Chapter 604 : A Journey Through Flaming Seas

Having resolved to forge the Star-Gazing Tower, Eldrin Chen wasted no time. The very next day, he set out to procure the Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a high-grade spiritual timber of immense rarity and power].

The information regarding this Fifth Rank Spirit Wood had been provided by Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal. This individual hailed from the Desolate Wilderness Sect, a Nascent Soul Great Sect [a major sect led by a Nascent Soul realm powerhouse] situated within the Desolate Continent.

The Desolate Wilderness Sect Master was a cultivator at the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier [the sixth stage of the Nascent Soul realm]. An old acquaintance of Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal for many years, he was keen to facilitate this transaction upon learning the Chen Clan sought to purchase Fifth Rank Spirit Wood.

The journey from the Ji Continent to the Desolate Continent was not overly distant. It required merely crossing the Heaven's Spine Mountains and then traversing the breadth of the Heavenly Abode Continent.

As the husband-and-wife pair, Eldrin Chen and his spouse, crossed the Heaven's Spine Mountains and entered the territory of the Tianlu Continent, they immediately sensed a palpable unease among the cultivators of the Heavenly Abode Continent. The number of practitioners frequenting the various marketplaces had dwindled significantly compared to usual.

Curious, they casually stopped a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a practitioner at the Foundation Establishment realm] and inquired, "What has transpired in the Heavenly Abode Continent? It feels as though the cultivator population has been halved."

"Are you seniors from beyond the Heavenly Abode Continent?"

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator looked surprised but answered respectfully, "Not long ago, the Flame Demon Race [a race of demons born of primordial fire] emerged from the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. Rumor speaks of several Flame Demon True Lord [powerful Flame Demon lords] whose might shakes the very heavens."

"Now, the Tianlu Sect has issued a Conscription Decree [a mandatory summons to arms], mobilizing the entire continent's strength to resist the Flame Demon Race."

"I see," they replied, understanding dawning. Experience the full epic at audio_novel.com.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, signaling for the person to withdraw, then said to Lyra Jiang, "Could that Flame Demon Race [a demonic race born from primordial flames] be connected to the Ignatius the Blazing Lord we vanquished in our youth?"

"It is difficult to say," Lyra Jiang shook her head, then continued, "We would need to see it for ourselves to be certain."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Ignatius the Blazing Lord was an Innate Spirit [a sentient being born directly from the essence of heaven and earth], and though it could not compare to the Innate Divine Spirit [primordial divine beings] spoken of in Myth [ancient legends], its origins were still extraordinary.

In contrast, the Flame Demon [demons born from demonic flames] were an Innate Demon Race [a demonic race born directly from the essence of the cosmos], representing a fundamentally different nature.

Yet, though they were distinct, both were beings born from flame, and perhaps shared certain similarities.

"If it truly is an Innate Demon Race, I fear the Tianlu Sect may not be able to quell this calamity on their own," Eldrin Chen said after a moment of contemplation.

After several moments of silent thought, Eldrin Chen sighed, yet he felt it was not his place to intervene.

Wherever an Innate Spirit could be born, a treasure of immense value was often present. This held true whether the place nurtured Flame Demon or a Crimson Flame Spirit.

Since the adversary had reached the True Lord Grade [the cultivation realm of a True Lord], it was highly likely that a supreme treasure of inestimable value even to a True Lord lay hidden behind this affair.

Thus, while the Flame Demon Race represented a calamity, it was also potentially a great opportunity. The fact that the Tianlu Sect had not sought their aid suggested they wished to keep the spoils of this opportunity for themselves.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Our most pressing task now is to refine the Star-Gazing Tower [a mystical tower used for celestial observation and divination] as swiftly as possible."

"As for this calamity of the Demonic Tribulation [a period of great upheaval and demonic incursion], if the Tianlu Sect cannot quell it, they will naturally seek our aid."

"Very well," Lyra Jiang nodded, then smiled. "That Tianlu Sect Master's Mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators] is impure. His last attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage still ended in failure. Now he desperately lacks resources for one final attempt. If we interfere rashly, it might do more harm than good."

Having said this, the two urged the Verdant Jade Phoenix Feather Ship [a flying vessel crafted from phoenix feathers and jade] onward toward the Desolate Continent. Before long, they arrived within its borders.

As one of the Hundred Provinces within the Three Veins Ancient Domain, the Desolate Continent qualifies as a major continent. It spans over ten million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] and is home to six Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a powerful natural nexus of spiritual energy].

These six Fifth Rank Spirit Vein are divided among three Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms their immortal soul] powers: the Nascent Soul Immortal Clan Lin Clan, the Ying Clan, and the Desolate Continent's dominant force, the Desolate Wilderness Sect.

Among these three powers, the Lin Clan and Ying Clan combined possess only three True Lord [a title for powerful Nascent Soul cultivators]. In stark contrast, the Desolate Wilderness Sect boasts a full eight Nascent Soul True Lord.

However, although the Desolate Wilderness Sect is formidable, it lacks any cultivator at the Nascent Soul Late Stage. It possesses only one Great Cultivator at the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier.

The two ascended Guest-Welcoming Peak and personally presented their visiting cards. Soon, three True Lord from the Desolate Wilderness Sect came forth to greet them.

The leader was naturally the Desolate Wilderness Sect Master. From across the void, he laughed heartily, "I have long heard of the renowned Eldrin, the Abyssal True Lord and the Heaven's Ruin Immortal Maiden [a title meaning 'Celestial Maiden of Heavenly Ruin']. To finally lay eyes upon Hugo today brings this old man immense joy."

"You are too courteous, Fellow Daoist."

Eldrin Chen returned the gesture with a cupped fist, speaking with humility.

After the customary pleasantries were exchanged, they each took their seats on Guest-Welcoming Peak. The Desolate Wilderness Sect Master personally poured tea for the two guests before smiling and saying, "I heard from Fellow Daoist Lingxu that you wish to purchase a stalk of Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a plant imbued with potent spiritual energy, suitable for crafting high-grade artifacts]."

"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 lack a suitable stalk of Fifth Rank Spirit Wood."

The Desolate Wilderness Sect Master chuckled, then adopted a serious expression. "Our Desolate Wilderness Sect does possess a stalk of Spirit Wood. However, its properties are rather unique and profound; it may not align with your intentions." This chapter is part of a larger work available at *audio-novel.com*.

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

"Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

Without further explanation, the Desolate Wilderness Sect Master led the two out from Desolate Wilderness Mountain.

The Desolate Continent held six Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [geographical formations where spiritual energy converges and concentrates], of which the Desolate Wilderness Sect occupied four. Their destination now was one of these four Spirit Vein sites—Divine Wood Mountain [a mountain named for its ancient, spiritually potent trees].

Upon arriving at Divine Wood Mountain, the group proceeded directly into the Fifth Rank Wood Vein within it. The moment they entered Divine Wood Mountain, Eldrin Chen finally understood the origin of the mountain's name, Divine Wood [a legendary type of spiritually potent wood].

At the very 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-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], truly qualifying as an exceedingly rare specimen of Divine Wood.

"A Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a primordial spiritual entity born from the convergence of celestial and terrestrial energies], a Spirit-Nourishing Divine Wood."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, recognizing the origin of that Divine Wood. The Spirit-Nourishing Divine Wood possessed the wondrous ability to nourish both the soul and the physical body, making it a priceless treasure for spiritual cultivation.

It was said that if such a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root reached the Sixth Rank, it would hold immense value even for a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul, a higher state of spiritual existence].

The one before them was only at the Fifth Rank Middle 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 Wilderness Sect Master chuckled before replying, "This Spirit-Nourishing Divine Wood is a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root. Its worth 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 faint smile. The value of this Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root Spirit-Nourishing Divine Wood [a divine wood that nourishes the spirit and soul] was truly inestimable. Merely breaking off a single branch could aid a cultivator in cultivating the Second Primordial Embryo [a profound technique to forge a second spiritual core or soul avatar]. How could any ordinary Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a high-grade spiritual plant of the fifth rank] possibly compare?

Seeing this, the Desolate Wilderness Sect Master pointed towards 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 divine wonder of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root, they still retain the effect of warming and nourishing the soul [the spiritual essence of a being]."

"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 Wilderness Sect Master waited for Eldrin Chen's reply.

Although the Soul-Nourishing Wood possessed its own marvels, its soul-warming effect might not be particularly useful for Eldrin Chen. If Eldrin Chen was unwilling to accept the increased price, it seemed this transaction might be missed. This novel is serialized on audio–novel.com. Visit for updates.