Chapter 100 : The Vein of Mysterious Iron

Strictly speaking, the Mysterious Iron Vein was not located within the established territory of the Chen Clan.

The three of them flew on their swords for a full three days, covering over ten thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], before finally arriving at the location of the Mysterious Iron Vein.

Upon his arrival, Eldrin Chen discovered the site was situated in a desolate, peripheral region of Yu County, a mere three thousand Li-lengths from the border of Boyang County [Boyang County].

Boyang County was one of the three counties within Yang Province. Although it belonged to a different province than Bianzhou where the Chen Clan was based, the two regions were adjacent, separated by a distance that was not considered great.

The border between the two counties was marked by the three-thousand-Li-length Bianyang Mountain Range [the Bianyang Mountain Range], a formidable natural barrier that divided the two provinces. While insurmountable for ordinary mortals, this vast mountain range posed little obstacle to cultivators.

"Is this the place?"

Gazing at the expanse of barren hills before him, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

"This is where I discovered the Mysterious Iron Vein," Lior Chen stated. "Unfortunately, the presence of the Metal-Devouring Beast [a beast that consumes metallic ores and minerals] deterred me from venturing deeper."

Beside him, Lior Chen's eyes gleamed with a sudden understanding. He exchanged a glance with Eldrin Chen, and both men's faces broke into expressions of shared delight.

A Mysterious Iron Vein was a precious resource. To secure such a prize, the deployment of a second-rank grand formation would be essential. The confirmed presence of a demonic beast, however, was promising news—it almost certainly indicated the existence of a spirit vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] at the site. This would spare the Chen Clan the considerable effort and time required to nurture a new spirit vein from scratch. For more chapters, visit AUDIO-NOVEL.COM for the complete novel.

"Proceed with caution. Since there is a Mysterious Iron Vein [a vein of ore imbued with spiritual properties, often used in crafting], it is likely that Second Rank Demonic Beast [demonic beasts of the Foundation Establishment realm] have made their lair here."

Eldrin Chen cautioned. To avoid alerting any demonic beasts, he refrained from soaring on his sword, choosing instead to approach the mountain range on foot.

Once within the mountains, the trio conducted a meticulous search. They discovered the range harbored a Second Rank Low Grade spirit vein [a vein of earth that naturally gathers and emits spiritual energy]. Upon the spirit mountain dwelled over a hundred Metal-Devouring Beast [a type of demonic beast that consumes metal and ore to cultivate and strengthen its body], with the leader among them reaching a formidable Second Rank High Grade cultivation level.

"A Foundation Establishment, Late Stage Metal-Devouring Beast, and an entire beast tribe to boot."

"It seems the rumors of the Mysterious Iron Vein are true."

Eldrin Chen remarked, a trace of a smile gracing his features.

Metal-Devouring Beast feed on metal and iron, showing a particular fondness for areas rich in metallic veins. This tribe cultivates by devouring metals; the higher the quality and the greater the quantity consumed, the more formidable their cultivation becomes.

The presence of a Second Rank High Grade Metal-Devouring Beast here strongly suggested the Mysterious Iron Vein was indeed genuine.

"It is said that Metal-Devouring Beast, having feasted on metal for years, possess physical bodies nearly as resilient as magical treasures of equivalent rank," Third Elder furrowed his brow, unable to suppress his concern. "A Second Rank High Grade Metal-Devouring Beast... are you certain you can handle it?"

"It is of no consequence."

Eldrin Chen nodded with confidence and affirmed, "If this were before my journey to Celestial Ruins Mountain, I truly would have had no means to deal with it. But now, having broken through to the Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage, I am more than capable of handling it."

"Good."

Lior Chen nodded as well, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Leave those First Rank Demonic Beast to me."

Having made their decision, the two immediately stormed into the spirit mountain before them. Their Lifebound Immortal Sword were unleashed, catching the Metal-Devouring Demon Tribe [a tribe of demonic beasts that consumes and refines metallic ores] completely off guard. In the span of mere moments, over a dozen of the creatures were slain.

"ROAR—!"

Such brazen slaughter quickly drew the tribe's attention. With an enraged roar, the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage Metal-Devouring Beast charged forth in fury.

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. His Separated Flame Immortal Return Sword swept out, transforming into a blade of light over seven Zhang-length long that cleaved through the air towards the beast.

By now, having advanced to the Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage, his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator] and mana rivaled that of a Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer cultivator. Naturally, the might of his Separated Flame Immortal Return Sword had also increased by a significant measure.

Faced with such an immortal sword, even the Metal-Devouring Beast dared not meet it head-on. Instead, it gripped a massive Mysterious Iron Great Staff and swung it in a crushing blow.

The staff was over one Zhang-length long, forged entirely from a rough blank of Mysterious Iron. Though it was merely an unrefined crude form, its material was exceptionally sturdy. It managed to block Eldrin Chen's sword strike, suffering only a deep gash upon its surface.

"So many Mysterious Iron [a rare, spiritually conductive metal] rough blanks."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly before smoothing out. It was a pity he had not yet gathered the Separated Flame [a potent spiritual flame essence] and Dual Metallic Essence Qi [a refined spiritual energy of dual metallic properties]. Otherwise, his Separated Flame Immortal Return Sword [a flying sword imbued with the power of the Separated Flame] would have advanced to Second Rank High Grade [a high-quality artifact of the second rank], and such rough Mysterious Iron blanks would likely be cleaved through with a single strike.

Seeing that the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a magical sword of the Returning Abyss lineage] alone would be hard-pressed to subdue this demonic beast quickly, Eldrin Chen summoned forth the Purple Sun Furnace [a treasure furnace that channels the power of the purple sun].

Now, with Eldrin Chen's profound and vigorous mana, the might of this artifact surged as he channeled it. The Purple Sun Furnace blazed with intense light, and a torrent of Purple Sun True Flame [a true flame of the highest solar purity] cascaded down, engulfing the Metal-Devouring Beast [a ferocious beast that consumes metal to strengthen itself] in searing conflagration.

As the saying goes, true gold is tempered by fire. Though the Metal-Devouring Beast possessed an extraordinary physical form, it dared not endure the relentless refining heat of the Purple Sun True Flame.

At the critical moment, it expelled its Demonic Core [the condensed spiritual essence and power source of a demonic beast]. A dazzling, golden Demonic Core shot forth with overwhelming force, its vast mana parting the sea of Purple Sun True Flame as it smashed directly toward the Purple Sun Furnace. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel*com.

This strike carried an unstoppable momentum. The massive inner core, radiating terrifying power, hurtled toward the Purple Sun Furnace, its force so immense it even suppressed the raging Purple Sun True Flame.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered. While the Purple Sun True Flame channeled by the Purple Sun Furnace was formidable, the artifact's own defensive capabilities were not its strongest suit. A direct hit from such an attack would likely inflict severe damage. Naturally, he would not allow it to succeed.

His gaze sharpened, and he unleashed his divine ability, the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder [a divine thunder born from the essence of pure metal]. This was his first time employing this power in combat, and its debut revealed a truly awe-inspiring might.

"BOOM!"

In that instant, a thunderous roar split the heavens and the earth.

A dazzling flash of lightning illuminated the void, like a serpent of the nine heavens sweeping across the firmament. It streaked down from the celestial dome, striking directly at the Demonic Beast Inner Core [the condensed energy core of a powerful demonic beast] of the Metal-Devouring Beast.

The Metal-Devouring Beast was struck with terror and immediately sought to recall its inner core, but alas, it was too late.

The electric radiance of the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique harnessing the essence of metal] flashed with the speed of the wind, instantly striking the Demonic Beast Inner Core. The blow caused the Metal-Devouring Beast's inner core to dim and plummet from the sky.

With its core suffering such a grievous wound, the Metal-Devouring Beast instantly spewed a mouthful of blood and nearly collapsed to the ground.

Yet, it was, after all, a Metal-Devouring Beast with an extraordinarily resilient physique. Suppressing its injuries by force, it gripped its Mysterious Iron Great Staff and charged forward, desperate to reclaim its core.

But how would Eldrin Chen allow it to succeed? With a surge of his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner], he immediately retrieved the fallen Demonic Beast Inner Core and began a tactical retreat, harrying the beast from a distance.

While this Metal-Devouring Beast possessed formidable physical strength, its True Essence was far inferior to Eldrin Chen's. It could not even achieve flight and lacked any long-range magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], leaving it utterly vulnerable and forced into a purely defensive posture.

Eldrin Chen fought while withdrawing, soon battering the Metal-Devouring Beast until it was covered in wounds. After merely thirty exchanges, he seized an opening and with a single sword stroke, cleaved the demon's head from its shoulders.

Simultaneously, Lior Chen concluded his own battle. Having cultivated the Bright Abyss Dao Marsh Art, his cultivation had advanced with astonishing speed, and he had recently broken through to the Foundation Establishment Second Layer. Armed with his Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword forged with and bound to its wielder's very life force], dispatching mere First Rank Demonic Beast was as effortless as slicing through melons and chopping vegetables.

After the battle concluded, the group cleaned up the battlefield and subsequently discovered a Mysterious Iron Vein [a vein of ore imbued with dense, heavy spiritual energy] within the spirit mountain.

"It appears to be a micro-sized Mysterious Iron Vein,"

As a Second Rank Formation Master [a master of arranging spiritual energy into defensive and offensive patterns], Eldrin Chen roughly deduced the lay of the land and said with a smile.

"It's fortunate it's only micro-sized," said Lior Chen, his face alight with excitement. "If it were a small-scale vein, it might have attracted the attention of a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm], and we would have had no hope of defending it." Experience the full epic at www . audio-novel.com.