Chapter 535 : Gifts of the Primordial Sun

For they were not far from achieving immortality; perhaps in their next life, they could undergo Ethereal Ascension [the final transcendence to become an immortal being] and become immortal deities who would Longevity [enjoy longevity and eternal vision]. Naturally, the Judge of the Underworld [the underworld official who judges the souls of the deceased] within the Underworld Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing the afterlife] would be more than happy to forge a favorable connection.

Recalling the supreme and majestic presence of the Primordial Solar Path Lord, everyone promptly bowed and offered their congratulations: "We congratulate the Path Lord [a title for a supreme master of a cultivation path] on attaining the Primordial Solar Realm [a supreme realm of cultivation representing the primordial sun]. May the Path Lord enjoy everlasting immortal blessings and achieve Ethereal Ascension."

Watching the countless cultivators offer their felicitations, Dorian Ji smiled faintly.

With a sweep of his sleeve, he scattered tens of thousands of motes of spiritual light, which settled into the hands of the assembled cultivators. In high spirits, he declared, "There is no need for such formalities. Consider these trifles yours to keep."

"Our deepest thanks to the Path Lord."

The crowd accepted the treasures, their faces alight with joy, and they, having come prepared, presented their own lavish congratulatory gifts in return.

Eldrin Chen was no exception. As he and Exquisite Jiang had little surplus wealth on hand, they gifted a precious vial of Fifth Rank [the fifth tier in a grading system for pills, artifacts, etc.] elixirs.

This was already considered a rather valuable present. While Eldrin Chen had reaped great harvests on several occasions, he possessed ten Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [magical artifacts bound to a cultivator's life and soul, growing with them], whose demands for resources were a bottomless pit. Even a wealthy landowner finds his granary running low.

"..."

After his breakthrough, Dorian Ji hosted a grand banquet to feast all the guests. Support the author by reading on audio—novel.com.

After the banquet concluded, Ji Clan Patriarch convened a clan assembly, even inviting Eldrin Chen and his companion to attend.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, Dorian Ji spoke plainly: "This time, I have incurred a significant debt of gratitude. In the future, if Three Great Holy Lands or figures like Vast Righteousness True Lord have needs, we must offer our support in return."

"We understand,"

Everyone present nodded in agreement. Dorian Ji's breakthrough had indeed accrued many obligations.

The Three Great Holy Lands of the Eastern Barrens had all intervened on his behalf. Consequently, if any cultivator from those lands later sought to break through to the Primordial Solar realm, Dorian Ji could hardly stand idly by.

After concluding that topic, Dorian Ji's expression grew solemn once more. "Now that I have just attained the Path Lord realm," he declared, "my immediate focus will be consolidating my cultivation base and advancing both my Primordial Solar Supreme Treasure and my Second Primordial Spirit."

"However, our Ji Clan's current resources are insufficient to support the cultivation required for both my Primordial Solar Supreme Treasure and the evolution of my Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon Primordial Spirit."

"Therefore, I have reached an agreement with several Path Lord Sacred Land within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. Once my cultivation is stabilized, I will travel to the End of the Demonic Abyss to take over garrison duties from other Path Lord cultivators stationed there."

"In exchange, when the time comes for us to reclaim the Ancestral Vein within the Blood God Sea Region, other Path Lords will lend me their aid."

After Dorian Ji finished speaking, the assembled clan members all nodded in understanding.

Recapturing the Blood God Sea Region [a vast and perilous sea domain once ruled by the Blood God Patriarch] would be no simple feat.

Unlike the vast gulf between Infant Soul [the stage of cultivation where one's nascent soul is formed] cultivators, the disparity in combat power among Primordial Spirit Cultivator [cultivators who have awakened their primordial spiritual core] is often far less pronounced. Once a cultivator breaks through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the primordial spirit], they naturally possess the means to compensate for certain foundational shortcomings.

Even for those who ascended from Earthly Path Infant Soul [a cultivation art focusing on earthly, foundational power] or Heavenly Path Infant Soul [a cultivation art focusing on heavenly, ethereal power], the difference in their spiritual energy reserves after the breakthrough would rarely exceed the gap of a single minor realm.

After all, cultivators who reach this level are among the most elite in this world. Those who practiced the Earthly Path Infant Soul and managed to surpass most Heavenly Path Infant Soul cultivators to attain the Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a title for a powerful Primordial Spirit cultivator] realm must possess extraordinary qualities of their own.

What truly determines the combat prowess of a Primordial Spirit Path Lord are often formidable Primordial Solar Divine Ability [divine abilities powered by the essence of the primordial sun] and Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [magical treasures forged with primordial solar power], as well as their comprehension of the Arcane Power [the profound and mysterious laws that govern reality].

The Blood God Patriarch possessed cultivation at the mighty Primordial Spirit 3rd Tier [the third level of the Primordial Spirit realm]. Furthermore, he had mastered the Primordial Solar Divine Ability known as the Blood God Grand Art [a supreme and terrifying blood-based cultivation art], making his strength truly formidable.

The Blood God Grand Art alone granted the Blood God Patriarch nine avatars, each at the half-step Path Lord level. This was a capability that would give even a mid-stage Primordial Spirit Mid Stage Path Lord pause for thought. And this did not even account for the Blood God Patriarch's other Demonic Treasure [treasures forged with demonic or malevolent energy] and myriad techniques.

Although the Ji Clan Patriarch wielded the Immortal Refining Furnace [a legendary furnace capable of refining even immortal beings], it might still be insufficient to thoroughly defeat the Blood God Patriarch.

Having considered this, the Ji Clan Patriarch declared, "I shall go to the End of the Demonic Abyss [a desolate and dangerous frontier region] and hold the fort for some years. Leveraging the connections my Ji Clan has cultivated over the generations, I should be able to secure a loan of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the balanced power of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth]. With that, I can advance my Second Primordial Spirit [a powerful divine ability involving the cultivation of a second primordial spirit]."

"All of you, cultivate diligently. When I return, we shall move against the Blood God Sea Region."

"Understood."

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Ji Clan Patriarch then declared, "I shall first enter seclusion to consolidate my realm. Exquisite and Eldrin shall remain. The rest of you may withdraw for now."

"As you command!"

After the others had departed, Dorian Ji glanced at Eldrin Chen and his companion, a faint smile gracing his lips. "I must thank you both for your efforts this time. Had you not shielded the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for deep meditation and cultivation breakthroughs], I fear I could not have focused on my breakthrough with peace of mind."

"It was nothing, merely our duty,"

replied Eldrin Chen. Their primary task had not been direct combat, but rather to guard the Seclusion Chamber against the shockwaves and stray energies emanating from the fierce battle outside. Published by audio-novel dot com. All rights reserved.

Though such a duty was not overly burdensome, it was a task entrusted only to those held in the deepest confidence.

Dorian Ji gave a light chuckle, his gaze settling upon them. "Though I have broken through to the Path Lord [a high cultivation realm, signifying mastery over a profound aspect of the Dao] realm, my hopes of ascending to immortality remain slim."

"You two are different. With the foundational potential of the Five Spiritual Roots [a rare and balanced spiritual aptitude allowing affinity with all five elemental energies], you may yet become the second coming of our esteemed granduncle."

"Our granduncle?"

Eldrin Chen's expression faltered slightly, revealing a trace of bewilderment.

Dorian Ji glanced at Eldrin Chen and said with a smile, "The most recent cultivator to ascend to immortality in the recent ancient era, 'Imperial Sovereign Jiang', was Exquisite's grandfather."

"This..."

Exquisite Jiang nodded and explained, "The 'Ascendant Immortal Vein-Forging Art' [a supreme method for forging spiritual meridians to achieve immortality] I cultivate was created by my grandfather."

Eldrin Chen knew that this Ascendant Immortal Vein-Forging Art was the unparalleled method behind Exquisite Jiang's Spiritual Root Completion [the ability to perfect one's innate spiritual affinity]. What he hadn't anticipated was that this profound art was the creation of Imperial Sovereign Jiang.

As the two of them continued their tale, Eldrin Chen finally understood the Karma [the web of cause and effect, fate, and destiny] behind this encounter.

It turned out that Imperial Sovereign Jiang possessed talent and brilliance rarely seen throughout the ages. The reason he could achieve immortality in an era when it was nearly impossible was precisely because of this 'Ascendant Immortal Vein-Forging Art'.

Imperial Sovereign Jiang was originally a cultivator with a Heavenly Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade innate spiritual affinity]. In his youth, with his peerless talent, he seized the very Creation [the primordial creative force of heaven and earth] to pioneer this method for reshaping one's Spiritual Root [the innate conduit for absorbing spiritual energy], thereby completing his own Five Elements Spiritual Root [a spiritual root encompassing all five fundamental elements].

From that moment on, Imperial Sovereign Jiang soared to the heavens. Not only did he forge a Great Encompassing Golden Core [a perfect, all-encompassing Golden Core foundation], but he also consumed the Kiang Clan's foundational, clan-protecting resources to achieve a Great Encompassing Infant Soul [a perfect, all-encompassing Infant Soul] in one fell swoop.

Recalling this past event, Dorian Ji spoke up, "When Imperial Sovereign Jiang achieved his Dao [the supreme path or principle], I was merely in the Golden Core Realm. It was then that I truly understood what is meant by the Banished Immortal's Bearing [the aura and destiny of one who has transcended the mortal realm]."

"It is a pity that after he transcended the Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the ultimate heavenly trial to ascend to immortality], four of his five Lifebound Supreme Treasure [supreme magical artifacts bound to one's life force] were destroyed. Only a single Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal grade] managed to advance to the realm of an Immortal Treasure [an artifact of immortal grade]."

"Otherwise, he might have been able to quell the source of the cataclysm at the End of the Demonic Abyss [the deepest, most perilous region of the demonic realm]..."

Dorian Ji recounted the tale with measured grace, his eyes filled with profound reverence. It was clear he held Imperial Sovereign Jiang in the highest esteem.

Eldrin Chen fell into a deep silence. It was a long moment before he gathered his thoughts. Truly, Imperial Sovereign Jiang lived up to his legend as the one who defied heaven's will to achieve immortality in the recent ancient era. Merely by creating the Ascendant Immortal Vein Creation Art [a legendary cultivation art for forging immortal-grade spiritual roots], he had demonstrated a talent that could startle the very immortals.

Such genius resonated through the ages. Perhaps, among all the figures who had ever achieved the feathery transformation to immortality throughout the history of the Purple Seal Realm, he would rank among the very foremost.

Having finished his account, Dorian Ji turned his gaze upon the two of them and said, "Seeing you today, I catch a fleeting glimpse of the shadow of the great Imperial Sovereign Jiang from ages past."

"If one day you can achieve Ethereal Ascension [the final, transcendent ascension to a higher state of being] and depart this realm together, there may yet be a sliver of hope to cleanse that source of the great cataclysm." Your portal to cultivation novels: audi novel.com.