Chapter 469 : Alliance for the Heavenly Path

"To speak frankly, I sought you out this time to propose an alliance, to join forces in contending for that Heavenly Path Energy [a rare spiritual essence said to contain the laws of the heavens, capable of elevating a cultivator's foundation]."

Path Master Unreal spoke in a measured tone, yet his gaze grew solemn as it settled upon Eldrin Chen.

A Heavenly Path Infant Soul [an Infant Soul cultivator whose foundation and potential are aligned with the Heavenly Dao, granting them exceptional talent] is an exceedingly rare existence, one possessing the makings of a future Primordial Spirit Path Lord. Provided they do not fall prematurely, such individuals almost invariably cultivate to the realm of Great Perfection of Infant Soul.

Even within the vast expanse of the Boundless Hundred Provinces, such figures are typically the Clan Patriarch or sect masters of powerful Infant Soul forces. In the future, they even possess a twenty to thirty percent chance of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Path Lord realm.

Although Path Master Unreal was confident in his own innate talent and potential, he did not dare claim absolute certainty in obtaining the Heavenly Path Energy. Even if an alliance with Eldrin Chen failed today, he would seek others to join forces with for the contest.

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

"But if we fail to obtain three, how shall they be distributed?"

"This..." A slight heaviness settled in Path Master Unreal's heart. After a long pause, he proposed, "To prevent anyone from shirking their effort, if the final tally of Heavenly Path Energy is insufficient, let the three of us distribute it according to the magnitude of our contributions."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. For now, the matter was thus tentatively settled. This chapter is provided by audio_novel.com. Support the original.

Seeing Eldrin Chen agree, Path Master Unreal revealed a confident expression. He had lived for over a thousand years, having occupied Heavenly Lake Island for several centuries.

Over these years, possessing both a Fifth Rank Earth Vein and a Spiritual Vein, the resources he had accumulated surpassed those of many newly-advanced Infant Soul True Lord.

Regarding his personal reserves, he was confident they were not inferior to the direct disciples of major sects. Once he revealed them all, he believed his contribution would undoubtedly be astonishing.

Unfortunately, what he did not know was that Eldrin Chen had the backing of Vast Righteousness True Lord, and he and Exquisite Jiang possessed Innate Great Encompassing Golden Core [the pinnacle foundation for Golden Core cultivators], a foundation far beyond what he could ever hope to match.

Even without the aid of Path Master Unreal, they were confident of obtaining two or three strands of Heavenly Path Energy [a rare and potent energy source for cultivation breakthroughs]. The reason for agreeing to the alliance was to share the pressure and, in passing, forge a connection of goodwill.

After all, all three were individuals of exceptional talent. This Path Master Unreal possessed a Path Body [a rare innate constitution suited for cultivation], and had long ago refined his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure bound to one's life force], which could be considered a remarkable stroke of fortune.

Most crucially, his Dao-heart [cultivator's unwavering will and purpose] was unshakably firm. He was willing to endure six hundred years of waiting for the chance to forge an Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the highest grade of Infant Soul realm]. This level of resolve and perseverance surpassed that of most Infant Soul True Lord.

Forming a friendship 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 an Inner Demon Oath [a binding vow where breaking it invites demonic heart-devils].

With the foundation of cooperation established, the relationship between the two subtly grew closer. Path Master Unreal picked up his cup of Spirit Tea, using it in place of wine to offer a toast to Eldrin Chen:

"This collaboration of ours is certain to produce three Heavenly Path Infant Soul [a cultivator who has reached the peak of the Infant Soul realm and is on the cusp of ascending to the Heavenly Path] whose fame will shake the world. In the future, it may even become a celebrated tale."

"Let us hope so."

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

Shifting the topic, Eldrin Chen recalled a current lack and inquired further, "Having recently acquired a Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [a location where the earth's spiritual energy is exceptionally dense and pure, ranked fifth in quality], I now intend to begin crafting a Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool capable of healing severe injuries and even reconstructing a cultivator's physical form]." "You have cultivated for a thousand years, Elder Brother. Your knowledge and experience surely surpass my own. Might you have ever encountered the Soul-Returning Jade [a rare jade essential for creating artifacts that can mend a shattered soul or severely damaged spiritual foundation]?"

"Crafting a Nirvana Pool?"

Path Master Unreal furrowed his brow, stroking his beard in contemplation 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 materials and treasures] in Azure Luan Province."

"Alas, that particular piece was sold for the staggering price of two hundred Heavenly Crystal [a highly purified and potent form of spiritual crystal, far more valuable than standard Spirit Stones], a value comparable to a Mid-Grade Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the mid-grade rank, capable of subduing formidable demons]. I could only watch as it was purchased by a powerful Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan or family whose patriarch has reached the Infant Soul realm of cultivation]."

Path Master Unreal recounted the tale, and after a long pause, added with a wry smile, "A Nirvana Pool not only aids an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has solidified their Primordial Spirit into an 'Infant Soul,' a major milestone] in reconstructing their physical body, but it is also a supreme healing treasure, capable of treating most injuries sustained at the Infant Soul level."

"Whether used for oneself or leased to a True Lord [an honorific title for a cultivator who has reached the True Lord realm, signifying mastery over their spiritual path] whose fleshly form has been destroyed, it represents an immensely valuable asset. One could say that once successfully forged, it becomes an heirloom capable of securing a legacy for ten thousand generations."

"Therefore, they have always been highly sought after. If you wish to purchase one, you must prepare well in advance."

After Path Master Unreal finished speaking, Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding.

He was aware of this point. For instance, the Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool capable of regenerating a cultivator's physical body] of the Ji Clan was currently leased to a close friend of the Ji Clan Patriarch for healing purposes. As a result, the cultivators who lost their physical bodies during the recent Beast Tide [a massive invasion of demonic beasts] were not eligible to enter it for bodily reconstruction.

Although a Nirvana Pool was difficult to find, Path Master Unreal had still provided a valuable piece of information.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen smiled and inquired, "I only know that the Azure Luan Province is one of the Boundless Hundred Provinces, but my understanding of it is limited. I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me."

"Ah, the Azure Luan Province..."

Path Master Unreal offered a slight smile and began to recount the customs and landscapes of the Boundless Hundred Provinces for Eldrin Chen. Original publication: audi0-n0vel.c0m - The source of this chapter.

The hundred provinces near the Vast and Misty Marsh [an immense and perilous swamp region] are collectively known as the Boundless Hundred Provinces due to their proximity to the marsh, but they also bear another name.

'The Three Veins Ancient Domain.'

These so-called Three Veins refer to three famous mountain ranges within the Boundless Hundred Provinces: the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, the Gu Yuan Mountain Range, and the Azure Luan Mountain Range.

These three ancient and renowned peaks are each counted among the Thirty-Six Famous Mountains and Great Rivers within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland.

The famed mountains and great rivers of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland are said to converge the power of Heaven and Earth Dragon Vein [a powerful, serpentine ley line of earth and heaven energy], much like the Water Primordial Ancestral Vein of the Vast Sea, possessing the latent potential to ascend into an Ancestral Vein [the highest grade of spiritual ley line].

Among these three ancient mountains, the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range lies closest to the Vast and Misty Marsh. Legend holds that its Dragon Vein [a powerful earth energy ley line], named the Celestial Spine, was long ago extracted by the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor, and even after tens of thousands of years, it has yet to fully recover.

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

It is said that over one hundred thousand years ago, a Azure Luan Demon Ancestor achieved enlightenment upon those very peaks, cultivating all the way to the Path Lord realm, and the mountain range was thus named in its honor.

Though that Azure Luan Demon Ancestor has long since passed into oblivion, the Dragon Vein within the Azure Luan Mountain Range has not only recovered its former glory but now brims with youthful vigor, harboring a sliver of potential to become an Ancestral Vein.

Today, the Azure Luan Mountain Range is held by the Human Race superpower, the Featherflight Pavilion. Their Sect Master Supreme has already summoned his Earth Soul [one of the three foundational souls of a high-level cultivator], his cultivation having reached the Half-Step Primordial Solar Realm.

Backed by formidable strength and the Azure Luan Mountain Range's prime location at the core of the Boundless Hundred Provinces, the Azure Luan Province has become the designated trading ground for Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] within the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

Path Master Unreal recounted the tale, then added with a bitter smile, "In my younger days, I earned a modest reputation and was fortunate enough to receive an invitation from the Featherflight Pavilion to attend the True Lord Barter Convention in Azure Luan Province."

"But once I arrived, I realized the treasures traded by those True Lord were each worth a kingdom's ransom. My meager resources were utterly insignificant in comparison."

He shook his head with a bitter smile, then looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "With your current strength and status, you will likely be qualified to attend the next Barter Convention." Read, share, and discuss at audio–novel.com.