Chapter 463 : A Legacy of Earth Veins and Spirit Medicine

Lyra Jiang gazed at the Creation Azure Jade Lotus and, after a moment, said, "Although this object is profoundly wondrous, I fear it will still require nearly a hundred years to advance to the Fifth Rank."

"That is of no consequence; we can certainly afford to wait a century," Eldrin Chen replied with a smile.

As the two inspected the Spirit Vein and Earth Vein [a powerful terrestrial energy channel] of the Azure Lotus Continent, their astonishment only grew. Such a precious Earth Vein was something even many True Lord who had just entered the Nascent Soul realm would find difficult to obtain. They never imagined they would now possess one themselves.

Especially within that Fifth Rank Wood Attribute Earth Vein, there grew a vast quantity of Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy]. Although the mature specimens had almost all been harvested by the Ji Clan, a great many immature ones were left for the Chen Clan.

Eldrin Chen had a tally made. Setting aside the numerous Flood Water Azure Lotus, this Earth Vein would yield mature Fourth Rank Spirit Medicine every ten years henceforth.

Deep within the Earth Vein, they also discovered three immature specimens of Fifth Rank Spirit Medicine: one Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit, one Spirit-Returning Wood, and one 'Tribulation Transcendence Flower'.

The Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit was a supreme treasure for refining the Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul]. This fruit required three Millennium [periods of one thousand years] to mature and was an exceedingly rare treasure. The one before them had already grown for over two thousand years and would need roughly five hundred more to ripen.

The Spirit-Returning Wood possessed the marvelous effect of nourishing the spirit soul. It could be used to craft the precious Second Primordial Embryo [a technique to create a second spiritual avatar] and was also an extraordinarily rare wonder in the world.

The 'Tribulation Transcendence Flower' had even more remarkable uses. This flower possessed the power to transcend calamities and dissolve tribulations, aiding cultivators in navigating the 'obscurity of the womb' [the forgetting of past lives upon reincarnation] and allowing them to embark on the cultivation path anew with memories of their previous life intact.

It was said the 'Tribulation Transcendence Flower' served as a precious catalyst for cultivating the 'Nirvana Tribulation Transference Art'. Thus, this object was considered an extremely valuable and coveted treasure by many Nascent Soul True Lord. Read the full novel exclusively on audio—novel.com.

However, the Tribulation Transcendence Flower [a rare spiritual flower said to aid in transcending heavenly tribulations] grows with excruciating slowness, requiring five Millennium [a period of one thousand years] of time to gestate and reach full maturity. The specimen before them had already grown for over three thousand years, yet it would still require another Millennium [a period of one thousand years] to fully ripen.

"The Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit [a legendary fruit that can assist a cultivator in forming their Nascent Soul], the Spirit-Returning Wood [a mystical wood that can restore and nourish a damaged spirit], and this Tribulation Transcendence Flower [a rare spiritual flower said to aid in transcending heavenly tribulations]—all are treasures of immeasurable worth,"

"It is a pity the Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit [a legendary fruit that can assist a cultivator in forming their Nascent Soul] requires another five hundred years, the Spirit-Returning Wood [a mystical wood that can restore and nourish a damaged spirit] needs four hundred more years of growth, and the Tribulation Transcendence Flower [a rare spiritual flower said to aid in transcending heavenly tribulations] must gestate for another one thousand two hundred years before it matures."

Eldrin Chen shook his head as he spoke. These treasures were indeed priceless, yet they were of no immediate use.

At that very moment, Old Patriarch arrived hurriedly at the Azure Lotus Continent via the Teleportation Formation [a magical array that allows instantaneous travel across vast distances]. No sooner had he set foot on the Azure Lotus Continent than he sought out Eldrin Chen.

Old Granduncle's expression was troubled, etched with a trace of sorrow. "Eldrin!" he said, his voice tinged with grief.

"What is it?"

Seeing the distress on Chen Thalion's face, a cold weight settled in Eldrin Chen's heart.

Chen Thalion shook his head, a bitter smile twisting his lips. "Your Aunt Elara... she has passed from meditation."

In somber silence, Eldrin Chen made his way to Ancient Desolate City. Within the City Lord Grand Hall, he beheld the mortal remains of Chen Elara.

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

As the Old Patriarch recounted the events beside him, Eldrin Chen quickly understood the cause and effect.

Chen Elara had passed away in meditation seven days prior. It turned out that when the great battle at Demonic Ape Mountain was raging, nearly all the cultivators of the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World had rushed to Demonic Ape Mountain.

Seizing the opportunity presented by the emptied Chu Kingdom Cultivation World, a number of Demonic Monsters [malevolent creatures born from demonic energy] infiltrated the Chu Kingdom to wreak havoc. Among them were powerful Great Demonic Monster [powerful demonic beasts] that had reached the Golden Core realm.

The most formidable of these Demonic Monsters at the time was the Azure Flood Dragon Demon King, a creature at the False Nascent Soul Realm [a state of power approaching but not yet reaching the Nascent Soul realm]. This fiend was a direct descendant of the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor and had already transformed into a Flood Dragon [a powerful draconic creature] even before breaking through to Nascent Soul.

That Azure Flood Dragon bore a grudge against Eldrin Chen and naturally sought to devour the Chen Clan cultivators of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness.

At that time, the only high-ranking cultivator left to garrison Ancient Desolate City was Chen Elara, a solitary False Core [a cultivator whose power is between Golden Core and Nascent Soul].

With her strength alone, facing the Azure Flood Dragon was nearly a hopeless path. Yet, to prevent the Chen Clan forces on the front lines from falling into disarray, she did not send for reinforcements. Instead, she stubbornly held on, channeling her power into the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense or attack] to resist.

The Azure Flood Dragon Demon King's power was overwhelming. To withstand this Flood Dragon whose strength neared the Nascent Soul realm, Chen Elara was forced to burn her lifeblood and exhaust her mana, pouring everything into fueling the Formation's power.

Pushing herself to the absolute limit, Chen Elara managed to hold the Azure Flood Dragon at bay for three hours by leveraging the Heavenly Stems Stars Grand Formation. The cost, however, was devastatingly severe.

Her lifespan had already neared four hundred years, her vital essence and blood were utterly depleted. To activate the Formation, she had exhausted her own mana and lifeblood essence.

After the Azure Flood Dragon Demon King retreated, Chen Elara lay upon her sickbed for several days, but in the end, she could no longer hold on and passed away in meditation.

"During this time, you were assaulting the Fifth Rank Spirit Vein, and I was tending to Ethan's injuries. I only learned of this matter these past two days."

The Old Patriarch sighed as he spoke, a trace of regret coloring his brow.

Eldrin Chen's expression was pained. If Chen Elara had not delayed so much time helping him acquire the Five Elements Essence, she might have already broken through to the Golden Core Realm by now.

Had she broken through to the Golden Core Realm, she would not have perished from the exhaustion of her vital essence and blood. Access the full story on audio . novel . com.

Chen Thalion noticed his expression and knew his thoughts. He offered consolation from the side: "You cannot blame yourself for this. Her mana was ultimately not refined enough. Even without the delay, her hope of a Golden Core breakthrough was likely slim."

"Alas." Eldrin Chen sighed, then gritted his teeth and declared, "Have someone keep watch on that Azure Flood Dragon. The moment it leaves the Azure Wave Lake, I will personally take its head to avenge Aunt Elara."

"I will." The Old Patriarch nodded.

Thinking of Chen Elara's death, Eldrin Chen spoke again: "Does Uncle Lior know about this yet?"

"I do not yet know." Chen Thalion shook his head, a bitter smile on his face. "His physical body is now destroyed. Kael is still in seclusion, helping him stabilize his Golden Core [the solidified essence of a cultivator's power, forming a core within the dantian]. I do not know how to tell him about this."

Eldrin Chen remained silent, but noticed a young woman in red robes approaching from not far behind, her voice choked with sobs.

The young woman was Chen Nianxuan. This girl possessed a Heavenly Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root granting exceptional cultivation talent]. Though barely over forty years of age, she had already reached the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where the cultivator forms a spiritual mansion within their dantian] realm.

She had remained in the rear during this battle and had witnessed Chen Elara burn away her essence blood until her life was extinguished.

Chen Nianxuan wiped away her tears, her eyes slightly reddened. "Mother asked me to tell you," she said, her voice trembling, "that the path of cultivation is always fraught with hardship and tribulation. She considered herself incredibly fortunate to have come this far."

"She never dreamed of achieving immortality. To have lived for nearly four hundred years was already more than enough for her."

"After she is gone, you must harbor no regrets, no hesitation. You must simply continue moving forward…"

Eldrin Chen silently left the manor, his expression somber as he made his way to Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Within the Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a secluded cultivation chamber built around a pool of concentrated spiritual energy] on Verdant Chariot Mountain, Kael Chen was currently assisting Lior Chen in stabilizing his Golden Core.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, Lior Chen, despite having lost his physical form entirely, spoke with evident joy. "You have finally returned. I heard we successfully captured that Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a vein of earth imbued with immense spiritual energy, suitable for high-level cultivation]."

"Hahaha, to have captured a Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a high-grade source of concentrated spiritual energy], this old man's physical body being destroyed was not in vain."

Eldrin Chen's expression turned somber, and he felt a pang of reluctance to reveal the harsh truth.

His heart heavy with sorrow, he could only produce the Nirvana Pill [a supreme-grade elixir capable of miraculous restoration] and say, "Fortunately, the clan still had one Nirvana Pill preserved. This treasure can help you rebuild your physical form."

"It's just a destroyed body, why are you all looking so grim?"

Seeing their troubled expressions, Lior Chen mistakenly thought their distress stemmed from the loss of his physical vessel.

He took the Nirvana Pill, his face brightening with hope. "This Nirvana Pill truly lives up to its name as a supreme treasure pill. With this in hand, within one Jiazi-time [a sixty-year cycle] I can recover my peak condition. It won't hinder my cultivation."

"Once my body is restored, I can fight for the clan for another five hundred years."

Lior Chen continued, a forced smile on his face as he asked, "And where is your Aunt Elara? I'm injured this severely, and she doesn't even come to see me. That's truly unacceptable." For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel dot com.