Chapter 245 : The Heist at Heavenly Python Lake

For Eldrin Chen, this was merely a minor interlude.

His purpose for venturing deep into the Demon Race Territory was precisely to obtain the Positive Water Crystal [a crystalline spiritual material formed from pure positive water energy] from within the Heavenly Python Lake Positive Water Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual vein rich in positive water energy].

Within that Heavenly Python Lake Positive Water Earth Vein, a single Positive Water Crystal would be nurtured every ten years. As of now, no new Demon King [a powerful demonic entity equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator] had yet been born there, and he intended to seize this opportunity to take the Positive Water Crystal that had accumulated over the years.

Strictly speaking, this venture still carried some peril, but Eldrin Chen was a man of great skill and even greater daring.

As long as he did not face a Demon King directly, he could cleave through even a great demonic beast at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the final stage of the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm] with a swing of his sword. With no Demon King present at Heavenly Python Lake, he naturally had more than enough power to move through it with impunity.

His speed was extreme; in the span of mere days, he had already fought his way to Heavenly Python Lake.

At such a blistering pace, even if the Demon Race wished to relay a message, it would be utterly impossible—after all, they lacked treasures like the Horizon Communication Mirror [a magical artifact for instant long-distance communication].

By the time Eldrin Chen arrived at the Lake Heart Island within Heavenly Python Lake, the demonic beasts in the lake had only just reacted, scattering in a frantic, panicked flight.

"Hmm?"

A flicker of pleasant surprise crossed Eldrin Chen's eyes. He had not expected that, after an absence of forty years, several Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [demonic beasts possessing power at the Violet Sanctum cultivation level] would have been born again within Heavenly Python Lake. Find thousands of chapters at audio–novel.com.

At the forefront was none other than the Black Horned Python. Its aura had grown increasingly formidable, its extraordinary bloodline now on the verge of allowing it to transform into a flood dragon [a powerful, serpentine water dragon].

The evolution of its bloodline had granted the Black Horned Python a great leap in cultivation, its strength now having stepped into the Violet Sanctum 8th Tier.

"If this creature were to break through to the Golden Core, it would likely transform into a Black Flood Dragon," Eldrin Chen murmured, his gaze sharp.

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He intended to give chase immediately and eliminate this future calamity.

However, the Black Horned Python possessed an Extraordinary bloodline, its power surpassing even that of a typical Violet Sanctum Perfection Stage cultivator. Exploiting the complex underwater terrain, it managed to escape.

"Hmph."

Watching the beast flee, Eldrin Chen had no choice but to vent his killing intent upon the other Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast present.

He slew a Demon Crocodile at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage, only abandoning his slaughterous rampage after the remaining demonic beasts had scattered.

The Heavenly Python Lake spanned for ten thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Even with his cultivation level, it was nearly impossible to root out every beast hiding within its depths.

After slaying the Violet Sanctum Demon Crocodile and collecting its Demon Core, Eldrin Chen stormed into the Positive Water Earth Vein. Yet, within the vein, he found no trace of the Positive Water Crystal he sought. His only harvest was two pieces of water-attribute heavenly materials and earthly treasures [rare natural resources imbued with spiritual power].

One portion of Ice Jade Condensed Liquid [a rare, viscous spiritual fluid prized for its cooling and purifying properties], one portion of high-quality Positive Water Precious Metal [a rare metal imbued with the essence of pure, life-giving water], and, as a bonus, he received two Third-Rank Shell Pearl [high-grade pearls formed by spirit beasts, containing dense spiritual energy] and over forty Second Rank Shell Pearl [pearls formed by spirit beasts, containing spiritual energy].

The clan also raised some Verdant Spirit Shell [a type of spirit mollusk known for producing spiritual pearls], but the Spirit Isle Lake [a lake imbued with spiritual energy] lacked sufficient Positive Water Aura [the vital, life-affirming energy of pure water]. Consequently, the Verdant Spirit Shell could never truly thrive and multiply, only producing a few Shell Pearl every ten years.

Obtaining these pearls now served to replenish the clan's reserves somewhat.

Although he had not found any Positive Water Crystal [a crystalized form of pure water essence], Eldrin Chen was not disappointed. He proceeded directly to the Spirit Pond [a pond concentrated with spiritual energy] and, sure enough, found two pieces of Positive Water Crystal within it.

Logically, this Positive Water Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual vein rich in pure water energy] should have nurtured four Positive Water Crystal over forty years. The fact that only two remained was likely because the rest had been consumed by the Black Horned Python [a powerful serpent demon with black horns].

After securing the treasures, Eldrin Chen did not linger. That very day, he mounted his sword and flew back towards Yu County.

In a mere four days, he had fought his way back to Yu County, and remarkably, not a single Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [a demonic beast equivalent in power to a human Violet Sanctum cultivator] dared to block his path along the way.

Upon returning to Yu County, he finally allowed himself to exhale a deep sigh of relief.

Although his journey had been one of unstoppable momentum, a thread of fear had woven itself through his heart. After all, he had ventured deep into Demon Race [the collective forces and territories of demonic beings] territory. Had he been delayed and a Golden Core Demon King [a demon lord possessing power equivalent to a human Golden Core cultivator] pursued him, he would have faced grave peril.

Yet, everything had proceeded with unexpectedly smooth fortune.

With cultivation at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the fourth major realm of cultivation, where one forms a Violet Palace within the dantian], he ventured alone, sword in hand, deep into the heart of Demon Race territory. Along his path, he slew a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [a powerful demonic creature equivalent to a Violet Sanctum cultivator], seized the unique produce of a Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein [a high-grade ley line that concentrates spiritual energy], and returned triumphant.

Throughout his journey, he was utterly unstoppable. Myriad demons and fiends retreated before him, and not a single Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast dared block his path.

Before even a Golden Core Demon King [a demonic ruler who has condensed a Golden Core, the fifth cultivation realm] could react, he had already achieved his goal and returned to his clan. After this feat, the surrounding human, demon, and fiend races would surely be shaken by his imposing aura.

A Sword Cultivator [a cultivator whose path and power are centered on the sword] embodies precisely this kind of indomitable, forward-pressing momentum. Having accomplished such a heroic deed, henceforth even cultivators at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage would likely feel diminished in his presence.

For him personally, this journey further tempered his resolve into something sharper and more decisive. When he summoned his flying sword now, it felt effortless, a natural extension of his will. Every casual slash carried an unshakable conviction, a belief that nothing could stand in its way.

This was the bearing of a Sword Immortal [an exalted title for a master of the sword path], the spirit and the unyielding belief that admits no retreat. Support the author by reading on AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Upon Green Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen handed over the Positive Water Crystal [a crystal imbued with the pure, nourishing essence of water] and the Positive Water Precious Metal [a rare metal refined by positive water energy] to Ethan Chen.

When Ethan Chen heard that his uncle had ventured alone into the depths of Demon Race Territory and returned with these treasures, his eyes practically shone with admiration.

"Uncle Eldrin, one day, I will become someone like you."

"Then you must cultivate diligently."

Eldrin Chen smiled and ruffled his head. This fellow possessed extraordinary courage and indeed shared a touch of his own spirit.

After handing the Violet Sanctum Inner Pill [a condensed core of spiritual energy formed within a cultivator's Violet Sanctum realm] to Lior Chen to be delivered to Green Sun Mountain, Eldrin Chen finally prepared to set out for Tianlu Continent.

"..."

Tianlu Continent lay to the southeast of Ji Continent, while Chu Nation was situated on the northwestern frontier of Ji Continent. To reach Tianlu Continent, one would essentially have to traverse the entire breadth of Ji Continent.

Eldrin Chen soared on his flying sword past Chu Nation, journeyed over the Verdant Azure Mountains, and after more than a month's travel, arrived at Yan Kingdom.

Yan Kingdom, also known as the Million-Mile Yan Lake, was connected to the Ji Continent River which stretched for nearly ten million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. This great river separated Cang Nation, Ji Nation, and Yan Kingdom.

He flew across this mighty river, a hundred thousand Li-length wide, and upon reaching the lands of Ji Nation, decided to rest there for a while.

Ji Nation was the core territory occupied by the Ji Immortal Clan. As a top-tier Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a powerful clan whose patriarch has reached the Infant Soul cultivation realm], the Ji Clan indeed possessed a Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel over vast distances].

Only a Spiritual Vein [a geological formation that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] of the fourth rank or above, corresponding to the Golden Core Realm, could barely support the construction of a short-distance Teleportation Formation spanning a million Li-length.

To establish a Long-Distance Teleportation Formation capable of crossing tens of millions of Li-length required nothing less than a Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein.

Legend has it that within the Path Lord Sacred Land [a holy land governed by a master of the Dao Path], the Sixth Rank Ancestral Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual energy source] can even support the deployment of ultra-long-range Long-Distance Teleportation Formations [magical arrays capable of spanning hundreds of millions of Li-lengths across the void].

While the Ji Clan does not possess many Teleportation Formations, those they do have can traverse tens of millions of Li-lengths, reaching distant realms beyond the void.

For an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarch has attained the Infant Soul cultivation realm] of this stature, there is simply no need to deploy short-range Teleportation Formations spanning mere millions of Li-lengths.

An Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their Primordial Spirit into an Infant Soul] can fly a million Li-lengths in a single night. To their eyes, traversing the entire Ji Continent is a journey of merely a few days.

Furthermore, they possess Fifth Rank and even Sixth Rank Treasure Ships [magical vessels powered by spiritual energy], making a voyage of a million Li-lengths across the void neither overly lengthy nor prohibitively costly.

Thus, even the wealthy and powerful Ji Immortal Clan has only deployed Teleportation Formations between their few Fifth Rank Spiritual Veins [high-grade sources of spiritual energy].

After resting for three days in Ji Nation and making inquiries, Eldrin Chen discovered that the Ji Clan's Teleportation Formations were not linked to the Tianlu Continent.

The reason was simple: the two continents were too close. The distance across the border was a mere five or six million Li-lengths. Deploying a Long-Distance Teleportation Formation was wasteful, while a short-range Teleportation Formation could not bridge the gap.

Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] cultivators could not afford the teleportation fees, while Violet Sanctum Cultivators [cultivators of the third major stage] were perfectly capable of making the crossing by flight. It was simpler to just fly over on a sword.

"It seems we must still cross the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range," he concluded.

With no other recourse, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh. He could only continue onward, riding his flying sword towards the Tianlu Continent.

Traveling with intermittent stops, after flying over eight hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Eldrin Chen finally arrived at the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range.

Gazing upon the vast mountain range before him, he couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine.

Legends spoke of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range as boundless, a range of renown even within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. Seeing it today, he finally understood the sheer terror of its scale.

If the Vast and Misty Marsh, spanning hundreds of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], ranked among the top three famous mountains and rivers of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, then this Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range could easily claim a place within the top several dozen.

In comparison, the Verdant Azure Mountains, stretching for millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], seemed utterly insignificant.

The Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range lay across the land like the spine of some primordial Ancient Demon god, a colossal backbone spanning over thirty million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. It straddled several vast continents, cleaving this majestic Great Wasteland in two. Join our community of readers at audio-novel-dot-com.