Chapter 388 : Secrets of the Netherworld Stone

"Then let us wait a little longer."

Exquisite Jiang could only say this, for with Eldrin Chen's cultivation base, comparable to the Golden Core Late Stage, it was still far too taxing to attempt to purge the Netherworld [the realm of ghosts and spirits] energy from the Netherworld Stone.

Considering it might draw the attention of the Black Fiend Patriarch, Eldrin Chen said, "This is no place to linger. Let us depart first and discuss matters later."

"Agreed."

Exquisite Jiang gave a nod. After slaying the Eccentric Lin, destroying all the Demonic Treasure [artifacts infused with demonic or malevolent energy], the two turned and left Demonic Flame Mountain.

"..."

Just as the two departed, deep within the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, within the Black Fiend Demon Ridge, a hulking figure opened its eyes.

"Who dares destroy this venerable one's Netherworld Void Crossing Formation [a mystical formation for traversing the void to the Netherworld]?"

"Damnation! Could it be the Ji Clan has discovered it..."

Unaware of the events unfolding within the Black Fiend Demon Ridge, Eldrin Chen and his companion were currently piloting the Green Sun Treasure Ark while taking stock of their gains from this venture.

This time, the treasures they obtained were few. Items like the Demonic Cultivator's Demonic Treasure and Blood Crystal held little use for them.

After destroying the various demonic objects, the two discovered that the truly valuable treasures numbered only two: the Demonic Flame Lunar Thunder Pearl and the Netherworld Stone.

Both treasures were of exceptionally high grade. Eldrin Chen stored away the Netherworld Stone and handed the Demonic Flame Lunar Thunder Pearl to Exquisite Jiang, saying, "With your cultivation level, you can unleash this Nether Thunder Pearl's greatest power."

"Mm."

Exquisite Jiang nodded. With this item in hand, they would have another hidden card to play in the future.

The two continued their flight towards the Heavenly Star Continent. The journey thereafter proceeded smoothly, free from further mishaps, and within a few months they reached the borders of the Heavenly Star Continent.

Upon arriving at the Heavenly Star Continent, Exquisite Jiang remarked, "It is said the Sovereign of the Heavenly Star Continent is the Infant Soul Sect known as the Heavenly Star Sect."

"This sect holds sole dominion over the Heavenly Star Continent and boasts three Infant Soul True Lord within its ranks. We should avoid excessive interaction with them. Let us simply locate a few of the local powerful Golden Core Immortal Clan to exchange for Heavenly Crystal and then depart."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded. While they wished to acquire Heavenly Crystal, not every Golden Core-level faction would have such crystals in their collections.

Typically, only the more powerful Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators with a long heritage], those possessing cultivators at the Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Golden Core realm], would collect Heavenly Crystal [a highly refined and potent form of spiritual crystal] to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.

On the Heavenly Star Continent, aside from the Heavenly Star Sect [the dominant sect of the continent], there were several dozen Golden Core [Golden Core realm] cultivators, forming roughly twenty-some Golden Core level powers.

Among these Golden Core powers, only five of the most formidable Immortal Clan were likely to have collected Heavenly Crystal.

"Let us first purchase a map of the Heavenly Star Continent, then decide our next move,"

Eldrin Chen said, accompanying Exquisite Jiang to the nearest third-rank market town.

This market town was named Stardust Market, and it was, in fact, an enterprise of the Heavenly Star Sect. After entering and purchasing a map, Eldrin Chen examined it and chuckled.

"We are currently in the Eastern Qi Nation of the Heavenly Star Continent. The ruling Sovereign [a cultivator who has reached the peak of the Golden Core realm and rules a nation] here is from the Wang Immortal Clan."

"That Patriarch Wang—we met him years ago at the Ji Continent Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade resources]. He had already reached Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle of the Golden Core realm] back then. I wonder if he has now broken through to the False Infant Soul Realm [a transitional pseudo-realm between Golden Core and the true Infant Soul realm]."

Exquisite Jiang also smiled and said, "The Wang Clan is the foremost Golden Core Immortal Clan on the Heavenly Star Continent. They undoubtedly possess Heavenly Crystal."

"Then let us pay them a visit."

The two did not linger. They immediately mounted their swords and flew to the ancestral lands of the Wang Clan in the Eastern Qi Nation. Before the mountain gate of the Wang Clan, they presented their Visiting Card [a formal card used to announce one's arrival and request an audience].

While awaiting a response from the Wang Clan, Eldrin Chen observed the clan's city and could not help but remark, "On our journey here, we have already passed several cities belonging to the Wang Clan."

"With so many cities supporting their mortal populace, I fear the number of their clansmen must exceed three hundred million."

Eldrin Chen uttered with a tone of awe. A mortal population of three hundred million, even with a mere one-in-a-thousand chance of producing a cultivator, would yield a staggering three hundred thousand cultivators.

This was truly astonishing. The vast Chu Nation, spanning a million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], only possessed forty to fifty thousand cultivators. This single Wang Clan alone could rival an entire nation.

Exquisite Jiang's eyes flickered slightly as she stated calmly, "The Wang Clan has existed for over two thousand years. It is said that four of their Golden Core Perfection [cultivators at the peak of the Golden Core stage] have attempted to break through to the Infant Soul Realm [the stage beyond Golden Core], though all ultimately failed."

"For a top-tier Golden Core Immortal Clan like this, the number of Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators at the Golden Core stage] has never fallen below ten. Almost every era has seen a Golden Core Perfection cultivator presiding over the clan."

"In comparison, the entire history of the Chu Nation spans a mere two thousand years. It may not even be as ancient as this Wang Immortal Clan."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. High-level cultivators possessed long lifespans. A single Golden Core Cultivator was sufficient to protect a Golden Core Immortal Clan for a thousand years.

If a clan possessed an Infant Soul True Lord [a powerful cultivator at the Infant Soul stage], it could dominate an entire minor continent, sheltering and allowing billions of lives to flourish for generations.

For a supreme figure of the Infant Soul True Lord level, the rise and fall of a nation, the writing and conclusion of an ancient history, are but the most common trifles encountered on the path of cultivation.

As long as a True Lord lives, they are sufficient to regulate the heavens, earth, mountains, and rivers, carving out a pure land for the Human Race where countless living beings can thrive and multiply.

In truth, the Chen Clan's decision to cleanse the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland was itself an endeavor to help the Chen Clan establish such a sanctuary.

It was merely that the Ji Continent was perpetually embroiled in conflict, resulting in a relatively sparse population, making the reclamation process more arduous. It is said that in some of the more peaceful great continents, the population often far exceeds that of the Ji Continent.

Legends speak of prosperous holy lands deep within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, where Path Lord Sacred Land wielded supreme, great magical power to shape mountains and rivers, rendering millions of Li-lengths of land suitable for mortal habitation, without even the need for protective arrays.

Although this Wang Clan was not an Infant Soul Immortal Clan, the environment of the Heavenly Star Continent was far more tranquil than that of the Ji Continent, naturally allowing it to nurture such a vast mortal populace.

Just as the two were observing the Wang Clan, three figures finally descended from the mountain peak.

The leader, upon seeing them, laughed heartily. "I wondered which distinguished guests had arrived. So it is the Sword Immortal Chen and the Immortal Maiden Exquisite from the Ji Continent."

"For failing to welcome such esteemed guests from afar, I, Wang, must beg your forgiveness."

Patriarch Wang spoke from a distance, his expression carrying a hint of formal courtesy.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang, then offered a slight smile. "Four decades have passed, and yet Elder Brother Wang has already broken through to the False Infant Soul Realm [a transitional state just before the true Infant Soul Realm]. It seems that within a century, the Heavenly Star Continent will surely gain another Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a powerful clan founded by an Infant Soul Realm cultivator]."

"Hahaha!"

"Fellow Daoist, you flatter this old man too much."

The Wang Clan Patriarch laughed heartily, then spoke courteously. "I have prepared tea. Please, let us converse on the Guest Greeting Peak."

"In that case, we thank you for your hospitality."

According to the unspoken etiquette among high-ranking Immortal Clan [powerful clans of cultivators], when cultivators of the same realm visit, unless their relationship is exceptionally close, they typically do not enter the other's Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy, often serving as a clan's core base].

For one knows a man's face, not his heart. Once the grand formation of a Spirit Mountain is activated, a visitor could easily find themselves trapped within.

Under such circumstances, a Guest Greeting Peak [a designated peak for receiving guests, separate from the clan's core territory] has become an almost essential feature for every major Immortal Clan.

The group arrived at the Guest Greeting Peak. After everyone was seated, Eldrin Chen took a moment to observe the others present.