Chapter 642 : The Patriarch's Decisive Visit

With this thought, Eldrin Chen sighed and said, "If Uncle Lior fails his breakthrough attempt this time, he will need to consume a Spirit Life-Extending Elixir [a rare pill that can extend a cultivator's lifespan] for his next attempt."

He then thought of Ethan Chen and inquired, "How is Ethan's cultivation progressing lately?"

"His progress is swift. He has already reached the Golden Core 8th Tier [the eighth stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm]."

Mentioning Ethan Chen caused Eternal Profound Chen to unconsciously stroke his beard.

Although Ethan Chen only broke through to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation] in his three hundred and eighties, his Superior-Tier Golden Core [a high-grade foundation for the Golden Core realm] talent was undeniable. After comprehending the truths of life and death, his cultivation advanced with astonishing speed. It seemed he could reach the Infant Soul [the fourth major realm of cultivation, where the cultivator's soul begins to take form] within a single Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, a significant unit of time in fate and cultivation].

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen shook his head with a wry smile. "Ethan possesses extraordinary talent. Having transcended the mortal coil of life and death, his path is now firmly set. It is a pity our clan no longer possesses any Heavenly Path Energy [a supreme spiritual energy that can greatly aid in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks]."

"And his remaining lifespan... is not particularly abundant either."

The Old Patriarch [the venerable leader of the clan] sighed inwardly. Ethan Chen's fortune was ill-timed. The next Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare celestial event where heaven and earth align, unleashing vast spiritual energy] was still over seven hundred years away—a wait he could not afford.

After a long moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen declared, "I shall go and see him."

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Departing from Immortal Apricot Island, Eldrin Chen found Ethan Chen on Heavenly Sword Island.

Heavenly Sword Island was one of the largest Spirit Island within the Vast Sea. Beneath this Spirit Island lay a Fourth Rank Superior Grade Gold Vein [a vein of ore rich in metallic spiritual energy, often used for forging weapons], which had nurtured a Sword Cleansing Pool.

In recent years, Ethan Chen had been stationed on Heavenly Sword Island, spending his days seated by the Sword Cleansing Pool contemplating Sword Intent [the profound conceptual essence and willpower embodied within a swordsman's technique].

Within the Sword Cleansing Pool at this moment, Ethan Chen, clad in a black robe, had a pair of Celestial Abyss Twin Swords radiating brilliant light around him, their aura resonating with the Sword Intent within the pool.

Ethan Chen had been renowned for many years. Although his pair of Celestial Abyss Twin Swords could not compare to Eldrin Chen's Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword, they were considered peerless even among Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure.

Yet today, this pair of peerless Immortal Sword differed greatly from Eldrin Chen's Celestial Abyss Twin Swords; the formation patterns inscribed within them had undergone significant changes.

More crucially, at this moment, a sword-like mark flickered between Ethan Chen's brows, and his entire being was enveloped by a powerful Sword Intent, as if he himself were a sword driven into the earth.

Eldrin Chen stood watching from a distance for a long while before Ethan Chen finally lowered his gaze, opened his eyes, and looked calmly at Eldrin Chen. "Greetings, Uncle," he said.

"Excellent."

A smile of profound satisfaction spread across Eldrin Chen's face. "You have finally stepped out from my shadow," he declared, "and forged your own path."

"However..." His voice trailed off momentarily before he sighed and continued, "The path of a pure Sword Cultivator [a cultivator who focuses exclusively on the way of the sword] demands an unyielding spirit that would rather break than bend. It is a far more perilous road than the ordinary path of cultivation."

"I understand."

Ethan Chen nodded. With a clear, resonant *clang*, a Polarity [the fundamental duality of yin and yang]-dual-colored Sword Core [the crystallized essence of a sword cultivator's power, akin to a Golden Core] flew forth from within him, radiating boundless Sword Intent [the conceptual will and sharpness embodied by a sword cultivator].

The Celestial Abyss Twin Swords had undergone a startling transformation. The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword now thrummed with a domineering, annihilating aura, while the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword brimmed with vibrant, life-giving vitality.

"The Sword Path Golden Core, and the Life and Death Twin Swords."

"Henceforth, my pair of Lifebound Immortal Sword [swords bound to a cultivator's life force] shall be known as the Solar Fire Extinction Sword and the Positive Water Rebirth Sword."

"Magnificent swords."

Eldrin Chen praised. In this world, no force is inherently superior or inferior; the true measure lies solely in the one who wields it.

Ethan Chen had pierced through the veil of life and death, weaving that understanding into his very Sword Intent. The Solar Fire Extinction Sword was a blade of tyrannical Oblivion [the state of utter annihilation and nothingness], while the Positive Water Rebirth Sword nurtured all things, overflowing with boundless life force.

The power embodied by this pair of Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal grade] signified that Ethan Chen had finally forged his own path, stepping out from the shadow of Eldrin Chen.

At this thought, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh and said, "I offer you two paths. Choose for yourself."

"The first: I shall prepare for you a wisp of Earth Mother Energy [a profound spiritual essence embodying the nurturing power of the earth]. With it, you may forge your Earthly Path Infant Soul [a foundational spiritual core aligned with the earthly element]."

"The second: Journey across the lands. When the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, cataclysmic eruption of demonic energy from a great abyss] arrives, slay a single Infant Soul [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's nascent soul is formed] demon. At that time, I shall swallow my pride and borrow a Heavenly Path Energy [a rare and potent spiritual essence aligned with the heavenly element] from the Ji Clan for you."

Ethan Chen did not reply immediately. Instead, he rose to his full height. "To consecrate my sword with the blood of a True Lord [the fourth major realm of cultivation, a master of profound power]... that is indeed a fascinating challenge."

"..."

Upon returning to Spirit Isle Lake, Eldrin Chen settled into a period of deep and undisturbed cultivation. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel . com.

Time flowed like a swift river. In the blink of an eye, a full Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, considered significant in fate and destiny] had passed. On this day, while cultivating the Polarity Mutual Cultivation Covenant [a dual cultivation art that harmonizes opposing energies] with Exquisite Jiang, Eldrin Chen suddenly felt his spiritual power become perfectly rounded and flawless, reaching the absolute limit of the Infant Soul 3rd Tier.

Perceiving this, he spoke, "My lady, I have touched the threshold of the Infant Soul Mid Stage."

"Oh?"

A flicker of joy crossed Exquisite Jiang's features. Over these years, their frequent dual cultivation had allowed their energies to complement each other, accelerating her own progress significantly. However, she estimated she still needed another decade or so of cultivation to reach a state of perfect completion.

Little did he expect that Eldrin Chen would advance even faster, finally touching the threshold of the Infant Soul realm [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed].

Thinking of Eldrin Chen's imminent breakthrough to the Infant Soul Mid Stage, she said with delight, "Then let us begin the alchemical refinement."

In truth, given Eldrin Chen's innate talent, he could have broken through to the Infant Soul Mid Stage directly even without the aid of the Earthly Path Pill [a rare pill that aids in comprehending the earthly path of cultivation]. However, without the pill's assistance, he would have needed to temper his spiritual power for five hundred years.

Eldrin Chen naturally had no time to waste, and thus prepared to begin refining the Earthly Path Pill.

Refining the Earthly Path Pill not only required the exceedingly precious Earth Mother Energy [the primordial essence of the earth], but also a vast quantity of high-grade Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy] as supplementary ingredients. Even an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan led by Infant Soul realm cultivators] would need many years of accumulation to gather the materials for a single batch.

If a rogue cultivator wished to refine a batch, merely collecting the thousands of supplementary herbs would likely take centuries, otherwise they would have to pay a significant premium.

Fortunately, the Chen Clan had long been preparing. The required supplementary herbs had already been gathered through various channels, sparing Eldrin Chen the trouble.

The Earthly Path Pill was a Fifth Rank Mid-Grade pill [a pill of the fifth rank, mid-grade quality]. Even a Fifth Rank Mid-Grade alchemist could only produce one or two pills per batch. Luckily, Eldrin Chen's alchemical skill had already reached the Fifth Rank High-Grade level, making the refinement process far from troublesome for him.

The two used the Crimson Phoenix Furnace [an enchanted furnace shaped like a crimson phoenix] as their cauldron. After more than a year of meticulous work, they finally succeeded in refining the Earthly Path Pill.

"Four pills successfully formed. A rather satisfactory result."

Gazing at the four Earthly Path Pill [a potent elixir that aids in advancing one's cultivation path] before him, a smile touched the lips of Eldrin Chen.

Producing four pills from a single alchemical refinement was no small feat. Even among Fifth Rank High-Grade [a high level of mastery in the art of pill refinement] alchemists, his skill could be considered quite respectable.

Exquisite Jiang also offered a gentle smile before speaking thoughtfully, "Violet Consort has also cultivated her cultivation base to the Infant Soul 3rd Tier [the third stage of the Infant Soul realm]. We should reserve one of these Earthly Path Pill for her as well."

"Agreed. We shall do as you suggest."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, retrieving one of the Earthly Path Pill. "My lady, please stand guard for me," he said.

With the Earthly Path Pill in hand, Eldrin Chen immediately entered seclusion to break through to the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Infant Soul realm]. Given his foundation of a Great Encompassing Infant Soul [a supremely stable and vast foundation at the Infant Soul stage], this advancement was as natural and inevitable as water flowing downhill.

Merely a little over a year later, Eldrin Chen shattered the barrier of the Infant Soul Mid Stage and successfully ascended to the Infant Soul 4th Tier [the fourth tier within the Infant Soul realm].

Upon reaching the Infant Soul Mid Stage, his spiritual energy [the vital power cultivated by practitioners] surged once more, increasing by half. With his exceptionally profound foundation, while his energy reserves still fell short of a Heavenly Path Foundation [a foundation aligned with the Heavenly Path, representing supreme potential] cultivator at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the late phase of the Infant Soul realm], they were now roughly comparable to a cultivator at the Infant Soul 7th Tier who followed the Earthly Path [a cultivation art aligned with the Earthly Path].

However, having relied on external aid for his breakthrough, he would need to spend three hundred years tempering and refining his spiritual energy to achieve the same purity as a natural Infant Soul Late Stage cultivator.

Yet this posed no true difficulty for Eldrin Chen. Once he elevated his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life and soul, growing with them] to the Fifth Rank High-Grade level, he could harness its power to assist in the tempering and purification of his spiritual energy. Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.