The next day.
The Qingyang Sect group returned to Qingyang Mountain, while Elian and Chen Changxuan made a trip to Spirit Apricot Mountain.
Gazing at the ancient Spirit Apricot Tree before them, both were excited. This tree, hundreds of years old, was one of Yu County's rare treasures.
Although the apricots it bore could only extend a lifespan by up to three years, they were still a rare longevity treasure, seldom found even in the entire Bianzhou region.
Relying on this ancient tree, the Lin family had profited immensely over the years. It was no wonder Lin Baixi could afford two top-grade second-tier artifacts.
"Well?" The elder patriarch suppressed his excitement as he asked, "Do you think it can be transplanted?"
"It can be transplanted," Elian replied with a frown, "but this tree has been rooted for centuries. Given its age, it will need careful nurturing to survive after transplantation."
"Moreover, it may not bear fruit for the next ten years."
"As long as it survives. We can't leave it here to benefit the Lin family," Chen Changxuan decided after a moment's hesitation.
With the decision made, the two began carefully excavating the ancient tree. Standing over three meters tall and weighing a considerable amount, moving it was a laborious process.
To prevent it from withering, Elian and Chen Changxuan alternated using their true essence to transport the tree, a task that took seven full days before they reached Qingyuan Mountain.
After much discussion, they had decided against relocating it to Linghu Isle, which, though more secluded, lacked the defensive advantages of Qingyuan Mountain.
Just as the Lin family's Spirit Apricot Mountain had weaker formations than Ink Green Mountain, leading to its downfall, placing the tree in a well-defended location was deemed crucial.
"Done."
After carefully planting the Spirit Apricot Tree on Qingyuan Mountain, Elian let out a sigh of relief.
Staring at the ancient tree, he hesitated. His main reason for supporting its relocation to Qingyuan Mountain was to eventually enhance the tree's foundation and, in turn, elevate the spiritual vein of Qingyuan Mountain.
Currently, he possessed a wisp of Primordial Purple Qi, which could strengthen the tree, potentially transforming it into a natural Spirit Root.
"However, Natural Spirit Roots are incredibly rare. There are only two or three in the entire Chu Kingdom. If exposed, it could bring great risk."
"Qingyuan Mountain is too populated. I'll wait until I break through to the Purple Mansion stage before considering it."
Suppressing the thought, Elian returned to Linghu Isle the next day.
Back on Linghu Isle, he resumed his quiet cultivation. His days were spent alternating between training, comprehending divine techniques, and tempering his immortal sword.
In this manner, five years passed in the blink of an eye.
…
Another autumn harvest season arrived. Chen Changlu paddled a small boat to Linghu Isle once more.
Before even reaching the shore, he shouted from a distance.
"Xianling, Xianyan, your grand-uncle is here! Did you miss me?"
"You've already reached the seventh layer of Qi Refinement so quickly. You two little ones have made impressive progress!"
Upon landing, he saw Chen Xianling and Chen Xianyan waiting for him and couldn't hide his delight.
Chen Xianling, now eighteen years old, had grown into a handsome young man. Polite and refined, he replied, "Thanks to Uncle Elian's guidance, I just broke through earlier this year."
"Reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refinement at eighteen—what a blessing!" Chen Changlu shook his head before asking, "Where is your Uncle Elian?"
Chen Xianyan smiled faintly and led Chen Changlu to the edge of the lake, pointing toward the shimmering water in the distance.
"There, in the middle of the lake."
Chen Changlu looked out and saw, at the boundary between the lake and sky under the setting sun, a solitary boat. A figure clad in snow-white robes sat cross-legged on the boat, a zither resting on his knees, playing a melody that seemed not of this world.
The sound of the strings, like orchids blooming in a secluded valley, evoked a profound sense of loneliness, as if the notes were plucking at the listeners' very souls.
As the piece ended, Elian put away the zither and stepped lightly across the water toward the shore.
He glanced at Chen Changlu and smiled. "It's been a year, Seventh Uncle, and you're still as spirited as ever. Truly, age has not diminished you."
"What song was that?" Chen Changlu asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
Elian chuckled.
"It's called 'Millennium Elegance.'"
"Your skill in music has grown remarkable," Chen Changlu said, impressed. Then he remembered his purpose.
"Before I forget, Qinghao asked me to tell you that the family still hasn't acquired any Breaking Origin Fruits."
"The Mu family does have a few trees, but the fruits won't ripen for another thirty years at the earliest."
"Thirty years," Elian muttered, shaking his head.
"That's too far off."
The Breaking Origin Fruit is the main ingredient for crafting Breaking Origin Pills, which help early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators break through bottlenecks and increase their chances of advancing to the mid-stage by thirty percent.
Ever since obtaining an alchemy manual from a youth years ago, Elian had instructed the family to procure Breaking Origin Fruits. Unfortunately, these fruits were exceedingly rare, with no other family in Yu County cultivating them apart from the Mu family.
After more than a decade of searching, the Chen family still hadn't secured any.
Six months ago, Elian had reached the third level of Foundation Establishment. Anticipating an opportunity to attempt a breakthrough to the mid-stage in a few years, he had renewed his efforts to acquire the fruit.
Chen Changlu, seeing Elian's disappointment, said regretfully, "The family has planted some Breaking Origin Fruit trees over the years, but they take a hundred years to mature, and their medicinal age is still too young."
"I expected as much. Breaking Origin Fruits, like Green Primordial Fungi, are primary ingredients for breakthrough elixirs and naturally hard to come by."
Elian spoke calmly, then paused before adding, "I remember the family is scheduled to trade for elemental essence at Tianxu Mountain in a few months."
"Coincidentally, I'll join this trip to Tianxu Mountain and see if I can purchase the fruit there."
…
A few months later, Elian led a group from Qingyuan Mountain toward Tianxu Mountain.
Since his battle with the Lin family five years ago, Elian had earned a formidable reputation, so the journey was uneventful.
After traveling for three or four months, they arrived at the Tianxu Mountain market. Once there, Elian led the caravan straight to the Tianxu Pavilion.
This time, he was once again received by Liu Rumeng, who greeted him warmly upon seeing him.
"As expected, it's your Chen family's turn this year. It's been so long since we last met."
"You've become quite famous these past few years. Everyone is saying you're destined to break through to the Purple Mansion stage."
She teased him as she oversaw the counting of elemental essence.
"If you do reach the Purple Mansion one day, don't forget your elder sister here."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D