Chapter 469 : Alliance for the Heavenly Dao

"To speak frankly, I sought you out this time to propose an alliance, to join forces in contending for that Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial essence of the Heavenly Dao, a supreme treasure for forming a Nascent Soul]."

Zixu the Daoist spoke in a measured, persuasive tone, yet his gaze held a profound gravity as it settled upon Eldrin Chen.

A Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul formed with the essence of the Heavenly Dao, granting unparalleled potential] is an exceedingly rare existence. Such individuals possess the bearing of a future Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme expert at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm]. Provided they do not fall prematurely, they can almost invariably cultivate to the realm of Nascent Soul Great Perfection.

Even when viewed across the expanse of the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents, such figures are typically the Clan Lord or sect masters of powerful Nascent Soul forces. In the future, they even possess a twenty to thirty percent chance of breaking through to the Nascent Soul Dao Lord realm.

Although this Zixu the Daoist was confident in his own extraordinary talent and latent potential, he dared not claim absolute certainty in obtaining the Heavenly Dao Qi. Even if he could not form an alliance with Eldrin Chen today, he would seek others to join forces with for the contention.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen inquired, "An alliance is acceptable. However, the Heavenly Dao Qi is exceedingly rare. If we can obtain three strands, then the matter is simple."

"But if we cannot obtain three, how shall they be distributed?"

"This..." A slight heaviness settled in Zixu the Daoist's heart. After a long pause, he proposed, "To prevent anyone from contributing effort in name only, if the final tally of Heavenly Dao Qi is insufficient, then the three of us shall distribute it according to the magnitude of our respective contributions."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. For now, the matter was thus tentatively settled. Support the author by reading on audio - novel . com.

Seeing Eldrin Chen agree, Zixu the Daoist revealed a confident expression. He had lived for over a Millennium, having occupied Heavenly Lake Island for several hundred of those years.

Over these years, commanding a Sixth Rank Earth Vein and a Spirit Vein, the resources he had accumulated surpassed those of many newly ascended Nascent Soul True Lord.

In terms of his own Deep-Seated Foundation, he was confident it was not inferior to the direct disciples of major sects. Once he presented everything, he believed his contribution would undoubtedly be astonishing.

Unfortunately, he did not know that Eldrin Chen possessed the backup plan of Magnus the Virtuous, and that he and Lyra Jiang both possessed Innate Great Luo Golden Core, making their origins far beyond anything he could compare to.

Even without the assistance of Zixu the Daoist, they were confident of obtaining two or three strands of Heavenly Dao Qi. The reason for agreeing to ally with him was merely to share some of the pressure and to forge a connection of goodwill.

After all, all three of them possessed exceptional talent. This Zixu the Daoist possessed a Dao Body [a physique innately attuned to the fundamental principles of cultivation] and had long since refined a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure, which could already be considered a remarkable stroke of fortune.

Most crucially, his Dao heart [his unwavering will and dedication to the path of cultivation] was exceptionally firm. He was willing to endure a bitter wait of six hundred years for the chance to forge a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul. This level of resolve and perseverance surpassed that of most Nascent Soul True Lord.

Forming a friendship and becoming allies with such an individual meant they could potentially support each other in the future.

Having decided to cooperate, the two promptly signed a contract and mutually swore a Heart Demon Oath [a binding vow where breaking it invites inner demons and cultivation backlash].

With the foundation of cooperation established, the relationship between the two subtly grew closer. Zixu the Daoist picked up his spirit tea and, using it in place of wine, offered a toast to Eldrin Chen:

"This time, through our cooperation, we are certain to produce three Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [the highest grade of Nascent Soul, formed in perfect resonance with the Heavenly Dao] whose names will shake the world. In the future, this may well become a celebrated tale passed down through the ages."

"Let us hope so."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and took a small sip of his tea.

Shifting the topic, Eldrin Chen recalled his current needs and inquired further, "Having now obtained a Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a powerful natural formation that concentrates and radiates spiritual energy of the fifth rank], I am preparing to begin crafting a Nirvana Pool [a miraculous pool capable of healing severe injuries and even reconstructing a cultivator's physical form]."

"You, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], have cultivated for a millennium. Your knowledge and experience surely far surpass my own. Might I ask if you have ever encountered the Soul-Returning Jade [a rare jade said to possess the power to mend a shattered soul or spirit]?"

"Crafting a Nirvana Pool?"

Zixu the Daoist furrowed his brow, stroking his beard thoughtfully for a moment before replying, "The Soul-Returning Jade is exceedingly rare. I only saw one, three hundred years ago, at a Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare treasures and resources] on Qingluan Continent."

"Alas, at that time, that single piece of Soul-Returning Jade was sold for the staggering price of two hundred Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of spiritual energy crystal, more potent than Spirit Stones], a value comparable to a Middle-Grade Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a powerful magical artifact specifically designed to suppress and combat demonic forces]. I could only watch helplessly as it was purchased by a powerful Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan or family with at least one Nascent Soul realm cultivator as its pillar]."

Zixu the Daoist recounted the tale, and after a long pause, added with a wry smile, "A Nirvana Pool not only aids a Nascent Soul True Lord [an honorific title for a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm] in reconstructing their physical body, but it is also a supreme healing treasure, capable of treating most injuries at the Nascent Soul [the realm of cultivation where one forms a spiritual infant, a significant leap in power and longevity] level."

"Whether used for oneself or rented out to a True Lord [a title for high-level cultivators, often at the Nascent Soul realm or above] whose physical form has been destroyed, this object represents an immensely profitable venture. One could say that once successfully crafted, it becomes a Deep-Seated Foundation [a profound and enduring foundation that can support a clan or sect for countless generations], a legacy to be passed down for ten thousand generations."

"Therefore, they have always been in high demand. If you wish to purchase one, you must prepare well in advance."

After Zixu the Daoist finished speaking, Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding.

He was aware of this. For instance, the Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool capable of regenerating flesh and bone] of the Ji Clan was currently leased by a close friend of the Ji Clan Patriarch for healing purposes. Consequently, cultivators who had lost their physical bodies during the recent Beast Tide Calamity [a catastrophic invasion by demonic beasts] were not eligible to enter it for physical reconstruction.

Although a Nirvana Pool was difficult to find, Zixu the Daoist had nonetheless provided a valuable piece of information.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen smiled and inquired, "I only know that Qingluan Continent [the Azure Simurgh Continent] is one of the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents, but my understanding of it is limited. I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me."

"That Qingluan Continent..." Access the full story on audio-novel`com.

Zixu the Daoist offered a faint smile and began to recount the customs and landscapes of the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents for Eldrin Chen.

The hundred continents near the Vast and Boundless Marsh are collectively called the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents due to their proximity to the marsh, but they also bear another name.

'Three Veins Ancient Domain.'

These so-called three veins refer to three renowned mountains within the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents: the Heaven's Spine Mountains [a mountain range said to be the spine of the heavens], the Guyuan Mountain Range, and the Azure Simurgh Mountain Range.

These three ancient and renowned mountains are all counted among the Thirty-Six Famous Mountains and Great Rivers within the Eastern Wastelands.

The famed mountains and great rivers of the Eastern Wastelands are said to converge the power of the Heaven and Earth Dragon Vein [a supreme terrestrial energy channel that shapes the land's fortune and spiritual essence]. Like the Water Essence Ancestral Vein in The Vast Sea, they possess the potential to ascend into an Ancestral Vein.

Among these three ancient peaks, the Heaven's Spine Mountains lie closest to the Vast and Boundless Marsh. Legend holds that its Dragon Vein Heaven's Spine was long ago extracted by the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor, and even after tens of thousands of years, it has yet to fully recover.

The Azure Simurgh Mountain Range lies forty million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to the east of the Ji Continent, placing it within the heartland of the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents.

It is said that over one hundred thousand years ago, a Azure Simurgh Demon Progenitor attained the Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy] upon those very peaks, cultivating all the way to the Dao Lord Realm. The mountain range thus bears its name.

Though that Azure Simurgh Demon Progenitor has long since passed from this world, the dragon vein within the Azure Simurgh Mountain Range has not only regained its former glory but now brims with vibrant vitality, harboring a sliver of potential to become an Ancestral Vein.

Today, the Azure Simurgh Mountain Range is held by the Human Race superpower, the Feathered Pavilion. Their Sect Master Supreme has already drawn upon his Earthly Soul [one of the three spiritual souls, representing the connection to the mortal world and lineage], his cultivation reaching the Half-Step Pure Yang Realm.

With such formidable power, and given the range's location at the core of the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents, the Qingluan Continent [the Azure Simurgh Continent, named for the mountain range at its heart] has become the designated site within the Three Veins Ancient Domain for the barter conventions of Nascent Soul True Lord.

Zixu the Daoist recounted this tale, then offered a wry smile. "In my younger years, I earned a modest reputation and was fortunate enough to receive an invitation from the Feathered Pavilion to attend the True Lord Barter Convention on the Qingluan Continent."

"But upon arriving, I realized the treasures traded by True Lord [a title for powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] were each worth a kingdom's ransom. My meager resources were utterly insignificant in such company."

He shook his head with a wry smile, then looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "Given your current strength and standing, you will likely be eligible to attend the next Barter Convention." The story continues at audio_novel.com.