Chapter 389 The Daolun Assembly, Ancient Engravings

He discovered that among the 3 individuals, aside from the Wang Clan Leader whose cultivation had reached the False Infant stage, there was also a man with cultivation as high as the eighth layer of the Golden Core.

The third individual was a fair-skinned and beautiful female cultivator. Although she was at the sixth layer of the Golden Core realm, her aura suggested a Mid-Grade Golden Core, and her strength was no less than that of a Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert.

Seeing his expression, the clan leader quickly introduced with a smile, "This is the Grand Elder of our Wang Clan, and this is my niece, Qing'er (Person Name)."

Greetings to you both.

Eldrin gave a polite nod and said, "I had always believed my Chen Clan to be among the elite immortal families. Yet only upon arriving at the Heavenly Star Continent today have I truly witnessed the grandeur of a top-tier immortal clan. Our Chen Clan pales in comparison."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. Your Chen Clan has only risen to prominence in the last century or 2, yet it already shines with such brilliance. I daresay its future will be truly like the sun at its zenith."

The Wang Clan host spoke courteously, then shifted the topic to ask, "By the way, might I inquire as to the purpose of your visit today?"

Lyra and Eldrin exchanged a glance before Lyra spoke up frankly, "To be perfectly honest, we've come seeking to exchange for some of your primordial Heavenly Crystals."

"If you are willing to sell the Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object), we would gladly purchase it at a premium."

“Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object)？”

The head of the Wang clan's pupils contracted slightly before he shook his head with a bitter smile. "To be perfectly honest, not long ago, in order to purchase the Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object), we exhausted all the Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object) in our possession."

"I am still in the process of mortgaging various Wang Clan assets to prepare for my next attempt at forming the Nascent Soul."

"This..."

A trace of regret flickered through Eldrin’s heart—the Heavenly Crystal was truly a treasure beyond compare.

This journey had proven difficult, yet it was something he had long anticipated. After all, for the vast majority of cultivators at Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), collecting Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object) was fundamentally intended as preparation for acquiring Nascent Soul Formation Pills (Spiritual Object).

It was precisely for this reason that they decided to traverse all 7 continents, gathering scattered fragments of the Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object) 1 by 1. Encountering obstacles along the way was only to be expected.

At this thought, Eldrin rose to his feet and said regretfully, "In that case, we shall not impose any longer."

"Hold a moment, you 2."

Just as they were about to depart, the leader of the Wang Clan stopped them.

Observing the expressions of their group, Elder Wang smiled faintly and said, "Are you 2 aware of the Tianhu Zhou Discourse?"

"Heavenly Lake Province Dao Symposium?"

Eldrin and Lyra exchanged a glance, their eyes flickering slightly. They knew little about the Tianhu Continent.

It is known that Tianhu Province is a small province adjacent to Tianxing Province, with an area roughly equivalent to the combined territories of the Chu Kingdom (Location) and Yan Kingdom (Location). The strength of its cultivation world is considerably weaker compared to the surrounding realms.

Meanwhile, the Nascent Soul families of Tianhu Continent were wiped out during the Demon Abyss Cataclysm over 4 100 years ago.

Today's Tianhu Continent is controlled by an alliance formed by several dozen Golden Core Realm loose cultivators, making it a veritable sanctuary for wanderers among the surrounding great continents.

However, their knowledge ended there; they knew nothing at all about the Dao Discussion in Tianhu Zhou.

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Elder Wang (Person Name) chuckled and said, "The Heavenly Lake Summit (Event Name) is a grand gathering held once every 60 years."

At that time, numerous Golden Core cultivators from several surrounding continents would gather to expound their comprehension of the Dao and mutually validate their respective paths of cultivation.

"Generally speaking, each Dao Discussion Gathering often brings significant enlightenment to all participants, and may even enhance our chances of breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm by several degrees."

"Rumor has it that after the tournament concludes, the victor will be granted the opportunity to contemplate the 'Primordial Ancient Stele'..."

As Elder Wang spoke, Eldrin's pupils abruptly contracted.

He gradually came to understand the purpose of this Discourse Assembly. The Ancient Stele of Primal Beginnings was itself a treasure left behind from countless millennia ago.

It is said to contain the ancient sage's comprehension of the Dao and its principles, capable of igniting a cultivator's creativity and guiding them into a state of sudden enlightenment.

This ancient stele was far too precious, enough to make even the surrounding Golden Core cultivators covet it endlessly. Although the rogue Golden Core cultivators had taken control of Tianhu Zhou, attempting to monopolize the ancient stele was simply beyond their reach.

Since the Ancient Runes could not be moved, both parties reached a compromise. The Golden Core loose cultivators of Tianhu Zhou agreed to share the Ancient Runes with all practitioners under the heavens, but on 1 condition: a Dao Discussion Assembly must be convened.

As most rogue cultivators at the Golden Core realm lacked proper cultivation techniques and systematic inheritance or guidance, they could only engage in mutual discussions and exchanges, incorporating each other's strengths into their own cultivation methods.

If a Golden Core cultivator from a sect or immortal clan were to expound upon their Dao, it would often provide significant enlightenment to rogue Golden Core cultivators.

It was said that the Ancient Rune Tablets offered 10 slots for enlightenment every 60 years, according to the pact between Tianhu Province and the surrounding cultivation realms.

Aside from the 5 slots that were reserved through internal arrangements, the top 5 performers in each Dao Debate would also be granted the opportunity to contemplate the Ancient Monument of Primordial Beginnings.

At this thought, Eldrin glanced at Daoist Wang, his eyes flickering slightly. "Since there are only 5 slots," he remarked, "why would you invite us and create more competition for yourself?"

The Wang Clan Head shook his head and smiled wryly. "These Primordial Ancient Tablets contain profound mysteries of the Dao. Each cultivator can only gain enlightenment from them once in their lifetime. Were it otherwise, how could such opportunities ever fall to Golden Core cultivators like us? They would have long been monopolized by Nascent Soul True Lords."

Eldrin nodded at this, then heard the Clan Lord continue, "I have also heard some rumors of the talents you 2 possess."

"Perhaps observing your discourse on the Dao could grant me some enlightenment, increasing my certainty of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage."

"Understood." Lyra nodded, then murmured thoughtfully, "I wonder when the next Heavenly Lake Realm Discourse on the Dao will commence?"

"The next time the Ancient Runes regain their power will be in 3 years, when the Heavenly Lake Summit will naturally commence."

“To reach Tianhu Continent, 1 must cross the perilous Great Qian River (Location),” said the Wang Clan Head with a faint smile. “How about 3 years from now, we journey to Tianhu Continent together?”

The Great Qian River (Location), as renowned as the Great Kun River, ranks among the most treacherous waterways spanning several nearby continents. Its depths even harbor the presence of a Demon Emperor (Monster), making any attempt to cross its turbulent waters a perilous undertaking.

At this thought, Eldrin exchanged a glance with Lyra and nodded. "Then we shall not impose further," he said. "We will meet again in 3 years."

"Until we meet again."

Watching the 2 depart, the Great Elder of the Wang Clan narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in his gaze as he remarked, "Those 2 seek to purchase the Primordial Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object). I suspect they possess no small number of spirit stones."

"Now that your breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm is imminent, why not capture them? This might resolve your need for the next Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object)."

"Preposterous!"

The gaze of the Wang Clan leader sharpened as he shook his head. "An ordinary early or mid-stage Golden Core cultivator would be 1 thing, but these 2... they cannot be touched."

"Why?" The Grand Elder of the Wang Clan wore a puzzled expression.

"You haven't visited Ji Province these years, so you're unaware of these 2 individuals' formidable reputation."

"As far as I know, during the recent beast tide uprising, they forcefully stormed deep into the demon territory, facing over a dozen powerful Golden Core demon cultivators without the slightest fear."