Chapter 122 : Clash of Heaven and Ape

"This fiend is likely not far from the Purple Mansion Realm [a major stage of cultivation where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian]. No wonder it possesses such formidable treasures."

In the blink of an eye, dozens more exchanges clashed between them. Though Eldrin Chen wielded his magical treasures and divine abilities with great might, a disquieting chill settled in his heart—he still could not overpower the Purple-Gold Demonic Monkey.

Seeing that prolonging the stalemate would turn the tide against him, Eldrin Chen could no longer afford to hold back his true reserves. He unleashed his two trump card divine abilities.

The Blazing Heaven Sword [a family heirloom sword technique that summons a blade of scorching celestial fire] shot forth first, soaring into the air to cleave down upon the Magnetic Treasure Bracer, aiming to shatter the deadlock.

A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the Purple-Gold Demonic Ape. It instantly activated its innate divine ability, the Purple-Gold Barrier-Breaking God-Slaying Radiance [a destructive beam of purple-gold light capable of sundering defenses and slaying divine spirits], which slammed directly into the Blazing Heaven Sword.

Their collision erupted into a spectacle of blinding, incandescent light. A powerful shockwave radiated outwards, sweeping away the lower-tier Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that cultivate demonic energy] that had dared to charge forward, scattering them like withered grass before a gale.

"BOOM—"

A deafening peal of thunder suddenly roared. Though the Blazing Heaven Sword had not found its mark, the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder [a thunderous divine ability harnessing the sharp, unyielding power of metallic essence] arrived later yet struck first. A golden bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, crashing directly onto the Magnetic Treasure Bracer.

Despite its formidable power, the Purple-Gold Demonic Ape simply did not possess the same arsenal of treasures and abilities as Eldrin Chen. It could only watch helplessly as the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder struck home.

While the material of the Magnetic Treasure Bracer was extraordinary, specially countering metal-attribute immortal swords and treasures, it was, after all, merely a Second Rank High Grade magical tool embryo. Against the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder—a force with form yet without substance—it was utterly powerless. For more chapters, visit audio-novel . com for the complete novel.

With a sharp crack, the radiance of the Magnetic Treasure Bracer dimmed by over half. Seizing the moment, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss surged with blinding light, its torrential Separated Flame [a potent spiritual fire] forcing apart the magnetic radiance and breaking free from its confinement.

Capitalizing on the bracer's grievously weakened state, Eldrin Chen summoned the Violet Radiance Mirror. Its light fell upon the treasure, finally subduing it and bringing it under his control.

Witnessing its signature artifact crippled and Eldrin Chen's most formidable weapon, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, now unleashed, the Purple-Gold Demonic Monkey's expression shifted. A flicker of alarm crossed its bestial features.

With one foot already within the threshold of the Purple Mansion [a major realm of cultivation where one's spiritual foundation is solidified into a 'Purple Mansion'], its intellect neared that of a human. It sensed Eldrin Chen was a formidable foe. Without the Magnetic Treasure Bracer to restrain his techniques, and unwilling to risk its Demonic Core [the condensed essence and life force of a demonic beast], it judged the battle might be lost.

Furthermore, it stood on the precarious brink of a breakthrough into the Purple Mansion Realm. A wound to its Demonic Core could sever its path to greater power forever. Weighing the situation, the thought of retreat took root in its mind.

With a furious roar, it acted while Eldrin Chen was preoccupied with the bracer. It whirled its iron staff, scattering the Purple Sun True Flame [a potent divine flame of pure yang energy] before it, then hurled the weapon *against* the current of flames. The staff became a blazing projectile, hurtling with devastating force toward the Purple Sun Furnace.

Eldrin Chen, in the midst of channeling the Violet Radiance Mirror to capture the bracer, was caught off guard. There was no time to recall the Purple Sun Furnace to safety.

The spinning staff, wrapped in stolen Purple Sun True Flame, crossed a hundred zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] of sky in an instant and struck true. The Purple Sun Furnace shattered into fragments.

The furnace's material had never been exceptionally resilient. Years prior, the Thunder Roc had cleaved a great rent in it with the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword. Though repaired, its structural integrity and potency had never fully recovered. Now, it could not withstand a single, brutal impact.

Though a pang of loss shot through him for the companion of many years now destroyed, Eldrin Chen had no time for grief. His hand shot out, and the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss streaked forth like a vengeful comet, aiming to sever the demon monkey's retreat.

Yet, the Purple-Gold Demonic Monkey showed no desire to continue the fight. It retreated a hundred Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], parried the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss with its iron staff, and then fled madly into the distance.

Just as Eldrin Chen was about to give chase, he saw the Purple-Gold Demonic Ape unleash the Purple-Gold Barrier-Breaking God-Slaying Radiance for a third time as its parting shot.

Though he managed to block this strike, the divine ability delayed him for a crucial moment. By the time he recovered, the demonic monkey had already escaped several thousand Zhang-lengths away.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, aid me swiftly!"

Although Varen Wei had opened three of his Purple Mansion Dao Meridian [the spiritual channels within the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] and possessed True Essence [refined spiritual energy] far denser than an ordinary Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivator, he was struggling to hold his ground against the onslaught of over a dozen Second-Rank Demon Ape.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen had a free hand, he immediately cried out for help.

With no other choice, Eldrin Chen had to abandon his chance to pursue the Purple-Gold Demonic Monkey. He instead channeled his Separated Flame Immortal Return Sword to assist Varen Wei.

Both were exceptionally powerful. Varen Wei's True Essence was profound, and he wielded several Second Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts] and divine abilities, making his combat prowess nearly equal to Eldrin Chen's.

United, their combined strength could likely overwhelm five or six ordinary Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivators. Facing merely a dozen or so Second Rank Demonic Beast, they quickly gained the upper hand.

With their Purple-Gold Demonic Monkey chieftain gone, the remaining Second-Rank Demon Ape lost their will to fight. In mere moments, the two cultivators had scattered them to the winds.

"Success!"

After the Demonic Beast [a creature that has absorbed spiritual energy and gained monstrous power] horde was routed, the two cultivators could not contain their excitement.

After hastily scouring the battlefield, they rushed into the Spirit Medicine Garden [a cultivated plot of land infused with spiritual energy for growing rare medicinal herbs] nestled within Ink-Wash Ridge.

This particular Spirit Medicine Garden had lain untended for a century. Upon entering, they found it overrun with weeds, with many of the Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation] having long since withered and died.

Only a little over sixty plants remained. Fortunately, among these survivors, a significant number—more than thirty—had reached full maturity and were ready for harvest.

This bounty included two stalks of Verdant Origin Ganoderma and three Barrier-Breaking Fruit. Just as they finished gathering the ripe herbs and prepared to depart, Eldrin Chen sensed something amiss. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel.com (official site).

His steps faltered. A few paces later, in a secluded corner, he discovered a radiant ginseng root emitting a soft, pearlescent glow.

"A Mysterious Jade Ginseng!"

Varen Wei could not hold back a gasp of astonishment at the sight.

The Mysterious Jade Ginseng [a rare and precious spiritual herb of the Third Rank, prized as the primary ingredient for refining Mysterious Jade Pills] was a precious treasure of the Third Rank Low Grade [a classification for spiritual objects, techniques, or locations corresponding to the power level of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator]. Its value was extraordinary, serving as the key component for concocting the Mysterious Jade Pill [a potent alchemical pill refined from Mysterious Jade Ginseng, known for its powerful effects].

That Mysterious Jade Pill [a rare and potent cultivation elixir] is a Third Rank Low Grade treasure pill. Consuming it can increase the spiritual power [the foundational energy used to cast spells and techniques] of a Purple Palace, Early Stage cultivator by one-tenth. Its market price often hovers around ten thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] per pill.

The most crucial point is that, despite its immense energy, Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators can still, with effort, ingest it.

It is said that even a Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer cultivator, after consuming this pill, can increase their True Essence [the refined and potent spiritual energy cultivated by a Foundation Establishment realm expert] by three-tenths, greatly enhancing their strength.

For someone like Varen Wei, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators, consuming this pill to gain another three-tenths of True Essence would likely add a tangible boost to his chances of breaking through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation solidifies into a 'Purple Mansion' within the dantian].

While the pill possesses such wondrous effects, it naturally comes with a limitation: a Foundation Establishment Cultivator can only consume one in their lifetime. "To think that this Ink-Wash Ridge actually nurtures such a treasure," Eldrin Chen murmured, his voice filled with awe.

Eldrin Chen cast a wary glance at Varen Wei before speaking. "Let us take this Mysterious Jade Ginseng [a ginseng imbued with dense spiritual energy, a key ingredient for high-grade elixirs] back together. We can request Jiang the Ancient Ancestor of Heaven's Ruin Mountain to refine it into pills, and then we shall divide the resulting elixirs equally. What say you?"

"Agreed," Varen Wei nodded decisively. "To be frank, since I invited you here, my intent is to forge a genuine alliance. There is no need for suspicion between us."

"For now, let us first escape the territory of the Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that absorb spiritual energy, often hostile to human cultivators], and then we shall divide the spoils of this battle."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen couldn't help but regard the man with greater respect.

Varen Wei had risen to the position of Patriarch Wei largely due to his keen ability to judge character; he knew precisely what kind of person was worth befriending.

Over these years, the Wei Clan had managed to rise and become a top-tier Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan despite the suppression from the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan in Boyang County, relying precisely on the support of the many friends he had cultivated.

In his view, Eldrin Chen was most likely destined to attain the esteemed status of a Purple Mansion Ancestor. Forging a connection with Eldrin Chen today would plant a seed of karma for his clan, a potential lifeline should he fail in his future attempt to break through to the Purple Mansion realm.

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