Chapter 389 : A Clan's Hidden Ambition

He discovered that among the three, aside from Patriarch Wang whose cultivation had reached the lofty False Infant Soul Realm, there was also a man whose cultivation was at the eighth layer of the Golden Core.

The third person was a female cultivator with fair skin and striking beauty. Although she was only at the Golden Core 6th Tier, judging by her aura, she should also be a Middle-Tier Golden Core cultivator, her strength not inferior to someone at the Golden Core Late Stage.

Seeing his expression, Patriarch Wang promptly introduced them with a smile, "This is our Wang Clan's Grand Elder, and this is my niece, Pure Child."

"Greetings to you both."

Eldrin Chen nodded politely and said, "I once believed my Chen Clan could be considered a top-tier Immortal Clan. Yet, having come to the Heavenly Star Continent today, I finally understand the true stature of a premier Immortal Clan. My Chen Clan pales in comparison."

"You are too modest, Fellow Daoist. Your Chen Clan has achieved such splendor within the last century or two of its rise. Its future is surely destined to blaze like the midday sun," Patriarch Wang replied courteously, then shifted the topic. "By the way, may I ask the purpose of your visit today?"

Exchanging a glance with Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang beside him spoke directly, "To be frank, we have come hoping to exchange for some Origin Heavenly Crystal with you."

"If you are willing to part with Heavenly Crystal, we are prepared to purchase them at a premium."

"Heavenly Crystal?"

That Clan Patriarch Wang'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, our Wang Clan exhausted our entire stock of Heavenly Crystal [a highly refined and potent form of spiritual energy crystal]." Join our community of readers at audio - novel . com.

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

"This..."

Eldrin Chen felt a pang of disappointment. The preciousness of Heavenly Crystal was indeed extraordinary.

That this journey would not be smooth sailing 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 seven great continents, gathering scattered fragments of Heavenly Crystal one by one. Encountering walls of refusal was part of the expected process.

Thinking this, 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 leave, that Clan Patriarch Wang stopped them.

Observing their expressions, this Path Master Wang smiled faintly. "Are you two aware of the Celestial Lake Continent Discourse on the Dao?"

"Celestial Lake Continent [a continent renowned for its vast, sky-mirroring lakes] to discuss the Dao?"

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang exchanged a glance, their eyes flickering with thought. Their knowledge of the Celestial Lake Continent was limited.

They only knew that the Celestial Lake Continent was a smaller continent adjacent to the Heavenly Star Continent. Its land area was roughly equivalent to the combined territories of the Chu Nation and the Yan Kingdom, and the strength of its Immortal Realm [the collective world of cultivators and immortal sects] was notably weaker than that of the surrounding cultivation realms.

Furthermore, the Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a powerful clan led by Infant Soul Realm cultivators] of the Celestial Lake Continent had been annihilated over four hundred years prior during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving a rift to a demonic realm].

Nowadays, the Celestial Lake Continent was controlled by an alliance formed by several dozen Golden Core rogue cultivators. Among the neighboring major continents, it was considered something of a sanctuary for such unaffiliated practitioners.

Yet their understanding ended there. They had no knowledge whatsoever of this matter of Celestial Lake Continent holding a Dao Discussion.

Noting their expressions, Path Master Wang smiled and explained, "This Celestial Lake Continent Dao Discussion is a grand assembly held once every Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years, also known as a Jiazi]."

"On that occasion, many Golden Core Cultivator from several surrounding continents will gather. They expound upon their personal comprehension of the Dao's principles, using the exchange to verify and refine their own cultivation paths."

"Typically, each such discussion yields significant insights for the participants, often even increasing one's chances of achieving a breakthrough to the Infant Soul realm."

"It is said that after the discussions conclude, the most outstanding participants are granted the opportunity to contemplate the 'Ancient Primordial Inscription' [a mysterious artifact bearing profound primordial truths]…"

As Path Master Wang recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply.

He gradually understood the purpose of this Path Discussion Assembly. The Ancient Primordial Inscription was a treasure left behind from an age lost to time.

It was said to contain the understanding of the ancient sages regarding the Dao [the fundamental truth or principle of the universe] and its methods, capable of stimulating a cultivator's creativity and inducing a state of sudden enlightenment.

The Ancient Primordial Inscription was far too precious, a temptation even for the Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the third major stage of cultivation] in the surrounding regions. Although the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where spiritual energy condenses into a solid core] rogue cultivators occupied Celestial Lake Continent, it was utterly impossible for them to monopolize the Ancient Primordial Inscription.

Furthermore, since the Ancient Primordial Inscription could not be moved, a compromise was reached. The Golden Core rogue cultivators of Celestial Lake Continent agreed to share the Ancient Primordial Inscription with all cultivators under heaven, on the condition that a Path Discussion Assembly must be held.

This was because most Golden Core rogue cultivators lacked proper cultivation arts and systematic inheritance or guidance. They could only discuss and exchange insights amongst themselves, incorporating the strengths of others into their own cultivation methods.

If a Golden Core Cultivator from a sect or an Immortal Clan [a clan dedicated to the pursuit of immortality through cultivation] expounded their own Dao, it could often provide significant inspiration for the Golden Core rogue cultivators. This chapter is provided by audio‑novel.com. Support the original.

It was said that the Ancient Primordial Inscription offered ten slots for contemplation every Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years, a traditional Chinese unit of time]. According to the agreement between Celestial Lake Continent and the surrounding Immortal Realm [the world of cultivators],

aside from five slots that were pre-assigned, the top five performers in each Path Discussion Assembly would earn the opportunity to contemplate the Ancient Primordial Inscription.

With this understanding, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to Path Master Wang, a flicker of thought in his eyes. "Since there are only five slots," he inquired, his voice measured, "why would you invite us, thereby increasing your own competition?"

Patriarch Wang shook his head, a bitter smile gracing his lips. "This Ancient Primordial Inscription contains profound and esoteric principles. A cultivator can only contemplate its mysteries once in their lifetime. If it were otherwise, how could an opportunity like this ever fall to us Golden Core Cultivator? It would have been monopolized by Infant Soul True Lord long ago."

Only then did Eldrin Chen nod in understanding. Patriarch Wang continued, "I have heard whispers of the talent and insight possessed by the two of you."

"Perhaps observing your discourse on the Dao might spark some inspiration within me, increasing my chances of a breakthrough to the Infant Soul realm."

"I understand," Exquisite Jiang replied with a nod, then pondered for a moment before asking, "When will the next Discourse on the Dao at Celestial Lake Continent be held?"

"The Ancient Primordial Inscription will regain its power in three years' time. The Discourse on Celestial Lake Continent will commence then."

"To reach Celestial Lake Continent, one must cross the perilous Great Qian River," Patriarch Wang stated, then offered a warm smile. "Why not travel together to Celestial Lake Continent in three years?"

The Great Qian River, infamous alongside the Great Kun River, ranks among the most treacherous rivers spanning several great continents. Rumors even speak of a Demon Emperor dwelling within its depths, making the crossing a truly hazardous endeavor.

At this, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang exchanged a glance. Nodding in unison, Eldrin said, "Then we shall not impose further. We will meet again in three years."

"Until we meet again, then."

"…"

Watching the two depart, the Grand Elder of the Wang Clan gazed at their retreating figures, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Those two seek to purchase Origin Heavenly Crystal [a rare, high-purity crystal containing primordial spiritual energy]; I suspect their coffers of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] are far from empty."

"With your breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the Nascent Soul stage, where a cultivator's spiritual essence condenses into a miniature soul] imminent, why not seize them? Their resources might solve the problem of your next Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in the formation of a Nascent Soul]."

"Nonsense!"

The Wang Clan Patriarch [the ruling elder of the Wang family] shot a stern look and shook his head. "If they were ordinary early or mid-stage Golden Core [the Golden Core stage, where spiritual energy is condensed into a solid core] cultivators, perhaps. But these two are absolutely untouchable."

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

"You haven't been to the Ji Continent in recent years. You don't understand the weight of their reputations."

"From what I know, during the recent Beast Tide [a massive, coordinated assault by demonic beasts], they brazenly spearheaded a raid deep into Demon Race [a race of beings that cultivate demonic energy] territory. They showed not a shred of fear even when facing over a dozen powerful Demon Race Golden Core experts." Find thousands of chapters at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.