Chapter 699 : The Third Lifebound Divine Ability

However, Eldrin Chen did not stop there. He integrated this Divine Ability into his Nascent Soul [the spiritual embryo formed after the Golden Core stage], fusing it to become his third Lifebound Divine Ability [a divine ability intrinsically linked to a cultivator's life force and cultivation base].

"Hmmm—"

As this Divine Ability merged with Eldrin Chen's Great Luo Nascent Soul [a supreme-grade Nascent Soul foundation], it was immediately nourished by the Great Luo Nascent Soul's feedback.

Under this nourishing feedback, strands of Dao Patterns [inscrutable patterns embodying fundamental principles of the Dao] were born within, refining it to an astonishingly profound level.

Although it still fell short of becoming a Sixth Rank Pure Yang Divine Ability [a divine ability of the highest purity and power, aligned with the Pure Yang principle], Eldrin Chen sensed its power far surpassed that of ordinary Quasi-Pure Yang Divine Ability [divine abilities approaching Pure Yang grade]. It was but a single leap away from that transcendent threshold.

By his estimation, once he cultivated to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, this Divine Ability would likely be elevated to the realm of a Pure Yang Divine Ability through the continued feedback from his origin and his own diligent refinement.

This was truly remarkable. Generally, even among Ancient Ancestor at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit stage, aside from rare Heaven's Chosen like Dorian Ji and Qing the True Lord, few could cultivate a Divine Ability of such a grade.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen gazed upon this Lifebound Divine Ability and murmured to himself, "This Divine Ability is born of Heavenly Secrets Divine Ability [a divine ability derived from comprehending heavenly mysteries], and it merges the strengths of three great paths: the Great Derivation Heaven Art, the Yin-Yang Annihilation God-Slaying Curse, and the Stellar Glazed Body [a supreme-grade spiritual root constitution]."

"Let it be named... 'Great Derivation Yin-Yang Stellar Dao'."

Having fused the 'Great Derivation Yin-Yang Stellar Dao', a wave of profound satisfaction washed over Eldrin Chen. Official source: https://audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

A Great Luo Nascent Soul [the pinnacle form of the Nascent Soul, capable of integrating multiple supreme abilities] can integrate four Lifebound Divine Ability [supreme innate abilities that grow with a cultivator's soul]. He had already successively integrated the Five-Colored Divine Radiance, the Five-Colored Divine Thunder, and now this 'Great Derivation Yin-Yang Stellar Dao' [a divine ability that manipulates the fundamental forces of Yin, Yang, and the stars]. Only one final Lifebound Divine Ability remained to achieve perfection.

He had been contemplating that final Divine Ability for many years. However, such a Divine Ability was far too earth-shattering and profound; mastering it would be no easy feat.

"By my reckoning, this seclusion has lasted over forty years. It is time to emerge."

Suppressing his thoughts, Eldrin Chen gathered his belongings and stepped out from the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for deep, undisturbed cultivation].

Only then did Eldrin Chen realize that Lyra Jiang had already concluded her own seclusion.

Having been apart for many years, they missed each other dearly. They reunited beneath the Spirit Peach Tree [a mystical tree bearing fruit imbued with spiritual energy].

Seeing the joy in his expression, Lyra Jiang could not help but ask, "It seems your seclusion bore significant fruit."

"Indeed. I have comprehended a new Lifebound Divine Ability,"

Eldrin Chen said with a smile, explaining the situation to Lyra Jiang before inquiring, "And what of your own seclusion? How did you fare?"

"It proceeded smoothly enough."

Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] nodded. This time, her secluded cultivation had lasted just over one Jiazi-time [a sixty-year cycle]. Having successively refined the Water Origin Divine Jade [a divine jade containing the primordial essence of water] and the Fire Source Divine Jade [a divine jade containing the primordial essence of fire], her gains were naturally immense.

Not only had her Mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators] increased by thirty percent, but she had also comprehended two types of esoteric power: the Heavenly Water Arcane Force [a profound water-based power capable of manifesting heavenly waters] from among the Water Element Esoteric Power [the category of secret powers derived from the water element], and the True Flame [a pure and potent flame cultivation art] from among the Fire Element Arcane Force [the category of secret powers derived from the fire element].

It is said that cultivating the Heavenly Water Arcane Force to its ultimate limit can lead to the comprehension of the Heavenly Unity True Water Law [the supreme law of water that unites with the heavens], while mastering the True Flame to its peak allows one to ascend to immortality through the Samadhi True Fire Law [the ultimate law of a trance-like, unquenchable true fire].

That Lyra Jiang could comprehend these two astonishing esoteric powers meant both her Mana and her combat prowess had received a tremendous boost. Her strength now ranked among the powerful even within the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm], and she was not far from matching those at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the great perfection stage of the Nascent Soul realm].

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen [the Abyssal Emperor Eldrin] said with delight, "My lady, wielding two such esoteric powers simultaneously greatly increases your chances of a future breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm beyond Nascent Soul]. Your path forward has indeed become much smoother."

Lyra Jiang also showed pleasure, but then spoke again, "By the way, calculating the time, the first Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade rare resources] since the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the great calamity that erupted from the Demonic Abyss] is about to be held in the Three Veins Ancient Domain [the ancient domain of the three spiritual veins]."

"This Barter Convention will be held at the Heaven's Spine Mountains [a majestic mountain range said to be the spine of the heavens]. We should go and see it."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded. In the blink of an eye, a full century had passed since the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm.

After a hundred years of recuperation and cultivation, among the Nascent Soul Cultivators [cultivators who have formed a Nascent Soul] who participated in that war, many besides those most grievously wounded had recovered from their injuries and emerged from seclusion. It was indeed time to convene a Barter Convention.

The great battle of those years reshaped the landscape of the Eastern Wilderness. The Heaven's Profound Sect of the Three Veins Ancient Domain never recovered from that blow and now merely clings to survival, sheltered by their Spirit Mountain.

After the fall of Xuanxu the Daoist, the Mysterious Void Continent also entered a period of decline. As for the Feathered Pavilion Master, his physical form was destroyed, and he remains in seclusion even now, laboring to reconstruct his fleshly body.

Counting them all, the Heaven's Spine Mountains, where Magnus the Virtuous resides, has surprisingly become one of the most powerful peak forces within the Three Veins Ancient Domain. Thus, the honor of hosting the first Barter Convention fell to Virtuous Peak.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "For the past century, we have either been in secluded cultivation or recovering from injuries. It is time we emerged to understand the new order of the Eastern Wastelands in the wake of the great calamity."

Given the proximity, even though the Barter Convention was still a year away, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang arrived at the Heaven's Spine Mountains ahead of time.

Yet, the moment they set foot in the Heaven's Spine Mountains, Eldrin Chen was summoned by Magnus the Virtuous. Upon seeing Eldrin, Magnus smiled and stated, "My injuries are not yet fully healed, so it is not convenient for me to emerge for this Barter Convention." Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.

"Therefore, I wish to entrust the hosting of this Barter Convention to you."

Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this and replied with a smile, "Rest assured, True Lord. I can handle this matter."

In truth, Magnus entrusting him with the Barter Convention was an expected outcome.

Magnus the Virtuous was a Rogue Cultivator. Although he had many disciples, their numbers were truly insignificant compared to the hundreds of thousands, even millions, of cultivators that typically formed the base of a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan or a major Sect.

With such a small number of disciples and followers, how could it be easy to nurture a Nascent Soul True Lord?

Even though Magnus the Virtuous has personally cultivated my few disciples, currently there are only two Nascent Soul True Lord under my tutelage. One of them only broke through to the Nascent Soul realm a few decades ago.

With merely two Nascent Soul, Early Stage cultivators, hosting a Barter Convention of this magnitude would simply lack the necessary prestige. Only the reputation and renown of Eldrin Chen could command the respect required for such an event.

"Your status is no longer what it once was. You need only host the Fellow Daoist of Nascent Soul Late Stage. For the ordinary attendees, let Verdant Spirit and Qingxuan handle the courtesies."

Thus spoke Magnus the Virtuous, then added with a smile, "Once the matter is concluded, you shall take half of the commission."

"How could that be acceptable?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback and hastily waved his hands in refusal.

Hosting a Barter Convention is a rare and grand occasion. As the organizer, one receives a commission from the proceedings.

Though this commission might seem modest at a glance, this involves the transactions of over a hundred Nascent Soul True Lord, representing over a hundred Nascent Soul Immortal Clan in the background. The treasures traded are supreme artifacts of Fifth Rank and above.

The sum of this commission is astronomically vast. Even if Eldrin Chen were to take only half, he would likely receive treasures worth over one billion Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. This would equal the total income from three centuries of meticulous management of all the Spirit Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] and other industries of the Chen Clan.

Moreover, this was essentially pure profit. The Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] earned by the Chen Clan from their Spirit Vein [a geographical formation that naturally gathers and emits spiritual energy] still had to cover stipends for the entire extended family of cultivators, not to mention the significant initial investment costs.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's polite refusal, Magnus the Virtuous chuckled and said, "This old man is but a mere Rogue Cultivator [an independent cultivator not affiliated with a major clan or sect]. Virtuous Peak has only three Nascent Soul [the stage of cultivation where a cultivator forms a spiritual infant within their dantian] cultivators. Generally, we lack the capacity to host a Barter Convention [a large-scale gathering where cultivators trade rare resources and treasures]." The story continues at www . audio-novel.com.