Chapter 244 : A Patriarch's Burden and a Daughter's Resolve

Old Patriarch listened and nodded. He truly wished to assist Eldrin Chen, but the clan still could not manage without him.

Currently, the population of Pingyang City was in a phase of explosive growth. Without his presence to oversee matters, it was difficult to feel at ease.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and spoke calmly, "Set your mind at ease. With my current level of cultivation, ordinary individuals would find it difficult to pose a threat."

"Mm."

Chen Thalion also allowed a smile to touch his lips. Eldrin Chen's cultivation was no longer what it had been in the past. Moreover, he possessed sound judgment and was not some greenhorn just stepping into the wider world.

Setting aside his worries, he pondered for a moment before speaking. "Silas and Caleb have both perfected their True Essence [the refined energy cultivated by Foundation Establishment cultivators]. In recent days, they have begun preparations to attempt their breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within the body]."

"I instructed Lior to deliver a Li Fire Crystal [a crystalized form of fire-attribute spiritual energy, used to aid in cultivation breakthroughs] to each of them. However, Silas sent hers back."

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow. Silas Chen's foundation was not particularly robust, and her temperament was gentle. Attempting to break through to the Purple Mansion on her own would likely prove exceedingly difficult.

Observing his expression, the Old Patriarch hesitated briefly before continuing, "That girl harbors a deep-seated resolve. If she can channel it into motivation, it may yet be a good thing." Find this and other novels at audio-novel*com.

"After all, she is still relatively young and can afford to give it a try."

Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath and finally gave a nod.

Without a word, he departed from Pingyang City and flew back to Spirit Lake Isle on his sword.

Upon seeing him, Lila immediately lowered her head and said, "Uncle..."

Seeing his silent demeanor, Lila timidly bowed her head and spoke.

"Sister Silas is attempting a breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian]."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly and stood motionless before the Spirit Pool Seclusion Chamber, his expression calm and composed.

From within the Seclusion Chamber, an aura emanated—somewhat wilted, carrying a sense of extreme weakness and a suppressed, agonizing emotion.

As if sensing his arrival, that aura rallied slightly. A stubborn, unyielding conviction rekindled and persisted once more.

He stood before the Seclusion Chamber for seven days, until that aura withered to its absolute limit. Only then did Eldrin Chen open the chamber's great door.

Within the Spirit Pool [a pool of concentrated spiritual energy], he saw Silas Chen covered in blood, her face deathly pale, looking at him with utterly exhausted eyes.

"This foolish child."

With a sigh in his heart, Eldrin Chen took out a Qi Replenishing Return Pill [a pill that restores vital energy] and fed it to her, allowing her to regain a sliver of strength.

This time, Silas Chen had attempted her breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation] without relying on any external aids, and in the end, she had fallen just short of success.

The agony of the Mortal Tribulation [a trial of physical and spiritual torment faced during major cultivation breakthroughs] was far too overwhelming, making it difficult for her to fully mobilize her True Essence [refined spiritual power]. Even after exhausting all her power, she had only managed to clear one and a half tenths of her meridians.

Yet, though this girl appeared gentle, her nature was stubborn to the core. Upon sensing Eldrin Chen's arrival, she actually reignited her resolve.

Clutching onto sheer willpower, she endured the excruciating pain of the Mortal Tribulation and forcibly used her Lifebound Essence Blood [the vital blood essence bound to a cultivator's life force] in place of her True Essence to assault the Purple Mansion Dao Meridian [the primary spiritual channel that must be opened to reach the Purple Mansion realm]. Astonishingly, she cleared another two tenths of the Purple Mansion Dao Meridian.

She had not achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [the most difficult and purest method of establishing one's cultivation foundation without external pills], yet to clear three and a half tenths of the Purple Mansion Dao Meridian without any external aids was an exceptional feat.

Though she had failed this time, she could be said to have barely withstood the Mortal Tribulation. Perhaps in another twenty-some years, when she attempts the Purple Mansion breakthrough again, she might be able to fully conquer it.

"Alas."

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh. The path ahead was arduous, as difficult as ascending to the azure heavens.

Although Silas Chen possessed considerable talent, it seemed he was seeking the possibility of forging a Middle Golden Core [a high-quality core formed during the Golden Core realm, representing significant potential] in the future.

However, she ultimately had not achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a method of establishing one's cultivation foundation without external aids, leading to greater purity and potential], so it was impossible for her to attain the legendary Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core, representing near-perfect foundation and immense future potential] in this lifetime. Yet, even a Middle Golden Core was already an extraordinary accomplishment.

How exceedingly difficult it was to forge a Middle Golden Core. She still had a long road to walk, and this was merely glimpsing a sliver of hope.

The fact that she had managed to penetrate three and a half tenths of her Purple Mansion Dao Meridian [the primary spiritual channel that must be opened to advance to the Purple Mansion realm] this time was solely due to a single thread of obsession in her heart. For uninterrupted reading, go to http://www . audio-novel.com.

For cultivators, obsession is both a powerful tool and a potential heart demon [an inner obstacle or manifestation of negative emotions that can hinder cultivation].

Those of stubborn temperament, harboring deep-seated obsessions, often practice cultivation with relentless diligence and can unleash astonishing latent potential.

Such individuals either meet an untimely end, or those who survive often travel further than ordinary people.

Silas Chen's vital essence was severely depleted. Even with the Qi Replenishing Return Pill [a pill that restores a cultivator's depleted vital energy and essence] to replenish it, she would likely need five years of recuperation.

Eldrin Chen said nothing further. He handed a few Pill [refined medicinal elixirs used for cultivation or healing] to Lila, instructing her to take good care of the girl, then turned and departed from Spirit Isle Lake.

Uncertain of when he might return from his journey to Heavenly Abode Continent, he first went to Verdant Chariot Mountain. From the Clan Treasury, he withdrew one hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] and several Third Rank Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts of the third cultivation rank].

Just as he was about to leave after collecting the items, Ethan Chen found him.

"Uncle Eldrin."

"What is it?" Eldrin Chen asked.

Looking at Ethan Chen, Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile.

He was quite fond of Ethan Chen. The young man possessed remarkable talent and a bold, decisive character. During the great battle at Green Sun Mountain, he had slain three Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] cultivators, earning himself considerable renown.

He had dared to attempt Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a perilous method of advancing to the Foundation Establishment realm without external aid] at the age of twenty-four. Now, merely in his sixties, he had already cultivated to the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer [the penultimate layer of the Foundation Establishment realm], making him one of the clan's brightest prospects.

Ethan Chen looked at Eldrin Chen, a hint of sheepishness on his face as he rubbed his hands together. "Uncle Eldrin, didn't the clan say that those who achieve Self-Guided Foundation Establishment are given priority for Five Elements Crystals [crystalline essences of the five elements, used for breakthroughs] to attempt a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion [the third major stage of cultivation]?"

"I was wondering if I could... exchange with you first for a single Li Fire Crystal [a crystal containing the essence of the Separated Flame, one of the Five Elements]."

"Hmm."

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow and couldn't help but ask, "You intend to use a Li Fire Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with the essence of fire and earth] to attempt a breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian]?"

"No, no." Ethan Chen chuckled and shook his head quickly. "If Uncle Kael could achieve the Purple Mansion breakthrough through his own efforts, why shouldn't I be able to?"

He continued, a wide grin spreading across his face:

"Let's make a deal. How about you lend me one Li Fire Crystal and one Profound Water Crystal [a rare crystal containing the essence of deep, tranquil water] first?"

"I want to forge a pair of Heavenly Separated Twin Swords."

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback before realizing that Ethan Chen was simply coveting his own Heavenly Separated Twin Swords.

Ever since the great battle at Celestial Ruins Mountain, the fame of his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords had already shaken the entire Chu Kingdom.

Both the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss and the Heavenly River Flood Water Sword had been inscribed within the Chu Kingdom Weaponry Registry [a prestigious registry ranking the most powerful magical weapons in the kingdom]. Among the sixty or seventy Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [the most powerful treasures used to protect and define a clan's legacy] listed, both immortal swords had secured places within the top ten.

When the twin swords were united, their combined power was unquestionably peerless, claiming the very top of the rankings—a force even capable of rivaling a Fourth Rank Golden Core Magical Treasure [a treasure forged by and for Golden Core realm cultivators, representing immense power].

Such an offensive immortal sword had long since shaken the world, and countless people envied it. Ethan Chen naturally coveted it greatly, wishing to forge a pair of his own Heavenly Separated Twin Swords [a legendary pair of swords, one imbued with heavenly fire and the other with profound water, representing the perfect union of opposing elemental forces].

"You rascal."

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a wry smile. However, this Ethan Chen possessed Water-Fire Two Spiritual Roots [a rare and potent dual affinity for the opposing elements of water and fire], making him indeed suitable for forging a pair of Heavenly Separated Twin Swords.

Thinking of this, he said with a smile, "In recent years, several within the clan have attempted to break through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian], and our supply of Five Elements Crystals [crystalline formations containing the purified essence of the five fundamental elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth] has become somewhat strained. Originally, we would have had to wait a few more years to purchase one for you."

"Fortunately, your sister Silas achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a method of establishing one's cultivation foundation without external aids, demonstrating exceptional talent and willpower], leaving behind a Li Fire Crystal [a rare crystal brimming with the essence of the Li Trigram fire, one of the eight elemental forces]. I shall retrieve it for you later."

"As for the Profound Water Crystal [a crystal containing the deep, abyssal essence of water, the counterpart to Li Fire]..."

At this point, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow.

Within the Chu Kingdom, Profound Water Crystal were exceedingly scarce. To purchase one would require crossing mountains and traversing ridges to reach the Yan Kingdom, and he currently lacked the leisure for such a journey.

Yet, in the next moment, another place came to his mind. Thus, he continued, "Never mind. I shall procure the Profound Water Crystal for you as well."

That very night, Eldrin Chen soared into the heavens upon his flying sword. In a single night's flight, he passed over the Celestial Ruins Mountain and sped towards Celestial Python Lake [a vast, serpentine lake rumored to be the dwelling place of ancient water spirits and celestial serpents].

"Whoosh—"

Golden Butterfly Valley, a territory of the Demonic Tribe.

A streak of deep azure radiance sliced across the heavens, its Sword Aura cleaving through the sea of clouds as it soared into the sky. The passage of this Flying Sword sent tremors of fear through the demonic beasts below.

"How dare you, Human Race!"

Witnessing a Human Race cultivator brazenly riding a Flying Sword over their sacred Spirit Mountain, a Six-Winged Golden Butterfly at the Purple Mansion First Layer unleashed a furious roar with its spiritual sense and prepared to charge forward to intercept.

Yet it was swiftly restrained by the Six-Winged Golden Butterfly King, a being at the Purple Mansion Late Stage. The Butterfly King pinned it to the ground, its face etched with terror as it spoke.

"You would dare to block *that* person's Flying Sword? Have you lost all regard for your life?" Join our community of readers at (audio-novel.com).