Chapter 337 : The Patriarch's Heavenly Trial

Thunderclouds pressed down upon the heavens, brewing for a full half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] before the first bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a divine trial of lightning and thunder that tests cultivators seeking to advance their realm] finally descended.

Old Patriarch was well-prepared. He immediately summoned a Third Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the third rank]—none other than the Great Metallic Immortal Sword [a mighty immortal-grade sword of metallic essence] that had been passed down by Eldrin Chen.

The sword transformed into a dazzling arc of light that soared skyward. With a single strike, it utterly annihilated the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, allowing him to pass this first tribulation.

After destroying this bolt, the power of the Great Metallic Immortal Sword had diminished considerably. Continuing to use it risked permanent damage. The Old Patriarch, who was not lacking in treasures, naturally could not bear to risk such a precious Third Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [a top-tier magical treasure of the third rank].

He retrieved the Great Metallic Immortal Sword and instead summoned the Purple Blood Pagoda and the Kunwu Earth-Fortress Bell [a legendary bell imbued with the power of earth and fortress], using them to withstand the second and third bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

The fourth bolt possessed formidable power, but the Old Patriarch still had the 'Violet-Cyan Tribulation-Avoiding Treasure Gourd' [a treasure gourd specifically crafted to deflect or absorb heavenly tribulations].

This treasure was specially designed for weathering tribulations; its efficacy was nearly equivalent to two or three Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure used to protect and establish a clan's legacy]. Years ago, Qian the Ancient Ancestor had traded it to Eldrin Chen in exchange for two Violet Qi Cloud-Vein Pill [pills that refine violet qi and cloud patterns within the cultivator's body]. Now, its purpose was finally being fulfilled.

The 'Violet-Cyan Tribulation-Avoiding Treasure Gourd' erupted with dazzling thunder-patterned radiance, astonishingly swallowing both the fourth and fifth bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation in succession.

It was only at the sixth bolt that the Old Patriarch finally summoned the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword [a sword that blazes with golden fire]. This Lifebound Immortal Sword [an immortal sword bound to its wielder's life and soul] proved itself worthy of being a supreme-grade Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a treasure intrinsically linked to its owner's vitality and cultivation]. With a single, majestic sweep, its brilliant, golden-bright sword light cleaved through and extinguished the sixth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

Having vanquished this bolt, the Old Patriarch promptly sheathed the Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword. The final three bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation were of extraordinary might; employing this sword against them risked its utter destruction. This chapter is provided by audio_novel.com. Support the original.

Generally speaking, an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a solidified core of spiritual energy] who lacks a Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the fourth rank] would need to pay a tremendous price to withstand the final three bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the divine lightning trial that tests a cultivator's foundation during major breakthroughs].

In the past, Xavier Xu expended three of his clan's treasured Third Rank High Grade Treasure Talisman [a powerful single-use talisman of the third rank, high grade] just to block the seventh bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. To withstand the eighth bolt, he was forced to sacrifice three of his Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a clan's most powerful and symbolic magical artifact], utterly destroying them.

It was only by relying on the Chen Clan's Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible that he managed to survive the ninth and final bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

A single Third Rank High Grade Spirit Talisman [a talisman imbued with spiritual power] starts at over one hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], while a Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure is worth over two hundred thousand. The cost was undeniably staggering.

Much like Elara Lin in her time, the Old Patriarch still possessed some reserve strength as he faced his tribulation. Naturally, he was reluctant to expend precious Third Rank High Grade Spirit Talisman or damage invaluable Third Rank High Grade Magical Treasure.

He held a Fourth Rank Magical Treasure as his ultimate trump card, and furthermore possessed a set of Lifebound Formation Tool [a formation tool spiritually bonded to its user] capable of blocking the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

With a swift motion, he summoned seven White Metal Star Pearl. Instantly, golden radiance erupted from the pearls, manifesting the divine ability 'White Metal Metallic Essence Sword Aura' [a sword aura forged from the purest metallic essence] to intercept the seventh bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

He then activated his defensive divine ability, 'Diamond Glaze Barrier' [a barrier as hard and clear as diamond-infused glaze], to withstand the eighth divine thunderbolt.

That single set of formation tools alone blocked both the seventh and eighth bolts of the Golden Core Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the specific heavenly thunder trial for forming a Golden Core], a clear testament that the Old Patriarch's power far surpassed that of Xavier Xu in his day.

As the ninth and final bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation gathered to strike, he chose not to risk damaging his Lifebound Formation Tool by forcing it to bear the brunt of the last heavenly strike.

With a sweeping motion of his hand, he summoned his ultimate, reserve treasure, the Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible. In an instant, a crimson sun materialized within the Firmament, erupting with blinding, scarlet radiance that held firm against the final, devastating strike of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic lightning trial that tests a cultivator's ascension].

"Congratulations, Old Granduncle!"

"Now that you have attained the Great Dao of the Golden Core [the solidified spiritual core formed at the peak of Foundation Establishment], your future path is boundless."

Witnessing the Old Patriarch successfully endure the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Eldrin Chen spoke with heartfelt joy.

Chen Thalion's face was also alight with triumph. He drew in the Heavenly Tribulation Nectar [the potent, condensed essence left behind by the heavenly tribulation lightning] with his Golden Core, then swallowed the radiant core back into his dantian.

As the ancient saying goes, "Once the Golden Core is swallowed, my fate is my own, not Heaven's to command."

Having broken through to the Golden Core realm this day, his lifespan now stretched for eight hundred years. If he could further refine the quality of his core in the future, the possibility of one day advancing to the Nascent Soul [the realm where the cultivator's spirit forms an independent, infant soul] was no longer a mere fantasy.

Blessed with this vast extension of vitality, the Old Patriarch appeared even younger than when he had first reached the Purple Mansion [the realm where spiritual energy condenses into a palace within the body]. He now resembled a man in his late twenties, his bearing brimming with a vigorous, heroic vitality.

Sensing the profound power contained within his Golden Core, the Old Patriarch descended from the sky, his expression one of deep emotion. "To think that I, this old man, could walk a path leading to such a day," he murmured.

He turned to Eldrin Chen, his voice thick with gratitude. "Were it not for your unwavering support along this journey, I would have long since turned to dust and bone."

"Your aptitude and comprehension are not lacking, Granduncle. While fate's favor may have aided your journey to this day, your own unceasing diligence has been no small part of it."

Eldrin Chen said with a smile. Old Patriarch's cultivation had been one of extreme diligence, and with Eldrin Chen's support along the way, once the Spirit Peach Tree advanced to the second rank, his resources were no less than those of a core disciple from a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan.

Though such a prospect would have been unimaginable in his youth, looking back now, his arrival at this point seemed almost a matter of course.

The Chen Clan was naturally overjoyed that the Old Patriarch had successfully weathered his Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic lightning ordeal faced when advancing to the Golden Core realm].

Two Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden spiritual core] cultivators within a single clan was a rarity unmatched anywhere within the Chu Kingdom, and that was not even counting Eldrin Chen's Dao Companion, Lyra Jiang.

It so happened that Eldrin Chen had previously forgone a Golden Core Ascension Banquet to conceal his cultivation level. Therefore, Lior Chen and the others decided to host a grand Golden Core celebration, inviting all the major Immortal Clan [powerful, long-established families of cultivators] and the great sects of the Chu Kingdom to attend. Original publication: audio‑novel.com - The source of this chapter.

The preparations for this banquet kept them busy for several months. On Verdant Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch played host to Chu Kingdom's Three Great Sects, with a total of over eighty Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators of the second major realm, where one opens a spiritual mansion within the dantian] in attendance.

Even though the strength of the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World had grown considerably over the past century, these eighty-plus Purple Mansion Cultivator still represented nearly half of all such cultivators in the Chu Kingdom.

Furthermore, Golden Core Cultivator from neighboring kingdoms—Yan Kingdom, Qi Kingdom, and Cang Nation—traveled great distances to the Chu Kingdom to partake in the festivities.

The primary reason was that the times had indeed changed.

Back when Lyra Jiang had just broken through to the Golden Core realm not long ago, she was merely a cultivator at the Golden Core, Early Stage, and thus did not command overwhelming prestige.

Now, the two Dao companions, Eldrin Chen and his partner, possessed power comparable to a Golden Core Great Perfection cultivator and a Golden Core, Late Stage cultivator respectively. Together, their combined strength placed their Immortal Clan among the top three most formidable powers across the entire Ji Continent.

Furthermore, the successive breakthroughs to the Golden Core realm by Elara Lin and the Old Patriarch had further bolstered their imposing aura.

Moreover, their record of slaying multiple Golden Core cultivators, including the Earth Lion Demon King and the complete eradication of the Deng Clan, naturally commanded respect and a degree of wariness from all others.

Consequently, for this Golden Core assembly, a full seven or eight Golden Core True Person arrived in the Chu Kingdom, bearing generous gifts with the intention of fostering goodwill with the Chen Clan.

During the banquet, a group of Golden Core Cultivator sat together at one table.

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang sat at the head, their gazes sweeping over several unfamiliar Golden Core Cultivator faces.

He noted that among the Golden Core cultivators attending this assembly, there were surprisingly many newly-advanced Golden Core Cultivator.

The representative from the Violet Abyss Sect and Yvonne the Violet Consort was Hibiscus, the Immortal Maiden. It seemed that, thanks to the Golden Core Formation Pill over a decade ago, she had broken through to the Golden Core realm, becoming the third Golden Core expert of the Violet Abyss Sect.

The Firmament Sword Sect had also gained a new Golden Core Cultivator. This person was named Lysander Ling. Eldrin Chen had seen him during the battle at the Demon Cave Cavern some forty-odd years prior.

Back then, Lysander Ling was merely a little over two hundred years old; now, his age is likely still under three hundred years. He is considered a rising star within the Firmament Sword Sect.

It is highly probable that his breakthrough into the Golden Core realm was also facilitated by that single furnace of Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in forming the Golden Core] refined over a decade ago. Original English translation available at http://www . audio-novel.com.