Chapter 822 : Arrival at the Ancient Sword Lake

"This is the Ancient Sword Lake Domain."

Eldrin Chen halted before a vast, seemingly endless lake, his gaze serene as he observed the churning waters ahead.

Sword Lake is the greatest lake within the Central Ancestral Domain, and the Ancient Sword Lake Domain—one of the nine great Ancient Domain of that realm—derives its name from this very body of water.

Within the current Ancient Sword Lake Domain, the sole dominant power is the Zhang Clan, the Dao Lord Sacred Land.

Thinking they were finally nearing the Zhang Immortal Clan, Yvonne the Violet Consort said with a smile, "Since we've arrived at the Ancient Sword Lake Domain, let us make haste to the Zhang Clan and retrieve the Nascent Soul Pill."

"Indeed. To avoid unforeseen complications, speed is of the essence."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and urged the Immortal Sword forward, flying towards the Zhang Clan.

The group journeyed onward, and before long, they arrived at the heart of the Ancient Sword Lake Domain—the famed Sword Lake Island Dojo.

Upon reaching the Zhang Clan Dojo, Yvonne the Violet Consort immediately presented their visiting card and then remained at the Guest-Welcoming Peak to await a response.

After only a brief moment, several envoys from the Zhang Clan arrived to greet them with courtesy. Dive deeper into the Dao at www . audio-novel.com.

All three were mighty cultivators at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the penultimate stage of the Nascent Soul realm], with the leader's cultivation even reaching the Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm [a transitional state between the Nascent Soul and Primordial Spirit realms].

However, upon seeing the trio, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] slightly furrowed his brow, a flicker of something unusual appearing in his gaze.

This Zhang Clan [a prominent cultivation clan] had produced three Dao Lord [a title for a master of the Dao, typically a Nascent Soul cultivator], yet not a single Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a Dao Lord who has reached the Nascent Soul realm] had come in person, which was somewhat unexpected for the group.

One must remember that the Zhang Clan and the former Jiang Clan [the clan of Lyra Jiang] were old family friends. The Clan Lord [the patriarch of a clan], 'Liuxu the Dao Lord' [a Dao Lord known as Liuxu], and Lyra Jiang's Father [the father of Lyra Jiang] shared a friendship spanning several Millennium [a period of one thousand years].

Furthermore, given Eldrin Chen's current formidable reputation, it was truly surprising that they would not even grant him an audience.

"It seems there has been a change,"

Lyra Jiang [a powerful female cultivator, companion to Eldrin Chen] observed this and cautiously reminded them.

Hearing this, Yvonne the Violet Consort [a cultivator known as the Violet Consort] deeply furrowed her brow, her expression turning grave.

Eldrin Chen shook his head, then transmitted his voice [a method of private communication using spiritual energy]: "Let us first hear what they have to say."

As they were exchanging these thoughts, the three figures arrived before them. The leading Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator halfway to achieving a Primordial Spirit] powerhouse quickly clasped his hands in greeting, smiling as he said, "Are the arrivals Lyra the Immortal Maiden [the title of Lyra Jiang] and younger sister Violet Consort?"

"I am Alistair Zhang, and I offer my respects."

As he spoke, Alistair Zhang invited the group to be seated, then personally poured a cup of tea for each of them before smiling and saying, "You have traveled a great distance; the journey must have been arduous."

Eldrin Chen did not drink the tea, asking plainly instead, "Fellow Daoist Alistair, has the Zhang Clan sent only you to receive us?"

Alistair Zhang nodded with a smile and replied, "Our esteemed Ancient Ancestors are currently in seclusion. If you have any matters to discuss, you may speak directly with me."

"I see."

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened, and he stated his purpose, "We have come regarding the Nascent Soul Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm] that once belonged to Violet Consort."

"The Nascent Soul Pill..."

A look of understanding dawned on Alistair Zhang's face, and he quickly responded, "The Nascent Soul Pill is a matter of great importance. It can only be retrieved by a Nascent Soul Ancient Ancestor personally opening the vault; I lack the authority to decide this matter."

"Perhaps you could wait a while longer, until the three Ancient Ancestors of our family emerge from seclusion?"

In that instant, Eldrin Chen understood the intention behind Alistair Zhang's words.

Wealth stirs the hearts of men, and even more so a treasure of immeasurable value like the Nascent Soul Pill [a legendary pill that can aid in the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm]. Alistair Zhang, being the Nascent Soul Seed [a cultivator with the highest potential to reach the Nascent Soul realm] of the Zhang Clan, held a greater chance of successfully claiming the Nascent Soul Pill for himself.

The Nascent Soul Pill was a treasure beyond compare. In ages past, when the Jiang Clan entrusted this pill to the Zhang Clan, they had compelled the Zhang Clan's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm Clan Lord to swear a solemn Great Oath of Reincarnation [a binding vow that transcends lifetimes, with severe karmic consequences for breaking it].

Should Yvonne the Violet Consort come to claim the pill, the Zhang Clan Ancient Ancestor would be bound by oath and could not refuse. This was precisely why Alistair Zhang feared his clan's Ancient Ancestor learning of her arrival.

Thus, the moment he heard that Yvonne the Violet Consort sought the Nascent Soul Pill, he rushed in a panic to intercept their party, hoping to send her away empty-handed.

While the Zhang Clan could not outright deny the debt of the Nascent Soul Pill, they could fabricate excuses to delay—decades this time, centuries the next.

As long as the Zhang Clan Ancient Ancestor remained unaware, they could drag this out indefinitely. This delay tactic likely occurred with the silent acquiescence of the Zhang Clan's Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a Dao Lord who has reached the Nascent Soul realm]. Dive deeper into the Dao at @udio-novel.com.

Once he, Alistair Zhang, successfully broke through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, what did it matter if Yvonne the Violet Consort's Nascent Soul Pill was delayed a little longer?

For the sake of myself's own Dao path, the suffering of others was a small price to pay.

With this understanding crystallizing in his mind, Eldrin Chen saw no need for further discourse with this man. His gaze turned frosty as he declared, "The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving the eruption of demonic forces from an abyss] looms imminent. As the leader of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, I have no time to gallivant across the land retrieving treasures."

"Step aside, junior. Send your clan's Ancient Ancestor to speak with me."

"You..."

Watching Eldrin Chen adopt such an imperious stance, Alistair Zhang immediately paled, his expression shifting dramatically.

Now, the lineage of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance boasted several Dao Lord [a title for a supreme master of the Dao]. By assuming the bearing of the master of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, Eldrin Chen's status was now on par with figures like Riverlord Chang and the Lord of the Zhang Immortal Clan.

That Alistair Zhang still wished to speak, but at this moment, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. A torrential aura of majesty unfurled from him, causing the very air to congeal as if frozen solid.

Alistair Zhang felt as though he had plummeted into an abyss. For a moment, he found himself utterly speechless. The oppressive might radiating from Eldrin Chen before him felt no less formidable than that of his own clan's Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator whose soul has formed an infant-like spiritual entity].

"Fellow Daoist Eldrin, he is but a junior. Why trouble yourself with such anger?"

It was only then that a voice interceded.

From amidst the distant mountain peaks, a man clad in azure robes emerged, stepping forward to shield Alistair Zhang from the crushing pressure.

Only then did Alistair Zhang realize with a start that his robes were soaked through with cold sweat. He hastily retreated behind the man and murmured with deference, "I pay my respects to the Third Ancestor."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he recalled this man's origins.

The Zhang Clan's Third Ancestor bears the Daoist title 'Tribulation Triad Daoist'. This individual attained the Dao [achieved a high level of cultivation] four Millennium ago, yet his fortune has not been particularly favorable.

It is said that since attaining the Dao, he has participated in two Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. During the first, his physical body was destroyed by an Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon, and during the second, he perished at the hands of another Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon.

Now, having just undergone Reincarnation Tribulation [a profound trial of death and rebirth to advance one's cultivation] and cultivated anew to the Primordial Spirit Realm, his cultivation base is merely at the first layer of the Primordial Spirit realm.

"I have long heard of Fellow Daoist's illustrious reputation. Meeting you today, I see your Dao Fruit [the profound attainment and power resulting from one's cultivation path] is truly extraordinary."

At this moment, the Tribulation Triad Daoist stepped forward, his expression turning grave.

The more one is a Nascent Soul Dao Lord like him, the more one understands the exceptional nature of Eldrin Chen. He knew deeply that Eldrin Chen's title of First Nascent Soul of the Purple Realm was likely no empty boast, and thus he dared not be presumptuous.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke: "Since Fellow Daoist has arrived, the matter of the Nascent Soul Pill should be settled today."

Upon hearing this, the Tribulation Triad Daoist revealed a bitter smile and said with some helplessness, "To speak truthfully, our Zhang Clan's Clan Treasury currently holds no Nascent Soul Pill."

"Is that truly so?"

Eldrin Chen's expression turned icy as he immediately demanded, "According to our past agreement, the Zhang Clan's Clan Treasury should have reserved one Nascent Soul Pill."

"This matter is my fault."

Tribulation Triad Daoist shook his head, speaking with a hint of helplessness: "Not long ago, I underwent the Reincarnation Tribulation [a profound cultivation process of rebirth and renewal] to rebuild my foundation. When I broke through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm of a cultivator] once more, I expended a Nascent Soul Pill [a precious elixir that aids in forming the Nascent Soul], and have not yet had the chance to replenish it."

Eldrin Chen's expression remained unchanged, yet a cold glint entered his gaze as he asked, "And what, pray tell, is your meaning?"

'It seems if I do not give a satisfactory account today, I will likely incur the enmity of this Abyssal Daoist.'

Seeing the look on Eldrin Chen's face, Tribulation Triad Daoist felt his heart sink slightly. Experience the full epic at audio-novel.com.