Chapter 943 The Gravekeeper Elder

Eldrin was inwardly shocked, yet found it somewhat hard to believe.

In ages past, both the Eastern Emperor and the Jiang Emperor were figures of unparalleled might. Yet even beings of their stature lacked the confidence to quell the calamity entrenched here, a testament to the sheer terror embodied by these 7 Heaven-Piercing Pillars of the Demon Gods.

Even more astonishing was the tomb keeper's implication that both Emperor Jiang and Emperor Dong seemed to be his juniors.

This came as a complete surprise to Eldrin (Person Name), for in his initial speculation, he had assumed the tomb keeper might merely be a disciple of the Eastern Emperor.

However, upon careful reflection, this was to be expected.

Those Emperors Donghuang and Jianghuang lived a mere 6 to 7 1000 years ago. If they were still alive today, their lifespans would not exceed 13 to 14 1000 years.

If the tomb keeper was Emperor Dong’s disciple, he should currently be in the prime of his life. How could he appear so aged and stooped, his body filled with an aura of decay?

At this thought, Eldrin couldn't help but glance at the elder before him, promptly cupping his hands in salute. "Might I ask which esteemed master you are, Senior?"

"This old man…"

The tomb keeper opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head.

He let out a sigh and said, "In my youth, I too was once passionate and illustrious, much like you—a tribulation of an era in my own right."

"But in that great war over 20 1000 years ago, the Eldrin Dao Lords were nearly wiped out. I am 1 of the last survivors, and also 1 of the architects of this Dao Epoch's chronology."

He could be considered half a master to Jiang Xudao, having guided him in comprehending the laws and Dao Fruits during his youth. He was also something of a mentor to Chen Qiyuan, imparting to him half of a body refinement technique.

The old man murmured to himself, his pupils clouded with a mix of nostalgia and profound pity.

After a long while, he let out a sigh and spoke with a touch of resignation, "Alas, time flows relentlessly. In the blink of an eye, seas turn into mulberry fields, and the Purple Realm's mortal world has seen generation after generation come and go. Those from the old days are no more!"

Eldrin stood frozen in place, momentarily at a loss for words.

The old man's words sent a chill down his spine, the revelations making his scalp tingle.

The person before him had an origin too terrifying and ancient—so ancient it defied all belief.

Since the world-ending calamity 20-2 1000 years ago, 90 percent of the heritage in the Violet Realm had been nearly severed, with even the Dao Calendar being reestablished by later generations.

Yet the man before him was truly 1 who had participated in the establishment of the Dao Calendar. This meant that over 20,000 years ago, he had likely already stood among the ultimate powerhouses at the very pinnacle of the Violet Realm.

Among the current Demigod Ancestors (Cultivation Realm) of the Violet Realm, the eldest Palace Master had only attained the Dao a little over 20,000 years ago. Had he lived in that era, he would likely have been a junior figure who might not have witnessed the terrifying apocalyptic calamity firsthand.

Without a doubt, any being capable of surviving the cataclysmic tribulation must rank among the most formidable powerhouses within the Violet Realm.

From his subsequent words, 1 could also discern the astonishing nature of this tomb keeper.

Jiang Huang, Jiang Daoxu, what manner of man was he? He was the sole peerless existence to attain immortality in tens of thousands of years. Though he possessed the bearing of a Celestial Immortal, he had once followed behind him to study the laws and Dao fruits.

Chen Qiyuan, the Eastern Emperor, was a figure of such staggering divinity that he created the second fleshly body ascension method in the Violet Realm's history. Who could have imagined that even this paramount genius had once received the Half-Step Fleshly Body Method he transmitted?

From this, it was evident that the Tomb Keeper was undoubtedly a peerless expert, 1 who had once been a Pillar of Heaven in the Violet Realm.

At this thought, Eldrin cupped his hands toward the tomb keeper and said, “I never imagined that within the Violet Realm, a senior of your esteemed stature still walks among us. This is truly a blessing for the Violet Realm.”

"Spare me the flattery."

The tomb keeper waved his hand dismissively, then gazed at the 7 celestial pillars. "Perhaps the Eldritch Wind Fiend told you that Emperor Jiang refrained from acting because he feared the Eye of Xunfeng and wished to prevent the Violet Realm from being plunged into utter devastation."

"Yet his knowledge was incomplete, for the truth was not entirely as he perceived."

Jiang Xudao possessed a character of extraordinary sharpness, while Chen Qiyuan’s domineering temperament was unparalleled. When the fate of the Purple Realm hung in the balance, how could they possibly be indecisive?

The old tomb keeper spoke unhurriedly, and after a moment, he said, "These 7 celestial pillars are interconnected, forming a trap laid by the extraterrestrial demon gods."

"Even a prodigy like Eldrin, once he steps into that place, would likely face a 9-in-10 chance of death."

Eldrin's expression shifted abruptly. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally couldn't refrain from saying, "The Eye of the Xun Wind is crucial to my path toward immortal ascension. Are there truly no other alternatives?"

"All is not entirely lost."

The old tomb keeper shook his head, turning his gaze to Eldrin (Person Name). "You've met the Patriarch of Xun Wind, but did you manage to obtain the Wind-Quelling Pearl?"

"Yes."

Eldrin retrieved the Wind-Anchoring Pearl, then produced the formation banners of the Gale-Sinking Abyss Array.

The tomb keeper stroked his beard and nodded approvingly. "With the Wind-Anchoring Pearl and these formation banners, the Eye of the Xunwind shall pose no threat."

"Yet those 7 Demon God Pillars..."

The tomb keeper paused briefly before speaking, "If you truly wish to enter, this old man can lend you a hand. As for whether you ultimately succeed or not, that will depend entirely on your destiny."

"Truly?" A flicker of delight crossed Eldrin's brow as he inquired with reverence, "Might I ask, esteemed senior, what are the odds of success?"

"A 30 percent chance."

The tomb keeper shook his head and said, "If you suppress the Eye of the Xun Wind and seize this chance to cultivate an immortal body, then with our combined efforts from within and without, we would have a considerable chance of quelling this calamity."

"If you cannot achieve an immortal body, then with our combined strength, we may still slightly shake the Pillar of the Demon God, seizing a sliver of opportunity for your escape."

"As for whether you can successfully break free, it all depends on your destiny."

"30 percent?"

Eldrin murmured under his breath before declaring with unwavering resolve, "It is enough."

As his words fell, he immediately bowed to the tomb keeper and said, "For aiding me this time, Elder, this junior shall never forget your great kindness in this lifetime."

The old tomb keeper smiled faintly, offering no further remarks. Gazing toward the mountain peak, he said, "No need for more words. You may go now."

"My thanks!"

Eldrin bid farewell to the old tomb keeper and began ascending the mountain along the path of the Zephyr God Ridge.

He journeyed across endless rivers and mountains, traversed layer upon layer of towering peaks, and finally ascended into the divine ridges where the Xun winds howled.

The 7 Demon God Pillars offered no resistance, merely standing in silent suppression as he reached the deepest recesses of the Xunwind Divine Peaks.

"Is that the Eye of the Xun Wind?"

Eldrin lifted his head, gazing at the massive eye of the storm gathering in the void above, his expression unconsciously tightening with gravity.

The power of the Xun Wind corrodes the bones and dissipates the soul, capable of grinding a cultivator’s flesh into pulp and their bones into wind-scattered dust—even the divine soul could be utterly annihilated by its force.

This Eye of the Xunwind was the most extraordinary Eldrin had ever witnessed in his life—it could even reduce vast mountains and rivers to nothingness. Truly, its power was boundless and terrifying.

"Such gale force is likely so formidable that even a Demigod Ancestor (Cultivation Realm) would be reduced to mincemeat within moments of stepping into it."

Eldrin murmured under his breath, faintly sensing the terrifying nature of the Eye of the Xun Wind.

Yet Eldrin was brimming with confidence, for his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body was merely a step away from minor perfection.

This was virtually the most supreme physical body in the mortal realm; even the Eye of the Xun Wind could hardly inflict fatal injuries upon him.

With this thought, Eldrin did not hesitate any further. He immediately activated the array flags to deploy the Sevenfold Gale Abyssal Suppression Array, trapping the Eye of the Gale. Then, he stepped resolutely into its core.

The moment Eldrin stepped into the Eye of the Xunwind, he felt the overwhelming force of the Xunwind surging toward him.

The corrosive wind's power could erode bones and dissolve souls, yet Eldrin's physical form was unparalleled in this world. Combined with his Primordial Chaos spiritual power that could neutralize all manner of aberrant energies, he managed to withstand its onslaught.

But in that very instant, Eldrin noticed the 7 Demon God Pillars beginning to glow. 1 after another, pitch-black chains of divine laws shot into the sky, unexpectedly spreading toward the Eye of the Xun Wind.

Chapter 1 The biting northern wind swept across the mountain ridge like blades of ice. Lin Feng tightened his worn deerskin coat, his gaze fixed on the faint glow emerging from the distant valley—the very place where the legendary Falling Star Abyss was said to be. "After 3 years..." he murmured, frosty breath misting before his face. His fingers unconsciously traced the jade pendant at his chest, the last relic left by his master. Suddenly, a piercing cry tore through the sky. A massive shadow blotted out the moon as a giant golden-winged roc descended, its wingspan casting darkness over half the mountain peak. Upon its back stood a white-robed maiden, her flowing sleeves embroidered with intricate cloud patterns. "Fellow practitioner," her voice rang clear as jade striking stone, "might you be heading to the Falling Star Abyss as well?" Lin Feng's heart tightened. He never expected to encounter a cultivator from the renowned Cloudsoar Sect here. These disciples who traveled atop golden-winged rocs were at least at the middle Foundation Building stage. "Just a wandering cultivator passing through," Lin Feng replied calmly, bowing with clasped hands. The maiden's eyes sparkled with amusement. "The Abyss is anything but peaceful lately. Rumor has it a Core Formation senior perished there yesterday." With that, she tapped her foot lightly, and the golden-winged roc soared into the clouds, leaving behind only a faint scent of orchids. Lin Feng watched the receding figure, his expression growing solemn. Core Formation experts falling? This complicated matters significantly. He retrieved a yellowed scroll from his bosom. The text, written in cinnabar, had begun to fade: "When the 7 Luminances align, the secret realm shall open. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) awaits its destined master..." The moonlight suddenly brightened. Lin Feng looked up to see the 7 stars of the Big Dipper shining with unusual radiance, their light converging precisely over the Falling Star Abyss. The jade pendant at his chest grew warm simultaneously, emitting a faint humming sound. Without hesitation, Lin Feng channeled spiritual energy into his legs. His figure blurred, vanishing from the spot in the blink of an eye, reappearing dozens of meters away. This was the Swift Cloud Step (Movement Technique) he had painstakingly mastered after 3 years of arduous practice. The mountain path grew increasingly treacherous. Jagged rocks littered the ground like monstrous fangs. Suddenly, Lin Feng caught a pungent scent of blood. Behind a massive boulder lay the corpse of a cultivator in blue robes, a gaping hole where the dantian should be—clearly the work of demonic techniques. "Ha... fresh blood sacrifice delivered right to my doorstep," a hoarse voice rasped from the shadows. A figure enveloped in black mist slowly emerged, crimson eyes glowing with malevolent light. In his hand, he twirled a string of skull beads that emitted piercing shrieks. Lin Feng's pupils contracted. A demonic cultivator! Without another word, the black-misted figure shook his wrist. The skull beads transformed into 9 ghastly white shadows, shrieking as they shot toward Lin Feng. "Break!" Lin Feng shouted sharply. The jade pendant at his chest erupted in dazzling green light, forming a protective barrier around him. The white shadows collided with the barrier, dissolving into puffs of green smoke while emitting agonized wails. Impossible! The demonic cultivator staggered back, shock flashing in his crimson eyes. That jade pendant... could it be... Taking advantage of this opening, Lin Feng formed hand seals with both hands. Spiritual energy surged from his dantian, materializing into a fiery longsword in midair—this was the Profound Yang Sword Art (Cultivation Method) his master had imparted on his deathbed. "Profound Yang Burns the Heavens!" The fiery sword descended like a blazing meteor. The demonic cultivator screamed as the black mist surrounding him instantly dissipated, revealing a withered, corpse-like face. "You... you are the successor of the Pure Yang lineage..." The demonic cultivator collapsed, his final words filled with disbelief. Lin Feng landed steadily, a trace of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. While he had eliminated the enemy, the backlash from forcefully executing the Profound Yang Sword Art had injured his meridians. At that moment, the jade pendant suddenly grew scorching hot. A beam of light shot out, pointing deep into the valley. Following the guidance, Lin Feng pressed onward. After navigating through a narrow crevice, his view suddenly opened up— Countless spirit stones were embedded in the valley walls, their crystalline glow illuminating the entire canyon like daylight. At the valley's center stood an ancient stone platform, upon which rested a longsword wreathed in crimson flames. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure)! But just as Lin Feng approached the stone platform, a cold voice echoed from behind: "Many thanks, fellow practitioner, for clearing the path." The white-robed maiden from the Cloudsoar Sect descended gracefully atop her golden-winged roc, a faint, meaningful smile gracing her lips. In her hand, she now held an ancient bronze mirror that shimmered with mystical light.