Chapter 169 : A Vow of Life and Friendship

After listening to his account, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh and patted his shoulder in consolation.

"Do not despair, Elder Brother. There may yet be opportunities to replenish your Vitality [the foundational life force of a cultivator] and restore your lifespan," Eldrin said.

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

"There is no need for such comfort," Varen Wei shook his head, his face etched with anguish. "Life-Extending Treasures [rare artifacts or elixirs that can increase a cultivator's natural lifespan] are priceless. Given the current state of our Wei Clan, how could we possibly afford one?"

A flicker of resolve passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. "When we ventured together through the Ink-Splashing Ridge, you told me your friendship was genuine," he said earnestly. "And I accepted you as my friend."

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

"This..."

Varen Wei hesitated for a moment, then, to Eldrin's surprise, knelt and bowed deeply to the ground.

Eldrin Chen hurriedly moved to support him. "Elder Brother, why go to such lengths?"

Grasping Eldrin's hand, Varen Wei choked back a sob, tears streaming down his aged face. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel[dot]com.

"In my lifetime, I have considered dozens of cultivators as friends, believing my network was vast," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Yet, not a single one has ever treated me with the sincerity you have shown."

"If fate allows me to break through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within their dantian] and cling to life for another two centuries, know this, Worthy Brother: any request you make, I will fulfill with every fiber of my being, even if it costs me my life, to repay this debt of granting me a path to the Dao."

"You honor me too greatly, Elder Brother,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a gentle smile, helping the man to his feet. "The journey ahead is long and fraught. Your vital essence [the foundational life force of a cultivator] is currently depleted; you must take the utmost care of yourself."

"..."

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

His original plan had been for them to travel together. Had Varen Wei successfully advanced to the Violet Sanctum, they could have watched each other's backs along the road, and even Origin Martial Deng might have thought twice before acting.

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 within a practitioner's body] was now nearing the potency of the Violet Sanctum, the severe depletion of his Vitality [the foundational life force and longevity of a cultivator] from burning his essence-blood had left him critically weakened. In this state, any significant exertion in combat would cause catastrophic damage to his True Essence.

If both his essence-blood and True Essence suffered severe simultaneous damage, it would constitute a ruinous loss of foundational vitality. In such a case, Varen Wei would likely not have many days left to live.

Eldrin Chen understood he had been marked by the cultivators of the Deng Clan and naturally wished to avoid bringing calamity upon Varen Wei. Seizing an opportunity, he purchased some Spirit Apricots and parted ways with Varen Wei.

No sooner had he departed from the Sunward Market than Origin Martial Deng on the other side sensed something amiss.

"Only two days, why leave so swiftly?" The Deng Clan elder brother frowned, his expression grave. "That man is an unfamiliar face. It's unlikely anyone in the Yan Kingdom knows him."

"In such a short time, tracing his origins is impossible."

"Hmph."

Origin Martial Deng snorted coldly, brimming with confidence. "He's merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, only at the 8th Tier at that. Could he possibly slip from my grasp?"

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

"..."

"They truly dare to give chase."

Eldrin Chen, with Lila in tow, had flown over three thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] when he noticed two streaks of light pursuing them from behind.

His brow furrowed, a glint of icy resolve flashing in his eyes, yet he ultimately suppressed the killing intent rising within his heart.

After all, the Deng Immortal Clan was a Golden Core Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarch has attained the Golden Core cultivation realm]. Given his current strength, it was best to avoid provoking them if possible.

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

"A Third Rank Immortal Sword [a flying sword imbued with immortal power]!"

Origin Martial Deng's eyes gleamed with avarice. A Third Rank Lower Grade Immortal Sword was worth at least fifty to sixty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], a treasure even he did not possess.

Seeing they were about to be left behind by Eldrin Chen, Origin Martial Deng turned to his clan elder brother and urgently called out. Experience the full epic at audio-novel`com.

"Elder Brother, your Void-Crossing Skiff! Don't hold back now!"

"Very well!"

The Deng Clan elder brother responded loudly, raising his hand to produce a small skiff measuring three Cun-length [one Cun-length equals one-tenth of a Chi, approximately zero point zero three three meters].

The small vessel was a Third-Rank Treasure Ship [an enchanted flying ship of the third rank]. As he channeled his energy into it, it swiftly expanded to a size of one Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], carrying both men as they gave chase.

This small, swift treasure vessel was incredibly fast, typically only deployed during cultivator duels, yet it managed to keep pace with the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a legendary flying sword imbued with solar fire essence].

Watching the treasure vessel close in, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened. The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword could travel thirty thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] a day when pushed to its limit, yet he still couldn't shake them.

This chase stretched on for over a month, traversing vast distances in the blink of an eye. Eldrin Chen, with Lila in tow, made several attempts to lose their pursuers, but each time they were relentlessly tracked down.

Even after Eldrin Chen flew deep into the Verdant Azure Mountains, the two pursuers doggedly refused to give up the chase.

"Still unwilling to relent?"

"Sword flight consumes True Essence [the refined life-force energy cultivated by practitioners], while their treasure vessel is powered by Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy]. If this continues, my True Essence reserves will be depleted."

Eldrin Chen's eyes turned icy. Seeing their unwavering pursuit, he resolved to end this with lethal finality.

Swallowing a Restoration Pill [an elixir that rapidly restores a cultivator's energy] to replenish his True Essence, Eldrin Chen glanced back at the two figures closing in. The sword light beneath his feet flared brilliantly as he shot directly into the territory of the Black Eagle Ridge.

He flew another hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] deep into the heart of the Black Eagle Ridge. There, his sword light arced and finally came to a halt atop a towering peak known as the Heavenly Vault. He calmly consumed his last two Restoration Pills.

He then began drawing spiritual energy from Spirit Stones, rapidly restoring his True Essence and bringing his condition back to its peak.

As he halted in the void, Origin Martial Deng caught up, his maniacal laughter echoing from afar.

"Run! Why aren't you running?"

"*Clang!*—"

Before Origin Martial Deng could finish his words, a sapphire sword aura surged violently with the wind and, with another metallic shriek, cleaved towards him.

"Watch out!"

The Deng Clan elder brother's eyes narrowed. He activated the defensive Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for protection or confinement] of his treasure boat, conjuring a radiant barrier that intercepted the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword.

Yet, the Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword forged with and bound to its wielder's life force] proved truly 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 treasure boat isn't strong. It won't hold for long."

As the Deng Clan elder brother spoke, he channeled his divine ability, the Positive Water Divine Thunder [a thunderous technique imbued with the purifying essence of water], to strike down. This elder brother, named Origin Outstanding Deng, though his background paled compared to Origin Martial Deng, still had a father who was a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened and resides within their Violet Palace, the third major realm] within the Deng Clan.

Bolstered by his father's support, this individual had once broken through to the Violet Sanctum realm, successfully opening four-tenths of his Violet Sanctum Meridian of the Path [the primary energy channel within the Violet Palace realm].

At this moment, as he channeled the Positive Water Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique embodying the power of pure water] to strike down, it was indeed remarkably Extraordinary. For a fleeting moment, it seemed as if a celestial river had transformed into divine thunder, cascading from the heavens.

"Hmph—"

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. Although water and fire countered each other, with Origin Outstanding Deng's cultivation level, the Positive Water Divine Thunder he unleashed was simply incapable of posing any real threat to the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a lifebound immortal sword forged from solar fire essence].

After all, True Essence [the refined energy cultivated by Foundation Establishment cultivators] was not the same as the more profound and versatile Mana [the spiritual energy used by cultivators to power techniques]. No matter how vast one's True Essence was, it lacked the subtlety of Mana and could never elevate the power of a divine ability to the third rank.

Witnessing the sword aura of the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword surge violently, its blazing Solar Fire [the essence of solar flames] effortlessly ground the Positive Water Divine Thunder into nothingness before continuing its relentless slash towards the protective Formation [a defensive energy array] of the treasure vessel.

"He's merely at the Foundation Establishment 8th Tier. How can he possibly be this powerful?"

"To possess a third-rank Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword cultivated within a cultivator's body, sharing their life force]... Could it be he possesses some kind of Path Body [a rare innate physique granting exceptional affinity for a specific cultivation path]?"

The arrogant expression on Origin Martial Deng's face froze, quickly replaced by a flicker of intense envy. Experience the full epic at audio_novel.com.