Chapter 463 Qingwan's Seclusion

Lyra gazed at the Creation Azure Jade Lotus and remarked after a moment, "Though this treasure is profoundly mystical, advancing it to the fifth rank would likely require nearly a 100 years."

"It's no trouble, we can afford to wait 1 100 years." Eldrin (Person Name) said with a faint smile.

The 2 of them investigated the spiritual veins and earth veins of Green Lotus Isle, growing increasingly astonished. Such precious earth veins were something even many newly-ascended Nascent Soul Realm True Lords would struggle to obtain. Yet now, they unexpectedly held 1 in their own hands.

Especially within that fifth-grade wood-attributed earth vein, a vast number of spirit herbs flourished. Although the Ji Clan had harvested nearly all mature spirit herbs, they left behind copious immature ones for the Chen Family.

Eldrin had his men take stock. Setting aside the vast quantity of Nephrite Water Lotuses, this spiritual vein would henceforth yield fourth-rank spirit herbs ripe for harvest every decade.

Deep within the earth veins, they also discovered 3 immature fifth-rank spirit herbs: 1 Nascent Soul Fruit, 1 Soul-Returning Wood, and a single Tribulation Passage Blossom.

That Nascent Soul Fruit was a supreme treasure for refining the Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object). This spiritual object required 3 1000 years of growth to fully mature, making it an exceptionally rare treasure. The plant before them had already been growing for over 2 1000 years and would need roughly 5 100 more years to reach maturity.

The Return Godwood possesses miraculous efficacy in nourishing the divine soul. This treasure can be refined into the precious Second Primordial Embryo, making it an exceedingly rare marvel across the realms.

The 'Tribulation Flower' possesses even more extraordinary effects, with the power to transcend calamities and resolve tribulations. It can assist cultivators in navigating the mystery of the womb, allowing them to embark anew upon the path of cultivation while retaining memories of their past lives.

It is said that the Tribulation Transcendence Flower serves as a precious catalyst for cultivating the Nirvana Tribulation Rebirth Art, making it an exceptionally rare treasure coveted by numerous Eldrin (Person Name).

However, the ‘Tribulation Transcendence Flower’ grew at an exceedingly slow pace, requiring 5 1000 years to reach full maturity. The plant before them had already been growing for over 3 1000 years, yet it would still take another millennium to completely ripen.

"The Nascent Soul Fruit, Soul-Returning Wood, and Heavenly Tribulation Blossom are all treasures of immeasurable worth."

"Alas, the Nascent Soul Fruit still requires 5 100 years to ripen, the Spirit Return Wood needs another 4 centuries of growth, and the Heavenly Tribulation Blossom must gestate for a full 12 100 years before reaching maturity."

Eldrin shook his head and said, "Each of these treasures is priceless, yet unfortunately, none can be put to use for the time being."

At that very moment, the old clan leader hurriedly arrived at the Green Lotus Isle via the teleportation array. No sooner had he set foot on the isle than he sought out Eldrin (Person Name).

The old uncle's expression shifted slightly, a trace of bitterness coloring his tone as he said, "Eldrin!"

"What's wrong?"

Seeing the grim expression on Chen Changxuan’s face, Eldrin felt a faint chill settle in his heart.

Chen Changxuan shook his head and replied with a bitter smile, "Your Aunt Qingwan... has attained nirvana."

Eldrin arrived at Ancient Desolation City with a grim expression. Within the city lord's main hall, he saw Chen Qingwan's lifeless body.

At this moment, a flicker of anguish passed through his eyes.

As the old clan leader beside him recounted the events, Eldrin quickly grasped the full context.

Chen Qingwan had passed away in meditation 7 days prior. It turned out that during the great battle at the Demon Ape Mountain, nearly all cultivators from the Chu Kingdom's cultivation realm had journeyed to the Demon Ape Mountain.

Taking advantage of the weakened state of the Chu Kingdom (Location)'s cultivation world, some demons and monsters seized the opportunity to infiltrate the region, causing chaos. Among them were powerful fiends who had reached the Golden Core (Cultivation Realm) realm.

In that era, the most formidable demon was the Blue Flood Dragon Demon King at the False Infant realm. This fiend was a direct blood descendant of the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast), having transformed into a flood dragon even before breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.

That blue flood dragon held a grudge against Eldrin, and naturally sought to seize this chance to devour the Chen Clan cultivators scattered across the 100,000-li expanse of the Great Barrens.

At that time, the only high-level cultivator stationed in Ancient Desolate City was Chen Qingwan, a mere False Core cultivator.

With her strength alone, resisting the Blue Flood Dragon was nearly a hopeless path. Yet, to prevent the frontline battle from destabilizing the morale of the Chen Clan's army, she refrained from sending for reinforcements and stubbornly endured, sustaining the defensive formation on her own.

Because the strength of the Blue Flood Dragon Demon King was overwhelmingly formidable, and to confront this flood dragon whose power neared the Nascent Soul realm, Chen Qingwan had no choice but to burn her life force and exhaust her mana to unleash the full power of the formation.

With her full strength expended, Chen Qingwan managed to hold off the Blue Flood Dragon's assault for 3 hours by leveraging the Heavenly Astral Star Formation, yet the price paid was exceedingly grave.

Her lifespan was already approaching 4 100 years, and her vitality had withered to an extreme degree. To activate the formation, she had exhausted every last drop of her magical power and essence blood.

After the Blue Flood Dragon King retreated, Chen Qingwan lay on her sickbed for several days, but ultimately could no longer hold on and passed away in seated meditation.

"While you were assaulting the fifth-grade spirit vein these past days, I was tending to Ethan's injuries. I only learned of this matter a mere 2 days ago."

The old clan leader sighed, a trace of regret flashing in his eyes.

A pained expression crossed Eldrin’s face. If not for Chen Qingwan (Person Name) spending considerable time helping him acquire the 5 Elements Essence, he might have already broken through to the Golden Core Realm.

If she could break through to the Golden Core realm, she would no longer face death from exhaustion of qi and blood.

Chen Changxuan noticed his expression and knew what was on his mind. He offered consolation from the side, "You can't blame yourself for this. Her spiritual power has never been sufficiently condensed. Even without any delays, her chances of breaking through to the Golden Core Realm would have been slim at best."

"Alas." Eldrin sighed deeply, gritting his teeth as he declared, "Have people keep watch on that Azure Flood Dragon. The moment it emerges from Emerald Ripple Lake, I shall personally take its head to avenge Aunt Qingwan."

"I will." The old clan leader nodded.

Thinking of Chen Qingwan's death, Eldrin added, "Has Uncle Lior learned of this matter yet?"

"I do not know yet." Chen Changxuan shook his head, smiling bitterly. "His physical body has been destroyed, and Kael (Person Name) is still in seclusion helping him stabilize his Golden Core. I'm at a loss as to how to break the news to him."

Eldrin remained silent, yet noticed a sobbing maiden in crimson robes approaching from not far behind him.

The girl was Chen Nianxuan (Person Name). This lass was a cultivator with a Heavenly Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root). Though barely over 40 years of age, she had already attained the Purple Mansion Realm.

This time, she remained in the rear without joining the battle, witnessing with her own eyes as Chen Qingwan burned through her lifeblood to her demise.

Chen Nianxuan wiped away her tears, her eyes slightly reddened. "Mother asked me to tell you that the path of cultivation is always fraught with hardships and trials. She considers herself immensely fortunate to have made it this far."

"She had never imagined she could cultivate to immortality; living for nearly 4 100 years was already more than enough to satisfy her."

"After she leaves, you need not harbor any regrets, nor should you hesitate. Simply keep moving forward..."

Eldrin walked silently out of the mansion, his expression somber as he arrived at Verdant Chariot Mountain.

At this moment, within the spiritual pool cavern abode of Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), Kael (Person Name) was stabilizing the Golden Core for Lior (Person Name).

After seeing Eldrin, Lior couldn’t contain his joy despite having lost his physical body, exclaiming, “You’ve finally returned! I heard we’ve secured that fifth-order spirit vein this time.”

"Hahaha! To seize a Grade-5 spirit vein, the destruction of this old man’s physical body has not been in vain."

Eldrin's expression turned slightly somber, a trace of reluctance flickering in his eyes as he hesitated to reveal the truth.

His heart ached with a faint sorrow, and in the end, he could only produce the Nirvana Elixir, saying, "Fortunately, the clan has preserved 1 Nirvana Elixir. This treasure can help you rebuild your physical body."

"So what if I destroyed my physical form? Why the long faces?"

Seeing the strange expressions on everyone's faces, Lior (Person Name) mistakenly thought they were distressed over the destruction of his physical body.

He took the Nirvana Elixir and exclaimed joyfully, "This Nirvana Elixir truly lives up to its reputation as a supreme-grade treasure pill. With this in my possession, I shall regain my peak strength in 60 years, without hindering my cultivation progress."

"When I regain my physical form, I shall fight another 5 100 years for our clan."

Lior said with a light laugh, "And where is your Aunt Qingwan? It's utterly unacceptable that she hasn't come to see me despite my grievous injuries this time."