Chapter 344 : The Ancestor's Final Stand

"Severus Zhang, you vile cur!"

At this moment, upon Ink Mysterious Mountain, the cultivators of the Chen Immortal Clan stood in solemn battle array.

The Ancient Ancestor Chen, whose lifespan was nearly exhausted, flushed crimson with rage, the fire in his eyes nearly blazing forth. He rose to take action but was swiftly restrained by several Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Chen Immortal Clan.

"Ancient Ancestor, you absolutely must not!"

"That Severus Zhang is trying to provoke you, to lure you into a fight. Do not fall for his trickery!"

Hearing their pleas, Ancient Ancestor Chen swallowed his bitter rage.

Had it been ten years earlier, he would have feared no newly advanced Purple Mansion cultivator like Severus Zhang. But now, with his lifespan withered and his vital essence [the fundamental life force of a cultivator] in extreme decline, recklessly mobilizing his Mana [the spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques] would likely cause him to perish before the day's end.

At this thought, Ancient Ancestor Chen revealed a look of deep sorrow. "This old man has recently felt his Mana [the spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques] growing sluggish, becoming difficult to wield. I fear I cannot hold on for much longer."

Upon hearing his words, a heavy silence descended upon all present.

When the flow of Mana [the spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques] begins to stagnate, it signifies that Ancient Ancestor Chen's Mana [the spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques] is also nearing depletion. In such a state, he likely could not endure for another year. Read the full novel exclusively on audio . novel . com.

The tall man beside him, forcing a semblance of calm, still offered comfort: "Ancient Ancestor, please be at ease. If the news is true, once Lucian and Selene return, this Severus Zhang will merely be seeking his own doom."

"The Chen Clan of the Chu Kingdom…"

Hearing this, a glimmer of hope lit in everyone's eyes, but it was quickly extinguished as someone spoke with a bitter laugh: "But three hundred years have already passed. Leaving aside whether that is truly the Chen Clan left behind by the Second Ancestor…"

"Even if they are the bloodline of the Second Ancestor, we separated from them three centuries ago. The elders from that generation have long since perished. Whether they would even acknowledge us now is highly uncertain."

His cold water dashed their spirits, and a heavy silence descended upon the group.

Only the Ancient Ancestor shook his head, speaking with serene acceptance: "If Lucian and his sister can find reinforcements, that is for the best. If they cannot, it matters not. Let them survive as embers of our lineage. In time, they may yet have the chance to rebuild our clan."

So that was his intent. By sending out the youngest, Lucian and Selene, he was carving a path for their survival.

The other Foundation Establishment Cultivators present wore somber expressions. This outcome had long been foreshadowed. A Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a clan whose power is anchored by a cultivator residing in the Purple Mansion realm] that fails to perpetuate its legacy is inevitably consumed by other Immortal Clans.

The commoner is blameless, yet his treasured jade becomes his crime. The Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] that the Chen Clan had nurtured for eight centuries, the resources accumulated over two hundred years since ascending to Purple Mansion Immortal Clan status—all of it had now transformed into a calamitous burden.

"BOOM—"

At that very moment, Severus Zhang in the sky could no longer restrain himself.

Seeing that the Chen Clan was unmoved by his taunts, he unleashed a Divine Ability [a supernatural power cultivated by immortals] from the heavens. The strike slammed down upon Ink Mysterious Mountain, causing its Defensive Formation [a magical array designed for protection] to flicker and tremble violently.

After such a blow, he sneered coldly, "In three months' time, it will be the six hundredth birthday of Ancestor Mo. This old man has no more time to waste on you."

"This is bad."

Witnessing the Zhang Immortal Clan begin their assault on the Formation [the defensive magical array], the members of the Chen Clan all paled with horror.

The Chen Clan Grand Elder's expression shifted abruptly. "This is dire," he couldn't help but say. "At this rate, we likely won't hold out for three days."

Without a Purple Mansion Ancestor [a cultivator who has reached the Purple Mansion Realm] to command the Formation, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm] present were utterly incapable of unleashing the Formation's true power.

If the Chen Ancient Ancestor were to take command, he would risk burning out the last of his life force like a lamp running dry of oil.

The Chen Ancient Ancestor's face shifted through several expressions before he finally gritted his teeth and declared, "Enough. While this old bones still have a breath left in them, I shall use the Ink Mysterious Mountain Formation [the primary defensive formation of Ink Mysterious Mountain] to fight them to the death."

*Clang—*

At that very moment, a resonant sword hum echoed across the heavens.

The crowd looked up to see two dazzling streaks of sword light soaring through the sky, cleaving directly toward Severus Zhang.

Severus Zhang's face paled with terror. He frantically activated his Divine Ability and Magical Treasure to block, only managing to escape the onslaught after one of his Third Rank Magical Treasure was shattered.

Having narrowly escaped with his life, Severus Zhang cast a fearful glance into the distance. A black-robed youth with sharply defined features was striding toward him.

"Such power..."

"Who are you, sir? Why do you attack me?" This chapter is provided by site: audio-novel.com. Support the original.

His heart pounding, Severus Zhang quickly clasped his hands in a respectful salute.

His caution was warranted. Although Ethan Chen was only at the Purple Mansion Sixth Layer, he had achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment and broken through to the Purple Mansion realm on his own merit. Furthermore, having consumed the Creation Green Essence Pill, his Mana reserves rivaled even those at the Eighth Layer of Purple Mansion.

With such formidable strength and a pair of Heavenly Separated Twin Swords in hand, even an ordinary Purple Palace, Late Stage cultivator might struggle to best him, let alone Severus Zhang, who had only recently broken through to the Purple Mansion realm.

In response to Severus Zhang's inquiry, Ethan Chen offered no reply.

He cast a glance towards Ink Mysterious Mountain, then swept his gaze over Severus Zhang. Finally, his eyes settled on the vast, misty sea of clouds in the distance. His voice was calm as he posed the question.

"Can this man be slain?"

"Since he intends to strike with lethal force, then let him be slain."

Upon hearing the reply, Ethan Chen's gaze sharpened. Without a moment's hesitation, he summoned forth the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords and unleashed their edge towards Severus Zhang.

This opponent was merely at the Purple Mansion First Layer [the first stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm], his strength utterly mediocre. Even if three or five of his ilk banded together, they would likely still be no match for Ethan Chen.

Facing Ethan Chen's relentless assault, Severus Zhang was completely overwhelmed in less than ten exchanges. At this rate, he would not survive twenty before being cut down.

Seeing the dire situation, Severus Zhang's face contorted in despair. He could only cry out in desperation, "Brother Qian, save me!"

In that instant, a voice echoed through the sky.

"Fellow Daoist, stay your hand!"

From the heavens, an elder with hair and beard white as snow stepped forth. He was actually an old cultivator who had reached the Purple Mansion Great Perfection [the peak, perfected stage of the Purple Mansion realm].

Ethan Chen showed not a shred of fear. Without the slightest hesitation, his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords cleaved through the air, striking directly at Severus Zhang.

Seeing his utter disregard for myself, the white-haired elder's gaze turned icy. With a flick of his hand, he summoned forth a Golden Radiance Treasure Bracelet [an enchanted bracelet that emits a golden light] to strike down, revealing it to be a Third Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [an artifact imbued with profound power].

Yet, in that very instant, a divine radiance descended from the heavens, pinning the Golden Radiance Treasure Bracelet in place.

Then, a figure clad in black robes strode forward. With a sweep of his sleeve, he sent the white-haired elder stumbling back three paces.

Struck by this blow, the white-haired elder's expression grew solemn. He looked at the black-robed figure and spoke.

"Such profound Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners]. You are not from Qi Kingdom?"

"Hmm."

Clad in a long black robe, Kael Chen possessed a handsome, unruffled countenance that hinted at an extraordinary aura.

With a single glance, the white-haired elder felt an immense pressure bearing down upon him. "Merely at the Purple Mansion Seventh Layer [the seventh stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm], yet your Mana surpasses my own by half a measure."

"With such bearing and Mana, this man must have reached this point without relying on external aids. Such a Deep-Seated Foundation [a cultivation foundation of unparalleled solidity and purity] would place him among the foremost, peerless Heaven's Chosen [individuals blessed with supreme talent by heaven itself] within the Purple Mansion Cultivator of Qi Kingdom."

At this thought, the white-haired elder's expression turned grave. "I am Kongye Qian, and my My Master is still Ancestor Mo. Since you are not from Qi Kingdom, I must ask you not to interfere in the affairs of my Qi Kingdom."

"Is that so?"

Kael Chen responded calmly, his tone noncommittal.

At that very moment, a scream pierced the air. Ethan Chen had severed Severus Zhang's arm with a single, swift stroke of his sword.

Kongye Qian's face changed color. He immediately sought to intervene, but was once again blocked by Kael Chen.

"You—!"

Kongye Qian paled, realizing to his dismay that he was now subtly being forced onto the defensive.

In the mere span of a few breaths that this delay afforded, Ethan Chen brought his blade down once more, cleanly severing Severus Zhang's head from his shoulders.

"How dare you!"

Kongye Qian trembled with rage, his beard and hair seeming to bristle. He cast a final, deep look at Kael Chen, and the seed of retreat took root in his heart.

Before departing, he invoked the name of his Master: "Since you insist on interfering in the affairs of my Qi Kingdom, should my Master choose to pursue this matter, the consequences will be beyond your bearing."

With those words, he turned to leave.

At that very moment, an aura—warm, solid, and vast as an unfathomable abyss—swept over the scene. Kongye Qian felt his magic power [the energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners for spells and techniques] grow sluggish, and a crushing sense of pressure, as if gazing up at a towering mountain, filled his heart.

Just as terror threatened to overwhelm him and he was on the verge of fleeing for his life, a calm and gentle voice reached his ears.

"Hold a moment!" Experience the full epic at https://audio-novel.com.