Chapter 319 : A Golden Core's Hidden Ascension

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

As the renowned Slaughter [a legendary and fearsome sword technique] Sword Immortal [an honorific title for a supreme master of the sword path] of Chu Nation, the human, demon, and fiend races had long since discerned Eldrin Chen's cultivation progress. The likely timing of his Golden Core breakthrough had been calculated with clarity by his foes.

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

The Tribulation Cloud [a dense, ominous cloud formation that heralds a heavenly trial] churned and roiled in the sky, the moment for the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial by divine lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators] to descend fast approaching.

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

"Do not worry."

Patting her hand gently, Eldrin Chen offered a soothing reassurance.

He ascended into the heavens with a single step, gazing calmly at the thick blanket of Tribulation Cloud covering the Heavenly Vault [the firmament, the dome of the sky]. A slight frown involuntarily creased his brow.

Perhaps because he possessed one more Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force and soul] than Exquisite Jiang had at her breakthrough, his Tribulation Cloud appeared slightly denser and more formidable than hers had been.

"It seems this will be somewhat troublesome," he murmured to himself. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel`com.

Eldrin Chen's expression turned grave as he witnessed a brilliant bolt of lightning descend from the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the sky].

The power of his Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation] was extraordinary. The sheer force 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 could not overcome Eldrin Chen. He did not even employ his Lifebound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's personally bonded enchanted artifact]. With a mere flick of his wrist, he unleashed a First Wood Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique imbued with the essence of primordial wood].

"BOOM—"

Instantly, two deafening roars erupted as the two Thunderclap [thunderous shockwaves] collided violently in the sky.

Eldrin Chen's First Wood Divine Thunder not only extinguished the heavenly lightning in a single strike but continued its relentless surge, crashing directly into the churning Tribulation Cloud [the ominous cloud formation that gathers to unleash a cultivator's heavenly tribulation].

The Tribulation Cloud in the sky seethed with fury, as if enraged, churning and roiling across the Heavenly Vault before unleashing two more bolts of heavenly lightning in rapid succession.

Eldrin Chen's expression remained unperturbed. With another wave of his hand, he successively cast Bulwark Earth [a spiritual essence embodying the steadfast, defensive power of earth] and Positive Water Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique imbued with the nourishing, flowing essence of water], 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 Cloud in the sky grew increasingly oppressive and silent.

The sea of clouds churned and billowed, its rolling darkness swallowing the heavens and earth, plunging the entire Spirit Isle Lake into an abyssal gloom.

"This Tribulation Cloud..."

Exquisite Jiang furrowed her brow. Even with her complete confidence in Eldrin Chen, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of worry.

"BOOM—"

Another Thunderclap descended. Starting from this fourth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a divine trial of lightning from the heavens], its power had increased dramatically, now potent enough to exert immense pressure on an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core].

Eldrin Chen ceased channeling the Five Elements Divine Thunder and instead summoned the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell [a magical treasure in the form of a bell, renowned for its supreme defensive capabilities]. This treasure's defensive power was astonishing, managing to block three consecutive divine thunderbolts.

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

Starting with the seventh Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, its power was already comparable to a full-force strike from a Golden Core Mid Stage cultivator. Continuing to block it would risk severe damage to the treasure.

He withdrew the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell and summoned the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [a divine ability manifesting a sword of pure, positive water energy]. It erupted with a dazzling sword aura, cleaving through and extinguishing the seventh Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

Then, he manifested the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a magical sword imbued with the essence of solar fire], which annihilated the eighth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation into nothingness.

Gazing at the still-churning Tribulation Cloud in the sky, Eldrin Chen let out a slight sigh of relief. It seemed the power of this ninth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation would not reach the level of a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator's strike.

In that case, the difficulty of this Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a divine trial of lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators] would be nearly identical to the one Exquisite Jiang faced back then, making it manageable for him to overcome.

As the ninth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was about to descend, he retrieved the Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical mirror capable of manipulating opposing forces] and adopted a stance of solemn readiness.

At that moment, the Tribulation Cloud [the ominous cloud formation that gathers to unleash heavenly punishment] in the sky finally finished its ominous gathering, transforming into a single, blindingly brilliant bolt of lightning that crashed down.

"Perfect timing."

Amidst the deafening roar of thunder, Eldrin Chen raised his hand and summoned forth the Polarity Void Mirror, causing it to erupt with the Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique] known as 'Polarity Primordial Magnetism Divine Light' [a divine light that harnesses the fundamental forces of attraction and repulsion].

Instantly, a beam of Polarity [the concept of opposing yet complementary forces] dual-colored light shot skyward, disintegrating the power of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation into a formless, harmless radiance. Published by audio-novel*com. All rights reserved.

"Success."

Having withstood nine consecutive Heavenly Thunder Tribulation strikes, Eldrin Chen allowed himself a slight sigh of relief.

Yet, before he could fully catch his breath, his expression abruptly shifted. The Tribulation Cloud in the sky showed no sign of dispersing; instead, it continued to churn and gather power with even greater intensity.

"Something is wrong."

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted subtly, a faint tremor of awareness passing through him. He sensed that within the Tribulation Cloud [the ominous cloud formation that heralds a cultivator's heavenly trial], yet another Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a devastating bolt of lightning sent by the heavens as a trial for cultivators] was still coalescing, gathering its dreadful power.

From the depths of his intuition, a realization dawned. Perhaps influenced by certain strands of Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect that binds all actions and their consequences], his path diverged from the ordinary. He would have to endure one more tribulation.

"Is it because of the conversion of the Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [the supreme, primordial energy from which all creation is said to have sprung]?"

"Or is it due to the profound Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect] tied to the origins of the Primordial Chaos Scripture [an ancient and profound cultivation manual]?"

These thoughts flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind, but he swiftly suppressed them, focusing his will.

The final Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a devastating bolt of lightning sent by the heavens as a trial for cultivators] would be of extraordinary might, likely comparable to 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. It might even possess the power to slay a cultivator at the Golden Core Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Golden Core Realm].

Understanding the critical nature of this trial, he channeled his spiritual power and unleashed the Solar True Aegis [a defensive technique that manifests a shield of condensed solar essence]. Then, he settled into a state of calm readiness, awaiting the arrival of the last heavenly strike.

That ultimate Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a devastating bolt of lightning sent by the heavens as a trial for cultivators] gathered its fury for a full shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], finally transforming into a violet bolt of divine punishment that cleaved down from the void.

"Violet Heaven Divine Thunder!"

"This is bad."

Exquisite Jiang's expression shifted slightly. This single strike of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a tribulation lightning of immense destructive power] was already comparable to a full-force attack 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 face it, let alone Eldrin Chen, who had only just recently entered the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation].

Furthermore, the might of the Violet Heaven Divine Thunder [a supreme-grade divine thunder technique] was inherently far more domineering and potent than ordinary heavenly lightning.

Eldrin Chen also revealed 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 forth to meet the descending Thunderclap [the thunderous strike].

"Two Polarities Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique harnessing the opposing forces of Yin and Yang]."

The power of a Great God Ability [a supreme-level divine ability] was capable of shaking the heavens and sundering the earth. Many Infant Soul Cultivator [cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] considered techniques of this caliber their ultimate trump cards. Bolstered by the Grand Cycle of Five Elements Divine Thunder [a foundational technique that amplifies elemental thunder arts], this Two Polarities Divine Thunder had already stepped across the threshold into the domain of Great God Ability.

When unleashed with Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, though it could not match Exquisite Jiang's Void Five Tribulations Divine Light [a divine light technique capable of weathering five great tribulations], it was still powerful enough to rival a full-force strike from a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator.

The dazzling bolt of lightning soared skyward, colliding with the Violet Heaven Divine Thunder. In that instant, a massive shockwave erupted across the heavens.

"BOOM—"

A deafening explosion echoed. The Violet Heaven Divine Thunder proved overwhelmingly potent, piercing straight through the Two Polarities Divine Thunder and continuing its relentless descent towards Eldrin Chen.

However, having been struck by the Two Polarities Divine Thunder, a significant portion of the divine thunder's original power had already been expended.

Eldrin Chen suppressed the urge to unleash the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords and instead frantically drew upon the spiritual power within the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a sacred lotus-shaped throne that channels pure water-element energy], pushing the Solar True Aegis [a divine defensive technique that manifests as a shield of solar radiance] to its absolute limit.

In the very next instant, the thunderous light crashed upon him. The brilliant Solar True Aegis dimmed, its radiance flickering.

For a moment, it was as if a golden sun had been struck by the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly punishment of pure lightning]. Its light grew so faint it seemed on the verge of being utterly extinguished.

"Eldrin!"

Exquisite 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 solar brilliance that bathed the heavens and earth in its light.

Eldrin Chen dismissed the Solar True Aegis, his face pale. He took a deep, steadying breath before pulling her into a firm embrace, a weary smile touching his lips.

"Do not worry."

"What can a mere Heavenly Thunder Tribulation do to me?" This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel*com.