Chapter 358 : A Prodigy's Unconventional Path

Not long after, it was finally Eldrin Chen's turn. He asked respectfully, "This junior has been creating his own cultivation art for many years and has many unresolved doubts. I humbly request that True Lord [a title for a cultivator at the Infant Soul Realm] instruct me."

"Creating your own cultivation art?"

Vast Righteousness True Lord's eyes lit up. As Immortal Realm [a realm of cultivation and immortals] gradually developed, countless cultivation arts became increasingly refined. In recent years, cultivators who created their own arts had become increasingly rare.

Generally, only Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed their Primordial Infant] would consider such matters. He never imagined Eldrin Chen had begun crafting his art as early as the Foundation Establishment [the realm where a cultivator solidifies their cultivation foundation] stage.

Thinking of this, he smiled faintly. "Speak, then."

Eldrin Chen nodded and presented his many doubts regarding cultivation arts to Vast Righteousness True Lord.

At first, Vast Righteousness True Lord maintained a calm expression. After a long while, however, a look of astonishment appeared. What began as a simple question-and-answer session between the two gradually transformed into a profound discussion on the Dao of cultivation arts.

The onlookers listened, utterly bewildered. Those who understood knew this was Eldrin Chen seeking guidance from Vast Righteousness True Lord. To the uninformed, however, it seemed more like two True Lord were debating profound truths. Many of the questions posed actually offered Vast Righteousness True Lord fresh and enlightening perspectives.

After they conversed for half a day, Vast Righteousness True Lord suppressed an urge to scratch his head in agitation and could not help but say, "Your insights into cultivation arts surpass those of most Infant Soul True Lord."

"Such talent, when viewed across the entire Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world], is likely unmatched among your peers. I have nothing left to teach you." Access the full story on audio‑novel.com.

"However, in the future, when you come to Vast Righteousness 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 Vast Righteousness True Lord, a cultivator of the Infant Soul 6th Tier [the sixth stage of the Infant Soul realm], carried immense weight.

"You honor me too much, Senior."

"In this vast world, how many prodigies are there? I am but one among the common multitude."

Eldrin Chen replied with serene composure, showing no trace of arrogance.

"None of them compare to you."

Vast Righteousness True Lord gazed calmly at Eldrin Chen. He was not a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a supreme master who has ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm and comprehended a Great Path] and dared not show disrespect towards such an existence. Otherwise, he might have even said that not even a Primordial Spirit Path Lord at the same age could have possessed such extraordinary talent.

The legendary Banished Immortal's Bearing [a celestial fate marking one as a transcendent genius], he feared, was probably no more than this.

Eldrin Chen did not continue the conversation. This discussion had yielded him immense gains. After all, his counterpart was an Infant Soul True Lord [a lord of the Infant Soul realm]; many of his insights were refreshingly novel, resolving numerous long-standing doubts Eldrin had harbored.

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

Since there was nothing more for the True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has mastered their path] to teach, 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 forming the Nascent Soul], are there other methods to increase the certainty of a breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the nascent soul, a core stage of cultivation] realm?"

"A method to break through to the Infant Soul..."

The Vast Righteousness True Lord's eyes flickered slightly as his gaze settled upon Eldrin Chen.

True to Eldrin Chen's hopes, the True Lord nodded. He first cast a soundproofing barrier around Eldrin and his dao companion before speaking. "I do possess a technique," he confirmed. "It can gather the grand momentum of an Earth Vein [a powerful, concentrated ley line of earth energy], increasing the chance of a successful Infant Soul breakthrough by ten percent."

"However, the value of this method is immense. If you wish to obtain it, you must offer something of equivalent worth. Furthermore, you must swear an Inner Demon Oath [a binding vow enforced by one's own inner demons, preventing disclosure] not to divulge it."

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

The Ancient Vast Sea Scroll [an ancient cultivation manual] obtained from the Verdant Void Sect, along with their two Great God Ability [powerful divine techniques], were naturally not for trade. However, the two cultivation arts and the Great God Ability acquired this time could potentially be exchanged.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen retrieved a jade slip inscribed with the cultivation method of the Ancient Setting Sun Scroll [an ancient manual of the setting sun path] and presented it to the Vast Righteousness True Lord. "This Infant Soul Cultivation Art [a cultivation art for the Nascent Soul stage]," he said, "also includes the method for forging a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure bound to the cultivator's life force]. Would this suffice for an exchange, Senior?"

"This method..."

The Vast Righteousness True Lord examined the jade slip, his eyes glinting with interest. "This art," he remarked, "could indeed aid my own deductions regarding the 'Vast Righteousness Ancient Scroll' [his personal cultivation scripture]. It is acceptable for the trade."

"Take this item."

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

Opening the jade slip, Eldrin Chen discovered it contained the record of a uniquely graded Formation.

This Formation was named the 'Five Veins Infant Transformation Formation'. It detailed a method to harness the power of a Five Elements Earth Vein [a powerful spiritual ley line embodying the five elements], gathering boundless Creation [the primordial energy of life and genesis] to increase the probability of a breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the nascent soul stage of cultivation].

This Formation could draw upon the power of a Fourth Rank Earth Vein. When a cultivator attempted their Infant Soul breakthrough at the formation's core, they would be bathed in a massive influx of Creation power, boosting their chances of success by one-tenth.

However, this Formation heavily drained the Fourth Rank Earth Vein. Each use would severely deplete the vein's reserves of Creation energy. The complete novel can be found at audi novel.com.

A Fifth Rank Earth Vein could withstand the strain, but deploying the formation on a Fourth Rank Earth Vein would damage the vein's five-elemental cycle.

According to the Formation records, a Fourth Rank Low-Grade Earth Vein could only be used once every thousand years. A Fourth Rank Mid-Grade Earth Vein required six hundred years to recover, and only a Fourth Rank Superior Grade Earth Vein could sustain use every three hundred years.

Beyond the toll on the Earth Vein, setting up the Formation also required five 'Five Essence Treasure Pearl' as key artifacts. This single component cost alone exceeded ten million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy].

Nevertheless, its effects could be stacked with those of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill or Five Veins Precious Jade, and it carried no side effects. Therefore, the formidable cost was deemed acceptable.

Moreover, compared to the Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul] worth several dozen Origin Heavenly Crystal [a supreme-grade crystal of immense spiritual purity] or the Five Veins Precious Jade [a rare jade formed over a millennium within a Fifth Rank Earth Vein] that takes a thousand years to gestate within a Fifth Rank Earth Vein [a top-tier spiritual land vein], the cost of this Formation [a complex array or formation used for cultivation or defense] could be considered quite acceptable.

The Chen Clan currently occupies as many as four Fourth Rank Earth Vein [high-quality spiritual land veins]. With the acquisition of this Formation, the chances for Chen Clan cultivators to break through to the Infant Soul [the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation] will increase by another ten percent. In the long run, this is undoubtedly a tremendously profitable venture.

However, this Formation also has its limitations. For instance, the Old Patriarch [a venerable elder], who primarily cultivates the Solar Solar Fire Scripture [a supreme fire-attribute cultivation scripture], would require a fire-attribute Fourth-Rank Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean vein of potent fire energy] to utilize this Formation for his Infant Soul breakthrough.

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

"With this Formation at Vast Righteousness Peak, it's no wonder that Verdant Spirit True Person [a cultivator of the True Person realm] harbored some confidence in attempting a breakthrough to the True Lord Realm [a high cultivation realm]."

Thoughts flickered through Eldrin Chen's mind. Verdant Spirit True Person was originally at the Middle-Tier Golden Core [the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm]. If Vast Righteousness True Lord [a True Lord cultivator] were to pay a great price to support him—procuring a Nascent Soul Formation Pill and setting up this formation—there would likely be a fifty to sixty percent chance of successfully breaking through to Infant Soul.

Putting away the jade slip, he spoke with evident excitement, "Many thanks, Senior, for bestowing this technique."

Vast Righteousness True Lord nodded, yet offered a grave admonition, "This Formation is profoundly marvelous, a creation born from several thousand years of my dedicated effort."

"Should it fall into the hands of demons or fiends, it would surely become a calamity. Once you and your wife have committed it to memory, you must destroy the record. In the future, when deploying the formation, you cannot entrust the task to others."

"We understand."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a nod with Exquisite Jiang, and together they swore the Inner Demon Oath [a binding vow enforced by one's own inner demons, with severe consequences for betrayal].

This type of Formation [a structured arrangement of energy and objects to create specific magical effects] harnessed the grand momentum of heaven and earth, touching upon the principles of the great cycle of the Five Elements Cycle [the perpetual interaction and transformation of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water]. It was likely to tempt even Infant Soul [the stage of cultivation where the nascent soul is formed] Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often malevolent, methods to gain power] or even a Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demon-kind]. Naturally, they would not spread word of it.

Seeing the two swear their oaths, Vast Righteousness True Lord gave a satisfied nod. With a sweep of his long sleeve, he released the restrictive barrier and addressed the assembly.

"We shall conclude here for today."

"Cultivate diligently in the days to come. When you journey the world, remember: never use the arts I have imparted to commit evil." Find this and other novels at audio-novel . com.