Chapter 1438 : The Weight of Sin and Merit

This meant that whoever slew him would not incur any additional Karmic Sin Power [the metaphysical burden of negative karma from sinful acts], a most precarious situation indeed.

Old enemies could seize this chance to strike without restraint, eliminating him with impunity.

And once his Karmic Sin Power surpassed his Merit [the metaphysical "currency" of positive karma from virtuous deeds], then anyone who slew him would earn favor with the Immortal Domain [the celestial realm of immortals]. Even righteous Earth Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the terrestrial immortal realm] who bore no prior grudge against Eldrin Chen might be moved to act.

At this thought, the atmosphere among them grew profoundly grave.

Nyssa Qu let out a sigh before speaking. "It has long been said that those who walk the Path of Fleshly Body Sanctification [a cultivation method focused on perfecting the physical body to an immortal state] are inevitably burdened with boundless Karmic Sin Power. It seems the rumors hold true."

"The most pressing matter now is for my husband to find a way to obtain the Pure Light of Merit [a divine ability that manifests and utilizes pure merit], or the danger will be immense."

Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

Exquisite Jiang pondered for a moment before speaking. "The ways to acquire Merit are few. The most common are nourishing the world, receiving rewards from the Heavenly Path [the cosmic law or Dao of Heaven], and slaying Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use wicked, soul-devouring methods].

"It seems now that the best method to obtain Merit lies primarily in eliminating Demonic Cultivator."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen also gave a slow, acknowledging nod. For more chapters, visit http://www . audio-novel.com for the complete novel.

Among the three methods to obtain Merit [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds], the method of nourishing the heavens and earth back is the most arduous.

To nourish the heavens and earth signifies that one's cultivation has transcended the bounds of the world itself. Taking the Vast Azure Immortal Domain as an example, one must at least cultivate to the Great Encompassing Realm before being capable of such a feat.

There are two primary sources through which the Heavenly Path [the cosmic order or Dao of Heaven] bestows Merit. The first is upon a breakthrough to the Celestial Immortal Realm. By assisting the world in absorbing and refining Primordial Chaos Energy [the primordial, formless energy that existed before creation], the Heavenly Path naturally grants boundless Merit. This is why all Celestial Immortal Great Power are endowed with immense Merit.

The second source occurs during Great Tribulation [a major cosmic calamity] or Path Tribulation [a tribulation related to one's cultivation path]. By acting as an agent of the heavens to execute the cyclical laws of the Great Path [the supreme Dao], one can acquire a measure of Merit power upon slaying adversaries, all without fear of incurring Karmic Sin Power [negative karma or sin].

The most common method, however, is the slaying of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow unorthodox, often destructive and selfish paths]. Demonic Cultivator are notorious for plundering the world's resources, and they cultivate by harnessing Karmic Sin Power. Consequently, most Demonic Cultivator are burdened with immense Karmic Sin Power.

Therefore, eliminating Demonic Cultivator almost always yields Merit power.

The amount of Merit power gained depends entirely on the magnitude of the Karmic Sin Power borne by the slain Demonic Cultivator.

Contemplating this, Verdant Consort could not help but remark, "What a pity. That old Demonic Cultivator was no weakling; he must have carried at least a dozen strands of Karmic Sin Power upon him."

"Had we slain him, my lord would not need to worry about Karmic Sin Power now."

Nyssa Qu sighed softly and shook her head. "A Demonic Cultivator at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm... For cultivators of our strength, slaying such a foe was always a near-impossible endeavor."

"Indeed," Exquisite Jiang nodded, then asked, "What do you plan to do?"

"After this journey, we shall make our way to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a vast and perilous sea realm where demonic and heretical sects gather]."

Eldrin Chen's expression remained serene, his gaze turning towards the cavern entrance. "For us righteous cultivators, if our burden of karmic sin [the negative spiritual weight of one's actions] ever outweighs our accumulated Merit [positive spiritual credit from virtuous deeds], we risk being struck down by a senior master on any given day."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the several women shifted slightly.

The Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea was a gathering place for heretical sects, practitioners of the Demonic Path [a cultivation philosophy that embraces ruthless methods and often harms others for power], and unorthodox schools—a realm of unpredictable and profound danger.

While they sought to enter and purge demons to defend the righteous path, they would also face the peril of being ambushed by Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow the demonic path].

Yet, given the present circumstances, it seemed they had little choice.

Noticing their solemn looks, Eldrin Chen offered a gentle smile. "We Immortal [beings who have ascended to a higher state of existence through cultivation] cultivate within the Immortal Domain [the higher realms where immortals reside]. If we merely take from the world's resources without giving back, how are we any different from Demonic Cultivator?"

"Slaying demons, vanquishing evil, and cleansing the world—this is our rightful duty."

With those words, no one spoke further on the matter.

Eldrin Chen cast a glance at the now-vacant cavern where the Blessed Land [a region of concentrated spiritual energy and natural wonders] had been, then frowned slightly. "The disturbance from us taking the Blessed Land was not small. It is likely the Demon Race [a race of powerful, often malevolent, spiritual beings] of the Western Metal Great Mystery Mountain have already sensed it."

"Our most urgent task is to leave this place, and quickly."

With that, the group hastily departed from the cavern complex.

Not long after their departure, a Demon Immortal [a powerful demonic being who has achieved immortality] whose aura blazed like the midday sun arrived in a streak of light. This demon was the Blessed Land Lord [the ruler of a Blessed Land] of Tiger's Roar, the Western Metal Patriarch [a title for a powerful patriarch associated with the Western Metal element], a being at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a realm just below that of a true Celestial Immortal].

The Western Metal Patriarch surveyed the empty space where the Blessed Land once resided. After a brief moment of calculation, his gaze turned icy. "The Human Race [the race of humans], they dare to seize a Blessed Land belonging to our Demon Race? Do they truly not fear the karmic miasma [a corrupting force born of negative karma] that will cling to them?"

"Issue the order. They must be found." Experience the full epic at audio—novel.com.

At the command of this Half-Step Celestial Immortal from the White Tiger Clan [a powerful clan of tiger demons], the vast expanse of the Western Metal Great Mystery Mountain erupted into activity. Countless members of the Demon Race poured forth from their lairs, beginning a widespread search for the intruders.

Hidden within the Polarity Void Mirror [a supreme spatial treasure capable of concealing its occupants], Eldrin Chen used the Spatial Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest rank capable of manipulating space] to ferry the group through the void. Their progress was not swift, but it was secure.

They traveled in this manner for several centuries before finally emerging from the Western Metal Great Mystery Mountain Range, allowing them to finally release a breath they had been holding.

"We are relatively safe now."

Beyond the Western Metal Great Mystery Mountain Range, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of relief settle within him.

He glanced back at the boundless mountain range and could not help but release a heavy sigh of relief.

Within this Western Metal Great Mystery Mountain Range, the Tiger's Roar Blessed Land [a sacred land of cultivation] loomed like a sun eclipsing the heavens. This lineage alone boasted three Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm], and more than three hundred Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm].

Of the nearly one hundred Blessed Land [sacred lands of cultivation] scattered throughout the entire Western Metal Great Mystery Mountain Range, over half were occupied by them, with the remainder serving as their vassals.

Such a glorious and powerful force would have slightly outmatched even the Western Abyss Dragon Palace at the peak of its power.

Now, the Chen Immortal Clan with its nine Earth Immortal [cultivators of the Earth Immortal realm] was considered strong among Earth Immortal Blessed Land [sacred lands ruled by Earth Immortals], yet it paled in comparison to this lineage.

"A single clan with three Half-Step Celestial Immortal... it seems that in a hundred thousand years, they will be a formidable rival,"

Eldrin Chen sighed softly, a note of reflection in his voice.

Exquisite Jiang also nodded, her expression turning grave. "In the next Path Tribulation [a great cosmic calamity testing the Paths of cultivators], this lineage will undoubtedly be one of the Path Tribulation Protagonist [key figures destined to shape the outcome of the tribulation]."

Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

The so-called Path Tribulation [a grand, cyclical conflict between major cosmic doctrines], as the name implies, is a tribulation of doctrines and lineages.

What constitutes a doctrine?

Great Daoist sects, titans of the Demonic Path, Buddhist Sect Ancient Temples, the Western Pole White Tiger lineage, the Nine Heavens True Dragon lineage—all belong to supreme doctrines.

The so-called Path Tribulation is precisely the clashing of Buddhism against Daoism, the struggle for supremacy between demons and monsters, and the contention for the Way among a hundred races.

When the Path Tribulation erupts, it becomes a war of doctrines—the Human Race, the Demon Race, the Divine Clan, the Buddhist Sect, and others. The ultimate victor of this conflict will give birth to a Supreme Grotto-Heaven [a paramount, self-contained immortal realm].

With each additional Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty being who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] and each new Supreme Grotto-Heaven, the Fortune [the metaphysical luck and destiny] of that lineage grows ever more prosperous.

From a macro perspective, if during the Path Tribulation, the Human Race gains several new Grotto-Heavens [lesser immortal realms], then the Fortune of the Human Race will increase by several degrees.

From a micro perspective, if the White Tiger Lineage were to give birth to a second Grotto-Heaven, then the Fortune of the White Tiger Lineage's doctrine would flourish even more vigorously.

Within the Path Tribulation, the victor's Fortune will surge forth, while the loser's Fortune will wane and decline.

The Heavenly Path [the cosmic Dao or natural order] uses this as bait, forcing the great Grotto-Heavens to continuously place their bets, compelling them to dispatch multitudes of disciples and followers into the tribulation. The ultimate goal is to make more Immortals [beings who have achieved immortality] return their cultivated essence to the heavens.

Under such circumstances, Eldrin Chen could foresee that this Tiger's Roar Blessed Land would undoubtedly become one of the great enemies of the Human Race.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen spoke with a grave expression, "A top-tier Blessed Land like this is likely to be one of the most formidable obstacles we face during our Path Tribulation." For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel . com.