Chapter 319 : Unexpected Ascension

Spirit Isle Lake [a mystical lake at the heart of the Chen Clan's territory] was inherently a special place for the Chen Clan, where almost no one could approach within several hundred Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. With this treasure now sealing the void, news of Eldrin Chen's breakthrough to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a solidified core of spiritual power] could be concealed for at least twenty years.

As a renowned Sword Immortal [a master swordsman cultivator] famed throughout the Chu Kingdom, the progress of Eldrin Chen's cultivation had long been scrutinized by the human, demon, and monstrous tribes. The likely timing of his Golden Core breakthrough had been calculated with clarity by his foes.

By breaking through a full decade earlier than anticipated, he was certain to catch his enemies off guard. At a critical moment, this surprise could make them pay a heavy price.

The Tribulation Clouds [ominous clouds that gather to unleash heavenly punishment upon cultivators attempting a major breakthrough] churned and roiled in the sky, the moment for the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of divine lightning that tests a cultivator's worthiness to advance] to descend fast approaching.

As Eldrin Chen prepared to step forward, Lyra Jiang grasped his arm, her worry still evident. "You must still be cautious during this tribulation," she urged.

"Do not worry."

Giving her hand a reassuring pat, Eldrin Chen offered a soft word of comfort.

He ascended into the heavens with a single step, gazing calmly at the thick, oppressive Tribulation Clouds blanketing the Firmament [the vault of the sky]. A slight frown involuntarily creased his brow.

Perhaps because he possessed one more Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact intimately connected to a cultivator's life force and soul] than Lyra Jiang had at her own breakthrough, his Tribulation Clouds appeared slightly denser and more formidable than hers had been.

"It seems there will be some trouble," he murmured to himself. Support the author by reading on audio-novel.com (official site).

Eldrin Chen's expression turned grave as he witnessed a brilliant streak of thunderous light descend from the Firmament [the vault of heaven].

The might of his Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning faced during major cultivation breakthroughs] was extraordinary; the power of this first bolt alone rivaled the fourth bolt of many other cultivators' tribulations.

However, it was merely the first bolt after all, and it still could not overcome Eldrin Chen. He did not even employ his Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force and soul]. With a mere lift of his hand, he unleashed a First-Wood Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique embodying the essence of the Wood element].

"BOOM—"

Instantly, two deafening roars erupted as the two thunderbolts collided violently in the sky.

Eldrin Chen's First-Wood Divine Thunder extinguished the heavenly lightning in a single strike, its residual force even surging relentlessly into the roiling Tribulation Clouds [the ominous, energy-charged clouds that gather during a heavenly tribulation].

Immediately, the Tribulation Clouds above churned violently, seeming to rage as they billowed across the Firmament, unleashing two more heavenly thunderbolts in an instant.

Eldrin Chen's expression remained unperturbed. With successive gestures, he unleashed Earth-Fortress Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique embodying the essence of the Earth element] and Flood Water Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique embodying the essence of the Water element], once again reducing the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation to nothingness.

Having withstood three consecutive bolts of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, his countenance remained unchanged, yet the Tribulation Clouds in the sky grew increasingly oppressive and silent.

The sea of clouds churned and surged, the rolling Tribulation Clouds blotting out the heavens and the earth, plunging the entire Spirit Isle Lake [a lake renowned for its spiritual energy and scenic isles] into profound darkness.

"This time, the Tribulation Clouds..."

Lyra Jiang furrowed her brow. Even with her utmost confidence in Eldrin Chen, she could not help but feel a sliver of worry.

"BOOM—"

Another thunderbolt descended. Starting from this fourth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning faced during a major cultivation breakthrough], its power had increased dramatically, now potent enough to exert immense pressure on an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator.

Eldrin Chen ceased channeling the Five Elements Divine Thunder and instead summoned the Earth-Fortress Sovereign Bell. This treasure's defensive power was astonishing, managing to withstand three consecutive divine thunderbolts.

After successively blocking thunderbolts equivalent to the full-force assault of a Golden Core Cultivator, the radiance of the Earth-Fortress Sovereign Bell had dimmed considerably.

From the seventh Heavenly Thunder Tribulation onward, the power was already comparable to a full-strength strike from a Golden Core, Mid Stage cultivator. Continuing to block them risked severe damage to the treasure.

He withdrew the Earth-Fortress Sovereign Bell and summoned the Heavenly River Flood Water Sword, unleashing a brilliant sword aura that cleaved through and extinguished the seventh Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

Then, he brought forth the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, annihilating the eighth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation into nothingness.

Gazing at the Tribulation Clouds in the sky, Eldrin Chen allowed himself a slight sigh of relief. It seemed the ninth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation would not reach the power level of a Golden Core, Late Stage cultivator's attack.

Under these circumstances, the difficulty of this Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the divine punishment of lightning and thunder that tests cultivators during major breakthroughs] would be nearly identical to the one Lyra Jiang faced back then, making it manageable for him to overcome.

As the ninth and final bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was poised to descend, he retrieved the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void [a mystical treasure capable of manipulating the fundamental forces of yin, yang, and emptiness], his expression turning solemn and ready for battle.

At that very moment, the Tribulation Clouds [the ominous, energy-charged clouds that gather to unleash heavenly punishment] in the sky finally finished their ominous churning, unleashing a single, blindingly brilliant arc of lightning that tore through the heavens.

"Perfect timing," he murmured.

Amidst the deafening roar of thunder, Eldrin Chen raised his hand and cast forth the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void, unleashing its innate divine ability, 'Yin-Yang Magnetic Divine Radiance' [a beam of light that harnesses the opposing yet complementary forces of yin and yang to neutralize energy].

Instantly, a beam of light, split into the dual hues of yin and yang, shot skyward. It met the descending tribulation force, dissolving the terrifying power of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation into nothing more than a wisp of ethereal, dissipating radiance. Original English translation available at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"It is done."

Having successfully withstood all nine bolts of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Eldrin Chen allowed himself a moment to release a sigh of relief.

Yet, before he could fully gather his wits, his expression abruptly shifted. The Tribulation Clouds above showed no sign of dispersing; instead, they churned with even greater ferocity, gathering energy for another assault.

"This is wrong," he whispered, a cold dread settling in his heart.

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted subtly, a faint tremor running through him as he sensed yet another Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators] still gathering its power above.

From the depths of his intuition, a realization dawned. Perhaps influenced by certain karmic ties, his path diverged from the ordinary; he was fated to endure one final tribulation.

"Is it because of the transformation of the Primordial Essence [the most fundamental and pure source energy of creation]?"

"Or is it due to the karmic origins of the Primordial Scripture?"

The thoughts flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind, but he swiftly suppressed them.

The final Heavenly Thunder Tribulation promised extraordinary might, its power likely rivaling a full-force strike from a Golden Core Realm [the third major realm of cultivation where one forms a solidified golden core of power] expert, potent enough even to slay a cultivator at the Golden Core, Mid Stage.

Understanding the gravity of this trial, he channeled his mana and manifested the Solar True Aegis [a defensive technique conjuring a shield of condensed solar essence], then settled into a state of calm readiness, awaiting the descent of the last heavenly strike.

That ultimate Heavenly Thunder Tribulation gathered its fury for a full One Shichen, finally coalescing into a bolt of violet lightning that cleaved the sky in its descent.

"Violet Firmament Divine Thunder!"

"This is bad."

Lyra Jiang's expression shifted slightly. This single bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a devastating heavenly punishment for cultivators defying the natural order] was already comparable to a full-force strike from a Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm] expert. Even she would need to focus her full attention to withstand it, let alone Eldrin Chen, who had only just entered the Golden Core [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core] realm.

Furthermore, the Violet Firmament Divine Thunder [a supreme-grade heavenly thunder of immense destructive power] was inherently far more domineering and potent than ordinary heavenly lightning.

Eldrin Chen also wore a look of grave solemnity. With a sweeping motion of his hand, he unleashed a dazzling, intertwined bolt of gold and azure lightning that shot skyward to meet the descending thunder.

"Dual Polarity Divine Thunder."

The power of a Great Divine Ability [a supreme-level technique of world-shaking power] was earth-shattering and heaven-rending; many Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, nascent soul] cultivators' ultimate trump cards were of this caliber. Bolstered by the Five Elements Divine Thunder Grand Cycle [a supreme art that harmonizes and amplifies the five elemental thunders], this Dual Polarity Divine Thunder [a divine thunder art fusing opposing elemental forces] had already crossed the threshold into the domain of Great Divine Ability.

When unleashed with Eldrin Chen's current cultivation base, though it could not rival Lyra Jiang's Divine Light of the Five Void Tribulations [a legendary art manifesting divine light from the tribulations of the five voids], it was still potent enough to match a full-force strike from a Golden Core, Late Stage cultivator.

The dazzling thunderbolt soared into the heavens, colliding with the Violet Firmament Divine Thunder. In that instant, a shockwave spanning one hundred Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] erupted across the sky.

"BOOM—"

A deafening explosion echoed. The Violet Firmament Divine Thunder was overwhelmingly powerful; it pierced through the Dual Polarity Divine Thunder and continued its relentless descent towards Eldrin Chen.

However, having been struck by the Dual Polarity Divine Thunder, the divine thunder's potency had been significantly diminished.

Eldrin Chen suppressed the urge to unleash the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords, frantically drawing power from the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform and pushing the Solar True Aegis [a supreme defensive technique that manifests as a radiant, sun-like shield of pure yang energy] to its absolute limit.

In the very next instant, the thunderous radiance crashed upon him, causing even the brilliant Solar True Aegis to dim and flicker.

For a moment, it was as if a golden sun had been struck by the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the divine lightning calamity that tests cultivators during major breakthroughs]; its light grew so faint it seemed on the verge of being utterly extinguished.

"Eldrin!"

Lyra Jiang cried out in alarm and rushed forward.

Then she watched as that nearly extinguished golden sun began to brighten once more, transforming into a dazzling orb of light that bathed heaven and earth in its radiance.

Eldrin Chen withdrew the Solar True Aegis, his face pale as he drew a deep breath. He pulled her into a firm embrace and said with a laugh,

"Do not worry."

"What can a mere Heavenly Thunder Tribulation do to me?" Find this and other novels at audio_novel.com.