Chapter 234 Mordecai's Resolve

After this incident, Chen Qingming was deeply disappointed by the Qingyang Sect's inaction. He thus took his son and withdrew from the sect.

Chen Qingming’s journey back with Eldrin (Person Name) was far from smooth. It was only thanks to his grandfather—then at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, already advanced in years—who leveraged his longstanding connections within the Qingyang Sect to negotiate tirelessly, that Chen Qingming was barely able to return to the Chen family.

Even so, by the time they reached the foot of Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), Chen Qingming (Person Name) was already on the verge of death from grievous injuries. Drenched in blood, he delivered it into Chen Changqing (Person Name)'s hands before breathing his last.

Chapter 1 The Heavenly Abode Continent (Location) stretched endlessly beneath the cerulean sky, a vast land where legends were forged and destinies intertwined. Amidst the swirling spiritual energy, a cultivator surnamed Qin moved with the grace of a drifting cloud, his footsteps leaving no trace upon the sacred ground. He had journeyed for over a 100 years, seeking the elusive path to immortality. Countless trials had tested his resolve, and nearly a 1000 nights had passed beneath the cold, watchful gaze of the moon. Yet, his determination remained unshaken, his spirit as sharp as the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) sheathed at his side. "1 100 years," he whispered to the wind, his voice barely audible. "And still, the heavens remain silent." His spatial pouch contained precisely 32,000 spirit stones, each 1 meticulously gathered through perilous endeavors. With this wealth, he hoped to acquire the rare materials needed to break through to the next stage of his cultivation. The manual he practiced, the "Soul Devouring Art (Cultivation Method)," demanded immense resources, especially for advancing from the 7th to the 8th layer—a barrier that had stalled a dozen or so talented disciples before him. Suddenly, the air grew heavy, charged with an oppressive energy that signaled the approach of another. Qin's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, his senses extending like tendrils of consciousness to probe the surroundings. "Show yourself," he called out, his tone calm yet commanding. From behind an ancient oak, a figure emerged—a woman clad in robes of shimmering silver, her eyes holding the depth of millennia. She was an Eldrin (Person Name), 1 of the ancient guardians of the continent. "You seek the Heavenly Tribulation (Cultivation Phenomenon)," she stated, her voice echoing with the wisdom of ages. "But are you prepared to pay the price? Countless have fallen, their souls scattered to the winds." Qin met her gaze steadily. "I have walked through fire and ice for this moment. I fear neither death nor oblivion." A faint smile touched her lips. "Then let us see if your resolve matches your words. The trial begins now."

Eldrin closed his eyes, burying the memories deep within his heart.

Having settled a karmic tie, Eldrin cleaned the battlefield and soared toward Daybreak Valley on his sword.

By the time he arrived at Daybreak Valley, he discovered that the Old Patriarch and the others had already reached the location and were currently assaulting the mountain-protecting formation of the valley.

The moment he laid eyes on him, the old clan leader couldn't help but ask, "How did it go?"

"At long last, my wish is fulfilled." Eldrin gave a slight nod.

Seeing him nod, the old patriarch excitedly seized his hand. "It has been 1 100 years since the vengeance for Elder Daokong and the others was sought. Our Chen Family has finally brought closure to the century-old enmity."

The Chen family members were all rather stirred. After everyone had calmed down, Eldrin turned his gaze toward the Dawn Valley’s Mountain Protection Array.

The Valley of Daybreak truly lived up to its reputation as a third-grade, superior-grade spirit vein. Even with several Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) combatants joining forces, they had labored for 3 full days yet failed to breach this formation.

Seeing Eldrin (Person Name) arrive, Patriarch Qian (Person Name) stepped forward eagerly and said, "With Elder Eldrin (Person Name) joining us, we shall surely breach this formation in no time."

"Hmm."

Eldrin glanced at Patriarch Qian and inquired impassively, "Patriarch Qian, are you aware of the matter concerning the Origin Mountain?"

Old Ancestor Qian was slightly taken aback and hurriedly glanced at Eldrin's expression, only to find his countenance utterly placid, revealing neither joy nor anger.

His heart skipped a beat, and he hastily nodded in agreement.

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I am already aware of Xingming's actions. I shall certainly give everyone a proper account of this matter."

"I certainly hope so."

Eldrin (Person Name) spoke with detached calm, his emotions concealed so perfectly that Patriarch Qian felt an inexplicable pressure building within him.

Setting this matter aside for now, the group prepared to launch another assault on Dawn Valley. Among the forces assigned to attack Dawn Valley were Elders Qian and Fang, both at Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), along with 4 other ordinary Purple Palace realm cultivators.

Now with the addition of 3 Purple Palace, Late Stage combatants—Xavier (Person Name), Eldrin (Person Name), and Chen Changxuan—alongside the Purple Palace, Mid Stage expert from Bian Province,

This power was already formidable indeed. Even a False Core cultivator would have to turn tail and flee when confronted by 5 Purple Palace, Late Stage experts joining forces. They could even hold their own against an ordinary Golden Core, Early Stage cultivator for a time.

Moreover, to swiftly conclude the battle, Eldrin and Patriarch Qian each unleashed a Forbidden-Breaking Treasure Talisman.

A single 1 of these precious talismans could suppress a third-grade, superior-grade formation by 30 percent. While using 2 simultaneously would result in overlapping effects, when activated together, they still managed to suppress the mountain-protecting formation by well over 50 percent.

Even so, bolstered by the support of a third-grade spiritual vein, the group still had to assault it for nearly half a day before finally breaching it.

"Where is Mordecai (Person Name)?"

After the group breached the spiritual vein, Mordecai (Person Name) was nowhere to be seen.

Eldrin furrowed his brow and flew into the subterranean fire vein along with the others.

At the entrance to the subterranean fire vein, Mordecai (Person Name) stood alone, gazing calmly at the crowd.

The crowd encircled him. Qian Xingming stepped forward, intending to seize the merits, and sneered, "Mordecai (Person Name), you have nowhere left to run."

"Indeed, with over a dozen Purple Mansion Elders surrounding me, what means of escape could I possibly muster?"

Mordecai (Person Name) wore a placid expression. Though merely at the third level of the Purple Mansion, he carried himself with the composure of 1 ready to face death.

He stood there quietly, holding a purple treasure pearl in his hand as he gazed calmly at the crowd and spoke.

"If I can take a few of you with me before I die, then I shall not have failed the nurturing grace of my sect."

"Watch out, it's a Thunder Tribulation Pearl!"

Eldrin's face paled dramatically as he hastily pulled the old clan leader into a swift retreat.

At that moment, the crowd recognized the origin of the purple treasure pearl. When a Golden Core cultivator undergoes the heavenly tribulation, they can refine the absorbed lightning power from their magic treasures to forge a fourth-grade Lightning Tribulation Pearl.

This Lightning Tribulation Pearl contains the power of heavenly thunder, its force comparable to a full-strength strike from a Golden Core cultivator.

Yet that was not the most critical part. What truly mattered was Mordecai (Person Name) standing before the subterranean fire vein.

If this Thunder Calamity Pearl were to strike the group, a dozen or so Zi Palace cultivators joining forces would undoubtedly have full confidence in blocking it.

However, if he were to cast it into the subterranean fire veins, it would inevitably trigger cataclysmic upheavals, causing the volatile underground flames to erupt violently. Within a radius of a 1000 miles, the land would likely be scorched into barren wasteland.

Mordecai had long been prepared—how could he possibly let the others escape? Gripping the Lightning Tribulation Pearl, he leaped directly into the subterranean fire vein.

Boom—

A deafening roar shook the heavens and earth, followed by thunderclaps that seemed to split the firmament asunder.

Eldrin raised the Purple Blood Pagoda (Magic Treasure), while the old clan leader summoned the Taibai Gengjin Pearl (Magic Treasure). 1 after another, Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Purple Mansion unleashed their techniques, erecting layer upon layer of luminous barriers in a desperate attempt to withstand this overwhelmingly terrifying force.

Then, as if a sun had ignited between heaven and earth, a terrifying crimson shockwave swept across a 1000 miles, shearing off several mountains surrounding the entire Valley of Daybreak.

The underground fire vein was erupting, its endless Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) energy sweeping through the void, flushing everyone's faces crimson with its overwhelming force.

Qian Xingming, being the closest, suffered the worst fate. Despite his Purple Palace, Late Stage cultivation realm, he lacked powerful protective magic treasures or divine abilities. Combined with his slow reaction speed, half his body was instantly blown apart, leaving him on the brink of death.

The other Zi Palace cultivators reacted a split second faster, hastily retreating several 1000 zhang in the critical moment to evade the maximum force of the fire vein’s eruption. Though each of them sustained significant injuries, they were not in grave danger.

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators searching for treasures on the mountain suffered misfortune—those closer were instantly swept into clouds of calamitous ash, while those farther away had their defensive magic treasures shattered, allowing strands of Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) to invade their bodies.

The subterranean Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) possessed an exceptionally vicious nature. Even the Violet Mansion cultivators present would require several months of dedicated effort to completely purge its contamination from their bodies should it invade their systems.

However, if a Foundation Establishment cultivator were to be corrupted by the Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root), they could only temporarily suppress it with their true essence, slowly neutralizing its baleful energy using treasures in the future.

Xingming...

Watching the Purple Palace, Late Stage expert his clan had just nurtured fall, Patriarch Qian wept bitterly as he cradled the severed torso of Qian Xingming.

Eldrin cast a discreet glance, noting how Qian Xingming clung to his own safety in great endeavors yet forgot all caution when petty gains were at stake.

Realizing that Chongyang (Person Name) was not to be trifled with, the man let him depart. But when he encountered Mordecai (Person Name) of the Purple Palace, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm), he relied on their superior numbers and believed he could seize the credit for the kill. Charging at the forefront, he met this fate—an outcome he had foreseen from the start.

Eldrin and the old clan leader retreated swiftly. With their profound cultivation and the protection of high-grade defensive artifacts, they sustained only superficial injuries.

Chapter 1: The Reborn Youth The biting cold wind swept across the training grounds, carrying with it scattered snowflakes that fell upon Lin Xuan's tattered blue robe. His fingers, stiff from the cold, trembled slightly as he clutched the worn-out broom, yet his eyes burned with an intensity that defied the harsh winter. "To think I, the Azure Emperor of the Northern Wastes, would 1 day fall to such a state," he murmured to himself, a bitter smile gracing his pale lips. Memories of his past life flooded his mind—the thunderous tribulations, the shattered void, and that final glimpse of the Heavenly Dao he had caught before his demise. "Lin Xuan! Stop daydreaming! If you don't finish sweeping the entire training grounds before sunset, don't even think about getting any food!" A harsh voice rang out from the corridor. It was the outer sect steward, his face full of contempt as he looked at the youth who had once been hailed as a prodigy. "Yes, Steward Zhao," Lin Xuan responded softly, bowing his head in apparent submission. Yet within his lowered gaze flickered a trace of chilling light. In his previous life, he had cultivated to the Great Perfection of the Mahayana stage, merely half a step away from ascension. Although his cultivation was now lost, his soul remained that of a supreme powerhouse. As dusk approached, Lin Xuan finally returned to his dilapidated dwelling. Sitting cross-legged on his worn mat, he began to practice the most basic Qi Refining Technique of the sect. To his astonishment, the surrounding spiritual energy surged toward him like a tidal wave, its purity far surpassing ordinary spiritual energy. "This is... the Primordial Chaos Qi?" Lin Xuan's heart trembled. He never imagined that the wisp of Primordial Chaos Qi he had obtained by chance in his previous life would actually follow his soul through reincarnation. Just as he was immersed in shock, a crisp voice suddenly echoed outside his door: "Brother Lin, are you there?" Lin Xuan's expression shifted slightly. It was Luo Qingcheng, the only disciple in the entire outer sect who still treated him with kindness. He quickly adjusted his breathing, concealing the unusual energy fluctuations around him. The door creaked open, revealing a young girl in green robes. Her features were exquisite, though still carrying a hint of youthful innocence. In her hands, she held a food container from which wafted the aroma of spiritual herbs. "I noticed you looked unwell today, so I specially prepared some Spirit Nourishing Soup for you," Luo Qingcheng said softly, her beautiful eyes filled with undisguised concern. Lin Xuan felt a warmth stir within his heart. In his previous life, he had walked the path of cultivation alone, never experiencing such simple sincerity. Just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly sharpened. With a swift movement, he pulled Luo Qingcheng behind him. "Who's there? Show yourself!" "Hah, to have detected my presence—it seems the rumors of your talent aren't entirely unfounded." A black-robed man emerged from the shadows, a cold, sinister smile playing on his face. The long sword in his hand shimmered with a chilling light—clearly, no ordinary weapon. "An assassin from the Shadowblade Sect?" Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. He had made many enemies in his previous life, but never expected they would come for him so soon in this new 1. The black-robed man showed no intention of exchanging pleasantries. His figure flickered, transforming into several afterimages as the long sword in his hand shot straight toward Lin Xuan's throat like a venomous serpent. At this critical moment, Lin Xuan's mind raced. Though he had just begun practicing anew, the Primordial Chaos Qi within his body was the supreme power that had once dominated the world. He channeled all his energy into his fingertips, and a nearly imperceptible gray light shot forth. "Arrogant fool!" The black-robed man sneered, about to intensify his attack, when his expression suddenly froze. He watched in disbelief as the gray light effortlessly dissolved his sword energy and continued straight toward his forehead. "Th-this is impossible! You're merely at the third level of Qi Refining..." Before he could finish, the gray light pierced through his brow. His eyes widened in terror and confusion, his body collapsing powerlessly to the ground. Lin Xuan let out a long breath, a trace of exhaustion flashing across his face. Though the Primordial Chaos Qi was powerful, his current cultivation was far too weak to sustain its use. "Brother Lin, you..." Luo Qingcheng stared at him in shock, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. Lin Xuan smiled faintly, gently wiping the bloodstains from her face. "Some things, it's better for you not to know too soon." After seeing Luo Qingcheng off, Lin Xuan searched the assassin's body and found a black command medallion. Engraved on it was a pattern he knew all too well—the symbol of his most-hated enemy from his previous life, the Blood Demon Ancestor. "It seems some people just can't wait for me to die." Lin Xuan's eyes turned icy cold. He looked up at the distant horizon, where the last rays of sunset dyed the sky blood-red. The night was deep, and the moonlight was as cold as water. Lin Xuan sat cross-legged in his room, the Primordial Chaos Qi circulating through his meridians. Countless insights from his previous life surfaced in his mind, merging with his current cultivation. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth swirled around him, forming a nearly tangible vortex. The third level of Qi Refining... The fourth level of Qi Refining... The fifth level of Qi Refining... In just 1 night, he had broken through 3 consecutive levels. Such speed would astonish even the most legendary prodigies throughout history. But Lin Xuan showed no joy on his face. His gaze was as deep as the starry sky, as if he could see across the vast river of time, all the way to that distant peak. "The path of cultivation is long and arduous. Since I've been granted a second chance, I will surely tread it to the very end." He softly uttered this vow, then closed his eyes and continued his meditation. The moonlight spilled into the room, casting his figure in a layer of faint silver light, mysterious and profound.