Chapter 361 Malachai

For Lila, Eldrin actually had a fair amount of confidence.

After all, she possessed a unique spiritual root, had already achieved self-established foundation, and conquered the physical tribulations. 1 could say she had completed 2 of the 3 crucial steps toward forging a superior Golden Core.

Although Lila possessed only the Frostlight Sword and her spiritual power was less refined than Ethan Chen's, her chances of breaking through without relying on external aids were still considerably greater than those of an ordinary Violet Mansion cultivator.

Eldrin estimated that as long as Lila remained steadfast in her conviction, she could break through to the Golden Core realm—perhaps as soon as the next attempt, or within 2 or 3 attempts at most.

With the aid of the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill (Spiritual Object), her remaining lifespan was sufficient for several more attempts.

At this thought, Eldrin said, "In a few more years, Uncle Lior, Ethan, and the others will begin attempting to form their Golden Cores. It's time we refine the Earth Lion Demon King's inner core into the Golden Core Formation Pill."

"Hmm, the trade fair in Ji Province is still half a year away. Let's make some preparations as well."

Lyra nodded. Considering they still needed to purchase some rather valuable items, the 2 began reallocating their supplies.

Eldrin personally visited the clan vault and retrieved the 32,000 spirit stones accumulated over the years, along with several fourth-order spiritual herbs and a few fourth-order heaven-and-earth treasures.

After gathering their supplies, Eldrin and Lyra set off together, immediately heading toward the Chu Kingdom.

Joining the journey was Yan Zi Ji, whose cultivation had advanced yet again, now reaching the eighth layer of the Golden Core.

Eldrin understood that Lady Yanzi was attending the Treasure Exchange Conference this time to acquire a top-grade fourth-tier magical treasure in preparation for her breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm.

After all, she was a single-spirit-root cultivator. Though she possessed the Violet Abyss Furnace (Magical Artifact) as an aid, she only had 1 life-bound magical treasure to her name. To guard against unforeseen dangers, she needed to make additional preparations.

The 3 of them moved with incredible speed, arriving at Ji Continent Trading Post (Location) in just 20-some days.

After many years, Eldrin once again arrived at the Ji Continent Trading Post, finding its majesty had grown even more magnificent.

Just as the turmoil of 70-some years of beast tides had ended, Eldrin (Person Name) attended the Ji Continent Exchange Assembly for the first time. Back then, he had not yet broken through to the Golden Core realm and did not feel much pressure.

Now, 80 years later, Eldrin had already broken through to the Golden Core stage for a full 60 years, yet he found the Ji Continent Trading Post increasingly unfathomable.

At this moment, in Eldrin's eyes, the Ji Continent Trading Post resembled a dormant true dragon, seemingly awaiting its moment to soar into the heavens.

Moreover, there were a few more Golden Core cultivators at the Ji Continent Trading Post, most of whom were Golden Core powerhouses never seen in previous years, clearly hailing from beyond the Ji Province.

This time, there were quite a few unfamiliar faces at the Ji Continent Trading Post (Location).

"It seems the Ji Clan has been preparing all these years, waiting for the opportune moment to strike."

Eldrin transmitted a voice message to Lyra, "With Feiye the Nightbane's guidance, I now understand that the Ji immortal clan is determined to eliminate their rivals in advance, paving the way for the Clan Lord's breakthrough into the Nascent Soul realm."

Lyra nodded. This matter remained top-secret and was not appropriate for further discussion.

The group had arrived quite early, with the Grand Barter Assembly still over a month away from commencing. Thus, they decided to explore the market stalls scattered throughout the Ji Continent Trading Post (Location).

Eldrin had initially hoped to scout for overlooked opportunities, but such chances were nowhere easily found.

The world is filled with countless extraordinary talents and hidden marvels. Even if some divine artifacts conceal their brilliance, they can scarcely escape the notice of high-level cultivators. Any genuine treasures at a market stall would likely have been claimed long ago.

Eldrin spent 2 days browsing the market, failing to acquire any high-tier treasures, but managed to purchase some third-order spirit herbs and natural treasures. It could be considered a modest gain.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the Exchange Assembly arrived, and the 3 of them entered the Jizhou Pavilion together.

Upon entering the venue of the Exchange Assembly, Eldrin scanned his surroundings and noted that compared to over 70 years ago, the number of participants had increased by a considerable margin.

This time, the number of Golden Core cultivators participating had already exceeded 50, far more than in previous years.

The surge in numbers was partly due to arrivals from other continents, but more significantly, because 4 100 years had passed since the last Abyssal Cataclysm—a new generation of cultivators in the Ji Province had gradually come of age.

For instance, within the Chu Kingdom (Location) alone, 5 Golden Core cultivators had emerged over the past 1 100 years: Eldrin (Person Name), Elara (Person Name), Chen Changxuan, Xavier (Person Name), and the Hibiscus Fairy.

Although this was related to Chu Kingdom's successive major victories, it was undeniable that the other great nations would also gain 3 to 4 additional Golden Core cultivators on average every 100 years.

Eldrin (Person Name) scanned his surroundings and noticed that, compared to those days, some faces had changed.

Back in the day, Astrael (Person Name), Fairy Lingxu, and Wei Tianxiong—all 3 having reached the peak of the Golden Core stage—were absent this time.

Among the 3, there was no need to mention Astrael, who was undoubtedly making final preparations to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Meanwhile, Wei Tianxiong failed in his attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. By sacrificing his physical body to force the breakthrough, he attained the False Infant realm, yet his flesh had already withered completely.

He is currently still using the Nirvana Elixir to reconstruct his fleshly body. It appears that even after the reconstruction, he will likely have only 1 chance left to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, with a success rate probably no higher than 20 percent.

Lingxu Fairy left Jizhou 10 years ago, rumored to be seeking the Heavenly Dao Qi (Spiritual Root), though no 1 knows whether this is true or false.

"In her previous life, that Ethereal Void Immortal was merely an Earth Path Nascent Soul. Even if she has been reborn through tribulation, it’s highly unlikely she could surpass her former cultivation."

Lyra communicated covertly via voice transmission with Eldrin, "Unlike ordinary people, she possessed deeper knowledge of certain clandestine secrets."

Eldrin nodded upon hearing this, a rough guess forming in his mind, yet he swiftly suppressed the thought.

Unlike in the past, this Trading Assembly was attended by several Golden Core Perfection cultivators.

Yan Zi Ji, who stood nearby and knew more people, spoke up to introduce, "There are 8 Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators this time, but aside from the 3 at Great Perfection Realm, only that Mo the Ancient 1 (Person Name) is truly noteworthy."

"You must also know of Mo the Ancient 1 (Person Name) from the Qi Kingdom (Location)."

Eldrin nodded slightly, astonished that in less than 30 years, Mo the Ancient 1 had actually advanced his cultivation, reaching the seventh level of the Golden Core realm.

This individual had reached the Middle-stage Golden Core realm, and with a pair of Ink Snow Immortal Swords in hand, his combat prowess should be close to the Great Perfection of Golden Core.

"Aside from Mo the Ancient 1, there are 3 others who demand particular attention."

With a graceful gesture, Yan Zijie introduced the 2, "That is Kun Xuzi, that is Priest Wang, and over there is Malachai (Person Name) from the Yuan Kingdom of Heavenly Abode Continent (Location)."

Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly. Kunxuzi was the foremost rogue cultivator in Jizhou. 50 years ago, he had broken through to the Great Perfection of the Golden Core realm and had even attempted to assail the Nascent Soul stage. There remained a sliver of hope that he might yet achieve a Nascent Soul breakthrough in the future.

Wang Daoren was the clan leader of the Wang Immortal Clan from Tianxing Province, rumored to have forged a Mid-Grade Golden Core. His strength surpassed that of ordinary Golden Core Perfection cultivators by a notable margin.

What truly drew attention, however, was that Malachai (Person Name).

At this thought, Eldrin asked, "Is that Malachai a cultivator from the Qin immortal clan of the Yuan Kingdom?"

"Indeed." Yan ZiJi nodded, her gaze turning solemn. "Although this Malachai (Person Name) has merely formed an inferior-grade Golden Core, he possesses a certain Dao Body. His hopes of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage are far from insignificant."