Chapter 822 : Arrival at the Ancient Sword Lake

"This is the Ancient Sword Lake Domain."

Eldrin Chen halted before a vast, seemingly endless lake, his gaze calm as he observed the surging waters ahead.

Sword Lake was the greatest lake within the Central Ancestral Domain, and the Ancient Sword Lake Domain—one of the nine ancient domains of that region—derived its name from this very body of water.

In the present day, the sole hegemon within the Ancient Sword Lake Domain was the Path Lord Sacred Land of the Zhang Clan.

Thinking they were finally nearing the Zhang Immortal Clan, Violet Consort Yan said with a smile, "Since we've reached the Ancient Sword Lake Domain, let us make haste to the Zhang Clan and retrieve the Primordial Spirit Pill [a supreme elixir for nurturing the spiritual core]."

"Indeed. To avoid unforeseen complications, speed is of the essence."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and urged his Immortal Sword [a divine blade of peerless sharpness] forward, flying towards the Zhang Clan.

The group journeyed onward, and before long, they arrived at the heart of the Ancient Sword Lake Domain—the famed Sword Lake Island Path-Field [the spiritual cultivation grounds of the Zhang Clan, located on an island within Sword Lake].

Upon reaching the Zhang Clan Path-Field [cultivation grounds], Violet Consort Yan immediately presented a Visiting Card [a formal token of introduction] and then remained at the Guest Greeting Peak to await a response.

After only a brief moment, several individuals from the Zhang Clan arrived to greet them with courtesy. The complete novel can be found at audio-novel .c om.

All three were great powers at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the final stage before the Primordial Spirit Realm], with the leader's cultivation even reaching the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm [a transitional state where one foot has entered the Primordial Spirit Realm].

However, upon seeing the trio, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] frowned slightly, a flicker of something strange passing through his gaze.

This Zhang Clan [a prominent cultivation clan] had three Path Lord [a high-level cultivator title] within its ranks, yet not a single Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a Path Lord who has fully ascended to the Primordial Spirit Realm] had come in person. This development was somewhat unexpected for Eldrin and his companions.

One must understand that the Zhang Clan and the former Kiang Clan [another cultivation clan] were old family friends. The Clan Patriarch [the leader of a clan], 'Flowing Void [a title or name]' the Path Lord, and the father of Exquisite Jiang [Eldrin's wife, a powerful cultivator] had shared a friendship spanning several millennia.

Furthermore, given Eldrin Chen's current formidable reputation, for them not to even grant an audience was truly rather surprising.

"It seems there has been a change,"

Exquisite Jiang observed, cautiously offering her insight.

Hearing this, Violet Consort Yan [a powerful female cultivator and ally] furrowed her brow deeply, her expression turning grave.

Eldrin Chen merely shook his head, then transmitted his voice [a method of private communication using spiritual energy] to the others: "Let us first hear what they have to say."

As they were exchanging these thoughts, the three figures arrived before them. The leading Half-Step Primordial Spirit Great Power [a cultivator of immense power at the threshold of the Primordial Spirit Realm] promptly clasped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "Are the arrivals perhaps Immortal Maiden Exquisite [a respectful title for Exquisite Jiang] and Sister Violet Consort [a respectful title for Violet Consort Yan]?"

"I am your elder brother Mystery River Zhang [Zhang Xuanhe], and I offer my respects here."

That Mystery River Zhang [Zhang Xuanhe] spoke, inviting the several guests to sit, then personally poured a cup of tea for each before smiling and saying, "You have traveled a great distance, your journey must have been truly arduous."

Eldrin Chen [Chen Nianzhi] did not drink the tea, merely asking calmly, "Fellow Daoist Xuanhe, is the Zhang Clan [the Zhang Family] having you alone receive us?"

Mystery River Zhang [Zhang Xuanhe] nodded, then said with a smile, "Our several Patriarch [Family Heads] are currently in secluded cultivation. If you have any matters, you may speak directly with me."

"I see."

Eldrin Chen [Chen Nianzhi] focused his gaze and stated plainly, "We have come regarding the Primordial Spirit Pill [a supreme elixir for advancing to the Primordial Spirit realm] promised to Violet Consort [Yan Ziji] in the past."

"The Primordial Spirit Pill..."

That Mystery River Zhang [Zhang Xuanhe] showed an expression of understanding and quickly replied, "The Primordial Spirit Pill [a supreme elixir for advancing to the Primordial Spirit realm] is a matter of great importance. It requires a Primordial Spirit Patriarch [a Patriarch who has reached the Primordial Spirit cultivation stage] to personally unseal the vault to retrieve it. I lack the authority to decide this."

"Perhaps you could wait a while longer and return once the family's three Patriarch [Family Heads] emerge from seclusion?"

In that instant, Eldrin Chen [Chen Nianzhi] understood the intention behind Mystery River Zhang's [Zhang Xuanhe's] words.

Wealth stirs the hearts of men, let alone a treasure as priceless as the Primordial Spirit Pill [a legendary pill that can help a cultivator form their Primordial Spirit]. Mystery River Zhang, being a Primordial Spirit Seed [a cultivator with the potential to reach the Primordial Spirit Realm] of the Zhang Clan, held a far greater chance of successfully obtaining the Primordial Spirit Pill.

The Primordial Spirit Pill was a treasure of extraordinary value. Long ago, when the Kiang Clan entrusted this pill to the Zhang Clan, they had compelled the Zhang Clan's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] Clan Patriarch to swear a solemn Oath of Reincarnation [a mystical vow that binds one's soul across lifetimes].

Should Violet Consort Yan come to claim the pill, the Zhang Clan Patriarch would be bound by oath and could not refuse. This was precisely why Mystery River Zhang feared his clan's Patriarch learning of the matter.

Thus, the moment he heard that Violet Consort Yan sought the Primordial Spirit Pill, he rushed here in a panic to find them, hoping to send Violet Consort Yan away empty-handed.

The Zhang Clan could not outright deny the Primordial Spirit Pill, but they could find excuses to delay—a few decades this time, a few centuries the next.

As long as the Zhang Clan Patriarch remained unaware, they could drag this out for as long as possible. This delay tactic likely had the tacit approval of the Zhang Clan's Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit Realm and mastered a profound Path]. Discover more cultivation stories at audio–novel.com.

Once he, Mystery River Zhang, successfully broke through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [a major realm of cultivation where one forms their spiritual core], what did it matter if Violet Consort Yan's Primordial Spirit Pill was delayed a little longer?

For the sake of one's own Path [the unique Dao or cultivation methodology one follows], others could suffer the hardship.

Having grasped this, Eldrin Chen saw no point in further discourse with this man. His gaze turned cold as he stated flatly, "With the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving a rift to a demonic realm] imminent, I, as the leader of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, have no time to run errands fetching treasures."

"Step aside, junior. Have your clan's Patriarch come speak with me."

"You..."

Seeing Eldrin Chen adopt such an imposing posture, Mystery River Zhang immediately paled, his expression shifting dramatically.

Currently, the lineage of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance boasted several Path Lords. By assuming the bearing of the master of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, Eldrin Chen's status was now on par with that of the Long River Path Lord or the master of the Zhang Immortal Clan.

That Mystery River Zhang still wished to speak, but at this moment, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. An overwhelming aura surged forth, causing the very air to congeal and grow heavy.

Mystery River Zhang felt as though he had plummeted into an abyss. For a moment, he found himself utterly speechless. The pressure emanating from Eldrin Chen before him seemed no less formidable than that of his own clan's Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit stage and is recognized as a master of a cultivation path].

"Fellow Cultivator Eldrin, he is merely a junior. Is there truly a need for such anger?"

Only then did a voice intercede.

A man in a blue-green robe emerged from among the distant peaks, stepping forward to shield Mystery River Zhang from the crushing pressure.

Mystery River Zhang suddenly realized his robes were soaked with cold sweat. He hastily retreated behind the man and murmured respectfully, "I pay my respects to the Third Ancestor."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he recalled this man's identity.

The Third Ancestor of the Zhang Clan bears the Daoist title 'Triple Tribulation Path Master'. This individual attained the Path [reached the Immortal Path] four thousand years ago, yet his fortune has not been particularly favorable.

It is said that since attaining the Path, he has participated in the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm twice. The first time, his physical body was destroyed by an Outer Realm Heavenly Demon, and the second time, he perished at the hands of another Outer Realm Heavenly Demon.

Now, he has just recently Reincarnation and cultivated anew back to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core], with his cultivation base merely at the Primordial Spirit 1st Tier [the first minor stage of the Primordial Spirit Realm].

"I have long heard of your esteemed reputation, Fellow Daoist. Meeting you today, I finally understand that your Path Fruit [the fruit of one's cultivation path] is truly extraordinary."

At this moment, the Triple Tribulation Path Master strode forward, his expression turning grave.

The more one is a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master of the Primordial Spirit Path] like him, the more one comprehends the exceptional nature of Eldrin Chen. He understood deeply that Eldrin Chen's title as the Purple Seal Realm's Top Infant Soul Cultivator was likely no empty boast, and thus he dared not be presumptuous.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Since you have come, Fellow Daoist, the matter of the Primordial Spirit Pill [a pill that aids in forming the Primordial Spirit] should be settled today."

Upon hearing this, the Triple Tribulation Path Master revealed a bitter smile, speaking with a touch of helplessness, "To be perfectly honest, at present, even within our Zhang Clan's Clan Treasury, there is no Primordial Spirit Pill left."

"Is that truly the case?"

Eldrin Chen's expression turned icy as he immediately questioned, "According to our past agreement, your Zhang Clan's Clan Treasury should have reserved one Primordial Spirit Pill."

"This matter is my fault."

Triple Tribulation Path Master shook his head, speaking with a hint of helplessness: "Not long ago, I undertook Reincarnation [a profound cultivation method of rebirth to start anew] to rebuild my foundation. When I broke through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm] once more, I consumed a Primordial Spirit Pill [a rare elixir that aids in forming the Primordial Spirit]. I have not yet had the time to replenish my stock."

Eldrin Chen's expression remained unchanged, yet a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "And what, pray tell, is your meaning?"

'It seems if I do not give a satisfactory answer today, I will likely make an enemy of this Returning Abyss Path Master.'

Seeing the look in Eldrin Chen's eyes, the Triple Tribulation Path Master felt his heart sink slightly. For more chapters, visit audio novel.com for the complete novel.