Chapter 778 : The Eastern Sovereign's Golden Legacy

"You all?"

The Tomb Guardian suddenly laughed, then shook his head and said, "The blood of the Eastern Sovereign flows within your veins. It is indeed fitting that you inherit the relics."

"The bloodline of the Eastern Sovereign!"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted dramatically with shock, and he couldn't help but exchange a glance with Exquisite Jiang and the others.

Only at this moment did he understand why, upon setting foot upon Eastern Sovereign Mountain, he had felt that profound sense of sorrow and lamentation welling from the very depths of his bloodline.

The Tomb Guardian nodded, then retrieved from his robes a golden, radiant ancient tome and handed it to Eldrin Chen, saying:

"I have safeguarded this treasure for thousands of years, waiting for the descendant of the Eastern Sovereign to finally arrive."

"A Golden Foil Celestial Book!"

Eldrin Chen's countenance changed abruptly. Within the Purple Seal Realm, only cultivation arts [esoteric methods for spiritual advancement] at the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm and above were recorded on such a special treasure.

This was because Primordial Spirit Art [esoteric methods for cultivating the Primordial Spirit] themselves began to touch upon the profound mysteries of the Celestial Mechanism [the fundamental laws and principles of heaven and the cosmos]. Ordinary materials were insufficient to fully inscribe their essence and intent; only Scripture Transmission Paper [special paper imbued with spiritual power for recording profound texts] or a Golden Foil Celestial Book [a sacred book made of golden foil, capable of perfectly preserving high-level cultivation arts] could completely record them. Find this and other novels at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

While the Scripture Transmission Paper [a special paper used to record cultivation techniques] is remarkable, it carries the risk of being damaged or destroyed by fire, and if contaminated by demonic energy [the corrupting energy associated with demonic cultivators and beings], it can be rendered completely useless.

Compared to the Scripture Transmission Paper, the Golden Foil Celestial Book [a book made of golden foil, exceptionally durable and capable of preserving profound cultivation arts] is especially precious. This artifact is forged from Sixth Rank [a high-grade material classification] Arcane Gold [a rare and spiritually conductive metal], infused with precious secret elixirs and Spiritual Object [objects imbued with or containing concentrated spiritual energy].

Once forged, it fears neither fire nor water erosion. Even if tainted by demonic energy, as long as the corruption is purified, it can still preserve the true intent of the Daoist technique recorded within.

It can be said to be the paramount treasure for inscribing methods at the Primordial Spirit [a high cultivation realm where one's spiritual core is fully formed] realm and above. It is said to be capable of completely recording even immortal-grade arts. Within the Purple Seal Realm [a specific region or world in the cultivation universe], those qualified to use it could be counted on one hand.

This is indeed the case. Most Primordial Spirit Art [cultivation techniques designed for the Primordial Spirit realm] within the Purple Seal Realm are recorded on Scripture Transmission Paper. Those qualified to use the Golden Foil Celestial Book either possess an Immortal Inheritance [a legacy technique of immortal grade] like the Void-Refining Immortal Scripture [a specific, powerful immortal cultivation scripture], or the most supreme Demigod [a cultivation realm approaching divinity] level techniques.

The fact that this Primordial Solar Heaven Scripture [a scripture or place associated with the primordial sun] before him used golden foil as its material clearly indicated it must be an incomparably precious method.

The Tomb Guardian noticed the expression on Eldrin Chen's face. He handed the Golden Foil Celestial Book to Eldrin Chen and spoke, "This book is named the Eastern Sovereign Scripture, its full title being the 'Eastern Sovereign Path Book' [the complete scripture of the Eastern Sovereign's cultivation path]."

"It is a method for achieving immortality through physical body refinement. If you cultivate it, your future prospects will be boundless."

Eldrin Chen listened to his explanation while examining the Eastern Sovereign Path Book before him.

As the guardian recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen gradually gained an understanding of the past of the Eastern Sovereign [a title meaning 'Ruler of the East', often bestowed upon a powerful cultivator].

The Eastern Sovereign Patriarch of old, in the realm of physical cultivation, was hailed as the most talented individual of his generation within the Purple Seal Realm [the name of a specific cultivation world].

By studying the innate Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] and bloodline powers of the Demon Race, he single-handedly pioneered a method to achieve immortality through the physical body, thereby restoring the path of physical ascension for the Purple Seal Realm Human Race.

This Eastern Sovereign Celestial Scripture is acclaimed as the foremost celestial tome for body cultivators. In theory, cultivating it to its ultimate limit should allow one to forge an Immortal Body [a perfect, immortal physical form] within the Mortal Realm [the mortal world, as opposed to higher realms], enabling a breakthrough to the state of physical ascension.

"In the past, the Eastern Sovereign had already cultivated his Immortal Body to completion. He was only a tribulation away from solidifying the immortal realm of the Immortal Body."

"Alas, to aid Imperial Sovereign Jiang in attaining his Dao, he alone shouldered the tribulation in his stead, enduring three strikes from an Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic deity from beyond this world] and perishing as a result."

At this point, the Tomb Guardian sighed and said, "Although the Eastern Sovereign fell, this Eastern Sovereign Celestial Scripture was far too astonishing. That Outer Realm Demon God sought to destroy it."

"With no other choice, in his final moments, the Eastern Sovereign tore off the last, corrupted page of this Golden Foil Celestial Book [a sacred text inscribed on golden foil] and cast it into the churning Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortals]. Its whereabouts now are unknown."

Eldrin Chen listened quietly, then turned to the final page of the book. He saw that a page of the Golden Foil Celestial Book seemed to have been forcibly torn away.

Judging from the tear's edge, it appeared to match perfectly with the page of Golden Foil Celestial Book in Eldrin Chen's possession—the one that recorded the Ascendant Immortal Path-Forging Art.

A shock ran through Eldrin Chen. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Exquisite Jiang and the others.

He was tempted to take out that single page of the Golden Foil Celestial Book to complete this tome, yet he suppressed the impulse in an instant.

Judging from the words of the Tomb Guardian, the path to achieving an Immortal Body [a physical form refined to the level of an immortal] within the Purple Seal Realm seemed to have been deliberately severed by the Outer Realm Demon God.

This Eastern Sovereign Celestial Scripture was very likely the last remaining method within the Purple Seal Realm that recorded the path to forging an Immortal Body. Once it spread, the consequences were utterly unpredictable.

Most crucially, if the Outer Realm Demon God were to learn of it, even greater and more terrifying actions would surely follow.

Eldrin Chen even speculated that this path of physical ascension might pose a genuine threat to that Outer Realm Demon God.

This was not a baseless conjecture. In ages past, Imperial Sovereign Jiang, with talent that dazzled across ten thousand generations, was the sole individual in eighty thousand years to achieve immortality. He simultaneously cultivated both the Path Principles Immortal [an immortal who has mastered fundamental cosmic principles] and Path Fruit Immortal [an immortal who has borne the fruit of their cultivated path] paths, making his combat prowess exceptionally formidable even among Immortal. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel`com.

Such an existence, even after ascending to the Immortal Realm, would most likely become an Earth Immortal Patriarch, and might even glimpse the realm of a Celestial Immortal Great Power.

Yet even a prodigy like Imperial Sovereign Jiang ultimately failed. This proved that mastering two paths was still insufficient to deliver a fatal blow to the Outer Realm Demon God.

Perhaps only by simultaneously cultivating the Immortal Body, Path Principles, and Path Fruit [the culmination of a cultivator's chosen path]—forging a foundation worthy of a Great Encompassing Immortal Lord in one fell swoop—could one possibly slay the Outer Realm Demon God and finally end this Demonic Abyss Cataclysm that had lasted for tens of thousands of years.

Under such circumstances, this last remaining method in the Purple Seal Realm capable of achieving an Immortal Body was something the Outer Realm Demon God would absolutely never allow to resurface in the world.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen suppressed the impulse to inform the Tomb Guardian and instead spoke, "Could you tell me about what happened back then?"

"The events of the past?"

The Tomb Guardian's brow furrowed slightly, understanding perfectly what Eldrin Chen wished to know.

With a sigh, he began to recount the tale, narrating the events of that bygone era.

As the guardian spoke, Eldrin Chen quickly grasped the sequence of events from that ancient time.

In those days, the Eastern Sovereign had already forged his Immortal Body [a body refined to the pinnacle of mortal cultivation, nearing true immortality], making him the second most powerful figure within the Purple Seal Realm. Had he not been trapped within the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a cataclysmic event where demonic energy erupted from a great abyss], he would have surely ascended to immortality long ago, just as the Void-Refining Immortal had done.

To confront the Outer Realm Demon God [a terrifyingly powerful demonic entity from beyond this world], the Eastern Sovereign used his supreme cultivation base and the might of his physical form to withstand three long-range strikes from the entity.

The Eastern Sovereign possessed three Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [magical artifacts bound to a cultivator's life force and soul]: the God-Slaying Spear, the Immortality Shield, and the Eastern Sovereign Bell.

The combat prowess of the Outer Realm Demon God was nearly indescribable. Its initial attack was meant to slay Imperial Sovereign Jiang, but the Eastern Sovereign used a substitution technique to divert the lethal force onto himself.

Such overwhelming power was beyond mortal endurance. Furthermore, although the Eastern Sovereign had forged his Immortal Body, he had not yet undergone his final heavenly tribulation. His cultivation base and physical form lacked the final touch of Immortal Spirit Essence [the quintessential energy of a true immortal] and thus were not yet perfected.

With merely the first strike, the God-Slaying Spear of Eastern Sovereign [a title for a supreme ruler of the east] shattered on the spot. By the second strike, the Immortality Shield [a legendary shield said to grant invincibility] was utterly destroyed.

By the third strike, Eastern Sovereign's spiritual power [the cultivated energy used to fuel techniques] was completely exhausted, leaving him no choice but to meet the blow with the full might of his physical body.

Alas, in the end, he could not withstand the supreme power of the Outer Realm Demon God [a terrifying entity from beyond this world]. He met a valiant and utterly devastating end upon Eastern Sovereign Mountain, the impact shearing away nearly half of the mountain's towering height of several million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

"If Eastern Sovereign had been allowed to transcend his Tribulation [a heavenly trial that, if passed, grants immense power], that battle would never have ended this way,"

Eldrin Chen said with palpable frustration after hearing the tale.

A moment later, he shook his head. In a clash between such supreme beings, who would wait for their opponent to achieve a breakthrough for a so-called fair duel?

The thought made him draw a deep, steadying breath, yet a knot of helpless resentment remained lodged in his heart with no outlet.

Noticing this, Exquisite Jiang beside him asked, "And what of the Eastern Sovereign Bell [the sovereign's signature divine artifact]?" For more chapters, visit https://audio-novel.com for the complete novel.