Chapter 553 : Secrets of the Nascent Soul

Eldrin Chen began from the fundamentals, explaining the contents of the Golden Core Chapter to the assembly, then continued, "Above the Golden Core, the Infant Soul Realm also has a classification of Heavenly, Earthly, and Mortal grades for the Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual form of a cultivator]."

"If your allotted lifespan permits and you wish to strive for the Immortal Ascension Path [the arduous journey to transcend mortality and become an immortal], you should at least seek the Earth Mother Energy [a primordial earth essence] required to forge an Earthly Path Infant Soul."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned wistful with longing. A young woman in red robes stood up and could not help but ask, "But where can one find the Heavenly Path Energy [a primordial heaven essence] and the Earth Mother Energy?"

Eldrin Chen lifted his gaze and smiled faintly.

The questioner was Remembrance Gem Chen. As the daughter of Lior Chen and a cultivator with a Fire Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for fire-element spiritual energy], Remembrance Gem Chen's cultivation progress had never been slow. Not long ago, she had successfully broken through to the Golden Core Realm.

Now, Remembrance Gem Chen was merely a little over one hundred and fifty years old. Achieving a Superior-Tier Golden Core at such an age undoubtedly marked her as a rising star among the later generations of the Chen Clan.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen replied with a gentle smile, "Forging a Heavenly Path Infant Soul is no simple feat. The Earth Mother Energy is relatively easier to obtain; a Fifth Rank Earth Vein [a powerful spiritual energy ley line] can typically nurture one piece approximately every thousand years."

"As for acquiring the Heavenly Path Energy, there are essentially only three sources."

"The first is during a moment of Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare cosmic alignment], when Heavenly Path Energy may descend into famous mountains and great rivers."

"The second method requires an Infant Soul Late Stage cultivator to ascend to the very edge of the Nine Heavens Firmament [the highest celestial realm] to gather traces of the Heavenly Path aura. However, even such a mighty figure at the Infant Soul Late Stage can only synthesize a single strand of Heavenly Path Energy once every millennium." Continue your cultivation journey at (audio-novel.com).

"The third method," he continued, "is for a Primordial Spirit Great Power [a cultivator whose Primordial Spirit has ascended to a supreme level]. When their spirit journeys beyond the heavens, they can directly seek out complete strands of Heavenly Path Energy [a rare, condensed essence of the Heavenly Path, crucial for major breakthroughs] within the Nine Heavens Above [the nine celestial layers above the mortal world]."

Upon hearing this, the assembled cultivators could not help but reveal bitter, wry smiles.

Although they had anticipated it, they had not imagined that Heavenly Path Energy would be so exceedingly rare.

Among the three methods, the timing of the Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare cosmic event where Heaven and Earth align, releasing profound energies] depended most heavily on fate and fortune. The most recent resonance had occurred merely a few decades prior; by the time the next one arrived, they would likely have already exhausted their lifespans.

As for cultivators at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the pinnacle stage of the Infant Soul realm], while they could gather traces of the Heavenly Path [the supreme, fundamental law of the cosmos] and synthesize them into Heavenly Path Energy, the time of such Great Powers was immeasurably precious.

Aside from a very few Great Powers whose potential for advancement had been exhausted, who might be willing to gather such energy day and night, an ordinary Infant Soul Late Stage cultivator—even if they resided in the Nine Heavens Above during their leisure to collect Heavenly Path Energy—might, in their entire lifetime, only manage to obtain one or two strands.

And these one or two strands of Heavenly Path Energy were considered the optimal choice, whether used to aid close friends or disciples in breaking through to the Infant Soul Late Stage, or to nurture a disciple in forging a Heavenly Path Infant Soul [a supreme-grade Infant Soul foundation aligned with the Heavenly Path].

Even if one wished to sell them, they would be offered first to those with the deepest bonds of friendship.

In truth, such treasures were exceedingly rare even at Infant Soul-level Barter Convention [a grand gathering where high-level cultivators trade rare resources]. How could they possibly fall into the hands of cultivators like themselves?

And while a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a supreme expert who has comprehended a Great Path and ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm] could directly gather Heavenly Path Energy, such an existence had countless disciples and juniors. Those they recognized were all Great Infant Soul Cultivator [powerful masters at the peak of the Infant Soul realm]. It was even more impossible for such resources to reach their hands.

"Without background or backing, the only path to obtain Heavenly Path Energy [a supreme spiritual energy said to be the essence of the heavens themselves] is to await the opportune moment of Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare cosmic alignment where the energies of heaven and earth harmonize perfectly]."

Despair flickered in the hearts of the crowd, though many soon shook their heads with wry smiles.

Among the hundred or so Golden Core True Person [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the condensed essence of their cultivation] present, only one or two possessed the potential to forge a Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core, laying an unparalleled foundation for future advancement].

For the rest, merely breaking through to the Infant Soul [the Primordial Spirit stage, where one's spiritual essence takes infant form] would be cause for immense gratitude to the heavens. Worrying about the Heavenly Path Energy needed by such heaven-defying prodigies was as pointless as a commoner fretting over an emperor's banquet.

After all, those with a Superior-Tier Golden Core had a near ninety percent certainty of advancing to Infant Soul. Even if they had to settle for the next best path, their chances of achieving an Earthly Path Infant Soul [a high-grade Primordial Spirit foundation aligned with earthly energies] were exceedingly high.

Upon the Lotus Throne [a meditation throne shaped like a blossoming lotus], Eldrin Chen observed Remembrance Gem Chen and felt a slight stir within his heart.

Heavenly Path Energy was far too precious; with his current capabilities, obtaining it would be immensely difficult. However, Remembrance Gem Chen had only recently broken through to Golden Core, and Ethan Chen had advanced less than a century ago, his cultivation still only at the Golden Core 3rd Tier.

Both would require at least another two centuries before attempting a breakthrough to Infant Soul. If his own cultivation advanced further in the future, perhaps he could indeed seek out such a rare opportunity for them.

With this thought, a faint smile touched his lips. "Cultivators with a Heavenly Spiritual Root [the pinnacle grade of spiritual affinity, granting unparalleled cultivation speed] possess only a single Lifebound Magical Treasure [a treasure forged with one's life essence, growing in power alongside the cultivator]," he began. "Their spiritual energy is not as refined and dense as that of cultivators with Multiple Spiritual Roots [possessing affinities for multiple elemental energies]. Thus, the difficulty of breaking through to a Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the supreme-grade Primordial Spirit foundation] is truly immense."

"If you wish to forge a Heavenly Path Infant Soul in the future, you must use the Five Veins Heaven-Molding Pill [a legendary elixir that refines one's spiritual energy by harmonizing the five elemental veins within] to condense and purify your spiritual energy. Only then can you lay the Heavenly Path Foundation [the ultimate foundation for one's Primordial Spirit, aligned with the heavenly dao]."

Remembrance Gem Chen's expression shifted slightly, and he couldn't help but ask, "How might one obtain this Five Veins Heaven-Molding Pill?"

"As a cultivator with a Fire Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for fire-element spiritual energy], you would require a Fire Vein Heaven-Molding Pill to properly condense and refine your spiritual power,"

Eldrin Chen explained patiently, then smiled. "To refine the Five Veins Heaven-Molding Pill, one must first acquire Fire Vein Spirit Jade [a rare jade imbued with potent fire-essence], which is one of the Five Veins Precious Jade [a set of five elemental jades of supreme quality]."

"I possess the alchemical formula for the Five Veins Heaven-Molding Pill. Once we obtain the Fire Vein Spirit Jade, we can proceed with its refinement."

Hearing this, the others were filled with envy. They felt Remembrance Gem Chen was blessed with immense fortune, born into an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has reached the Infant Soul cultivation realm]. His starting point had already vaulted him over obstacles that countless other cultivators struggled to surmount.

Remembrance Gem Chen sat down, satisfied. The others then began to pose their own questions one by one, most concerning difficulties they had encountered in their personal cultivation journeys. This novel is serialized on (audio-novel.com). Visit for updates.

Eldrin Chen answered each in turn. Often, with just a few words, he would unravel their confusions, leaving them feeling they had gained profound insights.

In turn, Eldrin Chen encountered many questions he had not considered before. Pondering them, he too found his own understanding enriched.

By drawing connections from these varied inquiries, if he later faced similar obstacles within the Infant Soul Realm [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where the nascent soul is formed], he could resolve them in a flash. Unconsciously, the depth of his cultivation foundation had grown considerably.

Time flowed like water. In this cycle of question and answer, the Dharma Preaching Assembly [a grand gathering where a senior cultivator expounds upon the Dao and answers disciples' questions] continued for a full three days and more.

On this day, Eldrin Chen finally unraveled the accumulated doubts of the many years for the assembled crowd. Only then did he cast a glance over them and declare, "Since you have no further questions, this session of Path Discussion [a formal gathering where a senior cultivator expounds on the Dao and cultivation mysteries] concludes here."

"The next Path Discussion Assembly shall be set for one hundred years hence. Barring any pressing matters, I shall commence the discourse at the same appointed time."

"You may now depart!"

Upon hearing his words, the assembly promptly bowed in unison, proclaiming, "We respectfully bid farewell to the True Lord [a title for a cultivator who has attained the Primordial Spirit realm]."

Literature Abyss Lu followed the crowd in performing the ritual salute. It was then he noticed the Azure Lotus Throne [an enchanted seat of authority, often used by high-ranking cultivators] gradually fading into nothingness.

A faint trace of regret stirred within his heart. Literature Abyss Lu cupped his hands towards the others beside him, preparing to take his leave.

At that very moment, Support Revive Chen beside him twitched an ear slightly, as if hearing a whispered message. He rose and, cupping his hands towards Literature Abyss Lu, said, "Brother Literature Abyss, please follow me."

Delight surged within Literature Abyss Lu's heart. He hurriedly stood and followed.

As they walked, his excitement proved difficult to contain, and he could not help but ask, "Fellow Daoist, where are you leading me?"

Support Revive Chen offered a slight smile, yet his expression turned solemn as he replied, "A certain Patriarch [a venerable title for the founding elder or supreme leader of a cultivation clan or sect] wishes to see you. Mind your conduct and do not act rashly."

Literature Abrus Lu [a cultivator from the Lu family] gave a nod and followed cautiously behind Support Revive Chen [a senior member of the Chen family]. Before long, they arrived before a grand and imposing Great Hall [a main ceremonial or assembly hall within a cultivation sect or clan].

Before the Great Hall stood a youth holding a sword. As Literature Abrus Lu looked up, he felt the person's aura was as profound as an abyss and as vast as the sea. Moreover, a sharp, blazing sword intent radiated from him, as brilliant and dazzling as the sun.

"This is—"

Literature Abrus Lu was utterly shaken in his heart, but then he saw the youth speak.

"You have arrived." Original English translation available at audio - novel . com.