Chapter 315 : Forging the Mirror of Yin and Yang

Eldrin Chen spent two months' time, fusing the Void Gem [a rare gemstone containing the power of spatial void] into the Magnetic Treasure Mirror [a magical mirror that harnesses magnetic forces], greatly enhancing its power. He then infused it with Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth], allowing the mirror to advance to the Fourth Rank [the fourth tier of power for magical treasures].

"From this day forth, you shall be called the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void," Eldrin Chen murmured, gazing upon the newly forged treasure.

After integrating the Void Gem, the name 'Magnetic Treasure Mirror' no longer suited this mirror.

This mirror now contained the power of Yin-Yang Magnetic Power [the divine ability to manipulate opposing magnetic forces] and had absorbed the Void Gem, granting it the ability to draw powerful foes into its depths and suppress them. The name Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void was indeed most fitting.

In the sky, Tribulation Clouds [ominous clouds that gather to unleash heavenly trials] churned and roiled, unleashing another wave of Treasure Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a heavenly trial of lightning that tests and tempers newly forged magical treasures].

By now, Eldrin Chen was quite accustomed to the Treasure Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. Empowered by the Void Gem, the Treasure Mirror's might had increased tremendously, making it more than sufficient to face this trial.

As expected, overcoming this Treasure Heavenly Thunder Tribulation proved remarkably effortless.

The first bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a strike of tribulation lightning] was ground to nothingness by the mirror's Yin-Yang Magnetic Divine Radiance [a divine light that harnesses opposing magnetic forces]. The second bolt was drawn into the Magnetic Treasure Mirror and suppressed within. The final, most potent strike of Treasure Heavenly Thunder Tribulation crashed directly upon the mirror's surface, merely dimming its radiant glow by seventy or eighty percent.

"..."

A profound silence settled in the aftermath, broken only by the faint, residual hum of power emanating from the newly ascended treasure. Visit audio_novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

After completing the final enhancement of his Life-Bound Magical Treasure, Eldrin Chen once again settled into his customary cultivation routine.

Nearly eight or nine years slipped by in the blink of an eye. On this day, he emerged from his secluded cultivation and traveled via Sword Flight to Pingyang City.

A distance of six thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], which in the past would have required days of arduous travel, now took him merely the time for a single incense stick to burn [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen to thirty minutes]. This was thanks to his current mastery of Body and Sword Unification, allowing him to fly at his utmost speed.

Upon arriving at Pingyang City, he discovered that the Old Patriarch had already emerged from his Seclusion Chamber.

At this moment, the Old Patriarch's aura was flawless and perfectly harmonized. His Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners] felt vast and profoundly dense, clearly indicating he had reached the realm of Purple Mansion Great Perfection.

Seeing the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen couldn't contain his joy and said, "Your Mana is perfectly harmonized, Old Granduncle. Your breakthrough to the Golden Core realm [the stage where a cultivator condenses their spiritual energy into a solid, golden core] must be imminent, a matter of mere moments."

"It's not that simple."

Though a smile touched his lips, the Old Patriarch shook his head. "I know my own condition. The hope of breaking through to Golden Core in a single attempt is, I fear, exceedingly slim."

"You must still try."

Eldrin Chen offered a gentle smile and produced three Jade Box.

Old Granduncle [the venerable elder of the Chen Clan] opened the containers to glance inside, finding respectively a Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in forming a Golden Core], a Sub-Golden Core Pill [a high-grade pill refined from a powerful demon beast's core], and one Essence Blood Treasure Pill [a potent pill refined from the concentrated essence and blood of a powerful demon].

The Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in forming a Golden Core] naturally required no explanation. The Sub-Golden Core Pill [a high-grade pill refined from a powerful demon beast's core] had been refined from the Inner Core [the condensed life-force core of a demon beast] of the Verdant Lion Mastiff [a powerful lion-like demon hound]. The Essence Blood Treasure Pill [a potent pill refined from the concentrated essence and blood of a powerful demon] had been concocted from the refined flesh and blood of the Black Flood Dragon Demon King [a mighty draconic demon ruler].

Years ago, after obtaining the flesh of the Black Flood Dragon Demon King [a mighty draconic demon ruler], Lyra Jiang had refined it into this Essence Blood Treasure Pill [a potent pill refined from the concentrated essence and blood of a powerful demon]. It was a treasure for the Physical Body [the corporeal form and its strength] evolution of a Demon King [a ruler among demon beasts], capable of helping a cultivator supplement deficiencies in their Physical Body [the corporeal form and its strength].

Upon seeing it, Old Patriarch [the aged leader of the Chen Clan] immediately tried to return the Essence Blood Treasure Pill [a potent pill refined from the concentrated essence and blood of a powerful demon] to Eldrin Chen. "This pill can strengthen the Physical Body [the corporeal form and its strength]. It would be useful for you as well. You should keep it."

"This item is of little use to me now."

Eldrin Chen shook his head and firmly handed it back to Old Granduncle [the venerable elder of the Chen Clan].

Over the years, as the Five Thunders Body Tempering Grand Art [a supreme technique for forging the body with the power of five thunders] operated autonomously within him, Eldrin Chen's Physical Body [the corporeal form and its strength] had been steadily advancing.

Now, after more than a decade, the strength of his Physical Body [the corporeal form and its strength] was no weaker than that of a Golden Core Cultivator [a master who has condensed their spiritual power into a Golden Core]. The three treasures within him—Essence, Qi, and Spirit [the foundational trinity of a cultivator's being: physical essence, vital energy, and primordial spirit]—had all reached a staggering level.

In contrast, although Old Granduncle [the venerable elder of the Chen Clan] cultivated the Ethereal Void Body Tempering Art [an art for refining the body towards an ethereal state], he had only practiced it for a few decades. The strength of his Physical Body [the corporeal form and its strength] remained comparatively weaker.

"Very well."

Hearing this, Thalion Chen put away the Essence Blood Treasure Pill and the Golden Core Formation Pill [a rare and potent elixir that aids in the formation of a cultivator's Golden Core].

He did not touch the Sub-Golden Core Pill [a pill that assists cultivators in forming a preliminary, 'False' Golden Core], however. Instead, he carefully stored it within a Jade Box [a container made of spirit-jade, often used to preserve delicate spiritual items] and said with a smile,

"Breaking through to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden-hued core] is an immensely difficult task. I am not a prodigy of transcendent talent and do not expect to succeed on my first attempt."

"To avoid waste, this Sub-Golden Core Pill should be saved for the next attempt. At that time, with the False Core Realm [a pseudo-realm achieved after a failed Golden Core breakthrough, where a cultivator forms a flawed, 'False' core] as my foundation, supplemented by both the Sub-Golden Core Pill and the Golden Core Formation Pill, I will have a measure of confidence."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen agreed with this assessment. The Old Patriarch had not broken through to Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] and Purple Mansion [the third major realm, where one opens a spiritual palace within their dantian] through his own efforts alone. His Mana [the refined spiritual energy wielded by cultivators] and foundational roots were ultimately somewhat shallow. Visit http://www . audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

Although various later-stage methods like the White Metal Star Pearl [a magical treasure] and the Creation Green Essence Pill [a spiritual pill] had compensated for some deficiencies in his Deep-Seated Foundation [the fundamental spiritual and physical constitution of a cultivator], attempting to assail the Golden Core in a single attempt was indeed challenging.

It was far better to proceed steadily and surely. After successfully condensing a False Core this time, he could use the Sub-Golden Core Pill during his next attempt to increase his chances by another ten percent. His confidence for a true breakthrough into the Golden Core Realm would then be significantly greater.

"Old Granduncle, please proceed with your secluded cultivation in peace. I shall stand guard for you."

"Good. I shall trouble you during this time."

Thalion Chen took the Pill and proceeded directly into the Spirit Pool to enter seclusion and attempt a breakthrough in his cultivation.

After beginning his seclusion, he spent the first three months refining the Essence Blood Treasure Pill. Once his Physical Body had reached perfection, he consumed the Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in forming the Golden Core] and began his assault on the Golden Core Realm.

A total of half a year passed before the Old Patriarch emerged from the Seclusion Chamber.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen, shook his head with regret, and said, "As I anticipated, I failed to break through to the Golden Core Realm this time."

Seeing the Old Patriarch's dejection, Eldrin Chen offered a comforting smile. "Do not be disheartened, Old Granduncle. Stopping at the False Core Realm was expected. I still possess another Golden Core Formation Pill, and in thirty years, you will have a fifty to sixty percent chance of achieving Core Formation."

"Mm."

A faint smile touched the Old Patriarch's lips as he stroked his beard. "Although I did not break through to Golden Core, the False Core I forged is exceptionally dense and refined. My Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by a practitioner] has increased by more than seventy percent."

"Truly?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes lit up. When Xavier Xu and Qingmei Fang had broken through to the False Core Realm, their Mana had only increased by fifty percent.

Now, the Old Patriarch's Mana had grown by seventy percent. The density of his False Core ranked among the stronger ones within the False Core Cultivator realm. From this perspective, his hopes for a future breakthrough to Golden Core were likely not insignificant.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen said excitedly, "It seems Magnus the Virtuous spoke truly. The effects of the Creation Green Essence Pill [a legendary pill that refines and enhances a cultivator's foundational essence] are indeed significant."

"Not only the Creation Green Essence Pill, but the Demon KingEssence Blood Treasure Pill [a potent pill refined from the vital essence and blood of powerful demonic beasts] and the White Metal Star Pearl also have their uses."

Old Patriarch said with a smile, informing Eldrin Chen that the White Metal Star Pearl [a mystical pearl that aids in refining and condensing spiritual power] was as effective as three Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them] in tempering his Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's dantian]. Its effect was extraordinary. Coupled with his supreme-grade Lifebound Immortal SwordGolden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword, it had allowed him to mend part of his foundational shortcomings.

As the two were conversing, Lior Chen walked in from outside. Seeing them, he said joyfully, "A message came via the World's-End Sound-Transmission Mirror [a magical mirror capable of transmitting sound over vast distances] from Heaven's Ruin Lake. Elara Lin is in the midst of her breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm [the realm where a cultivator condenses their spiritual energy into a solid, golden core] and has invited us to witness the ceremony."

"Oh."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. Since they were being invited to observe the ceremony, it most likely meant she had already passed the most critical juncture of the breakthrough and was now in the process of converting her Mana.

Thinking this, he said to the Old Patriarch with a smile, "It seems she has succeeded this time."

The Old Patriarch shook his head, smiling wryly. "A False Core Cultivator [a cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm, on the verge of forming a Golden Core] with an Anomalous Spiritual Root [a rare and powerful innate aptitude for cultivation] already has a fifty percent chance of breaking through to Golden Core."

"On top of that, she had the assistance of a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that significantly increases the success rate of forming a Golden Core] and has also taken a Creation Green Essence Pill. If even she were to fail, then this old man likely need not even dream of breaking through to the Golden Core Realm in this lifetime."

As they conversed, they employed Sword Flight [the ability to ride a sword through the air] to travel to Green Sun Mountain, then used a Teleportation Formation [a magical array that instantly transports users between fixed points] to arrive at Heaven's Ruin Lake. Access the full story on audio-novel . com.