Chapter 601 : Alliances of the Golden Core

Among the three Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families with a long heritage] on this list, one hailed from The Vast Sea, while the other two originated from Ji Continent.

The Immortal Clan from The Vast Sea was named the Jiang Clan. This lineage boasted six Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed a Golden Core, a major milestone], and their contributions in the last great war were not insignificant. In the current conflict, they could be said to have thrown their full strength into the fray.

The two powers from Ji Continent were familiar to Eldrin Chen. One was the Xu Immortal Clan from Chen Nation. That Xavier Xu had attempted his Nascent Soul [the stage of cultivation where one forms an infant soul, a profound advancement] breakthrough less than thirty years prior and now wished to gamble on another attempt.

Besides these two clans, the final one came from the Verdant Immortal Sect. An earlier Golden Core True Person [a title for a respected Golden Core cultivator] from this sect had ties with Eldrin Chen.

In the past, Taiwu the True Person had a close relationship with Eldrin Chen, sparing no effort to aid the Chen Clan in successive battles. Later, Mingwu the True Person also poured his heart and soul into numerous conflicts.

After Mingwu the True Person fell in battle at Demonic Ape Mountain, Eldrin Chen, mindful of past bonds, granted the Verdant Immortal Sect special permission to join the Heaven's Ruin Alliance.

Over the years, the Verdant Immortal Sect, aligning themselves closely with the Chen Immortal Clan, had developed quite smoothly. They had contributed both resources and manpower for the Chen Clan in several wars, which is why the Old Patriarch had placed their name on the list.

Eldrin Chen reviewed the list, then set aside Xavier Xu's name. "Xavier Xu will need at least seventy years before he can attempt another Nascent Soul breakthrough," he stated. "Moreover, we just rewarded him with a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in forming the Nascent Soul]. Granting him another boon now would likely stir discontent among others."

Thalion Chen nodded, his gaze shifting to the two remaining names in his hand. Both the Jiang Clan and the Verdant Immortal Sect had contributed significantly on multiple occasions, making the choice difficult.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke directly. "The candidate from the Verdant Immortal Sect is named Soren the Heart-Seer. This man is the direct descendant of Taicang the Elder Demon and Taiqing the True Person." Join our community of readers at audio—novel.com.

"During the confrontation at Demonic Ape Mountain against Azure Wave Lake in years past, he saved the life of Ethan. It is said this man attained enlightenment through Soren's 'Seeing One's True Nature' [a profound state of self-realization in cultivation], breaking through to the Golden Core Realm in a moment of sudden awakening. His prospects for reaching Nascent Soul are likely even greater."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. Glancing at the dossier in his hand, he discovered this Soren the Heart-Seer had actually reached the Middle Golden Core stage.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Since he is the son of an old acquaintance, have him come see me after we return."

Having roughly decided on the candidates for the Nascent Soul Formation Pill, the Treasure Ship sailed for several months before finally returning the cultivators from The Vast Sea and Chen Nation to their homes.

After briefly organizing the gains from the campaign, Eldrin Chen summoned Ethan Chen and inquired, "What insights have you gleaned from this great battle?"

"After a short period of secluded cultivation upon returning, I should be able to advance to the Golden Core Sixth Layer."

Clad in a black robe, Ethan Chen's once-sharp gaze had grown more restrained, having already comprehended a wisp of Sword Intent [a conceptual force that empowers a swordsman's will and attacks].

He had formed his Golden Core over three hundred and eighty years ago. Now, merely one hundred and sixty-some years after his breakthrough into the Golden Core realm, his cultivation had progressed to such a degree.

This indicated that his speed of advancement within the Golden Core Realm was nearly on par with Eldrin Chen's own legendary pace in his youth.

Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this. It seemed that within two Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years], Ethan Chen would be able to cultivate to Golden Core Great Perfection.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen inquired, "I've heard you are rather familiar with Soren the Heart-Seer from the Verdant Immortal Sect. Tell me, what kind of person is he?"

"Soren..."

Ethan Chen pondered for a moment before speaking, "In his early years, his natural talent was considered merely ordinary. However, the incident where Taicang the Elder Demon slew Taiqing the True Person struck him profoundly."

"Later, after reforging his Dao Heart [the fundamental will and resolve of a cultivator], he secluded himself in the Back Mountain, withdrawing from worldly affairs. Unbeknownst to all, he eventually attained enlightenment of the Dustless Dao Heart Realm."

"The Heart-Mirror Unblemished."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. The Heart-Mirror Unblemished was an exceedingly rare and special state of being. Cultivators who comprehended it often experienced cultivation progress by leaps and bounds, advancing far more swiftly than ordinary practitioners.

That Soren the Heart-Seer had broken through to the Golden Core realm a mere three Jiazi-time ago. His cultivation resources paled in comparison to those of a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan, yet he had already reached the Golden Core Great Perfection. This clearly demonstrated the astonishing potency of the Heart-Mirror Unblemished.

"It seems he is a natural-born seed for the Dao Path," Eldrin remarked.

After a moment of internal deliberation, Eldrin Chen commanded, "Go to Verdant Mountain and summon Soren the Heart-Seer to attend me."

"Ethan understands," he replied.

Ethan Chen gave a nod and strode out of the Grand Hall.

Cerulean Peaks Range

Ever since the Demon Cave Cavern was jointly cleansed by the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World many years ago, and the Black Eagle Demon King fled the Cerulean Peaks Range, this vast mountain range has fallen into the hands of the Verdant Immortal Sect.

Occupying the expansive Cerulean Peaks Range and with the support of the Chen Immortal Clan, the Verdant Immortal Sect has grown increasingly powerful without notice. It has now reached a state where it boasts six Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified golden spiritual core] cultivators within its sect, restoring its strength to its former peak.

Deep within the Back Mountain [the secluded rear mountains] of Verdant Mountain, two Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation, the second major stage] were walking further in.

"Senior Brother," a young man said, his face full of confusion, "why would the person that the Ancient Ancestor of the Chen Clan wishes to see be here in the Back Mountain? Could there be a mistake?" Support the author by reading on audio-novel*com.

"Shh..." The other man's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly hushed him, then cautiously sent a voice transmission [a method of private spiritual communication]. "That one is a renowned Sword Immortal [a master of the sword path] across the Ji Continent. How could he easily make such an error?"

Though he said this, the senior brother was also somewhat puzzled.

The Back Mountain of Verdant Mountain had always been a place of tranquility. Apart from an ancestral shrine dedicated to the past patriarchs of Verdant Mountain, almost no other cultivators came here.

Still perplexed, the two arrived before the ancestral shrine. They found no one else there except for an elderly cultivator sweeping the grounds.

Seeing this, the senior disciple clasped his hands and said, "I wonder if Grand Martial Uncle Soren is present. This disciple has a matter to request an audience for."

Mentioning this title, both men felt a flicker of doubt in their hearts. The 'Ming' generation held an extremely high seniority within the Verdant Immortal Sect, a generation above even the current Sect Master, Cangqing. They never imagined that within the grounds of Back Mountain there still resided an Ancient Ancestor of that venerable lineage.

At that moment, the elderly sweeping cultivator nearby looked up and inquired, "What business do you have with this old man?"

"This..." The two were taken aback, then quickly replied with deference, "We are here to deliver a message on behalf of another."

"Ethan Chen," Soren the Heart-Seer stated calmly after listening. "You may bring him here."

After the two departed, Soren the Heart-Seer fell silent, his gaze turning to contemplate the distant Firmament.

"Soren... a name from such a distant past."

His existence was a taboo for the Verdant Immortal Sect, an unspoken pain. Like withered wood, he remained obscure in a forgotten corner of the sect, silently observing its vigorous growth.

All these years, he had cultivated in seclusion at Back Mountain. Apart from lending his strength to the Verdant Immortal Sect during each great conflict, he had scarcely ever emerged from the mountains.

Unbeknownst to most, within the entire Verdant Immortal Sect, aside from the Sect Master and a few Golden Core True Person, none now knew his Daoist title.

As he was lost in contemplation, a figure clad in a long black robe stepped through the air to stand beside him, gazing together at the vast expanse of heaven and earth beneath Verdant Mountain.

"It has been many years. You have aged once more."

Ethan Chen let out a sigh. This Soren the Heart-Seer had not chosen to preserve his youthful visage, and without anyone noticing, he had aged considerably. Original publication: audio-novel dot com - The source of this chapter.