Chapter 1627 : The Grand Barter Convention

"This old man, Verdant Spirit Divine Lord [a powerful divine being], is presiding over today's Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade rare treasures]. Greetings to all fellow Daoists."

Verdant Spirit Divine Lord spoke calmly, his sleeve sweeping out to reveal a wondrous treasure. "At today's Barter Convention, fellow cultivators from the Human Race, the Demon Race, the Divine Clan, and even the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races [a collective term for numerous spirit races] have all arrived."

"To ensure confidentiality for all participants, all transactions will be conducted via a sealed-bid method. If you see a treasure you desire, submit your offer through a voice transmission technique."

"As for the seller, they may select their preferred offer from among the bids received."

With those words, the elder waved his sleeve once more, unveiling several hundred spiritual treasures.

Eldrin Chen cast a glance and saw they were all Eighth Rank High-Grade World-Opening [a high cultivation realm] spiritual treasures. Among them were not only World-Opening Supreme Treasure [supreme-grade treasures of the World-Opening realm] but also top-tier rarities of the Primordial Unity Immortal Artifact [a legendary grade of immortal artifact] level. The most precious items were three Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit [immortal fruits of the Primordial Unity grade] and five pieces of Primordial Unity Immortal Gold [immortal metal of the Primordial Unity grade].

Among these treasures, both the Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit and the Primordial Unity Rare Treasure [rare treasures of the Primordial Unity grade] were coveted by the Chen Immortal Clan.

Eldrin Chen attempted to bid using Primordial Unity Heavenly Source Pill [heavenly source pills of the Primordial Unity grade], Primordial Unity Soul-Returning Pill [soul-returning pills of the Primordial Unity grade], and even Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [immortal weapons of the Primordial Unity grade]. Unfortunately, he ultimately failed to secure the desired treasures.

Eldrin Chen had anticipated this outcome. Nearly twenty thousand cultivators at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the peak stage of the Earth Immortal realm] were present, many of whom possessed immense wealth.

For the treasures presented first, there might be thousands of bidders. Naturally, the sellers could select the most advantageous offers from the best available, securing more favorable trades.

Soon, all the rare treasures in the hands of the Verdant Spirit Patriarch were exchanged, and he descended from the Great Hall platform with a heart full of satisfaction.

One by one, Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have reached the peak of the Earth Immortal realm and are on the cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] took to the stage. Each, more or less, managed to trade for treasures that pleased them.

Whenever Eldrin Chen encountered a suitable treasure, he would make an offer. His prices were always fair, neither too high nor too low. Although he failed to secure most of the items he bid on, he still managed to acquire over twenty pieces of Supreme Grade World-Opening Marvel [a supreme-grade treasure used in the foundational act of creating a new world or grotto-heaven].

Unfortunately, Primordial Unity Rare Treasure [a treasure of immense rarity and power, born from the primordial chaos at the dawn of creation] were far too precious. Whenever one appeared, it would spark a frenzy of bidding. Unwilling to pay an exorbitant premium, Eldrin Chen did not manage to secure any suitable treasures of this caliber.

"The materials needed for Kael and the others to advance their Innate Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power inherent to a cultivator's very being, awakened and refined through profound cultivation] have mostly been purchased now,"

Eldrin Chen said, a faint smile touching his eyes as he finished gathering the required materials for the Innate Divine Ability advancements.

Exquisite Jiang glanced at the gathered items and nodded in agreement. "Next, we just need to acquire the few specific Primordial Unity Rare Treasure we require, and we can consider our mission here accomplished."

At that very moment, another Half-Step Celestial Immortal ascended the platform.

Eldrin Chen looked at this person, his eyes lighting up slightly. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Exquisite Jiang.

This person was known as the Galeblade Path Master, a Half-Step Celestial Immortal who possessed a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary and supremely stable foundation for cultivation, forged from two primordial unity treasures]. He had opened a Ninefold Heaven [a grotto-heaven or immortal domain of exceptional quality and stability, said to have nine layered heavens] Earth, ranking sixty-eighth among all Half-Step Celestial Immortal in the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. He was a renowned Celestial Immortal Seed [a cultivator widely acknowledged as having the highest potential to successfully ascend to the Celestial Immortal realm] within that domain.

Of course, this alone was not enough to stir the heart of Eldrin Chen. The most crucial factor was that this individual was backed by a Middle Grade Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained, high-level spiritual realm], with three Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings who have ascended to the celestial immortal realm] standing behind him. His wealth was exceedingly vast, and he was also a wind-attribute Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation].

"Let us see what treasures this person holds in his hands."

Eldrin Chen spoke softly, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

As expected, that Galeblade Path Master [a Daoist master specializing in wind and blade techniques] spoke up: "Esteemed colleagues, this old Daoist wishes to exchange for wind-attribute rare treasures. If any of you possess such collections, please feel free to bring them forth for trade."

As his words fell, the Galeblade Path Master waved his sleeve, revealing several hundred rare treasures.

These treasures were all top-grade World-Opening Marvel [marvelous objects of immense power used in world-creation or profound cultivation], with as many as thirty Supreme Grade World-Opening Marvel [the highest grade of world-opening marvels] and eight Primordial Unity Rare Treasure [rare treasures containing the unified essence of primordial chaos] among them.

The moment he saw these treasures, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "It seems the Luminous Mist Grotto-Heaven [a specific, renowned grotto-heaven realm] has indeed provided him with substantial support."

Exquisite Jiang nodded slightly and remarked calmly, "He opened a Ninefold Heaven [a legendary, multi-layered heavenly realm], and possesses a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundational cultivation art based on dual primordial unity]. If he were a member of our Chen Clan, we would also support him with all our might."

The Galeblade Path Master held quite a few Supreme Grade World-Opening Marvel. Among them was a portion of Supreme Grade Positive Water Essence [the purest essence of positive/active water energy], which was the final catalyst Eldrin Chen needed for his advancement to Primordial One Energy [a state of unified, primordial energy].

Among the eight Primordial Unity Rare Treasure, there was a Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit [an immortal fruit imbued with primordial unity essence], a Primordial Solar Heavenly Crystal [a heavenly crystal containing primordial solar energy], a portion of Eight-Colored Immortal Copper [a mythical copper ore radiating eight colors], and a piece of Nine Heavens Self-Growing Soil [a miraculous soil that cultivates and grows on its own, associated with the nine heavens]. All were items Eldrin Chen urgently needed.

Among the several treasures, the Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit [a legendary fruit that can elevate a cultivator's foundation to the Primordial Unity realm] naturally needs no elaboration. The Primordial Solar Immortal Gold [a mythical metal forged from the essence of the primordial sun] was condensed from the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [the legendary first flame born at the dawn of creation].

If Eldrin Chen's Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword forged from solar fire and abyssal essence] wished to advance to an Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of creation, possessing innate laws], its current material foundation was still somewhat lacking. Integrating this treasure would precisely meet the requirement.

That portion of Eight-Colored Immortal Copper [a divine copper imbued with the essence of eight celestial colors] could be used to elevate Exquisite Jiang's Six Harmonies and Eight Desolations Cauldron [a mighty cauldron capable of harmonizing the six directions and refining the eight desolations]. This treasure was not only extraordinarily powerful but also the key item required for the cauldron's own advancement to the Six Harmonies and Eight Desolations Cauldron's next stage.

The final item, the Nine Heavens Self-Growing Soil [a miraculous soil from the highest heavens that can regenerate and expand on its own], could be used to refine the Cultivable Earth Kun Origin Disk [a mystical disk that nurtures the primordial essence of the earth], which was also something Exquisite Jiang required.

Regarding this, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate in the slightest. He immediately transmitted his voice, stating his offer: "I wish to exchange these treasures of mine for your rare materials. Are you willing?"

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen transmitted information regarding the Primordial Unity Wind-Soul Pill [a supreme pill that can solidify one's soul foundation at the Primordial Unity realm], the Gale Soul-Suppressing Bell [a bell whose chimes can pacify even raging gales and restless souls], the Nine Heavens Astral Wind Pearl [a pearl containing the purified essence of astral winds from the highest heavens], and the Fierce Wind Soul-Annihilating Banner [a banner that unleashes soul-scouring gales of annihilation].

"A Primordial Unity Wind-Soul Pill?"

The moment Galeblade Path Master saw the treasures, an expression of wild joy instantly appeared on his face.

The several treasures Eldrin Chen had produced were all supreme treasures he urgently needed. Especially that Primordial Unity Wind-Soul Pill, it was a treasure he had dreamt of obtaining.

"With a Primordial Unity Wind-Soul Pill, supplemented by powerful items like Path Source [the primordial source essence of a cultivation path] and Fortune Path Gold [a mystical metal that can solidify one's fortune and destiny], my confidence in attempting to forge a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [an unparalleled foundation that unifies body, soul, and energy at the Primordial Unity realm] would likely be at least four or five out of ten."

Galeblade Path Master's heart surged with immense excitement. He knew that the Luminous Mist Grotto-Heaven he relied upon housed a total of three Patriarchs at the Celestial Immortal Realm [a realm of profound power where cultivators begin to transcend mortality].

Yet, among these three, only one had successfully cultivated the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary and supremely stable foundation for one's cultivation path, representing the pinnacle of potential].

Once he stepped onto that path, his future would be secured at least at the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm, with the potential to even break through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm. This could elevate the Luminous Mist Grotto-Heaven into an Upper Grade Grotto-Heaven [a higher-tier pocket dimension of immense spiritual richness]. Therefore, the Luminous Mist Grotto-Heaven would undoubtedly spare no expense to support his breakthrough.

Thinking this, Galeblade Path Master spoke, "May I ask what treasures Fellow Daoist wishes to exchange for?"

"A Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit [a miraculous fruit that aids in solidifying the foundational unity of one's cultivation], Primordial Solar Immortal Gold [a legendary metal forged in the heart of ancient suns], Eight-Colored Immortal Copper [a rare copper imbued with the essence of eight celestial hues], a portion of Nine Heavens Self-Growing Soil [a mystical soil that perpetually regenerates and nourishes spiritual plants], and one measure of Supreme Grade Positive Water Essence [the purest essence of yang-aligned water energy]," Eldrin Chen stated calmly.

He had just listed the treasures he desired.

Upon hearing this list, Galeblade Path Master pondered briefly. "The Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit alone is exceedingly precious," he said. "A single one is worth three of the Primordial Unity Immortal Treasures [powerful artifacts forged at the Primordial Unity level] you seek in trade."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "If Fellow Daoist offers two Primordial Unity Wind-Soul Pills [pills that refine and empower one's wind-aligned soul essence], plus the Nine Heavens Astral Wind Pearl and the Fierce Wind Soul-Annihilating Banner, along with the Gale Soul-Suppressing Bell, I will agree to the trade."

"Fellow Daoist jests,"

Eldrin Chen responded, a flicker of light in his eyes as he shook his head. "The Gale Soul-Suppressing Bell alone is worth three Primordial Unity Immortal Treasures. The items I offer are equivalent to seven Primordial Unity Rare Treasures [exceptionally rare treasures of the Primordial Unity grade]. How could they be exchanged for merely six of yours?"

"Scarcity dictates value," he declared. "Within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [the vast realm of immortal cultivators], there exists no Grotto-Heaven [a blessed, self-contained pocket dimension] aligned with the wind attribute. A treasure like the Primordial Unity Wind-Soul Pill [an elixir that refines and unifies one's wind-aligned spiritual essence] is an Immortal Herb [a plant of immense spiritual potency used in high-level alchemy] that has all but vanished from this age. To judge its worth by ordinary measures is folly."

"If your offer is sincere, I propose an exchange: two Primordial Unity Wind-Soul Pill [elixirs that refine and unify one's wind-aligned spiritual essence], plus the Nine Heavens Astral Wind Pearl [a magical orb containing the essence of celestial winds] and the Fierce Wind Soul-Annihilating Banner [a banner that unleashes soul-scouring gales], for your artifact."

Upon hearing this, the expression of Galeblade Path Master [a master cultivator whose path is aligned with the power of cutting winds] shifted repeatedly, a storm of calculation and conflict playing across his features.