Chapter 649 : A Prodigy's Path to the Main Clan

Before departing, Lucian Chen [a senior member of the Chen Clan branch] pondered for a moment and then said to Eldrin Chen, "That child Corin Chen possesses extraordinary talent. Keeping him in Ethereal Void Continent is truly a waste. I wonder if he could be sent to Ji Continent for proper cultivation?"

"Ancient Ancestor."

Corin Chen's expression shifted slightly, and he couldn't help but grasp Lucian Chen's sleeve.

Seeing this, Lucian Chen patted his hand and said, "If you go to the main clan, you will become part of the main lineage from now on. Do not fail their nurturing."

Eldrin Chen felt a stir in his heart. This Corin Chen possessed an Earth Element Physique [a special constitution attuned to the Earth element] and was a cultivator with an Earth Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for Earth-attributed spiritual energy] of the Heavenly Spiritual Root [the highest grade of innate spiritual affinity] grade. He was indeed worthy of cultivation.

After some consideration, he thus spoke, "Then come with me."

Having taken Corin Chen with him, Eldrin Chen set off for Ji Continent and returned there not long after.

After entrusting Corin Chen to the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Isle Lake and resumed his life of secluded cultivation.

Time flowed on, and more than a dozen years passed in a flash. On this day, Eldrin Chen sat solemnly by the shore of Spirit Isle Lake, his expression grave as he waited for something.

After an indeterminate length of time, a powerful aura erupted from within the Seclusion Chamber. Immediately after, Lyra Jiang stepped forth. Official source: audi0-n0vel.c0m. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"It is done."

Eldrin Chen revealed a gratified smile. Not long ago, Lyra Jiang had achieved perfect harmony within her Mana [the fourth major cultivation realm, where one forms a 'Purple Mansion' spiritual sea], touching the threshold of the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [the fifth major cultivation realm, where one forms an independent spiritual entity]. Now, she had finally broken through to the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage.

He stepped forward, taking Lyra Jiang's hand in his own, and asked, "How do you feel?"

"Quite well."

Lyra Jiang smiled. With this breakthrough to the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage, her power had increased substantially. Once her Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact intimately connected to a cultivator's life force and cultivation base] was fully advanced, she would possess combat prowess comparable to a Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator.

Thinking of this, she spoke, "Since I have broken through to the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage, our chances of success in dealing with the Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range infested with demonic beings] have greatly increased."

The Chen Clan had prepared for many years. After selling several Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [powerful artifacts specifically designed to suppress demonic entities], they had gathered the necessary Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth]. This advancement proceeded without major incident.

The process of advancing the Spiritual Treasure [a general term for enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] took another hurried five years. Shortly after its completion, Thalion Chen came to find them.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the Old Patriarch said, "A letter has arrived from Tianlu Sect Master. He states that the Century Pact [a pivotal agreement or destined event spanning a century] is approaching. It is time to move against the Desolate Demon Ridge."

"How swiftly time passes."

Eldrin Chen felt a faint sigh stir within his heart. The events of the Battle of Desolate Demon Ridge seemed as vivid as yesterday, yet in the relentless rush of time, a full century had already slipped by.

Exchanging a glance with Lyra Jiang, Eldrin Chen suppressed his wandering thoughts and spoke, "Since the appointed time has arrived, let us prepare to move."

With those words, Eldrin Chen personally penned several letters, dispatching them to Zixu the Daoist, Ancestor Mo, and the others.

Merely three months later, the assembled forces gathered upon the Treasure Ship and set course for the Nine Rivers Continent.

To ensure the utter annihilation of the Desolate Demon Ridge, not only did Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang take part personally, they had also invited four other Nascent Soul True Lord: Yvonne the Violet Consort, Ancestor Mo, Zixu the Daoist, and Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal.

Among the True Lord of the Chen Clan, aside from Kael Chen who had yet to return, only Silas Chen—who had recently broken through to the Nascent Soul realm—remained behind to guard their home.

Seeking vengeance for Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden, the Tianlu Sect had mobilized in full force. The Tianlu Sect Master himself took to the field, accompanied by two True Lord Elders.

Upon their arrival at the Nine Rivers Continent, Nine Rivers Daoist greeted Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang with evident delight. "With your recent ascension to the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage," he said, "our chances of victory have increased substantially."

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded in acknowledgment before inquiring, "What is the current situation within the Desolate Demon Ridge?"

"The situation remains unclear."

When the topic of Desolate Demon Ridge was raised, Nine Rivers Daoist's expression turned grave. With a solemn brow, he said, "Neither Pyroclast the Elder Demon nor Desolation Morgrim and his ilk are easy opponents. Furthermore, the Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land obscures my vision. I cannot be certain of the exact situation within."

"However, I can confirm that no new Nascent Soul Demon Fiend has entered."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow. After all, they were dealing with three Nascent Soul Late Stage demonic fiends. It was indeed unwise for Nine Rivers Daoist to venture in alone.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen declared, "Regardless, we can delay this battle no longer. We strike today."

"Agreed."

Nine Rivers Daoist nodded and began deploying forces to assault Desolate Demon Ridge. Visit audi0-n0vel.c0m to enjoy the complete series.

Having prepared for this conflict for a full century, his preparations were thorough. He mobilized a vast fleet of Treasure Ship and legions of cultivators to encircle Desolate Demon Ridge, launching an assault upon its Demonic Malignancy Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array fueled by demonic energy].

As the Myriad Immortals Annihilation Formation [a legendary formation designed to suppress demonic forces] was activated, streams of radiant light descended to suppress Desolate Demon Ridge. To everyone's surprise, the ridge's Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a defensive formation that draws upon the mountain's spiritual veins] was shattered after a mere half-month.

"What is happening?"

With the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation breached, the assembled forces exchanged bewildered glances. Given the formidable demonic aura saturating Desolate Demon Ridge, it should have withstood their siege for several months at the very least. Its collapse in a mere fortnight was profoundly unsettling.

Eldrin Chen sensed something was amiss and immediately transformed into a streak of sword light, shooting straight for the heart of Desolate Demon Ridge. Yet, upon arrival, he found not a single Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator remained within the ridge.

Seeing the situation was wrong, Eldrin Chen seized a Golden Core Demonic Cultivator. His gaze was icy as he demanded, "Why are only the likes of you here? Where are Desolation Morgrim and the others?"

The Golden Core Demonic Cultivator trembled with utter terror, stammering, "Lord Desolation Ancient Fiend and his followers... they departed from Desolate Demon Ridge more than thirty years ago."

"*Clang—*"

With a single sword stroke that ended the demonic cultivator, Eldrin Chen's expression turned profoundly grave.

Witnessing this, Lila could not help but ask, "That Desolation Morgrim is no weakling. Why would he abandon this place?"

"I should have realized it sooner," Nine Rivers Daoist inhaled deeply, his face solemn. "Pyroclast the Elder Demon and the others came to aid Desolation Morgrim under Hemlock the Bloodweaver's command. Naturally, such aid demanded a price from Desolation Morgrim in return."

"Looking at it this way, there is only one possible explanation."

At this point, Nine Rivers Daoist's gaze, heavy with implication, swept over the group.

Eldrin Chen gave a grim nod, his eyes turning frosty. "Hemlock the Bloodweaver is likely attempting a breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core of a cultivator, transcending the Nascent Soul]. Desolation Morgrim and his ilk have left to stand guard for him."

"Then it is dire indeed."

Hearing their analysis, Tianlu Sect Master's expression shifted dramatically.

If the Eastern Wastelands were to gain another Demonic Cultivator of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, it would inevitably cause a massive upheaval in the power dynamics of the Eastern Wilderness.

Especially since the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied great calamity involving demonic forces] was looming on the horizon. Adding another Primordial Spirit-realm Demonic Cultivator would certainly disrupt the plans of the Eastern Desolation Immortal Alliance.

With this thought, Lyra Jiang declared, "We cannot allow Hemlock the Bloodweaver to achieve his Primordial Spirit breakthrough. We must notify the Star Palace immediately and request Pure Yang Dao Lord [a Dao Lord of pure Yang energy] to obstruct his path to ascension."

"Let us first cleanse the Desolate Demon Ridge."

As he spoke, Nine Rivers Daoist began slaughtering the Demonic Cultivator within the Desolate Demon Ridge, clearly intending to seize this chance to purge the stronghold completely.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen suppressed his own thoughts and summoned his Immortal Sword. He swiftly joined the assault on the Desolate Demon Ridge, cutting down the Demonic Cultivator until their corpses littered the ground.

This battle, which they had anticipated would be a grueling and bloody conflict, concluded in a manner that defied all expectations—an anticlimactic and abrupt end.

With over a dozen Nascent Soul True Lord [cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm] leading the charge, the conflict lasted a mere three hours. By its end, the ranks of Demonic Cultivator within the Desolate Demon Ridge had been decimated, leaving only scattered remnants.

Thus, a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a territory corrupted and ruled by practitioners of demonic arts] was cleansed and laid low by the assembled heroes. Discover more cultivation stories at (audio-novel.com).