Chapter 348. Lord of Peach Blossom Mountain (Person Name)

Since the agreed-upon time had arrived, the 3 of them did not linger any longer at Spirit Isle Lake (Location).

That very day, they teleported directly to Mount Qingyang, then summoned the Qingyang Treasure Ark and set off toward the direction of Heavenly Abode Continent (Location).

With the speed of the Qingyang Treasure Ship, it took just over a month to traverse the Cerulean Peaks Range (Location) and the Yan Kingdom (Location) before arriving in the Ji Kingdom.

By this time, the energy within the Qingyang Treasure Ark had been depleted by more than half. After resting in the Ji Kingdom for half a month, they spent a sum of spirit stones to utilize the spiritual energy of a fourth-order spirit vein, fully replenishing the ark's required energy. Thus prepared, they began their crossing of the Heaven's Spine Mountains.

This was not Eldrin's first time traversing the Heaven's Spine Mountains. Though over 1 100 years had passed since his last crossing, the mountain range had witnessed no major upheavals during these years.

They arrived as usual at the territory of Magnus the Virtuous Lord (Person Name). After presenting their tributes along the journey, they traversed Heaven's Spine Mountains (Location).

In the past, Ghost-Wind Ridge (Location) had given Eldrin (Person Name) considerable trouble, yet now they could traverse it with ease. Even massive flocks of tens of thousands of ghost-wind vultures could not even approach them.

It took them just over 3 months to reach the Heavenly Abode Continent (Location).

Mount Taohua, situated to the west of the Yuan Kingdom, stood as 1 of the kingdom's 48 famed mountains and great rivers.

The scenery of this spiritual mountain was supremely beautiful, its spiritual energy abundant and extraordinary. Even among the third-grade spiritual mountains of the Yuan Kingdom, it could be considered quite remarkable.

For thousands of years, this spiritual mountain had changed hands numerous times. The current occupants, the Clear Verse Wanderer and his wife, stood among the rare elite within the Purple Mansion.

"What a picturesque place."

The 3 arrived before Peach Blossom Mountain. Gazing at the exquisite scenery, Lyra (Person Name) said with a gentle smile.

Eldrin (Person Name) also nodded in agreement. While Peach Blossom Mountain was merely a third-tier spiritual mountain, its scenery possessed extraordinary charm. Though it could not rival such legendary vistas as the setting sun over Spirit Isle Lake (Location)'s long waters or the ethereal beauty of 10-Mile Peach Blossom Grove (Time & Distance), it nonetheless held its own unique elegance.

"Pray forgive this humble 1 for failing to greet such distinguished guests who have journeyed from distant lands."

Just then, 2 figures emerged from Peach Blossom Mountain—none other than Lord of Peach Blossom Mountain (Person Name) and his wife, the Carefree Sage of Pure Verse.

The Clear Verse Wanderer cast a glance at the trio. Although he had already communicated with them via spirit runes and knew the cultivation levels of Eldrin and his companion, he still couldn't conceal his astonishment upon seeing Eldrin in person.

Greetings, Honored Immortals.

"You and I will be peers sooner or later, there's no need for such formalities."

Eldrin smiled faintly and said, "This Qingci Sanren possesses remarkable self-esteem. To forge a Mid-grade Golden Core, he refrained from relying on external aids like the Golden Core Formation Pill to break through to the Golden Core Realm."

Now he had already broken through to the False Core realm, and it seemed there was a genuine possibility he could forge a Mid-Grade Golden Core in the future.

Upon hearing Eldrin’s words, a trace of distress crossed Elder Qingci’s face. “This is no place for conversation,” he said with a weary sigh. “Please, follow me.”

Several figures flew into Peach Blossom Mountain, where Fairy Qingyan personally poured cups of tea for everyone.

Qingci Sanren shook his head, a shadow of gloom darkening his brow as he spoke frankly, "To be honest, when I attempted to break through to the Golden Core Realm 30 years ago, I failed and suffered significant damage to my primordial qi."

"This will require an additional 30 years before I can break through again. Fortunately, I’ve already formed a False Core—otherwise, I might not dare attempt to reach the Mid-Level Golden Core next time."

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts grew slightly heavy.

Qingci Sanren's magical foundation was actually quite solid, but after failing to achieve a self-initiated breakthrough to the Golden Core, he would require a full 60-year cycle of recuperation—a span of time far too protracted.

After all, Clear Verse Hermit was already 3 100 and 10 years old. Without relying on external aids like the Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object), he had at most 1 final opportunity to attempt a breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.

Yet if he failed again next time, Clear Word Scattered 1 would have no choice but to use the Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object).

For once 1 exceeds 4 100 years of age, even if 1 consumes a longevity pill to extend their lifespan and forcibly forges a mid-grade golden core, their future potential would become exceedingly limited.

Cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage can only consume 3 life-extending pills. If 1 takes a third-grade longevity elixir too early during the Purple Mansion realm, it will become exceedingly difficult to attempt a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm before 1's lifespan is exhausted.

Take the Elder Taiwu of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect as an example. Endowed with a rare mutated spiritual root, he attempted to breach the Golden Core Realm multiple times in pursuit of a mid-grade Golden Core.

This resulted in him reaching the Golden Core (Cultivation Realm) breakthrough at the advanced age of over 4 100 years. Now 8 100 years old, he remained merely at the Golden Core, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm). Though he had successfully forged a Mid-Grade Golden Core (Cultivation Realm), his prospects for future advancement were limited.

For by the time his lifespan was exhausted, he would likely have reached only the seventh or eighth layer of the Golden Core realm, with no chance whatsoever to attempt a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage.

Thus, although Clear Word Wanderer had broken through to the False Core Realm, a trace of unease still lingered in his heart at this moment.

"Self-attempted Core Formation breakthrough resulting in failure-induced injuries."

Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly. The Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill in his hand could indeed resolve such an injury.

However, this object was exceptionally precious, and Ethan (Person Name), Silas (Person Name), and others from the Chen Clan would urgently need it in the future.

"We've collaborated once before. This Qingci Pill Master has a decent character and is someone who repays kindness."

As the saying goes, offering fuel in snowy weather is better than adding flowers to brocade. Moreover, Silas (Person Name) and the others still had several years to wait. Lending a hand at such a moment could foster future friendships built on mutual support.

At this thought, Eldrin retrieved the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill and remarked thoughtfully, "I possess a Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill that could aid in dispelling your injuries."

"This object..."

Qingci Sanren’s face lit up with delight, though he awkwardly wiped his hands in a gesture of slight embarrassment.

The price of a single Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill (Spiritual Object) could reach over 1,000,000 spirit stones.

Though he still possessed some assets, the only truly valuable item was the Golden Radiance Glazed Lamp. Beyond that, all other resources had been exhausted over the years—either consumed in his cultivation or spent to acquire Creation Green Essence Pills (Spiritual Object).

Noticing the expression on Clear Word Sanren’s face, Eldrin smiled and said, “If you don’t have enough spirit stones on hand, you may defer the payment. It’s not too late to repay me after we explore the secret realm.”

"Brother Eldrin." The Carefree Scholar of Pure Verse fell into brief contemplation before finally accepting the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill, his expression turning solemn as he declared, "Great kindness needs no flowery words of gratitude. I shall remember this debt of honor."

"Don't trouble yourself with further thoughts."

Eldrin took a sip of spiritual tea and replied with a faint smile, "The secret realm won't open for over half a year. You might as well try to see if you can break through to the Golden Core Realm first."

Qingci Sanren obtained the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill (Spiritual Object) and immediately entered seclusion to heal his wounds.

This Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill (Spiritual Object) truly lived up to its reputation as a Golden Core Realm healing elixir. Merely 3 days after Elder Qingci ingested the pill, over half of her injuries had already mended.

Another half-month passed, and his vital energy and magic power had both returned to their peak state. He then began his assault on the Golden Core Realm.

Elder Qingci, with his False Core cultivation base, was now attempting to break through to the Golden Core realm. His chances of success were only about 30 to 40 percent. However, he was currently at his peak—his vitality and spiritual power were at their strongest in his entire life—and his condition was unexpectedly optimal.

4 months later, a massive vortex suddenly emerged atop Peach Blossom Mountain, violently drawing in all the spiritual energy within a radius of several 100 miles.