Chapter 767 : The Unyielding Fire Mulberry

"Patriarch!"

Before Nine Abyss Lu could finish speaking, Mystery Origin Lu abruptly cut him off.

Shaking his head with a faint smile, he stated, "Fellow Daoists, that Fire Mulberry Tree [a mystical tree whose leaves are the sole food for the Solar Fire Divine Silkworms] within our clan is the key to raising the Solar Fire Divine Silkworm [a rare, fire-attribute silkworm whose silk is prized for crafting enchanted fabrics]. It is absolutely not for sale."

"Fellow Daoist, would you not at least consider the price we offer?"

Eldrin Chen frowned slightly and spoke up quickly.

While the silk produced by the Solar Fire Divine Silkworm was indeed precious, it was primarily used to craft Fifth Rank Formation Flag [enchanted banners used to set up defensive or offensive arrays] and magical robes. For cultivators of the stature of Nine Abyss Lu and Mystery Origin Lu, such materials, while valuable, were not irreplaceable treasures. In principle, they should have been able to afford a purchase if the price was right.

Yet, Mystery Origin Lu shook his head once more, his tone resolute. "There is no need. This tree is a foundational pillar of our clan's legacy. How could we possibly sell it off so lightly?"

"If that is the case, we shall not impose further."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. In the end, he gave a resigned shake of his head, rose to his feet, and took his leave from the Lu Clan Path-Field [the Lu Clan's primary cultivation estate and ancestral lands].

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After the others had departed, the Nine Abyss Path Lord's complexion suddenly turned ashen.

His gaze turned icy as it fixed upon Mystery Origin Lu, and he spoke with a chilling edge to his voice, "The Sea-Calmer Path Master has already broken through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. Why did you choose to slight him over this?"

"The Fire Mulberry Tree is a treasured heirloom of our clan. How could we simply sell it off?"

Mystery Origin Lu's face paled, but he could only grit his teeth and reply.

"Foolish," the Nine Abyss Lu said coldly, his expression stern. "During the previous affair concerning the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, I, for your sake, allowed the Eastern Barrens Cultivation World to swallow a bitter pill in silence. The Sea-Calmer Path Master and the Returning Abyss faction must surely harbor deep resentment."

"I had hoped to use this opportunity to mend relations with them, but you, with a single word, rejected it outright. They will undoubtedly hold this grudge in their hearts."

Hearing this, Mystery Origin Lu's face grew even paler, yet he remained silent, his jaw clenched tight.

Seeing this, the Nine Abyss Lu continued, "Do not think I am blind to your thoughts. For a millennium, you have stood alongside the Sea-Calmer Path Master, yet you have always been overshadowed. Your pride was wounded, so you sought to trip him up."

"But your entire path has been paved by my support. He reached this height through his own strength alone. Now he has ascended to the realm of a Path Lord [a master of a profound cultivation path], while you have repeatedly failed in your own breakthroughs. You have only yourself to blame for your lack of progress."

Watching Mystery Origin Lu hang his head in silence, the Nine Abyss Path Lord felt his anger swell even further.

After a long while, Nine Abyss Lu finally took a deep breath. Considering that the person before him was, after all, the family's Primordial Spirit Seed [a cultivator on the verge of forming their Primordial Spirit core], his heart softened slightly. "If you truly cannot swallow this grievance," he said, "why not gather your resolve and make a breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and third major stage of a cultivator's existence] realm in one go?"

"......"

Eldrin Chen and the other three departed from the Lu family's Path-Field [a clan's primary spiritual cultivation estate]. Their expressions were uniformly grim.

The Sea-Calmer Path Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator associated with calming seas], having had his face publicly slighted, wore an unpleasant expression. "During that battle years ago," he said, his tone cold, "Nine Abyss Lu caused our fellow cultivators from the Southern Desolation Cultivation World [a vast, harsh region in the southern part of the cultivation world] to arrive a step too late. That delay led to the death of Brother Mystery Void."

"Still, to his credit, Nine Abyss Lu did exert considerable effort afterward. That is precisely why I swallowed my pride and specifically came to him to seek that treasure."

"But judging by his conduct today, it seems the Lu family and we are ultimately not on the same path. It appears I was the one pressing a warm face against a cold backside."

Eldrin Chen's expression was also dark. He glanced back at the Lu family Path-Field, a cold light flickering in his eyes. "Do not let it trouble you, Elder Brother," he said to the Path Lord. "It seems to me that Mystery Origin Lu has suffered a severe depletion of his vital essence [the foundational life force of a cultivator]. It is highly likely he recently failed in an attempt to break through to the Primordial Spirit realm."

"Our timing today was most unfortunate, and he has simply vented his resentment upon us. Today is meant to be a day of great celebration for your own breakthrough to Primordial Spirit. Why should we let his ill temper spoil our mood?"

"Hahaha! You speak true."

Upon hearing this, the Sea-Calmer Path Master [a senior cultivator with the title 'Sea-Calmer'] laughed heartily, a look of genuine relief and satisfaction washing over his features.

After that topic was concluded, Exquisite Jiang spoke up, "Since the Lu Clan cannot be relied upon, where shall we go next?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "On the journey back to the Path Palace Sacred Land, we will pass by the Path-Field of Solar Fire Path Master. Let us pay him a visit. If he does not have what we seek, then we shall have no choice but to proceed to the Path Palace Sacred Land to look."

"Very well," she agreed.

Sea-Calmer Path Master also nodded, a faint smile gracing his features.

Like Sea-Calmer Path Master, Solar Fire Path Master hailed from a background as a rogue cultivator. Though their interactions had not been frequent, they held a deep mutual respect for one another.

Five centuries prior, during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, they had fought side by side, forging bonds of considerable depth. They could be considered old acquaintances. Visit audi0-n0vel.c0m to enjoy the complete series.

The Primordial Solar Immortal Sword could traverse ten million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. After a fortnight of flight, they finally arrived at the Path-Field of Solar Fire Path Master.

The group's cultivation bases were formidable, and they made no effort to conceal their auras. Their presence shone as brilliantly as the sun itself, allowing Solar Fire Path Master to sense their approach from hundreds of thousands of Li-lengths away.

Recognizing the visitors, Solar Fire Path Master promptly flew out from his Path-Field to greet them with a smile. "Centuries have passed, yet your cultivation grows ever more profound," he said. "I see that Senior Sea-Calmer has already stepped onto the path ahead of this old man."

"You are too kind," came the modest reply.

Sea-Calmer smiled faintly and spoke courteously, "Sooner or later, we shall be fellow travelers on the same path. It is more fitting for us to interact as peers."

"Indeed, within the Southern Ridge Cultivation World, who has not heard of the illustrious reputation of Elder Brother Solar Fire?"

Eldrin Chen also replied politely, his words holding no falsehood.

This Solar Fire Path Master was also a man born with great Fortune. In the past, before the Seven Treasures Gourd Vine [a legendary spiritual plant] of the Purple Seal Realm withered, it bore seven precious gourds of crimson, orange, yellow, green, azure, blue, and violet hues. Among them was the Solar Fire Treasure Gourd [a gourd imbued with the essence of the primordial sun], which, by a twist of fate, fell into the hands of the Solar Fire Path Master.

This was a true Primordial Solar Spiritual Object [an artifact containing the primordial essence of the sun], harboring the Innate Solar Fire Path Pattern [the innate pattern of the solar flame's path]. The Solar Fire [flames of pure solar essence] it unleashed was something even a Path Lord [a cultivator who has mastered a fundamental path of power] of the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the primordial spirit, a high stage of cultivation] dared not face head-on, a testament to the immense Fortune [destiny, luck, and providence] that favored the Solar Fire Path Master.

Relying on the Solar Fire Treasure Gourd, the Solar Fire Path Master had journeyed from being a mere rogue cultivator to his present standing. His chances of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit realm in the future were likely even greater than those of Mystery Origin Lu.

"You flatter me. For this old man to break through to Primordial Spirit will not be an easy feat,"

the Solar Fire Path Master shook his head modestly. He courteously invited the group into the cloud realm of the Hinter Peaks before asking with a smile, "Fellow Daoists, what brings you here today?"

Eldrin Chen did not waste time and spoke directly, "I seek to acquire a fire-attributed Worldly Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of worldly grade, a foundation for cultivation]. I wish to ask Elder Brother Solar Fire to act as an intermediary."

"Oh?"

Solar Fire Path Master's eyes flickered slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke directly, "A fire-attributed Worldly Spiritual Root that also has the effect of regulating an Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy]... This old man does possess one such tree."

"However, this tree is exceedingly precious. I fear even a Quasi-Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a near-divine artifact of immense power] would not be enough to trade for it."

"Oh?"

A flicker of delight crossed Eldrin Chen's face. He then produced a jade box and handed it to Solar Fire Path Master, saying, "What do you think of this?"

"Spirit Nurturing Grass!"

Upon opening it, Solar Fire Path Master could not help but show a trace of astonishment. This Spirit Nurturing Grass was one of the key auxiliary ingredients for refining a Primordial Spirit Pill [a legendary pill that aids in the formation of a cultivator's Primordial Spirit].

This item had been obtained by Eldrin Chen after slaying the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor. Its value was truly inestimable, stirring a deep desire within Solar Fire Path Master.

"If I were to present this Spirit Nurturing Grass to the Path Palace Sacred Land, I would not only gain the qualification to purchase a Primordial Spirit Pill, but I could also acquire it at half the usual price."

"Yet, that precious tree is indeed extraordinarily rare..." Continue reading this story at audio-novel[dot]com.