Chapter 1203 : A Prodigy's Unprecedented Ascent

Within the Immortal Domain [the higher realm where immortals reside], an ordinary Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] typically requires around one hundred thousand years to break through to the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation level]. However, advancing to the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation level] often consumes over five hundred thousand years.

Even for those Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] from Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a sacred land governed by an Earth Immortal], reaching this realm generally requires one hundred to two hundred thousand years of dedicated effort.

Now, Eldrin Chen had attained the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation level] after a mere thirty thousand years since his ascension to immortality. Such a feat would likely place him among the most elite prodigies, even within those prestigious Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land [a higher-tier sacred land governed by a Grotto-Heaven Immortal].

Moreover, Eldrin Chen had simultaneously cultivated the Three Path Fruits [the three core achievements of an immortal's cultivation path], elevating them all to the Sky-Touching Realm [a profound stage where one's power touches the heavens]. The substance and potency of his advancement far surpassed that of any ordinary Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation level] cultivator.

"My ability to reach this realm is not solely due to my Extraordinary [exceptional and rare] innate talent," Eldrin Chen mused quietly to himself. "The Stellar Glazed Boundary [a powerful defensive and cultivation-enhancing formation] and the Immortal Peach Tree [a divine tree bearing fruit that grants longevity and power] have contributed the greater share of the credit."

Heart brimming with quiet joy, Eldrin Chen suppressed these thoughts in an instant.

Pushing open the door of his Seclusion Chamber [a chamber designed for deep, undisturbed meditation], he found that all the Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] who had been in seclusion within the Stellar Glazed Boundary [a powerful defensive and cultivation-enhancing formation] had gathered there.

The Lord of the Path Palace immediately stepped forward with a warm smile, clasping his hands in a respectful salute. "My congratulations, Fellow Daoist," he said, his voice filled with genuine delight. "Your breakthrough to the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation level] is a grand achievement. It seems the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a powerful immortal tied to a land] is now within your sight."

"Indeed, indeed," the Black Tortoise Patriarch nodded repeatedly, his face wreathed in smiles. "To reach the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation level] in just over thirty thousand years... such talent would be considered peerless even within the vast expanse of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a major region within the Immortal Domain]."

Upon hearing these words, all the assembled immortals broke into smiles. As members of the Returning Abyss Alliance, they naturally felt profound joy at Eldrin Chen's increased strength and standing. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel*com.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "I have gained but a little. I must trouble you all for standing guard."

"You are too courteous, Fellow Daoist. This is merely our duty," the others replied.

"..."

Breaking through to the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm was a joyous occasion for the Chen Immortal Clan.

However, to avoid drawing excessive attention, Eldrin Chen did not hold grand celebrations. He merely informed the Immortal Elders of the Returning Abyss Alliance.

Upon hearing the news, the Six Stars Immortal immediately came to Green Chariot Mountain and sought out Eldrin Chen, asking, "Is it true you have broken through to the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm?"

"It is indeed so."

Eldrin Chen nodded and revealed his cultivation aura.

Witnessing this, the Six Stars Immortal could not help but take a deep breath. He gazed at Eldrin Chen for a long moment before finally saying, "Your talent and capability truly surpass even my highest expectations."

"Since you possess such cultivation, it is time to tell you about a certain matter."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. "What matter could be so grave that it warrants such caution from you?"

Six Stars Immortal offered a faint smile, yet his expression turned profoundly solemn. "This Returning Abyss Sea is one of the Three Thousand Seas of the Western Essence. By all rights, it should possess at least one Supreme-Grade Earth Vein [a land vein of the highest immortal rank, a source of immense spiritual power for a region]."

"Do you know why, to this day, not a single Supreme-Grade Earth Vein remains within this Returning Abyss Sea?"

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He remained silent, listening intently as Six Stars Immortal continued his tale.

The Six Stars Immortal cast a wary glance around them. Only after weaving a series of silencing wards [magical barriers to prevent eavesdropping] did he begin to speak in earnest.

As his story unfolded, Eldrin Chen gradually grasped the intricate Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect, where actions shape destiny] woven into these events.

It turned out that over one hundred thousand years ago, within this Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, there had existed an Immortal Rank Supreme Grade [the pinnacle rank for immortal-grade spiritual resources] Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated fire-attribute spiritual energy].

The rise of the Crimson Dragon Patriarch in those ancient times was directly linked to that supreme-grade Fire Vein. The Supreme-Grade Immortal Artifact [a weapon or tool of the highest immortal grade] materials used to forge both his Crimson Dragon Sky-Scorching Sword and his Crimson Flame Gilded Armor were treasures born from the very essence of that supreme-grade Fire Vein.

More than one hundred thousand years ago, when the Crimson Dragon Patriarch failed in his attempt to break through to the Earth Immortal [a major realm of immortality above the Human Immortal stage] realm, that supreme-grade Fire Vein was also destroyed by his hand. From that moment, the Returning Abyss Sea was stripped of any Immortal Rank Supreme Grade Earth Vein.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly and said, "Since the Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated fire-aspected spiritual energy] has already been destroyed, what is the point of discussing this matter now?"

"That is precisely what this old man wishes to explain."

Six Stars Immortal stroked his long beard, a trace of confidence appearing on his face.

With a flick of his sleeve, he produced a treasure disk shimmering with six points of Stellar [celestial] light. "Fellow Daoist, do you know what this is?"

"The Six Stars Astrolabe."

Eldrin Chen recognized it at a glance; this astrolabe was the signature Immortal Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact used by immortals] of Six Stars Immortal. For more chapters, visit audio-novel.com (official site) for the complete novel.

Six Stars Immortal chuckled, however. "Wrong. This is the Six Ren Astrolabe."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's heart gave a violent jolt.

A difference of a single character signified a vast disparity. The Six Ren Astrolabe was a rare treasure of the Art of Divination [the mystical practice of foreseeing fate], something many Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality through cultivation] sought in vain. Its value far surpassed anything the Six Stars Astrolabe could be compared to.

Six Stars Immortal nodded slowly and began to recount his tale. "This old man was originally a rogue cultivator who wandered the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea for nearly a million years. Why would I abandon a carefree, unconstrained path of cultivation to come to this Returning Abyss Sea and contend for a Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich with spiritual energy, ideal for establishing a cultivation base]?"

"It is solely because this old man once divined with this Six Ren Astrolabe that a great dragon [a metaphor for a powerful, slumbering earth energy] would turn over within the Returning Abyss Sea, signifying a great Opportunity and Fortune was about to emerge. That is why I laid my plans there so early."

"A great dragon turning over?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, a look of deep contemplation settling upon his features.

Six Stars Immortal gave a slight nod and began to explain. "The Returning Abyss Sea is as vast as the Lingering Sun Sea Region, one of the three thousand seas of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. It is a convergence point for water element energy [the primordial force associated with water, fluidity, and depth], and by all logic, it should be the most fertile ground for nurturing Water Vein [a concentrated, flowing channel of pure water-element spiritual energy within the earth]."

"Yet for millions of years, not a single precious Water Vein has been found in these waters. The reason is that long ago, the Water Essence Power [the fundamental water energy of the region] of the Returning Abyss Sea was suppressed by an Immortal Rank Supreme Grade [the highest grade of immortal-level power] Fire Vein [a concentrated, flowing channel of pure fire-element spiritual energy within the earth], preventing it from coalescing into form."

"Even so, the immense Water Essence Power of the Returning Abyss Sea gathered and condensed, forming a hidden Dragon Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual energy vein of immense power, often likened to a slumbering dragon] that lies buried in the deepest reaches of this sea."

"Now that the supreme-grade Fire Vein has been dispersed for one hundred thousand years, by my calculations, the time for that hidden Dragon Vein to turn over is nearly upon us."

"Is this truly so?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a profound tremor in his heart, his expression shifting to one of mingled astonishment and delight.

If Six Stars Immortal's divination was correct, the hidden Dragon Vein of the Returning Abyss Sea Region would be, at the very least, an Immortal Rank Supreme Grade Water Vein.

The value of such a Water Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated spiritual water energy] is nearly immeasurable. It is certain to nurture a Supreme-Grade Immortal Artifact [a peerless enchanted weapon or tool of the highest rank]. Should its existence be exposed, it is likely that the Lingering Sun Blessed Land and all the major powers in the surrounding regions would covet it.

Given the current strength of the Chen Clan, whether they could defend it remains a very precarious question.

Having said this, the Six Stars Immortal continued, "The reason I am informing you of this matter is that I wish to join forces with you to jointly develop that hidden vein."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. "The value of such a Water Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated spiritual water energy] is likely beyond estimation. Have you been able to divine its precise location?"

The Six Stars Immortal shook his head. "My current cultivation level is insufficient; I cannot yet fully deduce its exact position."

"If I can break through to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier [the ninth and penultimate stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm] and fully cultivate my Path Principles [the fundamental laws and insights of one's chosen cultivation path] to Ascendant Immortal Perfection [the peak of the Ascendant Immortal realm], then I should have a seventy to eighty percent certainty."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. "The Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier [the ninth and penultimate stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm] is a significant threshold. Is there any assistance you require from me?"

"That is precisely why I sought you out."

The Six Stars Immortal's expression grew solemn. He took a deep breath. "Five thousand years from now, for the opportunity at the Path Principles Celestial Stele [a legendary monument inscribed with profound cultivation insights], I will need you to lend me your strength."

"If this endeavor succeeds, my breakthrough to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier [the ninth and penultimate stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm] will follow as naturally as water flowing downhill." Continue reading this story at audio-novel.com.