Chapter 701 : A Master's Timely Arrival

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted subtly. Before he could utter another word, a figure emerged from the distant void, flying towards them.

The newcomer was none other than Sea-Calmer Path Master. From afar, he called out with a laugh, "A century has passed since we last met. I trust you have been well, Eldrin the Worthy Brother?"

"Elder Brother Sea-Calmer, your timing is impeccable. It saves me a special trip,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a smile. The person he had been waiting for here was precisely Sea-Calmer Path Master, who was currently recognized as the foremost Infant Soul [the third major realm of cultivation, where the nascent soul is formed] expert in the entire Eastern Region Great Wasteland.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Eldrin Chen produced a Treasure Box. Inside the box was a special product of the Chen Clan: Enlightenment Spirit Tea [a rare spiritual tea that temporarily enhances one's comprehension and enlightenment].

Sea-Calmer Path Master glanced at it and promptly stored it away, then said with a smile, "With the aid of this Enlightenment Tea, I can temporarily enter a state of Heaven and Earth Resonance [a profound state of harmony with the natural order, facilitating deep insight]. Perhaps it will grant me a sliver of progress in comprehending an Arcane Power [a supreme supernatural ability born from profound understanding of a Great Path]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen also revealed a smile. With the support of his Sea-Calmer Divine Pearl, Sea-Calmer Path Master's chances of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the fourth major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual core ascends to a primordial state] realm were estimated at around four or five out of ten.

That probability was still somewhat low. However, if he could comprehend an Arcane Power, Sea-Calmer Path Master's power would increase tremendously, and his chances of a successful Primordial Spirit breakthrough would become exceedingly high.

For many years, in his pursuit of comprehending an Arcane Power, Sea-Calmer Path Master had, during their very first meeting, secured a thousand-year supply of Enlightenment Tea from Eldrin Chen. This transaction marked the second such exchange.

Within the next five hundred years, Eldrin would conduct two more transactions with Sea-Calmer Path Master. These exchanges might genuinely increase Sea-Calmer Path Master's odds of successfully comprehending an Arcane Power by a few more degrees. Continue reading this story at audio-novel[dot]com.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Then I offer my congratulations in advance, Elder Brother, on your enlightenment of an Arcane Power and even forging your path to the Path Lord realm."

"It is not so easy a feat,"

Sea-Calmer Path Master shook his head, yet continued, "The profundity of an Arcane Power is unfathomable. After years of contemplation, I have only grasped the faintest thread of understanding."

"Although consuming the Enlightenment Spirit Tea can grant entry into a state of Celestial-Mortal Symbiosis [a profound meditative state where the cultivator's spirit briefly harmonizes with the heavens], its duration is ultimately fleeting. To completely master a single Arcane Power, I fear the odds are still not in my favor."

After offering a few more simple words of encouragement, Eldrin Chen led Sea-Calmer Path Master towards Vast Righteousness Peak.

As they walked, Eldrin Chen inquired casually, "Your injuries during the great calamity were not severe, Elder Brother Sea-Calmer. I presume you have traveled the lands in recent years and thus have some insight into the shifting landscape of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland?"

"Indeed, that is so."

Sea-Calmer Path Master nodded and began to recount for Eldrin Chen the changes that had swept across the Eastern Region Great Wasteland in the wake of the great calamity.

As his narrative unfolded, Eldrin Chen gradually came to understand the recent state of affairs in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. The past century had witnessed no small number of significant events within its borders.

During this Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, the Eastern Region Great Wasteland had lost a staggering seven of its Half-Step Primordial Spirit cultivators [powerful beings on the cusp of achieving a Primordial Spirit]. Considering the entire region had only thirty-two such Half-Step Primordial Spirit Great Power [a title for cultivators of immense power at the Primordial Spirit stage] to begin with, this represented a loss of over one-fifth—a truly devastating blow.

The fall of a great many Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivators whose spiritual core is almost fully formed] also signified a reshuffling of power among the factions of the Eastern Barrens.

Although the Eastern Barrens Immortal Alliance had provided ample compensation for the fallen Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivators whose spiritual core is almost fully formed], without a Patriarch of that level to anchor them, these forces ultimately could not maintain the peak influence they held during their glorious eras.

Take the Heaven Mystery Continent, for example. In its heyday, the Heaven's Profound Sect controlled multiple Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [sites where spiritual energy naturally concentrates], two Fifth Rank High-Grade Earth Vein [geological formations rich in earth-attribute spiritual energy], and a large Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] mine.

Now, with no Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivator whose spiritual core is almost fully formed] to guard it and having lost over half of its Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed a nascent spiritual infant], the Heaven's Profound Sect had fallen into utter decline.

Their diminished strength left them incapable of holding onto their vast former interests. They were forced to abandon the large Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] mine and the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] with its Earth Vein [geological formation rich in earth-attribute spiritual energy] located outside the Heaven Mystery Continent, consolidating their remaining power within the continent itself to protect their core territories.

The clan of Mysterious Void Path Master also suffered losses and had to relinquish many of their Spirit Mountain [mountains imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] and other assets.

After listening, Eldrin Chen frowned and said, "The Mysterious Void Path Master fell in the great war, and the Heaven's Profound Sect suffered grievous losses. For other forces to move against them so swiftly... does the Eastern Barrens Immortal Alliance not intervene?"

"They do intervene," Sea-Calmer Path Master shook his head, then explained. "But only regarding the compensation issued by the Immortal Alliance itself and the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] the sect cultivated personally. The Alliance will step in only if those specific assets are seized."

"As for their Earth Vein [geological formation rich in earth-attribute spiritual energy], their mines, and all their other holdings..."

Sea-Calmer Path Master gave a bitter laugh. "In the cultivation world, what claim of ownership is there over Spirit Mountain [mountains imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] or Blessed Land [regions of exceptional natural fortune]? Did the Heaven's Profound Sect not seize its own industries from other Immortal Clan [clans of cultivators] when it first rose to power?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a trace of helplessness on his face.

For an Immortal Clan in this world to rise, aside from nurturing its own Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy, vital for cultivation], the only other path is to seize Spirit Mountain and Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth and spiritual energy] from others.

The Purple Seal Realm Human Race has inherited its legacy for millions of years. Some Spirit Mountain have been passed down from ancient times, while others have been newly formed.

Regardless, most of these Spirit Mountain have likely changed hands countless times over the ages. If one were to truly try and determine their rightful ownership, it would be an utterly impossible task to clarify.

Having one's assets seized when weak is an all-too-common occurrence. Even if someone ostensibly steps in to manage affairs, it usually boils down to having powerful backing. In the end, it's a matter of whose fist is mightier.

"Alas, it's still rather unseemly conduct," The complete novel can be found at audio novel.com.

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a flicker of displeasure coloring his thoughts.

He understood in his heart that so-called rules were ultimately just the pronouncements of the powerful.

If he could become an undisputed Path Lord [a master of a profound cultivation path, a figure of immense power] within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, then he could very well be the one to establish the rules.

For instance, he could decree that for three to five centuries following a great calamity, no action could be taken against Infant Soul Immortal Clan [powerful clans led by cultivators at the Infant Soul stage] that had suffered heavy losses, granting those who fought a chance to recover their breath.

Sea-Calmer Path Master [the Daoist title of Varen Wei] also nodded and then spoke, "In truth, most of the Infant Soul Cultivator [cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] who participated in the battle, mindful of the camaraderie forged in fighting side by side, did not take the opportunity to kick a man when he was down."

"Those who truly took action were mostly those Infant Soul Immortal Clan [powerful clans with Nascent Soul cultivators] who prized their own reputations and had only contributed supplies."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] felt a slight chill in his gaze, then sighed and said, "It is a pity my strength is insufficient. Otherwise, I would never have allowed them to act so recklessly."

Having spoken to this point, Eldrin Chen did not wish to dwell on the topic any longer.

He glanced at Sea-Calmer Path Master and spoke again, "By the way, have you any news of Blood-Refining Old Demon [a notorious demonic cultivator]?"

Mention of Blood-Refining Old Demon caused Sea-Calmer Path Master's expression to tighten slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "It is said that during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving a demonic abyss], Blood-Refining Old Demon performed a bloody sacrifice of seven Infant Soul Immortal Clan deep within the Eastern Barrens [a vast, untamed wilderness], at Wild Goose Range Mountain [a mountain range], in an attempt to break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm beyond Nascent Soul]."

"Fortunately, that demon's luck was poor. This attempt at a breakthrough did not succeed, and afterward, no one knows where he fled."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of relief within his heart, the immense pressure he had been carrying greatly diminished.

Upon careful reflection, this outcome was within expectations. Although that Blood-Refining Old Demon possessed formidable power and wielded the Pure Lunar Demonic Treasure [a powerful demonic artifact] known as the Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Divine Blade [a demonic blade used for blood refinement],

the Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Divine Blade was, after all, not his own life-bound Demonic Treasure [a demonic artifact personally cultivated by its wielder]. Its boost to his breakthrough was not overwhelmingly significant. Thus, his chances of success in that attempt were only thirty to forty percent; failure was an anticipated possibility. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel dot com.