"I see that the fairy's cultivation has also improved significantly in recent years. It seems you're close to breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage?"
Elian complimented, adding, "My modest achievements are nothing compared to yours, Fairy Liu."
Hearing this, Liu Rumeng smiled. A few years ago, she had advanced to the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment, a gratifying milestone.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the tallying of the elemental essence was complete.
Liu Rumeng glanced at the ledger and, with a slight frown, remarked, "It seems this year's elemental essence is much less than in previous years."
"Yes," Elian nodded, responding matter-of-factly, "I consumed quite a bit while cultivating divine techniques, and the clan also needed to refine several life-bound artifacts, which required additional resources."
"Ah, that explains it," Liu Rumeng said with a knowing smile.
"Using so much elemental essence must mean your divine techniques have greatly improved."
She invited Elian into the inner chamber, where they cross-checked the accounts and finalized the transaction. This year's shipment of elemental essence was halved compared to previous years, bringing in only about 5,000 spirit stones, a significant reduction in revenue for the Chen family.
After settling the accounts, Elian did not leave immediately. Instead, he said, "I came to Tianxu Mountain this time not only to sell elemental essence but also to purchase two items."
"Oh?" Liu Rumeng asked with a smile.
"What would you like to buy? If it's something the Tianxu Pavilion has, I can make the decision to sell it to you."
Elian's face lit up as he eagerly asked, "Does the Tianxu Pavilion have any divine technique jade slips or Breaking Origin Fruits?"
Divine techniques are immensely powerful and often serve as a family's foundation. However, they are not easily cultivated. Divine techniques are extremely esoteric and challenging to master, requiring constant comprehension rather than straightforward instruction.
The best way to cultivate a divine technique is through repeated observation and understanding, which necessitates a medium. A divine technique jade slip serves as such a medium, storing a single divine technique that cultivators can repeatedly study to achieve mastery.
However, creating a jade slip is no easy feat. It requires second-grade precious jade to serve as the vessel, and the crafting process itself is complex.
Since the Chen family lacked the means to produce divine technique jade slips, Elian intended to purchase one to inscribe the Metal Element Divine Thunder he had mastered. This would allow other family members to study and cultivate the technique more effectively.
Upon hearing his request, Liu Rumeng's expression shifted slightly before she smiled and said, "We do have a few blank divine technique jade slips in stock. I can sell you one for 1,000 spirit stones."
"As for the Breaking Origin Fruit, we currently don't have any in the Tianxu Pavilion."
Hearing this, Elian's expression darkened with disappointment. If the Tianxu Pavilion didn't have it, he would have to try his luck in the two neighboring counties.
However, seeing his disappointment, Liu Rumeng smiled and added, "Still, if you're looking for Breaking Origin Pills, there might be another way."
"My master, whose expertise in formations is unparalleled in Chu Kingdom, recently deduced the existence of a wood-aligned leyline within 30,000 miles of Tianxu Mountain."
"Currently, she is working on pinpointing its exact location. Once she does, she plans to secure it."
As she spoke, Liu Rumeng glanced meaningfully at Elian, the implication clear.
Elian's face lit up with excitement. He was well aware of the significance of an untouched leyline.
Even a low-grade third-rank wood-aligned leyline would produce an abundance of spiritual herbs, including second-grade and even over ten third-grade herbs suitable for Purple Mansion cultivators.
Most importantly, unexploited leylines often yielded one or two wood crystals. If the leyline's rank were higher, it might even contain Purple Sun Jade.
Unlike wood crystals, which only increased the chances of wood-attribute cultivators breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage by 20%, Purple Sun Jade was beneficial for cultivators of all attributes. It increased breakthrough success rates by 40% and had far superior effectiveness.
Additionally, using Purple Sun Jade to attempt a breakthrough carried no risk of harm upon failure, allowing the cultivator to retry after recovering their state. Such an extraordinary treasure was worth more than twice as much as wood crystals or fire crystals.
Considering this, Elian couldn't help but ask, "Regarding the wood-aligned leyline, does Ancestor Jiang mean to...?"
Liu Rumeng nodded.
"Developing a leyline takes considerable time, and with the beast tide looming, time is short."
"Therefore, my master plans to rally the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Tianxu Mountain to attack the leyline and extract the wood crystals as soon as possible to bolster our strength."
Elian's excitement grew.
"Do you know when Ancestor Jiang plans to attack the leyline?"
"Very soon," Liu Rumeng replied.
"My master has narrowed the leyline's location to within a 3,000-mile radius. If all goes well, she should pinpoint it within two months. When the time comes, you'll naturally be invited to join."
"Thank you very much," Elian said gratefully.
After purchasing the divine technique jade slip, Elian left Tianxu Pavilion and returned to his inn.
With the wood-aligned leyline yet to be located, he decided to inscribe the Metal Element Divine Thunder onto the jade slip. To do so, he needed to have fully mastered the technique.
Fortunately, Elian's comprehension was exceptional. Years ago, he had already mastered the Metal Element Divine Thunder. Inscribing it onto the jade slip was merely a matter of execution.
In five or six days, he successfully inscribed the technique onto the jade slip.
"Finally done."
Elian smiled with satisfaction. With this divine technique in hand, the Chen family's foundation had grown stronger.
"However, Qingyang Sect…"
Elian frowned slightly. Since this divine technique originated from Qingyang Sect, there could still be trouble.
"It seems that until the family produces a Purple Mansion cultivator, it's best to avoid openly using this technique."
At that moment, a knock came at his door, and Second Elder Chen Qinghe entered.
This elder was close to Elian, who poured him a cup of tea and asked with a smile, "What brings you here, Uncle?"
"Senior Liu from Tianxu Pavilion asked me to deliver an invitation for you to attend the annual trading conference," Chen Qinghe said, handing over an invitation.
Elian opened it and quickly understood the nature of the event. He smiled and said, "The trading conference at Tianxu Mountain always has some good items. I attended once ten years ago and managed to exchange for a Blood-Replenishing Ginseng. That ginseng was what cured your and Uncle Qinghao's injuries."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D