Chapter 492 : A Sage's Summons and Heavenly Cargo

As they were speaking, a cultivator from the Zhang Clan knocked on the door and said with a smile, "Our True Lord [a title for a high-ranking cultivator] requests your presence. Please follow me, honored Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for cultivators]."

"Please lead the way."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and followed the Zhang Clan cultivator.

Following their guide, they soon arrived at a Cultivation Chamber [a specialized room for meditation and cultivation] and met Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage.

Seeing the two arrive, Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage smiled and said, "You must be Fellow Daoist Chen and Immortal Maiden Lyra?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly, and he couldn't help but ask, "Your Lordship actually recognizes the two of us?"

"Naturally," Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage nodded and began to explain. "Nine Rivers True Lord is an old and dear friend of mine. In fact, when he was attacking Boulder Island back then, he borrowed my Azure Jade Void-Traversing Boat [a magical vessel capable of traversing the void]."

"I am also somewhat aware of your renowned feat in slaying the Bixia Demon Emperor."

"I see."

Eldrin Chen felt a wave of relief. With this connection between them, a sense of familiarity and closeness naturally blossomed. This chapter is provided by audio–novel.com. Support the original.

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage also smiled, then spoke with renewed gravity, "This treasure ship of mine carries a cargo of one million stalks of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo [a rare bamboo imbued with the power of heavenly thunder, prized for crafting and formations]."

"This treasure is a specialty of the Inshore Cultivation World [the coastal regions of the cultivation world]. It can not only be used to set up Formation [magical arrays], but is also a superior material for forging the Heavenly Thunder Demon-Subduing Sword [a sword infused with heavenly thunder, a bane to demonic creatures]. That 'Heavenly Thunder Demon-Subduing Sword' possesses a secret thunderous power, making it the natural nemesis of all Demonic Monsters [creatures corrupted by demonic energy] under heaven."

"This time, I intend to transport it to the Distant Sea Cultivation World [the remote oceanic regions of the cultivation world] for trade, aiming to bolster the means for low-level cultivators there to resist the Demonic Monsters."

"Therefore, once the Demonic Monsters learn of this, they will likely not stand idly by…"

As Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage recounted the tale, a look of deep concern settled upon Eldrin Chen's features.

The grade of the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo on this ship varied greatly. The lowest were merely of the first rank, while the highest reached the Fourth Rank [a high cultivation realm] and even the Fifth Rank [an even more advanced cultivation realm].

The Zhang Immortal Clan had spent several hundred years preparing, scouring the Inshore Cultivation World to purchase and accumulate this entire shipload of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo.

If this shipment of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo were successfully sold in the Distant Sea Cultivation World, the Zhang Clan would reap immense profits. But should any loss occur, the entire Zhang Clan might be dealt a blow from which it could not recover.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "Why not wait another thirty years, True Lord [a title for a high-ranking cultivator]? Wait for the treasure ship from Green Ao Turtle Isle to return, then sail to the distant seas together? That way, you could support each other."

"That was my initial thought as well."

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage gave a bitter smile and shook his head, his expression turning solemn as he spoke: "It is only that in recent years, the Demonic Monsters of the Distant Sea Cultivation World [the perilous cultivation realm far from the mainland] have grown increasingly rampant, and the situation for the Human Race grows ever more dire."

"If this shipload of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo [a rare bamboo imbued with thunderous spiritual power] could be delivered a year earlier, perhaps more of our Human Race could be saved. Therefore, even knowing the risks are not insignificant, I must still make the journey."

Eldrin Chen felt a surge of profound respect. He rose and offered a formal salute, saying, "Your heart encompasses the world, True Lord [a title for a powerful Nascent Soul realm cultivator]. Eldrin is filled with admiration!"

"There is no need for such formality. We are also doing this to earn some Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage smiled and shook his head again, a trace of bitterness returning to his expression. "Although this batch of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo is quite precious, for the overall situation in the Distant Sea Cultivation World, it is but a drop in the ocean."

"Those who can truly save the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the cultivation realm encompassing the eastern seas] are existences of the Pure Yang Dao Lord [a supreme rank among cultivators, masters of pure yang power] grade."

"If our Eastern Sea Human Race could produce a few more Pure Yang Dao Lord, the Demonic Monsters would certainly not dare to be so brazen."

As he spoke, Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage's brows knitted, and a hint of gritted teeth showed in his expression.

He looked at Eldrin Chen, his face grave. "I observe that the two of you possess extraordinary talent. In the future, you are destined to become peerless figures whose names will shake the heavens and the earth."

"If you can ascend to the Dao Lord Realm [the realm of a Dao Lord, a master of profound cosmic principles], I hope you will remember to lend your aid to this Eastern Sea Cultivation World."

Eldrin Chen fell silent for a moment before replying, "Our path ahead is long and arduous. We dare not set our sights too high or chase distant dreams. As for the Pure Yang Realm [the realm of ultimate yang purity and power], our most pressing task is to first achieve a breakthrough into the Nascent Soul [the realm where one's spiritual essence condenses into an infant soul]."

"Indeed."

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage nodded, finally recalling the purpose of his invitation. "Ah, yes. With the two of you now aboard this treasure vessel, my confidence in traversing the distant seas has grown considerably."

"The reason I invited you here is this: should this ship encounter peril, I hope you might lend your aid and watch over it."

"Naturally, we can." Eldrin Chen agreed with a nod, though he did not make an absolute promise. "Within the bounds of our capability, we will not stand idly by."

"That puts my mind at ease." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel . com.

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage smiled, then produced a Jade Vial and offered it to them. "This vial contains Fifth Rank Essence Restoration Pill [a high-grade elixir that rapidly restores a cultivator's spiritual energy]. Please accept it as a token of our meeting."

"This is..."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly in thought. A Fifth Rank Essence Restoration Pill was a Pill [a refined medicinal elixir used in cultivation] for restoring Mana [the spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques]. Consuming a single pill could restore half of the Mana of a Nascent Soul, Early Stage True Lord [a title for a powerful Nascent Soul realm cultivator].

Among Fifth Rank Treasure Pill [pills of the highest quality and potency], its value was relatively modest, yet it could still prove highly effective in the midst of battle. A single pill was worth approximately five million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Within this single vial lay a full two Essence Gathering Pill [a pill that aids in gathering and condensing spiritual essence], a gift nearly equivalent in value to two Supreme Grade Magical Treasure [the highest grade of enchanted artifacts]. It could indeed be considered a substantial and weighty token of greeting.

Eldrin Chen hesitated for a moment before finally accepting it. After all, the other party was seeking a favor; to refuse might leave Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage uneasy. Moreover, these items held significant utility for them.

With the gifts received, they exchanged a few more pleasantries before finally returning to their Cultivation Cave [a secluded abode used for meditation and cultivation].

No sooner had Lyra Jiang landed than she spoke up, "Observing Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage, I sensed an aura of Harlan [a name implying vastness and virtue] about him. His words likely hold truth."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, his expression turning serious. "To lend one's own prized Spiritual Treasure [a treasure imbued with spiritual consciousness and power] to a friend speaks volumes about his character. It seems he is not lacking in virtue."

With that said, they spoke no more on the matter.

After replenishing its supplies and spiritual energy for half a month at Green Ao Turtle Isle, the treasure boat set sail once more, this time heading for the Distant Sea Cultivation World [the remote and perilous oceanic regions of the cultivation world].

This vessel was equipped with a Fifth Rank Water Vein [a powerful natural conduit of water spiritual energy] Formation [an array of magical symbols and tools that creates specific effects]. It could harness the cyclical power of the ocean currents within The Vast Sea to traverse the heavens and earth, covering over a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day—a speed rivaling that of a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Primordial Spirit, a core of immense spiritual power].

They flew for more than ten days before finally reaching the very edge of the Inshore Cultivation World [the relatively safer coastal regions of the cultivation world].

"Ahead lies the Spirit-Severed Sea [a vast oceanic expanse where spiritual energy is thin or absent, posing great danger to cultivators]."

On this day, Eldrin Chen stood at the prow of the ship, his expression serene as he gazed into the distant void.

The Spirit-Severed Sea was not truly devoid of spiritual energy, but the ambient Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things] here was exceedingly thin. Legend held that the great Earth Vein [a major conduit of earthly spiritual energy] networks in this region were flawed, making it difficult for spiritual energy to gather here.

Others whispered that an Immortal's Cultivation Cave [a secluded abode for cultivation] lay hidden here, its immortal-grade spiritual veins siphoning all the energy dry. Regardless of the truth, the concentration of spiritual energy in this place was undeniably, profoundly sparse.

Across this sea spanning hundreds of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Spirit Veins [natural conduits of concentrated spiritual energy] were exceedingly rare. It was nearly impossible to find a Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy] of Third Rank [a mid-level grade of spiritual energy concentration] or higher.

Only in the ocean's profound depths could one occasionally find high-grade Spirit Veins. Yet, these veins were invariably occupied by aquatic Demonic Tribes [tribes of sentient demonic creatures], leaving none for the Human Race.

Due to the extreme scarcity of spiritual energy, even True Lord [a title for a Nascent Soul realm cultivator] cultivators were reluctant to cross this expanse alone. If one's spiritual energy reserves were depleted mid-journey, the risk of being ambushed by Demonic Beasts [monstrous beasts infused with demonic energy] became all too real.

"We are now entering the Spirit-Severed Sea. Everyone, stay alert and be cautious,"

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage spoke as the treasure boat sailed into the sea's embrace.

Ironically, the heart of the Spirit-Severed Sea held relatively few Demonic Beasts. It was the border regions, near the Inshore Cultivation World and the Distant Sea Cultivation World, where Demon Kings [powerful demonic beast rulers] and even Demon Emperors [sovereigns of demonic tribes] lay hidden, waiting to ambush Human Race cultivators and their treasure vessels. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel dot com.