Ten days later, Elian returned to Yu County on his Fiery Void Sword.
Instead of heading to Linghu Isle, he went directly to Pingyang City to meet the old patriarch, who had recently emerged from seclusion.
By now, Chen Changxuan's injuries had mostly healed, requiring only a year of rest for complete recovery.
Elian shared the news of the three Foundation Establishment Pills and the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Vessel he had brought back.
The old patriarch was overjoyed at the sight of the pills and the treasure.
"Though slaying the Purple Mansion beast was perilous, acquiring two third-tier magical treasures and three Foundation Establishment Pills is an incredible surprise."
"It's true that great risk often brings great rewards. If it weren't so dangerous, even I would consider hunting Purple Mansion beasts," he joked.
Elian chuckled. Hunting Purple Mansion beasts wasn't as simple as it seemed. He and the old patriarch together were strong enough to rival six late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Yet, facing a fully healthy early-stage Purple Mansion beast, their chances of survival would still be slim.
Suppressing his excitement, the old patriarch asked, "How do you plan to distribute these Foundation Establishment Pills?"
Elian thought for a moment before answering.
"In the family, there are only seven Qi Refinement ninth-stage cultivators under the age of sixty. With the Beast Tide looming, it's best to use these pills quickly to strengthen our forces. However, three of them—Nianming, Nian'guo, and Nianfeng—have just reached the ninth stage and will need at least five or six years of refinement."
"As for the remaining suitable candidates, there are only Uncle Qingyu, Nianchuan, and the siblings Xianling and Xianyan."
The old patriarch quickly identified the individuals Elian referred to and deliberated.
"The siblings Xianling and Xianyan are both under thirty. If they use the pills now, they'll still have a chance to advance to the Purple Mansion stage later. These two pills should go to them first."
"As for Qingyu and Nianchuan…" He hesitated.
Chen Qingyu was the seventeenth son of Chen Changming. In his old age, at ninety-nine, Chen Changming had heroically activated the Fiery Sun Heavenly Fire Flags to eliminate the family's enemy, Old Demon Zhang, making an enormous contribution to the clan.
Now, at 117, Chen Changming wanted to witness Qingyu's Foundation Establishment before his death.
On the other hand, Chen Nianchuan was the youngest son of the second elder, Chen Qinghe. The second elder's contributions to the family were well-known. Before his death, he refused to use a Foundation Establishment Pill, leaving it for the family's use instead.
Both candidates presented a dilemma for Elian and the old patriarch.
After much thought, Chen Changxuan said, "Both are triple-spirit-root cultivators with similar talents and contributions. However, Nianchuan is only forty-nine and can afford to wait for another opportunity."
"But Qingyu is already fifty-eight. He can't wait any longer. This pill should go to Qingyu."
Elian felt conflicted. Opportunities for Foundation Establishment Pills were incredibly rare. Nianchuan had only twelve years left to wait, and with the Beast Tide approaching, the family's chances of obtaining more pills were slim.
"Sigh…" Elian sighed deeply, seeing no better solution.
Pushing aside his thoughts, he remembered Jiang Linglong's reluctance to discuss her past and asked, "Patriarch, do you know anything about the Eastern Sea coast?"
"The Eastern Sea coast?" The old patriarch frowned.
"That region is separated from the Eastern Wilderness by countless mountains and rivers. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would need a cross-regional teleportation array to reach it."
"Given the distance, I know very little about the region."
"Do you know of any major events that occurred there in the past few centuries?" Elian pressed.
The old patriarch thought for a moment before replying, "Two hundred years ago, there was a world-shaking event in the Eastern Sea—a demonic abyss catastrophe that occurs once every thousand years. It caused quite a stir."
"However, given the distance, I don't know the details. Perhaps the Golden Core ancestors of the Chu Kingdom, who are better informed, might know more."
"A thousand-year demonic abyss catastrophe?" Elian frowned. Though the information didn't provide insight into Jiang Linglong's past, the timing aligned with her arrival in the Eastern Wilderness, suggesting a possible connection.
Without more details and sensing the old patriarch's limited knowledge, Elian refrained from further questions. He realized Jiang Linglong likely withheld her story to spare him undue pressure.
"Never mind. Cultivating diligently is the most important thing right now."
Bidding the old patriarch farewell, Elian didn't linger in Pingyang City and went directly to Qingyuan Mountain.
Back at Qingyuan Mountain, he gathered all Qi Refinement ninth-stage cultivators in the clan and announced the agreed-upon distribution of the Foundation Establishment Pills.
The siblings Xianling and Xianyan, as well as Chen Qingyu, were elated to receive their pills along with Gathering Essence Pills.
"I wonder how many of them will succeed in Foundation Establishment," Elian mused as he watched them leave, filled with anticipation and anxiety.
Many senior family elders had shown great promise in their youth. The first and second elders, in particular, were exceptional talents among the Qing generation. However, they missed their chances at Foundation Establishment due to unfortunate circumstances.
"What a pity," Elian sighed, preparing to return to Linghu Isle. Just then, Chen Nianchuan approached him.
Nianchuan hesitated before speaking.
"Brother Elian."
Elian paused and looked at him.
"Elder brother, is this about the Foundation Establishment Pill?"
"I understand," Nianchuan interrupted, his tone calm.
"Uncle Qingyu needs it more than I do. That's not why I'm here."
"Then what is it?" Elian asked.
"I heard you recently refined six Gathering Essence Pills. Do you still have any left?"
"You want to attempt Foundation Establishment on your own?" Elian's pupils constricted as he said sharply, "Without a Foundation Establishment Pill to reduce the risk, failure means death. Are you certain about this?"
Nianchuan didn't respond immediately. He turned his gaze toward the flickering candlelight in the corner, his eyes filled with resolve.
"When my father decided to attempt Foundation Establishment, he spoke with me through the night."
"I am much like my father. Seeing his struggles was like looking into my own future decades later."
"That frail, aging figure, waiting for death with no hope for the future…"
"Can you understand what that feels like?"
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D