Chapter 345 : A Gathering of Golden Cores

Time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, several months had passed.

During this period, Kael Chen and Ethan took action one after another, seizing control of several Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families], helping the Chen Clan reclaim a number of Spirit Vein [geological formations that concentrate and emit spiritual energy], and completely devouring the assets of the Zhang Immortal Clan.

And by this time, the day had finally arrived for the six-hundredth birthday celebration of Ancestor Mo.

On this day, the Ink River Mountain Range was filled with joyous festivity, as all the major Immortal Clan from the Qi Kingdom came to offer their congratulations.

Dozens of Purple Mansion Cultivator [powerful cultivators who have opened their third major energy center] were present, and even seven or eight Golden Core Cultivator [masters who have condensed their spiritual power into a golden core] had arrived, making it a rather rare and grand spectacle.

Among the six kingdoms, aside from Ji Nation, the most powerful were the kingdoms of Qi, Wei, and Cang.

The primary reason the Chu Kingdom was relatively weaker was its constant struggle, caught between the pressures of Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that absorb spiritual energy] and the Demon Cave Cavern, which prevented its strength from developing properly.

The Yan Kingdom, also known as Yan Lake, consisted mostly of waterways, with only scattered islands suitable for habitation. Consequently, its mortal population base was far smaller than the other kingdoms. Furthermore, its Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [an extremely potent spiritual energy source] was occupied by the Ji Clan, leaving its overall power comparatively weak.

Unlike Chu and Yan, the Cultivation World [the society and realm of cultivators] of the Qi Kingdom was far more prosperous. It did not suffer the dual assaults of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use malevolent and forbidden arts], and it was safeguarded by the presence of Ji Clan True Lord overseeing a fifth-rank Earth Vein [a powerful terrestrial energy leyline]. Thus, the cultivation world of Qi enjoyed much greater peace and stability.

Although the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm over three centuries ago had inflicted heavy losses upon Qi, the passage of three hundred years had seen its native Golden Core True Person [honorific title for a Golden Core cultivator] increase to eleven once more, making its strength quite formidable. Continue reading this story at www . audio-novel.com.

For Ancestor Mo's birthday celebration, to have seven or eight Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, a solidified mass of spiritual energy] come to offer congratulations could be considered quite an impressive display of prestige.

Seeing that the Golden Core Cultivator from Qi Kingdom had all arrived, Ancestor Mo did not immediately commence the banquet. The several congratulatory Golden Core True Person [a respectful title for a Golden Core cultivator] stood to one side, their expressions varied, clearly having caught wind of some news.

They did not have to wait long. At the distant horizon's edge, a streak of light, resplendent as immortal radiance, illuminated the boundless void.

"He is here."

The thought stirred within everyone present.

That streak of light arrived directly before them, transforming into a figure robed in snow-white.

Eldrin Chen stepped forward. He nodded to the few Golden Core True Person he recognized, such as those from Qi Nation's Lin Clan, then turned his gaze towards Ancestor Mo.

"For Mo the True Person's grand birthday, I have come uninvited. I hope you will not take offense."

"You are too formal."

Ancestor Mo spoke calmly, his eyes quietly appraising Eldrin Chen.

Though their words were calm, an intangible aura had already begun to subtly coalesce between them. The onlookers could not help but hold their breath and retreat half a step.

After a moment of silence, Eldrin Chen spoke with serene composure. "In the past, our distant ancestor Thalion Chen was forced to retreat from Chu Kingdom because of you. Now, as a descendant of later generations, I have come to settle the karmic debt from those bygone years."

"A final confrontation is inevitable."

Ancestor Mo let out a sigh. The karmic entanglement between the two sides had become somewhat difficult to unravel. If Ancestor Mo had annihilated the Qi Nation Chen Clan, then the matter would have been clear-cut—a complete rupture, a fight to the death.

However, as his years advanced, he had long since grown indifferent to the petty grievances of his youth and had never taken action against the Chen Clan.

Yet, the Chen Clan had suffered greatly because of him, enduring significant losses under the tacit approval of his disciples.

This grievance held by the Chen Clan ultimately needed to be settled. Only through a direct contest could it be truly resolved.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen was not Thalion Chen himself. There was no need for either side to fight to the death; a single battle to dissolve the karma would suffice.

With this thought, he stepped forward onto the Firmament [the vast, open sky above the mountain peak, often used as a dueling ground], a thread of battle intent beginning to simmer within his heart.

He, Mo the True Person, had dominated Chu Kingdom for centuries and feared no challenge.

"A true clash is about to begin."

The onlookers atop the peak wore varied expressions. Witnessing a duel between Golden Core Cultivator [powerful cultivators who have condensed a Golden Core of spiritual energy] was an exceedingly rare and precious opportunity.

At that moment, as Ancestor Mo soared into the heavens, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve. The Heavenly Separated Twin Swords shot forth, weaving through the air with peerless grace, and slashed directly towards his opponent.

"Superb immortal swords."

Watching the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords dance with lethal elegance, Ancestor Mo's pupils contracted slightly.

In that instant, he raised his hand and, to the surprise of many, summoned a pair of immortal swords—one ink-black, one snow-white. They met the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords head-on, holding their ground without yielding an inch. Original publication: audio . novel . com - The source of this chapter.

"The Ink Abyss Sword and the Snow Jade Sword."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with recognition, discerning the origin of this famed pair of swords.

The Ink Snow Twin Swords [the legendary Ink Abyss and Snow Jade swords] were renowned across the kingdoms, the Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personally bonded and most powerful sword] of Ancestor Mo, their grade reaching the lofty Fourth Rank Middle Grade.

It was precisely by relying on this pair of immortal swords that Ancestor Mo had roamed the Ji Continent unchallenged, even slaying a Golden Core, Mid Stage [a demonic beast whose power is equivalent to a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator] Great Demon in his time.

After more than a dozen exchanges, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He realized that not only were Ancestor Mo's twin immortal swords extraordinary, but his mana was also exceptionally profound, rivaling that of a cultivator at the seventh layer of the Golden Core realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual power condenses into a solid golden core].

"With such mana and immortal swords, no wonder he was able to slay a Golden Core Demon King [a powerful demonic beast that has reached the Golden Core realm]."

"If not for the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform [a powerful defensive magical treasure], my own mana reserves would likely be inferior to his."

These thoughts flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind as he raised his hand, unleashing the Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword in a sweeping slash.

As one of the most supreme Fourth Rank Immortal Sword [a magical treasure of the fourth rank, suitable for Golden Core realm cultivators], the Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword possessed unparalleled might. Its very first strike forced the Ink Snow Twin Swords into a steady retreat, immediately putting Ancestor Mo on the defensive.

Seeing his prized swords outmatched, Ancestor Mo activated his Fourth Rank High Grade Defensive Magical Treasure [a protective artifact], the 'Seven Stars Treasure Disk'. Simultaneously, he summoned forth a formidable divine ability.

In that instant, a figure clad in white robes shot forth from between Ancestor Mo's brows. It was a man identical to him in every aspect.

Clad in white, this figure's cultivation level matched Ancestor Mo's own, and its mana was comparable to a Golden Core, Mid Stage cultivator.

"An External Incarnation Body [a separate physical body cultivated from one's own essence, capable of independent action]."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply as he recognized the origin of this apparition.

Unlike the avatar of Lyra Jiang, an External Incarnation Body [a top-tier divine ability that allows a cultivator to forge a separate physical body] is a supreme divine ability that enables a cultivator to refine and manifest an External Incarnation Body.

The incarnation forged through this divine ability is constrained by its innate foundation. Once successfully refined, its future power becomes fixed and can no longer increase.

This incarnation of Ancestor Mo was refined using a Fourth Rank 'Snow Soul Pearl' [a spiritual treasure of profound frost essence]. While its strength rivals that of a Golden Core, Mid Stage cultivator, its potential for future advancement is fundamentally limited.

In contrast, Lyra Jiang employed a unique method, forging her Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact intrinsically linked to its owner's life force] into an External Incarnation Body. Consequently, the power of her incarnation can grow alongside her own cultivation, bound by no upper limit.

With Ancestor Mo's true self and his incarnation fighting in tandem, it was as if two Golden Core Cultivators were simultaneously besieging Eldrin Chen, instantly causing the pressure upon him to surge dramatically.

"A formidable divine ability," he acknowledged.

As the incarnation pressed its advantage, Eldrin Chen summoned the Crimson-Gold Glazed Armor to shield himself. With a swift motion, he then unleashed the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void.

In that instant, an inexhaustible tide of magnetic force erupted from the Treasure Mirror, instantly arresting Ancestor Mo's Ink Snow Twin Swords and drawing them into the mirror's depths.

"My immortal swords!"

Ancestor Mo cried out in alarm. For a powerful Sword Cultivator [a cultivator whose path and power are centered on the sword] like him, such Magnetic Magical Treasures [magical artifacts that manipulate magnetic forces] were his greatest bane.

If it were merely an ordinary Magnetic Magical Treasure, it would be one thing. However, Eldrin Chen's Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void was of the Fourth Rank Middle Grade [a high-tier classification for magical treasures], a grade so exalted it could suppress nearly all metal-attribute Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] below the level of a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a pinnacle-grade artifact specifically designed to vanquish demonic entities].

Having seized Ancestor Mo's pair of immortal swords, Eldrin Chen's Heavenly Separated Twin Swords naturally surged with formidable power, their might greatly amplified.

Stripped of this pair of swords, Ancestor Mo was like a tiger with its fangs pulled; he could do nothing against Eldrin Chen. After more than forty further exchanges, Ancestor Mo was ultimately forced into a bitter retreat. Your portal to cultivation novels: audi0-n0vel.c0m.