Chapter 446 : A Debt of Honor and a Golden Opportunity

After bidding farewell to Vast Righteousness Peak, they boarded their treasure boat and flew towards Chu Nation.

Aboard the vessel, Eldrin Chen glanced back at Vast Righteousness Ridge with a look of deep respect. "The Vast Righteousness True Lord truly possesses a noble and unsullied character," he remarked. "He lives up to his reputation as a renowned and enlightened master."

"Indeed," agreed Exquisite Jiang, handing him an ancient scroll with a sigh. "We must not forget the kindness shown to us today."

"Naturally, we will not."

Eldrin Chen took the scroll. It contained the details of a contingency plan laid down by the Vast Righteousness True Lord.

With this safeguard in place, their chances of successfully contending for the Heavenly Path Energy [a primordial energy source tied to the Heavenly Dao] during the upcoming Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare celestial alignment that amplifies spiritual phenomena] over a century from now would be significantly greater.

Contemplating this, Eldrin added, "When we achieve greater accomplishments in the future, we must certainly repay this favor."

With the matter settled, they spoke no more of it and continued their journey towards Chu Nation.

As they passed by Ji Nation, Eldrin Chen performed a quick calculation with his fingers and smiled. "By my reckoning, the Ji Continent Golden Core Barter Convention [a grand trade fair for Golden Core stage cultivators] is to be held within the next two months. Let us stop and see if we can procure any suitable treasures."

"Agreed." Find this and other novels at audio-novel . com.

The two diverted their course to the Ji Continent Market. As the Barter Convention [a large-scale trade gathering for cultivators] was still some time away, they simply went to the Chen Clan shop located within the market.

By now, the Chen Clan had shops spread throughout Ji Continent. The person in charge of the shops in Ji Nation and the Ji Continent Market was none other than Like Dream Willow, a disciple of Exquisite Jiang.

"Greetings, Master. Greetings, Master's Husband."

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang arrive, Like Dream Willow hurriedly welcomed them with delight and ushered them into the inner courtyard.

This was the first time the two had visited the Chen Clan shop in the Ji Continent Market. Eldrin Chen cast his gaze around the establishment. He noticed that besides this Hundred Treasures Pavilion which bought and sold Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy], elixirs, and Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], there were two other adjacent shops also belonging to the Chen Clan.

One shop was named the Horizon Tower, the other the Sea's End Pavilion. Both were bustling with customers, their business thriving, and among the patrons were even high-ranking cultivators.

"The Horizon Tower and the Sea's End Pavilion seem to be doing quite well?"

Eldrin Chen raised a brow slightly, his tone casual as he inquired.

The Chen Clan's Horizon Tower dealt in the business of 'Spirit Goose' [a type of spiritual waterfowl prized for its meat]. For centuries, the clan had been breeding their Violet-Striped Goose [a specific, spiritually-enhanced breed of goose], continuously selecting the plumpest and most flavorful Spirit Goose for reproduction. Generation after generation of such selective breeding had resulted in a lineage of spiritual delicacies renowned for their exquisite taste.

This was further enhanced by a secret recipe provided by Eldrin Chen. Over hundreds of years, Chen Clan cultivators had tirelessly researched and developed a stunningly flavorful sauce using hundreds of different Spirit Herb. This combination had made their Spirit Goose famous throughout the land for its unparalleled taste.

Furthermore, to cater to the needs of cultivators at different cultivation levels, the Chen Clan has also cultivated an even more precious breed of Spirit Goose within the Heavenly Ruins Lake and Yan Lake regions.

Among these are spiritual delicacies of a grade as high as the third tier. It is said that even the True Lord of the Ji Clan cannot resist coming for a taste from time to time.

The Sea's End Pavilion is similarly prosperous. Its primary business is the trade of Spirit Fish. Since the Chen Clan secured the Fourth-Rank Spirit Mountain within the Yan Kingdom and the Heavenly Ruins Lake, the variety of Spirit Fish sources has expanded to several hundred types.

Its signature dishes, 'Charcoal-grilled Azure Scale Fish' and 'Steamed Carp-Dragon Fish', are hailed as peerless delicacies across the Ji Continent. Not only are their flavors supremely exquisite, but they also greatly enhance a cultivator's cultivation base. Only cultivators at the Golden Core Realm or above are qualified to make reservations for a taste.

"We leased three shops in the prime location of the Ji Continent Market. The annual rent alone amounts to two hundred thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

"On top of that, we need to purchase vast quantities of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], which would have caused a massive deficit on the ledger. Who could have imagined that the Horizon Tower and Sea's End Pavilion would become so wildly successful?"

Speaking of the Horizon Tower and Sea's End Pavilion, Like Dream Willow beamed with joy. She informed the two that the annual revenue from just these two establishments had already surpassed five hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

After deducting the costs of shop rent and taxes, they still net an annual profit close to two hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

This substantial profit has significantly alleviated the immense financial burden of purchasing the Five Elements Essence.

This does not even account for the Horizon and Sea's End establishments in other nations. Although their revenue pales in comparison to that of the Ji Continent Market, the premier market of the Ji Continent, their combined income from across the various kingdoms still represents a considerable sum.

After listening, Exquisite Jiang [the wife of Eldrin Chen] smiled and said, "It seems we must also start taking this business venture seriously."

"With such a substantial stream of income, that is indeed the prudent course."

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] nodded, then looked towards Like Dream Willow [a trusted subordinate] and asked, "While managing this business in Ji Nation [a nation within the cultivation world], have you encountered any significant trouble?"

"Minor troubles I can handle on my own."

Like Dream Willow replied, though a slight furrow appeared between her brows. She continued with a wry smile, "However, in recent years, several Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] within Ji Nation have grown envious of our profits and wish to buy a stake to take a share of the gains."

"Not long ago, the head chefs at both the Horizon Tower [a restaurant] and the Sea's End Pavilion [another restaurant] were threatened, pressured to hand over the recipes. Fortunately, our secret formulas have always been kept strictly confidential and are prepared within Yu County [a county under the Chen Clan's control] before being delivered, so their schemes were thwarted." Join our community of readers at audio-novel`com.

"Oh?" Exquisite Jiang's eyes sharpened, her gaze turning steely. "Tell me, which clans are involved."

"Seven Golden Core Immortal Clan [clans with Golden Core Patriarchs] have been secretly banding together to apply pressure. The leaders among them are the Yun Immortal Clan and the Mo Immortal Clan."

Like Dream Willow recounted the situation in detail, and Eldrin Chen gained a clear understanding of the circumstances.

Among the Golden Core Immortal Clan of Ji Nation, it was initially the Yun Immortal Clan that coveted their profits. In previous years, when Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang were in secluded cultivation within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a dangerous cultivation site], Like Dream Willow had to request Old Patriarch [referring to Eldrin Chen's grandfather, Eternal Verdancy Chen] to come and suppress them.

Later, the Yun Immortal Clan grew unwilling to accept this and, together with the Mo Immortal Clan and six other Golden Core Immortal Clans, began to exert pressure, repeatedly attempting—both overtly and covertly—to claim a share of the profits.

On one occasion, they even intercepted a Treasure Ship transporting supplies for the Chen Clan and demanded an exorbitant toll for its passage.

The cultivators of the Chen Clan, being a top-tier Golden Core Immortal Clan after all, naturally refused to tolerate such bullying. A fierce conflict erupted between the two sides.

In that battle, the seven great Immortal Clans initially held no advantage. However, a Golden Core elder from the Yun Clan, bullying the weak with his superior strength, caused the death of a Violet Sanctum Cultivator from the Chen Clan. Furthermore, the cultivation paths of two Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment prodigies at the Violet Sanctum realm were severed. Casualties among the remaining lower-ranked cultivators were also significant.

Later, Kael Chen emerged from seclusion and personally journeyed to Ji Nation. He visited each of the seven great Immortal Clans, engaging in seven duels and securing six victories. He defeated six Golden Core elders from the various clans in succession. Ultimately, he was held back by the Yun Clan Patriarch, who relied on the sheer pressure of his Golden Core 9th Tier cultivation to block his advance.

Thereafter, the several great Immortal Clans ceased their direct confrontations. However, their underhanded tactics never truly stopped, as they continued trying to force the Chen Clan to hand over the secret formula they had researched for centuries.

"This Yun Immortal Clan... what a formidable local tyrant."

"But those who dare kill members of my Chen Clan must pay the price."

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy as he spoke with a cold laugh, "Enough. I shall go there myself."

"..."

The Yun Immortal Clan has existed for over a thousand years. Since its ascension to a Golden Core Immortal Clan eight hundred years ago, the Yun Clan has advanced by leaps and bounds.

Now, the Yun Clan boasts five Golden Core Cultivators, a force that ranks them among the more powerful of the Golden Core Immortal Clans.

The current clan leader, Desert River Yun, is merely a little over seven hundred years old yet has already cultivated to the Golden Core 9th Tier. It is said he forged a Middle-Tier Golden Core [a Golden Core of superior quality and potential], and there is hope he may one day achieve a breakthrough into the Infant Soul [the spiritual embryo stage beyond the Golden Core realm]. Original publication: audio-novel.com (official site) - The source of this chapter.