Chapter 538 : A Daoist's Bargain for Immortality

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]."

Eldrin Chen rose to his feet and clasped his hands in a respectful salute. He hadn't expected their fame to spread so swiftly, reaching even the depths of the Three Veins Ancient Domain [a vast and ancient region named for its three primary spiritual veins].

Solon personally poured tea for the two of them. After the customary pleasantries, he said, "From my friend's message, I gather your visit to my Solon Mountain [Solon's mountain abode] is to acquire Void Gem [a rare crystal attuned to spatial energies]?"

"Precisely."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "We intend to establish a Teleportation Formation [a mystical array for instantaneous travel across vast distances] and are in dire need of two such gems. That is why we sought you out."

"If you are willing to part with them, Fellow Daoist, we are prepared to purchase them with Heavenly Crystal [a highly purified and potent form of spiritual energy crystal]."

Upon hearing this, Solon shook his head. "I do indeed possess three Void Gem, but I only accept trades of equivalent value."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

Solon gave another slow shake of his head, his expression turning earnest. "You come recommended by an old friend, so I shall speak plainly and not treat you as outsiders."

"To be frank," he continued, his voice lowering, "my Dao Companion [a cultivator's lifelong partner, often in both cultivation and life] will attempt her breakthrough into the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit condenses into an independent, immortal entity] within the next thirty years." Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel dot com.

"This is her third attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm. I specifically sought out a Profound Water Immortal Pear [a legendary fruit that aids in forming the Nascent Soul] for her. Her chances of a successful breakthrough are now exceedingly high."

"These three Void Gem [a rare crystal attuned to spatial energies]—I intended to use them to barter for a Tribulation Transcendence Spiritual Treasure [a powerful artifact designed to help a cultivator survive their heavenly tribulation] on her behalf."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a subtle light. The Flood Water Immortal Pear Tree was the Clan-Suppressing Foundation [a treasure so vital it ensures a clan's survival and prosperity] of the Heaven's Profound Sect, a top-tier major sect within the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

That tree was a Fifth Rank High Grade Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a plant of immense spiritual power, born from the convergence of heaven and earth]. The Profound Water Immortal Pear it bore could increase a cultivator's chance of a Nascent Soul breakthrough by twenty percent. Furthermore, its effects could be stacked with those of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a precious pill that catalyzes the formation of the Nascent Soul].

It was precisely because of such a supreme treasure that the Heaven's Profound Sect had been able to nurture over forty Nascent Soul True Lord. They were hailed as the number one Immortal Sect in the Three Veins Ancient Domain, even surpassing the Feathered Pavilion in prestige.

The Profound Water Immortal Pear was exceedingly precious. Moreover, it was the exclusive, signature treasure of the Heaven's Profound Sect. Its rarity drove its value to astronomical heights, sometimes even being bid up to two hundred Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of Spirit Stone used by high-level cultivators].

Solon had supported his Dao Companion through three consecutive attempts to break through to Nascent Soul. This time, he had even procured a Profound Water Immortal Pear for her. It was clear he had paid a tremendous price, a testament to the profound depth of his feelings.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke, "I possess a Spiritual Treasure [a sentient artifact of great power, superior to ordinary magical treasures] that I am willing to part with. Would you consider a trade?"

As he spoke, he produced the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword, presenting it before the three of them.

Solon glanced at it, a flicker of delight crossing his features, only to shake his head after a long moment. "Although this is indeed a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a top-tier artifact specifically forged to combat demonic beings], it is not the Defensive Spiritual Treasure I seek most urgently."

"I have heard that you have slain several Demon Kings and even eradicated the Qin Immortal Clan. Presumably, you possess quite a few Spiritual Treasures. I wonder if you have any Defensive Spiritual Treasures suitable for weathering a tribulation?"

"This..."

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang exchanged a glance. A Defensive Spiritual Treasure was the optimal treasure for surviving the Nascent Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, and they were reluctant to part with theirs.

However, Void Gems were also something they urgently needed. Gritting her teeth, Lyra Jiang brought out the Ethereal Void Shield.

"A fine treasure indeed."

Solon took the Ethereal Void Shield and probed it with his senses. A look of delight crossed his face. With this artifact, his wife's chances of surviving the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation would increase significantly.

Thinking this, he spoke, "A Defensive Spiritual Treasure holds greater value. I shall value this treasure at one hundred and twenty Heavenly Crystals in exchange for two Void Gems. What say you?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he pondered. A single Fifth Rank Void Gemstone was worth at least sixty Heavenly Crystals, but the price often exceeded that.

Exchanging the Ethereal Void Shield for two Void Gems would mean their objective for this journey was essentially accomplished.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen said, "Let it be done."

Solon then produced two Void Gem [rare crystals infused with spatial energy] and exchanged them for the Ethereal Void Shield.

His gaze then fell upon the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword, and a thought crossed his mind. "Apart from one's foundational cultivation, the primary determinants of Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent entity] combat prowess are Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts with their own spirit] and Divine Ability [supreme mystical techniques]. My wife's foundation is of the Mortal Dao. After her breakthrough, she too should have a Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword to protect herself."

Having decided this, Solon spoke. "I also wish to acquire this Golden Rhino Immortal Sword. Are you willing to part with it?"

"This..."

Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed thoughtfully. "A Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword typically commands a value one-tenth higher than a Defensive Spiritual Treasure. The remaining Void Gem you possess likely falls short of its worth."

"That is indeed true." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel dot com.

Solon nodded in agreement. With a sweep of his sleeve, he manifested three radiant glows. "My current supply of Heavenly Crystal [purified, high-density forms of Spirit Stone] is also insufficient. Here are several treasures. If any catch your eye, we may proceed with an exchange."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen looked up. The three glows resolved into three distinct Fifth Rank Treasure [objects of immense power, equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm].

The glow on the left was a Fifth Rank [equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm] treasure herb. The radiance on the right was another Void Gem. In the center lay a single golden lotus flower accompanied by three Lotus Seed.

Upon seeing the golden lotus and the Lotus Seed [the seed of a lotus plant, often imbued with spiritual properties], Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. "This is..."

"This is the Primordial Golden Lotus [a legendary spiritual plant whose components possess potent calming and demon-subduing properties], which I specifically procured to help my wife overcome her Heart Demon Tribulation [a tribulation where one's inner demons and negative emotions manifest as a formidable trial]," Solon said with a smile, then shook his head. "The Lotus Seed of this Primordial Golden Lotus can be used to refine the Golden Lotus Demon-Subduing Pill [a precious pill specifically designed to suppress and conquer inner demons], a treasure for subduing heart demons."

Mentioning the Golden Lotus Demon-Subduing Pill, Solon looked at the final Lotus Seed and said, "Refining one batch of Golden Lotus Demon-Subduing Pill requires three seeds from the Primordial Golden Lotus."

"Alas, my talent in alchemy is not high. I consumed two batches before successfully refining a single pill, and now only these final three golden seeds remain."

At this point, he glanced at the golden lotus again and continued, "However, this Golden Lotus Seedpod [the pod that holds the lotus seeds] cannot be used in medicine. Without a special method, it also cannot be crafted into a Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact with its own spirit], so it has been left here unused."

"How about I use these three Primordial Golden Lotus seeds, plus this Lotus Seedpod, to make up the difference and trade for your Golden Rhino Immortal Sword [a powerful immortal-grade sword]?"

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, realizing Solon was utterly devoted to his wife. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "The Golden Lotus Demon-Subduing Pill would indeed be useful for the cultivators of my clan. In that case, I shall not refuse your generosity."

"Excellent, excellent, excellent."

Thus, Solon traded one Void Gem [a gemstone containing spatial properties], three golden Lotus Seeds, and the Lotus Platform [the base or platform of the lotus flower, often used as a meditation seat or treasure component] to Eldrin Chen in exchange for the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword, leaving both parties thoroughly satisfied with the transaction.

After completing the trade, Eldrin Chen did not linger. He bid farewell to Solon and left Solon Mountain [the mountain where Solon resides], heading straight for the Lotus Continent Lake [a large lake region].

After the transaction was completed, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "Your devotion to your wife, Fellow Daoist, is truly admirable. Such an immortal couple is the envy of all who witness it."

Upon hearing this, Solon fell into a profound silence. After a long while, he finally spoke, "My wife is already over one thousand one hundred years old. If she cannot break through to the True Lord Realm [the realm of a True Lord, a powerful stage of cultivation] this time..."

"...then the path ahead will be one I must walk alone. And what meaning would that hold?"

Eldrin Chen was silent, taking a deep breath after a long moment. So even the immortal couple envied by the world would one day reach the twilight of their journey.

"Without achieving immortality, we are ultimately nothing but a handful of dust."

"Who will remember today's tales of love unto death, a million years from now?"

Lyra Jiang was also wordless. She simply tightened her grip on his hand, her silence conveying an unshakable resolve.

She would ascend to immortality. She would stand beside him amidst the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms], shoulder to shoulder, gazing upon the rolling tides of the mortal realm and its myriad wonders, witnessing the vast transformations of time itself. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel`com.