Chapter 700 : A Gathering of Immortal Clans

"The fact that your Chen Clan [the Chen family of cultivators] was entrusted with hosting this Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade rare resources] is, in itself, a tacit acknowledgment from everyone."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally spoke. "The manpower at Vast Righteousness Peak [a major peak within the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range] likely remains insufficient. I shall arrange for some additional hands to assist."

After departing from Vast Righteousness True Lord's [a True Lord is a high-ranking cultivator] abode, Eldrin Chen immediately began preparations for the upcoming Barter Convention.

He first returned to his clan, summoning over a hundred Golden Core Cultivators [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the third major realm]. He also called Silas and Ethan along with others to the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range [a vast mountain range serving as a central hub for cultivators] to begin setting up for the Barter Convention and to dispatch invitations to the various major Infant Soul Immortal Clans [powerful clans led by Infant Soul cultivators].

He also prepared a stockpile of specialties unique to Ji Continent and the Vast Sea [a vast oceanic region], intending to open a large market fair during the convention to create new outlets for the many treasures from these two regions.

"..."

Thus, time flowed swiftly amidst the bustle, and soon the day of the Barter Convention arrived.

Half a year before the convention's official start, Infant Soul True Lords [True Lords are Infant Soul cultivators] began arriving at the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range one after another. A great multitude of Golden Core Cultivators also came, hoping to seize the opportunity to purchase items like the Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul, a crucial breakthrough].

As the time for the Barter Convention to commence drew near, several particularly esteemed Great Power Figures [cultivators of immense power and status] finally made their appearance. Among them were seven figures at or above the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Infant Soul realm], including Sea-Calmer Path Master, Desolate Heaven Path Master, and Nine Rivers Path Master.

Following the trials of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great battle against demonic forces], Eldrin Chen was no longer the freshly ascended Infant Soul [the fourth major cultivation realm] figure he once was. Immerse yourself in the complete world at https://audio-novel.com.

Now, looking across the Three Veins Ancient Domain, many are fellow cultivators who fought side by side with him a century ago. How many do not recognize Eldrin Chen?

Even when considering the other ancient domains of the Human Race within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, most Infant Soul True Lord cultivators have now heard of Eldrin Chen.

Now, the Infant Soul True Lord cultivators attending the Barter Convention, whether they have met Eldrin Chen or not, cannot help but regard him with a new level of respect.

On this day, while Eldrin Chen was receiving Nine Rivers Path Master, he noticed an extraordinarily magnificent and ornate carriage approaching.

The carriage was drawn by three Fire Luan [a mythical firebird], each possessing cultivation at the Infant Soul Realm.

"Who is this, to have Demon Emperor-rank beings pulling their carriage?"

"What an ostentatious display. Could it be a Primordial Spirit Path Lord?"

Many Infant Soul True Lord cultivators were startled, their expressions revealing surprise.

Eldrin Chen also wore a grave expression. The newcomer was someone he had never seen before, someone he did not recognize at all.

However, Nine Rivers Path Master, with his vast experience, showed a flicker of recognition. "This person is a True Lord from the Gu Yuan Mountain Range. You likely haven't met him," he said.

"It's him!"

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly as he grasped the likely origin of this individual.

To speak of the Gu Yuan Mountain Range, one must inevitably mention the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

As its name implies, the Three Veins Ancient Domain derives its title from three great mountain ranges: the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, the Azure Luan Mountain Range, and that very Gu Yuan Mountain Range.

These three mountain ranges are all supreme Earth Vein [powerful spiritual land formations] of Quasi-Sixth Rank [approaching the sixth tier of spiritual potency], and each is counted among the Thirty-Six Famous Mountains and Great Rivers [a renowned list of thirty-six spiritually potent geographical features] of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland.

Among them, the Dragon Soul [the spiritual essence or core of a dragon] of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range was devoured long ago by the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor, and later the area was claimed by Vast Righteousness True Lord; this is a tale well-known and requires little elaboration here.

The Azure Luan Mountain Range was once the site where an Azure Luan Demon Ancestor [a powerful demonic phoenix progenitor] achieved its Dao, and now lies in the hands of the Featherflight Pavilion, making it one of the paramount holy lands within the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

As for the Gu Yuan Mountain Range, it is in no way inferior to the other two, being home to a truly magnificent Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarchs have reached the Infant Soul cultivation realm].

This lineage is known as the Guyuan Fang Clan. The Guyuan Fang Clan boasts a full twenty-six Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have reached the Infant Soul realm and earned the title of True Lord], and its Clan Patriarch, Mystery Heir Fang, is one of the mere five Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivators who have half-ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm] in the entire Three Veins Ancient Domain.

It can be said that for many years, the strength of the Guyuan Fang Clan has firmly ranked within the top three of the Three Veins Ancient Domain, second only to the Heaven's Profound Sect which possesses over forty Infant Soul True Lord, and is a match even for the Featherflight Pavilion.

In the battle of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, among the five Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivators on the verge of forming their Primordial Spirit] cultivators, Sea-Calmer Path Master, the Master of Featherflight Pavilion, and Mysterious Void Path Master all participated in this conflict with their full strength.

The sect master of Heaven's Profound Sect passed away in meditation before the cataclysm, yet it can still be said the sect exhausted its utmost efforts in this great war.

Only the Guyuan Fang Clan did not contribute a single soldier or weapon, though they did offer a vast quantity of rare treasures in exchange.

Seeing that the visitor was the Clan Patriarch of the Guyuan Fang Clan, Mystery Heir Fang, Eldrin Chen could not help but frown, his gaze turning slightly cold as he said:

"I heard that a century ago, to avoid conscription, the Fang Clan paid a tax of five billion Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Do they still have funds to purchase treasures?"

Nine Rivers Path Master shook his head with a bitter smile. "The Gu Yuan Mountain Range is a treasure land rarely seen under heaven, boasting three large Spirit Stone veins. A tax of five point one billion Spirit Stone merely represents their output over three or four hundred years." Experience the full epic at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's heart gave a slight tremor. Although the Chen Clan's current strength was enough to rank within the top ten of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, they did not possess a single large Spirit Stone vein.

Within the entire Three Veins Ancient Domain, there were only six large Spirit Stone veins. The Featherflight Pavilion occupied one, the Heaven's Profound Sect occupied another, and the remaining one was divided among several powerful Immortal Clan [a clan with a history of producing Immortals].

For the Fang Clan to possess three large Spirit Stone veins was simply staggering wealth. No wonder they could afford to have three Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a demon beast whose power is equivalent to a human Infant Soul cultivator] pull their carriage.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen could not help but remark, "Three large veins... and none of the Immortal Clan in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland managed to secure a share?"

"A thousand years ago, several major powers including the Featherflight Pavilion once joined forces to exert pressure, but ultimately, they failed."

Nine Rivers Path Master shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "This Guyuan Fang Clan is a branch lineage of the Central Continent Primordial Spirit Immortal ClanFang Clan. Their Clan Patriarch, Mystery Heir Fang, has lived for several thousand years and still maintains some connections within the main lineage of the Fang Clan."

"Therefore, they possess certain foundational resources inherited from the Primordial Spirit Immortal Clan. I fear even if Sea-Calmer Path Master were to personally intervene, he might not be able to subdue them."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen frowned and remarked, "To possess such formidable strength yet refuse to fight for the Human Race, choosing instead to hide in the shadows and preserve their own power—it is truly contemptible."

As the two were speaking, the three Fire Luan [mythical firebirds] pulling the carriage flew closer.

The carriage drew near, a corner of its curtain was lifted, and a white-haired youth with a face as fair as jade glanced at Eldrin Chen.

He did not alight from the carriage, merely offering a calm smile as he said, "You must be the renowned Returning Abyss Path Master. I did not expect to be personally received by you. This is truly an honor."

With the youth's words, the Fire Luan did not pause, continuing their flight towards Vast Righteousness City.

"Clan Uncle, this person is merely at the Infant Soul Early Stage [the initial phase of the Primordial Spirit cultivation stage], yet he dares to show us such disrespect. I wish to teach him a lesson."

Seeing this, Ethan Chen nearby, his gaze icy, moved as if to intercept the carriage, but he was stopped by Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen shook his head and said calmly, "After all, the visitor is a guest. As hosts, it is unbecoming for us to show anger. Any matters can be discussed another day."

Though he spoke these words, a trace of coldness still flickered in Eldrin Chen's gaze.

The disparity between cultivators at the Infant Soul [the third major stage of cultivation where the nascent soul is formed] realm is immense. Ordinarily, a cultivator at the Infant Soul Early Stage would have to bow their head and act subserviently before a Great Power Figure [a title for a cultivator at the late Infant Soul stage] of the Infant Soul Late Stage. For such a Great Power to even deign to speak with you would be considered showing you great favor.

Yet now, even Patriarchs [venerable leaders of great clans or sects] at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a transitional state between the Infant Soul and Primordial Spirit realms] realm addressed him as a brother. For a mere Infant Soul Early Stage cultivator to not even descend from his carriage when meeting him, daring to speak from a position of superiority, was truly arrogance beyond measure.

Seeing this, the nearby Nine Rivers Path Master hurriedly advised, "This person is named Celestial Mechanism Fang. He is the son of the Fang Clan Patriarch [the ruling elder of the Fang Clan], Mystery Heir Fang."

"He fancies himself a scion of a Primordial Spirit Immortal Clan [a powerful clan with a Primordial Spirit stage cultivator as its foundation], so his temperament is somewhat haughty. Brother Eldrin need not pay him any mind."

"You worry too much, Nine Rivers."

Eldrin Chen shook his head again, a faint smile on his lips. "If it were his father, Mystery Heir Fang, I might afford him a modicum of seriousness. But a newly ascended Infant Soul junior? He is not worth my anger."

Ethan Chen immediately stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute. "Uncle Eldrin, you can tolerate this, but I cannot."

"I, too, have only recently ascended to the Infant Soul realm. After the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade resources and treasures] concludes, I shall seek him out for a friendly spar." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at https://audio-novel.com.