Chapter 649 : A Clash of Titans and Hidden Ties

"You—"

The old man's expression shifted slightly, yet he did not move to intervene.

At this moment, he felt a numbness in his wrist, and a look of profound gravity settled between his brows.

The might of the Sky-Severance Sword Union had already brushed against the domain of the Great Perfection of Infant Soul. Even he, as a Sword-Holding Elder, sensed immense danger and dared not lightly make an enemy of Eldrin Chen.

However, being a great power and true cultivator at the Infant Soul Late Stage after all, having his dignity challenged left his countenance exceedingly unpleasant.

With a grim expression, he stared coldly at Eldrin Chen and spoke, his voice edged with frost, "Although your cultivation is indeed Extraordinary, suppressing a True Lord of our Long River Immortal Alliance is not a matter that can be so easily dismissed."

"Is that so?"

Eldrin Chen merely let out a cold laugh. "Once matters here are concluded, this venerable one will pay a visit to the Long River Holy Land to see Elder Brother Heaven's Punishment. Your concern is unnecessary."

"Cosmos Heaven's Punishment?"

Upon hearing this, the Sword-Holding Elder's expression changed drastically. Cosmos Heaven's Punishment was a disciple of the Long River Path Lord, not only having already broken through to the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm [a transitional state just before achieving Primordial Spirit] but also possessing considerable confidence in his ability to fully ascend to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major leap in power and longevity]. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel dot com.

Such an existence holds a status of unparalleled nobility and prestige. It was truly unexpected that Eldrin Chen would have connections with one of them.

"This individual knows Cosmos Heaven's Punishment, and his combat prowess is utterly Extraordinary. He is likely a person of equally Extraordinary origins," they murmured.

"Since he spared Mysterious Whale Fang's life, continuing to antagonize him would be most unwise."

Having reached this conclusion, the Sword-Holding Elder suppressed any further thoughts of pursuing the matter.

However, the atmosphere between them had already soured. With a cold expression, he stated, "Your connections are impressive, Fellow Daoist. This humble Daoist has learned a lesson today."

With those words, the Sword-Holding Path Master turned and departed without a backward glance, his sleeves sweeping behind him.

After the Sword-Holding Path Master left, the crowd that had arrived with the Fang Clan quickly dispersed, leaving only Mysterious Whale Fang imprisoned beneath the mountain range.

"Thank you for your assistance, Fellow Daoist."

At that moment, the Chen Clan Patriarch, supported by Corin Chen and another, approached.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. After a glance at the severely wounded Chen Clan Patriarch, he said, "Since we are of the same family, there is no need for such formalities."

Upon hearing this, the crowd finally understood that they possessed an ancestral homeland within the distant Three Veins Ancient Domain.

Indeed, now that the Ji Continent Chen Clan had inherited the legacy of the Vast Sea, it was only natural for them to claim the title of the Chen Clan of Eastern Barrens ancestral homeland.

The thought of their clan having such a powerful backer filled everyone's hearts with wild joy. The Chen Clan Patriarch glanced at the mountain range suppressing Mysterious Whale Fang and spoke, "Will there be any trouble with Mysterious Whale Fang sealed here?"

"It is of no consequence,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head before continuing, "His strength is negligible. I have grievously wounded his meridians [the energy channels within a cultivator's body] with the Heavenly Flame Magical Power. With his level of cultivation, it will take him no less than three hundred years to purge the damage."

The group nodded in understanding. Since Mysterious Whale Fang had presumed upon his strength to seize the Chen Clan's foundational resources, it was only natural that Eldrin Chen would not let him off lightly.

Were it not for the sake of the Long River Immortal Alliance, Eldrin Chen would not have spared his life. Although he had escaped with his life this time, he had suffered unprecedented and devastating injuries.

If being suppressed for one Sixty-Year Cycle was not lesson enough, the next time would not end so easily.

To prevent Mysterious Whale Fang from escaping from beneath the mountain, Eldrin Chen activated the formation patterns once more, sealing the mountain range with spiritual talismans to ensure he could not escape for one full Sixty-Year Cycle, before finally withdrawing his power.

After completing all this, Eldrin Chen looked at the Chen Clan Ancestor and asked, "How fares your injury?"

"The injuries are not severe." Chen Clan Ancestor shook his head, then said with a bitter smile, "But the curse is vicious. I fear I cannot hold on for much longer."

"Let me examine you."

Eldrin Chen spoke and then channeled his Heavenly Flame Magical Power [a potent spiritual energy imbued with the essence of celestial fire] into the other's meridians.

In but an instant, Eldrin Chen felt an invasion of an exceptionally vile and bloody curse energy. Surprisingly, even his Heavenly Flame Magical Power struggled to purify it.

In that same moment, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow and withdrew his Heavenly Flame Magical Power.

"This is the Blood-Refining Curse God Seal [a malevolent curse technique that refines the victim's blood and soul]." This novel is serialized on audio-novel*com. Visit for updates.

Eldrin Chen stated. This Blood-Refining Curse God Seal was a Great God Ability [a supreme technique] from the Demonic Path [a school of cultivation that harnesses destructive and corruptive energies] of Blood-Refining Old Demon, an exceedingly malicious curse technique.

Even a great power at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the stage where the nascent soul is fully formed] would likely suffer grievously if ambushed by this technique.

Eldrin Chen spoke, then fell into contemplation for a moment before continuing, "Fortunately, when Blood-Refining Old Demon activated the curse, he likely did not possess your birth characters or essence blood. Otherwise, even I might have been powerless to help."

"You have a method?"

Hearing this, the Chen Clan Ancestor [the revered founding progenitor of the Chen family] revealed an expression of ecstatic joy.

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly, a thoughtful flicker in his brow. "While my Heavenly Flame Magical Power [a divine art that conjures and controls heavenly fire] can refine the 'Blood-Refining Curse God Seal' [a malevolent curse that refines blood and seals the soul], forcing its purification would likely destroy your physical body in the process."

"However, I can arrange a Heavenly Flame Demon-Smelting Formation [a formation array that uses heavenly fire to smelt and purify demonic energies]. It should be capable of gradually grinding this curse away, though the process will require three hundred years."

Upon hearing this, the Chen Clan Ancestor was no longer anxious.

He breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands respectfully towards Eldrin Chen. "Please, follow me."

The two ascended the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy]. The Chen Clan Patriarch personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen and said, "We owe you a great debt for your aid this time. Without it, this old man would likely have met his end here."

"There is no need for such formalities."

Eldrin Chen's expression remained serene. "We are of the same family. Naturally, I could not stand idly by."

Facing Abyss Chen took a deep breath and produced a piece of exquisite jade. "Our branch has faced many hardships and possesses few treasures of true value. This is our treasured Wood Vein Precious Jade [a precious jade formed within a wood-element spiritual vein, rich in life energy]. Please accept it as a token of our gratitude."

Eldrin Chen observed quietly. The Ethereal Void Continent Chen Clan was not powerful. This Wood Vein Precious Jade was likely the most precious treasure they had managed to accumulate.

With this thought, he pushed the Wood Vein Precious Jade back and said, "Keep this item for yourselves. If you truly wish to show gratitude, then give me some Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]."

"That can be easily arranged."

Thorne Chen [the Patriarch also known as Facing Abyss Chen] nodded. Although the Chen Clan on the Ethereal Void Continent was weak in strength, they possessed no small amount of Five Elements Essence.

Speaking of this, the two began discussing their respective developments in recent years. Upon hearing that the Chen Clan had, within a mere few centuries, risen to become a top-tier Immortal Clan [a clan with a lineage of cultivators who have achieved immortality], Thorne Chen could not help but sigh, saying:

"Speaking of it brings shame. I have painstakingly managed my family for over thirteen hundred years, yet I am still far from matching your achievements."

"..."

The two conversed freely throughout the night. Through the information shared by Thorne Chen, Eldrin Chen was able to roughly deduce the origins of his own lineage.

Back then, the number of Chen Clan seeds who fled the Vast Sea together numbered in the hundreds. Most were prodigies at the Violet Sanctum [a major cultivation stage] realm or above, each one a potential Golden Core [a solidified core of spiritual power] or Infant Soul Seed [the nascent form of a cultivator's soul].

However, enemies of the Chen Clan like the Blood-Refining Old Demon secretly intervened. Although these hundreds fled separately, most still met with calamity.

Even Thorne Chen, who barely survived, fell under a curse from the Blood-Refining Old Demon. Naturally, the Patriarch of Eldrin Chen's own lineage, Profound Darkness Chen, also suffered a Tribulation [a heavenly trial or calamity].

The founding ancestor of the current Chen Clan Lineage is the bloodline left behind by Profound Darkness Chen from those bygone years.

Having clarified the entire sequence of events, Eldrin Chen saw no reason to linger further on the Ethereal Void Continent. After setting up the Heavenly Flame Demon-Smelting Formation for Facing Abyss Chen, he prepared to take his leave. This novel is serialized on audio-novel`com. Visit for updates.