Chapter 177 : A New Dawn for the Chen Clan

After his cultivation base was thoroughly consolidated, Eldrin Chen finally emerged from his seclusion chamber.

Upon stepping out, he discovered the two siblings, Silas Chen and Caleb Chen, had been waiting for some time. Silas spoke with a face full of joy.

"Congratulations, Uncle Eldrin! Our most sincere congratulations!"

"We celebrate your breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation expands into a vast internal mansion]!"

Hearing their felicitations, Eldrin Chen also wore a smile. As the first Purple Mansion Cultivator in the history of the Chen Immortal Clan, this joyous occasion was worthy of celebration by the entire clan.

Good fortune lifts the spirit. He first rewarded each of them with one thousand Clan Merit Points [points awarded for contributions, redeemable for resources within the clan], then said, "Apply yourselves diligently to your cultivation. Your day will come as well."

"We will strive with all our might,"

the two siblings declared, their fists clenched in fervent determination.

These two siblings were twelve years younger than Eldrin Chen. They had achieved Foundation Establishment [the second major realm, solidifying one's cultivation foundation] in their late twenties, and were now merely fifty-one. Benefiting from the clan's prosperous conditions in recent years, their cultivation progress had been remarkably swift.

The previous year, they had exchanged for several Origin-Breaking Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through minor cultivation barriers] and used the opportunity to advance to the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer. Their progress could truly be described as astonishingly rapid. The story continues at https://audio-novel.com.

Following this cultivation pace, as long as the clan later prepares a few Verdant Origin Pill for them, the two should be able to cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection around a hundred years of age and begin their assault on the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation expands into a vast internal mansion] realm.

By then, with their lifespan still abundant, they would have at least four opportunities to attempt the Purple Mansion breakthrough. Their chances of successfully establishing their Purple Mansion should be quite substantial.

In truth, the current Chen Clan could be described as teeming with talent. The clan's Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation, the second major realm] are all remarkably young in years.

Even the eldest among them, Lior Chen and Chen Elara, are still a year or two shy of reaching a century in age.

These two elders of the Qing Generation grew up during the clan's most difficult six decades. Knowing how hard-won their current cultivation resources are, they practice their cultivation arts with far greater diligence than the other Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the clan.

They have now cultivated to the peak of the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer. It is estimated they can begin their breakthrough to the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment in about fifteen years. Before their lifespan is exhausted, they would still have three chances to attempt the Purple Mansion breakthrough.

As for the other newly advanced Foundation Establishment Elder, the eldest among them is no more than seventy or eighty years old, leaving them with at least another hundred-plus years of ample lifespan ahead.

This calculation hasn't even factored in lifespan-extending treasures like the Spirit Apricot [a rare fruit that can extend a cultivator's natural lifespan]. One can use three such treasures in a lifetime. Eldrin Chen could only hope they would use them as late as possible, because the future grade of the Spirit Apricot Tree would only grow higher and higher.

A clan like this, brimming with such youthful vigor, would draw admiration from anyone who saw it, recognized for its immense potential.

Suppressing his joy, Eldrin Chen glanced at the two of them and then gave his instructions.

"I shall journey to Yuyang City to meet with Old Patriarch."

"Until then, guard Spirit Lake Isle well. And for now, keep the news of my breakthrough to yourselves."

Both men nodded, and Caleb Chen promptly replied, "Understood."

After departing from Spirit Lake Isle, Eldrin Chen soared on his flying sword towards Pingyang City.

Having ascended to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation solidifies into a radiant mansion within the dantian], a distance of six thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] was but a journey of two Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] for him now.

It was not long before he arrived at Pingyang City and was received by Old Patriarch.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!"

Upon seeing him, Old Patriarch let out three hearty laughs, his voice brimming with emotion.

He clasped Eldrin Chen's shoulder, his excitement barely contained. "To break through to the Purple Mansion at such a tender age, with your lifespan still so vast... I dare say even the Golden Core [the fourth major realm, where one condenses their spiritual essence into an indestructible golden core] may not be your ultimate limit."

"For our Chen Clan to be blessed with a prodigy such as you, a true scion of heaven's favor... our great flourishing is assured!"

Chen Thalion remained agitated for a long while before finally calming his emotions. Then, gripping Eldrin Chen's wrist, he asked, "Now that you have broken through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian], are you confident you can handle that Purple Palace, Mid Stage [a mid-stage cultivator within the Purple Mansion realm] Metallic Essence Spirit [a spirit entity born from and embodying the essence of metallic energy]?"

"Do not worry, Old Granduncle," Eldrin Chen replied with a faint smile, producing the Great Metallic Immortal Sword [a powerful immortal-grade sword forged from refined metallic essence]. "Please, look at this sword."

"This is..." Chen Thalion's eyes widened abruptly, and he exclaimed with unrestrained joy, "A magnificent sword! With this blade in hand, you are indeed more than capable of dealing with that Purple Mansion Spirit [a spirit entity possessing power equivalent to the Purple Mansion realm]."

"With you holding off that mid-stage Purple Palace, Mid Stage spirit, the clan elders and I can activate our two treasure ships to besiege the other, early-stage spirit. Together, we should be more than sufficient to surround and slay that Purple Palace, Early Stage [an early-stage cultivator within the Purple Mansion realm] entity."

"The Metallic Essence Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual vein rich in the essence of metal] is indeed within our grasp now," Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, a smile gracing his lips. "We must not delay. Let us act swiftly."

Merely two days later, the members of the Chen Clan once again assembled before the Metallic Essence Earth Vein. Original English translation available at audio-novel*com.

This time, having gauged the strength of the spirits within the Metallic Essence Earth Vein, the Chen Clan was prepared to commit its full force.

For this battle, besides Chen Thalion and Eldrin Chen, the clan mobilized ten Foundation Establishment Elder [elders who have reached the Foundation Establishment realm], including Lior Chen, Chen Elara, and Caleb Chen.

In this engagement, the ten Foundation Establishment Elder would be responsible for powering the two Third-Rank Treasure Ship [magical treasure ships of the third rank] to assist the Old Patriarch in besieging the early-stage Purple Palace, Early Stage spirit. Eldrin Chen would take on the mid-stage Purple Palace, Mid Stage spirit. As for the Qi Refinement Stage [the first and foundational realm of cultivation, focused on refining one's vital energy] cultivators, after deliberation, it was decided they would not participate. The cultivation of Qi Refinement Cultivators is far too low; they often cannot withstand even the residual shockwaves from a clash between Purple Mansion experts.

If they were recklessly thrust into a battle between Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators of the Purple Mansion realm], casualties would be inevitable, even with the protection of a Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts used to create magical effects].

Since the strength of the Purple Mansion Foundation Establishment Cultivator alone was sufficient to handle these Purple Mansion Spirit [spiritual entities inhabiting a spirit vein], there was naturally no need to put them at risk.

Before the Metallic Essence Earth Vein [an earth vein rich in the essence of the Metal element], Eldrin Chen informed everyone of the battle plan and then spoke.

"Prepare to activate it."

As his words fell, the long-prepared Formation [a structured arrangement of energy and objects for magical effects] activated once more. Beams of light illuminated the firmament and tore open the Metallic Essence Earth Vein.

"Make it swift and decisive."

Seeing the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy] open, Eldrin Chen was the first to soar in on a streak of sword-light. The others followed closely behind, piloting their treasure-laden boats into the heart of the Metallic Essence Earth Vein.

Once inside the Earth Vein, the group did not pause for a moment, charging directly toward its core.

After only a brief span of time, they arrived before the central mountain range.

"Boom—"

The Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] spirit chieftain, seeing that the intruder was once again Eldrin Chen, roared in fury and unleashed a Metallic Essence Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique imbued with the sharp, unyielding power of Metal] towards him.

With a deafening roar, a golden thunderbolt illuminated the void, striking towards Eldrin Chen from a distance of several tens of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. Bringing his sword fingers together, he summoned forth a divine thunderbolt of his own, sending it crashing down with equal force.

It was the same Metallic Essence Divine Thunder [a thunderous technique harnessing the power of metallic essence], but fueled by Eldrin Chen's current level of spiritual power, its might was easily more than double what it had been before his breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [a profound stage of cultivation where one's spiritual foundation is solidified into a radiant, palace-like core].

The radiance of thunder swept across the firmament, colliding with the divine ability unleashed by the Purple Mansion Spirit [a powerful spirit beast whose power is equivalent to a cultivator in the Purple Mansion Realm] in a cataclysmic explosion that sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

"That single strike..." Old Patriarch's pupils contracted sharply. "Eldrin's combat prowess likely rivals that of an ordinary cultivator in the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Purple Mansion Realm] without the slightest disadvantage."

In the span of that single thought, Eldrin Chen had already soared forth on his sword, engaging the two Metallic Essence Spirit [spirits born from and embodying the essence of metal] in a fierce magical duel across a distance of over ten Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Chen Thalion swiftly shook off his astonishment, gathering the others to charge out and surround the Purple Palace, Early Stage [the initial phase of the Purple Mansion Realm] Metallic Essence Spirit.

Faced with the encirclement of Old Patriarch, whose power was that of a Purple Mansion cultivator, supported by two treasure ships and ten Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation, a key step on the immortal path], the Metallic Essence Spirit naturally had no strength left to direct any attacks towards Eldrin Chen. Original English translation available at audio–novel.com.