Chapter 342 : A Clan's Last Hope Blooms

Therefore, even after advancing to become a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a clan with cultivators who have reached the Purple Mansion realm], they suffered grievous losses during almost every Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts]. Over the past three centuries, these calamities have been a chronicle of blood and tears for the Qi Nation Chen Clan.

This relentless struggle left the Qi Nation Chen Clan perpetually on the defensive. To this day, they have failed to secure even a single Third Rank Earth Vein [a powerful earth-aligned spiritual energy source], leaving their strength at the very bottom among Purple Mansion Immortal Clans.

Recently, the Purple Mansion Ancestor [the clan's highest-ranking cultivator] of the Chen Immortal Clan neared the end of his lifespan. Unfortunately, the clan had still not nurtured a second Purple Mansion Ancestor to succeed him.

Then, not long ago, a Sun-Returning Fruit [a rare spirit fruit that can restore vitality], which the Chen Immortal Clan had cultivated for over eight hundred years, finally ripened.

The Sun-Returning Fruit is a Fourth Rank Spirit Medicine [a high-grade spiritual herb]. As the primary ingredient, it can be used to refine the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill [a potent restorative pill], a Healing Pill [a pill that restores health and vitality] valuable even to those in the Golden Core Realm [a high cultivation stage], making it an exceedingly precious treasure.

Furthermore, the Sun-Returning Fruit is also a key ingredient for the Longevity Pill [a pill that extends a cultivator's lifespan]. When combined with Sun Moon Grass [a dual-natured herb of sun and moon essence], it can refine a Longevity Pill capable of extending a cultivator's life by two Jiazi-time [a sixty-year cycle]. In fact, there is currently a Sun Moon Grass growing within Heaven's Ruin Lake.

It can be said that this fruit is extraordinarily valuable, enough to stir the interest of even a Golden Core Ancestor [a powerful cultivator at the Golden Core stage].

Ancestor Mo is known for his upright character and enjoys a sterling reputation within the Qi Kingdom. He disdains taking advantage of others' misfortune. However, there are those who covet that Sun-Returning Fruit, intending to present it to Ancestor Mo as a birthday tribute.

The newly-advanced Purple Mansion Immortal Clan Zhang Clan of Ming Province has already begun to move against the Qi Nation Chen Clan. They wait only for the Chen Clan's Ancient Ancestor [the clan's venerable founder or elder] to pass from this world before swallowing the Chen Clan whole, seizing their Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] and territories.

The Zhang Clan's scheme is cunning. By replacing the Chen Immortal Clan, they plan to offer the Sun-Returning Fruit to Ancestor Mo, securing his support for their occupation of the Chen Immortal Clan's Third Rank Spirit Mountain [a mountain with a third-grade spiritual energy vein]. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio novel.com.

After listening, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he then said, "I have also heard of that Mo the True Person."

"That person is the Qi Nation's Premier Sword Cultivator. Although his cultivation is only at the Golden Core, Mid Stage, he has the feat of single-handedly slaying a Golden Core Mid Stage Demon King during the last Beast Tide Calamity."

"It is said Mo the True Person hates evil as if it were a personal enemy and is relatively fair in his dealings. Why didn't you simply offer the Sun-Returning Fruit to him and seek his protection?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lucian revealed a bitter expression.

He swallowed and spoke, "That Mo the True Person is in seclusion year-round; it is usually impossible for us to see him."

"Furthermore, the disciples of Ancestor Mo's lineage hold great prejudice against us. We simply cannot find a way through the proper channels."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch exchanged a glance.

Not to mention that the Qi Kingdom was, after all, the ancestral land of the Chen Clan, even just for the sake of their ancestor Thalion Chen's honor, they had to handle this matter.

After all, the karmic entanglement with Ancestor Mo was originally incurred by their own Ancient Ancestor, Thalion Chen.

Back then, the ancestral branch in the Qi Kingdom had offended Ancestor Mo's lineage by standing up for Thalion Chen, meaning the ancestral branch had borne this grudge on their behalf for centuries.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Regardless, our ancestral homeland bore the karmic consequences for us. Now that we have prospered, we cannot simply abandon you."

"I shall make a journey to the Qi Kingdom, and while I am there, I will pay a visit to Ancestor Mo as well."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen placed the game piece in his hand back onto the board.

The Old Patriarch pondered for a moment before saying, "That Ancestor Mo was able to single-handedly slay a Golden Core Mid Stage Demon King. His strength is likely not inferior to a Golden Core, Late Stage cultivator."

"It is of no concern."

Eldrin Chen stated calmly. During the battle at Earth Lion Ridge, he had already been capable of testing himself against a Golden Core, Late Stage opponent.

Now, his cultivation had progressed significantly, and all Five Lifebound Magical Treasures had advanced to the Fourth Rank Middle Grade. His combat prowess had improved considerably since those days; an ordinary Golden Core, Late Stage cultivator might no longer be his match.

Furthermore, the purpose of this trip was merely to meet Ancestor Mo. Unless absolutely necessary, he had no intention of forcing a confrontation.

Hearing that Eldrin Chen would personally go, the two siblings' faces lit up with excitement.

Chen Lucian was overjoyed. Ancestor Mo had long since ceased his pursuit of the Chen Clan. Now, with a Golden Core True Person intervening, the Chen Clan was certain to survive this tribulation.

Eldrin Chen rose to his feet, cast a glance at Kael, and said, "Kael, you shall accompany me as well."

"Understood," Kael Chen nodded in agreement.

Eldrin Chen journeyed to Spirit Isle Lake to retrieve the Green Sun Treasure Boat from Lyra Jiang, then returned to Verdant Chariot Mountain.

No sooner had he set foot back on Verdant Chariot Mountain than Ethan Chen sought him out, his voice brimming with excitement. "Uncle Eldrin, I hear you are returning to our ancestral homeland?"

"It has been far too long since I've had a proper fight. Take me with you!"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen rapped him lightly on the head. "I will allow you to come," he said sternly, "but you must not harm anyone indiscriminately." Find this and other novels at audio-novel dot com.

"You have my word!"

Ethan Chen grinned broadly and eagerly boarded the Green Sun Treasure Boat.

Eldrin Chen could only shake his head with a wry smile. It was then he noticed that Ethan Chen's cultivation had already reached the Purple Mansion Sixth Layer.

In recent years, among the clan members who had broken through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within their dantian] earliest—Kael Chen, Lior Chen, and Lila—all three had advanced to the Purple Palace, Late Stage. Notably, Lila had even reached the eighth layer of the Purple Mansion.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the three of them would likely touch the threshold of the Golden Core realm within the next three to five decades.

Ethan Chen was younger, and his cultivation speed was somewhat slower than Lila's, yet he too had already brushed against the threshold of the Purple Mansion, Late Stage. This pace was already considered outstanding.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen added, "After I return, I will refine a batch of Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill. You must break through to the Purple Mansion, Late Stage within five years. Do not neglect your cultivation."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, saying no more. He then picked up Kael Chen and the two siblings, Lucian and Selene.

The Qi Kingdom was situated in the northeastern borderlands of the Chu Kingdom, separated by a vast expanse of over three million Li-lengths and the immense Cerulean Peaks Range.

Piloting the Green Sun Treasure Boat, Eldrin Chen covered two hundred thousand Li-lengths in a single day. In just over ten days, they crossed the Cerulean Peaks Range and entered the territory of the Qi Kingdom.

Ming Province was geographically positioned not far from the Cerulean Peaks Range. After another day or two of flight, they arrived at the Ming Province where the Chen Clan was located.

Guided by the two siblings, Eldrin Chen steered the treasure boat directly towards the ancestral lands of the Chen Immortal Clan.

Ming Province, Ink Mysterious Mountain.

The Ink Mysterious Mountain Range, was precisely the ancestral land of the Ming Province Purple Mansion Immortal Clan Chen.

As the most ancient Purple Mansion Immortal Clan within Ming Province, the history of the Chen Clan was nearly as weighty as a tome of chronicles.

Eight hundred years ago, the Chen Clan Progenitor, having lost hope of a Foundation Establishment breakthrough, exhausted the clan's wealth to purchase the First Rank Low Grade Spirit Vein Ink Mysterious Mountain and founded the Qi Refinement Immortal Clan known as the Chen Clan.

For the next three hundred years, the Chen Immortal Clan remained a precarious Qi Refinement Immortal Clan, struggling to survive in the narrow gaps between greater powers.

It was not until five hundred years ago that the fortunes of the Chen Immortal Clan surged, producing two Foundation Establishment Ancestor in a single generation.

These two were the Great Ancestor, Chen Xuanming, and the Second Ancestor, Thalion Chen. Between them, Chen Xuanming was the more conventional, having exhausted the clan's Deep-Seated Foundation [the accumulated resources and potential of a clan] to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm] for his Foundation Establishment.

In contrast, Thalion Chen possessed exceptional talent, achieving Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm without relying on external aids like pills] and advancing with astonishing speed thereafter. Within Ming Province, he was counted among the foremost geniuses of the Foundation Establishment Realm. By all logic, the Chen Clan should have had the potential to ascend to a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan at that time.

Alas, a pivotal opportunity was lost to Ancestor Mo, and following that defeat, they were forced to retreat to the Chu Kingdom. From then on, the Chen Clan fell into a decline from which it could not recover.

It was not until two hundred years ago that the Seventh Generation Ancestor of the Chen Clan, having exhausted the clan's Deep-Seated Foundation, successfully advanced to the Purple Mansion Realm. This single feat propelled them to prominence, finally establishing the clan as a true Purple Mansion Immortal Clan.

Through eight hundred years of meticulous cultivation and fortification, the Chen Immortal Clan had transformed Ink Mysterious Mountain into an impregnable fortress. It was said that even a Purple Mansion Ancestor who dared to enter might meet their end within its defenses.

Yet today was starkly different from the usual. At the foot of Ink Mysterious Mountain, figures moved like shadows, a multitude seemingly waiting for something to unfold.

Many understood that the Chen Clan now stood like twilight after sunset, teetering on the precipice of falling from its status as a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan. Vultures circled, waiting to claim their share of the spoils.

Most notably, the newly ascended Purple Mansion Immortal Clan Zhang Clan had besieged Ink Mysterious Mountain for two full years. They waited only for the Chen ClanAncient Ancestor to draw his final breath, poised to seize his place and legacy.

High upon the Firmament, a figure stood tall and straight, clad in black robes. Hands clasped behind his back, he gazed down with cold detachment upon the majestic Spirit Mountain below.

"Old relic," he murmured, his voice carrying the chill of the high winds. "You have clung to your last dregs of life for a decade now."

"If you refuse to die on your own... do not blame this lord for personally sending you on your final journey." Official source: http://www . audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.