Chapter 413 : A Forged Soul's Resolve

"Had you not had the backing of your elders, had you not possessed protective treasures, you would have long since fallen to my schemes, and the legacy of the Nascent Soul [the spiritual core formed after the Golden Core stage, representing a cultivator's true spiritual self] should rightfully have been mine."

"My only regret is that I was not born into a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a powerful clan with cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm and above]. Otherwise, in what way am I inferior to you…"

Silas Chen remained silent, his gaze calm as he watched this woman he had once considered a friend. Yet, within his eyes, there was an extraordinary, unruffled stillness.

Only after Guinevere Gu had exhausted herself with words did Silas Chen finally speak. "For that, I must thank you. You have shown me the true depths of human treachery."

"And one more thing…"

She paused, then continued, "I was not born into a supreme Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators with a long heritage and significant power]. In my youth, my clan had but one or two Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their foundation for future advancement] cultivators. I trod the path of cultivation counting every last shard of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

"Impossible!"

Guinevere Gu reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, letting out a shrill, distorted cry. "You must have been born into a Top-Tier Immortal Clan [one of the most powerful and prestigious cultivation clans], raised in silks and satins! Otherwise, how could you possess such a Deep-Seated Foundation [an exceptionally stable and profound cultivation base, crucial for future breakthroughs]?"

"Go in peace."

Silas Chen could not be bothered to reply further. With a sharp *shing*, his sword flashed out, cleaving through Guinevere Gu and leaving her lifeless upon the earth. Published by audio . novel . com. All rights reserved.

After slaying Guinevere Gu, the trio boarded Gu Clan Spirit Island. They plundered the island's treasures, purged the direct-line cultivators of the Gu Clan, and only breathed a sigh of relief after roughly eliminating the potential for future trouble.

Among Golden Core Immortal Clans, this Gu Immortal Clan was considered bottom-tier. Apart from a single Fourth Rank Spirit Vein, it possessed almost no truly precious treasures.

The Vast Sea was exceedingly distant from the Chu Kingdom, making it obvious they could not hold onto this Fourth Rank Spirit Vein. Selling it was also impossible.

The cultivators of The Vast Sea were no fools; knowing the trio would depart, they would not foolishly spend a vast sum of Spirit Stones to purchase this Fourth Rank Spirit Vein.

Eldrin Chen sighed with regret. "We have no choice but to abandon this Spirit Vein," he said.

"Letting another Immortal Clan claim this Spirit Vein also saves us the trouble of resettling the mortal populace of the Gu Clan."

Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement. It was foreseeable that with its Golden Core guardian gone, this Gu Immortal Clan would inevitably be carved up by other Immortal Clans.

Having dealt with the Gu Clan, they did not linger further in The Vast Sea.

The three of them piloted their Treasure Boat northward across The Vast Sea. They traversed millions of Li-lengths of mountain ranges, arriving at the border of The Vast Sea and coming before a vast, sprawling mountain chain.

Before them, the mountain range lay sprawled across the horizon. Within its endless, undulating peaks, auroras of magnetic light shimmered everywhere, and the very air was thick with magnetic power [a fundamental force that can attract or repel objects and energy].

Eldrin Chen surveyed the map, his brow furrowed as he spoke. "This is the Yin-Yang Magnetic Mountain Range."

"The Yin-Yang Magnetic Mountain Range?"

Lyra Jiang's pupils contracted slightly, a look of deep solemnity crossing her features.

This Yin-Yang Magnetic Mountain Range was a place of profound strangeness within the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents. The mountain range stretched for a million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], its depths filled with Magnetic Ore Earth. Combined with its unique terrain, this had ultimately given birth to the extraordinary Yin-Yang Magnetic Mountain Range.

This mountain range was saturated with Yin-Yang Magnetic Power [a powerful force that attracts and repels metal and energy]. It was said that Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] could not traverse a thousand Li-lengths, and even Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [the highest grade of enchanted artifacts] would find crossing its peaks difficult.

This meant that metal-attribute Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], such as immortal swords, often could not fly more than a thousand Li-lengths before being drawn into the mountains. Even a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [the highest grade of enchanted artifacts] would struggle to make the crossing.

While this description held some exaggeration, it revealed the terrifying nature of these magnetic mountains.

Any attempt to ride a sword through flight here would likely end within a thousand Li-lengths, the immortal sword being irresistibly pulled away, leaving its owner to watch in bitter regret as it vanished into the heart of the range.

Furthermore, the consumption of spiritual energy for sword flight here increased a hundredfold, making any attempt to cross an arduous endeavor of ten thousand difficulties.

"To the left lies the territory of the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor, and to the right are the Heaven's Spine Mountains. We cannot avoid this magnetic mountain range."

Eldrin Chen spoke as he sheathed his Flying Sword and Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. "Since we cannot channel power into our Flying Sword or Magical Treasure, we shall rely on our escape arts to traverse the distance."

"That seems to be our only option."

The three of them stored their immortal swords and Magical Treasure, then soared on beams of light, flying out from the Magnetic Mountain Range [a mountain range saturated with powerful magnetic forces].

The journey proceeded without incident. After flying for more than three months, they finally crossed the expanse of the Magnetic Mountain Range. Upon emerging on the other side, Eldrin Chen turned and gazed back for a long while.

"What is it?" asked Lyra Jiang.

Eldrin Chen's expression was calm. "I observe this magnetic force erupting endlessly. It could perhaps be forged into a treasure that would shake the world." This chapter is provided by audio-novel-dot-com. Support the original.

"The magnetic power here is indeed extraordinary. It truly might be possible to refine a superior-grade magnetic spiritual treasure," Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement, believing this mountain range was a heaven-sent place for treasure crafting.

"A pity our current strength is insufficient to harness it."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. He summoned the Green Sun Treasure Boat and, with the other two aboard, set course for the Chu Kingdom.

Having crossed the Magnetic Mountain Range, they had now entered the fringes of the Demonic Tribe Territory. This region lay on the borderlands, far from any Nascent Soul Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beasts who has reached the Nascent Soul Realm], so they could travel with relative safety.

After flying for several million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], they finally entered the territory of Ji Continent. Once within Ji Continent, their safety increased significantly.

The group flew for over a month more before finally returning to their clan.

Upon returning to the clan, Eldrin Chen immediately went to Pingyang City to find Old Patriarch.

"You have returned."

"Was the journey smooth?"

In the courtyard within Pingyang City, the grandfather and grandson sat close and talked at length, recounting the experiences of the past thirty years.

Chen Thalion listened with a sense of yearning and marvel, saying, "These years of trials will greatly benefit your future cultivation."

"I imagine Silas has grown a great deal from this experience."

"Indeed, one can see she has changed considerably."

Eldrin Chen nodded. Silas Chen's nature was gentle yet resilient. Previously, having never witnessed the ugliness of the mortal world, her grasp of human hearts had been somewhat lacking.

After this incident, Silas Chen's methods of handling affairs were bound to become sharper and more decisive, unlike the indecisiveness of his former days.

Suppressing his thoughts, Eldrin Chen asked with a smile, "How has the clan fared in recent years?"

"Many in the clan have attempted to break through to the Golden Core realm in these years. A few years ago, Caleb made his second attempt to form his Golden Core, but he failed once more."

"Your Aunt Elara also failed in her first attempt to form her Golden Core, even after consuming a Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious elixir that aids in the formation of a cultivator's Golden Core]."

The Old Patriarch shook his head with a sigh. Caleb Chen's natural talent was actually quite good, but achieving a Golden Core breakthrough often requires the perfect alignment of timing, favorable conditions, and personal readiness. A slight misstep leading to failure is not uncommon.

Since Caleb Chen had failed his breakthrough twice in a row despite using Golden Core Formation Pills, even if he succeeded on his next attempt, he would be burdened with debt for many years to come.

Setting aside the matter of Caleb Chen, the Old Granduncle continued, "Your Aunt Elara has a gentle disposition, and her foundation is somewhat lacking. In my view, even with multiple Golden Core Formation Pills, her hope of forming a Golden Core is likely slim."

Eldrin Chen understood the Old Patriarch's implication: should they conserve these precious resources for others with greater need and potential?

Currently, the number of Purple Mansion Cultivators [cultivators who have established their spiritual core within the Purple Mansion realm] within the clan had surpassed forty. Among them were many talents who had achieved Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [reaching the Foundation Establishment realm without external elixirs], and even some who had broken through to the Purple Mansion realm on their own. These individuals would also require Golden Core Formation Pills in the future. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel*com.