Chapter 1028 : The Perilous Path to Earth Immortal

"Most likely so."

Xander Qian nodded, his expression turning profoundly grave. "The Patriarch of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sanctuary imbued with the waning sun's essence] is an Immortal who has weathered five Tribulations [cosmic trials that test an immortal's cultivation and resolve]."

"He has been at the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [the threshold just before becoming an Earth Immortal] for many years. His power has long been sufficient to attempt a breakthrough into the true Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an immortal anchored to and drawing power from the world itself]."

"However, he possesses only a single Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [a pinnacle-tier enchanted artifact of immortal rank]. That is likely insufficient for the act of World-Opening [the foundational act of creating one's own inner world upon becoming an Earth Immortal], which is why he has not rashly made the attempt."

At this point, Xander Qian paused briefly before continuing. "The Immortal Tribulations [the series of heavenly trials faced by immortals], each successive one is more perilous than the last."

"That patriarch, sheltered by the Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is fused with the essence of the world] of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land, has managed to endure five consecutive Tribulations. That is no small feat."

"If he cannot seize the opportunity of his next Tribulation to achieve his breakthrough, I fear his chance will likely be lost forever."

Xander Qian spoke in detail, explaining the nature of the Immortal Tribulations to Eldrin Chen.

It turned out that Immortal Tribulations were exceedingly difficult to survive. The first three Tribulations were challenging enough, but each subsequent one grew exponentially more arduous.

Generally speaking, an Immortal who had weathered four Tribulations possessed about a twenty percent chance of successfully breaking through to the Earth Immortal Realm. Discover more cultivation stories at audio novel.com.

Upon this foundation, each additional Tribulation [a catastrophic heavenly trial that cultivators must endure at set intervals] successfully endured increases one's certainty of a breakthrough into the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a powerful immortal being anchored to the mortal world] by two additional layers of assurance.

Yet, correspondingly, the peril and ferocity of each successive Tribulation [a catastrophic heavenly trial that cultivators must endure at set intervals] grows increasingly boundless and terrifying.

Generally speaking, any Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] capable of surviving seven Tribulation [catastrophic heavenly trials] is one who harbors the ambition to reach the Celestial Immortal [the realm of a Celestial Immortal, a higher state of immortal existence]. Such individuals either possess courage and methods far surpassing the ordinary, or they enjoy the protection of a supreme Earth Immortal [an immortal being anchored to the mortal world] or even a Celestial Immortal [a higher state of immortal existence] backing them.

The Five Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived five heavenly tribulations] from the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred land bathed in the light of the lingering sun] lacks the means to survive a seventh Tribulation [a catastrophic heavenly trial]. His backing consists of merely a single Earth Immortal Patriarch [the patriarch of a lineage, who has achieved the Earth Immortal realm].

With such standing, if he were to willingly enter the tribulation to face a seventh Tribulation [a catastrophic heavenly trial], his chances of survival would likely be less than one in ten.

Precisely for this reason, the more seasoned Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] within the Lingering Sun Sea [a vast celestial sea] have already concluded that he will most likely seize the opportunity sixty thousand years hence to make a single, decisive attempt to break through into the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a powerful immortal being anchored to the mortal world].

Now, the Lingering Sun Blessed Land's [a sacred land bathed in the light of the lingering sun] desire to acquire treasures to refine a World-Opening Treasure [a supreme artifact used in the perilous process of creating a new minor world] clearly confirms Xander Qian's conjecture.

"Esteemed fellow cultivators, is there truly no suitable treasure for exchange?"

Seeing the general lack of interest, Verdant Sparse Immortal [an immortal known for his connection to verdant, sparse realms] pressed on with undying hope, "Even a High Grade Immortal Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root, a plant of immense power that can anchor an immortal's domain] would suffice."

"If any of you possess a High Grade Immortal Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root] and are at least willing to consider felling and selling it to my Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred land bathed in the light of the lingering sun], you may name your price to me in private."

It is a pity that an Immortal Root [a spiritual root capable of bearing Immortal-grade fruits] can produce Immortal Fruits, which for an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] is a priceless heirloom capable of being passed down for millions of years.

In the long term, the value of a High Grade Immortal Root [a top-tier spiritual root bearing Immortal-grade fruits] is even more precious than a Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of enchanted artifact used by Immortals]; naturally, they would not commit such a shortsighted act of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Thus, even though Verdant Sparse Immortal offered various rare treasures, the assembly remained utterly unmoved.

In the end, Verdant Sparse Immortal descended the platform with a sigh of resignation. Before parting, he still offered a final piece of advice: "The Crimson Sun Earth Immortal Realm [a perilous realm associated with the Crimson Sun Earth Immortal] will soon open. Within its depths, there may yet be High Grade Immortal Root to be found."

"Should any of you obtain one when the time comes, you may seek me out at the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a blessed land of cultivation]."

"Rest assured, my Lingering Sun Blessed Land will certainly offer you a satisfactory price."

After Verdant Sparse Immortal departed, several other Immortal took their turns upon the platform in succession.

With the opening of the Earth Immortal World [a realm inhabited by Earth Immortals] drawing near, the gathered Immortal had brought forth a considerable number of treasures for sale, all for the purpose of exchanging them for Immortal Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by Immortals] or protective Immortal Talismans. Their aim was to better equip themselves to seek even greater treasures within the depths of the Earth Immortal World.

Among the offerings were several pill formulas, Formation [arcane arts for setting up defensive or offensive arrays], and even spiritual talismans for sale, a sight that made Eldrin Chen's eyes gleam with desire.

Alas, Eldrin Chen had only recently entered the Immortal Realm [the realm of the Immortals]. While his personal wealth could not be called utterly destitute, it was, by Immortal standards, exceedingly meager.

Aside from a few of his Lifebound Immortal Treasure [treasures bound to one's life and soul, growing in power with the cultivator], his entire worldly wealth consisted of the Crimson Flame Golden Cauldron [a golden cauldron imbued with crimson flame energy, used for alchemy and refinement], a single Mid-Grade Immortal Treasure [a mid-tier enchanted artifact of significant power].

The remainder was a solitary Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a special silver used in rituals and offerings to celestial beings] and a mere dozen or so Immortal Source [crystallized pure spiritual energy used for cultivation].

"My coffers are lamentably bare," he sighed inwardly.

Most loath to part with his Crimson Flame Golden Cauldron, Eldrin Chen could only watch helplessly as the alchemical recipe Formation [a specific method or arrangement for creating pills or artifacts] was claimed by another.

Witnessing this, Void-Refining Immortal [an immortal who refines the void, a title denoting mastery over spatial principles] wished to assist, but found his own possessions scarcely more valuable.

With a helpless sigh, he offered a wry smile. "It shames me to admit it, but I too would like to help. My own purse is painfully light at the moment." For the best reading experience, visit audio—novel.com.

It turned out that in recent years, striving to break through to the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation realm], Void-Refining Immortal had sold off nearly everything of worth he owned. Now, beyond his Lifebound Immortal Treasure, he possessed almost nothing else.

"Do not trouble yourself over it. Let us consider it an opportunity to broaden our horizons," Eldrin Chen said, though a trace of disappointment lingered.

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a faint, bitter smile touching his own lips.

Yet, as he reflected on how Void-Refining Immortal, in his own state of poverty, had still lent him that piece of Incense Offering Celestial Silver, a genuine warmth spread through Eldrin Chen's heart.

After a moment of contemplation, he said to Void-Refining Immortal [a title for an immortal skilled in refining the void], "For this journey to the Crimson Sun Earth Immortal Realm [a specific immortal realm], let us travel together."

"Should we encounter any trouble, we can support each other."

"Agreed."

Void-Refining Immortal gave a slight nod. Although he had never seen Eldrin Chen fight personally, he vaguely sensed that Eldrin Chen possessed extraordinary combat prowess and would likely not be a burden.

Thinking this, Void-Refining Immortal smiled and said, "If you and I join forces, along with your two wives, we should even be able to contend with an Ascendant Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to a higher state of being] in the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm]."

Eldrin Chen offered a noncommittal smile but spoke calmly, "My two wives are with child recently. For this trip, they shall remain behind to guard Green Chariot Island."

"Oh?"

Void-Refining Immortal's face lit up with pleasant surprise. Stroking his beard with delight, he exclaimed, "It seems I must strive even harder within the Earth Immortal World [a world inhabited by Earth Immortals] this time."

"Otherwise, if the congratulatory gift I present upon our return is too meager, I fear I would be too ashamed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you again."

"Very well, then let us fight side by side!"

Eldrin Chen nodded, a glint of unwavering resolve flashing within his gaze.

Amidst the bustling throngs of the Barter Convention, Eldrin Chen and Void-Refining Immortal [a title for an immortal who refines the void], two cultivators of modest means, watched silently as others reaped bountiful harvests, neither stepping onto the stage to present their own treasures.

Only when the Barter Convention drew to its final close did Eldrin Chen realize he had, almost without noticing, laid eyes upon hundreds of rare, immortal-grade treasures.

"Though this journey yielded no treasures in exchange, broadening one's horizons is hardly a fruitless endeavor."

As the Barter Convention concluded, Eldrin Chen offered a wry smile of self-consolation.

Beside him, Void-Refining Immortal nodded, a touch of pride coloring his expression. "This old man has attended nine of these Barter Convention. Though I've only managed to trade for a single Creation Immortal Pill [a legendary pill said to aid in world creation], the treasures I've witnessed number in the thousands."

"So, while my cultivation may seem unremarkable since my recent ascension, in terms of discernment and... bearing," he declared, puffing out his chest slightly, "this old Daoist yields to no one."

Eldrin Chen: "…"

Nearby, Xander Qian and Six Stars Immortal exchanged a look of profound bemusement at these words.

Finally, Six Stars Immortal shook his head with a chuckle, waving a hand. "In three hundred years, the Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a realm of profound fortune for Earth Immortals] will open. This old man must also make preparations and will take his leave."

Xander Qian [a senior cultivator] wore a bitter smile and shook his head, saying, "Throughout my many years of cultivation, I have always adhered to the principle of caution. As long as I do not descend the mountain to meddle in Mortal Dust [the mundane affairs of the mortal world], I will not invite trouble."

"That Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a realm of power and peril for Earth Immortals] is fraught with danger. I fear it is a place where even Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] might be forced into Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth]."

"This old path master still wishes for a peaceful cultivation journey and has no desire to take a stroll through the Mortal Dust [the trials and tribulations of the mortal realm]. I shall not join this expedition."

As he spoke, he turned to Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a formidable cultivator] and his companion, advising, "The Earth Immortal World [the perilous domain of Earth Immortals] is treacherous. You two have ascended for less than one hundred thousand years; you must remain vigilant."

"It would be wiser to cultivate for a few more years. Wait until you break through to the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation realm]. It will not be too late to venture there when the ruins open again." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio - novel . com.