Chapter 658 : The Price of War and Glory

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment spoke thus, stroking his beard with a smile. "However, you need not worry. For the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, one must either contribute wealth or contribute strength."

"In essence, we desire more people to contribute their strength. Apart from the costs of war, the remaining Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] will ultimately be distributed as rewards to those who distinguish themselves with merit."

"Moreover, these quotas are specifically set for those Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] who are cowardly and unwilling to contribute their effort."

At this point, Cosmos Heaven's Punishment began to explain the conscription rules for the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm to the two of them.

According to the rules established by the Eastern Barrens Immortal Alliance, for the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, one can offset the required Spirit Stone quota not only by paying with stones but also by contributing personnel and labor.

For example, if a cultivator from the Chen Clan participates in the war, then a single Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator at the Infant Soul stage, equivalent to a Nascent Soul cultivator] can offset one hundred Heavenly Crystal [a high-grade, purified form of Spirit Stone]. Figures like Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang, who are at the Infant Soul Mid Stage, can offset two hundred Heavenly Crystal.

Furthermore, even a Fifth Rank Treasure Ship [a powerful enchanted vessel] like the Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship, if one is willing to deploy it for this great war, can also offset a quota of two hundred Heavenly Crystal.

Other contributions such as Formation [a structured arrangement of power, like an array or formation], treasure ships, spiritual talismans, and even Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] can be offered. Anything that can aid the war effort can be used to offset the required Spirit Stone payment.

After listening, Eldrin Chen let out a slight sigh of relief. If the majority of the Chen Clan's Infant Soul True Lord participate in the war, then the required payment quota would not be excessive.

Exquisite Jiang exchanged a glance with Eldrin Chen and transmitted her voice. "Looking at it this way, the Immortal Alliance's purpose in setting this enormous war tax is not only to raise supplies but also to encourage everyone to join the fight and resist the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm." Experience the full epic at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"That is indeed fitting." Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, then stated, "Since that is the case, I have no objections either."

"Then it is settled." Exquisite Jiang gave a slight nod of her head and said to Cosmos Heaven's Punishment, "I am aware of this matter. However, its gravity demands that our Chen Clan deliberate further before we can finalize the exact number of participants."

"That is reasonable." Cosmos Heaven's Punishment nodded once more and continued, "With only forty years remaining until the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied cataclysmic invasion from the demonic realms], we cannot afford further delay."

"Three years from now, we will gather at the Long River Holy Land to sign the pact of war. You must attend."

"Understood," Eldrin Chen replied.

Seeing this, Cosmos Heaven's Punishment rose to his feet. "There are many Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families with ancient lineages] within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. My duty is to notify those among them in the Three Veins Ancient Domain who possess cultivators at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Infant Soul cultivation realm]. Several clans remain on my list, so I shall take my leave."

After bidding farewell to Cosmos Heaven's Punishment, Eldrin Chen immediately summoned the several Infant Soul [a major cultivation realm where one's nascent soul is formed] experts of the Chen Clan.

Within the Great Hall of Green Chariot Mountain, six individuals gathered: Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, Lila, Eternal Profound Chen, Silas Chen, and Elara Lin.

The Old Patriarch [the venerable elder and former leader of the Chen Clan], whose mind was as clear as a polished mirror, spoke upon seeing the assembly. "You have called us together today. Is it concerning the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm?"

"Precisely."

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator and clan leader] gave a slight nod and proceeded to inform the others of the situation.

After hearing the account, a shadow of gravity fell upon the brows of the listeners. Eternal Profound Chen [a senior elder of the Chen Clan] could not help but voice his concern, "What is your assessment of this?"

"The calamity of the Demonic Abyss [a perilous realm overflowing with demonic energy] is a duty we cannot shirk. We must commit our full strength to this battle,"

Eldrin Chen declared firmly. He then continued, "For this campaign, I intend to leave one True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul, the Infant Soul stage] to guard the clan. All others are to participate in the fight."

"Only a single True Lord?"

Elara Lin [a skilled cultivator and trusted ally] paled slightly, her expression shifting with worry. "The Eastern Region Great Wasteland [a vast, monster-infested wilderness] harbors no small number of demons and monsters. Can a lone Infant Soul [the cultivation stage equivalent to True Lord] truly secure our home?"

"There is no need for concern on that front," Eldrin Chen shook his head, his voice steady. "The Eastern Barrens Immortal Alliance [a coalition of righteous sects and clans] has long since established a pact with the Demon Race [the collective term for demonic beings]. During the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the great upheaval emanating from the Demonic Abyss], any combatant of the Demon Race at or above the Infant Soul level is forbidden from taking action."

"Should the demons break this covenant," he continued, his tone turning grave, "then the Human Race [humanity's collective forces] would not hesitate to pay any price, no matter how grievous, to first eradicate all Primordial Spirit Demons [demons who have reached the Primordial Spirit stage] within the Eastern Barrens."

Pausing briefly, he added, "As for the various Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow demonic paths] strongholds and Forbidden Land [dangerous, restricted areas], the major Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] have spent these years rooting out the majority of them. Few Infant Soul demonic leaders have escaped with their lives. The Eastern Barrens Immortal Alliance will also leave a contingent of forces behind to guard against any remnants."

Hearing this explanation, the gathered cultivators finally allowed themselves a measure of relief.

Lila cast a glance around the assembly and inquired, "Then who should remain to guard the clan?"

Eldrin Chen surveyed the room, pondered for a moment, and then declared, "Let Silas stay."

"Clan Uncle, I wish to join the battle."

Silas Chen rose to his feet, speaking with a slight bite to his lip.

However, Eldrin Chen shook his head, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm is no trivial matter. You have only just broken through to the Infant Soul realm; venturing there would still be far too perilous."

"Moreover, you have already forged your Earthly Path Foundation [the foundational cultivation base aligned with the earthly path]. Remaining with the clan also serves as a precaution against unforeseen events." Continue your cultivation journey at audio—novel.com.

His words plunged the gathering into silence. Everyone knew the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm was fraught with extreme danger, where even a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator whose spirit has ascended to a primordial state and mastered a profound path] could meet their end. Not even Eldrin Chen dared claim he would certainly return alive.

Should the worst occur, Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, and Lila had all cultivated the Nirvana Tribulation Transmigration Art [a supreme art allowing the soul to transcend death and reincarnate through tribulation], granting them a chance to be reborn. The others, however, had not yet mastered this Great God Ability [a divine-level technique of immense power].

"Let us instead discuss the clan's preparations for the campaign."

Noting the somber mood, Eternal Profound Chen deftly shifted the topic.

Eldrin Chen nodded, then declared, "This battle is not merely our own affair, but a matter for the countless cultivators across the entire Ji Continent."

"For this war, we shall summon all Immortal Clan under our banner, those of Golden Core and Violet Sanctum realm and above, to participate. We will mobilize one million cultivators who have reached the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier or higher."

"As for Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan of the Vital Essence Refinement realm, we shall not compel them. Those willing to contribute may do so. Those unwilling to send personnel may instead contribute a sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement upon hearing this. Such an arrangement would prevent the lower-tier Immortal Clan from being utterly depleted in a single night, while still allowing them to share some of the burden.

After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "How should the levied Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] be calculated?"

Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to the Old Patriarch. Eternal Profound Chen possessed the clearest understanding of the various Immortal Clan under their command, making him the most appropriate person to explain.

Eternal Profound Chen did not answer immediately. After some calculation, he stated, "Those at the Vital Essence Refinement Early Stage shall contribute five Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. Those at the Vital Essence Refinement Mid Stage shall contribute ten. Those at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage shall contribute thirty."

"With this, the combined forces of the Vast Sea and the Chen Nation—totaling over thirty million clan cultivators—should provide us with war preparations and materials worth approximately one billion Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

Everyone present nodded. This was no small sum, and collecting it would certainly not be a matter of a single day.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen added, "If we entrust the collection to the various Golden Core Immortal Clan of Violet Sanctum realm to handle on our behalf, we must be vigilant against anyone attempting to exploit the situation for personal gain."

"Should anyone be discovered with unclean hands, they shall be dealt with severely."

Eternal Profound Chen gave a solemn nod. Relying solely on the manpower of the Chen Clan was utterly impossible to levy taxes from tens of millions of cultivators. The only feasible method was to delegate the task in layers, subcontracting it to the various Golden Core and Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan sects, entrusting them with the collection on their behalf.

In this process, a single misstep could lead to layers of surcharges being added, plunging the lower-ranked cultivators into misery and hardship. This novel is serialized on audio novel.com. Visit for updates.