Chapter 777 : The Shattered Mountain's Secret

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

The origins of that Eastern Barrens Mountain Range are extraordinary. This mountain range was once the greatest chain within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, stretching for hundreds of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

It is said that over five thousand years ago, the Eastern Barrens Mountain Range was still a place of immense glory. In that era, it was home not only to the Demigod Realm Eastern Sovereign Patriarch, but also to more than ten Primordial Spirit Path Lord cultivators.

At that time, it ranked among the five mightiest Great Sage territories within the Purple Seal Realm, its prestige rivaling even supreme powers like the Path Palace Sacred Land.

Legends speak of the Eastern Barrens Mountain Range once possessing a Sixth Rank Superior Grade Ancestral Vein [the primordial source of spiritual energy for a vast region]. It was the ancestral progenitor of all mountains in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, famed for the astonishing phenomenon known as Myriad Dragons Paying Homage [a legendary spiritual formation where energy flows converge like countless dragons bowing to a sovereign].

Yet, in a single night, the vast Eastern Barrens Mountain Range was shattered. Its Earth Vein [the terrestrial energy channel] was violently severed into nine segments, transforming the entire million-Li-length Eastern Sovereign Mountain Range into a land utterly devoid of spiritual energy.

Today, the Eastern Barrens Mountain Range is also called the Spirit-Severing Mountain, a name as infamous as the Spirit-Severing Sea within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World. It is a forbidden land so desolate that even demons and fiends shun it.

As Eldrin Chen and his three companions stepped into the Eastern Barrens Mountain Range, they found the spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things] within these peaks to be nearly exhausted.

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 Barrens Mountain Range meant being trapped with no way to replenish one's magical power [the refined energy cultivated by practitioners]. One would face the dire predicament of exhausting their reserves and being unable to fly out. Access the full story on audio_novel.com.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen and his companions were not intimidated by such threats. They mounted their Primordial Solar Immortal Sword [a legendary flying sword forged from the essence of the primordial sun], which could traverse ten million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. In merely half a month, they arrived at the heart of the Eastern Barrens Mountain Range.

Along the way, gazing upon the mountains that were nearly devoid of spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things], Eldrin Chen took a deep breath and said, "What in the world happened back then, to have turned the myriad mountains and Ancestral Vein [the foundational spiritual artery of a region] of the Eastern Barrens into a land utterly bereft of spirit?"

"Perhaps it was because of the Outer Realm Demon God [a malevolent deity from beyond the known cosmos]," Verdant Consort suggested, her eyes grave. "Perhaps the Outer Realm Demon God was even more formidable than we imagined."

"I am not so sure,"

Exquisite Jiang shook her head, her expression somber. "Although the Outer Realm Demon God was powerful, it only struck three blows from across the boundless void in ages past. It is unlikely that even such a being could have single-handedly turned the Ancestral Vein of the Eastern Barrens into a spiritual wasteland within the Mortal Realm [the plane of existence inhabited by mortals and low-level cultivators]."

"Perhaps... there are other secrets, hidden and unknown to us, within this Eastern Barrens Ancestral Vein."

As they were speaking, the Immortal Sword [a general term for a cultivator's flying sword] had already pierced through countless peaks and valleys, arriving at the location of Eastern Sovereign Mountain.

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

Eldrin Chen's expression turned solemn as he descended on his flying sword. He then addressed the three women beside him, "Since we have arrived at 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. With each step covering a distance of ten thousand Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], they walked for three full days without realizing it before finally reaching the summit.

As they neared the peak, Eldrin Chen felt a sudden, fleeting sensation as if he had heard the toll of a bell. An inexplicable wave of profound sorrow washed over him, causing him to halt in his tracks.

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

"What is it?"

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

Eldrin Chen glanced around, noting the puzzled expressions on the others' faces, and inquired, "Did any of you hear the sound of an Ancient Bell?"

"I did not."

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

Lila also shook her head before saying, "I did not hear it either."

"Could I have misheard?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a fleeting moment before continuing his ascent towards the mountain peak.

Having scaled the boundless precipice, Eldrin Chen took a final step and finally reached the summit of Eastern Sovereign Mountain. The vista that unfolded before him was breathtakingly vast and clear.

Lifting his gaze, Eldrin Chen beheld a dilapidated hall standing solemnly upon the expansive mountaintop.

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

The presence of another person here was a great surprise to the group. Immerse yourself in the complete world at *audio-novel.com*.

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

The elder had noticed them as well. He shakily set down his broom before replying, "Indeed it is. Have you come to pay homage to the Eastern Sovereign [a title for a supreme celestial ruler]?"

"Precisely!"

Eldrin Chen nodded. Seeing the elder's frail and trembling state, he instinctively moved to offer him support.

Reaching out to support the old man, Eldrin Chen was startled. The elder seemed utterly devoid of spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things], yet his physical body possessed a weight of countless millions of Jun-weight [one Jun-weight is a unit of immense mass], making even Eldrin Chen strain under the effort.

One must understand that Eldrin Chen, tempered day and night by the Five Thunders Body Tempering Great Art, possessed physical strength not inferior to the Primordial Solar True Body [a constitution of immense physical power] of a Primordial Spirit Cultivator. Yet he had nearly failed to lift the old man, revealing the astonishing nature of the elder's physical form.

But the surprise was not his alone. The old man also wore a look of astonishment, casting a glance at Eldrin Chen before remarking, "Well now, young man, you possess no small strength."

"Follow me."

With those words, the elder led the group into the Great Hall.

The dilapidated Great Hall stood empty and somewhat ruined, yet it felt exceptionally vast and clean, clearly maintained by the old man's daily care.

At the center of the Great Hall stood a simple, ancient spirit tablet. Inscribed upon it were the words: "Spirit Tablet in Honor of Eastern Sovereign Patriarch."

Eldrin Chen prepared to offer several precious Spiritual Object [objects imbued with spiritual power] and conduct rites before the Eastern Sovereign's tablet, but the old man stopped him.

The elder shook his head and spoke, "The Eastern Sovereign did not cultivate the path of a Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates through ghostly or spiritual means]. What need has he for these Spiritual Object?"

"Simply light some incense. That is enough."

The old man spoke, then handed back the several Spiritual Object [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

Eldrin Chen nodded. He led the three others in lighting three sticks of incense each, paid their respects with a bow, and only then did they rise.

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

Once they had exited the Great Hall, Eldrin Chen finally cupped his hands and inquired, "May I ask, honored senior, who you are? That you would keep vigil for Senior Eastern Sovereign here within the Spirit-Severing Mountain?"

"This old man is merely a Tomb Guardian [a guardian sworn to protect a sacred tomb]. I remain here only to safeguard the peace of the Eastern Sovereign [the Eastern Sovereign, a title of immense power and authority], and incidentally to shoo away the flies."

"You may simply call me the Tomb Guardian."

The Tomb Guardian shook his head, leading the group to a small pavilion. He then poured them cups of tea and said, "If visitors come with sincere hearts to pay their respects, as you have, this old man naturally welcomes them."

"But there are always those who come seeking to rummage for treasures left behind by the Eastern Sovereign."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. Although the spiritual energy within this elder's body seemed parched, as if he had not drawn upon it for millennia...

...the power contained within his physical form was peerless in this world. He was likely a transcendent master who had walked the path of achieving immortality through body refinement.

Moreover, the other party seemed to have progressed immensely on this path. Their physical body was heavier than a Primordial Era mountain range. Once unleashed, it would likely be powerful enough to rend a True Dragon with bare hands and possessed the divine might to cleave a Primordial Spirit Great Power in two.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Senior, how can you be so certain that we are not here for the treasure?" Original publication: audio~novel.com - The source of this chapter.