Chapter 1005 : A Final Game Before Ascension

"Ah, the relentless march of time!"

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh, then stepped forward to sit opposite Old Granduncle.

Beneath the ancient tree, the old and the young faced each other over the board, both wrapped in profound silence.

In their hearts, they both understood this would be their final game in the Mortal Realm. The next time they met, it might not be in this lifetime, or perhaps not even in this cycle of existence.

After an immeasurable span, Eternal Profound Chen set down his piece, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "After all these years, I am still no match for you, old nephew. It seems this lifetime holds no chance for me to best you."

"Old Granduncle..."

Eldrin Chen's heart clenched. After a long pause, he spoke. "Why not ascend to the Immortal Realm with me? Perhaps there, you may yet find the opportunity to achieve immortality [to transcend mortality and become an immortal being]."

"There is no need for that."

Eternal Profound Chen shook his head again, his smile tinged with resignation. "My Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] is anchored within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. To leave it would cause the greater part of my lifelong cultivation to dissipate."

"Rather than ascend to the Immortal Realm, it is better for me to remain within the Purple Seal Realm. Here, I can accumulate a deeper foundation for my cultivation, increasing my chances of attaining immortality in my next life." Original English translation available at (audio-novel.com).

"Moreover, ascending to the Immortal Realm is inherently difficult. Taking me along would likely make it even more troublesome."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression also darkened slightly, understanding that Eternal Profound Chen's words were not without reason.

For an Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation] to ascend, they must summon the Ascension Guiding Immortal Light [a divine radiance from the Immortal Realm that guides ascendants] from the Immortal Realm [the higher realm where immortals reside]. That Ascension Guiding Immortal Light traverses infinite worlds to guide the Immortal towards immortality; in principle, no mishaps should occur.

However, the Ascension Guiding Immortal Light is also incredibly overbearing, capable of transporting the Immortal to the Immortal Realm in an extremely short span of time.

And anything being guided by the Ascension Guiding Immortal Light struggles to withstand such extreme velocity. If it lacks the grade of an immortal-tier artifact, it will be utterly annihilated, reduced to ashes.

It is precisely for this reason that when an Immortal ascends, they often leave their lower-grade treasures behind, taking only immortal-tier divine objects with them.

There are also powerful Immortal who can use their formidable Immortal Essence [the purified energy core of an immortal] to protect objects from the Mortal Dust [the mortal world], carrying some Near-Immortal Supreme Treasure [treasures of the highest mortal grade] along during their ascent. Yet, this requires paying a tremendous price.

Eldrin Chen's cultivation has reached the profound realm of Creation [the act of world-creation, a supreme stage of power], and his Immortal Essence and comprehension of Path Principles [the fundamental laws of the Dao] far surpass those of ordinary Ascendant Immortal [newly ascended immortals]. He even has the confidence to bring several of his Dao Companions with him during ascension.

Yet, he also understands his own limits. For this ascension, he intends to bring not only his three Dao Companions—Lila, Nyssa Qu, and Violet Consort Yan—but also several Worldly Spiritual Root [plants of immense spiritual significance that anchor worldly energy].

After all, the Spiritual Peach Tree [a mythical peach tree bearing fruit that enhances cultivation] is crucial to his post-ascension cultivation speed, and the Enlightenment Tea Tree [a tea tree whose leaves aid in comprehending profound truths] can assist him in contemplating Path Principles Power [the power derived from understanding cosmic laws].

Once the Eight Trigrams Treasure Tree ascends, it will become one of the most supreme immortal treasures. Eldrin Chen could not bear to part with a single one of them.

Furthermore, if he were to bring Old Granduncle along, the act of ascending would likely become perilous.

Moreover, Old Granduncle's soul was currently anchored within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, making it truly unsuitable for him to accompany Eldrin Chen in ascending to the Immortal Realm [the higher realm where immortals reside].

After all, Eldrin Chen's own understanding of the Immortal Realm was limited. Venturing into it rashly would leave him groping in the dark, and it was unwise to bring Old Granduncle along when the future was so uncertain.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke thoughtfully, "Then, Old Granduncle, please cultivate here in peace. Once we have established a firm foothold in the Immortal Realm, we shall return to guide you in achieving immortality."

"Very well."

Eternal Profound Chen smiled faintly, stroking his long beard. "This old man will wait right here for that day."

With that settled, Eldrin Chen did not bring up the matter of taking Eternal Profound Chen along for the ascension again.

With a flick of his sleeve, he released Nine Strands of Immortal Energy [pure, condensed energy of the immortal realm]. "During my spare time over the years," he said, "I refined these Nine Strands of Immortal Energy. They shall remain as part of the clan's foundational reserves."

"And these Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts powered by spiritual energy] and Immortal Treasure [supreme artifacts of the immortal realm] are of no further use to me. They, too, shall be left for the clan."

Eldrin Chen spoke in measured tones, retrieving from his hand several dozen Primordial Solar Spiritual Object and Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

Over the years, Eldrin Chen had slain countless demons and fiends. The spoils seized from the Outer Realm Demon God alone numbered over a hundred Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [high-grade enchanted artifacts], along with seven Near-Immortal Treasures [artifacts of power approaching that of true Immortal treasures].

These treasures were of no use to Eldrin Chen and could not be taken during his ascension. He had selected a few to bestow upon Ethan Chen, Kael Chen, and others. The remainder were now all given to the Old Granduncle.

After distributing the treasures, Eldrin Chen placed the Solar Divine Gold [a divine metal forged in solar essence] to nurture within the depths beneath the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. Then, from his bosom, he withdrew two supreme treasures.

Of these two treasures, one was the Eight Trigrams Treasure Flag [a formation flag inscribed with the eight trigrams], and the other was a golden Ancient Bell [an ancient bell artifact].

"This—" Read the full novel exclusively on audio–novel.com.

The moment he laid eyes on these two supreme treasures, Eternal Profound Chen's expression shifted slightly. He shook his head immediately. "The Eight Trigrams Treasure Flag and the Eastern Sovereign Bell [the Bell of the Eastern Sovereign] are both paramount treasures. Even if you took them to the Immortal Realm, they would be of great use. How can you leave them behind?"

"There is no need for further persuasion, Old Granduncle."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, his expression turning solemn. "I have fused various Spiritual Object [spiritually charged materials] into this Eight Trigrams Treasure Flag, elevating its grade to the very threshold of the Near-Immortal rank."

"If you, Old Granduncle, nurture it diligently, it may very well transform into a set of Formation Flag [flags used to deploy powerful formations] rivaling a true Immortal Treasure [an artifact of Immortal grade]. This shall serve as a foundation for transcending the tribulation and achieving immortality."

"As for the Eastern Sovereign Bell..."

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment, his gaze then settling upon the Eastern Sovereign's Physical Body deep within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. After a long silence, he finally spoke: "This Eastern Sovereign Bell... it may be the sole chance for Eastern Sovereign Patriarch to revive."

"A chance for the Patriarch to return to life?"

Upon hearing this, Eternal Profound Chen could not conceal his profound shock.

"Precisely."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod, his expression turning grave. "The Eastern Sovereign Patriarch's soul was scattered to the winds. By all rights, revival should be impossible. Yet, he was no ordinary man."

Speaking of the Eastern Sovereign, Eldrin Chen began to recount the tale.

In that battle of ages past, the Eastern Sovereign's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] was slain by an Outer Realm Demon God. By all logic, he should have been utterly annihilated, with no hope of return.

Yet the Eastern Sovereign's circumstances were unique. He had, after all, achieved an Immortal Body [a physical form refined to an immortal state]. Even though his soul was extinguished, his flesh retained astonishing, miraculous properties.

It was precisely for this reason that while the Eastern Sovereign's soul perished, his physical body remained alive. It was even refined by the Outer Realm Demon God into a Second Primordial Spirit [a secondary spiritual consciousness or avatar].

It was precisely because of the existence of this Immortal Body [a body that has transcended mortality and achieved immortality] that the True Spirit [the highest spiritual essence of a cultivator] of Eastern Sovereign did not choose reincarnation, but instead remained within his physical form.

Now, Eldrin Chen intended to utilize this remaining True Spirit and the nourishing feedback from the Eastern Sovereign's Physical Body to reconstitute Eastern Sovereign's soul, seeking a sliver of hope for his revival.

"The artifact spirit of this Eastern Sovereign Bell was originally formed from a wisp of Eastern Sovereign Patriarch's soul essence,"

Eldrin Chen explained. "Now that the Eastern Sovereign Bell has ascended to an Immortal Treasure [a treasure of immortal grade], it can be placed within the Eastern Sovereign's Physical Body. If nurtured for thousands of years, perhaps his soul can be revived."

Eldrin Chen elaborated further, his voice steady. "I plan to use the Eastern Sovereign Bell, the Eastern Sovereign's Immortal Body, and Solar Divine Gold [a legendary metal imbued with solar essence] as three Formation Eye [core nodes of a mystical array] to assist Eastern Sovereign in reconstituting his soul."

"If this endeavor succeeds, Eastern Sovereign might have a chance of resurrection—swiftly in a few thousand years, or slowly over tens of millennia."

With a sigh, Eldrin Chen added, "This is not merely about reviving Eastern Sovereign. For the venerable Tomb Guardian of old, it might also be a form of rebirth."

Upon hearing this, Eternal Profound Chen's expression darkened slightly.

In the past, to forge the Eastern Sovereign Bell, the venerable Tomb Guardian had willingly fused his lifelong Path Fruit [the culmination of one's cultivation path] and his near-immortal Path Principles [the fundamental laws comprehended on one's cultivation path] into it. One could say at least thirty percent of the credit for the bell's successful creation belonged to the Tomb Guardian.

If Eastern Sovereign's revival succeeded, the Eastern Sovereign Bell would have the potential to advance further. In a way, it would be akin to a new life for the venerable Tomb Guardian.

Thinking of this, Old Granduncle also sighed and said, "For Eastern Sovereign Patriarch to have fallen in battle for the Purple Seal Realm and yet face the fate of having his soul scattered to the winds is indeed an unjust end."

"Since you hold this intention in your heart, I naturally support you in this endeavor." Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel dot com.