Chapter 405 : Sword Light Descends, Demonic Crocodile Slain

"A Purple Mansion Great Demon [a powerful demonic beast equivalent to a human Purple Mansion Realm cultivator]."

As this thought crossed his mind, the leading Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their foundational cultivation base] also revealed a look of utter despair.

"The nearest Purple Mansion Ancestor [an elder cultivator of the Purple Mansion Realm] is far beyond ten thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away. Who can come to save us? Who will save my people of Yellow Wood Island?"

"Hmm—"

At that very moment, a clear sword hum resonated. Everyone saw a dazzling black-gold sword aura [a solidified manifestation of sword intent and energy] streaking across the sky from the horizon's edge.

The moment it saw that sword light, the Purple Mansion [a major cultivation realm focused on opening and refining the spiritual mansion within] demonic crocodile revealed a look of sheer terror. It frantically tried to flee into the water, but compared to the speed of the sword light, it was as slow as an ant.

With a sharp *clang*, the sword light, brilliant as a comet, its unparalleled sharpness cleaving through the sky, pierced and pinned the Purple Mansion Demonic Crocodile [a crocodile demon beast of Purple Mansion Realm strength] in mid-air with another resonant *clang*.

Immediately after, two more streaks of sword light flew over, transforming in an instant into two figures descending from the heavens.

Eldrin Chen tread upon the void, casually retrieving the Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword [a powerful sword artifact renowned for slaying demons] and then collecting the Demonic Core [the condensed energy core of a demonic beast, valuable for cultivation].

Only after he finished all this did the Human Race on the island react. Visit *audio-novel.com* to enjoy the complete series.

The leading Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their foundational cultivation base] revealed an expression of wild joy, hurriedly deactivated the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and runes for defense or other purposes], and exclaimed with immense relief, "Quickly, quickly! A Golden Core Ancestor [a supreme elder who has condensed a Golden Core, the pinnacle of power in this region] has come to our rescue. We must go out at once to welcome them."

As he spoke, the cultivator led a group forward and prostrated themselves on the ground in profound gratitude.

Gazing at Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang with the overwhelming joy of one who has narrowly escaped death, he said, "This junior is Huang Riverius, master of Yellow Wood Island. I kowtow in thanks for the Ancient Ancestor's [a venerable title for a senior, high-ranking cultivator] life-saving grace."

"Rise," came the reply.

Seeing the crowd kneeling before him, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve, using a gentle force of Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things] to lift them all to their feet.

He and Lyra Jiang descended onto the Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy, suitable for cultivation]. Huang Riverius followed closely behind, his voice trembling with emotion. "This junior sent the distress talisman barely half an hour ago. I had only dared hope for one or two Purple Mansion Ancestors [powerful cultivators who have opened their Purple Mansion, a higher realm of cultivation] to respond."

"To think that two True Persons [an honorific title for Golden Core cultivators] would arrive... this is truly the greatest fortune for my Yellow Wood Island."

"A distress talisman?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a hint of understanding. He spoke calmly, "We were merely passing by."

"Passing by?" Huang Muhe's expression froze in surprise. "Could it be... the Seniors are not True Persons from the Spirit Island Alliance?"

Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] nodded calmly and asked, "What is the Spirit Island Alliance [an alliance of cultivators from numerous spirit islands]?"

Huang Muhe [the local cultivator] snapped to attention and hurriedly explained, "The Spirit Island Alliance is a coalition formed by the Human Race [human cultivators] of the The Vast Sea [the Vast Sea region] to resist the Demonic Monsters [demonic beasts and fiends]."

"It was initiated by several dozen Golden Core True Person [Golden Core Realm masters] and is a union of over ten thousand Spirit Island [islands imbued with spiritual energy]."

"I understand," Eldrin Chen [Eldrin of the Chen Clan] nodded, his tone even. "You are saying that the Spirit Island Alliance will send high-ranking cultivators for support?"

"Yes. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they should arrive within half a day."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang and then said, "When he arrives, bring him to see me."

Somewhat fatigued from their journey, Eldrin Chen decided to rest and recuperate on Yellow Wood Island [an island known for its yellow wood].

With time to spare, the two of them took a stroll around Yellow Wood Island, using the opportunity to survey the environment of The Vast Sea.

There was nothing particularly remarkable about Yellow Wood Island; it was primarily known for producing first and second rank yellow wood, a material well-suited for crafting War Treasure Boat [large, fortified vessels used for warfare and transport by cultivators].

The few Fourth Rank [Golden Core grade] War Treasure Boat owned by the Heaven's Ruin Alliance [the Heaven's Ruin Mountain Alliance] primarily used Verdant Leaf Bamboo [a type of spirit bamboo] for their construction. Strictly speaking, Verdant Leaf Bamboo was more suited for forging Flying Sword [swords used for flight and combat by cultivators], whereas this yellow wood was actually the more appropriate material for the treasure boats.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke, "We should acquire some Yellow Wood seeds later. Let's gather seeds from the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World while we are here."

"That would be wise."

Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement, then gazed towards The Vast Sea and remarked, "The Water Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated water-element spiritual energy] here in The Vast Sea is highly unusual."

"Have you sensed it as well?" Eldrin Chen also furrowed his brow. "The Water Essence Power [the fundamental energy of the water element] here is abnormally abundant. In terms of its potency, it is likely the most powerful we have ever encountered in our lives."

"Even the Fifth Rank Water Vein within the Heavenly Lake Continent does not contain one-tenth of the Water Essence Power found here."

"It appears this place far surpasses a mere Fifth Rank Water Vein. It seems close to the legendary Ancestral Veins, yet it also feels as if it was severed by some supreme, unimaginable power." Support the author by reading on audio‑novel.com.

As he spoke these words, a look of awe and trepidation flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes.

He and Lyra Jiang exchanged a glance, both giving a slight, knowing nod. Their suspicions were startlingly aligned.

Within the Eastern Wastelands, Sixth Rank Ancestral Veins [the primordial, highest-grade spiritual energy channels of the world] could be counted on one hand. Among the water-element Ancestral Veins were the 'Eastern Wilderness Ancestral River' and the 'Vast and Boundless Marsh'.

The Eastern Wilderness Ancestral River was the Purple Realm's greatest river, the Ronan. Its source and its delta each nurtured one Sixth Rank Ancestral Vein of the Water Vein type.

Its source Water Vein [a subterranean channel rich in water-attuned spiritual energy] was occupied by the Human Race 'Riverlord Chang', while the sixth-rank Water Vein at its downstream estuary fell into the hands of the Crocodile Progenitor.

The Vast and Boundless Marsh is also one of the ancestral water veins within the Eastern Wastelands, stretching for hundreds of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. It has nurtured endless Demonic Tribe [tribes of sentient demonic beasts] and is even the lair of the ancient true dragon, Black Dragon Dao Lord [a title for a supreme master of the Dao], a testament to its formidable nature.

The The Vast Sea [a specific, named great lake] is one of the seven great freshwater lakes of the Eastern Wastelands, spanning over ten million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. It was once suspected to be on the verge of ascending to an ancestral-grade vein.

However, the location of The Vast Sea was most unfortunate—it lay not far from the Vast and Boundless Marsh. Had it successfully ascended and given birth to a Human Race Sacred Land [a place of immense spiritual power and significance], how could the Black Dragon True Lord [a title for a master cultivator] possibly have tolerated it?

In comparison, even if the Ji Clan Patriarch were to break through to Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a master who has formed their Nascent Soul and comprehended the Dao], the Eastern Wastelands lacks any spare sixth-rank Spirit Vein [a geological formation that concentrates and emits spiritual energy]. Thus, it is likely he would be forced to retreat back to the Eastern Sea Coast.

Without the presence of a sixth-rank Spirit Vein and Earth Vein [a subterranean channel rich in earth-attuned spiritual energy], even upon achieving the Nascent Soul Dao Lord realm, he could not remain long within the Ji Continent.

For the Black Dragon Dao Lord, the threat posed by The Vast Sea would have been far greater.

"The Black Dragon Demon Progenitor [the progenitor of the Black Dragon demonic lineage] is truly a master strategist,"

"Striking not at all until the moment is ripe, then acting with thunderous finality, severing an ancestral vein on the very cusp of its ascension."

Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly. A single decision had sealed the fate of a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan powerful enough to have Nascent Soul realm cultivators], reducing a once-prosperous Cultivation World [a region defined by its cultivation practices and spiritual laws] to such desolation.

The fury of a true dragon, glimpsed even in part, is a sight to behold. It is likely that not even a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator whose soul has ascended to a nascent, independent state] could stand in its way.

Suppressing the awe in their hearts, the two of them set aside their swirling thoughts. Eldrin Chen then spoke with a smile, "Over these years, my mana has gradually become more harmonious and complete. In the coming days, let us seek out a Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] and see if I can attempt a breakthrough to the Golden Core, 5th Tier [the fifth layer of the Golden Core realm, where one's spiritual essence condenses into a radiant, durable core].

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang also revealed a smile. It had been one hundred and twenty years since Eldrin Chen first formed his Golden Core [the solidified core of spiritual power within a high-level cultivator]. To advance to the fifth layer of the Golden Core realm in such a relatively short span of time could indeed be considered remarkably swift progress.

The pair returned to the main hall and began to meditate, circulating and harmonizing their mana.

Not long after, two figures flew onto Spirit Lake Island. Their expressions shifted dramatically as they beheld the cultivators laboring to move the carcass of the Demonic Crocodile [a powerful, monstrous reptile infused with demonic energy].

After learning of the situation, they hurried to the grand hall on Yellow Wood Island and spoke with utmost deference.

"We are of the Xu lineage from the Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy, often used as cultivation bases] Alliance. Xu Alistair and Xu Corin seek an audience with the two True Persons [a respectful title for Golden Core cultivators]."

"Enter."

Upon entering the hall, Xu Alistair stole a discreet glance at the two figures seated at the head of the room before immediately bowing deeply. "We offer our deepest gratitude, Seniors, for your intervention in slaying the great demon. This junior is eternally in your debt."

"Hmm," Eldrin Chen nodded with a faint smile. "We have journeyed from beyond The Vast Sea and are newly arrived in this part of the Cultivation World [the world where practitioners cultivate spiritual power and pursue immortality]. Please, enlighten us regarding the local factions and power structures." This chapter appears courtesy of audio–novel.com.