Chapter 659 Kael (Person Name) Returns

At this thought, Chen Changxuan’s gaze sharpened as he declared, “I will select a number of trusted clansmen to establish an investigation division. Should any immortal clans be found overcharging, arrangements will be made to address it.”

Eldrin finally set his mind at ease. The Chen Clan held absolute authority both in The Vast Sea and throughout the lands of Chen Kingdom. It was unlikely anyone would dare manipulate matters concerning the catastrophic Abyssal Tribulation.

After confirming the exhibition arrangements, Eldrin turned and asked, "How are the preparations for the Golden Rhino Treasure Ship coming along?"

"Still short of 350,000 second-level spirit woods."

Chen Changxuan shook his head, speaking with a hint of helplessness.

As early as over 1 100 years ago, after successfully forging the Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship, the Chen Clan had already begun preparations to craft a second war treasure vessel.

However, the amount of bellwood consumed for forging the treasure ship was simply too enormous. Even with the Chen family's profound resources, it was nearly impossible to gather 32,000 units within such a short timeframe.

"It seems relying solely on the clan's strength won't be enough to gather all 32,000 spirit woods."

Eldrin spoke with an air of nonchalance, then added, "The Sky Lake Province has also cultivated a considerable number of spirit trees. I shall send a message to Brother Zixu later—we should be able to gather the required quota."

"Then it's settled."

After the meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Eldrin and the Elder Uncle behind.

The Elder Uncle gazed at Eldrin, his expression grave as he inquired, "It has been nearly 3 cycles of 60 years since Kael left the clan to temper himself through worldly trials. Yet now, not a single whisper of his whereabouts remains. Could misfortune have befallen him?"

Eldrin shook his head and murmured thoughtfully, "I've deduced it using the Great Divination Art, yet it appears he is shrouded by some peculiar aura, preventing even me from pinpointing his exact location."

"However, judging by the hexagram signs, he appears to be in no immediate mortal danger."

"Alas." The Elder Uncle let out a sigh of relief, yet still voiced his concern, "With the Cataclysm of the Demon Abyss now looming before us, it is truly regrettable that Kael (Person Name) has yet to return. Had he been here, his presence would have been of considerable assistance."

Eldrin remained silent. Now that Kael had yet to return, a thread of worry had begun to weave itself into his thoughts.

Yet even he could not deduce Kael's circumstances. This likely involved powers at least at the Nascent Soul level—far beyond what he could possibly contend with.

Putting the matter aside, Eldrin inquired further, "How is Uncle Lior faring now? Can he attempt to form his Nascent Soul before the great calamity arrives?"

"His last attempt to form his Nascent Soul was 70 years ago. He should still be able to make another breakthrough before the Abyssal Cataclysm."

At the mention of Lior (Person Name), the old clan leader’s expression grew solemn.

Eldrin (Person Name) had broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm after over 4 100 years of age, and now in the blink of an eye, his lifespan had already reached 7 100 and 50 years.

Lior was over 30 years older than Eldrin, having now reached the venerable age of 7 100 and 80. His lifespan and vital energy were insufficient to support another breakthrough.

For now, the only course is to have him take the Life-Extending Elixir so he can attempt the Nascent Soul realm breakthrough once more.

At this thought, the old clan leader said with concern, "Lior (Person Name) lacks a solid foundation. His first 2 attempts at breaking through ended in consecutive failures. Although the odds have improved slightly for this third attempt, even with the Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object) and the 5 Veins Nascent Soul Formation (Formation), I estimate his chances of success are merely 40 to 50 percent."

Hearing this, Eldrin’s expression turned solemn. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The clan still possesses 4 Lotus Seeds of Creation. Let him have 1 more."

"Alas, it seems this is the only way."

Chen Changxuan let out a faint sigh, his heart unsettled as he worried that Lior might still fail in his breakthrough.

Meanwhile, deep within the Eastern Wastelands, in the Godfall Ancient Domain, a tall and straight-backed man broke free from his shackles. Covered in wounds, he stood firm before a towering cliff.

This man was none other than Kael (Person Name), clad in a long black robe, his features pale and strikingly handsome, with eyes as profound as the abyss.

"You have succeeded."

At that very moment, a faint voice drifted over.

Thanatos the God-Feller stood in serene stillness, his pupils calm as still water, his voice carrying the desolate echo of primordial antiquity.

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

"Let us go. You do not belong here."

Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name) remarked impassively, turning away as he continued, "Once the Abyssal Rift opens and the will of the Demon God infiltrates, seizing complete control over my life soul, you and I shall become mortal enemies."

With those final words, he strode deeper into the great hall.

Kael stood silently in place, watching his retreating figure for a long while. In the end, he merely turned and departed without uttering a single word.

After his departure, Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name) sat upright in the grand hall as a plume of black energy slowly yet inexorably enveloped him, ceaselessly corroding his divine soul.

He simply sat there in serene silence, his expression unwaveringly tranquil, with only a faint voice drifting through the air.

"So what if you're a True Monarch, or even a Dao Monarch? Without ascending to immortality or demonhood, you remain nothing but ants!"

"To command 1's own destiny, 1 must become a Celestial or Demon of the 9 Heavens."

"Continue on your path with steadfast hearts, and may you journey far beyond the reaches I have attained."

Time flows like a song, fleeting in the blink of an eye.

In the blink of an eye, 3 years had passed. On this day, several figures came flying toward the Sacred Grounds of the Eternal River.

The newcomers were Eldrin and his 2 dao companions, along with 7 or 8 Nascent Soul True Monarchs including Yan Purple Maiden, Lingxu Fairy, and Zixu Taoist.

The small group, finding themselves in close proximity, decided to journey together to attend the assembly—a gathering convened by the Eastern Desolation Immortal Alliance (Organization).

When they arrived outside the River Sanctum, they couldn't help but exchange a look of astonishment.

For at this very moment, within the Ancient River Domain, countless overwhelmingly powerful auras converged, surging forth like a river of stars pressing down upon the world.

1 after another, Nascent Soul Great Cultivators—each a sovereign-level existence across an entire continent—appeared as insignificant as countless stars in the night sky here.

Eldrin focused his senses for a brief moment, immediately detecting no fewer than 2,000 auras at the Nascent Soul level.

Even Core Formation late-stage mighty figures numbered close to 200, alongside 30-some peak experts at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit (Cultivation Realm) level.

Most crucially, there were several dazzlingly brilliant auras, each as radiant as the sun, casting all the stars in the sky into complete obscurity.

"Could the Eastern Barrens cultivation world truly be so magnificent?"

Eldrin's face was filled with shock, to the point where he could hardly believe what he was seeing.

Lingxu Xianzi (Person Name) smiled knowingly and said, "As for the exact number of Nascent Soul True Lords (Cultivation Realm) within the Eastern Wastelands (Location), even I cannot claim to know. However, I would estimate there to be around 3 1000 or so."

"However, given the gravity of this Demonic Abyss calamity, none dared be negligent. Thus we have all gathered here—a grand convergence that could truly be called a once-in-a-1000-years spectacle."

As the group was speaking, Huan Tianji stepped forward with a gentle smile. His gaze fell upon Eldrin as he remarked, "Your timing is impeccable. The grand assembly is about to commence."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the crowd, Huantian Ji led the group to a courtyard before speaking. "This is where fellow cultivators from the 3 Veins Ancient Domain reside. You may wait here until the conference begins."