Chapter 364 : Sword Art Shatters the Void

In that very instant, the void seemed to freeze solid. Malachai Qin, who was fleeing for his life, felt his pupils contract sharply.

"Sword energy—"

In a flash, a surge of sword energy soared into the heavens from the world. An infinite Sword Intent [the conceptual will and power imbued within a sword technique] split into ten thousand manifestations, cleaving through the boundless void to strike down from all directions like a celestial deluge.

"Light-Splitting Shadow-Condensing Sword Art."

In that fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen activated this Great God Ability [a supreme divine-level combat art], a technique he had obtained from the Verdant Void Sect.

With Eldrin Chen's current cultivation level fueling this art, its power, while not matching the Void Five Tribulations Divine Light, still shook heaven and earth, rivaling a full-force strike from a Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm] expert.

Sword light cascaded like torrential rain, instantly enveloping the entire expanse of void and shredding the nine phantasmal shadows one by one into nothingness.

Confronted by this endless tide of sword energy, Malachai Qin was finally forced into the open. He had no choice but to desperately channel his magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to resist.

Seizing this precise opportunity, Exquisite Jiang acted. She summoned the Cultivable Earth Kun Origin Disk [a powerful magical treasure that can trap and suppress enemies], ensnaring him within its radiant confines.

At this point, even though Malachai Qin possessed formidable magical treasure, facing the combined assault of three powerful foes, he ultimately found no path to escape the heavens. Visit audio-novel dot com to enjoy the complete series.

After a fierce clash that lasted for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the protective magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators for defense] surrounding Malachai Qin were shattered one by one. Seizing the fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen unleashed the Thousand Demons Demon-Slaying Sword, cleaving through the void and ending Malachai Qin's life.

"A pity we could not forge the Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword," Eldrin Chen remarked, his voice carrying a hint of cold regret.

A frosty glint flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes. Had they used this foe's very essence to temper a blade, they might have succeeded in crafting a Fourth Rank Superior Grade Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power, touched by immortal essence].

With Malachai Qin slain, the group opened his Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for holding possessions]. They claimed all the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], materials, magical treasure [enchanted artifacts], and other readily portable valuables within.

Fearing the deceased might have left behind tracking methods, they destroyed all remaining miscellaneous items on the spot, casting the remnants into the Ji Continent River to be carried away by its vast, indifferent currents.

This task complete, the party immediately boarded the Green Sun Treasure Ark and departed.

…

Tianlu Continent, Celestial Origin Mountain.

Celestial Origin Mountain was one of only three Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [a location where the earth's spiritual energy converges and concentrates at a very high level] on the entire Tianlu Continent.

Several centuries prior, it had been the domain of the ancient Immortal Clan [a powerful clan with a lineage of immortal cultivators], the Yuan Clan. Four hundred years ago, the Yuan Immortal Clan declined, and the Qin Immortal Clan rose to power in their stead, claiming the mountain as their own.

The present-day Celestial Origin Mountain is the renowned Path-Field of the illustrious Qin Immortal Clan.

At this moment, the summit of Celestial Origin Mountain was in an uproar. Several Golden Core Cultivators, their faces etched with fear and unease, had gathered outside a cave abode. An elder, unable to contain his dread, spoke.

"Second Ancestor, Malachai's Soul Lamp [a magical lamp whose flame is linked to the life force of its owner] has been extinguished."

Silence reigned within the cave abode for a moment, thick and heavy like the calm before a volcanic eruption.

After a long while, the gate to the cave abode swung open abruptly, and a figure clad in black robes emerged.

"Where did this happen?"

The Second Ancestor of Qin Clan surveyed the group, his gaze as cold and sharp as a honed blade.

The men exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, the pale-faced elder spoke again, "Clan Brother Malachai had recently journeyed to the Ji Continent."

"What?"

The Second Ancestor of Qin Clan's expression shifted to one of stark horror. His foot, already poised to depart, froze mid-step.

His gaze turned icy, and his tone shifted slightly as he spoke, "This old man issued the command long ago: no member of our Qin Clan is permitted to enter Ji Continent. How dare he go there?"

"This..."

The old man's expression changed. He could only grit his teeth and say, "It is said that the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for cultivators to trade rare resources] on Ji Continent this time will have the 'Ancient Furnace Heaven-Mending Herb' [a legendary herb said to mend foundational flaws and aid in cultivation breakthroughs] for sale. He likely went to acquire it, hoping to solidify his foundation for a breakthrough to the Infant Soul [the Primordial Spirit stage, a major milestone in cultivation] realm."

"With the cultivation and methods of our clan brother Malachai, even several ordinary Golden Core Perfection [cultivators at the peak of the Golden Core stage] experts combined might not have been able to keep him there."

"Could it be... could it be that a True Lord [an honorific title for a powerful Primordial Spirit stage cultivator], coveting the treasure, personally intervened without regard for face?"

The old man spoke, his voice tinged with hesitation. Continue reading this story at (audio-novel.com).

It was not unreasonable for him to think this. The Ancient Furnace Heaven-Mending Herb was even more precious than the Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a pill that aids in forming the Primordial Spirit]. Some Infant Soul True Lord with underhanded methods might very well resort to such a dark deed.

Only a Infant Soul True Lord would dare act so brazenly, showing no regard for the Qin Clan as an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan powerful enough to have produced a Primordial Spirit stage expert].

"That wretched fool."

The Second Ancestor of Qin Clan [the second founding elder of the Qin Clan] said with a cold glint in his eyes. If it were merely a case of a Infant Soul True Lord resorting to treachery, that would be one thing. What he truly feared was that a certain formidable existence had remembered the aura of their Qin Clan and struck down Malachai Qin with a single, decisive blow.

Even though he had already broken through to the Infant Soul Realm and over two centuries had passed, the memory of that sword energy he had sensed back then remained etched into his very bones.

He knew with absolute clarity that had he not fled swiftly all those years ago, a truly terrifying calamity would have descended upon him. Even now, having attained the Infant Soul realm, he would be utterly incapable of withstanding a single strike from that sword energy.

At this thought, cold sweat drenched the back of the Second Ancestor of Qin Clan. That existence was undoubtedly beyond the level of an Infant Soul cultivator. Although it seemed its injuries had not fully healed, it was still far beyond what the mere Qin Clan could hope to oppose.

Furthermore, if they were to truly venture deep into the Ji Continent, they risked drawing the attention of the Ji Clan.

The reason the Qin Immortal Clan had maintained such a low profile in recent years was precisely because they understood the peril they faced. Should their vile method of seizing Mortal Path physiques be exposed, it was likely that not only the Ji Clan, but also Vast Righteousness True Lord and even the Heavenly Reed Sect would not let them escape retribution.

Though the Qin Clan appeared prosperous on the surface, a single misstep could lead to their utter annihilation.

Guilt, the fruit of wrongdoing, weighed heavily on the Second Ancestor of Qin Clan's heart, filling him with constant dread. Pacing back and forth, he muttered to himself, "To slay my son would require at least several cultivators at the Golden Core Perfection stage, and they would need specialized methods to counter his abilities."

"The number of Golden Core Perfection cultivators on the Ji Continent can be counted on one hand. It is unlikely, and they would not dare, to join forces to besiege my son."

"Therefore, either an Infant Soul Cultivator made a move, or that ancient existence from back then was disturbed."

With this realization, the fear gripping the heart of the Second Ancestor of Qin Clan grew even colder and more profound.

From beginning to end, he never once considered Eldrin Chen, for back then, Eldrin Chen had been far too young to retain any memories of the events. Furthermore, the only one or two individuals who had truly known the truth had long since been slain by his own hand.

Thinking this, the Second Ancestor of Qin Clan declared, "Very well. From this day forward, cultivators of our Qin Clan are forbidden from journeying to the Ji Continent."

"Furthermore, dispatch members of our subordinate forces to the Ji Continent to conduct a thorough investigation. We must discover into whose hands my son's magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] have ultimately fallen."

"As you command."

"…"

While these individuals were locked in their magical duel, the other trio had already boarded their treasure ark and were soaring towards the Chu Nation.

Aboard the Green Sun Treasure Ark, the group was now dividing the spoils of their victory.

As the son of an Infant Soul Cultivator [a master who has formed their nascent soul], Malachai Qin had possessed a considerable trove of treasures. To guard against any potential hidden contingencies left by the deceased, they had deliberately left behind many items of lesser value.

Even so, every artifact they had claimed was exceptionally precious. Eldrin Chen tallied their gains and found the harvest from this battle to be truly staggering.

The treasures consisted of one 'Ancient Furnace Heaven-Mending Herb', four Fourth Rank Superior Grade magical treasure [enchanted artifacts], and two Void-Sundering Treasure Talisman.

In addition, there were two Origin Heavenly Crystal [a crystal of immense purity, containing the foundational energies of creation], while the remaining items like Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] were not particularly abundant. It seemed they had likely all been spent to purchase the Heaven-Mending Herb [a legendary herb said to possess the power to mend the very heavens] along the ancient path.

The value of these treasures was exceedingly high. Yet, the gaze of Violet Consort Yan remained fixed, unwaveringly drawn to the four supreme-grade magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

A Fourth Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure [a treasure of the fourth rank and superior quality, immensely powerful] is separated from a Fifth Rank 'Spiritual Treasure' [a treasure imbued with its own nascent spirit, a tier above magical treasures]—or what is known in this realm as a 'Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure' [a supreme treasure of legendary power, capable of subduing demons and calamities]—by merely a single rank. Therefore, such artifacts are often termed peerless magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

Such treasures are among the optimal choices for weathering the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by cultivators seeking to ascend to the Infant Soul realm]. Even though the Purple Abyss Sect possesses the Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure known as the Purple Abyss Furnace [a legendary furnace of the Purple Abyss Sect, said to refine all things], using a peerless magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to absorb part of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by cultivators] remains the wisest strategy to prevent the Purple Abyss Furnace from suffering catastrophic damage. Official source: site: audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.