Chapter 417 : The Alchemist's Breakthrough

"Had you not aided me at the final moment, I likely could have only refined two pills."

Lyra Jiang gazed at the Creation Cloud-Returning Pill and praised with a smile, "Your Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual pills] has improved greatly. It seems that upon your breakthrough to the Nascent Soul [the realm where one's spiritual essence forms an independent soul entity], you will be able to ascend to the rank of a Fifth Rank Alchemist [a master alchemist capable of refining fifth-rank pills]."

This time, Eldrin Chen's Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual pills] had also advanced to the Fourth Rank High Grade [a high level within the fourth rank of cultivation arts], and his skill was already quite profound, allowing him to lend her a crucial hand at the final moment.

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a smile and said gently, "I merely assisted. Had your pill-refining techniques not been exceptional, producing three pills would have been nearly impossible."

The two of them spoke no more on the matter. Eldrin Chen took out the Creation Abyssal Pill and stated, "This Creation Abyssal Pill [a rare and potent pill that aids in cultivation breakthroughs] is too precious to be sold. We should keep it for internal use."

"Let it be thus: Elara and Mingwei shall each receive one. The remaining three will be reserved for the Old Patriarch, Kael, and Silas."

Lyra Jiang, however, shook her head and sighed, "After Mingwei's breakthrough to Golden Core [the realm where one condenses a golden spiritual core], her potential has been exhausted. This item would be of little use to her now."

"Moreover, she barely managed her breakthrough only after consuming three Golden Core Formation Pill [a pill that aids in forming the Golden Core], and the debt she incurred will take many years to repay. She also lacks the Clan Merit Points [points earned through service used to exchange for clan resources] to purchase such a Golden Core Formation Pill."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen fell into a thoughtful silence.

Among Lyra Jiang's two Golden Core Cultivator [practitioners who have reached the Golden Core realm] disciples, Elara Lin fared somewhat better, while Su Mingwei's innate talent and temperament were considerably lacking. The complete novel can be found at audio–novel.com.

Her breakthrough into the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, enduring core] realm itself was largely a matter of great fortune, and she had only reached this day through the unwavering support of Lyra Jiang.

Moreover, she had merely formed an Inferior Golden Core [the lowest grade of Golden Core, offering limited potential for future advancement]. Even if immense resources were spent later, using a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in the perilous formation of a Nascent Soul] to assist her in forming her Nascent Soul, the hope would likely remain exceedingly slim.

Her remaining lifespan was not abundant, her Deep-Seated Foundation [the fundamental quality and stability of a cultivator's spiritual base, crucial for all future progress] was insufficient, and coupled with the Inferior Golden Core, nurturing such a cultivator required an extreme cost for ultimately limited potential.

In truth, Chen Elara was in a similar situation. Her temperament and spiritual power both had flaws, making it difficult for her to even hope for a breakthrough to Golden Core.

It was only because Eldrin Chen, cherishing their past bonds, was willing to expend tremendous resources to support her with a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that significantly increases the chances of successfully condensing a Golden Core] that she had any chance at all. Otherwise, she would have almost certainly never broken through to Golden Core.

Currently, Lyra Jiang herself was only at the Golden Core realm and required various resources for her own path. Su Mingwei was merely her nominal disciple, not the inheritor of her true Dao lineage. Naturally, she could not pour all her efforts into supporting her.

By comparison, Elara Lin, who had aided her significantly along the way and had perfected a Middle Golden Core [a mid-grade Golden Core, offering substantially better prospects than the Inferior grade], was far more worthy of cultivation.

Furthermore, Elara Lin was, after all, her Personal Disciple [a disciple taken under direct, personal tutelage, signifying a deep master-disciple bond]. Their ages were not vastly different, and their emotional bond was much closer.

In truth, Su Mingwei understood that her own Dao path held little hope. In recent years, she had shifted her primary focus to managing the affairs of the Heaven's Ruin Sect, handling various mundane matters for Lyra Jiang and the sect.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a long moment before drawing Lyra Jiang into his embrace. "You are too considerate of me," he said.

"It is not the same."

Lyra Jiang shook her head and said with a smile, "You grew up within the Chen Clan, sheltered by the clan during your most vulnerable years. That is how you have reached this point today."

"But my disciples were raised by my own hand. I owe them nothing; rather, it is they who owe me."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen revealed a faint smile.

For a drop of kindness received, one should repay with a flowing spring. When one gains the ability, helping those who were once kind is the very nature of being human.

In Eldrin Chen's view, if one cannot even be a proper person, what right does one have to speak of becoming an immortal?

After refining the Pill, Eldrin Chen departed from the Fire Vein beneath Green Sun Mountain. He teleported to Spirit Isle Lake and then proceeded directly to Pingyang City.

Meeting with the Old Patriarch, he produced the Creation Abyssal Pill and said, "Regarding these four Pill, how do you think they should be distributed?"

"It is actually this pill?"

The Old Patriarch took the treasure pill, his face lighting up with joy. Then, stroking his long beard, he furrowed his brow in deep contemplation.

In recent years, the Chen Clan has developed rapidly. Besides Eldrin Chen, there are actually five other Golden Core Cultivators [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the third major stage of cultivation]. These five are Old Patriarch, Kael Chen, Silas Chen, Lior Chen, and Lila.

Among these five, Old Patriarch naturally needs no elaboration; he would certainly not be short of a single one of these resources.

Both Kael Chen and Lila possess a Superior Golden Core [a high-quality Golden Core foundation with immense potential for future advancement]. This grants them significant hope of breaking through to the Nascent Soul [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one's spirit forms an independent entity] in the future. Naturally, the faster their cultivation progresses, the better.

With this thought, Old Patriarch still said, "This time, Silas has rendered considerable merit and possesses the aptitude for a Middle Golden Core [a mid-quality Golden Core foundation]. Such resources should be prioritized for her use."

"I was thinking the same," Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "After the upcoming Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources], if we encounter any Abyssal Spirit Treasure Jade [a rare spiritual jade that aids in cultivation breakthroughs], we can prioritize purchasing it, even at a premium."

"That Qingci the Recluse also has a Middle Golden Core and is an elder of our clan. He too is worthy of investment and cultivation." Visit audio-novel dot com to enjoy the complete series.

Old Patriarch also nodded, stroking his beard as he added, "Speaking of Qingci the Recluse, he visited the clan not long ago, wishing to procure a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious elixir that significantly increases the chance of successfully forming a Golden Core] for his wife."

"It seems he knows we are refining Golden Core Formation Pills."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered. This was the second time Qingci the Recluse sought to procure a Golden Core Formation Pill for his wife. A faint smile touched his lips as he said, "We refined eight Golden Core Formation Pills this time. He is one of our own. We shall arrange an exchange for one with him later."

After handling the several precious Pills [elixirs refined from spiritual herbs and materials], Old Patriarch took out a Storage Bag [a spatial artifact that can hold many times its volume] and handed it over. "By the way, the materials for the Spirit Gathering Dao Protection Formation [a complex defensive and cultivation-aiding array] you requested have been gathered. We await your arrival to set up the formation."

"So soon?"

Eldrin Chen's face lit up with joy as he received the Storage Bag.

After examining the treasures within the Storage Bag, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "I will craft the Formation Plate. Old Granduncle, lend me your strength."

"Agreed."

The Old Patriarch also revealed a pleased expression. Crafting such a high-grade Formation Plate would also enhance his skills in artificing and Formation mastery.

He could not wait to take the Creation Abyssal Pill to elevate his cultivation. That very day, he summoned Lior Chen to take his place overseeing clan affairs, then departed with Eldrin Chen for Green Sun Mountain.

Upon arriving at the Green Sun Mountain Underground Fire Vein, the two immediately entered seclusion to begin crafting the formation tools.

This Spirit Gathering Dao Protection Formation was of the Fourth Rank High Grade. It comprised forty-nine Third Rank Formation Flags and one Fourth Rank Formation Plate.

To procure the materials needed for the Third Rank Formation Flags, several Golden Core elders of the Chen Clan had even journeyed to Wei Nation. There, they purchased a large quantity of Heavenly Silkworm Silk from the Wei Immortal Clan of Wei Nation.

Furthermore, they made a trip to Cang Nation. From a Fourth Rank High Grade Wood Essence Earth Vein within a Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] mine in Cang Nation, they bought forty-nine Third Rank spirit trees.

The materials for the Formation Plate required three types of Fourth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure. Fortunately, the Chen Clan presided over several Earth Vein [a natural conduit of earth-aspected spiritual energy], and thus managed to gather these treasures.

"This set of formation tools is exceedingly precious, and the silkworm silk is also quite delicate. We must handle them with great care."

As he brought out the silk and the spirit wood, Eldrin Chen said with a grave expression.

Despite his words, given Eldrin Chen's mastery of Formation [the art of creating magical arrays] and artificing, crafting these Third Rank Formation Flags proceeded without any major mishaps.

Working together with the clan's seven or eight Third Rank Artificer [masters of crafting magical tools], they spent Forty-Nine Days to successfully forge all forty-nine of the Formation Flags.

After completing this task, Eldrin Chen began the work of crafting the Fourth Rank Formation Plate.

The difficulty of forging this Fourth Rank Formation Plate was immense, far beyond the capabilities of any Third Rank Artificer to assist. Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen labored together for one hundred days before finally succeeding in forging this Formation Plate. Published by audio~novel.com. All rights reserved.