Chapter 659 : The Golden Rhino's Secret Quest

At this thought, Thalion Chen declared with a sharp gaze, "I will select a number of trustworthy clansmen to form an Investigation Bureau. Should we discover any Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] overcharging, we will naturally arrange to deal with it."

Only then did Eldrin Chen feel reassured. The Chen Clan held absolute authority within the territories of The Vast Sea and Chen Nation, so it was unlikely anyone would dare to tamper with matters as grave as the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a major calamity involving demonic forces].

Having settled the matter of participation, Eldrin Chen turned and inquired, "How is the preparation for the Golden Rhino Treasure Ship [a powerful enchanted vessel] progressing?"

"We are still short by three hundred and fifty thousand pieces of Second Rank Spirit Wood [a type of spiritually infused timber]," replied Thalion Chen, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness.

More than a century ago, after successfully forging the Crimson Flood Dragon War Junk, the Chen Clan had begun preparations to construct a second War Treasure Boat [a formidable magical warship].

However, the sheer quantity of Spirit Wood required to craft such a Treasure Ship was immense. Even with the Chen Clan's Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and stable accumulation of resources and power], gathering the necessary materials within this timeframe had proven difficult.

"It seems relying solely on the clan's strength will not be enough to gather the required Spirit Wood," Eldrin Chen remarked calmly.

He then continued, "The Heavenly Lake Continent also cultivates a significant amount of Spirit Wood. I shall send a message to Brother Zixu; we should be able to secure the remaining quantity from there."

"Then it is settled," Thalion Chen concluded.

After the meeting concluded, the assembly gradually dispersed, leaving only Eldrin Chen and Old Granduncle behind. Access the full story on AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Old Granduncle looked at Eldrin Chen, his expression grave as he inquired, "It has been nearly three Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years] since Kael left the clan to temper himself through experience, and yet there has been not a single whisper of news. Could some misfortune have befallen him?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, pondering for a moment before replying, "I attempted to divine his fate using the Great Derivation Heaven Art [a supreme art of celestial calculation]. Yet, his presence seems shrouded by some aura, preventing me from pinpointing his exact location."

"However, the divination signs suggest he is not currently in mortal peril."

"Alas." Old Granduncle let out a sigh of relief, though a trace of worry remained. "With the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the impending great calamity born from the demonic abyss] looming ever closer, it is a pity Kael has not yet returned. His strength would have been a significant asset."

Eldrin Chen remained silent. The prolonged absence of Kael Chen weighed on his mind, a silent knot of concern.

Yet, if even his own arts could not pierce the veil surrounding Kael Chen, the forces involved likely operated on a level of at least Nascent Soul Grade [the realm of the Nascent Soul, a profound stage of cultivation]. Such depths were far beyond his current reach to probe.

Setting those thoughts aside for now, Eldrin Chen shifted the topic. "How fares Uncle Lior now? Will he be able to attempt a breakthrough to Nascent Soul [the Nascent Soul realm] before the cataclysm strikes?"

"His last attempt was seventy years ago. He should have time for one more attempt before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm descends."

At the mention of Lior Chen, Old Patriarch's countenance grew solemn, a shadow of gravity passing over his features.

Eldrin Chen had broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm [the realm where a cultivator's soul condenses into an infant form, granting immense power and longevity] after more than four hundred years of age. Now, in what felt like the blink of an eye, his lifespan had already passed seven hundred and fifty years.

Lior Chen was over thirty years older than Eldrin Chen, now standing at the lofty age of seven hundred and eighty. His remaining lifespan and vital Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things] were insufficient to support another breakthrough attempt.

The only course now was for him to consume a Longevity Pill [a rare elixir that extends a cultivator's natural lifespan] to gather the strength for one final assault on the Nascent Soul Realm.

Thinking this, the Old Patriarch said with concern, "Lior's foundation is insufficient. His previous two attempts ended in failure. While his chances have improved somewhat for this third try, even with the aid of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a supreme pill that aids in the formation of the Nascent Soul] and the Five Veins Nascent Soul Formation [a powerful array formation that stabilizes spiritual energy during the Nascent Soul breakthrough], I estimate his odds at merely four or five in ten."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression also turned grave. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The clan still possesses four Creation Green Lotus Seed [a legendary seed containing immense life force and creation energy]. Let us allocate one more to him."

"Alas, it seems that is our only option."

Thalion Chen let out a soft sigh, his heart filled with trepidation at the thought that Lior Chen might yet again fail in his breakthrough.

Meanwhile, deep within the Eastern Wilderness, in the heart of the Godfall Ancient Domain [a perilous, ancient land shrouded in mystery and danger], a man of upright stature shattered his shackles. Bearing the marks of countless wounds, he stood resolute before a towering cliff.

This man was none other than Kael Chen. Clad in robes of deepest black, his features were pale and strikingly handsome, his eyes holding depths as profound and unfathomable as an abyss.

"You have succeeded."

At that very moment, a faint voice drifted through the air.

Thanatos the God-Slayer stood there in utter stillness, his pupils as placid as a deep lake, his voice carrying the desolate and ancient timbre of a relic from primordial times.

Kael Chen turned his head, gazing silently at Thanatos the God-Slayer. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Master, it is time for me to depart."

"Go. You do not belong here."

Thanatos the God-Slayer spoke with detached calm, turning away as he continued. "Once the Demonic Abyss is opened and the will of the Demon God fully invades, seizing complete control of my Life Soul [the core essence of one's being and destiny], you and I shall become mortal enemies."

Having said his piece, he strode purposefully deeper into the Grand Hall.

Kael Chen watched his retreating back in profound silence, rooted to the spot for what felt like an eternity. In the end, he turned and left without uttering another word. This novel is serialized on @udio-novel.com. Visit for updates.

After his departure, Thanatos the God-Slayer sat in solemn meditation within the Grand Hall. A miasma of dark energy, slow yet inexorable, began to envelop him, relentlessly corroding his divine soul [the higher spiritual consciousness of a powerful cultivator].

He remained seated there, his expression unwaveringly serene and silent. Only a faint whisper escaped his lips.

"What does it matter to be a True Lord [a powerful cultivator at the Golden Core realm]? What significance holds the title of Dao Lord [a master who has comprehended a profound Dao]? Those who fail to ascend as Immortals or Demon Monarchs are, in the end, nothing but ants!"

"To grasp the reins of myself's own destiny, one must ascend to become one of the Nine Heavens Immortal Demons [the supreme demonic beings said to reside in the highest celestial realms]."

"You must walk your path well, and walk it farther than I ever could."

Time flowed like a song, fleeting and transient.

In the blink of an eye, three years passed. On this day, several figures flew towards the outskirts of the Long River Sacred Land.

The arrivals were Eldrin Chen and his two Dao companions, Yvonne the Violet Consort, Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal, along with Zixu the Daoist and some seven or eight other Nascent Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul, the embryonic form of their immortal spirit].

As their destinations were nearby, they had decided to travel together to attend the assembly of the Eastern Desolation Immortal Alliance.

When they arrived at the periphery of the Long River Sacred Land, they could not help but exchange glances, their expressions tinged with astonishment.

For within the Long River Ancient Domain at this moment, a convergence of immensely powerful auras gathered, pressing down like a river of stars.

One after another, venerable Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator—beings who were sovereign-level existences across an entire continent—seemed as insignificant here as stars in the vast heavens.

Eldrin Chen focused his senses slightly and perceived no fewer than two thousand auras at the Nascent Soul level.

Even mighty figures at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the penultimate major stage of cultivation before achieving immortality] had arrived, numbering close to two hundred. Furthermore, there were over thirty peak-level individuals at the Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm [a transitional state between the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms, possessing partial Nascent Soul power].

Most crucially, several auras of unparalleled brilliance were present. Each one blazed like a sun, so radiant they utterly eclipsed the myriad stars in the heavens.

"Could the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World [the realm where cultivators reside and pursue the Dao] truly be this glorious?"

Eldrin Chen's expression was one of shock, bordering on disbelief.

Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal [a title for an immortal known for their elusive and profound nature], being widely experienced, smiled and explained, "The exact number of Nascent Soul True Lord [a venerable title for a cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul] within the Eastern Wastelands is unknown even to me, but I estimate it to be around three thousand."

"However, this Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving the eruption of demonic energy from an abyssal rift] is an event none dare take lightly. Thus, nearly all have gathered here. One could say this is a grand assembly rarely seen in a Millennium [a period of one thousand years]."

As they were speaking, Jaxian Huan approached with a smile. Looking at Eldrin Chen, he said, "Your timing is perfect. The grand assembly is about to commence."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the group, Jaxian Huan led them to the front of a courtyard compound. He then stated, "This area is reserved for the various Fellow Daoist [a respectful term cultivators use to address each other] from the Three Veins Ancient Domain. Please wait here for the conference to begin." Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel[dot]com.