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 Spiritual Vein [geological formations that concentrate and emit spiritual energy], and completely devouring the assets of the Zhang Immortal Clan.

And now, the day had finally arrived for the six-hundredth birthday celebration of Patriarch Mo-ink.

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

Dozens of Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major cultivation stage] were present, and even seven or eight Golden Core Cultivator [powerful cultivators who have condensed a Golden Core, the fourth major cultivation stage] had arrived, making it a rather rare and grand spectacle.

Among the Six Kingdoms, aside from the Ji Nation, the strongest in terms of power were the nations of Qi, Wei, and Cang.

The reason the Chu Nation was relatively weak was primarily because it was constantly caught between the assaults of demonic beasts and the Demon Cave [a fissure or lair from which demonic energy and creatures emerge], preventing 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 nations. Furthermore, its Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [a high-grade spiritual energy vein] was occupied by the Ji Clan, leaving its overall strength comparatively feeble.

Unlike the nations of Chu and Yan, the cultivation world of Qi Nation was far more prosperous. It did not suffer the pincer attacks of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often malevolent methods], and it was safeguarded by the presence of Ji Clan True Lord [a title for a powerful Golden Core stage cultivator] overseeing the Fifth Rank Earth Vein [a powerful earth-attribute spiritual vein]. This brought a much greater peace and stability to Qi's cultivation realm.

Although the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity caused by a surge of demonic energy] over three centuries ago had inflicted heavy losses upon Qi, the passage of three hundred years had seen its native Golden Core True Person [another title for a Golden Core stage expert] increase to eleven in number. Its power could now be considered quite formidable. Find thousands of chapters at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

For the birthday celebration of Patriarch Mo-ink, to have seven or eight Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a stable, radiant core of condensed spiritual power within their dantian] arriving to offer congratulations could be considered quite an impressive display of prestige.

Seeing that the Golden Core Cultivator from Qi Nation had all gathered, Patriarch Mo-ink did not immediately commence the banquet. The several congratulatory Golden Core True Person [an honorific title for a Golden Core Cultivator] stood to one side, their expressions varied, clearly having caught wind of certain rumors.

They did not have to wait long. At the distant horizon where sky met earth, a streak of light, resplendent as immortal radiance, illuminated the Boundless Void.

"He has arrived."

The thought stirred in everyone's mind.

That brilliant light shot forward until it was upon them, transforming into a figure robed in snow-white.

Eldrin Chen strode forth. He gave a nod to the few Golden Core True Person he recognized, such as those from the Lin Clan of Qi Nation, then turned his gaze towards Patriarch Mo-ink.

"I have come uninvited to True Person Mo-ink's grand celebration. I hope you will not take offense."

"You are too formal."

Patriarch Mo-ink replied 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, Distant Ancestor Thalion Chen was forced to retreat from Chu Nation because of you. Now, as a descendant, I have come to settle the Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect that binds actions to their consequences] from those bygone years."

"A final confrontation is inevitable."

Patriarch Mo-ink let out a sigh. The Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect that binds actions to their consequences] between their sides had become tangled and difficult to unravel. If Patriarch Mo-ink had annihilated the Qi Nation Chen Clan, the matter would have been clear-cut—a fight to the death with all pretenses cast aside.

However, as the years had passed and he had grown older, he had long since looked upon the minor grievances of his youth with detachment and had never moved against the Chen Clan.

Yet, the Chen Clan had suffered greatly from ostracism because of him, and with the tacit consent of his disciples, they had endured significant losses.

This grievance held by the Chen Clan ultimately needed to be settled. Only through a direct confrontation could the matter 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 [the cosmic principle of cause and effect that binds actions to their consequences] would suffice.

With this thought, he stepped forward onto the Heavenly Vault [a vast, elevated platform often used for formal duels or celestial ceremonies], a thread of battle intent beginning to simmer within his heart.

He, True Person Mo-ink, had dominated Chu Nation for centuries and feared no challenge.

"They are truly going to fight."

The crowd atop the mountain wore varied expressions. A clash between Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed a solid golden core of spiritual power] was a rare and precious opportunity to witness.

At that moment, as Patriarch Mo-ink soared into the heavens, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve. The Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of legendary immortal swords] shot forth, weaving through the air with masterful strokes as they cleaved directly towards his opponent.

"Fine Immortal Sword [a sword forged with immortal techniques and imbued with profound power] indeed!"

Watching the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords dance with such lethal grace, Patriarch Mo-ink's pupils contracted slightly.

In that instant, he raised his hand and, with a flourish, summoned forth a pair of Immortal Sword—one black as ink, the other white as jade. They met the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords head-on, holding their ground without yielding an inch. Discover more cultivation stories at audio . novel . com.

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

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with recognition, discerning the origin of these Immortal Sword.

The Ink-Snow Twin Swords [a famous pair of immortal swords, one dark as ink, one pure as snow] were renowned across the nations, the Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personally bonded sword, sharing a deep spiritual connection] of Patriarch Mo-ink. Their grade was as high as Fourth Rank Mid-Grade [a classification denoting a powerful mid-tier magical artifact].

It was precisely by relying on this pair of Immortal Sword that Patriarch Mo-ink had been able to dominate Ji Continent, even slaying a great demon of the Golden Core Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Golden Core cultivation realm].

After more than a dozen exchanges, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He realized that Patriarch Mo-ink not only wielded extraordinary Immortal Swords [enchanted swords used by cultivators], but his spiritual power was also remarkably profound, rivaling that of a cultivator at the Golden Core 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Golden Core cultivation stage].

"With such spiritual power and Immortal Swords, no wonder he was able to slay a Golden Core Demon King [a powerful demonic beast at the Golden Core stage]."

"If not for the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a spiritual artifact that enhances one's cultivation base], my own spiritual power would likely be inferior to his."

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Eldrin Chen raised his hand and unleashed the Thousand Demons Demon-Slaying Sword [a sword renowned for its power against demonic beings].

As one of the supreme fourth-rank Immortal Swords, the Thousand Demons Demon-Slaying Sword possessed unparalleled might. With its first strike, it forced the Ink-Snow Twin Swords [a pair of swords, one dark as ink, one pale as snow] into a steady retreat, immediately putting Patriarch Mo-ink on the defensive.

Seeing his prized Immortal Swords being overwhelmed, Patriarch Mo-ink activated his Fourth Rank Superior Grade [the highest quality tier for fourth-rank artifacts] defensive magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], the 'Seven Stars Treasure Plate' [a protective disk inscribed with seven stars]. He then summoned a formidable Divine Ability [a supernatural technique mastered through cultivation].

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

Clad in white, this figure's cultivation level matched Patriarch Mo-ink's own, and its spiritual power was comparable to a Golden Core Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Golden Core cultivation stage] cultivator.

"An External Incarnation [a separate physical body created and controlled by one's spirit]."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted as he recognized the nature of that apparition.

Unlike the avatar of Exquisite Jiang, the External Incarnation [a supreme divine ability that allows a cultivator to forge a separate, independent incarnation] is a pinnacle-level Divine Ability [a supernatural power or technique derived from profound cultivation], enabling a cultivator to refine and manifest a single External Incarnation.

The incarnation forged through this Divine Ability is constrained by its Innate [referring to its fundamental, inherent nature and origin] foundation. Once successfully refined, the strength of Future [the incarnation's future self] can no longer increase.

This incarnation of Patriarch Mo-ink was refined from a fourth-rank 'Snow Soul Pearl' [a rare spiritual pearl containing the essence of frost and soul]. Although its power rivals that of a Golden Core Mid Stage [a cultivator at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm], it fundamentally lacks the potential for any significant future advancement.

In contrast, Exquisite Jiang employed a unique method to refine her Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force and soul] into an External Incarnation. Consequently, her incarnation's power can grow alongside her own cultivation, free from any inherent ceiling.

With his true self and his incarnation fighting in unison, Patriarch Mo-ink presented a threat akin to two Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the condensed essence of their cultivation] simultaneously besieging Eldrin Chen. The pressure on Eldrin Chen surged dramatically in an instant.

"A formidable Divine Ability," he acknowledged.

As the incarnation pressed its advantage, Eldrin Chen summoned the Crimson-Gold Glazed Armor [a suit of armor forged from crimson-gold glazed materials, offering immense defense] to shield himself. With a swift motion, he then unleashed the Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical mirror that manipulates the fundamental forces of magnetic polarity].

In that very moment, an endless torrent of Primordial Magnetism Power [the primordial, fundamental power of magnetic attraction and repulsion] erupted from the treasure mirror. It instantly immobilized Patriarch Mo-ink's Ink-Snow Twin Swords [a pair of swords, one dark as ink, the other pale as snow] and drew them inexorably into the mirror's depths.

"My Immortal Sword [a sword of peerless quality, often passed down through immortal lineages]!"

Patriarch Mo-ink cried out in alarm. For a powerful Sword Cultivator [a cultivator whose path and power are centered entirely on the sword] like him, such primordial magnetism magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] represented his greatest vulnerability.

If it were an ordinary magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] of magnetic properties, it might be one thing. But this Polarity Void Mirror wielded by Eldrin Chen was of the Fourth Rank Mid-Grade [a high-tier classification for cultivation arts and artifacts], 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 demons].

Having seized the pair of Immortal Sword [transcendent blades wielded by powerful immortals] from Patriarch Mo-ink, the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords in Eldrin Chen's hands naturally surged with formidable power.

Stripped of these twin blades, Patriarch Mo-ink was like a tiger with its fangs pulled, utterly incapable of overcoming Eldrin Chen. After more than forty further exchanges, Patriarch Mo-ink had no choice but to retreat in defeat. Support the author by reading on site: audio-novel.com.