Chapter 942 : A Monk's Vow and a Silent Departure

Though Eldrin Chen had arrived with a heart full of wrath, the demeanor of the Demon-Subduing Divine Monk [a Buddhist monk of great power who specializes in vanquishing demons] caused a measure of his fury to abate.

He could only release a sigh before speaking. "This matter has no connection to the Tranquil Spirit Temple [a sacred Buddhist temple]. There is no need for the Venerable Master to reproach myself."

"However, this Vajra Temple [a corrupted Buddhist sect] has committed countless evils and has sunk its roots deep within the Western Pole Eternal Sands Domain [a vast, desolate desert region]. I lack the time to deal with this matter myself. I can only hope the Tranquil Spirit Temple will act in my stead to cleanse this lingering scourge."

"Compassion of the Buddha." The Demon-Subduing Arhat [an enlightened Buddhist saint who subdues demons] closed his eyes and sighed. "The Benefactor may set his heart at ease. Regarding the affairs of the Vajra Temple, this humble monk will personally see to it. Not a single evildoer shall escape retribution."

"Then I shall trouble you with this."

Eldrin Chen sighed once more and spoke no further on the matter.

He did not linger within the Western Pole Eternal Sands Domain, departing with haste instead for the Eastern Wastelands [a barren and perilous frontier land].

Upon reaching the Eastern Wastelands, Eldrin Chen addressed the Mystic Jade Divine Silkworm [a primordial demonic beast of immense power and ancient lineage]. "This one must enter secluded cultivation. I will not be able to accompany you to the Cosmic Star Archipelago [a mysterious archipelago amidst the celestial void]."

The Mystic Jade Divine Silkworm understood Eldrin Chen's intent and nodded in acknowledgment. "This one shall proceed to the Cosmic Star Archipelago immediately. I shall not return to the Western Sea [the vast western ocean] until the full three Millennium [a cosmic cycle of one thousand years] have passed."

After bidding farewell to the Mystic Jade Divine Silkworm, Eldrin Chen immediately set his course for the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary sea of eternal, imprisoning flames]. This chapter appears courtesy of audio—novel.com.

For Eldrin Chen in the present moment, the most urgent task was to refine the Formation Flags [enchanted banners used to anchor and power formations], thereby harnessing the power of the Galewind's Eye [a legendary artifact of wind and chaos] to cultivate the Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique said to be unbreakable, forged from the essence of primordial chaos].

Therefore, he did not delay, arriving that very day within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a vast, perpetually burning sea of mystical flames].

Refining such Pure Yang Formation Flags [formation flags imbued with the pure essence of Yang energy] was no simple feat, especially since it required crafting seven Pure Yang Treasure Flags [treasure-grade flags of pure Yang essence] in one go. For this purpose, Eldrin Chen personally sought out Lyra Jiang and Yvonne the Violet Consort among others.

With the combined efforts of the three, they toiled for over a decade, finally succeeding in refining all seven of the Pure Yang Formation Flags.

Having gathered the treasures required for the Sevenfold Galewind Abyss-Sinking Formation [a powerful formation utilizing sevenfold wind energy to suppress abyssal forces], Eldrin Chen prepared to depart for the Xun Wind Divine Ridge [a sacred mountain range associated with the Xun wind trigram].

However, Lyra Jiang was filled with apprehension, her expression grave as she said, "The Demon God Heaven Pillars [mystical pillars said to be remnants of a demon god's power] at the Xun Wind Divine Ridge are likely extraordinary. You going alone is fraught with peril. Let me accompany you."

"There is no need."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, sighing as he spoke. "With my current cultivation, there are almost none within the Purple Realm [a vast and powerful cultivation realm] who can slay me. You need not worry for my safety."

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang fell into silence. She understood clearly that Eldrin Chen spoke the truth.

Yet Eldrin Chen had not spoken the whole truth. While there were indeed few in the Purple Realm who could harm him, against the entities that could truly pose a mortal threat, even the powerhouses of the Purple Realm would be of little help.

Not to mention her, Lyra Jiang, even those Demigod Ancestor [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality but not yet achieved full immortality] might only be able to offer the slightest assistance.

Eldrin Chen, ever perceptive, noticed Lyra Jiang's silence and promptly took her hand, saying, "Do not dwell on it. The most urgent task now is to focus wholeheartedly on your cultivation."

"You possess the Lunar Immortal Physique [a rare and powerful innate constitution attuned to lunar energies]. Once you cultivate it to its peak, you will achieve one of the world's supreme Immortal Physique [a perfected physical foundation for immortal ascension], placing you merely A Step Away from condensing a Primordial Dao Foundation [the most perfect and profound foundational stage of cultivation]."

"The Enlightenment Blossom [a mystical herb that aids in profound spiritual insights] will mature again before long. I believe you will ultimately comprehend the fifth Secret Power [a fundamental law or principle of the cosmos] and forge the peerless Primordial Chaos Mana [a supreme form of spiritual energy born from the primal chaos]."

Hearing his words, Lyra Jiang regained her confidence and nodded firmly. "Within a Millennium [a span of one thousand years], I will certainly cultivate the Primordial Chaos Mana."

"By then, I should be able to lend you a hand and share some of the burden."

"Excellent." Eldrin Chen's eyes brightened, and a smile touched his lips. "When the next Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, catastrophic invasion from the demonic realms] arrives, we shall face the enemy side by side."

After bidding farewell to his wife, Eldrin Chen did not linger on the Ji Continent. He set out directly for the Xun Wind Divine Ridge.

The Xun Wind Divine Ridge is located in the Far Eastern Land of the Purple Realm. This desolate and long-abandoned place was once hailed as the Ancient Eastern Pole Domain.

However, after the Xun Wind Divine Ridge shattered, the Ancient Eastern Pole Domain collapsed overnight, becoming a perilous forbidden land within the Purple Realm.

When Eldrin Chen arrived at the ancient lands of the Ancient Eastern Pole Domain, he found the heavens and earth utterly silent. For tens of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], the mountain ranges were a realm of absolute deathly stillness.

Eldrin Chen's divine sense swept across hundreds of thousands of Li-lengths of mountains. Along the way, not a single flying creature, fish, or insect could be found; not even a withered blade of grass remained. This revealed the sheer magnitude of the calamity that had befallen this land.

"The Seven Pillars Suppressing Heaven and Earth... the mountains have all fallen into silent death."

Eldrin Chen proceeded deeper into the Ancient Eastern Pole Domain, until he stood before an immensely towering mountain range. He could not help but sigh.

In ages past, the Demon God had used seven heavenly pillars to seal the Xun Wind Divine Ridge, severing the flow of Heaven and Earth Spirit Veins [the natural conduits of spiritual energy within the world] and primordial Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things]. From these pillars emanated a vast, transcendent power.

Existing within this environment, the Ancient Eastern Pole Domain had, over time, transformed into a lifeless wasteland, a place utterly unfit for any living being to thrive. Original publication: (audio-novel.com) - The source of this chapter.

The old powers that once ruled the Ancient Eastern Pole Domain had almost all perished during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. The few survivors had long since fled, leaving behind only these silent, shattered mountains.

"The Demon God's Heavenly Pillars,"

Eldrin Chen continued forward, making his way toward the Xun Wind Divine Ridge. As he traveled, he saw the seven colossal, obsidian-black heavenly pillars suppressing the ridge that stretched for millions of Li-lengths.

The pillars were shrouded in the World-Ending Black Smoke [a corrosive smoke capable of eroding reality itself]. Each wisp of this dust-laden smoke distorted the very fabric of space. Should even a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Primordial Spirit] touch but a trace of it, they would likely be instantly reduced to ashes of calamity.

Yet at that very moment, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly, spotting an unexpected figure before Xun Wind Divine Ridge. He couldn't help but voice his surprise, "Senior..."

"Halt your steps."

Before he could finish speaking, the figure decisively waved a hand, cutting him off.

Hunched over, the figure shook his head on the spot and said, "The Demon God Heaven Pillars [the colossal pillars sealing the ancient Demon God] are perilous. With your current cultivation, venturing there may not guarantee your safety."

Eldrin Chen did not reply immediately. His brow merely creased slightly further, a grave expression settling upon his features.

He had met this person once before. It was the Gravetender [the guardian of the tomb] from atop Eastern Sovereign Mountain years ago, the one who watched over the tomb of the Eastern Sovereign.

Though this man appeared utterly withered and his life force seemed feeble, his physical body was like that of a Primordial Desolation Dragon [an ancient dragon of desolate power], possessing the terrifying strength to rend the heavens, sunder the earth, and cleave a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. He was a master who walked the path of Fleshly Body Ascension [a cultivation art focused on tempering the physical body to its ultimate limits].

The Gravetender had guarded the tomb for many years. That he had now come here, and seemed to be waiting specifically for Eldrin, was a development far beyond Eldrin's expectations.

After a moment of stunned silence, Eldrin Chen shook his head. "For my physical body to achieve perfection, the aid of the Galewind's Eye [a legendary treasure of wind essence] is indispensable," he stated.

"If I retreat now, in a Millennium [a span of one thousand years], the Eastern Sovereign's Physical Body [the preserved, immensely powerful corporeal form of the ancient Eastern Sovereign] will break free from its seal. Who then could possibly withstand it?"

Upon hearing this, the Gravetender fell into silence. After a long while, he shook his head and said, "But do you know that these seven Demon God Heaven Pillars constitute the most terrifying killing formation ever laid down in the Purple Realm by the Extraterrestrial Demon God?"

"The most terrifying killing formation?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted, his expression growing ever more grave.

The Gravetender nodded, then began to speak. "Seven Millennium ago, after the Eastern Sovereign forged his Immortal Physique, he once came to this place. When Jiang the Sovereign Emperor cultivated the Laws of the Dao and attained his Dao Fruit, he too once stood here."

"Yet neither possessed the confidence to proceed, so this old man persuaded them both to withdraw."

"This..." Original publication: (audio-novel.com) - The source of this chapter.