Chapter 1010 : Choices in the Celestial Court

At that very moment, Sylas Ye, the Immortal suddenly spoke up, "Several Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for fellow cultivators], you have just arrived in the Immortal Domain [a realm inhabited by immortals]. I wonder if you have made any plans regarding your destination?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered subtly, yet he did not answer immediately.

Seeing his reaction, Sylas Ye, the Immortal quickly smiled and said, "As an Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation] Welcoming Envoy, it is my duty to be thorough. I have three suggestions for you to consider."

Eldrin Chen's gaze shifted slightly, and he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. "Please, Fellow Daoist, enlighten us."

Sylas Ye, the Immortal nodded and began with a gentle smile, "Among these three paths, the first is to join the ranks of the Celestial Court [the heavenly bureaucracy governing the immortal realm]."

"With your level of cultivation, Fellow Daoist, if you enter the Celestial Court, you could serve as a civil official, starting as a Ninth Rank Celestial Official. If you wish to slay demons and vanquish evil, you could also become one of the Celestial Soldiers and Generals [the military forces of the heavenly court]. In the future, if your accumulated Merit Points [a metaphysical currency representing virtuous deeds and contributions] are truly exceptional, you might even have the chance to ascend to the position of a Divine Lord [a high-ranking deity within the celestial hierarchy]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but frown slightly.

If he joined the Celestial Court and became a celestial clerk or a Celestial Soldiers and Generals, while he would gain the powerful backing of the Celestial Court itself, he would also become subject to the commands of others from that point onward.

Furthermore, from what Eldrin Chen understood, the Celestial Court of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the Celestial Azure Heaven, a specific immortal realm] was likely already dominated by the major powers from various Grotto-Heaven [hidden paradises, superior cultivation realms] and Blessed Land [spiritually rich lands].

Within the vast Azure Firmament Immortal Court, the number of true Immortal was probably not small. With neither formidable strength nor powerful patronage, entering the Azure Firmament Immortal Court might very well relegate him to the role of cannon fodder. Find this and other novels at audio-novel . com.

It would be better to cultivate diligently. If his cultivation were to break through to the Earth Immortal realm, or even to the Heaven Immortal Realm, the Celestial Court [the heavenly bureaucracy governing immortals] might even beg him to serve as a Divine Lord [a deity governing a specific domain].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "We who walk the path of Ascending to Immortality seek only freedom and unfettered existence. We cannot endure the celestial regulations and constraints of the Celestial Court. Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], please enlighten me regarding other possible paths."

Sylas Ye, the Immortal nodded, then smiled faintly. "To speak truthfully, this second path concerns my Setting Sun Immortal Sect."

"If Fellow Daoist is willing to join our Setting Sun Immortal Sect, I can promise you the position of a Guest Elder [a respected, high-ranking external advisor to a sect]."

"A Guest Elder?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered. To be fair, the choice offered by Sylas Ye, the Immortal was quite favorable.

The Setting Sun Immortal Sect was not like the Celestial Court. If he served as a Guest Elder there, he would be among its upper echelons, enjoying a degree of freedom far beyond anything possible within the rigid hierarchy of the Celestial Court.

Yet, after much hesitation, he shook his head once more. He was newly arrived in the Immortal Domain [the realm of immortals] and knew nothing of the Setting Sun Immortal Sect. Joining them rashly might not be wise.

After pondering the matter, Eldrin Chen finally smiled and clasped his hands in salute. "I presume the third path is for myself to wander the Immortal Domain, carve out a territory with an Immortal Vein [a spiritual energy leyline suitable for immortal cultivation], and establish a Daoist Assembly Ground [a sacred site for cultivation and gathering] to pursue the Dao."

"Alas..."

Seeing Eldrin Chen make this choice, Sylas Ye, the Immortal seemed to have anticipated it. Calmly, he produced an ancient scroll and said, "The Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [a vast realm of immortal mountains and celestial landscapes] is boundless and vast, its immortal peaks beyond counting."

"Yet, most Immortal Vein [a spiritual energy ley line where immortal energy gathers] are already claimed. Securing one for yourself will be no easy task."

"This is a map of the immortal domains surrounding the Setting Sun Sea. I present it to you as a welcoming gift."

Eldrin Chen accepted the Immortal Domain Map, his face lighting up with joy. He promptly cupped his hands in salute. "My gratitude for your guidance, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]. I shall consider this a personal favor owed."

Upon hearing this, Sylas Ye, the Immortal finally allowed a genuine smile to grace his features.

Shaking his head gently, he replied with warmth, "As an Ascension Guide, this is simply my duty."

"We are both seekers of immortality and freedom. In time, we may well become close friends. There is no need for such formality between us."

"Go now and find a Daoist Assembly Ground [a gathering place or sanctuary for cultivators]. Should you ever require assistance in the future, you may seek me at the Setting Sun Blessed Land."

"In that case, you have my deepest thanks."

Eldrin Chen offered another respectful salute. After expressing his gratitude once more, he departed from the Ascension Platform [the celestial platform where newly ascended immortals arrive].

"Husband, where should we go?"

After departing from the Ascension Platform, Verdant Consort could no longer hold back her question.

Eldrin Chen already had a plan in mind and replied with a slight smile, "First, we shall find a place to settle, then gather information to understand the situation clearly."

After all, Eldrin Chen had only just arrived in the Immortal Realm [the higher plane of existence where immortals dwell], and he dared not take Sylas Ye's words as absolute truth.

They flew across the vast expanse of land until they found a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [an immortal family whose patriarch has attained the Nascent Soul realm]. From them, they learned the general situation of the Setting Sun Sea, confirming that what they were told aligned with Sylas Ye's account.

Only then did Eldrin Chen open the map. He could not help but draw a sharp breath and exclaim, "The Immortal Domain [the vast territories governed by the celestial immortals] is truly boundless and immeasurable, far more expansive than either of us imagined." Read the full novel exclusively on site: audio-novel.com.

By the map's description, the Blazing Sun Sea Region alone was so vast it seemed endless. The Purple Realm paled in comparison, utterly insignificant and beyond any measure of equivalence.

Within this immense sea, myriad Immortal Islands [islands suffused with immortal energy and spiritual veins] were scattered like stars across the heavens. Any single one could be considered a vast and ancient continent in its own right.

Many of these Immortal Islands spanned hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], some even far exceeding the Purple Realm in sheer scale.

Yet, this incredibly vast Blazing Sun Sea Region was merely one of the three thousand sea regions within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [the Western Sea of Divine Qi and Profound Abyss].

"The Immortal Domain [the celestial realm where immortals reside] is vast, boundless and immeasurable."

"Though you and I have attained the Initial Entry [the first stage of divine power manifestation] into the Ascension to Immortality Realm [the realm of those who have ascended to immortality], and might be considered notable figures within this Blazing Sun Sea Region [a region of fiery, sun-drenched seas], yet when one gazes upon the expanse of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [the vast, primordial sea of the western divine abyss]…"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, then after a moment shook his head gravely and said, "We truly count for nothing."

The Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea is boundless and vast. Within it, divine spirits are born, peerless Demon Immortal [a powerful demonic being who has attained immortality] hold dominion over territories, and there exist all manner of primordial lands of malignant baleful energy and perilous places, whose dangers are by no means few.

With the cultivation level of Eldrin Chen and his companions, it would likely take them several Millennium [a period of one thousand years] of effort just to traverse this Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, and the journey would undoubtedly be fraught with peril.

Therefore, the group decided to first seek out a Daoist Assembly Ground [a gathering place or sanctuary for cultivators] within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea to settle and cultivate in peace.

Lyra Jiang nodded, her expression grave as she said, "We must proceed with caution. Finding a Daoist Assembly Ground and securing a place to cultivate in peace is paramount."

Verdant Consort gave a slight nod, glanced at the map in her hand, and spoke, "Three days' flight ahead lies an Immortal Clan Market [a marketplace established and frequented by immortal clans]."

"Let us go and inquire. We can see if any Immortal Island [a floating island imbued with immortal energy, often used as a residence] are for sale, and also learn about the general layout of the surrounding seas."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. Unconsciously, he had traversed boundless heavens and earth, arriving before an Immortal Island [a vast landmass within an immortal's domain, often serving as a hub for cultivators].

The Immortal Domain [a realm governed by immortal beings] stretched endlessly. The market town was said to be located on an Immortal Island, yet it resembled more an ancient continent without bounds.

With a single glance, Eldrin Chen estimated the immense scale of this Immortal Island; it was likely even vaster than the Eastern Wastelands.

Upon this Immortal Island, countless members of the Human Race thrived and multiplied. The auras of Nascent Soul Dao Lord [powerful cultivators who have formed their nascent soul, a core of spiritual essence] alone numbered nearly one thousand.

"Honored guests have arrived at our gate. Will you not enter and converse?"

The moment the group arrived just outside the Immortal Island, a hearty, booming laugh greeted them.

Looking up, they saw two figures treading upon auspicious clouds, striding through the air towards them.

One appeared as a youth, the other a white-haired elder. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the elder smiled and said, "A new face! A pleasure, a true pleasure."

"Late Stage Ascendant Immortal Realm, Early Stage Ascension Immortal Realm."

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly as he roughly gauged the strength of the two figures.

Compared to the likes of the Setting Sun Immortal Sect, an Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has attained immortality and merged their essence with the earth] Blessed Land [a place of profound spiritual energy and natural wonders], he found himself far more willing to engage with the Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and attained a higher state of existence] standing before him at his current stage.

With this thought in mind, he smiled slightly and clasped his hands in a respectful salute. "This humble one's Daoist title is Eldrin, the Abyss. I have just recently ascended from the lower realm. Greetings to you both, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term used among cultivators]." This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel-dot-com.