Chapter 219 : The Price of Ascension

Upon hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances. Lysander Ling sought to acquire a Third Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] to aid in his tribulation. Regardless of success or failure, such treasures would most likely be utterly destroyed within the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic lightning ordeal that tests a cultivator's ascension].

Precisely for this reason, while the Chu Kingdom almost always had over a dozen cultivators in the Purple Mansion Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] across different eras, the number of Third Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [top-tier enchanted artifacts] accumulated over thousands of years barely numbered between sixty and seventy.

Most of these treasures were renowned heirlooms, the Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [paramount artifact that safeguards a clan's legacy] of various great Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families]. To sell one off would strip a clan of its foundational strength. What would they use to defend themselves if a formidable enemy later attacked with their own Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure?

For a moment, many lost interest. In the end, only two cultivators completed a transaction.

One exchanged a treasure for two Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill [elixirs that refine spiritual energy and aid in realm breakthroughs]. This was not a complete loss for him. If he managed to break through to the Purple Mansion Late Stage with the aid of the pills, his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's personally bonded artifact that grows with them] could be advanced afterward, potentially filling the void left by the sold clan treasure.

The other, his lifespan nearly exhausted, privately traded his clan's Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure for the Ethereal Void Longevity Art [a profound cultivation technique focused on longevity and ethereal energy], hoping to extend his remaining years.

Finally, the crafting method for the Formless Immortal Sword [an elusive and nearly undetectable immortal-grade flying sword] found no takers. Seizing the opportunity, Eldrin Chen stepped forward to inquire about its price.

"Esteemed fellow Daoist," Eldrin Chen began, "while the crafting method for the Formless Immortal Sword is indeed rare, it is, after all, merely a method."

"To ask for a Third Rank High Grade Magical Treasure in exchange seems rather... overly ambitious."

Lysander Ling furrowed his brow slightly, but upon recognizing Eldrin Chen, he composed his expression and listened. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio~novel.com.

After all, the prestige of the Bianzhou Sword Immortal [a renowned sword immortal from the Bianzhou region] shook the Chu Kingdom, and whether it was his battle achievements or his innate talent, he deserved to be treated with respect.

Thinking this, he spoke with a pleasant expression: "What Fellow Daoist Chen says also holds some merit. If you are willing to part with a Third Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], I can add eighty thousand Spirit Stone [minerals that store spiritual energy] to the offer."

"This shield was forged from the scales of a Purple Palace, Mid Stage [a mid-stage cultivator of the Purple Mansion realm] demonic serpent I slew. Its defensive capabilities rank among the pinnacle for Third Rank Middle Grade [a specific grade within the third rank of cultivation artifacts] treasures."

That Lysander Ling nodded. Although the grade of this Verdant Scale Shield was slightly lower, a Defensive Magical Treasure [an artifact specialized for protection] played a crucial role during a Heavenly Tribulation.

Upon this thought, a flicker of desire stirred within him, yet he began to bargain.

"If you add another twenty thousand Spirit Stone, I will agree to this transaction."

Eldrin Chen was reluctant to part with more Spirit Stone, so he offered: "I can add one more liang-weight [approximately fifty grams] of Third Rank Enlightenment Tea [tea leaves that temporarily enhance a cultivator's comprehension]. How about that?"

After the Enlightenment Tea Tree advanced to the Third Rank [a specific cultivation realm], it only produced a new batch of leaves every nine years, yielding a mere three liang-weight [approximately one hundred fifty grams] of Enlightenment Tea each time.

However, Third Rank Enlightenment Tea was already exceedingly precious. Drinking it could temporarily triple the comprehension ability of an average Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Purple Mansion realm].

By regularly partaking of this Enlightenment Tea over the years, Eldrin Chen's mastery of his divine abilities had grown significantly, and the power he could unleash had increased by another thirty percent.

Even the Solar Separated Flame Scripture [a profound cultivation scripture], was elevated by its influence to the realm of the Purple Mansion Eighth Layer [the eighth stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm], a testament to the tea's profound and wondrous nature.

The market price for this tea is staggeringly high, reaching eighteen thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] per liang-weight [approximately fifty grams], and it is deeply cherished by Purple Mansion Cultivator [practitioners who have reached the Purple Mansion stage of cultivation].

Upon hearing that he possessed Enlightenment Tea [a rare tea that aids in spiritual insight and comprehension], Lysander Ling immediately agreed to the transaction.

Once the deal was concluded, he could not help but add, "Does Fellow Daoist Chen have any more Enlightenment Tea? I am willing to pay the high price of twenty thousand Spirit Stone to purchase three liang-weight from you."

Consuming Enlightenment Tea can enhance one's spiritual sense cultivation and bring a deeper, more profound understanding when practicing divine abilities. These benefits can marginally increase one's chances of forming a Golden Core [the condensed spiritual core of a high-level cultivator], which explains Lysander Ling's intense excitement.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before finally producing two liang-weight for the trade. "I do not have much of this tea myself," he said. "I can only spare two liang-weight for you."

Lysander Ling nodded in understanding. In his view, Eldrin Chen had likely obtained this Enlightenment Tea from Lyra Jiang, so it was impossible for him to have a large stock. Being able to acquire three liang-weight was already a stroke of great fortune.

Only Percival Pan's eyes flickered with a thought, but he ultimately shook his head in resignation, dismissing the notion as far-fetched.

Spirit Tree [trees imbued with and radiating spiritual energy] are exceedingly rare in the world, and the chance of one mutating into a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a legendary spiritual root of immense power and rarity] is less than one in ten thousand. The possibility was simply too slim.

Need one look further than the vast expanse of the Chu Kingdom? Only the ancient and venerable Three Great Sects each possess a single Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root, a testament to their scarcity.

Having changed the refining method for the Formless Immortal Sword [an ethereal sword that is nearly impossible to perceive before it strikes], Eldrin Chen felt a surge of delight in his heart.

This Formless Immortal Sword was a first-rate magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]; using it in combat would leave opponents utterly defenseless. Especially when deployed in a surprise attack, its effectiveness might very well rival that of a Fourth Rank Low Grade Magical Treasure.

That Lysander Ling had exchanged for two Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of immense power used to protect and establish a clan's legacy] and one Third Rank Middle GradeDefensive Magical Treasure, and had even unexpectedly obtained three liang-weight [approximately one hundred fifty grams] of Enlightenment Tea [a rare tea that aids in meditation and comprehension of the Dao]. Naturally, he descended from the platform thoroughly satisfied.

The second to step forward was Seraphina Ye. She, too, produced three treasures: a cultivation art, a Third Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure [a rare material born from the convergence of heaven and earth's spiritual essence], and a piece of Li Fire Crystal [a crystalized essence of the Separated Flame, containing potent fire-attribute spiritual power].

The value of the Li Fire Crystal went without saying. The cultivation art was a fire-attribute Purple Mansion Cultivation Art [a high-level technique for cultivating the Purple Mansion realm], which Seraphina Ye had acquired through a personal stroke of fortune.

The Third Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure was a Celestial Star Stone. It was said this stone, similar to a Sun Treasure Crystal, served as a crucial catalyst for cultivating Star-Type Divine Ability [supernatural powers that draw upon the essence of celestial bodies]. Read the full novel exclusively on site: audio-novel.com.

After Seraphina Ye introduced her items, she spoke: "For these three treasures, esteemed fellow cultivators may offer Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] or items of equivalent value. Any suitable offer will be considered for trade."

Eldrin Chen immediately set his sights on the Li Fire Crystal. He spoke directly: "I offer a piece of Violet-Infused Azure Gold in exchange for your Li Fire Crystal. What say you?"

The Violet-Infused Azure Gold contained the attributes of fire, metal, and wood. When forged into a magical treasure, it even had the potential to retain divine abilities from all three elements.

Furthermore, cultivators with any of those three types of Spiritual Root [the innate channels that determine one's affinity for absorbing spiritual energy from the world] could utilize it. Such broad compatibility, coupled with its suitability for crafting a Lifebound Magical Treasure [a treasure personally refined and bound to a cultivator's soul, growing in power with them], made this type of Treasure Metal [a rare, spiritually conductive metal used in high-level forging] exceptionally valuable even among other Third Rank Treasure.

The piece of Li Fire Crystal [a crystal imbued with the essence of the Separated Flame element] in Eldrin Chen's hand was not of the highest quality; it could only be forged into a Third Rank Middle Grade Magical Treasure [a mid-tier enchanted artifact of the third rank]. Nevertheless, its value could still reach sixty to seventy thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

As soon as he produced this item, Seraphina Ye was immediately captivated and completed the transaction on the spot.

Having acquired another Li Fire Crystal, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of relief. It seemed that even after refining a full cauldron of Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a rare pill that aids in spiritual creation and breakthrough], it would not hinder the impending breakthroughs of Kael Chen and Lior Chen.

In the span of a few moments, the other two treasures were also traded. The Celestial Star Gemstone [a gemstone containing celestial star energy] was purchased for eighty thousand Spirit Stone, while the fire-attribute Purple Mansion Cultivation Art [a cultivation technique for the Purple Mansion realm] was exchanged for a Third Rank Middle Grade [a descriptor for the middle grade of the third rank] magical treasure.

Had that Purple Mansion Cultivation Art been of a different elemental affinity, Eldrin Chen might have considered bidding for it. Unfortunately, it was fire-attribute and only reached the Purple Mansion Fifth Layer [the fifth stage within the Purple Mansion realm], which was inferior to his own Solar Separated Flame Scripture [a scripture detailing the Solar Separated Flame cultivation method]. Thus, he dismissed the thought.

In recent years, several Foundation Establishment Cultivator [practitioners who have established their foundational cultivation base] within the clan, such as Caleb Chen and Kael Chen, who possessed Fire Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for the fire element], had gradually succeeded in mastering the Solar Separated Flame Scripture. Their strength had grown significantly compared to other Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the same rank.

After this transaction concluded, Severus Yan stepped forward. This Ancient Ancestor [a venerable elder of immense age and power] at the Purple Mansion Ninth Layer [the ninth and penultimate stage of the Purple Mansion realm] cast a glance over the assembly and then directly produced several treasures.

Among these treasures, the first was two Cloud Vein Creation Pill, the second was a piece of Third Rank Treasured Gold [a quantity of precious metal of the third rank], and the third was a divine ability technique. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel.com.