Chapter 248 : A Private Discourse on the Golden Core

Having said this, he fell silent. Later, he proceeded to expound the Dao [the fundamental principles and path of cultivation] specifically for those in the Golden Core realm.

However, cultivators of the Golden Core Realm are all high-level practitioners, and their cultivation often involves certain secrets and esoteric knowledge.

To prevent these methods and profound mysteries from being spied upon by demons or enemies, such teachings cannot be lightly disseminated. Therefore, Vast Righteousness True Lord erected a barrier to expound the Dao for them in private.

Their session was more akin to a dialogue, with the Golden Core True Persons posing questions and Vast Righteousness True Lord providing answers to resolve their doubts.

Many of those Golden Core Cultivators were disciples of Vast Righteousness True Lord. Even those who were not formally his disciples had, in essence, a master-disciple relationship with him, signifying a deep connection.

The exposition lasted for three days. Vast Righteousness True Lord gazed upon the many cultivators of the Mortal Path [the path of cultivation within the mortal world], who had clearly benefited greatly.

"This session of Dao exposition concludes here," he declared. "Should you have further questions, return after one Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, also known as a Jiazi]."

"We respectfully bid farewell to the True Lord [a title for a Golden Core realm cultivator]," they chorused.

The assembly promptly rose to their feet, offering a respectful send-off as Vast Righteousness True Lord departed.

As Eldrin Chen stood up, the verdant-robed woman addressed him with a gentle smile. "Allow me to introduce myself. This humble one is Verdant Mist Yu. It is a pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audi novel.com.

"I am Eldrin Chen," Eldrin Chen said with a respectful cupped-hand salute. "It is an honor to meet you, Immortal Maiden Yu."

A smile graced the face of Verdant Mist Yu, tinged with a hint of delight. "You hail from beyond the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range. Might I inquire if you intend to remain within the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, or if your purpose is to traverse it entirely?"

As if concerned he might misunderstand, she added, "This humble one plans to journey to Tianlu Continent in the coming days. I thought, if our paths aligned, we might support each other in crossing the Shadowwind Mountain."

"Shadowwind Mountain," Eldrin Chen repeated softly.

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he recalled the intelligence he had gathered regarding that place.

The Shadowwind Mountain was a unique and treacherous region within the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, an unavoidable passage for any seeking to reach Tianlu Continent.

It was a place where the Nine Nether Abyssal Winds [a bone-chilling, soul-numbing gale from the deepest hells] howled ceaselessly, day and night. Cultivators below the Violet Sanctum realm found it nearly impossible to maintain flight upon their swords. Even Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, a major spiritual center] would expend a tremendous amount of their spiritual power [the vital energy cultivated and used by practitioners of the mystical arts] attempting the crossing.

Furthermore, Shadowwind Mountain was home to a prolific tribe of Demon Beasts known as the Netherwind Vulture. These creatures, born from the very essence of the mountain's malignant winds, seemed endless in number. Dealing with their relentless attacks could exhaust even a Violet Sanctum Cultivator, and the risk of a fatal misstep was ever-present.

Therefore, to successfully traverse Shadowwind Mountain, a Violet Sanctum Cultivator needed not only to be at the peak of their strength but also often sought the safety and support of companions for the journey.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen thought to himself, *"Attempting to cross Shadowwind Mountain alone does indeed carry significant peril."*

"Her aura suggests a Wind Spiritual Root, and her cultivation is at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage. Traveling together would certainly help share the burden."

With this thought, he smiled and said, "If the Immortal Maiden is willing to travel together, I would be most honored."

Seeing his agreement, Verdant Mist Yu's eyes sparkled with delight. "I have waited for over half a year, finally finding a fellow cultivator to cross the Shadowwind Mountain with."

"..."

Now that Eldrin Chen had fully recuperated, they wasted no time. The very next day, the two set off, flying towards the Tianlu Continent.

After a journey spanning over six hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], they finally arrived before the imposing silhouette of the Shadowwind Mountain.

"The Nine Nether Abyssal Winds [a chilling, soul-piercing wind from the deepest abyss] that scour these ridges are fierce. Our spiritual energy will be consumed rapidly."

Gazing at the Shadowwind Mountain, Verdant Mist Yu produced a verdant treasure skiff. "Let us travel by skiff first, conserving our strength to deal with any Netherwind Vulture [a vulture-like demonic beast that thrives within the abyssal winds] we might encounter."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and boarded the green skiff with her.

The verdant skiff was a Third Rank Lower Grade artifact. Such a vessel, powered by its stored energy, should theoretically be capable of traversing over a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

However, the Nine Nether Abyssal Winds [a type of extremely harsh and corrosive wind from the deepest abysses] were far too fierce. They placed an immense strain on the treasure boat's energy reserves, slowing its flight speed by dozens of times.

After flying for merely three days, the energy of Verdant Mist Yu's azure treasure boat was completely depleted, forcing them to disembark and prepare to continue their journey by flying on their swords.

Yet Eldrin Chen shook his head and produced the Purple Blood Boat [a vessel forged from the essence of a powerful creature, known for its resilience]. "I brought this vessel," he said. "It should be sufficient to traverse the Netherwind Ridge [a treacherous mountain range plagued by soul-chilling winds]."

"A fine treasure indeed."

Verdant Mist Yu's face lit up with delight as she followed Eldrin Chen aboard the Purple Blood Boat.

The Purple Blood Boat sailed through the howling Nine Nether Abyssal Winds for thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Suddenly, a piercing, mournful shriek tore through the gale. Access the full story on audio-novel dot com.

Eldrin Chen looked up. At the horizon, a vast, dark cloud was approaching—a massive flock of enormous black birds.

"Trouble! It's the Netherwind Vulture [carrion-eating demonic birds that thrive within the abyssal winds]!"

Verdant Mist Yu cried out in alarm. Before them were at least several hundred thousand Netherwind Vulture. Even a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum [the pinnacle of the third major cultivation realm] would have to turn and flee from such a horde.

As the Netherwind Vulture swarmed toward them like a living tidal wave, Eldrin Chen urgently channeled his energy into the Purple Blood Boat, steering it sharply to try and circle around the far edge of the monstrous flock.

Yet the countless Netherwind Vulture [demonic vultures that thrive in nether winds] clearly had no intention of letting them escape. They surged forth like a dark tide, blotting out the sky as they attacked.

"Wretched creatures."

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. With a thought, he summoned the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of divine swords]. They shot forth like twin streaks of light, weaving a deadly net of cleaving energy. In an instant, hundreds of the Netherwind Vulture were shredded, carving a bloody gap through the swarm.

Verdant Mist Yu acted simultaneously. She unleashed her Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to its user's life force], the 'Warm Wind Bone-Eroding Soul-Shattering Vase' [a vase that emits a soul-scouring, bone-dissolving warm wind]. A torrent of emerald-hued gales erupted from the treasure vase, sweeping through the horde. Countless Netherwind Vulture were sent tumbling, their flesh and blood utterly eroded away by the corrosive winds.

The strength of these Netherwind Vulture was mostly insignificant. Among the hundreds of thousands, only two had reached the Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a core of violet spiritual energy]. For the moment, they posed no grave threat to the pair.

However, the pervasive Nine Nether Abyssal Winds [a type of sinister, soul-chilling wind from the deepest abyss] in this place greatly hampered them. Even the speed of the Purple Blood Boat [a flying vessel forged from the essence of a purple-blooded creature] was significantly reduced. The Netherwind Vulture, in contrast, could ride these very winds, making it difficult for the two cultivators to shake off the low-tier Demon Beasts [beasts that have absorbed demonic energy and gained supernatural powers] completely.

An ordinary Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has achieved the Violet Sanctum Realm], once dragged into such a battle until their spiritual energy was exhausted, would likely face the peril of falling.

The pair's luck was not the best. A massive swarm of Netherwind Vulture numbering in the hundreds of thousands was actually exceedingly rare and not easily encountered.

Generally speaking, with the combat power of a Violet Sanctum Cultivator, one could confidently rout a flock of several tens of thousands of Netherwind Vulture.

"Stay vigilant."

Eldrin Chen once more summoned forth the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords. Like a farmer reaping wheat, he cleaved through several Second Rank Demon Beasts in quick succession, his face etched with solemnity as he urgently reminded her.

Verdant Mist Yu gave a firm nod, biting her lip before declaring, "Steady yourself."

No sooner had her words faded than she activated a wind-attribute Divine Ability [a supernatural technique cultivated through profound understanding of the Dao]—the 'Selene's Wind-Riding Escape'. She channeled this power directly into the Purple Blood Boat [an enchanted vessel crafted from rare materials].

Instantly, the Purple Blood Boat was enveloped in a shimmering Escape Radiance [a luminous aura used for swift evasion]. Not only was it no longer hindered by the Nine Nether Abyssal Winds [a chilling gale from the deepest hells], but it actually rode upon those very currents, its speed surging dramatically.

"A masterful Divine Ability," Eldrin Chen praised.

But his admiration was cut short, his expression hardening in an instant.

On the distant horizon, the two Violet Sanctum Demon Vulture [vicious, intelligent carrion birds that have reached the Violet Sanctum realm], seeing their prey attempt to flee, had broken from the main demon flock. They now barred the path directly ahead.

"Trouble!"

"*Screeeech—*"

The cry had barely left Verdant Mist Yu's lips when she saw Eldrin Chen materialize at the prow of the treasure boat, a figure of unwavering resolve.

In the very next instant [a brief moment], a resonant hum of a sword echoed through the air.

The Celestial Abyss Twin Swords erupted with a radiance that illuminated the boundless night sky, their blades singing as they cleaved through the darkness towards the Violet Sanctum Demon Vulture.

The pupils of the two Violet Sanctum Demon Vulture constricted sharply. With a frantic beat of their wings, they unleashed a tempest of Nine Nether Abyssal Winds power, channeling their Innate Divine Ability to execute the Netherwind Slash. Access the full story on audio-novel`com.