Chapter 973 : Clash of Titans on Purple God Mountain

With the chance to ascend to immortality laid bare before them, none of the figures were willing to retreat.

A rare and momentous clash thus erupted upon the slopes of Purple God Mountain.

The four contenders vying for the Violet Divine Fruit [a legendary fruit said to contain the essence of the heavens and earth, capable of elevating a cultivator's foundation to immortal levels] were all supreme powerhouses at the very pinnacle of the Purple Realm [a vast and ancient cultivation world], each a peerless genius who had forged their Dao nearly ten thousand years ago.

Their battle commenced high above the Firmament [the vault of heaven], and from the very first exchange, the void trembled and the vast mountain range of Ronan quaked in terror beneath the onslaught.

Had it not been for the successive interventions of several Demigod Ancestor [cultivators who have transcended the Nascent Soul realm, standing at the threshold of true immortality] and Eldrin Chen to stabilize the heavens and earth, countless rents would have been torn into the fabric of the Boundless Void [the infinite, starless expanse beyond the known realms].

As Eldrin Chen had foreseen, the contest concluded swiftly. In a mere three days, both the Star Palace Master and the Lord of the Separated Flame Hall were defeated, their chance at immortality slipping from their grasp.

The final two, Lin Tianqi and the Master of the Drifting Snow Palace, clashed for another seven days. In the end, the Master of the Drifting Snow Palace proved no match for Lin Tianqi and was forced, with profound reluctance, to relinquish the prize that had been within her reach.

"Alas!"

Having lost her chance at the Violet Divine Fruit, the Master of the Drifting Snow Palace could not help but sigh.

As a veteran Ninth Layer Nascent Soul [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm, just one step away from the Demigod realm] cultivator of the Purple Realm, her Mana [the refined spiritual energy wielded by high-level cultivators] was exceptionally potent. Furthermore, she wielded the Quasi-Immortal Treasure [an artifact of immense power, just shy of true immortal-grade] known as the Demon-Suppressing Cauldron [a mighty cauldron artifact renowned for its power to suppress demonic forces]. By all logic, she should have had at least a fifty percent chance of seizing the Violet Divine Fruit. Original English translation available at audio . novel . com.

Regrettably, during the previous Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a catastrophic event where demonic forces surged from the abyss], the Demon-Suppressing Cauldron [a powerful artifact designed to seal and suppress demonic entities] suffered grievous damage. Though it has now mostly recovered, prolonged battle allowed Lin Tianqi to find a flaw in its defenses, leading to his eventual victory over it.

"You honor me with your concession, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]."

Even with Lin Tianqi's typically unshakable temperament, triumph over such a formidable opponent stirred emotions he could scarcely contain.

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. With a flick of his sleeve, he drew the Violet Divine Fruit [a legendary fruit of profound spiritual power, unique in the mortal realm] to himself, then said with a smile, "The Violet Divine Fruit is a treasure unparalleled in this world. That you, Fellow Daoist, have obtained it shows you are favored by destiny itself."

"I only hope you will use this treasure wisely, to lay a solid foundation for your future ascension to immortality."

"I shall remember your counsel, Fellow Daoist,"

Lin Tianqi replied with solemn gravity, accepting the Violet Divine Fruit with utmost care.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "Now that the Violet Divine Fruit has found its master, I shall take my leave."

"Farewell, fellow cultivators. Until we meet again."

Departing from the Purple God Domain [a mystical realm imbued with divine purple energy], Eldrin Chen did not return to his clan. Instead, he set his course directly for the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [a vast and perilous region of cultivation sects and ancient powers in the eastern seas].

He traversed the boundless heavens and earth, and before long, he arrived within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World.

Within the Spirit-Severed Sea, Eldrin Chen immediately activated the Pure Yang Celestial Fire Law [a supreme cultivation art harnessing the purest yang energies of heaven and earth], seeking to sense the elusive location of the immortal's hidden trove.

Yet, contrary to expectations, after Eldrin Chen channeled the Pure Yang Celestial Flame [a divine flame born from the pure yang celestial fire law], he only felt a vague, indistinct sensation. The immortal's cache remained ethereal and intangible, its true location frustratingly elusive.

"Perhaps the Void-Refining Immortal [an ancient immortal who mastered the art of refining the void] was cautious in his time, fearing his contingency might be unraveled by the Extraterrestrial Demon God [a malevolent deity from beyond this realm], and thus concealed his legacy with profound depth."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, beginning to grasp the reasoning of the ancient Void-Refining Immortal.

At this thought, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed deeply. If he could not locate the ruins left by the Void-Refining Immortal, this journey would have been for naught.

"No, that cannot be. A contingency prepared for a heavenly tribulation should not be completely unfindable."

"Since it was left by the Void-Refining Immortal, perhaps clues can be found with the Ji Clan."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, and a moment later, a sudden light dawned in his eyes.

He made a decisive decision then and there. He would depart the Spirit-Severed Sea and first pay a visit to the Ji Immortal Clan [a prestigious and ancient clan of immortal cultivators].

Soaring across the boundless expanse of the sea, Eldrin Chen journeyed towards the Dorian Sea Region. Before he knew it, he had arrived at Dorian Sage Island.

Given Eldrin Chen's current status and prestige, the Ji Clan naturally dared not show any neglect. Dorian Ji, accompanied by Freya Ji and the Wavestrider Sword Immortal among others, personally came forth to welcome Eldrin Chen.

Within the Grand Hall, several Peerless Dao Lord sat facing one another. Dorian Ji studied Eldrin Chen for a moment, and a soft sigh escaped his heart.

Although he had long anticipated that Eldrin Chen was no ordinary talent confined to a pond, the speed of his growth over these years still far exceeded Dorian Ji's expectations.

Thinking of this, he could not help but muse with feeling, "When I think back to our first meeting, you were but a minor Golden Core cultivator."

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"Now, in the mere span of a few Millennium, you have surpassed me by a great measure."

"You honor me too much, Elder Brother."

Eldrin Chen smiled and shook his head, saying, "Given the bond between us, why must we stand on such ceremony?"

"Indeed."

Dorian Ji also smiled. Given his close familial ties as cousins with Lyra Jiang, his relationship with Eldrin Chen was naturally quite intimate as well.

In the past, before Eldrin Chen achieved his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] breakthrough, his greatest patron had been Dorian Ji. The depth of their bond, therefore, needed no further elaboration.

With this in mind, Dorian Ji personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen before inquiring, "Might I ask the purpose of your visit this time?"

"My journey here..."

Eldrin Chen paused briefly, then spoke without hesitation, "I have come for the ruins within the Spirit-Severed Sea."

He recounted the tale in detail, explaining the origins of the immortal treasury hidden within the Spirit-Severed Sea to Dorian Ji.

After listening, Dorian Ji's brow furrowed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he shook his head and said, "The Third Ancestor ascended to the immortal realms eighty thousand years ago. An immense span of time separates us from that era."

"Whether our venerable ancestor left any contingencies within the Spirit-Severed Sea is knowledge beyond my grasp. I fear I may not be of much assistance to you in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a subtle weight settle in his heart.

The Ji Clan's Third Ancestor was none other than the Void-Refining Immortal [an immortal title signifying mastery over the void]. As the third member of the Ji Clan in its entire history to achieve ascension to Immortal [the highest realm of cultivation], he was thus honored by the clan as the Third Ancestor.

Yet even Dorian Ji was unaware of the contingency left behind by his clan's Third Ancestor. It was likely that the method for locating the immortal treasury had been lost during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the great calamity that shattered the ancient demonic abyss].

At this thought, Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh, his expression tinged with regret.

But just then, Freya Ji's eyes flickered with sudden insight. "Our Ji Clan's Immortal-Refining Furnace [a supreme artifact capable of refining immortal essence]," she said, her voice brightening, "was personally forged by the Third Ancestor. It is the Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [the ultimate artifact entrusted to safeguard the clan's legacy] he left for us."

"Perhaps with this artifact, we can find the ruins left by the ancient Immortal Clan [a clan whose ancestors ascended to immortality]."

"Is that truly possible?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes instantly lit up, a surge of hope washing over his features.

Dorian Ji nodded thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "The Immortal-Refining Furnace was indeed crafted by the Third Ancestor's own hand," he mused. "It may very well hold a connection to the immortal treasury."

"Very well. I shall retrieve the Immortal-Refining Furnace and accompany you to the Spirit-Severed Sea [a vast, desolate sea where spiritual connections are severed]."

"My sincere thanks."

Hearing this, a flicker of anticipation kindled within Eldrin Chen's heart.

With the Immortal's Treasury now within reach, the group had little mind for further reminiscing. The two immediately set off for the Spirit-Severed Sea [a vast and perilous expanse of ocean known for its ability to sever spiritual connections], arriving within its bounds not long after.

After venturing deep into the Spirit-Severed Sea, Dorian Ji took out the Immortal-Refining Furnace [a legendary artifact capable of refining the essence of immortals] and channeled his power into it, yet he failed to sense the treasury's location.

Shaking his head, he handed the Immortal-Refining Furnace to Eldrin Chen and said with a sigh of resignation, "It seems my cultivation is insufficient. I still cannot locate that Immortal's Treasury."

"Then let me try,"

Eldrin Chen took the Immortal-Refining Furnace and immediately activated the Pure Yang Celestial Fire Law [a supreme cultivation art harnessing the purifying flames of the celestial sun]. A torrent of power from the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles that govern reality and cultivation] surged into the Immortal-Refining Furnace.

As expected, once the Immortal-Refining Furnace was empowered by the Laws of the Dao, it faintly sensed a presence from the profound depths of the Spirit-Severed Sea.

Eldrin Chen's eyes snapped open. "Follow me," he declared without delay.

With those words, he tore through the void and flew towards the heart of the Juelin Sea [the Sea of Utmost Peril, a treacherous region within the Spirit-Severed Sea]. This chapter is provided by audio-novel . com. Support the original.