Chapter 86 : A Price in Blood and Thunder

"What?"

The expressions of everyone present shifted dramatically, their gazes turning to him with a flicker of shock and awe. They had assumed Eldrin Chen had barely managed to escape, never imagining that he had actually turned the tables and slain Lysander Chen.

Marcus Mu observed the young man before him. Eldrin Chen stood there, clad in robes white as snow, his features so exquisitely handsome they could be described as jade-like and peerless. His long hair was gathered by a silver crown, and within his eyes lay a profound, unfathomable calm.

"Such ferocity, such decisive methods," Marcus Mu thought, his mind reeling as a shiver ran down his spine. "He is not one to be provoked under any circumstances."

Suppressing his thoughts swiftly, he steeled himself and continued, "Since lives have been lost, this enmity will indeed be difficult to resolve peacefully."

"However, with the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion of monstrous beasts] looming, I would still advise both clans to cease hostilities for now. Perhaps we can settle this after the calamity has passed?"

"Agreed," Chen Thalion nodded firmly. "But since the Lin Clan was defeated, they must provide compensation to our Chen Clan."

"If you can make them agree to hand over the Lin Clan's foundational cultivation art, the Earth-Fortress Scripture, the divine ability Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder [a powerful thunder technique rooted in earth-elemental power], and the refinement method for the Kunwu Earth-Fortress Bell [a legendary defensive treasure], then we are willing to let the matter rest."

"This—"

Marcus Mu immediately shook his head, his face clouded with worry. "Fellow Daoist, you must be jesting. Those are the very cornerstones of the Lin Clan's heritage. You have already taken Spiritual Apricot Mountain. To make such exorbitant demands now would likely push the Lin Clan to a point of no return, where they would fight to the death rather than yield." Find this and other novels at audio_novel.com.

"Brother Thalion, hear my counsel." Meng Aethelstan also stepped forward, unable to restrain himself from advising: "The Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion of monstrous beasts] is now upon us. If your two clans clash to the death at this moment, regardless of who wins or loses, I fear it will brew a great catastrophe."

"It would be better to first weather the Beast Tide Calamity. Afterwards, you can settle your scores, repay grudges, and bring this to a final conclusion."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with the Old Patriarch, then nodded and said: "This matter, I can agree to."

"At least until the current Beast Tide Calamity is completely over, as long as the Lin Clan does not strike first, our Chen Clan will not move against the Lin Clan either."

"But if the Lin Clan does not agree..."

As he spoke, his gaze turned towards Marcus Mu.

The Clan Patriarch of the Mu Clan nodded and said, "Set your minds at ease. Leave the matter with the Lin Clan to me."

Having stabilized the situation with the Chen Clan, Marcus Mu breathed a sigh of relief, then turned and flew towards Verdant Ink Mountain. Yet, scarcely had he ascended the mountain's slopes when he was nearly struck down by a defensive barrage. Startled, he hastily cried out.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, cease your attack! It is I, this old man!"

On the other side, Lin Mordred, seeing that the newcomer was the Patriarch of the Mu Clan, finally opened a gap in the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array protecting a mountain stronghold] and allowed him entry.

Marcus Mu entered Verdant Ink Mountain and immediately sought out Lin Mordred, getting straight to the point.

"Patriarch Lin Clan, to be frank, this old man has come to act as a peacemaker."

"A peacemaker?"

Lin Mordred's expression turned icy, and he spoke through gritted teeth: "That Eldrin Chen of the Chen Clan has slain several of our Lin Clan's Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their foundation in the Dao]. This enmity is irreconcilable."

"I will not rest until he is dead."

Marcus Mu quickly shook his head, continuing his persuasion: "Fellow Daoist Lin, the current situation is stronger than any man. The Chen Clan now shines as brightly as the midday sun; I fear you can no longer contend with them."

"Moreover, it was your side who struck first. You are in the wrong from the outset."

"Say no more." Lin Mordred cut him off, his face cold as frost. "No matter what, there is absolutely no possibility of us letting this matter go."

"I know an amicable resolution is already impossible."

Marcus Mu also nodded, stating plainly: "However, with the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating onslaught of demonic beasts] looming, I only wish for you to set aside your grievances for now. After the Beast Tide Calamity has passed, you can focus on protecting your clan first. There will be time to settle scores later."

"Consider this," he said, his voice grave. "If something were to befall your Lin Clan's remaining Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their foundation on the path of cultivation], what would become of your Lin Clan's hundreds of thousands of clansmen?"

"The fate of the Zuo Clan in Feng County serves as a stark warning, and that calamity unfolded mere years ago."

Hearing this, Lin Mordred's expression shifted through shades of anger before he finally forced the seething fury down.

He lifted his head, looking at Marcus Mu. "A temporary ceasefire is acceptable," he conceded, "but the Chen Clan slew four of our Lin Clan Foundation Establishment [the foundational stage of cultivation] elders. They must provide compensation. Furthermore, the Spiritual Apricot Mountain must be returned to us."

"Fellow Daoist Lin, hear me out. That is utterly impossible."

Marcus Mu could only offer a wry, helpless smile. "Why, Chen Thalion has even declared that since you were defeated, *you* should be the ones paying reparations—specifically, your clan's Earth-Fortress Scripture [a profound cultivation manual focusing on earth-attribute techniques] and the Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder [a powerful divine thunder technique derived from earth-element energies]." Published by audio-novel .c om. All rights reserved.

"He dares?!" Lin Mordred clenched his fist, the flames of his anger barely contained.

"Please, do not be angered. We have managed to dissuade the Chen Clan from such demands," Marcus Mu quickly reassured him, speaking with earnest persuasion. "They have given their word: for the duration of the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic catastrophe where hordes of demonic beasts emerge from the wilderness], they will not move against you, provided you refrain from attacking them first."

"You have my assurance. All parties will swear a binding Heart Demon Oath [a solemn vow where breaking one's word risks cultivation deviation and inner demons]. The other Four Great Clans [the four other major cultivation families of the region] of Yu County will stand as guarantors. Should any clan strike first within these twenty years, the rest of us will unite and crush them without mercy."

"Once those twenty years have passed and you have weathered the Beast Tide Calamity, then you may seek your vengeance in due time."

Lin Mordred closed his eyes and finally gave a slow nod. "I agree to this matter," he said.

After repeated persuasion and earnest counsel from Marcus Mu and the other great clans, the two feuding families were eventually compelled to temporarily set aside their enmity.

Eldrin Chen and the others signed a truce agreement with the cultivators of the Lin Clan, and swore a Heart Demon Oath [a solemn vow that, if broken, invites inner demons to disrupt one's cultivation]. Only then did the great turmoil that had swept through Yu County gradually subside.

Three days later, Eldrin Chen returned to Pingyang City together with the Old Patriarch.

Within the grand hall of Pingyang City, the three of them gathered. Lior Chen spoke with evident delight.

"Although we couldn't eradicate the Lin Clan this time, achieving such a decisive victory has certainly allowed us to vent our long-held grievances."

"Even though we signed the pact and swore the Heart Demon Oath, a feud of this depth has now been forged. We must remain vigilant against the Lin Clan," cautioned the Old Patriarch.

As he spoke, his gaze settled on Eldrin Chen. "This is especially true for you. You slew four of their Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a solid foundation for their Dao] cultivators. Lin Mordred will undoubtedly see you as a mortal enemy and may resort to desperate measures. You must tread carefully from now on."

"Do not worry," Eldrin Chen replied with a calm nod. "With the Separated Flame Immortal Return Sword in hand, as long as I do not linger in battle, even Lin Mordred would find it difficult to keep me there."

Hearing this, Chen Thalion allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. This was precisely the advantage of wielding a superior-grade Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword forged with and nourished by its wielder's own essence, granting unparalleled resonance and power].

The Separated Flame Immortal Return Sword [a flying sword imbued with the power of the Separated Flame] moved with lightning speed. In the hands of Eldrin Chen, it was in no way inferior to a Second Rank High Grade flying sword, yet its consumption of spiritual energy was merely thirty percent of a typical magical tool of its rank. If Eldrin Chen were to ride this sword in flight, it was likely that even ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators would be unable to catch him.

Although the defensive power of Lin Mordred's Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to one's life force and soul], the 'Kunwu Earth-Fortress Bell' [a bell-shaped treasure renowned for its immense defensive capabilities], was formidable, it was not a flying sword-type treasure and thus was not adept at flight.

In fact, Lin Mordred did not even possess a Second Rank High Grade flying sword. While the three Second Rank High Grade magical treasures he wielded were powerful, none of them allowed for sword-riding flight. It seemed he would have genuine difficulty pursuing Eldrin Chen.

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