Chapter 447 : The Severed Summit

In earlier years, the Yun Clan maintained a reputation for amicable dealings. However, in recent times, as the cultivation of Yun Malachi steadily advanced, the clan's demeanor began to shift towards arrogance and dominance.

They commenced the exploitation of the lower-tier Immortal Clan under their sway, and began to extort and demand tribute from the weaker Immortal Clan. This conduct gradually earned them a number of adversaries.

Although Yun Malachi did not personally orchestrate these actions, he turned a blind eye to them. The fundamental reason for the clan's behavior was its insufficient Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and stable accumulation of resources and power essential for a cultivator or clan's advancement]. They had no choice but to amass capital in this manner to fund Yun Malachi's breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm.

Then, on this day, an uninvited guest arrived at the Yun Immortal Clan's dao field, Soaring Cloud Mountain.

A man clad in snow-white robes strode through the air. With a single sword stroke, he cleaved the thousand-zhang Guest-Welcoming Peak in two. The colossal mountain peak collapsed, crushing the mountain lodge and sending vast tremors through the heavens.

"Who dares to sever our Guest-Welcoming Peak?!"

A single stone stirred a thousand waves. In an instant, the entire Yun Immortal Clan was thrown into turmoil.

Powerful figures from the Yun Immortal Clan soared into the sky, their expressions a mix of grave concern and furious indignation. The leading few Golden Core Cultivator regarded the snow-robed figure ahead with intense gravity.

Exchanging glances, the Clan Lord, Yun Malachi, revealed a deeply troubled countenance.

Recognizing the origin of the man in white, his face darkened as he spoke, "Fellow Daoist Chen, a century ago we fought side by side at the Void Gemstone Vein. What reason compels you now to destroy our Guest-Welcoming Peak?" Official source: audio-novel.com (official site). Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

The one who arrived was none other than Eldrin Chen. The Guest-Welcoming Peak was the very face of a Golden Core Immortal Clan. By cleaving it in two with a single sword stroke, he had effectively slapped the Yun Immortal Clan across their own visage.

However, Eldrin Chen had come today with the precise intent of thoroughly subduing the Yun Immortal Clan, to serve as a warning to all the Immortal Clan of Ji Continent.

As the saying goes, a single decisive blow delivered early can prevent a hundred future strikes.

The Chen Clan was growing ever more powerful, and the interests it controlled would expand accordingly. It was inevitable that other major powers would cast covetous eyes upon them. To safeguard these hard-won gains, the Chen Clan had to make it clear to all the great Immortal Clan of Ji Continent that they were not to be trifled with.

As he and his wife advanced in cultivation, their need for resources would become increasingly vast. The Chen Clan's own development also demanded resources. Therefore, he had to deter any and all who harbored ill intentions.

With this resolve firm in his heart, Eldrin Chen declared with icy composure, "Thirteen years ago, your Yun Clan intercepted a Chen Clan treasure boat. A Golden Core Cultivator even stooped to bullying the weak, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of our Chen Clan cultivators and one Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within their dantian] elder."

"Furthermore, two junior disciples of the Purple Mansion realm had their Dao paths severed because of it. Today, I have come to demand justice."

"This..."

Yun Malachi's heart sank slightly. He understood now that this matter would not be so easily resolved.

He looked at Eldrin Chen, his expression grave, and said, "That incident all those years ago was an unfortunate misunderstanding. I have already disciplined our Yun Clan Third Elder for his role in it."

"I am willing to compensate the Chen Clan with two Five Elements Crystals for each Purple Mansion [a major cultivation stage] cultivator who perished in battle or had their Dao path severed. I hope this matter can be laid to rest here."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen let out a sharp laugh, his gaze suddenly hardening with a cold edge. "And if I were to slay you, then compensate your Yun Clan with two Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in forming a Golden Core], would you find that acceptable?"

"You—!"

The Third Elder of the Yun Clan flushed with anger. "How dare you compare us, honored Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has achieved the Golden Core realm], to mere Purple Mansion Cultivator?"

"Third Brother, step back." Yun Malachi quickly pulled the Third Elder behind him, sensing they might not be Eldrin Chen's match. He then clasped his hands and said, "This matter involved our elder bullying the weak. We are willing to offer compensation."

"Name your price for compensation, and my Yun Clan will surely satisfy you."

"What I want is simple." Eldrin Chen paused, a flash of icy resolve in his eyes. "A life for a life. Not a single one of those who raised a hand against my Chen Clan all those years ago shall be spared."

"Impossible!"

The Yun Clan's Grand Elder spoke up hastily. In his view, thirty Purple Mansion cultivators could not compare to the worth of a single Golden Core Cultivator.

For the Chen Clan [the Chen family, a cultivation clan], it was merely one death and two injuries—how could that possibly demand a life for a life from a Golden Core [a cultivator who has formed a solidified Golden Core of spiritual energy] elder of the Yun Clan? As for the other low-ranking Chen Clan cultivators who fell in battle, in his view, they were even less significant; compensation with some Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] would suffice.

"Unwilling to pay a life for a life?"

Seeing the Yun Clan's refusal, Eldrin Chen stated calmly, "Then I shall take it myself."

"*Clang!*—"

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen summoned the Heavenly River Flood Water Sword [a powerful immortal sword]. With a resonant *clang*, the blade shot forth, aimed directly at the Yun Clan Third Elder.

Witnessing his move, Yun Malachi's expression shifted slightly. He hastily summoned his Lifebound Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact bound to a cultivator's life force], the 'Cloud River Blade' [a magical blade], to intercept. Yet, in the span of a single clash, he felt his Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] shudder from the impact, and a numbing tremor ran through the meridians within his body. For the best reading experience, visit audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"How can his mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators] be so pure? It likely approaches the level of a Nascent Soul Cultivators [a cultivator who has formed their Primordial Spirit, a major realm above Golden Core]," Yun Malachi thought with dread.

The other several Golden Core Cultivator swiftly intervened, finally managing to pull the Yun Clan Third Elder to safety.

Having narrowly escaped death, the Yun Clan Third Elder shot a venomous glare at Eldrin Chen and snarled, "Fellow elders, let us act together and teach this man a lesson he won't forget."

"Wait—"

Yun Malachi [the Clan Lord of the Yun Clan] initially intended to mediate, but swallowed the words he had begun to speak.

After all, no matter what, he could not accept the idea of sacrificing the Third Elder to atone for the slain Chen Clan Cultivators. Left with no other choice, he could only charge forward to join the encirclement against Eldrin Chen.

Facing the combined assault, Eldrin Chen's expression remained unchanged. With a casual flick of his hand, he summoned the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void [a mystical mirror capable of absorbing and nullifying magical attacks], instantly capturing three Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts].

Witnessing the terrifying power of the Magnetic Magical Treasure, they hastily withdrew their own Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts] and could only rely on their Divine Ability [powerful supernatural techniques] to engage Eldrin Chen in combat.

After merely thirty-some exchanges, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. He immediately unleashed a three-colored divine thunderbolt directly at the Yun Clan Third Elder.

"Beware! It is a Great Divine Ability [a supreme-level supernatural technique]!"

Yun Malachi's face paled with horror. He hurriedly summoned several Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts] and even expended multiple precious Treasure Talisman [single-use talismans of immense power] in a desperate attempt to block the strike.

Yet, fueled by Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, the might of this Triad Divine Thunder was in no way inferior to an attack from a true Nascent Soul Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed their Primordial Spirit].

Even with five Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their power into a Golden Core] combining their strength to defend, shattering several Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts] in the process, a fraction of the attack's residual power still erupted through their defenses.

That single blow utterly annihilated the Third Elder's physical body, leaving only his Golden Core [the condensed golden core of a cultivator's power] to escape. The remaining cultivators suffered severe backlash, with both the Second Elder and the Fourth Elder, being Golden Core Initial Stage Cultivator, sustaining grievous wounds to their vital essence.

"Flee, now!"

Witnessing that even their combined efforts of five were no match for Eldrin Chen's Divine Ability, Yun Malachi swiftly enveloped the Third Elder's Golden Core [the solidified essence of a Golden Core cultivator's power] and retreated into the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense or attack].

They were so close to the mountain that in the blink of an eye, they had flown deep into the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy].

Once inside the Spirit Mountain, the Third Elder's Golden Core manifested, his expression a mix of shock and fury. "My Clan Lord, you must avenge me!"

Yun Malachi scanned his surroundings. The other Golden Core Cultivators [practitioners who have reached the Golden Core realm] were all shaken, each seemingly unable to comprehend how utterly they had been defeated.

At this thought, a wave of desolation washed over Yun Malachi. He sighed heavily, his gaze settling on the Yun Clan Third Elder. "Morgrim, oh Morgrim," he began, his voice heavy.

"You broke through to the Golden Core realm at four hundred years of age—your path to greater heights was already severed. Since then, you have drowned yourself in hedonism, your temperament growing increasingly volatile and capricious."

"Over the years, you have forcibly taken over one hundred concubines, even stooping to bully juniors on multiple occasions, casting aside all dignity. Many clans across the Ji Continent have nurtured grievances against you, held back only by the formidable reputation of our Yun Clan."

"Out of respect for your status as an elder Clan Patriarch, I turned a blind eye. But this time, you have kicked an iron plate. Do not blame this old man for being merciless."

As he spoke these final words, Yun Malachi's eyes turned icy. In one swift motion, he seized the Third Elder's Golden Core in his hand.

Seeing the murderous intent flash in Yun Malachi's eyes, the Third Elder's face twisted in utter despair. "Spare me, Clan Lord!" he pleaded, terror choking his voice. "I intercepted the Chen Clan's treasure boat solely to gather resources for your Nascent Soul formation!"

"Spare me..."

His plea hung in the air, cut short as Yun Malachi unleashed his power, completely suppressing him.

Having subdued Yun Morgrim, Yun Malachi turned his gaze upon the assembled elders. His expression was a mask of harsh resolve, yet his eyes held a profound anguish. "By sacrificing one," he declared, his voice heavy, "we preserve the clan."

"In this dire hour, only by severing the poisoned limb can we save the Yun Clan." Original English translation available at audio-novel.com.