Chapter 1349 : A Sect's Fateful Breakthrough

The two Grand Elder of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect—the Second Grand Elder failed in his attempt to break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal realm, while the Third Grand Elder successfully advanced to the Third Level Earth Immortal realm.

The Patriarch of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect had refined the Dao Source [the condensed origin of one's cultivation path] of the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake, giving him a success rate of over fifty percent for this attempt to impact the Late Stage Earth Immortal realm.

Alas, fortune did not favor him. This breakthrough attempt ended in failure. Not only did he fail to step into the Seventh Level Earth Immortal realm, but he also suffered a significant backlash from the failed cultivation.

The injuries sustained were grievous. For the next one hundred thousand years, he would be unable to exert his full power in combat, and a full recovery would require one million years.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly before speaking. "Refining the Dao Source [the condensed origin of one's cultivation path] of the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake was perhaps the closest the Verdant Stream Ancient Progenitor ever came to reaching the Late Stage Earth Immortal realm in his lifetime.

"Having missed this opportunity, I fear he will never have another chance."

Yvonne the Violet Consort gave a slight nod, then said thoughtfully, "The destruction of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect caused him to suffer a backlash from the unseen forces of destiny and fortune.

"In truth, this failure to break through was perhaps to be expected." "Indeed."

Eldrin Chen also nodded in agreement. A cultivator's success rate when attempting to break through a cultivation bottleneck is often influenced by the unseen currents of fate and fortune.

Some Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation], blessed with immense fortune, often advance through realms with unstoppable momentum. Others, whose fortunes have waned, frequently encounter unforeseen obstacles and mishaps during their breakthroughs. This chapter appears courtesy of (audio-novel.com).

Throughout his cultivation journey to this day, the Patriarch of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect has obtained resources such as Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, spiritually resonant silver refined from the essence of incense offerings] and Fortune Dao Gold [a precious metal imbued with the principles of fortune and destiny], the greater portion of which came from the tributes offered by the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect.

Now that the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect has been annihilated, a significant portion of his fortune has swiftly dissipated, which could indeed impact his breakthrough.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen chose not to press the matter further.

He visited the Grand Hall where the Patriarch of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect was secluded, only to be informed that the Patriarch was in closed-door meditation to heal his wounds. He could only leave behind a vial of Healing Pill [a pill that accelerates the healing of wounds and replenishes vitality] before departing.

After leaving, he proceeded to the Abyssal Abode of Bliss and found that both Lyra Jiang and Verdant Consort were still in seclusion. He then made his way out once more.

He had just returned to the Starry Glazed Realm [a mystical realm formation resembling a sky of stars set within glazed crystal] when he discovered that Sky Abyss Daoist and Ancient Ruins Yin Lord had been waiting for him for some time. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the Sky Abyss Daoist smiled and said, "We heard of your emergence from seclusion, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]. We took the liberty of coming uninvited; we hope you do not mind."

"Not at all. Your esteemed presence is an honor for me," Eldrin Chen replied.

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile, exchanged pleasantries with the two, and had tea served before inquiring, "I heard you both have emerged from seclusion, and Fellow Daoist Ancient Ruins has even opened the Ninefold Heavens and Earth [a profound cultivation realm representing the mastery of nine layers of heaven and earth within oneself]. This is truly a cause for celebration."

The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord gave a slight nod, then drew from his sleeve a dazzling radiance. "I have come specifically to deliver this item to you, Fellow Daoist," he stated.

"The Heaven-Opening Polar Light [a primordial, incandescent light said to have been present at the dawn of creation, possessing the power to cleave chaos and define boundaries]."

Eldrin Chen's eyes lit up. The object in Ancient Ruins Yin Lord's hand was precisely a Water-Attribute Heaven-Opening Polar Light [a primordial light of creation used to forge supreme treasures]. Currently, Eldrin Chen already possessed the Fire and Wood Attribute variants of the Heaven-Opening Polar Light. He still lacked the Metal, Water, and Earth types to complete the set.

This one delivered by Ancient Ruins Yin Lord was exactly what he needed.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen took it and spoke, "This is indeed what I require. I wonder what Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] wishes to exchange for it? We can discuss anything I possess."

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord remained composed, his expression placid as he replied, "For us Ghost Cultivator [beings who cultivate through ghostly or Yin-based arts], most things from the world of the living hold little use."

"Give this to Fellow Daoist, and exchange it for some Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a special silver refined from incense ashes, valuable to ghostly beings]."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded. For such a Ghost Cultivator, Incense Fire Celestial Silver was the most precious cultivation resource. Eldrin Chen had acquired a considerable amount from his battles.

Thus, he straightforwardly priced it at two hundred pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver, paying a premium to secure the exchange.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's fair offer, Ancient Ruins Yin Lord glanced at him and inquired further, "When I opened my Ninefold Heavens [a personal inner world or spiritual domain], I obtained nine strands of World-Initiating Qi [primordial Qi used in the creation or profound enhancement of one's cultivation foundation]."

"Three strands were fused into my Heaven-Opening Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation technique], three into my Lifebound Divine Ability [an innate divine power bound to one's life essence], and two more into my Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure intimately connected to its owner's life force]."

"There remains one final portion. If you desire it, the price is eight hundred pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, silver-like metal imbued with the essence of incense smoke and celestial fire, highly valued for cultivation]." Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a subtle light.

Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, silver-like metal imbued with the essence of incense smoke and celestial fire, highly valued for cultivation] is of immense value. When refined by a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul stage and comprehended a profound Dao principle], it can increase their chances of Ascending to Immortality [transcending mortality to become an immortal being] by twenty percent. A single piece is worth as much as a Lower Grade Immortal Treasure [a basic but powerful enchanted artifact used by immortals].

Producing eight hundred pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, silver-like metal imbued with the essence of incense smoke and celestial fire, highly valued for cultivation] in one go would strain the resources of many a Blessed Land [a region abundant with spiritual energy and natural treasures]. However, in the recent series of great battles, Eldrin Chen had seized the majority of the treasuries from Su Wei Sea, Setting Sun Sea, Celestial Demon Sea, and Thousand Dragons Lake, capturing over five thousand pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, silver-like metal imbued with the essence of incense smoke and celestial fire, highly valued for cultivation].

Now, the Clan Treasury [the secure vault where a clan stores its wealth and treasures] held a considerable stock of Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, silver-like metal imbued with the essence of incense smoke and celestial fire, highly valued for cultivation]. He could certainly afford to part with eight hundred pieces at once.

Thus, Eldrin Chen retrieved the Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, silver-like metal imbued with the essence of incense smoke and celestial fire, highly valued for cultivation] from his sleeve and said with a faint smile, "One can never have too much World-Initiating Qi [the primordial energy said to have existed at the dawn of creation, possessing incredible transformative power]. I shall make the exchange with you, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]."

With that, the two completed their transaction. For more chapters, visit http://www . audio-novel.com for the complete novel.

Watching the exchange conclude, Sky Abyss Daoist spoke up, "Fellow Daoist Eldrin [a respectful term for Eldrin, a fellow cultivator], the true purpose of my visit is to seek your assistance."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze shifted slightly, a note of surprise in his voice. "And what matter requires my aid?"

"It concerns the matter of World Creation [the supreme act of forging a new, miniature world or reality, a pinnacle achievement in cultivation]."

Sky Abyss Daoist nodded, then smiled bitterly and said, "To be frank, as early as two hundred years ago, after emerging from seclusion, I was prepared to attempt the breakthrough into the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earthly Immortal, a powerful state of being]."

"However, after observing Fellow Daoist Ancient Ruins' World Creation [the act of creating one's own inner world or cosmos], I realized the difficulty of opening the Ninefold Heavens [a legendary, nine-layered cosmos] far exceeded my expectations. With my current strength, my chances of success are likely no more than thirty percent."

"Hmm?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Why is that?" "My World-Opening Treasure [a powerful artifact used to assist in creating an inner world] is not potent enough, and my Mana [the foundational spiritual power and vitality of a cultivator] is also vastly insufficient."

Sky Abyss Daoist let out a sigh, a trace of helplessness coloring his expression.

As he explained in detail, Eldrin Chen came to understand the primary reasons behind Sky Abyss Daoist's hesitation to attempt World Creation.

With the foundation of a Ninth Tribulation Immortal [an immortal who has survived nine heavenly tribulations], it is indeed possible to open the Ninefold Heavens, but whether one succeeds is far from certain.

In the past, the Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan, whose talent and insight were likely no weaker than Sky Abyss Daoist's, only managed to open an Eight-Layered Heaven and Earth [an eight-layered inner cosmos]. This clearly shows that opening the Ninefold Heavens is an endeavor fraught with immense difficulty.

"To successfully open the Ninefold Heavens, one not only needs the foundation of a Ninth Tribulation Immortal, but also sufficiently powerful techniques and methods. One must also see if one's own Mana is ample enough."

If one's techniques are inadequate, if one's Mana is not powerful enough, or if one lacks a potent World-Opening Treasure or a mighty Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power], then when attempting to open the ninth layer—the Ninefold Heavens—one's strength will fall short, leading to failure in World Creation.

And if one's Mana [the spiritual energy used for cultivation] is insufficient, then when attempting to open the Eighth Heaven [the eighth of the nine foundational spiritual realms within a cultivator's body], one would exhaust their own Mana entirely, leaving no remaining strength whatsoever to open the Ninefold Heavens [the ninth and final foundational spiritual realm].

"The Mana barrier is the barrier of strength."

Sky Abyss Daoist explained patiently, then sighed and said, "Ancient Ruins Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a cultivator of similar attainment] accumulated power over two lifetimes. In his previous life, he had already stepped into the Eight Calamity Realm [a profound cultivation stage], and it was only by relying on the Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and unshakable spiritual foundation built over time] from both existences that he managed to open the Ninefold Heavens."

"My Deep-Seated Foundation is not as profound as his. Therefore, my purpose in coming here today is to seek your assistance."

"This journey has two objectives. The first is to borrow the Profound Yin Heaven-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword imbued with profound Yin energy, capable of slaying celestial beings]." Visit audio–novel.com to enjoy the complete series.