Chapter 331 : A Vein of Frost and Fury

With this thought, he turned his gaze toward Eldrin Chen and spoke, "So it is Fellow Daoist Chen. However, this Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates and channels spiritual energy] is, after all, an asset of the Yan Kingdom. Even if you wish to intervene, I'm afraid it would not be appropriate, would it?"

"Oh."

Eldrin Chen acknowledged with a single syllable, then continued with calm composure, "Two months ago, our Heavenly Ruins Alliance launched an assault on Earth Lion Ridge."

"The Deng Immortal Clan colluded with the Demon Race [a race of powerful, often malevolent, supernatural beings]. Their three Patriarch [the highest-ranking elders or leaders of a clan or sect] moved out in full force, joining the Demon King [a ruler among demons, equivalent to a Golden Core realm cultivator] of Earth Lion Ridge to lay an ambush for us using the Primordial Unity Heaven-Sealing Formation [a powerful array designed to trap and isolate its targets]."

"Fortunately, we had prepared several contingencies. In that single battle, we shattered the forces of the Deng Clan and the Demon Race. Of the Deng Clan's three Patriarch, two perished and one was gravely wounded."

His voice was icy, carrying a sharp edge of frosty authority.

At this point, his gaze shifted back to the two men, his tone laced with a sneer. "My Heavenly Ruins Alliance fought a bloody, desperate battle, cutting down the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual power condenses into a solid core] traitors from the Deng Clan."

"And yet, you two have seized the Deng Clan's Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation], claiming the greatest spoils for yourselves. What kind of preposterous logic is that?"

"This..."

The expressions of Rising Sun Yuan and his companion shifted dramatically. Only now did they realize that by trying to drive him away without even hearing the facts, they had already managed to offend Eldrin Chen. Your portal to cultivation novels: audi novel.com.

In truth, the reason Eldrin Chen had not declared his identity first and simply engaged them in a skirmish was precisely because of Rising Sun Yuan's overbearing nature; it was a lesson, albeit a light one.

Of course, expecting the Yan Kingdom Immortal Clan Alliance to relinquish benefits already in their grasp without a fight was an impossibility.

As expected, witnessing Eldrin Chen's formidable strength and the proven fact of him slaying a Golden Core cultivator from the Deng Clan, the two from the Yuan Clan finally showed signs of retreat.

That Rising Sun Yuan paled slightly and could only lower his head in apology. "So this was the Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect] at play. This Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] from the Deng Clan is indeed rightfully yours to claim, Fellow Daoist."

"I shall withdraw from the Spirit Island [an island imbued with spiritual energy] shortly. Please accept these three Water Spirit Fruit [spiritual fruits that enhance water-attribute cultivation] as my apology."

As he spoke, Rising Sun Yuan still handed the three Water Spirit Fruit over to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen accepted the Water Spirit Fruit and then strode onto the Spirit Island. Finding the Water Spirit Fruit Tree [the tree that bears Water Spirit Fruits] still intact, he let out a slight sigh of relief.

The Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] beneath the Spirit Mountain could not flee. As long as the Worldly Spiritual Root [the foundational spiritual source of a location] remained, he would not suffer a loss in the long run.

The two Golden Core cultivators from the Yuan Clan followed behind Eldrin Chen. That Rising Sun Yuan glanced at Eldrin Chen and, mustering his nerve, attempted to reclaim his wife's Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword forged with and bound to its wielder's life force].

"Fellow Daoist Chen, my wife's Lifebound Immortal Sword..."

"Oh."

Eldrin Chen turned around, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips as he regarded the two men. Instead of answering, he posed a question of his own: "The Deng Clan cultivators were hunted down by the Yan Kingdom Immortal Realm [the world of cultivators and immortals]. You must have swallowed quite a few treasures yourselves, didn't you?"

"This..." The Rising Sun Yuan man's expression shifted slightly. Gritting his teeth, he said, "The Chen Clan aided the Yan Kingdom in eradicating a malignant tumor. Our Yuan Clan is willing to offer one Void Gem [a rare gemstone used in spatial formations] as compensation."

At the mention of the Void Gem, a flicker of interest passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes.

The man was shrewd. He understood that having obtained a Spiritual Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth], Eldrin would need a Void Gem to refine a Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel]. Thus, he had simply offered it.

Had he offered other treasures, Eldrin Chen might have pressed him to cough up more. But with this particular item now in hand, Eldrin, in a rather agreeable mood, decided to let the matter rest.

After all, the Deng Clan cultivators had scattered in all directions with their wealth. No one could truly know how much the Yuan Clan had managed to seize. Trying to recover it all would be an impossible task.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen retrieved the Violet Path Immortal Sword and exchanged it for the single Void Gem.

The two men from the Yuan Clan, having reclaimed their Immortal Sword [a powerful, spirit-infused blade], beat a hasty and somewhat shamefaced retreat from Deng Clan Island.

As for Eldrin Chen, he did not immediately attend to the Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] of the Deng Clan. Instead, he took to his sword and flew towards Yan Lake Island.

That Yan Lake Island was the most vital Spirit Island within the Yan Kingdom. Situated at the heart of the kingdom's water elemental circulation, it possessed a Fifth Rank Water Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated water-attuned spiritual energy].

Nearly two thousand years ago, the Ji Clan discovered this Water Vein. They deliberately nurtured a Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [a ley line of the fifth rank] upon the site and permanently stationed an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Infant Soul, the nascent form of their Primordial Spirit] to guard it.

The Infant Soul True Lord currently standing guard was named 'Not Night Ji', known by the title Noctis the True Lord. His generation aligned with that of Freya Ji, making him a nephew to the current Ji Clan Patriarch.

Noctis the True Lord had broken through to the Infant Soul realm two centuries prior, at the remarkably young age of just over four hundred years. He had now cultivated to the Infant Soul 2nd Tier and was said to have forged an Earthly Path Infant Soul [an Infant Soul foundation aligned with the Earth element, known for its stability and endurance]. Barring unforeseen calamities, he was expected to reach the Infant Soul Late Stage, marking him as a rare prodigy even among Infant Soul cultivators.

Upon arriving at Yan Lake Island, Eldrin Chen respectfully presented his Visiting Card [a formal card bearing a cultivator's name and affiliation, used for introductions] and settled in to await an audience with Noctis the True Lord.

Contrary to his expectations, a mere half-day after his Visiting Card was delivered, the Ji Clan invited him to the reception hall for a discussion. Original publication: https://audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.

Following the Ji Clan Golden Core Cultivator who led the way, Eldrin felt a growing sense of solemnity. This was not his first encounter with an Infant Soul True Lord, but meeting one alone was a first.

They traversed the winding corridors until the Ji Clan guide brought Eldrin before a grand hall. With a courteous smile, the cultivator spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, the True Lord awaits within. You may enter."

"My thanks for your guidance."

After offering a courteous greeting, Eldrin Chen stepped into the grand hall.

Upon entering, his gaze fell upon a man in black robes seated ahead. The man's countenance was as flawless as jade, his eyes deep as the starry void. His long, dark robe was surprisingly embroidered with golden dragon patterns.

Eldrin Chen sensed the man's aura was perfectly restrained, yet his bearing was one of innate and profound nobility, a regal quality that seemed to emanate from his very core.

Suppressing his swirling thoughts, Eldrin promptly bowed and said, "I pay my respects to the True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator who has attained a high level of enlightenment]."

The black-robed man's gaze was calm as he studied Eldrin Chen. After a long moment, a faint smile touched his lips.

"There is no need for such formality."

"Let us interact as peers."

"That would not be proper," Eldrin Chen replied, his expression shifting slightly. "You are the Peerless True Lord [a title denoting a True Lord of unmatched prowess]. How could this junior dare to overstep?"

"Hahaha!"

The Noctis the True Lord [a specific title for this True Lord, meaning 'Lord of the Night'] laughed heartily. With a wave of his sleeve, he gestured for Eldrin Chen to take a seat.

He personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen, then began to explain in a measured tone: "The Ji Clan and the Kiang Clan have been allied families for ten thousand years. My aunt, the sister of the Ji Clan Patriarch, is the mother of Exquisite Jiang."

"I, the Ji Clan Patriarch, am her maternal cousin. You are her Dao Companion [a cultivator's lifelong partner in cultivation and life]. By that reckoning, I should address you as uncle."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen was taken aback, momentarily unable to process this revelation. He had never imagined Exquisite Jiang's generational standing was so lofty.

Even the Ji Clan Patriarch was of the same generation as her. By that logic, aside from the Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a supreme cultivator whose spirit has transcended mortal limits], likely no one held a higher generational rank than she did.

Among cultivators, where age gaps could span centuries or even millennia from the very start, generational lines were notoriously difficult to untangle. Therefore, it was customary for each to navigate social connections independently.

An Infant Soul Cultivator [a high-level cultivator whose nascent soul has formed] possessed a lifespan of three thousand years. With various life-extending methods, living for six thousand years or even approaching ten thousand was not unheard of. Over such an immense span, a lineage of mere mortals could proliferate into billions.

Under these circumstances, generational distinctions became virtually impossible to maintain. Even within the same clan, it was standard practice to determine seniority based on cultivation realm, with closer relatives perhaps maintaining private, individualized terms of address.

The blood tie between Noctis the True Lord and the Clan Patriarch was likely distant indeed. For a True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator, often at the Nascent Soul or higher realm] of his stature to interact with Exquisite Jiang as an equal could only mean one thing.

It meant that Exquisite Jiang's father must have possessed a cultivation level that surpassed the Infant Soul Realm [the realm of the formed nascent soul], making him even more formidable than the Ji Clan Patriarch, who was at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a transitional state approaching the Primordial Spirit realm]. Official source: audio-novel .c om. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.