Chapter 503 : Return to Jizhou
"Now that we have accumulated sufficient resources, we shall deal with him at our leisure after we both break through to the Nascent Soul stage."
After some discussion, the 2 agreed it was unwise to recklessly court danger and decided to deal with the Liu Clan at a later time.
Considering that the Grand Roc Island Exchange Conference was scheduled to commence in 10 years, they did not immediately return to the Eastern Wastelands (Location) cultivation realm. Instead, they brought Ye Qingfeng to Grand Roc Island for secluded cultivation.
In the days that followed, Eldrin began his secluded cultivation in a methodical manner while simultaneously deducing the refinement method for the Earth-Sovereign Bell.
Another 10 fleeting years had passed.
On this day, Eldrin drew a breath of spiritual energy into his core, feeling the dantian brimming with vitality as a sense of perfect completion flowed through his cultivation.
At the critical moment, he seized the opportunity and swallowed a Heaven Earth Spirit Peach. Immediately, he felt a vast creative energy flooding his being, effortlessly breaking through to the 9th layer of the Golden Core.
Golden Core, Ninth Layer.
Having broken through to the 9th layer of the Golden Core, Eldrin instantly revealed a look of joy.
After this breakthrough, his magical power had increased by a full 30 percent, bringing him close to the level of Lyra (Person Name)—no weaker than a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
With a 5 Spirit Roots constitution, simultaneously refining 5 personal magic treasures, and reaching the Great Perfection of the Golden Core Realm at just 400 years of age—this cultivation speed could truly be considered remarkably fast.
"In another 30 years, once my spiritual power has accumulated to its peak, I can attempt the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm."
Eldrin murmured softly, then emerged from the seclusion chamber.
As he emerged from the seclusion chamber, Lyra (Person Name) smiled faintly and said, "Your cultivation has progressed swiftly over the years—you've finally caught up to me."
"Mm." Eldrin wrapped his arm around her slender waist, a sudden realization dawning upon him: "In my days of weakness, you were always my shelter."
"Now that my cultivation has progressed satisfactorily, I can finally provide you shelter from the storm."
The 2 embraced for a moment, feeling an inexplicable tranquility settle in their hearts.
After a long while, Lyra said with a smile, "The Grand Bazaar has already commenced. If you don’t end your secluded cultivation now, we’ll miss it entirely."
"Then let's go take a look."
Eldrin nodded with a faint smile and said.
Back at the trade fair in Qingluan Continent (Location), there were numerous treasures on display. Unfortunately, their pockets were light, and in the end, they came away empty-handed.
Yet only a few decades had passed, and they had already accumulated over a 100 Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object), enough to purchase some coveted treasures.
The 2 arrived at the venue of the Great Roc Island barter convention, only to discover the event had already been underway for a full day.
Generally speaking, the first day of the Trading Assembly would feature the most exquisite and precious treasures. However, such treasures were far too valuable for Eldrin (Person Name) to afford, so arriving a day later made little difference.
The 2 observed for an entire day at the Exchange Assembly before finally encountering the Kunyuan Dao Pattern Stone.
However, this item was exceedingly precious, often requiring 80 Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object) to acquire—a sum far beyond their means in ordinary times.
Now that they had sufficient Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object) in their possession, they naturally would not let this treasure slip through their fingers again.
They bid all the way until they finally purchased this Kunyuan Dao Pattern Stone for 80-6 Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object).
In addition, they purchased 2 5 Elements Recovery Fruits. These fruits served as the primary ingredient for the 5 Elements Recovery Pill (Spiritual Object), each valued at over 10 million spirit stones, making them perfectly suited for advancing their alchemical skills.
After purchasing a few treasures, the 2 of them did not linger any longer. They headed directly to Sky Spirit Island and boarded a treasure ship bound for the Offshore Cultivation Realm.
Thus time flew by. Over 7 or 8 years, they journeyed across the coastal cultivation realm and finally arrived at the Eastern Wastelands (Location), where they teleported to the Ji Continent Trading Post (Location).
Returning to Ji Continent, both of them breathed a sigh of relief. Instead of heading back immediately, he first went to the Chen Clan's shop at Ji Continent Trading Post (Location) to find Liu Rumeng (Person Name).
As soon as the 3 met, Eldrin casually inquired, "How has the Ji Province been faring in the years of our absence?"
"This..."
Liu Rumeng’s expression faltered slightly before she replied, "A few years ago, an Eldrin Lord named Daoist Hanchuan arrived at The Vast Sea (Location), claiming to be its rightful master."
"This man has a perverse temperament. After a fierce battle with our master's avatar, he seized the opportunity while we were off guard to charge up Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) and steal the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree."
Eldrin (Person Name) listened in silence, an involuntary flicker of thunderous fury crossing his expression.
In the past, he had formed a grudge against Elder Hanchuan, but that conflict arose merely over a chance at fortune—it had not yet escalated to a life-or-death struggle.
At this thought, he hastily asked, “Has there been any loss to the spirit peach trees at Spirit Isle Lake (Location)?”
"Not at all." Liu Rumeng said, "Spirit Isle Lake (Location) has teleportation arrays. Even if he wanted to steal the spirit peach tree, he wouldn't have made it in time."
Eldrin let out a sigh of relief, his expression turning icy as he said, "How dare this man seize the Spirit Apricot Ancient Tree? Is he truly determined to fight to the death?"
Lyra, standing nearby, contemplated for a moment before speaking, "Alaric, Lord of the Frostbitten Alliance has lived his entire life in The Vast Sea—a place of utter chaos where only the fittest survive. It’s no wonder his temperament has grown so domineering."
"Now that I've broken through to the Earth Path Nascent Soul, I feel I'm no weaker than anyone else and want to reclaim the dignity I lost in the past."
"No matter what, this grudge likely cannot be settled."
Eldrin (Person Name)咽不下这口气，目光之中闪过了一丝凌厉之色。天才一秒钟就记住：(72文学 这次Alaric, Lord of the Frostbitten Alliance (Person Name)打了个突然袭击，虽然因为姬洲遍布的传送阵他不敢请留太久，仅仅借走了一株灵杏古树，但是这却是Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location)上最珍贵之物。
The Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree had already reached the Upper Grade of Tier 4. Having been nourished by the Primordial Purple Qi, its ascension to Tier 5 in the future was all but assured.
Such a priceless treasure was snatched away by this man, no wonder Eldrin was enraged.
Seeing the expression on Eldrin’s face, Lyra pondered thoughtfully, “We didn’t inform anyone before leaving for the Eastern Wastelands. How did Alaric, Lord of the Frostbitten Alliance, know we were away—and how did he dare to come?”
"You mean?"
Eldrin (Person Name) furrowed his brow, then swiftly shook his head.
A grave expression crossed his face. Only a few high-ranking members of the Chen Clan were aware of their departure, and none of them would possibly leak this information.
Then there is only 1 possibility—it is most likely the work of the Chen family's enemies.
At this thought, Eldrin said, "Allow me to perform a divination."
As his words faded, he activated the divination art from the Great Deduction Ancient Scroll, only to find his calculations obscured as if by celestial interference. A sensation of hidden vipers lurking in the shadows made his skin crawl.
"How is it?" Lyra couldn't help but ask.
Eldrin shook his head and asked with a furrowed brow, "Do you remember what Master Zixu said back in Qingluan Continent?"
"You mean..."
Lyra furrowed her brow. When someone had used the Heaven’s Secrets technique to trace Eldrin’s whereabouts, it was clear they harbored lethal intent.
Now that Elder Hanchuan had risked everything to seize the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree, if others were secretly involved in this scheme, it could only mean a sliver of lethal intent lay concealed—waiting for them to walk right into retribution.
At this thought, Lyra personally visited the Ji Clan. She returned shortly after and reported, "I have confirmed that the patriarch of the Qin Clan from the Heavenly Abode Continent has indeed been secretly cultivating a celestial divination art."
"So it's clear now..."
Eldrin said calmly, "There are few True Monarchs of the human race who hold grudges against them, and among those, 1 who simultaneously cultivates the Secrets of Celestial Divination is likely unique."