Chapter 353 : Ancient Scrolls and Divided Spoils

Suppressing his thoughts, Lyra Jiang spoke, "In this battle, Astrael has expended a significant amount of his mana. Given his current age, continuing to fight would severely damage his vital essence [the foundational life force of a cultivator]."

"Moreover, opposing us is hardly advantageous for him, so it is most likely he will not return."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and promptly sat down to begin restoring their mana.

After recovering a majority of their mana, Eldrin Chen retrieved the treasures seized from the ruins and said,

"Let us divide the spoils from this endeavor."

"That is only fitting."

In response, everyone brought forth the treasures they had acquired.

The spoils were considerable, consisting primarily of cultivation manuals and the Heaven and Earth Treasures obtained from within the Fire Vein.

They had acquired seven jade slips containing cultivation arts. These manuals had originally been sealed with restrictive formations, but the power of these seals had greatly diminished over the vast passage of time.

Working together, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang managed to break through these remaining restrictions without expending too much effort. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel . com.

After breaching the restriction, Eldrin Chen discovered a total of two Nascent Soul Stage cultivation arts and one method for cultivating a Great Divine Ability. The remaining four texts were all Golden Core Realm cultivation techniques.

Of the two Nascent Soul Cultivation Art texts, one was titled the Ancient Moonlight Scroll and the other the Ancient Setting Sun Scroll. Each contained the refining method for a corresponding Lifebound Spiritual Treasure.

The Ancient Moonlight Scroll could cultivate one to the Nascent Soul, 3rd Tier. The Lifebound Spiritual Treasure it recorded was named the 'Moonlight Wheel' [a spiritual treasure shaped like a luminous wheel]. Once forged, this treasure possessed the potential to ascend into a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure.

The Ancient Setting Sun Scroll was even more potent by a third. This art could lead cultivation to the Nascent Soul, 4th Tier. Its recorded Lifebound Spiritual Treasure was the 'Setting Sun Wheel' [a spiritual treasure resembling a wheel of fading sunlight], whose power was nearly equal to that of the Moonlight Wheel.

The two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure that had suppressed Ignatius the Blazing Lord within the secret realm were undoubtedly this very pair of Sun and Moon Wheels.

According to the information within the ancient scriptures, the creator of the Ancient Moonlight Scroll was named Selene, the True Lord [a title for a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator]. The master of the Ancient Setting Sun Scroll was named the Setting Sun True Lord. They were initially master and disciple, who later became an immortal couple.

Together, they founded the Sun and Moon Sect, which was an exceedingly prosperous and powerful force in the Eastern Wastelands roughly eight thousand years ago.

Yet, for reasons unknown, the middle-grade Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure 'Setting Sun Wheel' was left shattered and broken. The fate of its masters remained a mystery.

Eldrin Chen surmised that this was likely inextricably linked to the fall of the Eastern Wastelands eight millennia prior.

"Perhaps other relics still linger within the ruins of the Sun and Moon Sect," he mused.

"If our strength proves sufficient in the future, we can return to investigate further."

After storing the two ancient Nascent Soul scriptures, Lyra Jiang spoke with calm composure.

Beyond those two ancient True Lord scrolls, the remaining Great Divine Ability was also remarkably formidable.

Eldrin Chen glanced at it and saw this Great Divine Ability was named 'Sun and Moon Sharing the Heavens' [a divine ability where the sun and moon share the sky in a powerful union], an exceedingly rare combined-attack Great Divine Ability.

This divine ability was divided into solar and lunar halves. One part was called 'Bright Moon Hanging in the Sky' [the bright moon hangs alone in the sky], and the other was 'Solar Void-Treading' [the sun treads upon the void]. Each half alone possessed power reaching the threshold of an entry-level Great Divine Ability.

However, if two cultivators of comparable cultivation jointly executed the attack, its destructive force would double, making it a powerful trump card for transcending cultivation realms in battle.

Yet, to cultivate these two divine abilities required a pair of Dao companions [cultivation partners] who were truly and deeply in love. Furthermore, if one of them perished, this Great Divine Ability could never be used again.

Aside from cultivation arts and divine abilities, the group also acquired a considerable number of Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare materials born from the essence of heaven and earth].

Among these Heaven and Earth Treasures, the most precious were the Creation Treasure Jade [a jade imbued with the power of creation], the Abyssal Spirit Treasure Jade [a spirit-jade treasure from the abyss], and the Fire Essence Treasure Pearl [a treasure pearl containing the essence of fire].

In addition, there were several other Fourth Rank Spiritual Object [objects containing potent spiritual energy]. These treasures could be used to refine Fourth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasures, with each piece valued at approximately between one million and two million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Surveying the treasures before them, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Brother Qingci the Recluse, Sister Yu Qingyan, on this venture, Lyra and I contributed the most. However, since it was you who invited us, we naturally will not treat you unfairly."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen set aside the Creation Treasure Jade and the Abyssal Spirit Treasure Jade, along with three of the Fire Essence Treasure Pearl. The remaining several pieces of Fourth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare materials born from the convergence of heaven and earth's spiritual essence] were then divided among the three others.

Although these Heaven and Earth Treasures were quite precious, they were somewhat inferior to the Creation Treasure Jade and the Abyssal Spirit Treasure Jade. Thus, they were a suitable choice to allocate to the trio.

Qingci the Recluse and His Wife received five pieces of the Heaven and Earth Treasures. From his share, Qingci the Recluse took two of the Fourth Rank Blazing Fire Gold Crystal [a crystalline ore imbued with intense fire and metallic essence] and offered them to Eldrin Chen.

"Consider this the repayment of my debt," he said.

"Understood." The complete novel can be found at (audio-novel.com).

Eldrin Chen gave a nod of acknowledgment. The Blazing Fire Gold Crystal was a crucial material for forging the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword, and Old Patriarch was precisely in need of such an item.

After accepting the Blazing Fire Gold Crystal, Eldrin Chen continued, "As there was no oath binding us this time, both the Ancient Moonlight Scroll and the Ancient Setting Sun Scroll can be copied. Each of you may choose one scroll to transcribe, but you must swear an oath not to impart its teachings to others."

At that moment, Qingci the Recluse suddenly spoke up, "Brother Eldrin, now that Astrael has his sights set on me, I can no longer remain on the Heavenly Abode Continent."

"So, to speak plainly, I wish to seek refuge with you."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's heart stirred, and he nodded. "You have forged a Middle Golden Core [a high-quality core formed during the Golden Core realm]. Presumably, even if you went to the Chu Kingdom, you could establish yourself swiftly."

"My meaning is, to pledge myself to you."

Qingci the Recluse shook his head, his expression turning solemn as he spoke.

As if understanding Eldrin Chen's unspoken question, Qingci the Recluse nodded. "After my breakthrough into the Golden Core [a major cultivation realm where one forms a spiritual core], the demand for cultivation resources grows ever greater. Though this venture yielded considerable gains, the notion of purchasing a Fourth Rank Spirit Vein [a high-grade source of spiritual energy] is but a fool's dream."

"Thus, I wish to join your Chen Clan. Firstly, to repay the debt of gratitude, and secondly, for the sake of my own Dao path."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang, a flicker of contemplation in their eyes.

The addition of a Middle Golden Core cultivator would significantly bolster the Chen Clan's strength. As his cultivation deepened, it would not be long before he possessed combat power rivaling the Golden Core, Mid Stage.

As the saying goes, many hands make light work. They held several Spirit Mountains [mountains rich in spiritual energy], and were sorely in need of such powerful cultivators to garrison them. This was a matter of mutual benefit.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke gravely. "You must understand, once you join our Chen Clan, you must henceforth stand upon the Chen Clan's ground. Otherwise, I fear we may not even remain friends."

"I understand." Qingci the Recluse nodded, his voice calm. "You aided my breakthrough into the Golden Core realm. This is the grace of Dao attainment. My service to the Chen Clan is a fitting recompense."

"Besides, I am essentially without a home to return to now."

"Brother Qingci, you worry too much. With your current level of cultivation, the world is your oyster,"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile. He then continued, "Since you are willing to join my Chen Clan, I naturally will not treat you poorly. Henceforth, you shall be a seated elder of the Chen Immortal Clan, and also an honorary elder of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance."

"As for your annual stipend, I shall grant you eighty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] per year."

An annual stipend of eighty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] amounted to eight hundred thousand over ten years. This level of remuneration was considered exceptionally high, even among Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual energy] cultivators.

In a typical Golden Core Immortal Clan, the annual stipend for a Golden Core elder was merely fifty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. After allocating this sum for cultivation expenses, little would usually remain.

After all, the resource consumption of a Golden Core Cultivator was immense. Fourth Rank [a grade designation for items or techniques suitable for the Golden Core realm] Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], Five Elements Spirit Fruit [a rare fruit imbued with the balanced essence of the five elements], and the various Fourth Rank Pill [a refined medicinal elixir used for cultivation or healing] and Spiritual Object [an object naturally infused with or capable of channeling spiritual energy] required for their cultivation—all such materials often cost hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel.com (official site).