Chapter 44 : The Gathering of Ancient Flames

Verdant Wood Chen was an elder cultivator of the Verdant Generation. At seventy-six years of age, he was nearly as old as the Grand Elder himself. Yet, he had only broken through to the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier two years prior. Because of this, he had not been granted the status of a family Elder, receiving only the title of a Clan Elder.

Eternal Brightness Chen was one of the few remaining cultivators from the Chang Generation. When he broke through to the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier five years ago, he was already ninety-four, an advanced age by any measure. Considering the hardships of travel, he had not been taken along on the journey to the Verdant Sun Sect at that time.

This time, however, the clan simply lacked enough hands to activate the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Banner. Thus, the decision was made to call this ninety-nine-year-old elder out of seclusion.

Eternal Remembrance Chen was, aside from Eldrin Chen, the most advanced cultivator of the Nian Generation. He was two years older than the Fifth Elder, Verdant Grace Chen. His breakthrough to the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier had come at the very cusp of fifty-nine.

This was only possible because the clan was desperately short on Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier cultivators. Eldrin Chen had personally provided twenty Spiritual Peach [spiritually enriched peaches that aid cultivation] and several Energy Absorption Pill [pills that accelerate energy absorption], essentially forcing his growth, allowing him to break through just a month prior.

In recent years, the clan had suspended stipends and even borrowed spirit stones from its members, severely slowing their cultivation progress. Excluding the Grand Elder and the still-recovering Second Elder, being able to muster six Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier cultivators was now considered a considerable achievement.

"It will suffice. At least we have six Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier cultivators to activate the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Formation," the Old Patriarch remarked, a faint smile touching his lips.

With the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Formation operational, it was akin to having an additional Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator on their side. This boosted their chances of success by a significant margin.

"Now that preparations are complete, we depart," he declared.

Though their numbers for this expedition to Heavenly Ruins Mountain were fewer than in previous years, aside from the Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen, the Chen Clan had mobilized every single one of its six available Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier cultivators. In a sense, this was an all-out deployment of the clan's remaining strength. This content originates from audio-novel . com. Please respect copyright.

However, the number of people in this caravan was not limited to that. Approximately one hundred cultivators from Yu County had hitched a ride with the Chen Clan convoy, wishing to travel together through the perilous Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland.

Without cultivation at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage, attempting to reach Heavenly Ruins Mountain alone would likely invite great danger. Therefore, following the caravans of the Six Great Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan to Heavenly Ruins Mountain had become a customary practice.

For the clan, each hitchhiking cultivator paid one Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. This was not only an additional source of income but also increased the caravan's deterrent power, so they readily agreed.

The caravan journeyed onward, and in the blink of an eye, over three months had passed, covering a distance of seventy to eighty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

On this day, the sky was washed clean.

In the vast, wild-grass-choked Great Wasteland, a caravan of about one hundred people was resting on the open plain.

At the very center of the convoy, the cultivators of the Chen Clan gathered together. Eternal Remembrance Chen gazed at the empty Great Wasteland plain before him and couldn't help but murmur.

"Once we cross this wilderness and travel another twenty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], we should reach Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

"Did we guess wrong? Perhaps those fellows simply don't dare to come?"

Eldrin Chen smiled faintly, his tone resolute. "Rest assured, they are even more anxious than we are."

"Look, are they not arriving now?"

As his words faded, several figures flew into view from the distant edge of the Heavenly Vault.

The Old Patriarch rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the distant figures. "Two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zuo Clan, Peaceful Harmony Lin, Zhang Old Demon... Wait, there is one more."

His eyes narrowed, focusing on a powerfully built, unfamiliar Black-robed Cultivator among them. The aura radiating from this stranger was far more potent than the other four.

Realization dawned, and he quickly lowered his voice, speaking to Eldrin Chen. "Judging by that man's aura, he is likely a Demonic Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the third and final phase of the Foundation Establishment realm]. I will deal with him. Conceal your presence for now and strike later."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen's expression turned grave. The appearance of a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who cultivates using methods considered evil or heretical, often involving sacrifice and corruption] had suddenly introduced a dangerous variable into the impending battle.

At that moment, the group arrived. From a distance, Zhang Old Demon let out a long, taunting cry.

"Old fool of the Chen Clan, come forth and meet your doom!"

"A defeated cur still dares to bark so boldly."

Eternal Profound Chen let out a cold snort and soared into the air. With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, he unleashed a fiery dragon that flew out, claws bared and fangs gnashing, pouncing towards Zhang Old Demon.

This Fire Dragon Technique was a Second Rank Mid-Grade spell [a mid-level spell of the second rank]. When executed with the Old Patriarch's cultivation base, its power was quite Extraordinary.

That Zhang Old Demon, having lost all his Demonic Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by demonic cultivators] in the past, now only had a single Second Rank Low-Grade Demonic Banner [a low-grade second-rank demonic banner] in hand. He was utterly unable to withstand the Old Patriarch's strike and was sent flying backward by the blast.

"How dare you!"

Before the Old Patriarch could press his advantage, several others stepped forward. That Hong Old Demon, at the Foundation Establishment 8th Tier [the eighth tier of the Foundation Establishment realm], possessed considerable depth in his cultivation. He summoned a Black Blood Sack [a sack filled with cursed black blood] to envelop his foe.

The moment everyone laid eyes on this treasure, their expressions changed. The Black Blood Sack was an exceptionally vile magical treasure of the Demonic Path [the path of demonic cultivation]. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel . com.

The method for forging this artifact was utterly cruel. It required capturing sixty-six thousand mortals, infecting them with a plague until they perished. Their hair would then be woven into the demonic vessel, which would be refined day and night with the plague-tainted black blood for twenty-seven days before completion.

Once forged, the artifact's power was profoundly sinister. It specialized in corrupting a cultivator's magical instruments and their True Essence [the purified spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body].

Even a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the late stage of the Foundation Establishment realm], if enveloped by it, would find both their True Essence and their magical treasures utterly corrupted, ultimately dissolving into a pool of pus and blood.

"Such fiends deserve death!"

The moment he laid eyes on this treasure, Old Patriarch's fury blazed. He abandoned all thoughts of holding back and immediately unleashed the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation [a powerful formation that channels the purifying flames of the sun].

Seven Formation Flag [enchanted banners used to anchor and power a formation] shot forth from his body, whirling and transforming into the seven stars of the Big Dipper, enveloping the sky for hundreds of Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters]. A torrent of Solar Fire [the purifying, yang-aligned flames of the sun] swept across the Heavenly Vault.

This Primordial Solar [a high cultivation realm aligned with the pure yang energy of the sun] Solar Fire was supremely effective at countering Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often malevolent methods]. As the Black Blood Sack [a demonic treasure containing corrupted blood] was engulfed by the flames, a series of crackling pops erupted. Foul streams of black blood seeped out, only to be instantly incinerated into wisps of green smoke.

"My treasure!"

Witnessing his Demonic Treasure [a magical artifact forged with demonic energy] being damaged, Hong Old Demon felt a pang of heartache. He desperately tried to recall the Black Blood Sack.

But Eternal Profound Chen would not tolerate such audacity. With a surge of power, he commanded the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation to envelop the Black Blood Sack. The vast, purifying Solar Fire coiled around the demonic artifact and, with a single intense flare, reduced it to ashes.

"A set of Formation Flag magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used to anchor and power a formation]," someone murmured in awe.

Bright Void Zuo drew a sharp, cold breath. In its very first deployment, the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Banners [the set of formation flags that power the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation] had achieved a stunning victory, utterly destroying a Second Rank High-Grade Demonic Treasure [a powerful mid-tier demonic artifact].

A sliver of fear now wormed its way into his heart. Yet, having come this far, he had no choice but to steel himself and press on.

"Do not falter, everyone!" he shouted, forcing conviction into his voice.

"If we do not eliminate this old scoundrel today, he will surely become a great calamity in the future."

Bright Void Zuo roared, channeling a Magical Artifact [an enchanted object used by cultivators] to strike, its lethal edge aimed directly at the center of Eternal Profound Chen's brow.

Simultaneously, the other few also gritted their teeth and unleashed their own Magical Artifacts and Spell Arts [mystical techniques], a chaotic barrage of thunderous impacts crashing forth.

Eternal Profound Chen's eyes narrowed. He recalled the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation [a defensive array that conjures solar flames], transforming it back into its Formation Flag [the core banner that anchors an array] to envelop his surroundings. Surging, unending Solar Fire [flames imbued with the essence of the sun] churned violently, blocking the successive assaults of the several attackers, displaying an aura that seemed nearly impervious to all techniques.

Facing five opponents alone, the Old Patriarch not only held his ground but showed no sign of weakness, leaving them unable to gain the upper hand despite their prolonged assault.

Meanwhile, the members of the Chen Clan were not idle. Third Elder and the others activated the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Banner [a formation banner that unleashes celestial fire], unleashing a torrent of Heavenly Flame [flames of a celestial, purifying nature] to attack Daylight Wonder Zuo, the weakest among the five.

The power of this formation was truly Extraordinary. Even Daylight Wonder Zuo could only engage it cautiously, becoming locked in a fierce struggle. Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel`com.