Chapter 481 : A Guide in the Spirit Market

"Very well."

Concealing their auras and disguising themselves as ordinary Golden Core experts, the two then made their way onto Nine Rivers Spirit Island.

Nine Rivers Spirit Island was one of the Fifth Rank Spirit Island closest to the Eastern Wastelands within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World. Its strategic geographical position meant that at almost any given moment, a great multitude of cultivators were crossing over from the mainland.

Precisely for this reason, the Eastern Sea Immortal Alliance had transformed it into a dedicated Cultivation Market, serving as a waystation for cultivators traveling to and from the continent.

No sooner had they set foot upon the Spirit Island than an elderly, frail-looking Foundation Establishment Cultivator hurried over. Cupping his hands in greeting, he said, "Esteemed Ancient Ancestors, your faces are unfamiliar; you must not be from these parts. Might you be in need of a guide?"

"Hmm."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. It was quite unusual for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to work as a guide.

Moreover, this old man was stooped and frail, likely nearing two hundred years of age. A cultivator of such advanced years, if found in the Ji Continent Cultivation World, would most likely be spending his remaining days in peaceful retirement, not bustling about like this.

"It seems the Eastern Sea Cultivation World is even more arduous and unforgiving than the Eastern Wastelands," he mused inwardly.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke: "Take us to lease a Cultivation Cave with a Spirit Vein. We are newly arrived and require a place to rest and settle for a time." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at https://audio-novel.com.

"Esteemed Senior, please come this way."

The old man, trembling slightly, clasped his hands in a respectful salute and guided the two towards the Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy] and the Cultivation Cave [a secluded chamber for meditation and cultivation].

As they walked, taking in the scenery of the Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy], Eldrin Chen remarked casually, "Your remaining lifespan is not long, young friend. Instead of returning to your clan's Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with spiritual energy] to spend your twilight years in peace, you still venture out to toil."

"Return to the clan to spend my twilight years in peace..."

The old man shook his head, a bitter smile on his lips. "What clan is there to return to? My family's Spirit Island was destroyed over a hundred years ago, swept away by the Beast Tide Calamity [a catastrophic invasion of demonic beasts]."

"That I managed to escape with my life was a blessing from the heavens. But I can never return to that family Spirit Island."

Eldrin Chen fell silent for a long moment before continuing, "In all these years, have you not left behind any descendants, or taken on disciples who could care for you in your old age?"

"I did take three disciples and had two children of my own," the old man replied, his voice growing quiet. After a lengthy pause, he added, "My eldest disciple was slain by a Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner of malevolent, soul-corrupting arts]. The second and third perished during conscription for the Beast Tide Calamity."

"My son joined the Immortal Alliance's Demon-Hunting Ship [a vessel designed for hunting powerful demonic beasts], but the treasure ship was sunk by a Golden Core Demon King [a demonic beast of immense power, equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator]. My daughter... she was lost to the maw of a Demonic Beast [a monstrous creature corrupted by demonic energy] long ago."

The old man's gaze held a hatred etched deep into his bones, mingled with an ineffable sense of resignation.

He took a deep breath, gritting his teeth as he spoke, "Those damned Demonic Monsters! If it weren't for my little grandson back home, I would have used my last breath to tear a bloody chunk out of that Demonic Beast with my own teeth."

Eldrin Chen fell silent. He was taken aback by the old man's plight—having no one to rely on in his twilight years, yet still dragging his frail, aging body out to toil and earn Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Unbeknownst to Eldrin, such hardship was already commonplace in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World.

The old man's concern was not for his own suffering, but rather his bitter regret that he could no longer rekindle the fire in his blood and gather his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner] to avenge his kin.

"Senior, we have arrived!"

Unnoticed, the old man had led Eldrin Chen to the location where the Spirit Mountain Cave Abode [a dwelling place for cultivators, often built into a mountain rich with spiritual energy] was available for rent.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. Looking at this hunched, withered figure who resembled a piece of deadwood, he found himself at a loss for words, only feeling an inexplicable weight of sorrow in his heart.

He took out one thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] and handed them to the man as payment for his service as a guide.

The old man was reluctant to accept them, shaking his head hurriedly. "Senior, this amount of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] is far too generous. It greatly exceeds the proper fee. This junior cannot accept it."

"Take it."

Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve with an air of finality that brooked no refusal. "This amount of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] means little to me. Use it to build a small foundation for your grandson."

"This..."

The old man's expression shifted slightly, but in the end, he accepted the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy].

Seeing that Eldrin Chen was about to depart, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Esteemed Senior, please stay your steps."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen halted, casting a subtle, inscrutable glance at the man.

He found the old man bowing respectfully before producing a map and offering it, saying, "Your cultivation is profound and unfathomable. Your arrival in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the cultivation realm encompassing the vast Eastern Sea and its myriad islands] must surely be for the purpose of slaying Demonic Monsters [malevolent creatures born of demonic energy, often hostile to cultivators] to temper your own cultivation and combat prowess." Original English translation available at audio-novel*com.

"However, the Eastern Sea Cultivation World is a place where dragons and fish mingle [a metaphor for a complex and dangerous mix of powerful and weak beings]. Many Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy, often used as cultivation bases] and sea domains are occupied by Demonic Monsters, among which are not lacking Golden Core Demon King [powerful demonic beasts that have formed a Golden Core, equivalent to a human Golden Core cultivator] and even Demon Emperor [demonic rulers of immense power, often equivalent to or surpassing human Nascent Soul cultivators]."

"If one were to inadvertently enter the territory of a Demon Emperor, even a Golden Core True Person [an honorific title for a cultivator who has reached the Golden Core Realm] such as yourself would face extreme peril, with the grave risk of meeting a calamitous end."

"This map is a treasure chart I obtained by chance, detailing the territories of the Demonic Monsters within the near-shore regions. Perhaps it can lend you a helping hand."

Eldrin Chen took the treasure map, glanced at it with an unchanged expression, and then inquired, "You have presented this map, which holds some use for me. I wonder if you have a request?"

"Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and treasures, as long as they are not too excessive, I can satisfy you."

The old man, however, shook his head, his face etched with solemn sincerity as he said, "This junior is already of advanced age, and any hope of breaking through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] is gone. What use have I for such external objects?"

"If this humble map can help you, Senior, preserve yourself while slaying demons and vanquishing monsters, then I will have contributed a sliver of my meager strength. This life would then hold no regrets."

Eldrin Chen fell silent for a long moment. Finally, he turned and strode into the Grand Hall, his voice drifting back, faint yet firm: "Since I have come to the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the vast cultivation realm centered around the Eastern Sea], if I find a moment of leisure, I will naturally take action to slay demons, purge monsters, and cleanse this heaven and earth."

Lyra Jiang followed Eldrin Chen into the Grand Hall. Glancing at the map in her hand, she remarked, "This map is drawn with remarkable detail. It will be of great use to us."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. The map meticulously marked all forces within the coastal region, ranging from the Purple Mansion to the Nascent Soul [the fifth major realm of cultivation, where one forms an independent spiritual infant] grade, each accompanied by detailed annotations.

To create such a precise map, with information annotated with such clarity, its maker must have personally surveyed the vast expanse of territory spanning hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] within the coastal waters.

Achieving such a feat was likely beyond the capability of a single cultivator. Only a formidable organization, dispatching numerous cultivators to probe and explore, could ultimately compile and synthesize such comprehensive data.

As they conversed, the two proceeded into the Grand Hall. After expending a sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], they leased a Cultivation Cave [a secluded chamber for meditation and cultivation] situated upon a Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth].

Having traversed hundreds of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], their journey had been one of dust and toil. This respite was a welcome opportunity to rest and recuperate.

However, their period of rest was brief. Merely on the third day of their seclusion, a visitor arrived at the gates of their estate.

The visitor was a scholarly-looking cultivator whose cultivation had already reached the Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core Realm]. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, he clasped his hands in greeting. "I am Lucian Lu, a steward of the Eastern Sea Immortal Alliance [a major coalition of cultivators and sects in the Eastern Sea region]. I pay my respects to you both, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]."

"So it is Fellow Daoist Lu! My apologies for not recognizing you sooner!"

After exchanging names, Eldrin Chen poured a cup of tea for Lucian Lu.

"Excellent tea."

Taking a small sip of the spirit-infused tea, Lucian Lu clasped his hands again. "I received a report two days ago that two distinguished Golden Core, Late Stage [advanced stage of the Golden Core Realm] True Persons had arrived. I wished to pay my respects in person."

"Worldly affairs kept me entangled, delaying my visit for several days. I hope you will not take offense, Fellow Daoist." Find this and other novels at audio-novel-dot-com.