Chapter 71 The Dao Seeker in the Mundane World

Unfortunately, the previous assault on Spirit Lake Isle had drained him too greatly. His spiritual power was now somewhat insufficient, preventing him from unleashing the treasure's full might.

Seeing the moment had arrived, Eldrin once again channeled his energy into the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, unleashing a decisive slash.

Ever since the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) advanced to the mid-grade of the second rank, its power had greatly increased. Now, as Eldrin (Person Name) unleashed a single strike, it transformed into a 60-foot sword radiance that descended and, in a single clash, shattered the luminous barrier upheld by the treasure seal.

Then Eldrin raised his hand and summoned the Green Ape Pearl. As the treasure descended with a thunderous force, it carried the terrifying momentum of a collapsing mountain.

At this moment, Zuo Yunnian's defensive magical instrument had been shattered, and his spiritual power was nearly depleted. Facing the Green Ape Pearl (Magic Treasure), he found himself with almost no room to evade, utterly incapable of escape.

At this life-or-death moment, Zuo Yunian abandoned all thoughts of escape. His gaze fixed intently on Eldrin as a murderous aura surged from his very core.

"Let us perish together."

No sooner had the words fallen than he forcibly spurred a mouthful of his vital essence blood, wringing out his own true qi, and unleashed yet another divine ability.

A streak of white light flashed, sudden as a clap of thunder on a clear day, and the heavens and earth echoed with a mighty peal of thunder.

"Look out, it's the Gengjin Divine Thunder!"

Eldrin's pupils abruptly contracted, revealing a flicker of astonishment.

Among the 5 Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunders, the Gengjin and Binghuo variants possessed the greatest destructive power. At this moment, Zuo Yuannian (Person Name) at the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) unleashed a desperate strike—a single blinding arc of thunder descended from the heavens like a celestial spear.

Zuo Younian’s desperate strike was 1 that completely disregarded his own peril, determined to drag Eldrin down with him even at the cost of his life.

As the saying goes, swift as lightning—thus 1 can imagine the speed of the Gengjin Divine Thunder. When the thunderbolt struck, even the Old Clan Leader blocking the other end was caught off guard, unable to intervene in time.

At the critical moment, Eldrin could only activate the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss to block the strike. He watched as his lifebound immortal sword was violently repelled, its radiance dimming as it flew backward.

The Radiance of that Eldrin Divine Thunder had dimmed considerably, its power greatly diminished, yet its momentum remained unbroken as it continued to strike forth.

But that fleeting moment of obstruction was enough. Eldrin poured all of his true essence into the Bell of 9 Echoes.

The current Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure), having been reforged by the old clan leader with the integration of Lin Taihe's Dark Iron Artifact and vast amounts of 5 Elements Qi, has ascended to the mid-grade of the second rank, its power now greatly enhanced.

Although the Divine Metal Thunder possessed immense power, after severely damaging the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), its force had diminished by 60 percent. The remaining intensity ultimately proved insufficient to breach the defenses of the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure), renowned for its protective capabilities.

"Bang—"

The mutual destruction strike failed to land, and Zuo Yuniān (Person Name) revealed a look of utter despair.

Before he could utter another word, the Green Ape Pearl (Magic Treasure) slammed into him, shattering every bone in his body. He plummeted from the sky, staining the lake waters crimson with his blood.

Eldrin descended in his escape light and discovered that Zuo Yunnian’s bones and sinews were shattered throughout his body. The man truly lived up to being a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivator—his physical form, tempered by true essence for years, had reached astonishing resilience. Even after being struck by the Green Ape Pearl, he still clung to 1 last breath.

At the brink of death, Zuo Younian could no longer move, yet his gaze toward the 2 still held a trace of unwavering resolve.

Eldrin’s gaze was icy as he couldn’t help but ask, “Do you regret slaughtering an entire town of my Chen Clan’s mortals?”

Mortal...

Zuo Yunnian’s eyes flickered with a complex emotion, then abruptly, he erupted into a maniacal laugh.

"You grieve for the massacre of your clansmen, but what of our Zuo Clan?"

"My Zuo Clan, with over a 100 1000 members, was annihilated overnight—who still remembers them?"

"Hahaha, I have no regrets!"

At death’s door, Zuo Yunián (Person Name) let out 3 hearty laughs.

Tears shimmered in his eyes, caught between a smile and a sob, until at last his breath faded and life departed.

Eldrin remained silent, his heart trembling as he stepped onto Spirit Isle Lake.

At the very center of the lake island, Chen Changyan sat cross-legged within the formation core, resembling a withered tree on the verge of decay.

Unlike his usual composed and seasoned self, he wore a hint of recklessness on his face, mingled with an air of unshakable calm. His robes were impeccably arranged.

As Eldrin drew closer, he realized the elder's internal energy and vital essence had completely dried up. He had already entered eternal meditation long ago.

To activate the formation, the Ancestor refined every drop of his vital essence into qi, until not a single drop of blood remained in his body.

Beside them, Silas had red-rimmed eyes and spoke with a choked voice as she wiped her tears while straightening Elder Uncle’s robes.

Eldrin stood in silence, his lips trembling as he whispered, "Did he... leave any last words?"

Caleb trembled, his voice choked with emotion as he spoke, "The Ancestral Elder asked me to tell you—he has no regrets in this life!"

"He said there's no need to hold a 120-year birthday celebration for him, nor any grand funeral arrangements. If you ever ascend to immortality someday, remember to bring his ashes along."

"Scatter his ashes across that realm, and let the vast Immortal World know—Chen Changyan has set foot upon its soil!"

“…”

The night was silent and still, all under heaven at peace.

Eldrin stood at the edge of the lake's heart island, gazing up at the vast sky, his eyes reflecting the celestial tapestry of stars.

Clad in snow-white robes, he stood there in utter silence, motionless and wordless.

"This resplendent starry river, like the great Dao spanning the heavens, remains eternal and unchanging."

"This mortal world rolls on like an unceasing tide, where all things change without rest."

The Old Patriarch appeared by his side and spoke calmly, "We are all seekers of the Dao in this mortal realm."

Only by transcending this world and transforming into an immortal deity could 1 recline high in the 9 Heavens Above (Time & Distance), like those eternally undying stars.

"But this path is far too arduous and fraught with endless hardships. Should we fail, both you and I will face this day."

"Changyan has merely taken that step before us."

"A seeker of the Dao amidst the mortal dust..." Eldrin murmured softly, slowly closing his eyes.

The old clan leader nodded and spoke with serene candor, "Pursuing the Dao for eternal youth, honoring sages and ancestors, supporting 1 another to prosper our clan, ascending to immortality undying."

"The 16-character family motto left by our forefather expresses his hope that we would continuously multiply and prosper, supporting 1 another, until 1 among us ascends to immortality and fulfills his final wish."

"You are the most gifted and perceptive individual our clan has ever produced. Perhaps you truly have the potential to reach that fated day."

"If it truly comes to your moment of peril, then even if it means exhausting the entire clan's strength, we shall spare no cost to contribute our modest effort and lend you a helping hand."

“…”

After eliminating the threat of Zuo Yunian, Chen Changxuan and the Third Elder did not depart immediately. He remained at the Spirit Lake Isle for half a month, during which he unsealed Zuo Yunian’s storage pouch.

As a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator, Zuo Yunian possessed considerable wealth. Beyond over 3,000 spirit stones, he owned numerous valuable treasures.

Among these treasures, there was only a single Second Grade, High-Quality artifact—the Great White Severing Dust Blade. The other artifacts, the Glazed Crystal Dagger and the Seal Artifact, were both Second Grade, Medium-Quality.

In addition, there was a piece of Millennium Cold Iron, a natural treasure of heaven and earth, and a jade slip engraved with a divine ability. Both could be considered exceptionally precious treasures.

Among the several treasures, the most valuable was naturally the Taibai Severing Dust Blade. This item was a second-rank, high-grade life-bound magic treasure, and its power was considered formidable even among second-rank, high-grade magical instruments.