"No need to continue the investigation. He's already escaped," Jiang Linglong said calmly. She had just arranged for another review and confirmed that one of the seven Foundation Establishment cultivators reported dead in battle had faked their death and fled.
After speaking, she looked at the group.
"In the coming months, I will begin refining Foundation Establishment Pills. You can settle your battle merits with Tianxu Pavilion. Once the pills are ready, I will allocate them for compensation and rewards as appropriate."
The cultivators expressed their gratitude and gradually dispersed, leaving only Elian and the old patriarch, Chen Changxuan, who had been specifically asked to stay.
Inside the spiritual pool cave of Tianxu Mountain, Jiang Linglong glanced between Elian and the old patriarch.
"You held off over thirty second-tier demon beasts for two incense sticks of time, a critical factor in securing our victory. I originally planned to reward you with three Foundation Establishment Pills, but I wanted to ask—do you have any other requests for a reward?"
The old patriarch exchanged a glance with Elian before responding excitedly, "Could the three Foundation Establishment Pills be exchanged for a Crystal of Blazing Flame?"
"A Crystal of Blazing Flame?" Jiang Linglong's eyes flickered slightly as she regarded Chen Changxuan.
"You're preparing for a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion stage?"
The Crystal of Blazing Flame was an immensely valuable resource. It could be used to refine tools and pills or assist cultivators with fire spiritual roots in breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage, increasing their chances by 20%.
Chen Changxuan, being a dual fire-and-metal spiritual root cultivator, would greatly benefit from the crystal, giving him a 30-40% chance of breaking through. It was no wonder Jiang Linglong made this assumption.
However, Chen Changxuan shook his head with a smile.
"I am still three or four decades away from attempting a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion stage. I wouldn't dare keep such a treasure on me for that long."
"My plan is to use the crystal to forge a life-bound immortal sword for my descendant."
"Patriarch!" Elian's expression shifted as he prepared to object.
The old patriarch stopped him, speaking firmly.
"A treasure is only valuable if you can use it. With our Chen family's current strength, keeping the Crystal of Blazing Flame safe for decades is an impossible dream. Instead, we should use it now to forge the Fiery Void Sword."
"Besides, I promised you long ago that if we ever had a chance to acquire a Crystal of Blazing Flame, the family would spare no effort to secure it for you."
Elian listened quietly, his heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and emotions he could not express. He could only silently commit this moment to memory.
Jiang Linglong observed the exchange, her eyes glinting with a faint smile. Once the two had reached an agreement, she finally spoke.
"Three Foundation Establishment Pills for one Crystal of Blazing Flame is a fair trade. A few years ago, a crystal formed in the subterranean fire veins, but I haven't had a chance to use it. It seems fortune is on your side."
With that, she took out a shimmering crystal, glowing faintly with a fiery aura, and handed it to them.
Elian accepted the Crystal of Blazing Flame, unable to contain the surging emotions in his heart. Such a treasure was invaluable and coveted even by Purple Mansion cultivators.
This exchange was clearly a gain for them. Although a Foundation Establishment Pill was worth approximately 30,000 spirit stones on the open market, its internal value among major sects was closer to 10,000 spirit stones.
This discrepancy arose because most sects lacked the means to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, making them highly sought-after. Prices often soared to 20,000 or 30,000 spirit stones due to limited supply.
However, during times of demon conflict, when Purple Mansion-level demon cores were abundant, the price of Foundation Establishment Pills could drop to around 15,000 spirit stones. After all, demon cores only had a shelf life of three to five years, and the pills themselves could only be stored for up to a decade. An excess supply inevitably lowered prices.
Jiang Linglong, with her superior alchemy skills, could control costs to 6,000–8,000 spirit stones per pill. Thus, while Foundation Establishment Pills were costly, they were not overly precious within her sphere.
The Crystal of Blazing Flame, on the other hand, was typically valued at 50,000 spirit stones, sometimes fetching as much as 80,000. Yet, it was rarely available on the market.
In Chu Kingdom, such crystals were only produced by a few subterranean fire veins, including those controlled by Tianxu Mountain. Whenever one appeared, late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators would go to great lengths to acquire it.
Given this context, exchanging Foundation Establishment Pills for the crystal was an exceptional deal for them.
As Elian and Chen Changxuan carefully put away the crystal, Jiang Linglong nodded slightly and turned to Elian.
"You played a key role in breaking the stalemate with Qianshu and even expended a precious talisman. Once the Foundation Establishment Pills are ready, I will reserve one for you and grant you a Vitality Nurturing Pill."
Elian's eyes lit up with delight as he nodded in gratitude, understanding that the Vitality Nurturing Pill was meant for Chen Changxuan.
The old patriarch had sustained internal injuries to his meridians during the battle. Though not severe, he would still require several years of recovery. With the Vitality Nurturing Pill, he could recover fully within a month.
"Thank you!" Elian said, bowing respectfully.
"Go on," Jiang Linglong said with a wave of her sleeve, tossing a medicine bottle to them.
Grateful for the Vitality Nurturing Pill, the two thanked her again before leaving the spiritual pool cave.
Back at their guesthouse, Chen Changxuan immediately entered seclusion to heal his injuries using the pill, while Elian stood guard.
A month later, the old patriarch emerged fully recovered. In high spirits, he suggested, "The Crystal of Blazing Flame is too precious to risk transporting back. Let's forge the Fiery Void Sword here at Tianxu Mountain, using their subterranean fire refining chambers."
"I agree," Elian nodded.
"But I don't know formations or smithing. Forging the life-bound immortal sword will require your help."
Chen Changxuan laughed heartily, stroking his beard.
"That's a simple matter."
Forging a life-bound artifact initially wasn't overly complicated, as the starting grade was usually low. However, the Fiery Void Sword, as a pinnacle immortal sword, required rare materials and complex techniques, making it significantly more challenging.
The crystal itself, birthed from subterranean fire, would require the heat of a third-tier fire and a high-grade refining furnace to be properly integrated. Renting a suitable refining chamber was their first priority.
To do so, they sought out Liu Rumeng, who received them warmly.
When she learned of their request, she smiled and said, "Tianxu Mountain has three third-tier subterranean fire refining chambers. The best one is currently occupied by my master for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.
"Of the other two, one is mid-grade, and the other is lower-grade. Which one would you prefer to rent?"
Chen Changxuan smiled in return.
"We need to refine a life-bound artifact and will require a third-tier refining furnace. Which chamber has one available?"
...
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