Chapter 541 : The Immortal Apricot's Promise

That Long River Path Lord possessed extraordinary talent, ranking among the strongest of his generation. Yet, even after more than seven thousand years since his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, he had only reached the Primordial Spirit 6th Tier. It remained uncertain whether he would ever advance to the Primordial Spirit Late Stage in the future.

In their earlier years, Old Patriarch and the others had Eldrin Chen's constant support, allowing their cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds with little need for Life-Extending Treasure [rare treasures that can prolong a cultivator's lifespan]. However, the path of cultivation beyond the True Lord [a title for cultivators at the Primordial Spirit realm] becomes exceedingly arduous.

Within the Golden Core Realm [the third major realm of cultivation], one could break through a minor realm in mere decades. Yet, upon reaching the Infant Soul Realm [the fourth major realm of cultivation], it could take centuries to progress a single layer.

The time required for an Infant Soul Cultivator to advance one or two layers of cultivation would be enough for a Golden Core Cultivator to progress from the first to the ninth layer. Therefore, with the exception of a very few prodigies, Life-Extending Treasure [rare treasures that can prolong a cultivator's lifespan] are indispensable for the majority of True Lord.

With this thought, Old Patriarch said with a smile, "Regardless, with the existence of this Immortal Apricot Tree, the True Lord of our Chen Immortal Clan will have much more abundant lifespans from now on."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded, plucking the three Fifth Rank Spirit Apricot [a spiritual fruit that enhances cultivation and extends life]. He then said, "You must cultivate diligently and strive to break through to the True Lord Realm as soon as possible."

"The energy contained within this Fifth Rank Immortal Apricot Tree surpasses that of a Fourth Rank Spirit Apricot by a hundredfold. One would need at least the cultivation base of a True Lord to refine and absorb it."

Mention of the True Lord Realm breakthrough prompted Old Patriarch to glance at Kael Chen and the others. "It has been nearly thirty years since Kael reached the Ninth Layer of Golden Core. His spiritual power has been honed and tempered sufficiently," he remarked.

"It is time to open the ancient ruins and see if we can retrieve that Heavenly Path Energy [a primordial energy of immense power, said to be a fragment of the Heavenly Dao itself] from Celestial Dome Island." The complete novel can be found at audio . novel . com.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly. It was true that within Celestial Dome Island lay Heavenly Path Energy [a potent spiritual essence aligned with the Heavenly Path] left behind by the Chen Clan ancestor, Verdant Seal True Lord.

However, over a thousand years ago, the Chen Clan ancestral homeland of Celestial Dome Island within the Vast Sea was shattered and sunk by the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor. At that time, the resentment of countless millions of the Human Race merged with the Earth Soul [the earthly aspect of a cultivator's spirit] of Verdant Seal True Lord and the spirit of the aborted Ancestral Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual vein], coalescing into a bizarre, uncanny existence that was neither human nor ghost.

Such an entity was profoundly strange and formidable. 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. His breakthrough could indeed be delayed no longer.

Furthermore, both Old Patriarch and Elara Lin would attempt their own breakthroughs to the Infant Soul realm within the next fifty years. With their foundations at the Middle-Tier Golden Core level, their chances of success already exceeded seventy percent, and they too would need to accumulate some Earthly Path Energy [a potent spiritual essence aligned with the Earthly Path].

Moreover, as a top-tier Infant Soul Immortal Clan Path-Field [a clan's core territory imbued with their cultivation legacy], Celestial Dome Island most likely still held reserves of Earthly Path Energy.

Having considered this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before declaring, "Once we have laid down the grand formation and established the intercontinental Teleportation Formation, we shall turn our attention to this matter."

"Very well," Eternal Profound Chen nodded in agreement, then inquired, "Regarding Ji Continent, which Spirit Mountain should host the Teleportation Formation?"

Eldrin Chen contemplated briefly before making a decisive ruling. "We shall place it at Green Chariot Mountain. That location is already enveloped by the Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] from Spirit Isle Lake, providing sufficient power to sustain the Teleportation Formation. Should it come under attack, it would also grant Spirit Isle Lake ample time to react."

"Agreed…"

Everyone nodded in agreement, then immediately set to work constructing the Fifth Rank Teleportation Formation.

Forging a Fifth Rank Teleportation Formation not only required the consumption of exceptionally rare Fifth Rank Void Gem, but also the expertise of a Fifth Rank Formation Master and vast quantities of other precious materials.

Fortunately, during the three decades the Chen Clan had controlled the Vast Sea, they had exchanged for and accumulated many rare treasures from the various Immortal Clan powers across the sea. This stockpile was more than sufficient to gather the resources needed for two Teleportation Formation Platform.

Eldrin Chen mobilized several thousand artificers from the Heavenly Ruins Alliance, and after more than a year of relentless work, they finally succeeded in forging the Teleportation Formation Platform.

Once completed, the Teleportation Formation was capable of transporting three hundred and sixty-five cultivators in a single activation. This not only significantly strengthened the Chen Clan's control over the Vast Sea, but also greatly facilitated the movement of cultivators between the two continents.

With the Teleportation Formation established, Eldrin Chen renamed Frigid Stream Island to Immortal Apricot Island. He then used the Gilded Heaven Trigram Seal to lay down a powerful defensive Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and conduits for protection or other effects] across the entire island. Only then did he feel the Vast Sea was truly under his clan's firm control, allowing a weight of worry to finally lift from his heart.

With these matters settled, Eldrin Chen gathered everyone and announced, "I will return to Spirit Isle Lake once. Upon my return, we will proceed to enter the ruins on Celestial Dome Island."

The Old Patriarch inquired, "Do you require our assistance?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head. "You all lack combat power at the True Lord [a high cultivation realm denoting significant power] level. Venturing inside would be far too perilous. It is best you remain outside and await our news."

"..."

After bidding farewell to the others, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang returned directly to Spirit Isle Lake.

Upon arriving before Spirit Isle Lake, they respectfully cupped their hands towards the Spiritual Lake and said, "Senior Azure Abyss Sword, this junior has a matter to request an audience for."

"Hmm—"

The void fell silent for a moment. Shortly after, an entrance opened deep within the Spiritual Lake.

The two stepped forward and entered the Fifth Rank Water Element Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth and elemental energies]. The moment they set foot inside, Eldrin Chen sensed the Earth Vein was brimming with vitality. Numerous Spirit Fish [fish imbued with spiritual energy] and Spirit Shell [spiritually attuned shellfish] were already thriving and multiplying within.

This caused a flicker of surprise in Eldrin Chen's heart. Three hundred years ago, when he had just broken through to the Golden Core realm, this Earth Vein had been saturated with boundless sword intent. Back then, the Water Element Earth Vein had been utterly barren and silent, not a single blade of grass surviving. This content originates from audio - novel . com. Please respect copyright.

"The sword intent has been drawn inward. It seems the Senior has recovered significantly," he thought.

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

It did not take long before they reached the deepest part of the Earth Vein and laid eyes upon that peerlessly noble, yet shattered sword.

The Azure Abyss Sword remained covered in cracks. Its body was Glazed and translucent, shimmering with a faint white light. Wisps of sword energy seeped from its fractures, slicing the void into countless hairline fissures.

However, compared to over three hundred years ago, the fissure upon it had now become exceedingly fine, indicating that its injuries had largely healed.

Now, the sword energy of the Immortal Sword [a legendary blade of immense power] grew ever more restrained, yet Eldrin Chen could sense its sword intent becoming increasingly earth-shattering. Once fully restored, it would be capable of effortlessly slaying a cultivator at the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Infant Soul cultivation realm].

If it were to unleash its full power, heedless of the risk of the Immortal Sword shattering, it could likely even sever the life of a supreme existence at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the late phase of the Infant Soul cultivation realm] with a single strike.

Having cultivated for several centuries, Eldrin Chen had witnessed several Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [legendary artifacts of immense solar power]. Among them were the Immortal Refining Furnace [a divine furnace capable of refining immortals] and the Long River Setting Sun Painting [a mystical painting depicting a sunset over an eternal river], as well as the Green Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler [a jade ruler used by the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor [a powerful dragon demon sovereign] to measure the heavens], and Billowing Waves's Surging Waves Immortal Sword [an immortal sword embodying the power of surging tides].

After comparing them, Eldrin Chen could roughly sense that once the Azure Abyss Sword [the sword of azure abyssal power] was fully restored, its might, while perhaps not matching the Immortal Refining Furnace or the Long River Setting Sun Painting, would likely not be inferior to the Green Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler or the Surging Waves Immortal Sword.

In terms of pure destructive power alone, it might even surpass the Green 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 broken sword hovered in the void, remaining silent for a moment before speaking. "In a mere three hundred years, you have forged a Great Encompassing Infant Soul [a perfected and all-encompassing Infant Soul foundation]. You have truly not disappointed me."

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

Upon hearing this, the broken sword [a sentient, ancient weapon] spoke again, "For what purpose have you come here?"

Eldrin Chen gazed at the Azure Abyss Sword and replied, "Senior, you once said that once we broke through to the Infant Soul Realm [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed], we could begin planning to retrieve your missing tip. I wonder if that endeavor can now be undertaken?" For more chapters, visit audio-novel*com for the complete novel.