The other Foundation Establishment elders had also made significant progress.
Chen Qinghao, the eldest at over 110 years old, cultivated the most diligently. His cultivation had reached the peak of the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, nearing the ninth layer.
If everything went smoothly, he could attempt a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion at around 125 years old—faster by more than a decade than the Patriarch's first attempt.
Chen Qingwan had delayed her advancement for several years to refine her life-bound magical treasure. She remained at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, but it seemed likely she would reach the ninth within ten years.
Among the others, Chen Nianchuan, who had accumulated numerous contributions, advanced rapidly after exchanging for Jade Essence Pills and Green Yuan Pills. He recently reached the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment and was on track to achieve the peak slightly past 100 years old.
Xianling and Xianyan, siblings who broke through to Foundation Establishment in the same year as Nianchuan, initially lagged behind due to a lack of resources in the first two decades.
However, they were expected to reach the late Foundation Establishment stage within five years. Both were still young, around 70 years old, and likely to attempt their first breakthrough to the Purple Mansion at about 100 years old, leaving them with ample lifespan.
Aside from these earlier cultivators, Yaya and Chen Xianye advanced at an even faster pace.
Chen Xianye, who reached Foundation Establishment on his own at 24, had already neared the fifth layer by his forties. Over two decades, his cultivation soared, breaking through three levels—a rate of one level every seven years.
For a dual-spiritual root cultivator, even with sufficient resources and dedication, breaking through one level every ten years was considered excellent. Xianye's extraordinary speed was attributed not only to his diligence but also to the 200 Spirit Shell Beads acquired at Sky Python Lake.
At this rate, Xianye could attempt his first breakthrough to the Purple Mansion at 70, not far behind Elian's record of 63. This was an exceptional achievement.
Yaya, with her Unique Spirit Root, typically needed seven years to break through a level in Foundation Establishment. However, with no shortage of Spirit Shell Beads, she advanced by one level every five years.
Having reached Foundation Establishment at 20, she had, in just 15 years, climbed to the fourth layer. This progress was achieved despite Elian holding back her use of Jade Essence Pills to ensure her foundation remained stable.
Elian, reflecting on these developments, took a deep breath and refocused his mind. His ninth strand of Primordial Purple Qi had stabilized, giving him a sense of calm.
The peculiar nature of the Primordial Purple Qi was evident—it consistently condensed at a rate of one breath per day, regardless of his cultivation level.
Delays, whether due to interruptions or convenience, had caused this ninth strand to take three extra years to complete, only reaching fruition at the age of 83.
"Now that I've condensed the ninth strand of Primordial Purple Qi, it's time to refine the Heavenly River Deep Water Sword."
With this thought, Elian began crafting his fourth life-bound magical treasure.
The Heavenly River Deep Water Sword, complementing the Fiery Void Sword, was designed as a yin counterpart. Its method of refinement was modeled after the Fiery Void Sword, following a similar process.
Elian, who had refined the Fiery Void Sword during his early Foundation Establishment years, found crafting the Heavenly River Deep Water Sword a straightforward task. Within seven days, he completed smelting the Heavenly River Treasure Gold and infused it with Water Crystals.
The sword's body and array patterns were shaped and inscribed without much effort. The most labor-intensive part was refining the elemental energies, which took a full month. Eventually, Elian completed the sword as a lower-grade third-rank treasure.
Seizing the moment, Elian infused it with his hard-earned strand of Primordial Purple Qi. The sword's fundamental quality underwent a subtle transformation, raising its potential by one grade.
With a resonant hum, the Heavenly River Deep Water Sword transformed into a translucent azure blade of spiritual light and flew into Elian's brow.
Elian tested its power near Linghu Isle and was satisfied. Although it was merely a lower-grade third-rank sword, its immense power allowed him to cleave a thousand-zhang fissure in the ground with a casual strike.
"A fine sword."
Pleased, he returned to Linghu Isle and focused on elevating the sword to a mid-grade third-rank to ensure its compatibility with the Fiery Void Sword.
After three months of effort and spending tens of thousands of spirit stones on Water and Metal essence, Elian succeeded in advancing the sword to mid-grade third-rank.
With the Heavenly River Deep Water Sword completed, Elian traveled to Pingyang City without delay.
"Try this year's new tea," said the Patriarch, pouring Elian a cup in the clan hall.
"This is third-rank Enlightenment Tea, quite a precious treat."
Elian took a sip and immediately felt a surge of clarity. A meditative tranquility washed over him, as though he were on the cusp of enlightenment.
"Excellent tea."
Setting the cup down, Elian asked, "The Chu Kingdom Exchange Gathering is in just over three months. Will you be attending?"
"No need. You can handle it."
The Patriarch sipped his tea before continuing.
"The clan treasury holds 80,000 spirit stones. Take plenty, along with a few unused third-rank treasures, to avoid missing anything we need."
"Understood."
Elian nodded and then added, "There's something else I want to discuss."
"Oh?" The Patriarch raised an eyebrow, waiting for Elian to elaborate.
"There's one Metal Crystal left in the clan," Elian said.
"You mean the question of who should use it?" The Patriarch frowned and replied, "Logically, Qinghao, with his gold-water dual roots, could use it to attempt the Purple Mansion within 15 years."
"Nianchuan, despite having triple roots, has advanced quickly since reaching Foundation Establishment. With sufficient resources, he might also attempt the Purple Mansion within 20 years."
"Based on the rules you've set, we should prioritize Nianchuan, given his self-achieved Foundation Establishment."
"You misunderstand," Elian said, shaking his head.
"This is not about them. It's about you."
Elian's expression turned serious.
"In a few years, you'll reach the peak of the third tier of the Purple Mansion. It will be time for you to attempt a breakthrough."
"If we can't obtain a Creation Cloud Pill at the Exchange Gathering, we should use the Metal Crystal to refine one for you."
The Patriarch hesitated and replied, "Purple Mansion cultivators have a lifespan of 400 years. I'm only 180; there's no rush."
"Breaking through to the mid-Purple Mansion stage early will increase your chances of forming a Golden Core. Delaying for decades at the early stage might lead to regret later," Elian countered.
The Patriarch sighed but could not refute the point. Elian added, "Moreover, when I recently visited Tianxu Mountain, Linglong indicated that they might make a move against the Qingyang Sect within 15 years."
"Is that true?" The Patriarch's face grew serious, and he stood up.
Elian nodded and reassured him, "You don't need to worry about Qinghao and Nianchuan."
"The next Metal Crystal from Cangkong Mountain will be ready in ten years, and we're due for it. Additionally, the Metal Crystal from Black Iron Mountain's metal veins should emerge within 20 years. And any battle against Qingyang Mountain will surely yield rewards."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D