United as One to Overcome the Crisis

This was an extremely profitable venture. A single round trip to Heavenly Ruins Mountain could earn roughly 1,800 Spirit Stones. The Chen Clan made the trip once every six years, averaging an annual profit of more than 300 Spirit Stones.

But Five Elements Essence was enormously valuable. Without sufficient protection, escorting such treasures was practically courting death.

The Chen Clan had been unlucky. Seven or eight Ninth Layer of Qi Refining cultivators had died at once, and even the clan chief had suffered grave injuries. If Chen Qingmeng had successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, then this business could have continued.

Sadly, the Chen Clan had suffered blow after blow. Naturally, it no longer had the ability to conduct this trade.

Such was the helplessness of small cultivation lineages. To many Rogue Cultivators, cultivation clans seemed incomparably glamorous, able to pool their strength to accomplish great things and obtain Foundation Establishment Pills every few years. But who knew the hardships they endured?

After finishing his words, the Third Elder suppressed the sorrow on his face and continued.

"The most urgent matter is finding a way to repay the 8,000 Spirit Stone debt. Otherwise, with the interest compounding upon itself, it will become a tremendous problem."

"The Lineage is in a time of crisis. I hope all of you can bear a little more."

At those words, everyone present grew even paler. Chen Nianyong, seated in the corner, could not help but say,

"Last year, when purchasing the Foundation Establishment Pill, the Lineage borrowed sixty Spirit Stones from me."

"My hands are empty now as well."

Chen Nianyong was fifty-two this year. Among the Nian Generation cultivators of the Lineage, he ranked second in age, even two years older than Fifth Elder Chen Qingwan. He had only broken through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining last year, and his prospects were far inferior to Chen Nianzhi's.

He had never accumulated many Spirit Stones over the years, and he still needed to support his own cultivation. There truly was not much spare money in his hands. Seeing that the Third Elder wanted him to contribute, he was the first to cry out in distress.

Seeing someone raise an objection, Chen Qinghao was already prepared. He took out a jade box containing more than three hundred Spirit Stones of varying sizes.

"I know none of you have it easy, and I do not wish to force you to contribute any particular amount."

"But you normally enjoy the Lineage's stipends and resources. Now that the Lineage is in danger, I hope you can do your part for it."

"I have sold the Azure Spirit Sword in my possession. These 317 Spirit Stones are my entire fortune, and I am offering them to help the Lineage weather this crisis."

Chen Nianzhi could not help but stare. The Azure Spirit Sword was a Tier 1 High-grade Dharma artifact, the Third Elder's prized possession. He had not expected that, in order to help the Lineage survive this crisis, the Third Elder would even sell his only Dharma artifact.

Although he had long known the Third Elder well, knowing that the man was fair and just and had devoted himself heart and soul to the Lineage, he could not help but feel admiration at this moment.

Just then, a streak of spiritual light flew in from outside the hall. It landed before the crowd, transforming into a crimson dharma blade that fell to the ground, followed by a voice.

"This old man still has 1,300 Spirit Stones. Sell the Scarlet Flame Spirit Blade as well. Every bit helps."

"Clan Chief, you must not..."

Everyone froze for a moment before quickly realizing that it was the voice of Clan Chief Chen Changxuan.

The 1,300 Spirit Stones were one thing, but the Scarlet Flame Spirit Blade was the clan chief's Life-Bound Dharma Artifact. Two years ago, the clan chief had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

If not for purchasing the Foundation Establishment Pill, then in a few more years, the clan chief could have relied on the Five Elements Essence produced by the Lineage to elevate this artifact to Tier 2 High-grade.

If he sold his Life-bound Magical Treasure now, Chen Changxuan's combat strength would fall by at least thirty percent. This was a deal that bled him dry.

Chen Nianzhi felt heavy-hearted. To purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill and support his clansmen in achieving Foundation Establishment, the clan chief had already sold two Tier 2 Dharma artifacts last year. To protect the Foundation Establishment Pill, he had also destroyed a Tier 2 Low-grade defensive Dharma artifact.

If one had not truly been reduced to nothing, who would be willing to sell their Life-Bound Dharma Artifact?

"This matter is settled. Say no more."

As Chen Changxuan's voice faded, his divine sense disappeared from the hall. Clearly, he had gone back to tend to his injuries.

Seeing this, Chen Nianzhi gritted his teeth. Out of his sense of belonging to the Lineage, he spoke up.

"I still have 173 Spirit Stones. I will contribute them as well, to do my part for the Lineage."

Chen Nianzhi's cultivation had advanced rapidly, and the Lineage had valued him since childhood. His stipend had always been granted according to the standards for a Variant Spirit Root.

From the age of four, he had received an annual stipend of thirty Spirit Stones. Within the Lineage, that was already equal to the stipends of several Ninth Layer of Qi Refining elders.

It could be said that the Chen Clan had truly treated him well. Many Late Stage of Qi Refining cultivators toiled day and night outside, yet the earnings they accumulated over several years might not even equal his yearly stipend.

In truth, the reason his cultivation had progressed so quickly was also closely related to having enough Spirit Stones to accelerate his cultivation.

Now that even the clan chief had sold his Life-Bound Dharma Artifact, he simply gritted his teeth and took out all 173 Spirit Stones he had left to support the Lineage.

"Nianzhi..."

The Third Elder's mouth opened slightly, but he remained speechless for a long while. Looking at Chen Nianzhi's Spirit Stones, his heart twisted in pain.

To be fair, he did not want Chen Nianzhi to contribute this sum, because Chen Nianzhi was the Lineage's hope. These Spirit Stones concerned whether Chen Nianzhi could cultivate to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining more quickly.

Cultivation was a race against time. Breaking through to Foundation Establishment one day earlier meant an extra measure of certainty in breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm. This concerned his future path of cultivation, and the Third Elder did not want to waste Chen Nianzhi's time.

But he could not refuse. The Lineage was in the midst of a crisis, and he had to keep the scales level.

The Lineage itself was unlikely to obtain another Foundation Establishment Pill within the next several decades. For everyone present, it would be almost impossible to achieve Foundation Establishment through the Lineage's support.

Furthermore, the Lineage already owed them quite a few Spirit Stones. Now it was asking them to contribute Spirit Stones again, even though its income no longer covered its expenses.

Under such circumstances, if the Lineage were still unfair, many of those present would likely simply throw down their burdens and leave, taking their remaining Spirit Stones to become Rogue Cultivators.

After all, the Lineage had little future left. They could go to Heavenly Ruins Mountain and become Rogue Cultivators hunting demonic beasts. It would be dangerous, but if fortune descended, perhaps they could earn merit and exchange it with Patriarch Jiang for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Therefore, as the Third Elder responsible for managing clan affairs, he had to remain fair. Once people's hearts scattered, there would likely be no need for the Chen Clan to continue existing.

The clan chief had produced a Life-Bound Dharma Artifact worth 2,000 Spirit Stones, along with another 1,300 Spirit Stones. He had contributed the lion's share.

The Third Elder had brought out his entire fortune of more than three hundred Spirit Stones, and even Chen Nianzhi, the Lineage's most core disciple, had emptied his coffers.

Seeing this, the restless hearts of everyone present settled. As members of the Chen Clan, they too generously opened their purses.

Fourth Elder Chen Qingyuan and Fifth Elder Chen Qingwan still had hope of achieving Foundation Establishment, but they each contributed 200 Spirit Stones, handing over the fortune they had accumulated through most of their lives.

Some of the others contributed fifty, others eighty. Everyone had given no small amount. Even Chen Nianyong, who had objected at the beginning, took out thirty Spirit Stones, practically emptying his household.

More than a dozen Late Stage of Qi Refining leaders of the Lineage worked together, ultimately gathering 5,673 Spirit Stones.

Seeing that the amount was still insufficient, they began offering suggestions. The Third Elder spoke first.

"There are still more than three hundred Spirit Stones in the Lineage's accounts. The First Elder and Second Elder should be able to contribute six or seven hundred Spirit Stones between them. That would make roughly 1,000 Spirit Stones in total."