Chapter 333 : A Golden Core Alliance Forged

"That is indeed an excellent plan."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. This approach would not only allow them to secure two Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] and an Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-elemental spiritual energy], but it would also conveniently extend a helping hand to Xavier Xu.

Xavier Xu had only recently achieved his Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one condenses their spiritual energy into a solid core] breakthrough. His clan was currently impoverished to the point of destitution, lacking even sufficient spiritual energy for cultivation.

Although Earth Lion Ridge, Green Sun Mountain, and Heavenly Ruins Lake were all Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein [a location with a spiritual energy source suitable for Golden Core cultivators], both Green Sun Mountain and Heavenly Ruins Lake belonged to Exquisite Jiang and Eldrin Chen. His contribution to securing Earth Lion Ridge had been minimal, granting him no rightful claim to it. Furthermore, he owed the two a profound debt of Karma [the spiritual principle of cause and effect, where actions have consequences] for their aid in his breakthrough.

If he could come to the Yan Kingdom to guard a Fourth-Rank Spirit Mountain, he would not only solve his cultivation energy problem but also receive an annual stipend of fifty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. He would be overjoyed and unlikely to refuse.

For the Heavenly Ruins Alliance, establishing a presence on a Fourth-Rank Spirit Mountain within the Yan Kingdom would extend their influence into the kingdom. This would allow numerous Golden Core and Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [a clan with cultivators at the Violet Sanctum realm or higher] to join the Heavenly Ruins Alliance.

These forces would become a reserve strength for the Heavenly Ruins Alliance, potentially proving useful in the future.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "I obtained a Void Gem [a rare gemstone attuned to spatial energies] from the Yuan Clan. Should we use it to set up a Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel] to link this Spirit Island with Green Sun Mountain?"

The distance between Green Sun Mountain and this Spirit Island was roughly two million seven hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. With the short-range Teleportation Formation Disk [a portable formation plate for teleportation] having a maximum range of three million Li-length, connecting the two locations was more than feasible.

Upon hearing about the Void Gem, Exquisite Jiang's eyes lit up, yet she shook her head. "The Yan Kingdom lies deep within secure territory, under the watchful eye of Ji Clan True Lord. It is far safer than the Chu Nation." Original publication: (audio-novel.com) - The source of this chapter.

"We shall deploy this Teleportation Formation Disk at Earth Lion Ridge, first forging Heavenly Ruins Lake, Earth Lion Ridge, and Green Sun Mountain into an unbreakable triangle of defense."

"As for the two Spirit Island within Yan Kingdom's borders, let Xavier Xu oversee them for now. We can deploy more formations there once we acquire the necessary Void Gem in the future."

With her words, the matter was settled.

Moving past that topic, the Old Patriarch inquired, "And what of the mortal descendants of the Deng Clan? How should they be dealt with?"

"That is simple enough," Exquisite Jiang replied calmly after a moment's contemplation. "I shall have my disciples establish a sect here, named the Heavenly Ruins Sect. They will recruit and train cultivators from among the mortals to serve as the sect's foundation and legacy."

"That is acceptable," Eldrin Chen said with a faint smile. "However, the mortals of the Deng Clan must change their surnames."

With all the Deng Clan cultivators gone, dealing with their mortal kin would be straightforward.

Simply have them adopt several dozen different family names. Within a century, after a few generations when the elders have passed, the memory of the Deng Immortal Clan will fade into oblivion.

The new cultivators, trained from the age of six, would, with proper guidance, naturally become loyal disciples of the Heavenly Ruins Sect.

Exquisite Jiang no longer took personal disciples. She would leave the management of the Heavenly Ruins Sect to her followers, who would in time become a useful force under her command.

With a few words exchanged among them, the affairs of the Deng Clan were settled, and they then departed from the Yan Kingdom.

The spoils from the previous battle at Earth Lion Ridge had not yet been fully digested. Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang needed to refine pills and artifacts, processing the valuable treasures they had acquired. Naturally, they had no time for lengthy delays.

One month later, the two returned to the Chu Nation and informed Xavier Xu of the garrison duty in the Yan Kingdom.

Suddenly receiving such a favorable assignment, Xavier Xu was overjoyed and accepted the task with immense delight.

With the Golden Core Cultivator to guard the Yan Kingdom decided, a large number of mid and low-level cultivators were still needed to fully activate the two Spiritual Vein. However, such matters would naturally be handled by the disciples and descendants of the Chen Immortal Clan and Exquisite Jiang, requiring no further attention from the two of them.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang returned to Green Sun Mountain, gathered materials to complete the crafting of the Teleportation Formation Disk, and then set up the Teleportation Formation at Earth Lion Ridge.

Only then did the two breathe a sigh of relief. With the successful deployment of the Teleportation Formation, the security of their several Spiritual Vein was greatly enhanced.

The two used the Teleportation Formation to return directly to Green Sun Mountain and then proceeded to the Fourth-Rank Earthfire Chamber to begin processing the spoils from this campaign.

Their task this time was considerable. Besides several Fourth-Rank Spirit Pill [high-grade cultivation pills of the fourth rank], there were also valuable Third-Rank Pill that were most cost-effective for them to refine personally.

"We are likely to be quite busy for a while," one of them remarked.

Within the Fourth-Rank Earthfire Chamber [a specialized cultivation chamber harnessing earth and fire energies for alchemy and forging], Exquisite Jiang spoke with a gentle smile gracing her lips.

Eldrin Chen also allowed a smile to touch his own features. This kind of busyness born of bountiful harvest was the most fulfilling labor of all.

He produced two pieces of Celestial Star Jade [a rare, star-infused jade known for its exceptional spiritual conductivity and preservation properties] and declared, "Let us first refine this Celestial Star Jade into Fourth-Rank Jade Box [a fourth-rank enchanted container for preserving spiritual herbs] and jade vials. They will be perfect for storing fourth-rank spiritual pills."

"Agreed."

Exquisite Jiang gave a nod of assent, then retrieved one piece of Celestial Star Jade and placed it within the alchemical furnace.

Specialized magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] like fourth-rank storage jade boxes were not overly difficult to craft. Working together, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang succeeded in forging the two treasures in the span of half a month. The complete novel can be found at audio-novel . com.

The interior space of one jade box measured only three Chi-length [one Chi-length equals one third of a meter], yet it could hold three fourth-rank Spirit Herb [plants imbued with potent spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation].

Exquisite Jiang took the Nirvana Fruit [a legendary spiritual fruit said to grant a form of rebirth or profound restoration] and carefully placed it inside. Preserved within this vessel, its medicinal efficacy would remain intact until their alchemical skills advanced sufficiently to attempt the legendary Nirvana Pill [a mythical elixir capable of reversing severe damage or granting a second chance at life].

Once they possessed such a Nirvana Pill, their future safety would be bolstered by a significant layer of protection.

The other treasure was a jade vial, capable of holding ten fourth-rank spiritual pills, though only of a single type. It was a superior vessel for storing the Golden Core Formation Pill [a crucial elixir that aids in the formation of a cultivator's Golden Core, a core stage of advancement].

"With these two treasures, the efficacy of the Spirit Herb [a plant imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] can be increased by three hundred years."

"Once I refine the Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious elixir that aids in forming a Golden Core], there will be no need to rush to sell them off."

After successfully refining the two storage treasures, Eldrin Chen spoke with evident joy.

The Golden Core Formation Pill was exceedingly precious. According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, after the battle at Earth Lion Ridge, it would likely be difficult to obtain a Demon King Inner Pill [the condensed energy core of a powerful demonic beast] for nearly a century.

The Chen Clan had quite a few Violet Sanctum Cultivators [cultivators at the Violet Sanctum realm]. Lior Chen, Verdant Grace Chen, Kael Chen, Caleb Chen, Silas Chen, Ethan Chen, Lila Chen, and others were expected to reach the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum [the peak stage of the Violet Sanctum realm] one after another within one or two Sixty-Year Cycles [a cycle of sixty years]. Several disciples and grand-disciples under Exquisite Jiang would also have the need.

Regardless of whether they needed them or not, preparing some in advance was far better than desperately searching for a Golden Core Formation Pill later and meeting a lonely end, sitting in meditation until their life force faded.

This battle had yielded three Demon King Inner Pills. Combined with Exquisite Jiang's alchemical skills, they should be able to refine more than ten Golden Core Formation Pills.

"Let us begin the furnace."

Seeing that the jade boxes were complete, the pair delayed no further.

Exquisite Jiang took out the Inner Pill [the energy core of a demonic beast] of the Golden Lion Mastiff, then retrieved a stalk of Heavenly Heart Grass [a rare spiritual herb], and began the process of refining the Golden Core Formation Pill.

This alchemy session was led primarily by Exquisite Jiang and Eldrin Chen, with Tea Rose Su, Silas Chen, and three or four other third-rank alchemists assisting, responsible for processing the hundreds of required supplementary herbs.

After more than a month of continuous, meticulous work, this single cauldron of Golden Core Formation Pill was finally completed, yielding three of the precious pills.

Exquisite Jiang collected the pills into a celestial star jade vial and shook her head, saying, "Only three Golden Core Formation Pill were produced this time. It seems my alchemical art still has some flaws."

"The flaw lies not with your art, but with the Golden Lion Mastiff's Inner Pill; its store of Creation Energy [the primordial energy of life and genesis] was insufficient,"

Eldrin Chen countered, his voice calm and measured. Experience the full epic at audio-novel*com.