Chapter 188 : The Weight of Missed Destiny

In ancient legends, Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and attained supreme power] stood aloft and unreachable. Even at a tremendous cost, they possessed the power to alter the very threads of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth that governs mortal fate] and reshape one's destined fate. Yet, he was ultimately not an Immortal. He lacked the heaven-defying ability to overturn destiny with a turn of his palm or to reforge the cosmos with a clench of his fist.

"..."

Eldrin Chen emerged from his residence, his expression a placid mask that revealed nothing.

Before the estate, a figure with hair as white as snow stood in silent vigil. This was the Fourth Elder, Verdant Destiny Chen. His gaze settled on Eldrin Chen as he spoke in a measured tone.

"He has departed?"

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. As he looked upon the figure before him, an inexplicable tremor passed through his heart once more.

Verdant Destiny Chen was now one hundred and one years old. The sands of time left for him to walk this earth were dwindling.

In truth, compared to the Grand Elder, the regrets that shadowed Verdant Destiny Chen's life ran deeper. Before reaching sixty, the clan had obtained a single Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that allows a Qi Refining cultivator to attempt a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment realm]. Yet, he lost the contest for it to Verdant Bud Chen. Later, precisely at the age of sixty-one, when his Vitality [the foundational life force and vigor of a cultivator] had begun its inevitable decline, the clan fortuitously acquired two Foundation Establishment Pill at once. And he, by cruel twist of fate, missed that pivotal opportunity.

Lior Chen and Verdant Grace Chen, who were of similar age to him, had both successfully broken through to the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one builds a solid spiritual foundation] realm in one fell swoop. They had even reached the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. There was now a glimmer of hope for them to one day break through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major stage of cultivation, where one opens the mystical Violet Palace within the dantian] realm. Continue reading this story at audio-novel.com.

Such a vast disparity was likely the greatest regret of Verdant Destiny Chen's life.

Verdant Destiny Chen sat quietly before his residence, his expression serene as he gazed with Eldrin Chen towards the distant sea of clouds. He spoke calmly.

"In my youth, I was hot-tempered. Back when Verdant Bud failed his Foundation Establishment breakthrough and still insisted on gambling everything on a second, desperate attempt…"

"At the time, I thought he was shirking his responsibilities. I looked down on his suicidal behavior."

"But it was only as the years passed and I grew older that I gradually came to understand Verdant Bud's perspective."

He shook his head, a look of serene acceptance spreading across his face.

Eldrin Chen glanced at him, noticing that the impatience of his youth had long since faded, replaced by a profound sense of peace.

"A single lifetime is filled with countless regrets."

"We are all like fish struggling against the current, living within the Long River [a metaphorical river representing the relentless flow of time and fate] of this world. We can only be swept along by its tides, fighting desperately to swim upstream, only to be ultimately submerged within the Long River of time itself."

"Only a rare few, like yourself, can ceaselessly strive across the waters, transcend the boundaries of life and death, and grasp that sliver of a chance to become an immortal deity, thereby breaking free from the shackles of time and achieving Immortality within the River of Space-Time."

Verdant Destiny Chen spoke, his expression calm yet tinged with a hint of self-mockery.

It was a form of resignation, a compromise. He lacked the power to alter his own Destiny [the predetermined course of one's life and cultivation journey], and could only yield to time, accepting that he would face Death [the final end of mortal existence], quietly awaiting the slow exhaustion of his lifespan.

Without achieving immortality, what did it matter even if one were a peerlessly brilliant Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a supreme master whose spirit has reached its primordial origin]? In the end, they could not transcend; they would ultimately be reduced to mere handfuls of yellow earth.

He smiled faintly, looking at Eldrin Chen and said, "Your lifelong struggle is like a fish leaping endlessly within the Long River [a metaphorical river representing the flow of time and fate], constantly growing stronger and transforming itself, all for the day it might evolve into a True Dragon [a legendary, supreme dragon symbolizing ultimate power and transcendence] and break free."

"But even for someone as extraordinary as you, there will always be things beyond your reach."

"A day will come when you too will watch those you love, and those who love you, walk one by one towards Death."

"You place too much weight on sentiment. This is the driving obsession of your cultivation, but it could also transform into a tribulation within your heart, perhaps even becoming your Inner Demon [a manifestation of one's deepest fears, doubts, or emotional attachments that can hinder or corrupt cultivation]."

"I hope you can understand this truth: some matters must be viewed with detachment. Do not become too deeply entangled. An excess of sentimentality may ultimately harm you."

Listening silently to his words, Eldrin Chen remained quiet, offering no reply.

He stood in serene stillness upon the mountain peak, watching the sea of clouds churn and surge between heaven and earth, remaining motionless for a long, long time.

After an unknowable length of time, he glanced sideways at Verdant Destiny Chen and spoke with calm finality, "Whether something can be done or not, one only truly knows after attempting it."

"As for sentiment—be it obsession or an Inner Demon [a manifestation of one's deepest fears and flaws that can hinder cultivation]—I, Eldrin Chen, shall bear the burden alone."

"One day, when I am strong enough, then…"

"…then might the deepest reaches of the Nine Nether Abysses [the profound and shadowy underworld] permit my entry to seek someone?"

Verdant Destiny Chen was visibly moved, finally understanding that Eldrin Chen's conviction was unshakable. The measure within his heart was the Cosmos [the entirety of existence, the universe itself]; he did not accept the path of evading Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect, where actions have spiritual consequences] or severing ties to avoid tribulation.

His nature was sharp and resolute, unafraid to shoulder responsibility and Karma. Beneath his tranquil exterior lay an ambition vast enough to devour the Cosmos. Visit http://www . audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

Yet, how immensely difficult was such a path to tread? Even those who painstakingly severed Karma to cultivate found it exceedingly rare to ascend to immortality. How much more so for one like him, who did not fear the weight of Karma accumulating upon him?

Gazing at his tall, straight-backed figure, his robes white as snow, Verdant Destiny Chen felt a profound and nameless stirring in his heart, and a phrase of description came to mind.

Peerless immortal grace, a spirit as refined and flawless as jade.

"..."

By the time he emerged from the Hinter Peaks, the celebratory banquet was nearly ready to begin. The major Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan had all arrived, with their Violet Sanctum Cultivator present to offer their congratulations.

From Yu County's Pan Immortal Clan, the representative was naturally the Violet Sanctum 4th Tier cultivator Percival Pan.

The Xu Clan from Feng County sent Path Abyss Xu, whose cultivation had surprisingly broken through to the Violet Sanctum 4th Tier.

During the Beast Tide six or seven years prior, the Shyu Clan had reaped immense gains. Leveraging these spoils, they had elevated their Path-Field's Spiritual Vein to the mid-grade of the third rank.

Furthermore, they had expended two precious treasures to purchase two Cloud Vein Creation Pill for Path Abyss Xu. Relying on these two pills, Path Abyss Xu had broken through to the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage in one fell swoop.

It was said that Xavier Xu's cultivation had also advanced a step further, reaching the sixth tier of the Violet Sanctum. With over a century of lifespan remaining, if he wasn't bottlenecked at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage for too long, he might still have a twenty to thirty percent chance of breaking through to Golden Core in the future.

Finally, from the Yang Clan of Ling County, the representative was Yang Yuanhe. The Yang Clan patriarch had suffered a grievous injury years ago and had not yet recovered, meaning the clan's strength had significantly diminished.

However, six years ago at the Chu Nation Barter Convention, Yang Yuanhe had acquired a metal-attributed Violet Sanctum cultivation art. His cultivation had finally progressed, reaching the strength of the Violet Sanctum 2nd Tier.

At the banquet, over a dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Chen Clan separately hosted fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators who had come from various regions across the Border Province.

The Old Patriarch was seated at a table with several Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the Violet Sanctum realm]. When Eldrin Chen arrived, Path Abyss Xu smiled and spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Chen [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], you are the host of this land. How is it you arrive so late today?"

"A few matters delayed me. My apologies for keeping you all waiting."

Eldrin Chen stepped forward, raised a cup of wine, and said with a smile, "I shall punish myself with this cup as an apology to all of you."

Aside from Percival Pan, everyone present were comrades who had fought side-by-side during the Beast Tide [a massive invasion of demonic beasts], and they were all fellow cultivators from the Border Province. Naturally, a sense of camaraderie existed among them.

In truth, everyone held a measure of awe for Eldrin Chen. Though Eternal Profound Chen was the clan leader of the Chen Clan, the cultivators of Chu Nation understood that Eldrin Chen's methods were even more thunderous. Knowing he had broken through to the Violet Sanctum [a major cultivation stage], even Violet Sanctum Late Stage [cultivators at the late stage of the Violet Sanctum realm] had to regard him with heightened respect.

After several rounds of wine, Eldrin Chen set down his cup and spoke with a gentle smile.

"Friends, to speak plainly, the reason for this banquet today is to discuss the distribution of interests within the Border Province." Official source: audio–novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.