Chapter 1122 : Whispers of a Stagnant Immortal

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, yet he remained silent.

Seeing this, Heaven Wind Path Master could only shake his head and say, "This Xander Qian lacks sufficient ambition and acts with timidity. Even though he has now attained immortality, I fear he will find it difficult to achieve any great accomplishments."

"You should take his words with no more than half a grain of salt."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed a fraction, yet his expression remained utterly impassive.

Witnessing this, Heaven Wind Path Master could only offer a bitter smile. "Do you know why Xander Qian, despite having survived a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's destiny], remains only at the Ascendant Immortal 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Ascendant Immortal realm] in cultivation?"

"This..."

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, a pensive look settling upon his features.

Generally speaking, the vast majority of Human Race Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] can cultivate to the Ascendant Immortal 7th Tier through a million years of arduous cultivation.

If one survives a Great Tribulation, blessed by the Opportunity and Fortune [heavenly favor and destiny] bestowed by the tribulation itself, advancing to the Ascendant Immortal 8th Tier or even the ninth tier should be well within reach. Find this and other novels at audio_novel.com.

Have you not seen that Six Stars Immortal [an immortal who has cultivated for over sixty thousand years] has attained the cultivation level of Ascendant Immortal 8th Tier [the eighth tier of the Ascendant Immortal realm] in merely several hundred thousand years? This shows that for the Human Race, cultivation within the Ascendant Immortal Realm [the realm of Ascendant Immortals] does not present insurmountably difficult barriers.

Xander Qian has clearly survived one Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] and received the Great Tribulation Opportunity and Fortune [the blessings and destiny bestowed by surviving a tribulation], yet his cultivation remains only at the Ascendant Immortal 7th Tier [the seventh tier of the Ascendant Immortal realm]. This outcome indeed somewhat exceeded Eldrin Chen's expectations.

Noting the confusion on Eldrin Chen's face, Heaven Wind Path Master [a Daoist master who commands the winds of heaven] then explained, "This Xander Qian attained the Dao one million three hundred thousand years ago and has spent one million two hundred ninety thousand of those years in secluded cultivation upon Verdant Rock Island."

"He pays no heed to affairs beyond his window, focusing solely on his own serene practice. He never contends for Opportunity and Fortune; he likely would not even bother to retrieve an Immortal Source [a source of pure immortal energy] if one were unearthed at the foot of his mountain."

"Over one million three hundred thousand years, the cultivation resources he has obtained are fewer than what an ordinary Immortal might gather in one hundred thousand years. His lifetime of cultivation has relied almost entirely on his own arduous practice."

At this point, Heaven Wind Path Master shook his head and offered his assessment: "He seeks stability to an excessive degree. Yet, on the Immortal Path [the path of immortal cultivation], there is no retreat in the contest for supremacy."

"When the Great Tribulation descends, how can he possibly maintain his stability then?"

Upon hearing this, a look of solemn respect appeared on Eldrin Chen's face.

Although he had never witnessed a Great Tribulation himself, he had heard tales of its terror. During his first Great Tribulation, Xander Qian likely would not have survived had it not been for a favor owed to his ancestors, which secured him the protection of an Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is rooted in the earth].

Nevertheless, Eldrin Chen pondered and said, "Yet, Fellow Daoist Qian's words are not entirely without merit. For someone in my current position, reining in one's sharp edge [one's aggressive or competitive nature] and avoiding powerful foes might indeed prove useful."

Heaven Wind Path Master [a title for a master of wind-based cultivation arts] shook his head upon hearing this. He did not refute the point, but instead inquired, "Do you know why the Crimson Dragon Patriarch [a powerful patriarch associated with crimson dragons] fell one hundred thousand years ago?"

"The Crimson Dragon Patriarch?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.

It was common knowledge throughout the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a vast region of interconnected seas] that one hundred thousand years prior, the Crimson Dragon Patriarch had perished during a failed attempt to break through to the Earth Immortal Realm [a profound realm of immortality tied to the earth]. The implication in the Heaven Wind Path Master's words suggested there might be hidden truths behind this accepted history.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's reaction, the Heaven Wind Path Master did not wait for a reply. His expression grew profoundly solemn as he began to speak.

"The Crimson Dragon Patriarch possessed Celestial Immortal Aptitude [a destiny marking one as having the potential to become a true celestial immortal]. He cultivated for less than one million years, reaching the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a pinnacle state just below the Earth Immortal Realm]. His power was such that he rivaled even a Five Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived five heavenly tribulations]."

"With a foundation like his, had he weathered one more Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial], his chances of successfully breaking through to become an Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is rooted in the essence of the earth] would have been near certain—ninety-nine out of one hundred."

"So why would he take such a desperate risk, attempting his breakthrough a mere one hundred thousand years later?"

As the Heaven Wind Path Master's narrative unfolded, Eldrin Chen's countenance grew increasingly grave.

He pondered deeply for a long moment. A chilling possibility dawned on him, causing his pupils to contract sharply. "Was it... to avoid the Earth Immortal Great Tribulation [the specific, immensely powerful tribulation required to ascend to the Earth Immortal Realm] of the 'Setting Sun Patriarch' [a patriarch whose title evokes the fading sun]?" he uttered, his voice low.

"Exactly so!"

Heaven Wind Path Master [a master of the path of wind] nodded, then began to recount the tale: "Both possessed the strength of a five-tribulation Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is anchored to the earth]. Furthermore, the Crimson Dragon Sea [a vast sea region] borders the Lingering Sun Sea [a sea named for the last light of day]."

"When the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] arrives in fifty thousand years, if both attempt to face their Earth Immortal Great Tribulation [the ultimate heavenly trial for an Earth Immortal] simultaneously..."

"...they would inevitably become each other's Tribulation [a calamitous obstacle or heavenly trial]. That Crimson Dragon Child [a powerful cultivator] lacks the backing of an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a venerable Earth Immortal elder]. His only recourse was to seek a lesser path and attempt his breakthrough into the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of Earth Immortals] ahead of time."

"So that was the reason."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a sudden clarity, finally understanding why Crimson Dragon Child had been so desperate to advance back then. Access the full story on audio–novel.com.

If Crimson Dragon Child had not broken through prematurely, he would have stood little chance against the Setting Sun Patriarch [an elder whose power is likened to the setting sun], who was backed by the entire Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred land bathed in perpetual twilight].

After all, with an Earth Immortal Patriarch as his patron, their contest was never a fair one from the start.

Thus, he chose to advance into the Earth Immortal Realm early, hoping to sidestep the Setting Sun Patriarch of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land, thereby seizing his own chance to achieve the status of an Earth Immortal.

"Yet in the end, he failed!"

Heaven Wind Path Master [a title for a master of the wind-based cultivation path] paused briefly, his gaze turning profound as he said, "You must understand a principle: sometimes, it is not by holding back that your enemies will refrain from seeking you out."

"Setting Sun Patriarch [a patriarch known for his mastery of sunset-related arts] had planned for a full million years, using Crimson Dragon Patriarch [the patriarch of the crimson dragon lineage] as his imagined great rival on the path to enlightenment, and was already seventy to eighty percent confident in his heart."

"When Crimson Dragon Patriarch took that step back, he lost a vital surge of his fighting spirit. Not only did his chance of a breakthrough diminish by thirty percent, but the Tribulation [a heavenly trial or calamity faced by cultivators] he faced did not lessen in the slightest."

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] nodded in understanding upon hearing this, for he now grasped the reason behind Setting Sun Patriarch's actions.

After all, a Crimson Dragon [a powerful dragon of the crimson flame lineage] at the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a realm just below that of a full Earth Immortal] was a treasure trove from head to tail. Its Dragon Scale [scales], Dragon Bone [bones], Dragon Horn [horns], and Dragon Pearl [a pearl formed from a dragon's condensed essence] were all prime materials for forging Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of enchanted artifacts used by immortals].

Not to mention, this particular Crimson Dragon was on the verge of breaking through to the Earth Immortal [a major realm of immortality], placing it at its most vulnerable moment in life—a time when it could be slain at the smallest cost.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke with dawning comprehension, "If it had waited until the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity] descended, a time when even Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs of the Earth Immortal realm] would not dare act lightly..."

"...and *then* attempted its breakthrough, Crimson Dragon Patriarch might have truly grasped a sliver of life, a chance to transcend the tribulation and achieve the Dao."

"Precisely so."

Heaven Wind Path Master nodded, stroking his beard with a smile. "Cultivation is like sailing a boat against the current. We Immortal [beings who have attained immortality through cultivation] who wish to contend for the Great Path [the ultimate Dao of cultivation] must be prepared to cut through thorns and brambles."

"In my view, constant retreat and concession is a path that leads only to demise."

"Only by continuously strengthening oneself and possessing power that commands respect can one secure the guarantee for enduring Longevity [the state of long life and enduring existence]."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement upon hearing this, yet his gaze held a meaningful glint as he said, "Fellow Daoist, you have shared so much with me. I presume it is not merely to recount the events of those bygone years?"

"Hahaha."

Heaven Wind Path Master [a title for a master of the path of wind] laughed heartily and spoke openly, "I knew all along I couldn't keep it from you."

Having been seen through by Eldrin Chen, Heaven Wind Path Master made no attempt at concealment.

He cast another layer of restrictive seals before speaking, "Fellow Daoist, you obtained the refinement method for the Jade Marrow Golden Core [a precious pill that refines and strengthens a cultivator's Golden Core] from me. Do you recall where I acquired that pill formula from?"

"The formula for the Jade Marrow Golden Core?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback before he couldn't help but ask, "You once said, Fellow Daoist, that you obtained this formula through Opportunity and Fortune [a fortuitous encounter or stroke of luck, often pivotal in a cultivator's journey] during your early travels among the stars!"

"Could it be that..."

"Exactly so!"

Heaven Wind Path Master confirmed with a nod, his expression turning gravely solemn as he said, "Six hundred thousand years ago, when I broke through to the Ascendant Immortal 7th Tier realm, I once journeyed to the Depths of the Starry Sky."

"Back then, deep within the Boundless Starry Sky, I discovered a shattered Stellar [a celestial body of immense spiritual power, often the remnant of a fallen star or ancient world] of immortal rank. The alchemical formula for the Jade Marrow Golden Core was obtained from within it."

Speaking to this point, Heaven Wind Path Master's face grew even more grave. "That immortal-rank Stellar was fraught with extreme peril. It seemed to be one of the ancient Cosmic Stellar [a legendary type of primordial star, often imbued with chaotic and dangerous energies from the dawn of creation]. With my cultivation level at the time, I nearly lost my life there."

"Now that I have broken through to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier realm, and feel my Immortal Body [the perfected physical vessel of an immortal cultivator] has been cultivated to the level of ImpenetrableImmortality [a state of supreme physical resilience and near-indestructibility], I wish to venture there once more." Join our community of readers at http://www . audio-novel.com.