Chapter 261 : The Path of Solar Flame

Among the dozen or so Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual energy] cultivation arts, this Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Art [a dual-attribute cultivation art combining the power of metal and fire] was undoubtedly ranked within the top three.

After a moment of hesitation, the Old Patriarch still shook his head and said, "Although this art possesses dual attributes, in my view, the potential of your Solar Separated Flame Scripture [a profound cultivation art focused on the pure power of solar flame] is far greater."

"I believe that one day, you will be able to refine and elevate it to the fifth rank, and perhaps even to the sixth."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile.

Many factors determine the potency of a cultivation art. Multi-attribute arts pursue the fusion of different elemental powers, ultimately forging a more formidable and profound spiritual essence.

In contrast, single-attribute arts focus on specialization and sublimation. Consider fire, which manifests in countless forms—from mundane flame to the pure Yang True Flame [a purified, potent form of fire energy used in high-level cultivation], and even to the legendary Solar Dao [the fundamental path or principle of the sun]. This progression represents a fundamental process of refinement and metamorphosis.

The foundational concept of the Solar Separated Flame Scripture was exceptionally lofty. As Eldrin Chen continued to deduce and evolve its principles in the future, it held the theoretical potential to cultivate all the way to the realm of an Immortal Lord, ultimately forging a sovereign of solar flame.

Specializing in a single attribute emphasizes purity and authenticity. All three thousand great Daos [the fundamental principles or paths of existence] can lead to immortality. Any path, if pursued with relentless transcendence to its ultimate extreme, can achieve astonishing heights.

Yet Eldrin Chen possessed an ambition that soared even higher. Therefore, he simultaneously deduced cultivation arts for all five elemental attributes, seeking to tread an extraordinary and unconventional path.

His aspiration was to first advance the arts of the five elements step by step, then extract their quintessential essences and fuse them into one, thereby creating the embryonic form of a unified Five Elements method. Access the full story on audio–novel.com.

Throughout the ages, countless prodigies have emerged, and indeed, many cultivators have undertaken such endeavors.

It can be said that the entire system of the Cultivation World [the vast realm where cultivators pursue immortality and power] as it exists today was built upon the continuous exploration and innovation of generations of sages and pioneers.

However, it remains exceedingly rare for someone to simultaneously deduce and refine five different paths as he did. Over these years, he has ceaselessly studied the cultivation arts of his predecessors, standing upon their shoulders to advance step by step, striving to forge a path uniquely his own.

It is precisely because individuals like Eldrin Chen continually emerge that the Cultivation World today flourishes with such a dazzling array of schools and techniques.

A thousand methods, ten thousand divine abilities, profound arts, and wondrous treasures—the vast Cultivation World has been perfected in this very manner.

Though Old Patriarch could not compare to Eldrin Chen, he held absolute faith in him.

In his view, these cultivation arts that Eldrin Chen had drafted might one day become peerless immortal scriptures, capable of shaking the heavens and earth, scriptures that even Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator whose soul has reached an embryonic, independent state] would desperately seek.

Eldrin Chen smiled faintly and still handed over the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Art [a cultivation art that channels the properties of metal and fire]. "Although the cultivation art can replenish one's vitality, this Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Escape [a divine movement technique combining the properties of metal and fire] is truly extraordinary. It requires one to possess both Metal and Fire Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual affinity that determines a cultivator's elemental aptitude] to practice it."

"The Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword [a magical sword forged with golden radiance and blazing fire] is also a first-rate demon-subduing immortal sword, far more powerful than your Crimson Flame Spirit Blade."

"I suggest you melt down the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade and reforge it into the Sword Embryo [the nascent, unformed core of a magical sword] for the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword. You can also begin cultivating the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Escape."

"That is an excellent idea."

Old Patriarch gave a slight smile and took the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Art [a cultivation art focused on the fusion of radiant light and scorching flame].

The profound utility of the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Escape [a divine ability for swift escape using golden light and fire] was self-evident, and the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword [a sword technique manifesting as a blade of golden radiance and blazing fire] was even more extraordinary.

From Eldrin Chen's perspective, the conceptual foundation of this sword technique was exceptional, possessing immense potential for refinement. Should Eldrin Chen's cultivation reach greater heights in the future, elevating it to the realm of a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure bound to one's life force and soul] would not be an impossibility.

As for its potential power after being refined into a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure, that would depend entirely on Eldrin Chen's mastery in the dual paths of formations and artifact crafting.

For the present moment, however, a Third Rank [the third major stage of cultivation, corresponding to the Purple Mansion Realm] Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword was more than sufficient. Until he reached the Fourth Rank [the fourth major stage of cultivation, corresponding to the Golden Core Realm], he could substitute the Blazing Fire Gold Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with fiery and metallic essence] with materials similar to those used for the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade.

The Old Patriarch received the cultivation art but did not immediately begin contemplating it, for Eldrin Chen had informed him that Lyra Jiang was preparing to move against the Verdant-Maned Lion King [a powerful demonic beast ruler with a verdant mane].

The two of them hastily summoned Lila, Lior, and Kael.

Once the clan's five Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have established their Purple Mansion, the third major cultivation realm] had gathered at Pingyang City, Eldrin Chen informed everyone of the impending battle and then spoke.

"Whether we can slay the Verdant-Maned Lion King in this battle will determine the outcome of the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic catastrophe where hordes of demonic beasts rampage across the land] thirty years from now."

"If we cannot slay it, I fear the casualties during the Beast Tide Calamity thirty years from now will be grievous indeed."

"Therefore, we must commit ourselves fully to this endeavor."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. With the Green Sun Sect no longer sharing the burden, the pressure thirty years hence would fall heavily upon Lyra Jiang alone.

The Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor would never idly watch the Human Race grow stronger. Within thirty years, a new Demon King was certain to arise from Celestial Python Lake [a vast lake domain ruled by serpentine demonic beasts], leading a beast tide to assault the Human Race.

Of course, the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor was unlikely to dispatch a Demon King under its direct command, for if it did, the Ji Clan would be compelled to intervene.

Should two Nascent Soul [the realm of cultivators who have formed a nascent immortal soul] powers clash directly, the conflict would inevitably turn brutal. Regardless of the victor, the losses would be catastrophic, with Golden Core [the realm of cultivators who have condensed a golden spiritual core] powerhouses perishing. Original publication: audio—novel.com - The source of this chapter.

Yet, even without the Demon Emperor's direct involvement, the two Demon King territories alone harbored at least three such monarchs. This force alone would pose a significant challenge for Lyra Jiang.

This was precisely why Lyra Jiang was determined to reclaim Scorched Sun Mountain [a mountain range scorched by intense yang energy, a strategic location]. If they failed to retake it now and slay the Verdant-Maned Lion King, it was doubtful Celestial Ruins Mountain [the Mountain of Heavenly Ruins, a key human stronghold] could be held thirty years hence.

Grasping the severity of the situation, Kael Chen pondered for a moment before asking:

"Since we are resolved to fight, how many clansmen must we muster for this campaign?"

"We will not mobilize the lower-ranked cultivators. We must concentrate our high-ranking forces to achieve total victory in a single decisive battle."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a glint of solemn resolve flashing within his calm gaze.

Since this was to be a swift and decisive strike, the Chen Clan naturally prepared to commit its full strength. For this battle, besides deploying all five of its Purple Mansion Ancestor [powerful cultivators who have established their spiritual core within the Purple Mansion realm], the clan also mobilized thirty of its Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation].

After this mobilization, only around ten Foundation Establishment Cultivator remained to guard the clan's holdings.

Fortunately, those left behind, such as Silas, Caleb, and Elara, were already half a step into the Purple Mansion Realm [the realm where one's spiritual essence is housed and refined within a metaphysical 'Purple Mansion'], making them fully capable of unleashing the power of the Third Rank Formation [a powerful, large-scale magical array].

Once the decision was made, they spent seven days gathering the clan's Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Then, they boarded the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat [a magical vessel empowered by the constellation of the Seven Stars for vanquishing demons] and set course for the Green Sun Sect.

In merely seven or eight days, they arrived at the Green Sun Sect.

After waiting at the Green Sun Sect for another half-month, all participants for the campaign had assembled.

For this battle, the dozen or so Purple Mansion Family [powerful clans led by Purple Mansion realm cultivators] under the banner of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance joined forces, deploying thirty Purple Mansion Cultivator and two hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Seeing the forces assembled, Lyra Jiang wasted no words. That very day, she led the host towards Scorched Sun Mountain.

To prevent any news from leaking, for this battle, Lyra Jiang did not mobilize the Heaven-Devouring Serpent Treasure Boat. Instead, she employed the Green Sun Treasure Boat.

That Green Sun Treasure Boat was one of the six Fourth Rank Magical Treasure of the Green Sun Sect. This vessel was of Fourth Rank Low Grade quality, and within it was fused a precious Void Gem [a rare spatial gemstone that can expand interior dimensions].

The Treasure Boat was only one Zhang-length in size, but because it was fused with the Void Gem, its interior space was vast, capable of accommodating three hundred cultivators.

Lyra Jiang propelled the Green Sun Treasure Boat forward, covering two hundred thousand Li-lengths in a single day. In merely two days, they arrived just beyond the Scorched Sun Mountain.

Such swiftness left the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for intelligent, often hostile, beast races that cultivate] utterly unable to react, and they were assaulted directly at their doorstep.

"*Whoosh—*"

A streak of azure light cleaved the sky, flying directly over the Scorched Sun Mountain.

The Verdant-Maned Lion King recognized Lyra Jiang immediately and reacted swiftly. With a furious roar, he commanded the Demonic Beast [monstrous beasts that have absorbed spiritual energy, often hostile to humans] of Scorched Sun Mountain to surround and attack Lyra Jiang.

The strength of Earth Lion Ridge had always surpassed that of Celestial Python Lake. Furthermore, after breaching Scorching Sun County seventy years prior and obtaining a vast quantity of Human Race flesh and blood, the forces under the Verdant-Maned Lion King's command were now exceptionally powerful and well-supplied.

At his thunderous command, over twenty Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts whose power is equivalent to the human Purple Mansion Realm] and several hundred Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast [demonic beasts whose power is equivalent to the human Foundation Establishment Realm] surged forward to encircle her.

Lyra Jiang cast a sharp glance towards Scorching Sun Mountain Range and released the others from her spatial treasure. Her eyes held a piercing intensity as she spoke.

"Make this swift and decisive." Original English translation available at audio–novel.com.