Chapter 228 : Alchemy of Ambition and Awe

Having successfully refined the Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill [a high-grade cultivation pill that nourishes the meridians and refines spiritual energy], he then produced the Solar Fire Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with the essence of solar fire].

"With my current alchemical skill, the success rate for refining the Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a precious pill that aids in the breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum realm] is likely still not high," he mused.

"This Solar Fire [a powerful cultivation art that channels solar fire energy] essence is best entrusted to you for refinement to maximize the gains."

As he prepared to refine the Cloud Vein Creation Pill, Tea Rose Su cast an excited glance towards Exquisite Jiang.

She had broken through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within the body] over twenty years earlier than Eldrin Chen and had now cultivated to the Violet Sanctum 3rd Tier. She was precisely in need of the Cloud Vein Creation Pill.

Exquisite Jiang's eyes held a knowing smile; she understood Tea Rose Su's thoughts at a glance. Teasingly, she said, "You, girl, are too shy to ask Eldrin directly?"

Tea Rose Su's face flushed slightly, but then she heard Exquisite Jiang continue, "Rest assured, you will certainly receive your share once they are refined."

"Hehe..."

"Thank you, Master."

Tea Rose Su chuckled, then glanced at Eldrin Chen and added, "Thank you, Grandmaster." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio—novel.com.

"You clever little imp."

Exquisite Jiang's cheeks flushed slightly as she gave a light, chiding sound, then began refining the Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a high-grade pill that aids in the formation of spiritual veins within the cultivator's body].

Given Exquisite Jiang's alchemical skill, her success rate for refining the Cloud Vein Creation Pill was already quite high. Remarkably, she managed to produce eight pills from a single batch.

Theoretically, a single alchemical batch could yield ten pills, but the Heavenly Path [the fundamental laws governing cultivation and the universe] is inherently incomplete, making a perfect ten-out-of-ten yield impossible.

Generally, producing eight or nine pills was considered to be pushing the very limits of what was achievable.

Eldrin Chen reflected that with his own alchemical skills, he would likely only produce around three pills per batch, a stark illustration of the immense gap between their abilities.

After successfully refining the Cloud Vein Creation Pill, Exquisite Jiang took two pills and handed them to Tea Rose Su, then gave the remainder to Eldrin Chen.

After a moment of contemplation, she spoke. "In ten years, I intend to move against the Verdant Sun Sect. I will send invitations to the Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families whose patriarchs have reached the Violet Sanctum realm] of the Three Prefectures Region one or two years prior, summoning them to Heavenly Ruins Mountain for an alliance council."

"We can seize that opportunity to host a Barter Convention [a formal gathering where cultivators trade rare resources and treasures]. You can bring your surplus pills to trade with the Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the third major realm of cultivation] from the various Immortal Clan."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. He realized Exquisite Jiang's plan was to cultivate more cultivators at the Middle and Late Violet Sanctum Realm [the advanced stages of the third major cultivation realm], thereby increasing their chances of victory against the Verdant Sun Sect.

After all, without high-grade treasures to preserve them, the medicinal efficacy of the Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill [a pill that aids in opening and strengthening the Violet Sanctum's spiritual veins] lasts only a little over thirty years. Neither Eldrin Chen nor the Old Patriarch had any use for them. It was better to trade them away for precious treasures like the Five Elements Crystal [a crystal containing the refined essence of the five fundamental elements].

"..."

Departing from Heavenly Ruins Mountain, he first made a trip to the Xu Clan, delivered the two Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pills, and then returned directly to Pingyang City.

Upon receiving the Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a pill that creates and refines the spiritual veins within the Violet Sanctum realm], the Old Patriarch immediately retreated into his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed meditation and cultivation] to undertake a closed-door cultivation session, aiming to break through to the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage.

Eldrin Chen did not leave either, choosing to remain in Pingyang City to stand guard and protect his patriarch during this critical time.

After a mere seven days, the Old Patriarch successfully broke through to the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage. The old man emerged from the Seclusion Chamber, his laughter booming with joy and triumph.

"This breakthrough consumed two of the Cloud Vein Creation Pills," he said.

"But it proceeded smoothly, and I have now firmly stepped into the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage."

Eldrin Chen's face also lit up with delight. He himself was not yet ninety years old, while the Old Patriarch was ninety-seven years his senior.

Now, having just passed his one hundred and ninetieth year, the Old Patriarch had ascended to the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage in one decisive stride. With over two centuries of lifespan still ahead of him, if his cultivation proceeded smoothly, there was a genuine possibility—a glimmer of hope—that he might one day attempt the breakthrough to Golden Core [the stage where a cultivator condenses their spiritual energy into a solid, golden core of immense power].

"Congratulations, Old Granduncle. With your breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage today, you are destined to ascend into the Golden Core Realm in one fell swoop."

"This old man's achievements today are entirely thanks to your support."

Though in excellent spirits, the Old Patriarch stroked his beard and replied with a smile.

Within the clan, he was the sole cultivator whom Eldrin Chen supplied with Spiritual Peach [a fruit brimming with spiritual energy, prized for cultivation] unconditionally.

Without Eldrin Chen's Spiritual Peach, the Old Patriarch might still be stuck at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, or perhaps, due to prolonged injuries, he might have attempted a breakthrough to Violet Sanctum only to fail, then quietly awaited the end of his lifespan.

Yet, having supported each other all the way to this day, the debts between them were now too tangled to reckon. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel*com.

The Old Patriarch regarded Eldrin Chen as his own child, and Eldrin Chen in turn saw him as a father figure.

Having broken through to the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage, the Old Patriarch prepared to begin forging his own Lifebound Formation Artifact [a magical treasure bound to one's life force, growing in power with the user].

The Venus Stellar Pearl [a set of seven pearls that harness stellar energies] numbered seven in total. With the Old Patriarch's cultivation base, forging them alone would have been nearly impossible. Fortunately, with Eldrin Chen's assistance, they spent three months and finally succeeded in crafting this set of Lifebound Magical Treasure.

"It is done."

Gazing upon the seven lustrous white pearls before him, the Old Patriarch's face broke into a smile of delight.

These Venus Metallic Gold Pearl contained three distinct Divine Ability [supernatural powers cultivated through profound arts]. When channeled with the Old Patriarch's Violet Sanctum Mid Stage cultivation base, their unleashed power rivaled that of a Violet Sanctum Late Stage cultivator.

From this day forth, his combat prowess had surged dramatically. An ordinary Violet Sanctum Late Stage expert would likely find it difficult to gain any advantage over him.

The two of them flew to a desolate wilderness to test the Divine Ability. After the trial, Eldrin Chen realized that even with his own cultivation level, he would struggle to contend against the Old Patriarch unless he resorted to the combined might of his Celestial Abyss Twin Swords.

However, once the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords merged, their explosive power approached the level of the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum. Eldrin Chen currently found it difficult to fully control such force; its activation was an all-or-nothing, unstoppable assault. Therefore, he had refrained from using it during their friendly spar.

After their friendly match, the two soared back towards Pingyang City on their flying swords.

As they flew, Eldrin Chen noticed many mortals tilling the land within the Great Wasteland. He couldn't help but ask, "The Great Wasteland is still rife with venomous insects and fierce beasts. Isn't it quite dangerous for them to farm out here?"

"It was perilous at first, but the situation has improved greatly now."

The Old Patriarch nodded and began to explain in detail.

Besides the Old Patriarch, Pingyang City was garrisoned by three hundred Vital Essence Refinement cultivators and three permanently stationed Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

The Old Patriarch had ordered them to regularly clear the Great Wasteland. After decades of repeated purges, over ninety-nine percent of the demonic beasts and venomous insects within a thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] had been eradicated, making it safe enough for mortals to live in peace.

Now, across the plains surrounding Pingyang City, numerous villages had been established, and the cultivated fields were sufficient to feed several million people.

The mortal population of the clan had been exploding in recent years, now even exceeding two million.

This massive influx of new lives also brought forth a great number of cultivators. Currently, the Chen Clan had over two thousand Vital Essence Refinement cultivators, a number not far behind other Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan clans.

Eldrin Chen nodded, then voiced his concern, "With a population exceeding one million, we must worry about Violet Sanctum demonic cultivators taking desperate risks."

"I was just about to discuss this with you,"

Old Patriarch replied, his expression turning grave. The blood sacrifice of one million mortals would be sufficient to forge at least one third-rank Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged through vile means, often using life essence or souls].

The Chen Clan had two million mortals, and the number was still growing. In a few more years, even Violet Sanctum Late Stage experts might be tempted to take that desperate gamble.

However, since the Chen Clan dared to encourage such population growth, they naturally had sufficient confidence in their defenses.

The Old Patriarch continued, "Now that the six Second Rank High-Grade Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] have been fully nurtured, it is precisely the right time to deploy the Seven Stars Demon-Subduing Formation."

"Let us join forces and seize this opportunity to complete the deployment of this formation."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod. The Seven Stars Demon-Subduing Formation was a Third Rank Superior Grade Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts designed to produce specific effects, such as defense or amplification], capable of enveloping a vast expanse of eight hundred Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Once successfully established, it would guarantee a century of peace and security.

Furthermore, after their breakthrough to the status of a Golden Core Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has reached the Golden Core cultivation realm], should they possess a Fourth-Rank Formation Master [a specialist capable of setting up Fourth-Rank formations], they could upgrade the formation's core array plate and Formation Flag [enchanted banners used to anchor and channel a formation's power]. This would elevate the grade of their Spiritual Vein [a subterranean conduit of concentrated spiritual energy, crucial for cultivation] and allow the Seven Stars Demon Refining Grand Formation to unleash power rivaling that of the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid Golden Core]. Read, share, and discuss at audi novel.com.