Chapter 1144 : Echoes of an Ancient Brotherhood

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

Eldrin Chen nodded and waved his hand once more, signaling for the others to leave.

The group of Chen Clan Path Lord [a powerful cultivator who has comprehended a fundamental Path of the world] departed, leaving behind only a few of Eldrin Chen's old companions.

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

The Path Lord who stayed were all comrades from Eldrin Chen's distant past. They sat in order within the Great Hall.

The person seated closest to him was naturally Eternal Profound Chen; this needed no elaboration.

The first person on his right was Kael Chen. Ten thousand years had passed, yet Kael Chen remained clad in black robes, his features strikingly handsome. An extraordinary Immortal Radiance [a divine, ethereal light that emanates from powerful immortals] overflowed from his entire being, imbuing him with a transcendent, almost divine aura.

"So many years have passed, and Elder Brother has already forged the Great Encompassing Foundation [the foundational stage for becoming a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, the pinnacle of the immortal path]," Eldrin Chen remarked with admiration as he looked at Kael Chen.

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

Among the prodigies of the ancient Purple Seal Realm, if Eldrin Chen was peerless in talent and comprehension throughout the ages, and Exquisite Jiang stunned eternity with her innate gifts, then Kael Chen was matchless, unprecedented and likely never to be seen again, in his sheer perseverance and unwavering resolve. The complete novel can be found at audio‑novel.com.

Now, after ten thousand years unseen, Kael Chen has cultivated both the Buddhist Path and Demonic Path Fruits [the dual spiritual fruits representing enlightenment in both Buddhist and Demonic cultivation arts], forging a unique and divergent Great Path of the Great Encompassing [a supreme cultivation path that seeks to encompass and unify all things].

Kael Chen gave a slight nod, speaking 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 provided that crucial guidance, Kael Chen might never have comprehended this path.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen inclined his head and said, "Buddha is originally of the Path; Immortal and Demon return to the same source. That this road could be walked was always within expectation."

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

Within the Great Hall, he saw seated in order Elara Lin, Ethan Chen, Support Revive Chen, Literature Abyss Lu, Withering Liana Gu, Ancestor Mystery Chen, and over a dozen other old comrades.

"All have reached the Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the advanced stage of cultivating one's spiritual core]. Your progress is commendable."

Surveying these familiar faces, Eldrin Chen offered a nod of genuine satisfaction and praise.

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

"I hope these rare items can offer a measure of aid on your future paths to immortality."

As Eldrin Chen spoke, his gaze shifted to Kael Chen. He continued, "Elder Brother, you have already forged your Great Encompassing Foundation [the supreme foundational stage for ascension]. You are not far from achieving immortality, so items meant to aid in that breakthrough are of little use to you now."

"I have brought three Immortal Treasure [artifacts of immense power used by true Immortals] from the upper realm, intended to serve as the clan's foundational reserves. One among them can assist you in weathering your Immortal Ascension Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly trial one must survive to ascend to immortality]."

With that, Eldrin Chen produced the three Immortal Treasure. They were the Violet Lightning Tribulation-Slaying Sword, the Supreme Lunar Calamity-Transcending Robe, and the Five Elements Ascendant Immortal Pagoda.

Handing the Five Elements Ascendant Immortal Pagoda to Kael, Eldrin Chen then took out a piece of Immortal Gold [a divine metal forged in the heavens] and passed it over, saying, "Your Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly trial of thunder and lightning] will likely be difficult to overcome. Relying on a single Immortal Treasure may not be sufficient."

"This Verdant Mystery Path Gold [a legendary metal imbued with profound verdant mysteries] was found by me within the ruins of Verdant Spirit Ancient Star. You may use it to advance your Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personal sword, bound to their life and soul]."

"Take it. Consider it my congratulatory gift for your impending ascension."

Concerning treasures vital to his path, Kael Chen did not hesitate. After accepting the two treasures, he said, "Once I have settled my Mortal Dust Affairs [the worldly ties and obligations of mortal life], I will undergo the tribulation and accompany you to the Immortal Realm."

Eldrin Chen gave a noncommittal nod. He then handed the Supreme Lunar Calamity-Transcending 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 the personal safekeeping of Old Granduncle."

"In the future, when a clansman ascends to immortality, they may borrow these treasures to transcend their tribulation, but they must swear an oath not to take them along upon their ascension."

At this point, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned sharp as he declared, "Should anyone dare to carry these Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure into the Immortal Realm [the higher plane of existence where immortals reside], I myself shall personally 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 used by immortals] is of inestimable value, something that would stir the envy of many an Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation]. Yet, it is precisely the supreme treasure upon which the clan relies to survive tribulations and ensure its survival.

If someone, driven by greed, were to take such a treasure with them to the Immortal Realm, they would be severing the path to immortality for all future generations. Naturally, Eldrin Chen would not tolerate such an act. This chapter appears courtesy of audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Contemplating this, Eternal Profound Chen nodded and said, "Set your mind at ease. Should there ever be such an ungrateful and faithless person within the clan, this old man would not allow them to live long enough to achieve immortality."

Kael Chen, however, shook his head and spoke calmly, "We are assured while you are with us, Elder. But what of the day when you are no longer here?"

His words plunged the assembly into a heavy silence.

Finally, Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath and said with a sigh, "I shall construct a Heart-Questioning Platform [a mystical platform that tests the purity of one's heart and intentions] upon Green Chariot Mountain."

"For junior clan members to obtain an Immortal Treasure [a supreme magical artifact of immense power], they must first traverse the Heart-Questioning Platform [a mystical platform that tests the depths of one's heart and resolve] and endure the trials of the Three Heavenly Inquiries [a threefold trial of profound spiritual questioning]. Only then may they take the Immortal Treasure to transcend their tribulation."

Hearing this, everyone was momentarily taken aback before nodding in thoughtful agreement.

The Three Heavenly Inquiries consist of three tests: the first inquires about one's Immortal Path [the foundational cultivation method and philosophy one follows], the second probes the cultivator's Dao Heart [the unwavering core of their spiritual will and purpose], and the third examines their loyalty and devotion.

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 heavenly trial that marks a major breakthrough].

Passing the second inquiry proves one's Dao Heart is singular and unwavering, having not fallen into the Demonic Path [a corrupt and destructive cultivation path]. And one who passes the third inquiry, at the very least, would never betray their clan.

Thus, a person who has endured the Three Heavenly Inquiries is naturally worthy of taking an Immortal Treasure.

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

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "Those from outside the clan may also take an Immortal Treasure to face their tribulation. However, they must endure the trials of the Five Heavenly Inquiries [an even more rigorous fivefold spiritual trial]."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in understanding. Unlike the Three Heavenly Inquiries, the Five Heavenly Inquiries adds two further inquiries on top of the original three.

The fourth inquiry judges one's character and virtue, while the fifth inquires about one's oath and commitment. One who can pass the Five Heavenly Inquiries 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 fell silent, having nothing more to say.

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

At this moment, Ethan Chen had also reached the Demigod Realm [the pinnacle stage before ascending to true divinity]. Within him, the intertwined powers of life and death, illusions born from the two Path Void [a profound state of emptiness that is the source of all paths], churned ceaselessly, seeming only a final step away from a breakthrough.

Yet, Eldrin Chen shook his head, 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 Life and Death Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing the cycles of existence and cessation]?"

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 away from grasping the Life and Death Path Principles."

"Yet your inability to break through is not due to a lack of comprehension of this Dao, but because your physical vessel is not strong enough to contain it."

Ethan Chen's brow furrowed deeply, a glimmer of understanding dawning. "Clan Uncle, you mean to say...?"

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded and explained clearly, "To comprehend the power of Life [the fundamental creative and sustaining force of existence], one requires an immensely potent vitality. And that Death Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing a specific aspect of cultivation] is even more domineering and absolute."

"With your current physical body, it simply cannot withstand the strain of walking either of these paths."

"However, if you can cultivate the Immortal Body [a legendary physique of perfect harmony and resilience], your mastery over the Life and Death Path of Path Principles [a profound cultivation art focused on the duality of creation and destruction] will naturally follow as water flows downhill."

Ethan Chen's understanding dawned like a sudden clearing of fog, and a look of joy spread across his face. "Many thanks for your guidance, Uncle," he said gratefully. Find thousands of chapters at http://www . audio-novel.com.