Chapter 56 : The Sword's Transcendent Awakening

In that very instant, Eldrin Chen was struck by a sudden, profound inspiration. Without a second thought for the presence of Old Patriarch beside him, he expelled a single breath of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [the supreme, primordial energy of creation] from within his body.

The moment the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura manifested, the sword embryo trembled violently. Then, before his eyes, that wisp of Violet Aura transformed into a cloud of auspicious energy and merged seamlessly into the sword embryo.

"*Clang—*"

In a flash, the clear, resonant cry of a sword rang out.

The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword transformed into a beam of deep azure sword light and shot forth from the Eight Desolations Cauldron, then flew like a streak of light to merge into the space between Eldrin Chen's brows.

Eldrin Chen closed his eyes to sense its presence. He discovered this Lifebound Immortal Sword [a magical weapon bound to a cultivator's life force] had taken residence within his Elixir Field [the core energy center in a cultivator's lower abdomen], where it now hovered and slowly rotated at the Central core of that space.

Through his connection with the Lifebound Immortal Sword, he realized that after absorbing that single breath of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura, the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword had shattered the inherent limitations of a Lifebound Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact bound to its user's cultivation and life], elevating its potential grade by one full rank.

For an ordinary Lifebound Magical Treasure, its grade could never exceed that of its cultivator. A treasure bound to a cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the second major realm of cultivation] would forever be capped at Second Rank Low-Grade, with almost no possibility of reaching Second Rank Mid-Grade.

Yet, having absorbed the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura, this Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword had broken those shackles. Now, provided with sufficient quantities of the dual energies—Solar Fire [the essence of solar flame] and Metallic Gold [the essence of metallic sharpness]—Eldrin Chen could refine it all the way to Second Rank Mid-Grade.

"So that means," he murmured to himself, "once I break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, this Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword could be refined to Third Rank Lower Grade?" Read the full novel exclusively on audi novel.com.

The thought flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind, and a trace of wild joy appeared on his face.

That Exquisite Jiang, relying on her Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary fourth-rank magical sword], had roamed the Chu Nation almost undefeated among her peers. Even Golden Core Patriarch [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, a solidified mass of spiritual energy] had to give her some respect. Now, his own Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword cultivated and bound to a cultivator's very life force] actually possessed the same potential.

Even setting everything else aside, this Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword was originally an extremely superior, top-tier Lifebound Immortal Sword. Now, having its potential elevated by another grade...

Once he refined this sword to the Second Rank Mid-Grade [a specific level of power for a magical artifact], he reckoned his strength would be sufficient to easily suppress the vast majority of Foundation Establishment Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] cultivators. He might even be able to test himself against an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the late phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] practitioner.

Pulling his thoughts back, he quickly glanced at the Old Patriarch.

"No need to overthink it, and no need for explanations," the Old Patriarch said with a slight smile, shaking his head. "I've watched you grow up. If I hadn't been covering for you all these years, this secret wouldn't have remained hidden for so long."

Eldrin Chen's face flushed slightly. He had thought his concealment was perfect. He never imagined that his cultivation of the Primordial Chaos Scripture [an ancient and profound cultivation manual] had been discovered by the Old Patriarch long ago.

Yet, upon careful reflection, it made sense. Before the age of sixteen, he had been absorbing the essences of the Sun and Moon [the celestial bodies, whose energies are often harnessed in cultivation] and refining Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a primordial and potent form of spiritual energy from the dawn of creation] right under the Old Patriarch's nose. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] of his caliber was no fool; how could he not notice over time?

Thinking this, he decided not to hide it from the Old Patriarch any longer. He still wished to impart the Primordial Chaos Scripture to him.

Yet, strangely, even when Eldrin recited it word for word, the Old Patriarch was completely unable to retain any of it in his memory.

After listening, within the span of mere breaths, Eternal Profound Chen found the memorized content slipping from his mind entirely, utterly unable to retain the method within the Primordial Chaos Scripture.

Not only that, he discovered that attempting to transcribe the scripture was impossible; characters written upon paper would vanish in the blink of an eye, melting away like snow and ice, turning to dust that dissipated into the world.

After half a Shichen-time [a conventional time unit equal to two hours], the two men could not help but draw in a sharp, cold breath. The Old Patriarch widened his eyes, his expression turning grave.

"Only those destined can remember it; no mundane object in this world can bear its weight."

"This method's origin is likely so unfathomable, it borders on the Great Path itself. Perhaps this is precisely one manifestation of the Great Path within the Mortal Dust [the mundane, mortal world]."

"I am now beginning to truly believe you might indeed be a Banished Immortal descended to earth, the reincarnation of a Great Power."

The Old Patriarch sighed, a mix of elation and melancholy. He was elated by the heaven-defying nature of this method, yet melancholy that such a transcendent art remained beyond his grasp—he could not retain even a single word or phrase.

Eldrin Chen was also left speechless with astonishment. All these years, every single character and sentence of the Primordial Chaos Scripture had been etched clearly into his mind.

He knew this method was likely extraordinary, but he never imagined it would be so astonishingly profound. It was like the lofty Great Path itself, refusing to descend into the Mortal Dust. Even inscribed upon metal or stone, it would vanish in an instant; nothing in heaven or earth was deemed worthy of bearing it.

"Let it be. Aside from you, it is likely no one else in this world can master this method."

Old Patriarch shook his head and said helplessly, "From now on, you must not let anyone other than your closest kin know of this method."

"I understand," Eldrin Chen replied, taking a deep breath and speaking with solemn gravity.

The forging of the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword had taken nearly a month just to melt the materials, followed by a full forty-nine days of refining the flying sword. By the time the two emerged from seclusion, they discovered over two months had passed.

After leaving seclusion, Eldrin Chen found a secluded spot to test his newly forged Lifebound Immortal Sword.

The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword swelled with the wind, transforming into a three-zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] blade of light that cleaved through the sky. Its sharp, sweeping radiance held an indomitable, peerless edge.

"A magnificent sword!" For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel.com.

As Eldrin Chen descended, the Old Patriarch could not contain his excitement, his eyes gleaming with fervor.

Though it was only a Second Rank Low-Grade Lifebound Magical Treasure, Eldrin Chen could clearly sense its power far surpassed the ordinary. Any common Second Rank Low-Grade defensive artifact would likely be shattered by this sword in a single clash.

"Once this sword is refined to the Second Rank High-Grade level, it will unleash a ten-zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] blade of light. I can scarcely imagine such might,"

the Old Patriarch exclaimed, his eyes shining with awe. "I fear even my ancient bronze pagoda would be unable to withstand such a supreme Immortal Sword."

Eldrin Chen shook his head slightly, speaking with humility, "With Old Granduncle's Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation combined with the ancient bronze pagoda, it could even withstand several dozen Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] demon beasts for two Ke-time [one Ke-time equals fifteen minutes]. I fear even this grandson's Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword would find it Impenetrable [an ability or defense that cannot be breached]."

Though his words were modest, his heart surged with excitement. Now, all he needed was to gather a bit more of the Solar Fire [the essence of solar flame] and Metallic Gold [the essence of metallic gold] energies, and this Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword would be sufficient to advance to the Second Rank Mid-Grade [the mid-tier of the second rank for magical treasures].

By then, it would be capable of unleashing a sword radiance six Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] long. Its offensive power would likely rival that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the late phase of the Foundation Establishment realm] cultivator.

Unfortunately, the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] from Heavenly Ruins Mountain had all been purchased by Exquisite Jiang. The Five Elements Essence he used this time to forge his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force] was actually bought from Patriarch Jiang.

Exquisite Jiang was also in dire need of this material. She required it for refining her own magical treasures and, according to legend, was cultivating a certain Great God Ability [a divine ability of immense power], which consumed vast quantities of Five Elements Essence. That she could spare three thousand strands for him was already a great favor; he could not bring himself to ask for more.

Storing the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, Eldrin Chen decided that upon returning to Green Chariot Mountain, he would have the clan purchase large quantities of Essence of Metallic Gold [the purified spiritual essence of metallic gold] and Solar Fire Essence [the purified spiritual essence of solar flame].

This was not only for refining his Lifebound Immortal Sword [an immortal sword bound to one's life force] but also because he needed to cultivate the Chen Clan's divine ability, the Blazing Heaven Sword [a sword technique that summons blazing heavenly flames].

The higher one's cultivation, the greater the power this divine ability could unleash. Once mastered, it would become another lethal trump card in his arsenal.

In truth, even the Old Patriarch had only achieved minor proficiency in the Blazing Heaven Sword, yet it was already potent enough to threaten Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivators.

The previous clan leader, with his cultivation at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment [the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment realm], once personally unleashed this technique. Even a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [a demonic beast of the Violet Sanctum level] dared not face it head-on, a testament to its Extraordinary [remarkable and peerless] nature.

"...The Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] in my hand is the last one. If I can't break through to the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] realm within three days, I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to give up..." Eldrin Chen sighed softly, his gaze fixed on the faintly glowing Spirit Stone in his palm. The spiritual energy within it was already very thin, barely enough for one final attempt. He had been stuck at the peak of the Qi Refining [the first major stage of cultivation, where one refines their vital energy] stage for five years. If he failed this time, with his advancing age and dwindling resources, his path of cultivation would likely come to an end here. He thought of his clan, the Chen Clan, which had declined over the generations and now relied on him, one of the few remaining cultivators. A sense of heavy responsibility weighed on his heart. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel . com.