Chapter 182 : A Pill Forged in Alliance

Thus, he made another journey to the Mu Immortal Clan. When Declaring Brightness Mu saw Eldrin Chen, he realized the man had already broken through to the Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a violet palace within the dantian to house the nascent soul].

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

Not only that, upon learning Eldrin Chen intended to refine a Third-Rank Pill [a high-grade elixir suitable for Golden Core cultivators], he proactively lent out the sole Third Rank Lower Grade Magical Treasure [a treasure of corresponding power to a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator] in his clan's collection—the 'Purple Vein Pill Furnace' [an alchemical furnace enchanted with vein-like patterns that aid in pill refinement]—to Eldrin Chen.

Seeing the Mu Clan Patriarch being so accommodating, Eldrin Chen naturally did not refuse. After all, with a third-rank furnace, his confidence in refining the Energy-Restoring Origin Pill [a pill that restores a cultivator's foundational energy and vitality] would increase by a fair margin.

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

By fostering good relations now, in the future when the Chen Clan had high-grade treasures to sell, they would be more likely to consider the Mu Clan.

Returning to the main thread, after gathering the auxiliary herbs, Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Lake Isle.

Upon his return to Spirit Lake Isle, he found the Old Patriarch was in the midst of reconfiguring the Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols used to create magical effects, like barriers or gathering spiritual energy] for the entire island.

"Come and lend a hand,"

the Old Patriarch said, a smile touching his features as he saw Eldrin Chen return. Original English translation available at audio novel.com.

Eldrin Chen approached and discovered that the formation Eternal Profound Chen had rearranged was a third-rank Water Element Formation.

The formation's core artifact was a Third-Rank Dharma Blade. This dharma blade was none other than Origin Outstanding Deng's Third-Rank Magical Treasure, a water-attributed Third-Rank Magical Treasure.

Working together, the two spent three shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] to finally complete the setup of this Formation. The Old Patriarch said with a pleased smile.

"With this Positive Water Heavenly Blade Demon-Slaying Grand Formation in place, even one or two ordinary cultivators at the Middle and Late Violet Sanctum Realm would find it difficult to breach Spirit Lake Isle."

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

Eldrin Chen also smiled. 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 Energy-Restoring Origin Pill.

"This Purple Vein Pill Furnace truly lives up to its reputation as a third-rank alchemy furnace."

Before commencing the pill refinement, Eldrin Chen gently warmed the Purple Vein Pill Furnace with his spiritual energy and could not help but praise it.

The Purple Vein Pill Furnace was inscribed with several alchemical array patterns capable of producing a Pill Sun True Flame [a pure, high-temperature flame ideal for alchemy]. This alchemical fire was a superior-grade True Flame for pill refinement.

This flame was specifically created for alchemy, and when refining pills, it could increase the success rate by several percentage points. It could be said to be far superior to the Second Rank alchemy furnace Eldrin Chen normally used.

"With this Purple Vein Pill Furnace [an alchemical furnace that channels spiritual energy through purple meridian-like patterns], I will surely succeed in refining the Energy-Restoring Origin Pill [a pill that restores a cultivator's foundational life force and spiritual energy] this time."

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen took out the Origin-Returning Ginseng [a ginseng renowned for its potent life-restoring properties] and the twenty-nine supplementary herbs.

The difficulty of refining the Energy-Restoring Origin Pill was not excessively high; in truth, he had considerable confidence in his ability to succeed.

His innate comprehension was exceptionally high. Furthermore, during the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive onslaught of demonic beasts], he had assisted Exquisite Jiang in refining multiple batches of Third-Rank Pill [pills suitable for cultivators at the Violet Sanctum Realm and above]. He had even helped refine over twenty batches of the Foundation Establishment Pill [a crucial pill for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm]. His alchemical skill had long since reached a profoundly advanced level.

Now that he had broken through to the Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical palace within the dantian], refining a Third-Rank Pill was merely a natural progression, like water flowing downhill.

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

He then gently nurtured it with a low flame for three days, finally dividing it into four separate globules of pill liquid.

"Now, we shall see how many of these will successfully condense into finished pills."

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

The process of refining elixir liquid tests one's cultivation base and spiritual power, while the condensation phase examines one's control over spiritual power and timing.

Now that the condensation phase had arrived, his expression turned grave as he intensified the True Flame [a pure, high-temperature flame used for alchemy and forging], then continuously channeled his spiritual power to refine and condense the elixir liquid.

"Pfft."

Suddenly, with a soft sound, one of the elixir droplets ruptured and evaporated into a wisp of green smoke.

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed. He understood that with his current alchemy skill and spiritual power, attempting to refine four pills simultaneously was nearly impossible.

Thinking this, he abandoned another elixir droplet, focusing all his effort on the remaining two. Find this and other novels at audio-novel-dot-com.

As expected, no further mishaps occurred. Moments later, two radiant pills, shimmering with treasure light, flew out from the alchemical cauldron.

"Success."

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

Not only had he succeeded in refining the pills this time, but he had also produced two in a single batch—clear proof that his alchemical skill had accumulated considerable depth.

When he emerged from the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for isolated cultivation and meditation], he found the Old Patriarch had been waiting for quite some time.

The old man, seeing the look of joy on his face, understood the task must have been successful, yet still inquired, "How did it go?"

"The mission was accomplished without disgrace."

Eldrin Chen extended his palm, upon which a single, brilliantly glowing Precious Pill [a high-grade medicinal elixir] hovered and swirled.

"..."

The Old Patriarch secluded himself for two days to refine the pill. After its energies were fully absorbed, the majority of his injuries had healed.

All that remained was a period of quiet recuperation. In about a month's time, once the remaining medicinal efficacy had fully dissipated, his wounds would be completely cured.

After concluding their seclusion, the two flew directly to the Mystic Iron Mountain Vein. They discovered the Mystic Iron Mountain Path-Field [a spiritual field for cultivating resources] had already advanced to the Second Rank High-Grade [a specific tier within the cultivation resource grading system].

The Old Patriarch promptly gathered the clan members and convened a meeting right there at the Mystic Iron Mountain Path-Field.

"Congratulations, Clan Leader! Our felicitations to the Clan Leader!"

"With the Patriarch's breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified into a personal sanctum], he is destined to enjoy everlasting blessings and fortune."

Within the great hall of Mystic Iron Mountain [the Chen Clan's mountain stronghold], the clan's ten Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] cultivators all wore smiles, offering their excited congratulations to the Old Patriarch seated at the head of the assembly.

In the short span of a single year, the Chen Clan had produced two Violet Sanctum cultivators in succession. This glory was more than enough to fill them all with profound excitement.

It was clear to all that from this day forward, the Chen Clan would formally ascend to the status of a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan whose power is anchored by at least one Violet Sanctum realm cultivator], stepping onto the grand stage of Chu Nation.

"You have all performed admirably during my period of secluded cultivation,"

"First, we secured the Metallic Gold Earth Vein [a rich spiritual vein containing metallic and earth elemental energies], and now the clan has produced two more Violet Sanctum cultivators. The entire clan should celebrate together."

The Old Patriarch looked upon the assembly, a broad smile gracing his features. "Let it be done thus: every cultivator of the clan shall receive three years' worth of stipends as a celebratory reward."

"An excellent proposal," Eldrin Chen added with a laugh. "I shall contribute from my own resources to add another year's stipend for each of you."

"Our deepest thanks, Patriarch!"

Hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with smiles. The annual stipend for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their foundational cultivation base] started at three hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Four years' worth of such stipends would be enough for them to purchase several Second Rank [pertaining to the second major tier of cultivation resources] Spirit Fruit [fruits imbued with spiritual energy that aid cultivation].

Setting aside the two Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical inner sanctum] cultivators, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch, the clan's annual stipend expenditure now even exceeded seven thousand Spirit Stone.

This time, after the Chen Clan secured the Metallic Gold Earth Vein [a spiritual vein rich in metallic and earth-element energies], the one-time acquisition of Second Rank treasures alone was worth two hundred thousand Spirit Stone.

Furthermore, the spiritual ore produced annually by the Second Rank vein would bring in an additional seven thousand Spirit Stone. Therefore, distributing a few years' worth of stipends as a reward was hardly a significant matter.

After the group joyfully conversed for a good while, Kael Chen spoke up, "Now that we have ascended to become a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan recognized as having a Violet Sanctum realm cultivator, granting it higher status], should we not hold a celebratory banquet?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with the Old Patriarch, pondered for a moment, and then said.

"It is indeed time to host a feast for the various clans of the Border Province."

"It is only fitting,"

the Old Patriarch agreed with a nod. Hosting a Violet Sanctum banquet was no trivial affair.

The Chen Clan's promotion to a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan now qualified them to claim a share of the interests within the Border Province.

Take the Border Province Spirit Stone Mine [a major source of spiritual energy minerals], for example. The Xu and Yang Families [two prominent cultivation clans] receive an annual allocation of five to six thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy] from it. Moreover, the Acrid Metal Ore Vein [a vein of spiritually-charged, caustic metal ore] beneath the mine provides the two clans with several thousand more Spirit Stones in profit each year. Visit audio-novel dot com to enjoy the complete series.