Chapter 305 Ji Continent Trading Post (Location)

Shortly after entering the Ji Continent Trading Post (Location), he spotted numerous Zi Mansion (Cultivation Realm) practitioners. Even Golden Core (Cultivation Realm) experts—normally figures of utmost prestige—were present here, their auras already numbering in the dozens to his senses.

"Hymn—"

Just as Eldrin was marveling at the novelty before his eyes, an overwhelmingly terrifying demonic aura suddenly swept over him.

Beyond the market, a dragon's roar resounded as a crimson 1000-zhang flood dragon spiraled upward into the heavens.

The flood dragon bared its fangs and brandished its claws, its crimson eyes blazing like twin suns. Scarlet scales, forged as if from divine metal, radiated an indomitable aura as though it could tear continents asunder.

Jiao Dragon Demon Emperor.

"How could there be a Flood Dragon Demon Emperor here!"

"Could it be that the Emerald Wave Lake has launched an attack?"

Eldrin's eyes trembled, an unimaginable terror surging within his heart.

Just as the crowd was gripped by doubt and unease, a voice rang out from the sky.

"Wretched fiend, cease your rampage!"

"Roar——"

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

Eldrin looked up and finally noticed a figure in crimson robes standing atop the horned dragon’s head.

Everyone took 1 glance and couldn't help but exclaim, "Who is this person, actually riding here on a Demon Emperor?"

Lyra, standing nearby, cast a glance and remarked to Eldrin, "This man bears the title Crimson Dragon True Lord. He is a renowned rogue cultivator from the Eastern Sea cultivation realm and a close friend of True Lord Ji."

This individual's methods are particularly adept at subduing dragon-kind, having even tamed a Crimson Flood Dragon to serve as his steed. His power far surpasses that of ordinary True Lords.

"They have traveled all the way from the East Sea this time, most likely invited by the Ji Clan to assist in dealing with the Azure Wave Lake."

Eldrin nodded slightly. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Patriarch of the Ji Clan would once again attempt the Soul Formation Realm breakthrough within 2 100 years.

Too many demons and monsters were unwilling to witness this step, and even some humans with grudges against the Ji Clan did not wish to see his breakthrough. It was inevitable that all sorts of sinister forces would emerge when the time came.

At this moment, the power of connections became crucial. Had 1 cultivated extensive friendships, they would naturally invite trusted companions to guard their path of cultivation.

In the world of cultivation, this was hardly a disgraceful matter—for in critical moments, the aid of true friends often proved invaluable.

After all, every man has his limits. How utterly frustrating it would be to finally achieve the Nascent Soul breakthrough and survive the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation, only to perish beneath the Human Tribulation.

"The Divine Abilities of the Crimson Dragon True Lord are most effective in restraining the dragon race. With his assistance, even the True Lords of the Azure Wave Lake would have to show some caution."

As the 2 were speaking, they noticed that the Crimson Dragon True Lord had already been received by the Ji Clan’s Eldrin True Lord and had flown toward the spirit mountains in the rear.

At this moment, it was still early for the Exchange Assembly. Lyra (Person Name) rented a cultivation cave abode with Eldrin (Person Name), then decided to take a stroll through the ongoing cultivation gathering.

The cultivation gathering at Ji Continent Trading Post (Location), like most marketplaces, held a minor fair every month and a grand assembly once a year. However, this year, with the commencement of the Jizhou Golden Core Item Exchange Conference (Event), it bustled with far more vitality than usual.

Eldrin scanned the horizon, only then realizing that the assembly had gathered tens of thousands of cultivators.

Among the cultivators gathered at the assembly, there were no small number of Purple Mansion cultivators, and even some Golden Core Elders had come to this place, hoping to see if they could unearth any treasures.

Eldrin strolled quietly and actually discovered several treasures 1 after another.

He spent a few spirit stones to purchase a Sun Treasure Crystal (Spiritual Object) and several third-tier spirit herbs, then paused before a vendor's stall.

Picking up a first-grade superior magic treasure, Eldrin smiled and asked the stallkeeper, "How much for this treasure?"

The stall owner, a plainly dressed girl of about a dozen years old at the seventh level of Qi Refining, gazed at Eldrin and felt his aura was as unfathomable as an abyss. "This Elder has been using this first-grade magic treasure for over 2 100 years," she said, "and it's already on the verge of being scrapped."

His cultivation was far more formidable than even their patriarch's, so why would he purchase a nearly-scrapped first-tier magic treasure?

"Could it be an enemy of the Patriarch?"

At this thought, her heart tightened, but she dared not refuse. She could only stammer, "Senior, this item costs 5 spirit stones."

After saying this, she still felt somewhat apprehensive, so she added, "3 spirit stones would also suffice."

Eldrin remained expressionless as he tossed over 5 spirit stones and took hold of that upper first-grade magic treasure.

"2 100 years, and it's still so well-preserved."

He took it and examined it carefully, confirming the origin of this magic treasure before asking again, "What is your name?"

"I..."

The young girl’s heart skipped a beat. Though she wanted to conceal her identity, the words slipped out almost against her will: “My name is Chen Sixuan.”

"Generation Si, is it?"

Eldrin nodded thoughtfully, lost in contemplation.

He rose to his feet and spoke calmly, "Take me to see Chen Nianxu (Person Name)."

Chen Sixuan led the way while stealing glances behind her, her heart filled with unease—a mixture of lingering fear and despair.

The auras of these 2 figures behind him were unfathomably profound. Before them, he found himself utterly incapable of summoning the courage to lie.

"It's over, it's all over. The Patriarch's enemy is this terrifying."

"We've hidden for so many years, yet they still found us just as the Patriarch is nearing his end. Is Heaven truly determined to destroy us?"

Chen Sixuan was utterly terrified, frightened out of her wits by her own thoughts.

Yet she found herself utterly powerless to refuse in their presence. With no other choice, she led them out of Ji Continent Trading Post (Location) and into a remote first-grade spirit mountain.

Atop the Spirit Mountain, a silver-haired elder lay upon a reclining chair, his expression bearing a trace of serenity. Yet the withering of his life force showed he lingered at the very threshold of death.

"Ancestor, Ancestor."

At that very moment, Chen Sixuan's voice rang out.

Patriarch.

Chen Sixuan hurried over, supporting the old man as she spoke with lingering fear, "Ancestor, forgive me—I actually brought villains right to you."

"I can't refuse them, wuwuwu..."

Eldrin (Person Name) gazed calmly at the grandfather and grandson, his eyes fixed intently upon the elder.

He shook his head and remarked placidly, "It's been a long time."

It turned out this man was none other than Chen Nianxu, whom Eldrin had spared all those years ago.

"Ahem—"

Chen Nianxu coughed violently twice, struggling forward to kneel on the ground. "Nianxu... pays respects to the Patriarch."

"Given your seniority," Eldrin shook his head and raised the other with a sweep of his sleeve, "such profound courtesy is unnecessary."

"From the moment I was exiled from the family, I ceased to be 1."

Chen Nianxu trembled uncontrollably, his aged eyes brimming with tears.

Eldrin watched in silence, his heart awash with countless emotions.

This Chen Nianxu had somehow obtained a fortuitous encounter to break through to Foundation Establishment, yet now, over 1 100 years later, his lifespan had already reached its end.