Chapter 549 Building a Favor

Eldrin closed the treasure case, his eyes contemplative.

After a moment of silence, he looked at Mo the Ancient 1 and said, "The Star Enlightenment Stone (Magical Object) possesses unique properties. For a Nascent Soul True Monarch in urgent need, it might be worth as much as a supreme demon-refining treasure."

"However, our Chen Clan already possesses an Enlightenment Tea Tree, so the Star-Contemplation Dao Stone isn't an urgent necessity for us. I'm afraid we can only offer you a base price of 60 Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object)."

Mo the Ancient 1 (Person Name) had actually anticipated this, yet he began calculating inwardly: "I know only a handful of true monarchs, and there's scarcely a soul among them I can truly trust."

"With my current cultivation level, even if I were to sell this item to other True Monarchs, I would likely be forced to accept an extremely low price, and it might even provoke them to take action against me."

"However, this True Lord Chen has always been known for his hatred of evil and fair-mindedness in conduct. Moreover, these 60 Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object) would suffice for me to forge my path to break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

At this thought, Mo the Ancient 1 (Person Name) spoke, "Then we shall proceed at the price you've set, Senior."

Eldrin produced a Nascent Soul Formation Pill and handed it to Mo the Ancient 1, speaking with detached calm, "I shall sell you this Nascent Soul Formation Pill for 30-5 Heavenly Crystals. For the remaining 20-5 Heavenly Crystals, would you prefer payment in Heavenly Crystals or other treasures?"

The Ancient 1 Mo (Person Name) received the Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object), then bowed respectfully with clasped hands. "This junior has long contemplated using the remaining Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object) to lease a fifth-grade spirit vein for my Nascent Soul breakthrough. Might this senior consider granting me temporary access to such a vein?"

"Renting a spiritual vein?"

Eldrin frowned slightly. Cultivators required an immense amount of spiritual energy to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

If spiritual energy is insufficient, failure is highly likely. Even if 1 barely manages to break through, their foundation will remain unstable, requiring 3 centuries of recuperation to fully consolidate their cultivation.

The reason Astrael (Person Name) was slain by Eldrin (Person Name) and Lyra (Person Name) despite their lower cultivation realms was not merely due to their possession of several demon-refining supreme treasures, but primarily because Astrael (Person Name)'s foundation was inherently unstable.

However, stabilizing the foundation of the Nascent Soul required far more spiritual energy than a fourth-grade spirit vein could provide—it was like trying to extinguish a burning cartload of firewood with a single cup of water.

If Mo the Ancient 1 wished to make a breakthrough within a fourth-tier superior-grade spirit vein, he would likely need to consume a full 50 million spirit stones to replenish spiritual energy, only then could his cultivation realm be thoroughly stabilized.

The depletion of this amount of spirit stones would have been far more cost-effective if used for leasing a spiritual mountain.

However, leasing a spiritual mountain for a breakthrough required absolute trust. The reason Mo the Ancient 1 resolved to lease the Chen Clan’s spiritual mountain was his firm belief in Eldrin’s integrity.

After all, given the enmity between Mo the Ancient 1 and the Chen Family, had Eldrin truly intended to deal with him back then, he likely wouldn't have survived to this day.

At this thought, Eldrin smiled and said, “Renting the spirit vein is of little consequence. This venerable 1 can even lend you a spirit treasure to transcend the tribulation.”

"However, after this breakthrough, you owe me a favor."

A flicker of delight crossed Mo the Ancient 1's face. If an Eldritch Artifact could aid him in transcending the tribulation, his chances of breaking through to the True Monarch realm would be immensely bolstered: "Since you are willing to lend me an Eldritch Artifact to withstand the tribulation, I shall follow your lead without question once I achieve my breakthrough."

"There's no need for formalities. After your breakthrough, we shall be peers."

Eldrin spoke with serene composure, lending the Sole Dominance Sword to Mo the Ancient 1 before adding, "Go now and make your breakthrough."

The Ancient 1 Mo took the magic treasure and, after expressing his gratitude repeatedly, departed from the grand hall.

After he had departed, Chen Changxuan, who had been waiting outside, stepped in. He glanced at Eldrin and mused thoughtfully, "With Mo the Ancient 1 obtaining the Nascent Soul Formation Pill and borrowing the Sole Dominance Sword, it seems his chances of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage are now overwhelmingly great."

"However, using a spiritual treasure to withstand a heavenly tribulation will inevitably diminish its power. After lending it to him to endure the lightning calamity, this treasure would likely require 2 or 3 60-year cycles to fully restore its potency."

Eldrin's expression remained remarkably composed as he shook his head. "My purpose extends beyond mere personal obligation to him. This concerns the welfare of our clan and the entire human race."

As the Cataclysm of the Demonic Abyss draws ever nearer, each new True Monarch emerging among our human race adds another thread of strength, bolstering our chances of holding back the impending doom.

"When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. By befriending another True Monarch today, our Chen Clan shall gain 1 more ally for the trials to come."

The old clan leader also nodded upon hearing this. Favors and interactions among cultivators were indeed necessary.

The reason the Ji Clan Patriarch attained the Way of Pure Yang was not only due to his personal connections, but also crucially relied on the favors accumulated by the Ji Clan throughout the ages.

Now in the Eastern Wastelands (Location), whether it was Riverlord Chang (Person Name) who founded the Long River Sanctuary, the Lin Clan—the foremost immortal family of the Eastern Wastelands—or even the Primordial Spirit Dao Lord of the Star Palace.

When they made their breakthroughs back then, many of them had received guidance from Eldrin (Person Name), the Primordial Spirit Dao Lord.

It was precisely for this reason that when Dorian broke through to the Nascent Soul realm, these Dao Lords extended their protection, shielding him from the prying eyes of demonic Nascent Souls.

Eldrin had borrowed an ancient spiritual treasure from Mo the Ancient 1 today to forge a karmic bond, for Mo the Ancient 1 possessed a mid-level Golden Core and stood with great certainty of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.

The karmic ties of a True Monarch, even if Eldrin paid them no mind in the future, would still grant the Chen family’s descendants no small benefit.

At this thought, the old clan leader sighed and said, "I used to focus only on the Chen family's meager territory, always fearing others would seize our advantages. Only today have I realized how petty and narrow-minded my thinking has been."

"You have finally matured, becoming the backbone of the human race and beginning to consider the collective interests of all humankind."

Eldrin smiled faintly before continuing, "Magnus the Virtuous Lord has lectured for numerous years at the Heavenly Ridge Mountains, with countless cultivators benefiting from his teachings. He is truly a great master of the human race."

"I intend to follow this precedent. Starting 3 years from now, I shall expound the Dao at Green Lotus Isle once every 100 years, elucidating the path ahead for all cultivators under heaven and unraveling the profound mysteries behind cultivation bottlenecks."

Mo the Ancient 1 possessed a Golden Core of the middle-grade foundation, and his chances of breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm were already considerable. After obtaining the Nascent Soul Formation Pill, his confidence surged even greater.

Thus, his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm was ultimately perilous yet successful. After waiting approximately half a month, he finally weathered the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation by harnessing the power of his spirit treasure.

After transcending the heavenly tribulation, Mo the Ancient 1 was naturally filled with boundless gratitude. Without the assistance of the numinous treasure, even if he had barely managed to break through, his 2 innate magic treasures would likely have been destroyed amidst the lightning calamity.

Now that his natal magic treasure remained intact, it saved him the effort of reforging 1, and increased his chances of advancing it into a spirit treasure in the future.

After Mo the Ancient 1 (Person Name) made his breakthrough, Eldrin (Person Name)'s cultivation resumed its tranquility, and in the blink of an eye, 3 years had passed.

Tianxu Province, Tianyuan County, Qinghe Island.

Chapter 1 1 100 30 years had passed since the cultivation world was established in the Chen Kingdom. Compared to the barren wasteland of the past, the kingdom now housed quite a few immortal clans.

The Kingdom of Chen was divided into 9 provinces and 30-6 prefectures, home to numerous immortal clans of varying sizes. Among them stood 5 Golden Core powers and 60-3 Purple Mansion immortal clans.

Beyond that, there were also tens of thousands of Qi Refining and Foundation Building cultivator clans thriving and multiplying within it, ultimately forging a flourishing world of immortal cultivation.

And this Lu Clan of Qinghe Island was 1 of the 13 great Foundation Establishment clans in Tianyuan County.

Deep within the Clear River Island of the Assassin's Guild, 2 figures sat facing each other in the main hall—1 elderly, 1 young.

The youth looked at the elder, a trace of confusion on his face as he asked, "For what matter has the Patriarch summoned me today?"