Chapter 1160 : The Snail Lord's Sacrifice

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded, casting another glance at Inscription of Sorrow Lord [a title meaning 'Lord of Engraved Sorrow']. His gaze held an unmistakable tinge of regret.

Inscription of Sorrow Lord possessed extraordinary talent. Originally a Human Race True Lord [a powerful human cultivator lord], he underwent Nirvana [a profound rebirth or transformation] and was reborn as a mere and lowly snail of the Demonic Tribe [a race or faction of demons].

From that humble snail's body, with its inferior bloodline, he embarked upon the path of cultivation, ultimately achieving the renown of Inscription of Sorrow Lord, a name that commanded awe across the lands.

If he had not lacked that single wisp of Innate Primordial Womb Qi [the innate primordial energy essential for a cultivator's foundational breakthrough], which prevented his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the Nascent Soul realm, where one's spiritual core solidifies], he would likely have long since reached the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul Realm, and might even have qualified to attempt Ascension to Immortality [the process of becoming a true immortal].

He sighed softly before speaking. "With your talent, your achievements should have soared far higher. A pity that in paving the way for Dorian, the Sage Lord, you cut short your own path of advancement."

Upon hearing this, Inscription of Sorrow Lord fell silent. In all honesty, who does not yearn to advance further on the Dao [the fundamental path of cultivation and enlightenment]?

After a moment of quiet, he replied calmly. "Had it not been for Master, more than twenty thousand years ago, I would have perished within the Demonic Tribulation [a calamitous event or trial involving demonic forces]."

"To trade my own Dao-path for Master's illustrious title of Sage Lord... I hold no resentment in my heart."

"Is that so?" This novel is serialized on site: audio-novel.com. Visit for updates.

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh and shook his head. "If you truly held no resentment in your heart, you would not have avoided seeing him all these years."

"After you left, Dorian Ji has regretted it for many years. If he knew you were still alive, he would surely spare no effort to make amends for the regrets of the past."

"Master..."

Inscription of Sorrow Lord's heart trembled, a glimmer of tears flashing in his eyes.

He turned his head away and finally sighed. "My Life [the span of one's existence] has reached its end. Seeing him again would only bring more sorrow. Why make the old man grieve once more?"

Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly, understanding that Inscription of Sorrow Lord's words were not false.

He had vaguely discerned that this Inscription of Sorrow Lord, with his talent that could startle immortals, had created a world-shaking method. It allowed him to undergo a Nirvana [a profound rebirth or transformation] transformation at the brink of death, extending his lifespan for another lifetime through deep slumber, thus enabling him to live for twenty thousand years.

Yet even so, his path had reached its terminus.

For relying solely on the cultivation of a True Lord [a high-level cultivator], living beyond twenty thousand years was the absolute limit. Not even a Pure-Blooded True Dragon [a supreme dragon of pure lineage] could live longer, nor could he advance any further.

"Do not grieve. I foresaw this day long ago."

Inscription of Sorrow Lord spoke with serene detachment, withdrawing an ancient scripture from his sleeve and handing it to Eldrin Chen. "This cultivation method is of my own creation," he said. "Though it may seem trivial in the eyes of an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality], it possesses certain unique qualities."

"My final wish is to ask you whether this path can truly be walked to its end."

Eldrin Chen accepted the ancient scripture. Without even opening it, he deduced its profound mysteries in the span of a single Eldrin [a brief moment, the time it takes for a single thought to form].

It was an exceedingly profound method, named the 'Dreamwalking Path to Enlightenment'.

Upon mastering this art, one could condense a 'Dream Blossom' [a spiritual seed that facilitates dream cultivation]. By harnessing the power of the Dream Blossom, a wisp of one's Divine Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator] could enter a dream state to cultivate a Dao Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path, representing profound enlightenment].

This 'entering the dream' involved sealing the memories of a wisp of one's Divine Soul and casting it into the mortal world to undergo worldly cultivation.

Once that fragment of the myself achieved perfection in its cultivation, it would return to and merge with the original self, thereby augmenting the cultivator's own power.

Furthermore, while cultivating with this method, a practitioner could embed their physical form within a Spirit Stone Vein [a subterranean deposit of Spirit Stones]. The vein would seal their vital life force, dramatically extending their natural lifespan.

The Inscription of Sorrow Lord, though only at the Nascent Soul Realm [the realm where one forms a nascent soul, a step below immortality], had managed to live for a full twenty thousand years precisely by leveraging the power of this 'Dreamwalking Path to Enlightenment'.

Sensing the profound wonder of this technique, even Eldrin Chen was moved to awe.

He could not help but glance at Inscription of Sorrow Lord and sighed, saying, "This cultivation art is profoundly mysterious and boundless, a true Ascending to Immortality method [a supreme technique capable of leading one to the realm of Immortality]."

"If you deduce it to its ultimate end, allowing one Eldrin to divide into multiple Divine Soul [the highest form of a cultivator's spiritual essence] to cultivate in the mortal world, perhaps you would be qualified to use this opportunity to cultivate the Great Luo Foundation [the legendary, most perfect and stable foundation for the path of Immortality]."

"It seems we have all underestimated you."

Eldrin Chen sighed with deep regret, saying, "To create such a method with Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms an infant-like spiritual avatar] cultivation, your talent is rare even within the Immortal Domain."

"If you had not reincarnated prematurely back then, lacking that single breath of Innate Primordial Womb Qi [the fundamental, heaven-bestowed vital energy present at the moment of conception], you might have already stepped into the Immortal Domain. Your future prospects would have been beyond anyone's prediction."

"It was Dorian, the Sage Lord who led you astray." This chapter appears courtesy of audio - novel . com.

Inscription of Sorrow Lord shook his head and spoke calmly, "I spent seven Millennium [a period of one thousand years], only managing to deduce this method by a stroke of fate as my lifespan neared its end."

"Had my cultivation path been smooth and without obstacles, I might not have walked this road."

"And what is past is past; discussing it further holds no meaning."

Inscription of Sorrow Lord seemed to view things with great equanimity. Gazing at the ancient tome in Eldrin Chen's hand, a faint smile touched his lips as he said, "Across the boundless heavens and earth, those with stunning talent are as countless as the stars, yet most ultimately fade into obscurity among the masses."

"My lifespan nears its end; upon this path, I can advance no further. I entrust this method to you, hoping you may refine it to its supreme and peerless state."

"As for me, I have found my answer. In this life, I am content."

Speaking thus, Inscription of Sorrow Lord declared with a touch of pride: "Ancient Ancestor, I ask that you transcribe a copy of this scripture scroll and deliver it to Master. Tell him that I, Aethelstan Chu, possessed the potential for Ascending to Immortality in this lifetime."

"In this life, the bond of master and disciple between him and I is severed. If there is a next life…"

Inscription of Sorrow Lord's words faltered slightly, ending finally in a sigh: "...it is better we do not meet again."

"Alas!"

Eldrin Chen sighed, understanding the complex emotions churning within Inscription of Sorrow Lord at this moment.

On one hand, he was grateful for the nurturing grace of Dorian Ji; on the other, he was filled with resentment for the shattering of his own Dao path.

A thorn remained lodged in his heart, a profound and ineffable Grudge [a deep-seated resentment that can manifest as spiritual energy], and even after twenty thousand years, his spirit found no peace.

For this reason, he had avoided Dorian Ji for twenty millennia, unwilling even at the moment of his final breath to grant him one last audience.

"Dorian Ji is hailed as the Eastern Wastes' Foremost Sage [the most revered and insightful sage of the Eastern Wastes], capable of discerning the hearts of men and scheming for all things under heaven; few in this world can escape his machinations."

"Yet, I fear even he could not have foreseen that he, of all people, would fail to account for you."

Eldrin Chen spoke softly, his voice tinged with an ineffable regret.

Had Dorian Ji known of Aethelstan Chu's profound talent and depth of character, would he still have allowed him to become the Inscription of Sorrow Lord [the Dao Lord whose path is inscribed with profound sorrow], all to orchestrate the Dao Lord [a supreme master of the Dao] path for myself?

Shaking his head, Eldrin Chen refused to dwell on the thought any longer. He turned his gaze to the Inscription of Sorrow Lord and asked, "Is there anything else you wish to say?"

The aura of the Inscription of Sorrow Lord grew increasingly feeble, as if he had reached the very end of his Life [the span of his mortal existence]. Seated upon the earth between heaven and sky, he spoke with profound tranquility.

"In this life of mine, I have accomplished no earth-shattering, monumental deeds. My most glorious achievement was merely assisting my Master in his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core, a major milestone in cultivation]."

"Facing death, it is fitting to be calm and peaceful, without need for further tumult."

"To have earned your regard proves the meaning of my existence. For that, I am already content. There is nothing else I need to impart."

With these final words, the Inscription of Sorrow Lord released the last wisp of Mana [the spiritual energy that sustained his life]. His nearly exhausted blood swiftly lost its vitality, and his life force gradually faded away into silence.

His Nascent Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator, capable of surviving the death of the physical body] was dissolving into motes of light, scattering bit by bit into the heavens and earth.

"I understand,"

Eldrin Chen nodded, his expression serene as he rose to his full height.

With a sweep of his sleeve, one after another, brilliant rays of immortal light cascaded down—each a piece of Immortal Source [a solidified, primordial source of immortal energy, the highest grade of cultivation resource] clattering to the ground.

Hundreds of pieces of Immortal Source submerged Inscription of Sorrow Lord, finally coalescing into a single immortal stone that sealed him within, capturing the final flicker of his life force.

Then, Eldrin Chen swept his sleeve once more. A wisp of Primordial Essence [the purest, most fundamental energy from the dawn of creation] descended, merging into the space between Inscription of Sorrow Lord's brows.

Having completed this, he gazed upon the now-slumbering Inscription of Sorrow Lord and sighed with feeling.

"You possess the potential for the Great Luo [the legendary realm of immortality and supreme enlightenment]. It is not fitting for you to perish here, nameless and forgotten."

"The Immortal Source can seal your vitality for three Millennium [a span of one thousand years]. The Primordial Essence can serve as a substitute for the Innate Primordial Womb Qi [the innate vital energy one is born with, foundational for cultivation]."

"I have seized from Heaven three Millennium of life for you. Whether you can defy fate and alter your destiny now rests upon your own Creation [one's inherent fortune, destiny, or opportunity for creation]." Original English translation available at (audio-novel.com).