Chapter 224 : A Pact Forged in Spirit Stone

Simultaneously occupying four Earth Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits spiritual energy of a specific elemental affinity], including a Third Rank High Grade Earth-Fortress Earth Vein and two Third Rank Middle Grade Earth Vein, the resources controlled by the Chen Clan were among the most exceptional even for a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm].

Calculated over time, this yielded an average of one Five Elements Crystals [a crystalized essence containing the balanced power of all five elements] every twenty years, not even counting those acquired through other means.

As the saying goes, great wealth stirs men's hearts. Such resources would surely tempt even other Purple Mansion Immortal Clan, resources that an ordinary clan of that rank simply could not hope to defend.

It was only Eldrin Chen's formidable reputation, which gave even Purple Mansion Late Stage Cultivators pause for thought, coupled with the backing of Lyra Jiang, that deterred any from making a reckless move.

"The two of us alone are indeed somewhat insufficient,"

"But we can seek allies."

Eldrin Chen nodded, speaking with calm assurance.

The Old Patriarch's eyes brightened, instantly grasping Eldrin Chen's meaning, and he smiled faintly.

"Varen Wei has been your close friend for many years. His character is trustworthy, making him a most suitable candidate."

"Hmm…" The complete novel can be found at audio~novel.com.

That very afternoon, Eldrin Chen departed Spirit Source Mountain by riding his flying sword, soaring towards Heavenly Peak Mountain in Yang Province.

After a journey of merely a single day, he arrived before the mountain gates of Heavenly Peak Mountain and sought out Varen Wei.

"My purpose in coming is to ask for your assistance with a certain matter," he stated.

Upon meeting Varen Wei, he dispensed with excessive pleasantries and directly laid out his request to Varen Wei.

He wished to ask Varen Wei to take his place in guarding Spirit Source Mountain, offering him an annual stipend of five thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Upon hearing this, Patriarch Wei immediately shook his head, stating firmly, "Guarding Spirit Source Mountain in your stead would be beneficial to me in itself. How could I possibly accept a stipend from you for it?"

It turned out that after Varen Wei broke through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified into a 'mansion'], Wei Family had encountered a significant predicament.

Although the Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] beneath Heavenly Peak Mountain was of Second Rank High Grade, it ultimately struggled to adequately support the cultivation needs of a Purple Mansion Cultivator.

Currently, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the second major realm of cultivation, where one establishes a stable foundation for their spiritual power] of Wei Family had been relocated to the other five Spirit Vein sites they possessed. Yet, even so, the spiritual energy density at Heavenly Peak Mountain remained insufficient, causing Varen Wei's cultivation progress to be painfully slow.

Furthermore, leasing a Third Rank Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a secluded cultivation site centered around a pool of concentrated spiritual energy] would cost at least two thousand Spirit Stone per year.

If one does not rent a Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a secluded cultivation chamber built around a natural spirit-infused pool] and instead attempts cultivation by directly substituting Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] for a Spirit Vein [a natural underground conduit of concentrated spiritual energy], the annual expenditure would be even more staggering, requiring a minimum of five thousand Spirit Stone to barely suffice.

Now, with a Third Rank Low Grade Spirit Vein appearing before his eyes, Varen Wei could be said to have struck a windfall.

However, Eldrin Chen shook his head firmly and stated, his tone brooking no refusal, "You are guarding Spirit Source Mountain on my behalf, protecting the interests of my Chen Clan. I naturally cannot treat you unfairly."

"Moreover, by stationing yourself here, you can also resolve your clan's financial deficit."

Varen Wei fell silent. This was indeed an awkward issue. Currently, the Wei Immortal Clan simply could not afford to pay his stipend.

If guarding Spirit Source Mountain could solve the stipend problem, then perhaps he could even support his clan in return, hastening the day when the Spirit Vein at Heavenly Peak Mountain could be elevated to Third Rank Low Grade.

He had a little over two hundred years of lifespan remaining. His hope of breaking through to the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden-hued core] was likely almost nonexistent. It would be better to earn some Spirit Stone and accumulate a bit of foundation for his clan.

Thinking this, he nodded and said, "Rest assured. As long as I draw breath, I will guard this Spirit Source Mountain for you."

"With your word, I am at ease."

Having settled the matter of who would guard Spirit Source Mountain, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief.

Rebuilding Spirit Source Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy], receiving the Fire-Sun Divine Thunder [a powerful yang-attribute thunder technique] and the Earth Vein [a concentrated channel of earth-attribute spiritual energy within the land], and establishing the Spirit Source Market [a trading hub for cultivators]—these tasks would be tedious and complex. However, the Clan Patriarch [the head of the clan] and the elders would handle them, sparing Eldrin Chen from further exertion.

He returned to Pingyang City [the Chen Clan's main city] with the Old Patriarch [the venerable former leader of the Chen Clan], finally extricating himself from the whirlwind of busyness.

Within the grand hall of Pingyang City, Eldrin Chen allowed a faint smile to grace his features before speaking.

"Although we failed to procure any Sun Treasure Crystal [a crystal containing concentrated sun-essence energy] at the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade rare items], our gains were still quite satisfactory."

"I have acquired the full complement of Separated Flame Spirit Liquid [a rare spiritual liquid used to nourish fire-attribute cultivation] you required. Furthermore, I secured a single Li Fire Crystal [a crystalized form of potent fire-essence]."

Upon hearing this, the Old Patriarch smiled with evident delight. He accepted the Separated Flame Spirit Liquid and carefully stored it away as a precious treasure. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio–novel.com.

Then, turning his gaze back to Eldrin Chen, he offered a word of caution. "It will still take me approximately five years to reach the peak of the Purple Mansion Third Layer [the third stage within the Purple Mansion cultivation realm]."

"The Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a high-grade pill that aids in spiritual creation and breakthrough] can be refined a few years later. Once this set of formation-tool Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to one's life force and soul] is fully forged, it will inevitably slow my cultivation speed. Let us refine the pill after I break through to the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Purple Mansion realm]."

Eldrin Chen poured a cup of tea for the Old Patriarch and said with a light laugh, "While this approach may extend your stay at the Purple Mansion Fourth Layer [the fourth stage within the Purple Mansion realm] by a decade, it will significantly hasten your eventual breakthrough into the Purple Palace, Mid Stage."

The Old Patriarch's White Metal Star Pearl [a set of magical pearls that function as a formation tool] was precisely such a set of formation tools. Once completed, it was likely to drastically reduce the Old Patriarch's rate of cultivation advancement.

He was a cultivator with Two Spiritual Roots [a type of spiritual aptitude allowing cultivation in two elemental affinities], capable of breaking through one cultivation layer every thirty years. With the aid of the Spirit Peach [a spiritual fruit that accelerates cultivation], which tripled his speed, he could now achieve a breakthrough in just ten years.

However, once the White Metal Star Pearl [a powerful magical artifact forged from celestial metals] was successfully refined, Eldrin Chen estimated that the Old Patriarch would require fourteen or fifteen years to break through a single layer. This pace was not too far from Eldrin Chen's own rate of one layer every eighteen years.

After bidding farewell to the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen rode his flying sword towards Celestial Ruins Mountain [a major cultivation site and market].

Upon arriving at Celestial Ruins Mountain, he immediately sought out Lyra Jiang and couldn't help but ask, "That Yan Morgrim was so powerful he actually managed to escape with his life from you?"

"He did possess some talent,"

Lyra Jiang nodded calmly and stated, "He survived two of my sword strikes."

Eldrin Chen: "…"

Only then did he understand. By the time Lyra Jiang had caught up to Yan Morgrim, the demonic cultivator had already reached the border of the Chu Kingdom.

Pressed for time, she had only managed to unleash three sword strokes. The first stroke destroyed three of Yan Morgrim's Demonic Treasure [powerful artifacts forged with demonic energy], which he barely avoided by expending his full strength.

The second stroke nearly slew Yan Morgrim, but he used the Blood Demon Rebirth Grand Technique [a forbidden art that sacrifices a portion of one's essence to cheat death] as a sacrificial substitute to preserve his life.

The third strike was blocked by the master of the Demon Cave Cavern, the Blood-Robed Elder Demon at the Golden Core, Late Stage, whereupon Lyra Jiang found herself besieged by two Golden Core Demonic Cultivator. Not long after, the Zhang Sect Master of the Firmament Sword Sect arrived, wielding the Firmament Sword [a legendary sword of immense power], and delivered a devastating slash.

"That Firmament Sword is a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [an artifact of the highest order, specifically designed to vanquish demonic entities]. A single blow from it grievously wounded the Blood-Robed Elder Demon."

"Unfortunately, the environment within the Demon Cave Cavern is unique. Even with the Zhang Sect Master fighting alongside me, we could not breach its depths."

Lyra Jiang spoke with a calm demeanor, yet the understated nature of her words could not conceal the image of a fierce and brutal battle that must have raged.

Eldrin Chen's expression grew somber. After a long silence, he finally asked, "What is the true origin of this Demon Cave Cavern? How could it have existed for so long right under the nose of the Ji Clan?"

"Some matters cannot be revealed to you yet. But I can tell you this: within the Eastern Wastelands, demonic strongholds like the Demon Cave Cavern are as common as weeds."

As she spoke these words, a flicker of profound worry passed through her eyes, only to be instantly veiled once more.

There were truths she was unwilling to share with Eldrin Chen. The terrifying reality behind it all was too immense, a burden that might shatter his Dao Heart [the foundational will and clarity of purpose essential for a cultivator's advancement].

After all, he was still only at the Purple Mansion Realm [a major cultivation stage where one forms a spiritual core within the body]. Knowing more would only bring him needless anguish.

Seeing her reluctance, Eldrin Chen changed the subject. He produced the Formless Treasure Gold [a rare, shape-shifting spiritual metal] and the crafting method for the Unseen Immortal Sword [an ethereal sword that exists between form and formlessness], offering them with a faint smile.

"To forge this sword to completion, I shall require your aid." This chapter appears courtesy of http://www . audio-novel.com.