Chapter 1178 : A Stone of Rebirth and Silver

"I wish to purchase two Sky-Touching Pill at a price of ten pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver each, and that Minor Reincarnation Stone at a price of twelve pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver. I wonder if a trade is possible?"

Upon hearing this, Luna the Immortal Consort indeed smiled and shook her head. "The Sky-Touching Pill has already been exchanged for the required item. However, the Minor Reincarnation Stone is still available. Yet, this object is exceedingly rare. Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] will need to add a bit more to the price."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. The value of Incense Fire Celestial Silver was extraordinarily high; a single piece could nearly be exchanged for a Lower Grade Immortal Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the lowest immortal grade]. Ten pieces would be enough to purchase a High Grade Immortal Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the high immortal grade].

This Minor Reincarnation Stone was a Top Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of powerful enchanted artifact]. However, it contained the Laws of Reincarnation [the cosmic principles governing the cycle of rebirth] within it. Furthermore, unlike the Sky-Touching Pill which could be continuously refined, its price should indeed be higher.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen finally spoke. "Fifteen pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver. Any higher, and I will have no choice but to seek it elsewhere."

Seeing this, Luna the Immortal Consort could not help but nod with a smile. "As you wish, Fellow Daoist."

Although he had not obtained the Sky-Touching Pill, having acquired the Minor Reincarnation Stone, Eldrin Chen was still quite satisfied.

He took the Minor Reincarnation Stone, only to see a figure clad in black robes step forward. This person received the Sky-Touching Pill and the Square Grand Cauldron from Luna the Immortal Consort's hands. Eldrin's brow furrowed slightly at the sight.

Noticing this, Skywind the Daoist asked curiously, "Do you know this person?"

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then said, "Years ago, within the Crimson Sun Earth Immortal Realm [an Earth Immortal's pocket realm bathed in crimson solar energy], this Zephyr the Immortal pursued me over a great distance for the sake of a single stalk of Heaven-Mending Herb." Discover more cultivation stories at audi novel.com.

"Heaven-Mending Herb [a legendary herb said to mend the foundational flaws of an immortal's cultivation]?"

Skywind the Immortal's hand trembled slightly, and his expression shifted as he said, "Legend tells that the Heaven-Mending Herb can repair part of an Immortal's foundation. No wonder he pursued you for so long."

"I understand."

Eldrin Chen nodded, fully aware of the preciousness of the Heaven-Mending Herb.

It could be said that the higher a cultivator's cultivation realm, the more precious this herb becomes.

Many cultivators remain stuck at the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality for years. If they obtained a stalk of Heaven-Mending Herb to mend their foundation, their chance of breaking through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm would become almost certain.

All these years, Eldrin Chen had been cultivating the Heaven-Mending Herb within his Immortal Fields [fields imbued with immortal-grade spiritual energy], hoping to see if it could evolve to the Earth Immortal Grade.

For legend held that an Earth Immortal Grade Heaven-Mending Herb possessed even greater medicinal potency. It could help a cultivator who had condensed a single Dao Fruit [the crystallized essence of one's cultivated Dao] to forge a second Immortal Ascension Dao Fruit, thereby constructing a Celestial Immortal Foundation for them.

Alas, an Earth Immortal Level Heaven-Mending Herb was exceedingly rare. Even many Grotto-Heaven and Abode of Bliss [supreme blessed realms for cultivation], cultivating for tens of millions of years, might not succeed in nurturing a single stalk.

Returning to the matter at hand, after understanding the grudge between the two, Skywind the Immortal could not help but frown slightly, a crease forming between his brows.

He lowered his head and inquired about several old acquaintances, then transmitted a message to Eldrin Chen: "This Zephyr the Daoist has accepted the request from the Setting Sun Blessed Land [a sacred land of cultivation] and is preparing to descend the mountain to assist the Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor in weathering his Earth Immortal Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by Earth Immortals]."

"As compensation, the Setting Sun Blessed Land has given him all three Sky-Touching Pills [pills that aid in touching the heavens, likely for breakthrough cultivation] and that Four Directions Mountain-Suppressing Cauldron [a mighty cauldron artifact capable of suppressing mountains]."

"So that is how it is."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then spoke: "I have heard this Zephyr Immortal Sect boasts seven Immortals [beings who have ascended to immortality], making it a major power within the Celestial Profound Sea Region. No wonder the Setting Sun Blessed Land was willing to pay such a steep price."

"Indeed."

Skywind the Immortal nodded in agreement and added, "Had this been ten thousand years earlier, even my Wind Mist Island would have paled in comparison to them."

With those words, the two of them spoke no more on the matter.

During the subsequent Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade resources], Eldrin Chen took the opportunity to exchange various items he no longer needed. He acquired some Immortal Herbs [rare herbs imbued with immortal energy] and the materials required for refining the Soul-Cleansing Pool [a mystical pool artifact for purifying the soul], finally leaving with his desires satisfied.

Once the Barter Convention concluded, he hurried back to the Crimson Dragon Sea and then ventured deep into the Netherworld [the underworld, a realm of ghosts and yin energy].

When he arrived at the designated location within the Netherworld, he discovered that Qing the Ancient Ancestor had already established a city. It was positioned at the corresponding nexus point within the Netherworld opposite Verdant Chariot Mountain.

This city was still under construction, lacking the majestic scale of the ancient citadel once ruled by the Yin Lord [a powerful ruler of the Netherworld], yet it had already begun to take shape.

Eldrin Chen swept his gaze across the scene, finding tens of thousands of Spectral Soldiers and Ghost Generals [ethereal warriors and commanders composed of ghostly energy] already garrisoned within the city walls, alongside countless Ghost Cultivator [beings who practice cultivation through ghostly or spectral means] laboring to expand the fortifications.

Proceeding to the city's core, he discovered that Qing the Ancient Ancestor and Kael Chen had been awaiting his arrival for some time.

Seeing Eldrin Chen arrive, Qing the Ancient Ancestor spoke, "Your timing is fortuitous. This Verdant Ghost City [a city in the Netherworld, named for its ghostly and verdant nature] of mine currently requires your presence to help anchor its defenses."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with intent as his divine sense [a cultivator's extended spiritual awareness] instantly swept through the surrounding void, detecting several powerful auras emanating from the depths of the Netherworld [the realm of spirits and the dead] lurking nearby. Join our community of readers at audio - novel . com.

Noticing his perception, Qing the Ancient Ancestor offered a wry smile. "The deeper reaches of the Netherworld are far from peaceful."

Eldrin Chen nodded, understanding the truth in the Ancient Ancestor's words.

Ghost Immortal [a powerful cultivator who has ascended to immortality through ghostly or spectral cultivation] cultivate and contend for the sustenance of mortal faith and offerings. The Netherworld holds many such beings, yet the faith of the living world is finite. Each new ghost city established within the Netherworld inevitably dilutes the share of faith available to others.

This was especially true for the several Yin Lord whose domains neighbored the Verdant Ghost City. Naturally unwilling to see their own sustenance diminished, they were likely poised to strike at any moment.

Had it not been for Eldrin Chen's foresight in stationing Kael Chen here to guard this place, these Ghost Immortal [powerful spectral cultivators] would likely have already moved against Qing the Ancient Ancestor by now.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "What of the strength of the nearby ghost cities?"

Having been stationed here for several Millennium, Kael Chen had gained a general understanding of the situation and replied, "This territory corresponds to the area around the mortal realm's Crimson Dragon Sea."

"There are three ghost cities in total: the Blood Dragon Ghost City, the Violet Nether Ghost City, and the Ancient Ruins Ghost City."

"Among the three, the Blood Dragon Ghost City is the most powerful. It is said the Blood Dragon Yin Lord is a Ghost Dragon [a spectral dragon spirit] transformed from the mother of the Crimson Dragon Scion, with a cultivation base reaching the Eighth Level Ghost Immortal realm."

"The Violet Nether Yin Lord was a deity in a past life who cultivated a Ghost Immortal body after falling. Later, with the support of the Purple Radiance Deity, they established this Violet Nether Ghost City."

Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this and said, "I have long heard that the Yin Lord [Lords of the Underworld] in this Netherworld [the realm of the dead] mostly have intricate connections to the mortal world of the Immortal Domain. It seems this holds true."

"Of the three ghost cities, one was raised by the Purple Radiance Deity, another was established with the support of the Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor. I wonder, what is the origin of the final city?"

Upon hearing this, Qing and Kael Chen exchanged a glance.

They remained silent for a moment before Qing the Ancient Ancestor finally spoke. "It seems the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord has no established lineage or legacy in the mortal world."

"Some say his lineage was extinguished millions of years ago, while others claim he is a Rogue Cultivator [a cultivator without a formal sect or clan affiliation] and a Ghost Immortal [an immortal who has transcended mortality through ghostly or spectral cultivation], who cultivated step by step to reach his current realm."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze tightened slightly, and he could not help but inquire, "How formidable is this Ancient Ruins Yin Lord?"

Kael Chen drew a deep breath and spoke with grave solemnity, "His power is extraordinary, likely having reached the realm of a Half-Step Ghost Progenitor [a cultivator on the threshold of becoming a Ghost Progenitor, a master of spectral arts]."

"The realm of a Half-Step Ghost Progenitor?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted for a fleeting moment before relaxing once more.

A Half-Step Ghost Progenitor was roughly equivalent to a Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a cultivator on the cusp of becoming an Earth Immortal, a terrestrial immortal]. However, a Ghost Cultivator [a practitioner of ghostly or spectral cultivation arts] was typically weaker than a peer Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation], and Eldrin Chen was confident he had little to fear.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen produced the materials for crafting the Minor Reincarnation Stone [a rare stone said to hold minor powers related to the cycle of rebirth] and the Soul-Cleansing Pool [a mystical pool or artifact designed to purify the soul]. "Focus on forging the Reincarnation Well [a magical well associated with the power of reincarnation] and the Soul-Cleansing Pool," he declared. "I shall personally visit those ghostly cities." Your portal to cultivation novels: www . audio-novel.com.