Chapter 220 : A Bid for Ascension

Eldrin Chen immediately set his sights on the Cloud Vein Creation Pills [rare pills that aid in the creation and refinement of one's spiritual foundation]. He took out the Luofu Diamond Seal [a defensive magical treasure] and made an offer on the spot: "I offer this treasure, plus twenty thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy], in exchange for two Cloud Vein Creation Pills. What do you say?"

The value of a single Cloud Vein Creation Pill generally hovered around thirty thousand Spirit Stones. A Third Rank Low Grade Defensive Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact designed for protection] was worth over forty thousand. Adding another twenty thousand Spirit Stones made for a perfectly reasonable price.

Before Severus Yan could respond, another voice suddenly chimed in.

"I am willing to exchange this item for your two Cloud Vein Creation Pills."

Eldrin Chen frowned. The one making the offer was Yang Yuanhe, who had actually produced a Third Rank Middle Grade Magical Treasure—the 'Violet Calamity Tribulation Treasure Thunder Pearl' [a pearl containing concentrated heavenly thunder, used to overcome cultivation tribulations]—to trade for the pills.

The Violet Calamity Tribulation Treasure Thunder Pearl was valued at around one hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Offering it for two Cloud Vein Creation Pills represented a premium of over fifty percent.

As if sensing Eldrin Chen's gaze, Yang Yuanhe clasped his hands in a polite but firm salute. "These two Cloud Vein Creation Pills are crucial for my early breakthrough into the Purple Mansion, Mid Stage [the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm]. I must beg your forgiveness, but I cannot yield."

Though somewhat displeased, Eldrin Chen had already acquired the Li Fire Crystal [a crystal imbued with the essence of Li Fire]. Furthermore, Heaven's Ruin Mountain still possessed Cloud Vein Fruit [a rare fruit that can be used to refine Cloud Vein Creation Pills] to refine more Cloud Vein Creation Pills. Naturally, he was unwilling to engage in a bidding war with such a high premium and had no choice but to concede the pills to Yang Yuanhe.

Hearing that he would not raise his offer, Severus Yan revealed a slight smile and completed the transaction with Yang Yuanhe.

The Barter Convention [a gathering where cultivators trade rare items] continued. Soon, it was Eldrin Chen's turn. He stepped forward and presented three treasures. This content originates from audio‑novel.com. Please respect copyright.

One item was a Third Rank Middle Grade Verdant-Blooded Demonic Sword [a demonic blade infused with verdant, life-draining blood essence], another was the Luofu Diamond Seal [a powerful defensive seal renowned for its diamond-like indestructibility], and the final item was a Third Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure [a rare treasure formed by the convergence of heaven and earth's spiritual energies] piece of Kunxu Earth [a legendary type of primordial earth imbued with profound spiritual properties].

The first two items need no further explanation. As for the final piece of Kunxu Earth, it was a treasure the Sun Immortal Clan [a prominent immortal clan] of Yu County [a county within the Chu Kingdom] had obtained by chance. They had offered it to a Chen Clan [the protagonist's clan] shop in exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm].

In truth, the Chen Clan shops had acquired quite a few treasures this way. Due to the clan's sterling reputation and their status as a local Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [an immortal clan with a cultivator who has reached the Purple Mansion realm], cultivators within Yu County who came upon rare treasures would almost always prioritize selling them to the Chen Clan.

After presenting the three treasures, Eldrin Chen spoke with a calm expression, "My purpose here is solely to acquire Separated Flame Spirit Liquid [a refined spiritual liquid containing the essence of the Separated Flame] and Sun Treasure Crystal [an extremely rare crystal that stores the condensed essence of solar energy]."

"If any of you possess these items, I am willing to prioritize a trade with you."

An offer came swiftly. A Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Purple Mansion realm] traded four portions of Separated Flame Spirit Liquid for the Luofu Diamond Seal.

However, the Sun Treasure Crystal was far too rare. Although everyone present was a Purple Mansion Cultivator, none among them had such an item in their collection.

Seeing that no one else was bidding, an Azure-Robed Purple Mansion Cultivator [a Purple Mansion cultivator dressed in azure robes] spoke up, "Fellow Daoist Chen [a respectful form of address between cultivators], since no one possesses the Sun Treasure Crystal, would you be willing to sell that piece of Kunxu Earth?"

"I am willing to exchange a scroll containing a Purple Mansion Cultivation Art [a cultivation technique designed for the Purple Mansion realm] for that Kunxu Earth."

"May I inquire as to what specific cultivation art it is?"

Eldrin Chen spoke, his own interest piqued. After all, a Purple Mansion Cultivation Art [a profound cultivation method for the Purple Mansion realm] could indeed strengthen the clan's foundation and legacy.

The man handed over an outline of the art. Eldrin Chen gave it a cursory glance and shook his head.

This technique was named the Profound Abyss True Water Scripture [a water-attribute cultivation scripture], but it could only guide a cultivator to the Purple Mansion First Layer [the initial stage of the Purple Mansion realm].

The Chen Clan already possessed the Bright Abyss Dao Marsh Art for its water-attributed Foundation Establishment [the realm of building one's foundational cultivation] cultivators. They had no need for this inferior art. What use was a method that would become obsolete after breaking through just one layer of the Purple Mansion [a major realm representing the formation of a spiritual core within the body]?

"This art only reaches the Purple Mansion First Layer, it's useless to me," Eldrin stated flatly. "Furthermore, the Kunxu Earth [a rare, spiritually attuned earth element material] could be used to forge a Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them]. The value of your scripture falls short."

The Azure-Robed Man, only at the Purple Mansion Second Layer, grew anxious at the refusal. "Though it may be lacking," he hurriedly said, "it is still a genuine Purple Mansion Cultivation Art."

"And if you are willing to complete this trade, I am prepared to share a piece of information regarding a Sun Treasure Crystal [a crystalized essence of pure sun energy, a rare spiritual material]."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. "Is that true?" he asked, his voice measured.

"Of course," the man replied.

As he spoke, a faint smile touched his lips, and he rubbed his hands together in a gesture of anticipation.

After the two completed their transaction, the man promptly transmitted a message in a hushed tone.

"Seven million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] southeast of the Chu Kingdom, beyond the borders of the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent, lies the Heavenly Abode Continent."

"Thirty years ago, I once saw two Sun Treasure Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with the essence of the sun, used to nourish pure yang treasures] listed for sale at the Muyuan Market in the Yuan Nation of the Heavenly Abode Continent. Whether they are still there now, I cannot say."

"Thirty years ago?"

Eldrin Chen's expression darkened, feeling as though he had been deceived.

An event from thirty years past—who could possibly know if the items were still available now? Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel-dot-com.

Before his anger could flare, the Azure-Robed Man continued, "To be perfectly honest, the Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact used to protect and empower a major clan] of the Ji Immortal Clan requires vast quantities of Sun Treasure Crystal for its nourishment. Nearly all such treasures within the entire Ji Continent have fallen into the hands of the Ji Clan."

"Your chances of purchasing Sun Treasure Crystal within the Ji Continent are virtually nonexistent. However, the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their immortal soul essence] sects in the Cultivation World [the world inhabited by cultivators and governed by the laws of cultivation] of Lu Province do not possess a pure yang divine ability as their sect-guarding technique. Your odds of acquiring the crystals there would be significantly higher."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen recalled certain ancient legends.

In the whispers of antiquity, surnames like Ji Clan and Jiang were said to be among the most revered and noble lineages in this realm.

Rumors say that in the distant past, the Ji Immortal Clan of Ji Continent was a supreme immortal clan that possessed a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a cultivator who has ascended to the Nascent Soul realm and attained the title of Dao Lord]. For reasons lost to time, that Nascent Soul Dao Lord fell, causing the clan's status to decline to that of a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [an immortal clan whose highest cultivation is at the Nascent Soul realm].

Even so, the Ji Clan still possesses supreme treasures of the Nascent Soul grade. The current Clan Patriarch [the male leader of a clan], relying on formidable power, has even slain a Nascent Soul Demon Emperor [a demonic beast ruler at the Nascent Soul realm] and forced the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor [a powerful dragon-type demonic beast emperor] to sign a pact.

Since then, the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic beast factions] must abide by the agreement, only permitted to assault humanity once every hundred years, while humans can attack the territories under the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's command at any time.

That Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor is of the bloodline of the Black Dragon Demon Tribe [a powerful lineage of dragon demons], a being half a step away from transforming into a true dragon. That even it was willing to sign such an unequal treaty speaks volumes of the Ji Immortal Clan's formidable strength.

Suppressing the thoughts in his mind, Eldrin Chen decided that after the great war with the Green Sun Sect, he would make a trip to Heavenly Abode Continent.

The Barter Convention [a large-scale gathering for cultivators to trade resources] finally concluded. Although he did not acquire any Sun Treasure Crystal, Eldrin Chen still reaped substantial gains.

Tallying his harvest, he found he had acquired the complete set of Separated Flame Spirit Liquid [a rare spiritual liquid imbued with the essence of the Separated Flame], obtained the Li Fire Crystal, a scroll of the Purple Mansion Cultivation Art [a cultivation technique for the Purple Mansion realm] known as the Profound Abyss True Water Scripture, the refining method for the Unseen Immortal Sword, and forty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

As expenditure, he had parted with the Luofu Diamond Seal, the Third Rank Middle Grade Magical Treasure [a magical treasure of the third rank, middle grade] called the Verdant Scale Shield, three liang-weight [one liang equals fifty grams] of Enlightenment Tea [a rare tea that aids in comprehension and enlightenment], one piece of Violet-Infused Azure Gold [a precious ore], and one lump of Kunxu Earth [a rare earthen material].

Once the transactions were complete, he did not linger. Gathering his gains, he flew towards Yu County.

Meanwhile, in a desolate stretch of wilderness, three figures gathered. The one leading them was Severus Yan of the Yan Immortal Clan.

The other two also recognized one of the figures—it was none other than Hong Morgrim, a long-standing nemesis of the Chen Clan. This demon had been absent for years, yet his cultivation had shockingly broken through the boundary of the Purple Mansion Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation expands into a vast internal mansion].

The final figure was a female Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses malevolent and often sacrificial methods to gain power] with a graceful figure, her cultivation also at the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion realm]. She was clearly also a member of the Demon Cave Cavern [a notorious stronghold for demonic cultivators].

The human and the two demons mingled together, appearing not the least bit incongruous. On the contrary, the two demons were utterly deferential to Severus Yan.

The female Demonic Cultivator stood behind Severus Yan, a coquettish smile on her face as she asked, "Master, has the bait been set for that plump sheep?" Immerse yourself in the complete world at @udio-novel.com.