Chapter 546 : Gifts from the Ancient Sword

After obtaining the Heavenly Path Energy [a rare spiritual essence embodying the power of the heavens] and the Earth Mother Energy [a potent spiritual essence born from the nurturing power of the earth], Kael Chen chose to remain in seclusion on Immortal Apricot Island.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen returned the Azure Abyss Sword to the depths of the Earth Vein beneath Spirit Isle Lake. He cupped his hands in a respectful salute and said, "I must offer my sincere gratitude for your support and presence during this endeavor, Senior."

"There is no need for such formalities," came the reply.

The Azure Abyss Sword spoke with a calm tone. After a moment of contemplative silence, it released a radiant glow that materialized before Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin focused his gaze and saw that the light coalesced into a strand of Earthly Path Energy [a spiritual essence representing the fundamental power of the earthly realm].

Before he could voice his question, the Azure Abyss Sword explained, "Within the Water Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated water-element spiritual energy] beneath Spirit Isle Lake, a single strand of Earth Mother Energy is nurtured every thousand years."

"In years past, I used the Earth Mother Energy to mend my wounds. Now that my injuries have largely healed, I no longer require it."

"This particular strand has been nurtured in recent years. I leave it to you."

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

This impending shortage had been a source of considerable worry for Eldrin. Securing this additional strand of Earth Mother Energy now would spare the Chen Clan a significant future expenditure. This content originates from site: audio-novel.com. Please respect copyright.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen accepted the Earth Mother Energy [a potent spiritual essence embodying the nurturing power of the earth] and said, "My deepest gratitude for your generous gift, Senior."

"..."

After departing from the subterranean Water Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual water energy], Eldrin Chen, considering the tainted Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit [a miraculous fruit that aids in the formation of a cultivator's Nascent Soul] and the Earth Mother Energy in his possession, accompanied Exquisite Jiang on a journey to Ling Nation.

Ling Nation was not far from Chen Nation. The Ethereal Mist Lake was what the former Python-Crocodile Lake had been renamed to, and it was connected to Verdant Lotus Isle by a Fourth Rank Teleportation Formation [a powerful spatial transportation array].

Upon arriving at Ethereal Mist Lake, Ethereal Mistress Ling greeted them with a smile. "It has been but a few years, yet your cultivation depths have grown even more profound and unfathomable."

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

Eldrin Chen replied with a gentle smile. This Ethereal Mistress Ling was a True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator] who had undergone a tribulation-rebirth [a process where a powerful cultivator perishes and is reborn to cultivate anew]. Her current rate of advancement in her renewed cultivation 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 Infant Soul Threefold Heaven [the third minor stage within the Infant Soul realm].

"I merely draw upon the foundations of my past life," Ethereal Mistress Ling said with a light laugh. "Once I reach the Infant Soul 4th Tier [the fourth minor stage], progressing further will not be so simple."

Eldrin Chen understood her meaning. When she perished in her previous life, her cultivation had only reached the Infant Soul 4th Tier. The path to reclaiming that former peak was relatively smooth, but surpassing it would present a formidable challenge.

After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, Exquisite Jiang came straight to the point: "My visit to Ethereal Mist Lake this time is actually to seek your assistance with a pressing matter."

"Oh?" Ethereal Mistress Ling's brow twitched slightly. "May I inquire as to the nature of this matter?"

"We recently had a stroke of fortune and acquired some treasures tainted by blood miasma and vengeful resentment. We wish to procure some Fifth Rank cleansing liquid."

"Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid [a potent elixir capable of purifying spiritual contamination and lingering malice]?"

Ethereal Mistress Ling offered a faint smile. "I happen to have a considerable quantity of the Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid on hand. How much were you looking to acquire?"

Eldrin Chen quickly calculated. After Kael Chen had taken one portion of the tainted Earthly Path Energy [a concentrated essence of earth-aligned spiritual power], he still possessed one more portion of Earthly Path Energy and one Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit [a miraculous fruit that aids in the formation of the Nascent Soul] that required purification with the Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid.

The Earthly Path Energy would require ten drops of Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid, while the Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit, being less tainted by resentment, would need only one.

Having reached this conclusion, he smiled and said, "I would like to request eleven drops of Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid, and I propose to trade for them using Heavenly Crystal [a highly refined and potent form of spiritual crystal]."

"In that case, let's round it down to fifty Heavenly Crystal."

Ethereal Mistress Ling smiled. While one drop of Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid was valued at five million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], Heavenly Crystal were far more useful to Infant Soul Cultivator [cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] and much more convenient for transactions. It was only natural for her to offer a slight discount.

Seeing her agreement, Eldrin Chen produced a sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to complete the transaction.

After obtaining the Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid [a rare liquid that purifies spiritual objects and cultivators' hearts of negative energies], the two immediately returned to Spirit Isle Lake. Eldrin Chen looked at the vial in his hand, his brow furrowed. "Wealth truly cannot withstand spending," he said with a sigh. "We are left with only thirty Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of Spirit Stone of exceptional quality].

Their breakthrough to the True Lord [a high cultivation realm, equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage] had consumed immense resources. Not only were their Spirit Stone reserves exhausted, but they now possessed a mere thirty Heavenly Crystal, insufficient to purchase any truly precious Spiritual Object [an object imbued with or containing spiritual energy].

Exquisite Jiang also shook her head. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke. "Fortunately, the resources needed for Elara and the Old Patriarch to advance have been gathered. Once they achieve their breakthroughs, the clan can enter a period of recuperation and consolidation."

"Once they ascend to Infant Soul [the Nascent Soul stage, a major milestone in cultivation]," Eldrin Chen agreed, "the pressure on us will lessen slightly, allowing us to focus more deeply on our own cultivation."

Eldrin Chen nodded. He then produced the tainted Earth Mother Energy [a potent, earth-aligned spiritual essence] and the Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit [a miraculous fruit that aids in forming the Nascent Soul], and began to cleanse the lingering resentment and baleful aura from them using the Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel-dot-com.

Watching as the baleful aura and resentment met the cleansing liquid and dissolved like snow and ice, Eldrin Chen let out a relieved breath. "Given a few months, the resentment within this Nascent Soul Transformation Fruit will be completely purified."

"Elder Brother Kael is currently attempting his Infant Soul 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 over great distances] and arrived at Immortal Apricot Island.

The Old Patriarch was already waiting before the Seclusion Chamber. Seeing Eldrin Chen, he spoke with unease, "I sense a seething tide of baleful aura [a malevolent energy born from slaughter and resentment] within the chamber. I fear something has gone awry."

Eldrin Chen gazed at the Seclusion Chamber, his expression turning grave.

Within the chamber at this moment, a torrential surge of baleful aura and boundless resentment churned and boiled.

This resentment felt like the agonized shrieks of countless millions of souls echoing within one's mind, a ceaseless assault meant to fray and torment a cultivator's spirit.

If Kael Chen's will wavered even slightly, his spirit would be devoured by this resentment, fracturing into countless personalities and plunging him irrevocably into the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that harnesses destructive and malevolent energies, often at great spiritual cost].

"Do not worry. This is his Tribulation [a profound trial or ordeal faced by cultivators to temper their spirit and advance their cultivation]," Eldrin Chen murmured, shaking his head.

Kael Chen was not mistaken. Once this Tribulation was overcome, it would be a Rebirth [a metaphorical rebirth or profound transformation after surviving a great trial], a transcendence of the self.

Tempering one's Dao Heart [the core of a cultivator's will and spiritual foundation] with such a Tribulation meant suppressing countless wills with a single, unyielding resolve—one individual triumphing over millions. Success would bring about a staggering metamorphosis.

Kael's current situation was one of true, irreversible advance. If he could not press forward with unwavering determination to subdue that ocean of resentment, he would be utterly consumed by the Inner Demon Tribulation [a spiritual trial where one's inner demons and negative emotions manifest to challenge the cultivator].

Kael Chen's breakthrough proved exceptionally long. The group waited for a full three years before they finally sensed the resentment within the Seclusion Chamber gradually being suppressed.

A massive vortex of spiritual energy [the vital force that permeates the cosmos and fuels cultivation] coalesced in the sky, drawing in a vast ocean of this essence before funneling it down into the Seclusion Chamber.

"It is done."

The Old Patriarch revealed a look of joy, feeling a profound sense of relief settle in his heart.

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

He glanced at the gathered clan members, gave a slight nod, then ascended into the air to directly face the heaven-shaking, earth-engulfing Tribulation Cloud [a dense, ominous cloud formation that heralds a cultivator's heavenly trial].

This Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial by divine lightning sent by the heavens to test a cultivator's worth] was exceptionally formidable. Its power even surpassed that of a typical tribulation faced by a Heavenly Path Infant Soul [a cultivator who has condensed their Primordial Spirit into an Infant Soul, a mid-stage of spiritual development], causing Eldrin Chen to adopt an expression of grave seriousness.

Fortunately, the Chen Clan possessed no shortage of Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts]. Eldrin Chen had long since entrusted the Triple Treasure Gilded Armor and the Creation Green Duckweed Sword to Kael Chen. With these two mighty Spiritual Treasure in hand, his confidence in overcoming the Infant Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation remained substantial.

It was then seen that Kael Chen activated his three Lifebound Magical Treasure [artifacts bonded to a cultivator's life force and soul] and his Divine Ability [supernatural powers unlocked through profound cultivation]. The first six bolts of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation were effortlessly deflected by him.

The seventh and eighth bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation possessed truly staggering power. Yet, the Triple Treasure Gilded Armor and the Creation Green Duckweed Sword still managed to withstand their fury. This content originates from *audio-novel.com*. Please respect copyright.