Chapter 950 : The Demigod's Gambit

With this thought, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards the direction of the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the vast, spiritually rich world east of the continent].

The Purple Realm [a legendary realm of profound cultivation] has produced at least hundreds of Immortal [beings who have ascended to a higher plane of existence], yet fewer than ten of their Immortal's Dao Heritage [the supreme cultivation legacies left by those ascended beings] remain to this day.

And among these Dao Lord Sacred Land [sanctuaries ruled by supreme cultivators known as Dao Lords], the true power to decide lies with the few Demigod Ancestor [ancient beings of immense power, half-step to godhood] residing within the Eight Trigrams Immortal Refining Formation [a legendary formation of immense power used to refine and contain celestial energies].

"Whether I can persuade those Demigod Ancestor may very well be the key to my own ascension to the Dao."

"It seems the matter of the Extraterrestrial Demon God's [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world] Second Nascent Soul [a powerful, independent spiritual avatar cultivated by high-level practitioners] should be resolved with haste."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, then shook his head after a moment.

Although his current strength had already stepped into the ranks of the Immortal Rank, he still lacked absolute confidence in suppressing the Extraterrestrial Demon God's Second Nascent Soul. Some preparations were still necessary.

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Eldrin Chen rose to his feet. "Setting other matters aside," he declared, "among the various Sacred Land of the Eastern Wastelands [a vast, spiritually potent yet perilous region], the Star Palace [an ancient and venerable sect] possesses the most ancient lineage. I shall pay them a visit."

His resolve firm, Eldrin Chen journeyed directly to the Star Palace, arriving not long after within the Star Ancient Domain [the ancient, star-aligned territory governed by the Star Palace].

Given Eldrin Chen's current status and prestige, the Star Palace naturally dared not show the slightest discourtesy. The Star Palace Master received him with exceptional courtesy. Dive deeper into the Dao at audi novel.com.

The two sat facing each other on Guest-Welcoming Peak, and Eldrin Chen was the first to speak. "It has been several hundred years. Your cultivation has advanced considerably, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]. This is truly a cause for celebration."

"You flatter me. What are my meager gains compared to your own?"

Star Palace Master waved a hand dismissively, yet a trace of genuine delight colored his expression.

It turned out that not long ago, Star Palace Master's Mana [the refined spiritual energy used to cast spells and techniques] had seen significant progress, allowing him to break through to the Ninth Layer Nascent Soul realm.

Upon reflection, this was only to be expected. More than ten thousand years had passed since Star Palace Master first attained the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement beyond the Nascent Soul stage] realm, and he had broken through to the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage roughly four thousand eight hundred years ago.

Even as far back as the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, over one thousand six hundred years prior, his cultivation had already been nearing the threshold of the Ninth Layer Nascent Soul.

Although the subsequent destruction of his physical body had delayed his cultivation for a time, he had still managed to cultivate his way to the Ninth Layer Nascent Soul.

At this stage, Star Palace Master's Primordial Spirit, Mana, and physical body had all reached the pinnacle possible within the mortal world. The next steps would require Comprehending Laws [the profound understanding of the fundamental principles that govern reality], cultivating an Immortal Physique [a body refined to near-immortal perfection], or condensing a Dao Fruit [the ultimate crystallization of one's cultivation path and comprehension] to advance further.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen had already comprehended the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles of existence and cultivation], Star Palace Master could not help but sigh in admiration. "I have always considered myself a man of exceptional talent. Yet, compared to you, I find myself feeling rather dull-witted."

"Hold fast to your true heart. There is no need for such doubts."

Eldrin Chen spoke with serene detachment, then broached the main matter: "My purpose in seeking you is to request the legacy cultivation arts of the Star Palace."

Legacy cultivation arts were a matter of grave importance. Eldrin Chen did not beat around the bush, stating his intent directly.

Upon hearing this, the Star Palace Master paced back and forth for a long while, his expression turning profoundly solemn. "Your path, esteemed one, is intertwined with the tribulations of the Purple Realm. In principle, we should offer our full assistance," he said.

"However, our Star Palace lineage inherits the Dao traditions of the Seven Star Lords. These Immortal-grade cultivation arts are the very foundation of our Star Palace heritage."

"Even I, as the Star Palace Master, am permitted to cultivate only one of these paths. Moreover, such foundational Immortal scriptures have never been permitted to be transmitted outside our sect…"

Seeing the Star Palace Master's apparent inclination to refuse, Eldrin Chen could not help but frown slightly.

A moment later, the furrow in his brow eased. He maintained his calm demeanor as he spoke again. "Your words are not without merit. Yet, gathering various Immortal scriptures holds significant utility for me."

"Then let it be thus…"

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before continuing. "I can swear a solemn oath: I will not cultivate the scripture myself. I seek only to study its text for enlightenment, and I vow never to transmit it to another."

"Not to cultivate, and not to transmit?"

The Star Palace Master's brow twitched slightly, a flicker of genuine interest seeming to stir within him.

Eldrin Chen did not intend to cultivate the scriptures themselves; he merely wished to borrow and study them, seeking to absorb their quintessential essence as 'nourishment' and 'fodder' to nurture his own Dao Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path] and Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles and truths of the Great Dao].

Coupled with his willingness to swear an oath not to disseminate them, from this perspective, the risk of the Star Palace's immortal scriptures being leaked was exceedingly minuscule.

This was fundamentally different from an outright exchange of cultivation arts. Once a cultivation art is traded away, others could then practice the Star Palace's peerless immortal scriptures and could even use them as a foundation to establish their own Sect [a formal organization of cultivators] and legacy.

Having reached this understanding, a trace of genuine temptation also surfaced in the Star Palace Master's expression.

After a moment of silent contemplation, he spoke, "If it is merely for your personal study, without cultivating the techniques or Divine Ability [supernatural powers derived from profound cultivation] contained within, then it is indeed negotiable. However, I wonder what you are willing to offer in exchange." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio–novel.com.

Seeing the Star Palace Master's agreement, Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "If you consent, I am willing to offer two Nirvana Immortal Apricot [a legendary fruit said to grant a form of rebirth or profound healing] in exchange."

"It seems you have discerned precisely what I need,"

the Star Palace Master remarked with a wry smile, unable to suppress a series of rueful headshakes.

Within the Star Palace, there were currently four Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a realm beyond the Nascent Soul] Star Lords. Among these four, both the Star Palace Master and Dubhe, the Star Lord were nearing the end of their natural lifespans in this incarnation.

To extend their lifespans once more, they would require the priceless Nirvana Immortal Apricot [a legendary fruit said to grant rebirth and longevity].

Currently, within the Purple Realm [a vast and powerful cultivation domain], only the lineage of the Lin Immortal Clan possesses a Nirvana Immortal Apricot Tree [the divine tree that bears the Nirvana Immortal Apricot]. Furthermore, it bears fruit only once every three Millennium [a cycle of one thousand years], a yield utterly insufficient for distribution among the many Nascent Soul Dao Lord [powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] of the Purple Realm.

If he, the Star Palace Master, could obtain a Nirvana Immortal Apricot from Eldrin Chen, he could be reborn into a new life, regaining the full ten-thousand-year lifespan peak of a Ninth Layer Nascent Soul [the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul cultivation stage].

At that point, he might even have a chance to break through to the Half-Immortal Realm [a demi-godlike state between mortal and immortal], grasping a slender thread of hope for Ascend to Immortal Eternity [the ultimate goal of transcending mortality to become an eternal immortal].

How could this not stir the heart of the Star Palace Master? Yet, after a moment of pensive silence, he finally spoke: "Two Nirvana Immortal Apricot are indeed of immeasurable value. However, they are still not enough to grant access to the seven volumes of our Star Lord heritage."

"Oh?" A flicker passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes as he could not help but ask, "What else does the esteemed lord desire?"

The Star Palace Master did not answer immediately. Instead, he leisurely poured more tea for Eldrin Chen. "My Star Palace lineage has seven Star Lords, yet for tens of thousands of years, the Seven Stars Return to Position [a celestial alignment and formation of great power] has remained incomplete."

"I wish to ask for your assistance, to lend your strength so that our seven Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest stage of cultivation before immortality] Star Lords may finally return to their rightful positions."

"The Seven Stars Return to Position?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. After a moment's consideration, he nodded. "If seven Primordial Spirit Star Lords were to assume their positions, you could activate the Big Dipper Seven Stars Grand Formation [a supreme formation based on the constellation Ursa Major], creating a decisive trump card for the entire Purple Realm."

"Even had you not spoken of this endeavor, I would have lent you my aid."

"Take these Six-Six Return to Origin Pill [a legendary elixir that harmonizes and returns one's essence to its primordial state]."

As he spoke, he retrieved three Treasure Pill [a general term for high-grade, wondrous elixirs] from his sleeve and handed them to Star Palace Master.

Star Palace Master accepted the pills, a flicker of delight crossing his features. "I have long heard tales of these Six-Six Return to Origin Pill," he said. "To behold them now, their reputation is indeed well-earned."

As the master of the Star Palace, he was well-acquainted with the legends surrounding the Six-Six Return to Origin Pill.

It was said that Eldrin Chen had refined these pills by combining the Fire-Sun Divine Thunder Immortal Apricot [a celestial fruit imbued with solar and thunder essence] with the Profound Water Immortal Pear [a mystical pear containing profound water energy]. The resulting Treasure Pill possessed wondrous and manifold uses.

For a Nascent Soul Cultivators [a cultivator who has formed their nascent soul, the embryonic form of their spirit], consuming one could vastly strengthen their foundation and Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and stable base of one's cultivation], increasing their chances of a breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a higher state of being] realm by at least twenty percent. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel*com.