Chapter 374 Learn from Me to Live, Imitate Me to Die

Mentioning the Beast Tide, Eldrin (Person Name) suddenly realized that only a few years remained until the next 1.

This would be the third beast tide he had experienced. In the blink of an eye, over 2 100 years had passed.

At this thought, Eldrin smiled. "2 100 years have passed in the blink of an eye. The demon beast uprising that once seemed like the sky was falling now appears insignificant."

"Yes." Lyra (Person Name) also smiled faintly. "As long as the Emerald Wave Lake doesn't intervene, we shouldn't face overwhelming challenges in surviving this beast tide."

"Nevertheless, we must proceed with caution." Eldrin nodded gravely and declared, "I shall first return to the clan and have them begin preparations for the Beast Tide."

"The Celestial Ruins Alliance must also begin its preparations."

Lyra also remarked that every Beast Tide required the mobilization of a massive amount of manpower and resources, all of which needed years of advance preparation.

Eldrin set aside the advancement of his remaining life-bound magic treasures for the time being and headed straight back to Pingyang City. After finalizing preparations for the impending beast tide with the elder clan leader, he journeyed to Verdant Chariot Mountain to seek out Lior, who oversaw the Council of Elders.

No sooner had he returned to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) than he noticed Chen Ethan (Person Name) emerging from the mountain peak, his face deathly pale and his spiritual energy faint as fading embers.

Chen Ethan (Person Name) glanced at Eldrin (Person Name), his expression desolate as he murmured, "Uncle, I've failed."

Eldrin's eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed that Chen Ethan's aura had grown exceedingly feeble, a clear sign that his attempt to form the Golden Core had failed.

Chen Ethan did not utilize the Golden Core Formation Pill. Not only did this breakthrough attempt end in failure, but it also did not result in the formation of a false core.

The price was far too steep. Without the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill (Spiritual Object), it would equate to squandering an entire 60-year cycle for nothing. And how many such cycles could a Purple Mansion cultivator possibly afford to waste?

"Since you cultivate the path of the sword, you should understand that a sword cultivator must possess unyielding resolve, with the fortitude to advance fearlessly and the tenacity to endure all trials."

"A momentary setback merely hones your path of the sword; it should only strengthen your conviction."

Eldrin patted him on the shoulder, his expression gentle as he offered words of consolation.

Hearing his words, Chen Ethan (Person Name) nodded and pulled himself out of his dazed state.

Having journeyed this far, his cultivation had reached the pinnacle even within the Purple Mansion of the Chu Kingdom, and his Dao Heart naturally stood among the finest there as well. He had merely momentarily succumbed to a sense of defeat.

Seeing that he had regained his confidence, Eldrin smiled faintly. The 2 arrived at the edge of the cliff, standing shoulder to shoulder as they gazed at the sea of clouds in the distance. Only then did Eldrin ask, "How did you fail?"

In truth, Eldrin was also somewhat perplexed. With Ethan Chen's foundation, coupled with having consumed the Creation Green Essence Pill, the depth and purity of his spiritual power were by no means lacking.

Logically speaking, even if he couldn't break through to the Golden Core in 1 attempt, the chances of forming a False Core should have been quite high. Yet this time, he couldn't even forge a False Core, which left Eldrin somewhat surprised.

Chen Ethan (Person Name) wore a bitter smile upon hearing this. "I was on the verge of success this time, but at the final moment, the conflict between my water and fire spiritual roots caused the Golden Core (Cultivation Stage) to dissipate prematurely."

"Water and fire oppose each other, creating conflict..."

Eldrin furrowed his brow, then let out a long sigh after a prolonged silence. "From now on, you can no longer cultivate the Solar Li Fire Scripture. You must devote yourself to mastering a new cultivation method that harmonizes water and fire."

"The clan vault does contain a copy of the 'Ren Shui Tian Huo Jing', which can cultivate up to the ninth level of Golden Core. You could attempt to switch to this cultivation method—it might resolve this issue."

But Chen Ethan shook his head, his voice resolute as he declared, "I've made up my mind. Rather than cultivating to the 9th layer of the Golden Core and then paying a tremendous price to switch cultivation methods, it's better to create the most suitable technique for myself right now."

"Self-created cultivation technique?"

Eldrin's pupils contracted slightly. Having personally deduced cultivation techniques for many years, he knew all too well that the path of creating 1's own technique was far from easy.

He and Lyra (Person Name) both cultivated self-created techniques, for not everyone possessed the same genius as this husband-wife pair.

With Chen Ethan's cultivation base and foundation, he could barely begin to create his own techniques, but how far he could go would depend entirely on his comprehension.

At this thought, Eldrin let out a sigh: "Once you embark on this path, I'm afraid it will delay you for at least 1 cycle of 60 years."

"By the time you break through to the Golden Core Realm, you'll likely be over 3 100 years old. Do you truly comprehend the price you must pay?"

Of course, Chen Ethan understood this principle all too well—breaking through to the Golden Core realm at 2 100-some years old was entirely different from achieving it at 3 100-some years old.

This meant he would have 1 less opportunity to form his Nascent Soul in the future—and that single chance might very well determine his destiny.

Under favorable circumstances, this would be relatively smooth. But if things went poorly and he remained unable to resolve the conflict between water and fire, he would ultimately squander vast amounts of time and even miss the optimal window to form his Golden Core.

Chen Ethan took a deep breath: "Clan Uncle, you once taught me—those who learn from me shall thrive, while those who merely imitate me shall perish!"

With my cultivation at the Great Perfection of the Violet Palace, I defeated a False Core cultivator. The world now calls me the Little Sword Immortal of the Chu Kingdom, hailed as the second Eldrin.

"Yet I have come to a vague realization now—merely imitating your form will forever remain an imitation, a likeness in shape but not in spirit. Without forging my own path, I am ultimately nothing but an awakened yet hollow vessel."

Chen Ethan stood quietly at the cliff's edge, clad in pristine white robes, a trace of solitude lingering between his brows.

At lower realms of cultivation, 1 could still advance by emulating others and following the paths paved by predecessors. However, upon reaching the Golden Core stage and even the Nascent Soul stage, 1 must gradually forge their own path.

He shook his head, a flicker of resolve finally flashing in his eyes as he declared, "I've come to understand that no 2 leaves in this world are identical, just as there are no 2 paths that are exactly the same."

"To forge a supreme golden core, I must personally create a cultivation method that harmonizes fire and water. Only then can I truly comprehend how to achieve perfect synergy between my innate water and fire spiritual roots within."

"Even if this process takes several 60-year cycles, as long as it allows me to truly comprehend the essence of Dharma and understand the true meaning of cultivation, then it shall all be worthwhile."

"Uncle Eldrin (Person Name), I admire you and aspire to be someone like you, but I don't wish to become your shadow..."

Eldrin listened quietly, a sense of joy swelling in his heart for Ethan Chen.

It was then that he realized, without even noticing, Chen Ethan had already reached 2 100 and 10 years of age. He was no longer the child who used to follow at his heels; the youthful arrogance and sharp edges of the past had gradually tempered into a resolute and formidable edge.

Reaching out to pat Chen Ethan (Person Name) on the shoulder, Eldrin (Person Name) said with heartfelt approval, "All things in this world hold their mysteries. To truly grasp their underlying principles, neither books nor innate comprehension alone will suffice."

"You must personally engage in the work and observe with meticulous care—only then can you comprehend the principles governing its operation."

"I am pleased that you have come to understand these truths."

"As he spoke," Eldrin retrieved a command token and handed it to Chen Ethan. "Take this token. You may peruse all the scriptures within the clan treasury."