Chapter 1066 : A Pact Forged in Jade and Time

After a moment of silent contemplation, he finally reached out and firmly grasped the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Jade [a legendary jade said to possess seven spiritual apertures, enhancing cultivation and perception], storing it away.

For the sake of the child within Exquisite Jiang's womb, and to repay the favor owed to Glazed Divine Lord [a title for a powerful immortal lord renowned for their mastery over crystalline or glazed elemental arts], this was a task he could not refuse.

Having accepted the treasure, Eldrin Chen said to Nyssa Qu, "Inform Glazed Divine Lord that her intent is understood."

"In sixty thousand years, I will lend my aid."

"Husband!"

Upon hearing this, Nyssa Qu's expression shifted, a flicker of realization finally dawning on her. Her face paled as she said, "To willingly face a Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial or calamity that cultivators must overcome to advance] is far too perilous. Should we return the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Jade?"

"Do not worry."

Eldrin Chen offered a reassuring smile, gently stroking Nyssa Qu's long hair. "Sixty thousand years is time enough for me to at least cultivate to the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm [a high stage of immortal cultivation, signifying a being of profound power and longevity]. Preserving myself should be well within my capabilities."

"Moreover..."

He paused here, his gaze turning profound and distant. "We who walk the Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] path, if we wish to ascend further, must be willing to cleave through thorns and brambles, to weather the myriad Tribulation. Only through such trials can one achieve true greatness." Join our community of readers at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"This action can aid the Glazed Blessed Land [a blessed land of profound spiritual energy], while also tempering oneself, and can even help Exquisite [a name referring to Jiang Exquisite] obtain Fetal Nourishment Treasures [rare spiritual treasures used to nurture and strengthen an unborn child's foundation]. Why would I not do it?"

Nyssa Qu's eyes dimmed slightly, understanding that Eldrin Chen's mind was made up and she could not change his decision.

In her heart, she also understood that Moon Consort and Star Consort had been exceedingly kind to her. If they were to face a Tribulation [a catastrophic heavenly trial or calamity], she feared she would be unable to stand idly by.

In truth, this is the nature of the world's Great Tribulation [a grand, world-altering calamity]. The Celestial Mechanism [the inscrutable workings of fate and heaven] obscures all, making the hearts of men difficult to settle.

Legends speak of an age long past, during a terrifying Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and rebirth], when a supreme sect had a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] meet their destined calamity. Grieving, their fellow disciples, masters, and close friends and family ultimately descended the mountain one after another to seek vengeance.

Yet the opposing party's origins were even more astonishing, having summoned many Great Power Figure [figures of immense power, often referring to high-level cultivators] to act. Once the True Flame [a primordial, purifying flame of immense power] of conflict was ignited, hundreds upon thousands of great powers ended up answering the call of Tribulation.

The fighting escalated until, with sect members suffering grievous casualties, even figures at the level of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm of near-omnipotence] could no longer remain seated. They intervened personally, overturning the very chessboard of the Kalpa Tribulation.

In the end, existences at the level of a Great Encompassing Immortal Lord [a lord among the supreme immortals] perished, and that once-peerless great sect fell into utter decline.

Thus, from that time forth, whenever a Tribulation descends, the major immortal sects exercise extreme restraint. Beyond those who have entered the tribulation, those of a higher cultivation level rarely intervene directly.

Returning to the matter at hand, Eldrin Chen had just entered the Immortal Domain [a realm of immortals, a higher plane of existence]. His heart swelled with soaring ambition, and he felt no fear towards the coming Tribulation.

He accepted the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Jade and agreed to the request of Glazed Divine Lord [a title for a powerful immortal], then proceeded to attend the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where immortals trade rare treasures].

The Barter Convention was held within the Glazed Divine Palace [a magnificent undersea palace]. This palace, nestled deep beneath the waves, was paved throughout with multicolored Divine Jade [a type of spiritually charged jade] and gemstones, its splendor surpassing even the fabled Dragon Palaces.

By the time Eldrin Chen arrived at the Glazed Divine Palace, he found that a host of immortals had already gathered within.

Amidst the Glazed Divine Palace, where Immortal Artifact [powerful enchanted objects used by immortals] adorned every corner and wondrous sights abounded, the assembled immortals partook of celestial wines and divine fruits, quietly awaiting the commencement of the Barter Convention.

This particular Barter Convention differed from those Eldrin Chen had witnessed before. The participating Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality through cultivation] had all entrusted the treasures they wished to sell to the Glazed Palace [the organization governing the Glazed Divine Palace].

The Glazed Palace had compiled these items into a catalog. Every immortal attending the Barter Convention held a copy, allowing them to prepare in advance for the treasures they desired.

Scanning the catalog in his hand, Eldrin Chen noted that the divine items listed for this auction numbered in the thousands. Among them were several dozen portions of Fetus-Nurturing Divine Substance [a rare spiritual material used to nurture nascent life forms or divine embryos].

However, most of these Fetus-Nurturing Divine Substance were only of middle or lower Upper Grade Immortal Rank [a high tier of quality for immortal-grade items]. Merely two or three pieces reached the upper grade, and a Supreme-Grade Immortal Artifact [the pinnacle grade of immortal treasures] was but a single entry.

"Azure Dragon Divine Embryo, Abyssal Immortal Lotus Seed..."

After reviewing the list, Eldrin Chen murmured the names to himself, his expression turning contemplative and grave.

Both of these treasures are Fetus-Nurturing Divine Substance [rare spiritual materials used to nurture an unborn child's foundation]. Among them, the Azure Dragon Divine Embryo is said to be the embryonic form of a Postnatal Supple Wood Azure Dragon [a powerful dragon born after the formation of the world, embodying the Wood element].

This object is a Supreme-Grade Immortal Artifact [a treasure of the highest known quality]. If nurtured normally, it would eventually give birth to a full-fledged Postnatal Supple Wood Azure Dragon, said to be born with the potential of an Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal whose power is anchored to the mortal world], and its future achievements would most likely reach the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a quasi-immortal state just below a true Earth Immortal].

If used to nurture a fetus, the resulting child would possess talent rivaling that of a Postnatal Divine Spirit [a being of immense innate power]. As long as the child's temperament was not severely flawed, their chances of breaking through to the Earth Immortal Realm would be considerable.

The Abyssal Immortal Lotus Seed, on the other hand, is a rare Upper Grade Immortal Artifact [a treasure of exceptional quality]. Using it to forge an Immortal Embryo [the foundational spiritual core for an immortal] would grant the Abyssal Immortal Lotus Constitution [a supreme physical and spiritual foundation resembling an immortal lotus from the abyss], which is also an exceptionally superior form of Immortal Body [a body perfectly attuned for immortal cultivation].

With this constitution, one would have an extremely high certainty of achieving an Immortal Body through diligent cultivation, and its Future [a being representing the concept of potential and destiny] potential would be limitless.

These two treasures were the targets of Eldrin Chen's journey. Experience the full epic at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Although there were many other Fetus-Nurturing Divine Substance, they were either incompatible with the elemental affinity of the child within Verdant Consort's womb, or their grade was far inferior to these two treasures.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen fell into contemplation, his brow slightly furrowed. "The priority is to acquire the Azure Dragon Divine Embryo. If it cannot be obtained, then we shall consider the Abyssal Immortal Lotus Seed."

Having made his decision, Eldrin Chen began to wait for the commencement of the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare items].

After an indeterminate length of time, Sun Consort ascended to the high platform of the Barter Convention.

Her gaze swept over the assembled cultivators, her expression serene as she spoke, "Today's Barter Convention was originally meant to be presided over by this humble one."

"If none of you have any objections, then let us begin."

Hearing her words, smiles graced the faces of all present. Sun Consort was a Patriarch of the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm. With her personally presiding over the Barter Convention, who among those seated would dare show the slightest disrespect?

Seeing that no one voiced any dissent, Verdant Consort produced a jade tray and carefully placed it before her.

With a graceful flick of her sleeve, she dispelled the restrictive formations upon the tray, revealing the divine object nestled within.

It was a piece of violet immortal metal, its entire surface etched with divine patterns. These patterns were inlaid with profound and unfathomable divine runes.

Eldrin Chen took but a single glance and felt its complexity was overwhelming, even causing a slight dizziness. A tremor of awe passed through his heart.

"Divine Trace Purple Gold!"

Someone exclaimed in shock, recognizing the origin of this treasure.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's heart quivered, recalling the entry on the list of treasures.

This Divine Trace Purple Gold is an exceedingly rare immortal metal, similar to Dragon-Patterned Black Gold in that it transcends the limits of the Ascendant Immortal Limit [the theoretical peak of the Ascendant Immortal realm].

Forging an Immortal Treasure [a weapon or artifact of immortal grade] from this material can result in a Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest quality tier of immortal treasures]. If integrated into one's Lifebound Immortal Treasure [an immortal treasure bound to a cultivator's life force], it could even serve as a supreme treasure for those at the World-Opening [the realm of opening one's own inner world] realm.

"For this item, I offer one hundred pieces of Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a special celestial silver used in rituals and high-level transactions]."

Just as Eldrin Chen was inwardly marveling, a voice rang out within the chamber.

Eldrin Chen looked up to see the speaker was an elder with a childlike face and hair white as crane feathers, whose aura seemed a notch stronger than even Sun Consort's.

"It's him. No wonder."

At that moment, an Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality] beside Eldrin Chen spoke up, his tone tinged with envy as he recounted this person's origins.

It turned out this Mortal Path [a cultivation art] practitioner, known by the daoist title Setting Sun Path Master, was the Five Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived five heavenly tribulations] from the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a blessed land, a superior type of cultivation paradise]. Having weathered five Tribulation [heavenly tribulations, trials of lightning and calamity that test cultivators], he stood but a single step away from the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a powerful immortal anchored to the mortal world].

Rumors held that his strength might already be on par with some who had just recently entered the Earth Immortal realm.

The Immortal sighed with feeling as he reached this point. "At the recent Lingering Sun Sea Barter Convention [a grand gathering for trading rare cultivation resources], the Lingering Sun Blessed Land sought to purchase a High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Root [a top-tier spiritual root acquired later in life, crucial for foundation]. It was precisely for this man, to refine the Four Extremities Celestial Pillars [the four foundational spiritual pillars representing the extremities of one's cultivation base] he needed."

"It is said that his Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a cultivator's most intimately connected and powerful enchanted artifact], the 'Setting Sun Heavenly Wheel' [a celestial wheel embodying the power of the setting sun], has already reached the grade of a Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the pinnacle rank of immortal artifacts]. It can serve as the World-Stabilizing Treasure [the artifact responsible for stabilizing the fundamental energies of a world] among the Three World-Opening Treasures [the three legendary artifacts required to establish a new, stable minor world or grotto-heaven], the one responsible for the circulation of primordial energy [the foundational, life-giving energy of creation]."

"Now he has come again to purchase Divine Trace Purple Gold [a legendary ore imbued with divine essence, used for crafting supreme artifacts]. It seems he intends to forge the Heaven-Bearing Treasure [the artifact that bears the weight of the heavens and maintains cosmic balance] among the Three World-Opening Treasures."

"Judging by this, when the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking calamity that occurs at set cosmic intervals] arrives in sixty thousand years, he will most likely attempt to break through to the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a being who has fused their essence with a world's ley lines, achieving a form of immortality tied to the land]." Your portal to cultivation novels: audio~novel.com.