Chapter 537 : The Ascendant Lotus Blooms

Azure Lotus Continent.

"Finally, it has advanced."

Eldrin Chen stood by the shore of Lotus Continent Lake, gazing at the Creation Azure Jade Lotus before him and speaking.

This Creation Azure Jade Lotus was originally a Fourth Rank High Grade Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of exceptional quality, born from the convergence of heaven and earth]. After Eldrin Chen enhanced its foundation with Three Strands of Primordial Violet Qi [the most primal and auspicious energy from the dawn of creation], over a hundred years had finally passed, allowing it to ascend to the Fifth Rank Realm.

Upon reaching the Fifth Rank, the Creation Azure Lotus shed its treasures—the Lotus Seedpod, the Lotus Leaf, and the Lotus Seed—and began its next cycle of growth.

The shed treasures were priceless. The Lotus Seedpod contained Primordial Essence, making it the key component for advancing the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform.

The Lotus Leaf, imprinted with innate sword patterns, transformed into a pale azure Spiritual Treasure [a treasure of immense spiritual power, often bound to a cultivator's soul]—an Immortal Sword. This was the Creation Azure Lotus Sword.

There were nine Lotus Seed, each containing astonishing Primordial Essence Power [the fundamental power of creation itself]. Furthermore, these seeds held a trace of Merit power [a metaphysical force representing virtuous deeds and karma]. If consumed by a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual energy into a golden core] while attempting a Nascent Soul [the spiritual embryo formed after the golden core stage] breakthrough, they could increase the chance of success by ten percent.

Eldrin Chen stored away the Azure Lotus Immortal Sword and then handed the Lotus Seedpod to Lyra Jiang. "This treasure can advance your Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform," he said. "Take it and use it to refine your final Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure intimately connected to a cultivator's life force and cultivation base]."

Lyra Jiang shook her head, gently pushing it back. "Your Heavenly Separated Twin Swords, and especially your Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a supreme-level mystical technique], place an immense drain on your Mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators to power spells and techniques]. You should advance your Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform first." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel .c om.

"Moreover, I possess the Nirvana Tribulation Transference Art [a profound art that allows one to transfer the calamity of a heavenly tribulation], which grants me a significantly higher margin of safety. Comparatively, you are in greater need of the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform [a mystical lotus platform that enhances cultivation and mana recovery] to provide Mana [the spiritual energy used to cast spells and perform cultivation arts]."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen ceased his protests. He accepted the Creation Azure Lotus Platform [the mystical lotus platform born from the Creation Azure Lotus], then looked at the Lotus Seed [the seed of a mystical lotus, often containing potent spiritual properties] and said, "With this Azure Lotus Seed [a seed from the mystical Azure Lotus, prized for its ability to aid in cultivation breakthroughs], the chances for Old Patriarch and Elara Lin and the others to successfully break through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their immortal soul essence] have increased by another ten percent."

Lyra Jiang nodded, her expression one of shared joy. "Although this Azure Lotus Seed cannot compare to a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that dramatically increases the odds of forming a Nascent Soul], its potency when used in conjunction with such a pill is undeniable. It truly lives up to its reputation as a rare Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a spiritual plant of exceptional rarity and power, born from the convergence of heaven and earth energies]."

"Furthermore, from now on, this treasure, the Creation Azure Jade Lotus [the progenitor plant from which the Creation Azure Lotus Platform originates], will mature nine Creation Lotus Seed [seeds imbued with potent creation energy from the mystical lotus] every three centuries. It is not impossible that Mingwei herself might gain a tangible chance at breaking through to Nascent Soul."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, knowing the limitations of his own kin all too well. Both Lior Chen and Su Mingwei had only formed Inferior Golden Core [a Golden Core of the lowest grade, offering a weaker foundation for future advancement]. Even with the support of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill, their hopes of eventually reaching the Nascent Soul realm likely did not exceed twenty percent.

With the aid of these Creation Azure Lotus seeds, that hope might rise to thirty percent. While this probability still paled in comparison to those with a Middle Golden Core [a Golden Core of medium grade, offering a solid foundation], it at least represented a glimmer of genuine possibility.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "In the past, Magnus the Virtuous imparted to us the Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation [a grand formation designed to stabilize and enhance the process of Nascent Soul formation]. Although this formation offers limited direct benefit to you and me, it can still increase one's chances of a Nascent Soul breakthrough by ten percent."

"Over the years, our clan has gathered most of the materials required for the Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation. We lack only the most crucial component: the Five Veins Treasure Jade [a rare jade containing the harmonized essence of five elemental veins] to complete the array."

"In the coming days, let us see if we can find a way to obtain the Five Veins Treasure Jade and establish the formation. It would serve to further solidify our clan's Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and unshakable foundational strength of a cultivation clan or individual]."

Mentioning the precious Five Veins Treasure Jade, Eldrin Chen could not help but wear a wry smile.

Now that the clan had only recently advanced to the status of a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a family of cultivators with Nascent Soul Realm power], it could be said that funds were desperately short everywhere. They did not even have enough Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade spiritual currency] to purchase Void Gem [a gemstone containing spatial energy], let alone have the surplus wealth to acquire Five Veins Treasure Jade [a precious jade containing the essence of five different spiritual veins].

Lyra Jiang pondered for a moment before replying, "Of the clan's several Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts], let us set aside the Sun and Moon Twin Wheels for now. The Ethereal Void Cauldron is the heritage treasure of the Ethereal Void Sect, and it is currently tainted by Demonic Qi [corruptive energy from demonic cultivation] and unusable."

"The Star-Moon Vase is the Formation Tool [a treasure used to anchor and power formations] for Spirit Isle Lake. The Gilded Heaven Seal will later be needed to set up a formation on Frostbitten Expanse Island, and the Sovereign Sword is intended to be deployed at the clan's stronghold in the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness. None of these can be touched."

"The remaining Spiritual Treasure available are thus only the Ethereal Void Shield and the recently acquired Creation Azure Duckweed Sword that could be sold."

Having said this, she continued, "However, if I possess four Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [spiritual treasures bound to one's soul], the Glazed Armor of the Three Treasures and the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword will be of diminished utility. We might as well offer them in exchange for other treasures."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen frowned in contemplation. After a long pause, he finally said, "Both the Ethereal Void Shield and the Glazed Armor of the Three Treasures are Defensive Spiritual Treasure [spiritual treasures specialized for protection], making them ideal for weathering a Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning faced during major breakthroughs]. The Creation Azure Duckweed Sword is even more precious, a Merit Spiritual Treasure [a treasure forged with virtuous merit that does not incur karmic debt for its use] that slays without accruing karmic consequence. To sell any of them would be a profound waste."

He paused in thought once more before continuing, "We still have over eighty Heavenly Crystal on hand. If we also sell the Golden Rhino Sword, we should be able to purchase two or three Fifth Rank Void Gemstone [a fifth-rank gemstone imbued with spatial energy]."

"Once we exchange for the Heavenly Crystal and establish the Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel] in The Vast Sea and Chen Nation, then we can consider the Five Veins Treasure Jade and other matters."

"It seems that is our only course," Lyra Jiang nodded, a smile gracing her lips. "Let us first seek out Solon and procure the Heavenly Crystal."

At dawn the very next day, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang departed from Ji Continent. They traveled via Teleportation Formation to Qingluan Continent [the Azure Simurgh Continent], then took to the skies upon their Flying Sword [a sword used for aerial travel and combat], heading towards Tianyu Continent.

Deep within the Three Veins Ancient Domain, separated from the Azure Simurgh Continent by four great continents, lay the Tianyu Continent. The journey there took the two of them a full month of flight.

"So this is the Tianyu Continent?"

Upon arriving at the Tianyu Continent, Eldrin Chen sought out a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their spiritual foundation within the Purple Mansion realm] to make inquiries. From the cultivator's trembling replies, he ascertained the location of Solon.

The Tianyu Continent was renowned as a major hub for Rogue Cultivators [cultivators not affiliated with any major clan or sect]. It was said that over a Millennium ago, it had been dominated by the Nascent Soul Sect [a sect powerful enough to have Nascent Soul realm cultivators] known as the Tianyu Sect.

In its day, the Tianyu Sect ruled with an iron fist, monopolizing nearly ninety percent of the continent's resources. Yet, when faced with neighboring Demon Emperors [powerful demonic rulers], they were always reluctant to commit their forces, prioritizing their own preservation.

The Various Great Immortal Clans and Rogue Cultivators of Tianyu Continent at that time suffered immensely. This continued until Solon rose to power, achieved a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm [the stage of cultivation where one forms their spiritual infant], and in a single decisive battle, utterly annihilated the Tianyu Sect. Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel*com.

After overthrowing the Tianyu Sect, Solon neither established a new Sect nor founded an Immortal Clan. He did not even change the continent's name, which remained Tianyu Continent. He simply occupied the former sect's dao field [a cultivator's personal place of cultivation and residence] and renamed it Solon Mountain.

After learning of Solon Continent's history, Eldrin Chen remarked to Lyra Jiang with a wry smile, "It seems the Tianyu Sect shared more than a few similarities in conduct with the Green Sun Sect."

"Those who reap all the benefits yet shirk their responsibilities will inevitably be replaced,"

Lyra Jiang replied, shaking her head, a flicker of disdain in her eyes.

The two of them spoke no more, simply mounting their Immortal Sword and heading straight for Solon Mountain. In a mere three months, they arrived at the mountain's foot.

As they approached the mountain gate, the cultivator on reception duty possessed keen eyesight. Seeing their extraordinary bearing and aura, his expression shifted slightly, and he hurriedly bowed. "Esteemed Seniors, please hold. May I inquire as to the purpose of your visit to Solon Mountain?"

"We have come to seek an audience with SolonFellow Daoist. Please deliver this letter on our behalf."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile as he handed over the letter of introduction from the Ji Clan Second Elder.

The attendant gave it a cursory glance and promptly bowed again. "Please wait on the Guest-Welcoming Peak, Seniors. This junior will return shortly."

With that, the cultivator turned and flew into Solon Mountain. Not long after, he returned, this time accompanied by another.

The newcomer wore violet robes and possessed a tall, imposing frame. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen and his companion, he clasped his hands in greeting with a hearty laugh. "I wondered who had come. I did not expect it to be Eldrin, the Abyssal Sword Immortal, whose name shakes the hundred continents, and the Heaven's Ruin Immortal Maiden."

"For the two of you to grace my humble Solon Mountain is truly an honor that spans three lifetimes for this old man." Discover more cultivation stories at audio~novel.com.