Chapter 912 : A Transaction Forged in Power

Alistair Ye spoke with calm finality, not waiting for the Crocodile Ancestor's reply. With a flick of his sleeve, he cast a massive severed head before the ancient being.

The Crocodile Ancestor's heart jolted, and he could not suppress a look of fearful alarm. "What is the meaning of this, young friend?"

Alistair Ye merely shook his head, his voice still placid. "This is the former overlord of the Southern Sea Demon Race, the Netherwater Profound Serpent Demon Ancestor [a primordial serpent demon lord of immense power]."

"During the recent Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity caused by the eruption of demonic energy from the abyss], this vile creature not only failed to join the Battle of the Horizon Pavilion [a pivotal battle against a demonic invasion], but took the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Solar Fire Island [a sacred island of the solar fire lineage]. This provoked my master's great wrath, and he commanded me to execute it."

After recounting this, Alistair Ye's tone shifted. "However, you may set your mind at ease. My purpose here today is not to move against you, but to propose a transaction."

"A transaction?"

The Crocodile Ancestor's expression shifted subtly, and a suspicion began to form in his heart.

Sure enough, Alistair Ye nodded and continued. "I offer the Path-Field [the territory and spiritual domain cultivated by a powerful being] of the Netherwater Profound Serpent, in exchange for the Ancestral Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual energy artery] in the lower reaches of your Eastern Barrens Ancestral River [a legendary river said to be the origin of many spiritual lineages]."

"This..."

The Crocodile Ancestor was torn between astonishment and dread. His gaze flickered to the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword imbued with the power of solar flames and the abyss] held in Alistair Ye's hand. He understood that while this was presented as a transaction, he truly had no choice in the matter. Support the author by reading on audio novel.com.

Given Eldrin Chen's current strength and status, dealing with a mere Demon Race Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] cultivator, even by outright seizure and plunder, was something no one would dare to question.

The fact that he was offered the Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain or territory] of the Netherwater Profound Serpent Emperor in exchange was likely only due to the face he had earned from his repeated participation in the great battles of recent years.

"With the rise of the Human Race in the Eastern Barrens these days, it has indeed become difficult for demons and monsters like us to find a place."

"Enough. This old man shall take this opportunity to withdraw from the Eastern Region Great Wasteland and head for the Southern Sea Cultivation World instead."

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Crocodile Ancestor understood his predicament perfectly.

Without further hesitation, he cupped his hands and said, "Since it is the word of Eldrin the Patriarch, this old man shall comply."

"..."

Time flowed on, swift and unceasing.

In the blink of an eye, nearly a hundred years had passed since the Purple Seal Realm reclaimed the Stellar Archipelago.

Over this century, the demons and monsters within the Purple Seal Realm had lain low, while the Human Race's momentum had soared to its peak. Having begun to recuperate and rebuild, the realm now presented an atmosphere of burgeoning prosperity.

Within this rare and precious tranquility, the matter of Returning Abyss [the legendary abyssal realm] giving a discourse on the Path became an event of paramount importance within the Purple Seal Realm [a major cultivation world].

Green Chariot Mountain was originally nothing more than an insignificant hillock. Not only within the vast expanse of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, but even within the borders of Chu Nation, it was a place utterly unknown and unheralded.

Yet, as the saying goes: A mountain's stature matters not; with an immortal's presence, its spirit is wrought.

As the dragon-rising land, the place where the Chen Clan first ascended to power from the Path Lord Sacred Land [a holy land where a Path Lord established their legacy], Green Chariot Mountain had, in recent years, seen its prestige grow ever more resplendent, transformed in the eyes of the world's cultivators into a place of legend.

Countless cultivators yearned for it with profound longing. Upon hearing that Eldrin the Way Lord [the revered Path Lord Eldrin] would be expounding the Path upon Green Chariot Mountain, they naturally sought to draw near and ascend its slopes, eager to listen as the foremost Path Lord [a supreme master of cultivation] of the Purple Seal [the Purple Seal Immortal] realm discoursed upon the Great Path [the supreme principles of cultivation and existence].

"Ahead lies Green Chariot Mountain."

Within the endless Great Wasteland, two figures approached on foot. Gazing upon the majestic, faintly discernible divine mountain ahead, they could not help but reveal expressions of deep yearning.

The figure on the left was clad in pristine white robes and carried a longsword. With sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, his features were exceptionally handsome, and he walked with the casual grace of a mortal swordsman on a leisurely stroll.

The other was also a man, dressed in a verdant long gown. Between his brows and in his gaze rested an air of extraordinary distinction.

Only upon reaching the mountain gate of Green Chariot Mountain did the White-robed Man finally turn. Cupping his hands towards the green-robed man beside him, he said, "We descended beyond Yu County and have walked tens of thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] on foot to reach Green Chariot Mountain. To have shared this journey is a Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect] fate, a bond woven by destiny."

"I am Jiang Venus of the Great Mystery Hall. It was here that I last saw you, Fellow Daoist."

"So you are a distinguished disciple of the Great Mystery Hall. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner."

The verdant-robed man's eyes widened slightly in surprise before he smiled and replied, "I am Mysterious Verdant Robe, a long-time resident of the Eastern Sea Cultivation World. I am but a disciple of a wandering master, hardly comparable to the illustrious reputation of the Great Mystery Hall."

"Oh?"

Jiang Venus's expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.

The man before him possessed cultivation at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm [a stage just below the Primordial Spirit Realm], yet claimed to be merely the successor of a wandering master. This was utterly unexpected. For the best reading experience, visit audio_novel.com.

After a brief pause, he spoke thoughtfully, "To have nurtured a disciple of your caliber, your esteemed master must undoubtedly be a renowned and accomplished master who commands great respect across the land."

"You flatter me too much."

Mysterious Verdant Robe chuckled softly, shaking his head and deftly avoiding further discussion on the topic.

At that very moment, a figure emerged from the mountain gate of Green Chariot Mountain.

The newcomer, clad in a long robe, cast a calm glance at the two men and said with a smile, "Might the visitors be Brother Venus and Fellow Daoist Mysterious Verdant Robe of the Great Mystery Hall?"

"Indeed, it is I."

Jiang Venus nodded, his gaze instinctively sweeping over the newcomer.

With but a single glance, his pupils constricted sharply, and a look of profound gravity settled upon his features.

He, Jiang Venus, was the final disciple of the late Master of Great Mystery Hall, a master of the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [the ninth and highest level of the Primordial Spirit cultivation stage]. He was hailed by his master as a once-in-ten-millennia seed for the Sword Immortal [a supreme title for a master of the sword path] lineage.

Yet now, having met these two individuals in succession, he found the auras of both Mysterious Verdant Robe and the man before him to be unfathomably deep and immeasurable.

Though Jiang Venus prided himself on being a rare talent under heaven, he held no certainty of victory against either man.

With this realization, he surmised the newcomer's identity and rose to his feet, clasping his hands in salute. "Might you be Fellow Daoist Literature Abyss?"

"Indeed, it is I."

Literature Abyss Lu offered a faint smile and returned the salute. "Both of you are honored guests. I have been waiting here precisely to welcome your party."

"So that's how it is," he said with understanding.

Mysterious Verdant Robe nodded, then said with a smile, "I have long heard that the disciples under Eldrin the Patriarch are each a peerless prodigy with the potential to reach the Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core of a cultivator] realm."

"Now that I have seen them, I understand the rumors are indeed true."

"You flatter us, Fellow Daoist," came the modest reply.

Literature Abyss Lu shook his head, his gaze drifting into the distance. "Please wait a moment, honored guests," he said. "My master foresaw the arrival of another Fellow Daoist and instructed me to receive them together."

With those words, he rose and strode into the distance.

Jiang Venus watched him go, a flicker of surprise crossing his brow. His eyes followed the path Literature Abyss Lu had taken.

There, amidst the boundless expanse of the Great Wasteland, a figure in black robes was making his way toward Green Chariot Mountain. His progress was agonizingly slow, marked by a ritual of profound reverence: three steps, then a deep kowtow; nine steps, then a full prostration.

"Who is he?"

Jiang Venus frowned, unable to contain his curiosity.

It was Mysterious Verdant Robe who seemed to know more, his expression hesitant as he said, "The rogue cultivator known as the 'Demon-Slayer Path Master' who has risen to prominence in the Eastern Barrens in recent years."

"His original name and daoist title are lost to time. It is said his parents and entire clan were slaughtered by Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this realm]. In a single moment of Eldrin [a state of profound enlightenment], he descended into cultivation deviation, yet emerged with a great and complete awakening."

"Since then, his rise has been meteoric. He once slew a severely wounded Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [a demonic entity at the Primordial Spirit stage] while only at the Infant Soul [Nascent Soul] stage of cultivation. It is no wonder he caught the eye of Eldrin the Patriarch."

At this point, Mysterious Verdant Robe added, "I heard he originally hailed from the Star Lake Ancient Domain. During the great war that ravaged that domain, Senior Eldrin personally rescued him from the clutches of the Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow demonic paths]."

"Now he comes to kowtow and pay homage, likely to repay the debt of that past kindness."

"So that is the way of it."

Jiang Venus nodded, then sighed with a heavy heart. "Since the birth of the Demon Realm, the Purple Seal Realm has been a tapestry woven with sorrow and parting, joy and reunion. Even my own master..."

Speaking of this, Jiang Venus could not help but feel a pang of heartache. Continue reading this story at *audio-novel.com*.