Chapter 548 : A Favor Forged in Jade and Elixirs

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke: "With only a single Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm], Spirit Consort's chances of a successful breakthrough would indeed be slim. Very well, I shall gift you one more Creation Green Lotus Seed [a legendary seed containing immense life force and creation energy]. Perhaps it can increase her odds of success by a few degrees."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen handed both the Creation Green Lotus Seed and the Nascent Soul Formation Pill to Yvonne the Violet Consort.

Yvonne the Violet Consort glanced at them and produced thirty Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of Spirit Stone used by high-level cultivators]. "I should purchase these at their full price," she said, "but alas, I too have only recently broken through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's soul forms an independent, immortal entity] and my reserves of Heavenly Crystal are still insufficient. Consider this a personal favor I owe you."

"There is no need for that," Lyra Jiang smiled, then continued. "Although the Creation Green Lotus Seed is priceless, given the friendship we have shared over these years, such formalities are unnecessary."

Eldrin Chen also laughed. "When selling such treasures to one of our own, we naturally use the internal price. I can't very well expect you to sell me Golden Vein Spirit Jade [a rare spiritual jade formed within golden mineral veins, prized for crafting and cultivation] at the external market price when I come to purchase it later, can I?"

The Violet Consort Mountain that Yvonne the Violet Consort now occupied was once part of the domain of the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor, and possessed a vein of Golden Vein Spirit Jade.

Mention of the Golden Vein Spirit Jade caused Yvonne the Violet Consort to pause thoughtfully. "I received word not long ago," she said after a moment, "that the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor has joined Purple Jade Lake. You must be cautious from now on."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. Purple Jade Lake was a Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beasts who has attained immense power] territory located northwest of The Vast Sea.

That Purple Jade Lake was ruled by a Violet Jade Heavenly Python [a colossal serpent demon with scales like violet jade], whose cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage. Even within the Vast and Boundless Marsh, it was a Demon Emperor of considerable renown.

Years ago, the two of them had slain the Female Demon Emperor of the Golden Rhino Lineage. Now that the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor had found a powerful backer in Purple Jade Lake, it was likely he would seek revenge in the future. The story continues at audio-novel*com.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen mused and said, "Thank you for the reminder. However, since the Ji Clan still resides within the Ji Continent, it is likely that Purple Jade Lake dares not act recklessly for the time being."

"That is true," Yvonne the Violet Consort nodded, then stood up and said, "I must return to assist Spirit Consort, the Younger Sister in her breakthrough to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms their immortal infant soul] realm. I shall not linger any longer this time."

Eldrin Chen rose to his feet with a smile and said, "Then we shall wish Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden a successful breakthrough to Nascent Soul in one fell swoop."

Time flowed like a swift river, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

On this day, while Eldrin Chen was cultivating within his Cultivation Cave alongside Lyra Jiang, he suddenly noticed a Communication Spirit Talisman [a magical slip used for sending messages] flying in. He took the Spirit Talisman and, upon reading it, fell into a pensive silence.

Lyra Jiang looked up, a trace of curiosity in her eyes. "What is it?" she asked.

"Ancestor Mo from the Qi Kingdom has sent a Communication Talisman wishing to exchange for a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in forming the Nascent Soul]."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. In recent times, many cultivators had sought to purchase a Nascent Soul Formation Pill from him, the root cause being Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden's successful breakthrough.

Merely a year after Yvonne the Violet Consort's departure, good news had arrived.

Having obtained both a Nascent Soul Formation Pill and a Creation Green Lotus Seed [a seed of a mythical lotus with profound life-giving properties], Yvonne the Violet Consort had resolved to spare no effort in supporting Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden.

Rumors swirled that Yvonne the Violet Consort had exhausted the wealth accumulated over centuries to purchase a single Profound Water Immortal Pear from the Heaven's Profound Sect. Combined with a Nascent Soul Formation Pill and a Creation Green Lotus Seed, these treasures had boosted Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden's chances of a successful Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent infant-like entity] breakthrough by a full fifty percent.

This time, Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden did not disappoint her. She succeeded in a single attempt, shattering the barrier to the Nascent Soul realm and forging a Mortal Dao Nascent Soul [a foundational type of Nascent Soul, representing the cultivator's initial grasp of the Dao].

After her breakthrough, many began inquiring about the origin of the Nascent Soul Formation Pill. It was soon discovered that the Chen Clan had successfully refined an entire batch of these precious pills.

Consequently, numerous Golden Core Immortal Clan [powerful clans with Golden Core cultivators as their foundation], including those from The Vast Sea and Ji Continent, came knocking, hoping to purchase one of the coveted Nascent Soul Formation Pill.

However, the Nascent Soul Formation Pill was a supreme treasure for achieving Nascent Soul. The Chen Clan itself possessed only four remaining pills and was naturally reluctant to part with them, turning away all suitors.

Yet, the letter now sent by Ancestor Mo gave Eldrin Chen pause. After all, Ancestor Mo held a personal debt of gratitude from Ethan Chen.

"Very well," he murmured. "Let us first see if he can offer a price worthy of such a treasure."

So saying, Eldrin Chen stored the Spirit Talisman [a talisman imbued with spiritual power for communication or other effects].

Lyra Jiang, witnessing this, offered a silken, teasing smile. "What is the hurry? Our daily cultivation regimen is not yet complete."

With those words lingering in the air, she lowered her head once more.

"Hiss—" [a sharp intake of breath]

"You little enchantress."

Eldrin Chen drew a soft breath, steadying himself by gently holding her long hair before resuming his cultivation.

After their cultivation session reached its harmonious conclusion, Eldrin Chen left a thoroughly spent Lyra Jiang behind, emerging from the Cultivation Cave with his spirit refreshed and his mind clear.

Within the Grand Hall, he encountered Ancestor Mo. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, Ancestor Mo promptly offered a respectful bow and said, "Greetings, Senior True Lord."

"Between us, such formalities are unnecessary." For uninterrupted reading, go to site: audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen helped him rise, then said with a smile, "With your foundation at the Earthly Dao Nascent Soul realm [a path to Nascent Soul focused on earthly elements and stability], even without a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that dramatically increases the chance of a successful breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm], you should have a sixty percent chance of successfully forging your Nascent Soul [the immortal infant soul formed within a cultivator's dantian, marking a monumental leap in power and longevity]. Why the urgency to procure a Nascent Soul Formation Pill now?"

"A sixty percent chance still feels insufficient. I fear that failure would waste a precious opportunity to extend my lifespan."

Ancestor Mo shook his head, his tone laced with helplessness.

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. Calculating carefully, Ancestor Mo was now nine hundred years old and had already used one Nascent Soul Formation Pill in the past.

The opportunity to extend one's lifespan is precious. Using it once more within the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power] means one less chance to extend one's life by a Millennium [a period of one thousand years] when attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul [the fourth major stage where one's spiritual essence condenses into an infant soul] realm in the future.

Ancestor Mo fears that if he fails, he will not only waste this precious life-extending opportunity but will still have to purchase a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that significantly increases the chance of forming a Nascent Soul] later.

Furthermore, with the next Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a cyclical, world-shaking calamity where demonic energies surge from the abyss] merely three hundred years away, breaking through to Nascent Soul a single day earlier grants one more day to potentially refine a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a powerful magical artifact forged with one's life essence, growing in power with its wielder].

Without a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure in hand, achieving the Nascent Soul realm would instead make one a prime target in the eyes of the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [powerful, malevolent entities from beyond this world that feed on spiritual essence].

After all, the Nascent Soul of a Nascent Soul True Lord [an honorific title for a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm] is a truly potent nourishment for Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use dark, corrupt, or sacrificial methods to gain power]. Possessing Nascent Soul cultivation but lacking in combat prowess would drastically increase the likelihood of a tragic fall.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "I do possess a Nascent Soul Formation Pill. However, such a treasure is exceedingly rare. Over twenty Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators at the Golden Core stage] within my Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen Clan of immortal cultivators] are eagerly awaiting their chance."

"If you do not have a treasure of commensurate value, I cannot exchange it with you."

"I understand this well," Ancestor Mo nodded, then handed a wooden case to Eldrin Chen. "Speaking of this item, it was something Thalion Chen and I discovered together long ago."

"For it to now circle back into the hands of Thalion Chen's descendant... such is the whims of Creation [the inscrutable workings of destiny and cosmic fortune]."

Eldrin Chen fell into a contemplative silence upon hearing this. In this world, treasures ultimately belong to the strong.

In the past, Thalion Chen and Ancestor Mo had contended for it together. Having been defeated and forced to flee the Chu Kingdom, he truly had no one else to blame.

The karmic debts of that past affair were settled long ago. Now, Eldrin Chen had no desire to pursue the matter further. He simply opened the Treasure Box to look inside, and his brow furrowed slightly in surprise.

"To think it was this object…"

Within the Treasure Box lay a stone slab measuring three Chi-lengths [one Chi-length equals one third of a meter]. It emitted a faint, gentle radiance, with intricate patterns resembling flowing starlight shimmering within its depths, bringing an inexplicable sense of peace and clarity to the observer's mind.

Eldrin Chen recognized the origin of this artifact. It was known as the Starry Enlightenment Stone [a mystical stone that aids cultivators in achieving enlightenment by attuning them to the Dao of the stars], a Fifth Rank Treasure [a treasure of the fifth rank, indicating immense power and rarity] specifically designed to assist cultivators in comprehending the profound mysteries of the Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy and cultivation].

The Starry Enlightenment Stone not only aided in enlightenment but also served to suppress inner demons, purify the heart and soul, and even accelerate the speed of one's cultivation [the process of refining one's body and spirit to ascend to higher states of being].

The very reason Ancestor Mo had been able to rise to prominence over these years was precisely due to his reliance on this Starry Enlightenment Stone. Visit audio_novel.com to enjoy the complete series.