Chapter 788 : The Gathering Storm of War

With this thought, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "Why would the North Sea of Darkness choose to wage total war at this very moment? Is the Kunpeng Demon Sage not afraid of mutual destruction with us?"

"We do not know either," Cosmos Heaven's Punishment shook his head, his expression grave. "With the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm mere centuries away, our Human Race also has no desire for a mutually ruinous conflict at this time."

"Judging by the posture of the North Sea of Darkness, it seems they intend to seize the greater part of the Far North Icy Plains. Perhaps there is something there they desire."

At this point, both men fell into a contemplative silence.

Eldrin Chen rose and paced for a long while before finally speaking, his gaze heavy with concern. "From Senior Long River's meaning, are we of the Eastern Barrens to intervene in this war?"

"Yes."

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment nodded and stated plainly, "The forces of the Far North Icy Plains alone, if they were to face the Kunpeng Demon Race, would likely suffer grievous losses."

"If the Drifting Snow Pavilion were to lose Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] cultivators, then three hundred years hence, during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, we would lose the aid of the Far North Icy Plains. Our burden would increase tremendously."

"Especially the Mistress of Drifting Snow Palace. She is a supreme powerhouse at the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier, one of the Heaven-Propping Pillar [a metaphorical term for a crucial, irreplaceable pillar of support] of our Human Race. Should any mishap befall her, the tribulation of the Demonic Abyss could spiral into unforeseen chaos."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed deeply with worry. Read, share, and discuss at (audio-novel.com).

If we were to engage in battle with the North Sea of Darkness [a vast, perilous northern sea shrouded in darkness and mystery] at this moment, the likelihood of a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a supreme cultivator whose spirit has merged with the Heavenly Path] perishing is exceedingly slim. However, the chance of them suffering a grievous injury is far from negligible.

For cultivators who have reached the realm of a Primordial Spirit Path Lord, a severe wound is no trivial matter. Recovering from such an injury would likely require at least several centuries of dedicated convalescence.

Presently, the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a cyclical, world-shaking event where demonic energies surge from a great abyss] is merely three hundred years away. To suffer a crippling wound now would almost certainly mean missing this pivotal event.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen could not help but let a cold glint enter his eyes. "For Kunpeng Demon Sage [a mighty demonic entity of immense power] to make a move now," he said, his voice edged with steel, "does he not fear retaliation from the Demigod Patriarch [a supreme elder on the cusp of true divinity] of our Human Race?"

"Brother Eldrin..." Cosmos Heaven's Punishment [a cultivator whose name signifies a cosmic judgment] began, his expression shifting subtly before he shook his head. "I fear the Demigod Patriarch will not intervene."

"Why not?" Eldrin Chen asked, taken aback.

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment's countenance turned solemn. After a moment of heavy silence, he spoke. "By my reckoning, the Purple Seal Divine Fruit [a legendary fruit of immense spiritual power] is due to ripen within this very Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, significant in fate and cultivation]."

"This—"

Eldrin Chen's face underwent a dramatic transformation, his features contorting with profound shock.

The Purple Seal Divine Tree [the divine tree that bears the Purple Seal Divine Fruit] was the foremost treasure of the Purple Seal Realm [a renowned cultivation realm], its sole Acquired Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of heaven-defying quality, born from profound worldly fortune]. It was a supreme treasure so potent that even true Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality to achieve eternal life] would covet it with burning desire.

From his earliest years, Eldrin Chen had heard tales from Eternal Profound Chen about the legend of the Purple Seal Divine Fruit [a legendary fruit of immense spiritual power].

It was said the Purple Seal Divine Tree [the divine tree that bears the Purple Seal Fruit] bloomed once every thousand years, bore fruit once every thousand years, and the fruit itself required another thousand years to ripen.

A fully ripened Purple Seal Divine Fruit possessed miraculous properties. Consuming it could aid a cultivator in condensing their Path Fruit [the core manifestation of a cultivator's understanding of their chosen Dao], increasing their chances of a successful breakthrough to the Path Fruit Immortal [the immortal realm attained upon successfully forming one's Path Fruit] by twenty percent.

Tales of such a supreme treasure were known to all within the Purple Seal Realm. It was astonishing to now hear rumors that the Purple Seal Divine Fruit was nearing maturity.

One could foresee that, at this critical juncture of the treasure's impending ripening, the Human Race Demigod Patriarch [a patriarch who has reached the half-step to divinity] would undoubtedly stand guard without leaving its side for a moment. In comparison, the calamity befalling the Far North Icy Plains seemed almost insignificant.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath and sighed, "The Kunpeng Demon Sage [a mighty demon sage of immense power] has chosen his moment well."

"Indeed he has."

The Verdant Consort [a title for a powerful female cultivator] standing nearby also nodded, then mused thoughtfully, "A being who has reached the peak of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm of a high-level cultivator] would not act lightly."

"He has likely been planning this for millennia, waiting for this perfect opportunity."

At these words, the gazes of all present grew profoundly grave.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards Cosmos Heaven's Punishment and inquired, "Is Senior Long River's intention to request our aid in assisting Drifting Snow Palace?"

"Precisely so."

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment nodded in affirmation and continued, "At present, the Demigod Patriarch of our Human Race, along with the majority of the Primordial Spirit Patriarch from the three main lineages of humans, demons, and monsters, have all been drawn to the Purple Seal Divine Tree [a legendary tree of immense spiritual power]."

"Drifting Snow Pavilion finds it difficult to divert its strength, so this is precisely the moment when they need our assistance."

A flicker of understanding passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes as he recalled a certain rumor.

It was said that Immortal Maiden Mystery Condensation, the Grand Elder of Drifting Snow Pavilion, was the dao companion [a cultivation partner, often a spouse] of Long River Path Lord. No wonder Long River Path Lord chose not to go to the Purple Seal Divine Tree and instead was determined to exert all his efforts to aid Drifting Snow Pavilion. Discover more cultivation stories at @udio-novel.com.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen pondered silently, "Lila is a cultivator with a Variant Spiritual Root [a rare and unique type of spiritual foundation]. Advancing to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core] will likely be exceptionally difficult for her in the future."

"Whether it's cultivation techniques for the Primordial Spirit Realm or Sixth Rank [a high-tier classification] ice-attribute Spiritual Object [objects imbued with spiritual energy], we will likely need to seek them from Drifting Snow Palace."

"Moreover, Long River Path Lord has aided me on multiple occasions. Such a debt of gratitude cannot go unrepaid."

Having reached this conclusion, Eldrin Chen spoke decisively, "The Far North Icy Plains are part of our Human Race territory. We cannot allow demons and monsters to encroach upon it. Our Three Veins Immortal Alliance naturally has an unshirkable duty to intervene."

Seeing their willingness to intervene, Cosmos Heaven's Punishment could not help but reveal a smile, then spoke: "Rest assured, after this battle concludes, Drifting Snow Palace will naturally not treat you poorly."

"..."

After bidding farewell to Cosmos Heaven's Punishment, Eldrin Chen promptly summoned Eternal Profound Chen and several other high-ranking members of the clan.

Once everyone had gathered, he informed them of the situation. After listening, Eternal Profound Chen spoke with a grave expression: "The Kunpeng Demon Race possesses formidable power. Is it not too risky for us to intervene in this conflict?"

"Indeed, that Kunpeng Demon Sage is, after all, a supreme figure at the Great Perfection stage of the Primordial Spirit realm [the highest stage of spiritual cultivation before ascending to immortality]."

Beside him, Elara Lin also wore a solemn expression, speaking with a hint of trepidation in her heart.

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before speaking: "Although the Kunpeng Demon Sage is powerful, Drifting Snow Palace will be the one to contend with him. That Drifting Snow Palace is not inferior to Him, also being a supreme existence at the Great Perfection stage of the Primordial Spirit realm."

"As for the remaining demons and monsters, although their strength is Extraordinary, the strongest among them are merely at the Primordial Spirit Mid Stage. Long River Holy Land and Drifting Snow Palace possess no small number of Path Lord [a powerful cultivator who has mastered a profound cultivation path]."

Hearing this, the group finally let out a slight sigh of relief.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke again: "However, a battle of this scale is far too perilous. To avoid grievous losses, I intend to bring only a few individuals with me this time."

"The family's True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has formed their Primordial Infant] should remain at the clan to focus on cultivation and prepare for the Demonic Abyss War [a major conflict against demonic forces]."

Ethan Chen's brow twitched slightly before he spoke. "Take me to one."

"Understood." Eldrin Chen gave a nod, then turned his gaze to the Old Patriarch. "We must ask the Old Granduncle to remain with the clan to oversee matters for the Clan Patriarch."

Though Eternal Profound Chen yearned to join the battle, he understood his most urgent task was to advance to the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a powerful cultivation realm] and the Earth Vein [a powerful earth-based cultivation stage]. He could only suppress his desire.

In the end, for this campaign, Eldrin Chen brought only four others: Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, Lila, and Ethan Chen.

Furthermore, from within the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, Sea-Calmer Path Master also prepared to march out. He mobilized over one hundred Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed their Primordial Infant] to lend their strength to the Featherflight Pavilion.

Due to the suddenness of the event, Eldrin Chen did not conscript lower-realm cultivators. Their group of just over one hundred proceeded directly to the Long River Holy Land.

Joined by over two hundred Infant Soul True Lord from the Long River Holy Land, their combined force of over three hundred cultivators teleported together to the Far North Icy Plains. Access the full story on audi novel.com.