Chapter 878 : The Blossom of Enlightenment

"You have labored diligently these years, Fellow Daoist, guarding the Vast Sea [the vast and boundless ocean realm]."

Eldrin Chen offered a greeting with a smile, then strode towards the location of the Path Hearing Blossom Tree [a legendary spiritual tree whose blossoms aid in comprehending the profound truths of cultivation].

Upon arriving before the Path Hearing Blossom Tree, the group discovered that three magnificent and uniquely beautiful flowers had already bloomed upon its branches.

"Path Hearing Blossoms."

Eldrin Chen murmured, a look of pleasant surprise coloring his expression.

This Path Hearing Blossom Tree had long since reached the Sixth Rank [a high tier of spiritual plant maturity] and possessed a Primordial Solar Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of the highest purity, akin to the primal sun]. It was a supreme treasure once held by the Eastern Sea Azure Dragon [the mighty dragon sovereign of the Eastern Sea].

However, after the fall of the Eastern Sea Azure Dragon, the Mysterious Tortoise Patriarch [an ancient and powerful demonic tortoise] damaged its roots during transplantation. Further compounded by a grievous wound from the Patriarch's final, hatred-filled strike as it perished, the tree was pushed to the brink of death.

Now, after centuries of nurturing by the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [the primordial violet energy of creation] and careful recuperation, the Path Hearing Blossom Tree had finally made a complete recovery.

The restored Path Hearing Blossom Tree would now produce three Path Hearing Blossom [the miraculous flowers of the Path Hearing Tree] every millennium. These blossoms possessed wondrous efficacy in aiding cultivators to comprehend their Arcane Power [profound supernatural abilities derived from deep understanding of the Dao].

If an Infant Soul Cultivator [a cultivator at the Infant Soul stage, the realm following the Golden Core] obtained one, their chances of comprehending an Arcane Power would increase to at least fifty percent. Furthermore, their likelihood of a successful breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the Primordial Spirit stage, where one's spiritual core manifests independently] in the future would be greatly enhanced. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel . com.

It could be said that with this treasure, Eldrin Chen was even confident he could nurture one or two more Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit realm and established their own unique cultivation path].

However, even so, Eldrin Chen did not intend to give it to an Infant Soul Cultivator [a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage, where the nascent soul is formed] for their use.

He plucked the three Path Hearing Blossom [a mystical flower that enhances one's ability to perceive and comprehend the fundamental laws of cultivation] and handed them to Exquisite Jiang. "These Path Hearing Blossom possess profound and extraordinary properties," he said. "If you can harness their power, there might still be a sliver of a chance for you to comprehend a fifth Arcane Power [a profound supernatural ability derived from deep understanding of the Dao]."

"A fifth Arcane Power..."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of excitement passed through Exquisite Jiang's eyes.

Before her breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement in power and longevity] realm, she had already mastered four Arcane Power, with only the final one not yet fully comprehended.

After reaching the Primordial Spirit realm, the difficulty of comprehending new Arcane Power had increased dramatically. Achieving mastery over five was an endeavor fraught with immense hardship.

Fortunately, her lifespan was now vast, and with the aid of these Path Hearing Blossom, there remained a glimmer of hope that she might one day grasp that fifth Arcane Power.

And once she mastered a fifth Arcane Power, her power would undergo a qualitative leap. While she might not rival Eldrin Chen who could contend with those at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the final phase of the Primordial Spirit realm], her strength would undoubtedly become formidable.

Such a crucial treasure for one's path to immortality was not something to be declined lightly.

Exquisite Jiang [the Immortal Maiden of Exquisite Jade] gathered the three Path Hearing Blossom [a rare spiritual flower that enhances one's perception of the Dao] and then looked towards the Vast Sea [a vast and ancient sea region] Water Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated water spiritual energy] and said, "Judging by the situation, the Water Vein of the Vast Sea is also on the verge of advancing its rank."

"Indeed," Nyssa Qu [the Immortal Maiden of the Rainbow Skirt] nodded with a gentle smile. "The Water Essence Power [the fundamental water-based spiritual power of the region] of the Vast Sea has long been sufficient to support the Water Vein in advancing to the Sixth Rank [a high level of power and purity for a spiritual object]."

"Now that this Path Hearing Blossom Tree [the parent tree from which the Path Hearing Blossoms are harvested] has recovered, the advancement should be completed within a century."

"That is good news."

Eldrin Chen [the Sword Immortal of the Returning Abyss] revealed a pleased smile and spoke, "I am grateful for your efforts, Immortal Maiden."

Having obtained the Path Hearing Blossom, Eldrin Chen had no desire to linger. He prepared to return to the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a sea of perpetual, mystical flames] to begin refining the Primordial Solar Elixir [a supreme-grade elixir that embodies the essence of the primordial sun].

However, before he could depart, a Ghost General [a high-ranking commander among spectral beings] clad in Netherworld Armor [armor forged from the essence of the underworld] strode forward. The general bowed respectfully and said, "Please stay your steps, honored one. My Patriarch [the venerable leader of our lineage] requests your presence."

"Oh?"

A flicker of thought passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. Without further ado, he followed the Ghost General deep into the bowels of the earth.

After the Verdant Seal Patriarch [the ancient patriarch who cultivated the Verdant Seal legacy] had transitioned to the path of a Ghost Immortal [an immortal who has chosen to cultivate through the ghostly or spectral Dao], he had relocated his abode to the profound depths beneath the earth, in a realm countless tens of thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] below the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

The two of them descended along Celestial Dome Island for an untold number of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] before finally arriving within a Netherworld Underworld Court and meeting Verdant Seal Patriarch, who was cultivating there.

This was a space suffused with Yin energy [the dark, cold, and passive aspect of cosmic energy], filled everywhere with Faith Power and the supremely Yin and frigid aura of ghosts. Countless Wandering Soul [restless spirits of the dead], Netherworld Soldier [soldiers of the underworld], and Ghost General [generals of the ghostly legions] dwelled within, making it resemble a veritable hell.

At the core of this world stood Verdant Seal Patriarch, clad in a verdant imperial robe and crowned with the Nine Profundities Gilded Crown. His tall, straight figure stood there, majestic as a Netherworld Great Emperor [a supreme ruler of the underworld] presiding over one of the Nine Nether Abysses [the nine deepest hells].

"You have come."

Verdant Seal Patriarch cast a calm glance at Eldrin Chen and gave a slight nod as he spoke.

Eldrin Chen nodded in return and stepped forward through the air, yet a flicker of surprise stirred within him. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel .c om.

In this moment, he actually sensed a thread of danger emanating from Verdant Seal Patriarch, which left him profoundly astonished.

For his current strength placed him among the true titans of the world. Aside from those at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Primordial Spirit realm], the number of beings who could make him feel threatened could be counted on one hand.

The fact that the Verdant Seal Path Master before him could evoke such a feeling indicated his power had likely approached the threshold of the Primordial Spirit Late Stage.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "Since dedicating yourself to the Ghost Path, Patriarch, your cultivation progress has been nothing short of miraculous."

"It was merely a convergence of fate and circumstance."

Verdant Seal Path Master offered a faint smile before speaking. "The Purple Seal Realm holds billions upon billions of living beings. The accumulated Faith Power [the power generated by the sincere belief and worship of mortals] is sufficient to sustain several Ghost Immortal [a powerful cultivator who has chosen the path of a spectral being, transcending mortality through spiritual essence rather than a physical body] Great Powers."

"Such a vast and mighty reservoir of Faith Power is now mine alone to command. Even if I can only utilize a fraction of it, it still constitutes an advantage bestowed by heaven itself."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

The Verdant Seal Path Master possessed talent that could startle immortals. In the past, he had created the Ascendant Immortal Vein-Forging Art [a profound technique that allows for the artificial creation and ascension of spiritual veins], capable of artificially elevating a spiritual vein into a Primordial Solar Ancestral Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual vein of immense power, akin to the source of the sun's energy].

Such earth-shattering, heaven-startling talent was perhaps not much inferior to that of the legendary Eastern Sovereign of old.

However, the path of cultivation is not determined by talent alone. Opportunity, resources, and one's inherent Fortune [a metaphysical measure of one's luck, destiny, and favorable circumstances] often play decisive roles in shaping a cultivator's ultimate Destiny [the predetermined course or ultimate fate of a being's existence].

The Verdant Seal Patriarch possessed talent that could awe immortals, yet his Fortune could not compare to that of his senior, the Patriarch. In the end, he fell beneath the Tribulation [the heavenly trials and calamities that test cultivators at key junctures of their advancement], a testament to his unfortunate fate.

Fortunately, his fortunes have now turned from extreme adversity to great prosperity. Since turning to the path of the Ghost Cultivator [a cultivator who forsakes the physical body to pursue immortality as a spectral entity], his journey has been smooth sailing.

When Eldrin Chen broke through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator, representing a major leap in power and longevity] realm a few centuries ago, Verdant Seal was only at the Primordial Spirit 4th Tier level. Yet now, after a mere two hundred years, he has astonishingly cultivated his way to the Primordial Spirit 5th Tier.

This cultivation speed could truly be described as utterly inconceivable, something even a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit stage and comprehended a Path] would not dare to imagine.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen spoke up, "Patriarch, you summoned me here. May I ask for what purpose?"

"It is for the Tribulation [the Heavenly Retribution that tests and punishes cultivators]!"

Verdant Seal Path Master did not hesitate and spoke immediately.

His expression was one of extreme gravity as he continued with a profound gaze, "For a Ghost Cultivator [a cultivator who practices the ghostly path, often after death] to cultivate within the Mortal Realm, it is fundamentally an act of defiance against Heaven's will, destined to incur its wrath."

"For a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core stage of cultivation] Ghost Cultivator like this old man, a minor tribulation strikes every hundred years, a Great Tribulation [a major, life-threatening Heavenly Retribution] descends every thousand years, and a death tribulation arrives every three thousand years."

Verdant Seal Patriarch explained methodically, his face etched with solemnity, "The power of a minor tribulation is no weaker than the Primordial Spirit Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the thunder tribulation faced when advancing to the Primordial Spirit stage], enough to annihilate a Primordial Spirit Path Lord. I still possess the capability to withstand it."

"The Great Tribulation arrives once a millennium. Its power is sufficient to slay even a great power at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage. Although my current combat prowess is not weak, I have no confidence in my ability to survive it."

Listening quietly until Verdant Seal Patriarch finished, Eldrin Chen quickly grasped the cause and effect, and an expression of profound gravity settled upon his features.

By cultivating the Ghost Immortal [the path of a ghost seeking immortality] path within the world of the living, Verdant Seal Patriarch had provoked the wrath of the very Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of the cosmos and cultivation] of Heaven and Earth. He was fated to endure layer upon layer of Tribulation. It was, one could say, a path of nine deaths for a single chance at life. Find this and other novels at audi novel.com.