Chapter 572 : A Tree Yearning for the Sun

Even if it meant facing ten thousand calamities, even if she could never touch the sun at the horizon's end, she would still grow beneath its light, to tell him of her yearning.

Thus, she took a deep breath and spoke with serene honesty, "Eldrin Chen, you are like the sun in the heavens—dazzling, brilliant, and so lofty that one dares not look directly upon you or reach out to touch you."

"The thing I have feared most in this life is that one day, while you remain as radiant as ever, I might wither into a hunched old crone, forced to hide in the shadows and silently watch you ascend to immortality."

"That is why I dared not touch you, nor even dared to express my longing in your presence."

"But today, I must tell you this: even if a tree cannot touch the sun, it must still yearn for the light."

"Whether you return my feelings or not, my love for you should be declared as plainly as a tree growing in the sunlight—I will tell you clearly, beneath that sun, that I love you."

Lyra Jiang fell silent. Her heart was a tumult of sympathy, a flicker of resentment, and a profound helplessness—a complex weave of emotions knotted within her.

Her resolve softened, yet she found no words to utter. She could only gaze at Eldrin Chen, awaiting his reply.

Eldrin Chen frowned. He was a man of normal sensibilities; his mind, while not possessing seven apertures of exquisite perception like Lyra, still held its own depths and contours. How could he fail to understand the lady's heartfelt intent?

Yet his affections were not cheaply given. He had his own measure and boundaries, and a will not easily swayed by another. Original English translation available at audio novel.com.

He was not one to give his heart lightly, but when he did, his devotion was absolute and true.

More importantly, he could not bear the thought of one day witnessing a beloved's beauty wither to dust and bone, nor endure the agony of watching those close to him pass from this world.

Over the years, the departures of those around him—Seventh Granduncle, Dorian Chen, Old Granduncle, and Riverius Chen among others—had each left a searing ache in his heart. It was a pain he was unwilling to experience anew.

This was why he had spared no effort in supporting Thalion Chen and Lior Chen all these years—he could not bear to watch old companions fade with age.

If one day, all those dear and beloved to him were gone, what meaning would there be in attaining the lofty state of an Immortal [a being who has achieved eternal life and transcendent power], dwelling alone in immortal solitude amidst the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms]?

Eternal life is lonely, but an eternity of absolute solitude is perhaps nothing but a curse.

This was also why he had long been reluctant to have children—he feared he would lack the means to guide them onto the immortal path.

Unless the day came when he was confident he could aid his children in ascending to immortality, he would not bring them into the world. The thought of watching beloved children turn to dust, even presiding over their funerals, was a torment too profound to contemplate.

The same principle guided the distance he maintained from Lila and Silas. Though their admiration had stirred ripples in his heart, he always restrained those fleeting thoughts.

Affections have their hierarchies. The grief of losing a soulmate is a world apart from the sorrow of losing a clansman.

For one who aspired to the Immortal Path [the arduous journey of cultivation seeking immortality and transcendence], it was better to sever such thoughts from the very beginning than to watch a beloved one age and wither away in his arms.

Yet, at this very moment, Eldrin Chen found himself in silent turmoil, caught in a dilemma of the heart.

Lila's words had struck a chord deep within him. That affection was like a seed buried in the earth, sprouting into a tree that, even battered by wind and scorched by sun, strained its every branch towards the light.

On one side lay the tender sentiment that stirred his soul; on the other, the unseen, distant end of the Immortal Path. How was he to choose, knowing he might one day watch her fade into frail old age?

"How can this world offer a perfect path, one that neither betrays my own heart nor fails her?"

Eldrin Chen whispered inwardly, his gaze finally hardening with resolve. "So be it. If the day comes when I ascend to immortality, then even if I must shoulder karmic burdens unheard of since ancient times, I shall take you with me to the heavens."

Given Lila's Deep-Seated Foundation [the innate quality and depth of one's cultivation base, determining potential], for her to Ascend to Immortal Eternity [achieve true immortality and transcend the mortal realm] from within the Purple Realm [the mortal world, often contrasted with higher realms] was a near-impossible feat in this mortal world. Perhaps, if he could grow stronger after reaching the Immortal Realm [a higher plane of existence where immortals reside], there might yet be room for maneuver.

Lyra Jiang knew Eldrin Chen best. Seeing the shift in his expression, her heart gave a faint tremble.

A mix of soft-heartedness and irritation welled up within her, yet she had no outlet for it. She simply regretted having come along at all; out of sight would have been out of mind.

Turning away, she looked down at the Six Desires Mortal Dust Banner [a magical banner said to stir and manipulate the six mortal desires] in her hand, her annoyance growing with each passing thought. "This demonic Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact, superior to ordinary magical treasures] of desire," she muttered, "this is all your fault!"

In a surge of fury, Lyra Jiang forcefully channeled her true power, intending to destroy this Special Spiritual Treasure [a unique enchanted artifact of exceptional power].

That Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] of desire, being a Spiritual Treasure after all, proved surprisingly difficult for her to shatter. Yet, the fierce-tempered Lyra Jiang, once her anger was ignited, would not be deterred. With a sharp *clang*, she summoned forth the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword and cleaved towards it.

This desire demon's Spiritual Treasure, the Six Desires Mortal Dust Banner, was indeed a Special Spiritual Treasure. While its effects were extraordinarily potent, its material composition ranked among the most fragile of all Spiritual Treasure. Faced with the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword, it was instantly severed into two pieces.

"*Huummm—*"

However, upon the destruction of the Six Desires Mortal Dust Banner, a cloud of pink-hued Six Desires Mortal Dust Qi [the Dust of Mortal Desires, a potent miasma that inflames worldly passions] instantly billowed forth, completely enveloping the trio.

Eldrin Chen: "…" Official source: audio-novel*com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Lyra Jiang: "…"

Lila: "…"

Once this Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged with demonic or malevolent energies] was shattered, all the Six Desires Mortal Dust Qi it had accumulated was released at once. This concentrated release was hundreds of times more potent than the usual colorless, odorless form of the Six Desires Mortal Dust Qi.

A heavy silence fell upon the three, but it was swiftly broken as they felt an infinite blaze ignite from within. Every carnal desire in their bodies was set aflame.

In that instant, Eldrin Chen beheld a startling transformation. The jade-like skin of the two women flushed a delicate shade of pink, their enchantingly curvaceous figures seeming to glisten with dew. Their eyes held nothing but a smoldering, intimate warmth.

"Ah, this…"

Lyra Jiang's mind went blank for a moment. Then, recalling her own brazen actions, a wave of scorching shame washed over her face.

Overwhelmed by mortification, she decided to use the flames of passion to mask her embarrassment. She was the first to pounce, declaring with possessive fervor, "You are mine!"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily stunned, only realizing Lyra Jiang had already pressed her lips to his when he felt a sudden coolness below. Glancing down, he saw Lila's exquisitely beautiful face looking up at him, her eyes half-lidded and seductive as silk.

"Hiss…"

"So be it!"

He drew a sharp, cooling breath, sighed in resignation, then gathered the two beauties in his arms and pressed them down beneath him.

The haze of desire gradually receded from Eldrin Chen's eyes. He opened them and looked to the side, finding three snow-white, gracefully curved forms nestled beside him.

Recalling the sheer absurdity of the past three months, he could not help but sink into deep contemplation.

This Lyra Jiang truly was a peerless treasure in the bedchamber, and when her jealousy flared, she was utterly heedless. She had even summoned her Second Primordial Embryo [a second spiritual avatar formed from one's own soul essence] to entangle with him, a clear declaration that she intended to claim the greater share.

Though Eldrin Chen possessed a Dao-heart [the core of a cultivator's will and spiritual foundation] of adamantine resolve, even he felt that the past three months had been a blissful existence akin to that of an immortal, a pleasure so profound it threatened to ensnare him.

"Mm—"

At that moment, Lyra Jiang stirred awake.

She nestled closer into Eldrin Chen's embrace, the haze of sleep slowly clearing from her mind before she lapsed into a profound silence.

Recalling her actions over this period, a deep blush of shame crept across her face. Yet, remembering she was the instigator, she found herself unable to gracefully back down.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's expression, a mix of amusement and something else, she decided to brazen it out. With a sudden push, she toppled him back and buried her head low.

Eldrin Chen drew a sharp breath, now the one caught off guard. "Don't be reckless," he managed. "She's about to wake up."

"What are you afraid of?" she murmured, her voice muffled. "Let her watch." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio‑novel.com.