Chapter 252 : The Cost of Ascension

It was not until the seventh person took the stage that someone finally offered a Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill for sale.

Gritting his teeth against the pain in his purse, the Recluse of Elegant Verse spent one hundred and ten thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to purchase one Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill.

In truth, a single Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill was not a guarantee of success. However, the path of a rogue cultivator is arduous; most rogue cultivators at the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation] level do not even possess a single Third-order Spiritual Vein [a geographical feature that naturally concentrates spiritual energy].

The Recluse of Elegant Verse had inherited the legacy of a Sword Cultivator [a cultivator who specializes in the sword path] senior, his wife was a third-rank talisman master, and they occupied the Third-order Spiritual Vein at Peach Blossom Mountain. Among rogue cultivators, they were considered quite successful.

Yet, even for them, parting with this one hundred and ten thousand Spirit Stone was a severe blow to their resources. Their future cultivation would inevitably become more strained and frugal.

Having secured the Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill, the Recluse of Elegant Verse's face lit up with joy, and Eldrin Chen offered his congratulations.

A short while later, someone finally produced a Solar Treasure Crystal for trade.

It was a man at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Violet Sanctum realm]. He presented a third-rank Solar Treasure Crystal of superior quality.

"Esteemed fellow cultivators," he announced, "I wish to exchange this Solar Treasure Crystal for a Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure [a top-quality enchanted artifact of the third rank]. Is anyone willing to make the trade?"

That individual began with an outrageous demand. Although this piece of Solar Treasure Crystal [a rare crystalline mineral that stores potent solar energy] was of superior quality, its value hovered around eighty thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Continue reading this story at site: audio-novel.com.

To ask for a Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure [a high-quality enchanted artifact of the third rank] right off the bat was clearly an attempt to extort an exorbitant price.

Someone immediately shook their head and said, "While the Solar Treasure Crystal is rare, it is not an absolute necessity."

"To try and trade it for a Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure is merely capitalizing on its scarcity. I doubt any fool would agree to such a deal."

Seeing that no one offered a Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure, Eldrin Chen produced the Green Blood Demonic Sword [a demonic sword imbued with viridian, life-draining energy] and said, "In light of the Solar Treasure Crystal's rarity, I offer a third-rank mid-grade flying sword. What say you?"

"A third-rank flying sword."

The man's eyes flickered slightly. A third-rank mid-grade magical treasure was worth between eighty and one hundred thousand Spirit Stones, but a flying sword commanded a slightly higher price.

A mid-grade flying sword of the third rank could be used for offense, defense, and even flight. For a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm], it was a respectable treasure indeed.

Although he was a Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the intermediate phase of the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm] cultivator, he himself did not possess a third-rank mid-grade flying sword.

Considering this, he felt tempted. He began to haggle, "Add another fifty thousand Spirit Stones to that sword, and we have a deal."

"Your price is too high, esteemed one."

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, a flicker of impatience crossing his expression. "While I do seek a Solar Treasure Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with condensed solar essence], this item is not without substitutes."

"Moreover, among the two hundred or so cultivators present, you are likely not the only one who possesses it."

He stated, then offered his final price. "Very well. I will add another twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. If you agree, we have a deal."

"Fine, fine, agreed at that price."

The man hastily consented to the transaction, exchanging a Solar Treasure Crystal worth eighty thousand Spirit Stones for a single mid-grade Third-Rank Flying Sword [a magical sword capable of flight, of the third rank] and twenty thousand Spirit Stones.

This price represented a premium of over forty percent. Not every cultivator was willing to part with a treasure of such value. The other cultivators in need of a Solar Treasure Crystal hesitated for a moment, ultimately abandoning any thought of competing for it.

Having secured the Solar Treasure Crystal, Eldrin Chen was quite satisfied. During the remainder of the Barter Convention, he spent several Third-Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure [a third-rank spiritual treasure containing the essence of heaven and earth] to acquire five stalks of Soul Nurturing Flower [a spiritual herb used to nourish and strengthen the soul], intending to use them to refine Spirit-Nourishing Pill [a pill that nourishes and fortifies the cultivator's spiritual foundation].

He did not continue to barter for other treasures. The precious items he had brought on this journey were limited, and he had no other urgent needs at the moment.

At that moment, the trio beside him, including Recluse of Elegant Verse, began quietly exchanging messages through spiritual voice transmission.

The Immortal Maiden Clear Countenance gazed at Verdant Mist Yu and asked with a neutral tone, "Can this Double Sun Wei be trusted?"

"We crossed the Netherwind Ridge together; it's a bond forged through shared hardship," Verdant Mist Yu stated, then added impassively, "He has no kin or deep ties in Yuan Nation either, making him the most suitable candidate."

"Yet, that ancient site holds significant stakes. If his heart is swayed by greed, complications could arise."

The Immortal Maiden Clear Countenance remained somewhat apprehensive, a thread of hesitation lingering in her thoughts.

Verdant Mist Yu shook her head and continued, "Over these past years, we have attempted it several times. With our current strength, securing that site is simply beyond our reach."

"Even if Brother Elegant Verse breaks through to the Violet Sanctum Late Stage, are you confident we could take it?"

The Recluse of Elegant Verse shook his head with a sigh. "The fiendish guardians within that ruin possess Extraordinary power. Even after reaching the Violet Sanctum Late Stage, I have no certainty of being able to slay them." For the best reading experience, visit audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Hearing this, Verdant Mist Yu pressed on, "I have witnessed Brother Wei in action. His combat prowess likely rivals that of a Violet Sanctum Late Stage cultivator."

"If the two of you join forces, you would stand a strong chance of successfully storming that ancient site."

Beside them, the Recluse of Elegant Verse's brow furrowed slightly as he added, "I have observed this man. His sword intent is sharp and unyielding, and his character does not seem flawed."

"If he truly possesses such strength, then he indeed qualifies to explore the ruins with us."

The two women nodded slightly upon hearing this. Sword Cultivator place high demands on one's character. If a person is twisted or treacherous, the sword intent they embody will likewise be insidious and malicious.

The sword aura Eldrin Chen had manifested was grand and imposing, carrying a righteous intent to sever all obstacles. As a Sword Cultivator, Recluse of Elegant Verse could naturally perceive this at a glance.

With their minds preoccupied, the group waited until the Barter Convention concluded.

Once the four of them left the Barter Convention, Verdant Mist Yu immediately stopped Eldrin Chen and transmitted a message: "Brother Eldrin, come with me. We have matters to discuss."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he followed her, flying out of the Qin-Yuan Market.

They arrived at a desolate mountain range. With a grave expression, Recluse of Elegant Verse set up a soundproofing barrier [a magical seal that blocks all sound].

"What matter requires such caution?" Eldrin Chen frowned, unable to hold back his question.

Only then did Verdant Mist Yu speak, her face etched with solemnity. "To be frank, we wish to invite you to explore a certain ruin."

"A Ruins."

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly. In this world, most ruins were the remnants of annihilated sects and Immortal Clans.

However, the fall of a faction was often brought about by a powerful enemy. If it was destroyed by a rival, such a site would have been thoroughly looted clean long ago.

Unless it was intentionally left behind, or belonged to a reclusive power that was suddenly wiped out by a natural or man-made calamity, how could any treasures possibly remain?

In truth, even among rogue cultivators, aside from a few eccentric individuals, most would take on a disciple to inherit their legacy before their end, even if they had no descendants.

For example, the master of the Recluse of Elegant Verse was a senior rogue cultivator who, on his deathbed, sought out the Recluse of Elegant Verse and passed on his inheritance to him.

Thus, having lived for over a century in this life, Eldrin Chen had heard of the emergence of some rogue cultivators' grottoes, but scenes of exploring ruins like those in the novels of his previous life were almost unheard of.

He was half-convinced, half-doubting, suspecting in his heart whether the trio had fallen into a trap set by Demonic Cultivators.

As if sensing his skepticism, the Recluse of Elegant Verse shook his head and said, "The ruins we discovered are the final meditation site of an ancient cultivator."

"It is indeed not a fabrication…"

As the Recluse of Elegant Verse recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen gradually grasped the full picture of the beginning and the end. Find this and other novels at https://audio-novel.com.