Chapter 1426 : A Steep Price for Primordial Silk

Under such circumstances, selling it at a price lower than eighty percent of its value would be less profitable than refining it into a World-Opening Treasure [a supreme treasure used to establish or stabilize a new world or realm] oneself; the latter would yield far greater returns.

Of course, Eldrin Chen understood that within the Immortal Domain [the vast realm where immortals reside], the eighth-rank Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk [a divine silk spun from silkworms nurtured by the primordial sun's flames, possessing incredible resilience and spiritual properties] was certainly not sold by this establishment alone. However, ordinary Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy and natural blessings] would find it difficult to produce such a vast quantity of Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk all at once.

Furthermore, the high-quality, reasonably priced Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk undoubtedly already had established, regular buyers. Without placing an order hundreds of thousands of years in advance, obtaining any would likely be impossible.

Since Eldrin Chen needed it urgently, he had no choice but to pay a steep price here.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen retrieved the Great Wasteland Heaven-Spear [a legendary spear embodying the desolate power of the primordial wilderness] from his sleeve and said, "I wish to exchange this item. How much Immortal Source [the condensed, purest form of spiritual energy used by high-level immortals for cultivation and transactions] can you supplement for me, Fellow Daoist?"

"A High-Grade World-Opening Treasure?"

The Elder [a senior member of an organization, often a sect or clan] eyes gleamed faintly before he spoke, "This is indeed a fine artifact. If placed in an auction, it could fetch at least over a million units of Immortal Source."

"However, if you wish to trade it here at a discounted rate, I can only offer you the base price. How about valuing it at one million units of Immortal Source?"

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered with calculation. For an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm, a high level of cultivation], a High-Grade World-Opening Treasure was exceedingly rare, whereas Immortal Source could, with enough effort and time, eventually be gathered.

Therefore, to purchase a High-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a top-tier enchanted artifact used to establish or stabilize a new world or realm] with Immortal Source [a high-purity spiritual energy source used by immortals], one often has to pay a premium of thirty percent above its nominal value.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before speaking. "The true value of this treasure is around one million three hundred thousand Immortal Source. Nine portions of Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk [a divine-grade silk spun by celestial silkworms that have absorbed primordial solar flame essence] are only worth seven hundred twenty thousand Immortal Source."

"How about this," he proposed. "You supplement the trade with one World-Opening Marvel [a rare and wondrous material used in the creation or fortification of new worlds] of the Primordial Solar [the primordial, most ancient form of solar energy] attribute. What do you say?"

The steward of the Primordial Solar Pavilion [a grand pavilion specializing in solar-attribute treasures] considered for a moment, then nodded. "I can supplement with one mid-grade World-Opening Marvel, but it is still insufficient for an exchange involving a high-grade World-Opening Marvel."

"Then I shall add a bit more,"

Eldrin Chen said, adding several Four Extremities Celestial Pillars [a type of spiritual root representing the four cardinal directions, used in high-level formations] valued by Extraordinary in exchange for a piece of Solar Fire Stone [a rare ore imbued with concentrated solar flame energy].

That Solar Fire Stone was a high-grade World-Opening Marvel. Eldrin Chen intended to refine it into an Eighth Rank High-Grade [a classification denoting a very high level of power and refinement] formation control disk to command an entire Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and lines used for defense, attack, or cultivation].

Having secured these treasures, Eldrin Chen finally achieved his desired goal.

He did not depart immediately but remained within the Primordial Solar Immortal City [a majestic city of immortals bathed in primordial sunlight], waiting solely for the commencement of the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare items and resources].

Thus, time flowed like a river. In the blink of an eye, several centuries passed, and the day of the Barter Convention finally arrived.

This Barter Convention proceeded quite smoothly. Eldrin Chen sold the treasures he had obtained from the previous great battle and the items his clan had accumulated over the recent years, acquiring thirty-two strands of World-Opening Energy [a primordial energy used to create or expand small worlds]. This timely acquisition alleviated their most pressing need.

After exchanging for these various rare treasures, Eldrin Chen did not linger in the Primordial Solar Heavenly Domain. He immediately set off for the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

Upon returning to the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, his first task was to begin crafting the Formation Flag [enchanted banners used as nodes to power and control a defensive or offensive magical array].

With Eldrin Chen's current mastery of artifact forging, crafting several Eighth Rank Low-Grade Formation Flag was as natural as water flowing downhill.

He spent several hundred years on the work, ultimately forging a complete set of Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame Formation Flags.

This Formation Flag set consisted of nine individual flags, coordinated by a single Eighth Rank High-Grade formation control disc that served as the array's core.

They were inscribed with the power of Eldrin Chen's Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame Rule [his comprehension and authority over the fundamental law of the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame]. Once activated, the array could unleash nine streams of Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [a supreme celestial fire of immense purity and destructive power]. Combined, their fury was sufficient to incinerate even an Immortal [a being who has ascended to the first major stage of immortality] at the Ninth Level Earth Immortal realm.

By Eldrin Chen's estimation, if ten Earth Immortal [the foundational stage of true immortality] cultivators jointly powered the formation, even an existence at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm would need to tread carefully. It should be more than sufficient to deal with a Netherworld Hell [a realm of punishment and torment in the underworld] that lacked any Half-Step Earth Immortal powerhouses.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen sought out Exquisite Jiang. "The Formation Flag are now ready," he stated. "What we lack are the cultivators to man the array."

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang's brow furrowed slightly. "This Formation Flag set possesses extraordinary might," she said. "To unleash its full potential requires ten Earth Immortal."

"With our clan's Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the terrestrial immortal realm], along with Ancient Ruins and Heaven Abyss, our manpower should be sufficient. Should we still invite Heaven Wind and the others to join?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen fell into deep contemplation.

Over the years, the strength of the Chen Immortal Clan had grown continuously. Besides the six Earth Immortal [terrestrial immortals]—Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, Violet Consort Yan, Lila, and Nyssa Qu—

three more had recently ascended: Kael Chen, Ethan Chen, and Eastern Sovereign. This brought the clan's total to a full nine Earth Immortal [terrestrial immortals], each one possessing a Fortune [destiny or heavenly favor] that shook the heavens.

Such power was formidable even among the established Earth Immortal Blessed Land [terrestrial immortal sanctuaries].

Adding Heaven Abyss and Ancient Ruins to the count would make eleven Earth Immortal [terrestrial immortals] in total. Manpower was certainly not an issue.

The real question was whether to involve Six Stars, Heavenly Feather, Void-Refining, Heaven Wind, and the others—a matter that required careful consideration.

Nyssa Qu nodded in agreement and asked, "Since we plan to join forces with the Glazed Blessed Land [a sanctuary named for its crystalline beauty] to target the Solar Realm Small Universe [a minor cosmos of solar essence], should we also invite them to assist in attacking the Netherworld Small Universe [a minor cosmos of underworld essence]?"

Understanding her implication, Eldrin Chen shook his head. "If the Glazed Blessed Land intervenes, what share of the spoils would remain for Ancient Ruins Nether Lord?"

Hearing this, Nyssa Qu fell silent. Within this Opportunity and Fortune [a chance encounter with destiny and great reward], it was Ancient Ruins Nether Lord who had discovered the fissure in the Netherworld Small Universe.

The party capable of contributing the most would undoubtedly be the Chen Immortal Clan. Given the friendship between Eldrin Chen and Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, and the former's relative disdain for the treasures favored by Ghost Cultivator [cultivators who harness the power of ghosts and the underworld], they could prioritize offering the spoils to the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord.

However, if the Glazed Blessed Land were to intervene so early, it was uncertain whether the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord would be able to achieve his true desires.

After pondering the matter, Eldrin Chen spoke, "The fissure leading to the Small Universe [a pocket dimension or micro-realm] was, after all, discovered by the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord. We must seek his counsel on this matter."

Having said his piece, Eldrin Chen immediately made his way to Ancient Ruins Ghost City.

Upon meeting the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, Eldrin Chen informed him that he had successfully refined the Formation Flag [a flag used to set up and control magical arrays]. He then inquired, "For this operation, aside from ourselves, should we invite others to join?"

As expected, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord shook his head and stated, "This Netherworld Small Universe [a pocket dimension within the underworld] is of immense significance. The fewer who know of it, the better."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen understood perfectly. He said, "In that case, the eleven of us shall go first, to probe the depths of that Netherworld Small Universe and gauge its true nature."

"..."

With their preparations complete, the group immediately sprang into action.

Not long after, all eleven Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm, a high level of cultivation] gathered within the Netherworld Realm. They then followed the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord as he led them deeper into the Depths of the Netherworld.

After an unknowable span of time, they arrived at the edge of the Primordial Chaos Membrane [the fundamental barrier separating the material world from the formless chaos] within the Depths of the Netherworld.

"This is the place,"

declared the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, gazing upon the Netherworld Realm [a vast, shadowy dimension of spirits and the dead] before them.

Eldrin Chen performed a brief divination with his fingers and spoke, "This ghostly domain corresponds to the location of the Western Pole Heavenly Domain."

"Indeed," nodded the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord. "The location of that Small Universe [a self-contained pocket dimension] lies precisely at the periphery of the Western Pole Heavenly Domain."

As he spoke, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord cautiously activated a mystical seal. A faint ripple shimmered across the void before them.

A dazzlingly radiant treasure pearl manifested, followed by the slow, deliberate unveiling of a hairline fissure in reality.

"This fissure leading to the Netherworld Small Universe is exceedingly minute," he explained. "To prevent discovery, I have veiled it with various Formation [mystical arrays or barriers] all these years, yet the concealment was never entirely secure."

"Fortunately, with the Primordial Energy Heaven-Escaping Pearl [a supreme treasure capable of masking spatial anomalies], we can now completely obscure all traces of this Spatial Rift."