Chapter 316 Xavier (Person Name) Borrows a Treasure

The heavenly tribulation struck with thunderous force, instantly causing the 5 Mists of Earthly Marsh to tremble violently as its radiance flickered erratically. Though the defensive barrier remained unbreached, its luminous aura suffered visible damage from the impact.

Seeing that it was severely injured, it would likely require 20 years of nurturing to fully restore all of its power.

Fortunately, this treasure was, after all, a fourth-tier magic artifact. Though it had suffered damage, it ultimately withstood this final heavenly tribulation lightning.

As the tribulation clouds dispersed, droplets of lightning tribulation liquid sprinkled down. Elara had successfully weathered the Golden Core Lightning Tribulation, firmly stabilizing her Golden Core realm.

"Congratulations, Elder Lin."

Witnessing Elara successfully endure the lightning tribulation, countless cultivators present hurriedly offered their congratulations.

Elara descended from the void and handed the Earth-Marsh 5 Smoke Net to Lyra, saying with a hint of heartache,

"This treasure has been damaged by the heavenly tribulation, which may somewhat reduce its lifespan."

"Worry not. Since you have survived the lightning tribulation, a single Grade-4 magic treasure is but a trifle."

Lyra (Person Name) simply smiled faintly. Compared to her disciple's breakthrough to the Golden Core realm, a single fourth-tier magic treasure was hardly worth mentioning.

After Elara (Person Name) achieved her Golden Core breakthrough, the Celestial Ruins Lake hosted a 3-day banquet, entertaining several 1000 guests.

When the banquet concluded, Xavier sought out Eldrin and the old clan leader.

Seeing Eldrin and the old clan leader, he hesitated briefly before gritting his teeth and saying, "Fellow Daoists, I've come today to seek your assistance."

"Oh."

Eldrin's eyes narrowed slightly as he roughly surmised Xavier's intentions.

Just as he had anticipated, Xavier wore a face etched with bitterness, his voice laced with anguish as he spoke.

"To be frank, this old man intends to attempt the Golden Core breakthrough within 3 years. I now estimate my chances of success at 50 percent."

"Over the years, our Xu Clan has gathered 4 supreme heirlooms to safeguard our lineage. We believed we possessed some confidence in weathering the heavenly tribulation. Yet after witnessing Eldress Lin's trial today, I've come to realize that should I attempt the tribulation recklessly, I would face at least a 60 to 70 percent chance of calamity."

Xavier said, his face awash with lingering fear.

Seeing how perilous the thunder tribulation was and that it was a matter of life and death, he had swallowed his pride and decided to borrow the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible (Magic Treasure).

He knew full well that Lyra had sold quite a few magic treasures recently. The Frostfall Celestial Sword was Elara's signature immortal weapon, and now even the 5 Mists of Earth Marsh had suffered severe damage.

Leaving aside the lack of suitable magical treasures to borrow, even if Lyra had any spare artifacts to lend him, their friendship hadn't yet reached such a level of intimacy.

Over the years, the Xu family had amassed tremendous wealth by following Lyra's lead. They had obtained 4 Golden Core Formation Pills—a rare opportunity that comes once in centuries. Yet now they had the audacity to ask to borrow a fourth-tier magical treasure, crossing the line of propriety.

Eldrin also possessed a few Grade-4 magic treasures in his hands. While it was unthinkable to lend out 1’s life-bound treasure, the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible held some possibility of being loaned to another.

Given the amicable relations between their 2 families over the years, Xavier ultimately swallowed his pride and sought out the pair.

He glanced at Eldrin and the old clan leader, his face slightly flushed as he said, "To be frank, I came here to borrow the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible."

"I'm afraid I must disappoint you, fellow Daoist."

Eldrin sat quietly to the side, taking a sip of tea without revealing any emotion.

He glanced at the Old Patriarch and continued, "My grand-uncle will attempt his Golden Core breakthrough again in 30 years. When that time comes, he'll still need a fourth-rank magic treasure to withstand the heavenly tribulation."

"If we lend it out now and it gets damaged, what will my grand-uncle use to withstand the Heavenly Tribulation 30 years from now?"

"This—"

Xavier (Person Name) was rendered speechless, yet this concerned life and death. He still wanted to struggle a bit before finally speaking up.

"I can assure you, if you lend me the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible (Magic Treasure), then even if our clan's ultimate treasure shatters completely in my desperate effort, it will at most withstand the final 2 heavenly tribulations."

"In that case, the artifact won't suffer severe damage. Within 30 years, its power will surely be restored through spiritual nurturing."

Hearing this, the old clan leader cast a glance at Eldrin.

Seeing the old clan leader was somewhat tempted, Xavier quickly continued, "Moreover, if you lend this to us, I will give you my share of the spoils when we attack the Earth Lion Ridge."

"In the days to come, my Xu family shall also look to your Chen clan as its leader."

Hearing this, Eldrin nodded.

Although his personal wealth meant he actually cared little for Xavier's gains, the 2 had shared a solid friendship spanning many years.

Xavier's remaining lifespan was now less than 40 years. Lending a hand while he still could was far preferable to witnessing the eventual demise of an old acquaintance.

"I can agree to this matter, but you must honor your pledge—you cannot allow the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible (Magic Treasure) to sustain severe damage."

"Let me be blunt from the start—if this disrupts my grand-uncle's future Heavenly Tribulation, I'm afraid our 2 families will have no choice but to sever all ties."

Eldrin spoke, his expression turning grave.

Overjoyed, Xavier (Person Name) nodded repeatedly and made a solemn vow. That very day, he returned to the Xu Clan's secluded cultivation grounds with the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible (Magic Treasure).

After all the banquet guests had departed, Eldrin did not leave immediately, choosing instead to remain at Sky Ruin Lake to accompany Lyra.

3 months later, his spiritual power had become perfectly harmonized, allowing him to touch the threshold of the ninth level of the Violet Mansion. Seizing the opportunity, he drew upon the spiritual energy of Tianxu Lake to break through to the Violet Mansion's ninth level in 1 decisive move.

Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and several more years had passed.

1 year later, Patriarch Fang Qingmei made her second attempt to break through to the Golden Core Realm. Though she had made thorough preparations, her dwindling lifespan had left her essential lifeblood slightly deficient, ultimately causing her efforts to fall just short of success.

This failure dealt a devastating blow to the Eldrin. With less than 20 years of lifespan remaining, her hope of breaking through to the Golden Core realm had grown exceedingly dim.

She had already taken 1 Life-Extending Elixir. Over the years, the Fang family had exhausted centuries of accumulated resources to purchase the Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object) for him, even incurring a mountain of debt in the process.

I fear I won't even be able to afford Life-Extension Pills going forward. Even if I scrape together enough for 2 pills to extend my lifespan by another 60 years, I'd never manage to purchase a Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object).

Without the Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object), a single failed attempt at forming her golden core would require 60 years of spiritual recuperation. She had at most 1 chance to attempt the golden core breakthrough.

Moreover, with his vital energy in decline and the physical vessel among the essence, energy, and spirit treasures being insufficient, his chances of breaking through to the Gold Core realm were likely less than 30%. Thus, it could be said that hope was slim.

Upon hearing this news, Eldrin felt a pang of melancholy. Though his acquaintance with Patriarch Fang had been brief, he couldn't help but sigh at the arduous path of cultivation.

This individual had managed to obtain 2 Golden Core Formation Pills (Spiritual Object) in succession. Compared to many Foundation Establishment cultivators who never acquired a single Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object) in their entire lives, her fortune was far greater than that of most practitioners.

Yet even so, she ultimately failed to break through to the Golden Core Realm, and her prospects for doing so in the future remained slim.

Thus, another 2 years passed, and news finally arrived from the Xu family—this time, it was good news.

Xavier (Person Name) had only 40 years of lifespan remaining. Though his vital energy remained at its peak, he barely broke through to the Golden Core Realm after consuming the Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object), then weathered the heavenly thunder tribulation with the aid of the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible (Magic Treasure).

It was said that to survive the lightning tribulation, Xavier destroyed 4 of his clan’s most treasured heirlooms, and finally used the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible (Magic Treasure) to block the last 2 bolts of heavenly lightning.

After withstanding the heavenly tribulation, the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible (Magic Treasure) sustained minor damage and would require nearly 30 years of spiritual nurturing to fully restore.

That Xavier (Person Name) personally escorted them back to the Chen family, and naturally, they expressed boundless gratitude and profound appreciation.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind swept across the mountain peaks, carrying with it the scent of snow and pine. Lin Feng stood at the edge of the cliff, his white robes fluttering in the gusts. 1 100 years had passed since he last set foot on this very spot. He gazed into the distance, his eyes reflecting the countless stars above. For thousands of years, he had walked this path of cultivation, facing tribulations that would have broken lesser men. Now, he was only 1 step away from the fabled Immortal Realm. "Eldrin," a voice called out from behind him. Lin Feng turned to see an old man with a long white beard, leaning on a wooden staff. It was his master, the 1 who had guided him through over a 100 years of cultivation. "The heavenly tribulation approaches," the old man said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Are you prepared?" Lin Feng nodded, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure). "I have been waiting for this moment for a dozen or so years, Master." The old man's eyes twinkled with a mixture of pride and concern. "The records say that only 1 in 10 1000 cultivators survives the ninth heavenly tribulation. You will need more than just preparation; you will need luck." A faint smile touched Lin Feng's lips. "Luck is for the unprepared. I have 32,000 spirit stones, 20-some protective talismans, and the Li Fire Sword. That should be enough." Suddenly, the sky darkened. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the air grew thick with spiritual pressure. Lin Feng could feel the energy gathering above him, the power of the heavens converging to test his worth. He drew the Li Fire Sword, its blade glowing with an ethereal blue flame. The first bolt of lightning struck with the force of a 100 mountains, but Lin Feng stood firm, his cultivation base radiating a golden light that swallowed the heavenly punishment. For 9 days and 9 nights, the tribulation continued. Each strike was more powerful than the last, each test more cruel than the previous. But Lin Feng persevered, his will unbroken, his spirit unwavering. When the final bolt of lightning dissipated, Lin Feng stood amidst the ruins of the mountain peak, his body bathed in a celestial light. He had done it. He had ascended. The old master approached, tears streaming down his wrinkled face. "You have succeeded where countless others have failed. The Immortal Realm awaits." Lin Feng looked up at the newly formed gateway in the sky, a portal of shimmering light that led to realms beyond mortal comprehension. He took 1 last look at the world he was leaving behind, then stepped forward into eternity.