Chapter 57 : A Gathering of Cultivators

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

On this day, Eldrin Chen was at leisure when he received an invitation. It was issued by a rogue cultivator of Heavenly Ruins Mountain named Assisting Ocean Chen, inviting Eldrin Chen and Eternal Profound Chen to attend a trade gathering among Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation].

Such gatherings for Foundation Establishment Cultivator were generally held once a year in Heavenly Ruins Mountain. Major Foundation Establishment Cultivator would bring out treasures they no longer needed to trade for items they required.

Upon arriving at the gathering site, the two found only a dozen or so Foundation Establishment Cultivator present. Eldrin Chen was mostly unfamiliar with them, but Eternal Profound Chen had some acquaintance with a few.

However, their arrival was met with considerable respect from the assembly. After all, the two had distinguished themselves greatly in the battle at Dire Wolf Mountain. Particularly Eternal Profound Chen, one of only two Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivators present, who received words of flattery almost as soon as he arrived.

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

A Foundation Establishment Mid Stage cultivator stepped onto the platform with a smile, holding a wooden box. "I shall cast a brick to attract jade [a humble offering to elicit greater treasures]. Within this box lies a piece of earth-attribute natural treasure: 'Verdant Void Earth' [a rare spiritual soil imbued with the essence of earth and void]."

"Its value is, I trust, clear to all, so I shall not elaborate. I wish to exchange it for a single water-attribute Second Rank natural treasure or a magical artifact."

Eldrin Chen observed the azure soil within the box, his mind quickly recalling his knowledge regarding the Verdant Void Earth.

Similar to Millennial Crimson Iron, this Verdant Void Earth was a highly valuable Second Rank natural treasure. It could be used to forge Second Rank Defensive Magical Artifact or to craft earth-attribute Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure personally refined and bound to a cultivator's life force]. Support the author by reading on audio-novel*com.

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

In the end, one person exchanged a water-attributed magical instrument [an enchanted artifact imbued with the power of water] for the Verdant Void Earth, leaving all parties satisfied.

After that person concluded his trade, another cultivator at the Foundation Establishment 6th Tier stepped onto the platform. He produced a Second Rank Mid-Grade Spell Sword and announced, "This Verdant Bamboo Sword was purchased many years ago from the Verdant Sun Sect."

"I now wish to exchange it for a single Verdant Origin Pill. I wonder if any fellow Daoist is willing to make the trade?"

Upon hearing this, the assembled cultivators exchanged glances. In the end, no one was willing to make the exchange.

The Verdant Origin Pill is a Second Rank High-Grade elixir [a spiritual pill that aids cultivation]. It can increase the probability of a Foundation Establishment Mid Stage cultivator breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Back then, the Old Patriarch had relied on such a pill to save decades of effort spent tempering his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy within a cultivator's body], allowing him to break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage in one go.

Whether anyone present possessed such a treasure was uncertain, but even if they did, they would likely be unwilling to part with it for an exchange.

Seeing no response, the man seemed disappointed but pressed on, "If anyone has one, I am willing to add another one thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to the trade."

Unfortunately, no one answered him in the end. He could only step down from the high platform with a sigh of resignation.

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

After seven or eight more individuals 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 Foundation Establishment 1st Tier [the first level within the Foundation Establishment stage], 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 Spirit Herb [a plant infused with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] and announced, "This is a Second Rank Low-Grade [a classification for items of power suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators] Blood-Replenishing Ginseng [a ginseng variant prized for its potent blood-restoring properties]. It can be used to refine Second Rank Spirit Herb [spiritual herbs of a potency suitable for Foundation Establishment stage use] that restore injuries. I wish to exchange it for a Second Rank Low-Grade [a classification for magical artifacts of power suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators] magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]."

Eldrin Chen's brow twitched slightly. The Blood-Replenishing Ginseng was a primary ingredient for the Stasis-Dispersing Pill [a pill that disperses stagnant energy and heals physical damage]. Acquiring this Spirit Herb could aid him in advancing his alchemical skills. Most importantly, the Stasis-Dispersing Pill could treat physical injuries sustained by Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a practitioner who has solidified their cultivation foundation].

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

"Is this Peaceful Harmony Lin's Golden Silk Net [a net woven from enchanted 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, Eldrin Chen finally allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. However, from that point until the very end of the exchange gathering, no other items he desired made an appearance.

"..."

After the exchange concluded, they waited another three days upon Heavenly Ruins Mountain [a mountain imbued with spiritual energy, often a site for cultivation]. Finally, Exquisite Jiang emerged from seclusion, having successfully refined the Foundation Establishment Pill [a crucial pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage].

Within the Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a cave dwelling centered around a pool of concentrated spiritual energy] on Heavenly Ruins Mountain, Eldrin Chen met with Exquisite Jiang.

Exquisite Jiang was clearly in high spirits, and seeing Eldrin Chen seemed to lift her mood even further. A faint smile graced her lips as she spoke.

"The success rate for these four batches of Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in solidifying one's cultivation foundation for a major breakthrough] was quite good. We actually managed to refine nineteen pills in total."

"Would you like to purchase one? Given my current good mood, I could offer you a special price of ten thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

It turned out that the two Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [a specific mid-level stage within the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm] Inner Pill [the condensed energy core of a powerful demonic beast] were of exceptionally high quality, which unexpectedly boosted the refinement success rate significantly. One batch even yielded six Foundation Establishment Pill.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's face lit up with surprise and delight. He hadn't anticipated such a sudden and tremendous windfall.

Although he had known that the acquisition of four third-grade Inner Pill would cause the price of Foundation Establishment Pill to plummet, he had estimated it would still hover around twenty thousand Spirit Stones. He never imagined he could procure one for merely ten thousand. Support the author by reading on audio-novel dot com.

Faced with such a bargain, Eldrin Chen naturally agreed without a second thought. Their recent venture with the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] had left them with fifteen thousand Spirit Stones, more than enough to purchase one pill and still have funds to spare.

After receiving two Foundation Establishment Pill, he left the cave abode in high spirits. Elara Lin then approached Exquisite Jiang with a knowing smile.

Watching Eldrin Chen's retreating figure, she remarked softly, "His Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword forged with a cultivator's life essence, growing in power alongside them] has actually broken through one of its inherent limitations."

"Could it be that he also possesses a special constitution, similar to your Supreme Lunar Immortal Body [a rare physique attuned to the power of the moon], one capable of nourishing his Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power used by high-level cultivators] and allowing his Lifebound Immortal Sword to transcend its ordained rank?"

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

"You're overthinking it."

Exquisite Jiang shook her head, her expression utterly sincere. "I simply find him rather pleasing to look at, that's all."

Elara Lin: "…"

"…"

Having obtained the two Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in solidifying one's cultivation foundation], the pair did not linger at Heavenly Ruins Mountain. They made immediate preparations to return to Green Chariot Mountain.

By now, more than a year and a half had passed since their departure from Green Chariot Mountain. The merchant caravan route between Yu County and Heavenly Ruins Mountain had already made another journey half a year prior.

Third Elder and the others had left Heavenly Ruins Mountain even earlier, the greater 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 Green Chariot Mountain, their speed increased by severalfold.

In less than a month's time, they had flown back to Yu County and arrived once more upon the slopes of Green Chariot Mountain.

Perhaps it was the lingering dread from slaying four Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation], including members of the Zuo Clan and Zhang Old Demon. Or perhaps it was the fearsome reputation they had carved for themselves on the blood-soaked slopes of Dire Wolf Mountain.

Whatever the reason, their journey back was undisturbed. Even though they carried two precious Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare elixir that aids in solidifying one's spiritual foundation], no one dared to set their sights upon the pair.

Upon their return to Green Chariot Mountain, news of the two Foundation Establishment Pill spread through the clan like wildfire. Soon, clan cultivators were knocking on their door, seeking to exchange resources for a chance at one of the coveted pills. This chapter appears courtesy of audi0-n0vel.c0m.