Chapter 305 : Astride the Crimson Dragon

Not long after entering the Ji Continent Market, he saw numerous Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major realm]. Even the usually supremely dignified Golden Core True Person [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the fourth major realm]—he could already sense the auras of several dozen such figures here.

"Roar—"

Just as Eldrin Chen was marveling at the novelty, he suddenly felt an overwhelmingly terrifying demonic aura surge forth.

Outside the market, a draconic roar echoed, and then a crimson-scaled flood dragon, a thousand zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] long, coiled and spiraled into the sky.

The flood dragon bared its fangs and brandished its claws. Its pair of crimson eyes blazed like twin suns. Its crimson Dragon Scale seemed forged from divine metal, radiating an indestructible, continent-rending majesty.

"A Flood Dragon Demon Emperor."

"How could a Flood Dragon Demon Emperor [a powerful demon beast of the flood dragon lineage, equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator] be here!"

"Has the Azure Wave Lake launched an attack?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted, a wave of immense terror washing over his heart.

Just as the crowd was gripped by uncertainty and fear, a voice rang out from the heavens. Experience the full epic at audio-novel*com.

"Wretched beast, cease your ferocity!"

"ROAR—"

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

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

Upon seeing him, the onlookers couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment, "Who is this, arriving astride a Demon Emperor?"

Beside him, Exquisite Jiang glanced over and said to Eldrin Chen, "That man is 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 at dealing with dragon-kind. To have subdued a Crimson Flood Dragon as his mount speaks to power far surpassing that of an ordinary True Lord."

"Having journeyed all the way from the Eastern Sea, he has likely been invited by the Ji Clan 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 Primordial Spirit Realm [the spiritual core cultivation stage] within the next two centuries.

Far too many demonic beings wished to prevent this, and even some within the Human Race who bore grudges against the Ji Clan would not want to see him succeed. When the time came, all manner of Ox Ghosts and Snake Gods [a term for sinister, low-level demons and spirits] would surely crawl out of the woodwork.

At such times, the power of one's network becomes crucial. If one has a wide circle of friends, it is natural to invite close confidants to guard one's path [to protect the cultivator during critical moments like breakthroughs].

This is not considered shameful in the Immortal Realm; the role of trusted friends often proves invaluable at critical junctures.

After all, there are limits to an individual's strength. It would be the ultimate frustration to successfully break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], survive the Primordial Spirit Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, only to perish under a human-caused calamity [a tribulation involving attacks from other cultivators or factions].

"The Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] of the Crimson Dragon True Lord is most effective at countering the Dragon Clan. With his assistance, even the Demon Emperors 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 an Infant Soul True Lord from the Ji Clan and had flown into the Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] at the rear.

With the Barter Convention still some time away, Exquisite Jiang and Eldrin Chen rented a cultivation cave abode and decided to explore the ongoing cultivation gathering.

The cultivation gatherings at the Ji Continent Market followed the common pattern: a minor market every month and a major assembly once a year. However, this year, due to the commencement of the Ji Continent Golden Core Barter Convention, it was far more bustling than usual.

Eldrin Chen surveyed the scene and realized the gathering had drawn tens of thousands of cultivators.

Among the participants were numerous Violet Sanctum Cultivators, and even some Golden Core Patriarchs had come, hoping to chance upon rare treasures.

Eldrin Chen browsed quietly and, to his surprise, actually spotted several precious items in succession.

He spent some Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], purchasing first a Solar Treasure Crystal and then several stalks of Third-Rank Spirit Herbs. His steps finally halted before a particular stall.

Casually picking up a First-Rank Superior Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of the lowest rank, nearing the peak quality for its tier], Eldrin Chen smiled and asked the stallkeeper, "How much for this treasure?"

The stallkeeper, a plainly dressed teenage girl with a cultivation base at the Vital Essence Refinement 7th Tier [the seventh stage of refining one's foundational life energy], looked at Eldrin Chen. To her senses, his aura felt as deep and unfathomable as an abyss.

"This first-rank magical artifact has been in use by the Patriarch for over two hundred years," she thought silently. "It's on the very brink of breaking down completely."

"His cultivation is far more powerful than the Patriarch's. Why would he want to buy a first-rank artifact that's practically scrap?"

"Could he be... an enemy of the Patriarch?" Original publication: http://www . audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.

The thought sent a chill through her heart. Yet, she dared not refuse. Stuttering slightly, she replied, "Senior, this item costs five Spirit Stone."

Fearful she had asked for too much, she quickly added, "Or... three would be acceptable."

Eldrin Chen's expression remained unreadable. He tossed five Spirit Stone her way and took the first-rank superior magical treasure.

"Two centuries," he murmured, examining it closely. "And it's still preserved so well."

He took it and examined it carefully, confirming the origin of this magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], then asked again, "What is your name?"

"I..."

The young woman's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to conceal her identity, but found herself speaking against her will: "My name is Seraphina Chen."

"The 'Remembrance' generation, then."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.

He stood up and said calmly, "Take me to see Chen Cyrus."

"..."

As Seraphina Chen led the way, she stole glances back, her heart a tumult of trepidation and despair.

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

"It's over, it's all over. The Patriarch's enemies are this terrifying."

"We have hidden for so many years," she thought with despair, "and now, as the Patriarch nears the end of his life, they have found us. Is Heaven truly determined to see our line extinguished?"

Seraphina Chen was utterly terrified, her own fears nearly paralyzing her.

Yet, she found she lacked even the courage to refuse the two figures before her. She could only lead them out of the Ji Continent Market and into a remote First-Rank Spirit Mountain.

Upon that Spirit Mountain, a white-haired elder lay upon a chair. His expression held a semblance of peace, but the profound decay of his Vitality [the life force and spiritual energy of a cultivator] marked him as one lingering at death's very door.

"Patriarch... Patriarch."

At that moment, Seraphina Chen's voice called out.

The elder coughed heavily, his face pale as he looked toward the source of the voice. In an instant, his expression shifted to one of utter disbelief.

"Patriarch!"

Seraphina Chen rushed forward to support the old man. "Patriarch," she said, her voice trembling with lingering fear, "I am so sorry. I... I have brought the enemy to our doorstep."

"I could not refuse them... I simply could not..." Her words dissolved into helpless sobs.

Eldrin Chen gazed calmly at the grandfather and grandson pair, his eyes fixed upon the old man.

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

This person was none other than Chen Cyrus, whom Eldrin Chen had spared and released all those years ago.

"Cough, cough—"

Chen Cyrus coughed violently twice, then struggled forward to kneel upon the ground. "Cyrus… pays his respects to the Patriarch."

"Given your seniority within the clan," Eldrin Chen shook his head and waved his sleeve, using a gentle force to lift the old man to his feet, "such formalities are unnecessary."

"From the moment I was expelled from the family, I ceased to be a member," Cyrus replied, his voice trembling.

Chen Cyrus stood unsteadily, tears streaming down his aged face.

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

This Chen Cyrus had somehow obtained a fortuitous encounter to break through to the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a solid spiritual foundation]. Now, over a century later, his lifespan had nearly reached its end. Continue reading this story at audi0-n0vel.c0m.