Chapter 64 : The Lost Art of Divine Thunder

"Not good."

Seeing his two prized magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] ensnared, Lin Mordred's expression changed abruptly. He swiftly channeled a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] and unleashed it.

This Divine Ability of the Lin Immortal Clan was called 'Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder' [a divine thunder technique drawing power from the essence of earth], one of the famed Five Elements Divine Thunder [a set of five supreme thunder techniques corresponding to the fundamental elements] techniques.

Legend held that if a cultivator could master all five Pure Yang Divine Thunder [divine thunder techniques of pure yang energy] techniques—Wood-First Divine Thunder [the wood-element divine thunder], Metallic Essence [the metal-element divine thunder], Fire-Sun Divine Thunder [the fire-element divine thunder], Water-Flood Divine Thunder [the water-element divine thunder], and Earth-Fortress [the earth-element divine thunder]—there was a sliver of a chance to comprehend the peerless supreme Divine Ability, the 'Grand Five Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunder' [the ultimate divine thunder technique unifying all five elements with pure yang force].

Even within the vast and boundless Ziyin Realm, the 'Grand Five Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunder' ranked among the top three supreme Divine Ability for sheer destructive power. Those who had mastered this art in the distant past were peerless powerhouses whose names shook the annals of history.

Alas, only cultivators with Five Spiritual Roots [a spiritual root constitution capable of sensing all five elemental energies] could potentially learn all five divine thunders simultaneously. In the current age of the Ziyin Realm, where spiritual energy was thin, high-level cultivators with Five Spiritual Roots were nearly extinct. For many years, no one had been able to unleash this peerless supreme Divine Ability.

Though the 'Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder' paled in comparison to the supreme 'Grand Five Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunder', it was still a genuine Divine Ability and possessed formidable power in its own right.

As Lin Mordred raised his hand to strike, a thunderclap erupted from the clear sky above Verdant Chariot Mountain. An earthen-yellow bolt of lightning descended, coalescing into an Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder Pearl [a pearl artifact containing the condensed power of the Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder] that shot forth.

"Not good!"

The Old Patriarch's eyes narrowed sharply. If this Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder were allowed to strike, it could very well destabilize the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation [a formation that uses separated flame energy to burn souls], allowing the two Second Rank High Grade Magical Tool [high-quality enchanted artifacts of the second rank] to seize the chance and break free. Continue reading this story at audio-novel[dot]com.

At the critical moment, Old Patriarch invoked the Blazing Heaven Sword.

"Clang—"

A golden sword radiance flashed across the heavens. The foremost offensive divine ability of Yu County manifested once more upon Green Chariot Mountain Peak, arriving later yet striking first as it collided with the Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder.

In that instant, a thunderous roar shook the firmament. Golden light and thunderfire power clashed violently across the sky, their majestic shockwave rolling back the clouds for hundreds of Zhang-length.

"Hum…"

Having broken the Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder, Lin Mordred paled slightly, ultimately left without any means potent enough to threaten the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation.

After merely a few moments, the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation enveloped the two Second Rank High Grade Magical Tool and incinerated them. The sky-filling Separated Flame [a potent, soul-scorching spiritual fire] scorched the two magical tools until their radiance dimmed. Bereft of light, they plummeted to the earth.

Having lost his two Second Rank High Grade Magical Tool, Lin Mordred was like a tiger with its fangs pulled, even less of a match for Chen Thalion.

The Old Patriarch laughed heartily. Channeling the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation, he swept it forward once more—this time, it engulfed Lin Mordred himself.

No matter how extraordinary the power of the Kunwu Earth-Fortress Bell [a legendary bell artifact renowned for its supreme defensive capabilities], it could not withstand the overwhelming Separated Flame of the formation. In less than a quarter of an hour, Lin Mordred's mana was nearly depleted.

With no other recourse, he could only plead for mercy beneath the dimming radiance of his Life-Bound Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact bound to its user's life force and cultivation base], saying, "Fellow Daoist Chen's cultivation is profound. This old man admits inferiority."

"Please, withdraw your treasure."

"Haha, you honor me too much."

Old Patriarch let out a hearty laugh. With a sweep of his wide sleeve, the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation Flags [a set of enchanted banners that power a soul-scorching flame formation] swept Lin Mordred up and flung him to the ground.

A flicker of venomous resentment passed through Lin Mordred's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, his expression stiff as he forced out the words.

"Your treasure is formidable, fellow Daoist. This old man is no match."

"However, the Chen Clan lacks a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the second major realm of cultivation]. I fear you may still not prevail in this Sword Contest."

"It is too early for such pronouncements." Chen Thalion flicked his long sleeve. "The final outcome must be decided on the field of contest."

Both men returned to their respective sides. Old Patriarch glanced at Eldrin Chen, his expression grave as he asked.

"Are you confident?"

Eldrin Chen nodded with confidence. "Rest assured," he declared, "as long as it is not a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators [cultivators who have reached the advanced stages of the Foundation Establishment realm], I can hold my own in a fight."

"This time, the Lin Clan has come prepared. You must not let your guard down."

The Old Patriarch advised earnestly, his tone grave. After a moment, he sighed. "It is a pity we lack sufficient Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. Otherwise, your Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss could have advanced to the Second Rank Middle Grade [a mid-tier classification for second-rank magical treasures]. This battle would have been far easier."

On the other side, Lin Mordred landed beside his clansmen, his face ashen with fury.

Seeing his expression, Lin Lysander stepped forward to console him. "Do not be angered, Clan Patriarch. This outcome was within our expectations."

"With that old cur in their ranks, the Chen Clan now possesses the qualifications to supplant us," Lin Mordred said icily, his gaze fixed on Lin Lysander. He lowered his voice to a secretive whisper, "I specifically entrusted that item to you. Do not disappoint me." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel-dot-com.

"Have no fear, Clan Patriarch," Lin Lysander replied with a firm nod. "I will certainly defeat that whelp from the Chen family in this duel."

"Not merely defeat," Lin Mordred countered, a flicker of murderous intent in his eyes as he continued the covert communication. "In a sword duel, techniques and magical treasures are blind."

"If someone were to be injured, leaving a wound that damages their cultivation foundation... would that not be within the realm of possibility?"

Hearing this, a faint, cold smile touched Lin Lysander's lips. "I understand."

After a brief exchange, the second duel was about to commence.

The cultivators of the Chen Clan were acutely aware that Chen Elara and Lior Chen had only recently achieved Foundation Establishment. Their True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator] and magical treasures were still relatively weak, offering little chance of victory against a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Lin Clan.

Therefore, the Chen Immortal Clan harbored no intention of fighting a third match. By having Eldrin Chen step forward directly, their aim was to decisively defeat their opponent in one fell swoop, securing consecutive victories and supplanting the Lin Clan.

The Lin Clan understood this perfectly. They knew that defeating the self-made Foundation Establishment cultivator Eldrin Chen would make the third match almost a certainty. Thus, they dispatched Lin Lysander.

This Lin Lysander was a rising star of the Lin Clan. Though his seniority and age were less than Lin Morwen's, his cultivation surpassed him, having reached the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer.

This level of cultivation alone was in no way inferior to the former patriarch of the Zuo Clan, Zuo Mingxu.

The two soared into the sky. Lin Lysander looked at Eldrin Chen with a confident smile and declared, "Fellow Daoist Chen, though you achieved Foundation Establishment through your own efforts, your cultivation is merely at the Foundation Establishment First Layer. You stand no chance against me."

"My Law Sword [a sword imbued with Daoist principles and spiritual power] shows no mercy. To spare you grievous injury, I suggest you concede now."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. He replied with an impassive tone, "Thank you for your concern, fellow Daoist. My skills are indeed lacking. If I inadvertently harm you, I beg your forgiveness in advance."

"Then let us begin."

As soon as Lin Lysander finished speaking, he abruptly summoned and unleashed a flying sword towards his foe. The sword radiated a pale cyan sword radiance; it was actually a Second Rank Middle Grade flying sword.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered, and he met the attack with the Mingxu Sword. This sword, originally named the Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword, was the very that had made Zuo Mingxu famous.

Forged from two rare —Millennium Cold Iron and Sunflower Water Essence—and refined with the essences of Sunflower Water and Dual Metallic Essence Qi, its power was not the slightest bit inferior to the Old Patriarch's Crimson Flame Spirit Blade.

This was the greatest advantage of possessing Five Spiritual Roots: one could unleash the full potential of flying swords and magical treasures of all five elemental attributes.

Now that this flying sword was in Eldrin Chen's hands, although it could not match the awe-inspiring prowess it had under Zuo Mingxu, it still ranked among the finest of Second Rank Middle Grade flying swords. It clashed fiercely with Lin Lysander's Verdant Radiance Flying Sword, neither gaining a clear upper hand.

Lin Lysander was not surprised. He understood clearly that a single Second Rank Middle Grade flying sword alone could not possibly subdue Eldrin Chen.

Therefore, with a flick of his wrist, he released a streak of silvery light. Eldrin Chen focused his gaze and saw that the light was, in fact, a slender, needle-like . For more chapters, visit audio novel.com for the complete novel.