Chapter 169 : A Promise of Longevity and Brotherhood

After hearing his words, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh and patted his shoulder in consolation.

"Fellow Daoist, do not despair. There may yet be opportunities to replenish your vital Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things] and restore your lifespan," he said.

"In your current state, with sufficient longevity, you would have an eighty to ninety percent chance of breaking through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] next time, even without external aids."

"There is no need for such comfort," Varen Wei shook his head, his face etched with anguish. "Lifespan-extending treasures are exceedingly precious. Given the current state of our Wei Clan, how could we possibly afford one?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, yet he spoke with earnest conviction. "In the past, when we ventured together into the Ink-Wash Ridge, you told me your friendship was genuine. I, too, recognized you as a true friend."

"I have heard that in Wei Nation there grows a Longevity Spirit Apricot [a miraculous fruit that can extend a cultivator's lifespan by ten years]. A single fruit can add ten years to one's life. I will go to Wei Nation to purchase one for you. You should return to Yu County and await good news."

"This..."

Varen Wei hesitated for a moment, then, to Eldrin Chen's surprise, prostrated himself on the ground.

Eldrin Chen hurriedly moved to support him, saying urgently, "Fellow Daoist, why go to such lengths?"

Grasping Eldrin Chen's hand, Varen Wei choked back a sob, tears streaming down his aged face. Continue reading this story at www . audio-novel.com.

"In my lifetime, I have considered dozens as friends, priding myself on a wide circle of acquaintances, yet none have treated me as you have."

"If I can one day break through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] and cling to life for another two centuries, should you ever have a need, dear brother, I will spare no effort, even to the point of laying down my life, to repay this grace of aiding my path to the Dao."

"You speak too gravely, Fellow Daoist."

Eldrin Chen smiled, helping him to his feet. "The road ahead is long and arduous. Your vital essence is currently depleted, Fellow Daoist. Please, take good care of yourself."

After parting with Varen Wei, Eldrin Chen did not linger. He departed with the young girl that very day.

Originally, he had intended for them to travel together. Had Varen Wei successfully advanced to the Purple Mansion, they could have watched each other's backs along the journey, and Duncan Jie might not have dared to act.

But now, with Varen Wei's breakthrough having failed, the situation was entirely different.

Although Varen Wei's True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated after reaching the Foundation Establishment realm] was now nearing the Purple Mansion level, the severe depletion of his Qi and blood from burning his lifeblood essence meant that, in this state, any significant exertion would cause grievous damage to his True Essence.

If both his lifeblood essence and True Essence suffered severe damage simultaneously, it would constitute a catastrophic loss of foundational vitality. In that case, Varen Wei would likely have but a few days left to live.

Understanding that he was being targeted by cultivators from the Deng Clan, Eldrin Chen naturally wished to avoid bringing calamity upon Varen Wei. Thus, he used the pretext of purchasing the Spirit Apricot [a spiritual fruit that can extend lifespan] to part ways with him.

No sooner had he departed from Yuyang Market than Duncan Deng on the other side sensed something amiss.

"Only two days, why did he leave so swiftly?" The Deng Clan elder brother frowned, his expression turning grave. "That man is an unfamiliar face; likely no one in Yan Kingdom knows him."

"In such a short time, it's impossible to trace his origins."

"Hmph."

That Duncan Deng snorted coldly, brimming with overconfidence. "He's just a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a practitioner who has solidified their spiritual foundation], merely at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer. How could he possibly escape my grasp?"

"Let's catch up to him first, then we'll see."

"They truly dare to give chase."

After flying for over three thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] with Lila, Eldrin Chen noticed two streaks of light pursuing from behind.

He furrowed his brow, a glint of cold intent flashing in his eyes, yet he ultimately suppressed the killing urge rising in his heart.

After all, the Deng Immortal Clan was a Golden Core Immortal Clan [a clan possessing cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, a potent spiritual nucleus]. Given his current strength, it was best to avoid provoking them if possible.

With this thought, the azure sword radiance beneath his feet surged mightily. The speed of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss increased dramatically, transforming into a dazzling streak of sword light that cleaved through the vast sky as he sought to shake off his two pursuers.

"A Third Rank Immortal Sword [a powerful enchanted blade forged for cultivators at the Purple Mansion Realm or above]," he muttered.

A look of naked greed flashed in Duncan Deng's eyes. A single Third Rank Low Grade Immortal Sword was worth at least fifty or sixty thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]—a treasure he himself did not possess.

Seeing Eldrin Chen was about to slip away, Duncan Deng turned to his clan brother and urgently called out.

"Brother, your Void-Traversing Boat [a magical vessel capable of traversing void spaces at great speed]! Don't hold back now!"

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The elder Deng clansman responded with a resonant shout, raising his hand to produce a small boat measuring merely three Cun-lengths [approximately ten centimeters].

This miniature vessel was a Third-Rank Treasure Ship. As he channeled his power into it, it swelled to a size of one Zhang-length [approximately three point three three meters], carrying both men in swift pursuit.

Such compact treasure boats were exceedingly fast, typically reserved for the heat of combat between cultivators. Yet, it managed to match the speed of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss.

Watching the treasure boat close the distance, a flicker of tension passed through Eldrin's gaze. Pushed to its limits, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss could traverse thirty thousand Li-length [fifteen thousand kilometers] in a day. That he still could not shake them was troubling.

This chase and flight spanned the heavens in the blink of an eye, lasting over a month. Eldrin Chen and Lila seized several opportunities to shake off their pursuers, yet, in the end, they were still relentlessly followed.

Even after Eldrin Chen soared into the Cerulean Peaks Range, the two pursuers doggedly refused to give up the chase.

"Still unwilling to relent?"

"Sword flight consumes True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by practitioners], while their treasure boat can be powered by Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Continuing like this, I fear my True Essence will be exhausted."

A cold glint flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes. Seeing the pair still in pursuit, his resolve to kill solidified completely.

Swallowing a One Restoration Pill [a pill that rapidly restores a cultivator's spiritual energy] to recover his True Essence, Eldrin Chen glanced back at the two figures chasing him. The radiance beneath his feet surged, and he shot straight into the territory of the Black Eagle Ridge.

He flew another hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] deeper into the heart of the Black Eagle Ridge. Then, his sword light arced and finally halted high in the firmament. With deliberate calm, he consumed his last two Recovery Pill [a type of pill for restoring spiritual energy and vitality].

He then took up Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], continuously drawing from them to rapidly replenish his True Essence and restore his condition to its peak.

Seeing him suspended in the void, Duncan Deng closed the distance, his maniacal laughter echoing from afar.

"Run! Why have you stopped running?"

"Clang—"

Before Duncan Deng could finish speaking, the deep azure sword aura surged with the wind and, with a sharp *clang*, cleaved towards them.

"Watch out!"

The Deng Clan elder brother's gaze sharpened. He activated the spirit boat's Defensive Formation [a protective energy barrier array], which manifested as a curtain of light, blocking the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss.

However, the Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personally bound and nurtured sword, growing in power with them] was indeed extraordinary. Transforming into a thirty-Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] sword aura, it struck repeatedly, causing the Defensive Formation to tremble violently.

"The Defensive Formation on my spirit boat isn't strong; it won't hold for long,"

the Deng Clan elder brother said. As his words fell, he channeled his divine ability, the Flood Water Divine Thunder [a thunderous attack imbued with the power of the primordial Flood Water element], to strike down. This elder brother was named Duncan Jie. Although his background was not as illustrious as Duncan Deng's, his father was also a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened the third major energy center, the Purple Mansion] within the Deng Clan.

Supported by his father, this person had once attempted a Purple Mansion breakthrough and succeeded in opening forty percent of his Purple Mansion Dao Meridian [the primary energy channel associated with the Purple Mansion realm].

Now, as he unleashed the Flood Water Divine Thunder, its power was indeed formidable. For a moment, it seemed as if a heavenly river [a celestial waterway in mythology] had transformed into divine thunder, crashing down from the sky.

"Hmph—"

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. While water and fire were opposing elements, the Flood Water Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique harnessing the power of flood waters] unleashed by Duncan Jie with his level of cultivation was utterly incapable of threatening the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a magical sword imbued with the power of the Separated Flame, a mystical fire].

After all, True Essence [the refined energy cultivated by Foundation Establishment cultivators] was not the same as the more profound and versatile mana of higher realms. No matter how vast his True Essence reserves, it lacked the arcane subtleties of true mana and could not elevate the power of his divine ability to the Third Rank [the Purple Mansion Realm].

The sword aura of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss surged violently. A torrent of Separated Flame [a mystical, purifying flame essence] ground the Flood Water Divine Thunder into nothingness before continuing its relentless slash towards the spirit boat's defensive formation.

"He's merely at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer, so how can he be this powerful?"

"To possess a Third Rank Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword forged with one's own essence, growing in power with its wielder]... Could it be he possesses some rare Dao Body [a special innate physique granting exceptional cultivation aptitude]?"

The arrogant expression on Duncan Deng's face froze, quickly replaced by a flicker of intense jealousy. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel[dot]com.