Chapter 349 Potential Crisis

However, the Peach Blossom Mountain spiritual vein was merely a low-grade, third-tier vein, its spiritual energy far from sufficient to support the breakthrough of a Golden Core cultivator.

"Not good, the spiritual energy is insufficient."

Fairy Qingyan’s expression shifted abruptly as she swiftly crushed a massive quantity of spirit stones, converting them into spiritual energy to support Clearword Ascetic’s breakthrough.

However, she had only a few spirit stones on hand, far from enough to sustain a Golden Core cultivator's breakthrough.

At that moment, Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly as spiritual energy began coalescing into swirling vortices. The most critical step of Clear Verse Hermit's breakthrough had been completed. It would be truly regrettable if failure ensued due to insufficient spiritual energy.

Eldrin then raised his hand and released nearly 1,000,000 spirit stones, crushing them into a vast surge of spiritual energy, ultimately lending Qingci Sanren (Person Name) a helping hand.

Such immense spiritual energy was almost comparable to that of a lower-grade fourth-rank spirit vein, enough to assist Elder Qingci in completing his Golden Core condensation.

After completing this step, Eldrin estimated that the chances of Clearword Sage breaking through to the Golden Core stage were as sure as ninepence.

Sure enough, as the spiritual energy vortex gradually dissipated, an overwhelmingly powerful aura finally erupted from Peach Blossom Mountain.

It is done.

Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly as he saw the Clear Word Ascetic soar into the sky. The ascetic gave him a faint nod before fixing his gaze solemnly upon the tribulation clouds gathering in the heavens.

At that moment, Lyra's eyes flickered slightly, a faint crease forming between her brows.

"What's wrong?" Eldrin asked.

"For a fleeting moment just now, I sensed an extremely powerful aura."

Lyra said, closing her eyes to continue her search, yet ultimately found nothing.

Eldrin also furrowed his brow, yet after searching for a while, neither of them ultimately managed to locate that aura.

After a long while, Eldrin gazed at the heavenly tribulation lightning in the sky, his expression grave as he said, "If someone truly lurks in the shadows, their ambitions must be anything but trivial. It seems we must proceed with caution."

"Perhaps it was just an illusion."

Lyra shook her head and said calmly,

At that very moment, hidden deep within the earth hundreds of miles away was an elderly man clad in Daoist robes.

The man gazed at the distant tribulation clouds, then cast a solemn look toward Lyra and Eldrin. "The Alliance Leader of Heavenly Ruins Alliance, and the Sword Immortal of Chu Kingdom—why would they come here?"

"Although the breakthrough of Clear Verse Hermit into the Golden Core realm was an unforeseen variable, it remains but a minor ripple in the grand scheme. However, that Lyra (Person Name) and Eldrin (Person Name) wield formidable divine abilities—should they join forces, I hold no certainty of being able to eradicate them."

"Could it be that he detected my arrival and deliberately invited these 2 here?"

The elder pondered briefly, his eyes flickering with a trace of gravity.

After a long while, he shook his head again. "Impossible. If this person knew I was making a move, they would have long fled Peach Blossom Mountain. How would they dare remain here?"

"That Golden Radiance Glazed Lantern can increase my chances of surviving the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation. I am determined to obtain it—who dares stand in my way?"

"Very well, let us wait a while longer. Those 2 will inevitably depart sooner or later."

At this thought, the old man stroked his long beard and concealed his aura.

Engaging 2 powerful Golden Core cultivators in combat was most unwise, especially when both had mastered supreme divine abilities and stood at the pinnacle of Golden Core cultivation.

Though the elder's cultivation had reached the False Infant stage and he possessed ample confidence in his abilities, he was acutely aware of his dwindling lifespan and diminished vitality. He feared that sustaining any injury would irrevocably sever his path to advancing to the Infant Soul realm.

He suppressed his aura, concealing himself silently between heaven and earth, while the tribulation crossing at the other end finally approached its conclusion.

After obtaining a considerable amount of Lin Daoyang's wealth, the Carefree Lyricist naturally made thorough preparations, possessing a multitude of Calamity-Substitution Artifacts in hand.

Relying on these treasures, the Carefree Verse Immortal successfully weathered the heavenly tribulation and broke through to the Golden Core Realm in 1 fell swoop.

After surviving the lightning tribulation, Qingci Sanren immediately sought out Eldrin (Person Name) and promptly bowed with cupped hands, saying, "Fellow Daoist, your assistance in helping me achieve enlightenment is something for which I am eternally grateful."

"There's no need for formalities. Your breakthrough to the Golden Core realm was achieved through your own efforts—I merely gave a timely push."

Eldrin smiled faintly. It was worth the considerable price he had paid to assist the Carefree Verse Wanderer in breaking through to the Golden Core stage.

Qingci Sanren shook his head and continued, "Without your assistance this time, I would likely have been forced to burn my vital essence to replenish my Golden Core due to insufficient spiritual energy. Even if I had successfully broken through to the Golden Core stage, it would have inevitably resulted in severe depletion of my vital essence."

"It's just that this debt of 32,000 spirit stones will likely have to wait until after the ancient ruins exploration before I can repay you."

With a grave expression, Qingci Sanren said,

Mentioning the ancient ruins, everyone felt a stir of excitement. Any relic capable of enduring for thousands of years in an environment like the Flaming Sea of the Infernal Prison had most likely surpassed the Golden Core level.

At this thought, a faint smile graced Yu Qingyan’s lips as she said, “The ruins will reopen in 2 months. It’s time we set out.”

"Let us depart."

Thinking of the imminent opening of the ruins, the group wasted no time and hastily departed Peach Blossom Mountain that very day.

Peach Blossom Mountain lay over 3,000,000 li from the Infernal Abyss of Flames. Fortunately, the Azure Sun Treasure Vessel possessed extraordinary speed, reaching the heart of the blazing sea after merely a dozen or so days of flight.

After entering the outer reaches of the Infernal Flame Sea, Elder Qingci said with grave solemnity, "The secret realm lies deep within the Infernal Flame Sea, where we'll encounter Golden Core realm Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) wraiths. We must proceed with utmost caution."

"Hold a moment."

Yet at that very moment, Eldrin brought the Green Sun Treasure Vessel to a halt.

With a grave expression, he glanced at Lyra (Person Name) and asked, "How are things looking?"

"What's wrong?"

Seeing their expressions turn grim, Fairy Qingyan couldn't help but inquire.

Just then, Lyra (Person Name) opened her eyes and spoke with grave seriousness, "Throughout this journey, I've been using a spell to sense auras. I've discovered someone has been tracking us all along, and their cultivation has at least reached the Great Perfection of the Golden Core."

"How is this possible?"

Qingci Sanren’s expression shifted, and he couldn’t help but say, “The secrecy of this journey is absolute. Aside from the 3 of you, I have not informed anyone else.”

At that very moment, it was Eldrin who spoke up: "My Grudge Soul-Seeking Art also senses something. This person is likely Astrael."

“Astrael (Person Name)。”

Their expressions shifted slightly. A reputation precedes its owner like a tree casts its shadow. As the foremost rogue cultivator of the Heavenly Abode Continent, Astrael had even broken through to the Pseudo-Nascent Soul realm decades ago after obtaining the Nascent Soul Formation Pill.

This individual possessed a mid-grade Golden Core, and it appeared that within a few decades, he would once again attempt to reach the Nascent Soul Realm, with a success rate likely exceeding 50 percent.

"I understand."

Hearing that the visitor was Astrael, a bitter smile surfaced on Clear Verse Wanderer’s face.

Not long ago, he had contemplated selling his Golden Light Glazed Lamp—a notion several close acquaintances had come to know of. Now Astrael, on the verge of breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm, had been meticulously preparing for her Heavenly Tribulation. Her visit was undoubtedly aimed at securing his Golden Light Glazed Lamp.

After informing the others of the situation, Qingci Sanren said with a bitter smile, "My apologies to all of you. Today, I have brought this misfortune upon you."

"Do not worry."

Seeing his troubled expression, Lyra (Person Name) said calmly, "The scorching inferno is filled with chaotic energies. I've concealed our treasure ship with my divine abilities—enough to make it undetectable to him."