Chapter 786 : The Patriarch's Summons

Yet at this moment, Rising Swan Chen was filled with considerable tension, for the person he was about to meet was none other than the Chen Clan Patriarch, who also served as the alliance leader of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance—a figure with whom even Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a supreme cultivator whose spirit has reached its primordial state] would address as a brother.

This filled Rising Swan Chen with both excitement and nervousness. He couldn't help but glance at the figure before him, Literature Abyss Lu, and asked with palpable emotion:

"Granduncle-Master, what do you think the Patriarch has summoned me for? I wish to be prepared."

"You rascal."

Literature Abyss Lu couldn't suppress a slight smile. In terms of generation, Rising Swan Chen was one below him. He had been born during an era when Eternal Profound Chen was in seclusion, reforge [to temper and rebuild] his physical body.

Meanwhile, the Clan Patriarch, Eldrin Chen, had been focused primarily on his own cultivation, leaving the day-to-day clan affairs below the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified core of spiritual power] realm to others. Among the clan's nearly one thousand Golden Core True Person [cultivators who have achieved the Golden Core realm], many were stationed in various regions, some never having the chance to meet the Patriarch even once in their lifetimes.

Rising Swan Chen had been nurtured to his current level primarily under the care of older-generation True Lord [a title for powerful Golden Core cultivators] like Verdant Peak, Literature Abyss Lu, and Ethan Chen, which fostered a closer, more familiar bond.

Seeing the nervous look on Rising Swan Chen's face, Literature Abyss Lu offered a reassuring smile. "The Master rarely summons clan True Lord individually. This summons is likely for a favorable matter."

"However, let me be clear: the Master's temperament is sharp and decisive. Do not act frivolously."

"Xinghong understands." Discover more cultivation stories at audio novel.com.

Rising Swan Chen gave a nod, then followed Literature Abyss Lu into the cavern abode.

Once inside the cavern abode, Rising Swan Chen finally beheld the figure whose name shook the Eastern Barrens.

He saw a man seated in meditation within the cavern. Clad in robes as white as snow, his divine bearing was like polished jade. Three thousand strands of dark hair were gathered by a silver crown, making him resemble a banished immortal who had stepped out of a painting.

After a momentary lapse, Rising Swan Chen jolted back to his senses. He promptly prostrated himself on the Earthly Path [the foundational cultivation path] and said, "This junior, Xinghong, pays his respects to the Patriarch."

"There is no need for such excessive courtesy,"

Eldrin Chen spoke with serene detachment. With a flick of his sleeve, he gently raised the young man and inquired casually, "I hear you are a descendant of Uncle Verdant Void?"

"That is correct."

Rising Swan Chen nodded again, then replied respectfully, "For seven generations above this junior, every ancestor has possessed a Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation required for cultivation]."

"Apart from myself, the one with the highest cultivation was my grandfather, Support Mystery True Person. Our lineage can be traced back to the Remembrance Sun Patriarch and the Verdant Void Patriarch."

"Elder Brother Remembrance Sun, Uncle Verdant Void."

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh, a note of nostalgia in his voice as he said, "I still remember those days. Elder Brother Remembrance Sun was the eldest among us of the Nian Generation."

"Uncle Verdant Void also dedicated his entire life to the family, serving with utter devotion. In his twilight years, for the sake of Remembrance Truth's Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds their spiritual foundation], he gave up a chance to extend his lifespan. He passed the three Longevity Pill [elixirs that can extend a mortal's natural lifespan] to his descendants."

"Alas."

Recalling the events of bygone days, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of complex emotions within his heart. Finally, he added, "Fortunately, his direct lineage produced an outstanding descendant like you. I believe that even if his spirit knows of this in the netherworld, he would feel deeply gratified."

Hearing Eldrin Chen's words, Rising Swan Chen, though unaware of the specifics of events from over a millennium past, felt an inexplicable sense of honor and pride well up within him.

To single-handedly seize the Heavenly Path Energy [a supremely rare and potent spiritual essence, crucial for high-level cultivation breakthroughs]—and to accomplish this without significant aid from the clan—meant that likely ninety percent of the Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul stage and are addressed as 'True Lord'] in the world could not match his feat.

Eldrin Chen gathered his wandering thoughts. After a glance at Rising Swan Chen, he said, "Now, let me see your hand."

"As you wish."

Rising Swan Chen complied, extending his wrist.

Eldrin Chen lowered his gaze to examine it. A flicker of pleasant surprise inevitably crossed his features.

After a long moment, he glanced at Rising Swan Chen and said, "The potential of the Supple Wood Path Body [a rare constitution attuned to the Wood element, granting enhanced vitality and affinity with plant life] is extraordinary. If you diligently explore its depths, you may very well comprehend an Arcane Power [a profound supernatural ability born from deep understanding of the Dao] before even reaching the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major breakthrough in one's cultivation journey]."

"Take this item and cultivate diligently."

So saying, Eldrin Chen handed an Ancient Scripture [a venerable text containing profound cultivation knowledge or techniques] to Rising Swan Chen.

Taking the ancient scroll, Rising Swan Chen looked at it and found it to be a simple, unadorned sutra. Upon it were inscribed five large characters: "《Returning Abyss Longevity Scroll》".

This Returning Abyss Longevity Scroll was one of the five foundational cultivation arts of Eldrin Chen. This art could be cultivated up to the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the pinnacle stage of the Infant Soul realm, where one's nascent soul reaches its ultimate potential].

To create this art, Eldrin Chen had specifically compiled the Wood Canon, one of the Four Treatises and Eight Canons [a legendary collection of twelve foundational texts encompassing all aspects of cultivation theory]. By absorbing the essence of hundreds of cultivation methods from within, he forged an art that could be considered among the very finest Infant Soul Cultivation Art [cultivation techniques specifically designed for the Infant Soul realm]. Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.

In terms of combat prowess within the Infant Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms a nascent soul, a significant leap in power and longevity], this art was merely average. However, when cultivated to its ultimate limit, it could grant an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has reached the True Lord stage within the Infant Soul realm] an additional millennium of lifespan. Furthermore, its regenerative and healing effects were ranked among the very best in the world.

With this realization, Rising Swan Chen could not help but reveal an expression of ecstatic joy.

He knew full well that this art was exceptionally precious. It was a foundational method of Eldrin Chen, one of the few techniques within the clan that was absolutely forbidden to be transmitted to outsiders.

Even clan members who were Infant Soul True Lord wishing to cultivate this art needed to swear a Oath of Reincarnation [a binding mystical vow that persists across lifetimes, ensuring secrecy] and pay a staggering sum of clan contribution points.

Rising Swan Chen understood clearly that given Eldrin Chen's profound foundation, his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm was almost a certainty. This cultivation art would undoubtedly be advanced to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the Primordial Spirit] in the future.

Thinking of this, Rising Swan Chen was overcome with emotion. He prostrated himself on the ground, offering repeated thanks: "I am deeply grateful for the Patriarch's generous gift of this profound method."

Eldrin Chen smiled and shook his head gently. "Go and cultivate," he continued. "If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation journey in the future, you may come directly to seek my guidance."

"My thanks to the Patriarch."

With a final bow of gratitude, Rising Swan Chen eventually took his leave from the mountain abode.

After seeing off Rising Swan Chen, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to Literature Abyss Lu. "That young man's Supple Wood Path Body [a special constitution attuned to the Wood element] has offered me some inspiration for comprehending Wood-attribute Arcane Power [profound supernatural abilities]," he remarked.

"Come closer," he said. "Let me examine whether your Four Symbols Path Body [a constitution embodying the four celestial beasts] has undergone any changes since your breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the nascent soul stage of cultivation] realm."

"If I can be of assistance to my master, this disciple would not hesitate for a moment," Literature Abyss Lu replied.

With a note of joy in his step, Literature Abyss Lu approached.

Eldrin Chen extended his hand, carefully probing the Four Symbols Path Body within Literature Abyss Lu. After a long while, he finally spoke. "As your cultivation deepens, the mysteries of your Four Symbols Path Body indeed grow ever more profound and unfathomable."

"If you can fully comprehend it, you may one day hope to glimpse the realm of Immortals and Deities."

Literature Abyss Lu's expression remained quite calm. Physiques such as the Four Symbols Path Body and the Three Talents Path Body were exceptionally rare Superior Grade Path Body in the world.

Currently, the Chen Clan had over thirty True Lord [a high-level cultivator title]. Among them, those possessing a Path Body [a special innate physique] accounted for more than thirty percent. However, there was only one true prodigy, Support Revive Chen, who possessed a Superior Grade Path Body.

Beyond that, the only others with Superior Grade Path Body were the disciples and successors of Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang.

Individuals like Sea-Calmer Path Master and Vast Righteousness Path Lord all possessed Superior Grade Path Body. While such aptitude did not guarantee ascension to immortality, their chances of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm] far exceeded those of ordinary Heavenly Path Infant Soul [a high-level cultivator realm].

Yet Literature Abyss Lu understood clearly how arduous breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Realm truly was. Relying solely on a Superior Grade Path Body merely increased the odds somewhat. It was far better to seek out a Sixth Rank Spiritual Object [a top-tier spiritual material] to advance one's Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a cultivator's personally bonded magical weapon].

With this thought, Literature Abyss Lu rose and said, "This disciple plans to venture out for a journey in the near future. I humbly request Master's permission."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. He had anticipated this. Calmly, he asked, "Your senior brother left a century ago to gain experience in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World. Where do you intend to go?"

"This disciple wishes to go to the Central Ancestral Domain, to witness the most prosperous ancestral homeland of the Human Race."

Literature Abyss Lu stated calmly, yet a flicker of yearning shone in his eyes.

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] furrowed his brow and spoke instantly, "Within the Central Ancestral Domain [the primordial homeland of the human race], we have offended the Fang Immortal Clan [a powerful clan of immortal cultivators]. Have you truly considered this?"

"This disciple has already considered it thoroughly."

Literature Abyss Lu [a disciple of Eldrin Chen] nodded firmly and declared, "For this journey, I will conceal my identity and travel through the Central Ancestral Domain, skirting around the Rising Sun Ancient Domain [an ancient and powerful region]."

"That Central Ancestral Domain is vast beyond measure, spanning countless hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. The chance of them stumbling upon me and recognizing me is not great."

Seeing that Literature Abyss Lu's resolve was unshakable, Eldrin Chen could only say, "Very well. You are also one blessed with great Fortune [a profound destiny or karmic luck] and possess a Path Body [a rare innate physique perfectly suited for cultivation]. The Central Ancestral Domain is the ancestral land of the Human Race, not some dragon's den or tiger's lair."

"Go and see it for your master. If you encounter any trouble, remember to send word to me immediately." Official source: http://www . audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.