Chapter 398 : A Treacherous Deal and Hidden Ambitions

Watching Hugo Huo depart, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang swiftly returned to their Cultivation Cave [a secluded dwelling place for meditation and cultivation].

Once inside the Cultivation Cave, Lyra Jiang frowned and said, "For him to demand a premium of thirty percent above market value for the Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of spiritual energy used by high-level cultivators] and insist we travel to Dawn Continent for the transaction is truly excessive."

"That is not my primary concern."

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, his expression grave. "I fear his true aim may be the Heavenly Crystal we possess."

"Does he possess the capability?"

Lyra Jiang shook her head. At their level of cultivation, both their combat prowess and means of preserving their lives were formidable.

Although Hugo Huo was hailed as the foremost Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual energy] expert on Dawn Continent, and his clan boasted five Golden Core Cultivator, their combined strength might still fall short against Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang.

At such a level, initiating a conflict over mere Heavenly Crystal would be an act of profound folly, one that was exceedingly unlikely to occur.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. "To make enemies of us benefits neither side, for neither can decisively overwhelm the other."

"Moreover, he stands not far from the Nascent Soul [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual essence forms an independent infant soul] realm. A severe injury could shatter his path to the Dao. It is unlikely he would be so foolish." Read the full novel exclusively on (audio-novel.com).

"I thought as much."

Lyra Jiang pondered for a moment before continuing, "That person's previous attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator's spirit forms a separate, immortal entity] realm failed. He must have expended the majority of his clan's accumulated Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and stable cultivation base essential for major breakthroughs]."

"So this time, he's thinking of trading Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of spiritual energy used by high-level cultivators] for Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], aiming to profit from the thirty percent premium, then use his own channels to convert it back into Heavenly Crystal?"

Currently, the Ji Clan Patriarch of Ji Continent is on the verge of his Nascent Soul breakthrough and has been employing every means to gather Heavenly Crystal.

However, other great continents differ from Ji Continent. There, local Golden Core Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have reached the Golden Core realm] can still leverage their connections to exchange for Heavenly Crystal from Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [clans whose leaders have ascended to the Nascent Soul realm].

After all, forging a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact designed to suppress and vanquish powerful demons] consumes a staggering amount of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth]. Even Nascent Soul Immortal Clan require vast quantities of Spirit Stone to procure the necessary treasures.

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang were unfamiliar with the Nascent Soul Immortal Clan of other continents and dared not risk dealing with them directly for Heavenly Crystal. However, this Hugo Huo might possess the channels and connections to facilitate such a transaction.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen paused thoughtfully before stating, "I shall first make some inquiries to see if Hugo Huo bears any indirect grudge against us."

"If there is none, then we shall make the journey to Dawn Continent."

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] nodded. The Dawn Continent was already part of their planned route; visiting it was well within their intended course of action.

Soon, Eldrin Chen [the cultivator Eldrin Chen] inquired through several acquaintances and then returned to his Cultivation Cave [a secluded dwelling for meditation and cultivation].

Seeing him return, Lyra Jiang asked, "How did it go?"

"This person has a grudge against Deng Morgrim [the elder demon of the Deng Clan] from the Yan Kingdom's Deng Clan. It is said they clashed over two hundred years ago, but the matter was dropped due to the great distance of the Ji Continent."

Eldrin Chen smiled faintly and said, "Since he holds a grudge against Deng Morgrim and has no other grievances with us, there should be no major issue."

"That's good to hear." Lyra Jiang also smiled, her confidence unwavering. "In truth, we need not be overly cautious. With our strength and the two Void-Cleaving Treasure Talisman [powerful talismans capable of tearing through space], even a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator of the Nascent Soul Realm] might struggle to detain us."

"Indeed. In this world, strength is the ultimate arbiter."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight smile, acknowledging her words.

A single Hugo Huo [the cultivator Hugo Huo] was worthy of their serious consideration, but not enough to make them live in fear.

Early the next morning, the two of them sought out Hugo Huo.

Eldrin Chen looked at him and stated directly, "Brother Huo, we have decided to accompany you to Dawn Continent."

"Excellent."

A look of delight spread across Hugo Huo's face, and he promptly rose to his feet. "Then let us not delay. We should depart with all haste."

The trio wasted no further time. After making their preparations, they set off directly, flying towards Dawn Continent.

Their journey took them across the breadth of Heavenly Lake Continent until they arrived at the fabled Qilian Mountain Range.

The Qilian Mountain Range is a realm of majestic peaks and winding rivers. Though it cannot compare to the legendary Heaven's Spine Mountains, one of the thirty-six sacred peaks of the Eastern Wastelands, it is nonetheless a towering divine mountain range stretching for millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Support the author by reading on @udio-novel.com.

Ancient tales speak of this place as a site where the Demonic Tribe once performed rites to honor their demonic deities. It is said that in ages past, even supreme Demon Emperor-level beings dwelled here.

Approximately eight thousand years ago, the Peerless Sword Immortal, Lin Tianqi, emerged into the world. From a distance of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] across the void, he unleashed a single, world-shaking sword stroke that utterly annihilated the Demon God Temple within the Qilian Mountains.

At that time, Lin Tianqi had only just entered the Nascent Soul Realm, yet the Sword Intent [a cultivator's conceptual understanding and will manifested through the sword] he unleashed was potent enough to shake the heavens and move the earth.

Even to this day, the vast expanse of the Qilian Mountain Range remains saturated with boundless Sword Intent. Cultivators whose cultivation falls below the Golden Core Realm find it exceedingly difficult to endure the oppressive force of this lingering intent for long, rendering them incapable of traversing such a formidable mountain range.

"Such formidable Sword Intent [the conceptualized will and sharpness imbued within a sword cultivator's spirit]."

As Eldrin Chen traversed the vast and imposing Qilian Mountain Range, he felt the Sword Intent within him seethe and churn, while his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords emitted an unparalleled, resonant hum of their own accord.

Witnessing the Sword Intent within Eldrin Chen surge with increasing intensity, Hugo Huo remarked with a smile, "So Fellow Daoist Chen has chosen to cultivate the Sword Dao [the profound path and principles of the sword] as his primary pursuit. It seems this journey will yield you significant gains."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. He could keenly sense that as he delved deeper into the Qilian Mountain Range, the Sword Intent permeating the mountains themselves resonated with his own, honing and refining it, tempering its edge to become ever more sharp and extraordinary.

Beside him, Lyra Jiang also reaped considerable benefits. Her Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword grew increasingly keen and radiant, its aura becoming ever more sharp and fully revealed.

The group pressed on with their journey in focused silence. Only after they had completely crossed the mountain range did Eldrin Chen feel the Sword Intent within him had been condensed and refined by over thirty percent, marking another significant leap in his strength.

Once they had passed beyond the Qilian Mountain Range, Hugo Huo announced cheerfully, "Another three million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from here lies the territory of my Huo Clan."

"Please, keep pace, you two…"

After another month of flight, the party finally arrived at the Huo family estate.

Hugo Huo led the two guests towards the Guest-Welcoming Peak, explaining along the way, "If you would kindly wait for me at the Guest-Welcoming Peak, I shall go and retrieve the Origin Heaven Crystal [a crystal of immense purity, said to contain traces of primordial heavenly essence] for you."

"Hold."

Eldrin Chen halted his steps, his gaze fixed upon the Guest-Welcoming Peak ahead. "Your esteemed clan has laid a Formation [a structured arrangement of energy and objects to create specific magical effects] upon the Guest-Welcoming Peak. This is hardly the way to receive guests, is it?"

"Your discernment is keen, sir. A pity it is too late."

That Hugo Huo suddenly let out a cold laugh. With a flick of his hand, he summoned forth four of his lifebound Formation Flags [enchanted banners used as focal points for activating and controlling formations], their power instantly enveloping the entire expanse of heaven and earth.

"The Western White Tiger Banner, the Eastern Azure Dragon Banner, the Southern Vermilion Bird Banner, the Northern Black Tortoise Banner... This is the Four Symbols Flag Formation [a legendary formation based on the four celestial beasts]?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly, but then he shook his head. "No... not the true artifact. Merely an imitation..."

"Your insight is indeed profound," Hugo Huo nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "The legendary Four Symbols Flag Formation is an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth] from the Immortal Realm. What I possess is but a humble, crafted imitation—a mere Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure personally refined and bound to a cultivator's soul]."

"With cultivation at your pinnacle, ordinary means could never hope to ensnare you if you refused to enter a formation. I had no choice but to deploy this set of my lifebound Formation Flags."

"Now that you are trapped within my Four Symbols Flag Formation, you would do well to surrender peacefully."

As Hugo Huo's words fell, a glint of cold mockery flashed within his eyes.

Simultaneously, five figures of imposing and majestic aura descended from the heavens, while numerous Foundation Establishment Purple Mansion Cultivators converged from the surrounding distance, encircling the area. Original English translation available at https://audio-novel.com.