Chapter 84 : The Formless Sword's Descent

"This is bad, it's a Third-Rank Spirit Talisman [a powerful enchanted scroll capable of unleashing formidable magical effects]."

The moment Ink Achievement Lin produced the talisman, Old Patriarch's expression changed drastically.

He immediately channeled the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation to its maximum power. Surging Solar Fire transformed into a blazing inferno, engulfing the entire peak of Spirit Apricot Mountain.

"Cleave—!"

In that instant, Ink Achievement Lin poured all his True Essence [the refined life-force energy cultivated by adepts] into the Gale Soul-Severing Sword Talisman. The onlookers saw only a brilliant, formless yet dazzling light—a Formless Sword [a blade of pure energy with no physical substance]—flash across the sky. With a resounding *clang*, it descended from the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms].

Wind has no form; clouds have no fixed shape.

This rare divine ability, which only cultivators with a Wind Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for the element of wind] can master, manifested atop the mountain peak. Even before impact, it stirred the very winds and clouds of heaven and earth.

For a fleeting moment, it was as if a Violet Sanctum Patriarch [a master of the Violet Sanctum cultivation stage] had personally unleashed this technique. The skies darkened, and a chorus of spectral wails seemed to tear through the void.

A mere heartbeat later, the sword-light struck the summit of Spirit Apricot Mountain. A profound silence hung in the air, followed by a cataclysmic roar that echoed with the force of World-Opening [a primordial event marking the creation of a world].

This was no flawed artifact like the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder Pearl [a treasure that could only unleash a fraction of its power]. This strike was equivalent to a full-powered divine ability unleashed by Mordecai Lin himself. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel[dot]com.

Even with the combined power of the Spirit Apricot Mountain Second Rank Low-Grade Spiritual Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth], the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation [a defensive array that conjures solar flames to incinerate souls] could not withstand a strike of such majestic and overwhelming, sea-like momentum.

Before this sword strike, the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation shattered instantly. The vast sea of fiery clouds was annihilated by the sword light, dissipating into wisps of smoke that vanished without a trace.

This single sword strike breached the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation, immediately causing severe damage to the set of Formation Flag [flags used as anchors and conduits for a formation's power]. It would require several years of careful nurturing to recover. Furthermore, the Old Patriarch suffered a backlash, temporarily unable to suppress the raging Vital Energy [the foundational life-force energy cultivated within a practitioner's body], leaving him momentarily incapable of acting.

Not only that, but the Gale Soul-Severing Sword [a sword technique that harnesses gale-force winds to sever souls], after breaking through the Solar Fire soul-incineration, continued its relentless descent towards the two men with undiminished force.

Fortunately, the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation was truly Extraordinary. By the time the Gale Soul-Severing Sword breached the formation, over eighty percent of its original destructive power had been expended.

Although the Old Patriarch was temporarily incapacitated, Eldrin Chen stood ready. Seizing the moment, he summoned forth the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a sword imbued with solar fire capable of returning foes to the abyss] and the Purple Sun Furnace [a magical furnace that radiates the essence of a purple sun]. He met the remaining sword light head-on, the clash of energies finally causing it to dissipate into nothingness.

After this was done, the Old Patriarch regained his breath, his face pale, a flicker of lingering fear in his eyes.

"It is only because we relied on the Spiritual Vein to deploy the formation that the situation did not turn dire today," he said.

As he spoke, he retrieved the Formation Flag. Looking at the dimmed glow of the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation Flags, a pained expression crossed his face.

In the span of mere breaths, the four Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their foundation, the second major stage] from the opposing Lin Clan seized the initiative. They unleashed their magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators for combat and cultivation], launching their assault.

"Clang—"

Mordecai Lin acted immediately, unleashing his Thunderbolt Demon-Repelling Shuttle [a magical shuttle imbued with thunderous power to repel evil] against the two. The attack erupted with the roar of wind and thunder from the very first move, aimed directly at their vital points.

Although the Old Patriarch had lost the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation [a formation that uses solar fire to burn an enemy's soul], he still possessed the ancient bronze pagoda and the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade. Suppressing the internal backlash within his body, he surged forward to engage Mordecai Lin in battle.

Ink Respect Lin and the other two Lin Clan Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a solid spiritual foundation] cultivators swiftly moved to surround and attack, hoping to seize the opportunity to capture Eternal Profound Chen.

However, Eldrin Chen was not one to stand idly by. He summoned forth his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, its dazzling sword energy crisscrossing the heavens and earth. With his power alone, he held back the three Lin Clan Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Among the three Lin Clan Foundation Establishment cultivators, only Ink Respect Lin had reached the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm. The other two were merely at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

The violet-robed beauty possessed slightly higher cultivation, having been at the third layer of Foundation Establishment for many years, while the other was only at the second layer.

Yet, with the three of them joining forces, they could barely contend with an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator. For a time, they actually traded blows with Eldrin Chen in a fierce back-and-forth.

Eldrin Chen activated the Ninefold Resonance Bell above his head, while simultaneously wielding the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword and the Purple Sun Furnace—two powerful magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators]. He clashed repeatedly with the trio, exchanging over a hundred moves in the blink of an eye.

"This is not good."

Amidst the clash of spells, Eldrin Chen noticed that Old Patriarch was at a disadvantage in his duel against Ink Achievement Lin.

After all, Old Patriarch's cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer, facing Ink Achievement Lin who was at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. His True Essence [the refined energy cultivated by a practitioner] was clearly several degrees weaker.

Having lost the Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation Flags, Old Patriarch's combat capabilities were nearly halved.

He possessed the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade and the ancient bronze pagoda, and his Blazing Heaven Sword Divine Ability was also quite formidable. Against an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, he would naturally hold a significant advantage. However, Ink Achievement Lin was no ordinary foe.

This Lin Clan Patriarch was not only at the absolute peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, but he also wielded three Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts] and commanded the divine ability Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder. Naturally, he completely suppressed Old Patriarch.

For now, Eternal Profound Chen could still manage, but once his spiritual energy was exhausted, defeat would be his only path. Continue your cultivation journey at audio‑novel.com.

"It seems I must be the one to break this stalemate," he thought.

With this resolve, Eldrin Chen fixed his gaze intently upon the three opponents.

Among the three, Ink Respect Lin possessed the deepest cultivation and held a Second Rank Mid-Grade defensive magical treasure. It was unlikely Eldrin could slay him in the first strike.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen forcefully activated the Ninefold Resonance Bell, channeling his energy into the Purple Sun Furnace to unleash the Purple Sun True Flame.

"Be careful."

As the Purple Sun True Flame [a divine flame technique of immense yang power] descended, the expressions of the Lin Clan members all shifted slightly.

Ink Respect Lin was the first to react, unleashing a true talisman. With a flick of his wrist, a brilliant flash of thunder erupted, shooting straight towards Eldrin Chen.

"Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply. He recalled that Ink Achievement Lin was a Second Rank High-Grade [a high-level classification for talisman masters] talisman master. This Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder [a powerful earth-attribute thunder technique] talisman was likely one where Ink Achievement Lin had sealed his own divine ability within it.

Now, as the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder struck, its power was nearly equivalent to Ink Achievement Lin personally executing the technique. It instantly shattered the violet-patterned True Flame [a potent form of spiritual fire] and sent the Purple Sun Furnace [a magical cauldron for alchemy and combat] flying backward.

Having suffered this blow, the spiritual glow of the Purple Sun Furnace had dimmed considerably. It seemed it would require nurturing for the better part of a month before it could be used again.

Yet, Eldrin Chen paid it no mind. Seizing the fleeting opportunity, he decisively unleashed a barrage of over a thousand starlight projectiles.

"Not good! It's the Thousand-Star Needles of the Azure Abyss [a famed magical treasure consisting of countless needle-like projectiles]!"

The moment the Thousand-Star Needles of the Azure Abyss appeared, the faces of the three Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] cultivators from the Lin Clan paled with terror.

That Ink Respect Lin was the farthest away, his cultivation the highest among the three, and his reaction the swiftest. He barely managed to flee while propping up his defensive magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. The other two, however, lacked such speed.

The violet-robed beauty managed to scramble away a short distance before the Thousand-Star Needles of the Azure Abyss pierced through her protective magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] and her mana shield. Several of the Thousand-Star Needles embedded themselves in her body, inflicting grievous wounds on the spot.

The third man, whose True Essence [the refined, foundational energy of a cultivator] was the weakest, had taken only a few steps before dozens of the needles pierced his flesh. His body was riddled with holes. With a final, agonized scream, he plummeted from a height of several hundred Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], his bones and sinews shattered upon impact, dying instantly.

Everyone present was struck with profound horror. They never imagined that this vicious magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], originating from the Lin Clan, would ultimately be turned against the Lin Clan itself.

"It's over."

Having narrowly escaped disaster, Ink Respect Lin felt his heart sink at this sight. His fear of Eldrin Chen deepened once more.

Originally, the three of them together could only hope to contend with Eldrin Chen. Now, one lay shattered on the ground, and another was severely wounded by the Thousand-Star Needles. To continue fighting would surely mean death today.

With this thought, he could no longer concern himself with the others still locked in combat. He immediately summoned his flying sword and fled into the distance.

"Everyone, the tide has turned! Make haste and retreat to Verdant Ink Mountain!" The complete novel can be found at audio-novel`com.