Chapter 227 : The Path to Violet Sanctum

The Old Patriarch also nodded. Lior Chen cultivated with exceptional diligence, and his current progress was remarkably swift. He was not far from reaching the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

If Lior Chen could achieve a breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical palace within], even if he only managed to open three-tenths of his Meridian of the Path [the spiritual channels within the Violet Sanctum], 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.

However, Kael Chen was currently only at the Foundation Establishment 8th Tier. It would take him at least another fifteen years before he could even attempt to assail the Violet Sanctum. He would not make it in time for the great battle against the Verdant Sun Sect.

Thinking of this, Eternal Profound Chen spoke again, "Although I understand Kael's character well, to prevent a repeat of what happened with Cyrus, 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 Cyrus'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 Verdant Sun Sect proceeded smoothly, it would not hinder his breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum at all.

"..."

Departing from Pingyang City, Eldrin Chen flew on his sword to Green Chariot Mountain. He had someone gather all the necessary Spirit Herb [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 secluded cultivation.

Without excessive preamble, he went straight to Kael Chen, explained the situation, and then said. Dive deeper into the Dao at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

"You need not worry. Even if the assault on the Verdant Sun Sect does not proceed smoothly, I can still procure a Five Elements Treasure Crystal [a rare crystal containing the purified essence of the five fundamental elements] for you."

"It will not delay you for long."

Kael Chen possessed Fire, Wood, and Earth Three Spiritual Roots [the innate spiritual affinities that determine a cultivator's elemental aptitudes and cultivation speed]. While his cultivation speed was somewhat slower, his required cultivation resources were among the easiest to acquire.

After securing Spirit Source Mountain, the Chen Clan's current assets were sufficient to support five or six Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major realm]. With an annual surplus exceeding twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], purchasing a single Five Elements Crystal [a crystal containing the power of the five elements] would not be difficult if they were willing to spend the resources.

The only complication was that Five Elements Crystal were relatively scarce, with very few circulating in the markets of Chu Nation. They typically only appeared in small numbers during the Barter Convention [a large-scale gathering where cultivators trade rare goods].

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

"Brother Eldrin, you underestimate me."

"My lifespan is still ample. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I will have four opportunities to attempt a breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm, where one opens a mystical energy center] before my lifespan is exhausted."

"Therefore, I wish to try and see if I can break through to the Violet Sanctum on my own."

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

Clad in a verdant robe, Kael Chen stood in silent contemplation upon Green Chariot Mountain, his gaze fixed on the distant sky. An aura of quiet pride, subtle yet unmistakable, clung to his figure.

"Though I understand the tribulations of the flesh are a formidable peak to conquer on the path of cultivation,"

"I achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [the act of reaching the Foundation Establishment realm through one's own power and comprehension, without external aids]. Having scaled that first summit, I now behold a loftier peak before me."

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

Eldrin Chen smiled. Those who attained Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment were all rare and exceptional talents.

Though this elder brother's innate talent was ordinary, his successful self-guided breakthrough into Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] had wrought a remarkable transformation in his temperament, willpower, and daring.

People grow. Having reached this stage, Kael Chen was already a rare prodigy among Foundation Establishment cultivators. It was merely that he had always stood somewhat in the shadow of Eldrin Chen's radiant brilliance.

He still possessed over a century of lifespan. With such ample time ahead, it was only natural he now harbored the boldness to confront the tribulations of the flesh.

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

This line of thought led Eldrin Chen's mind to Verdant River Chen. He mused that if the Second Elder were to achieve Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment, he would likely possess a similar, unyielding spirit.

Suppressing the regret in his heart, he looked at Kael Chen and said, "Although attempting a Violet Sanctum breakthrough without the aid of a Five Elements Treasure Crystal is perilous, the process can be halted midway."

"Elder Brother, proceed with confidence. The Clan Treasury still holds one Energy-Restoring Origin Pill. In a moment of dire need, you can burn your vital essence for a final push."

"..."

After departing from Green Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen flew towards Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

At that time, Exquisite Jiang was in seclusion, tempering her Lifebound Magical Treasure. Eldrin Chen waited for half a month before she finally emerged.

Having just refined her Six Harmonies and Eight Desolations Cauldron to the Fourth Rank Mid-Grade level, Exquisite Jiang was clearly in high spirits. Seeing Eldrin Chen brought a genuine smile to her face. Original English translation available at audio-novel`com.

"Your cultivation progress is commendable. It seems you will reach the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage before we confront the Verdant Sun Sect."

"That is largely thanks to your Shellfish King Pearl."

Nearly a year had passed since they last met. To soothe their longing, he spent time walking with Exquisite Jiang on the slopes of Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

After two days of tender companionship, he remembered the purpose of his visit. He produced the Purple Sun Jade and spoke.

"The reason I've come to find you this time is actually to refine two batches of pills."

"Purple Sun Jade."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes lit up with a glimmer of delight as she said with pleasant surprise, "You wish to refine the Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill [a pill that refines and strengthens the spiritual veins within a cultivator's Violet Sanctum realm]?"

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

He nodded, his expression calm as he spoke.

For once, she did not refuse out of courtesy, for Elara Lin had already touched the threshold of the Violet Sanctum Late Stage and urgently needed this Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill.

Before their arrival, the Xu Clan and the Chen Clan had already gathered the supplementary ingredients. The two of them proceeded directly to open the alchemical furnace and begin refining the Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill.

By this time, Tea Rose Su had also recovered from her injuries. Upon hearing they were to refine the Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill, she hurried over, eager to assist Exquisite Jiang as her aide.

Though Tea Rose Su could not match Eldrin Chen's transcendent comprehension, and her alchemical skills were no longer on par with his, she still possessed the level of a Third Rank Lower Grade alchemist. Using her to process Second Rank supplementary ingredients was somewhat overkill, but it did save the two of them a great deal of effort.

With three high-ranking alchemists working together on the Violet Aura Creation Pill, the process was naturally swift. In merely seven days, they successfully completed the refinement of this batch of Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill.

"Success."

Gazing at the six Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pills [precious pills that aid in breaking through to the Violet Sanctum realm] from a single cauldron, Exquisite Jiang revealed a joyful expression.

Refining six Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pills in one batch, with a bit more accumulation of experience, she would likely be able to break through to the level of a Fourth Rank Mid-Grade [a mid-tier rank within the fourth rank of alchemists] alchemist.

The price of Purple Sun Jade [a rare jade used in high-level alchemy] was over one hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy], while the value of a Cloud Vein Fruit [a spiritual fruit with cloud-like patterns] exceeded thirty thousand Spirit Stones. The cost for one batch of Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pills was approximately two hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

Eldrin Chen also showed delight. By refining six Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pills in one batch, Exquisite Jiang had forcefully compressed the cost per pill to just over thirty thousand Spirit Stones each.

Generally, the value of a single Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill was around one hundred thousand Spirit Stones, which clearly demonstrated the exceptional skill of Exquisite Jiang in the art of alchemy.

This also served to illustrate the formidable wealth-generating capability of a high-rank alchemist.

Exquisite Jiang took three jade vials, divided the six Precious Pills [a general term for high-value cultivation pills] into two per vial, and then handed two vials to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen accepted the two vials, then handed one back, saying, "A single Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill can increase the odds of a breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the advanced stage within the Violet Sanctum cultivation 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 a Variant Spiritual Root [a rare and superior type of spiritual foundation], so her chances of overcoming the bottleneck are greater than yours." Exquisite Jiang smiled gently and pushed the bottle of elixirs back. "With two pills, the success is virtually assured."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen finally accepted and stored away both vials of elixirs. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel`com.