Chapter 306 : A Demon Emperor's Arrival

Not long after entering the Ji Continent Trading Post, he saw numerous Purple Mansion Cultivators [cultivators who have established their spiritual foundation mansion]. Even the usually revered and exalted Golden Core True Persons [cultivators who have condensed a golden spiritual core], whose auras he could sense by the dozens here, were present.

"Rooooaaar—"

Just as Eldrin Chen was marveling at the novelty, he suddenly felt an overwhelmingly terrifying demonic aura surge forth.

Outside the market, a Dragon's Roar [a powerful sonic attack used by dragon-kind] echoed, and then a crimson, thousand-zhang-long Flood Dragon [a powerful, serpentine dragon demon] coiled and soared into the heavens.

The Flood Dragon reared, fangs bared and claws poised. Its pair of crimson eyes blazed like twin Supreme Yangs [the ultimate principle of the sun and masculine energy]. Its scarlet scales seemed forged from Divine Metal [a legendary, indestructible spiritual ore], radiating an aura of absolute, unyielding solidity, as if it could rend an entire continent asunder.

"A Flood Dragon Demon Emperor [a demon emperor of the flood dragon race]."

"How could a Flood Dragon Demon Emperor be here!"

"Has Azure Wave Lake [a powerful demonic territory] launched an attack?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils trembled, a profound and immense terror welling up in his heart.

Just as the crowd was gripped by doubt and alarm, a voice rang out from the sky. Find this and other novels at audio—novel.com.

"Wretched beast, cease your ferocity!"

"ROAR—"

The crimson Flood Dragon let out a low growl and withdrew its menacing aura.

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw a man in crimson robes standing atop the Flood Dragon's head.

The onlookers gasped in astonishment. "Who is this, arriving astride a Demon Emperor?"

Beside him, Lyra Jiang glanced over and said to Eldrin Chen, "That is the one known as Crimson Dragon True Lord, a renowned Rogue Cultivator from the Eastern Sea Cultivation World and a close friend of Ji Clan True Lord."

"His methods are particularly adept against creatures of the Flood Dragon lineage. To have subdued a Crimson Flood Dragon as his mount speaks to power far surpassing that of an ordinary True Lord."

"His long journey from the Eastern Sea was likely at the invitation of the Ji Clan, come to aid in dealing with the troubles at Azure Wave Lake."

Eldrin Chen nodded. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Ji Clan Patriarch would make another attempt to break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the spiritual core of a cultivator] within the next two centuries.

Far too many Demonic Monsters wished to prevent this, and even some among the Human Race who bore grudges against the Ji Clan would not want him to succeed. When the time came, every manner of Ox-Headed and Horse-Faced Demons [grotesque demonic guards from underworld mythology] would surely crawl out of the woodwork.

At such a time, the power of one's connections becomes paramount. If one's circle of friends is vast, naturally, one would invite close and trusted comrades to serve as guardians for myself during the breakthrough.

This is not considered shameful within the Cultivation World. At critical junctures, the role of trusted friends often proves to be immensely significant.

After all, there are limits to an individual's strength. It would be the height of frustration to successfully break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], survive the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation [the heavenly trial to form a Nascent Soul], only to perish beneath the machinations of a Human Tribulation [a calamity caused by the schemes of other cultivators].

"The Divine Ability of Crimson Dragon True Lord is most effective at countering the Dragon Race. With Crimson Dragon True Lord's assistance, even the several Demon Emperors of Azure Wave Lake would likely be forced to show some restraint."

As the two were speaking, they noticed that Crimson Dragon True Lord had already been received by the Nascent Soul True Lord of the Ji Clan and had flown into the Spirit Mountain at the rear.

With the Barter Convention still some time away, Lyra Jiang and Eldrin Chen rented a Cultivation Cave Abode and decided to explore the ongoing Cultivation Gathering.

The cultivation gatherings at the Ji Continent Trading Post operated similarly to most marketplaces: a minor gathering held monthly and a major assembly once a year. However, this year, due to the commencement of the Ji Continent Golden Core Barter Convention, the atmosphere was far more bustling than usual.

Eldrin Chen surveyed the scene and realized, to his surprise, that the gathering had drawn a crowd of tens of thousands of cultivators.

Among the participating cultivators were not a few Purple Mansion Cultivators, and even some Golden Core Ancestors had come, hoping to chance upon rare treasures.

Eldrin Chen browsed quietly and, in fact, successively discovered several precious items.

He spent a number of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], purchasing first a Sun Treasure Crystal [a crystal imbued with concentrated solar essence] and then several stalks of Third Rank Spirit Medicine [a high-grade medicinal herb containing potent spiritual energy]. He then paused before a particular stall.

Picking up a First Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of the lowest major rank but the highest quality within that rank], Eldrin Chen smiled and asked the stallkeeper, "How much for this treasure?"

The stallkeeper, a plainly dressed teenage girl with a cultivation base at the Qi Refinement Seventh Layer [the seventh stage of the foundational cultivation realm where one refines their vital energy], looked at Eldrin Chen. To her senses, his aura felt as profound and unfathomable as an abyss.

"This First Rank Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] has been in Ancient Ancestor's possession for over two hundred years," she thought to herself, her mind racing. "It's on the very brink of breaking down completely."

"His cultivation is far stronger than even Ancient Ancestor's. Why would he want to buy a nearly ruined First Rank treasure?"

"Could he be... an enemy of Ancient Ancestor?" This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel[dot]com.

The thought sent a chill through her heart. Yet, she dared not refuse. Stuttering slightly, she replied, "Senior, this item... costs five Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

Feeling even more afraid after speaking, she quickly added, "Or... three Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] would also be acceptable."

Eldrin Chen showed no change in expression. He tossed five Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to her and took the First Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of the lowest major rank but the highest quality within that rank].

"Two centuries have passed," he murmured, almost to himself, examining the artifact. "Yet it has been preserved so well."

He took it and examined it carefully, confirming the origin of this Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], then asked again, "What is your name?"

"I..."

The young woman's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to conceal her identity, but found herself speaking against her will, "My name is Seraphina Chen."

"The Si Generation [the generation of descendants designated by the character 'Si' within the Chen Clan]," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen nodded, lost in thought.

He rose to his feet and said calmly, "Take me to see Silvan Chen."

"..."

As Seraphina Chen led the way, she stole glances behind her, her heart a tumult of trepidation and despair.

The auras of the two figures behind her were unfathomably deep. Before them, she hadn't even possessed the courage to lie.

"It's over, it's all over," she thought, despair washing over her. "The enemies of the Ancient Ancestor [a venerable progenitor of a clan or sect] are this terrifying."

"After hiding for so many years, with the Ancient Ancestor nearing the end of his life, they still managed to find us. Is Heaven truly determined to see our lineage extinguished?"

Seraphina Chen was utterly terrified, seized with a profound fear born from her own thoughts.

Yet she discovered that before these two individuals, she lacked even the courage to refuse. She could only lead them out of the Ji Continent Trading Post and into a remote first-rank Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with the lowest grade of ambient spiritual energy].

Upon that Spirit Mountain, an elderly man with hair as white as snow lay upon a chair. His expression held a semblance of peace, yet the evident decay of his vitality suggested he was lingering at death's very threshold.

"Ancient Ancestor, Ancient Ancestor."

At that moment, Seraphina Chen's voice called out.

The old man coughed heavily twice. His pallid face turned towards the direction of her voice, and utter disbelief flashed across his features.

"Ancient Ancestor."

Seraphina Chen hurried over to support the elder. With a tremor of lingering fear in her voice, she said, "Ancient Ancestor, forgive me. I... I have brought enemies to our doorstep."

"I could not refuse them... Wuwuwu..."

Eldrin Chen gazed calmly at the grandfather and grandson pair, his eyes fixed upon the elder.

He shook his head slightly and spoke in an even tone, "It has been a long time."

This person was none other than Silvan Chen, whom Eldrin Chen had spared all those years ago.

"Ahem—"

Silvan Chen coughed violently twice, then struggled forward to kneel upon the ground. "Silvan… pays his respects to the Ancient Ancestor."

"Given your seniority within the clan," Eldrin Chen shook his head and waved his sleeve, a gentle force lifting the old man to his feet, "such formalities are unnecessary."

"From the moment I was cast out, I ceased to be a member."

Silvan Chen trembled, tears streaming down his weathered face.

Eldrin Chen watched in silence, a complex tide of emotions stirring within his heart.

This Silvan Chen had somehow obtained a fortuitous encounter to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation]. Now, after more than a hundred years, his lifespan had reached its very end. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel.com (official site).