Chapter 1561 : The Ancestor's Ascension Gambit

As early as the Nascent Soul Realm [the stage where a cultivator's soul separates from the mortal body], Qing had already pioneered the Immortal Ascension Vein Creation Art [a profound cultivation method for forging immortal-grade spiritual meridians]. This art allowed one to peer directly into the mysteries of the Ascension to Immortality Realm [the final mortal realm before transcending to true immortality]. Had it not been for the Black Dragon [a legendary and malevolent dragon] obstructing his path, Qing would very likely have become the second person after Jiang the Sovereign Emperor to achieve Ascending to Immortality [the ultimate act of transcending mortality and ascending to the immortal world].

After Qing's fall, he yet gathered the power of countless Divine Soul [the spiritual essence of powerful beings] and, within the mortal realm, created the Ghost Immortal Path [a unique path of cultivation merging ghostly and immortal principles], thereby establishing a Netherworld Underworld [a realm of the dead and spirits]. This alone demonstrates that Qing's talent and ingenuity could truly be described as dazzling through the ages.

With such brilliance, Qing was likely not inferior to the Eastern Sovereign or Jiang the Sovereign Emperor; it was merely ill fortune that led to his demise. After his soul ascended to the Immortal Domain [the realm of the immortals] and received the incense offerings and spiritual sustenance from the Chen Clan, it was within expectation that he would consolidate his foundation and achieve the Ninth Tribulation Immortal [an immortal who has survived nine heavenly tribulations]. Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen could not help but inquire, "Has the Ancient Ancestor completed his cultivation cycle? When does he plan to attempt his breakthrough?" Qing the Ancient Ancestor spoke slowly, his tone calm, "I still lack several stalks of the World-Opening Spiritual Root [a mythical root said to contain the primordial energy of creation]."

"So that is the reason."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding and said, "The clan still possesses some reserves of the World-Opening Spiritual Root. You may take what you need. After your breakthrough, you will simply need to repay the equivalent amount of World-Initiating Qi [the primordial energy used in world-creation]." Qing the Ancient Ancestor nodded in agreement and spoke, "My thanks..."

After bidding farewell to Qing the Ancient Ancestor, Eldrin Chen made his way toward the Ancient Ruins Ghost City [a city in the underworld inhabited by spirits and ghosts]. Before long, he found Ancient Ruins Yin Lord.

The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord seemed to have been waiting for some time. He personally poured a pot of tea for Eldrin Chen and said, "Your timing is perfect. Taste this new batch of tea leaves."

Eldrin Chen was not in the mood for tea. He took a shallow sip before asking directly, "Regarding the matter you spoke of—is it true?" The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord did not answer immediately. His expression grew solemn as he said, "That old acquaintance of yours... his current status is somewhat unique and complicated."

"I suggest you first hear about his situation. It is not too late to make a decision afterward." The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord set down the teapot and began to narrate with grave seriousness.

As his account unfolded, Eldrin Chen gradually learned of the circumstances surrounding Verdant Abyss Daoist's Divine Soul. A faint frown creased his brow. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio‑novel.com.

It turned out that after the fall of the Verdant Abyss Daoist [a title for a powerful Daoist cultivator] all those years ago, because his Divine Soul [the highest form of a cultivator's spiritual essence] was devoured by a Heaven-Demon [a powerful celestial demon], only a wisp of his True Spirit [the fundamental spiritual spark of a being] carrying a mere fragment of his Remnant Soul [the lingering soul essence after death] managed to reach the Netherworld Depths [the deepest, most primordial layers of the underworld].

With his Divine Soul nearly extinguished, that single thread of Remnant Soul from the Verdant Abyss Daoist could not proceed to the Netherworld Underworld [the realm of reincarnation and judgment] upon arriving in the Netherworld Depths; it remained undetected even by the various Yin Lord [Lords of the Underworld] presiding over the great ghost cities.

At that time, the Verdant Abyss Daoist possessed almost no consciousness and lacked even the capacity for movement.

His remnant soul attached itself to an Other Shore Flower [a mystical underworld blossom said to grow on the banks of the river of forgetfulness], using the flower's power to ceaselessly draw upon Netherworld Qi [the unique, yin-aligned spiritual energy of the underworld] to restore his Divine Soul. More than one hundred thousand years passed in this manner before his Divine Soul was finally mended.

However, having never undergone Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] remained severely damaged. Consequently, the Verdant Abyss Daoist retained no memories of his past life. Relying solely on the instinct of a former Nascent Soul Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm], he embarked once more upon the path of cultivation, becoming a Ghost Cultivator [a being who cultivates as a spirit or ghost].

Had that been the end of it, with Eldrin Chen's current abilities, he could have simply guided him through a journey to the Soul-Cleansing Pool [a mystical pool that purifies the soul], washing away the impurities within his Divine Soul to restore his memories.

Yet, the Verdant Abyss Daoist now held a status within the Netherworld Depths that was far from ordinary.

For he had caught the eye of the sole disciple of the Other Shore Nether King [the Nether King of the Other Shore, one of the ten supreme rulers of the Netherworld Depths] and had become the son-in-law of that very being. "The Other Shore Nether King,"

Eldrin Chen uttered slowly, his expression turning profoundly grave.

Within the Netherworld Depths, there exist ten Supreme [peerless, paramount] Nether Kings, each a Supreme existence at the level of a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a pinnacle Heavenly Immortal] and one who has traversed a great distance within that very realm. This Other Shore Nether King is one of those ten monarchs, undoubtedly an entity of at least the Late Heaven Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Heavenly Immortal realm].

"How could the direct disciple of Other Shore Nether King take a liking to him?" Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a trace of surprise coloring his words.

A moment later, as if struck by a thought, he inquired, "Could it be that...?" "Indeed."

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord nodded and began to explain, "When he first arrived within the Immortal Domain, the Other Shore Flower he attached himself to was the original form of the Other Shore Nether King's disciple."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally understood the chain of events, his brow furrowing slightly in contemplation.

Now that Verdant Abyss Daoist had become the Husband of the Other Shore Nether King's direct disciple, his status and position were extraordinary. For Eldrin Chen to fulfill the promise made years ago would be no simple task.

Yet, after a moment of silent thought, Eldrin Chen spoke decisively, "Regardless, he showed me kindness. I must go and see him." Ancient Ruins Yin Lord gave a slight nod. "Since your mind is set, I shall accompany you on this journey."

Their decision made, the two immediately set off for the Netherworld Ghost Domain.

They traversed the Boundless Void for a time before halting before the gates of a spectral city. "This is the Other Shore Ghost City,"

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord stated, his gaze fixed upon the city before them.

Eldrin Chen looked up. Before him stood a city of immense and solemn grandeur, rooted in the earth of the Netherworld. All around it bloomed the flowers of The Other Shore, their fiery crimson petals creating a breathtaking, boundless tapestry of color.

"Legend has it that the Other Shore Nether King [the Nether King of the Other Shore] attained the Dao from a Other Shore Flower [a mystical flower said to bloom on the banks of the river of the afterlife]. I wonder if that tale holds any truth." Gazing at the Other Shore Flower [a mystical flower said to bloom on the banks of the river of the afterlife] blanketing the mountains and fields, the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord [the Yin Lord of Ancient Ruins] remarked with curiosity.

Eldrin Chen offered no reply, yet within his heart, a conjecture began to take shape.

Since time immemorial, Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation of a cultivator] have found it exceedingly difficult to awaken sentience, and attaining the Dao is a path fraught with near-impossible hardship.

However, the Dao companion of the Verdant Abyss Daoist [the Daoist of the Verdant Abyss] was a Other Shore Flower [a mystical flower said to bloom on the banks of the river of the afterlife] that had taken human form. That this individual could become a direct disciple of the Other Shore Nether King [the Nether King of the Other Shore] suggests the King holds beings born from Other Shore Flower [a mystical flower said to bloom on the banks of the river of the afterlife] in exceptionally high regard.

From this perspective, it might indirectly confirm the true identity of the Other Shore Nether King [the Nether King of the Other Shore].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen finally spoke. "Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a cultivator of similar standing], are you confident we can secure an audience with the Verdant Abyss Daoist [the Daoist of the Verdant Abyss]?" The story continues at audio-novel . com.

The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord [the Yin Lord of Ancient Ruins] pondered briefly before replying. "I have some acquaintance with an Earth Immortal Great Perfection [a cultivator at the Great Perfection stage of the Earth Immortal realm] within the Other Shore Ghost City [the Ghost City of the Other Shore]. I shall attempt to have him relay a message on our behalf."

"Regardless, we must at least try."

With those words, the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord [the Yin Lord of Ancient Ruins] stepped into the Other Shore Ghost City [the Ghost City of the Other Shore].

Following close behind, Eldrin Chen entered a pavilion within the city, where they met a Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates through ghostly or netherworldly methods] who had reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [a cultivator at the Great Perfection stage of the Earth Immortal realm].

This Ghost Immortal [a cultivator who has chosen to continue their existence as a spectral being after death] was named Yu the Daoist. In life, he had been close friends with Ancient Ruins Yin Lord, and after his demise, he did not choose Reincarnation [the cycle of rebirth into a new life]. Instead, he embarked upon the Ghost Immortal Path [a cultivation method focused on spectral energy and ghostly existence]. He has since joined Other Shore Ghost City [a city inhabited by spectral beings and ghost cultivators]. While not part of the highest echelons of power, he holds a respectable position among the city's middle ranks.

After understanding their request, Yu the Daoist's expression shifted slightly. "The Verdant Abyss Yin Lord is now the Dao Companion [cultivation partner] of the Nether Maiden," he said. "If the Nether Maiden learns of this matter, she is unlikely to permit him to depart for Reincarnation."

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord was well aware of this, yet he still produced a Jade Box. "We understand," he replied. "However, we do not intend to take him away. We merely wish to see an old friend one last time."

Yu the Daoist glanced at the treasure within the box and fell into thoughtful silence for a moment. Finally, he sighed. "Very well. For the sake of our long-standing friendship, I will help you this once."

"But if he refuses to see you, do not blame me." "Our thanks," Ancient Ruins Yin Lord said.

Eldrin Chen clasped his hands in a respectful salute. Watching Yu the Daoist depart, he settled into a posture of quiet anticipation. Find thousands of chapters at http://www . audio-novel.com.