Chapter 603 : Rebirth of the Clear Heart

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

He stood up quietly. As the Force Extreme [a profound cultivation state where one's power reaches its absolute peak] within his body was greatly expended, his aged and stooped posture once again became tall and straight, and his head full of grey-white hair returned to a deep, raven black.

In the span of a few breaths, Clear Heart Path Master's cultivation base fell to the Golden Core 6th Tier realm, yet he had undergone a rebirth of youth, his vigor restored.

He then bowed deeply to Eldrin Chen, his expression solemn as he spoke, "I offer my deepest gratitude for your guidance, Senior. This junior now understands the path he must take."

"To have attained such enlightenment is already a significant achievement,"

Eldrin Chen nodded. With a flick of his sleeve, he presented a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in the formation of a cultivator's Nascent Soul] to the man. "Having grasped the State of Dustless Path Heart [a state of spiritual purity and clarity, free from worldly attachments], your journey may yet extend further. Walk your path with this question held close."

"This junior shall forever remember your profound kindness, Senior."

Clear Heart accepted the Nascent Soul Formation Pill and withdrew respectfully from the Peach Blossom Grove.

Ethan Chen departed alongside him. The two men stood by the shore of Spirit Isle Lake, one radiating youthful vigor and handsome grace, the other embodying profound Daoist principles with eyes that gleamed like Stellar [possessing the profound, distant light of the stars]. Both possessed an aura of Extraordinary distinction.

Gazing at his companion, Ethan Chen asked with a faint smile, "After you leave, do you plan to return to Verdant Azure Mountain?" Original publication: audio–novel.com - The source of this chapter.

"No need." Clear Heart Path Master shook his head, then smiled faintly. "For centuries, I sat in stillness among these mountains, believing I had grasped the essence of life. Only today have I realized it was but the dream of a mayfly, a fleeting glimpse measured in mere dawns and dusks."

"I intend to leave Ji Continent and measure the breadth of this world's mountains and rivers with my own steps, to see for myself the true face of our Human Race's lands."

"It seems you have truly found clarity." Ethan Chen smiled, then said, "Go then. Go and see the splendor of our Human Race's domain. I hope we may meet again, even after ten thousand millennia."

"It shall be so."

Clear Heart Path Master gave a parting wave, and with that, he bid farewell to Ethan Chen.

"..."

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

Exquisite Jiang approached, her gaze following the direction the two had departed. "The State of Dustless Path Heart [a profound state of spiritual clarity and detachment] is indeed extraordinary," she remarked. "His cultivation speed will likely surpass even those blessed with a Heavenly Spiritual Root [a supreme innate talent for cultivation]."

"Every soul walks its own destined path," Eldrin Chen replied calmly. "He has comprehended the State of Dustless Path Heart. If he can forge an Earthly Path Foundation [a supremely stable and profound foundation for one's cultivation path], there may yet be a sliver of hope for him to attain the realm of a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master whose spiritual essence has ascended to a primordial, near-immortal state] in the future."

Eldrin Chen spoke with quiet conviction, for he was one who cherished true talent. Clear Heart Path Master had indeed left upon him an impression of being Extraordinary.

If his cultivation had reached the Primordial Spirit Path Lord [the realm where one's spiritual core becomes a sovereign entity of the path] realm, he might have considered offering a strand of Earthly Path Energy [a profound energy embodying the essence of the earthly path, crucial for certain advanced cultivations] to support him. However, with a large family to care for, he naturally had no surplus Earthly Path Energy to spare for such assistance.

Suppressing these thoughts, Eldrin Chen continued, "This time, we obtained three Stellar Fragment [rare crystalline fragments containing the condensed essence of fallen stars]. I intend to begin forging the Star Observation Tower [a mystical tower designed for celestial observation and harnessing stellar energies]."

"The Star Observation Tower?" Exquisite Jiang's brow furrowed slightly. "To forge it, we still lack one more Stellar Fragment and a stalk of Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a spiritually potent wood of the fifth rank, possessing remarkable resilience and energy conductivity]."

"I have already sent inquiries to see if anyone possesses these two treasures."

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

Exquisite Jiang nodded. "Then I shall also ask Violet Consort and Freya if they have any leads on this matter."

"Very well."

Setting this matter aside for now, Eldrin Chen produced the Crimson Phoenix Furnace [an alchemical furnace imbued with the essence of a crimson phoenix] and the Netherworld Stone [a dark stone saturated with netherworld energies], his expression turning grave. "Among the treasures we received, the Stellar Fragment and the two Fifth Rank Spirit Herb [spiritually infused herbs used in alchemy and cultivation] can be used directly."

"However, both this Crimson Phoenix Furnace and the Netherworld Stone must be purified of their demonic taint before they can be utilized."

Exquisite Jiang considered this, then spoke. "The demonic energy within the Netherworld Stone could be refined by the power of a Fifth Rank Underground Fire Vein [a potent subterranean fire energy source of the fifth rank], likely within one Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, a significant unit of time in fate and cultivation]."

"However, the demonic energy [malevolent spiritual energy] within this Crimson Phoenix Furnace is far too dense. I fear it would take three Sixty-Year Cycle to fully refine and purify it."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. In truth, if he personally oversaw the refinement process, he could significantly shorten the time required. Yet, doing so would greatly impede his own cultivation [the practice of refining one's body and spirit to ascend towards immortality], a trade-off that was hardly worthwhile.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to him, and a smile touched his lips. "Perhaps we could seek the assistance of Senior Slanting Sun Wheel," he suggested.

"That is indeed a possibility,"

Exquisite Jiang agreed, her eyes lighting up with realization. In the past, Slanting Sun Wheel had utilized the power of Crimson Flame True Lord within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire to help them refine the Netherworld Stone. Now, it could surely employ the Fifth Rank Underground Fire Vein to aid in purifying the Crimson Phoenix Furnace.

With this plan in mind, the two of them immediately made their way to Verdant Lotus Isle. Read the full novel exclusively on @udio-novel.com.

The Sun and Moon Twin Wheels had served as the Formation Artifact [a magical treasure used to anchor and power a defensive or offensive array] guarding Verdant Lotus Isle for many years. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, Selene's Ring greeted them with a warm smile. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit today?"

"We have come to ask for your aid," Eldrin Chen stated their purpose directly. He then produced the Crimson Phoenix Furnace. "We wish to ask you both to help us refine this artifact."

"A formidable Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact],"

remarked Slanting Sun Wheel with evident surprise. Although it had restored itself to the level of a Medium-Grade Spiritual Treasure over the years, it still felt a sense of awe and inferiority before a Superior Spiritual Treasure like the Crimson Phoenix Furnace.

After understanding the purpose of their visit, Slanting Sun Wheel nodded and said, "I have agreed to guard your path, so naturally I will lend a hand with this small matter. However, it would be best to also have the assistance of a Fifth Rank Fire Vein [a powerful underground spiritual fire source]."

"That is only proper," Eldrin Chen agreed with a nod and a smile. "Please, Fellow Daoist Slanting Sun, accompany us to the Vast Sea."

After bringing Slanting Sun Wheel to the Vast Sea, it inspected the Earth Vein [a major spiritual energy channel within the earth] beneath Immortal Apricot Island and then declared, "With the aid of the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean spiritual fire channel], I am confident I can refine the demonic energy from this treasure within one Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years]."

"My sincere thanks, then."

Eldrin Chen nodded. With Slanting Sun Wheel's assistance, the process would be completed a full two Sixty-Year Cycle sooner than simply placing the Crimson Phoenix Furnace within the Underground Fire Vein for purification. This was no small favor.

After placing the Crimson Phoenix Furnace and the Netherworld Stone [a rare ore imbued with netherworld energy] into the sea of flames, Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Isle Lake for secluded cultivation, and life settled back into its usual tranquil rhythm.

Thus, time flowed swiftly by, and in the blink of an eye, another ten years had passed.

"..."

On this day, Eldrin Chen emerged from his Seclusion Chamber, a flicker of joy visible in his eyes.

Exquisite Jiang, who had been guarding outside the Seclusion Chamber, could not help but ask upon seeing him, "How were the gains from this session of secluded cultivation?"

"It went rather smoothly. I have successfully cultivated the Two Polarities Divine Light [a divine ability that harnesses the opposing yet complementary forces of yin and yang]."

Eldrin Chen offered a serene smile. It was now the year nineteen thousand eight hundred of the Path Calendar [a celestial calendar used by cultivators to mark significant eras]. He had just passed his six hundredth year of life, and it had been merely a century since his breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed and nurtured] realm. Yet, he had already mastered his second Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a powerful class of divine techniques requiring immense comprehension and spiritual power].

From now on, with the Innate Great God Ability [a supreme divine ability of legendary power] grade Two Polarities Divine Light in his arsenal, he possessed another formidable means to contend with opponents at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Infant Soul realm].

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang also showed a pleased expression. "I have good news," she said. "After making inquiries through my connections, I have finally located a suitable Fifth Rank Spirit Wood [a rare, spiritually potent wood of the fifth rank, used in high-level crafting and cultivation]."

"I was waiting for you to emerge from seclusion so we could go and purchase the Fifth Rank Spirit Wood."

"Is that truly the case?"

Eldrin Chen felt a surge of joy in his heart. Some years prior, through Path Master Unreal, he had acquired a Stellar Fragment [a fragment of condensed stellar essence, incredibly rare and valuable] for the price of sixty Heavenly Crystal [a highly refined and potent form of spiritual crystal]. Now, all he lacked was the Fifth Rank Spirit Wood.

Once this Fifth Rank Spirit Wood was in his possession, he could finally begin crafting the Star Observation Tower [a mystical tower designed for celestial observation and divination, channeling the power of the stars]. Read the full novel exclusively on *audio-novel.com*.