Chapter 182 Refining Qi Replenishing Return Pill (Spiritual Object)

He then paid another visit to the Mu Immortal Clan. The moment Mu Xuanming laid eyes on Eldrin, he realized the young man had already broken through to the Violet Mansion realm.

At that moment, the man was so startled that he repeatedly addressed him as Senior, not daring in the slightest to defy Eldrin's request. He promptly prepared the remaining 2 spiritual herbs in full.

Not only that, upon learning that Eldrin intended to refine a third-grade pill, this individual proactively lent him the sole third-grade low-tier treasure in their family collection—the Violet-Patterned Alchemy Cauldron.

Seeing how understanding Patriarch Mu was, Eldrin naturally did not decline. After all, with a third-grade alchemy furnace, his confidence in refining the Qi Replenishing Return Pill would increase considerably.

The Mu family's actions were actually quite reasonable, for the Mu Immortal Clan would henceforth live under the Chen family's wing.

By building a good relationship today, the Chen family would consider them first when they had high-grade treasures to sell in the future.

To return to our story, after gathering all the supplementary herbs, Eldrin returned to the Spirit Lake Isle.

After returning to Spirit Lake Continent, he discovered that the old clan leader was in the process of rearranging the formation arrays for the entire region.

"Come give me a hand."

The old clan leader’s face broke into a faint smile at the sight of Eldrin’s return.

Eldrin stepped forward and discovered that the formation Chen Changxuan had rearranged was a third-tier Water Element Formation.

The array artifact was a third-tier magic blade, which happened to be Deng Yuanjie's third-tier magic treasure—a water-attribute third-tier magic treasure.

The 2 of them worked together for 3 full hours before finally completing the formation. The old clan leader smiled and said,

"With this Nenshui Heavenly Blade Demon-Slaying Formation, even 1 or 2 ordinary mid-to-late Zifu cultivators would struggle to breach Spirit Lake Isle's defenses."

"You can set up a third-tier formation, Elder Uncle. Your talent in formations is truly remarkable."

Eldrin also wore a smile. With the third-tier formation guarding it, the safety of Spirit Lake Isle would be greatly enhanced.

Without another word, he seized the moment to begin secluded cultivation, refining the Qi Replenishing Return Pill (Spiritual Object).

"This Violet Rune Alchemy Furnace truly lives up to its reputation as a third-grade cauldron."

Before commencing the alchemical process, Eldrin gently warmed the Violet-Patterned Alchemy Cauldron with his spiritual energy and couldn't help but marvel.

This Violet-Patterned Alchemy Furnace was engraved with several alchemy formations, capable of emitting the True Solar Flame—a superior-grade fire essential for refining elixirs.

This flame was specifically created for alchemy, capable of increasing the pill refinement success rate by several percentage points. It could be said to be vastly superior to the second-tier alchemy furnace Eldrin (Person Name) normally used.

"With this Violet-Patterned Alchemy Furnace, I am certain to successfully refine the Qi Replenishing Return Pill (Spiritual Object) this time."

With this thought in mind, Eldrin retrieved the Soul-Returning Ginseng and 20-9 supplementary herbs.

The difficulty of refining the Qi Replenishing Return Pill (Spiritual Object) was not particularly high, and in truth, he had considerable confidence in achieving success.

His innate comprehension was exceptionally profound. During the beast tide, he had assisted Lyra in refining multiple batches of third-grade pills, even aiding in the refinement of over 20 furnaces of Foundation Establishment Pills. His alchemy mastery had long since reached an extraordinarily profound level.

Now that he had broken through to the Violet Mansion realm, refining third-tier pills was simply like water flowing downhill—a natural progression.

The process of refining the medicinal liquid was not particularly difficult. Eldrin spent a dozen or so days fusing the supplementary herbs and the Ginseng of Returning to Origin into a cohesive mass of alchemical liquid.

After gently nurturing it with a low flame for a considerable time, he finally separated it into 4 portions of medicinal elixir.

"Now it all depends on how many pills can be successfully refined."

Eldrin gazed at the 4 drops of pill liquid before him, his brow furrowing with solemnity.

Refining the elixir liquid tests 1's cultivation base and spiritual power, while the pill condensation phase depends entirely on the mastery of spiritual energy and timing.

The moment had arrived for the core condensation phase. With a solemn expression, he intensified the True Fire before continuously channeling his spiritual energy to refine the elixir liquid.

"Pfft."

Suddenly, there was a soft pop as a drop of pill liquid burst and evaporated into a wisp of blue smoke.

Eldrin's eyes narrowed, realizing that with his current alchemy skills and mana, it was nearly impossible to simultaneously refine 4 pills.

At this thought, he once again abandoned 1 of the elixir liquids, focusing all his efforts entirely on the remaining 2.

Sure enough, no further surprises occurred this time. Moments later, 2 radiant elixirs gleaming with treasure light soared out of the alchemical furnace.

It is done.

Eldrin snatched the elixir in 1 swift motion, his face lighting up with delight.

This time, he not only succeeded in breaking through to the Purple Mansion, but also formed 2 pills at once, demonstrating how profoundly his alchemy skills had accumulated.

When he emerged from the seclusion chamber, he found the old clan leader had been waiting for quite some time.

The old man saw the delight on his face and knew he must have succeeded, yet still asked, "How did it go?"

"I have not failed in my mission."

Eldrin extended his palm, upon which a luminous treasure pill hovered and shimmered.

The Old Clan Leader spent 2 days in seclusion, and after refining the elixir, more than half of his injuries had healed.

Now he only needed to rest and recuperate. In about a month, when the medicinal efficacy had fully taken effect, his injuries would be completely healed.

After emerging from seclusion, the 2 flew directly to the Dark Iron Mountain (Location) mineral vein, discovering that this Dark Iron Mountain (Location) dojo had advanced to the upper second grade.

The old patriarch simply gathered everyone and convened a meeting at the Dark Iron Mountain (Location) dojo.

"Congratulations, Clan Leader, our sincerest congratulations."

"The Clan Leader has broken through to the Purple Mansion realm, and shall henceforth enjoy eternal blessings of immortality."

In the main hall of Dark Iron Mountain (Location), the family's 10 Foundation Establishment cultivators all wore smiles as they excitedly offered congratulations to the Old Patriarch seated at the head.

In just 1 short year, the Chen Family had produced 2 consecutive Eldrin Realm cultivators. This glory was enough to fill them all with overwhelming excitement.

It was foreseeable that starting today, the Chen Clan would officially become a Purple Mansion Immortal Family, stepping onto the grand stage of the Chu Kingdom henceforth.

"During my time in seclusion, you have all performed admirably."

"After we seized the Gengjin Earth Vein and the family produced 2 more Zi Palace cultivators, this calls for a grand celebration across our entire clan."

The old clan leader looked at the assembly, a warm smile gracing his weathered face. "Let it be thus," he declared. "Every cultivator of our clan shall receive 3 years' worth of stipends in celebration."

"Excellent." Eldrin also smiled. "I'll personally supplement your stipends for another year from my own coffers."

"Many thanks, Ancestral Elder."

Hearing this, everyone beamed with joy. The annual stipend for Foundation Establishment cultivators started at 300 spirit stones, and 4 years' worth would be enough for them to purchase several second-order spirit fruits.

Setting aside Eldrin and the Old Patriarch, both at the Violet Mansion realm, the clan’s annual stipend now even exceeded 7,000 spirit stones.

This time, the Chen family secured the Eldrin Earth Vein, and the 1-time acquisition of first and second-tier treasures alone was valued at 200,000 spirit stones.

The spirit ores produced by the first and second-tier mining veins in the coming years will generate an annual income of 7,000 spirit stones, so distributing a few years' worth of stipends as rewards is hardly significant.

After a joyous exchange that lasted quite a while, Kael finally spoke up, "Now that we have ascended to become a Violet Mansion Immortal Clan, should we hold a celebratory banquet?"

Eldrin exchanged a glance with the old clan leader, then spoke after a moment of contemplation.

"It is time to host a banquet for all the clans of Border Province."

"So it shall be."

The Old Clan Leader also nodded. Hosting a Violet Mansion Banquet was no small matter.

The Chen Family's ascension to a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan now qualified them to claim certain interests in the border provinces.

For instance, the Spirit Stone Mine in Bianzhou alone allows the Xu and Yang families to receive an allocation of 5,000 to 6,000 spirit stones annually. Additionally, the Xin Metal Vein beneath the Bianzhou Spirit Stone Mine generates several 1000 spirit stones in revenue for the 2 great families each year.

Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Immortal Venerable The sky tore asunder with a thunderous roar, purple lightning snaking through the clouds like angry serpents. Chu Xuan's body, charred and broken, fell from the ninth heavenly tribulation like a shooting star. His consciousness faded, the last thing he saw being the treacherous smile of his beloved junior sister, Bai Lian, and the cold blade of his sworn brother, Zhao Tianhong, piercing his dantian. "1 100 years had passed." Chu Xuan awoke to the scent of medicinal herbs and the faint sound of weeping. His vision cleared to reveal a dilapidated wooden hut, its walls lined with cracks that let in slivers of moonlight. A young girl in patched blue robes was grinding herbs by his bedside, her shoulders trembling with quiet sobs. "Xuan'er... you're awake?" The girl noticed his movement, her tear-streaked face lighting up with disbelief. Memories flooded Chu Xuan's mind - both his own as the Great Immortal Venerable who had dominated the cultivation world for 3 1000 years, and those of this 15-year-old youth whose body he now inhabited. Both shared the same name, both victims of betrayal. "Sister Yue," Chu Xuan rasped, recognizing the girl as his cousin Chu Yue, the only person who hadn't abandoned him after his spiritual roots were destroyed. "Don't move," she urged, pressing a warm bowl to his lips. "This is the last 100 Herb Soup. It cost us our final spirit stone..." Chu Xuan's eyes narrowed as he assessed his condition. The dantian was shattered, meridians blocked, and a lingering poison corroded his remaining spiritual energy. In his previous life, such injuries would have been trivial, but now... He noticed the faint spiritual energy within the herbal soup - barely enough to sustain a mortal's vitality. Yet as the liquid flowed down his throat, Chu Xuan's immortal soul instinctively activated the Heavenly Devouring Art (Supreme Technique). A vortex formed around him, drawing in the sparse spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The moon outside seemed to brighten momentarily as strands of essence converged toward the hut. Chu Xuan sat up straight, ignoring Chu Yue's astonished gasp. His fingers formed a series of seals as he guided the energy to repair his damaged meridians. The process was agonizing - like molten iron flowing through his veins - but he endured it with the fortitude of someone who had once weathered 9 heavenly tribulations. "Xuan'er, your face..." Chu Yue stammered. The pallor of death had receded from Chu Xuan's complexion, replaced by a healthy glow. More importantly, the faint traces of spiritual energy swirling around him confirmed what should have been impossible - a shattered dantian couldn't gather energy. "Merely clearing the meridians," Chu Xuan said calmly. Though far from his former power, he could now at least practice basic cultivation. Suddenly, the door burst open. 3 figures silhouetted against the moonlight, their leader sneering, "Chu Yue, today's the deadline! Where's your protection fee?" Chu Xuan recognized them immediately - lackeys of the outer sect steward, here to extort the vulnerable disciples. In his memories, these very men had beaten the previous Chu Xuan to the brink of death a week earlier. "Brother Hu, please, we have nothing left," Chu Yue pleaded, stepping protectively before the bed. "Xuan'er just woke up, I beg you..." "Then use yourself as payment!" The leader reached for her, but froze when his eyes met Chu Xuan's. Those were not the eyes of a defeated youth. They held the depth of starry skies and the sharpness of unsheathed swords - the eyes of someone who had looked down upon the world for millennia. "Scram," Chu Xuan said softly, yet the word carried an irresistible authority. Brother Hu stumbled backward, his face pale. But pride quickly overrode fear. "You worthless cripple! How dare you—" His words caught in his throat. Chu Xuan had appeared before him in a blur, finger lightly touching his forehead. "Ahhh!" Brother Hu screamed as his cultivation base crumbled, spiritual energy dissipating like smoke. "The Myriad Returns to Nothingness Finger (Secret Technique)..." 1 of the lackeys whispered in terror. "Impossible! That's at least a Foundation Building realm technique!" Chu Xuan's expression remained placid. Though he currently possessed less than 1-10-thousandth of his former power, dealing with these Qi Refining stage ants required but a fraction of his knowledge. "Tell your master," Chu Xuan's voice was calm yet carried overwhelming pressure, "that the Chu family residence is no place for his kind to trespass. Now, take this trash and leave." The 2 lackeys hastily carried their wailing leader away, stumbling over each other in their rush. Chu Yue stared at her cousin as if seeing him for the first time. "Xuan'er, when did you..." Chu Xuan turned to her, his gaze softening. "Sister Yue, thank you for your care these past months." He paused, looking toward the moonlit window where the silhouette of the Heavenly Pillar Peak (Sacred Land) pierced the clouds in the distance. "The heavens have given me a second chance. Those who betrayed me will learn what true despair means." A cold light flickered in his eyes - the look of a immortal venerable who had once dominated the cultivation world, now reborn.