Chapter 397 : The Unreal Master's Heavenly Bargain

"And that Path Master Unreal suddenly rose to prominence. After agreeing to three covenants with the Liu Clan, he seized the Spiritual Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] of Heavenly Lake Island."

"Now, among Path Master Unreal's seven great disciples, five are clansmen of the Liu Clan. Each has been nurtured by Path Master Unreal to the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified core of spiritual power], essentially sheltering under his wing."

"Furthermore, the True Lord [a title for a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage] of the Liu Clan ultimately died in battle for the Human Race. The Path Lord [a title for a cultivator at the Primordial Spirit stage] of the Human Race in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland would not permit other Infant Soul True Lord [Nascent Soul stage cultivators] to act too egregiously. Thus, they tacitly allowed Path Master Unreal to take control of Heavenly Lake Island."

"So that's how it is."

Eldrin Chen nodded, finally understanding the Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences] involved in this matter.

At that moment, Path Master Unreal spoke: "This old man urgently requires some Origin Heavenly Crystal [a primordial-grade crystal of immense spiritual purity] and Fourth Rank Superior Grade [the highest quality tier for fourth-rank artifacts] magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. If you possess Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade spiritual crystal] or supreme-grade magical treasure, you may select any of my treasures in exchange."

Hearing this, the crowd revealed looks of delight. Several individuals immediately produced items like Heavenly Crystal and exchanged them with Path Master Unreal for the treasures they desired.

Path Master Unreal successively acquired sixteen or seventeen Heavenly Crystal and obtained two Fourth Rank Superior Grade magical treasure. Satisfied, he descended from the platform.

The second to step forward was Hugo Huo. He also presented several treasures, all exceptionally precious, with their grades starting at Fourth Rank Mid-Grade [the middle quality tier for fourth-rank items].

Compared to the wealth displayed by Path Master Unreal, his treasures were somewhat inferior. Nevertheless, they were all exchanged swiftly. Discover more cultivation stories at audio_novel.com.

After Hugo Huo concluded his transaction, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang were the third pair to ascend the platform.

Surveying the assembled Golden Core Cultivators [cultivators who have condensed a Golden Core, the third major realm], a surge of joy welled within their hearts. At a Barter Convention [a gathering where cultivators trade treasures], the earlier one takes the stage, the greater the chance of acquiring a desired treasure.

For them to be the third to ascend was an exceptionally rare opportunity.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen raised his hand, releasing a cascade of radiant light. Within this radiance were five pieces of fourth-rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare and potent natural resources used in cultivation and artifact forging], three fourth-rank mid-to-low grade magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], several scrolls of Golden Core Realm techniques and Divine Abilities [supernatural powers derived from cultivation], and three Fourth Rank Spirit Apricots [rare fruits that can significantly extend a cultivator's lifespan].

Especially those Fourth Rank Spirit Apricots—they were supreme treasures for extending lifespan. Consuming just one could add two Sixty-Year Cycles [a cycle of sixty years] to one's life, enough to make the vast majority of the Golden Core True Persons [an honorific title for Golden Core cultivators] present drool with desire.

Sure enough, a Golden Core True Person immediately inquired, "Might I ask, True Person, how do you wish to sell these Fourth Rank Spirit Apricots?"

"There is no need for haste, honored guests."

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile, channeling his spiritual energy to display the surplus treasures in his possession. "Everyone, on this occasion, I wish to exchange for the Blazing Third Fire and the Bulwark Earth Divine Light Divine Abilities, as well as the Cultivable Earth and the Final Water Divine Thunder Divine Abilities."

"If any of you possess them, you may approach me first for an exchange."

"Furthermore, I am in urgent need of Origin Heavenly Crystals. You may also use Heavenly Crystals to trade for the treasures in my hand. I am also willing to purchase Heavenly Crystals with Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] at a twenty percent premium."

"Blazing Third Fire Divine Light [a divine ability that unleashes a triple-layered fire of immense power]?" A Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, the third major realm] revealed a look of delight and spoke, "I happen to possess one such technique."

As he said this, he began to haggle and barter with Eldrin Chen, exchanging his Blazing Third Fire Divine Light for a Escape Technique Divine Ability [a divine ability specialized in rapid evasion or flight] from Eldrin Chen.

Following this transaction, another person promptly produced a Cultivable Earth Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique rooted in the power of the earth element] and traded it with Eldrin Chen for a cultivation manual.

After that, the Bulwark Earth Divine Light [a divine light technique of immense defensive power] and the Final Water Divine Thunder [a supreme water-element divine thunder] proved too rare; it seemed they had long been lost within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, and no one present could produce them.

Nevertheless, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang were quite satisfied. The three Longevity Spirit Apricots [spiritual fruits that can extend one's lifespan] had been exchanged all at once for six Heavenly Crystals [highly purified and condensed forms of spiritual energy, used as a premium currency].

Furthermore, the other treasures were also purchased by others using Heavenly Crystals. Scattered transactions like these allowed Eldrin Chen to obtain a total of twelve Heavenly Crystals in one go.

Combined with the eight they had acquired earlier, they now held twenty Heavenly Crystals in their possession.

Unfortunately, their plan to purchase Heavenly Crystals with Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] did not proceed smoothly. Even with a premium of a full twenty percent, the assembled Golden Core Cultivators still held out for a better price.

This was because numerous treasures were circulating at this Barter Convention, and often only a hard currency like Heavenly Crystals could secure the high-grade treasures one truly desired.

With no other choice, the two descended from the high platform. Eldrin Chen spoke with a tinge of disappointment, "What a pity. Such a rare opportunity, yet no one is willing to trade their Heavenly Crystals for Spirit Stones."

"The Heavenly Crystal [a rare and extraordinary crystalline substance that stores immense spiritual energy] is precious and extraordinary, this outcome was within our expectations."

Exquisite Jiang said calmly, then smiled and added, "This time we have already collected twenty Heavenly Crystals. The Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] we have left to exchange for more Heavenly Crystals amount to only thirty million."

"Later, we shall travel across several great continents, seeking out suitable Golden Core Immortal Clans [powerful cultivation families whose patriarchs have reached the Golden Core Realm] to trade with one by one. We will surely be able to exchange all of them for Heavenly Crystals."

"That seems to be the only way."

Eldrin Chen nodded, letting out a soft sigh.

The Barter Convention lasted for three days. After the grand gathering concluded, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang walked out of the Zixu Pavilion. Visit audio . novel . com to enjoy the complete series.

"Please wait a moment, you two."

They had just prepared to return to their cultivation abode when a voice called out to them.

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw that the speaker was none other than Hugo Huo, whose cultivation had reached the lofty False Infant Soul Realm [a powerful stage just below the true Infant Soul Realm]. Naturally, Eldrin Chen would not show any discourtesy. He cupped his hands in greeting and asked, "Elder Brother Huo, for what purpose have you detained us?"

"Hahaha."

Hugo Huo let out a hearty laugh, his gaze sweeping over the two Mortal Path cultivators. "I noticed your recent inquiries for Heavenly Crystal [a rare, high-purity crystal that stores immense spiritual energy], so I wished to discuss a matter with you."

"Oh?"

Exquisite Jiang's eyes flickered subtly, her expression betraying nothing. "Could it be that you are willing to trade Heavenly Crystal for Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]?"

"Precisely."

"However, the price..."

Hugo Huo paused deliberately, then with a flourish of his folding fan, he continued with a smile, "I'm afraid it would need to be adjusted somewhat higher."

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang exchanged a glance, a spark of understanding passing between them. "If the quantity you offer is sufficient," Eldrin said promptly, "I am willing to pay a premium of twenty-five percent."

A twenty-five percent premium meant paying one-quarter above the standard value.

Hugo Huo, however, shook his head before nodding slightly, snapping his fan shut. "My Huo Clan has a reserve of seventeen Heavenly Crystal. They were originally intended for the purchase of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm]."

"Here is my proposal: if you agree to a thirty percent premium, I will sell you the Heavenly Crystal."

Eldrin Chen's heart stirred. Although the price, a thirty percent premium, was considerably higher, if it could save them a significant amount of time, it would still be a worthwhile transaction.

After all, if they were to visit each province individually, it would take several years on average per state. Dragging things out like that would inevitably delay their cultivation progress.

Having reached this conclusion, Eldrin Chen stated, "We have a deal."

"Excellent." Hugo Huo's face lit up with joy, but then he frowned slightly. "The Heavenly Crystal [a crystal of immense purity and spiritual power] is an exceedingly precious treasure. Furthermore, there were no Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in the formation of the Nascent Soul] available for sale this time, so I did not bring it with me."

"To complete this transaction, you will need to accompany me to the Celestial Dawn Province."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes narrowed, her tone turning cool. "The journey to Celestial Dawn Province is long and perilous, fraught with towering mountains and treacherous rivers. It is hardly suitable. Would it not be better for you to deliver the Heavenly Crystal to Celestial Lake Continent? We shall wait for you here."

Hugo Huo shook his head firmly. "The Celestial Dawn Province lies several million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from here, separated by the vast Qilian Mountain Range. Merely traversing it one way would take the better part of a year; a round trip would consume one or two years."

"I, this old man, have less than one Jiazi-time [one Jiazi-time equals sixty years] remaining before my next attempt to break through to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's spiritual essence condenses into a nascent, independent spiritual form] realm. Such a perilous journey back and forth would not only be fraught with danger but would also waste my spiritual energy. It simply isn't worth the meager profit margin."

Eldrin Chen frowned upon hearing this. After a long moment of silence, he said, "Crossing provinces is a matter of great consequence. Please allow us some time to deliberate."

"Very well." Hugo Huo clasped his hands in a respectful salute. "I shall return in three days to seek your answer."

With those words, he turned and departed. Continue reading this story at *audio-novel.com*.