Chapter 217 : The Last of His Generation

Hearing this, Old Patriarch [the venerable leader of the Chen Clan] nodded slightly, tacitly approving the plan.

After all, if his own strength could be enhanced, the role Future [a cultivator known for his foresight and planning] could play in the upcoming assault on the Verdant Sun Sect [a powerful cultivation sect] would also increase significantly.

However, after a moment's thought, Old Patriarch still advised, "If we can afford it, we should. On this trip to the Barter Convention [a large-scale gathering for cultivators to trade resources], use any surplus funds to first purchase Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a precious elixir that aids in the formation of spiritual veins] and Five Elements Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with the balanced essence of the five elements]."

"I understand."

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a rising star of the Chen Clan] lifted his teacup, then paused thoughtfully before speaking again. "After I emerged from seclusion, Silas [Eldrin's younger cousin] informed me that Uncle Eternal Land passed away not long ago."

"Hmm."

Eternal Profound Chen [Eldrin's granduncle, a senior elder] flinched almost imperceptibly, a shadow of sorrow passing over his brow.

Eternal Land Chen had been the youngest among the Clan Elders of the Chang Generation [the generation of Chen Clan members bearing the character 'Chang' in their names]. When Eldrin Chen first descended from Green Chariot Mountain [the ancestral mountain of the Chen Clan], Eternal Land Chen was already in his seventies.

Now, nearly seventy years later, despite having consumed three Second Rank [a grade of spiritual resources] Spirit Apricots [a longevity-extending spiritual fruit], Eternal Land Chen had ultimately exhausted his allotted lifespan.

With his passing, Old Patriarch now stood alone as the sole remaining cultivator of the Chang Generation within the family. This chapter appears courtesy of https://audio-novel.com.

Having lived for over one hundred and eighty years, Old Patriarch had watched his peers and even those younger than him pass away one by one, until he was left utterly alone. This was a profound and ineffable sense of helplessness and desolation.

"Alas—"

Eternal Profound Chen sighed, a note of regret in his voice. "If only he could have held on for a few more years, until the Spirit Apricot Tree advanced to the Third Rank Lower Grade. A single Spirit Apricot [a spiritual fruit that can extend one's lifespan] could have added thirty years to his life. Perhaps he could have stayed with me for another twenty."

Wholly devoted to the path of cultivation, Old Patriarch had never taken a wife or concubine. His blood parents had passed away a century ago. He had always regarded Eldrin Chen as his own son, and the younger clan brother, Eternal Land Chen, was like a true younger brother in his eyes.

Now that Eternal Land Chen was gone, Old Patriarch could only sigh in resignation. A thousand words and thoughts ultimately condensed into silent grief.

He looked at Eldrin Chen and said with regret, "I heard your Uncle Verdant Destiny has been bedridden recently. I fear he may not have much time left."

"Before you depart for the Barter Convention [a large-scale gathering where cultivators trade resources], go and see him one last time."

"..."

Leaving Pingyang City, Eldrin Chen rode his flying sword towards Green Chariot Mountain.

At the edge of a cliff within the Hinter Peaks of Green Chariot Mountain, a solitary courtyard stood in stark isolation.

Before the cliff grew a gnarled and ancient tree. Beneath its boughs lay a reclining chair, and upon it rested a figure with hair and beard as white as snow.

Eldrin Chen alighted not far away, his gaze settling upon that figure, his expression as calm as still water.

"You have come."

Verdant Destiny Chen spoke, his voice frail. His aged face was a map of deep wrinkles, the vigor of his prime long since faded from sight.

He watched the clouds gather and disperse before the cliff, a profound serenity and acceptance gracing his brow.

"I knew it. I knew you would come to see me off on this final journey."

Eldrin Chen offered no reply. He stepped forward, his fingers gently probing the elder's meridians and pulse. A helpless sigh escaped him as he shook his head.

The vital essence and blood within this clan uncle's body were utterly exhausted. Now, his life hung by a single thread of Vital Energy [the fundamental life force cultivated by practitioners]. Once that final wisp of Vital Energy dissipated, the end would inevitably arrive.

Eldrin's brow furrowed. He could not help but ask, "I recall giving you several Spirit Apricot [a spiritual fruit known to extend lifespan]. Had you consumed them all, you should have had over a decade of life remaining."

"There was no need."

Verdant Destiny Chen shook his head, then lifted his gaze to the sea of clouds churning and drifting before the mountain cliff.

He then glanced once more at Eldrin Chen, feeling that the man before him, with his tall and slender frame, ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall, and jade-like countenance, resembled more a youth of eighteen summers.

Yet he merely stood there in serene stillness, not seeming a denizen of the Mortal Dust [the mundane, mortal world], but rather like an immortal who had descended to the earthly realm.

"Witnessing the seas change into mulberry fields, observing the flow of time within the Mortal Dust."

"I remain, clad in robes white as snow, while you are in the bloom of youth; ten thousand ages cannot stain my garments."

Verdant Destiny Chen murmured to himself, his voice tinged with a trace of regret and a measure of resigned acceptance. Access the full story on audio-novel.com.

A heaviness settled in Eldrin Chen's heart. Suppressing the ache within, he spoke with a calm expression.

"Do you have any final words? Anything you wish for me to accomplish?"

"Final words..."

The clan uncle smiled faintly. Raising his eyes to the distant sky, his vision somewhat blurred with age, he thought the clouds resembled his own youthful self.

He waved his hand dismissively, his demeanor strikingly reminiscent of Verdant Bud Chen just before he attempted his Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] breakthrough.

"Since Verdant Bud dared to stake his life on a single attempt, I, Verdant Void, am willing to yield the Spirit Apricot [a rare spiritual fruit that aids cultivation] to Remembrance Truth, and Verdant River would rather die than use a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]."

"Over these years, I have gradually come to understand. Although I have lived several decades longer than Verdant Bud, Brother Verdant Void, and Verdant River, my life has been far less remarkable than theirs."

"If there is a next life, I will certainly charge forward with courage. Even if I perish in the process of attempting Foundation Establishment, it would be better than waiting decades for death to come…"

Verdant Destiny Chen ultimately departed, refusing to take the Spirit Apricot, and voluntarily dispersed his last vestiges of Vital Energy [the foundational life force energy cultivated by practitioners].

After his passing, the cultivators of the Verdant Generation [a specific generation within the Chen Clan] dwindled to a mere handful. Within the clan, those worthy of Eldrin Chen's courteous respect numbered only two or three.

The funeral rites were personally overseen by Lior Chen, and most of the clan's Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the Foundation Establishment realm] managed to return for a brief time.

Eldrin Chen remained at Green Chariot Mountain for three full days, a rare respite, only departing after Verdant Destiny Chen was laid to rest within the Hinter Peaks [the ancestral burial grounds of the Chen Clan].

Upon leaving Green Chariot Mountain, he did not return to Spirit Isle Lake but instead took flight directly on his sword, heading towards Cang Province.

This iteration of the Chu Nation's Violet Sanctum Barter Convention [a grand trading event for cultivators] was to be held in Cang Province, the foremost of the Nine Provinces of Chu Nation and the territory under the dominion of the Firmament Sword Sect [a powerful sword cultivation sect].

Eldrin Chen piloted the Purple Blood Boat [a vessel powered by refined beast blood] onward, traversing over four hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] before finally arriving at the Vault Heaven Market [the largest trading hub in the Chu Nation].

No sooner had he alighted outside the market's perimeter than a familiar voice reached his ears. "Brother Eldrin, I had a feeling you would come here."

The speaker was none other than Varen Wei. The Wei Clan Patriarch approached Eldrin Chen, his face alight with genuine pleasure.

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and stepped forward. "Brother Wei, what brings you here? Seeking to purchase something?"

"Alas," Varen Wei shook his head, a note of helplessness in his tone. "In recent years, to facilitate my breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical energy center in the dantian], the clan incurred significant debts."

"This time, I intend to part with a couple of treasures, hoping to exchange them for some Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to settle at least a portion of those obligations."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. Since the Wei Clan's ascension to an Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan with at least one cultivator in the Violet Sanctum realm], they had begun receiving a share of resources from Solar Province.

Yet, the Wei Clan remained burdened by a mountain of debt. Furthermore, their clan's Spiritual Vein [a subterranean conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] was still only at the Second Rank High-Grade [a classification for spiritual veins]. To elevate it to the Third Rank would likely require decades, if not a full century, of stringent austerity.

In truth, this was the common reality for most newly ascended Violet Sanctum Immortal Clans. The exceptional circumstances of the Chen Clan were a rarity, nearly impossible to replicate.

After all, both of the Chen Immortal Clan's Violet Sanctum Patriarch had achieved their breakthroughs without draining the clan's coffers. Of their four Third-order Spiritual Vein [a high-grade spiritual vein suitable for Violet Sanctum cultivators], only the one at Mystic Iron Mountain had required a substantial investment of Spirit Stones for its advancement.

As this thought crossed his mind, Eldrin Chen had a sudden flash of insight. He recalled that within Solar Province lay a Third-Order Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean vein of fire energy, categorized as third-order in potency].

With this in mind, a faint smile touched his lips as he inquired, "And what treasure have you come to offer for trade?"

"What else could it be? Merely two portions of Solar Fire Spirit Liquid [a rare liquid essence refined from concentrated solar and fire energies]," Varen Wei replied with a shake of his head. The Wei Immortal Clan was relatively weak, and their share of the resources within Solar Province was consequently meager. This content originates from audio-novel dot com. Please respect copyright.