Chapter 468 : The Quest for Soul-Returning Jade

To refine that Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool capable of bestowing rebirth or profound healing], one requires three thousand six hundred and fifty varieties of Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy], hundreds of rare minerals, and, most crucially, a single piece of 'Soul-Returning Jade' [a legendary jade said to guide lost souls back to the body] to achieve success.

While the Spirit Herb and minerals are difficult to procure, given the Chen Clan's current foundation, they could be gathered over the years through diligent accumulation. However, the Soul-Returning Jade is a true wonder of heaven and earth, a treasure one may encounter by fate but cannot seek by force.

"We shall arrange for inquiries about this Soul-Returning Jade in the days to come,"

Eldrin Chen said, then turned his gaze to the assembled Mortal Path [a foundational cultivation method for those not yet ascended to immortality] cultivators. "Within Ji Continent, low-tier Immortal Clan [families with immortal heritage] number in the thousands. Just within our Heavenly Ruins Alliance, many cultivation families possess the means to sustain a Third-order Spiritual Vein [a spiritual energy leyline of the third rank].

"However, a Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein [a spiritual energy leyline of the fourth rank] starts at a value of ten million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Even if sold at half price, few cultivators would be willing to part with such a fortune."

"Journey to the various clans across Ji Continent and inquire if any Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual energy into a golden core] wishes to make the purchase."

The assembly nodded in agreement. Kael Chen spoke up, "I shall undertake this 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 Far North Icy Plains."

"Ah..." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel . com.

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh. After so many years together, he naturally understood Lila's thoughts.

The girl possessed a cool and aloof exterior, yet her inner core was one of immense resilience. To see the Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the nascent soul stage of the Heavenly Path] realm so tantalizingly close, yet remain unable to break through its barrier, was an unbearable torment for her.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen handed her a Storage Ring [a ring containing a dimensional space for storing items]. Within this ring were treasures he had personally prepared: besides two supreme-grade magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], there were also two precious talismans crafted by Eldrin Chen's own hand.

"Take these treasures with you. In a critical moment, they may save your life."

She offered no refusal. Taking the Storage Ring, she secretly clenched it tightly in her hand.

Seeing her remain silent, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "Do not be in such a hurry to depart. By my reckoning, the Ancient Primordial Inscription [a mystical stone monument containing profound insights into the Dao] Discourse on the Celestial Lake Continent will commence in a few years' time. You should go and seek enlightenment there when it opens."

"Very well."

Lila watched his departing figure, her fingers tightening around the ring in her grasp. She stood there silently 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 take several of the clan's Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the third major realm] and set out for the Celestial Lake Continent.

This time, apart from Eldrin Chen, there were four others: Old Patriarch, Kael Chen, Silas Chen, and Lila.

Eldrin Chen could no longer comprehend the Ancient Primordial Inscription. The reason for his personal journey was to ask Path Master Unreal for one or two slots [places or opportunities].

The four of them traveled aboard the Celestial Crane Treasure Ship, and with the aid of Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instant travel] shortening much of the journey, their speed crossing the Heavenly Star Continent increased significantly.

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

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen arrive, Path Master Unreal smiled and said, "In the mere span of a century since we last met, I have heard that Fellow Daoist Chen [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] slew an Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic beast at the Infant Soul cultivation stage]. Your reputation for might is truly formidable."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist," Eldrin Chen replied with a light laugh, his gaze appraising Path Master Unreal. "Brother Unreal's cultivation has now reached the False Infant Soul Realm [a pseudo-advanced stage just below the true Infant Soul Realm]. I suspect your strength is now on par with my own."

"You are too kind."

This Path Master Unreal possessed a certain Path Body [a rare innate physique attuned to the Dao], and in turn, he also wielded a Demon-Slaying Treasure. He was counted among the notable prodigies within the Boundless Hundred Provinces.

Now, with his cultivation advanced another step, the sheer depth of his spiritual power even surpassed that of Eldrin Chen. Were it not for the fact that Eldrin Chen possessed one more Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a top-tier artifact for vanquishing demons], it was uncertain if he could defeat him.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Path Master Unreal finally smiled and asked, "Might I inquire as to the purpose of your visit this time?"

"I have come here solely to seek one or two slots for comprehending the ancient inscriptions."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and proceeded to introduce Eternal Profound Chen and the others to Path Master Unreal.

After hearing the introductions, Path Master Unreal's pupils contracted slightly in astonishment. He exclaimed, "Your Immortal Clan indeed possesses flourishing Vital Energy [the foundational life force and spiritual energy of a clan or land]. Its future prospects are surely boundless."

As he spoke, his gaze settled upon Old Patriarch, Kael Chen, and Lila. Stroking his beard, he continued, "Fellow Daoist Eternal Profound has cultivated to the Golden Core Late Stage. With the foundation of a Middle-Tier Golden Core, he is certain to secure a slot simply by participating in the Dao Discourse."

"Although Fellow Daoist Kael and Immortal Maiden Star Elegance are only at the Golden Core Mid Stage, they possess Superior-Tier Golden Core foundations. They, too, can distinguish themselves through the discourse."

"Only Silas Immortal Maiden's cultivation is somewhat weaker. I can take it upon myself to grant her a slot separately." For more chapters, visit *audio-novel.com* for the complete novel.

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly and clasped his hands in acknowledgment. "My thanks."

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

Path Master Unreal then smiled again and said to Eldrin Chen, "There is another matter I wish to discuss with you. Please, accompany me."

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he followed Path Master Unreal to a pavilion nestled among towers and terraces.

Path Master Unreal dismissed a group of attendants with a wave and personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen before speaking. "Fellow Daoist, you are a perceptive man. You must already know why I sought you out."

"Could it be..."

Eldrin Chen's expression remained placid as he replied calmly, "Could it be for the Heavenly Path Energy [a rare and potent spiritual energy said to be a fragment of the Heavenly Dao itself]?"

"Precisely." Path Master Unreal nodded. "According to my divinations, the next occurrence of the Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare celestial phenomenon where the energies of heaven and earth align, creating opportunities for profound breakthroughs] is less than a century away."

"For us, the nearest location where this resonance will manifest is the Heaven's Spine Mountain Range."

"When the time comes, countless Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a stable, golden-hued core within their dantian] from across the Boundless Hundred Provinces will flock there to compete. Among them, the number of Superior-Tier Golden Core [cultivators who have forged a Golden Core of the highest possible purity and potency] alone will likely not be fewer than several dozen."

Eldrin Chen took a sip of the Spirit Tea [tea infused with spiritual energy, offering mild restorative benefits], his heart stirring slightly at the revelation.

While Superior-Tier Golden Core cultivators were exceedingly rare, perhaps one in a hundred among all Golden Core Cultivator, they were not unheard of.

When viewed from the perspective of the entire vast Boundless Hundred Provinces, such elite cultivators, though as scarce as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, could not truly be considered a rarity.

Consider this: even if only one or two Superior-Tier Golden Core cultivators could emerge from a single great province, the combined number of superior-tier Golden Core Cultivator across a hundred provinces would still exceed a hundred individuals.

Although within the Boundless Hundred Provinces there exist several famous mountain ranges akin to the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, even if only a small portion of those Superior-Tier Golden Core cultivators were to come to the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, it is likely that over several dozen Human Race Golden Core cultivators would gather.

Following the conventions of past occurrences, among these Superior-Tier Golden Core cultivators, those possessing a Path Body [a rare and powerful innate constitution] would likely number no fewer than ten.

This does not even account for the prodigies of the Demon Race. It is foreseeable that among the Demon Race, there will also be Demon King [a demonic cultivator equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator] with potent bloodlines who will come to seize this opportunity.

Although Path Master Unreal was confident in his own exceptional talent and fortune, and possessed a Demon-Slaying Treasure [a powerful artifact specifically effective against demons], he dared not claim he could definitively overpower all rivals and secure the Heavenly Path Energy [a rare and potent spiritual essence that can aid in cultivation breakthroughs].

Therefore, this visit by Path Master Unreal was to propose an alliance.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen felt a stirring of interest.

By convention, the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range would nurture no fewer than three and no more than five strands of Heavenly Path Energy.

Although he and Exquisite Jiang possessed formidable strength and had the contingency plan laid by Vast Righteousness True Lord, securing two strands of Heavenly Path Energy at once would not be an easy feat.

If they formed an alliance with Path Master Unreal, combining the power of the three of them, their chances of securing three strands of Heavenly Path Energy would be significantly greater. Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel . com.