In the Chen Clan Hall on Yunlan Mountain, the beams and pillars were crafted from millennium ironwood, with complex water pattern runes carved on the surface.

These were "Spirit Gathering Patterns" specially commissioned by Chen Sheng from a Talisman Vein Cultivator, ensuring the Spiritual Qi in the hall remained at a comfortable concentration for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Chen Sheng was currently reclining on the Master's Chair, draped with White Tiger Skin.

On the Cyan Jade Desk in the center of the hall, there was a dish of "Spirit Marrow Fruit" freshly tributed from the mortal realm, with a faint glow on the peel and a flesh as crystal clear as amber.

Chen Xixing, dressed in a moon-white robe and carrying the Chen Clan's Jade Token at his waist, stood respectfully before the desk.

Although less than sixty years old, the temples of Chen Sheng's eldest son were already touched with hints of gray.

He was now the head steward of the Chen Clan, overseeing family and Commerce Association affairs.

Over the years, he has dealt with numerous trivial matters almost daily, and his Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation was showing signs of stagnation.

"Father, the Commerce Association will hold an autumn auction in Three Elements Immortal City next month. We've collected three Tier Three Middle Grade Magical Artifacts and seven thousand-year-old Spirit Grasses, but…"

Chen Xixing hesitated, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes: "The grand finale item has yet to be decided, and I boldly ask for Father's blessing."

Chen Sheng casually picked up a Spirit Marrow Fruit, the peel melting at his touch, its sweet juice dissolving on his tongue and transforming into a gentle stream of Spiritual Power that flowed into his Dantian.

Seeing the weariness between his son's brows, Chen Sheng felt a twinge in his heart.

These years, Chen Xixing had indeed worked hard, marrying into alliances with eight Golden Core Clans around Three Elements Immortal City, handling matters adeptly.

The Chen Clan Commerce Association's capability to secure a foothold in Three Elements Immortal City, even standing in rivalry with several old Golden Core Commerce Associations, was majorly due to Chen Xixing.

Chen Sheng's voice carried a light chuckle:

"Oh? What kind of grand finale item do you need?"

"Ideally, a Tier Three High Grade Elixir Pill. If it could be…"

Before Chen Xixing could finish his sentence, he saw Chen Sheng flick his fingers, and a lustrous jade bottle flew out from his sleeve, landing steadily on the Cyan Jade Desk.

The bottle was carved with a Profound Turtle motif, and without even opening the cap, a fresh fragrance of life-extension medicine wafted out.

"This is…"

Chen Xixing's pupils shrank dramatically, trembling as he picked up the jade bottle.

As soon as his Divine Sense entered, he gasped in shock—the bottle contained a single, tranquil pale blue pill, its surface adorned with complete Pill Patterns, a faint Profound Turtle shadow coiled upon it.

"A Tier Three High Grade Black Tortoise Longevity Pill!"

As the Commerce Association's leader, Chen Xixing had a good eye for quality.

Originally, he had wanted a Tier Three High Grade Nine Clouds Barrier-breaking Elixir, also one of Chen Sheng's most famous creations.

Unexpectedly, Chen Sheng had given him such a remarkable surprise!

It was hard to say whether a Realm-Breaking Pill or a Longevity Pill was more valuable, as it varied per individual.

But one thing was certain: the audience for Realm-Breaking Pills was limited, whereas every Cultivator needed Longevity Elixirs.

Chen Sheng said calmly:

"This one I just refined a few days ago, use it as the pièce de résistance. Allocate thirty percent of the auction's proceeds to purchase cultivation resources for the clan's younger generation."

Hearing this, Chen Xixing was overjoyed and promptly bowed deeply, his forehead nearly touching the desk:

"Thank you, Father! With this pill in place, the auction is sure to set records!"

His fingers trembled slightly as he held the jade bottle. This pill would not only elevate the auction's reputation but also announce to all of Three Elements Immortal City.

The Chen Clan had an Alchemist capable of refining Tier Three High Grade Longevity Pills behind them.

Alongside Chen Sheng's renown in the Barrier-Breaking Elixir field, there was no doubt the status of the Chen Clan would rise again.

...

Twenty quiet years flew by in the blink of an eye.

The Chen Clan Commerce Association's autumn auction indeed sparked a great reaction.

The Black Tortoise Longevity Pill was finally auctioned off at a high price of 270,000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones, purchased by a Late-Stage Golden Core Loose Cultivator nearing the end of his lifespan.

After the news spread, the name Master Micro-Image finally established a standing in the field of Longevity Elixirs.

Though still unable to compare with the few Alchemists under Han Lou True Monarch's tutelage, numerous senior Golden Core Cultivators were drawn to him, either to request pills or to exchange insights on the Alchemy Dao, broadening his network.

On this day, within the Nine Cloud Peak's secluded chamber, it was so quiet one could hear the flow of the Spirit Vein.

Chen Sheng sat cross-legged on the Cold Moon Jade Couch, where "Concentration Incense" burned nearby, its blue smoke entering his nose like a Spiritual Snake.

He had been practicing the "Profound Derivation Sword Array True Understanding" for seven days and nights, yet the Sword Essence within his Dantian lay dormant like stagnant water, unable to advance despite all the spells he cast.

An invisible barrier stood between the Early-stage and Mid-stage of the Golden Core, firmly locking his Spiritual Power, indicating a bottleneck had been reached!

"It has finally come."

Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, and instead of anxiety, he calmly honed his form to reach optimal condition.

This bottleneck at the peak of the Early-stage Golden Core, at age two hundred and fourteen, was not late by any measure of talent.

With a flick of his fingers, a pale blue pill shot from his Storage Ring, hovering in mid-air.

This Tier Three High Grade Realm-Breaking Pill was made specifically for himself, providing over seventy percent confidence in advancing to the Mid-stage Golden Core.

"Come!"

The pill transformed into a streak of blue light and entered Chen Sheng's mouth.

The elixir dissolved immediately, unleashing a surge of powerful medicine like a broken dam rushing into his Dantian.

The force was gentle yet imposing, colliding with the invisible barrier, causing a muffled roar.

Simultaneously, Chen Sheng's clear Sword Heart continuously spawned Sword Intent, and the spells of "Profound Derivation Sword Array True Understanding" surged like tidal waves.

He maneuvered the Sword Essence following the array's trajectory, at times forming a Seven-Star Chain, other times coalescing into an Eight Trigrams Soul Lock, employing the array's resilience to repeatedly strike the barrier.

The Cloud Sea outside the dwelling began to churn, and Nine Cloud Peak's Spirit Vein hummed, as countless streams of Spiritual Qi flocked toward Chen Sheng like birds returning home, merging into his body.

His aura alternated between strong and weak, sometimes bursting with the sharpness of the Early-stage Golden Core, sometimes plunging into silence like an abyss. This indicated the ongoing contest between the medicinal power and the barrier.

A month later.

"Boom!"

A heavy sound echoed from deep within the chamber as the invisible barrier was finally split open.

Sword Essence surged into new meridians like a flood breaching a dam, expanding the once slender paths several times, with faint golden lines appearing on the walls.

Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, a gleam in his eyes quickly vanishing.

With a wave of his hand, a pale golden Sword Essence shot from his fingertips, transforming into an inch-long small sword, the runes on its blade clearly visible, with Mana fluctuations steadily reaching Mid-stage Golden Core.

"Finally broke through."

Chen Sheng exhaled a breath of turbid air, his Divine Sense unfurling like a tide, sweeping over Nine Cloud Peak's Spirit Field… finally stopping at eighty-four li.

This range exceeded the Divine Sense limits of an average Late-stage Golden Core Cultivator.

In cultivation, the alignment of essence, spirit, and soul is paramount, and now in all three, Chen Sheng exceeded cultivators of the same level.

The reason was undoubtedly the foundation of a Nascent Soul Sect, Mid-stage Nascent Soul Sword Scripture, Spirit Refining Secret Skill, Late-stage Nascent Soul Ancient Body Refining Technique.

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