"At that time, we should have a certain chance of surrounding and killing that mid-stage Purple Mansion beast."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Patriarch shook his head and said, "If it were a Purple Mansion demon beast, perhaps this plan would work, but Metal Earth demon beasts are different. They reside in the Metal Earth land vein, constantly replenished by the Metal Earth energy, so trying to exhaust their magical power to surround and kill them is difficult."
"Even if we succeed, there will likely be heavy losses among you. It may not be worth the cost."
Elian nodded upon hearing this. He had participated in the war against the Wood land vein and knew that dealing with such beings required a single strike to break through the enemy to ensure a higher chance of success.
After all, in a land vein, these demon beasts' magical power is virtually inexhaustible, and they can even repeatedly cast divine abilities without worrying about running out of power.
Seeing that this plan would not work, Chen Xianling spoke up: "Since we can't take the land vein with our strength alone, should we call for reinforcements?"
Everyone hesitated at these words, reluctant in their hearts.
A Metal Earth land vein contains treasures of immeasurable value. If they wanted to ask others for help, the Chen family would have to pay at least one Metal Earth crystal.
Now that Elian and the Patriarch were on the verge of breaking through to the Purple Mansion, seeking help would almost be like handing over ten thousand spirit stones for nothing, and there was the risk of provoking others' attention.
"No need to rush for reinforcements."
Elian shook his head and said, "Aside from Tianxu Mountain, no one else is willing to help."
But without Jiaoyang Mountain, Tianxu Mountain was isolated on the border, facing the pressure from both Sky Python Lake and Dire Lion Ridge alone.
The two demon kings considered Tianxu Mountain an eyesore. Jiang Linglong was unable to spare any time, and her disciple, Lin Qianshu, had to guard the Wood land vein.
Su Mingwei had already gone to Ji Kingdom. As a third-tier alchemist, she was tasked with a crucial mission: to gather the final few auxiliary herbs for Jiang Linglong to complete the spiritual root, and it seemed unlikely that she would return soon.
"No need to rush for reinforcements."
Patriarch Chen Changxuan said calmly, "I only tried to breakthrough to the Purple Mansion a little more than ten years ago, and I will need another four or five years to try again."
"During this time, you all should focus on your cultivation. After five years, we can prepare again and make further plans."
With the Patriarch's decision made, everyone could only nod in agreement. The first attempt to attack the Metal Earth land vein had ended in failure.
After the crowd dispersed, Elian sighed, "In the end, our strength isn't enough. This treasure is right in front of us, yet we can't claim it. It's truly regrettable."
"If I had reached the Purple Mansion, I would have been able to slay that demon right now, and we wouldn't have to flee so embarrassed."
"No need to be upset." The Patriarch shook his head and smiled.
"You've only been cultivating for less than forty years and have already reached the eighth level of Foundation Establishment. You can even cut through Purple Mansion. That's already impressive."
"In a few more years, we can wait. When the time comes, I will shamelessly ask the Ling County and borrow the Demon Flame True Fire Array from the Yang family. We will certainly be able to kill them then."
"…"
Leaving Xuantie Mountain, Elian adjusted his mood and then flew back to Linghu Isle.
As soon as he arrived at Linghu Isle, Yaya spotted him from afar and joyfully ran over.
"Uncle, I want to eat peaches."
"Alright, I'll make sure you eat as many as you want."
Looking at her innocent smile, Elian showed a hint of a smile.
At this moment, he looked up at the spiritual Peach Tree and felt something was off. The peaches this year seemed strange.
The half-green peaches emitted a unique fragrance, with astonishing spiritual energy brewing within them.
"Hmm."
Elian's eyes slightly moved as he sensed something extraordinary about the peaches. This year's peaches seemed to have an unusually strong spiritual energy, and there were far fewer than in previous years.
He carefully counted and found only twelve peaches this year.
This was highly unusual. Even a second-tier low-grade spiritual Peach Tree could yield a dozen peaches, and a second-tier high-grade tree would produce as many as 108 peaches.
"Could it be..."
Elian showed a look of wild joy, and a guess quickly formed in his mind. He suppressed his excitement and patiently waited for the results to confirm.
Three months passed, and by the time it was the autumn harvest season, the twelve peaches finally ripened, and the spiritual vein of Linghu Isle unknowingly reached the third-tier low grade.
"Third-tier spiritual Peaches."
Once the peaches ripened, Elian immediately picked one and revealed a joyful expression.
He had left the mountain at fifteen and, through the infusion of Primordial Purple Qi, had helped the spiritual Peach Tree advance, and without realizing it, forty-five years had passed.
Forty-five years had passed in the blink of an eye. The young boy in white had grown into a renowned genius in Chu Kingdom, and the spiritual Peach Tree had finally reached the third-tier level.
The mystical uses of natural spiritual roots and spiritual plants were extraordinary. After the tree reached the third-tier, it could no longer be compared to the past.
From now on, the spiritual Peach Tree would bloom every three years, bear fruit every three years, and mature every three years. It would take nine years to produce twelve third-tier peaches.
However, the mystical properties of the third-tier peaches were also immense. Consuming one would take three years to fully refine.
Once refined, it could increase the cultivation of a Purple Mansion cultivator by ten years, and for Foundation Establishment cultivators, one peach could increase their cultivation by thirty years.
"Purple Mansion is within reach."
Elian held the beastual peach and couldn't help but show an excited expression.
With this third-tier spiritual peach, he would have enough confidence to break through to the Purple Mansion in three years.
Without saying more, he consumed the peach on the same day and began his retreat to refine its abundant spiritual energy.
"…"
Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, three years passed.
"It's almost time."
Elian muttered to himself. After three years, he had finally refined all the spiritual power in the peach.
Though he only refined one peach, its energy was immense, and not only had he broken through to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, but he had also reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.
At this level, his cultivation was complete, and to advance further, he needed to channel true essence through the Purple Mansion Dao Vein.
The Purple Mansion Dao Vein is located deep in the spine, reaching the brow's Purple Mansion. It supports the meridian spine, which is why it's also called the Purple Mansion Heavenly Vein.
To break through to the Purple Mansion, a cultivator needs to channel true essence from the dantian through the spine's meridian and reach the Purple Mansion's spiritual platform at the brow, connecting the Purple Mansion with the dantian.
The Purple Mansion is also known as the spiritual Mansion, Divine Palace, or Immortal Platform. Some cultivators refer to it as the spiritual Mansion or Immortal Platform stage.
It is the abode of a cultivator's soul and the place where their divine consciousness is cultivated. Once breaking through to the Purple Mansion, a cultivator can merge their divine consciousness with true essence, transforming it into more profound magical power.
The magical power derived from this is far beyond true essence. While there may be little difference in using third-tier magical items, the power of the same divine ability varies drastically depending on whether it is powered by true essence or magical power.
Even though Elian's true essence was nearly equal to that of a Purple Mansion cultivator, the power he could generate with his divine abilities posed little threat to them.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D