Chapter 561 : A Barter of Legends and Longing

Alas, after a long while, no one responded. Instead, many inquired about how he intended to sell the Longevity Pill [a legendary pill that can extend one's lifespan], which left Eldrin Chen feeling rather disappointed.

With no other choice, Eldrin Chen exchanged one Longevity Pill and the Sovereign Sword [a sword of supreme authority and power] for a single Fifth Rank Defensive Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact for protection] and three Fifth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure [rare treasures born from the convergence of heaven and earth energies]. Only then did he step down from the platform.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen had failed to acquire the Tribulation Transcendence Flower [a miraculous herb said to aid in surviving heavenly tribulations], Lyra Jiang's expression turned somber. "Could it be that among so many Nascent Soul Cultivators [practitioners who have formed their Nascent Soul, a core of spiritual life], none truly possesses a Tribulation Transcendence Flower?" she said.

"I don't think that's the case,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a wry smile on his lips. "Our cultivation is only at the Nascent Soul, Early Stage [the initial phase of the Nascent Soul realm], and we are newly advanced Nascent Soul. By the time we took the stage, it was near the end of the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade rare items]. The truly exceptional treasures had long been exchanged by the first few dozen cultivators to present their wares."

"Let's wait for the next opportunity. If all else fails, the few Tribulation Transcendence Flower plants cultivated within our family estate will mature in due time."

Lyra Jiang furrowed her brow, her voice tinged with reluctance. "Another day, I shall ask Freya if she or her connections have any means to procure a Tribulation Transcendence Flower."

Although they had not obtained their most desired Tribulation Transcendence Flower, the unexpected acquisition of the Nirvana Fruit [a spiritual fruit symbolizing rebirth and profound transformation] meant their journey was not without gain.

Once the Barter Convention concluded, they immediately returned to the Ji Continent.

Upon arriving at the Azure Lotus Continent, Eldrin Chen sought out the Old Patriarch without delay. Thalion Chen, upon seeing him, inquired promptly, "How went the journey?" For uninterrupted reading, go to (audio-novel.com).

"Proceeded smoothly enough," Eldrin Chen nodded, informing him of the treasures acquired, then said, "Prepare the materials. Let us first deploy the Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation [a powerful formation that gathers and channels spiritual energy through five elemental veins to nurture the Nascent Soul]."

"I shall have Lior handle that matter," the Old Patriarch replied with a smile.

Over the years, the Chen Clan had already gathered all the materials needed for the Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation, lacking only the crucial Five Veins Treasure Jade [a rare jade that acts as the core nexus for the Five Veins Formation].

Contemplating the wondrous utility of the Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation, a flicker of joy crossed the Old Patriarch's expression. After a moment of thought, he inquired further, "With the acquisition of two Earthly Dao Essence [a rare spiritual treasure that aids in comprehending the profound principles of the Dao and advancing one's cultivation realm], how do you intend to allocate them?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted subtly.

He pondered for a moment before speaking. "Within the clan, there are six or seven Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a stable, golden-hued core, marking a major advancement in power] qualified to use the Earthly Dao Essence. However, those with the seniority and merit to truly warrant such a precious resource are far fewer."

"Of these four Earthly Dao Essence, you and Elara Lin naturally take priority."

Thalion Chen's brow twitched slightly, but he did not refuse. Setting aside familial closeness, they were indeed the most suitable candidates.

In recent years, while Eldrin Chen and Lyra were engrossed in secluded cultivation and worldly trials, the myriad affairs of the clan and the Heaven's Ruin Alliance had been managed by him and Elara.

The reason Eldrin Chen could venture beyond the Ji Continent time and again was precisely because he had the Old Patriarch and other clan cultivators as his steadfast foundation. Without such support, one would be trapped guarding the Spirit Mountain, unable to depart rashly, let alone have the liberty to roam the world.

In the successive great battles, they had contributed the most effort and had been among the pillars of the clan since its early days. Naturally, they were the first candidates to receive the Earthly Dao Essence [a profound spiritual essence embodying the fundamental principles of the world].

Thinking of this, Thalion Chen asked, "What about the other two portions?"

"Let us give one to Silas," Lyra Jiang spoke up, then continued, "Years ago, when Silas journeyed across The Vast Sea, she obtained treasures such as the Five Veins Treasure Jade [a mystical jade containing the essence of five spiritual veins] and Earth Mother Qi [the primordial, nurturing energy of the earth itself]."

"To speak of it, one of the portions of Earth Mother Qi that Eldrin and I used for our breakthroughs was actually found by her."

"Although her current cultivation is only at the Golden Core Sixth Layer [the sixth tier of the Golden Core realm], we should still begin preparing for her eventual breakthrough to Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual essence forms an infant soul]."

Eldrin Chen nodded with a smile and said, "Then let us keep the final portion in reserve. It is possible that when Lyra and I attempt to break through to Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Nascent Soul realm], we will still need it to refine the Earthly Dao Pill [a supreme elixir that harmonizes with the Dao of the Earth]."

Old Patriarch chuckled, then said, "By the way, now that we have obtained the Nirvana Fruit [a legendary fruit capable of bestowing rebirth and profound enlightenment], preparations for refining the Nirvana Pool [a sacred pool that facilitates spiritual rebirth and tempering] should commence. Where do you intend to place it?"

"Let us place it at Spirit Isle Lake,"

Eldrin Chen stated. The Nirvana Pool was to be a legacy treasure for the clan, a creation that would endure for ten thousand years without decay once successfully refined. This was the true Deep-Seated Foundation [the unshakable, profound cornerstone of a clan's power and legacy]. It would be safest at Spirit Isle Lake, under the protection of the Green Abyss Sword [a sentient, immensely powerful magical sword].

"Very well," Thalion Chen inclined his head in agreement. "I shall then issue the orders for the clan and the Heaven's Ruin Alliance to procure the materials, gathering all that is needed to refine the Nirvana Pool."

Not long after Thalion Chen departed, Lior Chen delivered the materials for setting up the Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation to Immortal Apricot Island.

This treasure was prepared for clan cultivators who specialized in Fire Attribute Cultivation Art. The Fifth Rank Subterranean Fire Vein beneath Immortal Apricot Island was nearing completion, making it a suitable location to establish the Fire Vein Nascent Soul Formation.

Setting up this Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation was not overly complicated. Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang worked together to refine the Formation, and after thirty-six days of diligent effort, the Formation was successfully established.

"Hmm."

Once the Formation was successfully established, Eldrin Chen suddenly noticed that the several Underground Fire Vein beneath Immortal Apricot Island surged with brilliant light, showing signs of merging completely into one.

Lyra Jiang was also surprised and said with delight, "I never imagined this Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation could also aid in gathering and repairing the Earth Vein [the spiritual energy channels within the earth]." The story continues at audio—novel.com.

Eldrin Chen observed carefully for a moment, then stated, "Magnus the Virtuous's mastery of Formation arts is astounding. The method he pioneered for repairing Earth Vein and the technique for forming a Nascent Soul by harnessing the Earth Vein are fundamentally of the same origin."

"Although the repair Formation I adapted to local conditions is somewhat different, its core essence remains largely unchanged. Therefore, the synergistic effect we see now was within expectations."

As he spoke, a pleased expression naturally spread across his face.

Regardless, the progress in repairing the Earth Vein had now accelerated greatly. It seemed it would be fully restored within ten years.

Once this Fifth Rank Earth Vein [a powerful spiritual energy source of the fifth rank] is restored, it will not only grant the Chen Clan a Fifth Rank Earthfire Chamber [a cultivation chamber powered by fifth-rank earth and fire energies], but also create a new treasure-producing site capable of yielding Fifth Rank Heaven and Earth Treasure [rare treasures of the fifth rank, born from the convergence of heaven and earth energies].

With this thought, he turned to the Old Patriarch and inquired, "Granduncle, how is the recovery of your vital essence [the foundational life force of a cultivator] progressing?"

"There is still some way to go." Thalion Chen shook his head. Understanding Eldrin Chen's implication, he continued, "Give me another twenty years, and my Mana [the refined spiritual power within a cultivator] will reach its peak, allowing me to attempt the Nascent Soul [the embryonic spiritual form, a major breakthrough realm] breakthrough once more."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod. With the aid of the Fire Vein Nascent Soul Formation [a formation that channels subterranean fire energy to assist in Nascent Soul breakthroughs] and the Underground Fire Vein [a vein of concentrated fire-attribute spiritual energy beneath the earth], the chances of successfully advancing to the Nascent Soul realm would be greatly enhanced.

After departing from Immortal Apricot Island, Eldrin Chen journeyed next to the Azure Lotus Continent, where he set up a Water Vein [a vein of concentrated water-attribute spiritual energy] Nascent Soul Formation.

As there was no suitable subterranean Earth Vein [a vein of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy] present, he instead utilized the Fourth Rank High Grade [a classification denoting high quality within the fourth rank] Earth Vein beneath Earth Lion Ridge to construct an Earth Vein Nascent Soul Formation [a formation that channels earth energy for Nascent Soul breakthroughs].

However, the earth-attribute power of a Fourth Rank Subterranean Earth Vein [a fourth-rank earth vein located underground] is insufficient; each activation of the formation would severely drain the Earth Vein's [the conceptual power source of an earth vein] energy.

Should this Earth Vein Nascent Soul Formation be employed, regardless of success or failure, the subterranean Earth Vein would be unable to nurture any treasures for three hundred years thereafter.

Moreover, excessive use could even cause the grade of the subterranean Earth Vein to degrade or lead to its complete collapse.

Therefore, deploying this formation at Earth Lion Ridge was merely a provisional measure. In the future, should the Chen Clan acquire a Fifth Rank Earth Vein, the formation would need to be relocated.

After three more years of such busy waiting, Eldrin Chen finally refined the Spirit Spring of Spirit Isle Lake into a Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool that aids in rebirth and profound cultivation breakthroughs], thus fully digesting the gains from this journey.

In the days that followed, Eldrin Chen continued his secluded cultivation at Spirit Isle Lake, spending his leisure time constantly perfecting his own path of cultivation. The story continues at audio-novel . com.