Chapter 108 : Blazing Thunder Sword

This time, the Chen Clan had practically emptied their nest. To prevent information leaks and their base being raided, even these 18 high-ranking clan members had no idea what they were about to undertake.

To end the battle swiftly, Eldrin and the other 3 Foundation Establishment cultivators disregarded the immense drain on their true essence. Each wielded their swords to carry 4 or 5 fellow cultivators, soaring across the 100-1000-li expanse of the Untamed Wilds.

In just 4 or 5 days, the group arrived 3 100 miles from the ancient cultivator's cave abode.

The group descended on their sword glows, and only then did the old clan leader reveal the purpose of their journey. Learning they were to confront a Zifu-level demonic beast, a wave of trepidation swept through the party.

Chen Nian Yong trembled with fear, his face etched with bitterness as he pleaded, "Elder Uncle, a Purple Mansion-level demonic beast could extinguish us with a single breath! For cultivators of our level to venture into such a place—are we not seeking our own demise?"

"Rest assured, the vanguard for this mission consists of me and the clan leader."

Eldrin spoke, pausing briefly before continuing, "All you need to do is activate the formation flags and provide Qi support for Uncle Lior and Seraphina."

Chapter 16 Eldest Uncle Chen Changlu smacked Chen Nianyong’s head and said sternly, “All these years, the clan has paid you your stipend precisely so that you would stand and fight for the family when the day came. Don’t tell me you’re thinking of running for your life?”

"How could that be." Chen Nianyong scratched his head with an awkward laugh. "I'm just afraid of pointless sacrifice."

Everyone exchanged awkward smiles. If Chen Changlu, already 90-7 years of age, dared to join the battle, they certainly would not shrink back.

After all, with the protective formation in place, they would remain relatively safe as long as the formation remained unbroken.

Seeing a glimmer of fighting spirit in everyone's eyes, Lior breathed a sigh of relief. He distributed the formation flags and had the group run through a practice drill.

The clan cultivators had all trained in the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation, so they quickly grew accustomed to the kindred Blazing Sun Divine Fire Formation.

The group did not press forward that night. Instead, they rested where they were, replenishing their true essence before proceeding toward Yang Yuanqing’s cave abode.

The group advanced cautiously under cover, stealthily making their way forward. It seemed that due to the severe injuries it had sustained, the Thunderwing Demonic Roc’s spiritual sense had been greatly impaired. It did not detect them until they had closed within 5 li.

Boom—

A deafening roar echoed as the Thunderwing Demonic Roc shattered the ancient cultivator's abode, bursting forth from the mountain depths to flee into the distant horizon.

Fortunately, everyone had long been prepared. The old clan leader was the first to strike, his Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spiritual blade transforming into a blade radiance stretching over 80 feet that tore through the sky as it slashed forward.

As the life-bound magical treasure of a ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) Spirit Blade's power surpassed that of peer-grade artifacts by over 30 percent—already sufficient to inflict wounds upon a Purple Mansion demonic beast.

The Thunderstorm Roc chose not to meet the attack head-on. Instead, it beat its wings and swerved, attempting to flee in another direction.

But a brilliant azure sword light soared into the sky, directly blocking the path of the Purple Palace Demon Roc. As a superior life-bound immortal sword, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss possessed 30% greater power than the Crimson Flame Qi spirit blade, even possessing the capability to severely injure the Thunder Roc.

Ahead lay the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), while behind him surged the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade. The Thunderwing Demonic Roc had no time to change course, forced to summon a thunderous spell in retaliation.

After all, it was a Zi Palace-level demonic beast. Though it was merely activating an innate spell rather than a divine ability, the power unleashed was anything but ordinary. A serpent of lightning descended, actually managing to block the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure).

Seeing the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss blocked, the Purple Palace Demon Roc beat its wings once more in a desperate bid to escape. Eldrin’s eyes narrowed as he summoned the Gengjin Divine Thunder, striking down from above.

Boom—

A thunderclap roared as the Eldritch Gold Divine Thunder transformed into a bolt of 9 heavens lightning, striking down. The Pure Yang Divine Thunder technique possessed an innate, unparalleled swiftness—so swift that even the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast) could not evade it in time.

Eldrin's mana was now as profound and sharp as that of an eighth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the power he could unleash with this divine ability was already potent enough to pose a threat to a Purple Mansion demon beast.

The Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast), now gravely wounded, dared not meet this technique with its bare flesh. Forced into a corner, it could only summon its protective aura to block the strike before beating its wings once more, fleeing deeper into the distant void.

"Don't let it get away."

Seeing the demonic roc still attempting to flee, Chen Changxuan couldn't help but shout angrily. The fact that this Purple Palace Demon Roc deliberately avoided him—a Foundation Establishment, Peak Stage cultivator—actually made it somewhat difficult for him to keep pace.

Fortunately, at that very moment, Third Elder and the others finally caught up. They saw Lior (Person Name) activate the Blazing Sun Divine Fire Array, summoning the Li Fire Lockheart Spike (Magic Treasure).

This Solarfire Heart-Piercer Spike had gathered the power of the Solarflare Divine Fire Array, its might already astonishingly formidable. Surprisingly, it surpassed the power of Eldrin's Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss by a full 50 percent.

Suddenly, it burst forth with a dazzling conical radiance spanning a dozen or so zhang, piercing straight toward the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast), leaving the creature with no room to evade.

This strike caught the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast) completely off guard. Though it relied on its protective aura to block most of the attack's power, the Li Fire Lockheart Spike still sent it staggering back a 1000 feet, finally forcing it to a halt.

Moreover, after successively blocking the Eldritch Gold Divine Thunder and the Li Fire Lockheart Spike, its protective aegis had been shattered. For the time being, at least, this spell could no longer serve any significant purpose.

Seizing the opportunity, the crowd surged forward. Only then did they notice a massive wound on the abdomen of the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast), where faint golden flames flickered and devoured its flesh.

"There are still remnants of the Western Metal Fire. It was struck by the Golden Lion Mastiff’s Western Metal Fire divine ability."

"No wonder it chose to flee rather than face us in battle."

Eldrin glanced at the demonic roc's injuries, and this thought instantly flashed through his mind.

The Western Extreme Metal Fire was the innate divine ability of the Golden Lion Mastiff. This power was exceptionally formidable—once it severely wounded an opponent, it would seep into their wounds and meridians, ceaselessly tempering their flesh and blood day and night, making it extremely difficult to eradicate.

Even with the formidable cultivation of the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast), it had long been reduced to extreme weakness after enduring day and night refinement by this primordial flame. Not only had its strength diminished by 50 to 60 percent, but it also remained trapped in perpetual agony.

"Screech—"

After all, it was a Purple Palace Demon Roc. Even severely wounded, it retained its imposing dignity. Seeing the crowd closing in, a cold glint flashed in the beast's eyes. Resolving to suppress its injuries, it decided to end this battle swiftly.

Suddenly, it gaped its maw and unleashed a blade-light crackling with thunder, which soared into the air and slashed toward Eldrin.

"Damn, it's the Thunderfire Sword of the Blazing Abyss!"

The old clan leader, a man of vast experience, immediately paled with astonishment.

It turned out that the Thunderfire Sword possessed a remarkable origin—it was the exclusive life-bound magical treasure of the Yang Clan, a noble immortal lineage from the Lingjun Purple Manor. A century ago, Yang Yonglu, the revered patriarch of the Yang Clan’s Purple Manor, had forged this very life-bound immortal sword and relied on its power to dominate the frontier realms unchallenged.

80-5 years ago, the Beast Tide Rebellion erupted. Even the Verdant Sun Sect lost 2 of its Zifu Ancestors in the conflict, while the Zifu immortal clans across the 2 provinces of Qingyang suffered devastating casualties. As for the Border Provinces—those stepchild lands—it was inevitable they too would bear their share of losses.

The Elder Yang Yonglu fell in battle during the Beast Tide, and thus the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss was lost. Who could have imagined it would end up in the claws of the Thunder Roc clan?

Chapter 1 The Azure Cloud Sect's recruitment ceremony had reached its final day. At the foot of the mountain, a young man in blue robes stood silently, his gaze fixed on the towering stone monument etched with the 3 ancient characters—"Azure Cloud Sect." His eyes burned with unwavering determination. "Lin Ming, Bone Age: 16 years. Cultivation Base: First Layer of Body Tempering. Assessment Result:... Failed!" The elder's emotionless voice echoed across the square, followed by waves of mocking laughter and disdainful glances. "Tch, I thought he was some prodigy, daring to challenge the inner sect examination with just First Layer Body Tempering cultivation?" "Exactly. Doesn't he know that even Third Layer Body Tempering disciples might not pass?" "Probably some country bumpkin who doesn't know his place." Lin Ming completely ignored the sarcastic remarks around him. He slowly retracted his palm from the Testing Stone, his expression calm as still water. No 1 noticed that when his palm touched the Testing Stone, a faint, almost imperceptible golden light flashed within the stone before vanishing instantly. "Next candidate, Zhao Tian!" The elder's voice rang out again. A youth in brocade robes stepped forward arrogantly, deliberately bumping into Lin Ming's shoulder as he passed. "Trash should stay where they belong." Lin Ming merely glanced at him indifferently, then turned and walked toward the corner of the square. 6 years. He had been transmigrated to this cultivation world for 6 years. As an orphan from a mortal family, he possessed the lowest-grade spiritual roots and should have had no connection to the path of immortality. But 3 days ago, while exploring a forbidden area, he accidentally obtained a mysterious golden fragment. Since then, he discovered that his cultivation speed had increased severalfold, and, more importantly, he could vaguely sense the spiritual energy fluctuations between heaven and earth. "This golden fragment must be an extraordinary treasure." Lin Ming murmured to himself, his fingers unconsciously brushing over the simple bronze ring on his hand—the very ring that had brought him to this world. Suddenly, a clear and cold voice sounded from behind. "You are Lin Ming?" He turned around and saw a woman in white robes standing there. Her features were exquisite and flawless, her temperament as cold and remote as an isolated peak, her eyes as deep as the starry sky. The crowd instantly erupted. "It's Senior Sister Mu Bingyun!" "The number 1 beauty of our Azure Cloud Sect, a prodigy who reached Foundation Establishment at just 18!" "Why would Senior Sister Mu take the initiative to speak to that trash?" Mu Bingyun completely ignored the surrounding discussions. Her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed as she scrutinized Lin Ming. "You have something special about you." Lin Ming's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. "Senior Sister must be joking. With my mediocre talent, how could I be special?" A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Mu Bingyun's lips. She gently waved her jade-like hand, and a jade slip flew toward Lin Ming. "The outer sect is still short of a few handyman disciples. If you're willing, report to the Assignment Hall tomorrow." After saying this, she turned into a streak of light and disappeared into the clouds. The crowd was in an uproar. Handyman disciple! Although it was the lowest position in the sect, it was still an official disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect, entitled to monthly spirit stones and cultivation resources! This kid had actually caught Senior Sister Mu's eye? Lin Ming clutched the jade slip tightly, a flicker of determination flashing deep within his eyes. He knew this was his opportunity, the chance he had been waiting for 6 years. "Just you wait. 1 day, I, Lin Ming, will surely stand at the pinnacle of this cultivation world." He raised his head and looked toward the distant mountains, where several sword lights streaked across the sky, stirring up rolling clouds. The path of immortality was treacherous, but he was determined to walk it to the end. Little did he know that far away in the main peak's hall, Mu Bingyun was standing before an old Taoist, frowning slightly. "Master, are you sure that kid is the 1 mentioned in the prophecy?" The old Taoist smiled faintly, a profound glint in his eyes. "The celestial mechanism is unpredictable. Since the heavens have given us a chance, we might as well... give him a push."