Chapter 428 : A Clan's Ambition and the Five Elements

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "The Qian Clan has such a good opportunity to receive our stipend, yet they choose not to take it. To go traveling now seems like abandoning what is near to seek what is far away."

"Perhaps each person has their own aspirations."

The Old Patriarch shook his head calmly and said, "Since the Qian family is unwilling to take on this responsibility, we can only have the Heaven's Ruin Sect arrange for someone else."

"Then after I return, I will discuss it with Lyra."

Eldrin Chen said this, then returned to Spirit Isle Lake with the Dual Metallic Essence and Refined Gold Qi [a refined spiritual essence containing the combined power of Metallic and Refined Gold energies].

Upon arriving at Spirit Isle Lake, Eldrin Chen handed the Five Elements Qi [the fundamental spiritual energy of the five elements] to Lyra Jiang and briefly explained the situation to her.

After listening, Lyra Jiang smiled and said, "Elara is currently in seclusion, contemplating a Divine Ability [a powerful supernatural technique]. Mingwei is now primarily responsible for the Heaven's Ruin Sect. Let's have Seraphina handle this matter."

"That would be fine as well."

Eldrin Chen nodded and then began discussing the stipend matter with Lyra Jiang.

To acquire Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], the clientele would be countless low-level cultivators. The best method would be to open a shop in every market within the Ji Continent. Continue reading this story at audio-novel dot com.

To sustain the high cost of shop rentals, they could not solely focus on purchasing Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]; they also needed to engage in the trade of Spirit Pill [a pill refined from spiritual herbs to aid cultivation], Magical Tool [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], and Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare natural materials imbued with spiritual power].

A single nation typically encompasses dozens of cultivation markets. For a Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, a solidified mass of spiritual energy] to oversee the business operations across an entire nation is no small task, requiring substantial assistance from other cultivators.

This would inevitably consume a portion of a cultivator's time and energy, potentially affecting their cultivation progress. For clan members with significant potential, it is generally better for their primary focus to remain on their own cultivation journey.

The cultivation potential of Su Mingwei and Liu Seraphina was nearly exhausted, and the future prospects of Lior Chen and others were also limited. Therefore, directing their efforts towards managing the tedious affairs of procuring Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] was the most suitable arrangement.

Of course, as compensation for managing the market operations, their stipends would be correspondingly increased. For instance, the two Golden Core [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, a solidified mass of spiritual energy] cultivators from the Xu Clan would henceforth receive an annual stipend from the Chen Clan.

Having considered this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Henceforth, each Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, a solidified mass of spiritual energy] shall receive an additional thirty thousand Clan Merit Points [points awarded for contributions, redeemable for resources within the clan] per year."

"As for the two from the Xu Clan, grant each of them thirty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] per year."

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang nodded and replied calmly.

Although Clan Merit Points [points awarded for contributions, redeemable for resources within the clan] and Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] held roughly equivalent nominal value, the Clan Merit Points of the Chen Clan could be used to purchase many rare resources at half the internal clan price. These resources even included treasures such as the Fourth Rank Spirit Peach [a peach imbued with potent spiritual energy of the fourth rank] and the Spirit Apricot [an apricot that grants longevity and spiritual benefits].

After settling these matters, Lyra Jiang held the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] and said, "Refining the Star Gemstone [a gemstone containing condensed stellar energy] is no easy task. The Ji Continent lacks a Fifth Rank Fire Vein [a powerful underground fire energy source of the fifth rank]. This time, the advancement of the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword will likely take a considerable amount of time."

In truth, the Ji Continent did possess a Fifth Rank Fire Vein, and it was even a Fifth Rank high-grade one at that. However, that particular Fire Vein was being used to repair the Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang [a supreme treasure embodying the essence of pure yang], the Immortal-Refining Furnace [a legendary furnace capable of refining immortals]. As a result, the Fifth Rank Earthfire Chamber [a specialized chamber harnessing fifth-rank earthfire for crafting] was currently completely unusable.

Eldrin Chen nodded calmly and stated, "I shall lend you my aid."

The two of them rose and stepped into the spirit pool, beginning the process of channeling the True Flame [a cultivator's purified inner flame] to temper and refine the Star Fragment [a fragment of celestial material containing immense stellar power].

The Star Fragment truly lived up to its status as a Fifth Rank treasure. Even with Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang joining forces to channel the True Flame, they found it exceedingly difficult to completely melt and refine it in a short period.

They persevered in this arduous tempering for a full year before the Star Fragment finally began to soften, transforming into a dazzling, liquid substance that resembled a captured piece of the starry sky. This essence was then meticulously fused into the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword.

After completing this crucial step, Lyra Jiang spent another Forty-Nine Days painstakingly inscribing the Spiritual Treasure Formation Runes [the foundational magical runes that grant a spiritual treasure its power] into the sword's core.

Watching the Spiritual Treasure Formation Runes take shape, both of them revealed expressions of joy. The final step remained: to refine and fuse the Five Elements Essence into the immortal sword, allowing it to complete its ascension into a true Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade treasure of unparalleled power for vanquishing demons].

This final step was laborious and time-consuming, and it required the Sword Lord [the master and true owner of the sword] to personally oversee the process. Naturally, Eldrin Chen could not intervene directly.

Thus, he emerged from the Seclusion Chamber and prepared to resume his efforts in deducing the Lifebound Spiritual Treasure Chapter [the esoteric method for forging a lifebound spiritual treasure] for the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a sword imbued with the power of Separated Flame and the concept of the returning abyss].

Just as Eldrin Chen had stepped out of his Seclusion Chamber, he discovered Qingci the Recluse waiting for him outside the Spirit Island. Accompanying him was a young girl with delicate, refined features.

Eldrin Chen invited them into the Grand Hall. With a smile, Qingci the Recluse said, "My timing is truly fortunate. I have waited only three days for you to conclude your seclusion."

"Your cultivation has progressed notably, Fellow Daoist."

Eldrin Chen returned the smile. Qingci the Recluse's cultivation had now reached the Golden Core, 3rd Tier [the third layer of the Golden Core realm], and it seemed he was even brushing against the threshold of the Golden Core, 4th Tier [the fourth layer of the Golden Core realm].

After exchanging pleasantries, Eldrin Chen glanced at the young girl and inquired, "Might this be your daughter, Fellow Daoist?"

"Indeed, she is." Find thousands of chapters at http://www . audio-novel.com.

Qingci the Recluse nodded, his expression turning solemn.

He scanned their surroundings, ensuring no others were present, then gently pulled the little girl forward. "My daughter's name is Gu Lánshān. She has just turned six years old. Recently, I examined her Spiritual Root [the innate conduit that determines one's aptitude for cultivation]..."

He paused here, his voice heavy with gravity. "It appears she possesses the Tri-Yin Body [a rare and potent constitution aligned with the three yin forces]."

"A Dao Body [a supreme innate physique gifted by the heavens]?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He could not help but probe with his spiritual sense, and after a long moment, a look of pleasant surprise indeed surfaced on his face.

The Tri-Yin Body is one of several Pure Yin Constitution. This type of Dao Body is not inferior to Freya Ji's Profound Yin Constitution. Cultivating Pure Yin Divine Ability and Dao arts with it is invariably successful, marking it as a true True Lord Potential.

However, among Dao Body constitutions, this one is relatively common and comes with a rather distinct flaw.

That flaw is the Tri-Yin Body's absolute requirement to maintain a balance of Three Spiritual Roots within the body. If the number exceeds or falls short of Three Spiritual Roots, cultivation will inevitably trigger Spiritual Root conflict.

Qingci the Recluse looked at the little girl and revealed a bitter smile. "This child possesses the Tri-Yin Body, but she has Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots. She must have a Spiritual Root completed before she can cultivate."

"Otherwise, when she attempts her Golden Core breakthrough, she will certainly be unable to suppress the Spiritual Root conflict. I heard your esteemed wife possesses a method to complete spiritual roots, which is why I have come to seek you out."

As he spoke, Qingci the Recluse added, "Of course, I understand such a world-shaking method would not be passed down lightly. Therefore, I wish for her to become a disciple under your esteemed wife's tutelage."

"This..."

"With her innate talent, Lyra will undoubtedly accept her as a disciple." Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with thought before he spoke. "Very well. After Lyra emerges from seclusion, I will discuss this matter with her."

"Then you have my deepest gratitude."

Hearing this, Qingci the Recluse [a wandering cultivator known for his poetic and carefree nature] let out a sigh of relief, his face lighting up with joy as he spoke.

As he spoke, his words paused briefly before continuing, "Recently, I exchanged for a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in forming the Golden Core, a crucial breakthrough for cultivators] from my clan. I estimate my wife should be able to break through to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core] realm this time."

"However, I lack sufficient Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators for combat, defense, and cultivation]. I wonder if you could lend me a treasure to help her withstand the heavenly tribulation."

Eldrin Chen found the situation both amusing and exasperating. This Qingci the Recluse doted on his wife excessively. For nearly a century since his own Golden Core breakthrough, aside from his own cultivation, all his resources and stipends had been spent purchasing Golden Core Formation Pill for her.

Consequently, to this day, aside from his pair of Heavenly Separated Twin Swords [a famous pair of linked flying swords] and his Golden Radiance Glazed Lamp [a defensive lamp that emits a golden, protective radiance], he possessed virtually nothing else of significant power.

Fortunately, after the battle in The Vast Sea, Eldrin Chen had acquired several Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [powerful artifacts corresponding to the Golden Core realm]. He still had a few spare Fourth Rank Low Grade Magical Treasure [the lowest tier of Golden Core realm treasures] remaining in his possession. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel.com (official site).