Chapter 563 : Emergence from the Nirvana Pool

Time flowed like a shuttle on a loom, and in the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed.

On this day, Eldrin Chen rose from within the Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool capable of healing and rebirth], sensing that his Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by practitioners] had grown even more profound and potent.

This Nirvana Pool was concocted from thousands of varieties of Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy]. Once the spiritual liquid fused with these precious medicines, it gained a remarkable divine property. It could not only mend wounds and reshape flesh but also greatly benefited cultivation itself.

Just as he stepped out of the Seclusion Chamber, he found Lyra Jiang there, clad in an ethereal white gown. Her bright eyes were fixed on an ancient scroll, lending her an air of scholarly grace.

A sudden impulse stirred within him, and he swept her into his arms.

Lyra Jiang looked up, casting a feigned glare of annoyance at Eldrin Chen, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Don't be mischievous," she chided softly. "Your disciples are waiting for you in the Grand Hall."

"Then let them wait a while longer,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a laugh, scooping her up and carrying her back into the Seclusion Chamber.

Much later, Eldrin Chen held Lyra Jiang close and asked, "During my time in secluded cultivation, has anything of note occurred within the clan?"

Lyra Jiang, still catching her breath, gently traced the lines of his face—a visage as flawless as carved jade. Experience the full epic at audio-novel[dot]com.

Hearing his inquiry about clan affairs, she couldn't help but reveal a slight smile and said, "Elara came by half a month ago. She said she was preparing to enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator's Golden Core transforms into a miniature spiritual infant]. Seeing you were still in seclusion, I advised her to wait a few more days."

"As for your Old Granduncle over there, it seems he is also waiting for you to emerge from seclusion."

Eldrin Chen nodded. After a long moment of silence, he spoke, "Once Elara and Old Granduncle complete their breakthroughs, I intend to journey to the Extreme Northern Ice Plains."

"The Frozen Wastes…"

Lyra Jiang's beautiful eyes flickered. The Extreme Northern Ice Plains Cultivation World lay far in the distant Northern Wastes [the northernmost, desolate region of the continent]. It was a land of eternal, unmelting glaciers, snowfields, and bitter cold.

Conditions in that frozen realm were harsh. Moreover, Demonic Monsters [powerful, intelligent demonic beasts] held sway there, and the Human Race could not claim dominance.

Most cultivators from other great regions were unwilling to undertake the arduous journey to the Extreme Northern Ice Plains. Only those with an Ice Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for ice and cold spiritual energy] regarded it as a cultivation Sacred Land.

Lyra Jiang understood perfectly well why Eldrin Chen wished to go. It was because Lila had departed for the Northern Wastes many years ago, and no word had come from her since.

Eldrin Chen held Lyra Jiang in his arms and said thoughtfully, "When that girl left, I told her that if no news came, I would go to the Northern Wastes to seek her trail."

"It has been over fifty years since I broke through to Nascent Soul. I have been unable to leave for an extended period solely because the clan needed me to stand guard here."

"Once Elara and Old Granduncle make their breakthrough, it will be time for me to set out as well."

"Do not worry. As long as Lila's Soul Lamp [a magical lamp whose flame is linked to the life force of its owner] remains intact, she will be safe."

Leaning against his chest, Lyra Jiang pondered for a moment before speaking. "However, given her current level of cultivation, the task of obtaining the Ice Vein Treasure Jade [a rare jade formed within glacial veins, rich in ice-attribute spiritual energy] and three Ice Attribute Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade magical artifact of immense power, specifically attuned to subdue demonic entities] on her own is indeed overwhelmingly difficult."

"Back then, our strength was insufficient. Now that we have broken through to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator's spiritual essence condenses into an infant-like spiritual form] realm, we possess the capability to lend her our aid."

Eldrin Chen also nodded, his expression turning solemn.

Among the many cultivators of the Chen Clan, the one whose path of cultivation was arguably the most arduous was actually Lila.

Lila possessed an Ice Spiritual Root [an innate spiritual affinity for the ice element], which meant that to forge a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul formed in perfect harmony with the Heavenly Dao, representing the pinnacle of potential at this stage], she not only required Heavenly Dao Qi [a primordial, pure form of spiritual energy aligned with the Heavenly Dao] but also an Ice Vein Heaven-Molding Pill [a legendary elixir refined from glacial core essences, used to temper and solidify one's spiritual foundation] to refine her Mana [the refined spiritual energy wielded by cultivators].

Furthermore, given the formidable difficulty of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator seeking to ascend to a higher realm] faced by those with a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul, she would need three Ice Attribute Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure to have any hope of surviving it.

To gather such a trove of treasures, each with such stringent elemental requirements, was a task beyond the reach of a mere Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core]. Even Eldrin Chen, before his own breakthrough to Nascent Soul, would have found it utterly impossible to accomplish.

While fortuitous encounters are not uncommon in this world, the opportunity [a chance encounter or treasure gained from fate] one stumbles upon may not be the most suitable for one's own path. It is precisely for this reason that the importance of family and Sect [a formal organization of cultivators] becomes manifest.

Within long-established Immortal Clan [a clan dedicated to the pursuit of immortality through cultivation], their Clan Treasury [the central repository for a clan's accumulated wealth and treasures] often stockpiles various key treasures of different attributes.

For cultivators from major Sect [a large, organized school of cultivation] or great Immortal Clan, there is fundamentally no need to venture out and endure arduous trials. By diligently managing their own clan's enterprises, they can live a hundred times better than wandering Rogue Cultivator [cultivators without sect or clan affiliation].

For such individuals, even when they do venture out, they often do so without overly specific goals. This lack of intense purpose ironically makes them less susceptible to schemes and more likely to stumble upon unexpected treasures.

In truth, Eldrin Chen followed this very principle. Exchanging items like the Longevity Spirit Apricot [a mystical fruit that grants extended lifespan] for Earth Mother Qi [the pure, nurturing essence of the earth], and trading clan treasures for various types of Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare, naturally formed spiritual materials], was his way of expanding the clan's foundational resources.

In the future, when Chen Clan Cultivators acquire treasures on their journeys, even if the attributes are incompatible with myself, they could simply exchange them within the clan for more suitable ones.

Eldrin Chen gathered his thoughts. After a long moment, a faint smile touched his lips. "Though the Extreme Northern Ice Plains [a vast, frozen wilderness at the northernmost reaches] are bitterly cold, some of the most precious treasures exist only there." The complete novel can be found at audio-novel . com.

"This time, while I search for Lila, I shall also see if fate grants me any other opportunities."

Lyra Jiang nodded, yet insisted, "I shall accompany you."

"Agreed!"

"…"

Eldrin Chen emerged from his Seclusion Chamber and made his way to the cultivation Grand Hall.

Within the Grand Hall, Sylas Ye, Alistair Lu, and Caspian Chen had already been waiting for some time. Even Lyra Jiang's disciple, Lana Gu, was quietly awaiting his arrival in the hall.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the group promptly rose and offered their salutations.

"We pay our respects to Master, Ancient Ancestor, and Grandmaster."

"Rise."

Eldrin Chen observed them and then proceeded to review their cultivation progress.

Over the years, Eldrin Chen had made it a practice to periodically assess their progress. This allowed him to understand the nature of their Dao Body [a special constitution aligned with the fundamental principles of cultivation] and to refine their Cultivation Art [esoteric methods for absorbing and refining spiritual energy] accordingly.

Today, after his customary review of their cultivation and sensing the state of their Dao Body, a pleased smile touched his lips.

"It has not been long, yet your cultivation bases have advanced significantly."

"It seems your diligence in cultivation during this period has been commendable."

Eldrin Chen spoke with a tone of satisfaction, then continued, "This lecture shall be the final one I impart to you as your master."

"Master, why is that?"

Alistair Lu was taken aback and could not help but ask.

Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "Over these years, all that I could teach you, I have already imparted. Yet, the path of cultivation is not as simple as what a master can convey."

"You must step forth and comprehend this world for yourselves, piece by piece deconstruct your own cultivation path, and refine your own philosophy of cultivation. Only thus can you truly mature."

"Soon, I shall depart from the Eastern Wastelands for a time. You may choose to travel across Ji Continent or The Vast Sea, or you may enter the Heaven's Ruin Alliance and our clan to undertake certain duties."

As Eldrin Chen spoke these words, his gaze rested deeply upon each of them. "Remember the principles of life and the duties I have taught you. Upon my return, I shall examine your progress."

"We understand, Master."

The disciples nodded in unison, bowing once more to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen's expression turned solemn, and he sighed. "You may go now."

"This disciple takes his leave."

The group of them walked out of the Grand Hall, and Caspian Chen glanced at Sylas Ye before asking, "Where does the Ancient Ancestor plan to go?"

Sylas Ye, cradling a Three-Foot Azure Blade in his arms, his entire being radiating a sharp and chilling Sword Intent [the conceptual will and power of a master swordsman], offered a faint smile. "I've heard the Demonic Monsters in the The Vast Sea haven't been fully purged yet. I shall head there to slay demons and vanquish evil." Experience the full epic at audio-novel*com.