Chapter 575 : The Nascent Soul Ascension

Refining Mana [the purified spiritual energy within a cultivator's dantian] is no simple feat. Many cultivators, despite having forged a Superior Golden Core and possessing the aid of several Life-Bound Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts bound to a cultivator's life force], struggle immensely to elevate their Mana to the standard required for fusing with Heavenly Dao Qi [primal energy of the Heavenly Dao]. This challenge is even more daunting for cultivators with Anomalous Spiritual Root [a spiritual root constitution that deviates from the standard five elements].

Even with the assistance of the Ice Vein Heaven-Molding Pill [a legendary pill that refines one's spiritual veins], Lila spent a full eight years to complete the transformation of her Mana, finally reaching the threshold for refining Heavenly Dao Qi.

When Lila emerged from seclusion, Eldrin Chen handed her a wisp of Earth Mother Qi [the primordial essence of the nurturing earth] and asked with concern, "How confident do you feel?"

"With my inner demons now vanquished, my confidence is absolute—ten out of ten," Lila replied with unwavering assurance.

This was her second attempt at breaching the Nascent Soul [the realm where one's spiritual essence forms an independent infant soul]. With a foundation of False Nascent Soul Cultivation [a pseudo-Nascent Soul cultivation level] bolstered by a Superior Golden Core, ascending to the Nascent Soul Realm was, for her, as natural as water flowing downhill.

Seeing her profound certainty, Eldrin Chen gave a nod of approval. "If that is the case, my mind is at ease."

"Go and enter closed-door cultivation. I shall stand guard for you," he said.

"Agreed."

Lila stepped into the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed cultivation] and began her secluded breakthrough into the True Lord Realm [another term for the Nascent Soul Realm].

Approximately five months later, violent Spiritual Energy Vortex [whirlpools of concentrated spiritual energy] began to converge madly above, while ominous Tribulation Clouds [heavenly clouds that gather to test a cultivator with tribulation lightning] churned and gathered in the sky. Visit www . audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

"It is done."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a flicker of joy crossing his features.

Behold, Lila emerged, her long gown flowing as she stepped gracefully through the air. After a brief exchange of glances, she gazed at the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation gathering upon the Firmament with a confident smile, stating with absolute certainty:

"The tribulation for the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul is indeed formidable, yet I doubt it can withstand me."

As her words faded, she strode forth into the void and summoned her Spiritual Treasure, the Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda.

This Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda was a Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure, the foundational treasure of the Frost Pavilion sect, renowned for its powers of suppression and defense.

Once activated, this treasure possessed the mighty efficacy to repel all malevolent influences and deflect myriad techniques.

With this treasure in hand and the foundation of a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul, Lila needed only to consolidate her cultivation slightly for her strength to rank among the elite within the Nascent Soul realm. She would likely surpass even some cultivators at the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage.

Of course, if an opponent possessed powerful Spiritual Treasure or profound Divine Ability, their combat prowess could far exceed the ordinary, defying conventional measure.

Regardless, armed with the Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda, Lila passed through the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation with ease, a feat accomplished even more effortlessly than when Kael Chen had faced his own.

"Excellent, truly excellent."

Although he had long anticipated the outcome, witnessing her breakthrough to the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [the realm where one's nascent soul aligns with the Heavenly Dao] still allowed Eldrin Chen to release a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

Without achieving Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms an independent spiritual infant], one remains but an ant in the grand scheme. Once Lila broke through to the True Lord [a title for a Nascent Soul cultivator], her lifespan would extend to three Millennium. Augmented by various Longevity Treasure [treasures that extend one's natural lifespan], she could potentially live for over nine thousand years.

With such a vast stretch of time before her, regardless of whether she could eventually ascend to Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a higher realm of existence], it would be sufficient for her to accompany him for a long, long age, granting him ample time to make thorough preparations.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen handed a Frost Soul Profound Crystal to Lila and said, "This Frost Soul Profound Crystal is the key Spiritual Object [a rare object imbued with spiritual energy] for refining an Ice Attribute Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact of immense power]. Use it to advance your Frost Soul Chilling Radiance Sword."

"With this treasure in hand, advancing the Frost Soul Chilling Radiance Sword now only lacks the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]."

Lila accepted the Frost Soul Profound Crystal with delight. Years ago, she had begun using the power of the Ancient Primordial Inscription [a mysterious artifact containing ancient knowledge] to deduce and formulate the Spiritual Treasure Chapter [the specific method for refining a Spiritual Treasure] for the Frost Soul Chilling Radiance Sword. After centuries of continuous refinement and perfection, she had finally completed the deduction and formulation of this chapter.

However, advancing an Ice Attribute Spiritual Treasure also requires an exceptionally rare type of energy known as Profound Ice Qi [an extreme, profound ice energy]. This energy is a variant essence outside the standard Five Elements Essence, typically synthesized by combining and refining the essences of Water-Flood Divine Thunder [a divine ability of overwhelming water and thunder] and Yi Wood [a rare wood-type spiritual essence].

The process of combining and refining Profound Ice Qi incurs significant loss. To refine enough for a single Inferior Grade Spiritual Treasure requires Five Elements Essence worth twenty million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], more than double the cost of a typical five-element Spiritual Treasure.

However, within the Extreme Northern Ice Plains, some subterranean ice veins can naturally give birth to Profound Ice Qi. The cost of obtaining this naturally occurring Profound Ice Qi is considerably lower.

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. In truth, the subterranean ice veins beneath the Frost Pavilion also contained Profound Ice Qi [a concentrated, pure spiritual energy of the ice element].

However, gathering that Profound Ice Qi was far too time-consuming and laborious, a task typically delegated to low-level cultivators. They had naturally abandoned it previously.

Contemplating this, he mused for a moment before speaking. "Within the Extreme Northern Ice Plains, resources for Ice Attribute cultivation are the most abundant and the cheapest."

"Since we've come all this way, we should purchase a significant stock of Ice Attribute resources, especially Profound Ice Qi. We need to build up a substantial reserve."

Both women nodded in agreement. Lyra Jiang spoke up, "After this, Lila will be cultivating three Lifebound Divine Ability [innate, soul-bound supernatural powers]. Her consumption of Profound Ice Qi will undoubtedly be significant. It is wise to stockpile a great deal."

"Indeed." Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, then turned his gaze to the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy]. "But before that, we must decide what to do with this Soaring Cloud Mountain." This chapter appears courtesy of @udio-novel.com.

Lila's expression grew thoughtful. Their foundation lay in the Eastern Wastelands, making it impossible to disperse their strength to this distant Extreme Northern Ice Plains. Naturally, all assets here would have to be relinquished.

This Soaring Cloud Mountain was, after all, a Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a land vein of the fifth rank, radiating powerful spiritual energy]. Simply abandoning it would be a terrible waste. Perhaps they could try to sell it.

Yet she soon shook her head, a note of resignation in her voice. "The other parties know we are leaving the Extreme Northern Ice Plains. They likely won't be willing to spend a fortune to acquire this mountain."

"We must still try." Eldrin Chen stated firmly. Then he continued, "Tell me about the recent situations of the nearest Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan led by a Nascent Soul realm immortal] and Sect. Give me a full report."

Lila had resided at Celestial Mountain for over a century and was intimately familiar with the several Nascent Soul Clans in the vicinity. She swiftly briefed Eldrin Chen on the circumstances of the two nearest Nascent Soul powers.

These two closest Nascent Soul powers were, firstly, the Nascent Soul Great Sect known as the Lingering Snow Sect, and secondly, the Nascent Soul Clan known as the Xu Clan.

The Lingering Snow Sect was a formidable Nascent Soul immortal sect. Within its gates, it boasted a full four Nascent Soul True Lords, and its sect master's cultivation had reached the lofty Nascent Soul, 6th Tier.

This lineage had been passed down for over ten thousand years. The sect possessed three Fifth Rank Spirit Mountains and, remarkably, four Sect-Suppressing Spirit Treasures of Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure caliber. Its Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and enduring strength] was even more formidable than that of the Tianlu Sect from the Eastern Wastelands.

The Xu Clan Immortal Clan was considerably weaker. This lineage had only ascended to Nascent Soul Clan status within the last Millennium. Although it housed two Nascent Soul True Lords, their cultivation was merely at the Nascent Soul, Early Stage.

Furthermore, this clan occupied only a single Fifth Rank Spirit Vein. Its Deep-Seated Foundation and overall strength paled in comparison to the Lingering Snow Sect.

After listening, Eldrin Chen decided to seek out the Xu Clan Immortal Clan. A faint smile touched his lips as he said, "Let us first see if they have any interest in this Spirit Vein [a vein of earth rich with spiritual energy]."

That very afternoon, he mounted his Immortal Sword and set off for the Xu Clan Immortal Clan. In just two days, he arrived before the clan's main gate.

After presenting his visiting card, the two True Lords of the Xu Clan emerged promptly, their welcome warm and effusive.

With a single glance at Eldrin Chen, the Patriarch Xu sensed a depth of power he could not fathom. He quickly stepped forward, a respectful smile gracing his features, and spoke.

"I had heard that Fellow Daoist ventured deep into the Demonic Tribe Territory a few years ago, and even a Nascent Soul Late Stage Demon Emperor could do nothing to stop you. Seeing your bearing today, I understand the rumors were indeed true."

"You flatter me, brother."

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile before speaking directly. "To be frank, I have come on a matter of business."

As he spoke, he explained the situation at Soaring Cloud Mountain [a mountain peak shrouded in perpetual clouds] to the two True Lord of the Xu Clan [the Xu family, a prominent cultivation clan]. Visit audio-novel .c om to enjoy the complete series.