Chapter 736 : Ascension of the Human Will

Meanwhile, on the other side, after Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Isle Lake, he turned his focus entirely to his cultivation [the practice of refining one's body and spirit to ascend towards immortality].

As one of the principal figures in the recent establishment of the continent, Eldrin Chen's gains were immense.

For he had received the boundless empowerment of the Human Race's collective will [the focused spiritual power of countless believers' hopes and prayers] from Myriad Ruins Province, and having saved hundreds of millions of lives from the great flood, he naturally received the province's profound gratitude in return.

In the subtle workings of fate, Eldrin Chen found his magical power [the energy harnessed and directed by cultivators] had increased by nearly half a tier, and his cultivation speed had accelerated by a significant margin.

At this rate of progress, Eldrin Chen estimated he could reach the Infant Soul 6th Tier within a single Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years], and thereafter, each subsequent advancement in cultivation would take roughly two centuries.

Furthermore, with the surge of spiritual energy [the vital essence that permeates the world, used for cultivation] within the Water Vein [a concentrated, flowing channel of spiritual energy] of the Vast Sea, the nurturing process for the Heavenly River Treasure Gold had greatly accelerated. He estimated it would be fully matured within two centuries.

Thus, he wished to seize the time and swiftly advance to the Infant Soul Late Stage. Once he reached that realm, he would be able to refine and wield the Primordial Solar Immortal Sword, leading to an explosive leap in his combat prowess.

"..."

Thus, time flowed swiftly by, and in the blink of an eye, more than twenty years had passed.

On this day, after Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang had completed their practice of the Polarity Mutual Cultivation Covenant [a dual cultivation technique that harmonizes opposing energies], he was embracing his beloved, refining the newly gained magical power, when he heard Exquisite Jiang speak: Your portal to cultivation novels: audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"Yesterday, when I examined Withering's studies, I found her spiritual power [the cultivated energy within a practitioner] had become perfectly harmonious. It seems it is time for her to attempt the breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent spiritual consciousness is formed]."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. Withering Liana Gu possessed a Path Body [a rare innate physique perfectly suited for cultivation] and had laid the foundation of a Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade of the solidified spiritual core stage]. Once she attempted the Infant Soul breakthrough, aiming for the superior-grade Infant Soul was the only proper course.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen said, "By my reckoning, Verdant Edge and Literature Abyss should also be preparing to attempt their Infant Soul breakthroughs around this time."

"And then there is Support Revive. Although he is now the sect master of the Verdant Void Sect, he is still, after all, a member of our Chen Clan."

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang added.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a bitter smile. Nurturing a Heavenly Path Infant Soul [an Infant Soul cultivated with the rarest and most potent Heavenly Path Energy] required consuming Heavenly Path Energy [the purest and most potent form of spiritual energy, essential for the highest-grade breakthroughs]. To cultivate four such Heavenly Path Infant Soul would exact a heavy toll, making even their clan bleed profusely.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen said, "During the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, I exchanged for three strands of Heavenly Path Energy. Senior Vast Sea and Elder Brother Dorian shared two more with us, making five strands in total."

"Later, one was used by Remembrance Gem Chen, leaving us with four remaining. If we allocate one to each, it should be sufficient for their use."

"We cannot calculate it that way," Exquisite Jiang shook her head and said. "By my estimation, Summer Reign will likely break through to the Infant Soul Late Stage within the next century. You, I, and the others will also require Heavenly Path Pill [an elixir refined using Heavenly Path Energy for supreme-grade cultivation]."

"The refinement of the Heavenly Path Pill [a supreme elixir said to guide one towards enlightenment] is exceedingly difficult. To even attempt it, we must first secure at least two portions of Heavenly Path Energy [a rare and potent spiritual essence required for crafting the highest-grade pills]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a familiar headache begin to throb at his temples.

The Heavenly Path Energy was a precious commodity; procuring it would require a significant expenditure of Heavenly Crystal [a highly purified and potent form of spiritual crystal, the premium currency of the immortal world].

Over the years, the Chen Clan had amassed a stockpile of cultivation resources valued at three billion Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. However, the bulk of this hoard consisted of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the balanced power of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth]. This essence was specifically reserved for Eldrin Chen's project of elevating his Primordial Solar Immortal Sword [a legendary sword of pure yang energy, one of Eldrin's signature weapons].

The market value of a single Primordial Solar Immortal Sword of that caliber, if measured in Heavenly Crystal, started at around thirty thousand crystals.

Yet, to advance just one such blade to that exalted tier required Five Elements Essence worth approximately three thousand Heavenly Crystal—a sum equivalent to thirty billion Spirit Stone.

To accumulate this vast quantity of essence, the Chen Clan had drained more than half of its ancestral reserves, laboring for several centuries to gather it all.

This feat was only possible because of Eldrin Chen's formidable reputation. The major Immortal Clan [powerful families with immortal heritage] across the Three Veins Ancient Domain [a vast and ancient cultivation realm] were willing to grant the Chen Clan some face, allowing them to establish shops in major market cities to purchase the essence directly from lesser cultivators at base prices.

Any other, weaker Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarch has reached the Infant Soul stage of cultivation] would likely need a millennium to gather such an amount, assuming they could even afford it in the first place.

If they were to sell this hard-won stockpile of Five Elements Essence now, it would take another three hundred years to reassemble. Eldrin Chen was certainly not foolish enough to trade it away for a temporary supply of Heavenly Path Energy.

Returning to the main topic, Eldrin Chen held Exquisite Jiang in his arms, pondered for a moment, then spoke thoughtfully, "Now that Violet Jade Lake has merged with the Vast Sea, we have an opportunity to seize the territory of the Violet Jade Demon Emperor."

"If we can slay the Violet Jade Demon Emperor, it will certainly resolve our shortage of Heavenly Path Energy [a potent spiritual energy source used for cultivation breakthroughs]."

"That is indeed a sound strategy." Exquisite Jiang's eyes lit up, and she nodded repeatedly. "That Violet Jade Demon Emperor was our enemy to begin with. Killing him would also serve to whittle down some of the future tribulations for our own Primordial Spirit Tribulation [the heavenly trial faced when advancing to the Primordial Spirit realm]."

"However, the Violet Jade Demon Emperor has the backing of the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor. If the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor intervenes, we may not succeed in killing him."

Mentioning the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor reminded Eldrin Chen of something peculiar. "Speaking of which, it is rather strange. Some time ago, I performed a divination and discovered that the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor had already left Azure Wave Lake many years prior."

"Unfortunately, his whereabouts seem to be obscured by some form of Celestial Mechanism [a profound cosmic principle or heavenly secret that can conceal fate], and I could not divine his location." Continue your cultivation journey at audio‑novel.com.

"Oh?" Exquisite Jiang's gaze grew slightly more serious. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Regardless, this presents a favorable opportunity for us."

With that settled, the two spoke no more and once again immersed themselves in the cultivation of the Polarity Mutual Cultivation [a dual cultivation art that harmonizes opposing energies].

Early the next morning, Eldrin Chen personally summoned Withering Liana Gu. He bestowed upon her a portion of Heavenly Path Energy, then instructed the clan to prepare a grand feast to celebrate her advancement to the True Lord [a powerful cultivation realm]. He publicly announced he would personally guard her during her closed-door cultivation.

After completing these arrangements, Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, Elara Lin, Kael Chen, and six or seven other True Lord quietly departed from the Vast Sea and set their course for Violet Jade Island, their intent to kill clear.

To utterly eliminate the lingering threat of Violet Jade Demon Emperor, this time Eldrin Chen did not launch a grand, public campaign. The True Lord cultivators he brought with him were all of Infant Soul Mid Stage combat strength, and he even invited close allies like Violet Consort Yan.

Along their journey, they did not even attack Serpent-Scorpion Island, the island with the Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein. Instead, they traversed the vast Demon Race Territory directly, arriving at Violet Jade Island.

As soon as they appeared before Violet Jade Island, Eldrin Chen immediately took action. From the outset, he summoned the Azure Abyss Sword and cleaved towards the Mountain Protection Formation shielding the island.

Although he did not fully awaken the Azure Abyss Sword, the sheer power of Eldrin Chen's current cultivation base, channeled through the sword, was enough. In a single clash, the Mountain Protection Formation around Violet Jade Island dimmed and flickered, its radiance nearly extinguished.

The others joined the assault simultaneously. In less than ten breaths, they had completely shattered the Mountain Protection Formation.

"Eldrin! How dare you!"

The sudden, overwhelming assault caught Violet Jade Demon Emperor completely off guard.

Seeing Eldrin Chen appear and attack so abruptly, Violet Jade Demon Emperor's heart sank. As the thought of fleeing took hold, he saw Violet Consort Yan already activating the Violet Cosmos Void Escape Mirror [a magical treasure that seals spatial pathways], locking down the Teleportation Formation on Violet Jade Island.

In that critical moment of life and death, Violet Jade Demon Emperor acted decisively. Severing a section of his own serpent tail, he unleashed a costly Great God Ability [a supreme-level escape technique] and shot towards Azure Wave Lake.

After all, this demon possessed cultivation at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul realm. By employing such a forbidden art, he outpaced his pursuers, leaving them unable to close the distance.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen possessed the Heaven Trigram Golden Wing Slash. He immediately activated the Heaven Trigram Radiance Golden Light Evasion and gave chase. However, the Violet Jade Demon Emperor fought while retreating, and relying on Eldrin Chen's power alone, it was difficult to completely slay the creature.

He pursued and battled for several days, chasing it for nearly ten million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. He repeatedly unleashed the Azure Abyss Sword, severely wounding the Violet Jade Demon Emperor on multiple occasions, yet he ultimately failed to deliver the final blow.

This demonstrated how difficult it was to slay a Great Power [a term for a supremely powerful cultivator] who had reached the Great Perfection of Infant Soul realm when they were solely focused on fleeing without engaging in a decisive fight. It was likely that even a Great Power at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit realm would have found it challenging to finish off such a foe. For the best reading experience, visit https://audio-novel.com.