Chapter 196 : Echoes of a Mortal Past

"Indeed."

Lila nodded, her gaze fixed on the Azure Spirit Fish [a type of spiritually infused fish] in the water, as if lost in memory.

"But do you know, I was once just a little beggar, reduced to fighting stray dogs for a scrap of bread."

"From the moment he took me in, I swore in my heart that I would become someone like him, even if I could only come close to him by a fraction."

Silas Chen listened quietly, his mind drifting back fifty years.

The memories of childhood had long since blurred; the only things that remained clear were the wailing that filled the land, the flesh-and-blood demon, and the black-and-crimson sky.

That figure, clad in robes as white as snow, had descended from the sky, his sword sweeping away the evil demon before he lifted her from the ruins.

"Time passes so swiftly."

The years flowed like a river, yet the memories of five decades ago seemed as vivid as if they were before his eyes.

Would there come a day, when she was aged and frail, that he would still stand there, his robes pristine as snow, his youth untouched, gazing down upon the mortal world, the dust of countless ages never clinging to his sleeves? Official source: audio-novel . com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

A sudden tremor of fear stirred within her. Unconsciously, her slender, jade-like fingers tightened around the hem of her long skirt, as if desperately clutching at the white sleeves of her robe.

Eldrin Chen flew on his sword to Pingyang City. After locating Old Patriarch, he went straight to the point.

"For all these years, it is only because Jiang the Ancient Ancestor has shouldered the pressure from various factions that we have been able to grow step by step."

"Moreover, once Celestial Python Lake is taken, it will be a monumental achievement for the entire Chu Kingdom for generations to come."

"Therefore, we must give our full support to Jiang the Ancient Ancestor's campaign against Celestial Python Lake."

Old Patriarch also nodded in agreement. After a moment of contemplation, he added, "Both of us will participate in this battle. However, the mortal population of our Chen Clan is now approaching one million."

"To prevent evil demons from taking advantage, after I depart, Pingyang City must be guarded by at least six Foundation Establishment cultivators working together."

Eldrin Chen understood. To unleash the full power of a Third Rank Formation [a powerful defensive or offensive magical array], a minimum of six Foundation Establishment cultivators working in concert was required.

The Chen Clan had only fourteen Foundation Establishment cultivators. Compared to the Xu Clan and the Yang Clan, each boasting twenty to thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators, their numbers were critically insufficient. Therefore, their Foundation Establishment cultivators could not be mobilized.

"Then let us both go to Celestial Ruins Mountain. If this battle is concluded swiftly, the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of malevolent, power-hungry cultivation arts] likely won't have time to react."

After making the decision, Eldrin Chen traveled with the Old Patriarch to Heaven's Ruin Mountain.

Now, Eldrin Chen could fly forty to fifty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day while riding his Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. After the Old Patriarch's Crimson Flame Spirit Blade advanced to the Third Rank, it could also fly over thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

The two of them traversed the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness and arrived at Heaven's Ruin Mountain in merely three days.

Upon reaching Heaven's Ruin Mountain, he discovered that over a dozen Purple Mansion Cultivator had already gathered there.

Besides the three Purple Mansion cultivators from Heaven's Ruin Mountain—Lyra Jiang, Elara Lin, and Su Mingwei—the two Purple Mansion cultivators from the Xu Clan and Percival Pan from the Pan Family had also arrived.

Even Yang Zhengyuan from the Yang Family, whose injuries were not yet fully healed, had personally come to Heaven's Ruin Mountain, clearly understanding the gravity of the situation.

"Who is that person?"

Seeing that everyone had assembled, Lyra Jiang promptly gathered everyone and led them into her Cultivation Cave.

Upon entering Lyra Jiang's Spirit Pool Cave Abode, Eldrin Chen noticed a Palace-Attired Beauty standing close beside her.

The beauty wore a long violet gown and a purple-gold phoenix hairpin. Not only was her appearance one of peerless, immortal grace with a voluptuous and graceful figure, but a hint of Violet Qi [a rare and auspicious spiritual energy often associated with enlightenment and high cultivation] also seemed to swirl within the depths of her eyes.

"Could it be..."

In that instant, Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart, piecing together a likely guess about the newcomer's origins.

Sure enough, once everyone had gathered, Lyra Jiang began the introductions. "This is the Sect Master of the Violet Abyss Sect, Senior Violet Consort. I have invited her here to oversee Celestial Ruins Mountain in my stead."

"You must show her the utmost respect."

"We greet Senior Yvonne."

The assembly hurriedly bowed in unison, recognizing the identity of the palace-attired beauty. This novel is serialized on audio-novel dot com. Visit for updates.

The origins of Yvonne the Violet Consort were anything but ordinary. She was Lyra Jiang's closest confidante and the current Sect Master of the Violet Abyss Sect.

She was, aside from Lyra Jiang herself, the only cultivator in the Chu Kingdom possessing a Heavenly Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of the highest, rarest grade]. Rumor had it she was merely a little over two hundred years old, yet her cultivation had already reached the profound Golden Core, 3rd Tier.

With such prodigious talent and power, she was considered a peerless fairy maiden even within the vast Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent, and whispers abounded that she possessed the potential to one day become a Nascent Soul True Lord.

The primary reason Lyra Jiang had invited Yvonne the Violet Consort to Celestial Ruins Mountain was precisely to have her assume stewardship of the mountain in her place.

This placed too great a strain on his mana reserves. With the Purple Aura Pill [a pill that replenishes spiritual energy and purifies one's aura], the situation would improve significantly.

Chen Thalion smiled, his expression turning earnest as he said, "You have matured considerably over these years. Your considerations have grown increasingly comprehensive."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight smile, recalling the events at Spiritual Apricot Mountain. Had it not been for the Old Patriarch's foresight in altering the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts used for defense, cultivation, or attack], the two of them would likely have suffered a disastrous defeat.

That very night, the group mounted their flying swords and set off for Celestial Python Lake [a vast lake domain ruled by a powerful serpent demon].

The Celestial Python Lake stretched over ten thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], an immense and boundless expanse of water. In a previous life, such a body would have been rightly called a sea.

Within this ten-thousand-Li-length Celestial Python Lake, a forest of islands rose from its center. The dwelling of the Celestial Python Demon King [the serpentine ruler of the lake domain] lay within the inner lake nestled among these islands.

The group flew ten thousand Li-lengths, cutting a path deep into the island archipelago of the Celestial Python Lake, heading straight for the inner lake.

The moment they arrived above the Celestial Python Lake, the Celestial Python Demon King detected their presence. With a thunderous roar that shook the heavens, it surged upward from the waters to meet them.

Seeing the Celestial Python Demon King abandon its aquatic advantage to attack them in the air, many in the group felt a surge of grim satisfaction.

"Now!"

Lyra Jiang [the female cultivator] was the first to charge forward, riding upon her Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword [her lifebound immortal sword] as she cleaved towards the Celestial Python Demon King [the serpentine ruler of the lake].

The others were equally elated, seizing the moment to unleash their own magical treasures [enchanted artifacts] and divine abilities. Though the Celestial Python Demon King possessed formidable power, it was forced onto the defensive. While it managed to block the onslaught with its Defensive Magical Treasure [a protective enchanted artifact], its mana reserves were depleted by over ten percent.

Seeing its mana drain by a tenth in the span of a dozen breaths, the demon king could no longer hold its ground. It turned and plunged deep into the waters surrounding Lake Heart Island [the central island of the spirit lake].

At this moment, the Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts of the Purple Mansion Realm] from Celestial Python Lake [the serpent-infested lake] finally arrived as reinforcements, clashing fiercely with the cultivators.

"You shall not escape!"

Watching the Celestial Python Demon King flee into the watery depths, Lyra Jiang's eyes flashed with sharp intent. She transformed into a streak of sword radiance and dove down after it.

The others could not let her venture into the lake alone. They forced the Purple Mansion Demonic Beast back with a concerted blast from their treasures, then pursued the demon king into the lake to continue the hunt.

The Purple Mansion Demonic Beast gave no quarter, roaring with fury as they gave immediate chase.

The Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent [a powerful purple-scaled serpent], in particular, became a terror within its aquatic domain. It struck Yang Yuanhe [a senior cultivator] with such force that he was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth.

Seeing Yang Yuanhe gravely wounded, Eldrin Chen [the young clan scion] furrowed his brow and called out urgently, "Execute the plan as agreed!"

"End this swiftly."

Upon hearing this, Xavier Xu and Percival Pan immediately moved to encircle the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent, aiming to block this late-stage Purple Mansion Great Demon [a powerful demonic beast].

At that moment, countless Demonic Beast surged forward. Amidst the chaotic melee, Eldrin Chen maneuvered his Flying Sword and struck at an early-stage Purple Mansion Crimson Flame Serpent.

However, these Great Demons possessed considerable intelligence. They instantly recognized Eldrin Chen and, understanding he was a formidable foe, two more Purple Mansion Great Demons swiftly moved to encircle him from behind.

"Watch out!" This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel[dot]com.