Chapter 658 : The Price of War and Honor

Jaxian Huan spoke thus, stroking his beard with a smile. "However, you need not worry. For the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the great war against the demonic tide from the abyss], one must either contribute wealth or contribute strength."

"In essence, we desire more people to contribute their strength. Aside from what is consumed in the war, the remaining Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] will ultimately be distributed as rewards to those who distinguish themselves with merit."

"Moreover, these quotas are only set for those Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] who are cowardly and unwilling to contribute their strength."

At this point, Jaxian Huan began to explain to the two the conscription rules for the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm.

According to the rules established by the Eastern Desolation Immortal Alliance, for the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, besides paying Spirit Stone, one can also offset the required Spirit Stone quota by contributing personnel and effort.

For example, if a cultivator from the Chen Clan participates in the war, then a single Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul, a powerful spiritual infant] can offset one hundred Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade, purified form of Spirit Stone]. Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, being at the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage, can each offset two hundred Heavenly Crystal.

Furthermore, a Fifth Rank Treasure Boat [a powerful enchanted vessel] like the Crimson Flood Dragon War Junk, if willingly deployed for this great war, can also offset a quota of two hundred Heavenly Crystal.

Other contributions, such as Formation [magical arrays], Treasure Boat, Spirit Talisman [enchanted paper slips], and even Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], can all be offered. Anything that proves useful to the war effort can be used to offset the required Spirit Stone quota.

After listening, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of relief. If most of the Chen Clan's Nascent Soul True Lord participated in the war, then the required quota to be paid would not be excessive.

Lyra Jiang exchanged a glance with Eldrin Chen and transmitted her voice. "Looking at it this way, the Immortal Alliance's purpose in setting this colossal war tax is not only to raise supplies but also to encourage everyone to join the fight and resist the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm." Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel[dot]com.

"That is only fitting," Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement before continuing, "Since that is the case, I have no objections."

"Then it is settled," Lyra Jiang inclined her head slightly and addressed Jaxian Huan, "I am aware of this matter. However, its gravity demands deliberation. Our Chen Clan must confer before we can finalize the precise number of participants."

"As it should be," Jaxian Huan acknowledged with a nod, adding, "With the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the prophesied great conflict against the demonic forces] now a mere forty years away, we can afford no further delay."

"Three Years Later, we shall gather at the Long River Sacred Land to formalize the pact of war. Your presence is imperative."

"Understood," Eldrin Chen affirmed.

Seeing this, Jaxian Huan rose to his feet. "Numerous Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families with long lineages] reside in the Eastern Wastelands. My duty is to notify those of Nascent Soul Late Stage [the penultimate major realm of cultivation] strength within the Three Veins Ancient Domain. Several clans remain on my list, so I shall take my leave."

After bidding farewell to Jaxian Huan, Eldrin Chen immediately convened the Chen Clan's several Nascent Soul [a major cultivation realm where one forms a spiritual infant within the dantian] elders.

Within the Grand Hall of Verdant Chariot Mountain, six figures gathered: Eldrin Chen, Lyra Jiang, Lila, Thalion Chen, Silas Chen, and Elara Lin.

The Old Patriarch [the venerable elder and former leader of the clan], his mind clear as a polished mirror, spoke first upon seeing the assembly. "You have gathered us today. Is it concerning the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm?"

"Precisely."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and proceeded to inform the others of the situation.

After hearing him out, their brows furrowed with concern. Thalion Chen could not help but speak up, "What is your assessment?"

"The Abyssal Demon Tribulation is a calamity we cannot shirk. We must commit our full strength,"

Eldrin Chen declared firmly. He then continued, "For this campaign, I intend to leave only one True Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm] to guard the clan. All others shall join the battle."

"Only a single True Lord?"

Elara Lin's expression shifted slightly, a note of worry in her voice. "The Eastern Wastelands teem with Demonic Monsters [malevolent creatures born of demonic energy]. Can a lone Nascent Soul [the spiritual embryo formed within a Golden Core cultivator, representing a major advancement] truly secure our home?"

"There is no need for concern on that front," Eldrin Chen shook his head. "The Eastern Desolation Immortal Alliance long ago forged a pact with the Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core and consciousness of a cultivator, surpassing the Nascent Soul] realm Demonic Monsters. During the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, any Demonic Tribe [a collective of demonic beings] forces at the Nascent Soul level or above are forbidden from taking action."

"Should the Demonic Monsters break this covenant," he continued, his tone turning grave, "then the Human Race would not hesitate to pay any price, no matter how grievous, to first eradicate all Primordial Spirit realm Demonic Monsters within the Eastern Wilderness."

Pausing briefly, he added, "As for the various Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [places of concentrated demonic energy where heretical cultivators gather], the Various Great Immortal Clans have spent these years rooting out the majority of them. The few Nascent Soul Demon Fiend [a demonic cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm] who managed to escape will be watched by forces the Eastern Desolation Immortal Alliance leaves behind for that very purpose."

Hearing this explanation, the gathered group finally allowed themselves to relax somewhat.

Lila swept her gaze across the assembled elders and asked, "Then, who should remain to guard the clan?"

Eldrin Chen surveyed the room, pondered for a moment, then declared firmly, "Let Silas stay."

"Clan Uncle, I wish to join the battle."

Silas Chen rose to his feet, his lips pressed together as he spoke.

However, Eldrin Chen shook his head, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a catastrophic eruption of demonic energy from the depths of the world] is no trivial matter. You have only recently broken through to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms an infant spiritual soul] realm. Venturing there would be far too perilous."

"Moreover, you have already forged an Earthly Path Foundation [a foundational cultivation path deeply connected to the earth's energies]. Remaining with the clan serves as a vital contingency." Read the full novel exclusively on (audio-novel.com).

His words cast a pall over the gathering. Everyone knew the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm was fraught with unimaginable danger, a place where even a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a master who has reached the Nascent Soul stage and comprehended profound Dao principles] could perish. Not even Eldrin Chen dared claim that he would return alive.

Should the worst occur, Eldrin Chen, Lyra Jiang, and Lila had all cultivated the Nirvana Tribulation Transference Art [a supreme art allowing one to transfer the karmic burden of a heavenly tribulation and potentially be reborn], granting them a chance at reincarnation. The others, however, had not yet succeeded in mastering this supreme art.

"Let us instead discuss the clan's preparations for the coming conflict."

Sensing the somber mood, Thalion Chen deftly shifted the topic.

Eldrin Chen gave a solemn nod. "This battle is not merely my own affair," he declared, "but a matter that concerns countless cultivators across the entire Ji Continent."

"For this war, we shall summon all Immortal Clan under our banner, those with cultivators at the Golden Core realm or the Purple Mansion realm and above, to participate. We will mobilize one million cultivators whose cultivation has reached at least the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer."

"As for Immortal Clan whose strongest members are only at the Qi Refinement or Foundation Establishment realms, we will not force their hand. Those willing to contribute manpower may do so. Those unwilling to send cultivators may instead contribute a sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement. This way, those lower-tier Immortal Clan would not be utterly depleted in a single night, and they could still share some of the burden.

After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "How should the levied amount of Spirit Stone be calculated?"

Eldrin Chen turned his gaze toward the Old Patriarch, Thalion Chen. As the one most familiar with the various great Immortal Clan under their command, he was the most appropriate person to explain.

Thalion Chen did not answer immediately. After some calculation, he stated, "Those at the Qi Refinement, Early Stage shall contribute five Spirit Stone. Those at the Qi Refinement, Mid Stage shall contribute ten. Those at the Qi Refinement, Late Stage shall contribute thirty."

"Combining the forces from The Vast Sea and the Chen Nation, we have a total of over thirty million clan cultivators. Altogether, they can provide us with military supplies worth approximately one billion Spirit Stone."

Everyone present nodded. This was no small sum, though collecting it would certainly not be the work of a single day.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "If we entrust the collection to the various Golden Core Immortal Clan and Purple Mansion clans," he cautioned, "we must be vigilant against anyone who might seize the opportunity for personal enrichment."

"Should anyone be discovered with unclean hands, they shall be dealt with most severely."

Thalion Chen gave a solemn nod. Relying solely on the manpower of the Chen Clan was an impossibility for taxing tens of millions of cultivators. The only viable method was to delegate the task in layers, subcontracting it to the various Golden Core powers and Purple Mansion Immortal Clan sects, entrusting them with the collection.

In this process, a single misstep could lead to layers of surcharges being piled on, plunging the lower-ranked cultivators into misery and hardship. Experience the full epic at www . audio-novel.com.