Chapter 193 Family Iron Law

Though young in years, Chen Ethan dared to brave the risks of impacting the Foundation Establishment realm. This demonstrated his tremendous perseverance and extraordinary courage, making his future prospects all the more promising.

How could Eldrin not look upon someone with such courage to face life and death with special regard?

In comparison, although Caleb, Silas, and Kael from the family were considered outstanding in their own right, they still fell notably short when measured against Ethan Chen.

The remaining 7 Foundation Establishment cultivators, including Seraphina (Person Name), Nian Zhen, Nian Feng, and Xian Yu, had all achieved their breakthroughs through sheer fortune. With the exception of Chen Seraphina (Person Name), every 1 of them had ascended to Foundation Establishment by seizing the opportunity presented by the decisive victory during the beast tide uprising.

The potential of these individuals was merely at the level of ordinary Foundation Establishment, with mediocre aptitude and perseverance. Their dedication to cultivation paled in comparison to Lior and Chen Qingwan. Even with the family’s substantial investment, it was highly unlikely they would break through to the Violet Mansion realm.

In Eldrin's view, among the family's 13 Foundation Establishment cultivators, only Caleb, Silas, Kael who achieved Foundation Establishment through self-enlightenment, along with Lior and Chen Qingwan were truly worthy of dedicated cultivation.

Both Lior (Person Name) and Chen Qingwan possessed dual spiritual roots. Though they established their foundations slightly later than others, they cultivated with exceptional diligence and unwavering determination. When the clan later distributed treasures for breaking through to the Violet Mansion Realm, they would undoubtedly be the first 2 in line.

Now there was another Chen Ethan (Person Name) in the picture. This young man had managed to build his foundation on his own at such a tender age, clearly marking him as a nascent dantian seed with extraordinary courage and exceptional perseverance.

At this thought, Eldrin spoke.

"Ethan, your successful self-guided Foundation Establishment has set an exemplary model for the younger generation of our clan."

"Speak, what reward do you desire?"

Chen Ethan gazed at Eldrin, a flicker of admiration shining in his eyes.

He prostrated himself on the ground, his face filled with sincerity as he spoke, "Everything I, Ethan, have achieved today is entirely due to the nurturing and guidance of the family. How could I possibly ask for any reward?"

"Young man."

Eldrin chuckled and shook his head. What Chen Ethan said did hold truth – had it not been for meticulous cultivation, he could never have broken through to the 9th level of Qi Refining at such a tender age.

Because the vast majority of rogue cultivators, even those with dual spiritual roots, would only reach the ninth level of Foundation Establishment by their forties.

Though he said this, Eldrin believed a substantial reward was still necessary. Such cultivators were seeds destined for the Purple Mansion, their future potential truly limitless and worthy of the family’s full investment in nurturing them.

Eldrin pondered for a moment, deciding this was the perfect opportunity to reform the clan's training protocols. He addressed the assembly, saying,

"A self-established Foundation Building cultivator has at least a 30 to 40 percent chance of breaking through to the Violet Mansion. For a young self-established Foundation Building cultivator like this, the likelihood of future breakthrough could reach 50 percent—and that's without factoring in treasures like the 5 Elements Crystals."

Moreover, they have conserved the clan's precious Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) reserves. Therefore, we must encourage our clan's cultivators to build their foundations through self-enlightenment, and we should also prioritize nurturing those who achieve Foundation Establishment by their own means.

"For only such individuals stand a greater chance of breaking through to the Violet Mansion realm and even forming the Golden Core."

Eldrin spoke, his gaze sweeping over the assembly.

As he observed the varied expressions among the crowd, he tapped the table and spoke with unshakable calm.

"The family rules are due for a revision. Henceforth, any cultivator who achieves Foundation Establishment through their own efforts shall be rewarded with 10,000 family contribution points, and will receive double the standard stipend for Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the crowd shifted repeatedly.

Those capable of achieving Foundation Establishment through their own efforts were already heaven’s chosen. If they were granted a 1-time allocation of 10,000 spirit stones, their cultivation would undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds.

With double the stipend on top, not to mention a dual spiritual root like Chen Ethan, even someone with a triple spiritual root like Kael would see their cultivation speed increase dramatically, reaching the 9th level of Foundation Establishment before the age of 1 100.

A diligent cultivator like Chen Ethan, upon obtaining such resources, would likely soar to great heights, perhaps even following in Eldrin’s footsteps—qualifying to attempt a breakthrough to the Violet Mansion Realm as early as his sixties or seventies.

After all, Eldrin's spiritual roots were equivalent to a triple spiritual root, which was slightly inferior to a dual spiritual root. It was only with the aid of the spirit peaches that he had been able to advance by leaps and bounds all this way.

Before the crowd could even process this news, Eldrin spoke again.

"Furthermore, under equal circumstances, the family must prioritize supporting self-established Foundation Building cultivators in their pursuit of the Aurous Core breakthrough opportunity."

"This..."

Everyone's expression shifted slightly; they wished to speak, yet ultimately found no words to say.

Since self-established Foundation Building cultivators do not use the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), it essentially meant relinquishing the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) to the ordinary Foundation Building cultivators of the family.

Moreover, their chances of breaking through to the Violet Mansion increased by an additional 20 percent. Without relying on external aids, the success rate of a single breakthrough attempt to the Violet Mansion from the Foundation Establishment stage was merely 10 percent, yet those who achieved Self-Established Foundation possessed triple that probability.

With ample lifespan, 1 would have several more opportunities to attempt the breakthrough into the Purple Mansion, significantly increasing the probability of success.

From both an individual and a familial perspective, it was evident that prioritizing the cultivation of self-established Foundation Building cultivators represented the optimal choice.

After all, the clan's resources were finite. With the growing number of Foundation Establishment cultivators, it would be impossible to nurture every single 1 into a Purple Mansion expert in the future. Choices would inevitably have to be made.

To undertake Foundation Establishment on 1’s own is to risk 1’s life in taking this step—it is only right that they receive greater attention and nurturing.

Seeing that no 1 had anything further to say, Eldrin nodded and continued speaking.

This rule was inscribed into the clan regulations, and even recorded in the genealogical records, established as the family’s foremost ironclad law.

"Bear firmly in mind, this is the ironclad law of our family's heritage. Not even the clan leader of any generation may alter this rule."

Beside him, Lior (Person Name) picked up a brush and paper, adding this rule to the clan regulations.

None present today knew that this ironclad rule would become the most crucial cornerstone for the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) to establish its awe-inspiring prestige for millennia and flourish eternally.

No matter how dire the circumstances, the Chen clan always poured their entire strength into upholding this iron law. In the end, they produced generations of unparalleled prodigies, ascending step by step to become 1 of the most illustrious supreme immortal clans beneath the heavens.

The terror between life and death is profound; those who can build their foundation on their own are all individuals of extraordinary willpower. The finest among them can even subdue the physical suffering of the flesh, forcibly breaking through to the Violet Mansion without relying on external aids.

Eldrin had originally intended to motivate his clansmen with generous rewards and the opportunity to break through to the Violet Mansion realm ahead of others, while also alleviating the pressure on Foundation Establishment Pills. Unknowingly, however, this process honed their mental fortitude.

The abundant resources would allow them to touch the threshold of the Violet Mansion earlier. Once these self-established Foundation Building cultivators reached the Violet Mansion threshold, their lifespan would become far more ample compared to ordinary Foundation Building cultivators.

At that point, some would wonder: if 1 could establish their foundation independently, then why couldn't they break through to the Violet Mansion on their own?

When many people have an idea, many will act on it; and when many act on it, many will succeed.

Of course, these were all matters for later. At this moment, among the crowd, both Chen Ethan (Person Name) and Kael (Person Name) revealed hints of joy. Having achieved Foundation Establishment through their own efforts, they would receive a substantial amount of family merit points, and their future stipends would also see a significant increase.

Fortunately, the Chen Family's current earnings were substantial, and a reward of 20,000 spirit stones was but a trivial expense they could well afford.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled through the mountain peaks, carrying with it the scent of snow and decay. In a secluded valley shrouded in mist, a young man in tattered blue robes sat cross-legged on a moss-covered stone. His name was Lin Feng, and he was cultivating. His eyes were closed, his breathing steady and deep. Around him, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth swirled, drawn into his body like water being sucked into a vortex. He was practicing the Profound Heaven Art, a cultivation technique passed down through his family for generations. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his meridians. He gasped, his body trembling uncontrollably. The spiritual energy within him surged wildly, threatening to tear him apart from the inside. "It's happening again," he muttered through gritted teeth, his face pale. "The bottleneck at the seventh layer of the Foundation Establishment realm..." He had been stuck at this stage for over 3 years. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break through. The frustration was eating away at him, a constant companion in his solitary pursuit of power. Taking a deep breath, he reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a small jade bottle. Inside were 3 Foundation Establishment Pills, precious treasures that he had saved for years to acquire. Each 1 was worth over 5,000 spirit stones. "Just 1 pill should be enough," he thought, his hand trembling slightly. "If I can break through, it will all be worth it." He uncorked the bottle and swallowed 1 of the pills. A warm, potent energy immediately spread through his body, soothing his tormented meridians and guiding the chaotic spiritual energy back into order. Time seemed to stand still as he focused all his attention on guiding the energy, refining it, and compressing it within his dantian. The world around him faded away, leaving only the rhythmic flow of energy within. Hours passed. The moon rose, casting a silvery glow over the valley. Then, it happened. A powerful surge of energy erupted from his core, shattering the invisible barrier that had held him back for so long. His eyes snapped open, flashing with a brilliant light. He had broken through to the eighth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm! A wide grin spread across his face. The pain was gone, replaced by a feeling of immense power and vitality. He could feel the spiritual energy around him more clearly than ever before, as if he had been blind and could now see. He stood up, his body feeling lighter and stronger. He stretched his limbs, enjoying the newfound freedom. "It's time to test my new strength," he said to himself, his voice filled with excitement. He summoned the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. The ancient blade materialized in his hand, its surface glowing with a faint red light. He swung it through the air, and a crescent of fiery energy shot out, slicing through a nearby boulder as if it were butter. The boulder split in 2 with a loud crack, the cut surface glowing red-hot. "Not bad," he murmured, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Not bad at all." He knew that his journey was far from over. There were still countless realms to explore, countless techniques to master. But for now, he would celebrate this small victory. He looked up at the starry sky, his heart filled with determination. The path of cultivation was long and arduous, filled with countless dangers and challenges. But he was ready. He would climb to the very peak, no matter the cost. "Just you wait," he whispered to the heavens. "I, Lin Feng, will become an immortal."