Chapter 468 : The Legendary Jade's Call

The Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool capable of bestowing rebirth or profound healing] requires three thousand six hundred and fifty varieties of Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy], hundreds of rare minerals, and a single piece of 'Soul-Returning Jade' [a legendary jade said to have the power to recall or mend a departed soul] to be successfully forged.

Although the Spirit Medicine and minerals are difficult to find, given the Chen Clan's current Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and stable accumulation of resources and power], they could likely gather them over several years of accumulation. However, the Soul-Returning Jade is a treasure born of heaven and earth, something one can only encounter by fate, not seek out by force.

"We can arrange to inquire about this Soul-Returning Jade in the days to come,"

Eldrin Chen said, then turned his gaze to the assembled group. "There are thousands upon thousands of low-tier Immortal Clan [powerful families with cultivators capable of achieving immortality] within the Ji Continent. Even within our own Heaven's Ruin Alliance, there are many Cultivation Clan [families dedicated to the practice of cultivation] capable of taking over a Third Rank Spirit Vein [a spiritual energy source of the third rank, suitable for high-level cultivators]."

"But a Fourth Rank Spirit Vein [a spiritual energy source of the fourth rank, immensely valuable] starts at a value of ten million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Even if sold at half price, few cultivators would be willing to spend such a fortune."

"You should travel to the various clans of the Ji Continent and inquire if any Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, a major milestone] wishes to make a purchase."

The group nodded in agreement. Kael Chen spoke up, "I will make the journey."

After further discussion to finalize the details of establishing the new cultivation nation, the council meeting drew to a close.

After the others had departed, Lila remained. She looked at Eldrin Chen, bit her lip, and said, "Uncle, I wish to travel to the Extreme Northern Ice Plains."

"Ah." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel[dot]com.

Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh. After so many years together, he understood Lila's thoughts all too well.

Though her demeanor was cool and aloof, her inner spirit was one of unyielding resolve. To have the threshold of the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [the highest potential form of the Nascent Soul realm, aligned with the Heavenly Dao] so tantalizingly close, yet remain unable to cross it, was an unbearable torment for her.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen handed her a Storage Ring [a ring containing a dimensional space for storing items]. Within it were treasures he had personally prepared: two Supreme Grade Magical Treasure [the pinnacle grade of enchanted artifacts] and two Treasure Talisman [powerful, single-use talismans of great potency] crafted by his own hand.

"Take these treasures. They may save your life at a critical moment."

She offered no refusal, accepting the Storage Ring and clutching it tightly in her hand.

Seeing her silent, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "Do not be in such haste to depart. By my reckoning, the discourse on the Ancient Primordial Inscription [a mysterious artifact containing profound Daoist insights from the primordial era] at the Heavenly Lake Continent will commence in a few years' time. You should attend and seek enlightenment there."

"Very well."

Lila watched his departing figure, her grip on the ring tightening. She stood there in silent vigil for a long, long time.

Two years flowed by like a river. As the date for the Ancient Primordial Inscription discourse drew near, Eldrin Chen decided to lead several of the clan's Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the third major realm] on the journey to Heavenly Lake Continent.

This time, besides Eldrin Chen himself, the party consisted of four others: the Old Patriarch, Kael Chen, Silas Chen, and Lila.

Eldrin Chen could no longer contemplate the Ancient Primordial Inscription [mysterious carvings left by ancient sages]. His purpose for making this journey in person was to request one or two slots for its study from Zixu the Daoist.

The four of them traveled aboard the Celestial Crane Treasure Boat [a flying vessel shaped like a crane]. Their journey was significantly shortened by the use of Teleportation Formation [magical arrays that allow instantaneous travel over vast distances], allowing them to traverse the Celestial Star Continent at a greatly accelerated pace.

Thus, after only half a year, they arrived at Heavenly Lake Island. There, upon the island, Eldrin Chen met with Zixu the Daoist.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen's arrival, Zixu the Daoist smiled and said, "It has been but a mere century, and already word has spread that Fellow Daoist Chen has slain a False Nascent Soul Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic beast whose power approaches that of a Nascent Soul cultivator]. Your reputation truly precedes you."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]," Eldrin Chen replied with a light laugh, his gaze appraising Zixu the Daoist. "Brother Zixu, your cultivation has already reached the False Nascent Soul Realm [a quasi-realm just below the true Nascent Soul stage]. I suspect your strength is now on par with my own."

"You are too kind."

This Zixu the Daoist possessed a special Dao Body [an innate physique exceptionally suited for cultivation], which in turn granted him access to a Demon-Subduing Treasure [a powerful artifact specifically designed to combat demonic forces]. He was counted among the notable Heaven's Chosen [prodigies blessed by fate] within the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents.

Now, with his cultivation advanced another step, the sheer depth of his mana likely even surpassed that of Eldrin Chen. Were it not for Eldrin Chen possessing one more Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a pinnacle-grade artifact for vanquishing demons], it was uncertain if he could claim victory over him.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zixu the Daoist finally smiled and asked, "Might I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?"

"I have come solely to request one or two slots to contemplate the ancient inscription."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and proceeded to introduce Chen Thalion and the others to Zixu the Daoist.

After hearing the introductions, Zixu the Daoist's pupils contracted slightly in surprise. He exclaimed with admiration, "Your Immortal Clan's True Qi [the refined energy cultivated by practitioners] is indeed flourishing and prosperous. Its future prospects appear boundless."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to the Old Patriarch, Kael Chen, and Lila. Stroking his beard, he continued, "Fellow Daoist Thalion's cultivation has reached the Golden Core, Late Stage. With his Deep-Seated Foundation [a profoundly stable and potent cultivation base] forged from a Middle Golden Core, his participation in the discourse alone should secure him a place."

"Although Kael Fellow Daoist and Stella, the Immortal Maiden are only at the Golden Core, Mid Stage, they possess Superior Golden Core [a high-grade Golden Core formation]. They, too, are likely to distinguish themselves through the discourse."

"Only Silas, the Immortal Maiden's cultivation is somewhat weaker. I can take it upon myself to grant her a separate spot."

Eldrin Chen nodded and clasped his hands in a gesture of thanks. "You have my gratitude." Original publication: audio‑novel.com - The source of this chapter.

"For such a minor matter, thanks are unnecessary."

Zixu the Daoist then smiled again and said to Eldrin Chen, "There is another matter I wish to discuss with you. Please, follow me."

"I see."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with interest. He followed Zixu the Daoist to a secluded pavilion nestled within the garden.

Zixu the Daoist dismissed the attendants with a wave and personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen before speaking. "You are a perceptive man, Fellow Daoist. You must already surmise the reason for my invitation."

"Could it be..."

Eldrin Chen's expression remained placid as he stated calmly, "Could it be for the Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial essence of the Heavenly Dao, a supreme treasure for cultivation]?"

"Precisely." Zixu the Daoist nodded in affirmation. "According to my divinations, the next occurrence of Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare celestial alignment where Heaven and Earth energies converge] is less than a century away."

"For us, the nearest site of this convergence will be the Heaven's Spine Mountains."

"When the time comes, countless Golden Core Cultivator [practitioners who have condensed their spiritual power into a Golden Core] from across the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents will flock there to contend for it. Among them, the number of those who have forged a Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core foundation] will likely not be fewer than several dozen."

Eldrin Chen took a slow sip of the spirit-infused tea, a flicker of contemplation stirring within him.

While a Superior Golden Core was exceedingly rare—perhaps one in a hundred among all Golden Core Cultivator—

when viewed from the perspective of the entire Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents, such cultivators, though as scarce as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, could not truly be called uncommon.

Consider this: if even a single great continent gave birth to merely one or two individuals with a Superior Golden Core, the combined total across a hundred continents would still surpass a hundred such formidable practitioners.

Although within the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents there exist several renowned mountain ranges similar to the Heaven's Spine Mountains, even if only a small portion of Superior Golden Core cultivators were to come to the Heaven's Spine Mountains, it is likely that there would be over several dozen Human Race Golden Core experts.

Following the conventions of past occurrences, among these Superior Golden Core cultivators, those possessing a Dao Body [a physique innately attuned to the Dao, granting exceptional cultivation aptitude] would likely number no fewer than ten.

This does not even account for the prodigies of the Demonic Tribe. It can be foreseen that among the Demonic Tribe, there will also be Demon King [powerful demonic beasts equivalent to Golden Core cultivators] of potent bloodlines coming to seize this opportunity.

Although Zixu the Daoist prided himself on his extraordinary talent and fortune, and possessed a Demon-Subduing Treasure [a powerful artifact specifically designed to suppress demonic forces], he dared not claim with certainty that he could overpower all rivals and obtain the Heavenly Dao Qi [a wisp of primordial energy embodying the will of the Heavenly Dao, crucial for forming a supreme-grade Golden Core].

Therefore, this Zixu the Daoist had come this time to seek an alliance with him.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen felt a stirring of interest.

According to established precedent, the Heavenly Dao Qi nurtured within the Heaven's Spine Mountains numbered no fewer than three wisps, and no more than five.

Although he and Lyra Jiang possessed formidable strength and had the contingency plan laid by Magnus the Virtuous, securing two wisps of Heavenly Dao Qi at once would not be an easy feat.

If they formed an alliance with Zixu the Daoist, combining the power of the three of them, their chances of securing three wisps of Heavenly Dao Qi would be significantly greater. This chapter appears courtesy of audi0-n0vel.c0m.