Chapter 285 : The Earth-Fortress Bell's Stand

In recent years, Old Patriarch's cultivation had advanced another step, reaching the eighth layer of the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation expands into a vast internal mansion]. Yet, even he felt a measure of pressure facing this Flood Water Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique harnessing the overwhelming, destructive power of floodwaters].

Had it been merely a single bolt of divine thunder, it might have been manageable. The crux was that Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic, aiming for a decisive strike, unleashed nine consecutive Flood Water Divine Thunder in a relentless barrage.

This assault was nearly equivalent to several cultivators at the Purple Mansion Great Perfection [the peak of the Purple Mansion realm, just before attempting to form a Golden Core] attacking simultaneously. Its power was sufficient to grievously wound a False Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed an inferior, unstable imitation of a Golden Core] in a single blow.

If a solitary False Core Cultivator were to face this, unless they possessed a Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [a treasure of Golden Core grade], they would undoubtedly suffer a severe setback.

"Stand behind me!"

As the divine thunders descended, Eldrin Chen and the others joined forces once more, grinding away five of the bolts. Then, with a single stride forward, Eldrin activated the Earth-Fortress Sovereign Bell.

A vast, ethereal bell materialized, enveloping the group. It alone withstood the impact of the remaining three divine thunders, its radiance dimming only slightly.

"A Fourth Rank [Golden Core realm] Defensive Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact specifically designed for protection]!" Witnessing this, Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic's expression shifted repeatedly. "How did the descendants of the Yu Clan manage to find such troublesome adversaries?"

Having neutralized the offensive capabilities of their opponent's Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts that creates powerful, sustained magical effects], the group began their assault on the defensive aegis of the Formation.

As the Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic watched the radiant glow of his Defensive Formation [a formation specialized for protection] grow dim under their relentless assault, his composure finally fractured, and he began to intervene directly. Find this and other novels at audio—novel.com.

"Clang—"

Eldrin Chen heard only the sharp cry of a sword, followed by a dazzling stream of light surging forth in a counter-strike, aimed directly at Ethan Chen.

Seeing this, Yu Qingyan urgently warned, "Beware! That is Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic's Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a powerful artifact bound to its owner's soul], the Flowing Light Starlight Blade!"

This Flowing Light Starlight Blade was among the very pinnacle of Third Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators]. Its power was such that, within the Chu Kingdom, it could easily rank within the top ten of all Third Rank Magical Treasure.

Yet, as Ethan Chen saw this treasure hurtling towards him, he did not retreat. Instead, he pressed forward even more decisively.

In that instant, he summoned his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords. The twin blades merged as one, transforming into a pure white sword aura that cleaved through the air to meet the attack.

Although his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords were only Third Rank Low Grade, their combined power after merging was astonishingly formidable. Their might surpassed even a full-force strike from a Purple Mansion Great Perfection [the peak stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] cultivator by a significant margin.

A crisp *clang* rang out as the Flowing Light Starlight Blade was intercepted and sent flying backward.

Seizing the opportunity, the Old Patriarch [the venerable leader of the clan] unleashed his White Metal Star Pearl. With a sweeping motion, he ensnared the blade, drawing it in and suppressing it completely.

"My Flowing Light Starlight Blade!"

Seeing his Life-Bound Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact bound to a cultivator's soul and life force] being suppressed, Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic could no longer afford to hold back. He immediately raised his hand and unleashed his trump card.

A water-blue sword radiance surged from the lake's depths, soaring into the heavens before transforming into a sword aura hundreds of Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] tall, cleaving down towards them.

"It's the Heavenly River Immortal Sword [a legendary immortal-grade sword said to channel the power of the celestial river]!"

Yu Qingyan cried out, her eyes reddening as she spoke.

This Heavenly River Immortal Sword was of the Fourth Rank Low Grade [a classification for treasures of the Golden Core realm], and had once been the final, deepest reserve of the Yu Immortal Clan.

"Hmph—"

With a flick of his right hand, Eldrin Chen summoned the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a sword imbued with the power of the Separated Flame from the Ruins of the Dao] to intercept the blow. Simultaneously, his left sleeve swept out, and the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible [a cauldron capable of refining objects with the power of the crimson sun] descended to suppress and refine the sword into its furnace.

A chill settled in Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic's heart. Fearing the loss of this supreme treasure, he hastily recalled it.

Seizing this opportunity, the Old Patriarch fully suppressed the Flowing Light Starlight Blade [a blade that moves with the speed of flowing light and strikes with the sharpness of starlight]. He then activated the divine ability Yin-Yang Metallic Essence Sword Qi [a sword energy technique that harmonizes the opposing forces of Yin and Yang Metallic Essence] stored within the White Metal Star Pearl [a pearl containing condensed stellar and metallic essence] and began a forceful assault on the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and patterns used for defense, attack, or cultivation].

After the group besieged the island for One Shichen, the Spirit Spring [a natural spring infused with concentrated spiritual energy] within ultimately proved to be of a slightly lower grade. It could no longer sustain the defense, and the Formation was finally breached by their relentless assault.

No sooner had this Formation been breached than a streak of sword radiance shot forth from the island, streaking directly into the distance.

Realizing he was no match for the combined assault of the group, Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic immediately merged his body with his sword, intent on fleeing for his life.

However, Eldrin Chen had long been prepared. Transforming into a cerulean sword aura, he shot forward with a resounding *clang*, colliding with Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic and forcibly disrupting his body-sword fusion.

He then summoned the Magnetic Treasure Mirror. A beam of light from the mirror swept forth, instantly slowing the Heavenly River Immortal Sword by more than half.

After the clash between the two Fourth Rank Immortal Sword, both were slightly damaged, preventing immediate body-sword fusion. Attempts to fly by sword were further thwarted by the Magnetic Treasure Mirror. A grave expression settled on Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic's face.

Grasping the Heavenly River Immortal Sword in one hand, he unleashed several Magical Treasure to block Eldrin Chen's advance. Simultaneously, he conjured a Flood Water Divine Thunder [a devastating thunderbolt infused with the power of floodwaters] to strike at the Old Patriarch, before activating an Escape Art Divine Ability [a specialized technique for rapid flight or evasion] to make his escape. For more chapters, visit audi0-n0vel.c0m for the complete novel.

Eldrin Chen had never mastered an Escape Art Divine Ability, and with his body-sword fusion temporarily unavailable, he found himself momentarily unable to catch up to Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic.

Delayed by the obstruction, the Old Patriarch watched as his foe attempted to flee past him using the Escape Art Divine Ability. He promptly activated his own divine ability, the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Escape.

The Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Escape was an exceptionally superior Escape Art Divine Ability. When unleashed, it was a spectacle of resplendent, blazing light, its momentum as vast as the sea and its speed unparalleled.

Yet, the Old Patriarch's cultivation base was slightly lacking, making it difficult for him to fully intercept the fleeing enemy.

Just as he was about to break through the encirclement, Lila rendered a great service at that very moment. She unleashed a streak of white, radiant light that coiled like a silken ribbon, momentarily immobilizing Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic.

"It's the Frost Jade Radiance-Solidifying Mantra [a mystical incantation that freezes radiance and solidifies form]," someone exclaimed.

Eldrin Chen's face lit up with a flicker of joy. The Frost Jade Radiance-Solidifying Mantra had only pinned Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic for a mere instant before he shattered its restraint.

However, in a battle between high-level cultivators, even a momentary hindrance could be fatal.

Chen Thalion soared forward on his escape light, ignoring his own trapped Flowing Light Starlight Blade. With a swift motion, he summoned and hurled seven White Metal Star Pearl [treasure orbs that unleash soul-scorching flames] towards the enemy.

Enveloped head-on, Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic's Escape Art Divine Ability [a mystical technique for rapid flight or evasion] was finally disrupted. A boundless tide of Soul-Burning Separated Flame [a mystical fire that sears the spirit] erupted from the White Metal Star Pearl, threatening to engulf and incinerate him into tribulation ashes.

True to his status as a False Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a quasi-Golden Core, a powerful pre-Golden Core stage], even at this desperate juncture, he gritted his teeth and summoned his Heavenly River Immortal Sword to strike at the White Metal Star Pearl, attempting to breach the formation and fight his way out.

Had this been a one-on-one duel, Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic, wielding his Fourth Rank Immortal Sword [a powerful magical sword of the fourth rank], could have shattered the Formation [a structured arrangement of power for attack or defense] within a quarter of an hour. But now, he was granted no such opportunity.

Eldrin Chen arrived, riding his Flying Sword. With a raised hand, he sent the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss slashing forth. Joining forces with the White Metal Star Pearl, their combined assault caused the radiance of the Heavenly River Immortal Sword to dim significantly.

Then, he summoned the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible and brought it down like a lid, swallowing the Heavenly River Immortal Sword whole into the Fourth Rank [the Golden Core Realm] treasure furnace.

That Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic unleashed every technique at his disposal, still striving to fight his way out. Yet, having lost his Fourth Rank Immortal Sword, his offensive power had plummeted by half, rendering him utterly incapable of overcoming the two opponents.

Yu Qingyan, Kael Chen, and the others swiftly closed in, launching a coordinated assault against Gu Xuan the Elder Mystic.

Having ascended to his current heights from the humble beginnings of a Rogue Cultivator, this man was considered a Generation's Pinnacle Talent even within the borders of Cang Nation. Alas, the adage holds true: two fists cannot withstand four hands. Beset by the combined might of his foes, his path ultimately reached its end.

Finally, with a heart brimming with vengeance, Yu Qingyan made her move. Her Corroding Wind Soul-Scattering Vase [a sinister vessel that unleashes soul-eroding gales] drew him in. Boundless aegis winds [a type of potent, destructive spiritual wind] swirled around him, an unrelenting torrent that scoured away his flesh, blood, and spirit, leaving behind only a wisp of remnant soul to drift into the netherworld.

"Thank you."

With a vendetta settled after so many years, Yu Qingyan's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she offered her heartfelt thanks, presenting the captured Storage Bag [a spatial pouch for storing items].

Eldrin Chen accepted the Storage Bag, a sigh echoing silently within his heart.

In the past, he too had crossed blades with a False Core Cultivator, namely Liu the Ancient Ancestor. Yet, today's battle was profoundly different. That Liu the Ancient Ancestor had fought with the grim acceptance of his own demise.

A cultivator who has reached the False Core Realm has lived for centuries at the very least. Such individuals invariably master numerous life-preserving divine abilities. If one of them truly focuses on escape, even three or four opponents of similar cultivation level may find it impossible to secure a kill.

Their victory today, achieved through their combined efforts, was only possible because they possessed various means to counter his abilities. Otherwise, he would most likely have escaped with his life. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel . com.