Chapter 1171. The Unjust Way of Heaven

Eldrin fell silent for a moment before speaking softly, "Qing'er possesses the Pure World Lotus Body. Only by reconstructing her immortal form with the lotus root of the Creation Cyan Jade Lotus can her primordial power be fully restored." Hearing this, Qingji let out a sigh and said, "This time, her actions brought harm to everyone. I hope through this ordeal, she learns to curb her mischievous nature." Eldrin shook his head calmly and remarked, "This child was born with an obstinate heart, unable to master her temper. She is fated to stir trouble, and this calamity was woven into her destiny."

Fortunately, having endured this ordeal, the Childlike Stubborn Heart within her was already undergoing a transformation.

"As for whether she can ultimately forge a Childlike Heart of Crimson Purity, that shall depend on her own destiny." Having said this, Eldrin spoke no further.

To refine a wayward heart into a crimson core, 1 must temper it in the crucible of tribulation.

Chen Xianqing had always been a wayward soul, causing her family no end of trouble over the years. Yet when she witnessed the Crimson Dragon Third Prince devouring humans and unleashing torrents of bloodshed across the Eastern Sea, a flicker of righteous awakening stirred within her—glimpsing, however faintly, the profound truths of humanity's greater purpose.

Thereafter, witnessing how her elder brother and loved ones nearly faced calamity because of her, her stubborn heart finally underwent a subtle shift, gradually awakening to reason.

Yet as the saying goes, "Rivers and mountains may be easily altered, but 1's innate nature is hard to change." Whether this unruly heart could ultimately transform into a heart of crimson resolve still depended on Chen Xianqing's own will—whether he could truly subdue that rebellious core within.

With this thought, Eldrin channeled his magical power, refining Qing'er's soul into the Primordial Verdant Lotus. He then exhaled a wisp of Postnatal Primordial Purple Qi, guiding it into the lotus as well. With solemn emphasis, he instructed, "When the Primordial Verdant Lotus matures and ascends to the rank of a supreme immortal root, Qing'er will be reborn through nirvana."

"By utilizing the Primordial Purple Qi to accelerate growth, the Fate-Crafting Green Jade Lotus will complete its metamorphosis within 10 1000 years." At this point, Eldrin added, "During these 10 1000 years, regularly reciting the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sutra before the Green Lotus will help it conquer its own stubborn nature."

"I understand." Qing Ji nodded and spoke, "I will personally chant the scriptures to accompany her through nirvana rebirth." Eldrin inclined his head slightly, a faint sense of relief washing over him, then turned to Lyra and asked, "How is Xian Zhu's current condition?"

"The more powerful an immortal body, the harder it is to recover once broken. Xianzhu's Great Vajra Indestructible Body has been shattered, damaging his very foundation. Repairing it would be exceedingly difficult." Lyra shook her head and sighed. "Lila is staying with him. The abbot of the Emptiness-Enlightenment Ancient Temple has already examined him and declared the immortal body destroyed—its restoration nearly impossible."

"I'll go take a look." Eldrin said nothing more, merely sighing before striding toward the back mountain.

Crossing over the mountain peaks, Eldrin arrived before a cliff where he spotted Chen Xianzhu. Seated at the edge of the precipice, Chen Xianzhu gazed at the sky and sea stretching beyond the mountains, his eyes reflecting the swirling clouds as they gathered and dispersed. He sat there motionless, devoid of thought or desire.

Eldrin did not disturb him, merely strolling over to sit by his side as they gazed upon the sea of clouds together. The 2 of them remained in tranquil silence before the cliff edge, seemingly savoring this long-lost serenity.

After a long silence, Chen Xianzhu finally spoke calmly, "Father, since you ascended from the lower realm, could you tell me stories of that world?"

"The Lower Realm!" Eldrin murmured with a hint of nostalgia, "The mortal world is fraught with hardships. All living beings tread through muddy paths, and attaining immortality is exceptionally difficult." As Eldrin recounted the tale in his measured voice, he began to share the stories of bygone days with Chen Xianzhu.

Chen Xianzhu listened quietly, his brow gradually furrowing as he grew increasingly attentive. As a native born of the celestial realm, he had been granted an extraordinary opportunity by Eldrin even before his birth—his innate foundation surpassed even that of true dragons and celestial phoenixes.

Trained by Eldrin since childhood, he had bulldozed through all opposition unchallenged, shielded by numerous True Immortals and Buddhas along his path. He attained immortality without enduring any significant tribulations—a journey utterly unlike Eldrin's own arduous ascent.

Faced with a true formidable foe this time, he could not withstand even 3 moves, filling his heart with an unprecedented sense of defeat.

Hearing of Eldrin's past at this moment, he vaguely grasped the immense hardships all living beings endured in their cultivation, and understood more deeply how arduous his father's journey to this day had been.

After listening to Eldrin finish speaking, Chen Xianzhu sighed and said, "While others struggle so arduously in their cultivation, I possess such innate talent—how profoundly unjust is this?"

"It seems that my achievements today are largely thanks to you, Father." Eldrin nodded, then shook his head and said, "When chaos first parted, the earliest beings born between heaven and earth were innately Great Luo Golden Immortals."

"Cultivators scurry about like ants, all for a chance at that elusive thread of immortal fate."

"The mayfly lives its entire life, never knowing the distinction between day and night."

"How unjust are they compared to deities?" Eldrin spoke softly, then lowered his gaze and said, "The Heavenly Dao is inherently unjust, yet it is also the epitome of justice."

"The Heavenly Dragon Sarira is a supreme immortal treasure that even half-step Earth Immortals would covet. I spared no expense to obtain this treasure to lay your foundation. If you still ended up no different from ordinary people, that would truly be an injustice from the Heavenly Dao."

"So regardless of how we are born, we can only accept it—perhaps this is simply fate."

"I understand." Chen Xianzhu nodded and said no more. Seeing his nearly shattered physique, Eldrin asked, "Your Great Power Heavenly Dragon Body is half-destroyed. Have you considered how to restore it?"

"Never." Chen Xianzhu shook his head, his brow deeply furrowed. Eldrin (Person Name) gave a slight nod before speaking, "I was once ambushed by extraterrestrial demons and nearly perished during my heavenly tribulation."

Your clan brother, Ethan (Person Name), also teetered on the brink of death, his physical form nearly obliterated, almost perishing midway through his cultivation journey.

Your uncle Kael (Person Name) once suffered from the invasion of Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) and even Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root). Day and night he endured unbearable agony from the Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root), while his soul was perpetually corroded by the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root), nearly causing him to completely perish in this tribulation.

"Do you know how we managed to emerge?" Chen Xianzhu's brow furrowed slightly as he gazed quietly at Eldrin, awaiting his next words.

Eldrin lowered his gaze, his expression serene as he spoke calmly, "I borrowed it to comprehend the secret forces of the 5 Elements, Ethan seized the opportunity to unravel the mystery of life and death, and Kael, with immense perseverance, subdued the Fire Fiend Qi and the Demonic Fiend Qi."

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

"If you can unravel its mysteries and subdue suffering with great perseverance, you might just find a glimmer of life amidst the ruins—allowing you to be reborn from the ashes, like a silkworm breaking free from its cocoon to become a butterfly."

"Then, you shall transcend your former self and forge a true Path to the Heavens."

"Boom—" Chen Xianzhu felt as if his mind had exploded. In that profound moment, a sudden comprehension dawned upon him, plunging him into a state of epiphany.

Seeing this, Eldrin did not disturb him, merely standing guard in silence.