Chapter 180 : A Vein of Destiny Unearthed

"Three pieces of Metallic Gold Essence Crystal [a crystalline ore containing concentrated metallic and gold elemental energies], four pieces of Third-Rank Precious Metal [a high-grade metal ore suitable for crafting magical treasures]."

"This Metallic Gold Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual vein rich in metallic and gold energies] truly lives up to its reputation." The Old Patriarch gazed upon these treasures, unable to contain his excitement as he declared, "With this Metallic Gold Earth Vein, our Chen Clan is destined for a great resurgence."

Eldrin Chen also looked upon the several treasures before him with eyes full of pleasant surprise, a look of wild joy spreading across his face.

Among the seven Third-Rank treasures, the Metallic Gold Essence Crystal needs no further explanation. The remaining four pieces of Third-Rank Precious Metal were all precious Third-Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure [a classification for rare spiritual materials of significant power].

Those four precious metals were respectively Violet-Infused Azure Gold [a rare gold imbued with violet and azure energies], Venus Metallic Gold [a lustrous gold associated with the essence of the planet Venus], Positive Water Precious Metal [a metal infused with the purifying properties of yang water energy], and a piece of Formless Precious Metal [a rare, nearly invisible metal that conceals its spiritual presence].

These treasures were all of immense value. The Venus Metallic Gold and Positive Water Precious Metal were each worth around thirty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy].

As for the Violet-Infused Azure Gold, its value exceeded fifty thousand Spirit Stones. This material contained the attributes of metal, fire, and wood, making it an exceptionally rare and valuable precious metal, capable of forging mid-grade Third-Rank magical treasures.

The Formless Precious Metal was the rarest of all. This metal was transparent in color and internally inscribed with Breath-Concealing Path Patterns [arcane patterns that mask spiritual aura]. If one did not observe carefully, its presence could go entirely unnoticed. It was a superior material for forging the 'Formless Immortal Sword' [a legendary sword famed for its invisibility and stealth].

Legend had it that the Clan Patriarch of the Ji Clan, Hegemon of the Six Kingdoms lineage had used high-grade Formless Precious Metal as the primary material to forge a Fifth Rank [the fifth and a very high grade of spiritual item] Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power wielded by powerful immortals] named 'Sumeru Formless Sword' [the Formless Sword of Mount Sumeru], and had even relied on it to ambush and slay an Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic beast equivalent to the Infant Soul cultivation stage].

Although the grade of this piece of Formless Precious Metal before them was not high, if it were forged into a Third-Rank Immortal Sword, it would become a deadly trump card. Even a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the late stage of the Violet Sanctum realm] might fall victim to its hidden strike. Continue reading this story at audio-novel dot com.

"Old Granduncle, your breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within their dantian] is now within reach."

Eldrin Chen took the Metallic Gold Essence Crystal [a rare crystalline ore imbued with potent metallic and earth spiritual energies] and handed it to the Old Patriarch.

The Old Patriarch accepted it with visible emotion. He had originally estimated a fifty to sixty percent chance of successfully assaulting the Violet Sanctum. Now, with the Metallic Gold Essence Crystal in hand, his confidence soared to seventy or eighty percent.

"..."

After securing the treasure nurtured within the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-element spiritual energy] spring, the two did not depart immediately. Instead, they remained within the Earth Vein for another three days.

Three days later, the members of the Chen Clan finished cataloging the resources within the Earth Vein. They all gathered at the heart of the Earth Vein to convene a council.

Lior Chen, looking at Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch seated at the head of the gathering, presented a ledger with a broad smile. "We have completed the inventory of the resources within the Earth Vein. This is the account book we compiled."

"The resources from the Earth Vein have been fully tallied. This is the ledger we have prepared."

"Excellent."

The Old Patriarch took the ledger, glanced over it, and then passed it to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen perused the account ledger, a flicker of delight appearing in his eyes.

The spoils from this raid were exceptionally rich. The most precious was naturally that pool of Sword Cleansing Pool [a mystical pool whose waters can purify and enhance spiritual weapons]. The spiritual liquid within the Sword Cleansing Pool had accumulated over many years, representing the most refined essence of the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy], its value nearly incalculable.

Next in value were three Metallic Gold Essence Crystal [a crystalized form of pure metallic gold spiritual essence] and four pieces of Third-Rank Precious Metal [a high-grade spiritual metal]. These were treasures accumulated over many years within the Metallic Gold Earth Vein [an earth vein rich in metallic gold spiritual essence], enough to significantly bolster the foundation of the Chen Clan.

With this harvest, Future would provide the clan's cultivators with several additional opportunities to attempt a breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a violet-colored spiritual core]. Perhaps it could help the family gain one or two more Violet Sanctum cultivators. It could also serve as cultivation resources for Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch after their own breakthroughs into the Violet Sanctum.

Furthermore, after the treasures nurtured within the spring of the Metallic Gold Earth Vein were taken, Future would eventually give birth to new Metallic Gold Essence Crystal and pieces of Third-Rank Precious Metal.

Among them, a Metallic Gold Essence Crystal would be nurtured every sixty years. Once formed, even if no suitable cultivator was immediately available to use it, it could be traded at the Violet Sanctum Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators of the Violet Sanctum realm to exchange rare resources] with other Violet Sanctum Cultivator for treasures like Solar Fire Crystal [a crystal imbued with the essence of solar flame].

As for the Third-Rank Precious Metal, a piece would be nurtured every thirty to forty years. Accumulated over the long years, this too would build a not insignificant foundation for the clan.

Beyond the third-rank treasures, the ore veins within the Earth Vein, continuously tempered by the Essence of Metallic Gold [the fundamental spiritual energy of metallic gold], had accumulated a considerable amount of rare spiritual materials.

The group scoured the resources within the Earth Vein and found over one hundred portions of various Second Rank Precious Metal [spiritual metals of the second rank]. This alone was worth more than one hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

There were seven First-Rank Spirit Ore Vein [veins producing first-rank spiritual ores], each with substantial output. The annual yield from these veins was enough to forge over one hundred first-rank magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

There are also two Second Rank ore veins: one is the Second Rank Venus Metallic Gold Ore Vein, and the other is a Blue-Veined Mystic Steel Ore Vein.

Both of these are micro-scale veins, each capable of producing roughly three portions of heavenly materials and earthly treasures annually, sufficient to forge three Second Rank Magical Artifacts.

After reviewing the information, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "With these seven First-Rank Spirit Ore Veins and the two Second Rank ore veins, we can essentially monopolize the market for low-grade, metal-attributed magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] in the Border Province."

Hearing this, everyone present also broke into smiles.

First-rank magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] have a relatively short lifespan, typically not exceeding one Sixty-Year Cycle before they deteriorate.

Second Rank Magical Artifacts enjoy a considerably longer service life, but after one or two centuries of use, their formation patterns and material composition will also show significant wear, potentially reducing their potency to a quasi-Second Rank level. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel.com.

This is under normal circumstances without frequent combat. If a cultivator engages in frequent magical duels, it will accelerate the degradation of their treasures, as combat inevitably causes damage to magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

During the recent assault on the Metallic Gold Earth Vein, several Second Rank treasures belonging to the clan's Foundation Establishment Elders [senior members of an organization] were destroyed by the Violet Sanctum Demon Spirit [malevolent spiritual entities], with many others suffering severe damage.

During the Beast Tide [a massive invasion of demonic beasts] a few years prior, the low-grade magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] of the cultivators in Yu County suffered a loss rate exceeding thirty to forty percent.

Third-Rank Magical Treasures possess a far more enduring lifespan. Such treasures typically last for centuries at a minimum, and if their materials can withstand the test of time, their longevity can be even greater.

Take the Great Geng Immortal Sword for example. This sword is of the Third Rank Superior Grade and is forged from exceptionally resilient, high-quality Third-Rank Precious Metals [rare metals imbued with spiritual properties]. Even after being stored for a thousand years, its power remains undiminished.

If carefully nurtured and maintained, this Immortal Sword would have a remaining lifespan of at least three to five hundred years. By that time, a portion of its Third-Rank Precious Metals could even be smelted out for reuse.

This is why the trade in low-grade magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] is the most profitable—demand is immense. With these nine mineral veins now in hand, not only can the clan nurture some formidable artifact-smiths, but it can also reap substantial profits.

According to Lior Chen's estimates, the precious metals extracted annually from these veins alone, once refined into magical treasures, would bring the Chen Clan a significant profit. Extraordinary Chen calculated that this could earn the clan seven thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] each year.

Furthermore, the allure of these Second Rank and Third-Rank Precious Metals will undoubtedly draw a great number of cultivators to the Sunward Market. Consequently, the share of market taxes allocated to the Chen Clan will see a significant increase.

"This harvest is indeed substantial,"

remarked the Old Patriarch, stroking his long beard with a smile. "In a few days, I will enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum [a major cultivation realm representing a fortified spiritual core]."

"After my breakthrough, I will personally oversee the re-establishment of the grand protective formations at the Mystic Iron Mountain and at several of our clan's Spiritual Veins [natural conduits of concentrated spiritual energy]."

"The grade of the Spiritual Vein beneath the Mystic Iron Mountain needs to be elevated. These treasures we've acquired are perfect for trading for more Spirit Stones, allowing us to further accumulate our reserves."

Everyone present nodded in agreement. The clan's status and potential had transformed entirely since achieving a Violet Sanctum cultivator.

Pingyang City [a major city under the Chen Clan's control], Green Chariot Mountain [a mountain range rich in spiritual energy], and even Spirit Isle Lake [a lake containing spiritual islands], along with the Mystic Iron Mountain [a mountain rich in Mystic Iron ore] where the Metallic Gold Earth Vein [a rare earth vein producing Metallic Gold] is located—all are vital lifelines of the clan. Each requires the protection of a Third Rank Formation [a powerful defensive magical array] to safeguard them.

This is especially true for Pingyang City. Upon the Chen Clan's ascension to a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan with cultivators at the Violet Sanctum realm], its mortal population is projected to swell to three million souls. Such growth will inevitably draw the covetous gaze of Demonic Cultivators [cultivators who use malevolent, forbidden arts] of the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation] and beyond. Only the combined might of a Third Rank Formation and the vigilant presence of Violet Sanctum Cultivators [powerful cultivators at the Violet Sanctum realm] can guarantee the city's security. Continue your cultivation journey at @udio-novel.com.