Chapter 310 : A Favor Forged in Spirit Stones

Eldrin Chen paused for a moment. Adding five hundred thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to purchase the final Void Gem [a rare gemstone containing spatial energy] was practically giving it away at a seventy percent discount. It seemed Ethereal Mistress Ling was offering a significant favor.

Exquisite Jiang nodded with a faint smile and completed the transaction.

Although they had parted with seven Fourth Rank Low-Grade [the lowest quality tier for Fourth Rank items] magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] and the skeleton of a Golden Core Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm] Demon King [a powerful demonic ruler], acquiring two stalks of Heavenly Heart Grass [a spiritual herb that nourishes the heart meridian] and four Void Gems meant the deal was still quite profitable for the pair.

It appeared Ethereal Mistress Ling was genuinely preparing to face her Infant Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation required to advance to the Infant Soul realm], as her demand for Fourth-Rank Magical Treasures [enchanted artifacts of the Fourth Rank] was immense. After obtaining seven Fourth Rank Low-Grade magical treasures from the two, she was still actively seeking to purchase more.

She successively acquired over a dozen Fourth Rank low to mid-grade magical treasures, expending a vast sum of Spirit Stones and other treasures. The total expenditure was enough to purchase several Fourth Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasures [the highest quality tier for Fourth Rank magical treasures].

The subsequent trades settled into a more routine pattern, with participants exchanging primarily Fourth Rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare spiritual resources found in heaven and earth], cultivation arts, magical treasures, and similar items.

The value of Fourth Rank treasures typically ranged from four hundred thousand to several million Spirit Stones.

The most precious Fourth Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasures were valued at around five million Spirit Stones. Such artifacts offered some utility even to Infant Soul Cultivators [cultivators who have reached the Infant Soul realm] and were considered key assets for surviving the Infant Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

However, due to their extreme rarity and value, whenever a Fourth Rank Superior Grade magical treasure appeared on the market, many were willing to pay five million Spirit Stones to acquire it. Conversely, if one wished to buy such an item, it was exceedingly difficult to find a seller.

Returning to the matter at hand, this trading session featured over two hundred distinct Fourth Rank treasures. The complete novel can be found 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 Precious Metal [a rare, spiritually conductive metal], intending to fuse it into his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword to enhance the sword's structural integrity.

Exquisite Jiang also spent two million Spirit Stone to acquire a single Origin Shattering Tribulation Pill [a potent elixir that aids cultivators in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks].

With this pill in hand, she could save herself the effort of two full Sixty-Year Cycle [a conventional unit of time equal to sixty years] spent meticulously refining her spiritual energy. Once her cultivation at the Golden Core Early Stage [the initial phase of the Golden Core realm] reached perfection, she would break through to the Golden Core Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Golden Core realm]. At that time, her power would increase by a significant margin.

Soon, the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources] concluded. Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang emerged from the grand assembly.

He swept his gaze around and realized that Heaven Leviathan Deng had already departed at some unknown time.

A slight frown creased his brow as a trace of gravity flashed in his eyes. "The Deng Clan might cause some trouble," he said.

"It is of no consequence," Exquisite Jiang shook her head, her voice calm and steady. "That Heaven Leviathan Deng is merely at the Golden Core Mid Stage. Unless he returns to the Deng Clan to summon reinforcements, he likely dares not confront me directly."

A sharp glint flickered in Eldrin Chen's eyes. His concern was precisely that the Deng Clan would seek reinforcements.

Yet, he quickly dismissed the thought. Times had changed. Even if the Deng Clan were to make a move against them now, given the strength of the two of them, they had nothing to fear.

"What exactly is the enmity between you and the Deng Clan?"

The Violet Consort Yan standing nearby could not help but interject after hearing their conversation.

Eldrin Chen glanced at her and proceeded to recount the incident from years past when Origin Martial Deng had attempted to seize Lila.

Upon hearing this, Violet Consort Yan's brow furrowed, a flash of cold intent passing through her eyes. "The direct lineage of the Deng Clan practices that Essence Plundering Art [a forbidden technique that steals the cultivation essence and vitality of others]. Who knows how many female cultivators they have ruined over the years."

"If an opportunity arises in the future, they must not be let off lightly."

As a female cultivator herself, Violet Consort Yan 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 Patriarch of the Deng Clan possessed cultivation at the Golden Core 8th Tier [the eighth level of the Golden Core stage], his lifespan was nearing its end, and his true strength was rather mediocre.

The man had already consumed two fourth-rank Longevity Pill [elixirs that extend a cultivator's lifespan]. He would inevitably perish 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 turned a blind eye to factions like the Deng Clan was not only because their transgressions had remained relatively contained, failing to alarm the Ji Clan's upper echelons.

The primary reason was that the Deng Clan was, after all, still part of the Human Race. In critical moments, they would answer the call to arms. During events like the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, cataclysmic eruption of demonic energy and creatures from a great abyss], they still represented a usable force.

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

At that very moment, Violet Consort Yan furrowed her brow slightly and said, "We should still be cautious of the Deng Clan. Let us return together."

"Mm."

Exquisite Jiang nodded, understanding that Violet Consort Yan was concerned for their safety.

Violet Consort Yan had forged a Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade of the Golden Core cultivation stage], and her cultivation had already reached the Golden Core 5th Tier. Her strength was already comparable to that of 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 strength to seek trouble, they would likely suffer a severe defeat and be no match for them.

The journey proceeded without incident. The group traveled aboard the Green Sun Treasure Ark [a flying vessel enchanted with solar energy] and, after approximately one month, arrived within the borders of the Chu Nation. Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.

Meanwhile, after Heaven Leviathan Deng returned to the Deng Clan, he immediately sought out his clan's Patriarch.

After briefly explaining the situation to the clan leader, he said with a murderous glint in his eyes, "Our Deng Clan has dominated the Yan Kingdom for so many years. Now that a direct descendant has been slain, such a great grievance cannot go unavenged."

The Clan Patriarch of the Deng Clan was an elder in gray robes. The man frowned, his gaze carrying a chilling intent.

A flicker of killing intent passed through his eyes. After a long pause, he shook his head and said, "That Exquisite Jiang's strength is at least on par with the top-tier Golden Core Mid Stage cultivators. There are even rumors she is not inferior to those at the Golden Core Late Stage."

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

Heaven Leviathan Deng wore an expression of utter reluctance. Thinking of his beloved grandson, his gaze turned icy as he pressed on, "There are rumors that Exquisite Jiang possesses a Path Body [a constitution of legendary purity and potential, said to be the foundation for an immortal's path], a true jade-bone immortal's physique."

"If we could capture her to use as a cultivation furnace [a person used by a cultivator to drain their vital essence and cultivation base for their own advancement], Patriarch, you might even have a chance to break through to the Infant Soul Realm."

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

"With my cultivation level, capturing even an early-stage Golden Core Cultivator would be nearly impossible, much less someone like Exquisite Jiang, who has formed a Superior-Tier Golden Core."

Starting with him, many among the upper echelons of the Deng Clan practiced the Essence Plundering Art [a forbidden art that steals the cultivation essence and life force of others].

His rise to his current position was built upon secretly capturing numerous female cultivators from the Yan Kingdom to use as furnaces. Yet, among those women, there were none who had reached the Golden Core realm, and barely a handful had even attained the Violet Sanctum. Most were low-level cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Seeing the Patriarch remain unconvinced, Heaven Leviathan Deng could not help but add, "I've heard that during this recent Beast Tide [a massive, coordinated assault by demonic beasts], Exquisite Jiang and her Heavenly Ruins Alliance stole all the glory. The Demon Race surely harbors a deep hatred for her by now."

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

"Are you suggesting we collude with the Demon Race?"

The Deng Clan Patriarch cut him off, his gaze flashing with an equally frigid light.

This sent a jolt of dread through Heaven Leviathan Deng's heart. He hurriedly tried to persuade him, "Patriarch, if you can achieve a breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core of a cultivator, a higher stage of cultivation], what does any of this truly matter?"

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

His lifespan was nearing its end, and his obsession with breaking through to the next realm had grown ever more powerful. Compounded by the corrupting influence of the unorthodox and Demonic Path [a cultivation method that draws power from malevolent or destructive sources, often at the cost of one's morality] on his spiritual energy and mind, his greed had deepened into an abyss. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio‑novel.com.