Chapter 407 : The Pursuit of Celestial Legacy

Not long after her departure, several powerful demonic beasts gave chase. A White Serpent Demon King with vertically slitted pupils spoke, its expression grave: "She actually managed to slay Old Demon Gu. It seems we cannot underestimate her."

Another Great Roc Demon King, its wings like verdant gold, beat its wings and spoke coldly: "The legacy treasure of an Infant Soul cultivator is of immeasurable value. Perhaps she obtained the means to kill him from within that very treasure."

"The preciousness of an Infant Soul legacy treasure goes without saying. What's more, it might even contain clues regarding Celestial Dome Island."

A blood-robed Demonic Cultivator nodded, his gaze icy. "Such a weighty treasure must never fall into the hands of the Human Race. Let us join forces and eliminate her."

"Then let us act."

As their words faded, the figures transformed into streaks of brilliant light and pursued.

"..."

Elsewhere, the Green Sun Treasure Ark sailed through the void, heading towards Celestial Dome Island.

At that very moment, Eldrin Chen suddenly opened his eyes, a look of deep concern flashing across his face.

"What is it?" Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel dot com.

Beside him, Exquisite Jiang noticed his troubled expression and inquired with concern.

Eldrin Chen was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the distant void. "When Silas embarked on her journey of tempering," he said, "I gave her three Spirit Talismans [enchanted slips of paper or jade that release a pre-stored spell when activated]."

"Just now, I sensed that she has used two of them."

Exquisite Jiang's expression shifted. Using two Fourth-Rank Spirit Talismans [talismans of power equivalent to the Golden Core realm] in a single battle meant it must have been a fierce and desperate fight.

Thinking this, Exquisite Jiang reminded him, "Since you could sense it, she must be within a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of us."

"I recall that every Chen Clan Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, the third major realm] carries several Mother-Child Soul-Tracking Tokens [paired magical tokens that allow the holder of the 'mother' token to sense the direction and approximate status of the 'child' token]."

"Correct."

Prompted by Exquisite Jiang, Eldrin Chen immediately realized. Indeed, all Chen Clan Violet Sanctum Cultivator and important Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the second major cultivation realm] were issued Mother-Child Soul-Tracking Tokens.

Silas Chen, as a seed disciple being groomed for the Middle-Tier Golden Core [the middle stage of the fourth major cultivation realm], carried several such tokens. The corresponding 'mother' tokens for these were held at Green Chariot Mountain, Spirit Isle Lake, and by several of the clan's Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators of the fourth major realm].

Eldrin Chen searched through his Storage Bag [a spatial treasure, often a pouch or ring, that can hold items in an extradimensional space] and indeed found one of the 'mother' tokens for Silas Chen's Mother-Child Soul-Tracking Tokens.

This Mother-Child Soul-Tracking Token [a magical artifact that can sense the location of a linked token] was of the Third Rank Superior Grade [a high-quality tier within the third rank of magical items]. It could sense the position of a clan member within a range of one million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. As Eldrin Chen channeled his energy into it, he indeed sensed the location of the linked child token.

"It's actually nine hundred thousand Li-length away," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen nearly broke into a cold sweat. Had it been another one hundred thousand Li-length farther, they might have missed each other completely.

Having pinpointed the child token's location, he didn't even bother activating the Green Sun Treasure Ark [a flying treasure shaped like an ark]. Instead, he merged his body with his sword, becoming one with the blade, and shot forward, guided solely by the mother token's pull.

A supreme-grade Immortal Sword [a sword of legendary quality used by powerful immortals] could chase the stars and overtake the moon, traversing three hundred thousand Li-length in a single day. He would find her in just a few days.

"..."

Deep within the Vast Sea, on a desolate island, a beautiful woman clad in verdant robes leaned against the wall of a cavern, gasping for breath.

She slumped against the barren rock, her face pale as parchment. Clutching a damaged, ancient cauldron in her hand, she whispered, "Senior, do you think I still have a chance to survive?"

"Your spiritual energy is exhausted, and your Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and elixirs are nearly gone. I fear your chances are slim," a voice emanated from the cauldron.

The damaged cauldron was forged from blue-gold metal, emitting a translucent, Glazed-like radiance. Intricate Spiritual Treasure Formation Patterns [magical arrays inscribed on treasures] adorned its surface, faintly whispering of its former glory.

However, it appeared to have been shattered by some irresistible force, now reduced to a mere third of its original form, its former divine majesty utterly lost.

"Now, the demon and fiend races have gathered several dozen Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power] demons and fiends. They are scouring this sea region for you and have already surrounded it."

"Although you have temporarily concealed your aura, high-level demons possess extraordinary methods. They will find you sooner or later."

"Even if a Human Race Golden Core Cultivator [a human cultivator who has reached the Golden Core stage] came to aid, they would most likely covet the Infant Soul [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one nurtures a nascent spiritual soul] legacy treasure in your possession."

"You have only one path: surrender the treasure. Perhaps then you might retain a sliver of hope for survival."

Seeing the broken cauldron speak thus, the woman gritted her teeth, a flash of defiance in her eyes, and shook her head. "The Earth Mother Energy [a profound, nurturing spiritual essence associated with the earth] is crucial for his cultivation. I will absolutely not hand it over." Continue reading this story at http://www . audio-novel.com.

"Moreover, my uncle taught me never to give up until the very last moment."

"At worst, I will activate the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] of Celestial Dome Island and release... *It*."

"Release *It*?"

The broken cauldron's voice trembled with horror. It understood all too well that once *It* was unleashed, the entire Vast Sea would likely become a land of utter desolation. "You must think this through. The karmic backlash from such an act would be immense, a burden even an Infant Soul True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator at the Infant Soul stage] might not withstand."

"The vengeful spirits of billions of Chen Clan clansmen, the millions of cultivators' souls filled with resentment accumulated over a millennium—someone must bear this burden."

"If I can drag tens of millions of demons and fiends down with me, my life will not have been in vain."

The woman spoke calmly, yet her tone carried a sharp, murderous intent that seemed to radiate outwards.

The Shattered Cauldron [a sentient, damaged ancient cauldron artifact] fell silent. After a long pause, it spoke: "Girl, I told you long ago to strike first and slay that treacherous wretch."

"Yet you clung to old affections and spared her life. Now she has leaked the information, bringing the demons down upon you. Do you finally understand that feeling?"

The woman was silent. She had grown up in a loving, harmonious clan, having scarcely witnessed scenes of mutual scheming and betrayal.

Although her clan uncle had repeatedly warned her before she left, she had ultimately underestimated the treacherous depths of the human heart.

"Elder Shattered Cauldron, I have no regrets. My only hatred is that I cannot send the Earth Mother Energy [a primordial, nurturing spiritual essence of immense power] back to my clan uncle."

"This treasure is vital to his cultivation path and advancement. If, with my dying breath, I can lend him a hand, then this lifetime will hold no regrets."

As she spoke, she handed her Storage Bag [a spatial pouch for holding items] to the Shattered Cauldron. Gritting her teeth, she declared, "Once the forces of humans, demons, and fiends arrive, I will activate the Celestial Dome Island Formation [a defensive or restrictive array of magical energy], letting it see the light of day once more."

"I only ask that you take the Earth Mother Energy [a primordial spiritual essence embodying the nurturing power of the earth] to the Chu Nation once. Consider this my final wish."

The Shattered Cauldron [a sentient, ancient artifact of immense power] spoke through gritted teeth, its tone one of profound frustration. "If you surrender the treasure, the fiends and demons will surely fight amongst themselves for the Earth Mother Energy, and their attention will shift away from you."

"In the ensuing chaos, you might even seize a chance to escape. Why must you release *Him* and commit such a heaven-defying, universally condemned act?"

"My mind is made up, Senior Shattered Cauldron. There is no need to say more."

Her expression suddenly turned grave, her voice filled with solemn resolve. "I am the successor of the Ethereal Void True Lord [a title meaning 'True Lord of the Ethereal Void']. According to the final decree of the True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator], you must heed my command."

"You... are a fool!"

The Shattered Cauldron spat out the words bitterly but ultimately fell silent.

At that very moment, streaks of radiant light shot across the sky beyond the island. Imposing figures, their auras vast and formidable, had finally tracked their quarry.

Among their number were Demon Kings [powerful demonic rulers] whose presence flooded the air with demonic Vitality [life-force energy], sinister fiends wreathed in baleful demonic energy, and righteous cultivators whose bearing was as transcendent as immortal sages.

Their gazes fixed upon the lone figure on the island. They watched each other warily, a tense equilibrium holding, with none daring to make the first move.

The woman rose to her feet, gazing at the demonic beasts arrayed upon the Heavenly Vault. A bitter, mirthless smile touched her lips. "What virtue or ability do I, Silas Chen, possess," she murmured, "that I should one day warrant a joint siege by several dozen Golden Core True Person?"

"There is no need for such concern, young friend."

An elder with an air of immortal grace and sagely bearing spoke with a gentle smile. "If you but hand over the legacy treasure, this old man will guarantee your safety."

A black-robed elder sneered viciously. "Do not jest, Old Man Zhang. Who does not know of your wolfish heart, that you cultivate a technique of plunder and absorption [a forbidden cultivation method that steals the essence and cultivation base of others]?"

"Should this woman fall into your hands, I fear she would lose not only her treasure but her very person, her lifelong cultivation becoming nothing more than a dowry for your own advancement."

The others fell into a heavy silence. The Vast Sea was far more chaotic than the Ji Continent, and the practice of such plunder techniques existed almost openly.

As the first elder remained silent, a Great Roc Demon King whose wings gleamed like verdant gold spoke with a cold laugh. "Enough talk. Let us slay her first, then claim the legacy treasure of the True Lord." Join our community of readers at https://audio-novel.com.