Chapter 1171 : The Forging of a Pure Heart

Eldrin Chen fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Qing'er possesses the Green Lotus Purification Body [a rare and pure physical constitution]. Only by using the Lotus Root of the Creation Azure Jade Lotus [a legendary spiritual lotus of creation] to reconstruct her Immortal Physique [an immortal-grade physical foundation] can her Primordial Essence Power [the foundational power of her spiritual origin] be fully restored." Hearing this, Verdant Consort sighed. "This time, she brought calamity upon everyone. I hope that after this ordeal, she learns her lesson and is no longer so mischievous." Eldrin Chen shook his head calmly. "This child was born with a Mischievous Heart [a congenital disposition towards trickery and unrestrained impulses], making it difficult for her to control her own temper. She has a nature destined to court trouble, and this tribulation was fated for her."

"Fortunately, having endured this, the Innocent Stubborn Heart [the unyielding, naive core of her spirit] within her is already undergoing a transformation."

"As for whether it will ultimately transform into a Childlike Crimson Heart [a pure, resolute, and virtuous heart], that depends on her own Creation [destiny or fortune]." Having said this, Eldrin Chen spoke no more on the matter.

To refine a Mischievous Heart into a 'Dan Heart' [a refined, steadfast, and virtuous core], one must use tribulation as the furnace's fire to temper that mischievous heart into its purified form.

Xander Qing Chen had always been of a mischievous disposition, causing no small amount of trouble for the family over the years. Yet, when she witnessed the Crimson Dragon Third Prince feasting upon the Human Race and unleashing a storm of bloodshed within the Eastern Sea, a sliver of righteous duty towards her kin finally awakened within her, granting her a faint glimpse of a greater principle.

Later, seeing her elder brother and loved ones nearly perish because of her, that Mischievous Heart of hers finally began to change, and she started to comprehend reason.

However, as the saying goes, it is easier to move mountains than to alter one's fundamental nature. Whether this Mischievous Heart can ultimately be forged into a 'Dan Heart' depends on Xander Qing Chen's own willpower—whether she can subdue that mischievous heart herself.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen channeled his Mana [cultivated spiritual energy] and refined Qing'er's Divine Soul [the highest form of a cultivator's spirit] into the Creation Azure Jade Lotus. Then, he exhaled a wisp of Acquired Primordial Violet Qi [a supreme-grade spiritual energy of creation] and infused it into the lotus as well, instructing, "Once the Creation Azure Jade Lotus matures and ascends to the level of a Supreme Grade Immortal Root [a pinnacle-grade spiritual plant foundation], Qing'er will be reborn from its phoenix-like rebirth."

"I will use Primordial Essence [the purest energy of creation] to accelerate its growth. Within ten thousand years, the Creation Azure Jade Lotus will complete its metamorphosis." Continuing, Eldrin Chen added, "During these ten millennia, regularly reciting the Demon-Subduing Immortal Scripture [a sacred text for pacifying inner demons] before the Verdant Lotus will help her subdue her own Mischievous Heart."

"I understand," Verdant Consort nodded and said. "I will personally recite the scriptures and accompany her through her phoenix-like rebirth." Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, a measure of relief settling within him. He then turned his gaze to Lyra Jiang and asked, "And what of Xander's injuries? How are they now?" For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel`com.

"The more formidable an Immortal Physique [a supreme physical constitution forged through cultivation], the more difficult it is to restore once shattered. Xander's Maha-Vajra Heavenly Dragon Golden Body [an ultimate divine body technique as unbreakable as a vajra and mighty as a heavenly dragon] was broken, which means his very foundation was wounded. The path to mending such a wound is fraught with immense difficulty." Lyra Jiang shook her head, sighing as she spoke. "Lila is keeping him company. The Abbot of the Empty Enlightenment Ancient Temple has already come to examine him and stated that the Immortal Physique is ruined. I fear it is nearly impossible to restore."

"I shall go see him." Eldrin Chen said nothing more, merely sighing softly before turning and making his way towards the Back Mountain.

Crossing over the mountain peak, Eldrin Chen arrived before a cliff and found Xander Chen there. Xander Chen sat at the cliff's edge, gazing at the sky and sea stretching before the mountains. His eyes mirrored the rolling clouds, yet he sat there motionless, devoid of thought or desire, like a withered tree.

Eldrin Chen did not disturb him. He simply walked forward quietly and sat down beside him, sharing the view of the sea of clouds. The two sat in silence before the cliff, seemingly savoring this long-lost tranquility.

Only after a long while did Xander Chen speak, his voice calm. "Father, you ascended from the lower realm. Could you tell me stories of that world?"

"The lower realm..." Eldrin Chen murmured, a wave of nostalgia coloring his words. "The Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortals] is fraught with tribulation. All living beings struggle forward through the mire, and the path to Ascending to Immortality [transcending mortality to become an immortal] is exceptionally arduous." He then began to narrate, recounting tales of bygone days to Xander Chen.

Xander Chen listened quietly, his brow gradually furrowing with deepening concentration. As a native of the Immortal Domain [the realm of immortals], Xander Chen had received a world-shaking opportunity bestowed by Eldrin Chen even before his birth. His innate foundation was mightier than that of a True Dragon [a supreme dragon species] or an Immortal Phoenix [a legendary phoenix of immortality].

Guided by Eldrin Chen since childhood, his path had been one of overwhelming dominance, sweeping aside all opposition without peer. Sheltered by numerous True Immortals and Buddha [enlightened beings who have attained Buddhahood], he faced no great calamities before Ascending to Immortality. His journey was utterly different from the trials Eldrin Chen had endured.

This recent encounter with a true, formidable enemy—one he could not withstand for even three moves—had planted within him a seed of frustration unlike any he had known before.

Now, hearing Eldrin Chen's stories, he began to grasp the profound hardships endured by all beings on the cultivation path. He understood, more clearly than ever, the immense difficulty of his father's journey to this day.

After listening to Eldrin Chen finish his account, Xander Chen sighed and said, "The path of cultivation is so arduous for most, yet I possess such innate talent. How profoundly unjust is this?"

"It seems that my achievements today are, in large part, due to your efforts, Father." Eldrin Chen nodded, then shook his head and continued, "When the Primordial Chaos first parted, the firstborn beings of heaven and earth were born as Great Luo Golden Immortal [the highest tier of immortal existence]."

"Cultivators toil and scheme, fighting for but a sliver of immortal fate."

"The Mayfly lives its entire life without ever witnessing the distinction between day and night."

"Compared to divine beings, how profoundly unjust is this for both?" Eldrin Chen spoke with measured grace, then lowered his gaze. "The Heavenly Dao [the fundamental law and order of the cosmos] is inherently unjust, yet it is also supremely just."

"The Heavenly Dragon Relic is a Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal grade] that even a Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator one step from becoming an Earth Immortal] would covet. I spared no cost to obtain this artifact to lay your foundation. If you were still the same as an ordinary person, *that* would be the Heavenly Dao's injustice."

"Therefore, regardless of how we are born, we can only accept it. This, perhaps, is our destined fate."

"I understand." Xander Chen nodded and spoke no more on the matter. Having said all that needed to be said, Eldrin Chen observed Xander Chen's nearly shattered physical body and asked, "Your Great Power Heavenly Dragon Constitution [a supreme innate physique embodying the power of a Heavenly Dragon] is nearly half-destroyed. Have you contemplated a method for its restoration?"

"I have not." Xander Chen shook his head, his brow deeply furrowed. Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then began to speak. "I was once ambushed by an Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this realm], and nearly perished within the tribulation."

"Your clan elder brother, Ethan, also teetered on the brink of death. His physical form was nearly utterly annihilated, and he almost fell midway on his cultivation path."

"Your KaelClan Uncle, also once suffered from the invasion of Fire Fiend Qi [a chaotic and destructive energy of fire] and even Demonic Fiend Qi [a malevolent energy that corrupts the soul], enduring unbearable torment day and night from the Fire Fiend Qi and having his Divine Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator] constantly eroded by the Demonic Fiend Qi, nearly perishing completely within that tribulation."

"Do you know how we emerged from it?" Xander Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he simply gazed quietly at Eldrin Chen, awaiting his next words.

Eldrin Chen lowered his gaze, his expression serene as he spoke: "I used it to comprehend the Five Elements Arcane Power [a profound divine ability based on the five fundamental elements]. Ethan seized the chance to penetrate the mystery of life and death. And Kael, with immense willpower, subdued the Fire Fiend Qi and the Demonic Fiend Qi."

"Between life and death lies great terror, but also great opportunity."

"If you can penetrate its secrets and subdue this suffering with formidable resolve, you may find a thread of vitality amidst the ruin, using it to be reborn from the ashes, to break from your cocoon and become a butterfly."

"Then, you will transcend your former self and forge a true path to the heavens, a genuine Great Dao [the supreme and fundamental path of cultivation]." This novel is serialized on audio-novel.com (official site). Visit for updates.

"Boom—" Xander Chen felt his mind explode with insight. In that profound moment, a sudden comprehension dawned upon him, and he fell into a state of enlightenment.