Chapter 234 : A Century's Vengeance Fulfilled

After this incident, his father Chen Qingming was deeply disillusioned by the inaction of the Green Sun Sect and thus withdrew from the sect, taking him along.

The journey back for Chen Qingming and Eldrin Chen was fraught with peril. It was only through the tireless efforts of his maternal grandfather—then an elder of advanced age with cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer—who leveraged his longstanding connections within the Green Sun Sect to mediate, that Chen Qingming was barely permitted to return to the Chen Clan.

Even so, by the time they reached the foot of Verdant Chariot Mountain, Chen Qingming was mortally wounded and on the brink of death. Covered in blood, he delivered the child into the hands of Chen Changqing before breathing his last.

"Heavenly Abode Continent, Qin Surname Cultivator…"

Eldrin Chen closed his eyes, pressing the memories deep into the recesses of his heart.

Having settled this thread of karma, Eldrin Chen tidied the battlefield and then soared on his sword towards Dawn Valley.

Upon his arrival at Dawn Valley, he found that Old Patriarch and the others had already reached the valley and were currently assaulting its Mountain Guardian Formation.

Seeing him, Old Patriarch could not help but ask, "How did it go?"

"My wish has been fulfilled," Eldrin Chen nodded in affirmation.

Witnessing his nod, Old Patriarch grasped his hand with deep emotion. "The grievance concerning Daokong, the Clan Uncle and the others has lingered for a full century. Our Chen Clan has finally brought closure to the enmity of a hundred years past." Discover more cultivation stories at audio~novel.com.

The members of the Chen Clan were all stirred with excitement. After their emotions had settled, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation protecting Dawn Valley.

This Dawn Valley truly lived up to its reputation as a Third Rank High Grade Spirit Vein. Even with several combatants possessing Purple Palace, Late Stage strength joining forces, they had spent three full days without managing to breach this formation.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's arrival, Qian the Ancient Ancestor stepped forward eagerly, saying, "With Brother Eldrin here, we are certain to break through this formation in short order."

"Hmm."

Eldrin Chen glanced at Qian the Ancient Ancestor, his expression unreadable as he inquired, "Is Qian the Ancient Ancestor aware of the events at Origin-Starting Mountain?"

Qian the Ancient Ancestor gave a slight start, his eyes darting to Eldrin Chen's face. He found it utterly placid, revealing neither anger nor joy.

His heart sank. He quickly nodded and replied.

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured. I am aware of what Xingming has done. I will certainly provide a satisfactory explanation for this matter."

"I hope so."

Eldrin Chen spoke with detached calm, his emotions perfectly concealed, which inexplicably increased the pressure Qian the Ancient Ancestor felt.

Setting this matter aside for the moment, the group prepared to resume their assault on Dawn Valley. The forces originally arrayed against Dawn Valley already included the two Purple Mansion, Late Stage cultivators, Qian the Ancient Ancestor and Fang the Ancient Ancestor, along with four ordinary Purple Mansion cultivators.

Now, with the arrival of three more combatants of Purple Mansion, Late Stage caliber—Xavier Xu, Eldrin Chen, and Chen Thalion—plus the Purple Mansion, Mid Stage cultivator from Bianzhou, their strength had swelled considerably.

This assembled force was formidable indeed. Even a False Core Cultivator would turn and flee before the combined might of five Purple Mansion, Late Stage experts. They could now hold their own, at least for a time, against an ordinary Golden Core, Early Stage cultivator.

To expedite a swift victory, both Eldrin Chen and Qian the Ancient Ancestor each unleashed one of their Barrier-Breaking Treasure Talisman [a powerful talisman designed to weaken and breach defensive formations].

A single such Treasure Talisman could suppress a Third Rank High Grade Formation by thirty percent of its power. While using two simultaneously caused some overlapping effect, their combined force still managed to suppress the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation by more than half its strength.

Even so, bolstered by the Third Rank Spirit Vein [a vein of earth that channels and concentrates spiritual energy of the third rank] beneath it, the formation held firm. It still took the group a full half-day of relentless assault to finally breach its defenses.

"Where is Mordecai Lin?"

After breaking through the Spirit Vein's core defenses, the group found no trace of Mordecai Lin within.

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow and, like the others, flew towards the entrance of the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent fire-aspected spiritual energy].

There, at the mouth of the Underground Fire Vein, Mordecai Lin stood alone. His expression was serene as he calmly watched their approach.

The group encircled him. Qian Xingming stepped forward, intent on seizing the merit, and sneered, "Mordecai Lin, you have nowhere left to run."

"Indeed. Facing the siege of over a dozen Purple Mansion Ancestor [powerful cultivators who have established their spiritual core within the Purple Mansion realm], how could I possibly escape?"

Mordecai Lin's expression was calm. He was only at the Purple Mansion Third Layer, yet he possessed a certain serenity, as if prepared to meet his fate.

He stood there quietly, producing a violet treasure pearl. Gazing at the assembly with detachment, he spoke.

"If, in my final moments, I can take a few of you with me, then I shall not have failed the nurturing grace of my sect."

"Beware! It's a Heavenly Tribulation Pearl!" Official source: @udio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Eldrin Chen's face changed dramatically. He immediately pulled the Old Patriarch back, retreating swiftly.

By now, everyone recognized the origin of that violet pearl. When a Golden Core Cultivator [a master who has condensed a Golden Core, the pinnacle of mortal cultivation] undergoes the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the celestial trial of thunder that tests a cultivator's advancement], they can refine the tribulation lightning absorbed by their magical treasures, condensing it into a Fourth Rank Heavenly Tribulation Treasure Pearl.

This Heavenly Thunder Tribulation treasure pearl contains the power of heavenly thunder, a force comparable to a full-strength strike from a Golden Core Cultivator.

Yet that was not the most critical point. The true peril lay in the fact that Mordecai Lin stood directly before the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent, volatile fire energy].

If this Heavenly Tribulation Pearl [a powerful artifact containing condensed heavenly thunder tribulation energy] were to be hurled at the assembled group, then the combined efforts of over a dozen Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have established their spiritual core within the Purple Mansion realm] would undoubtedly be sufficient to block it.

However, once he cast it into the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated fire-aspected spiritual energy], it would inevitably trigger a cataclysm, causing the volatile vein to erupt completely. The land for a thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in all directions would likely be scorched into barren earth.

That Mordecai Lin had long been prepared; how could he allow anyone to escape? Gripping the Heavenly Tribulation Pearl, he directly leaped into the heart of the Underground Fire Vein.

"BOOM—"

A deafening roar that shook the heavens and earth resounded, followed by a thunderous cacophony as if the sky were collapsing and the ground splitting apart.

Eldrin Chen raised the Purple Blood Pagoda [a defensive pagoda treasure forged with potent spiritual blood], while the Old Patriarch summoned the White Metal Metallic Essence Pearl [a treasure pearl refined from the essence of White Metal]. One by one, the Purple Mansion [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual core is housed] and Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] unleashed their powers, erecting layer upon layer of radiant barriers to withstand the terrifying force.

Then, as if a second sun had ignited in the firmament, a dreadful crimson shockwave swept across a thousand Li-length, shearing through the several great mountains surrounding Dawn Valley.

The Underground Fire Vein erupted, unleashing endless torrents of Fire Malignancy Power [a destructive energy born from the malignant aspect of fire] that scoured the void, forcing everyone back with faces flushed red.

Qian Xingming, being the closest, was the most unfortunate. Although he possessed Purple Palace, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Purple Mansion realm] cultivation, he lacked powerful defensive treasures or divine abilities. Coupled with his slower reaction, half his body was instantly blasted apart; it was clear he would not survive.

The other Purple Mansion Cultivator reacted a half-step faster. In that critical moment, they retreated several thousand Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], avoiding the peak destructive force of the Fire Vein [a vein of fire-aspected spiritual energy] eruption. Though each was seriously injured, they were not in mortal danger.

Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have established their foundational cultivation base] scouring the mountain for treasures met a grim fate. Those too close were instantly swept away, reduced to ashes by the calamity. Those slightly farther away had their Defensive Magical Treasures [enchanted artifacts designed for protection] shattered, allowing streams of Fire Fiend Qi [a malevolent, corrosive energy born from fire and chaos] to invade their bodies.

The Fire Malignancy Power [the destructive force inherent to subterranean fire energies] from the earth's depths was exceptionally venomous. Even a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their third spiritual palace] present would require several months of arduous effort to fully purge the Fire Fiend Qi [a malevolent, corrosive energy born from fire and chaos] from their system once it had entered.

If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivator who has established their foundational cultivation base] became contaminated by the Fire Fiend Qi [a malevolent, corrosive energy born from fire and chaos], their only recourse was to temporarily suppress it with their True Essence [the refined, potent energy cultivated within a practitioner's core] and slowly neutralize its malignant influence with rare treasures over a long period.

"Xingming..."

Witnessing the fall of his clan's newly nurtured Purple Mansion Late Stage [a cultivator in the advanced phase of the third major cultivation realm] scion, Qian the Ancient Ancestor wept openly, cradling the severed remains of Qian Xingming.

Eldrin Chen observed the scene with an impassive gaze. In his view, Qian Xingming had been the type to shrink from great deeds while coveting petty gains—a man who forgot his purpose at the sight of minor profit.

This individual had deemed Wei Chongyang too formidable to confront and let him go. Yet, upon encountering Mordecai Lin, who was at the Purple Mansion Early Stage [the initial phase of the third major cultivation realm], and emboldened by superior numbers, he had rushed to the forefront, believing he could claim the glory of the kill. Such an end, in Eldrin's estimation, was hardly unexpected.

Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch had retreated swiftly. Their profound cultivation and the protection of high-grade Defensive Magical Treasures [enchanted artifacts designed for protection] shielded them, leaving them with only superficial injuries. This chapter is provided by audio-novel.com. Support the original.