Elian adjusted his mindset and chose not to linger in Tianxu Mountain. A few days later, he departed the area.
Before leaving, he purchased auxiliary herbs for Condensed Focus Pills and Explosive Essence Pills. Unfortunately, both pills required nurous ingredients, and so rare auxiliary herbs were not available. Helpless, he returned to Qingyuan Mountain to mobilize the family's resources and collect the missing herbs from various clans in Yu County.
The group, using spiritual power, created an ice coffin to preserve Second Elder Chen Qinghe's remains. The journey ho was somber, and it took three months to reach Qingyuan Mountain.
Upon their return, news of Elian bringing back a Foundation Establishnt Pill spread quickly within the family. That sa night, soone ca to request the pill.
The visitor was Chen Niansu, a rising talent of the Nian generation. Despite having a three-spiritual-root aptitude, his lineage traced back to a Foundation Establishnt ancestor who had died in battle 80 years ago, earning his family significant contributions to the clan.
Over the years, Chen Niansu had utilized his inherited wealth to cultivate quickly. Coupled with the family's growing prosperity in recent years, he had acquired two spiritual peaches and advanced to the pinnacle of the Qi Refinent stage.
Despite being of the sa generation, Elian's status within the family was second only to the family patriarch, commanding respect and awe. Throughout his cultivation journey, Elian had developed a reputation for decisive ruthlessness.
Within a decade, he had killed seven or eight Foundation Establishnt cultivators, including four elders of the Lin family. If one included the beasts and Wood Essence demons he had slain, his tally of Foundation Establishnt-level opponents exceeded a dozen. Such a fearso reputation even struck fear into late-stage Foundation Establishnt cultivators.
When Chen Niansu ca to request the pill, he hesitated, visibly nervous and unable to articulate his thoughts.
"I know why you're here," Elian said, frowning slightly.
"But this Foundation Establishnt Pill was left behind by Uncle Qinghe. His body isn't even cold yet, and you're already coming to about it. Don't you think you're being too hasty?"
"I…" Chen Niansu was at a loss for words, his unease growing. He could only stamr, "I understand."
"Go back first," Elian said firmly.
"I will consider the matter of the pill after Uncle Qinghe's funeral."
Watching Chen Niansu leave, Elian sighed inwardly. Despite having a good fortune due to his lineage, Chen Niansu lacked boldness and drive. A cultivator without ambition or resolve would struggle to achieve greatness.
Even so, Elian knew that the Foundation Establishnt Pill would likely go to Chen Niansu. Based on qualifications and cultivation level, Chen Niansu was the most suitable candidate.
The family's finances had improved since Elian's breakthrough, and spiritual peaches had gradually been distributed, raising several Qi Refinent ninth-level cultivators. However, most still needed a few more years to refine their foundations.
Even though Chen Xianling and Chen Xianyan had progressed well under Elian's tutelage, they had only recently reached the ninth level of Qi Refinent and would require another seven or eight years before they could attempt Foundation Establishnt. In contrast, Chen Niansu's cultivation was complete, and with the three thousand family contribution points he had inherited, he was the most qualified candidate.
Chen Qinghe's funeral was overseen by the Third Elder himself. Highly respected within the clan, he ensured that nearly all Qi Refinent cultivators attended. Even Chen Qingwan took leave from the Yuyang market to pay her respects to her cousin.
Among the attendees were many young children, most between six and ten years old, still in the early stages of cultivation enlightennt. Since the family had lifted its restrictions on childbirth, the past decade had seen over 200,000 new births, significantly increasing the number of potential cultivators.
The First Elder, responsible for family teachings on Qingyuan Mountain, found himself overwheld by the influx of disciples. Over the past four years, the family had added an average of twenty new cultivators annually—ten tis the usual number. This trend was expected to continue for the next two decades.
After the funeral, Elian convened a eting with all Qi Refinent seventh-level and above cultivators to discuss the distribution of the Foundation Establishnt Pill.
Before the eting began, a young female cultivator reported an important discovery. Her na was Chen Nianfu, aged forty-nine, and she had reached the eighth level of Qi Refinent, just barely qualifying as a mid-level family mber.
"During my recent travels, I inadvertently discovered a vein of Black Iron Ore."
"What?" Third Elder Chen Qinghao's expression changed as he stood up abruptly.
"Why didn't you report this earlier?"
Black Iron, the essence of all tals, was a rare and invaluable material for artifact crafting. Elian's Nine Deflection Bell was forged from Black Iron. Dense and heavy, a fist-sized piece weighed a thousand catties and sold for over 600 spirit stones. Even a small Black Iron vein could yield a thousand catties annually, enough to forge a second-tier low-grade artifact and generate at least 1,000 spirit stones in revenue.
Such a precious resource naturally piqued Chen Qinghao's interest.
"I reported it as soon as I returned," Chen Nianfu explained.
"But Uncle Qinghe's passing delayed the news."
"Then take us there imdiately," Elian said decisively.
"If this Black Iron vein is confird, the family will reward you handsoly."
As Elian prepared to leave, Chen Niansu, pale-faced, hesitated before mustering the courage to speak. "The Foundation Establishnt Pill…"
"We'll discuss it when I return," Elian interrupted before summoning his Fiery Void Sword and flying off with Chen Nianfu.
Chen Qinghao sighed as he glanced at Chen Niansu.
"If the Black Iron vein is real, the pill will likely go to Nianfu. You'll have to accept that."
Niansu watched them leave, his face ashen. He knew that if he missed this opportunity, the family wouldn't purchase another Foundation Establishnt Pill until after the beast tide—by which ti his peak cultivation years would have passed.
His heart sank further as he envisioned a future without hope of advancent. Pain, confusion, and a deep sense of frustration welled up within him.
...
46 chapters ahead on patreon: patreon/David_Lord
I need POWAAA! Gim Power Stones :D
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