Chapter 659 : The Spirit Wood Gambit

With this thought, Eternal Profound Chen's gaze sharpened as he declared, "I will select a number of trusted clansmen to form an Investigation Department. Should we discover any Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] overcharging, we will naturally arrange to deal with it."

Only then did Eldrin Chen feel reassured. The Chen Clan held absolute authority within the territories of the Vast Sea and Chen Nation. Presumably, no one would dare to tamper with matters as grave as the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving demonic forces].

With the matter of participation settled, Eldrin Chen turned and inquired, "How are the preparations for the Golden Rhino Treasure Ship [a powerful enchanted vessel] proceeding?"

"We are still short by three hundred and fifty thousand pieces of Second Rank Spirit Wood [wood infused with spiritual energy]."

Eternal Profound Chen shook his head, a note of helplessness in his voice.

Over a century ago, shortly after the successful forging of the Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship, the Chen Clan had begun preparations to craft a second War Treasure Ship [a massive enchanted vessel designed for warfare].

However, the sheer quantity of Spirit Wood required to construct such a Treasure Ship [an enchanted vessel] was staggering. Even with the Chen Clan's considerable resources, it had proven impossible to gather enough within this timeframe.

"It seems relying solely on the clan's strength will not suffice to gather the necessary Spirit Wood,"

Eldrin Chen stated calmly. He then continued, "The Celestial Lake Continent also cultivates a significant amount of Spirit Wood. I shall send word to Brother Unreal; together, we should be able to secure the remaining quantity."

"Then it is settled." Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel-dot-com.

After the meeting concluded, the assembly gradually dispersed, leaving only Eldrin Chen and Old Granduncle behind.

Old Granduncle looked at Eldrin Chen, his expression grave as he inquired, "It has been nearly three Sixty-Year Cycle since Kael left the clan to temper himself through experience. Yet now, there is not a single whisper of news. Could some misfortune have befallen him?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, pondering for a moment before replying, "I attempted to divine his fate using the Great Deduction Heavenly Art [a supreme art of celestial calculation]. Unfortunately, his presence seems shrouded by some aura, preventing me from pinpointing his exact location."

"However, the divinatory signs suggest he is not currently in any mortal peril."

"Ah." Old Granduncle let out a sigh of relief, though a trace of worry remained. "The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied calamity of demonic invasion] looms ever closer. It is a pity Kael has not yet returned. With him here, he could have been of significant aid."

Eldrin Chen remained silent. The prolonged absence of Kael Chen weighed on his mind, stirring a deep-seated concern.

Yet, if even he could not pierce the veil obscuring Kael Chen's circumstances, the forces involved likely operated on a level of at least Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high realm of power]. Such matters were utterly beyond his current reach.

Setting those thoughts aside, Eldrin Chen shifted the topic. "How fares Uncle Lior now? Will he be able to attempt a breakthrough to the Infant Soul [a major cultivation stage where the nascent spiritual form is nurtured] before the cataclysm strikes?"

"His last attempt to breach the Infant Soul was seventy years ago. He should be able to make another attempt just before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm descends."

Mention of Lior Chen brought a look of solemn gravity to Old Patriarch's face.

Eldrin Chen had broken through to the Infant Soul Realm [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is fully formed] after more than four hundred years of age. Now, in the blink of an eye, his lifespan had already passed seven hundred and fifty years.

Lior Chen was over thirty years older than Eldrin Chen, now standing at the lofty age of seven hundred and eighty. His remaining lifespan and Vitality [the foundational life force and energy of a cultivator] were insufficient to support another breakthrough attempt.

The only course now was for him to consume a Longevity Pill [an elixir that extends a cultivator's natural lifespan] to make one final charge at the Infant Soul Realm.

Thinking of this, the Old Patriarch said with concern, "Lior's foundation is insufficient. His previous two attempts at breakthrough ended in failure. Although his chances have increased somewhat for this third attempt, even with the aid of a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in the formation and stabilization of the nascent soul] and the Five Veins Infant Transformation Formation [a mystical formation that channels energy through five spiritual meridians to assist in the soul transformation process], I estimate his odds are only four or five in ten."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression also turned grave. After a moment of silent contemplation, he said, "The clan still possesses four Creation Verdant Lotus Seed [a miraculous seed born of primal creation, containing immense life-giving power]. Let us allocate one more to him."

"Alas, it seems that is our only option," the Old Patriarch sighed.

Eternal Profound Chen let out a soft sigh, his heart filled with unease, fearing that Lior Chen's breakthrough would yet again end in failure.

"..."

Meanwhile, deep within the Eastern Barrens, in the heart of the Fallen God Ancient Domain [a perilous, ancient realm shrouded in the legacy of fallen deities], a man of upright bearing shattered his shackles. Covered in wounds, he stood firm before a towering cliff.

This man was none other than Kael Chen. Clad in a robe of deepest black, his features were pale and strikingly handsome, his eyes holding depths as profound and unfathomable as an abyss.

"You have succeeded."

At that very moment, a faint voice drifted over.

Fallen God Patriarch stood there quietly, his pupils as calm as still water, his voice carrying the desolate and ancient echo of a bygone Primordial Era.

Kael Chen turned his head, gazing silently at the Fallen God Patriarch. After a long pause, he finally spoke: "Master, it is time for me to leave."

"Go. You do not belong here."

The Fallen God Patriarch spoke with detached calmness, turning away as he said, "Once the Demonic Abyss fully opens and the will of the Demon God invades, completely seizing control of my Life Soul, you and I shall be enemies." Published by audio-novel[dot]com. All rights reserved.

"When we meet again, show no mercy!"

Having said his piece, he strode towards the depths of the Great Hall.

Kael Chen watched his retreating figure in silence, remaining rooted to the spot for a long while. In the end, he turned and departed without uttering another word.

After he had gone, the Fallen God Patriarch sat solemnly within the Great Hall. A dark miasma began to envelop him, slow yet inexorable, relentlessly corroding his divine soul [the immortal spiritual essence of a high-level cultivator].

He simply sat there in silence, his countenance perpetually calm and wordless. Only after a long while did a faint voice finally drift forth.

"What does it matter to be a True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has mastered their nascent soul]? What does it matter to be a Path Lord [a master of a profound cultivation path]? Without ascending to become an immortal or a demon, one remains but an ant!"

"To truly grasp one's own Destiny [the predetermined course of one's life and cultivation journey], one must become one of those Nine Heavens Celestial Immortals and Demons [the supreme beings who reside in and rule over the Nine Heavens]."

"You must walk your path well, and surely travel farther than I ever could."

"…"

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

In what seemed like a moment, three years had passed. On this day, several figures flew towards the outskirts of the Long River Holy Land [a sacred land named after the Eternal River].

The arrivals were the three Dao-companions of Eldrin Chen, namely Violet Consort Yan, Ethereal Mistress Ling, along with Path Master Unreal and six or seven other Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed their nascent soul and attained the rank of True Lord].

As their destinations were close, they had simply decided to travel together to attend this assembly convened by the Eastern Barrens Immortal Alliance [a coalition of immortal sects and powers from the Eastern Barrens region].

When they arrived at the periphery of the Long River Holy Land, they could not help but exchange glances, their faces etched with shock.

For within the Long River Ancient Domain at this moment, auras of immense power were converging, pressing down like a Starry River [a metaphorical river of stars, representing a vast, overwhelming force].

One after another, esteemed Great Infant Soul Cultivator [powerful cultivators at the peak of the Infant Soul stage], figures who would be considered Sovereign-level existences across an entire continent, seemed as insignificant as stars in the sky here.

Eldrin Chen focused his senses slightly and detected close to two thousand auras at the Infant Soul [a major cultivation stage where the cultivator's nascent soul is formed] level.

Even Great Power Figure [a title for cultivators at the late stage of the Infant Soul realm] at the Infant Soul Late Stage had arrived, numbering nearly two hundred, along with over thirty peak figures at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm [the threshold just before the Primordial Spirit stage].

Most crucially, there were several supremely radiant auras, each as dazzling as a sun, utterly overshadowing the myriad Stellar [star-like] presences in the sky.

"The Eastern Barrens Cultivation World [a vast, desolate region in the east known for its cultivation sects and dangers]... it possesses such splendor?"

Eldrin Chen's expression was one of shock, bordering on disbelief.

Ethereal Mistress Ling, with her vast experience, smiled and explained, "The exact number of Infant Soul True Lord [a formal title for cultivators who have reached the Infant Soul stage] within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland [the broader eastern wilderness region] is unknown to me, but I estimate it to be around three to four thousand."

"It's just that no one dares to be negligent regarding this Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity stemming from a chasm of demonic energy], so most have gathered here. It can be called a grand assembly unseen for a millennium."

As they were speaking, Cosmos Heaven's Punishment walked over with a smile. Looking at Eldrin Chen, he said, "Your arrival is most timely. The grand assembly is about to commence."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the group, Cosmos Heaven's Punishment led them to a courtyard compound before speaking. "This is where the fellow cultivators from the Three Veins Ancient Domain are staying," he said. "You may wait here for the conference to begin." Discover more cultivation stories at audio novel.com.