Chapter 44 : The Gathering of Elders

Chen Sylvan was an elder cultivator of the Qing Generation. He was already seventy-six years of age this year, nearly the same age as the Grand Elder. Yet, he had only broken through to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer two years prior. Consequently, he had not attained the status of a Clan Patriarch Elder and could only receive the title of a Clan Elder.

Chen Changming was one of the few remaining cultivators of the Chang Generation. When he broke through to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer five years ago, he was already ninety-four years old. Considering the toll of arduous travel, he had not been taken along on the journey to the Green Sun Sect at that time.

This time, the situation was truly dire due to a lack of hands to activate the Blazing Solar Skyfire Banner. Thus, the clan had decided to call this venerable elder, now ninety-nine years old, out of seclusion.

Chen Alaric possessed the highest cultivation base within the Nian Generation, second only to Eldrin Chen. He was two years older than the Fifth Elder, Chen Elara, having barely managed to break through to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer at the age of fifty-nine.

This breakthrough was only possible because the clan was critically short of Qi Refinement Ninth Layer cultivators. Eldrin Chen had specially provided twenty Spirit Peach [a spiritual fruit that aids cultivation] and several Qi Gathering Pill [a pill that accelerates the gathering of spiritual energy]. It was a case of forcing growth, enabling him to barely achieve the breakthrough just one month prior.

In recent years, the clan had suspended stipends and even borrowed Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] from its members. This had severely slowed the cultivation progress of the clan's cultivators. Excluding the Grand Elder and the still-recovering Second Elder, being able to muster six Qi Refinement Ninth Layer cultivators was now considered a considerable achievement.

"It is acceptable. We can at least gather six Qi Refinement Ninth Layer cultivators to activate the Blazing Solar Skyfire Formation," the Old Patriarch remarked, a faint smile touching his lips.

With the Blazing Solar Skyfire Formation operational, it was equivalent to gaining an additional early-stage Foundation Establishment, Early Stage cultivator. This increased their chances of victory by another thirty percent.

"Now that preparations are complete, we depart," he declared.

This expedition to Celestial Ruins Mountain involved far fewer personnel than in previous years. However, aside from the Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen, all six of the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer cultivators the Chen Clan could mobilize were being deployed. In a sense, this could be considered committing their entire force. Immerse yourself in the complete world at http://www . audio-novel.com.

However, the number of people in this caravan was not limited to that. Approximately one hundred cultivators from Yu County had hitched a ride with the Chen Clan convoy, wishing to travel together through the perilous Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness.

Without cultivation at the Qi Refinement, Late Stage realm, attempting to reach Celestial Ruins Mountain alone would likely invite great danger. Therefore, following the trade caravans of the Six Great Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans to Celestial Ruins Mountain had become customary practice.

For the clans, each hitchhiking cultivator paid a fee of one Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. This was not only an additional source of income but also increased the caravan's deterrent presence, so the clans readily agreed.

The caravan journeyed onward, and in the blink of an eye, over three months had passed, covering a distance of seventy to eighty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

On this day, the vast sky was washed clean.

Amidst the wild, overgrown expanse of the Vast and Boundless Wilds [the immense, untamed wilderness], a caravan of about one hundred people was resting on the open plain.

At the very center of the convoy, the cultivators of the Chen Clan gathered together. Chen Alaric gazed at the empty expanse of the Great Wilderness Plain before him and could not help but murmur in a low voice.

"Once we cross this wilderness and travel another twenty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], we should reach Celestial Ruins Mountain."

"Did we guess wrong? Perhaps those fellows simply don't dare to come?"

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, his tone resolute. "Rest assured, they are likely even more anxious than we are."

"Behold, are they not arriving now?"

As his words faded, several figures soared into view from the distant horizon.

Old Patriarch rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the distant figures. "Two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zuo Clan, Lin Taihe, Zhang Vorgath... Wait, there is one more."

His eyes narrowed. Among the group was a burly, unfamiliar Black-Robed Cultivator, whose aura [the distinctive energy signature and pressure emitted by a cultivator] felt far more potent than the other four.

The realization struck him, and he quickly whispered to Eldrin Chen, "Judging by that man's aura, he is likely a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses unorthodox, often malevolent methods to gain power]. I will deal with him. Conceal your presence for now and strike when the moment is right."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen's expression turned grave. The appearance of a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage Demonic Cultivator had introduced a dangerous variable into the impending battle.

At that moment, the group flew closer, and Zhang Vorgath let out a long, taunting cry from afar.

"Old fool of the Chen Clan, come forth and meet your doom!"

"A defeated cur still dares to bark so boldly?"

Chen Thalion let out a cold snort and soared into the air. With a sweep of his wide sleeve, he unleashed a fiery dragon that surged forth, claws bared and fangs gnashing, pouncing towards Zhang Vorgath.

This Fire Dragon Art was a Second Rank Middle Grade Spell. When executed with the Old Patriarch's cultivation level, its power was truly formidable.

That Zhang Vorgath, having lost all his Demonic Treasure in the past, now possessed only a single Second Rank Low Grade Demonic Banner in hand. It was utterly incapable of withstanding a single strike from the Old Patriarch, and he was blasted away, sent flying backward.

"How dare you!"

Before the Old Patriarch could press his advantage, the other figures surged forward to intercept. That Hong Morgrim, with his Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer cultivation, possessed profound depth of power. He summoned forth a Black Blood Canopy and sent it sweeping down to envelop his foe.

The moment everyone laid eyes on this treasure, their expressions shifted. This Black Blood Canopy was a vile and sinister magical treasure of the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that often employs cruel and unorthodox methods]. Join our community of readers at audio~novel.com.

The method of forging this artifact was unspeakably cruel. It required the capture of sixty-six thousand mortals, infecting them with a virulent plague until they perished. Their hair would then be woven into the demonic vessel, which would be tempered day and night with the tainted, plague-ridden blood for twenty-seven days until completion.

Once forged, the artifact's power was profoundly evil. It specialized in corrupting a cultivator's magical tools and their True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body].

Even a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage [an advanced phase within the Foundation Establishment realm], if enveloped by it, would find both their True Essence and their magical treasures utterly defiled, ultimately dissolving into a pool of festering blood and meeting a gruesome end.

"Such fiends deserve death!"

The instant he laid eyes on this treasure, Old Patriarch's fury blazed. Abandoning all thought of holding back, he immediately summoned forth the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation [a powerful formation that unleashes purifying flames to incinerate souls].

Seven Formation Flags shot from his body, whirling through the air to form a constellation of seven stars that enveloped the sky for hundreds of Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters]. A torrential surge of Separated Flame [a pure, yang-aligned spiritual fire] swept across the heavens.

This pure-yang Separated Flame was supremely effective at countering Demonic Cultivator. As the flames licked at the Black Blood Canopy [a demonic treasure formed from coagulated evil blood], a series of crackling, popping sounds erupted. Foul streams of black blood seeped out, only to be instantly incinerated into wisps of greenish smoke.

"My treasure!"

Witnessing his Demonic Treasure [a magical artifact forged through demonic arts] being damaged, Hong Morgrim felt a pang of heartache. He frantically channeled his energy, attempting to recall the Black Blood Canopy.

Yet Chen Thalion would grant him no quarter. With a thought, he commanded the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation to descend, ensnaring the Black Blood Canopy within its grasp. The vast, roiling Separated Flame coiled around the treasure and with a single, fierce conflagration, reduced it to ashes.

"A Formation Flags-type magical treasure..."

Zuo Mingxu drew a sharp, hissing breath. In its very first deployment, the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Banner had achieved a stunning victory, utterly destroying a Second Rank High Grade Demonic Treasure.

A sliver of fear now coiled in his heart. Yet, having come this far, he had no choice but to steel his resolve and press on.

"Do not falter, everyone!"

"If we do not eliminate this old cur today, he will surely become a great calamity in the future."

Zuo Mingxu bellowed, channeling a magical treasure to strike forth, its lethal edge aimed directly at Chen Thalion's brow.

Simultaneously, the other few also gritted their teeth and unleashed their own magical treasures and spells, a cacophony of thunderous clashes raining down.

Chen Thalion's eyes narrowed. He recalled the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation, transforming it back into Formation Flags that enveloped his surroundings. Surging Separated Flame [a potent, soul-scorching spiritual fire] churned ceaselessly, parrying the flurry of assaults from his foes, exuding an aura of near-impenetrable defense.

Facing five opponents alone, the Old Patriarch not only held his ground but seemed utterly unyielding, leaving them frustrated in their prolonged assault.

Meanwhile, the members of the Chen Clan were not idle. Third Elder and the others activated the Blazing Solar Skyfire Banner, unleashing torrents of celestial fire towards the weakest among the five, Zuo Zhouqi.

The power of this formation was formidable. Even Zuo Zhouqi could only engage it with utmost caution, becoming locked in a fierce and protracted struggle. The story continues at audio~novel.com.