Chapter 435 : A Clan's Mortal Foundation

Across the vast expanse of the world, which Nascent Soul Immortal Clan does not possess a populace numbering in the billions? The number of mortals under the Ji Immortal Clan far surpasses the total population of any single nation within the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent.

In truth, with the Chen Clan's mortal population now exceeding fifty million, this figure has already surpassed the combined mortal populace of the Three Counties of Bianzhou and reached a scale equivalent to one-twentieth of the entire Chu Kingdom's population.

From a population of fifty million mortals, following the approximate ratio of one cultivator per thousand, one can expect only around fifty to sixty thousand cultivators.

This number might not be considered small for an ordinary Golden Core Immortal Clan, but for a top-tier Golden Core clan like the Chen Clan, it remains pitifully low.

Consider, for instance, the Wang Immortal Clan of the Celestial Star Continent, or the Huo Clan Immortal Clan of the Dawn Continent. Which of them does not command hundreds of thousands of cultivators and a mortal populace numbering in the hundreds of millions?

The growth of the Chen Clan's mortal population has already slowed considerably. The fundamental reason lies in the limited capacity of the Pingyang Ancient Plain to sustain a larger populace.

The Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness is different. It is a relatively flat expanse of wildlands. After sixty years of development by the Chen Clan, it has become preliminarily habitable for mortals.

Once it is fully developed, its fertile lands will be sufficient to sustain tens, even hundreds of billions of mortals.

After all, this world is nourished by spiritual energy [the vital force that permeates all things], leading to crop yields far beyond the imagination of a previous life.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke: "The next Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic onslaught of rampaging demonic beasts] is less than fifty years away." Find thousands of chapters at @udio-novel.com.

"Two Jiazi-time [a sixty-year cycle] ago, Feiye the Night's Bane prophesied that a great upheaval would occur within three Jiazi-time. That time draws ever nearer. By my estimation, this impending Beast Tide Calamity [a massive invasion by demonic beasts] will likely be of unprecedented ferocity."

The Old Patriarch nodded, his expression grave. "To clear the path for the Ji Clan Patriarch and sweep away his Human Tribulation [the karmic trials and conflicts faced during cultivation] in advance, the Ji Clan has been laying plans for many years. Once they make their move, it will surely be a thunderous strike."

"We must plan early and prepare for all eventualities."

"Indeed, so we must act swiftly." Eldrin Chen placed a piece on the board, his pupils filled with solemn intensity. "First, we must transplant the Spiritual Root [the innate talent that determines one's ability to cultivate] and deploy the Zhou Heavenly Stars Demon-Refining Grand Formation [a grand formation that harnesses the power of the heavenly stars to refine demons]."

"When the time comes and the Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth] ascends to the Fourth Rank High Grade [a high-grade level of spiritual energy concentration], we might yet rely on this Formation [a structured array that channels energy for specific effects] to withstand the onslaught of the Demonic Monsters."

"Deploying such a formation is no simple task..."

Old Granduncle shook his head. According to his conception, a Fifth Rank [a realm of immense power] Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation would require three hundred and sixty-five cities built upon Third Rank Spirit Vein [spirit veins of the third rank], plus one Fifth Rank Spirit Vein serving as the Formation Eye [the core and control point of a formation] to succeed.

The Chen Clan could not meet either condition. Even gathering the three hundred and sixty-five Third Rank [pertaining to the third rank] formation tools would strain the clan's current wealth to its breaking point.

With this thought, he spoke, "Let us first simplify it. We shall deploy the Heavenly Stems Stars Demon-Refining Grand Formation [a formation based on the ten heavenly stems and stellar power]. Its efficacy, though diminished, would still rank among the most supreme of Fourth Rank Formation [formations of the fourth rank]."

"A feasible path." Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, then asked, "But do we have sufficient materials for the formation tools?"

"Heaven's Ruin Lake periodically yields Third Rank Shellfish Pearl [a high-quality pearl produced by a powerful spirit clam]. Our Clan Treasury has accumulated quite a few over time; we should be able to gather thirty-six of them. The other auxiliary materials are not lacking either."

Chen Thalion stated, then continued, "However, we still lack a suitable core formation tool for the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array that harnesses the power of the stars]."

"Leave that matter for me to handle."

Seeing that the Old Patriarch could not devise a solution, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking up.

The Old Granduncle nodded and resumed his game of Go with Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen departed from Pingyang City and flew directly back to Spirit Isle Lake [the spiritual lake at the heart of the Chen Clan's territory] on his sword.

Upon returning to Spirit Isle Lake, he informed Lyra Jiang of the situation. "To set up the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation," he explained, "the core formation tool is best crafted from high-grade spirit pearls, then fused with Star Treasure Metal [a rare metal imbued with celestial energy] during the forging process."

"The clan's treasury still holds one piece of Fourth Rank Star Treasure Metal, but obtaining high-grade Spirit Clam Pearl [pearls from ancient spirit clams, prized for their purity and power] is exceedingly difficult."

Lyra Jiang offered a serene smile. "There is a Spirit Clam Demon King [a powerful, sentient spirit clam that has attained demonic cultivation] of Golden Core, Late Stage [an advanced stage of the Golden Core realm] residing within the Great Kun River. I shall go, slay it, and bring back what we need."

Eldrin Chen felt a flicker of concern and shook his head. "The Great Kun River connects to the Azure Wave Lake, making the venture perilous. Now that you have forged the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [a legendary sword specifically designed to vanquish demonic entities], should you step into Demonic Tribe Territory [lands controlled by powerful demonic tribes], they would likely mobilize their full force to hunt you down."

"I should still be the one to go."

He spoke, ultimately deciding to venture to the Great Kun River himself.

Yet Lyra Jiang was also concerned for him, and thus stated plainly, "I will go with you. With our combined strength, even if a Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings] were to come, it would find it difficult to keep us here."

In the end, Eldrin Chen could not persuade Lyra Jiang, and the two could only journey to the Great Kun River together.

To catch the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for monstrous, intelligent beasts] off guard, they teleported directly to Heaven's Ruin Lake and then flew silently towards the Great Kun River, their forms concealed.

Following the banks of the Great Kun River for over three hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], they finally reached its deep reaches and infiltrated the territory of the Spirit Clam Demon King. Experience the full epic at audi novel.com.

"Ahead lies Spirit Clam Bay."

Gazing at the Great Kun River before them, Eldrin Chen spoke with a grave expression.

Ever since the Chu Kingdom had risen to prominence in recent years, the Demon King [powerful demonic beast rulers] within this territory had gradually begun to unite.

Although many of these Demon King harbored mortal enmities towards each other, some even being natural predators and prey, they were compelled by fear of the reputations of Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang to set aside their pride and stand together in mutual defense.

Within the territories of the Demon King [a powerful demonic beast ruler] in the Azure Wave Lake today, immense costs have been expended. The formidable Demon King of the Azure Wave Lake has laid down Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense or attack] for them, and this Spirit Clam Bay is naturally no exception.

With this thought, Lyra Jiang said gravely, "The grade of the Formation here is extremely high. Once we act, it will be difficult to instantly slay the Spirit Clam Demon King. By then, we will certainly alert the enemy."

"Even if we manage to slay the Spirit Clam Demon King, it will likely relay the message to the Azure Wave Lake. What we might face then is pursuit by a Demon Emperor [a sovereign ruler among demonic beings]."

Eldrin Chen nodded, frowning as he spoke. "It seems we must wait for it to emerge and strike it down with a single, decisive blow before it can react."

"But who knows when it will emerge?" Lyra Jiang shook her head.

"Then we must lure it out."

Eldrin Chen stated this, knowing that luring out a Golden Core Demon King [a demon king at the Golden Core cultivation stage] would be no simple task.

To tempt it with profit, the treasures that could stir the heart of a Golden Core, Late Stage Demon King were few. To ensure its interest, Eldrin Chen produced a Water Element Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl imbued with concentrated water elemental spiritual energy].

The Water Element Treasure Pearl was a treasure of immense value, one of the finest aids for cultivation for a Spirit Clam Demon King, more than enough to stir its desire.

To make the ruse more convincing, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang deliberately placed the Water Element Treasure Pearl several hundred thousand Li-lengths away, then orchestrated a clash between several evenly matched Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts at the Purple Mansion cultivation stage] fighting over it.

Ultimately, the Water Element Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl containing the concentrated essence of water] was seized by a Purple Palace, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] great demonic beast. However, as he found it difficult to slay his opponent, the news of its acquisition still managed to leak out.

As the nearest Demon King [a ruler among demonic beasts], the Spirit Clam Demon King [a powerful demonic beast king resembling a giant spiritual clam] learned of this news. He immediately surged forth from his Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth], intent on seizing that Water Element Treasure Pearl for himself. This chapter appears courtesy of http://www . audio-novel.com.