Chapter 78 : A Clan's Desperate Gambit

However, while the Verdant Wood Longevity Art could extend one's lifespan by sixty years, the spiritual energy [the vital force cultivated by practitioners] it refined was gentle and mild. Not only did this result in combat prowess ranking at the very bottom among peers of the same realm, but it also drastically reduced the likelihood of a future breakthrough to the Golden Core realm.

Nevertheless, such a treasure was significant enough to serve as a foundational legacy for a Violet Sanctum-level clan. It rarely appeared in trade gatherings frequented by those at the Foundation Establishment Realm level.

In truth, the Yang Clan had initially been reluctant to offer this cultivation art for trade. However, thirty years prior, they had nurtured a second Violet Sanctum Cultivator. This individual possessed Metal-Water Dual Spiritual Roots [an innate affinity for both Metal and Water elemental energies].

Lacking a third-rank Violet Sanctum-grade cultivation method, this cultivator was still practicing a Second Rank technique. Their rate of absorbing spiritual energy was less than half that of a Violet Sanctum Cultivator equipped with a proper third-rank method, causing their cultivation progress to be agonizingly slow.

"Esteemed fellow cultivators," the Yang Clan representative announced, "if any of you possess a Metal-attribute third-rank cultivation method, you are most welcome to propose an exchange."

"This old man pledges on the six-hundred-year reputation of the Yang Clan," he declared, his voice firm. "Should you agree to exchange for this item, our Yang Clan will owe you a significant favor."

As the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Yang Clan spoke, a glimmer of hopeful anticipation shone in his eyes.

Alas, cultivation methods of the third rank and above were exceedingly precious. High-level Immortal Clan [powerful families of cultivators] and sects strictly controlled the dissemination of their techniques to prevent others from discovering their inherent weaknesses.

Even the two major Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan—the Xu and Yang clans—lacked a Metal-attribute third-rank method. How could the others possibly possess one?

In the end, no one came forward to make the exchange. The Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Yang Clan could only shake his head in resignation, a look of profound disappointment on his face as he stepped down from the platform. Access the full story on audio-novel*com.

The order of transactions was determined by the clan's standing. As the foremost family of Yu County, the Chen Clan was honored to be the third to step forward at the Green Chariot Mountain gathering.

He surveyed the assembled cultivators, considered for a moment, and then spoke, "My purpose in coming here is to procure a portion of Essence of Final Water [a rare spiritual material embodying the profound and tranquil essence of the water element]. I wonder if any fellow Daoist would be willing to part with it?"

The hall fell silent for a brief moment. A handsome man with sharp features inquired, "And what treasure are you willing to offer in exchange?"

Eldrin Chen's face lit up with hope. He quickly replied, "If you are willing to accept spirit stones, I am prepared to pay a premium price."

"This..." The man shook his head. "This Essence of Final Water was acquired only after I journeyed over three hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to the Yan Kingdom, facing countless perils along the way. To trade it for mere spirit stones would hardly be worth the endeavor. However, if you possess a Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the second rank's highest tier], I would consider an exchange."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a look of resignation settling on his features as he reluctantly abandoned the proposed transaction.

One should not assume that Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasures are commonplace simply because he possessed two. Many cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the final phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] possessed only one or two such treasures at most, underscoring their immense value.

Within the entire Yu County, there were merely three cultivators who had reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, further highlighting the rarity of these artifacts.

After all, the Essence of Final Water was ultimately just a Second Rank [pertaining to the second major cultivation rank] spiritual material. No matter how high a premium one offered, expecting to trade it directly for a Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure was somewhat unreasonable.

With a sigh of resignation, Eldrin Chen descended from the high platform. Observing this from below, White Hope Lin gave an almost imperceptible flicker of his eyes and, without changing his expression, sent a secret voice transmission to that person.

The trading continued. Eldrin Chen subsequently spent over two thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to purchase two magical artifacts.

One was the Azure Jade Purifying Vase, acquired for the Third Elder.

Although this item was merely of the Second Rank Low-Grade [a classification for the power level of magical artifacts], it could unleash a stream of Heavenly River Positive Water [a pure, yang-aligned water energy effective against metal and fire], specifically countering magical artifacts and divine abilities of the metal and fire attributes. If used in the right situation, it could prove quite effective.

The other was the Supple Wood Mist Veil Canopy, capable of releasing a shroud of Supple Wood [a flexible, wood-aligned energy] mist to defend against attacks from flying swords and spells, making it a decent defensive artifact.

The Third Elder already possessed Remaining Years Zuo's Second Rank Mid-Grade Treasure Seal [a seal-shaped magical artifact], so he had no need for this item.

Now, with the Second Rank Mid-Grade Glazed Crystal Shortsword and complemented by this mist veil canopy, Verdant Grace Chen could both attack and defend with ease. Her combat prowess would likely rank as quite respectable even among those at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage [the third major stage of cultivation].

Although he had acquired two artifacts, the continued absence of the Essence of Final Water [a rare spiritual material embodying the essence of the extreme water element] caused a flicker of disappointment to cross Eldrin Chen's face.

Just then, the handsome man ascended the platform once more. This man was named Interpretive Tranquility Zhang, a rogue cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage from Feng County.

He swept his gaze over the assembly and then produced the Essence of Final Water. "I acquired this Essence of Final Water from a journey of nearly a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]," he announced. "I wish to exchange it for a single Second Rank High-Grade magical artifact. Does anyone here wish to make an offer?"

Yet, upon hearing this, everyone present shook their heads. Considering the scarcity of the Essence of Final Water [a rare spiritual essence embodying the concept of ultimate water], if it were offered in exchange for a Second Rank Mid-Grade [a mid-quality artifact of the second cultivation rank] magical artifact, many would likely agree. However, to use it to barter for a Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure [a high-quality magical treasure of the second cultivation rank] seemed rather presumptuous and ill-advised.

Although the difference was merely a single grade, the disparity in value was more than twofold; they simply could not be mentioned in the same breath.

Seeing the trade falling through, Interpretive Tranquility Zhang [a cultivator known for his calm demeanor] revealed a look of disappointment. Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a young cultivator from the Chen family] quickly sent a voice transmission.

"Fellow Daoist, forgive my bluntness, but wishing to exchange the Essence of Final Water for a Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure is nigh impossible."

"How about this: I offer two thousand eight hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] for it. You can then add another thousand or so Spirit Stones, and perhaps you might still have a chance to purchase a Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure."

Upon hearing this, Interpretive Tranquility Zhang furrowed his brow and made an exorbitant demand: "If you are willing to pay three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones, I will trade this item to you."

Eldrin Chen let out a cold laugh. "Fellow Daoist, do not jest. Three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones is enough to buy two or three Second Rank [pertaining to the second major rank in the cultivation system] treasures." Find this and other novels at audio novel.com.

"My offer of two thousand eight hundred is already nearly a thousand Spirit Stones above its typical value. Is that still not enough?"

"Very well. Considering the perilous journey of a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] you undertook, I will add another two hundred Spirit Stones. If you are still unwilling to sell, then I shall have no choice but to seek this item myself in the Yan Kingdom [a distant and perilous kingdom]."

Interpretive Tranquility Zhang, knowing when to concede, smiled and completed the trade for the Essence of Final Water. "To reach the Yan Kingdom requires traversing three hundred thousand Li-length of demon beast territory—a journey fraught with immense danger. Paying this price for safety, Fellow Daoist, is not a loss."

With the transaction completed—payment delivered, goods received—Eldrin Chen allowed a faint smile to grace his lips as he secured the Essence of Final Water [a rare spiritual essence embodying the ultimate principle of water].

The purchase of Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [a precious silk produced by a specific spiritual silkworm] had exceeded expectations by twofold, completely depleting the eight thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] he had brought for this journey. Though the auction continued, the remaining proceedings held no further relevance for Eldrin Chen.

The auction lasted the entire day. That very night, within a secluded courtyard of the Fengyang Market, three figures materialized in the shadows.

Two of the three were none other than White Hope Lin and Ink Respect Lin, both Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] experts from the Lin Clan. Facing them was the rogue cultivator who had sold the Essence of Final Water, Interpretive Tranquility Zhang.

White Hope Lin fixed his gaze on Interpretive Tranquility Zhang, his expression taut with urgency. "Is it done?"

"I followed your instructions precisely," Interpretive Tranquility Zhang replied with a nod, his face an impassive mask. "By doing this, I have made an enemy of the Chen Clan. Do not renege on our agreement—the promised one thousand Spirit Stones."

"You will be paid in full," White Hope Lin stated, thrusting a pouch of Spirit Stones toward him.

Interpretive Tranquility Zhang accepted the pouch, counted its contents, and then handed over a simple, ancient-looking stone. "This is the Mother-Child Resonance Stone [a paired artifact where the 'child' stone resonates with its 'mother' counterpart over great distances]. Keep it safe."

"I concealed the child stone within the Essence of Final Water. With this mother stone in hand, you can track the child stone's location from up to ten thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away." Original publication: audio - novel . com - The source of this chapter.