Chapter 287 : The Jade Exchange and Alchemical Quest

Since the Purple Sun Jade [a rare jade imbued with solar essence] was on offer, there was little choice in the matter. In the end, the Chen Clan exchanged the Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] of Spirit Island for that single piece of Purple Sun Jade.

After the transaction was concluded, the group returned to Chu Nation. Upon arriving, Eldrin Chen first gathered the supplementary medicinal ingredients from the family's Clan Treasury.

Among the supplementary ingredients for the Creation Verdant Origin Pill [a legendary pill that can create or restore a cultivator's foundational spiritual potential], aside from the Purple Sun Jade and the Five Elements Treasure Crystal [a crystal containing the balanced essence of the five fundamental elements], the other Spirit Herb [plants infused with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] were not considered overly scarce.

Given the influence of the Chen Clan, they managed to gather them all within a mere half-month.

However, the five Five Elements Crystal [crystals each containing the pure essence of one of the five elements] were rather precious. The Chen Clan now possessed only a few remaining, managing to gather just one Positive Water Crystal [a crystal of pure, life-giving water essence], one Solar Fire Crystal [a crystal of concentrated solar flame essence], and one Metallic Gold Essence Crystal [a crystal of pure, unyielding metallic essence].

Carrying these three precious crystals, he then flew on his sword to Green Sun Mountain to find Exquisite Jiang.

Upon meeting Exquisite Jiang, he recounted the entire sequence of events to her and then produced the Millennium Verdant Origin Mushroom [a spiritual mushroom that has grown for a thousand years, containing potent life and wood essence], saying,

"I have gathered three Five Elements Treasure Crystal, but unfortunately, I am still lacking the First Wood Crystal [the crystal representing the initiating, generative power of the Wood element] and the Bulwark Earth Crystal [the crystal representing the stabilizing, foundational power of the Earth element]."

"That's not difficult," she replied. "I have a Bulwark Earth Crystal here. As for the First Wood Crystal, although it is scarce in Chu Nation, it can be substituted with a Supple Wood Crystal [a crystal of flexible, resilient wood essence]."

"Within the Supple Wood Earth Vein [an earth vein that produces Supple Wood Crystals] at my Heavenly Ruins Mountain, there are still two Supple Wood Crystal remaining." The story continues at audio-novel .c om.

Exquisite Jiang also revealed a faint smile. She looked at the Millennium Verdant Origin Mushroom and said, "Among fourth-rank elixirs [pills refined with spiritual energy for cultivation], the difficulty of concocting the Creation Verdant Origin Pill is considered relatively simple."

"I should be able to produce around four pills. When the time comes, Elara Lin and your family's Old Granduncle will have a greater hope of achieving a breakthrough into the Forming the Golden Core realm [the stage of condensing a golden core of spiritual power]."

She retrieved the Supple Wood Crystal and the Bulwark Earth Crystal, then led Eldrin Chen to the Fourth-Rank Earthfire Chamber [a specialized chamber that harnesses geothermal fire for high-level alchemy].

For this alchemical endeavor, Exquisite Jiang would take the lead, with Eldrin Chen assisting from the side.

Now, Exquisite Jiang was already a Fourth Rank Mid-Grade alchemist [a master of the fourth rank, mid-tier]. Furthermore, since successfully refining the Sub-Golden Core Pill, Eldrin Chen's own alchemical skill had reached the quasi-fourth-rank level, allowing him to provide significant help in processing the medicinal ingredients.

The two of them worked together to refine the Creation Verdant Origin Pill. The process of simmering and refining the Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy] was tedious and lengthy. They toiled for a full month before successfully processing the hundreds of portions of Spirit Herb.

At this stage, it was time to begin refining the Verdant Origin Mushroom. Exquisite Jiang handled the ingredients while offering a reminder: "Fourth-rank Spirit Herb are exceedingly difficult to refine. One must patiently extract their medicinal properties bit by bit."

"Remember, do not let impatience take hold. Otherwise, the fire will become too fierce, damaging too much of the medicinal essence and making the effort not worth the loss."

Eldrin Chen's expression was solemn and focused. He did not intervene in handling the fourth-rank Spirit Herb. Given his current cultivation base and alchemical skill, processing a fourth-rank Spirit Herb would likely fail to preserve much of its medicinal potency.

Even if he managed a successful concoction by force, the pill yield would be extremely low. For now, entrusting the task to Exquisite Jiang was the most prudent course of action.

He observed meticulously from the side, watching Exquisite Jiang process the various Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation]. With each step, his understanding of the alchemical arts grew ever more profound.

Another half-month passed before Exquisite Jiang finally gathered all the medicinal essences together. After repeated refinement with the True Flame [a pure, high-temperature flame used by cultivators for forging and alchemy], she succeeded in forging this cauldron of Creation Verdant Origin Pill.

"Success."

Watching the four Creation Verdant Origin Pill fly from the cauldron, a glint of joy flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes. Producing four pills in a single batch meant that after he, the Old Patriarch, and Elara Lin each took one, there would still be one remaining.

Exquisite Jiang kept one Creation Verdant Origin Pill and handed the remaining three to Eldrin Chen, then said with a smile.

"It has been a long time. Walk with me for a while."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded and walked quietly beside her along the paths of Green Sun Mountain.

The sun set in the west, and in the distant sky, the lingering glow of the Setting Sun [a celestial phenomenon or divine technique] bathed the land in its light.

Among the cloud-wreathed peaks of the Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy], several Immortal Crane [graceful, long-lived avian creatures associated with purity and longevity] soared on outstretched wings, their elegant forms carrying an aura of sacred grace.

The two stood in silent companionship upon the mountain peak, gazing into the distance. The lingering glow of the setting sun bathed their forms, casting two long, slender shadows upon the ground.

He held her hand, turning his head to gaze upon her peerlessly beautiful countenance. He sensed within her an aura of solitary pride and lofty detachment, as sacred and awe-inspiring as a legendary immortal maiden, yet tinged with a wordless loneliness.

Suddenly, Eldrin Chen felt his heart stir. He grasped her hand tighter and, unable to restrain himself, spoke.

"This time, let us fight side by side."

"Alright."

She nodded, her grip on his hand tightening as if she were holding onto an entire world. This chapter is provided by audio~novel.com. Support the original.

"..."

Departing from Green Sun Mountain, Eldrin Chen rode his flying sword back to Yu County.

His first stop was Pingyang City to find the Old Patriarch. He then presented the Creation Verdant Origin Pill to him.

The Old Patriarch received the Creation Verdant Origin Pill and, unable to contain his excitement, declared, "With this pill in hand, this old man may truly harbor a sliver of hope for a future breakthrough into the Forming the Golden Core realm."

"Rest assured, with the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] imminent, we are determined to help you slay one or two Golden Core Demon King [a powerful demonic beast equivalent to a Golden Core realm cultivator]."

Eldrin Chen declared with a surge of heroic spirit, his words accompanied by a confident smile.

He did not linger long in Pingyang City. Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Isle Lake and immediately entered seclusion to consume the Creation Verdant Origin Pill [a supreme elixir that refines and expands a cultivator's meridians].

The miraculous effects of the Creation Verdant Origin Pill were extraordinary. Upon ingestion, a potent surge of energy coursed through his meridians, relentlessly widening their pathways.

Throughout this process, minute fissures constantly appeared within the meridians. Yet, as the pill's restorative energy continuously mended them, his meridians not only healed but grew even more resilient than before.

Having achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [a superior method of establishing one's cultivation foundation without external aids] and cultivated unaided to the Violet Sanctum 7th Tier, his spiritual power had always rivaled that of a Pseudo-Core Realm [a transitional state between Violet Sanctum and Golden Core] cultivator.

Now, with his meridians expanded by another thirty percent, their capacity for spiritual power increased proportionally. His reserves would likely rank among the mightiest even within the ranks of Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivator.

After completing the meridian expansion, Eldrin Chen did not immediately emerge from seclusion.

Instead, he retrieved the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [a flying sword forged from the essence of the Heavenly River] and began the process of refining Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] into the blade of this Immortal Sword [a sentient, high-grade flying sword].

Back at Green Sun Mountain, Eldrin Chen had already utilized the power of the Fourth-Rank Underground Fire Vein to fuse the Heavenly River Immortal Sword into this weapon, elevating its material quality to the Fourth Rank.

The Fourth-Rank Treasure Metal [a rare and exceptionally durable metal] proved difficult to smelt. Fortunately, the assistance of the Fourth-Rank Underground Fire Vein [a potent subterranean flame source] aided in its refinement, yet the process still consumed a full three months of Eldrin Chen's time.

Refining the Five Elements Essence [a potent spiritual substance harmonizing the five elemental forces] was also a time-consuming and laborious task. Eldrin Chen nearly exhausted the clan's entire stockpile of Positive Water [a spiritual essence of pure, life-giving water] and Essence of Metallic Gold [a spiritual essence of pure, unyielding metal].

In one fell swoop, he had consumed Five Elements Essence worth two hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] and spent several long months, but finally, the sword had successfully advanced to the Fourth Rank.

"*Clang!*"

Upon its ascension to the Fourth Rank, the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [a divine sword technique channeling the power of the celestial river] erupted with dazzling radiance. It shot into the heavens, its unparalleled sharpness carving through the air with unrestrained might.

Watching the roiling Tribulation Cloud [a cloud formation heralding a heavenly trial] gather above, Eldrin Chen felt a profound sense of confidence settle within him.

As a superior-grade Slaughter Immortal Sword [a divine sword of peerless lethality], the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword had possessed a fifty percent chance of surviving the Treasure Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a heavenly trial of thunder that tests magical treasures] even before fusing with the Fourth-Rank Treasure Metal. After the fusion, its success was virtually assured, a certainty of ten out of ten.

As expected, after three bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly thunder] descended, the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword absorbed the cascading Heavenly Thunder Tribulation Liquid [a liquid essence of heavenly thunder, a reward for surviving the tribulation] completely. Its sword-light surged anew, its brilliance increasing by more than thirty percent.

"A fine treasure indeed."

Gazing at the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword, a surge of excitement flashed within Eldrin Chen's heart.

Upon forging this sword, he would possess four formidable treasures: the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine blade imbued with the essence of solar fire and the power of the abyss], the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [a sword technique that channels the purifying and boundless energy of the celestial river], the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell [a defensive bell artifact that embodies the unyielding and protective power of the earth], and the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace [a mystical furnace capable of refining materials with a flame that burns even the void itself]. Experience the full epic at audio-novel`com.