Chapter 196 : A Vow Forged in Mortal Dust

"Indeed."

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

"But do you know," she began, her voice soft, "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 single step."

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

The memories of childhood had long since blurred, leaving only fragments: the wailing that filled the land, the flesh-and-blood demonic fiends, and the sky stained black and crimson.

Then, a figure clad in snow-white robes descended from the sky. With a sweep of his sword, he vanquished the evil spirits and lifted her from the ruins.

"Time passes so swiftly."

The years flowed like a river, yet the memory from five decades ago felt as vivid as if it were yesterday.

Would there come a day, she wondered, when she was old and frail, and he remained as he was now—a youth in pristine white robes, standing serenely, gazing down upon the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of ordinary humans] untouched by the passage of countless ages? Official source: audio–novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

A sudden dread gripped her. Unconsciously, her slender, jade-like fingers tightened on her long skirt, as if desperately clutching at the sleeves of her white gown.

"..."

Eldrin Chen flew on his sword to Pingyang City, found Old Patriarch, and spoke directly.

"All these years, it is only because Patriarch Jiang has withstood pressure from all sides that we have been able to grow step by step."

"Moreover, once we capture Heavenly Python Lake, it will be a monumental achievement for the entire Chu Nation for generations to come."

"Therefore, we must give our full support to Patriarch Jiang's campaign against Heavenly Python Lake."

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

"To prevent evil spirits from spying on us, at least six Foundation Establishment cultivators must remain to guard Pingyang City after I leave."

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

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

"Then let us both head to Heavenly Ruins Mountain. If we can conclude this battle swiftly, the Demonic Cultivator likely won't have time to react."

Once the decision was made, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch flew together towards Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Now, piloting the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, Eldrin Chen could cover forty to fifty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. The Old Patriarch's Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, having advanced to the third rank, could also traverse over thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

The two of them crossed the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland and arrived at Heavenly Ruins Mountain in merely three days.

Upon reaching Heavenly Ruins Mountain, he found over a dozen Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major realm] had already gathered there.

Besides Exquisite Jiang, Elara Lin, and Tea Rose Su—the three Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm] cultivators native to Heavenly Ruins Mountain—the two Violet Sanctum cultivators from the Xu Clan and Percival Pan from the Pan Clan had also arrived.

Even Cyrus Yang from the Yang Clan, whose injuries were not yet fully healed, had personally come to Heavenly Ruins Mountain, clearly understanding the gravity of the situation.

"And who is that person?"

Seeing that everyone was present, Exquisite Jiang promptly gathered the group and led them into her cave abode.

Upon entering Exquisite Jiang's Spirit Pool Cave Abode, Eldrin Chen noticed another woman in palace attire seated closely beside her.

The beauty was clad in a long violet gown, a phoenix hairpin of purple gold adorning her hair. Not only was her countenance of peerless immortal grace, her figure was lush and alluring, yet within her eyes, a hint of Violet Aura [a rare and potent spiritual energy with a violet hue] seemed to coalesce.

"Could it be..."

In that instant, Eldrin Chen felt a slight tremor in his heart, already forming a rough guess about the woman's origins.

Indeed, as everyone gathered, Exquisite Jiang began the introductions. "This is the Sect Master of the Purple Abyss Sect, Senior Violet Consort. I have invited her here to help me secure Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

"You must show her the utmost respect."

"We greet Senior Yan." Official source: audio-novel*com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

The assembly hurriedly bowed in salute, recognizing the beauty's identity.

The origins of Violet Consort Yan were indeed Extraordinary. She was Exquisite Jiang's closest confidante and the current Sect Master of the Purple Abyss Sect.

She was, aside from Exquisite Jiang, the only cultivator in the Chu Nation possessing a Heavenly Spiritual Root [the highest grade of innate talent for cultivation]. It was said she was merely a little over two hundred years old, yet her cultivation had already reached the Golden Core 3rd Tier.

With such prodigious talent and power, she was considered a top-tier Immortal Maiden even among the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent. The world whispered that she possessed the potential to become an Infant Soul True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has formed their Infant Soul, a nascent spiritual form].

The primary reason Exquisite Jiang had invited Violet Consort Yan to Heavenly Ruins Mountain this time was to have her stand guard in her stead.

After all, Heavenly Ruins Mountain now stood isolated on the frontier, viewed as a thorn in the side by both Heavenly Python Lake and Earth Lion Ridge. If Exquisite Jiang rashly attacked Heavenly Python Lake, it was likely Earth Lion Ridge would not stand idly by.

With Violet Consort Yan holding Heavenly Ruins Mountain, Earth Lion Ridge would not dare act recklessly. After all, if a Golden Core 3rd Tier cultivator were to raid their lair and subsequently deploy a Fourth-Rank Formation [a powerful defensive or offensive array], they could very well lose their home entirely.

Exquisite Jiang glanced at the assembled group, noting that all seven Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators at the Violet Sanctum realm] from Border Province were present, and then spoke.

"Since everyone is here, I will state the situation for this campaign directly."

"This battle will follow the established rules of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance. All spoils of war will be distributed afterward based on contributions."

"Should any Violet Sanctum Cultivator fall in battle, I will compensate their clan with two Five Elements Crystal [a rare crystal containing the essence of the five elements]. Does anyone have any objections?"

Everyone nodded. Compensating a fallen warrior's clan with two Five Elements Crystal provided a significant chance to nurture a new Violet Sanctum [the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm], so naturally, there were no objections.

After some discussion, it was decided to make this a swift campaign. Apart from the ten Patriarch [sect or clan leaders], only two Medium Treasure Ark [a mid-grade flying vessel] would be used to transport sixty Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm] to the battlefield.

One of the two Medium Treasure Ark was the Chen Clan's Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Ship. The other was a third-rank mid-grade treasure ship Exquisite Jiang had forged after the conclusion of the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive onslaught of demonic beasts].

That treasure vessel was even more massive, capable of carrying up to fifty cultivators, and the offensive formation inscribed upon it could unleash a strike comparable to the peak power of a Violet Sanctum Late Stage cultivator.

Once the battle plan was finalized, the group decided to rest for a day to restore their spiritual energy to its peak before setting out for Heavenly Python Lake.

After everyone had departed, Violet Consort Yan gazed at Eldrin Chen's retreating figure and said calmly, "You gave him the legacy of Verdant Consort?"

"Yes," Exquisite Jiang nodded. "That was his destined fortune."

"The Verdant Lotus Lineage has shed too much blood," Violet Consort Yan murmured, her eyes downcast, a flicker of regret passing through their depths. "Preserving a single spark of its inheritance is perhaps the best outcome we can hope for."

Exquisite Jiang offered no argument, her expression serene and silent.

After a moment of contemplation, Violet Consort spoke again. "Your talent far surpasses mine, yet you have been stalled at the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within the body] for two centuries."

"The Great Encompassing Golden Core [a legendary, perfect state of the Golden Core realm] remains but a rumor. Even if you achieve Spiritual Root Completion [a state of perfect spiritual foundation], whether you can truly attain it is still uncertain."

"You must understand," she continued, her tone grave, "when the millennial Demonic Abyss Cataclysm descends, every force and cultivator in the Purple Seal Realm above the Golden Core [the fourth major realm, where one forms a solid golden spiritual core] realm will be conscripted."

"The losses suffered by the Eastern Sea Cultivation World during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm over two centuries ago were too severe. I fear it may not withstand the next onslaught. Should the Eastern Sea Cultivation World shatter, the Eastern Region Great Wasteland too will be plunged into a vast and terrible demonic tribulation."

Violet Consort spoke, her gaze shifting towards Exquisite Jiang. Yet, she found the other woman's countenance remained as placid and unruffled as still water. For more chapters, visit audio-novel . com for the complete novel.