Chapter 786 : A Summons from the Patriarch

Yet at this moment, Xinghong Chen was gripped by a profound tension, for the person he was about to meet was none other than the Chen Clan Patriarch, who was also the Alliance Lord [the supreme leader of an alliance] of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, a figure whom even Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm and comprehended a Great Dao] would address as a brother.

This filled Xinghong Chen with a mix of exhilaration and nervousness. He could not help but glance at the figure before him, Alistair Lu, and spoke with palpable excitement:

"Grand Martial Uncle, what do you think Ancient Ancestor summons me for? I wish to be prepared."

"You scoundrel."

Alistair Lu allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. In terms of generation, Xinghong Chen was one tier below him, born during an era when Thalion Chen was secluded in meditation, reforging his physical form.

Meanwhile, the Clan Lord, Eldrin Chen, was primarily focused on his cultivation, leaving the myriad clan affairs below the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden spiritual core] realm unattended. Among the clan's nearly one thousand Golden Core True Person now, many were stationed across distant lands, some never having the fortune to meet him even once in their lifetimes.

Xinghong Chen had been nurtured to his current state largely under the guidance of elder True Lord [an honorific title for a Golden Core realm cultivator] like Sylas Ye, Alistair Lu, and Ethan Chen, which fostered a closer, more familiar bond.

Seeing the anxious look on Xinghong Chen's face, Alistair Lu offered a reassuring smile. "The Master seldom summons a clan True Lord alone. This summons likely bodes well for you."

"But heed my words," he added, his tone turning serious. "The Master possesses a sharp and decisive nature. Do not act frivolously."

"Xinghong understands." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio . novel . com.

Xinghong Chen gave a nod, then followed Alistair Lu into the Cultivation Cave [a chamber specially prepared for meditation and energy refinement].

Only after entering the Cultivation Cave did Xinghong Chen behold the figure whose presence alone commanded awe across the Eastern Wilderness.

There, seated in meditation within the cave, was a man whose White Robe was as pristine as snow, his bearing divine and jade-like. Three thousand strands of dark hair were gathered by a silver crown, making him resemble an exiled immortal who had stepped straight out of a painting.

After a moment of stunned awe, Xinghong Chen jolted back to his senses. He promptly prostrated himself on the ground, declaring, "This junior, Xinghong, pays his respects to the Ancient Ancestor."

"There is no need for such formalities."

Eldrin Chen spoke with serene detachment. With a flick of his sleeve, an unseen force lifted Xinghong to his feet. He then inquired casually, "I hear you are a descendant of Qingxu, the Clan Uncle?"

"That is correct."

Xinghong Chen nodded, then replied with deep respect, "For seven generations above this junior, every ancestor in the direct line possessed a Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines one's potential for cultivation]."

"Aside from myself, the one who achieved the highest cultivation was my grandfather, Fuxuan the True Person. The lineage can be traced back earliest to Nianyang the Ancient Ancestor and Qingxu the Ancient Ancestor."

"Clan Elder Brother Nianyang, and Qingxu, the Clan Uncle..."

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh, his voice tinged with nostalgia as he said, "I still remember the old days, when Clan Elder Brother Nianyang was the eldest among our Nian Generation."

"Qingxu, the Clan Uncle also dedicated his entire life to the clan, serving with utter devotion. In his twilight years, to aid Nianzhen in his Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one builds a solid spiritual foundation], he forsook his own chance to extend his lifespan, giving his three Longevity Pill [elixirs that extend the consumer's natural lifespan] to his descendants."

"Alas."

Recalling the events of bygone years, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of complex emotions in his heart. Finally, he added, "Fortunately, his direct lineage has produced an outstanding successor like you. I believe that even from the depths of the Nine Springs [a Chinese metaphor for the afterlife], he would look upon this with profound consolation."

Hearing Eldrin Chen's words, Xinghong Chen felt an inexplicable sense of honor swell within him, even though the events of over a millennium past were beyond his direct knowledge.

To seize a Heavenly Dao Qi [a wisp of primordial energy embodying a fragment of the Heavenly Dao, the cosmic law] through one's own power alone, and to do so without significant aid from the clan—such a feat likely surpassed the capabilities of ninety percent of the Nascent Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul, the fifth major realm] in the world.

Eldrin Chen gathered his wandering thoughts. After a glance at Xinghong Chen, he said, "Now, extend your hand for me to examine."

"As you wish."

Xinghong Chen complied, offering his wrist.

Eldrin Chen lowered his gaze to inspect it, and a flicker of pleasant surprise passed through his eyes.

After a long moment of silence, he cast a glance at Xinghong Chen and spoke, "The Yi Wood Dao Body [a rare constitution aligned with the Wood element, granting exceptional affinity for life and growth] possesses extraordinary latent potential. If you diligently cultivate and unlock it, you may very well comprehend a Secret Power [a profound and unique ability derived from deep understanding of the Dao] even before reaching the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major breakthrough in one's cultivation journey] realm."

"Take this item and devote yourself to your cultivation."

So saying, Eldrin Chen handed an ancient scripture to Xinghong Chen.

Taking the ancient scroll, Xinghong Chen looked it over and discovered it was a timeworn sutra. Upon its cover were inscribed five grand characters: "The Abyssal Longevity Scripture."

This Abyssal Longevity Scripture was one of the five foundational cultivation arts of Eldrin Chen. This method could be cultivated up to the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm] realm.

To create this art, Eldrin Chen had specifically compiled the Wood Canon [one of the Four Books and Eight Canons, a foundational text on Wood-element principles], one of the Four Books and Eight Canons [a collection of twelve legendary texts containing profound cultivation knowledge]. By distilling the essence of hundreds of cultivation methods from within, he forged what could be considered one of the most supreme Nascent Soul Cultivation Art [cultivation techniques designed for the Nascent Soul realm]. Published by site: audio-novel.com. All rights reserved.

In terms of combat prowess within the Nascent Soul [a high cultivation realm where one forms a spiritual infant within the dantian] realm, this art was merely average. However, when cultivated to its ultimate limit, it could grant a Nascent Soul True Lord [an honorific title for a powerful cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage] an additional Millennium [a span of one thousand years] of lifespan. Furthermore, its regenerative capabilities and healing effects were among the finest in the world.

Upon realizing this, Xinghong Chen could not help but reveal an expression of ecstatic joy.

He knew full well this method was exceptionally precious, being one of Eldrin Chen's foundational arts. It was among the few techniques within the clan that were absolutely forbidden to be transmitted to outsiders.

Even a Nascent Soul True Lord within the clan who wished to cultivate this art would need to swear a Great Oath of Reincarnation [a powerful and binding vow that carries consequences across lifetimes] and pay a staggering sum of Clan Merit Points [a points-based credit system used within a clan to reward contributions and regulate resource access].

Xinghong Chen understood clearly that given Eldrin Chen's profound foundation, his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm was almost a certainty. This cultivation art would undoubtedly be refined and elevated to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core] in the future.

Thinking of this, Xinghong Chen was overcome with emotion. He prostrated himself on the ground, offering repeated thanks: "My deepest gratitude to the Ancient Ancestor for bestowing this profound method."

Eldrin Chen smiled and shook his head gently. He then continued, "Go and cultivate now. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation journey, you may come directly to seek my guidance."

"My thanks to the Ancient Ancestor."

Xinghong Chen offered his thanks once more before finally departing from the Cultivation Cave [a secluded chamber for meditation and cultivation].

After seeing Xinghong Chen off, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards Alistair Lu. "That young man's Yi Wood Dao Body [a rare spiritual constitution aligned with the Wood element] has offered me some inspiration in comprehending the Secret Power [esoteric principles and hidden strengths] of Wood Attribute [arts aligned with the element of Wood] cultivation arts," he remarked.

"Come closer now. Let me examine whether your Four Symbols Dao Body [a legendary spiritual constitution embodying the four celestial beasts] has undergone any transformation since your breakthrough to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their infant soul] realm."

"If I can be of any assistance to my Master, this disciple would not hesitate for a moment," Alistair Lu replied.

With a note of eager anticipation, Alistair Lu stepped forward.

Eldrin Chen extended a hand, carefully probing the Four Symbols Dao Body within Alistair Lu. After a long while, he finally spoke. "As your cultivation base ascends, the mysteries of your Four Symbols Dao Body indeed grow ever more profound and unfathomable."

"If you can fully comprehend it, you may one day hope to glimpse the realm of Immortals and Deities [the highest echelons of cultivation, beings of immense power and longevity]."

Alistair Lu's expression remained quite calm. Constitutions like the Four Symbols Dao Body and the Three Talents Dao Body were exceptionally rare Superior Grade Dao Body [the highest tier of innate physical and spiritual constitution for cultivators] found under heaven.

Currently, the Chen Clan had over thirty True Lord [a high-level cultivator title]. Among them, those possessing a Dao Body [a special innate constitution] accounted for more than thirty percent. However, there was only one true prodigy, a child of heaven blessed with a Superior Grade Dao Body: Caspian Chen alone.

Beyond that, the other bearers of Superior Grade Dao Body were merely the disciples and successors of Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang.

Figures like Maris the Sea Steader and Dao Lord Magnus all possessed Superior Grade Dao Body. While such aptitude did not guarantee Ascending to Immortality [transcending mortality to become an immortal being], their certainty of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm, a profound stage of cultivation] far surpassed that of ordinary Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul cultivator who has comprehended a trace of the Heavenly Dao].

Yet Alistair Lu understood clearly how arduous breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Realm truly was. Relying solely on a Superior Grade Dao Body merely increased the odds; it was far better to seek out a Sixth Rank Spiritual Object [a spiritual material of the sixth rank, immensely powerful and rare] to elevate one's Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life and soul, growing with them].

With this thought, Alistair Lu rose and said, "This disciple plans to venture out into the world for training in the coming days. I humbly request Master's permission."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. He had anticipated this. Calmly, he inquired, "Your senior brother departed a century ago to temper himself in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World. Where do you intend to go?"

"This disciple wishes to journey to the Central Ancestral Domain, to witness the most prosperous heartland of the Human Ancestral Land [the legendary cradle and central territory of human civilization in this world]."

Alistair Lu stated calmly, yet a flicker of yearning shone in his eyes.

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed for a moment before he spoke. "Within the Central Ancestral Domain [the vast, primordial heartland of the human race], we have offended the Fang Immortal Clan. Have you truly considered this?"

"This disciple has already considered it thoroughly."

Alistair Lu nodded firmly. "I will conceal my identity for this journey, bypassing the Rising Sun Ancient Domain to wander the Central Ancestral Domain."

"That domain stretches across countless hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. The chance of them stumbling upon and recognizing me is exceedingly slim."

Seeing Alistair Lu's resolve was unshakable, Eldrin Chen could only acquiesce. "Very well. You are one blessed with great fortune, bearing a Dao Body [a physique innately attuned to the fundamental principles of the cosmos]. The Central Ancestral Domain is the Human Ancestral Land, not some dragon's den or tiger's lair."

"Go and see it for your master. Should any trouble arise, remember to send word to me immediately." Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel[dot]com.