Chapter 735 : A Breakthrough on Celestial Isle

After bidding farewell to Sea-Calmer Path Master, Eldrin Chen did not immediately depart from the Vast Sea. Instead, he proceeded directly to Celestial Dome Island.

Upon meeting Nyssa Qu, he could not help but ask, "How do you feel?"

"Thanks to this opportunity, my injuries have completely healed," she replied. "Moreover, my cultivation base feels perfectly harmonized, and my spiritual power [the energy cultivated by immortals and cultivators] has reached a state of flawless integration."

Nyssa Qu spoke with evident joy. The injuries she sustained from her battle with the Blood-Refining Old Demon had been severe. Now, with the infusion of a substantial amount of Water Essence Power [a pure, condensed spiritual energy derived from water], she had seized the chance to make a full recovery.

Not only that, but Nyssa Qu also sensed she was on the cusp of breaking through to the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a transitional state just below the Primordial Spirit realm, where one's spiritual core begins its final transformation].

"Truly?"

Eldrin Chen exclaimed with pleasant surprise. Having sworn the Oath of Reincarnation [a profound vow that binds one's fate across lifetimes], Nyssa Qu was now considered largely a member of the Chen Clan. Her breakthrough would grant the clan a powerful trump card at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit level.

Furthermore, Nyssa Qu possessed both the Innate Primordial Solar Divine Ability [a supreme technique born from the essence of the primordial sun] and the Seven-Colored Immortal Light [a radiant defensive and offensive technique]. Once she advanced to the Half-Step Primordial Spirit, her combat prowess, while perhaps not quite matching that of the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor who wielded the Green Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler, would likely be very close.

After all, the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam was a Mythical Immortal Seed [a being of legendary origin with the potential to ascend to true immortality]. Both her spiritual power and foundational strength surpassed that of the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, who had not yet completed its dragon transformation.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke decisively, "Then you should enter secluded cultivation to attempt your breakthrough. I will stand guard for you." Find this and other novels at audio-novel`com.

"That would be too much of an imposition," she said, though her heart felt otherwise.

Though inwardly delighted, Nyssa Qu voiced her words with feigned reluctance.

The man before her had, after all, saved her life. Were he an ordinary person, she might have simply pledged to repay him in her next life as an ox or horse. Yet, this man before her stirred a different kind of longing within her heart.

For he was clad in robes white as snow, his bearing as flawless as fine jade, his aura akin to a banished immortal [a celestial being exiled to the mortal realm] untouched by the world's corruption—a sight truly rare between heaven and earth.

"Worry not. In the future, if you guard this Celestial Dome Island well for me, I will consider it a great gain," Eldrin Chen replied calmly.

With those words, Eldrin Chen took up a protective stance before the Water Vein [a concentrated underground flow of water-attuned spiritual energy], standing guard as she undertook her cultivation.

Celestial Dome Island was not only home to a Fifth Rank High-Grade Spiritual Vein [a high-quality source of ambient spiritual energy], but was also aided by a Quasi-Sixth Rank Water Vein. This made it the perfect treasure land for Nyssa Qu to attempt her breakthrough into the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [an advanced stage just below forming one's core spiritual essence].

With the aid of such a blessed site and Nyssa Qu's own peerless talent, the breakthrough proceeded with remarkable smoothness. In merely a few months' time, she successfully drew in her Earth Soul [one of the foundational spiritual souls required for higher cultivation], ascending in one fell swoop to the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm.

After her breakthrough, Nyssa Qu's spiritual power surged dramatically, and her physical form became even more flawlessly perfect, her graceful figure now fuller and more alluring.

Clad in a gown of seven colors, she offered Eldrin Chen a gentle bow, her eyes warm, before speaking with a smile. "This humble one has not disgraced your trust. I have finally broken through to the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm."

"Excellent, excellent, excellent."

Watching her emerge from seclusion after her breakthrough, Eldrin Chen offered a gentle smile. He helped her to her feet and said, "Your power has grown immensely. In the future, should I need to leave the Vast Sea, I would ask you to watch over my clan in my stead."

"Young Master saved this humble one's life and slew that Blood-Refining Old Demon. I naturally regard the Young Master and his kin as my own family,"

Nyssa Qu spoke softly, then lowered her gaze with a smile. "Henceforth, the Chen Clan shall be my Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators who have transcended mortality]. Should anyone dare raise a hand against it, I will not allow them to succeed."

"With your word, my heart is at ease." Eldrin Chen felt a weight lift from his mind and smiled. "However, your identity is unique. Before you break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, you must remain hidden. Do not act rashly unless absolutely necessary."

"This humble one understands." Nyssa Qu nodded, then added, "Young Master need not worry. With my current strength, I will certainly not let any information leak."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen smiled once more. Nyssa Qu had rarely shown herself to the world. If she concealed her aura [the distinctive energy signature of a cultivator], even if she took action, it was unlikely she would be detected.

Furthermore, given Nyssa Qu's current power, it was probable that even an ordinary Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the verge of forming their Primordial Spirit] would find it difficult to escape with their life from her grasp.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen said, "It is not convenient for me to remain here longer. I must trouble you to guard Celestial Dome Island for me."

"Then I shall respectfully see the Young Master off."

Nyssa Qu offered a slight bow, watching the departing figure of Eldrin Chen with an inexplicable sense of loss in her heart.

After leaving the core of the Water Vein, Eldrin Chen intended to pay his respects to the Earth Soul [the terrestrial aspect of a cultivator's spirit, anchoring them to the mortal realm] of Verdant Seal Patriarch. However, he found that Verdant Seal seemed to have fallen into slumber once more. Unwilling to disturb the Patriarch, he departed Celestial Dome Island alone.

"..."

Meanwhile, deep within the heart of the Vast and Misty Marsh...

Within the boundless, mist-shrouded marshlands spanning hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], there lay a colossal island. At its center was a bottomless, deep pool.

This pool was named the 'Hidden Dragon Abyss'. True to its name, the Hidden Dragon Abyss was an unfathomable chasm where True Dragons [the supreme, primordial race of dragon-kind] lay concealed. Your portal to cultivation novels: @udio-novel.com.

At this moment, the 'Hidden Dragon Abyss' was shrouded in profound silence. The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor gazed mutely at the shadowy figure before him, his demeanor one of trembling apprehension.

That shadow lurked within the unfathomable abyss, veiled by endless seawater, its true form impossible to discern.

Yet, upon closer inspection, one could perceive a colossal silhouette stretching for a full ten thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

It resembled a mythic Black Dragon from the age of World-Opening [the primordial event of creation]. Each of its scales was as vast as a mountain range, reflecting a luster that seemed both Impenetrable [inviolable and unbreakable] and Immortality [eternal and death-defying].

Even coiled upon itself, its sheer scale was staggering, akin to a Stellar [a celestial body of immense size and power]. One could scarcely imagine the world-obscuring, sky-blotting majesty it would project were it to fully unfurl its form.

"Grandfather, your grandson was wrong! I beg for your punishment!"

The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor hung its head, all former majesty gone, its voice trembling as it spoke.

Deep within the void, silence reigned supreme. Only after a long while did the shadowy figure stir. A colossal, pitch-black dragon head, even larger than the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, extended forward, its tone utterly devoid of emotion as it inquired.

"Do you know where you erred?"

"Your grandson..." The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor trembled from head to tail, its voice thick with terror. "Your grandson should not have opened the breach, allowing the Water Essence Power [the concentrated spiritual power of water essence] from Azure Wave Lake to leak out."

"Fool!" roared the Black Dragon, its voice filled with profound disappointment. "You still fail to grasp the true nature of your mistake."

"You must understand, in this world, strength reigns supreme. Power is the ultimate arbiter of all things."

"Among my descendants, your innate talent is unparalleled. You had three distinct opportunities to break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm of a cultivator]. Yet, each time, you claimed you lacked absolute certainty, insisting on waiting until you were fully prepared."

"But where in this world do perfect opportunities abound? How many such chances can one afford to let slip? Had you seized but one, you might have long since ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm. How then could you have allowed Dorian Ji and that That upstart Eldrin to ride roughshod over you?"

Facing the rebuke of the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor turned deathly pale, utterly at a loss for words.

Only after a long while did the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor speak again, his voice icy. "Within the Southern Sea, lies the opportunity for your transformation into a True Dragon [the ultimate evolution for serpentine and flood dragon-type creatures, granting immense power and status]. If you fail to redeem yourself this time, I shall wash my hands of your affairs forevermore."

With those final words, the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor vanished into the unfathomable depths of the abyss, leaving behind only a fading silhouette of darkness.

The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor stood motionless for a long time. Gradually, the terror in his eyes receded, replaced by a glint of cold, resolute light.

"An opportunity... to become a True Dragon?" he murmured to the empty water.

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