Chapter 184 : Forging the Mountain's Heart

The Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen did not linger there. They first went to Verdant Chariot Mountain, intending to set up a Third Rank Grand Formation there anew.

"Let's use the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword as the Formation Eye [the core artifact that anchors and powers a formation]," Eldrin Chen suggested, after assessing the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-element spiritual energy] of Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Old Patriarch shook his head, declining. "An Immortal Sword is precious and hard to come by. Using it to anchor a Formation [a structured arrangement of artifacts, runes, or energy channels to produce specific magical effects] feels like a waste."

"Then use my Separated Flame Heart-Piercing Needle," he offered.

The Third Rank Magical Treasure Separated Flame Heart-Piercing Needle was something Old Patriarch had acquired during the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts]. To establish this grand formation, he was willing to part with his own Third Rank Magical Treasure.

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly in thought. He had to admit Chen Thalion had a point.

Although the Separated Flame [a potent, purified flame essence] Heart-Piercing Needle was valuable, the clan had just seized Four Third-Rank Treasured Gold. At worst, they could simply forge a new Third Rank Immortal Sword for the Old Patriarch later.

Having reached a decision, the two of them proceeded to use the Separated Flame Heart-Piercing Needle as the core to lay down a Third Rank Slaughter Formation [a powerful offensive formation designed for mass destruction] upon Verdant Chariot Mountain.

The Separated Flame Heart-Piercing Needle possessed formidable offensive power, while Verdant Chariot Mountain, nurtured for three centuries, had formidable defenses. The two aspects would complement each other perfectly; any ordinary Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Purple Mansion, the third major realm] who dared to test it would likely suffer a nasty surprise.

After deploying the Formation at Verdant Chariot Mountain, only the Formation for Pingyang City remained to be established. The story continues at audio-novel .c om.

Pingyang City was merely a little over three thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Verdant Chariot Mountain, and the two of them flew there in less than One Shichen.

Upon arriving at Pingyang City, Old Patriarch surveyed the terrain. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke.

"What do you think about using Pingyang City as the primary Formation Eye and the Pingyang Six Towns as six secondary Formation Eye?"

"To set up a 'Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Dao Protection Grand Formation'."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with interest. He immediately soared into the sky to study the lay of the land.

After a long while, a look of pleasant surprise dawned on his face. After some calculations, he realized that once this formation was complete, the Formation would envelop Pingyang City and the surrounding hundreds of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of mountains and Ronan.

At that time, the entire Pingyang City and its six towns would be under the protection of the Formation, and the fertile plains spanning hundreds of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] within its inner perimeter would naturally be safeguarded as well.

Then, the mortals of Pingyang City could venture beyond the city walls, establishing villages and cultivating the rich soil within the hundreds of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] protected by the Formation on the fertile lands of the Great Wilderness.

Furthermore, as the grade of Pingyang City's Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth] increased, the power of this Formation would grow ever stronger. In theory, its limit could extend to cover the surrounding thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of territory.

After a long moment, Eldrin Chen descended and addressed Old Patriarch: "To establish this formation, the required alterations are actually quite extensive."

"First, we need to cultivate six Second Rank Low Grade Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth]. This alone will require approximately one hundred twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Secondly, the populations of the Six Towns must all be relocated to the positions of the Formation Eye [the core nodes that anchor and power a magical formation]."

Old Patriarch also nodded, his expression grave as he added, "Furthermore, we will require a Third Rank High Grade Formation Plate [a pre-inscribed disc used as the foundation for complex formations]."

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Eldrin Chen. Forging a Third Rank High Grade magical treasure requires superior-grade Third Rank Treasure Metal [a rare metal imbued with potent spiritual properties]. Within the Chen Clan, only the Western Pole Metallic Essence Sword Embryo [a nascent sword form forged from the purest metallic essence of the Western Pole] that Eldrin Chen had obtained met the necessary standard.

"The Formation Plate is not a significant issue; I happen to have a suitable piece on hand."

So saying, Eldrin Chen retrieved a Third Rank High Grade Formation Plate. This plate had been acquired by Eldrin Chen from within Mo the Daoist's Cultivation Cave [a secluded abode used for meditation and cultivation] and was a matched pair with the Great Metallic Immortal Sword.

Old Patriarch accepted the Formation Plate, his face lighting up with delight. "With this plate, it will indeed be sufficient for our needs."

Establishing the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Dao Protection Grand Formation [a grand formation that harnesses the power of seven stars to slay demons and protect the practitioner's path] would not be the work of a single day. For the time being, the two of them used this Formation Plate to set up a Third Rank Low Grade Defensive Formation.

Their plan was to wait until the six new Second Rank Low Grade Spirit Vein serving as the Formation Eye were fully cultivated and the relocation of the six towns was complete before making further arrangements.

With the Formation now in place, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before retrieving two magical treasures and handing them to Old Patriarch.

Of these two treasures, one was the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword, and the other was Duncan Deng's Defensive Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact designed primarily for protection].

Old Patriarch wished to decline, but Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "Since your breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian], the Ancient Bronze Pagoda has become somewhat of a redundant tool."

"With this Defensive Magical Treasure and the Glazed Diamond Barrier [a defensive technique that manifests a barrier as hard and radiant as glazed diamond], your defensive capabilities will rank among the very pinnacle for those in the Purple Palace, Early Stage."

Old Patriarch accepted the Defensive Magical Treasure, yet still refused the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword: "You have already relinquished the Xuluo Diamond Banner. To part with this sword as well would likely impair your combat prowess."

"It is of no consequence," Eldrin Chen replied with a faint smile. "I intend to forge a Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure intimately linked to its owner's life force and soul, growing in power with them] using the Magnetic Treasure Gold."

"After all, my cultivation is merely at the Purple Mansion First Layer. I already possess four Third Rank Magical Treasure [magical treasures of the third rank, corresponding to the Purple Mansion realm]—the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, the Great Metallic Immortal Sword, the Luofu Diamond Seal, and the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform."

"I plan to craft a magnetic treasure next, and my spiritual sense simply cannot command any more treasures effectively." For more chapters, visit *audio-novel.com* for the complete novel.

Only upon hearing this did Old Patriarch finally accept the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword.

With this sword in hand, once his Life-Bound Magical Treasure advanced in rank, Old Patriarch would possess three Third Rank Magical Treasure.

As for that Crimson-Gold Banner of the Three Treasures, its grade was rather unique. That set of Formation [a structured arrangement of energy, artifacts, or symbols to produce specific magical effects] contained three divine abilities, one more than both the Xuluo Diamond Banner and Xu Darius's Void-Refining Earth-Fortress Cauldron, granting it exceptionally formidable power.

Combined with the two divine abilities he had comprehended over many years, Old Patriarch could be said to be well-rounded in both offense and defense, possessing strength that could be considered quite formidable even among Purple Mansion, Early Stage cultivators.

After distributing the treasures, Eldrin Chen did not linger. He returned directly to Spirit Province Lake.

Ever since returning to Yu County, he had been constantly busy, rushing about for the sake of his breakthrough to the Purple Mansion realm and the Metallic Essence Vein. Several years had passed without a moment of leisure. Only today did he finally feel he could breathe a sigh of relief.

After returning to Spirit Province Lake, he deliberately rested for three days, clearing his mind and heart. He took the rare opportunity to leisurely appreciate the beautiful scenery.

It was the Grain Rain Season [a traditional Chinese solar term marking the period when spring rains are crucial for grain growth]. A fine, misty rain fell from the sky. Eldrin Chen sat within a pavilion, listening to the gentle patter of the rain, his gaze fixed on the peach blossom grove before him.

Over the years, the Spirit Peach Tree had borne many Spirit Peach [peaches infused with spiritual energy, beneficial for cultivation]. After harvesting the peaches, he would always scatter the pits across the island. Unconsciously, they had grown into a grove spanning several Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Now, the grove was in full bloom. Amidst the fine rain, a delicate fragrance wafted through the air, creating a scene of captivating and myriad beauties.

"The peach tree is young and elegant; its blossoms are bright and splendid."

Eldrin Chen lowered his gaze to the peach blossoms, listening to the sound of the rain and the fragrance, smelling the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers. A sense of profound tranquility settled in his heart.

Throughout the journey of these years, he had been decisive and fierce in battle against his foes, his hands stained with too much blood.

From the moment he stepped beyond the bounds of Verdant Chariot Mountain, his mind, in every spare moment, was consumed by relentless cultivation, driven by a deep-seated fear.

The existence of his Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a legendary spiritual root of unparalleled quality] left him with no sense of security; he lived in dread of the day it might bring unforeseen calamity upon his clan.

Sometimes, this fear invaded his dreams. He would dream of Chen Changqing, of Chen Dorian, of Riverius Chen. He would dream of powerful enemies descending overnight, all coveting the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root, and witness his clan's century-spanning legacy being utterly extinguished in a single day.

Each time he jolted awake from such nightmares, that obsessive dread would tighten around his heart like a vice. He channeled it, transforming it into fuel, driving himself to ever more arduous and unyielding practice.

On the path he had walked, he had slain too many foes at the Foundation Establishment realm, and even several at the Purple Mansion realm. Some weaker Purple Mansion Immortal Clan might spend centuries, mobilizing their entire clan to eliminate their enemies, yet their collective tally over generations might not surpass the number he had felled alone in these few decades. Original publication: audio~novel.com - The source of this chapter.