Chapter 80 : Divine Thunder and Starlight Clash

In that very instant, Ink Respect Lin raised his hand and unleashed a volley of starlight projectiles. The Thousand-Star Needles of the Azure Abyss [a treacherous magical weapon comprised of countless fine, nearly invisible needles] were insidious and vicious, often proving unstoppable when used to ambush an unsuspecting foe.

Fortunately, having nearly fallen victim to this tactic before, Eldrin Chen was prepared this time.

He instantly channeled his energy, causing the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword imbued with solar fire energy] to reverse its course. The erupting sword aura carried Eldrin Chen a thousand Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] away, evading the majority of the Thousand-Star Needles of the Azure Abyss.

Seeing that the Thousand-Star Needles failed to pierce the sword aura and the protective light screen of the Ninefold Resonance Bell [a defensive bell that emits nine layers of resonating protective energy], Eldrin Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Yet, in that same heartbeat, his pupils contracted violently as a lethal sense of crisis slammed into him.

Seizing the perfect moment, White Hope Lin had unleashed the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder Pearl [a divine thunder pearl containing the unyielding power of the earth element], transforming it into a bolt of divine lightning that descended upon him.

Given White Hope Lin's cultivation level, he could not unleash the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder Pearl's full might. However, even a Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the late stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, where a cultivator solidifies their spiritual foundation] cultivator caught by such a surprise attack would likely perish on the spot.

As the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder [the divine thunder technique unleashed by the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder Pearl] struck like a bolt from the blue, Eldrin Chen reacted almost by instinct, manifesting the Blazing Heaven Sword [a divine ability that conjures a sword of pure, blazing heavenly fire].

This divine ability, used in combat for the first time since he mastered it, revealed its dazzling, peerless edge the moment it was unleashed.

"*Clang—*"

A golden sword radiance soared into the sky, clashing against the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder with a resonant ring. Yet, in the blink of an eye, it was shattered and dispersed. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel[dot]com.

This outcome had been anticipated by Eldrin Chen. His cultivation base was far from sufficient, and the might of the Blazing Heaven Sword he unleashed paled in comparison to the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder Pearl [a powerful magical pearl that unleashes divine thunder of the bulwark earth element] sealed within this Violet Sanctum Cultivator.

Nevertheless, it was, after all, the foremost offensive divine ability in Yu County. Although it failed to completely block the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder, it managed to weaken its power by thirty percent and stall it for the duration of a single breath.

A single breath was enough. Eldrin Chen immediately channeled his power into the Venus Severing Dust Blade [a magical blade capable of severing worldly dust and attachments] to meet the attack once more.

The thunderous radiance crashed against the blade, causing it to tremble violently before falling, its spiritual light severely dimmed.

Eldrin Chen understood clearly that the Venus Severing Dust Blade had suffered significant damage to its spiritual nature this time. It would likely require several months of careful nurturing within his body before it could be wielded effectively again.

Yet, the Venus Severing Dust Blade proved itself worthy of its status as a Second Rank High-Grade magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. Even with Eldrin Chen only able to unleash seventy percent of its true power, it still managed to diminish the brilliance of the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder by forty percent.

The Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder, now reduced to a mere thirty percent of its original might, was no longer a grave threat. The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a sword imbued with the power of solar fire and the abyss] swelled with the wind. Eldrin Chen's spiritual energy [the vital energy cultivated by practitioners] was exceptionally sharp and pure, forming a perfect resonance with this Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal grade]. In his hands, its power was in no way inferior to a Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure at its peak.

A sapphire-hued sword aura shot across the sky, grinding the remnants of the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder into scattered motes of lightning.

"Disastrous!"

Witnessing his ultimate trump card fail to subdue Eldrin Chen, Ink Respect Lin realized the dire turn of events. His face drained of color as he cried out, "White Hope, flee!"

"Uncle Ink Respect." That White Hope Lin still refused to give up and lunged forward, his face a mask of madness as he cried, "He has consecutively deployed his magical treasures; his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body] must be nearly depleted. If we don't kill him now, when will we ever get another chance?"

Yet at that very moment, Eldrin Chen's Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword swept out once more, forcing White Hope Lin's two magical treasures into a desperate, faltering retreat.

"A Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a magical treasure bound to its user's life force, allowing for more efficient control] consumes only thirty percent of the True Essence required by a standard magical treasure of the same tier."

"Enough. No words of wisdom can save a soul determined to die."

Witnessing this, Ink Respect Lin was seized by terror. He turned and fled, his sword-light carrying him away for his very life.

By abandoning White Hope Lin, he sealed the fate of the battle, leaving no room for further suspense.

After another several dozen exchanges, Eldrin Chen's expression remained icy as he channeled his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword. With a single, decisive stroke, it cleaved through his opponent's defensive magical treasure and severed White Hope Lin's head from his shoulders.

Even in death, White Hope Lin's eyes glared wide, his face frozen in a rictus of bitter resentment.

After swiftly gathering the spoils of battle, Eldrin Chen immediately took to the skies, pursuing the path of Ink Respect Lin's escape. However, the fierce combat had severely drained his True Essence, and in the end, he failed to catch up with the fleeing cultivator.

The situation was urgent. Eldrin Chen dared not linger and immediately flew back to Green Chariot Mountain.

"..."

After more than ten days, Eldrin Chen arrived at Pingyang City on his flying sword and immediately sought out the Old Patriarch.

Seeing his grave expression, the Old Patriarch could not help but step forward and ask, "What has happened?"

Without hesitation, Eldrin Chen recounted the events of his journey to the Old Patriarch. After finishing, he sighed and said,

"Alas, it is a pity we could not eradicate the root of the problem."

"This is not your fault. We were already at odds with them because of the matter concerning the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade," Visit (audio-novel.com) to enjoy the complete series.

The Old Patriarch shook his head, his expression turning solemn. "Now that things have reached this point, a peaceful resolution is beyond us. It seems we must face the Lin Clan in another confrontation."

"By the way, did you leave any evidence behind?"

Eldrin Chen produced White Hope Lin's Storage Bag. From it, he retrieved a Mother-Child Resonance Stone and, from the jade vial containing the Essence of Final Water, he found a concealed child-stone. Holding them up, he asked, "Will this serve as evidence?"

"It is more than sufficient," the Old Patriarch nodded in affirmation.

"This matter will not be laid to rest by the Lin Clan alone, nor shall we let it pass without consequence. Having evidence simplifies matters greatly. This old man is confident he can ensure the other great clans do not interfere."

"A pity the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive assault by demonic beasts] draws ever nearer. To engage in conflict now would only deplete the strength of Yu County."

The two conversed further, then began to inventory the belongings left behind by White Hope Lin.

Eternal Profound Chen gazed at the Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for holding items] belonging to White Hope Lin and could not help but sigh with feeling. "Though White Hope Lin possessed Extraordinary talent, his temperament was extreme and obstinate. Once such a person grasps power, they can easily bring great calamity upon their own clan."

"Yet individuals of this sort are rare even among cultivators. If a person of such single-minded obsession does not fall prematurely, they may often advance further and faster than those who are merely skilled in scheming."

"Consider White Hope Lin. Reckless, yes, but in his youth, he also charged into the Foundation Establishment Stage [the second major realm of cultivation] without the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious elixir that greatly aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage]."

"What?"

Eldrin Chen revealed a look of astonishment. This was the first he had heard that White Hope Lin had also achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment [breaking through to Foundation Establishment through one's own power and comprehension, without external aids].

Yet something still felt amiss. He could not help but ask, "Then why did I sense that his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator] was not as profound or sharp as my own?"

"Do you think everyone is like you?" Eternal Profound Chen shook his head with a wry laugh. "Cultivators who achieve Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment can fight above their realm, but that only means the True Essence of one at the Foundation Establishment Third Layer can rival that of someone in the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage."

"But one such as you, who at the Foundation Establishment 1st Tier can rival those at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage, is something this old man has never seen in all his years."

"Among all the Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Border Province, nearly one in three achieved Foundation Establishment through Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment. Most of these are rogue cultivators or members of minor clans, daring to make their desperate attempt only as they neared sixty years of age, gambling their lives for a breakthrough. Their future prospects are far inferior to yours."

"The reason White Hope Lin became the second most powerful figure in the Lin Clan is precisely because he is a Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment cultivator. If he were to reach the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body] would likely be no weaker than this old man's."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally understood his own extraordinary nature. He had previously assumed all Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment cultivators possessed a similar level of strength.

In truth, his strength surpassed even his own imagination. Years of tempering his meridians by the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a primordial and potent form of spiritual energy] had rendered both the density and purity of his True Essence far superior to the norm. This innate advantage, compounded by the foundational strength of Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment, was what allowed him to reach such heights. This content originates from audio-novel . com. Please respect copyright.