Chapter 1004 : The Priceless Ingot of Faith

He could only clasp his hands in a respectful salute and express his gratitude repeatedly, saying, "The Catastrophe Demon God destroyed this old man's lineage within the Cosmos Void Realm, creating a grudge as deep as a Sea of Blood between us."

"For the three of you to have slain him, I am truly and utterly grateful."

As he spoke, Cosmos Void Path Master reluctantly retrieved a silver ingot from his bosom. "This one Liang-weight of Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a sacred metal refined from the concentrated faith and prayers of countless worshippers], though it may be of little consequence to the three of you, represents the sincerity of my heart."

"Incense Offering Celestial Silver."

The moment he laid eyes on this piece of Celestial Silver, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly.

Incense Offering Celestial Silver was exceedingly precious, forged by an Immortal through the condensation and refinement of Faith Power [the metaphysical power generated by the sincere belief and worship of sentient beings].

Do not be fooled by its modest size; this single ingot, weighing merely one Liang-weight, contained the concentrated prayerful will of hundreds of millions of living souls. It held significant utility for both Immortals and Ghost Immortals [a type of immortal whose foundation is tied to the spirit world].

If a Primordial Spirit Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed their core spiritual essence] refined it during their breakthrough, it could tangibly increase their chances of ascending to immortality by several percent.

Although Cosmos Void Path Master held the exalted status of an Immortal, receiving the incense offerings and worship of countless millions of cultivators, condensing this single Liang-weight of Incense Offering Celestial Silver likely required tens of thousands of years of effort.

For him to part with an entire ingot now was, without a doubt, a significant sacrifice. The complete novel can be found at audio-novel .c om.

With these thoughts, Eldrin Chen did not take the Incense Offering Celestial Silver. Instead, he shook his head and refused, saying, "Slaying the Demon God was my duty, and aiding the Cosmos Void Realm was merely a matter of convenience."

"I truly feel unworthy of accepting this Incense Offering Celestial Silver."

Hearing this, Cosmos Void Path Master initially thought Eldrin Chen looked down upon the Incense Offering Celestial Silver.

This only solidified the suspicion in his heart. With a solemn expression, he stated, "For you, Fellow Daoist, it may have been a simple act, but for me, it is a kindness of immense magnitude."

"I shall add another thirty Immortal Source [a crystallized essence of immortal energy used for cultivation and high-level transactions]. I implore you, Fellow Daoist, not to refuse."

As he spoke, Cosmos Void Path Master took out another thirty Immortal Source and offered them.

Gazing at the Immortal Source, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered once more. The Immortal Source was a resource for Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality through cultivation] cultivation.

It contained Immortal Spirit Essence [the purified spiritual energy of an immortal], which could aid an Immortal in refining their cultivation, be used to set up Immortal Rank Formation [powerful magical arrays of immortal grade], or even assist an Immortal in undergoing a profound bodily metamorphosis.

Transactions among Immortal were often conducted using Immortal Source. In terms of value, one hundred Immortal Source could likely purchase a single Low-Grade Immortal Treasure [a basic-grade enchanted artifact used by immortals].

For Cosmos Void Path Master to not only be willing to part with the Incense Offering Celestial Silver but also to produce thirty Immortal Source in one go indicated he sought not only to settle this Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect, action and consequence] but also to establish a transactional connection with him.

If he refused to accept it, he feared it might make Cosmos Void Path Master feel that he was unwilling to form a connection with him.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen accepted the Incense Offering Celestial Silver and the Immortal Source, then said with a smile, "Since you, Fellow Daoist, are willing to pay such a price, let us be friends from now on."

Only then did Cosmos Void Path Master break into a delighted smile, saying with immense joy, "Now that matters in the starry expanse are settled, it is not fitting for me to linger here for long."

"If you ever come to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain in the future, you must visit my Azure Glaze Immortal Sect for a gathering."

Eldrin Chen also cupped his hands and replied calmly, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, the day of our reunion will surely come."

Since Cosmos Void Realm was safe, Cosmos Void Path Master did not linger there for long and soon departed for the Immortal Domain.

"..."

Watching Cosmos Void Path Master depart, with the Purple Seal Realm no longer at risk of exposure, Eldrin Chen finally let out a sigh of relief.

The women beside him were also overjoyed. Exquisite Jiang said with a smile, "With this matter concluded, we have finally resolved the weightiest concern on our minds and can ascend to the Immortal Realm with peace of heart."

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "Before we part, let us take one last look at the Purple Seal Realm and leave some things behind for the clan."

With those words spoken, Eldrin Chen said no more. Leading the group, he soared across the Boundless Void [the infinite, starless expanse between realms], heading towards the location of the Purple Seal Realm.

On this journey back to the Purple Seal Realm, the group finally felt no pressing urgency. For once, they took the rare opportunity to search the starry expanse for treasures.

One day, as they passed by a celestial Stellar [a star or stellar body imbued with spiritual essence], they landed upon one that had grown utterly silent and lifeless.

"That is..."

Upon setting foot on the desolate Stellar, Eldrin Chen felt a faint tremor between his brows. Exchanging a glance with his companions, he then flew directly into the stellar core.

Deep within the heart of the Stellar, the trio discovered a sphere of golden light. It was dazzlingly radiant, shining with a brilliance that rivaled the sun itself. Discover more cultivation stories at audi novel.com.

"Solar Divine Gold."

Exquisite Jiang could not help but murmur. After a careful examination, she drew a sharp breath and declared, "A piece of Solar Divine Gold [a legendary metal forged in the heart of stars] that failed to fully mature."

"This Stellar has died. It likely lacked the vitality needed to complete its gestation."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but frown.

Solar Divine Gold [a supreme divine metal of the immortal rank] is a peerless divine metal of the immortal grade. If forged into a Primordial Solar Immortal Treasure [an immortal treasure imbued with the essence of the primordial sun], its power would likely rank among the very pinnacle of all Immortal Treasure [artifacts of immortal power].

The grade of this piece of Solar Divine Gold before them was only at the Near-Immortal Rank [a rank just below the true immortal realm]. Yet, it had nearly drained the Stellar Primordial Essence [the primordial life-force of a star] before them, and it seemed unlikely to complete its gestation successfully.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen said thoughtfully, "This withered Stellar Primordial Essence is insufficient; it simply cannot nurture a true piece of Solar Divine Gold."

"If this continues, not only will the Solar Divine Gold fail to gestate, but the Stellar [stellar] essence itself will be completely drained of its vital energy by the gold and fall into Oblivion [complete annihilation]."

Verdant Consort [the Verdant Consort] furrowed her brow slightly and could not help but ask, "What is your meaning, husband?"

"I intend to extract it and place it within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [the Sea of Fire within the Blazing Prison]. There, it can be nurtured by the Fire Elemental Power [the fundamental power of the fire element] of the Purple Seal Realm [the Purple Seal Realm]."

Eldrin Chen explained methodically, then continued, "If this endeavor succeeds, it will serve as a legacy, a chance for future generations to attain the Dao."

Once resolved, Eldrin Chen immediately employed immortal techniques. He used his Immortal Essence [immortal spiritual energy] to shield the Solar Divine Gold and carefully extracted it.

To prevent the Dao patterns within the Solar Divine Gold from solidifying and losing their potential for further advancement, the group wasted no time. They traversed the Boundless Void [the Boundless Void] and soon arrived at the periphery of the Purple Seal Realm.

"The Purple Seal Realm," he said.

Finally returning to the Purple Seal Realm [the world where the Chen Clan originated], Eldrin Chen gazed upon the familiar world before him and could not help but release a soft sigh within his heart.

His cultivation had now reached the profound Creation [the highest stage of cultivation, representing the power to create worlds] realm, surpassing the very limits the Purple Seal Realm could withstand. He could no longer physically return to its embrace; even the simple desire to personally set foot within the Purple Seal Realm once more was now beyond his grasp.

With no other choice, the group could only descend a wisp of their divine sense, forming an avatar. Carrying the Solar Divine Gold [a legendary metal forged from the essence of the primordial sun], this avatar passed through the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar [a permanent spatial rift leading to the lower realm] and returned to the interior of the Purple Seal Realm.

"..."

Upon returning to the Purple Seal Realm, Eldrin Chen immediately made his way to the heart of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a vast, eternal sea of mystical flames].

Within this ocean of fire, he found Old Granduncle seated serenely beneath the fiery-red branches of an Immortal Date Tree, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

"You have come."

Upon the mountain peak, the Fire Date Tree was in bloom. Its crimson form was ancient and powerful, every branch and limb resembling a coiled Crimson Dragon [a mighty fire-attribute dragon], brimming with rugged strength.

Beneath the ancient tree, Eternal Profound Chen sat with the grace of an immortal and the bearing of a sage, calm and composed like an Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has transcended mortal limits and achieved immense age and power]. He personally prepared a pot of tea for Eldrin Chen.

"In recent years, you have been so preoccupied with your cultivation journey that it has been many years since you last tasted tea brewed by my hand."

"A rare moment of leisure today. Keep me company for some tea and a game of chess."

"Agreed!"

Eldrin Chen gazed at the scene, lost in thought. He recalled his youth, when he and Eternal Profound Chen served as the pillars of their clan. They would often play chess together, using the quiet moments to discuss family affairs and the shifting tides of the world.

Back then, his cultivation was merely at the Foundation Establishment and Violet Sanctum Realm levels. Their chessboard was confined to a corner of the world—places like Green Chariot Mountain and Pingyang City.

Yet, as their cultivation advanced over the years, their focus shifted overwhelmingly towards their own spiritual paths and the grand machinations of the realm. Meetings became scarce, often separated by decades, even centuries.

So it was that, almost without noticing, more than a thousand years had passed since their last game. Read the full novel exclusively on http://www . audio-novel.com.