Chapter 1181 : A Ghost Immortal's Request

"Help?"

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

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord offered a faint smile, shaking his head with a sigh of resignation. "The strength I possess now may grant me some prestige within this corner of the Netherworld, but should I venture beyond its borders... what significance would it hold?"

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

"Indeed."

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord nodded, his expression turning grave. "The path of cultivation for us Ghost Cultivator [spirit beings who cultivate] is somewhat simpler. To break through to the Earth Immortal Realm [a profound immortal realm], we do not require the act of World-Opening [forging one's own inner world]. However, a crucial, rare treasure is still indispensable."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened with interest. "And what might this rare treasure be?"

"The Soul-Returning Herb [a legendary herb said to anchor and refine wandering souls]," Ancient Ruins Path Lord stated, then elaborated. "For us Ghost Immortal [immortal-level ghost cultivators] to ascend to the Earth Immortal Realm, we must use a Primordial Solar-grade Immortal Artifact [an artifact of immense power] to temper our very essence, to transcend our inherent limitations."

Given Eldrin Chen's current standing and knowledge, he was well aware of the profound mysteries and significance of the Soul-Returning Herb. Join our community of readers at (audio-novel.com).

This Soul-Returning Herb [a legendary herb said to be able to restore a lost soul] is an exceedingly rare Supreme Grade Immortal Herbs [the highest classification of spiritual flora], its core imbued with Primordial Solar Energy [the pure, foundational energy of the sun]. It can only be found within the mortal realm.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "The Soul-Returning Herb is a rare treasure even within the Immortal Realm [the higher plane of existence where immortals dwell]. I fear even an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a powerful immortal anchored to the earthly realm] would covet it. I lack the capability to seek it out for you."

"I understand."

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord [a powerful lord of the underworld] nodded, then smiled as he continued, "Since I have sought you out, there is naturally a reason."

"In truth, that Soul-Returning Herb resides within the Crimson Dragon Sea [a vast, dangerous sea domain].

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "Please, Nether Lord [a title for a ruler of the underworld], speak freely."

"Hahaha." The Nether Lord laughed heartily, stroking his beard. "That Soul-Returning Herb is, in fact, in the possession of the Crimson Dragon Patriarch [the ancient and formidable progenitor of the crimson dragon lineage]."

"The Crimson Dragon Patriarch?"

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

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord nodded and began to recount the tale. "The story behind this holds several twists and turns."

"In the past, the Crimson Dragon Patriarch attempted his Earth Immortal Tribulation [the heavenly trial to ascend to the Earth Immortal realm] ahead of schedule. He fell victim to a treacherous plot by the Setting Sun Patriarch of the Lingering Sun Sea and perished amidst the Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly trial]."

"The world believes he was felled by that betrayal, yet I know with certainty that the Crimson Dragon Child was no weakling to be so easily destroyed. He was using that powerful foe's hand to undergo a deliberate 'military dissolution' [a method of discarding one's physical form to begin cultivation anew]."

"What?"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted dramatically, revealing unconcealed astonishment.

Since his ascension to immortality, he had heard several versions of the mystery surrounding the fall of the Crimson Dragon.

The first claimed the Crimson Dragon Child failed in his attempt to break through to the Earth Immortal realm and perished. The second said he was ambushed during his tribulation. Now, hearing it from the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, it seemed the Crimson Dragon Patriarch had deliberately entered the calamity.

Noting Eldrin Chen's shock, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord gave a slight nod. "That Crimson Dragon Child possessed a Pure-Blooded True Dragon body. His innate talent and foundation were indeed formidable."

"However, with such a True Dragon form, if his bloodline could not undergo further metamorphosis, breaking through to the Earth Immortal Realm would be his limit."

"Tens of thousands of years ago, after much planning, the Crimson Dragon Patriarch managed to acquire three Supreme Grade Immortal Herbs: the Heaven-Mending Celestial Immortal Herb, the Soul-Returning 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 overturn destiny]. His goal was to condense a third Path Fruit [the crystallized essence of a cultivator's understanding of a particular Dao or law], thereby laying the foundation for the Great Encompassing Foundation [a legendary, nearly perfect foundation for future cultivation]."

At this point, Ancient Ruins Path Lord paused briefly, then shook his head and said, "But where is forging a Great Encompassing Foundation [the supreme, most perfect foundation for cultivation] so easy?"

"Although the three Immortal Herb [plants of immense spiritual power] are indeed Supreme Grade Immortal Herbs [the highest quality tier of immortal herbs], they are still far from sufficient to fully mend the flaws in his Great Encompassing Foundation..."

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

He took a deep breath and then spoke, "So, he forcibly dissolved his own body through a ritual suicide, entered Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], and began cultivating anew to forge a Great Encompassing Foundation."

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

"Precisely." Read, share, and discuss at site: audio-novel.com.

Ancient Ruins Path Lord nodded slightly and continued, "If my guess is correct, the Crimson Dragon Patriarch has returned from Reincarnation and has been cultivating in seclusion for tens of thousands of years. By now, his strength should at least be at the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [a high stage of immortal cultivation]."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted repeatedly. A peerless True Dragon [a primordial, supremely powerful dragon species] suspected of having forged a Great Encompassing Foundation, with cultivation at least at the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm—this formidable enemy perhaps exceeded his expectations.

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord nodded calmly and stated, "That Crimson Dragon Patriarch possesses a Soul-Returning Herb [a legendary herb said to mend the soul and aid in profound breakthroughs]. It is the key to my own path to enlightenment."

"And this dragon holds a deep, irreconcilable grudge against you. It seems we share a common foe."

Eldrin Chen's expression grew increasingly grave, his eyes narrowing with deep thought. He did not answer the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord immediately.

He remained silent for a long while before finally asking, "The Crimson Dragon Patriarch borrowing a powerful enemy's Reincarnation [the process of a soul being reborn into a new body] must be a closely guarded secret. I suspect even the Lingering Sun Blessed Land is kept in the dark. How, then, did you, Fellow Daoist, come to know of this?"

"Hahaha." The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord offered a faint smile, then spoke with calm assurance. "In my former life, I was the master of the Ruins Sea."

"Even after eight million years have passed, even though the Ruins Sea has changed hands several times and is 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 realm of the dead where souls gather] is the final destination for all living spirits. Unless one attains immortality and transcends the cycle, all are destined to pass through here eventually."

"I see."

Eldrin Chen nodded, but his pupils suddenly contracted sharply. He felt more convinced than ever that allowing the Verdant Seal Patriarch to establish a ghost city had been the most prudent decision.

He did not dwell on the thought, instead pushing it aside as he continued, "The Crimson Dragon Patriarch possesses a Great Encompassing Foundation [a supreme and nearly perfect foundational cultivation base]. Having now cultivated his Tribulation [a powerful divine ability or cultivation art] for ten thousand years since his rebirth, and with his former life's Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal grade] protecting him..."

"...even if his cultivation is only at the seventh or eighth layer of the Ascendant Immortal realm, his combat power likely approaches that of a Half-Step Earth Immortal. Add to that the protection of his Mountain Protection Formation [a powerful defensive array formation], I doubt even the Lingering Sun Blessed Land could guarantee his demise. I fear I am powerless in this matter."

"I understand."

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord [a powerful ruler of the underworld] nodded, then spoke: "The Mortal Realm [the world of the living] is different from the Netherworld [the realm of the dead]. I will not intervene directly, but I can lend you my aid."

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

These three treasures were respectively a precious mirror, a small sword three Cun-lengths [one Cun-length equals one-tenth of a Chi, approximately zero point zero three three meters] long, and an ancient-looking Treasure Box.

Among the treasures, the mirror shimmered with a ghostly light, possessing the wondrous ability to devour spiritual souls.

The three-Cun-length small sword had no sharp edge or point, yet its mere presence sent a chill through Eldrin Chen's brow.

The final Treasure Box exuded not a wisp of aura, yet it seemed to contain a world-shaking, terrifyingly malevolent presence, one that even Eldrin Chen perceived as an extreme danger.

"These are..."

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

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord remained calm, introducing them with detached composure: "Of these three treasures, the mirror is named the Soul-Snatching Mirror. It can unleash the Nine Nether Abyssal Soul-Snatching Light [a sinister light capable of seizing souls], a treasure specifically designed to counter protective mountain auras, and it can also capture a cultivator's soul."

"The small sword is named the Nether Spring Sword [a sword imbued with underworld energy], a treasure I obtained long ago by slaying a Nether Lord. It should be capable of withstanding that Blazing Flame Sky-Scorching Sword [a sword of scorching heavenly fire]."

"As for this Treasure Box..." Immerse yourself in the complete world at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.