Chapter 576 : A Pact Forged in Spirit Stone

After hearing them out, the Grand Elder of the Hsu Clan smiled faintly and said, "That Soaring Cloud Mountain is merely three million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from our Hsu Clan. Since it is to become ownerless land, why shouldn't we simply wait for you to depart and then claim it ourselves?"

"I fear you are overthinking, Fellow Daoist," Eldrin Chen replied with a serene smile, countering with a question of his own. "If you wait until we leave, do you truly believe you can outcompete the Lingering Snow Sect for it?"

Upon hearing this, both men fell into a contemplative silence, their expressions making it clear they already understood the likely outcome.

Seeing their hesitation, Eldrin Chen pressed on. "If I sell the Spirit Mountain to you in advance, you can deploy a Fifth Rank Mountain Protection Formation [a powerful defensive array of the fifth rank]. Once that is in place, it would be far more difficult for the Lingering Snow Sect to seize it from you."

The Patriarch of Hsu Clan was visibly tempted but shook his head. "We lack a Fifth Rank Formation Master [a master capable of setting up fifth-rank formations]. Holding Soaring Cloud Mountain would be precarious."

"That is a simple matter to resolve, for I am a Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Formation Master," Eldrin Chen declared with a confident smile. "I can arrange the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts for defense or other effects] on your behalf."

"That would indeed be acceptable," the Patriarch conceded.

The Patriarch of Hsu Clan nodded, then added a stipulation. "However, we will provide the crucial Formation Artifact [the core enchanted artifact that anchors and powers a formation] ourselves."

"Understood," Eldrin Chen acknowledged.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of understanding. The Formation Artifact was the heart of any Formation; their insistence on supplying it was clearly a precaution against him leaving any hidden vulnerabilities within the defensive array. Read, share, and discuss at site: audio-novel.com.

After reaching a preliminary agreement, the two parties began to negotiate the price. After several rounds of intense haggling, a final price of thirty thousand units of Profound Ice Energy [a concentrated spiritual essence of extreme cold] was settled upon.

This price was exceedingly favorable. In the past, when Eldrin Chen sold the Spirit Mountain belonging to the Qin Clan, he had received a full two hundred million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy].

Now, the value of these thirty thousand units of Profound Ice Energy was roughly equivalent to one hundred million Spirit Stone, meaning this Spiritual Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth] was practically being given away for a pittance.

However, this was essentially a transaction with no initial cost for Eldrin Chen. He could not remain to occupy the Spirit Mountain himself, so naturally, he could not demand an exorbitant price.

Furthermore, if these units of Profound Ice Energy were to be purchased in the Eastern Barrens [the vast, untamed wilderness of the eastern region], the price would likely increase by eighty percent. Thus, relatively speaking, both parties had secured a tremendous bargain.

The transaction took three months to complete. Only after Eldrin Chen had set up a Formation [a mystical array or formation] for the Hsu Clan did he finally receive the agreed-upon Profound Ice Energy.

The Patriarch of Hsu Clan gazed upon Soaring Cloud Mountain [a mountain peak shrouded in perpetual clouds], his face breaking into a smile of genuine delight. Eldrin Chen had not only laid down a Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive array to protect a mountain stronghold] for the peak but had also installed a complete Fourth Rank Teleportation Formation [a high-grade teleportation array].

The distance between the Hsu Clan's main base and Soaring Cloud Mountain was merely three million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. This Fourth Rank Teleportation Formation was more than sufficient for their needs, filling the Patriarch with pleasant surprise.

Contemplating how his clan had acquired a Fifth Rank Spirit Mountain [a mountain of the fifth rank, rich in spiritual energy], thereby vastly increasing their foundational resources, the Patriarch of Hsu Clan said joyfully, "We owe you a great debt for this, Fellow Daoist. Without this Fourth Rank Teleportation Formation, holding onto Soaring Cloud Mountain would have been a true struggle."

"It was but a trivial effort," Eldrin Chen replied modestly.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and cupped his hands in salute. "Since the Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, cultivation, or other mystical purposes] has been successfully laid, we shall not impose upon you any longer."

"Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment."

Seeing Eldrin Chen prepare to depart, the Patriarch of Hsu Clan smiled and said, "I suspect your journey will take you beyond the borders of the Snow Mountain Ancient Domain."

"However, in three years' time, the True Lord Barter Convention [a grand gathering where high-level cultivators trade rare treasures and resources] of the Snow Mountain Ancient Domain is set to commence. This convention will be held at the Heavenly Mountain Flying Snow Pavilion. If you are not in a great hurry to leave, you might consider staying until the Barter Convention concludes."

"A Barter Convention?" Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang before cupping his hands again. "Thank you for the reminder."

After bidding farewell to the Patriarch of Hsu Clan, Eldrin Chen and his companions boarded their treasure vessel and soared deeper into the Heavenly Mountain.

Aboard the vessel, Exquisite Jiang spoke up. "We brought two pieces of Fire Vein Spirit Jade [a rare jade imbued with potent fire-attribute spiritual energy]. It is a scarce treasure in the Northern Plains. Perhaps we can exchange them for some rare and valuable items."

Lila nodded in agreement, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Many unique treasures from the Northern Plains, if taken back to the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, could likely fetch a handsome price."

"Then to the Flying Snow Pavilion we shall go."

Eldrin Chen chuckled softly, guiding the treasure vessel on its course deeper into the heart of the Heavenly Mountain.

Upon arriving at the Flying Snow Pavilion Market, a brief investigation revealed the formidable strength of the Flying Snow Pavilion.

The Flying Snow Pavilion was one of the top five most powerful factions within the Snow Mountain Ancient Domain [an ancient, snow-covered domain in the Far North]. It boasted not only a single Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the verge of forming their Primordial Spirit] expert but also over thirty Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed their Infant Soul core].

Contemplating the sheer might of the Flying Snow Pavilion, Eldrin Chen exclaimed with awe, "A single Flying Snow Pavilion alone possesses a strength nearly rivaling that of the Heaven's Profound Sect [the foremost sect beneath the Primordial Spirit realm in the Eastern Barrens] from the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. How can the factions of the Far North Icy Plains be so overwhelmingly powerful?"

"It is all because of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the periodic, catastrophic invasion from the Demonic Abyss]," Exquisite Jiang sighed, her voice tinged with resignation.

Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly, understanding the reason all too well.

The Eastern Region Great Wasteland and the Eastern Sea Cultivation World were as close as lips and teeth. Whenever the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm struck, they were forced to commit their entire strength to hold the line. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel . com.

In contrast, the powers of the Far North Icy Plains needed only to dispatch a third of their cultivators. Even if they suffered losses, they could recover swiftly.

More critically, the Eastern Region Great Wasteland had been devastated multiple times by the Extraterrestrial Evil Demons [demonic beings from beyond this world]. Aside from a handful of exceptionally powerful Infant Soul Immortal Clan [clans led by Infant Soul cultivators], the vast majority of Immortal Clan [clans with a legacy of cultivation] there had risen in the wake of those calamities. Their accumulated heritage and depth of tradition paled in comparison to those of the Far North Icy Plains.

Lila, standing nearby, also let out a sigh. "Strictly speaking," she said, "the Eastern Region Great Wasteland possesses richer resources and is far more suitable for mortal life to flourish."

"Were it not for the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, it would likely be far more prosperous than what we witness today."

Eldrin Chen fell silent for a moment, his resolve solidifying as he declared with unwavering conviction, "We must cultivate diligently. In the days to come, we shall surely purge the source of that great calamity and carve out a realm of lasting peace for all living beings under heaven."

The group rented a secluded cultivation cave within the Flying Snow Pavilion Market and settled in, preparing to cultivate in seclusion while awaiting the commencement of the Barter Convention.

"..."

Time flowed swiftly by, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

On this day, as Eldrin Chen was deep in meditation within his Seclusion Chamber, faint glimmers of Stellar [pertaining to the stars and celestial bodies] light began to manifest within his body.

In a fleeting vision, countless Stellar Dao patterns converged, weaving themselves into a luminous, starry veil that enveloped his physical form and spiritual soul. His flesh took on a radiant, otherworldly sheen, as if forged from Glazed Stellar essence itself.

"Success."

Suddenly, Eldrin Chen opened his eyes, a smile of satisfaction gracing his features.

Through years of relentless cultivation, he had long ago achieved the Minor Accomplishment stage in the Great Deduction Heavenly Art. Now, he had finally reached the same Minor Accomplishment realm in the 'Stellar Glazed Body' technique recorded within the Star Observation Ancient Scroll.

This 'Stellar Glazed Body', much like the 'Great Deduction Heavenly Art', was one of the supreme Great God Ability [divine-grade cultivation arts] inherited from the Celestial Mechanism Lineage.

Between the two, the 'Great Deduction Heavenly Art' excels in calculation and divination. Once activated, it can deduce the Celestial Mechanism [the underlying principles and patterns of heaven and earth]. With the assistance of the Great Deduction Star Plate, it can even divine many deeply hidden opportunities and fortunes within the world.

Meanwhile, the 'Stellar Glazed Body' specializes in defense. It can resist Demonic Path curses and also shield one from being divined by others.

After Eldrin Chen cultivated this Stellar Glazed Body to the minor accomplishment stage, aside from Primordial Spirit Path Lord [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual core into a Primordial Spirit] and a select few top-tier Great Infant Soul Cultivator [cultivators at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage] exceptionally skilled in Celestial Mechanism, ordinary individuals would find it exceedingly difficult to harm him through curses or Celestial Mechanism-based schemes.

"A pity that to cultivate the 'Stellar Glazed Body' to its grand accomplishment stage requires the assistance of a Celestial Mechanism Spiritual Treasure like the Star Observation Tower."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, a wry smile touching his lips.

The myriad Divine Ability [supernatural arts and techniques] under heaven are diverse, and the conditions required to master them vary greatly.

Beyond the common requirement of Five Elements Essence [refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], some Divine Ability need rare Spirit Herb as a catalyst, some place high demands on one's innate comprehension, while others require specific Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts imbued with spiritual power] as aids. For more chapters, visit audio–novel.com for the complete novel.