Chapter 411 : The Golden Core Ascension

Since exploring the ruins was not an option, Eldrin Chen had no intention of lingering in The Vast Sea.

He glanced at Silas Chen and spoke, "I plan to return to Ji Continent. Will you be returning with us?"

Silas Chen's expression was conflicted, but she nodded and said, "My training journey this time has been sufficient. Once my injuries are healed, I can attempt my breakthrough into the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, radiant core] realm."

"There's no need for you to wait. First, recover from your injuries, then gather your momentum and break through to the Golden Core realm in one go."

Lyra Jiang's eyes flickered. She took out a Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill [a high-grade elixir that restores vitality and dispels lingering negative energies or curses] and handed it to her, saying, "A nobleman may wait ten years for revenge, but a lady's vengeance knows no delay. When the time comes, I will take you to settle the score."

"You focus on slaying that Guinevere Gu. Should anyone dare stand in your way, I will cut them down for you."

"Th-thank you, Aunt Lyra."

This caused Silas Chen to pause for a moment. Her breathing grew slightly hurried, as if she was at a loss, and she finally spoke the words aloud.

With the Yang-Returning Calamity-Dispelling Pill in hand, Silas Chen spent three months fully recovering from her injuries before entering seclusion to attempt her breakthrough into the Golden Core realm.

As there was no Fourth Rank Spirit Vein [a location where the earth's spiritual energy converges and concentrates, suitable for Golden Core realm cultivation] here, Eldrin Chen even took out an Origin Heaven Crystal [a crystal of immense purity that contains not only vast spiritual energy but also traces of primordial origin power]. Compared to Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], the Origin Heaven Crystal contained not only vastly greater energy but also that vital essence of origin. The complete novel can be found at audio~novel.com.

This object is of utmost preciousness; even a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a solidified core of spiritual power] would be reluctant to absorb it. If Silas Chen could use one during his breakthrough to the Golden Core [the solidified core stage of cultivation] realm, it would undoubtedly increase his chances of success by several degrees.

However, should the breakthrough fail, the additional waste of an Origin Heaven Crystal [a crystal containing concentrated primordial heavenly essence] would be a cost severe enough to cripple the resources of many a Golden Core Cultivator.

Silas Chen's breakthrough to the Golden Core realm lasted a full three months, culminating in a successful ascension.

As the Tribulation Clouds [ominous clouds that gather to unleash heavenly punishment upon cultivators attempting to advance] began to churn in the sky above, Eldrin Chen let out a slight sigh of relief.

When Silas Chen broke through to the Purple Mansion [the stage where a cultivator's spiritual consciousness resides in a refined internal palace] realm, the process had consumed a significant amount of time. Now, achieving the Golden Core realm in two consecutive breakthroughs, she had effectively reclaimed all the time she had lost.

This girl was twelve years younger than Eldrin Chen, not yet two hundred and eighty years old. To break through to Golden Core at such an age, and moreover to forge a Middle Golden Core [a Golden Core of solid, above-average quality], meant her future potential would likely not be inferior to that of a prodigy like Astrael.

Most crucially, during this journey of hers, she had recovered treasures for the clan such as Earth Mother Qi [the primordial, nurturing essence of the earth] and Fire Vein Treasure Jade [a precious jade formed within a fire elemental vein]. These treasures would be of great use to Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang.

Henceforth, this immense sum of Merit Points [points earned for contributions within a clan or sect, redeemable for resources] would fall into her hands, ensuring her cultivation path would be smooth. In the future, should any Nascent Soul Formation Treasure [a rare treasure that aids in forming the Nascent Soul] appear, she would naturally be among the first to receive it.

Thunder roared incessantly in the heavens. Fortunately, Silas Chen possessed no shortage of Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], and was guarded by the Blazing Flame Gold Pearl, a Fourth Rank Defensive Magical Treasure [a powerful defensive artifact]. Thus, she managed to pass through the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's strength and resolve] with nothing more than a fright.

Having survived the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Silas descended from the sky. "Uncle Eldrin," she said with joy, "I succeeded."

"Not bad at all."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, reaching out to pat her head. "Let us go and seek vengeance."

In a southeastern corner of The Vast Sea, a majestic Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy] stood firm between heaven and earth.

Upon the Spirit Island, several figures of extraordinary bearing were gathered. At their head was none other than Lord Alaric of the Frostbitten Expanse.

To one side, a Black-Robed Elder was attending to the guests with wine, while a beautiful woman clad in a sheer azure gauze gown poured tea from a delicate cup.

The woman's gauzy attire was revealing, the translucent fabric lending a hazy, alluring beauty to her form. It hinted at a snow-white, graceful figure, possessing an indescribable charm.

Now, wearing a pitiable expression that could melt a heart of stone, she sobbed, "Back then, that Silas Chen hoarded the treasure all for himself. It was only out of bitter resentment that I passed the information along."

"Now that wretch has climbed to a higher branch. She will most certainly come for revenge. I beg you, honored Ancient Ancestors [venerable, high-ranking cultivators], to uphold justice for me."

As the woman spoke, she swayed, seemingly about to collapse into Lord Alaric of the Frostbitten Expanse's arms.

Yet in that very instant, Alaric the True Person [a title for a Golden Core realm cultivator]'s gaze turned icy. With a flick of his sleeve, he sent her tumbling away.

In an instant, the atmosphere grew still. The Black-Robed Elder, seeing the young woman's face turn deathly pale, hastily rose to his feet and rebuked her, "You foolish girl! Do you dare to use seduction arts in the presence of a figure such as Lord Alaric of the Frostbitten Expanse?"

"Get out of my sight at once!"

"Yes, yes, of course."

Guinevere Gu's expression shifted slightly, and she retreated with the haste of one relieved of a great burden.

After she had departed, the Black-Robed Elder offered an apology, "My daughter lacks proper decorum. I beg your forgiveness, Alliance Leader."

"There is no need for such formality." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio—novel.com.

Lord Alaric of the Frostbitten Expanse offered a faint smile, granting this Golden Core True Person a measure of face.

Seeing that Alaric the True Person did not pursue the matter, the Black-Robed Elder quickly rose again to ask, "Dare I inquire, True Person, will those two truly come?"

"With their level of supreme Golden Core cultivation, the entire The Vast Sea is theirs to traverse as they please."

Lord Alaric of the Frostbitten Expanse took a sip of tea and stated calmly, "Slaying Guinevere Gu would be the work of a mere moment—a feat none of us could hope to prevent."

"What is to be done?" The Gu Clan Golden Core cultivator's face paled with terror. He clutched at Lord Alaric of the Frostbitten Expanse's sleeve and pleaded, "She is my only daughter, and the one within our Gu Clan most likely to achieve a Golden Core breakthrough."

"I beseech you, Alliance Leader, for the sake of our alliance, save my daughter's life."

"Hmph—"

Lord Alaric of the Frostbitten Expanse let out a cold snort and set his teacup down.

His gaze was calm as he stared into the distant void, his voice detached. "I came for the Earth Mother Qi [the primordial essence of the earth, a supreme treasure for cultivation]. I will not leave empty-handed."

At that very moment, at the farthest reach of his vision, three streaks of light tore through the void, arriving before them in the blink of an eye.

The trio halted before the Gu Clan Spirit Island, standing silently in the empty air.

Eldrin Chen cast a glance towards the island, then fixed his eyes on Alaric the True Person. "Do you intend to stand in my way?"

Alaric the True Person stepped forward calmly, his tone unperturbed. "The Earth Mother Qi is of paramount importance. Hand it over, and I shall depart immediately."

"Then there is nothing more to discuss."

Eldrin Chen spoke with icy detachment, his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords soaring into the heavens from his grasp.

Yet, at that very moment, from the distant void, a pristine white crane approached. Its form was ethereal and elegant, its bearing transcendent and unearthly, carrying an aura of immortal grace and profound cultivation.

"Celestial Crane Demon King?"

Lyra Jiang's eyes turned frosty. This crane before them was actually a powerful Demonic Beast cultivator at the False Nascent Soul realm [a state just below the true Nascent Soul realm, possessing immense power but not the full transcendence].

Watching this mightiest Demon King of The Vast Sea arrive, a glint of cold intent flashed in Eldrin Chen's gaze. "You have colluded with the Demonic Tribe?"

"If I can forge an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul formed by aligning with the Dao of the Earth, a powerful but specific path], what does colluding with the Demonic Tribe matter?" Alaric the True Person replied coldly, not bothering to hide his words even with the Celestial Crane Demon King present. "Once I break through to Nascent Soul, The Vast Sea will naturally bow to me alone."

"Even if the Celestial Crane Demon King and the Blood-Robed Ancient Ancestor were to break through to Nascent Soul, they would still have to join forces to oppose this venerable one."

As he spoke, his gaze fixed on Eldrin Chen. "If you truly care for the Human Race of The Vast Sea, you should hand over the Earthly Dao Essence [a profound spiritual substance containing the essence of the Earthly Dao] to me."

"Hah—"

Lyra Jiang let out a cold laugh, her Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword cleaving through the air toward him without another word.

The Celestial Crane Demon King cast a glance at Alaric the True Person and spoke with icy detachment, "As agreed beforehand, the Earth Mother Qi [the primordial essence of the earth] is yours, and the Fire Vein Treasure Jade [a precious jade formed within a fire element vein] is mine. Do not go back on your word."

In the space of a single breath, the two sides clashed.

Eldrin Chen engaged the Celestial Crane Demon King in single combat. His Heavenly Separated Twin Swords weaved a deadly dance, and the Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword descended again and again with peerless, razor-sharp intent. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel .c om.