Chapter 445 : Gathering of the Infant Soul Lords

Freya the True Lord was a woman of peerless grace and beauty. She was also a practitioner of the Earthly Path Infant Soul [a cultivation method focused on grounding one's spiritual foundation in the earth's essence]. Having broken through to the Infant Soul [the spiritual embryo stage of cultivation] realm less than a millennium ago, she had already cultivated her way to the Infant Soul 4th Tier.

Aside from the Ji Clan, Eldrin Chen also spotted a familiar figure—none other than the Crimson Dragon True Lord from the Eastern Sea Coast.

The Crimson Dragon True Lord's cultivation was unfathomably profound. He even commanded a crimson flood dragon at the Demon Emperor [a sovereign rank among demonic beings] realm. In terms of bearing and sheer magical power, he seemed a match even for Vast Righteousness True Lord.

Furthermore, the Heavenly Star Sect from the Heavenly Star Continent and the Heavenly Reed Sect from Tianlu Continent had each sent one or two Infant Soul True Lord [a title for cultivators who have reached the Infant Soul realm]. The leader of the Heavenly Reed Sect was a Sovereign [a ruler-level cultivator].

The representative from the Heavenly Star Sect was Crimson Brow True Lord, while Tianlu Continent sent Ancient Furnace True Lord. However, both were practitioners of the Mortal Path Infant Soul [a more common, earthbound method for reaching the Infant Soul realm] and their cultivation had only reached the Infant Soul Early Stage.

There were also several other Infant Soul True Lord from various Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain or territory]. Yet, all followed the Mortal Path Infant Soul, and none had stepped into the Infant Soul Mid Stage.

As Verdant Spirit True Person continued the introductions, his gaze settled on the final guest. "Ah, and that one," he said, "is the Clan Patriarch of the Qin Immortal Clan from Tianlu Continent, Lonely Void Qin, also known as True Lord Qin."

"He broke through to Infant Soul a mere six hundred years ago, yet he possesses the Violet Cosmos Path Body [a rare innate constitution attuned to cosmic mysteries]. Although he also practices the Mortal Path Infant Soul, there is still some hope he may break through to the Infant Soul Mid Stage."

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze fixing on a violet-robed figure seated at the banquet.

A flicker of intent passed through his eyes. He glanced sideways at Exquisite Jiang, their gazes meeting in silent understanding. In the end, he let the killing intent subside, choosing not to reveal it. This content originates from audio-novel`com. Please respect copyright.

That Lonely Void Qin had broken through to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed] realm six hundred years ago. His cultivation had already reached the Infant Soul 2nd Tier [the second level of the Infant Soul realm], and he possessed two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [supreme-grade magical artifacts specifically designed to suppress demonic beings]. This was not the opportune moment to make a move against him.

At that moment, however, Lonely Void Qin glanced unintentionally at Exquisite Jiang and remarked to a True Lord [a cultivator who has achieved the True Lord realm, a stage beyond Golden Core] beside him, "I see that woman possesses a Path Body [a rare and powerful innate physique aligned with a specific cultivation path], and her cultivation is not far from the True Lord realm. I wonder who she might be?"

The man looked over and said with a smile, "Her? That is Exquisite Jiang, a renowned peerless genius known across several surrounding continents. It is said she recently succeeded in forging a Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [a divine sword imbued with the power to slay 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 Vast Righteousness True Lord."

"I see," Lonely Void Qin nodded, a wry smile touching his lips. "To have forged a Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core foundation, representing immense potential]... this old man feels inadequate by comparison."

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

After the banquet ended, the gathered True Lord soon departed from the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range. Just as Eldrin Chen was preparing to leave, he was detained by Verdant Spirit True Person.

"My master wishes to see you both."

So saying, Verdant Spirit True Person escorted Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang to a secluded Bamboo Hut.

Vast Righteousness True Lord was already seated upon a meditation cushion. He gestured for Verdant Spirit True Person to withdraw, then regarded the two Mortal Path [a profound cultivation method focused on comprehending the mortal world] cultivators with a serene smile.

"You have both been most generous with your gifts for this old man's celebration feast."

"True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator who has mastered profound truths] has bestowed upon us the grace of imparting the Path. These modest gifts are nothing in comparison."

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 a significant sum to a True Lord, but it represented the entire life's fortune of many a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual power into a solid Golden Core].

Vast Righteousness True Lord nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two of them before he spoke. "Your cultivation progress is commendable. It seems it will not be long before you touch the threshold of the Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual form that emerges after the Golden Core stage]."

He paused briefly after saying this, then inquired, "Do you intend to forge an Earthly Path Infant Soul [a foundational but limited-grade nascent soul], or do you seek the destined chance [a rare opportunity or stroke of fate] to forge a Heavenly Path Infant Soul [a superior-grade nascent soul with far greater potential]?"

"Naturally, the Heavenly Path Infant Soul."

Eldrin Chen stated calmly. For prodigies of their caliber, settling for a mere Earthly Path Infant Soul was unthinkable.

The potential of an Earthly Path Infant Soul was inherently limited. Those who forged one would typically find their path ending at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Infant Soul realm]. Advancing further was an arduous task of ten thousand difficulties; barring a heaven-defying stroke of fate, the hope of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the stage where one's spiritual essence merges with the primordial energies of heaven and earth] did not exceed half a ten percent chance.

In truth, among all the Primordial Spirit Cultivator [cultivators who have achieved the Primordial Spirit realm] under the heavens, nearly eighty percent had forged Heavenly Path Infant Soul. Only the remaining twenty percent of Primordial Spirit Cultivator had ascended from an Earthly Path Infant Soul foundation.

Yet, the number of Earthly Path Infant Soul cultivators exceeded those with Heavenly Path Infant Soul by more than tenfold. This stark contrast served as further proof of its vastly inferior potential compared to the Heavenly Path Infant Soul.

The Vast Righteousness True Lord nodded, a smile gracing his features as he spoke, "To forge an Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the nascent soul formed by comprehending the Heavenly Path], one requires Heavenly Path Energy [a rare and profound spiritual essence aligned with the laws of heaven] to accomplish it. Moreover, this very Heavenly Path Energy is also the key treasure for breaking through to the Infant Soul Late Stage."

"Do you know why I chose to establish my Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain for cultivation and seclusion] within the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range and have guarded this place for over a thousand years?"

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang, a flicker of astonishment passing through their eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "Please enlighten us, Senior."

"All things between heaven and earth possess spirit, and the Purple Seal Realm too has its own subtle, ineffable will."

The Vast Righteousness True Lord began his tale, his opening words striking like thunder. "Once every thousand years, the will of heaven and earth within the Purple Seal Realm undergoes a profound Heaven and Earth Resonance [a cosmic alignment where the world's essence harmonizes], bestowing a hidden opportunity upon the land."

"This opportunity manifests as Heavenly Path Energy. And the locations where this Heaven and Earth Resonance occurs are none other than the famed mountains and great rivers scattered across the Purple Seal Realm." Official source: audio‑novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"This very Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range is one of the thirty-six renowned ancient mountain veins within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, and it is also a crucial site for the Heaven and Earth Resonance."

Eldrin Chen's heart trembled, a mixture of elation and surprise washing over him.

His joy stemmed from the revelation that the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range was a key site for the resonance. His surprise, however, came from the knowledge that such a node would have long been discovered by high-level cultivators. How, then, could it possibly be available to them?

Sure enough, the Vast Righteousness True Lord continued, "My original purpose in coming here was precisely for the Heavenly Path Energy."

"This..."

Seeing the look of astonishment on Eldrin Chen's face, Vast Righteousness True Lord shook his head once more and said, "The Heavenly Path Energy [a rare and potent spiritual essence bestowed by the heavens] is exceedingly precious. The Heaven and Earth Resonance [a celestial event where heaven and earth align, occurring once every thousand years] is, by its very nature, an opportunity granted by the will of the world to Golden Core Cultivators."

"If we Infant Soul Cultivators were to forcibly seize the Heavenly Path Energy meant for Golden Core Cultivators, we would incur the world's disfavor in the future. When attempting our own breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the divine lightning tribulation one must face to advance] we face would become far more terrifying. Therefore, none of us would willingly intervene."

"I have laid preparations here for many years, in truth, to select a truly heaven-favored prodigy, assist them in seizing the Heavenly Path Energy, and have them deliver one strand to this old man as payment once they succeed."

As he spoke, Vast Righteousness True Lord smiled again. "However, I have now encountered another fortuitous opportunity and have broken through to the Infant Soul Late Stage. Thus, I no longer have need for this Heavenly Path Energy."

"Senior, you mean..." Eldrin Chen's expression brightened with hope, but then he composed himself and asked solemnly, "If we were to receive your assistance, what price would we be required to pay?"

Exquisite Jiang's gaze also flickered with thought. The schemes Vast Righteousness True Lord had woven over a millennium were surely not something one could obtain without significant cost.

After all, this was a stratagem laid down over a thousand years by a powerful True Lord. To gain his aid would almost guarantee securing at least one strand of Heavenly Path Energy.

Furthermore, during each occurrence of the Heaven and Earth Resonance at the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, the Heavenly Path Energy that descends never exceeds three strands. At such times, Golden Core Cultivators from at least several dozen of the great provinces within the Boundless Hundred Provinces would converge to fight for this treasure, a testament to its immense value.

Yet, contrary to all expectations, Vast Righteousness True Lord shook his head and stated calmly, "My reason for seeking out you two is that I see great promise in your innate talent and wisdom. I do not seek any repayment from you."

"If you can break through to the Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the stage where one's nascent soul begins to comprehend the profound mysteries of the heavens], there may yet come a day when we can stand shoulder to shoulder in battle."

He handed an ancient scroll to the two of them, then turned to leave. "Return now. While we can still hold the line for a few more years, you must grow swiftly."

"I will be waiting for you on the path ahead…" The story continues at audio-novel[dot]com.