Chapter 251 : Tempering Spirit in Flaming Prison

Countless thoughts swirled within Eldrin Chen's mind as he recalled the information he had gradually pieced together over the years.

He had come to understand that both the Eastern Barrens [the vast, untamed wilderness of the eastern continent] and the Eastern Sea Cultivation World had only been opened up and settled within the last ten thousand years.

In the distant past, these lands were the domain of Demonic Cultivator and the Demon Race. In that era, the Human Race who lived within this great expanse were nothing more than livestock for the demons and monsters.

Sorting through these reflections, Eldrin Chen soared into the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire on his flying sword.

The Flaming Prison Sea of Fire was a true wasteland, a place where life itself seemed to wither and die, leaving behind almost no trace of vitality.

Yet the moment Eldrin Chen entered, an overwhelming tide of boundless, murderous intent surged toward him, forcing him to immediately focus his spiritual sense [the extended perception and willpower of a cultivator] to resist its crushing pressure.

In this constant state of resistance, his spiritual sense was being continuously depleted, yet, almost imperceptibly, it was also being tempered and growing stronger.

"This environment forces one's spiritual sense into a perpetually oppressed state," he mused. "Furthermore, when visualizing cultivation arts here, the experience feels far more vivid and real."

"No wonder Vast Righteousness True Lord said that training spirit-refining techniques here would yield twice the result with half the effort."

Eldrin Chen flew one hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] deep into the heart of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, then found a suitable mountain ridge to begin his cultivation of the Great Sun Visualization Art.

He lowered his gaze and began his cultivation. In a trance-like state, he saw a colossal sun suspended in the sky, raining down endless torrents of Solar True Flame [a divine flame embodying the pure essence of the sun] that blanketed heaven and earth, transforming the entire world into a purgatorial sea of fire.

"The Falling Sun Ridge."

The Great Sun Visualization Art [a meditation technique focused on visualizing the Great Sun] and the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary realm of eternal, searing flames] resonated with perfect harmony, unexpectedly coalescing into a new visualization—the Falling Sun Ridge [a mental landscape depicting a mountain ridge beneath a setting, cataclysmic sun].

Inspired by a sudden flash of enlightenment, he swiftly consumed a Spirit-Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and strengthens the cultivator's spirit] and plunged into rapid, focused cultivation.

Not long after, his spirit-refining cultivation surged forward by a tremendous leap, breaking through to the Violet Sanctum 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Violet Sanctum realm, where the spiritual sea within the dantian takes on a violet hue].

And this was merely the beginning. Within this environment, his spirit-refining progress advanced a thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. In just four years, he ascended another two levels, reaching the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum [the pinnacle stage of the Violet Sanctum realm].

A cultivator's spiritual sense is of paramount importance. While an ordinary cultivator, upon reaching the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum, could begin attempting the breakthrough to the Golden Core [the realm where spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core within the dantian], for Eldrin Chen it was still insufficient.

Throughout his journey, he had never relied on external aids to break through major realms. Furthermore, the tempering of his spiritual energy by four Lifebound Magical Treasure [magical artifacts bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power alongside them] had rendered his energy purity far surpassing that of ordinary cultivators.

To successfully form his Golden Core, it was best to refine his spiritual sense to the level of the Golden Core Realm itself, thereby securing far greater odds of success.

"I can cultivate this no further."

On this day, Eldrin Chen opened his eyes, ceasing his cultivation session.

The method of refining the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] was too taxing on it. He only possessed three Spirit-Nourishing Pill [pills that restore and strengthen the Primordial Spirit], and they had long since been exhausted.

If he wished to continue refining his spirit, he would need to purchase more Spirit-Nourishing Pill.

After concluding his spirit refinement, Eldrin Chen did not depart immediately. More than nineteen years had passed since his breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Violet Sanctum realm]. His accumulated spiritual power was now sufficient; it was time to step into the Violet Sanctum 5th Tier [the fifth tier of the Violet Sanctum realm].

Breaking through to the Violet Sanctum 5th Tier presented no bottleneck. It was a natural progression. He spent a month refining a considerable number of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and smoothly advanced.

"Success," he murmured.

With both his spirit refinement and cultivation base having progressed, Eldrin Chen concluded his secluded training in high spirits.

Having completed his cultivation goals, he saw no reason to linger within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a dangerous region of perpetual flame]. His plan was to wait for the Barter Convention [a large-scale trading event for cultivators], purchase the Spirit-Nourishing Pill and the Solar Treasure Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with solar essence], and then return to this place to resume his spirit refinement.

Emerging from the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, he flew directly towards the Qin-Yuan Market [a major trading hub].

The territory of Yuan Nation was several times larger than that of Chu Nation, and its population of Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the Violet Sanctum realm] was correspondingly several times greater as well.

Currently, Chu Nation has no more than one hundred and fifty Violet Sanctum Cultivators [cultivators who have reached the Violet Sanctum realm], while Yuan Nation boasts seven to eight hundred such cultivators.

With so many Violet Sanctum Cultivators, the volume of trade generated among them is naturally far greater. Consequently, compared to the Barter Convention [a grand market event for cultivators to trade rare resources] held once every thirty years in Chu Nation, the Barter Convention in Yuan Nation occurs every ten years.

Having waited for five years, Eldrin Chen finally witnessed the commencement of Yuan Nation's Violet Sanctum Barter Convention [a specialized Barter Convention for Violet Sanctum realm cultivators].

The Violet Sanctum Barter Convention was held within the Qin-Yuan Market [a major trading hub managed by the Qin Clan] of the Qin Clan. Due to the large number of participating Violet Sanctum Cultivators, the convention operated on two distinct trading models.

Each Violet Sanctum Cultivator could present up to three types of rare resources for open bidding by the assembly. Alternatively, they could simply set a price for items they wished to sell, allowing interested parties to purchase them directly.

No sooner had Eldrin Chen entered the Qin-Yuan Market than he encountered a familiar face.

Verdant Mist Yu approached, accompanied by a man and a woman, a smile gracing her features as she spoke. "Fellow Daoist, I did not expect our paths to cross here."

"So it is Immortal Maiden Yu," Eldrin Chen replied with a faint smile, his voice carrying a silent, telepathic warning. "I have certain... adversaries within Yuan Nation. I would appreciate it if you could help conceal my presence."

"Understood," she responded with a subtle nod.

She then gestured to the two cultivators beside her and introduced them. "Allow me to introduce my companions. This is Fellow Daoist Lin and Fellow Daoist Wei."

Verdant Mist Yu [Yu Qingyan] paused for a moment, then quickly reacted, completing the silent exchange in an instant.

Just then, the woman beside her smiled and asked, "Sister, who is this?"

"This is Brother Wei [Wei Mingyuan]," Verdant Mist Yu replied with a gentle smile. "I came from Heaven's Ridge Mountain [Tianjiling], traveling here in the company of Brother Wei."

As she spoke, she turned to introduce Eldrin Chen [Chen Nianzhi]. "This is the one I mentioned to you, Immortal Maiden Clear Countenance [Qingyan Xianzi]. And this is the Lord of Peach Blossom Mountain [Taohuashan Zhuren], the Recluse of Elegant Verse [Qingci Sanren]."

"An honor to meet you both,"

Eldrin Chen offered politely. He now understood that the initial bond between Immortal Maiden Clear Countenance and Verdant Mist Yu, which blossomed into a close friendship, likely stemmed from the similarity of their names.

He assessed the two women. Immortal Maiden Clear Countenance's cultivation was at the third tier of the Violet Sanctum realm [the third major stage of the mid-level cultivation foundation], while the Recluse of Elegant Verse had reached the sixth tier and was even brushing against the threshold of the seventh.

The Recluse of Elegant Verse possessed a somewhat aloof demeanor. She glanced at Eldrin Chen, gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, but remained silent.

The group entered the venue of the Barter Convention [a gathering where cultivators trade goods and resources]. Verdant Mist Yu then inquired, "Elder Brother, have you come to procure Solar Treasure Crystals [a rare crystalline material imbued with pure solar essence]?"

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded, his tone calm. "And your purpose here?"

The Recluse of Elegant Verse [a reclusive cultivator known for his elegant verses] spoke up, a rare occurrence, his tone calm as he said, "Let's see if we can purchase a Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill [a high-grade pill that refines spiritual meridians and enhances aura]."

After chatting for a short while, the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources] finally commenced.

Eldrin Chen observed the gathering and discovered that the number of cultivators participating in this Barter Convention had reached over two hundred Violet Sanctum Cultivators [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major realm].

With so many Violet Sanctum Cultivators present, it was no wonder the Barter Convention in Yuan Nation [a vast cultivator nation spanning millions of Li-length] could be held once every decade. It truly lived up to its reputation as a colossal cultivator nation spanning millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

The first to take the stage was naturally the Qin Immortal Clan [a prominent clan of immortal cultivators].

This time, the items offered for auction by the Qin Immortal Clan numbered three, and all were treasures of the Fourth Rank.

Eldrin Chen glanced up and immediately dismissed any thought of bidding. The items presented by the Qin Clan were three in number.

They were respectively: one Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of the fourth rank], one Golden Core Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming a Golden Core], and one Creation Verdant Origin Pill [a rare pill that nourishes the foundational life force].

The Fourth Rank Low-Grade [the lowest tier within the fourth rank] magical treasure fetched an exorbitant price of one million three hundred thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. The Golden Core Formation Pill was bid up even more fiercely, reaching two million eight hundred thousand Spirit Stones, and was ultimately purchased by a certain Golden Core Immortal Clan [a clan founded by a Golden Core Patriarch].

The final Creation Verdant Origin Pill was also traded away, exchanged for a single Fourth-Rank Spirit Herb [a plant imbued with potent spiritual energy].

The other Golden Core Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has attained the Golden Core realm] that followed also presented treasures of staggering value—so exorbitantly priced that Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a cultivator from the Chen family] harbored not even a flicker of thought to compete for them in the auction.