Chapter 283 : A Haven for Rogue Cultivators

After years of careful management, the current Spirit Source Mountain has become the premier haven for Rogue Cultivator [cultivators not affiliated with any major clan or sect] within Bianzhou. Countless cultivators lacking their own Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy] have come to rent Cultivation Cave [a cave dwelling suitable for meditation and cultivation] here, tending to Spirit Farmland [fields imbued with spiritual energy for growing special crops] and establishing various enterprises.

Consequently, the Spirit Source Mountain Market has flourished in tandem. In recent years, it has consistently generated an annual tax revenue of twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] for the Chen Clan.

As Eldrin Chen alighted from his Flying Sword [a sword enchanted for flight and combat], he saw Varen Wei already approaching with a welcoming smile.

"What brings you here today?"

"To meet an old friend."

Eldrin Chen replied, his gaze sweeping over Varen Wei. He noted that Varen Wei had already cultivated his power to the peak of the Purple Mansion Third Layer [the third stage within the Purple Mansion cultivation realm].

In the blink of an eye, more than eighty years had passed since Eldrin Chen's own breakthrough into the Purple Mansion [a major stage of cultivation where one forms a spiritual core]. Varen Wei, having been delayed by an initial failed attempt, had now been at this realm for over seventy years.

For the first two decades, lacking both a proper Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] and a stable stipend, Varen Wei's cultivation progress had been painfully slow.

His fortunes changed after accepting the invitation to oversee Spirit Source Mountain. Not only did he finally clear his clan's debts, but he also managed to gather three hundred thousand Spirit Stone to elevate his family's Heavenly Peak Mountain to the level of a Third Rank Low Grade [a classification denoting a low-grade spiritual resource of the third rank] spirit mountain.

Seeing his friend at the peak of the Purple Mansion Third Layer, Eldrin Chen presented him with two Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a high-grade pill that aids in cultivation and spiritual refinement] he had prepared long in advance. Published by audio-novel`com. All rights reserved.

"The Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a rare pill that aids in the creation and refinement of one's spiritual foundation] is too precious, I cannot possibly accept this."

Varen Wei hastily declined, feeling it improper to receive such a treasure.

Eldrin Chen merely smiled and shook his head, saying, "Our Chen Clan's Kael, along with Uncle Lior and others, broke through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within the body] some thirty or forty years ago. I estimate they should attempt to advance to the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Purple Mansion realm] within the next decade."

"I personally refined this Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a rare pill that aids in the creation and refinement of one's spiritual foundation] in my alchemy furnace. I had two extra, so I brought one for you."

"Do not be overly modest. Your Wei Clan cultivates the Cloud Vein Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit that grows in high altitudes, prized for its ability to refine spiritual meridians], do you not? When it ripens, you can exchange it with me."

Only after hearing this did Varen Wei finally accept the Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a rare pill that aids in the creation and refinement of one's spiritual foundation].

The Wei Family indeed cultivated the Cloud Vein Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit that grows in high altitudes, prized for its ability to refine spiritual meridians], though it still required some time before it would fully mature.

Although the Cloud Vein Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit that grows in high altitudes, prized for its ability to refine spiritual meridians] could not compare to the Five Elements Treasure Crystals [crystals imbued with the pure essence of the five fundamental elements], it was nonetheless a crucial primary ingredient for refining both the Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a rare pill that aids in the creation and refinement of one's spiritual foundation] and the Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill [a pill that refines spiritual energy and strengthens meridians].

Such fruits were perpetually scarce. Exchanging them for the Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a rare pill that aids in the creation and refinement of one's spiritual foundation] was indeed a fair and suitable trade.

After conversing with Varen Wei for a short while, Eldrin Chen made his way to Yu Qingyan's Cultivation Cave [a secluded chamber or cavern used for meditation and cultivation].

Seeing him arrive at Spirit Source Mountain, Yu Qingyan [a female cultivator] shot him a glance and said, "You promised to bring me to Chu Kingdom to seize a Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy], yet here I am, still without a single one to my name."

"There is no need for undue haste in this matter,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a calm smile. "The Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion by monstrous beasts] is imminent. Even if we were to capture a Demonic Tribe [a tribe of sentient demonic beasts] stronghold on a Spirit Mountain, the resources invested in developing it would be lost when the Beast Tide Calamity forces us to retreat. The gain would not be worth the loss."

"It is wiser to launch our campaign *after* the calamity has passed. Then, we can secure a century of peace."

Hearing his reasoning, Yu Qingyan found it sound and could only nod in reluctant agreement.

Noting her expression, Eldrin Chen inquired further, "What was it you sought me for earlier?"

"This matter..."

Yu Qingyan hesitated briefly, then after a long moment, gritted her teeth and spoke. "To be frank, I sought you out this time to ask for your help in seeking vengeance."

"Vengeance?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he studied Yu Qingyan. Matters of vengeance invariably entangled one in significant karmic consequences.

Since acquiring the legacy treasures of Lin Daoyang, Yu Qingyan received a share of valuables worth over a million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. This allowed her cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds, and not long ago, she even broke through to the Purple Mansion, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the third major realm of cultivation].

Given her current level of cultivation, she still lacked the confidence to exact revenge and sought to enlist his help. This indicated her opponent's strength was at least at the Purple Mansion, Late Stage, and could even be a False Core [a cultivator who has formed a flawed or incomplete Golden Core] or even a Golden Core Cultivator [a master of the fourth major realm of cultivation].

Although their relationship was good, it had not yet reached the point where he would risk life and limb against a high-level cultivator for her sake.

"The tale is a long one," she began.

After gauging Eldrin Chen's expression, Yu Qingyan proceeded to recount her story in detail.

It turned out Yu Qingyan herself had a notable background. She was originally a disciple of the Yu Clan, a Golden Core Immortal Clan [a powerful clan led by Golden Core cultivators] from Cang Nation within the Ji Continent. This chapter appears courtesy of audio . novel . com.

Approximately one hundred years prior, the Yu Clan faced a crisis of succession. Their final Golden Core Ancestor [the founding or most senior Golden Core master of a clan] passed away in meditation within the family's Spirit Vein [a natural concentration of spiritual energy within the earth].

The fall of a Golden Core Immortal Clan from its lofty perch naturally made it prime prey in the eyes of other major clans, each eager to take a bite of the spoils.

Initially, the Yu Clan sought to defend its assets, hoping to rely on its substantial reserves to nurture a new Golden Core [the solidified spiritual core formed in the fourth major realm]. However, after several fierce conflicts, they suffered heavy losses instead, and one Ancient Ancestor [a venerable, high-ranking elder of a clan] after another passed away due to various reasons.

Compounding this was the incompetence of their last Clan Patriarch. After failing three consecutive attempts to break through to Golden Core, he too perished, consuming the majority of the Yu Clan's remaining foundational resources in the process.

With no other recourse, the Yu Immortal Clan was forced to relinquish the majority of its interests in its Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation], and even had to surrender the clan's Fourth Rank Spirit Vein [a high-grade source of spiritual energy capable of supporting Golden Core cultivators]. Only by making these painful concessions did they barely manage to preserve a sliver of their foundation.

Yet, before the Yu Immortal Clan could even catch its breath, a Purple Mansion Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Purple Mansion realm, just one step away from forming a Golden Core] Rogue Cultivator [an unaffiliated cultivator operating outside of sects or clans] launched a devastating assault upon them.

In a single night, the last vestiges of the Yu Immortal Clan's strength were utterly annihilated. Only Yu Qingyan, due to her exceptional talent, had been sent away from the clan early on and thus survived the carnage.

"The one who led the assault was named Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic. He was the foremost Rogue Cultivator in all of Cang Nation," she recounted, her voice cold.

"That man's lifespan is now nearing its end, but he has already broken through to the False Core Realm [a quasi-Golden Core state, more powerful than Purple Mansion but unstable and inferior to a true Golden Core]. His dao field is hidden deep within the Ronan Ji," she continued, naming the treacherous mountain range.

As Yu Qingyan spoke, a flicker of profound hatred burned in her gaze.

That Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic was a figure of ruthless ambition. After slaughtering the Yu Clan's high-ranking cultivators, and to prevent any descendants from seeking vengeance, he systematically hunted down and executed tens of thousands of their lower-ranked disciples. His methods were undeniably merciless.

It was precisely because of this that the Yu Clan's cultivators were nearly exterminated, leaving no one to protect their vast population of mortal kin. This indirectly led to the catastrophic loss of over eighty million of their mortal clansmen.

Countless souls perished, devoured by Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that absorb spiritual energy, often hostile to humans] or slain by Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use sinister, often blood-based methods that defy the righteous path]. There were even whispers that Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern managed to break through to the Golden Core, Late Stage [an advanced stage within the Golden Core realm] by secretly performing a massive blood sacrifice using the Yu Clan's mortal populace.

Long ago, she had sworn a blood oath to avenge her clan. Now, with Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic's lifespan dwindling, if she did not act soon, the chance for vengeance would be lost forever.

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow upon hearing this. Generally, conflicts among Righteous Path Cultivator [cultivators who follow the orthodox, virtuous path] did not involve ordinary mortals.

While Lyra Jiang had seized Green Sun Mountain, she had also made proper arrangements for the hundreds of millions of mortals under the former Green Sun Sect's jurisdiction.

Most of these mortals were absorbed by various nearby immortal clans, while the remainder were placed under the care of Lyra Jiang's disciples and descendants, becoming the primary source of new cultivators for the Heaven's Ruin Alliance.

That Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic, however, was ruthless and cruel. To prevent the Yu Clan from seeking revenge, he relentlessly hunted down their cultivators but refused to provide for the mortals. This indirectly led to countless mortal deaths at the hands of demons and monsters, an excessively brutal course of action.

Seeing his frown, Yu Qingyan gritted her teeth and said, "That Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic possesses a Fourth Rank Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power, forged for immortal use]. It is my Yu Clan's Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of paramount importance used to protect and signify a clan's legacy]."

"If you join forces with me to help me take revenge and slay him, all his treasures, including that Fourth Rank Immortal Sword, will be yours."

"Furthermore, I am willing to pay three hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] as compensation for your assistance."

Even Eldrin Chen felt a stir of desire at the offer of three hundred thousand Spirit Stone.

That Fourth Rank Immortal Sword was particularly enticing. Obtaining it would be an excellent choice, whether to wield it directly or to smelt it down into Treasure Metal [a rare, spiritually infused metal used to craft powerful artifacts] to advance another weapon to Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [a treasure of immense power, suitable for Golden Core Realm cultivators]. Original publication: audio-novel[dot]com - The source of this chapter.