Chapter 753 Distributing Treasures, Obtaining the Azure Dragon Sea-Sword

Seeing Eldrin take the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, Maris the Sea Steader could not help but reveal a look of regret.

Of the 4 sixth-grade treasures in the hands of the Ancient Tortoise Ancestor, ranked by their value and rarity, the most precious was the Enlightening Blossom Tree (Magical Plant), followed by the Azure Dragon Roiling the Seas Sword (Magic Treasure), then the Dragon Transformation Divine Fruit (Divine Fruit), with the Enlightening Blossom (Magical Plant) being the least among them.

The Enlightening Blossom Tree was already incomplete, and now it has been utterly destroyed. The Dragon Transformation Divine Fruit was taken by the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast), leaving him with nothing but a single Enlightening Blossom in his hands.

Though the 'Enlightenment Blossom' is of immeasurable worth, a sixth-tier 'Enlightenment Blossom Tree' bears 1 flower every 1,000 years—how could it compare to a pure yang immortal sword like the Azure Dragon Stirring the Seas Sword?

"Enough, this may well be the last Enlightening Bloom (Heavenly Treasure) left between heaven and earth. Moreover, it is indispensable to me—its worth cannot be measured by conventional reasoning."

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) shook his head, then took the Mystic Turtle Daoist's turtle shell and declared, "This artifact's grade approaches the Realm of Pure Yang. It could indeed be forged into a supreme protective treasure."

"I shall use it to withstand the heavenly tribulation. What say you?"

"Truth be told, we've already gained an advantage. This item should go to you, Daoist Brother."

Eldrin nodded slightly, then spoke with a gentle smile.

After speaking, he glanced at the remaining stump of the Enlightening Blossom Tree and remarked casually, "I intend to take this back to see if there’s even a sliver of a chance to revive it."

"Oh?"

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) cast a glance and noticed the last traces of spiritual essence were nearly dissipated from the Enlightening Blossom Tree. He merely shook his head and remarked:

"This tree's vitality has been completely severed. I'm afraid there isn't the slightest chance of it surviving. I advise you not to waste your efforts, lest you squander precious spiritual materials."

At this point, he noticed Eldrin still showed no signs of wavering.

He had originally intended to take this withered branch of the Enlightenment Blossom Tree to see if he could forge a Quasi-Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure (Magic Treasure) for transcending tribulations, while also narrowing the gap between the Green Dragon Sea-Quelling Sword and the Enlightenment Blossom.

However, seeing that Eldrin truly desired it, he thought to himself, "For me, even without 1 Quasi-Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure, I am fully confident in overcoming the heavenly tribulation. Once I break through to the Nascent Soul realm, such a treasure would be nothing more than a mere trinket."

"However, refining that Dao Transmission Paper did cost the Eldrin quite a bit of the fifth-rank Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root), so let him take this item."

At that thought, Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) smiled faintly and said, "As you wish."

Seeing Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) agree, a faint glimmer of joy stirred within Eldrin (Person Name). He had sought this object precisely to test whether he could revive it using the Primordial Purple Qi.

Feeling he had gained a tremendous advantage, Eldrin took out a treasure box and said, "The ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree of our family recently advanced to the middle-grade fifth rank, and its yield has already doubled."

"I shall offer another 3 taels of Enlightenment Tea as compensation for your loss, Fellow Daoist."

"In that case, I shall accept with gratitude."

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) received the treasure box and couldn't help but exclaim with delight.

Over the years, he had purchased a considerable amount of Enlightenment Tea from the Chen family, yet the quantity had always been somewhat insufficient. With the additional 3 taels of Enlightenment Tea and now obtaining this Insight Blossom, his confidence in comprehending the secret energies had become virtually assured.

After another thorough inventory of the treasures within the earth vein, they discovered a Water Source Divine Jade within the water vein, 3 strands of Earth Mother Qi (Spiritual Root), and 3 superior spirit treasures left behind by the Mysterious Turtle Elder.

The remaining several fifth-tier spiritual materials, when sold, would also amount to a considerable fortune.

Eldrin did not claim those 3 superior spirit treasures, instead bestowing them all upon Maris the Sea Steader to aid in weathering the heavenly tribulation. He did, however, take a considerable amount of fifth-grade celestial treasures and Aqua Source Divine Jades, intending to bring them back to fortify his clan's foundational reserves.

At this point, both sides had gained considerable rewards, making it a thoroughly satisfactory outcome for all involved.

After handling this matter, Maris the Sea Steader said, "This Dragon Transformation Pond is a treasured land. I intend to make it my temporary dao field, where I shall enter seclusion to contemplate the power of sea stabilization until I break through to the Nascent Soul realm."

"Very well."

Eldrin nodded slightly. The true value of the Soul-Listening Blossom was less than half that of the Azure Dragon Sea-Quelling Sword. By occupying this place as a temporary cultivation ground, Maris the Sea Steader had managed to recoup most of his losses.

Moreover, the grade and the power of water element here are exceptionally abundant, offering some assistance to Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) in his future endeavor to impact the Yuanshen (Cultivation Realm).

At that thought, Eldrin spoke up, “Brother Dao, when you break through to the Nascent Soul stage, simply send word. I will spare no effort to come and assist you.”

"With your word, I am at ease."

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) smiled faintly, feeling a trace of involuntary relief.

The Ancient Tortoise Patriarch had nearly broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, yet tragically fell at their hands due to lacking sufficient strength to safeguard his path of cultivation.

If he had 1 or 2 close friends of Eldrin's caliber, or could rally 70 or 80 True Monarchs like the Featherflight Pavilion Master to guard his path.

With the addition of the formation array here, the crowd would likely be powerless against him, forced to watch helplessly as he weathered the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation.

The group did not linger long at the Dragon Transformation Pool. After merely 3 days, Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) personally escorted the 3 individuals away from the sacred site.

Emerging from the Dragon Transformation Pool, Eldrin cast a glance at the circular island behind him, his eyes flickering slightly as he remarked, "With Maris the Sea Steader's comprehension, aided by the Enlightenment Tea and the Scent of Dao Blossoms, he will likely grasp the secret power within 1 100 years."

"By that calculation, he should attempt to breach the Yuanshen (Cultivation Realm) within approximately 3 jiazi cycles."

"Hmm." Lyra nodded, then murmured thoughtfully, "It's a pity the Eastern Wastelands have no remaining primordial water veins. It seems he'll likely need to seek another cultivation sanctuary in the future."

Qing Ji’s eyes flickered slightly. In the Eastern Wastelands, sixth-level Ancestral Veins could be counted on 1’s fingers.

Among them, there were a total of 4 water veins: the upper reaches of the Primordial River of the Eastern Wastelands, occupied by Riverlord Chang (Person Name); the lower reaches of the Primordial River of the Eastern Wastelands, controlled by the Crocodile Ancestor; as well as the Vast Marsh and the Nethersea.

Among these ancestral veins, the Long River Sanctuary of Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) could not be disturbed. The Nethersea was 1 of the 7 great lakes of the Eastern Wasteland, within which the Nether Ancestor was also a mighty figure at the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm). As for the Vast Murky Marsh, it went without saying.

Only the Crocodile Ancestor of the Eastern Barren Ancestral River was slightly weaker, yet its cultivation had reached the Primordial Spirit, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm). It was estimated that even if Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) were to break through to the Far Shot Realm, he would still lack the capability to subdue it.

"The Eastern Sea, Southern Sea, and Eastern Wastelands each possess more than 1 Primordial Water Vein, yet none are easily claimed."

"It seems that even after Brother Dinghai breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage, his path of cultivation may not be particularly smooth."

Eldrin shook his head and let out a faint sigh. This was precisely the plight of a rogue cultivator—without the support of a sixth-order spirit vein or ancestral leyline, the path of cultivation would inevitably be fraught with obstacles. How could it compare to the smooth progression of those from established soul inheritance lineages?

Those primordial spirit lineages, like the drifting snow palace in the extreme northern ice plains, simultaneously occupied 1 Water Elemental Ancestral Vein and 1 Profound Ice Ancestral Vein, with an additional sixth-order spirit vein supplying their cultivation.

With abundant resources, spiritual energy, and heritage, cultivation progressed smoothly and naturally. As long as the Primordial Spirit Dao Lords of the Drifting Snow Palace followed the established path in their practice, most could advance beyond the Primordial Spirit, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm).

Setting aside his wandering thoughts, Eldrin ceased further contemplation and prepared to swiftly return to the Eastern Wastelands, intending to fully absorb the gains from this endeavor.

Chapter 1 The biting northern wind swept across the mountain ridge, carrying with it the scent of frozen earth and withered grass. Lin Yan tightened his worn deerskin coat, his gaze fixed upon the distant mountain gate shrouded in mist. "1 100 years," he murmured to himself, the words dissipating into white vapor in the frigid air. "1 100 years since I last set foot upon these steps." His fingers unconsciously traced the jade pendant at his chest—the sole keepsake from his master before the old man's heavenly tribulation. The cool, smooth surface seemed to pulse with a familiar energy, stirring memories long buried beneath the dust of time. Suddenly, a brilliant streak of azure light tore across the sky, followed by a thunderous roar that shook the very mountains. Lin Yan's eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary celestial phenomenon—someone was attempting a breakthrough. "Fellow Daoist, what brings you to our remote sect?" A clear voice rang out as a figure descended upon a gleaming sword. The newcomer wore robes of cloud-patterned silk, his presence as sharp as an unsheathed blade. Lin Yan offered a slight bow. "I seek an audience with the Sect Master." The sword-bearing cultivator's expression shifted from curiosity to astonishment as he noticed the jade pendant. "That token... you are Senior Lin Yan? But the records state you fell during the Heavenly Demon Invasion 30 years ago!" A faint smile touched Lin Yan's lips. "Reports of my demise were... exaggerated." As they spoke, another cultivator arrived on a massive wine gourd, his face round and cheerful. "Well I'll be! The legendary Lin Yan returns! Tell me, how does it feel to come back from the dead?" Before Lin Yan could respond, the ground trembled violently. From the main peak, a pillar of golden light shot into the heavens, illuminating the swirling clouds above. The 3 cultivators stared in awe as the light coalesced into shimmering characters that hovered in the sky—ancient runes of immense power. "The Grand Moon Sect's protective formation," the sword cultivator whispered in reverence. "It hasn't been activated in over 5 100 years." Lin Yan's heart quickened its pace. He could feel the spiritual energy gathering around him, familiar yet strangely altered. The jade pendant at his chest grew warm, almost hot against his skin. "Fellow Daoists," Lin Yan said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within, "it appears my return coincides with momentous events." The cultivator on the wine gourd took a deep swig from his vessel. "Momentous indeed! The heavens themselves announce your homecoming!" High above, the golden runes began to rotate, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the mountains. Somewhere in the distance, a bell tolled—once, twice, thrice—each chime resonating with the very essence of the world. Lin Yan took a deep breath and began ascending the stone steps toward the mountain gate. Each step felt heavier than the last, burdened by the weight of years and memories. Yet with each movement forward, the spiritual energy around him grew more vibrant, as if the mountain itself recognized its long-lost disciple. The journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step, he recalled his master's teaching. But what of the journey of a 100 years? Where does it truly begin?