Chapter 805 : The Weight of a Billion Souls

Eldrin Chen stood in silent contemplation, a profound tide of emotions surging within his heart.

The path of a Ghost Immortal [a cultivator who has chosen to remain in the mortal world as a spectral entity] cultivated within the Mortal Realm is one destined to bear the weight of boundless karmic retribution and endure relentless Tribulation [heavenly trials and calamities]; it is a road that leads only to a dead end.

This path offers scarcely a glimpse of a Future, and more often than not, it culminates in the utter dispersion of one's soul, leaving not even a wisp for Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth].

In truth, given Verdant Seal Path Master's profound cultivation and mastery, the chance for him to shed his current form and re-enter the cycle of Reincarnation was not insignificant.

Yet, were he to abandon Celestial Dome Island and seek refuge alone within the halls of the Netherworld Underworld Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing death and the afterlife], the billions of wronged souls of the Chen Clan left upon Celestial Dome Island would be stripped of all protection, doomed to scatter into nothingness.

The resentment born from the tragedy of Celestial Dome Island in ages past was a thing of profound and terrible intensity. Billions of the Human Race perished in a single night, and the sheer, overwhelming magnitude of their collective grievance has trapped their spirits upon that accursed isle, barring them from returning to the Underworld Court and entering the cycle of Reincarnation.

To guide these souls back into the wheel of Reincarnation, one must first quell the ocean of their bitter hatred.

To pacify the resentment of billions of wronged spirits, only two methods exist. The first requires a Demigod Patriarch to perform a supreme sutra of liberation. The second is to exact vengeance on their behalf, to wash their grievances clean with blood.

The first method is one of immense difficulty. A ritual capable of liberating billions of tormented souls inherently involves purifying an infinite sea of karmic debt. Only supreme scriptures such as the Taoist 'Scripture of Salvation' or the Buddhist Sect's 'Earth Store Sutra' possess such power.

These sacred texts are legacies passed down from the orthodoxies of 'Buddhas' and 'Dao Patriarchs' who have attained the realm of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation]. Within the confines of the Purple Seal Realm, such profound inheritances simply do not exist. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel.com.

In ancient times, the Purple Seal Immortal Lord did indeed create a cultivation art known as the 'Purple Seal Soul Salvation Scripture'. However, the lineage and teachings of this path have been lost for many years.

Therefore, the method of guiding departed souls to salvation was clearly not viable. Verdant Seal Path Master had to abandon the opportunity for Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth]. He chose instead to remain confined within Celestial Dome Island and embark upon the arduous path of a Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates as a spectral being, often bound by heavy karmic debts], all to shelter the countless wronged souls of the Chen Clan.

"To protect the hundreds of millions of wronged souls of the Chen Clan, he willingly shouldered infinite karmic burdens alone, walking the nearly hopeless path of a Ghost Immortal."

"Patriarch..."

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh. He opened his mouth, intending to offer some words of persuasion, but the words caught in his throat. He found himself at a loss for where to even begin.

Just imagine, if one day the present Chen Clan were to be utterly annihilated in a single night.

If Exquisite Jiang, Old Granduncle, Lila, and countless other clansmen were to sink into the sea of resentment, trapped in a dazed, half-conscious state, unable to achieve Reincarnation, how would he himself bear it?

Would he abandon the clansmen he had cherished throughout his journey, watching them slowly dissipate, soul and spirit, within the Mortal Dust [the realm of the dead where souls linger]? Would he proceed alone to the Netherworld Underworld Court [the courts of the underworld that judge the dead] to cleanse his Karma [the spiritual ledger of one's actions] and seek solitary Reincarnation?

Or would he choose to transform into a Ghost Immortal right there in the Mortal Dust, enduring the endless, crushing weight of the world's karmic forces alone, just to shelter them and grant them a moment of peace?

Eldrin Chen did not know what choice he might make in the distant future. But he knew with absolute certainty that the man he was now could never abandon those by his side.

All under heaven speak of attaining immortality as the path to ultimate freedom and ease.

Yet, if one becomes an immortal but extinguishes their humanity, losing the capacity for love and hate, can that truly be called freedom?

Eldrin Chen believed that the so-called 'immortal' was nothing more than a person and a mountain.

The 'person' refers to the individual. When a person ascends the mountain's peak, achieving Longevity [the state of enduring life and timeless vision], and is no longer bound by the myriad affairs of the world, gazing down upon all under heaven—that is when one becomes an 'immortal'.

If one attains immortality but discards their humanity, then they can no longer be considered a true Immortal [a being who has ascended beyond mortality while retaining their essential nature].

Such an existence cannot be said to have mastered the Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of cultivation]; rather, the Path Principles have devoured their humanity, or perhaps they have become mere 'puppets' controlled by the Path Principles.

"In this life, there are things one must do, and things one must not."

"You have done exceedingly well, Patriarch [esteemed clan leader or founding ancestor]." Eldrin Chen gazed deeply at Verdant Seal Path Master, his expression turning solemn as he continued, "But I wonder, what can I do for you?"

"What can you do?"

Verdant Seal Path Master pondered for a moment before speaking. "I shall impart to you a method. Forge a Divine Shrine [a sacred altar or vessel for receiving worship and offerings], and have the clansmen offer frequent sacrifices before it. This may provide me with some slight aid."

"..."

Eldrin Chen departed from the Great Hall. Before leaving, he cast one last glance at the now-silent Divine Shrine [a sacred altar used to house divine spirits and collect faith], and could not help but let out a soft sigh.

Seeing him emerge, Exquisite Jiang could not resist asking, "How did it go?"

"Alas..."

Eldrin Chen sighed and recounted the entire sequence of events to the others.

After hearing the tale, a wave of melancholy settled over the group. Nyssa Qu spoke up, her voice tinged with concern, "The Mortal Realm [the world of ordinary humans] lacks any orthodox tradition for Ghost Immortal [a cultivator who has chosen the path of spectral ascension, existing as a powerful spirit] cultivation. Moreover, the pervasive Yang energy [the active, masculine principle of the cosmos] of the mortal world is quite detrimental to his practice. I fear his chosen path offers little hope." This chapter appears courtesy of www . audio-novel.com.

Verdant Consort shook her head, however, and offered a different perspective. "Nothing in this world is absolute. He has countless wronged souls to convert into Yin energy [the passive, feminine principle of the cosmos] for him. If we add the power of faith and worship to that, perhaps a sliver of hope remains."

"Summer Reign speaks wisely," Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. "For now, the only aid we can offer is to gather faith and worship on his behalf."

Having resolved to lend Verdant Seal Path Master a helping hand, Eldrin Chen set about studying the Divine Shrine crafting method that Verdant Seal had passed down.

Once he had thoroughly mastered its intricacies, he personally forged one Divine Shrine. To his surprise, he discovered that the artifact's internal mechanisms were profoundly subtle and ingenious.

This Divine Shrine [a sacred altar for worship and offerings] can gather the power of prayers and wishes from the descendants' sacrifices, capable of condensing the legendary Faith Power [a metaphysical energy derived from sincere belief and worship].

Once the Faith Power [a metaphysical energy derived from sincere belief and worship] is successfully condensed, Verdant Seal Path Master can also, relying on the power of the Divine Shrine [a sacred altar for worship and offerings], establish ranks and positions such as Wandering Soul [a low-ranking spirit of the deceased], Netherworld Soldier [a spectral soldier serving the underworld], Yaksha [a swift and fierce nature spirit or demon], Ghost General [a commander of spectral forces], Judge of the Underworld [an underworld magistrate who passes judgment on souls], Ghost Marshal [a marshal overseeing legions of ghosts], and Ghost King [a sovereign ruler over vast ghostly domains].

This method was created by Verdant Seal Path Master by emulating the legendary system of the Netherworld Underworld Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing the afterlife]. In this hierarchy, a Wandering Soul [a low-ranking spirit of the deceased] is roughly equivalent to a Vital Essence Refinement cultivator, a Netherworld Soldier [a spectral soldier serving the underworld] can rival a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a Yaksha [a swift and fierce nature spirit or demon] can match a Violet Sanctum cultivator, and a Ghost General [a commander of spectral forces] is no weaker than a Golden Core Realm cultivator.

The higher-ranking Judge of the Underworld [an underworld magistrate who passes judgment on souls], Ghost Marshal [a marshal overseeing legions of ghosts], and Ghost King [a sovereign ruler over vast ghostly domains] are all at the Infant Soul True Lord level. They are personally appointed by Verdant Seal Path Master and are all filled by the remnant souls of True Lord cultivators from the Chen Clan who fell in battle on Celestial Dome Island.

According to the Divine Shrine [a sacred altar for worship and offerings] method passed down by Verdant Seal Path Master, once these aggrieved souls assume the positions of underworld officers, their remnant souls, gradually nourished by the incense and sacrificial offerings, will slowly recover and become whole once more.

Furthermore, with the continuous sustenance of vast amounts of devotional energy, they will gradually regain their consciousness and memories. Their strength also holds a sliver of potential for improvement through this nourishment and their own ongoing cultivation.

"Could it be that Verdant Seal Patriarch intends to re-establish the Netherworld Underworld Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing the afterlife] within the Purple Seal Realm?"

Upon perceiving the profound mysteries of the Divine Shrine [a sacred altar for worship and offerings], Lila could not help but be greatly astonished.

Beside her, Exquisite Jiang was also taken aback. After observing for a moment, she took a deep breath and shook her head, saying, "It is a pity this method is not yet fully perfected."

"To gather remnant souls, aid in their Rebirth [the process of reincarnating into a new life], and harness Faith Power [a metaphysical energy derived from sincere belief and worship] to assist the ghostly officers in their cultivation, it is said one also requires multiple immortal-grade ghost treasures such as the 'Soul-Gathering Bell' [a bell that summons and gathers wandering souls], the 'Soul-Cleansing Pool' [a pool that purifies souls of their earthly attachments], the 'Reincarnation Well' [a well that serves as a gateway to reincarnation], and the 'Book of Life and Death' [the ledger recording the fate and lifespan of all living beings]."

"To gather these treasures is a feat beyond even many Ghost Immortals [immortal beings who have transcended the mortal coil and dwell in the spirit realm]. For him to possess merely a single Divine Shrine [a portable, enchanted temple that serves as a locus for divine power and ancestral worship], though it holds a sliver of wondrous utility, is far from sufficient to establish a Netherworld Underworld Court [a sanctioned, sovereign domain within the underworld where souls are judged and ancestral spirits reside] within the Purple Seal Realm."

Beside him, Eldrin Chen also nodded in agreement. Establishing a Netherworld Underworld Court was no simple matter, especially not one so easily accomplished.

It was said that within the vast Netherworld Underworld Court of the Immortal Realm, the greatest aspiration of countless Ghost Immortals was precisely to found their own such court.

Success in this endeavor would grant them a share of the Faith Power [a metaphysical energy generated by sincere worship and ancestral veneration] offered by the Immortal Clans under their jurisdiction during their rites to honor the ancestors. The story continues at audio . novel . com.