Chapter 305 : A Demon Emperor's Arrival

Shortly after entering the Ji Continent Trading Post, he saw numerous Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have established their spiritual core within the Purple Mansion realm]. Even Golden Core True Person—figures of immense prestige and rarity in ordinary times—were present; he could sense the auras of several dozen such individuals here.

"Roar—"

Just as Eldrin Chen was marveling at the novel sights, a wave of utterly terrifying demonic aura suddenly washed over him.

Outside the market, a draconic roar echoed through the heavens, followed by a crimson flood dragon, a thousand Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] long, coiling and ascending into the sky.

The dragon bared its fangs and brandished its claws. Its pair of crimson eyes blazed like twin suns, and its scarlet scales, forged as if from divine metal, radiated an indestructible, continent-rending majesty.

"A Flood Dragon Demon Emperor [a demonic beast of immense power, equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm in cultivators]!"

"How could a Flood Dragon Demon Emperor appear here?"

"Has the Azure Wave Lake launched an attack?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted, a profound sense of dread welling up within his heart.

Just as panic and uncertainty began to spread among the crowd, a voice rang out from the sky above. Read, share, and discuss at site: audio-novel.com.

"Wretched beast, restrain your fury!"

"ROAR—"

The crimson-scaled flood dragon let out a low growl and withdrew its menacing aura.

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw a figure in crimson robes standing atop the dragon's head.

The onlookers gasped in astonishment. "Who is this, arriving astride a Demon Emperor?"

Beside him, Lyra Jiang glanced over and said to Eldrin Chen, "That is the one known as the Crimson Dragon True Lord, a renowned Rogue Cultivator from the Eastern Sea Cultivation World and a close friend of Ji Clan True Lord."

"His methods are particularly adept against flood dragon-kind. To have subdued a Crimson Flood Dragon as his mount speaks to power far surpassing that of an ordinary True Lord."

"His long journey from the Eastern Sea was likely at the invitation of the Ji Clan, come to aid in dealing with the troubles at Azure Wave Lake."

Eldrin Chen nodded. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Ji Clan Patriarch would make another attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm [the stage of cultivation where one forms a spiritual infant, a higher state of being] within the next two centuries.

Too many demonic beings wished to prevent this, and even some among the Human Race who bore grudges against the Ji Clan would not want to see him succeed. When the time came, all manner of sinister forces were sure to emerge from the shadows.

At such a time, the power of one's connections becomes paramount. If one has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, it is natural to invite trusted confidants to guard one's path [to protect the cultivator during critical moments of advancement].

This is not considered shameful in the Cultivation World [the world where practitioners seek immortality through cultivation]; the role of true friends often proves invaluable at critical junctures.

After all, there are limits to an individual's strength. It would be the height of frustration to finally break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, survive the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation], only to perish beneath a Human Tribulation [a calamity or conflict instigated by other cultivators, often during moments of vulnerability].

"The divine abilities of the Crimson Dragon True Lord are most effective at restraining dragon-kind. With his assistance, even the True Lords of Azure Wave Lake would have to show some caution."

As they spoke, they noticed the Crimson Dragon True Lord had already been received by a Nascent Soul True Lord from the Ji Clan and had flown into one of the Spirit Mountains in the rear area.

With the Barter Convention still some time away, Lyra Jiang and Eldrin Chen rented a Cultivation Cave [a secluded abode imbued with spiritual energy for focused practice] and decided to explore the ongoing cultivation gathering.

The cultivation gatherings at the Ji Continent Trading Post followed the common pattern of most markets: a minor gathering each month and a major one annually. However, this year, due to the commencement of the Ji Continent Golden Core Barter Convention, the atmosphere was significantly more bustling than usual.

Eldrin Chen surveyed the scene and realized the gathering had drawn a crowd numbering in the tens of thousands of cultivators.

Among the participating cultivators were many Purple Mansion Cultivators, and even a few Golden Core Ancestors had come, hoping to chance upon rare treasures.

Eldrin Chen browsed quietly and, to his surprise, actually spotted several genuine treasures in succession.

He spent a number of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], purchasing first a Sun Treasure Crystal [a crystal imbued with condensed solar essence] and then several stalks of Third Rank Spirit Medicine [a high-grade medicinal herb suitable for Purple Mansion Realm cultivators], before finally pausing before a particular stall.

Picking up a First Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of the highest quality within the Qi Refinement stage], Eldrin Chen inquired of the stallkeeper with a faint smile, "How much for this treasure?"

The stallkeeper, a plainly dressed teenage girl with a cultivation base at the Qi Refinement Seventh Layer [the seventh stage of refining one's vital energy], looked at Eldrin Chen and felt his aura was as unfathomable as a bottomless abyss. "This Ancient Ancestor [a venerable and powerful senior cultivator]... this First Rank Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact] has been used for over two hundred years. It's on the verge of breaking down completely."

"His cultivation is far more profound than that Ancient Ancestor [a venerable and powerful senior cultivator]. Why would he want to buy a nearly ruined First Rank Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact]?"

"Could he be an enemy of that Ancient Ancestor [a venerable and powerful senior cultivator]?"

The thought sent a chill through her heart, but she dared not refuse. Stuttering slightly, she replied, "Senior, this item costs five Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]." Access the full story on audio-novel .c om.

Feeling a surge of fear after speaking, she quickly added, "Or... three Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] would also be acceptable."

Eldrin Chen showed no change in expression. He tossed five Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to her and took the First Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of the highest quality within the Qi Refinement stage].

"Two hundred years, and it's still preserved so well."

He examined it closely, confirming the origin of this Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact]. Then he asked once more, "What is your name?"

"I..."

The young woman's heart lurched. She wanted to conceal her identity, yet found the words spilling from her lips against her will: "My name is Chen Seraphine."

"The Si Generation," Eldrin Chen murmured, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

He nodded slowly, lost in contemplation.

Then he rose to his feet, his demeanor utterly calm. "Take me to see Chen Silvan," he stated.

As she led the way, Chen Seraphine stole anxious glances over her shoulder, her heart a churning mix of dread and despair.

The auras of the two figures behind her were unfathomably deep. In their presence, she hadn't even possessed the courage to lie.

"It's over, it's all over," she thought, terror gripping her. "The Ancient Ancestor's enemies are this formidable?"

"We've hidden for so many years. Now, just as the Ancient Ancestor nears the end of his lifespan, they've found us. Is Heaven truly determined to witness the extinction of our lineage?"

Chen Seraphine was utterly terrified, so paralyzed by her own thoughts that she could barely move.

Yet she found herself utterly powerless to refuse in their presence, her courage deserting her. She could only lead them out of the Ji Continent Trading Post and into a remote First Rank Spirit Mountain.

Upon that Spirit Mountain, an elderly man with hair as white as snow lay upon a chair. His expression held a semblance of peace, yet the decay of his life force was so profound he seemed to linger at death's very threshold.

"Ancient Ancestor, Ancient Ancestor."

At that moment, the voice of Chen Seraphine [a female cultivator of the Chen Clan] rang out.

"Ancient Ancestor!"

Chen Seraphine rushed forward, supporting the old man, her voice trembling with belated fear. "Ancient Ancestor, forgive me. I... I have brought villains here. I could not refuse them..." Her words dissolved into sobs.

"I was powerless to stop them... wu wu..."

Eldrin Chen observed the grandfather and granddaughter calmly, his gaze fixed upon the elder.

He shook his head slightly, his tone even and detached. "It has been a long time."

For this man was none other than Chen Silvan, the one Eldrin Chen had spared all those years ago.

"Cough, cough—"

Chen Silvan coughed violently twice, struggling forward to kneel upon the ground: "Silvan... pays his respects to the Ancient Ancestor."

"Given your generation," Eldrin Chen shook his head, flicking his sleeve to lift the man up, "such formalities are unnecessary."

"From the moment I was cast out of the clan, I ceased to be a part of it."

Chen Silvan trembled, his aged eyes brimming with tears.

Eldrin Chen watched in silence, a complex tide of emotions swirling within his heart.

This Chen Silvan had, by some unknown stroke of fortune, managed to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm [the second major stage of cultivation, where one builds a stable foundation for their spiritual power]. Now, after more than a century, his lifespan had reached its inevitable end. The complete novel can be found at audio~novel.com.