Chapter 947 : The Mountain's Hidden Heart

Back in the days when Eldrin Chen had yet to set foot in the Primordial Spirit Realm and first arrived at Eastern Sovereign Mountain, he had only sensed that this Spirit-Severing Mountain was sparse in spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things] and held an unfathomable, slumbering aura, making it seem profoundly inscrutable.

Now, having returned to this Eastern Sovereign Mountain, Eldrin Chen's cultivation had already reached the absolute pinnacle of the Purple Seal Realm. Furthermore, he had forged a world-shaking Immortal physique [a body refined to the level of an immortal being], making his power virtually unmatched within the Purple Seal Realm.

In his current state, Eldrin Chen merely needed to beckon the Immortal Ascension Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly tribulation one must overcome to ascend to immortality] to descend. Once his Immortal Body was nourished by Immortal Energy [the pure, transcendent energy of the immortal realms], it would become utterly flawless and complete.

At that point, relying on his physical strength alone, he would be capable of achieving Immortality and embodying Indestructibility [a state of being impervious to decay and destruction], gazing down upon the Mortal Dust [the mortal world] like a Nine Heavens Divine Spirit [a divine being from the highest heavens].

As the saying goes, viewing from a commanding height provides clarity. Returning now to Eastern Sovereign Mountain, Eldrin Chen immediately discerned the anomalies within the vast Spirit-Severing Mountain Range.

Within this immense Spirit-Severing Mountain Range, each ancient peak seemed to function as a Formation Eye [a key node in a mystical formation].

These mountain ranges resembled one Dragon Vein [a ley line of concentrated earth and spiritual energy] after another, arranged in a posture of "Ten Thousand Dragons Paying Homage to Heaven," as if venerating a supreme, peerless existence.

And at the very core of this convergence of myriad dragon veins paying homage to the Heavenly Mountain [the central, celestial peak] lay the truncated, half-severed form of Eastern Sovereign Mountain itself.

"Using the Eastern Sovereign Bell as the foundation, the Old Tomb Guardian's lifetime accumulation of Path Fruit [the culmination of one's cultivation path] and Path Principles [the fundamental laws of a cultivation path] as the catalyst, and the entire million-*Li* Spirit-Severing Mountain Range as the nourishment..."

"...the goal was to nurture and elevate a peerless, matchless Supreme Immortal Treasure [an artifact of ultimate power], creating a final contingency to withstand the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a cataclysmic invasion from the demonic abyss]." Original publication: audi novel.com - The source of this chapter.

"In ages past, the two venerable seniors, Imperial Sovereign Jiang and Old Tomb Guardian, truly possessed hearts as vast as the Cosmos [the boundless universe] and minds of grand strategy and profound vision."

Gazing upon the immense Eastern Sovereign Mountain, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh and speak.

After a moment of silent reflection, Eldrin Chen lifted his foot and stepped forward. With the leisurely pace of a stroll through a garden, he ascended the Eastern Sovereign Mountain.

"It is not yet time."

The instant his foot touched the peak of Eastern Sovereign Mountain, Eldrin Chen understood that the Eastern Sovereign Bell was not yet ready to emerge into the world.

The Eastern Sovereign Bell was gathering the grand momentum of heaven and earth, steeping in the overwhelmingly domineering aura of the Eastern Sovereign [the title of the Eastern Ruler], brewing and fermenting atop this very mountain.

Once its gestation reached perfect completion, it would emerge carrying an invincible momentum to strike down all opposition, unleashing power rivaling that of immortals and demons.

If it were drawn forth prematurely, all efforts would be wasted, and it would fail to fully ascend to the realm of an Immortal Treasure [a supreme artifact of immortal grade].

With this realization, a slight frown creased Eldrin Chen's brow for a moment before smoothing away. "Though I cannot make it emerge early, I can still aid it in accumulating a deeper foundation."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, immediately retrieving the six fragments of the Demon God Celestial Pillars.

With a mere flick of his sleeve, a vast conflagration of Primordial Solar Flame [the purest and most potent form of solar fire] surged forth, refining the fragments of the Demon God Celestial Pillars into a fine, swirling dust of Mystic Iron [a legendary metal of immense durability and spiritual conductivity], which he then fused into the very substance of Eastern Sovereign Mountain.

Only after accomplishing this did Eldrin Chen withdraw his hand.

These six Demon God Celestial Pillars had been forged by an Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world] using nine entire veins of celestial Mystic Iron Ore Vein. The material was sufficient to craft dozens of Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [supreme-grade enchanted artifacts imbued with solar essence].

By using this material as nourishment and merging it into Eastern Sovereign Mountain, Eldrin Chen ensured it would be gradually absorbed by the Eastern Sovereign Bell [a legendary bell artifact]. This process would deepen the bell's foundational power, rendering it increasingly indestructible and significantly boosting its chances of successfully ascending to become an Immortal Treasure [an artifact of immortal-grade power].

Having settled this matter, Eldrin Chen cast a final glance at Eastern Sovereign Mountain, clasped his hands behind his back, and declared, "Rest and nurture yourself in peace. I shall bear the weight of the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome or firmament] for the Purple Seal Realm."

"..."

After bidding farewell to Eastern Sovereign Mountain, Eldrin Chen returned to his clan.

He gathered several Primordial Solar Spiritual Object [objects infused with potent solar spiritual energy] and cultivation manuals, then made his way to the Path Palace Sacred Land.

With this minor perfection of his Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of near-absolute resilience], Eldrin Chen's physical form now rivaled that of an Immortal Body [the perfected body of an immortal]. One could say he was akin to a Divine Spirits [a powerful divine being] walking the Mortal Realm, a banished immortal descended into the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortals].

Even at the peak of his power, the ancient Eastern Sovereign [a legendary title for a supreme ruler] had likely been no stronger. On the eve of his ascension to immortality, Imperial Sovereign Jiang, who dual-cultivated both Path Principles [the fundamental laws of the Dao] and Path Fruit [the culmination of one's cultivation path], might have possessed combat prowess surpassing Eldrin Chen's, but the margin would have been slender at best.

At this stage, no being within the Purple Seal Realm dared to refuse the requests of Eldrin Chen, and the Path Palace Sacred Land naturally would not refuse him either.

Having successfully exchanged for the formula of the Mysterious Origin Violet Aura Pill, Eldrin Chen returned to the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

Before beginning the alchemical refinement, Eldrin Chen spent time comprehending the formula for the Mysterious Origin Violet Aura Pill, then said to Exquisite Jiang, "Judging from this 'Mysterious Origin Violet Aura Pill' formula, we may have found a superior substitute ingredient."

"Truly?"

Exquisite Jiang's face lit up with delight. Taking the formula for the Mysterious Origin Violet Aura Pill, she examined it and could not contain her joy. "It seems this time, the Purple Seal Realm might gain several more cultivators at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage."

The reason was that the formula for the Mysterious Origin Violet Aura Pill was an exceptionally profound and mysterious one. Continue your cultivation journey at audio–novel.com.

This formula approached the very principles of the Path [the fundamental laws of cultivation and existence]. It focused more on the harmony of sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy ingredients [an alchemical principle describing the roles of different components in a pill], and the fusion and evolution of talismanic scripts and Path Principle [the fundamental truths underlying cultivation techniques].

According to the deductions from this formula, the Primordial Solar Spirit Pearl could serve as a substitute for the primary ingredient. Other Sixth Rank Superior GradeSpirit Herb [plants imbued with potent spiritual energy] that greatly nourished the Primordial Solar Energy [the pure, yang-aligned spiritual essence of the sun] of a Primordial Spirit Cultivator could also act as substitutes.

And as it happened, Eldrin Chen possessed a Sixth Rank Superior Grade treasure perfectly suited to replace the Primordial Solar Spirit Pearl.

This item was the 'Immortal Lotus Seed' shed by the Solar Fire Immortal Lotus, the Companion Spiritual Treasure [a treasure that grows and evolves alongside its master] of the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird.

That Solar Fire Immortal Lotus Seed [a seed of a legendary lotus imbued with the essence of the sun and fire] was a Sixth Rank Superior Grade Primordial Solar Spiritual Object [a spiritual treasure containing the pure, foundational energy of the sun]. It could greatly nourish the Primordial Solar Energy [the innate solar energy within a cultivator's body] within a cultivator and could even aid a Primordial Spirit Late Stage cultivator in advancing their cultivation. Naturally, it could also serve as the primary ingredient for a pill.

"Using the Solar Fire Immortal Lotus Seed as the primary ingredient, we can deduce a pill formula based on the Mysterious Origin Violet Aura Pill [a legendary pill known for its profound effects]," he mused.

"By following the principles of 'monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy' [the traditional Chinese medical/pharmaceutical framework for balancing ingredients], and gradually replacing and adjusting the supplementary herbs, we might be able to refine a Precious Pill [a high-grade pill of immense value] with nearly identical efficacy."

Eldrin Chen smiled to himself and then set to work deducing the pill formula.

Deducing a Sixth Rank Superior Grade pill formula primarily tested one's talent and comprehension. An ordinary Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit realm and comprehended a Path] lacking sufficient innate gifts might struggle to grasp its secrets even after several thousand years.

Yet, for those of exceptional brilliance or with profound mastery of alchemy, a few hundred years were often sufficient to complete the deduction.

Within the Purple Seal Realm, both Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang were counted among the most supremely talented. Working together, their progress in the deduction was naturally swift.

In merely thirty years, the two perfected the formula and gathered all the required supplementary herbs.

With this step complete, Eldrin Chen wasted no time. He immediately entered seclusion to begin refining the Precious Pill.

Thus, time flowed on unheeded. In the blink of an eye, another thirty years passed. Finally, Eldrin Chen succeeded in refining the first batch of the Precious Pill.

"Success!"

On this day, the Demon-Slayer Furnace trembled slightly, and two dazzling rays of spiritual light flew out in succession.

Eldrin Chen gathered them in his hand and shook his head with a hint of regret. "The Solar Fire Immortal Lotus Pill is of immeasurable value. It's a pity my cultivation is still somewhat insufficient; I only managed to refine two pills from this single batch."

"For a first attempt, successfully refining two pills is quite commendable."

Beside him, Exquisite Jiang was quite pleased. She then spoke, "Our spiritual power has reached a state of perfect harmony over these years. It is time for us to enter seclusion and attempt the breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the advanced stage of a cultivator's spiritual core formation]."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "Let us first break through to the Primordial Spirit Late Stage. We can refine the remaining batches of Precious Pill [a general term for high-grade cultivation-enhancing pills] afterwards."

With Eldrin Chen's exceptionally profound foundation, breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Late Stage would have been almost certain even without the Solar Fire Immortal Lotus Pill, though it would have required three hundred years to accumulate the necessary spiritual power.

Now, with the Solar Fire Immortal Lotus Pill in hand, he saw no reason to waste time. He immediately entered seclusion to attempt the breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Late Stage.

Time flowed swiftly. In merely eight years, he had completely refined the Solar Fire Immortal Lotus Pill and successfully advanced to the Primordial Spirit 7th Tier [the seventh level within the Primordial Spirit stage]. This chapter is part of a larger work available at www . audio-novel.com.