The Patriarch also nodded in agreement. Chen Qinghao had been cultivating with extreme diligence, and his progress in cultivation was swift, nearing the great completion of the Foundation Establishment stage.
If Chen Qinghao successfully broke through to the Purple Mansion stage, even if he could only connect 30% of his spiritual veins, he could still barely activate the family's grand array. This would allow him to take over as the guardian of Pingyang City, replacing the Patriarch.
As for Chen Nianchuan, who was currently at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, he would still need at least fifteen years to make an attempt at breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage, making it impossible for him to contribute to the Qingyang Sect battle in time.
Thinking of this, Chen Changxuan added, "Though I trust Nianchuan's character, to avoid a repeat of what happened with Niansu, we need to have a proper discussion with him." (Niansu was the one who betrayed the family over a Foundation Estabilishment Pill)
"I'll go talk to him," Elian said calmly. The situation with Nianchuan was vastly different. Nianchuan was only two years older than Elian and was not yet ninety years old.
With such a long lifespan ahead, there was no need to rush. Moreover, as long as the Qingyang Sect campaign proceeded smoothly, it wouldn't delay his breakthrough to the Purple Mansion stage.
Leaving Pingyang City, Elian flew on his sword to Qingyuan Mountain. He had the required spiritual herbs for refining Creation Cloud Pills gathered from the family treasury and sought out Chen Nianchuan, who was currently meditating in seclusion.
Without much preamble, he explained the situation to Nianchuan and said, "There's no need to worry. Even if the Qingyang Sect campaign doesn't go well, I can still buy you a Five Elements Crystal."
"It won't delay you for too long."
Nianchuan was of fire, wood, and earth spiritual roots. While his cultivation progress was slower, it was easier to obtain resources for his advancement.
After gaining control of Lingyuan Mountain, the Chen family's assets were sufficient to support five or six Purple Mansion cultivators, with an annual surplus of more than twenty thousand spirit stones. Spending a little extra to purchase a Five Elements Crystal would not be difficult.
The only challenge was the scarcity of Five Elements Crystals. They rarely appeared in the markets of the Chu Kingdom and were often only available at barter exchanges.
Hearing Elian's reassurance, Nianchuan chuckled and shook his head.
"You underestimate me, Brother Elian."
"With a long lifespan ahead of me, I can attempt to break through to the Purple Mansion stage four times before my lifespan runs out."
"So I'd like to try breaking through on my own."
Elian's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but regard Nianchuan with a newfound respect.
Dressed in a simple green robe, Nianchuan stood quietly atop Qingyuan Mountain, gazing into the distant sky with a faint air of pride.
"I know that the challenge of overcoming physical tribulations is daunting, a towering mountain in cultivation."
"But since I was able to achieve Foundation Establishment on my own and stand atop the first peak, I can now see the higher summits ahead."
"Whether I succeed or fail, I must at least give it a try." (I was considering a new novel with him as the protagonist)
Elian smiled. Cultivators who could achieve Foundation Establishment on their own were rare and exceptional. Though Nianchuan's innate talent was average, his self-reliance, perseverance, and determination had undergone remarkable transformation.
People grow and evolve, and Nianchuan had become a rare and distinguished talent among Foundation Establishment cultivators. His accomplishments merely seemed less noticeable under Elian's dazzling reputation.
With over a century of lifespan remaining, Nianchuan had the courage to confront the challenge of physical tribulations head-on. If not the first attempt, then the second, or the third.
Elian thought of Chen Qinghe. If the Second Elder had succeeded in achieving Foundation Establishment independently, he likely would have exhibited a similar resolve.
Suppressing this regret, Elian turned to Nianchuan and said, "Attempting to break through without the aid of a Five Elements Crystal is indeed risky, but you can stop midway if necessary."
"Feel free to take this chance, Brother. There's still a Vital Energy Restoration Pill in the family treasury. If the situation turns critical, you can burn your essence blood to make one last effort."
After leaving Qingyuan Mountain, Elian headed for Tianxu Mountain.
At that time, Jiang Linglong was refining her natal treasure. Elian waited for half a month before she emerged from seclusion.
Having recently advanced her Six Harmonies Eight Directions Cauldron to the middle grade of the fourth tier, Jiang Linglong seemed to be in a good mood. Seeing Elian, she greeted him with a smile.
"Your progress in cultivation is impressive. It seems you'll be able to break through to the mid-Purple Mansion stage before dealing with the Qingyang Sect."
"That's all thanks to your King Conch Pearl."
The two had not seen each other for years. To quell their longing, Elian spent two days with Jiang Linglong exploring Tianxu Mountain together. (Thou shalt not know what happened in these two days!)
After their time together, he remembered the purpose of his visit. Taking out the Purple Sun Jade, he said, "This time, I've come to request your assistance in refining two batches of pills."
"The Purple Sun Jade."
Jiang Linglong's eyes lit up with surprise and delight.
"You want to refine the Purple Qi Cloud Pattern Pill?"
"This came from the Earth Vein at Cangkun Mountain. I've already made arrangements with the Xu family. We only need to give them two pills, and the rest will be yours."
He nodded calmly.
For once, she didn't decline. Lin Qianshu was on the verge of reaching the later stage of the Purple Mansion and also urgently needed the Purple Qi Cloud Pattern Pill.
Before arriving, Elian and the Xu family had already prepared the auxiliary ingredients. The two immediately began refining the pills.
Su Mingwei, having recovered from her injuries, eagerly joined to assist Jiang Linglong upon hearing about the pill refinement.
Although Su Mingwei's talent in alchemy wasn't as extraordinary as Elian's, she was still a proficient third-tier alchemist. While it was overqualified for her to handle second-tier auxiliary herbs, her help saved the other two considerable effort.
With three skilled alchemists working together, the process was swift. In just seven days, a batch of Purple Qi Cloud Pattern Pills was successfully refined.
"It's done."
Looking at the six completed Purple Qi Cloud Pattern Pills, Jiang Linglong smiled with satisfaction.
To have refined six pills in one batch meant she was nearing the level of a middle-grade fourth-tier alchemist.
The Purple Sun Jade alone was worth over 150,000 spirit stones, and the accompanying Cloud Vine Fruit was worth over 30,000 spirit stones. The cost of refining a batch of Purple Qi Cloud Pattern Pills totaled around 200,000 spirit stones.
Elian also smiled. With Jiang Linglong's skill, refining six pills had reduced the cost of each to just over 30,000 spirit stones. Typically, a single Purple Qi Cloud Pattern Pill sold for around 100,000 spirit stones, highlighting the incredible skill of a high-grade alchemist.
Jiang Linglong divided the six pills into three jade bottles, handing two bottles to Elian.
Elian accepted one bottle but handed the other back, saying, "One Purple Qi Cloud Pattern Pill can increase the chances of breaking through to the later Purple Mansion stage by 30%."
"Two pills may not be enough for full certainty. You should take my share as well."
"Lin Qianshu is a Unique Spirit Root cultivator. Her chances of breaking through are greater than yours," Jiang Linglong said with a smile, gently pushing the bottle back to him.
"Two pills will suffice."
Seeing her insistence, Elian finally accepted both bottles of pills.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D