Chapter 1094 : Ashes of an Ancient Ancestor

Until his form scattered to ashes, Yin-Yang Ancient Ancestor remained utterly composed.

An Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] is fundamentally different from a mortal. In the eyes of such celestial and demonic beings, unless one's soul is utterly annihilated, even entering the cycle of Reincarnation [the cyclical process of death and rebirth] does not constitute true demise.

It is merely a journey through the wheel of Reincarnation. Should Yin-Yang Ancient Ancestor ever encounter a fortuitous opportunity in the future and cultivate back to a realm above Half-Step Earth Immortal [a powerful cultivation stage just below a full Earth Immortal], he could pierce the veil of the womb-mystery and recover his memories.

"Finally, he is slain!"

Witnessing the fall of Yin-Yang Ancient Ancestor, Eldrin Chen released a heavy sigh of relief.

Zenyu the Prison-Keeper wiped cold sweat from his brow, his usually stern expression nearly crumbling.

Disregarding all decorum, he sat upon the ground, drew a deep breath, and said, "My thanks are due to you. Had you not intervened, the combined might of the Yin-Yang Dual Pole Pearl [a powerful treasure harnessing the opposing forces of Yin and Yang] would surely have claimed my life."

"There is no need for such formalities."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips. "Had you not held the line for that crucial moment, I would never have grasped the opening."

Zenyu the Prison-Keeper gave a solemn nod. His Prison-Keeping Divine Constitution [a rare innate physique specialized in suppression and confinement] and his Seven Ghosts Purgatory Furnace [a formidable furnace artifact capable of refining and purging spectral entities] were supremely effective against Ghost Immortal [immortals who cultivate through ghostly or spectral paths] and Demonic Monsters. Naturally, Yin-Yang Ancient Ancestor sought to eliminate him first to prevent any unforeseen complications. Read the full novel exclusively on (audio-novel.com).

With this thought, Zenyu the Prison-Keeper retrieved the Yin-Yang Dual Pole Pearl [a mystical orb embodying the opposing yet complementary forces of yin and yang] into his hand, then spoke: "How shall we divide the treasures?"

"Let us wait a moment."

With a sweep of his sleeve, Eldrin Chen gathered the Remnant Soul [the lingering spiritual essence of a being after death] of the Old Monk and Canda the Daoist.

As for the others, Sylas Ye, the Immortal had his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] pierced through by Eldrin Chen's sword, and Flora the Immortal Maiden perished under the Yin-Yang Life-Death Curse [a formidable curse that manipulates the boundary between life and death]. Neither could hold on and had entered the cycle of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth].

Between these two, although Canda the Daoist had been ambushed by Sylas Ye, the Immortal, a sliver of vitality remained. It seemed there was still a faint chance for Nirvana [a state of profound enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of suffering].

The Old Monk, however, had been cleaved in two by the Yin-Yang Dual Pole Swords [twin swords channeling the powers of yin and yang], his Immortal Embryo [the nascent immortal form within a high-level cultivator] pierced through by the Yin-Yang Polar Light [a beam of light harmonizing destructive yin and yang energies]. He now lingered at death's door.

Gazing upon the flickering Remnant Soul of the two, Eldrin Chen sighed and asked, "Do you have any final words?"

Canda the Daoist knew that with their current power, myself had no ground for negotiation.

Moreover, having lost his physical body, his life and death now rested solely in the hands of these two—or rather, in Eldrin's. He could only offer a bitter smile and speak: "This old one lost his body at the battle's outset and contributed little to the fight."

"I have no face to claim any treasures within. I only beg you both to allow my Primordial Spirit to depart in peace. For that, I would be eternally grateful."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Zenyu the Prison-Keeper before speaking thoughtfully, "When we slew the Tengshe [a primordial winged serpent demon], you contributed greatly to the effort."

"Now that your Immortal Physique [a cultivator's immortal-grade physical body] has been destroyed, restoring it will require vast quantities of Immortal Treasures [rare materials imbued with immortal energy]. Therefore, we shall grant you the flesh and blood of the Tengshe."

"The Tengshe's flesh and blood?"

Canda the Daoist could not help but reveal a look of pleasant surprise upon hearing this.

In a situation where he was utterly at their mercy, he had thought it fortunate enough if the two did not covet his own Immortal Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact]. He never imagined they would be willing to give the Tengshe's remains to him.

This Tengshe was a Primordial Desolate Beast [an ancient beast from the dawn of creation], its physical form immensely powerful and a supremely nourishing top-grade Immortal Treasure.

If he used this substance to nurture and rebuild his Immortal Physique, the resulting body would likely be far more formidable than his previous one.

Thinking this, Canda the Daoist said gratefully, "In that case, I offer my deepest thanks to you both."

"No thanks are necessary. This is merely your rightful due."

Eldrin Chen replied with calm detachment, then added, "However, you must also swear a Heavenly Dao Oath [a binding vow sworn upon the Heavenly Dao, the cosmic principle of order] never to divulge the events of this day."

"That is only natural."

Canda the Daoist nodded. This ancient site was far too precious; if he did not swear the oath, the two of them would likely never let him leave.

After Canda the Daoist swore the oath, the two gave him the flesh and blood of the Tengshe [a mythical winged serpent demon], then turned their gaze to the Old Monk.

Compared to Canda the Daoist, the Old Monk had contributed far more in this battle. Even his Immortal Embryo [the nascent immortal body of a high-level cultivator] had been nearly disintegrated by the Yin-Yang Aurora Sword. Now, there was no hope of recovery; he could only be forced to break his Cycle of Reincarnation [a profound ability related to the cycle of death and rebirth].

Therefore, Eldrin Chen sighed, a note of helplessness in his voice as he asked, "Does the Master have any final words to impart?"

"Amitabha Buddha." Read, share, and discuss at (audio-novel.com).

The Old Monk's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] had grown exceedingly faint and illusory. He sighed and spoke, "This old monk was originally an ascetic from the Alms Bowl Immortal Domain, who has wandered through various Immortal Domain [realms of immortals] for several hundred thousand years. In the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, I have made no close friends."

"However, there is but one person I cannot set my heart at ease about."

As his words fell, the Old Monk retrieved a Vajra Buddha's Alms Bowl [a powerful Buddhist magical artifact] from his sleeve and handed it to Eldrin Chen, saying, "Not long ago, I took in a child who possesses the seed of wisdom."

"I had intended to accept him as my disciple, but mindful of the peril of this journey, I left him at the Longbeard Island Market within the Meteor Sea."

"After this old monk passes into nirvana [the final state of liberation in Buddhism], he will be left alone and destitute within the market town, and I fear he may suffer bullying from others."

Speaking to this point, the aged monk sighed and said, "This old monk is willing to bequeath the Sariras [sacred crystalline relics formed from a high-level monk's cremated remains] and the Golden Foil Buddhist Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of Buddhist origin] cultivated over this lifetime to you, sir. I ask only that you take care of that child on my behalf."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "Rest assured, Master. I will take the child back to my clan and ensure he is well cared for."

"In that case, this old monk can depart without regrets."

Upon hearing these words, Old Monk revealed a faint smile, akin to the Buddha [an enlightened being who has attained the highest state of spiritual awakening] holding a flower—a final, serene expression before he dissolved into the vast emptiness, leaving behind only a single Sariras [sacred crystalline relic] where he had been.

After storing the Sariras and the Buddhist alms bowl, Eldrin Chen stood up, cast a final glance around the ruins, and then turned to Zenyu the Prison-Keeper beside him. "Let us first gather all the treasures within these ruins completely, and then discuss their division. What do you think?"

"Agreed."

Upon hearing this, Zenyu the Prison-Keeper could not help but reveal a smile of satisfaction.

This Yin-Yang Immortal Sect [a powerful and ancient sect specializing in the balance of opposing cosmic forces] had a lineage spanning six million years and had produced no fewer than three powerhouses who reached the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a pinnacle stage of cultivation just below the rank of a true Earth Immortal].

At the zenith of its power, the sect's Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and unshakable foundational strength of a major power] was such that it possessed six or seven Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of immortal artifacts] serving as its sect-guarding treasures. Various other Immortal Treasures [powerful artifacts forged with immortal techniques] numbered in the hundreds. Its Deep-Seated Foundation was only slightly inferior to that of the Setting Sun Blessed Land [a legendary paradise realm].

Although, during the Great Tribulation nearly a million years ago, the Deep-Seated Foundation of the Yin-Yang Immortal Sect had long been thoroughly plundered by the victors, and this place was merely a subsidiary abode.

Yet, this was, after all, a hidden contingency left by the Yin-Yang Ancient Ancestor, and the treasures within were certain not to disappoint them.

The two spent half a month scouring this Immortal Sect clean, finally gathering all the valuables of significant worth.

Gazing upon the treasures before them, both could not help but reveal looks of excitement.

Among these treasures, the various Immortal Rank Ancient Texts alone numbered over a hundred scrolls.

Among them were thirty-three scrolls of Immortal Rank alchemy, formation, tool, and talisman inheritances; thirty-six scrolls of Cultivation Art at or above the Immortal Rank; and forty-one scrolls of Divine Ability and special secret techniques at or above the Immortal Rank.

Most of these Immortal Scripture were only of low or middle grade within the Immortal Rank, with high-grade scriptures constituting a minority.

However, there were seven scrolls of Supreme Grade Immortal Scripture that made their mouths water with desire.

With such treasures before them, there was naturally no hesitation. Eldrin Chen immediately took out the Golden Foil Celestial Book and transcribed their contents within.

Yet, when it came to dividing the seven scrolls of Supreme Grade Immortal Scripture, the two found themselves in a quandary.

Because the content recorded within these seven volumes of the Supreme Grade Immortal Scripture [the highest tier of cultivation manuals, containing profound cosmic laws] had transcended the Ascension to Immortality Limit [the theoretical ceiling of power attainable before ascending to the true Immortal Realm], even Dao Gold [a legendary metal capable of recording profound truths] foil was insufficient to replicate them in their entirety.

With no other recourse, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh. "These volumes of the Supreme Grade Immortal Scripture were all created by Half-Step Earth Immortal Ancestor [a supreme cultivator who has nearly attained the Earth Immortal realm]. They represent the very path to enlightenment for several ancient Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators of immense power, one step below true Earth Immortals].

"To bear their profound essence, even a Golden Foil Celestial Book [a sacred book forged from golden foil, used to record supreme arts] would fall short."

"Either we must find a small amount of Refined Supreme Gold [a peerless, purified divine metal] to forge 'Taiyi Golden Foil Paper' [a legendary paper made from Taiyi-principle-infused gold], or we must use the bark of a Supreme Grade Immortal Root [a mythical, world-tree-level spiritual plant] to craft Scripture Transmission Paper [special paper designed to withstand and transmit profound cultivation knowledge]." Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel-dot-com.