Chapter 381 : The Coveted Void Gem

In truth, it was not only Qian the Sect Master; even the others present felt a stirring of desire for the Void Gem [a rare crystalline substance attuned to the void, used in high-level spatial formations and teleportation arrays].

Void Gem [a rare crystalline substance attuned to the void, used in high-level spatial formations and teleportation arrays] are not like ordinary Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. These objects are exceptionally scarce and rare, far more so than even a Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact corresponding to the Golden Core Realm].

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly before speaking. "You may exchange for only one."

"Agreed."

Qian the Sect Master gave a nod. In this conflict, the Firmament Sword Sect had only dispatched two of its Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power] elders to battle.

Moreover, Lysander Ling was merely at the Golden Core, Early Stage. One could say their participating force was only one-third the size of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance's, and their combat strength was less than a third. To receive one Void Gem [a rare crystalline substance attuned to the void, used in high-level spatial formations and teleportation arrays] was already a fair outcome.

After allocating one Void Gem [a rare crystalline substance attuned to the void, used in high-level spatial formations and teleportation arrays], five Void Gem [a rare crystalline substance attuned to the void, used in high-level spatial formations and teleportation arrays] and the Formation Plate [a pre-constructed array base used to deploy complex formations quickly] remained. Yvonne the Violet Consort claimed one of the gems for herself and then took four of the Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts corresponding to the Golden Core Realm].

Yvonne the Violet Consort would reach Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core Realm] within a few more years. For her, these Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts corresponding to the Golden Core Realm] held greater immediate importance.

Of those remaining, Taiwu the True Person had contributed the least to the battle and thus took only a single Fourth Rank Middle Grade Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

What remained in Eldrin Chen's hands were four Void Gem [a rare crystalline substance attuned to the void, used in high-level spatial formations and teleportation arrays] and the Formation Plate [a pre-constructed array base used to deploy complex formations quickly], along with three other Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts corresponding to the Golden Core Realm]. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel.com.

Once Feiye the Night's Bane refines the Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in forming a cultivator's Golden Core], it is estimated that Chu Kingdom will obtain another six or seven of these pills. They believe they can then distribute them according to each party's contribution.

After dividing these treasures, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "Let us deliberate on the matters of nurturing a Fourth Rank Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy of the fourth rank] and establishing a Teleportation Formation [a magical array that allows instantaneous travel across vast distances]."

"To nurture a Fourth Rank Low Grade Spirit Mountain requires an expenditure of ten million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. We should each contribute shares."

"Agreed…"

After lengthy discussion, the group felt that raising ten million Spirit Stone at once was too burdensome. They decided to involve the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] of Chu Kingdom to share this immense cost.

According to their plan, the assembled Golden Core Immortal Clan [clans whose patriarchs have reached the Golden Core cultivation realm] would contribute five million Spirit Stone, with the remaining five million to be shouldered collectively by the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan of Chu Kingdom.

Ultimately, the Golden Core Immortal Clan would hold a seventy percent stake, while the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan of Chu Kingdom would jointly hold the remaining thirty percent.

Once established, this Spirit Mountain would become the largest Cultivation Market [a hub for trade and exchange among cultivators] in Chu Kingdom. Furthermore, the Teleportation Formation would generate substantial annual profits for the kingdom.

Moreover, controlling this Teleportation Formation would grant them authority over trade and commerce between the Six Kingdoms.

Many exotic goods from other nations, which previously required Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have established their foundational cultivation base] years of arduous travel to procure, often commanded exorbitant premiums in Chu Kingdom. Now, they could be transported almost instantaneously.

According to the calculations of the assembly, the future annual revenue from the Spirit Mountain would be staggering—a sum of three hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. This income would stem from the usage fees of the new Spirit Mountain's Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel over vast distances], the taxes from what would become the largest Cultivation Market [a hub for trade and exchange among cultivators] in the Chu Kingdom, and various other miscellaneous sources combined.

Once the plan was finalized, the assembly decided to establish the new Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] right beside the Green Sun Mountain, at the site known as Origin-Starting Mountain.

They toiled for over half a year before finally completing the Spirit Mountain's ascension and deploying the Teleportation Formation to link it with the nations of Qi, Yan, and Cang.

Of course, Eldrin Chen did not need to personally oversee any of these mundane tasks.

He and Lyra Jiang journeyed to Heaven's Ruin Island in the Yan Kingdom and directly constructed a Teleportation Formation there, forging a direct link between Heaven's Ruin Island and Green Sun Mountain.

With this Teleportation Formation in place, the Heaven's Ruin Sect and Green Sun Mountain were now inseparably connected, greatly enhancing the safety and security of Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang once more.

After handling these matters, the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion by hordes of demonic beasts] was finally, completely laid to rest.

With the conclusion of the Beast Tide Calamity, Eldrin Chen returned to the tranquil rhythm of his former days.

He began poring over ancient texts and records, contemplating his own path of cultivation while simultaneously organizing and refining his personal collection of cultivation arts and Divine Ability [powerful supernatural techniques mastered by high-level cultivators].

Over the years, he had cultivated numerous spell-based Divine Ability, yet he had never found the time to master a dedicated escape or movement art—a significant weakness in his repertoire.

Having now consolidated his cultivation techniques, and with no imminent breakthrough to the Golden Core, Late Stage in sight, he resolved to first master an escape-type Divine Ability [a powerful supernatural technique].

Furthermore, he had decided that once Lyra Jiang broke through to the Golden Core, Late Stage, the two of them would leave Ji Continent to travel and explore the Eastern Wastelands. Thus, mastering an escape Divine Ability was also a prudent preparation for unforeseen circumstances.

The Chen Clan possessed no shortage of escape-type Divine Ability, but the only one truly considered top-tier was the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Escape.

This technique ranked among the most supreme escape arts. When executed, it was majestic and righteous, its aura vast and profoundly powerful.

Moreover, its underlying principle was exceptionally profound, holding the theoretical potential to be further refined into a Great Divine Ability [a pinnacle-level supernatural technique]. Naturally, when Eldrin Chen decided to cultivate an escape Divine Ability, he chose this extraordinary method.

However, comprehending this Divine Ability was no simple feat. Eldrin Chen spent a full three years merely to grasp its intricacies thoroughly, and another two to successfully master its execution. For the best reading experience, visit AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Once he had perfected the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Escape, Eldrin Chen immediately put it to the test. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a blaze of glorious, shimmering golden fire that streaked across the void. Before he knew it, he had traversed a distance of several thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

"This Divine Ability is truly profound," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with a flicker of insight, sensing intuitively that this escape art held vast potential for further evolution and refinement.

If such a pinnacle Divine Ability were to advance one step further, it would very likely cross the threshold into the realm of Great Divine Ability.

His current cultivation level was ultimately somewhat insufficient; he still fell far short of what was needed to deduce a Great Divine Ability [a supreme and profound supernatural power cultivated by immortals].

Suppressing his thoughts, Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Isle Lake.

No sooner had he returned to Spirit Isle Lake than Lyra Jiang concluded her cultivation session. With evident delight, she said, "Today, I felt my mana [the cultivated spiritual energy used to perform arts and techniques] become significantly more harmonious and complete. I believe I can attempt my breakthrough to the Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core realm, where the cultivator's core is highly refined]."

"Truly?" Eldrin Chen exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy. "I will guard your cultivation," he declared.

"Very well."

Lyra Jiang gave a nod and, taking the long-prepared Cloud-Returning Creation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in major realm breakthroughs by harmonizing and creating spiritual essence], retreated into her Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for undisturbed, deep meditation and cultivation].

Given her profound foundation, breaking through to the Golden Core, Late Stage posed little difficulty. After a mere three months, she emerged from the Seclusion Chamber.

Witnessing Lyra Jiang's successful advancement to the Golden Core, Late Stage, Eldrin Chen excitedly grasped her hand and asked, "How do you feel?"

"My mana has increased by half," Lyra Jiang replied with a smile. "With a bit more tempering and refinement, it should approach the level of a False Nascent Soul Cultivator [a cultivator whose power nears the Nascent Soul realm but who has not fully formed their Nascent Soul]."

She continued, her tone confident, "With my Great Luo Golden Core [a pinnacle-grade Golden Core representing the highest potential foundation] as my Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and unshakable base of a cultivator's power], my mana had already rivaled that of a Golden Core Great Perfection [the peak stage of the Golden Core realm] back when I broke through to the Golden Core Sixth Layer."

Now, with his mana having surged by another fifty percent, such profound and vast spiritual power was approaching the level of a False Nascent Soul Cultivator who possessed an Inferior Golden Core.

However, it is generally very difficult for those with an Inferior Golden Core to cultivate to the False Nascent Soul realm. Therefore, most False Nascent Soul Cultivator still possess a mana reservoir somewhat more profound than hers.

Yet, Lyra Jiang possesses a Dao Body [a supreme innate constitution aligned with the fundamental Dao]. Once she refines a lifebound Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure through the nourishing feedback of her Lunar Immortal Physique, her combat strength is estimated to rival half that of a true Nascent Soul cultivator.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen asked excitedly, "Should we move against Demonic Ape Mountain now?"

"Not yet."

Lyra Jiang shook her head. "That Demonic Ape Mountain is no weaker than the Demon Cave Cavern. With our current strength, without employing a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure, it would be difficult to raze it. After all, the power of the Demonic Spring [a font of concentrated demonic energy] requires at least one Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure to suppress it."

"Moreover, twenty years ago, to shatter the Seven Malignancy Demon Skulls, Senior Mirror of the Vast Heaven expended a tremendous amount of its power. If we rashly attack the Demon Cave Cavern again and some mishap traps us within, the consequences would be dire." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel.com.