Chapter 870. The Passing of Old Friends

In the grand hall, Eldrin gazed at the Ancient Clan Leader, his eyes briefly assessing before he gave an imperceptible nod of approval.

The master of this ancient clan was truly a pillar of the Primordial Immortal Clan. Though his cultivation had not yet reached the Primordial Spirit realm, his foundation remained solid, and it appeared his hopes of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit realm were not insignificant.

At this thought, his mood lightened somewhat, and he said with a smile, "I heard you wish to exchange the Soul Flower for the Azure Lotus Seed?"

"Indeed," the Patriarch of the Ancient Clan nodded, speaking with utmost reverence, "I merely hope that after the Divine Soul Elixir is refined, this junior may receive 1."

Eldrin (Person Name) nodded upon hearing this and spoke softly, "Your innate talent is quite remarkable. With the aid of a Soul Elixir and lotus seeds, you should be able to break through to the Soul Formation realm within 1 100 years."

"Very well, I shall grant your request."

"Many thanks, Elder!"

The Ancient Clan Leader hurriedly expressed his gratitude and promptly handed over the Soul Flower to Eldrin.

Eldrin received the Soul Flower, sensing its potent medicinal essence that clearly indicated it had just been harvested from a spirit herb garden.

Satisfied, Eldrin (Person Name) stored the treasures away and nodded. "When you break through to the Nascent Soul realm, if you lack confidence in weathering the External Tribulation, you may seek me out in the Eastern Wastelands (Location)."

The Ancient Clan Leader was overjoyed upon hearing this and promptly prostrated himself, saying, "Elder's great kindness is 1 this junior shall repay a hundredfold in the future."

"No need for this." A faint glimmer shone in Eldrin's eyes as he shook his head with a light laugh. "Throughout my journey, I too have received kindness from numerous human elders."

"Reflecting upon the source when drinking water, my cultivation has now reached modest achievements. It is only fitting that I extend my protection to the younger generation."

"You need not think of repaying me. Simply focus on your cultivation. If you ever possess surplus strength, extend your care to future generations."

The Ancient Clan Master listened quietly, feeling as if the figure before him was carved from jade. Though merely standing in repose, he possessed an extraordinary aura of 1 who transcended the mundane world.

For a moment, his heart swelled with profound reverence as he spoke, "Senior's devotion to all living beings is truly admirable. This junior shall engrave today's teachings deep within my soul."

After seeing off the Ancient Clan Leader, Eldrin immediately headed to the Blazing Prison Fire Sea to begin refining the Soul Consolidation Pill.

In the past, when Elder Changhe was at the Primordial Spirit, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm), refining a single batch of Primordial Spirit Pills required dozens of years.

Now, Eldrin's magical power was even more profound than that of Riverlord Chang in his day. With the assistance of a sixth-tier subterranean fire vein, the time required to refine the Soul Elixir was less than 1-third of what Riverlord Chang had needed.

In just 9 years, he successfully refined this batch of Soul Elixir.

This time, Eldrin was attempting to refine a Soul Elixir for the first time—a treasure-grade pill at the Nascent Soul level. Yet, against all expectations, he succeeded in producing 4 Nascent Soul Treasure Pills.

This brought Eldrin considerable delight, for even the most exceptional sixth-tier low-grade alchemists could typically refine only 3 Soul Nourishing Pills per cauldron at most.

Eldrin was crafting pure yang-grade treasured pills for the first time, yet he produced 4 pills in a single batch. This level of alchemy skill was likely no weaker than that of a mid-sixth-tier alchemist.

"With my cultivation base and comprehension, it seems I only need to refine a few more batches of Sixth-rank Treasure Pills to confidently advance my alchemy skills to the peak of Sixth-rank."

With this thought in mind, he emerged from the secluded cultivation chamber.

After emerging from seclusion, he sought out Qing Ji and Lyra (Person Name), along with the others, and shared the glad tidings of having successfully refined 4 Soul Consolidation Pills.

Upon hearing this, they all felt a faint stir of joy in their hearts. Lyra (Person Name) spoke up directly, "Since you've successfully refined 4 Soul Consolidation Pills, how do you intend to distribute these precious elixirs?"

Eldrin pondered briefly before speaking, "Among the several Divine Soul Elixirs, 1 must be given to the Ancient Celestial Clan, leaving us with 3 remaining."

"Since we aim to reclaim the Eastern Wastelands (Location) from the Eldrin (Person Name), we must concentrate our resources to prioritize cultivating a Nascent Soul Dao Lord first."

Upon hearing this, the few individuals understood Eldrin's intention—he wished to bestow the Soul Elixir upon those candidates destined for the Dao Lotus Seed.

Lyra also nodded, then smiled wryly. "This would indeed nurture several Nascent Soul cultivators, but the 9 Rivers Dao Lord, Ji Xuan Yin, and that Lilith, Mistress of Desire simply don't possess such vast resources."

"They'll just have to owe me."

Eldrin let out a soft sigh and spoke, "Summon them to meet me at Spirit Isle Lake."

Not long after, 3 figures arrived at Spirit Lake Isle in succession: Riverway Dao Lord 9, Ji Xuan Yin, and Lilith, Mistress of Desire (Person Name).

Eldrin personally received the group. After securing their promise to repay the treasure in the future, he bestowed upon them the Lotus Seeds and the Soul Restoration Pill.

Considering the current instability in the Violet Realm, Eldrin advised before parting, "You may choose a sixth-order spirit vein at locations like the 3 Veins Ancient Domain's Guyuan Mountain, Spirit Isle Lake, or the Green Lotus Isles to break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

The trio expressed their gratitude repeatedly, only departing after collecting their treasures. Meanwhile, an elderly man with snow-white hair and beard hurriedly arrived at Spirit Isle Lake (Location).

The newcomer was none other than the master of the Heavenly Abode Sect. He rushed frantically to the shore of Spirit Isle Lake (Location), then wordlessly dropped to his knees without uttering a single syllable.

"Elder Tianlu, you mustn't..."

Seeing the master of the Heavenly Abode Sect fall to his knees, several Chen Clan cultivators immediately showed expressions of shock and moved forward to assist him.

Yet, the master of Tianlu Sect knelt in silence, remaining wordless throughout.

"Alas."

Meanwhile, within the cave abode on the central isle of Spirit Isle Lake (Location), Eldrin (Person Name) let out a soft sigh as he sat in meditation.

Lyra, standing nearby, sighed upon seeing this and said, "You guessed right. He truly came after all."

"In matters concerning the Dao Path and life itself, how many can remain calm?"

Eldrin (Person Name) let out a sigh, only to have Lu Wenyuan respond, "Make a trip and invite Daoist Tianlu to the Lake Heart Isle."

"Yes."

Lu Wenyuan accepted the command with deference, then proceeded beyond the Spirit Isle Lake (Location).

He personally helped the Eldrin of the Heavenly Abode Sect to his feet, then sighed and said, "Senior, please follow me."

Seeing that Eldrin (Person Name) had agreed to meet him, the Lord of Sky Abode Sect felt a surge of joy and promptly rose to his feet.

The 2 stepped into Spirit Isle Lake (Location), strolling through the 10-Mile Peach Blossom Grove (Time & Distance) until they reached its very heart.

That day, the Lord of Tianlu gazed across the peach blossom grove and saw beneath the millennia-old peach tree a stone table, where a youth clad in snow-white robes sat upright, quietly watching him.

"This junior Tianlu pays respects to the Ancestor of the Returning Abyss."

The sect master of Heavenly Abode felt a tremor in his heart and immediately dropped to his knees in reverence.

Yet he discovered an invisible force was holding him back, making it impossible for him to prostrate himself.

Just then, Eldrin smiled faintly and said, "With over a 1000 years of friendship between us, why stand on ceremony?"

"Take a seat."

The Sect Master of Tianlu finally mustered his courage and approached the stone table. Not daring to claim equal footing, he murmured, "As a Nascent Soul Dao Lord (Cultivation Realm), how could this junior presume to overstep?"

"Alas."

Eldrin (Person Name) let out a soft sigh before beginning his tale. "1 1000 years ago, when I had just broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, I had quite a few close friends scattered throughout the Ji Province region."

In the mere span of a 1000 years, the mortal world had transformed beyond recognition, like seas changing into mulberry fields, with old acquaintances long faded like withered leaves.

At this point, a trace of regret surfaced on Eldrin's face.

Over the past 1 1000 years, many once-familiar figures had vanished.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled across the snowy plains, whipping fine ice crystals into a shimmering haze. A lone figure trudged through the deep snow, his worn robes flapping like tattered banners. This was Lin Feng, a disciple of the fading Azure Peak Sect. He clutched a small, frost-covered pouch containing precisely 30-2 spirit stones—his entire savings from 3 years of menial tasks. "Just enough for 1 Foundation Establishment Pill," he murmured, his breath forming clouds in the frigid air. Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the wind. "Well, if it isn't the waste of Azure Peak!" 3 figures emerged from the swirling snow, led by Eldrin (Person Name), the arrogant young master of the rival Crimson Cloud Sect. His eyes gleamed with malice as he flicked his sleeve, revealing the gleaming Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) at his waist. "Hand over your spirit stones, trash," Eldrin sneered. "Someone like you will never reach Foundation Establishment anyway." Lin Feng's knuckles turned white around his pouch. For thousands of years, his family had served Azure Peak, yet now he faced such humiliation. Countless thoughts raced through his mind—the decades of failed breakthroughs, the scorn from fellow disciples, his master's disappointed gaze. "Over a 100 disciples have joined our sect throughout the years," Lin Feng said quietly, "yet you choose to bully the weakest among them. Is this the honor of Crimson Cloud?" Eldrin laughed coldly. "Honor is reserved for those with strength!" With a swift motion, he drew his sword. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) blazed to life, its crimson glow melting the surrounding snow in an instant. But as the fiery arc shot toward him, Lin Feng didn't flinch. Deep within his dantian, something stirred—a mysterious power that had lain dormant for 20-some years. A faint golden light began to emanate from his body, forming an intricate pattern in the air before him. The fire sword's attack dissipated against the golden pattern like snow meeting spring sunlight. Eldrin's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible! You're merely at the third level of Qi Refinement!" Lin Feng looked at his hands, equally astonished. The ancient jade pendant his mother had given him—the 1 he'd worn since childhood—was glowing with ethereal light. A profound energy coursed through his meridians, and cultivation insights he'd struggled with for years suddenly became clear. 1 100 years had passed since anyone from Azure Peak had manifested the Golden Dao Pattern. "You..." Eldrin stammered, taking a step back. But Lin Feng no longer heard him. His consciousness had expanded, touching upon the fundamental principles of heaven and earth. The endless snow, the howling wind, the flow of spiritual energy—everything connected in a magnificent tapestry of Dao. He had been poor, he had been weak, he had been despised. But in this moment of enlightenment, none of that mattered. The path of immortality stretched before him, vast and mysterious. Looking at the terrified Eldrin, Lin Feng spoke softly, "The Dao embraces all things—even the humble may touch the heavens." A golden light erupted from his body, shooting skyward through the blizzard. Somewhere in the distance, an ancient bell began to toll, its sound carrying across the mountains. A new destiny had begun.