Chapter 463 : A Legacy of Lotus and Earth Veins

Exquisite Jiang gazed at the Creation Green Jade Lotus [a legendary lotus with the power of creation]. After a moment, she spoke, "Although this treasure is profound, I fear it will require nearly a century [one hundred years] of time to advance to the Fifth Rank [the fifth and highest grade for spiritual objects]."

"That is of no concern. We can certainly wait a century [one hundred years]." Eldrin Chen replied with a smile.

The two of them inspected the Spiritual Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] and the Earth Vein [a rare, powerful ley line of elemental earth energy] of Verdant Lotus Isle, their astonishment growing with each discovery. Such a precious Earth Vein was something even many newly ascended True Lord [a title for cultivators at the Infant Soul Realm] found difficult to obtain. They had never imagined they would now possess one themselves.

Especially remarkable was that within this Fifth Rank Wood-attribute Earth Vein, a vast quantity of Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] grew. While the mature herbs 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 Positive Water Verdant Lotus [a type of spiritual lotus], this Earth Vein would yield mature Fourth Rank [the fourth grade for spiritual objects] Spirit Herb every ten years from now on.

Deep within the Earth Vein, they also found three immature Fifth Rank Spirit Herb: one Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit [a fruit essential for refining the Nascent Soul Formation Pill], one Spirit-Returning Wood [a miraculous wood that nourishes the soul], and one 'Tribulation Crossing Flower' [a flower said to aid in crossing tribulations and retaining memories].

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, the core of an Infant Soul cultivator]. It required three thousand years to mature and was exceedingly rare. The one before them was already over two thousand years old and would need roughly five hundred more years to ripen.

The Spirit-Returning Wood possessed the wondrous effect of nourishing the soul [the spiritual essence of a being]. It could be used to refine the precious Second Primordial Embryo [a legendary second spiritual core or avatar], making it an extremely rare marvel in all the world.

The 'Tribulation Crossing Flower' was even more extraordinary in its uses. This flower possessed the power to transcend calamities and dissolve tribulations. It could aid a cultivator in passing through the Confusion Within the Womb [the state of oblivion between death and rebirth] and allow them to retain memories of their past life as they embarked anew upon the path of cultivation.

It was said the 'Tribulation Crossing Flower' served as a precious catalyst for cultivating the 'Nirvana Tribulation Transmigration Art' [a supreme art of rebirth through tribulation]. Thus, for many Infant Soul True Lord, this object was an exceedingly rare and cherished treasure. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel[dot]com.

However, the Tribulation Crossing Flower [a legendary herb said to aid cultivators in surviving heavenly tribulations] grows with excruciating slowness, requiring five thousand years to reach full maturity. The specimen before them had already grown for over three thousand years, yet it would still need another millennium to fully ripen.

"The Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit [a miraculous fruit that can assist in the formation of a cultivator's Nascent Soul], the Spirit-Returning Wood [a rare spiritual wood with properties to nourish and restore the soul], and this Tribulation Crossing Flower are all treasures of immeasurable worth,"

"It is a pity the Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit requires another five hundred years, the Spirit-Returning Wood needs four hundred more years of growth, and the Tribulation Crossing Flower 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 remained frustratingly out of reach for the time being.

At that very moment, the Old Patriarch arrived hastily at Verdant Lotus Isle via the Teleportation Formation [a magical array capable of instantaneously transporting individuals across vast distances]. No sooner had he set foot on the isle than he sought out Eldrin Chen.

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

"What is it?"

Seeing the grave look on Eternal Profound Chen's face, a cold dread began to settle in Eldrin Chen's heart.

Eternal Profound Chen shook his head slowly, a bitter smile touching his lips. "Your Aunt Verdant Grace... she has entered her final meditation [a euphemistic term for a cultivator's peaceful passing, often during deep cultivation]."

"..."

Eldrin Chen arrived at Ancient Barren City with a heavy silence. Within the city lord's grand hall, he beheld the lifeless form of Verdant Grace Chen.

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

As the Old Patriarch by his side recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen swiftly grasped the cause and effect of the tragedy.

Verdant Grace Chen had passed into eternal meditation seven days prior. It transpired that when the great battle erupted at Demonic Ape Mountain, nearly all cultivators from the Chu Nation Cultivation World had rushed to its slopes.

Seizing the opportunity presented by the emptied lands of Chu, a host of demonic beasts and malevolent spirits infiltrated the nation to wreak havoc. Among them were powerful entities of the Golden Core Realm.

The most formidable of these invaders was the Blue Flood Dragon Demon King, a creature at the False Infant Soul Realm. This scourge was a direct descendant of the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor and had already transformed into a flood dragon despite not yet having broken through to the Infant Soul realm.

Harboring a deep-seated grudge against Eldrin Chen, the azure dragon sought to devour the cultivators of the Chen Clan within the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland.

At that time, the only high-ranking cultivator holding the line at Ancient Barren City was Verdant Grace Chen, a lone practitioner at the Pseudo-Core Realm.

To face the azure dragon with her strength alone was a path of certain doom. Yet, to prevent the morale of the Chen Clan forces on the distant front from crumbling, she sent no plea for aid. Instead, she stood firm, channeling her power to sustain the city's defensive Formation [a complex array of energy channels and runes used for defense or confinement].

The might of the Blue Flood Dragon Demon King was overwhelming, its power bordering on the Infant Soul Realm. To resist this draconic foe, Verdant Grace Chen was forced to make the ultimate sacrifice. She burned her very Vitality [the foundational life force and longevity of a cultivator], exhausting every last drop of her spiritual energy to fuel the Formation's protective might.

Under the strain of her utmost effort, Verdant Grace Chen managed to hold back the Blue Flood Dragon Demon King's assault for three Shichen-time [a conventional unit of time equal to two hours] by relying on the Heavenly Stellar Grand Formation. However, the price paid was devastatingly severe.

Her lifespan was already nearing four hundred years, and her Vitality [the foundational life force of a cultivator] was profoundly depleted. To fuel the Formation [a structured array that channels energy for defense or attack], she exhausted her very essence, depleting both her spiritual power and vital blood to the last drop.

After the Blue Flood Dragon Demon King retreated, Verdant Grace Chen lay upon her sickbed for several days. In the end, her strength failed her, and she peacefully passed from this world.

"During this period, you were all besieging the Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [a ley line of the fifth rank, a source of potent spiritual energy], while I was tending to Ethan's injuries. I only learned of this matter two days ago,"

the Old Patriarch said with a sigh, a tinge of regret coloring his expression.

Eldrin Chen's face was etched with pain. If Verdant Grace Chen had not spent so much time helping him procure the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], she might have already broken through to the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation where spiritual energy condenses into a solid golden core]. This novel is serialized on audio-novel .c om. Visit for updates.

Had she achieved a Golden Core breakthrough, she would not have perished from the exhaustion of her Vitality.

Eternal Profound Chen, noticing his expression and knowing his thoughts, offered consolation from the side. "You cannot blame yourself for this. Her spiritual power ultimately lacked sufficient refinement. Even without the delay, her hope of forming a Golden Core was likely slim."

"Alas," Eldrin Chen sighed, then gritted his teeth and declared, "Have people keep watch on that azure flood dragon. The moment it leaves Azure Wave Lake, I will personally take its head to avenge Aunt Verdant Grace."

"I will," the Old Patriarch nodded in affirmation.

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

"Not yet." Eternal Profound Chen shook his head, a bitter smile on his face. "His physical body is destroyed, and Kael is still in seclusion helping him stabilize his Golden Core. I don't know how to tell him."

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

The young woman was Remembrance Gem Chen. This girl possessed a Heavenly Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root granting exceptional cultivation talent], and though barely past forty years of age, she had already reached the Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical palace within].

She had remained in the rear during this battle, bearing witness as Verdant Grace Chen burned her lifeblood to its end.

Remembrance Gem Chen 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 immensely fortunate to have come this far."

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

"After she is gone, you must harbor no regrets, no hesitation. Just keep moving forward…"

Eldrin Chen walked out of the manor in silence, his expression somber as he made his way to Green Chariot Mountain.

Within the Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a cave dwelling nourished by a pool of concentrated spiritual energy] on Green Chariot Mountain, Kael Chen was currently assisting Lior Chen in stabilizing his Golden Core [the solidified core of a cultivator's power, representing the fourth major realm].

After meeting Eldrin Chen, Lior Chen forgot his own physical body was completely destroyed and said joyfully, "You have finally returned. I heard we have captured that Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein this time."

"Hahaha, to capture a Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein, this old man's physical destruction was not in vain."

Eldrin Chen's expression turned slightly somber, and he felt somewhat reluctant to tell him the truth.

His heart heavy with sorrow, he could only take out the Nirvana Pill and say, "Fortunately, the clan still had a Nirvana Pill in its treasured stores. This item can help you reconstruct your physical form."

"It's just a destroyed physical body. Why are you all looking so grim?"

Seeing the odd expressions on everyone's faces, Lior Chen thought they were distressed because his physical form had been ruined.

He took the Nirvana Pill and said happily, "This Nirvana Pill truly lives up to its name as a supreme-grade Precious Pill. With this in hand, I can return to my peak condition within one Sixty-Year Cycle without it affecting my cultivation."

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

As he spoke, Lior Chen smiled and asked, "Where is your Aunt Verdant Grace? I'm injured so gravely this time, yet she doesn't even come to see me. That's simply outrageous." Access the full story on audi0-n0vel.c0m.