Chapter 164 : A Grand Convention of Cultivators

"Thousand Star Island."

Eldrin Chen gazed at the island marked on the map, a flicker of interest crossing his expression.

Spanning a vast expanse of thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Thousand Star Island was considered a rare and colossal landmass even within the Yan Kingdom.

This island was not the property of the Deng Immortal Clan, but rather a Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy] managed by the Yan Nation Immortal Clan Alliance. Here, a grand Barter Convention [a large-scale trade gathering for cultivators] was held once every ten years.

It could be said that Thousand Star Island ranked among the top three Cultivation Market [a marketplace for cultivators] in the Yan Kingdom, its status not the least bit inferior to the Green Sun Market of the Green Sun Sect. Consequently, each opening of the convention attracted a great multitude of Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have established their foundational cultivation base] from across Yan Kingdom.

It was said that in past conventions, the number of participating Foundation Establishment Cultivator never fell below two hundred. Moreover, precious Third Rank Treasure [magical treasures of the third rank, suitable for Purple Mansion cultivators] frequently appeared at the event, which almost invariably drew the attendance of Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Purple Mansion, a higher realm of cultivation] as well.

Thousand Star Island lay a full three hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Yan Mountain Market. This time, Eldrin Chen unleashed his full speed, riding his sword through the skies. Covering thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day, he arrived at Thousand Star Island in a mere dozen or so days.

Upon reaching Thousand Star Island and just after entering its market district, Eldrin Chen heard a voice.

"S-senior..." He looked down to find a grimy little girl gazing up at him timidly, her face etched with nervousness. "Senior... do you need a guide?"

Seemingly frightened, her eyes welling up with tears, she fidgeted with her fingers. Access the full story on audio–novel.com.

"Just one... no, two. Just two steamed buns will do."

Eldrin Chen's brow twitched slightly. He bought a few steamed buns and crouched down to hand them to her. "How old are you?"

"Seven years old."

"Seven?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a wry smile. He took out a single Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], thought for a moment, then exchanged it for several silver ingots and handed them to her. "Take this to buy food."

The girl, munching on a bun, took the silver and clutched it tightly. "Grandfather told me I mustn't take things from others for free."

"Let me guide you. I know all the paths here."

"Very well. Lead the way."

A faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips. Guided by her, he arrived at the Lingmiao Pavilion [the pavilion where the Barter Convention was held], only to discover the next Barter Convention [a large-scale gathering for cultivators to trade resources] would not commence for another three years.

Upon hearing he intended to stay on Thousand Star Island for three years, the little girl promptly led him to the island's office for renting and selling Cultivation Cave [a secluded dwelling place for meditation and cultivation practice].

He rented a Spirit Spring Cave Abode [a secluded cultivation abode built around a natural spring of spiritual energy] of the second rank. After entering the Cultivation Cave [a chamber or dwelling specifically designed for meditation and cultivation] and inspecting it, he nodded in satisfaction.

He then prepared to bid farewell to the little girl, but after a moment's thought, he asked, "Have you ever had your Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines a person's aptitude for cultivation] tested?"

"Test my Spiritual Root..." The girl shook her head timidly. "It's expensive... it costs Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

"Give me your hand."

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a resigned sigh. He took her wrist and channeled a thread of his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body] into her meridians.

The moment that wisp of True Essence entered her channels, Eldrin Chen felt a sensation of bone-piercing, soul-deep cold wash over him—a chill so profound it startled even him.

"This is..."

His eyes flashed with sudden understanding, and a flicker of delight crossed his features. He immediately focused, sending another pulse of True Essence to probe deeper.

As expected, he was not disappointed. Once again, an icy, pure spiritual energy seeped from the girl's meridians to meet his probing essence.

"An Ice Spiritual Root [a rare spiritual root affinity attuned to the element of ice and cold]."

Eldrin Chen's face lit up with joy. An Spiritual Root [the innate conduit within a person that determines their ability to absorb and cultivate spiritual energy] of such rarity was one in ten thousand; Yu County might not see one emerge in a hundred years. He never imagined that a single journey would lead him to such a promising seedling.

As he finished his examination, the little girl's expression grew tense, a mixture of hope and fear flickering in her eyes.

Eldrin Chen smiled, gently patting her head. "What is your name?" he asked.

"My name is Lila," she replied.

It seemed the unique Spiritual Root had been stirred by his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner, more potent than basic Qi]. The little girl's face flushed a deep red from the cold, and she shivered as she spoke.

"Lila," Eldrin Chen repeated, channeling his True Essence to gently disperse the chilling energy within her. "Where is your grandfather?" Support the author by reading on audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"Grandfather..."

The little girl's eyes welled up with tears as she looked down at a small vial hanging from her neck.

Eldrin Chen understood then. The girl's grandfather had passed on. No wonder she had ended up on the streets, her spirits lifted by the mere promise of a couple of steamed buns.

Patting the girl's head once more, Eldrin Chen spoke with a gentle smile. "In that case, you shall follow me from now on."

"Alright, thank you, Uncle." She clenched her fists, her voice trembling with excitement.

"We met on Thousand Star Island, and your name is Lila, so from now on, your formal name shall be Chen Stella."

Adopting a little girl with a rare Spiritual Root [the innate conduit within a person that determines their affinity for absorbing spiritual energy], it was unclear whether this was a stroke of great fortune for Eldrin Chen or a testament to the profound blessings carried by the child herself.

After all, had she not chanced upon Eldrin Chen, she might have frozen to death unnoticed in some forgotten corner of the market. A prodigy of a rare Spiritual Root could have perished in obscurity, her potential snuffed out before it ever had a chance to bloom.

After taking the little girl in, Eldrin Chen imparted the Bright Abyss Dao Marsh Art [a profound cultivation technique focused on clarity and depth] to her and began her foundational education in the ways of cultivation.

For Eldrin Chen, guiding a young child through the initial steps of cultivation was not an overly difficult task. He had, after all, raised Caleb and Silas from a young age. Now, tending to the needs of a child with a rare Spiritual Root presented little additional burden.

Lila proved to be remarkably intelligent, mature for her age, and a quick learner. She understood to seek his guidance only after Eldrin Chen had concluded his own cultivation sessions, thus ensuring she did not unduly disrupt his practice.

And so, time flowed on like a swift river. In the blink of an eye, three full years had passed.

In this particular year, within Eldrin Chen's Spirit Spring Cave Abode [a secluded cultivation chamber built around a natural spring of spiritual energy], the ambient spiritual energy suddenly began to churn violently. A vast torrent of Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things] surged forth from the Spirit Spring [the source of the spiritual energy], drawn inexorably into Eldrin Chen's meridians. There, it was refined into True Essence [the purified, potent energy cultivated by a practitioner] and directed with immense force against an invisible barrier within him.

"Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer," he whispered, a note of quiet triumph in his voice as the barrier shattered.

Eldrin Chen opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and a look of joy spread across his face.

Since his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, less than eight years had passed, yet his cultivation had advanced another small step, reaching the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer. He was now a significant stride closer to the realm of the Purple Mansion [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within the body].

After briefly consolidating his newfound power, Eldrin Chen emerged from the Spirit Spring Seclusion Chamber.

Lila had been waiting for some time. Seeing Eldrin Chen exit seclusion, she quickly spoke up.

"Uncle Eldrin, the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources and treasures] is set to begin today."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded. Were it not for the imminent start of the Barter Convention, he would still be in seclusion, solidifying his cultivation base.

After giving Lila some instructions to remain within the Cultivation Cave and not venture out lightly, Eldrin Chen headed straight for the Lingmiao Pavilion.

The Barter Convention on Thousand Star Island truly lived up to its reputation as one of the grandest such events in the Yan Kingdom. A quick glance around the venue after entering revealed a crowd of over two hundred and sixty participants. The weakest among them were all Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Furthermore, the auras emanating from several figures were exceptionally powerful, giving even Eldrin Chen a sense of caution. These were clearly cultivators of the Purple Mansion Realm.

Generally speaking, it is rare for Purple Mansion Cultivators [cultivators who have established their spiritual foundation within the Purple Mansion realm] to participate in the Barter Conventions [formal gatherings where cultivators trade rare resources and artifacts] held between Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation].

Yet, the fact that the Barter Convention on Thousand Star Island [a renowned island known for its spiritual gatherings] can attract several Purple Mansion Cultivators is clear proof of how exceptionally precious this level of convention truly is.

Eldrin Chen understood clearly that Purple Mansion Cultivators are exceedingly rare. Gatherings for barter among such cultivators typically occur only once every few decades.

For instance, the Purple Mansion Barter Convention in the Chu Kingdom is usually held only once every thirty years. This is because the entire kingdom boasts merely a little over one hundred Purple Mansion Cultivators. Holding it every ten years would drastically reduce the number of participants each time. For uninterrupted reading, go to http://www . audio-novel.com.