Chapter 1097 : Ancestral Vault of Immortal Treasures

As a contingency left behind by the Yin-Yang Ancient Ancestor, the treasures stored here were naturally abundant. They were further divided into three categories: Immortal Treasures [rare spiritual materials and objects], Immortal Artifacts [enchanted weapons and tools], and Immortal Roots [living spiritual plants of immense power]. There were two Immortal Roots in total, which were naturally the Profound Yin Moon Cassia and the Solar Fire Orange. Both were Immortal Rank High Grade Immortal Roots. The Immortal Treasures numbered over thirty items, categorized as Immortal Herbs [rare spiritual plants used in alchemy] and Immortal Rank artifact-forging materials. Among them, there were only seven Immortal Herbs, yet all were rare Immortal Rank High Grade specimens. Considering Eldrin Chen had taken a larger share of the scriptures, he limited himself to only three of the seven Immortal Herbs. One of these three was named 'Solar Blossom', another 'Lunar Herb', and the last one 'Ascension Fruit'. Eldrin Chen did not know the wondrous uses of these three Immortal Herbs, but he faintly sensed they were of great value to Valerius Chen; otherwise, the Yin-Yang Ancient Ancestor would not have specifically treasured them. Zenyu the Prison-Keeper, however, recognized their purpose. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The 'Solar Blossom' and 'Lunar Herb' are key auxiliary ingredients for refining the 'Limit-Breaking Immortal Pill' [a legendary pill that aids in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks]. The 'Ascension Fruit' is a supreme treasure for nurturing an Immortal Embryo [the nascent form of an immortal body]. If you wish to break through to the Pinnacle of Immortal Ascension in the future, these Immortal Herbs may play a significant role." Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. For an Immortal to break through the Pinnacle of Immortal Ascension was to reach the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm. "It seems I must pay more attention to the Pill Formula [recipe for an alchemical pill] for the 'Limit-Breaking Immortal Pill' in the future," he thought to himself, then cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the reminder, brother." After dividing the Immortal Herbs, the two began to allocate the other Immortal Treasures. The Yin-Yang Ancient Ancestor had hoarded quite a few; aside from the seven Immortal Herbs, there were still over twenty items. These encompassed various attributes of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth [the five fundamental elements in cultivation cosmology], some usable for artifact forging, others for Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual pills and elixirs]. Eldrin Chen examined them carefully and was immediately drawn to two treasures. "Ancient Frost Essence, Fire Element Immortal Marrow." Seeing Eldrin Chen's expression, Zenyu the Prison-Keeper smiled faintly. "You have a good eye, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]. This Ancient Frost Essence is born from glaciers that have never melted since antiquity, absorbing spiritual energy for eons within an Eternal Glacier. Within the entire Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, only the 'Northern Frigid Extreme Continent' can produce it in small quantities. It is exceedingly rare and can help an Immortal forge a perfected 'Frost Soul Immortal Body' [a constitution of extreme frost]. Thus, although it is only a Top Grade Immortal Treasure, its scarcity makes its value approach that of half a Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure." Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this. With the rare Ancient Frost Essence, Lila's chances of forging an Immortal Physique [an immortal-grade physical constitution] were almost assured. Moreover, by continuously refining the Ancient Frost Essence, Lila achieving a Great Perfection Immortal Physique in the future would be a natural progression. As for the Fire Element Immortal Marrow, it was the essence born from an Immortal Rank Fire Vein [a spiritual vein of fire energy]. Once refined by Yvonne the Violet Consort, it could forge a certain type of fire-element Immortal Physique, greatly increasing her hope of Attaining Immortality and Enlightenment. Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen said thoughtfully, "These two items are treasures I require. How about letting me have them?" "Agreed," Zenyu the Prison-Keeper nodded, then added after a moment's thought, "Among all the treasures, there are five Top Grade Immortal Treasures. Since you are taking these two, the other three shall be mine." "Agreed!" Eldrin Chen nodded. He then selected several pieces of artifact-forging materials and a clump of Immortal Soil from among the many Immortal Treasures. The forging materials comprised three items: a length of Eternal Fire Silkworm Silk, a piece of Primordial Chaos Refined Gold, and a chunk of Supreme Profound Divine Iron. The Immortal Soil was named 'Ink Marrow Immortal Soil'. It was pitch-black like ink and exuded a vigorous vitality. It could not only be used to refine Immortal Artifacts but was also an excellent material for opening up Immortal Fields [fields for cultivating immortal herbs]. Unfortunately, this clump of Immortal Soil was only a small amount, forming a thin layer less than half a Chi-length square when spread out. It was far from enough to plant even a single Immortal Herb, let alone open up Immortal Fields. To use this material to open Immortal Fields, one would likely need a hundred portions to create a single Fen-area, and over a thousand portions combined to create just one Mu-area. Thinking this, Eldrin Chen could not help but shake his head with a bitter smile. No wonder in the Immortal Realm, only within those Blessed Lands [places of great spiritual fortune] and Grotto-Heavens [separate spiritual realms] could one open up Immortal Fields specifically for planting Immortal Herbs. For an ordinary Immortal from a typical Sect, even wealth accumulated over millions of years might not suffice to open up a Immortal Field measuring a single Zhang-length. "Fortunately, I obtained the 'Heaven-Seizing Earth-Nurturing Art' this time. I can give it a try after returning to Verdant Chariot Mountain," he thought to himself, then spoke aloud, "The remaining Immortal Treasures shall be yours, honored sir." "Oh?" Zenyu the Prison-Keeper's eyes flickered slightly. Looking at the remaining twenty-plus Immortal Treasures, he smiled and said, "You only took three items. You must have a request, don't you?" "Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded, then said, "Both the Profound Yin Moon Cassia and the Solar Fire Orange would be of significant use to me." "You are quite the strategist," Zenyu the Prison-Keeper replied with a faint smile. "These High Grade Immortal Roots can serve as Four Extremities Heaven Pillars [pillars that support the heavens of a world]. They are crucial treasures even for Immortals at the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm." Seeing this, Eldrin Chen said with a wry smile, "The fruit borne by the Supreme Yin Moon Cassia is a supreme treasure for cultivating the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and the Solar Fire Orange is also a superior treasure for cultivating an Immortal Physique. Using them as Four Extremities Heaven Pillars would be a terrible waste, and they are not truly suitable for it." Zenyu the Prison-Keeper also nodded upon hearing this. Although Acquired Immortal Roots [immortal roots formed after the creation of the world] were rare, not all were suitable as Fourth Grade Heaven's Pillars. Strictly speaking, the Divine Woods more suitable as Four Extremities Heaven Pillars should be ones like the 'Heaven-Piercing Tree', the 'Acquired Jianmu Tree', or the 'Fire Phoenix Parasol Tree'. The Heaven-Piercing Tree stands tall and straight like a pillar of heaven, the Acquired Jianmu Tree can pierce through the three realms, and the Fire Phoenix Parasol Tree can nurture a 'World-Opening Fire Phoenix' to guard an Earth Immortal World. The Supreme Yin Moon Cassia and Solar Fire Orange are comparatively ordinary. They cannot match the Heaven-Piercing Tree's towering height, the Jianmu's ability to connect realms, or the Mysterious Profound nature of the Fire Phoenix Parasol Tree. Moreover, once felled and made into Fourth Grade Heaven's Pillars, they could no longer bear their precious fruits, greatly diminishing their value. Thinking this, Zenyu the Prison-Keeper said, "You make a valid point. However, if these go to you, I shall take one additional High Grade Immortal Treasure." "Agreed!" Eldrin Chen nodded. After dividing the Immortal Treasures and Immortal Roots, they turned their attention to the several Immortal Artifacts. The Immortal Artifacts they captured in this battle were not numerous, but each was a priceless treasure. Among them, there were three Supreme Grade Immortal Treasures: the Yin-Yang Dual Pole Pearl and the Yin-Yang Aurora Sword. There were also three High Grade Immortal Treasures, obtained from several fallen Immortals: Sylas Ye, the Immortal's Heavenly Saber and Immortal Sword, and Flora the Immortal Maiden's protective Immortal Artifact 'Ninefold Spring Scenery'. Apart from these, Canda the Daoist's Immortal Artifact had departed with him. The prayer beads of the Old Monk were destroyed on the battlefield, and the remaining alms bowl was to be given to his successor; the two of them did not intend to touch it. Zenyu the Prison-Keeper glanced at the remaining Immortal Artifacts and took the Heaven's Blade Immortal Sword. "These two items are probably too hot for you to handle, so they shall be mine." "Very well," Eldrin Chen assented. After all, Sylas Ye, the Immortal was the Seventh Elder of the Setting Sun Blessed Land. His Lifebound Immortal Treasure [an artifact bound to one's life force] was likely a hot potato.