Chapter 700 : The Grand Barter Convention

"The fact that your Chen Clan can host this Barter Convention is, in truth, a tacit acknowledgment of your clan's standing by everyone."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen then said, "The manpower at Virtuous Peak is likely still insufficient. I shall arrange for some personnel to assist."

Upon departing from Magnus the Virtuous's Cultivation Cave, Eldrin Chen immediately began preparations for this Barter Convention.

He first returned to his clan, gathering over one hundred Golden Core Cultivators. He also summoned Silas and Ethan among others to Heaven's Spine Mountains to begin arranging the Barter Convention, sending out Invitation Letters to the various major Nascent Soul Immortal Clans.

He also prepared the unique local products of Ji Continent and The Vast Sea in abundance, intending to open a grand market fair during the Barter Convention to create a market for the many treasures from both regions.

Thus, time flowed swiftly amidst the busyness, and soon the day of the Barter Convention arrived.

Half a year before the Barter Convention commenced, Nascent Soul True Lords began arriving one after another at Heaven's Spine Mountains, joined by a great multitude of Golden Core Cultivators who came hoping to seize this opportunity to purchase items such as the Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm].

As the time for the Barter Convention drew near, several esteemed and powerful figures finally made their appearance. Among them were seven mighty personages at or above the Nascent Soul Late Stage, including Maris the Sea Steader, Desolate Wilderness Daoist, and Nine Rivers Daoist.

After the trials of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great war against demonic forces], Eldrin Chen was no longer the newly-advanced Nascent Soul cultivator fresh from obscurity.

Now, looking across the Three Veins Ancient Domain, many were Fellow Daoists who had fought side by side a century ago. Who among them did not know of Eldrin Chen? Experience the full epic at audio_novel.com.

Even among the other Human Race Ancient Domain across the Eastern Wastelands, most Nascent Soul True Lord were now familiar with the name Eldrin Chen.

Now, every Nascent Soul True Lord attending the Barter Convention felt compelled to regard Eldrin Chen with a measure of respect, whether they had met him before or not.

On this day, while Eldrin Chen was hosting Nine Rivers Daoist, a magnificent and resplendent carriage came into view, drawn forward with impossible grace.

The carriage was pulled by three Fire Simurgh, each one possessing cultivation at the Nascent Soul Realm.

"Who approaches, that they would have Demon Emperor as mere beasts of burden?"

"Such an extravagant display. Could it be a Nascent Soul Dao Lord?"

Many of the gathered Nascent Soul True Lord were startled, expressions shifting to surprise and wariness.

Eldrin Chen's own expression grew solemn. The newcomer was utterly unfamiliar to him, a figure he did not recognize at all.

It was Nine Rivers Daoist, with his broader experience, whose face shifted slightly in recognition. "This person is a True Lord from the Guyuan Mountain Range. It is no surprise you have not met him."

"It's him!"

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly as he grasped the likely origins of this individual.

To speak of the Ancient Plains Mountain Range, one must inevitably mention the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

As its name implies, the Three Veins Ancient Domain derives its title from three great mountain ranges: the Heaven's Spine Mountains, the Azure Simurgh Mountain Range, and that very Ancient Plains Mountain Range.

These three mountain ranges are all supreme Earth Vein [powerful spiritual energy currents within the earth] of Quasi-Sixth Rank potency, and each is counted among the Thirty-Six Famous Mountains and Great Rivers of the Eastern Wastelands.

Of these, the dragon soul [the spiritual essence of a land's dragon vein] of the Heaven's Spine Mountains was long ago devoured by the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor, and later occupied by Magnus the Virtuous—this much is common knowledge.

The Azure Simurgh Mountain Range was once the site where an Azure Simurgh Demon Progenitor achieved its Dao [attained enlightenment and immense power]; it now lies in the hands of the Feathered Pavilion and remains one of the paramount Sacred Land [places of immense spiritual power and significance] within the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

As for the Ancient Plains Mountain Range, it is in no way inferior to the other two, being home to a truly magnificent Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan whose members cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm].

This lineage is known as the Fang Clan of the Ancient Plains. The Fang Clan of the Ancient Plains boasts a full twenty-six Nascent Soul True Lord, and its Clan Lord, Orin Fang, is one of the mere five Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivators on the cusp of the Primordial Spirit realm] in the entire Three Veins Ancient Domain.

It can be said that for many years, the strength of the Fang Clan of the Ancient Plains has firmly ranked within the top three powers of the Three Veins Ancient Domain, second only to the Heaven's Profound Sect with its over forty Nascent Soul True Lord, and is a match even for the Feathered Pavilion.

In the recent battle of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, among the five Half-Step Primordial Spirit, Maris the Sea Steader, the Feathered Pavilion Master, and Xuanxu the Daoist all threw their full might into the fray.

The Heaven's Profound Sect Sect Master had passed away in meditation before the great calamity, yet his sect could be said to have fought in this war with every ounce of its strength.

Only the Gu Yuan Fang Clan had not contributed a single soldier, instead offering a vast quantity of rare treasures in exchange.

Seeing that the newcomer was Orin Fang, the Clan Lord of the Gu Yuan Fang Clan, Eldrin Chen could not help but frown, his gaze turning slightly cold as he said:

"I heard that a century ago, to avoid conscription, the Fang Clan paid a tax of over three billion Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Do they still have funds to purchase treasures?"

Nine Rivers Daoist shook his head, smiling bitterly. "The Guyuan Mountain Range is a treasure land rarely seen under heaven, boasting a full three large Spirit Stone Mines [major veins of Spirit Stone deposits]. A tax of over three billion Spirit Stones merely represents their output from three to four hundred years."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's heart trembled slightly. Though the Chen Clan's current strength ranked within the top ten of the Eastern Wastelands, they did not possess a single large Spirit Stone Mine. Original English translation available at audio-novel-dot-com.

Within the entire Three Veins Ancient Domain, there were only six large Spirit Stone Mines. The Feathered Pavilion occupied one, the Heaven's Profound Sect occupied another, and the remaining one was divided among several powerful Immortal Clans [clans with a long history of cultivating Immortals].

For this Fang Clan to possess three large Spirit Stone Mines... they were practically drowning in wealth. No wonder they could have three Nascent Soul Demon Emperors [demonic beasts equivalent to human Nascent Soul cultivators] pull their carriage.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen could not help but remark, "Three large mineral veins... and none of the Immortal Clans in the Eastern Wastelands could claim a share?"

"A Millennium [a period of one thousand years] ago, the Feathered Pavilion and several other major powers once joined forces to exert pressure. Unfortunately, they ultimately failed."

Nine Rivers Daoist shook his head, a bitter smile gracing his lips. "That Gu Yuan Fang Clan is a branch lineage of the Fang Clan, a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan from the Central Continent. Their Clan Lord, Fang Xuan, has lived for several Millennium and still holds some influence within the main branch of the Fang Clan."

"Thus, they possess certain Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and resilient foundational strength] inherited from their Nascent Soul Immortal Clan origins. I fear even Maris the Sea Steader himself might find it difficult to subdue them if he were to act personally."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen frowned. "To possess such formidable power yet refuse to fight for the Human Race, choosing instead to hide in the shadows and preserve their strength... it is truly contemptible."

As the two conversed, the three Fire Simurgh [mythical firebirds] pulling the carriage drew near.

The carriage halted close by. A corner of its curtain was lifted, revealing a white-haired youth with a face as fair as jade who cast a glance at Eldrin Chen.

He did not alight, merely offering a placid smile. "You must be the renowned Abyssal Daoist. I did not expect you personally to receive me. Your courtesy is noted."

With those words from the youth, the Fire Simurgh did not linger, continuing their flight toward Virtuous City.

"Clan Uncle, this person is merely at the Nascent Soul, Early Stage and dares to show us such disrespect. I wish to teach him a lesson."

Beside him, Ethan Chen, his gaze turning icy, moved as if to intercept the departing carriage, but was stopped by Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen shook his head, his voice calm and measured. "A guest is still a guest. As hosts, it is unbecoming for us to show anger. Any... matters can be addressed another day."

Though he spoke thus, a glint of coldness remained in Eldrin Chen's gaze.

The disparity between Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator's soul takes form] cultivators was immense. An ordinary Nascent Soul, Early Stage cultivator, upon meeting a Nascent Soul Late Stage [the peak stage of the Nascent Soul realm] mighty one, would have to bow their head and act with deference. For such a mighty figure to even deign to speak to you was considered a mark of high regard.

Yet now, even Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the verge of forming their Primordial Spirit] Ancient Ancestor [a venerable, high-ranking elder] would address myself as a brother. For a mere Nascent Soul, Early Stage cultivator to see myself and not even descend from his carriage, daring to speak to myself from a position of lofty superiority—such arrogance truly knew no bounds.

Seeing this, the nearby Nine Rivers Daoist hurriedly interjected, "This man is named Jareth Fang, the son of Orin Fang, the Clan Lord [the ruling patriarch of a clan] of the Fang Clan."

"He fancies himself a scion of a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a powerful clan founded by a Nascent Soul cultivator] and carries himself with excessive pride. Brother Eldrin, the Abyss [a title for Eldrin Chen], please pay him no mind."

"Brother Ronan worries too much,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "If it were his father, Orin Fang, I might afford him a measure of seriousness. But a newly ascended Nascent Soul junior? He is not worth my anger."

Ethan Chen immediately stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute. "Uncle Eldrin, you may tolerate this, but I cannot."

"I, too, have only recently ascended to the Nascent Soul realm. Once the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for trade and exchange among cultivators] concludes, I shall seek him out for a friendly spar." This novel is serialized on audi novel.com. Visit for updates.