Chapter 195 : Forging the Elemental Legacy

Therefore, within the clan's Purple Mansion Cultivation Art [a high-level cultivation technique for the Purple Mansion Realm], the only one truly suitable for cultivation was the Solar Separated Flame Scripture [a scripture focusing on the power of solar and separated flames].

The remaining four cultivation arts, corresponding to the Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth elements, could only be practiced up to the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer [the ninth and final layer of the Foundation Establishment stage]. However, with the recent acquisition of the Wood-Fire dual-attribute Verdant Wood True Flame Art [an art that harmonizes verdant wood energy with true flame], the clan now possessed Purple Mansion Cultivation Art [high-level cultivation techniques] for two of the five elemental attributes.

Among the remaining three elemental arts, the Metal-attribute technique was the Metal-Fire dual-attribute Blazing Sun Void-Treading Art [an art for treading the void with blazing solar power], and the Water-attribute one was the Bright Abyss Dao Marsh Art [an art drawing power from the bright abyss and marsh of the Dao].

The Earth-attribute art was also incomplete, but fortunately, they had now obtained the Earth-Fortress Sovereign Art [a sovereign art of the unyielding earth-fortress], which filled this particular gap.

Of course, this was merely a temporary state. As a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a clan with cultivators capable of reaching the Purple Mansion Realm], the Chen Clan would eventually need to complete cultivation arts for all five elemental attributes, elevating them all to the Purple Mansion [the realm of the Purple Mansion, a major stage in cultivation] level.

In truth, Eldrin Chen himself could theoretically deduce and evolve the other elemental arts to the Purple Mansion Realm [the cultivation stage of the Purple Mansion]. However, such an endeavor would consume an immense amount of his energy and focus.

His exposure to different cultivation arts was not vast. Given his current cultivation base and depth of experience, attempting to deduce a single art to the Purple Mansion Realm without a sudden enlightenment would likely require over a decade of dedicated effort.

And that was just for reaching the Purple Mansion First Layer [the first layer of the Purple Mansion Realm]. To refine an art to its Purple Palace, Late Stage [the advanced stages of the Purple Mansion Realm] would probably demand several more decades of arduous work.

Now was not the time for such pursuits. Once his own cultivation had progressed further and he had advanced the Solar Separated Flame Scripture to a certain level, revisiting the creation of the other four elemental arts would yield far greater results with significantly less effort.

The clan assembly continued for two full days, with Lior Chen primarily reporting on the various affairs he had managed in recent years. The story continues at audio-novel . com.

In addition, there were various accumulated matters of moderate importance, not particularly easy to handle, along with plans for the coming years, which also needed to be decided upon by the assembly during this opportunity.

It was not until two days later, when the clan assembly concluded, that Eldrin Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief and flew back overnight to Spirit Isle Lake.

Six years later, at Dark Iron Mountain's Metallic Essence Earth Vein.

The Sword-Cleansing Pool [a mystical pool used to temper and purify spiritual swords] shimmered with rippling light, within which a faint azure radiance seemed to drift and float.

Eldrin Chen sat cross-legged before the Sword-Cleansing Pool, his eyes lowered in quiet cultivation, when suddenly, he opened them.

"*Clang!*"

A clear sword cry rang out. Instantly, the Sword-Cleansing Pool trembled slightly. A deep azure sword aura [a solidified manifestation of sword intent and energy] shot into the sky, swirling and dancing amidst the heavens. The sword aura measured over sixty Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] in length.

Eldrin Chen rose to his feet. Gazing at the azure sword aura circling the firmament, a subtle light flickered in his eyes.

"Three years of sword-cleansing, and it is finally complete."

"Return."

As his words faded, the sword aura transformed into a cascade of azure radiance that showered down, vanishing into Eldrin Chen's body.

Eldrin Chen closed his eyes, sensing the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [his lifebound immortal sword] within him, his expression as calm and placid as still water.

For six years, he had often secluded himself in the Sword-Cleansing Pool [a mystical pool used to refine and purify spiritual swords]. For the first three years, while the Great Metallic Immortal Sword was being tempered within the pool, he only visited occasionally.

Three years ago, after the Great Metallic Immortal Sword was successfully refined, its power reached the ranks of a top-tier Third Rank Immortal Sword. Consequently, Eldrin Chen then placed the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss into the pool.

With his Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personally bonded and most powerful weapon] at the Metallic Essence Earth Vein, he spent the majority of his time at the Mysterious Iron Mountain Dao Field. He only returned to Spirit Isle Lake every few days.

Fortunately, Lila was growing older, and the clever, sensible girl no longer required his constant guidance and instruction.

Now, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, having been fused with superior-grade Western Pole Metallic Essence and tempered for three years within the Sword-Cleansing Pool, had seen its power surge dramatically.

A Lifebound Immortal Sword's potency is greatly amplified in its master's hand. In Eldrin Chen's grasp, this sword's unleashed might was now sufficient to approach that of a Third Rank High Grade magical treasure.

"Word recently arrived from Celestial Ruins Mountain. It seems preparations are being made to move against Celestial Python Lake," he murmured.

"I shall return to Spirit Isle Lake first."

A flicker of resolve stirred within Eldrin Chen. He summoned his sword and soared from the Mysterious Iron Mountain Vein.

The Mysterious Iron Mountain Dao Field lay merely ten thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Spirit Isle Lake. Fortunately, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss was swift beyond measure, cleaving through the skies to reach the lake's shores in the span of a few Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours].

"Uncle!"

The moment his feet touched the soil of Spirit Isle Lake, a voice, brimming with delight, called out to Eldrin Chen.

Lila rushed forward, her face alight with joy. She clasped his arm, her words tumbling out. "You've been gone for three whole months."

"The sword's tempering was nearing completion; it demanded my full attention," Eldrin Chen replied, a gentle smile gracing his features. It was then he noticed Lila had reached the pinnacle of the Qi Refinement [the foundational stage where cultivators refine the vital energy within their bodies] realm. Dive deeper into the Dao at (audio-novel.com).

Lila had begun her cultivation journey under his guidance at the tender age of seven. Now, over a decade had slipped by in the blink of an eye. The once grimy little street urchin had blossomed into a young woman of twenty, her features now refined and lovely.

Though Eldrin Chen presented a stern and formidable front to the outside world, in Lila's eyes, he was the epitome of gentleness. Raised from childhood by him and Silas, her bond with him was one of deep, familial closeness.

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a hopeful smile. "Uncle, now that the sword is finally ready, will you stay with us a while longer this time?"

"Silly child."

Eldrin Chen chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "In a few days, I must journey forth. Upon my return, I shall bring you a Foundation Establishment Pill [a miraculous pill that aids in solidifying one's cultivation foundation], and then you too shall be able to Foundation Establishment [the crucial second major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified]."

Lila seemed on the verge of saying something more, but instead offered a gentle smile. "That would be wonderful."

After returning to Lake Heart Island, he summoned Silas Chen alone. "My journey to Celestial Ruins Mountain is to wage war against the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for monstrous, intelligent beasts that cultivate and form societies]. You must guard Spirit Isle Lake well in my stead and take good care of Lila for me."

Silas Chen's expression turned grave, his voice earnest. "Do not worry, Uncle. I will care for Lila, and I swear to defend Spirit Isle Lake with my life."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod and turned to leave.

Yet, a subtle flicker in his brow made him pause. He realized Silas Chen had, at some unnoticed moment, grasped the sleeve of his robe.

"What is it? Is there something more you wish to say?"

"No, it's nothing," Silas Chen quickly released the sleeve, a hint of fluster coloring his face. "It's just... this campaign will take you deep into the Demonic Tribe Territory to face a Demon King [a ruler among demonic beasts, possessing immense power]. The danger will be extreme."

"The Chen Clan... it cannot afford to lose you now. Please, do not act recklessly. Your own safety must come first."

"There is no need for concern. I understand."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, then ultimately rode his sword on a flight of azure radiance towards Pingyang City.

Watching the cerulean sword aura streak away, Lila stood by the lakeshore, her gaze fixed on the fading light at the horizon's edge.

"Why did you not tell him of your intention to attempt Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a perilous method of advancing one's cultivation realm without external aids]?" Silas Chen approached, his gaze steady upon Lila. "Is it because his journey will take him to wage war across hundreds of thousands of Li-lengths within the Demonic Tribe Territory, and you did not wish to burden him with worry?"

Silas Chen observed Lila, and only then realized how, imperceptibly, she had matured into a celestial maiden of peerless grace and jade-like bone structure—a true pinnacle talent.

Lila's expression remained placid as still water. "An Anomalous Spiritual Root [a rare and superior type of spiritual affinity] is different from an ordinary cultivator," she stated, neither confirming nor denying. "We are born with a fifty percent chance of success in reaching the Foundation Establishment realm [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation]."

"With the aid of an Essence Gathering Pill [a pill that concentrates spiritual energy to aid in breakthroughs], my odds of a successful breakthrough exceed sixty percent."

"Sixty percent odds—success or death. That is still perilously risky." Silas Chen's expression turned grave, his eyes somber. "You could wait for a Foundation Establishment Pill [a legendary pill that guarantees success in reaching the Foundation Establishment realm]. If the clan ever obtains one, you would undoubtedly be the first choice to receive it."

"A Foundation Establishment Pill..."

Lila shook her head gently, her tone serene. "Do you recall what Uncle once taught us regarding the doctrine of the Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of the Golden Core realm, representing the pinnacle of potential for future cultivation]?"

"To tread the path to the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core] realm without relying on any external aids," Silas Chen nodded, his expression solemn. "It is said that even Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a master of the Dao who has reached the Nascent Soul realm], and indeed the vast majority of Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator [powerful cultivators at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm], have achieved their breakthrough through such means."

"Yet that path is far too arduous," he added, a note of profound respect and caution in his voice. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel`com.