Chapter 393 : The Path of Five Elements

After listening, Zixu the Daoist nodded thoughtfully. "The Vast Earth's Profound Thickness [the profound and nurturing quality of the earth], the Withering and Flourishing of Plants [the natural cycle of decay and rebirth in vegetation], the Water Essence Cycle [the perpetual flow and transformation of water's spiritual essence], and the White Metal's Profound Essence [the deep, unyielding purity inherent to metal]."

"To have comprehended these truths, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], your attainment has already reached the Golden Core Ultimate Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm, where one's spiritual core is perfected]."

He spoke, then paused in contemplation before adding, "Yet, cultivating all five elements simultaneously is a path of immense hardship. This road you walk, Fellow Daoist, is likely fraught with difficulty."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, his voice calm and resolute. "The world offers countless paths—some smooth, others rugged. The choice of which to tread is our own. In my eyes, this is the path most suited to me."

"The path most suited to oneself..."

A flicker of understanding passed through Zixu the Daoist's eyes. For centuries, he had waited, seeking only the elusive opportunity for an Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul formed in perfect harmony with the Heavenly Dao, representing the highest potential]. Was this not also choosing the most arduous road?

With this realization, he nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it is so."

The Grand Dao Discourse Assembly [a grand gathering where cultivators discuss and debate the profound principles of cultivation] continued, lasting a full month before finally concluding.

Over a hundred Golden Core True Person [a title for a cultivator who has reached the Golden Core realm] spoke freely, sitting together to discourse upon the Dao. Some listened with rapt attention, while others argued until their faces flushed crimson—a truly rare spectacle.

Eldrin Chen also engaged in discourse with the various Golden Core True Person. Throughout the journey, his gains were immense, providing numerous insights and directions for his future cultivation path. This content originates from audio-novel dot com. Please respect copyright.

After the Grand Dao Discourse Assembly concluded, the assembly publicly recognized ten Golden Core True Person [a title for cultivators who have reached the Golden Core Realm] as the top ten of this discourse. Both Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang were ranked within the top three.

After announcing the selections, Zixu [a Daoist title for a True Person] smiled and said, "Congratulations to the five Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for cultivators on the same path] for securing the qualification to contemplate the Ancient Primordial Inscription [a mysterious artifact bearing ancient wisdom]."

Eldrin Chen revealed a pleased expression. The Ancient Primordial Inscription offered ten slots. While five were reserved internally for Heavenly Lake Continent, the remaining five were made available for others to contemplate.

As they were both ranked within the top three of the discourse, they naturally each received a slot. The other three recipients were Dreamweaver, the Immortal Maiden from Dawn Continent, Tiangu the Daoist from Desolate Continent [a vast and barren continent], and finally, Ancestor Mo from Ji Continent.

This time, Ancestor Mo was also listed among the top twenty. Since many within the top ten had already used the Ancient Primordial Inscription before, he was fortunate enough to secure one of the available slots.

In truth, among these five individuals, apart from Eldrin Chen, all possessed cultivation at the Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core Realm]. Within their respective continents, each could be considered among the top ten Golden Core True Person.

Having obtained the qualification to contemplate the Ancient Primordial Inscription, each of them wore an expression of joy.

Stroking his beard, Zixu said, "Esteemed ones, the contemplation of the Ancient Primordial Inscription will begin shortly. Please, follow me."

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang exchanged a glance, then followed closely as the group flew deep into the heart of Heavenly Lake Island.

The party of six flew to the center of the Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy], arriving before an ancient and elegant Cultivation Cave [a cave dwelling used for meditation and cultivation]. "Esteemed ones," Zixu stated, "I shall stand guard outside this Cultivation Cave to ensure your undisturbed contemplation."

"However, to avoid disturbing one another, it is best for only one person to enter at a time when contemplating the Ancient Primordial Inscription [a mysterious stone tablet inscribed with profound insights from a bygone age]."

The group nodded in agreement. Allowing others to approach during seclusion cultivation left one vulnerable to ambush or disruption.

Therefore, unless they were Dao companions or shared an exceptionally close bond, cultivators typically activated their own Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and runes for protection or specific effects] to enter seclusion.

The group exchanged glances. Dreamweaver, the Immortal Maiden [a cultivator known for her mastery of dream-related arts] spoke with a gentle smile, "Fellow Daoist Eldrin Chen and Immortal Maiden Lyra possess profound cultivation. It is only fitting they should contemplate the inscription first."

"Indeed, please, you two go ahead."

Tiangu the Daoist [a senior cultivator from the surrounding region] also nodded. The top-tier Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core] from the neighboring provinces had already studied the Ancient Primordial Inscription. As both he and Dreamweaver were newly advanced to the Golden Core, Late Stage [the latter phase of the Golden Core realm], they did not mind waiting a little longer.

After all, a slight delay in their contemplation would have little impact on them. On the contrary, it offered a gesture of respect, allowing them to build a measure of goodwill with the two.

Seeing their deference, Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile. "In that case, we are grateful."

After expressing his thanks, he and Lyra Jiang stepped into the Cultivation Cave [a chamber or cavern specially prepared for meditation and cultivation].

Upon entering the Cultivation Cave, Eldrin Chen immediately noticed a fragmented stone stele standing within. Faint, yet resplendent, Dao patterns shimmered and flowed across its surface.

"This Ancient Primordial Inscription..."

Lyra Jiang's eyes narrowed slightly. After a long pause, she said, "This treasure was likely once the legacy artifact of a glorious and powerful faction. In its pristine state, its value would be truly immeasurable."

"Its ability to induce an Epiphany State [a profound state of sudden enlightenment and comprehension] makes its worth incalculable already. I wonder if it would be effective for a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul, a powerful spiritual entity]?"

Eldrin Chen spoke, then shook his head with a wry smile. The only thing known to induce an Epiphany State in a Nascent Soul True Lord was the legendary sixth-rank Enlightenment Tea [a mythical tea said to grant profound insights].

As for the legendary cultivators who had formed their Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core of a cultivator, transcending the Nascent Soul], after their spirit's transformation, they existed in a perpetual state of communion with heaven and earth, a constant, unbroken Epiphany State.

It was precisely this state that allowed a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [an exalted title for a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator] to comprehend the rules of the cosmos and ultimately condense the fruit of immortal ascension. Original English translation available at audio novel.com.

Stepping before the Ancient Primordial Inscription, Lyra Jiang glanced at the deactivated Formation [a magical array or defensive barrier] outside the Cultivation Cave [a secluded chamber for meditation and cultivation] and said, "You meditate first. I will stand guard."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen nodded. While traveling abroad, caution was paramount to guard against any potential ambush or treachery.

Without another word, he settled calmly before the Ancient Primordial Inscription. A wisp of his spiritual sense [a cultivator's extended perception] detached from within him and, in an instant, poured into the depths of the ancient stone.

"Hmmmm—" [a resonant, droning sound]

With a sudden, crisp sound, the divine sense of Eldrin Chen felt the heavens and earth spin violently, and he found himself within a dazzling expanse of starry Ronan [a vast, celestial river of stars].

He gazed around, discovering this starry Ronan was boundless and fathomless, each cluster of stars resembling a vast and majestic world unto itself.

"A shattered stele, inscribed with the celestial starry Ronan, evolving countless miniature worlds."

"What is the origin of this stele?"

Eldrin Chen could not suppress a profound tremor in his heart, though now was not the time for excessive contemplation.

He hurriedly suppressed his thoughts and extended his spiritual sense into the first brilliant star. In that Ksana-time [an infinitesimal unit of time], Eldrin Chen felt the universe whirl once more.

A resplendent sun stood firm within the dark void, radiating boundless, dazzling light.

This was his first time observing the sun from such proximity. His mind and spirit were instantly saturated by the infinite, pure Yang radiance, plunging him into a profound Epiphany State [a state of sudden, deep enlightenment].

In that moment, his comprehension of the Solar Separated Flame Scripture [a cultivation scripture focusing on solar and flame energies] advanced by leaps and bounds. Subtle flaws and questions he had never fully discerned before were now magnified and laid bare, becoming clear and visible point by point.

"So, my cultivation art harbored so many flaws."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, beginning to meticulously re-deduce the Solar Separated Flame Scripture [a profound cultivation method harnessing solar and flame energies], causing this art to advance by leaps and bounds.

An unknowable span of time later, Eldrin Chen had once more deduced the Solar Separated Flame Scripture to the realm of Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm], leaving it but half a step from the Nascent Soul Ancient Scroll [an ancient scripture detailing the path to the Nascent Soul realm].

He had already constructed the skeletal framework for the Nascent Soul [the spiritual core formation stage beyond Golden Core] realm within the Solar Separated Flame Scripture. Henceforth, upon his own breakthrough into the Nascent Soul realm, he could begin to flesh out its meridians and intricate details.

Having attained enlightenment regarding the Solar Separated Flame Scripture, Eldrin Chen emerged from the starry expanse and stepped into another, this one a cerulean azure celestial body.

It was an oceanic world of abundant water sources, where boundless Water Essence Power [the fundamental energy of the water element] surged and filled the heavens and earth, compelling Eldrin Chen to directly confront the mysteries of the Water Element Cycle [the eternal cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation governing water].

Mountains, rivers, Ronan's flow, and the vast sea.

Water vapor, cloud layers, hidden undercurrents.

For the first time, Eldrin Chen observed the power of a world's Water Element Cycle from the perspective of the entire star itself, and once more sank into a state of profound epiphany. For more chapters, visit audio-novel*com for the complete novel.