Chapter 310 : A Favor Forged in Spirit Stones

Eldrin Chen paused for a moment. Adding five hundred thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to purchase the final Void Gem [a rare gemstone containing spatial energies] was practically giving it away at a seventy percent discount. It seemed Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal [a title meaning 'Ethereal Void Immortal'] was offering a personal favor.

Lyra Jiang nodded with a slight smile and completed the transaction.

Although they had parted with seven Fourth Rank Low Grade Magical Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts of the fourth rank, low grade] and the skeleton of a Golden Core Mid Stage Demon King [a demonic beast king at the mid-stage Golden Core realm], acquiring two stalks of Heavenly Heart Herb [a rare spiritual herb that nourishes the heart of one's cultivation] and four Void Gems [rare gemstones containing spatial energies] meant the deal was still quite profitable for the pair.

It appeared Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal [a title meaning 'Ethereal Void Immortal'] was genuinely preparing to face his Nascent Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation one must overcome to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm], and his need for Fourth Rank Magical Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts of the fourth rank] was immense. After obtaining seven Fourth Rank Low Grade Magical Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts of the fourth rank, low grade] from the two, he was still actively seeking to purchase more.

He proceeded to acquire over a dozen Fourth Rank Low to Middle Grade Magical Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts ranging from fourth rank, low grade to middle grade], expending a vast sum of Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] and other treasures. The total expenditure was enough to purchase several Fourth Rank High Grade Magical Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts of the fourth rank, high grade].

The trades that followed settled into a more routine pattern. The items exchanged were primarily Fourth Rank [referring to the Golden Core realm] Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare natural treasures formed by heaven and earth], cultivation arts, Magical Treasures [enchanted artifacts], and similar goods.

The value of Fourth Rank [Golden Core realm] treasures typically ranged from four hundred thousand to several million Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

The most precious Fourth Rank High Grade Magical Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts of the fourth rank, high grade] were valued at around five million Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Such treasures offered some utility even to Nascent Soul [a high cultivation realm] cultivators and were considered key assets for surviving the Nascent Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm].

However, due to their extreme rarity and value, whenever a Fourth Rank [Golden Core realm] high-grade Magical Treasure [enchanted artifact] was offered for sale, many were willing to pay five million Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Yet, if one sought to buy such an item, finding a seller would prove exceedingly difficult.

Returning to the matter at hand, this trading convention featured well over two hundred distinct Fourth Rank Treasures [treasures of the Golden Core rank]. Experience the full epic at audio . novel . com.

Eldrin Chen also expended six hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to purchase a piece of Crimson Flame Treasure Metal [a rare metal imbued with the essence of crimson flame], intending to fuse it into the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss to enhance the sword's structural integrity.

Lyra Jiang likewise spent two million Spirit Stone to acquire an Origin-Returning Tribulation-Breaking Pill [a precious pill that aids in overcoming cultivation bottlenecks and heavenly tribulations].

With this pill in hand, she could save herself the effort of two full Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years] spent meticulously refining her True Essence [the purified energy cultivated by a practitioner]. Once her cultivation at the Golden Core, Early Stage [the initial phase of the Golden Core realm] reached its peak, she would break through to the Golden Core, Mid Stage, and her power would surge by a significant margin.

The Barter Convention soon concluded, and Eldrin Chen emerged from the grand hall alongside Lyra Jiang.

He swept his gaze across the surroundings, only to realize that Deng Skylark had already departed at some unknown time.

A slight furrow appeared between his brows, and a trace of gravity entered his voice. "The Deng Clan might yet bring us trouble."

"It matters not," Lyra Jiang shook her head, her tone calm and measured. "That Deng Skylark is merely at the Golden Core, Mid Stage. Unless he returns to the Deng Clan to summon reinforcements, he likely lacks the courage to confront me directly."

A flicker of sharp intensity passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. Precisely that possibility—the Deng Clan mobilizing their forces—was the source of his concern.

Yet, the worry soon subsided. Times had changed. Even if the Deng Clan were to move against them now, the combined strength he and Lyra possessed rendered such a threat far less daunting.

"What enmity, precisely, lies between you and the Deng Clan?"

The Yvonne the Violet Consort [a powerful female cultivator] listening beside them could not help but inquire.

Eldrin Chen glanced at her and recounted the incident from years past when Duncan Deng had attempted to seize Lila.

Upon hearing this, Yvonne the Violet Consort's brow furrowed, a flash of cold intent passing through her gaze. "The direct lineage of the Deng Clan practices the Essence Plundering Cultivation Art [a forbidden art that steals the vital essence and cultivation base of others, often targeting female cultivators]. Who knows how many female cultivators they have ruined over these years."

"Should an opportunity arise in the future, they must not be let off lightly."

As a female cultivator herself, Yvonne the Violet Consort naturally harbored deep disdain for the Deng Clan's practice of the Essence Plundering Art, and a sliver of killing intent stirred within her heart.

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Although the Clan Lord [the ruling patriarch] of the Deng Clan possessed cultivation at the eighth layer of the Golden Core [a high stage of cultivation where one forms a solid golden core of spiritual energy], his lifespan was nearing its end, and his true strength was rather mediocre.

That individual had already consumed two Fourth Rank Longevity Pill [elixirs that significantly extend a cultivator's natural lifespan] and would inevitably pass away within a century. When that time came, Eldrin Chen would naturally find a way to deal with the Deng Clan.

The reason the Ji Clan [a preeminent immortal clan] turned a blind eye to factions like the Deng Clan was not only because the Dengs had not caused disturbances large enough to alarm the higher echelons of the Ji Clan.

The primary reason was that the Deng Clan was, after all, still part of the Human Race. In critical moments, they would still answer the call to arms, serving as a force during events like the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, continent-wide invasion from the depths of the demonic abyss].

However, Eldrin Chen was not the Ji Clan. His eyes tolerated no grit or injustice. If his strength proved sufficient, he would naturally settle accounts with them.

At that very moment, Yvonne the Violet Consort [a powerful cultivator and ally] frowned slightly and said, "We should still be cautious of the Deng Clan. Let us return together."

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang [a formidable sword cultivator] nodded, understanding that Yvonne the Violet Consort was concerned for their safety.

Yvonne the Violet Consort had forged a Superior Golden Core [a high-quality core representing immense cultivation power], and her cultivation had already reached the Golden Core, 5th Tier. Her strength was now comparable to a Golden Core, Late Stage cultivator.

With the combined might of the three of them, even if the Deng Clan mobilized their entire clan's power to seek trouble, they would likely suffer a severe defeat and be no match for the trio.

The journey proceeded without incident. The group traveled aboard the Green Sun Treasure Boat [a flying vessel enchanted for long-distance travel] towards the Chu Kingdom. After approximately one month, they arrived within its borders. Immerse yourself in the complete world at *audio-novel.com*.

Meanwhile, Deng Skylark [a member of the Deng Clan] returned to the Deng Clan and immediately sought out his clan's Ancient Ancestor [the most senior and powerful elder of the clan].

After briefly explaining the situation to the Clan Patriarch, his expression turned murderous. "Our Deng Clan has dominated the Yan Kingdom for so many years," he declared. "Now, with a direct lineage member slain, such a grave insult cannot go unavenged."

The Clan Lord of the Deng Clan was an elder clad in gray robes. He furrowed his brow, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Killing intent flickered in his gaze, but after a long moment, he shook his head. "The strength of that Lyra Jiang is at least on par with a top-tier Golden Core, Mid Stage cultivator," he said. "There are even rumors she is not inferior to a Golden Core, Late Stage expert."

"With our current strength, it is impossible for us to subdue her. To rashly make an enemy of her would be far too perilous."

Deng Skylark wore an expression of utter reluctance. Thinking of his beloved grandson, his gaze turned icy as he pressed on, "There are rumors that Lyra Jiang was born with a Dao Body [a physique of supreme affinity with the Dao], possessing true Immortal Grace and Jade Bones [a legendary constitution signifying peerless beauty and foundational purity for cultivation]."

"If we could capture her to serve as a Furnace Cauldron [a living vessel whose essence and cultivation can be forcibly absorbed by another], perhaps you, Ancient Ancestor, could break through to the Nascent Soul realm."

A flicker of greed passed through the eyes of the Deng Clan Lord, but after a long moment, he scoffed and shook his head. "Merely slaying a Golden Core Cultivator is an arduous task beyond measure, let alone capturing one alive."

"With my current cultivation, seizing even an early-stage Golden Core, Early Stage cultivator is nearly impossible, much less someone like Lyra Jiang, who has formed a Superior Golden Core."

Starting from him, many among the upper echelons of the Deng Clan practiced the Essence Plundering Art [a forbidden cultivation method that steals the vital essence and cultivation base of others].

His rise to his present position was built upon secretly abducting numerous female cultivators from Yan Kingdom to use as Furnace Cauldron. Yet among these captives, there were scarcely any at the Purple Mansion realm, let alone the Golden Core realm; most were lowly female cultivators of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Seeing the Ancient Ancestor's refusal, Deng Skylark could not hold back. "I have heard that during this recent Beast Tide Calamity, Lyra Jiang's Heaven's Ruin Alliance stole all the glory. The Demonic Tribe already harbors a deep-seated hatred for her."

"I suspect she will likely launch another assault on Earth Lion Ridge in the future. This could be our opportunity..."

"You propose to collude with the Demonic Tribe?"

Deng Clan Patriarch cut him off, his gaze flashing with an equally icy chill.

This sent a jolt of dread through Deng Skylark's heart. He hurriedly tried to persuade him, "My Lord, if you can break through to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, immortal entity], what does any of this truly matter?"

Hearing these words, the Deng Clan Lord felt a flicker of temptation stir within him.

His lifespan was now nearing its end, and his obsession with advancing his cultivation realm had grown ever more powerful. Compounded by the influence on his mind from the Unorthodox Path [a branch of cultivation arts that often employs morally questionable or forbidden methods] and Demonic Path [a faction that cultivates using demonic energy and often engages in malevolent practices] energies he wielded, his greed had deepened into an abyss. Join our community of readers at audio_novel.com.