Chapter 1404 : The Auction of Celestial Artifacts

"However, it lacks the Taiyi Dao Patterns [the supreme patterns of the Great Unity Dao], rendering it incapable of amplifying a treasure's power. Thus, it is considered a flawed product."

"Its true value might be equivalent to a Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure capable of cleaving open the heavens], yet it possesses none of a Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure's might. For a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme being among Heavenly Immortals], it proves to be an asset of dubious utility."

Eldrin Chen mused inwardly, yet he understood this object was beyond his means to purchase.

For no matter its flaws, its durability rivals that of a Taiyi Immortal Weapon [an immortal weapon of the Great Unity], placing it at the very peak even among Taiyi Immortal Weapon.

If fused into an Innate Heaven-Opening Treasure [a supreme treasure born from chaos, capable of opening the heavens], it would greatly enhance the resilience of one's personal guardian treasure. Its worth would not fall below that of a Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure.

And indeed, that proved to be the case. All three of these supreme treasures were exchanged for exorbitant prices.

Among the three treasures, the Taiyi Immortal Pill [a pill of the Great Unity, capable of bestowing immortality] was the most precious, traded for a complete Ninth Rank Immortal Medicine [a medicinal herb of the ninth rank, possessing immortal properties]. The Taiyi Immortal Scripture [an immortal scripture detailing the Great Unity Dao] was exchanged for a rare treasure of World-Opening Supreme Treasure Grade [a grade denoting supreme treasures capable of creating worlds].

The final item, the Chaos Ancient Stone [an ancient stone born from primal chaos], was also claimed, traded for a Top-Grade World-Opening Rare Treasure [a rare treasure of the highest grade, used in world-creation].

Watching the treasures change hands, Eldrin Chen turned to Nyssa Qu and inquired, "I heard her mention the Chaos Ancient Stone originated from the Chaos Abyssal Cavern. I wonder, what exactly is this Chaos Abyssal Cavern?"

Having followed Divine Lord Glaze for many years, Nyssa Qu possessed deeper knowledge of the secrets within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the Celestial Realm of the Azure Heavens]. For the best reading experience, visit audio—novel.com.

Upon hearing Eldrin Chen's inquiry, she began to explain, "Within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the celestial realm of immortals], there exist the Thirty-Three Heavenly Realms. Within each of these Thirty-Three Heavenly Realms, there is a Chaos Abyssal Cavern [a profound cavern connecting to the primordial chaos]."

"These Chaos Abyssal Cavern connect to the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation], akin to the seven orifices of a human body—ears, nose, and mouth. They continuously inhale and exhale the Chaos Qi [the raw, unformed energy of chaos] from the Chaotic Torrent [the turbulent flows within the primordial chaos], transforming it into Immortal Spirit Qi [the refined spiritual energy used by immortals] and World's Primordial Qi [the foundational energy that sustains a world]."

"The Primordial Source Ancient Treasure [ancient artifacts of immense power that anchor a realm's foundation] of the Thirty-Three Heavens are also located within these Chaos Abyssal Cavern. They are the key instruments for converting the Chaos Qi."

At this point, Nyssa Qu's expression turned grave as she continued, "The Primordial Chaos is an exceedingly perilous place. The Chaos Abyssal Cavern, serving as connections to it, are like the sensory openings of a body. They are among the most vulnerable points of the entire Immortal Domain."

"Consequently, the Chaos Abyssal Cavern are frequently assaulted by Chaos Creatures [monstrous beings born from or dwelling within the primordial chaos]."

"Within the Immortal Domain, the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the highest echelon of immortal cultivators] from the various Grotto-Heaven [paradisiacal realms and sanctuaries] must take turns standing guard within the Chaos Abyssal Cavern."

"Their primary duty is to defend against the unknown Chaos Creatures from the depths of the Primordial Chaos, to protect the Primordial Source Ancient Treasure of the Immortal Domain, and additionally, to assist these treasures in their task of inhaling and refining the Chaos Qi."

Nyssa Qu elaborated methodically, then sighed, "Of course, the Heavenly Immortal Paragon do not stand guard within the Chaos Abyssal Cavern without receiving benefits in return."

"The interior of a Chaos Abyssal Cavern is where the World's Primordial Qi is most concentrated. The cultivation environment there surpasses even that within a Grotto-Heaven by a significant margin."

"Furthermore, the reason those Supreme Grotto-Heaven [the most exalted of the paradisiacal realms] can shelter their disciples and help them survive the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] and the Dao Tribulation [a trial of one's cultivation path and comprehension] is precisely because their Heavenly Immortal Paragon have rendered meritorious service to the Immortal Domain. Thus, they earn the favor and protection of the Immortal Domain Heavenly Dao [the celestial law and will governing the immortal realm]."

"Furthermore, the Chaos Abyssal Cavern connects to the Primordial Chaos. Strange treasures from within that Primordial Chaos are often washed into it by the Chaos Scouring Flow, making it the place within the Immortal Domain with the greatest abundance of treasures. This Chaos Ancient Stone was most likely swept in by that very flow."

Hearing her explanation reach this point, several long-held doubts within Eldrin Chen suddenly cleared, as if a veil had been lifted.

No wonder there was a consensus within the Immortal Domain that Immortal and Earth Immortal were merely grand thieves who stole the power of heaven and earth to achieve immortality. Only the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the highest tier of Celestial Immortals who have merged their path with the cosmos] were considered to have contributed merit to the world.

The Immortal Domain continuously instigates Great Tribulation and even Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial targeting one's very cultivation path], with the fundamental purpose of constantly purging these undying, deathless thieves.

Additionally, it is a method of survival of the fittest, cultivating more Heavenly Immortal Paragon to guard the Chaos Abyssal Cavern on behalf of the Immortal Domain.

Of course, from the perspective of existing Heavenly Immortal Paragon and the various Grotto-Heaven [self-contained paradises and realms], they naturally might not desire the birth of new Heaven Immortal.

For the emergence of a new Heaven Immortal would dilute the authority in their own hands, diminish their control over Primordial Source Ancient Treasure, and also split the resources they currently hold.

If they wish to advance further, stepping into the mid-stage, late-stage, or even the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm of the Heaven Immortal realm, they naturally crave to monopolize the vast majority of resources.

Therefore, established Grotto-Heaven will also suppress newcomers, hoping that if any Heaven Immortal do ascend, they are preferably their own Heavenly Immortal Paragon.

And when prevention is impossible, they will resort to every scheme and calculation to ensure such an ascendant breaks through using one of the two inferior types of Great Unity Dao Fruit [the foundational fruit of one's Dao, with varying grades of purity and power], limiting their future potential.

Take the Dragon King of the Western Abyss, for instance. After arduous cultivation, he ultimately only managed to cultivate two types of Primordial Foundation [the foundational spiritual core upon which a cultivator's future path is built].

With such a foundation, even if he broke through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals], he could at most cultivate to the mid-stage of a Heaven Immortal [a celestial immortal], with no hope whatsoever of reaching the Late Heaven Immortal Realm [the late stage of the celestial immortal realm]. Thus, he posed no significant threat to them.

Understanding this, Eldrin Chen felt a weight settle in his heart.

He knew in his soul that if he ever reached the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a transitional state just below the true Celestial Immortal realm], his fate might be no different from that of the two Grotto-Heaven [a blessed paradise realm, a pocket dimension of profound spiritual energy].

He said no more, merely watching in silence as the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare treasures] continued.

As the Barter Convention progressed, one Earth Immortal Progenitor [an ancient, venerable cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] after another took the stage. Each presented top-tier rare treasures, seeking to barter for the items they desired. This chapter is provided by http://www . audio-novel.com. Support the original.

At such a Barter Convention, those who step onto the stage first are often the ones most likely to have their wishes fulfilled and obtain satisfactory treasures.

However, those privileged to go first are invariably from major powers or are top-tier great powers who have reached the Late Stage Earth Immortal [the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal cultivation realm].

As time flowed on, those who took the stage later found it increasingly difficult to acquire the treasures myself desired.

During this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict ordained by fate], Eldrin Chen and his allies had joined forces to slay the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake, which earned him a relatively high ranking.

He was the three hundred and fifty-first person to take the stage, placing him among the earlier participants among the three thousand and some Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the immortal realm].

Upon ascending the platform, Eldrin Chen directly produced two stalks of World-Opening Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root of immense foundational power], over ten pieces of Heaven-Opening Marvel [rare treasures born from the primal chaos of heaven and earth], and over thirty pieces of Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure and Immortal Treasures [powerful artifacts and treasures used by immortals].

Only then did he declare, "Esteemed assembly, my purpose here today is solely to exchange for World-Initiating Qi [the primordial energy used to initiate or expand a world] and Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines a cultivator's elemental affinity and talent]."

"Those present who possess Five Elements [spiritual roots aligned with the five fundamental elements], Three Anomalies [spiritual roots of the three rare and powerful anomalous elements], or spiritual roots of other special attributes, regardless of their grade, may bring them forth to trade with me."

"Regardless of their grade?"

The assembled immortals, upon hearing this, were momentarily taken aback before they promptly began offering prices and initiating trades.

Swiftly, the two stalks of World-Opening Spiritual Root were purchased, one for ten strands and the other for eleven strands of World-Initiating Qi.

Among the remaining treasures, the Heaven-Opening Marvel was exchanged for thirteen strands of World-Initiating Qi, while the rest of the treasures were all traded for over two hundred stalks of various Spiritual Root.

The grades of these Spiritual Root varied greatly; the highest were Supreme Grade Acquired Spiritual Root [the pinnacle grade of spiritual roots that can be obtained post-natally], while the lowest were merely at the Fifth Rank [a relatively low cultivation rank] level of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a common type of spiritual root attuned to heaven and earth].

This multitude of Spiritual Root possessed a dazzling array of rare and wondrous attributes. Beyond the most common Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth [the five fundamental elements], they also included spiritual roots of every conceivable special property.

Such as the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo [a rare bamboo imbued with the power of thunder], which possesses the Thunder Attribute [an elemental affinity for lightning], the Galewind Ancient Tree [an ancient tree attuned to the element of wind], the Frost Soul Immortal Pear Tree [a mystical pear tree radiating an icy aura], which holds the Ice Attribute [an elemental affinity for frost], and the Myriad Souls Wood [a legendary wood said to contain the secrets of the soul], among others.

Even more astonishing was that Eldrin Chen also obtained a Cycle of Reincarnation Ancient Tree [an ancient tree containing the profound mysteries of rebirth], which harbored the Laws of Reincarnation [the cosmic principles governing the cycle of death and rebirth], and a Void Heaven Wood [a supreme spatial spirit wood], which possessed the Void Power [a profound power over space and emptiness].

It is said the Cycle of Reincarnation Ancient Tree can bear Reincarnation Fruit [a miraculous fruit that grants a dream of a past life]. Upon consuming it, a cultivator can experience a lifetime of Reincarnation [the process of being reborn into a new existence] within a dream.

At that moment, the cultivator merges the Dao Fruit [the spiritual attainment and essence of one's cultivation path] from both lifetimes. Their Deep-Seated Foundation [the fundamental spiritual and physical basis of a cultivator's power] is greatly enhanced, significantly increasing their chances of breaking through to the next realm.

The Void Heaven Wood is the pinnacle of spatial Spirit Wood [wood infused with potent spiritual energy]. This wood can nurture and produce Void Mystic Method Fruit [a fruit containing esoteric insights into the laws of void and space].

After consuming this fruit, a cultivator has the potential to comprehend the Void Power, leading to a tremendous surge in their strength and capabilities.

The only regret was that both the Cycle of Reincarnation Ancient Tree and the Void Heaven Wood were of too low a grade, merely at the Sixth Rank Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a mid-tier grade for natural treasures that channel heaven and earth energy] level. They were of no use even to an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality], let alone to those present, who were already Earth Immortal Progenitor [a venerable progenitor who has attained earth immortality].

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