Chapter 744 : The Essence of Ascension

For over a thousand years, save for those rare moments when he was utterly unable to extricate himself, he had ceaselessly drawn upon the essence of the sun and moon, transforming it into Primordial Essence [the most fundamental and purest form of spiritual energy]. In total, he had converted approximately one hundred and Three Strands of Primordial Violet Qi [a highly refined spiritual energy of supreme quality].

However, a significant portion was expended on advancing so many Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots [rare spiritual plants that anchor and nourish the spiritual energy of a region] and elevating his five Lifebound Spiritual Treasures [a cultivator's personally bonded magical artifacts that grow with them].

Upon careful accounting, among the six Fifth Rank Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots [high-grade spiritual plants of the fifth rank], he had consumed a total of eighteen strands of Primordial Essence. The five Lifebound Spiritual Treasures had also devoured twenty strands of Primordial Essence.

Adding the consumption for enhancing the foundations of Old Patriarch and myself, along with the advancement of the Great Luo Immortal Metal [a legendary metal used for forging supreme artifacts], the total expenditure amounted to roughly forty-some strands of Primordial Essence.

Thus, the remaining Primordial Essence stood at around sixty strands. While this number might seem substantial, it was, in truth, far from sufficient.

According to Eldrin Chen's calculations, advancing a single Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure imbued with the pure essence of the sun] would require approximately nine strands of Primordial Essence.

For myself alone, the five Lifebound Spiritual Treasures would demand forty-five strands of Primordial Essence in the future.

Furthermore, to shatter the shackles and allow a Fifth Rank Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root to ascend to the Sixth Rank [the sixth major tier of power for spiritual objects] realm would also require nine strands of Primordial Essence.

The clan's six Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots would need fifty-four strands, bringing the combined total to ninety-nine strands of Primordial Essence.

This calculation did not even account for the future needs of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary sea of eternal flames, a perilous and potent cultivation ground]. If included, the required amount would undoubtedly increase yet again. Read the full novel exclusively on www . audio-novel.com.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen shook his head with a bitter smile. "To accelerate the advancement speed of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root that can absorb the essence of heaven and earth] using Primordial Essence [the purest form of foundational spiritual energy], six plants would require eighteen strands of Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial energy of the Heavenly Dao, the cosmic order]. That would leave only a little over forty strands remaining."

"Enough," he sighed. "The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root is the clan's supreme treasure, pivotal to the future Dao paths of you, me, and the clan's Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms an infant soul, a major leap in power] cultivators. They must be promoted regardless."

In the end, Eldrin Chen steeled his resolve. He expended eighteen pieces of Primordial Essence to drastically accelerate the advancement of all the clan's Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root plants.

Time flowed like a swift river, and nearly a century passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Eldrin Chen sat within his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for undisturbed meditation and cultivation], his expression one of profound gravity.

Within his sea of consciousness at that moment, two sources of light—one crimson, one azure—erupted with dazzling divine radiance. Countless Dao Patterns [intricate, luminous patterns that embody fundamental laws of the Dao] intertwined and merged, finally coalescing into a single, supremely resonant Dao Patterns of the Twofold Aspect.

"I have finally succeeded in forging it!"

Eldrin Chen's eyes snapped open, an uncontrollable surge of wild joy breaking through his usual composure.

Given his current temperament, ordinary matters could scarcely stir him. Yet today, he had lost his customary calm.

For the Dao Patterns he had perfected was none other than a genuine Supreme Pure Yang Divine Ability [a supreme-level divine art of the Pure Yang aspect]—the 'Twofold Divine Aegis' [a divine protective art harnessing the power of dual opposing forces].

This Twofold Divine Aegis is the supreme Great Divine Ability [a pinnacle-level supernatural power] of the Vast Sea Chen Clan. While the precise origins and lineage of its inheritance have grown somewhat obscure over time, its might is truly peerless under the heavens.

In his era, Verdant Daoist mastered this very 'Twofold Divine Aegis' and relied upon it to roam the world unopposed, standing invincible. Even Hemlock the Bloodweaver, wielding the 'Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade' [a demonic divine blade that transforms blood], could not best him in single combat.

With this Twofold Divine Aegis, it is estimated that Verdant Daoist had at least an eighty percent chance of successfully weathering his Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation [the catastrophic heavenly trial required to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm].

Had it not been for the intervention of the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor back then, Verdant Daoist would likely have long since achieved his Dao. Consequently, The Vast Sea would have become the fourth Human Race Dao Lord Sacred Land [a sacred land ruled by a Human Dao Lord] in the Eastern Wastelands over a Millennium ago.

Now, Eldrin Chen has not only cultivated the Twofold Divine Aegis to mastery but has surpassed Verdant Daoist's attainment, reaching the Minor Vehicle [Minor Mastery] realm of this divine ability.

To cultivate the Twofold Divine Aegis, mere comprehension is one thing, but to advance it to the Minor Vehicle realm requires the simultaneous command of both Water and Fire Secret Power [innate or acquired elemental affinities of profound power].

Eldrin Chen commands both the Celestial Fire and the Spirit-Void True Water [a primordial water of spiritual void], two potent Secret Power. This makes him profoundly attuned to the Twofold Divine Aegis. Not only did his cultivation progress with divine speed, but he also fulfilled the most critical requirement for reaching Minor Vehicle.

Furthermore, shortly after the Purple Marrow Divine Fruit Tree advanced to Fifth Rank High Grade, Eldrin Chen consumed one of its Purple Marrow Divine Fruit. Seizing this momentum, he broke through in a single surge, cultivating the ability all the way to the Minor Vehicle realm.

This achievement is truly astonishing. It must be noted that the majority of Nascent Soul Dao Lord [powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm] only manage to cultivate their Pure Yang Divine Ability [divine abilities of pure yang nature] to this very level.

To advance the Twofold Divine Aegis from Minor Vehicle to Great Vehicle [Great Mastery] requires two exceedingly rare Sixth Rank Supreme Treasure: the 'Fire Vein Ancestral Marrow' and the 'Water Vein Ancestral Marrow'.

Such a Pure Yang Spiritual Object [a spiritual object of the purest Yang energy] is exceedingly rare in this world. Even within a Sixth Rank Ancestral Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual energy source], it requires three Millennium [a period of one thousand years] to gestate a single piece, a testament to its truly immeasurable value.

Furthermore, this material can be forged into a Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a supreme-grade magical artifact imbued with pure Yang energy], which is also beneficial for breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core cultivation realm]. Even Nascent Soul Dao Lord [supreme cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm's peak] regard it as a priceless treasure, utterly beyond the reach of ordinary Nascent Soul True Lord [cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm].

As far as Eldrin Chen knew, those capable of cultivating a Supreme Pure Yang Divine Ability [a supreme divine ability of pure Yang nature] to the Great Vehicle [the Great Completion] stage were generally the paramount powerhouses of the world, those at the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage [the late stage of the Primordial Spirit realm].

Even for them, a Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a divine ability cultivated to its Great Completion] served as their ultimate trump card, its potency not inferior to that of a Superior Grade Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier Pure Yang magical artifact].

By cultivating his Twofold Divine Aegis [a divine protective ability] to the Minor Vehicle [Minor Completion] stage, Eldrin Chen had gained another powerful life-preserving card to play.

It was a pity his Mana [cultivation energy reserves] were still somewhat lacking. Had his cultivation reached the Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm [the threshold just before the Nascent Soul realm], or even just the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the Great Perfection stage of the Golden Core realm], he estimated he would have been barely able to withstand an attack from a Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure. Original publication: http://www . audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.

With these thoughts, Eldrin Chen emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a chamber for secluded cultivation].

Outside the Cultivation Cave [a cave abode for cultivation], Lyra Jiang and Verdant Consort had been waiting for some time. Seeing him, they asked in unison, "How did it go?"

"It is done," Eldrin Chen replied, handing the Dual Polarity Treasure Lotus [a magical lotus treasure embodying dual polarities] to Lyra Jiang with a smile. "I have successfully cultivated the Twofold Divine Aegis. From now on, this Dual Polarity Treasure Lotus will be of lesser use to me. Keep it for your own protection."

Lyra Jiang did not refuse. Accepting the Dual Polarity Treasure Lotus, she smiled and said, "Once you break through to the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage, the power of this Twofold Divine Aegis will surely increase dramatically."

At this point, Lyra Jiang spoke again, "By the way, while you were in seclusion, Maris the Sea Steader came to visit. He has been a guest on the Azure Lotus Continent for three months now."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly in surprise. "What matter requires his personal visit and such a long wait? Could it be that he has found a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a rare spiritual root capable of harmonizing elemental energies] suitable for regulating the Fire Vein?"

"I am not certain. He only said he must see you in person to discuss the matter face-to-face."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly, understanding that Maris the Sea Steader must have a matter of great importance to seek him out.

Eldrin Chen did not delay. He went directly to the Azure Lotus Continent and met Maris the Sea Steader by the shores of Azure Lotus Lake.

On a small boat upon the Azure Lotus Continent's waters, Eldrin Chen and Maris the Sea Steader sat facing each other, playing a game of Go [a strategic board game] in tranquil silence upon the lake.

*Click—*

Eldrin Chen placed his piece with calm deliberation, then glanced at Maris the Sea Steader with a faint smile. "Brother Maris, has your visit perhaps yielded a promising lead on a suitable Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root?"

"Not so."

Maris the Sea Steader shook his head and calmly placed his own piece upon the board.

His expression held a trace of hesitation. After a moment's pause, he finally steeled his resolve and spoke, "The reason I sought you out today is actually for a matter of great importance."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback before replying, "Please speak your mind, Brother."

Maris the Sea Steader did not state his business immediately. Instead, he inquired, "Are you aware of the foremost figure among the East Sea Demon Progenitor from several Millennium ago—the one known as the 'East Sea Azure Dragon'?" This chapter is provided by (audio-novel.com). Support the original.