Chapter 648 : Ancestor's Last Stand

"This old man will fight you to the death!"

Chen Clan Ancestor [the revered founding patriarch of the Chen family] was incensed. Having lived for over a thousand years and attained the realm of a True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has mastered their Primordial Spirit], how could he tolerate such insolence from Mysterious Whale Fang?

He immediately summoned his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact intimately connected to a cultivator's life force and soul] to strike back against the formidable foe, unleashing a surge of immense power in an attempt to repel the advancing Mysterious Whale Fang.

Yet, the Demonic Path Curse Technique [a sinister and debilitating spell cast by demonic cultivators] festering within his body was like maggots gnawing at his bones, relentlessly corroding his flesh and blood. At this critical moment, it prevented him from mustering his spiritual power, reducing his combat prowess to a mere thirty to fifty percent of its full potential.

"BOOM—"

A deafening explosion echoed. The Chen Clan Ancestor was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth, grievously wounded by the blow from Mysterious Whale Fang. He crashed with such force that he obliterated an entire mountainside.

Staggering out from the rubble, drenched in his own blood, his face contorted in agony. "You go too far!" he rasped. "Even if this curse devours my bones and brings my end today, I will make you pay the price."

As he spoke, the Chen Clan Ancestor prepared to abandon his efforts to suppress the demonic curse within him, intending to directly unleash his Infant Soul Essence [the nascent spiritual core of a cultivator, the source of their power] to face the enemy.

But at that very instant, an overwhelmingly majestic and oppressive aura descended from the heavens, forcefully separating the two combatants.

Then, a voice, calm yet icy cold, resonated down from the Nine Heavens Above [the highest and most sacred realm of the heavens]: "Enough!" This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel dot com.

"Who is there?"

Mysterious Whale Fang abruptly raised his head, his gaze locking onto the figure above the Heavenly Vault, and he could not help but narrow his eyes slightly.

He saw the clouds and mists of the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realm] converging, swirling around a figure robed in snow-white garments, who seemed to be strolling forth like a Nine Heavens Celestial Immortal [an immortal being from the highest heavens].

Behind him, a man and a woman followed with expressions of nervous restraint, their faces a mixture of worry and joy.

"It's Corin and Bright Beauty."

The members of the Chen Clan looked on with pleasant surprise, recognizing the origins of the two.

These two were the clan's Infant Soul Seed [young cultivators with the potential to reach the Infant Soul Realm]. They had initially thought the pair had been sent away as part of the clan's contingency plan to preserve its future, but it now appeared they had gone to seek reinforcements.

Mysterious Whale Fang's expression turned grave as he looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "May I ask for your esteemed title, fellow Daoist? Why do you interfere in the affairs of our Illusory Void Continent?"

"If you would but stand aside today, I shall present you with generous gifts afterward."

Eldrin Chen did not answer. He merely cast a faint, indifferent glance at the man, his hands clasped behind his back, and spoke calmly, "Three moves."

"What?" Mysterious Whale Fang was momentarily stunned, unable to grasp the situation.

"If you can survive three moves, I will spare your life."

As Eldrin Chen's words fell, the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword instantly bloomed, unleashing a world-shaking immortal radiance that cleaved directly towards Mysterious Whale Fang.

The power that could be unleashed by a Superior Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier enchanted artifact] combined with the formidable spiritual power of the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Infant Soul cultivation realm] was truly immense.

Even a cultivator like Eldrin Chen, who possessed an Innate Great Encompassing Infant Soul [a rare and powerful innate constitution for the Infant Soul realm], could only barely withstand such an assault from an Infant Soul Late Stage opponent back then by resorting to his ultimate trump card, the Sky-Severance Sword Union [a supreme sword technique].

Mysterious Whale Fang was merely a Mortal Path Infant Soul [an Infant Soul cultivator following the common mortal cultivation path] who had just recently entered the Infant Soul Realm. Faced with such a Superior Spiritual Treasure, he likely wouldn't last more than a few exchanges.

As the Superior-Grade Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [a supreme-grade sword forged for slaying demons] descended upon him, Mysterious Whale Fang's face contorted with terror.

The moment he felt his scalp prickle with danger, he simultaneously activated his Innate Divine Ability [a powerful innate supernatural power] and slashed out with his Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword bound to his life essence] to block, all while trying to turn and flee for his life.

However, the speed of an Infant Soul Early Stage cultivator, while perhaps sufficient to escape pursuit from an Infant Soul Mid Stage opponent at full burst, was simply inadequate before such a Superior Spiritual Treasure.

A sharp *clang* rang out. The Inferior-Grade Spiritual Treasure [a low-grade enchanted artifact] was instantly grievously wounded, its surface webbed with cracks from the blow of the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword. Unchecked, the sword's momentum carried it onward, continuing its deadly arc towards Mysterious Whale Fang.

Everyone present was utterly stunned. This was not three exchanges; it seemed he could not even withstand a single clash.

In truth, this was the genuine combat power of a cultivator at the Infant Soul Late Stage. In that battle against the Violet Jade Demon Emperor years ago, if not for Eldrin Chen and four or five other warriors with Infant Soul Mid Stage strength joining forces to share the pressure, an ordinary Infant Soul Mid Stage cultivator likely would not have lasted thirty exchanges.

An Infant Soul Early Stage cultivator could at best manage a few moves. For a Mortal Path True Lord like Mysterious Whale Fang, who had just broken through to the Infant Soul realm, being slain in a single clash was entirely within expectations.

"*Clang—*"

The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword descended with peerless sharpness, carrying an unparalleled force of Slaughter as it cleaved towards Mysterious Whale Fang.

"Fellow Daoist, I beseech you, stay your sword!" Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel .c om.

Just as Mysterious Whale Fang was about to be separated from head and body, a voice rang out at the critical moment.

Immediately after, a streak of sword light shot forth, transforming into a radiant stream that flew over to intercept the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword.

"Hmm?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He did not press the attack further, instead turning his gaze towards the depths of the distant void.

Within the Boundless Void [the vast, starry expanse between worlds], a venerable elder with an immortal's grace and a sage's bearing approached. His expression was grim as he fixed his gaze upon Eldrin Chen.

The man, clad in a flowing daoist robe, cast a cold glance at Eldrin Chen and declared, "Who might you be, sir, to dare cause trouble within my Long River Ancient Domain [the ancient and vast territory governed by the Long River Holy Land]?"

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen stood with serene composure and an extraordinary presence, his hands clasped behind his back. He replied with calm detachment, "And who are you, to come meddling in affairs not your own?"

"Hmph."

The man let out a cold laugh. "So you may know," he said, "I am the Sword-Holding Elder [an elder tasked with maintaining order and wielding authority] of the Long River Immortal Alliance, responsible for overseeing the affairs of nine great continents, including the Illusory Void Continent."

"The Sword-Holding True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator with judicial authority] of the Long River Alliance."

A flicker of understanding passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. He now grasped the general origin of this Long River Immortal Alliance.

Within the Six Great Ancient Domains of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, any ancient domain that possessed a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a supreme expert who has mastered the path of the Primordial Spirit] would establish an Immortal Alliance [a coalition of immortal sects and clans]. The Eastern Region Great Wasteland itself had its own Eastern Barrens Immortal Alliance.

This particular Long River Immortal Alliance was founded by the Long River Holy Land. With the Holy Land at its core, it was a joint organization formed by hundreds of major continents and several hundred Infant Soul [the cultivation realm above the Golden Core] level powers.

Within the Long River Immortal Alliance, there are several dozen Sword-Holding Elder [elders responsible for upholding the alliance's laws and justice], each a Great Power Figure [a cultivator of immense power and status] at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Infant Soul cultivation realm] serving as a True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator who has mastered their Primordial Spirit]. Every one of them is a figure of esteemed and noble standing.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke with a calm gaze, "As a Sword-Holding True Lord [a True Lord who serves as a Sword-Holding Elder], you did nothing when the Fang Clan moved against the Chen Clan, yet you leap out the moment I act against Mysterious Whale Fang. Your sense of fairness is truly remarkable."

"You..." The Sword-Holding True Lord's expression shifted, his sleeve flicking in anger. "The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, catastrophic invasion from the demonic realms] approaches. This Mysterious Whale Fang is, after all, an Infant Soul True Lord [a True Lord at the Infant Soul realm]. Would it not be a waste for him to die by your hand?"

"As for that Facing Abyss Chen, gravely wounded and with little life left, he likely won't survive until the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. Naturally, the two situations are not comparable."

Eldrin Chen remained unmoved, his eyes fixed on Mysterious Whale Fang. "So, you intend to protect him?" he asked.

The Sword-Holding True Lord positioned himself between them, looking at Eldrin Chen. "Fellow Daoist, you are also a Great Power Figure of our Human Race. This humble Daoist has no wish for conflict with you."

"However, as a Sword-Holding Elder of the Long River Immortal Alliance, I cannot simply stand by and watch him perish here."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened. "Your partiality is glaringly obvious, Fellow Daoist. This Mysterious Whale Fang is a True Lord, but does the Chen Clan then hold no merit or contribution whatsoever?"

"The Chen Clan Patriarch [the leader of a clan] hasn't even exhausted his lifespan, yet you were quick to help seize his Path-Field [a territory imbued with spiritual energy, crucial for a cultivator's advancement]. Just how many benefits did you receive from him?"

At this point, Eldrin Chen let out a cold, derisive laugh.

As his words fell, he unleashed the Sky-Severance Sword Union [a devastating sword technique that seeks to sunder the heavens themselves] against the Sword-Holding True Lord, instantly forcing the man into a frantic, stumbling retreat.

In the next breath, Eldrin Chen took a single, earth-shaking step forward. With a palm strike that resonated like thunder, he blasted Mysterious Whale Fang deep into the mountain range. Then, channeling his immense spiritual power, he uprooted an entire peak and brought it crashing down to seal his foe beneath its colossal weight.

"In consideration of the impending Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied calamity of demonic origin], and out of respect for the thousand years of arduous cultivation you have endured, this sovereign shall spare your life today," Eldrin declared, his voice carrying the finality of a judge.

"However, while death may be pardoned, punishment cannot be wholly escaped. You shall be sealed beneath this mountain for one Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, a significant period in celestial reckoning] to atone for your transgressions." Experience the full epic at audio-novel .c om.