Chapter 285 : The Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell

In recent years, the Old Patriarch's cultivation had advanced another step, reaching the eighth layer of the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one refines their spiritual sea into a violet palace]. Yet, even he felt a measure of pressure facing this Positive Water Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique harnessing the power of pure, life-giving water].

If it were merely a single divine thunderbolt, it would be one thing. The crux was that the Ancient Mystic Path Master [a venerable master of profound and ancient mystical arts], aiming for a decisive strike, unleashed nine consecutive Positive Water Divine Thunder in a torrential assault.

This was nearly equivalent to several cultivators at the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum [the pinnacle of the Violet Sanctum realm] attacking simultaneously. Its power was sufficient to grievously wound a Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivator [a cultivator who has begun condensing a nascent Golden Core but has not fully stabilized it] with a single blow.

If a lone Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivator were to face this, unless they possessed a Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the fourth rank], they would surely suffer a nasty surprise.

"Stand behind me!"

As the divine thunderbolts surged forth, Eldrin Chen joined forces with the others to dissipate five of the bolts through combined effort. Then, with a single stride forward, he activated the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell [a defensive treasure embodying the unyielding stability of the earth].

A colossal bell, illusory yet potent, manifested and enveloped the group. It alone withstood the remaining three thunderous strikes, its glow dimming only slightly afterward.

"A fourth-rank defensive treasure!" Witnessing this, the Ancient Mystic Path Master's expression shifted repeatedly. "How did the descendants of the Yu Clan [the Yu family] manage to find such troublesome opponents?"

Having neutralized the opponent's offensive Formation [a structured array that channels energy for attack, defense, or other effects], the group turned their focus to assailing the defensive energy barrier of the Formation.

Seeing the group's relentless assault cause the defensive Formation's radiance to visibly dim, the Ancient Mystic Path Master finally lost his composure and began to intervene directly. Your portal to cultivation novels: @udio-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, Verdant Mist Yu urgently warned, "Beware! That is Ancient Mystic Path Master's Lifebound Magical Treasure, the Flowing Starlight Blade!"

This Flowing Starlight Blade ranks among the very finest of Third Rank Superior Grade magical treasures. In terms of power, within the Chu Nation, it would easily place within the top ten of all Third-Rank Magical Treasure.

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

In that instant, he summoned forth his Celestial Abyss Twin Swords. With a flash, he executed the Sky-Severance Sword Union, transforming the twin blades into a single, pure-white sword energy that cleaved through the air to meet the attack.

Although his Celestial Abyss Twin Swords were only of Third Rank Lower Grade quality, their combined power upon merging was still astonishingly formidable. Their might surpassed even a full-force strike from a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Violet Sanctum realm by a noticeable margin.

A crisp *clang* rang out as the Flowing Starlight Blade was halted and sent flying backward from the impact.

Seizing this opportunity, the Old Patriarch unleashed his Venus Stellar Pearl. With a sweeping motion, the pearl's radiance enveloped the blade, drawing it in and suppressing it completely.

"My Flowing Starlight Blade!"

Seeing his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to its owner's life force] being suppressed, the Ancient Mystic Path Master [a venerable master of profound and esoteric cultivation arts] could spare no further thought. He raised his hand and summoned his ultimate 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 with devastating force.

"It's the Heavenly River Immortal Sword [the Celestial River Immortal Sword]!"

Verdant Mist Yu cried out, her eyes reddening with emotion as she spoke.

This Heavenly River Immortal Sword was of the Fourth Rank Low-Grade [a high-tier classification for magical items], and had once been the final, treasured foundation of the Yu Immortal Clan [the Yu Clan of Immortals].

"Hmph—"

With a flick of his right hand, Eldrin Chen summoned the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [the Solar Fire Abyssal Sword] to intercept the blow. Simultaneously, his left sleeve swept out, and the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace [the Crimson Sun Void-Combustion Furnace] descended to suppress the sword, intent on sealing and refining it within its fiery depths.

A cold dread settled in the heart of the Ancient Mystic Path Master. Fearing the loss of this supreme treasure, he hastily recalled it.

Seizing this opening, the Old Patriarch fully suppressed the Flowing Starlight Blade [the Blade of Flowing Starlight]. He then activated a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique] from within the Venus Stellar Pearl [the Venus Starlight Pearl]—the Polarity Metallic Gold Sword Energy [the Metallic Gold Sword Energy of Dual Polarity]—and began a relentless assault on the island's defensive Formation [a protective array or magical barrier].

They besieged the island for the time it takes an incense stick to burn [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen to thirty minutes]. Ultimately, the grade of the island's Spirit Spring [a spring imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] proved slightly insufficient. It could no longer sustain the defense, and the Formation was finally breached by force.

No sooner had the Formation [a defensive or offensive array created by channeling spiritual energy] been breached than a streak of sword light shot out from the island, streaking directly into the distance.

Realizing he was no match for the combined assault of the group, the Ancient Mystic Path Master [a title for a powerful cultivator versed in ancient mysteries] wasted no time. He merged his body with his sword, intending to flee for his life.

However, Eldrin Chen had long been prepared. Transforming into a cerulean blade of sword energy, he shot forth. With a resounding *clang*, he collided with the Ancient Mystic Path Master, forcibly disrupting his body-sword fusion and forcing him back into his physical form.

He then summoned the Magnetic Treasure Mirror [a magical treasure that emits a light capable of restraining other treasures]. A beam of light from the mirror swept over the Heavenly River Immortal Sword [an immortal-grade sword named for its power, reminiscent of a celestial river], slowing its speed by more than half.

After the clash between the two fourth-rank Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal grade, a powerful magical weapon], both blades had sustained minor damage, rendering them temporarily incapable of body-sword fusion. Attempting to fly by sword control was also hampered by the Magnetic Treasure Mirror. A look of grave seriousness settled on the face of the Ancient Mystic Path Master.

With one hand, he gathered the Heavenly River Immortal Sword. Raising his other, he unleashed several magical treasures to block Eldrin Chen, while simultaneously channeling a bolt of Positive Water Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique imbued with the purifying power of water] towards Old Patriarch. Then, he activated an Escape Technique Divine Ability [a specialized technique for rapid flight or evasion] and made a desperate dash for freedom. For more chapters, visit audi novel.com for the complete novel.

Eldrin Chen had never mastered an Escape Technique Divine Ability, and with body-sword fusion currently impossible, he found himself momentarily unable to catch up to the fleeing Ancient Mystic Path Master.

Having been momentarily delayed, Old Patriarch saw the enemy attempting to use his Escape Technique Divine Ability to break through in his direction. He swiftly activated his own Divine Ability [a supernatural power or technique derived from cultivation], the Golden Light Blazing Fire Escape [an escape technique manifesting as a trail of golden light and blazing fire].

The Golden Light Blazing Fire Escape was an exceptionally superior Escape Technique Divine Ability. When unleashed, it was a magnificent and dazzling spectacle, its momentum as vast as the sea, and its speed was among the swiftest.

However, Old Patriarch's cultivation base was slightly lacking, making it difficult for him to completely intercept the fleeing cultivator.

Just as he was about to break through the encirclement, Lila performed a great feat. She unleashed a brilliant white light, a silken ribbon of radiance that coiled and solidified, pinning the Ancient Mystic Path Master in place.

"It's the Ice Jade Condensing Light Mantra [a mystical technique that freezes light into a binding force]," someone exclaimed.

Eldrin Chen felt a surge of elation. The Ice Jade Condensing Light Mantra only held the Ancient Mystic Path Master for a fleeting moment before he shattered its constraints.

Yet, in a battle between high-level cultivators, even a moment's delay can be fatal.

Eternal Profound Chen closed the distance on his escape light, ignoring his own trapped Flowing Starlight Blade. With a swift motion, he summoned seven Venus Stellar Pearl and directed their light upon the foe.

Enveloped by the sudden radiance, the Ancient Mystic Path Master's Escape Technique Divine Ability was finally disrupted. A torrent of Soul-Scorching Solar Fire erupted from the Venus Stellar Pearl, threatening to engulf and incinerate him into ashes.

True to his status as a Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivator, the man gritted his teeth and, in a final desperate act, summoned his Heavenly River Immortal Sword to strike at the Venus Stellar Pearl, hoping to breach the formation and fight his way out.

Had this been a one-on-one duel, the Ancient Mystic Path Master, wielding his fourth-rank Immortal Sword, could have shattered the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for combat or defense] within a quarter of an hour. But now, he was granted no such opportunity.

Eldrin Chen arrived, riding his flying sword. He raised his hand and sent the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword slashing forward. Together with the Venus Stellar Pearl, their combined assault battered the Heavenly River Immortal Sword, causing its glow to dim.

Then, he summoned the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace. With a resounding clang, it descended, swallowing the Heavenly River Immortal Sword whole into the fourth-rank Treasure Furnace [a specialized vessel for refining or containing powerful artifacts].

That Ancient Mystic Path Master unleashed every technique at his disposal, desperately trying to fight his way out. Yet, having lost his fourth-rank Immortal Sword, his offensive power had plummeted by half. He found himself utterly incapable of overcoming the two opponents arrayed against him.

Verdant Mist Yu and Kael Chen joined the fray, their attacks converging on the Ancient Mystic Path Master in a coordinated assault.

Having risen to his current heights as a rogue cultivator, this man could be considered a true prodigy and hero within the borders of Cang Nation. Alas, as the saying goes, two fists cannot fend off four hands. Beset by the combined might of his foes, his path inevitably reached its bitter end.

Finally, with a heart full of vengeance, Verdant Mist Yu made her move. The Gale Bone-Eroding Soul-Scouring Vase sucked him in, and endless torrents of razor-sharp gale-force winds scoured his form, grinding away his flesh, blood, and soul until nothing remained but a wisp of remnant spirit, destined for the Netherworld Realm.

"Thank you," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

With a vendetta settled after so many years, Verdant Mist Yu's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she offered her heartfelt thanks. She then handed over the captured Storage Bag.

Eldrin Chen accepted the Storage Bag, a sigh escaping him.

He had once crossed blades with a Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivator, the Patriarch Liu, but today's battle was profoundly different. That Patriarch Liu had fought with the grim acceptance of one already resigned to death.

A cultivator who has reached the Pseudo-Core Realm has lived for centuries at the very least. Such individuals invariably master multiple life-preserving Divine Ability [profound supernatural techniques]. If their sole intent is to flee, even three or four opponents of equal rank would struggle to end them.

Their victory today was only possible because of the array of countermeasures they had prepared. Without them, their foe would almost certainly have escaped with his life. Visit http://www . audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.