Chapter 193 : A Clan's Forge of Future Legends

And though Ethan Chen was young, he dared to risk the perilous attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation]. This demonstrated immense willpower and courage, making his future prospects all the more promising to behold.

How could Eldrin Chen not view such a person, one who dared to face life and death head-on, with special regard?

In comparison, the three individuals within the clan—Caleb, Silas, and Kael Chen—though they were also outstanding, still fell short when measured against Ethan Chen.

As for the remaining seven who reached Foundation Establishment—Seraphina, Nianzhen, Nianfeng, Xianyu, and the others—they had succeeded largely due to fortunate circumstances. With the exception of Chen Seraphina, they had all seized the opportunity presented by the clan's great victory during the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts] to achieve their breakthrough.

The potential of these individuals was merely that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators. Their innate talent and willpower were unremarkable, and their dedication to cultivation could not match that of Lior Chen or Chen Elara. It was likely that even with the clan's full support, breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm [the third major stage, where one opens a spiritual palace within] would be exceedingly difficult for them.

In Eldrin Chen's view, among the clan's thirteen Foundation Establishment Cultivators, only a few were truly worthy of focused cultivation: Caleb and Silas, Kael who had achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a perilous method of breaking through without external aids], and then Lior Chen and Chen Elara.

Both Lior Chen and Chen Elara possessed Two Spiritual Roots [a superior innate affinity for two types of spiritual energy]. Though they had established their foundations a little later than some, they cultivated with exceptional diligence and possessed unwavering resolve. When the time came for the clan to distribute treasures to aid in breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm, they would undoubtedly be the first in line.

And now, there was another: Ethan Chen. For one so young to have succeeded in Self-Guided Foundation Establishment marked him as a person of extraordinary daring and formidable will—a true seed for the Purple Mansion Realm.

With these thoughts in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke.

"Ethan, your successful Self-Guided Foundation Establishment has set a fine example for the younger generation of our clan." Official source: audio-novel . com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"Speak, what reward do you desire?"

Ethan Chen gazed at Eldrin Chen, his eyes revealing a look of admiration.

He prostrated himself on the ground, his expression earnest as he said, "The fact that Ethan has reached this point today is entirely due to the clan's nurturing and cultivation. What further reward could I possibly need?"

"You rascal."

Eldrin Chen chuckled and shook his head. Ethan Chen's words held truth. Were it not for the clan's dedicated cultivation, he could not have broken through to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the ninth and penultimate stage of Qi Refinement] at such a young age.

For the vast majority of Rogue Cultivator [cultivators not affiliated with any major clan or sect], even those with Two Spiritual Roots [a high-grade spiritual root affinity for two elements], reaching the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer [the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm] would still take until their forties.

Though this was the case, Eldrin Chen felt a substantial reward was still necessary. Such cultivators were seeds for the Purple Mansion [the realm following Foundation Establishment, where one forms a spiritual core], their future potential immeasurable and worthy of the clan's full investment in their cultivation.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment, deciding this was an opportunity to revise the clan's cultivation protocols. He addressed the assembled group.

"Cultivators who achieve Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [breaking through to Foundation Establishment without the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill] have at least a thirty to forty percent chance of later breaking through to the Purple Mansion. For a young practitioner of Self-Guided Foundation Establishment like this, that chance in the future could reach fifty percent—and that's not even accounting for treasures like Five Elements Crystals [crystals containing pure elemental energies]."

"Moreover, they conserve the clan's precious Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare elixir that significantly increases the chance of a successful breakthrough to Foundation Establishment]. Therefore, we must encourage clan members to pursue Self-Guided Foundation Establishment, and we must focus our cultivation resources on those who succeed in doing so."

"Because only such individuals possess a significantly greater chance of breaking through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified into a radiant mansion] and even forming a Golden Core [the fourth major realm, where one's essence condenses into a radiant, seed-like core]."

Eldrin Chen stated, his gaze sweeping across the assembled elders.

Noting the varied expressions on their faces, he tapped the table lightly, his countenance serene as he continued.

"The clan's regulations must be revised. Henceforth, any cultivator who achieves Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [the rare and difficult method of advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm without external aids like elixirs] shall be rewarded with ten thousand Clan Merit Points [a points-based credit system within the Chen Clan used to exchange for resources], and their stipend shall be doubled compared to an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator in the second major realm, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified]."

Upon hearing this, the elders' expressions shifted repeatedly, a storm of thoughts visible in their eyes.

Those capable of Self-Guided Foundation Establishment were already prodigies favored by heaven. A one-time grant of ten thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] would undoubtedly cause their cultivation to soar.

Coupled with a doubled stipend, not only someone like Ethan Chen with his Two Spiritual Roots [a superior innate talent for cultivation, possessing affinity for two of the five elemental energies], but even someone like Kael Chen with his Three Spiritual Roots [a good innate talent for cultivation, possessing affinity for three of the five elemental energies] would see their cultivation speed increase dramatically, potentially reaching the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer [the ninth and penultimate stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm] before the age of one hundred.

A diligent cultivator like Ethan Chen, bolstered by such resources, might truly ascend like a phoenix. Perhaps he could emulate Eldrin Chen himself, becoming qualified to assault the Purple Mansion barrier in his sixties or seventies.

After all, Eldrin Chen's Spiritual Root [the innate channels within a person that determine their affinity for absorbing spiritual energy from the world] was only equivalent to Three Spiritual Roots, slightly inferior to Two Spiritual Roots. It was only with the aid of the Spirit Peach [a magical fruit that accelerates cultivation and extends lifespan] that he had been able to advance so rapidly.

Before the elders could fully digest this news, Eldrin Chen spoke again.

"Furthermore, under equal circumstances, the clan's opportunity for advancement to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] must be prioritized for those who achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a perilous method of establishing one's foundation without external aids, relying solely on personal will and talent]."

"This..."

The expressions of the assembled elders shifted slightly. They wished to voice an objection, yet ultimately found no words to speak.

This was because cultivators who achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment did not use a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that significantly increases the chance of successfully establishing one's cultivation foundation]. In essence, they yielded that precious pill to other, more ordinary clan members seeking the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, solidifying one's spiritual base] realm.

Moreover, their hope of breaking through to the Purple Mansion was greater by another twenty percent. For a typical Foundation Establishment cultivator relying solely on their own power, the chance of a single attempt to reach the Purple Mansion was a mere one in ten. For those of Self-Guided Foundation Establishment, that probability tripled.

If their lifespan was sufficient to allow multiple attempts at the Purple Mansion breakthrough, this gap in probability would widen even further. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel dot com.

Clearly, whether viewed from an individual's perspective or the clan's collective interest, focusing resources on nurturing those with Self-Guided Foundation Establishment was the optimal choice.

After all, the clan's resources were finite. As the number of Clan Foundation Establishment Cultivators grew, it would become impossible in the future to cultivate every single Foundation Establishment Cultivator into a Purple Mansion expert. Choices, and sacrifices, would have to be made.

Those who chose the path of Self-Guided Foundation Establishment risked their very lives to take that step. It was only fitting they receive greater attention and support in return.

Seeing that no one had further objections, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and continued speaking.

"This rule shall be inscribed into the clan regulations, and even into the Clan Genealogy [the official record of the clan's lineage and history], as the foremost ironclad law of our family."

"Remember, this is the unbreakable law of our clan's heritage. Not even a Clan Patriarch [the supreme leader of the clan] of any generation may alter this rule."

Beside him, Lior Chen took up brush and paper, formally adding this rule to the clan's codex.

None present that day could have known that this ironclad law would become the most crucial cornerstone upon which the Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen family of cultivators] would establish its awe-inspiring might for countless ages and achieve everlasting prosperity.

Even in the most desperate of times, the Chen Clan would strain every resource to uphold this law. In the end, it gave birth to generations of supreme prodigies, step by step elevating the clan to become one of the most glorious and peerless immortal lineages under heaven.

The terror that lies between life and death is profound. Those who can achieve Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm without external aids like pills] are all individuals of extraordinary willpower. The most exceptional among them can even subdue the Mortal Tribulation [the physical and spiritual trials faced during major breakthroughs] and forcefully break through to the Purple Mansion [the realm following Foundation Establishment] relying solely on their own strength.

Eldrin Chen's original intent was to motivate the clansmen with substantial rewards and the priority opportunity to attempt a Purple Mansion breakthrough, while also alleviating the pressure on the supply of Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in achieving the Foundation Establishment Realm]. Unknowingly, this policy also tempered their mental fortitude.

The bountiful resources from the rewards allowed them to reach the threshold of the Purple Mansion earlier. When those who achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment touched that threshold, their lifespan would also be more abundant compared to ordinary Foundation Establishment [cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm] cultivators.

At that point, some would begin to think: since they could achieve Self-Guided Foundation Establishment, why not attempt a self-guided breakthrough to the Purple Mansion as well?

As more people entertained the thought, more would attempt it. And as more attempted, the number who succeeded would grow.

Of course, these were matters for later. At this moment, among the gathered crowd, both Ethan Chen and Kael Chen revealed looks of delight. Both of them had achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a method of advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm without external aid, signifying superior talent and willpower], and would receive a substantial reward in Clan Merit Points [a points-based credit system within the clan used to exchange for resources]. Furthermore, their future stipends would also see a significant increase.

Fortunately, the Chen Clan's current revenues were substantial. A reward of twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] was, after all, an expenditure they could readily afford. Original English translation available at www . audio-novel.com.