Chapter 802 : A Strategic Withdrawal from the Front

At that time, he might even have a chance to attempt a breakthrough into the Half-Immortal Realm [a legendary state of being halfway between mortal and immortal], grasping a sliver of possibility to ascend to true immortality.

Thinking of this, Riverlord Chang naturally felt exceptionally joyful.

At this moment, he glanced at Eldrin Chen and said with a smile, "The reason I asked you to come this time is because there is a matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen was slightly taken aback and promptly inquired, "Please speak, Senior."

Riverlord Chang's expression turned solemn as he began to explain, "For this Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving the eruption of demonic forces from a deep abyss], I intend for your Three Veins Immortal Alliance to remain stationed in the Eastern Wastelands, not participating in the frontline battles."

"What?"

Eldrin Chen was stunned and couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean by that, Senior?"

It was no wonder Eldrin Chen was so astonished. The current Three Veins Immortal Alliance boasted three Nascent Soul Dao Lord [powerful cultivators whose souls have undergone a profound metamorphosis]—Dao Lord Maris, Magnus the Virtuous, and Dao Lord Feathered Pavilion.

Furthermore, there were the four Dao-companions of Eldrin Chen, each possessing combat power equivalent to a Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [an artifact of immense power forged from pure Yang energy]. Their forces were strong, their military might formidable.

For such a powerful alliance not to participate in the battles of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm was truly perplexing. Access the full story on audio~novel.com.

Logically speaking, even if they were to garrison the Eastern Wastelands, they should at least commit a portion of their forces.

Noting their reaction, Riverlord Chang spoke. "The several Dao Lord [supreme cultivators who have comprehended a fundamental Dao] of your Three Veins Immortal Alliance have only recently attained the Primordial Spirit Realm [the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation]. Their strength may yet be insufficient for the trials of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving the eruption of demonic forces from an abyss]."

"It would be wiser for them to remain and consolidate their foundations. After a Millennium [a period of one thousand years], when their power has fully matured, they may join the fray."

Eldrin Chen shook his head and countered, "The Dawnlight, the Immortal Maiden of Dawnlight Palace attained the Primordial Spirit [the Nascent Soul stage] less than two centuries ago. Her foundation is likely less solid than that of Senior Magnus or Brother Maris."

"Senior, what compels you to seek our participation? Please, enlighten us."

"Alas."

Seeing Eldrin Chen press for answers, Riverlord Chang sighed before finally relenting. "Very well. There is no harm in telling you."

"Are you aware that as early as Ten Sixty-Year Cycles [six hundred years] ago, the Heaven-Gazing Mirror [a legendary artifact of divination] had already foreseen that this Demonic Abyss Cataclysm would be a calamity unseen for three Millennium [three thousand years]?"

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"This..."

Eldrin Chen's countenance shifted dramatically, revealing a look of profound shock.

It turned out that as early as six hundred years prior, the Demigod Ancestor known as the Sky-Watching Dao Master from the Central Ancestral Domain had, with the aid of the Heaven-Viewing Mirror [a legendary artifact capable of glimpsing fate], perceived a fragment of the future.

According to the words of the Sky-Watching Dao Master, this calamity was an unprecedented cataclysm; if the Purple Realm could not withstand it, there was a danger of utter annihilation.

Riverlord Chang feared that Eldrin Chen might fall prematurely during this tribulation. Thus, he wished to keep Eldrin Chen back, preserving his strength to fight again after he himself achieved a breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a realm beyond Nascent Soul].

"The opening of the Ancient Immortal Cave Abode within the Extreme Northern Ice Plains was itself an omen that the great calamity was approaching."

Riverlord Chang explained methodically, adding with a note of unease, "You are now a Nascent Soul Seed [a cultivator of exceptional talent marked for ascension to Nascent Soul] that the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world] are determined to eliminate. If you lack the combat power to slay a Nascent Soul Grade [a cultivator at the Nascent Soul realm] opponent, I fear even I may not be able to protect you."

"Fortunately, my own cultivation has increased significantly, and my voice now carries greater weight within the Purple Realm. I can arrange for you to remain in the rear, temporarily avoiding this tribulation."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's heart trembled faintly.

Though Riverlord Chang clearly knew this calamity was destined to be perilous beyond measure, he still sought to help them evade it. This revealed the depth of his sincere, protective care.

Thinking of this, he could not help but ask, "In this battle, am I truly unable to contribute my share of strength?"

"Contribute a share of strength?" Riverlord Chang chuckled, then said, "If you could slay a single Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul, a powerful spiritual infant], then perhaps you might possess a modicum of self-preservation, allowing you to slightly influence the course of the battle."

"However..."

At this point, Riverlord Chang shook his head with a wry smile. "From ancient times to the present, I have never heard of anyone who, with a Nascent Soul [the spiritual infant formed after the Golden Core stage] cultivation base, could single-handedly slay a Pure Yang [a cultivator whose spirit and body have been refined to a state of pure yang energy] opponent."

"Jiang the Sovereign Emperor never achieved it. The Ancient Immortal [a legendary immortal from antiquity] of yore did not manage it either. Do not trouble your mind with such thoughts."

"Slaying a Pure Yang opponent... with the power of a Nascent Soul cultivator?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze grew resolute, yet in the end, he remained silent, sinking into contemplation. Discover more cultivation stories at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Seeing this, Riverlord Chang nodded. "You need not worry overmuch. If the heavens fall, there are still old men like me, and those Demigod Ancestor [powerful beings who have transcended mortality but not yet achieved full divinity] to hold them up."

"While we can still hold the line for a time, you must cultivate diligently. If, in the future, you can Ascend to Immortal Eternity [achieve immortality and eternal life] and slay the Extraterrestrial Demon God [a powerful demonic deity from beyond this realm],"

"and reopen the path to immortality for future generations, I would be content."

"This junior understands."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod, then his thoughts turned to the matter concerning Nyssa Qu. He proceeded to recount the entire sequence of events to Riverlord Chang.

Riverlord Chang's expression remained placid. After listening, he said, "The Spirit Clam Tribe [a tribe of spiritual clam demons known for their peaceful nature] possesses a tranquil disposition and is indeed the most suitable candidate for forming an alliance."

"Since you have already sworn the Great Oath of Reincarnation [a profound and binding vow that spans cycles of rebirth] with her, her trustworthiness is naturally assured."

"Very well. I will speak with the Human Race Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for cultivators of similar attainment] in the Eastern Wastelands. However, if they shield the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a mythical clam demon of immense power and beauty] from external tribulations, you will owe them a favor in return."

"This junior understands."

Eldrin Chen nodded in acknowledgment. Repaying such a favor would be no simple matter. Should any cultivator from the major Sacred Land [a region of profound spiritual power and heritage] attempt a breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a realm beyond the Nascent Soul] realm, he would be obligated to help ward off their external tribulations.

Furthermore, if any of those Sacred Land were to decline in the future, he and his lineage would be expected to offer them protection and support.

In truth, the reason the Ji Clan had been able to re-establish itself as a Dao Lord Sacred Land [a sacred land founded and presided over by a Dao Lord, a supreme cultivator] was precisely because many such Dao Lord Sacred Land within the Purple Realm [a vast and spiritually rich continent] owed favors to the clan's ancient ancestors.

After settling these affairs, Eldrin Chen's thoughts returned to Kael Chen. He inquired, "Might I ask, Senior, about the current condition of my clan elder brother?"

"Having undergone baptism in the Riverlord's Waters [the sacred, purifying waters controlled by the Riverlord], the demonic taint that once saturated his being has now been washed away for the most part."

"The demonic nature can be cleansed, but the demonic heart [the core of demonic influence within a cultivator's spirit] is unextinguishable; his demonic heart has already become intertwined with his true self."

Riverlord Chang explained patiently, then said: "Fortunately, the waters of the Eastern Wilderness Ancestral River are inexhaustible. Under the endless, day-and-night scouring of its Water Essence Power, no matter how unextinguishable his demonic heart may be, it will ultimately be washed away, bit by bit."

"By the time the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm concludes, his demonic heart should be completely eradicated."

After listening, Eldrin Chen nodded, yet sighed and said: "My clan elder brother possesses an indomitable will; he is a natural-born seed for Demonic Cultivator [a cultivator who draws power from demonic or unorthodox sources]."

"If not for the fear of him being controlled by an Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this realm], perhaps this path would have been the most suitable for him."

Riverlord Chang also nodded, sighing as he spoke: "Such is fate and circumstance. After his demonic heart is cleansed, how far he ultimately progresses will depend on his own opportunities and Creation [destiny or fortune granted by heaven]."

Having spoken thus, the two of them said no more on the matter.

Before parting, Riverlord Chang instructed: "I am preparing to fire up the alchemical furnace to refine the Nascent Soul Pill and the Pure Yang Elixir. The pills will be completed one Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years] from now. Return then to collect them."

After bidding farewell to Riverlord Chang, Eldrin Chen immediately used a Teleportation Formation to return to the Myriad Ruins Continent.

He sought out Lyra Jiang, Verdant Consort, and the others, informing them of the details of his journey.

After listening, Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] said with a grave expression, "It seems this calamity is of extraordinary magnitude. We must also begin our preparations."

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen [Eldrin Chen] agreed. "First, we should assist Nyssa Qu [Nyssa Qu] in her breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [Nascent Soul] realm. Afterwards, we must cultivate diligently and strive to complete the Earth Soul Guidance [Earth Soul Guidance] cultivation art as swiftly as possible."

With that said, Eldrin Chen instructed the clan to begin gathering the resources needed for Nyssa Qu's breakthrough.

Nyssa Qu's Deep-Seated Foundation [foundational cultivation base] was no weaker than that of a pure-blooded True Dragon [True Dragon]. Her bloodline was exceptionally noble, granting her a naturally high probability of successfully advancing to the Primordial Spirit realm.

The primary concerns were the external tribulations and the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [Heavenly Thunder Tribulation]. Her bloodline Divine Ability, the Seven-Colored Immortal Radiance [Seven-Colored Immortal Radiance], was a Pure Yang Grade [Pure Yang Grade] Great Divine Ability [Great Divine Ability]. Furthermore, her Seven-Colored Immortal Clam Shell [Seven-Colored Immortal Clam Shell] could also withstand the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. In theory, her chances of surviving the tribulation exceeded fifty percent.

Nevertheless, to guard against any unforeseen circumstances, Eldrin Chen lent her the Void-Suppressing Vase [Void-Suppressing Vase] for her to refine and wield, ensuring her safe passage through the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel.com.