Chapter 655 : The Dragon Vein's Ancient Echo

Several days later, Eldrin Chen arrived at Virtuous Peak and met with Magnus the Virtuous, whom he had not seen for many years.

Clad in a white Confucian robe, Magnus the Virtuous sat cross-legged within the Grand Hall, his gaze resting upon Eldrin Chen. Compared to their last meeting, his cultivation had advanced even further, reaching the Nascent Soul, 8th Tier realm.

Yet, the moment he laid eyes on the two visitors, a glimmer of light sparked in Magnus the Virtuous's eyes. A faint smile touched his lips as he spoke, "Over a century has passed, yet your cultivation progress has not slowed."

"I have encountered some fortuitous opportunities, which hastened my advancement somewhat," Eldrin Chen replied. He then continued, "Might I inquire, True Lord, if your journey achieved its intended purpose?"

"It proceeded with relative smoothness."

Magnus the Virtuous offered a slight smile, seemingly unwilling to elaborate further on the matter. He shifted the topic, saying, "I intend to reconnect the Earth Vein [the spiritual arteries of the land] for the Heaven's Edge Mountain Range. That is the very reason I sought your presence here."

Having already surmised the purpose of this summons, Eldrin Chen responded with a smile, "If the True Lord has a task, this junior will naturally spare no effort in assisting."

Pleased by his agreement, Magnus the Virtuous began his explanation. "In ancient times, the Heaven's Spine Mountains possessed a spiritual grade reaching the Quasi-Sixth Rank level. Within its depths, a Dragon Vein [a supreme form of Earth Vein with draconic spiritual properties] was nurtured, its potency verging on the very threshold of ascending to the Sixth Rank."

"However, in his pursuit to break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor forcibly tore open the Heaven's Spine Mountains, devouring the very power of that Dragon Vein."

"To now reconnect the Earth Vein, we must not only reshape the mountain's spiritual force and mend the ancient, torn scar upon the Heaven's Spine Mountains, but we must also restore its Earth Vein Dragon Soul [the sentient spiritual core of a Dragon Vein]." Read, share, and discuss at audio—novel.com.

As Magnus the Virtuous recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen came to understand the true difficulty of mending the Heaven's Spine Mountains.

After the mountains were torn asunder in that ancient calamity, the entire Dragon Vein [a powerful, serpentine ley line of spiritual energy] was left shattered and scattered. Over several Millennium [a period of one thousand years], Magnus the Virtuous had painstakingly reconnected the fragments, and the splintered Dragon Vein was now largely gathered back together.

Yet, the finer capillaries and tributaries of spiritual flow still required delicate realignment. This task not only demanded the guidance of a True Lord [a powerful cultivator at the Golden Core realm], but also a vast array of Formation Tool [enchanted artifacts used to construct and power arrays] and the assistance of many lower-ranked cultivators. This was precisely why Magnus the Virtuous had sought out Eldrin Chen.

Having heard Magnus the Virtuous's explanation, Eldrin Chen nodded. "The Chen Clan commands a considerable number of cultivators. We should be able to muster sufficient hands to lend you our strength."

The three of them deliberated for a long while. Once their plans were settled, Eldrin Chen prepared to depart and make arrangements, but Magnus the Virtuous stopped him.

He gazed at Eldrin Chen for a long, contemplative moment before producing a precious vial and handing it over. "This item may prove useful to you. Take it."

"My thanks, Senior."

Eldrin Chen clasped his hands in gratitude, assuming this was the promised reward. Yet, when he extended his Spiritual Sense [a cultivator's extrasensory perception] to probe the vial, his expression shifted dramatically. Within the vessel were a full ten drops of Pure Yang True Liquid [a supremely potent spiritual essence of pure Yang energy].

The Pure Yang True Liquid was a peerless treasure of the Sixth Rank [a classification denoting immense power and rarity]. A single drop was valued at four hundred Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade, purified form of Spirit Stone]. In quantities exceeding ten drops, it could even offer marginal benefits to cultivators at the Primordial Spirit [the Nascent Soul realm, the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] stage.

The ten drops before him were worth four thousand Heavenly Crystal, a sum equivalent to one-tenth the value of a Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang [a legendary artifact of immense Yang power].

If word of this were to spread, even a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator whose spirit has begun its final transformation towards immortality] would be driven to madness. That Magnus the Virtuous had simply handed such an item directly to him was astounding.

Moreover, this item could help him repair the Green Abyss Sword [a legendary enchanted blade], something Eldrin Chen urgently needed. The coincidence was too perfect.

There was only one possible explanation: Magnus the Virtuous had long since divined that the Green Abyss Sword was in his possession.

As this realization dawned, Eldrin Chen could not help but glance at Magnus the Virtuous, a tremor of awe coursing through his heart.

"No need for words. No need for questions."

Magnus the Virtuous waved a dismissive hand, his gaze lowering as he spoke. "You may go."

"This junior takes his leave."

Eldrin Chen offered one final bow of respect before departing the Grand Hall alongside Lyra Jiang.

After the pair had departed, silence reclaimed the Grand Hall. Magnus the Virtuous watched the space where they had vanished, a shadow of profound concern darkening his features.

Only after a long while did Magnus the Virtuous finally speak, his voice turning cold and sharp. "What is it you truly intend?"

"Disciple, have you truly lost all faith in your master?"

Suddenly, a voice echoed from within the Grand Hall.

A wisp of illusory Netherworld Qi [a sinister energy from the underworld] rose from the void, coalescing into a faint, ethereal figure.

The newcomer was shrouded in a black robe, seated cross-legged in the empty air. Around him, a Netherworld Malign Aura [a corrupting miasma from the depths of the underworld] twisted and distorted the very space, obscuring his supreme Hugo.

"Hmph—"

Magnus the Virtuous snorted coldly but offered no further words. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel[dot]com.

The visitor fell into a profound silence. After a long while, he finally spoke. "The three thousand great paths all converge upon the same destination."

"Though a chasm lies between us—immortal and demonic—we are merely each treading our own chosen path, walking the road of myself."

Magnus the Virtuous remained silent for a moment before asking bluntly, "What is it you truly seek?"

"What this master desires is nothing more than the Demon God's Great Dao [the supreme path of the Demon God]." The visitor seemed disinclined to conceal his intent, his gaze calm as he continued. "That this person remains hidden even from the divinations of the Heaven-Derivation Dao Book [a legendary tome capable of deducing the secrets of heaven]... it is highly probable he is a Tribulation-Bearer [one destined to shoulder and survive great cosmic calamities], much like Jiang the Sovereign Emperor was."

"I am merely placing a casual piece upon the board now, a preemptive move to secure a future advantage."

The figure spoke with detached calm, then turned his gaze towards Magnus the Virtuous, shaking his head slightly. "Your heart holds the Virtuous Righteousness [a profound inner virtue that guides one's path], granting you a smooth and unimpeded cultivation journey. Yet, you are also bound and limited by the Virtuous Righteousness Qi [the spiritual energy born from unwavering moral integrity]."

"Today, you stepped forward to forcibly shoulder his Karmic Burden [the metaphysical weight of cause and effect, of deeds and their consequences]. In the days to come, tribulations will gather around you like storm clouds, one after another, making it nigh impossible to escape the calamity of a fall."

"Hmph. That is a matter which requires no concern from you, sir."

Magnus the Virtuous's expression remained impassive. He raised a hand and wiped away that strand of Netherworld Malign Aura [a baleful energy emanating from the depths of the underworld].

Yet, deep within the core of his soul, tendrils of calamitous Qi [the energy of impending disaster and tribulation] began to coil and twist, gathering like a rolling, oppressive thunderhead.

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang returned to Spirit Isle Lake. With grave expressions, they descended into the Underground Water Vein [a subterranean channel of spiritually charged water]. Eldrin produced the Pure Yang True Liquid [a supremely pure liquid essence of Yang energy], then recounted the entire situation to the Green Abyss Sword.

After listening, the Green Abyss Sword emitted a faint ripple of spiritual fluctuation. After a long silence, it spoke, "Though I have suffered grievous wounds these past years, my fundamental nature remains that of a Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a treasure of the highest order, forged from and containing pure Yang essence]."

"Within the Purple Realm [a vast and powerful cultivation domain], those capable of tracing my presence are likely few. They would be limited to three Pure Yang-grade Heavenly Secrets Spiritual Treasure [treasures of immense power attuned to the workings of fate and heaven's mysteries]: the 'Netherworld Ancient Tome', the 'Heaven-Patterned Armor', and the 'Heaven-Gazing Mirror'."

"However, since the other party did not move against you, it is most probable they bear no ill intent. Focus on your cultivation. In time, the threads of cause and effect will become clear to you."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment of contemplation, he smiled and said, "With the Pure Yang Spiritual Liquid [a potent spiritual essence imbued with the purest Yang energy], Senior's injuries can be healed."

"Indeed, it is so."

Green Abyss Sword [a sentient immortal-grade sword] was also pleased. Once it refined those ten drops of Pure Yang Spiritual Liquid, it could completely mend its wounds and restore its power to its former peak.

With the offensive might of a fully restored Pure Yang Immortal Sword [a sword of the highest purity and Yang alignment] at their disposal, there would be few places in the world they could not venture.

After bidding farewell to the Green Abyss Sword, Eldrin Chen immediately departed from the Water Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual water energy]. He found Old Patriarch on Immortal Apricot Island. Upon meeting him, Eldrin Chen directly explained the situation regarding the restoration of the Heaven's Spine Mountains [a mountain range considered the backbone of the heavens].

After listening, Thalion Chen nodded and said with a smile, "This matter is easily handled."

"Repairing the Heaven's Spine Mountains is not like battling Demonic Monsters; there will be almost no significant casualties. If we recruit cultivators and offer even a modest stipend, many will be willing to participate." Original publication: audio-novel dot com - The source of this chapter.