Chapter 1268 : Treasures of the Ascendant Path

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and took the object.

After distributing the Path Source, nine Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasures remained, each one a treasure of staggering value.

After some discussion among the group, Eldrin Chen was allotted the Heavenly Might Token and the Qianqing Mountain and River Fan.

Sun Consort received the Heavenly Dragon Shield and the Ancient Seal of the Desolate Ruins; Star Consort took the Supple Wood Azure Dragon Banner.

Exquisite Jiang claimed the Azure Wave Lotus Immortal Sword, while Verdant Consort took the Heavenly Wheel Mirror.

The Blue Jade Heaven Soul Sword and the Golden Light Soul-Piercing Thorn were also formidable weapons, but the group no longer had the spare capacity to refine and wield them.

Following further deliberation, Eldrin Chen temporarily lent the Blue Jade Heaven Soul Sword to Void-Refining Immortal and the Golden Light Soul-Piercing Thorn to Heavenly Feather Immortal for their use.

Both were at the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm and could barely muster the power to activate these two Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasures, but doing so would grant them a trump card capable of threatening ordinary Ascendant Immortals of the 9th Tier.

After the Great Tribulation concluded, if the two accumulated sufficient Merit [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds], arrangements would be made to formally transfer ownership of these two Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasures to them. Experience the full epic at audio-novel.com (official site).

With the Supreme-Grade Immortal Artifact thus distributed, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "Now that the spoils of this battle have been allocated, let us take this opportunity to rest and consolidate our strength, first enhancing our own power."

"Very well."

Sun Consort nodded, then spoke, "With the Supreme-Grade Path Source Moon Consort obtained, and the empowerment of the Verdant Lotus Seed, it is time for her to enter seclusion and attempt her breakthrough to the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm."

With matters settled thus, the assembled immortals dispersed one by one, each retreating into seclusion to digest the gains from this conflict.

Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, and Verdant Consort remained behind.

Exquisite Jiang directly produced the Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's cultivation path] of the Supple Wood Azure Dragon, while Verdant Consort also brought forth the Path Source of Patriarch Suwei and offered it.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen frowned slightly at the brow and said, "My dear, this..."

"There is no need for refusal."

Exquisite Jiang shook her head and spoke plainly, "Given our current level of strength, even if we were to comprehend these Supreme-Grade Path Source, our power would be hard-pressed to advance significantly in a short time."

"It is better to concentrate our resources, allowing you to cultivate the Primordial One Limitless Rule Power [the supreme, boundless power of the primordial chaos, governing all rules]. Only then will we have a greater chance of surviving the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking calamity ordained by fate]."

"I understand."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen no longer declined.

He took the two Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's understanding of a specific cosmic law] into his hand, then handed the one containing the metal-attribute rule, the Golden Dragon's Path Source, to Exquisite Jiang and said, "This one overlaps with the White Tiger Patriarch's Path Source, so you should refine it."

"Very well."

Exquisite Jiang nodded and accepted the Path Source left behind by the Golden Dragon Patriarch.

With that settled, Eldrin Chen said no more. He did not enter seclusion immediately, but instead made a detour to the Hinter Peaks Immortal Field [a mystical field for cultivating rare plants]. There, he planted the Primordial Chaos Ancient Maple [an ancient tree born from the energies of primordial chaos] within the Immortal Herb Garden.

He then used Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme-grade energy from the dawn of creation] to unlock its innate shackles before finally returning to the Returning Abyss Blessed Land to prepare for seclusion and the refinement of the Path Source.

This time, Eldrin Chen planned to refine three Path Source simultaneously. Once complete, he would simultaneously comprehend three Rule Embryo [the nascent seed-form of a cosmic law within a cultivator's soul], his cultivation realm would advance, and his power was certain to experience a monumental leap.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen gave instructions before entering seclusion: "For this retreat, I will consume Fortune Path Gold [a miraculous substance that accelerates the comprehension of cosmic laws] to refine the Path Source. I will emerge within a thousand years."

"Unless the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array powered by stellar energies] is on the verge of collapse, or we face an enemy we cannot possibly withstand, do not disturb me for minor matters."

"I understand."

Exquisite Jiang nodded, her expression exceptionally grave.

She understood clearly in her heart that after this seclusion succeeded, Eldrin Chen's strength would at the very least step into the realm of a Seven Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations]. This concerned whether they could smoothly pass through the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking heavenly calamity], and thus she regarded it with utmost importance.

To allow Eldrin Chen to set his mind at ease and enter seclusion wholeheartedly, Exquisite Jiang added, "Now, the demon horde of the Suwei Sea has been annihilated, Thousand Dragon Lake is mired in conflict with the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect and cannot extricate itself, and the Heavenly Demon Sea is also locked in fierce battle."

"Furthermore, we are protected by the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array that harnesses the power of the stars]. So, you can cultivate in peace. For the time being, no one should be able to threaten us."

"Mm." Access the full story on audio-novel . com.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, a measure of relief settling in his heart.

Before entering seclusion, he wished to divine the future, but the Celestial Mechanism [the inscrutable workings of fate and heaven] was obscured, making it impossible to discern fortune or misfortune. All he saw was a chaotic blur, unable to perceive what the Future held.

"Enough," he thought. "I must focus on cultivation first. If I can achieve combat power equivalent to a Seven Tribulations Immortal, I will be able to suppress even an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm, a formidable existence]."

"By that time, even if an Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the terrestrial immortal realm] were to attack, what would I have to fear?"

With these thoughts in mind, Eldrin Chen immediately exited his Seclusion Chamber [a specialized chamber for undisturbed cultivation] and retrieved the three Supreme-Grade Path Source [a condensed essence of profound cosmic laws and energy] left behind by Patriarch Suwei, the Supple Wood Azure Dragon [a powerful dragon spirit associated with the Wood element], and the Blue Jade Heavenly Dragon.

He did not immediately refine these Path Source. Instead, he first took out that one Qian-weight [one Qian-weight equals five grams] of Fortune Path Gold [a mystical metal that attracts and amplifies good fortune] along with a vast quantity of Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a spiritual metal refined from the power of mortal worship and prayers] to refine.

As the Fortune Path Gold and Incense Offering Celestial Silver were refined, Eldrin Chen instantly felt an boundless tide of Fortune [the metaphysical force of luck and destiny] envelop him, further bolstered by an endless stream of power from the wishes and prayers of countless devotees.

Empowered by these two forces, Eldrin Chen felt his mind become preternaturally clear, as if a dam had burst, unleashing an infinite torrent of inspiration and insight into his consciousness.

"Now is the moment," he whispered to himself.

Heart surging with elation, Eldrin Chen swiftly retrieved the Supreme-Grade Path Source and began refining their primordial essence, delving deep to comprehend the wondrous applications of the cosmic laws contained within.

"..."

While Eldrin Chen was in deep seclusion, far away in the Lingering Sun Sea Region, just beyond the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a land suffused with potent spiritual energies], a vast armada of millions of Treasure Ship [massive, enchanted vessels used for transport and warfare] had already gathered.

Among these millions of Treasure Ship, each vessel was at least of Fifth Rank [a high grade of power and craftsmanship], and each one carried a host of several million cultivators.

The sheer concentration of so many Treasure Ship together was like a colossal Stellar [pertaining to stars or celestial bodies] constellation hanging in the sky, their combined aura so overwhelming it caused the very Boundless Sea Region to tremble.

Among them, Path Soldiers [elite cultivator-soldiers who follow a specific cultivation path] soared across the sky, and Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] stood firm upon the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realm]. Their boundless, majestic aura blazed with a brilliance as dazzling and vast as the sun itself.

Even a single Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality], witnessing such a scene, would likely tremble in their heart.

At the very core of this Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred land imbued with the essence of the setting sun], two figures stood side by side. They were none other than Lingering Sun Patriarch and Setting Sun Patriarch.

Setting Sun Patriarch gazed upon the endless fleet of Treasure Ship [magical vessels used for transportation and warfare by cultivators] and gave a slight nod. "Master," he said, "the disciples have marshaled their forces and stand ready for battle. We can depart at any moment."

"Hmm."

Lingering Sun Patriarch gave a faint nod of acknowledgment but did not give the order to move out immediately.

Seeing this, Setting Sun Patriarch could not help but inquire, "Master, why do we delay? Could there be some unforeseen circumstance in the Returning Abyss Sea Region [a perilous oceanic region known for its abyssal depths and strange phenomena]?"

"Not so."

Lingering Sun Patriarch shook his head and then spoke. "That That upstart Eldrin has been an Immortal for a mere sixty thousand years. No matter how heaven-defying his talent, there are limits."

"Even with the aid of the Glazed Blessed Land [a blessed land renowned for its crystalline purity and defensive power], if he managed to defeat the forces of the Suwei Horde of Demons [a vast and savage demonic legion] and Thousand Dragon Lake [a domain ruled by a powerful dragon clan]—five Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have nearly completed the transition to becoming Earth Immortals] in all—his losses now must be grievous indeed."

"At present, they have won a pyrrhic victory and are undoubtedly still recuperating. If we give them another few thousand years, allowing them to refine the five Supreme-Grade Path Source [the highest quality source of a cultivator's foundational power] and digest the gains from this battle, then perhaps we might not be able to overcome them."

"But now, while they are in seclusion, this old man will not grant them the opportunity to digest anything."

The Lingering Sun Patriarch spoke methodically, his expression calm as he stated, "However, that That upstart Eldrin has close ties with the Heaven Wind Path Master. Once we dispatch our forces to the Returning Abyss Sea Region, that whelp Heaven Wind will certainly not stand idly by."

"This Heaven Wind Path Master possesses a World-Opening Treasure [an artifact of immense power capable of shaping reality]. If he aids that Returning Abyss Path Master at a critical moment, it will undoubtedly cause us significant trouble."

"To prevent this variable, we must prune him in advance." Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel-dot-com.