Chapter 359 Return to Chu Kingdom (Location)

"We understand."

Everyone promptly rose to their feet, respectfully seeing off Magnus the Virtuous Lord.

This sermon by the True Monarch has now concluded. Before departing, Master Qingling smiled and said to Eldrin (Person Name), "Fellow practitioner, with your extraordinary aptitude to have earned our master's praise, it seems your future prospects are truly boundless."

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. It is but your esteemed praise."

Eldrin spoke courteously, then deftly changed the subject: "Fellow Daoist Qingling, since the sermon has concluded, we shall not impose upon you further."

"Very well. There shall come a day when our paths cross again."

After bidding farewell to Elder Qingling, the 5 of them soared through the skies aboard the Green Sun Treasure Ark, heading straight for Ji Province.

Along the way, they temporarily settled the Clear Verse Hermit couple on 6 Stars Island. With their presence on 6 Stars Island and Xavier (Person Name) holding firm at Heavenly Ruins Island, the 2 locations could support each other, significantly enhancing their future security within Yan Kingdom (Location).

After settling the matters of the 2 individuals, Eldrin and Lyra continued flying back to the Chu Kingdom, returning to the expanse above Spirit Isle Lake.

After returning to Spirit Isle Lake (Location), Lyra (Person Name) made a special trip to the Violet Abyss Sect to deliver the remaining 1 Creation Return to Void Pill.

After completing all of this, the 2 finally freed themselves from their busy state.

Eldrin also breathed a sigh of relief and said to Lyra, "This time, I intend to use the single Creation Jade we obtained to help our Elder Uncle restore his foundation first."

"As for the Returning Cloud Creation Pill you need to break through to Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), I plan to purchase it when the Exchange Convention commences in a few days."

"I still have a few decades before breaking through to the Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), so there's no need to rush."

Lyra nodded. Crafting the Cloud-Returning Creation Elixir required a piece of Creation Jade and 2 Cloud-Returning Blooms, with the cost for a single batch reaching as high as 15,000,000 spirit stones. Given their current alchemy skills, they could produce at most 2 pills per batch.

This was a losing proposition. Now that her alchemy skills had broken through, she no longer needed this item to enhance her craft. It would be better to simply make the purchase directly at the Barter Convention.

"We still have quite a few items to purchase at the next Exchange Assembly."

Eldrin smiled faintly and said, "The next Trading Assembly is still over a dozen years away. By then, they'll need to purchase more Skyheart Grass to refine the Earth Lion Demon King's inner core into a Golden Core Formation Pill."

Besides, they also wanted to see if they could purchase Void Essence Crystals, and now they had an additional goal—the Cloud-Returning Creation Pill.

After determining the use of this Creation Jade, Eldrin departed from Spirit Isle Lake directly.

He moved with incredible speed, utilizing the teleportation formation to reach Green Sun Mountain first. Having saved considerable effort, he arrived at the Vast Sky Sword Sect on the third day.

The current sect master of the Azure Sky Sword Sect is Elder Qian. Though Elder Qian has already lived for 650 years, his cultivation remains stagnant at the Golden Core, 5th Tier (Cultivation Realm). It is feared that he may not achieve the Great Perfection of the Golden Core realm before his lifespan is fully depleted.

When Daoist Priest Qian saw Eldrin arrive, he promptly welcomed him to the Guest Reception Peak. With a face full of deference, he said, "Such an esteemed guest graces us today, yet this old man failed to greet you properly at the gate. A 1000 pardons, a 1000 pardons."

"Esteemed True 1, why must you humble Chen so?"

Eldrin's eyes flickered as he feigned solemnity and said,

Elder Qian let out a hearty laugh. Having been acquainted for many years, the 2 of them had no need for excessive formality.

He personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin before speaking, "Fellow Daoist, you are a rare guest. I presume your visit to our Vast Heaven Mountain today isn't merely to see this old man."

"To be frank, I do have a matter to discuss today."

"Oh?" Elder Qian paused in his movements, quietly awaiting Eldrin's next words.

Eldrin nodded and said, "I have come for 2 reasons. First, I seek the Golden Abyssal Pearl from your fourth-tier Golden Abyssal Earth Vein."

"Secondly, I wish to borrow your Sword Cleansing Pool for a time."

Elder Qian's eyes flickered slightly, having roughly discerned Eldrin's purpose.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "We currently have 1 Golden Ingot Pearl in stock. However, the spiritual liquid in the Cleansing Sword Pond of the Golden Vein is scarce, so generally we do not sell it to outsiders."

"I am willing to trade my Gold Elemental Pearl for your Earth Elemental Pearl, and will compensate you with an additional 50,000 spirit stones."

"As for the Spirit Cleansing Pond's spiritual liquid..."

Eldrin paused, lifting his teacup to deliberate for a moment before speaking, "To refine the Celestial Li Twin Swords for me—what would you say to 2 fourth-order spirit apricots as compensation?"

Longevity Spirit Apricot?

Elder Qian’s eyes widened, and as Eldrin (Person Name) nodded, a look of pleasant surprise spread across his face.

The fourth-level Longevity Spirit Apricot was of extraordinary value, a treasure of immense importance even to Golden Core cultivators. Having already reached 6 100 and 50 years of age with slim hopes of breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm, it was time for him to make preparations for the years to come.

At this thought, a faint smile graced his lips as he said, "The Golden Essence Liquid from our Vast Sky Mountain's Sword-Cleansing Pool possesses extraordinary efficacy. By tempering your Sky-Sundering Twin Swords in this pool, you shall undoubtedly enhance their might by another 30 percent."

"I certainly hope so."

Seeing him agree, Eldrin smiled and completed the transaction.

He did not rush to refine the immortal sword, instead taking the Golden Ingot Pearl back to Pingyang City. No sooner had he entered the city than he noticed Lior (Person Name) walking out with a dejected expression.

His eyes flickered slightly as he still inquired, "Uncle Lior, has something happened?"

"You're back."

Lior (Person Name) let out a soft sigh, as if unwilling to elaborate further. After a brief exchange of greetings, he departed.

Watching his retreating figure, Eldrin furrowed his brow slightly before stepping into the Pingyang Grand Hall.

In the great hall, the old clan leader saw his return and began preparing tea for him as usual, then said, "You just came back, yet you set out again without even catching your breath."

"It's not far off, won't cause any delay."

Eldrin spoke as he recounted his experiences over the past few years to the old clan leader.

With that, he smiled faintly and produced the Fire Essence Pearl, the Gold Essence Pearl, and the Creation Jade.

Handing the 3 treasures to the old clan leader, Eldrin said, "My purpose in going to the Firmament Sword Sect was precisely for this Gold Essence Pearl."

"This..."

Looking at the 3 treasures before him, the old clan leader's face lit up with astonishment and joy.

He caressed the 3 Treasures with uncontainable delight, his voice trembling with excitement. "With these 3 treasures, I can fully restore my foundation and forge a Mid-Grade Golden Core. Perhaps... there truly lies a chance to break through to the Nascent Soul realm in the future."

"Ha ha ha." Eldrin let out a hearty laugh and said, "With your diligent cultivation, Elder Uncle, you shall undoubtedly achieve the Nascent Soul realm and reign supreme across the Eastern Wastelands."

Chen Changxuan stored the 3 treasures away, gripping his hand firmly as he gave a solemn nod.

"All these years, you have given me your unwavering support, and I will not let your efforts go in vain."

"Between you and me, it has always been about mutual support. There's no need to keep such meticulous accounts."

Eldrin smiled faintly, then thought of Lior from earlier. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I noticed Uncle Lior seemed rather despondent earlier. Has something happened?"

"Lior (Person Name)... Alas!"

The old clan leader sighed and shook his head, saying, "Your younger brother Niandao attempted to build his foundation on his own not long ago. He failed and passed away in meditation."

"Nian Dao?"

Eldrin's pupils contracted slightly, a subtle weight settling in his heart.