Chapter 347 : A Golden Core Alliance Forged

Seeing him agree, the crowd was overjoyed. Merging into the Chu Kingdom Chen Clan meant that from now on, the Ink Mysterious Mountain would be a Golden Core Immortal Clan, a status vastly different from before.

Once the merger of the Chen Clan was confirmed, the Ink Mysterious Mountain decided to dispatch a group of cultivators to the Chu Kingdom.

However, as the journey to the Chu Kingdom was long and arduous—even for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to return would take one or two years—those selected to go were meticulously chosen.

Eldrin Chen stayed at the Ink Mysterious Mountain for half a month. The Chen Immortal Clan selected nearly three hundred cultivators, mostly talented youths of the younger generation, including Chen Lucian and Chen Selene.

Eldrin Chen was quite satisfied with this group. Many among them possessed the potential for Foundation Establishment, representing a significant portion of the Ink Mysterious Mountain's rising talents. With proper nurturing, they could help alleviate some of the Chen Clan's manpower shortage.

After handling these matters, he did not linger. That very day, he activated the Green Sun Treasure Boat and departed the Qi Kingdom with the three hundred cultivators.

After a mere dozen or so days, Eldrin Chen returned to the Chu Kingdom. He handed the group over to Lior Chen for disposition and then returned to the Spirit Isle Lake.

"Did your journey to the Qi Kingdom proceed smoothly?"

Upon his return, Lyra Jiang brewed a pot of Peach Blossom Wine for him, inquiring about the trip's details as she warmed the wine.

Eldrin Chen recounted the events to Lyra Jiang. After listening, she nodded slightly and said with a smile, "That Mo the True Person seems to have decent character. It appears he is a reliable person." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio . novel . com.

"You made a rational choice by not completely severing ties with him."

Eldrin Chen nodded, speaking calmly, "That man possesses extraordinary strength, having forged a Middle Golden Core [a mid-grade golden core, the solidified essence of a cultivator's power]. If he truly fled for his life, I might not be able to slay him. Moreover, he is not far from the Golden Core, Late Stage."

"I see."

Lyra Jiang's eyes flickered slightly. If he reached the Golden Core, Late Stage at just over six hundred years old, he could likely cultivate to Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Golden Core Realm] by his seven hundreds.

A cultivator with a Middle Golden Core, aided by Longevity Pill [pills that extend a cultivator's lifespan], would likely have three opportunities to attempt a breakthrough to Nascent Soul [the realm where one forms an independent spiritual entity]. In the future, he might even have a twenty to thirty percent chance of successfully entering the Nascent Soul realm.

"It seems that once Ancestor Mo breaks through to the Golden Core, Late Stage, his strength could rank within the top five among all Golden Core cultivators in the Ji Continent."

Eldrin Chen stated plainly. Of course, this 'top five' ranking did not include individuals like himself and Lyra Jiang, who possessed the Great Luo Golden Core [the supreme, most perfect grade of Golden Core formation].

After all, with the stature of a Great Luo Golden Core, their combat prowess was nearly peerless within the same realm.

In truth, even across the entire Purple Realm, those who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them at the same cultivation level likely numbered no more than three or five.

Such individuals were seeds of the Nascent Soul realm, their future potential immeasurable. They were destined to become, at the very least, powerful True Lord [an honorific title for high-ranking cultivators] of the Nascent Soul Late Stage.

It was precisely because of this that Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang had journeyed to this day, finding virtually no rivals among their peers.

In their eyes, ninety percent of Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the third major stage of cultivation] were ordinary; only one in ten who had forged a Middle Golden Core [a Golden Core of middling quality and potential] might earn a slightly higher regard, yet it was merely a glance of mild acknowledgment.

Those who truly commanded their respect were solely the heaven-favored prodigies who had succeeded in forging a Superior Golden Core [a Golden Core of the highest grade, granting immense power and future potential].

However, achieving a Superior Golden Core was an endeavor of immense difficulty. Such individuals were destined, more often than not, to become the Clan Lord [the supreme leader] of a top-tier Immortal Clan [a clan with a lineage of powerful cultivators], possessing strength that ranked among the formidable even within clans led by a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has ascended to the Nascent Soul realm, the fourth major stage].

Do not be misled by the fact that the Ji Clan possessed several Nascent Soul True Lord; one must consider their immense lifespan.

Given the longevity of a Nascent Soul True Lord, even if several generations of Golden Core Cultivator within Ji Continent were to come and go, these True Lords would still be alive and well.

Currently, Ji Continent had close to fifty Golden Core cultivators. Yet, after a millennium of bitter struggle and striving, it was exceedingly rare for even one or two among them to break through to become a Nascent Soul True Lord. The Nascent Soul True Lord of the Ji Clan had been accumulated step by step over the course of several thousand years.

Throughout those millennia, the number of Golden Core True Person [an honorific title for a Golden Core cultivator] who rose to prominence within Ji Continent was beyond count. Among them were no shortage of dazzlingly talented individuals. Generation after generation of Golden Core Cultivator took the stage as others departed, their total number likely reaching into the hundreds.

Out of so many Golden Core Cultivator, how many could ultimately ascend to become a Nascent Soul True Lord?

The fundamental reasons, apart from the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, continent-wide calamity involving demonic invasions] and Beast Tide Calamity [massive, destructive invasions by demonic beasts], were that the majority of Golden Core True Person simply lacked sufficient strength. They were merely ordinary Golden Core cultivators, unable to distinguish themselves and rise above the rest.

Across the heavens, ninety percent of Golden Core Cultivator [practitioners who have condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core] possess an Inferior Golden Core [a Golden Core of the lowest quality and potential]. Even with the aid of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in the formation of a Nascent Soul], only one or two in ten of such cultivators can successfully break through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where one's spirit forms an independent, immortal entity]. This foundational disparity alone winnows down hundreds of Golden Core Cultivator to a mere few dozen.

And it is only those few dozen who possess the true qualification to assail the gates of the Nascent Soul realm.

Throughout his journey, Eldrin Chen had seldom encountered cultivators of truly exceptional, heaven-defying talent. The fundamental reason was simply that such prodigies were exceedingly rare.

Individuals of that caliber were either not yet born into this era or had long since ascended to become lofty Nascent Soul True Lord [a title for powerful Nascent Soul realm masters], or even Peerless Dao Lord [a supreme title for the most formidable Nascent Soul experts who stand unchallenged]. How could one expect to encounter them easily within the confines of a minor kingdom?

Setting these thoughts aside, Eldrin Chen said with a faint smile, "Although Mo the True Person possesses a somewhat Deep-Seated Foundation [a cultivation foundation that is exceptionally solid and profound], he has merely formed a Middle Golden Core [a Golden Core of middling quality and potential]. There is no need to pay him excessive attention."

"However, during my time at Ink Mysterious Mountain, I obtained a Sun-Returning Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit known for its potent life-restoring and yang-empowering properties]. It is one of the primary ingredients for refining both the Longevity Pill [a pill that extends the lifespan of a cultivator] and the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill [a pill that restores vital yang energy and dispels cultivation calamities or tribulation-related injuries]." Find thousands of chapters at audio—novel.com.

Looking at the Sun-Returning Fruit he produced, Lyra Jiang couldn't help but laugh. "This herb is quite rare. Generally, it represents the hope of refining a Longevity Pill, making its value extraordinarily high."

"But since we possess the Spirit Apricot [a spiritual fruit that also grants longevity], we have no pressing need to refine a Longevity Pill. Instead, turning it into the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill would be of immense benefit to several of the younger generation in your clan."

Having secured the Spirit Medicine [a general term for herbs imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy], both of them were in excellent spirits and immediately began refining the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill.

This alchemical endeavor was again a joint effort, with Lyra Jiang taking the lead and Eldrin Chen assisting. In just over a month's time, they successfully completed the batch of Pill.

After the pill's successful formation, Lyra Jiang remarked with a sigh, "Those few from your Chen Clan who have reached this day through Self-Guided Foundation Establishment have seen their conviction and foundation transform into something increasingly extraordinary. With this Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill [a supreme elixir that restores vitality and dispels heavenly tribulations], they might truly forge a Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core formation, representing immense potential]."

Eldrin Chen was also filled with joy. Without the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill, he feared that Ethan, Lila, and Kael might not have been able to achieve a Superior Golden Core.

Regardless, now possessing this Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill, coupled with the profound foundation they have built by relying solely on their own strength until now, their chances of forging a Superior Golden Core in the future are likely not small.

This was especially true for Kael. With immense willpower, he had actually subdued the Demonic Fiend Qi [a chaotic and malevolent energy born from demonic realms], using his formidable resolve to separate its corrupting nature. Such indomitable perseverance was rare in all the world.

Since subduing the Demonic Fiend Qi, Kael had subtly begun to stand out from among the cultivators of the Chen Clan.

With such great perseverance and spirit, when he charges towards the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one condenses their spiritual essence into a solid core] realm, he will either succeed in one attempt or exhaust his life force and perish. Eldrin Chen had a deep-seated feeling that he would not fail.

As his cultivation grew ever more profound, Eldrin Chen had gradually solidified his own convictions.

He believed that cultivation was about the human will triumphing over heaven. If one's conviction was strong enough, or one's power was mighty enough, then a person's will could overturn the cycle of reincarnation, earn the respect of the world's will, and even make the will of heaven and earth conform to one's own.

If one harbored great perseverance, immense courage, and an unyielding obsession, it might play a miraculous role at a critical moment.

Legends spoke that if a person's conviction was sufficiently powerful, they could often turn a one-in-ten chance into three or even five in ten.

And the sheer, unyielding willpower demonstrated by Kael Chen likely surpasses that of many cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, immortal entity] realm. Such individuals either perish on their arduous path or are destined to journey far beyond the reach of ordinary folk.

"It is a pity about Elara."

Lyra Jiang suddenly sighed. Elara Lin possessed an Anomalous Spiritual Root [a rare and powerful spiritual affinity that grants unique cultivation advantages], giving her a fifty percent chance of achieving Foundation Establishment [the stage where a cultivator solidifies their spiritual foundation] without relying on any external aids.

However, in her youth, Elara Lin ultimately lacked the necessary audacity, unwilling to gamble with those even odds of life and death to take that crucial step.

As her Master, Lyra Jiang was also unwilling to force her disciple to risk everything in a desperate gamble. Thus, Elara Lin had relied on external aids to reach her current stage.

This was also tied to the scarcity of resources in those days. The past was nothing like the present. The cultivation resources now controlled by Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang have increased by more than tenfold compared to what was available when Elara Lin first embarked on her path of cultivation three centuries ago.

The Eastern Wastelands offered few cultivation resources suited for an Ice Spiritual Root [an affinity for the element of ice]. Back then, Elara Lin likely wasn't even confident of breaking through to the Golden Core [the stage where a cultivator condenses their spiritual essence into a golden, immortal core] realm, so she truly had few choices.

"There is no need to rush matters concerning Elara."

Eldrin Chen sighed. Mending a flawed foundation was no simple task. He was still arduously searching for the resources needed to elevate the Old Patriarch's Golden Core quality, and the Earth Mother Qi [the pure, nurturing essence of the earth] and Heavenly Dao Qi [the pure, cosmic essence of the heavenly way] required for his own breakthrough to Nascent Soul remained elusive. How could he spare the energy to worry about too many other things?

Lyra Jiang also nodded in agreement. At present, even for the two of them, the distance to the Nascent Soul realm was vast and long. Pondering such matters now held little meaning.

After storing the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill [a potent elixir that restores vitality and dispels calamitous influences], the two of them resumed their usual cultivation rhythm.

On Spirit Isle Lake, apart from their daily cultivation, they would often sit and discuss the Dao, studying the classics left by sages of old.

At times, they would drift upon the lake in a boat, brewing wine and steeping tea, angling for Spirit Fish [fish infused with spiritual energy]; other times, amidst the Peach Blossom Grove, they would play the zither, dance gracefully, and gaze upon the Ten-Mile Peach Blossom Grove [a vast, breathtaking expanse of peach blossoms]. Their days passed in carefree and joyful ease.

The seasons of Verdant Spirit, Late Spring, White Harvest, and Profound Winter [names for the four seasons in the cultivation world] cycled endlessly.

Thus, as the light waxed and waned, fleeting years slipped by, and in the blink of an eye, a full A Period of Ten Years had passed.

Time flowed until the year nineteen thousand four hundred and ten of the Dao Calendar [the calendar system used by cultivators]. Eldrin Chen was now two hundred and fifteen years old, marking precisely two centuries since he had first descended the mountain.

In this year, after contemplating hundreds of scriptures, Eldrin Chen finally succeeded in advancing the Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture [a profound cultivation art based on the harmony of the five elements] to the realm of Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm].

At this stage, the Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture had become truly formidable. The Solar True Flame [a supreme flame technique derived from the essence of the sun] deduced from it was also mastered by Eldrin Chen. This was a first-rate technique for refining Demon God [powerful, malevolent entities], its power even verging on the domain of a Great Divine Ability [a supreme, world-shaking technique].

"There are still some imperfections,"

Eldrin Chen murmured with a soft sigh, gazing at the cultivation art manual in his hand.

This Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture [a profound cultivation art that harmonizes the five elemental forces], in terms of power, already rivals superior Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid golden core] cultivation arts, yet it ultimately still possesses some imperfections.

The fundamental reason lies in Eldrin Chen's insufficient cultivation base, making it difficult for him to perfect this art completely.

In essence, a cultivator's cultivation art is merely a record of their own cultivation path, a summary of their personal journey of ascension.

For Eldrin Chen to create an entirely new Golden Core Ninth Layer [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm] art was, in truth, merely a prediction of his future path. Since he had not yet reached the Golden Core Ninth Layer, a degree of uncertainty was inevitable.

However, as his cultivation deepens in the future, this Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture will naturally become increasingly refined and perfected.

With this thought, he stored the Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture and emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for undisturbed meditation and cultivation]. Stepping out, he found Lyra Jiang had been waiting for him for some time.

Seeing him emerge, a smile blossomed in Lyra Jiang's eyes.

"The ten-year agreement has arrived," she said. "Yu Qingyan is already waiting outside." Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel dot com.