Chapter 227 : The Path to Purple Mansion

Old Patriarch [the venerable leader of the clan] also nodded. Lior Chen cultivated with exceptional diligence, and his current progress was remarkably swift. He was not far from reaching the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Foundation Establishment realm].

If Lior Chen could achieve a breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a spiritual mansion within], even if he only managed to illuminate three-tenths of his Dao meridians, he would be able to barely harness the power of the clan's grand formation. In that case, he could replace the Old Patriarch in guarding Pingyang City.

As for Kael Chen, he was currently only at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer. It would take him at least another fifteen years before he could even attempt to assault the Purple Mansion barrier, making him unable to participate in the imminent war against the Green Sun Sect.

Thinking of this, Chen Thalion spoke again, "Although I understand Kael's character well, to prevent a recurrence of what happened with Silvan, I still need to have a talk with Kael."

"I will go and find him."

Eldrin Chen stated calmly. The situation was vastly different from Silvan's case. Kael Chen was only two years older than Eldrin Chen and was not yet ninety years old.

With such abundant lifespan remaining, there was no need for undue haste. Furthermore, as long as the campaign against the Green Sun Sect proceeded smoothly, it would not delay his attempt to break through to the Purple Mansion realm at all.

Departing from Pingyang City, Eldrin Chen rode his flying sword to Verdant Chariot Mountain. He had someone gather the necessary Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] for refining the Cloud Vein Creation Pill from the Clan Treasury, then sought out Kael Chen, who was in deep seclusion.

Without excessive preamble, he went straight to Kael Chen, explained the situation, and then said.

"You need not worry. Even if the campaign against the Green Sun Sect does not go well, I can still procure a Five Elements Treasure Crystals [a rare crystal containing the balanced essence of all five elements, used for breakthroughs] for you." The complete novel can be found at *audio-novel.com*.

"It will not delay you for long."

Kael Chen possesses Fire, Wood, and Earth Three Spiritual Roots. Although his cultivation speed is somewhat slower, the resources he requires for cultivation are the easiest to procure.

After securing Spirit Source Mountain, the current industries of the Chen Clan are sufficient to support five or six Purple Mansion Cultivator. The annual surplus of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] exceeds twenty thousand. As long as one is willing to spend generously, purchasing a Five Elements Crystals [crystalline formations containing the purified essence of the five fundamental elements] is not particularly difficult.

The only complication is that Five Elements Crystals are relatively scarce; they rarely circulate in the markets of the Chu Kingdom, typically appearing only in small numbers during Barter Convention [large-scale gatherings where cultivators trade rare resources].

After hearing Eldrin Chen's words, Kael Chen shook his head with a light laugh.

"Brother Eldrin, you underestimate me."

"My lifespan is currently abundant. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I will have four opportunities to attempt a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] before my vitality is exhausted."

"Therefore, I wish to try... to see if I can achieve the Purple Mansion breakthrough through my own efforts, unaided."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he could not help but regard Kael Chen with newfound respect.

Clad in simple azure robes, Kael Chen stood silently upon Verdant Chariot Mountain, gazing at the distant sky. In that moment, an aura of quiet pride seemed to emanate from him.

"Though I understand that Mortal Tribulation [the profound physical and spiritual trials faced by cultivators] is a formidable peak to conquer, a towering mountain upon the path of cultivation."

"But I ascended through Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [the rare and perilous method of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm without external aids], reaching the first summit, and now I behold an even loftier peak."

"Whether I succeed or not, one must at least try, mustn't one?"

Eldrin Chen smiled. Those who achieve Self-Guided Foundation Establishment are all rare and exceptional talents among cultivators.

Although this clan brother's innate talent was ordinary, his ability to break through to Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified] on his own had wrought a startling transformation in his temperament, willpower, and sheer fortitude.

People grow. Kael Chen, having reached this stage, could already be considered a rare genius among Foundation Establishment cultivators. It was merely that he had always stood somewhat in the shadow of Eldrin Chen's brilliance, making him appear less remarkable.

He still had over a century of lifespan remaining. With such ample time, it was only natural he now possessed the audacity to contemplate subduing the Mortal Tribulation.

If he did not succeed the first time, what of a second, or even a third attempt?

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen's thoughts turned to Chen Riverius. Had the Second Elder succeeded in his Self-Guided Foundation Establishment, he would likely have possessed this same kind of bold spirit.

Pushing down the lingering regret in his heart, he looked at Kael Chen and said, "Attempting to break through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm, where one's spiritual consciousness expands into a vast internal mansion] without the aid of Five Elements Treasure Crystals [rare crystals imbued with the essence of the five elements, used to stabilize breakthroughs] is perilous, but the process can be halted midway."

"Cousin, go forth with a steady heart. The Clan Treasury still holds one Qi Replenishment Return Pill [a potent elixir that can rapidly restore a cultivator's spiritual energy]. If the moment demands it, you may burn your essence blood for a final, desperate surge."

Departing from Green Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen soared towards Heaven's Ruin Mountain.

At that time, Lyra Jiang was in the midst of tempering her Lifebound Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact bound to a cultivator's soul, growing in power with them]. Eldrin Chen waited for half a month before she finally emerged from seclusion.

Having just refined her Six Realms and Eight Desolations Cauldron to the Fourth Rank Middle Grade [a high level of power for a magical artifact], Lyra Jiang was clearly in excellent spirits. Seeing Eldrin Chen brought a genuine smile to her face.

"Your cultivation progress is commendable. It seems you will reach the Purple Mansion, Mid Stage [a significant realm in a cultivator's journey] before we confront the Green Sun Sect."

"I owe much of it to your Shellfish King Pearl [a precious pearl formed by a powerful spirit clam, rich in spiritual essence]." Support the author by reading on http://www . audio-novel.com.

Nearly a year had passed since they last met. To soothe their longing, Eldrin spent time walking with Lyra Jiang upon the slopes of Heaven's Ruin Mountain.

After two days of tender companionship, he remembered the purpose of his visit. He produced the Purple Sun Jade [a rare jade imbued with solar and spiritual energies] and spoke.

"My reason for coming this time is, in truth, to refine two batches of pills."

"Purple Sun Jade."

Lyra Jiang's eyes lit up with a spark of delight as she exclaimed, "You intend to refine the Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill [a high-grade pill that aids in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks by harmonizing one's spiritual energy with the violet qi of dawn]?"

"The Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-element spiritual energy] within Cangkun Mountain produces them. I have already reached an agreement with the Xu Clan; we only need to give them two of the pills, and the remainder will be yours."

He nodded, his expression calm and composed as he spoke.

For once, she did not refuse the offer. Elara Lin was already on the cusp of the Purple Palace, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Purple Mansion realm, where a cultivator's spiritual foundation is solidified and expanded], and she urgently needed the Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill to aid her breakthrough.

Prior to their arrival, the Xu Clan and the Chen Clan had already gathered all the supplementary herbs. Thus, the two of them proceeded directly to fire up the alchemy furnace and begin refining the Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill.

By this time, Su Mingwei had also recovered from her injuries. Upon hearing about the plan to refine the Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill, she promptly offered her assistance to Lyra Jiang in handling the preparatory work.

While Su Mingwei could not match Eldrin Chen's transcendent comprehension or his mastery of Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual herbs and materials into potent pills], she still possessed skills at the Third Rank Low Grade level. Employing her to process second-rank supplementary herbs was somewhat overqualified, but it undoubtedly saved the other two a great deal of time and effort.

With three high-level Alchemist [a master of the pill-refining arts] collaborating to refine the Violet Qi [the ethereal violet energy gathered at dawn, prized for its purifying and enhancing properties] Creation Pill, the process proceeded with remarkable speed. In merely seven days, the batch of Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill was successfully completed.

"Success."

Gazing upon the six perfectly formed Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill within the furnace, Lyra Jiang allowed a smile of genuine satisfaction to grace her features.

One furnace yielded six Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill [a high-grade pill that aids in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks]. It seems that with a bit more accumulation of experience, she will likely be able to break through to the Fourth Rank Middle Grade [a high level of mastery] Alchemist [a master of pill refinement] realm.

The price of Purple Sun Jade [a rare jade with potent yang energy] is over one hundred fifty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], while the value of a Cloud Vein Fruit [a spiritual fruit that enhances comprehension] exceeds thirty thousand Spirit Stone. The cost for one batch of Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill is approximately two hundred thousand Spirit Stone.

Eldrin Chen also revealed a pleased expression. By refining six Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill in one batch, Lyra Jiang had forcefully compressed the cost per pill to just over thirty thousand Spirit Stone each.

Generally, the value of a single Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill is around one hundred thousand Spirit Stone, which clearly demonstrates the exceptional height of Lyra Jiang's alchemical prowess.

From this, one can also perceive the formidable wealth-generating capability of a high-level Alchemist.

Lyra Jiang took three jade vials, divided the six precious pills into two vials each, and then handed two of the vials to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen accepted the two vials, then handed one back, saying, "A single Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill can increase the certainty of breaking through to the Purple Palace, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Purple Mansion realm] by thirty percent."

"With merely two pills, the assurance might not be sufficient. You should take my two as well for now."

"Elara possesses an Anomalous Spiritual Root [a rare and superior type of spiritual root], so her success rate in overcoming bottlenecks is greater than yours." Lyra Jiang smiled faintly and pushed the vial back. "Two pills will grant me absolute certainty."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen finally stored away both vials of pills. This content originates from audio-novel . com. Please respect copyright.