Chapter 541 : The Immortal Apricot's Promise

That Riverlord Chang possessed heaven-defying talent, ranking among the strongest of his generation. Yet, even after more than seven Millennium since his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, he had only reached the sixth layer of the Primordial Spirit realm. It remained uncertain whether he could ever break through to the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage [the advanced stages of the Primordial Spirit realm].

Previously, Old Patriarch and the others, with Eldrin Chen's continuous support, advanced by leaps and bounds, rarely needing to rely on Longevity Treasure [treasures that extend a cultivator's lifespan]. However, cultivation beyond the True Lord [a title for cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm] realm becomes exceedingly arduous.

Within the Golden Core Realm [the realm where a cultivator forms a solidified core of spiritual energy], one could break through a minor realm in mere decades. Yet, upon reaching the Nascent Soul [the realm where the cultivator's spirit forms an independent entity] realm, it could take several centuries to advance a single layer.

The time required for a Nascent Soul Cultivators [cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul] to gain one or two layers of cultivation was often enough for a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator in the Golden Core realm] to progress from the first layer all the way to the ninth. Therefore, with the exception of a rare few, Longevity Treasure [treasures that extend a cultivator's lifespan] became indispensable for the majority of True Lord [a title for cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm].

With this thought, Old Patriarch said with a smile, "Regardless, with the existence of this Immortal Apricot [a mythical fruit that grants immense longevity and spiritual power] tree, the future True Lord [a title for cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm] of our Chen Immortal Clan will enjoy a far more abundant lifespan."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded, plucking three of the Fifth Rank [denoting a power level or grade equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm] Spirit Apricot [a spiritual fruit that enhances cultivation and longevity]. He then instructed, "You must cultivate diligently and strive to break through to the True Lord Realm [the realm of a Nascent Soul True Lord] as soon as possible."

"The spiritual energy contained within this Fifth Rank [denoting a power level or grade equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm] Immortal Apricot [a mythical fruit that grants immense longevity and spiritual power] tree surpasses that of a Fourth Rank Spirit Apricot [a fourth-grade spiritual apricot fruit] by a hundredfold. One would need at least the cultivation of a True Lord [a title for cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm] to refine and absorb it."

Mention of the breakthrough to the True Lord Realm [the realm of a Nascent Soul True Lord] prompted Old Patriarch to glance at Kael Chen and the others. He continued, "Kael has been at the ninth layer of the Golden Core [the realm where a cultivator forms a solidified core of spiritual energy] realm for nearly thirty years now. His Mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators to cast spells and techniques] has been tempered to a sufficient degree."

"It is time to open the ancient ruins and see if we can retrieve that wisp of Heavenly Dao Qi [a strand of pure energy embodying the will of the Heavenly Dao, the cosmic order] from within the Celestial Vault Isle." Continue reading this story at audio-novel`com.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. It was true that within Celestial Vault Isle lay the Heavenly Dao Qi [the supreme primordial energy of the cosmos] left behind by the Chen Clan ancestor, Qing the True Lord.

However, over a thousand years ago, the Chen Clan Ancestral Land on Celestial Vault Isle was shattered and sunk into The Vast Sea by the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor. At that time, the resentment of hundreds of millions of the Human Race merged with Qing the True Lord's Earthly Soul [one of the three souls representing the connection to the mortal world] and the stillborn Ancestral Vein Spirit [the sentient consciousness of a great spiritual land vein], coalescing into a bizarre, inhuman, unghostly entity.

Such an existence was profoundly strange and sinister. If it were to disregard bloodline ties and attack them, even Eldrin Chen would likely be no match for it.

Yet, Kael Chen was now over five hundred years old, and the next Demonic Abyss Cataclysm was merely three centuries away. The matter of his breakthrough truly could be delayed no longer.

Furthermore, both the Old Patriarch and Elara Lin would attempt their Nascent Soul breakthroughs again within the next fifty years. With their foundation of Middle Golden Core, their chances of success this time exceeded seventy percent, and they too needed to accumulate some Earthly Dao Essence [a profound spiritual substance embodying the power of the Earthly Dao, crucial for high-level cultivation].

And that Celestial Vault Isle, as a top-tier Dao Lord Sacred Land, most likely still held reserves of Earthly Dao Essence.

Having considered this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before declaring, "Once we have laid down the grand formation and established the cross-continent Teleportation Formation, we shall address this matter."

"Very well," Chen Thalion nodded, then inquired, "Regarding Ji Continent, which Spirit Mountain should the Teleportation Formation be established upon?"

Eldrin Chen contemplated briefly before making the decision. "Establish it at Verdant Chariot Mountain. That area is already enveloped by the Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy] from Spirit Isle Lake and can support the Teleportation Formation. Should it come under attack, it would also provide Spirit Isle Lake with sufficient time to react."

"Understood…"

The assembly nodded in agreement, then immediately set about constructing the Fifth Rank Teleportation Formation.

Forging a Fifth Rank Teleportation Formation not only consumes exceptionally rare Fifth Rank Void Gemstone, but also requires a Fifth Rank Formation Master and vast quantities of lower-grade materials.

Fortunately, during the three decades the Chen Clan had controlled The Vast Sea, they had exchanged for numerous precious treasures with the Various Great Immortal Clans of the region. This was more than sufficient to gather the materials needed for two Teleportation Formation platforms.

Eldrin Chen summoned thousands of Artificer from the Heaven's Ruin Alliance. After more than a year of tireless work, the Teleportation Formation platforms were finally completed.

Once operational, these Teleportation Formation could transport three hundred and sixty-five cultivators in a single activation. This not only vastly increased the Chen Clan's control over The Vast Sea, but also greatly enhanced the flow of cultivators between the two continents.

With the Teleportation Formation established, Eldrin Chen renamed Frostbitten Expanse Island to Immortal Apricot Island. He then used the Gilded Heaven Seal to erect a powerful Formation upon the island. Only then did he feel that The Vast Sea was firmly under his clan's control, and a weight of concern finally lifted from his heart.

With these matters settled, Eldrin Chen gathered everyone and announced, "I shall return to Spirit Isle Lake. Upon my return, we will proceed to enter the Heaven's Canopy Island Ruins."

Old Patriarch inquired, "Will you require our assistance?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head. "You do not possess True Lord Combat Power. Venturing inside would be far too perilous for you. Remain here and await our news."

After bidding farewell to the others, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang departed directly for Spirit Isle Lake.

They arrived before Spirit Isle Lake and respectfully cupped their hands toward the spiritual lake, saying, "Senior Qingyuan, this junior has a matter to request an audience."

"Hmm—"

The void fell into a brief, profound silence. Moments later, an entrance opened deep within the spiritual lake.

The two stepped forward and entered the Fifth Rank Water Essence Earth Vein. The moment Eldrin Chen crossed the threshold into the Water Essence Earth Vein, he felt a surge of vibrant life force within the Earth Vein [a concentrated channel of earth-attribute spiritual energy]. To his surprise, numerous Spirit Fish [fish imbued with spiritual energy] and Spirit Clam [clams that absorb and refine spiritual energy] were already thriving and multiplying within its depths.

This caused Eldrin Chen a moment of quiet astonishment. Three hundred years ago, when he had just broken through to the Golden Core realm, this very Earth Vein had been saturated with boundless, lethal Sword Intent [the conceptual will and power imbued within a sword technique]. Back then, the Water Essence Earth Vein was a place of utter desolation, where not a single blade of grass could grow, shrouded in deathly silence.

"The Sword Intent has been drawn inward. It seems the Senior has recovered significantly," he murmured. Continue your cultivation journey at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

With this thought flashing through his mind, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang and then flew deeper into the Earth Vein.

It did not take long before they reached the very heart of the Earth Vein and laid eyes upon that peerlessly noble, yet grievously wounded Shattered Sword.

The Green Abyss Sword remained covered in a web of cracks. Its form was translucent like glazed crystal, shimmering with a soft, radiant white light. Wisps of potent Sword Qi [the tangible energy released from a sword technique] seeped from the fissures, slicing the surrounding void into countless hair-thin spatial tears.

Yet, compared to its state over three centuries prior, the cracks now appeared far more minute and faint. It was clear the sword's injuries had healed a great deal.

The Immortal Sword's Sword Qi [the concentrated energy projected by a sword cultivator's will and power] has grown increasingly restrained, yet Eldrin Chen can sense its Sword Intent [the profound will and concept embodied within a sword, a higher form of sword energy] has become ever more earth-shattering. Once fully awakened, it would be sufficient to effortlessly slay a Nascent Soul, Mid Stage cultivator.

If unleashed with full force, heedless of the risk of the Immortal Sword shattering, it could likely sever even a supreme existence at the Nascent Soul Late Stage with a single stroke.

Having cultivated for several hundred years, Eldrin Chen has witnessed several Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [supreme treasures imbued with the purest Yang energy]. Among them were the Immortal-Refining Furnace and the Long River Setting Sun Scroll, as well as the Azure Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler wielded by the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, and Caelum the Wavestrider's Wavestrider Immortal Sword.

After comparing them, Eldrin Chen can roughly sense that once the Green Abyss Sword is fully restored, its power, though it may not match the Immortal-Refining Furnace or the Long River Setting Sun Scroll, will likely not be inferior to the Azure Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler or the Wavestrider Immortal Sword.

In terms of sheer destructive force alone, it might even surpass the Azure Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler by a significant margin.

"A pity it is missing a fragment of its tip."

Withdrawing his thoughts, Eldrin Chen and his companion cupped their hands and bowed. "We pay our respects to you, Senior."

The Shattered Sword hovered in the void, silent for a moment before speaking. "In a mere three hundred years, you have forged a Great Luo Nascent Soul. You have truly not disappointed me."

"You honor us too much, Senior," Eldrin Chen replied with a slight bow.

The Shattered Sword seemed to consider this, then asked, "For what purpose have you come here?"

Gazing upon the Green Abyss Sword [a legendary enchanted blade of immense power], Eldrin Chen spoke with reverence, "Esteemed Senior, you once said that once we attained the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, immortal entity] realm, we could begin plans to restore your missing blade tip. I wonder if the time is now ripe to undertake this endeavor?" Official source: site: audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.