Chapter 777 : The Shattered Sacred Mountain

The location of Eastern Sovereign Mountain lies within the Eastern Wilderness Mountain Range.

The origins of that Eastern Wilderness Mountain Range are extraordinary. This mountain range was once the paramount mountain chain of the Eastern Wastelands, stretching for hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

It is said that over five thousand years ago, the Eastern Wilderness Mountain Range was still a place of immense glory. In that era, it was home not only to the Half-Immortal Realm Ancestor Eastern Sovereign, but also to more than ten Nascent Soul Dao Lord.

At that time, it ranked among the five strongest Sacred Land in the Purple Realm, a peer to supreme powers like the Dao Palace Sacred Land.

Legends speak of the Eastern Wilderness Mountain Range once possessing a Sixth Rank High Grade Ancestral Vein [the supreme source of spiritual energy for a region]. It was the ancestral progenitor of all mountains in the Eastern Wastelands, renowned for the astonishing phenomenon of "Ten Thousand Dragons Paying Homage."

Yet, in a single night, the vast Eastern Wilderness Mountain Range was shattered. Its Earth Vein [the spiritual energy channels of the land] was violently severed into nine segments, transforming the entire million-Li-length Eastern Sovereign Mountain range into a Spirit-Severed Land.

The Eastern Wilderness Mountain Range of today is also called the Spirit-Severing Mountains, a name as infamous as the Spirit-Severed Sea within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World. It is a forbidden land even Demonic Monsters would shun.

As Eldrin Chen and his two companions stepped into the Eastern Wilderness Mountain Range, they found the spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things] within these mountains nearly desiccated.

Without spiritual energy to draw upon, not even a Golden Core True Person would dare to traverse this mountain range lightly.

For under such conditions, becoming lost within the Eastern Wilderness Mountain Range meant being trapped, unable to replenish one's Mana [the refined spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques]. One would face the dire predicament of exhausting their mana and being unable to fly out. Support the author by reading on audio–novel.com.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen and his companions were not intimidated by such threats. They summoned their Pure Yang Immortal Sword [a divine sword imbued with the purest Yang energy], which could traverse ten million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. In merely half a month, they arrived at the heart of the Eastern Wilderness Mountain Range [a vast, desolate mountain chain in the eastern frontier].

Along the way, Eldrin Chen gazed upon the nearly spirit-dead mountains and could not help but take a deep breath. "What cataclysm occurred in ancient times," he wondered aloud, "to transform the myriad mountains and Ancestral Vein [the primordial spiritual artery of a region] of the Eastern Wilderness into this Spirit-Severed Land [a place utterly devoid of spiritual energy]?"

"Perhaps it was because of the Extraterrestrial Demon God [a malevolent deity from beyond the stars]," Verdant Consort suggested, her eyes grave. She continued, "Perhaps the Extraterrestrial Demon God was far more formidable than we ever imagined."

"I am not so certain,"

Lyra Jiang shook her head, her expression solemn. "Although the Extraterrestrial Demon God was mighty, it merely unleashed three strikes from across the boundless void in that bygone era. It seems unlikely such an act alone could reduce the Ancestral Vein of the Eastern Wilderness to a spiritual wasteland."

"Perhaps," she mused, "within this Eastern Wilderness Ancestral Vein, there lie secrets yet unknown to us."

As they conversed, the Immortal Sword [a flying sword of immortal grade] had already cleaved through countless peaks and valleys, arriving at the location of Eastern Sovereign Mountain [the Mountain of the Eastern Sovereign, a legendary peak].

It was an ancient mountain that stabbed into the clouds. From Eldrin Chen's vantage point, it appeared as if a colossal force had violently sheared away half of the mighty peak, leaving only a truncated but still awe-inspiring ancient mountain standing sentinel.

Eldrin Chen landed the Flying Sword [a sword used for aerial travel] with a solemn expression. He then addressed the three women beside him, "Since we have reached Eastern Sovereign Mountain, as a sign of respect, let us ascend the rest of the way on foot."

"Agreed,"

The three nodded and followed him on foot up the mountain.

The Eastern Sovereign Mountain soared into the clouds. Though their steps covered vast distances, they walked for three full days before unknowingly reaching the summit.

As they neared the peak, Eldrin Chen's mind was suddenly struck by the faint, illusory toll of an ancient bell. A profound and inexplicable sense of sorrow welled up within him, causing him to halt in his tracks.

It was a grief and anguish that seemed to originate from the very depths of his bloodline, leaving him momentarily lost in a daze.

"What is it?"

Seeing him stop, Lyra Jiang could not help but ask.

Eldrin Chen glanced around, noting the puzzled expressions on the faces of his three companions. "Did you hear it?" he asked. "The sound of an ancient bell."

"I did not."

Verdant Consort shook her head and looked towards Lila and Lyra Jiang.

Lila also shook her head. "I heard nothing either," she said.

"Could my ears have deceived me?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a fleeting moment before continuing his determined stride towards the mountain's peak.

Having scaled the boundless precipice, Eldrin Chen took one final step and finally stood upon the summit of Eastern Sovereign Mountain. The vista before him unfolded, vast and breathtaking.

Eldrin Chen lifted his gaze and beheld a dilapidated hall, standing solitary upon the expansive mountaintop.

Before the Grand Hall grew several ancient trees. A white-haired elder, leaning on a broom, was slowly sweeping the fallen leaves from the ground in front of the hall.

The presence of another person here took the group completely by surprise. The story continues at audio-novel . com.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with his companions, then stepped forward. "Might I ask, venerable elder, is this place truly Eastern Sovereign Mountain?" he inquired.

The elder noticed them and, with trembling hands, set down his broom. "Indeed it is," he replied, his voice frail. "Have you come to pay homage to the Eastern Wilderness?"

"We have!"

Eldrin Chen nodded. Seeing the elder's unsteady posture, he moved to offer a supporting arm.

This single act of support proved unexpectedly strenuous. The old man's body seemed utterly devoid of spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things], yet his physical form possessed a weight of countless millions of Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms], causing even Eldrin Chen to feel the strain.

One must understand that Eldrin Chen, having undergone the day and night tempering of the Five Thunders Body Tempering Grand Art, possessed physical strength not inferior to the Pure Yang True Body [a constitution of pure yang energy] of a Nascent Soul Cultivator. Yet, he had nearly failed to lift the old man, revealing the astonishing nature of the other's physical form.

Yet astonishment was not his alone. The old man also revealed a look of surprise and could not help but glance at Eldrin Chen. "Well, lad," he said, "you're quite strong."

"Follow me."

With that, the old man led the group into the Grand Hall.

The dilapidated Grand Hall was empty of people, equally worn and broken, yet it felt strangely vast and clean, clearly maintained by the old man's daily sweeping.

Within the Grand Hall, a simple, ancient spirit tablet stood at the very center. Inscribed upon it were the words: "In Reverent Offering to the Spirit of Founding Patriarch Eastern Sovereign."

Eldrin Chen prepared to offer several precious Spiritual Object [objects imbued with spiritual energy] he had brought and was about to begin the rites before the Eastern Sovereign's spirit tablet when the old man stopped him.

The old man shook his head and spoke. "What need does Eastern Sovereign have for these Spiritual Object of yours? He did not cultivate the path of a Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates through ghostly or spiritual means]."

"Simply light some incense. That is enough."

The elder spoke, then handed back the few Spiritual Object [enchanted artifacts used in rituals] he had been holding.

Eldrin Chen nodded. He led the other three in each lighting three sticks of incense, offered a reverent bow, and only then did they rise to their feet.

Seeing this, the old man spoke again, "The three of you, follow me out. Do not disturb the peace of Founding Patriarch Eastern Sovereign."

Once they had exited the Grand Hall, Eldrin Chen finally clasped his hands and inquired, "May I ask, honored senior, who you are? To think a master such as yourself would keep vigil for Senior Eastern Sovereign here within the Spirit-Severing Mountains."

"This old man is merely a Gravetender [a guardian of tombs and sacred grounds]. I remain here solely to watch over the peace of Eastern Sovereign, and incidentally, to shoo away the flies."

"You may simply call me Gravetender."

The Gravetender shook his head, leading the group to a small pavilion. He served them tea and said, "If people come, like you, with sincere hearts to pay their respects, this old man naturally welcomes them."

"But there are always those who wish to come here, searching for treasures left behind by Eastern Sovereign."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. Although the spiritual energy within this old man before him seemed parched and dry, as if he had not drawn upon it for several millennia...

...his physical body possessed a strength rarely seen in this world. He was likely a peerless master who had walked the path of achieving immortality through physical cultivation [a rare and arduous cultivation path focusing on strengthening the body to a divine level].

Moreover, it seemed this individual had traversed this path to a profound degree. His physical body was heavier than an ancient mountain range, and once unleashed, it likely possessed the raw power to rend a True Dragon [a supreme mythical beast of immense power] limb from limb with bare hands, and wielded the divine might to cleave a Nascent Soul Great Power [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul stage, a pinnacle of power] in two.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Senior, how can you be so certain that we are not here for the treasure ourselves?" Read the full novel exclusively on site: audio-novel.com.