Chapter 214 : The Spirit Clam's Hidden Power

"This Spirit Clam [a type of spiritual mollusk] is saturated with Flood Water Power [the profound power of the primordial flood waters]. To fully channel its potential, it would be best to have another fire-attribute Heaven and Earth Treasures [a rare treasure born from the convergence of heaven and earth energies]."

"A fire-attribute Heaven and Earth Treasures?"

The Old Patriarch furrowed his brow. For the time being, the clan possessed no pure Third Rank [the third major stage of cultivation, the Purple Mansion Realm] fire-attribute treasure.

The Violet-Infused Azure Gold [a rare metal ore imbued with violet and azure spiritual properties] within the Clan Treasury possessed the triple attributes of water, metal, and fire. However, its nature was too mixed. While it could serve as a primary material, using it as a supplementary component would be wasteful.

Lacking a suitable fire-attribute Heaven and Earth Treasures, Eldrin Chen frowned slightly before speaking. "In thirteen years, the Chu Kingdom Purple Mansion Barter Convention [a grand gathering where Purple Mansion cultivators from the Chu Kingdom trade rare goods] will be held. I plan to acquire some treasures then and will seek to purchase one at that time."

"It works out well, as jointly deducing the intricacies of this Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force and soul, growing in power with them] will also require a considerable span of time."

The Old Patriarch nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips. "That seems to be the only way forward."

Setting that topic aside for the moment, Eldrin Chen then recalled the pills he had brought back.

He first handed the Mysterious Jade Pill [a pill refined from mysterious jade, known for its potent effects] to the Old Patriarch to be stored in the Clan Treasury. Then, he took out several Purple Aura Pill [a pill that refines and purifies one's spiritual aura] and Spirit-Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and strengthens the cultivator's spirit] to share with the Old Patriarch. Finally, he produced the Dharma Essence Pill [a pill that directly augments a cultivator's foundational essence] and spoke.

"This Dharma Essence Pill can increase one's cultivation by thirty years' worth of accumulated effort." This chapter is part of a larger work available at www . audio-novel.com.

"We shall each take one of these pills. With them, our cultivation realms should advance by another stage."

Old Patriarch nodded, taking one Dharma Essence Pill [a potent elixir that refines and enhances a cultivator's foundational essence] and storing it away carefully. He did not intend to consume it immediately.

It had been over nine years since his breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian]. During that time, he had refined three Third Rank Spirit Peach [a high-grade spiritual fruit that grants a decade of cultivation progress], and each Spirit Peach [a spiritual fruit that accelerates cultivation] had increased his cultivation by ten years' worth of progress. His cultivation was now on the verge of breaking through to the Purple Mansion Second Layer [the second stage within the Purple Mansion realm].

He planned to wait until after that breakthrough to consume the pill, estimating he would then quickly approach the threshold of the Purple Mansion Third Layer [the third stage within the Purple Mansion realm].

Eldrin Chen consumed his pill the very next day. Without the Spirit Peach, it might have taken him fifty or sixty years to advance a single layer. Now, just a few days after taking the Dharma Essence Pill, he successfully broke through to the Purple Mansion Second Layer.

After reaching the Purple Mansion Second Layer, Eldrin Chen's life gradually settled back into its usual rhythm of tranquility.

In the days that followed, he divided his time between cultivation and collaborating with the Old Patriarch to deduce the method for refining a Lifebound Formation Tool [a formation apparatus that is soul-bound to its creator, offering superior control and power].

His workload was not heavy. The Old Patriarch was responsible for researching and experimenting with the Lifebound Formation Runes [the specific mystical runes that form the core of a lifebound formation] and various other formation patterns. Eldrin Chen's role was simply to provide inspiration and then verify and refine the Old Patriarch's results through his own deductions.

This task was not time-consuming, though it did require Eldrin Chen to travel to Pingyang City periodically. Fortunately, with the Crimson Blood Boat [a fast-flying magical vessel] at his disposal, the journey of six thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] took only about One Shichen [one Shichen-time equals two hours], which did not significantly disrupt his cultivation.

Six years passed in the blink of an eye. Eldrin Chen finally succeeded in mastering both the Yang Fire Divine Thunder [a divine ability that unleashes the pure, scorching thunder of yang fire] and the Jade Spirit Eye [a divine ability that grants enhanced spiritual perception and insight]. Meanwhile, the Old Patriarch had also cultivated his way to the Purple Mansion Third Layer.

After many years apart, the Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth] beneath Pingyang City had, without anyone noticing, ascended to the third rank.

Within the Spirit Pool Grand Hall, two figures sat facing each other, contemplating the ethereal formation runes shimmering before them.

"The method for forging this Lifebound Formation Tool [a magical artifact intrinsically linked to its creator's life force and cultivation] is missing only the final step," one of them said.

"A pity. We lack a divine ability that harmonizes the forces of water and fire."

The Old Patriarch shook his head. According to the Lifebound Formation Runes [the foundational magical patterns that define a lifebound artifact's nature] they had deduced, the forging method for this Lifebound Formation Tool should be imbued with the power of three distinct divine abilities.

Yet, the Chen Clan possessed no method to inscribe formation runes that fused water and fire. Thus, they could not fully unleash the Flood Water Power [the potent energy of primordial floodwaters] contained within the Spirit Clam pearl and the power of the fire-attribute Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare natural treasures born from the convergence of heaven and earth].

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking. "The Wei Immortal Clan of Heavenly Peak Mountain has sent an Invitation Letter. It states that Varen Wei has successfully broken through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual palace within the dantian], and they invite me to attend the celebration banquet."

"Varen Wei's Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact forged with and nourished by its owner's life essence] is named the 'Yin-Yang Treasure Vase'. The divine ability it contains, 'Yin-Yang Annihilation Vapor' [a vapor that erodes matter by balancing and then annihilating opposing Yin and Yang forces], is a first-rate area-of-effect technique. Its destructive power is rare among treasures of the same rank."

"After I arrive, I shall see if I can negotiate an exchange for that particular Life-Bound Magical Treasure."

"The forging method for a Life-Bound Magical Treasure is crucial to our clan's legacy. Moreover, Varen Wei himself cultivates the Yin-Yang Treasure Vase technique."

Old Granduncle furrowed his brows, still hesitating as he said, "I fear he may not agree."

"It is of no consequence," Eldrin Chen replied, unaccustomed to making absolute promises, yet he continued, "I have been close friends with Varen Wei for many years; there is some rapport between us."

A few days later, Eldrin Chen steered the Purple Blood Skiff out from Spirit Isle Lake, flying directly towards Heavenly Peak Mountain.

Heavenly Peak Mountain was a mere seven thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Dark Iron Mountain, and less than twenty thousand Li-length from Spirit Isle Lake. He arrived before the mountain in just a few Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours].

At this moment, Heavenly Peak Mountain bustled with activity. Cultivators of the Wei Immortal Clan all wore expressions of radiant pride, and many of the great Immortal Clans from Yang Province had gathered here.

He had just arrived within a hundred Li-length of the mountain when he saw a figure approaching to greet him, followed by a hearty, booming laugh. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel.com (official site).

"Brother Eldrin, I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival!"

The newcomer was indeed Varen Wei. He stepped forward, grasped Eldrin Chen's sleeve, and warmly ushered him inside.

"Come, come, let me introduce you to several fellow Daoists from Yang Province."

"Very well," Eldrin Chen acknowledged.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and followed, alighting upon Heavenly Peak Mountain.

At this moment, Heavenly Peak Mountain was already gathered with several dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] and three Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have opened the mystical Purple Mansion within their dantian].

Among them, Eldrin Chen recognized one person—the figure clad in violet robes, Percival Pan. The other two he was not familiar with, though he had likely heard their reputations.

Varen Wei took Eldrin Chen by the arm and promptly introduced him. "Fellow Daoist Pan here likely needs no introduction," he began.

"This esteemed lady is Qingxuan the Immortal Maiden [the Celestial Maiden of Clear Radiance], the Grand Elder of the Wang Immortal Clan [the Wang Clan, an immortal lineage], a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [an immortal clan possessing Purple Mansion realm cultivators] from Boyang County."

Eldrin Chen raised a brow slightly, observing that Qingxuan the Immortal Maiden possessed delicate, refined features and appeared to be merely in her late twenties.

This Wang Qingxuan possessed cultivation at the fifth layer of the Purple Mansion [the realm where one's spiritual consciousness resides in a mystical purple palace], and was said to be nearly three hundred years of age. Her youthful appearance was clearly a testament to her profound and potent spiritual power.

This was the common state for high-level cultivators. Those at the Purple Mansion realm and above had their physical bodies constantly tempered and nourished by their spiritual energy, causing their bodily strength to increasingly approach that of Demonic Beast [monstrous beasts that cultivate and wield demonic power] of equivalent rank.

Righteous Path Cultivator [cultivators who follow orthodox, benevolent paths] wielded pure and luminous spiritual energy. Upon reaching profound levels, their physical forms would also become increasingly flawless, with a strength that differed little from ordinary Demonic Tribe [tribes or factions of demonic cultivators or creatures] of the same tier.

As their physical bodies grew ever more powerful, cultivators would become virtually ageless, perpetually fixed in their prime. Only in the final decade or so of their lifespan, as their vital essence began to wane, would they start to age rapidly.

The final individual was a burly, imposing man. He was a Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] cultivator from the Yun Immortal Clan of Cloud Sun County, with a cultivation base at the Purple Mansion Third Layer.

After Varen Wei finished the introductions, the two newcomers promptly offered respectful salutes. Wang Qingxuan said with a gentle smile.

"We have long heard of the renowned Bianzhou Sword Immortal. Meeting you today, we see the reputation is truly well-deserved."

"You are too kind, Immortal Maiden."

Eldrin Chen offered a modest smile and replied with humility.

Although Varen Wei was the central figure of this gathering, Eldrin Chen still managed to command the spotlight.

After the battle at Celestial Python Lake, who in the cultivation world did not recognize the vast and brilliant future awaiting Eldrin Chen? Even Purple Mansion Late Stage Cultivators treated him as an equal.

Although the several individuals present were also Purple Mansion Cultivators, they could not help but feel a shade inferior when facing Eldrin Chen. For more chapters, visit audio-novel[dot]com for the complete novel.