Chapter 551 : A Gathering of Legends

Alistair Lu followed behind his clan's Ancient Ancestor, his heart surging with excitement throughout the journey. However, the moment he stepped into the Azure Lotus Continent [a vast and spiritually rich continent named for its legendary azure lotus flowers] venue, an air of solemn restraint settled upon him.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation, the second major realm] of his standing was typically considered part of the upper echelons within Heavenly Fate Prefecture. Aside from the few Foundation Establishment Ancestor [senior Foundation Establishment experts who lead clans] from the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a clan whose core members have reached the Purple Mansion realm], anyone who met him would show due respect.

Yet here, he was but one among countless others. Foundation Establishment Cultivator were as common as blades of grass across the entire Azure Lotus Continent.

Even the usually aloof Purple Mansion Ancestor [powerful cultivators of the Purple Mansion realm, the stage beyond Foundation Establishment], upon arriving at this place, each carefully restrained their auras, fearful of damaging so much as a single blade of grass or leaf.

The elder and the youth arrived at the Grand Hall within the Daoist Assembly Ground [the designated grounds for this grand gathering of cultivators], registered their names, and each received a token. Then, they waited quietly for the day the Dao Lecture Assembly [a grand convocation where a supreme expert expounds upon the Dao, the fundamental principles of cultivation and existence] would commence.

Early on that fateful morning, the day of the lecture finally arrived. Alistair Lu, token in hand, made his way to the Green Lotus Isle Dao Arena [the central island arena, shaped like a lotus, where the Dao lecture is held].

The Green Lotus Isle Dao Arena was situated at the very heart of the lake. Alistair Lu looked up and saw that upon the Daoist Assembly Ground, stone platforms shaped like lotus blossoms rested upon the water's surface, each subtly shimmering with an aura of the Dao [the fundamental principle or path] and spiritual light.

With just a cursory glance, he discerned there were eighteen thousand of these stone platforms. A great multitude of cultivators, holding their tokens, were already finding their designated seats.

"How can there be so many people?"

Alistair Lu drew a sharp, incredulous breath. Heaven's Fate County, as one of the thirty-six counties of Chen Nation, even when combined with the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan, had little more than one hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators in total. Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel`com.

The entire Chen Nation has only a few thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have established their spiritual foundation], excluding those from the Chen Immortal Clan. Yet, before them now stood a crowd of over ten thousand, far exceeding their expectations.

The Lu Clan's Ancient Ancestor also wore an expression of utmost reverence. He shook his head and said, "I've heard that this time, it's not just cultivators from our Chen Nation who have come. A great many have also arrived from the Yan, Ling, Yan, Chu, and Qi nations."

"It is said that cultivators have come even from the distant Wei Nation at the far reaches of the Ji Continent, and even from The Vast Sea [a vast and perilous ocean realm], arriving via Teleportation Formation [magical arrays that allow instantaneous travel over vast distances]. And within the Chen Immortal Clan alone, there are several thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

Upon hearing this, Alistair Lu was once again deeply shaken, finally grasping the terrifying influence wielded by a Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms an infant spiritual avatar] Dao Lord [a title for a supreme master of the Dao].

In truth, Eldrin Chen was greatly surprised by the number of attendees. When Magnus the Virtuous lectured on the Dao in the Heaven's Spine Mountains, fewer than three thousand people typically attended.

Yet, upon reflection, this made sense. The Heaven's Spine Mountains were sparsely populated, whereas the various nations of the Ji Continent Cultivation World were now all connected by Teleportation Formation. This was not to mention the multitude of cultivators who had journeyed from the Vast Sea Cultivation World.

Seeing the look on Alistair Lu's face, the Lu Clan's Ancient Ancestor smiled faintly once more. "A lecture from a True Lord [a title for a powerful Golden Core stage cultivator] is a precious opportunity of immeasurable worth. Cultivators from across the world would naturally flock to it like moths to a flame."

"You must listen with utmost focus. Even a sliver of enlightenment gained here will benefit you for a lifetime."

"I understand, Grandfather."

Alistair Lu nodded. Taking a deep breath, he said to his clan's Ancient Ancestor, "I will take my seat now and await the commencement of the lecture in stillness."

"You may proceed."

Alistair Lu took his numbered token and proceeded forward, quickly locating his assigned seat.

Upon sitting, he realized his position was exceptionally close to the front, already within the foremost row reserved for Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation].

Beyond that lay the twelve hundred seats for Purple Mansion [cultivators who have opened their spiritual sea, forming a 'mansion' for their nascent soul] practitioners. At the very forefront, seated upon over one hundred daises, were figures of normally unreachable stature—the Golden Core Ancestor [venerable cultivators who have condensed a Golden Core, the seed of immortality].

He took a deep breath, suppressing his nervous excitement, and then noticed a young man seated beside him offering a slight, courteous bow with a smile.

"I am Caspian Chen, greetings, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]."

Alistair Lu was inwardly shaken, sensing an aura from the other that was profound and unfathomable. He hurriedly returned the bow. "I am Alistair Lu, greetings, Fellow Daoist Chen."

The Caspian Chen gave a gentle smile. "You seem unfamiliar, Fellow Daoist. Might I inquire from which region you hail?"

"I am a junior from the Lu Clan of Tianyuan Province," Alistair Lu replied, his expression tense and face slightly flushed. "You bear the surname Chen... could it be that you are...?"

Caspian Chen chuckled softly. "There is no need for nervousness. Since you are seated in the first row, you undoubtedly possess exceptional merit. Let us converse as equals."

Alistair Lu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and then asked, "Why do you say that, Fellow Daoist?"

"Allow me to introduce them, and you will understand."

As he spoke, Caspian Chen casually pointed to the cultivators beside him. "The person to your left is named Gu Qingyu. He is a heaven-favored talent with an Anomalous Spiritual Root [a rare and exceptionally powerful type of spiritual root]. His father, Qingci the Recluse, is a mighty expert at the ninth layer of the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solid golden core of spiritual power], not far from the True Lord Realm [a prestigious title for powerful Golden Core cultivators]."

"That young woman in the azure robes is Rosalind Meng. She is the first Heaven's Chosen [a prodigy blessed by heaven with supreme talent] in the history of the Meng Immortal Clan. A cultivator with a Water Spiritual Root [an affinity for water-element spiritual energy], she has already been taken as a Personal Disciple by Ancestor Elara of the Heaven's Ruin Sect."

"That elderly cultivator in the gray robe is named Chen Zuxuan. Don't be fooled by his aged appearance; he is actually a cultivator with Four Spiritual Roots [possessing four elemental spiritual affinities, which is considered a significant disadvantage]. Achieving Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [advancing to the Foundation Establishment realm without external aid like elixirs] at the age of sixty-three is considered a pioneering feat within our Chen Immortal Clan."

Caspian Chen recounted each name with intimate knowledge, each one striking Alistair Lu with a sense of awe. The complete novel can be found at audio-novel*com.

After a long while, Alistair Lu clasped his hands and asked Caspian Chen, "I presume you, Fellow Daoist, also possess extraordinary qualities."

Caspian Chen smiled and said, "Our ages are not far apart. Since we are gathered here, we may well become close comrades in the future. There is no harm in telling you."

"Although I am a cultivator with Three Spiritual Roots [possessing three elemental spiritual affinities], I possess the Triune Dao Body [a rare physical constitution that harmonizes three spiritual aspects]. Moreover, I am the leader among the clansmen of the Chen Clan's 'Fu' Generation."

"A Dao Body…"

Alistair Lu's expression changed abruptly, and he couldn't help but bow respectfully, saying, "Your talent is peerless, Fellow Daoist. I merely possess the aptitude for Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [a method of advancing to the Foundation Establishment realm without external guidance], I'm afraid I am far inferior to you. My apologies, my apologies."

"For us to be seated side by side, I suspect the reason goes beyond that." Caspian Chen shook his head with a smile, then spoke calmly, "Our Chen Clan governs The Vast Sea and Chen Nation, and we discreetly watch over individuals of notable talent who emerge within our territories."

"Do not worry. Our Chen Clan possesses the magnanimity to accommodate talent. Nowadays, many of the Heaven's Chosen [individuals blessed with exceptional innate talent for cultivation] across Ji Continent have received favors from our clan."

Only then did Alistair Lu let out a sigh of relief. He then transmitted a voice message discreetly, "Since childhood, my constitution has indeed been unusual. However, my knowledge is shallow, and I lack a powerful backer to establish a Deep-Seated Foundation [a stable and profound cultivation base]. Naturally, I dared not recklessly expose it."

Caspian Chen smiled, his gaze carrying a hint of reverence. "Our clan's Ancient Ancestor [a venerable, supremely powerful progenitor of the clan] commands awe across the land. He has always abhorred evil and dealt with matters justly."

"With your extraordinary talent, you might even catch the eye of our Ancient Ancestor and be accepted as his disciple to cultivate under his guidance."

Alistair Lu listened quietly, feeling a mix of apprehension and, inexplicably, a sense that an opportunity was drawing near.

The several Foundation Establishment [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a stable spiritual foundation] Heaven's Chosen seated together began conversing via voice transmission, thus forming a small circle of connections.

Time passed swiftly in this manner. After the span of One Shichen [a traditional unit of time equal to two hours], the cultivators who had come to listen had finally all arrived. At the heart of the Grand Dao Discourse Assembly [a grand gathering where profound cultivation truths are expounded], movement finally stirred.

A beam of spiritual light descended from the heavens. A faint azure glow coalesced, transforming into a green Lotus Platform [a sacred dais shaped like a lotus flower, often used by high-level cultivators] over one Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] in size as it settled. Upon that green platform sat a figure robed in snow-white garments.

"An Immortal?"

Alistair Lu looked up at the figure, feeling as though he were gazing upon a being of unparalleled grace. The man's features were flawlessly handsome, and his robes of white seemed woven from strands of immortal mist, radiating a light so pure it bordered on transcendence. The complete novel can be found at audio-novel . com.