Chapter 566 : A Path Lord's Favor

"My esteemed master..."

That Cosmos Heaven's Punishment smiled slightly and said, "My master is the Long River Path Lord."

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted subtly, and he immediately clasped his hands in a respectful salute. "So you are a distinguished disciple of a Path Lord [a supreme master who has comprehended a fundamental cosmic principle]. My apologies for the earlier informality."

"There is no need for such formality."

That Cosmos Heaven's Punishment smiled again, ushering the two into a Great Hall. He personally poured them cups of tea before inquiring, "Might I ask what brings you to our Long River Holy Land?"

"Well..."

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before stating his purpose directly. "We wish to use your esteemed land's Sixth Rank Teleportation Formation [a high-grade magical array capable of traversing vast distances] to journey to the Far North Icy Plains."

"I see."

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment nodded in understanding. "Our Long River Holy Land's Teleportation Formation can transport three thousand six hundred and fifty individuals at once. Typically, it is activated once every ten years, or once the passenger quota is filled."

"Currently, there are just over one thousand nine hundred cultivators awaiting passage. However, since the two of you have come, I can make an exception. The formation will be activated for you in three days' time." For the best reading experience, visit audio . novel . com.

"This... then I must thank you."

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, then quickly clasped his hands in gratitude. After all, waiting for the group to be full might have taken several more years. Being able to depart a few years earlier would save him a significant amount of time.

"No need to be so formal." Cosmos Heaven's Punishment smiled, then asked casually, "Is there some important matter that takes you to the Northern Plains?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head and replied, "It's merely to find a junior member of my clan."

"Oh?"

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment's eyes flickered with thought. "I am acquainted with the Frostmist Immortal Maiden from the Drifting Snow Palace in the Far North Icy Plains," he said. "If you are searching for someone, she might be able to assist."

"Here is what I propose. I shall write a letter of introduction for you. When the time comes, you can seek aid from the Drifting Snow Palace."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen had not expected Cosmos Heaven's Punishment to be so hospitable. He hurriedly said, "Fellow Daoist, your overwhelming kindness truly leaves me feeling both honored and overwhelmed."

"Think nothing of it." Cosmos Heaven's Punishment smiled again. "We of the Human Race should support one another. It is but a trivial matter. Lending a hand and making a friend is always worthwhile."

Unable to decline such earnest hospitality, Eldrin Chen ultimately accepted a letter of recommendation from Cosmos Heaven's Punishment.

After leaving the Great Hall, Eldrin Chen excused himself for a brief moment. Upon returning, he said to Exquisite Jiang, "I made some inquiries. It seems Cosmos Heaven's Punishment is indeed one of the thirty-six disciples of the Long River Path Lord."

Exquisite Jiang's brow furrowed slightly. "His cultivation has reached the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the pinnacle stage of the Infant Soul realm]. Why would he be so solicitous towards us?" she asked.

"That puzzles me as well," Eldrin Chen admitted. Then he added, "However, since he is a disciple of the Long River Path Lord, it's unlikely he harbors any ulterior motives towards us."

"That is true," she conceded.

Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement. Cosmos Heaven's Punishment, esteemed as a Path Lord [a master who has comprehended a profound Dao Path] disciple and possessing cultivation at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul, probably had little interest in the treasures they possessed.

Furthermore, the Long River Path Lord enjoyed immense prestige and maintained favorable relations with the Ji Clan, making him a rather trustworthy figure.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen mused, "Perhaps he recognized your identity. After all, the Kiang Clan was once extraordinary and likely left behind a significant network of connections."

"That is most likely the case," Exquisite Jiang agreed.

She gave a slight nod, a sense of reassurance settling within her.

"..."

At the same time, Cosmos Heaven's Punishment arrived deep within the Long River Holy Land and respectfully approached a certain cave abode.

Within the cave abode, Long River Path Lord sat with hair and beard as white as snow, exuding an ethereal and transcendent aura befitting an immortal. Seeing Cosmos Heaven's Punishment, he spoke: "How did it go?"

"This disciple has followed your instructions and offered them special consideration," replied Cosmos Heaven's Punishment, who had clasped his hands respectfully. Yet, after speaking, he seemed hesitant, as if holding something back.

Noticing his expression, Long River Path Lord spoke again: "Is there something you wish to ask?"

"This disciple has one point of confusion," Cosmos Heaven's Punishment shook his head, unable to hold back his question. "What is so exceptional about the husband and wife, Returning Abyss True Lord, that warrants such special attention from you?" Dive deeper into the Dao at *audio-novel.com*.

"Ah, your discernment still needs refinement," said Long River Path Lord with a light chuckle and a shake of his head.

He then continued: "That Exquisite Jiang is a descendant of Imperial Sovereign Jiang. In the past, I too received kindness from Imperial Sovereign Jiang. Her martial uncle Violet Cosmos Path Lord, her uncle Verdant Ruins Path Lord, and even her father are all old friends of mine for many years."

"If that were all, a personal meeting and some general guidance would have sufficed. However, I perceive that the foundational potential [the inherent talent and spiritual reserves that determine a cultivator's future ceiling] of those two is extraordinary. I fear they may one day walk the same path as us, reaching the same lofty heights."

"That is precisely why I am sending you to receive him, to forge a bond of goodwill. Should the day ever come when your master meets an untimely end, you will have someone to turn to for support."

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment's expression shifted, and he hurriedly said, "Master, do not speak such ill omens. You are destined for Ethereal Ascension [the ultimate transcendence to become an immortal], to enjoy an immortal lifespan."

"Hahaha."

Long River Path Lord laughed heartily, then after a long pause, spoke, "Martial Uncle Violet Cosmos, Verdant Ruins, and even Demon-Slayer Jiang possessed talents far surpassing my own, yet they could not escape the calamity of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm."

"What virtue or ability do I, your master, possess to be worthy of Ethereal Ascension?"

Noticing the look on Cosmos Heaven's Punishment's face, the Long River Path Lord sighed once more. "Now that Demon-Slayer Jiang is no longer here to suppress the End of the Demonic Abyss, someone must step forward to face the next Demonic Abyss [a realm of pure demonic energy and chaos] tribulation."

"But rest assured, before that day comes, I will pave the way for you. You and your senior brother must support each other when the time arrives."

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment remained silent, merely clenching his fists tightly.

The Long River Path Lord shook his head and changed the subject. "The Primordial Spirit Flower [a rare spiritual herb crucial for refining Primordial Spirit Pills] has matured. I intend to begin the alchemical process for the Primordial Spirit Pill [a legendary pill that can help a cultivator form their Primordial Spirit] soon. Do you know how many within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland seek to purchase this pill?"

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment finally composed himself, furrowing his brow as he replied, "I have spread the word. However, the Featherflight Pavilion does not seem interested. On the other hand, the Heaven's Profound Sect, the Luo Clan of Star Lake Ancient Domain, and a few others have expressed their desire to acquire it."

Long River Path Lord's eyes flickered slightly. After a long pause, he spoke, "Most likely, the Featherflight Pavilion is waiting for their own Primordial Spirit Flower [a rare spiritual herb crucial for advancing to the Primordial Spirit realm] to mature. But why has there been no word from Sea-Calmer Path Master? Could it be he intends to personally guide the Heaven Soul [the celestial aspect of a cultivator's soul, necessary for a major breakthrough] without assistance?"

"This disciple does not know either," Cosmos Heaven's Punishment shook his head, a trace of confusion in his voice. "The Sea-Calmer Path Master possesses extraordinary foundational strength. The Earth Soul Summoning [a profound technique to summon and fuse with one's terrestrial soul essence] should not pose great difficulty for him. Yet, without the aid of a Primordial Spirit Pill [a supreme elixir that dramatically increases the chance of reaching the Primordial Spirit realm], I fear his odds of a successful breakthrough to Primordial Spirit [the realm where one's spiritual core becomes an independent, powerful entity] would not exceed fifty percent."

"Perhaps he has other plans in mind."

Long River Path Lord shook his head again and continued, "That Heaven's Profound Sect Master has long been pleading at our door, seeking to purchase a Primordial Spirit Pill. However, I perceive his mental state as unsettled. Even if he obtained the pill, his chance of success likely would not surpass forty percent."

"There is little to be done about that," Cosmos Heaven's Punishment replied with a shake of his head, a note of pity in his tone. "The Heaven's Profound Sect Master is already eight thousand four hundred years old. If he does not break through soon, he will not be able to hold on much longer."

Long River Path Lord said no more on the matter, simply stating, "For this batch of Primordial Spirit Pill we are refining, if we succeed in producing three pills, we shall sell one."

"Of the remaining two Primordial Spirit Pill, one is for your own breakthrough to Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a transitional state just below the full Primordial Spirit realm], and the other I have promised to the Stellar Palace."

"If we manage to refine four pills, then we shall sell two. As for that Heaven's Profound Sect Master..."

At this point, Long River Path Lord could not help but let out a soft, internal sigh.

Among the major powers, the one likely to offer the highest price would undoubtedly be the Heaven's Profound Sect Master, for the Heaven's Profound Sect was the foremost Infant Soul [the realm preceding Primordial Spirit, where the nascent soul is formed] sect within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland.

Strictly speaking, however, Heaven's Profound Sect Master was not the most ideal candidate to utilize the Primordial Spirit Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in the breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit realm]. From the perspective of the entire Human Race, the pill should be given to a cultivator with a greater certainty of a successful breakthrough.

Yet, this single choice could very well determine the Destiny [the predetermined course of fate and fortune] of two cultivators, and by extension, the fortunes of two vast Immortal Clan [powerful, long-established families of cultivators]. This weighty consequence made it impossible for Long River Path Lord to make a ruthless decision.

After pondering for a moment, Long River Path Lord sighed and declared, "Enough. Let them bid for it themselves. Let each decide their own Destiny." Dive deeper into the Dao at http://www . audio-novel.com.