Chapter 388 : Echoes of the Nether Stone

"Then let us wait a while longer."

Lyra Jiang could only say this, for even with Eldrin Chen's mana, which rivaled that of the Golden Core, Late Stage, it was still far too taxing to purge the Netherworld [the underworld or realm of the dead] power from the Nether Stone [a stone imbued with underworld energies].

Considering it might draw the attention of Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor, Eldrin Chen said, "This is no place to linger. Let us depart first and discuss matters elsewhere."

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang nodded. After slaying Lin Morgrim and destroying all the Demonic Treasure [enchanted artifacts forged with demonic energy], the two turned and left Demonic Flame Mountain.

Just as they departed, deep within the Heaven's Spine Mountains, at the Ridge of the Black Fiend, a burly figure opened its eyes.

"Who dares destroy this venerable one's Netherworld Void-Traversing Formation [a formation that allows travel through the void to the underworld]?"

"Damnation! Could it be the Ji Clan has discovered us…"

Unaware of the events unfolding at the Ridge of the Black Fiend, Eldrin Chen and his companion were currently piloting the Green Sun Treasure Boat while taking stock of their gains from this venture.

The treasures they obtained this time were few. The Demonic Cultivator's Demonic Treasure and items like the Blood Crystal [a crystal condensed from blood essence, often used in dark arts] held little use for them. Published by (audio-novel.com). All rights reserved.

After destroying all the demonic creatures, the two discovered that the truly precious treasures were only two items: the Demonic Flame Yin Thunder Pearl and the Nether Stone.

Both treasures were of extremely high grade. Eldrin Chen stored away the Nether Stone and handed the Demonic Flame Yin Thunder Pearl to Lyra Jiang, saying, "With your cultivation level, you can unleash the full power of this Yin Thunder Pearl."

"Mm."

Lyra Jiang nodded. With this item in hand, they would have another hidden trump card for the future.

The two continued flying towards the Celestial Star Continent. The journey thereafter was remarkably smooth, free from any further unexpected events. Several months later, they arrived at the borders of the Celestial Star Continent.

Upon reaching the Celestial Star Continent, Lyra Jiang remarked, "It is said the ruler of the Celestial Star Continent is the Nascent Soul Sect known as the Celestial Star Sect."

"That sect monopolizes the Celestial Star Continent and boasts three Nascent Soul True Lord within its ranks. We should avoid excessive interaction with them. Let us simply locate a few of the local powerful Golden Core Immortal Clan clans, exchange for some Heavenly Crystal [a purified and high-density form of Spirit Stone], and depart."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded. While they wished to acquire Heavenly Crystal, not every Golden Core power would necessarily keep a stock of it.

Typically, only the more formidable Immortal Clan clans, those possessing Golden Core, Late Stage cultivators, would collect Heavenly Crystal as a precaution for unforeseen needs.

Beyond the Celestial Star Continent [a vast continent within the cultivation world], aside from the Celestial Star Sect [a major sect on the continent], there are several dozen Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of power] cultivators, forming roughly twenty-some Golden Core-level powers.

Among these Golden Core powers, only five of the most powerful Immortal Clan [powerful, long-established families of cultivators] are likely to have collected Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of spiritual energy crystal, rarer than Spirit Stones].

"Let us first purchase a map of the Celestial Star Continent, then decide our next move based on what we find,"

said Eldrin Chen, as he and Lyra Jiang arrived at the nearest Third Rank [a designation for resources or locations suitable for Purple Mansion Realm cultivators] market.

This market was named the Stardust Market, and was in fact an enterprise of the Celestial Star Sect. Upon entering and purchasing a map, Eldrin Chen examined it and smiled.

"We are in the Eastern Qi Kingdom [one of the kingdoms on the Celestial Star Continent] of the Celestial Star Continent. The ruling power here is the Wang Immortal Clan."

"We actually met that Wang Clan Patriarch at the Ji Continent Barter Convention [a major trade gathering for cultivators] years ago. He had already reached Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Golden Core Realm] back then. I wonder if he has now broken through to the False Nascent Soul Realm [a pseudo-realm between Golden Core Great Perfection and true Nascent Soul formation]."

Lyra Jiang also smiled and said, "The Wang Clan is the foremost Golden Core Immortal Clan on the Celestial Star Continent. They are certain to possess Heavenly Crystal."

"Then let us pay them a visit."

Without further delay, the two immediately took to their swords and flew towards the Wang Clan's ancestral lands in the Eastern Qi Kingdom. Before the clan's mountain gate, they presented their visiting cards.

While awaiting the response from the Wang Immortal Clan, Eldrin Chen observed the clan's city and could not help but remark, "On our journey here, we have already seen several cities belonging to the Wang Clan."

"With so many cities supporting the mortal populace, I fear their clan's population has already surpassed three hundred million."

Eldrin Chen uttered with a tone of awe. A mortal population of three hundred million, even with a mere one-in-a-thousand chance of producing a cultivator, would yield a staggering three hundred thousand cultivators.

This was truly astonishing. The vast, million-Li-length expanse of the Chu Kingdom itself only boasted four to five hundred thousand cultivators. This single Wang Immortal Clan could rival an entire kingdom.

Lyra Jiang's eyes flickered slightly as she stated calmly, "The Wang Clan has existed for over two millennia. It is said they have had four cultivators at the Golden Core Great Perfection realm attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, though all ultimately failed."

"For a top-tier Golden Core Immortal Clan such as this, the number of Golden Core Cultivators has never fallen below ten. There is almost always a cultivator at the Golden Core Great Perfection realm presiding over each era." Join our community of readers at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

"In comparison, the entire history of the Chu Kingdom spans a mere two thousand years. It may not even be as ancient as this Wang Immortal Clan."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. High-level cultivators possessed long lifespans. A single Golden Core Cultivator was sufficient to protect a Golden Core Immortal Clan for a thousand years.

If a Nascent Soul True Lord were present, they could dominate an entire minor continent, safeguarding billions of lives and allowing their prosperity for generations.

For a hegemon-level figure like a Nascent Soul True Lord, the rise and fall of a kingdom, the writing and conclusion of a chapter in history, were but trivial, commonplace occurrences in the grand tapestry of their cultivation journey.

As long as a True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul Realm] lives, they possess the power to regulate the mountains and rivers of the land, carving out a haven of purity for the Human Race where countless living beings can thrive and multiply.

In truth, the Chen Clan's decision to clear the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness was itself an endeavor to help the clan establish such a sanctuary.

It is merely that the Ji Continent is perpetually embroiled in conflict, resulting in a relatively sparse population and a more arduous process of reclamation. It is said that in some of the more peaceful great continents, the population often far surpasses that of the Ji Continent.

Legends speak of prosperous holy lands deep within the Eastern Wastelands, where a Dao Lord Sacred Land [a sacred land ruled by a supremely powerful Dao Lord] wields boundless, supreme power to shape the mountains and rivers, rendering vast stretches of land suitable for mortal habitation, without even the need for protective Formation [magical arrays] to be deployed.

Although this Wang Clan is not a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan, the environment of the Celestial Star Continent is far more tranquil than that of the Ji Continent, naturally allowing it to nurture such a vast mortal populace.

Just as the two were observing the Wang Clan, three figures finally descended from the mountain peak.

The leader, upon seeing them, laughed heartily. "I wondered which distinguished guests had arrived. So it is the Chen the Sword Immortal and Lyra the Immortal Maiden from the Ji Continent."

"This humble Wang failed to welcome such esteemed guests from afar. I beg your forgiveness."

The Wang Clan Patriarch spoke from a distance, his expression carrying a note of formal courtesy.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang before offering a slight smile. "It has been forty years, yet Fellow Daoist Wang has already broken through to the False Nascent Soul Realm [a quasi-Nascent Soul state, a powerful precursor to the true Nascent Soul Realm]. It seems that within a century, the Celestial Star Continent will surely gain another Nascent Soul Immortal Clan."

"Hahaha!"

"Fellow Daoist, you flatter this old man too much."

That Clan Lord Wang laughed heartily, then said politely, "I have prepared tea. Please, let us converse on the Guest-Welcoming Peak."

"In that case, I thank you."

According to the unspoken etiquette among high-ranking Immortal Clans, when cultivators of the same realm visit, unless their relationship is exceptionally close, they typically do not enter the other's Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with spiritual energy, often serving as a clan's headquarters].

For one knows a man's face, not his heart. Once the grand formation of a Spirit Mountain is activated, a visitor could easily become trapped within.

Under such circumstances, a Guest-Welcoming Peak has become an almost essential feature for major Immortal Clans to receive guests.

The group arrived at the Guest-Welcoming Peak. After they were all seated, Eldrin Chen took a moment to observe the others present. Join our community of readers at audio-novel[dot]com.