Chapter 375 : The Dragon's Ascent and Ancient Vows

"Take this Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill [a supreme elixir that restores vitality and dispels the lingering effects of heavenly tribulations] first to recover from your injuries. And this Two Polarities Divine Thunder [a divine technique harnessing the opposing forces of yin and yang] should also provide some inspiration for your creation of a new cultivation art."

After a moment's thought, he produced another item, a Divine Ability Jade Slip [a jade slip used to record and transmit profound techniques], along with another Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill [a supreme elixir that restores vitality and dispels the lingering effects of heavenly tribulations], and handed them over.

Ethan Chen accepted the three treasures, his spirit filled with soaring ambition. With unwavering resolve, he declared, "Wait just three Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, representing a significant era], Uncle, and then look upon me again."

"I shall surely transform into a dragon and soar through the heavens, stirring the winds and clouds of the world."

"Excellent. I shall await that day."

Uncle and nephew stood side by side, hands clasped behind their backs, atop the cliff's precipice, gazing upon the rising sun as it ascended from the sea of clouds.

"…"

Not long after, Ethan Chen entered the Scripture Pavilion [the clan's repository of ancient texts and cultivation manuals] and immersed himself completely in its vast collection of scriptures. Day and night, he devoted himself to the arduous contemplation required to forge a new cultivation art.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen traveled to Heavenly Ruins Lake [a mystical lake shrouded in ancient power] and sought out Kael Chen, who was stationed there.

Though several years had passed since their last meeting, Kael Chen remained clad in his signature black robes. His features were as strikingly handsome as ever, his presence growing ever more peerless and extraordinary. Dive deeper into the Dao at site: audio-novel.com.

Upon seeing Kael Chen, Eldrin Chen stated, "Ethan has failed."

"As expected."

Kael Chen's expression was serene, his eyes exceptionally profound.

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly and asked calmly, "And you?"

"A Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade of spiritual core a cultivator can form]?" Kael Chen's gaze was steady and open. "It is not difficult."

A faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips. He understood that Kael Chen's path of cultivation [the journey of spiritual and physical refinement] was now firmly set, his conviction clear. Such a cultivator possessed an unshakable will, a mind impervious to doubt.

For his elder clansman, forging a Superior-Tier Golden Core held only one possible outcome: success. If the first attempt failed, he would try a second; if the second failed, a third. There was no other path, no room for compromise.

Such ironclad resolve proved that after subduing the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and corrupting spiritual force], his Dao-heart [the core of a cultivator's will and spiritual foundation] had become unassailable, likely rendering even Inner Demon [the manifestation of a cultivator's inner fears and flaws] powerless against him.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen's smile deepened. This elder brother of his clan had truly come into his own.

"In a couple of years, I will attempt my own Golden Core [a major milestone where spiritual energy is condensed into a solid core] breakthrough."

Kael Chen spoke, casting a glance at Eldrin Chen before saying, "I'll need to borrow a tribulation magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] from you."

"That can be arranged."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. The Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly trial of thunder and lightning faced during major cultivation breakthroughs] for a Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade of the Golden Core cultivation stage] was exceptionally formidable. A single Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] likely wouldn't suffice. He decisively handed over both the 'Abyssal Stone Cauldron' and the 'Verdant Gold Ancient Bell' to Kael Chen.

After meeting with Kael Chen, Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Isle Lake and resumed the meticulous process of refining his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them].

By the time he had successfully refined all five Lifebound Magical Treasure, he realized two and a half years had slipped by.

On that day, as he emerged from his Seclusion Chamber, the Old Patriarch sought him out personally, his face alight with unrestrained joy. "Kael has succeeded in his breakthrough!" he announced. "He has forged a Superior-Tier Golden Core!"

"He truly succeeded?"

Eldrin Chen exchanged a knowing look with Exquisite Jiang, a flicker of understanding passing between them.

Breaking through to the Golden Core [a major cultivation stage where spiritual energy condenses into a solid core] was one of those endeavors: impossibly difficult for those who couldn't grasp it, yet straightforward for those who could.

Many failed repeatedly. But Kael Chen's spiritual energy, divine sense, and physical body had all reached perfection. Coupled with his formidable willpower, his chances of success had always been high.

This time, he had attempted the Golden Core breakthrough on his own. According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, he had at least a fifty percent chance of success, so achieving it in a single attempt was well within his expectations.

As the Beast Tide [a massive, periodic invasion of demonic beasts] was imminent, Kael Chen's Golden Core Banquet [a celebratory feast held upon reaching the Golden Core realm] was kept relatively simple.

The various Immortal Clan [powerful, cultivation-focused families] already gathering at Heavenly Ruins Lake took the opportunity to present their congratulatory gifts, and the Chen Clan held a modest Golden Core Banquet.

After the Golden Core Banquet concluded, Eldrin Chen sought out Lior Chen and said, "Uncle Lior, your spiritual power has also reached its peak. You should seize the opportunity to enter seclusion and attempt the Golden Core Realm breakthrough."

Lior Chen shook his head and declined. "The Beast Tide will erupt within the next few months. I should wait until it subsides before attempting the Golden Core Realm breakthrough."

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, a sense of unease settling in his heart. This chapter appears courtesy of audio novel.com.

The Old Patriarch nearby glanced over and spoke. "As a three-hundred-year-old cultivator at the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum [the pinnacle stage of the Violet Sanctum realm], you are considered a Golden Core seed of our Chen Clan. If you join the battle, you will undoubtedly become a prime target for the Demon Race."

"But with the Beast Tide upon us, I should contribute my strength," Lior insisted.

After exchanging glances, Eldrin Chen proposed a solution. "Very well. You shall take command of Pingyang City's City Defense Grand Formation [a powerful protective array guarding a city]. With you safeguarding Pingyang City, we can rest easier."

With Eldrin Chen's decree, the matter was settled.

"..."

Time flowed swiftly by, and in the blink of an eye, several more months had passed.

Unlike previous years, this time, Chu Nation had assembled a vast host of cultivators, their strength could truly be described as a powerful army with sturdy steeds.

Exquisite Jiang and Eldrin Chen personally took command at Earth Lion Ridge, while the Old Patriarch, Elara Lin, and Kael Chen—three Golden Core cultivators—held the line at Heavenly Ruins Lake.

The Firmament Sword Sect's Sect Master Qian and Soaring Serpent Ling, both Golden Core Cultivator experts, also arrived at Heavenly Ruins Lake with tens of thousands of cultivators to bolster the defenses. Even the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect dispatched True Person Great Defense to garrison Earth Lion Ridge.

With such formidable strength and the ability to reinforce each other via Teleportation Formation, Eldrin Chen was confident that unless an Infant Soul Demon Emperor appeared, even multiple Golden Core Demon Race forces would be unable to pose a serious threat.

Furthermore, the Infant Soul Demon Emperor from Azure Wave Lake was under close surveillance by the Ji Immortal Clan. Any movement would surely provoke their intervention, so a major crisis seemed unlikely.

Just as Chu Nation's forces were concentrated in Heavenly Ruins Prefecture and Earth Lion Prefecture, the Beast Tide [a massive, periodic surge of rampaging demonic beasts] descended upon them.

Yet after more than half a month of fierce clashes, Eldrin Chen sensed something amiss. He realized that this Beast Tide had not seen a single Demon King [a powerful demonic beast equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator] take the field.

Only swarms of low-tier demonic beasts charged the great Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy], and they were swiftly and thoroughly slaughtered by the Human Race army.

"What sinister scheme is the Demon Race [a collective term for non-human, often malevolent, sentient beings that cultivate] plotting now?"

Within the great hall of Earth Lion Ridge, a group of Golden Core Patriarchs [powerful cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the third major stage of cultivation] were communicating via a Horizon Communication Mirror [a magical artifact for long-distance communication], their expressions filled with puzzlement.

Sect Master Qian furrowed his brow and could not help but voice his thoughts, "Could it be that because our Chu Nation's power has surged so dramatically, the Demon Race feels it lacks the confidence to confront us? Perhaps they are preparing to recuperate, build up their strength, and wait for the next opportunity to attack our lands?"

"That seems unlikely," Eldrin Chen said with a frown. "We have maintained constant surveillance over Crimson Scorpion Ridge, the Savage Ox Ancient Plain, and the Great Kun River during this period. Yet, we have not seen a single trace of any Demon King [a powerful ruler among demonic cultivators, equivalent to a Golden Core Patriarch]."

"This is highly unusual. I fear there is deception at play here."

As they were speaking, a streak of light suddenly descended from beyond the heavens.

Exquisite Jiang caught it and, upon reading it, her expression darkened slightly, taking on a grave and solemn cast.

Seeing her change in demeanor, the others quickly asked, "What has happened?"

"It is a conscription order from the Ji Clan."

As she spoke, Exquisite Jiang handed the conscription order to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen's gaze swept over the report, his pupils involuntarily contracting a fraction. It appeared that Azure Wave Lake had, at some unknown time, discovered a Void Gem Mine Vein [a subterranean deposit of rare gems that resonate with spatial energies]. Utilizing the Void Gem [spatial-alignment gems] produced by this vein, they had actually established over a dozen Teleportation Formations [magical arrays designed for instantaneous travel over vast distances].

Using these Teleportation Formations, they had interconnected more than ten territories ruled by various Demon Kings [powerful demonic rulers]. This time, Azure Wave Lake played this hidden trump card to mobilize their forces. In a single night, several dozen Golden Core Demon Kings [demonic rulers who have condensed a Golden Core, a core of immense power] launched a coordinated assault on Qi Nation.

In that single, devastating battle, Qi Nation suffered a grievous blow. Seven Golden Core [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core] perished on the spot, and five more had their physical bodies destroyed. The number of lower-ranked cultivators who fell was beyond count.

This conflict saw nearly half of Qi Nation's Golden Core cultivators slain, which thoroughly enraged the Ji Clan. They were now determined to wage a full-scale war against Azure Wave Lake. Find thousands of chapters at https://audio-novel.com.