Chapter 1181 : A Ghost Immortal's Quest

"Assistance?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly between his eyes, yet his voice remained calm as he replied, "With your cultivation realm, Yin Lord, you are a dominant power within this domain of the Netherworld [the underworld realm of spirits and ghosts]. What matter could possibly be beyond your capabilities?"

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord offered a faint smile, shaking his head with a sigh of resignation. "The strength I wield now may grant me some prestige within these Netherworld borders," he conceded. "But venture beyond this realm, and what does it truly amount to?"

A flicker of understanding passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. "You imply, then, that what you seek lies outside the Netherworld?" he inquired.

"Indeed."

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord gave a solemn nod, his expression turning grave. "The path of us Ghost Cultivator [cultivators who have shed their mortal flesh to pursue the Dao as spiritual entities] is simpler in some respects. To break through to the Earth Immortal Realm [a profound immortal realm where one's power is anchored to the earth], we do not require the feat of World Creation [the act of forging an inner world or microcosm]. Yet, a crucial, rare treasure is still indispensable."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened with interest. "And what manner of rare treasure might that be?" he asked.

"The Resurrection Herb," declared the Ancient Ruins Dao Lord [a title for a master of the Dao, a lord of profound cultivation]. He elaborated, "For us Ghost Immortal [immortals who have ascended from a ghostly or spiritual foundation] to ascend to the Earth Immortal Realm, we must temper our very essence with a Pure Yang Immortal Treasure [a treasure imbued with the pure, primal Yang energy of creation]. Only then can we transcend our inherent limitations."

Given Eldrin Chen's current standing and knowledge, he was well aware of the profound mysteries and potency contained within the Resurrection Herb. Access the full story on audio-novel . com.

This Resurrection Herb is an exceedingly rare Supreme Grade Immortal Herb. Within it is contained Pure Yang Qi [the purest, most potent form of masculine life-force energy], and it can only be found within the mortal world.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "Even within the Immortal Realm, the Resurrection Herb is a rare and supreme treasure. I fear even an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a progenitor-level cultivator who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm] would covet it. I do not possess the capability to seek it out for you."

"I understand."

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord nodded, then said with a smile, "Since I have sought you out, naturally, I have my reasons."

"In truth, that Resurrection Herb lies within the Crimson Dragon Sea."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "Please, Yin Lord, speak freely."

"Hahaha." The Yin Lord laughed heartily, stroking his beard. "That Resurrection Herb is, in fact, in the possession of the Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor."

"The Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply, and his expression grew even more solemn.

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord nodded and began to recount the tale. "The circumstances behind this are rather intricate,"

"In those bygone years, the Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor attempted his Earth Immortal Tribulation [the heavenly trial to ascend to the Earth Immortal realm] ahead of time. He fell victim to the treachery of the Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor from the Setting Sun Sea and perished amidst the tribulation's calamity."

"The world believes he was felled by that ambush, yet I know with certainty that the Crimson Dragon Scion was no weakling to be so easily destroyed. He was using the hand of a powerful foe to undergo Soul Dissolution and Re-cultivation [a perilous method where a cultivator deliberately allows their physical form to be destroyed to escape its limitations, preserving their soul essence to begin cultivation anew in a new body]."

"What?"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted abruptly, revealing a shock he could scarcely conceal.

Since his own Ascending to Immortality [the act of transcending the mortal realm to become an immortal], he had heard several versions of the tale surrounding the Crimson Dragon's demise.

The first claimed the Crimson Dragon Scion had failed in his attempt to break through to the Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal realm] and perished. The second spoke of him being ambushed during his tribulation. Now, hearing it from the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord, it seemed the Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor had deliberately walked into the calamity.

Noting Eldrin Chen's astonishment, the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord gave a slight nod. "That Crimson Dragon Scion possessed the body of a Pure-Blooded True Dragon [a dragon of the most ancient and potent lineage]. His innate talent and his Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and stable base of spiritual power built through cultivation] were indeed formidable."

"Yet, for a being of such True Dragon heritage, if its bloodline cannot undergo further metamorphosis, breaking through to the Earth Immortal Realm would mark the absolute limit of its path."

"Over one hundred thousand years ago, after much intricate scheming, the Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor managed to procure three types of Supreme Grade Immortal Herb [herbs of the highest quality, containing immense spiritual power]: the Heaven-Mending Immortal Herb, the Resurrection Herb, and the Longevity Star Fruit."

"He gathered these three medicines, intending to refine a single cauldron of the 'Fate-Reversing Immortal Pill [a legendary pill said to defy destiny and rewrite one's cultivation fate]'. His goal was to coalesce a third Dao Fruit [the crystallized manifestation of a cultivator's comprehension of the Dao, or cosmic principles], thereby laying the foundation for the Great Luo Foundation [the supreme foundational state, a legendary realm of cultivation representing ultimate stability and potential]."

At this point, the Dao Lord of Ancient Ruins paused briefly, then shook his head and said, "But where is the Great Luo Foundation [the supreme and most stable foundation for cultivation] so easily forged?"

"Although the three Immortal Herbs [plants of immense spiritual potency] are indeed Supreme Grade Immortal Herb [the highest grade of spiritual plant], they are far from sufficient to fully mend his Great Luo Foundation [the supreme and most stable foundation for cultivation]…"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen grasped the cause and effect of the matter.

He drew a deep breath, then spoke, "Thus, he forced his enemies to scatter, dissolved his own form, and entered Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth] to cultivate the Great Luo Foundation [the supreme and most stable foundation for cultivation] anew."

At this point, Eldrin Chen's expression changed dramatically as he said, "Then the one currently in the Crimson Dragon Sea…"

The Dao Lord of Ancient Ruins nodded slightly and continued, "If my guess is correct, the Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor has returned from Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth]. After secluded cultivation for tens of thousands of years, he should now possess strength at least at the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [the advanced phase of the realm just below true immortality]."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted repeatedly. A peerless True Dragon [a legendary dragon of immense power] suspected of having forged the Great Luo Foundation [the supreme and most stable foundation for cultivation], with a cultivation base reaching at least the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [the advanced phase of the realm just below true immortality]—this formidable foe perhaps exceeded his expectations.

The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord gave a slight nod and spoke calmly, "That Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor holds in his possession a Resurrection Herb [a legendary herb capable of restoring life and cultivation], which represents this old man's chance to complete his Dao."

"And this dragon bears an undying enmity towards you. Thus, we share a common adversary."

Eldrin Chen's expression grew increasingly grave, his gaze sharpening. He did not answer Ancient Ruins Yin Lord immediately.

He remained silent for a long while before finally inquiring, "The fact that Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor is borrowing the strength of a powerful foe to undergo his Reincarnation Tribulation [a perilous trial where a powerful being sheds its old form to be reborn, often to shed karmic burdens or pursue a new path] must be a closely guarded secret. I suspect even Setting Sun Blessed Land remains unaware. How then did you, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], come to learn of this?"

"Hahaha." Ancient Ruins Yin Lord offered a faint smile, then stated calmly, "In my life before this state, I was the master of the Ruins Sea."

"Even though eight million years have passed, and the Ruins Sea has changed hands several times, now renamed the Crimson Dragon Sea, there are still few secrets within its depths that can escape my notice."

"You must understand, this Netherworld [the underworld, the realm of the dead and spirits] is the final destination for all souls. Unless one achieves Ascending to Immortality [transcending mortality to become an immortal being], everyone must eventually pass through here."

"I see."

Eldrin Chen nodded, but his pupils suddenly contracted sharply. He felt more convinced than ever that his decision to have Qing the Ancient Ancestor establish a ghost city was the correct course of action.

He did not dwell on the thought, instead pushing it aside and stating, "Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor possesses a Great Luo Foundation [a supreme and nearly perfect foundational cultivation base, granting immense potential and resilience]. Having undergone his Reincarnation Tribulation for tens of thousands of years, and still protected by his former life's Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal grade, possessing world-shaking power], his strength is formidable."

"Even if his cultivation is only at the seventh or eighth layer of Ascendant Immortal [a high immortal realm], his combat power likely approaches that of a Half-Step Earth Immortal [one who has partially transcended the Ascendant Immortal realm, touching the power of an Earth Immortal]. Furthermore, with the protection of the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation that harnesses the power of mountains and earth], I doubt even Setting Sun Blessed Land could guarantee his demise. I fear I am powerless in this matter."

"I understand."

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord [a powerful lord of the underworld] nodded and then spoke, "The mortal realm is different from the Netherworld [the underworld or realm of the dead]. I will not intervene directly, but I can lend you my aid."

With those words, the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord reached into his sleeve and produced three treasures.

These three treasures were, respectively, a Treasure Mirror [a magical mirror artifact], a small sword measuring three Cun-lengths [one Cun-length equals one-tenth of a Chi, approximately zero point zero three three meters], and an ancient-looking Treasure Box [a box for storing precious items].

Among the treasures, the Treasure Mirror shimmered with a ghostly light, possessing the wondrous ability to devour Divine Soul [the spiritual core of a deity or high-level cultivator].

The three-Cun-length small sword was unsharpened and unadorned, yet merely by its presence, it sent a chill piercing through Eldrin Chen's brow.

The final Treasure Box leaked not a wisp of aura, yet it seemed to contain a world-shaking, malevolent presence, evoking a sense of extreme danger even in Eldrin Chen.

"These are..."

Eldrin Chen glanced at the three treasures, unable to suppress a flicker of astonishment in his heart.

The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord remained calm, introducing them with detached composure. "These three treasures: the mirror is named the Soul-Snatching Mirror [a mirror artifact capable of capturing souls]. It can unleash the Nine Nether Soul-Snatching Light [a soul-stealing light from the deepest nether regions], making it a treasure specifically designed to counter protective mountain auras. It can also seize a cultivator's Soul Spirits [the spiritual essence of a cultivator]."

"The small sword is named the Nether Spring Sword [a sword imbued with the power of a netherworld spring], a treasure I obtained long ago by slaying a Yin Lord [a lord of the underworld]. It should be capable of withstanding that Blazing Flame Heaven-Scorching Sword [a sword of such intense flame it can scorch the heavens and boil the seas]."

"As for this Treasure Box..." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel . com.