Chapter 444 : Forging the Void Gem

Although this battle did not yield substantial spoils, being able to slay such a formidable foe and settle this old grudge could be considered a great relief to the mind.

Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards the Sun and Moon Twin Wheels and, with a slight smile, cupped his hands in salute. "If not for the assistance of you two Seniors today, we would have found it difficult to keep him here."

"This junior offers his sincere thanks."

The radiance of the Setting Sun Wheel gradually dimmed as it spoke calmly, "There is no need for such formality. Fellow Daoist Eldrin and Fellow Daoist of Heaven's Ruin are both of our generation. As a Sword Lord, you need not lower your seniority. From now on, we shall interact as peers."

Without further pleasantries, Eldrin Chen nodded, and they all returned to the ruins together.

In the following days, they continued refining the Netherworld Qi [a malevolent, ghostly energy from the underworld]. Finally, after several years of busy work and with no further major disruptions, they managed to completely purge the Netherworld Qi from the Nether Stone.

Once the Netherworld Qi was purified, the Nether Stone had reverted to a Spiritual Treasure-grade Void Gem [a rare crystal attuned to spatial energies], now suitable for upgrading the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void.

However, Eldrin Chen lacked sufficient Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] and had to postpone the advancement of this Lifebound Spiritual Treasure for the time being.

He took the Void Gem and, looking at the Sun and Moon Twin Wheels, said, "I plan to return to the Chu Kingdom. I wonder if you two intend to remain here for now or depart with us."

"That may not be possible at this moment," the Setting Sun Wheel replied calmly. "Having obtained the remains of Ignatius the Blazing Lord, I require a period of secluded cultivation to repair the damaged body and fully restore its power to that of a Middle-Grade Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure." Immerse yourself in the complete world at http://www . audio-novel.com.

The Moonlight Wheel also spoke, "If we wish to restore our power, we can only do so by serving as the Formation Tool for this place, drawing upon the strength of the Formation."

"Once we leave this place, even with the nurturing of a Fourth RankEarth Vein [a powerful terrestrial energy channel], it would take a full century to regain enough power for battle. To restore our peak capabilities would require nurturing for several centuries."

"I see," Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding.

With the next Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of monstrous beasts] less than a dozen years away, Eldrin Chen knew the Ji Clan would surely seize the opportunity to eliminate powerful foes for the Ji Clan Patriarch, thereby increasing his chances of a successful breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm.

This process would undoubtedly be fraught with immense peril and chaos. He needed to return to his clan and make preparations early.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen said, "Then I shall not linger any longer."

After bidding farewell to the two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [artifacts of supreme power used to subdue demons], Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang took to their swords and flew towards the Ji Continent.

As they passed through the territory of Virtuous Ridge, they noticed many cultivators flying towards it, each wearing expressions of joy.

Eldrin Chen stopped a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and asked with curiosity, "This isn't the scheduled time for a True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator] to give a discourse on the Dao. Why is everyone heading to Virtuous Ridge?"

"Greetings, Seniors," the cultivator replied respectfully.

That Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their foundational cultivation base] sensed the profound and unfathomable auras of the two individuals and promptly bowed respectfully. With a hint of curiosity, he inquired, "Your Excellencies must have been in secluded cultivation for many years, correct?"

"To inform Your Excellencies," he continued, "Magnus the Virtuous broke through to the Nascent Soul, 7th Tier [the seventh layer of the Nascent Soul realm, a high stage of spiritual cultivation] three years ago and has become one of the most formidable True Lord [an honorific title for a Nascent Soul realm cultivator] within the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. Exchanging a glance with Lyra Jiang, a look of pleasant surprise dawned upon his face.

A True Lord at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Nascent Soul realm] possessed power that transcended the ordinary. Such an existence could, by their own strength alone, decisively defeat five other True Lord.

It was said Magnus the Virtuous still had a relatively ample lifespan. Now that he had broken through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, barring unforeseen circumstances, he could cultivate to the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul realm] in the future. There was even a sliver of hope that he might one day beckon his Heaven and Earth Souls [the celestial and terrestrial components of a cultivator's tripartite soul] and break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen also ascended the Virtuous Ridge, intending to offer his congratulations to Magnus the Virtuous.

No sooner had they set foot upon the Virtuous Ridge than an Azure-Robed Man flew out to meet them. From a distance, his voice carried, "I wondered who would require this old man's personal welcome. So it is you two, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]."

The newcomer was none other than Verdant Spirit True Person, the disciple of Magnus the Virtuous. With a warm smile, he grasped Eldrin Chen's arm. "It has been barely over a century, yet both of you have already cultivated to the Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Golden Core realm]. Truly, you live up to your reputation as the most exceptional Heaven's Chosen [a prodigy blessed by heaven with immense talent] within the Ji Continent."

"You flatter us, Fellow Daoist,"

Lyra Jiang replied with a gentle smile, her tone serene. "I perceive that you, Fellow Daoist, are not far from the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their primordial spirit] yourself. Perhaps before long, I shall have to address you as 'Senior'."

Over a span of more than one hundred years, not only had the cultivation of Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang surged dramatically, but the Verdant Spirit True Person had also made astonishingly swift progress. He had actually advanced in one breath from the Golden Core Eighth Layer to the False Nascent Soul Realm.

The Verdant Spirit True Person shook his head, then smiled bitterly and said, "It is a pity that I failed twice in my attempts to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, squandering two incredibly precious Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in forming the Nascent Soul]."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he could not help but sigh inwardly. It was indeed easier to cultivate when one had the backing of a powerful True Lord [a title for a Nascent Soul realm expert].

That Astrael had encountered significant opportunities and committed all manner of heinous acts, yet he had still exhausted his entire fortune to obtain only two Nascent Soul Formation Pill.

Meanwhile, the Verdant Spirit True Person, backed by the formidable True Lord Magnus the Virtuous who was at the Nascent Soul Late Stage, could be nurtured with full force. Even procuring two or three Nascent Soul Formation Pill would not cripple his resources.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "You, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], are not yet eight hundred years old. Your lifespan is still relatively ample; achieving the Nascent Soul realm should not be overly difficult." Original English translation available at site: audio-novel.com.

"It is not that simple," he replied. "I still need to consume one or two Fourth Rank Longevity Pill [a high-grade elixir that extends one's lifespan] to have sufficient longevity and vital essence to assault the Nascent Soul realm."

The Verdant Spirit True Person shook his head, yet in his heart, he felt four or five parts confident. With his Middle Golden Core [a mid-grade Golden Core foundation] aptitude, if he could obtain another Nascent Soul Formation Pill next time, his hopes of breaking through to Nascent Soul should be considerable.

With this thought, he set the topic aside and said with a gentle smile, "Have you two come today specifically to offer congratulations to my Master?"

"Precisely so."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and produced a Jade Vial, handing it over.

The Verdant Spirit True Person glanced inside and saw three precious treasure pills [exceptionally potent and rare cultivation elixirs], their value likely exceeding five million Spirit Stones.

His face immediately broke into a smile. Taking Eldrin Chen by the arm, he said, "You are too generous, Fellow Daoist. Please, follow me."

The two followed the Verdant Spirit True Person up to Virtuous Peak, where they were settled into a Spirit Mountain Cave Abode [a secluded cultivation dwelling built into a mountain rich with spiritual energy].

They waited on the Spirit Mountain for over ten days before the banquet hosted by Magnus the Virtuous finally commenced. Upon arriving at the feast, they found the number of attending cultivators had already swelled to tens of thousands.

The lowest cultivation among them was at the Foundation Establishment realm or above. Most hailed from the Heaven's Spine Mountains and several surrounding great continents. Even Nascent Soul realm cultivators numbered over a dozen.

Eldrin Chen recognized few of those dozen or so True Lords. However, the Verdant Spirit True Person stayed by their side, specifically introducing them to those eminent figures.

As the introductions proceeded, Eldrin Chen gradually understood the origins of these individuals.

There were twelve True Lords in total. Among them, three were True Lords from the Ji Clan: Feiye the Night's Bane, Feiyan the Immortal Lord, and Feikong the Void Lord.

Eldrin Chen naturally knew Feiye the Night's Bane. This individual possessed an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul [a high-grade Nascent Soul formed with a deep connection to the earthly Dao], making his talent and potential rare even among Nascent Soul cultivators.

Feikong the Void Lord was a Mortal Dao Nascent Soul [a type of Nascent Soul formed through a path that emphasizes worldly connections and mortal tribulations, often limiting ultimate potential]. It was said he had already weathered one great tribulation cycle and lived for over five thousand years. However, constrained by the inherent limitations of the Mortal Dao Nascent Soul, his cultivation had stagnated at the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier [the sixth layer of the Nascent Soul realm], forever barred from further advancement. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel dot com.