Chapter 122 : Clash of Divine Abilities

"This fiend is likely not far from the Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a Violet Palace within the dantian]. No wonder it possesses such astonishing magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators]."

In the blink of an eye, dozens more exchanges had passed. Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a young cultivator from the Chen Clan], wielding his arsenal of magical treasures and divine abilities, fought with ferocious might. Yet, a chill ran down his spine as he realized he still could not overpower this Purple-Gold Demonic Ape [a powerful, intelligent demon beast with purple-gold fur and immense strength].

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

The Blazing Heaven Sword [a sword technique that manifests a blade of searing heavenly flame] shot forth first, soaring through the air to strike at the Primordial Magnetic Treasure Bracelet [a powerful bracelet that emits a magnetic field to disrupt metal-based weapons and treasures], aiming to shatter the deadlock.

A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the Purple-Gold Demon Ape. It instantly activated its Innate Divine Ability [a powerful technique a creature is born with], the Purple-Gold Barrier-Shattering God-Slaying Light [a devastating beam of purple-gold energy], which blasted against the oncoming Blazing Heaven Sword.

The collision erupted into a spectacle of blinding, brilliant light and fire. A powerful shockwave radiated outwards, sweeping away the lower-tier demon beasts that had dared to charge forward, scattering them like withered grass before a gale.

"BOOM—"

A deafening peal of thunder suddenly roared. Although the Blazing Heaven Sword had failed to land its blow, the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique with metallic, piercing properties] arrived a split second later. A golden bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking the Primordial Magnetic Treasure Bracelet directly.

Though the Purple-Gold Demon Ape possessed Extraordinary [a descriptor meaning remarkable or peerless] strength, it ultimately lacked Eldrin Chen's vast arsenal of magical treasures and techniques. It could only watch helplessly as the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder struck home.

The Primordial Magnetic Treasure Bracelet, while crafted from Extraordinary materials specifically to counter metal-element Immortal Swords [legendary swords used by immortal cultivators] and treasures, was after all merely a rough, unfinished Second Rank High-Grade [a classification for the quality and power of artifacts] magical treasure blank [an unrefined treasure form]. Against the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder—a force with form yet without substance—it was utterly powerless. The complete novel can be found at audio - novel . com.

With a sharp crack, the Primordial Magnetic Treasure Bracelet [a powerful enchanted artifact that manipulates magnetic forces] dimmed, its radiance diminished by over sixty to seventy percent. Seizing the opportunity, the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword imbued with solar fire] erupted with a surge of sword-light. A torrent of Solar Fire [a divine flame technique drawing power from the sun] blazed forth, forcefully parting the Magnetic Treasure Radiance [the restraining magnetic field emitted by the bracelet] and allowing the sword to break free from its confinement.

Capitalizing on the Primordial Magnetic Treasure Bracelet's severely weakened state, Eldrin Chen summoned forth the Violet Light Mirror [a mirror treasure that emits a violet light capable of subduing other artifacts]. With its power, he finally managed to subdue and claim this supreme treasure.

Witnessing its prized magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] being grievously wounded and Eldrin Chen's most formidable weapon, the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, breaking free, the Purple-Gold Demonic Ape [a powerful ape demon with purple-gold fur] shifted its expression. A flicker of unease crossed its features.

With one foot already within the Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a violet palace within the dantian], its intellect was nearly that of a human. It sensed that Eldrin Chen was a formidable opponent. Without the Primordial Magnetic Treasure Bracelet to restrain him, and unwilling to risk its Demon Core [the condensed essence of a demon beast's power, analogous to a cultivator's golden core], it realized it might not be a match for Eldrin Chen.

Furthermore, it was at a critical juncture, teetering on the brink of a breakthrough into the Violet Sanctum Realm. Any damage to its Demon Core could sever its Path [the lifelong pursuit of cultivation and enlightenment], a catastrophic setback. Weighing the situation, a desire to retreat began to take root in its mind.

With a furious roar, it seized the moment while Eldrin Chen was preoccupied with subduing the Primordial Magnetic Treasure Bracelet. It whirled its iron staff, scattering the Purple Sun True Flame [a potent purple flame technique] before it. Then, with a mighty heave, it hurled the staff *against* the current of flames, sending it crashing like a meteor toward the Purple Sun Furnace [a furnace treasure used for alchemy and combat].

Eldrin Chen, in the midst of channeling the Violet Light Mirror to capture the bracelet, was caught off guard. He had no time to recall the Purple Sun Furnace to safety.

The iron staff spun like a drill, tearing through the Purple Sun True Flame as it crossed a hundred Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] of sky in an instant. The impact was devastating; the Purple Sun Furnace's main body shattered into fragments.

The material of this Purple Sun Furnace had never been exceptionally sturdy. Years prior, a Demonic Roc [a giant, predatory bird demon] had cleaved a great gash in it with the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword [a sword that channels thunder and fire]. Though repaired, its power and integrity had never fully recovered. Now, a single blow had reduced it to rubble.

Though his heart ached for the companion of many years now destroyed, Eldrin Chen had no time for sorrow. With a swift motion, he sent the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword streaking toward the retreating ape in a blazing counterattack.

Yet, the Purple-Gold Demonic Ape showed no desire to continue the fight. After retreating a hundred Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], it caught its iron staff to block the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, then frantically fled into the distance.

Eldrin Chen was about to give chase when he realized the Purple-Gold Demon Ape had unleashed the Purple-Gold Barrier-Shattering God-Slaying Light for a third time as a parting shot.

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

"Fellow Daoist Chen, come aid me, quickly!"

Though Varen Wei had opened three of his Violet Sanctum Meridian of the Path, granting him a True Essence [the refined foundational energy of a cultivator] far deeper 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 his hands free, he immediately cried out for help.

With no other choice, Eldrin Chen had to abandon his chance to pursue the Purple-Gold Demonic Ape. He channeled his energy into the Solar Fire Ascension Sword and rushed to Varen Wei's aid.

Both were formidable warriors. Varen Wei possessed profound True Essence and wielded several Second Rank High-Grade magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] 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. Against a mere dozen or so Second Rank demon beasts, they swiftly gained the upper hand.

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

"Success!"

After the demonic beasts fled in disarray, the two cultivators could not contain their excitement.

After hastily clearing the battlefield, they rushed into the Spirit Herb Garden [a garden specifically cultivated for nurturing spiritual plants] located within Ink-Splashing Ridge.

This Spirit Herb Garden had been untended for a century. Upon entering, they found it overrun with weeds, and many of the Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation] had already withered and died.

Only about sixty-some Spirit Herb remained. Fortunately, among these sixty-some plants, a significant number—over thirty—had already matured and were ready for harvest.

This included two stalks of Verdant Origin Mushroom and three fruits of Yuan-Breaking Fruit. Just as they finished gathering the mature herbs and were about to leave, Eldrin Chen suddenly sensed something amiss. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel dot com.

His steps halted abruptly. A few paces later, he found it—in a secluded corner, a luminous treasure ginseng emitting a soft white glow.

"Mystic Jade Ginseng [a rare and precious spiritual ginseng with a jade-like appearance, highly valued in alchemy]!"

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

The Mystic Jade Ginseng was a precious medicinal herb of the Third Rank Lower Grade [a classification tier for spiritual objects and cultivation resources]. It was exceptionally rare and served as the primary ingredient for refining the Mystic Jade Pill [a high-grade elixir known for its potent effects].

That Mystic Jade Pill was a Third Rank Lower Grade Precious Pill [a high-grade pill with potent effects]. Consuming it could increase the spiritual power of a Violet Sanctum Early Stage cultivator by ten percent, and its market price often hovered around ten thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] per pill.

The most crucial point was that, despite its immense energy, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator could still barely manage to ingest it.

It was said that even a Foundation Establishment 9th Tier cultivator, after consuming this pill, could increase their True Essence [the refined, foundational energy of a cultivator] by thirty percent, greatly enhancing their strength.

For a cultivator like Varen Wei, who was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage stage, increasing his True Essence by another thirty percent after taking this pill would likely add a few more points of certainty to his chances of breaking through to the Violet Sanctum realm.

Such a wondrous pill naturally came with a limitation: a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could only consume it once. Any subsequent attempts would overwhelm their meridians, which simply could not withstand it.

"I never imagined that this Ink-Splashing Ridge would harbor such a treasure," Eldrin Chen remarked.

Eldrin Chen cast a wary glance at Varen Wei before speaking. "Let us take this Mystic Jade Ginseng [a rare spiritual ginseng] back together. We can request Patriarch Jiang of Heavenly Ruins Mountain to refine it into pills, and then we can split the resulting elixirs equally. What do you think?"

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

"For now, let us first escape the demon beast territory, and then we can divide the spoils of this battle."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen couldn't help but view the man in a slightly more favorable light.

Varen Wei had risen to the position of Wei Clan Patriarch precisely because of his keen ability to judge character; he knew what kind of people were worth befriending.

Over the years, the Wei Clan had managed to rise and become a top-tier Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan in Boyang County, even under the pressure from the Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan, largely thanks to the support of the many friends he had cultivated.

In his view, Eldrin Chen was highly likely to achieve the esteemed status of a Violet Sanctum Patriarch. By establishing a connection with Eldrin Chen today, he would be weaving a thread of Karma [the principle of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences] for his clan—a potential lifeline should Eldrin ever fail in his attempt to break through to the Violet Sanctum realm. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio_novel.com.