Chapter 230 : A Prodigy's Grace and a Patriarch's Sigh

Leveraging this connection, the Meng Clan has developed with remarkable speed. They now boast seven Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation], including two who have even reached the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Foundation Establishment realm].

Among them, Celestia Meng stands out as a true prodigy. Despite her youth, she has already attained the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment [the realm of solidifying one's spiritual foundation]. In the future, she may even have the potential to attempt the breakthrough to the Purple Mansion [the realm where the cultivator's spiritual consciousness resides in a refined, palace-like form] not once, but twice.

Rumor has it that even Kael Chen held some affection for her. However, while the flower may have been willing, the stream flowed on indifferently; Celestia Meng gracefully declined Kael Chen's advances.

The Old Patriarch swept his gaze over Celestia Meng and the several Meng Clan Foundation Establishment cultivators beside her. He nodded with a faint smile.

"Why is my cousin, Ronan, not present today?"

"Clan Patriarch..."

Celestia Meng hesitated for a moment before replying, "The Clan Patriarch has been bedridden for many days now. I fear... he may not have much time left."

"How can that be?"

The Old Patriarch's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of disbelief crossing his features. He couldn't help but ask, "Did I not send him several Longevity Spirit Apricot [spirit fruits renowned for their life-extending properties] just a few years ago?"

"The Clan Patriarch cherished his grandson deeply," Celestia Meng explained softly. "He gave all the Spirit Apricot [spirit-infused apricots with medicinal properties] to our younger clansman, Rowan." Access the full story on audio–novel.com.

Beside him, a Meng Clan Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] cultivator wore a despondent expression, speaking in a low voice.

The Old Patriarch let out a sigh, his eyes dimming slightly. Just as mortals face birth, aging, sickness, and death, so too does the moon wax and wane.

Within the clan, many of the Nian Generation [the 'Nian' character generation of the Chen Clan], such as Alaric, Nianyuan, and Nianqian, were running short on lifespan. The number of cultivators in need of Longevity Treasure [a rare treasure that can extend a cultivator's natural lifespan] was not small, and he could not indefinitely gift the clan's treasures to others.

A few years prior, the Mu Clan Clan Patriarch, Marcus Mu, had purchased a Five Elements Treasure Crystals [a crystal containing the refined essence of the five fundamental elements] in an attempt to break through to the Purple Mansion [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] realm. He failed, ultimately exhausting his lifespan and passing away seated in meditation within his Cultivation Cave [a personal chamber or cave used for secluded cultivation]. Now, Meng Aethelstan too was nearing his end; the cultivators of their generation were becoming few and far between.

The Old Patriarch was in low spirits, with little heart to continue the conversation.

Eldrin Chen glanced at the assembled group, casually tossed a jade vial of pills to Celestia Meng, and stated, "I will have someone deliver another Longevity Treasure Apricot [a miraculous apricot fruit that grants extended lifespan] to you. This particular treasure apricot is not to be touched by anyone else."

"Thank you..."

Celestia Meng accepted the jade vial and hurriedly offered her thanks, only to find he had already walked far into the distance.

She could only stand there quietly, watching that snow-white robe-clad figure grow ever more distant, until it finally vanished at the horizon's edge.

In this life, we shall not meet again; a lifetime spent crossing the mundane world in vain.

To have met you in this life has been the ruin of my entire existence.

A mortal life is always filled with regrets and a sense of powerlessness.

Ascending Celestial Ruins Mountain, one finds pavilions, terraces, and towers standing tall amidst the mountain peaks.

Groups of Purple Mansion Ancestors and Foundation Establishment Cultivators gathered here and there, clearly awaiting the commencement of the alliance meeting.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen's arrival, four or five cultivators from Bianzhou, including Percival Pan and Xavier Xu, approached him.

Standing beside Percival Pan was a young man named Pan Lingran, a newly advanced Purple Mansion Cultivator from the Pan Family whom Eldrin Chen had met before. Xavier Xu, whose cultivation had now broken through to the Purple Mansion Seventh Layer, said with a joyful expression, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Chen, on your great advancement. Having reached the Purple Mansion, Mid Stage, I fear this old man may no longer be your match."

"You flatter me. With your cultivation entering the Purple Mansion, Late Stage, there is hope for Golden Core in the future,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a slight smile. Xavier Xu was not yet three hundred years old. A cultivator at the Purple Mansion, Late Stage at such an age would likely have two opportunities to attempt a breakthrough to Golden Core in their lifetime.

If he were willing to spend the capital to purchase a Longevity Pill [a pill that extends a cultivator's lifespan], living past five hundred years would be effortless. In the future, he might genuinely have a twenty percent chance of breaking through to Golden Core. However, the Golden Core Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of heavenly thunder one must endure to form a Golden Core] was notoriously difficult to survive. Passing it would require sacrificing at least several Third Rank High Grade Magical Treasures. Whether the Xu Clan possessed such resources remained to be seen.

As this thought flashed through his mind, Eldrin Chen's gaze shifted to the distance.

Xavier Xu seized the opportunity to introduce them, saying, "Those several individuals are all Fellow Daoists from the Purple Mansion [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within the body] of the Qing and Yang Provinces."

Through Xavier Xu's introductions, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch gained a general understanding of these cultivators' backgrounds.

Currently, within the Qing and Yang Provinces, there remain eight Purple Mansion Immortal Clans [powerful cultivation families whose patriarchs have reached the Purple Mansion Realm], collectively boasting fifteen Purple Mansion cultivators [cultivators who have successfully formed their Purple Mansion spiritual core]. This number exceeds that of the Green Sun Sect's Purple Mansion cultivators by six individuals.

Among these fifteen Purple Mansion cultivators, there are two cultivators at the Purple Mansion Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Purple Mansion Realm], while the remainder are all in the Purple Mansion Early to Mid Stage [the initial and middle phases of the Purple Mansion Realm].

For this occasion, the Eight Great Immortal Clans of the Qing and Yang Provinces dispatched eight of their Purple Mansion cultivators, including those two Ancient Ancestors [venerable titles for senior patriarchs] at the Purple Mansion Late Stage.

Of the two Ancient Ancestors at the Purple Mansion Late Stage, one is Qingmei Fang from the Fang Immortal Clan of Cloud Sun County in Yang Province. This individual is a female cultivator at the Purple Mansion Seventh Layer [the seventh level within the Purple Mansion Realm]; her cultivation level matches Xavier Xu's, and she too has only recently made her breakthrough. Published by audio-novel-dot-com. All rights reserved.

The other hails from the Mo Immortal Clan of Qing Province—Ancient Ancestor Qian. His cultivation has reached the profound height of the ninth layer of the Purple Mansion. The Qian Clan possesses four Purple Mansion cultivators, ranking it among the top three Purple Mansion Immortal Clans within the Chu Kingdom; it is not far behind even Yan Morgrim's Yan Immortal Clan.

This Ancient Ancestor Qian is now four hundred and sixty years of age, a venerable senior. However, having consumed three Third Rank Longevity Pills [high-grade elixirs that extend a cultivator's lifespan], he still retains thirty years of remaining lifespan.

That Ancient Ancestor Qian has personally come to Heaven's Ruin Mountain at this time clearly indicates his intent to settle accounts with the Green Sun Sect before his vital essence and blood completely wither.

During the previous Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts that ravages human territories], the Qian Clan lost two of its Purple Mansion Ancestors in battle. Nearly all of the more than thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators [cultivators at the second major stage] who participated were also slain, while Xu the Ancient Ancestor of the Green Sun Sect fled without engaging the enemy. One can imagine the depth of hatred the Qian Clan harbors for the Green Sun Sect.

In the midst of their mutual introductions, the Alliance of the Celestial Ruins [a coalition of righteous cultivators and clans] finally commenced its assembly.

Lyra Jiang emerged from seclusion to greet the gathered crowd, and then Elara Lin at her side spoke: "Esteemed friends, the Green Sun Sect [a major orthodox cultivation sect] monopolizes the greatest share of resources within the Three Provinces [a region comprising three major provinces], yet they shirk their duty to defend its borders."

"We have shed blood on the front lines for the Human Race, while they reap the spoils of war but withhold compensation for the fallen. They flee without fighting the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for monstrous, demonic beings], yet they sit comfortably in the rear, luxuriating upon the Spirit Veins and Earth Veins [natural conduits of spiritual and terrestrial energy, crucial for cultivation]."

"Now that our Master [a respectful title for a senior cultivator or teacher] has achieved a breakthrough to the Golden Core [a major cultivation stage where one condenses their spiritual essence into a solid, golden core], we can no longer tolerate the existence of such parasitic leeches as the Green Sun Sect."

"The purpose of this Alliance of the Celestial Ruins is to forge a pact with all of you. Together, we shall storm Green Sun Mountain [the mountain stronghold of the Green Sun Sect] and demand justice for the countless cultivators who have fallen in battle."

As Elara Lin's words fell, the assembly nodded in fervent agreement. It was clear they had been awaiting this moment for many years.

Seeing their satisfaction, Elara Lin presented each attendee with a formal pact.

Eldrin Chen was intimately familiar with the contents of this document. In essence, it was an expanded version of the old Bianzhou Celestial Ruins Mountain covenant, merely amended with certain modifications.

After confirming there were no unexpected clauses, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch [the venerable leader of the Chen Clan] signed the pact on behalf of the Chen Immortal Clan.

The alliance conference lasted for three Shichen-time [a period of two hours]. Celestial Ruins Mountain hosted a grand feast for the guests, and the proceedings did not conclude until the following day.

After the meeting concluded, the assembly did not disperse. With over twenty Purple Mansion Cultivators [powerful cultivators who have opened their spiritual core mansion] gathered at that moment, they decided to convene a Barter Convention [a formal gathering for cultivators to trade rare resources].

This Barter Convention was held within the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion. Elara Lin, representing Heaven's Ruin Mountain, was the first to step forward, presenting three treasures.

These three treasures were: a vial of Third Rank Treasure Pill [an extremely potent pill for high-level cultivators], a single Fourth Rank Low Grade Spirit Talisman [a powerful, single-use magical seal of immense power], and several Third Rank High Grade Spirit Talismans [powerful, single-use magical seals].

With a great battle looming, the importance of these Spirit Talismans and pills needed no elaboration.

Qian the Ancient Ancestor expended four hundred thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to purchase that Fourth Rank Low Grade Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword Talisman. The treasure pill, meanwhile, fell into the hands of Fang the Immortal Maiden of Cloud Sun County.

The three Third Rank High Grade Spirit Talismans were bought at a steep price by Xavier Xu.

Eldrin Chen was the second to step forward. He produced two Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pills and five Cloud Vein Creation Pills, declaring,

"Esteemed colleagues, the value of these treasures is, I trust, clear to all."

"Two Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pills for one Third Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [a potent enchanted artifact]. For the Cloud Vein Creation Pills, you may name your price." Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel.com (official site).