Chapter 562 : Emergence from the Nirvana Pool

Time flowed like a shuttle on a loom, and in the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed.

On this day, Eldrin Chen rose from within the Nirvana Pool, sensing his magical power [the cultivated energy wielded by practitioners of the mystical arts] had grown even more profound and substantial.

This Nirvana Pool was concocted from thousands of Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation]. Once the pool's spiritual liquid fused with the precious medicinal ingredients, it gained a remarkable divine property. It could not only mend injuries and reshape the physical body but also greatly benefited cultivation practice.

Just as he stepped out of the Seclusion Chamber, he found Exquisite Jiang there. Clad in a white Immortal's Grace Gown, her bright eyes were fixed on an ancient scroll, lending her an air of scholarly grace.

A sudden impulse stirred within him, and he swept her into his arms.

Exquisite Jiang looked up, casting a mock-reproachful glance at Eldrin Chen, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Don't be mischievous," she said. "Your disciples are waiting for you in the Great Hall."

"Then let them wait a little longer,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a laugh, scooping her up and carrying her back into the Seclusion Chamber.

Much later, Eldrin Chen held Exquisite Jiang close and asked, "During my time in secluded cultivation, has anything of note happened within the clan?"

Exquisite Jiang, still catching her breath, gently traced the lines of his face, her gaze lingering on his jade-like, handsome features. Original English translation available at audio-novel.com (official site).

Hearing him inquire about clan affairs, she couldn't help but reveal a slight smile. "Elara came by half a month ago," she said. "She mentioned she was preparing to go into seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul forms]. Seeing you were still in seclusion, I advised her to wait a few more days."

"As for your Old Granduncle, it seems he is also waiting for you to emerge from your cultivation."

Eldrin Chen nodded, remaining silent for a long moment before speaking. "Once Elara and Old Granduncle have made their breakthroughs," he said, "I intend to journey to the Far North Icy Plains."

"The Icy Plains..."

Exquisite Jiang's beautiful eyes flickered. The Far North Icy Plains Cultivation World lay in the distant, frigid lands of the Northern Plains, a realm of eternal, unmelting glaciers and bitter, snow-swept desolation.

Conditions in that frozen domain were harsh, a place where demons and monstrous beasts stood side-by-side, and the Human Race held no particular advantage.

Most cultivators from other great regions were unwilling to undertake the arduous trek to the Far North Icy Plains. Only those with an Ice Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for ice-element spiritual energy] considered it a sacred land for cultivation.

And Exquisite Jiang understood perfectly well why Eldrin Chen wished to go. It was because Lila had departed for the Northern Plains many years ago, and no word had ever come back from her.

Eldrin Chen drew Exquisite Jiang into his embrace, speaking thoughtfully after a pause. "I told that girl when she left," he murmured, "that if no news ever reached us, I would go to the Northern Plains myself to seek her trail."

"Now, it has been over fifty years since I broke through to the Infant Soul. I have stayed only because the clan needed my presence to anchor and protect it, preventing me from being absent for any extended period."

"Once Elara and Old Granduncle Eternal Profound make their breakthroughs, it will be time for me to set out as well."

"Do not worry. As long as Lila's Soul Lamp [a magical lamp containing a wisp of a cultivator's soul, used to determine their life or death status] remains intact, she is safe."

Leaning against his chest, Exquisite Jiang pondered for a moment before speaking. "However, given her current level of cultivation, the task of obtaining the Ice Vein Precious Jade [a rare jade formed within glacial veins, imbued with potent ice-attribute spiritual energy] and three ice-attribute Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade magical artifact specifically designed to suppress demonic entities and withstand heavenly tribulations] alone is indeed far too difficult."

"Back then, our strength was insufficient. Now that we have broken through to the Infant Soul [the Primordial Spirit stage, where a cultivator's nascent soul is fully formed] realm, we possess the capability to lend her our aid."

Eldrin Chen also nodded, his expression turning solemn.

Among the many cultivators of the Chen Clan, the one whose path of cultivation was arguably the most arduous was actually Lila.

Lila possessed an Ice Spiritual Root [an innate spiritual affinity aligned with the ice element, granting superior aptitude for ice-attribute cultivation arts]. To forge a Heavenly Path Infant Soul [a supreme-grade Primordial Spirit, representing the pinnacle foundation for this cultivation stage], she not only required Heavenly Path Energy [a primordial spiritual energy of the highest purity, essential for forging supreme-grade foundations] but also needed the Ice Vein Heaven-Molding Pill [a legendary elixir refined from glacial core materials, used to condense and purify ice-attribute spiritual power] to refine her spiritual power.

Furthermore, given the formidable difficulty of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic lightning calamity summoned by the heavens to test cultivators attempting major breakthroughs] faced by those aiming for a Heavenly Path Infant Soul, she would require three ice-attribute Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure to have any hope of surviving it.

To gather such a trove of treasures, each with such stringent elemental requirements, was a task beyond the reach of a mere Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator at the Golden Core stage]. Even Eldrin Chen, before his own breakthrough to Infant Soul, would likely have found it utterly impossible to accomplish alone.

While fortuitous encounters are not uncommon in this world, the opportunity [a stroke of luck or a chance encounter that leads to significant gains] one stumbles upon may not be the most suitable for one's own path. It is precisely for this reason that the importance of a supportive clan or sect becomes so profoundly evident.

Within long-established Immortal Clan [a clan whose members cultivate the path to immortality], their Clan Treasury [the central repository for a clan's accumulated wealth and treasures] often stockpiles various key treasures of different attributes.

For cultivators belonging to great sects or major Immortal Clan, there is fundamentally no need to venture out and endure arduous trials. By diligently managing their clan's enterprises, they can live a hundred times better than rogue cultivators who wander the wilds.

For them, even when they do venture out, their journeys often lack a strong, specific purpose. This very lack of overt ambition makes them less likely to fall prey to schemes and more likely to stumble upon unexpected treasures.

In truth, Eldrin Chen was doing precisely this. Exchanging items like the Longevity Spirit Apricot [a mystical fruit that can extend one's lifespan] for Earth Mother Energy [a pure, nurturing spiritual essence], and trading the clan's own treasures for various types of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare and potent materials born from heaven and earth, essential for crafting powerful artifacts]—all of this was an effort to expand and solidify the clan's foundation.

In the future, when Chen Clan cultivators find treasures on their journeys, even if the attributes don't suit them personally, they could simply exchange them within the clan for more suitable ones.

Eldrin Chen gathered his thoughts. After a long moment, a faint smile touched his lips. "Although the Far North Icy Plains [a vast, perpetually frozen region at the northernmost reaches of the continent] are bitterly cold and desolate, some of the rarest treasures exist only there." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio novel.com.

"This time, while I go to find Lila, I will also see if I can stumble upon some serendipitous opportunities."

Exquisite Jiang nodded, yet insisted, "I will go with you."

"Agreed!"

"…"

Eldrin Chen emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a private chamber for deep meditation and cultivation] and entered the cultivation Great Hall [the main assembly hall of the clan].

Within the Great Hall, Verdant Peak Ye, Literature Abyss Lu, and Support Revive Chen had already been waiting for some time. Even Exquisite Jiang's disciple, Withering Liana Gu, was quietly present in the hall.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the group promptly rose and offered their salutations.

"We pay our respects to our Master, Patriarch, and Grandmaster."

"Rise."

Eldrin Chen observed them, then proceeded to review their cultivation progress.

Over the years, Eldrin Chen had made it a practice to periodically examine their cultivation studies. This allowed him to understand the intricacies of their Path Body [a cultivator's innate physical and spiritual constitution, which determines their affinity for certain cultivation paths] and to refine their cultivation techniques accordingly.

Today, after his customary review of their progress and a deep sensing of their Path Body, a pleased smile touched his lips.

"It has not been long, yet your cultivation bases have advanced significantly."

"It seems your diligence in cultivation during this period has borne fruit."

Eldrin Chen said with a tone of satisfaction, then continued, "This lecture shall be the final one I impart to you as your master."

"Master, why is that?"

Literature Abyss Lu was taken aback and could not help but ask.

Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "Over these years, I have taught you all that I should. However, the path of cultivation is not as simple as what a master can impart."

"You must step by step come to know this world for yourselves, deconstruct your own cultivation paths piece by piece, and refine your own philosophies of practice. Only then can you truly grow."

"Soon, I will depart from the Eastern Region Great Wasteland for a time. You may choose to travel and gain experience within the Ji Continent or the Vast Sea, or you may enter the Heavenly Ruins Alliance and undertake tasks for the clan."

As Eldrin Chen spoke these words, his gaze rested deeply upon each of them. "Remember the principles of life and the duties I have taught you," he said. "When I return, I shall examine your progress."

"We understand, Master."

The disciples nodded and bowed once more to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen's expression turned solemn. With a sigh, he said, "You may go now."

"This disciple takes his leave."

After the group exited the Great Hall, Support Revive Chen glanced at Ye Verdant Peak and inquired, "Where does the Patriarch plan to go next?"

Ye Verdant Peak, cradling a Three-foot Verdant Edge with a sharp, palpable sword intent swirling around him, offered a faint smile. "I hear the demonic creatures in the Vast Sea haven't been fully purged yet. I shall head there to cleanse the land of demons and monsters." This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel*com.