Chapter 1076 : The Path of Twin Swords

He began to immerse his mind in studying the power of the Laws of the Dao and Dao Patterns [the fundamental principles and patterns that govern reality], seeking to deduce the path for his own Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a magical treasure intimately connected to a cultivator's life force and cultivation path]. His goal was to elevate the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords to the rank of a High Grade Immortal Treasure [a top-tier magical artifact of immense power].

Thus, time flowed on like a swift river, and in the blink of an eye, several hundred years had passed.

On this day, Eldrin Chen emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed meditation and cultivation] and made his way to the Grand Hall within Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Within that Grand Hall, a white-haired elder had been waiting for some time. This person was none other than Six Stars Immortal.

"I apologize for keeping my esteemed in-law waiting."

Eldrin Chen stepped forward, offering a slight bow with clasped hands and a warm smile.

Six Stars Immortal did not speak immediately. He studied Eldrin Chen with a careful gaze, his expression growing solemn. "Several centuries have passed since we last met," he said, "and yet, I find I can no longer clearly perceive the depths of your cultivation."

"You flatter me."

Eldrin Chen then approached, settling himself cross-legged on a cushion. He poured a cup of tea for Six Stars Immortal before his smile faded, replaced by a more serious demeanor. "Regarding the matter I entrusted to you in my letter, I wonder..."

"My own clan's reserves were not plentiful," Six Stars Immortal replied. "I had to make a special journey to the family of a close friend to gather what you requested." Find this and other novels at *audio-novel.com*.

"Everything is here."

Six Stars Immortal casually produced a Spatial Spiritual Treasure [a magical item capable of storing objects in a separate dimensional space] and handed it to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen swept his divine sense [a cultivator's spiritual perception] across it and immediately discovered it was filled to the brim with Five Elements Immortal Qi [a highly refined spiritual energy imbued with the essence of the five primal elements], a smile of satisfaction gracing his features.

Not long before, Eldrin Chen had successfully deduced the method to elevate the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords to the Immortal Rank High Grade [the pinnacle tier for immortal-grade artifacts].

However, forging an Immortal Treasure [an artifact of immense power used by immortal beings] required not only the proper formation patterns and refinement techniques but also vast quantities of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. Thus, he had entrusted Six Stars Immortal with the task of procuring the necessary Five Elements Essence for him.

The Spatial Spiritual Treasure contained over twenty trillion units of Five Elements Immortal Qi, a staggering amount that Six Stars Immortal had only managed to gather after visiting several Immortal Clan [powerful families with immortal heritage].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen handed a sum of Immortal Source [the foundational energy source for immortal cultivation] to Six Stars Immortal and sighed, "My gains within the Crimson Sun Blessed Land [a realm of profound fortune and danger] were considerable in their day."

"Yet now, the treasures upon my person are nearly exhausted."

Hearing this, Six Stars Immortal could only nod in solemn agreement.

Though Eldrin Chen's harvests back then had been immense, the most precious items—the Heaven-Mending Herb [a legendary herb said to possess world-mending properties] and the Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Cauldron [an ancient cauldron forged from black gold and inscribed with dragon patterns]—were not suitable for sale.

Because such treasures are far too precious, they simply cannot be measured by the value of Immortal Source or Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, ethereal metal refined from celestial incense ash].

Unless offered a treasure of equivalent worth, Eldrin Chen would be unwilling to sell them, even at a multiple of their price.

Although the remaining treasures were not few, Eldrin Chen had traded for the Sun, Moon, and Star Divine Pearl [divine orbs containing immense celestial power], as well as several other treasures and Fetal Nurturing Divine Objects [divine materials used to nurture and strengthen an unborn child's spiritual foundation].

Coupled with the consumption from his years of cultivation, what remained now was exceedingly scarce.

Items like the Crimson Flame Divine Spear, the Heaven-Net Sword Embryo [an unformed sword treasure with the potential to ensnare the heavens], the three Longevity Pill [elixirs that extend one's lifespan], and even the many refined Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill [immortal-grade pills marked with cloud-like patterns] had been sold off piece by piece, leaving him with almost nothing.

Now, after purchasing this large batch of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], the Immortal Essence [the purified energy currency of high-level immortals] in Eldrin Chen's possession could truly be said to be nearly exhausted.

Six Stars Immortal had long anticipated Eldrin Chen's predicament. With a faint smile, he said, "Since funds are low, would you care to join me in a contest against that Crimson Dragon Scion?"

"It is not so simple a matter,"

Eldrin Chen replied, his gaze shifting slightly before he shook his head. "The Crimson Dragon Scion struck first. He has already laid down a High-Grade Immortal Formation [a powerful defensive or offensive array of immortal rank] upon Immortal Ore Island."

"Not even an Ancient Ancestor at the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a realm just shy of becoming a true Earth Immortal] would be confident of capturing him, let alone the two of us."

Seeing this, Six Stars Immortal could not help but sigh, "Now that the Divine Spirit Lineage and the Demonic Tribe jointly occupy Immortal Ore Island, it is indeed difficult for you and me to enter the fray."

While Six Stars Immortal was preoccupied with thoughts of the immortal mine, Eldrin Chen remained quite composed.

Currently, Green Chariot Island and the Chen Clan were just beginning to establish themselves. After several centuries of development, cultivators possessing a Spiritual Root [the innate foundation for cultivation] numbered only in the tens of thousands. Stability must remain the primary focus.

Eldrin Chen's own ascension was also still recent. The pressing task was to consolidate his cultivation base and successfully forge a top-grade Immortal Sword [a sword imbued with immortal power].

Six Stars Immortal seemed to grasp Eldrin Chen's perspective, yet he pressed on, asking, "I heard you drove Third Son and Luna Yue out of Green Chariot Island?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly, realizing this was a veiled reprimand. He could only reply, "Not long ago, Third Son achieved a breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm. I allowed him to venture out and gain experience." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio novel.com.

"But for their first journey beyond the mountain, how could you let them wander alone!"

Six Stars Immortal's expression darkened, a flicker of anger appearing between his brows.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh. He poured Six Stars Immortal a cup of immortal wine and said, "Brother, you too have endured tribulations to Ascending to Immortality [achieve immortality through cultivation]. You should understand the hardships of the path."

"To Ascending to Immortality, talent alone is insufficient. Possessing an Immortal Grace [a constitution blessed with the potential for immortality] does not guarantee one will Ascending to Immortality."

"The finest blade is honed through grinding; the sweetest plum blossom blooms through bitter cold."

"In the end, these two children must still weather the storms and tread their own path of cultivation. Only then can they endure the tribulations and ascend to Ascending to Immortality [the ultimate goal of cultivation, transcending mortality to become an immortal being]."

Listening to Eldrin Chen's earnest words, Six Stars Immortal's expression shifted repeatedly.

He naturally understood Eldrin Chen's point. Yet, as a father, he could not help but wish to give his children the very best and was loath to see them face danger.

In doing so, while the children were sheltered, they had also, without realizing it, lost their own sharpness and cutting edge [metaphorical for ambition and drive].

It was like a treasured sword—if never honed and sharpened, how could it ever cleave through thorns and brambles?

"Alas."

Six Stars Immortal let out a soft sigh, then spoke: "I have been domineering my entire life, yet I alone cannot harden my heart when it comes to my children."

"All these years, I have painstakingly arranged everything for them, yet I have, without knowing, done them harm."

"Had I let them forge their own path, perhaps they would have already achieved Ascending to Immortality [the ultimate goal of cultivation, transcending mortality to become an immortal being] by now."

Eldrin Chen remained silent. Six Stars Immortal had six sons and one daughter, each one an Immortal Descendant [a descendant of an immortal being]. Advancing to the Ninth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm [the ninth and final stage of the Nascent Soul realm] was effortless for them, yet not a single one managed to achieve Immortal Ascension [to transcend mortality and ascend to the Immortal Realm], nor even reach the Demi-Immortal Realm [a state half-step between mortal and immortal].

The karmic cause behind this was likely also related to Six Stars Immortal's excessive doting.

Unconditional affection alone can only ruin a child.

It was precisely for this reason that Eldrin Chen would only bestow a few treasures upon his own children, then hand the entire world over to them.

Only by experiencing for oneself, by perceiving and comprehending the truest nature of the world, could one understand what cultivation truly is, and what it means to cultivate the heart.

"Enough, enough. Perhaps you are right."

Six Stars Immortal sighed and spoke no further on the matter.

He rose to take his leave, but seemed to remember something just before departing. "I heard you were seeking to purchase Immortal Grade Pure Yang Fruit [a fruit of supreme yang essence, potent enough for immortal-level cultivation] and Pure Yin Flower [a flower of pristine yin essence, a rare spiritual ingredient]. I have made inquiries on your behalf."

"During the expedition to the Crimson Sun Blessed Land [a realm bathed in the light of a crimson sun], many obtained Pure Yin Flower and Pure Yang Fruit [a fruit of pure yang essence]. However, most have already been refined into Pills [medicinal pellets condensed from spiritual essences]."

"The Liu Clan of the Setting Sun Sea [a sea where the sun eternally sets] still possesses a few specimens. But you will need to go there in person."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed faintly, and he immediately cupped his hands in a respectful salute, saying, "Thank you for your trouble."

"It is a small matter."

Six Stars Immortal shook his head and promptly departed from Verdant Chariot Mountain.

After seeing off Six Stars Immortal, Eldrin Chen suppressed the urgency in his heart and did not immediately go to Setting Sun Sea to seek the purchase of Pure Yang Fruit.

This was because Lyra Jiang and Verdant Consort, who were responsible for nurturing the fetus, had been carrying it for over two thousand years, and it was expected to be born within the next Millennium.

During this period, Verdant Consort and Lyra Jiang were extremely frail. To avoid severe depletion of their vitality, they could not excessively expend their Immortal Essence [the foundational life force and energy of an immortal].