Chapter 70 : The Blade Against the Barrier

"Boom—"

With a mere flick of his hand, Remaining Years Zuo unleashed a Second Rank magical blade, striking at the Spirit Lake Isle. The attack was blocked by the watery light barrier, yet it still sent visible ripples cascading across its surface.

Seeing his strike blocked by the formation, the white-haired elder's expression shifted abruptly, his brow furrowing in surprise. "A Second Rank Mid-Grade Formation [a defensive array of considerable power, capable of withstanding attacks from mid-level Foundation Establishment cultivators]," he muttered under his breath.

In that single moment, a flicker of retreat stirred within Remaining Years Zuo's heart. The might of a Second Rank Mid-Grade Formation was formidable. If it were being controlled by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation, a significant step above Qi Refinement], it could very well pose a lethal threat to him.

However, his gaze quickly fell upon the figure within the Spirit Lake Isle who was channeling the formation's power—it was the gaunt and withered form of Eternal Spread Chen.

"Of course," he thought, a cold smirk touching his lips. "That Eldrin Chen must have fallen for my decoy tactic. Only this old relic remains here."

"A creature already halfway into the grave, and yet he dares stand in my way?"

Remaining Years Zuo let out a derisive snort. With a surge of spiritual energy, he commanded his war blade to transform into a brilliant arc of slicing light, descending upon the island once more.

This blade was named the Venus Severing Dust Blade [the Blade that Severs Mortal Dust, named after the Evening Star], the Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact intimately bound to a cultivator's life force and cultivation] of Remaining Years Zuo and the sole Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure [a top-tier artifact for the Foundation Establishment realm] in his possession.

The Venus Severing Dust Blade was one of the three most powerful Lifebound Magical Treasure within the Verdant Sun Sect. Its forging required a rare spiritual material known as 'VenusAcrid Metal' [a metallic essence associated with the corrosive, purifying aspect of the Evening Star] to form the blade's core, which was then fused with Essence of Metallic Gold [a purified spiritual extract embodying the unyielding and sharp properties of metal]. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel dot com.

By refining the Yin aspect of Acrid Metal [a sharp, cutting metallic essence associated with the Yin principle] with the Yang aspect of Metallic Gold [a pure, unyielding metallic essence associated with the Yang principle], and tempering it thus for thirty-six days until a state of Polarity Balance [a perfect equilibrium between opposing Yin and Yang forces] is achieved, only then can such a supreme Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to its creator's life force and soul] be forged.

In terms of offensive power, this treasure, while not matching the caliber of supreme Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal-grade power and refinement] like the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword or the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, surpasses even Lifebound Magical Treasure such as the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade. It could perhaps be considered a treasure of the middle grade.

It is said that even the Golden Core Patriarch [a patriarch who has formed a Golden Core, the third major stage of cultivation] of the Verdant Sun Sect, True Person Xu, possesses a Lifebound Magical Treasure of this type—the Venus Severing Dust Blade. This attests to the blade's truly Extraordinary [possessing remarkable and uncommon qualities] nature.

Now, personally wielded by Remaining Years Zuo, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment 8th Tier [the eighth minor stage within 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 was truly awe-inspiring.

The overwhelming radiance of the Heavenly Blade [a blade of celestial-grade power] descended, its dazzling edge crashing against the Island Protection Grand Formation [a grand defensive array protecting an island], unleashing a violent surge of energy.

On Lake Heart Island, Old Granduncle's face flushed crimson as he forcefully channeled his spiritual power to operate the formation, barely managing to withstand this blow.

"Fortunately, Metal generates Water," he thought, his mind racing. "The water-element formation of this Spirit Lake Isle [an isle imbued with spiritual energy from a lake] has some restraining effect against the Venus Severing Dust Blade. Otherwise, that last strike might have broken through."

"Although he attacks the Impenetrable [an ability or formation renowned for its near-absolute defense] formation, with my current Vital Energy [the foundational life force and spiritual energy of a cultivator], I fear I cannot hold out for long."

Old Granduncle's face paled. While operating the Island Protection Grand Formation did not overly drain the presiding cultivator, he was merely a Vital Essence Refinement [the first major stage of cultivation, focusing on refining one's vital essence] cultivator. Moreover, he was a Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final minor stage of the Vital Essence Refinement realm] cultivator whose True Essence [the purified and condensed form of a cultivator's foundational energy] was already beginning to wane.

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

Unless he were to desperately push himself to the absolute limit, draining every last drop of his Vital Energy [the foundational life force cultivated by practitioners], he might have a chance to continue stabilizing the formation.

"Perhaps, this is simply fate!"

At this critical juncture between life and death, Eternal Spread Chen straightened his robes, his demeanor carrying a touch of composure and resolve.

His gaze fixed upon the distant Remaining Years Zuo, he continued to operate the formation, once again channeling its power to its maximum potential.

After attacking relentlessly for a full day and night, and seeing that the Impenetrable [a defensive formation or barrier of exceptional resilience] formation still held firm under Eternal Spread Chen's defense, Remaining Years Zuo's face paled slightly.

"You old fool, you are truly ruthless! Half-buried in the earth already, yet you still dare to block my path?"

His own True Essence [the refined and potent energy cultivated by advanced practitioners] was severely depleted. He could only swallow a recovery pill, restoring his spiritual power while speaking with a grudging note of respect.

Across the way, within Spirit Isle Lake, Old Granduncle sat cross-legged on the ground, his form withered and his complexion deathly pale.

By this point, Eternal Spread Chen's Vital Energy was nearly exhausted. His Vitality [the essential life force and vigor of a living being] had dried up; he was now merely clinging to his last breath by sheer force of will.

Yet, in his final moments, Old Granduncle was exceptionally calm. He looked at Remaining Years Zuo and suddenly let out a loud, defiant laugh.

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

"I can die without regrets!"

"To hold me off for an entire day, you have indeed earned the right to be proud." Remaining Years Zuo revealed a rare flicker of mutual respect. After sensing a slight recovery in his Vital Energy [the foundational life force cultivated by practitioners], he continued: "But your lamp is nearly out of oil. How much longer can you last?"

As his words fell, his pupils suddenly dilated. From the distant Heavenly Vault, several brilliant streaks of sword light cleaved through the sky, racing towards them.

"The Chen Clan reacted this quickly?"

"We are currently attacking the Impenetrable [a powerful defensive formation] protecting Spirit Isle Lake, and now the Chen Clan's reinforcements have arrived. If we don't leave now, we may never get the chance." Experience the full epic at audio-novel dot com.

Remaining Years Zuo's expression shifted dramatically. With one last glance at Spirit Isle Lake, his resolve to retreat solidified. Seeing the sword lights drawing ever nearer, he made a decisive choice and prepared to disengage.

At the same moment, within Spirit Isle Lake, Eternal Spread Chen's eyes snapped open. He suddenly raised his voice, declaring loudly.

"Old cur! If I let you leave today, you will surely become a festering thorn in the side of my Chen Clan."

"You have besieged me for a day. Now, taste my sword in return!"

As his words fell, he expelled the final wisp of his Vital Essence Blood [the lifeblood essence of a cultivator, often used in powerful sacrificial techniques], forcibly extracting a strand of Vital Energy [the fundamental life force energy within a living being]. With a resonant *clang*, he activated the Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword.

The dazzling sword radiance soared into the sky, unleashing a peerless, overwhelming sharpness. This was Eternal Spread Chen's final, desperate strike, fueled by the exhaustion of his latent potential. Guided by an indomitable will, the sword erupted with world-shaking power the moment it was unleashed.

Caught off guard, Remaining Years Zuo's expression changed drastically. He had no choice but to hastily channel his Venus Severing Dust Blade to block.

Having transformed into a Formation Artifact [a magical treasure that serves as the core or key component of a formation], the Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword gathered the Water Essence Power [the concentrated power of water element spiritual essence] from Spirit Isle Lake, unleashing a truly terrifying might. Even a Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Foundation Establishment realm] cultivator would not dare to face it head-on.

Although Remaining Years Zuo was powerful, attempting to single-handedly oppose a grand formation built upon an Earth Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated earth element spiritual energy within the land] was still somewhat beyond his capability.

The sword radiance from the Bright Abyss Ethereal Spirit Sword surged forth like a celestial river flowing backwards, its unstoppable force sweeping across heaven and earth. It sent the Venus Severing Dust Blade flying away with a mighty impact.

As the remaining sword light continued its relentless descent, Remaining Years Zuo was forced to summon a Treasure Seal [a seal-shaped magical treasure] for defense. This particular Treasure Seal was a versatile Second Rank Mid-Grade [mid-grade within the Second Rank] magical artifact, capable of both offense and defense. By projecting a defensive barrier, it barely managed to withstand the blow.

However, this delay of mere moments was all the time the other two needed to close the distance.

Eternal Profound Chen, possessing the highest cultivation base, moved the fastest. He directly summoned his Crimson Flame Spirit Blade and slashed. A wave of searing Crimson Flame [a divine ability manifesting as intense crimson flames] blade energy swept forth, aiming straight for Remaining Years Zuo's head.

At this life-or-death juncture, Remaining Years Zuo erupted with his ultimate latent potential. He commanded the Treasure Seal to block the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, then attempted to flee by mounting his Venus Severing Dust Blade.

Yet he had barely fled a hundred Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] when a brilliant azure sword radiance cleaved towards him, clashing directly with the Venus Severing Dust Blade. It was Eldrin Chen who had pursued him, wielding the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword to block his path.

"Disastrous!"

Seeing his escape cut off, Remaining Years Zuo's expression shifted drastically. In desperation, he summoned another Glazed Crystal Shortsword and hurled it at Eldrin Chen, hoping to seize an opening to break through.

This was a Second Rank Mid-Grade Spell Sword [an enchanted blade activated by incantations and spiritual power]. When channeled by Remaining Years Zuo's cultivation base, its power was enough to give even a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator pause.

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

The Old Patriarch channeled his spiritual power once more. The Crimson Flame Spirit Blade transformed into a crimson streak, slashing forth to engage the Glazed Crystal Shortsword in fierce combat.

Not stopping there, he also unleashed the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Banners [a set of enchanted banners that can trap and burn an opponent's soul with solar fire], instantly ensnaring the Venus Severing Dust Blade within their formation.

With his two primary offensive magical implements now subdued, Remaining Years Zuo was rapidly approaching his end. He could only rely on a single Second Rank Mid-Grade defensive artifact to shield himself as he desperately tried to flee. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel[dot]com.