Chapter 344 : A Golden Invitation Descends

Before the figure arrived, only the voice was heard.

It was like a silent abyss, poised to overturn heaven and earth as it descended.

Void Karma Qian felt his scalp tingle, and then he saw only a streak of golden light descending from the Heavenly Vault above, transforming into a simple letter that fell into his hand.

Holding the letter, Void Karma Qian inexplicably felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He hurriedly bowed and said, "This humble one is Void Karma Qian. I pay my respects to you, Senior."

"The fame of True Person Mo-ink has shaken the Six Kingdoms; even I have heard of it."

From the peak of Dark Ink Mountain, divine light filled the sky and immortal mist curled upwards. A gentle, cultured voice drifted over: "Since the six hundredth birthday celebration of True Person Mo-ink is imminent, then I shall naturally pay a visit."

"This is my Visiting Card. Since you are a disciple of True Person Mo-ink, I would trouble you to deliver this item to him."

As those words faded, Void Karma Qian heaved a sigh of profound relief.

When this exalted being had detained him moments ago, he had feared this Golden Core True Person was about to strike him down.

It turned out to be a false alarm. The Senior had not intended to kill him, but merely to have him deliver a letter. Support the author by reading on audio-novel[dot]com.

"The aura of this senior is not inferior to my master's. His strength is likely among the rare elites even within the Golden Core realm."

"For such a top-tier Golden Core expert, even ordinary Golden Core Cultivator cultivators must offer flattering smiles. With my mere Violet Sanctum cultivation, it's beneath him to bully someone so far beneath him. The fact he allowed me to deliver a letter is merely a courtesy extended to my master's face."

Thinking this, Void Karma Qian felt a slight sense of relief in his heart.

He carefully stored the letter away, his expression solemn as he bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Senior. This junior will personally ensure this letter reaches its destination."

"Go."

Atop Dark Ink Mountain, the brilliant immortal light receded.

The various families hiding in the shadows, terrified, suppressed their auras and scattered in all directions. In that moment, the news that a Golden Core powerhouse had visited the Chen Clan spread far and wide.

No one could fathom how the Chen Clan had suddenly come into contact with a Golden Core Patriarch. Countless cultivators who had previously kicked them while they were down were now gripped with fear, scrambling to gather intelligence and understand what had truly transpired within the Chen Clan.

Meanwhile, upon the mountain peak, the members of the Qi Nation Chen Clan looked upon the three figures before them with immense joy and surprise, led by Eldrin Chen.

The leader was a White-robed Man, his stature tall and slender.

Clad in robes white as snow, his three thousand strands of raven hair were gathered by a white jade crown, lending him the transcendent aura of a celestial being descended to the mortal realm, his bearing peerless and divine.

They did not recognize this man, but they certainly knew the figures standing beside him: Void Cosmos Chen and Void Spirit Chen.

The group quickly grasped the situation, their faces erupting with ecstatic joy. The Patriarch Chen hurried forward and said, "This old one pays his respects to the True Person."

"There is no need for such formality."

Eldrin Chen helped him to his feet. Although their blood ties were now distant, judging by age, this elder's seniority likely surpassed even that of the Old Patriarch, so Eldrin did not put on airs.

Not far away, Kael and Ethan Chen descended and gave slight nods of acknowledgment.

"Quickly, prepare tea," instructed the Patriarch Chen as he rose to his feet. "Please, honored guests, follow me."

"True Person, you have saved our Qi Nation Chen Clan from the very fires of calamity. This old man's gratitude is boundless."

The party ascended to an elegant pavilion atop the mountain peak. The Patriarch Chen personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen.

This spiritual tea was merely of the Second Rank [a mid-grade cultivation resource]. Though it was the finest the Qi Nation Chen Clan possessed, using it to entertain a Golden Core True Person [a high-ranking cultivator at the Golden Core stage] was still rather meager.

Patriarch Chen also understood this point and said somewhat awkwardly, "This Spirit Tea [a tea infused with spiritual energy, beneficial for cultivation] is of inferior quality. I apologize for the poor reception, True Person."

"It is of no consequence."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. Compared to the Heaven and Earth Spirit Tea [a premium grade of spirit tea] of the Chen Clan, this Second Rank spirit tea was indeed rather meager.

However, he was not a picky man, nor had he come for the tea. Glancing at the scenery of the mountain, he spoke with a smile.

"This Dark Ink Mountain is veiled in immortal mists, its pavilions and towers arranged with elegant asymmetry. It is truly a Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] and a Blessed Land [a place of natural spiritual abundance] rarely seen in the Mortal Realm."

"You flatter us, True Person. After eight hundred years of our stewardship, this Dark Ink Mountain has only this modest claim to fame." This chapter is provided by audio-novel`com. Support the original.

Patriarch Chen offered a slight smile from the side, a touch of pride evident nonetheless.

Sensing his approachable nature, the members of the Chen Clan relaxed their initial tension and grew bolder, beginning to recount the experiences of the Qi Nation Chen Clan over the years.

Eldrin Chen listened quietly. The Qi Nation Chen Clan had not fared well. Although Patriarch Mo-ink had not pursued the matters of the past, the Chen Clan was not well-regarded by the Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families with long lineages] of Bright Prefecture.

Back then, Distant Ancestor Thalion Chen had fled to Chu Nation because of Patriarch Mo-ink. Now that the Chen Clan of Green Chariot Mountain had prospered, it was time to bring closure to those old affairs.

With these thoughts in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke with calm finality, "I shall naturally go and meet this Patriarch Mo-ink."

"As for the Karma [the metaphysical consequences of one's actions] you have accrued in Qi Nation, let Ethan and Kael deal with those who took the opportunity to kick us while we were down during this time."

"Our gratitude, Patriarch."

"…"

Bright Prefecture, the Ink River Mountain Range.

As the sole Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein [a ley line of the fourth grade, capable of supporting Golden Core cultivators] within Bright Prefecture, the Ink River Mountain Range was occupied by a Golden Core Cultivator [a master who has condensed a Golden Core, the third major realm] renowned throughout Qi Nation: Patriarch Mo-ink.

Within a cavern abode atop the Ink River Mountain Range at this moment, Patriarch Mo-ink looked at the letter in his hand and revealed a faint smile as he spoke.

"So it is the Chu Nation Sword Immortal. That Thalion Chen truly produced a remarkable descendant."

"Master, does he truly come only to offer birthday congratulations?"

Standing before Patriarch Mo-ink, Void Karma Qian asked, his complexion somewhat pale.

Patriarch Mo-ink shook his head, his expression tinged with melancholy as he said, "His visit serves both to offer birthday felicitations and to reclaim lost face."

"Back then, Thalion Chen's defeat and retreat was simply a matter of inferior skill. This old man never pursued the Chen Clan over it, so it's unlikely he'll cause trouble for that reason alone."

"However, you have marginalized the Qi Nation Chen Clan for many years. He will undoubtedly demand that we compensate for the losses the Qi Nation Chen Clan has suffered during this time."

Hearing this, Void Karma Qian gritted his teeth, a note of unwillingness in his voice. "The Chen Clan's decline is, at its root, due to insufficient strength. We of Ink River Mountain have incurred no debt to him."

"As for the Beast Tide, which Immortal Clan in our Qi Nation has not suffered losses? Had we truly sought to hold them accountable, the Chen Clan would have been exterminated long ago."

"Enough," Patriarch Mo-ink cut him off.

He shook his head again, his gaze piercing as it settled on his disciple. "This old man has long refrained from involving himself in the feuds between the great Immortal Clan families of Bright Prefecture."

"But can you truly claim to have done the same?"

Void Karma Qian's heart gave a sudden lurch. While his master had chosen not to pursue the Chen Clan, it was an undeniable fact that he had tacitly allowed other Immortal Clan families to encroach upon the Chen Clan's assets.

As a disciple, he had done it to vent his master's lingering resentment from that past event. For this reason, Patriarch Mo-ink had simply turned a blind eye.

Seeing Void Karma Qian remain silent, Patriarch Mo-ink let out a sigh. "That Eldrin Chen likely possesses the potential to reach the Infant Soul True Lord [a high-level cultivator whose nascent soul has matured into a true spiritual lord] realm. Unless absolutely necessary, we must not forge a vendetta with him."

"Moreover, we are all of the Human Race on the Ji Continent. In the future, we may very well need to aid one another. We cannot blindly waste our strength in internal strife."

"The fact that Eldrin Chen sent you a Visiting Card [a formal card used to announce a visit or convey a message] surely means he thinks the same. Therefore, before a blood feud is truly born, have your people tally the losses the Chen Clan has suffered over these years."

"When I meet Eldrin Chen, I fear we will still have to cross blades once to settle this grudge. Regardless of the outcome, you must compensate them for their past losses."

"This..."

Void Karma Qian's expression shifted. Seeing the resolute look in Patriarch Mo-ink's eyes, he finally nodded.

"I understand."

"..." The story continues at audio–novel.com.