Chapter 551 Eldrin (Person Name) Preaches

Lu Wenyuan followed closely behind his clan's venerable ancestor, his heart surging with overwhelming excitement. Yet the moment he stepped into the venue at Green Lotus Isle, an involuntary restraint washed over his demeanor.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator like him had long been regarded as a prominent figure in Tianyuan Province. Apart from the few Foundation Establishment elders from the Violet Manor immortal clans, anyone who crossed his path would show him due respect.

Yet here, he was merely 1 among many, as Foundation Establishment cultivators could be seen everywhere throughout the entire Green Lotus Continent.

Even the lofty Eldrin Ancestors, who would normally carry themselves with imposing majesty, now cautiously restrained their auras 1 by 1 upon arriving here, fearful of harming so much as a single blade of grass.

An old man and a youth arrived at the dojo's main hall to register. After each received an identification plaque, they settled in to quietly await the commencement day of the Daoist Lecture Assembly.

Early that morning, the day of the sermon had finally arrived. Lu Wenyuan, holding his identification plaque, made his way to the Lotus Haven Dojo.

The

With just a cursory glance, he discovered there were no fewer than 18,000 stone platforms. Countless cultivators were already locating their designated seats with identity plaques in hand.

"How could there be so many people?"

Lu Wenyuan drew a sharp breath. As 1 of the 30-6 prefectures of the Chen Kingdom, Tianyuan Prefecture—even including its Zi Mansion immortal clans—had barely over a 100 Foundation Establishment cultivators in total.

Throughout the entire Chen Kingdom, excluding the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization), there were only a few 1000 Foundation Establishment cultivators. Yet now, there were over 10 1000 of them—far exceeding their expectations.

The Patriarch of the Lu family wore an expression of extreme solemnity as he shook his head and said, "I've heard that this time, not only have cultivators from our Chen Kingdom been stirred into action, but even from the Yan, Ling, Yan, Chu, and Qi Kingdoms, a great number have come."

Rumor had it that even from the farthest reaches of Ji Province, including the state of Wei, and all the way to The Vast Sea (Location), countless cultivators had arrived via teleportation arrays. Moreover, within the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) alone, there were several 1000 Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Upon hearing this, Lu Wenyuan was once again deeply shaken, finally comprehending the terrifying influence of a Nascent Soul Dao Lord.

In truth, Eldrin was greatly astonished by the number of applicants this time, for even when Magnus the Virtuous Lord delivered his sermons at Heaven's Spine Mountains, the attendance never exceeded 3,000 participants.

Yet upon careful reflection, this was only to be expected. After all, the Heaven's Spine Mountains (Location) were sparsely populated, while the cultivation realms of various nations in the Ji Province had long been interconnected through teleportation arrays—let alone the fact that numerous cultivators had also arrived from The Vast Sea (Location) cultivation realm.

Observing Lu Wenyuan’s expression, the Lu Family’s Patriarch smiled faintly once more and said, “The opportunity the True Lord speaks of is exceedingly rare. Cultivators from across the land will naturally flock to it like swarming bees.”

"You must listen with utmost sincerity, for even a fleeting moment of enlightenment shall benefit you for a lifetime."

Wenyuan understood.

Lu Wenyuan nodded. Taking a deep breath, he addressed his clan’s revered ancestor, “I shall now take my seat and await the commencement of the Dao lecture.”

"Go now."

Lu Wenyuan held his number plate and walked forward, soon finding his assigned spot.

After taking his seat, he discovered his position was surprisingly close to the front—already situated in the foremost row among the Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Further ahead lay the 1,200 Zifu seats, while at the very forefront, over a 100 seats were occupied by Golden Core Ancestors who had always seemed unattainably distant.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his nervous tension, then noticed a young man beside him smiling as he cupped his hands in a respectful salute.

"I am Chen Fusu, greetings, fellow Daoist."

Lu Wenyuan’s expression shifted with awe. Sensing an unfathomable depth of aura from the figure before him, he promptly cupped his hands in respect and said, “I am Lu Wenyuan. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Chen.”

Chen Fusu smiled faintly and said, "Fellow Daoist, your face seems quite unfamiliar. May I ask where you hail from?"

"I am a descendant of the Lu Clan from Tianyuan Province." Lu Wenyuan's expression tightened, his face flushing crimson as he spoke. "Since you bear the surname Chen, could it be that you are..."

Chen Fusu smiled faintly and said, "There's no need to be nervous. Since you're seated in the first row, you must possess extraordinary qualities. Let us interact as equals."

Lu Wenyuan breathed a sigh of relief before asking, “Why would you say that, fellow Daoist?”

"Allow me to explain, and you shall understand."

Chen Fusu spoke casually, raising a hand to gesture toward the cultivators beside him. "The 1 on your left is Gu Qingyu—a chosen son of heaven blessed with a rare spiritual root. His father, the Hermit of Azure Verse, is a Golden Core Ninth Layer powerhouse, not far from reaching the realm of a True Lord."

The maiden clad in azure robes was named Meng Ruyan (Person Name). She was the most gifted prodigy the Meng Immortal Clan (Organization) had ever produced—a cultivator with a water spiritual root, who had been accepted as a personal disciple by Elder Lin (Person Name) of the Heavenly Ruins Sect (Organization).

The elderly cultivator in the gray robe was named Chen Zuxuan (Person Name). Though his weathered face spoke of advanced years, he possessed a rare 4 Spiritual Roots constitution. Achieving self-initiated Foundation Establishment at 60-3 was a groundbreaking feat that had set a precedent within our Chen Immortal Clan (Organization).

Chen Fusu recounted them 1 by 1 as if enumerating his family treasures, each name leaving Lu Wenyuan deeply astounded.

After a long while, Lu Wenyuan cupped his hands toward Chen Fusu and inquired, "I presume you, fellow Daoist, possess extraordinary talents as well."

Chen Fusu smiled faintly and said, "The difference in our ages is negligible. Since we both qualify to stand among this select group, we may well become kindred spirits in the future. It wouldn't hurt to tell you."

"Although I am a cultivator with a triple spiritual root, I possess the Trinity Dao Body and serve as the head of the Chen Clan's Fu-generation elders."

Dao Body...

Lu Wenyuan’s expression shifted abruptly. He couldn’t help but bow slightly and said, “Fellow Daoist, your talent is truly unparalleled. I merely possess the aptitude for self-established Foundation Building—I’m afraid I pale in comparison. My apologies, my apologies.”

"To say we stand as equals is likely an understatement." Chen Fusu shook his head with a light laugh, then remarked impassively, "My Chen Clan governs both The Vast Sea (Location) and the Kingdom of Chen. When individuals of notable talent emerge within our domains, we naturally extend our discreet patronage."

"Worry not, my Chen Clan possesses the magnanimity to embrace all talents. Many of the gifted youths across Ji Province have received favors from our Chen Family."

Lu Wenyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, then transmitted his voice discreetly, "Since childhood, my constitution has indeed been unusual. But with my limited knowledge and lack of influential backing, I naturally dared not recklessly expose this secret."

Chen Fusu smiled, his gaze tinged with reverence as he said, "The founding elder of our Chen family commands awe across the land. He has always abhorred evil as a mortal foe and upheld justice in all matters."

"You possess extraordinary talent. It's quite possible you might catch the eye of our Chen Family's Ancestral Elder and be accepted as his disciple to cultivate under his guidance."

Lu Wenyuan listened quietly, his heart filled with unease, yet he inexplicably sensed that some opportunity seemed to be approaching.

Several Foundation Establishment prodigies sat together, communicating via voice transmission, thus forming a small network of connections.

Thus time slipped swiftly by, until a full 1 shichen (2 hours) (Time & Distance) had passed. By then, all the cultivators who had come to listen had finally gathered. At last, movement stirred at the very heart of the Dao Discussion Assembly.

A spiritual light descended from the heavens, its faint cyan glow converging into a cyan lotus platform over 10 feet in diameter. Seated cross-legged upon it was a figure robed in snow-white garments.

Immortal?

Lu Wenyuan looked up at the figure, struck by his unparalleled handsome features. The man’s white robes seemed woven from immortal essence, radiating an aura of near-ascension brilliance.