Chapter 170 Mountain Duel

Spiritual roots are easily found, but a Dao Body is hard to come by. Cultivators who possess a Dao Body are often even rarer than those with Variant Spiritual Roots.

Although Variant Spirit Roots were exceptionally rare, with only 1 in 10,000 possessing them, nations like the Yan Kingdom and Chu Kingdom each had a dozen or so cultivators with such roots. However, when it came to Dao Bodies, the 2 kingdoms combined had merely 2 individuals.

1 was Lyra, the other was a Ji Clan Eldrin True Monarch stationed in Yan Kingdom.

Even the most common Dao Body can significantly enhance a cultivator's cultivation speed and increase the probability of breaking through realms. It is in no way inferior when compared to the Heavenly Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root).

Lyra’s Lunar Immortal Physique was among the most supreme Dao Bodies, rumored to be a constitution only true immortals could possess, with potential beyond imagination.

The Lunar Yin Physique, Solar Yang Physique, and other supreme Dao Bodies were far too extraordinary. Astonished by the innate origins of such individuals, the world proclaimed them to be immortals from the celestial realm born in response to fate’s call. Believing them to be inherently blessed with great fortune, they came to be known as Celestial Physiques.

"Perish."

Deng Yuanwu’s face twisted into a savage glare. Without hesitation, he unleashed his ultimate trump card—activating a treasure talisman and hurling it forward.

The treasure talisman erupted with a dazzling blade radiance, sealed within it the third-level divine ability 'Kunze Heavenly Blade'. A hazy arc of sword light descended from the heavens, striking directly toward Eldrin.

Third-tier, Lower-grade Treasure Talisman.

Eldrin's gaze sharpened slightly, yet at his current level of cultivation, a mere single low-grade, third-tier treasure talisman could no longer pose any threat to him.

With a flick of his hand, he summoned the Thunderfire Sword and swung it forth. The blade transformed into a dark-gold sword aura that descended like lightning, cleanly intercepting the Kunze Heaven Blade.

However, this treasure talisman was truly extraordinary, as it managed to dim the spiritual glow of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. Clearly, the sword’s power had been greatly depleted, rendering it temporarily unusable.

Retrieving the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, Eldrin had no time to catch his breath before his gaze sharpened once more.

只见那邓元武再次祭出了一枚三阶宝符，虚空中绽放出一道剑罡，腾空斩了过来。

"Damn it, how is there still a Divine Ability Talisman?"

Eldrin's expression shifted. A single low-grade, third-tier treasure talisman typically started at a price of 20,000 spirit stones.

The might of a third-level divine ability was truly astonishing; even a Purple Mansion cultivator would expend a vast amount of spiritual power to activate it.

This divine talisman possessed astonishing power. Even Violet Mansion cultivators would not use it lightly, typically reserving it for decisive strikes at critical moments.

At this moment, Deng Yuanwu’s reckless squandering of such a precious treasure left even Eldrin (Person Name) utterly stunned, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of vicarious pain on his behalf.

However, it must be said that although the use of these 2 precious talismans was rather wasteful, their effect was remarkably significant—they actually forced Eldrin into an extremely passive position.

Eldrin knew that third-level sword talisman was exceptionally powerful, so he immediately summoned the Vajra Banner of Sura.

The power of this top-ranked innate magical treasure of the Violet Abyss Sect, the Sura Annihilation Seal, proved truly extraordinary. As its devastating force erupted, it astonishingly cleared a void spanning 10 1000 zhang in radius.

With a single strike, the sword aura shattered into fragments. The residual force even leveled several li of mountain peaks, the thunderous roar echoing across nearly a 100 li. Countless low-level demon beasts scattered in panic.

However, after activating the Indra's Celestial Annihilation Seal, the energy within the Indra Vajra Banner had been significantly depleted. It would require several years of nurturing before this divine ability could be unleashed again.

"Slay—"

Seeing that Eldrin’s Thunderfire Sword was temporarily unusable and the divine power of the Xuluo Jitian Seal had been depleted, Deng Yuanwu finally revealed a sinister grin. He summoned a ghost-headed blade artifact and swung it forward.

It must be said that while this man's nature was undeniably arrogant, he valued his own life above all else. When engaging in magical combat, he was truly meticulous and cautious.

Even after consecutively deploying 2 third-rank talismans, which cost Eldrin 2 of his trump cards, the opponent still dared not emerge from his Third-Rank Treasure Ship. He merely manipulated a third-rank treasure blade to contend against Eldrin's natal immortal sword.

Eldrin unleashed 2 divine abilities and his Lifebound Immortal Sword, engaging the 2 in over a 100 exchanges. He soon realized Deng Yuanwu’s primordial energy rivaled his own—even their combat techniques were equally matched.

"How could this be?"

His eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a flicker of astonishment.

Throughout these years, the reason he had forged such a fearsome reputation was his keen combat instincts—always seizing the pivotal moment to deliver a fatal strike to his opponents.

On this point, he was utterly self-assured. When it came to seizing the critical moment in battle, even Old Ancestor Yang of the Purple Palace, Mid Stage cultivation realm likely couldn't surpass him.

Yet this mere Foundation Establishment cultivator was able to hold his own against him, defying all expectations.

"Wrong, it's an ocular art."

Eldrin's gaze sharpened as he noticed the spiritual light gleaming in Deng Yuanwu's eyes, giving him an almost preternatural clarity of perception.

In that instant, clarity dawned within him—he realized his opponent possessed ocular mystic arts.

In truth, Deng Yuanwu was equally astonished at that moment. Pupil techniques were far too rare, and they often possessed astonishingly marvelous applications. Although his Jade Spirit Pupils lacked formidable offensive power, their profundity was beyond measure.

When he activated this divine ability, he discovered that Eldrin's movements seemed to slow considerably. Yet even under such circumstances, he still hadn't gained the upper hand - this truly defied all his expectations.

"This person's combat intuition is far too astonishing."

"He doesn’t seem like a Foundation Establishment cultivator." Tiancai remembered in an instant: (72 Literature) Deng Yuanwu wiped the sweat from his brow and urgently urged his clansman, Deng Yuanjie, beside him, "Elder Brother, strike now—quickly!"

Without further delay, Deng Yuanjie activated the assault formation aboard the treasure vessel, unleashing its sole offensive divine ability.

A brilliant crimson flame descended from the sky, moving with extraordinary speed as it instantly enveloped Eldrin.

Burning God Blaze Fire.

Eldrin's expression tightened slightly as he immediately recognized this divine ability.

1 of the 3 divine abilities contained within the Old Patriarch's Crimson-Gold Banner of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure) was precisely this Soul-Scorching Li Fire.

Over the years, Chen Changxuan had relied on this divine ability within the array flags to dominate Bianzhou, carving out a formidable reputation for himself.

Being all too familiar with this divine ability, Eldrin was acutely aware of the formidable power of the Soul-Scorching Estrangement Flame. Naturally, he dared not meet it head-on. Without hesitation, he channeled his energy into the Sura Vajra Banner, activating its defensive power—the Vajra Glass Shield.

This third-tier magic treasure was truly extraordinary. The divine abilities it unleashed blocked the Soul-Scorching Li Fire, preventing the overwhelming flames from approaching.

But at that moment, a vicious grin spread across Deng Yuanwu's face as he produced a third treasure talisman.

"You never expected it, but I still have a third-level talisman."

He sneered coldly and raised his hand to summon the treasure talisman, which transformed into a third-order True Water Sword that descended from above. Surprisingly, it dimmed the radiance of the Xuluo Vajra Banner and shattered the defensive divine art.

As the overwhelming Li Fire blazed toward him, Eldrin (Person Name) summoned his protective aura and wielded his innate immortal sword to cleave through the soul-scorching flames, breaking free from the encirclement.

Seeing him burst out of the Soul-Scorching Blaze, Deng Yuanwu (Person Name) coldly shouted, "His primordial energy is nearly depleted. Don't let him escape!"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin’s eyes gleamed with killing intent. Although his true essence had been severely depleted, the Ren Water Azure Lotus Platform within him still stored abundant spiritual power—far from the frailty his opponent assumed.

Just as he was about to summon his defensive artifact, the Luofu Vajra Seal, to continue the battle, a furious roar suddenly pierced the air. A dark shadow swept across the distant heavens, flying toward him.

"It's the Black Python Demon, a Purple Palace, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm) demonic beast from Black Eagle Ridge."

"Not good, our spellcasting has drawn its attention."

Deng Yuanjie let out a startled cry and hastily urged his treasure boat to flee into the distance.

And Eldrin moved even faster than them; the moment he saw the dark shadow, he transformed into a sword gleam and soared into the distance.

"Where do you think you're running? After him! Go after him now!" Deng Yuanwu watched as Eldrin was about to escape, his face twisting into a savage grimace as he seized Deng Yuanjie by the collar. "That is my chance at Dao attainment—I order you to pursue him!"

Deng Yuanjie’s expression shifted repeatedly, as though he were truly seeing this clansman of his for the first time. In the end, without uttering a word, he urged the treasure boat forward in pursuit.

Eldrin had flown over 7,000 li when he momentarily shook off Deng Yuanwu and the demonic beast by taking cover in a mountain hollow. Before he realized it, he had drifted into a mist-shrouded valley.

Then it was as if he had broken through a barrier of mist, only to discover before him a spiritual mountain.

"The spiritual energy density... this is a third-grade, superior-grade spiritual vein."

Only then did he realize that he had inadvertently broken through a Veiling Formation.

Suppressing his thoughts, Eldrin raised his head and discovered a cave abode ahead, above which a line of characters was carved.

Mount Mo'wang.