Chapter 94 : A Treacherous Exchange of Treasures

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has built their foundational cultivation base] was only at the Foundation Establishment 1st Tier [the first level of the Foundation Establishment realm], clearly having broken through not long ago and lacking a suitable magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

His gaze fixed upon the magical treasure in Eldrin Chen's hand, he said with delight, "I wish to exchange for that Golden Whisker Sword and the Triple Sequence Diagram."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. Both the Golden Whisker Sword and the Triple Sequence Diagram were Second Rank Low-Grade magical treasures. Flying swords typically commanded a higher price; the combined value of these two treasures likely approached two thousand five hundred Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Although the Vitality-Supplementing Ganoderma was Second Rank Mid-Grade, this herb was relatively common among Second Rank Spirit Herbs [spiritually infused plants of the second rank]. Its value generally did not exceed one thousand four hundred or one thousand five hundred Spirit Stones.

Thinking this, he shook his head. "The value of a single Vitality-Supplementing Ganoderma is likely insufficient to exchange for two magical treasures."

"If you truly wish to make the trade, you must make up the difference of one thousand Spirit Stones."

That Foundation Establishment Cultivator was merely a rogue cultivator who had just reached Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds their foundation]. His resources were truly meager. In the end, he could only borrow from friends, scraping together one thousand Spirit Stones to exchange for the two treasures.

After acquiring the Vitality-Supplementing Ganoderma, both parties were satisfied.

Seeing this transaction succeed, several others present produced Spirit Herbs [spiritually infused plants] hoping to exchange for magical treasures. However, Eldrin Chen lacked the corresponding alchemical recipes and could only reluctantly pass on those Second Rank Spirit Herbs.

"A pity I don't have that many Spirit Stones either," he mused. "Otherwise, I could have purchased them to study their medicinal properties." Join our community of readers at audio-novel . com.

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

After the trade fair concluded, the crowd departed from the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion. Contemplating that the Supple Wood Earth Vein had not yet opened, Eldrin Chen decided to first refine the Restoration Pill to advance his alchemical arts.

He sought out Like Dream Willow, purchased all the supplementary herbs for the Restoration Pill from the Heavenly Ruins Pavilion, then rented a Second Rank High-Grade Alchemy Chamber and commenced the refinement of the Restoration Pill.

Over the years, Eldrin Chen had intermittently refined several batches of Second Rank Pill, greatly advancing his alchemical skill. His success rate for Second Rank Low-Grade elixirs had even reached thirty percent.

The Restoration Pill was not excessively difficult to refine. After assessing his own skill, he estimated his chances of success to be over sixty percent.

"Whether I can break through to become a Second Rank Alchemist depends entirely on this attempt."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, processed the medicinal materials, then activated the earth-fire formation [a magical flame drawn from the earth's veins, used for alchemy and forging] and began simmering the Spirit Herb.

The supplementary herbs were all first-rank Spirit Herb, making their simmering relatively straightforward. He continuously channeled the earth-fire, and in merely half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], he had already produced a mass of spiritual liquid.

Processing the Vitality-Supplementing Ganoderma proved more troublesome. To prevent damage to its medicinal properties, he lowered the earth-fire's temperature, which significantly slowed the simmering process.

In this manner, he spent the better part of a day before finally transforming the Vitality-Supplementing Ganoderma into a mass of spiritual liquid.

Eldrin Chen combined the two masses of spiritual liquid, repeatedly refining them over a gentle flame. After the labor of a full half-day, the process was finally complete, yielding five portions of elixir base. [the liquid precursor to a finished pill]

"My cultivation is ultimately still lacking; there was still significant loss," he murmured softly.

Had it been a Second Rank High-Grade alchemist, they likely could have produced eight or nine portions of elixir base, and the final pill success rate would have been considerably higher.

Now came the critical moment of pill condensation. Eldrin Chen meticulously refined the mixture with his True Flame [a cultivator's personal, purified flame used for alchemy and forging]. Half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] later, the process culminated in success as two finished pills flew out from the alchemical cauldron.

Eldrin Chen snatched the pills from the air and stored them in a jade vial, his face alight with joy. For a first attempt at refining a Second Rank Mid-Grade pill, not only was it successful, but achieving a twenty percent yield was exceptionally rare.

"The Earthfire Chamber... truly a marvelous thing," he said, glancing at the refining furnace.

He looked at the refining furnace, a thought whispering in his mind.

The successful yield of two pills was partly due to the Second RankEarthfire Chamber. The assistance of the earthfire [a natural, stable flame drawn from deep within the earth] lessened the drain on his True Essence [the refined life-force energy of a cultivator], thereby increasing the pill success rate by a few percentage points.

With his alchemy skill now broken through to the Second Rank Mid-Grade level, a pleased Eldrin Chen returned to the inn to continue awaiting the summons from Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

This time, word returned after a mere five days. Exquisite Jiang had successfully deduced the precise location of the Supple Wood Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein rich in the energy of the Wood element]. That very day, she convened all the Heavenly Ruins MountainFoundation Establishment Cultivator.

When Eldrin Chen arrived at Path-Field, he found the assembly had long since gathered. All the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Heavenly Ruins Mountain were present, clearly none wishing to miss the opportunity presented by the Supple Wood Earth Vein.

"Nearly sixty Foundation Establishment Cultivator," Eldrin Chen mused silently, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "It seems everyone who could come is here, save for those in secluded life-or-death meditation."

Seeing the assembly was complete, Exquisite Jiang wasted no words. She led the group directly out from Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

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

"We are here,"

Exquisite Jiang announced calmly as she descended before a mountain range. Original publication: audio—novel.com - The source of this chapter.

Eldrin Chen was puzzled. The place before him appeared to be nothing but barren wilderness, showing no signs of harboring a Supple Wood Earth Vein.

Sensing his confusion, Like Dream Willow beside him offered a gentle smile and an explanation.

"This is your first time witnessing a legendary Earth Vein, is it not?"

"Five Elements Earth Vein are formed by the convergence of heaven and earth's Five Elements and Creation. They are mostly hidden deep within the Great Wasteland. Furthermore, divine treasures conceal their own brilliance. This Supple Wood Earth Vein generates a Supple Wood Barrier to shroud itself from sight."

With Like Dream Willow's explanation, Eldrin Chen finally understood the wonders of the Five Elements Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual vein that channels the energies of the five fundamental elements].

It turned out this Supple Wood Earth Vein [an earth vein specifically attuned to the Wood element, known for its life-giving and flexible properties] was hidden within the mountains and earth; one had to find the correct entrance to access it.

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

"Once this Supple Wood [the Wood-element spiritual power] is activated, I will permit you all to enter. However, there are several rules that must be obeyed."

"First, this Supple Wood Earth Vein has lain dormant within this land for many years, untouched. Inside, there will be Demon Race [a race of beings that cultivate demonic arts, often in opposition to human cultivators] spawned from the condensed Supple Wood energy."

"Once you enter, you must follow my commands and eradicate the Supple Wood Demon Race [demonic beings born from the concentrated Wood-element energy] within."

"After we secure this Supple Wood Earth Vein, the harvested Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation] and other treasures will be distributed among you according to your Merits [a metaphysical measure of one's virtuous deeds and contributions]."

After she finished speaking and saw everyone's agreement, she channeled her power into the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword famed for its power to slay even immortals] to pierce the void, tearing a passage one Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] wide through the Supple Wood Barrier [a defensive barrier formed from concentrated Wood-element energy].

The cultivators glanced at the opening, their pupils contracting slightly. Normally, opening a Five Elements Earth Vein required elaborate array formations to barely force an entrance. Yet, Exquisite Jiang had ripped open the barrier formed by Supple Wood power with a single sword strike.

"Proceed."

As the entrance opened, the crowd surged forward, following closely behind Exquisite Jiang into the passage.

With a single step, Eldrin Chen crossed the threshold into the Supple Wood Earth Vein. The scenery before him transformed instantly. The desolate, wild mountains vanished, replaced by a paradise teeming with birdsong and fragrant blossoms, saturated with the vital essence of Supple Wood [the gentle, life-giving power of wood].

"Hmm?"

In that very instant, a flicker in his peripheral vision warned him as a streak of radiant light shot towards him.

The attacker was a member of the Supple Wood Demon Race [a race of plant-based demons], its cultivation base merely at the upper first rank. The streaking light was an innate magical ability.

With a mere flick of his sword finger, Eldrin Chen summoned the Solar Fire Ascension Sword. The blade cleaved the incoming light in two, its momentum unbroken as it shot forth and impaled the Supple Wood Demon Race in the distance.

Upon its death, the Supple Wood essence surrounding the demon dissipated into the air. All that remained was a single, condensed orb of Supple Wood Essence [a pure spiritual essence containing the power of the wood element]. This chapter is provided by site: audio-novel.com. Support the original.