Chapter 94 : A Costly Exchange of Magical Treasures

That Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has built their foundational cultivation base] was only at the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] first layer, clearly having just made his breakthrough not long ago, and he still lacked a suitable magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to wield.

Gazing at the treasures in Eldrin Chen's hands, he said with delight, "I wish to exchange for that Golden Thread Sword [a flying sword forged from golden silkworm thread] and the Tri-Sequence Diagram [a defensive magical diagram based on the principles of three sequences]."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. Both the Golden Thread Sword and the Tri-Sequence Diagram were Second Rank Low Grade [a classification for the quality and power of cultivation items] magical treasures. Flying Sword [a sword controlled by spiritual will for flight and combat] were generally of higher value; the combined worth of these two treasures likely approached two thousand five hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Although the Spirit-Replenishing Ganoderma [a type of spirit fungus that replenishes spiritual energy] was Second Rank Middle Grade [a mid-tier classification for second-rank items], this item was relatively common among Second Rank Spirit Medicine [spiritual herbs of the second rank, used in alchemy]. Its value typically did not exceed one thousand four or five hundred Spirit Stone.

Thinking this, he shook his head. "The value of a single Spirit-Replenishing Ganoderma is likely insufficient to exchange for both treasures."

"If you truly wish to make the trade, you must supplement the difference with another one thousand Spirit Stone."

That Foundation Establishment Cultivator was merely a newly Foundation Establishment Rogue Cultivator [a cultivator not affiliated with any major clan or sect], his pockets truly light. In the end, he could only borrow from friends, scraping together one thousand Spirit Stone to secure the two treasures.

After exchanging the Spirit-Replenishing Ganoderma, both parties were satisfied.

Witnessing this successful transaction, several others midway through produced Spirit Medicine [herbs imbued with spiritual energy, used in cultivation and alchemy], hoping to trade for magical treasures. However, Eldrin Chen lacked the corresponding pill formulas and could only reluctantly pass on those Second Rank Spirit Medicine.

"A pity I do not possess so many Spirit Stone either," he mused inwardly. "Otherwise, I could have purchased them to study their medicinal properties." Access the full story on audio-novel[dot]com.

With a touch of regret, Eldrin Chen descended from the platform. The trading fair continued, yet no treasures that Eldrin Chen wished to purchase remained.

After the trading fair concluded, the crowd dispersed from the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion. Contemplating that the First Wood Earth Vein [an earth vein imbued with the essence of the First Wood, a potent cultivation resource] had not yet opened, Eldrin Chen decided to first refine the Recovery Pill [a pill that restores a cultivator's spiritual energy and vitality] to advance his skill in Alchemy.

He sought out Liu Seraphina and purchased all the supplementary herbs for the Recovery Pill from the Heaven's Ruin Pavilion. Then, he rented a Second Rank High Grade Alchemy Chamber [a specialized chamber designed for pill refinement, often equipped with controlled fire sources] and commenced the refinement of the Recovery Pill.

Over the years, Eldrin Chen had successively refined several batches of Second Rank Pill [pills of the second rank, suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators], and his Alchemy had greatly improved. He had even achieved a Pill Success Rate of thirty percent for refining Second Rank Low Grade Pill.

The Recovery Pill was not excessively difficult to refine. After assessing his own Alchemy, he estimated his chances of success at over sixty percent.

"Whether I can break through to become a Second Rank Alchemist [an alchemist capable of refining second-rank pills] depends on this attempt,"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself. He processed the medicinal materials, activated the earthfire formation [a formation that channels geothermal energy for controlled heating], and began simmering the Spirit Medicine [herbs infused with spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation].

The supplementary herbs were all first-rank Spirit Medicine, so simmering them posed little challenge. He continuously channeled the earthfire, and in merely half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], he had extracted a globule of spiritual liquid.

Processing the Spirit-Replenishing Ganoderma [a type of spirit fungus known for its energy-restoring properties] was more troublesome. To prevent damage to its medicinal properties, he lowered the earthfire temperature, which significantly slowed the simmering process.

In this manner, he spent the better part of a day before finally transforming the Spirit-Replenishing Ganoderma into a globule of spiritual liquid.

Eldrin Chen combined the two masses of spiritual liquid, repeatedly refining them over a gentle flame. After the labor of more than half a day, the process finally succeeded, yielding five portions of pill liquid.

"My cultivation is ultimately still lacking; a fair amount was still lost," he murmured softly.

If it were a Second Rank High Grade Alchemist [a master of the art of creating spiritual pills and elixirs], he thought, they could likely produce eight or nine portions of pill liquid, and the Pill Success Rate [the likelihood of successfully forming a complete pill] would also be significantly higher.

Now, the critical moment of pill condensation had arrived. Eldrin Chen carefully continued the refinement with his True Flame [a cultivator's purified inner flame, used for alchemy and artificing]. After half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], two pills finally completed their formation and flew out from within the Alchemy Furnace.

Eldrin Chen snatched the pills and placed them into a jade vial, his face alight with joy. For a first attempt at refining a Second Rank Middle Grade Pill, not only was it successful, but achieving a twenty percent Pill Success Rate was exceedingly rare.

"The Earthfire Chamber [a chamber channeling geothermal fire energy for cultivation arts]; now this is truly a marvelous thing," he said, a note of appreciation in his voice.

He glanced at the Artificer's Furnace [a specialized furnace for crafting magical tools and treasures], the thought echoing in his mind.

The successful formation of two pills was partly due to the second-rank Earthfire Chamber. The assistance of the earthfire had lessened the drain on his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy within a cultivator's body] and added a few points to the Pill Success Rate.

With his Alchemy [the art of creating spiritual pills and elixirs] having broken through to the Second Rank Middle Grade level, a pleased Eldrin Chen returned to his room at the Inn to continue awaiting the summons from Celestial Ruins Mountain.

This time, word returned after a mere five days. Lyra Jiang had already deduced the precise location of the First Wood Earth Vein [an earth vein rich in the essence of the Wood element]. That very day, she convened the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] of Celestial Ruins Mountain.

When Eldrin Chen arrived at the assembly ground, he found the others had already gathered early. All the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation] from Celestial Ruins Mountain were present, clearly none wishing to miss the opportunity regarding the First Wood Earth Vein [a rare earth vein rich in the essence of the Wood element].

"Nearly sixty Foundation Establishment Cultivator," Eldrin Chen thought to himself as his gaze swept over the assembly. "It seems everyone who could come is here, save for those in secluded life-or-death meditation."

Seeing that all were present, Lyra Jiang wasted no words. She led the group as they flew out from Celestial Ruins Mountain.

Their cultivation levels varied greatly. Flying eastward for twenty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], the journey took five or six days before they finally reached a stretch of desolate, wild mountains.

"We are here,"

Lyra Jiang announced calmly as she descended before a mountain range. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel . com.

Eldrin Chen was puzzled. The place before him was merely a wilderness of barren hills, showing no sign of harboring a First Wood Earth Vein.

Noticing his confusion, Liu Seraphina beside him offered a gentle smile and an explanation.

"This is your first time witnessing a legendary earth vein, I presume."

"Five Elements Earth Vein [earthly conduits formed by the convergence of Heaven and Earth's creative power of the Five Elements] are mostly hidden deep within the Great Wilderness. Moreover, divine objects conceal their own brilliance. This First Wood Earth Vein generates a First Wood Barrier [a protective barrier woven from the essence of the Wood element] to shroud itself from sight."

With Liu Seraphina's explanation, Eldrin Chen finally understood the miraculous nature of the Five Elements Earth Vein [a vein of spiritual energy formed from the essence of the five elements, deeply embedded within the earth].

It turned out this First Wood Earth Vein [an earth vein specifically attuned to the Wood element of the Five Elements] was concealed within the mountains and the great earth; one had to find the correct entrance to access it.

Just as Eldrin Chen was pondering this, Lyra Jiang swept her gaze over the assembled cultivators and continued speaking.

"Once this First Wood vein is opened, I will permit you all to enter. However, several rules must be strictly observed."

"First, this First Wood Earth Vein has lain hidden within this land for many years, remaining in an undeveloped state. Inside, there will be demonic tribes born from condensed First Wood Qi [the spiritual energy of the Wood element]."

"After you enter, you must obey my commands and eradicate the Second-Wood Demon Race [demonic beings born from the essence of the Wood element] within."

"Once we secure this First Wood Earth Vein, the harvested Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] and other treasures inside will be distributed among you according to your contributions."

After she finished speaking and seeing everyone's agreement, she channeled her power into the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword to pierce through the void, tearing a hole roughly one Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] in size through the First Wood Barrier [a protective barrier formed from concentrated Wood element energy].

The onlookers glanced at the opening, their pupils contracting slightly. Ordinarily, opening a Five Elements Earth Vein required setting up complex formations to barely force an entrance. Yet, Lyra Jiang had ripped through the barrier woven from First Wood power with a single sword strike.

"Proceed."

As the entrance opened, the crowd surged forward, following closely behind Lyra Jiang [the renowned cultivator].

Stepping into the First Wood Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein rich in the essence of the Wood element], Eldrin Chen [the young scion of the Chen Clan] found the scenery before him transforming dramatically. The desolate wilderness vanished, replaced by a paradise filled with birdsong and fragrant blossoms, saturated with the potent energy of First Wood Qi [the vital essence of the primordial Wood element].

"Hmm?"

In that instant, his eyes flickered as he saw a streak of radiant light shooting towards him.

The attacker was a member of the First-Wood Demonic Tribe [a tribe of demonic beasts attuned to the Wood element], its cultivation merely at the First Rank High Grade [a basic level of power for demonic beasts]. The radiant streak was an innate magical ability.

With a flick of his sword finger, Eldrin Chen summoned forth his Separated Flame Immortal Return Sword [his lifebound flying sword, imbued with the power of Separated Flame]. The blade cleaved the incoming light in two, its momentum undiminished as it pierced and pinned the First-Wood Demonic Tribe creature against the distant earth.

Upon its death, the First Wood Qi surrounding the demonic beast dissipated into the air. All that remained was a condensed, pulsating orb of First Wood Essence [a pure, refined concentration of Wood element spiritual energy].

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