Chapter 647 : A Celestial's Summons

"Very well."

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

Seeing that Eldrin Chen had decided to go personally, Eternal Profound 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 Eternal Profound Chen.

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

But now, standing beside Eternal Profound Chen was another figure. Clad in robes as white as snow, his divine countenance and bearing were flawlessly perfect, striking the two observers with the awe-inspiring impression of a Celestial Being [a being who has ascended to a higher, immortal state of existence].

As the pair stood in wonder, Eldrin Chen approached with serene steps. He gave a nod to the Old Patriarch and then addressed Corin Chen: "Come with me." Read the full novel exclusively on www . audio-novel.com.

"Yes... yes!"

The siblings Corin Chen and Elowen Chen snapped out of their stunned state and hurriedly followed him aboard the Treasure Ship [a large vessel powered by spiritual energy, often used for long-distance travel by cultivators].

Once the two had boarded the Treasure Ship, Eldrin Chen immediately urged the Greenjade Phoenix Feather Boat [a swift and elegant flying vessel crafted from jade and phoenix feathers] to fly towards the Long River Ancient Domain.

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

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then explained, "The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, world-shaking calamity where demonic energy surges from the abyss] approaches. Most of our clan's cultivators have urgent duties. I will handle the matter on the Ethereal Void Continent myself."

Hearing this, Corin Chen felt a mix of alarm and hope. 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 were indeed stretched thin.

Now, only twenty years remained until the centennial confrontation at Desolate Demon Ridge, a battle of immense consequence. The Chen Clan needed to prepare with utmost urgency.

Furthermore, the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm was a mere eighty years away. It was time to begin stockpiling resources to weather that perilous storm.

At present, the clan is severely short-handed, and Exquisite Jiang must still enter seclusion for cultivation, preparing to break through to the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where the nascent soul is nurtured] as swiftly as possible.

Under such circumstances, there is naturally no need to mobilize the entire clan's forces to deal with a newly ascended Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarch has reached the Infant Soul Realm].

"..."

Long River Ancient Domain, Ethereal Void Continent.

Within a majestic Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] and its Path-Field [a cultivated field for growing spiritual plants], more than twenty Golden Core Cultivators [cultivators at the third major realm, possessing a solidified golden core of power] had gathered, each wearing expressions of deep distress.

A young Golden Core Cultivator, his face a mask of fury, spoke through gritted teeth: "The Fang Clan presses its advantage relentlessly. Not only have they seized our share of the Ethereal Void Market, but they also injured the Second Elder."

"Coupled with the Seven Stars Mountain and the Three Rivers Market they took from us days prior, they have severely wounded seven of our Golden Core Cultivators. I swear I am not a man if this great enmity goes unavenged!"

Witnessing the young Golden Core cultivator's furious outburst, the others could only reveal looks of shared anguish.

Now that the Chen Clan's power was diminished, the Fang Clan naturally sought to seize the chance to completely swallow them whole, to usurp the Chen Clan's accumulated foundations and complete their own transition into a true Infant Soul Immortal Clan. Their methods were, predictably, far from honorable.

At the head of the Great Hall, three cultivators at the Golden Core Late Stage [the peak of the Golden Core Realm] stood.

One of them looked at their leader and could not help but speak out, "Grand Elder, what did the Long River Holy Land say? Are they willing to mediate?"

"They are unwilling."

The Chen Clan Grand Elder revealed a bitter smile and said, "The great Immortal Clans of the world rise and fall, annexing and warring with each other. If they intervened every single time, how could the Long River Holy Land possibly manage it all?"

"Moreover, the Patriarch's current condition... I fear he cannot hold on until the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. In terms of importance to the Long River Ancient Domain, he cannot compare to that True Lord."

Speaking to this point, the Grand Elder shook his head. "Our only course now is to do what we can before the Patriarch passes. We must take away as much of the clan's foundational resources as possible and leave the Spirit Mountain for that Fang Clan."

Just as the Chen Clan members were deliberating, outside the Spirit Mountain's Path-Field, several majestic Treasure Ships appeared in the sky, surrounding the vast expanse of the mountain's cultivation grounds.

From these Treasure Ships, waves of powerful auras swept across the mountains and rivers, immediately alarming everyone within the Great Hall.

"*Whoosh, whoosh.*"

Streaks of light shot into the sky as the Chen Clan's numerous Golden Core Elders emerged, their expressions grave as they looked upon the Treasure Ships outside.

"It is the Fang Clan."

The Grand Elder's expression shifted slightly, and he hurriedly called out in a loud voice, "Esteemed members of the Fang Clan, what is the purpose of such a display today?"

"Hahaha!"

A burst of wild laughter came from the Treasure Ship. A Middle-aged Man stepped forth, exuding an aura that seemed to look down upon the entire world. He spoke in a haughty tone, "I have come here, naturally, for your clan's Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy, a prime location for cultivation]."

"This..."

With a True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator who has mastered their Primordial Spirit] from the Fang Clan personally appearing, the members of the Chen Clan dared to feel anger but not voice it. The Chen Clan Grand Elder could only say with a changed expression, "Our Chen Clan Patriarch 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 Patriarch come out and converse with me." The Fang Clan True Lord's face turned cold, his imposing aura pressing down on everyone, 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 indeed the Chen Clan Patriarch. He looked at the Fang Clan True Lord, a hint of chill in his expression as he said, "Mysterious Whale Fang, to bully juniors in such a manner, does it not disgrace your station?"

"Hahaha!"

The moment he laid eyes on Chen Clan Patriarch, the Fang Clan True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has attained a profound understanding of their path] let out three booming laughs before declaring, "It seems the rumors were true after all. You are indeed on the brink of death from your grievous wounds."

"Cough, cough." The Chen Clan Ancestor [the revered founding ancestor of the Chen Clan] coughed twice, taking a long moment to catch his breath before replying, "Since you understand this old man cannot hold on for much longer, why not wait until I pass away naturally before coming?"

"Wait for you to pass away?"

Mysterious Whale Fang seemed to have heard the greatest joke in the world. A cold sneer flashed in his eyes as he spoke, "If we wait 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 hidden resources elsewhere. What use is an empty Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] then?"

In the eyes of Mysterious Whale Fang, the entire Chen Clan was a feast laid out on his platter. The legacy accumulated over a millennium was already his for the taking. Naturally, he would never be willing to let the Chen Clan slip away.

Seeing this, the Chen Clan Ancestor's expression shifted dramatically. "To seize our Spirit Mountain and industries is one thing," he said. "That can be chalked up to our own lack of strength, our inability to defend such assets."

"But to also take the legacy my Chen Clan has painstakingly built over a thousand years... that is going too far."

"We are all of the Human Race. If you act with such tyranny today, do you not fear others will treat you the same way in the future?"

"Hmph." Mysterious Whale Fang snorted coldly, utterly dismissive. "Old fool, you've grown soft with age. My strength surpasses yours—that is my justification, my law."

Having said that, his voice turned icy and final. "Enough talk. In the end, we must settle this by force. Watch as I shatter your Spirit Mountain and make your clan kneel in submission."

As his words fell, Mysterious Whale Fang summoned a Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [a divine blade forged to vanquish demonic beings]. With effortless grace, he shattered the Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols used for defense or attack] protecting the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy].

Although the Chen Clan of the Ethereal Void Continent was also an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarch has reached the Infant Soul cultivation realm], their Chen Clan Ancestor had only advanced to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul forms] a little over four hundred years prior. Furthermore, he had been severely wounded by a lingering curse and had never fully recovered. Consequently, the clan lacked the surplus strength to erect a Fifth Rank Formation [a high-grade defensive or offensive energy array] around this particular Spirit Mountain.

Now, Mysterious Whale Fang breached the Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive array specifically designed to shield a mountain] at first contact. His Immortal Sword [a sword wielded by an immortal or high-level cultivator] danced through the air, its movements unpredictable and devastating. Even with more than twenty Golden Core True Person [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual energy into a golden core] joining forces against him, they were hopelessly outmatched. Within the span of a few swift sword strokes, every one of them had been grievously wounded. Find this and other novels at audio~novel.com.