Chapter 993 : The Immortal's Marked Blessing

As expected, Eldrin Chen surveyed the assembly with a glance before nodding solemnly. "This venerable one has cultivated for over five thousand years," he declared, his voice resonating with ancient power. "That I have reached my current state within the Purple Seal Realm [a legendary realm of cultivation] is due in no small part to your collective efforts."

"Now that this venerable one has attained the Dao [the supreme principle and ultimate truth of existence], it is only fitting that you all receive your due rewards."

With those words, Eldrin Chen raised a single finger and pointed.

As his finger descended, the silver Immortal Mark [a sigil of celestial attainment etched upon the soul] at the center of his brow glowed with a soft, profound light. From it, a hundred shimmering silver threads manifested, soaring into the air before descending like gentle rain to merge with the Primordial Spirits [the spiritual core and essence of a cultivator] of those present.

Only after completing this act did Eldrin Chen speak again, his tone calm and measured. "This is this venerable one's Immortal Mark Imprint [a protective blessing derived from an Immortal's own celestial sigil]. In the days to come, when you step into the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and reincarnation], this imprint shall shield your souls, allowing you to enter Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth] with your memories intact."

"However, while this imprint is born from this venerable one's Immortal Mark, its power is not without limit."

"As the saying goes, 'the affinity of three lives is exhausted.' This imprint can protect you for three cycles of Reincarnation. Whether you attain immortality within those three lives or not, upon the third, the imprint will dissipate completely."

"An Immortal Mark Imprint..."

Upon hearing this and sensing the profound power now woven into their very beings, the assembly could not contain their ecstatic joy.

An Immortal's Immortal Mark Imprint was a treasure beyond measure. Blessed by this imprint, they would not only retain their memories through three lifetimes of Reincarnation, but it also carried a significance far deeper—a direct connection to a celestial patron and a monumental head start on the path of cultivation in their next lives. Find this and other novels at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

The presence of this Immortal's Mark [a powerful seal left by an Immortal, signifying their patronage and protection] signifies that they have the backing of an Immortal, which is an extraordinary and profound foundation.

With this mark upon them, they are considered to have entered the halls of the Netherworld Underworld Court [the bureaucratic realm governing death and reincarnation]; even common Ox Ghosts and Snake Gods [low-ranking underworld officials and spirits] would not dare treat them lightly.

Furthermore, out of respect for the Immortal's face, most lords of the Underworld Court would handle their cases with great care, opening the gates of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth] wide for their convenience.

However, bestowing an Immortal's Mark consumes a tremendous amount of the Immortal's power. An ordinary Immortal who has ascended can typically leave behind no more than ten such marks.

Yet, Eldrin Chen left over one hundred marks in a single act, and seemed to still possess considerable strength to spare. Such a grand and lavish gesture was utterly astonishing, proving his power far surpassed that of a typical newly-ascended Immortal.

With this realization, their hearts swelled with incomparable excitement.

With the protection of this mark, for three lifetimes into the Future, reaching the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core] would be effortless for them. Perhaps there truly was a chance, however slim, for them to achieve immortality themselves.

This thought solidified, and they all prostrated themselves upon the Earthly Path [the path of cultivation grounded in worldly elements]: "We offer our deepest gratitude for the Immortal's generous gift. This junior generation is eternally thankful."

"There is no need for such formalities,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head gently. His gaze swept over the assembled Mortal Path cultivators [those who walk the path of mortality, seeking transcendence]. "You have received this mark, and thus our karmic ties within the Mortal Dust [the mundane, mortal world] have reached their end. I hope you cultivate diligently. If fate allows us to meet again within the Immortal Realm [the realm of the ascended Immortals], we may then renew our former connection."

"We shall heed your teachings with utmost reverence."

Upon hearing his words, the assembly nodded in unison, their hearts overflowing with gratitude. They prostrated themselves three times before Eldrin Chen in a profound gesture of thanks.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, approving nod. He then spoke, his voice carrying the weight of command, "Sea-Calmer, Nine Rivers, Heaven Abandoned... you few fellow cultivators shall remain. The rest may take their leave."

Eldrin Chen named over a dozen individuals in succession, all old friends from his long journey, before gesturing for the others to depart.

After the crowd had dispersed, Eldrin Chen gazed upon the eight or nine who remained, a faint sigh escaping his lips.

Having cultivated for millennia, even if he made but one true friend every ten years, their number would still reach into the hundreds. Over the ages, his circle had been wide, yet those who could be called bosom companions, friends who had weathered the storms of time together, were far fewer.

Countless comrades from the past millennia had not reached this day. These eight or nine souls before him now represented the last of his intimate confidants.

With a simple glance, he recognized them: Solar Fire Path Master, Sea-Calmer Path Master, Nine Rivers Path Master, Heaven Abandoned Lin, Path Master Mingyuan, Freya Ji, Dorian Ji, and others.

"We pay our respects to the Patriarch [the revered founding elder of a clan or sect]!"

At that moment, they all bowed deeply, their faces alight with sincere joy as they spoke.

Eldrin Chen shook his head and spoke with calm composure, "We have been friends for millennia. There is no need for such formality between us. Let us interact as peers."

"How could that be acceptable?"

Sea-Calmer Path Master Varen Wei immediately shook his head, his tone resolute. "You have ascended to immortality, while we remain mortal. To treat you as an equal would be to disregard the proper order of seniority."

The others all nodded in agreement, not daring to presume equality with Eldrin Chen.

"Ah, very well then!"

Seeing their reluctance to treat him as an equal, a faint sense of mortal dust [the mundane world and its attachments] and distance settled in Eldrin Chen's heart. Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel . com.

Thinking of how many old friends from the past had already passed away, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh. "You are my long-time companions. Now that I have crossed the threshold into immortality while you remain mortal, if I ascend further in the future, it will be difficult for us to meet again."

"It is a pity that I have only just entered the immortal realm myself and lack the means to guide you all onto the immortal path."

Speaking to this point, Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve. "After you return, gather Primordial Solar Spiritual Object and send them to Spirit Lake Isle. I will then personally forge a Forbidden Artifact [a powerful enchanted artifact sealed with a cultivator's might, often usable only once] for each of you."

"This Forbidden Artifact will be sealed with a portion of my power. Its might will be no less than that of an Immortal Treasure [a treasure forged by or for an immortal], sufficient to block a single strike of the Immortal Ascension Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation one must overcome to ascend to immortality] for you. Its sole flaw is that it can only be activated once."

"Whether you can achieve Ascension and Attainment of the Path [the legendary state of becoming one with the Heavenly Dao] is beyond my power to guarantee. This is the last thing I can do for you."

Upon hearing these words, everyone present was struck with astonishment.

To forge an Forbidden Artifact [an artifact of immense power, often forbidden due to its world-altering capabilities] of immortal grade using the Primordial Solar Spiritual Object [a legendary spiritual object containing the essence of the primordial sun] was a feat that could truly be called turning the base into the sublime. Even the legendary Imperial Sovereign Jiang of old would have been utterly incapable of such a thing.

The sheer magnitude of Eldrin Chen's accomplishment was terrifying and utterly unheard of. It likely surpassed the achievements of all the Ancient Immortal [powerful immortals from ancient times] who had ever walked the Purple Seal Realm by an immeasurable degree.

At this thought, they were all overcome with ecstatic joy and exclaimed, "We offer our deepest gratitude for the Patriarch's [the revered leader of a clan or sect] generous gift!"

"Very well. You may take your leave."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and waved his hand, dismissing the assembly.

After the others had departed, Lila, Exquisite Jiang, the Old Patriarch, and the others approached.

Lila glanced at the retreating figures and sighed softly. "Those elders were once our close companions in days past. It is sad to think they now dare not draw too near to you, husband."

"Alas, one cannot blame them."

Eternal Profound Chen shook his head, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Eldrin Chen.

There, Eldrin Chen was clad in robes of pristine white, his form enveloped in a shimmering haze of Immortal Energy [the transcendent power wielded by true Immortals]. Strands of his hair seemed threaded with fragments of a Starry River, the mere weight of the Dao principles [the fundamental laws of existence] cascading from them enough to threaten the very fabric of the myriad Ancient Star skies.

Such a peerless Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and ascended to a higher state of existence], reclining so loftily upon the Nine Heavens, stirred even in him an impulse to prostrate himself in reverence. How much more overwhelming must it be for those who were once his close companions?

To interact with him as an equal now would be like an ant standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a True Dragon [a mythical creature of immense power and majesty]. The pressure of such a disparity was simply unbearable for ordinary souls.

Since the gulf between them was as vast as that between cloud and mud, it was far more comfortable to simply assume the role of a junior.

"Immortal… Immortal…"

Eldrin Chen murmured the word to himself, a faint, rueful shake of his head following the thought.

The world knows that Immortal dwell aloft in the Nine Heavens Above, yet they do not know that for the Immortal, such heights are unbearably lonely and cold.

The chasm between the immortal and the mortal was simply too vast. For him to converse with a mortal was akin to a True Dragon lowering its head to speak with an ant. No matter how gentle his expression, no matter how approachable his demeanor, it would inevitably impose an unparalleled, crushing pressure upon the other.

Only among fellow Immortal could one feel truly at ease, free from that profound sense of disparity.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "Enough, enough. Since I have already attained immortality and severed my Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortals] Karma [the web of cause and effect] with them, let the affections of the past remain in my heart."

"If, one day, they can ascend to the Immortal Realm [the higher realm of immortals], it will not be too late to renew our ties."

Speaking to this point, Eldrin Chen then looked at the Verdant Consort and Exquisite Jiang beside him, who were on the Mortal Path [the path of cultivation leading to immortality]. "Now that I have become an immortal, I can remain in the Mortal Dust for a thousand years at most."

"Within this time, I must help you all achieve immortality." For uninterrupted reading, go to *audio-novel.com*.