Chapter 431 : A Merciless Plunder and a Clan's Fall

The premier Rogue Cultivator of the Heavenly Abode Continent, Astrael, was lamenting his lack of a suitable Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to face his heavenly tribulation. Upon discovering that Qian Xinghe held a vast fortune in Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], he simply chose to end the man's life and seize it.

Qian Xinghe had only broken through to the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified core of spiritual power] a mere thirty-some years prior. How could he possibly contend with a ruthless figure like Astrael, who stood at the False Nascent Soul [a pseudo-realm between Golden Core and true Nascent Soul]? After a single clash, he naturally met his end.

That Astrael was utterly merciless. After plundering the treasures from Qian Xinghe's grasp, he still felt the haul of Spirit Stone was insufficient. Deciding to see his wicked deed through, he descended upon the Chu Kingdom, nearly exterminating every last cultivator within the Qian Clan Territory.

The entire fortune of over ten million Spirit Stone, painstakingly accumulated by the Qian Immortal Clan, was stripped bare by him. Then, he fled beyond the borders of the Ji Continent.

"So that's why he was unwilling to procure Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] for us," Lyra Jiang sneered, her voice cold with fury. "He looked down on the paltry stipend we offered."

The Qian Immortal Clan had concealed a Medium Spirit Stone Mine [a vein of Spirit Stones of moderate size and yield] for an entire Jiazi-time [a sixty-year cycle], secretly mining a staggering eighteen million Spirit Stone worth of resources. That vast loss of Spirit Stone should rightfully have been theirs.

"Insatiable greed swallows the serpent whole. This Qian Xinghe embezzled from the Spirit Stone Mine, thinking he could conceal his actions by purchasing treasures outside the Ji Continent,"

Old Patriarch Chen, standing nearby, shook his head with a cold detachment. "Little did he know that with their level of power, such a fortune was nothing but a death warrant."

Eldrin Chen's gaze was icy, tinged with simmering anger. "If the Qian Clan hadn't been suddenly wiped out, who knows how long this secret would have remained buried."

"This incident is likely not an isolated one. The Heaven's Ruin Alliance must conduct thorough investigations into all the major Immortal Clan [powerful, long-established families of cultivators] across both provinces." Access the full story on audio–novel.com.

It was truly impossible for him not to be furious. The combined area of Heaven's Ruin Province and Earth Lion Province was larger than the entire Chu Kingdom. Logically, the resources within should have been no less, and likely even more abundant.

He had previously wondered why, after so many years of development, no high-grade Spirit Stone Mine veins had ever been discovered. Now the root of the problem was clear.

The thought that the fruits of the territory he had painstakingly conquered were being stolen by others caused Eldrin Chen's expression to grow even colder as he spoke:

"Over these years, we have largely refrained from intervening in the distribution of micro and small-scale Spirit Stone Mine veins within the two provinces. We left those shares for the various Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion Cultivator Immortal Clans of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance. Yet, they dared to resort to such underhanded tactics."

"Investigate. I want a thorough investigation!"

"Pay particular attention to the Immortal Clans whose power has surged dramatically in recent years. They must be targeted for investigation."

Old Patriarch nodded, his expression grim as he spoke: "I intend to recall Kael and Lior. They will conduct separate, thorough investigations into Heaven's Ruin Province and Earth Lion Province."

"However, the immediate priority is for us to take control of the Medium Spirit Stone Vein as swiftly as possible."

Mention of the Medium Spirit Stone Vein finally allowed Eldrin Chen to suppress some of his rage.

Exchanging a glance with Lyra Jiang, he rose to his feet. "Let us first go and inspect the vein," he declared. "We shall secure it before anything else."

The trio directly utilized the Teleportation Formation to arrive at Earth Lion Ridge. After reuniting with Lila, they diverted over a dozen Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the Purple Mansion realm, a major stage above Foundation Establishment] along the way before flying from Earth Lion Ridge toward the Medium Spirit Stone Vein.

After flying for over two hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], they discovered a concealed mine shaft nestled within a range of towering mountains.

Within this mine shaft at that moment, over two thousand cultivators from the Qian Clan were still excavating Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Their leader was a Purple Mansion Late Stage Cultivator, a man named Qian Kael.

As the Qian Clan had been destroyed less than seven days prior, the Qian Clan cultivators within the Spirit Stone Mine [a vein rich in Spirit Stones] had not yet received the news.

When Qian Kael saw the several Ancient Ancestor [a venerable and powerful senior cultivator] arrive, he thought their secret operation had been exposed. Terrified, he knelt on the ground, pleading for mercy: "Esteemed Ancient Ancestors, our illicit mining of this Spirit Stone Mine was an order from our Clan Lord [the supreme leader of a cultivation clan]."

"I was merely following commands. I beg you, Seniors, to spare my life."

Chen Thalion's expression turned icy, his voice devoid of warmth as he commanded, "Seize them."

Lila and the dozen or so Purple Mansion cultivators swiftly took action, soon bringing the Spirit Stone Mine under their control.

Eldrin Chen soared into the mine on his flying sword. After a thorough inspection, his expression grew grave. "The annual yield of this Spirit Stone Mine should be around two hundred thousand Spirit Stone. Their reckless over-mining has caused significant damage."

"Fortunately, this vein has accumulated over countless years without being tapped. Otherwise, such violent extraction would likely have degraded its rank considerably."

Caleb Chen's gaze, which had followed them, turned icy as he spoke with anger, "The Qian Clan's greed knows no bounds. To have secretly mined so many Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], it is only fitting their clan was nearly wiped out. Truly, men die for wealth as birds perish for food."

No one else spoke. Old Patriarch Chen's face was etched with worry as he said, "This place is too close to the Demonic Tribe Territory. Without a Fourth Rank Spirit Vein [a high-grade source of concentrated spiritual energy], we would likely face attacks from Demonic Monsters."

"Then we shall nurture a Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth]," came the decisive reply.

Lyra Jiang spoke up, deciding to cultivate a Fourth Rank Spirit Vein at this spirit ore mountain and establish a Fourth Rank Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array designed to protect a mountain stronghold].

Lila furrowed her brow, her expression turning serious. "To nurture a Fourth Rank Low Grade Spirit Vein requires a full ten million Spirit Stone. The clan and the Heaven's Ruin Alliance simply do not have that many."

"Do not worry about the Spirit Stone," Eldrin Chen said, his eyes cold and his tone calm. "We shall wait until Kael and Uncle Lior finish their investigation. Let us see if anyone else has been secretly mining the vein." Official source: audio - novel . com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Upon hearing this, Caleb Chen and the others felt a slight stir in their hearts. They understood that this time, some clans might be forced to pay a heavy price.

Although they intended to make certain Immortal Clan [powerful, long-established cultivation families] within the Heaven's Ruin Alliance bleed for their transgressions, the work of nurturing the Spirit Vein needed to begin immediately.

Eldrin Chen returned to the clan once. From the depths of the Clan Treasury, he gathered a significant amount of artificing materials and forged a set of Fourth Rank Spirit Gathering Formation [an array designed to concentrate ambient spiritual energy]. Then, carrying over three million Spirit Stone from the Chen Clan, he made his way back to the spirit ore mountain.

Upon arriving, he and Lyra Jiang deployed the Spirit Gathering Formation across the mountain. They then began pouring in the Spirit Stone, setting in motion the arduous process of elevating the Spirit Vein.

Meanwhile, Lior Chen and Kael Chen returned to the Chu Kingdom.

The two immediately began investigating the major Immortal Clans of Heaven's Ruin Province and Earth Lion Province. To uncover the veins and treasures secretly occupied by each clan, they even requested Lyra Jiang to forge a Fourth Rank Heart-Inquiry Platform [a mystical platform that compels truthful answers by probing the heart].

With the Fourth Rank Heart-Inquiry Platform conducting interrogations, the two spent over half a year in diligent work. They finally managed to screen every single one of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance's more than two hundred Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans and over twenty Purple Mansion Immortal Clans.

Even several high-ranking members of the Xu Clan were summoned before the Heart-Inquiry Platform for questioning.

This investigation yielded truly shocking results. They compiled a list and presented it to Eldrin Chen.

After reviewing the list, Eldrin Chen immediately convened a meeting of all Immortal Clans within the Heaven's Ruin Alliance with cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm or above—more than two hundred clans in total. The assembly was held directly at Earth Lion Ridge.

At the grand assembly, he tossed a copy of the list before the assembled crowd, his expression calm as he stated, "Everyone, take a look at this list."

"This..."

After perusing the list, some faces paled with fear, while others twisted with indignation.

The Clan Patriarchs of six or seven Purple Mansion Immortal Clans were visibly terrified. The current Clan Patriarch of the Fang Immortal Clan stammered, trembling, "We beg for your mercy, Ancient Ancestor. We... we merely had a momentary lapse in judgment."

"Hah—"

Eldrin Chen let out a cold, derisive laugh, his gaze sharp as a honed blade. "Within Heaven's Ruin Province alone, you have concealed seventeen micro and three small Spirit Stone veins, along with four Third Rank Earth Vein and dozens of veins containing various Heaven and Earth Treasures."

"You've done marvelously well." Visit audio-novel*com to enjoy the complete series.