Chapter 233 : A Grudge That Guides the Hunt

"I possess a technique for tracking foes, but it requires a medium to function," he stated.

Percival Pan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I fear it may be somewhat difficult to obtain."

A flicker of hope appeared in Eldrin Chen's eyes. "What medium is required?" he asked directly.

"I fear it may be somewhat difficult to obtain."

Percival Pan shook his head and explained plainly, "The art is called the Grudge Soul-Tracking Art. It requires finding a cultivator who harbors a profound and bitter enmity towards the target."

"The greater the enmity between them, and the higher the cultivation level of the cultivator found, the stronger the resulting resonance will be."

"The Grudge Soul-Tracking Art?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened. His grudge against Double Sun Wei was one of a slain son, while Double Sun Wei was responsible for the deaths of over half the Chen Clan's cultivators in years past.

Such hatred was as vast as the heavens, scarcely different from the murder of one's own parents. Furthermore, his own cultivation had reached the Violet Sanctum Realm, making him the ideal vessel for this technique.

Having reached this conclusion, he looked at Percival Pan and said, "Then cast the art upon me." Original English translation available at (audio-novel.com).

The few of them revealed a flicker of surprise, finally understanding that Eldrin Chen harbored a deep-seated grudge against Double Sun Wei.

Seizing the moment, as Double Sun Wei had fled only three Shichen-time [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen to thirty minutes] prior and the distance was not yet vast, Percival Pan hastily performed the Grudge Soul-Tracking Art [a mystical technique that traces a target through lingering resentment] on Eldrin Chen.

As the art took effect, Eldrin Chen sensed a malevolent presence manifesting in the depths of his consciousness, located to the northeast, approximately thirteen thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away.

Guided by this ethereal thread of malice, he swiftly pinpointed Double Sun Wei's location.

Seeing the spell succeed, Percival Pan cautioned, "My spiritual power is insufficient. This art can only be maintained for three days and can only sense a distance of thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. If you sense its guidance, you must act with utmost haste."

"*Clang!*"

Before the words fully left his mouth, Eldrin Chen summoned his sword-light and shot into the heavens, vanishing beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.

With Eldrin Chen's cultivation, rivaling the Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Violet Sanctum realm], and aided by his Third Rank Superior Grade Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword of exceptional quality, spiritually bonded to its wielder], he could traverse one hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. Catching Double Sun Wei would not be difficult.

Eldrin Chen pursued for the better part of a day, chasing tens of thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] into the distance. Finally, the ethereal malice in his senses grew palpably closer.

"Within one thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] now."

His eyes chilled slightly as the sword radiance beneath his feet, the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, surged violently. He shot forward like a comet chasing the moon.

With his current speed, a thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] was merely the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Before long, he spotted the figure of Double Sun Wei fleeing desperately on his flying sword ahead.

"This is bad."

Double Sun Wei, who was urging his flying sword to escape, suddenly saw a streak of azure light streaking across the sky from behind.

Recognizing the pursuer as Eldrin Chen, his heart sank. He immediately forced out a mouthful of Vital Essence Blood [a cultivator's foundational life force, burned to temporarily boost power] and unleashed an Escape Technique Divine Ability to flee.

Empowered by the Vital Essence Blood, this Escape Technique Divine Ability instantly multiplied Double Sun Wei's speed severalfold, allowing him to temporarily pull away from Eldrin Chen.

However, the speed of a Third Rank Superior Grade Lifebound Immortal Sword far surpassed that of Double Sun Wei. Though he had momentarily shaken Eldrin Chen, he could not escape the tracking of the Grudge Soul-Tracking Art. Mere moments later, Eldrin Chen closed the distance once more.

Left with no choice, he could only burn another mouthful of Vital Essence Blood to fuel his Divine Ability [a supernatural technique or power] and continue his desperate flight. In this relentless chase, he expended several mouthfuls of his precious Vital Essence Blood, yet Eldrin Chen remained doggedly on his heels.

"This cannot continue," he thought, desperation mounting.

Once again overtaken by Eldrin Chen, a flicker of madness passed through Double Sun Wei's gaze.

Having expended several mouthfuls of his vital essence [the concentrated life force and cultivation base of a cultivator] yet still unable to shake off Eldrin Chen, Double Sun Wei realized that if this continued, his combat strength would be utterly depleted before the battle even truly began.

A flicker of ruthless determination crossed his face. Double Sun Wei halted his flying sword mid-air, summoning his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force and soul], the Azure Firmament Heart Sword, and unleashed a slash directly at Eldrin Chen.

This Azure Firmament Heart Sword was a renowned Immortal Sword [a legendary-grade sword of immense power] of the Verdant Sun Sect. Its might was only slightly inferior to the Venus Severing Dust Blade and was on par with the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword.

The sword expanded with the wind, transforming in an instant into a verdant sword beam dozens of Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] tall that cleaved downward, aiming straight for Eldrin Chen.

As the sword descended, Eldrin Chen casually invoked the Blazing Third Fire Divine Thunder. A deafening explosion rang out, striking the Azure Firmament Heart Sword and causing its radiance to dim drastically as it plummeted downward.

"Incredible power," Double Sun Wei muttered, a chill running down his spine. This content originates from audio~novel.com. Please respect copyright.

Witnessing his Lifebound Magical Treasure grievously wounded by a single strike, Double Sun Wei sucked in a sharp, cold breath.

Before he could react further, Eldrin Chen, unwilling to prolong the engagement, summoned the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword. It transformed into a dazzling sword beam that shot forth like a shooting star.

Panic surged within Double Sun Wei. He hurriedly deployed his trump card, unleashing a Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure [a high-quality magical artifact of the third rank] named 'Heavenly Dragon Slash'.

The Heavenly Dragon Slash erupted with a brilliant golden light, slashing toward Eldrin Chen. Yet, Eldrin Chen simply channeled his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword. With a resonant *clang*, it parried the Heavenly Dragon Slash effortlessly.

The clash lasted less than ten exchanges. Eldrin Chen channeled the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords, his swordplay flowing like clouds and water, each move crisp and decisive.

A Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, a major energy center] can traverse dozens of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single breath. As they fought and fled across the sky, covering barely over a hundred Li-length, Eldrin Chen cleaved through Double Sun Wei's Body Protection Divine Ability [a defensive technique that manifests a protective barrier] and bisected the fiend with a single, devastating stroke.

Double Sun Wei crashed to the earth. The vitality of a Violet Sanctum Cultivator is formidable; even with half his body severed, a sliver of breath still clung to him.

Knowing survival was impossible, Double Sun Wei abandoned all restraint.

He glared at Eldrin Chen, a manic grin spreading across his face. "Don't gloat too soon. Killing me today won't bring back the dead of your Chen Clan."

"Do you know how your father, Verdant Brightness Chen, and your mother died?"

"Hahaha! I will *never* tell you!"

Eldrin Chen descended to the ground, his expression serene as he regarded Double Sun Wei. His gaze was as calm as still water.

He showed none of the desperate urgency Double Sun Wei had anticipated. His voice was measured, utterly composed. "I know."

"Impossible!" Double Sun Wei gasped, disbelief contorting his features. "You were only three years old! How could you remember?"

Eldrin Chen remained expressionless, his voice calm as he stated, "I was the one who killed Bright Distance Wei."

"You—"

Upon hearing his words, Double Sun Wei finally understood that the murderer of his son stood before him. The revelation was so enraging that he coughed up a mouthful of blood on the spot.

With his final breath, Double Sun Wei cursed, his gaze filled with a trace of madness.

"Your killing intent is too great... Heaven will surely punish you!"

"I curse you... to die a wretched death..."

Double Sun Wei finally perished. Eldrin Chen gazed upon the corpse, a flicker of icy coldness passing through his eyes.

Unlike ordinary people, he had been born with memories of a past life, recalling many events from his earliest days.

In his memories, both his parents were disciples of the Verdant Sun Sect. His father, Verdant Brightness Chen, possessed a Dual Spiritual Root [a rare cultivation aptitude combining two elemental affinities] of Water and Fire, while his mother's talent was an ordinary Three Spiritual Roots [a common cultivation aptitude with three elemental affinities].

While his mother was pregnant with him, she was nourished by the Innate Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme primordial energy of creation and chaos]. Unbeknownst to anyone, this somehow awakened within her a certain Path Body [a rare and powerful innate physique aligned with a specific Dao or cultivation path].

This matter was known to exceedingly few. It was not until a certain day when a Golden Core Cultivator of the Qin Surname arrived on Tianlu Continent. He sought to drain my mother's bloodline essence completely to refine a cauldron of Precious Pill [a high-grade elixir of immense power].

At that time, that man also intended to eliminate the root of the problem by killing me. However, the act of extracting a person's bloodline essence for alchemy bordered on the Demonic Path [a heretical and malevolent cultivation methodology] and was utterly condemned by the righteous sects of the world.

In the end, it alarmed a certain lofty expert. Reflecting on it now, it was likely that person attracted the attention of the Ji Immortal Clan [a powerful and ancient clan of cultivators]. Ultimately, he could only extract my mother's bloodline essence before hastily departing. Find this and other novels at audio-novel.com (official site).