Chapter 112 : The Azure Goldwood's Price

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

"Your choice is correct. Although the Medium Spirit Ship [a medium-sized vessel powered by spiritual energy] is somewhat slower, its utility and combat power far surpass what a Small Spirit Ship [a small vessel powered by spiritual energy] can offer. It may play a significant role when the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] arrives."

"In that case, I am reassured." Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief, then asked, "I wonder what materials are still needed to forge this Medium Spirit Ship."

"The materials are readily available. Within the Supple Wood Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein rich in supple wood essence], there is a grove of Azure Goldwood [a type of spiritual tree with azure bark and golden wood]. The wood of the Azure Goldwood is both resilient and remarkably lightweight, making it a superior treasure tree for crafting spirit ships."

Exquisite Jiang calculated for a moment and informed Eldrin Chen that approximately thirty trees of Second Rank [the second major tier of cultivation power] Azure Goldwood would be sufficient to forge the Medium Spirit Ship.

"Thirty trees?"

Eldrin Chen felt a prickle of apprehension. The value of Second Rank Azure Goldwood was exceedingly high. Thirty such trees could be used to craft thirty Second Rank Magical Artifact [a magical treasure of the second rank].

Even at a raw material price of six hundred Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] per tree, these thirty Azure Goldwood would cost a staggering eighteen thousand Spirit Stones.

"Are you troubled by the Spirit Stones?" Exquisite Jiang discerned his worry at a glance. Her bright eyes fixed on him intently as she stated seriously, "This debt is not something you lack the means to settle."

"Settle it... with something?" Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio–novel.com.

Eldrin Chen gazed at her, a strange feeling creeping over him that something was amiss. Could it be that she was craving...

Seeing his somewhat bewildered expression, Exquisite Jiang let out a soft, melodious laugh before continuing.

"Of course it can settle the debt. Doesn't your Chen Clan control a Mystic Iron Ore Vein?"

"I happen to require a large quantity of Mystic Iron [a rare, spiritually conductive metal]. If you deliver thirty thousand Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of it, that would precisely offset the value of the thirty Azure Goldwood saplings."

Eldrin Chen: "..."

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

"I can agree to this. However, our Chen Clan currently lacks sufficient Mystic 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 Mystic Iron from the beast's territory.

To upgrade the Ninefold Resonance Bell [a defensive magical treasure], the Old Patriarch had consumed two thousand Jin-weight of Mystic Iron and the Metal-Devouring Beast Inner Pill [the condensed energy core of the beast]. In recent years, Eldrin Chen had used around six thousand Jin-weight, repeatedly smelting the metal to refine Second Rank Magical Artifacts over twenty times to hone his Artifact Forging Art and Formation [the art of crafting magical arrays] skills.

This left only about fourteen thousand Jin-weight. However, the mine yielded roughly one thousand Jin-weight annually. Thus, after five years, the Chen Clan now had stockpiled close to twenty thousand Jin-weight of Mystic Iron.

From then on, they could still mine around one thousand Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of Mystic Iron annually. To gather the full thirty thousand Jin-weight of Mystic Iron, it would likely require another ten years or so.

Upon hearing the quantity he mentioned, Exquisite Jiang nodded and said, "Send those twenty thousand Jin-weight of Mystic Iron over first. The remaining ten thousand Jin-weight must also be delivered before the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] arrives."

"You can rest assured about this matter. I will naturally oversee it personally upon my return."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen roughly understood. This Mystic Iron was most likely a contingency reserve prepared for the impending Beast Tide.

As it concerned the Beast Tide, he naturally would not cause any delay and effectively pledged his commitment on the spot.

Having decided to forge the Medium Spirit Ship, Exquisite Jiang did not procrastinate. She went directly to the Supple Wood Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein rich in wood-attributed energy], felled thirty mature Azure Goldwood trees, and then flew back on her sword.

It should be noted that the Azure Goldwood Grove contained barely one hundred mature Second Rank [a classification for spiritual materials and cultivators] Spirit Wood trees. Thirty had already been harvested by Exquisite Jiang earlier, and now another thirty were taken. The remaining Second Rank Spirit Wood was already scarce.

Exquisite Jiang returned to Heavenly Ruins Mountain with the Azure Goldwood and, without further delay, began forging the Medium Spirit Ship. Eldrin Chen once again observed from the side.

Forging a Medium Spirit Ship was a laborious and time-consuming task, essentially equivalent to assembling dozens of individual magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] into one. Even with Exquisite Jiang's profound cultivation base, it still took two full months to complete successfully.

As she infused the final wisp of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] into the vessel, Exquisite Jiang let out a slight sigh of relief and produced a spiritual ship, now shrunk to the size of 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 Formation [a type of magical array or formation] within it."

"These three Formation [magical arrays] are, respectively, the Essence Convergence Unity Formation [a formation for gathering and unifying spiritual energy], the Six Harmonies Divine Subjugation Formation [a defensive formation based on the harmony of six elements], and the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Formation [a sword formation that harnesses the power of seven stars]."

After hearing her explanation, Eldrin Chen quickly grasped the ingenious applications of this Third-Rank Treasure Ship [a high-grade enchanted vessel].

These three Formation [magical arrays] are all of the Third Rank Lower Grade [a specific tier of power and complexity]. Among them, the Essence Convergence Unity Formation [the energy-gathering formation] serves as the energy core of the vessel, the very foundation upon which all its combat capabilities are built.

Once this Formation's [array's] spiritual energy is fully charged, it can power this Medium Treasure Ark [the enchanted vessel] 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 Convergence Unity Formation [energy formation] is depleted, one can also recharge the vessel using Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] or personal spiritual power. Original English translation available at *audio-novel.com*.

The Six Harmonies Divine Subjugation Formation [the six harmonies defensive formation] is the vessel's defensive Formation [array]. Once activated, it can even temporarily withstand assaults from demonic beasts at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [a specific mid-level stage of cultivation].

The Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Formation [the seven stars sword formation] is the sole offensive killing array aboard the vessel. This Formation [array] requires seven Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage] working in unison to activate. Once unleashed, it releases a single, devastating Demon-Slaying Sword Aura.

The power of this Demon-Slaying Sword Aura is truly Extraordinary, equivalent to a full-force strike from a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [mid-stage Violet Sanctum realm]. Used skillfully, it could even be sufficient to slay a Violet Sanctum Early Stage [early-stage Violet Sanctum] demonic beast.

Unfortunately, the energy consumption of this sword aura is immense. Even with the vessel's entire energy reserve, it possesses only a single strike.

"This vessel is truly remarkable."

"Since its prowess is named for the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Formation, let it be called the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Ship."

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

The combat power such a treasure ship could bring was too Extraordinary. If they could gather seven Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] cultivators, it would be almost equivalent to adding the strength of an early-stage Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation] expert.

Exquisite Jiang also revealed a slight smile. "Do not reveal this treasure for now. When the Beast Tide [a massive invasion of demonic beasts] arrives, we might catch them off guard."

"Understood."

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

With the serious matter concluded, the two fell into a brief silence. Exquisite Jiang looked at him for a moment before speaking again.

"Walk with me."

"..."

This session of artifact forging consumed over two months, and without realizing it, Eastern Region Great Wasteland had already entered the depths of winter.

Across the vast expanse of the Great Wasteland, a heavy snowfall of goose-feather-like flakes had begun at some unknown hour, cloaking the boundless, sprawling earth in a pristine mantle of silver.

The two of them walked through the heavy snow in silence, appreciating the rare snowy vista. After an indeterminate time, they came to a halt at the edge of a cliff, standing there wordlessly.

Exquisite Jiang held a paper umbrella, standing quietly by the cliff's edge, and suddenly spoke.

"Do you know how Verdant Consort died?"

"Verdant Consort?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he quickly realized she was referring to the creator of the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Scripture.

Without waiting for his answer, she continued, "The hegemon of the Eastern Sea Coast, the Liu Clan of Luoma Island."

"Our enemies are more formidable than you imagine."

A tremor of realization shot through Eldrin Chen's heart, and he voiced a question that had long lingered within him: "Why have you shown me such special regard, holding me in such high esteem?" Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.