Chapter 604 : A Journey Through Unsettled Lands

Having decided to forge the Star Observation Tower, Eldrin Chen wasted no time. The very next day, he set out to procure the necessary Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a type of spiritual wood of exceptionally high quality, suitable for crafting powerful artifacts].

The information regarding this Fifth Rank Spirit Wood had been provided by Ethereal Mistress Ling. She hailed from the Infant Soul Great Sect known as the Desolate Heaven Sect [a major sect within the Celestial Barrens Province].

The Desolate Heaven Sect Master was a cultivator at the Infant Soul 6th Tier [the sixth level of the Infant Soul stage, a high level of cultivation]. He was an old acquaintance of Ethereal Mistress Ling. Upon learning that the Chen Clan sought to purchase Fifth Rank Spirit Wood, he expressed interest in facilitating the transaction.

The Celestial Barrens Province was not far from Ji Continent. The journey merely required crossing the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range and traversing the Tianlu Continent.

As Eldrin Chen and his wife crossed the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range and entered the territory of Tianlu Continent, they immediately sensed an atmosphere of unease. Cultivators seemed restless, and the marketplaces were noticeably less crowded than in previous years.

They casually stopped a passing Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage] and inquired, "What has happened in Tianlu Continent? It feels as though the number of cultivators has dwindled by more than half."

"Are you Seniors from outside Tianlu Continent?"

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator looked surprised but replied respectfully, "Not long ago, beings from the Flame Demon Race [a race of demons attuned to fire and chaos] emerged from the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. It is said several among them possess strength rivaling Infant Soul cultivators, including powerful figures like the Flame Demon True Lord."

"Now, the Heavenly Reed Sect has issued a conscription decree, mobilizing the entire continent's strength to resist this Flame Demon Race incursion."

"I see," Eldrin Chen acknowledged. The story continues at audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, signaling for the person to withdraw, then said to Exquisite Jiang, "Could that Flame Demon Race be connected to the Crimson Flame True Lord we vanquished all those years ago?"

"Hard to say," Exquisite Jiang shook her head before adding, "We would need to see it for ourselves to be certain."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement upon hearing this. The Crimson Flame True Lord was an Innate Being [a being born directly from the primordial forces of the world, possessing extraordinary potential], though not quite on the level of the legendary Innate Divine Spirit [a supreme divine entity born from the fundamental principles of the cosmos], his origins were still profoundly extraordinary.

The Flame Demon, however, were an Innate Fiend Race [demonic beings born directly from demonic flames], representing a fundamentally different nature.

Yet, despite their differences, both were entities born from flame, suggesting there might be underlying similarities.

"If it truly is an Innate Fiend Race, I fear the Heavenly Reed Sect may not be able to quell this calamity on their own,"

Eldrin Chen said with a sigh after several moments of contemplation, recognizing this was not a matter he could easily intervene in.

Wherever an Innate Being could be born, a treasure of immense value was almost always present, whether it nurtured a Flame Demon or a Crimson Flame Demon Spirit [a malevolent spiritual entity born of demonic energy].

Since the adversary had reached the True Lord [a high-level cultivator] tier, it was highly likely this concealed a supreme treasure of inestimable value even to a True Lord.

Thus, while this Flame Demon Race represented a Tribulation [a trial or calamity], it was also potentially a rare opportunity. The fact that the Heavenly Reed Sect had not sought their assistance suggested they wished to keep this potential fortune for themselves.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Our most pressing task now is to complete the forging of the Star Observation Tower [a mystical tower designed for celestial observation and divination] as swiftly as possible."

"As for this Flame Demon Tribulation [a calamitous event or trial, often of heavenly origin, that tests a cultivator's strength and resolve], if the Heavenly Reed Sect cannot quell it, they will naturally seek our aid."

"Very well," Exquisite Jiang nodded, then smiled. "That Heavenly Reed Sect Master's spiritual power is impure. His last attempt to break through to the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Infant Soul cultivation realm] ended in failure. Now he desperately lacks resources for one final attempt. If we interfere rashly, it might actually backfire."

Having said this, the two urged the Greenjade Phoenix Feather Boat [a flying vessel crafted from phoenix feathers and green jade] onward towards the Celestial Barrens Province. Before long, they crossed into its territory.

As one of the hundred provinces within the Three Veins Ancient Domain, the Celestial Barrens Province was considered a major province. It spanned over ten million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] and was home to six Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [a high-grade geographical formation that concentrates and radiates dense spiritual energy].

These six Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein were divided among three Infant Soul [a major cultivation stage where the cultivator's nascent soul is formed] powers: the Infant Soul Immortal Clan Lin Clan, the Ying Clan, and the province's dominant force, the Desolate Heaven Sect.

Among these three powers, the Lin Clan and the Ying Clan combined had only three True Lord [a title for a cultivator who has reached the Infant Soul realm]. In stark contrast, the Desolate Heaven Sect boasted a full eight Infant Soul True Lord.

However, despite its strength, the Desolate Heaven Sect lacked a single cultivator at the Infant Soul Late Stage. Its most powerful member was merely a great cultivator at the Infant Soul 6th Tier.

The two landed upon the Guest Greeting Peak and personally presented their Visiting Card [a formal card used to announce one's arrival and identity]. Soon, three True Lord from the Desolate Heaven Sect came forth to greet them.

The leader was naturally the Desolate Heaven Sect Master. From across the void, he laughed heartily, "I have long heard of the renowned Returning Abyss True Lord and the Immortal Maiden Heaven's Ruin. To finally lay eyes upon Hugo today is a great fortune for this old man."

"You are too courteous, Fellow Daoist."

Eldrin Chen returned the salute with cupped fists, speaking with humility.

After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, they each took their seats at Guest Greeting Peak. The Desolate Heaven Sect Master personally poured a cup of tea for the two before smiling and speaking of the Earthly Path [a profound cultivation method attuned to the energies of the earth]: "I heard from Fellow Daoist Ethereal Void that you wish to purchase a stalk of Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a rare and potent spiritual plant of the fifth tier]."

"That is indeed the case."

Eldrin Chen nodded and stated plainly, "I am preparing to forge a Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], and I still lack a stalk of Fifth Rank Spirit Wood."

The Desolate Heaven Sect Master smiled, then spoke with a serious expression, "My Desolate Heaven Sect does indeed possess a stalk of Spirit Wood [a tree imbued with spiritual energy]. However, this particular Spirit Wood possesses wondrous and profound properties; it may not align with your intentions." Join our community of readers at audio—novel.com.

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with interest. "May I inquire as to its wondrous properties?"

"Fellow Daoist, please follow me and listen."

Without explaining directly, the Desolate Heaven Sect Master led the two of them out of Desolate Heaven Mountain.

The Celestial Barrens Province contained six Fifth Rank Spiritual Veins [powerful underground currents of concentrated spiritual energy of the fifth tier]. The Desolate Heaven Sect occupied four of them. The one they were heading to now was Divine Wood Mountain, one of those four Spiritual Veins.

Upon arriving at Divine Wood Mountain, the group proceeded directly into its Fifth Rank Wood Vein. The moment they entered, Eldrin Chen finally understood the origin of the mountain's name.

At the heart of the Wood Vein, several colossal trees that blotted out the sky stood upon the earth. The tallest among them reached a staggering thousand Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], truly qualifying as an exceedingly rare divine tree.

"A Worldly Spiritual Root, the Spirit Nourishing Divine Wood [a divine wood that nourishes the spirit and body],"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, recognizing the divine tree's origin. The Spirit Nourishing Divine Wood possessed the wondrous ability to nourish both the soul and the physical body, making it a rare and precious treasure for spiritual cultivation.

It was said that if such a Worldly Spiritual Root reached the Sixth Rank, it would be of immense benefit even to Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has mastered the path of the primordial spirit].

The specimen before them was only at the Fifth Rank Mid-Grade, yet its extraordinary nature was still evident.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen could not help but express his surprise, "Could it be that what you wish to sell is this very Spirit Nourishing Divine Wood?"

"Hahaha."

The Desolate Heaven Sect Master chuckled before replying, "This Spirit Nourishing Divine Wood is a Worldly Spiritual Root. Its value far surpasses that of ordinary Fifth Rank Spirit Wood. How could I possibly bear to part with it?"

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen also shook his head with a wry smile. The value of the Worldly Spiritual Root [a legendary spiritual root that can adapt to any environment and element] and the Spirit Nourishing Divine Wood [a divine wood that nourishes the soul and aids in profound cultivation breakthroughs] was truly inestimable. Merely breaking off a single branch could help a cultivator cultivate a Second Primordial Embryo [a second, independent spiritual core or nascent soul], so how could it be compared to ordinary Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a high-grade spiritual wood of the fifth rank]?

Seeing this, the Desolate Heaven Sect Master [the leader of the Desolate Heaven Sect] pointed to two slightly smaller Fifth Rank Spirit Wood nearby and said, "These Soul Nourishing Wood [a spiritual wood that nourishes and warms the soul] were cultivated from cuttings of the Spirit Nourishing Divine Wood. While they lack the miraculous properties of the Worldly Spiritual Root, they still retain the effect of warming and nourishing the soul [the spiritual consciousness]."

"Therefore, their value is somewhat higher than that of ordinary Fifth Rank Spirit Wood. I wonder if you are willing to pay this price."

Having said this, the Desolate Heaven Sect Master waited for Eldrin Chen's reply.

Although the Soul Nourishing Wood was miraculous, its soul-nourishing effect might not be particularly useful for Eldrin Chen. If Eldrin Chen was unwilling to accept the increased price, he would likely have to forgo this transaction. This content originates from AUDIO-NOVEL.COM. Please respect copyright.