Chapter 445 : A Gathering of Nascent Souls

Feiyan the Immortal Lord [a title for a powerful female cultivator] was a woman of peerless grace and beauty. She was an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul [a cultivator whose Nascent Soul was formed through the Earthly Dao path, considered a middle-tier foundation]. Having broken through to the Nascent Soul [the fourth major realm of cultivation where one forms a spiritual infant] realm less than a Millennium [a period of one thousand years] ago, she had already cultivated to the fourth-tier Nascent Soul realm.

Aside from the Ji Clan [a prominent immortal clan], Eldrin Chen also spotted a familiar figure—the Crimson Dragon True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator associated with a crimson dragon] from the Eastern Sea Coast.

The Crimson Dragon True Lord's cultivation was profound and unfathomable. He even commanded a crimson flood dragon whose strength was at the Demon Emperor [a realm equivalent to the human Nascent Soul realm for demonic beasts] realm. In terms of bearing and mana, he was not inferior to Magnus the Virtuous.

Furthermore, the Celestial Star Sect [a major sect] from Celestial Star Continent and the ruling Tianlu Sect [a major sect] of the Heavenly Abode Continent had each sent one or two Nascent Soul True Lord [a title for a cultivator in the Nascent Soul realm].

The Celestial Star Sect's representative was the Crimson Brow True Lord, while the Heavenly Abode Continent sent the Ancient Furnace True Lord. However, both were Mortal Dao Nascent Soul [cultivators whose Nascent Soul was formed through the Mortal Dao path, considered the lowest-tier foundation], with cultivation only at the early-stage Nascent Soul realm.

There were also several other Nascent Soul True Lord from various dao fields in attendance, but they were all merely Mortal Dao Nascent Soul, and none had stepped into the midstage Nascent Soul realm.

While introducing them, Verdant Spirit True Person looked towards the final figure and said, "By the way, that one is the Clan Lord [the leader of a clan] of the Qin Immortal Clan of Tianlu Continent, Qin Dukong, also known as Qin the True Lord."

"He broke through to the Nascent Soul realm only six hundred years ago, yet possesses the Violet Cosmos Dao Body [a rare and powerful innate constitution]. Although he is only a Mortal Dao Nascent Soul, he holds some hope of reaching the midstage Nascent Soul realm."

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at a figure clad in violet robes at the banquet.

A flicker passed through his gaze. He glanced sideways at Lyra Jiang, their eyes meeting briefly. In the end, he suppressed any hint of killing intent. Support the author by reading on audio~novel.com.

That Qin Dukong had already broken through to the Nascent Soul [the stage of cultivation where one forms a spiritual infant] realm six hundred years ago. His cultivation had already reached the second layer of the Nascent Soul realm, and he also possessed two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [supreme-grade artifacts specifically designed to suppress and vanquish demonic entities] in his possession. This was not the opportune moment to make a move against him.

Yet at that moment, Qin Dukong inadvertently glanced at Lyra Jiang and remarked to a True Lord [an honorific title for a Nascent Soul realm cultivator] beside him, "Observe that woman. She possesses a Dao Body [a rare and exceptional physical constitution perfectly attuned to the Dao, granting immense cultivation talent], and her cultivation is not far from reaching the True Lord realm. I wonder who she might be?"

The man looked over and replied with a smile, "Her? That is Lyra Jiang, a renowned peerless Heaven's Chosen [a title for a cultivator of extraordinary, heaven-defying talent] known across several surrounding continents. It is said she recently forged a Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [an immortal-grade sword imbued with power to subdue demons]."

"Do not underestimate her. Her combat prowess likely rivals that of an ordinary True Lord. In the future, she may become a figure like Magnus the Virtuous."

"I see," Qin Dukong nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "To have forged a Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core formation, representing near-perfect foundation], this old man is truly humbled."

The banquet continued, lasting for three full days before concluding.

After the banquet ended, the gathered True Lord soon departed from the Heaven's Spine Mountains. Just as Eldrin Chen was preparing to leave, he was detained by the Verdant Spirit True Person.

"My Master wishes to see you both."

With those words, the Verdant Spirit True Person escorted Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang to a simple bamboo hut.

Magnus the Virtuous was already seated upon a meditation cushion. He gestured for the Verdant Spirit True Person to withdraw, then regarded the two with a serene smile.

"For this old man's celebration, the two of you have been too generous."

"True Lord has bestowed upon us the grace of imparting the Dao. These modest gifts are nothing."

Eldrin Chen said with a smile. A congratulatory gift of five million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] might not be significant to a True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator who has attained the Nascent Soul realm], yet for many Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, the stage after Foundation Establishment], it represents their entire worldly wealth.

Magnus the Virtuous nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two of them before he spoke. "Your cultivation progress is commendable. It seems it won't be long before you touch the threshold of the Nascent Soul [the stage of cultivation where one forms a spiritual infant, a higher realm than Golden Core]."

He paused briefly after saying this, then inquired, "Do you intend to forge an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul formed by aligning with the Dao of the Earth, considered to have limited potential], or do you seek the opportunity to forge a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul formed by aligning with the Heavenly Dao, considered to have far greater potential]?"

"Naturally, the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul."

Eldrin Chen stated calmly. For Heaven's Chosen [individuals of exceptional talent and destiny] like them, settling for a mere Earthly Dao Nascent Soul was unthinkable.

The potential of an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul is limited. Reaching Nascent Soul Late Stage [the later phases of the Nascent Soul realm] is often its zenith. Advancing further is fraught with immense difficulty; barring a heaven-defying stroke of fortune, the hope of breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm [the stage beyond Nascent Soul, often called the Primordial Spirit or Yuanshen realm] does not exceed half a chance in ten.

In truth, among the Nascent Soul cultivators under heaven, nearly eight out of ten have forged a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul. Only the remaining two-tenths of Nascent Soul cultivators achieved their rank through an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul.

Yet, the number of Earthly Dao Nascent Soul cultivators exceeds that of Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul cultivators by more than tenfold. This stark contrast serves as a testament to the former's far inferior potential compared to the latter.

Magnus the Virtuous nodded, a trace of a smile gracing his features as he spoke, "To forge a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [the highest grade of Nascent Soul, aligned with the Heavenly Dao], one requires Virtuous Righteousness Qi [a pure and righteous form of spiritual energy] to succeed. Furthermore, Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial essence of the Heavenly Dao itself] is also a crucial treasure for breaking through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage."

"Do you know why I chose to establish my dao field within the Heaven's Spine Mountains, and have guarded this place for over a millennium?"

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang, a flicker of astonishment passing through their eyes. After a moment of silent communication, he spoke, "Senior, please enlighten us."

"All things between heaven and earth possess spirit, and the Purple Realm [the name of this vast cultivation world] itself has a will, subtle and profound."

Magnus the Virtuous began his tale, his opening words startling in their implication: "Once every A Millennium Has Passed, the will of heaven and earth within the Purple Realm enters a state of Heaven and Earth Resonance [a profound cosmic alignment], and from this resonance, a hidden opportunity descends."

"This opportunity manifests as Heavenly Dao Qi. And the locations where this Heaven and Earth Resonance occurs are upon the famous mountains and great rivers of the Purple Realm." This content originates from audio novel.com. Please respect copyright.

"And these Heaven's Spine Mountains are one of the Thirty-Six Ancient Mountain Ranges of the Eastern Wastelands, and a pivotal site for this Heaven and Earth Resonance."

A tremor of emotion passed through Eldrin Chen, a mixture of elation and surprise coloring his expression.

The elation came from learning that the Heaven's Spine Mountains were a key nexus for the Heaven and Earth Resonance. The surprise stemmed from the realization that such a node would have long been known to high-ranking cultivators—so how could it possibly be available to them?

Sure enough, Magnus the Virtuous continued, "My original purpose in coming here was precisely for the Heavenly Dao Qi."

To maintain the full attendance record, in truth, among all the Nascent Soul cultivators under heaven, nearly eighty percent have forged their foundation through the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [the highest-grade Nascent Soul, aligned with the Heavenly Dao]. Only two in ten Nascent Soul cultivators achieve their breakthrough via the Earthly Dao Nascent Soul [a lower-grade Nascent Soul, aligned with the Earthly Dao].

Yet, the number of those with an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul exceeds that of those with a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul by more than tenfold. From this, one can see its potential is far inferior to that of the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul.

Magnus the Virtuous nodded, a trace of a smile appearing on his face as he said, "To forge a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul, one requires Virtuous Righteousness Qi [a pure and righteous form of spiritual energy] to succeed. Furthermore, Heavenly Dao Qi [the essence of the Heavenly Dao] is also a crucial treasure for breaking through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage."

"Do you know why I chose to establish my dao field here at the Heaven's Spine Mountains and have guarded this place for over a thousand years?"

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang, his eyes flickering with surprise. He looked at Lyra Jiang once more and then said, "Senior, please enlighten us."

"All things between heaven and earth possess spirit, and the Purple Realm [the world of Ziyin] too has a will, subtle and profound."

Magnus the Virtuous began his tale, his opening words startling. "Once every A Millennium Has Passed, the will of heaven and earth within the Purple Realm enters a state of Heaven and Earth Resonance [a profound resonance between the celestial and terrestrial realms], bestowing a subtle, destined opportunity."

"This opportunity is the Heavenly Dao Qi. And the location of this Heaven and Earth Resonance is upon the famous mountains and great rivers of the Purple Realm."

"And these Heaven's Spine Mountains are one of the Thirty-Six Ancient Mountain Ranges of the Eastern Wastelands, a key site for this Heaven and Earth Resonance."

Eldrin Chen's heart trembled, and a look of pleasant astonishment dawned upon his face.

The news brought a surge of both elation and apprehension. Elation, for the Heaven's Spine Mountains were the very keystone of the Heaven and Earth Resonance [a profound cosmic event where the energies of heaven and earth align]. Apprehension, for such a crucial node would have long been discovered by high-ranking cultivators—how could it possibly fall to them?

Indeed, Magnus the Virtuous spoke, confirming their fears: "My purpose in being here was originally to seek the Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial energy of the Heavenly Dao, the supreme cosmic principle]." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at http://www . audio-novel.com.