Chapter 696 : Awakening of a Thousand Lifetimes

"In the dream..."

Seraphina Xia froze, as the hazy fragments of memory gradually sharpened into clarity.

That initial, misty recollection grew ever more tangible and real, as fragments of a past life slowly reflected within the mirror of her mind.

"So, I am Guinevere Xia."

Tears traced silent paths down Seraphina Xia's cheeks. She gazed wordlessly at Eldrin Chen, his image perfectly mirrored in the depths of her pupils,

Then she smiled—a smile glistening with unshed tears and brimming with unspoken thoughts.

"To be born in another time, another world, and yet meet you here again... it truly is wonderful."

"Hmm..."

The heavens and earth grew insubstantial; all things began to fade and dissolve.

The entire dreamscape crumbled into nothingness, leaving only the woman before him as the sole, undeniable reality. Join our community of readers at audio-novel*com.

One after another, the Manjusaka [a mythical flower, often called the "flower of the underworld" or "red spider lily"] bloomed, their crimson blossoms spreading boundlessly between heaven and earth, their appearance exceptionally vivid and alluring.

Between heaven and earth, one butterfly after another took flight from the sea of ten thousand flowers, swirling and dancing around the two figures.

A single Red Dust Dream Butterfly [a mystical butterfly said to contain the memories of an entire lifetime] held the memories of one lifetime. Now, thousands of these butterflies danced gracefully, fluttering bit by bit into the space between the brows of Seraphina Xia.

The cycles of reincarnation from a thousand lifetimes of dreams, the memories of a thousand lifetimes gradually awakened, only to blur once more, transforming into profound insights that settled deep within her heart.

At this moment, Seraphina Xia seemed on the verge of ascension. As the dream butterflies continuously entered her body, the aura surrounding her grew increasingly powerful, and her form became ever more flawless and perfect.

Eldrin Chen stood quietly amidst the sea of ten thousand flowers, simply watching Seraphina Xia in silence, a trace of serene acceptance in his gaze.

After what felt like an eternity, Seraphina Xia opened her bright eyes and said with a smile, "A Millennium [a grand cycle of one thousand years] in the mortal dust, a thousand lifetimes within a dream... in the end, I have still waited for you."

Eldrin Chen stood in silent contemplation. Before him, a single butterfly beat its wings and soared, its fluttering seeming to stir the very fabric of space and time, drawing them together once more.

He extended his hand, allowing the butterfly to alight upon his fingertip, and finally said with a smile, "The Red Dust Dream Butterfly... it allowed me to see you here. For that, I already owe it a thread of karma [a metaphysical cause-and-effect relationship central to cultivation]."

Eldrin Chen awoke from the dream. Looking at the now-roused Verdant Consort before him, he could not help but reveal a serene smile.

Verdant Consort opened her eyes faintly, her gaze shifting subtly toward Eldrin Chen. Yet before she could utter a word, the boundless Demonic Fiend Qi [the corrupt and malevolent energy cultivated by demonic beings] within her body began to surge forth, seeking to devour her consciousness and soul essence.

Faced with such power, even Eldrin Chen felt a tremor of alarm. Verdant Consort, having been invaded by the Demonic Fiend Qi, risked having her will utterly consumed if she awoke recklessly now.

Yet, confronting the erosion of the Demonic Fiend Qi, Verdant Consort remained remarkably composed. Far from resisting its encroachment, she instead harnessed this infinite Demonic Fiend Qi to cultivate a supreme and peerless art.

Within the sea of her consciousness, a single Verdant Lotus bloomed. This pristine lotus grew amidst an endless ocean of Demonic Path [the way of cultivation followed by demons and malevolent beings] Mana [the refined spiritual energy used to cast spells and techniques], its purity and sanctity shining all the brighter for the foulness that surrounded it.

The Dao fruits [the tangible results or realizations of one's cultivation path] from Verdant Consort's thousand lifetimes of reincarnation converged into one. Her awakening in this moment triggered a transformation of staggering magnitude.

The Verdant Lotus took root in the boundless Demonic Qi [demonic energy], ceaselessly drawing upon the Demonic Path Mana as nourishment. Ultimately, it catalyzed a wondrous metamorphosis in the surrounding Mana and even the Demonic Path Nascent Soul [the embryonic form of a cultivator's immortal spirit, a core cultivation stage].

Her Demonic Path Mana transformed into an unprecedented Verdant Lotus Magical Power [a mystical force born of the Verdant Lotus], while her Demonic Path Nascent Soul evolved to manifest a Verdant Lotus Immortal Embryo [an immortal spiritual embryo shaped like a verdant lotus].

"Emerging unstained from the filth, washed pure by clear ripples yet free from ostentation."

Eldrin Chen murmured the ancient verse, a flicker of profound astonishment crossing his features.

The Mana born from Verdant Consort's metamorphosis was truly extraordinary. The Verdant Lotus Magical Power was a secret force of perfect balance and harmony, impervious to the corruption and inherent counters of all Demonic Path Mana. It possessed the power to cleanse and purge impurities from others.

Moreover, this type of Mana [a refined spiritual energy] can grow by absorbing the power of Demonic Fiend Qi [the corrupt, demonic variant of spiritual energy], making it exceptionally effective at countering Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use demonic energy] Mana.

One could say the profound mysteries of this Mana are not inferior to Eldrin Chen's Heavenly Flame Arcane Force [a divine ability of heavenly fire]. It is an incredibly subtle and wondrous secret force, likely the envy of many Nascent Soul Dao Lord [cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm who have comprehended a Dao].

Not only that, the Verdant Lotus Immortal Embryo [an immortal-grade constitution resembling a verdant lotus] was also astonishing. This immortal embryo was born from the transformation of Verdant Consort's Demonic Path [the path of demonic cultivation] Nascent Soul [the spiritual core formed after the Golden Core stage].

That Demonic Path Nascent Soul had already reached the level of a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul aligned with the Heavenly Dao]. Now, having undergone this even more astounding metamorphosis, although this Nascent Soul was not a Great Luo Nascent Soul [the highest theoretical grade of Nascent Soul], it was already not far behind.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen could not suppress the tremor in his heart. "The Red Dust Butterfly Dream Technique [a cultivation art of dreams within the mortal world] is truly astounding," he thought. "To forge such a foundation from a thousand lifetimes in a dream... No wonder legends say that achieving perfection through three thousand lifetimes allows one to ascend to immortality on the spot."

Holding this thought, Eldrin Chen steadied his mind. He took Verdant Consort's hand and said, "Guinevere, your return from a thousand dream-lifetimes has forged an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] foundation. From now on, you can finally walk this path by my side." This novel is serialized on audio-novel-dot-com. Visit for updates.

"I do not know if Seraphina Xia reincarnated into me, or if I dreamed of being Seraphina Xia," she replied softly.

"But being able to see you again... that is enough for me."

Verdant Consort gazed at him intently, her words sincere. She clasped his hand tightly, as if never wishing to let go.

After awakening Verdant Consort, Eldrin Chen calculated the time and discovered, to his surprise, that thirty years had already passed.

Thus, after a moment of hesitation, he smiled and said, "It is time for us to emerge from seclusion."

Without further words, the two of them walked out from within the Seclusion Chamber.

"Husband."

Lyra Jiang had been waiting outside the Seclusion Chamber for quite some time. The moment the chamber's doors opened, she spoke with evident delight.

Yet, in an instant, her expression froze slightly, her gaze fixed directly on their clasped hands.

A strange tremor passed through Eldrin Chen's heart, and a wave of complex emotions flashed within him. For a moment, he found himself at a loss for how to explain.

Verdant Consort, however, remained perfectly composed. She glanced at Lyra Jiang and said, "Lyra, it has been a long time."

But as she spoke, her brow also furrowed slightly, catching the nuance in Lyra Jiang's address. Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Eldrin Chen.

Under the simultaneous scrutiny of both women, Eldrin Chen felt a sudden prickle on his scalp. For the first time in his life, he experienced the urge to flee.

Fortunately, his Dao Heart [the cultivated, unwavering core of a cultivator's will and spirit] remained steadfast. Summoning his courage, he said with a thick skin, "Please, both of you, allow me to explain the matter in full…"

He steeled himself and recounted the matter in broad strokes. After listening, the two women fell into a profound silence.

In the end, it was Lyra Jiang who stood up. She shot Eldrin Chen a fierce glare, then took Verdant Consort by the arm, saying, "Come, Verdant Consort. Let us leave. This faithless scoundrel can go cool his heels elsewhere."

"Agreed," Verdant Consort replied with a smile. "It has been many years since we sisters last met. It is high time we caught up."

She then linked arms with Lyra Jiang, and together they walked deeper into the peach grove.

Eldrin Chen: "…"

Regardless, the initial awkwardness of the meeting was thus, at last, dispelled.

Watching the two depart, Eldrin Chen finally let out a sigh of relief. He decided to leave Spirit Isle Lake altogether and headed instead for Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Upon Verdant Chariot Mountain, he found Thalion Chen, who had just emerged from his own period of secluded cultivation.

Now, several decades later, thanks to the miraculous Spirit Pill [a potent elixir for cultivation and healing] obtained through an earlier exchange, the Old Patriarch's injuries were mostly healed.

The Old Patriarch was currently overseeing clan affairs. Seeing Eldrin Chen, he said, "You have finally emerged. How did your seclusion go?"

"Proceeded smoothly enough," Eldrin Chen nodded, conveying the news of Verdant Consort's awakening to him. He then inquired, "How has the clan fared these past years?" For the best reading experience, visit audio—novel.com.