Chapter 343 : The Ancestor's Final Stand

"Flourishing Sun Zhang [Zhang the Flourishing Sun], you base cur!"

Upon Dark Ink Mountain [the mountain known as Dark Ink], the cultivators of the Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen Clan of Immortals] stood ready, their formation unyielding.

The Chen Clan Ancestor [the revered progenitor of the Chen Clan], his lifespan nearly exhausted, flushed crimson with rage, the fire in his eyes threatening to erupt. He rose to take action, but was swiftly restrained by several Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have established their foundational cultivation base] from the Chen Immortal Clan.

"Patriarch [Honored Patriarch], you must not!"

"That Flourishing Sun Zhang seeks to provoke you, to lure you into battle. Do not fall for his trickery!"

Hearing their pleas, the Chen Clan Ancestor swallowed his bitter indignation.

Had it been ten years prior, he would have feared no newly-advanced Violet Sanctum [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, a core spiritual repository] like Flourishing Sun Zhang. But now, his lifespan withered, his Vitality [the foundational life force and vigor of a cultivator] had decayed to its limit. To recklessly channel his spiritual power now would surely see him perish before the day's end.

At this thought, Patriarch Chen [Patriarch Chen] revealed a look of profound sorrow. "This old man has felt his spiritual power growing sluggish of late, becoming difficult to wield. I fear I cannot hold on for much longer."

His words settled upon the gathered clansmen like a leaden weight, their hearts sinking.

For one's spiritual power to begin stagnating signified that Patriarch Chen's reserves were nearing depletion. In such a state, he likely could not endure another year. This content originates from www . audio-novel.com. Please respect copyright.

The tall man beside him forced a semblance of calm and offered reassurance, "Patriarch, please set your mind at ease. If the news is true, once Void Cosmos and Void Spirit return, this Flourishing Sun Zhang will merely be seeking his own doom."

"The Chen Clan of the Chu Nation…"

Hearing this, a glimmer of hope lit up in everyone's eyes, but it was quickly extinguished as someone spoke with a bitter laugh, "But three hundred years have already passed. Leaving aside whether that truly is a branch left behind by the Second Ancestor…"

"Even if they are descendants of the Second Ancestor's bloodline, our families split three centuries ago. The elders from that generation have long since perished. Whether they would even acknowledge us now is a matter of doubt."

His cold water dashed their hopes, and a heavy silence descended upon the group.

Only Patriarch Chen shook his head, speaking with a calm finality, "It would be best if Void Cosmos and his sister can find reinforcements. If they cannot, it matters not. Let them survive as embers of our lineage. In the future, they may yet have the chance to rebuild our clan."

So that was his intent. By sending out the youngest members, Void Cosmos and Void Spirit, he was carving a path of survival for them.

The other several Foundation Establishment Cultivators wore somber expressions. This outcome had long been anticipated. A Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [an immortal clan whose patriarch has reached the Violet Sanctum realm] that cannot sustain its legacy is inevitably consumed by other Immortal Clans [powerful clans of cultivators].

The commoner is blameless, yet his treasured jade invites calamity. The Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] that the Chen Clan had nurtured for eight centuries, the resources accumulated over two hundred years since ascending to Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan status—all of it had now become a curse of immense proportions.

"BOOM—"

At that very moment, the figure in the sky, Flourishing Sun Zhang, could no longer restrain himself.

Seeing that the Chen Clan was not falling for his provocation, he unleashed a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power cultivated by immortals] from the heavens, striking down upon the defensive Formation [a mystical array or formation used for defense or attack] of Dark Ink Mountain and causing its protective glow to flicker wildly.

After such a blow, he sneered coldly, "In three months' time, it will be the six hundredth birthday celebration of Patriarch Mo-ink. This old man has no more time to waste here with you."

"This is bad."

Witnessing the Zhang Immortal Clan begin their assault on the Formation, the members of the Chen Clan all paled with shock and dread.

The Grand Elder of Chen Clan's expression shifted abruptly, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "This is dire! At this rate, I fear we won't be able to hold out for three days."

Without a Violet Sanctum Patriarch [a cultivator who has reached the Violet Sanctum realm] to anchor the Formation, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation] present were utterly incapable of unleashing the formation's true might.

If Patriarch Chen were to take up the task of presiding over the formation, he would risk burning out the last of his life force like a lamp running dry of oil.

That Patriarch Chen's face shifted through several emotions before he finally gritted his teeth and declared, "Enough! While this old bones still has a breath left in him, I shall use the Dark Ink Mountain Formation to fight them to the death!"

"*Clang!*—"

At that very moment, a resonant hum of a sword echoed across the heavens.

The group looked up to see two dazzling streaks of sword light soaring through the sky, cleaving directly towards Flourishing Sun Zhang.

Flourishing Sun Zhang's face paled with terror. He frantically activated his Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] and magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to block the attack. A Third-Rank Magical Treasure [a mid-grade enchanted artifact] was shattered before he managed to escape the onslaught.

Having narrowly escaped with his life, Flourishing Sun Zhang looked into the distance with lingering fear. A black-robed youth with sharply defined features was striding towards him.

"This person's strength..."

"Who are you, sir? Why attack me?" This chapter appears courtesy of audi novel.com.

Startled, Flourishing Sun Zhang quickly clasped his hands in a respectful salute.

His caution was warranted. Although Ethan Chen was only at the Violet Sanctum 6th Tier [the sixth level of the Violet Sanctum realm], he had achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [a superior method of establishing one's cultivation foundation without external aid] and broken through to Violet Sanctum [a major cultivation realm] on his own merits. Furthermore, having consumed a Creation Verdant Origin Pill [a legendary pill that profoundly enhances one's foundational essence], his spiritual power rivaled that of a cultivator at the eighth layer of the Violet Sanctum.

With such formidable power and the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords] in hand, even an ordinary Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the late phase of the Violet Sanctum realm] cultivator might not be his match, let alone Flourishing Sun Zhang, who had only recently broken through to Violet Sanctum.

Facing Flourishing Sun Zhang's inquiry, Ethan Chen offered no reply.

He cast a glance towards Dark Ink Mountain [a mountain shrouded in perpetual gloom], then swept his gaze over Flourishing Sun Zhang. Finally, his eyes settled on the vast, misty sea of clouds in the distance. His voice was calm as he posed the question to the path.

"Can this man be slain?"

"Since he intends to strike with lethal force, then let him be slain."

Upon hearing the reply, Ethan Chen's gaze sharpened. Without a moment's hesitation, he summoned forth the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of divine swords embodying the duality of heaven and abyss] and unleashed a cleaving strike towards Flourishing Sun Zhang.

This opponent was merely at the Violet Sanctum 1st Tier [the first level of the Violet Sanctum realm, where one's spiritual core takes form within a sanctified inner space]. His strength was mediocre at best; even three or five of him combined would likely prove no match for Ethan Chen.

Faced with Ethan Chen's relentless assault, Flourishing Sun Zhang was completely overwhelmed in less than ten exchanges. It was clear he would not last twenty before being cut down.

Seeing the dire situation, despair washed over Flourishing Sun Zhang. He could only cry out in desperation, "Elder Brother Qian, save me!"

In that instant, a voice echoed through the sky.

"Fellow Daoist, stay your hand!"

From the heavens, an elderly man with hair and beard white as snow stepped forth. He was actually an old cultivator who had reached the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum [the pinnacle stage of the Violet Sanctum realm, where one's inner sanctum is fully perfected].

Ethan Chen showed not a trace of fear. Without the slightest hesitation, he drove the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords straight towards Flourishing Sun Zhang.

Seeing his utter disregard, the old man's eyes turned cold. With a flick of his hand, he summoned a golden light—a radiant bracelet that shot down. It was, in fact, a Third Rank Superior Grade magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

Yet, in that very instant, a divine radiance descended from the sky, pinning the golden bracelet in place.

Then, a figure clad in black robes strode forward. With a sweep of his sleeve, he sent the white-haired old man stumbling back three paces.

Struck by this blow, the white-haired elder's expression grew solemn. He looked at the black-robed figure and spoke.

"Such profound spiritual power. You are not from Qi Nation?"

"Hmm."

Kael Chen stood there, his black robes flowing. His features were strikingly handsome and carried an air of extraordinary bearing.

With just one glance, the white-haired elder felt an immense pressure. "Merely at the Violet Sanctum 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Violet Sanctum realm], yet your spiritual power surpasses mine by half a measure."

"With such demeanor and power, he must have reached this stage without relying on external aids. Such foundational strength... among all the Violet Sanctum Cultivator [practitioners who have reached the Violet Sanctum realm] in Qi Nation, he is likely a peerless prodigy, one of the very best."

At this thought, the white-haired elder's expression turned grave. "I am Void Karma Qian. My master is none other than Patriarch Mo-ink. Since you are not from Qi Nation, I advise you not to interfere in the affairs of our Qi Nation."

"Is that so?"

Kael Chen responded with calm indifference, neither affirming nor denying the statement.

At that very moment, a sharp cry of agony pierced the air. Ethan Chen had severed Flourishing Sun Zhang's arm with a single, clean stroke of his sword.

Void Karma Qian's face changed color. He immediately moved to intervene, but was once again blocked by Kael Chen.

"You—!"

Void Karma Qian's expression shifted dramatically as he realized, to his shock, that he was being subtly forced onto the defensive.

In the mere span of a few breaths that this delay afforded, Ethan Chen's blade flashed once more, cleanly separating Flourishing Sun Zhang's head from his shoulders.

"How dare you!"

Void Karma Qian was so enraged his beard and hair seemed to bristle. He shot a final, deep look at Kael Chen, and the seed of retreat began to take root in his heart.

Before departing, he invoked the authority of his master: "Since you dare to interfere in the affairs of my Qi Nation, you may not be able to bear the consequences once my honored master pursues the matter."

With those words, he turned to leave.

At that very moment, a presence—gentle yet profound, vast as an unfathomable abyss—swept over the area. Void Karma Qian felt his spiritual power [the cultivated energy used by practitioners] congeal, and an oppressive sensation, as if gazing up at a towering mountain, filled his heart.

Just as terror gripped him and he was on the verge of fleeing for his life, a calm and gentle voice reached his ears.

"Hold a moment!" Read the full novel exclusively on *audio-novel.com*.