Chapter 346 : A Master's Burden and a Disciple's Debt

"I am defeated."

Ancestor Mo staggered back, his face ashen as he muttered to himself.

His loss was not due to a lack of strength, but because his pair of Lifebound Immortal Sword were countered by the Magnetic Magical Treasure.

Though he still possessed a final trump card for a desperate struggle, a true life-or-death battle would be impossible to control, inevitably leaving one of them fallen.

And while he had confidence in himself, he understood that in such a circumstance, the one to fall would most likely be him.

Eldrin Chen did not press the attack further, his gaze calm as he regarded Ancestor Mo. "I have investigated the karma from those bygone years," he stated.

"The decline of the Qi Nation Chen Clan to its current state is connected to your disciple. Now that you have been defeated, it is only fitting you provide an account."

The expressions of those present shifted dramatically. Ancestor Mo's face twisted with bitterness.

He shook his head, speaking with a forced calm. "In recent years, my disciple's actions have indeed been... excessive."

"But a disciple seeking to redress a grievance for his master is an act of pure filial piety. I cannot hand him over to you." Visit *audio-novel.com* to enjoy the complete series.

"Master..."

Qian Kongye supported Ancestor Mo, his eyes slightly reddening.

He shook his head, gritted his teeth, and said, "This karma was incurred by your disciple. If I let my Master bear the burden, would that not cast me into the realm of unfilial conduct?"

"I shall bear this responsibility myself. I implore you, True Person, not to make things difficult for my Master."

"Go back inside."

Ancestor Mo's expression turned cold. With a sweep of his sleeve, he sent Qian Kongye tumbling back onto the Spirit Mountain.

He looked at Eldrin Chen, clasped his hands once more, and declared, "Sir, since I have been defeated today, I naturally accept my loss."

"A lax teacher bears the blame for his disciple's failings. For the wrongs my foolish disciple has committed over the years, I am willing to offer compensation to the Chen Clan today, hoping the matter from back then can be laid to rest."

"If you still seek to pursue my disciple, come directly to me."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he couldn't help but regard the man before him with a newfound measure of respect.

At that very moment, the Lin Clan Patriarch of the Qi Nation Golden Core Immortal Clan stepped forward.

This Lin Clan Patriarch was named Lin Tianhe, his cultivation having reached the lofty Golden Core, Late Stage. In the past, during the assault on Earth Lion Ridge, this man had aided them by pinning down the Azure Sparrow Demon King. Later, he had also attended the Chen Clan's Golden Core Banquet, so the two parties could be considered acquaintances.

Patriarch Lin cast a glance at Eldrin Chen and, with a slight smile, clasped his hands in greeting. "Fellow Daoist Chen, over these years, Fellow Daoist Mo has not acted against the Chen Clan. The deeds of Qian Kongye have nothing to do with Fellow Daoist Mo, and there was originally no enmity between the two of you."

"Since Fellow Daoist Mo is willing to compensate the Chen Clan, it seems to me it would be best to let this resolve the grievance."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Ancestor Mo. 'This Ancestor Mo has a deep, protective affection for his disciple. If I insist he hands over Qian Kongye, even if he cannot match me today, it will surely plant the seeds of lasting enmity.'

'Moreover, his character is upright and pure. Slaying him would not only be a great loss for the Ji Continent Human Race, but the assembled Qi Nation Golden Core Cultivators present would not stand idly by.'

With this thought, Eldrin Chen decided to accept the offered path down the slope. His expression remained placid as he spoke. "The enmity between the Chen Clan and Qian Kongye was not of my making."

"If you wish to sever this karmic thread, besides offering compensation, you must also have Qian Kongye seek and obtain the forgiveness of the Qi Nation Chen Clan."

Upon hearing his words, a collective sigh of relief washed over the gathered assembly.

Ancestor Mo also nodded in agreement. Having Qian Kongye seek forgiveness from the Qi Nation Chen Clan was not a difficult matter.

Qian Kongye's remaining lifespan was dwindling. Having lived for over four hundred and seventy years and consumed three Longevity Pill [pills that extend a cultivator's lifespan], he now had only about twenty years left. To completely sever ties with a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a solidified Golden Core, a major milestone] over this man was not a rational course of action.

Although the Qi Nation Chen Clan had shown weakness in recent years, Qian Kongye had not personally taken direct action. Moreover, since Eldrin Chen had not demanded Qian Kongye's life, it was only natural that the Qi Nation Chen Clan would not disregard Eldrin Chen's wishes.

With this thought, Ancestor Mo spoke, "Once matters here are settled, I will have Kongye personally visit Ink Mysterious Mountain to offer his apologies."

"If that is the case, then let this matter rest here," Eldrin Chen concluded.

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen summoned the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void [a mystical treasure capable of manipulating fundamental cosmic forces] and released the Ink Snow Twin Swords from within it.

Watching as Ancestor Mo drew the twin swords into his voluminous sleeve, Eldrin Chen had no desire to linger. While he respected the man's character, standing on the side of the Chen Clan, he knew that forming a deep friendship with him in the future would be difficult. Join our community of readers at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Eldrin Chen returned to Ink Mysterious Mountain by riding his sword. Merely three days later, Qian Kongye arrived at Ink Mysterious Mountain, bearing a large quantity of precious gifts.

Although the members of the Qi Nation Chen Clan harbored resentment towards Qian the Ancient Ancestor, they understood the situation clearly. To refuse forgiveness and slay Qian the Ancient Ancestor would be to blindly create an enemy for their own Ancient Ancestor.

Committing such a foolish act would not only force Eldrin Chen to bear the karmic consequences this time, but it would also utterly deplete the bond between the two clans. In the future, the Chu Kingdom Chen Clan would likely draw a clear line with the Qi Nation Chen Clan.

Coupled with Qian the Ancient Ancestor's sincere and earnest attitude, the members of the Chen Clan accepted the lavish gifts and chose to settle the karmic debt with Qian the Ancient Ancestor.

After accepting the gifts, Thalion Chen led over a dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Chen Clan to find Eldrin Chen. Upon meeting, the group prostrated themselves on the ground.

"We offer our deepest gratitude, True Person, for upholding justice on our behalf."

"Rise."

With a sweep of his long sleeve, Eldrin Chen gently lifted them to their feet.

Tears streamed down the face of Thalion Chen as he choked out, "Our Chen Clan has endured for Eight Hundred Years of Inheritance to reach this day. Were it not for your salvation, True Person, the Qi Nation Chen Clan might have been erased from existence today."

"The Qi Chen and Chu Chen are branches of the same family. This was my duty."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen glanced at Thalion Chen and inquired, "Well? Has Qian Kongye's compensation proven sufficient?"

At the mention of compensation, joy blossomed on their faces.

Thalion Chen replied with palpable excitement, "Among the gifts he delivered were two Third Rank Earth Veins and two Third Rank Spirit Veins."

"Furthermore, there were six Five Elements Treasure Crystalss, fifty Foundation Establishment Pills [pills that aid in solidifying one's cultivation foundation], and a number of other treasures."

Eldrin Chen listened and nodded. Merely six Five Elements Treasure Crystals and fifty Foundation Establishment Pill [a pill that aids in establishing the foundation of one's cultivation] were already worth over a million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

Adding to that were two Third Rank Earth Vein [a vein of earth imbued with potent spiritual energy of the third rank] and a Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth], along with vast quantities of other supplies. These resources were sufficient to sustain a powerful Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [an immortal clan whose patriarch has reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm].

The Qi Nation Chen Clan had only advanced to become a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan a little over two hundred years ago. Under normal circumstances, it would have been impossible for them to accumulate such wealth. It could be said that this time, Ancestor Mo had truly paid a heavy price, relinquishing no small benefit to help his disciple resolve this karmic debt.

Chen Ancient Ancestor understood clearly that the reason Ancestor Mo was willing to offer such substantial compensation was due to Eldrin Chen's formidable strength.

Therefore, he presented a Storage Treasure Box [a box enchanted with spatial expansion magic for storing items] and offered it to Eldrin Chen, saying, "The sole reason we were able to obtain these treasures was thanks to your intervention, True Lord."

"We dare not claim too much. Please dispose of these liquid assets as you see fit."

Eldrin Chen opened the Treasure Box and glanced inside, finding the six Five Elements Treasure Crystals and several dozen Foundation Establishment Pill all contained within.

Pushing the Treasure Box back, he shook his head. "This is what you rightfully deserve. Keep it to nurture your clansmen."

Seeing Eldrin Chen would not accept it, Chen Ancient Ancestor produced another Treasure Box, his expression turning grave. "I know that ordinary Spiritual Object [objects imbued with or conducive to spiritual energy] hold little value for a True Lord of your stature."

"However, this Sun-Returning Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit said to contain the essence of the returning sun, capable of reigniting one's vital flame] is a Fourth Rank Treasure Medicine [a medicinal herb of immense potency, classified at the fourth rank] nurtured for eight hundred years at Ink Mysterious Mountain. Please accept it as a token of our sincere regard."

Hearing him speak thus, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before finally accepting the Sun-Returning Fruit.

The 'Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill' [a pill that restores vitality and dispels the aftereffects of cultivation calamities] refined from the Sun-Returning Fruit is a Healing Pill for the Golden Core Realm. It can not only heal the injuries of a Golden Core Cultivator, but also treat the lingering aftereffects suffered from attempting a Golden Core breakthrough without relying on external aids.

When a cultivator fails to break through to the Golden Core realm, they require thirty years to rebuild their spiritual power reserves. If they did not use a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in forming the Golden Core], failure inflicts severe internal damage, necessitating an additional thirty years for recovery.

This is precisely why a cultivator attempting a breakthrough without a Golden Core Formation Pill must recuperate for one full Jiazi-time [a sixty-year cycle] before making another attempt.

The wonder of the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill lies in its ability to heal the wounds inflicted by a failed Golden Core breakthrough. It allows a cultivator who did not use a Golden Core Formation Pill to attempt the breakthrough again after only thirty years.

This pill is exceedingly precious. For cultivators like Lila, Silas, and Ethan, who are determined to forge a Superior Golden Core [the highest quality of Golden Core foundation], it could play a crucial supporting role. In certain circumstances, its value may not be inferior to that of a Golden Core Formation Pill.

After accepting the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill, Eldrin Chen said with a faint smile, "This item indeed holds some use for me. Since I have accepted it, you may state your request."

"Esteemed True Lord, to speak plainly, our Ink Mysterious Mountain Chen Clan wishes to reunify our Clan Genealogy [the official record of a clan's lineage and history]."

Upon hearing this, Chen, the Ancient Ancestor, could not suppress a flicker of joy on his face as he spoke, his voice tinged with excitement.

Hearing his desire to reunify the Clan Genealogy, Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. This was no trivial matter.

Once the Clan Genealogy [the official record of a clan's lineage and history] were to be merged, the question would arise: which branch would be considered the main lineage, and which the subsidiary?

Logically, Ink Mysterious Mountain was the ancestral homeland, making it the true main lineage. However, Verdant Chariot Mountain had risen to its current prominence through its own efforts, and its strength now far surpassed that of Ink Mysterious Mountain. Naturally, it could not simply become a mere subsidiary branch.

Since the two had already separated into distinct families, this issue had not needed consideration. But if the Clan Genealogy were to be merged, this problem would become critically significant.

As if reading his thoughts, the Chen Ancient Ancestor had already prepared an answer and spoke directly: "True Person, you need not worry overmuch. If the Qi and Chu Chen Immortal Clan [the combined Chen Immortal Clans of the Qi and Chu Kingdoms] were to merge into one, then the distinction of primary and secondary between the two lineages would lose its importance."

"An immortal Clan Lord [the supreme leader of an immortal clan] is defined by its people, not by a mere Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with spiritual energy]. Whether from Qi or Chu, we are all part of the Chen Clan. Naturally, it is we who would integrate into the Golden Core Chen Clan [the Chen Clan led by Golden Core cultivators]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he grasped the underlying intention of the Qi Nation Chen Clan.

Compared to the Qi Nation Chen Clan, the Chu Kingdom Chen Clan was ascendant, its star in the ascendant. In the future, it might very well become a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [an immortal clan possessing Nascent Soul realm cultivators].

When that time came, the Chu Kingdom Chen Clan might well become the Ji Continent Chen Clan, a powerful Immortal Clan spanning multiple kingdoms.

In contrast, the Chen Clan in Qi Kingdom could at most be known as the Ming Province Chen Clan. Rather than clinging to that title, it was far better to merge into the stronger Chu Kingdom Chen Clan, especially since the resources of Verdant Chariot Mountain were vital to their cultivation paths.

Once merged, the strength of Verdant Chariot Mountain would far exceed that of Qi Chen [the Chen Clan of Qi]. They would have no grounds to claim the position of the main lineage. It was wiser to forgo such distinctions entirely and simply integrate into the greater Chen Clan.

After a few generations of intermarriage between the two sides, the cultivators would naturally integrate. Once the cultivators of both clans merged, the new cultivators born among the mortals would naturally no longer have any distinction between Qi and Chu origins.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen nodded with a faint smile. "Given the current shortage of cultivators in the main lineage, this arrangement would be mutually beneficial," he said.