Chapter 647 : The Ancestor's Decisive Voyage

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and said, "I shall make the journey myself and settle this matter."

Seeing that Eldrin Chen had decided to go personally, Thalion Chen revealed a faint smile.

Corin Chen and his companion waited cautiously outside Spirit Isle Lake, their hearts filled with anxious anticipation for the summons.

They waited for what felt like an eternity, until two figures strode into view, each possessing an aura that transcended the mundane world.

"It's that one."

Corin Chen murmured inwardly, recognizing Thalion Chen.

Not long ago, this venerable figure had received them—a kindly and approachable senior Ancient Ancestor.

But now, standing beside Thalion Chen was another figure, robed in snow-white garments, his divine countenance and bearing flawlessly perfect, striking the two observers with awe as if they beheld a celestial being descended to earth.

As the pair stood in wonder, Eldrin Chen approached with serene steps. He acknowledged the Old Patriarch with a nod, then addressed Corin Chen: "Come with me." For more chapters, visit audio—novel.com for the complete novel.

"Yes... yes!"

The siblings, Corin Chen and Luna Chen, snapped out of their stunned state and hurriedly followed him aboard the Treasure Ship.

Once the two had boarded the Treasure Ship, Eldrin Chen immediately urged the Verdant Jade Phoenix Feather Ship to fly towards the Long River Ancient Domain.

Seeing that he seemed to be going alone, Corin Chen couldn't help but say, "Ancient Ancestor, the Fang Clan is not weak. Are you truly going alone?"

"Hmm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then explained, "The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the periodic, world-shaking calamity caused by the eruption of demonic energy from the abyss] approaches. Most of our clan's cultivators are occupied with vital tasks. I shall handle matters on the Spirit Void Continent myself."

Hearing this, a mix of alarm and hope stirred within Corin Chen's heart. He was alarmed that Eldrin Chen might be overconfident, yet hopeful that his willingness to act alone suggested considerable confidence in his success.

In truth, for Eldrin Chen, the clan's cultivators truly were stretched thin.

Now, only twenty years remained until the Century Pact [a decisive battle pact made a century prior] at Desolate Demon Ridge. This coming battle was of monumental importance, and the Chen Clan needed to prepare with utmost urgency.

Furthermore, the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm itself loomed a mere eighty years hence. It was time to begin stockpiling resources to weather that perilous cataclysm.

At present, the clan was severely short-handed, and Lyra Jiang [the clan's powerful matriarch] still needed to enter seclusion for cultivation, aiming to break through to the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation where one's soul becomes an independent entity] as soon as possible.

Under such circumstances, there was naturally no need to mobilize the entire clan's forces just to deal with a single Newly Advanced Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan that has recently produced its first Nascent Soul cultivator, marking its ascension to a higher tier of power].

The Long River Ancient Domain, within the Spirit Void Continent.

Within a majestic Spirit Mountain Dao Field [a mountain blessed with potent spiritual energy, serving as a cultivation sanctuary], over twenty Golden Core Cultivator [practitioners who have condensed their spiritual power into a solid Golden Core, the third major stage] had gathered, each face etched with worry and bitterness.

A young Golden Core Cultivator [a practitioner at the third major stage of cultivation] spoke up, his voice trembling with fury, "The Fang Clan [a rival Nascent Soul clan] presses us relentlessly. Not only have they seized our share of the Ethereal Void Market [a major trading hub for cultivators], but they also injured our Second Elder."

"Coupled with the Seven Stars Mountain [a spirit mountain] and the Three Rivers Market [another trading market] they took from us just days ago, they have severely wounded seven of our Golden Core Cultivator [practitioners at the third major stage]. I cannot rest until this great enmity is avenged!"

As the young Golden Core [cultivator] raged, the others present could only share in his anguish, their expressions mirroring his pain.

With the Chen Clan [the protagonist's clan] currently weaker, the Fang Clan [the rival clan] naturally sought to seize this chance to completely devour them, aiming to usurp the Chen Clan's Deep-Seated Foundation [the accumulated spiritual resources, heritage, and territory that form the bedrock of a clan's long-term power] to complete their own accumulation as a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan powerful enough to have produced a Nascent Soul cultivator]. Their methods were, by any measure, far from honorable.

At the head of the Grand Hall [the main assembly hall of the clan], sat three cultivators at the Golden Core, Late Stage [the peak of the third major cultivation stage].

One of them looked towards the leader and could not help but ask, "Grand Elder [the highest-ranking elder], what is the word from the Long River Sacred Land [the paramount power of the region]? Are they willing to intervene and mediate?"

"They are unwilling."

Grand Elder revealed a bitter smile and said, "The rise and fall of the Various Great Immortal Clans across the world, their mutual annexations and conflicts—if we intervened every single time, how could the Long River Sacred Land possibly manage it all?"

"Moreover, the Ancient Ancestor's current physical condition likely cannot sustain him until the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. His importance to the Long River Ancient Domain is also less than that of that True Lord."

Speaking to this point, the Grand Elder shook his head and said, "Given the current circumstances, all we can do is, before the Ancient Ancestor passes away, try to take away the clan's Deep-Seated Foundation [the accumulated resources and legacy that form the core of a clan's strength] and leave the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy] to that Fang Clan."

"*Hum—*"

Just as the members of the Chen Clan were deliberating, outside the Spirit Mountain Dao Field [the spiritual mountain and its cultivated lands], several majestic Treasure Ship [large, enchanted vessels used for travel and warfare] appeared in the sky, surrounding the vast Spirit Mountain Dao Field. Dive deeper into the Dao at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

From atop these Treasure Ship, waves of powerful auras swept over the mountain, immediately alerting everyone within the Grand Hall.

"*Whoosh, whoosh.*"

Streaks of light shot into the sky as the many Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power] elders of the Chen Clan emerged, their expressions grave as they looked out at the surrounding Treasure Ship.

"It's the Fang Clan."

Grand Elder's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly asked in a raised voice, "Honored members of the Fang Clan, what is the purpose of such a display today?"

"Hahaha!"

A wild laugh echoed from the Treasure Ship. A middle-aged man strode forth, exuding an aura that seemed to look down upon the world. He spoke with haughty arrogance, "This lord has come, naturally, for your clan's Spirit Mountain."

"This..."

With a True Lord from the Fang Clan personally appearing, the Chen Clan members seethed with silent fury, not daring to voice their anger. The Chen Clan Grand Elder could only reply with a changed complexion, "Our Chen Clan Ancient Ancestor has not yet passed from this world. For a True Lord to drive us from our home now, is that not going too far?"

"Who are you to speak? Have your Ancient Ancestor come out and converse with me." The Fang Clan True Lord's expression turned icy, his aura pressing down on the crowd and causing their expressions to shift dramatically.

It was at that moment that a stooped, elderly figure emerged from within the Spirit Mountain.

The newcomer was none other than the Chen Clan Ancient Ancestor. He gazed coldly at the Fang Clan True Lord and said, "Orin Fang, to bully juniors in such a manner, does it not disgrace your station?"

"Hahaha!"

The moment he saw the Chen Clan Ancient Ancestor, the Fang Clan True Lord let out three great laughs. Then he declared, "So the rumors are true. You have indeed reached the brink of death from your grievous wounds."

"Ahem." Chen the Ancient Ancestor coughed twice, taking a long moment to catch his breath before speaking. "Since you know this old man cannot hold on much longer, why not wait until I pass away before coming?"

"Wait for you to pass away?"

Orin Fang seemed to have heard the most ludicrous joke, his gaze turning icy as he spoke with a sneer. "If we waited for you to pass, your Chen Clan would have long since transferred all its accumulated Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and its Deep-Seated Foundation [the accumulated wealth and resources that form the bedrock of a clan's long-term stability]. What use would an empty Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] be to us then?"

In Orin Fang's view, the entire Chen Clan was a feast laid out on his platter. The Deep-Seated Foundation [the accumulated wealth and resources that form the bedrock of a clan's long-term stability] painstakingly accumulated over a Millennium [a period of one thousand years] was already his for the taking. Naturally, he would not be willing to let the Chen Clan simply walk away.

Seeing this, Chen the Ancient Ancestor's expression changed drastically. "To annex the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] and our industries is one thing," he said. "It can be said we lack the strength to defend these gains. But to also seize my Chen Clan's Deep-Seated Foundation [the accumulated wealth and resources that form the bedrock of a clan's long-term stability], painstakingly gathered over a Millennium [a period of one thousand years]... this is going too far."

"We are all of the Human Race. With such tyranny, do you not fear others treating you the same way in the future?"

"Hmph." Orin Fang snorted coldly, utterly dismissive. "Old fool, you seem to have regressed with age. I am stronger than you—that is my justification, my Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy]."

Having said that, his voice turned frigid. "Enough. In the end, we must still settle this through force. Watch as I shatter your Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] and make your clan bow in submission."

As his words fell, Orin Fang summoned forth a Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [a divine blade forged to vanquish demonic entities]. With contemptuous ease, he shattered the protective Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols used for defense, attack, or cultivation] enveloping the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation].

The Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [a divine blade forged to vanquish demonic entities] surged with radiant light, its sword energy cleaving through the defensive arrays like a hot knife through butter, leaving the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] exposed and vulnerable.

Although the Chen Clan of the Spirit Void Continent was also a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan, Chen the Ancient Ancestor had only advanced to the Nascent Soul realm a little over four hundred years prior. Furthermore, he had been severely afflicted by a curse and remained in a wounded state, leaving him with no spare strength to deploy a Fifth Rank Formation around this Spirit Mountain.

Now, Orin Fang shattered the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation with his first strike. His Immortal Sword danced with devastating grace; even the combined efforts of over twenty Golden Core True Person were utterly insufficient to match him. Within a few swift sword strokes, they were all grievously wounded. This chapter is provided by AUDIO-NOVEL.COM. Support the original.