Chapter 419 : The Alchemist's Breakthrough

Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Isle Lake and began studying a new Alchemy technique, referencing the Meridian Tempering Pill Formula collected within the Chen Clan archives.

With his current level of alchemical mastery, researching a low-grade pill formula was not particularly difficult.

However, for a Second Rank Low Grade Body Tempering Pill to enhance the strength of meridians [the energy channels within a cultivator's body] by an additional thirty percent after a Qi Refinement Cultivators's channels had already been tempered to their limit was considered quite extraordinary.

Increasing the medicinal efficacy without raising the Pill's grade, relying solely on the Monarch, Minister, Assistant, and Envoy Principle [a foundational principle in alchemy governing the interaction and hierarchy of ingredients] and adjusting the ingredient ratios, presented a significant challenge.

To deduce the improved Meridian Tempering Pill Formula, Eldrin Chen even utilized Enlightenment Tea [a rare tea that focuses the spirit and aids in comprehending profound truths], relying on its mind-concentrating and insight-enhancing properties to unravel the formula's secrets.

He labored diligently for an entire year, continuously refining the formula, gradually increasing its potency until it finally achieved a fifty percent enhancement.

"This should be sufficient," he murmured to himself.

Eldrin Chen gazed at the completed formula before him, a whisper escaping his lips.

Through his relentless research, this newly perfected Meridian Tempering Pill could now increase the meridian strength of a Qi Refinement Great Perfection cultivator by fifty percent.

Having reached this point, further improving the efficacy became exceedingly difficult, bordering on impossible, unless the grade of the Pill itself was elevated. Discover more cultivation stories at www . audio-novel.com.

In truth, even among many top-tier Golden Core Immortal Clan [a clan with cultivators who have reached the Golden Core realm], the Second Rank Low Grade [a classification indicating the quality and power level of an item] Meridian Tempering Pill Formula [a recipe for a pill that strengthens a cultivator's energy channels] they possess often only enhances meridian strength by thirty to forty percent.

The Meridian Tempering Pill Formula [a recipe for a pill that strengthens a cultivator's energy channels] that Eldrin Chen deduced, with its fifty percent efficacy boost, was likely considered top-tier even across the land, not inferior to those held by Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan with cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm].

After finalizing the formula, Eldrin Chen personally fired up the furnace to refine a batch of Meridian Tempering Pill [a pill that strengthens a cultivator's energy channels].

Gazing at the Meridian Tempering Pill [a pill that strengthens a cultivator's energy channels] adorned with faint violet patterns, he said with delight, "These Pill [a medicinal pellet refined for cultivation purposes] are marked with violet striations. Let them be called the Violet-Striped Meridian Tempering Pill."

With the Pill [a medicinal pellet refined for cultivation purposes] successfully refined, Eldrin Chen journeyed to Verdant Chariot Mountain and summoned three cultivators preparing for Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [the process of establishing one's cultivation foundation without external aids].

Upon meeting the trio, he distributed the Violet-Striped Meridian Tempering Pill and instructed, "Try these. Let us see by how much they can fortify your meridians."

The three received the Pill [a medicinal pellet refined for cultivation purposes] and consumed them on the spot.

Had this been a new Pill [a medicinal pellet refined for cultivation purposes] devised by an ordinary alchemist, none would have dared ingest it so readily. However, Eldrin Chen was a Fourth Rank High Grade [a high-level classification for an alchemist's skill] Alchemist [a master of refining medicinal pellets and elixirs].

For a Pill [a medicinal pellet refined for cultivation purposes] of Second Rank Low Grade [a classification indicating the quality and power level of an item] crafted by such a master to possess severe side effects would be a cosmic jest.

Indeed, no mishap occurred. After three days of secluded meditation following the pill's ingestion, the three cultivators opened their eyes, faces alight with joy. "The strength of our meridians," they exclaimed, "has increased by a full fifty percent!"

"That is good."

Eldrin Chen's face lit up with joy. With his meridians strengthened by fifty percent, and the Formation further enhancing his physical body and meridians by another fifty percent, the combined effect was nearly equivalent to using a Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare and precious pill that aids in the critical breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm].

A Foundation Establishment Pill could double the strength and resilience of a cultivator's meridians and also temper their True Qi [the refined energy cultivated within a practitioner's body], making it more docile.

Although during Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [the process of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm without external aids, which is more perilous], the True Qi would become extremely volatile, having one's meridians strengthened twofold would likely significantly reduce the backlash suffered.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen said, "You three should enter seclusion for your Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one forms a stable foundation for their Dao] breakthrough. Let us observe the results."

"We thank the Ancient Ancestor."

The three nodded, immediately entering the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and nodes used to gather, manipulate, or contain spiritual power] to begin their assault on the Foundation Establishment realm.

Not long after they entered, the Old Patriarch received word and hurried over. He asked eagerly, "How effective is it?"

"It can increase meridian strength by fifty percent," Eldrin Chen replied, then added with a smile, "Now we shall see how it performs when used in conjunction with the Formation."

The Old Patriarch nodded in agreement, and together with Eldrin Chen, they waited anxiously outside the Seclusion Chamber.

In the blink of an eye, three months had passed in a hurried blur. Three figures emerged from within the Formation, their auras visibly depleted, their faces pale. "Ancient Ancestor," they said, their voices heavy with shame, "we have failed you."

Old Patriarch extended his divine sense into their bodies, and a look of wild joy replaced his concern. "It is merely a severe depletion of vitality, with some fissures in your meridians," he declared.

"Injuries such as these require only five years of recuperation to fully mend."

With this realization, Old Patriarch's expression turned grave as he addressed the trio. "The matters of this Formation and the Pill must never leave your lips. Should you speak of them, I will personally ensure your end."

"We understand," they chorused.

The three men nodded fervently and immediately swore a Heart Demon Oath [a binding vow where breaking one's word invites inner demons and cultivation deviation]. Find this and other novels at www . audio-novel.com.

Deeming this insufficient, Old Patriarch condensed a wisp of Sword Intent [the conceptual will and sharpness imbued in a master swordsman's technique] from the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword and implanted it within their bodies. His face was a mask of solemnity. "This formation and the Pill concern the very survival of our clan. I leave this trace of Sword Intent within you as a safeguard."

"Should you dare to reveal this secret, even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you will not escape the peril of having your soul utterly extinguished."

The three men turned ashen, hastily swearing oaths anew, pledging their silence with desperate fervor.

Seeing their terror, Chen Thalion offered a measure of comfort. "Be at ease. So long as you guard this secret with your lives, this strand of Sword Intent will remain dormant and never be unleashed."

"Moreover, the profound mysteries contained within this Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword [a powerful enchanted sword] are extraordinary. If you can fully comprehend them, your combat prowess will undoubtedly stand out among your peers in the future."

Only then did the three of them nod, letting out a slight sigh of relief.

Eldrin Chen watched them calmly. After they finished speaking, he said, "You may withdraw for now."

"Yes."

After the group had departed, the Old Patriarch also looked on with a hint of helplessness. "I implanted the Sword Intent [a profound conceptual understanding of the sword path that enhances one's swordsmanship] without first considering their feelings. Next time something like this happens, it would be best to explain in advance."

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. They have enjoyed the clan's benefits and resources, so naturally, they must also shoulder the corresponding responsibilities."

Eldrin Chen said with a smile, his tone light. He happily gestured for Chen Thalion to sit, pouring him a cup of tea. "There's no need for you to be overly concerned, Clan Uncle. While the effects of this Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and runes used for various purposes like defense or cultivation] and this Pill [a refined medicinal elixir used for cultivation or healing] are indeed remarkable, they are ultimately only useful for low-level cultivators."

"Given our strength, even if word were to spread, it wouldn't cause us any significant trouble."

Chen Thalion nodded in agreement. Although the Formation and the Pill were astonishing, they held almost no utility for high-level cultivators.

The various Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have reached the Nascent Soul Realm] across the land each possess their own Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and long-established accumulation of resources, knowledge, and power]. If these two treasures were separated and viewed individually, they might not offer a decisive advantage over what those great clans already possess.

Particularly the Meridian Tempering Pill [a pill that strengthens and refines the body's energy channels], while rare, is not necessarily beyond the research capabilities of high-grade Alchemist [a master of the art of creating spiritual pills and elixirs] to develop something comparable.

It is this Spirit Gathering Dao Protection Formation [a formation that gathers spiritual energy while protecting one's cultivation path] that is exceptionally rare, and its ability to stack with the Meridian Tempering Pill is what ultimately reduces the backlash so significantly.

Thinking of this, Old Patriarch said with delight, "Requiring only five years of recuperation to recover means that for most cultivators with Three Spiritual Roots [an average innate affinity for three of the five spiritual elements], they would have roughly two opportunities for Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [the process of building one's cultivation foundation without external aids]."

"Those with Two Spiritual Roots [a superior innate affinity for two spiritual elements] or an Anomalous Spiritual Root [a rare and powerful variant spiritual affinity] cultivate faster and can attempt the breakthrough multiple times before their vital energy declines at the age of sixty."

"With this treasure, within a mere century, the number of Foundation Establishment Cultivator [practitioners who have solidified their spiritual foundation] in our Chen Clan could increase severalfold. Our future potential will far surpass that of ordinary Immortal Clan [a clan whose lineage is dedicated to the pursuit of immortality through cultivation]."

Eldrin Chen also revealed a look of joy. The combination of the Spirit Gathering Dao Protection Formation and the Violet-Striped Meridian Tempering Pill [a high-grade variant of the Meridian Tempering Pill marked with violet patterns] would undoubtedly forge an unshakable foundation for the clan, nurturing a multitude of Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion [the realm where one's spiritual consciousness is housed in a solidified 'mansion' within the dantian] powerhouses for the Chen Immortal Clan.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen added, "To refine the Violet-Striped Meridian Tempering Pill, we still require the Second Rank Low Grade Spirit Medicine [a plant imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] known as the Violet-Striped Flower."

"Our reserves of this Violet-Striped Flower within the clan's Clan Treasury are not plentiful. We will need to stockpile more of it henceforth." Immerse yourself in the complete world at site: audio-novel.com.