Chapter 413 : A Sword's Judgment and Stolen Legacy
"Had you not enjoyed 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 Infant Soul [the stage of cultivation where one's nascent soul is formed] should rightfully have been mine."
"My only regret is that I was not born into an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a powerful clan led by an Infant Soul stage cultivator]; 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, his eyes betraying not a ripple of disturbance.
Only after Ancient Verdant Beauty Gu had exhausted her 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]. In my youth, my clan possessed only one or two Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one's foundation is solidified] cultivators. I trod the path of cultivation counting every last fragment of a Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]."
"Impossible!"
Ancient Verdant Beauty Gu shrieked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her face contorted with disbelief. "You must have been born into a top-tier Immortal Clan, raised in silks and satins from childhood! How else could you possess such profound foundations?"
"Go in peace."
Silas Chen saw no need for further words. With a sharp *shing*, his sword flashed out, cleaving Ancient Verdant Beauty Gu down upon the earth. This chapter is provided by audio-novel . com. Support the original.
After slaying Ancient Verdant Beauty Gu, the trio ascended Gu Clan Spirit Island. They plundered the treasures on the island, then purged the direct-line cultivators of the Gu Clan. Only after roughly eliminating future threats did they finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Among Golden Core Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families anchored by a Golden Core Patriarch], this Gu Immortal Clan was considered the weakest. Apart from a single Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein [a ley line of concentrated spiritual energy, ranked fourth out of nine tiers], it possessed almost nothing of truly precious value.
The Vast Sea was extremely distant from Chu Nation. It was clear they could not hold onto this Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein, and selling it was also impossible.
Knowing full well they were leaving, the cultivators of the Vast Sea were no fools; they would not foolishly spend a vast sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to purchase this Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein.
Eldrin Chen let out a sigh, his voice tinged with regret. "We have no choice but to abandon this Spiritual Vein."
"Letting another Immortal Clan claim this Spiritual Vein will also save us the trouble of resettling the Gu Clan mortals."
Exquisite Jiang also nodded in agreement. It was foreseeable that with its Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden spiritual core] Patriarch gone, this Gu Immortal Clan would inevitably be carved up by other Immortal Clan.
Having dealt with the Gu Clan, they did not linger further in the Vast Sea.
The three of them steered their treasure vessel northward across the Vast Sea, traversing millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of mountains and rivers. They arrived at the border of the Vast Sea and came before a vast, sprawling mountain range.
The mountain range before them lay sprawled across the horizon. Within its endless, undulating peaks, Primordial Magnetism Aurora [a radiant phenomenon of ancient magnetic power] shimmered everywhere, and the entire area was saturated with Primordial Magnetism Power [the fundamental force of ancient magnetism].
Eldrin Chen studied the map for a moment, his brow furrowed. "This is the Polarity Primordial Magnetism Mountain Range," he declared.
"The Polarity Primordial Magnetism Mountain Range?"
Exquisite Jiang's pupils contracted slightly, a look of solemn gravity settling upon her features.
This Polarity Primordial Magnetism Mountain Range was a place of profound strangeness within the Boundless Hundred Provinces. This mountain chain sprawled for a million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], its foundations composed entirely of Magnetic Origin Soil [a special soil imbued with powerful magnetic properties]. Combined with the unique topography of the land, it had ultimately given birth to the extraordinary phenomenon known as the Polarity Primordial Magnetism Mountain Range.
This mountain range was saturated with Primordial Magnetism Force [a pervasive, powerful magnetic energy field]. It was said that here, "magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] halt within a thousand Li-lengths, and even Spiritual Treasure [a high-grade enchanted artifact] finds it difficult to cross the mountains."
The meaning was clear: metal-based magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], such as Immortal Sword [a flying sword used by cultivators], often could not fly more than a thousand Li-lengths before being affected. Even a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a top-tier artifact capable of subduing demons] would find traversing the range a formidable challenge.
While this description contained an element of exaggeration, it nonetheless revealed the terrifying nature of the Primordial Magnetism Mountains.
Any cultivator attempting to fly on a sword here would likely find their journey cut short within a thousand Li-lengths. Their Immortal Sword [a flying sword used by cultivators] would be irresistibly drawn down into the mountains, leaving the cultivator to watch in bitter regret as their prized weapon vanished into the magnetic depths.
Furthermore, the act of sword-flight here consumed spiritual energy at a rate a hundred times greater than normal, making any attempt to cross the range an arduous and perilous endeavor.
"To our left lies the territory of the Golden Rhino Demon Emperor, and to our right, the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range," Eldrin Chen said with a sigh. "It seems this Primordial Magnetism Mountain Range is unavoidable."
Eldrin Chen spoke as he sheathed his Immortal Sword magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. "Since we cannot channel energy into our flying swords, we shall rely on our movement arts to traverse the distance."
"That seems to be our only option," the others agreed.
The trio stowed their Immortal Sword magical treasure and soared into the sky on trails of light, flying out of the Primordial Magnetism Mountain Range.
The journey proceeded without incident. After flying for more than three months, they finally crossed the vast expanse of the mountain range. As they emerged on the other side, Eldrin Chen turned and gazed back for a long while.
"What is it?" asked Exquisite Jiang.
Eldrin Chen's expression was calm, yet profound. "I observe that the Primordial Magnetism Power [the fundamental force of attraction and repulsion] here erupts boundlessly. It could perhaps be forged into a treasure that would shake the heavens." Official source: audio—novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
"The Primordial Magnetism Power here is indeed extraordinary," Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement. "It truly might be possible to refine a supreme-grade Primordial Magnetic Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact imbued with the power of primordial magnetism]. This mountain range seems a gift from the heavens, a perfect forge for such treasures."
"A pity our current strength is insufficient to harness it," Eldrin Chen said with a sigh.
Shaking his head, Eldrin Chen summoned the Green Sun Treasure Ark [a flying vessel shaped like a treasure-laden ark]. He boarded it with his companions and set a course for the Chu Nation.
Having crossed the Primordial Magnetism Mountain Range, they had now entered the fringes of the Demon Race Territory [lands dominated by demonic tribes]. This region was remote and desolate, with no Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a demonic beast whose power is equivalent to a human Infant Soul cultivator] presence reported nearby, allowing them to travel with relative safety for the time being.
After flying for several million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], they finally entered the territory of Ji Continent. Once within the continent's borders, their safety increased significantly.
The group flew for over a month more before finally returning to their clan's lands.
Upon his return, Eldrin Chen went straight to Pingyang City to find the Old Patriarch.
"You've returned."
"Was the journey successful?"
In the courtyard within Pingyang City, grandfather and grandson sat close together for a long talk, recounting the experiences of the past thirty years.
Eternal Profound Chen listened with a mix of yearning and astonishment, remarking, "These years of trials will greatly benefit your future cultivation."
"I imagine Silas has grown a great deal from this experience."
"Indeed, the change in her is noticeable."
Eldrin Chen nodded. Silas Chen possessed a gentle yet resilient character. Previously, having never witnessed the ugliness of the Mortal Realm, her understanding of human nature had been somewhat lacking.
After this incident, Silas Chen's methods of handling affairs were bound to become several degrees sharper, no longer as hesitant and indecisive as in the past.
Pushing down his thoughts, Eldrin Chen asked with a smile, "How has the clan fared these years?"
"Quite a few clan members have attempted to break through to the Golden Core realm in recent years. A few years back, Caleb made his second attempt to form his Golden Core, but the result was still failure."
"Your Aunt Verdant Grace also failed her first attempt at Golden Core breakthrough, even after consuming a Golden Core Formation Pill."
Old Patriarch shook his head helplessly. Caleb Chen's innate talent was actually quite good, but achieving a Golden Core breakthrough often required the right timing, favorable conditions, and personal readiness. A slight misstep leading to failure was well within reason.
For Caleb Chen to fail his breakthrough twice in a row despite using Golden Core Formation Pills both times meant that even if he succeeded on his next attempt, he would be saddled with debt for many years to come.
Leaving the topic of Caleb Chen aside, the Old Granduncle continued, "Your Aunt Verdant Grace has a gentle, somewhat soft character, and her foundation is also somewhat lacking. In my view, even with multiple Golden Core Formation Pills, her hope of a Golden Core breakthrough is likely slim."
Eldrin Chen understood. The Old Patriarch's meaning was whether they should conserve these resources for others in the clan with greater need and potential.
Currently, the number of Violet Sanctum Cultivators in the clan had surpassed forty. Among them were many talented individuals who had achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [reaching the Foundation Establishment realm through their own efforts without external aids], and even some who had broken through to the Violet Sanctum realm on their own. These people also had need for Golden Core Formation Pills. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio_novel.com.