Chapter 1138 : The Heirloom's Cosmic Choice

Gazing upon the Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos, Eldrin Chen's expression remained utterly placid. That Skywind the Daoist would desire this object had been within his expectations from the start.

After all, this Bell of the Starry Expanse was an Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure [a legendary artifact of supreme rank, said to possess the power to cleave open the heavens themselves]. Though now grievously damaged and incomplete, it remained the most precious treasure among them.

If Skywind the Daoist could one day repair this treasure, then relying on its protection would likely increase his chances of surviving the tribulations and breaking through to the Earth Immortal [a profound realm of cultivation where one becomes an immortal bound to the earth] by more than thirty percent.

For Eldrin Chen, however, this treasure was not an absolute necessity.

This was because Eldrin Chen possessed the Yin-Yang Dual Pole Pearl for his protection, whose power was not necessarily inferior to that of the Bell of the Starry Expanse by any significant margin.

Though the value of the Bell of the Starry Expanse was staggering, the resources required to restore it were equally oceanic in scale.

Skywind the Daoist had established his clan for over a million years; Wind Mist Island had accumulated an immeasurably profound Deep-Seated Foundation [the accumulated resources, heritage, and latent potential of a clan or sect], and thus might possess some chance of accomplishing its repair.

Yet, given the current Deep-Seated Foundation of the Chen Clan, it would likely require another two or three hundred thousand years of accumulation before they could even hope to restore it—a span of time far too protracted.

Therefore, from the very beginning, Eldrin Chen had not intended to choose this object.

With a slight nod, he affirmed, "Among these six treasures, it is indeed the Bell of the Starry Expanse that holds the greatest value." This novel is serialized on audio-novel*com. Visit for updates.

"You have taken this item; the remaining treasures should rightfully belong to me."

Skywind the Daoist furrowed his brow and began to bargain, "The Star Fruit and the Three Thousand Stars are of little use to this old man. However, leave me a portion of the Source of the Stars."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded, understanding that Skywind the Daoist wanted a share of the Source of the Stars to increase his chances of repairing the Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos.

After storing the Star Fruit and the Three Thousand Stars, and taking two portions of the Source of the Stars, Eldrin Chen finally handed the remaining portion of the Star Essence to Skywind the Daoist.

Seeing Skywind the Daoist's delight, Eldrin Chen still offered a word of caution, "This Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos has been damaged for what is likely a million years."

"Given the Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and established cultivation base] of the Star Spirit Race, who have yet to restore it to this day, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] should not place too much hope in its repair."

Skywind the Daoist merely smiled with confidence, stroking his beard as he said, "To be frank, Tianyan the Ancient Ancestor of the Violet Flame Abode of Bliss is a senior who ascended from the same lower realm as I."

"Upon my return, I shall visit the Tianyan Abode of Bliss to see if I can request Tianyan the Ancient Ancestor to personally undertake the restoration of this treasure."

"So that is the way of it."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, thoughtful nod.

An Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and ascended to a higher plane of existence] born from a mortal world is akin to a child of that world's very heavens and earth.

Those who Ascend to Immortality [achieve immortality and transcend the mortal realm] from the same mortal world may call each other Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for fellow cultivators], but to the world itself, they are brothers born of the same mother.

For an Immortal, even myself's own blood descendants and disciples are but fleeting clouds and mist if they fail to achieve immortality, destined to return to dust and enter the Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth].

But those who ascend from the same world are like myself's own siblings, capable of enduring alongside the heavens and earth, becoming Fellow Daoist who can accompany one for a truly long time.

If one were to meet with calamity in the future, it would likely be upon these fellow countrymen Immortal that one would rely for guidance and a chance to return.

Thus, this bond of shared origin, while not unbreakable, is considered exceptionally close and trustworthy.

Most Immortal are also willing to extend a helping hand to their fellow countrymen Immortal.

Returning to the matter at hand, after dividing the few Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest class of enchanted artifacts wielded by Immortals], the two began to allocate the more common Immortal Treasures [enchanted artifacts used by Immortals].

While Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure were rare, ordinary Immortal Treasures were plentiful. With just a cursory inventory, they had already tallied over one hundred such Immortal Treasures.

More than half of these were Immortal Herbs [rare plants imbued with spiritual energy], ancient texts, or low-grade Immortal Treasures [enchanted objects of minor power], none of which could be considered exceptionally precious.

The two of them evenly divided the Immortal Herbs and the low-grade Immortal Treasures, made copies of the ancient texts, and swiftly distributed the low-grade Immortal Treasures among themselves.

There remained over a dozen High Grade Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts] and Demonic Treasure [artifacts forged with demonic energy]. After setting aside the few Demonic Path [the path of demonic cultivation] items belonging to Blood Malignancy Elder Demon, eight such treasures were left.

Without hesitation, Eldrin Chen directly took the three treasures: the Frost Malignancy Gourd [a gourd artifact imbued with frost and malign energy], the Frost Malignancy Heart-Locking Spike [a spike that freezes and locks the heart of its target], and the Frost Malignancy Cold Light Barrier [a barrier of chilling frost-light]. He then also selected a single Top Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest quality] piece of 'Star Immortal Gold' [a celestial metal refined from star essence], and said:

"These four treasures will be of significant use to me. I wonder if I might claim them."

Seeing this, Skywind the Daoist naturally understood it was wise to grant Eldrin Chen this favor and said, "I have heard that your immortal companion, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], has cultivated the Frost Soul Immortal Body [an immortal constitution aligned with frost and ice]. These three Ice Attribute [possessing the nature of ice] Immortal Treasure would indeed be suitable for her to refine." Continue reading this story at (audio-novel.com).

"However, these three treasures are, after all, Demonic Treasure. The Baleful Qi [malignant, destructive energy] within them is not easily purified. I possess a method for dissolving such Baleful Qi, which I shall gift to you, Fellow Daoist."

As his words fell, he handed a Jade Slip [a jade tablet used to store information] to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen took it and examined it, finding it was indeed a specialized method for neutralizing various types of Baleful Qi. He cupped his hands in gratitude, saying, "This is precisely what I urgently need. My sincere thanks, Fellow Daoist."

"Merely a minor technique, not worth mentioning."

Skywind the Daoist let out a hearty laugh, then rose to his feet and said, "Since we have finished dividing the spoils, it is time for us to depart."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of agreement and then withdrew, heading out from within the Verdant Spirit Ancient Star.

Once outside the Verdant Spirit Ancient Star, the two did not leave immediately. Instead, they took action to destroy the core of the Bloodspring Demon Domain, and only then prepared to set off.

Before parting ways, they turned for one last look at the Verdant Spirit Ancient Star.

What met their eyes was a scene of utter devastation. The ancient star was now scarred and ravaged, its internal Stellar Power [the cosmic energy of stars] having already dissipated by seventy to eighty percent and continuing to wane.

Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh, a pang of melancholy stirring within him. "With its Star Essence [the condensed core essence of a celestial body] shattered," he mused aloud, "this Verdant Spirit Ancient Star has already fallen from the rank of a Blessed Land [a place of profound natural spiritual abundance]."

"It seems that within ten thousand years, the spiritual energy within will likely decline to the level of a low-grade Immortal Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated immortal-grade spiritual energy]."

Skywind the Daoist nodded in solemn agreement. "Eons ago," he began, his voice carrying the weight of ages, "this Verdant Spirit Ancient Star was already grievously wounded by a mere residual ripple from Sage-King of the Grand Abyss's strike."

"Having now endured this calamity as well, it is fortunate indeed that it can still retain a low-grade Immortal Vein."

Eldrin Chen gave a slow nod and began to recount, "After this tribulation, the Star Spirit Race [a race of beings born from celestial essence] has fallen into utter decline."

"Even if a few Star Spirit [ethereal beings of starlight and spirit] still survive, without their place of origin to nurture them, they will inevitably fade into the currents of the Long River [a metaphorical river representing the flow of time]."

"This may well be the moment for the Human Race to rise upon Verdant Spirit Ancient Star [an ancient celestial body imbued with verdant life-force]."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve, releasing a stream of Primordial Chaos Radiance [a divine light containing the primordial energies of creation] that gently carried a scroll of scriptures down to the surface of Verdant Spirit Ancient Star.

Witnessing this, Skywind the Daoist could not help but smile. "Truly, your heart is benevolent, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]. To bestow the path of cultivation upon this star's Human Race is a great kindness."

Eldrin Chen merely offered a faint smile in return, shaking his head calmly. Without uttering a word, he turned and soared deeper into the void.

Meanwhile, upon Verdant Spirit Ancient Star, within a remote village, a scene of carnage unfolded. The bodies of Human Race villagers lay strewn across the ground, a clear testament to the cruel hand of a Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses malevolent and corrupt methods to gain power].

From the blood-filled depths of an ancient well, a child, drenched in gore, clawed his way to the surface. He stared blankly at the devastation around him, his eyes filled with nothing but confusion and primal terror.

"Father... Mother..."

The child choked back a sob, whispering the words. With all his strength, he began to gather the remains, yet dared not let a single whimper of grief escape his lips.

Just as he was on the verge of utter exhaustion, he witnessed a resplendent immortal radiance descend from the Firmament above, materializing directly before him.

As if guided by a profound, instinctive understanding, he took a single step forward and grasped the ancient scripture in his hand. Visit audi novel.com to enjoy the complete series.