Chapter 160 : The Market's Rising Fortune

Now that Scorching Sun Mountain has fallen into the hands of Earth Lion Ridge, the importance of Heavenly Ruins Mountain will skyrocket. The rogue cultivators who once hunted demonic beasts on Scorching Sun Mountain will have no choice but to turn their attention to Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Geographically, Sunward Market lies between Heavenly Ruins Mountain and the Bianyang Two Prefectures. This position allows it to perfectly replace the former Scorching Sun Market, and it may even become the central hub connecting the two prefectures and the mountain range in the Future.

It is clear that the profits from Sunward Market will rise accordingly, and the dividends it brings to the various great clans of Yu County will see a substantial leap.

"This matter indeed has both advantages and disadvantages,"

Eldrin Chen nodded and then spoke, "However, if their Pan Clan wishes to establish themselves in Yu County and dilute the profits of our various clans, they cannot expect to do so empty-handed."

"Let us meet this Patriarch Pan and see what sincerity they offer."

"..."

Half a month later, Percival Pan arrived in Pingyang City as invited.

This time, Percival Pan brought only a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator with him. Upon his arrival at Pingyang City, he was warmly received by the cultivators of the Chen Clan.

Eldrin Chen poured a cup of tea for Percival Pan and said with a smile, "Your visit to our Chen Clan is a great honor for us." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel . com.

"Not at all, not at all. We are destined to be peers sooner or later. Let us interact as equals."

Although Percival Pan was at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the fourth major realm of cultivation, focusing on opening and nurturing the soul's dwelling place], his demeanor was not haughty in the slightest. On the contrary, he spoke with great courtesy.

By now, Eldrin Chen's formidable reputation had spread throughout Chu Nation. It was widely proclaimed that he possessed the potential to reach the Golden Core [the fifth major realm, where a cultivator condenses their spiritual power into a solid, golden core of immense power]. Whether in terms of combat prowess or latent potential, this was more than enough reason for Percival Pan to set aside any airs.

After the customary pleasantries were exchanged, Percival Pan took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoists, to speak frankly, my purpose in coming here is indeed to seek your assistance."

"I understand what you are considering."

Eternal Profound Chen nodded, his expression turning solemn. "But you must also understand that if your clans were to settle in Yu County, the resources and profits for all the major Immortal Clan [a clan or family whose members practice cultivation and pursue immortality] in the entire county would be significantly diluted."

"I have long considered this matter."

Percival Pan nodded in agreement, then continued, "To be perfectly honest, our Pan Clan has come with sincere intentions."

"This time, besides our Pan Clan, there are seven other Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [clans whose patriarchs have reached the Foundation Establishment realm, the third major cultivation stage] and nearly one hundred Vital Essence Refinement [the second major realm of cultivation, focused on refining the body's vital energy] Immortal Clan wishing to relocate to Yu County."

"When the time comes, our alliance of immortal clans will join forces with your factions in Yu County. Together, we can pool a substantial sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to elevate the Spiritual Vein [a natural underground conduit that concentrates and emits spiritual energy, crucial for cultivation sites] beneath the Sunward Market to the Third Rank Lower Grade [a classification for the potency of spiritual veins, artifacts, and other cultivation resources]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly. To nurture a Second Rank High-Grade Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] to the Third Rank Lower Grade level would require a staggering expenditure of three hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. This sum was sufficient to purchase a Third Rank Superior Grade Immortal Sword [a sword forged with immortal techniques, capable of channeling immense power].

The preciousness of a third-rank Upper-Grade Immortal Sword [an immortal sword of the highest quality within its rank] went without saying. Such a treasure could serve as a Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact used by a clan to protect its legacy and territory] even within a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [an immortal clan led by a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum realm].

For these Immortal Clan [clans whose members pursue the immortal path] to jointly raise such funds, even with the Pan Clan shouldering the largest portion, each Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [an immortal clan whose patriarch has reached the Foundation Establishment realm] would still need to contribute tens of thousands of spirit stones on average. This represented an immense financial outlay.

Once the Spiritual Vein at the Sunward Market was elevated to the third rank, a siphoning effect would occur. Cultivators coming to purchase resources would increase dramatically. Furthermore, a batch of Spiritual Field [fields imbued with spiritual energy for growing rare herbs and plants] could be opened, and cultivation grottoes could be leased to cultivators for their practice.

Considering all these factors, the profits from the Sunward Market would increase at least four or fivefold. At that point, the annual tax dividends from the market would exceed twenty thousand spirit stones, and the share of profits for the Chen Clan would far surpass the current two thousand spirit stones per year.

Thinking of this, the two exchanged a glance, their hearts stirring with interest.

However, after a moment's thought, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "It is indeed a sound proposal. However, the Heavenly Sword Demon-Slaying Grand Formation [a powerful defensive and offensive array formation] protecting the Sunward Market was originally purchased by our Yu County for one hundred thousand spirit stones."

"Moreover, as you are newcomers, you should bear the lion's share of the cost for the spiritual vein's advancement."

"I understand that point," Percival Pan nodded in agreement. "For the three hundred thousand spirit stones needed to advance the Spiritual Vein, my Pan Clan will contribute one hundred thousand alone."

"The Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan from Solar Province will contribute one hundred twenty thousand. The remainder shall be covered by your Yu County. What do you think?"

Eldrin Chen's brow relaxed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "I can agree to this matter. However, your entry into Yu County will affect my Chen Clan the most. Do you understand this?"

Percival Pan nodded in acknowledgment. The Chen Clan was on the verge of ascending to a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan. By right, the future interests of the entire Yu County should be the exclusive feast of the Chen Clan.

Even if the other great clans of Solar Province refused to contribute funds, once the two Chen cultivators achieved their Violet Sanctum breakthrough, they would upgrade the Spiritual Vein beneath Sunward Market to the third rank themselves, claiming that immense annual revenue solely for their clan.

Now, by coming to Yu County, the Pan Clan was, despite providing a sum of Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], accelerating the Sunward Market's spiritual vein advancement while simultaneously diluting the Chen Clan's future gains.

Faced with Eldrin Chen's statement, Percival Pan was prepared. He retrieved a small tree, about one Chi-length [one Chi-length equals one third of a meter] tall, and placed it before the assembly.

"If you allow my Pan Clan to integrate into Yu County, I am willing to offer this in exchange. What say you?" The story continues at www . audio-novel.com.

"An Enlightenment Tea Tree!"

The Old Patriarch, with his vast experience, recognized the sapling instantly. His pupils contracted, and he could not suppress a gasp of astonishment.

The Enlightenment Tea Tree was an exceedingly rare and precious spiritual tree. Within the range of its fragrance, it possessed the wondrous ability to enlighten the mind and enhance the comprehension of young children.

If a cultivator brewed tea from its leaves and drank it, they could enter a state of profound enlightenment [a temporary, heightened state of comprehension and insight], significantly boosting their innate aptitude for a time. High-ranking cultivators often favored this tea when contemplating divine abilities and cultivation arts.

Therefore, the price of Enlightenment Tea [a spiritual tea that aids in meditation and comprehension] is often exceedingly precious. Generally speaking, one liang-weight [one liang-weight equals fifty grams] of Second Rank [a grade of spiritual materials corresponding to the Foundation Establishment realm] Enlightenment Tea costs around two hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

The Enlightenment Tea Tree [a spiritual tree that produces Enlightenment Tea leaves] before them was a treasured asset of the Pan Immortal Clan. It had reached the Second Rank High-Grade [the highest sub-grade within the Second Rank], and every three years it could yield three jin-weight [one jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of Second Rank Enlightenment Tea, generating a profit of over six thousand Spirit Stone.

Eldrin Chen had not expected Percival Pan to be willing to part with such an item in exchange, and he promptly agreed.

"Since you are willing to offer this Enlightenment Tea Tree,"

"Then our Chen Clan naturally welcomes your clan to join Yu County."

"Then from this day forth, we shall be fellow cultivators within Yu County." Seeing his agreement, Percival Pan revealed a smile and said, "May we support and aid one another in the days to come."

After concluding this matter, Percival Pan and the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Foundation Establishment realm] from the Pan Clan departed from Boyang City.

They had not flown far when the Pan Clan Foundation Establishment [the realm of Foundation Establishment] cultivator beside him could not help but speak. "Fourth Uncle, the Chen Clan is, after all, merely a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [an immortal clan whose strongest members are at the Foundation Establishment realm]. Was exchanging our Enlightenment Tea Tree not too great a loss for us?"

"I had little choice in this matter."

Percival Pan shook his head and sighed. "After our Pan Clan lost two Violet Sanctum [the realm above Foundation Establishment] cultivators and a great number of other disciples in battle, our foundation has been diminished by seven or eight parts out of ten."

"Now that the Verdant Sun Sect has completely torn off all pretense of cordiality, they will no longer provide us with the death benefits. If we wish to re-establish our family's legacy, we have no choice but to use the Enlightenment Tea Tree as a bargaining chip."

As his words fell, a mixture of resentment and helplessness towards the Verdant Sun Sect was evident in his expression.

For the Pan Immortal Clan to establish a foothold in Yu County now, they must not only upgrade the Spiritual Vein [a subterranean energy channel that concentrates spiritual energy] beneath the Sunward Market, but also elevate the Verdant Ink Mountain to the third rank. Otherwise, even securing sufficient spiritual energy for his own cultivation would become a significant problem. This novel is serialized on (audio-novel.com). Visit for updates.