Chapter 389 : A Gathering of Golden Cores

He discovered that among the three individuals, aside from the Wang Clan Patriarch whose cultivation had reached the False Nascent Soul realm, there was also a man whose cultivation was as high as the Golden Core Eighth Layer.

The third person was a fair-skinned and beautiful female cultivator. Although this woman was at the Golden Core Sixth Layer, judging by her aura, she should also possess a Middle Golden Core [a Golden Core of intermediate quality and potential], her strength not inferior to that of a Golden Core, Late Stage cultivator.

Seeing his expression, the Wang Darius quickly smiled and introduced them: "This is our Wang Clan's Grand Elder, and this is my niece, Qing'er."

"Greetings to you both."

Eldrin Chen nodded politely and then said, "I had thought my Chen Clan could also be considered a Top-Tier Immortal Clan. Yet, coming to the Celestial Star Continent today, I finally understand the true stature of a Top-Tier Immortal Clan. My Chen Clan pales in comparison."

"You are too modest, Fellow Daoist. Your Chen Clan has risen to such splendor within the last one or two centuries. Its future is surely destined to blaze like the midday sun."

The Wang Darius spoke courteously, then shifted the topic, asking, "By the way, what brings you both here today?"

Exchanging a glance with Eldrin Chen, Lyra Jiang, who stood beside him, spoke directly: "To be frank, we have come hoping to exchange for some Origin Heaven Crystal [a rare crystalline substance containing concentrated heavenly essence, used for high-level cultivation and crafting]."

"If you are willing to part with any Heavenly Crystal [another term for Origin Heaven Crystal], we are prepared to purchase them at a premium."

Wang Darius's pupils contracted slightly, then he shook his head with a bitter smile. "To be perfectly honest," he said, "not long ago, in order to purchase a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul], we exhausted the Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of Spirit Stone of immense value] held by our Wang Clan."

"This old man is currently still mortgaging Wang Clan assets far and wide, making preparations for the next attempt at Nascent Soul formation."

"This..."

A flicker of regret passed through Eldrin Chen's heart. The preciousness of Heavenly Crystal was indeed extraordinary.

That this journey was proving difficult was something he had anticipated. After all, for the vast majority of cultivators at the Golden Core, Late Stage, hoarding Heavenly Crystal was itself preparation for acquiring a Nascent Soul Formation Pill.

It was precisely for this reason they had decided to traverse the Seven Great Continents, gathering scattered fragments of Heavenly Crystal one by one. Encountering walls of refusal was part of the expected process.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen rose to his feet and said regretfully, "Since that is the case, we shall not impose upon you further."

"Please, wait a moment, both of you."

Seeing they were about to depart, Wang Darius stopped them.

Observing their expressions, Wang the Daoist smiled faintly. "Are you two aware of the Heavenly Lake Continent Dao Discourse [a grand assembly for discourse on the Dao among cultivators]?"

"Heavenly Lake Continent Dao Discourse?"

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang exchanged a glance, their eyes flickering with a hint of movement. Their knowledge of the Heavenly Lake Continent was rather limited.

They only knew that the Heavenly Lake Continent was a minor continent adjacent to the Celestial Star Continent, its area roughly equivalent to the combined territories of the Chu Kingdom and the Yan Kingdom. The strength of its Cultivation World was also considerably weaker compared to the Surrounding Cultivation Worlds.

Furthermore, the Nascent Soul Immortal Clan of the Heavenly Lake Continent had been annihilated over four hundred years ago during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm.

Nowadays, the Heavenly Lake Continent was jointly occupied by an alliance formed by several dozen Golden Core Rogue Cultivators. Among the surrounding continents, it was considered a veritable Sacred Land for Rogue Cultivators.

However, their understanding ended there. They knew absolutely nothing about this matter of the Heavenly Lake Continent Dao Discourse.

Noting their expressions, Wang the Daoist smiled and explained, "The Heavenly Lake Continent Dao Discourse is a grand assembly held once every Sixty-Year Cycle."

"At that time, many Golden Core Cultivators from several surrounding continents will gather. They expound upon their personal comprehension of the Dao [the fundamental principle or path in cultivation] and exchange insights to validate each other's cultivation paths."

"Typically, each Dao Discourse Assembly offers significant enlightenment to the participants, often even increasing one's chances of achieving a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm."

"It is said that after the discourse concludes, the most outstanding participants are granted the opportunity to contemplate the 'Ancient Primordial Inscription'..."

As Wang the Daoist spoke, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply.

He gradually understood the purpose of this Dao Discourse Assembly. That Ancient Primordial Inscription was a treasure left behind from Ancient Eons Ago.

It was said to contain the Ancient Sages' comprehension of the Dao and its laws, capable of stimulating a cultivator's creativity and allowing them to enter an Epiphany State.

This Ancient Primordial Inscription was far too precious, something that would make even the Golden Core Cultivators from the surrounding regions covet it. Although the Golden Core Rogue Cultivators occupied the Heavenly Lake Continent, it was fundamentally impossible for them to monopolize the Ancient Primordial Inscription.

Furthermore, since the Ancient Primordial Inscription could not be moved, a compromise was reached. The Heavenly Lake Continent Golden Core Rogue Cultivators were willing to share the Ancient Primordial Inscription with the Cultivators of the World, but on the condition that a Grand Dao Discourse Assembly must be convened.

Most Golden Core Rogue Cultivators lacked systematic Cultivation Arts and had no structured legacy or instruction. Thus, they could only discuss and exchange insights amongst themselves, incorporating each other's strengths into their own Cultivation Arts. Continue reading this story at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

If a Golden Core Cultivator from a Sect or an Immortal Clan expounded their own Dao, it could often provide significant enlightenment for the Golden Core Rogue Cultivators.

It was said that the Ancient Primordial Inscription offered ten slots for contemplation every Sixty-Year Cycle. According to the agreement between the Heavenly Lake Continent and the Surrounding Cultivation Worlds...

...apart from five slots being pre-assigned, the top five performers in each discourse would earn the opportunity to contemplate the Ancient Primordial Inscription.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen looked at Wang the Daoist, his eyes glinting slightly as he spoke. "Since there are only five slots, why would you invite us, merely adding to your own competition?"

Wang Darius shook his head, a wry smile gracing his lips. "This Ancient Primordial Inscription [a mysterious stone tablet inscribed with the fundamental laws of the cosmos] contains profound and esoteric principles. A cultivator can only gain enlightenment from it once in their lifetime. If that were not the case, how could it possibly be our turn, mere Golden Core Cultivator [practitioners who have condensed their spiritual energy into a solid golden core]? It would have been claimed long ago by the Nascent Soul True Lord [powerful beings whose spiritual essence has formed an independent, nascent soul]."

Only then did Eldrin Chen nod in understanding. He then listened as Wang Darius continued, "I have heard whispers of the two of you, of your talent and insight."

"Perhaps observing your discourse on the Dao [the fundamental principle or path of cultivation and existence] might spark some inspiration within me, increasing my chances of a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, nascent soul]."

"I understand," Lyra Jiang acknowledged with a nod, then pondered for a moment before asking, "Might I inquire when the next Heavenly Lake Continent Dao Discourse [a grand assembly where cultivators gather to debate and share insights on the Dao] is slated to commence?"

"The next time the Ancient Primordial Inscription [a mysterious stone tablet inscribed with the fundamental laws of the cosmos] recovers its potency will be Three Years Later. When that time comes, the Heavenly Lake Continent Dao Discourse [a grand assembly where cultivators gather to debate and share insights on the Dao] will naturally commence once more."

"To reach the Heavenly Lake Continent, one must traverse the perilous Great Qian River [a vast and dangerous river known for its treacherous currents and powerful demonic beasts]," Wang Darius stated, then offered a smile. "How about this: Three Years Later, let us journey together to the Heavenly Lake Continent?"

The Great Qian River [a vast and dangerous river known for its treacherous currents and powerful demonic beasts] was as infamous as the Great Kun River [another great and perilous river], counted among the most treacherous waterways in the surrounding continents. Rumors spoke of a Demon Emperor [a sovereign ruler among demonic tribes, possessing immense power] dwelling within its depths, making any crossing a truly hazardous endeavor.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang exchanged a glance, then nodded in unison. "Then we shall not impose further," Eldrin said. "We shall meet again Three Years Later."

"Until we meet again, then."

As the pair departed, the Grand Elder of the Wang Clan watched their retreating figures, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "They seek to purchase Origin Heaven Crystal [a rare crystalline substance containing pure primordial energy, used for high-level cultivation]. It is likely their coffers hold no small number of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

"With your imminent breakthrough to the Nascent Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a higher state of being] realm, why not seize them? This might resolve the issue of your next Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a rare and potent elixir that aids in forming the Nascent Soul]."

"Preposterous!"

Wang Darius's gaze sharpened, and he shook his head. "If they were ordinary Golden Core Early to Mid Stage [cultivators in the early or middle phases of the Golden Core realm] cultivators, it might be permissible. But these two... they must not be touched."

"Why?" Wang Clan Grand Elder asked, a look of confusion on his face.

"You have not visited Ji Continent in recent years, so you do not understand the weight of their reputations."

"From what I know, during the recent Beast Tide Calamity [a catastrophic invasion by hordes of demonic beasts], they forced their way deep into the heart of Demonic Tribe [a collective of demonic beings] territory. They faced over a dozen powerful Golden Core [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core] from the Demonic Tribe without a trace of fear." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audi novel.com.