Chapter 249 : Swift Slaughter in the Abyssal Winds

The Shadowwind Slash [a slashing attack imbued with shadowy wind energy], empowered by the Nine Abyssal Aegis Winds [a defensive and offensive technique conjuring nine streams of corrosive abyssal wind], saw its destructive force surge by more than thirty percent.

Yet, they were merely two Purple Mansion Early to Mid Stage [the initial and middle phases of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that cultivate demonic energy]. In the face of Eldrin Chen, they were hardly a threat. With a clash and sweep of the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords [a pair of immortal swords resonating with celestial and separated flame energies], one of the Purple Mansion Demonic Vulture [a vulture-like demonic beast that has reached the Purple Mansion realm] had its defensive technique shattered and was slain on the spot.

The other Purple Mansion Demonic Vulture tried to flee for its life, but an invisible sword aura flashed, severing its head from its body.

In the span of a lightning flash, Eldrin Chen seized the moment to forcefully slay the two Purple Mansion Demonic Beast. Then, enveloped by the Clear Moon Wind-Riding Escape [a swift escape art that harnesses the clarity of the moon and the speed of the wind], the Crimson Blood Boat [a swift, blood-red flying vessel] vanished into the horizon.

Unfortunately, the departure was too hasty. Of the two Demonic Beast Inner Core [the condensed spiritual core of a demonic beast, a valuable cultivation resource], Eldrin Chen only managed to retrieve one; the other was lost, swept away to who-knows-where by the raging Nine Abyssal Aegis Winds.

Though it seemed swift, in that fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen had successively employed the Jade Spirit Eye [a divine ability that grants enhanced perception and insight into spiritual flaws], the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords, and the Formless Sword [a nearly imperceptible flying sword].

This result was born from the combined might of these three supreme weapons of slaughter and one divine ability, compounded by the enemy's recklessness and the blinding speed of the Crimson Blood Boat.

Moments later, the Crimson Blood Boat broke free from the encirclement. Yvonne Yu let out a pale sigh of relief.

She gazed at Eldrin Chen with astonishment, her eyes holding a shimmer of wonder for a long moment before she could not help but speak.

"To slay two Purple Mansion [a major cultivation realm where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] experts within a single breath's time... Fellow Daoist, your methods are truly formidable." Find this and other novels at audio-novel*com.

"You flatter me," Eldrin Chen nodded with a faint smile. "I merely relied on the sharpness of my immortal sword and the element of surprise from the Formless Sword [an enchanted blade that can become invisible to the senses]."

"You are too modest," Yvonne Yu gasped for breath, unable to hold back her words. "To seize a fleeting opportunity in the blink of an eye and achieve victory with a single strike—your combat experience surpasses even that of a Golden Core Ancestor [a cultivator who has formed a solidified core of spiritual energy, representing a major advancement]."

Eldrin Chen did not elaborate further. He urged the Crimson Blood Boat [a vessel powered by spiritual energy, often used for long-distance travel] forward on its course.

Fortunately, they did not encounter such a massive horde of Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that have absorbed chaotic spiritual energy, often hostile] again. After flying for a month, they finally emerged from the Ghost-Wind Ridge.

Once past the Ghost-Wind Ridge, the Heavenly Abode Continent was not far. The Crimson Blood Boat flew for another ten days, covering roughly seven or eight hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] before reaching the fringes of the Heavenly Abode Continent.

Upon reaching the edge of the Heavenly Abode Continent, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Having weathered the perils of the Ghost-Wind Ridge together, their shared ordeal had forged a bond of camaraderie.

Yvonne Yu looked at Eldrin Chen and asked with a smile, "Fellow Daoist, what brings you to the Heavenly Abode Continent?"

"To be frank, I have come seeking to purchase a Sun Treasure Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with the essence of solar energy]," Eldrin Chen replied without concealment, stating his purpose directly.

Eldrin Chen did not hide his intent, openly sharing his objective with her.

"Sun Treasure Crystal [a rare crystal that stores and channels solar essence]?"

Yvonne Yu's eyes flickered slightly, then she nodded and said, "It is indeed difficult to purchase a Sun Treasure Crystal within the Ji Continent. However, such items are occasionally sold here on the Heavenly Abode Continent. Your journey will surely allow you to fulfill your wish."

"I certainly hope so."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then inquired, "Might I ask why the Immortal Maiden has come to the Heavenly Abode Continent?"

"I have come to visit a dear friend of mine," Yvonne Yu replied with a smile. She paused briefly before continuing, "I do not yet know where you hail from, so that I may one day pay a visit to your home."

"This humble one is from the Chen Clan of the Chu Kingdom within the Ji Continent,"

he answered courteously with a slight smile. "It would be my great honor if you were to grace us with your presence."

"Hehe—"

Yvonne Yu chuckled softly, her gaze appraising his features as she teased, "I am but a mere Rogue Cultivator [an independent cultivator without sect or clan affiliation], and to this day, I do not even possess a single Third Rank Spirit Vein [a high-quality spiritual energy source]. Who knows? Your family's Dao Field [cultivation sanctuary] might possess such breathtaking scenery that I would be loath to leave once I saw it."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered imperceptibly. Maintaining his composure, he replied, "I'm afraid that would not be possible. My wife would be most displeased."

Yvonne Yu [a cultivator from the Yu Clan] said, "…"

A flicker of disappointment crossed her features as she gave him a final, appraising glance before shifting the topic. "My dear friend is named Qingyan the Immortal Maiden [a title for a powerful female cultivator]. She resides on Peach Blossom Mountain [a mountain known for its spiritual peach trees] in Yuan Nation [a nation on the Heavenly Abode Continent] with her husband, Qingci the Recluse [a title for a reclusive cultivator]."

"After this journey, I plan to stay there for several years. Should you have need, you may seek me out at Peach Blossom Mountain."

After parting ways with Yvonne Yu, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a cultivator from the Chen Clan] summoned his flying sword and soared into the skies, crossing into the heart of Heavenly Abode Continent [a vast continent known for its powerful sects and clans].

Once within the Heavenly Abode Continent, he sought out a modest Cultivation Market [a trading hub for cultivators]. There, he swiftly gathered a general understanding of the continent's layout and major powers.

Unlike Ji Continent [the continent where the Chen Clan originates], the Heavenly Abode Continent comprised only two nations: Lu Nation and Yuan Nation. Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.

Though few in number, these two kingdoms were vast. Each one spanned an area several times larger than the entire Chu Kingdom [a kingdom on the Ji Continent].

Of the two, Lu Nation was the dominant power, ruled by the mighty Tianlu Sect [the Tianlu Sect]. This sect had once been the sole Nascent Soul Sect [a sect possessing Nascent Soul Realm cultivators] on the entire Heavenly Abode Continent.

The Tianlu Sect was indeed a formidable Nascent Soul Sect. However, its strength had waned significantly in recent years following the successive fall of two of its Nascent Soul [a high cultivation realm, the stage after Golden Core] elders.

The nation bordering Ji Continent was Yuan Nation. Its ruler was the Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan possessing a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator] known as the Qin Clan [the Qin Clan], a newly ascended power within the Heavenly Abode Continent.

This clan, over three hundred years ago, gave birth to a Nascent Soul cultivator [a supreme expert whose soul has formed a powerful, independent spiritual entity], and then, mere decades ago, produced a second Nascent Soul cultivator.

For a newly ascended Nascent Soul Sect [a major sect led by a Nascent Soul expert] to have nurtured two Nascent Soul cultivators within the span of just over four hundred years was an exceedingly rare occurrence, even within the vast expanse of the Eastern Wastelands.

The disparity between a newly established Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [an immortal clan with a Nascent Soul expert as its pillar] and an old, established one was immense. They simply could not compare in terms of the resources they controlled, the cultivation arts they possessed, or the depth of their talent reserves.

In the eyes of many, this Qin Clan Immortal Clan must have had their ancestral graves emitting auspicious smoke, blessed by immense fortune to consecutively produce two Heaven's Chosen True Lord [a title for a prodigy destined for greatness]. How else could they possibly give rise to two Nascent Soul True Lord [a respectful title for a Nascent Soul realm expert] in such a short time?

"Could this Qin Clan be connected to that person?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze turning pensive. After probing for a long while, he still could not confirm whether there was any connection between that individual and the Qin Clan.

The reputation of this Qin Clan Immortal Clan was quite favorable. Their lineage carried little arrogance; in fact, they were often found at the forefront of campaigns to slay demons and vanquish evil.

The Nascent Soul True Lord of the Qin Clan had even ventured deep into the Heaven's Spine Mountains to broker a pact between the Human Race and the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for intelligent, often hostile, beast and monster races]. Their actions did not seem like those of evildoers.

"Could it be that it's not them?"

Seated within a pavilion in the Qinyuan Market, Eldrin Chen gazed towards the distant cultivation grounds of the Qin Clan Immortal Clan, his eyes holding a trace of deep contemplation.

In truth, he possessed a method to discern that person's identity—by employing the Grudge Soul-Tracking Art [a mystical art that traces a target through lingering resentment or karmic ties]. However, the spiritual sense of a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their Primordial Spirit into a nascent form, achieving immense power and longevity] was extraordinary. Were he to use this technique to locate the individual, he would undoubtedly be detected by the Nascent Soul True Lord.

"Over one hundred years ago, my mother's bloodline essence was extracted to refine a cauldron of treasure pills."

"Several decades ago, he broke through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their nascent soul, a monumental leap in power and lifespan]. The timing is far too coincidental."

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy, but in the end, he suppressed the impulse to activate the Grudge Soul-Tracking Art.

At that moment, a nearby Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Purple Mansion, the dantian's advanced form, marking the mid-tier of the cultivation path] inquired, "Fellow Daoist Varen Wei, what occupies your thoughts?"

This person was the shopkeeper of the Qin Family's establishment. On this occasion, Eldrin Chen had adopted the alias Varen Wei to purchase supplies from the Qin Clan's shop, his true purpose being to gather intelligence.

With a faint smile, Eldrin Chen replied calmly, "Forgive my distraction. It is my first time witnessing the majestic grandeur of a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a powerful clan founded and led by a Nascent Soul realm cultivator], and I was momentarily overwhelmed."

"Hahaha."

The Purple Mansion Cultivator laughed heartily and continued, "Fellow Daoist Varen Wei broke through to the Purple Mansion [the realm where the cultivator's dantian transforms into a Purple Mansion, vastly increasing their spiritual capacity] at such a young age. You undoubtedly possess the potential to reach the Nascent Soul in the future."

"You flatter me too much," Eldrin Chen quickly demurred, shaking his head with a wry expression. "I have heard that many high-level cultivators like Nascent Soul True Lord possess a Dao Body [a rare, heaven-blessed physique that grants immense natural talent for cultivation]. How could my humble aptitude compare?"

At this point, he inquired with a touch of reverence, "I presume the two True Lords of your esteemed Qin Clan Immortal Clan most likely possess a Dao Body [a rare and exceptional innate constitution for cultivation], do they not?"

"Indeed they do."

The Qin Surname Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation] cultivator stroked his long beard and laughed heartily. "Every member of our Qin Clan Immortal Clan is born with a Dao Body [a rare and exceptional innate constitution for cultivation]. We are all renowned throughout the land as peerless talents of our generation." Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.