Chapter 204 : The Hunt for the Water Essence Pearl

Her primary objective in attacking Heavenly Python Lake was to find a Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl formed from the concentrated essence of water spiritual energy], to complete her Spiritual Root [the innate foundation that determines a cultivator's elemental affinity and cultivation speed] and thereby achieve a breakthrough into the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core].

Yet, the absence of a fourth-rank Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl formed from the concentrated essence of water spiritual energy] was a development she had not anticipated.

Eldrin Chen also noticed this discrepancy. After a moment of contemplation, he offered a reminder: "Within a Fourth Rank Low-Grade Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein of the fourth rank, low-grade quality], a single Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl formed from the concentrated essence of water spiritual energy] is naturally formed every three Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years, considered a significant unit of time in fate and destiny]."

"That Heavenly Python Demon King [a powerful demonic beast king in the form of a celestial python] has occupied Heavenly Python Lake for many years. It is impossible that it did not accumulate any Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl formed from the concentrated essence of water spiritual energy]."

After pondering for a moment, Eternal Profound Chen nearby could not help but ask, "Is it possible that it sold the Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl formed from the concentrated essence of water spiritual energy]?"

"That is unlikely," Eldrin Chen mused, shaking his head. "Neither Azure Wave Lake nor the entire Vast and Misty Marsh would be particularly lacking in Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl formed from the concentrated essence of water spiritual energy]."

"Furthermore, the Heavenly Python Demon King [a powerful demonic beast king in the form of a celestial python] is a water-attributed Demon King [a powerful demonic beast equivalent in strength to a Golden Core Realm cultivator]. The Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl formed from the concentrated essence of water spiritual energy] can accelerate its cultivation. It would certainly keep one or two pearls to hasten its own progress."

Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement. Precisely for this reason, she had been confident that Heavenly Python Lake must possess a Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl formed from the concentrated essence of water spiritual energy].

"Since it is not here, then there is only one other place it could be."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen exchanged a knowing glance with Exquisite Jiang. Official source: audio‑novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

The group hastily gathered these precious treasures, then soared back on their flying swords to the Spiritual Vein atop Heavenly Python Island.

At the island's heart, they found the source of the Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein. Within a secluded valley, a Spirit Pond [a deep pool formed from condensed spiritual liquid] lay perfectly still and fathomlessly deep.

"A Fourth-Rank Spirit Pond," someone murmured.

Gazing at the Spirit Pond, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

A First-Rank Spiritual Vein nurtures a spiritual eye. A Second Rank Spiritual Vein converges into a Spirit Spring [a spring of spiritual water]. Only a Third-order Spiritual Vein can brew a Spirit Pool [a small pool of spiritual liquid].

A Spirit Pond, however, is the exclusive hallmark of a Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein. The pond before them was a deep pool formed from the convergence of purified spiritual liquid.

As she observed the Spirit Pond, a faint violet light flickered within Exquisite Jiang's bright eyes, as if she had discerned something.

"Just as I thought," she said.

A slight smile touched her lips. With a gentle flick of her sleeve, two streaks of radiant light flew forth from the depths of the Spirit Pond.

The streaks of light settled before Exquisite Jiang, transforming into two crystalline orbs. These treasures were utterly transparent, their interiors seeming to ripple with watery light, marking them as objects of rare and Extraordinary value.

"A Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl formed from the purest essence of water energy]."

Upon seeing this object, Eldrin Chen also revealed a look of delight. The Water Essence Treasure Pearl is an essence born from the cyclical flow of water energy [the fundamental water element] within heaven and earth.

This object can be considered pure water elemental quintessence. It can not only assist a cultivator in breaking through the bottleneck of Forming the Golden Core [the critical stage of condensing a Golden Core], but can also be used for alchemy and artifact forging. Its market price generally exceeds one million Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Furthermore, if one does not have an equivalent treasure to exchange, purchasing it solely with Spirit Stones would require paying a premium reaching an extremely high price.

In the past, Patriarch Xu spent an exorbitant price of several million Spirit Stones to acquire treasures for Forming the Golden Core. He successively bought one Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious elixir that aids in the breakthrough to the Golden Core realm] and one Five Elements Spirit Fruit [a spiritual fruit containing the balanced essence of the five elements]. Although he fortunately succeeded after two consecutive breakthrough attempts, it completely drained the accumulated wealth of the Verdant Sun Sect built over several centuries.

Taking the two Water Essence Treasure Pearls, Exquisite Jiang joyfully stored them away. This battle had ultimately concluded with success, allowing her to achieve her long-held wish.

"..."

Three days later, the several Violet Sanctum Patriarchs [cultivators who have reached the Violet Sanctum realm] gathered once more before the Spirit Pond [a pond brimming with concentrated spiritual energy].

Seated at the head position, Exquisite Jiang distributed a list of the spoils from this campaign to everyone and spoke with a calm expression.

"I had the Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have established their foundational cultivation base] thoroughly search and gather resources from the area around the inner lake."

"Here is our list of spoils. Please review it."

Eldrin Chen took the list and glanced over it. His brow involuntarily arched. Although he had anticipated this, seeing such a vast array of treasures laid out before him still sent a tremor of excitement through his being.

This overwhelming victory yielded spoils that, setting aside the numerous first-rank treasures, could be broadly categorized into three main types.

The first type consisted of magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] belonging to Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm] and Golden Core [the fourth major cultivation realm] members of the Demon Race [a race of beings that cultivate demonic energy]. The second type was the harvested Demonic Beast Inner Pill [the condensed energy core of a demonic beast] along with flesh, blood, and bones. The third type comprised supplies seized from within the Spiritual Vein [a geological formation that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] at Heavenly Python Lake.

Among these magical treasure, there were a total of three Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [magical treasures of the fourth rank, immensely powerful artifacts]. These were the defensive magical treasure Earth Marsh Five Mists Veil, the Dragon Transformation Blade, and the Frost Immortal Sword.

To wield a fourth-rank treasure, one requires at least Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the late stage of the Violet Sanctum realm] cultivation to barely qualify for control. Though everyone's eyes burned with desire, none possessed the capability to use them. Published by audio-novel . com. All rights reserved.

Furthermore, each of these three treasures was of exceedingly high value, each approaching one million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] in worth. While their Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds accrued from this battle] were not insignificant, their role had been primarily supportive. They simply did not have enough Merits to exchange for such prizes.

Third-Rank Magical Treasure [magical treasures of the third rank], however, were quite numerous. The most precious among them were the Purple Blood Pagoda and the Mountain-Splitting Soul-Severing Axe, both of which were Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure [the highest quality grade for third-rank treasures]. The remaining items included the Third Rank Lower Grade [the lowest quality grade for third-rank treasures] Crimson Flame Rope, a third-rank mid-grade Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal make], the Celestial Azure Spell Sword, and several other treasures.

Gazing upon these treasures, Exquisite Jiang pondered for a moment before speaking.

"In this battle, Cyrus Yang fought to the point of exhaustion and fell. His contribution was second only to Eldrin Chen."

"Therefore, I intend to provide the Yang Clan with additional compensation. Beyond the promised two Five Elements Crystals [refined spiritual essences containing the power of the five elements], the Mountain-Splitting Soul-Severing Axe should also rightfully be returned to the Yang Clan."

Upon hearing this, the group hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, they all nodded in agreement.

After all, had it not been for Cyrus Yang's desperate, life-risking charge, many among them might have fallen in battle.

Following this conflict, the Yang Clan would possess two Third Rank Superior Grade Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts used to protect and symbolize a clan's authority]. The extra Five Elements Crystal could also nurture a new Violet Sanctum cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the third major realm, where the soul's dwelling is formed]. It could be said their gains were not insignificant.

Among the remaining Third-Rank Magical Treasures, the most precious was the Purple Blood Pagoda. Eldrin Chen calculated that the Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] he had accrued in this battle were substantial. Without hesitation, he exchanged them for the Purple Blood Pagoda.

With this Third Rank Superior Grade defensive magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], his defensive capabilities would be greatly enhanced. Coupled with the Great Geng Immortal Sword in his hand, he would likely not suffer too grievous a disadvantage even when facing a Violet Sanctum Late Stage cultivator in the future.

For the vast majority of Violet Sanctum Late Stage rogue cultivators, possessing even a single Third Rank Superior Grade magical treasure was considered a trump card, a final resort kept hidden until the last moment.

With the Third Rank Superior Grade magical treasure claimed, Xavier Xu exchanged for a Third Rank Middle Grade Immortal Sword. During the battle, the Immortal Sword wielded by Path Abyss Xu had been shattered by the Demon King [a powerful demonic entity]. Acquiring this new blade served to recoup that loss.

The remaining few Third Rank Lower Grade magical treasures were not exchanged. The plan was to reserve the Merits for acquiring items like the Positive Water Crystal and Foundation Establishment Pills [pills that aid in the breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment realm].

Exquisite Jiang held no regard for these Third Rank Lower Grade magical treasures. With a grand gesture, she designated them as rewards to be bestowed upon those Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators of the second major realm] who had demonstrated exceptional valor during the battle.

Those cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the third major stage of cultivation, where one builds the foundation for their future path] were naturally overjoyed and deeply grateful to receive the Third-Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts], accepting them with profuse thanks.

Of course, these were matters for later; at this moment, the group was still distributing the spoils.

Beyond the first category of magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], the second category—the harvest from the slain Demon Beasts [monstrous creatures that have cultivated demonic energy]—was also substantial.

The Inner Pill [the condensed core of a demon beast's cultivation, rich in energy] of the Heavenly Python Demon King was destined to be refined into a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious elixir that aids in forming a Golden Core] for Violet Consort Yan, and Exquisite Jiang intended to use the Demon King [a powerful demon beast equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator]'s corporeal remains to forge a large treasure ship, so naturally, the others had no claim to these.

However, the Inner Pill and the flesh and blood of the Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [demon beasts at the Violet Sanctum realm, equivalent to the human Golden Core stage] still allowed them to reap immense profits.

In this battle, they had slain five Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast: one Azure Blood Demon Python at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Violet Sanctum realm], one Purple Blood Heavenly Python at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the late phase of the Violet Sanctum realm], and the remaining three all at the Violet Sanctum Early Stage [the early phase of the Violet Sanctum realm].

After some discussion, the group decided to allocate the Purple Blood Heavenly Python to the Chen Immortal Clan, with the remaining spoils to be divided among the several major Immortal Clan [powerful clans with a long history of cultivation].

The Demon Core [another term for a high-level demon beast's Inner Pill] were sufficient to refine six furnaces of Foundation Establishment Pill [pills that assist cultivators in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage]. After further deliberation, they agreed to pool their resources to gather the necessary Spirit Herb [plants infused with spiritual energy, used in alchemy]. Once Exquisite Jiang refined them into Foundation Establishment Pill, each of the four Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan would receive twenty pills. Any surplus would be awarded as bonuses to the participating Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their foundation]. Visit audi novel.com to enjoy the complete series.