Chapter 537 : The Lotus Ascends

Verdant Lotus Isle.

"Finally, it has advanced."

Eldrin Chen stood by the Lotus Lake, gazing at the Creation Green Jade Lotus before him.

This Creation Green Jade Lotus was originally a Fourth Rank Superior Grade Worldly Spiritual Root. After being enhanced by three strands of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme primordial energy of creation] from Eldrin Chen, it had finally, after over a hundred years, ascended to the Fifth Rank realm.

Upon reaching Fifth Rank, the Creation Green Jade Lotus shed its three treasures—the lotus seedpod, the Lotus Leaf, and the Lotus Seed—and began its next cycle of growth.

The treasures it shed were priceless. The seedpod contained a vital source energy [the fundamental life-force essence], which was the key component for advancing the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne.

The Lotus Leaf was imprinted with Innate sword patterns [natural, heaven-born formations], transforming into a pale azure Spiritual Treasure Immortal Sword. This was the Creation Green Duckweed Sword.

There were nine Lotus Seed, each brimming with astonishing primordial energy. Furthermore, they contained a trace of Merit [a metaphysical force representing accumulated good karma and virtuous deeds]. If consumed by a Golden Core Cultivator attempting to break through to Infant Soul, it could increase their chances of success by ten percent.

Eldrin Chen stored away the Verdant Lotus Immortal Sword and then handed the lotus seedpod to Exquisite Jiang, saying, "This treasure can advance the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne. You should take it to refine your final Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact bound to one's life and soul, growing in power with its master]."

Exquisite Jiang shook her head, pushing it back towards him. "Your Celestial Abyss Twin Swords, and even your Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a supreme-level divine technique], place an immense strain on your spiritual energy reserves. It's better for you to advance the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne first." This content originates from audi novel.com. Please respect copyright.

"Moreover, I possess the Nirvana Tribulation Transmigration Art [a profound art that allows one to transcend tribulations through rebirth], which grants me a significantly higher margin of safety. Comparatively, you are in greater need of the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a spiritual lotus throne that provides a vast and pure source of water-element energy] to sustain your magical power."

Hearing her reasoning, Eldrin Chen ceased his protests. He stored the Creation Verdant Lotus Throne [a miraculous spiritual lotus throne born from the essence of creation] and, looking at the Lotus Seed, said, "With this Verdant Lotus Seed [a seed of immense spiritual vitality from a verdant lotus], the chances for the Old Patriarch and Elara Lin to achieve a Infant Soul [the Primordial Spirit stage, where one's spiritual essence condenses into an infant-like form] breakthrough have increased by another ten percent."

Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement, her voice filled with joy. "Although this Verdant Lotus Seed cannot compare to a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that dramatically increases the odds of forming a Primordial Spirit], using it in conjunction with such a pill is truly remarkable. It is indeed worthy of being called a rare Worldly Spiritual Root [a spiritual treasure of heaven-defying quality that can alter one's foundational destiny]."

"Furthermore, in the future, this treasure, the Creation Green Jade Lotus [the progenitor lotus from which the throne was born], will mature and produce nine Creation-imbued Lotus Seed every three centuries. It is not impossible that Tea Rose herself might gain a tangible chance at breaking through to the Infant Soul realm."

Eldrin Chen nodded solemnly. He knew the circumstances of his own clan all too well. Both Lior Chen and Tea Rose Su were merely at the Lower-Tier Golden Core [the foundational stage of the Golden Core realm]. Even with the support of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill, their hopes of eventually breaking through to Infant Soul likely did not exceed twenty percent.

With the aid of this Creation Verdant Lotus Seed, that hope might rise to thirty percent. While this probability was still far below that of a Middle-Tier Golden Core [a cultivator with a mid-grade Golden Core foundation], it at least represented a glimmer of genuine possibility.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "In the past, Vast Righteousness True Lord bestowed upon us the Five Veins Infant Transformation Formation [a mystical formation that channels the power of five spiritual veins to assist in Primordial Spirit transformation]. Although this formation offers limited direct benefit to you and me, it can still increase one's chances of an Infant Soul breakthrough by ten percent."

"Over the years, our clan has gathered most of the materials required for the Five Veins Infant Transformation Formation. We lack only the most crucial component: the Five Veins Precious Jade [a rare jade that resonates with and harmonizes five different spiritual energies] to complete the array's setup."

"In the coming days, let us see if we can find a way to acquire the Five Veins Precious Jade and establish the formation. It would serve to deepen our clan's foundational reserves."

Mentioning the precious Five Veins Precious Jade, a wry smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips.

Now that the clan had only recently ascended to the status of an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarch has reached the Infant Soul cultivation realm], funds were desperately short everywhere. They barely had enough Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade spiritual currency] to purchase the Void Gem [a rare spatial-aligned gemstone], let alone spare coin for acquiring Five Veins Precious Jade [a spiritual jade harmonized with the five elemental veins].

Exquisite Jiang pondered for a moment before replying, "Of the clan's few Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts], we cannot consider the Sun and Moon Twin Wheels for now. The Verdant Void Cauldron is the legacy treasure of the Verdant Void Sect, yet it remains tainted by demonic energy and unusable."

"The Star-Moon Pot serves as the Formation Artifact [a treasure used as a core component for a formation] for Spirit Isle Lake. The Gilded Heaven Trigram Seal [a powerful formation seal] must later be deployed at Frigid Stream Island, and the Sole Supremacy Sword is intended for the clan's stronghold within the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland. None of these can be touched."

"That leaves only the Primordial Void Shield and the recently acquired Creation Green Duckweed Sword among our Spiritual Treasure that could be sold."

She continued, "However, I now possess four Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [treasures bound to one's life force]. The Three Treasures Glazed Armor and the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword are of diminishing use to me. I might as well offer them in exchange for other treasures."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen frowned in contemplation. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Both the Primordial Void Shield and the Three Treasures Glazed Armor are Defensive Spiritual Treasure, ideally suited for weathering the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly lightning trial cultivators face]. The Creation Green Duckweed Sword is even more precious—a Merit Spiritual Treasure [a treasure that accumulates positive karma] that slays without accruing Karma [the metaphysical consequence of one's actions]. To sell any of them would be a profound waste."

After another moment of thought, he added, "We still have over eighty Heavenly Crystal on hand. If we sell the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword as well, we should be able to purchase two or three Fifth Rank Void Gem."

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

"It seems that is our only course," Exquisite Jiang nodded, a faint smile touching her lips. "Let us first seek out Lone Swan to procure the Heavenly Crystal we need."

"…"

Early the next morning, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang departed from Ji Continent. They used a Teleportation Formation to reach Azure Luan Province, then mounted their flying swords and headed towards Tianyu Province.

Tianyu Province was located deep within the Three Veins Ancient Domain, separated from Azure Luan Province by four other major provinces. The journey took the pair a full month of flight before they finally arrived at their destination.

"So this is Tianyu Province?"

Upon reaching Tianyu Province, Eldrin Chen found a local Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, the third major realm] to ask for directions. From the cultivator's trembling replies, he ascertained the location of Lone Swan.

Tianyu Province was renowned as a major province for rogue cultivators. It was said that a millennium ago, it had been dominated by the Infant Soul Sect and the Heavenly Reputation Sect.

In its day, the Heavenly Reputation Sect acted with utter tyranny. Internally, they monopolized nearly ninety percent of Tianyu Province's resources. Yet, when faced with incursions from neighboring Demon Emperor [a powerful ruler of demonic beings], they were always reluctant to commit forces, overly concerned with preserving their own strength. For the best reading experience, visit www . audio-novel.com.

The various Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] and rogue cultivators of Tianyu Province at that time suffered immensely. This continued until Lone Swan rose to power, achieved a breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the Nascent Soul stage, the fifth major realm], and in a single decisive battle, utterly annihilated the Heavenly Reputation Sect.

After overthrowing the sect's rule, Lone Swan did not establish a new sect or Immortal Clan, nor did he change the province's name; it remained Tianyu Province. He merely occupied the former Heavenly Reputation Sect's Path-Field [a cultivator's personal cultivation grounds and headquarters], renaming it Solitary Swan Mountain.

After learning of this history, Eldrin Chen remarked to Exquisite Jiang with a wry smile, "It seems the Heavenly Reputation Sect shared more than a few traits with the Verdant Sun Sect."

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

Exquisite Jiang shook her head, a trace of disdain flickering in her eyes.

Without further discussion, the two of them simply mounted their Immortal Sword and set off for Solitary Swan Mountain. In a mere three months, they arrived at their destination.

As they approached the mountain gate of Solitary Swan Mountain, the cultivator on reception duty possessed Extraordinary discernment. Taking one look at their transcendent bearing, his expression shifted slightly, and he hurriedly bowed. "Esteemed Seniors, please hold," he said. "Might I inquire as to the purpose of your visit to Solitary Swan Mountain?"

"We have come to seek an audience with Fellow Daoist Lone Swan. We would be grateful if you could deliver this letter on our behalf."

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

The man glanced at it briefly, then bowed deeply once more. "Please, honored guests, wait at Guest Greeting Peak. This junior will return momentarily."

With those words, the cultivator turned and flew into the depths of Solitary Swan Mountain. Not long after, he returned, but not alone.

The newcomer wore violet robes and possessed a tall, imposing stature. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen and his companion, he clasped his hands in greeting with a hearty laugh. "I wondered which esteemed expert had graced us with a visit. To think it would be the Returning Abyss Sword Immortal, whose name shakes a hundred continents, and the Immortal Maiden Heaven's Ruin."

"For the two of you to honor my humble Solitary Swan Mountain with your presence is truly a privilege that makes this old man feel thrice blessed." The complete novel can be found at audio-novel[dot]com.