Chapter 417 : Pills of Destiny and Clan Bonds

"Had it not been for your assistance at the final moment, we likely would have only succeeded in refining two pills."

Exquisite Jiang gazed at the Creation Return Cloud Pill and praised with a smile, "Your alchemy has progressed tremendously. It seems that upon your breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul forms] realm, you will be able to ascend to the rank of a Fifth Rank Alchemist."

This time, Eldrin Chen's alchemical skill had also advanced to the Fourth Rank Superior Grade [a high level within the fourth rank of alchemical mastery], his proficiency now remarkably profound, allowing him to lend her a crucial hand at the last moment.

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a light laugh, saying, "I merely provided support. Had it not been for your Extraordinary alchemical technique, producing three pills would have been nearly impossible."

Without further discussion, Eldrin Chen took out the Creation Returning Abyss Pill and stated, "These Creation Returning Abyss Pill [a rare pill that aids in profound cultivation breakthroughs] are far too precious to be sold externally. We should reserve them for internal use."

"Let it be this way," he continued. "Elara and Tea Rose shall each receive one. The remaining three will be kept for the Old Patriarch, Kael, and Silas."

Exquisite Jiang, however, shook her head and sighed. "After Tea Rose's breakthrough to the Golden Core [the stage where a cultivator condenses a golden core of spiritual power] realm, her latent potential has been utterly exhausted. Such an item would be of no 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]. The debt she incurred will take many years to repay, and she lacks the clan contribution points to purchase this Golden Core Formation Pill."

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

Among the two Golden Core Cultivator [practitioners who have reached the Golden Core stage] under Exquisite Jiang's tutelage, Elara Lin fared somewhat better, while Tea Rose Su's innate talent and temperament were considerably lacking. This content originates from *audio-novel.com*. Please respect copyright.

Her breakthrough into the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core] was itself a matter of great fortune, achieved only through the unwavering support of Exquisite Jiang all along the way.

Furthermore, she had merely formed a Lower-Tier Golden Core [the lowest grade of Golden Core, offering the weakest foundation for future advancement]. Even if immense resources were spent in the future to aid her with a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that assists in forming the Nascent Soul, the next stage after the Golden Core], the hope of her successfully forming her Nascent Soul would likely remain exceedingly slim.

Her remaining lifespan was not abundant, her foundational spiritual energy reserves were insufficient, and coupled with a Lower-Tier Golden Core, the cost of nurturing such a cultivator was immense, and her potential was inherently limited.

In truth, Verdant Grace Chen was in a similar situation. Her temperament and spiritual energy both had flaws; it would likely be difficult for her to even attempt a breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.

It was only because Eldrin Chen cherished their past bonds and was willing to expend a tremendous price, using a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that significantly increases the chance of forming a Golden Core] to support her, that she had any hope at all. Otherwise, she would have almost certainly never broken through to Golden Core.

Currently, Exquisite Jiang herself was only at the Golden Core Realm and required various resources for her own cultivation. Tea Rose Su was merely her nominal disciple, not the true inheritor of her legacy. Naturally, she could not pour all her resources into supporting her.

By comparison, Elara Lin, who had assisted her greatly along the way and had successfully formed a Middle-Tier Golden Core [a mid-grade Golden Core, offering a solid foundation], was still more worthy of cultivation.

Moreover, Elara Lin was, after all, her true personal disciple. Their ages were not far apart, and their bond was naturally much closer.

In truth, Tea Rose Su also understood that her Path [the lifelong journey of cultivation and enlightenment] held little promise. In recent years, she had shifted her main focus to managing the affairs of the Heavenly Ruins Sect, handling various mundane matters for Exquisite Jiang and the sect itself.

Eldrin Chen remained silent in contemplation for a long while before drawing Exquisite Jiang into his embrace. "You take too much care of me," he said.

"Not the same."

Exquisite Jiang shook her head with a smile and said, "You grew up within the Chen Clan [the Chen family of cultivators], 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 simply human nature.

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 pills, Eldrin Chen departed from the Fire Vein [a spiritual vein rich in fire energy] beneath Green Sun Mountain. He teleported to Spirit Isle Lake and then proceeded directly to Pingyang City.

Meeting with the Old Patriarch, he presented the Creation Returning Abyss Pill [a legendary pill that can restore a cultivator's foundation] and asked, "How should these four pills be distributed?"

"This pill? Truly?"

The Old Patriarch took the Precious Pill [a high-grade cultivation pill], his face lighting up with delight. Then, stroking his long beard, he furrowed his brow in thoughtful contemplation.

In recent years, the Chen Clan had developed swiftly. Aside from Eldrin Chen, there were actually five other Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed a solid core of spiritual energy]. These five were the Old Patriarch, Kael Chen, Silas Chen, Lior Chen, and Lila.

Among these five, the Old Patriarch naturally needed no discussion; he would certainly not receive less than his share.

Both Kael Chen and Lila possessed Superior-Tier Golden Core [a Golden Core of the highest quality, indicating immense potential]. This represented formidable latent power, granting them great hope of breaking through to the Infant Soul [the stage where the cultivator's spirit takes nascent form] in the future. Naturally, the faster their cultivation progressed, the better.

Having considered this, the Old Patriarch still said, "This time, Silas has rendered significant service. Furthermore, with her Middle-Tier Golden Core [a Golden Core of solid, above-average quality] aptitude, such resources should be prioritized for her use."

"I was thinking the same," Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "After the upcoming Barter Convention [a large-scale trade gathering for cultivators], if we encounter any Returning Abyss Spirit Treasure Jade [a rare spiritual jade that aids in refining treasures], we can prioritize purchasing it, even at a premium." This chapter is provided by audio-novel . com. Support the original.

"As for the Recluse of Elegant Verse, he is also a Middle-Tier Golden Core cultivator and a clan Elder. It would be wise to invest in nurturing him as well."

The Old Patriarch also nodded, stroking his beard once more. "Speaking of the Recluse of Elegant Verse, he visited the clan not long ago, wishing to purchase a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in forming the Golden Core] for his wife."

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

Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with understanding. This was the second time the Recluse of Elegant Verse had sought to buy a Golden Core Formation Pill for his wife. A faint smile touched his lips. "We refined eight Golden Core Formation Pill this time. He is one of our own. We should arrange an exchange for one with him later."

After handling the precious elixirs, the Old Patriarch retrieved a Storage Bag and handed it to him. "By the way," he said, "the materials for the Spirit-Gathering Path-Protection Formation [a powerful defensive array that also concentrates ambient spiritual energy] you requested have been gathered. We await your arrival to set up the formation."

"So quickly?"

Eldrin Chen's face lit up with delight as he accepted the Storage Bag.

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After inspecting the treasures within the Storage Bag, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "I will forge the formation's core artifact. Old Granduncle, lend me your strength."

"Agreed."

The Old Patriarch also showed pleasure. Crafting such a high-grade formation core would further hone his skills in artifact forging and Formation [the art of creating and utilizing magical arrays] arts.

Without delay to consume the Creation Returning Abyss Pill [a potent elixir for profound cultivation breakthroughs] to advance his cultivation, he summoned Lior Chen that very day to oversee affairs in his stead. Then, he accompanied Eldrin Chen to Green Sun Mountain.

The two arrived at the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent earth-fire energy, ideal for forging] beneath Green Sun Mountain and immediately entered seclusion to begin crafting the Formation Artifact [the central control artifact of a magical array].

This Spirit-Gathering Path-Protection Formation was of the Fourth Rank Superior Grade [a classification denoting a peak-tier formation of immense power]. It comprised forty-nine third-rank Formation Flags [enchanted banners that anchor and channel a formation's power] and a single fourth-rank formation core artifact.

To acquire the materials needed for the third-rank Formation Flag, several Golden Core cultivators from the Chen Clan even journeyed to the Wei Nation. There, they purchased a large quantity of celestial silk from the Wey Immortal Clan of that nation.

Furthermore, they made a trip to the Cang Nation. From a Fourth Rank Superior Grade Wood Essence Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein rich in wood-attribute essence] within the Cang Nation, they bought forty-nine stalks of third-rank Spirit Wood.

The formation disk required three types of fourth-rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare and potent spiritual materials]. Fortunately, the Chen Clan, possessing several Earth Vein [spiritual land veins], managed to gather these precious items.

"This set of Formation Artifact is exceedingly precious, and the silk is delicate. We must handle it with utmost care," Eldrin Chen said with a grave expression as he took out the silk and the Spirit Wood.

Despite his words, Eldrin Chen's mastery in Formation [the art of crafting magical arrays] and artifact forging was such that crafting these third-rank Formation Flag proceeded without incident.

Working together with the Old Patriarch and seven or eight third-rank blacksmiths from the clan, they spent forty-nine days successfully forging all forty-nine Formation Flag.

After completing this task, Eldrin Chen began the work of crafting the fourth-rank formation disk.

The difficulty of forging a fourth-rank disk was immense, far beyond the capability of any third-rank blacksmith. Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch joined forces, laboring for one hundred days before finally succeeding in completing this set of formation artifacts.

With the formation disk and flags completed, the core components of the Great Five Elements Yin-Yang Formation [a powerful defensive array harnessing the five elements and the balance of yin and yang] were finally ready. Join our community of readers at audio-novel.com (official site).