Chapter 699 : The Birth of a Primordial Art

However, Eldrin Chen did not stop there. He integrated this Divine Ability [a supernatural power cultivated through esoteric arts] into his Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core formed after the Golden Core stage], fusing it to form his third Innate Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power born from one's deepest cultivation foundation].

"Hmm—"

As this Divine Ability merged with Eldrin Chen's Great Encompassing Infant Soul [a perfected and all-encompassing form of the Infant Soul realm], it was immediately nourished by the profound feedback from this perfected realm.

Under this nourishing feedback, intricate patterns of Dao Markings [the fundamental inscriptions of cosmic principles] manifested from within, refining and perfecting the ability to an astonishingly profound level.

Although it still fell short of a true Sixth Rank Primordial Solar Divine Ability [a divine ability of the highest, sun-origin grade], Eldrin Chen sensed its power far surpassed that of ordinary Quasi-Primordial Solar Divine Ability [abilities on the cusp of the Primordial Solar grade]. It was merely one final leap away from the genuine article.

By his estimation, once he cultivated to the Infant Soul Late Stage, this Divine Ability would likely be elevated to the Primordial Solar Divine Ability level through the continued nourishment of his Infant Soul and his own relentless refinement.

This was truly remarkable. Generally, even among Patriarch [venerable masters] at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [the threshold before the Primordial Spirit realm], aside from rare prodigies like Dorian Ji or Verdant Seal True Lord, few could ever hope to cultivate a Divine Ability of such a lofty grade.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen gazed upon this Innate Divine Ability and murmured to himself, "This Divine Ability is born from Celestial Mechanism [the profound workings of heavenly fate and cosmic design]. It synthesizes the strengths of three great arts: the Great Deduction Heavenly Art [an art of supreme calculation and foresight], the Polarity Annihilation Fallen God Curse [a curse that annihilates through opposing forces], and the Stellar Glazed Body [a body-tempering art as hard and radiant as glazed stars]."

"Let it be named the 'Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path'."

Having successfully fused the 'Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path', a wave of quiet satisfaction washed over Eldrin Chen. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel*com.

A Great Encompassing Infant Soul [the highest stage of the Infant Soul cultivation realm, signifying a soul that has reached its peak potential] can integrate four Innate Divine Ability [a supreme power born from one's deepest spiritual nature]. So far, he had already integrated the Five-Colored Divine Light [a radiant shield and purifying force derived from the five elemental energies], the Five-Colored Divine Thunder [a devastating thunderbolt that harnesses the destructive power of the five elements], and this 'Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path' [a profound art of celestial calculation and fate manipulation]. Only one final Innate Divine Ability remained to achieve perfection.

He had been contemplating that final Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] for many years. However, such a Divine Ability was far too earth-shattering and profound; mastering it would be no easy feat.

"By my reckoning, this seclusion has lasted over forty years. It is time to emerge."

Suppressing his thoughts, Eldrin Chen gathered his belongings and stepped out from the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for deep, undisturbed meditation].

Only then did Eldrin Chen realize that Exquisite Jiang had already concluded her own period of seclusion.

Having been apart for so many years, they missed each other dearly. They reunited beneath the Spiritual Peach Tree [a mystical tree whose fruit grants longevity and spiritual insight].

Noting his joyful expression, Exquisite Jiang could not help but ask, "It seems your seclusion bore significant fruit."

"Indeed. I have comprehended an Innate Divine Ability," Eldrin Chen replied with a smile.

He explained the situation to Exquisite Jiang and then inquired, "And what of your own seclusion? How did you fare?"

"It proceeded smoothly enough," she answered.

Exquisite Jiang nodded. This time, her secluded cultivation had lasted just over one Sixty-Year Cycle. Having successively refined the Water Origin Divine Jade and the Fire Source Divine Jade, her gains were naturally immense.

Not only had her spiritual power [the energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners of the mystical arts] increased by thirty percent, but she had also comprehended two types of Arcane Power: the Heavenly Water Arcane Power from among the Water Element Arcane Power, and the True Flame from among the Fire Element Arcane Power.

It is said that cultivating the Heavenly Water Arcane Power to its ultimate limit can lead to the comprehension of the Celestial Unity True Water Path Principles, while mastering the True Flame to perfection allows one to ascend to immortality through the Samadhi True Flame Path Principles.

By comprehending these two astonishing Arcane Power, Exquisite Jiang's spiritual power and combat prowess had soared dramatically. Her strength now ranked among the powerful even within the Infant Soul Late Stage, not far from those at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen said with joy, "My lady, now that you command two Arcane Power, your chances of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a higher state of being] are greatly increased. Your Path [the journey of cultivation and enlightenment] has finally become much smoother."

Exquisite Jiang also wore a pleased expression, yet she added, "By the way, calculating the time, the first Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade resources and treasures] since the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm is about to be held in the Three Veins Ancient Domain."

"This Barter Convention will be held at the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range. We should go and take a look."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded. In the blink of an eye, a full century had passed since the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm.

After a hundred years of recovery and cultivation, among the Infant Soul Cultivator [practitioners who have formed their Infant Soul, a mid-level stage of cultivation] who participated in the war, aside from those who were severely wounded, many had already healed from their injuries and emerged from seclusion. It was indeed time to convene a Barter Convention.

The great war of that year drastically reshaped the landscape of the Eastern Barrens. The Heaven's Profound Sect of the Three Veins Ancient Domain never recovered from its decline and now merely clings to survival, relying on its Spirit Mountain to eke out a meager existence.

After the fall of Mysterious Void Path Master, the Mysterious Void Continent also faded into obscurity. Meanwhile, Master of Featherflight Pavilion, whose physical body was destroyed, remains in seclusion, reforge [the arduous process of reconstructing one's corporeal form].

Counting them all, the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, where Vast Righteousness True Lord resides, has surprisingly become one of the most powerful peak forces within the Three Veins Ancient Domain. Consequently, the honor of hosting this inaugural Barter Convention [a grand gathering for the exchange of cultivation resources] has fallen to Vast Righteousness Peak.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "For the past century, we have either been in seclusion or recovering from injuries. It is time for us to emerge and understand the new landscape of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland in the aftermath of the great calamity."

"..."

Due to the proximity, even though the Barter Convention was still a year away, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang arrived early at the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range. Original English translation available at audio–novel.com.

However, upon their arrival at the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, Eldrin Chen was immediately summoned by Vast Righteousness True Lord. Meeting Eldrin Chen, the Vast Righteousness True Lord said with a gentle smile, "My injuries are not yet fully healed, and it is not yet convenient for me to emerge from seclusion for this Barter Convention."

"Therefore, I wish to entrust the hosting of this Barter Convention to you."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded and replied with a calm smile, "Rest assured, True Lord [a title for a high-level cultivator]. I can handle this matter."

In truth, Vast Righteousness True Lord entrusting him with presiding over the Barter Convention was an outcome well within expectations.

Vast Righteousness True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator] was a solitary cultivator. Although he had quite a few disciples, their number was truly insignificant compared to the hundreds of thousands of cultivators typically found in Infant Soul Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have reached the Infant Soul realm] or major sects.

With such a small number of followers, how could it be easy to nurture a Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Infant Soul realm]?

Even though Vast Righteousness True Lord had personally mentored several of his disciples, his sect currently only had two Infant Soul True Lord, one of whom had only broken through to the Infant Soul [a major cultivation realm] a few decades prior.

With merely two cultivators at the Infant Soul Early Stage [the initial phase of the Infant Soul realm], they simply lacked the presence to host a Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare treasures] of this magnitude. Only the prestige and reputation of Eldrin Chen could command the necessary respect to hold such an event.

"Your status is no longer what it once was," he continued. "You need only personally receive fellow Daoists at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Infant Soul realm]. For ordinary guests, let Verdant Spirit and Verdant Mystery handle the social duties."

Vast Righteousness True Lord spoke thus, then added with a smile, "Once the event concludes, you shall take half of the organizer's commission."

"How could that be acceptable?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback and immediately waved his hands in refusal.

Hosting a Barter Convention was a rare and grand occasion. As the organizer, one was entitled to a commission from the total trades.

This commission, though it might seem modest, was derived from the transactions of over a hundred Infant Soul True Lord, representing the dealings of over a hundred Infant Soul Immortal Clan. The treasures exchanged would all be supreme artifacts of Fifth Rank [a high grade for magical treasures and elixirs] or above.

The commission from this transaction was staggeringly vast. Even if Eldrin Chen were to receive only half, it would likely amount to treasures worth over a billion Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. This windfall would equal the total income painstakingly generated over three centuries by all the Spiritual Vein [a vein in the earth that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] and business holdings of the Chen Clan.

Moreover, this was pure, unearned profit. The Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] generated by the Chen Clan's Spiritual Vein [a vein in the earth that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] and industries had to cover stipends for the entire clan's cultivators and significant upfront investment costs.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's polite refusal, Vast Righteousness True Lord chuckled. "This old man is but a solitary cultivator," he said. "Vast Righteousness Peak houses a mere three Infant Soul [the stage of cultivation where the nascent soul is formed] cultivators. We generally lack the capacity to host a Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare treasures and resources] on our own." Original publication: AUDIO-NOVEL.COM - The source of this chapter.