Chapter 253 : Legacy in the Flaming Depths

It turned out that deep within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a perilous sea of magical flames], the group had discovered the skeletal remains of a senior expert.

That senior had clearly suffered grievous wounds before his end. Before passing, he had laid down a Formation [a magical array or defensive barrier] to guard his final resting place within the fiery sea.

Yet, he ultimately succumbed to his fate. The man's power had been immense, at least at the Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm]. Even after several hundred years, his body showed no signs of decay, and even his Storage Bag [a spatial pouch for storing items] remained perfectly intact.

A powerful True Person [a title for a Golden Core realm cultivator] of such advanced standing, having often lived for nearly a millennium, would have amassed a fortune of staggering wealth. His Storage Bag undoubtedly concealed treasures of great value.

Recluse of Elegant Verse and his wife, coveting these treasures, had ventured into the formation repeatedly in search of them. They had even enlisted the help of their friend Verdant Mist Yu, yet all their attempts ended in failure.

For deep within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, Crimson Flame Spirits [fiery elemental beings] lurked. The place where the senior rested was a convergence point of Spiritual Veins [natural conduits of spiritual energy], occupied by seven or eight Crimson Flame Spirits at the Violet Sanctum Realm [the Violet Sanctum cultivation stage].

Violet Sanctum Demon Spirits [sentient spiritual entities, often demonic] possessed keen intelligence. They naturally understood the preciousness of a Golden Core Cultivator's flesh and blood, as well as his treasures. However, lacking knowledge of Formations, they had been unable to breach the Guardian Formation [the protective array].

But as the Formation grew progressively weaker, it was only a matter of time before the Crimson Flame Spirits would break through.

Fearing the treasures would be seized by the Crimson Flame Spirits, Recluse of Elegant Verse sought out Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator], intending to invite him to join forces and subdue the fiery spirits.

"The legacy of a Golden Core Late Stage expert..." For more chapters, visit site: audio-novel.com for the complete novel.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a glimmer of delight. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "I can agree."

"However, any treasures we obtain must be distributed according to each person's contribution."

"Agreed."

The Recluse of Elegant Verse nodded. A cultivator at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the third major stage of cultivation, focusing on opening and nurturing the Violet Palace within the dantian] could match the combat power of five or six at the Violet Sanctum Early Stage [the initial phase of the third major cultivation stage]. Dividing loot purely by headcount would indeed be unfair.

After all parties swore the Heart Demon Blood Oath [a binding magical vow where breaking one's word invites inner demons and severe cultivation backlash] and formalized their pact, smiles finally graced their faces.

The Recluse of Elegant Verse's brow furrowed slightly in thought. "I must return to Peach Blossom Mountain to attempt my breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum Late Stage," he stated. "Our expedition to the ruins will need to be postponed slightly."

"Understood." Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile. "Then we shall meet again in one year's time, at the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire."

"Very well…"

With their plans settled, the group parted ways.

Eldrin Chen journeyed to a renowned Rogue Cultivator City [a city primarily inhabited by independent cultivators not bound to major sects or clans] within Yuan Nation. There, he rented a third-rank Spirit Pool Cave Abode [a cultivation retreat built around a natural pool of concentrated spiritual energy] and entered seclusion to cultivate the Solar True Aegis [a defensive divine ability that manifests a shield of condensed solar essence].

Since its successful creation, he had already advanced this defensive Art of Divine Subjugation to an exceptionally profound level.

Now, having obtained the crucial catalyst, he could finally begin cultivating this Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power cultivated by immortals].

In merely a month's time, he used the Solar Treasure Crystal to achieve initial mastery in the Solar True Aegis [a divine protective shield forged from solar essence]. He then began refining vast quantities of Metallic Gold and Solar Fire Essence [refined spiritual materials embodying metallic and solar properties], transforming them into Solar Energy [the pure, radiant power of the sun] to be absorbed into this Divine Ability.

A year thus passed in dedicated cultivation.

"It is done."

On this day, Eldrin Chen inhaled the final wisp of Solar Energy, then slowly released a breath.

After a year's effort, he had finally perfected the Solar True Aegis. With this Divine Ability now in his arsenal, his means of survival and defense had increased dramatically.

Emerging from seclusion, he realized the agreed-upon time to explore the ruins was near. He promptly took to his sword and flew towards the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

After a journey of over ten days, when he arrived at the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, he found that Recluse of Elegant Verse and the other two had already arrived ahead of him and had been waiting for some time.

A year apart, and Recluse of Elegant Verse had already broken through to the Violet Sanctum Late Stage, his spiritual power now forty percent stronger than before.

He cast a glance at Eldrin Chen, a trace of amusement in his expression as he spoke, "You've finally arrived."

"Congratulations on your breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Violet Sanctum realm]," he said with a smile. "The path to Golden Core [the Golden Core realm] seems within your grasp now."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he offered his felicitations with a warm smile.

Having finally ascended to the Violet Sanctum Late Stage, Recluse of Elegant Verse was in high spirits.

He possessed dual Spiritual Roots [innate spiritual affinities] of Metal and Wood. In his youth, he had been taken as a disciple by the rogue cultivator Verdant Origin Path Master, who was then at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage.

His master, Verdant Origin Path Master, had held him in great esteem. Before his final meditation [passing away], the master had even wed his daughter, Immortal Maiden Clear Countenance, to him. This novel is serialized on audio-novel-dot-com. Visit for updates.

Blessed with fine talent, ample resources in his early years, and a diligent cultivation practice, Recluse of Elegant Verse's progress had been remarkably swift. He broke through to the Violet Sanctum Realm [the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm] at the remarkably young age of just over one hundred years.

Furthermore, he had refined two Lifebound Magical Treasures [magical artifacts bound to one's life force] to temper and purify his spiritual energy. This refined energy bolstered his chances of breakthrough. For subsequent bottlenecks at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage and Late Stage, he managed to overcome them using only a single Cloud Vein Creation Pill [a pill that aids in forming spiritual pathways] and a Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill [a pill that refines violet aura within the spiritual veins], respectively.

Now, at just over two hundred years old, he had already cultivated to the Violet Sanctum Late Stage. It seemed he could reach the Great Perfection of that stage before his three hundredth year—a feat quite rare among rogue cultivators.

However, the journey to this point had exhausted the wealth accumulated by Verdant Origin Path Master over centuries. From here on, life for him and Immortal Maiden Clear Countenance promised to become considerably more austere.

Without the support of a clan or sect, relying solely on a single Third Rank Lower Grade Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy], it was still somewhat difficult to sustain the cultivation needs of two Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, a major energy center].

Furthermore, the resources he would need for his future breakthrough to the Golden Core [the stage of forming a solidified golden core of spiritual power] would easily exceed a million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy].

It was precisely for this reason that Recluse of Elegant Verse, fully aware of the dangers lurking in the depths of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a vast, perpetually burning sea of mystical flames], still insisted on seeking the treasures hidden within.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, Verdant Mist Yu revealed a faint smile and said, "Everyone, since we are all here, let us proceed inside first before we discuss further."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. The four of them then mounted their flying swords and soared into the heart of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

Although the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire was a perilous land where almost no ordinary life could survive, it was said that extremes beget their opposites.

Within this sea of Oblivion [a state of utter annihilation or dissolution]-inducing flames, a unique form of life had actually been nurtured: the Crimson Flame Spirit [a spirit entity born from and composed of concentrated crimson flame essence].

The Flaming Prison Sea of Fire spanned over a hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Within its expanse, numerous Crimson Flame Spirit were born, their cultivation mostly at the Second Rank [the second major stage of cultivation for demonic beasts], with only a rare few reaching the Violet Sanctum Realm.

Legends spoke that in the deepest, most forbidden reaches of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, some had even glimpsed powerful Crimson Flame Spirit of the Golden Core Realm.

During his previous venture, Eldrin Chen had only penetrated a mere one hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] into the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. That area was still considered the periphery of the sea, and he had not encountered any Crimson Flame Spirit [demonic spirits born from the sea's intense fire essence] of the Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a Violet Palace core].

This time, however, was different. The four of them needed to venture three hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] deep into the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. At that distance, the danger was considered to be exceedingly grave.

Recluse of Elegant Verse led the way. After flying for roughly seven or eight days, they had covered nearly three hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

As the group delved deeper, the number of Crimson Flame Spirit [demonic spirits born from the sea's intense fire essence] they encountered along the path gradually increased.

"The Crimson Flame Mountain lies just ahead," Recluse of Elegant Verse announced.

"Proceed with caution."

Recluse of Elegant Verse summoned his Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword forged with a cultivator's life essence, sharing their fate] and dispatched a Second Rank [equivalent to Foundation Establishment realm] Demon Spirit [a malevolent spiritual entity] blocking their path. His expression turned solemn as he issued the warning.

Eldrin Chen's demeanor also grew more serious. They were now not far from the ancient cultivator's ruins.

That ancient cultivator, in his final moments, had chosen to undergo his final meditation and pass away upon a Third-order Spiritual Vein [a ley line of concentrated spiritual energy capable of supporting Golden Core cultivators]. Relying on the power of the Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth], he had erected a Fourth-Rank Formation [a powerful defensive or offensive array, formidable enough to threaten Nascent Soul cultivators].

Now, after several hundred years had passed, that Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and patterns used for defense, attack, or cultivation] had grown somewhat unstable. Its surroundings had also gathered a not insignificant number of Crimson Flame Spirit [demonic spirits born from the sea's intense fire essence].

The group reduced their flight speed and proceeded cautiously for another several thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Finally, they arrived at the foot of Crimson Flame Mountain.

Upon reaching Crimson Flame Mountain, Eldrin Chen immediately sensed eight Violet Sanctum-level Demon Spirit [malevolent spiritual entities born from demonic energy] prowling the mountain slopes. Among them, two had even reached the Violet Sanctum Late Stage. Access the full story on audi0-n0vel.c0m.