Chapter 1596 : A Timeless Pact Forged

After expressing his gratitude thrice more, Eldrin Chen accepted the Ancient Gold of the Firmament. After a moment of contemplation, he produced a shimmering fragment where time itself seemed to flow and said, "The Ancient Gold of the Firmament is precious. I offer this item from my possession in exchange, Senior."

"A Fragment of Chronos [a sliver of solidified time, possessing profound temporal properties]."

Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor gazed at the treasure in Eldrin Chen's hand, a gentle smile gracing his features. "The Fragment of Chronos is a treasure of Time [one of the fundamental cosmic forces], its value truly immeasurable," he remarked.

"Should you successfully break through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals], integrating this fragment into your Starry Glazed Realm [a personal spatial domain or inner world] would undoubtedly enhance its mysteries and potency."

"Therefore, I advise you to keep it for yourself."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, falling into thoughtful hesitation. Perceiving his desire to repay the kindness, Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor smiled warmly. "My hope is for you to ascend to the Heaven Immortal Realm swiftly, to lend your support to my disciple, the Serene Child."

"I understand."

Eldrin Chen nodded solemnly, his voice firm with resolve. "Upon my ascension to the Heaven Immortal Realm, I shall indeed guide and support your disciple. I will seek out the Innate Qi [the primordial, uncreated energy of the cosmos] to aid his transformation into the Innate Serene Bamboo [a legendary spiritual plant of ultimate purity and tranquility]."

"Then my heart is at ease." The story continues at audio-novel-dot-com.

Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor [a venerable and powerful cultivator] nodded gently, his expression warm as he spoke, "I observe your aura is harmonious and complete, suggesting your cultivation has progressed steadily these years. Yet remember, the path of cultivation requires both exertion and rest; you must diligently temper your foundation."

As he spoke, he withdrew from his sleeve a verdant jade ancient pearl and handed it to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen took it and examined it, finding the treasure brimming with vigorous vitality capable of nourishing a cultivator's physical body. If one channeled Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by practitioners] into it, it also possessed the wondrous function of refining that very Mana. "This is the Taiyi Rare Treasure [a category of exceptionally rare and potent treasures] known as the 'Myriad Spirits Ancient Pearl'. I crafted it from the wooden heart-core that shed from my body when I consolidated my Triple Taiyi Foundation [an exceptionally pure and potent foundational cultivation stage]."

"This treasure holds no offensive or defensive capabilities, yet it excels at condensing Mana and tempering one's own foundation."

"Take it for now. You may return it to me after your Dao Tribulation [a heavenly trial or tribulation faced by cultivators to advance their cultivation]."

Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor explained patiently, his eyes and brows radiating kindness and warmth.

Eldrin Chen listened quietly, feeling a growing warmth in his heart. His cultivation had advanced rapidly in recent years, yet his Mana foundation had become somewhat unstable.

Even with four Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure [legendary treasures of immense power] tempering his foundation, it was impossible to completely refine his Mana to perfection in a short time.

Although once the Yin-Yang Void Realm successfully advanced, using an Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth] to refine Mana would be even more effective, the members of his clan needed this item now. With this treasure in hand, clan members like Lyra Jiang and Verdant Consort would quickly solidify their cultivation bases, saving them hundreds of thousands of years spent tempering their Mana.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen immediately rose and bowed respectfully. "Senior's care and guidance, this junior shall remember this kindness in his heart."

"Hahaha."

Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor [a powerful and ancient cultivator] let out a hearty laugh and replied noncommittally, "It is only natural for seniors to look after those who come after."

"And have you not also shown great care for your disciples and juniors?"

"Go now. This old man has high hopes for you."

"..." After expressing his gratitude once more, Eldrin Chen took his leave of Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor.

He traversed the Boundless Void [the endless, starry expanse between realms], returning to the Abyssal Sea Region [a vast and profound sea region within the immortal domain]. From there, he journeyed to the Abyssal Abode of Bliss [a blessed land of spiritual abundance, the Chen Clan's home]. Within its confines, Eldrin Chen encountered Kael Chen, who had just returned to the clan.

Many years had passed since their last meeting. Kael Chen's cultivation had now reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm]. Moreover, he seemed to have encountered extraordinary fortune, having already condensed the Buddha's Dao Fruit [a supreme spiritual attainment representing enlightenment and power] of the Taiyi Realm [a profound and advanced stage of cultivation].

This development took Eldrin Chen somewhat by surprise. He could not help but remark, "Clan Elder Brother, your Buddha's Dao Fruit is complete. It seems you will not need the Primordial Unity Golden Body Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forging an immortal-grade foundation] to step into the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a transcendent state bordering true immortality]."

"My return this time is precisely to attempt that breakthrough to Half-Step Celestial Immortal," Kael Chen confirmed.

Kael Chen gave a slight nod. Then, from his sleeve, he produced a Treasure Box [an ornate container for storing precious items] and handed it to Eldrin Chen. "My journey to the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain [a vast, mystical desert realm] led me to explore the Ancient Buddha Ruins [the remnants of a sacred Buddhist civilization]. There, I found several rather exceptional rare treasures."

"This object should be of some use to you." A light chuckle. "Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly. He immediately opened the Treasure Box to look inside.

Within the Treasure Box lay a Lotus Platform wreathed in golden radiance of Merit Power [the metaphysical power of virtuous deeds and good karma], a platform of nine tiers.

"A Nine-Petaled Merit Golden Lotus!"

The moment he saw the golden lotus, Eldrin Chen's eyes widened with a flicker of surprise. "A rare find indeed," he remarked.

The Merit Golden Lotus was an uncommon type of Lotus Platform Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. Its core contained boundless Merit Power, granting it the Mysterious Profound [profound and mystical] ability to ward off Inner Demons [mental and spiritual corruptions born from a cultivator's own heart] and protect one's Dao Heart [the cultivator's core of conviction and spiritual purpose]. Immerse yourself in the complete world at www . audio-novel.com.

Beneath the Great Luo [a supreme realm of cultivation] realm, each petal of a Merit Golden Lotus represented a grade of power. The one before him, with nine petals, was the exceedingly rare Ninth Rank Supreme Unity Merit Golden Lotus. Such a Taiyi Rare Treasure [a treasure of supreme unity and rarity] was a priceless treasure of immense scarcity. Even Eldrin Chen possessed very few. He had not expected Kael Chen to have one in his possession.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen smiled faintly. "This treasure is precisely what Lyra urgently needs. I shall accept it with gratitude."

As he spoke, he retrieved the Three Demons Immortal-Slaughtering Sword Formation and handed it to Kael Chen. "Of course, I cannot let my clan elder brother suffer a loss. Take this in return."

"A formidable sword formation!"

Upon seeing the sword formation, Kael Chen could not help but feel his eyes brighten slightly.

He took the Three Demons Immortal-Slaughtering Sword Formation and remarked with a faint smile, "For me, this artifact is likely more formidable than a single Taiyi Immortal Weapon."

Having exchanged for a Taiyi-grade Immortal Treasures [artifacts of immense power wielded by immortal beings] for Lyra Jiang, Eldrin Chen felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He then led Kael Chen into the Five Elements Microcosm [a pocket dimension embodying the five fundamental elements], allowing him to select a Supreme Grade Abode of Bliss [a sanctuary of the highest spiritual purity] for his breakthrough. Afterwards, he sought out Lyra Jiang, who was cultivating a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power], and presented her with the Merit Golden Lotus.

Receiving the Merit Golden Lotus, Lyra Jiang was filled with pleasant surprise, for her Lifebound Supreme Treasure [a cultivator's most intimately connected and powerful artifact], the Merit Golden Lotus Platform, now had the potential to ascend to a Grand Unity Immortal Treasure [an artifact of the Grand Unity, a supreme tier of power]. She smiled and said, "For Clan Elder Brother Kael to have found such an item, it seems his gains from this venture were substantial indeed."

"It would appear so,"

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. A single Merit Golden Lotus, capable of dividing into several wondrous components—the Lotus Platform, Lotus Leaf, Lotus Seed, and Lotus Root—even if most did not reach the Taiyi Realm [the Taiyi stage of cultivation], would undoubtedly yield treasures of the utmost quality.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "With Clan Elder Brother Kael obtaining such fortuitous karma, our strength for the impending Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of one's cultivation path] should be significantly bolstered."

With those words, Lyra Jiang departed to refine the Taiyi Rare Treasure [a rare treasure of the Taiyi grade] and elevate her Lifebound Supreme Treasure.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen sought out the Heavenly Dao Will [the sentient will of the Heavenly Dao, the cosmic order] and stated, "I intend to elevate an Innate Treasure [a treasure born from primordial chaos, possessing innate laws] and require your assistance." Understanding that Eldrin Chen wished to advance the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void, the Heavenly Dao Will pondered briefly before replying, "To elevate this Innate Treasure of yours will consume vast quantities of Five Metals Essence [refined spiritual essence of the five metallic elements] and Yin and Yang Dual Qi [the primordial energies of opposing yet complementary forces]."

"Once the ascension is complete, it is likely to deplete a portion of the Heaven and Earth Origin [the foundational spiritual energy of heaven and earth]."

Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "I shall have the Enlightenment Tea Tree take root within this Cosmos for an additional one million years."

"Agreed."

The Heavenly Dao Will [the sentient will of the cosmic order] agreed decisively. Given the efficiency with which an Innate Spiritual Root [a primordial spiritual foundation] converts Chaos Qi [the primordial, formless energy of creation], one million years represented a significant gain for this Cosmos.

For Eldrin Chen, this transaction was also far from a loss.

After all, the resources required to elevate a single Innate Treasure [a primordial artifact born of natural law] were truly immense. If such an ascension were attempted within the Immortal Domain [the primary realm of immortals], it would inevitably alert the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the supreme immortals who have transcended mortality] of the various Grotto-Heaven [paradisiacal realms of profound spiritual energy]. In the past, Jiang Daoxu had only succeeded in elevating the Innate Dao Ruins Sword because he was backed by the Ethereal Void Sacred Land, and furthermore, within a Minor Universe [a smaller, self-contained cosmos] on the brink of annihilation, billions of stars could be consumed as fuel for the Immortal Sword's ascension. Only under such extraordinary circumstances had success been possible. This novel is serialized on audio~novel.com. Visit for updates.