Chapter 1023 : Echoes of the Netherworld Treasures

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression immediately grew solemn.

He was naturally aware of the Soul-Gathering Bell. Legend spoke of six Supreme treasures within the Hell [the underworld realm of the dead].

They were: the "Soul-Gathering Bell," the "Soul-Cleansing Pool," the "Reincarnation Well," the "Book of Life and Death," the "Judge's Brush," and the "Mirror of Past Lives."

Among these supreme treasures, their value was difficult to rank, each possessing its own wondrous and unique function.

The "Reincarnation Well" could aid one's Reincarnation [the cycle of rebirth]. The "Soul-Cleansing Pool" could wash away the Mortal Dust [the impurities of the mortal world] from a Soul Spirits [the spiritual essence of a being], though it would also cleanse away memories of past lives. The "Mirror of Past Lives" could help one recall those very memories.

The "Book of Life and Death" recorded the myriad lives and deaths of all living beings in heaven and earth. The "Judge's Brush" could judge the sins committed in one's lifetime. As for this "Soul-Gathering Bell," it had the power to gather Remnant Soul [the lingering fragments of a soul], gradually restoring a cultivator's Divine Soul [the spiritual core of a being] until it was complete, ultimately allowing it to enter the Cycle of Reincarnation [the wheel of rebirth].

Speaking of these six treasures, Yin Lord [a Lord of the Netherworld] Youye's expression turned grave. "These six Netherworld Supreme Treasure are all Supreme-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [the highest grade of treasures born from the world's creation], conceived at the moment of World Creation [the genesis of the cosmos]. What we Yin Lord [Lords of the Netherworld] forge are merely imitations."

"And among the six treasures, the "Mirror of Past Lives vanished during the Primordial Chaos's Beginning [the primordial era at the dawn of creation]."

"The remaining five supreme treasures can all be replicated, though the difficulty varies greatly."

The Netherworld Yin Lord [Lord of the Netherworld] spoke methodically, his face stern. "Take the "Reincarnation Well for example. It is divided into paths for Humans, Gods, Ghosts, Beasts, Demons, and the Innate Six Paths Reincarnation Well [the primordial well governing all six paths of rebirth]." The story continues at audio-novel.com.

"My Immortal-Grade Reincarnation Well [a mystical artifact capable of guiding souls through the cycle of rebirth] possesses only four paths: Human, Ghost, Beast, and Demon. The Deity Well [a higher-tier reincarnation artifact] above it is a supreme treasure of the Celestial Immortal Level [the realm of true celestial immortals]."

"As for the Innate Reincarnation Well [a legendary well that can reincarnate souls with an innate divine foundation], which can grant reincarnation with the foundation of an Innate Divine Spirit [a being born with a divine nature], only a true Six Paths Reincarnation Wells [the primordial wells governing all cycles of rebirth] possesses such power. There is but a single one in the entire Immortal Realm [the realm of the immortals]."

Speaking to this point, Netherworld Yin Lord [a lord of the underworld] said with a grave expression, "To forge a Soul-Gathering Bell [a bell that can summon and gather wandering souls], the methods of an ordinary Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates through ghostly or underworld paths] are insufficient.

"It requires an Earth Immortal Level [the realm of earthbound immortals] Ghost Immortal Ancient Ancestor [a venerable progenitor], who must obtain Netherworld Stone [a primordial stone born from the chaos of world creation] from the act of World Creation [the primordial act of forging a new world or realm], to have any possibility of success." "The Netherworld Stone..."

Eldrin Chen's expression turned solemn, and he could not help but frown.

An Earth Immortal Level Netherworld Ancient Ancestor [an ancient progenitor from the underworld realms] held a status and position far from ordinary; even among the Netherworld Yin Lord, such a being would be considered a figure of the Ancient Ancestor rank.

He had only recently arrived in the Immortal Realm, and his resources were still exceedingly meager. Even if someone were willing to assist, he likely could not afford the price.

"It seems I can only consider this matter later."

After turning the matter over in his mind, Eldrin Chen dismissed the thought. He could only store the two treasures away for now.

Then, he turned his gaze to the Verdant Leaf Sword [a sword named for its leaf-like appearance] and inquired, "This sword was gifted to me in my youth by an elder of my clan."

"Now, the Ancient Ancestor has passed away for several Millennium [a period of one thousand years]. Presumably, he has undergone Reincarnation [the process of being reborn into a new life] for many lifetimes. I wonder if we can locate his Reincarnation [reborn] body through the traces of his Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things]."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, the Yin Lord's eyes flickered slightly. He looked at the Verdant Leaf Sword, shook his head, and spoke with a sigh.

"The base material of this sword was originally exceedingly weak, yet it has reached the level of a High-Grade Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact]. It seems you have consistently nurtured it with your Mana [cultivator's spiritual power] and Immortal Essence [the refined, immortal-grade energy of a high-level cultivator]."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly in acknowledgment. This Verdant Leaf Sword was originally a Law Sword [a sword embodying a fundamental principle or law] manifested from a single Verdant Leaf, its grade merely First Rank High Grade.

Yet, after being nurtured by Eldrin Chen for seven Millennium [seven thousand years], and repeatedly tempered by his Mana and Immortal Essence, it had astonishingly attained the level of a Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier enchanted artifact].

If placed in the mortal realm, this object could be hailed as a Peerless Immortal Sword [an unmatched immortal sword], worthy of serving as the Sect-Suppressing Immortal Sword [the foundational, protective sword of a major sect] for a Nascent Soul Sect [a sect led by a Nascent Soul realm cultivator].

Yet this treasure remained profoundly unadorned, its sharpness sheathed within, appearing as ordinary as a common Green Bamboo Leaf.

"It began as a mundane object, blessed by fate to receive the nurturing of an Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation]."

"Unbeknownst to all, it has quietly gained the power to level mountains, tread upon seas, and rend the earth for a thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]."

"This world, truly, is a marvel of wonders," he murmured.

Yin Lord sighed with profound amazement, then finally shook his head and said, "Several Millennium have passed. Your old friend has likely undergone Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth] a hundred times over. To find him, one would have to trace his path through the Life and Death [the cosmic ledger of mortal existence]."

"However, within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the vast celestial realm], Netherworld [realms of the dead] like my Night City are as countless as the stars. Who knows in which city he was reborn, or through how many such Netherworld his countless lives have wandered."

"To follow the thread and find his current incarnation..."

Yin Lord paused briefly, his voice tinged with regret. "Difficult. Exceedingly difficult!"

Eldrin Chen's expression turned bitter. Though he had anticipated this, a stubborn hope remained. "Is there truly no way," he asked, unwilling to yield, "not even for one of us, a Nine Heavens Immortal [an immortal of the highest heavens]?" Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel`com.

"It is not entirely without hope." The Nether Night Yin Lord shook his head, a wry smile on his lips. "If one day you were to ascend to the realm of a Calamity Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has weathered celestial calamities], or even to the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme golden immortal of the Great Luo Heaven]..."

"Then, with but a word from you, the myriad lords of the countless Netherworld across the vast expanse of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain would act on your behalf. They would unravel the threads of fate, peeling back layer upon layer, to locate his reincarnated self."

"Yet even then," he continued, "for one who has undergone Reincarnation a thousand times, a single lifetime of a mere hundred years is but a distant echo of a past long faded, memories likely lost beyond recall."

Eldrin Chen listened in silence, a heavy melancholy settling in his heart. Though Immortal [transcendent beings] possessed ageless life and freedom, even they had their limits. There were always things beyond their power. He had foreseen this outcome, yet hearing the Nether Night Yin Lord speak the words aloud, Eldrin Chen felt a profound ache, a sorrow that weighed upon his very soul.

"So be it, let it rest."

Eldrin Chen sighed, finally shaking his head, having no choice but to give up. Seeing this, Yin Lord could not help but have a flicker in his eyes. He glanced at the Verdant Leaf Sword in Eldrin Chen's hand and thoughtfully reminded him.

"An Immortal Sword [a divine blade of immense power and sentience] possesses a spirit; it recognizes its master."

"In ancient legends, there are Immortal [beings who have ascended to the highest realms of cultivation] who fall into Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], life after life trapped within the Mystery of the Womb [the profound oblivion that shrouds past lives upon rebirth]."

"Until one day, the Immortal Sword of old seeks out its master's Reincarnation-body and finally awakens the memories of their past life."

Yin Lord paused, observing Eldrin Chen's hopeful expression, and said, "Now, having been nurtured by you, it has already birthed a sliver of sentience."

"If one day it can ascend to Immortal Rank [the tier of power and existence of a true Immortal], and if you are sufficiently close to the reincarnated form of that old friend, perhaps it can help you reclaim that past life."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted profoundly. He immediately grasped the Verdant Leaf Sword tightly and, cupping his hands respectfully towards Yin Lord, said, "Thank you for the reminder, Yin Lord. I am deeply grateful."

"It is merely a rumor, its truth unknown. There is no need to thank me."

Yin Lord waved his hand dismissively. Then, looking at the Dao Ruins Sword, he said, "Let us still journey to the Soul-Cleansing Pool [a mystical pool said to purify a soul for its next journey] and the Reincarnation Well [a fabled well that serves as a gateway to the cycle of rebirth], to aid him in his Cycle of Reincarnation [the sacred process of passing from one life to the next]."

"It is only fitting," Eldrin Chen replied.

Eldrin Chen nodded and followed Yin Lord that very night to a secluded, frigid pool of water.

Before them lay a pool of water of unparalleled clarity. Countless Soul Spirits [the spiritual essence of a being after death] thrashed within it, like drowning souls desperately struggling to cross over.

They wailed in anguish. As the purifying waters of the Soul-Cleansing Pool [a mystical pool that cleanses the soul] washed over them, the memories and the Mundane World Qi [the impure, worldly energies accumulated during life] clinging to their Soul Spirits were utterly scoured away.

"This Soul-Cleansing Pool can cleanse a cultivator's Mundane World Qi, purifying their Soul Spirits," Yin Lord explained. "Only a soul thus purified can pass through the Reincarnation Well [a mystical well that facilitates rebirth into a new life] and be reborn."

"However, in doing so, it also washes away all memories of their past life."

Gazing upon the Soul-Cleansing Pool, Yin Lord spoke in measured tones, recounting the profound and Mysterious Profound [deeply mysterious and profound] nature of this sacred place. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel[dot]com.