Chapter 57 Exchange Fair, Blood-Replenishing Ginseng (Spiritual Object)

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

1 day, while Eldrin was at leisure, he received an invitation from a rogue cultivator named Chen Zuoyang of Celestial Ruins Mountain, summoning Eldrin and Chen Changxuan to attend a trade gathering among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

This trading session among Foundation Establishment cultivators was typically held once a year at Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location). All major Foundation Establishment cultivators would bring forth treasures they no longer needed to exchange for necessary items with others.

The 2 arrived at the trading venue only to find a dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators in attendance. Eldrin was largely unfamiliar with most of them, yet Chen Changxuan shared some camaraderie with a few individuals.

However, the crowd treated their arrival with considerable respect, for the 2 had distinguished themselves greatly in the battle at Demon Wolf Mountain. Particularly Chen Changxuan, 1 of the only 2 Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators present—no sooner had he arrived than others approached to offer their flattering remarks.

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

A Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage cultivator stepped onto the platform with a smile and produced a wooden case. "Allow me to cast a brick to attract jade," he declared. "Within this case lies a piece of Qingxu Earth (Heavenly Treasure), an earth-attributed natural treasure."

"I believe everyone present understands the value of this item, so I shall not elaborate further. I wish to exchange it for a single water-attributed, second-grade heaven-and-earth treasure or magical artifact."

Eldrin gazed at the bluish soil within the wooden box, his mind swiftly recalling everything he knew about Azurevein Earth.

Similar to Millennial Crimson Iron, this Cyan Void Earth is a highly valuable second-order heavenly material and earthly treasure. It can be used to forge second-order defensive magical instruments or to refine earth-attributed life-bound treasures.

This item held no use for Eldrin, so he naturally had no interest in exchanging for it. However, 3 individuals sent voice transmissions 1 after another, expressing their willingness to trade for the object.

In the end, someone exchanged a water-attribute magical instrument for the Verdant Void Soil from him, leaving all parties thoroughly satisfied.

After that person completed the transaction, another Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer (Cultivation Realm) cultivator stepped onto the platform. He produced a mid-grade, second-tier magic sword and announced, "This Bamboo (Person Name) Sword was acquired years ago from the Qingyang Sect."

"I now wish to exchange it for 1 Qingyuan Pill (Elixir). Might any fellow Daoist be willing to make this trade?"

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, but in the end, no 1 was willing to make the exchange.

The Verdant Origin Pill was a high-grade Tier 2 elixir capable of increasing the probability of a Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator breaking through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm). The former clan patriarch had relied on this very pill to save decades of effort refining his true essence, achieving his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) in 1 continuous surge.

None of those present possessed such a treasure, and even if they did, they would likely be unwilling to part with it in exchange for something else.

Seeing that no 1 responded, the man seemed somewhat disappointed, but continued, "If anyone has it, I can add another 1,000 spirit stones."

Alas, no 1 answered him in the end, and he had no choice but to step down from the high platform with a sigh of resignation.

Eldrin watched from below as Foundation Establishment cultivators took turns ascending the platform for exchanges. Some descended with bitter disappointment etched upon their faces, while others descended radiantly, having secured treasures that set their hearts aglow with satisfaction.

After 7 or 8 people had taken their turns, a Foundation Establishment, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator stepped forward. This individual’s cultivation was only at the first layer of Foundation Establishment, and it appeared he had broken through less than 10 years ago—making him 1 of the more modest figures among the crowd.

He produced a spiritual herb and said, "This is a second-grade, low-tier Blood-Replenishing Ginseng (Spiritual Object). It can be used to refine second-grade elixirs for wound recovery. I wish to exchange it for a second-grade, low-tier magical instrument."

Eldrin’s brow twitched faintly. This Blood-Replenishing Ginseng (Spiritual Object) was the primary ingredient for the Blood-Mending Elixir. If he could obtain this spiritual herb, it would help him advance his alchemy skills. Most importantly, the Blood-Mending Elixir could heal physical injuries sustained by Foundation Establishment cultivators.

At this thought, he immediately produced a fishing net artifact: "How about I trade you with this?"

"Is this Lin Taihe’s Golden Thread Net?" The man’s face lit up with delight, and he nodded eagerly. "I’ll trade with you."

Each got what they needed, and both parties completed the transaction with immense satisfaction.

Eldrin finally revealed a faint smile after obtaining the Blood-Replenishing Ginseng (Spiritual Object). However, for the remainder of the trading session, nothing else caught his interest.

“…”

After the trading conclave concluded, Lyra spent another 3 days in seclusion at Celestial Ruins Mountain before finally perfecting the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Within the Spirit Pool Grotto of Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), Eldrin (Person Name) beheld Lyra (Person Name).

Lyra was clearly in good spirits, and her mood seemed to brighten further upon seeing Eldrin. A faint smile graced her lips.

"This time, with 4 furnaces of Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), the success rate was quite good—surprisingly, we refined 19 of them."

"Would you like to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object)? Since I'm in rather good spirits, I can offer it to you for 10,000 spirit stones."

It turned out that the 2 Purple Palace, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm) demon cores were of such exceptional quality that they significantly increased the pill refinement success rate. In 1 particular batch, as many as 6 Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) were successfully refined.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin (Person Name) revealed a look of pleasant surprise, never expecting to encounter such a tremendous delight so suddenly.

Although it had long been known that the acquisition of 4 third-grade inner cores would cause the price of Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) to plummet, it was still expected to hover around 20,000 spirit stones. Never did I imagine 1 could be obtained for merely 10,000 spirit stones.

At such a low price, Eldrin naturally agreed without another word. For this 5 Elements essence business, they still had 15,000 spirit stones on them—enough to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill with plenty to spare.

After taking 2 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object), he excitedly left the cave abode, while Elara (Person Name) walked over to Lyra (Person Name) with a gentle smile.

She watched Eldrin’s receding figure and smiled faintly. “His Lifebound Immortal Sword has actually broken through 1 of the Great Limits.”

"Could it be that he also possesses a special constitution, just like your Lunar Immortal Body, Master, enabling him to nourish the immortal sword in return and break through the limits of his bonded sword's grade?"

As soon as her words fell, a grave expression surfaced on her face: "If that truly is the case, no wonder you, Master, would hold him in such high regard."

"You think too much."

Lyra shook her head and said with a serious expression, "I just find him rather pleasing to the eye."

Elara (Person Name)：“…”

“…”

Having obtained 2 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object), the 2 did not linger at Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) and immediately prepared to return to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

By now, it had been over a year and a half since they left Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location). The merchant caravan from Yu County to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) had already made another trip half a year earlier.

The Third Elder and the others had actually left Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) over half a year ago and returned to Yu County.

Freed from the caravan's burden, the 2 summoned their flying swords and soared toward Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), their speed increasing by multiple folds.

In barely a month's time, the 2 of them had already flown to Yu Prefecture and returned to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

Perhaps it was the lingering deterrence from slaying the 4 Foundation Establishment cultivators—the Zuo family members and Elder Zhang the Demonic—or perhaps it was the formidable reputation they had forged through their slaughter in the Direwolf Mountains.

In any case, this time, even though they carried 2 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) with them, no 1 dared to scheme against them along the way.

After returning to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), news that the 2 had brought back 2 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) quickly spread throughout the clan. Soon, cultivators from the family came seeking to exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object).