Chapter 1310 : The Price of an Earth Vein

Before his departure, Eldrin Chen arrived upon Heavenly Demon Island. Gazing at the Earth Vein [a concentrated spiritual energy channel within the earth] within this Immortal Isles, a glimmer of delight surfaced in his eyes.

Upon Heavenly Demon Island lay a Immortal Rank Supreme Grade Wood-attribute Earth Vein. It was one of the Five Elements Earth Vein required for cultivating the Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physical cultivation art].

The preciousness of such an Earth Vein went without saying.

Eldrin Chen coveted it greatly. However, considering the circumstances of the Heavenly Demon Sea, he sought out Ancient Buddha Empty Brightness.

"To speak plainly, this supreme-grade Supple Wood Earth Vein is of great use to me. I intend to extract it to cultivate my Immortal Body [a perfected physical form transcending mortality]," Eldrin Chen stated.

"Yet, doing so would cause the Supple Wood [the vital essence of flexible, living wood] aura within the Heavenly Demon Sea to diminish by thirty percent for tens of thousands of years. Therefore, I felt obligated to inform you of this beforehand."

Upon hearing this, Ancient Buddha Empty Brightness sighed softly before speaking. "The path of cultivation for us immortals and deities is one of constantly consuming the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the foundational energy of creation] and the world's resources."

"An act such as yours, casually refining an entire Earth Vein, inflicts significant harm upon the world itself."

"The Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect] incurred from this is not small. If you achieve greatness in the future, you must repay this debt. Otherwise, I fear a Great Tribulation [a catastrophic heavenly trial] will inevitably befall you."

Eldrin Chen's expression turned solemn upon hearing these words. He understood all too well that refining an Earth Vein in this manner was destined to incur immense karmic burden. Published by audio-novel[dot]com. All rights reserved.

In the past, after the fall of Patriarch Suwei, the supreme-grade Metallic Gold Earth Vein within the Suwei Sea remained unrefined for thousands of years precisely because ordinary Earth Immortal [immortals bound to the earth and its energies] dared not bear such immense Karmic Power [the metaphysical burden of one's actions].

Refining a single Supreme-Grade Earth Vein [a supreme-grade terrestrial energy artery] would inflict grievous damage upon an entire sea region, rendering it unable to recover for at least several hundred thousand years, and would severely deplete even the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the primordial energy of heaven and earth, the foundation of the world].

If an ordinary Earth Immortal Patriarch were to refine it, they would inevitably face a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] during their next Path Tribulation [a tribulation faced when advancing one's cultivation path], with their chances of perishing drastically increased.

By doing this, Eldrin Chen would also shoulder immense cosmic Karmic Power. Fortunately, he was protected by three strands of Pure Light of Merit [a pure radiance born from accumulated virtuous deeds], which could to some degree dissolve this karmic burden, temporarily averting any immediate great danger.

Even so, if he could not repay this Karma before his next Great Tribulation, he would undoubtedly become tainted by calamitous energies, marking him as one of the primary targets for the Great Tribulation's reckoning.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen nodded gravely. "Thank you for your counsel, Fellow Daoist. In the future, should my cultivation bear fruit, I will naturally repay the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

With those words, Eldrin Chen hesitated no longer. He immediately activated the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical treasure mirror that manipulates the void between polarities], harnessing its boundless World-Opening Power [the power to cleave open and shape worlds] to seize and draw away this Supreme-Grade Earth Vein.

Having accomplished this, Eldrin Chen wasted no further time and immediately set off with his prize towards the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

The journey back to the Returning Abyss Sea Region was swift. Upon arrival, Eldrin Chen had the great army settled, then returned to the heart of the Returning Abyss Blessed Land.

Back within the Abyss of the Returning Abyss, Eldrin Chen first planted the five Acquired Spiritual Root [spiritual roots acquired through great fortune or effort], using Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme energy of primordial chaos and creation] to shatter the shackles hindering their advancement. Afterwards, he gathered with Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, Violet Consort Yan, and Lila.

Gazing at his wives, Eldrin Chen retrieved several Path Source [a primordial essence that can elevate one's cultivation path] and began to distribute them.

"This time, we have obtained a total of eight Path Source," he stated.

"I will keep the one from Nether Grand Austerity. The remaining ones I intend to allocate to Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort."

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort remained composed, while Lila and Violet Consort Yan both fell into thoughtful silence.

These were Supreme-Grade Path Source [the highest quality of path-enhancing essence]. If either of them refined one, they could potentially break through to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier [the ninth and penultimate stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm] in an astonishingly short time, perhaps even glimpse the threshold of the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a transitional state just below the Earth Immortal realm].

Before they could speak, Eldrin Chen continued, "Both of you are only at the Ascendant Immortal 7th Tier. There is no need to rush into refining a Supreme-Grade Path Source yet."

"This time, I plan to concentrate our resources to forge two top-tier Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality]."

Lila and Exquisite Jiang both nodded slightly in understanding.

Violet Consort Yan smiled and said, "Focusing the Path Source might be enough to create combat power equivalent to an Eight Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], or even a Nine Tribulations Immortal [one who has survived nine]. My cultivation and Sister Lila's are still relatively low. It is indeed better for us to refine Superior Grade Path Source [a high-quality, but not supreme, grade of path-enhancing essence] first."

"Sister Lila and I, with our current cultivation levels, would indeed benefit more from first refining a Superior Grade Path Source."

"Since you have no objections, I am at ease."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a faint smile, then turned his gaze to the remaining few Path Source [the condensed origin of a being's cultivation path and life force].

The remaining seven Path Source were from the Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon, the Five Elements Heavenly Dragons, and the Grand Granary Black Fish. Among these seven Path Source, the one from the Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon was the most precious.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment, then spoke after careful consideration: "Exquisite's innate talent is nearly on par with my own, and she also cultivates the five Path Principles Power [the fundamental powers of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth]."

"I intend to give the Path Source from the Five Elements Heavenly Dragons to Exquisite. Perhaps it can aid her in cultivating the 'Five Elements Limitless Rule' [a supreme law governing the boundless interplay of the five elements]."

Hearing this, Verdant Consort gave a slight nod of agreement. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel.com.

Exquisite Jiang, with her five Path Principles Power, had once also walked the path of the Primordial One Limitless Rule [the supreme law of the undivided, primordial unity].

However, because the Great Path [the ultimate Dao] is singular and exclusive, if she pursued that path, she would inevitably contend with Eldrin Chen for Great Path Authority [the supreme authority over a fundamental cosmic principle] in the future.

Therefore, Exquisite Jiang ultimately abandoned the Chaos Limitless Path [the boundless path of primordial chaos] and instead embarked upon the path of Five Elements Limitless [the boundless realm of the five elements].

This path of Five Elements Limitless also leads directly to the Primordial One Realm [the realm of undivided primordial unity], yet compared to Eldrin Chen's Chaos Limitless Path, it ultimately fell slightly short.

Of course, not pursuing the Chaos Limitless Path makes the cultivation process somewhat less arduous.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, after Exquisite Jiang refines the Path Source [the primordial essence of a cultivator's path] from the Five Elements Heavenly Dragons, it should be sufficient for her to comprehend the Five Elements Limitless Rule, and her combat power should barely manage to touch the threshold of the Nine Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived nine heavenly tribulations] realm.

Although it is merely touching the threshold, it is still the domain of a Nine Tribulations Immortal, and a breakthrough into it would undoubtedly be earth-shattering.

If she then waits for both her Supreme Lunar Immortal Body [a supreme physique aligned with lunar essence] and her Path Fruit [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of their chosen path] to fully reach the World-Opening Realm, then her combat power would at least rank among the top tier of Nine Tribulations Immortals, and could potentially far surpass that domain entirely.

Eldrin Chen did not possess deep knowledge of this, but from what he understood, beyond the Nine Tribulations Immortal seemed to lie an untouchable, mythical Forbidden Domain.

"Before reaching that realm, it is difficult to even speak of it."

"Perhaps only when I, one day, step into that realm myself, will I understand what kind of existence it truly is."

Eldrin Chen pondered silently for a moment, then asked Exquisite Jiang, "My lady, approximately how long will it take for you to fully comprehend this Five Elements Limitless Rule?"

Exquisite Jiang contemplated briefly before replying, "The Five Elements Rule Power [the power derived from comprehending a fundamental law of reality] becomes increasingly difficult to grasp the deeper one goes. Even with the aid of a Supreme-Grade Path Source, it will likely require a not insignificant amount of time."

"At best, five thousand years. At worst, it may take up to ten thousand years of effort."

Eldrin Chen gave a solemn nod before speaking. "Comprehending the Five Elements Limitless Rule is the pivotal key to forging the foundation of a Nine Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has successfully weathered nine heavenly tribulations]."

"If you cannot achieve a breakthrough during this tribulation crossing, my lady, you must remember not to leave seclusion."

"I understand."

Exquisite Jiang nodded, her expression turning grave.

She understood all too well in her heart that an opportunity to achieve such a profound Great Path [a supreme cultivation method leading to the highest realms] was a matter of fate. To miss it would mean lacking the destined fortune for such attainment, and the chance to cultivate it successfully thereafter would likely be exceedingly slim.

Seeing Exquisite Jiang's agreement, Eldrin Chen handed the Path Source [the condensed essence of a being's cultivation path and life force] of the Grand Granary Black Fish and the Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon to Verdant Consort. "The Path Source of the Grand Granary Black Fish can aid in nourishing your Verdant Lotus Immortal Body [an immortal-grade physique as pure and resilient as a lotus]," he stated.

"The Path Source of the Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon can be divided into the powers of Water and Fire. It should allow for the enlightenment of two distinct Laws." Official source: audio-novel dot com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.