Chapter 303 : Alchemy's Ascendant Path

I recall during the last Beast Tide [a massive, periodic invasion of demonic beasts], Exquisite Jiang also refined twenty-one batches of Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in solidifying a cultivator's foundation for the next realm]. At that time, without the aid of a fourth-rank earth fire [a powerful, stable flame drawn from deep within the earth, ideal for high-level alchemy], it took roughly five days to complete a single batch.

Back then, the yield was one hundred and five pills. This time, the yield was slightly higher, primarily because five of the batches used Purple Marrow Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit that serves as a potent core ingredient] as their main ingredient.

After all, the quality of Demonic Beast Inner Pill [the condensed energy core of a demonic beast] varies greatly. The Creation [the fundamental life-giving and transformative energy of the world] contained within inner pills from early or mid Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a violet energy core] demonic beasts simply cannot compare to that of the Purple Marrow Fruit.

As he was lost in thought, Verdant Grace Chen offered a gentle smile. "Your pill success rate is already among the very best for a third-rank alchemist."

"In my view, once you break through to the Golden Core [the fourth major realm, where one condenses a golden energy core], you will be ready to advance to the rank of a Fourth-Rank Alchemist."

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a faint smile, offering no direct reply to her assessment.

After refining the twenty-one batches of Foundation Establishment Pill, he reflected on the experience, feeling his alchemical skill had improved. Thus, he began refining third-rank, mid and lower-grade pills.

He refined several batches of Purple Essence Pill [a pill that refines and purifies one's spiritual energy] and Spirit-Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and strengthens the cultivator's spirit]. He found he could maintain an eighty percent success rate for the Purple Essence Pill and around sixty percent for the Spirit-Nourishing Pill.

This level of skill was truly extraordinary. Achieving a sixty percent success rate with third-rank mid-grade pills was a clear sign he possessed the foundational skill to genuinely challenge the rank of a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

Once these batches were complete, the remaining Second Rank Pill [pills suitable for cultivators in the second major realm] no longer required his personal attention. He then sought out Exquisite Jiang to begin assisting her with her own alchemical work. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio - novel . com.

At this moment, Exquisite Jiang was in the process of refining Dharma Origin Pill [a high-grade pill that aids in consolidating one's cultivation foundation], so Eldrin Chen stepped forward to assist her with the alchemical work.

Seeing Eldrin Chen arrive, Exquisite Jiang said with a smile, "We are down to the final two batches of Dharma Origin Pill. With your help, the task will be much lighter."

The two spent over half a month completing the refinement of the two batches of Dharma Origin Pill, successfully producing a total of seventeen pills.

Looking at the freshly refined Dharma Origin Pill, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile and say, "Leave a few of these Dharma Origin Pill for me. Several of my uncles and elder brothers in the clan who have reached the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a core of spiritual energy] have yet to take one. Consuming a single pill could save them decades of cultivation."

"Mm."

Exquisite Jiang nodded. Such high-grade elixirs were essentially non-trade items.

She took seven pills for Eldrin Chen, kept five for her own reserves, and prepared to place the remaining five within the Heavenly Ruins Alliance as a benefit, selling them at a low price to Violet Sanctum cultivators of the alliance who had accumulated significant Merits [a metaphysical measure of virtuous deeds and positive karma].

After the pills were completed, Eldrin Chen accompanied Exquisite Jiang for a few more days of rest at Green Sun Mountain.

However, after just a few days, a streak of light flew from the distance, delivering a message into their hands.

Eldrin Chen glanced at it and could not help but shake his head. "It seems the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive onslaught of demonic beasts] near Qi Nation and Western Spiritual Lake will need to be held off for another three full years."

"Mm." Exquisite Jiang nodded, her brow furrowing slightly. "Fortunately, both sides appear to be exercising restraint for now. This conflict likely won't involve Infant Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators who have condensed their nascent soul], but I fear some Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a golden core] will inevitably fall."

Eldrin Chen gazed calmly at the distant lands, a weight settling in his heart.

Not counting the war in Chu Nation, this surging Beast Tide [a massive, periodic invasion by demonic beasts] had already claimed the lives of five Golden Core True Person [a formal title for a Golden Core cultivator] from Ji Continent, while seven Golden Core Demon King [demonic beasts of Golden Core strength] had also perished.

This was no small number. Golden Core True Person and Demon King were both high-level cultivators, their lifespans easily exceeding a thousand years. The fall of even one was a significant event for the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent.

Across the entire Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent, excluding the Ji Immortal Clan, the total number of Golden Core Cultivator barely exceeded forty.

Even at the peak of their strength three centuries ago, on the eve of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, the Ji Continent had only just over a hundred Golden Core Cultivator outside the Ji Immortal Clan.

Each Beast Tide lasted at most three years. If the fighting continued at this intensity for the full duration, who knew how many more Demon King and True Persons would perish?

"You need not worry."

"This matter does not yet concern us."

Seeing his solemn expression, Exquisite Jiang took his hand and spoke reassuringly.

Eldrin Chen nodded. The Chu Nation was currently in a period of recuperation and building strength. Unless absolutely necessary, the Ji Clan would not be determined enough to formally conscript them into action.

In fact, the subsequent warfare proved slightly more subdued than they had anticipated.

After losing over a dozen Demon Kings [powerful demonic cultivators at the Golden Core equivalent realm] and True Persons [cultivators who have attained the Golden Core realm] in succession, the Golden Core Patriarchs and Demon Kings on both sides came to recognize their opponents as formidable foes.

Since neither Ji Clan True Lord [a True Lord is a cultivator who has attained the Infant Soul realm] nor the Demon Emperor wished to tear up their tacit agreement, the Golden Core True Persons and Demon Kings beneath them naturally had little desire to risk their own annihilation in a desperate fight to the death.

The Human Race's Golden Core Patriarchs still harbored the will to defend their Spirit Mountains [mountains rich in spiritual energy, often used as cultivation bases], but the fighting spirit of the Demon Race's Demon Kings had diminished by more than half.

Consequently, the Demon Race's subsequent assaults never employed their full might. They were repeatedly repelled by the Human Race without suffering severe casualties, and they never truly threatened the key Spirit Mountains and their Earth Veins [the spiritual arteries of the land, crucial for a region's vitality]. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel . com.

Such a situation was naturally insufficient to compel an Infant Soul True Lord to take action, let alone force the hand of the secluded Ji Clan Patriarch.

Although the overall Beast Tide [a massive, coordinated assault by demonic beasts] had not yet concluded, the specific tide within the Chu Nation's borders had subsided. This granted him over two years to meticulously refine and temper his spiritual power.

During this period, Eldrin Chen fused the Water Essence Treasure Pearl into the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne, beginning the arduous process of tempering this Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact forged with a cultivator's essence, growing in power alongside them].

Of his five Lifebound Magical Treasures, only the Magnetic Treasure Mirror and the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne now remained unascended to the fourth rank.

With the integration of the Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl containing the pure essence of water], the foundational material of this treasure was enhanced by more than double. Eldrin Chen then began to refine it in earnest, pouring in vast quantities of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements].

Refining a Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the fourth tier] is no simple task, especially one as inherently delicate as the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a throne-like treasure formed from positive water energy and a verdant lotus]. Eldrin Chen spent over a year before he finally succeeded in elevating this magical treasure to the fourth rank.

On the day the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne achieved its advancement, ominous Tribulation Cloud [clouds that gather to unleash heavenly punishment] churned in the sky, heralding the brewing of a Treasure Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning that tests a newly ascended magical treasure].

Watching the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne soar into the heavens, Eldrin Chen's expression remained remarkably calm.

After fusing with the Water Essence Treasure Pearl, the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne had seen its material strength and defensive capabilities increase by a significant margin. The aqueous barrier it could project now possessed formidable resistance even against the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of heavenly lightning].

As Eldrin Chen had anticipated, though the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation raged with fury, the first two bolts of the Treasure Heavenly Thunder Tribulation failed to breach the defensive barrier.

The final bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation did manage to shatter the luminous shield, but its power was diminished by seventy to eighty percent. The remaining force merely inflicted heavy damage upon the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne, failing to destroy it completely.

As the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation Liquid [a restorative liquid that descends after a successful tribulation] showered down, the spiritual radiance of the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne was restored. It blossomed with an extraordinary verdant light before flying back to nestle within Eldrin Chen's glabella.

"A fourth-rank Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne," he murmured.

A smile of satisfaction touched Eldrin Chen's lips. With the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne now advanced, it could store three times his normal spiritual energy reserves, effectively more than doubling his total available power.

Exquisite Jiang [the elegant and powerful female cultivator] was also delighted for him and couldn't help but say with a smile, "With this treasure in hand, your chances of a breakthrough to the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solid golden core of spiritual power] are virtually assured."

"It's a pity my spiritual energy reserves are insufficient. I will need another thirty years to complete the circulation of my cultivation technique and reach perfection."

Eldrin Chen [the determined young clan patriarch] was also pleased, yet a sense of urgency to break through to the Golden Core stirred within his heart.

However, he now possessed five Lifebound Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts that grow and evolve with their master's cultivation, forming a deep spiritual bond], which placed an immense drain on his spiritual energy reserves.

Furthermore, after consuming the Creation Verdant Origin Pill [a rare elixir that expands and strengthens a cultivator's spiritual meridians], his meridians could now channel a greater volume of energy. This meant that even with a third-rank Spiritual Peach [a mystical fruit brimming with potent spiritual energy] at his disposal, it would still take him over twenty years to advance a single minor cultivation level.

Fortunately, during his time at Heavenly Python Lake [a mystical lake domain], he had obtained several Spirit Shell Pearl [pearls formed by spirit beasts that accelerate the absorption of ambient spiritual energy], which could hasten his rate of energy absorption. Yet, having only recently broken through to the eighth layer of the Violet Sanctum [the second major stage of cultivation where one opens and refines a mystical palace within the body], he would still need to wait thirty more years to cultivate to the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum [the absolute peak of the Violet Sanctum realm] and attempt his assault on the Golden Core. Find this and other novels at *audio-novel.com*.