Chapter 827 : A Path Lord's Perilous Ascent

The reason for this extraordinary effort is the unprecedented scale of the impending calamity. Each additional Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm and comprehended a Path] represents another sliver of hope for surviving the cataclysm.

Furthermore, even if the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied, world-ending convergence of demonic energy from the abyss] proves unstoppable, a Primordial Spirit Path Lord possesses a far greater chance of survival than any Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage who has attained True Lord status].

Seeing that Violet Consort Yan's resolve was firm, Exquisite Jiang nodded and said, "Since you are determined to attempt the breakthrough to Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement], we will naturally offer our support."

"I will lend you my Three Treasures Glazed Armor [a powerful defensive artifact forged from three precious materials] to help you weather the Primordial Spirit Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation one must endure to ascend to the Primordial Spirit realm]."

"Then you have my deepest gratitude."

Violet Consort Yan did not refuse Exquisite Jiang's kindness. Instead, she accepted the Three Treasures Glazed Armor with solemn reverence.

Eldrin Chen also smiled before adding, "I will speak with Elder Brother Sea-Calmer and arrange for you to undertake your breakthrough within the Gu Yuan Mountain Range. The presence of a Sixth Rank Spiritual Vein [a powerful natural conduit of spiritual energy] there should increase your chances of success, if only slightly."

"Then I shall go and make my preparations."

Violet Consort Yan nodded, a smile gracing her features as she spoke.

After Violet Consort Yan departed, her heart filled with joy, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "With the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm drawing near, I intend to convene a council of the clan's Elder [senior members of the Chen family]. We must assess the state of our preparations." For more chapters, visit audio~novel.com for the complete novel.

Exquisite Jiang [the wife of Eldrin Chen, a powerful cultivator] nodded slightly, then said with a smile, "Then I shall have someone deliver the orders immediately."

"..."

One month later, Eldrin Chen [the patriarch of the Chen Immortal Clan] summoned the clan's Infant Soul [the fourth major cultivation realm] Elders and convened a grand clan assembly within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a volcanic region rich in fire-attribute spiritual energy].

The reason this Barter Convention [a large-scale trade and exchange gathering for cultivators] was held in the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire was primarily because Old Granduncle [a venerable elder of the Chen Clan] was advancing the Earth Vein [a powerful, naturally occurring spiritual energy ley line] there and was currently at a critical juncture, unable to leave.

Seated upon the high seat in the Great Hall, Eldrin Chen looked upon the assembly of clan True Lords [a title for cultivators at the Infant Soul realm], each radiating an extraordinary aura and exceptional bearing, and could not help but reveal a faint smile.

Since the last Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving a demonic invasion], Eldrin Chen had rarely personally presided over grand clan Elder assemblies. Therefore, today, aside from those clan True Lords in secluded life-or-death passes [a state of seclusion for a critical breakthrough where failure often means death], every available Infant Soul Elder had gathered here.

In daily life, one did not fully grasp the number of clan True Lords, but today, with everyone summoned together by Eldrin Chen, he realized the Infant Soul Elders before him numbered as many as fifty-seven.

Including the six Infant Soul True Lords in life-or-death passes, the Chen Clan now boasted a total of sixty-three Infant Soul True Lords. This count did not even include the clan's various external surname-bearing guest elders [esteemed cultivators from other families who serve as advisors or protectors].

"After one thousand eight hundred years of stewardship, a single clan with sixty-three True Lords."

"Our Chen Immortal Clan is, without a doubt, the foremost Infant Soul Immortal Clan [an immortal clan whose patriarch is at the Infant Soul realm or higher] in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland [a vast, spiritually rich yet dangerous wilderness region]."

Beside him, Eternal Profound Chen was filled with profound emotion. Stroking his long beard with deep satisfaction, his expression revealed a mixture of pride and heartfelt joy.

All those present shared in this collective honor, their faces alight with shared pride and glory.

It must be understood that even some Path Lord Sacred Land [a holy land founded and ruled by a Path Lord] with legacies spanning thousands or even tens of thousands of years might only possess around a hundred Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators at the Infant Soul stage, a high-level realm]. Newly established sacred lands founded by a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a major cultivation realm] might have as few as a dozen or so Infant Soul True Lord.

While the Chen Clan is currently classified as an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [an immortal clan whose highest cultivation level is the Infant Soul realm], its strength is in no way inferior to many sacred lands that possess only one or two Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a Path Lord cultivator at the Primordial Spirit realm].

Eldrin Chen was also quite pleased. After casting his gaze over the assembly, he smiled and said, "Very well. Now, tell me of the clan's current state after all these years of development."

"As you wish."

From among the many True Lord [a title for high-level cultivators, often at the Infant Soul stage or above], Ethan Chen stepped forward.

As a veteran Infant Soul [a high cultivation realm] who had risen with the clan from its Foundation Establishment [the foundational stage of cultivation] days, Ethan Chen was now one of the most senior figures in the clan. His own cultivation had reached the impressive height of the Infant Soul 7th Tier [the seventh tier within the Infant Soul realm].

Now, Ethan Chen strode forth and presented several thick ledgers to Eldrin Chen, stating, "These are the clan's 'Cultivator Registry' [the official record of all clan cultivators], 'Industry Registry' [the ledger of the clan's various assets and enterprises], and the 'Clan Treasury Ledger' [the master account of the clan's wealth and resources], among others. Please review them, Clan Uncle."

Eldrin Chen accepted the ledgers. As he did, Ethan Chen continued with a smile, "Currently, our clan boasts seven million, three hundred and sixty thousand cultivators. Among them, two hundred and eighty thousand have attained Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the foundational stage of cultivation]."

"Over thirty thousand Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major realm], more than three thousand Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the fourth major realm], and sixty-three Infant Soul Cultivator [cultivators who have nurtured their Infant Soul, the fifth major realm]."

As Ethan Chen recounted the figures, Eldrin Chen continued to peruse the ledger before him, a faint smile touching the corners of his eyes.

Nowadays, the Chen Clan conducted a census of its cultivators every ten years. This ledger's date was from seven years prior, so the current number of clan cultivators would naturally show some fluctuation.

However, the lifespans of low-level cultivators were not long; as new ones were born, elders from previous generations would pass away, so the overall numbers would not shift drastically in a short time.

While Violet Sanctum Cultivator were tallied every three years, Golden Core cultivators, being high-level practitioners, were counted annually. The number of Infant Soul cultivators was never large, and any new True Lord [an honorary title for an Infant Soul cultivator] who ascended was recorded in the ledger immediately.

Therefore, the actual number of Chen Clan cultivators would not differ greatly from the ledger's figures; this data was likely very close to the truth. Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel[dot]com.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "High-level cultivators enjoy long lifespans, while low-level cultivators' lives are comparatively brief. Thus, many clans may seem to have a stable number of high-level members, but if their foundation of low-level cultivators is insufficient, the lineage risks a generational gap."

"Our Chen Clan not only boasts an exceptional number of high-level cultivators but also maintains a vast base of low-level practitioners. This ensures a continuous, unending stream of future high-level cultivators will emerge."

"Indeed," Old Granduncle nodded, stroking his long beard with a chuckle. "In recent years, several promising seedlings have appeared. Even among the clan's Golden Core cultivators, there are quite a few who have formed a Superior-Tier Golden Core [a Golden Core of the highest quality and potential]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen also smiled faintly, then turned his gaze to the Industry Registry [a ledger detailing the clan's various assets and enterprises] in his hands.

This Industry Registry records the clan's fixed assets, which include Earth Vein [geological formations rich in earthly spiritual energy], Spiritual Vein [natural conduits of concentrated spiritual energy], and various industries such as Spiritual Field [fields imbued with spiritual energy for cultivation] and Spirit Herb [plants that absorb and store spiritual energy] cultivated upon Spirit Mountain [mountains suffused with spiritual energy].

According to the Industry Registry, the Chen Clan now possesses over one thousand Spiritual Vein of varying sizes, more than three hundred Earth Vein of different grades, and in addition, over six thousand various mineral vein assets.

Among these Spiritual Vein, the number of Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [a high-grade spiritual vein] alone reaches sixteen.

These sixteen Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein originated from various sources: some were nurtured by the Spiritual Root [the foundational spiritual source of a clan or land] of the Chen Clan, others were cultivated using spirit-gathering formation plates, and a portion were seized from Demon Beasts [beasts that have cultivated demonic energy].

Upon these numerous Spirit Mountain, the Chen Clan has also opened over thirty million Mu-area [one Mu-area equals six hundred sixty-six point six seven square meters] of Spiritual Field, cultivating vast quantities of materials such as Spirit Herb and Spirit Rice [a grain infused with spiritual energy].

After nearly two thousand years of development, the output from these Spiritual Field has become a primary source of resources for the Chen Clan, capable of generating substantial income for the clan.

Relying on these resources and the distribution channels of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, the Chen Clan has now amassed a considerable amount of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], sufficient to refine several Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [powerful artifacts infused with the essence of the primordial sun].

Furthermore, these Spirit Herb farms are now capable of cultivating a large number of high-grade Spirit Herb, including auxiliary herbs required for Sixth Rank [the Primordial Spirit realm] spiritual pills such as the Primordial Spirit Pill [a pill that aids in cultivating the Primordial Spirit].

Finally, the Clan Treasury Ledger records the inventory within the clan's Clan Treasury, including stockpiled magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], elixirs, daoist scriptures, Formation [the art of arranging spiritual energy into patterns for various effects], Five Elements Essence, and other such materials.

After reviewing these ledgers, Eldrin Chen nodded with satisfaction and inquired, "How are the preparations for the upcoming Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a catastrophic event involving the eruption of demonic energy from an abyss] proceeding?"

"Our stockpiles of supplies are ample."

Speaking of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving the demonic abyss], Ethan Chen said with a grave expression, "We have forged thirteen [large, armed vessels designed for both combat and transporting precious resources]. The most formidable among them was crafted using the skeletal frame of the Violet Jade Demon Emperor as its dragon bone [the primary keel or structural spine of a ship, imbued with draconic power]."

"If powered by a cultivator at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Infant Soul cultivation realm], it could hold its own against one or two ordinary Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivators who have partially stepped into the Primordial Spirit realm] cultivators." Published by audio-novel . com. All rights reserved.