Chapter 76 : The Elusive Essence of Final Water

This was within Eldrin Chen's expectations. The Shyu Immortal Clan, presiding over a Third Rank Underground Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual energy channel attuned to the earth element], frequently produced some earth-attributed natural treasures of the Second Rank [a grade of spiritual materials]. It was quite normal for them not to lack such treasures.

Unfortunately, among these treasures, there was none that matched Eldrin Chen's target. He thus closed the catalog and inquired, "Might Fengyang Pavilion have any Essence of Final Water [a crystallized essence of profound water energy] for sale?"

Upon hearing this, Famous Sun Xu's eyes flickered slightly before he replied, "I presume Fellow Daoist seeks this Essence of Final Water for the purpose of forging the Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword [a famed ethereal flying sword]."

"It is a pity that within the three prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Verdant Sun Sect, there is not a single Third Rank Water Vein [a spiritual energy channel attuned to the water element]. The Essence of Final Water is considered exceedingly rare, and I do not possess it here either."

Famous Sun Xu could only shake his head helplessly and say, "I suggest Fellow Daoist wait until the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade rare items] commences and see if it can be purchased then."

"However, this item is considered extremely scarce within the Border Province. Its price will likely not be low; Fellow Daoist should be mentally prepared for that."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could only nod in resignation.

A Five Elements Earth Vein [a rare spiritual land where the energies of all five elements converge] requires at least the Third Rank to fully form. The Chu Nation is vast and rich in resources, lacking neither Fire Vein [spiritual energy channels attuned to fire], earth veins, nor metal veins.

It is only the Water Vein that gathers Water Essence Power [the fundamental power of water] and the Wood Vein [spiritual energy channels attuned to wood] that are exceedingly scarce. This is especially true within the Three Prefectures Region governed by the Verdant Sun Sect, where not a single Third Rank Water Vein has ever been found. Consequently, water-attributed resources within the Chu Nation are particularly rare.

That Final Water crystal is even more scarce to an extreme degree. As a result, within the vast lands of the Chu Nation—its nine provinces and thirty commanderies—where the number of Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major realm] totals nearly one hundred, those among them who primarily cultivate a Water Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for the water element] number no more than three. Read, share, and discuss at audio novel.com.

Logically speaking, the Eastern Barrens Domain is not the Western Desert Lands; its water elemental cycle should not be deficient, and Water Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated water-attuned spiritual energy] should not be so scarce.

Yet, after searching for many years, the cultivators of Chu Nation had found only a single third-rank Water Vein.

Later, some high-ranking cultivators theorized that because Chu Nation borders the Vast and Misty Marsh, its Water Essence Power [the fundamental power of water] might have been siphoned away by the marsh, leading to the scarcity of Water Vein within the nation.

Of course, others held a different view. They believed the scarcity of Water Vein in Chu Nation was simply due to its relatively recent development; hidden veins had yet to be discovered.

Their reasoning was that within Heavenly Python Lake, which also borders Chu Nation, there exists a fourth-rank Water Vein. It seemed unlikely the Vast and Misty Marsh would bypass the lake specifically to drain the Water Essence Power from Chu Nation alone.

"The Essence of Final Water [a supremely pure and potent water-attuned spiritual material] is rare. I wonder if this trade fair will yield any. It seems I can only do my utmost," he mused.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen rose and bid farewell to Famous Sun Xu. "In that case, I shall take my leave."

Although no deal was made, Famous Sun Xu remained courteous. "Then I beg your pardon for not seeing you out."

After parting from Famous Sun Xu, Eldrin Chen exited Fengyang Pavilion. No sooner had he stepped through the pavilion's doors than he spotted two figures approaching.

"It's him."

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed sharply, a flash of icy coldness passing through his pupils.

The arrivals were actually two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Lin Clan. One was White Hope Lin, whose arm he had severed, and the other was Ink Respect Lin of the Lin Clan's Ink-generation. Both were cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage, their status within the clan second only to the clan leader, Ink Achievement Lin.

The moment he saw them, they saw him. The instant White Hope Lin's gaze fell upon him, a murderous intent radiated from his eyes, the impulse to strike almost overwhelming.

"Do not act rashly." Seeing the situation turn dangerous, Ink Respect Lin grabbed White Hope Lin's arm and urgently advised, "The Fengyang Market is the territory of the Shyu Clan. If you attack here, I fear even our clan could not protect you."

Seeing that he did not make a move, Eldrin Chen gave the two a measured glance, flicked his long sleeve in farewell to Famous Sun Xu, and turned to depart.

Only after he had vanished into the distance did the two allow their killing intent to surface fully.

White Hope Lin's face was twisted with venomous hatred, his teeth gritted as he suppressed the urge to strike. "The grievance of a severed path [a profound enmity born from someone blocking one's cultivation journey] knows no reconciliation. If I do not take revenge, the fury in my heart will never find peace."

Ink Respect Lin was over one hundred and fifty years old, his temperament far more steady than that of White Hope Lin, who was not yet a century old.

He looked at White Hope Lin and understood that, with his path to the Dao cut short, hatred had clouded his vision, blinding him to the disparity in their strength.

Fearing White Hope Lin might do something foolish, he had no choice but to offer counsel.

"This Eldrin Chen possesses an exceptionally profound foundation. With his Lifebound Immortal Sword and Violet Light Mirror in hand, he is a rather troublesome foe."

"To deal with him, one must either strike with a single, fatal blow without leaving a trace, or not act rashly at all. If he were to escape, it would likely give the Chen Clan a pretext for war."

"If the other four great clans were to stand by idly, I fear we might not be a match for the Chen Clan."

After Ink Respect Lin finished speaking, the venomous resentment in White Hope Lin's eyes remained undiminished. It was unclear whether his words had truly been heeded.

"..."

More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye. Visit audio - novel . com to enjoy the complete series.

On the day of the grand trade assembly, Eldrin Chen arrived at the Dingxuan Pavilion early in the morning.

The Dingxuan Pavilion was an establishment of the Xu Clan, and the decennial trade assembly was customarily held there.

Upon entering the Dingxuan Pavilion, Eldrin Chen observed that the assembly had drawn a crowd of over fifty participants. Most were local Foundation Establishment Cultivators from prominent families or rogue cultivators of the Border Province, with a dozen or so others hailing from Heavenly Ruins Mountain and the Green Sun Two Provinces.

In the tales of his previous life, cultivation trade gatherings were always depicted with everyone cloaked in black and veiled, their auras meticulously concealed, each fearing exposure of their identity and the subsequent plunder of their treasures.

In truth, the scene witnessed by Eldrin Chen was entirely different. At this moment, the fifty-plus individuals were gathered in small groups of two or three, exchanging greetings. Many were old friends who had not seen each other for years, while others glared at each other with open hostility, clearly bearing old grudges.

Upon careful reflection, this was only natural. There were only slightly over one hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the entire Border Province. After decades or even a century of cultivation, most had crossed paths at some point.

A cultivator's memory far surpasses that of a mortal. Even those who had never met had likely heard of each other. What their signature magical treasures were, what their renowned supernatural abilities were—these were essentially common knowledge among them. A single glance was often enough to deduce someone's identity with seventy to eighty percent accuracy.

Whether someone was a stranger was immediately apparent to all, because aside from those few unfamiliar faces, nearly everyone present had encountered each other before.

Under such circumstances, attempting to conceal one's identity was nothing but self-deception, a move that only exposed one's own guilty conscience.

"Nephew, come here quickly."

No sooner had Eldrin Chen entered than he heard a familiar voice.

Looking up, he saw Starry River Meng standing with several other Foundation Establishment Cultivator, a broad smile on his face as he beckoned Eldrin over.

This man was, after all, a cousin of the Old Patriarch, making their relationship a close one. Eldrin hurried over and said with a smile, "Your grand-nephew pays his respects, Granduncle."

"Good, good, good," Starry River Meng laughed heartily, his praise filled with satisfaction. "The entire Yu County speaks of you as a prodigy of this generation, blessed with astonishing talent."

"Today, I finally understand the truth of those words. Your cultivation progress is truly astonishingly swift. You are indeed worthy of being called the foremost among the younger generation of Yu County."

The eyes of several nearby Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] gleamed faintly. A woman at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] widened her eyes and asked, "Could this gentleman be...?"

Starry River Meng nodded, gesturing towards Eldrin Chen as he introduced, "This is Eldrin Chen of the Chen Clan from Green Chariot Mountain. I, an old man, rely on my relationship with my cousin Eternal Profound Chen to claim a seniority advantage over him in our clan hierarchy. You must not underestimate him because of this." Find this and other novels at http://www . audio-novel.com.