Chapter 1072 : A Vein of Fortune and Peril

"There is a matter, and I cannot tell if it is good or ill news,"

Exquisite Jiang spoke, handing a Communication Talisman [a magical slip used for long-distance messaging] to Eldrin Chen. "Take a look at this."

Eldrin Chen took the Communication Talisman and saw it had been sent by Six Stars Immortal.

Channeling his divine sense into the talisman, Eldrin Chen quickly scanned its contents, and his expression instantly turned grave.

It turned out that not long ago, an Immortal Source Ore [a rare mineral containing concentrated immortal energy] had been discovered within the Crimson Dragon Sea.

This Immortal Source [a purified form of immortal energy used as currency and for cultivation], much like Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], contains precious Immortal Spirit Essence [the refined spiritual energy used by immortals] and is one of the indispensable currencies for transactions among Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality].

For Immortal Source is not only immensely useful for cultivation but can also be used to set up Formation [magical arrays or defensive barriers]. If three thousand pieces of Immortal Source are expended, one can artificially cultivate a Low-Grade Immortal Vein [a minor ley line that continuously generates immortal energy].

How precious such an Immortal Vein [a natural conduit of immortal energy within the earth] is! The Green Chariot Island occupied by Eldrin Chen itself only possesses a single Low-Grade Immortal Vein.

Without that Low-Grade Immortal Vein providing Immortal Spirit Essence, Eldrin Chen would not even be able to think about attempting a breakthrough to the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm]; he might not even have broken through to the Ascendant Immortal 3rd Tier [the third tier of the Ascendant Immortal realm] by now.

Thus, the value of a mineral vein capable of continuously producing Immortal Source was naturally inestimable. Dive deeper into the Dao at @udio-novel.com.

Even the most low-grade Micro Immortal Source Ore Vein is absolutely not something an ordinary Immortal Clan or Immortal Sect could hope to occupy.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen could not help but inquire, "Have we ascertained the details? How much Immortal Source [a crystallized form of pure immortal energy used as a high-level currency and cultivation resource] does this Immortal Source Ore produce per millennium?"

"It is not yet certain, but this vein likely formed only in recent years. The Immortal Source it births each millennium should not exceed sixty or seventy pieces."

"Then it must be a micro-grade Immortal Source Ore."

A flicker of disappointment passed through Eldrin Chen's heart, yet he also felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

Do not underestimate an output of merely a few dozen pieces of Immortal Source per millennium. For an Immortal, this still represented a staggering fortune.

The value of Immortal Source was Extraordinary. Generally speaking, a single Low-Grade Immortal Treasure [a basic enchanted artifact used by immortals] was worth about one hundred pieces of Immortal Source, while a Mid-Grade Immortal Treasure was valued around three hundred pieces.

High-Grade Immortal Treasure were more precious, but gathering one thousand pieces of Immortal Source was nearly sufficient to purchase one.

The Immortal Source output from this Immortal Source Ore Vein meant that in just ten or twenty thousand years, one could afford a High-Grade Immortal Treasure—a testament to its astonishing worth.

One must understand that such Immortal Source Ore veins are born from the natural energy cycles of the Immortal Realm. The Immortal Source they produce annually has a fixed limit. If not over-exploited, they can be mined for at least several million years.

On a scale of a million years, its output of Immortal Source [a highly concentrated, primordial form of spiritual energy used by Immortals] would amount to sixty or seventy thousand pieces, a value equivalent to several dozen High-Grade Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts forged for use by Immortals].

It could be said that securing this Immortal Source Ore Vein [a subterranean lode rich in Immortal Source crystals] would grant one a perpetual and inexhaustible source of wealth for the future.

After all, the lifespan of an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] is vast. A span of a million years is not inconceivable; even if several million seems overly long, occupying it for merely several hundred thousand years would constitute a monumental gain.

This is not a resource an ordinary Immortal faction could hope to hold. Only by pooling the strength of the entire Crimson Dragon Sea [a vast and treacherous oceanic region] would it be possible to defend it.

After reading the Communication Talisman [a jade slip used for transmitting messages over great distances], Eldrin Chen could not help but shake his head. "The vein is not far from us, located within the territory of the Crimson Flame Divine Eagle [a lineage of powerful, flame-attuned avian demonic beasts] lineage. It has now been seized and occupied by Crimson Dragon Child [a powerful scion of the Crimson Dragon lineage] and his forces."

"With defensive arrays anchored to the spiritual energy of the ore vein itself, it likely cannot be taken without the power of a Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has partially transcended the Immortal realm, approaching the power of an Earth Immortal]."

Exquisite Jiang had already reviewed the Communication Talisman and nodded in agreement. "The intent of Six Stars Immortal [an Immortal associated with celestial constellations] is for us to join forces with the Divine Spirit Lineage [a powerful faction descended from or allied with ancient Divine Spirits]."

"With you included, we would have a total of three cultivators at the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation realm] and over a dozen other Immortal. Together, we could force Crimson Dragon [the patriarch or leading figure of the Crimson Dragon demonic beast lineage] to relinquish a portion of the shares."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. The plan of Six Stars Immortal was straightforward.

It was to ally with the Divine Spirit Lineage, and together pressure the Demon Race [the collective term for demonic beast factions and clans], led by Crimson Dragon, into ceding a portion of the shares to the Human Race [the collective of human cultivators and factions] and the Divine Spirit Lineage.

The Immortal Source Ore [a legendary ore that produces Immortal Source energy] yields an unending stream. Even though the Human Race only holds a thirty percent share, over a span of one million years, they would still be able to receive approximately twenty thousand Immortal Source [a highly concentrated form of spiritual energy used by Immortals].

The four islands of Green Chariot, Six Stars, Purple Feather, and Void-Refining could each distribute one share among their seven Human Race Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation], allowing each family to acquire several exceptionally precious High-Grade Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts used by high-ranking Immortals].

However, Eldrin Chen sensed something was amiss. While the Six Stars Immortal's plan seemed sound on the surface, he had overlooked a crucial point.

That Crimson Dragon Child possessed Extraordinary talent. By the time the next Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes the world] concluded, there was an eighty percent chance he would break through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a powerful realm just below that of a full Earth Immortal].

Even if an agreement on the shares was reached now, would the Crimson Dragon Child still honor it then?

Furthermore, the Crimson Dragon Child bore a grudge against Eldrin Chen. Unless Eldrin Chen was willing to relinquish the Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Cauldron [a legendary cauldron forged from rare black gold and imbued with dragon patterns], reconciliation between him and the Crimson Dragon Child was utterly impossible. Published by audio–novel.com. All rights reserved.

As for asking him to abandon the Dragon Bay and the Black Gold Cauldron?

"Hmph!"

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned slightly frosty, though his expression remained as calm and unreadable as still water.

"Whether in the Mortal Realm or across this vast Immortal Domain [a realm inhabited by Immortals], in the end, it is the strength of one's fist that speaks the final word."

"Draft a reply on my behalf, informing Six Stars Immortal to wait a while longer. All matters are to be temporarily set aside until I emerge from this breakthrough in seclusion."

"Understood."

Only then did Exquisite Jiang notice that Eldrin Chen's spiritual power had become perfectly harmonious and fluid. A flicker of joy crossed her face as she inquired, "This seclusion is for...?"

"Mhm."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and stepped into the Seclusion Chamber.

"..."

On the other side, upon receiving the reply, Six Stars Immortal immediately abandoned his plan to pressure Crimson Dragon Child.

He understood perfectly well in his heart that without Eldrin Chen's assistance, relying solely on himself and the Divine Spirit Clan's Violet Radiance Divine Spirit—both being Ascendant Immortal 8th Tier—they stood no chance against the Demon Race.

After all, besides Crimson Dragon Child, the Demon Race also had the Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Emperor, an Ascendant Immortal 7th Tier presence.

With Six Stars Immortal taking no action, the two Immortals Violet Flame Heavenly Feather naturally refrained from overreaching. Void-Refining Immortal was also in seclusion, digesting the gains from the recent battle. Thus, not a single Immortal from the Human Race intervened regarding the Immortal Source Ore.

At the same moment, deep within the Crimson Dragon Sea Region, two figures gathered inside the Immortal Source Ore Island.

If any of the Human Race Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] were present here, they would be utterly astonished, for these two individuals were none other than Crimson Dragon Child and Violet Radiance Divine Spirit.

The Crimson Dragon Child and the Violet Radiance Divine Spirit sat facing each other, their expressions both seeming to carry a trace of solemn gravity.

Just then, a figure with Dragon Horn [a horn growing from the head, a mark of draconic heritage] sprouting from its head approached.

This person was the Crimson Dragon Crown Prince, a True Dragon [a pure-blooded dragon, one of the most powerful mythical beasts] of the Second Level Ascendant Immortal Realm.

The Crimson Dragon Crown Prince glanced at the two, then addressed the Crimson Dragon Child. "Father, there is no news from the Human Race. It seems they have given up."

"They have truly abandoned it?"

The Violet Radiance Divine Spirit, draped in majestic violet robes, revealed a look of surprise. "The Immortal Source Ore Vein [a vein of ore containing the concentrated essence of immortal energy] is so precious. They actually resisted such a tremendous temptation?"

"Hmph!"

The void trembled violently. The Crimson Dragon Child's face turned icy as he crushed the cup in his hand, a surge of fury barely contained from spilling forth.

In the space of a single breath, his expression shifted and then settled back into icy detachment. "That upstart Eldrin must have reaped substantial gains within the Crimson Sun Blessed Land," he stated coldly. "So much so that he now shows no regard for this Immortal Source Ore."

"It seems your own harvest was not insignificant, Guardian. No wonder you would use this as the stage for a scheme to capture him."

The Violet Radiance Divine Spirit [a powerful divine entity] remained impassive. He lifted his cup, took a shallow sip, and set it down again.

He rose to his feet, his robes of Violet Radiance Immortal Robes [immortal garments woven from violet light] casting a dazzling purple glow. A cold glint flashed within his narrow eyes. "Since he did not come," he said, his voice edged with frost, "does our agreement still stand?" Join our community of readers at audio–novel.com.