Chapter 589 : The Alchemist's Revelation

In truth, any Elixir Formula [a recipe for crafting spiritual pills] in this world fundamentally operates on the principle of Monarch, Minister, Assistant, and Guide [a traditional Chinese medical/pharmaceutical framework for balancing ingredients], determining the specific combination of Spirit Herbs and the required Art of Fire Control [the precise management of spiritual flames during alchemy].

Now, Eldrin Chen's alchemical skill had approached the Fifth Rank High-Grade level. At this stage, even without a pre-existing formula in hand, one was already capable of creating new ones from scratch.

Eldrin Chen could even deduce the properties of two Precious Medicines [exceptionally rare and potent spiritual herbs] and, through continuous deduction, determine the precise ratios of various auxiliary ingredients, ultimately reverse-engineering the formula for the Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill.

In fact, this was precisely what Eldrin Chen did. After three years of diligent work, he successfully deduced the complete formula for the Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill.

Gazing at the formula before him, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "This should be it. There might be minor variations in the auxiliary herbs, but the resulting pill's efficacy should be nearly identical."

"This..."

Exquisite Jiang, holding the formula in her hand, could not help but reveal a look of astonishment.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, "Cultivators who can create formulas based solely on Spirit Herbs are not unheard of. But to devise a Fifth Rank formula in such a short time as you have... that could be considered unique throughout the ages."

"There is no cause for pride," Eldrin Chen replied calmly. "In my view, it is little different from cooking—merely combining different Spirit Herbs into a single cauldron to produce a batch of Precious Pills."

With a serene smile, Eldrin Chen continued, "Let us test it. We shall see if we can successfully refine this batch of Precious Pills." Visit audio-novel.com (official site) to enjoy the complete series.

Three days later, Eldrin Chen had gathered all the Spirit Herb and began refining the Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill [a potent elixir designed to harmonize opposing energies and nourish the cultivator's foundation].

Although he had simulated the process numerous times, Eldrin Chen proceeded with exceptional caution during the actual attempt. He and his partner worked meticulously for a full seven years before finally succeeding in refining this single cauldron of Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill.

Perhaps because he had personally conceived the Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual form of a cultivator], this batch of Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill proceeded with remarkable smoothness. Astonishingly, it yielded a total of seven Precious Pill [a high-grade category of elixirs].

This outcome left Eldrin Chen somewhat stunned. Producing seven Fifth Rank Precious Pill from a single cauldron placed his alchemical skill solidly within the mid-to-upper tier among Fifth Rank High-Grade alchemists.

Gazing at the seven radiant Precious Pill before them, Exquisite Jiang was both astonished and overjoyed. She couldn't help but suggest, "Should we find someone to test the pill's efficacy?"

"Let's not," Eldrin Chen shook his head. A single Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill was worth over a hundred Heavenly Crystal [a highly purified and potent form of spiritual energy crystal], a price he was loath to pay for a mere trial.

Moreover, he was utterly confident that the Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill was flawless. Having created the formula himself, he understood its medicinal properties better than anyone.

Nevertheless, Eldrin Chen first employed the Great Deduction Heavenly Art [a supreme art of calculation and foresight] to perform one final divination. Only after confirming the pill's safety did he declare, "I shall enter seclusion to consume the elixir. Please guard me, my lady."

"Understood," Exquisite Jiang replied.

Exquisite Jiang nodded and immediately began safeguarding his cultivation session.

After consuming the pill, Eldrin Chen felt an immense and potent medicinal energy surge forth from the Precious Pill [a high-grade cultivation pill], wildly nourishing his physical body and spiritual soul.

His Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core of a cultivator] in particular continuously absorbed the medicinal power, growing increasingly profound and powerful in a short span.

After an indeterminate period, Eldrin Chen suddenly sensed that both his Infant Soul and his spiritual energy had reached the absolute limit of the Infant Soul 2nd Tier, even brushing against the threshold of the Infant Soul 3rd Tier.

"Now is the moment," he thought.

As if blessed by divine insight, he instantly gathered his spiritual energy and, as naturally as water finding its course, shattered the barrier to the Infant Soul 3rd Tier, stepping firmly into that realm.

He had not been an Infant Soul Cultivator for long. After his initial breakthrough, his dual cultivation with Exquisite Jiang and the acquisition of her pure primordial yin essence [the foundational feminine energy of a maiden] had propelled him directly to the Infant Soul 2nd Tier.

In the fifty years since, his cultivation progress had been steady. Not long ago, he had also received the pure primordial yin essence of Lila, which, almost unnoticed, had caused another significant surge in his spiritual power.

Now, consuming this Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill [a rare pill that harmonizes opposing energies to boost cultivation] and gaining another half-layer of cultivation base had actually allowed him to break through to the Infant Soul 3rd Tier. Remarkably, less than eighty years had passed since his initial Infant Soul breakthrough.

This was truly astonishing. Eighty years was an exceedingly brief span for an Infant Soul Cultivator; many would have only just consolidated their foundation in that time, requiring another two or three centuries before attempting the next breakthrough.

It was merely a stroke of extraordinary fortune for Eldrin Chen. First, he obtained the Primordial Yin [the pure feminine essence vital for certain dual cultivation arts] of peerless prodigies like Exquisite Jiang and Lila, and then he successfully refined a cauldron of Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill [a potent elixir that harmonizes opposing energies to boost cultivation].

If a True Lord [a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage] with an ordinary Dual Spiritual Root [a spiritual root affinity for two elements] were to consume that Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill, it would be sufficient to advance their cultivation by one full layer.

However, an Infant Soul True Lord [a Nascent Soul stage cultivator] can only take the Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill once. After that, achieving such rapid cultivation progress again would be nearly impossible.

Witnessing Eldrin Chen's breakthrough, Exquisite Jiang exclaimed with pleasant surprise, "The effects of this Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill are so remarkable?"

After speaking, she took out a pill and consumed it. Once she had fully refined the Precious Pill [a general term for high-grade elixirs], she found there was still a considerable gap before reaching the Infant Soul 3rd Tier [the third layer of the Nascent Soul stage], and she couldn't help but frown.

With a single glance at Eldrin Chen, she understood the reason and shot him a resentful glare.

Eldrin Chen gave an awkward chuckle, pulling her into his embrace. "Don't fret, my lady," he said. "When we cultivate together later, you will undoubtedly reach the Infant Soul 3rd Tier swiftly." For more chapters, visit *audio-novel.com* for the complete novel.

"..."

Emerging from the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for undisturbed meditation and cultivation], Eldrin Chen distributed the Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill among the several True Lord of the Chen Clan, only to find one pill remaining in his hand.

As Eldrin Chen pondered how to handle this extra pill, Exquisite Jiang spoke up. "Violet Consort is like a sister to me. She has faced many hardships alone all these years. Let us give this last Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill to her."

"As my lady wishes."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. By now, he understood the relationship between Violet Consort Yan and Exquisite Jiang.

Their connection traced back to Imperial Sovereign Jiang. Before ascending to immortality, Imperial Sovereign Jiang had left behind three direct disciples: his son and two pupils. They were Demon-Slayer Jiang, Violet Cosmos Path Lord, and Verdant Ruins Path Lord.

Among these three, Demon-Slayer Jiang was Exquisite Jiang's father. The direct lineage of Violet Cosmos Path Lord was continued by Violet Consort Yan, while the direct descendants of Verdant Ruins were known as Verdant Consort.

Exquisite Jiang, Violet Consort Yan, and Verdant Consort grew up together, close friends since childhood, and their bond had always been exceptionally strong.

Of the three, Exquisite Jiang possessed the best innate talent, Verdant Consort had the highest comprehension, while Violet Consort Yan was more average among them—though by the standards of the world, she was still a figure of Extraordinary talent.

During the great calamity, the three were each sent to different parts of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland. Exquisite Jiang had the most comprehensive protection, Violet Consort Yan was not the primary target of the demonic forces, but Verdant Consort was secretly marked by them and ultimately vanished without a trace.

Strictly speaking, Verdant Consort and Exquisite Jiang had been a pair—one in the light, one in the shadows. Verdant Consort had taken a calamity meant for Exquisite Jiang, which left Exquisite Jiang with a lingering sense of guilt.

Over the years, there had been no word of Verdant Consort—no sight of her alive, no body found in death. Even her Soul Lamp [a magical lamp whose flame is tied to a person's life force] had long since extinguished. It was feared she had fallen many years ago, leaving Violet Consort Yan as the only remaining close friend from her youth.

Seeing Eldrin Chen agree, Exquisite Jiang smiled, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "Violet Consort Yan possesses a Heavenly Spiritual Root [the highest grade of spiritual root, granting exceptional cultivation aptitude] and only has one Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact nurtured with one's own life force and spiritual energy] to nurture. After consuming the Polarity Precious Ginseng Pill, the effects will undoubtedly be far greater for her than for you or me."

"Perhaps she may even reach the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where the nascent soul is fully formed and stable] before either of us."

"That would be a welcome development." Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of agreement before continuing, "If she can attain the Infant Soul Mid Stage before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied, cataclysmic event where demonic forces surge from the abyss], we would gain a powerful ally to stand with us." Continue reading this story at http://www . audio-novel.com.