Chapter 171 : The Ancient Cave's Guardian

"The cave abode is covered in dust, yet the Formation [a mystical array used for defense, confinement, or cultivation] is still operational."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he surmised the likely origin of this cave dwelling.

This cave abode had clearly been neglected for many years, yet its Formation still retained a significant portion of its power. The master who once resided here must have possessed profound skill in the art of Formation.

"Whoosh—"

At that very moment, a streak of light shot across the distant sky.

Origin Martial Deng was flying past aboard his treasure skiff. His eyes shone with spiritual light, instantly piercing the Spirit Mountain's [a mountain imbued with and radiating spiritual energy] concealing Formation and revealing the third-rank Spirit Mountain.

"An Ancient Cultivator's Cave Abode [the secluded dwelling place of a cultivator from ages past]," he declared.

The Deng brothers' expressions shifted. They immediately urged their treasure skiff forward, flying directly into the Spirit Mountain.

Origin Outstanding Deng glanced at the Spirit Mountain, his voice tinged with excitement. "This cave has been abandoned for so long, yet its Formation retains seventy percent of its potency. Its origins must be significant."

Origin Martial Deng nodded in agreement, but his gaze settled firmly on Eldrin Chen. Join our community of readers at audio novel.com.

"Let's slay him first, then we can seize this Grotto-Heaven [a cultivator's personal realm or sanctum]." No sooner had he spoken than he channeled his energy, sending his Third-Rank Dharma Blade [a magical blade of the third rank] slashing forward.

"Do not act rashly!"

Origin Outstanding Deng's expression shifted slightly, but it was already too late to stop him.

Before Eldrin Chen could even make a move, the blade's attack triggered a reaction from the Guardian Formation [a protective array] of the Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy].

The Formation [a mystical array or formation] upon the Spirit Mountain activated. A powerful suction force gripped them all, pulling the entire group directly into the depths of the Grotto-Heaven.

"It's a trapping formation [a type of array designed to confine rather than kill]."

The moment his feet touched solid ground, Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed with sharp focus.

He swiftly surveyed his surroundings. Lila remained by his side, but the two members of the Deng Clan were nowhere to be seen.

All around them, a dense mist swirled, trapping them within the Grotto-Heaven. A Third Rank Superior Grade Formation held him fast; breaking free would be no simple task.

"It seems the master of this place harbors no immediate ill intent," he mused aloud.

Suppressing his thoughts, he cautiously shielded Lila behind him. Only then did he notice a piece of Glazed gemstone ahead.

"A Shadowstone."

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly as he recognized the object. A Shadowstone [a rare gemstone capable of recording images and sound] was a treasure specifically used for recording sights and sounds.

If such an item was of the first rank, its price was often not exorbitant. However, the Shadowstone before him was of the third rank, making it exceedingly precious.

A third-rank Shadowstone could preserve information for over a thousand years, making it perfectly suited for recording the legacies of cultivation arts. Its value reached tens of thousands of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

"It seems this is a message left by the master of this place,"

Eldrin Chen murmured. With a flick of his sleeve, he channeled a wisp of his True Essence [the refined, foundational energy cultivated by a practitioner] to activate the Shadowstone.

The Shadowstone emitted a soft glow, and a translucent, illusory figure of Path Void was projected from it.

It was an elderly man with a gaunt, withered face. Seated cross-legged within the cave abode, he spoke with an air of calm serenity.

"This old man is Vast Martial Mo. I have cultivated for over five hundred years in this lifetime. Now, sensing my lifespan is nearing its end, I leave behind this Shadowstone. I wonder which fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] will be fated to see it."

"..."

As the light within the Shadowstone [a mystical stone that can record and project memories] flowed and shifted, Eldrin Chen quickly understood the origins of this venerable senior.

This Vast Martial Mo was the very Path Master Mo from a millennium ago. In his lifetime, he had been a rogue cultivator. In his youth, through a stroke of fate, he had obtained a precious legacy of alchemy and Formation [the art of creating and manipulating mystical arrays]. Coupled with his own Extraordinary talent, he had carved out a formidable reputation for himself.

In his day, Vast Martial Mo was one of the foremost Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, the third major cultivation stage] in the Verdant Azure Mountains. He had consumed three Longevity Pill [elixirs that extend a cultivator's lifespan], and attempted to break through to the Golden Core [the fourth major cultivation stage, forming a solid golden core of power] three times in succession. His cultivation had even reached the Pseudo-Core Realm [a quasi-realm just below the true Golden Core stage].

Yet, in the end, he fell short by half a step, leaving behind a lifetime of regret.

Moreover, because of his three consecutive failures to break through to Golden Core, the wealth Path Master Mo had accumulated over five hundred years was nearly exhausted. Even his close friends and family, who had helped him guard the treasures for his Forming the Golden Core [the critical process of condensing a Golden Core] attempt, were implicated and met with calamity, perishing one after another. Support the author by reading on audio-novel*com.

After his final failed attempt to form his Golden Core, he found himself utterly alone, his Vitality [the foundational life force and energy of a cultivator] withered and nearly depleted, and he was left with almost nothing of value.

On his deathbed, Vast Martial Mo passed away with bitter resentment, able only to hastily leave behind this Shadowstone.

According to the message within the Shadowstone, his wish was to pass down his inherited alchemy recipes and Formation legacy, ensuring these two ancient texts would not be lost.

The place where Eldrin Chen had been teleported to was the inheritance ground. If he could comprehend the control secrets of the Unforgotten Peak Formation within a single day, proving his Extraordinary aptitude [comprehension and learning ability], he would inherit these two legacies.

"The mastery secret of the Great Geng Sword Formation."

A faint flicker passed over Eldrin Chen's brow as comprehension dawned. The Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] had separated him from Origin Martial Deng precisely to prevent them from interfering with one another.

Whoever could first unravel the control method would receive the legacy of Path Master Mo.

And if they failed to comprehend it within a single day, then to prevent them from forcefully assaulting the Formation, the mountain-protecting Formation would activate and slay them within the cavern dwelling.

"There is still a significant degree of difficulty,"

Eldrin Chen murmured calmly to himself. Unraveling the control method of a Third Rank Superior Grade Formation was not inherently overly arduous, as it was merely a method of control. Any Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation, the second major realm] who applied themselves diligently could master it.

Unfortunately, the time granted by Path Master Mo was far too brief. A mere single day was simply insufficient; the vast majority of Foundation Establishment Cultivator would likely be unable to accomplish it.

Yet, he was supremely confident. At the age of three, he could discern his own meridian pathways after a single glance and comprehend a cultivation technique overnight to embark on the path of cultivation. This level of comprehension was, in fact, somewhat astonishing.

"Let us give it a try."

Eldrin Chen opened the secret method jade slip, glanced at its contents, and then plunged into deep contemplation.

After roughly the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, he opened his eyes and began attempting to activate the secret method to control the grand formation.

The Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] emitted a radiant glow and was brought under his control in the blink of an eye.

"The difficulty is not particularly great,"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself. Having mastered the Formation, he discovered he could now sense the state of the entire cave abode through its energy network.

Origin Martial Deng and Origin Outstanding Deng were still at the other end of the cavern, currently engrossed in their arduous efforts to comprehend the control technique.

"Perfect. This saves us the trouble of a battle."

Eldrin Chen let out a cold laugh and activated the mountain-protecting Formation, the Great Geng Sword Formation [a formidable sword array renowned for its overwhelming and precise blade energy].

Countless sword beams, dense as a locust swarm and powerful as a tidal wave, surged forth, cleaving through the air towards the group.

"No!"

"How is this possible? So quickly?"

Origin Outstanding Deng paled in horror, unable to believe the Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] had been activated so swiftly.

The two cultivators frantically channeled their energy to bolster their defenses, striving to withstand the onslaught of the Great Geng Sword Formation. Yet, faced with the vast, inexhaustible spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things and the world] of the Third Rank Superior Grade Spiritual Vein, how long could they possibly hold?

As their defensive magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] began to crack and strain under the pressure, Origin Martial Deng finally revealed a look of utter shock. Gritting his teeth, he spoke.

"Esteemed one, today... I admit defeat."

"Spare my life, and you may have anything you desire."

"Is that so?"

Eldrin Chen let out a cold laugh, showing not a shred of mercy.

Before the might of a Third Rank Superior GradeMountain Protection Formation, no matter how rich their treasures, it was utterly futile.

A rain of countless sword beams descended. The two men held out for mere dozens of breaths [the duration of one inhalation and exhalation, a very brief moment] before being pierced through and slain within their own cave abode.

With the deed done, Eldrin Chen released a sigh of relief. He collected their Storage Bag [a spatial artifact capable of holding vast quantities of items] and began sifting through the contents.

To guard against any tracking methods that might have been left within the Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for storing items], he extracted only a select few precious items: the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], elixirs [spiritual pills for cultivation], and jade slips [slabs of jade used to record information]. Published by audio‑novel.com. All rights reserved.