Chapter 470 : A Vast Realm and Ancient Alliances

"Is that so?"

Eldrin Chen nodded, once again feeling profoundly awed by the sheer vastness of this world's Immortal Realm.

Merely the Three Veins Ancient Domain alone encompassed hundreds of continents, yet this domain was but a tiny corner of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland.

Faced with such an immense ancient world, even a Peerless True Lord [a supreme cultivator lord] capable of rending mountains and rivers for a thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single strike was nothing more than an ant to heaven and earth, not even enough to cause a tickle.

Suppressing the thoughts in his heart, Eldrin Chen looked at Path Master Unreal and asked, "Might I inquire when the next True Lord Barter Convention [a grand gathering for high-level cultivators to trade rare treasures] in Azure Luan Province will be convened?"

"Calculating by the usual cycle..."

Path Master Unreal counted on his fingers for a moment before replying, "It should be in roughly thirty-some years. We can journey there together when the time comes."

"Excellent. I shall trouble you to guide us then," Eldrin Chen said with a light shake of his head and a smile.

At this point, Eldrin Chen recalled the matter of establishing a nation and proceeded to inform Path Master Unreal about it.

After explaining the situation, he continued with a smile, "Currently, we still possess two Fourth-Rank Spirit Mountain [mountains imbued with potent spiritual energy of the fourth rank] that we wish to sell to Golden Core True Person [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, a solidified mass of spiritual energy] who are willing and in need of establishing their own Immortal Clan [a clan dedicated to the path of immortality]." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel*com.

"Your Celestial Lake Continent is a gathering place for rogue cultivators. I wonder if there are any trustworthy candidates you can recommend?"

Path Master Unreal's brow twitched slightly, a smile appearing on his face as he said, "Fellow Daoist, I have two candidates in mind. Please wait a moment."

As he spoke, he sent out several streaks of spiritual light. Not long after, three figures arrived at the pavilion.

The three individuals, two men and one woman, immediately cupped their hands in salute upon seeing Path Master Unreal. They then nodded towards Eldrin Chen before turning their attention back to Path Master Unreal and asking, "May we ask, True Person, for what purpose have you summoned us?"

"Let's not rush to business. Allow me to make introductions first."

Path Master Unreal began, gesturing towards Eldrin Chen as he said, "This is the Ji Continent Sword Immortal, Eldrin Chen. I presume you have heard of him."

"The Ji Continent Sword Immortal?"

The three cultivators' expressions shifted dramatically. They rose to their feet, visibly unsettled, and hastily bowed in deep respect. "So it is Fellow Daoist Chen in person. Our apologies for our earlier lack of decorum."

"There is no need for such formalities," Eldrin Chen said, raising a hand in a placating gesture, his tone calm and even.

A person's reputation casts a long shadow, just as a great tree casts a long one. Eldrin Chen's feat of slaying an Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a demonic beast whose power is equivalent to a human cultivator at the Infant Soul stage] had elevated his fame, even surpassing that of Path Master Unreal. A figure of such stature was someone even a True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Golden Core] would treat as an equal. It was no wonder the three True Persons felt so unsettled in his presence.

Path Master Unreal gestured for the group to sit, then introduced them to Eldrin Chen. "These are all fellow cultivators who have resided on Heavenly Lake Island for many years," he said. "Their character and integrity are beyond reproach."

As Path Master Unreal made the introductions, Eldrin Chen quickly grasped the circumstances of the three individuals.

All three were rogue cultivators. The most senior among them was a white-haired elder known as Flowing Stream True Person. He had surpassed seven hundred years of age and his cultivation had reached the Golden Core 7th Tier.

At such an advanced age, Flowing Stream True Person's hope of breaking through to the Infant Soul realm was virtually nonexistent. However, he had amassed considerable wealth over his long life and now, in his twilight years, wished to establish a new Golden Core-level sect.

The other two were a married couple. The man was named Feather Sikong, and his cultivation was also at the Golden Core Mid Stage.

His Dao Companion was a young, beautiful woman who went by the title Immortal Maiden Verdant Dipper. Her cultivation was slightly weaker, resting at the Golden Core Early Stage.

Feather Sikong and his wife had been Dao Companions for many years, supporting each other all the way to the Golden Core Realm. Their journey, while not without peril, had been relatively smooth. However, their clan had grown increasingly large over time.

Now, the annual cost of leasing a Spiritual Vein [a geographical formation that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] for their family had become a massive, recurring expense.

Seeing this as an unsustainable path, they too had begun considering the purchase of a Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with a powerful spiritual vein]. However, Fourth-Rank Spirit Mountains on the Celestial Lake Continent were exorbitantly priced, often costing tens of millions of Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. They could not readily produce such a sum.

After listening, Eldrin Chen nodded thoughtfully. "I have recently secured a Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein and established a new nation for cultivators," he stated.

"I have several Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] under my command that still lack cultivators to develop them. Would you be willing to take over a Fourth-Rank Spirit Mountain [a high-grade spiritual mountain suitable for powerful sects or clans] from me?"

Upon hearing this, all of them showed expressions of keen interest. Feather Sikong couldn't help but ask, "May I inquire, True Person, at what price are you willing to sell your Spirit Mountain?"

"For the Spirit Mountain and the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy], let's set the price at half off."

Eldrin Chen stated. This price was truly tempting, as it could save them millions of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

As expected, Flowing Stream True Person was swayed. Having lost hope of breaking through to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed] realm, the wealth he had accumulated over the years was already quite substantial.

If he could purchase a Fourth-Rank Spirit Mountain and an Earth Vein, he could recoup the cost within a few centuries of management. Moreover, it would provide a foundation to pass down to his disciples and sect. This novel is serialized on audio-novel . com. Visit for updates.

Thinking this, Flowing Stream True Person spoke up, "I am willing to make the purchase. However, my supply of Spirit Stone is insufficient. May I use magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] for payment?"

"That is acceptable."

Eldrin Chen nodded and produced a topographic map for Flowing Stream True Person to make his selection.

After examining the map, Flowing Stream True Person pointed at the Heavenly Ark Mountain Range [a mountain range named for its resemblance to a celestial vessel] and said with a smile, "I will take this Heavenly Ark Mountain."

"Your discernment is indeed sharp."

Eldrin Chen smiled faintly. Though the Heavenly Ark Mountain was currently remote and desolate, it was an untapped Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy], a land of rare and pristine natural beauty.

Furthermore, within the Spirit Mountain lay a Earth Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy] of the fourth rank. It could be said that this Heavenly Ark Mountain Range Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain or estate], once properly developed, could become the very foundation for a sect's legacy of Immortality [the state of transcending mortality and achieving eternal life].

Flowing Stream True Person said nothing more. He simply produced two Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts of the fourth tier] and a sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to purchase the Spiritual Vein [a concentrated channel of spiritual energy within the earth] of the Heavenly Ark Mountain.

He also wished to buy the Earth Vein within the mountain, but his remaining Spirit Stone and surplus treasures were insufficient. With no other choice, he gritted his teeth and brought out an exceptionally valuable, top-grade magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], using it to buy the earth-attribute Earth Vein from Eldrin Chen.

Having acquired several treasures and a sum of Spirit Stone, Eldrin Chen revealed a look of satisfaction.

A single Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein [a spiritual vein of the fourth tier] and the Earth Vein together had sold for over ten million Spirit Stone, which was no small income for him.

Although developing the Earth Vein himself would have been more profitable in the long run, it would have required several hundred years to recoup the investment and a significant amount of manpower.

Currently, the Chen Clan was short on hands and already possessed several Fifth Rank Spirit Mountain [spirit mountains of the fifth tier]. It was better to sell this one and use the Spirit Stone to purchase Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] and other high-rank treasures.

Having sold the Heavenly Ark Mountain Range, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to Feather Sikong and his wife. "What about you two? Do you wish to acquire the remaining Spiritual Vein?"

"Might the True Person allow us some time to consider?" Feather Sikong said with a bitter smile.

"You may." Eldrin Chen nodded. Having sold a Spiritual Vein [a subterranean vein that concentrates and emits spiritual energy], his mood had improved considerably. He continued, "I will remain on Heavenly Lake Island until the conclusion of the Path Discussion Assembly [a grand gathering of cultivators held once every sixty years]. Should you decide to purchase a Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy], you may seek me out during this period."

"Our gratitude."

The couple, Feather Sikong, offered a slight bow of courtesy before turning and withdrawing from the chamber.

Having settled these matters, Eldrin Chen also took his leave of Path Master Unreal and returned to the rented cave abode to resume his cultivation.

Time flowed swiftly onward, and the Path Discussion Assembly, held once every Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years in the traditional calendar], convened on Celestial Lake Continent as scheduled.

This iteration of the Assembly unfolded much like its predecessors, with one notable distinction: the cultivators hailing from the Ji Continent Chen Clan shone with exceptional brilliance. The complete novel can be found at audio–novel.com.