Chapter 579 : Flight of the Nascent Souls

"Hundred Spirit Immortal-Slaying Sword."

The moment they saw the Hundred Spirit Immortal-Slaying Sword, the other two figures cried out in alarm. The Black Malignancy Maiden instantly transformed into a streak of light and fled into the distance, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.

In her desperate bid to escape, she had actually erupted with Nascent Soul Qi [the potent life-force energy of a Nascent Soul cultivator], moving so swiftly that even Eldrin Chen could not catch up.

The White-Robed Scholar fled even faster. He summoned a scroll, the Seven Stars Void-Escape Diagram, and in an instant traversed a million Li-lengths [a million times five hundred meters] through the void, putting himself far beyond Eldrin Chen's reach.

"There is no need to pursue them."

Watching the two escape, Eldrin Chen spoke, then with a flick of his sleeve, collected the treasures left behind by the Burly Man.

Lyra Jiang also nodded in agreement. Although the Burly Man had possessed three Spiritual Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts] and the formidable defensive capabilities of a body cultivator, his escape techniques were not particularly strong.

The other two, however, were standard Earthly Dao Nascent Soul [cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm by comprehending the Dao of the mundane world]. Such existences possess two Lifebound Grand Divine Abilitys [supreme techniques intrinsically linked to one's life and cultivation]. One of these is invariably an Escape Divine Ability [a technique specialized for flight and evasion], fused into their very being as a Lifebound Divine Ability.

When such beings are determined to flee for their lives, even a Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator, lacking specific countermeasures, would find it exceedingly difficult to slay them.

Abandoning the chase, Eldrin Chen steered the Treasure Boat towards the Drifting Snow Pavilion. Read, share, and discuss at site: audio-novel.com.

As they traveled, he assessed his own combat prowess and could not help but smile. "After this battle, I understand my strength clearly. I am now a step stronger than most Nascent Soul, Mid Stage cultivators."

"Though I still fall short of a Nascent Soul Late Stage expert, I can now roughly match about two-thirds of a Nascent Soul, 7th Tier cultivator's power. I can hold my own against two ordinary Nascent Soul, Mid Stage cultivators fighting together."

Lyra Jiang smiled slightly upon hearing this and nodded. "If we join forces, we should be able to contend with a single Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator, though it would be a close fight."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of agreement, finding Lyra Jiang's estimation reasonable.

Of course, such estimations were based on ordinary standards. Among Nascent Soul Cultivators, powerful individuals emerged endlessly. Even within the same Nascent Soul Late Stage realm, the gaps in strength could be vast.

Some cultivators, blessed with exceptional talent or wielding formidable Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts of great power], could easily defeat two opponents of the same rank. The white-robed scholar among the trio they had faced earlier likely possessed the power to overwhelm the Burly Man with ease.

Setting these thoughts aside, Eldrin Chen began to tally the spoils from the recent conflict.

Soon after, the group opened the Burly Man's Storage Bag [a spatial pouch for holding items] and gathered the captured Spiritual Treasure together for inventory.

After a careful count, they found the loot was not extensive. Aside from three Spiritual Treasure, there was only one Fifth Rank Spiritual Object [a spiritual material of the fifth rank].

Among the three Spiritual Treasure, both the Coiling Dragon Staff and the Golden Bracelet Spiritual Treasure were of Inferior Grade Spiritual Treasure quality. The Azure-Gold Ancient Zun [an ancient ritual vessel], however, was a Middle-Grade Spiritual Treasure.

The first two were merely ordinary Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts designed to subdue demonic entities], possessing no special qualities. However, the final Azure-Gold Ancient Zun [an ancient, azure-gold ritual vessel] held a wondrous function.

Strictly speaking, this Azure-Gold Ancient Zun was a type of Special Spiritual Treasure [a unique category of enchanted artifact with non-combat applications]. Its combat prowess was secondary; its true purpose was to refine Marrow-Cleansing Nectar [a rare elixir that purifies and strengthens the physical body].

The Azure-Gold Ancient Zun absorbed Profound Origin Heavy Water [a primordial, spiritually dense water], vast quantities of spiritual energy, and copious amounts of Spirit Medicine [herbs imbued with spiritual properties]. Through this process, it ultimately produced the exceptionally rare Marrow-Cleansing Nectar.

This Marrow-Cleansing Nectar was a supreme treasure for body cultivation [the practice of physically strengthening one's form]. Consuming it could enhance a cultivator's bodily fortitude. The primary reason the Burly Man had cultivated such a powerful physique was precisely due to this Marrow-Cleansing Nectar.

Contemplating the marvelous utility of the Azure-Gold Ancient Zun, Eldrin Chen remarked with a faint smile, "The effects of this Marrow-Cleansing Nectar are extraordinary. While it may not hold great use for you or me, for the other Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their immortal infant soul] experts within our clan, it is an exceedingly precious treasure."

"Indeed," Lyra Jiang nodded, her eyes glinting thoughtfully. "With this substance, Elara and Old Patriarch can also attempt to cultivate their physical bodies."

Although the mainstream cultivators of this world did not specialize in body cultivation—relying instead on the natural tempering of their flesh through the escalating power of their Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner]—it was undeniable that possessing a powerful physique conferred numerous advantages.

Cultivators with robust bodies were often less susceptible to internal injuries and cultivation backlash. Even when wounded, their injuries tended to be less severe than those of cultivators who neglected their physical form, and their recovery was typically swifter.

After storing the several Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts], Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to the final Fifth Rank Spiritual Object [a spiritual material of the fifth rank, denoting high rarity and power]. A smile touched his lips as he said, "I never imagined he would possess such an item."

This last item was a Fifth Rank Void-Traversal Talisman [a high-grade talisman enabling instantaneous teleportation]. This Treasure Talisman [a single-use magical scroll or charm] could instantly transport a cultivator through the void for a distance of several hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], making it a first-rate treasure for escaping peril.

Alas, before that Burly Man could unleash his hidden card, his very soul was seized by the Hundred Spirit Immortal-Slaying Sword. In the blink of an eye, his life was ended by a single, decisive sword stroke.

Retrieving the Fifth Rank Void-Traversal Talisman, Eldrin Chen handed it to Lila and said, "You've just made your breakthrough, and ordinary Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] wouldn't suit your elemental affinity well. I don't have anything particularly fitting to gift you, so please accept this as a present."

"This..." Lila hesitated slightly, glancing at Lyra Jiang. "This is a life-saving treasure. It should go to you, sister."

"There's no need."

Lyra Jiang reached out to give Eldrin Chen a discreet pinch, yet she smiled warmly. "Truly, it's unnecessary. The number of cultivators in this world capable of cornering me is few. And against those formidable enough to make even my escape uncertain, a single Fifth Rank Void-Traversal Talisman [a high-grade talisman for instantaneous teleportation] would likely be of little use."

"Moreover, Eldrin and I are together day and night. With the Yin-Yang Void Realm [a mystical spatial treasure] at our disposal, such an item is redundant for us." For the best reading experience, visit audio_novel.com.

Hearing her words, Lila finally accepted with a beaming smile. "Then I thank you, sister."

Eldrin Chen: "..."

That Burly Man was, by the standards of a Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where the cultivator's soul takes infant form] cultivator, remarkably impoverished. Aside from those four Fifth Rank Spiritual Object [objects of immense spiritual power], he possessed only a little over twenty Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of Spirit Stone]. The rest of his miscellaneous belongings added up to a value of merely a little over twenty million Spirit Stone [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Such meager wealth was not merely unimpressive for a Nascent Soul, Mid Stage cultivator; even many Nascent Soul, Early Stage practitioners with more substantial family legacies likely possessed a more Deep-Seated Foundation [a profound and stable cultivation base] and greater riches than he did.

After thoroughly sorting the treasures, Eldrin Chen continued his journey towards the Drifting Snow Palace. Before long, the group arrived at their destination.

As their party was incomplete, they waited at the Drifting Snow Palace for seven years before the day finally arrived for the Sixth Rank Teleportation Formation to activate.

By the time they returned to the Eastern Wastelands and made their way back to the Ji Continent, they discovered a full two decades had passed since their departure from the Ji Continent.

Upon teleporting into the Ji Continent Market, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief. A smile touched his lips as he remarked, "Another twenty-some years have slipped by in a flash. I wonder how our clan fares now?"

"Then let us return home first,"

said Lila. Having been away from home for nearly three Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years], she too felt a pang of homesickness.

Their hearts yearning for home, the group did not linger at the Ji Continent Trading Post. They teleported directly to Verdant Chariot Mountain and only then allowed themselves a moment to draw a steadying breath.

The moment he stepped out from the Teleportation Formation, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of puzzlement crossing his features.

"Ancient Ancestor?"

The Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their foundational spiritual residence] stationed to guard the Teleportation Formation was momentarily stunned. He quickly bowed deeply and said, "I pay my respects to the esteemed Ancient Ancestor."

"There is no need for such formality."

Eldrin Chen swept his sleeve, lifting the man to his feet, then frowned and asked, "Why are there so few people here today? Wasn't Lucian at Verdant Chariot Mountain overseeing the compilation of the Four Canons and Eight Tomes? Why is he absent as well?"

Upon hearing this, the cultivator's eyes reddened, and he spoke with a choked voice, "Ancient Ancestor, you have finally returned. Lucian, Old Granduncle... he fell in battle."

"Hmm?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply. He rose to his feet and said, "What exactly has happened in these years? Tell me everything, slowly and clearly."

"It began with trouble in The Vast Sea…"

As the man recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen soon grasped the chain of cause and effect. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel . com.