Chapter 393 : The Path of Five Elements

After listening, Path Master Unreal nodded thoughtfully. "The Vast Earth's Profound Thickness [a divine ability representing the profound and unyielding nature of earth], the Withering and Flourishing of Plants [a divine ability embodying the cycle of life, death, and rebirth in flora], the Water Essence Cycle [a divine ability representing the endless circulation and transformation of water's essence], and the Venus [a celestial body or location associated with metal element energy] within the Profound Essence [the profound and subtle essence of the cosmos]."

"For a fellow Daoist to have comprehended these truths, your attainment has already reached the pinnacle of the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation where one condenses a golden spiritual core] realm."

As he spoke, he pondered further. "However, simultaneously cultivating all Five Elements [the five fundamental spiritual affinities: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] is exceedingly arduous. The path you have chosen, fellow Daoist, is likely not an easy one to walk."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, speaking with calm resolve. "There are countless paths in this world—some easy to tread, others difficult. Which path one walks is a choice one makes for oneself. In my view, this is the path most suited to me."

"The path most suited to oneself..."

A flicker of understanding passed through Path Master Unreal's eyes. He had waited bitterly for centuries, seeking only an opportunity to advance to the Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the fourth major realm of cultivation, where the golden core transforms into a nascent spiritual soul] realm. Was this not also choosing the most difficult path?

With this thought, he sighed with emotion. "Indeed, it is so."

The Path Discussion Assembly [a grand gathering where cultivators gather to discuss and debate the Dao and cultivation arts] continued, lasting a full month before it finally concluded.

Over a hundred Golden Core True Person [cultivators who have reached the Golden Core realm and are addressed with the honorific 'True Person'] spoke freely, sitting together to discourse on the Dao. Some listened with rapt attention, while others argued until their faces flushed red—a truly rare spectacle.

Eldrin Chen also engaged in discourse with the various Golden Core True Person. Throughout the process, his gains were immense, providing him with numerous insights and directions for his future cultivation journey. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel.com (official site).

After the Path Discussion Assembly concluded, the assembly publicly recognized ten Golden Core True Persons as the top ten performers of this discourse. Both Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang were ranked within the top three.

After announcing the selections, Unreal the True Person smiled and said, "Congratulations to the five fellow Daoists for securing the qualification to contemplate the Ancient Primordial Inscription."

Eldrin Chen revealed a pleased expression. Of the ten slots for the Ancient Primordial Inscription, five were reserved internally by Celestial Lake Continent, while the remaining five were offered for them to compete for.

As they were both among the top three in the discourse, they naturally each received a slot. The other three recipients were Immortal Maiden Dream Spirit from Celestial Dawn Province and Path Master Heavenly Valley from Heavenly Desolation Province.

The final recipient was Patriarch Mo-ink from Ji Continent. This time, Path Master Mo-ink had also ranked within the top twenty. Since many among the top ten had already used the Ancient Primordial Inscription before, he was fortunate enough to secure a slot.

In truth, among these five individuals, apart from Eldrin Chen, all possessed cultivation at the Golden Core Late Stage. Each could be considered among the top ten most powerful True Persons within their respective provinces.

Having obtained the qualification to contemplate the Ancient Primordial Inscription, joy was evident on everyone's faces.

Stroking his beard, Unreal the True Person said, "Esteemed ones, the Ancient Primordial Inscription has been activated. Please follow me."

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang exchanged a glance before flying after him, heading deep into Heavenly Lake Island.

The group of six flew to the center of Spirit Island, arriving before an ancient, elegant cave abode. "Esteemed ones, I will stand guard outside the cave to protect your cultivation," he said.

"However, to avoid mutual disturbance, it is best for only one person to enter at a time while comprehending the Ancient Primordial Inscription [a mysterious stone tablet inscribed with profound, ancient truths]."

The group nodded in agreement. Allowing others to approach during secluded cultivation [a period of intense, isolated meditation] left one vulnerable to ambush or disruption.

Therefore, unless they were cultivation partners [intimate companions who cultivate together] or shared an exceptionally close bond, cultivators typically activated their own protective Formation [a defensive or restrictive energy array] before entering seclusion.

After exchanging glances, the Immortal Maiden Dream Spirit spoke with a gentle smile, "Fellow Daoist Chen [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] and Immortal Maiden Jiang possess profound cultivation bases. It is only fitting for the two of you to attempt comprehension first."

"Indeed, please, after you," the others chimed in.

Path Master Heavenly Valley also nodded. The top-tier Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core] from the surrounding prefectures had long since studied the Ancient Primordial Inscription. As he and Immortal Maiden Dream Spirit had only recently entered the Golden Core Late Stage, they did not mind waiting a little longer.

A slight delay in their turn would have negligible impact on their own progress. On the contrary, it offered a gesture of respect, allowing them to build a measure of goodwill with the two powerful cultivators.

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

After expressing his thanks, he and Exquisite Jiang stepped into the cavernous abode.

Upon entering, Eldrin Chen's gaze was immediately drawn to a fractured stone stele standing in the chamber's center. Upon its surface, faint yet resplendent patterns of Daoist inscriptions [mystical markings representing fundamental cosmic principles] shimmered and flowed like liquid light.

"This Ancient Primordial Inscription..."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes narrowed slightly. After a long moment, she spoke, "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 sudden enlightenment makes its worth incalculable already. I just wonder if it could be effective for an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator whose nascent soul has matured into a true spiritual lord]?"

Eldrin Chen spoke, then chuckled and shook his head. The only thing said to grant an Infant Soul True Lord a state of sudden enlightenment was the legendary Sixth Rank Enlightenment Tea [a mythical tea of the sixth rank, famed for inducing profound insights].

As for the fabled Primordial Spirit Cultivator [a master who has forged their Primordial Spirit], such an existence, after giving birth to their Primordial Spirit [the foundational spiritual core of a high-level cultivator], is in constant communion with heaven and earth. They exist in a perpetual state of unity with the cosmos, a continuous epiphany.

It is precisely for this reason that a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master who walks the Path at the Primordial Spirit realm] can comprehend the laws of heaven and earth, ultimately condensing an Immortal Ascension Path Fruit [the fruit of one's cultivation path, a prerequisite for ascension to immortality]. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio novel.com.

Stepping before the Ancient Primordial Inscription, Exquisite Jiang glanced at the now-sealed Formation [a magical array or defensive barrier] outside the cave abode. "You meditate first," she said. "I will stand guard."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod. While traveling abroad, caution against ambush and treachery was paramount.

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

"Hmmmm—" [a resonant, droning hum]

With a sudden, crystalline chime, the divine sense of Eldrin Chen felt the heavens and earth spin wildly, finding itself transported into the midst of a dazzling Starry River [a celestial river of stars].

He surveyed his surroundings, discovering this Starry River was vast and boundless, with each individual Stellar [a star or celestial body] resembling a majestic world unto itself.

"A broken stele, inscribed with the cosmic Starry River, evolving countless miniature worlds."

"What is the origin of this stele?"

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

He hurriedly suppressed his thoughts and extended his spiritual consciousness into the first brilliant Stellar. In a Ksana-time [an infinitesimal moment], Eldrin Chen felt the cosmos whirl once more, then appeared within a profound expanse of dark space.

Before him, a radiant sun stood resolute within the dark void, unleashing an endless torrent of dazzling light.

This was his first time observing a sun from such proximity. His mind and spirit were instantly saturated by the boundless light of Primordial Solar [the pure, fundamental essence of solar energy], plunging him into a state of profound enlightenment.

In that moment, his comprehension of the Solar Solar Fire Scripture [a scripture of solar and fire-based cultivation arts] advanced by leaps and bounds. Subtle flaws and questions that had previously eluded him were now magnified and laid bare, becoming clear and distinct one by one.

"So my cultivation art harbored so many hidden flaws," he murmured to himself, a revelation dawning within.

Eldrin Chen began to meticulously reforge the Solar Solar Fire Scripture from its foundations, and the art began to advance by leaps and bounds.

An immeasurable span of time later, Eldrin Chen had once more deduced the Solar Solar Fire Scripture to the Golden Core Perfection realm, standing now a mere half-step from the threshold of an Infant Soul Ancient Scroll.

He had already constructed the skeletal framework of the Solar Solar Fire Scripture for the Infant Soul Realm. Once he himself broke through to that realm, he could begin to flesh out its meridians and intricate details.

Having attained profound insight into the Solar Solar Fire Scripture, Eldrin Chen emerged from the Stellar [a state of profound enlightenment and cosmic perception] and stepped into another, this one a vast, cerulean expanse.

It was an oceanic world, brimming with water. Boundless Water Essence Power [the fundamental power of the water element] surged through heaven and earth, compelling Eldrin Chen to directly confront the profound mysteries of the water element's eternal cycle.

Mountains and rivers, vast seas.

Water vapor, cloud layers, hidden currents.

For the first time, Eldrin Chen observed the cyclical power of water within an entire Stellar from a cosmic perspective. Once more, he plunged into the depths of profound enlightenment. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel.com (official site).