Chapter 390 : A Golden Core Alliance Forged

"Such beings, even if all thirteen of our Wang Clan Golden Core cultivators were to act together, we could not possibly subdue them. Would that not bring unforeseen calamity upon our clan?"

As he spoke, a trace of helplessness flickered in the eyes of the Wang Clan Patriarch.

The pupils of the two beside him contracted slightly. The Golden Core female cultivator exclaimed with admiration, "No wonder the clan elder specifically invited them to the Path Discussion Assembly. If these two were to personally discourse on the Dao, they might bring us considerable benefit."

The Wang Clan Patriarch also nodded, saying with a tone of awe, "That husband and wife pair are likely both Superior-Tier Golden Core cultivators. Their strength is probably among the very pinnacle within the Golden Core realm."

"For a Daoist couple to both possess the potential to become True Lord cultivators... truly enviable."

"..."

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang soared through the void.

Exquisite Jiang glanced back at the Wang Clan's territory, her gaze turning serious. "Can he be trusted?"

"There should be no issue."

Eldrin Chen replied calmly, then paused briefly. "Given our current cultivation level, he lacks the power to threaten us. Making an enemy of us would also be unwise." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio‑novel.com.

"Moreover, the Path Discussion Assembly is not a closely guarded secret. We can simply inquire with a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a solidified core of spiritual energy] from the Heavenly Star Continent to verify its truth."

"That is also true."

Exquisite Jiang also nodded, but after a moment of consideration, she added, "Let us first visit other clans to see if we can exchange for some Heavenly Crystal [a highly purified and potent form of spiritual crystal]."

"Agreed."

Following the map, the two began visiting several powerful Golden Core Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have attained the Golden Core realm] on the Heavenly Star Continent.

"..."

In the blink of an eye, more than two years passed.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, Immortal Maiden Jiang, please travel safely."

On this day, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang were seen off by an elder as they departed from the Golden Core Immortal Clan known as the Fang Clan.

After leaving the Guest Greeting Peak, Eldrin Chen looked back at the three Heavenly Crystal in his hand and said with a smile, "After two years of effort, we have finally convinced Old Man Fang to part with his Heavenly Crystal."

"Though it is a modest amount, it is at least a promising beginning," Exquisite Jiang remarked, a flicker of light in her eyes. "This Old Man Fang has lived for over eight hundred years, yet his heart still yearns for the chance to break through to the Infant Soul realm [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed]."

"If his Path [the fundamental way of cultivation and enlightenment] were not severed, he likely would never have parted with these three Heavenly Crystal [a highly purified and potent form of spiritual energy crystal] for our sake."

"Indeed, who in this world does not wish to advance one step further on their journey?"

Eldrin Chen also shook his head with a wry smile, a trace of helplessness coloring his expression.

Having spent over two years on the Heavenly Star Continent, they had visited nearly all the powerful Golden Core Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have reached the Golden Core realm] there. Yet, among these clans, only two were willing to sell their Origin Heavenly Crystal [the foundational, highest-grade Heavenly Crystals].

They paid a premium of twenty percent, expending six million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], to purchase five Heavenly Crystal from these two clans.

This Patriarch Fang was the Clan Patriarch of the third Golden Core Immortal Clan they approached. His cultivation was at the eighth layer of the Golden Core realm [the stage where a cultivator forms a solidified golden core of spiritual energy], and he had initially hoped to keep his Origin Heavenly Crystal to purchase treasures for his future Infant Soul breakthrough.

It was only after Eldrin Chen paid three successive visits that he finally persuaded the man to sell the three Origin Heavenly Crystal.

This concession came only because Patriarch Fang understood his own chances of impacting the Infant Soul realm were vanishingly slim. Otherwise, no amount of premium payment would have swayed him.

Regardless, securing eight Heavenly Crystal on the Heavenly Star Continent made the journey worthwhile. Though the cost approached ten million Spirit Stone, both of them were satisfied with the outcome.

After stowing away the Origin Heavenly Crystal [a primordial crystal of immense spiritual purity], Eldrin Chen spoke again. "Judging by the time, the Path Discussion Assembly [a grand gathering of cultivators to exchange insights and techniques] on the Celestial Lake Continent is about to commence. We should set out soon."

"Indeed, it is time to meet with Patriarch Wang," Exquisite Jiang agreed. The two immediately departed, seeking out Patriarch Wang at the Wang Clan estate.

Upon seeing them, Path Master Wang greeted them with a smile. "It seems your two years on the Heavenly Star Continent have borne fruit."

"Gathering Heavenly Crystal [a rare and potent form of spiritual crystal] is no simple task," Eldrin Chen shook his head, his tone noncommittal. "I fear it will require considerable effort in the days to come."

Unable to discern the truth behind his words, Patriarch Wang could only say, "The Path Discussion Assembly will soon begin. Let us depart."

"Agreed." This novel is serialized on audio–novel.com. Visit for updates.

The group set out together. Besides Eldrin Chen and his companion, five cultivators from the Wang Clan also journeyed to the Celestial Lake Continent.

These five were all cultivators at the mid to late Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a solidified core of spiritual energy] stage. The most prominent among them, aside from Patriarch Wang, were the Wang Clan's Grand Elder and Graceful Wang, both Golden Core experts.

As Golden Core Cultivator [a practitioner who has reached the Golden Core realm], their flight speed was tremendous. In merely two months, they traversed over five million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of mountains and rivers, arriving at the border of the Heavenly Star Continent.

Looking at the endless Vast Sea [a boundless and treacherous ocean] before them, Eldrin Chen asked, "How long will it take to cross this sea to reach the Celestial Lake Continent?"

Upon arriving before the Great Qian River, the Wang Clan Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, the third major stage of cultivation] spoke with a grave expression, "This Great Qian River is vast beyond measure, and within its waters lurks a Black Serpent Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic beast emperor]. We must proceed with utmost caution."

At the mention of the Black Serpent Demon Emperor, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. An Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a demonic beast emperor equivalent to a human Infant Soul cultivator] concealed within the river's depths meant the peril of this crossing would likely exceed their expectations.

Exquisite Jiang showed not a trace of fear. She stated calmly, "Approximately two hundred years ago, that Black Serpent Demon Emperor had its physical body destroyed by the Ji Clan. It is likely still in the critical process of reforming its fleshly form and may not dare to show itself at this time."

"Its body was destroyed?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with thought. For a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator at the Golden Core stage], reforming a physical body consumes the time of one full Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years]. For an Infant Soul Cultivator [a cultivator at the Infant Soul stage, the stage after Golden Core], the task is even more arduous, requiring five full Sixty-Year Cycle.

If the Black Serpent Demon Emperor was still in the midst of this process, it probably would not emerge to trouble them.

Hearing Exquisite Jiang's words, Path Master Wang also nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Otherwise, I would not dare to cross the Great Qian River directly. I would only dare to make the journey by relying on the Treasure Ship [a large, enchanted vessel] of the Heavenly Star Sect."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. For a Golden Core Cultivator to secure passage on the Heavenly Star Sect's Fifth Rank Treasure Ship [a high-grade enchanted vessel], one would have to pay an exorbitant fee.

Without further discussion, the group began to soar across the Great Qian River on their flying swords, heading for the opposite shore.

Though crossing the Great Qian River was perilous, their combined strength was formidable. As long as they did not encounter the Black Serpent Demon Emperor, the journey held little cause for concern.

Indeed, it turned out as expected. Although they encountered quite a few Demon Race [a race of beings with demonic bloodlines and powers] within the Great Qian River, fortunately, they did not face any obstruction from the Black Serpent Demon Emperor. The journey, in the end, was perilous but ultimately safe.

After traversing the Great Kun River, the group immediately flew towards the heart of the Celestial Lake Continent. After more than twenty days of continuous flight, they arrived at the Heavenly Lake Island, where the Path Discussion Assembly [a grand gathering of cultivators to discuss cultivation paths and exchange insights] was held.

This Celestial Lake Continent was similar to the Yan Kingdom, being a vast, sprawling lake dotted with numerous islands. However, its territory was twice as large, and due to its unique geographical position, it was classified as a separate continent.

The Heavenly Lake Island was the core of the Celestial Lake Continent. Here, a Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [a powerful, concentrated flow of spiritual energy that nourishes the land] and a Water Vein [a concentrated source of potent water-element spiritual energy] coexisted.

As Path Master Wang guided the group towards the Heavenly Lake Island, he explained while flying, "Four hundred years ago, this Celestial Lake Continent was on the verge of being carved up by several surrounding Infant Soul Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have reached the Infant Soul cultivation realm]."

"But then, Path Master Unreal rose to prominence overnight, seizing this place first..."

Through Path Master Wang's account, Eldrin Chen gained a general understanding of the situation in the Celestial Lake Continent.

Approximately over four hundred years ago, the Celestial Lake Continent's foremost rogue cultivator, Path Master Unreal, rose to power. At that time, Path Master Unreal was merely four hundred years old, yet he had already cultivated to the Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm]. Join our community of readers at audio-novel .c om.