Chapter 182 : The Violet Furnace Alliance

Thus, he made another trip to the Mu Immortal Clan. When Marcus Mu saw Eldrin Chen, he realized the man had already broken through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation solidifies into a mansion within the dantian] realm.

Startled, Marcus immediately addressed him as Senior and naturally dared not oppose Eldrin Chen's request, promptly gathering the remaining two required Spirit Medicine [plants infused with spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation].

Not only that, upon learning Eldrin Chen intended to refine a Third Rank Pill [a high-grade elixir suitable for Purple Mansion realm cultivators], Marcus proactively lent out the sole Third Rank Low Grade Magical Treasure in his clan's collection—the Violet-Striped Alchemy Furnace [an alchemy furnace engraved with violet patterns, capable of withstanding powerful spiritual flames].

Seeing Patriarch Mu being so accommodating, Eldrin Chen naturally did not refuse. After all, possessing a Third Rank Alchemy Furnace would increase his chances of successfully refining the Qi Replenishing Return Pill by a noticeable margin.

The Mu Clan's actions were, in truth, quite prudent. Henceforth, the Mu Immortal Clan would need to survive under the protective wing of the Chen Clan.

By fostering good relations now, they could hope that in the future, when the Chen Clan had high-grade treasures to sell, they would be considered.

Returning to the matter at hand, after securing the supplementary herbs, Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Lake Isle [an island at the heart of a spirit-rich lake, serving as a cultivation base].

Upon his return to Spirit Lake Isle, he found Old Patriarch in the midst of reconfiguring the defensive Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts designed to produce specific magical effects] around the isle.

"Come and lend a hand,"

Old Patriarch said, a smile touching his features as he saw Eldrin Chen return. This novel is serialized on audio_novel.com. Visit for updates.

Eldrin Chen approached and discovered that the Formation Chen Thalion had rearranged was a Third Rank Water Element Formation [a defensive array that harnesses the power of water].

The formation's core artifact was a Third Rank Law Blade; that very law blade was Duncan Jie's Third Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], a water-attribute Third Rank Magical Treasure.

Working together, the two spent three hours [a conventional unit of time] before finally completing the setup of this Formation. Old Patriarch said with a smile on his face.

"With this Flood Water Heaven Blade Demon-Slaying Grand Formation [a grand defensive array that channels floodwater energy into heaven-piercing blades] in place, even one or two ordinary Purple Mansion Mid to Late Stage [cultivators who have reached the middle or late stages of the Purple Mansion realm] would struggle to breach Spirit Lake Isle."

"To be able to lay down a Third Rank Formation, your talent in Formation arts is truly exceptional, Old Granduncle."

Eldrin Chen also wore a smile. With a Third Rank Formation guarding it, the security of Spirit Lake Isle would be greatly enhanced.

Without further ado, he immediately began his secluded cultivation to refine the Qi Replenishing Return Pill [a pill that restores a cultivator's vital energy].

"This Violet-Striped Alchemy Furnace [an alchemical furnace marked with violet patterns] truly lives up to its reputation as a Third Rank Alchemy Furnace [a specialized furnace for pill refinement]."

Before commencing the alchemy process, Eldrin Chen gently warmed the Violet-Striped Alchemy Furnace with his spiritual energy [the vital force cultivated by practitioners], unable to hold back his praise.

This Violet-Striped Alchemy Furnace was inscribed with several alchemical formation runes [magical patterns that govern energy flow] and could generate the Dan Yang True Flame [the True Flame of the Cinnabar Sun, a superior flame for alchemy]. This particular alchemical flame was a premier-grade True Flame [a pure, potent flame essential for high-level pill refinement].

This flame was specifically created for alchemy, and when refining pills, it could also increase the Pill Success Rate by a few points. It could be said to be far more useful than the Second Rank Alchemy Furnace that Eldrin Chen normally used.

"With this Violet-Striped Alchemy Furnace, I am certain to successfully refine the Qi Replenishing Return Pill this time," he thought.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen took out the Origin-Returning Ginseng and twenty-nine supplementary herbs.

The difficulty of refining the Qi Replenishing Return Pill was not particularly high; in truth, he had considerable confidence in his ability to succeed.

His innate comprehension was exceptionally high. During the Beast Tide Calamity, he had also assisted Lyra Jiang in refining multiple batches of Third Rank Pill, and had even helped refine over twenty batches of the Foundation Establishment Pill. His mastery of alchemy had long since reached a profoundly advanced level.

Now that he had broken through to the Purple Mansion realm, refining Third Rank Pill was merely a matter of course, like water flowing naturally into a channel.

The process of simmering the medicinal liquid was not overly difficult. Eldrin Chen spent over ten days melting and refining the supplementary herbs and the Origin-Returning Ginseng into a single mass of pill liquid.

He then gently nurtured it with a low flame for several more days, finally separating it into four portions of pill liquid.

"Now, to see how many pills will successfully form," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen gazed at the four portions of pill liquid before him, a trace of solemnity appearing in his eyes.

The process of refining the medicinal elixir tested one's cultivation base and mana, while the pill condensation phase examined one's control over mana and timing.

Now that the condensation phase had arrived, his expression turned grave as he intensified the True Flame [a pure, potent flame used in alchemy and cultivation], then continuously channeled his mana to refine and solidify the elixir liquid.

"Pfft."

A soft sound suddenly rang out as one drop of the elixir liquid ruptured and evaporated into a wisp of azure smoke.

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed, realizing that with his current alchemy skill and mana reserves, attempting to refine four pills simultaneously was nearly impossible.

With this thought, he abandoned another drop of the elixir liquid, focusing all his effort and concentration on the remaining two. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel[dot]com.

As expected, no further mishaps occurred this time. Moments later, two radiant pills, shimmering with treasure light, flew out from the Alchemy Furnace.

"Success."

Eldrin Chen snatched the pills from the air, a look of joy spreading across his face.

This time, he had not only successfully broken through to the Purple Mansion [a major realm where a cultivator forms a spiritual mansion within their dantian], but had also produced two pills in a single batch, a clear testament to the profound depth of his accumulated alchemical expertise.

When he emerged from the seclusion chamber, he found Old Patriarch had been waiting for quite some time.

The elder, seeing the look of joy on his face, understood the endeavor must have succeeded, yet still inquired, "How did it go?"

"The mission was accomplished, fortunately without dishonor."

Eldrin Chen extended his palm, upon which a spirit-gleaming treasure pill floated and sank.

Old Patriarch entered seclusion for two days. After refining the pill, his injuries were more than half healed.

All that remained was quiet recuperation. In about a month, once the medicinal efficacy was fully absorbed, his wounds would be completely cured.

After leaving seclusion, the two flew directly to the Mysterious Iron Mountain Vein, discovering that this Mysterious Iron Mountain Dao Field had already advanced to the Second Rank High Grade level.

Old Patriarch promptly gathered everyone and convened a council meeting at the Mysterious Iron Mountain Dao Field.

"Congratulations, Clan Patriarch, our heartfelt congratulations!"

"With Clan Patriarch's breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation solidifies into a radiant palace], may you enjoy immortal blessings forevermore."

Within the grand hall of Dark Iron Mountain, the ten Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have established their foundational cultivation base] of the clan all wore smiles, offering their excited congratulations to the Old Patriarch seated at the head of the chamber.

In the brief span of a single year, the Chen Clan had consecutively produced two Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have opened the third major energy center, the Purple Mansion]. This glory was more than enough to fill them all with profound elation.

It was clear to foresee that, from this day forward, the Chen Clan would formally ascend to the status of a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a clan powerful enough to have Purple Mansion cultivators as its pillars], stepping onto the grand stage of the Chu Kingdom.

"You have all performed admirably during my period of seclusion," the Old Patriarch said, his gaze sweeping over the assembly.

"Not only have we secured the Metallic Essence Earth Vein [an earth vein rich in metallic spiritual essence], but the clan has also given rise to two more Purple Mansion [the third major cultivation realm] experts. Such fortune calls for a celebration to be shared by the entire clan."

Looking at everyone, the Old Patriarch continued with a broad smile, "Let it be decreed thus: every cultivator of the clan shall receive three years' worth of stipends as a celebratory bonus."

"An excellent notion," Eldrin Chen chimed in with a laugh. "I shall add to it from my own coffers, granting you all an additional year's stipend."

"Our deepest gratitude, Ancestors!"

Upon hearing this, the faces of all present were alight with joy. The annual stipend for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator started at three hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Four years' worth was sufficient for them to purchase several second-rank spirit fruits.

Setting aside the two Purple Mansion experts, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch, the clan's annual stipend expenditure for its cultivators now even exceeded seven thousand Spirit Stone.

This time, the Chen Clan secured the Metallic Essence Earth Vein. The single Second Rank Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the second rank] obtained from it alone was worth two hundred thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Furthermore, the spiritual ores produced annually by this Second Rank Ore Vein would bring in an income of seven thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] each year. Therefore, distributing a few years' worth of stipends as a reward was not considered a significant burden.

After the group shared their joy in conversation for a while, Kael Chen spoke up, "Now that we have advanced to become a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a clan whose power is anchored by cultivators who have reached the Purple Mansion realm], should we host a celebratory banquet?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with the Old Patriarch. After a moment of contemplation, he replied.

"It is indeed time to invite the various clans of Bianzhou to a feast."

"It is only fitting,"

the Old Patriarch nodded in agreement. Hosting a Purple Mansion [a major cultivation realm where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] banquet was no trivial matter.

With the Chen Clan's ascension to a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a clan whose power is anchored by cultivators who have reached the Purple Mansion realm], they now had the right to claim a share of the interests within Bianzhou.

For instance, from the Bianzhou Spirit Stone Mine, the Xu and Yang clans received an annual allocation of five to six thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Additionally, the Refined Gold Vein [a vein rich in Refined Gold, a potent metal essence] beneath that same mine yielded several thousand more Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] in profit for the two great families each year. Read, share, and discuss at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.