Chapter 538 : A Barter of Souls and Stones

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist."

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 remote depths of the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

Lone Swan personally poured tea for the two guests. After the customary pleasantries were exchanged, he spoke, "As mentioned in my friend's letter, you have come to my Solitary Swan Mountain seeking to purchase Void Gem [a rare crystalline mineral attuned to spatial energies]?"

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded with a smile. "We intend to establish a Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel across vast distances] and are short precisely two Void Gem. That is why we sought you out."

"If you are willing to sell, we are prepared to pay with Heavenly Crystal [a highly refined and potent form of spiritual energy crystal]."

Upon hearing this, Lone Swan shook his head. "I do possess three Void Gem, but I only accept barter in kind."

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

Lone Swan gave another shake of his head and continued, "Since you come recommended by an old friend, I shall not treat you as outsiders."

"To speak plainly, my Dao Companion [a cultivator's lifelong partner in both cultivation and life] will attempt her breakthrough into the Infant Soul Realm [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed] within the next thirty years." Find this and other novels at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"This is her third attempt to break through to the Infant Soul realm. I specifically sought out a Positive Water Immortal Pear [a spiritual fruit that significantly aids in advancing to the Infant Soul realm] for her. Her chances of success are extremely high."

"I intended to use these three Void Gem [a rare spatial-aligned mineral] to exchange for a Tribulation Transcendence Spiritual Treasure [a protective treasure designed to help survive heavenly tribulations] for her."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. That Positive Water Immortal Pear Tree [the legendary tree that bears the Positive Water Immortal Pears] was the foundational treasure of the Heaven's Profound Sect, a top-tier power within the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

This tree was a Fifth Rank High-Grade Worldly Spiritual Root [a spiritual plant of the highest order, deeply connected to the world's essence]. The Positive Water Immortal Pear it bore could increase a cultivator's chance of breaking through to the Infant Soul realm by twenty percent, and it could even be used in conjunction with the Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a primary pill for forming the Infant Soul].

It was precisely because of such a supreme treasure that the Heaven's Profound Sect had been able to nurture over forty Infant Soul True Lord [a title for powerful cultivators at the Infant Soul stage], earning it the title of the number one immortal sect in the Three Veins Ancient Domain, even surpassing the Featherflight Pavilion.

The Positive Water Immortal Pear was incredibly precious and a unique treasure of the Heaven's Profound Sect. Its rarity drove its value so high it could sometimes be auctioned for as much as two hundred Heavenly Crystal [a high-purity, high-density form of spiritual energy crystal].

Lone Swan had supported his Dao Companion through three attempts to reach the Infant Soul realm. This time, he had even purchased a Positive Water Immortal Pear for her. This represented a truly massive expenditure, indicating the depth of his feelings for her.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke, "I have a Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] I can part with. Would you consider an exchange?"

As he spoke, he produced the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword [a sword imbued with the essence of a golden rhino], presenting it before the three of them.

Lone Swan glanced at it, a flicker of delight crossing his features, but after a long moment, he shook his head. "Although this is indeed a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest grade, especially effective against demonic beings], it is not the Defensive Spiritual Treasure [a treasure focused on protection and defense] I desire most."

"I have heard you have slain several Demon Emperor and even eradicated that Qin Immortal Clan. You must possess quite a few Spiritual Treasure. I wonder if you have any Defensive Spiritual Treasure suitable for weathering a Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation]?"

"This..."

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang exchanged a glance. A Defensive Spiritual Treasure was the optimal treasure for safely passing the Infant Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the lightning tribulation faced when advancing to the Infant Soul (Nascent Soul) realm], and they were reluctant to part with such a valuable asset.

However, Void Gem [a rare spatial-aligned crystal] were also a resource they urgently needed. Gritting her teeth, Exquisite Jiang finally produced the Primordial Void Shield.

"A fine treasure indeed."

Lone Swan took the Primordial Void Shield and probed it with his spiritual sense. A look of delight crossed his face. With this artifact, his wife's chances of successfully weathering the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation would increase significantly.

With this thought, he spoke, "A Defensive Spiritual Treasure holds greater value. I shall value this treasure at one hundred and twenty Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade, purified form of Spirit Stone] in exchange for two Void Gem. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he fell into contemplation. A single Fifth Rank Void Gem was worth at least sixty Heavenly Crystal, and often sold for a premium.

Trading the Primordial Void Shield for two Void Gem would essentially fulfill the objective of their journey.

Having reached this conclusion, Eldrin Chen said, "Very well, let us proceed."

The Lone Swan produced two Void Gem [a rare crystalline ore imbued with spatial properties] and exchanged them for the Primordial Void Shield.

Then, his gaze fell upon the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword. "Apart from one's foundational cultivation," he mused inwardly, "the primary determinants of an Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core formed after the Golden Core stage] cultivator's combat prowess are their Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] and Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power or technique]. My wife's foundation is merely that of the Mortal Path [a foundational cultivation method]. Now that she has broken through, she too should have a Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [a sword specifically forged to vanquish demons] to protect herself."

With this thought, the Lone Swan spoke, "I also wish to acquire this Golden Rhino Immortal Sword. Are you willing to part with it?"

"This..."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered. "A Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword is valued one-tenth higher than a Defensive Spiritual Treasure [a treasure specialized for protection]," he stated. "The remaining Void Gem you possess likely fall short of its worth."

"That is indeed true." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio–novel.com.

The Lone Swan nodded. With a sweep of his sleeve, he manifested three radiant glows. "My supply of Heavenly Crystal [a highly refined and potent form of spiritual energy crystal] is also depleted," he said. "Here are several treasures. If any catch your eye, we can proceed with an exchange."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen looked up. The three glows resolved into three distinct Fifth Rank Treasure [treasures of the fifth rank, a high grade of power].

The glow on the left was a Fifth Rank [of the fifth rank] precious medicinal herb. The radiance on the right was another Void Gem. In the center rested a single golden lotus flower accompanied by three Lotus Seed [seeds from a spiritual lotus, often used in alchemy].

At the sight of the golden lotus and the Lotus Seed, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. "This is..." he murmured.

"This is the Primordial Golden Lotus [a legendary spiritual plant of immense purity and power]," Lone Swan explained with a smile. "I procured it specifically to aid my wife in overcoming her Inner Demon Tribulation [a perilous trial where a cultivator must confront and conquer their own inner demons and mental weaknesses]."

He chuckled, then shook his head. "The Lotus Seed of this Primordial Golden Lotus can be used to refine the Golden Lotus Demon-Subduing Pill [a supreme elixir renowned for its power to pacify and subdue inner demons], a treasure for conquering the Inner Demon."

Mentioning the Golden Lotus Demon-Subduing Pill, Lone Swan gazed at the final Lotus Seed. "Refining a single batch of the Golden Lotus Demon-Subduing Pill requires three seeds from the Primordial Golden Lotus," he said.

"Alas, my talent for alchemy is not the highest. I consumed two batches before successfully producing a single pill, and now only these last three golden Lotus Seed remain."

At this point, he looked at the golden lotus flower again. "However, this Golden Lotus Seedpod [the receptacle of the lotus flower containing the seeds] cannot be used in medicine. Without a special method, it cannot be forged into a Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], so it has been left here unused."

"How about this: I add these three Primordial Golden Lotus seeds, plus this seedpod, to make up the difference in value, in exchange for your Golden Rhino Immortal Sword?"

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, realizing this Lone Swan was utterly devoted to his wife. After a moment's contemplation, he replied, "The Golden Lotus Demon-Subduing Pill would indeed be of significant use to the cultivators of my clan. In that case, I shall gratefully accept your offer."

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!"

Thus, Lone Swan traded one Void Gem [a rare crystal imbued with spatial properties], three golden Lotus Seed, and the Lotus Throne [the seedpod of the Primordial Golden Lotus] to Eldrin Chen in exchange for the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword, leaving both parties thoroughly satisfied with the transaction.

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

Upon hearing this, Lone Swan fell into a sudden silence. After a long while, he finally spoke, "My wife is already over one thousand one hundred years old. If she cannot achieve a breakthrough into the True Lord Realm [the realm of a True Lord, a significant stage in cultivation] this time..."

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

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

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

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

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

She would attain immortality. She would stand with him amidst the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms], shoulder to shoulder, gazing upon the myriad splendors within the churning Mortal Dust [the mortal world, the realm of dust and desire], witnessing the vast seas transform into mulberry fields across the ages. Immerse yourself in the complete world at http://www . audio-novel.com.