Chapter 772 : The Immortal Alliance's Sacred Vow

As his words fell, he flicked his sleeve, scattering motes of shimmering light that drifted before the gathered True Lord.

Over eight hundred True Lord hastily took up the covenant scrolls. Upon reading them, some wore expressions of elated surprise, while others furrowed their brows deeply, their faces etched with solemn gravity.

Eldrin Chen was intimately familiar with the contents of this covenant, for he had been one of its principal architects.

According to the covenant's stipulations, once a clan joined the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, the Various Great Immortal Clans would henceforth receive the Alliance's protection and support.

Within the entire territory of the Three Veins Ancient Domain, all Demon Emperor and Demon Monarch of Nascent Soul realm and above would be either slain or expelled by the forces of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance.

This was no trivial matter. Across the Three Veins Ancient Domain, there were several dozen Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land of Nascent Soul level, no fewer than two hundred Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator, and when combined with the strength of the Nascent Soul Demon Emperor, the total number of Demonic Monsters at the Nascent Soul realm reached at least three to four hundred.

These Nascent Soul Demon had committed countless atrocities. Sheltered by their Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land, they were notoriously difficult to eradicate completely. Some Demonic Cultivator even corralled mortal populations to serve as fodder for producing Blood Crystal [crystallized essence refined from the blood and life force of living beings].

They had long been a festering thorn in the side of the Various Great Immortal Clans within the Three Veins Ancient Domain, responsible for the deaths of innumerable cultivators.

With the Three Veins Immortal Alliance marshaling the combined might of the Various Great Immortal Clans for a systematic purge, and with Nascent Soul Great Power personally overseeing the campaigns, they were poised to methodically root out these Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land and Demon Emperor domains one by one.

Once accomplished, the Three Veins Ancient Domain would awaken, much like the Long River Ancient Domain before it, to a realm of internal stability where it could recuperate and thrive. The base population of cultivators would inevitably swell dramatically, allowing for the greater accumulation of resources such as a Deep-Seated Foundation [a profoundly stable and potent cultivation base] and Spirit Medicine. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel dot com.

While the fruits of these endeavors may not be immediately apparent, from the perspective of centuries or even Millennium [a period of one thousand years], they are destined to give rise to a greater number of Nascent Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul, the spiritual embryo of immense power] and mighty figures.

Following the establishment of the Immortal Alliance [a coalition of immortal clans and sects], the Various Great Immortal Clans [the collective major immortal clans within the alliance] naturally gained benefits, but they also assumed certain obligations that needed to be shouldered.

These obligations are primarily divided into three categories. The first is a war levy. Henceforth, if the Immortal Alliance decides to wage war externally, the Three Veins Ancient Domain [the ancient territory encompassing the three spiritual veins] and the Various Great Immortal Clans are required to contribute both resources and manpower.

The second category consists of tribute Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. From now on, every hundred years, the Various Great Immortal Clans must pay a fee to the Immortal Alliance.

This membership fee is primarily used to maintain the operations of the Immortal Alliance and to provide salaries for the Sword-Enforcing Elder [elders tasked with upholding the alliance's laws and order] and other personnel within the alliance.

Since the cost is shared among hundreds of Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [immortal clans possessing at least one Nascent Soul cultivator], the amount each clan contributes is not excessive. However, when combined, it represents a very substantial income.

Each Sword-Enforcing Elder receives a share of one hundred Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-grade form of Spirit Stone] every century. As the alliance leader, Eldrin Chen receives an even greater share of three hundred Heavenly Crystal every hundred years.

For the nine Sword-Enforcing Elder and figures like Eldrin Chen, this constitutes a massive income. This stipend alone is more than sufficient to support their personal cultivation needs with ample surplus.

Powerhouses at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a stage just below forming one's Primordial Spirit, the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] level and above, such as Magnus the Virtuous, Verdant Consort, and Lyra Jiang, serve as one of the Deep-Seated Foundation [a profound and stable foundational strength] of the Immortal Alliance. They naturally hold honorary titles and receive a considerable annual stipend as well.

The final category is Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth]. This Five Elements Essence is a resource required for sustaining Nascent Soul Ancient Ancestor [ancient ancestors who have achieved the Nascent Soul realm], and thus the required quantity is immense.

According to the stipulations of this covenant, henceforth, all Various Great Immortal Clans [powerful cultivation families] are tasked with supplying Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. Based on their strength and scale, each Various Great Immortal Clans must present a quantity of Five Elements Essence to the Immortal Alliance [a coalition of powerful cultivators and sects] every ten years.

As this matter concerns the cultivation of Nascent Soul Ancient Ancestor [powerful cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul], the procurement of Five Elements Essence cannot be treated carelessly. The Various Great Immortal Clans have specific quotas to fulfill.

Of course, this Five Elements Essence is not taken without compensation. The Alliance Assembly [the governing body of the Immortal Alliance] purchases it from the Various Great Immortal Clans at thirty percent of its market value, ultimately selling it to the Nascent Soul Ancient Ancestor at an exceedingly low price.

Regarding this practice, the Various Great Immortal Clans have long grown accustomed. Within the Purple Realm [a vast and prosperous cultivation realm], all Various Great Immortal Clans regard Five Elements Essence with utmost importance, hoarding it as a strategic resource.

This is because this substance is essential for forging artifacts, crafting Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a personal magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force], and even cultivating certain Divine Ability [supernatural powers and techniques]. Naturally, it remains perpetually scarce.

For instance, in the past, the Ji Clan would periodically purchase Five Elements Essence from across the Ji Continent at half price, requiring every Immortal Clan to sell half of their output to them.

The Chen Clan operated similarly within The Vast Sea and Myriad Ruins Continent, acquiring Five Elements Essence at heavily discounted prices. Otherwise, Eldrin Chen would not have possessed the financial means to advance his Heavenly River Flood Water Sword [a powerful magical sword].

Although this may appear akin to coercive trade, it is considered a matter of course. High-ranking Immortal Clan safeguard the peace of the world, and mighty true cultivators protect their domains; receiving tributes of resources is their inherent right.

The fact that Nascent Soul Great Power [cultivators of immense power at the Nascent Soul realm] do not simply take without payment is already considered honorable. After all, even the mighty cannot sustain themselves on goodwill alone.

At this moment, the assembled individuals perused the covenant, their expressions a tapestry of varied thoughts. Some found it perfectly reasonable, while others felt the price of thirty percent for the Five Elements Essence was still far too low.

Fortunately, the burden was shared by the entire Three Veins Ancient Domain, and the quota of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] that the Various Great Immortal Clans had to contribute, when divided equally, was not excessively large. After brief consideration, they suppressed their initial thoughts.

Seeing that everyone had reviewed the covenant, Eldrin Chen spoke with calm authority, "Since none of you have objections, let us proceed to sign the alliance pact."

"We understand."

The assembly nodded in unison and prepared to formalize the agreement.

"Wait!"

At that very moment, a voice of profound indifference echoed from the boundless void in the distance. Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel .c om.

Eldrin Chen looked up, his pupils contracting slightly. From the fathomless emptiness, an elder with hair and beard white as snow strode forth, his countenance etched with chilling intent.

"It seems our expectations were correct," the Feathered Pavilion Master remarked coolly, his gaze steady. "He has come to avenge Xuan Fang."

"Whelp of Eldrin, the Abyss, today I come to settle the blood debt for my clansman!"

The Profound Sun Dao Lord fixed his gaze upon Eldrin Chen, an overwhelming tide of murderous intent surging forth with him.

A Peerless Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator who has comprehended a Great Dao and stands at the pinnacle of power] was enraged. Even before making a move, the heavens and earth changed color. Endless Tribulation Clouds [ominous clouds heralding heavenly punishment or calamity] swept forth, blotting out the sky and sun, shrouding tens of thousands of Li-lengths of mountains and Ronan. It was as if the very cosmos was venting its fury.

Faced with such a formidable and oppressive aura, Maris the Sea Steader's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

He sat cross-legged upon the void. With a sweep of his sleeves, he dispersed the pervasive calamitous energy. A pure, refreshing breeze unfurled from his robes, parting the boundless dark clouds. His power clashed with that of Profound Sun Dao Lord, forming a sky starkly divided into two halves—one clear and luminous, the other turbid and dark.

"Maris!"

Profound Sun Dao Lord's expression shifted dramatically. He had not anticipated that Maris the Sea Steader had actually attained the Dao [achieved the profound enlightenment and power of a Dao Lord].

At this realization, a flicker of apprehension passed through his heart. His gaze turned icy as he stared directly at Maris the Sea Steader and said, "Your attainment of the Dao was no easy feat. Are you certain you wish to wade into these troubled waters?"

Maris the Sea Steader did not answer directly. Instead, he asked with serene composure, "Do you intend to make an enemy of me?"

"How dare you!"

Seeing Maris the Sea Steader's resolute stance, Profound Sun Dao Lord's eyes flashed with sudden intensity. He summoned forth a dazzling golden treasure pearl and hurled it directly at Maris the Sea Steader.

"Profound Sun Divine Pearl [a divine treasure pearl imbued with the profound essence of the sun]!"

Maris the Sea Steader [a powerful cultivator known for his mastery over the seas] felt a stir between his brows as he recognized the origin of this treasure.

This Profound Sun Divine Pearl [a legendary orb of immense solar power] possessed an extraordinary origin. It was forged from a Solar Treasure Pearl [a celestial pearl of condensed solar essence] that had fallen from beyond the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms], making it a heterodox treasure of boundless and overwhelming might.

This treasure could unleash the power of the Profound Sun True Flame [a supreme flame embodying the essence of the profound sun], capable of incinerating mountains and boiling seas, yet also of illuminating heaven and earth with its radiance. It was the very treasure through which Profound Sun Dao Lord [a Dao Lord who attained enlightenment through the profound sun] achieved his Dao.

Fortunately, this Profound Sun Dao Lord did not possess a Superior Grade Dao Body [a supreme-grade innate constitution ideal for cultivation], and the grade of the Profound Sun Divine Pearl in his hands was merely a low-grade Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure imbued with pure Yang energy]. Thus, Maris the Sea Steader felt not the slightest trace of fear.

With a flick of his sleeve, the Sea-Steadying Divine Pearl [Maris's own divine pearl, famed for its power to calm the oceans] above his head surged forth with matchless force, crashing down with the intent to suppress its target utterly. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio~novel.com.