Chapter 822 Zhang Clan of the Ancestral Domain

"This is the Ancient Sword Lake Domain."

Eldrin came to a halt before an endless expanse of lake, his gaze serene as he watched the rolling waves ahead.

Jian Lake was the greatest lake in the Central Ancestral Domain. It was also the namesake of the Jian Lake Ancient Domain, 1 of the 9 ancient domains within the Central Ancestral Domain.

In the ancient realm of Sword Lake today, the sole hegemon is the Zhang Clan of the Dao Lord's Holy Land.

Thinking that they would finally arrive at the Zhang Immortal Clan soon, Yan ZiJi said with a smile, "Since we've reached the Ancient Sword Lake Domain, let's hurry to the Zhang family and retrieve the Soul Restoration Pill."

"Hmm, to avoid complications, it's better to go quickly."

Eldrin (Person Name) also nodded and immediately urged his immortal sword to fly toward Zhang Shi (Person Name).

The group pressed onward and soon arrived at the legendary Sword Lake Island Dojo, the very heart of the ancient Sword Lake Domain.

Upon arriving at the Zhang Clan Dojo, Yan ZiJi immediately presented her visiting card before remaining at the Guest Peak to await a response.

After only a brief moment, several members of the Zhang clan arrived to extend a courteous welcome.

These 3 were all great powerhouses at the late Nascent Soul stage, with their leader having even reached the Half-Step Primordial Spirit (Cultivation Realm).

However, upon seeing the 3 individuals, Eldrin slightly furrowed his brows, a flicker of peculiar light gleaming in his eyes.

The Zhang family had 3 Dao Lords, yet not a single Primordial Spirit Dao Lord had come in person, which was somewhat beyond the expectations of the group.

It must be known that the Zhang Clan and the former Jiang Clan were old family friends, and their clan leader, Daoist Lord Liuxu, shared a friendship spanning several 1000 years with Lyra (Person Name)’s father.

Moreover, given Eldrin’s current formidable reputation, it was truly unexpected that they hadn’t even granted him an audience.

"Something seems amiss."

Seeing this, Lyra (Person Name) cautiously reminded him.

Hearing this, Yan ZiJi furrowed her brows deeply, her expression turning grave.

Eldrin shook his head, then transmitted his voice: "Let's see what they have to say first."

As the group was conversing, the 3 figures had already approached. The leading expert at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit (Cultivation Realm) promptly clasped his hands and said with a smile, "Might you be Fairy Lyra (Person Name) and Sister Ziji?"

"I am your elder brother, Zhang Xuanhe. My respects to you."

Xuan He gestured for the group to be seated, then personally poured tea for each of them. With a warm smile, he said, "You've traveled a great distance—your journey must have been arduous."

Eldrin did not drink the tea, merely asking with detached calm, "Fellow Daoist Profound River, has the Zhang Clan sent only your group to receive us?"

Zhang Xuanhe nodded with a smile. "The Patriarchs are currently in secluded cultivation. If you have any matters to discuss, you may convey them directly to me."

"Oh."

Eldrin’s gaze sharpened, and he spoke deliberately, “We have come for the Ethereal Soul Pill of the former Violet Enchantress.”

Soul Elixir...

Xuan He’s expression cleared with understanding, and he hastily replied, “The Nascent Soul Elixir is far too significant. It requires a Nascent Soul Elder to personally unseal the storage before it can be retrieved—I have no authority to decide this matter.”

"Why don't you wait a little longer, until the 3 family Elders (Cultivation Rank) emerge from seclusion?"

In the blink of an eye, Eldrin grasped the hidden intentions behind Zhang Xuanhe's actions.

Wealth stirs the hearts of men, and even more so when it comes to something as priceless as a Soul Elixir. Zhang Xuanhe, being the Soul Seed of the Zhang Clan, held a far greater chance of securing the Soul Elixir.

The Soul Elixir was extraordinarily precious. When the Jiang Clan had entrusted this Soul Elixir to the Zhang Clan in the past, they had compelled the Zhang Clan's Soul Division Patriarch to swear a Cycle of Rebirth Oath.

Once Lady Yanzi came to collect the elixir, Patriarch Zhang would be left with no choice but to comply, which was precisely why Zhang Xuanhe feared word of it reaching him.

So when he heard that Yan Zi Ji (Person Name) needed the Soul Elixir, he immediately rushed over to find everyone, eager to send her on her way.

The Eldrin (Person Name) cannot renege on this Soul Elixir, but they can find excuses to delay—this time for a few decades, next time for centuries.

As long as the Zhang Clan's Ancestor remains undisturbed, they could stall for as long as possible—perhaps even under the tacit approval of the Zhang Clan's Primordial Spirit Dao Lord.

As long as he, Zhang Xuanhe, broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm, what did it matter if he delayed Yan Ziji's Nascent Soul Elixir for a while?

For the sake of my own path, let others bear the hardship.

With this thought, Eldrin couldn't be bothered to waste words on this man. His gaze turned frosty as he stated, "With the Cataclysm of the Demon Abyss imminent, as the leader of the 3 Veins Immortal Alliance, how could I possibly have time to roam about seeking treasures?"

"Step aside, junior. Have your family’s Ancestral Elder come speak with me."

"You..."

Seeing Eldrin (Person Name) put on airs, Zhang Xuanhe’s expression instantly shifted dramatically.

Now, each of the 3 Veins Immortal Alliance boasted several Dao Lords. Eldrin, assuming the airs of the alliance’s leader, held a status that could even rival that of Riverlord Chang, the head of the Zhang Immortal Clan.

Eldrin’s gaze turned icy, and an overwhelming aura surged forth, instantly causing the very air to freeze solid. Though Zhang Xuanhe wished to say more, he found himself silenced by the oppressive pressure.

Zhang Xuanhe felt as if he had plummeted into an abyss, momentarily rendered speechless. The aura radiating from Eldrin before him was no less imposing than that of his clan's Primordial Spirit Dao Lord.

"Fellow Daoist Guixu, this is merely a junior disciple. Why trouble yourself with such anger?"

Only then did a voice ring out.

Amidst the distant mountain ranges, a man in blue robes emerged, shielding Zhang Xuanhe from the overwhelming pressure.

Zhang Xuanhe suddenly realized his robes were drenched in cold sweat. He hastily retreated behind the man and murmured with deference, "I pay my respects to the Third Ancestor."

Eldrin's gaze flickered slightly as he recalled this individual's origins.

The Third Ancestor of the Zhang Clan bore the Daoist title 'Triple Calamity Daoist(Eldritch Title)'. This individual attained enlightenment 4 1000 years ago, yet regrettably, fortune never favored him.

It is said that since attaining the Dao, this individual had participated in 2 Abyssal Cataclysms. During the first, his physical body was destroyed by extraterrestrial demons; in the second, he fell by the hands of those very demons.

Now, he had just been reborn through the cycle of calamity and reached the Nascent Soul Realm, with his cultivation merely at the first heaven of the Nascent Soul stage.

"I have long heard of your esteemed reputation, Daoist. Seeing you today, I know the tales truly do not do you justice."

At that moment, the 3 Calamities Taoist strode forth, his expression revealing a trace of solemnity.

The more 1 cultivates to the level of a Primordial Spirit Dao Lord like him, the more 1 comprehends the extraordinary nature of Eldrin. He understood deeply that Eldrin’s reputation as the foremost Nascent Soul expert in the Violet Realm was likely no empty title, and thus he dared not take the matter lightly.

Seeing this, Eldrin spoke up, "Since you've arrived, Fellow Daoist, the matter of the Ethereal Soul Pill should be settled today."

The 3 Calamities Taoist wore a bitter smile upon hearing this, replying with a trace of helplessness, "To be frank, our Zhang Clan's treasury no longer holds any Soul-Refining Pills (Elixir)."

"Is that truly the case?"

Eldrin's expression turned frosty as he immediately demanded, "According to our past agreement, the Zhang clan's treasury should have reserved 1 Nascent Soul Pill."

"This is my fault."

The 3 Calamities Taoist shook his head and spoke with a hint of helplessness, "Not long ago, I underwent tribulation to restart my cultivation. When breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm again, I consumed 1 Nascent Soul Elixir and have yet to replenish it."

Eldrin's expression remained unchanged, though a hint of frost crept into his gaze as he replied, "Then what does Your Excellency suggest?"

"It seems if I don't give a proper account today, I might well fall out with this Elder of the Returning Abyss."

Seeing the expression on Eldrin’s face, the 3 Calamities Taoist felt his heart sink slightly.