Chapter 184 : Ancestral Treasures and Mountain Formations

The Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen did not linger there. They first went to Green Chariot Mountain [a mountain range imbued with spiritual energy], intending to re-establish a third-rank Formation [a complex array or defensive barrier powered by spiritual energy] upon it.

"Let us use the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword as the Formation Eye [the core artifact that anchors and powers a formation]," Eldrin Chen suggested, after examining the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] beneath Green Chariot Mountain.

The Old Patriarch shook his head, declining the offer. "An Immortal Sword [a powerful, sentient sword forged for immortal cultivators] is a rare and precious treasure. It would be a waste to use it merely to anchor a Formation."

"Use my Solar Fire Heart-Piercing Needle instead," he said.

The Solar Fire Heart-Piercing Needle was a Third-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] the Old Patriarch had acquired during the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts]. To establish this grand formation, he was willing to contribute his own treasured weapon.

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he considered this. He had to admit that Eternal Profound Chen's reasoning was sound.

Although the Solar Fire Heart-Piercing Needle was valuable, the clan had just seized four pieces of Third-Rank Precious Metal [a rare metal used in high-level artifact forging]. At worst, they could simply reforge a new third-rank Immortal Sword for the Old Patriarch later.

Their decision made, the two proceeded to use the Solar Fire Heart-Piercing Needle as the core to lay down a third-rank Slaughter [a type of offensive or killing formation] formation array upon Green Chariot Mountain.

The Solar Fire Heart-Piercing Needle possessed formidable offensive power, while Green Chariot Mountain, fortified over three centuries, had exceptional defensive capabilities. Together, they would form a lethal combination; even an ordinary Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, a major realm of power] would likely suffer a grievous defeat if they dared to attack.

After setting up the Formation for Green Chariot Mountain, only the Formation for Pingyang City remained. Access the full story on audio-novel.com (official site).

Pingyang City was merely a little over three thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Green Chariot Mountain. The two of them flew there in less than one Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours].

Upon arriving at Pingyang City, the Old Patriarch surveyed the terrain. After pondering for a long while, he finally spoke.

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

"To set up the 'Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Path-Guardian Grand Formation'."

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

After a long time, a look of pleasant surprise crossed his face. After some calculations, he realized that once this formation was complete, its power would envelop Pingyang City and the surrounding mountains and rivers for several hundred Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

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

Then, the common folk of Pingyang City could venture beyond the city walls. They could establish villages and cultivate the rich soil of the Great Wasteland across the hundreds of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] protected by the Formation.

Furthermore, as the grade of Pingyang City's Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] increased, the power of this Formation would grow ever stronger. In theory, its ultimate limit could extend to cover the surrounding land for a thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Eldrin Chen descended and spoke to the Old Patriarch: "To deploy this formation, the required alterations are actually quite extensive."

"First, we need to cultivate six Second Rank Low-Grade Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that naturally gathers and radiates spiritual energy]. This alone will likely require one hundred twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Secondly, all six towns must be relocated to the positions of the Formation Eye [the core nodes that anchor and power a magical formation]."

The Old Patriarch also nodded, his expression grave as he added, "And we will also need a Third Rank Superior Grade formation disk."

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Eldrin Chen. Crafting a Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure required top-quality Third-Rank Precious Metal [a rare metal imbued with spiritual properties, suitable for crafting high-grade artifacts]. Within the Chen Clan, only the Western Pole Metallic Gold Sword Embryo [a nascent sword spirit forged from rare metallic essence] obtained by Eldrin Chen met the necessary standard.

"The formation disk is not a major issue; I happen to have a suitable piece on hand."

Eldrin Chen said, producing a Third Rank Superior Grade formation disk. This disk had been acquired by Eldrin Chen from the abode of Path Master Mo and was a matched pair with the Great Geng Immortal Sword.

The Old Patriarch took the disk, a look of delight spreading across his face. "With this disk, it will indeed be sufficient for our needs."

Deploying the 'Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Path-Guardian Grand Formation' was not a task to be accomplished in a single day. For the time being, the two of them used this disk to establish a Third Rank Lower Grade defensive Formation [a structured arrangement that channels energy to produce magical effects, such as defense, attack, or concealment].

They would wait until the six new Second Rank Low-Grade Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that naturally gathers and radiates spiritual energy] were cultivated to serve as the Formation Eye [the core nodes that anchor and power a magical formation], and the relocation of the six towns was complete, before making further plans.

With the Formation [a structured arrangement that channels energy to produce magical effects] now in place, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before retrieving two magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] and handing them to the Old Patriarch.

These two treasures were the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword and a defensive magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] that had belonged to Origin Martial Deng.

When the Old Patriarch tried to decline, Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "After your breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm, where one forms a violet palace within the dantian], the Ancient Bronze Pagoda has become somewhat redundant."

"With this defensive treasure, combined with your Glazed Adamantine Barrier [a defensive technique that creates a barrier as hard as diamond], your defensive capabilities will rank among the very best within the Violet Sanctum Early Stage."

The Old Patriarch accepted the defensive treasure but still refused the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword. "You have already brought out the Vajra Banner of Suramgama. Taking this sword as well might hinder your combat prowess."

"It is of no consequence," Eldrin Chen replied with a faint smile. "I intend to forge a Lifebound Magical Treasure [a treasure cultivated and bound to one's life force, growing in power with the user] using the Magnetic Essence Gold."

"After all, my cultivation is only at the Violet Sanctum 1st Tier. I already possess four Third-Rank Magical Treasure Immortal Swords: the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, the Great Geng Immortal Sword, the Luofu Vajra Seal [a divine ability that manifests a powerful vajra seal], and the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a spiritual object in the form of a lotus throne imbued with positive water energy]."

"I plan to craft a magnetic treasure next, and I lack the spiritual sense to effectively command any more treasures." This novel is serialized on audio-novel.com. Visit for updates.

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

With this sword in hand, and once his Lifebound Magical Treasure advanced, the Old Patriarch would possess three Third-Rank Magical Treasures.

As for the Three Treasures Crimson Gold Flags, its grade was rather unique. That Formation [an array or formation art used for defense, attack, or cultivation] contained three divine abilities—one more than both the Vajra Banner of Suramgama and Path Abyss Xu's Void-Refining Bulwark Earth Cauldron—making its Force Extreme [a concept describing the pinnacle of power or force] exceptionally formidable.

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. His strength was considered quite formidable even among those at the Violet Sanctum Early Stage [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical inner sanctum].

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

Ever since returning to Yu County, his days had been filled with constant busyness. He had been rushing about for years, striving to break through to the Violet Sanctum and dealing with the Metallic Gold Ore Vein. Not a moment of leisure was to be found until this very day, when he finally felt he could breathe a sigh of relief.

Upon returning to Spirit Isle 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 season of Grain Rain. A fine, misty rain fell from the sky. Eldrin Chen sat within a pavilion, listening to the soft, pattering sound of the rain, his gaze fixed on the Peach Blossom Grove before him.

Over the years, the Spiritual Peach Tree [a tree that bears fruit infused with spiritual energy] had produced quite a number of Spiritual Peach [peaches imbued with spiritual energy, beneficial for cultivation]. Each time he harvested the peaches, he would scatter the pits across the island. Unnoticed, they had grown into a forest that now covered the Ten-Mile Peach Blossoms.

Now, the blossoms of the Ten-Mile Peach Blossoms were in full bloom. A delicate fragrance, carried on the fine rain, wafted through the air, creating a scene of captivating and myriad beauties.

"The peach tree is young and elegant; Brilliant are its flowers."

Eldrin Chen lowered his eyes to admire the peach blossoms. Listening to the rain, breathing in the mingled scents of damp earth and blooming flowers, a profound sense of peace settled in his heart.

Throughout the journey of these years, his approach to adversaries had been decisive and fierce, his hands stained with too much blood from Slaughter [a lethal combat technique].

From the moment he left Green Chariot Mountain, his mind, in every spare moment, was almost ceaselessly devoted to arduous cultivation, driven by a deep-seated fear.

The existence of his Worldly Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of supreme quality that attracts immense greed and danger] left him with no sense of security whatsoever. He lived in dread that one day it would bring unforeseen calamity upon his clan.

Sometimes this fear invaded his dreams. He would dream of Eternal Verdancy Chen, of Eternal Spread Chen, of Clear River Chen. He would dream of powerful enemies descending upon them in a single night, all for the sake of that Worldly Spiritual Root, witnessing the clan's century-spanning legacy utterly destroyed in a single dawn.

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 relentless drive, pushing himself to cultivate with ever-greater intensity.

On the path he had walked, he had slain countless Foundation Establishment cultivators, and even several Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical inner sanctum] experts. Some weaker Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarch has reached the Violet Sanctum realm], in their entire history spanning centuries of feuds and vengeance, might not have claimed as many lives as he alone had in these few decades. Your portal to cultivation novels: (audio-novel.com).