Chapter 444 : Forging Alliances in the Netherworld

Although this battle did not yield a great bounty, being able to slay such a powerful foe and settle this old grudge could be considered a weight lifted from the heart.

Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards the Sun and Moon Twin Wheels and offered a respectful salute with a smile. "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 Slanting Sun Wheel gradually dimmed as it spoke calmly. "There is no need for such formality. Fellow Cultivator Eldrin and Fellow Daoist Heaven's Ruin are both peers of our generation. As Sword Masters, you need not lower your standing. From now on, let us interact as equals."

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

In the following days, they continued refining the Netherworld Energy [a potent, yin-aligned spiritual essence drawn from the underworld]. This time, fortune finally favored them, and after several years of arduous work, they managed to completely extract and refine all the Netherworld Energy contained within the Netherworld Stone.

Once the Netherworld Energy was purified, the Netherworld Stone had reverted to a Spiritual Treasure-grade Void Gem [a rare crystal attuned to spatial energies], now suitable for upgrading the Polarity Void Mirror.

However, Eldrin Chen lacked sufficient Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the balanced power of the five elements] and had to postpone the advancement of this Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure deeply connected to its owner's life force].

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

"That may not be possible at this moment," the Slanting Sun Wheel replied placidly. "Having obtained the remains of Crimson Flame True Lord, I require a period of secluded cultivation to repair my damaged form and fully restore my power to that of a Mid-Grade Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure." The story continues at audio–novel.com.

Selene's Ring also spoke, "To restore our power, we can only serve as the Formation Artifact [a magical treasure that serves as the core or key component of a defensive or offensive formation] for this place, relying on the power of the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and nodes, often used for defense, attack, or cultivation]."

"Once we leave this place, even with the nourishment of a Fourth Rank Earth Vein [a high-grade spiritual energy source embedded within the earth], it would take a hundred years to regain enough power for battle. To fully restore our peak capabilities would require centuries of nurturing."

"I see,"

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. With the next Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] less than a dozen years away, the Ji Clan would undoubtedly seize the chaotic opportunity to eliminate major enemies for their Ji Clan Patriarch, thereby increasing his chances of a successful breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement in power and longevity] realm.

This process promised to be fraught with immense danger and turmoil. 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 [a classification for artifacts of immense power specifically designed to combat demonic entities], Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang took to their swords, flying back towards Ji Continent.

As they passed over the territory of Vast Righteousness Ridge, they noticed a steady stream of cultivators heading in the same direction, each face alight with excitement.

Eldrin Chen stopped a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation, the second major stage of cultivation] and asked with curiosity, "This isn't the scheduled time for a True Lord [an honorific title for a Golden Core stage cultivator] to give a lecture on the Dao. Why is everyone heading to Vast Righteousness Ridge?"

"Greetings, Seniors."

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has built their foundational cultivation base], sensing the profound and unfathomable auras of the two, quickly bowed respectfully and then remarked with some curiosity, "The two Seniors must have been in secluded cultivation for many years, correct?"

"To inform the Seniors, Vast Righteousness True Lord broke through to the Infant Soul 7th Tier [the seventh tier of the Infant Soul realm] three years ago, becoming one of the few powerful True Lord [a title for a high-level cultivator] within the Boundless Hundred Provinces."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang before a look of pleasant surprise spread across his face.

A True Lord at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the final stage of the Infant Soul realm] possesses strength that transcends the ordinary. Such an existence could even single-handedly defeat five other True Lord.

It was said that Vast Righteousness True Lord still had a relatively ample lifespan. Now that he had broken through to the Infant Soul Late Stage, barring unforeseen circumstances, he could cultivate to the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the pinnacle of the Infant Soul realm] in the future, and even held a sliver of hope to connect with the Heaven and Earth Souls and attempt a breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the Primordial Spirit, the spiritual core of a cultivator].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen also ascended Vast Righteousness Ridge, intending to offer his congratulations to Vast Righteousness True Lord.

They had just set foot upon Vast Righteousness Ridge when they saw a figure in verdant robes fly out to meet them. From a distance, the man called out, "I wondered who required this old man's personal welcome. So it is you two, Fellow Daoists."

The newcomer was indeed Verdant Spirit True Person, a disciple of Vast Righteousness True Lord. With a smile, he grasped Eldrin Chen's arm and said, "It has been barely over a century, and you two have already cultivated to the Golden Core Late Stage [the late stage of the Golden Core realm]. Truly, you live up to your reputation as the most exceptional prodigies of Ji Continent."

"You flatter us, Fellow Daoist."

Exquisite Jiang offered a faint smile and said calmly, "I see you, Fellow Daoist, are not far from the Infant Soul Realm [the realm where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed]. Perhaps before long, I shall have to address you as Senior."

Over a hundred years had passed. Not only had Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang experienced a meteoric rise in their cultivation, but Verdant Spirit True Person had also made astonishing progress. He had actually advanced in one continuous surge from the eighth layer of the Golden Core [the realm of the solidified golden core] to the False Infant Soul Realm [a pseudo-realm just before forming the true infant soul].

Verdant Spirit True Person shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "A pity I failed twice in my attempts to break through to Infant Soul [the realm of the nascent soul], wasting two precious and invaluable Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a rare elixir that aids in the formation of the nascent soul]."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he could not help but sigh inwardly. Truly, Verdant Spirit True Person benefited greatly from having the backing of a powerful True Lord [a title for a cultivator in the Infant Soul Realm].

That Celestial Star Child [a Daoist title meaning 'Child of the Celestial Stars'] had considerable luck and committed all manner of heinous acts, yet he still exhausted his entire fortune to obtain merely two Nascent Soul Formation Pill.

Yet Verdant Spirit True Person, backed by Vast Righteousness True Lord, a powerful True Lord at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Infant Soul Realm], received his master's full support. Even procuring two or three Nascent Soul Formation Pill would not cripple his resources. This chapter is provided by audio-novel-dot-com. Support the original.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, you are not yet eight hundred years old. Your lifespan is still relatively ample. Achieving the Infant Soul should not be overly difficult for you."

"It is not that simple," he replied. "I must still consume one or two fourth-rank Longevity Pill [an elixir that extends a cultivator's lifespan] to accumulate sufficient longevity and Vital Essence, Energy, and Spirit [the three foundational energies of a cultivator: essence, qi, and spirit] to assault the Infant Soul Realm."

Verdant Spirit True Person shook his head again, yet in his heart, he felt four or five parts confident. Possessing Middle-Tier 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 Infant Soul should be considerable.

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

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and produced a jade vial, offering it forward.

The Verdant Spirit True Person glanced inside and saw three precious Precious Pill [a high-grade cultivation pill], their value likely exceeding five million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy].

His face immediately blossomed into a smile. He took Eldrin Chen by the arm and said, "You are too generous, Fellow Daoist. Please, follow me."

The two followed the Verdant Spirit True Person up Vast Righteousness Peak and were settled into a cave abode on a Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy].

They waited on the Spirit Mountain for over ten days until the banquet hosted by Vast Righteousness True Lord finally commenced. When they arrived 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 [the second major realm of cultivation] or above. Most hailed from the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range and the surrounding great continents. There were even over a dozen cultivators who had reached the Infant Soul Realm [the Nascent Soul stage, a high level of cultivation].

Eldrin Chen recognized few of those dozen or so True Lord [a title for a Nascent Soul cultivator]. However, the Verdant Spirit True Person made a point to stay by their side, introducing each of those esteemed figures.

As the introductions proceeded, Eldrin Chen gradually came to understand the backgrounds of these individuals.

There were twelve True Lord in total. Among them, three were True Lord from the Ji Clan: Noctis the True Lord, Freya the True Lord, and Voidless the True Lord.

Noctis the True Lord was naturally known to Eldrin Chen. This individual was a Earthly Path Infant Soul [a cultivator whose foundation is tied to the earth, offering great stability but slower advancement]. In terms of innate talent and latent potential, he was considered a rare sight even among Infant Soul [the spiritual core formation stage of cultivation] cultivators.

Voidless the True Lord, on the other hand, was a Mortal Path Infant Soul [a cultivator whose foundation is tied to the mortal realm, limiting ultimate potential]. It was said he had already weathered one great tribulation and lived for over five thousand years. However, shackled by the limitations of the Mortal Path Infant Soul, his cultivation had stagnated at the Infant Soul 6th Tier [the sixth level of the Infant Soul realm], forever trapped at this bottleneck with no hope of further progress. Published by audio-novel.com. All rights reserved.