Chapter 721 : A Clan's Unyielding Ambition

The two of them felt their hearts sink upon hearing this, understanding that given Eldrin Chen's current status and weight, his personal utterance of these words signified his absolute determination to acquire this Earth Vein [a powerful spiritual energy current flowing deep within the earth]. The fact that he was negotiating with them personally was already a gesture of respect.

That Longbeard the Daoist wanted to say more, but saw Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden stop him. She then smiled faintly and said, "I believe that with the Chen Clan's strength, they can certainly afford a suitable price."

"However, our Sect Master is still in seclusion undergoing his tribulation. The two of us cannot make such a decision alone. How about we wait another hundred years, until our Sect Master emerges from seclusion, to give you a reply?"

Eldrin Chen nodded and spoke directly, "To be frank, our Chen Clan intends, within the next hundred years, to transplant a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root capable of nurturing and stabilizing vast spiritual energy] into the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire and begin the process of advancing its Spirit Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth]. We will also invest significant effort into repairing the environment of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire."

"Even if you are unwilling to sell, as our Chen Clan continuously invests capital and effort, your shareholding stake will need to be progressively diluted."

Upon hearing this, their expressions grew increasingly grave. It was clear the Chen Clan was truly preparing for a major development of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. Any obstruction from them would likely turn them into a stumbling block for the Chen Clan.

Having said this, Eldrin Chen said no more and departed directly from the Tianlu Sect's Daoist Assembly Ground [a formal gathering place for cultivators to discuss matters].

Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden and the other saw him off at the mountain gate. Only after he had left did they finally let out a sigh of relief.

"The Abyssal Daoist's aura of authority has grown profoundly deeper in recent years," Longbeard the Daoist sighed. He then looked at Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden and asked, "Senior Sister, what should we do now?"

Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden hesitated for a moment. After much deliberation, she finally took a deep breath and said, "This matter is of great consequence. Neither you nor I have the authority to decide. We must inform our Senior Brother." Original publication: AUDIO-NOVEL.COM - The source of this chapter.

As her words fell, she directly arrived before the Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool that aids in profound rebirth and cultivation] and Seclusion Chamber [a chamber for deep, undisturbed meditation] deep within the Tianlu Sect.

Standing outside the Cultivation Cave, Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden cupped her hands and said, "Sect Master, Senior Brother, this junior sister has urgent matters to report."

Within the Nirvana Pool at this moment, the Tianlu Sect Master, having undergone Nirvana [a state of profound rebirth and cultivation] for two hundred years, had just restored his cultivation base to the Nascent Soul Realm.

Hearing the voice of Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden, he frowned and asked, "What urgent matter requires disturbing my cultivation at this time?"

Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden dared not hesitate and immediately recounted the entire sequence of events to the Tianlu Sect Master.

After listening, the Tianlu Sect Master's expression changed drastically, and he could not help but roar in anger, "Foolish! How could you all be so short-sighted?"

"Setting aside the fact that the Abyssal Daoist and I have shared a friendship for many years, based solely on his talent that borders on the Immortal Realm [the highest realm of cultivation, signifying one who has ascended to immortality], how could we possibly antagonize him over a mere Earth Vein [a concentrated flow of terrestrial spiritual energy]?"

"Go and invite him back at once."

As he spoke, the Tianlu Sect Master could not help but rise to his feet, saying, "Enough. I shall go personally."

"Brother Eldrin, the Abyss, please wait!"

Eldrin Chen had not been gone from the Tianlu Sect for long when he noticed a figure chasing after him with frantic haste.

The Tianlu Sect Master caught up to him and said with a smile, "My junior brother and sister were foolish just now, failing to inform me immediately. I sincerely apologize, Fellow Daoist."

"Since Fellow Daoist has not yet fully recovered your peak cultivation, restoring your strength should naturally be the priority." Eldrin Chen replied, then added with a light laugh, "However, I do wish to settle the matter of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. I only regret disturbing your cultivation, Fellow Daoist."

"It is of no consequence. My own path to higher realms is hopeless. A delay of a few years this time is but a minor matter."

The Tianlu Sect Master was merely an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul. Having exhausted all his life-extension methods and now cruelly forced to undergo a tribulation rebirth, he held no hope for his future Dao path.

For him now, his greater desire was to ensure the Tianlu Sect endured, to repay the nurturing his sect had provided over several Millennium.

Thinking this, he said, "Let us take this opportunity to discuss the matter of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire."

Eldrin Chen nodded and spoke, "If you are willing, we propose an exchange using Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and resources of equivalent value, such as Earth Vein [a concentrated vein of terrestrial spiritual energy] and Spirit Vein [a concentrated vein of spiritual energy within the earth]. What is your view?"

The Tianlu Sect Master shook his head, stating directly, "What I seek is not these material resources."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen was slightly taken aback and could not help but inquire, "Then what is it that you seek?"

"Alas," Tianlu Sect Master sighed, unable to hold back his words. "After two successive Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a catastrophic invasion from the demonic realms], our Tianlu Sect has lost nearly ten True Lord [a high-level cultivator]. This has made me realize that whether it is a Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] or an Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy], they are ultimately just external possessions."

"Even if we occupy countless Spirit Mountain, if we cannot survive the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, these Spirit Mountain Dao Field [a cultivator's estate established on a Spirit Mountain] will inevitably fall into the hands of others one day."

"Therefore, I wish to ask your Chen Clan to look after our Tianlu Sect more diligently in the future, to ensure the continuation of our sect's legacy."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, and he also sighed. "During such a great calamity, I can barely ensure my own survival. How could I dare promise you complete protection?"

"Moreover, given the friendship between us, as long as I am here, no words are needed—I will naturally offer what support I can."

At this point, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking. "Very well. As compensation for the share of the Earth Vein, if your Tianlu Sect ever produces a suitable cultivator who has reached the Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of the Golden Core realm], we can assist them in laying the foundation for a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul formed in harmony with the Heavenly Dao, representing the pinnacle potential]." Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.

"A Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul?" Tianlu Sect Master was momentarily stunned, then could not help but express his joy. "Then I thank you once again, profoundly."

Having secured the Tianlu Sect's share in the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a dangerous, fiery region rich in resources], Eldrin Chen felt a measure of relief settle within him.

He journeyed back to the Ji Continent and found that Lyra Jiang had already returned to Spirit Isle Lake. After they met, Eldrin Chen learned that she had already settled matters with Yvonne the Violet Consort and Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal.

Violet Consort was practically family, so that required little discussion. As for Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal, the agreement merely required aiding them in nurturing one Nascent Soul True Lord in the future.

Having secured ownership of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, Eldrin Chen felt a measure of calm settle within him. With a slight smile, he said, "In that case, we can begin the development of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire."

"We should indeed make preparations in advance," Verdant Consort nodded in agreement. "To nurture a Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth] within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, it would be best to use a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a rare spiritual treasure capable of gathering and refining ambient spiritual energy]."

"However, for such a Fire Vein [a Spirit Vein aligned with the element of fire], a fire-attributed high-grade Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root would be ideal. Among our collection of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root, we lack a high-grade one of the fire element."

"Old Granduncle will need three hundred years to fully recover his peak strength after his reincarnation tribulation, so we still have ample time."

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen spoke, "I will soon send letters to Zixu the Daoist, Nine Rivers Daoist, and Maris the Sea Steader to inquire if there is any news of a high-grade fire-attributed Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root."

"That would be for the best," she agreed.

With these matters settled, Eldrin Chen had finally concluded the arrangements surrounding Old Patriarch's reincarnation tribulation.

He took a deep breath, his expression turning resolute. "That Hemlock the Bloodweaver nearly succeeded in sacrificing hundreds of millions of our Chen Clan mortals in a blood ritual. It is time to settle accounts with him."

Upon hearing this, both Lyra Jiang and Verdant Consort drew sharp breaths, understanding that Eldrin Chen intended to exact full vengeance for Old Patriarch.

Considering this, Verdant Consort asked, "Are you confident in your success?"

"We must at least try." Access the full story on audio novel.com.