Chapter 175 : The Unyielding Metallic Essence

"By then, encircling and slaying that Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] should hold a reasonable chance of success."

As soon as he finished speaking, Old Patriarch shook his head and said, "If it were a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [a powerful monster that has reached the Purple Mansion cultivation stage], this plan of ours might indeed succeed."

"But a Metallic Essence Spirit [a spirit born from and attuned to the essence of metal] is different. They dwell within a Metallic Essence Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual vein rich in metallic elemental energy], constantly replenishing their mana from the ambient Metallic Essence Qi [the spiritual energy of the metal element]. Thus, attempting to exhaust their power through a siege is a difficult path to victory."

"Even if you could succeed, the losses among your ranks would likely be severe. The cost would outweigh the gain."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement upon hearing this. Having participated in the campaign against the First Wood Earth Vein [an earth vein rich in the essence of the primary wood element], he understood that against such beings, one must strike with overwhelming force from the outset to secure a decisive victory.

After all, while anchored within their Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy], these elemental spirits possess a near-limitless wellspring of mana, capable of unleashing their divine abilities repeatedly without fear of depletion.

Seeing this strategy was unworkable, Caleb Chen proposed, "Since our strength alone is insufficient to claim the Earth Vein, should we seek reinforcements?"

A wave of hesitation passed through the group, a silent reluctance palpable in the air.

A single Metallic Essence Earth Vein held treasures of immeasurable value. To ask for outside aid, the Chen Clan would likely have to pay a price of at least one Geng Metal Crystal [a crystalized form of pure metallic essence, a rare cultivation material].

With both Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch on the cusp of their Purple Mansion [the fourth major stage of cultivation] breakthroughs, seeking help now would be akin to gifting a hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to another, all while potentially inviting covetous eyes upon their clan. Visit audio–novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

"There is no need to rush the matter of reinforcements,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head and said. Apart from Celestial Ruins Mountain, he was unwilling for anyone else to come and assist him.

However, with the loss of Scorched Sun Mountain, Celestial Ruins Mountain now stood isolated in the borderlands, bearing the pressure from both Celestial Python Lake and Earth Lion Ridge alone.

The two great Demon King viewed Celestial Ruins Mountain as a thorn in their side. Lyra Jiang could scarcely extricate herself, and her disciple Elara Lin was needed to guard the First Wood Earth Vein.

As for Su Mingwei, she had already departed for Ji Nation. As a Third Rank Alchemist, she bore a heavy responsibility this time—to gather the final few supplementary ingredients needed to complete the restoration of Lyra Jiang's Spiritual Root [the innate conduit that determines a cultivator's affinity and talent for absorbing spiritual energy]. It was likely she would be unable to return for some time.

"This matter need not be rushed."

Chen Thalion said with a calm expression, "It has only been a little over a decade since my last breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian]. I will need another four or five years before I can attempt another breakthrough."

"Use this time to cultivate diligently. Five years from now, we shall make our preparations and then decide our course of action."

With the Old Patriarch's decision made, the others could only nod in agreement. Thus, the first attempt to seize the Metallic Essence Earth Vein [a spiritual earth vein rich in Metallic Essence energy] ended in failure.

After everyone had left, Eldrin Chen sighed with frustration. "In the end, our strength is still insufficient. To have such a treasure land right before us, yet be unable to claim it... it is truly a great regret."

"If I possessed Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] cultivation, I would have surely slain that fiend today, instead of fleeing in such a wretched state."

"Do not grieve." Old Patriarch shook his head, letting out a rueful laugh. "You have been in the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] realm for less than forty years, yet you have already reached the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer [the eighth stage within the Foundation Establishment realm], and can even wound a Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] cultivator with your sword. That is already remarkably impressive."

"It's merely a matter of a few years; we can afford to wait. When the time comes, this old man will swallow his pride and travel to Ling County, to borrow the Demon-Refining True Flame Formation Flags [a set of enchanted banners that form a powerful formation for subduing demons] from the Yang Clan. We will certainly be able to exterminate them then."

Emerging from Dark Iron Mountain, Eldrin Chen gathered his composure, then mounted his flying sword and returned to Spirit Lake Isle.

No sooner had he returned to Spirit Lake Isle than Lila spotted him from afar and came running over joyfully.

"Uncle, I want to eat a peach."

"Alright, you can eat your fill when they're ripe."

Seeing her innocent smile, Eldrin Chen couldn't help but smile himself.

At that moment, he lifted his gaze to the Spirit Peach Tree [a magical tree that bears fruit imbued with spiritual energy] and sensed something unusual about this year's crop of Spirit Peach [the fruit of the Spirit Peach Tree, consumed to aid cultivation].

The still-green Spirit Peach [the fruit of the Spirit Peach Tree, consumed to aid cultivation] exuded an extraordinary fragrance, and within them, a startlingly potent spiritual energy was coalescing.

"Hmm."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, sensing something unusual about these Spirit Peach [a type of fruit imbued with spiritual energy]. The spiritual aura emanating from this year's crop seemed unusually potent, and their number was significantly fewer than in previous years.

He counted them carefully and discovered there were only twelve Spirit Peach this season.

This was highly abnormal. Even a Spirit Peach Tree of Second Rank Low Grade [a low-quality item within the second tier of cultivation resources] should bear the Heavenly Stems Number [a numerological concept representing ten] of fruit each year. A Spirit Peach Tree of Third Rank High Grade [a high-quality item within the third tier of cultivation resources] could produce as many as one hundred and eight Spirit Peach.

"Could this be..."

Eldrin Chen's face lit up with ecstatic realization as a thrilling possibility dawned on him. Suppressing his excitement, he settled in to wait patiently for his theory to be confirmed. Experience the full epic at audio - novel . com.

Three months passed, bringing the autumn harvest. The twelve Spirit Peach finally ripened. Unbeknownst to him, the Spirit Vein [a geological formation that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] beneath Spirit Isle Lake had quietly ascended to the Third Rank Low Grade [the lowest quality tier within the third rank of spiritual energy concentration].

"Third Rank Spirit Peaches."

As soon as the Spirit Peach matured, Eldrin Chen swiftly plucked one, his heart swelling with joy.

He had descended the mountain at fifteen, arriving at Spirit Lake Isle and using the Violet Qi [the violet-hued spiritual energy of the dawn, highly beneficial for cultivation] to nurture this very Spirit Peach Tree. Unnoticed, forty-five years had flowed by like a river.

Forty-five years flowed by like water. The youth in white robes of yesteryear had become a prodigy renowned throughout the Chu Kingdom [a major kingdom in the cultivation world], and this Spirit Peach Tree [a mystical tree bearing fruit imbued with spiritual energy] had finally ascended to become a Third-Rank Spirit Peach Tree [a spirit plant of significant power, capable of bearing potent fruit].

The wondrous utility of an Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a rare and powerful type of spiritual root that connects a cultivator deeply to natural energies] is extraordinary. Once the Spirit Peach Tree reached the Third Rank [a significant tier of power for objects, beasts, or cultivators], it became incomparable to its former self.

Henceforth, the Spirit Peach Tree would bloom for three years, bear fruit for three years, and ripen for three years, requiring a full nine years to mature a harvest of twelve Third Rank Spirit Peach [peaches of immense spiritual potency, suitable for high-level cultivators].

Yet, the marvelous effects of a Third Rank Spirit Peach were equally profound. After consuming one such Spirit Peach, a cultivator would need three years to fully refine and absorb its power.

Once successfully refined, it could increase the cultivation of a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their Purple Mansion, a core spiritual repository] by ten years' worth. If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their foundational cultivation base] consumed it, a single peach could augment their cultivation by thirty years.

"The Purple Mansion [a major realm where cultivators form their core spiritual mansion] is within reach."

Eldrin Chen clutched the Spirit Peach, unable to suppress a surge of excitement.

With this Third Rank Spirit Peach, he would have sufficient confidence to attempt a breakthrough into the Purple Mansion realm three years hence.

Without another word, he consumed the Spirit Peach that very day and entered seclusion to refine its abundant spiritual essence.

Time flowed like a river, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

"Almost there," Eldrin murmured to himself.

After three years, he had finally refined all the spiritual energy within the Spirit Peach.

Though he had only consumed a single Spirit Peach, its energy was so immense that it not only allowed him to break through to the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer, but also advanced his cultivation all the way to the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.

Having reached this realm, his foundation was complete. To progress further, he now needed to channel his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body] through the Purple Mansion Dao Meridian.

The Purple Mansion Dao Meridian lies deep within the human spine, connecting directly to the Purple Mansion [the spiritual palace located between the eyebrows, the seat of the soul and consciousness] at the brow. It forms the central pillar of the body's meridian system, earning it the name "Heavenly Meridian," and is thus also referred to as the Purple Mansion Heavenly Meridian.

For a cultivator to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm, they must guide their True Essence from the dantian [the energy center in the lower abdomen] up through this spinal Heavenly Meridian, reaching the spiritual platform of the Purple Mansion at the brow, thereby forging a direct connection between the Purple Mansion and the dantian.

The Purple Mansion is also known as the Spirit Mansion, the Divine Palace, or the Immortal Terrace. Consequently, some cultivators refer to the Purple Mansion Realm as the Spirit Mansion or Immortal Terrace Realm.

It is the dwelling place of the cultivator's soul and the crucible where their spiritual sense is nurtured. Once the Purple Mansion Realm is attained, a cultivator can fuse their spiritual sense with their True Essence, transforming it into the far more profound and potent [the combined energy of spiritual essence and consciousness, used to power advanced cultivation arts and divine abilities].

The profundity of far surpasses that of True Essence. While the difference might not be as stark when channeling external objects like a Third Rank Magical Treasure, the power of the same divine ability, when fueled by versus True Essence, is worlds apart.

Even though Eldrin's True Essence was nearly comparable in purity to that of a Purple Mansion Cultivator, any divine ability he unleashed with it would pose little threat to a true Purple Mansion Cultivator. For the best reading experience, visit audi0-n0vel.c0m.