Chapter 825 : Golden Lotus and Purifying Waters

Within the Great Hall, a pool of golden water shimmered, and at its center grew three extraordinary golden lotuses of profound spiritual nature.

Upon seeing the pool and the lotuses, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly as he spoke, "Merit Golden Lotus [a legendary lotus that accumulates and manifests spiritual merit], Buddha's Radiance Purifying Water [a rare sacred water imbued with the purifying light of enlightened beings]."

The golden lotuses in the pool, needless to say, were the famed Merit Golden Lotus of the Western Pole Serene Spirit Temple.

The Buddha's Radiance Purifying Water was a rare divine water. Originally a scarce Sixth Rank spiritual liquid, it had been cleansed for generations by the radiant light of the Serene Spirit Temple's high monks using their magical treasures, gradually nurturing within it a faint trace of Buddha-nature [the inherent potential for enlightenment].

This water possessed miraculous properties, capable of cleansing a cultivator's heart-mind and soul, offering significant suppression against a cultivator's Inner Demon [the internal demons born from one's own negative emotions and desires] and demonic affinities.

Had Kael Chen obtained this water back then, he might have been able to directly purify his demonic nature, sparing himself the torment of being ceaselessly scoured by the Long River Waters.

Yet for Eldrin Chen at this moment, his primary focus remained on the Merit Golden Lotus.

Among the three golden lotuses, one had already reached the Sixth Rank Mid-Grade tier, another was at the Sixth Rank Low-Grade tier, while the last remained immature, merely at the Fifth Rank level.

The Sixth Rank Mid-Grade Merit Golden Lotus held boundless potential, likely capable of advancing even to the Sixth Rank Superior Grade level. Eldrin Chen understood that the Serene Spirit Temple would probably not part with this treasure.

Thus, he turned his gaze to the Sixth Rank Low-Grade treasure lotus and inquired, "I wonder what treasures would be required in exchange for this one?" Access the full story on audio-novel dot com.

"There is indeed an item in your possession that we require."

The Zen Heart Divine Monk nodded and then spoke, "The Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus in your hand is a Exotic Treasure [a treasure of extraordinary rarity and power] rarely seen between heaven and earth. It can be exchanged for this Merit Golden Lotus."

"The Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he still handed the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus to the Zen Heart Divine Monk.

The Zen Heart Divine Monk, having received the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus, plucked the Merit Golden Lotus and passed it to Eldrin Chen.

With the Merit Golden Lotus exchanged, the group could be said to have achieved their heart's desire.

This journey had proceeded far more smoothly than anticipated, bringing a flicker of joy to Eldrin Chen's heart.

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile, rising to bid farewell to the Zen Heart Divine Monk. "We thank you for your hospitality, Divine Monk. Should you ever journey to the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, I shall fulfill my duties as host."

"Patron, wait a moment."

The Zen Heart Divine Monk halted them, then casually scooped a ladle of Buddha's Radiance Purifying Water [sacred water imbued with purifying Buddha-light] and handed it to Eldrin Chen. "Take some of this back with you. It may prove useful."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Was this arranged by the Tribulation Transcending Divine Monk?"

"The donor need not inquire further," the Zen Heart Divine Monk shook his head, offering only a subtle reminder. "This water can cleanse the spirit, yet it carries a trace of Buddhist nature [the inherent qualities and principles of enlightenment]."

"If you lack the certainty to subdue this Buddhist nature, you must use it with great caution."

Eldrin Chen nodded, retrieved the Lesser Lunar Divine Water, and spoke, "I possess another portion of Lesser Lunar Divine Water suitable for medicinal use. I shall exchange it for this Buddha's Radiance Purifying Water."

The Zen Heart Divine Monk accepted the Lesser Lunar Divine Water and said no more, silently escorting the three of them out of the Serene Spirit Temple.

After departing the Serene Spirit Temple, Verdant Consort glanced back at the ancestral Buddhist temple and drew a deep breath. "It seems the Tribulation Transcending Divine Monk may have perceived something, thus deliberately laying this contingency."

"Perhaps so."

Eldrin Chen inhaled deeply, his pupils reflecting profound gravity.

The level at which such a Demigod Patriarch and an Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful fiendish deity originating from beyond the known realms] crossed blows likely involved stratagems far beyond ordinary comprehension.

Perhaps, at its core, this was the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world] contending with the Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world], for those Demigod Patriarch [cultivators who have ascended to the peak of mortality, half-step into divinity] could align their hearts with the will of Heaven and Earth, listening to its subtle whispers in the silent void.

Thus, the actions of these Patriarch [powerful clan or sect leaders] might themselves be but a single move in a grander game of chess, a layout orchestrated by the collective will of the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world] against the encroaching Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world].

Even he, despite possessing combat power rivaling a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest mortal cultivation stage] cultivator, was at best a half-piece on this board, deemed unworthy of even the right to know the truth by the players above.

This was likely because his cultivation was still too low; knowing more would change nothing.

More crucially, perhaps they feared that revealing the truth might allow the Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world] to pierce through the subtle machinations woven by the will of the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world].

Eldrin Chen even suspected that these Demigod Patriarch [cultivators who have ascended to the peak of mortality, half-step into divinity] themselves possessed only fragmented understanding, merely acting on partial glimpses of Celestial Mechanism [the hidden workings and laws of Heaven and fate] gleaned from deciphering Heaven's intent. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel.com (official site).

"In the end, I am still far too weak," he murmured, the words heavy with resolve.

Eldrin Chen shook his head. If his cultivation could rival a Demigod Patriarch [cultivator who has ascended to the peak of mortality, half-step into divinity], allowing him to hear that celestial will, he might then perceive the profound mysteries of the impending Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of cleansing and rebirth ordained by fate].

Then he would have far greater opportunity to shape the board, not remain a mere speck of dust swept along by the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of cleansing and rebirth ordained by fate], powerless to alter Heaven and reshape Earth.

With this thought, Elias Chen's gaze grew even more profound and unyielding.

Soaring across the vast heavens, his gaze swept over the boundless, majestic expanse of the world. A fierce, overwhelming desire to grow stronger, a surge of heroic ambition, suddenly ignited within him.

"It is not enough. I must become stronger."

"Wait another three thousand years, and I shall slay all demons and fiends, vowing to ascend to the Ascendant Immortal realm."

"…"

Having secured the Merit Golden Lotus, the group no longer needed to linger in the Far North Icy Plains. They flew across several ancient domains until finally arriving before an oasis.

On this day, Verdant Mist Yu [a cultivator from the Yu Clan] could not contain her joy, a smile gracing her features as she spoke, "Once we reach that oasis ahead, I can use the Teleportation Formation to travel to the Central Ancestral Domain."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, yet a flicker of icy intent passed through his eyes.

For there, blocking the path before the oasis, stood a tall, imposing monk who had appeared as if from nowhere.

Seated cross-legged in the void, the monk watched their approach, his gaze turning frosty. "You think you can simply walk away after stealing this old monk's Diamond Maiden [a powerful cultivation technique]?" he said, his voice cold. "It will not be so easy."

"Divine Monk Kumarajiva."

Verdant Mist Yu paled, a flicker of shock and fury crossing her features.

She glanced at Eldrin Chen, drew a deep breath, and said, "Brother Eldrin, you should go back. At worst, I can end my own life here."

"There's no need for such drastic measures."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, his gaze turning icy as he stepped forward.

He advanced with a cold demeanor and spoke, "Do you intend to block my path?"

"So you are the Purple Seal Realm's Top Infant Soul Cultivator," Divine Monk Kumarajiva said, his eyes narrowing with a cold glint and a sneer twisting his lips. "Surrender my Diamond Maiden [a powerful defensive cultivation art], and I shall let you depart."

"*Clang!*"

The reply came as a blinding sword radiance. In an instant, the dazzling Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [a divine sword technique channeling the power of the celestial river] cleaved downward, aimed directly at Divine Monk Kumarajiva.

To everyone's surprise, Divine Monk Kumarajiva merely let out a cold laugh. His body erupted with brilliant golden light as he pressed his palms together, actually catching and pinning the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword between them.

"The Arhat Golden Body [a supreme defensive technique of Buddhist cultivators, rendering the body as hard as diamond]?"

Exquisite Jiang's expression shifted slightly. Without hesitation, she summoned and slashed down with the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword.

That Divine Monk Kumarajiva had cultivated a complete Arhat Golden Body. Bolstered by his Primordial Solar Magical Power [a potent yang-aligned cultivation art], he actually withstood the blow from the Primordial Solar Immortal Sword completely unscathed.

With a furious roar, he transformed into the Six-Armed Vajra Saint [a wrathful, six-armed Buddhist guardian form], deflecting the barrage of Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators]. A cold sneer twisted his lips. "A mere Infant Soul [the Nascent Soul stage, where a cultivator's spiritual core takes infant form] junior, inflated by empty praise. Do you truly believe you can contend with a Primordial Spirit [the Primordial Spirit stage, where the cultivator's spirit transcends mortal limits]?" Original publication: site: audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.