Chapter 170 : Heaven Defying Path Bodies

Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines a cultivator's aptitude] are relatively common, but a Path Body [a rare, heaven-defying physical constitution] is exceedingly difficult to find. Cultivators who possess a Path Body are often even rarer than those with a Variant Spiritual Root [a mutated and exceptionally powerful spiritual root].

Although a Variant Spiritual Root is one in ten thousand, looking across nations like the Yan Kingdom and the Chu Nation, each has over a dozen cultivators with such roots. However, the number of individuals with a Path Body in both countries combined amounts to only two.

Those two individuals are Exquisite Jiang and the Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Infant Soul, a nascent spiritual form] from the Ji Clan who safeguards the Yan Kingdom.

Even the most ordinary Path Body can greatly increase a cultivator's cultivation speed and the probability of breaking through realms. In this regard, it is no less formidable than a Heavenly Spiritual Root [the pinnacle grade of spiritual root, granting supreme talent].

For instance, Exquisite Jiang's Supreme Lunar Immortal Body [a physique aligned with the ultimate power of the moon] is among the most elite of Path Body. Legend says it is a constitution only Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] can possess, its potential truly beyond imagination.

Top-tier constitutions like the Supreme Lunar Physique, the Primordial Solar Physique [a physique aligned with the primordial power of the sun], and others are so Extraordinary that the world marvels at their Innate [pertaining to one's inherent, heaven-bestowed nature] origins. People say such individuals are Immortal from the Immortal Realm [the realm of the ascended immortals] born into the mortal world by fate, believing they possess great Fortune [heavenly favor or destiny] from birth. Thus, they are called Immortal Body.

In this moment, from the perspective of Origin Martial Deng, Eldrin Chen appeared to be a possessor of a Path Body, filling him, a man with only Three Spiritual Roots [a cultivator with three spiritual roots, considered average talent], with intense jealousy.

"Die!"

His face contorted into a snarl, Origin Martial Deng immediately resorted to his trump card. He produced a precious talisman and unleashed it.

The talisman erupted with a dazzling blade radiance, sealing within it the third-rank divine ability 'Heaven and Earth Heavenly Blade' [a supreme blade technique encompassing heaven and earth]. A hazy, ethereal blade light descended from the sky, cleaving directly towards Eldrin Chen. Original publication: audio-novel dot com - The source of this chapter.

"A Third Rank Lower Grade Divine Ability Talisman [a powerful pre-sealed magical talisman containing a single, potent strike of a divine ability]."

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly. However, having reached his current level of cultivation, a single Third Rank Lower Grade talisman was no longer enough to threaten him.

With a flick of his wrist, he summoned forth the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword and unleashed a slash. The sword transformed into a blade of black-gold sword energy [a solidified, razor-sharp manifestation of sword intent and spiritual power] that cleaved through the air, meeting the descending Heaven and Earth Heavenly Blade head-on.

Yet, the power contained within this talisman was indeed Extraordinary, for it struck the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword with such force that its spiritual glow dimmed significantly. The weapon had clearly suffered substantial damage and would be unusable for a time.

As Eldrin Chen recalled his damaged sword, he had barely a moment to gather his thoughts before his eyes narrowed once more in alarm.

For Origin Martial Deng had produced yet another Third Rank talisman. From the void, another devastating blade of sword energy materialized and shot towards him.

"Damnation! Another Divine Ability Talisman?"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted. A single Third Rank Lower Grade Divine Ability Talisman typically started at a price of twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

The might contained within a Third Rank divine ability was formidable. Even for a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, a higher spiritual dantian], unleashing such power consumed a vast amount of spiritual energy.

These Divine Ability Talisman were weapons of decisive power. Not even Violet Sanctum Cultivator would use them lightly, reserving them for critical moments to deliver a final, crushing blow.

At this moment, seeing Origin Martial Deng so recklessly squander such a precious treasure, even Eldrin Chen was momentarily stunned, feeling a pang of vicarious pain for the sheer waste.

Yet, it must be said, though the use of those two precious talismans was profligate, their effect was undeniably significant, forcing Eldrin Chen into a surprisingly defensive position.

Knowing the Extraordinary power of that Third-Rank sword talisman, Eldrin Chen immediately summoned his Vajra Banner of Suramgama.

The might of this top-ranked Lifebound Magical Treasure from the Purple Abyss Sect was indeed Extraordinary. As it unleashed the Suramgama Heaven-Striking Seal, its power was awe-inspiring, cleaving through a thousand Zhang-length of empty space.

A single strike shattered the sword energy, and its residual force collapsed several Li-length of mountain peaks. The thunderous roar echoed for nearly a hundred Li-length, sending countless low-level demonic beasts fleeing in all directions.

However, after activating the Suramgama Heaven-Striking Seal, the energy within the Vajra Banner of Suramgama was significantly depleted. It would require several years of careful nurturing before this divine ability could be invoked again.

"Cleave!"

Seeing that Eldrin Chen's Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword was temporarily unusable and the Suramgama Heaven-Striking Seal had been expended, Origin Martial Deng finally revealed a vicious grin. He summoned a Ghost Head Saber magical treasure and sent it slashing forward.

It had to be admitted, though this man's personality was arrogant, he valued his own life immensely. In combat, he was exceedingly cautious.

Even after deploying two Third-Rank talismans in succession, which had exhausted two of Eldrin Chen's trump cards, he still dared not emerge from the safety of his Third-Rank Treasure Ship. He merely controlled his Third-Rank saber from within, engaging in a duel of flying weapons against Eldrin Chen's Lifebound Immortal Sword.

Eldrin Chen channeled his two divine abilities and his Lifebound Immortal Sword, engaging the two in over a hundred exchanges. He discovered that Origin Martial Deng's True Essence [the foundational energy cultivated by a practitioner] was not inferior to his own, and even his combat techniques were not falling behind.

"How is this possible?"

His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of astonishment passing through them.

Throughout all these years, the very reason he had carved out his formidable reputation was by relying on his keen combat instincts—his uncanny ability to seize the critical moment to deliver a fatal blow to his opponents.

In this, he held immense confidence. When it came to grasping the pivotal instant in battle, even Patriarch Yang, a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage, likely could not surpass him.

Yet this man, a mere Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, could contend with him without showing weakness. This utterly defied his expectations. Access the full story on audi novel.com.

"Wait... it's an ocular divine ability."

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened. Only then did he notice that Origin Martial Deng's eyes were glowing with a spiritual light, possessing an almost microscopic clarity.

In that instant, understanding dawned upon him. His opponent possessed a pupil-based supernatural power.

In truth, Origin Martial Deng was also deeply shocked. Ocular divine abilities were exceedingly rare and often possessed astonishingly profound uses. While his Jade Spirit Eye [a divine ability that grants supernatural perception through the eyes] was not particularly potent in direct offense, its subtlety and insight were profound.

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

"This man's combat instincts are far too astonishing."

"He does not seem like a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator at the second major realm of cultivation]."

Origin Martial Deng wiped the sweat from his brow and urgently urged his companion, Origin Outstanding Deng: "Clan Elder, strike now!"

Without further delay, Origin Outstanding Deng activated the offensive formation [a structured array of power used for attack or defense] on the treasure vessel, unleashing its sole offensive divine ability.

A brilliant, crimson flame descended from the heavens. Its speed was extraordinary, instantly enveloping Eldrin Chen.

"Soul-Scorching Solar Fire."

Eldrin Chen's expression grew solemn as he immediately recognized this divine ability.

One of the three divine abilities contained within the Old Patriarch's Three Treasures Crimson Gold Flags was precisely this Soul-Scorching Solar Fire.

Over the years, Eternal Profound Chen had relied on this very ability from the formation flags to make his name across the Border Province, carving out a formidable reputation.

Being intimately familiar with this divine ability, Eldrin Chen was acutely aware of the formidable power of the Soul-Scorching Solar Fire [a devastating flame technique that sears both body and soul]. Naturally, he dared not face it head-on. Instead, he immediately channeled his Vajra Banner of Suramgama [a powerful banner that projects an adamantine shield], activating its defensive Art of Divine Subjugation [a technique for subduing demonic forces] ability, the Adamantine Glazed Shield [a crystalline barrier of immense durability].

The Third-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] proved truly Extraordinary. The shield it projected successfully blocked the Soul-Scorching Solar Fire, preventing the overwhelming Solar Fire [pure yang flames of immense heat] from reaching him.

At that moment, however, Origin Martial Deng let out a sinister chuckle and produced a third precious talisman.

"Didn't expect this, did you? I have one more third-rank talisman."

He sneered coldly, raised his hand, and unleashed the talisman. It transformed into a third-rank True Water [water of the purest essence] Spell Sword [a sword formed from condensed magical energy] that came crashing down. The impact caused the radiance of the Vajra Banner of Suramgama to dim and shattered the defensive Art of Divine Subjugation barrier.

As the torrent of Solar Fire surged forth to incinerate him, Eldrin Chen bolstered his protective aura [a field of energy surrounding a cultivator]. He then commanded his Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword spiritually bonded to its wielder] to cleave through the Soul-Scorching Solar Fire, breaking free from the encirclement.

Seeing him escape the Soul-Scorching Solar Fire, Origin Martial Deng shouted coldly, his gaze icy, "His True Essence [the refined life-force energy of a cultivator] is nearly depleted. Don't let him flee!"

Upon hearing this, a fierce killing intent flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes. Although his True Essence was severely depleted, the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a spiritual artifact resembling a lotus throne that stores vast amounts of energy] within him still held a substantial reserve of spiritual power. He was far from being as weak as his opponent believed.

Just as he was about to summon his defensive treasure, the Luofu Vajra Seal [a powerful seal technique for defense and suppression], to continue the fight, a furious roar suddenly echoed. A dark shadow shot towards them from the distant Heavenly Vault [a vast, sky-like expanse or region].

"It's the Black Python Demon [a massive, powerful serpent demon]! A Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm] demon beast from Black Eagle Ridge!"

"This is bad. Our battle has drawn its attention."

Origin Outstanding Deng cried out in alarm, immediately urging his treasure boat to flee into the distance.

Yet Eldrin Chen was even faster. The moment he glimpsed the dark shadow, he had already transformed into a streak of sword light, speeding away.

"Where do you think you're going? Chase him! Go after him!" Origin Martial Deng, seeing Eldrin Chen about to escape, grabbed Origin Outstanding Deng's collar with a savage expression. "That is my chance at the Path! I order you to pursue him!"

Origin Outstanding Deng's face shifted through a spectrum of emotions, as if seeing this clan brother for the first time. In the end, he remained silent and steered the treasure boat in pursuit.

Eldrin Chen flew for over seven thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], using a mountain hollow to temporarily shake off both Origin Martial Deng and the demonic beast. Unknowingly, he found himself entering a valley shrouded in dense mist.

It felt as if he had pierced through a barrier of fog, and only then did he discover before him a Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy].

"This concentration of spiritual energy... it's a Spiritual Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] of the Third Rank Superior Grade [a high-quality grade within the third tier of cultivation resources]."

He then realized he had inadvertently broken through an Illusion Formation [a formation designed to create illusions and conceal reality].

Pushing these thoughts aside, Eldrin Chen looked up. Ahead stood a cave abode, and carved above its entrance was a line of characters.

"Unforgotten Peak."