Chapter 747 : Echoes of a Fallen Sovereign

With this thought, Eldrin Chen sighed and said, "Before such an existence, even if you were a True Dragon [a supreme dragon species], you would have to coil and submit. I finally understand why an existence like the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor would willingly confine itself within the Vast and Misty Marsh."

"It is a pity that within our Eastern Region Great Wasteland, there is no such Demigod Patriarch [a cultivator who has ascended halfway to godhood]. Otherwise, how could these fiends and demons dare to act so brazenly?"

Sea-Calmer Path Master also nodded, though he then shook his head and said, "Actually, within our Eastern Region Great Wasteland, there once was a Demigod Patriarch."

"That Patriarch was known as the 'Eastern Sovereign' [the Sovereign of the East]. In a single battle, he bathed in blood and slew thirteen Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [demons at the Primordial Spirit cultivation stage]. His strength could truly be called peerless under heaven."

"Unfortunately, over four thousand years ago, the senior 'Eastern Sovereign', in order to protect the path of 'Imperial Sovereign Jiang', withstood three strikes from an Outer Realm Demon God [a deity-level demon from beyond this realm] and ultimately passed away seated in meditation atop Eastern Sovereign Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen fell silent. Exquisite Jiang also remained wordless.

In the swift passage of four thousand years, those stirring and tragic tales of old have already turned to ancient history.

Since the invasion of the Outer Realm Demon God, the Purple Seal Realm has not been lacking in Human Race Path Lord [cultivators who have mastered a Great Dao Path]. Yet, over seventy percent have perished in battle for various reasons. Those who lived to see their natural lifespan end are truly few and far between.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh. He said to Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort, "After we return to the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, let us go to Eastern Sovereign Mountain to pay our respects at the resting place of the senior 'Eastern Sovereign'."

"Agreed." This chapter is provided by audio–novel.com. Support the original.

Exquisite Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Jiang] nodded. The Eastern Sovereign [the Patriarch of the Eastern Dominion] had once protected her grandfather, a debt of guardianship she truly owed him a visit of remembrance.

With those words spoken, Eldrin Chen [the Sword Immortal Chen] said no more and followed Sea-Calmer Path Master [the Daoist Master Varen Wei] towards the Path Palace Great Hall [the main ceremonial hall of the Path Palace].

Their journey to the Path Palace Great Hall was solely to pay respects to the sages of the Human Race [the collective of human cultivators] and to offer a token of gratitude to figures like the Lord of the Path Palace [the master of the Path Palace], who served as a Heaven-Propping Pillar [a foundational support, like a celestial pillar] for their people.

Within the Great Hall, Eldrin Chen personally presented a sum of Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade spiritual currency] and offered incense before the statues of the Path Palace Immortal [the deified founders of the Path Palace]. Only then did he prepare to take his leave.

However, just before his departure, a man clad in a Seven Stars Path Robe [a ceremonial robe adorned with seven stars] approached, offering a smile to Eldrin Chen.

"Might you be the Returning Abyss Path Master [the Daoist Master Eldrin of the Returning Abyss]?"

"I am."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

The newcomer was not advanced in years, yet his cultivation had reached the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the pinnacle of the Infant Soul stage]. He was clearly a core disciple of the Path Palace Sacred Land [the primary sanctum of the Path Palace]. Eldrin had not expected such a figure to seek him out specifically.

Seeing his confirmation, the man smiled again, his gaze sweeping over Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort [the Verdant Consort Yan] before he clasped his hands in salute. "Esteemed guests, please follow me."

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. After exchanging a glance with Exquisite Jiang, he then stepped forward to follow.

Halfway along the path, the man scrutinized Eldrin Chen carefully before speaking. "You, too, have achieved the Great Encompassing Infant Soul [the pinnacle foundation for the Infant Soul stage, representing flawless spiritual potential]?"

"This..."

Eldrin Chen was slightly stunned for a moment before realizing the identity of the man before him—it was Extraordinary.

Before he could answer, the man nodded and continued, "It makes sense. As descendants of Imperial Sovereign Jiang, it is within expectations that you two could utilize Immortal Energy [a supreme-grade energy source for cultivation breakthroughs] to forge the Great Encompassing Infant Soul."

"My Daoist title is 'Mingyuan' [Bright Abyss]. I offer my greetings."

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang exchanged another look, confirming their earlier suspicion.

This Path Master Mingyuan actually also possessed the Five Spiritual Roots [a rare spiritual aptitude encompassing all five elemental affinities] and had forged the Great Encompassing Infant Soul. This revelation truly astounded Eldrin.

In all his years of cultivation, this was the first time Eldrin Chen had encountered another individual with the Great Encompassing Foundation [the flawless pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment stage] besides himself and Exquisite Jiang.

Even the sole inheritor of their legacy, Verdant Peak Ye, had only achieved the Great Encompassing Infant Soul with Eldrin's support and the expenditure of three strands of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a primordial energy of creation, essential for supreme-grade breakthroughs].

That Path Master Mingyuan possesses such a foundation suggests he is most likely an Immortal Seed [a prodigy groomed to ascend to immortality] nurtured with the full might of the Path Palace Sacred Land, a peerless existence being cultivated to become a second Imperial Sovereign Jiang.

"The Path Palace Sacred Land is truly unfathomable. Could it be they intend to emulate the path of the former Imperial Sovereign Jiang and forge another Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and ascended to immortality] for the Human Race?"

The three of them were inwardly shaken, yet they could not help but feel a sense of awe.

The Path Palace Sacred Land is one of the four great Demigod [a cultivator who has partially transcended mortality, possessing power far beyond ordinary immortals] Holy Lands of the Human Race. To possess such astonishing depth of resources and an endless stream of methods is no wonder the Outer Realm Demon God [powerful demonic beings from beyond this realm] have fought for tens of thousands of years yet failed to completely conquer the Purple Seal Realm.

"However, his Great Encompassing Infant Soul [the pinnacle stage of the Infant Soul cultivation realm, where the nascent soul reaches a state of near-perfect unity and vast power] does not seem as formidable as I anticipated."

Eldrin Chen mused silently. He had a feeling that his own Great Encompassing Infant Soul was fundamentally different in quality from the other's. This chapter appears courtesy of audio~novel.com.

"There seems to be a distinction rooted in their very origin between an ordinary Great Encompassing Infant Soul and an Innate Great Encompassing Infant Soul [a Great Encompassing Infant Soul formed from innate, supreme-grade foundation materials, granting unparalleled potential]."

"Fellow Daoists, we are almost there."

Just as these thoughts flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind, Path Master Mingyuan reminded them.

Only then did Eldrin Chen realize they had already arrived atop the Hinter Peaks of the Path Palace Sacred Land.

Upon the solitary peak, immortal mists coiled and drifted, weaving an atmosphere of profound tranquility and ethereal serenity.

As the group ascended, they had taken but a few steps when a pressure capable of crushing heaven and earth surged over them. Even Eldrin Chen felt a lethal threat, causing beads of sweat to instantly dot his brow.

Eldrin Chen lifted his gaze and finally saw it—a majestic Immortal Crane [a divine avian of grace and longevity] standing not far off. Its form was elegant and slender, its aura peerless and transcendent, more akin to a celestial bird of sublime nobility.

"Disciple Mingyuan pays his respects to Martial Uncle."

Path Master Mingyuan offered a slight bow and spoke hastily, "The guest Master wished to see, I have brought him."

"Follow me, then."

The Immortal Crane spoke with detached calm, then turned to lead the party towards the summit of the solitary peak.

Only then did Eldrin Chen release a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. That Immortal Crane possessed cultivation at the level of a Primordial Spirit Demon Ancestor [a supreme demonic entity whose power resides in its primordial spiritual core]. Yet, it seemed to serve merely as a gatekeeper, a celestial steed for Path Master Mingyuan's master. This realization struck Eldrin Chen with profound awe.

A Primordial Spirit Demon Ancestor was a being capable of shaking the world, its pride naturally boundless, almost never willing to submit or be tamed by another.

To keep such an entity as a mere guardian... within the entire Purple Seal Realm, those with such capability could likely be counted on one hand. The identity of their host was now unmistakably clear.

The group journeyed onward and soon arrived at the summit of the solitary peak.

Upon the peak, they saw a quaint Bamboo Hut built against the cliff face. Beside the precipice stood an ancient tree.

Beneath the old tree sat a Daoist-robed elder with an immortal's grace. Wisps of Daoist aura [the profound resonance of the Great Path] swirled around his form, lending him an air of profound harmony with the fundamental truths of cultivation.

He glanced at the group and smiled serenely.

"You have arrived."

Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "This junior, Returning Abyss, pays his respects to the Patriarch."

The Lord of the Path Palace gave a slight nod. He set down a tortoise shell he had been holding and gestured for the three to sit.

Eldrin Chen offered another slight bow before inquiring, "May this junior ask, Patriarch, for what purpose have you summoned us?"

"It is nothing of great import," the Lord of the Path Palace shook his head. After studying each of them carefully, he continued, "I merely heard that a few Immortal Seed [cultivators with the potential to ascend to immortality] had emerged from the Eastern Barrens, and wished to meet you."

As he spoke, he casually plucked several Spirit Fruit [fruits imbued with spiritual energy] from the old tree. They floated gently down before the visitors. "I have little here suitable for you," he said calmly. "I can only offer you the fruit of this old tree as hospitality."

"My deepest gratitude, Patriarch."

Eldrin Chen dared not refuse the offer. Taking the Spirit Fruit, he felt a tremor in his heart as he examined it.

Only then did he realize this tree was a Sixth Rank Spiritual Root known as the 'Heavenly River Immortal Apricot Tree' [a legendary tree whose fruit grants immense cultivation benefits]. It bore fruit once every millennium, yielding precisely thirty-six Heavenly River Immortal Apricot [the miraculous fruit of the Heavenly River Immortal Apricot Tree].

For an ordinary Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage], consuming a single one of these treasures could advance their cultivation by an entire minor realm. Even for a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator at the Primordial Spirit stage], it offered significant benefits. The story continues at audio_novel.com.