Heaven and Earth Spirit Apricot was only at the second-tier lower grade. A single fruit could only extend 1's lifespan by 10 years, making its value far inferior to that of the Life Extension Pill.

Moreover, due to the limitations imposed by the natural order, their value had significantly diminished. Yet, each 1 was often worth over 5,000 spirit stones, making them treasures that countless Foundation Establishment cultivators yearned for but could rarely obtain.

"When do you plan to go to Yan Kingdom (Location)?"

After advancing the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree, the Old Patriarch inquired.

Eldrin (Person Name) pondered for a moment before speaking, "We shall depart after settling the Pan family's affairs."

Early the next morning, Eldrin summoned the other major Foundation Establishment clans of Yu County and informed them that the Pan Clan and the 7 Foundation Establishment clans from Yangzhou would be relocating to Yu County.

The immortal clan from Yangzhou contributed the lion's share to upgrade the spiritual veins of Yuyang Market, and the major Foundation Establishment clans naturally agreed with pleasure.

As for the arrival of more Qi Refining clans, they were even more delighted. The greater the number of low-level cultivators, the more prosperous Yu County would become, meaning the Foundation Establishment clans could reap even greater benefits.

Seeing that the major families were about to agree, Eldrin smiled and said, "The spiritual vein upgrade for the Sunrest Market will cost no small amount—over 32,000 spirit stones."

"Our Yu County is also required to contribute 80,000 spirit stones. Our Chen Clan will cover half of this sum. How about the 4 great families contributing the remainder?"

Mu Xuanming and the others exchanged glances, then quickly agreed.

After the spiritual vein's advancement, the Chen Clan and the Pan Clan will claim 70 percent of the future revenues from the Yuyang Market.

The remaining 30 percent would be divided among 11 Foundation Establishment clans. Do not underestimate this seemingly small portion—currently, Yu Yang Market generates an annual tax revenue of merely 5,000 spirit stones.

By the time Yuyang Market gradually became the central hub of the 2 border provinces, the annual tax revenue of this market would likely reach tens of thousands of spirit stones. At that point, the major immortal clans could expect their annual spirit stone income to increase by 30 percent.