Chapter 121 : Sword of Solar Fire

Within an exceedingly brief span, two Second Rank Golden Python Monkey [a powerful simian demon beast with serpentine traits] were slain in succession, finally jolting the Golden Python Monkey tribe into reaction.

A swarm of Second Rank Golden Python Monkey surged forth, charging at the two cultivators with furious rage. Varen Wei's expression turned grave. Channeling all his True Essence [the refined energy cultivated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator], he unleashed his sword pellet with a final, desperate strike, felling a second Golden Python Monkey before breaking free from the encircling demon beasts.

Only then did he whirl around to see Eldrin Chen wielding the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a legendary sword imbued with solar and abyssal energies] in a whirlwind of carnage, having already dispatched three Second Rank Low-Grade demon monkeys in that same fleeting moment.

"Hiss—"

Varen Wei drew a sharp, cold breath, finally realizing that Eldrin Chen's True Essence was both profound and razor-sharp, rivaling that of a ninth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, and that the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword was a peerless, top-tier Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal-grade power and craftsmanship].

With a resonant *shing* of steel, Eldrin Chen carved his way out of the thickest press, having slain three Second Rank Low-Grade demon monkeys.

Once free of the encirclement, his sword energy swerved, deftly evading a streak of golden light. His expression tightened slightly.

"ROAR—!"

A Second Rank High-Grade Golden Python Monkey bellowed in fury. It had been this creature that launched the innate magical technique in a sneak attack. The power of that innate art was Extraordinary; had it struck true, even the physical body of a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator would likely have been unable to withstand it.

Enraged that its spell had missed, wasting its own spiritual power, the Second Rank demon monkey roared again. It led a pack of thirteen other Second Rank demon monkeys in closing the circle once more. Read, share, and discuss at audio~novel.com.

This outcome was only possible because the two of them had caught the enemy off guard, swiftly eliminating five Second Rank Low-Grade demon apes in succession. Otherwise, the battle would likely have been far more arduous.

Varen Wei also revealed a grave expression, his voice heavy with caution as he said, "There are still thirteen left. We must proceed with utmost care."

Although only thirteen demon apes remained, the majority were at the mid to late stages of Foundation Establishment, posing a significant threat to the duo.

With furious roars, the two Second Rank High-Grade ape chieftains unleashed a barrage of spells while simultaneously charging forward, seeking to leverage their formidable physical prowess in close-quarters combat.

Naturally, the two cultivators had no intention of meeting them head-on. They skillfully evaded while continuously harassing the apes with their signature magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

After roughly thirty exchanges, Eldrin Chen raised his hand and unleashed the Blazing Heaven Sword Divine Ability. With a resonant *clang*, the Second Rank High-Grade ape chieftain was forcefully repelled.

Seizing the opening, he channeled his energy into the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword. With another fierce *clang*, he cleaved a Second Rank Mid-Grade demon ape cleanly in two.

"ROAR—!"

Witnessing another of its kin fall, the ape chieftain locked in combat with Eldrin Chen could no longer contain its fury. It opened its maw and expelled its Second Rank High-Grade Inner Pill [the condensed core of a demon beast's cultivation, a potent source of power].

"Perfect timing!"

The moment he saw the Demon Core, Eldrin Chen let out a cold sneer and raised his hand to summon forth the Violet Light Mirror.

This Violet Light Mirror was specifically designed to suppress Demonic Beast Inner Pill. In the past, Eldrin Chen's cultivation had been insufficient to unleash the treasure's full power.

Now, fueled by True Essence rivaling the Foundation Establishment 9th Tier realm, he pushed the treasure's might beyond its usual limits by a third. A beam of violet mirror-light shone forth, actually causing the Second Rank Demonic Beast Inner Pill to fall from the sky.

Then, Eldrin Chen swept his hand, gathering and storing the Inner Pill in one swift motion.

The Inner Pill was the lifeblood of a demonic beast. Seeing it fall, the lead demon ape staggered, nearly collapsing on the spot.

Deprived of its Inner Pill, the Second Rank High-Grade demon ape's power plummeted drastically; even the potency of its spells was nearly halved. It no longer possessed the strength to contend with Eldrin Chen.

Seizing the opportunity, Eldrin Chen, shielded by the Ninefold Resonance Bell above his head, ignored the desperate assaults of several Second Rank Demon Ape. He continuously channeled the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, unleashing strike after strike to finish off the severely weakened Second Rank High-Grade Demon Ape.

Just as Eldrin Chen was displaying his divine might, poised to slay the demon ape, a streak of silvery treasure-light suddenly shot towards him.

"Trouble! A magical treasure!"

Eldrin Chen's expression changed abruptly. He hastily summoned the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword to intercept the attack.

Yet the moment his flying sword shot forth, he recognized the origin of that incoming treasure radiance. A sense of foreboding jolted his heart, and he urgently tried to command the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword to evade the silvery light.

Alas, it was too late. The silvery radiance materialized into a pale silver bracelet, unleashing a beam of magnetic silver light that instantly ensnared the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, rendering even this superior Immortal Sword incapable of breaking free.

"Trouble."

Eldrin Chen's heart sank. This object was actually forged from Magnetic Essence Gold [a rare ore imbued with powerful magnetic properties]. That Magnetic Essence Gold was of the third rank, a precious material only produced within fourth-rank Metallic Gold Earth Vein [a rare spiritual vein rich in metallic and earth energies].

Such material inherently contained the Polarity Primordial Magnetism Force [a fundamental force of attraction and repulsion]. When refined into a magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], it specialized in suppressing metal-attribute flying swords and similar treasures. Be it a potent Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword cultivated as part of one's very life force] or an Extraordinary [exceptional] high-grade treasure, once locked, breaking free was exceedingly difficult.

"How could a mere Second Rank [Foundation Establishment level] Demon Ape possess such a magical treasure?" For uninterrupted reading, go to audio~novel.com.

Eldrin Chen's expression changed drastically. Reacting on instinct, he summoned forth the Blazing Heaven Sword [a sword technique manifesting searing celestial flames] and unleashed it, hoping to rescue his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword.

Yet the attacker was truly Extraordinary. It was a Demon Ape distinct from the others, with a violet pattern etched upon its forehead. Its cultivation aura far surpassed that of an ordinary Second Rank High-Grade [late Foundation Establishment] Demon Ape.

This Demon Ape was capable of ambush tactics and had struck with lethal precision, clear signs of Extraordinary intelligence. It was not far from breaking through to the Violet Sanctum Realm [the Violet Palace realm, a major advancement past Foundation Establishment].

With a sinister grin, it summoned an iron rod magical treasure of Second Rank High-Grade quality, which shot through the air to meet the attack. Though the rod's radiance dimmed considerably from the impact, it successfully parried the might of the Blazing Heaven Sword.

After blocking this strike, it did not retreat. Instead, it raised its hand and unleashed a stream of violet-gold radiance, revealing its innate divine ability, the 'Purple-Gold Barrier-Shattering God-Slaying Light' [a formidable innate technique that manifests as countless piercing beams of light].

As this divine ability manifested, it instantly transformed into myriad beams of light that soared into the sky and rained down. Each beam, like a minuscule sword of light, pierced the void and struck the Ninefold Resonance Bell [a powerful defensive bell treasure], stirring up layer upon layer of rippling disturbances upon its surface.

Fortunately, the Ninefold Resonance Bell possessed peerless defensive prowess for its grade, ultimately managing to withstand this divine ability.

"What a formidable fiend!"

Eldrin Chen's expression turned grave. His most proficient weapon, the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [his signature flaming sword], was currently restrained. Facing the combined assault of several Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] Demon Ape [powerful ape-like demonic beasts] and this formidable enemy before him, he was beginning to feel overwhelmed.

With this thought, he took a deep breath and called out loudly, "Fellow Daoist Wei [a respectful form of address between cultivators], leave this creature to me. Please hold off the Second Rank [equivalent to the Foundation Establishment realm for demon beasts] demon beasts for me."

"Understood."

Varen Wei, who was single-handedly holding off seven or eight Second Rank demon beasts, responded with a long cry. He summoned his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a treasure nurtured with one's life force and soul], the Polarity Treasure Vase [a vase treasure that harnesses opposing elemental energies].

This Polarity Treasure Vase was Varen Wei's signature technique. Within the vase, Solar Fire [the essence of yang/solar flame] and Positive Water Dual Energy [the essence of yin/aqueous energy] intertwined, capable of unleashing a devastatingly powerful divine ability.

The treasure inverted itself in mid-air, pouring down Polarity Dual Energy [the combined power of opposing elemental forces]. This energy transformed into the divine ability 'Polarity Annihilation Vase Energy' [an annihilating force released from the vase], which instantly suppressed the entire group of Second Rank demon beasts.

Within a radius of several hundred Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], a multitude of first-order demon beasts sought to charge forward in support, yet they were instantly reduced to tribulation ashes by this divine ability [a powerful supernatural technique].

Although holding the line alone against the horde of demon beasts strained his True Essence [the refined, foundational energy cultivated by a practitioner], he understood with even greater clarity that standing firm now was the only possible path to breaking the deadlock.

Seeing that Varen Wei had intercepted the majority of the adversaries, Eldrin Chen allowed himself a breath of relief. He expanded the Ninefold Resonance Bell [a magical treasure that emits powerful sonic waves] to block the myriad spells unleashed by the Purple-Gold Demonic Ape, then summoned forth the Purple Sun Furnace [a furnace-type treasure imbued with solar fire] to unleash a torrential cascade of True Flame [a pure, potent spiritual fire] that roared down to incinerate his foe.

With the Violet Light Mirror [a mirror that reflects and counters magical attacks] in hand, Eldrin Chen forced the Purple-Gold Demon Ape to hesitate, daring not to risk its Inner Pill [the condensed core of a demon beast's cultivation, its source of power and life] in direct confrontation. Instead, the ape whirled its iron staff, conjuring protective energy several Zhang-lengths thick—a swirling barrier that held the raging Purple Sun True Flame [a divine ability manifesting as purifying solar fire] utterly at bay. For the best reading experience, visit audio—novel.com.