Chapter 192 : The Divine Thunder's Covenant

However, the Divine Thunder Divine Ability [a powerful supernatural technique that harnesses the power of thunder] could only be transcribed onto a jade slip after one had successfully cultivated it. After some discussion among the group, this item was ultimately taken by Eldrin Chen, who possessed the highest comprehension aptitude.

In exchange, once Eldrin Chen mastered the technique, he would need to inscribe three copies of the Divine Ability Jade Slip [a jade slip used to record supernatural techniques and cultivation arts] and deliver them to the three great clans.

While this would make the First Wood Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique aligned with the Wood element] somewhat commonplace within the Border Province, divine thunder techniques, unlike cultivation arts, were notoriously difficult to counter specifically, so the widespread knowledge posed little significant threat.

Beyond that, there were also seven or eight Foundation Establishment Stage [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a solid spiritual foundation] cultivation manuals. Naturally, everyone present made copies of these valuable texts to supplement their respective Clan Treasury [a clan's repository for valuable resources, artifacts, and knowledge].

After distributing these resources, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "Our actions this time have undoubtedly offended the Verdant Sun Sect."

"Although the Verdant Sun Sect has lost much of its support and likely lacks the strength to retake Cangkun Mountain, as a precaution, it would be wise for us to station some personnel here to guard it."

The brows of the others furrowed slightly in thought. Path Abyss Xu nodded and proposed, "Let's do this. Each of our four clans will contribute several Foundation Establishment Cultivator [practitioners who have reached the Foundation Establishment realm]. We will also take turns dispatching a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator of the Violet Sanctum realm, the third major realm] to stand guard here."

Everyone present nodded in agreement. The Verdant Sun Sect was now overwhelmed with its own troubles. Many high-level cultivators already had their eyes fixed on Patriarch Xu, and the Immortal Clan [powerful, long-established clans with immortal heritage] of the Green Sun Two Provinces had also severed ties with them. They were truly beset by internal strife and external threats.

Even Exquisite Jiang and the Firmament Sword Sect [a renowned sword cultivation sect] were considering taking action. If not for Exquisite Jiang being preoccupied with mending her spiritual roots and attempting a Golden Core [the fourth major realm, where one condenses a golden spiritual core] breakthrough, she might have already moved to seize the interests of the Verdant Sun Sect.

After all, the Verdant Sun Sect had dominated the Three Prefectures Region within the Chu Nation for many years. The resources they controlled were enough to make even a Golden Core Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Golden Core realm] salivate with envy. For uninterrupted reading, go to audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Under such circumstances, the Verdant Sun Sect no longer possessed the capacity to interfere in the Border Province. This was precisely why the various factions dared to act, to pull out the nail that was Cangkun Mountain.

After deliberating their strategy, they ultimately decided that each family would dispatch three Foundation Establishment Cultivator on average. The Pan Clan, holding the smallest share, needed only to send two. The Xu Clan, with the greatest stake in the outcome, would contribute one additional cultivator.

As for the Violet Sanctum Cultivator who would command the main formation, the five great families would take turns providing someone to hold the position. The first to take up this duty would be Xavier Xu.

With a cultivator of the Violet Sanctum 6th Tier realm standing guard, even if the Verdant Sun Sect dispatched a Violet Sanctum Late Stage expert, they would find it exceedingly difficult to overcome him.

The Verdant Sun Sect had originally possessed three Violet Sanctum Late Stage cultivators. Among them, one had perished during the Beast Tide.

Of the remaining two, Patriarch Liu possessed the cultivation of the Violet Sanctum 9th Tier, yet his remaining lifespan was less than a decade. Furthermore, he was the sect's sole Third Rank Superior Grade alchemist. His passing would likely reduce the Verdant Sun Sect's supply of Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm] by thirty percent.

Eldrin Chen still remembered that the reason Verdant Origin Chen had failed his Foundation Establishment breakthrough and perished was precisely because a Foundation Establishment Pill refined by that Patriarch Liu had been tainted by Fire Fiend Power [a malevolent, corrupting energy associated with fire demons].

Thus, the only one within the Verdant Sun Sect currently capable of taking action was Patriarch Mo, a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum 8th Tier. This man was Patriarch Xu's right hand, deeply loyal to the sect, yet he was also pinned down in the Solar Province, guarding against incursions from the Demon Race.

The remaining Violet Sanctum cultivators of the Verdant Sun Sect were led by Double Sun Wei. Though his cultivation was at the Violet Sanctum 5th Tier, as the one managing the sect's affairs, his combat prowess likely could not match that of Xavier Xu, who wielded the Golden Fire Dragon Shears.

After their analysis, the group concluded that with Xavier Xu holding the fort at Cangkun Mountain, they would be untouchable—unless Patriarch Xu disregarded his injuries and personally intervened.

Due to his actions during the two Beast Tide [massive invasions by demonic beasts] and the century of misdeeds perpetrated by the Verdant Sun Sect, Patriarch Xu had thoroughly alienated the entire Chu Nation Cultivation World [the community of cultivators within the Chu Nation].

Now gravely wounded, the moment he left the safety of Green Sun Mountain, a multitude would surely seek his life.

His injuries were so severe that not even the Firmament Sword Sect needed to intervene. The dozen or so Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation clans led by Violet Sanctum realm experts] from the Three Provinces of Green Sun and Border alone harbored a deep-seated hatred for him, eagerly awaiting his emergence to surround and slay him in vengeance.

Furthermore, Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use sinister, often sacrificial methods] and the Demon Race coveted his Golden Core [the crystallized core of power formed by a Golden Core realm cultivator] flesh and blood, already salivating at the chance to butcher him for a bloody feast.

For the Human Race, with the next Beast Tide nearly a century away, losing such a despised Golden Core combatant would have little immediate impact on the Chu Nation.

Despised by humans, demons, and monstrous beings alike, Patriarch Xu could be said to have failed utterly at the very art of being a person.

"Henceforth, Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the Violet Sanctum realm] from each major clan shall take turns guarding the mountain in ten-year rotations,"

"Then it is settled. The first decade's duty shall fall to you, Fellow Daoist Xu."

Eldrin Chen declared. Having decided on the personnel for Cangkun Mountain, the group also finalized the allocation of manpower for the Border Province Spirit Stone Mine.

From now on, the Chen Clan would need to dispatch three Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have established their foundational cultivation base] to the Border Province Spirit Stone Mine, and in return, the clan would claim a twenty-five percent share of its profits.

After these matters were settled, the group did not depart immediately. Instead, they waited for a month at Cangkun Mountain. Only after confirming that Verdant Sun Sect still showed no sign of movement did they each return to their respective clans.

Upon returning to Yu County, the Old Patriarch headed for Pingyang City, while Eldrin Chen went back to Green Chariot Mountain. No sooner had he arrived home than he saw Lior Chen approaching, his face beaming with joy.

Seeing his broad smile, a flicker of understanding passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. He smiled and asked, "Uncle Lior, you look positively radiant. Has some other joyous event occurred?"

Lior Chen nodded, his smile widening. "Ethan has achieved Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one forms a stable spiritual foundation]."

"And he did so through Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [attaining the Foundation Establishment realm without relying on external aids like Foundation Establishment Pills]."

"Ethan has reached Foundation Establishment?" Experience the full epic at audio-novel`com.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted, revealing looks of pleasant surprise.

Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed thoughtfully upon hearing the news, his memory of Ethan Chen becoming clearer.

This Ethan Chen possessed dual Spiritual Roots [innate spiritual affinities] of Water and Fire, ranking him among the most outstanding talents of the clan's younger generation.

Since childhood, Ethan Chen had idolized Eldrin Chen and cultivated with relentless diligence. He had broken through to the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the peak of the first major cultivation realm] at the mere age of nineteen, and was now only twenty-four years old.

Originally, Lior Chen had even suggested purchasing a Foundation Establishment Pill for Ethan Chen. Unexpectedly, Ethan Chen declined this plan, applied for an Essence Gathering Pill on his own, and entered seclusion to attempt a breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment realm.

In recent years, because the clan's supply of Foundation Establishment Pill was not particularly scarce, almost no one in the clan attempted Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment. It was surprising that Ethan Chen not only dared to take the risk but also succeeded in one go, shattering the barrier to the Foundation Establishment realm.

After Lior Chen finished speaking, a flicker of astonishment also passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. Achieving Foundation Establishment at the mere age of twenty-four was a testament to remarkable talent and courage, earning his particular admiration.

"For promising juniors of the clan like Ethan, we must offer our full encouragement," Eldrin Chen stated, then stepped forward. "Summon Ethan to the Clan Affairs Hall. All of you should come as well for the year-end review."

"..."

Within the Clan Affairs Hall, Eldrin Chen observed the Ethan Chen before him, his gaze filled with appreciation.

Clad in a black robe, Ethan Chen possessed sharp, handsome features and a bearing that held a touch of the Extraordinary. However, his aura was not yet fully restrained, clearly indicating his cultivation had not yet completely solidified.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator at only twenty-four years of age, and one who had achieved Foundation Establishment through his own efforts—even among Golden Core Immortal Clan s, such an individual would be considered a top-tier prodigy.

Unlike Kael Chen, who had attempted Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment at forty-nine because he felt he could not wait for a Foundation Establishment Pill and had to risk everything. Join our community of readers at *audio-novel.com*.