Chapter 637 : A Pact with the Ancient Clam

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the assembled group. "Esteemed ones," he declared, "should we not first join forces to slay the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a colossal, ancient clam demon whose shell shimmers with seven hues] before deciding how to divide the spoils?"

Upon hearing this, the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam momentarily stilled its movements, a flicker of icy malice passing through its consciousness. Once again, the situation descended into a tense stalemate.

"This is ill-omened,"

Caelan Jiang murmured, his eyes narrowing as he sent a mental message to his companions. "That Thunderbolt Master harbors no good intent. He is placing us upon a pyre. We of the Human Race are numerous; should a melee erupt, we would undoubtedly become their primary target for a concerted assault."

"Then let us establish a covenant,"

Eldrin Chen interjected swiftly, addressing the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam. "If you are willing to offer a sufficient price, we are prepared to swear a binding oath. We pledge not to become your enemies henceforth and vow never to reveal the secret of the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool [a legendary, hidden abyss said to be guarded by nine ancient dragon spirits]."

"Should your payment be generous enough," he added, his voice dropping, "we might even assist you in ensuring these three Demonic Monsters [malevolent entities born of corruption and chaos] never leave this place."

"Agreed."

The Seven-Colored Immortal Clam gave a decisive nod. It understood all too well the consequences of a chaotic battle. Regardless of the victor, its own Spirit Clam Tribe [a clan of intelligent, spiritual clam demons] would inevitably suffer the gravest losses. Furthermore, it held no certainty of capturing every single cultivator present.

Should even one escape to spread word, the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool would face utter and catastrophic ruin. Continue your cultivation journey at @udio-novel.com.

At that point, her best outcome would be to abandon her ancestral home and flee for her life; the worst would be to be captured by the Dao Lord Demon Race [a powerful demonic sovereign]. Once she broke through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], it would likely be the end of her days.

For the assembled Human Race True Lord [esteemed human cultivators of great power] present, if news of the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a mythical clam demon beast of immense power] were to spread, the lion's share of the benefits from this creature would surely slip from their grasp.

The optimal course now, as Eldrin Chen had stated, was to leave three of the most ruthless Demonic Monsters [powerful demonic entities] behind and forge a pact of non-aggression with the Human Race, a solution that served the interests of both sides.

Having reached this conclusion, the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam declared, "If you are willing to sign a pact of mutual non-aggression with us, keep the secret of the Nine Dragons' Deep Pool [a legendary and perilous location], and slay these three..."

"...we are willing to offer twenty Fifth Rank Clam Pearls [precious pearls of immense spiritual power], three sets of Fifth Rank Clam Shells [resilient shells suitable for crafting powerful artifacts], and two strands of Earth Mother Qi [a primordial, nurturing earth energy]."

The group exchanged glances and nodded in unison. Eldrin Chen spoke, his voice firm, "So be it."

"Damnation!"

Witnessing this consensus form in the blink of an eye, the three Demonic Monsters paled, their expressions twisting with alarm.

The Seven-Winged Heavenly Centipede [a monstrous centipede demon with seven pairs of wings] immediately beat its wings, attempting to take flight and escape. Yet, the assembled cultivators had no intention of letting them flee.

With a flick of her sleeve, Lilith, Mistress of Desire blocked the Seven-Winged Heavenly Centipede's path. Caelan Jiang intercepted the Thunderbolt Master, while Eldrin Chen positioned himself squarely before the Blackblood Elder Demon, cutting off his retreat.

The Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a mythical clam demon of immense power] naturally joined the fray as well, directly leading several Fifth Rank Spirit Clams [powerful clam demons of the fifth cultivation rank] to block their path of retreat.

Although the three Demonic Monsters [powerful entities born of demonic energy] possessed formidable combat strength, they were now grievously wounded. The Seven-Colored Immortal Clam alone was sufficient to subdue them, let alone the fact that the Human Race side still had over a dozen powerful True Lord [a high-level cultivator title] standing by.

In the span of mere moments, the group succeeded in trapping the three Demonic Monsters.

The assembly did not immediately strike. Lyra Jiang seized the opportunity to draft several contracts, which she then presented directly to everyone present.

The Seven-Colored Immortal Clam glanced over the documents and gave a nod. "Then it is settled," it stated.

Neither side raised any objections. They promptly signed the contracts and subsequently swore the Great Oath of Reincarnation [a profound vow that binds one's soul across the cycle of rebirth].

Watching as all present swore the oath, the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam finally allowed itself to relax. For high-level cultivators, the Inner Demon Oath [a vow enforced by one's own inner demons] holds less sway, as cultivators of truly transcendent talent can even suppress their Inner Demons [manifestations of one's inner turmoil and flaws].

Thus, the assembly preferred to employ the Oath of Reincarnation. This Great Oath of Reincarnation touches upon the mysteries of the soul's reincarnation cycle; to break it means that even after descending into the Netherworld Hell [the underworld realm of punishment], one would face dreadful tribulations, making transcendence in future lives nearly impossible.

All present were Nascent Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul, a core of spiritual life]. Such exalted cultivators, even if they fail to achieve the Dao [the ultimate path of cultivation] in this lifetime, can influence the potential and foundation of their next incarnation through the cycle of rebirth.

Therefore, once the Great Oath of Reincarnation is sworn, it becomes virtually immutable.

"Since the terms are settled, this battle may now conclude."

With those words, the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam raised a hand and summoned forth a Spiritual Treasure—a peculiar, wondrous disc.

The disc was formed from nine coiled Flood Dragon figures, forged entirely from a mystical Treasure Metal [a rare metal imbued with spiritual properties], with draconic souls roaring within its form.

"This Spiritual Treasure..."

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened as he watched the disc instantly transform into the Nine Dragons Disc and whirl downward with overwhelming momentum, charging toward the three Demonic Monsters.

In a mere instant, the nine Flood Dragon figures entangled and shredded Thunderbolt Master, a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the late stage of the Nascent Soul cultivation realm], into fragments, his Nascent Soul [the spiritual infant formed within a cultivator's dantian upon reaching the Nascent Soul realm] torn asunder on the spot. Published by audio novel.com. All rights reserved.

"What is this?!"

The onlookers' expressions shifted slightly. Although Thunderbolt Master was gravely wounded, he was still a Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator. That he could not withstand even a single clash revealed the formidable power of this Spiritual Treasure.

Noticing the change in their demeanor, the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam offered a faint smile. "This humble one's Nine Dragon Wheel was forged by gathering nine types of Treasure Metal and fusing within them the souls of nine Flood Dragon Demon Emperor. Its power is merely passable, I fear it has drawn your laughter."

"Not at all, not at all."

All present felt a slight tremor of awe. The might of the Nine Dragon Wheel was extraordinary; it could be considered a superior piece even among Quasi-Pure Yang Spiritual Treasures [powerful artifacts imbued with near-pure Yang energy]. To call it merely 'passable' was a gross understatement.

With the strength of the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a mythical clam demon] combined with the power of this Nine Dragon Wheel, it could likely hold its own briefly against an ordinary Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the verge of attaining a Primordial Spirit]. Even if their group of over a dozen joined forces, they might not necessarily gain any advantage against the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam.

Eldrin Chen also felt a pang of envy. Although his Two Extremities Lotus Throne was also a Quasi-Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure, and its defensive capabilities were considered top-tier for its grade, it lacked an offensive Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact] of this caliber.

Following the fall of Thunderbolt Master, neither the Seven-Winged Heavenly Centipede [a monstrous centipede demon] nor Blackblood Ancient Fiend lasted much longer.

Already grievously wounded and besieged by the assembled cultivators, they found no opportunity to escape.

Merely moments later, the Six-Winged Heavenly Centipede was shattered by Lilith, Mistress of Desire. Eldrin Chen directly employed his Celestial Fire [a divine flame technique] to incinerate several of Blackblood Ancient Fiend's High Grade Demonic Treasures [powerful demonic artifacts], reducing the fiend himself to ashes.

"What a formidable Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique]," someone murmured.

Witnessing Eldrin Chen's Heavenly Flame Divine Ability, the others could not help but show astonishment.

Well-traveled and knowledgeable, Lilith, Mistress of Desire drew a sharp breath. "Could this be the legendary Celestial Fire Mana [a cultivation art for harnessing heavenly flames]?"

Her words caused a visible shift in the crowd's demeanor. This was not only due to Eldrin Chen unleashing combat prowess rivaling a Nascent Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Nascent Soul realm] cultivator, but also because the Heavenly Flame Power represented a Secret Power [an esoteric power] typically only glimpsed by true Nascent Soul Cultivators.

Having mastered the Heavenly Flame Arcane Force [a profound mystical technique for harnessing celestial fire], Eldrin Chen's chances of a future breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm of a high-level cultivator] realm were instantly elevated by a full twenty percent. Combined with the foundation of his Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul cultivated in perfect harmony with the Heavenly Dao], he could truly be called a Nascent Soul Seed [a cultivator destined for the Nascent Soul realm].

At this realization, even the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a mythical clam demon beast with iridescent, immortal-grade shells] could not conceal a flicker of astonishment. A shared desire to forge connections with him took root in the hearts of all present.

Once the great battle concluded, the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam honored its pledge and distributed the treasures. The spoils comprised twenty Fifth Rank Spirit Clam Pearls [high-grade pearls formed within spirit clams, prized for cultivation], two strands of Earth Mother Qi [the primordial, nurturing essence of the earth], and three pieces of Spirit Nacre Shell [the lustrous inner shell of a spirit clam, a valuable material].

The Spirit Clam Pearl [a pearl formed within a spirit clam, containing concentrated spiritual energy] could aid the cultivation of a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm]. Refining one could increase a Nascent Soul Cultivator's cultivation speed by fifty percent.

A single Spirit Clam Pearl could sustain a Nascent Soul True Lord for approximately three hundred years. For a True Lord at the Nascent Soul, Early Stage, this was roughly equivalent to half a layer of advancement in cultivation. Continue reading this story at audio . novel . com.