Chapter 86 : A Price in Blood and Earth

"What?"

The expressions of everyone present shifted dramatically, their eyes widening with shock and disbelief as they looked at him. They had assumed Eldrin Chen had barely managed to escape, never imagining that he had actually turned the tables and slain White Hope Lin.

Declaring Brightness Mu gazed at the figure before him. Eldrin Chen stood there, his robes white as snow, his features so handsome and refined they could be described as jade-like and peerless. His long hair was tied back with a silver crown, and within his eyes lay a profound, unfathomable calm.

"Such ferocity, such ruthless efficiency," Declaring Brightness Mu thought, his mind reeling as a chill ran down his spine. "He must not 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 [a periodic, massive onslaught of demonic beasts] imminent, I would still suggest the two families cease hostilities for now. Perhaps we can settle this after the Beast Tide has passed?"

"Agreed," Eternal Profound Chen nodded firmly. "But the Lin Clan was defeated and must provide compensation to our Chen Clan."

"If you can make them agree to hand over the Lin Clan's foundational cultivation art, the Bulwark Earth Scripture [a scripture focusing on earth-element defense and stability], their divine ability, the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder [an earth-element thunder technique], and the crafting method for the Kunwu Bulwark Earth Bell [a defensive bell treasure], then we can let the matter rest."

"This—"

Declaring Brightness 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 Spirit Apricot Mountain [a mountain rich in spirit apricot trees]. To make such exorbitant demands now would surely push the Lin Clan to a desperate, fight-to-the-death stance." For uninterrupted reading, go to audio_novel.com.

"Brother Eternal Profound, heed my counsel." Starry River Meng also stepped forward, unable to hold back his persuasion. "The Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic 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 calamity."

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

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

"At the very least, until the next Beast Tide has completely subsided, as long as the Lin Clan does not strike first, my Chen Clan will also not move against the Lin Clan."

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

As he spoke, his gaze shifted towards Declaring Brightness Mu.

The Mu Clan Patriarch nodded and said, "Rest assured, I will handle matters on the Lin Clan's side."

Having stabilized the Chen Clan's position, Declaring Brightness Mu breathed a sigh of relief, then turned and flew towards Verdant Ink Mountain. However, he had barely ascended the mountain when he was nearly struck down, forcing him to cry out in alarm.

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

On the other side, Ink Achievement Lin, seeing that the visitor was the Mu Clan Patriarch, finally opened a gap in the Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive magical array that shields a mountain or territory] and allowed him entry.

Declaring Brightness Mu entered Verdant Ink Mountain and immediately sought out Ink Achievement Lin, getting straight to the point.

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

"A mediator?"

Ink Achievement Lin's expression turned icy, his words gritted through clenched teeth. "That Eldrin Chen of the Chen Clan has slain several of our Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation]. This enmity is as deep as the heavens themselves."

"I will not rest until he is dead."

Declaring Brightness Mu shook his head hurriedly, continuing his plea. "Fellow Daoist Lin [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], 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." Ink Achievement Lin cut him off, his face a mask of frost. "No matter what, there is absolutely no possibility of us letting this matter rest."

"I know an amicable resolution is already impossible."

Declaring Brightness Mu also nodded, stating plainly, "However, with the Beast Tide [a massive, destructive onslaught of demonic beasts] looming, I only ask that you set aside your grievances for now. Wait until the Beast Tide has passed. Protecting your clans should come first; you can settle your score afterward."

"Consider this," he said, his voice low and persuasive. "If another of your Lin Clan's Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation] were to meet an untimely end, what would become of your clan's hundreds of thousands of dependents?"

"The fate that befell the Zuo Clan of Feng County serves as a stark warning, a lesson from mere years past."

Hearing this, Ink Achievement Lin's expression shifted through shades of anger before he finally wrestled the fury back down.

He lifted his gaze to meet Declaring Brightness Mu's. "A temporary ceasefire may be acceptable," he conceded, his tone grudging. "But the Chen Clan has slain four of our Foundation Establishment elders. They must provide compensation. Furthermore, the Spirit Apricot Mountain [a mountain renowned for its spiritually potent apricot trees] must be returned to us."

"Fellow Daoist Lin [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], hear me clearly. That is utterly impossible."

Declaring Brightness Mu could only offer a wry, helpless smile. "In fact, Eternal Profound Chen has gone so far as to declare that *you* were the defeated party. He demands *you* compensate *them* with the KunwuBulwark Earth Scripture [a profound earth-element cultivation manual] and the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder [a mighty earth-element divine thunder technique]." Your portal to cultivation novels: site: audio-novel.com.

"He dares?!" Ink Achievement Lin's fist clenched, the knuckles white, as he barely contained the inferno of his rage.

"Please, calm your fury, Fellow Daoist. We have managed to dissuade the Chen Clan from such demands." Declaring Brightness Mu hurried to placate him, his words earnest. "They have given their word: for the duration of the Beast Tide [a periodic, devastating onslaught of monstrous beasts], they will not move against you, provided you extend the same courtesy."

"You have my assurance. All parties will swear binding Inner Demon Oath [a powerful vow where breaking one's word invites demonic heart-devils]. The other four great clans of Yu County will stand as guarantors. Should any clan break this twenty-year peace and strike first, the rest of us will unite to crush them."

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

Ink Achievement Lin closed his eyes and finally gave a slow nod. "I agree to this matter."

After repeated persuasion and earnest counsel from Declaring Brightness Mu and the other major clans, the two feuding families were ultimately compelled to temporarily set aside their enmity.

Only after Eldrin Chen and his allies signed a ceasefire pact with the Lin Clan cultivators and swore a solemn Inner Demon Oath [a binding vow where breaking it invites demonic backlash and cultivation deviation] 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 main hall of Pingyang City, the three gathered. Lior Chen spoke with evident joy on his face.

"Although we failed to eradicate the Lin Clan this time, achieving such a decisive victory has certainly vented a great deal of our pent-up resentment."

"Even though we signed the pact and swore the Inner Demon Oath, a feud of life and death 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 stage of cultivation, where one builds a solid spiritual foundation] experts. Ink Achievement Lin undoubtedly sees you as a mortal enemy and may well resort to desperate measures. Henceforth, you must tread with utmost caution."

"Do not worry," Eldrin Chen replied with a calm nod. "With the Solar Fire Ascension Sword in hand, as long as I do not recklessly prolong a battle, even Ink Achievement Lin would find it difficult to keep me from escaping."

Upon hearing this, Eternal Profound Chen also revealed a slight smile. This was precisely the advantage of a superior-grade Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword forged with a cultivator's own life essence, granting unparalleled resonance and control].

The Solar Fire Ascension Sword was swift as lightning. In Eldrin Chen's hands, its speed was not the least bit inferior to a Second Rank High-Grade Flying Sword, yet its energy consumption was only thirty percent of a typical magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] of the same rank. If Eldrin Chen were to travel by this sword, it was likely that even an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator would be unable to catch him.

Although the defensive power of Ink Achievement Lin's Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact forged with a cultivator's own life essence], the 'Kunwu Bulwark Earth Bell', was formidable, it was not a flying sword-type treasure and thus was not adept at flight.

In fact, Ink Achievement Lin did not even possess a Second Rank High-Grade flying sword. While the three Second Rank High-Grade magical treasures in his possession were powerful in their own right, none of them allowed for sword-flight. It seemed he would truly have great difficulty catching up to Eldrin Chen. Experience the full epic at audio - novel . com.