Chapter 631 : The Dream Weaver's Dilemma

Qingxu Dao Lord spoke to this point, his gaze heavy as he looked at Verdant Consort [the title of the female cultivator Qing Ji], and then said, "However, the longer the time experienced within the dream, the greater the difficulty of awakening becomes."

"It is said that within the Immortal Realm [the higher plane of existence where Immortals reside], there are even Immortal [beings who have ascended to the highest known realm of cultivation] who have been lost within it for three thousand lifetimes, never to awaken again."

"Verdant Consort was too young when she entered the dream, and she has now cultivated the Red Dust Butterfly Dream Technique [an esoteric cultivation art that traps the practitioner in a profound, illusory dream state] for over eight hundred years. If she cannot reclaim her will soon, I fear she will be eternally lost within it."

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly. Verdant Consort had already experienced eight hundred dream-life cycles. Compared to the mere few decades of her lifespan before entering the dream, these eight hundred lifetimes were an unimaginable expanse of time.

Not even a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator whose soul has formed an independent infant form] would dare claim they could awaken after cultivating this art for so long, let alone someone whose worldly experience at the time was so lacking.

Thinking of this, he could not help but ask, "May I ask, Senior, is there anything we can do to assist?"

"You can indeed be of help."

Qingxu Dao Lord nodded and continued, "The reason I sought you out is that I divined long ago that you are the key to Qing'er's awakening."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen was taken aback. Seeing his reaction, Qingxu, the Dao Lord added, "Your Celestial Fire Mana [a pure, yang-aligned spiritual energy of celestial fire] can suppress the Demonic Path [the unorthodox and malevolent cultivation path] Mana [spiritual energy] and Demonic Fiend Qi [corrupt, demonic spiritual energy] within her body. Perhaps you can find a method to help her recover." This chapter is part of a larger work available at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

"Therefore, I wish to entrust this task to you, to help me awaken her."

"Awaken?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at Lyra Jiang.

Lyra Jiang's expression shifted, yet she spoke, "Martial Uncle cultivates the Heavenly Secrets Art [a profound art of divination and fate-reading], allowing him to perceive opportunities hidden within the weave of destiny. It seems Verdant Consort can indeed be saved."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen said, "Then this junior shall strive not to fail in this mission."

"I shall trouble you with this."

The Qingxu Dao Lord [Dao Lord of the Ethereal Void] nodded. With a flick of his sleeve, he handed a Jade Slip [a jade tablet used to store information] to the pair. "This contains the method of the Red Dust Butterfly Dream Technique [a mystical technique for navigating dreams and illusions within the mortal realm]. You may study it briefly, but remember, do not recklessly attempt to cultivate it."

"We understand."

The two nodded and carefully stored away the Jade Slip.

Witnessing this, the Qingxu Dao Lord sighed and said to Eldrin Chen and the others, "You may withdraw for now. I have a few words to say to Verdant Consort."

"As you command."

Only after the two had departed did he turn his gaze to Verdant Consort and say, "The Celestial Fire Mana [a pure and potent spiritual energy of celestial fire] cultivated by Eldrin Chen is extraordinary. In the future, even after your soul awakens, it will ensure you are not utterly corrupted by the Demonic Fiend Qi [a malevolent and corrupting spiritual energy]."

"Moreover, I have a profound intuition that the destiny of Eldrin, the Abyss is boundless. I fear that in days to come, even after he ascends to the Immortal Realm [the realm of true immortals], he will become a figure of immense significance."

"Therefore, I used my Supreme Divine Abilities [the highest tier of mystical powers] to weave a bond of fate between you two. Even if Lyra Jiang holds a Grudge [a deep-seated resentment or curse], this old man will simply go to the Netherworld Underworld [the realm of the dead and departed souls] to speak with her father after I pass on."

Verdant Consort's expression remained unchanged. Her eyes, calm and unrippled, watched him coldly, her demeanor icy as ever.

Qingxu Dao Lord continued speaking to himself, heedless of his appearance as he sat upon the ground. His gaze, filled with reluctant affection, settled upon her. "My child, by the time you awaken from this dream of illusions, I may already be completely dominated by the Demon God [a malevolent deity of immense power], my Life Soul [the core essence of one's life and destiny] seized."

"When that time comes, the bond of father and daughter between us will likely be severed forever."

"Perhaps after a thousand lifetimes in your dream, you will have long forgotten this father of yours. But in these final moments of my lucidity, to have found you someone reliable to depend upon... this is the last thing I can do for you."

Verdant Consort listened in silence, cold and detached, uttering not a word. She was devoid of Seven Emotions and Six Desires [the full spectrum of human emotions and worldly attachments]; the capacity for being moved or feeling pain had long since left her, and she had not shed tears for many years.

"To be without Seven Emotions and Six Desires is to be free from bearing pain and troubles. Sometimes, that is not such a bad thing."

Qingxu Dao Lord chuckled softly, shaking his head as he spoke, "Go now. From this day forth, you shall follow Eldrin Chen."

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang emerged from God-Slaying Ridge, this time accompanied by Verdant Consort.

She wore several special Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts of great power] that suppressed the Demonic Fiend Qi [malevolent demonic energy] and Demonic Path Mana [demonic cultivation aura] within her body. Clad now in a flowing azure gown, her flawless figure and peerless beauty could truly be said to be unmatched in the mortal realm.

She appeared more like a transcendent immortal maiden who had descended from the heavens. In terms of grace and loveliness, she was in no way inferior to Lyra Jiang; one could only say each possessed her own unique splendor.

The trio returned to Spirit Isle Lake. Lila immediately rushed into his embrace, her voice trembling with emotion, "It is well that you are safe."

Thalion Chen soon arrived as well. Seeing them unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief before asking, "What in heaven's name happened?" Original publication: audio-novel-dot-com - The source of this chapter.

"The matter is of too great import. It is not yet time to speak of it."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang and, after a moment's hesitation, shook his head, deciding against spreading the news.

Thalion Chen cast a look at Verdant Consort and said no more on the subject. "Your safe return is what matters," he stated simply. "I shall recall our people."

During this period, the Chen Clan had conducted an extensive search for the two, creating quite a stir. Fortunately, their return was timely; otherwise, the clan would likely have turned over every region along their suspected path.

With everyone safely returned, the group collectively breathed a sigh of relief. After convening a brief meeting, the matter was laid to rest for the time being.

Eldrin Chen finally allowed himself a moment of respite. He then gathered with Lyra Jiang and Lila, and as the three of them shared a bed day and night, it became impossible to keep the secret any longer. Thus, he confided the full situation to Lila.

After listening, Lila looked at Verdant Consort and asked, "Then how do we awaken Verdant Consort?"

"The Seven Emotions and Six Desires [the spectrum of human passions and worldly attachments] offer little true benefit to cultivation. In truth, my current state is perfectly fine. Why should I desire to possess the Seven Emotions and Six Desires?"

Verdant Consort's gaze rested on Lila as she spoke with detached calm, her pupils holding a profound and chilling emptiness.

Lila offered a gentle smile and countered, "The very meaning of human existence is made vibrant by the Seven Emotions and Six Desires."

"If a person loses their Seven Emotions and Six Desires, if they shed their humanity, even achieving immortality would merely make them a puppet of the cosmic laws."

"I disagree," Verdant Consort shook her head. "Cultivators of the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that often embraces darker, more destructive methods and desires] drown in their desires, unable to extricate themselves, and thus rarely attain the true Great Dao [the ultimate principle and path of the universe]."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly before he spoke. "It is true that most Demonic Path cultivators are ensnared by desire, which is why they cannot become true Demon Gods [powerful entities who have mastered demonic laws to a divine level]."

"However, if a Righteous Path Cultivator [a cultivator who follows orthodox, virtuous methods] were to lose their Seven Emotions and Six Desires, then even upon attaining immortality, they would become a mere marionette of the laws, ultimately dissolving into and merging with those very cosmic principles."

"Therefore, to become an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and achieved longevity and great power], one must guard their true heart. A Demon God [a powerful entity born from demonic cultivation or chaos] must also control its own desires, not abandon its own Seven Emotions and Six Desires [the fundamental human emotions and worldly attachments]."

Upon hearing this, Verdant Consort fell into deep contemplation. After a long while, she looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "What you say seems to hold truth."

"Yet I feel neither joy nor anger, sorrow nor happiness. I have no desires. My true self slumbers. Can you awaken her?"

Eldrin Chen took the Red Dust Butterfly Dream Technique [an esoteric method of cultivation involving dream cycles and reincarnation] and pondered for a moment before replying, "I will find a way. However, you have now undergone dream reincarnations for more than eight hundred lifetimes. The opportunity of one thousand lifetimes is not far off."

"Awakening too early risks undoing all previous effort. Thus, there is no need to be overly hasty in rousing your true self."

"I understand."

Verdant Consort nodded, then returned to her Cultivation Cave [a secluded chamber or cavern used for meditation and spiritual practice] to enter deep seclusion. For more chapters, visit audio - novel . com for the complete novel.