Chapter 208 : A Glimpse Beyond the Veil

Time flowed like water, and the years slipped by like a shuttle.

Three years was not considered overly long for a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened the mystical energy center known as the Purple Mansion].

On this day, Eldrin Chen emerged from his cultivation seclusion. Mounting his sword, he departed from Spirit Lake Isle. With his current level of cultivation, flying at full speed, he traversed the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness in merely two days and arrived at Celestial Ruins Mountain.

After returning to Celestial Ruins Mountain, he met with Lyra Jiang within her Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a secluded cultivation dwelling built around a pool of concentrated spiritual energy].

Unlike usual, Lyra Jiang was dressed in a light gauze sleeping robe, clearly having just finished bathing.

She reclined on a soft couch, stretching lazily. Her graceful, Lyra-like figure was even more breathtakingly alluring.

Eldrin Chen watched, his mouth growing somewhat dry. He could only think how enticingly full her upper body was, her willow waist so slender it seemed he could encircle it with one hand, and the long, beautiful legs usually concealed by her robes were now an ultimate temptation.

He had always known her face was peerless, but he never imagined her figure would be even more perfect than he had supposed.

"Have you looked your fill?"

It was at this moment that Lyra Jiang spoke, her tone laced with meaningful amusement. Find this and other novels at audio-novel.com (official site).

Her mood was evidently excellent, and seeing him seemed to brighten it by another three parts.

Eldrin Chen looked up into her eyes. He saw the light dancing within those bright orbs; their usual intimidating intensity was gone, replaced instead by a hint of captivating allure.

Quickly suppressing the unseemly thoughts, Eldrin Chen changed the subject. "What of the results from mending the Spiritual Root [the innate conduit that determines one's aptitude for cultivation]?"

"My years of waiting were not in vain. The endeavor is a complete success."

A smile graced her brows and eyes as she pulled him closer. "You're a grown man. How can you be shyer than I am?"

Over the years, the feelings harbored in each other's hearts had long been an open secret, with only a thin veil of propriety left unpierced.

Now that Lyra Jiang had mended her Spiritual Root, the final step to forming a Great Luo Golden Core [the pinnacle grade of Golden Core formation, representing supreme foundation and potential] was within reach. Yet, having reached this point, she felt no urgency to immediately attempt the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one condenses their spiritual essence into a solid, enduring core] breakthrough.

Overwhelmed by joy, she decided she would delay no longer. She would seize this moment to lay bare her heart.

Eldrin Chen was not a man prone to indecision. Without hesitation, he finally drew the beauty into his embrace and, gazing upon her exquisite lips, leaned in for a kiss.

After a long while, the two calmed their racing hearts. They leaned against each other, quietly savoring the warmth and intimacy of the moment.

A cultivator's Primordial Yin and Primordial Yang [the fundamental feminine and masculine vital essences within a person, crucial for cultivation] are of paramount importance. At critical moments, they can greatly advance a cultivator's cultivation base and even increase the success rate of breaking through major realms. Naturally, the two of them had not taken that crucial step.

Lyra Jiang gazed at the peerlessly handsome man and couldn't help but smile faintly. "Speak. What is the matter for which you asked me not to attempt my Golden Core breakthrough immediately?"

Eldrin Chen's expression turned solemn, and he spoke directly with great gravity. "I possess a wisp of Primordial Essence [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] that can elevate a cultivator's innate foundation."

After hearing this, Lyra Jiang revealed a look of astonishment. "Elevate one's innate foundation? How could such a heaven-defying object exist?"

Eldrin Chen offered no further explanation. He opened his mouth and exhaled a wisp of Primordial Essence, guiding it to merge into Lyra Jiang's body.

Yet, after several breaths, that strand of Violet Qi [a rare and auspicious spiritual energy often associated with dawn and profound cultivation] circulated once within Lyra Jiang's body and then flew back out.

"How is this possible?"

The Primordial Essence was ineffective. Eldrin Chen's face registered shock; this was the first time he had ever encountered such a situation.

Lyra Jiang's brow furrowed slightly. After a long moment, she shook her head. "I believe I understand the reason."

"The Lunar Immortal Physique [a supreme innate constitution aligned with the moon and yin energies, granting exceptional talent] is among the pinnacle innate foundations within heaven and earth. Legend holds that even among true Immortals, this physique ranks at the very apex. I fear there is simply no higher level to reach."

"Perhaps."

Eldrin Chen nodded, understanding in his heart that even the Primordial Essence [the most fundamental and purest form of energy, the source of all creation] had its limits.

After all, it was merely a single wisp of Primordial Essence. He could refine one in ten years; it could not possibly possess effects that defied all limits.

Unless he could accumulate forty-nine wisps of Primordial Essence and condense them into a single strand of Primordial Essence Quintessence, perhaps *then* it might manifest more profound and potent wonders.

Seeing his disappointment, Lyra Jiang's eyes held a glimmer of amusement as she said, "Although this substance cannot elevate an Immortal Physique [a rare and powerful innate bodily constitution suited for cultivation], I sense it possesses the power to create all things and reverse the mundane to the primordial."

"A Great Luo Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core formation, representing supreme foundation and potential] is, in the end, still a creation of the mortal realm. Perhaps employing this wisp of Primordial Essence might yield astonishing and extraordinary results." Experience the full epic at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

"An Innate Great Luo Golden Core?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly, a flash of astonishment passing through them.

Although it was unknown whether a Great Luo Golden Core truly had distinctions of innate versus acquired, regardless, the Primordial Essence certainly would not bring any harm.

Deciding to act on the thought without delay, Lyra Jiang wasted no further time. She immediately entered the Spirit Pool [a pool concentrated with potent spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation breakthroughs] and began her assault on the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one condenses their spiritual power into a solid, enduring core] realm.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen stood guard by the Spirit Pool [a pool of water infused with concentrated spiritual energy], his expression grave as he began his protective vigil.

This time, Lyra Jiang's attempt to break through to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one condenses their spiritual essence into a solid, golden core] was undertaken with absolute confidence, bolstered by the presence of four Fourth Rank Lifebound Magical Treasure [powerful artifacts bonded to a cultivator's life force, growing with them].

Over the years, the feedback from her several Life-Bound Magical Treasure [artifacts permanently linked to a cultivator's soul and cultivation base] had refined her spiritual energy to such a degree of purity that it now rivaled seventy percent of that possessed by a true Golden Core cultivator.

Based on the sheer depth and purity of her spiritual energy alone, she already possessed a sixty to seventy percent chance of successfully forming her Golden Core. With the additional aid of the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform [a treasure platform that stabilizes spiritual energy and aids in profound breakthroughs], her success in condensing the core was virtually assured.

As she now surged towards the Golden Core realm, her vast reservoir of spiritual energy began to rapidly coalesce, converging relentlessly upon the nascent core forming within her dantian [the primary energy center in a cultivator's lower abdomen]. In mere hours, the embryonic form of the Golden Core took shape.

Her foundational accumulation was simply too profound. An ordinary cultivator would require at least a full month to complete this initial stage, yet she accomplished it through the sheer might of her spiritual sense and the density of her energy.

Upon completing this step, what remained was essentially a 'False Core' [an unstable, preliminary form of the Golden Core]. The final process merely required time to fully integrate her True Essence [the refined, potent spiritual energy cultivated through specific arts] into this form, thereby forging the true, stable Golden Core.

Yet, this final step presented the greatest trial for one's spiritual energy and spiritual sense. If the cultivator's energy reserves were insufficient, they would be utterly incapable of sustaining the process until the Golden Core was fully solidified.

And even with ample energy, if that energy lacked sufficient purity or if their spiritual sense was not powerful enough, failure at the very brink of success was a common, tragic outcome.

Lyra Jiang, with her abundant and exquisitely pure spiritual energy, coupled with her exceptionally powerful spiritual sense, naturally would not falter on this crucial threshold.

She continuously channeled her mana and spiritual sense into the Golden Core [the solidified essence of a cultivator's power, a crucial milestone in the cultivation journey], compelling it to spin and refine itself unceasingly. This process persisted for an entire month, finally allowing the Golden Core to undergo a qualitative transformation.

Once this final transformation was complete, the Golden Core would develop a self-sustaining force, voraciously drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to merge with it.

Seeing the spirit liquid in the pool diminish by nearly half in an instant as she absorbed it, Eldrin Chen hastily retrieved the vast quantity of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] he had prepared in advance and tossed them into the Spirit Pool.

He had to expend over three hundred thousand Spirit Stone before Lyra Jiang's Golden Core was finally sated.

"A Pure Yin Great Luo Golden Core [a supreme-grade Golden Core of pure Yin nature, representing the pinnacle of foundation for female cultivators]!"

As Lyra Jiang succeeded in solidifying her core, a Golden Core shimmering with five-colored immortal light emerged, faintly brimming with energy potent enough to shatter mountains and part seas.

In that very instant, Eldrin Chen exhaled a wisp of Primordial Qi [the most fundamental and purest form of energy, the source of all creation]. The Primordial Essence was drawn into Lyra Jiang's Golden Core, subtly coating it from within with a faint, primordial immortal radiance.

"It is done."

Lyra Jiang swallowed the Golden Core back into her dantian, a smile gracing her features.

She glanced at Eldrin Chen, but before she could speak, the rumble of thunder echoed between heaven and earth, forcing her to immediately suppress her thoughts and focus inward.

The immediate priority was to first survive the heavenly tribulation [a divine trial where cultivators face lightning strikes from the heavens as a test of their cultivation and resolve]. Original English translation available at audio‑novel.com.