Chapter 721 : A Clash of Ambition and Earthly Veins

The two of them felt their hearts sink upon hearing this. They understood that given Eldrin Chen's current status and influence, for him to personally state this meant he was determined to acquire the Earth Vein [a powerful terrestrial energy leyline]. The fact that he was negotiating with them personally was already a gesture of respect.

The Longbeard Path Master wanted to say more, but Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily stopped him. She offered a slight smile and said, "I believe the Chen Clan certainly has the means to meet the price."

"However, our Sect Master is still in secluded cultivation, 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 proper answer?"

Eldrin Chen nodded and spoke directly, "To be frank, our Chen Clan plans, within the next century, to transplant a Worldly Spiritual Root [a rare plant that anchors and nourishes spiritual energy in a region] into the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire to begin elevating the Spiritual Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth]. We will also invest significant effort into repairing the environment of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire itself."

"Even if you are unwilling to sell, as our Chen Clan continuously invests resources and labor, the share you hold by virtue of prior occupation will inevitably be diluted."

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 his piece, Eldrin Chen said no more and departed directly from the Heavenly Reed Sect's Path-Field [a sect's main cultivation grounds].

Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily and her companion saw him off at the mountain gate. Only after he had vanished into the distance did they finally let out a sigh of relief.

"The Returning Abyss Path Master's aura of authority has grown profoundly deeper in recent years," sighed the Longbeard Path Master. He then looked at Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily and asked, "Senior Sister, what should we do now?"

Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily hesitated for a long moment, weighing the options left and right. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "This matter is of utmost importance. Neither you nor I have the authority to decide. We must inform our Senior Brother." Support the author by reading on audio-novel-dot-com.

As her words fell, she directly arrived before the Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool that aids in recovery and rebirth] Seclusion Chamber deep within the Heavenly Reed Sect.

Standing outside the cave abode, Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily 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 Heavenly Reed Sect Master had been in Nirvana [a deep state of healing and cultivation] for two hundred years, his cultivation having just recovered to the Infant Soul Realm.

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

Not daring to delay, Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily immediately recounted the entire sequence of events to the Heavenly Reed Sect Master.

Upon hearing it, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master's expression changed drastically, and he couldn't help but roar in anger, "Foolish! How could you all be so short-sighted?"

"Setting aside my long-standing friendship with Returning Abyss Path Master, merely considering his talent, which possesses the bearing of an Immortal [one who has attained immortality], how could we possibly antagonize him over a single Earth Vein [a concentrated node of terrestrial spiritual energy]?"

"Go and invite him back at once."

As he spoke, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master couldn't help but rise to his feet, saying, "Enough. This old man will go personally."

"..."

"Brother Eldrin [Eldrin Chen, the protagonist], please wait."

Eldrin Chen had not traveled far from the Heavenly Reed Sect [a major cultivation sect] when he noticed a figure rushing after him with great urgency.

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master [the leader of the Heavenly Reed Sect] caught up and said with a smile, "My junior brother and sister were foolish just now, failing to inform me immediately. I sincerely apologize, Fellow Daoist."

"A Fellow Daoist who has not yet fully recovered their peak cultivation should naturally prioritize restoring their strength first," Eldrin Chen replied, then added with a chuckle, "However, I do indeed wish to settle the matter of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a dangerous, flame-filled region]. I only regret disturbing your cultivation."

"It is no trouble, no trouble at all. My own Path [the Dao, the fundamental cultivation path] holds no further hope for advancement. This delay of a few years is but a minor matter."

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master was merely at the Earthly Path Infant Soul [a specific stage of the Nascent Soul cultivation realm] and had already exhausted his lifespan extension methods. Having now endured the harsh ordeal of a tribulation reincarnation, he held no hope for his future Path.

For him, his greatest remaining desire was to ensure the Heavenly Reed Sect endured, repaying the sect for its nurturing over thousands of years.

With this thought, 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 Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and Earth Veins [geological formations rich in earth-attribute spiritual energy] of equivalent value to your Spiritual Veins [natural conduits of concentrated spiritual energy]. What do you think?"

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master shook his head and stated directly, "What I seek is not these resources."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen paused slightly, unable to suppress his inquiry. "Then what is it that you seek?"

"Alas." Heavenly Reed Sect Master sighed, his words spilling forth. "Through two successive Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a cataclysmic invasion from the demonic abyss], our Heavenly Reed Sect has lost nearly ten True Lord [a high-ranking 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 and Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain or territory] will inevitably fall into the hands of others sooner or later."

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

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

"Moreover, given the friendship between us, no words are needed. If I am still here, I will naturally offer what support I can." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel`com.

At this point, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking. "Very well. As the price for the Earth Vein shares, in the future, if your Heavenly Reed Sect has a suitable Superior-Tier Golden Core [a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core stage], we can assist them in laying the foundation for a Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the highest-grade foundation for the next major cultivation realm]."

"Heavenly Path Infant Soul?" The Heavenly Reed Sect Master was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but express his joy. "Then I must thank you once again."

"..."

Having secured the Heavenly Reed Sect's share in the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a dangerous, fiery sea region], Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of relief settle within him.

He made his way back to Ji Continent and found that Exquisite Jiang had already returned to Spirit Isle Lake. After the two met, Eldrin Chen learned that she had already settled matters with Violet Consort Yan and Ethereal Mistress Ling.

Since Violet Consort was practically family, there was naturally little to discuss. As for Ethereal Mistress Ling, the only requirement was to help nurture an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their nascent soul and attained the rank of True Lord] for her faction.

Now that ownership of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire was secured, Eldrin Chen felt a wave of relief. A faint smile touched his lips as he said, "In that case, we can begin developing the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire."

"Indeed, preparations should begin early," Verdant Consort nodded in agreement. "To cultivate a Spiritual Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth] within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, it would be best to use a Worldly Spiritual Root [a rare spiritual treasure capable of gathering and stabilizing ambient spiritual energy to form spiritual veins]."

"However, for such a Fire Vein [a spiritual vein with a predominant fire attribute], a fire-attributed Worldly Spiritual Root would be ideal. Among our collection of Worldly Spiritual Root, we lack a high-grade one of the fire element."

"Old Granduncle will need another three centuries to fully recover his former strength through his reincarnation tribulation, so we still have ample time."

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen spoke, "I will soon send letters to Path Master Unreal, Nine Rivers Path Master, and Sea-Calmer Path Master to inquire if there is any news of a high-grade, fire-attributed Worldly Spiritual Root."

"That would be wise," she agreed.

With these matters settled, Eldrin Chen had finally concluded all affairs related to Old Patriarch's reincarnation tribulation.

He drew a deep breath, his expression turning resolute. "As for that Blood-Refining Old Demon, who nearly used the Sacrificial Self [a forbidden art that sacrifices the lives of others to empower oneself] to claim the lives of hundreds of millions of mortals from the Chen Clan, it is time we settled accounts with him."

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort both drew a sharp breath, understanding that Eldrin Chen intended to avenge the Old Patriarch completely.

With this thought, Verdant Consort spoke, "Are you confident?"

"We must at least try." For more chapters, visit audio–novel.com for the complete novel.