Chapter 429 : The Merchant's Gambit

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "It seems rather circuitous for him to go wandering off now, when the Qian Clan has such a fine opportunity to collect our stipend without much effort. Why seek afar when the prize is near at hand?"

"Perhaps each person follows their own path,"

Old Patriarch replied calmly, shaking his head. "If the Qian Clan is unwilling to expend the effort, then we must have the Heaven's Ruin Sect arrange for someone else."

"Then I shall discuss it with Lyra upon my return."

So saying, Eldrin Chen took the Dual Metallic Essence and Refined Gold Qi and returned to Spirit Isle Lake.

Upon arriving at Spirit Isle Lake, Eldrin Chen handed the Five Elements Qi [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] to Lyra Jiang and briefly explained the situation to her.

After listening, Lyra Jiang smiled and said, "Elara is currently in secluded meditation, contemplating a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power attained through cultivation]. Mingwei is now primarily responsible for the Heaven's Ruin Sect. Let us have Rúmèng handle this matter."

"That would be suitable,"

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and then began discussing the stipend matter with Lyra Jiang.

To acquire Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], the best approach when dealing with countless low-level cultivators is to establish a shop in every market town across the Ji Continent. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel . com.

To sustain the high cost of shop rentals, they could not solely focus on acquiring Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. They also needed to trade in Spirit Pill [pills that aid cultivation], Magical Tool [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], and Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare natural treasures imbued with spiritual power].

A single nation typically contains several dozen cultivation marketplaces. For a Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has reached the Golden Core realm] to oversee the business across an entire nation is no small task, requiring the assistance of a considerable number of other cultivators.

This would inevitably consume a portion of a cultivator's time and energy, potentially affecting their cultivation progress. For clan members with significant potential, it is generally better for their primary focus to remain on their own cultivation journey.

The cultivation potential of Mingwei Su and Seraphina Liu was nearly exhausted. Similarly, the future prospects for individuals like Lior Chen were limited. Furthermore, they still owed the clan substantial sums of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Having them dedicate their efforts to the mundane task of procuring Five Elements Essence was therefore the most suitable arrangement.

Of course, as compensation for managing the marketplaces, their stipends would be increased accordingly. For instance, the two Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual energy] cultivators from the Xu Clan would henceforth receive an annual stipend from the Chen Clan.

Having considered this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Henceforth, every Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Golden Core realm] shall receive an additional thirty thousand Clan Merit Points [an internal clan credit system used to exchange for resources] per year."

"As for the two from the Xu Clan, grant each of them thirty thousand Spirit Stone."

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang nodded and replied calmly.

Although Clan Merit Points and Spirit Stone held roughly equivalent nominal value, the Chen Clan's Clan Merit Points could be used to purchase many rare resources at half the internal clan price. These included treasures such as the Fourth Rank Spirit Peach [a mystical peach fruit of the fourth rank, greatly beneficial to cultivation] and the Spirit Apricot [a spiritual apricot with potent effects].

After settling these matters, Lyra Jiang held the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] and said, "Refining the Star Gemstone [a rare ore containing condensed stellar energy] is no easy task. The Ji Continent lacks a Fifth Rank Fire Vein [a powerful, naturally occurring source of fire energy ranked fifth in potency], so the process of elevating the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword will likely take a considerable amount of time."

In truth, the Ji Continent did possess a Fifth Rank Fire Vein, and one of Fifth Rank High Grade quality at that. However, that particular Fire Vein was being used to repair the Pure Yang Supreme Treasure, Immortal Refining Furnace [a supreme artifact of pure yang energy used for refining immortal treasures], rendering the Fifth Rank Earthfire Chamber [a specialized cultivation chamber that harnesses earthfire from a Fifth Rank Fire Vein] currently unusable.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his expression serene. "I shall lend you my aid," he stated calmly.

The two rose and stepped into the Spirit Pool [a pool concentrated with spiritual energy]. There, they began the arduous process, jointly channeling their True Flame [a cultivator's purified, foundational flame energy] to temper and refine the Star Fragment [a fragment of a star, a rare and potent material].

The Star Fragment lived up to its reputation as a treasure of the Fifth Rank. Even with Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang combining their efforts to sustain the True Flame, completely melting and refining the fragment proved a formidable challenge, not achievable in a short span of time.

They persevered for a full year before the Star Fragment finally began to yield, gradually melting into a dazzling, liquid substance that shimmered like a captured piece of the night sky. This celestial essence was then meticulously infused into the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword.

Upon completing this crucial step, Lyra Jiang spent another Forty-Nine Days meticulously inscribing the complex Spiritual Treasure Formation Runes [enchanted sigils and patterns that grant a spiritual treasure its unique powers] into the sword's core.

Watching the Spiritual Treasure Formation Runes take shape and stabilize, both cultivators felt a surge of elation. The final phase remained: to refine and fuse the Five Elements Essence into the Immortal Sword, which would complete its ascension into a true Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade magical artifact specifically potent against demonic entities].

This final step was both time-consuming and demanded the personal, undivided attention of the Sword Lord [a title for a master of the sword path]. Naturally, Eldrin Chen could not intervene directly.

Thus, he emerged from the Seclusion Chamber [a chamber used for isolated cultivation or crafting]. His next task awaited: to continue deducing and perfecting the Lifebound Spiritual Treasure Chapter [a crucial section of a cultivation manual detailing the creation of a lifebound spiritual treasure] for the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss.

It is said that no sooner had Eldrin Chen stepped out of his Seclusion Chamber than he discovered Qingci the Recluse waiting outside the Spirit Island. Accompanying him was a young girl with delicate, refined features.

Eldrin Chen invited them into the Grand Hall, where Qingci the Recluse smiled and said, "My timing was most fortunate this time. I waited only three days for you to emerge from seclusion."

"Your cultivation progress is not insignificant, Brother."

Eldrin Chen also smiled. This Qingci the Recluse had now reached the Golden Core, 3rd Tier and, by the looks of it, was even brushing against the threshold of the Golden Core, 4th Tier.

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Eldrin Chen looked at the young girl and said, "Might this be your daughter, Brother?"

"Indeed." For more chapters, visit audio . novel . com for the complete novel.

Qingci the Recluse nodded, his expression turning grave.

He glanced around, ensuring no one else was present, then took the little girl's hand and said, "My daughter is named Lana Gu. She has just turned six years old. Recently, I examined her Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines one's aptitude for cultivation]..."

Here, his voice faltered, his face etched with solemnity as he continued, "It seems she possesses the Tri-Yin Body [a rare and potent spiritual constitution aligned with the three Yin forces]."

"A Dao Body [a supreme spiritual physique]?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He could not help but probe with his Spiritual Sense [a cultivator's extended perception, akin to a sixth sense]. After a long moment, a look of pleasant surprise indeed dawned on his face.

The Tri-Yin Body [a rare constitution where the cultivator's spiritual foundation is aligned with three distinct Yin aspects] is one of several Pure Yin Constitution [a category of rare physical constitutions perfectly attuned to the Yin principle]. This type of Dao Body [an innate physical constitution exceptionally suited for cultivation] is no less formidable than Freya Ji's Profound Yin Constitution [an extremely rare constitution of profound Yin alignment]. It allows one to cultivate Pure Yin Divine Ability [mystical arts and techniques powered by pure Yin energy] and Daoist arts with unparalleled ease, marking its bearer as possessing genuine True Lord Potential [the inherent potential to reach the True Lord cultivation realm].

However, among Dao Body [an innate physical constitution exceptionally suited for cultivation], this constitution is considered relatively common and comes with a rather pronounced flaw.

That flaw is the Tri-Yin Body [a rare constitution where the cultivator's spiritual foundation is aligned with three distinct Yin aspects] must maintain a balance among its Three Spiritual Roots [the three foundational spiritual attributes inherent to this constitution]. If the number exceeds or falls short of Three Spiritual Roots [the three foundational spiritual attributes inherent to this constitution], cultivation will inevitably trigger a Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines a cultivator's elemental affinity and potential] conflict.

Qingci the Recluse looked at the little girl and revealed a bitter smile. "This child possesses the Tri-Yin Body [a rare constitution where the cultivator's spiritual foundation is aligned with three distinct Yin aspects], but she only has Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots [a spiritual foundation with affinities for only the Water and Wood elements]. She must have a missing Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines a cultivator's elemental affinity and potential] supplemented before she can cultivate."

"Otherwise, when she attempts her Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where spiritual energy condenses into a solid golden core] breakthrough, she will certainly be unable to suppress the Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines a cultivator's elemental affinity and potential] conflict. I have heard your esteemed wife possesses a Spiritual Root Completion Method [a rare and profound technique capable of supplementing or completing a deficient spiritual root foundation], which is why I have come to seek you out."

As he spoke, Qingci the Recluse added, "Of course, I understand such a world-shaking method would not be passed down lightly. Therefore, I wish for her to become your wife's disciple. What do you think?"

"This..."

"With her aptitude, Lyra would certainly accept her as a disciple." Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with thought before he spoke. "Very well. After Lyra concludes her secluded cultivation, I will discuss this matter with her."

"Then you have my deepest gratitude."

Upon hearing this, Qingci the Recluse [a rogue cultivator known by the epithet 'Qingci'] let out a sigh of relief, his expression brightening with joy as he spoke.

As he spoke, his words paused briefly before continuing, "Not long ago, I exchanged for a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious elixir that aids in forming a Golden Core] from my clan. I estimate that this time, my wife should be able to achieve a breakthrough into the Golden Core Realm [a major cultivation stage where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core]."

"However, my supply of Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] is insufficient. I wonder if you could lend me a Tribulation Transcendence Treasure [a specialized treasure designed to help withstand heavenly tribulations]."

Eldrin Chen found the situation both amusing and exasperating. This Qingci the Recluse doted on his wife to an extraordinary degree. For nearly a century since his own breakthrough to Golden Core, aside from his own cultivation, he had spent all his stipend on purchasing Golden Core Formation Pill for his wife.

The result was that now, apart from his pair of Qingci Twin Swords and the Golden Radiance Glazed Lamp, he possessed virtually nothing else of significant value.

Fortunately, after the battle at The Vast Sea, Eldrin Chen had acquired several Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [powerful artifacts corresponding to the Nascent Soul stage]. He still had a few spare Fourth Rank Low Grade Magical Treasure remaining in his possession. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio_novel.com.