Chapter 461 : A Dragon's Oath and the Dao

Dorian Ji fell into a contemplative silence, standing motionless upon the Firmament.

The Black Dragon Demon Progenitor was an ancient and immortal True Dragon [a primordial and supreme draconic being], whose cultivation ranked among the top ten even within the Purple Realm. Should such an existence intervene in his Dao attainment, even a Human Race Dao Lord would likely have to pay a tremendous price to stop it.

Furthermore, at the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor's level of cultivation, promises were not given lightly. Its Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] resonated with the Great Dao, and its every action subtly aligned with the profound mysteries of the Dao itself.

Once a promise was made, it represented one's Dao Heart [the cultivator's core conviction and spiritual foundation]. To violate it would invite rejection from the Great Dao, making the path to comprehending the opportunity for Immortal Ascension [the final tribulation to become an immortal] immensely difficult thereafter.

Since it was willing to make this pledge, it meant that when Dorian Ji attempted his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm [the realm of spiritual manifestation beyond the Golden Core], this ancient Black Dragon would certainly not intervene.

As long as the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor did not act, the difficulty of Dorian Ji's external tribulations would be greatly reduced, and his chances of achieving the status of a Pure Yang Dao Lord [a Dao Lord who has attained a state of pure, unblemished Yang energy] would increase significantly.

"This Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor has had its physical body severed by me. Reforging it will take at least three hundred years."

"Moreover, even if it eventually reconstructs its form, the path to transforming into an Ancient Azure Dragon and breaking through to the Nascent Soul Demon Progenitor realm will undoubtedly be fraught with significant difficulty."

"It can no longer obstruct my path to the Dao."

Having reached this conclusion, Dorian Ji gave a slight nod and spoke with calm finality. "Agreed." Support the author by reading on audio-novel .c om.

Watching Dorian Ji grant passage, the Azure Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler coiled around the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's Nascent Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their highest essence] and vanished into the depths of the void in the blink of an eye.

After the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor departed, the Ji Clan Grand Elder furrowed his brow and asked, "Are we truly letting them leave just like that?"

"What else can we do?" Dorian Ji sighed, shaking his head. "At present, we lack the strength to confront the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor."

"That Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor is on the verge of transforming into a true dragon. A pity we cannot finish this in one decisive stroke!"

The Ji Clan Grand Elder also shook his head, a trace of helplessness coloring his expression.

Dorian Ji spoke no more. He descended from the sky, cast a glance at Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, and gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

He offered no lengthy discourse, simply stating, "All of you have contributed greatly to this great victory."

"Now that we are utterly triumphant, it is naturally time to reap the fruits of victory."

Everyone's faces lit up with joy. Since Dorian Ji spoke of reaping the fruits of victory, it surely meant seizing several of the Demonic Tribe's Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a land vein of immense spiritual energy, suitable for high-level cultivation].

Sure enough, the Ji Clan Grand Elder conjured an ethereal map with his mana, pointing to four Spirit Mountain [mountains rich with spiritual energy] upon it. "The Azure Wave Lake faction holds three Fifth Rank Earth Vein [powerful earth energy veins], and the Golden Rhino Lineage holds one Fifth Rank Spirit Vein."

"These are Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth]. They are Azure Wave Lake, Golden Rhino Ridge, Serpent-Crocodile Lake, and also Azure Lotus Continent."

Ji Clan Grand Elder spoke, casting a glance at the assembled group. "Azure Wave Lake is untouchable. However, Golden Rhino Ridge, Serpent-Crocodile Lake, and Azure Lotus Continent are within our grasp to seize."

"To prevent the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic beasts and monsters] from destroying the Spirit Vein, we must act immediately. Remember, speed and decisiveness are paramount."

Having decided to capture the three Fifth Rank Spirit Vein, the group immediately mobilized their forces. Ji Clan Patriarch personally led the assault on Serpent-Crocodile Lake, the location closest to Azure Wave Lake.

Golden Rhino Ridge was assigned to several Golden Core [the third major cultivation stage, where one forms a solidified golden core of power] experts from the Ji Clan. The assault on Azure Lotus Continent was led by Eldrin Chen and his companion, along with Yvonne the Violet Consort, Freya Ji, and four or five others who led their own contingents.

Azure Lotus Continent was originally the territory of the Golden Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, possessing a Fifth Rank Low Grade Spirit Vein and a Fifth Rank Wood Attribute Earth Vein [an earth vein imbued with the essence of the Wood element].

The Golden Flood Dragon Demon Emperor had fled for his life from the grand formation, not even daring to return to Azure Lotus Continent. When the group arrived, they found the local Demon King [a powerful ruler among demonic beasts] had also scattered, with only a few remaining Demon King lingering greedily, unwilling to abandon the treasures of the place.

The ensuing battle held little suspense. Eldrin Chen used the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void to seal the surrounding void. Under the relentless, coordinated assault of the group, they successfully captured this immensely valuable Fifth Rank Spirit Vein.

After securing Azure Lotus Continent, Eldrin Chen discovered that upon the Wood-element Earth Vein [a vein of elemental earth energy] of the continent grew a 'Creation Azure Jade Lotus'.

This 'Creation Azure Jade Lotus' was an exceedingly rare Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a spiritual plant born from the convergence of heaven and earth's essence]. Legend held it was a descendant born from a Lotus Seed of the 'Creation Azure Lotus', an Innate Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of the highest, natural order] from the Immortal Realm [the realm of true immortals], inheriting a fraction of its progenitor's exalted bloodline.

The Creation Azure Lotus [a legendary plant said to embody the power of creation] before their eyes was not overwhelmingly astonishing, yet its grade had reached the Fourth Rank High Grade [a very high level of spiritual potency], making it a remarkable Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a spiritual plant of immense natural power].

The Lotus Seed [seed of the lotus], Lotus Seedpod [the pod containing the seeds], Lotus Root [the rootstalk of the lotus], and even the Lotus Leaf [leaf of the lotus] from this Creation Azure Lotus were all extraordinary treasures born of heaven and earth.

Consuming the Lotus Seed could increase a cultivator's cultivation base; the Lotus Seedpod was a supreme material for crafting Magical Tool [enchanted artifacts]; the Lotus Root was said to be usable in forging an External Incarnation Body [a separate physical body for one's spirit]; and the Lotus Leaf was also a secret treasure for augmenting one's cultivation.

"A pity its grade is a bit low."

Yvonne the Violet Consort [a powerful cultivator known as the Violet Consort] sighed. If this Creation Azure Lotus were of Fifth Rank [the Golden Core Realm] grade, then merely the two Lotus Seed it bore each cycle would be enough to make True Lord [Nascent Soul Realm] cultivators covet them.

Although Fourth Rank High Grade was only one rank below Fifth Rank, the gap between them was far more than tenfold. Published by audi novel.com. All rights reserved.

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a cultivator from the Chen Clan] stirred slightly, then spoke: "This Creation Azure Lotus is useful to me. I will exchange my battle merits for it later."

"Agreed." Yvonne the Violet Consort nodded, then smiled. "When the time comes, just share some of the Lotus Seed with my Spirit Consort, the Younger Sister [her younger sister, also a cultivator]."

After taking stock, they discovered that Azure Lotus Continent [a continent named for its azure lotus flowers] held many treasures. The most precious among them was a Fifth Rank Low Grade [Golden Core Realm, low grade] Wood Vein [a spiritual vein rich in wood-element energy].

Within this Fifth Rank Wood Vein, a vein of Wood Vein Treasure Jade [a precious jade formed within a wood-element spiritual vein] was nurtured every thousand Annual Assembly [a term for a sixty-year cycle]. Furthermore, it was also home to a great abundance of Flood Water Azure Lotus [a type of lotus associated with the water element].

Although most of these Flood Water Azure Lotus [a rare spiritual lotus that thrives on flood water essence] were not of a high grade, they were crucial materials for refining the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform [a meditation platform that enhances cultivation through flood water energy], filling both Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang with immense delight.

"It seems we should secure this Earth Vein [a concentrated channel of earthly spiritual energy within the land]," Eldrin Chen remarked.

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang conferred in low voices, calculating whether they could acquire this Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a high-grade source of concentrated spiritual energy].

After roughly seven or eight days, the group finished cataloging the Spirit Vein [natural conduits of spiritual energy] within the Azure Lotus Continent, and the Ji Clan once again summoned everyone.

On that day, within the Grand Hall of Demonic Ape Mountain, over a dozen Nascent Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul] had gathered.

Among them, aside from the husband-and-wife pair Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, Yvonne the Violet Consort, and Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal, the rest were all True Lord [an honorific title for Nascent Soul cultivators] of the Ji Clan.

The Ji Clan Patriarch swept his gaze over the assembly and said with a smile, "This victory and its bountiful harvest owe much to the efforts each of you contributed."

"On behalf of the Ji Clan, I offer you my deepest gratitude."

"You honor us too much, True Lord," Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal promptly replied with a respectful bow. "We merely offered our modest assistance. This great triumph was ultimately secured by your masterful strategy, True Lord."

The Ji Clan Patriarch gave a nod of acknowledgment, then presented a ledger to the group. "Please review this account first. Once you have, we shall proceed with the distribution of rewards."

Eldrin Chen took the ledger and, after a brief glance, a look of pleasant surprise dawned upon his face.

He had anticipated significant gains from this battle, but he never imagined the spoils would be so astonishingly vast.

In this campaign, the Ji Clan had schemed against Azure Wave Lake, ultimately slaying the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor, the Five-Colored Heaven-Devouring Serpent, the Crimson Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, and the Frost Flood Dragon Demon Emperor.

Adding the Golden Rhino Lineage Female Demon Emperor slain by Eldrin Chen himself, they had eliminated a total of five Nascent Soul Demon Emperor [powerful demonic rulers equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm in cultivation]. Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel . com.