Chapter 1182 : Secrets of the Ghost Immortal

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord's voice paused slightly, and with a rare touch of seriousness, he spoke, "Within the Treasure Box lies a ferocious entity, one I captured long ago from the depths of the Netherworld Hell."

"If you wish to command it, you must be cautious, lest you suffer its backlash."

"I understand."

Eldrin Chen nodded, though inwardly he was truly startled.

Among these treasures, both the Soul-Snatching Mirror and the Nether Spring Sword were supreme-grade Netherworld Ghost Treasure [enchanted artifacts forged in the netherworld, possessing immense power over souls and death] with unparalleled Slaughter [a divine ability focused on pure, overwhelming destructive force], capable of posing a significant threat to Eldrin Chen.

The great malevolence within the Treasure Box was even more terrifying, actually giving Eldrin Chen the feeling of facing a formidable enemy, which only deepened his astonishment.

"This Ancient Ruins Nether Lord is merely a Half-Step Ghost Ancestor [a cultivator who has nearly, but not fully, ascended to the Ghost Ancestor realm]. How could he possess such supreme treasures?"

Shocked, Eldrin Chen pondered for a long while before suddenly understanding.

He looked deeply at the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord and then bowed slightly in respect. "So, Senior is an Eight Tribulations Ghost Immortal [a Ghost Immortal who has survived eight Heavenly Tribulations, indicating immense power and longevity]. I have truly been disrespectful."

In that instant, Eldrin Chen comprehended the true terror of this Ancient Ruins Nether Lord. Support the author by reading on audi0-n0vel.c0m.

The cultivation path of Ghost Immortal [a powerful spirit that has attained immortality through ghostly means] differs from that of Immortal [a being who has achieved true immortality through orthodox cultivation]. They rely on Faith Power [power derived from the belief and worship of mortals] for their advancement, and their dependence on the resources of heaven and earth is comparatively minor. Consequently, the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by cultivators] that befalls them is far lighter.

As long as they remain within the confines of the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and spirits], they are seldom subjected to the Great Tribulation.

However, a rare few Ghost Immortal choose to venture into the Immortal Domain [the primary realm of orthodox immortals] to undergo their tribulation when the Great Tribulation arrives.

Should they successfully pass through the Tribulation [a trial of heavenly punishment], they naturally receive a layer of Tribulation Opportunity and Fortune [heaven-bestowed luck and opportunity] bestowed upon them, greatly enhancing their strength and foundational potential.

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord before them was not only astonishingly powerful but could also effortlessly produce two supreme-grade Netherworld Ghost Treasure [powerful artifacts forged in the Netherworld] and had even sealed away a terrifying entity of great malice. This spoke volumes of his formidable capabilities.

Indeed, as Eldrin Chen had anticipated, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord gave a slight nod and said, "We Ghost Immortal are not like you Immortal. Though we possess the cultivation of eight tribulations, we are still far inferior to an orthodox Immortal of equivalent standing."

"These mere eight tribulations are nothing to boast of."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression grew even more solemn.

His own cultivation was now considerable, and he understood well the fearsomeness of an Eight Tribulations Ghost Immortal.

In the past, that Polarity Patriarch [a title for a patriarch who has mastered opposing forces], who was merely a Six Tribulations Immortal, possessed the strength to contend with an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm]. A Seven Tribulations Immortal would likely be even more powerful than a First Layer Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal at the first level of that realm].

However, an Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to a higher plane of existence, gaining immense power and longevity] bolstered by their Earth Immortal World [a personal pocket dimension that provides a cultivator with a near-infinite source of power] possesses a wellspring of magic power that never runs dry, allowing them to contend with a Seven Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations].

As for an Eight Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], they are even more terrifying. Such beings number no more than the fingers on two hands within the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region in the immortal realms], and each possesses the power to suppress and slay an Early-stage Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal in the initial phase of their power].

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord before them was an Eight Tribulations Ghost Immortal [a spectral immortal who has endured eight tribulations]. Even if his strength fell far short of a true Eight Tribulations Immortal, he still possessed an Extraordinary and formidable level of power.

It was likely that even an Early-stage Earth Immortal like the Netherworld Ghost Ancestor [a powerful progenitor of ghostly beings from the underworld] would be utterly helpless against the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord.

If such an Eight Tribulations Ghost Immortal were to advance further and break through to the Ninth Rank Ghost Immortal [the pinnacle rank for a ghost immortal] realm, they would be capable of reversing their nature to forge a Primordial Solar Body [a supreme yang-aligned physical form, radiant and powerful], thus mending the inherent flaw of lacking a true corporeal body.

The strength of such a Nine Tribulations Ghost Immortal [a ghost immortal who has survived nine heavenly tribulations] would be on par with a Nine Tribulations Immortal [a true immortal who has survived nine tribulations]. Upon breaking through to Earth Immortal, their power would be nearly indistinguishable from that of an Earth Immortal from the Immortal Domain [the primary realm of the true immortals].

"So that's it. Now I understand."

Understanding this, Eldrin Chen finally realized why the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord sought the Soul-Returning Herb [a legendary herb said to be capable of restoring a lost soul or reforging a spiritual body].

He glanced at the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord and could not help but draw a silent, sharp breath. This Ancient Ruins Nether Lord was an eighth-rank Ghost Immortal; he was undoubtedly one of the foremost powerhouses within this region of the Netherworld [the underworld, a realm of spirits and the dead].

If he could take that final step, reverse his nature, and forge a Primordial Solar Body, he would likely become one of the central, dominant figures within the entire Netherworld Hell [the deepest and most fearsome layers of the underworld] of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a major immortal domain].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen cupped his hands and declared, "Since you, Senior, have lent the three treasures, I shall naturally exert my full strength."

"Allow me to make some preparations, and then I shall launch the assault on the Crimson Dragon Sea."

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips. "We Ghost Cultivator, once we set foot in the sunlit world of the Immortal Domain, inevitably attract the attention of Tribulation [Heavenly Punishment]. This matter can only be entrusted to you."

At this point, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord spoke again, "Bring me their remnant souls, and I shall reforge the divine souls of your departed comrades."

"My gratitude."

A flicker of joy stirred within Eldrin Chen's heart as he retrieved three Soul-Gathering Pearl [pearls imbued with the power to gather and contain wandering soul fragments] from his sleeve. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel dot com.

Within these Soul-Gathering Pearl resided the fragmented souls of Silas Chen, Vast Righteousness Path Lord, and Long River Path Lord.

After a moment's contemplation, he also produced the half-remaining Long River Setting Sun Painting [a mystical painting depicting a river at sunset] and the damaged Vast Righteousness Heaven Sword [a sword embodying vast and righteous power], offering them forward. "These were their Lifebound Magical Treasure [treasures bound to their life force and cultivation]. Perhaps they can aid in the swift restoration of their souls."

The Ancient Ruins Path Lord accepted the artifacts, carefully placing them within a Soul-Gathering Bell [a bell used in soul-forging rituals]. His expression turned solemn. "Their souls have scattered across the vastness of the Myriad Heavens Universe. Reforging them will be no simple task."

"This Soul-Gathering Bell of mine is a Netherworld treasure of the World-Opening Grade [a grade denoting immense power capable of influencing worlds]. Yet, even so, it will require tens of thousands of years to fully reforge [mend and restore through profound arts] their spirits."

"Being able to reunite the soul is sufficient."

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief, then cupped his hands and said, "For this matter, I must trouble you, Senior, to expend your efforts."

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord shook his head, merely smiling faintly as he replied, "If you can live up to my expectations and retrieve the Soul-Returning Herb [a legendary herb said to have the power to restore a soul to its body] for me, that will be the best thanks you can offer."

"..."

After departing from the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, Eldrin Chen returned to Verdant Seal Ghost City.

By now, Verdant Seal Patriarch and Kael Chen had already brought back the key treasures from the two ghost cities, giving this ghost city its initial form.

Although the current Verdant Seal Ghost City was only newly established, it already possessed three Soul-Cleansing Pools [pools of mystical water that purify the souls of the deceased] and a Reincarnation Well [a well that serves as a gateway for souls to enter the cycle of rebirth]. In the future, souls within the ghost city wishing for Reincarnation [the process of a soul being reborn into a new life] should not face excessive crowding.

Eldrin Chen merely glanced around briefly before recounting the experiences of his journey to the two of them.

After listening, Verdant Seal Patriarch could not help but feel a lingering fear. "The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord is actually so powerful. It is fortunate we never provoked him."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, yet spoke with calm assurance, "His strength is indeed Extraordinary, but after all, he is merely a Ghost Immortal [an immortal whose existence is bound to the spirit realm, lacking a true physical form]. His power should be comparable to that of a Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has nearly ascended to the Earth Immortal realm] who has undergone four or five heavenly tribulations."

"If he possessed a True Immortal [a perfected immortal body] constitution, one capable of suppressing even an Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is rooted in the terrestrial realm] with a mere gesture, he would not have been driven to seek my aid."

Speaking thus, Eldrin Chen gazed at the three Netherworld Ghost Treasure [powerful artifacts forged from the essence of the underworld] in his hand and declared, "With these three treasures, my chances of confronting the Crimson Dragon Patriarch have improved considerably."

"However, to secure a decisive victory, further preparations are still necessary."

Kael Chen's brow furrowed slightly before he inquired, "What do you mean?"

Eldrin Chen offered no direct reply, stating instead, "Accompany me back to the Immortal Domain [the realm of the living, bathed in yang energy]. We shall make our plans there."

After escorting Kael Chen back to the Crimson Dragon Sea, Eldrin Chen immediately summoned several of the clan's Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality] and recounted the events to them.

Upon hearing the tale, the expressions of all present shifted dramatically.

The Verdant Consort drew a deep breath and could not help but voice her concern, "If the Crimson Dragon Patriarch has truly forged a Great Encompassing Foundation [a foundation of unparalleled breadth and stability, the pinnacle of potential], then his current level of cultivation becomes the critical factor."

Everyone nodded in solemn agreement.

After all, in his previous life, the Crimson Dragon Patriarch had been a Half-Step Earth Immortal [one who stands on the very threshold of the Earth Immortal realm]. Having now reincarnated and rebuilt his path with a Great Encompassing Foundation, his strength was certain to far surpass that of any ordinary peer.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang were both Great Encompassing Foundation cultivators, and thus possessed a clear understanding of the power possessed by such Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality and ascended to a higher state of existence].

According to their estimations, if the Crimson Dragon Patriarch attained cultivation at the Ascendant Immortal 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Ascendant Immortal realm], then combined with the profound foundation of a Great Encompassing Foundation cultivator and the Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest quality within the Immortal grade] from his past life, his combat prowess should approach that of a Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has partially transcended the Ascendant Immortal realm but not fully entered the Earth Immortal realm].

If his cultivation reached the Ascendant Immortal 8th Tier, his strength would be comparable to a newly advanced Half-Step Earth Immortal who was also a Four Tribulations Immortal [an Immortal who has survived four Heavenly Tribulations]. Should he have cultivated all the way to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier, he would likely be more than a match for even a Five Tribulations Immortal.

An adversary of such formidable power would be exceedingly difficult to slay. Access the full story on audio-novel . com.