Chapter 603 : Rebirth of the Heart-Seer

Soren remained seated on the ground for a long while, lost in profound silence, before finally rising to his feet.

He stood up quietly. As a great portion of his Mana [the internal energy cultivated by practitioners] was expended, his aged and stooped posture straightened once more, becoming tall and erect, and his head full of grey-streaked hair returned to a deep, raven black.

Moments later, Soren the Heart-Seer's cultivation base had fallen to the Golden Core Sixth Layer [the sixth stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm], yet he had undergone a rejuvenation, his youth restored.

He bowed deeply towards Eldrin Chen, his expression solemn and earnest. "This junior offers his deepest gratitude for your guidance in dispelling my confusion," he said respectfully. "I now understand the path I must take."

"To have attained such clarity is achievement enough," Eldrin Chen replied.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. With a flick of his sleeve, he presented a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in the formation of a Nascent Soul] to Soren. "Having comprehended the Dustless Dao Heart Realm [a state of spiritual purity and unwavering dedication to the Dao], your path may yet stretch further," he stated calmly. "Carry the questions that weigh upon you and walk your road with purpose."

"This profound kindness from my senior, I shall engrave upon my heart and never forget," Soren vowed.

Soren accepted the Nascent Soul Formation Pill, then withdrew from the Peach Blossom Grove with utmost reverence.

Ethan Chen departed alongside him. The two men came to a halt by the shore of Spirit Isle Lake. One stood with a heroic and vigorous bearing, as elegant as polished jade; the other held an aura of profound Daoist insight within, his eyes gleaming like captured starlight. Both were figures of exceptional and imposing presence.

Gazing at his companion, Ethan Chen could not help but smile slightly as he asked, "After you leave here, do you plan to return to Verdant Mountain?" For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel . com.

"No need," Soren the Heart-Seer shook his head, then smiled faintly. "For centuries I sat in silent meditation amidst these mountains, believing I had grasped the essence of life. Only today did I realize it was but the fleeting dream of a mayfly, a vision confined to the span of a single dawn and dusk."

"I intend to leave the Ji Continent and measure the breadth of this world's mountains and rivers [the landscape of the mortal realm]. I wish to see what kind of mountains and rivers our Human Race possesses."

"It seems you have truly found clarity," Ethan Chen said with a smile. "Go then. Go and see our Human Race mountains and rivers well. I hope we may meet again ten thousand years hence."

"It shall be so."

Soren the Heart-Seer gave a parting wave and thus bid farewell to Ethan Chen.

Eldrin Chen sat serenely within the Peach Blossom Grove, quietly setting down the ancient zither in his hands.

Lyra Jiang approached and glanced in the direction the two had departed. "The Dustless Dao Heart Realm [a state of spiritual cultivation where the heart is free of worldly dust and attachments] is indeed extraordinary," she remarked. "That man's cultivation speed likely surpasses even those with a Heavenly Spiritual Root [the highest grade of innate talent for absorbing spiritual energy]."

"Every person has their own destiny," Eldrin Chen replied calmly. "He attained enlightenment of the Dustless Dao Heart Realm. If he can forge an Earthly Path Foundation [a supreme, nearly perfect foundation for future cultivation], there may be a sliver of hope for him to achieve the Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator whose spiritual essence has coalesced into an immortal infant-soul] in the future."

Eldrin Chen spoke with detached composure. In truth, he appreciated talent, and Soren the Heart-Seer had indeed struck him as exceptional.

Had his own cultivation reached the level of a Nascent Soul Dao Lord, he might have considered bestowing a strand of Earthly Dao Essence [a rare spiritual substance containing fragments of the world's fundamental laws] to aid him. However, with a large clan to support, he simply had no surplus resources to spare for such patronage.

Suppressing the thoughts in his heart, Eldrin Chen then spoke again: "This time we have obtained three Star Fragment [crystalline shards imbued with celestial power]. I intend to begin crafting that Star-Gazing Tower [a mystical tower designed for celestial observation and divination]."

"The Star-Gazing Tower?" Lyra Jiang's brow furrowed slightly, and she then said, "To craft the Star-Gazing Tower, you still require one more Star Fragment and a stalk of Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a type of spiritually potent wood of the fifth rank]."

"I have already sent word to inquire, to see if anyone possesses these two treasures."

Eldrin Chen said calmly, then shook his head with a smile. "Currently, we still have some resources on hand. Acquiring these two items should be within our means."

Lyra Jiang nodded and said, "Then I shall also ask Violet Consort and Freya if they have any information on this matter."

"Very well."

Setting this matter aside for the moment, Eldrin Chen then took out the Crimson Phoenix Crucible [an alchemical crucible forged with the essence of a crimson phoenix] and the Nether Stone [a stone imbued with profound yin energy from the underworld], his expression turning solemn. "Among the treasures we received, the Star Fragment and the two stalks of Fifth Rank Spirit Medicine [spiritually potent herbs of the fifth rank] can be used directly."

"However, the Crimson Phoenix Crucible and the Nether Stone both require the purification of their Demonic Qi [corruptive energy born of demonic cultivation] before they can be utilized."

Lyra Jiang's brow furrowed thoughtfully, and she spoke, "The Demonic Qi within the Nether Stone could likely be refined by the power of a Fifth Rank Subterranean Fire Vein [a deep-earth fire energy source of the fifth rank] in about one Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years]."

"But the Crimson Phoenix Crucible is saturated with far too much Demonic Qi. I fear it would take three full Jiazi-time to purify it completely."

Eldrin Chen nodded. In truth, if he personally oversaw the refinement process, he could significantly shorten the time required. However, doing so would impede his own cultivation progress, making it an unfavorable trade-off.

Yet, a sudden thought brought a smile to his lips. "Perhaps we could seek the assistance of Inclined Sun Wheel," he suggested.

"That is indeed a viable option," Lyra Jiang agreed, her eyes lighting up with realization.

In the past, Inclined Sun Wheel had utilized the power of Ignatius the Blazing Lord within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire to help them refine the Nether Stone. Naturally, it could now harness the Fifth Rank Subterranean Fire Vein [a vein of fire-attributed spiritual energy deep within the earth, classified at the fifth rank of power] to aid in refining the Crimson Phoenix Crucible.

With this plan in mind, the two of them immediately set off for the Azure Lotus Continent.

Having served as the Formation Tool [a magical treasure specifically designed to anchor and power a large-scale defensive or offensive formation] for the Azure Lotus Continent for many years, the Sun and Moon Twin Wheels were familiar faces. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, Moonlight Wheel inquired with a light tone, "What brings you to visit us today?" Experience the full epic at audio-novel.com.

"We have come to request your aid," Eldrin Chen stated their purpose directly. He then produced the Crimson Phoenix Crucible and continued, "We wish to ask you two Fellow Daoist [a respectful term used between cultivators, implying a shared pursuit of the Dao] to assist us in refining this artifact."

"A formidable Spiritual Treasure [a high-grade magical treasure with immense power and sentience]," Inclined Sun Wheel remarked with evident surprise.

Although it had restored itself to the level of a Middle-Grade Spiritual Treasure over the years, it still felt inferior in the presence of a Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure like the Crimson Phoenix Crucible.

After understanding their request, Inclined Sun Wheel nodded in agreement. "I have pledged to safeguard your path. Assisting with this minor task is only natural. However, the aid of a Fifth Rank Fire Vein would be most beneficial."

"It shall be so," Eldrin Chen nodded with a faint smile. "I must ask Inclined Sun Wheel to accompany me to The Vast Sea."

After leading Inclined Sun Wheel to The Vast Sea, he inspected the Earth Vein [a concentrated line of spiritual energy within the earth] beneath Immortal Apricot Island and then declared, "With the aid of the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent fire-attribute spiritual energy], I am confident I can purify the Demonic Qi [corrupt, malevolent spiritual energy] from this treasure within one Jiazi-time."

"My sincere thanks, then."

Eldrin Chen nodded in acknowledgment. With Inclined Sun Wheel's assistance, the purification of the Crimson Phoenix Crucible would be completed a full two Jiazi-time sooner than if it were simply left to simmer in the Underground Fire Vein. This was no small favor.

After placing the Crimson Phoenix Crucible and the Nether Stone within the sea of flames, Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Isle Lake to resume his secluded cultivation. The days settled back into their familiar, tranquil rhythm.

Thus, time flowed on its relentless course, and in the blink of an eye, another ten years had passed.

On this day, Eldrin Chen emerged from his Seclusion Chamber, a glimmer of joy flashing in the depths of his eyes.

Lyra Jiang, who had been standing guard outside the chamber, could not help but ask upon seeing him, "How were the gains from this session of secluded cultivation?"

"It proceeded smoothly enough," he replied. "I have successfully cultivated the Twofold Divine Radiance."

Eldrin Chen offered a serene smile. It was now the year nineteen thousand eight hundred of the Dao Calendar. He had just passed his six hundredth year of life, and a mere century after his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm [the stage where a cultivator forms an independent spiritual infant], he had already mastered his second Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a supreme and immensely powerful supernatural technique].

With the Great Vehicle-grade Lifebound Grand Divine Ability, Twofold Divine Radiance, now in his grasp, he had gained another formidable means to contend with opponents at the Nascent Soul Late Stage.

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang also showed a pleased expression and spoke, "I have good news. After making inquiries through my connections, I have finally located a suitable Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a spiritual wood of the fifth rank, possessing immense vitality and spiritual essence]."

"I was waiting for you to conclude your seclusion so we could proceed to acquire it."

"Is that truly the case?"

Eldrin Chen felt a surge of joy in his heart. Years prior, through Zixu the Daoist, he had purchased a Star Fragment [a fragment of celestial origin, imbued with stellar energies] for the price of sixty Heavenly Crystal [a highly purified and potent form of spiritual crystal]. The only missing component had been the Fifth Rank Spirit Wood.

Once this Fifth Rank Spirit Wood was secured, he could finally begin the crafting of the Star-Gazing Tower [a mystical tower designed for celestial observation and divination]. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio–novel.com.