Chapter 577 : Forging the Stellar Glazed Body

The Stellar Glazed Body [a divine ability that forges the body into a crystalline, star-infused form] and the Great Deduction Heavenly Art [a supreme art of celestial calculation and foresight] both belong to the latter category. To cultivate these two Divine Ability [supreme supernatural arts] to the Great Perfection Realm [the ultimate stage of mastery], one does not require external aids like Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] or anything else. Instead, they demand the most crucial auxiliary Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact that aids cultivation and combat].

However, forging the Great Deduction Star Plate [a celestial calculation artifact] requires nine pieces of Stellar Fragment [meteoric ore imbued with stellar energies] as core materials. As for the Star Observation Tower [a tower for observing celestial phenomena and divination], its creation necessitates Void Gem [a gemstone containing traces of void energy], Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a type of spiritually resonant wood of the fifth rank], and another seven pieces of Stellar Fragment.

Given Eldrin Chen's current resources and wealth, successfully refining this Star Observation Plate would likely prove exceedingly difficult.

"Enough. Those two special Spiritual Treasure will have to wait for another day," he concluded.

Eldrin Chen rose to his feet and emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a chamber designed for undisturbed meditation and cultivation], only to find Exquisite Jiang and Lila had been waiting for him for some time.

Seeing him exit seclusion, Exquisite Jiang said, "The Barter Convention [a gathering where cultivators trade treasures and resources] is about to begin. If you hadn't come out soon, I was prepared to go ahead without you."

"How could I miss such an important occasion?"

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and handed two jade slips to the two women. "Having now cultivated the Stellar Glazed Body to the Minor Achievement stage, these contain my personal insights and reflections. You may use them for reference."

The trio did not delay and proceeded directly to the Treasure Exchange Pavilion [a pavilion dedicated to the trading of cultivation resources], entering its halls shortly after.

This particular Barter Convention had attracted over one hundred True Lord [a title for cultivators who have reached the Primordial Spirit realm], making it a rather lively and significant True Lord Gathering [an assembly of True Lord realm cultivators]. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio—novel.com.

All three were cultivators from elsewhere, with no acquaintances in this place, though Lila recognized a few Infant Soul Cultivators [cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul].

Her gaze swept across the assembly, and she remarked, "Among these True Lords [a title for cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage], several were those who once contested for the Heavenly Path Energy [a rare and potent spiritual essence]. However, they have only recently broken through to the Infant Soul [the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation] and cannot yet be considered powerful."

"I know few of those at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm], but I have met the Frostrime True Lord from the Flying Snow Pavilion before."

As she spoke, Eldrin Chen's eyes turned toward that Frostrime True Lord, and a single glance caused Eldrin Chen to frown.

The Frostrime True Lord was clad in pristine white robes, his features peerlessly handsome, and his aura was one of profound chill.

Yet, this individual's cultivation had reached the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage]. In terms of sheer presence, he was likely second only to the Number One Rogue Cultivator of the Eastern Barrens, the Sea-Calmer True Lord.

Noticing his reaction, Lila beside him transmitted a low voice, "This Frostrime True Lord is the Grand Elder of Flying Snow Pavilion. It is said he has gained the recognition of the Flying Snow Pavilion's Sect-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact that protects and defines a sect's legacy] and now wields the Profound Soul Pearl."

Eldrin Chen's heart jolted with sudden shock. The Profound Soul Pearl was a lower-grade Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a treasure of immense power, forged with the essence of the primordial sun]. Such a treasure, a priceless foundation rare across the entire world, had actually chosen to acknowledge the Frostrime True Lord of its own accord.

Contemplating this, he voiced his astonishment, "Instead of being wielded by the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the verge of the Primordial Spirit realm] Master of Flying Snow Pavilion, it chose the Frostrime True Lord. It seems this man likely possesses the Primordial Spirit Aptitude [the innate potential to ascend to the Primordial Spirit stage]."

As their discussion continued, the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare cultivation resources] formally commenced.

That Frostrime True Lord was the first to step forward. With a flick of his sleeve, he released several Spiritual Object [rare items imbued with spiritual energy]. These included a radiant, otherworldly flower, a snow ginseng shaped like a small human figure, and a few Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

Eldrin Chen took one look and his eyes lit up with delight. Exchanging a glance with Exquisite Jiang, he immediately made a decision in his heart.

The exotic flower was none other than the Tribulation Crossing Flower [a rare herb used as a catalyst for certain profound cultivation arts], the crucial medicinal catalyst for cultivating the Nirvana Tribulation Transmigration Art [a supreme art of rebirth through tribulation]. Eldrin Chen had searched for this item for many years and had even cultivated it for decades within several of his clan's Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [sites of concentrated spiritual energy, ranked by potency]. Now, he had finally found it.

As expected, the Frostrime True Lord swept his gaze over the assembled cultivators and declared, "The treasures I hold today are the Tribulation Crossing Flower, a Fifth Rank Snow Ginseng [a high-grade spiritual herb], and others. If you possess suitable Spiritual Treasure, you may exchange for them."

Eldrin Chen's heart stirred. He immediately sent a voice transmission to the Frostrime True Lord, "I possess two pieces of Fire Vein Spirit Jade [a rare jade containing concentrated fire-attribute spiritual energy]. Can they be exchanged for this Tribulation Crossing Flower?"

The Frostrime True Lord was inwardly moved. Within the Far North Icy Plains, Fire Vein Spirit Jade was exceedingly scarce. While a piece might cost around sixty-some Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade form of spiritual currency] in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, here, each piece could often fetch over a hundred Heavenly Crystal.

Many cultivators coveted the profits from this trade, but such business had long been monopolized by the Drifting Snow Pavilion [a powerful northern trading organization]. Not just anyone could get involved.

If they wished to purchase it, they either had to buy from the Drifting Snow Pavilion or risk venturing into unfamiliar and dangerous territories of other great domains.

In truth, this was perilous. Even an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Infant Soul, a high stage of cultivation], arriving alone and friendless in another domain, could easily become a fattened lamb in the eyes of local malevolent cultivators.

Considering this, the Frostrime True Lord nodded. "I agree to this trade."

After trading for the Tribulation Crossing Flower, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to the Fifth Rank Snow Ginseng and inquired, "What is the price for this item?"

"This Fifth Rank Snow Ginseng is a Spirit Herb [a plant imbued with potent spiritual energy] that greatly nourishes one's foundational energy [the vital life force of a cultivator]," the cultivator explained. "When combined with a Fifth Rank Fire Ginseng, it can be used to refine the 'Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill' [a potent elixir that harmonizes opposing elemental energies]."

"That Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill greatly supplements a cultivator's Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core formed after the Golden Core stage]. After consuming it, an ordinary True Lord [a cultivator who has mastered their nascent soul] would see their cultivation base increase significantly, potentially even breaking through a single layer of cultivation, saving roughly three hundred years of arduous cultivation time."

Even though Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang possessed a depth of spiritual power far surpassing their peers, it was estimated the pill could still increase their cultivation by half a layer, allowing them to advance to the Infant Soul 3rd Tier [the third stage of the Infant Soul realm] one step sooner.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen wished to purchase it, intending to save it for future refinement of the Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill.

"Our Flying Snow Pavilion cultivates quite a few of these Snow Ginsengs," sighed the Frostrime True Lord [a True Lord whose Dao title references frost and rime]. "Unfortunately, we lack an Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of fiery spiritual energy] to cultivate the complementary Fire Ginseng." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio—novel.com.

He then stated his price: "If you want it, you can take it for eighty Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade currency of purified spiritual energy]."

"Deal."

Eldrin Chen felt a surge of delight. In the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, this Fifth Rank Snow Ginseng could likely fetch one hundred and twenty Heavenly Crystal. The price here was truly considerably cheaper.

With the transaction complete, Eldrin Chen had acquired two rare and precious Spiritual Object [objects imbued with or containing spiritual power], having largely achieved his objective.

In the remaining transactions, he exchanged several treasures and resources he had prepared over a long time for some specialties not found in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, which could be considered a substantial gain.

Among them was a piece of Icy Heart Precious Jade [a rare jade known for its calming properties], which possessed an excellent effect for calming the mind, focusing the spirit, and subduing Inner Demons [malevolent spiritual entities born from a cultivator's own negative emotions and mental flaws]. Eldrin Chen specifically purchased it with the intention of refining a special Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact], to aid clan cultivators in their breakthroughs to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed] realm.

Once the resources he could exchange for Spiritual Objects [items imbued with or used to channel spiritual energy] were exhausted, Eldrin Chen did not linger. He immediately departed from the Flying Snow Pavilion with his companions.

However, not long after leaving, three Infant Soul True Lords [cultivators who have reached the Infant Soul realm] quietly gave chase.

"What a nuisance,"

Exquisite Jiang frowned, her gaze fixed on the figures pursuing them from behind.

It was clear. These individuals had discerned their origins lay beyond the Far North Icy Plains, and sought to seize the opportunity for a bit of murder and plunder.

Eldrin Chen's eyes also flickered with intent. He glanced at Lila and instructed, "You've only recently broken through. Stay on the treasure skiff and look after your two disciples."

"Understood." Lila nodded, a trace of solemnity flashing in her eyes.

At that very moment, the three Infant Soul True Lords closed in, their killing intent palpable.

These three cultivators, all at the Infant Soul True Lord [a powerful cultivator whose nascent soul has matured into a true spiritual lord] realm with Infant Soul Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Infant Soul cultivation stage] cultivation bases, presented a stark trio. One was a Hulking Warrior, another a White-robed Scholar, and the last was a figure clad in the attire of a Black-veiled Maiden.

As the treasure vessel came to a halt, the White-robed Scholar smiled and spoke, "Within our Snow Mountain Ancient Domain [an ancient, frigid realm dominated by towering, snow-capped peaks], cultivators from beyond the Northern Plains [a vast, windswept region north of the central continent] are a rare sight. I never imagined I would encounter one today."

"It seems my fortune runs deep. Perhaps after today, I shall be able to acquire a Heavenly Path Pill [a legendary elixir said to grant profound insights into the Heavenly Dao, aiding in a major cultivation breakthrough] and break through into the Infant Soul Late Stage [the late, most profound phase of the Infant Soul stage]." The complete novel can be found at audio–novel.com.