Chapter 474 Breaking Through to Golden Core 8th Layer

"Perfect timing, as my cultivation has currently stalled. I cannot advance any further until I obtain the Heavenly Dao Qi (Spiritual Root)."

At this point, noticing Eldrin still seemed somewhat distressed, she continued, "Moreover, without expending a substantial amount of 1's vital essence and soul force, how could mere Aqua Vein Jade and the essence of the 5 Elements possibly give rise to an existence comparable to a Nascent Soul True Monarch?"

"Mm." Eldrin nodded, producing another precious elixir. "During that battle years ago, the Crimson Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's physical form fell into our hands. I refined its flesh and blood into this treasure pill to replenish your vital essence."

Lyra took the treasure pill, feeling a faint warmth blossom within her heart.

Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and 7 or 8 years had passed.

After several years of recuperation, Lyra's physical body and soul had recovered 80 to 90 percent. In her spare time, she expended the essence of the 5 Elements and finally mastered her innate great supernatural power.

On this day, vast amounts of spiritual energy continuously converged toward the seclusion chamber within the Celestial Azure Lotus Prefecture, persisting for a full 3 days before gradually dissipating.

Eldrin opened his eyes within the secluded cultivation chamber, sensing the spiritual energy within his body had grown increasingly vast—a full 20 percent more potent than before his retreat.

Golden Core, Eighth Layer.

Eldrin murmured to himself, a faint smile gracing his lips.

After stepping into the eighth layer of the Golden Core, his cultivation was now merely a step away from the Great Perfection of the Golden Core. The explosive surge in his magical power had also dramatically boosted his combat strength.

Emerging from seclusion, he found Lyra (Person Name) safeguarding him. She closed the ancient tome in her hands and remarked with a light laugh, "Your spiritual power has grown substantially with this breakthrough. It seems your cultivation proceeded quite smoothly."

"Hmm." Eldrin nodded. "At this rate, I'm afraid within 1 jiǎzǐ cycle, I may attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm."

"Then we shall await the communion of heaven and earth."

Lyra remained on guard, then added, "Some time ago, Daoist Zixu came to the Green Lotus Isle and invited you to journey together to the Qingluan Continent."

"However, since you were in seclusion, he went ahead and departed first."

"Oh?"

Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly as he calculated inwardly. "We don't have enough Heavenly Crystals," he said after a moment's thought. "All we can offer are a few divine abilities and cultivation techniques. I'm afraid that might not be sufficient to trade for the treasures we desire."

Back in the day, to acquire the Aqua Vein Jade, Eldrin had exhausted all 70 of his Heavenly Crystals. Though the clan had been purchasing them over the years, they had only managed to accumulate a few dozen Heavenly Crystals since then.

Though they now possessed quite a few precious treasures, those that could be exchanged for a fifth-tier treasure could be counted on 1 hand.

Both their Natal Spirit Treasures and Second Nascent Souls were priceless beyond measure, and thus could not be traded. The Sun-Moon Twin Wheels had shown them immense kindness, making it unthinkable to exchange them away.

In their possession remained a Gold Rhino Immortal Sword and a Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure), both artifacts of demon-refining supremacy wielded by masters of unparalleled rank.

However, such treasures are serendipitous finds rather than something 1 can seek out. Unless absolutely necessary, they would never bring themselves to part with these items through trade.

In addition, they possessed a Fire Vein Spirit Jade, a Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object), and a strand of Earth Mother Qi (Spiritual Root).

Both the Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object) and the Fire Vein Spirit Jade were exceedingly rare treasures. The Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object) had been left to the old clan leader by Eldrin (Person Name), while the Earth Mother Qi (Spiritual Root) was 1 of the essential components for forging either an Earth Path Nascent Soul or a Heavenly Path Nascent Soul. Yet despite this, they still complained it was insufficient.

The only item he could possibly offer for exchange was the Fire Vein Spirit Jade. However, this treasure was exceptionally rare, and Eldrin would never part with it unless he encountered something truly precious.

Observing Eldrin's expression, Lyra spoke up, "Although my Hexa-Universe Cauldron is primarily fire-aligned, integrating fire-attuned precious metals is most suitable. Your Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss has also been successfully forged."

"At present, we possess few treasures. If we wish to acquire suitable ones, this Fire Vein Spirit Jade could indeed be exchanged—though it requires careful consideration."

Eldrin nodded and continued, "Now that our cultivation is not far from the Nascent Soul Realm, it is time we prepare for the breakthrough."

Hearing this, a faint glimmer stirred in Lyra's eyes as she understood the significance of Eldrin's words.

The Heavenly Dao Qi (Spiritual Root) was 1 thing, but they possessed only a single strand of Earth Mother Qi (Spiritual Root) between them—not even enough to divide equally. How could such meager resources possibly enable their breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage?

At this thought, she looked at Eldrin and asked, "What are you planning to do?"

A single strand of Earth Mother Qi (Spiritual Root) has a market value of approximately 200 Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object), nearly equivalent to a mid-grade demon-refining supreme treasure.

Eldrin spoke calmly while calculating the treasures he still lacked: "To purchase the Earth Mother Qi (Spiritual Root), we must gather at least 200 spirit stones."

"Now that we refuse to sell our Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure, only 2 paths remain before us..."

As he spoke, Lyra (Person Name) gave a slight nod.

They would naturally be reluctant to part with treasures like the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword and other demon-subduing artifacts unless absolutely necessary. Thus, to obtain such treasures, they either had to slay a Demon Emperor or venture into ancient ruins.

The personal wealth of a Nascent Soul Demon Emperor is always exceedingly abundant; whether it be the Demon Emperor’s Nascent Soul or their Life-Bound Treasure, each holds immense value.

However, such beings were extremely difficult to slay, and came with immense peril. Even though Eldrin and Lyra possessed extraordinary power, they truly had no certainty of success.

Beyond that, there was the exploration of ancient ruins. Such sites were exceedingly rare between heaven and earth, yet Eldrin happened to know of 1 such location.

"Lin Daoyang's dying wish back then was to entrust me with retrieving their sect's legacy treasure from the ruins of the Qingxu Sect."

"Now, nearly 3 100 years have passed, it is time I fulfill this long-cherished wish."

Eldrin spoke with measured grace, yet a trace of solemnity lingered between his brows.

The perils of the Eastern Sea cultivation realm far surpassed those of the present-day Eastern Wastelands cultivation realm. When the Qingxu Sect perished during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, none could know what entities might still linger in its ruins.

Lyra also looked grave, and after a long pause, she said, "Since the Eldritch Abominations have annihilated the Clear Void Sect, they would never abandon that invaluable fifth-order spirit vein. The ruins of the Clear Void Sect must still harbor high-level evil demons."

At this point, she continued with a gentle smile, "However, despite their formidable power, most of the Outer Demons long ago traded their souls to the Demon Gods. They wander through existence in perpetual delirium—oblivious to the celestial order and utterly ignorant of the Dao of Formations."

"They must still be using the Green Void Sect's formation. If we can infiltrate and regain control of the Green Void Sect's formation, it's not impossible to slay them."

"I share the same thought. Let us investigate the East Sea. If an opportunity arises, we shall strike. Should the situation appear unfavorable, we shall withdraw."

Eldrin spoke with an air of nonchalance, then paused briefly, his gaze deepening as he added, "And while we're at it, let us pay a visit to that Narumo Island."

Luomo Island.

Lyra's eyes flickered slightly, a smile gracing her lips as she said, "You still remember Eldrin."

"Naturally, I remember."

Qing Ji was the creator of the Misty Water Azure Lotus Platform, originally a celestial prodigy whose talent astonished the heavens. Yet, due to the suppression by the Liu Clan of Luomo Island in the East Sea, her brilliance was extinguished midway through her journey.

Later, Lyra handed over the Cyan Princess's Cyan Lotus Ren Water Sutra to Eldrin, which also allowed Eldrin to obtain the supreme treasure known as the Ren Water Cyan Lotus Platform.

For hundreds of years, his sharp-edged demeanor had offended far too many foes. Were it not for the Ren Water Blue Lotus Platform storing an additional 1 to 2 times his usual spiritual power, he would never have been able to repeatedly unleash such immensely draining divine abilities and magic treasures to slay his formidable adversaries.

It could be said that although the Ren Water Azure Lotus Platform could not be directly used against enemies, its importance even surpassed that of any Life-Bound Magical Treasure in Eldrin's possession.

With such immense karma at play, how could Eldrin possibly have forgotten it?