Chapter 1190 : The Unattained Path Fruit

"There have been quite a few minor matters."

Verdant Consort spoke, then smiled and said, "Three hundred years ago, Ethan ascended and came here. Five hundred years before that, Ancestor Mystery Chen had already achieved immortality."

"Did Ethan succeed in cultivating the Three Path Fruits?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed slightly as he couldn't help but inquire.

Back when Eldrin Chen descended to the lower realm, he had left precious Opportunity and Fortune [a chance to grasp one's destined path] for Ethan Chen to achieve his Dao.

Ethan Chen did not disappoint expectations. Merely a thousand years later, he had already comprehended the Life and Death Path Principles [the profound truths governing existence and cessation] and forged the Life-Death Immortal Body [an immortal physique embodying the cycle of life and death].

Yet, for nearly ten thousand years thereafter, Ethan Chen never ascended, precisely to condense the Supreme Path Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivated path, representing peak attainment].

Now that Ethan Chen had ascended, Eldrin Chen couldn't help but wonder.

However, contrary to expectations, Verdant Consort shook her head regretfully and smiled bitterly. "This time, Ethan ascended because he failed in his forceful attempt to condense a Path Fruit [the crystallized essence of one's cultivated Dao]. He could no longer suppress his own foundational potential and was forced to ascend."

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Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh, unable to suppress a murmur of regret. "After thirty thousand years of cultivation, Ethan has ultimately fallen short of that crucial final step. To remedy this deficiency in the future will be a challenge of immense difficulty."

Having said that, Eldrin Chen continued, "The fact that the child Ancestor Mystery Chen managed to break through to the Ascendant Immortal [the first major stage of true immortality] realm is a joyous occasion for the clan."

"Have him go to the Clan Treasury and select one Immortal Treasure [a powerful artifact forged by or for immortals]. Consider it the clan's reward for his achievement."

Verdant Consort nodded gently, a warm smile gracing her lips. "That is the established custom. I understand."

Over the past eight millennia, Eldrin Chen had passed his time in secluded cultivation, yet the Returning Abyss Alliance and his clan had not remained static, undergoing significant changes of their own.

The newly ascended Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] were numerous, extending beyond just Ethan Chen and Ancestor Mystery Chen.

From the lower realms alone, figures like the Ice Hornless Dragon Demon Ancestor had ascended, joined by others such as Jiang Venus and Mysterious Verdant Robe.

Among the ten companions Eldrin Chen had brought with him in those bygone years, three—Support Revive Chen, Literature Abyss Lu, and Withering Liana Gu—had already attained immortality.

Among them, Support Revive Chen, having cultivated an Immortal Body [a physique refined to an immortal level] based on the Three Talents Path Body [a constitution aligned with the powers of Heaven, Earth, and Man] and comprehended the triune Path Principles Power [the fundamental laws governing a specific cultivation path], was already a prodigy who had attained Dual Path Fruits [a cultivation stage marked by mastery in two distinct cultivation paths].

Literature Abyss Lu had brought his Four Symbols Path Body [a constitution aligned with the four celestial beasts: Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise] to great completion, and had also deeply cultivated the corresponding Four Symbols Path Principles Power. His strength placed him among the very top echelons even within the ranks of those with Dual Path Fruits.

Withering Liana Gu possessed the Triple Lunar Constitution [a rare physique attuned to the power of the three moons] and had also cultivated the Primal Shadow Path Principles [the foundational laws of the Shadow Path]. Under the careful tutelage of Exquisite Jiang, she had successfully advanced to the Dual Path Fruits [a profound cultivation stage where one has borne fruit on two distinct cultivation paths].

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "And what of the others? How do they fare now?"

Verdant Consort's gaze flickered slightly before she spoke. "Freya Ji has fully mastered her Primal Shadow Constitution [an innate physique of pure shadow essence]. She wishes to borrow the Heart of Heaven Jade [a legendary jade said to contain the heart of the heavens] to contemplate and gain insight into Path Principles Power [the fundamental power underlying the laws of a cultivation path]."

"Freya Ji?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Freya Ji was a long-time friend of Exquisite Jiang, and the bond between them ran deep.

Furthermore, with her foundation of an Immortal Body [a body refined to the point of being inherently immortal], Freya Ji could ascend to immortality at any moment. Thus, whether viewed from the perspective of their friendship or her innate talent, she was undoubtedly a worthy investment.

Having reached this conclusion, Eldrin Chen declared, "She may borrow the Heart of Heaven Jade for a millennium of contemplation. I shall also gift her one Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of Immortal Grade Ancient Enlightenment Tea [a legendary tea that can spark profound enlightenment]. Whether she succeeds or not will then depend entirely on her own Creation [the spark of divine inspiration and creative power within a cultivator]."

"Understood."

Verdant Consort gave a slight nod upon hearing this, though a trace of awe stirred within her heart.

The Heart of Heaven Jade was one thing—it could be borrowed and returned. But the Enlightenment Tea [a rare spiritual herb that aids in achieving profound insights] was a treasure of immense rarity.

The Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree of the current Chen Immortal Clan yields only one Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] of Ancient Enlightenment Tea every thousand years. With so many Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] in the clan needing it for Path Principles Comprehension [the profound meditation and understanding of the fundamental laws of cultivation], allocating even one Jin-weight is the absolute limit.

It's highly likely Eldrin Chen will have to supplement the cost from his own resources.

Eldrin Chen read the expression on Verdant Consort's face and understood his concerns. "Ascending to immortality is a monumental threshold," he stated, "one that will define her Future's ultimate achievements."

"Providing full support now is offering charcoal in snowy weather [a Chinese idiom meaning timely and critical aid]. Any aid given later would merely be adding flowers to brocade [another idiom meaning superfluous or less meaningful help]."

Only then did Verdant Consort nod, a wry smile touching his lips. "Dorian Ji and Sea-Calmer Path Master are also preparing to attempt their breakthrough once more."

At the mention of these two, a slight frown creased Eldrin Chen's brow. Official source: https://audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

While Dorian Ji and Sea-Calmer Path Master possessed talent considered Extraordinary within the Purple Seal Realm, among the ranks of Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a high-level cultivator whose spiritual core has fully formed], they were merely average.

Given their current strength, the odds of them successfully breaking through to the Ascendant Immortal Realm [the realm of a true immortal] likely did not exceed one in ten.

Over the years, with Eldrin Chen's support, the pair had attempted the Ascendant Immortal Realm breakthrough three times, yet each time they fell just half a step short.

Every failed attempt to become an Ascendant Immortal requires an Immortal to recuperate for three thousand years. Now, with their lifespans already exceeding thirty-five thousand years, they are left with but one final chance to ascend.

Aside from these two, Elara Lin and Exquisite Fragrance Su faced an even more uncertain path ahead.

Between the two, Elara Lin possessed a shallow foundation and meager reserves of cultivation. She had barely managed to break through to the Demigod Realm [the final stage before true immortality].

Exquisite Fragrance Su was only at the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [the ninth and highest level of the Primordial Spirit stage]. Even with Eldrin Chen's continuous support, achieving immortality remained an arduous, near-impossible task for her.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen sighed and said, "Have them come to my abode. I shall see them."

"Very well."

Verdant Consort nodded and rose to leave the cavernous retreat.

Not long after, Dorian Ji, Sea-Calmer Path Master, Elara Lin, and Exquisite Fragrance Su all arrived within the abode.

After exchanging greetings, Eldrin Chen swept his gaze over them and inquired, "In recent years, you have each attempted to breach the Ascendant Immortal Realm [the realm of true immortality] on multiple occasions. What are your impressions?"

The group was momentarily taken aback. Dorian Ji was the first to speak. "Throughout these years, I have repeatedly contemplated the Path Principles Power [the fundamental laws governing cultivation and reality]. Yet, I have always remained half a step away from true comprehension."

"Alas," sighed Sea-Calmer Path Master, his expression tinged with bitterness. "This old man's foundation is too shallow. I have squandered both the Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a rare celestial metal used in advanced alchemy] and the Immortal Treasure Ascension Pill [a legendary elixir said to aid in achieving immortality]."

Hearing their lament, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh inwardly.

The matter of achieving immortality [ascending to the ranks of the celestial beings] was one of those things that seemed effortless to those who understood its secrets and insurmountable to those who did not. For Eldrin Chen, comprehending the Path Principles Comprehension was as clear as reading the lines on his own palm.

Yet not everyone possessed their level of innate talent. Both Dorian Ji and Sea-Calmer Path Master fell just half a step short in terms of foundational depth and potential.

The Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a rare, spiritually resonant metal used in sacred rituals and high-level cultivation] and the Immortal Artifact [a powerful enchanted object forged by or for an immortal] that Eldrin Chen had gifted them were potent enough to increase an adequately talented cultivator's chances of achieving Ascendant Immortal [the realm of a true immortal] by thirty to forty percent. Yet, for these two, the boost likely amounted to less than ten percent.

Even so, Eldrin Chen remained utterly composed.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke calmly, "The limits of your foundational potential in this lifetime have been reached. The path to immortality is fraught with ten thousand difficulties. To transcend them, you have but one recourse: the Foundation Reforging [a profound technique to completely rebuild and enhance one's cultivation foundation], to surpass your current state and advance your Path Fruit [the condensed essence and achievement of one's cultivated Dao, akin to a spiritual fruit]."

"Oh?"

His words gave the others pause, a flicker of surprise crossing their faces.

Dorian Ji could not help but draw a deep breath before inquiring, "Please, enlighten us."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. Then, with a casual wave of his hand, he sent forth four motes of spiritual light, which settled into the palms of Dorian Ji, Sea-Calmer Path Master, and the other two.

The four of them took the items and examined them. Their expressions froze for a moment before erupting into ecstatic joy.

The cultivation art Eldrin Chen had bestowed upon the two was named the 'Returning Abyss Nirvana Art'. It was a supreme method Eldrin Chen had created over the years, drawing inspiration from the Crimson Dragon Nirvana Art.

This art surpassed its predecessor, a true and unparalleled immortal technique.

To cultivate it, one must first find a supreme treasure capable of nurturing a Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core of a cultivator]. One's own True Spirit [the spiritual essence formed at the Golden Core stage] must then be anchored upon it, forging a future-life embryo—a Path Fruit [the condensed essence of one's cultivation path, representing a major achievement].

Thereafter, one's entire lifetime of cultivation, along with one's flesh, blood, and soul essence, would serve as nourishment to feed this new embryo.

Once the new embryo fully matures, one can shed the shackles of their previous foundation and be reborn into a completely new Path Fruit, potentially surpassing their former self and becoming even more powerful.

Since its creation by Eldrin Chen, this art had been kept secret by him, unwilling to reveal it.

The fundamental reason was that this method transcended the Six Paths of Reincarnation [the cosmic cycle governing rebirth], violating the Great Path of Heavenly and Earthly Cycles [the fundamental Dao principle of cyclical renewal]. Cultivating it would inevitably attract a terrifying Tribulation [a heavenly retribution or trial].

Now, seeing that the others had little hope of achieving immortality, he could no longer hold back from presenting it. This chapter appears courtesy of audio–novel.com.