Chapter 624 : The Gathering of Golden Cores

Within the Great Hall of Spirit Isle Lake, five True Lord [powerful cultivators who have formed their Golden Core] had gathered.

Eternal Profound Chen cast a glance at Eldrin Chen and inquired, "You've just returned and summoned us all. Has something momentous occurred?"

Eldrin Chen gave a solemn nod and proceeded to recount the events to the assembled group.

Upon hearing the tale, grave expressions settled upon everyone's faces. Lila spoke with a heavy tone, "The strength of the Desolate Demon Ridge is not insignificant. Wouldn't moving against them now be somewhat premature?"

"Indeed," agreed the Old Patriarch, his brow furrowed with concern. "At present, Kael has not yet returned to the clan, and Silas must wait another thirty years before attempting his breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the stage of cultivation where one's nascent soul is formed]. Would it not be wiser to wait a while longer?"

"It is not that I wish to act hastily," Eldrin Chen sighed, then continued, "Even if we reclaim the sword tip belonging to Senior Azure Abyss, its restoration will require a considerable span of time. It would be best if we could aid its recovery before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied cataclysmic event involving a surge of demonic energy] erupts."

The others exchanged glances upon hearing this, and the thoughts of delay were quietly suppressed within their hearts.

Once the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm breaks forth, even an Infant Soul True Lord [a True Lord who has advanced to the Infant Soul stage] faces a not-insignificant risk of perishing. If the clan possessed a Primordial Solar Immortal Sword [a legendary sword of immense solar power] as a hidden trump card, the Chen Clan's chances of weathering this tribulation would be vastly increased.

Having reached this conclusion, Elara Lin declared, "If that is the case, then we must commit ourselves fully to this battle."

"It seems there is no other choice." Find this and other novels at audio~novel.com.

Old Patriarch spoke, then continued, "This battle is too far from Ji Continent. It would be difficult for us to mobilize low-level cultivators on a large scale."

"That is of no concern," Eldrin Chen replied calmly, a flicker of thought in his eyes. "Nine Rivers Continent is also a major continent. Let the low-level cultivators there contribute their strength."

"It will take at least several years to conscript cultivators from that region. In the meantime, we can dispatch some cultivators at the Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm] level and above to provide assistance."

"Very well," Eternal Profound Chen said, stroking his long beard. "Nine Rivers Path Master is a Late Stage Infant Soul Great Cultivator [a cultivator at the peak of the fifth major realm]. With the combined forces of our Chen Clan and the Heavenly Reed Sect joining the fray, our chances of victory in this battle are already quite substantial."

"..."

Within the vast expanse of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, the Human Race occupies six ancient domains: the Star Lake Ancient Domain, the Seven Stars Ancient Domain, the Long River Ancient Domain, the Myriad Voids Ancient Domain, the Stellar Ancient Domain, and the Three Veins Ancient Domain where Ji Continent is located.

Among these ancient domains, the Stellar Ancient Domain is held by the Stellar Palace, the Long River Ancient Domain is the seat of the Long River Holy Land, and the Myriad Voids Ancient Domain is the territory of the Lin Clan.

In truth, in the distant past, the Human Race possessed eight great ancient domains. The seventh and eighth of these domains are now the locations of the Fallen Deity Ridge and the Netherworld Sea.

The Netherworld Patriarch of the Netherworld Sea was once a highly respected Human Race Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the sixth major realm and comprehended a profound Path]. Over three thousand years ago, a single thought led him to demonic enlightenment. He comprehended the legendary Netherworld Demonic Path [a sinister cultivation method aligned with the underworld] and fell from grace, becoming a Demonic Cultivator [a cultivator who uses malevolent methods] of Primordial Spirit [the sixth major cultivation realm] whose name struck terror across the land.

Similarly, several thousand years ago, the Fallen Deity Ridge was also a Human Race Path Lord Sacred Land [a holy land guarded by a human Path Lord], defended by a Human Race Path Lord [a supreme cultivator who has mastered a profound Path].

It is a pity that the vital essence and birth details of that Human RacePath Lord [a supreme master who has comprehended a fundamental law of the cosmos] were obtained by a Demon God [a powerful entity of the demonic race]. Several Heavenly Demon [powerful demons] who cultivated the Way of Celestial Mechanism [an esoteric art of fate and cosmic calculation] joined forces and used a vile curse to cause his demise.

After the Human RacePath Lord fell, his physical body and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] both transformed into black blood, polluting a vast Path Lord Sacred Land [a holy land established by a Path Lord] and turning it into a Forbidden Land [a perilous and corrupted region].

Thereafter, Fallen Deity Ridge was occupied by the Demonic Path [the cultivation path of demons and malevolent beings] Primordial Spirit cultivator Fallen God Patriarch, and from then on, it became a dreaded holy land for Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow demonic or evil paths].

At this moment, upon Fallen Deity Ridge, Desolation Old Demon knelt cautiously before a Great Hall, trembling as he awaited something.

After a long while, the doors of the Great Hall opened, and a woman with a figure of near perfection and a countenance like a Celestial Being [an immortal or divine being] emerged.

"I pay my respects to Your Highness the Saintess [a title for a holy or revered woman]."

Desolation Old Demon hurriedly performed a formal salute, his expression one of utmost reverence.

She glanced at Desolation Old Demon, her eyes like stagnant pools showing no ripple of emotion. "The Patriarch [a venerable clan or sect leader] summons you. Follow me."

Only then did Desolation Old Demon rise to his feet, his face respectful as he followed her into the Great Hall.

The moment he stepped into the Great Hall, Desolation Old Demon felt an overwhelmingly vast and oppressive demonic aura bearing down upon him, causing the trembling in his heart to intensify.

Within the Great Hall, a figure cloaked in a black and gold robe stood tall and imposing, its form as majestic and unyielding as a divine fiend. The terrifying Hugo behind it remained obscured from view.

Desolation Old Demon drew a deep breath and promptly prostrated himself before the Earthly Path [the fundamental cultivation path of the earth element], saying, "This junior pays his respects to the Sacred Venerable [a title for a supremely powerful and revered cultivator]. May the Sacred Venerable enjoy eternal Longevity [a state of everlasting life and vitality] and ascend to become a True Demon [a being of pure demonic essence and power]."

"There is no need for such formality."

The Fallen God Patriarch stood in silent contemplation, his gaze fixed upon Desolation Old Demon for a long moment before he finally spoke. "Tell me again," he said, "about the situation concerning that Returning Abyss."

"Hah..."

Desolation Old Demon took another deep breath, hurriedly relayed all the information to the Fallen God Patriarch, and then could not help but add, "If that Returning Abyss Path Master truly possesses the potential for a Great Encompassing Infant Soul [the foundational spiritual embryo stage for achieving the Great Encompassing realm], it could spell disaster for our Demonic Path [the cultivation arts and philosophies aligned with demonic forces]. I implore you, Patriarch, to intervene and nip this threat in the bud." For uninterrupted reading, go to audio . novel . com.

"You worry too much."

After a moment of thoughtful silence following these words, the Fallen God Patriarch gave a faint, dismissive smile. "To forge a Great Encompassing Infant Soul," he explained, "one requires the Nine Heavens Celestial Immortal Energy [a supremely rare and potent spiritual essence from the highest heavens] as a catalyst to shatter the Great Encompassing Shackles [the metaphysical constraints binding one from reaching the Great Encompassing realm]."

"Nowadays, the Human Race possesses scarcely any Immortal Energy [the purified energy required for ascension to immortality], and what little remains is tightly controlled by those old fossils in the Central Ancestral Domain. If they had truly granted him its use, then Returning Abyss would surely have been whisked away and hidden within the Central Ancestral Domain long ago."

At this point, a flicker passed through the Fallen God Patriarch's eyes. He paused, then continued thoughtfully, "However, while he may not have forged a Great Encompassing Infant Soul, since this Returning Abyss Path Master possesses Five Spiritual Roots [a rare and balanced affinity for all five elemental spiritual energies], he undoubtedly achieved a Great Encompassing Golden Core [a perfected Golden Core foundation within the Great Encompassing framework]."

"Such celestial talent, even if it cannot achieve immortality, will undoubtedly become a Heaven-Propping Pillar [a crucial supporting force] for the Human Race in the future. We must act swiftly to eliminate it."

Fallen God Patriarch spoke with detached calm, then declared with full confidence, "Enough. I shall personally unleash the Fallen God Curse [a potent curse technique] and send that That upstart Eldrin to his grave."

"Hmm—"

As he spoke, he began to channel the Demonic Path Curse Technique [a sinister curse art] to slay Eldrin Chen, but halfway through the incantation, he let out a soft sound of surprise and withdrew the spell.

He performed a brief divination on the spot, his eyes flickering with astonishment. Shaking his head, he said, "It seems that Eldrin Chen from Returning Abyss has cultivated a Body Protection Divine Ability [a defensive technique] from the Celestial Mechanism Path [a profound cultivation method]. If I were to cast the curse now, not only would it fail to kill him, but it would also alert him to our presence."

"So be it."

Fallen God Patriarch's gaze turned icy as he looked at Desolation Old Demon and said, "You may return. I will arrange for someone to assist you in this matter."

"This junior obeys."

With those words, Desolation Old Demon bowed respectfully and withdrew.

After his departure, Fallen God Patriarch turned his gaze to the Saintess of Fallen Deity Ridge and said, "Verdant Child, my recent divinations revealed something unexpected. The key to the revival of your divine soul seems to lie with that That upstart Eldrin."

"Oh."

Verdant Child replied silently, his eyes like fathomless abysses showing not a ripple of emotion.

"Alas."

Gazing at the utterly placid expression on Verdant Child's face, a rare trace of warmth surfaced in Fallen God Patriarch's voice. "My Life Soul [the core soul governing life and vitality] is held in the grasp of an Outer Realm Demon God. I am no longer master of my own fate."

"But now, the opportunity for your spirit to fully awaken has arrived. For that, your father is willing to pay any price, no matter how great, to set you back upon the Great Path [the ultimate Dao of cultivation and enlightenment]."

"......" For more chapters, visit audi0-n0vel.c0m for the complete novel.