Chapter 638 : Treasures of the Spirit Clam Tribe

While accelerated cultivation would indeed consume more resources, it ultimately saved one hundred and fifty years of arduous cultivation time [a period of dedicated and often difficult practice to advance one's spiritual power].

However, Fifth Rank Spirit Clam Pearls are exceedingly rare; a single Fifth Rank Spirit Clam can only nurture one pearl every Ten Sixty-Year Cycles.

The twenty Spirit Clam Pearls presented by the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam represented nearly half of the accumulated spiritual heritage [the foundational wealth and legacy of a clan or individual] that the Spirit Clam Tribe had painstakingly gathered over several Millennium.

The two strands of Earth Mother Qi were nurtured by the local Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy], while the three Spirit Nacre Shells were the legacy left behind by three Fifth Rank Spirit Clams from the tribe who had passed away over the long years.

Having received the treasures, Lilith, Mistress of Desire stated, "One pair of Spirit Nacre Shells is valued at one hundred Heavenly Crystals [a purified and high-density form of Spirit Stone]; three pairs total three hundred Heavenly Crystals."

"The Earth Mother Qi is worth two hundred Heavenly Crystals, bringing the sum to four hundred Heavenly Crystals."

"As for the twenty Spirit Clam Pearls, let us price them at fifty Heavenly Crystals each."

"Agreed."

The group nodded and proceeded to divide the treasures according to the pre-arranged shares.

As per the agreement, a combatant with Nascent Soul, Early Stage strength received a two-percent share, one at Nascent Soul, Mid Stage received five percent, and a cultivator at Nascent Soul Late Stage was allotted fifteen percent of the total spoils. Continue reading this story at audio~novel.com.

Eldrin Chen's combat prowess, comparable to that of a Nascent Soul Late Stage [the penultimate major stage of cultivation before ascension] cultivator, earned him a share of fifteen percent. Lyra Jiang, whose strength fell slightly short of the Nascent Soul Late Stage benchmark, still secured a ten percent share due to her formidable power.

Combined, the two received approximately twenty-five percent of the treasures. Lilith, Mistress of Desire and Caelan Jiang together claimed thirty percent.

The remaining dozen or so Nascent Soul True Lord [a title for powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] divided the leftover forty-five percent, each obtaining a not insignificant portion.

After careful calculation, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang exchanged their share for eight Spirit Clam Pearl [pearls formed by spirit clams, prized for enhancing cultivation speed], taking no other treasures.

They currently lacked for nothing in terms of Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts]. Furthermore, the several Earth Vein [concentrated flows of earth-element spiritual energy within the land] within their clan, combined, could produce one Earth Mother Qi [the pure, nurturing essence of the earth element] every two to three centuries on average. Instead, the Spirit Clam Pearl, which accelerated cultivation, was their most pressing need.

Once the treasures were apportioned, the group did not linger within the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool. They still needed to deal with the cultivators outside, lest anyone else sneak into the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool.

However, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang did not depart immediately. He cupped his hands towards the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a mythical clam demon beast of immense age and power] and inquired, "Might I ask, honored one, about a dear friend of mine? He inadvertently entered the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool. I wonder if he is in your custody."

"You speak of the cultivator who holds the Nine Dragons Command Token [a token of authority related to the Nine Dragons]?"

The Seven-Colored Immortal Clam's beautiful eyes flickered slightly. She then offered a slight bow and said, "This humble one is named Nyssa Qu. You may address me simply as Nyssa."

"In recent times, aside from your group, he is the only one who has entered this place." Nyssa Qu nodded again and gave another slight bow. "Please, follow me."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang before following Nyssa Qu deeper into the heart of the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool.

After an indeterminate length of time, Nyssa Qu led the group to the entrance of a pitch-black Cultivation Cave.

Within the cavern, Qingci the Recluse sat cross-legged on the ground. His aura, however, was alarmingly feeble, a clear sign his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] had suffered a grievous wound.

"He obtained the Nine Dragons Command Token and claimed the legacy of the Progenitor of the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool,"

"But that Nine Dragons Progenitor was utterly malicious. A wisp of his remnant soul lured him back here to the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool, intending to seize his body for itself."

Nyssa Qu continued her tale, "Fortunately, that Nine Dragons Progenitor had perished millennia ago. His remnant soul was so weakened it was but a shadow, and against all odds, he managed to withstand the possession."

As Nyssa Qu narrated the events, Eldrin Chen finally understood the full story.

The Nine Dragons Progenitor was a unique variant of Flood Dragon with nine heads. It was said to be a descendant of the Black Dragon Demon Tribe, born from a union between that tribe and a Nine-Headed Serpent Demon Emperor.

This Nine-Headed Flood Dragon fused the True Dragon [the supreme, primordial dragon lineage] bloodline of the Black Dragon Demon Tribe with its own form. Each of its nine heads was that of a Flood Dragon, granting it a lineage even more potent than that of a mere nine-headed serpent.

Its cultivation had once reached the realm of Half-Step Primordial Spirit, a power that likely rivaled even the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor. Strictly speaking, its seniority was a full generation above the Green Flood Dragon's; they were likely uncle and nephew.

This Nine-Headed Flood Dragon had been slain by the Human Race over ten thousand years ago. The passage of time was so vast that the exact circumstances of that event are now lost to history.

Yet, this Nine-Headed Flood Dragon proved to be a truly exceptional breed of Flood Dragon with potent bloodline. Not only did each of its nine sons become Demon Emperors, but its own lifespan was astonishingly long. Even after ten millennia, a wisp of its remnant soul still lingered, attempting a body possession.

Alas, it underestimated Qingci the Recluse, and overestimated its own myself remaining power.

After all, Qingci the Recluse was a Middle Golden Core cultivator at the False Nascent Soul Realm. Although the Nine-Headed Flood Dragon had once been at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a realm just below the Primordial Spirit stage], it had been slain for ten thousand years. Its possession attempt with but a feeble remnant soul was ultimately doomed to fail.

Seeing this outcome, Eldrin Chen smiled once more and said, "Brother Qingci has weathered this tribulation and gained the legacy of a Half-Step Primordial Spirit Demon Emperor. In the future, he will likely cultivate at least to the Nascent Soul Late Stage."

"Our clan still possesses one portion of Earth Mother Qi [a pure, nurturing earth-element spiritual essence]. I shall retrieve it later to lend him a helping hand." For more chapters, visit audio-novel[dot]com for the complete novel.

Speaking of this, Eldrin Chen cupped his hands towards Nyssa Qu and said, "To be honest, it was my friend who caused the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool to be revealed to the world once more. For this, I must offer my apologies to you, Immortal Maiden."

"There is no need for that,"

Nyssa Qu sighed, shaking her head with a bitter smile. "I have long understood that a place of perfect peace, untouched by the world's strife, cannot truly exist in this world."

"To have been able to live carefree within the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool for several Millennium [a period of one thousand years] was already a tremendous fortune for our Spirit Clam Tribe."

Having spoken thus far, Nyssa Qu turned her gaze towards Eldrin Chen and said, "I have heard that cultivators of the Human Race are adept at setting up Formation arrays [mystical energy patterns used for defense, offense, or cultivation]. Now that my Nine Dragons' Deep Pool has manifested into the world, to ensure its safety, I fear we must establish a high-grade Formation array."

"Therefore, I wish to ask for your assistance in laying down a Mountain Guardian Formation [a powerful defensive array designed to protect an entire mountain or territory] for us."

"It is not quite so exaggerated. Most cultivators of our Human Race specialize in specific arts; those capable of mastering Fifth Rank Formation arrays are still relatively few,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a light shake of his head and a smile. Then he continued, "However, regarding the Dao [the fundamental principle or path] of Formation arrays, I do possess some understanding and am capable of setting up a Fifth Rank High Grade grand formation."

"Is that truly so?"

Delight flickered within Nyssa Qu's beautiful eyes. She promptly spoke, "Then the matter is settled. If you are willing to establish the Fifth Rank Mountain Guardian Grand Formation for me, I am prepared to offer a substantial gift in return."

As she spoke, she extended her hand, revealing a treasure pearl that shimmered with seven-colored radiance, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"This is a Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl [a mystical pearl of immense spiritual potency] that naturally shed from my form. Though it cannot compare in value to my life-bound core pearl, it can still increase one's chances of achieving a breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit realm [the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] by ten percent."

"Let this serve as your reward."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen's breathing grew slightly ragged. A supreme treasure that could increase one's chances of a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] breakthrough by a full ten percent—this was nearly equivalent to half a Nascent Soul Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul].

The value of such an object could not be measured in Heavenly Crystal [a high-purity form of spiritual energy crystal] or Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. If word got out, even a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the verge of the Primordial Spirit realm] would be driven to ecstatic frenzy, inevitably causing rivers of blood to flow across the world.

That it could nurture such a treasure was no wonder; the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a mythical clam of profound spiritual nature] was hailed as a Myth [a legendary, near-divine] immortal seed, so precious that even a Nine Heavens Immortal [an immortal of the highest celestial realms] would cherish it.

Consider that Nyssa Qu's cultivation was merely at Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the peak stage of the Nascent Soul realm]. If she were to advance to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core], the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl [a pearl of immense spiritual power condensed by the Immortal Clam] she condensed would surely be even more astonishing.

At this thought, Eldrin Chen's breath hitched once more. He could not help but glance at Nyssa Qu, wondering if he should try to persuade her to return with him.

Yet he swiftly suppressed the notion. This was but their first meeting, and her strength likely far surpassed his own. Whether through gentle persuasion or forceful means, any attempt would surely be futile. Official source: @udio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.