Chapter 772 : A Covenant of Light and Shadow

As his words fell, he flicked his sleeve, scattering motes of shimmering light that drifted before the assembled True Lords [powerful cultivators who have attained the True Lord realm].

Over eight hundred True Lords hurriedly took up the covenant scrolls. After reading them, some faces lit up with joy, while others furrowed their brows deeply, expressions turning grave.

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 an Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] joined the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, it would henceforth receive the Alliance's protection and support.

All Demon Emperors [powerful demon rulers] and Demon Monarchs [lesser demon lords] within the borders of the Three Veins Ancient Domain who possessed strength at or above the Infant Soul [a high cultivation stage] realm would be either slain or expelled by the forces of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance.

This was no trivial matter. Within the Three Veins Ancient Domain, there were several dozen Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use demonic or unorthodox methods] Forbidden Lands [dangerous, demon-tainted regions], no fewer than two hundred Infant Soul-level Demonic Cultivators, and when combined with the forces of the Infant Soul Demon Emperors, the total number of demonic Infant Souls numbered at least three to four hundred.

These Infant Soul demons were notorious for their atrocities. Sheltered within their Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Lands, they were notoriously difficult to eradicate completely. Some even corralled mortal populations to serve as fodder for producing Blood Crystals [crystals condensed from life essence, often used in dark arts].

For generations, they had been a festering thorn in the side of the various Immortal Clans within the Three Veins Ancient Domain, claiming the lives of countless cultivators.

With the Three Veins Immortal Alliance marshaling the combined might of the great Immortal Clans, and with Primordial Spirit Great Powers [cultivators of the Primordial Spirit realm, a pinnacle of power] personally overseeing the campaigns, they were poised to systematically purge these Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Lands and Demon Emperor territories one by one.

Once accomplished, the Three Veins Ancient Domain would, like the Long River Ancient Domain before it, gain a stable internal environment for recovery and growth. The base population of cultivators would surely swell dramatically, allowing for the accumulation of greater reserves, resources like Spirit Herbs [plants imbued with spiritual energy], and deeper foundations. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio—novel.com.

While the fruits of these endeavors may not be immediately apparent, viewed across the span of centuries or even millennia, they are certain to give rise to a greater number of Infant Soul True Lords and Great Power Figures.

Following the establishment of the Immortal Alliance, the various Immortal Clans naturally gained benefits, but they also assumed certain obligations.

These obligations are primarily divided into three categories. The first is a war levy. Should the Immortal Alliance decide to wage war externally in the future, all major Immortal Clans within the Three Veins Ancient Domain would be required to contribute both resources and manpower.

The second category is the tribute of Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Henceforth, every major Immortal Clan must pay a fee to the Immortal Alliance once every hundred years.

This membership fee is primarily used to sustain the operations of the Immortal Alliance and to provide stipends for the Sword-Holding Elders and other personnel within the alliance.

As the cost is shared among several hundred Infant Soul Immortal Clans, the amount each clan contributes is not excessive. However, the combined sum represents a substantial and steady income.

Each Sword-Holding Elder receives a share of one hundred Heavenly Crystals every century. As the alliance leader, Eldrin Chen receives an even greater share of three hundred Heavenly Crystals per century.

For the nine Sword-Holding Elders and individuals like Eldrin Chen, this constitutes a significant source of wealth. This stipend alone is more than sufficient to fully support their personal cultivation needs.

Powerhouses at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit level and above, such as Vast Righteousness True Lord, Verdant Consort, and Exquisite Jiang, serve as foundational pillars of the Immortal Alliance. They are also granted honorary titles and receive a handsome annual stipend.

The final obligation concerns the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. This Five Elements Essence is a vital resource for sustaining Primordial Spirit Patriarchs [patriarchs who have cultivated their spirit to its primordial form], and thus the required quantity is immense.

According to the stipulations of this covenant, from now on, each major Immortal Clan would have the duty to supply Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. Based on their strength and scale, every major Immortal Clan was required to present a quantity of Five Elements Essence to the Immortal Alliance every ten years.

As this matter concerned the cultivation of Primordial Spirit Patriarch [a supreme cultivator whose spiritual core has ascended to its primordial state], the affair of Five Elements Essence could absolutely not be treated carelessly. Each major Immortal Clan was thus assigned a specific quota.

Of course, this Five Elements Essence was not taken without compensation. The Immortal Alliance would purchase it from the major Immortal Clan at thirty percent of its market value, ultimately selling it to Primordial Spirit Patriarch at an extremely low price.

Regarding this practice, the major Immortal Clan had long grown accustomed. Within the Purple Seal Realm [a vast and storied cultivation world], every major Immortal Clan regarded Five Elements Essence with utmost importance, hoarding it as a strategic resource.

This was because this substance was essential for forging artifacts, refining Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure intimately connected to a cultivator's life force], or cultivating Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power]. Naturally, it was perpetually scarce.

For example, the clan of Sun Consort would periodically purchase Five Elements Essence from Ji Continent at fifty percent of the market price. Every Immortal Clan was compelled to sell half of its output to them.

The Chen Clan operated similarly within Vast Sea and Myriad Ruins Province, acquiring Five Elements Essence at very low prices. Otherwise, Eldrin Chen would not have possessed the financial means to advance his Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [a divine sword technique harnessing the power of the celestial river].

Although this might appear as coercive trade, it was considered perfectly justified. High-ranking Immortal Clan safeguarded the peace of the world, and mighty true cultivators protected their domains; receiving tributes of resources was their inherent right.

The fact that Primordial Spirit Great Power [a cultivator of immense power at the Primordial Spirit realm] did not simply take without payment was already considered honorable. After all, even the mighty could not sustain themselves on goodwill alone.

At this moment, the assembled individuals gazed upon the covenant, their expressions varied. Some felt it was only natural, while others believed the price of thirty percent for Five Elements Essence was still far too low.

Fortunately, the burden was shared by the entire Three Veins Ancient Domain, and the portion of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] each major Immortal Clan had to contribute 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 no one has objections, let us proceed to sign the alliance pact."

"We understand."

The assembly nodded in agreement and prepared to finalize the covenant.

"Hold!"

At that very moment, a voice of profound indifference echoed from the boundless void in the distance. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel[dot]com.

Eldrin Chen looked up, his pupils contracting slightly. From the endless void, an elderly man with hair and beard white as snow strode forth, his expression etched with chilling intent.

"It seems our expectations were correct," the Master of Featherflight Pavilion remarked coolly, his gaze steady. "He has come to avenge Mystery Heir Fang."

"That upstart Eldrin, today I have come to settle the blood debt for my clansman!"

The Primal Radiance the Path Lord fixed his gaze upon Eldrin Chen, an overwhelming tide of murderous intent surging forth with him.

A peerless Path Lord [a supreme master who has comprehended a fundamental law of the universe] was enraged. Even before he made a move, the heavens and earth changed color. Endless Tribulation Cloud [ominous clouds heralding divine punishment or a cultivator's tribulation] swept forth, blotting out the sky and sun, shrouding mountains and rivers for tens of thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], as if the cosmos itself were venting its fury.

Facing such a formidable and overwhelming aura, Sea-Calmer Path Master [a master of the Way who wields the power to calm the seas] merely raised an eyebrow slightly.

Seated cross-legged upon the void, he swept his sleeves, dispersing the pervasive aura of Heavenly Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning and power that tests a cultivator's strength and will]. A pure, refreshing breeze unfurled from his sleeves, parting the boundless dark clouds. This force clashed with the power of Primal Radiance the Path Lord [a Path Lord whose mastery is over the fundamental, radiant essence of creation], cleaving the sky into two distinct halves—one of pristine clarity and one of turbid murkiness.

"Sea-Calmer!"

Primal Radiance the Path Lord [a Path Lord whose mastery is over the fundamental, radiant essence of creation]'s expression shifted dramatically. He had not anticipated that Sea-Calmer Path Master [a master of the Way who wields the power to calm the seas] had actually attained the Path.

This realization sparked a flicker of apprehension in his heart. His gaze turned icy as he stared directly at Sea-Calmer Path Master [a master of the Way who wields the power to calm the seas] and said, "Attaining the Path is no easy feat. Are you certain you wish to wade into these troubled waters?"

Sea-Calmer Path Master [a master of the Way who wields the power to calm the seas] did not answer directly. Instead, he asked with serene detachment, "Do you intend to make an enemy of me?"

"How dare you!"

Seeing Sea-Calmer Path Master [a master of the Way who wields the power to calm the seas]'s resolute stance, Primal Radiance the Path Lord [a Path Lord whose mastery is over the fundamental, radiant essence of creation]'s eyes flashed with sudden intensity. He summoned forth a dazzling golden treasure pearl and hurled it directly at Sea-Calmer Path Master [a master of the Way who wields the power to calm the seas].

"Primal Radiance Divine Pearl [a divine pearl containing the condensed, primordial essence of radiant yang energy]!"

Sea-Calmer Path Master [a title for a powerful cultivator who has mastered the art of calming the seas] felt a stir between his brows, recognizing the origin of this treasure.

The Primal Radiance Divine Pearl [a divine pearl forged from the essence of a primordial sun] possessed an extraordinary origin. It was refined from a solar treasure pearl that fell from beyond the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms], making it an Exotic Treasure [a rare and uniquely powerful magical artifact] of boundless might.

This treasure could unleash the power of Primal Radiance [the primordial light of creation] and True Flame [a pure, fundamental flame], capable of incinerating mountains and boiling seas, or bathing the heavens and earth in its radiance. It was the very treasure with which Primal Radiance the Path Lord [a title for a master of the Primal Radiance cultivation path] had established his path.

Fortunately, this Primal Radiance the Path Lord did not possess a Superior Grade Path Body [an exceptionally rare and powerful innate physique for cultivation], and the grade of his Primal Radiance Divine Pearl was merely that of a low-grade Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure forged from primordial solar essence]. Thus, the Sea-Calmer Path Master felt not the slightest trace of fear.

With a flick of his sleeve, the Sea-Calmer Divine Pearl [the divine pearl wielded by the Sea-Calmer Path Master] above his head surged forth with overwhelming force, descending to suppress his foe with a thunderous impact. The story continues at audio-novel dot com.