Chapter 738 : The Fivefold Path to Ascension

At this moment, he was but a single step away from comprehending the Metal-Attributed Secret Power [a profound and esoteric force derived from the fundamental laws of reality]. To abandon now would not only waste the Golden Vein Spirit Jade [a precious jade imbued with potent metallic spiritual essence], but a deep-seated reluctance also churned within his heart.

An ineffable intuition whispered to him that only by simultaneously mastering all five types of Secret Power could one forge a foundation of truly peerless, world-shaking potential.

Furthermore, his current Celestial Fire True Water Arcane Power [a divine ability born from the fusion of celestial fire and primordial water] was still in a relatively nascent stage. Once he broke through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual core ascends to a primordial state], and as his Secret Power grew increasingly potent, it would become ever more difficult to comprehend a third type of Mana [the refined spiritual energy wielded by cultivators].

This would be especially true after achieving immortality. Given the domineering, supremely singular nature of Immortal Dao Laws [the fundamental laws of the Dao that govern immortal beings], how could they possibly tolerate him attempting to comprehend a third Secret Power? It was likely any nascent comprehension would be instantly devoured and consumed.

"If I let this opportunity slip away now, I fear there will never be another chance to cultivate all five Secret Power simultaneously."

With this thought crystallizing in his mind, the gaze of Eldrin Chen grew only more resolute.

He gathered every ounce of his Mana and mental focus, pouring the totality of his heart and mind into the act of profound contemplation.

"Boom—"

Time lost all meaning. After what could have been moments or eons, Eldrin Chen suddenly felt as if he had pierced through a thin, intangible membrane, entering an indescribable, supreme state of being.

He found himself within an ocean of Secret Power. Mysterious sources of light, one after another, manifested before him. Each was wreathed in intricate, swirling Dao Patterns [visible manifestations of the Dao's principles], radiating the primal, source-like power of the Metal Vein Source [the foundational wellspring of metallic spiritual energy]. This content originates from audio-novel`com. Please respect copyright.

Immortal Divine Gold [a legendary metal embodying the Dao of indestructibility], Great Dao Immortal Gold [a legendary metal embodying the Dao of supreme magical arts], Immortal-Slaying Dao Gold [a legendary metal embodying the Dao of ultimate sword-based slaughter], and Primordial Chaos Gold [a legendary metal embodying the primal origin of all metallic forces].

A single strand of Dao Gold [a supreme metallic essence embodying a fundamental law of the cosmos] Secret Power [a profound and esoteric law of reality that can be comprehended and harnessed] manifested before Eldrin Chen. Each one, when cultivated to its ultimate pinnacle, represented the manifestation of a Great Dao [a fundamental, universal principle or law] within the mortal realm.

Immortal Divine Gold contained a power of indestructibility and immortality. It was said to be the manifestation of the Dao of Unyielding Imperishability within the mortal dust. Once mastered, it granted a strength that could withstand ten thousand Kalpas [immense cosmic cycles] without defeat.

Eldrin Chen understood clearly that this was a path leading straight to the heavens. Legend held that if one could comprehend this particular law of the Great Dao, combine it with a method for achieving immortality through physical body refinement, and finally condense a Dao Fruit [the ultimate crystallization of one's cultivation and comprehension], one could ultimately achieve sainthood through the physical body.

Such an existence, once cultivated to the realm of a Great Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the Great Luo realm], would be a Great Luo Golden Immortal who had achieved sainthood through the flesh. Their power would rank among the most formidable even amidst other Great Luo Immortal Lord [a title for a supreme immortal sovereign of the Great Luo realm].

Correspondingly, Great Dao Immortal Gold was the Divine Metal [a metal of divine or supreme quality] of Daoist magical arts. Comprehending this law meant that cultivating any Divine Ability [a supernatural power or technique derived from profound cultivation] would proceed with unparalleled smoothness, and their unleashed power would be vastly amplified. This path, too, pointed directly toward the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

Immortal-Slaying Dao Gold was the essential law Secret Power for any Sword Immortal [a cultivator whose path and power are centered on the sword]. This metallic Secret Power possessed peerless slaughtering prowess; its destructive force was hailed as the foremost among all Five Elements Arcane Power [profound powers derived from the fundamental forces of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth].

Primordial Chaos Gold was hailed as the origin of all metallic sources. Although it lacked the esoteric mystery of the other three Secret Power, it was said that cultivating it to its extreme could allow one to comprehend a trace of innate Primordial Chaos [the primordial, undifferentiated state of existence before the cosmos formed] power—a force that pointed directly to the realm of a Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [a mythical sage who stands at the very origin of the Dao itself].

Eldrin Chen did not hesitate overlong. He chose this 'Chaos Gold' Secret Power.

Although 'Primordial Chaos Gold' fell short of 'Immortal-Slaying Dao Gold' in pure slaughter, could not match 'Great Dao Immortal Gold' in Daoist arts, and lacked the defensive supremacy of 'Immortal Divine Gold', it conversely possessed no glaring weakness.

This Secret Power [a unique and potent energy derived from comprehending a fundamental law of the world] is profound, refined, and unified in its primordial nature. Once mastered, it greatly enhances the potency of his attacks, the resilience of his defenses, and even the density and purity of his Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners], offering immense benefits from the outset.

Most crucially, the Primordial Chaos Gold [a conceptual metal representing the primordial, undifferentiated state of creation] Secret Power possesses the least exclusivity. This significantly reduces the difficulty for Eldrin Chen when he later seeks to comprehend a fourth Secret Power.

"*Hummm—*"

As Eldrin Chen successfully cultivated the 'Primordial Chaos Gold' Secret Power, a third formidable stream of Mana was born and began to circulate within his body.

The Celestial Fire [a divine ability channeling the purifying flames of heaven] and the True Water Magical Power [a divine ability commanding the profound essence of true water] intertwined. Facing this newborn Mana, they immediately joined forces, attempting to forcibly refine and assimilate this primordial Secret Power.

Fortunately, the primordial Mana proved extraordinary. It feared neither the scorching burn of the Pure Yang Fire [a divine ability of pure, unadulterated solar fire] nor the chilling, corrosive cold of the Profound Abyss Water [a divine ability of water drawn from the deepest, coldest abyss]. Enduring the erosion of both forces, a unified, primordial power steadfastly resisted the assault of fire and water.

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief. It was fortunate the third Secret Power he had comprehended was that of Primordial Metal. Had it been a Wood-attribute Secret Power, a major conflict would likely have erupted, forcing him to expend immense mental effort constantly to control his Mana.

And had he chosen a Secret Power like 'Immortal-Slaying Dao Gold' [a conceptual metal representing the ultimate sharpness and lethality of the Sword Dao], a supreme Secret Power of the Sword Dao [the profound path and principles of the sword], his internal energies would likely be in utter chaos by now, warring fiercely against each other.

As it was, the Chaos Gold [an abbreviated name for Primordial Chaos Gold] embraced all, allowing the two other Secret Power to erode it without retaliation. This paradoxically required far less effort from Eldrin Chen to control the Mana flowing within him.

"Let them temper each other," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a flicker of joy surfacing in his heart.

Although comprehending this third Secret Power [a profound and esoteric ability derived from deep cultivation insights] did not grant him a massive surge in strength, he harbored a distinct intuition. Once he simultaneously mastered five distinct Secret Power, a truly astonishing transformation would undoubtedly occur.

"For now, I should focus on advancing to the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier [the sixth minor stage within the Nascent Soul realm, a significant milestone in a cultivator's journey]," he decided.

Setting aside other thoughts, Eldrin Chen immediately began the process of breaking through to the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier.

Thanks to the gains from the continent's ascension, the progress of his Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's dantian] had been extraordinarily swift. Now, after refining the Chaos Gold [a primordial metallic essence containing chaotic energies] and absorbing its Secret Power, he finally felt the threshold of the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier within his grasp.

With his current profound foundation, breaking through such a minor realm was as simple as reaching out and taking it. In merely half a month, he succeeded, cultivating his way into the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier. At this point, only three hundred years had passed since the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving the eruption of demonic energies from a deep abyss]. Original publication: audio-novel . com - The source of this chapter.

The moment he emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed meditation and cultivation], he found Lyra Jiang had been waiting for him for some time.

Seeing him exit, Lyra Jiang spoke directly: "Verdant Consort has recently completed her cultivation cycle and is preparing to attempt a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Nascent Soul realm]."

"So soon?" Eldrin Chen's eyes lit up, but then he frowned. "Our Immortal Clan [a clan or family whose members pursue immortality through cultivation] lacks Heavenly Dao Qi [Heavenly Dao Qi, a pure and potent energy aligned with the Heavenly Dao, essential for high-level breakthroughs]. It is time we prepare to acquire some."

Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement. "Considering the timing, the Feathered Pavilion Master will soon be attempting his own breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a higher state of being beyond the Nascent Soul]. If we offer him two Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [magical treasures of the highest quality, immensely powerful artifacts] in exchange for some Heavenly Dao Qi, he will undoubtedly be willing."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen also gave a nod of agreement.

For Feathered Pavilion Master to attempt his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a higher state of being], he would undoubtedly need to use a Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to substitute for a tribulation. Furthermore, to survive the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation [the cataclysmic trial of lightning and calamity one must endure to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm], only a Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [a treasure of the highest quality and power] could barely suffice as a consumable item.

However, Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure are immensely precious. For most Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan or family with a Nascent Soul realm cultivator as its foundation], such treasures are their Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of ultimate power used to protect and ensure the longevity of a clan]. Who would be willing to sell such a thing merely to help another pass their Primordial Spirit tribulation?

It was only because the Chen Clan had successively slain powerful enemies at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Nascent Soul cultivation realm] that they had one or two spare Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure available for sale.

Just at that moment, a streak of light flew in from beyond the heavens. It turned out to be a letter.

Eldrin Chen took the letter and, after reading it, said with a smile, "What a coincidence. The Feathered Pavilion Master has sent a letter requesting my presence to assist him in overcoming his tribulation."

"Then let us go together," Lyra Jiang said.

Lyra Jiang nodded, a solemn expression settling on her features.

For cultivators like them, who aspired to break through to the Primordial Spirit, witnessing a Primordial Spirit tribulation firsthand was an opportunity not to be missed.

Early the next morning, without further delay, the group set off directly for the Qingluan Continent.

This time, those setting forth were not limited to Eldrin Chen. He was accompanied by Lyra Jiang, the Verdant Enchantress [a powerful and mysterious female cultivator], Kael Chen, and several others.

Upon their arrival at the Azure Avian Continent [a continent named after the mythical Azure Simurgh], the group was warmly received by the Feathered Pavilion Master. The moment he laid eyes on Eldrin Chen and his companions, his face lit up with joy. "With your esteemed assistance this time," he exclaimed, "this old man finally has the confidence to face his Heavenly Tribulation [a catastrophic trial of heavenly punishment that cultivators must face to advance to higher realms]!" The complete novel can be found at audio-novel*com.