Chapter 546 : Essence of Earth and Heaven

Kael Chen obtained the Heavenly Dao Qi [the purest essence of the heavens, representing celestial order] and the Earth Mother Qi [the nurturing essence of the earth, representing terrestrial vitality], and thus remained in seclusion on Immortal Apricot Island.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen returned the Green Abyss Sword to the depths of the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] beneath Spirit Isle Lake. Clasping his hands in salute, he said, "For this journey, I must offer my deepest thanks for your presence and support, Senior."

"There is no need for such formalities,"

replied the Green Abyss Sword calmly. After a moment of silence, it released a radiant treasure light that materialized before Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen focused his gaze and saw that the radiance was, in fact, a strand of Earthly Dao Essence [a primordial spiritual substance embodying the fundamental principles of the earth].

Before he could inquire further, the Green Abyss Sword spoke again: "Within the Underground Water Vein [a subterranean spiritual watercourse] of Spirit Isle Lake, a single strand of Earth Mother Qi is nurtured every Millennium [a cycle of one thousand years]."

"In years past, I used the Earth Mother Qi to mend my injuries. Now, my wounds have largely healed, and I no longer require this essence."

"This strand of Earth Mother Qi was recently formed. I shall leave it to you."

A flicker of joy stirred within Eldrin Chen's heart. Although they had acquired two strands of Earth Mother Qi this time, Kael Chen would need to consume one. Furthermore, Old Patriarch and Elara Lin would also have urgent need for such a treasure in the future.

This had been a source of considerable worry for Eldrin Chen, but with this newly obtained strand of Earth Mother Qi now in hand, it would save the Chen Clan a tremendous expenditure of resources. Original English translation available at audio novel.com.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen took the Earth Mother Qi [a primordial, nurturing earth essence] and said, "My deepest gratitude for your generous gift, Senior."

After departing from the Underground Water Vein, Eldrin Chen considered the tainted Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit [a miraculous fruit that aids in the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm] and the Earth Mother Qi in his possession. He then accompanied Lyra Jiang on a journey to Ling Nation.

The Ling Nation was not far from Chen Nation. The Ethereal Void Lake there was the renamed site of the former Serpent-Crocodile Lake and was connected to the Azure Lotus Continent by a Fourth Rank Teleportation Formation.

Upon their arrival at Ethereal Void Lake, Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal greeted them with a smile. "It has been but a few years," she said, "yet your cultivation auras have grown profoundly deeper and more unfathomable."

"It is you, Immortal Maiden, whose progress has been truly meteoric,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a gentle smile. Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal was a True Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm] who had undergone reincarnation tribulation. Her current rate of cultivation recovery could indeed be described as astonishingly swift.

Having broken through to the True Lord realm less than two hundred years ago, she had already cultivated to the Nascent Soul Third Heaven.

"I merely benefit from the Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound foundational cultivation accumulated in a past life] from my previous incarnation," Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal demurred with a light laugh. "Once I reach the Nascent Soul, 4th Tier, advancing further will not be so simple."

Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal's smile held a trace of ruefulness. In her past life, her cultivation had peaked at the Nascent Soul, 4th Tier before her fall. Thus, the path to reclaiming that former peak was relatively smooth, but any progress beyond it would present significant challenges.

After the three exchanged pleasantries for a short while, Lyra Jiang spoke plainly. "Our visit to your Ethereal Void Lake this time is actually because we have an important matter to request your assistance with."

"Oh?" Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal raised a brow slightly. "For what purpose, may I ask?"

"We recently came upon some treasures tainted by blood miasma and vengeful resentment, and wish to acquire some Fifth Rank Treasure Liquid."

"Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid?"

Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal smiled faintly and replied, "I happen to have a fair amount of this Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid on hand. How much do you wish to purchase?"

Eldrin Chen calculated silently. After Kael Chen had taken one of the tainted Earthly Dao Essence, he still possessed one more Earthly Dao Essence and one Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit that required cleansing with the Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid.

The Earthly Dao Essence would require ten drops of Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid, while the Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit, less burdened by resentment, needed only one.

Having reached this conclusion, he said with a smile, "I seek eleven drops of Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid, and propose to trade for them with Heavenly Crystal [a highly refined and potent form of spiritual crystal]."

"Then let us round it down to fifty Heavenly Crystal."

Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal smiled again. While one drop of Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid was valued at five million Spirit Stone, Heavenly Crystal held greater utility for Nascent Soul Cultivators and made for a far more convenient transaction.

Seeing her agreement, Eldrin Chen produced the required sum of Spirit Stone and completed the exchange.

After obtaining the Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid, the two immediately returned to Spirit Isle Lake. Eldrin Chen looked at the Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid in his hand and said with a furrowed brow, "Wealth truly cannot withstand spending. We are left with only thirty Heavenly Crystal [a highly purified and potent form of Spirit Stone].

After their breakthrough to the True Lord realm, their consumption had been immense. Not only were their Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] completely exhausted, but they now possessed a mere thirty Heavenly Crystal [a highly purified and potent form of Spirit Stone], insufficient to purchase any truly precious Spiritual Object.

Lyra Jiang also shook her head. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Fortunately, the resources for Elara and the Old Patriarch's advancement have been gathered. Once they break through, the clan can recuperate and build its strength for a time."

"Once they ascend to Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms an independent spiritual entity], you and I can breathe a little easier and focus our minds on our own cultivation in earnest."

Eldrin Chen nodded. He took out the tainted Earth Mother Qi [the primordial earth essence] and the Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit, using the Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid to cleanse them of their lingering resentment and Baleful Qi [a malevolent and corrupting energy].

Watching as the Baleful Qi [a malevolent and corrupting energy] and resentment met the Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid and melted away like snow and ice, Eldrin Chen smiled. "In just a few months, the resentment within this Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit will be completely purified." The story continues at audio-novel-dot-com.

"Brother Kael is currently attempting his Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms an independent spiritual entity] breakthrough. I shall go and stand guard for him during this time."

That very afternoon, Eldrin Chen traveled via Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel] to Immortal Apricot Island.

The Old Patriarch was already waiting before the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for undisturbed cultivation]. Seeing Eldrin Chen, he said with unease, "I sense a violent churning of Baleful Qi [a malevolent and corrupting energy] within the chamber. I fear the situation may be turning dire."

Eldrin Chen gazed at the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for undisturbed cultivation], his expression growing solemn.

Within the Seclusion Chamber at this moment, a torrential surge of Baleful Qi [a malevolent and destructive form of spiritual energy] and infinite resentment seethed and boiled.

This resentment felt as if the Hundreds of Millions of Living Beings were shrieking piteously within one's mind, a ceaseless cacophony meant to fray and torment a cultivator's soul.

If Kael Chen's will wavered even slightly, his soul would be devoured by this rancor, splintering into countless thousands of fractured personalities, plunging him irrevocably into the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that embraces chaos, destruction, and malevolent power] with no hope of return.

"Do not worry. This is his tribulation."

Eldrin Chen murmured, shaking his head. Kael Chen was not wrong. Once such a tribulation was overcome, it would be a rebirth through trial, a transcendence of the self.

Tempering one's Dao Heart [the cultivator's fundamental will and spiritual core] with such an ordeal meant suppressing ten thousand clamoring thoughts with a single, unyielding resolve; it meant one individual prevailing over countless millions. Success would bring about a transformation of astonishing profundity.

And the situation Kael Chen now faced was truly one of advance or perish. If he could not press forward with indomitable will to subdue that ocean of resentment, he would be utterly consumed, sinking forever beneath the Heart Demon Tribulation [an internal trial where a cultivator must confront and conquer their inner demons and deepest fears].

Kael Chen's breakthrough was exceptionally prolonged. The watchers waited a full three years before they finally sensed the resentment within the Seclusion Chamber gradually being suppressed and brought to heel.

A colossal vortex of spiritual energy took shape in the heavens, drawing in a vast sea of spiritual energy [the vital force that permeates the world and fuels cultivation] and funneling it down into the Seclusion Chamber.

"He has succeeded."

Old Patriarch's face lit up with joy, and he felt a profound sense of reassurance settle in his heart.

Several more days passed before Kael Chen emerged from the Seclusion Chamber, clad in a long black robe.

He glanced at the gathered clan members, gave a slight nod, and then ascended into the sky to face the vast, heaven-engulfing Tribulation Clouds [ominous clouds that gather to test a cultivator during a realm advancement].

This Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's strength and resolve] was exceptionally formidable. Its power even surpassed that of a typical Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul's tribulation by a noticeable margin, causing Eldrin Chen to adopt an expression of grave seriousness.

Fortunately, the Chen Clan possessed a considerable number of Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts]. Eldrin Chen had long since entrusted the Triple Treasure Gilded Armor and the Creation Azure Duckweed Sword to Kael Chen. With these two mighty Spiritual Treasure in hand, his confidence in overcoming the Nascent Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was quite substantial.

Witnesses saw Kael Chen channel his three Life-Bound Magical Treasure [magical treasures bound to a cultivator's life force] and unleash his Divine Ability [supernatural powers granted by cultivation]. The first six bolts of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation were deflected with relative ease.

The seventh and eighth thunderbolts, however, possessed truly terrifying power. Yet, the Triple Treasure Gilded Armor and the Creation Azure Duckweed Sword still managed to withstand their fury. Continue reading this story at www . audio-novel.com.