Chapter 1854 : A Glimmering Light's Choice

Among these rare treasures, the Departing Fire Dao Source [a source of fire-attribute Dao essence] serves as one of the key medicinal catalysts for cultivating the Primordial Chaos Qi [the primordial, undifferentiated energy of creation].

The Heavenly Thunder Marrow of Yi Wood [a marrow imbued with the heavenly thunder of the Yi Wood element] is the catalyst for cultivating the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique born from primordial chaos]. Finally, the Celestial Net Miraculous Light [a wondrous light that can bind and encompass] is one of the miraculous lights associated with World Creation [the divine ability to shape and create worlds]. While it is not the most perfectly aligned catalyst for the Five Elements Divine Radiance [a divine radiance technique based on the five elements], it can serve as a passable substitute.

Considering the preciousness of these treasures, Eldrin Chen immediately sent a voice transmission to the Glimmering Light Holy Maiden: "I possess several rare treasures. Fellow Daoist, you may examine them and choose one."

Upon hearing this, the Glimmering Light Holy Maiden's eyes flickered with interest. In the span of a single Eldrin [a brief moment named after the perception speed of a high-level cultivator], she reviewed the list he had transmitted, and a trace of astonishment surfaced in her heart.

The treasures listed by Eldrin Chen were, respectively, the Innate Purple Firmament Thunder Tribulation Water [water born from innate purple firmament thunder tribulations], the Heaven-Earth Great Dao Water [water containing the essence of the Heaven and Earth Great Dao], the Qianyang Celestial Fire [a celestial fire of pure yang attribute], the Great Luo Crimson-Separation Iron [a rare iron capable of separating crimson energies], and other such rarities.

However, while these treasures were profound and marvelous, they failed to stir the heart of the Glimmering Light Holy Maiden. What truly captivated her was a set of thirty-six supreme-grade Primordial Gold Bamboo [plants of the highest quality, the pinnacle grade].

These thirty-six supreme-grade Primordial Gold Bamboo each already contained twenty-four Supreme Unity Dao Patterns [Dao patterns representing the state of supreme unity]. If supplemented with sufficient Innate Primordial Qi [the innate energy of the primordial beginnings], they could be refined into a set of twenty-four-pattern Supreme Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation.

A Supreme Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation of such top-tier grade could unleash power even surpassing that of a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [a divine ability of the level wielded by sect patriarchs]. If wielded by a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal, it could temporarily possess the might to contend with an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal.

Such Primordial Gold Bamboo sharing the same origin and essence is rare, even for a sect like the Great Luo Ancient Sect.

For while a single twenty-four-pattern Primordial Gold Bamboo might be found, and supreme-grade Primordial Gold Bamboo from different batches are not particularly uncommon, a complete, harmonious set of thirty-six from the same source is an extraordinary find.

However, within the same batch, Primordial Gold Bamboo [a legendary bamboo of supreme quality] sharing the same origin is exceedingly rare. Even within the Three Great Celestial Courts [the three supreme governing bodies of the immortal realm], such treasures are considered precious oddities.

Considering this, the Glimmering Light Holy Maiden inquired decisively, "For what price would you exchange this set of Primordial Gold Bamboo?"

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before replying, "I wish to exchange it for ten portions of Great Luo Rare Treasure [a primordial material of immense rarity used for crafting supreme artifacts]."

"Impossible."

The Glimmering Light Holy Maiden shook her head firmly, stating plainly, "While supreme-grade Primordial Gold Bamboo is indeed precious, Great Luo Rare Treasure is a treasure of unparalleled rarity. Your demand for ten portions is far too excessive."

"By market valuation, this set of Primordial Gold Bamboo is worth three portions of Great Luo Rare Treasure. If you are willing, I would exchange four portions. What say you?"

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile. "Then let us proceed thusly: this set of Primordial Gold Bamboo shall be valued at three portions of Great Luo Rare Treasure. However, I propose to acquire the remaining Great Luo Rare Treasure at a rate of ten thousand strands of Innate Primordial Qi [the purest form of foundational cosmic energy] per portion."

The Glimmering Light Holy Maiden considered for a moment before shaking her head once more. "Ten thousand strands of Innate Primordial Qi for a single portion of Great Luo Rare Treasure?"

"Very well. I shall provide you with seven additional portions. Does this satisfy you?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, acknowledging nod.

According to the prevailing market value, the worth of a single portion of Great Luo Rare Treasure [a legendary material of immense rarity and power] generally hovers around ten thousand strands of Innate Primordial Qi [the purest, most foundational energy of creation].

However, Great Luo Rare Treasure is far too scarce; it has always been a treasure with a price but no true market, meaning that simply possessing enough Innate Primordial Qi does not guarantee one can purchase it.

Although the great ancient sects also acquire Innate Primordial Qi, they traditionally drive a very hard bargain. If one were to procure Great Luo Rare Treasure from the three great Immortal Court [the celestial bureaucracies governing the immortal realms], even thirty thousand strands of Innate Primordial Qi might not suffice to secure a suitable portion of Great Luo Rare Treasure.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen pondered deeply for a third time before finally stating, "Very well, I shall agree to your terms, Fellow Daoist."

"Excellent."

Upon hearing this, Glimmering Light Holy Maiden offered a satisfied smile, concluding the transaction with great contentment.

For her, while the Great Luo Rare Treasure was precious, it was difficult for it to bring about a qualitative transformation in her own combat prowess.

Yet, with this set of Primordial Gold Bamboo [a mythical bamboo of supreme metallic and wood attributes], her strength was certain to see significant advancement. Even if she did not use it herself, bestowing it upon a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] could grant her a combatant whose power approached that of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations].

Eldrin Chen was also deeply satisfied. This time, he had not only obtained the urgently needed treasures like the Departing Fire Dao Source [a source containing the profound principles of the Departing Fire Dao], but had also acquired several other treasures that could be used to barter for more Great Luo Rare Treasure.

Thus, in the time that followed, as the assembled experts gradually took their turns upon the stage, Eldrin Chen also began to exchange for the various types of Great Luo Rare Treasure he required.

After conducting transactions with several Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [powerful cultivators who have survived eight heavenly tribulations], Eldrin Chen successively obtained Earthly Loam Dao Source [a rare treasure embodying the essence of the earth element], Metallic Radiance Dao Source [a rare treasure embodying the essence of the metal element], Fiery Sun Jade Thunder Marrow [a marrow refined from jade and thunder, containing solar fire essence], Five Elements Marvelous Light [a wondrous light containing the power of the five elements], and six or seven other Great Luo Rare Treasure [extremely rare materials from the Great Luo realm] that he urgently needed.

As the price, Eldrin Chen traded away six or seven precious items, including Qianyang Celestial Fire [a celestial-grade flame of pure yang essence] and Great Luo Crimson-Separation Iron [a rare iron from the Great Luo realm known for its sharp, separating properties].

"Only one Verdant Wood Dao Source [a rare treasure embodying the essence of the wood element] remains."

After all the present Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [powerful cultivators who have survived eight heavenly tribulations] had left the stage, a look of deep satisfaction settled upon Eldrin Chen's face.

From this round of trading, the catalyst ingredients required for his cultivation of the Primordial Chaos Qi [a supreme art for refining the energy of primordial chaos] were now complete save for the final Verdant Wood Dao Source [a rare treasure embodying the essence of the wood element]. Similarly, for the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique born from primordial chaos] ability, he now only lacked the thunder marrow for the water and metal elements.

However, the catalyst ingredients for cultivating the Five Elements Divine Radiance [a divine light technique of the five elements] were far too rare; he had only managed to find the most suitable wood and metal attribute Grand Luo [a high-level cultivation realm] wondrous lights.

Grand Luo [a high-level cultivation realm] wondrous lights were truly exceedingly rare. Eldrin Chen estimated that even at this Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare treasures], it would be impossible to gather a complete set of such rarities.

Returning to the main event, as those Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [powerful cultivators who have survived eight heavenly tribulations] stepped down, a group of Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [cultivators who have survived seven heavenly tribulations] began to take the stage of the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare treasures].

In this session of the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare treasures], the participating Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [cultivators who have survived seven heavenly tribulations] numbered no fewer than nearly one hundred.

Yet, to Eldrin Chen's regret, among the many Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [cultivators who have survived seven heavenly tribulations], only a small portion were able to produce Great Luo Rare Treasure [extremely rare materials from the Great Luo realm], and the quantity they possessed paled in comparison to that of the Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [powerful cultivators who have survived eight heavenly tribulations].

Eldrin Chen knew this was to be expected. The Great Luo Rare Treasure [a legendary treasure of the highest order] belonged to the Tenth Rank of rare treasures, and was exceedingly scarce within the Chaos [the primordial, formless void beyond the ordered realms].

The vast majority of such treasures were hoarded by the Chaotic Fiendgod [primordial demon-gods born from Chaos], while the few that drifted loose were invariably claimed by Chaos Beast King [kings of the primordial beasts] or Chaotic Holy Spirit [holy spirits of Chaos] of at least Seven Tribulations [a realm signifying survival through seven heavenly tribulations] strength or greater.

Yet, the power of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has weathered seven heavenly calamities] ultimately paled in comparison to an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has weathered eight heavenly calamities]. Within the Chaos, it was exceedingly difficult for them to defeat a Seven-Calamity Chaos Beast King [a Chaos Beast King of equivalent seven-calamity strength], and thus equally difficult to obtain a Great Luo Rare Treasure.

"It seems the final few treasures will be most arduous to find,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a shadow of concern darkening his gaze.

In the time that followed, events unfolded precisely as Eldrin Chen had foreseen. In short order, seven or eight Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal took the stage, yet not a single one possessed the treasures Eldrin Chen required.

Fortunately, at this Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare treasures], Eldrin Chen had secured a position of considerable precedence.

As one who had cultivated a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [a supreme divine ability of a founding patriarch's caliber], Eldrin Chen, despite possessing only the cultivation base of a Four Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has weathered four heavenly calamities], wielded power whose depths were truly unfathomable.

The Ancient Immortal [venerable immortal beings] of the Glimmering Light Holy Land could not clearly discern his cultivation realm. They merely estimated his combat prowess to be that of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal and thus arranged for him to be the ninth to take the stage among those of that rank.

Eldrin Chen ascended the Central Dao Platform [the central platform for discourse and exchange]. His gaze swept over the assembly before, with a flick of his sleeve, he unveiled more than ten rare treasures.

The crowd took a glance, and a wave of astonished murmurs immediately swept through them.

They saw that the treasures displayed by Eldrin Chen were, at the very least, all of the Great Luo Rare Treasure grade. Most crucially, among them was a complete set of thirty-six stalks of supreme-grade Primordial Gold Bamboo [a legendary spiritual bamboo of immense hardness and sharpness, prized for crafting peerless weapons].

"He actually possesses Primordial Gold Bamboo?"

Glimmering Light Holy Maiden's eyes flickered, a ripple of emotion stirring within their depths.

If the other treasures merely stirred the avarice of the Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has survived seven Heavenly Tribulations], the sight of this Primordial Gold Bamboo instantly jolted every single Ancient Immortal present into a state of high alert.

If this set of Primordial Gold Bamboo could be forged into swords and manifested as a cataclysmic sword formation, then placed into the hands of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal, it would grant combat power rivaling that of a nascent Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has survived eight Heavenly Tribulations].

Faced with such a priceless treasure, whose heart would not be moved?

High above in the void, several Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal exchanged glances. After a long silence, one finally spoke, "How do you intend to sell this Primordial Gold Bamboo?"

Eldrin Chen's expression remained placid, his tone firm and unwavering. "The cultivation of this Primordial Gold Bamboo is arduous, and its value needs no elaboration from me. I would not part with it were I not in dire need of specific treasures."

"Here is a list. If any among you can produce the items upon it, we may proceed with the trade."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen handed the list to those present.

Everyone glanced at it, their eyes trembling slightly. The list naturally contained the Great Luo Rare Treasure [extremely rare and precious materials of the highest order] that Eldrin Chen required. Those Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality through cultivation] who did not possess such treasures immediately abandoned their hopes with regret.

Yet, those who actually owned Great Luo Rare Treasure were exceedingly few.

One Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] immediately sent a mental message to Eldrin Chen and then inquired aloud, "I do not have the specific rare treasure you seek, but I am willing to offer other Great Luo Rare Treasure at a premium to exchange for this Primordial Gold Bamboo [a legendary bamboo of immense spiritual potency from the dawn of creation]."

"My apologies. For this set of Primordial Gold Bamboo, I will only exchange for items I urgently require,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, stating decisively.

The man said no more, though a flicker of something strange passed through his gaze, vanishing in the next instant.

At that moment, a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] sent a covert mental message to Eldrin Chen, whispering, "I possess two portions of Grand Luo [pertaining to the highest, most profound realm of cultivation] Lightning Marrow, precisely what you need."

As he spoke, the man discreetly transmitted a packet of information.

Eldrin Chen probed it with his divine sense [a cultivator's heightened spiritual awareness] and could not help but reveal a trace of delight. The Lightning Marrow offered for trade was of the Water and Metal elements, exactly the two types of Grand Luo Lightning Marrow he sought.

Amidst his joy, Eldrin Chen lifted his gaze towards the figure. He beheld a form wreathed in crimson lightning and immortal radiance, its aura seeming exceptionally extraordinary.

"It is him."

Eldrin Chen murmured, instantly recognizing the man's identity.

This person's Daoist title was 'Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord'. He was a direct-line disciple of the Myriad Thunder Holy Land [a sacred land specializing in thunder-based cultivation arts], which itself is a branch of the Great Luo Ancient Sect. Furthermore, he was the personal disciple of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm].

However, the Myriad Thunder Holy Land possessed only a single Grand Luo Golden Immortal. Within the thunder-based orthodoxies of the Primordial Immortal Domain, the Myriad Thunder Holy Land ranked merely thirteenth.

As such a sacred land, its foundational resources naturally could not compare to those of the more powerful Great Luo Ancient Sect. It did not have an abundance of Innate Spiritual Treasure [treasures born from primordial chaos, possessing immense power] to bestow upon disciples for their breakthroughs.

It was precisely because of this that the Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord's cultivation had remained stagnant at the Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [the realm of an Ancient Immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] for several Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], never managing to break through to the Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm.

Considering this, a flicker of thought passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. He decisively sent a mental transmission to the Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord: "I have heard that you, Fellow Daoist, are a direct-line disciple of the Myriad Thunder Holy Land. Surely, your lineage possesses more than just these few portions of Great Luo Rare Treasure [extremely rare treasures from the Grand Luo realm], does it not?"

Hearing this, the Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord's gaze shifted subtly. He then inquired, "Does Fellow Daoist desire more?"

"However, this set of Primordial Gold Bamboo alone is likely insufficient to exchange for more Grand Luo Thunder Marrow."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, then transmitted a voice message, saying, "Let us first complete this transaction. After the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly concludes, you and I shall speak further."

With those words, Eldrin Chen and the Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord finalized their exchange.

Not long after, he managed to acquire another portion of Verdant Wood Dao Source from another individual. Unfortunately, the Grand Luo-grade rare lights required for the Five Elements Divine Radiance were exceedingly scarce. In the end, Eldrin Chen had only managed to gather three sets.

Even so, Eldrin Chen was already quite satisfied.

This time, he had secured the crucial medicinal catalysts for cultivating both the Primordial Chaos Qi and the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] Thunder technique. It could already be considered a highly fruitful journey.

Having exchanged for these rare treasures, Eldrin Chen did not linger further. He bid farewell to Qingwei the Recluse via voice transmission and then departed from the Starry Pavilion.

Shortly after leaving the Starry Pavilion, he met with that Holy Son of the Myriad Thunder Holy Land, the Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord, within a secluded pavilion.

True to his status as a direct lineage descendant of the Grand Luo realm, this Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord possessed an aura and cultivation base that rivaled even the Golden Sun Holy Son and the White Rainbow Sword Immortal from years past. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, he could not help but inquire, "Fellow Daoist, do you truly possess more Primordial Gold Bamboo?"

Eldrin Chen smiled slightly. He activated the Chaos Mist to shroud his aura, then with a sweep of his sleeve, revealed a set of thirty-six stalks of Primordial Gold Bamboo.

"Boom—"

In that instant, Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord could no longer remain seated.

With a slight shift in his stance, his expression changed drastically as he beheld the Primordial Gold Bamboo before him. He could not help but turn to Eldrin Chen and declare, "The spiritual essence of these thirty-six stalks of Primordial Gold Bamboo is interconnected. This is a set of seventy-two stalks sharing a single origin!"

"Precisely."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and spoke with calm authority, "As the saying goes, 'Heaven's number is nine, Earth's is eight.' In Daoist philosophy, eight is the ultimate Yin number, and nine is the ultimate Yang number."

"These seventy-two stalks of Primordial Gold Bamboo resonate with the Daoist supreme principles of eight and nine. They can be used to arrange the Daoist Yin-Yang Two Poles Ultimate Sword Formation, a formation whose power rivals that of a true Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth]."

"If you wish to exchange for the remaining thirty-six stalks of Primordial Gold Bamboo, I'm afraid the price will be considerable."

Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord took a deep breath before asking, "What is it you desire?"

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and stated plainly, "I require two more sets of Five Elements Great Luo Thunder Marrow [a legendary, supremely rare material forged from the essence of the five elements and the supreme heavenly thunder]."

"Impossible."

Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord refused outright, his countenance shifting once more. "The Five Elements Great Luo Thunder Marrow is far too precious. It takes our Myriad Thunder Holy Land lineage several hundred million years to accumulate enough for a single set."

"Even with my current wealth, I could not produce two sets at once."

As his words fell, Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord could not help but add, "Though this treasure is precious, it is ultimately not an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos, capable of serving as a vessel for one's Great Dao]. It cannot serve as a vessel for one's Great Dao and is not worth such a sum."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and replied, "If you were to obtain the Yin-Yang Two Poles Ultimate Sword Formation [a supreme sword formation harnessing the powers of Yin and Yang], you would possess combat prowess rivaling that of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations]."

"At that time, you could become the guardian for an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal from one of the ancient sects. Using this as leverage, you could certainly borrow an Innate Spiritual Treasure afterward to break through to the Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm."

Upon hearing this, Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord fell into a contemplative silence.

He could not deny that Eldrin Chen's proposal held immense allure for him.

After all, although the Myriad Thunder Holy Land was a Great Luo Ancient Sect [a sect of immense antiquity and power from the primordial Great Luo Heaven], it possessed only one founding ancestor at the early Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the Golden Immortal realm of the Great Luo Heaven] stage. Furthermore, this ancestor held only a single Innate Spiritual Treasure to serve as the vessel for his Great Dao.

It could be said that unless Myriad Thunder Immortal Lord could obtain a new Innate Spiritual Treasure, he would have no chance of breaking through to the Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm.

Under such circumstances, Eldrin Chen's proposal represented perhaps his greatest available choice.

Contemplating this, Crimson Lightning Thunder Lord pondered for a moment before speaking. "As I stand now, I can only produce one set of Five Elements Great Luo Thunder Marrow [a rare marrow refined from the essence of the Five Elements and Great Luo Heavenly Thunder]. For the remaining set, could other treasures be used as collateral?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen fell into a brief, contemplative silence, his gaze turning inward. After a moment, he spoke, his voice measured and clear. "It can be done."