Chapter 28. Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure)

A 100 years ago, the Withered Bone Elder refined the Demon Skull, roaming the Chu Kingdom nearly invincible and unleashing a cataclysmic demonic upheaval.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. Yang Yuanqing also took part in the great war between the Chu Kingdom (Location) cultivation world and the demonic cultivators, ultimately meeting his demise amidst the demonic calamity.

Thus nearly another century passed, until a dozen or so years ago when this cave abode was accidentally discovered by 3 individuals, thereafter becoming their permanent lair.

To tell the truth, those 3 individuals were remarkably cautious. Over the years, they had been using the method of distributing fragmented maps to lure their prey, and they would only sell these map fragments to cultivators who appeared youthful.

Because of this, their murderous business of entrapment had gone undetected for over a dozen years.

Alas, 1 who often treads by the river is bound to get their shoes wet. That the 3 of them had now fallen into Eldrin's hands was simply a tribulation they were destined to endure.

"What a pity, there are no other treasures within this cave abode."

"This spiritual vein is truly a fine treasure, though it's a pity it lies within these 100-1000-mile barren wilds."

Eldrin couldn't help but shake his head. A second-order spirit vein, if well-situated, might potentially nurture an entire Foundation Establishment immortal clan.

Alas, the vast wilderness spanning 100,000 li was overrun by demonic beasts. Whenever the Demonic Calamity erupted, this land became a bloody buffer zone where humans and monsters clashed, making it impossible for mortals to settle and thrive here.

"We can only abandon this place for the time being."

"When our Chen family grows strong enough 1 day, we shall consider putting this place to use."

In the end, Eldrin made his decision. He retrieved the formation flags of the Li Fire Incinerating God Array, sealed the entrance to his cave abode, and after concealing all traces, continued his journey toward Yu County.

In the blink of an eye, another month had passed. During this time, he opened the storage pouches belonging to the 3 individuals.

To his astonishment, the 3 storage pouches contained over 20 lower to mid-grade magical artifacts, more than 600 spirit stones, and a dozen or so replicated cultivation technique jade slips.

Clearly, most of these items came from the cultivators who had been lured into traps and killed by the 3 of them.

Most of these cultivation techniques were only suitable for the Qi Refining stage, yet the mere sight of a single Foundation Establishment technique made Eldrin's eyes gleam with excitement.

This cultivation art was known as the Li Fire Dao Ruins Method, a remarkably profound technique for the Foundation Establishment stage. It not only allowed 1 to cultivate all the way to the 9th level of Foundation Establishment but even contained records on refining a type of Life-Bound Magic Treasure.

It must be understood that although the Chen Immortal Clan possessed 3 foundational cultivation methods, only the Blazing Sun Soaring Void Art could enable 1 to cultivate to the 9th level of Foundation Establishment.

The Chen Clan's Blazing Sun Soaring Void Art was also an exceptionally superior Foundation Establishment technique, recording the divine ability known as Blazing Heaven Sword. However, it uniquely lacked the method for refining a Life-Bound Magical Treasure.

Although the clan leader’s former Blazing Spirit Blade was also a soul-bound treasure, it was merely a common, generic soul-bound treasure, and its power could not be considered exceptional.

Although the Blazing Path of Ashes Art contained no records of divine abilities, the innate magical treasure it documented—the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure)—was an exceptionally supreme innate immortal sword.

According to the records within the cultivation technique, this Natal Immortal Sword required the acquisition of millennium-old crimson iron, fused with Li Fire Crystal (Spiritual Object), then refined day and night using the Li Fire and Geng Metal energies—2 of the 5 Elements’ essential qi. Only after 40-9 days would it begin to take form.

This sword possessed astonishing offensive power. Upon its initial completion, it could unleash a blade radiance spanning 3 zhang. Its might ranked among the pinnacle of same-tier natal magic treasures, fully capable of slaying demons and vanquishing evil. Wielding it to traverse the world, 1 would find few rivals within the same cultivation realm.

Millennium Scarlet Iron.

Eldrin gazed at the blade embryo, unable to suppress a look of delight.

This 'Millennium Red Iron' is also an exceedingly rare treasure, for the essence of 10 1000 iron ores forms the Mystic Iron.

If profound iron falls into an earth fire vein and is tempered day and night for 1 1000 years within the earth fire, purging all impurities within the profound iron while absorbing the power of the subterranean fire vein, it will transform into 1000-Year Crimson Iron.

Zhang the Demon Lord obtained this millennium-old crimson iron and was immediately overjoyed, intending to forge it into his ultimate soul-bound demonic treasure, the Blood-Transmuting Demon Blade (Magic Treasure). Now that this object had fallen into Eldrin's (Person Name) hands, encountering the crafting method for such an exquisite immortal sword was truly a serendipitous twist of fate.

"It's just unclear where 1 might obtain this Li Fire Crystal (Spiritual Object)."

Eldrin suppressed the rising excitement within and continued his homeward journey, soon arriving at last at Verdant Chariot Mountain.

Returning to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), he immediately went to the back hills and requested an audience with the Old Patriarch without delay.

As soon as Chen Changxuan laid eyes on him, a flicker of excitement surfaced on his face, and he glanced over with visible tension.

"Was your journey to the Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) smooth?"

"This journey to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) has finally been accomplished without failing the mission."

Eldrin nodded, retrieved the Nourishing Meridian Pill, and handed it over.

The old clan leader took the Meridian Nurturing Pill and opened the container for a glance, a faint smile gracing his features.

Several years ago, he had broken through the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm). Believing his path forward was now unobstructed, he even dared to hope he might glimpse the Zi Mansion Realm within his lifetime.

Little did he expect that a single moment of decline would nearly shatter his path of cultivation. Now, with this Meridian-Nourishing Elixir, he had finally reclaimed a sliver of hope.

"With this Meridian-Nourishing Elixir, I'm confident I can recover 90 percent of my injuries within 5 years. When that time comes, I'll be able to take action without any major concerns."

He caressed the Meridian-Nurturing Elixir with uncontainable fondness, then suddenly realizing he had lost his composure before his junior, promptly set it down and inquired with a gentle smile.

"Tell me of your journey’s events."

"Hmm."

Without hesitation, Eldrin recounted the encounters of this journey to the old clan leader.

Chen Changxuan initially remained impassive, but when he heard that the elixir had been purchased from Elara (Person Name) for 1,500 spirit stones, he couldn’t help but frown.

"I know this person, Elara. She is the 1 and only personal disciple of Master Jiang."

His cultivation level is unfathomable. It is said that he had already reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment many years ago.

"Even if Life-Vein Pills, such life-saving elixirs, were sold for 2,500 spirit stones, there would still be plenty of buyers. Why would she sell them to us so cheaply?"

"I cannot fathom this matter either." Eldrin shook his head, equally perplexed. "Yet from my observation, she does not appear to be 1 of immoral character."

Chen Changxuan was also at a loss, so he could only nod in agreement. "Although Patriarch Jiang is a woman, she has guarded the borderlands of Chu Kingdom for 2 100 years. She is renowned for her upright character and has absolutely no tolerance for misconduct. It is unlikely she would scheme against an old man like me."

"Perhaps it was a gesture of goodwill toward a junior. I shall pay my respects in person once my injuries have fully healed."

With that matter put to rest, Eldrin returned to the subject of the map, mentioning the cave abode left behind by Yang Yuanqing and the 3 fishing cultivators.

After hearing this, the Old Clan Chief felt a chill run down his spine, his face revealing a trace of lingering fear.

"Fortunately, you acted with caution. Had it been some reckless fool blinded by the allure of an ancient cultivator's cave abode, they would have surely lost their life there."

"In the future, when encountering such situations, you must contemplate thoroughly and deliberate carefully. Unless you are sufficiently confident, do not act rashly."

"In my travels back in the day, I too encountered such perilous affairs..."

Chen Changxuan rambled on, recounting many past events he had encountered during his travels through the world of immortal cultivation.

Though he had been lectured for quite a while, Eldrin listened attentively. These were lessons accumulated by his elders over 1 100 years of experience, invaluable knowledge that would help him avoid countless troubles.