Chapter 57 : The Gathering of Hidden Treasures

Time flowed swiftly by, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

On this day, Eldrin Chen found himself with some leisure time when he received an invitation. It was issued by a Rogue Cultivator named Chen Zephyr from Celestial Ruins Mountain, inviting both Eldrin Chen and Chen Thalion to attend a trade gathering among Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Such gatherings for Foundation Establishment Cultivator were typically held once a year at Celestial Ruins Mountain. Major Foundation Establishment Cultivator would bring out treasures they no longer needed to trade for items they required from others.

Upon arriving at the gathering site, the two found only a dozen or so Foundation Establishment Cultivator present. Eldrin Chen was largely unfamiliar with most, but Chen Thalion shared some acquaintance with a few among them.

However, their arrival was met with considerable respect from the assembly. After all, the two had made quite a name for themselves during the battle at Demon Wolf Mountain. This was especially true for Chen Thalion, one of only two Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators present, who received words of flattery almost as soon as he stepped into the room.

"Very well, since everyone is here, let us begin."

A Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage cultivator stepped onto the platform with a smile, producing a wooden box. "I shall offer a humble item to initiate the proceedings. Within this box lies a piece of earth-attribute rare treasure: 'Ethereal Verdant Earth' [a mystical soil imbued with potent earth and wood spiritual energies]."

"The value of this item is, I believe, clear to all. I shall not elaborate further. I wish to exchange it for a single water-attribute, second-rank rare treasure or a suitable magical tool."

Eldrin Chen gazed at the verdant soil within the wooden box, his mind swiftly recalling everything he knew about Ethereal Verdant Earth.

Similar to Millennium Crimson Iron, this Ethereal Verdant Earth was a highly valuable second-rank rare treasure. It could be used to forge second-rank defensive magical tools or to craft earth-attribute Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force and soul]. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel-dot-com.

This object held no use for Eldrin Chen, so he naturally had no interest in exchanging for it. However, three individuals sent voice transmissions one after another, expressing their willingness to trade for this item.

In the end, one person exchanged a water-attribute [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] for the Ethereal Verdant Earth from its owner, resulting in a mutually satisfactory outcome.

After that person concluded his trade, another cultivator at the Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer realm stepped onto the platform. He produced a Second Rank Middle Grade Law Sword [a sword imbued with Daoist principles and power] and announced, "This Verdant Bamboo Sword, I acquired it many years ago from the Green Sun Sect."

"Now, I wish to exchange it for a single Verdant Origin Pill [a high-grade pill that aids in cultivation breakthroughs]. I wonder which fellow Daoist is willing to make the trade?"

Upon hearing this, the assembled crowd exchanged glances, but in the end, no one was willing to make the exchange.

The Verdant Origin Pill is a Second Rank High Grade pill. It can increase the probability of a Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage cultivator breaking through to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage. Back then, it was precisely because of this pill that the Old Patriarch saved several decades of effort spent tempering his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy within a cultivator's body] and broke through to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage in one go.

Whether such a treasure was even present among those gathered was uncertain, but even if someone possessed one, they would likely be unwilling to part with it in exchange for another's item.

Seeing no response, the man seemed somewhat disappointed but continued, "If anyone has one, I am willing to add another one thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to the trade."

Unfortunately, even with this offer, no one ultimately responded. He could only step down from the high platform with a sigh of resignation.

Eldrin Chen watched from below as one Foundation Establishment Cultivator after another took the stage to trade. Some returned with regret, while others secured satisfactory treasures and descended with hearts full of contentment.

After seven or eight others had taken their turns, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment, Early Stage [the third major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their foundation] stepped forward. This person's cultivation was only at the first layer of Foundation Establishment [the third major realm of cultivation], and he appeared to have broken through less than ten years ago, making him one of the more modestly equipped among the gathered crowd.

He produced a stalk of Spirit Medicine [a plant imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] and announced, "This is a Second Rank Low Grade [a classification denoting the quality and power of an item] Blood-Replenishing Ginseng [a ginseng variant prized for its potent blood-restoring properties]. It can be used to refine second-rank Spirit Medicine [a plant imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] for healing injuries. I wish to trade it for a Second Rank Low Grade [a classification denoting the quality and power of an item] magical tool."

Eldrin Chen's brow twitched slightly. This Blood-Replenishing Ginseng [a ginseng variant prized for its potent blood-restoring properties] was a primary ingredient for the Stasis-Dispersing Pill [a pill that disperses blood stasis and heals physical damage]. Acquiring this Spirit Medicine [a plant imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] could aid his progress in Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual ingredients into pills and elixirs]. Most importantly, the Stasis-Dispersing Pill [a pill that disperses blood stasis and heals physical damage] could treat physical injuries sustained by Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Foundation Establishment realm].

With this thought, he immediately produced a net-shaped magical tool. "I offer this in exchange. What say you?"

"Is this Lin Taihe's Golden Silk Net [a magical treasure in the form of a net woven from golden threads]?" The man's face lit up with delight, and he nodded eagerly. "The trade is agreed."

Each obtaining what they sought, both parties completed the transaction with deep satisfaction.

Having secured the Blood-Replenishing Ginseng [a ginseng variant prized for its potent blood-restoring properties], Eldrin Chen finally allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. However, from that point until the trading session concluded, no other items he desired made an appearance.

"..."

After the trading session ended, they waited another three days at Celestial Ruins Mountain [a mountain range and cultivation site]. Finally, Lyra Jiang emerged from seclusion, having successfully refined the Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in the breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment realm].

Within the Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a cave dwelling centered around a pool of concentrated spiritual energy] on Celestial Ruins Mountain [a mountain range and cultivation site], Eldrin Chen met with Lyra Jiang.

Lyra Jiang was clearly in excellent spirits, and her mood seemed to lift even further upon seeing Eldrin Chen. A warm smile graced her lips.

"The alchemical yield for these four batches was outstanding," she said. "We successfully refined nineteen Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids cultivators in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]."

"Would you care to purchase one? Given my fine mood, I can offer you a special price—ten thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

It turned out the two Demonic Core [the condensed inner core of a high-level demonic beast, a precious alchemical ingredient] from mid-stage Purple Mansion [a major cultivation realm above Foundation Establishment] beasts were of exceptional quality. This unexpectedly boosted the Pill Success Rate [the percentage of successful pills produced per alchemical batch] significantly. One batch alone had yielded six pills.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's face lit up with pleasant surprise. He had not anticipated such a sudden and tremendous boon.

Although he knew the acquisition of four third-rank inner cores would cause the price of Foundation Establishment Pill to plummet, he had estimated it would still hover around twenty thousand Spirit Stone. He never imagined he could procure one for a mere ten thousand. Join our community of readers at audio-novel`com.

At such a favorable price, Eldrin Chen agreed without a second thought. From their recent business with the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], they still had fifteen thousand Spirit Stone on hand—more than enough to purchase one pill with a considerable sum remaining.

Taking the two Foundation Establishment Pill, he left the Cultivation Cave [a secluded dwelling place used for meditation and cultivation] in high spirits. Elara Lin then approached Lyra Jiang with a knowing smile.

Gazing at Eldrin Chen's retreating figure, she remarked softly, "His Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's primary weapon, soul-bound and grown alongside them] has actually broken through one of the conventional rank limits."

"Could it be that he also possesses a special constitution," she mused, "similar to Master's own Lunar Immortal Physique [a rare physique attuned to lunar energies], capable of nourishing the immortal sword and allowing its grade to surpass its natural ceiling?"

As her words fell, a grave expression settled upon her features. "If that truly is the case," she said, "it is no wonder you, Master, hold him in such high regard."

"You are overthinking it."

Lyra Jiang shook her head, her expression utterly sincere. "I merely find him rather pleasing to the eye, that is all."

Elara Lin: "…"

"…"

Having obtained the two Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm], the pair did not linger long at Celestial Ruins Mountain and prepared to return directly to Verdant Chariot Mountain.

By now, more than a year and a half had passed since they left Verdant Chariot Mountain. The merchant caravan route between Yu County and Celestial Ruins Mountain had already made another journey half a year prior.

Third Elder and the others had departed Celestial Ruins Mountain even earlier, the better part of a year ago, and had long since returned to Yu County.

Unburdened by a caravan, the two summoned their flying swords and soared towards Verdant Chariot Mountain, their speed increased manifold.

In less than a single month's time, they had flown into Yu County and alighted once more upon the slopes of Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Perhaps it was the lingering aura of deterrence left by the slaying of four Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation], including members of the Zuo Clan and Zhang Vorgath. Or perhaps it was the fearsome reputation they had carved for themselves amidst the bloodshed at Demon Wolf Mountain.

Whatever the reason, this time, even though they carried two Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare elixir that aids a cultivator in solidifying their spiritual foundation], no one dared to set their sights upon them for the entire journey.

Upon their return to Verdant Chariot Mountain, news that they had brought back two Foundation Establishment Pill swiftly spread throughout the clan. Cultivators of the family soon sought them out, hoping to exchange for the precious pills. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio~novel.com.