Chapter 112 : The Azure-Golden Vessel's Forge

Hearing his choice, Lyra Jiang also revealed a faint smile.

"Your choice is correct. Although the Medium Spirit Boat [a vessel powered by spiritual energy, larger and more powerful than a small spirit boat] is somewhat slower, its utility and combat power far surpass what a Small Spirit Boat can match. It may play a significant role during the future Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic catastrophe where hordes of demonic beasts rampage across the land]."

"In that case, I am relieved." Eldrin Chen let out a sigh and then asked, "I wonder what materials are still needed to forge this Medium Spirit Boat."

"The materials are readily available. Within the First Wood Earth Vein [an earth vein rich in the essence of the Wood element, associated with growth and vitality] lies a grove of Azure-Gold Wood Forest. That Azure-Gold Wood [a type of spirit wood known for its resilience and lightness] possesses a tough yet lightweight texture, making it an excellent treasure tree for crafting Spirit Boat [a vessel powered by spiritual energy for travel and combat]."

Lyra Jiang calculated for a moment and informed Eldrin Chen that approximately thirty trees of Second Rank Azure-Gold Wood would be sufficient to forge the Medium Spirit Boat.

"Thirty trees?"

Eldrin Chen felt a tinge of dread. The value of Second Rank Azure-Gold Wood was exceedingly high; thirty trees could be used to craft thirty Second Rank Magical Tool [enchanted artifacts of the second rank, suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators].

Even at a raw material price of six hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] per tree, these thirty trees would cost eighteen thousand Spirit Stone.

"Are you troubled by the Spirit Stone?" Lyra Jiang saw his worry at a glance. Her bright eyes fixed on him intently as she said with a serious expression, "This debt is not something you lack the means to settle."

"Settle... with something?" Your portal to cultivation novels: audio–novel.com.

Eldrin Chen gazed at her, sensing an inexplicable strangeness in her eyes. Could it be that she was craving…

Seeing his somewhat bewildered expression, Lyra Jiang let out a light, melodious laugh before continuing.

"Of course it can offset the debt. Doesn't your Chen Clan control a Mysterious Iron Vein?"

"I happen to need a large quantity of Mysterious Iron. If you bring me thirty thousand Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of it, that will exactly cover the cost of the thirty stalks of Azure-Gold Wood."

Eldrin Chen: "…"

He realized he was being teased by Lyra Jiang and could only pick up the thread of conversation.

"I can agree to this matter. However, our Chen Clan does not currently have a sufficient stockpile of Mysterious Iron. Gathering thirty thousand Jin-weight would require over a decade."

After slaying the Metal-Devouring Beast, the Chen Clan had obtained just over twenty thousand Jin-weight of Mysterious Iron from the creature's former territory.

To refine the Bell of Nine Echoes, the Old Patriarch had consumed two thousand Jin-weight of Mysterious Iron along with the Metal-Devouring Beast Inner Core. In the intervening years, Eldrin Chen had used another six thousand Jin-weight to hone his Artificing Art and formation arts, repeatedly smelting the ore to craft Second Rank Magical Tools more than twenty times.

This left a reserve of only about fourteen thousand Jin-weight. However, the vein yielded over a thousand Jin-weight annually. Thus, after five years, the Chen Clan's current stockpile was close to twenty thousand Jin-weight of Mysterious Iron.

Each year thereafter, they could still excavate approximately one thousand Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of Mysterious Iron. To gather the full thirty thousand Jin-weight of Mysterious Iron, it would likely require another ten years or so.

Upon hearing the quantity he mentioned, Lyra Jiang nodded and said, "First, send over those twenty thousand Jin-weight of Mysterious Iron. The remaining ten thousand Jin-weight must also be delivered before the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts]."

"You have my word on this. I will ensure it is expedited upon my return."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen understood that this Mysterious Iron was likely intended as a contingency measure for the impending Beast Tide Calamity.

As this matter concerned the Beast Tide Calamity, he naturally would not delay, effectively giving his pledge.

Having decided to forge the Medium Spirit Boat, Lyra Jiang wasted no time. She went directly to the First Wood Earth Vein [an earth vein rich in Wood-attributed spiritual energy], felled thirty mature trees of Azure-Gold Wood, and then flew back on her sword.

Now, within that Azure-Gold Wood Forest, there were only about one hundred mature trees of Second Rank Spirit Wood. Lyra Jiang had already harvested thirty earlier, and now with another thirty felled, the remaining Second Rank Spirit Wood were dwindling.

Lyra Jiang returned to Celestial Ruins Mountain with the Azure-Gold Wood and, without further delay, began crafting the Medium Spirit Boat. Eldrin Chen once again observed from the side.

Forging a Medium Spirit Boat was a laborious and time-consuming task, essentially equivalent to crafting dozens of magical tools combined. Even with Lyra Jiang's profound cultivation, it took two full months to complete.

As she infused the final wisp of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] into the vessel, Lyra Jiang let out a slight sigh of relief and produced a Spirit Boat [a vessel powered by spiritual energy] measuring only three Cun-length [one Cun-length equals one-tenth of a Chi, approximately zero point zero three three meters].

She handed it to Eldrin Chen, saying with a smile.

"Once activated, this vessel can extend to a length of ten Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters]. Not only does it retain the Thunderclap Lightning Flash Escape [a high-speed escape technique], but I have also inscribed three formations within it."

"These three formations are the Essence Gathering and Unification Formation [a formation that gathers and concentrates spiritual energy], the Six Realms Divine Protection Formation [a defensive formation that shields against attacks from all directions], and the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Formation [an offensive sword formation that harnesses the power of seven stars]."

After hearing her explanation, Eldrin Chen quickly grasped the ingenious functions of this Third-Rank Treasure Ship.

All three formations are of the Third Rank Low Grade tier. Among them, the Essence Gathering and Unification Formation serves as the vessel's energy core, the very foundation upon which all its combat capabilities are built.

Once this formation's spiritual energy reservoir is fully charged, it can power this medium-sized treasure ship for a journey of one million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], or sustain it through one intense battle. When the Essence Gathering and Unification Formation's energy is depleted, it can be recharged using Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] or a cultivator's own mana. Official source: AUDIO-NOVEL.COM. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

The Six Realms Divine Protection Formation is the ship's defensive formation. Once activated, it can even temporarily withstand an assault from a Purple Palace, Mid Stage Demonic Beast [a monstrous creature that cultivates through demonic means].

The Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Formation is the vessel's sole offensive killing formation. This formation requires seven Foundation Establishment Cultivator [practitioners who have solidified their cultivation foundation] to jointly activate it. Once unleashed, it releases a single, devastating Demon-Slaying Sword Aura [a concentrated blade of energy designed to slay demons],

The power of this Demon-Slaying Sword Aura is extraordinary, equivalent to the full-force strike of a Purple Palace, Mid Stage cultivator. Used skillfully, it is even potent enough to slay a Purple Palace, Early Stage Demonic Beast.

Unfortunately, the Demon-Slaying Sword Aura consumes a tremendous amount of energy. Even with this treasure ship's entire reservoir, it possesses only enough power for a single such attack.

"This object is truly remarkable."

"Since this vessel is renowned for its Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Formation [a powerful sword array formation], let it be named the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat [a spirit boat empowered by the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Formation]."

Eldrin Chen stroked the treasure boat, unable to put it down, and spoke.

The combat power brought by such a treasure vessel was far too extraordinary. If one could assemble seven Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation where one solidifies their foundation] cultivators, it would be almost equivalent to adding the strength of an early-stage Purple Palace [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within their dantian] expert.

Lyra Jiang also revealed a faint smile. "Do not reveal this treasure for now. When the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion by hordes of demonic beasts] arrives, perhaps we can catch them off guard."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen stored the treasure boat away, suppressing his joy.

With the serious matter concluded, the two fell into a momentary silence. Lyra Jiang looked at him for a moment before suddenly speaking.

"Walk with me."

The artificing process had consumed over two months. Unnoticed, the Eastern Wastelands had descended into the depths of winter.

Within the vast expanse of the Great Wilderness, a heavy snow of goose-feather flakes began to fall at some unknown hour, cloaking the boundless, sprawling earth in a mantle of pristine silver.

The two of them walked through the blizzard, wrapped in a shared, wordless silence, appreciating this rare spectacle of snow. After a time impossible to measure, they came to a halt at the edge of a cliff, standing motionless.

Lyra Jiang, holding a paper umbrella, stood quietly by the precipice and finally broke the silence.

"Do you know how the Verdant Consort died?"

"The Verdant Consort?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, then quickly smoothed as he realized she was speaking of the creator of the Flood Water Azure Lotus Scripture.

Without waiting for his answer, she continued, her voice carrying on the cold wind. "The hegemon of the Eastern Sea Coast, the Liu Clan of Luomo Island."

"Our enemies are more formidable than you can imagine."

A tremor of profound realization shook Eldrin Chen's heart. He voiced a question that had lingered within him for a long time. "Why have you shown me such singular regard? Why look upon me with such favor?"

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