Chapter 559 : A Sea Steader's Final Bargain

Returning to the main narrative, the treasures held by Darius Tianxuan were numerous, with a dazzling array of various magical artifacts emerging one after another.

Eldrin Chen expended sixty Heavenly Crystal [a high-purity crystal of condensed heavenly spiritual energy] to purchase a single Fire Vein Treasure Jade [a rare jade imbued with the essence of fire veins] from him, which could be considered a modest gain.

Although among these treasures there was also Earth Mother Qi [the primordial spiritual essence of the earth element], Eldrin Chen lacked sufficient Heavenly Crystal, forcing him to reluctantly pass on it.

Only after Darius Tianxuan had sold off all his treasures did he depart, taking with him the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and the two Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts of the highest quality] obtained through the exchange.

The one to step forward next was Maris the Sea Steader. With a flourish, he produced over a dozen glowing orbs of light and announced with a smile, "This old man's lifespan is nearing the great limit of fifty Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years]. I have come this time specifically to exchange for Life-Extending Spiritual Object [spiritual treasures that can prolong one's natural lifespan]."

"These treasures are offered in priority for life-extending treasures. If any among you possess such items, please feel free to make your selections."

Eldrin Chen felt a stir in his heart and turned his gaze to carefully examine the treasures in Maris the Sea Steader's hands.

This Maris the Sea Steader was evidently a master Alchemist [a cultivator specializing in refining elixirs and pills], and one who seemed to have slain numerous great Nascent Soul [a high cultivation realm where one forms an immortal infant soul] demonic beasts. He actually possessed over a dozen Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm], along with materials like dragon bones and scales from several Nascent Soul Demon Emperor [a demonic beast emperor of the Nascent Soul realm].

The most precious items among them were two strands of Earthly Dao Essence [a concentrated essence containing fragments of the Earthly Dao's principles] and one Heavenly Dao Pill [a miraculous pill that embodies a sliver of the Heavenly Dao's power]. Beyond these, there was also a single spiritual fruit radiating with a violet-hued light.

"That is..." Your portal to cultivation novels: http://www . audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang, and they both recognized the origin of that spiritual fruit.

This spiritual fruit was none other than the Nirvana Fruit [a legendary fruit said to contain the essence of rebirth], a supreme treasure used to refine the Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool that grants a form of resurrection]. For a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan, the Nirvana Pool was an absolutely essential treasure.

Not only could it help cultivators above the Golden Core realm to reconstruct their physical bodies, but it could also heal all manner of grievous injuries. It was truly a first-rate treasure for preserving life and recovery.

It was said that by using the Nirvana Pool in conjunction with the Nirvana Tribulation Transference Art [an esoteric art that transfers the tribulations of rebirth], one could even circumvent the Karmic Bonds of the Womb [the karmic ties formed at birth that bind one's fate]. After perishing, one could be reborn within the Nirvana Pool to live another life and tread the cultivation path anew.

"We cannot let this Nirvana Fruit slip away," Eldrin Chen declared, his voice firm with resolve.

After a silent exchange of thoughts with Lyra Jiang, Eldrin Chen sent a voice transmission to Maris the Sea Steader. "I possess a Fifth Rank Longevity Spirit Apricot [a spiritual apricot that greatly extends one's lifespan]. I wonder if it could be exchanged for that Nirvana Fruit?"

"Truly?"

Maris the Sea Steader's eyes lit up, and he replied with evident delight. "The Nirvana Fruit is valued at around two hundred Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade currency of purified spiritual energy]. The Longevity Spirit Apricot holds a comparable value. What say you to a direct exchange?"

"Agreed,"

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and completed the transaction with Maris the Sea Steader. Then, his gaze shifted to the Earthly Dao Essence [a concentrated essence of the Earthly Dao, the fundamental law of the material world]. "How do you price that Earth Mother Qi [the primordial, nurturing energy of the earth itself]?" he inquired.

"Do you possess any other Spiritual Object?"

Maris the Sea Steader inquired. For him, a single Longevity Spirit Apricot [a mystical fruit that can extend one's lifespan] was sufficient, as he intended to attempt his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a major breakthrough realm] breakthrough within a Millennium.

A cultivator like him, who possessed an Innate Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a supreme magical artifact born of pure Yang energy], would have a success rate of forty to fifty percent in breaking through to the Primordial Spirit realm, barring any external calamities blocking his path.

Therefore, he naturally would not excessively purchase Longevity Treasure [treasures that extend lifespan]. It was far wiser to allocate his resources towards aids for the Primordial Spirit breakthrough attempt.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before producing some Enlightenment Spirit Tea. "This Enlightenment Tea of mine grows from an Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a legendary root that taps into the essence of heaven and earth]. Consuming it allows one to temporarily enter a state of Heaven and Man Resonance [a profound state of unity between the cultivator and the natural order], and it can also enhance a cultivator's comprehension."

"Heaven and Earth Spiritual Tea?"

Maris the Sea Steader's expression transformed into one of ecstatic joy. For an existence like his, having such spiritual tea to assist in entering the Heaven and Man Resonance state would significantly increase his chances of comprehending the secret forces [profound, esoteric powers governing reality].

Once one fully comprehended an Heaven and Earth Arcane Power [a supreme power derived from the fundamental laws of heaven and earth], even without relying on external aids like the Nascent Soul Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul], one would have a seventy percent chance of successfully impacting the Primordial Spirit barrier.

The reason why the East Sea's Premier Sword Cultivator, Caelum the Wavestrider, provoked a joint obstruction from Demonic Monsters [powerful, malevolent creatures] at the Primordial Spirit level was precisely because his confidence in breaking through to Primordial Spirit was as high as seventy to eighty percent.

That Caelum the Wavestrider had already attained the Great Perfection of Sword Intent [the ultimate mastery over the concept and will of the sword] and comprehended the Vast Sea Sword Dao True Intent [the true essence of the Sword Dao as vast and deep as the sea], which was fundamentally a form of those secret forces.

With this thought in mind, Maris the Sea Steader smiled and said, "One liang-weight [approximately fifty grams] of Enlightenment Tea shall be priced at one hundred Heavenly Crystal [a high-purity crystal containing immense spiritual energy]. Two liang-weight together would be a fair exchange for one strand of Earth Mother Qi [the primordial earth essence, nurturing and foundational], how about it?"

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded, completing the transaction.

Once the exchange was finished, Maris the Sea Steader glanced at Eldrin Chen and asked with a smile, "Does Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] possess a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a legendary spiritual root of supreme grade] Enlightenment Tea Tree?"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly. Instead of answering, he countered, "What is the meaning behind your words, sir?"

It was indeed a sensitive matter to inquire about. That Maris the Sea Steader gave a light smile and said, "To speak frankly, two liang-weight of Enlightenment Tea is likely insufficient for me to fully comprehend the Sea-Steading True Intent [the profound essence of stabilizing the seas]." The story continues at audi novel.com.

"If Fellow Daoist has more Enlightenment Tea, I would like to establish a long-term trading arrangement with you first."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered. After a long moment, he nodded and said, "Our family's Enlightenment Tea Tree is only at the Fifth Rank Low Grade [a specific tier denoting its spiritual grade and power]. It produces only three liang-weight every three hundred years. If you desire more Enlightenment Tea, I am afraid you will have to wait until three centuries from now."

That Maris the Sea Steader revealed a pleased smile and continued, "Might you be willing to reserve all the Enlightenment Tea produced within the next Millennium [a period of one thousand years] for this old man?"

"I know this request is somewhat presumptuous. The Enlightenment Tea must certainly be of use to you and yours as well. However, this tea is of immense importance to me."

"If you agree to this old man's request, the price will naturally satisfy you, and in the future, I shall owe you a favor."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang, and his heart stirred slightly.

Although the Enlightenment Tea [a rare spiritual tea that aids in achieving enlightenment] was precious, its current yield was far too scarce. However, if it could be exchanged for suitable treasures and earn a favor from Maris the Sea Steader, it would still be considered worthwhile.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "Since Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] has spoken thus, then henceforth, the Enlightenment Tea from my Chen Clan shall be reserved for you, sir."

"Excellent."

Maris the Sea Steader smiled, handed the remaining Earth Mother Qi [a pure, nurturing essence of the earth element] to Eldrin Chen, and then said, "Consider this Earth Mother Qi as the deposit. Do not forget, Fellow Daoist, the nine liang [a unit of weight, approximately fifty grams] of Enlightenment Tea for the coming Millennium [a period of one thousand years]."

"It shall be so."

Eldrin Chen nodded and accepted the Earth Mother Qi. With this deposit received, the transaction was sealed and could not be easily altered henceforth.

Having secured the nine liang of Enlightenment Tea, Maris the Sea Steader revealed a smile of deep satisfaction.

With the aid of this Enlightenment Tea, he felt his chances of comprehending the secret forces [profound and esoteric laws of the world] had increased significantly. Once he fully grasped these secret forces, his prospects for a future breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a high-level realm] would be greatly enhanced.

Not long after the transaction for the Enlightenment Tea was completed, the Heavenly Dao Pill over there was also sold shortly thereafter.

This time, Tianlu Sect Master staked everything, using the Deep-Seated Foundation [the accumulated foundational resources and potential of a cultivator or organization] that the Tianlu Sect had painstakingly gathered over many years. He purchased the Heavenly Dao Pill for a price of approximately five hundred Heavenly Crystal [a supreme-grade crystal containing immense heavenly spiritual energy].

Once he had secured the treasure, Tianlu Sect Master turned to Eldrin Chen with evident delight, clasping his hands in salute. "This old man's objective for this journey has been fulfilled," he declared. "I shall not linger here any longer. Until we meet again, fellow cultivators."

"Then I offer you my congratulations, Fellow Daoist," Eldrin Chen replied. "May your endeavor be crowned with success, allowing you to break through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage realm in a single, decisive stride."

After Tianlu Sect Master departed, the Barter Convention continued unabated. One Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator after another took the stage to present their treasures for exchange.

To Eldrin Chen's profound disappointment, however, no one offered a Tribulation Transcendence Flower [a legendary herb said to aid in surviving heavenly tribulations] for sale this time.

Finally, it was Eldrin Chen's turn to ascend the platform. Once there, he addressed the assembly with a respectful salute. "Honored cultivators," he began, "does anyone possess a Tribulation Transcendence Flower for trade? I am willing to exchange a Longevity Pill [a precious elixir that extends the lifespan of a cultivator] for such a treasure." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio . novel . com.