Chapter 96 Ren Shui Qing Lian

"What a formidable technique."

Eldrin resisted with the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, while Su Mingwei seized the opportunity to summon her life-bound magical treasure, the ‘Greenwood Divine Fire Canopy’.

This Verdant Flame Canopy was Su Mingwei’s signature magical treasure. As the saying goes, wood fuels fire’s might, while fire relies on wood’s vigor. As she channeled her power, torrents of Yimu Divine Fire cascaded downward.

This fire-attribute magical artifact was particularly effective at suppressing Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast). However, the Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) reacted swiftly, summoning a pale cyan lotus platform that unfurled a luminous barrier to block the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure).

"It is the Ren Water Azure Lotus."

Eldrin's pupils contracted slightly as he recognized the origin of this treasure.

This Ren Water Blue Lotus was a third-order spiritual plant, a precious lotus with dual water and wood attributes. In the hands of a skilled Artifact Refiner, its seedpod could be crafted into a third-order magical instrument.

The Second-Wood Demon Race (Demon Beast) employed crude artifact-forging techniques. Despite possessing such premium crafting materials, they only managed to produce a second-tier, upper-grade treasure lotus.

不过倒底是材质不凡，这Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast)撑开壬水青莲，反而能克制火属性的法器，一时之间竟然让两人都感觉有些棘手。

The Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) was not 1 to endure attacks without retaliation. In a flash, it summoned 2 magical instruments: 1 was a flying sword forged from millennium-old lightning-struck wood, while the other was a Jade-Wood Treasure Pearl—both high-grade Tier-2 artifacts.

As the magical instrument came flying towards her, Su Mingwei summoned a second-tier, high-grade alchemy cauldron to block the Wood Attribute Treasure Pearl.

The 'Lightning Strike Sword' shot forth wreathed in electrical arcs, not only moving with extreme speed but also completely impervious to heavenly fire and thunder. It successively knocked away several of Su Mingwei's magical artifacts, driving straight for her head.

At the critical moment, Eldrin summoned the Violet Light Mirror. The treasure released a beam of mirror light that enveloped the Lightning Strike Sword. Unfortunately, Eldrin could only unleash 70 percent of the mirror's power, ultimately failing to bring the Lightning Strike Sword down.

Fortunately, the Lightning Strike Sword was suppressed by the Violet Light Mirror, its radiance having dimmed by 70 to 80 percent. For a short while, it would be unable to function effectively.

Seeing the Thunderstrike Sword damaged, the Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) hastily withdrew it and could only resort to casting spells to confront the enemy.

Having suppressed the Lightning Strike Sword, Eldrin (Person Name) breathed a sigh of relief before summoning the Violet Sun Crucible. This second-tier superior magical tool, obtained from the Lin Family, possessed extraordinary power as well, unleashing torrents of Violet Sun Truefire that engulfed the Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) in blazing fury.

If both the Violet Sun Furnace and the Azurewood Divine Flame Shroud were ignited simultaneously, even the Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) would likely struggle to withstand it, despite possessing the Ren Water Azure Lotus.

At the critical moment, the Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) struck again, unleashing a trump card it had kept in reserve. Eldrin (Person Name) heard only a thunderous explosion as a cyan bolt of lightning, coiling like a dragon or serpent, shot toward the Purple Sun Cauldron, illuminating the entire sky.

Divine Thunder of the Verdant Wood.

Eldrin's pupils contracted slightly. He never expected this Second-Wood Demon Spirit to have awakened a second innate divine ability.

The power of this Yi Wood Divine Thunder was truly extraordinary. Driven by the demon's true essence, if it struck the Violet Sun Cauldron, even this magic treasure would likely suffer severe damage, requiring several years of careful nurturing before it could be used again.

"Clang—"

At the critical moment, Eldrin activated his family's secret art, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss.

A golden sword radiance soared into the sky, its brilliant light illuminating a 100 zhang of void. It collided violently with the Divine Wood Thunder, and the ensuing flames swept across nearly a 100 zhang of empty space.

Although the power of this Azurewood Divine Thunder was extraordinary, it ranked lowest among the 5 Elements Divine Thunders, far inferior to the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss in terms of lethal force. Thus, even with the profoundly dense true essence of the Second-Wood Demon Race, after breaking through the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, it had lost over half of its destructive potency.

Seizing the opportunity, Eldrin summoned the Bell of 9 Echoes to parry, barely managing to block this formidable divine ability.

Failing to strike its target in a single blow, the Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) abruptly shifted expression, but it was already too late.

The Violet Sun Furnace and the Azurewood Divine Fire Shroud unleashed raging true flames, which clashed with the light curtain cascading from the Renwater Blue Lotus. Wisps of white mist hissed and spiraled upward as the opposing forces incinerated 1 another.

At the same time, Su Mingwei made her move once more. This time, she unleashed a divine ability—the Yi Wood Divine Thunder.

Boom—

With a resounding boom, the Ren Shui Qing Lian finally gave way, torn open by a massive breach from the Yi Mu Shen Lei. The Zi Yang Zhen Huo and Qing Mu Shen Huo surged inward, engulfing it in searing agony that tore a wretched shriek from its very essence.

That Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) truly lived up to being a half-step Purple Mansion realm demonic creature. At the critical juncture between life and death, it actually managed to forcibly expand a protective mana shield and barely escaped.

Yet, it was true fire invading the body. The Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) exerted all its strength to suppress the true flames within, and its supernatural powers ultimately slackened.

Seizing this perfect opportunity, Eldrin's eyes snapped open. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss blazed with brilliant light, shattering the Emerald Wood Divine Radiance's restraints. With a metallic ring, it swept toward the Second-Wood Demon Spirit.

At this critical moment of life and death, the Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) attempted to channel its divine ability for a counterattack. Yet, the raging true flame within its meridians seared with such piercing agony that it couldn't gather its primordial energy at once.

In that fleeting instant, the sword radiance transformed from the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) swept across the space, severing the head of the Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast).

"What a swift immortal sword."

Su Mingwei’s pupils contracted slightly at the sight. That single sword strike had actually made her sense danger.

After slaying the Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast), Eldrin (Person Name) swiftly stored away the Ren Water Blue Lotus and finally let out a sigh of relief.

However, after continuously activating the magical instruments, he felt that more than half of the true essence within his body had been depleted, and his stamina was beginning to falter. Gritting his teeth, he had no choice but to swallow the 1 Restoration Pill (Spiritual Object).

As the powerful Second-Wood Demon Spirit (Demon Beast) was slain, Eldrin (Person Name) and Su Mingwei finally had their hands free. The situation was at last brought under control, with the human Foundation Establishment cultivators gaining the upper hand.

Ordinary Second-Wood Demon Beasts could no longer pose a life-threatening danger to the group without magical artifacts or supernatural abilities.

Another quarter of an hour passed, and the battle atop the mountain finally drew to a close. Lyra (Person Name) at last broke through the stalemate, slaying the Yimu Demon King with a single stroke of her sword.

With the Wood Demon King slain, Lyra (Person Name) freed her hands, and the battle at last held no further suspense.

Lyra personally took action, dispatching Elara's opponent in just a dozen or so moves. The remaining Second-Wood Demon Race beasts, faced with such a formidable human elder, were soon routed and scattered in flight.

After half a day of concerted effort, the group cleared the 3-100-mile wood-attuned earth vein of Second-Wood Demon Spirits (Demon Beast), then began harvesting the resources within the Sylvan Earth Vein.

After 3 full days of scouring every corner of the 1-mu earth vein, the group returned to the mountain summit at the core of the vein, laden with vast quantities of spiritual herbs and other treasures.

"To think this is actually a second-grade, medium-quality Wood Attribute Earth Vein."

Deep within the Verdant Earth Vein, inside the Verdant Spirit Pool, Elara (Person Name) couldn't contain her exclamation of delight.

As a second-grade medium-quality Eldrin Earth Vein, this spirit pool gathers the creative power of Eldrin. Every 60 years, it nurtures a single Yi Wood Crystal (Spiritual Object)—an exceptionally rare and precious natural treasure.

Lyra also nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Though we failed to obtain the Purple Sun Jade this time, we've acquired 2 Yi Wood Crystals (Spiritual Object). It seems Mingwei's breakthrough to the Zi Fu realm is within reach."

At that very moment, Su Mingwei walked in from outside, carrying an account ledger.

After entering, she handed the account book to Lyra (Person Name), her face beaming with joy as she said, "Master, these are the spoils from this operation."

Chapter 1: The Discarded Prodigy Mount Azure Summit's training ground was blanketed in a heavy silence. The morning mist coiled around the stone pillars like ethereal serpents, yet it couldn't obscure the scorched black mark at the center of the platform—a stark testament to the heavenly tribulation that had struck 3 days prior. Lin Xuan knelt on the cold jade tiles, his azure robes in tatters. Before him stood Elder Qingyun, whose frosty gaze seemed capable of piercing through bone and marrow. "The Foundation Establishment stage... shattered." The elder's voice echoed across the mountain peak. "From a top-tier spiritual root to a mere mortal. Lin Xuan, you have disappointed the entire sect." A wave of murmurs rippled through the surrounding disciples. Some wore expressions of pity, others barely concealed their schadenfreude. Just 3 months earlier, Lin Xuan had been the most promising young cultivator of Mount Azure Summit, the first in a century to attempt Foundation Establishment at 16. Now, his shattered dantian could no longer even contain the faintest wisp of spiritual energy. "According to sect rules," Elder Qingyun declared coldly, "those who fail their heavenly tribulation and lose their cultivation shall be expelled from the inner sect. From this day forward, you are assigned to the Herb Gathering Division." A young woman in violet robes suddenly stepped forward from the crowd. "Elder, please reconsider! Junior Brother Lin—" "Enough, Senior Apprentice Sister Su!" Lin Xuan interrupted, his voice hoarse yet resolute. He rose to his feet, meeting the elder's gaze squarely. "This disciple accepts the punishment." Su Ling's delicate hands trembled as she watched Lin Xuan remove his inner disciple token. The jade pendant, which once glowed with brilliant light, now appeared dull and lifeless. As Lin Xuan turned to leave, a youth in brocade robes blocked his path. "Well, well, if it isn't the prodigy who soared to the heavens only to crash back down." Zhao Shan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "How does it feel to fall from grace?" Lin Xuan's gaze remained tranquil as still water. "Senior Brother Zhao, are you here to see me off or to witness my disgrace?" "The Herb Gathering Division suits you perfectly." Zhao Shan leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "A place for trash, where trash belongs." A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Lin Xuan's lips. He didn't bother with a retort, simply brushing past Zhao Shan as if the latter were nothing more than a wisp of air. The path down the mountain was lined with whispering pines. Once he was out of sight of the training ground, Lin Xuan finally allowed his steps to falter. He leaned against an ancient cypress tree, his face contorting in pain as he clutched his chest. But then, his eyes snapped open in astonishment. Deep within his shattered dantian, where only emptiness should remain, a wisp of violet-golden energy suddenly stirred. "You all believe my spiritual root was destroyed..." Lin Xuan murmured to himself, his fingers gently tracing the ancient tree bark. "But what if the heavenly tribulation didn't shatter my foundation... but rather, awakened something else entirely?" His gaze drifted toward the distant Herb Gathering Valley, where the sect's lowest-ranking disciples toiled. A strange light flickered in his eyes—not the despair of the fallen, but the burning anticipation of a hunter who had finally spotted his prey.