Chapter 320 : Veins of the Hidden Lake

The Tribulation Clouds [ominous clouds that gather during a cultivator's heavenly trial] gradually dispersed in the sky, and a cascade of heavenly nectar [a restorative, spiritual rain that falls after a successful tribulation] began to fall.

Eldrin Chen channeled his mana, drawing the nectar into his Golden Core [the solidified, golden spiritual core formed at the Golden Core realm]. Only then did he feel the core brimming with renewed vitality, and the emptiness within his mana reserves was substantially replenished.

After their successful breakthrough, both of them wore expressions of profound joy. To have ascended to the Golden Core realm after cultivating for over one hundred and seventy years—such talent and Deep-Seated Foundation [an exceptionally solid and profound cultivation base] were rare even across the breadth of the world, marking them as true prodigies among men.

"*Hum—*"

At that very moment, a light flickered from the depths of Spirit Isle Lake, and an intangible force parted the lake's waters, opening a fissure.

That fissure, hidden in the lake's profound depths, faintly emanated a vast and majestic aura of water essence.

"An Underground Water Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated water-element spiritual energy]!"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly, a wave of astonishment washing over him.

There was actually a Water Vein concealed beneath Spirit Isle Lake, and it had been right under their noses all these years, completely undetected.

Had this Water Vein not mysteriously opened today, they might never have discovered its presence. Find this and other novels at audio-novel .c om.

"Its Flood Water Qi [the spiritual energy of the Flood Water element] surges like a vast sea. This is likely the hidden Water Element Cycle Core Vein [the central nexus of the water element's circulation] of the Chu Kingdom."

"The grade of this Water Vein [a subterranean channel rich in water-attuned spiritual energy] should be even higher than the one beneath Heaven's Ruin Lake."

Lyra Jiang murmured with a grave expression. Though they had not yet entered, their cultivation allowed them to perceive that the Water Essence Power [the concentrated power of water essence] contained within far surpassed that of the Fourth Rank Low Grade Water Vein beneath Heaven's Ruin Mountain Lake.

Eldrin Chen's expression was equally solemn. This Water Vein had lain concealed beneath Spirit Isle Lake, and its opening coincided precisely with his breakthrough to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a solidified spiritual core] realm. This was surely no mere coincidence.

After exchanging a glance with Lyra Jiang, Eldrin Chen hesitated for a moment before speaking calmly. "This Water Vein is at least of Fourth Rank High Grade [a high-grade vein suitable for Golden Core cultivators]. For it to open of its own accord... such a feat requires the hand of a master."

"I suspect that senior is already waiting for us within."

So saying, Eldrin Chen resolved to enter the Water Vein.

To conceal a Water Vein of this magnitude for so many years, right beneath their very perception—this was a feat far beyond the capabilities of any Golden Core Realm [the realm of Golden Core cultivation] expert.

He had cultivated on this lake since the age of fifteen. If the being within the Water Vein had wished him harm, it would not have waited until now.

Suppressing their astonishment, the two of them followed the entrance and stepped into the Water Vein hidden beneath the lake.

Upon entering the Water Vein [an underground channel rich in water-attuned spiritual energy], Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang were immediately met by an overwhelmingly dense surge of Flood Water Qi [the potent spiritual essence of the Water element, associated with vastness and depth].

Surveying their surroundings, they found this Underground Water Vein [a subterranean channel of water-attuned spiritual energy] to be a place of withered vitality, almost devoid of any Water Essence Spirit [spiritual beings born from concentrated water essence] or demonic creatures. The only presence was a faint, piercing Sword Qi [the sharp, condensed intent and energy of a sword technique] emanating from the distant core of the Water Vein.

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed with concern. He sensed the immense destructive power within this Sword Qi. He estimated that even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] would not last more than One Shichen [a traditional unit of time equal to two hours] here before the invasive Sword Qi seeped into their organs, inflicting irreversible damage.

Such a fierce and relentless Sword Qi explained perfectly why this Earth Vein [a general term for a vein of spiritual energy within the earth] held no trace of life.

Lyra Jiang's eyes widened in astonishment. "This Water Vein," she said, her voice tinged with awe, "is likely of the Fifth Rank."

A Fifth Rank Water Vein [a water-attuned spiritual vein of immense power, coveted by the highest echelons of cultivators] was a treasure that would make even a Nascent Soul True Lord [a powerful cultivator whose primordial spirit has taken form] covetous. Yet here it lay, its vitality extinguished, its essence corroded by the pervasive Sword Qi until not a spark of life remained.

"Let us go and see,"

Eldrin Chen stated solemnly, his expression grave as he flew towards the source of the Sword Qi.

The two followed the course of the Underground Water Vein for a short while, soon arriving at its pulsating heart. There, within the spring-eye at the core of the Water Vein, they beheld a faint, shimmering radiance.

It was a Shattered Sword [a broken magical sword], its body like translucent glaze, shimmering with a soft white light. From the countless fissures covering its form, wisps of lethal Sword Qi seeped forth, each strand sharp enough to slice microscopic rents in the very fabric of the surrounding space.

It drifted within the Water Vein Spring Eye [the source spring of a water vein], nourished by the near-limitless Water Essence Power [the fundamental energy of the water element] flowing from the Water Vein [a subterranean channel rich in water-element spiritual energy].

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with awe.

A mere Shattered Sword, yet it required the entire Fifth Rank Water Vein [a water vein of immense power and spiritual density] to sustain it, even draining the Water Vein of almost all its Water Essence Power. The grade of this sword likely surpassed even that of a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest order, capable of vanquishing powerful demons].

"You have come."

Sensing Eldrin Chen's arrival, the Shattered Sword bobbed slightly in the water, its voice emerging, gentle and warm.

Their hearts trembled. The two quickly clasped their hands and bowed respectfully. "We pay our respects to you, Esteemed Senior." Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel.com (official site).

"There is no need for such formalities."

The Shattered Sword spoke calmly. Its blade was covered in cracks, as if it had once shattered into over a dozen fragments. Over the vast expanse of time, it had drawn upon the Water Essence Power to mend itself, and now it bore only a semblance of wholeness.

Yet, a section of its tip remained missing, and the fissures across its repaired form were still severe.

Silence lingered between them for a moment. Lyra Jiang's heart grew heavy with apprehension. She understood this was likely a Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang [a treasure of ultimate purity and yang energy, a legendary artifact]. For such an existence to seek them out was assuredly no trivial matter.

After a moment of contemplation, she spoke, "This junior is of the Lyra Jiang lineage. May I inquire, honored senior, for what purpose have you summoned us here?"

"Descendant of the Jiang clan, set your heart at ease. I bear you no ill will."

The Shattered Sword spoke with an unsettling calm, its gaze settling upon Eldrin Chen. "I hold a debt of life-saving grace over you."

"Boom—"

Eldrin Chen's mind reeled as if struck by thunder. His expression shifted through a spectrum of emotions, yet he could not, for the life of him, recall a single instance where this Shattered Sword senior had ever saved him.

Before he could ponder further, the Shattered Sword continued, its voice carrying the weight of ages. "More than one hundred and seventy years ago, within the Eastern Wastelands, a tide of Violet Qi [a rare and auspicious spiritual energy] surged for ten thousand Li-lengths, a sign that an Celestial Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] might have been born amidst tribulation."

"I was roused from my slumber. Tracing your aura, I sensed you might be an immortal descended to the mortal realm. I left a wisp of my essence by your side before sinking back into dormancy."

"Three years later, that strand of essence was disturbed, jolting me awake once more. It was then I frightened away that Unorthodox Path Cultivator [a practitioner of morally questionable or forbidden arts]."

"One hundred and seventy years ago!"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply as memories of a bygone era flooded back.

Back then, when that Qin Surname Cultivator inexplicably fled in alarm, I had assumed it was due to the perception of a Nascent Soul True Lord from the Ji Clan or the gaze of the Immortal-Refining Furnace. I never imagined it was this Shattered Sword senior who saved my life.

Thinking of it this way, many things fall into place. The reason the Chu Kingdom lacks a Fourth Rank Water Vein is precisely because the Shattered Sword senior has been drawing upon the power of the entire kingdom's Water Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated water-element spiritual energy] to repair itself.

This Shattered Sword resides within the Chu Kingdom and is likely a damaged Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang [a weapon of immense power forged from the essence of pure Yang energy]. The Green Sun Mountain, merely a hundred thousand Li-lengths away, lies right under its watchful gaze. That it could save Eldrin Chen was only natural.

Upon reaching this realization, Eldrin Chen's expression turned solemn. He immediately performed a deep, formal bow and said with utmost sincerity, "This junior is eternally grateful for Senior's life-saving grace."

"There is no need for such formalities,"

the Shattered Sword replied calmly, its voice tinged with a sigh. "A pity my wounds from ages past are severe and difficult to heal. Taking action risks my form shattering once more. Otherwise, I would not have allowed such a scourge to persist."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally understood that the vile arts of the Qin Clan were entangled in a web of far greater consequence, with shadowy connections to the Extraterrestrial Demonic Fiend [malevolent entities from beyond this world].

His expression hardened with resolve. "This junior will naturally see to the matter of the Qin Clan," he stated firmly.

"And I will repay Senior's kindness."

"If you wish to settle the karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect] you owe me, I fear the path will not be an easy one."

Speaking with a tone of detached calm, he fixed his gaze intently upon Eldrin Chen and declared, "Indeed, there are three matters I wish for you to undertake." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel.com (official site).