Chapter 522 : Forging Destiny in the Forbidden Lands

Only top-tier Nascent Soul Immortal Clan such as the Ji Clan and the Feathered Pavilion possess the capability to forge treasures of this caliber. For instance, the Feathered Pavilion's Grotto-Heaven Spiritual Treasure 'Feathered Pavilion Tower' is a treasure of comparable, if not greater, value.

However, even with the Feathered Pavilion's Deep-Seated Foundation [a profound and enduring foundation built over millennia], such treasures are likely limited to merely two or three in number, serving as the ultimate heritage artifacts that suppress and stabilize the Sect's fortune and destiny.

Contemplating the immense shortfall in Star Fragment [fragments of celestial bodies imbued with stellar essence], a sharp, decisive glint flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes. "Forging two Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts of immense power, often with sentient spirits] would not consume an excessive amount of Fifth Rank Spirit Wood or Void Gem [a gemstone containing spatial or void energies]. The greatest deficit lies with the Star Fragment."

"Yet, within this realm's Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [territories corrupted and dominated by demonic cultivators], Star Fragment are not scarce."

"You mean to say..."

Lyra Jiang's eyes widened in surprise, and she could not help but cast a glance at Eldrin Chen.

After a moment of thoughtful silence, she nodded slowly. "The Demonic Spring [founts of corrupt demonic energy] within those Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land were all created by Extraterrestrial Demon God [powerful demonic entities from beyond this world] scattering and refining Star Fragment."

"However, more than six hundred years have passed since the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity where demonic forces flooded the world]. Lower-tier Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land like the Demon Cave Cavern have mostly been cleansed. What remains are fortresses like the Black Malignancy Ridge."

"These Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land are deeply entrenched, with Nascent Soul [the realm of spiritual embryo formation] elder demons guarding them. Without combat power equivalent to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, attempting to assault them would be folly."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. "Then we shall bide our time. We will plan for this endeavor in the days to come." Find thousands of chapters at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

After putting away the Star-Gazing Ancient Scroll [an ancient scripture detailing the art of stellar divination], Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to the final ancient scroll.

This tattered volume recorded a cultivation art named the 'Heaven-Seizing Dao Formation Art' [a forbidden technique that allows a cultivator to forcibly seize and graft a special constitution onto themselves], which could aid a cultivator in forging an Acquired Dao Body [a special, enhanced physical constitution acquired through unnatural means].

To perform this art, one must first locate an individual possessing a Dao Body [a rare, innate physical constitution granting exceptional cultivation aptitude]. Then, the essence of their bloodline and physical form would be refined into a medicinal catalyst, forcibly transferring the Dao Body onto oneself.

Yet this alone was insufficient. A seized Dao Body would have an unstable foundation. It required the blood sacrifice of three thousand six hundred cultivators, using their vital essence to nourish the Dao Body until it was fully cultivated and integrated.

Once this Acquired Dao Body was successfully forged, it would possess roughly eighty percent of the original Dao Body's efficacy. However, as it was not an Innate Dao Body [a constitution one is born with], its foundational flaws remained profound and irreparable.

While this method could increase a cultivator's chances of breaking through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where one forms a spiritual infant from their cultivated essence] and even the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [the intermediate phase of the Nascent Soul realm], it could never forge an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul [a superior grade of Nascent Soul aligned with the Earthly Dao]. Furthermore, it offered no nourishment or enhancement to one's Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a cultivator's personally bonded and nurtured spiritual artifact].

"Such a vile and forbidden art—"

Eldrin Chen's face turned ashen with cold fury. It was now clear that his mother had been refined into that medicinal catalyst by Qin Duzun, her Dao Body cruelly stolen from her.

This forbidden art was utterly malevolent, and its inclusion of a blood sacrifice ritual targeting the Human Race clearly marked it as not originating from the Purple Realm [a common name for their native cultivation world]. It bore the hallmarks of Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic entities from beyond their world] techniques.

No wonder the Qin Clan dared not reveal it lightly. If such a secret art were exposed, not even the Human Race Dao Lord [a supreme human cultivator who has comprehended a Great Dao] would be able to tolerate their existence.

Beside him, Lyra Jiang noticed the look in his eyes and grasped his hand, saying, "Husband, the Qin Clan has now been vanquished by us. This karmic debt is settled."

"What is lost cannot be reclaimed. You need not harbor this fury any longer."

"Mm."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen finally allowed the killing intent within him to dissipate.

He gazed at the ancient scroll in his hand, his pupils sharp with resolve. "This method is far too malevolent. Leaving it in this world would only invite calamity."

"I shall destroy it, to prevent future cultivators from being lured onto the Unorthodox Path [a forbidden and corrupt branch of cultivation]."

As his words fell, he summoned forth the Solar True Flame [a supreme yang-attributed flame of immense purity and destructive power] to incinerate the scroll.

The Solar True Flame consumed all without exception, and the ancient scroll was swiftly engulfed in its fiery embrace.

Yet, as the scroll burned, a dazzling golden light erupted from within. From the ashes emerged a single, resilient page of gold foil.

"This is..."

Their gazes froze, involuntarily drawn to the golden foil.

The foil was but a single page, shimmering with a golden radiance. The characters inscribed upon it were profoundly arcane, as if torn from the pages of some celestial scripture.

This sight startled them both, and a flicker of astonishment and doubt crossed their faces.

In this realm, Cultivation Art were strictly graded. Only Nascent Soul Cultivation Art could be honored as Ancient Scrolls, and only a Pure Yang Dao Lord possessed the authority to author a true tome.

Thus, Nascent Soul cultivation arts were also known as 'Pure Yang Heavenly Tome' or 'Nascent Soul Dao Tome'.

Such 'Pure Yang Heavenly Tome' contained profound truths within concise words, embodying a Nascent Soul Dao Lord's comprehension of the laws of heaven and earth. To fully decipher them was to peer directly into the mysteries of creation and grasp the profound workings of the Great Dao. Official source: audio‑novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Lyra Jiang glanced at it, but each character seemed to hold a thousand meanings. For a moment, she found its secrets impenetrable.

Eldrin Chen, however, was drawn in. He studied the celestial scripture in silence for a long while before finally exhaling in awe. "Extraordinary!"

This golden page was named the 'Immortal Ascension Dao-Forging Art', likely a fragment from a larger Pure Yang Heavenly Tome.

Its origins were lost to time, being merely a torn remnant. Yet, the knowledge it contained was nothing short of astonishing.

This Immortal Ascension Dao-Forging Art details the method by which a Nascent Soul Dao Lord can forge a Dao Body [a special, enhanced physical constitution for cultivators].

According to the fragmented pages, if a Nascent Soul Dao Lord cultivates this art, they can evolve a Dao Body from nothingness.

Most crucially, this method can also nurture the Dao Body, aiding the cultivator's Dao Body in its continuous advancement. It even records methods for its metamorphosis into an Immortal Physique [the ultimate physical vessel for an immortal].

After reading it, Eldrin Chen could not help but say to Lyra Jiang, "I only knew that Dao Body varied in strength. I never imagined that Immortal Physique also had its own hierarchy of grades."

According to this fragmented scroll, after a cultivator reaches the realm of Ascend to Immortal Eternity [the pinnacle of mortal cultivation before ascension], they can use the power of laws to reshape their Immortal Physique.

However, Immortal Physique also has distinctions of strength and weakness. An Immortal Physique forged in this manner, by compensating for shortcomings, is not considered top-tier.

Furthermore, cultivators who practice Body Tempering Cultivation Art [arts focused on strengthening the physical body], or Heaven's Chosen [prodigies blessed by heaven] who already possess a Dao Body, can also choose to cultivate an Immortal Physique directly.

As narrated in the fragmented pages, there are three paths for a cultivator to achieve immortality: the Dao Fruit, the Law, and the Immortal Physique.

Those with peerless Dao-heart, indomitable will, and world-shaking talent can condense a Dao Fruit to ascend.

Those with astonishing comprehension can rely on their profound insight to perceive the power of Laws, becoming an Immortal who commands them.

Others tread a third path, forging an Immortal Physique [a body of immortal perfection] amidst the mortal world to withstand the Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the heavenly trial to become an immortal] and achieve physical ascension, subsequently nourishing their spirit to Ascend to Immortal Eternity [attain immortal eternity].

These three paths are distinct, each with its own emphasis, though all can eventually rectify their shortcomings after achieving immortality.

The 'Dao Fruit Immortal' [an immortal who attains the Dao Fruit] possesses astonishing perseverance, forcibly condensing the Dao Fruit with their supreme Mana [spiritual energy] to become an Immortal True Immortal [a true immortal], achieving a perfect, leak-proof primordial state. However, their grasp of cosmic laws and their Immortal Physique [immortal body] remain their weaknesses.

The 'Law Immortal' [an immortal who masters cosmic laws] possesses breathtaking comprehension, wielding the power of heaven and earth's laws. Yet, their Immortal Physique [immortal body] is also somewhat deficient. Upon reaching profound realms, they face the peril of being assimilated by the very laws they command.

The 'Immortal Physique Immortal' [an immortal defined by their immortal physique] possesses peerless natural talent, with physical strength rivaling Innate Divine Spirit [innate divine beings]. They can suppress a Nine Heavens Star Fragment [a fragment of a star from the highest heavens] with a single hand. However, their Dao-heart and comprehension of laws cannot match the former two. After ascension, they can only follow the path of physical sanctification.

This Immortal Ascension Dao-Forging Art [a method for forging the Dao during immortal ascension] is the final page torn from a certain Pure Yang Heavenly Tome [a heavenly scripture of pure Yang]. It records the method for forging an Immortal Physique [immortal body] within the mortal world.

Alas, this remnant page is incomplete, and its creator never truly walked the final step. The so-called method for forging an Immortal Physique [immortal body] remains mere speculation.

After reading it, Eldrin Chen informed Lyra Jiang of the situation and said, "If that is so, then most Human Race [human] cultivators follow the path of the 'Dao Fruit Immortal' [Dao Fruit Immortal] or the 'Law Immortal' [Law Immortal]." Support the author by reading on audio-novel.com.