Chapter 223 : A Patriarch's Vow of Vengeance

Yet, who could have foreseen that in less than half a month, such a shocking and sudden upheaval would occur? The demonic scourge, unseen for over a century, has re-emerged in the nation, and the Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators whose core members have reached the Violet Sanctum cultivation stage], which had endured for hundreds of years, was reduced to dust in a single night.

"Enough, rise,"

Eldrin Chen said with a placid expression, sweeping his sleeve to help the several people to their feet. "If the opportunity arises in the future, after I break through into the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power], I will naturally slay Yan Old Demon and level the Demon Cave [a cavernous lair infested with demonic beings] with a single sword strike."

"Thank you, Patriarch [the revered leader of a clan or sect]. Many thanks, Patriarch."

The group knelt once more, with Yanxing Yang expressing profuse gratitude, his aged tears streaming as he kowtowed repeatedly.

After the three had calmed somewhat, Eldrin Chen then spoke. "I have received your Yang Clan's Path-Field [a field imbued with spiritual energy, suitable for cultivating spirit herbs or crops], and have incurred a measure of Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences] from you. Naturally, I will not treat you unfairly."

"I will nurture two Second Rank High-Grade Spiritual Vein [a high-quality vein of concentrated spiritual energy, suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators] for you, allowing you to rebuild your clan. Furthermore, I will grant your Yang Clan a one-time compensation of fifty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

"Beyond that, should your Yang Clan ever face the peril of clan extinction in the future, my Chen Clan's Violet Sanctum [cultivators who have reached the Violet Sanctum stage] will intervene on your behalf three times."

Nurturing a single Second Rank High-Grade Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] requires the expenditure of tens of thousands of Spirit Stones; two would consume one hundred thousand. Adding the fifty thousand in compensation, this recompense is, by all accounts, exceedingly generous.

After all, the Yang Clan no longer possesses the strength to hold onto their former interests. Even if the three great Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan do not act, numerous Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [clans whose core strength lies in cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage] would vie for them, openly or covertly. The complete novel can be found at audio-novel.com (official site).

In years past, these Spiritual Veins [natural conduits of concentrated spiritual energy] and Earth Veins [dragon lines of terrestrial energy] were, in truth, seized by the Yang Clan from the hands of the previous Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan.

However, after a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen recalled the several Purple Essence Pills [high-grade elixirs that purify and strengthen the cultivator's foundation] gifted by Patriarch Yang. Those elixirs had been of no small aid to him and the Old Patriarch during the Beast Tide conflict [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts].

"Now that Patriarch Yang has departed, this debt of gratitude should rightfully be repaid to the Yang Clan."

After further deliberation, Eldrin Chen felt it proper to grant the Yang Clan an opportunity.

Thus, he raised a hand and summoned a golden edict [a formal decree imbued with spiritual authority]. Upon it, he inscribed a line of text before presenting it to Yanxing Yang.

"This is my decree. Guard it well."

"Should any descendant of your Yang Clan cultivate to the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment [the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment realm] in the future, they may present this to my Chen Clan to exchange for a single Five Elements Crystal [a rare crystal containing the balanced essence of the five primal elements]."

The three members of the Yang Clan received the edict, their emotions overwhelming them as they prostrated themselves once more.

The Five Elements Crystal was far too precious. Even the Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan themselves possessed very few and were loath to part with them.

Countless Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan clans would exhaust centuries of accumulated wealth to barely afford a single Five Elements Crystal, a testament to its immense value. Although the Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan had a relatively stable source, it was a case of too many mouths and not enough gruel—never sufficient to go around.

If it were merely a verbal promise, one could still renege, but for this Violet Sanctum Cultivator to personally sign and issue a [a magically binding decree imbued with the issuer's will and authority] shows that Eldrin Chen truly cherishes past ties and has treated them with utmost benevolence and fairness.

"..."

After the three departed, overflowing with gratitude, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch remained within the Spirit Pool.

The Old Patriarch gazed at the Spirit Pool and the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy], his expression a mix of joy and worry. "We finally managed to save up some Spirit Stones, hoping to complete the Seven Stars Demon-Subduing Formation for Pingyang City. It seems that project will have to be delayed for a few more years."

"It matters not. Although our current expenditures are temporarily high, in the long run, it is a worthwhile investment."

Eldrin Chen said with a faint smile. Occupying the Spiritual Vein of Spirit Source Mountain and its Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated fire-attribute spiritual energy] would significantly increase the clan's income.

The Underground Fire Vein alone produced Second Rank materials worth five thousand Spirit Stones every year.

Furthermore, as the sole Fire Vein in the entire Border Province, the dozens of Earthfire Chambers [cultivation chambers built over the fire vein to harness its energy] at Spirit Source Mountain could be leased out, bringing the clan an additional three thousand Spirit Stones in annual taxes.

"An annual income of eight thousand Spirit Stones is quite acceptable."

The Old Patriarch also nodded, calculating silently before speaking. "However, the Spiritual Fields [fields nourished by spiritual energy for growing special plants] on Spirit Source Mountain have been utterly devastated. Restoring them to cultivate Spirit Herbs would likely take over a century of effort. They won't provide any profit for the Chen Clan for a long time to come."

"After seizing so many Spiritual Field [a plot of land imbued with spiritual energy, suitable for growing spiritual plants], the clan now lacks sufficient manpower. I fear we will struggle to develop this Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel or deposit that concentrates and emits spiritual energy]."

"The destruction of the Spiritual Field is indeed vexing." Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "I have a plan that might revitalize this Spiritual Vein."

"We could completely transform Spirit Source Mountain [a mountain containing a spiritual vein] into a series of Spirit Spring Cave Abode [a cave dwelling built around a spiritual spring] and rent them out to rogue cultivators and cultivators from various Immortal Clan [a clan or family dedicated to the path of immortality and cultivation]."

Hearing this, Eternal Profound Chen's eyes couldn't help but gleam with a faint light of interest.

After the Beast Tide [a massive, destructive surge of demonic beasts], the number of Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation, the second major realm] in Border Province had increased dramatically. Combined with the cultivators who migrated from Solar Province, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator in Border Province now numbered over one hundred and eighty.

This was nearly double the number from sixty years prior. With this increase in population, the Spiritual Vein in Border Province had become severely insufficient. Official source: audio-novel*com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

At this time, if they made Spirit Source Mountain available for rent to the Foundation Establishment Cultivator and rogue cultivators of Border Province, a great many would surely be willing to lease a Spirit Spring Cave Abode long-term.

Furthermore, once a sufficient number of cultivators gathered, they could even establish a cultivation market on Spirit Source Mountain.

Ling County originally had a cultivation market, the Spirit Sun Market. It was jointly managed by the Yang Clan and the eight great Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [Immortal Clans led by Foundation Establishment cultivators], with the Yang Clan holding the largest share.

However, now that the Yang Clan had fallen, the Spirit Sun Market would inevitably decline sharply without the resources the Yang Clan once provided.

Had things proceeded without unforeseen events, a significant portion of the clientele would likely have been drawn away by the Sunward Market and the Fengyang Market.

However, if the Chen Clan were to establish a market at Spirit Source Mountain, they could effectively retain these customers from Ling County right there at the mountain.

"An excellent idea," he agreed.

After deliberating for a good while, the two decided to proceed with this plan. In the future, they would establish a cultivation market at Spirit Source Mountain, to be named the Spirit Source Market.

Once the plan was settled, the Old Patriarch furrowed his brow once more. "But who shall we assign to guard this place?"

"Guard it..."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered thoughtfully. Spirit Source Mountain possessed a Third-order Spiritual Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy], a mid-grade Earth Vein [a terrestrial spiritual energy source], and would soon host a cultivation market.

Once the market was fully established, the combined revenue from these three sources was projected to bring the Chen Clan over twenty thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy] annually.

The interests at stake were far too substantial; it was imperative to station a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Sanctum, a major energy center] there for its defense.

Yet, the Chen Clan currently had only two Violet Sanctum Cultivators. In a couple of years, after Green Chariot Mountain advanced, the clan would possess four Third-order Spiritual Veins within Yu County alone.

Therefore, it is necessary for someone to be stationed there year-round. The Old Patriarch must guard Pingyang City and oversee Yu County, and cannot be absent for extended periods. Eldrin Chen is also not suited to being confined to a single place for the long term.

"Alas, the interests our Chen Clan now controls are far too vast."

"With just the strength of the two of us, we are still short on manpower."

The Old Patriarch suddenly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The interests the Chen Clan now controlled were so immense that they surpassed those of most Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families whose patriarchs have reached the Violet Sanctum realm].

This time, the Chen Clan had seized an entirely new Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel rich in spiritual energy] and also gained a third-rank, middle-grade Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent fire-attribute energy]. From now on, not only would they obtain a Solar Fire Crystal [a crystalized essence of solar fire energy] every sixty years, but they could also become self-sufficient in second and third-rank fire-attribute heavenly materials and earthly treasures [rare resources used in cultivation and crafting].

Calculating carefully, after occupying this Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of potent earth-attribute energy], the Chen Clan would exclusively possess both the Metallic Gold Earth Vein and the Underground Fire Vein, and additionally hold a twenty-five percent share in both the Cultivable Earth Vein and the Acrid Metal Earth Vein. The complete novel can be found at audio . novel . com.