Chapter 353 : Ancient Scrolls and Forbidden Treasures

Suppressing his thoughts, Exquisite Jiang spoke, "In this battle, Celestial Star Child expended a great deal of his spiritual power [the mystical energy cultivated by practitioners]. 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."

Hearing this, the group collectively breathed a sigh of relief and promptly sat down to begin restoring their spiritual power.

After recovering most of their power, Eldrin Chen took out the treasures seized within the ruins and said,

"Let us divide the spoils from this endeavor."

"That is only fitting."

Upon hearing this, everyone brought forth the treasures they had acquired.

The haul was considerable, consisting mainly of cultivation manuals and the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare and potent natural resources used in cultivation and forging] obtained from within the Fire Vein.

They had acquired seven jade slips containing cultivation arts. These manuals had originally been sealed with restrictive spells, but the passage of immense time had greatly weakened those seals' power.

Working together, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang did not expend much effort to break through the remaining restrictions on these artifacts. Original English translation available at audio-novel.com (official site).

After breaching the restrictive formations, Eldrin Chen discovered a total of two Infant Soul Stage cultivation arts, one method for cultivating a Great God Ability [a supreme divine power], and the remaining four texts were all cultivation techniques for the Golden Core Realm.

These two Infant Soul Cultivation Art were titled the Selene's Ancient Scroll and the Ancient Setting Sun Scroll respectively, each accompanied by a method for refining a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure bound to the cultivator's life force].

The Selene's Ancient Scroll could be cultivated to the Infant Soul 3rd Tier. The Lifebound Spiritual Treasure it described was named the 'Selene's Ring'. Once forged, this treasure possessed the potential to ascend into a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade treasure capable of subduing demons].

The Ancient Setting Sun Scroll was even more potent by a third. This art could lead one to the Infant Soul 4th Tier, and its recorded Lifebound Spiritual Treasure was the 'Setting Sun Ring', whose power was on par with the Selene's Ring.

It was clear that the two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure which had suppressed Crimson Flame True Lord within that secret realm were none other than this pair of Sun and Moon Twin Wheels.

According to the information within the Ancient Scripture, the creator of the Selene's Ancient Scroll was known as Selene True Lord, while the master of the Ancient Setting Sun Scroll was titled Setting Sun True Lord. They began as master and disciple, later becoming an immortal couple.

Together, they founded the Sun and Moon Sect, which flourished mightily within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland roughly eight thousand years ago.

Yet, for reasons unknown, the Mid-Grade Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure 'Setting Sun Ring' was found shattered and broken, and the fate of its masters remained a mystery.

Eldrin Chen surmised that this was likely connected to the fall of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland eight millennia prior.

"The ruins of the Sun and Moon Sect may yet hold other lost treasures."

"When our strength is sufficient in the future, we can return to investigate further."

Storing away the two Infant Soul Ancient Scriptures, Exquisite Jiang said calmly.

Aside from these two True Lord ancient scrolls, the remaining Great God Ability was also exceptionally remarkable.

Eldrin Chen glanced at it and saw this Great God Ability was named 'Sun and Moon in the Same Sky' [a powerful combined attack technique], an exceedingly rare joint-strike Great God Ability.

This Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique] was divided into two parts, Sun and Moon. One part was called 'Bright Moon in the Sky' and the other 'Sun in the Void'. The power of either part alone reached the threshold of an entry-level Great God Ability.

If unleashed jointly by two cultivators of similar cultivation level, its power would double, making it a formidable trump card for fighting across realms.

However, to cultivate these two Divine Abilities, it required two Dao companions [cultivation partners] who were truly in love. Furthermore, if one of them perished, this Great God Ability could never be used again.

Aside from cultivation arts and Divine Abilities, the group also obtained a considerable amount of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare and precious spiritual resources].

Among the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, the most precious were the Creation Jade [a jade containing the essence of creation], the Returning Abyss Spirit Treasure Jade [a spiritual treasure jade from the abyss], and the Fire Essence Treasure Pearl [a pearl condensed from pure fire essence].

In addition, there were several fourth-rank Spiritual Objects [spiritual materials]. These treasures could be used to forge fourth-rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, each valued at approximately one million to two million Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy].

Surveying the treasures before them, Eldrin Chen spoke, "My wife Exquisite and I contributed the most to this endeavor. However, since it was you who invited us, we naturally will not treat you unfairly."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen set aside the Creation Jade and the Returning Abyss Spirit Treasure Jade, along with three Fire Essence Treasure Pearl. He then divided the remaining several fourth-rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare and potent natural resources imbued with spiritual essence] among the three others.

Although these world-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were quite precious, they paled in comparison to the Creation Jade and Returning Abyss Spirit Treasure Jade. Distributing them to the trio was a fitting arrangement.

The couple, Recluse of Elegant Verse, received five pieces of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. From his share, he took two fourth-rank Blazing Fire Gold Crystal and offered them to Eldrin Chen.

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

"Understood." Official source: audio-novel dot com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Eldrin Chen gave a nod of acknowledgment. The Blazing Fire Gold Crystal was a crucial material for forging the Golden Light Blazing Fire Sword, something the Old Patriarch urgently required.

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

At that moment, Recluse of Elegant Verse suddenly spoke up, "Brother Eldrin, now that I have drawn the attention of the Celestial Star Child, I can no longer remain on the Tianlu Continent."

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

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's heart stirred slightly. He nodded and said, "Since you have forged a Middle-Tier Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, representing a solidified spiritual foundation], I imagine you could establish yourself quickly even if you went to the Chu Nation."

"What I mean is, I wish to pledge myself to you."

The Recluse of Elegant Verse shook his head, his expression turning solemn as he spoke.

As if understanding Eldrin Chen's unspoken question, the Recluse of Elegant Verse nodded and explained, "After my breakthrough to the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, representing a solidified spiritual foundation], my cultivation's demand for resources has grown immensely. Although our recent gains were substantial, dreaming of purchasing a Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein [a powerful natural formation that concentrates spiritual energy, suitable for Golden Core cultivators] is nothing but a fool's fantasy."

"Therefore, I wish to join your Chen Clan. Firstly, to repay the debt of gratitude, and secondly, for the sake of my own Path [the lifelong pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and power]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang, a flicker of deep contemplation passing through their eyes.

The addition of a cultivator of the Middle-Tier Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, representing a solidified spiritual foundation] realm would significantly bolster the strength of the Chen Clan. As his cultivation progressed, it likely wouldn't be long before he possessed combat power equivalent to the Golden Core Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Golden Core realm].

As the saying goes, many hands make light work. They occupied several Spirit Mountains [mountains rich in spiritual energy, coveted as cultivation sites], and were sorely in need of such powerful cultivators to garrison them. This was, by its very nature, a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen spoke with grave seriousness, "You must understand that once you join our Chen Clan, you will henceforth need to stand on the clan's position [the interests and perspective of the clan]. Otherwise, I fear we may not even remain friends."

"I understand." The Recluse of Elegant Verse nodded, his voice calm. "You aided my breakthrough to the Golden Core realm. That is a grace akin to granting me my Path. My joining the Chen Clan to repay this debt is only fitting."

"Besides, one could say I am now without a home to return to."

"You worry too much, Elder Brother of the Elegant Verse [a title for a refined scholar]. 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 guest Elder of the Chen Immortal Clan, and also an honorary Elder of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance."

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

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

In a typical Golden Core Immortal Clan, a Golden Core Elder's annual stipend would be no more than fifty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. After allocating funds for their cultivation, what remained from this sum was often meager.

After all, the resource consumption for a Golden Core Cultivator was immense. Fourth-rank magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], Five Elements Spirit Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit imbued with the essence of the five elements], and the various fourth-rank elixirs [spiritual pills] required for cultivation—such resources often cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Experience the full epic at @udio-novel.com.