Chapter 1144 : A Gathering of Immortal Hearts

"Let the old friends stay. The rest may withdraw."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and waved his hand once more, signaling for the others to leave.

The assembly of Chen Clan Dao Lord [a title for a supreme master of the Dao] departed, leaving behind only a few of Eldrin Chen's old companions.

Eldrin Chen swept his gaze around the hall, looking upon those who remained, and a profound sense of nostalgia welled up within his heart.

The Dao Lord who stayed were all comrades from Eldrin Chen's distant past, seated in order within the Grand Hall.

The person closest to him was, naturally, Thalion Chen—this went without saying.

The first person to his right was Kael Chen. Even after ten thousand years, Kael Chen still wore robes of deepest black, his features strikingly handsome and suffused with a radiant, immortal light that seemed to emanate a divine and extraordinary aura.

"So many years have passed, and yet, Elder Brother, you have already forged the Great Luo Foundation [the supreme and most perfect foundation for an immortal's cultivation path]."

Gazing at Kael Chen, Eldrin Chen could not help but voice his admiration.

Among the Heaven's Chosen [those blessed by heaven with extraordinary talent] of the Purple Realm in those bygone days, if Eldrin Chen was peerless in talent and comprehension across all ages, and Lyra Jiang stunned eternity with her innate gifts, then Kael Chen was matchless and unprecedented in his perseverance and unwavering resolve. The story continues at audio-novel dot com.

Now, after ten thousand years unseen, Kael Chen has cultivated the Dao Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path] of the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic paths, forging a unique and divergent path to Great Luo [the Great Perfection, the highest attainable realm].

Kael Chen gave a slight nod and spoke with serene calm, "So-called Immortals and Demons are but a single thought apart."

"I still recall, it was you who first guided me towards this understanding."

Kael Chen spoke softly, then offered Eldrin Chen a respectful bow.

Eldrin Chen nodded in acknowledgment. Had he not illuminated the path, Kael Chen might never have comprehended this unique way.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen inclined his head and said, "Buddha is originally Dao; Immortal and Demon share the same destination. The success of this path was always within the realm of expectation."

Having spoken thus, his gaze swept over the assembled company.

Within the Grand Hall, he saw over a dozen familiar figures seated in order: Elara Lin, Ethan Chen, Caspian Chen, Alistair Lu, Lana Gu, Chen Zuxuan, and others.

"All have reached the Late Stage of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. You have all done well."

Gazing upon these old friends, Eldrin Chen offered a nod of genuine satisfaction and praise.

Without further delay, he spoke candidly, "My return to the clan is driven primarily by a heartfelt longing for home. Naturally, I have also brought some gifts for you all."

"I hope these rare treasures can lend a hand in your future journeys toward the Dao [the fundamental principle or path in cultivation]."

As Eldrin Chen spoke, he turned his gaze to Kael Chen and continued, "Clan Elder Brother, you have already forged your Great Luo Foundation [the supreme foundational stage for immortality]. The distance to Ascending to Immortality [the final breakthrough to become an immortal] is not far. Items meant for that breakthrough are of no further use to you."

"I have brought three Immortal Treasure [artifacts of immense power used by immortals] from the lower realm, intended to serve as the clan's Clan-Suppressing Foundation [pivotal treasures that secure a clan's legacy]. Among them is one that can aid you in weathering your Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the catastrophic heavenly trial one must survive to become an immortal]."

With that, Eldrin Chen produced the three Immortal Treasure: the Violet Lightning Tribulation-Slaying Sword, the Lunar Frost Calamity-Crossing Robe, and the Five Elements Ascension Tower.

Handing the Five Elements Ascension Tower to Kael, Eldrin Chen then took out a piece of immortal metal and passed it over, saying, "Your Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a tribulation of devastating heavenly thunder] will likely be difficult to overcome. Relying on a single Immortal Treasure may not be sufficient."

"This Verdant Profound Dao Gold [a legendary metal imbued with profound Dao principles] was found by me within the ruins of the Verdant Spirit Ancient Star. You may use it to upgrade your Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personally bonded sword, growing in power with them]."

"Take it. Consider it my congratulatory gift for your Ascending to Immortality."

This concerned a Path-Ascension Supreme Treasure [a treasure of paramount importance for ascending one's cultivation path]. Kael Chen did not hesitate. After accepting the two treasures, he declared, "Once I have settled my worldly affairs, I will undergo the tribulation and accompany you to the Immortal Realm."

Eldrin Chen gave a noncommittal nod. He then handed the Supreme Yin Calamity-Crossing Robe and the Violet Lightning Tribulation-Slaying Sword to the Old Patriarch, instructing him.

"These three supreme treasures are the Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure of our clan. From now on, they shall be entrusted to Old Granduncle for safekeeping."

"In the future, when clan cultivators undertake the tribulation for Ascending to Immortality [the process of transcending mortality to become an immortal], they may use these treasures to aid them. However, they must swear an oath not to take them along when they Ascending to Immortality."

At this point, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned sharp as he declared, "Should anyone dare to take these Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure with them to the Immortal Realm [the higher plane of existence where immortals reside], I myself will personally intervene and cast them into Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth]."

Upon hearing this, everyone present nodded with grave solemnity.

A clan-suppressing Immortal Treasure [a treasure of immense power, often coveted by immortals] is a treasure of inestimable value, one that would stir the envy of many an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality]. Yet, it is precisely the supreme treasure upon which the clan relies to survive tribulations and preserve its legacy.

If someone, driven by greed, were to take such a treasure to the Immortal Realm, they would be severing the path of Ascending to Immortality for all future generations. Naturally, Eldrin Chen would not tolerate such an act. Read the full novel exclusively on http://www . audio-novel.com.

Contemplating this, Thalion Chen nodded and said, "Set your mind at ease. Should there ever be such an ungrateful and faithless individual within the clan, this old man would not allow them to live until the day of their Ascending to Immortality."

Kael Chen, however, shook his head and spoke with calm finality, "While you are with us, we are assured. But what of the day when you are no longer here?"

His words cast a heavy silence over the assembly.

Finally, Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath and sighed, "I shall erect a Heart-Inquiry Platform [a mystical platform that tests the purity of one's heart and intentions] upon Verdant Chariot Mountain."

"Descendants of the clan who wish to obtain the Immortal Treasure [a supreme enchanted artifact of immense power] must traverse the Heart-Inquiry Platform [a mystical platform that tests the depths of one's soul] and endure the trials of the Threefold Celestial Inquiry [a three-part divine ordeal that probes one's path, heart, and loyalty] before they may take the Immortal Treasure to transcend their tribulation."

Upon hearing this, everyone was momentarily taken aback before nodding in understanding.

The Threefold Celestial Inquiry consists of three questions: the first inquires of one's Immortal Path [the cultivator's chosen way of cultivation and ascension], the second of one's Dao Heart [the unwavering core of a cultivator's will and conviction], and the third of one's loyalty.

Passing the first inquiry signifies that one's Immortal Path is firmly established, granting them the qualification to face the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic lightning ordeal that marks a major advancement].

Passing the second inquiry proves one's Dao Heart is resolute and uncorrupted, having not fallen to the Demonic Path [a corrupt and power-hungry cultivation methodology]. And one who passes the third inquiry, at the very least, would never betray their clan.

Thus, a person who has endured the Threefold Celestial Inquiry is naturally deemed worthy to take the Immortal Treasure.

Seeing this, Ethan Chen spoke up and asked, "What of cultivators from outside the clan? Can they traverse the Heart-Inquiry Platform to borrow the Immortal Treasure?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "Those from outside the clan may also take the Immortal Treasure to face their tribulation. However, they must endure the trials of the Fivefold Celestial Inquiry [a five-part divine ordeal with additional tests of character and oath]."

Everyone nodded upon hearing this. Unlike the Threefold Celestial Inquiry, the Fivefold Celestial Inquiry adds two further inquiries.

The fourth inquires of one's character, and the fifth of one's oath. One who passes the Fivefold Celestial Inquiry is assuredly a person of noble and impeccable character. Such an individual, having borrowed the Immortal Treasure, would undoubtedly return it.

Seeing this, the others said nothing more.

After entrusting the three Immortal Treasure [a supreme-grade magical artifact capable of weathering heavenly tribulations] for the tribulation, Eldrin Chen then turned his gaze towards Ethan Chen.

At this moment, Ethan Chen was also at the Half-Immortal Realm [the penultimate stage of mortal cultivation, bordering true immortality]. Within him, two illusory strands of Life and Death Law Power [the fundamental power derived from comprehending a universal principle] intertwined restlessly, seeming only a single step away from a breakthrough.

Eldrin Chen shook his head, however, a sigh coloring his expression as he asked, "You have cultivated for over seventeen thousand years. Do you know why you still cannot fully comprehend the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality, such as Life and Death]?"

Ethan Chen was momentarily taken aback. He bowed slightly and inquired, "I beg for your guidance, Clan Uncle."

"You have taken the wrong path."

Eldrin Chen sighed once more before speaking. "You once delved into the mysteries of life and death, possessing exceptional talent for this Dao. Now, you are but a final step from grasping the Laws of the Dao of Life and Death."

"Yet your inability to break through is not due to a lack of comprehension of this Dao, but because your physical body is not strong enough to bear its weight."

Ethan Chen's brow furrowed deeply, a dawning understanding in his eyes. "What do you mean, Clan Uncle?"

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen gave a slow nod and spoke plainly, "To comprehend the Life Force [the fundamental animating energy of all living beings], one requires an immensely potent Life Force [the fundamental animating energy of all living beings]. And the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality] of Death are even more domineering and absolute."

"To walk these twin paths, your current physical body is simply incapable of bearing the burden."

"However, should you succeed in cultivating an Immortal Physique [a legendary body refined to near-indestructible perfection], your path toward mastering the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality] of Life and Death will naturally unfold before you, as water finds its own course."

Only then did Ethan Chen feel the scales fall from his eyes, his face brightening with understanding and joy. "My deepest gratitude for your guidance, Clan Uncle," he said with profound respect. This novel is serialized on audio-novel . com. Visit for updates.