Chapter 411 : A Golden Core Forged in Vengeance

Since exploring the ruins was no longer possible, Eldrin Chen decided not to linger in the Vast Sea any longer.

He glanced at Silas Chen and spoke, "I plan to return to the Ji Continent. Will you be coming back 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 Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power]."

"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."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes flickered slightly. She took out a Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill [a high-grade elixir that aids in recovery and helps dispel the lingering effects of tribulations] and handed it to her, saying, "A gentleman 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 Ancient Verdant Beauty Gu. Should anyone dare stand in your way, I will cut them down for you."

"Th-thank you, Aunt Exquisite."

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

With the Sun-Returning Tribulation-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 Spiritual Vein [a location where the earth's spiritual energy converges and flows, categorized by rank; Fourth-Rank is suitable for Golden Core cultivators] here, Eldrin Chen even took out an Origin Heavenly Crystal [a rare, high-purity crystal containing immense spiritual energy and traces of primordial source power]. Compared to ordinary Spirit Stones, the Origin Heavenly Crystal not only contained vastly greater energy but also held traces of primordial source power. The story continues at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

This object is of utmost preciousness [extremely valuable]; even a Golden Core Cultivator would be reluctant to absorb it. If Silas Chen could use one during her breakthrough to the Golden Core realm, it would undoubtedly increase her chances of success by a significant margin.

However, should the breakthrough fail, the additional waste of an Origin Heavenly Crystal would be a cost severe enough to make many Golden Core Cultivator cultivators feel the financial strain deeply.

Silas Chen's breakthrough into the Golden Core Realm lasted a full three months, but in the end, she succeeded smoothly.

Watching the Tribulation Cloud [a cloud formation that heralds a heavenly tribulation] begin to gather in the sky, Eldrin Chen let out a slight sigh of relief.

When Silas Chen broke through to the Violet Sanctum realm, it took a considerable amount of time. Now, achieving her breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm in two consecutive stages, she could be said to have made up for the lost time.

This girl is 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-Tier Golden Core, her future potential will likely be no less than that of a prodigy like the Celestial Star Child.

Most crucially, during this journey of hers, she recovered treasures for the clan such as Earth Mother Energy and Fire Vein Spirit Jade. These treasures are of great use to Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang.

Henceforth, this immense accumulation of Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] will fall to her, ensuring her cultivation path remains smooth. In the future, if treasures for forming an Infant Soul become available, she will naturally be among the first to receive them.

Thunderclaps [the sound of thunder] roared incessantly in the sky. Fortunately, Silas Chen possessed quite a few magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], and was protected by the Blazing Flame Golden Pearl, a fourth-rank defensive magical treasure. Thus, she managed to pass through the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning faced during major breakthroughs] with only a scare.

After overcoming the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Silas descended from the sky. She said joyfully, "Uncle Eldrin, I succeeded."

"Not bad at all."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, reaching out to pat her head. "Let's go settle the score," he said.

"..."

In the southeastern corner of the Vast Sea domain, a majestic Spirit Island towered between heaven and earth.

Upon the Spirit Island, several figures of imposing and Extraordinary bearing were gathered. At their head was none other than the Glacier Alliance Leader.

To the side, an elder clad in black robes was attending to the guests with wine, while a beautiful woman in a verdant, gauzy dress served tea, pouring for the assembled company.

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

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

"Now that wretch has climbed to a higher branch [found a powerful backer]. She will most certainly come for revenge. I beg all you esteemed Patriarchs to uphold justice for me."

As she spoke, her half-bared garments slipping, she made as if to lean gracefully into the Glacier Alliance Leader.

Yet in that very instant, Frigid Stream True Person [the True Person of the Frigid Stream] cast a cold glance and, with a flick of his sleeve, flung her away.

For a moment, the scene fell into a tense silence. Seeing the woman's face turn deathly pale, the black-robed elder hastily rose to his feet and scolded, "You wretched creature! Who do you think you are to dare use seductive arts before a figure of Glacier Alliance Leader [the Leader of the Glacier Alliance]'s stature!"

"Get out of my sight this instant!"

"Yes, yes, at once!"

Ancient Verdant Beauty Gu [Ancient Verdant Beauty Gu] paled slightly, then retreated with the haste of one relieved of a great burden.

After she had departed, the black-robed elder offered his apologies once more. "My daughter knows no decorum. I beg your forgiveness, Alliance Leader." The story continues at @udio-novel.com.

"There is no need for such formalities."

The Glacier Alliance Leader offered a faint smile, granting this Golden Core True Person [a True Person who has attained the Golden Core realm] a measure of face.

Seeing that Frigid Stream True Person did not pursue the matter, the black-robed elder quickly stood and inquired, "Dare I ask, True Person, will those two truly come?"

"With their status as peerless Golden Core [cultivators of the Golden Core realm] experts, the entire Vast Sea [the Vast Sea region] is theirs to traverse as they please."

The Glacier Alliance Leader took a sip of tea and said with detached calm, "Slaying Ancient Verdant Beauty Gu would be the work of a mere moment, a feat none of us could withstand."

"What can be done?" The Gu Clan Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power] cultivator's face paled with terror. He grasped the sleeve of the Glacier Alliance Leader and pleaded, "She is my only daughter, and the one within our Gu Clan most likely to achieve a Golden Core breakthrough."

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

"Hmph—"

The Glacier Alliance Leader gave a cold laugh and set down his teacup.

His gaze, serene and unreadable, rested on the distant void as he stated plainly, "I came for the Earth Mother Energy [a primordial spiritual essence embodying the nurturing power of the earth itself]. I will not leave empty-handed."

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

The trio halted before the Gu Clan Spirit Island and stood silently, suspended in the empty air.

Eldrin Chen cast a glance towards the island, then fixed his piercing gaze upon Frigid Stream True Person. "Do you intend to stand in my way?"

Frigid Stream True Person stepped forward calmly, his voice as placid as a frozen lake. "The Earth Mother Energy is of paramount importance. Hand it over, and I shall depart immediately."

"Then there is nothing left to discuss."

Eldrin Chen spoke with icy finality. In his hands, the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords soared into the heavens.

Yet at that very moment, from the distant void, a pristine white Immortal Crane approached. Its form was elegant and graceful, its bearing transcendent and unearthly, carrying an aura of immortal refinement.

"The Celestial Crane Demon King?"

Exquisite Jiang's eyes turned cold. This Immortal Crane before them was actually a powerful Demon Race cultivator at the False Infant Soul Realm [a pseudo-realm just below the true Infant Soul stage].

Watching the arrival of this, the mightiest Demon King [a title for a powerful demonic cultivator] of the Vast Sea, a glint of frost flashed in Eldrin Chen's gaze. "You are colluding with the Demon Race?"

"If it allows me to forge my Earthly Path Infant Soul [a specific, powerful method of achieving the Infant Soul realm], what does colluding with the Demon Race matter?" Frigid Stream True Person replied coldly, not bothering to hide his words even with the Celestial Crane Demon King present. "Once I break through to Infant Soul [a major realm of cultivation where one's nascent soul forms], the Vast Sea will naturally bow to me alone."

"Even if the Celestial Crane Demon King and the Blood-Robed Patriarch were to reach Infant Soul, they could only unite to oppose this venerable one."

As he spoke, his gaze fixed intently on Eldrin Chen. "If you truly care for the Human Race of the Vast Sea, you should hand over the Earthly Path Energy [a rare and potent spiritual essence required for certain high-level breakthroughs] to me."

"Heh—"

Exquisite Jiang let out a cold snort, her Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword slashing directly forward.

The Celestial Crane Demon King cast a glance at Frigid Stream True Person and spoke with icy detachment, "As agreed beforehand, the Earth Mother Energy [a potent spiritual essence embodying the nurturing power of the earth] goes to you, and the Fire Vein Spirit Jade [a rare jade formed within fiery spiritual veins, excellent for fire-attribute cultivation] goes to me. Do not renege."

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

Eldrin Chen engaged the Celestial Crane Demon King alone. His Celestial Abyss Twin Swords weaved a deadly dance, while the Thousand Demons Demon-Slaying Sword descended again and again with peerless, devastating edge. Immerse yourself in the complete world at site: audio-novel.com.