Chapter 428 : The Merchant's Golden Core Ambition

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen shook his head, then said, "For the Qian Clan to pass up such a convenient opportunity to collect our stipends and instead go traveling seems rather like abandoning what is near to seek what is far away, does it not?"

"Perhaps each person has their own aspirations."

The Old Patriarch shook his head calmly and said, "If the Qian Clan is unwilling to expend the effort, we can only have the Heavenly Ruins Sect arrange for someone."

"Then after I return, I will discuss it with Exquisite."

With that, Eldrin Chen took the Metallic Gold and Acrid Metal Dual Auras and returned to Spirit Isle Lake.

Upon arriving at Spirit Isle Lake, Eldrin Chen handed the Five Elements Energy to Exquisite Jiang and briefly explained the situation to her.

After listening, Exquisite Jiang smiled and said, "Elara is currently in seclusion, comprehending a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power attained through cultivation]. Tea Rose is now primarily responsible for the Heavenly Ruins Sect. Let's have Like Dream go and handle this matter."

"That would be fine as well."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then began discussing the stipend matter with Exquisite Jiang.

To purchase Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], the target clients would be countless low-level cultivators. The best method would be to open a shop in every single market town across the Ji Continent. This chapter is provided by audio-novel`com. Support the original.

To sustain the high cost of shop rentals, they could not solely focus on acquiring Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]; they also needed to trade in spiritual pills, magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare and potent natural resources imbued with spiritual energy].

A single nation typically contained several dozen cultivation marketplaces. For a Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, the third major realm] to oversee the business operations across an entire country was no small task, requiring the assistance of a considerable number of other cultivators.

This would inevitably detract from their own cultivation efforts. For clan members with significant potential, it was preferable for their primary focus to remain on their personal cultivation journey.

The cultivation potential of Tea Rose Su and Like Dream Willow was nearly exhausted. Similarly, the future prospects of Lior Chen and others were limited. Furthermore, they still owed the clan substantial debts in Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Having them dedicate their efforts to the mundane affairs of procuring Five Elements Essence was therefore the most suitable arrangement.

Of course, as compensation for managing the marketplaces, their stipends would be correspondingly increased. For instance, the two Golden Core [the third major cultivation realm] cultivators from the Shyu Clan would henceforth receive an annual stipend from the Chen Clan.

Having considered this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Henceforth, each Golden Core Cultivator shall receive an additional thirty thousand clan contribution points annually."

"As for the two from the Shyu Clan, grant them thirty thousand Spirit Stone each."

"Agreed."

Exquisite Jiang nodded, her tone calm and measured.

Although clan contribution points held a value roughly equivalent to Spirit Stone, the Chen Clan's contribution points could be used to purchase many rare resources at half the internal clan price. This included treasures such as fourth-rank Spiritual Peach [a peach imbued with spiritual energy that enhances cultivation] and Spirit Apricot [a spiritual apricot with medicinal properties].

After these matters were settled, Exquisite Jiang held the Five Elements Essence and said, "Refining the Stellar Gem is no easy task. There is no Fifth Rank Fire Vein on Ji Continent, so the process of elevating the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword this time will likely be quite lengthy."

In truth, Ji Continent did possess a Fifth Rank Fire Vein—one that was even of Fifth Rank High-Grade quality. However, that particular Fire Vein was being used to repair the Primordial Solar Supreme Treasure Immortal Refining Furnace. Consequently, the Fifth Rank Earthfire Chamber [a specialized cultivation chamber powered by earth fire] was currently completely unusable.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his expression calm. "I shall lend you my strength," he stated.

The two rose and stepped into the Spirit Pond. There, they began the process of advancement, channeling their True Flame [a cultivator's purified inner flame] to smelt and refine the Stellar Fragment.

The Stellar Fragment truly lived up to its status as a treasure of the Fifth Rank. Even with Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang combining their efforts to channel the True Flame, it proved exceedingly difficult to completely melt and refine the material in a short time.

They persevered for a full year before the Stellar Fragment finally began to soften, transforming into a dazzling, liquid substance that resembled a fragment of the starry sky itself. This was then infused into the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword.

After completing this step, Exquisite Jiang spent another forty-nine days meticulously inscribing the Spiritual Treasure Formation Patterns [the foundational energy circuits for a magical treasure] into the sword.

Watching the Spiritual Treasure Formation Patterns take form, both of them felt a surge of joy. The final step remained: to refine and fuse the Five Elements Essence into the Immortal Sword, which would allow it to complete its ascension into a true Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure.

This final step was laborious and required the personal attention of the sword's master; Eldrin Chen could not intervene.

Thus, he emerged from the Seclusion Chamber and prepared to resume his efforts in deducing the Lifebound Spiritual Treasure Chapter [a specific chapter of a cultivation manual] for the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword.

It is said that Eldrin Chen had just stepped out of his Seclusion Chamber when he discovered Recluse of Elegant Verse waiting outside Spirit Island, having arrived at some unknown time. Accompanying him was a young girl with delicate, refined features.

Eldrin Chen invited him into the main hall, where Recluse of Elegant Verse smiled and said, "My timing was truly fortunate this time. I waited only three days for you to emerge from seclusion."

"Your cultivation progress is not insignificant, Elder Brother."

Eldrin Chen also smiled. This Recluse of Elegant Verse had now reached the Golden Core 3rd Tier in cultivation, and it seemed he was even touching the threshold of the Golden Core 4th Tier.

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Eldrin Chen looked at the young girl and said, "Might this be your daughter, Elder Brother?"

"Indeed, she is." Read the full novel exclusively on audio . novel . com.

Recluse of Elegant Verse nodded, his expression turning grave.

He glanced around, ensuring no one else was present, then took the little girl's hand and said, "My daughter is named Withering Liana Gu. She has just turned six years old. Recently, I examined her Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines one's cultivation aptitude]…"

At this point, his voice faltered, and he spoke with utmost seriousness, "It seems she possesses the Triple Lunar Constitution [a rare innate constitution attuned to the power of the moon]."

"A Path Body [an extraordinary innate constitution that grants profound affinity with a specific Dao or element]?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He couldn't help but probe with his spiritual sense, and after a long moment, a look of pleasant surprise indeed appeared on his face.

The Triple Lunar Constitution is one of several pure lunar constitutions. This Path Body is no less formidable than Freya Ji's Primal Shadow Constitution. It allows for unparalleled success in cultivating pure lunar Divine Ability arts and techniques, representing a true True Lord-grade innate potential.

However, among Path Body types, this constitution is considered relatively common and comes with a rather distinct flaw.

That flaw is the Triple Lunar Constitution's absolute requirement to maintain a balance of Three Spiritual Roots within the body. If the number of Spiritual Root exceeds or falls short of Three Spiritual Roots, cultivation will inevitably trigger Spiritual Root conflict.

Recluse of Elegant Verse looked at the little girl and revealed a bitter smile. "This child possesses the Triple Lunar Constitution, yet she has Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots. She must have a Spiritual Root completed before she can cultivate."

"Otherwise, when she attempts her Golden Core breakthrough, she will certainly be unable to suppress the Spiritual Root conflict. I have heard your esteemed wife possesses a method for Spiritual Root Completion, which is why I have come to seek you out."

Recluse of Elegant Verse added, "Of course, I understand such a world-shaking method would not be passed down lightly. Therefore, I wish for her to become a disciple of your esteemed wife. What do you think?"

"This..."

"With her innate potential, Exquisite will undoubtedly accept her as a disciple." Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with thought before he spoke. "Very well. After Exquisite emerges from seclusion, I will discuss this matter with her."

"Then you have my deepest gratitude."

Upon hearing this, Recluse of Elegant Verse [a title for a reclusive cultivator known for elegant poetry] let out a sigh of relief, his expression brightening with joy as he spoke.

He continued, then paused briefly before adding, "Recently, I exchanged some resources with my clan for a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious elixir that aids in forming the Golden Core]. I estimate my wife should be able to achieve a breakthrough into the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, radiant core] this time."

"However, my supply of magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators for combat and cultivation] is insufficient. I wonder if you could lend me a Tribulation Transcendence Treasure [a powerful artifact specifically designed to help a cultivator survive the heavenly tribulations that accompany major breakthroughs]."

Eldrin Chen found the situation both amusing and exasperating. This Recluse of Elegant Verse doted on his wife to an extraordinary degree. For nearly a century since his own Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation] breakthrough, aside from his own cultivation, he had spent all his stipend on purchasing Golden Core Formation Pill for his spouse.

The consequence was that now, apart from his pair of Qingci Twin Swords [a set of twin magical swords] and his Golden Radiance Glazed Lamp [a magical lamp that emits a golden, protective radiance], he possessed virtually nothing else of significant value.

Fortunately, after the battle at Vast Sea, Eldrin Chen had acquired several Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [powerful artifacts of the fourth rank]. He still had a few spare Fourth Rank Low-Grade [the lowest quality tier within the fourth rank] magical treasure in his possession. Find this and other novels at audio‑novel.com.