Chapter 300 : The Blue Jade Lake's Secret

"We understand."

Upon hearing this, the group promptly began their selections.

Among the seven Spirit Vein, the most precious was undoubtedly the Third Rank High Grade Blue Jade Lake. This Spirit Vein was located less than thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Heaven's Ruin Lake and contained a Third Rank High Grade Water Vein [an underground current rich in water-attribute spiritual energy] within it.

Blue Jade Lake was renowned for the Blue Jade [a precious jade with unique spiritual properties] found in its Water Vein. That Blue Jade was an extremely valuable precious jade, used to craft Storage Jade Vial and Jade Box [containers that can extend the preservation period of spiritual items]. It could significantly prolong the storage lifespan of Spirit Medicine and Spirit Pill, making it a truly coveted treasure.

Blue Jade Lake yielded one piece of Third Rank Blue Jade every ten Annual Assembly. Once refined into a Treasure Box or Jade Vial, it could extend the preservation period of Pill and other Spiritual Object by thirty years.

Its value was estimated to be in the tens of thousands of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Therefore, securing this vein would bring substantial benefits, whether used personally or sold for profit.

That Water Vein could also be used to farm Spirit Clam [spiritual mollusks that produce pearls and other resources]. Acquiring it would mean the clan would no longer face scarcity in water-attribute resources.

Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance and, without a word, claimed this Spirit Vein for their clan.

Among the remaining individuals, Xavier Xu and Fang the Ancient Ancestor held back from exchanging for these Spirit Veins and Earth Veins, reserving their resources for a Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme pill that aids in forming a Golden Core].

However, the Qian Clan, the Pan Clan, and several other Purple Palace, Late Stage Immortal Clan did make their move. They secured a Third Rank Middle Grade Spirit Mountain. Once these Spirit Vein were fully developed, the Deep-Seated Foundation [the long-term stability and resource base of a clan] of their families would be greatly strengthened. Original English translation available at audio-novel.com.

After all, the resource consumption of a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a powerful cultivation family whose patriarch has reached the Purple Mansion Realm] is relatively fixed. Under such circumstances, each additional Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth] essentially represents a massive, pure windfall of extra income. Sustained over time, this would undoubtedly allow the clan's foundation to grow increasingly vast and formidable.

Aside from these Immortal Clan [powerful families of cultivators], Yu Qingyan also managed to obtain the Third Rank Middle Grade [a mid-level spirit mountain suitable for Purple Mansion cultivators] Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy] known as Thunderclap Valley, leaving her thoroughly satisfied.

That Thunderclap Valley was once the Spirit Mountain of the Thunder Roc [a powerful avian demonic beast that commands the power of thunder] lineage. Beneath the mountain lies a special ore vein of Thunderclap Treasure Metal [a rare metal imbued with the essence of thunder and lightning], a rare Thunder Attribute Heaven and Earth Treasures [a natural treasure born from the convergence of heaven and earth's spiritual essence].

This material contains the power of thunder. Whether used for forging Thunder Attribute Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] or cultivating Thunder Art Divine Ability [supernatural arts that harness the power of thunder and lightning], it is an exceptional resource. For Eldrin Chen, who possesses a Thunder Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for the thunder element] and practices Thunder Art Divine Ability, it is also a fine treasure.

To secure Thunderclap Valley, Yu Qingyan did not exchange for any other treasures. Instead, she compensated the others with a large sum of Merit Points [a points-based credit system within an organization or sect], thereby claiming this Spirit Mountain.

After the various Immortal Clan had exchanged for the Third Rank [a realm of power equivalent to the Purple Mansion stage] Spirit Mountain and Earth Vein [a vein of earth-attribute spiritual energy within the land], Lyra Jiang put away the Ethereal Map [a magical map displaying spiritual geography].

There were still quite a few Second Rank Spirit Mountain [spirit mountains suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators] remaining, along with a vast quantity of Second Rank Treasure [magical treasures of the Foundation Establishment grade]. However, these would naturally be handled by Lyra Jiang's disciples and descendants, as well as the disciples of the Chen Immortal Clan.

Once the pelts, bones, and other materials from these Demonic Beast [beasts that have absorbed spiritual energy and gained monstrous power] were refined into Pill [elixirs used to aid cultivation], Magical Tool [a general term for enchanted tools and weapons], Talisman [inscribed charms that store a single-use spell or effect], and other resources, it was foreseeable that the disciples of the Chen Immortal Clan and Celestial Ruins Mountain [Heaven's Ruin Mountain] would see a rapid advancement in their mastery of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation. They would also, consequently, earn a substantial fortune in Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

After everyone had finished exchanging their treasures, Lyra Jiang spoke calmly, "I will procure the Heavenly Heart Herb [a rare herb used in high-level alchemy] as soon as possible to refine the Golden Core Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in the formation of a cultivator's Golden Core]."

"You should return now and attend to the matter of the Spirit Vein."

"My gratitude, Immortal Maiden." [a respectful address for a powerful female cultivator]

Xavier Xu exclaimed with delight to Fang the Ancient Ancestor, "Since our breakthrough to the False Core [a quasi-Golden Core state, stronger than Purple Mansion but not a true Golden Core] realm, our chances of achieving true Core Formation [the process of condensing a Golden Core] have already reached thirty percent."

"If we can obtain a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious elixir that significantly increases the success rate of forming a Golden Core], that confidence will soar to a full fifty percent." With this thought filling their minds, both returned to their clans in high spirits, ready to mobilize their Deep-Seated Foundation [the accumulated wealth and resources of a clan, built over generations] to procure the Golden Core Formation Pill.

After all, as two False Core Cultivator, the Merit Points [credit earned for contributions, often redeemable for resources] their two great clans had earned in this battle were substantial enough to be worth nearly one million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. By mortgaging or selling off some of their clan's Deep-Seated Foundation, they indeed had the means to exchange for a Golden Core Formation Pill from Lyra Jiang.

"You may withdraw."

After the others had departed, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang remained before the spirit pool, beginning to tally the spoils of this campaign.

Lyra Jiang retrieved the Inner Core [the condensed energy core of a powerful demonic beast or cultivator] of the Crimson Scorpion Demon King, storing it within a Fourth Rank Treasure Box [a container enchanted to preserve spiritual items]. She then placed the Inner Core of the Black Flood Dragon into a Jade Box [a jade container often used for storing precious spiritual materials], sighing with a touch of regret.

"This Inner Core from the Black Flood Dragon is severely damaged. I fear it will yield no more than two Golden Core Formation Pill at most."

"Given the limits of my current cultivation, slaying it required me to exert my full strength."

Eldrin Chen also felt a pang of loss. The value of a single Golden Core Formation Pill started at two million Spirit Stone. Losing the potential for one pill meant a loss of two million Spirit Stones—a blow that felt like a fracture to the very bones of their resources.

More crucially, once damaged, the Creation Qi [the fundamental energy of creation and life] within the Black Flood Dragon Inner Core [the condensed spiritual core of a powerful demonic beast] would dissipate within three years. Even if sealed within a Fourth Rank Jade Box [a high-grade jade container used to preserve spiritual potency], its medicinal efficacy could only be extended to around ten years.

At this thought, he furrowed his brow and could not help but ask, "I wonder where one might find this Heavenly Heart Herb [a rare spiritual herb said to resonate with the heart of heaven]?"

"Do not worry."

Lyra Jiang stored the Treasure Box away and then said, "According to tradition, after the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts] concludes, cultivators of Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solid golden spiritual core] realm and above within the Ji Continent will convene a Barter Convention [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare cultivation resources]. We should be able to procure the Heavenly Heart Herb there."

"Then the matter is settled."

Eldrin Chen nodded calmly. Having journeyed to this point, his solitary slaying of a Golden Core Demon King [a demonic beast lord of the Golden Core realm] served as a declaration—he had now stepped into the ranks of the Ji Continent's high-level cultivators. Experience the full epic at audio~novel.com.

Even Golden Core True Person [a formal title for a cultivator who has achieved the Golden Core realm] would treat him as an equal, and might even regard him with greater esteem.

In this world, strength ultimately dictated one's standing. Using cultivation realms to delineate seniority was merely one way of measuring that power.

Observing his expression, a flicker of amusement passed through Lyra Jiang's eyes before she spoke again.

"For the next Barter Convention, the list of items we need to acquire is quite substantial."

"With Green Sun Mountain and Heaven's Ruin Lake, we already possess two Fourth Rank Spirit Veins [spiritual energy sources of the fourth rank]. The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a rare spiritual plant that connects to heaven and earth energies] at Spirit Isle Lake should also reach the Fourth Rank [the fourth major tier of cultivation power] within a dozen or so years."

"Add to that your Verdant Chariot Mountain and Pingyang City, which will also reach the Fourth Rank within a few decades. By then, we will have five Fourth Rank Spirit Veins."

"To simultaneously occupy several Fourth Rank Spirit Veins, we will need to establish at least three Teleportation Formations [magical arrays for instantaneous travel over vast distances] to link them into a unified network."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. The most crucial treasure required to establish a Teleportation Formation was the Void Gem [a rare crystal that stabilizes spatial pathways].

A single Void Gem started at a price of a million Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Purchasing several at once would likely strain even the combined wealth of Lyra Jiang and Eldrin Chen.

The few extra Fourth Rank Magical Treasures [enchanted artifacts of the fourth rank] they possessed would not remain in their vaults for long; they would need to be traded one by one for other necessary resources.

At this thought, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he gazed towards the direction of Earth Lion Ridge. "If we could capture Earth Lion Ridge, then Heaven's Ruin Lake, Earth Lion Ridge, and Green Sun Mountain would form a defensive triangle. Our cultivation resources would then become truly abundant."

"Let us not be hasty."

The proposal was tempting, but after a moment of silent contemplation, Lyra Jiang shook her head.

Eldrin Chen also nodded, suppressing the idea. The Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] at Earth Lion Ridge was as high as Fourth Rank Middle Grade [the middle tier of the fourth rank]. Furthermore, the Earth Lion Demon King [a powerful demonic beast ruler], backed by its grand defensive formation, possessed formidable strength.

Setting aside the uncertainty of whether it could even be captured, even if it were taken, it would place a significant strain on the Heaven's Ruin Alliance.

Only when the Old Patriarch and Elara Lin achieve a breakthrough into the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual power condenses into a solid, golden core] realm will they possess the necessary margin of strength to act with true ease.

Furthermore, ideally, they would need to prepare three or four Void Gem [a rare spatial gemstone used to create stable teleportation links] to properly interconnect the several Fourth Rank Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with a powerful, fourth-grade spiritual energy vein].

Otherwise, even by stationing Golden Core cultivators there, the Heaven's Ruin Alliance's overall strength would be dispersed, increasing the peril of its Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Golden Core realm] being picked off one by one. Join our community of readers at audio-novel.com (official site).