Chapter 1633 : A Legendary Pill and a Hidden Clan

To his surprise, within that treasure vase lay a single Pill of Polarity Enlightenment [a legendary pill that can help a cultivator comprehend the profound mysteries of Yin and Yang].

Millet Verdancy Path Master gave a slight nod, a flicker of intent in his gaze as he spoke, "I wish to request the Chen Immortal Clan to take action and aid me in slaying a formidable enemy."

"This Pill of Polarity Enlightenment shall serve as your compensation, Fellow Daoist."

Eldrin Chen listened quietly, his brow furrowing slightly in contemplation.

In the eyes of most, offering a Pill of Polarity Enlightenment as payment to enlist the Chen Immortal Clan's aid in eliminating a powerful foe would be considered a fair bargain for the clan.

After all, while the Chen Clan possessed formidable strength, they had no Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] openly guarding their halls. This Pill of Polarity Enlightenment was precisely the kind of resource they urgently needed.

Exchanging one such pill for the assistance of nine Earth Immortal Great Perfection [cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm] was not an unreasonable price.

However, the truth was that the nine Patriarch of the Chen Immortal Clan had all attained the profound Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [an ultimate cultivation foundation that harmonizes dual primordial energies]. Each one was a match for Millet Verdancy Path Master in power.

With their capabilities, slaying a mere Half-Step Celestial Immortal would be effortless. Why then should they act as another's blade for the sake of a single Pill of Polarity Enlightenment?

The spoils from vanquishing a Half-Step Celestial Immortal would undoubtedly far surpass the value of any Pill of Polarity Enlightenment.

However, if he agreed to Millet Verdancy Path Master, then all treasures obtained from the endeavor would belong to Millet Verdancy Path Master, which was hardly a favorable bargain.

Most importantly, regarding this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event ordained by fate], Eldrin Chen had long since resolved to become a Path Tribulation Protagonist [a central figure who seizes destiny during a Great Tribulation] in his own right.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen smiled as he poured a cup of tea for Millet Verdancy Path Master and spoke, "Fellow Daoist, you are hailed as the foremost figure beneath the Celestial Immortal [a high-ranking immortal] realm within the Human Race of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. My Chen Clan lacks sufficient strength; I fear we cannot offer assistance this time."

Hearing this, Millet Verdancy Path Master largely understood the polite refusal conveyed by Eldrin Chen.

Yet, a flicker of reluctance remained in his heart. After a moment of contemplation, he pressed on, "Besides myself, I am certain many other powers will seek your aid for this undertaking."

"Among them will likely be Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [powerful, ancient sects of immense influence]. The terms they offer will undoubtedly far surpass mine. However, should you agree to such forces, you surely understand the far greater price you would incur."

"Would it not be better for us to cooperate? If we join forces to deal with that Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of the Celestial Immortal realm], you would bear no further cost. Moreover, you could utilize the Pill of Polarity Enlightenment [a legendary pill that aids in comprehending the unity of opposites] to achieve a breakthrough into the Primordial Unity Realm [a profound state of primordial oneness] ahead of schedule. Would that not be a mutually beneficial outcome?"

Despite Millet Verdancy Path Master's persuasive words, Eldrin Chen remained unmoved in his decision.

With a faint, composed smile, he replied, "Your consideration is appreciated, Fellow Daoist. However, my plans for the affairs of the Path Tribulation [a tribulation related to one's cultivation path] are already settled. I must truly apologize."

Witnessing this finality, Millet Verdancy Path Master could not help but release a soft sigh of resignation.

He clasped his hands and said with a wry smile, "It was I who was being long-winded."

Having spoken thus far, the two of them did not discuss the topic further.

After conversing pleasantly for a short while, Eldrin Chen finally escorted Millet Verdancy Path Master out beyond the Great Hall.

By this time, Exquisite Jiang had already been waiting for quite some time. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, she could not help but ask, "How did it go?"

"They also came to discuss matters concerning the Path Tribulation [the ultimate trial faced by cultivators to ascend their path]."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly. For this longevity celebration he was hosting, several Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] had visited in succession, all seizing the opportunity to discuss the Path Tribulation with him.

However, given Eldrin Chen's current status and position, he naturally had no interest in playing a supporting role for them, and thus had politely declined them all.

Exquisite Jiang understood this as well and shook her head slightly. "Your longevity celebration is about to begin. I fear the main event is yet to come."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, understanding that with his current standing, it was very likely he had caught the eye of the Great Encompassing Ancient Sect and the various major Grotto-Heaven [self-contained paradisiacal realms often ruled by powerful cultivators or sects].

I fear more than one faction will use this as an opportunity to extend an invitation for me to join their ranks.

However, the reason these ancient sects and Grotto-Heaven [a higher-dimensional realm or paradise for powerful cultivators] factions are inviting me is solely to bolster the forces of their chosen Path Tribulation Protagonist [a cultivator destined to undergo a critical, world-shaping tribulation]. No matter how high the price they offer, any ultimate spoils of war would undoubtedly be allocated for the use of the Path Tribulation Protagonist.

If Eldrin Chen were to join them, it might seem like he gains a large sum of resources upfront, but in the end, he likely wouldn't even get a share of the treasures.

Moreover, the ones fighting tooth and nail from the very beginning would surely be those like us, the hired reinforcements. Should the situation turn unfavorable, we would become disposable pawns to be abandoned at any moment.

Consider this: in a critical moment of battle, would the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] or even Celestial Immortal Great Power [a formidable master who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] from these Grotto-Heaven core lineages aid their own people, or us outsiders?

And if it truly came down to a moment of mutual Exchange Move [a decisive, often mutually destructive, clash of ultimate techniques], the first to be sacrificed by both sides would be us, the auxiliary forces.

"The resources of these ancient sects and Grotto-Heaven are not easily taken. The higher the price they offer, the more perilous the battle situation is likely to become."

"With our current strength, there is no need for us to get involved."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, then looked at Exquisite Jiang and asked, "Have Violet Mystery, Blazeflame, and Heaven Abyss arrived?"

"They have already arrived," Exquisite Jiang replied calmly. "I instructed Energy Abyss Patriarch and Verdant Consort to personally receive them and inform them that after the banquet concludes, we will gather to discuss matters pertaining to the Path Tribulation [the cataclysmic trial a destined cultivator must face]."

Having spoken thus far, Exquisite Jiang spoke again, saying, "By the way, some good news has arrived. Earlier, you were receiving Millet Verdancy Path Master, so I did not wish to disturb you."

As she spoke, Exquisite Jiang informed Eldrin Chen of the news regarding Lior Chen's arrival.

After hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a look of pleasant surprise. He soon arrived at the Great Hall within the Hinter Peaks and met with Lior Chen.

Having not seen each other for so many years, the uncle and nephew were filled with profound emotion and began recounting the events of the past million years.

As Lior Chen narrated his tale, Eldrin Chen gradually came to understand his experiences over these years and grasped the full sequence of events.

It turned out that long ago, within the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, after Lior Chen had fallen, he had inadvertently discovered an ancient scroll within the Depths of the Netherworld. This scroll was named the Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation Scripture [a profound scripture detailing a method of reincarnation across one hundred lifetimes].

This scripture was exceptionally profound. Upon death, one need not traverse the ordinary Reincarnation cycle [the process of death and rebirth of the soul]. Instead, it allowed one to retain their memories and be Reincarnation [reborn] for one hundred lifetimes among their own bloodline descendants.

This time, Lior Chen had undergone Reincarnation for one hundred lifetimes within the Tianhao Great World. He ultimately cultivated to the Ascendant Immortal Realm [the foundational realm for true immortals] with a body perfected through one hundred tribulations, and he had achieved this with a perfectly rounded Triple Ascendant Immortal Foundation [an exceptionally solid and complete foundation upon ascending to immortality].

Upon understanding Lior Chen's path and legacy, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh with admiration, "I never imagined Uncle Lior would encounter such Opportunity and Fortune [a rare combination of chance and destiny]. It seems your future prospects are boundless; you may even have the hope of achieving the Great Encompassing Realm [the legendary Da Luo realm]."

Old GranduncleEternal Profound Chen also nodded slightly, a smile gracing his lips as he remarked, "This scripture is truly extraordinary. I fear it may be even more astonishing than the Celestial Immortal Path Scripture. It is likely also a Great Encompassing Secret Scroll [a supreme scripture of the Da Luo realm], not inferior to the Six Lifetimes Buddha Scripture possessed by the Tribulation Transcending Divine Monk."

"For Lior to have obtained such Opportunity and Fortune [a rare and auspicious chance encounter that can alter one's destiny], it seems he is destined to become the foremost figure of the Verdant Generation [the current generation of cultivators within the Chen Clan, named for their shared 'Verdant' character]."

"Our Chen Clan's Verdant Generation, we have finally remedied the precarious situation of lacking capable successors."

Eternal Profound Chen spoke with heartfelt emotion, tears welling in the corners of his aged eyes.

In the past, the Verdant Generation of the Chen Clan could be said to have produced a multitude of talents. The Grand Elder, Verdant Void Chen; the Second Elder, Clear River Chen; the Third Elder, Lior Chen; the Fourth Elder, Verdant Destiny Chen; the Fifth Elder, Verdant Grace Chen; and the Sixth Elder, Verdant Bud Chen—all were individuals of unwavering Dao-heart [a cultivator's resolute will and spiritual foundation].

Furthermore, the Seventh Elder, Verdant Origin Chen, and Eldrin Chen's father, Verdant Brightness Chen, all possessed commendable natural aptitude.