Chapter 605 : A Bargain for the Soul

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen raised a brow slightly and inquired, "May I ask what price you seek for it?"

Sensing an opportunity, Desolate Wilderness Sect Master smiled and said, "An ordinary piece of Fifth Rank Spirit Wood is worth seventy Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade spiritual crystal]. This Soul-Nourishing Wood [a spiritual wood that nourishes and warms the soul] can nurture the soul's essence and offers a sliver of aid in breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm. It requires one hundred Heavenly Crystal to trade."

"You jest, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]," Eldrin Chen replied, his brow furrowing as he shook his head. "Though the Soul-Nourishing Wood possesses remarkable properties, it is not the legendary Spirit-Nourishing Divine Wood [a divine wood that nourishes the spirit]. Its assistance for a Primordial Spirit breakthrough is likely negligible."

"To demand an extra thirty Heavenly Crystal for such a minor effect seems rather excessive, does it not?"

"Yet it nourishes the soul's essence—a rare treasure indeed for spiritual cultivation," countered Desolate Wilderness Daoist. He then added, "I must receive at least ninety-five Heavenly Crystal to part with it."

After a round of bargaining between the two, Eldrin Chen finally acquired the precious Soul-Nourishing Wood for the price of eighty-eight Heavenly Crystal.

With the Fifth Rank Spirit Wood secured, Eldrin Chen piloted his Treasure Boat [an enchanted vessel] back towards Ji Continent. Gazing at the Soul-Nourishing Wood within his Yin-Yang Void Realm [a spatial treasure], he mused, "Employing the Heavenly Secrets Divination Art [a divination technique that reveals heavenly secrets] places great strain on a cultivator's soul and consumes a significant amount of Spiritual Sense [the spiritual perception of a cultivator]."

"Using the Soul-Nourishing Wood as the core material to construct a Star-Gazing Tower [an observatory tower for celestial divination] may be costly, but for us, it remains the most fitting choice."

"Precisely," Lyra Jiang agreed with a light laugh. "Once the Star-Gazing Tower is forged, our Stellar Glazed Body [a celestial-grade spiritual physique] will advance further. We will gain greater confidence in confronting the demonic fiends in the future."

Without further discussion, they hastened back to Spirit Isle Lake. Upon arrival, Eldrin Chen laid out the accumulated treasures from his possession. This chapter is provided by www . audio-novel.com. Support the original.

To forge the Star-Gazing Tower [a tower for observing celestial phenomena and divination], one first requires a stalk of Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a high-grade spiritual wood] to craft its main structure. Secondly, a Void Gem [a gemstone that can stabilize and condense spatial energies] is needed to solidify the void within it. Furthermore, seven Star Fragment [fragments of fallen stars imbued with celestial essence] must be refined into seven stellar orbs to manifest the Northern Dipper Seven Stars [the seven stars of the Big Dipper constellation, a powerful celestial formation].

Eldrin Chen had already gathered the seven Star Fragment, still possessed the Void Gem, and now, with the recently acquired Soul-Nourishing Wood [a spiritual wood renowned for nurturing and strengthening the soul], he could be considered to have fully assembled all materials for the Star-Gazing Tower. The forging of the tower could now commence.

However, before beginning the refinement of the Star-Gazing Tower, Eldrin Chen brought forth two other treasures.

One was a dazzling Star Gemstone [a gemstone that seems to contain captured starlight], and the other was a piece of transparent, crystalline ice-jade.

That Star Gemstone was precisely the Starry Enlightenment Stone [a stone that aids in celestial divination and profound comprehension]. Long ago, Ancestor Mo had presented this treasure, and in return received Eldrin Chen's support to break through to the True Lord Realm [a high stage of cultivation, signifying mastery over profound laws].

The ice-jade was named Icy Heart Spirit Jade [a jade that calms the mind and subdues inner demons], which Eldrin Chen had purchased in the Extreme Northern Ice Plains. This object possessed the effect of pacifying inner demons [malignant thoughts and illusions that arise during cultivation] and held some wondrous utility for cultivators facing the Heart Demon Tribulation [a trial of the heart and mind] during their breakthrough to Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms a spiritual infant, a core of their life force].

Gazing at the two treasures in his hand, Eldrin Chen smiled faintly and said, "Over these years, through continuous deduction and calculation, I have discovered methods to refine both of these Spiritual Object [objects of spiritual power]."

"This Starry Enlightenment Stone can be forged into a Stellar Enlightenment Platform [a platform for celestial observation and enlightenment], while this Icy Heart Spirit Jade can be crafted into a Icy Heart Demon-Subduing Mirror [a mirror that reflects and subdues inner demons]. Both can aid in the arts of Heavenly Secrets [divination and understanding of celestial patterns] and assist cultivators in subduing their inner demons."

Lyra Jiang nodded, then said with a gentle smile, "Since that is the case, let us begin the forging."

The two acted without delay. They summoned the Six Realms and Eight Desolations Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of refining treasures from all realms] and commenced the refinement of the two Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts].

The Stellar Enlightenment Platform [a platform that enhances comprehension of the Dao] and the Icy Heart Spirit Jade [a rare jade with calming properties] were both merely Inferior Grade Spiritual Treasure [the lowest grade of enchanted artifacts]. Given their mastery of artifact forging, crafting them was not particularly troublesome.

Working together, they succeeded in forging these two Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts] in just two years.

Once completed, the 'Stellar Enlightenment Platform' measured over three Zhang-length [approximately ten meters] across. It radiated a hazy, starlight-like glow, with faint echoes of the Dao's principles resonating between heaven and earth.

As for the 'Icy Heart Demon-Subduing Mirror', it was a translucent Treasure Mirror [a type of magical mirror artifact]. Crafted as if from crystalline ice, waves of frigid power washed over Eldrin Chen's heart, causing all distracting thoughts within him to melt away into nothingness.

"Excellent treasures."

Eldrin Chen sat cross-legged upon the enlightenment platform, gazing with delight at the Icy Heart Demon-Subduing Mirror floating before him.

The Stellar Enlightenment Platform accelerated a cultivator's comprehension of the Dao. It also allowed him to gain deeper insights into the Heavenly Secrets [a profound cultivation art], enhancing the power of its associated Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] by thirty percent.

The Icy Heart Demon-Subduing Mirror possessed the effects of warding off inner demons and defending against the Demonic Path's [the faction of demonic cultivators] curse arts. This treasure could not only aid Chen Clan Cultivators in overcoming their Heart Demon Tribulation [a trial of the mind and spirit during cultivation breakthroughs] but also resist curses cast by Demonic Path cultivators.

Specialization yields mastery. Given this mirror's potent ability to suppress inner demons, even a Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner of demonic arts] at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul realm] would likely find it difficult to gain an advantage if they tried to curse Eldrin Chen covertly.

After forging these two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [treasures specialized for suppressing demonic influences], Eldrin Chen smiled faintly and said, "Although these two Special Spiritual Treasure [spiritual treasures with unique auxiliary functions] possess extremely weak offensive and defensive capabilities, they offer exceptional auxiliary effects."

"If it is integrated into the Star-Gazing Tower [a mystical tower used for celestial observation and divination], it will undoubtedly increase the tower's power by several tenths."

Lyra Jiang also smiled. "That is an excellent idea."

Eldrin Chen retrieved the materials for forging the Star-Gazing Tower, a trace of solemnity appearing between his brows.

The Star-Gazing Tower was a Fifth Rank High Grade Special Spiritual Treasure [a unique and powerful enchanted artifact]. Forging it was no simple task; failure would likely result in a tremendous loss for them. Typically, only a Fifth Rank High Grade Artificer [a master craftsman of magical treasures] would have sufficient confidence to undertake such a project.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen was bolstered by the state of Heaven and Man Resonance [a profound state of harmony between the cultivator and the natural world], granting him considerable confidence in his ability to forge the tower. Furthermore, he wished to seize this opportunity to break through to the level of a Fifth Rank High Grade Artifact Refiner. Thus, he did not expend vast resources to commission another to do the work.

"The first step in forging the Star-Gazing Tower is to craft its main structure. Let us begin there." Immerse yourself in the complete world at www . audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen stated calmly, then set to work refining the Soul-Nourishing Wood [a rare spiritual wood known for its soul-enhancing properties].

The Soul-Nourishing Wood stood a thousand zhang-lengths tall. Eldrin Chen refined it down to a size of thirty zhang-lengths, cutting it into numerous high-grade timber pieces. He then tempered each piece with his True Flame [a pure, potent flame used in high-level cultivation and crafting], meticulously inscribing formation patterns onto every plank of spiritual wood.

This was no small undertaking. The two of them labored for three full years before the main structure of the Star-Gazing Tower was finally complete.

Afterwards, Eldrin Chen refined a Void Gem [a gemstone containing traces of void energy] and fused it into the Star-Gazing Tower, creating within it a realm of ethereal emptiness.

After completing these two steps, Eldrin Chen's expression grew even more solemn, for refining the Star Fragment to evolve the Northern Dipper Seven Stars was the most crucial challenge in forging the Star-Gazing Tower.

Eldrin Chen took the seven Star Fragment and, harnessing the power of the Underground Fire Vein, continuously refined them, meticulously inscribing formation patterns. After toiling for seven years, he finally succeeded in transforming the seven fragments into seven radiant celestial stars.

Celestial Pivot, Celestial Jade, Celestial Balance, Celestial Authority, Jade Balance, Opening Sun, Shimmering Light.

Gazing upon the seven stars before him, Eldrin Chen's eyes blazed with a brilliant divine light. With a wave of his hand, he cast the seven stars into the heart of the Star-Gazing Tower.

"The Seven Stars take their place. The Star-Gazing Tower is complete!"

As seven clear, resonant chimes sounded in succession, the Star-Gazing Tower erupted with seven waves of dazzling radiance. Profound and intricate formation patterns ignited, weaving together into a resonating set of Dao Patterns [mystical patterns embodying the principles of the Dao], which then gradually faded into nothingness.

"It is done."

Eldrin Chen offered a serene smile and stepped into the Star-Gazing Tower.

Within the tower, beneath a boundless expanse of void, seven brilliant stars shone, their light etched with the Dao Patterns of the heavens, concealing the profound mysteries of the Great Dao.

Beneath this starry sky, a single Stellar Enlightenment Platform [a platform for celestial meditation and enlightenment] floated serenely within the emptiness, emanating an aura of ineffable and profound Dao essence.

In addition, a single, crystalline Treasure Mirror [an enchanted artifact used for scrying or defense] hovered in the void, radiating a profound chill and unleashing beams of demon-subduing light.

"So this is the Star-Gazing Tower [a mystical tower used for celestial observation and divination]?"

Gazing upon the Star-Gazing Tower before him, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of pleasant surprise in his heart. Find this and other novels at audio–novel.com.