Chapter 594 : The Wastelands' Hidden Veins

Gareth the Earth-Warden spoke to this point, then shook his head and said, "It is still better in your Eastern Wastelands. Though remote and desolate, one can cultivate new Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] or seize them from the grasp of Demonic Monsters."

As Gareth the Earth-Warden recounted, Eldrin Chen came to understand that the current Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] of the Eastern Wastelands were mostly migrants who had come from the Central Ancestral Domain.

Because the spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things and the world] in the Central Ancestral Domain was insufficient to support more cultivators, they had no choice but to migrate to the Eastern Wastelands and the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, also helping to fill the population void left after the repeated collapses of the Eastern Domain Great Wilderness Cultivation World.

In comparison, the Central Ancestral Domain was safer, without the rampant scourge of Demonic Cultivator or the pervasive presence of Demonic Tribe [organized groups of demonic beings]. However, in the wilds, one could scarcely draw even a wisp of spiritual energy, meaning opportunities were far fewer than in the Eastern Domain Great Wilderness Cultivation World.

Speaking of this, Gareth the Earth-Warden smiled again. "Within the Eastern Wastelands, many Immortal Clan are branches from the Central Ancestral Domain. In the past, it was likely a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed a nascent soul, a powerful spiritual infant within the dantian] who led part of their clan to pioneer and claim new territories."

"Who knows, perhaps if you journey to the Central Ancestral Domain in the future, you might even find kin from ages past."

Eldrin Chen heard this and smiled. After thousands, even tens of thousands of years of separation, and across hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of mountains and rivers, even if they were truly fellow clansmen, the blood ties would be exceedingly faint.

Unless the few founding Ancient Ancestor from the initial separation were all still alive, what difference would there be between them and complete strangers?

After their lively conversation, the banquet commenced. Virtuous Peak had prepared a feast of delicacies, and the celebration lasted a full three days before concluding.

Once the banquet ended, Magnus the Virtuous asked Eldrin Chen and his companion to stay behind. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel-dot-com.

The three of them were seated within the Grand Hall, and Magnus the Virtuous smiled, saying, "It has been a mere few decades, yet you have already cultivated to the Nascent Soul, 3rd Tier [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a spiritual infant]. Such talent is truly remarkable."

"It is merely a recent breakthrough, nothing to boast about," Eldrin Chen replied with a cupped-hand salute, then continued, "How has your cultivation fared in recent years, Senior?"

"It has proceeded smoothly enough; I have successfully refined a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power or technique]," answered Magnus the Virtuous.

As he spoke, Magnus the Virtuous's expression turned grave. "In a short while, I have an important matter that will require me to leave Virtuous Peak for a time."

"However, after my departure, Verdant Spirit alone will likely be insufficient to suppress the Black Malignancy Elder Fiend. Therefore, before I leave, I intend to pacify the Ridge of the Black Fiend."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen's countenance shifted slightly. The Heaven's Spine Mountains stretched for tens of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] and were respectively controlled by the three races: Human, Demonic Monsters [powerful, often malevolent beasts that have gained spiritual awareness and power], and Demonic Tribe.

Among them, the Demonic Tribe [a faction of sentient demonic beings] held a portion, ruled by the Celestial Crane Demon Emperor and the Tengshe Demon Emperor. Magnus the Virtuous controlled another portion, while the Black Malignancy Demon Monarch occupied the most crucial territory: the Ridge of the Black Fiend.

Long before Magnus the Virtuous had broken through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Nascent Soul realm], his position had been wedged between the Demonic Tribe and the Ridge of the Black Fiend, holding firm against the pressure from both sides of the Demonic Monsters.

Now, several years had passed since his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, and it was unexpected that he had already resolved to pacify the Ridge of the Black Fiend.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen declared, "Setting aside the immense debt of gratitude I owe you, Senior, the Black Malignancy Elder Demon alone is an enemy of mine. Since you intend to move against them, it is my duty to stand with you."

"That puts my mind at ease."

Magnus the Virtuous smiled warmly before continuing, "With centuries of friendship between us, I trust your character implicitly. As I cultivate the Virtuous Righteousness [a divine ability that requires absolute moral integrity and truthfulness], it would be wrong to keep secrets from you."

"To speak plainly," he confessed, "I once made a grand vow to reconnect the Earth Vein [the spiritual energy channels that flow through the world's foundation] for the Heaven's Spine Mountains, seeking in return an opportunity to achieve my Dao. The Ridge of the Black Fiend is the crucial link for reconnecting that Earth Vein."

At this point, Magnus the Virtuous's expression turned grave. "I need your Chen Clan True Lords to mobilize fully and lend me your strength."

Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath upon hearing this. After a long moment of silence, he nodded firmly. "You have our word, Senior. We will commit ourselves entirely."

"Good." Magnus the Virtuous nodded in satisfaction, a gentle smile returning to his face. "I regard you as my own. If I succeed in attaining the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a profound realm of power] realm, I will be able to shelter your clan from the storms for many more years to come."

"The treasures seized from the Black Malignancy Ridge, along with the Star Fragment [a fragment of celestial essence used in high-level crafting] needed to refine the Demonic Spring, I leave to you."

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang returned to their clan and immediately summoned the several True Lord [a high cultivation realm, often equivalent to Golden Core] of the Chen Clan.

Within the Clan Grand Hall on Verdant Chariot Mountain, all of the Five True Lords of the Chen Clan were present, save for Kael Chen who was away traveling. They gathered, each wearing a look of puzzlement as they gazed at Eldrin Chen.

Seeing that everyone was present, Eldrin Chen finally spoke. "Magnus the Virtuous is preparing to move against the Ridge of the Black Fiend."

"Is this truly so?"

Everyone's expressions were a mix of shock and joy—shock at the suddenness of this campaign, and joy that the Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a territory corrupted and dominated by demonic cultivators] was finally to be eradicated, resolving the greatest blight upon the Ji Continent Cultivation World.

Thalion Chen calmed his emotions and, after a long moment, asked, "When will this battle commence?"

"In Three Years Later."

Eldrin Chen stated, then continued with a grave expression. "I intend to commit the full strength of The Vast Sea and Chen Nation to assist Magnus the Virtuous in waging war upon the Ridge of the Black Fiend." Experience the full epic at audi novel.com.

Upon hearing this, everyone's countenance shifted slightly with solemnity.

The Ridge of the Black Fiend was no ordinary target. As a formidable Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land, it was not easily assailed. Within such a powerful stronghold resided not only cultivators like the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor, who was at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the penultimate stage of the Nascent Soul realm], but also two other Nascent Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm] and over a million Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic and corrupt energies].

With the Demonic Spring [a corrupted spiritual spring that emits demonic energy] providing an endless supply of Demonic Fiend Qi [a malevolent and corrupt form of spiritual energy], the forces of Virtuous Peak alone were far from sufficient to purge such a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land. It would require the concerted might of an entire great continent to launch a successful assault.

Otherwise, after Magnus the Virtuous expended his power to breach the outer layers of Demonic Fiend Qi, his Mana [the spiritual energy or power wielded by a cultivator] would already be severely depleted. How then could he contend against the countless Demonic Cultivator and the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor, who would be empowered by the Demonic Spring?

This war may exact a grievous toll, yet it is one that must be fought. Otherwise, when the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied era of demonic invasion and cosmic upheaval] descends, the situation will be utterly different.

By then, the forces of the Eastern Wastelands will be dispatched to the Eastern Sea Cultivation World to quell the chaos, leaving the rear areas—the Ji Continent and even The Vast Sea—exposed before the Ridge of the Black Fiend. A single misstep could see countless Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] annihilated by the Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who have embraced demonic arts and serve demonic powers].

Contemplating this, Lila spoke, "With the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm set to erupt in just over two centuries, it is indeed prudent to eliminate this lurking threat while we still possess the strength."

"I share that sentiment."

Elara Lin also nodded in agreement, her heart settled on the necessity of this battle.

For while the Human Race could still negotiate with the Demonic Tribe [tribes of native demonic beings]—as the demons too needed humanity to stand as a bulwark against the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic entities from beyond this world]—the conflict with the Demonic Cultivator was one of utter annihilation, with no room for compromise.

It must be remembered that the Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land within the Eastern Wastelands were all machinations left behind by the Extraterrestrial Demon God [a supreme demonic entity from beyond the stars].

After a moment's thought, Lyra Jiang said, "This war is not the responsibility of our clan and Virtuous Peak alone. The Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent cannot stand idly by. We must draw them into this fight alongside us."

"Then we shall inform Yvonne the Violet Consort and Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal as well," said Eldrin Chen with a faint smile. "If they join the fray, it will significantly lighten the burden upon our shoulders."

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] spoke, then continued, "At present, the forces of the Ji Clan [the Ji Clan, a powerful cultivation family] are being redeployed within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the vast and perilous cultivation realm of the Eastern Sea]. Several Nascent Soul Late Stage [cultivators at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, the fifth major cultivation stage] are also standing guard for my cousin's breakthrough, rendering them unable to lend their strength for a time. However, Freya [Freya Ji, a formidable cultivator] should be able to participate in this battle." The story continues at audio–novel.com.