Chapter 216 : Elders' Ascent and the Violet Threshold

The other Foundation Establishment Elders have also made tremendous progress.

The eldest among them, Lior Chen, is now over one hundred and ten years old. He has cultivated with the utmost diligence, and his cultivation is now the most profound, nearly touching the threshold of the Foundation Establishment 9th Tier.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Lior Chen should be able to attempt a breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm, representing the formation of a spiritual core] around the age of one hundred and twenty-five. This is over a decade faster than when the Old Patriarch made his first attempt.

Verdant Grace Chen was delayed for several years refining her Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact intimately connected to a cultivator's life force and soul]. She remains at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, but it seems she will be able to break through to the ninth level within the next ten years.

Among the others, Kael Chen possesses abundant Merits [a metaphysical representation of good karma and virtuous deeds]. After exchanging them for Jade Marrow Pills and Verdant Origin Pills, his cultivation has progressed the fastest. He recently stepped into the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer and appears on track to reach the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment [the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm] shortly after turning one hundred.

The siblings Caleb and Silas broke through to Foundation Establishment in the same year as Kael. However, they were slowed down in the first two decades due to a lack of resources. Nevertheless, they are estimated to break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage within five years.

Furthermore, they are younger, currently only seventy years old. It is estimated they will be able to make their first attempt at the Violet Sanctum around the age of one hundred, which leaves them with ample lifespan to spare.

Beyond these earlier-generation cultivators, the cultivation progress of Lila and Ethan Chen has been exceptionally swift.

Ethan Chen achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [breaking through to Foundation Establishment without external aid] at twenty-four. Now in his forties, his cultivation has soared in these short twenty years, to the point where he is already nearing the threshold of the fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

Even disregarding the one-level boost from the Jade Marrow Pill, breaking through three levels in twenty years means he is advancing at a rate of one realm every seven years. For the best reading experience, visit audio–novel.com.

Generally speaking, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a Dual Spiritual Root would require a full decade of arduous cultivation, even with ample resources, to advance a single minor realm.

The reason for his rapid progress, aside from his own diligent practice, was largely due to the two hundred Spirit Shell Pearl he had obtained from Heavenly Python Lake.

Regardless, at this pace, Ethan Chen estimated he could attempt his first breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum around the age of seventy.

This was not far behind Eldrin Chen, who had broken through to the Violet Sanctum at sixty-three, marking it as a truly exceptional achievement.

Lila possessed a Variant Spiritual Root. Typically, cultivators with such a root required seven years to advance one minor realm during the Foundation Establishment Stage. However, Lila was never short of Spirit Shell Pearl, and her cultivation was so swift that she broke through a layer in a mere five years.

She had established her foundation at twenty. Now, only fifteen years later, she had consecutively broken through the Threefold Heaven and reached the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer.

This was despite Eldrin Chen withholding the Jade Marrow Pill from her, concerned that her rapid advancement might destabilize her foundation.

"Hah..."

Shaking off his thoughts, Eldrin Chen focused inward, sensing the wisp of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura within his dantian. A measure of calm settled over him.

This Primordial Chaos Violet Aura was peculiar. Regardless of his cultivation level, it only produced a single strand per day, neither increasing nor decreasing over the years.

Over these years, he had drawn in the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme, primordial energy of creation] nearly every single day. However, there were inevitably times when it was inconvenient, which delayed the accumulation of this particular breath of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura by three years. It was not until this year, at the age of eighty-three, that he finally completed its storage.

"Now that I possess the ninth breath of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura,"

"it is time to forge the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [a divine sword embodying the positive, life-giving aspect of celestial water]."

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen immediately set about forging his Four Lifebound Magical Treasures [a set of four magical treasures bound to a cultivator's life and soul].

The Heavenly River Positive Water Sword and the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword embodying the essence of solar flame] represented the opposing forces of Yin [the passive, receptive principle] and Yang [the active, creative principle]. The forging method for this sword was created by emulating that of the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, and thus shared a marvelous, if different, approach.

Eldrin Chen had already forged the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword back during his Foundation Establishment Early Stage [the early phase of the Foundation Establishment realm, where a cultivator solidifies their spiritual foundation]. Forging the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword now was merely a matter of course, like water flowing naturally into a channel.

He spent a mere seven days melting down the Heavenly River Treasure Gold [a precious celestial metal], then seamlessly fused the Positive Water Crystal [a crystalized essence of pure, life-affirming water] into it.

Shaping the sword's body and inscribing its formation patterns [magical circuits that grant a treasure its powers] required little effort. The true labor lay in refining the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth], a tedious and strenuous task. A full month passed before he finally managed to refine the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword to the Third Rank Lower Grade [the lowest grade of the Third Rank, a classification for magical treasures].

Seeing the Immortal Sword was complete, Eldrin Chen seized the moment and exhaled the single, hard-earned breath of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura.

This precious, painstakingly accumulated Primordial Chaos Violet Aura was expended once more. As expected, it triggered a subtle metamorphosis in the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword's foundational nature, elevating the sword's potential grade by one full level.

"Hmm—" [a soft, resonant hum]

With a clear, ringing hum, the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword transformed into a translucent, Glazed-like verdant sword radiance and shot forth, vanishing into the center of Eldrin Chen's brow.

Eldrin Chen flew out from Spirit Isle Lake and tested the might of the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword, a look of satisfaction gracing his features.

Though it was merely of the Third Rank Lower Grade [the third major cultivation rank, lower tier], this sword contained the vast and mighty Positive Water Power [the purifying and nourishing power of yang-aligned water]. A casual strike cleaved a thousand-zhang-long [one zhang-length equals three point three three meters] scar into the earth, a testament to its formidable power.

"A fine sword indeed."

He praised it with delight before returning to the depths of Spirit Isle Lake. Access the full story on audio-novel*com.

Although the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword was forged, it needed to be elevated to the mid-grade of the third rank before it could achieve perfect harmony [the state of complementary balance] with the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword.

He toiled for over three months, consuming Positive Water [yang-aligned water essence] and Metallic Gold [the essence of the metal element] energies worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], before Eldrin Chen finally succeeded in elevating the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword to the mid-grade of the third rank.

With the Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal-grade quality] completed, Eldrin Chen did not linger at Spirit Isle Lake. He immediately mounted his sword and flew straight for Pingyang City.

"…"

"Taste this year's new tea harvest."

"This is a third-rank Enlightenment Tea [a rare tea that aids in spiritual insight and meditation], a truly precious commodity."

After leaving the Clan Affairs Hall in Pingyang City, the Old Patriarch poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen took a sip. A wave of meditative clarity washed over his mind, refreshing his spirit and senses, as if he had entered a state bordering on profound enlightenment [a deep, insightful trance where one comprehends the truths of the Dao].

"Excellent tea."

Setting down the teacup, Eldrin Chen then asked, "The Chu Nation Barter Convention [a major trade gathering for cultivators] will commence in just over three months. Will you be attending?"

"You should go in my stead."

The Old Patriarch savored another sip of tea before placing his cup down as well.

"The Clan Treasury still holds eighty thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Take a substantial amount with you. Also, bring along a few third-rank treasures [enchanted artifacts] we no longer use. We wouldn't want to miss any items we need to purchase."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his expression betraying nothing as he spoke, "There is one more matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Oh?"

The Old Patriarch's brow twitched slightly as he waited for Eldrin to continue.

Eldrin Chen met the Old Patriarch's gaze and stated plainly, "The clan still possesses one remaining Metallic Gold Essence Crystal [a rare crystalline ore imbued with potent metallic and gold elemental energies]."

"You are speaking of the question of who should receive it?" asked Eternal Profound Chen, a frown creasing his brow. "By rights, Lior possesses Metal-Water Dual Spiritual Roots [an innate affinity for both metal and water spiritual energies]. He could use that item to attempt a breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a core of spiritual energy within their dantian] within fifteen years."

"Although Kael has only Three Spiritual Roots [an affinity for three of the five elemental spiritual energies], since his Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [the second major realm, achieved through one's own efforts without external aids], he has lacked for no resources. He could likely attempt the Violet Sanctum breakthrough in just over twenty years."

"According to the rules you established, if the difference is not great, priority should still be given to cultivating Kael, who achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment."

"You misunderstand. I am not thinking of them, but of you."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, his expression turning earnest. "In a few years, you will have cultivated to the peak of the Violet Sanctum 3rd Tier [the final stage of the third tier within the Violet Sanctum realm]. It will be time for you to attempt the breakthrough to Violet Sanctum."

"Therefore, I was thinking... if we cannot purchase a Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a rare elixir that aids in forming the spiritual pathways necessary for the Violet Sanctum realm] at the upcoming Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources and treasures], then we should use that Metallic Gold Essence Crystal to refine a batch of Cloud Vein Creation Pill for you."

"This..."

Old Patriarch furrowed his brow and spoke, "A Violet Sanctum Cultivator has a lifespan of four hundred years. I am merely a hundred and eighty years old now, with ample longevity remaining. There is no need for such haste."

"Achieving a breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage earlier will increase your chances of Forming the Golden Core. If you waste decades lingering at the Violet Sanctum Early Stage, you may deeply regret it in the future."

Eldrin Chen stated firmly, leaving no room for refusal. After a moment's thought, he added, "Furthermore, when I returned from Heavenly Ruins Mountain recently, Exquisite indicated that action against the Verdant Sun Sect would be taken within fifteen years."

"Is that truly the case?"

Old Patriarch's expression shifted slightly, and he rose to his feet with a grave demeanor.

Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "You need not worry about Uncle Lior and Kael either."

"The next Five Elements Crystal from Cangkun Mountain will mature within ten years. It is our turn to claim it this time."

"The Metallic Gold Essence Crystal from the Metallic Gold Earth Vein at Mystic Iron Mountain will also mature within twenty years. Moreover, the assault on Green Sun Mountain is certain to yield significant gains." Read, share, and discuss at site: audio-novel.com.