Chapter 301 Ziqing the Dual-Toned Lord

At this thought, Eldrin smiled and said, "If that's the case, acquiring the Void Gem has truly become a matter of utmost urgency."

As the 2 were speaking, a streak of light descended from the heavens—it turned out to be a Communication Jade Token.

Lyra took the shimmering message slip, her brow furrowing slightly as she scanned it. She then passed it to Eldrin and said, "A message from Freya. Quite a few people have died over in the Qi Kingdom."

"This is rather brutal."

After reading it, Eldrin (Person Name) frowned and sighed.

This letter contained battle reports from other regions of Jizhou. The Chu Kingdom was not the only territory bordering the demon lands in Jizhou.

The Western Spirit Lake of Ji Country in the southwest of Chu Kingdom (Location), as well as Qi Kingdom (Location) in the northeast, both actually share borders with the demon tribes.

In truth, among these 3 kingdoms, the pressure faced by the Chu Kingdom was actually the least severe, for the Chu Kingdom possessed neither a fifth-order spirit vein nor an earth vein.

By comparison, Chu Kingdom (Location) lacked critical resources such as fifth-grade spirit veins and fifth-grade earth veins. Moreover, with the Cerulean Peaks Range (Location) serving as a buffer zone, Chu Kingdom (Location) was essentially the most dispensable territory to the Ji Clan.

Even if the Chu Kingdom were to fall, the vast expanse of the Cerulean Peaks Range would serve as a buffer, rendering the impact on the Ji Clan relatively insignificant.

In fact, the Ji State had never occupied a single spiritual mountain within the Chu Kingdom (Location). The current cultivation world of the Chu Kingdom (Location) was established 2 1000 years ago by a wandering Nascent Soul True Lord.

That rogue cultivator True Lord’s original surname was Chu, and he was known as Ziqing the Dual-Toned Lord (Person Name). The name of Chu Kingdom (Location) itself was derived from him.

In those years, Ziqing the Dual-Toned Lord (Person Name) was the direct disciple of the previous clan leader of the Ji Clan. He followed the Ji Clan to Jizhou, then swept away the demonic beasts of Chu Kingdom (Location) in a single campaign, establishing the cultivation world of Chu Kingdom (Location) and founding the Violet Azure Sword Sect—a nascent soul-level sect.

Later, Ziqing the Dual-Toned Lord (Person Name) attained nirvana during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, leaving behind 3 supreme demon-refining treasures: the Mirror of the Vast Heaven (Magic Treasure), the Violet Abyss Cauldron (Magic Treasure), and the Immortal Sword of the Firmament (Magic Treasure).

Later, due to unforeseen changes, its 3 disciples split the Violet Azure Sword Sect, giving rise to the Azure Sun Sect, the Violet Sun Sect, and the firmament Sword Sect.

Now the Qingyang Sect had been eradicated, while the Ziyang Sect's legacy was inherited by the Ziyuan Sect. Only the Vaulted Heaven Sword Sect barely retained fragments of the true teachings passed down by Ziqing the Dual-Toned Lord (Person Name).

Now, to return to our story. Compared to the Chu Kingdom, the Qi Kingdom possessed a single fifth-order Earth Origin Vein, while the West Spirit Lake was blessed with 2 fifth-order spirit veins.

These 2 locations were the primary targets of this beast tide assault. Dozens of Demon Kings and Golden Core Elders were already engaged in fierce battles across these 2 nations.

The great war has raged to this day, with over 10 Golden Core level powerhouses already fallen in battle. Both sides are nearly at their breaking point.

Apart from the Nascent Soul True Lords and the Demon Emperors who had yet to make a move, both sides were already on the verge of crossing the threshold into all-out war.

The demon emperors and true lords from both sides were exercising extreme restraint, for whoever struck first would be seen as tearing up the covenant prematurely. This would inevitably invoke the repercussions of the Heart Demon Blood Oath, and might even lead to the fall of a demon emperor or true lord.

Seeing so many people slain in battle, Eldrin frowned and said, "After all, the Ji Clan was once a Dao Lord's sacred land. Can they truly not suppress the Emerald Mist Lake?"

Ji Clan...

Lyra's eyes flickered slightly, a trace of dimness passing through them.

She shook her head, yet decided to reveal certain truths to Eldrin (Person Name): "Truth be told, the Ji Clan is currently at its most destitute and broken state."

As she continued her tale, Eldrin's understanding of the Ji Clan grew increasingly lucid.

It turned out that as early as 3,000 years ago, the Ji Clan had once been 1 of the few Dao Monarch holy lands in the Eastern Sea, and also 1 of the most glorious holy lands in the Violet World.

Within the 1 Gate 3 Dao Lords sect, their clan leader possessed the bearing to attain immortality, and in terms of strength, they were nearly on par with the Jiang Clan left behind by Emperor Jiang.

Alas, 3 1000 years ago, after Emperor Jiang attained immortality and ventured alone into the Abyssal Demonic Realm with his sword never to return, the Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Ji Clan led their finest elites to investigate the circumstances.

This expedition was led by the Jiang and Ji clans, with dozens of Dao Lords and top-tier Nascent Soul cultivators. In the end, not a single 1 returned to the Violet Realm.

Just as the Abyssal Cataclysm erupted, the ancestral lands of the Ji immortal clan were destroyed. Their sole remaining Primordial Spirit True Monarch perished alongside nearly all elite members, leaving only Patriarch Ji to lead the remnants of their clan to the Eastern Wastelands (Location).

Compared to the once-majestic Ji Clan that had towered over the Eastern Sea for hundreds of millions of miles, the territory they now occupied was less than 1 percent of their former domain.

2 1000 years ago, the Cataclysm of the Demonic Abyss erupted once more. 3 Eldrin Nascent Soul True Monarchs offered their Nascent Souls in blood sacrifice to the Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang (Magic Treasure), slaying a single extraterrestrial demonic entity whose power rivaled that of a Soul Formation cultivator.

A 1000 years ago, the Grand Elder of the Ji Immortal Clan, who had reached the Half-Step Primordial Spirit (Cultivation Realm), also fell during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm.

3 100 years ago, the Cataclysm of the Demonic Abyss returned, and that time, 7 Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the Ji immortal clan fell in battle.

Even the clan's foundational pillar, the Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang (Magic Treasure) - the Immortal-Refining Furnace, suffered severe damage. It could be said the Ji Clan's current strength was less than 1-tenth of what it had been in its prime.

Only 5 or 6 Nascent Soul True Monarchs remained, who also had to guard against Eldrin and Greenwave Lake.

If the Patriarch of the Ji Clan fails to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, the clan would likely either abstain from the next millennium’s conflict—or risk annihilation should they choose to participate.

As a supreme immortal clan that had once given birth to an immortal, the Ji Clan had slain far too many extraterrestrial demons over tens of thousands of years, forging an undying vendetta with them.

The Outer Realm Demons had always regarded them as a thorn in their side and would never let them off easily.

What difference would it make if we didn’t join the battle? If the Eastern Sea cultivation world, which had fought demonic cultivators for tens of thousands of years, were completely annihilated—if the most formidable and courageous among them were wiped out—how long could the Eastern Wastelands (Location) possibly hold out?

At this thought, Eldrin glanced toward Lyra. Though Lyra had never explicitly stated it, he had long since deduced the truth of her background.

Suddenly, he felt a heart-wrenching pain, and a sense of suffocation surged within him.

He always remembered what Lyra had said that year on Celestial Ruins Mountain, when they stood facing each other with hearts laid bare.

"Only I remain of the Jiang clan. With you accompanying me on this path henceforth, I shall no longer walk alone..."

"I believe it shall be splendid!"

Only I remain...

What truly happened 3 100 years ago that caused the Jiang Clan—a lineage that had once produced an immortal—to vanish without a trace?

By that calculation, could the Eastern Sea cultivation realm withstand the next Abyssal Cataclysm? And what of the Eastern Wastelands (Location) when that time comes?

Eldrin's spirit trembled violently as an overwhelming terror seized his heart. He felt both heartache for Lyra and a profound sense of helplessness.

He fell silent, his gaze finally firming with resolve before he pulled Lyra (Person Name) into a tight embrace.

“Lyra (Person Name)…”

"Hmm."

"From this day forth, whatever may come, I shall stand with you and face it together!"

Eldrin mobilized 5,000 cultivators from the clan to begin cleansing the lower-tier demonic creatures from the waters of Tianxu Lake.

The spiritual lake teemed with low-level demon beasts, their numbers beyond count. To eradicate them all would require at least several decades of relentless effort.

However, with Eldrin and several Zifu experts from the clan taking action, it took several months to completely eradicate the Foundation Establishment demon beasts in the lake.

The remaining low-level demon beasts need not be dealt with hastily; they can be left for the clan’s cultivators to handle gradually in the future.

From this day forth, the enterprises of the Celestial Ruins Lake would be considered joint assets between Lyra and Eldrin as cultivation partners. They would entrust the management of the spirit mountains to the family and the cultivators of Celestial Ruins Mountain, requiring only the payment of a set salary in return.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind swept across the mountain peaks, carrying with it the scent of snow and pine. Lin Feng stood at the edge of the cliff, his white robes fluttering in the gale. 1 100 years had passed since he last set foot on this very spot. He gazed down at the jade slip in his hand, its surface glowing with faint spiritual light. "The final stage," he murmured to himself. After nearly a 1000 years of cultivation, he had finally reached the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage. Suddenly, the sky darkened. Thick, menacing clouds gathered overhead, swirling into a massive vortex. Bolts of purple lightning snaked through the clouds, accompanied by the deep rumble of thunder. The Heavenly Tribulation had arrived. Lin Feng's expression remained calm as he retrieved 30-2 mid-grade spirit stones from his spatial ring. With practiced movements, he arranged them in a circular formation around himself. The stones glowed brightly, their spiritual energy forming a protective barrier. The first bolt of heavenly lightning struck with terrifying force. The ground shook violently as the purple energy crashed against Lin Feng's protective barrier. The spirit stones flickered but held firm. "Again!" Lin Feng shouted, his voice cutting through the roaring wind. He raised both hands, forming a series of complex hand seals. Golden light erupted from his body, forming the image of a massive golden bell above his head - the Golden Bell Protection Art he had mastered decades ago. The second bolt descended, thicker and more violent than the first. This time, the protective barrier shattered. 12 of the spirit stones turned to dust instantly. Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. He reached into his robe and produced a small porcelain bottle. Without hesitation, he swallowed the single Foundation Establishment Pill inside. Warm energy immediately flooded his meridians, replenishing his depleted spiritual power. For thousands of years, countless cultivators had fallen at this very stage. But Lin Feng was different. He was the most talented disciple the Profound Sky Sect had produced in over 3 100 years. The third and final bolt gathered in the clouds, its purple light so intense it illuminated the entire mountain range. Lin Feng took a deep breath and drew the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss from its scabbard. The blade glowed with crimson energy, humming with power. "Come then!" he challenged the heavens. The lightning descended like a divine punishment. But instead of dodging, Lin Feng leaped upward to meet it, his sword tracing a brilliant arc through the air. The collision created a shockwave that flattened trees for miles around. When the light finally faded, Lin Feng stood amidst the destruction, his robes torn but his body unharmed. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss glowed even brighter than before, having absorbed some of the lightning's energy. He had succeeded. A faint smile touched his lips as he felt the vast spiritual energy swirling within his dantian. The Nascent Soul within had grown substantially, its features now clear and distinct. "Senior Brother Lin!" a voice called from the distance. Several figures in blue robes approached rapidly on flying swords - disciples from the same sect. Lin Feng sheathed his sword and turned to greet them. His journey toward immortality had just taken its most crucial step, but greater challenges undoubtedly lay ahead.