Chapter 406 : A Glimpse of the Vast Sea

"So you are a senior from another continent."

A look of delight appeared on Xu Alistair's face, and he began to introduce the situation to Eldrin Chen.

Through Xu Alistair's explanation, Eldrin Chen gained some understanding of the circumstances within The Vast Sea. The most powerful force of the Human Race in this region was the Spirit Island Alliance.

Similar to the Heaven's Ruin Alliance, the Spirit Island Alliance was a mutual defense and assistance coalition, formed by the union of Rogue Cultivators and families from across the Human Race within The Vast Sea.

Eldrin Chen had gleaned a rough idea of its strength from his time on Yellow Wood Island, but it was from Xu Alistair's own words that he learned the true extent of the Spirit Island Alliance's power.

The Spirit Island Alliance boasted a total of seventy-one Golden Core Cultivators. Among them, there were as many as nine powerful True Persons who had reached the Golden Core, Late Stage.

The Alliance Leader of the Spirit Island Alliance was known as Lord Alaric of the Frostbitten Expanse. This individual was a cultivator with an Heavenly Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of the highest innate quality] and was said to have forged a Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core foundation]. With his strength at the False Nascent Soul realm [a state approaching but not yet fully reaching the Nascent Soul realm], he was considered exceptionally powerful even among the many formidable figures within the Spirit Island Alliance.

Mentioning Lord Alaric, Xu Alistair's face filled with admiration as he said, "Our Lord Alaric of the Frostbitten Expanse was born a seed of the Dao, his talent rare even under heaven."

"He achieved Foundation Establishment at twenty, Purple Mansion at fifty, and broke through to the Golden Core realm through his own efforts before reaching two hundred years of age. Now, having broken into the False Nascent Soul Realm, he is merely five hundred years old."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. Such natural talent was indeed rare; the potential of this Lord Alaric likely did not fall short of Yvonne the Violet Consort's. Find this and other novels at @udio-novel.com.

After gaining a preliminary understanding of the Spirit Island Alliance, Eldrin Chen inquired about the ruins of the Vast Sea Chen Clan: "Even beyond the The Vast Sea [the vast and mysterious ocean region], I have heard tales of Nascent Soul [the spiritual core formed after the Golden Core stage] ruins within its depths."

"I came hoping to witness them for myself. I wonder if these rumors hold any truth."

Xu Alistair exchanged a glance with Xu Corin beside him. After a moment's contemplation, he replied, "The legend of the Chen Clan's Celestial Vault Isle does indeed exist. However, that isle has long since sunk into the profound depths of the The Vast Sea."

"We know its approximate location, but despite years of searching, we have never found it. We cannot be certain if the marked location is accurate."

Seeing that he had no concrete information, Eldrin Chen nodded and asked, "Might I have a copy of the map?"

"How could we refuse?"

Xu Alistair promptly produced a map, marked the suspected location of the Celestial Vault Isle, and handed it to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen glanced at the map and gave a calm nod. Such a map could not easily be falsified; a few inquiries among other Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have established their spiritual foundation within the Purple Mansion realm] would quickly reveal any discrepancies.

Storing the map away, Eldrin Chen inquired, "Within the The Vast Sea, are there suitable places for a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator whose spiritual energy has coalesced into a solid Golden Core] to reside temporarily?"

"Does the Senior wish to lease a Fourth Rank [a grade denoting power or quality equivalent to the Golden Core realm] Cultivation Cave [a secluded abode imbued with spiritual energy for cultivation]?" asked Xu Alistair. Seeing Eldrin Chen's affirmation, he smiled and said, "Three million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to the east lies the Ethereal Void Island, an Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy] specifically designated for lease to Rogue Cultivator [cultivators not affiliated with any major clan or sect]."

"We have no Golden Core Rogue Cultivators in The Vast Sea who possess a Fourth Rank Spirit Vein [a high-grade spiritual energy source]; most merely find temporary refuge there."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen glanced at the map and casually tossed a Jade Vial containing a Pill to him. "We appreciate you guiding the way."

Grasping the Jade Vial, Xu Alistair's face lit up with delight, and he promptly rose to his feet.

"Esteemed Seniors, please follow me."

The group boarded the Green Sun Treasure Boat [a flying vessel enchanted with solar energy]. Guided by the two men, they reached Ethereal Void Island in a mere dozen or so days.

Upon arriving at Ethereal Void Island, Eldrin Chen immediately rented a Fourth Rank Cultivation Cave [a cave dwelling imbued with potent spiritual energy suitable for high-level cultivation] and commenced a period of secluded cultivation.

It had been several years since his breakthrough to the Golden Core, Mid Stage. Despite his travels, he had never neglected his cultivation; his spiritual power [the refined energy cultivated by practitioners] had now reached a state of perfect harmony. Seizing this opportunity, he aimed to advance directly to the Golden Core, 5th Tier.

This period of seclusion lasted for three months before Eldrin Chen finally emerged from the Seclusion Chamber.

Seeing him exit, Lyra Jiang immediately inquired, "How do you feel?"

"It went rather smoothly."

Eldrin Chen replied with a faint smile. There had been no bottleneck in his breakthrough to the Golden Core, 5th Tier [the fifth major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual power condenses into a solid, golden core]; it had felt like water flowing naturally into its channel.

Seeing his confirmation, Lyra Jiang smiled and said, "It seems that after we return to the Chu Kingdom, we should start planning how to obtain a Cloud-Returning Creation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in the formation of a Nascent Soul] for you."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave an inscrutable smile. "While I was in seclusion, did anything significant happen?"

"There is one matter," Lyra Jiang paused before continuing. "It is said that not long ago, a female cultivator inadvertently obtained part of the legacy of the Vast Sea Chen Clan. Now, both the Demonic Monsters [malevolent beings that cultivate through demonic or bestial means] and the Demonic Tribe [organized factions of demonic beings] are hunting her across the lands."

"Oh?" Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel . com.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with interest. He immediately stood up. "Let us go and investigate as well."

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang nodded. A partial inheritance from a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan with cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm, the sixth major stage] would surely tempt even Golden Core Cultivators [practitioners at the fifth major realm], not to mention the possibility of clues regarding Celestial Vault Isle.

Having made their decision, the pair did not linger on Ethereal Void Island. That very day, they took flight towards the seas near Celestial Vault Isle.

Simultaneously, upon a vast expanse of ocean millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away.

Four streaks of light pursued a single fleeing figure across the sky, finally encircling their quarry within the void.

"Little girl, where else can you run?"

"Hand over the Nascent Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a higher state of being] legacy treasure, and this old man will grant you an intact corpse today."

A Black-Robed Elder sneered and struck, raising his hand to unleash a set of pitch-black Formation Flags [enchanted banners used to establish and power magical formations] that enveloped the surrounding void.

The woman encircled at the center possessed a graceful figure and cultivation at the lofty False Core Realm [a pseudo-core state, powerful but not a true Golden Core]. Yet, at this moment, her brow was furrowed, revealing a grave expression.

"That Black-Robed Elder is a Golden Core, Early Stage [the foundational golden spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses malevolent or corrupt methods to gain power]. The remaining three old Demonic Cultivator are also at Purple Palace, Late Stage [the late stage of the Purple Mansion realm, a major cultivation stage] or above."

"Is it truly time to use that move?"

Seeing the woman hesitate, the Black-Robed Elder let out a cruel laugh and summoned a massive hand woven from Demonic Qi [corrupt spiritual energy used by demonic practitioners] to seize her.

The woman's gaze sharpened. From between her brows, a radiant, golden pearl shot forth, erupting with blazing flames that held the Black-Robed Elder at bay.

"The Blazing Flame Gold Pearl [a powerful enchanted artifact], what a fine treasure."

The Golden Core Elder Demon [a powerful demonic cultivator at the Golden Core stage] revealed a look of greed and hastily beckoned to several Purple Mansion Demonic Fiend [demonic cultivators at the Purple Mansion stage], saying, "Attack, swiftly!"

As the several fiends closed in for the assault, the woman gritted her silver teeth, a resolute expression settling upon her features.

She raised her hand and unleashed a Spirit Talisman [a paper charm imbued with spiritual power]. It erupted with a dazzling blaze of Pure Yang fire, instantly igniting and consuming the Formation Flags [banners used to anchor a magical formation]. In the blink of an eye, they were reduced to ashes.

"Solar True Flame [the supreme, purifying fire of the sun]!" The Golden Core Elder Demon let out a shrill, agonized scream. "Ah, my Demonic Treasure [a treasure forged with demonic arts]!"

The remaining three Purple Mansion Demonic Fiend [demonic cultivators at the Purple Mansion stage], though their cultivation was not weak, were each turned into a human torch by the Solar True Flame. Their own Demonic Qi [demonic energy] became fuel for the holy flames, impossible to extinguish.

Witnessing the devastating might of the Solar True Flame, the Golden Core Elder Demon cried out in alarm, "A Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [a treasure of Golden Core grade], and the Solar True Flame... Just who are you?"

"Go ask in the Netherworld Underworld [the realm of the dead]."

The woman's gaze sharpened. With ruthless intent, she unleashed yet another talisman, this one radiating with a brilliant, piercing light.

The moment he saw that Spirit Talisman, the Golden Core Elder Demon's face twisted in utter despair. He scrambled to flee in a panic. "A Great Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique]! The Dual Polarity Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique of opposing forces]!"

"No—"

In a single Ksana-time [an infinitesimal unit of time], a divine thunderbolt, a fusion of crimson and azure, descended. Its speed was like that of the Star-Chasing Moon-Pursuing technique, utterly unavoidable. With a single strike, it reduced the physical body of the Golden Core Elder Demon to ashes of the tribulation.

Having slain the four elder fiends, the woman, her face pale, drew in a deep, ragged breath.

She swiftly collected the Storage Bag [a spatial pouch used by cultivators to store items]. Without a moment to spare for looting the battlefield, she immediately fled into the distance. Continue reading this story at audio_novel.com.