Chapter 1112 : A Pact Forged in Ancient Roots

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly, a trace of hesitation surfacing. "With the Ancient Ancestor's cultivation level, surely you are capable of ensuring his safety?"

"Not exactly."

The Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. "In the past, that Six Paths Bamboo was seized by a Netherworld Great Power from the Netherworld Depths to refine into a Six Paths Reincarnation Pool [a mystical pool said to govern the cycle of rebirth]."

"Although this old man possesses cultivation at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a realm just shy of true Celestial Immortality], I could only manage to protect his bloodline essence."

"But now, my seventh Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by high-level cultivators] draws ever nearer. I require prolonged seclusion for cultivation and fear I will lack the strength to watch over him."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally nodded in understanding.

Seeing his assent, the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor smiled gratefully. "Then I must trouble you with this matter."

With those words, the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor summoned forth a small, verdant tree. Eldrin Chen focused his gaze and recognized it immediately as the very object of his journey—the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree.

The Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor's offering was indeed Valerius [extraordinary]. This Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree possessed a remarkable foundation; it was actually a rare specimen of a High Grade Immortal Root [a spiritual plant root of the highest quality, nearing immortal grade].

Handing the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree to Eldrin Chen, the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor finally spoke. "This Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree has not yet awakened sentience, unlike the Serene Child, yet it remains a rare and ancient tree." Published by audi0-n0vel.c0m. All rights reserved.

"This tree matures once every three Millennium [a period of one thousand years], each time producing three thousand Enlightenment Tea Leaves [leaves from a mystical tea tree that can enhance one's comprehension]. You may take three leaves each time to brew tea, which can greatly enhance one's comprehension."

"With frequent consumption, it may even allow one to enter an Epiphany State [a profound state of sudden spiritual insight and understanding]."

"Moreover, with this tree, even without drinking the Enlightenment Tea [tea brewed from leaves that enhance comprehension], merely cultivating beneath its boughs can increase your speed of Comprehending Laws [understanding the fundamental principles of the Dao] by several fold."

Speaking to this point, Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor shook his head and said, "Alas, for an old man like me, the efficacy of this tea has diminished considerably."

"Many thanks, Senior, for bestowing this treasure."

Eldrin Chen accepted the Enlightenment Tea Tree [a mystical tree whose leaves can induce states of profound insight], a look of genuine fondness gracing his features.

For a powerful existence like Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor, whose Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core of a cultivator] has begun to subtly resonate with the Heavenly Dao [the supreme, natural order of the cosmos], he exists in a perpetual state akin to Sudden Enlightenment [a flash of profound understanding]. Thus, an Immortal Rank High Grade [a high-level grade within the Immortal cultivation stage] Enlightenment Tea truly holds little benefit for him.

Yet Eldrin Chen's current cultivation is still at a lower stage. This Enlightenment Tea is more than sufficient to propel his path of cultivating the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles and rules that govern reality through the Dao] forward by leaps and bounds.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen promptly stored away the Enlightenment Tea. This journey had fulfilled his wishes.

Seeing this, Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor spoke, "Now that the formalities are complete, you may take your leave."

Because Purifying Bamboo [a sentient spiritual plant] held a unique status, and the enemy behind her was a Netherworld Great Power [a formidable being from the Netherworld] of the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of Heaven Immortals], the apprenticeship ceremony was conducted privately between only the three of them.

After accepting Purifying Bamboo as his third disciple, Eldrin Chen bid farewell to the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor [an ancient progenitor of myriad spirits] and set off for Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Nearly two centuries later, Eldrin Chen returned to the peak of Verdant Chariot Mountain, bringing with him the two Immortal Root [the foundational spiritual essence of an immortal plant].

Upon his return to Verdant Chariot Mountain, he immediately transplanted Purifying Bamboo and the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree [a tea tree that aids in spiritual enlightenment] upon the mountain summit. Only then did he inquire of Lyra Jiang, "During my absence, has there been any disturbance within the Crimson Dragon Sea?"

"Some years ago, the Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Emperor [the emperor of the crimson flame divine eagles] emerged from seclusion. I inflicted severe wounds upon him,"

Lyra Jiang stated calmly, retrieving from her sleeve a radiant treasure wheel shimmering with crimson firelight.

"The Blazing Fire Heaven-Destroying Wheel [a wheel-shaped treasure of devastating fiery power]," she said.

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

The Verdant Consort [the Verdant Consort] approached as well, offering a wry smile. "Qing'er was being mischievous. She slew two Pure-Blood Crimson Flame Divine Eagle [pure-blooded eagles of crimson flame], which consequently alerted that Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Emperor."

"That Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Emperor, his wounds not yet fully healed, sought to strike at Qing'er. We caught him utterly unprepared."

As the two of them recounted the tale in detail, Eldrin Chen finally understood the changes that had occurred in recent years.

Back in the Crimson Sun Earth Immortal Realm, the Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Emperor had been severely wounded by Eldrin Chen and even lost the Crimson Flame Divine Spear; his injuries had not fully healed even to this day.

Not long ago, after his direct bloodline descendant was slain, the Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Emperor, seeing Eldrin Chen depart, resolved to seek revenge. He never imagined the Chen Clan had grown so formidable.

Currently, the Chen Clan garrison boasted a full five Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality and ascended to a higher state of existence]: namely, Lyra Jiang, the Verdant Consort, the Separated Flame Phoenix, the Ancestor Black Tortoise, and the Master of the Drifting Snow Palace.

Among these five, the Separated Flame Phoenix, the Master of the Drifting Snow Palace, and the Ancestor Black Tortoise had only recently Ascended to Immortality [completed their tribulation and become true Immortals], yet they still represented a force not to be underestimated.

The Verdant Consort and Lyra Jiang had already broken through to the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm. Lyra Jiang alone possessed power rivaling the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm. Although the Verdant Consort could not match that late-stage might, she was still capable of suppressing two opponents at the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm. Continue reading this story at audio-novel . com.

The Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Emperor, believing that aside from Eldrin Chen, he had no match within Verdant Chariot Mountain, suffered a grievous setback the moment the battle commenced.

In that single clash, not only was his clan's Grand Elder slain, but even his clan's prized Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], the Blazing Flame Heaven-Destroying Wheel, was seized by Lyra Jiang using her Five-Colored Divine Radiance [a divine ability manifesting as a radiant light of five colors].

It could be said that after this battle, the Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Clan suffered near-crippling losses. Only two of their Immortal survived, grievously wounded, and for tens of thousands of years to come, they would likely pose little significant threat to Verdant Chariot Mountain.

"My lady's methods are truly masterful."

Eldrin Chen took the Blazing Flame Heaven-Destroying Wheel and examined it, a pleased expression spreading across his face. "Years ago, I seized his Crimson Flame Divine Spear," he remarked. "Now, he has lost this Blazing Flame Heaven-Destroying Wheel as well."

"That Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Emperor is now like a tiger with its fangs pulled," he continued. "He poses little threat to our Chen Clan."

Verdant Consort nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Indeed," she agreed. "The current Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Emperor is likely someone even I could handle."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of agreement and handed the Blazing Flame Heaven-Destroying Wheel back to Lyra Jiang. "If we tally it up," he said with a chuckle, "we have acquired quite a few treasures from the hands of the Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Lineage over the years."

"The Crimson Firmament Divine Thunder Mirror, the Fire Feather Immortal Robe, the Immortal-Scorching Gold Cauldron, the Crimson Flame Divine Spear, and now this Blazing Flame Heaven-Scorching Wheel," he listed. "One could almost call the Crimson Flame Divine Eagle Lineage our personal treasure-delivery service."

"Hehehe."

Verdant Consort let out a soft, musical laugh at his words, but her expression soon turned serious again. "Still, we must remain vigilant," she cautioned. "To prevent that wretch from making a desperate, cornered-beast strike in the coming years, we should assign people to keep watch."

"That is only prudent," Eldrin Chen agreed.

He nodded once more, then added with calm assurance, "Yet there is no need for undue worry. Now that I have returned, the safety of our children is assured."

With the mundane matters discussed, Eldrin Chen did not linger.

He gathered three thousand fresh leaves from the Enlightenment Tea Tree and personally delivered them to the secluded cultivation chambers of Yvonne the Violet Consort and Lila.

His arrival roused them from their deep meditation. Seeing the Enlightenment Tea he brought, they could not help but exclaim with joy, "Is this Immortal Grade Enlightenment Tea?"

"Yes."

Eldrin Chen nodded with a smile. "With the aid of this Immortal Grade Enlightenment Tea, when do you estimate you will be able to comprehend the Laws of the Dao?"

"At best, five hundred years," Lila mused after a moment's thought. "At worst, a full Millennium. That should be sufficient for success."

She had the Frost Soul Chilling Radiance Sword and her own Frost Soul Immortal Body as references. After years of secluded contemplation, she had already grasped the faintest embryonic form of the Laws of the Dao.

Previously, with the help of the Heavenly Heart Jade [a mystical jade that clarifies the mind and aids profound comprehension], they were confident they could comprehend the Laws of the Dao within ten thousand years.

Now, with the additional aid of the Enlightenment Tea, she was confident she could achieve enlightenment within a single Millennium.

Yvonne the Violet Consort lagged slightly behind. After a moment of contemplation, her eyes gleamed as she spoke. "If I had the Heavenly Heart Jade, I could succeed in as little as one Millennium, or at most two Millennium."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. "In that case, let Lila use the Heavenly Heart Jade first. Once she achieves Ascending to Immortality [the final breakthrough to become a true Immortal], it will be passed to you."

"Agreed."

Yvonne the Violet Consort nodded. Her remaining lifespan was still ample; a mere Millennium was but a short wait, and she could afford to be patient. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel*com.