Chapter 251 : Tempering Spirit in the Flaming Prison

Countless thoughts swirled within Eldrin Chen's mind as he recalled the information he had gradually pieced together over the years.

He had come to understand that both the Eastern Wastelands and the broader Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the cultivation realm centered around the Eastern Sea] were territories only opened up within the last ten thousand years.

In the distant past, this entire domain was the territory of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow a corrupt and bloodthirsty path] and Demonic Tribe [tribes of monstrous, sentient beasts]. In those ancient times, the Human Race living within this vast expanse were little more than livestock, sustenance for the demonic hordes.

After organizing his thoughts, Eldrin Chen soared into the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire on his flying sword.

The Flaming Prison Sea of Fire was a true wasteland, a place where life itself seemed to have been scorched away, leaving behind almost no trace of vitality.

Yet, the moment Eldrin Chen crossed its threshold, an overwhelming tide of murderous intent crashed over him, forcing him to immediately marshal his spiritual sense [a cultivator's extended perception and will] to resist its corrosive pressure.

In this constant state of resistance, his spiritual sense was being steadily depleted, yet, almost imperceptibly, it was also being tempered, growing sharper and more resilient under the relentless assault.

"This environment forces one's spiritual sense into a perpetual state of compression," he mused. "And when practicing visualization arts here, the sensations feel far more vivid, more real."

"No wonder Magnus the Virtuous said that cultivating spirit-refining techniques here would yield twice the result with half the effort."

Eldrin Chen flew one hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] deep into the heart of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, then settled upon a desolate ridge to begin his cultivation of the Great Sun Visualization Art. Published by AUDIO-NOVEL.COM. All rights reserved.

He closed his eyes and began his cultivation. In a trance-like state, he beheld a colossal sun suspended in the heavens, from which endless streams of solar True Flame [a pure, potent flame born of the sun's essence] cascaded down, scattering across the firmament and transforming the entire world into a Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

"Falling Sun Ridge."

The Great Sun Visualization Art [a profound method for refining one's spirit by visualizing the Great Sun] resonated perfectly with the imagery of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, spontaneously coalescing into a new, more potent visualization—the Falling Sun Ridge [a mental construct of a celestial ridge from which the sun seems to fall].

Seizing this moment of profound insight, he swiftly consumed a Spirit-Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and strengthens the cultivator's spiritual essence] and plunged into deep, accelerated cultivation.

Not long after, his spirit-refining cultivation surged forward by a tremendous leap, breaking through to the Purple Mansion Seventh Layer.

And this was merely the beginning. Within this ideal environment, his spiritual cultivation advanced a thousand Li-lengths in a single day. In just four years, he progressed another two layers, reaching the Purple Mansion Great Perfection.

A cultivator's spiritual sense is of paramount importance. While an ordinary cultivator, upon reaching Purple Mansion Great Perfection, could begin attempting the breakthrough to the Purple Mansion [the next major realm], for Eldrin Chen it was still insufficient.

He had never relied on external aids to break through major realms, and his True Essence had been meticulously tempered by four Lifebound Magical Treasure [magical treasures bound to a cultivator's life force, growing with them], resulting in a purity far surpassing the ordinary.

If he wished to ascend to the Golden Core [the realm of the solidified Golden Core], it was best to first refine his spiritual sense to the level of the Golden Core Realm itself, thereby securing far greater odds of success.

"I can cultivate no further here."

On this day, Eldrin Chen opened his eyes, ceasing his cultivation session.

The Spirit Tempering Method [a technique for refining one's spiritual essence] was far too taxing on his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. He possessed only three Spirit-Nourishing Pill [pills that restore and nourish spiritual energy], and they had long since been exhausted.

If he wished to continue refining his spirit, he would need to purchase more Spirit-Nourishing Pill.

After concluding his spirit refinement, Eldrin Chen did not depart immediately. It had been over nineteen years since his breakthrough to the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Purple Mansion realm]. His accumulated spiritual energy was now sufficient; it was time to step into the Purple Mansion Fifth Layer.

There was no bottleneck in advancing to the Purple Mansion Fifth Layer. It was a natural progression. He simply spent a month refining a considerable number of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and smoothly entered the new layer.

"Success," he murmured.

With both his spirit refinement and cultivation base having advanced, Eldrin Chen concluded his session in high spirits.

Now that his cultivation was complete, he saw no reason to linger within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. His plan was to wait for the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade rare resources], purchase more Spirit-Nourishing Pill and the Sun Treasure Crystal [a crystal imbued with solar essence], and then return to this place to resume his spirit refinement.

Emerging from the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, he flew directly towards the Qinyuan Market.

The territory of Yuan Nation was several times larger than that of the Chu Kingdom, and its population of Purple Mansion Cultivator was correspondingly several times greater as well.

Currently, the number of Purple Mansion Cultivators [cultivators who have opened their third spiritual palace] within the Chu Kingdom is less than one hundred and fifty, while the Yuan Nation boasts seven to eight hundred such individuals.

With such a multitude of Purple Mansion Cultivators, the volume of trade generated amongst them is naturally far greater. Consequently, compared to the Chu Kingdom's Barter Convention [a grand market for cultivators to exchange rare resources] held once every thirty years, the Yuan Nation convenes its own Barter Convention once every decade.

Having waited for five years, Eldrin Chen finally witnessed the commencement of the Yuan Nation's Purple Mansion Barter Convention.

This Purple Mansion Barter Convention was held within the Qin Clan's Qinyuan Market. Due to the large number of participating Purple Mansion Cultivators, the convention operated on two distinct trading models.

Participants could present up to three rare items for open bidding by the assembly. Alternatively, they could simply set a price for items they wished to sell, allowing those with suitable treasures or resources to make purchases directly.

No sooner had Eldrin Chen entered the Qinyuan Market than he encountered a familiar face. The complete novel can be found at audio novel.com.

Approaching alongside a man and a woman, Yvonne Yu greeted him with a smile. "Fellow Daoist, I did not expect our paths to cross here."

"So it is the Immortal Maiden Yvonne," Eldrin Chen replied with a slight smile, his voice carrying a subtle, soundless transmission. "I have certain... adversaries within the Yuan Nation. I would appreciate your discretion."

"Understood," she responded discreetly.

That Yvonne Yu [a cultivator from the Yu Clan] was momentarily taken aback, then swiftly composed herself, the exchange of glances and unspoken understanding passing between them in an instant.

Just then, the woman beside her smiled and inquired, "Sister, who might this be?"

"This is Brother Wei," Yvonne Yu replied with a gentle smile. "I came from Heaven's Spine Mountain, traveling here in his company."

As she spoke, she turned to introduce Eldrin Chen. "And this is the Qingyan the Immortal Maiden [the 'Clear Beauty Immortal Maiden'] I mentioned to you. This gentleman here is Lord of the Peach Blossom Crag [the master of Peach Blossom Mountain], Qingci the Recluse [the 'Elegant Verse Recluse']."

"An honor to meet you both," Eldrin said, offering a courteous greeting.

It dawned on him then that the initial bond of friendship between Qingyan the Immortal Maiden and Yvonne Yu likely stemmed from the pleasing similarity of their names.

He assessed the two women with a cultivator's discerning eye. Qingyan the Immortal Maiden possessed a cultivation base at the Purple Mansion Third Layer [the third level of the Purple Mansion realm], while Qingci the Recluse had already reached the Purple Mansion Sixth Layer [the sixth level], her aura brushing against the threshold of the Purple Mansion Seventh Layer [the seventh level].

Qingci the Recluse carried an air of cool detachment. Her gaze swept over Eldrin Chen, acknowledging him with a slight, silent nod, offering no words.

The group proceeded into the main hall of the Barter Convention. Yvonne Yu then asked, "Brother, have you come seeking to acquire Sun Treasure Crystal [a crystalized essence of solar energy]?"

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen affirmed with a nod, his tone composed as he returned the question. "And your purpose here?"

That Qingci the Recluse rarely spoke, but now he broke his silence, saying calmly, "Let us see if we can purchase a Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill [a high-grade pill that refines the spirit and strengthens the meridians]."

After the group chatted for a short while, the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare treasures and resources] finally commenced.

Eldrin Chen observed the assembly and discovered that the number of cultivators participating in this Barter Convention had reached a staggering two hundred or more Purple Mansion Cultivators [cultivators who have opened their third major energy center, a significant power level].

With such a multitude of Purple Mansion Cultivators, it was no wonder the Barter Convention in Yuan Nation could be held once every decade. It truly lived up to the reputation of a vast cultivation nation spanning millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

The first to take the stage was, naturally, a representative of the Qin Immortal Clan.

This time, the Qin Immortal Clan offered three items for auction, each one a precious Fourth Rank Treasure [an artifact of immense power, suitable for Golden Core Realm experts].

Eldrin Chen glanced up, then dismissed any thought of bidding. The Qin Clan presented three items.

They were: one Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], one Golden Core Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in condensing a Golden Core], and one Creation Green Essence Pill [a rare pill that enhances one's foundational spiritual essence].

The Fourth Rank Low Grade Magical Treasure fetched an exorbitant price of one million, three hundred thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. The Golden Core Formation Pill was bid up even more fiercely, finally being purchased by a certain Golden Core Immortal Clan for two hundred eighty million Spirit Stones.

The final Creation Green Essence Pill was also exchanged, traded for a single stalk of Fourth Rank Spirit Medicine [a plant imbued with potent spiritual energy]. Following this, the other Golden Core Immortal Clans presented treasures of equally staggering value—so expensive that Eldrin Chen did not even entertain the notion of bidding. For more chapters, visit audio . novel . com for the complete novel.