Chapter 631 : The Dream Weaver's Awakening

Verdant Ruins Path Lord spoke to this point, his gaze heavy as he looked at Verdant Consort, 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 true Immortals reside], there have even been Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] who sank into it for three thousand lifetimes, never to awaken again."

"Verdant Consort was too young when she entered the dream, and she has been cultivating the Mortal Dust Dream Butterfly Art [an esoteric technique that involves reincarnating through dream worlds to temper the soul] 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 undergone Dreamwalking Reincarnation [the process of living successive dream lives] for eight hundred lifetimes. 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 Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master whose spiritual core has fully formed and ascended to a higher state of being] 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 help?"

"You can indeed help."

Verdant Ruins Path Lord nodded, then spoke. "The reason I sought you out is that I divined long ago that you are the key to Verdant Child's awakening."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen was taken aback. Seeing this, the Verdant Void Path Lord continued, "Your Heavenly Flame Magical Power [a divine ability that channels the purifying flames of heaven] can suppress the Demonic Path [a cultivation methodology that draws power from dark, chaotic, or destructive sources] energy and the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent, corrupting spiritual force] within her body. Perhaps you can find a method to help her recover." Continue your cultivation journey at https://audio-novel.com.

"Therefore, I wish to entrust this task to you, to ask for your help in awakening her."

"Awakening?"

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

Exquisite Jiang's expression shifted subtly, yet she spoke: "Martial Uncle cultivates the art of Celestial Mechanism [a profound divination technique that perceives hidden opportunities and fate], allowing him to sense opportunities hidden within the unseen threads of destiny. It seems Verdant Consort can indeed be saved."

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

"I shall trouble you with this."

Verdant Ruins Path Lord nodded. With a flick of his sleeve, he handed a jade slip to the two of them. "This contains the method of the Mortal Dust Dream Butterfly Art [an esoteric cultivation art that allows one to enter and navigate the dreamscapes of others' souls]. You may take it to study briefly, but remember, you must not rashly attempt to cultivate it yourselves."

"We understand."

The two nodded and carefully stored away the jade slip.

Seeing this, Verdant Ruins Path Lord sighed and said to Eldrin Chen and the others, "You may withdraw for now. I wish to speak a few words with Verdant Consort alone."

"As you command."

Only after the two had departed did he turn his gaze to Verdant Consort and say, "The Heavenly Flame Magical Power of Eldrin Chen is extraordinary. In the future, even after your spirit recovers, it will ensure you are not utterly corrupted by the Demonic Fiendish Energy."

"Moreover, I have an ineffable sense that the future of Returning Abyss is boundless. I fear that even after entering the Immortal Realm [the higher plane of existence for ascended beings], he will become a figure of immense significance."

"Therefore, I used a supreme Divine Ability [a powerful supernatural technique] to forge a bond of marriage between you two. Even if Exquisite Jiang harbors resentment, at worst, this old man will go to the Netherworld Underworld Court [the court of the underworld] to speak with her father when the time comes."

Verdant Consort's expression remained unchanged, her pupils calm and unrippled as she gazed at him, her demeanor perpetually icy.

Verdant Ruins Path Lord spoke on, heedless of his own dignity as he sat upon the ground, his gaze filled with reluctant affection. "My child, by the time you awaken from this dream of illusions, I may have already been completely seized by the Demon God [a powerful entity of malevolent chaos], my Life Soul [the core of one's being and destiny] under its control."

"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 your father. But in the last moments of my lucidity, to have found you someone reliable to depend upon... that is the final thing I, as your father, can do for you."

Verdant Consort listened in silence, her demeanor cool and detached, uttering not a word. She was devoid of the seven emotions and Six Desires [the fundamental human passions and yearnings], stripped of the capacity for being moved or feeling anguish, and had not shed tears for many years.

"To be without the seven emotions and Six Desires, to be free from bearing pain and vexation... sometimes that is not such a bad thing."

The Verdant Ruins Path Lord smiled faintly and shook his head. "Go," he said. "From now on, you shall follow that Eldrin Chen."

"..."

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang emerged from Fallen Deity Ridge, and this time they were accompanied by Verdant Consort as well.

She wore several special Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] that suppressed the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and corrupting energy] and Demonic Path [a cultivation method aligned with demonic forces] spiritual power within her. Clad now in a verdant gown, her flawless figure and countenance could truly be said to be peerless in the world.

She appeared more like a peerless immortal maiden who had descended from beyond the heavens. In terms of grace and beauty, she was not the slightest bit inferior to Exquisite Jiang; one could only say they each possessed their own unique splendor.

The trio returned to Spirit Isle Lake. Lila immediately threw herself into his arms, trembling slightly with emotion. "It's good that you're safe," she said. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel.com (official site).

Eternal Profound Chen soon arrived as well. Seeing they were unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief before asking, "What exactly happened?"

"This matter is of too great import. It is not yet the time to speak of it in detail."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang but ultimately shook his head, deciding not to spread word of the events.

Eternal Profound Chen cast a look at Verdant Consort and said no more on the subject. "It is enough that you have returned safely," he stated simply. "I shall recall the men."

During this period, the Chen Clan had conducted an extensive search for the two individuals, creating quite a stir. Fortunately, the pair returned relatively early; otherwise, the clan would likely have had to comb through the vicinity of several major continents along their presumed route.

With their safe return, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. After convening a brief meeting, the matter was considered settled.

Eldrin Chen finally allowed himself a moment of respite. He then gathered with Exquisite Jiang and Lila. As the three of them shared a bed day and night, it was impossible to keep the situation hidden from Lila, so he informed her of the circumstances.

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

"The seven emotions and Six Desires [the six sensory desires: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought] offer little benefit to cultivation. In truth, my current state is quite satisfactory. Why should I possess the seven emotions and Six Desires?"

Verdant Consort's cool, detached gaze settled on Lila as she spoke, her eyes devoid of warmth.

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

"A person stripped of the seven emotions and Six Desires, devoid of humanity, would be nothing more than a puppet to the Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of cultivation], even upon achieving immortality."

"I disagree," Verdant Consort shook her head. "Cultivators of the Demonic Path [a cultivation methodology that often harnesses darker energies and desires] drown in their desires, unable to extricate themselves, and thus rarely attain the true Great Path [the ultimate, enlightened Dao]."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly before he spoke. "It is true that most Demonic Path cultivators are ensnared by their desires, which prevents them from becoming true Demon God [a supreme rank among demonic beings]."

"If a righteous path cultivator loses their seven emotions and Six Desires [the six fundamental desires of sentient beings], then even if they attain immortality, they will become a puppet of the Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of the cosmos], ultimately dissolving and merging into the Path Principles."

"Therefore, an Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation] must guard their true heart, and a Demon God [a powerful entity born of demonic energy and desire] must control their desires, not abandon their seven emotions and Six Desires."

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 no joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure. I have no desires. My true self lies dormant. Can you awaken her?"

Eldrin Chen took the Mortal Dust Dream Butterfly Art [a profound cultivation art centered on experiencing reincarnation within dreams] and pondered for a moment before speaking. "I will find a way. However, you have now undergone Dreamwalking Reincarnation [the process of experiencing successive lifetimes within a dream state] for more than eight hundred lifetimes. The opportunity of the thousandth lifetime is not far off."

"Awakening too early might undo all the progress made. Thus, there is no need to rush the awakening of your true self."

"I understand."

Verdant Consort nodded, then returned to her cave abode to enter secluded cultivation. Experience the full epic at audio - novel . com.