Chapter 354 : The True Lord's Dao Sermon

After dividing the treasures, the group immediately departed from the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

Considering the threat posed by Celestial Star Child, the couple Recluse of Elegant Verse temporarily abandoned Peach Blossom Mountain and left Tianlu Continent together with the others.

The party traveled aboard the Green Sun Treasure Ark, crossing the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range. After a journey of over one month, they finally arrived at the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range.

As was customary, they made their stop at Vast Righteousness Peak. Upon arriving, Verdant Mist Yu said with a smile, "Vast Righteousness True Lord holds a sermon on the Dao once every Sixty-Year Cycle."

"By my reckoning, there are only three years left until the True Lord's next sermon. Why don't we stay here in the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range and listen to the True Lord's teachings before we leave?"

Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this. One hundred and twenty years ago, he had been fortunate enough to attend a sermon by a True Lord and had benefited greatly from it.

Thinking of this, he smiled slightly and said to Exquisite Jiang, "Vast Righteousness Peak possesses a Fifth Rank Underground Fire Vein. Since you need to advance your alchemy to the Fourth Rank Superior Grade level, this would be a perfect time to focus on improving your cultivation."

"That is precisely what should be done."

Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement. Having obtained the Returning Abyss Spirit Treasure Jade this time, it was just enough to allow her alchemy skill to break through to the Fourth Rank Superior Grade.

With the assistance of a high-grade Earth Vein, it would also positively influence her pill success rate, increasing her confidence in achieving the breakthrough. Official source: audio . novel . com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"Then let us rest here for a time. We shall return after listening to the True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has attained the True Lord realm] expound upon the Dao."

"..."

The five of them ascended Vast Righteousness Peak and sought out the peak's administrator, the 'Verdant Spirit True Person'.

This Verdant Spirit True Person was a direct disciple of Vast Righteousness True Lord. It was said he was merely six hundred years old, yet his cultivation had already reached the eighth layer of the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified core of spiritual energy]. He was estimated to have a thirty to forty percent chance of breaking through to the Infant Soul [the fourth major stage, where one nourishes a nascent spiritual soul] in the future.

Upon seeing them, the Verdant Spirit True Person spoke with great courtesy: "So it is Immortal Maiden Jiang and Fellow Daoist Chen. I have long heard that you two are peerless talents of the first rank in Ji Continent. Seeing you today, I understand the reputation is well-deserved."

"You jest, True Person. I observe your spiritual power is vast and profound, likely not inferior to a Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle of the Golden Core realm] cultivator. You may well attempt to assail the Infant Soul Realm within a century."

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and a polite compliment: "By that time, we might have to respectfully address you as Senior True Lord."

"Not at all, not at all. This humble brother's aptitude is dull. It is unlikely I will break through to the True Lord Realm within three hundred years."

The Verdant Spirit True Person waved his hands repeatedly in denial, yet a glimmer of confidence flickered in his eyes.

Hearing this, the others exchanged subtle glances. 'Not within three hundred years' implied he possessed a certain degree of confidence for *after* those three centuries had passed.

If one were to break through to the True Lord Realm [the realm of a True Lord, a powerful cultivator] at the age of nine hundred years, then the lifespan granted by the subsequent Infant Soul Realm [the realm where one's nascent soul is formed] would be quite ample, ensuring at least a breakthrough to the Infant Soul Mid Stage in the future.

The higher the cultivation realm, the greater the disparity between major stages becomes, especially after reaching the Infant Soul Realm.

This is because the Infant Soul Realm represents a monumental qualitative transformation. A Fourth Rank Superior Grade Longevity Pill [a pill that extends one's natural lifespan] can only extend life by one hundred and twenty years, yet a Fifth Rank High-Grade True Lord-grade Precious Pill [a supreme-grade pill for True Lords] is potent enough to grant an extension of a full thousand years.

It is precisely due to this immense gap that Fifth Rank magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] and elixirs earn their own distinguished titles, revered as True Lord-grade Precious Pill and Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure capable of subduing demons].

Faced with such a vast chasm, Verdant Spirit True Person nevertheless believed he had a chance to break through to the Infant Soul Realm, indicating he truly possessed a certain degree of confidence.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and said, "With a Mortal Path [a cultivation art focused on the mortal realm] heart so resolute, it is likely that in a few centuries, the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range will indeed witness the rise of another True Lord."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist,"

Verdant Spirit True Person shook his head, not wishing to dwell on the topic. "By the way, I have yet to learn the purpose of your visit today?"

"To speak frankly," Eldrin Chen began, clasping his hands, "we have come today for two reasons. First, for the True Lord's sermon on the Dao in three years' time. Second, to request the rental of the Earthfire Chamber [a chamber harnessing earthly fire for alchemy or forging] at Vast Righteousness Peak."

Eldrin Chen stated his purpose directly.

Although Vast Righteousness True Lord [a title for a powerful and virtuous cultivator] held the world in his heart and was willing to lecture on the Dao for the benefit of all cultivators of the Human Race, for high-level practitioners who had reached the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified core of spiritual energy], wishing to hear his lectures required prior notification.

If it were ordinary folk, it might be overlooked, but the knowledge useful to a Golden Core Cultivator was often extremely precious and secret. To hear Vast Righteousness True Lord speak of such matters inevitably incurred Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect, where actions create spiritual debts that must be repaid].

Therefore, while Eldrin Chen and the others could simply listen to the lectures, if they wished to seek answers to their specific cultivation doubts from Vast Righteousness True Lord, they had to fulfill one of three conditions.

These three conditions were: first, to become a nominal disciple of Vast Righteousness True Lord; second, to accept the Karma and repay it in the future; or third, to offer a substantial fee in exchange.

Sure enough, the Verdant Sun True Person's [a title for a cultivator at the Golden Core stage] eyes flickered slightly before he spoke calmly, "Since you have come here, you must be aware of my master's rules."

"Which one do you choose?" Your portal to cultivation novels: *audio-novel.com*.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang exchanged a glance. Becoming a nominal disciple of Vast Righteousness True Lord had its benefits: not only would they be able to attend lectures freely in the future, but Vast Righteousness True Lord would also regularly answer their cultivation questions.

However, the drawback was troublesome. Once they became his disciples, they could no longer remain aloof if Vast Righteousness Peak [the mountain stronghold of Vast Righteousness True Lord] ever had need of them or issued commands.

Neither of them were rootless rogue cultivators without attachments, nor did they have the spare capacity to devote their focus to Vast Righteousness Peak. Thus, this path was highly unsuitable for them.

The second option, accepting the Karma to repay later, was a decent choice for most. Yet, this particular Karma was not so easily settled.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang currently did not lack for material wealth, so choosing the last option was the most advantageous course of action.

Having reached this conclusion, Exquisite Jiang then spoke: "We are willing to offer a sum of Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] as the fee for attending this lecture on the Dao."

"Spirit Stones, is it?"

"I had hoped to gain two more junior brother and sister disciples."

Verdant Spirit True Person shook his head with regret and said helplessly, "Very well. Each to their own path. Each of you shall present one million Spirit Stones."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen promptly presented three million Spirit Stones, also purchasing a spot for Recluse of Elegant Verse.

He then spent another five hundred thousand Spirit Stones to rent a Fourth Rank Superior Grade Earthfire Chamber [a specialized cultivation chamber that channels geothermal fire from the earth's veins].

After securing the chamber, Verdant Spirit True Person led them to its entrance. Gazing at the Earthfire Chamber, he said,

"This particular Earthfire Chamber is the second-ranked one on Vast Righteousness Peak, surpassed only by the Fifth Rank Earthfire Chamber our master commonly uses."

"You must exercise caution during the alchemical refinement process to avoid the earthfire's intensity from becoming too fierce and incinerating the elixirs."

"Thank you for the guidance."

Exquisite Jiang gave a nod and stepped into the Earthfire Chamber.

Upon entering the Earthfire Chamber, Eldrin Chen's eyes lit up with delight. The chamber not only housed an earth flame of Quasi-Fifth Rank grade, but also contained a Quasi-Fifth Rank alchemy furnace.

Compared to this Earthfire Chamber, the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace they usually used for pill refinement was left in the dust, its capabilities utterly outclassed.

After Verdant Spirit True Person departed, Eldrin Chen ran his hand over the alchemy furnace, his expression brimming with joy. "With this earth flame and furnace," he said, "your breakthrough to Fourth Rank Superior Grade in the alchemical arts is practically assured."

"Let us hope so."

Exquisite Jiang was also pleased. The furnace before them was named the Purple Essence Pill Furnace. It was imbued with a certain Creation Violet Aura [a rare and auspicious energy conducive to creation], which could slightly increase the success rate when refining fourth-rank pills. It was, without a doubt, a top-tier furnace. The complete novel can be found at site: audio-novel.com.