Chapter 224 : A Pact Forged in Earth Veins

Simultaneously occupying four Earth Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits earth-attributed spiritual energy], including one Third Rank Superior Grade Cultivable Earth Vein [an earth vein of sufficient quality to support the growth of spiritual plants and herbs] and two Third Rank Medium Grade earth veins, the resources held by the Chen Clan were among the very pinnacle even within the ranks of Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarch has reached the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm].

Calculated over time, this yielded an average of one Five Elements Crystal [a rare crystal containing a balanced essence of all five elemental energies] every twenty years, and that was not even counting those obtained from other sources.

As the saying goes, great wealth stirs men's hearts. Such resources would make even a Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan covetous; an ordinary clan of that rank simply could not have defended them.

It was only due to Eldrin Chen's formidable reputation—a name that gave even Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the final minor stage within the Violet Sanctum major realm] cultivators pause—and the backing of Exquisite Jiang, that none dared to make a reckless move.

"The two of us alone would indeed be somewhat insufficient,"

"But we can seek allies."

Eldrin Chen nodded and spoke calmly.

The Old Patriarch's eyes brightened, instantly grasping Eldrin Chen's meaning. A faint smile touched his lips.

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

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That very afternoon, Eldrin Chen departed Spirit Source Mountain by sword flight. Mounting his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, he soared towards Tian'e Mountain in Solar Province.

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

"My visit concerns a matter for which I seek your assistance," he stated.

Upon meeting Varen Wei, Eldrin dispensed with lengthy pleasantries and came straight to the point, laying out his request.

He wished to ask Varen Wei to stand guard over Spirit Source Mountain in his stead, offering an annual stipend of five thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] for the service.

The Wei Clan Patriarch immediately shook his head upon hearing this, his voice firm. "Guarding Spirit Source Mountain for you would be beneficial to me in itself. How could I possibly accept payment from you?"

Ever since Varen Wei had broken through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical energy center within the dantian], the Wei Clan had faced a significant predicament.

Although the Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] beneath their Tian'e Mountain was of Second Rank High-Grade [a classification for spiritual veins, indicating a moderate level of energy concentration], it ultimately struggled to sustain the cultivation needs of a single Violet Sanctum Cultivator.

Now, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] of the Wei Clan had been relocated to their other five Spiritual Veins, yet the spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things and the world] at Tian'e Mountain still caused Varen Wei's cultivation progress to be painfully slow.

To lease a third-rank Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a cave dwelling built around a natural pool of concentrated spiritual energy] would cost at least two thousand Spirit Stones per year.

However, if one were to forgo leasing a Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a secluded cultivation chamber built around a concentrated spirit energy pool] and instead rely solely on Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to replace the benefits of a Spiritual Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated spiritual energy], the annual expenditure would soar to a staggering five thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] just to barely sustain one's cultivation progress.

Now, with a Third Rank Lower Grade [a specific tier and quality level of a spiritual energy source] Spiritual Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated spiritual energy] appearing right before his eyes, Varen Wei could be said to have struck a windfall.

Nevertheless, Eldrin Chen shook his head, his tone brooking no argument. "You are guarding Spirit Source Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy sources] to protect the interests of my Chen Clan, so it is only right that I do not 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 [a mountain rich in spiritual energy sources] could solve his stipend problem, then perhaps he could even channel resources back to his clan, accelerating the upgrade of the Spiritual Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated spiritual energy] at Tian'e Mountain [a mountain named after a celestial goose] to Third Rank Lower Grade [a specific tier and quality level of a spiritual energy source].

He had a little over two hundred years of lifespan remaining. The hope of breaking through to the Golden Core [a solidified core of spiritual energy formed within a cultivator's dantian] realm was likely almost nonexistent. It would be better to earn some Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and accumulate a 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 [a mountain rich in spiritual energy sources] for you."

"With your word, I am at ease."

Having settled the matter of who would guard Spirit Source Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy sources], Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief.

Rebuilding Spirit Source Mountain [the ancestral mountain of the Chen Clan, a place of spiritual power], receiving the Blazing Third Fire [a powerful earth-aligned spiritual flame] and the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-element spiritual energy], and establishing the Spirit Source Market [a marketplace for cultivators to trade spiritual goods]—these tasks would be tedious and complex. However, the family Elders would handle them, sparing Eldrin Chen from further exertion.

He returned to Pingyang City [the main city of the Chen Clan's territory] with the Old Patriarch [the venerable leader of the Chen Clan], finally stepping back from the whirlwind of activity.

Within the great hall of Pingyang City, Eldrin Chen allowed a smile to touch his lips before speaking.

"Although we failed to procure any Solar Treasure Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with potent solar essence] at the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade rare resources], our gains were still quite satisfactory."

"I have acquired the full complement of Solar Fire Spirit Liquid [a liquid spiritual resource refined from solar fire essence] you required, and I also managed to purchase a Solar Fire Crystal [a crystalline ore containing concentrated solar fire energy]."

Upon hearing this, the Old Patriarch smiled with genuine delight. He accepted the Solar Fire Spirit Liquid and carefully stored it away as a precious treasure. Join our community of readers at 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 Violet Sanctum 3rd Tier [the third major stage within the Violet Sanctum realm]."

"The Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a rare pill that aids in the creation of spiritual meridians] can be refined a few years later. Furthermore, forging this set of Formation Artifact [a type of magical treasure designed to work in concert as part of an array] as my Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force and soul] will inevitably slow my cultivation progress. It would be wiser to refine it after I break through to the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Violet Sanctum realm]."

Eldrin Chen poured a cup of tea for the Old Patriarch and replied with a light laugh. "While this approach may extend your stay at the Violet Sanctum 4th Tier [the fourth major stage within the Violet Sanctum realm] by a decade or so, it will significantly hasten your breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage."

The Old Patriarch's Venus Stellar Pearl [a magical treasure in the form of a pearl containing stellar and metallic essence] was destined to become a set of Formation Artifact. Once fully forged, it would undoubtedly place a considerable burden on the Old Patriarch's cultivation speed.

He was a cultivator with a Dual Spiritual Root [a spiritual root constitution that allows affinity with two of the five elements]. Under normal circumstances, it would take him thirty years to advance one level of cultivation. However, with the aid of the Spiritual Peach [a spiritual fruit that greatly accelerates cultivation], his speed tripled, allowing him to break through one level in just ten years.

Yet, once the Venus Stellar Pearl [a powerful magical treasure forged from stellar essence] was successfully refined, Eldrin Chen estimated that the Old Patriarch would then require fourteen or fifteen years to advance a single cultivation level. This pace was not too far off from Eldrin Chen's own rate of one breakthrough every eighteen years.

After bidding farewell to the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen soared on his sword towards Heavenly Ruins Mountain [a mountain range shrouded in ancient mysteries].

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

"He did possess some talent,"

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

Eldrin Chen: "…"

Only then did he understand. By the time Exquisite Jiang had caught up to Yan Old Demon, the fiend had already fled to the border of Chu Nation [a sovereign human nation].

Pressed for time, she had only managed to unleash three sword strokes. The first stroke shattered Yan Old Demon's three Demonic Treasures [magical artifacts infused with demonic energy], which he barely avoided by expending his full power.

The second stroke nearly slew Yan Old Demon outright, but he used the Blood Demon Rebirth Great Art [a forbidden art that uses a blood sacrifice to cheat death] as a substitute to escape demise.

The third sword strike was blocked by the Lord of Demon Cave [the ruler of the Demonic Cave], the Golden Core Late Stage [the late stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm] Blood-Robed Old Demon, whereupon Exquisite Jiang found herself besieged by two Golden Core [Golden Core realm] Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of demonic arts]. Not long after, Sect Master Zhang of the Firmament Sword Sect arrived, wielding the Firmament Sword [the Heaven-Sundering Sword] to deliver a devastating slash.

"That Firmament Sword is a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact specifically forged to vanquish demons]. A single blow from it grievously wounded the Blood-Robed Old Demon,"

"Alas, the environment within the Demon Cave [the Demonic Cave] is peculiar. Even with Sect Master Zhang and I joining forces, we could not breach its depths."

Exquisite Jiang spoke with calm detachment, yet her placid words could not conceal the image of a fierce and brutal battle that must have erupted.

Eldrin Chen's expression grew somber. After a long silence, he finally asked, "What is the true origin of this Demon Cave? How has it persisted 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 Region Great Wasteland [the vast desolate lands of the Eastern Region], demonic sects like this Demon Cave are as numerous as blades of grass."

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

There were truths she was unwilling to share with Eldrin Chen. The terrifying reality lurking behind it all was too immense, a burden that might shatter his Dao Heart [the cultivator's fundamental resolve and spiritual core].

After all, he was merely at the Violet Sanctum Realm [the Violet Sanctum cultivation stage]. Knowing more would only bring him needless anguish.

Seeing her reluctance, Eldrin Chen changed the subject. He produced the Formless Precious Metal [a rare mystical metal with fluid properties] and the forging method for the Formless Immortal Sword [the Formless Immortal Sword], offering them with a gentle smile.

"To master this sword, I will need your assistance," he said, his voice carrying the weight of solemn purpose. Access the full story on https://audio-novel.com.