Chapter 206 : A Precarious Conquest

"A pity about this Heavenly Python Lake [a vast lake said to be the domain of a powerful serpent spirit]."

"Although we have conquered it this time, we lack the means to garrison it."

As the group finished dividing the spoils with evident joy, Exquisite Jiang spoke with a tone of regret.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered, and a look of regret also crossed his features. While the Heavenly Python Lake sat upon a Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein [a ley line of considerable power, suitable for a mid-level cultivation sect] and even contained a fourth-rank Water Vein [a concentrated node of water-attributed spiritual energy], making it a place of abundant resources, its geographical position was exceedingly precarious.

With the Heavenly Python Lake at its center, to the northeast lay the territory of the Earth Lion Demon King [a powerful lion-like demon sovereign] from Earth Lion Ridge. To the southwest was the domain of Demonic Chariot Demon King [a demon king who commands a legion from a mobile fortress] from Demonic Chariot Mountain. To the north stretched the Great Kun River [a mighty river spanning millions of Li-lengths], a waterway two hundred thousand Li-lengths in length, within which several other Demon King [a title for a demonic entity equivalent to a Golden Core stage cultivator] held their own territories.

Furthermore, the nearest friendly stronghold to their rear, Heavenly Ruins Mountain [a mountain range containing ancient ruins and a human cultivation base], was a full four hundred thousand Li-lengths distant, making timely reinforcement difficult should trouble arise.

Had the Verdant Sun Sect [a major human cultivation sect] not lost Scorching Sun Mountain [a fiery mountain peak] during the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts], the situation might have been manageable. But now, with the Azure-Maned Lion Demon King [a lion demon king with a distinctive azure mane] entrenched at Scorching Sun Mountain, he posed a constant threat to Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Without Exquisite Jiang personally holding the line, and with Violet Consort Yan unable to permanently guard Exquisite Jiang's rear, Heavenly Ruins Mountain simply could not withstand an assault from a Golden Core Demon King [a demon king whose power is equivalent to a human Golden Core cultivator].

Under such circumstances, attempting to hold the isolated Heavenly Python Lake would be nothing short of courting death.

Thus, Exquisite Jiang had no choice but to abandon the Heavenly Python Lake. After thoroughly plundering the treasures within the lake, she would retreat and consolidate their defenses at Heavenly Ruins Mountain. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel.com (official site).

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen smiled and comforted, "This method allowed us to slay the Heavenly Python Demon King and severely cripple the Demon Race's strength. We can already count this as a great victory."

"As for the Heavenly Python Lake, once our cultivation deepens in the future and we produce one or two more Golden Core Cultivator, we will inevitably be able to claim it completely."

Exquisite Jiang nodded, a smile gracing her features as she said, "Focus on your cultivation. In time, you might be able to sweep up both the Heavenly Python Lake and the Earth Lion Ridge in one fell swoop."

The group spent several days gathering most of the treasures from the Heavenly Python Lake, then took to their flying swords and headed for Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Before departing, Eldrin Chen collected over a dozen Verdant Spirit Shell from the Positive Water Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein rich in positive water energy], intending to see if they could be bred back home.

These Verdant Spirit Shell were a unique product of the Heavenly Python Lake's Positive Water Earth Vein, born from absorbing Positive Water Aura [a refined spiritual essence of pure, positive water energy] and ambient spiritual energy. Both their flesh and the pearls they produced were exceptional treasures for cultivation.

However, for their population to truly flourish, a substantial amount of Positive Water Aura was still required, ideally from a genuine Positive Water Earth Vein.

Eldrin Chen reckoned that Spirit Isle Lake, spanning hundreds of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] and enveloped by a Third-order Spiritual Vein [a spiritual land vein of the third rank], had a relatively abundant supply of Positive Water Aura. Attempting to breed a small number there should be feasible.

"..."

Over twenty days later, the group returned to Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Upon arriving at Heavenly Ruins Mountain, Exquisite Jiang spoke, "This time, I must enter seclusion to attempt my breakthrough to the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one condenses their spiritual energy into a solid, golden core]. The matter of refining the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids cultivators in solidifying their foundation for the next realm] will have to be set aside for now."

"Come find me again after I emerge from seclusion."

Naturally, no one objected. Once Exquisite Jiang broke through to the Golden Core, her spiritual power would increase dramatically. Refining the Foundation Establishment Pill then would take significantly less time, and her success rate would also increase by ten to twenty percent.

After the others took their leave, Eldrin Chen remained. Gazing at the peerless beauty before him, a wave of heartfelt joy for her welled up within him. He couldn't help but ask, "How long will this breakthrough to the Golden Core likely take?"

"To complete this seclusion for Spiritual Root Completion [a profound process of perfecting one's innate spiritual foundation], I'm afraid it will still require three years of dedicated effort." Exquisite Jiang looked at the man dressed in snow-white robes, a gentle smile gracing her features as she spoke without concealment. "Once Spiritual Root Completion is achieved, breaking through to the Golden Core will be a matter of absolute certainty."

"Three years, then."

Eldrin Chen nodded. Then he added, "In that case, I will return to find you three years from now, just before you attempt your Golden Core breakthrough."

Exquisite Jiang looked at him, her bright eyes shining like celestial Stellar [stars; in cultivation contexts, often associated with stellar energies and profound destinies]. In the end, she did not press for further details.

She did not enter seclusion immediately. First, she went to bid farewell to Violet Consort Yan, then returned to her Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a cultivation abode built around a pool rich in spiritual energy]. There, she began her closed-door cultivation to complete the perfection of her own Spiritual Root [the innate conduit within a person that determines their aptitude for absorbing spiritual energy from the world].

For over two centuries, she had plotted and prepared for this moment of Spiritual Root Completion, to forge her Pure Lunar Great Encompassing Golden Core [a legendary, supreme-grade Golden Core imbued with the pure essence of the moon and vast, encompassing potential]. Now, with the final step to Spiritual Root Completion within reach, her anticipation was a palpable, urgent force.

Eldrin Chen did not immediately return to Green Chariot Mountain. He instructed the Old Patriarch to take back the Spirit Herbs [plants imbued with spiritual energy] that were still viable for transplantation, and to also bring the Spirit Shell [a spiritual object] back to Spirit Isle Lake. He himself proceeded to the Earthfire Alchemy Chamber [a specialized chamber for pill refining using geothermal fire].

This time, the Chen Clan had been allocated an immense quantity of resources, including many Spirit Herbs that were no longer viable. He decided to refine them into medicinal pills.

In the preceding days, he had refined Second Rank [a classification for cultivation resources and techniques] mid and low-grade pills, such as Spirit-Concentrating Pills [pills that help gather spiritual energy], Stasis-Dispersing Pills [pills that clear blockages in energy channels], and Barrier-Breaking Pills [pills that aid in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks].

Now, his cultivation base and alchemical skill far surpassed his past self. Coupled with the power of the Third Rank Superior Grade [a high classification for items] earthfire, he could refine a single cauldron of these low-grade pills each day, with a success rate reaching seventy to eighty percent.

He refined four cauldrons of Barrier-Breaking Pills in succession, yielding an astonishing thirty pills. The few Foundation Establishment Early Stage [the initial phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] cultivators within the Chen Clan would struggle to fully utilize so many, allowing a significant portion to be sold.

Fortunately, Barrier-Breaking Pills are precious pills for overcoming the bottleneck to Foundation Establishment Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Foundation Establishment realm]. Priced at one thousand five hundred Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] each, they are never hard to sell. Selling twenty of them could bring the family an income of thirty thousand Spirit Stones. This chapter is provided by audio-novel .c om. Support the original.

For a full half-month, Eldrin Chen refined over a dozen cauldrons of Second Rank mid and low-grade pills before finally beginning work on Second Rank High-Grade [a classification for cultivation resources and techniques] pills.

The Second Rank High-Grade pills he intended to refine were primarily of two types: Jade Marrow Pills [pills that nourish the marrow and bones] and Verdant Origin Pills [pills that aid in breaking through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment].

The Verdant Origin Pill is a pill for breaking through the bottleneck to Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the final phase of the Foundation Establishment realm]. Each pill is worth around three thousand Spirit Stones, nearly equivalent to the price of a high-grade Second Rank magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

With his Third Rank Lower Grade [a classification for cultivation realms and skills] alchemy skill, his success rate for refining this pill was already quite respectable. He spent ten days refining three cauldrons of Verdant Origin Pills.

The first cauldron of Verdant Origin Pill yielded four pills, the second cauldron yielded five, and the third cauldron, a stroke of exceptional fortune, produced six.

In total, fifteen Verdant Origin Pill were refined. The value of a Verdant Origin Mushroom is generally around five thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Factoring in the supplementary herbs, the cost for one cauldron of Verdant Origin Pill amounts to approximately eight thousand Spirit Stones.

Typically, producing three pills per cauldron ensures a profit. This time, Eldrin Chen averaged five pills per cauldron, meaning the cost per pill was a mere one thousand six hundred Spirit Stones.

The Jade Marrow Pill, on the other hand, is a Precious Pill [a high-grade pill that significantly enhances cultivation]. Consuming this pill can grant a cultivator twenty years' worth of cultivation progress.

These twenty years of progress do not represent actual cultivation over two decades; it is merely a standard measure based on an ordinary Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] cultivator's pace. In practical terms, it roughly allows a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to bring one layer of their cultivation to completion.

In the past, both Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch had taken the Jade Marrow Pill. After consuming it, Eldrin Chen immediately perfected his cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Third Layer, and the Old Patriarch also relied on this pill to swiftly break through to the Foundation Establishment 7th Tier.

Over the years, the early Foundation Establishment Elder [a senior member of a clan or sect] of the family, such as Lior Chen and Verdant Grace Chen, had already repaid the debt for their Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]. Furthermore, through the Beast Tide [a periodic onslaught of rampaging demonic beasts] and several major clan battles, they had accumulated a considerable amount of Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds].

Now, with the acquisition of this batch of Jade Marrow Pill and Verdant Origin Pill, their progress towards the Foundation Establishment Late Stage will likely accelerate by several decades. Continue reading this story at audio-novel[dot]com.