Chapter 358 : A Disciple's Unorthodox Path

Not long after, it was finally Eldrin Chen's turn. He inquired respectfully, "This junior has been creating his own cultivation art for many years and has many unresolved doubts. I humbly ask the True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator, often at the Nascent Soul Realm] to enlighten me."

"Creating your own cultivation art?"

Magnus the Virtuous's eyes lit up. As the Cultivation World [the world where cultivators pursue immortality and power] gradually developed, countless cultivation arts became increasingly refined. In recent years, cultivators who created their own arts had become increasingly rare.

Generally, it was Nascent Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul, a powerful spiritual core] who would consider such matters. He never imagined Eldrin Chen had begun crafting his own art as early as the Foundation Establishment [the realm where a cultivator solidifies their foundation for future growth] realm.

Thinking of this, he smiled faintly. "Speak, then. Let us hear your questions."

Eldrin Chen nodded and began to share his many doubts and questions regarding cultivation arts with Magnus the Virtuous.

At first, Magnus the Virtuous maintained a calm expression. After a long while, however, a look of astonishment appeared on his face. What began as a simple question-and-answer session gradually transformed into a profound discussion between the two men on the intricacies of cultivation arts.

The onlookers listened, utterly bewildered. To those who understood, it was clearly Eldrin Chen seeking guidance from Magnus the Virtuous. To those who did not, it seemed more like a discourse between two True Lord [powerful cultivators], with many of the questions posed offering fresh perspectives that even Magnus the Virtuous found enlightening.

After they had conversed for half a day, Magnus the Virtuous suppressed an urge to scratch his head in amazement and could not help but say, "Your insights into cultivation arts surpass those of most Nascent Soul True Lord.

"Such talent, within the entire Purple Realm [a vast and ancient world within the cultivation universe], is likely unmatched among your peers. I truly have nothing left to teach you." Immerse yourself in the complete world at (audio-novel.com).

"However, in the future, should you come to Virtuous Peak, you may seek me out to discuss cultivation matters."

Upon hearing this, the hearts of all present trembled profoundly. For these words to be spoken personally by Magnus the Virtuous, a cultivator of the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier realm, carried immense weight.

"You honor me too much, Senior."

"In this vast world, how many heaven-chosen talents exist? I am but one among the common multitude."

Eldrin Chen replied with a calm expression, showing no trace of arrogance.

"None of them compare to you."

Magnus the Virtuous gazed steadily at Eldrin Chen. He was not a Nascent Soul Dao Lord, and dared not show disrespect towards such an existence. Otherwise, he might have even said that not even a Nascent Soul Dao Lord at the same age could have possessed such extraordinary talent.

The legendary Exiled Immortal Bearing spoken of in Myth was likely no more than this.

Eldrin Chen did not respond further. This discussion had yielded him immense gains. After all, his counterpart was a Nascent Soul True Lord, and many of his insights were refreshingly novel, resolving numerous long-standing doubts for Eldrin.

It seemed that upon his return, he could further refine and modify his cultivation art, perfecting it to an even more complete and flawless state.

Since there was nothing more for the True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator, often at the Nascent Soul realm or above] to impart, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before asking, "Might I inquire, True Lord, aside from the Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm], are there other methods to increase one's chances of successfully advancing to the Nascent Soul [a high cultivation realm where one's spirit forms a separate, powerful entity]?"

"A method for breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm."

At those words, Magnus the Virtuous's eyes flickered slightly, his gaze settling upon Eldrin Chen.

True to Eldrin's hopes, the True Lord nodded. He first cast a soundproofing barrier around Eldrin and his dao companion, Lyra Jiang, before speaking. "I do indeed possess a secret art. It can harness the grand momentum of an Earth Vein [a powerful, concentrated flow of earth-attribute spiritual energy within the land], increasing the likelihood of a Nascent Soul breakthrough by one-tenth."

"However, the value of this method is exceedingly high. If you wish to obtain it, you must offer something of equivalent worth in exchange. Furthermore, you must swear a Heart Demon Oath [a binding vow where breaking one's word invites inner demons and cultivation backlash], vowing never to divulge it."

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang exchanged a glance. The worth of such a treasure was astronomical. Among their possessions, only a handful of items could possibly compare.

The Ancient Vast Sea Scroll [a profound cultivation scripture] obtained from the Ethereal Void Sect, along with their two Great Divine Ability [powerful, innate supernatural techniques], were naturally not for trade. However, the two cultivation arts and the Great Divine Ability acquired more recently could be offered.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen retrieved a jade slip inscribed with the cultivation method of the Ancient Setting Sun Scroll and presented it to Magnus the Virtuous. "This scroll contains a Nascent Soul Cultivation Art [a method for cultivating within the Nascent Soul realm], and includes the crafting method for a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a treasure grown and nurtured alongside a cultivator's own life force]. Esteemed Senior, would this suffice for an exchange?"

"This method..."

Magnus the Virtuous examined the slip, his eyes glinting with interest. "This art... it holds some value for my own deductions regarding the 'Ancient Virtuous Scroll' [a legendary scripture]. Yes, this will do for the trade."

"Take this item."

As he spoke, he tossed a jade slip to Eldrin Chen, completing the exchange.

Eldrin Chen opened the jade slip and found it recorded a Formation of a special grade.

This Formation was named the 'Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation'. It detailed a method to harness the power of a Five Elements Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein imbued with the energies of the five fundamental elements], gathering boundless Creation Primordial Qi [the primordial energy of creation itself] to increase the probability of a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, nascent soul] realm.

This Formation could draw upon the power of a Fourth Rank Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein]. When a cultivator attempted their Nascent Soul breakthrough at the formation's core, they would receive a massive infusion of Creation Power [the fundamental force of genesis and transformation], boosting their chances of success by one-tenth.

However, this Formation would heavily drain the power of the Fourth Rank Earth Vein, significantly depleting its reserves of Creation Power with each use. Join our community of readers at audio-novel dot com.

A Fifth Rank Earth Vein could withstand this strain, but deploying the formation on a Fourth Rank vein would damage the cyclical power of its five elemental essences.

According to the Formation records, a Fourth Rank Low Grade Earth Vein could only be used once every thousand years, a Fourth Rank Middle Grade Earth Vein once every six hundred years, and only a Fourth Rank High Grade Earth Vein could sustain use once every three hundred years.

Beyond the toll on the Earth Vein, setting up the Formation also required five 'Five Elements Treasure Pearl' [treasure pearls containing the essence of the five elements] as key components, a cost exceeding ten million Spirit Stone [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] alone.

Yet, its effects could stack with those of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming a Nascent Soul] or Five Veins Treasure Jade [a precious jade harmonizing the five elemental veins], and it carried no side effects. Therefore, this formidable price was deemed acceptable.

Moreover, compared to a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul] worth several tens of Origin Heaven Crystal [a crystal of immense purity and power, often used by high-level cultivators] or the Five Veins Treasure Jade [a jade formed over a millennium within a Fifth Rank Earth Vein, containing concentrated earth essence], the cost of this Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and artifacts used to manipulate spiritual power] was actually quite acceptable.

The Chen Clan currently held dominion over four separate Fourth Rank Earth Vein [a powerful, naturally occurring channel of earth-attribute spiritual energy]. With the acquisition of this Formation, the chances for Chen Clan Cultivators to achieve a breakthrough into the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, immortal entity] would increase by another ten percent. In the long term, this was undoubtedly a supremely profitable transaction.

However, this Formation did have certain limitations. For instance, the Old Patriarch, whose primary cultivation art was the Solar Separated Flame Scripture, would require a fire-attribute Fourth Rank Underground Fire Vein [a powerful subterranean channel of fire-essence spiritual energy] to utilize this formation for his own Nascent Soul breakthrough.

"High-level cultivators possess extraordinary methods, often capable of astonishing and profound techniques."

"With such a Formation at Virtuous Peak, it is no wonder the Verdant Spirit True Person [a title for a Golden Core stage cultivator] harbored some confidence in attempting to ascend to the True Lord [an honorific title for a Nascent Soul realm cultivator] realm."

Such thoughts flickered through Eldrin Chen's mind. The Verdant Spirit True Person possessed a Middle Golden Core [a Golden Core of middling quality and potential]. If Magnus the Virtuous were to pay a great price to support him—procuring a Nascent Soul Formation Pill and deploying this formation—there would likely be a fifty to sixty percent chance of a successful breakthrough to Nascent Soul.

Stowing the jade slip away, he spoke with palpable excitement, "My deepest gratitude for this generous bestowal of technique, Senior."

Magnus the Virtuous gave a solemn nod, his tone grave as he imparted a final warning. "This Formation is profoundly mystical, the fruit of my labor spanning several A Millennium Has Passed [a period of one thousand years]."

"Should it fall into the hands of demons or monstrous beasts, it would spell calamity. Once you and your wife have committed it to memory, you must destroy the record. Furthermore, the actual deployment of the formation in the future must never be entrusted to outsiders."

"We understand completely."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a nod with Lyra Jiang and solemnly swore a Heart Demon Oath [a binding vow where breaking it invites a catastrophic inner demonic tribulation].

This level of Formation [a complex magical array] harnessed the very momentum of heaven and earth, touching upon the fundamental principles of the Five Elements' cyclical rotation within the great earth. It was a treasure that could stir the greed of even a Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator [a powerful demonic practitioner at the Nascent Soul stage] or a Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic tribes]. Naturally, they would never speak of it.

Watching the two swear their oaths, Magnus the Virtuous gave a satisfied nod. With a sweep of his long sleeve, he released the silencing restriction and addressed the assembly.

"We shall conclude here for today."

"Cultivate diligently henceforth. And should you wander the world, remember this: never use the methods you have learned from this old man to commit evil." The story continues at @udio-novel.com.