Chapter 464 : Silent Grief and the Azure Dragon

"A pity I possess only a single Golden Core [the crystallized essence of a cultivator's power and lifespan] at this moment. Once I recover from my injuries, I must…"

As he spoke, Lior Chen noticed the deepening silence and somber expressions on the faces of Eldrin Chen and Kael, and a sense of unease began to stir within him.

He hesitated briefly, then ventured the question, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "Your Aunt Elara… she wasn't injured, was she?"

"Or perhaps…"

Eldrin Chen remained silent, and beside him, Kael Chen offered no words either.

Lior Chen watched them quietly, and in the end, he too fell into a heavy silence.

Sometimes, a wordless silence speaks more eloquently than a thousand words ever could.

A long while later, Lior Chen took the Nirvana Pill [a legendary pill said to grant rebirth or profound healing], quietly absorbing its potent nirvanic energies.

"Who was responsible?" he finally asked, his voice low.

"The Azure Flood Dragon…" Original publication: *audio-novel.com* - The source of this chapter.

Eldrin Chen emerged from the Seclusion Chamber and strode towards the residence of Ethan Chen.

The cost of this battle for the Chen Clan was unprecedented. Not only was Lior Chen's physical body destroyed, but even the exceptionally talented Ethan Chen now teetered on the brink of death.

At this moment, Ethan Chen sat cross-legged within the Spirit Pool [a pool of concentrated spiritual energy], his body covered in cracks, his life sustained only by a tenuous thread of vital essence and mana.

Chen Seraphina, who was responsible for his care, spoke softly as Eldrin Chen approached. "His meridians are shattered almost completely. Even after taking the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill [a powerful healing elixir], the injuries cannot be fully suppressed."

"It was only through the Clan Patriarch personally channeling his Golden Core, Late Stage [an advanced stage of the Golden Core realm] mana, supplemented by the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill, that his condition was barely stabilized."

Eldrin Chen nodded, activating his Insight Eye [a mystical ability to perceive spiritual and physical conditions] to examine Ethan Chen's wounds. He perceived that the Water-Fire Spiritual Power [the spiritual energies of water and fire] within Ethan Chen's body were entangled and clashing, continuously rebelling against and corroding his physical form.

After a long observation, he frowned and said, "He ignored the conflict of his Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines a cultivator's elemental affinity], forcibly unleashing the power of the twin swords' union, which erupted with combat strength rivaling the Golden Core [a major realm of cultivation] realm."

"Such reckless channeling of mana, while it dramatically increased his power, also made it impossible for him to control the conflicting Water-Fire Spiritual Power within."

"In this state, the only path to full recovery is for him to subdue the warring spiritual energies through sheer force of will. Only then can he break free from this cocoon and emerge transformed."

"For now, all we can do is stabilize his injuries."

The Old Patriarch beside him nodded, yet replied with a bitter smile, "The injuries of Ethan will continue to flare up. I fear that relying solely on the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill [a potent pill for dispelling malignant energies and restoring vitality] will still be utterly insufficient to suppress them."

"There is, however, a way to suppress the injuries," Eldrin Chen mused for a moment before speaking. "In the Qi Kingdom, Ancestor Mo possesses a substance known as 'Spirit-Void True Water' [a rare spiritual liquid capable of healing wounds inflicted at the Golden Core Realm]. It can treat injuries sustained at the Golden Core Realm."

"Combined with the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill, this should stabilize Ethan's condition. As for whether he can ultimately harmonize his spiritual power, that will depend on his own efforts."

The Old Patriarch's expression shifted slightly. "There is some... history between us and Ancestor Mo from those past events," he said.

"From what I have observed, Ancestor Mo is not a petty man," Eldrin Chen replied, his eyes glinting thoughtfully. "The karma from back then was complex, and it is difficult to assign simple blame. This matter might well serve as an opportunity to resolve that old enmity."

"Very well. I shall swallow my pride and make the journey."

To seek the Spirit-Void True Water, Eldrin Chen decided to travel to the Qi Kingdom personally.

Mounting his Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [a powerful immortal-grade sword], he cleaved through the skies. In a single day, he traversed a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], arriving at the Dao field [a cultivator's personal cultivation grounds] of Ancestor Mo in merely two days.

Given Eldrin Chen's current strength, even a Nascent Soul True Lord would have to treat him with seriousness. Although Ancestor Mo was also a cultivator at the Golden Core Great Perfection realm, there remained a significant gap between them.

Witnessing Eldrin Chen's arrival, Ancestor Mo personally escorted him into the Grand Hall.

After the two were seated, Ancestor Mo spoke, "What matter brings Fellow Daoist to my Verdant Ink Mountain today?"

"I have come for the Spirit-Void True Water [a potent medicinal elixir known for its gentle healing properties]," Eldrin Chen stated without preamble, dispensing with excessive pleasantries.

A flicker of understanding passed through Ancestor Mo's eyes. The Spirit-Void True Water was not an innate spiritual water but a precious Spirit Medicine [a medicinal substance infused with spiritual energy for cultivation and healing].

He had crafted this medicine by refining hundreds of rare Spirit Medicine with a Fourth Rank [a realm of power corresponding to the Golden Core stage] spiritual water. A single sip was potent enough to heal the wounds of a Golden Core Cultivator [a practitioner who has formed a solidified core of spiritual power].

Furthermore, this Spirit Medicine possessed an exceptionally mild nature. Despite its high grade of Fourth Rank High Grade, even a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a practitioner who has opened the spiritual palace within their dantian] could safely use it for recovery.

Seeing Eldrin Chen seek the Spirit-Void True Water, Ancestor Mo understood that a key figure within the Chen Clan must have sustained grave injuries. Discover more cultivation stories at audio . novel . com.

"Although there were conflicts between my lineage and the Chen Clan in the past, those grudges were formally settled," he mused internally. "What remains is merely lingering personal awkwardness."

"Now, Eldrin Chen has soared to prominence, likely possessing True Lord Potential [the innate aptitude to reach the Nascent Soul realm]. To stubbornly maintain this distance would be foolish."

"It would be wiser to seize this opportunity to fully dissolve the remaining awkwardness and forge a connection with him."

With this thought in mind, Ancestor Mo stroked his beard and declared, "It can be done."

As he spoke, Ancestor Mo handed a vial of Spirit-Void True Water [a rare spiritual liquid prized for its purifying and restorative properties] to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen glanced at it, then shook his head. "My nephew's injury is of a peculiar nature. I fear it cannot be cured in a short time. Do you have any more of this?"

"Although this Spirit-Void True Water possesses extraordinary efficacy, the rare Spirit Medicine required for its concoction is exceedingly scarce," Ancestor Mo explained. "Thus, I possess only this single remaining vial."

Ancestor Mo pondered for a moment, stroking his beard once more. "However, if you can provide the necessary Spirit Medicine, I would be willing to refine it for you without charge."

"My thanks, then." Eldrin Chen clasped his hands in a respectful salute. "May I ask what compensation you require?"

"Compensation is unnecessary." Ancestor Mo offered a faint smile. "All face hardship at times. In the future, should I encounter difficulties, I may seek your aid."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod. After all, Ancestor Mo was a cultivator of the Middle Golden Core realm; there remained a possibility he might one day break through to Nascent Soul.

This man had been the first to offer support during the great battle at Demonic Ape Mountain, helping the Chen Clan catch its breath. Had he not arrived, the casualties might have been far greater.

After purchasing Ancestor Mo's Spirit-Void True Water [a rare medicinal liquid that stabilizes and purifies spiritual injuries] and commissioning him to refine the pill, Eldrin Chen returned to the lands of the Chu Kingdom.

Upon seeing him, the Old Patriarch inquired, "How did it go?"

"It has been settled," replied Eldrin Chen.

As he spoke, he retrieved the Spirit-Void True Water and handed it to the Old Patriarch, then recounted the entire affair.

After listening, the Old Patriarch gave a nod of understanding. The two of them proceeded to Ethan Chen's Seclusion Chamber [a private room for undisturbed cultivation and recovery] and administered the Spirit-Void True Water to him.

Once the medicine was consumed, Ethan Chen's internal injuries indeed began to show signs of improvement, and the danger of further deterioration was averted.

Both men breathed a sigh of relief. With a complex expression, the Old Patriarch remarked, "His condition is now stable. Whether this lad can achieve greatness depends entirely on his own Creation [destiny or fortune, often tied to one's innate potential and the opportunities they encounter]."

"Indeed," agreed Eldrin Chen.

He gave a firm nod. Ethan Chen possessed exceptional talent, and the refinement of his cultivation art was nearly complete. If he could overcome this current tribulation, forging a Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of the Golden Core cultivation stage, representing immense potential] would be almost a certainty.

Furthermore, tempered by this ordeal, the purity of his spiritual energy and the strength of his will would far surpass ordinary cultivators. He might even become stronger than Lila, who also possessed a Superior Golden Core.

The two emerged from the Seclusion Chamber. Eldrin Chen immediately took to his flying sword and headed for Spirit Lake Isle, then traveled via the Teleportation Formation to arrive at Azure Lotus Continent.

Within Azure Lotus Continent, he found Lyra Jiang. At that moment, Lyra Jiang was in the process of refining a golden immortal sword.

This sword was precisely the Lifebound Immortal Sword of the Golden Rhino Female Demon Emperor. Such immortal swords possess a Lifebound Treasure Spirit [a sentient spirit bound to the treasure], whose intelligence is nearly indistinguishable from that of a human, making gaining its recognition an exceedingly difficult task.

Lyra Jiang had no intention of seeking its recognition. Instead, she planned to forcibly refine this immortal sword using her Nascent Soul-level mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by high-level practitioners]. Join our community of readers at audio-novel dot com.