Chapter 1082 : At the Gates of Enlightenment

He stole a glance at Eldrin Chen and could not help but ask, "Within the Celestial Demon Sea [a vast and perilous sea realm teeming with demonic entities], can this child still vanquish demons, slay monsters, and uphold the righteous path?"

"Hmph!"

Eldrin Chen's face was cold, yet his gaze was fixed upon the distant expanse of the sea.

There, amidst that majestic sea, a vast Immortal Island [a sacred land suffused with immortal energies] drew ever nearer.

Unbeknownst to them, they had already arrived at the Celestial Demon Sea and now stood before the mountain gate of the Empty Enlightenment Temple.

Eldrin Chen's gaze swept over the Empty Enlightenment Temple. Upon the Immortal Island, golden light shimmered in waves, and boundless Sanskrit chants echoed between heaven and earth—truly a Buddhist Sacred Land [a holy site of immense spiritual power].

Withdrawing his gaze, Eldrin Chen finally spoke, his tone profound and distant. "The Empty Enlightenment Temple has been locked in a stalemate with the overlords of the Celestial Demon Sea for many years, forced into a defensive posture."

"Now that Kongming Buddha has broken through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a realm just shy of becoming a true Earth Immortal], a confrontation with the Demonic Tribe [a powerful coalition of demonic beings] is likely imminent."

"Once you take Kongming Buddha as your master, you will have ample opportunity in the days to come to subdue demons and vanquish evil."

With those final words, Eldrin Chen swept his long sleeve, carrying Xander Chen with him as they soared towards the Empty Enlightenment Temple. Read the full novel exclusively on audio—novel.com.

The temple's abbot, Kongjian Buddha, had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, he pressed his palms together and said, "Honored guests, the Ancient Ancestor has been awaiting your arrival. Please, follow me."

"We are grateful for your guidance."

Eldrin Chen nodded calmly and followed Kongjian Buddha as he led the way.

Before the nine-tiered pagoda, Eldrin Chen beheld Kongming Buddha once more.

Many years had passed since their last meeting. This Ancient Buddha's aura had grown even more profound than before, as if gradually awakening from a long slumber. A halo of Buddha-light [a radiant manifestation of enlightenment and spiritual power] shone behind his head, illuminating the heavens, imbued with a deep sense of Zen [a state of meditative calm and insight].

"My child, you have come."

Gazing at Xander Chen, Kongming Buddha's eyes held a gentle kindness.

He examined Xander Chen carefully for a long moment, then sighed. "The Karmic Burden [the spiritual weight and consequences of one's actions, especially killing] upon you from taking life is far too heavy. It must be cleansed through the Dharma [the teachings and path of the Buddha]."

"For the next three Millennium [a period of one thousand years], you shall follow behind me. Each day, you will chant sutras and cultivate the Buddha's path. Only when the Karmic Burden of killing is washed clean, and you have comprehended the true path of cultivation, will your penance be considered complete."

Xander Chen remained silent, his gaze shifting briefly to Eldrin Chen.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and spoke immediately, "I must trouble the Buddha [a title for an enlightened being who has attained Buddhahood]."

"It is no trouble," Kongming Buddha shook his head and said with a sigh. "He was born from refining the Heavenly Dragon Relic [a sacred object of immense power derived from a celestial dragon], and thus shares a profound karmic bond with our Empty Enlightenment Temple. This old monk will naturally impart all I know."

"Since that is the case, I entrust these three Millennium [a period of one thousand years] to the Buddha's care."

Eldrin Chen clasped his hands in gratitude, his tone exceptionally courteous.

Now that Xander Chen had been delivered to the Empty Enlightenment Temple, Eldrin Chen did not linger. He departed from the temple that very day.

After leaving the Empty Enlightenment Temple, however, Eldrin Chen did not return directly to the Crimson Dragon Sea. Instead, he diverted his course towards the Setting Sun Sea.

His journey to the Setting Sun Sea was for the Pure Yang Fruit [a spiritual fruit brimming with pure Yang energy] and Pure Yin Flower [a spiritual flower imbued with pure Yin essence] still held by the Liu Clan of that region.

When the Crimson Sun Earth Immortal Realm [a secret realm associated with an Earth Immortal] had opened previously, the Clan Lord of the Liu Immortal Clan had encountered significant fortune, acquiring a considerable number of Pure Yang Fruit and Pure Yin Flower. To this day, they had not yet been used to refine Pill [a medicinal pellet for cultivation].

Years ago, when Six Stars Immortal had informed him of this, Eldrin Chen had wished to visit the Liu Clan. However, as Xander Qing Chen and Caelus had not yet been born, Eldrin Chen had postponed the trip.

Now that both children had entered the world, Eldrin Chen decided it was time to make that journey to the Liu Clan.

The Setting Sun Sea lay at an immense distance from the Celestial Demon Sea. Even with Eldrin Chen's ability to traverse hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single thought, his journey still took close to two months before he finally arrived at the Setting Sun Sea.

Upon entering the Setting Sun Sea, Eldrin Chen soon arrived before the mountain gates of the Liu Immortal Clan [the Liu Immortal Clan].

"So this is Wind Mist Island?"

Gazing at the Immortal Island [an island inhabited by Immortals] wreathed in swirling mists before him, Eldrin Chen felt a slight stir in his heart.

Wind Mist Island was the seventh largest Immortal Island [an island inhabited by Immortals] in the Setting Sun Sea, and the Liu Clan lineage that resided upon it was exceptionally powerful.

This lineage boasted seven Immortals [beings who have ascended to immortality]. Among them were two at the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [the final stage of the Immortal Ascension Realm], one whose cultivation had reached the Seventh Level of Immortal Ascension Realm, and another who was an One-Tribulation Immortal [an Immortal who has survived one Heavenly Tribulation] at the Eighth Level of Immortal Ascension Realm. For more chapters, visit site: audio-novel.com for the complete novel.

The strength of this Liu Clan was more than double that of the Verdant Rock Island Qian Clan.

Though these thoughts flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind, his gaze remained utterly calm. His confidence stemmed from his own power.

Had he arrived here immediately after his ascension, Eldrin Chen would have treated such an Immortal Clan [a clan of Immortals] with the utmost caution. Now, however, he could face them with perfect composure.

He cupped his hands towards the empty air and called out in a clear, resonant voice, "I am Eldrin, the Abyss from the Crimson Dragon Sea. Today, I have come specifically to pay my respects to the Liu Clan. I request that a Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] come forth to converse."

As the words of Eldrin Chen fell, divine echoes reverberated through the void. After a moment, a response finally came from above Wind Mist Island.

From within the vast sea of Heavenly Cloud and mist, a man and a woman, both Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality], arrived riding upon clouds.

The leading man looked towards Eldrin Chen, his gaze warm as he smiled and said, "I wondered which distinguished guest had arrived. So it is Fellow Daoist Chen [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] from Verdant Chariot Mountain."

"My Daoist title is Skywind. This is my Daoist companion, Mistweaver, the Immortal Maiden. We greet you!"

"The honor is mine. You are too courteous, Immortal Maiden."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, immediately understanding the identities of the two.

The bloodline of this Wind Mist Island all descended from a pair of Immortal Daoist companions: Skywind and Mistweaver, the Immortal Maiden.

These two became Daoist companions over a million years ago and later established their lineage on Wind Mist Island. Now, the entire Liu Clan of Wind Mist Island, including its other five Immortal, are their descendants.

Between the two, Skywind possessed slightly higher cultivation, having reached the Eighth Level of Immortal Ascension Realm. Mistweaver, the Immortal Maiden's cultivation was a step lower, at the Seventh Level of Immortal Ascension Realm.

Clearly, these two had also heard of Eldrin Chen's reputation; otherwise, they would not have personally come to receive him together.

With a faint smile, Skywind, the Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and attained a higher state of existence], extended a hand in invitation. "This is no place for conversation," he said. "Please, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], follow me."

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and followed Skywind, the Immortal, onto Wind Mist Island and up to the summit of Guest-Welcoming Peak.

Seated across from one another within the Welcoming Guest Pavilion, Skywind, the Immortal, personally prepared a pot of tea for Eldrin Chen before inquiring, "If my guess is correct, Fellow Daoist, you have come for the Pure Yang Fruit [a spiritual fruit brimming with pure Yang energy, highly sought after for cultivation]?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback before nodding. "It seems you, Fellow Daoist, were already aware."

Skywind, the Immortal, nodded in return, a smile gracing his features. "To speak plainly, had you not sought me out, I would have come to find you with the Pure Yang Fruit in hand before long."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen was slightly puzzled, a flicker of confusion crossing his expression.

Seeing this, Skywind, the Immortal, stroked his beard with an amused chuckle. "There is an item in your possession that this old man has coveted for many years."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen paused for a moment, then inquired, "May I ask what object Fellow Daoist seeks?"

"The Jade Marrow Golden Bamboo Shoot!"

Skywind, the Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and ascended to immortality], spoke with a deeply solemn expression.

As he explained in detail, Eldrin Chen finally recalled what the Jade Marrow Golden Bamboo Shoot was.

Years ago, within the Crimson Sun Blessed Land, Eldrin Chen had harvested a great quantity of rare Immortal Herbs [plants imbued with potent spiritual energy]. Among them, the most precious were the Heaven-Mending Herb and a single golden bamboo shoot.

That golden bamboo shoot was named the Jade Marrow Golden Bamboo Shoot. Eldrin Chen was not fully aware of its true, wondrous uses and had not found a Pill Formula [a recipe for crafting alchemical pills] that could utilize this material. Therefore, he had kept it planted within his Spirit Medicine Garden all this time.

However, Skywind, the Immortal, possessed a Pill Formula of astonishing value.

This formula was called the Jade Marrow Golden Pill. This pill used the Jade Marrow Golden Bamboo Shoot as its primary ingredient. Once refined, it would become a supreme treasure for cultivating an Immortal Physique [a body tempered to the level of an immortal]—a Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill.

Skywind was an Immortal who followed the path of Fleshly Body Ascension [ascending to immortality through physical body refinement]. Once the Jade Marrow Golden Pill was successfully concocted and consumed, it would allow him to perfect a Major Achievement-level Immortal Physique, enabling a breakthrough to the realm of the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality. Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel.com.