Chapter 1349 : A Sect's Fortune Turns

Two Supreme Elder of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect met with misfortune; the Second Supreme Elder failed in his attempt to break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal realm, while the Third Supreme Elder only managed to advance to the Third Level Earth Immortal realm.

The Patriarch of Verdant Stream Ancient Sect had refined the Path Source [the condensed origin of a cultivator's path] from the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake, giving him a chance exceeding fifty percent to successfully charge into the Late Stage Earth Immortal realm this time.

Alas, his fortune was not with him. The breakthrough attempt failed once more. Not only did he fail to step into the Seventh Level Earth Immortal realm, but he also suffered a severe backlash from the failed cultivation.

The injuries were grievous. For the next one hundred thousand years, he, Future, would be unable to exert his full power in battle, and a full million years would be required for a complete recovery.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly before speaking. "Refining the Path Source of the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake was perhaps the closest the Verdant River Ancient Progenitor ever came to reaching the Late Stage Earth Immortal realm in his entire life."

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

Violet Consort Yan gave a slight nod, then said thoughtfully, "The destruction of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect caused him to suffer a backlash from the unseen Fortune Power [the metaphysical power of destiny and luck]."

"In truth, this failure in his breakthrough was perhaps to be expected."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. A cultivator's chance of success when breaking through a bottleneck is often influenced by the unseen currents of Fortune. Access the full story on audio-novel.com (official site).

Some Immortals are blessed with immense fortune [great destiny and luck], often advancing through their breakthroughs with unstoppable momentum.

While others suffer from waning Fortune [destiny and luck], their breakthroughs frequently plagued by unexpected mishaps.

The cultivation resources this Patriarch of Verdant Stream Ancient Sect has obtained throughout his journey—such as Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a type of celestial silver used in sacred rituals] and Fortune Path Gold [a mystical gold said to influence one's destiny]—largely came from the tributes offered by the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect.

Now that the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect has been annihilated, his Fortune has swiftly drained away by more than half, which could indeed hinder his breakthrough.

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

He visited the Great Hall where the Patriarch of Verdant Stream Ancient Sect was secluded, only to be informed the patriarch was in deep meditation healing his wounds. He left behind a vial of restorative elixirs [healing pills] and departed.

After leaving, he proceeded to the Returning Abyss Blessed Land, finding that both Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort were still in their own secluded cultivation. He then made his way out once more.

No sooner had he returned to the Stellar Glazed Boundary [a defensive formation resembling a starry, crystalline barrier] than he discovered Heaven Abyss Path Master and Ancient Ruins Nether Lord had been waiting for him for quite some time.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the Heaven Abyss Path Master smiled and said, "We heard you had emerged from seclusion, Fellow Daoist. We took the liberty of coming uninvited; we hope you do not mind."

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

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, exchanged pleasantries with the two visitors, and had tea served before inquiring, "I heard you both have emerged from seclusion, and Fellow Daoist Ancient Ruins has even established a Ninefold Heaven [a profound cultivation realm or domain]. This is truly a cause for celebration."

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord gave a slight nod, then withdrew a dazzling radiance from his sleeve. "I have come to deliver this to you, Fellow Daoist."

"A World-Opening Aurora [a primordial, chaotic light essential for world-creation or supreme cultivation breakthroughs]."

Eldrin Chen's eyes lit up. The one in Ancient Ruins Nether Lord's hand was precisely a water-attribute World-Opening Aurora.

Currently, Eldrin Chen possessed fire and wood-attribute World-Opening Aurora, lacking only the metal, water, and earth varieties.

The one delivered by Ancient Ruins Nether Lord was exactly what he needed.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen accepted it and spoke, "This is indeed what I require. What do you wish to exchange for it, Fellow Daoist? We can discuss anything within my possession."

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord remained composed, his expression serene as he replied, "For us Ghost Cultivator [cultivators who follow a path aligned with spectral or underworld energies], most treasures of the living world hold little use."

"Take this item. In exchange, I shall accept some Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a special spiritual currency used in offerings to underworld or ancestral spirits]."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. For a Ghost Cultivator [a cultivator who follows the path of spectral or soul-based arts], Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a rare, condensed spiritual metal used in rituals and high-level cultivation] was the most precious cultivation resource. The amount of Incense Offering Celestial Silver he had seized from his foes was not insignificant.

Thus, he simply priced it at two hundred pieces of Incense Offering Celestial Silver, acquiring the item at a premium.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's fair offer, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord glanced at him and inquired further, "When I opened my Ninefold Heaven [a personal inner world or cultivation space], I obtained a total of nine strands of World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy released during the creation of a world or inner realm]."

"Three strands were fused into my World-Opening Foundation [the foundational realm representing the creation of one's inner world], three were merged with my Innate Divine Ability [a powerful, inherent supernatural talent], and two more were absorbed by my Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force]."

"One strand remains. If you desire it, I can part with it for eight hundred pieces of Incense Offering Celestial Silver."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a subtle light. This content originates from audio‑novel.com. Please respect copyright.

The value of Incense Offering Celestial Silver was Extraordinary. When refined by a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master cultivator at the Primordial Spirit realm], it could increase one's chances of achieving immortality by twenty percent. Each piece was worth a Low-Grade Immortal Treasure [a basic-grade artifact of immortal rank].

Producing eight hundred pieces of Incense Offering Celestial Silver in one go would strain the resources of many a Blessed Land [a land rich in spiritual energy, often a sect or clan's headquarters].

However, from the recent major battles, Eldrin Chen had acquired the bulk of the treasures from the Suwei Sea, the Lingering Sun Sea Region, the Heavenly Demon Sea, and Thousand Dragon Lake. The Incense Offering Celestial Silver he had seized exceeded five thousand pieces.

Now, the Clan Treasury held a considerable stock of Incense Offering Celestial Silver. Spending eight hundred pieces at once was an expense he could readily afford.

Thus, Eldrin Chen retrieved the Incense Offering Celestial Silver from his sleeve and spoke with a faint smile, "Naturally, the more World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy required to create a new world], the better. I shall make the exchange with you, Fellow Daoist."

With that, the two concluded their transaction.

Watching the deal complete, Heaven Abyss Path Master then spoke, "Fellow Cultivator Eldrin, my true purpose in coming here is to seek your assistance."

"Oh?"

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

"It concerns the World-Opening [the profound realm of creating one's own inner world]."

Heaven Abyss Path Master nodded, a wry smile touching his lips. "To speak plainly, I have been preparing to attempt the breakthrough into the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a powerful terrestrial deity] for over two centuries since my last seclusion ended."

"However, after observing Fellow Daoist Ancient Ruins's own World-Opening, I realized the difficulty of opening the Ninefold Heaven [the highest and most profound of the nine celestial layers within a cultivator's inner world] far exceeds my initial expectations."

"With my current strength, my chances of success likely do not exceed three in ten."

"Hmm?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly, then he mused thoughtfully and said, "Why?"

"The World-Opening Treasure is not powerful enough, and my magical power [the energy cultivated and wielded by immortals] is also far from sufficient."

Heaven Abyss Path Master let out a sigh, revealing a look of helplessness.

As he explained in detail, Eldrin Chen came to understand the reason why Heaven Abyss Path Master dared not attempt World-Opening [the process of creating one's own inner world or grotto-heaven].

With the foundation of a Nine Tribulations Immortal, it is indeed possible to open up the Ninefold Heaven [the highest and most profound of the nine celestial layers within a cultivator's inner world], but success is far from guaranteed.

In the past, the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch, whose talent and wisdom were likely not inferior to Heaven Abyss Path Master's, only managed to open the Eighth Heaven and Earth. This shows that opening the Ninefold Heaven must be an endeavor fraught with immense difficulty.

"To open the Ninefold Heaven, one not only needs the foundation of a Nine Tribulations Immortal, but also sufficiently powerful methods and enough profound magical power."

If one's methods are insufficient, if one's magical power is not potent enough, or if one lacks a powerful World-Opening Treasure or Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power], then when attempting to open the ninth layer, the force will be inadequate, leading to failure in World-Opening.

And if one's magical power is insufficient, then by the time one opens the Eighth Heaven, one's own power will be utterly exhausted, leaving no strength whatsoever to attempt the Ninefold Heaven.

"The Magical Power Pass [a critical juncture in world-opening where one's magical power is tested], the test of strength."

Heaven Abyss Path Master [a master of the profound and abyssal cultivation path] recounted the tale with measured detail, then sighed and said, "The Fellow Daoist Ancient Ruins [a fellow cultivator known for his connection to ancient ruins] accumulated power across two lifetimes. In his previous incarnation, he had already stepped into the Eight Tribulations Realm [a high-level cultivation stage marked by surviving eight heavenly tribulations]. It was only by relying on the foundational strength of both existences that he managed to open the Ninefold Heaven [the legendary ninth and highest layer of the celestial heavens]."

"My own foundational strength is not as deep as his. Therefore, my purpose in coming here today is to seek your aid."

"This journey has two objectives. The first is to borrow the Primal Shadow Heaven-Slaying Sword [a legendary divine sword capable of slaying even celestial beings]." Support the author by reading on audio–novel.com.