Chapter 164 : A Guide in the Starry Market

"Thousand Star Islands."

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

The Thousand Star Islands spanned a vast thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], ranking among the exceptionally large islands 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 Kingdom Immortal Clan Alliance. Every ten years, a Barter Convention [a large-scale cultivator trade fair] was held here.

It could be said that the Thousand Star Islands was one of the top three cultivation markets in the Yan Kingdom, its status not the least bit inferior to the Green Sun Market of the Verdant Sun Sect. Consequently, each time the grand convention commenced, it attracted a massive number of Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] from across the Yan Kingdom.

It was said that in past Barter Convention, the number of participating Foundation Establishment Cultivator never fell below two hundred. Furthermore, precious third-rank treasures [powerful artifacts or materials] frequently appeared at the convention, almost always drawing the attention of Violet Sanctum Cultivator [powerful cultivators who have opened their Violet Palace, the next major realm] as well.

The Thousand Star Islands were a full three hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the Yan Mountain Market. This time, Eldrin Chen unleashed his full speed, soaring on his sword. Covering thirty thousand Li-length per day, he reached the Thousand Star Islands in just over ten days.

Upon arriving at the Thousand Star Islands, Eldrin Chen had just entered the market district when a voice reached his ears.

"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?"

Seeming almost frightened, her eyes welling with unshed tears, she fidgeted with her fingers. For the best reading experience, visit 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 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 the bun, took the silver and clutched it tightly. "Grandfather told me I mustn't take things from others without giving something in return."

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

"Very well. Lead the way."

A faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips. Following her guidance, he found the Ethereal Pavilion where the Barter Convention [a gathering where cultivators trade goods and resources] was always held, only to discover the next one would not open for another three years.

Upon hearing he intended to stay on the Thousand Star Islands for three years, the little girl promptly led him to the islands' cave abode rental and sales office.

He rented a Second Rank Spirit Spring Cave Abode [a dwelling built around a natural spring of spiritual energy]. After inspecting the cave abode, 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 one's cultivation aptitude] tested?"

"Test my Spiritual Root..." The girl shook her head timidly. "It's expensive... it costs... Spirit Stones."

"Give me your hand."

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a sigh. He took her wrist and channeled a strand 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 bone-piercing, icy coldness seep into his senses—a chill so profound it startled even him.

"This is..."

His eyes flashed with sudden understanding, revealing a flicker of pleasant surprise. He immediately channeled more True Essence to probe deeper.

As expected, he was not disappointed. Once again, a frigid spiritual energy permeated from within the little girl's meridians.

"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. A Variant Spiritual Root [a rare and powerful type of spiritual foundation] was one in ten thousand; Yu County might not see one in a hundred years. He never imagined that a single journey would lead him to such a promising seedling.

Seeing he had finished his examination, the little girl looked up, her expression a mix of nervous anticipation and fear.

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

"My name is Lila," she replied.

It seemed his True Essence [the refined energy cultivated by a practitioner] had stirred the latent power of her Variant Spiritual Root. The little girl's face was flushed red from the cold, and she shivered as she spoke.

"Lila," Eldrin Chen repeated, using his True Essence to gently circulate through her meridians and dispel the invasive chill. "Where is your grandfather?" This chapter is provided by audio~novel.com. Support the original.

"Grandpa..."

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

Understanding dawned on Eldrin Chen. Her grandfather had passed on. No wonder she had ended up on the streets, so overjoyed by the prospect of a mere one or two steamed buns.

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

"Alright, thank you, Uncle." She clenched her fists excitedly.

"We met at the Thousand Star Islands, and you are called Lila, so from now on, your formal name shall be Star Elegance Chen."

"..."

Adopting a little girl with a Variant Spiritual Root [a rare and superior type of spiritual foundation for cultivation], one wonders if it was Eldrin Chen who had great fortune, or if this little girl herself possessed profound blessings.

After all, had she not chanced upon Eldrin Chen, she might have frozen to death unnoticed in some corner of the market district. A prodigy of the Variant Spiritual Root could have thus perished in obscurity, her potential forever unrealized.

After taking the little girl in, Eldrin Chen imparted the Bright Abyss Path of Grace Art [a foundational cultivation technique] to her and began her initiation into the path of cultivation.

For Eldrin Chen, guiding a young child in their first steps of cultivation was not overly difficult. He had, after all, raised Caleb and Silas from their youth. Now, tending to another, even one with a Variant Spiritual Root, presented little additional trouble.

Lila proved to be remarkably intelligent and mature for her age. She learned swiftly and possessed keen awareness, knowing to seek Eldrin Chen's guidance only after his own cultivation sessions had concluded, thus minimizing any disruption to his practice.

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

In this year, within Eldrin Chen's Spirit Spring Cave Abode [a cultivator's dwelling place built around a natural font of spiritual energy], the ambient spiritual energy began to churn violently. A vast torrent of spiritual energy [the vital force that permeates the world and fuels cultivation] surged forth from the Spirit Spring [the spiritual energy font], drawn into Eldrin Chen's meridians. There, it was refined into True Essence [the purified, potent energy cultivated within a practitioner's body], which gathered like a tide before finally crashing through an invisible barrier.

"Foundation Establishment Eighth Tier."

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 8th Tier. He was now significantly closer to the Violet Sanctum Realm.

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

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

"Uncle Eldrin, the Barter Convention 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.

After instructing Lila to stay within the cave abode and not venture out lightly, Eldrin Chen headed straight for the Ethereal Pavilion.

The Barter Convention of the Thousand Star Islands truly lived up to its reputation as one of the grandest such events in the Yan Kingdom. Upon entering the venue, Eldrin Chen cast a swift glance around and saw that the participants numbered over two hundred and sixty. The weakest among them were all Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Among them were several figures whose auras were exceptionally powerful, causing even Eldrin Chen to feel a sense of caution. They were clearly cultivators of the Violet Sanctum realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one opens a mystical space within the dantian].

Generally, at a Barter Convention [a formal gathering where cultivators trade resources] attended by Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] cultivators, it is rare for Violet Sanctum cultivators to participate.

Yet, the Barter Convention at the Thousand Star Islands could attract several Violet Sanctum cultivators, which was clear proof of the exceptional value of this level of gathering.

Eldrin Chen understood well that Violet Sanctum cultivators were exceedingly rare. Barter Convention among such high-level cultivators were typically only held once every few decades.

For example, the Violet Sanctum Barter Convention in the Chu Nation was usually held only once every thirty years. This was because the entire Chu Nation had barely over one hundred Violet Sanctum cultivators. Holding it every ten years would result in far fewer participants each time. Access the full story on audio—novel.com.