Chapter 989 : A Pilgrimage to Ascension

"Patriarch [the revered leader of our clan], what is the purpose of our journey this time?"

Upon the vast and boundless Eastern Sea, a solitary leaf-like vessel drifted slowly forward, journeying towards the horizon where the endless azure met the sky.

Upon that lone vessel, an elder and a youth sat facing each other. The elder was a Golden Core Cultivator [a master who has condensed his spiritual power into a solid Golden Core], while the youth was a young Violet Sanctum Cultivator [an adept who has opened the Violet Palace within his dantian, a key spiritual center].

At this moment, the elder was both propelling the small boat to cleave through the void and gazing at the youth with a kindly expression.

Hearing the youth's question about their destination, the Patriarch finally lifted his head, his voice tinged with reverence and anticipation. "This journey," he said, "I am taking you on a pilgrimage."

"A pilgrimage?"

The youth was puzzled. He had been in secluded cultivation when the Patriarch suddenly roused him. Before he could even ask what was happening, he had been pulled onto this treasure-laden boat.

Now, hearing the Patriarch's words, the young man felt even more lost. He couldn't help but ask, "Could it be that within the Verdant Carp Sea, another Infant Soul True Lord [a supreme expert whose Primordial Spirit has matured into an Infant Soul] has been born?"

"Not so, not so."

The Patriarch shook his head, his tone taking on an air of profound mystery. "This journey, we two are undertaking a true pilgrimage. We go to witness the birth of that which our entire generation of cultivators has pursued with their very lives." The story continues at @udio-novel.com.

"The lifelong pursuit of us cultivators?"

The youth's expression shifted, and after a moment, he could not suppress his astonishment. "Could it be... that one..."

"Mm-hmm!"

Patriarch nodded, his face etched with utmost solemnity and reverence. "Legend has it that he intends to undergo his Ethereal Ascension [the final tribulation to ascend to immortality] within the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago, ascending to the heavens in a single, glorious leap."

For decades now, the news that Eldrin Chen would undergo his immortal tribulation within the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago had already spread throughout the entire Purple Seal Realm.

Now, the vast expanse of the Eastern Sea had long since gathered countless cultivators, their numbers beyond reckoning.

Pilgrims like the old man and the youth were as numerous as fish in a river, an endless stream.

They came with devout hearts to witness the birth of an Immortal, but even more came with a resolve to face death itself, determined to guard Eldrin Chen's path to ascension.

"Brother Eternal Profound, we have completed the deployment of the Formation [a complex array or magical circle used for defense, offense, or cultivation] according to the diagrams."

Upon the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago, over one hundred Primordial Spirit Path Lord [cultivators who have mastered their spiritual core and begun to walk their own unique cultivation path] from the Purple Seal Realm had gathered. Their faces were a mix of awe and joy as they gazed towards the archipelago's heart.

Upon the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago now lay a Cosmic Stellar Spirit Gathering Formation, personally crafted into formation diagrams by Eldrin Chen and jointly established by several dozen Primordial Spirit Path Lords.

This formation was of Immortal Rank, requiring the use of several dozen types of Primordial Solar Spiritual Objects and countless Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasures.

Now, anchored by the Heavenly Starry Sky Grand Formation, it could draw upon the power of the Cosmic Stellar and gather the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy of the Purple Seal Realm, thereby increasing Eldrin Chen's chances of successfully cultivating his Immortal Path Fruit.

With the grand formation now complete, Eternal Profound Chen smiled and bowed respectfully. "The successful establishment of this formation is thanks to the assistance of all present," he said.

"On behalf of my grandson, I offer my deepest gratitude to you all, Fellow Daoists."

"You honor us too much, Fellow Daoist," the others quickly replied.

Hearing his words, the assembled cultivators hastily stepped aside, not daring to accept such a profound gesture of respect.

Although Eternal Profound Chen was not particularly advanced in years, nor was his cultivation among the pinnacle of the Primordial Spirit realm, he held the esteemed position of Eldrin Chen's Old Granduncle. This singular relationship meant that even a figure like the Heavenly Gaze Path Master would not presume to accept such a formal bow from him.

Now that Eldrin Chen was on the verge of ascension to Immortality, these Primordial Spirit Path Lords would soon have to address him as Senior Immortal, an unbridgeable chasm forming between their statuses.

Only someone like Eternal Profound Chen, who had watched Eldrin Chen grow from childhood and had supported him every step of the arduous journey to this day, could rightfully bear the title of Old Granduncle from Eldrin Chen's lips.

Thus, although cultivators often maintain their own separate social circles, they still dared not show any disrespect toward Eternal Profound Chen.

The Old Patriarch thanked the assembled crowd and then spoke again, "During this Immortal Ascension Tribulation at Returning Abyss, the Demon God will undoubtedly strike once more."

"Eldrin Chen has asked this old man to inform you all that, unless absolutely necessary, you should not intervene in this tribulation, to avoid unnecessary casualties."

"How can that be?" Heaven Abandoned Lin frowned, his brow furrowing as he immediately questioned, "The Immortal Ascension Tribulation is perilous to traverse. If something were to happen to him, what would we do?"

"There is no need for concern."

At that moment, a gentle voice resonated from the void. Find this and other novels at audio-novel[dot]com.

Eldrin Chen, seated in meditation at the heart of the Cosmic Stellar Islands, did not manifest in person. Only his voice, carrying the divine resonance of the Great Path [the fundamental principle governing all existence], echoed forth: "I have confidence in facing this tribulation. You need only watch and wait from the sidelines."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all present grew profoundly solemn. They bowed in unison and responded, "We shall obey your command!"

"..."

Eternal Profound Chen took his leave from the assembly and strode purposefully toward the very core of the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago.

Before a Spirit Spring [a natural spring imbued with spiritual energy], he saw Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang and spoke with a smile.

"The preparations for this journey are complete. My Eight Trigrams Treasure Flag [a magical banner inscribed with the eight trigrams] has also successfully advanced in rank."

Eternal Profound Chen stated calmly, handing over his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure intimately connected to its owner's life force], the Eight Trigrams Treasure Flag.

Taking the Treasure Flag, Eldrin Chen felt a slight stir in his heart. This Lifebound Spiritual Treasure of Old Granduncle was forged using an Eight Trigrams Treasure Tree [a rare spiritual tree embodying the eight trigrams] as its foundation; it could be said to represent the culmination of Old Granduncle's lifelong efforts.

Now, Old Granduncle's divine soul [the higher spiritual consciousness of a cultivator] is anchored within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a realm of perpetual, searing flames]. As long as the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire remains unbroken, he is nearly indestructible, and his cultivation advances by leaps and bounds alongside it.

Logically, with the support of a Near-Immortal Rank [a realm approaching immortalhood] Earth Vein [a powerful terrestrial energy leyline], Old Granduncle's cultivation should have long since broken through to the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [the ninth level of the Primordial Spirit realm]. Yet, he currently remains only at the Primordial Spirit 7th Tier.

The reason for this is that Eternal Profound Chen has channeled the primary empowerment of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire into this Eight Trigrams Treasure Formation [a powerful defensive and offensive array], elevating it to the realm of a Top Grade Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a peak-tier treasure of pure yang energy].

Each of these eight Formation Flag [flags used to anchor and power a formation] is a Top Grade Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure. When deployed by Eldrin Chen using his Immortal Essence [a profound cultivation energy] and arranged into the Eight Trigrams Immortal Refining Formation [a legendary formation capable of refining even immortals], their combined power can nearly rival that of a single Immortal Treasure [a treasure forged by or for true immortals].

Carefully storing the Eight Trigrams Treasure Flag, Eldrin Chen nodded. "With this in hand, my chances of surviving the coming Tribulation [a heavenly trial or calamity faced by cultivators] increase somewhat."

Seeing this, Eternal Profound Chen could not help but muse thoughtfully, "Since the Tribulation is so arduous, why not let them lend you their aid?"

"Alas!"

Eldrin Chen shook his head and sighed, saying, "The battle several decades ago inflicted heavy casualties upon the Path Lord of the Purple Seal Realm. Most have yet to fully recover from their injuries."

"They might manage against the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon, but to face an Outer Realm Demon God would be as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot."

"The Purple Seal Realm has already shed too much blood for my sake. There should be no more pointless sacrifice."

"I understand."

Eternal Profound Chen nodded, then remarked with feeling, "Even with such a Great Tribulation looming, you still hold the world in your heart. This is indeed a blessing for the Purple Seal Realm."

Eldrin Chen shook his head again, a faint smile touching his lips. "It is not mere soft-heartedness. With my Immortal Body now perfected and the Primordial One Indestructibility Body within my grasp, I possess sufficient confidence to weather the coming Tribulation."

Having said this, he spoke no more on the matter.

His gaze then turned to Exquisite Jiang and the others. With a firm nod, he declared, "Since the moment is ripe, it is time for me to condense my Primordial One Path Fruit and break through to the Immortal Ascension Realm in one decisive stride."

"Excellent!"

Exquisite Jiang nodded, her expression grave as she said, "Husband, set your heart at ease. Should a Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's strength and resolve] truly descend, I can still hold it off for a time."

"Mm." Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, yet his voice brimmed with unwavering confidence. "If a Demon God [a supreme entity of the demonic path, possessing immense and terrifying power] dares to strike directly, do not strain yourself unduly. Simply let it come to me." Find thousands of chapters at http://www . audio-novel.com.