After distributing the mirrors, Jiang Linglong arranged troop deployments and dismissed everyone to begin final preparations for the impending war.
"Dear nephew, please stay for a moment."
As Elian exited the training ground, a familiar voice called out to him. Turning around, he saw Meng Xinghe, his great-uncle, smiling warmly from a distance.
Exchanging a glance with the third elder, Elian quickly stepped forward and greeted respectfully, "Greetings, Uncle Meng."
"Ah, dear nephew, your cultivation progress is truly remarkable," Meng Xinghe said with a touch of admiration before getting straight to the point. "I see you've broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage—could it be thanks to a Green Yuan Pill?"
"That's correct," Elian replied without hesitation.
"A while ago, I obtained a Green Yuan Ganoderma and refined it into two Green Yuan Pills."
Hearing there were two pills, Meng Xinghe's eyes lit up with delight. Rubbing his hands together, he eagerly asked, "Is there one left?"
"There is indeed one remaining," Elian admitted. The Green Yuan Pill's efficacy only lasted about ten years, and the remaining one had a few years before it would lose potency.
In the Chen Clan, the two mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, Chen Qinghao and Chen Qingwan, would need more than twenty years to reach the threshold for late Foundation Establishment. Thus, Elian had no qualms about trading the remaining pill, especially to a relative like Meng Xinghe.
Hearing that a pill was available, Meng Xinghe beamed with joy. "Dear nephew, I'd like to purchase one Green Yuan Pill from you, if possible…"
Over the past thirty years, Meng Xinghe had acquired two Foundation Establishment Pills for his clan, boosting their number of Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, this had drained the family's treasury, leaving him in financial straits and stuck at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment for over two decades.
Now over 150 years old, Meng Xinghe was ten years older than the Chen family patriarch. Fifty years ago, his cultivation had been on par with the patriarch at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. However, now he was only at the sixth level, falling far behind.
The patriarch had benefitted from the Chen family's superior resources, such as the high-grade cultivation method Blazing Sun Void Ascension Technique and the superior spiritual veins of Qingyuan Mountain.
Most importantly, the Chen family's finances had improved under Chen Qinghao's meticulous management, allowing the patriarch to purchase a Jade Essence Pill that saved him twenty years of cultivation. Later, he obtained a Green Yuan Ganoderma, which propelled him two levels in just a few years.
Now, with Elian's support and treasures like Spirit Peaches, the Xuanyu Pill, and the Crystal of Blazing Flame, the patriarch was half a step away from the Purple Mansion stage, while Meng Xinghe remained stuck.
"Cultivation depends not only on talent but also on opportunity," Elian mused. Smiling, he said, "Since you've asked, Uncle Meng, the Green Yuan Pill is naturally yours."
"Thank you so much," Meng Xinghe said excitedly, producing a bag of spirit stones.
"In past years, I spent most of my spirit stones acquiring Foundation Establishment Pills for Xingwan. I only have about 3,000 spirit stones left."
"I know Green Yuan Pills are quite valuable, usually selling for over 4,000 spirit stones. Would you allow me to owe you 1,000?"
"Uncle Meng, there's no need for such formality," Elian replied, shaking his head with a smile.
"Our families are related by marriage. Just a few years ago, my nephew married your great-granddaughter. There's no need to treat this as a mere transaction."
"Let's settle on the original price of 3,000 spirit stones."
"This…" Meng Xinghe hesitated, feeling embarrassed.
"I can't take advantage of you like this."
Elian handed over the Green Yuan Pill and said warmly, "If you break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, it will benefit the Chen family as well. With the beast chaos approaching, we may rely on your support."
In the end, Meng Xinghe reluctantly accepted the pill at the discounted price of 3,000 spirit stones.
With the Green Yuan Pill in hand, Meng Xinghe was elated. He had already spent two decades refining his spiritual energy and could likely break through in another ten years without the pill. With it, success was now almost guaranteed.
Grateful, Meng Xinghe solemnly promised, "When the beast chaos begins, should the Chen family face danger, I will spare no effort to assist."
…
After parting ways with Meng Xinghe, Elian and the third elder flew back to Qingyuan Mountain.
Upon returning to Yu County, the Chen Clan elders convened a meeting with representatives from other prominent families in the county. Together, they began the massive effort of mobilizing cultivators for the beast chaos.
Yu County had over a hundred small and large immortal clans, and each was required to send 65% of their cultivators to participate in the war.
Of these, about 30%—roughly 3,000 cultivators—would be dispatched to Tianxu Mountain to assist in the defense against the demon beasts. Another 35% would be stationed at Yuyang Market under Tianxu Mountain's direct command to defend against invasions.
As for rogue cultivators, who often shared low-grade spiritual veins with a small number of kin, they had no reason to remain in such poor spiritual environments. Most were also conscripted to Yuyang Market or Tianxu Mountain.
Six major clans jointly oversaw the conscription effort, and although it was time-consuming and labor-intensive, few dared to resist. Even if someone fled to another region, they would still be conscripted into the war.
Those who attempted to hide in the wilderness to avoid participation were noted down. While there would be no immediate consequences, they would be barred from entering the major markets of the border regions, and most cultivators would shun them.
The conscription took over a year, even with the collaboration of six major clans. Only after assembling the troops did they begin dispatching a contingent to Tianxu Mountain.
A few days before the army's departure, the eight Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Chen family gathered in Pingyang City—the first time all eight had convened.
Even Chen Qingwan, previously stationed at Yuyang Market, joined the meeting. With thousands of Qi Refining cultivators now stationed there, the market was temporarily secure.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D