Chapter 934 : The Vermilion Bird's Awakening

With a series of crisp cracking sounds, the Fire Phoenix Egg covered in Phoenix Patterns slowly began to split open.

Then, before the gazes of the two, dazzling divine chains of Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths that govern reality and cultivation] bloomed forth. They converged into a stream of fiery red light, which transformed into a divine bird resembling an Immortal Phoenix.

"A Vermilion Bird!"

Eldrin Chen murmured. He watched as the Vermilion Bird [a mythical fire-aspected divine bird, one of the Four Symbols] flew out, circled him several times, and then alighted upon his arm.

The Solar Fire Vermilion Bird [a Vermilion Bird born from the essence of the Solar Fire Path Principle] nuzzled against Eldrin Chen affectionately, letting out a series of familiar, melodious cries.

This divine bird was resplendent and Extraordinary. Every wisp of flame radiating from its form possessed the power to reduce a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator whose soul has ascended to a primordial, powerful state] to ashes.

Yet, in Eldrin Chen's eyes, this Solar Fire Vermilion Bird was more than that. It was as if it had been born from the very womb of Solar Fire Path Principles [the cosmic laws governing solar and flame essence], an Innate Divine Spirit [a divine being born directly from cosmic principles, not through cultivation]. It was a living vessel for Path Principles Power [the power derived from comprehending and wielding cosmic laws] within the Mortal Dust [the mundane, physical world], innately possessing supreme might.

"With the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird now a constant companion, I can perhaps draw inspiration from the profound mysteries of its Solar Fire Path Principles and begin to comprehend the Path Principles of Primordial Solar Flame [the primeval, purest essence of solar fire]."

Eldrin Chen teased the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird, a genuine smile finally gracing his features.

Eternal Profound Chen nodded in agreement upon hearing this. Given Eldrin Chen's comprehension and talent, having reached his current realm, it was indeed time to begin preparations for comprehending Path Principles Power. The complete novel can be found at www . audio-novel.com.

At that very moment, Eternal Profound Chen shifted his gaze towards the treasure lotus.

He saw that after the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird emerged, the treasure lotus erupted with dazzling, resplendent light. Nine of its Lotus Seed detached and fell, while the lotus itself transformed into a crimson Lotus Throne. Furthermore, a section of Lotus Root also broke away and fell.

"Marvelous treasures," he murmured.

As Eldrin Chen received the three sacred objects, a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes.

These Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts born alongside a spirit creature], companions to the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird, were truly extraordinary. The three treasures they manifested were respectively the Solar Fire Treasure Lotus Seed, the Solar Fire Immortal Lotus Throne, and that section of crimson Lotus Root.

Among the three treasures, the Solar Fire Immortal Lotus Throne held the greatest value. It was a supreme treasure of the Near-Immortal Rank [a realm just below true Immortality], containing incomplete inscriptions of Path Principles [the fundamental laws of a cultivator's chosen Dao].

This object was the Companion Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact intrinsically linked to a specific spirit creature's life and cultivation] of the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird. Once the Vermilion Bird broke through to the Ascendant Immortal Realm, it could complete the evolution of the Path Principles within, allowing the throne to gradually ascend to the rank of a true Immortal artifact.

Furthermore, the nine Lotus Seed were all Primordial Solar Spiritual Object [spiritual objects imbued with the pure essence of the primordial sun] of Sixth Rank Superior Grade. They were the perfect choice for refining top-grade Primordial Solar Precious Pill.

The final Lotus Root was also a supreme treasure for alchemy and artifact forging, and moreover, it was the ideal material for refining a Second Primordial Spirit [a powerful technique to create a second, independent spiritual core].

Eldrin Chen stored away the Lotus Root and the Lotus Seed, handing the Lotus Throne over to the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird.

He saw the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird [a mythical firebird of immense power] gazing at him with eager anticipation. Shaking his head with a smile, he said, "These Lotus Root [the edible rhizome of the lotus plant, often imbued with spiritual properties] and Lotus Seed [the seed of the lotus, a potent spiritual ingredient] are both supreme treasures. I intend to keep them for alchemical refinement and medicinal use. Once the pills are forged, you shall have your share."

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Only then did the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird reluctantly nod its agreement.

After storing the treasures, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards the depths of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a vast subterranean ocean of molten rock and fire] Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy]. A trace of solemn contemplation settled between his brows.

Noticing this, Eternal Profound Chen by his side could not help but inquire, "What is it?"

"Follow me."

Without answering, Eldrin Chen transformed into a streak of light and plunged into the boundless magma.

The two of them, one after the other, accompanied by the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird, journeyed deep into the heart of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. They flew for what seemed an immeasurable length of time.

Eternal Profound Chen felt the ambient temperature rising precipitously, as if they were descending along a Mantle Plume [a column of superheated material rising from deep within the earth's mantle] towards the planet's very core. A flicker of apprehension and doubt crossed his features.

They flew onward for a long while more. By now, the heat of the magma had become terrifyingly intense, so much so that even a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has mastered the Primordial Spirit stage, the spiritual core of one's being] like Eternal Profound Chen was beginning to struggle to endure it.

He could not help but turn his gaze towards Eldrin Chen, asking with a trace of astonishment, "What anomaly lies within these profound depths?"

"Patience. We are nearly there."

With a flick of his sleeve, Eldrin Chen enveloped Eternal Profound Chen and continued their descent into the earth's heart. In the blink of an eye, they traversed countless Li-lengths of molten rock before finally reaching their destination.

As Eldrin Chen came to a halt, he brought Eternal Profound Chen into a vast subterranean cavern.

Eternal Profound Chen lifted his eyes. Within the boundless magma at the world's core, he saw the convergence of immense power from countless Underground Fire Vein [subterranean channels of fiery spiritual energy].

The Fire Elemental Power [the fundamental energy of the fire element] surging from the deepest recesses of the Purple Seal Realm met here with the forces drawn from Underground Fire Vein across the heavens and earth. An endless vortex of Fire Elemental Power swirled around a radiant sphere of violet light. The story continues at audio—novel.com.

"This is..."

Old Granduncle gasped, unable to suppress his exclamation.

Eldrin Chen gave a solemn nod, his expression grave. "This place is the very heart of the Mantle Plume [a colossal upwelling of superheated material from the deep mantle]. It is the crucial nexus connecting the fiery meridians of the Purple Seal Realm's crust to its surface."

"The crucial nexus linking the Fire Elemental Power of heaven and earth?"

Old Patriarch was initially struck with profound astonishment, but he quickly regained his composure. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Such a critical node linking the world's fire element veins is certain to nurture a world-shaking Heavy Treasure [a treasure of immense power and significance]."

"Precisely so."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. A brilliant divine light shone from his pupils as he peered into the heart of the violet radiance.

Within that violet glow, a piece of purple Immortal Gold [a legendary metal imbued with immortal properties] floated and sank, its interior woven with countless chains of Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing cultivation and reality]. It was ceaselessly drawing upon the Fire Elemental Power [the primordial energy of the fire element] flowing through heaven and earth.

"Violet Flame Immortal Gold."

Eldrin Chen murmured the name. He performed a brief divination with his fingers, and a complex expression settled upon his features.

He sighed, his tone layered with mixed emotions. "The core of this Violet Flame Immortal Gold was once a massive chunk of 'Nine Heavens Mystic Iron' [a supremely hard and rare celestial metal], originally at the Sixth Rank Superior Grade level."

"Back in the earliest days of the Antiquity-Tracing era, this piece of 'Nine Heavens Mystic Iron' fell into the Purple Seal Realm. Through a twist of Opportunity and Fortune [the confluence of chance and destiny], it landed deep within an Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated fire energy] and, following fissures in the crust, descended into the very heart of the Purple Seal Realm."

"For millions of years thereafter, nurtured by the heart-fire of the Purple Seal Realm, this treasure absorbed boundless flame energy and gradually gave birth to the Dao patterns of Flame Path Principles."

At this point, Eldrin Chen shook his head. "A pity. As it is forged from the most indestructible Nine Heavens Mystic Iron, the gestation of its Path Principles Dao patterns proceeded with agonizing slowness. Thus, even now, its Path Principles have not yet fully matured."

"Calculating the time..."

Eldrin Chen paused, then continued with a complex tone, "It would take approximately four hundred and seventy thousand years to gestate to perfection and ascend to the Immortal Rank."

"Four hundred and seventy thousand years."

Old Granduncle shook his head repeatedly. Four hundred and seventy thousand years was far too long. Not only could the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm not wait that long, but even if they waited until then, Eldrin Chen's lifespan would likely be unable to endure it.

Thinking of this, Eternal Profound Chen sighed and couldn't help but ask, "Can your Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [the supreme primordial energy of creation] assist it in advancing to the Immortal Rank ahead of time?"

"Perhaps it can, but it would not be easy."

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly, then sat cross-legged and performed divinations for a long while before finally retrieving the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword.

The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword was still covered in fine cracks, each fissure saturated with the Indestructibility Sword Intent [the conceptual will and power imbued within a sword technique].

During the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm two Sixty-Year Cycle ago, Eldrin Chen had been forced to withstand the Path Principles Heavenly Blade of the Eight Demons Immortal Refining Formation at any cost.

In that battle, the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell was nearly half-destroyed, and the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords suffered unprecedented damage. Even now, after centuries of nurturing by Eldrin Chen, the two Immortal Sword [swords of immortal grade] had not fully recovered from their wounds.

Gazing at the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword for a long while, Eldrin Chen finally spoke after much contemplation. "I have a method," he said, "one that we might attempt." Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel.com (official site).