Chapter 398 : A Treacherous Transaction

Watching Hugo Huo depart, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang swiftly returned to their Grotto-Heaven [a cultivator's personal sanctum, often a pocket dimension or enhanced cave dwelling].

As soon as they entered, Exquisite Jiang frowned and said, "To demand a premium of thirty percent above market value for the Heavenly Crystal [a rare, high-purity crystal used for advanced cultivation and formations] and insist we travel to Celestial Dawn Province for the transaction—this is truly excessive."

"That is not my primary concern,"

Eldrin Chen replied, his brow furrowed with gravity. "What I fear is that he may be coveting the Heavenly Crystal we already possess."

"Does he possess the capability?"

Exquisite Jiang shook her head. At their level of cultivation, both their combat prowess and means of survival were formidable.

Although Hugo Huo was hailed as the foremost Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where spiritual energy condenses into a solid golden core] expert in Celestial Dawn Province, and his clan boasted five Golden Core Cultivator, their combined strength might still fall short against Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang.

At such a level, initiating a conflict over some Heavenly Crystal would be an act of profound folly, an eventuality almost too improbable to consider.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. "To make an enemy of us benefits neither side, for neither can utterly crush the other."

"Moreover, he stands not far from the Infant Soul Realm [the stage following Golden Core, where the cultivator's nascent soul forms]. A severe injury could shatter his Path [one's unique journey and method of cultivation, determining future potential], ending his advancement. I doubt he is foolish enough to risk that." Find thousands of chapters at audio . novel . com.

"I thought as much."

Exquisite Jiang pondered for a moment before continuing, "His previous attempt to break through to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed] realm failed. He must have exhausted a large portion of his clan's accumulated resources in the process."

"So this time, he's trying to exchange Heavenly Crystal [a high-purity, crystallized 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 he plans to use his own channels to convert that back into Heavenly Crystal [a high-purity, crystallized form of spiritual energy used by high-level cultivators], correct?"

Currently, the Ji Clan Patriarch of Ji Continent is on the verge of his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a higher stage of existence] realm and has been employing every means possible to gather Heavenly Crystal [a high-purity, crystallized form of spiritual energy used by high-level cultivators].

However, other continents are different from Ji Continent. The local Golden Core Immortal Clan [a clan with a Golden Core Patriarch as its foundation] can still leverage their connections to exchange for Heavenly Crystal [a high-purity, crystallized form of spiritual energy used by high-level cultivators] from the Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan with an Infant Soul Patriarch as its foundation].

After all, forging a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a top-tier enchanted artifact specifically designed to suppress demonic beings] 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 Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan with an Infant Soul Patriarch as its foundation] require vast quantities of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to purchase the necessary materials.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang were unfamiliar with the Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan with an Infant Soul Patriarch as its foundation] of other continents and dared not risk a direct exchange with them. However, this Hugo Huo might possess the necessary channels and connections to facilitate such a transaction.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen fell silent for a beat before stating, "I will first make some inquiries to see if Hugo Huo holds any indirect grudges against us."

"If not, then we shall make the journey to Celestial Dawn Province."

"Agreed."

Exquisite Jiang nodded. The Celestial Dawn Province was already part of their planned route; visiting it would simply be following their intended course.

Soon, Eldrin Chen returned to their cave abode after making inquiries through a few acquaintances.

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

"This person has a grudge against Old Ghost Deng of the Deng Clan of Yan Kingdom. It's said they even clashed over two hundred years ago, but the matter was dropped due to the great distance of the Ji Continent."

Eldrin Chen smiled slightly and said, "Since he has a feud with Old Ghost Deng and no other grievances with us, there shouldn't be a major issue."

"That's good." Exquisite Jiang also smiled, her tone brimming with confidence. "Truthfully, we need not be overly cautious. With our strength and the two Void-Sundering Treasure Talisman [a powerful talisman capable of tearing through space itself], even an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their nascent soul into a powerful spiritual entity] might not be able to keep us here."

"Indeed. In this world, it is ultimately strength that speaks."

Eldrin Chen smiled, acknowledging the truth of her words.

A single 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, "Fellow Daoist Huo, we have decided to accompany you to Celestial Dawn Province."

"Excellent."

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

"..."

The trio wasted no further time. After making their preparations, they set off directly for Celestial Dawn Province. Discover more cultivation stories at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

They traversed the breadth of Celestial Lake Continent and finally arrived at the fabled Qilian Mountain Range.

The Qilian Mountain Range was a range of renowned peaks and rivers. Though it could not compare to the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, one of the thirty-six famed mountains of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, it was still a majestic divine range stretching over ten million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Ancient legends held that Qilian Mountain was a place where the Demon Race [a race of beings with demonic bloodlines and powers] performed sacrifices to their demon gods. In ages past, it was even said to have housed a supreme Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beings].

Approximately eight thousand years ago, the peerless Sword Immortal [a title for a master of the sword path] Heaven Abandoned Lin emerged into the world. From across a void of ten million Li-length, he unleashed a single sword stroke that utterly annihilated the Demon God Temple upon Qilian Mountain.

At that time, Heaven Abandoned Lin had only just entered the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, yet the sword intent he unleashed was still potent enough to shake the heavens and earth.

Even to this day, the vast Qilian Mountain Range remains shrouded in boundless sword intent. Cultivators below the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, forming a solidified core of power] find it difficult to endure the pressure of this intent for long, rendering them incapable of traversing such an immense mountain range.

"Such formidable sword intent," Eldrin Chen murmured.

As Eldrin Chen traversed the majestic Qilian Mountain, he felt the sword intent within his own body begin to seethe. His Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords] resonated in response, emitting a peerless, humming keen.

Noting the intensifying surge of sword intent from Eldrin Chen, Hugo Huo smiled. "So, Fellow Daoist Chen [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], your primary cultivation path is the Sword Path [the Dao of the Sword, a martial and spiritual discipline]. It seems this journey will yield you significant gains."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. He could sense it clearly: the deeper he ventured into the Qilian Mountain Range, the more his internal sword intent was stirred and honed by the pervasive intent of the mountains, becoming ever more sharp and extraordinary.

Beside him, Exquisite Jiang was also reaping considerable benefits. Her Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword [a divine blade of great renown] grew increasingly keen and radiant, showing clear signs of substantial advancement.

The group pressed on in focused silence. Only after completely crossing the Qilian Mountain did Eldrin Chen feel the transformation within. His sword intent had been refined and condensed by more than thirty percent, marking another solid leap in his strength.

Once past the Qilian Mountain Range, Hugo Huo announced with a smile, "From here, it is three million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to the territories of my Huo Clan."

"Please, keep pace, both of you…"

After another month of flight, the group finally arrived at the Huo Clan.

Hugo Huo led the two of them towards the Guest Greeting Peak, smiling as he spoke: "Please wait for a moment at the Guest Greeting Peak, I will go fetch the Origin Heavenly Crystal for you."

"Hold on."

Eldrin Chen halted his steps, gazing at the Guest Greeting Peak ahead. "Your esteemed clan has laid down a Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, offense, or other mystical purposes] at the Guest Greeting Peak. This is hardly the proper way to receive guests, is it?"

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

That Hugo Huo suddenly let out a cold laugh. With a flick of his hand, he summoned four of his Formation Flag [enchanted banners used as the core anchors for a mystical formation], instantly enveloping the entire surrounding space.

"The Western White Tiger Banner, the Eastern Azure Dragon Banner, the Southern Vermilion Bird Banner, and the Northern Black Tortoise Banner... Are these the legendary Four Symbols Formation Flags?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly, but then he shook his head. "No... they are merely imitations..."

"Your insight is indeed remarkable," Hugo Huo nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "The legendary Four Symbols Formation Flags are Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth, possessing immense innate power] from the Immortal Realm. What I possess are merely humble, forged copies—my own Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them]."

"With cultivation at your pinnacle, ordinary methods could never hope to restrain you if you refused to enter the formation. I had no choice but to deploy this set of my Formation Flag."

"Now that you are trapped within my Four Symbols Formation Flags [a powerful formation array that harnesses the power of the four cardinal beasts], you might as well surrender peacefully."

As Hugo Huo finished speaking, a cold sneer flashed in his eyes.

At the same moment, five figures radiating formidable auras descended from the sky, while several Foundation Establishment and Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the Violet Sanctum realm, a stage beyond Foundation Establishment] began to close in from the surrounding distance. For the best reading experience, visit audio - novel . com.