Chapter 259 : Spiritual Awakening on Heavenly Abode

"Hmm…" [a low, resonant hum]

On this day, Eldrin Chen opened his eyes, suddenly finding his spiritual sense [a cultivator's extrasensory perception] clearer and more lucid than ever before.

Every minute detail within a radius of one hundred Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] was revealed to him; every rustle of grass, every stir of the wind, appeared vividly within the expanse of his mind.

"It is done."

After nearly eighteen years upon the Heavenly Abode Continent, his spirit-refining cultivation had finally undergone a metamorphosis, reaching a realm that rivaled the Golden Core stage [a major cultivation milestone where one condenses a golden spiritual core].

Following this breakthrough in spiritual sense, Eldrin Chen's control over his mana [cultivation energy] and, consequently, his combat prowess, had increased by a noticeable margin, marking significant progress.

"It is time to return."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly.

This journey to the Heavenly Abode Continent had not only fulfilled his original purpose but had also yielded immense gains.

He had even obtained preliminary clues regarding the enemies from his past, which was no small harvest in itself. Continue your cultivation journey at www . audio-novel.com.

Before his departure, he paused in contemplation, then decided to first visit Peach Blossom Mountain to bid farewell to several fellow Daoists [fellow cultivators on the same path].

After more than a decade apart, the trio's cultivation had advanced considerably. Having obtained a treasure, Qingyan the Immortal Maiden's power had surged, and she had now broken through to the Purple Mansion Fourth Layer [the fourth layer of the Purple Mansion cultivation stage].

Yu Qingyan's own cultivation had also progressed a step further, allowing her to step into the realm of the Purple Mansion Fifth Layer.

After their long separation, seeing him visit, Qingci the Recluse poured Eldrin Chen a cup of tea and spoke.

"I surmise your visit this time is surely to bid us farewell."

"Brother Qingci, your perception is keen."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and said, "The Chu Kingdom where I reside lies on the border of the Vast and Boundless Marsh. The Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion by monstrous beasts] is set to begin in just over thirty years."

"To prevent the pressure of the Beast Tide Calamity from becoming overwhelming, I must return to launch assaults into Demonic Tribe Territory [lands controlled by demonic tribes], to weaken the strength of the Demonic Tribe in advance."

"Assaulting a Demonic Beast Spirit Mountain [a spirit mountain occupied by demonic beasts]?"

Yu Qingyan's eyes gleamed slightly, and she could not help but ask, "Does that not mean that, should you prevail, you would gain an unclaimed Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy]?"

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded with a smile. "If the war results in a great victory, it is natural that we will acquire a number of Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation]."

Beside him, Qingci the Recluse smiled faintly, lifting his cup of fragrant tea. "I have long heard that Ji Continent holds considerable opportunities. Many Rogue Cultivator [cultivators not affiliated with any major clan or sect] venture there to slay Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that absorb spiritual energy, often hostile to humans] and seize their Spirit Mountain."

Eldrin Chen chuckled. "In Chu Kingdom, attacking Demonic Tribe [organized groups of demonic beasts or demonic cultivators] can expand one's territory. But in Heavenly Abode Continent, it's a different matter entirely."

Here, nearly every Spirit Mountain already has an owner. To obtain a Third Rank [a classification indicating a mid-level concentration of spiritual energy] Spirit Mountain, one must either expend a vast fortune in Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to nurture one, or wait for an existing Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a powerful cultivation family led by a Purple Mansion Realm expert] to decline and fall.

Thus, many Rogue Cultivator from Heavenly Abode Continent venture into harsh, perilous regions like the Heaven's Spine Mountains, seeking any chance to claim a Spirit Mountain of their own.

Others travel vast distances to places like the Vast and Boundless Marsh or the shores of the Eastern Sea Coast, launching assaults on demonic territories to seize their Spirit Mountain.

Meanwhile, Yu Qingyan's eyes gleamed with a sudden light as she fell into thoughtful contemplation.

She possessed no Spirit Mountain of her own in Heavenly Abode Continent. The Peach Blossom Mountain she currently borrowed was merely Third Rank Low Grade [the lowest tier within the Third Rank classification], its spiritual energy not particularly potent. Facing three cultivators at the Purple Mansion Mid to Late Stage [the middle to advanced stages of the Purple Mansion Realm] was beginning to stretch her resources thin.

Moreover, this Spirit Mountain was not truly hers. Long-term residence on a friend's mountain, no matter how generous, inevitably carried inconveniences.

And borrowing another's Spirit Mountain always came with a substantial fee. Although she had recently acquired a large sum of Spirit Stone, merely living off that wealth would see it dwindle. Without a stable source of spiritual energy and resources, her hopes of breaking through to the Golden Core [the realm where a cultivator condenses their spiritual power into a solidified golden core] would likely remain out of reach.

After pondering for a moment, she then asked, "I wish to go to Ji Continent to slay a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [a powerful monster equivalent to a Purple Mansion realm cultivator] and claim a Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy]. Do you think this is feasible?"

"Of course it is."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he smiled and said, "The Chu Kingdom wages war once every century, and currently, high-level cultivators are still far too scarce."

"If you were to go, I suspect our fellow Daoists in Chu Kingdom would be overjoyed."

"That's wonderful." Yu Qingyan quickly smiled and said, "I shall accompany you to Chu Kingdom."

Upon hearing this, Qingci the Recluse was actually somewhat tempted, for war also represents opportunity and resources. Access the full story on audio - novel . com.

However, in the end, he suppressed the thought. He had managed Peach Blossom Mountain for several centuries; the Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] and materials within the mountain were of immense value, and he could not bear to part with the home he had cherished for so many years.

On this day, Eldrin Chen and Yu Qingyan departed from Peach Blossom Mountain.

The two soared on their flying swords over Ghost-Wind Ridge [a ridge known for its eerie, spirit-laden winds], and this time, they encountered no large-scale flocks of Shadowwind Vulture [a type of demonic vulture that thrives in shadowy, windy places].

They journeyed across the Heaven's Spine Mountains, passed through Ji Nation and the Yan Kingdom, and finally arrived at the Chu Kingdom.

After returning to the Chu Kingdom, Yu Qingyan went to Spirit Source Mountain to settle temporarily, while Eldrin Chen made his way to Green Sun Mountain to find Lyra Jiang.

Nearly two decades had passed since his departure. The two spent several tender, lingering days together, finally easing the pangs of longing for Eldrin.

Within the Cultivation Cave, Lyra Jiang nestled close to him.

Eldrin Chen recounted the events of those years and then presented the inherited legacy of the Ethereal Void Sect [a sect known for its profound formations and alchemy] to Lyra Jiang.

After examining it, Lyra Jiang's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "The Ethereal Void Sect was a sect of heroes. To think it would meet such an end."

"That Astrael must not be spared in the future."

"Do not worry,"

Eldrin Chen replied calmly, drawing her into his embrace. "Even if he breaks through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent entity], I will seek him out to settle this karmic debt."

Having said this, he made a copy of the ancient texts and handed them to Lyra Jiang.

Lyra Jiang did not refuse; these treasures would be of significant use to her as well.

After gathering these ancient texts, she continued, "Regarding the Qin Clan, we must avoid alerting them prematurely. When we do strike, it must be a decisive, single blow to settle the matter."

"That is precisely my line of thinking."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. The power of a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan was far too formidable; utmost caution was required.

After recounting the events of these years, Lyra Jiang's expression turned grave. "I intend to launch a campaign to reclaim the lost territories of Yang Province. I wish to see if we can seize the opportunity to strike down the Verdant-Maned Lion King in a single, decisive blow."

"How do you plan to proceed?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. Slaying a Demon King would be an immensely difficult task.

After eighty years of development, the old lands of Scorching Sun Province were now inhabited by over one hundred thousand Demonic Beasts. To assault such a Demonic Tribe Territory would require mobilizing tens of thousands of cultivators at the very least.

An operation of such scale, requiring one or two years to muster forces, could not possibly be concealed from the Demonic Tribe.

Furthermore, the Verdant-Maned Lion King possessed both formidable strength and keen intelligence. Upon sensing danger, it would surely seek aid from the Earth Lion Demon King and, in all likelihood, prepare an escape route.

However, since Lyra Jiang had decided to act, she naturally had a strategy in mind. She explained, "To prevent the Verdant-Maned Lion King from fleeing, I plan to mobilize only elite forces at the Foundation Establishment realm and above for this battle. We must strive to achieve our objective with a single, overwhelming strike."

"If we can slay the Verdant-Maned Lion King, then the remaining Demonic Tribe forces will be of little concern," Eldrin Chen stated.

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Eliminating a single Golden Core Demon King [a demonic beast that has formed a Golden Core, a powerful condensed form of spiritual energy] would be more valuable than tens of thousands of Low-Rank Demonic Beasts.

There were only two Demon Kings [rulers of powerful demonic beast tribes] at Earth Lion Ridge. If the Verdant-Maned Lion King were removed, it was likely that Earth Lion Ridge would not dare to commit its full strength during the next Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] in thirty years. This would significantly increase the chances of the Three Provinces successfully weathering the calamity.

Conversely, if the Verdant-Maned Lion King were not slain, the Celestial Python Lake would inevitably fall under the control of a new Demon King. The story continues at audio-novel`com.