Chen Changxuan held the set of array flags with excitement. If not for his unhealed injuries, he would have immediately begun refining them.
"These are truly useful to me."
"The market value of this set of array flags is around 3,000 spirit stones."
"But I currently have only 37 spirit stones," the patriarch said, rubbing his hands awkwardly. "How about I owe you the rest and pay it later?"
Elian felt a pang of emotion in his heart. Over the years, the patriarch had exchanged almost all his spirit stones for family merit points, selling off nearly all his personal artifacts and possessions to support the family.
As a result, despite being one of the three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators in Yu County, his entire fortune amounted to only a few dozen spirit stones.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator being this impoverished was almost unimaginable.
"I will sell this set of array flags to the family treasury for 3,000 merit points."
"Although you lack spirit stones, Uncle Ancestor, you have plenty of merit points, so there's no need to owe me anything."
When Elian left the spiritual spring in the rear mountain, the sky had already turned dark. He briefly recounted his journey to the Third Elder and then departed Qingyuan Mountain.
By the time he returned to Linghu Isle, it was late July, nearly eight months since he had left.
"Elian, you're back."
As soon as he arrived at Linghu Isle, he saw a familiar face—it was Old Uncle Chen Changyan.
Elian was momentarily surprised before quickly realizing that his uncle had been overseeing Linghu Isle during his absence.
Thinking of this, he hurried over to help the elderly man and frowned as he said:
"What was Uncle Qinghao thinking, making you, in your old age, travel all the way here to oversee Linghu Isle?"
Chen Changyan frowned and said, "What? Are you saying these old bones of mine aren't up to the task?"
"Of course not," Elian quickly said with a smile. "I just worry that such long-distance travel might take a toll on your health."
"Now that's more like it."
The elderly man smiled faintly.
"I'm not like your Seventh Uncle. He suffered hidden injuries in his youth and couldn't hold on in the end."
"My health is still good. I can last a few more years and help you young ones where I can."
He led Elian toward the central island of Linghu Isle, his tone growing serious as he said:
"My main reason for coming to Linghu Isle was to teach those two children. They have great potential, and I didn't want them to waste it and regret it later."
"As for tending to the spiritual fields and herbs, that's just a secondary task."
Elian nodded in agreement. For decades, Old Uncle Chen had mentored younger generations of the family. Most cultivators in the "Qing" and "Nian" generations were personally guided by him, making him an ideal mentor for the two siblings.
As they walked, they soon reached Elian's courtyard. Outside the courtyard, the fragrance of the spiritual peach tree was already rich in the air.
The tree was laden with ripe spiritual peaches. With his current cultivation level, Elian could immediately tell that the number of peaches this year far exceeded that of previous years.
"This spiritual peach tree…"
Elian's face lit up with joy as he looked at the tree.
Old Uncle Chen nodded and said, "This peach tree has advanced to a mid-tier first-grade spirit plant and produced 103 spiritual peaches this year."
"It seems this peach tree isn't an ordinary spiritual plant anymore."
"This tree must have undergone a great transformation and turned into what's known as a 'spiritual root.' Its foundation has changed significantly."
With over 110 years of experience, the elder patriarch knew far more than Elian. He smiled as he explained.
Through his words, Elian gained an understanding of what a spiritual root was.
Spiritual roots were a special category of heavenly treasures, usually divided into innate spiritual roots, acquired spiritual roots, and natural spiritual roots.
Innate spiritual roots were supreme treasures of legend, capable of anchoring the fortunes of even the most powerful factions in the celestial realms.
Acquired spiritual roots, also known as celestial plants, were slightly less exalted but still highly coveted by celestial beings. In the entire Purple Cloud Realm, there was only one such treasure: the Purple Cloud Divine Tree.
It was said that every 3,000 years, the Purple Cloud Divine Tree bore a divine fruit capable of helping Nascent Soul cultivators ascend to immortality.
Natural spiritual roots were rarer in the Purple Cloud Realm but not as rare as acquired ones. Most were controlled by major sects or powerful factions.
After listening to the explanation, Elian's face lit up with joy. "Is this peach tree truly a natural spiritual root?"
"I only know about spiritual roots from ancient texts," Chen Changyan said, shaking his head. "But it's said that once a spirit plant becomes a natural spiritual root, its growth rate accelerates before reaching the fifth tier."
"It can advance to the second tier in ten years, the third tier in fifty years, and the fourth tier, comparable to Golden Core level, in just 200 years."
"We'll know for sure if it advances to the second tier within ten years."
Elian calmed down after hearing this. "It seems Linghu Isle will need to remain a closely guarded secret. We can't let too many clan members access it."
The old man nodded in agreement. "Natural spiritual roots can convert spiritual energy. If this tree truly is one, once it reaches the second tier, the spiritual vein on Linghu Isle will likely advance as well."
"With a second-tier killing array set up by the patriarch, this place should be secure."
Both of them wore smiles of delight as they spoke. Whether or not the peach tree was a natural spiritual root, the current harvest was undeniable.
This year, the tree bore 103 spiritual peaches, worth over 500 spirit stones. Once the tree reached upper-tier first grade, annual production could increase by 70–80%, bringing in 800–900 spirit stones yearly.
Feeling elated by the harvest, Elian personally picked a few ripe peaches to share with Chen Changyan.
The old man hesitated, taking just one peach and eating only a small piece before giving the rest to the two siblings, Xianling and Xianyan.
As he fed the children, his face radiated with happiness.
"It's said that precious spiritual trees are valuable assets. Many immortal clans thrive for centuries with just one."
"I didn't believe it before, but seeing your peach tree, I finally understand the truth."
Elian chuckled. "Old Uncle, Linghu Isle doesn't have much, but it has no shortage of peaches."
"Since you're here, enjoy them as my way of repaying your kindness in teaching me."
Having lived in this world for 19 years, Elian felt deeply grateful to Chen Changyan and his late Seventh Uncle Chen Changqing.
Chen Changqing had always been kind to him, leaving behind the Greenleaf Sword, the Golden Armor Talisman, and the Crimson Flame Talisman. These treasures had helped Elian survive several dangerous battles.
...
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