Chapter 371 : The Forbidden Metal's Power

This Black Abyss Ancient Gold [a rare and sinister ancient metal, often tainted by demonic energies] is a rather unorthodox type of ancient metal. The Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword [a powerful sword forged to vanquish demonic entities] currently wielded by Eldrin Chen was also forged from this very metal.

If he could obtain this superior piece of Black Abyss Ancient Gold, it would be the optimal choice for enhancing the potency of the Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword.

"Compensation for the fallen shall be disbursed in full using Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]," he stated.

"As for the distribution of battle merits..."

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment. With the Black Abyss Ancient Gold available, there was truly no other choice worth considering.

He took the Black Abyss Ancient Gold and declared, "The material of this Black Abyss Ancient Gold is useful to me. I shall exchange three hundred thousand battle merits for it. I trust you have no objections."

"Since Fellow Daoist Chen [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] desires it, we naturally have no objections,"

Qian the Sect Master replied, selecting one of the Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the fourth rank] for himself. The final piece was claimed by Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden.

While Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who follow a malevolent and often blood-soaked path of cultivation] often possess numerous treasures, most are tainted by bloodshed and wickedness, rendering them utterly useless to Righteous Path Cultivator [practitioners who follow a virtuous and orthodox path of cultivation].

In truth, only three of the Fourth Rank Magical Treasure were suitable for righteous path use, a number clearly insufficient for fair distribution. Original publication: audio . novel . com - The source of this chapter.

Although Taiwu the True Person did not receive a share of the Fourth Rank Treasure, he still smiled and said, "With the fall of the Demon Cave Cavern in this battle and the Black Eagle Demon King fleeing deep into the heart of the Demonic Tribe's territory, the Fourth Rank Spirit Mountain at Black Eagle Ridge now lies vacant."

His words gave everyone a moment's pause. The Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] at Black Eagle Ridge was of Fourth Rank Middle Grade quality. Its value was indispensable to any Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core] power.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang before speaking with a slight smile. "Black Eagle Ridge lacks a Fourth RankEarth Vein [a powerful terrestrial energy channel that nourishes the land and spirit veins]. It possesses only a single Fourth Rank Spirit Vein."

"We are not currently in need of Spirit Vein. If any of you wish to claim it, you may make an offer."

The Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden of the Violet Abyss Sect felt a flicker of desire, but she quickly suppressed it. Their sect was simply too far away.

After all, Black Eagle Ridge was an undeveloped Fourth Rank Spirit Vein. Occupying it, clearing Spirit Farmland [land infused with spiritual energy for growing special crops], and bringing its operations online would require a massive investment of manpower and resources.

In that regard, the nearest Verdant Immortal Sect was the most suitable choice.

As expected, Taiwu the True Person stroked his long beard, pondered for a moment, and then spoke. "If you are all willing to cede this Fourth Rank Spirit Mountain to our Verdant Immortal Sect, we are prepared to offer eight million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] in exchange."

"Only eight million Spirit Stone?"

Upon hearing this, Qian the Sect Master's eyes widened. He shook his head repeatedly. "A Spirit Vein of Fourth Rank Middle Grade quality! If one were to try and elevate a lower vein to that level using Spirit Stone alone, it would cost a full twenty million Spirit Stone!"

"You think you can dismiss us with a mere eight million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]? That is far too miserly."

Taiwu the True Person wore a bitter smile and quickly interjected, "Although this Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy] is precious, after deducting costs, it would likely take several centuries to earn back twenty million Spirit Stone."

"Moreover, the three Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified golden core of power] cultivators from the Yuan Clan of Yan Kingdom and others also acted to restrain the Black Eagle Demon King. For that, I must also pay a significant price."

"Especially that newly advanced Golden Core cultivator, Zhang Darius, from Yan Kingdom. He is now urgently seeking a Fourth Rank Spirit Vein [a vein of earth that channels spiritual energy of the fourth rank], and I will have to pay a considerable sum to settle that matter."

As he spoke, he added with a worried expression that the Verdant Immortal Sect could not produce over ten million Spirit Stone in one go either.

Even if they borrowed and raised funds from inside and outside the sect, they could likely only gather six million Spirit Stone. The remainder would have to be repaid slowly in the future.

This was unavoidable. The Verdant Immortal Sect had suffered a heavy blow a century ago and had also compensated the fallen Zhang Sect Master of the Firmament Sword Sect with a large amount of treasures.

Furthermore, they had cultivated Mingwu the True Person to the Golden Core realm in an extremely short time. It could be said that the current Verdant Immortal Sect was truly in a difficult position.

Hearing this, everyone understood that the Verdant Immortal Sect was indeed having a hard time.

However, since it concerned their own gains, Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden said with a smile, "Brother Taiwu, do not pretend to be pitiful. With the acquisition of Black Eagle Ridge this time, plus Verdant Mountain, you now possess two Spirit Vein [a vein of earth that channels spiritual energy] of the Fourth Rank Middle Grade [a specific quality level for spiritual resources]."

"Henceforth, the vast Cerulean Peaks Range will be virtually under the dominion of your Verdant Immortal Sect. The resources and benefits contained therein are more than sufficient to fill your sect's coffers to overflowing."

"If you are unwilling to part with the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], and this Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] is taken by another, it is certain they will contend with your Verdant Immortal Sect for the opportunities within the Cerulean Peaks Range."

Qian the True Person also nodded, a flicker of thought crossing his gaze as he said, "If not for the fact that Black Eagle Ridge lies north of the Cerulean Peaks Range, separated from our Firmament Sword Sect by the immense expanse of Demonic Ape Ridge, I would have certainly purchased it today."

Hearing their words, Taiwu the True Person offered an awkward smile.

Should another power establish itself within the Cerulean Peaks Range, conflicts over resources with his Verdant Immortal Sect would be inevitable.

Contemplating this, he spoke, "Then I shall add another two million Spirit Stone. However, I can only pay five million upfront. The remaining five million Spirit Stone will be repaid over two hundred years in installments." For more chapters, visit audio-novel dot com for the complete novel.

Upon hearing this, the others finally nodded, agreeing to the transaction.

With the deal concluded, Lyra Jiang stated calmly, "The next Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts] approaches in little more than a decade. This coming tide may prove more troublesome than the one a century past."

"With the constraints of Black Eagle Ridge and Demon Cave Cavern now removed, I hope you will lend me your strength."

A grave expression settled upon the faces of all present. As the day of Ji Clan Patriarch's breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm [the spiritual core of a cultivator] drew ever nearer, it was likely that Azure Wave Lake could no longer remain idle.

The Azure Wave Lake [a vast and treacherous lake domain ruled by powerful demonic beings] Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic tribes] is likely growing increasingly restless, to the point where he might even tear up any pretense of peace and dispatch the Demonic Tribe [a collective of monstrous beings] from the Azure Wave Lake to assault the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World [the realm of cultivators within the borders of the Chu Kingdom].

Under such circumstances, the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World must unite if there is to be any hope of preserving the peace of the Chu Kingdom.

Having considered this, Qian the Sect Master nodded and declared, "In this coming Beast Tide Calamity [a cataclysmic invasion by hordes of demonic beasts], our Firmament Sword Sect [a major sword cultivation sect] will certainly not stand idly by."

"Our Verdant Immortal Sect [a prominent immortal cultivation sect] will also dispatch forces to lend you our strength," added Taiwu the True Person [a cultivator of significant power and status].

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile. "With your assistance, my mind is at ease."

The group remained at the Demon Cave Cavern [a cavernous stronghold once held by demonic forces] for one month, settling all matters of military merit and compensation for the fallen before each force withdrew. The cultivators of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance [a coalition of righteous forces] also returned to the Chu Kingdom aboard their two treasure boats.

The two of them returned to Spirit Isle Lake [a lake containing a spirit-rich island, a core territory]. Not long after their arrival at Spirit Isle Lake, the Old Patriarch [the venerable and respected elder of the clan] concluded his seclusion.

Upon hearing that Chen Thalion had emerged, Eldrin Chen immediately set off for Pingyang City [the ancestral city and stronghold of the Chen Clan].

Pingyang City.

Compared to the Pingyang City of over two centuries past, the present city was utterly transformed in appearance.

At the heart of this city, a collection of immortal clan halls stood in harmonious arrangement. Here, the spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things] was abundant, with ethereal mists coiling lazily, resembling a veritable city of immortals.

Among these halls, within a tranquil pond, a school of Spirit Fish [spiritually infused fish] swam gracefully, adding life to the misty scenery of the Spirit Pool.

By the Spirit Pool, beneath the boughs of a towering willow tree, Eldrin Chen and Old Granduncle sat facing each other.

Observing the vibrant and spirited Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "With your recent advancement to the Middle Golden Core [a mid-stage solidified spiritual core] realm, Uncle, the prospect of reaching the Nascent Soul [a spiritual infant formed from the cultivator's essence] realm in the future seems within reach."

"Hahaha!"

Chen Thalion laughed heartily, personally pouring a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen. "If you had told me this over two hundred years ago, I could never have imagined cultivating to my current level." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel*com.