Chapter 478 : A Gathering of Ancient Souls

Eldrin Chen nodded, yet even so, he could not help but feel astonished.

An Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their nascent soul] would often enter seclusion for decades or even centuries at a time. Even when not in seclusion, they mostly roamed the world. The fact that over one hundred True Lord had gathered this time indicated that the total number of True Lord within the Boundless Hundred Provinces [a vast region of the cultivation world] was likely several times this figure.

However, he quickly realized that an Infant Soul True Lord possessed a lifespan of three thousand years. With the aid of Life-Extending Treasure [artifacts that can prolong a cultivator's natural lifespan] and special cultivation arts, it was not uncommon for True Lord to live for five or six thousand years.

If not for the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving a demonic invasion] causing a massive number of True Lord to fall prematurely, the number accumulated over several millennia would likely be an astonishingly high figure.

As they chatted, Eldrin Chen lifted his gaze and surveyed his surroundings. He found that he did not recognize most of the True Lord present, though there were a few familiar faces.

For instance, the most distinguished figure present was Vast Righteousness True Lord. His cultivation had now reached the Infant Soul 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Infant Soul realm], placing him among the very top echelon of the over one hundred True Lord gathered. He was currently conversing with a small group of other True Lord who were also at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Infant Soul realm].

Noctis the True Lord [a True Lord whose Dao title is 'Noctis'] had broken through to the Infant Soul several centuries prior and possessed far greater experience. Seizing the opportunity, he began to explain the situation to the others.

"Although there are over one hundred True Lord here now, seventy to eighty percent of them are at the Infant Soul Early Stage [the initial phase of the Infant Soul realm] and follow the Mortal Path Infant Soul [a common, less potent method for condensing the nascent soul]," he said.

"Those at the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Infant Soul realm] number only slightly over thirty. As for those who have attained the Infant Soul Late Stage, there are merely seven," he continued.

"And those seven Infant Soul Late Stage are precisely the individuals gathered around Vast Righteousness True Lord right now." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel dot com.

He began to recount in detail, introducing the origins of the Infant Soul True Lords to the group.

There were more than eighty of these Mortal Path Infant Soul cultivators. The potential of a Mortal Path Infant Soul True Lord was limited; most were stuck at the Infant Soul Early Stage, unable to advance a single step further.

Those on the Earthly Path Infant Soul were far fewer. Aside from those who had recently broken through, most had cultivated to the middle or late stages of Infant Soul.

Among the seven Infant Soul Late Stage cultivators present, all were supreme True Lords of the Earthly Path Infant Soul or higher. In terms of innate talent and potential, they were far beyond what ordinary True Lords could hope to match.

It was worth mentioning that although Vast Righteousness True Lord had only recently broken through to the late True Lord stage, among these few Infant Soul Late Stage cultivators, he was still considered a figure around whom stars revolved.

This was because he possessed the Vast Righteousness Path Body [a constitution aligned with the Great Dao of Righteousness], making him a peerless prodigy on the Heavenly Path Infant Soul. Future even held a sliver of hope for a breakthrough to Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator].

Among those seven, aside from Vast Righteousness True Lord, five others were on the Earthly Path Infant Soul. Unless they encountered a monumental stroke of fortune, Future held an exceedingly slim hope of breaking through to Primordial Spirit.

Only one person could be mentioned in the same breath as Vast Righteousness True Lord. Speaking of this individual, Noctis the True Lord said with gravity, "Even within the vast expanse of the Three Veins Ancient Domain, those on the Heavenly Path Infant Soul are exceedingly rare."

"This person is named Violet Flame True Lord. It is said he is a cultivator with a Fire Element Path Body [a body constitution innately attuned to the element of fire] and a Heavenly Spiritual Root [the highest grade of spiritual root talent], possessing a single-attribute Fire Spiritual Root."

"With such perfect alignment between his Path Body [innate physical constitution] and his Spiritual Root [innate talent for absorbing spiritual energy], he even has the potential to comprehend the more profound and mysterious Heavenly Flame Power [a divine ability to command heavenly flames]. Should he succeed in this comprehension, his chances of breaking through to Path Lord would exceed fifty percent."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen cast a solemn gaze in that direction.

He saw that Violet Flame True Lord was clad in violet robes, his long, dark hair bound up by a crown, his posture exceptionally tall and slender, truly a sight of rare and stunning beauty in the world.

Those who reach the Heavenly Path Infant Soul realm are exceedingly rare in the world, each a seed destined to become a peerless Path Lord. Setting aside the Demon Tribulation [a calamity brought by demonic forces], External Tribulation [catastrophes from external forces], and Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly lightning trial], if they do not fall prematurely, they each possess a thirty percent chance of achieving a breakthrough.

Although his Heavenly Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root of heavenly rank] increased the difficulty of his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm], this Fire Element Path Body [a physique perfectly attuned to the Fire Element Path] is one of the Five Elements Path Body [the five supreme physiques aligned with the elemental paths]. If he could comprehend the more profound mysteries within it and grasp the Heavenly Flame Power [the divine power of celestial fire], his chances of attaining the Primordial Solar [the realm of the primordial sun] would be greatly enhanced.

"Possessing a Path Body [a physique perfectly aligned with a specific cultivation path], and a Heavenly Spiritual Root that resonates with it... it seems this Violet Flame True Lord is also a man of great Fortune [destined luck and providence]," Eldrin Chen mused inwardly.

As Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly with this thought, he inadvertently sensed another familiar aura approaching.

Lifting his gaze, he spotted a man in blue robes looking at him, who quickly averted his eyes.

"Him?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, though his expression remained impassive.

Exquisite Jiang sensed his reaction and followed his gaze. "He actually came as well," she remarked.

The newcomer was none other than Frigid Stream True Person. This Frigid Stream True Person was also a cultivator possessing the exceedingly rare Heavenly Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of the highest innate grade]. Relying on his thirteen Frigid River Immortal Swords, he had roamed unopposed across the Vast Sea and established the Glacier Alliance, a Sovereign-level power within the Vast Sea Cultivation World.

However, his combat prowess had never reached the True Lord Realm. It was unclear through what channel he had gained entry to this Barter Convention.

"In the past, he and I became enemies over a dispute concerning Earthly Path Energy [a rare, earth-attribute spiritual essence]," Exquisite Jiang said.

"Yet, seeing him today, it seems he has no intention of letting that grudge go. It appears you and I should make preparations early."

Exquisite Jiang spoke with a calm tone, but a sharp glint flashed within her eyes.

Before Eldrin Chen could ponder further, the Barter Convention finally commenced. A True Lord at the Infant Soul Late Stage emerged from the Featherflight Pavilion and, with a wave of his hand, produced several treasures. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at http://www . audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw that among the treasures were a crimson Immortal Sword, a Precious Pill wreathed in swirling energy currents, and a pale azure ancient scroll.

"A Heavenly Path Pill [a legendary pill said to grant insights into the Heavenly Dao]! The Crimson Carp Immortal-Slaying Sword!"

Some True Lord present recognized the origins of two of the treasures and could not help but exclaim in astonishment.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he turned to Noctis the True Lord and asked, "What is the background of these treasures, that they could cause even a True Lord to change countenance?"

"This object..."

Noctis the True Lord also took a deep breath, his expression tinged with surprise as he said, "The Heavenly Path Pill is refined from Heavenly Path Energy and is a key treasure for breaking through to the Infant Soul Late Stage."

"The Crimson Carp Immortal-Slaying Sword is a Superior-Grade Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword renowned throughout the Boundless Hundred Provinces and is also one of the treasured legacies of the Featherflight Pavilion. Why would they offer these two treasures for sale?"

Everyone's expressions shifted. The Heavenly Path Pill could allow a cultivator to ascend to the Infant Soul Late Stage realm; the value of such a treasure was almost beyond measure.

Generally, even if an Infant Soul-level power possessed a Heavenly Path Pill, it would almost certainly never circulate outside. The Featherflight Pavilion surely had suitable candidates within its ranks; why would they choose to sell it at this moment?

As for a supreme treasure like the Crimson Carp Immortal-Slaying Sword, it could serve as a true heirloom treasure for the vast majority of Infant Soul Immortal Clans.

Without sufficient reason, selling such a treasure would likely be no small matter even for the Featherflight Pavilion.

With this thought, Noctis the True Lord took a deep breath and said, "If the Featherflight Pavilion lineage is willing to sell such treasures, it is most likely to accumulate resources for the Master of Featherflight Pavilion, aiding him in another attempt to break through to the Primordial Spirit Path Lord realm."

Noctis the True Lord murmured to himself. Within the Boundless Hundred Provinces, there were only three to five Half-Step Primordial Spirit Path Lords; the Ji Clan Patriarch and the Master of Featherflight Pavilion were among them.

Now, the Ji Clan Patriarch was also continuously amassing resources, even going so far as to sell many precious treasures.

However, with the Immortal Refining Furnace in their possession, the Ji Clan possessed a foundation far surpassing that of the Featherflight Pavilion. Consequently, they were not driven to the point of needing to sell off such a foundational treasure of their heritage.

"This Heavenly Path Pill [a legendary elixir said to guide one's cultivation path towards immortality] can nurture an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their Primordial Spirit into an infant form, a major power]. It would be worthwhile to purchase it and see if we can cultivate another powerful True Lord [a title for a master cultivator] of the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Infant Soul realm]," murmured Noctis the True Lord.

He then utilized a treasure provided by the Ji Immortal Clan [the immortal lineage of the Ji family] to secure and purchase the Heavenly Path Pill.

As for the Crimson Carp Immortal-Slaying Sword, he did not acquire it. That artifact was purchased by Violet Flame True Lord. Support the author by reading on www . audio-novel.com.