Chapter 129 Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), Immortal Sword Ascension

Hearing her words, a faint smile graced Eldrin's lips.

Unlike those Purple Mansion immortal clans, their Foundation Establishment clans possessed extremely weak self-preservation capabilities. They still needed to rely on each other to increase their chances of surviving the beast tide.

"In that case, I shall state my purpose directly." Eldrin spoke, his expression turning solemn. "After deliberation, our Yu Province wishes to establish a mutual defense pact with both Feng and Ling Provinces."

"The disciples of the Qingyang Sect have seized the Li Fire Crystal (Spiritual Object) from the Zhang Clan of Yangzhou this time. The matter has now stirred up a storm, making it impossible to place trust in them any longer."

"Thus, we have decided to sever ties with the Qingyang Sect and journey to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) to renew our blood oath."

After listening, Liu Jueran also nodded and said earnestly, “The Qingyang Sect can no longer be relied upon. If we wish to survive, our only option is to turn to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location).”

"In truth, even our Xu Clan of the Feng County Purple Manor—a distinguished immortal lineage—has begun maneuvering to establish an alliance with Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location)."

The 2 conversed in the reception pavilion for an entire afternoon, roughly outlining the matters concerning the 3-county contracts before Eldrin finally took his leave.

Back in Feng County, the Liu Immortal Clan naturally returned to convey Yu County's proposal. Once the various great clans confirmed their intentions, a mutual defense pact would be formally signed.

To formalize the alliance pact, dozens of immortal clans from Bianzhou engaged in 7 or 8 rounds of negotiations over nearly 2 years, ultimately ratifying a covenant agreement.

According to this covenant, during the beast tide, the major immortal clans of Border Province must unite as 1, set aside past grievances and enmities, and join forces to combat the beast tide.

Moreover, to prevent demonic cultivators from exploiting the chaos, the covenant established a rule: during the Beast Tide, any clan attacked by both demonic beasts and demonic cultivators must receive immediate reinforcements from neighboring immortal families.

Thus time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, 5 years had passed.

Hah—

On this day, Eldrin refined the last spirit peach in his hand and slowly opened his eyes.

He took a slight breath. Years of arduous cultivation had finally allowed him to advance further, refining the spiritual energy within his body to perfection and reaching the limits of Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer (Cultivation Realm).

"At last, I can attempt the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm)."

A flicker of delight crossed Eldrin's heart as he retrieved a Qingyuan Pill from his storage pouch.

5 years ago, under Lyra's (Person Name) guidance, he successfully refined 2 Green Origin Pills in a single batch. With these 2 precious pills in his possession, his confidence in breaking through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) was virtually assured.

The former clan leader was able to break through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) so early precisely because a mature Cyan Origin Mushroom within the family was used to refine a cauldron of Cyan Origin Pills, enabling him to advance to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) through this opportunity.

Eldrin took a deep breath and swallowed a Qingyuan Pill. Instantly, a torrential surge of vital energy rushed into his meridians, detonating the vast sea of spiritual power within his body.

Although he was only at Foundation Establishment, 6th Layer (Cultivation Realm), years of tempering by the Primordial Purple Qi had rendered his meridians far more resilient and expansive than those of his peers.

Moreover, the sharp true essence gained from self-established Foundation far surpassed that of peers in both combat prowess and body tempering efficacy.

Thus, to this day, the depth of Eldrin's true essence was no less than that of a cultivator at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment. Such profound reserves, once detonated by the Verdant Origin Pill, instantly transformed into a mighty torrent that surged through his meridians. With unstoppable force, it shattered the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment, Late Stage.

It is done.

Feeling the true essence within his body surge by 50 percent, Eldrin revealed a smile.

After breaking through to the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment, refining his true essence became significantly easier. In just a few months, he would be able to fully polish his true essence.

"First, I shall refine my lifebound immortal sword."

He did not immediately refine his true essence, instead directly summoning the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure).

He then extracted the metallic and fiery energies and began the refining process. A low-grade tier-3 magical artifact typically started at a value of 30,000 spirit stones.

Yet, a Lifebound Immortal Sword only requires the energy of the 5 Elements to ascend in grade. For Eldrin's Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss to advance to the lower tier of Third Rank, it requires 49,000 strands of Gengjin Li Fire energy.

Although these 5 Elements energies had cost Eldrin over 10,000 spirit stones, compared to the value of a third-tier magical treasure, this was already considered remarkably low-cost.

Refining the flying sword was a painstaking endeavor. Eldrin painstakingly fused the energies of Geng Metal and Li Fire into the immortal blade, tempering it strand by strand. The process consumed 3 full months before he finally achieved success.

"Clang—"

3 months had passed before a single, clear note of a sword's hum pierced the silence.

The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) unleashed a sword aura spanning over 30 zhang, its dazzling azure brilliance illuminating the entire Spirit Isle Lake (Location). The astonishing phenomenon stirred everything within a 10-mile radius.

In the depths of night, a sapphire sword aura shot vertically into the heavens, piercing through the vast cloud layers. Faint azure radiance seeped through the sea of clouds, illuminating the hazy twilight.

"What's going on?"

Chen Silas (Person Name) was startled by the astonishing phenomenon. Gazing at the magnificent azure sword radiance swirling through the sea of clouds, he could not help but exclaim in awe.

Yet at that moment, Eldrin stepped forward, lifting his gaze toward the blue sword-lights crisscrossing through the 9 Heavens Above, a faint smile gracing his lips.

"Come back!"

A life-bound immortal sword possesses its own spirit. Legend has it that the sixth-tier life-bound immortal sword of the Sword Sage Dao Lord could even single-handedly contend against a Nascent Soul Dao Lord.

The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) truly lived up to its reputation as a superior immortal sword. Though still far from reaching that ultimate stage, its spiritual intelligence had become extraordinary after advancing to the third rank.

A brilliant azure sword light descended from the highest heavens, circling affectionately around Eldrin before transforming into a streak of radiance that vanished between his brows.

"Uncle Eldrin."

Chen Silas gazed at Eldrin, unable to suppress a flicker of astonishment in his expression. "That Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss of yours... could it possibly be..."

"Hmm."

"I never imagined that advancing 1's Lifebound Immortal Sword would produce such a spectacular phenomenon."

Eldrin nodded slightly, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Fortunately, Spirit Isle Lake is located in a remote area. Had the breakthrough occurred at Verdant Chariot Mountain instead, I'm afraid the news would have spread far and wide."

"What happened today, you must keep to yourself and speak of it to no 1."

"I understand, Yanner." A look of ecstasy spread across Chen Silas's face. "Congratulations, Uncle Eldrin. With a third-tier immortal sword in your possession, I daresay you now rank among the upper echelons of the entire Chu Kingdom."

Hearing this, Eldrin also revealed a faint smile. After breaking through to Foundation Establishment, Late Stage, once he consumed the Mysterious Origin Pill, the true essence within his body would rival over half of a Purple Mansion.

With both my Natal Immortal Sword and the Blazing Thunderfire Sword at hand by then, even if I encountered a Purple Palace, Early Stage cultivator, I should be able to hold my own. And even if I couldn't prevail, I ought to have enough leverage with my Natal Immortal Sword to ensure a successful escape.

Across the 3 provinces under the Qingyang Sect's domain, the sect and 7 or 8 Purple Manor immortal clans combined could only muster a mere 30-some Purple Manor cultivators.

"I shall enter seclusion first. Hold the fort for me for a time, and do not disturb."

Eldrin gave his instructions, then turned and retreated back into his secluded cultivation chamber.

Returning to the spirit spring, he first swallowed the Mysterious Origin Pill. Only after sensing the true essence within his body surge by 30 percent did a faint smile finally grace his lips.

He closed his eyes and gradually sensed the innate immortal sword within his body, discovering that wisps of spiritual energy were being absorbed by the innate immortal sword, then transformed and refined into a more condensed form before flowing back out.

Chapter 1: The Reborn Eldrin The air in the Nether Abyss trembled as a crimson streak tore across the ashen sky. Upon a jagged cliff stood a figure in azure robes, his sleeves billowing in the sulfurous winds. This was Eldrin, once the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator of the Azure Cloud Sect, now reborn after a 100 years of soul refinement. "Still at the seventh level of Qi Refinement," he murmured, clenching his fist. The spiritual energy within his dantian surged like a caged typhoon. Memories of his past life flashed before him—the betrayal at the Heavenly Tribulation, the fall of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss into the abyssal flames... A cold light ignited in his eyes. This time, he would reclaim everything. Chapter 2: The Auction Eldrin stepped into the Grand Spirit Pavilion, his presence unnoticed among the crowd. The auctioneer's voice boomed, "Next lot: 32,000 spirit stones for this 5 Elements Formation Disk!" Murmurs rippled through the hall. Eldrin's gaze remained fixed on the item—a seemingly ordinary jade slip concealed within the disk's engraving. He recognized the aura instantly: the lost cultivation method of the Ancient Void Sect. "50 1000," a haughty voice declared from the VIP chamber. Young Master Feng, scion of the local cultivation clan, smirked behind his gold-embroidered fan. Eldrin's voice cut through the tension. "1 100 1000." Gasps echoed through the pavilion. Such a sum could sustain a medium-sized sect for over a year. "You dare compete with me?" Young Master Feng snapped his fan shut, his face darkening. Eldrin merely smiled. "The Grand Spirit Pavilion honors only the highest bidder." Chapter 3: The Hidden Manual Back in his secluded cave, Eldrin channeled spiritual energy into the jade slip. Golden characters materialized in the air—the complete 9 Revolutions Void Art. This was the very technique that had allowed the Ancient Void Sect's patriarch to ascend millennia ago. His fingers traced the shimmering text. "To think I'd find it here... after countless reincarnations." The cultivation method demanded unimaginable resources: 90,000 spirit stones just for the first revolution, not to mention 3 drops of Phoenix Blood and a dozen or so Heaven Enlightenment Pills. But the power it promised—to manipulate space itself, to step beyond the confines of this mortal plane... Chapter 4: The Ambush 3 days later, in the Misty Forest... "You've got some nerve, boy." Young Master Feng emerged from the shadows, flanked by 20-some armed guards. "Hand over the jade slip and I might spare your soul." Eldrin stood calmly beneath an ancient oak. "The Feng Clan has fallen far indeed, sending their young master to do bandits' work." "Kill him!" Feng roared. The guards charged, their blades gleaming with deadly energy. Eldrin's hands moved in an esoteric gesture. "Void Shift." Space twisted around him. Swords passed through his form as if cutting through mist. Before the guards could react, Eldrin appeared behind Young Master Feng, his finger pressing against the young master's temple. "How...?" Feng stammered, his face pale. "A lesson," Eldrin whispered, "in humility." With a flick of his wrist, he sealed Feng's cultivation base. The young master collapsed, his power diminished to that of a mortal. Chapter 5: The Awakening Alone again, Eldrin contemplated the jade slip. The 9 Revolutions Void Art resonated with his soul, awakening memories buried deep within his consciousness. Fragments of his past life as the Void Sovereign surfaced—the cosmic wars, the creation of the 7 Celestial Seals, the great betrayal... He looked toward the eastern peaks where the Azure Cloud Sect still stood, unaware of the storm gathering in their midst. Somewhere in those mountains, his ancient nemesis continued to manipulate events from the shadows. "But not for long," Eldrin vowed to the wind. The first revolution of the Void Art coursed through his meridians, its power mending his damaged foundation. In the distance, thunder rumbled—a promise of the tribulations to come.