Chapter 525 : A Pact Forged in Tribulation

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression turned grave.

If the Ji Clan Patriarch were to prove his Primordial Solar [the highest echelon of cultivation before true immortality] path, the demonic and monstrous factions would certainly not stand idly by. This Human Tribulation [a tribulation of immense scale and danger faced by cultivators seeking a major breakthrough] would undoubtedly be a calamity of terrifying proportions.

Faced with such a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of fate that determines one's ultimate destiny], no amount of caution from the Ji Clan would be excessive. Naturally, they would widely invite trusted allies to lend their strength.

Relatively speaking, Exquisite Jiang held a special status, being one of the most trusted individuals by the Ji Clan Patriarch's side. It was only natural that she would be invited to lend her aid.

After all, if the Ji Clan Patriarch could break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a profound advancement] realm, the two of them would, in the future, possess an immensely powerful and lofty patron.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke, "This matter is of great consequence. We will naturally lend you our strength."

"Thank you, then."

Although she had anticipated their agreement, Freya Ji still allowed a smile to touch her lips upon hearing his words.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Eldrin Chen recalled the matter of the Vast Sea and spoke again, "By the way, now that we have taken control of the Vast Sea, establishing complete dominion will require setting up Teleportation Formation [magical arrays that allow instantaneous travel across vast distances]."

"Therefore, I wish to purchase some Void Gem [a rare mineral essential for spatial magic and formation crafting] from the Ji Clan to refine the necessary Teleportation Formation." For more chapters, visit audio–novel.com for the complete novel.

"I anticipated you would need to procure some, so I specifically brought a quantity with me this time."

Freya Ji nodded with a smile. In the century since the last Beast Tide, the Ji Clan had wrested control of the Void Gem Mine Vein from the hands of Azure Wave Lake. Consequently, the clan currently faced no shortage of fourth-rank Void Gem [a rare spatial-aligned gemstone used in high-level formations and teleportation arrays].

After some discussion, Eldrin Chen spent twenty million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to purchase ten of the Void Gem.

Once the transaction was complete, a satisfied smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips. With these ten Void Gem in hand, the Chen Clan could finally erect a Formation [a complex array or magical diagram that channels energy for defense, attack, or other purposes] upon the crucial Fifth Rank Spirit Island [an island imbued with a powerful fifth-rank spiritual vein] within the Vast Sea.

By establishing Formation on several key fourth-rank Spirit Island [islands imbued with spiritual energy veins] and linking the Vast Sea Cultivation World together through them, they could use these islands as anchors to solidify their control over the entire Vast Sea region.

Pleased by this thought, he then turned to Freya Ji and asked, "The Vast Sea is quite distant from Verdant Lotus Isle. Establishing a connection will require a Fifth Rank Teleportation Formation [a high-grade magical array capable of instant long-distance travel]. I wonder if your clan possesses the necessary materials for such an array?"

Freya Ji shook her head upon hearing this. "In recent years, to aid my father's breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement in power and longevity], we have sold off many of the clan's precious treasures, aside from those foundational assets we cannot part with."

"While fifth-rank Void Gem are indeed valuable, they are not critically urgent for our current needs. Therefore, none remain in our Clan Treasury."

Hearing her explanation, Eldrin Chen felt a twinge of disappointment.

However, Exquisite Jiang, who stood nearby, had a thoughtful gleam in her eyes. She offered a gentle smile and said, "Within the next Sixty-Year Cycle [a conventional period of sixty years, often marking significant cycles in fate and cultivation], it is unlikely a True Lord Rank Barter Convention [a high-level trade gathering for cultivators of the True Lord realm and above] will be held near Ji Continent. Procuring a fifth-rank Void Gem will likely prove difficult."

"Therefore, I wish to entrust you with inquiring on our behalf, to see which True Lord [a title for cultivators who have reached the True Lord realm] among the nearby great continents would be willing to part with a Void Gem [a rare gemstone containing spatial properties]."

"Then I shall take charge of this matter."

Freya Ji gave a slight nod. With the connections of the Ji Clan, gathering this information would be far more convenient than if Eldrin Chen and his companion were to search for it themselves.

Seeing her accept the task, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "I am in your debt."

"…"

After Freya Ji departed, the pair did not delay. They immediately set to work crafting the Teleportation Formation Disk [a portable artifact that can create a temporary teleportation gate].

Forging ten Teleportation Formation Disk simultaneously would consume a staggering amount of resources, enough to strain even the most affluent Golden Core Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has reached the Golden Core realm].

Fortunately, after Eldrin Chen had vanquished the Qin Clan, he had seized spoils worth over a hundred million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Among these were materials like Mystic Iron [a rare metal imbued with arcane properties], essential for crafting the Teleportation Formation Disk.

Combined with the treasures from the Chen Clan Treasury, they quickly gathered and assembled all the necessary materials.

Then, with several hundred artisans from the Heavenly Ruins Alliance working in concert to refine the materials, aided by the combined efforts of Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang in the final forging, it took merely a single year to successfully craft all ten Teleportation Formation Disk.

After refining the formation disks, the two of them flew to the Vast Sea that very day, arriving at Frigid Stream Island within a matter of days.

The Old Patriarch had been waiting for some time. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, he immediately asked, "How did it go?"

"It should be sufficient," Eldrin Chen replied, handing over the ten Teleportation Formation Disk to the Old Patriarch.

After examining them, Eternal Profound Chen could not help but let out a sigh of relief. "With these Teleportation Formation Disk, we can finally breathe a little easier."

Hearing this, a flicker of thought passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes.

The territory of the Vast Sea was not small. Spanning nearly ten million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in all directions, it was slightly larger than the former Ji Continent. For uninterrupted reading, go to http://www . audio-novel.com.

This Vast Sea was once one of the seven great freshwater lakes of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. In terms of ecosystem and resources, it was far more abundant than the remote and desolate Ji Continent.

However, during the great calamity a millennium ago, the Fifth Rank Earth Vein [a high-grade spiritual energy channel within the earth] and Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy] of the Vast Sea either sank to the lakebed or were shattered, much like the Fire Vein [a vein of fiery spiritual energy] beneath Frigid Stream Island.

Even after such a Great Tribulation, the Vast Sea was still able to give birth to an Earthly Path True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has mastered the earthly path] like the Glacier Alliance Leader within a thousand years, proving its resources were far from lacking.

Furthermore, with no Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan led by an Infant Soul Realm cultivator] monopolizing most of the resources, the number of Golden Core Immortal Clan [clans led by Golden Core Realm cultivators] in the Vast Sea was by no means small.

Within this sea region densely dotted with thousands of Spirit Island [islands imbued with spiritual energy], the Human Race alone boasts over a hundred Golden Core [cultivators who have condensed a golden core, a major milestone], a number not inferior to the Golden Core Cultivator found within the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent. Yet, the territory controlled by the Human Race comprises less than half of the entire Vast Sea.

To establish complete dominion over this maritime expanse was no small feat, and Kael Chen and his companions had been thoroughly occupied with the task in recent times.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen stated, "Once the Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel over vast distances] is fully established, we shall summon all the Golden Core Immortal Clan [powerful clans led by Golden Core cultivators] of the Vast Sea and compel them to join the Heavenly Ruins Alliance."

"I have already begun that work," Old Patriarch replied with a knowing smile, his experience evident. "I have spoken with the leaders of all twenty-three Golden Core Immortal Clan within the Vast Sea."

"Preliminary calculations for the taxes from various market towns and the division of interests within the Vast Sea have been completed."

As he spoke, Old Patriarch handed him a ledger.

Eldrin Chen took it and saw that the ledger primarily detailed the resources of the Vast Sea.

Since taking control of the Vast Sea, the Chen Immortal Clan had become the sovereign power of this territory. The five fourth-rank Spirit Island [islands with powerful spiritual veins] formerly under the command of Frostriver Path Master were now under the control of the Chen Clan.

Furthermore, during this period, Kael Chen and the others had taken action one after another, conquering four territories ruled by Demon King [powerful demonic beings equivalent to Golden Core cultivators]. These conquests represented the most direct gains for the Chen Clan.

Beyond these Spirit Island, the ledger also accounted for the annual output of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] from the Vast Sea, as well as the tax revenues from the various market towns under the jurisdiction of the Glacier Alliance.

With this newly established site for producing Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], the Chen Clan would not only see a significant increase in its annual revenue, but its yearly harvest of Five Elements Essence would also double.

As he perused the ledger, the Old Patriarch continued, "This is merely a preliminary account. The specifics still require further discussion. I have already dispatched Lior to conduct a detailed survey of the site."

"From what I understand, the Vast Sea region also abounds in Yellowwood [a type of spiritual timber prized for its durability and affinity with earth energy]. It is not only a superior material for crafting Treasure Ship [magical vessels used for travel and warfare], but its price is also more than half that of the Verdant Wood commonly found on Ji Continent."

"It seems the construction of our Fifth Rank Treasure Ship [a powerful enchanted vessel of the fifth rank] can be accelerated considerably. Perhaps it can be completed within a century." Read, share, and discuss at *audio-novel.com*.