Chapter 361 : The Path to Golden Core

Regarding Lila, Eldrin Chen was actually quite confident.

After all, she possessed a Variant Spiritual Root [a rare and superior type of spiritual root], had achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [reaching the Foundation Establishment realm through her own efforts without external pills], and had subdued the Mortal Shell Tribulation [a critical inner tribulation during cultivation]. It could be said she had already completed two of the three crucial steps towards forging a Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core].

Although Lila only possessed a single Frost Soul Coldlight Sword and her spiritual energy [the vital power cultivated by practitioners] was not as refined as Ethan Chen's, her chances of achieving a breakthrough without relying on external aids were still greater than those of an ordinary Violet Sanctum [the cultivation realm above Foundation Establishment] cultivator.

Eldrin Chen estimated that as long as Lila maintained her resolve, she could break through to the Golden Core Realm [a major realm where one condenses a solid core of spiritual power] quickly on her next attempt, or at the latest within two or three attempts.

With the assistance of the Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill [a precious elixir that extends lifespan and aids in overcoming cultivation bottlenecks], her remaining lifespan was more than sufficient for several attempts.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen said, "In a few more years, Uncle Lior and Ethan will also begin their attempts to form their Golden Cores. We should proceed with refining the Earth Lion Demon King's Inner Pill [the condensed core of power within a demon beast] into Golden Core Formation Pill [elixirs that significantly increase the chance of forming a Golden Core]."

"Indeed," Exquisite Jiang nodded. "The Barter Convention [a large-scale trade gathering for cultivators] on Ji Continent is in half a year. Let us make our preparations."

Considering the valuable items they intended to purchase this time, the two began gathering resources.

Eldrin Chen personally visited the Clan Treasury. He retrieved the Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] accumulated over the years, several fourth-rank Spirit Herbs [plants imbued with potent spiritual energy], and a few pieces of fourth-rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare natural resources of exceptional spiritual quality].

After gathering the materials, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang set off together, heading directly for Chu Nation. Official source: @udio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Accompanying them was also Violet Consort Yan. Her cultivation had advanced another step and now reached the eighth layer of the Golden Core realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where spiritual energy condenses into a solid golden core within the dantian].

Eldrin Chen understood that Violet Consort Yan's participation in this Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources and treasures] was to purchase a Fourth Rank Superior Grade magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], preparing for her attempt to break through to the Infant Soul realm [the fourth major stage, where the cultivator's soul undergoes a profound transformation].

After all, she was a cultivator with a single Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual affinity that determines a cultivator's elemental aptitude and potential]. Although she had the assistance of the Purple Abyss Furnace, she possessed only one Lifebound Magical Treasure [a treasure personally refined and soul-bound to a cultivator, growing in power with them]. To guard against unforeseen circumstances, further preparations were necessary.

The trio traveled with extreme speed, arriving at the Ji Continent Market in merely twenty days.

Arriving at the Ji Continent Market again after so many years, Eldrin Chen found its majesty and grandeur had grown even more profound.

Over seventy years ago, shortly after the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] had just ended, Eldrin Chen had attended his first Barter Convention here on Ji Continent. At that time, he had not yet broken through to Golden Core, and had not felt such immense pressure.

Now, nearly eighty years later, with Eldrin Chen having broken through to Golden Core for over one full Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, a significant unit of time in cultivation], he instead sensed the Ji Continent Market had become increasingly unfathomable.

In Eldrin Chen's current perception, the Ji Continent Market seemed to harbor a slumbering True Dragon [a legendary, immensely powerful dragon species], as if waiting for the moment to soar into the heavens.

Furthermore, there were more Golden Core Cultivators within the market now, many of them powerful Golden Core experts he had never seen in previous years. Clearly, they hailed from beyond Ji Continent.

"There are many unfamiliar faces at the market this time," he observed.

"It seems that over these years, Ji Clan has already been making preparations, waiting for the opportune moment to act."

Eldrin Chen transmitted a message to Exquisite Jiang, saying, "After the pointers from Noctis the True Lord, I understand in my heart that the Ji Immortal Clan is bound to eliminate its rivals in advance, to pave the way for the Ji Clan Patriarch's breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit realm [the spiritual core of a cultivator]."

Exquisite Jiang nodded. This matter was still top secret and not suitable for excessive discussion.

The group had arrived quite early. The Barter Convention was still over a month away from commencing, so they simply spent their time browsing the market stalls within the Ji Continent Market.

Initially, Eldrin Chen had hoped to see if he could stumble upon some hidden treasures, but such opportunities were far from easy to find.

There were many capable and extraordinary individuals in the world. Even if some divine objects concealed their brilliance, they rarely escaped the eyes of high-level cultivators. Any genuinely good items on the stalls had likely been purchased long ago.

After browsing for two days, Eldrin Chen hadn't managed to acquire any high-grade treasures. However, he did purchase some Third-Rank Spirit Herbs and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare spiritual resources used in cultivation and crafting], which counted as a modest gain.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the Barter Convention arrived, and the three of them entered the Ji Continent Pavilion together.

Upon entering the venue where the Barter Convention was held, Eldrin Chen surveyed his surroundings. He noticed that compared to over seventy years ago, the number of participants this time had increased significantly.

The number of attending Golden Core Cultivators [cultivators who have condensed a golden spiritual core] had reached over fifty, a considerable increase from the previous gathering.

The reason for such a significant increase in numbers, aside from some individuals hailing from other continents, is that four hundred years have passed since the last Demonic Abyss Great Tribulation. A new generation of cultivators within the Ji Continent has gradually come of age.

Take the Chu Nation alone; over the past century, it has successively produced five Golden Core cultivators: Eldrin Chen, Elara Lin, Eternal Profound Chen, Xavier Xu, and Immortal Maiden Hibiscus.

While this is connected to the Chu Nation's consecutive major victories, it is undeniable that the other major nations also typically add three or four new Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a solidified core of spiritual energy] every hundred years on average.

Eldrin Chen surveyed the surroundings and noticed that, compared to the gathering years ago, some faces had changed.

Three figures who had attained the Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm] back then—Celestial Star Child, Ethereal Mistress Ling, and Heaven Hero Wei—were now absent.

Of the three, the Celestial Star Child needs no elaboration; he is undoubtedly making his final preparations to attempt a breakthrough into the Infant Soul [the realm where one's spiritual essence condenses into a nascent, independent soul]. Access the full story on https://audio-novel.com.

As for Heaven Hero Wei, his attempt to break through to Infant Soul failed. He sacrificed his physical body in a blood ritual to force the breakthrough. Although he reached the False Infant Soul Realm [a pseudo-realm with some characteristics of the true Infant Soul but lacking its full power and stability], his flesh was utterly withered.

He is currently relying on a Nirvana Pill [a legendary elixir said to grant rebirth or profound restoration] to reconstruct his body. It seems that even if he succeeds, he will likely have only one remaining chance to attempt the Infant Soul breakthrough, with a success rate probably not exceeding twenty percent.

Ethereal Mistress Ling left the Ji Continent a decade ago. Rumor has it she went in search of Heavenly Path Energy [a supremely rare and potent form of spiritual energy associated with the highest laws of heaven], though the truth of this remains unknown.

"That Ethereal Mistress Ling's cultivation in her previous life was merely at the Earthly Path Infant Soul [a specific, foundational method within the Infant Soul realm]. Even with the Rebirth [a profound technique allowing a soul to reincarnate with memories], it's highly unlikely she could surpass her former attainment."

Exquisite Jiang transmitted a secret message to Eldrin Chen, her voice a whisper in his mind. Unlike most, she possessed deeper knowledge of certain hidden truths.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod upon hearing this. A few conjectures formed in his heart, but he swiftly suppressed them.

This time, unlike years past, the Barter Convention had also drawn several cultivators who had reached the Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle of the Golden Core stage].

Violet Consort Yan, who knew many of the attendees, was the one to explain. "Eight cultivators at the Golden Core Late Stage have come," she said. "But aside from the three at Golden Core Perfection, only that Patriarch Mo-ink is truly noteworthy."

"This Patriarch Mo-ink from the Qi Nation, I presume you know of him."

Eldrin Chen nodded once more. He hadn't expected that in less than thirty years, this Patriarch Mo-ink would advance his cultivation yet again, now having reached the Golden Core 7th Tier.

This man possessed a Middle-Tier Golden Core and wielded a pair of Ink Snow Immortal Sword [twin swords imbued with the essence of ink and snow]. His combat prowess likely approached that of a Golden Core Perfection cultivator.

"Besides this Patriarch Mo-ink, there are three others who demand attention."

Violet Consort Yan proceeded to introduce them one by one. "That is Kunxu Child. That is Path Master Wang. And that one is Malachai Qin, who hails from the Yuan Nation on Tianlu Continent."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with recognition. Kunxu Child was the foremost rogue cultivator on Ji Continent, having broken through to Golden Core Perfection fifty years prior and even attempted to assault the Infant Soul Realm. There was a glimmer of hope that he might one day successfully ascend to the Infant Soul [the stage where the cultivator's nascent soul forms].

Path Master Wang hailed from the Wang Immortal Clan of the Heavenly Star Continent. It was said he had forged a Middle-Tier Golden Core [the third stage of core formation, representing significant power], and his strength surpassed that of an ordinary Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm] cultivator by a notable margin.

The one who truly drew the attention of the others, however, was Malachai Qin.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen inquired, "Is that Malachai Qin a cultivator from the Qin Immortal Clan of Yuan Nation?"

"Precisely," Violet Consort Yan nodded, her expression turning solemn. "Although Malachai Qin has only attained the Lower-Tier Golden Core [the initial stage of core formation], he possesses a certain Path Body [a rare innate physique that greatly aids cultivation]. His hope of breaking through to the Infant Soul [the spiritual embryo stage following the Golden Core] is far from small." Join our community of readers at http://www . audio-novel.com.