Chapter 305 : Ji Continent Trading Post (Location)

Having just entered the Ji Continent Trading Post, he immediately spotted numerous Zi Palace cultivators. Even Golden Core masters—normally figures of utmost reverence—were present; he could sense several dozen such auras here.

"Hymn—"

Just as Eldrin was marveling at the novelty before his eyes, an overwhelmingly terrifying demonic aura suddenly surged toward him.

Beyond the market, a dragon's roar resounded as a crimson 1000-zhang flood dragon spiraled upward into the heavens.

The flood dragon bared its fangs and brandished its claws, its crimson eyes blazing like twin suns. Scarlet scales, forged as if from divine metal, radiated an indestructible aura as it tore through the sky with the momentum to split a continent apart.

Jiao Dragon Demon Emperor.

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

"Could it be that the Emerald Wave Lake has launched an attack?"

Eldrin's eyes trembled, an unimaginable terror surging within his heart.

Just as the crowd was gripped by doubt and uncertainty, a voice echoed from the sky.

"Wretched fiend, cease your rampage!"

"Roar——"

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

Eldrin looked up and finally noticed a figure in crimson robes standing atop the horned dragon’s head.

Everyone took 1 glance and couldn't help exclaiming in astonishment, "Who is this, actually arriving by taming a Demon Emperor?"

Lyra glanced sideways and remarked to Eldrin, "This man bears the title Crimson Dragon True Lord, a renowned rogue cultivator from the Eastern Sea cultivation realm and a close friend of True Lord Ji."

This individual's methods are particularly adept at subduing dragon-kind, having even subdued a Crimson Flood Dragon to serve as his mount. His power far surpasses that of ordinary True Lords.

"They have traveled all the way from the East Sea this time, most likely invited by the Ji Clan to assist in dealing with the Azure Wave Lake."

Eldrin nodded slightly. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Patriarch of the Ji Clan would likely attempt the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm once more within 2 100 years.

Too many demons and monsters were unwilling to witness this moment, and even some humans who bore grudges against the Ji Clan did not wish to see his breakthrough. By then, every manner of sinister force would surely emerge from the shadows.

At this moment, the power of connections became crucial. If 1 had a wide circle of friends, they would naturally invite trusted companions to guard their path of cultivation.

In the world of cultivation, this was hardly a disgraceful matter—after all, true allies could prove invaluable at critical moments.

After all, there are limits to human strength. How utterly frustrating it would be to finally break through to the Nascent Soul realm, survive the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation, only to perish under the Human Tribulation.

"The Divine Abilities of the Crimson Dragon True Lord are most effective in restraining the dragon race. With his assistance, even the True Lords of the Azure Wave Lake would have to show some caution."

As the 2 were speaking, they noticed that the Crimson Dragon True Lord had already been received by the Ji Clan’s Eldrin True Lord and flown toward the spirit mountains in the rear.

With the trade fair still some time away, Lyra and Eldrin rented a cultivation cave. They decided to explore the ongoing cultivation gathering while they had the chance.

The cultivation gathering at Ji Continent Trading Post (Location), like most marketplaces, held a minor fair every month and a major assembly once a year. However, this year, with the commencement of the Ji Continent Golden Core (Cultivation Realm) Barter Convention, it was far more bustling than usual.

Eldrin scanned the horizon, only then realizing the assembly had gathered tens of thousands of cultivators.

Among the cultivators gathered at the assembly were numerous Zi Palace adepts, and even a few Golden Core Ancestors had come, hoping to see if they could unearth any treasures.

Eldrin strolled quietly and unexpectedly discovered several treasures in succession.

He spent a modest amount of spirit stones to acquire a Sun Treasure Crystal (Spiritual Object) and several third-tier spirit herbs before pausing before a particular stall.

Picking up a first-grade superior treasure, Eldrin smiled and asked the stall owner, "How much for this artifact?"

The stall owner, a plainly dressed girl of about a dozen years old at the seventh level of Qi Refining, gazed at Eldrin and felt his aura was as unfathomable as an abyss. "This first-grade magic treasure of our Patriarch has been in use for over 2 100 years," she said, "and is now on the verge of being completely spent."

His cultivation was far more formidable than even their patriarch's, so why would he purchase a nearly-scrapped first-order magic treasure?

"Could it be an enemy of the Patriarch?"

At this thought, her heart tightened, but she dared not refuse. She could only stammer, "Senior, this item costs 5 spirit stones."

After saying this, she still felt somewhat apprehensive, so she added, "3 spirit stones would also be acceptable."

Eldrin remained expressionless as he tossed over 5 spirit stones and took the top-grade rank-1 magic treasure.

"2 100 years, and it's still so perfectly preserved."

He took it and examined it carefully, confirming the origin of this magic treasure before asking again, "What is your name?"

"I..."

The girl’s heart skipped a beat. Though she wanted to conceal her identity, the words slipped out against her will: “My name is Chen Sixuan.”

"Generation Si, hmm."

Eldrin nodded thoughtfully.

He rose to his feet and spoke calmly, "Take me to see Chen Nianxu."

Chen Sixuan led the way while stealing glances behind her, her heart filled with unease—a mixture of lingering fear and utter despair.

The auras of these 2 figures behind him were unfathomably profound. Before them, he found himself utterly incapable of summoning the courage to lie.

"It's over, it's all over. The Patriarch's enemy is this terrifying."

"We've been hiding for so many years, yet they still found us just as the Patriarch is nearing his end. Is Heaven truly determined to destroy us?"

Chen Sixuan was utterly terrified, frightened out of her wits by her own thoughts.

Yet she found herself utterly powerless to refuse in their presence. With no other choice, she led them out of Ji Continent Trading Post (Location) and into a remote first-grade spirit mountain.

Atop the Spirit Mountain, a silver-haired elder lay upon a reclining chair, his expression bearing a trace of serenity. Yet the withering of his life force showed he had reached the brink of fading into eternity.

"Ancestor, Ancestor."

At that very moment, Chen Sixuan's voice rang out.

Ancestral Founder.

Chen Sixuan hurried over, supporting the old man as she spoke with lingering fear, "Ancestor, forgive me—I actually brought villains to our gates."

"I can't refuse them, wuwuwu..."

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

He shook his head and remarked placidly, "It's been a long time."

It turned out this man was none other than Chen Nianxu, whom Eldrin (Person Name) had spared all those years ago.

"Ahem—"

Chen Nianxu coughed violently twice, struggling forward to kneel on the ground. "Nianxu... pays respects to the Patriarch."

"Given your seniority," Eldrin shook his head and raised the other with a sweep of his sleeve, "such profound courtesy is unnecessary."

"From the moment I was exiled from the clan, I ceased to be 1."

Chen Nianxu trembled uncontrollably, his aged eyes brimming with tears.

Eldrin watched in silence, his heart awash with countless emotions.

This Chen Nianxu had somehow obtained a certain serendipity to break through to Foundation Establishment. Now, over 1 100 years had passed, and his lifespan had already reached its end.