Chapter 220 : A Bid for Ascension

Eldrin Chen immediately set his sights on the Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a rare elixir that aids in the formation of a cultivator's Violet Sanctum]. He produced the Luofu Vajra Seal [a powerful defensive treasure] and made his offer on the spot: "I will trade this treasure, plus an additional twenty thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy], for two Cloud Vein Creation Pills. What do you say?"

The value of a single Cloud Vein Creation Pill was generally around thirty thousand Spirit Stones. A Third Rank Lower Grade defensive magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] was worth over forty thousand. Adding twenty thousand more made for a perfectly reasonable price.

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

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

Eldrin Chen frowned. The one making the offer was Yuanhe Yang, who had actually brought out a Third Rank Middle Grade magical treasure, the 'Violet Calamity Tribulation Thunder Pearl' [a pearl that unleashes calamitous violet thunder], to exchange for it.

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

As if sensing Eldrin Chen's gaze, Yuanhe Yang cupped his hands in a polite but firm gesture. "These two Cloud Vein Creation Pills are crucial for my early breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm]. I must beg your forgiveness, but I cannot yield them."

Though somewhat displeased, Eldrin Chen had already acquired the Solar Fire Crystal [a crystal imbued with solar fire essence]. Furthermore, Heavenly Ruins Mountain still possessed Cloud Vein Fruit [a spiritual fruit used to refine the Cloud Vein Creation Pill] which could be used 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 item to Yuanhe Yang.

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

The Barter Convention continued. Soon, it was Eldrin Chen's turn. He stepped up to the front and produced three items of his own. Read the full novel exclusively on audio—novel.com.

One item was a Green Blood Demonic Sword of the mid-grade third rank, another was the Luofu Vajra Seal, and the final item was a Third-Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure known as Kunxu Earth [a rare spiritual soil imbued with profound earth essence].

The first two items need no further explanation. As for the final Kunxu Earth, it was obtained by the Sun Immortal Clan of Yu County through a stroke of fortune and was later offered to a Chen Clan shop in exchange for a single Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in solidifying one's cultivation foundation].

In truth, the Chen Clan had acquired numerous treasures through their shops. Their reputation was impeccable, and as a local Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [an established clan with cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, a core spiritual center], cultivators within Yu County who came upon rare treasures would invariably prioritize selling them to the Chen Clan.

After presenting the three treasures, Eldrin Chen stated calmly, "My purpose here is solely to procure Solar Fire Spirit Liquid [a liquid essence refined from solar fire] and Solar Treasure Crystal [a rare crystal formed under intense solar energy]."

"If any of you possess these items, you may have priority in trading with me."

An offer was made almost immediately. A Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has successfully opened their Violet Sanctum] exchanged four portions of Solar Fire Spirit Liquid for the Luofu Vajra Seal.

However, the Solar Treasure Crystal proved far too rare. Although all present were Violet Sanctum Cultivator, none among them had such an item in their collection.

Seeing no further bids, a cultivator in verdant robes, also a Violet Sanctum Cultivator, spoke up. "Fellow Daoist Chen, since no one possesses the Solar Treasure Crystal, would you be willing to sell that Kunxu Earth?"

"I am willing to trade a Violet Sanctum [the core spiritual realm following Foundation Establishment] cultivation manual for that Kunxu Earth."

"What manner of manual might this be?"

Eldrin Chen spoke, his interest piqued. After all, a Violet Sanctum cultivation art could also strengthen the foundation of his clan.

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

This art was named the Thalion True Water Scripture, a water-attributed technique. However, it could only be cultivated to the Violet Sanctum 1st Tier.

The Chen Clan already possessed the Bright Abyss Path of Grace Art for its water-attributed Foundation Establishment cultivators, rendering this new art unnecessary. What use was a technique one would have to abandon after advancing just a single minor realm upon reaching the Violet Sanctum?

"This art only reaches the Violet Sanctum 1st Tier and is utterly useless to me," Eldrin stated. "Furthermore, the Kunxu Earth can be used to forge a Lifebound Magical Treasure. The value of your art falls short."

The verdant-robed man, only at the Violet Sanctum 2nd Tier, hurriedly spoke upon hearing the refusal. "Though this art is somewhat lacking, it is still a Violet Sanctum technique."

"Moreover, if you are willing to complete this trade, I am prepared to share a piece of information regarding a Solar Treasure Crystal."

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly before replying, "Is that true?"

"Of course."

The man smiled, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

After the transaction was completed, the man hastily transmitted a message in a hushed tone.

"Seven million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] southeast of Chu Nation, past the borders of the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent, lies the Tianlu Continent."

"Three decades ago, I once saw two Solar Treasure Crystal [a crystal that stores and channels pure solar energy] listed for sale at the Muyuan Workshop in the Yuan Nation on the Tianlu Continent. Whether they are still there now, I cannot say."

"Three decades ago?"

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

An event from thirty years prior—who could possibly know if it still held true today? Find this and other novels at www . audio-novel.com.

Before his anger could flare, the verdant-robed man continued, "To be frank, 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 Solar Treasure Crystal [a crystal that stores and channels pure solar energy] 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 Solar Treasure Crystal [a crystal that stores and channels pure solar energy] within the Ji Continent are virtually nonexistent. However, the Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power or technique] that serves as the Infant Soul Sect's sect-guarding art in the Immortal Realm of Luzhou is not a Primordial Solar Divine Ability [a divine ability drawing power from the primordial sun]. Your odds of acquiring the crystals there should be considerably higher."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen recalled certain ancient legends.

In the whispers of antiquity, surnames like Ji Clan and Kiang Clan were once counted among the most revered lineages in this world.

Whispers speak of the Ji Immortal Clan of Ji Continent, that in the distant past, it was a supreme Immortal Clan possessing a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm and comprehended a Path]. For reasons lost to time, that Path Lord fell, and the clan's status plummeted to that of an Infant Soul Immortal Clan.

Even so, the Ji Clan still possesses a supreme treasure of Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] grade. The current clan leader, wielding formidable power, has even slain an Infant Soul Demon Emperor and forced the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor into signing a pact.

Since then, the Demon Race must abide by the agreement, launching assaults against the Human Race only once every century. The Human Race, however, is free to attack the forces under the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's command at any time.

That Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor is of Black Dragon Demon Race lineage, a being halfway to 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 might.

Suppressing these thoughts, Eldrin Chen decided that after the great battle with the Verdant Sun Sect, he would make a journey to Tianlu Continent.

"…"

The Barter Convention finally concluded. Although he failed to acquire any Solar Treasure Crystal, Eldrin Chen's harvest was still substantial.

Tallying his gains, he found he had secured the full set of Solar Fire Spirit Liquid, obtained Solar Fire Crystal, acquired a scroll of the Violet Sanctum [a cultivation realm] cultivation art Thalion True Water Scripture, the refinement method for the Formless Immortal Sword, and forty thousand Spirit Stone [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

As expenditure, he had parted with the Luofu Vajra Seal [a powerful sealing technique], the third-rank mid-grade magical treasure Azure Scale Shield, three liang-weight [one liang-weight equals fifty grams] of Enlightenment Tea, one piece of Violet-Infused Azure Gold, and one lump of Kunxu Earth.

With the transactions complete, he lingered no longer, taking his spoils and flying towards Yu County.

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

Eldrin Chen recognized one of the other two individuals. To his surprise, it was the Chen Clan's long-standing enemy, Hong Old Demon. This fiend, unseen for many years, had actually managed to break through to the Violet Sanctum Realm.

The final figure was a woman with a graceful figure, a Demonic Cultivator whose cultivation was also at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage. She was clearly another Demonic Cultivator from the Demon Cave.

The human and the two fiends mingled together, a sight that seemed not the least bit incongruous. On the contrary, the two demons were utterly deferential and respectful towards Mingxu Yan.

The female Demonic Cultivator stood behind Mingxu Yan, a coquettish smile on her face as she spoke. "Master, has the bait for that fat sheep been set?" For the best reading experience, visit audio‑novel.com.