Chapter 70 : The Blade Against the Barrier

"Boom—"

With a mere gesture, Zuo Yuannian unleashed a Second Rank magical blade against Spirit Lake Isle. Blocked by the watery radiance barrier, the strike sent visible ripples across its surface.

Seeing his first blow thwarted by the formation, the white-haired elder's expression shifted abruptly, a frown creasing his brow. "A Second Rank Middle Grade formation," he muttered, his voice laced with surprise.

In that single moment, a flicker of retreat crossed Zuo Yuannian's mind. The power of a Second Rank Middle Grade formation was formidable. If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their foundation in the Dao] were at its helm, it could very well spell his doom.

Yet, his gaze quickly fell upon the figure within Spirit Lake Isle who was powering the formation—the gaunt and withered Chen Dorian.

"Of course," he sneered inwardly. "That Eldrin Chen must have fallen for my decoy. Only this old relic remains here."

"A creature halfway into the grave dares to stand in my way?"

Zuo Yuannian let out a cold laugh. With a thought, he commanded his war blade, transforming it into a crescent of razor-sharp light that cleaved downward.

This blade was named the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade, Zuo Yuannian's own Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact intimately connected to its wielder's life force and cultivation] and the sole Second Rank High Grade Magical Tool in his possession.

The White Metal Dust-Severing Blade was one of the three mightiest Life-Bound Magical Treasure of the Green Sun Sect. Its forging required a blade embryo crafted from the rare heavenly material 'White Metal Refined Gold' [a supremely sharp and resilient metallic essence], later infused with Metallic Essence Qi [the pure, unyielding spiritual energy of the Metal element]. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at www . audio-novel.com.

It is forged by tempering Yin's Refined Gold with Yang's Metallic Essence [the purest metallic spiritual energy]. After thirty-six days of such arduous refinement, achieving a state of Yin-Yang equilibrium, such a supreme Lifebound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's personally forged and soul-bound enchanted artifact] can be completed.

In terms of offensive power, while this treasure does not match the caliber of superior immortal swords like the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword or the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, it surpasses Lifebound Magical Treasure such as the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade. It could perhaps be ranked among mid-grade treasures.

It is said that even the Golden Core Ancestor [a supreme cultivator who has formed a Golden Core] of the Green Sun Sect, Xu the True Person, wields the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade as his Lifebound Magical Treasure, a testament to this blade's extraordinary nature.

Now, personally channeled by Zuo Yuannian, who was at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer [the eighth stage of the Foundation Establishment realm], this magical treasure erupted with a blade radiance over eight Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] long, its might truly terrifying to behold.

The overwhelming blade radiance descended, its dazzling edge crashing against the Island Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array protecting the island], triggering a violent surge of energy.

On Lake Heart Island at that moment, Old Granduncle's face flushed crimson as he strained to channel his spiritual power, barely maintaining the formation to block this strike.

"Fortunately, Metal begets Water. The Water-aligned nature of the Lake Heart Island's Water Element Formation [a defensive formation harnessing water-element energy] somewhat counters the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade. Otherwise, that last blow might not have been held back."

"However, even if he cannot breach the formation, with my True Qi [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner], I fear I cannot hold out for long."

Old Granduncle's face paled. While operating the Island Guardian Grand Formation did not overly drain the presiding cultivator, he was merely a Qi Refinement Cultivators [a cultivator in the initial stage of refining their Qi], and one whose True Essence [a more refined and potent form of spiritual energy] was already waning, despite being at the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the ninth and penultimate stage of Qi Refinement].

With his level of cultivation, he could neither unleash the formation's full potential nor sustain its operation for an extended period.

Unless he expended his life force in a desperate surge, draining every last drop of his True Qi [the refined energy cultivated within a practitioner's body], he might barely manage to stabilize the formation once more.

"Perhaps... this is simply fate!"

At this critical juncture between life and death, Chen Dorian straightened his robes, his demeanor composed and resolute.

His gaze fixed upon the distant Zuo Yuannian as he continued to channel energy into the formation, pushing its defensive power to its absolute limit once again.

They had assaulted the formation for a full day and night. Seeing that it still held firm against Chen Dorian's desperate defense, a pallor of exhaustion washed over Zuo Yuannian's face.

"You old fool, you are truly ruthless! Half-buried in the earth already, yet you dare stand in my way?"

His own True Essence [the purified, foundational energy core of a cultivator] was severely depleted. He could only swallow a recovery pill, regaining his strength while voicing a grudging admiration.

Within the Spirit Isle Lake opposite him, Old Granduncle sat cross-legged on the ground, his form withered and his complexion deathly pale.

By now, Chen Dorian's True Qi [the refined energy cultivated within a practitioner's body] was nearly exhausted. His vital energies had dried up; he was clinging to life by sheer force of will alone.

Yet, in his final moments, Old Granduncle remained remarkably serene. He looked at Zuo Yuannian and suddenly let out a booming laugh.

"This old man has lived for one hundred and eighteen years. Never did I imagine that on the eve of my demise, I would still have the chance to cross blades with a cultivator of the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage."

"I can depart this life without a single regret!"

"To have held me off for a full day, you have indeed earned the right to be proud." Zuo Yuannian revealed a rare flicker of mutual respect. Sensing that his True Qi [the refined energy cultivated by practitioners of the Dao] had recovered somewhat, he continued, "But your lamp is nearly out of oil, your flame about to gutter. How much longer can you possibly hold on?"

As his words fell, his pupils suddenly dilated. In the distant heavens, several streaks of dazzling sword-light cleaved through the sky, racing toward them.

"The Chen Clan reacted this swiftly?"

"We cannot breach Spirit Isle Lake now, and the Chen Clan's reinforcements are upon us. If we do not leave immediately, escape may become impossible." Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel*com.

Zuo Yuannian's expression shifted abruptly. With one final glance at Spirit Isle Lake, his resolve to retreat solidified. As the sword-light drew ever nearer, he made a decisive choice and prepared to disengage.

At the same moment, from within Spirit Isle Lake, Chen Dorian's eyes snapped open. He suddenly raised his voice in a long cry.

"You old cur! Letting you slip away now would surely plant a dagger at the heart of my Chen Clan for years to come."

"You have assailed us for a day. Now, taste a sword-strike of mine in return!"

As his words fell, he expelled the final wisp of Lifebound Essence Blood [the vital blood essence bound to one's life force and cultivation base] from his body, forcibly extracting a strand of True Qi [the refined energy cultivated and circulated by a practitioner]. With a resonant *clang*, he activated the Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword.

A dazzling sword radiance soared into the sky, unleashing a peerless, overwhelming sharpness. This was Chen Dorian's final, desperate strike, fueled by the exhaustion of his very potential. Driven by an indomitable conviction, he commanded the sword, its initial release already possessing world-shaking power.

Caught off guard, Zuo Yuannian's expression changed abruptly. He had no choice but to hastily channel his White Metal Dust-Severing Blade to block.

After being transformed into a formation's core artifact, the Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword gathered the water-element power of Spirit Isle Lake, unleashing a truly terrifying might. Even Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators would not dare to receive such a blow head-on.

Although Zuo Yuannian was powerful, attempting to single-handedly oppose a grand formation constructed upon the veins of the land was still somewhat beyond his capability.

The sword radiance manifested by the Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword surged forth like a celestial river flowing backwards against the current, its unstoppable force sweeping across heaven and earth. It sent the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade flying away with a resounding clash.

As the remaining sword light continued its lethal descent, Zuo Yuannian was forced to activate a treasure seal for defense. This seal was a Second Rank Middle Grade [refers to the quality grade of a cultivation resource or artifact] magical tool adept at both offense and defense. By deploying a defensive light barrier, he barely managed to withstand the strike.

Yet, this momentary delay of a few breaths was all the opportunity the other two needed to close in.

Chen Thalion, possessing the highest cultivation and thus the greatest speed, was the first to arrive. He directly summoned his Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, its slash unleashing a boiling wave of Crimson Flame Qi [the essence of crimson flame energy]. The searing blade radiance swept forth, aiming straight for Zuo Yuannian's head.

At this life-or-death juncture, Zuo Yuannian erupted with his utmost latent potential. He commanded the treasure seal to block the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, then attempted to mount his White Metal Dust-Severing Blade and flee.

Yet he had barely fled a hundred Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] when a brilliant azure sword radiance cleaved towards him head-on. It clashed directly with the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade, for it was Eldrin Chen who had pursued closely behind, driving his Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss to intercept the foe's escape.

"Disastrous!"

Seeing his path blocked, Zuo Yuannian's countenance shifted abruptly. In his desperate urgency, he summoned forth another Law Sword—this one crafted of glazed crystal—and hurled it at Eldrin Chen, hoping to seize the moment and break through.

This was a Second Rank Middle Grade [a mid-tier magical tool] Law Sword [a sword-type magical tool]. When powered by Zuo Yuannian's cultivation, its force was potent enough to give even Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators [cultivators at the advanced stage of the Foundation Establishment realm] pause.

In a one-on-one duel, these few magical tools alone would have forced Eldrin Chen to proceed with utmost caution. However, Eldrin Chen was not fighting alone this day.

The Old Patriarch channeled his mana once more. The Crimson Flame Spirit Blade transformed into a streak of crimson radiance as it slashed forth, engaging the glazed crystal sword in a fierce duel.

Not content with that, he also unleashed the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Banner, instantly ensnaring the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade within the formation's grasp.

With his two primary offensive tools thus neutralized, Zuo Yuannian was rapidly approaching his end. He was left relying solely on a single Second Rank Middle Grade defensive magical tool to shield his frantic flight. Experience the full epic at audio novel.com.