Chapter 1490 : A Bamboo's Vow and a Perilous Journey

Even so, this Six Paths Bamboo had yet to assume human form. Eldrin Chen believed that if it were to transform now, its innate talent and potential would only be on par with a top-tier Divine Spirits. He intended to wait until it had evolved at least to the level of a Primordial Ancient Trees before allowing it to emerge in humanoid form.

The gap between Primordial Ancient Trees and ordinary ancient trees was immense. Once the Purifying Bamboo evolved into an innate Purifying Bamboo, its talent upon emerging would be comparable to that of an Innate Divine Spirit.

If it could advance further, transforming into the legendary Innate Spiritual Root, the Six Senses Serene Bamboo [a mythical bamboo said to purify the six senses and grant profound spiritual clarity], then upon its emergence, it would rival an Innate Sacred Spirits.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen looked at the Purifying Bamboo and asked, "I am preparing to journey to the Myriad Spirits Sea. Are you willing to accompany me?"

Upon hearing this, the Purifying Bamboo shimmered faintly. After a long pause, it replied calmly, "Zhuer has a mortal enemy bound by a feud of life and death [a sworn enmity of ultimate consequence], a Heavenly Immortal Paragon from the depths of the Netherworld Depths."

"Back then, Master's cultivation was not high enough to draw the attention of the Netherworld Great Power and bring me out safely.

"If you take me back now and Zhuer's aura is detected, Master will undoubtedly become the prime suspect of that Netherworld Great Power."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this.

He had long heard from Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor that the father of the Purifying Bamboo, the Six Paths Bamboo, was once an existence at the Taiyi realm.

It contained the power of Six Paths Reincarnation Power [the cosmic force governing the cycle of death and rebirth]. Therefore, when it attempted to break through to the Heaven Immortal Realm, it was captured by a Heaven Immortal-realm ruler of the Netherworld. It was said that later, that individual used the main body of the Six Paths Bamboo to forge the Six Paths Reincarnation Wells. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel[dot]com.

Given the existence of such karma, even if the risk of exposure from bringing him back was minuscule, Purifying Bamboo was still unwilling to let him take that chance. Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen could not help but inquire, "Who, exactly, was the one who slew your father all those years ago?"

Purifying Bamboo fell into a brief, thoughtful silence before finally speaking after a long moment, "It was Karma Nether King."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

Karma Nether King had attained the Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy] many years ago and was one of the Ten Nether Kings of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain. His cultivation level was reputed to be among the most profound and unfathomable within the Netherworld Depths.

Such an existence remained far, far beyond the reach of Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen said, "For now, focus on your cultivation in peace. The matter of Karma Nether King can be dealt with later, once your strength is sufficient."

Having said his piece, Eldrin Chen saw no reason to linger further.

He traversed the Boundless Void on his journey towards the Myriad Spirits Sea Territory, arriving within its domain not long after.

Unlike his previous visit, Eldrin Chen was no longer an unknown entity. The moment he set foot within the Myriad Spirits Sea Territory, two figures emerged to greet him.

The newcomers, one man and one woman, were both Spirit Race powerhouses at the Earth Immortal Nine Layers. The woman, upon seeing Eldrin Chen, smiled and asked, "Might you be Eldrin, the Abyssal Divine Lord?"

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and clasped his hands in a gesture of utmost courtesy. The woman smiled faintly and spoke, "The Ancient Ancestor requests your presence. Please follow me."

Following the pair, Eldrin Chen learned along the way that the woman was named Willow Liu, a willow tree transformed through World Creation [the process of gaining sentience and form from a primordial world's essence], and the man was named Alabaster Yang, a poplar tree similarly transformed. Both were members of the Spirit Race [a race of beings born from sentient plants, rocks, or natural phenomena] with origins as Valerius as they come.

Guided by them deep into the heart of the Myriad Spirits Sea Territory, Eldrin Chen finally beheld the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor beneath the boughs of an ancient banyan tree.

The Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor regarded Eldrin Chen with a gentle smile. "To think that in a mere two hundred thousand years, young friend, you have already laid the initial foundations of your Great Dao [the supreme, personalized cultivation path of an immortal]. Your future potential is truly boundless.

"You honor me too much, Senior."

Eldrin Chen spoke respectfully. After exchanging pleasantries with the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor for a moment, he stated his purpose. "My journey here, guided by Divine Lord Glaze, is to seek a medicinal ingredient from you, venerable ancestor.

"For the Primordial Chaos Essence?"

The Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor spoke slowly and gestured for Willow Liu to bring forth a jade tray.

Upon that tray rested three priceless pieces of Primordial Chaos Essence [a primordial substance containing the unformed energies of creation, immensely valuable for high-level cultivation and artifact forging].

Gazing at the Primordial Chaos Essence [a primordial substance embodying the chaos before creation], Eldrin Chen felt his heart stir and spoke with urgency, "Your insight is as sharp as a torch, Senior. This is precisely what I desperately need."

"Hmm."

Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor gave a slight nod, then began to speak. "The value of a single Primordial Chaos Essence typically lies around one million eight hundred thousand Immortal Source [a high-grade spiritual currency]. However, due to its extreme rarity, it is often a matter of fortune, not mere seeking."

"If you are willing to do this Ancient Ancestor a favor, I am willing to gift you three pieces of Primordial Chaos Essence freely."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback before replying, "Might I inquire, Senior, what exactly is this favor you require?" Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor did not answer immediately, instead posing a question in return. "Are you aware that within two hundred thousand years, a Minor Universe [a smaller, self-contained realm] near the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain is destined for annihilation?"

Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart and nodded at once. "This junior has heard whispers of it." This chapter is part of a larger work available at *audio-novel.com*.

"Hmm."

Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor nodded again and continued, "When a Minor Universe is destroyed, all things within it return to the Eldrin, the Abyss [a metaphorical or literal state of primordial void or dissolution]. The Hundreds of Millions of Living Beings within are fated to be reduced to ashes of calamity."

"This Ancient Ancestor cannot bear to see our fellow beings of the Spirit Race [a race of spiritual beings] within perish. Therefore, I wish to guide our clansmen out from that fatal tribulation."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen spoke with deep respect, "Senior, your compassion for all living beings is truly the mark of one possessing great mercy."

Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor [a venerable progenitor of myriad spiritual beings] neither agreed nor disagreed, merely casting a glance at Eldrin Chen before speaking: "A pity. Most of my Spirit Race [a race of sentient spiritual beings and nature spirits] lack formidable combat prowess, and nearly all are veritable treasures from head to toe."

"When the Minor Universe [a self-contained, smaller cosmos within the greater multiverse] faces its destruction, whether it be the beings within that Minor Universe or the Immortal [a being who has ascended to a higher state of existence] who journey to the Immortal Domain [the realm of ascended immortals], all will view the Spirit Race as weaklings to be bullied and manipulated."

"Thus, I wish to ask a favor of you. Upon entering the Minor Universe, I hope you can, on my behalf, protect a portion of the Spirit Race and deliver them into this old man's hands."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh softly within his heart.

This Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor harbored great compassion, willing to intervene and save the Spirit Race of an entire Minor Universe. This breadth of spirit alone was worthy of profound respect.

In comparison, Eldrin Chen's method of annihilating the Yin Plane Microcosm [a microcosmic realm suffused with Yin energy, often associated with ghosts and darkness] in a single campaign was far more ruthless and domineering.

"Was I wrong?"

As this thought arose, Eldrin Chen fell into a moment of self-questioning. Yet, in the next instant, his conviction solidified once more. Eldrin Chen's temperament differed from that of the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor; he had always believed that one's stance determined one's actions.

In his view, whether humans consumed poultry, livestock, fish, or even myriad demons, or demons consumed the Human Race [the collective of humanity], it was merely a difference in perspective. In essence, there was no inherent right or wrong.

He would not hesitate to slaughter countless members of the ghost race, but if it were the Human Race or a race of gentle disposition, he would absolutely never resort to such merciless measures.

The Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor [a primordial being who protects myriad life forms] was willing to shelter the Spirit Race [a race of beings born from nature and spiritual energy], but if anyone asked him to shelter the Demon Race [a race of malevolent beings that feed on chaos and destruction], the Demonic Tribe [tribes and factions aligned with demonic forces], or even the Human Race [the race of humankind], he would undoubtedly crush them with a single palm strike.

"In the blink of an eye upon this world, a man's existence brings about the destruction of countless microorganisms; with every breath, he plunders the resources of heaven and earth."

"A single meal—fowl and fish, insects, fruits and vegetables—is all Life [the essence of living existence]. Who among them is truly nobler than the other?"

"If one must stubbornly dwell on right and wrong, would that not make mere existence itself a sin?"

"We, the Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation], need only pluck a flower and grasp a sword—that is sufficient."

Eldrin Chen mused silently. To pluck a flower was to show tenderness to those by one's side; to hold a sword was to cut down all great foes and shelter those behind.

Upon careful reflection, the actions of the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor perhaps bore a certain resemblance to his own. Your portal to cultivation novels: audi novel.com.