Chapter 1397 : A Banquet of Immortals and Unsettled Debts

Seeing that all the guests had arrived, Eldrin Chen commenced the grand banquet. Amidst the wine and delicacies, he exchanged toasts with the assembled immortals, fostering an atmosphere of exceptional harmony.

The grand feast lasted for three years. Only after its conclusion did Eldrin Chen retain Earth Spring Ancient Ancestor, Solara, Supreme Profound Deity, Skywind the Daoist, and a few others.

He led the group into the Grand Hall and then spoke: "All of you seated here today participated in the battle of the Celestial Demon Sea [a vast and perilous sea realm inhabited by celestial demons]."

"The reason I have gathered you now is to settle some unfinished business from that time."

Upon hearing his words, the immortals' gazes flickered with a moment of surprise.

Solara, however, seemed to have anticipated this. She spoke up promptly: "Is it regarding the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy] from back then?"

"Precisely," Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued: "During the battle at the Celestial Demon Sea, we slew the Demon Race Earth Immortal [a demon cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] Ancestor White Nether, along with several Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm] such as the Taicang Black Fish."

"After the great battle, we divided the spoils of war. However, several Earth Vein remained unallocated."

Everyone present nodded slightly in understanding.

After a moment of contemplation, the Supreme Profound Deity spoke: "Following that battle long ago, the White Nether Abode of Bliss [a blessed land of cultivation, an abode of bliss] fell into the hands of Earth Spring Ancient Ancestor." Original publication: site: audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.

"The remaining few Peerless Spirit Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates and produces spiritual energy] have also been occupied by the various Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have partially transcended the Nascent Soul realm but not yet fully become Earth Immortals]."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and spoke directly, "Since the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event ordained by fate or heaven], Fellow Daoist Earth Spring has contributed significantly. Let us grant him the White Nether Abode of Bliss [a blessed land imbued with frost and spiritual energy]. What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, the brows of all the Immortals furrowed slightly.

Seeing this reaction, Earth Spring Ancient Ancestor immediately spoke up, "Do not worry, fellow Daoists. I will offer several precious treasures as compensation to everyone."

Solara observed the situation and declared, "Agreed."

With Solara's assent, Supreme Profound Deity's gaze flickered, and he too offered no further objection.

In the battle of the Celestial Demon Sea [a sea realm contested by celestial and demonic forces], the Chen Immortal Clan had rendered the greatest service, followed by the lineage of the Glazed Blessed Land [a paradise-like realm of crystalline beauty]. Once these two made the decision, the others naturally had no right to choose otherwise.

Thus, after Earth Spring Ancient Ancestor provided partial compensation to the others, he obtained the rights to use this Blessed Land [a realm of exceptional spiritual richness and natural harmony].

After settling this matter, Eldrin Chen asked Skywind the Daoist to remain and inquired, "Following the Great Tribulation, I have already acquired the Setting Sun Blessed Land Daoist Assembly Ground [a sacred meeting place for cultivators to discuss the Dao]."

"However, this Daoist Assembly Ground still requires an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a foundational Earth Immortal cultivator] to guard it. I wonder if Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] would be willing to guard this Daoist Assembly Ground for us?"

Upon hearing this, Skywind the Daoist immediately smiled and said, "I was just lamenting the lack of a Daoist Assembly Ground [a designated place for cultivators to gather, meditate, and exchange knowledge] for my cultivation. For Fellow Daoist [a respectful term used between cultivators] to be willing to bestow this Daoist Assembly Ground upon me, I am truly most grateful." Eldrin Chen nodded and then spoke again, "I intend to transform the Setting Sun Blessed Land into a cultivation market town."

"In addition to shops, I will also construct numerous Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual pills and elixirs] Artificer's Workshop [workshops for crafting magical artifacts and treasures] based on the Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated fire-attribute spiritual energy] within the Setting Sun Blessed Land. Furthermore, within the Setting Sun Blessed Land, I will open up a large number of Cultivation Cave [secluded caves imbued with spiritual energy, used for meditation and cultivation] to rent out to Rogue Cultivator [cultivators not affiliated with any major clan or sect] Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to a high level of power and longevity] for their cultivation."

"For Fellow Daoist to oversee such a place, where all manner of people will gather, you will need not only sufficient power to command respect but also the fairness and impartiality to manage affairs justly."

Eldrin Chen explained patiently, yet reiterated his point, "I will provide you with a substantial annual stipend, but I must ask that Fellow Daoist devote your full attention to this duty." Only then did Skywind the Daoist understand that Eldrin Chen intended to use the Setting Sun Blessed Land as a valuable asset to generate income for the clan, earning Immortal Source [a source of pure spiritual energy, often used in high-level cultivation] and Immortal Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts used by high-level cultivators].

Considering this, Skywind the Daoist adopted a solemn expression and said, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, I will certainly take this matter to heart."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, satisfied nod.

With the matter of the guardian for the Setting Sun Blessed Land resolved, a sense of relief settled within Eldrin Chen's heart.

He was just about to take his leave when he noticed Sky Abyss Daoist waiting outside the Grand Hall.

He promptly invited Sky Abyss Daoist inside, whereupon the latter said, "I have heard that every time, roughly ten thousand years after a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event of immense scale that reshapes the world] concludes, the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea hosts an exceptionally grand auction."

"Calculating the time now, it should be in about seven or eight Millennium [a period of one thousand years]. Would you be interested in making the journey together?"

"An auction?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a subtle light of interest.

To his knowledge, within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, a grand Earth Immortal Level auction was held once every one hundred thousand years by the Annual Assembly.

Traditionally, each opening of such an auction would draw the participation of over one thousand Earth Immortal Progenitor [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the Earth Immortal realm].

The very first auction held after the eruption of each Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict and heavenly retribution] was invariably the most magnificent of all.

This was because, following every Great Tribulation, a multitude of newly ascended Earth Immortal Progenitor would emerge, and numerous Earth Immortal Blessed Land [sanctuaries and realms cultivated by Earth Immortals] would be shattered and laid to ruin. For the best reading experience, visit audi novel.com.

In the wake of this upheaval, the newly ascended Earth Immortal Progenitor would possess treasures like World-Initiating Qi [primordial energy used to forge new worlds] and Heaven-Opening Marvel [marvelous objects born from the opening of the heavens] that they wished to sell. Likewise, all manner of rare treasures from the destroyed Blessed Land would flood the market, seeking new owners.

Thus, for any Earth Immortal Progenitor, this inaugural post-calamity auction was always the grandest spectacle not to be missed.

"I require a vast quantity of World-Initiating Qi, so I certainly cannot miss this auction,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a faint smile gracing his lips as he spoke aloud, "This auction is an opportunity I dare not let slip by."

Sky Abyss Daoist smiled faintly and spoke, "When the time comes, we shall go together. It will be good to have someone to watch our backs."

With those words, the banquet drew to a close.

After all the immortals had departed, Eldrin Chen recalled the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources] and said to Lyra Jiang, "A super-large Barter Convention at the Earth Immortal Level [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a powerful cultivator who has opened an inner world] is bound to have treasures as numerous as the hairs on an ox."

"We must prepare in advance, lest we encounter World-Initiating Qi [a primordial energy used to nurture and expand an inner world] or other desired treasures but lack the means to acquire them."

Lyra Jiang nodded, understanding the logic in Eldrin Chen's words. The Earth Immortal World [the inner world cultivated within an Earth Immortal's body] that Eldrin Chen and she possessed was simply too vast.

While this granted them Mana [the spiritual power or energy reserves of a cultivator] far surpassing that of ordinary Earth Immortals, it also meant the speed of their cultivation progress was considerably slower.

Under such circumstances, they needed to plant a World-Opening Spiritual Root [a legendary spiritual plant that anchors and nourishes an inner world] within each layer of their inner worlds to accelerate their cultivation rapidly.

And to advance a World-Opening Spiritual Root, World-Initiating Qi was an indispensable resource.

Considering this, Lyra Jiang spoke up, "Let us take stock of the resources within the Clan Treasury."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod, and then the group personally inspected the Clan Treasury, taking stock of the resources the clan had accumulated over these years.

It was only after taking stock that they realized the true extent. Eldrin Chen discovered the clan's wealth was astonishingly vast.

Just the Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a special silver alloy used in high-level cultivation rituals] numbered over five thousand pieces, while the Immortal Source [a highly concentrated form of spiritual energy used as a high-level currency and cultivation resource] amounted to a staggering six hundred twenty thousand units.

Various Immortal Rank Rare Treasures [rare materials and objects of immortal grade] and Spiritual Object [objects imbued with or containing spiritual energy] were beyond counting, their collective value nearing one million units of Immortal Source.

Setting aside the several dozen Acquired Spiritual Root [spiritual roots acquired through cultivation or fortune] and World-Opening Spiritual Root [primordial spiritual roots of immense power] the clan had stored, the inventory alone held twenty-seven Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of immortal artifacts] and thirteen World-Opening Treasure [primordial treasures of world-shaping power].

After reviewing it all, Eldrin Chen could not help but express his astonishment, "I never imagined the clan had amassed such a fortune."

Verdant Consort was also taken aback, then remarked with a sigh, "During this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict and upheaval ordained by fate], we successively vanquished several major powers: the Su Wei Sea, the Setting Sun Sea, the Celestial Demon Sea, and the Thousand Dragons Lake."

"Afterwards, you slew multiple Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have nearly ascended to the Earth Immortal realm] powerhouses at the very heart of the Great Tribulation. Such bountiful spoils were to be expected." The story continues at audio . novel . com.