Chapter 504 : Ascension to the Golden Core Peak

"Our current accumulation is sufficient. Once we both break through to the Infant Soul realm in the future, we can then turn our attention to dealing with him."

After discussing the matter, the two of them concluded it was unwise to take unnecessary risks and decided to postpone their move against the Liu Clan for a later time.

Considering that the Barter Convention on Great Roc Island was scheduled to commence in another ten years, they did not immediately return to the Eastern Region Great Wasteland Cultivation World. Instead, they took Ye Verdant Peak to Great Roc Island for a period of secluded cultivation.

In the following years, Eldrin Chen dedicated himself to two tasks: refining the crafting method for the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell and progressing steadily through his own cultivation in seclusion.

"..."

Another ten years passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, as Eldrin Chen drew a final breath of spiritual energy into his body, he felt a profound sense of completion within his Elixir Field [the core energy center within a cultivator's body]. The spiritual energy within was brimming, signaling the culmination of his current cultivation cycle.

Seizing this critical moment, he swallowed a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Peach. Instantly, a vast and potent surge of Creation energy [the primordial, life-giving force of the universe] flooded his being. The breakthrough felt natural and effortless, like water finding its course, and he smoothly ascended to the Ninth Layer of Golden Core.

"The Ninth Layer of the Golden Core."

Having achieved the Golden Core 9th Tier, a wave of elation washed over Eldrin Chen. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio‑novel.com.

After this breakthrough, his spiritual power [the energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners of the mystical arts] had increased by a full thirty percent, bringing him close to the level of Exquisite Jiang and not inferior to an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual essence into a nascent, independent soul form].

With the aptitude of Five Spiritual Roots [an innate constitution allowing affinity with all five elemental energies], to simultaneously refine five Lifebound Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts bound to a cultivator's life force and soul] and reach Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle stage of condensing one's spiritual energy into a solid, golden core] by the age of four hundred years—this pace of cultivation could truly be considered quite remarkable.

"In another thirty years, once my spiritual power reserves are completely full, I can attempt to break through to the Infant Soul Realm [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual core matures into a nascent soul]," Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, then stepped out from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for undisturbed meditation and cultivation].

Seeing him emerge, Exquisite Jiang smiled gently. "Your cultivation has progressed swiftly these years. You've finally caught up to me."

"Mmm." Eldrin Chen wrapped an arm around her slender waist, a profound sense of fulfillment washing over him. "In the past, when I was weak, you were always the one sheltering me."

"Now that my cultivation advances steadily, I can finally be the one to shield you from the storm."

They held each other for a long moment, a deep and wordless tranquility settling in their hearts.

After a long while, Exquisite Jiang said with a light laugh, "The Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare materials, artifacts, and knowledge] has already begun. If you hadn't emerged from seclusion now, we would have missed it."

"Then let us go and see it," he replied.

Eldrin Chen nodded with a faint smile gracing his lips.

Back at the Barter Convention in Azure Luan Province, there had been no shortage of treasures, yet their empty purses had forced them to depart empty-handed.

Now, after merely a few decades, their coffers held over one hundred Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade spiritual currency], sufficient to acquire some long-desired treasures.

The two made their way to the site of the Barter Convention on Great Roc Island, only to find the event had already been underway for a full day.

Typically, the first day of a Barter Convention showcased the most exquisite and rare treasures. However, such items were far beyond Eldrin Chen's means, so arriving a day late mattered little.

They spent the day observing the bustling Barter Convention, and their patience was finally rewarded with the appearance of an Earth Origin Path Pattern Stone.

The Earth Origin Path Pattern Stone [a rare ore imbued with the essence of primordial earth] was the most ideal material for refining the Cultivable Earth Kun Origin Disk, an artifact Exquisite Jiang had coveted for a long time.

Yet, this treasure was exceedingly precious, often commanding a price of eighty Heavenly Crystal, a sum far beyond their reach in the past.

Now, with sufficient Heavenly Crystal in hand, they would not let this opportunity slip away.

They engaged in a spirited bidding war, finally securing the Earth Origin Path Pattern Stone for the price of eighty-six Heavenly Crystal.

In addition, they also purchased two stalks of the Fifth Rank Spirit Restoration Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit used as the primary ingredient for high-level restorative pills]. This item serves as the main ingredient for the Fifth Rank Restoration Pill [a powerful elixir capable of rapidly restoring spiritual energy and vitality], valued at tens of millions of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] per fruit, making it perfectly suited for them to advance their alchemical arts.

After acquiring these treasures, the pair did not linger any longer. They proceeded directly to Heavenly Spirit Island and boarded a Treasure Ship [a large, enchanted vessel used for long-distance travel across dangerous regions] bound for the Offshore Cultivation World.

"..."

Thus, time flowed swiftly by. Their journey took them seven or eight years, traversing the vast expanse of the Offshore Cultivation World before they finally arrived at the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. From there, they used a teleportation formation to reach the Ji Continent Market.

Upon returning to Ji Continent, both of them breathed a sigh of relief. Eldrin Chen did not head home immediately. Instead, he first went to the Chen Clan shop within the Ji Continent Market to find Like Dream Willow.

As soon as the three met, Eldrin Chen inquired casually, "How have things been on Ji Continent during our absence these years?"

"Well..." Official source: audio~novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Like Dream Willow's expression faltered slightly before she replied, "Some years ago, an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their nascent soul, a powerful mid-stage expert] arrived from the Vast Sea. He calls himself the Frostriver Path Master and claims to be the Lord of the Vast Sea."

"His temperament is erratic and arrogant. My master's avatar clashed with him once but failed to gain the upper hand. Seizing an opportunity when we were unprepared, he stormed up Green Chariot Mountain and forcibly took the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree [an ancient, spiritually potent tree bearing miraculous fruits]."

Eldrin Chen listened quietly, a flicker of cold fury igniting within his eyes.

In the past, he had formed a grudge with Frigid Stream True Person [a cultivator of the True Person realm], but that conflict arose merely over a chance opportunity for advancement and had not yet escalated to a life-or-death struggle.

Thinking of this, he hurriedly asked, "Has the Spiritual Peach Tree [a mystical peach tree bearing spiritually potent fruit] at Spirit Isle Lake been lost?"

"That, it has not," Like Dream Willow replied. "Spirit Isle Lake possesses a Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel over great distances]. Even if he wished to seize the Spiritual Peach Tree, he simply would not have had the time."

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief, then his expression turned icy. "To dare seize the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree [an ancient apricot tree of immense spiritual value]... is he truly determined to force this into a fight to the death?"

Beside him, Exquisite Jiang pondered for a moment before speaking. "This Glacier Alliance Leader [the leader of the Glacier Alliance] hails from the Vast Sea [a vast and perilous oceanic region], a place of utter chaos where the strong prey upon the weak. His temperament has likely grown domineering from such an environment."

"Now that he has broken through to the Earthly Path Infant Soul [the Earthly Path Infant Soul realm, a significant stage in a cultivator's advancement], he likely feels he is second to none and seeks to settle old scores."

"Regardless, I fear this enmity cannot be laid to rest."

Eldrin Chen could not swallow this insult. A sharp, lethal glint flashed in his eyes.

This time, the Glacier Alliance Leader had launched a sudden, lightning raid. Although the widespread Teleportation Formations across Ji Continent prevented him from lingering long—daring only to abscond with a single Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree—that tree was the most precious treasure upon Green Chariot Mountain.

The Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree had already reached the Fourth Rank Superior Grade [the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank]. Furthermore, Eldrin Chen had nourished it with Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a primordial and potent form of spiritual energy], ensuring its future ascension to the Fifth Rank [the Fifth Rank realm] was virtually guaranteed.

That such a precious treasure was snatched away by this person, it was no wonder Eldrin Chen was enraged.

Seeing the look on Eldrin Chen's face, Exquisite Jiang pondered thoughtfully and said, "We left the Eastern Region Great Wasteland without informing anyone. How did the Glacier Alliance Leader know we were absent and dare to come?"

"What are you implying?"

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, then quickly shook his head.

A grave expression settled on his face. Only a few high-ranking members of the Chen Clan knew of their departure, and none of them would have leaked the information.

That left only one possibility: it was likely the work of an enemy of the Chen Clan.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen declared, "Allow me to perform a divination."

With those words, he activated the Divine Ability of deduction from the Great Deduction Ancient Scroll. He found his calculations obstructed, as if by some Celestial Mechanism [a profound and inscrutable cosmic principle or fate-weaving force], leaving him with only a chilling sense of a hidden viper, a feeling that made his skin crawl.

"What did you find?" Exquisite Jiang couldn't help but ask.

Eldrin Chen shook his head, his brow still creased. "Do you remember what Path Master Unreal said back in Azure Luan Province?"

"You mean to say..."

Exquisite Jiang furrowed her brow. In the past, someone had used the Celestial Mechanism Secret Art [a profound divination technique that can trace the threads of fate and past events] to trace Eldrin Chen, an act that had concealed a hidden intent to kill.

Now, the Frostriver Path Master had risked seizing the Ancient Spirit Apricot Tree [a legendary spiritual tree bearing fruit of immense medicinal and cultivation value]. If someone else was truly lurking behind this, it was likely a carefully laid trap, a sliver of murderous intent waiting for them to walk into it seeking revenge.

With this thought, Exquisite Jiang personally went to the Ji Clan. She returned not long after and reported, "I have confirmed it. The Clan Patriarch of the Qin Clan on the Tianlu Continent has indeed been secretly cultivating a Celestial Mechanism Secret Art."

"Then it is clear..."

Eldrin Chen said calmly. The number of Human Race True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has attained a profound understanding of their chosen path] who held a grudge against them was few. And among those, one who also cultivated the Celestial Mechanism Secret Art was likely unique. This content originates from audio_novel.com. Please respect copyright.