Chapter 215 : A Clan's Debt of Life

The banquet lasted for several Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], continuing until both hosts and guests were thoroughly satisfied before finally concluding.

Varen Wei was in excellent spirits. He had met with the representatives of the two major Immortal Clans [powerful cultivation families] who held authority at the Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm] level to allocate the resources of Solar Province. From now on, the annual income of the Wei Immortal Clan would increase by half.

After the banquet concluded, Varen Wei and Eldrin Chen went alone to a private cultivation chamber. There, Varen Wei's expression turned solemn as he prostrated himself fully upon the ground in a formal bow.

"Elder Brother, please rise quickly,"

Seeing this sudden and profound gesture, Eldrin Chen hurriedly reached out to support his arms. "This is absolutely unnecessary," he insisted.

"Do not stop me,"

Varen Wei shook his head, his face etched with sincerity. "Had you not sought out the Spirit Apricot [a rare spiritual fruit that can extend lifespan] for me, my lifespan would have long been exhausted, and I would have met my end. The Spiritual Vein [a geological formation that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] of the Wei Immortal Clan would have been carved up by the other great Immortal Clans."

"This bow is not just from me. It is offered on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of mortals and cultivators of the entire Wei Immortal Clan."

"This..."

Hearing these words, Eldrin Chen offered no further protest. He accepted the bow with quiet dignity. Support the author by reading on http://www . audio-novel.com.

Varen Wei knelt upon the ground, performing three successive bows. The first bow was for the mortal members of the Wei Clan. The second bow was for the nearly one thousand cultivators of the Wei Clan. The third bow was for himself.

After these three bows, Eldrin Chen helped him to his feet, his expression turning solemn. "My visit here today is also to ask a favor of you," he stated.

"Between you and me, why use the word 'ask'?" Varen Wei shook his head immediately. "Please, tell me what it is."

Eldrin Chen nodded and spoke plainly. "I have come to exchange for the refinement method of the Lifebound Magical Treasure known as the Polarity Treasure Vase."

"My Chen Clan possesses several third-rank treasures. You may select one."

Varen Wei was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure.

He grasped Eldrin Chen's hand, his face etched with sincerity. "Back in the days of the Yan Kingdom, I vowed that if the Chen Clan ever had need, I would spare no effort to assist."

"That was not an empty promise. Take the refinement method for the Polarity Treasure Vase. Let us not speak of an exchange."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen did not insist. Relationships between friends are sustained through mutual support and reciprocity.

The exchange of favors is essential. If one constantly fears incurring Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect] and insists on settling every debt, the relationship will inevitably remain shallow.

Among cultivators, if the bond between long-time confidants is deep enough, it is not uncommon to lend one's own Lifebound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's personally forged and soul-bound artifact] to aid a friend in overcoming a tribulation. If everyone feared being entangled by Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences], how could such a treasure, so vital to one's very life and cultivation, ever be entrusted to another?

Eldrin Chen had never feared the entanglements of Karma. He faced all strands of Karma and emotion with unwavering composure, confident that even if Karma did arise, he possessed the strength and wisdom to resolve it.

Having received the method for forging the Polarity Treasure Vase [a mystical vessel capable of harmonizing opposing elemental forces], Eldrin Chen silently etched this debt of friendship into his heart. Should the day come when he could offer aid, he would not forget this old and trusted friend.

“...”

Departing from Tian'e Mountain, Eldrin Chen returned to Pingyang City.

Upon seeing the forging method for the Polarity Treasure Vase, the Old Patriarch could not help but exclaim in astonishment.

“The method for crafting a Lifebound Magical Treasure is a matter of utmost secrecy. Revealing it could potentially allow others to discover its weaknesses.”

“For Varen Wei to be willing to exchange even this knowledge with you... the bond between you must be one of the deepest friendship.”

“It was not an exchange,” Eldrin Chen shook his head, his tone calm and direct. “He gifted it to me.”

The Old Patriarch fell silent for a long moment, his expression grave as he gazed at the scroll in his hand. “You have not misjudged your friend.”

"Mm." Eldrin Chen nodded, his tone calm as he said, "His character is commendable, a friend worth cultivating."

With the crafting method for the Polarity Treasure Vase [a powerful enchanted vessel] now in hand, the final step of their deduction was at last successfully completed.

The two of them extracted the relevant formation patterns from the Polarity Annihilation Vase Energy [the destructive energy technique of the Polarity Vase] and integrated them into the Formation Artifact [a set of artifacts designed to work together as a formation]. This finally allowed them to successfully deduce the complete crafting method for this set of treasures.

"It is done."

Gazing upon the successfully deduced crafting method for the Lifebound Formation Artifact [a formation artifact that bonds with its user's life force], a smile finally touched Eldrin Chen's lips.

This treasure was to be forged by combining Venus Metallic Gold, the Positive Water Spirit Pearl [a pearl imbued with pure, yang-aligned water energy], and Solar Fire Spirit Liquid [a liquid essence of solar flame]. These would then be fused with three types of Five Elements Essence [refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]: Metallic Gold, Solar Fire, and Positive Water. The final product would be a set of seven treasure orbs. Continue your cultivation journey at audio–novel.com.

According to the deduced method, once forged, these treasures would converge to form a single Formation [a structured array that channels and amplifies power], capable of unleashing three distinct divine abilities.

When the first layer of the Formation was activated, it would release the divine ability 'Polarity Metallic Gold Sword Energy' [a sword energy technique of extreme metallic sharpness]. This formation pattern was adapted from an array recorded within the Qian Yuan Formation Canon [a classic text on formation arts], making it a first-rate Slaughter [a classification for offensive techniques of lethal intent] divine ability.

Activating the second layer of the Formation would unleash the 'Polarity Annihilation Vase Energy' [the annihilating energy of the Polarity Vase]. This technique's destructive power was peerless, ranking among the most supreme area-of-effect attacks.

The final layer of formation Path Principles [the fundamental laws and concepts that govern a cultivation path] was defensive. Its activation would generate a protective divine ability from the Art of Divine Subjugation [a cultivation art focused on subduing forces], named 'Venus True Aura' [a protective aura of metallic essence]. The defensive prowess of this ability was also exceptionally formidable.

With the cultivation level of the Old Patriarch [the venerable leader of the Chen Clan], once this Lifebound Formation Artifact [a magical treasure that forms a lifebound connection with its user and can be deployed as a formation] is forged, he should be capable of contending with foes a full realm above his own.

The Old Patriarch recorded the forging method with evident delight, a smile gracing his features as he spoke.

"This Lifebound Formation Artifact harnesses the power of Polarity [the fundamental forces of yin and yang, or opposing cosmic energies] and is forged from Venus Metallic Gold [a rare, lustrous metal associated with the essence of the Venus star]. Let it be named the 'Venus Stellar Pearl' [a pearl-like treasure imbued with stellar and metallic energies]. When seven are combined, they form the 'Venus Seven Stars Formation' [a powerful formation based on the alignment of seven such pearls]."

"With the 'Venus Stellar Pearl' design finalized, we now await the Barter Convention [a large-scale gathering where cultivators trade resources] to see if we can procure the Solar Fire Spirit Liquid [a third-rank spiritual liquid born from underground fire veins, containing concentrated solar and flame essence].

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. "I shall visit Heavenly Ruins Mountain [the mountain domain of Patriarch Jiang] later to inquire if she happens to possess any Solar Fire Spirit Liquid."

The Solar Fire Spirit Liquid is a third-rank treasure born within Underground Fire Vein [subterranean channels of concentrated fire-attribute spiritual energy], ranking among the more commonly found treasures of its tier; such veins typically give birth to it.

This substance is not excessively costly, with one portion priced around eight thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. However, to correspond with the Shell Pearl [a spiritual pearl often used in alchemy or artifact forging], a significant quantity is required—a full seven portions of the spiritual liquid at once.

"Heavenly Ruins Mountain... although your relationship with Patriarch Jiang is..."

The Old Patriarch hesitated slightly before continuing, "Given that Patriarch Jiang is currently striving to elevate her magical treasure, her reserves of Spirit Stone are likely strained."

"Here is what we shall do. Withdraw a sum from the Clan Treasury [the central repository of the Chen Clan's wealth and resources] and take it with you. We must not accept her goods without fair compensation."

"Old Granduncle."

Eldrin Chen could not help but laugh and cry at the same time, and could only say, "I understand."

Departing from Pingyang City, he went directly to Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Having not seen her for some time, he found himself missing her.

After finding Exquisite Jiang, he discovered that Heavenly Ruins Mountain had only one portion of Solar Fire Spirit Liquid [a rare spiritual liquid refined from the essence of the sun and fire] left.

Previously, Heavenly Ruins Mountain had accumulated quite a stock, but after the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive surge of demonic beasts] and the Battle of Heavenly Python Lake, all that Solar Fire Spirit Liquid had been used up in alchemy and artifact forging. The reserves of Heavenly Ruins Mountain, and indeed the entire Border Province, were completely exhausted.

With no other choice, Eldrin Chen reluctantly purchased that single remaining portion of Solar Fire Spirit Liquid.

He stayed at Heavenly Ruins Mountain for three days before returning to Yu County, and life settled back into its usual peaceful rhythm.

"..."

Time flowed by like rushing water, and in the blink of an eye, another six years had passed.

On this day, Eldrin Chen refined the ninth wisp of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme, primordial energy of creation and chaos], only then realizing he had already passed his eightieth year.

"Time flows with such swiftness," he murmured.

In the blink of an eye, nearly two decades had passed since his breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within their dantian]. The cultivators of his clan had also made considerable progress.

The Old Patriarch's cultivation had grown increasingly profound. Having saved thirty years of arduous cultivation by consuming a Dharma Origin Pill [a precious pill that directly enhances one's cultivation base], he had now been at the Violet Sanctum 3rd Tier for several years.

He estimated that in another five or six years, he would touch the bottleneck of the Violet Sanctum 4th Tier, at which point the meticulous refinement of his spiritual energy would truly begin. For more chapters, visit @udio-novel.com for the complete novel.