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 numerous ingredients, and some 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 home was somber, and it took three months to reach Qingyuan Mountain.
Upon their return, news of Elian bringing back a Foundation Establishment Pill spread quickly within the family. That same night, someone came 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 Establishment 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 Refinement stage.
Despite being of the same 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 Establishment cultivators, including four elders of the Lin family. If one included the beasts and Wood Essence demons he had slain, his tally of Foundation Establishment-level opponents exceeded a dozen. Such a fearsome reputation even struck fear into late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
When Chen Niansu came 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 Establishment Pill was left behind by Uncle Qinghe. His body isn't even cold yet, and you're already coming to me 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 stammer, "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 Establishment 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 Refinement 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 Refinement and would require another seven or eight years before they could attempt Foundation Establishment. 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 Refinement 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 enlightenment. 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 overwhelmed by the influx of disciples. Over the past four years, the family had added an average of twenty new cultivators annually—ten times the usual number. This trend was expected to continue for the next two decades.
After the funeral, Elian convened a meeting with all Qi Refinement seventh-level and above cultivators to discuss the distribution of the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Before the meeting began, a young female cultivator reported an important discovery. Her name was Chen Nianfu, aged forty-nine, and she had reached the eighth level of Qi Refinement, just barely qualifying as a mid-level family member.
"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 metals, 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 immediately," Elian said decisively.
"If this Black Iron vein is confirmed, the family will reward you handsomely."
As Elian prepared to leave, Chen Niansu, pale-faced, hesitated before mustering the courage to speak. "The Foundation Establishment 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 Establishment Pill until after the beast tide—by which time his peak cultivation years would have passed.
His heart sank further as he envisioned a future without hope of advancement. Pain, confusion, and a deep sense of frustration welled up within him.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D